最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08951382B2 Sealing liquid for safety closures
The invention relates to a sealing liquid for sealing mailpieces containing water and a penetration agent, to the uses thereof and to letter-closing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid.
US08951381B2 Quick release head for tape applicator
A double sided tape applicator can include a quick release head to facilitate, for example, cleaning and tape threading.
US08951380B2 Fabric welding machine
Methods and other embodiments associated with a fabric welding machine are presented. The fabric welding machine includes a base, a welding machine body, and a support beam with a first end and a second end. A first roller is positioned adjacent to the first end of the support beam opposite the welding machine body. A swing arm with a body end and a roller end is attached to the welding machine body. The roller end is opposite the welding machine body and is configured to move to a first position and a second position. A heat element attached to the first end of the support beam.
US08951376B2 Method of manufacturing corrugated laminate made of films
A laminate of thermoplastic polymeric films comprises at least one fluted ply A and at least one substantially flat ply B, adhered to one another in bonded zones along the flute crests. The wavelength of the flutes is preferably no more than 3 mm. Ply A has a generally uniform thickness or can have attenuated zones of lessor thickness extending parallel to the flute direction, each bonded zone being located mainly within an attenuated zone. The flutes can be sinuous with crests on both sides of ply A and can be adhered on each side to a ply B, in which case, attenuated zones can be on both sides and can have different widths. The flutes can be filled with filler material, including reinforcement strands, and one or both sides can be perforated. The method and apparatus employ aligned grooved fluting rollers and a grooved laminating roller.
US08951372B2 Low emissivity and EMI shielding films
A low emissivity and EMI shielding transparent composite film typically for use in association with window glazing and comprising a transparent film substrate having on one side thereof an underlayer of abrasion resistant hardcoat material with at least one infrared reflective layer covering the underlayer, typically a metallic layer which may be encased in metal oxide layers, which is then covered with a thin external protective top coat of a cured fluorinated resin.
US08951371B2 Copper alloy
A method of producing a copper alloy containing a precipitate X composed of Ni and Si and a precipitate Y that includes (a) Ni and 0% Si, (b) Si and 0% Ni, or (c) neither Ni nor Si, wherein the precipitate X has a grain size of 0.001 to 0.1 μm, and the precipitate Y has a grain size of 0.01 to 1 μm.
US08951366B2 High-strength cold-rolled steel sheet and method of manufacturing thereof
A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet includes, by mass %, C: 0.10% to 0.40%, Mn: 0.5% to 4.0%, Si: 0.005% to 2.5%, Al: 0.005% to 2.5%, Cr: 0% to 1.0%, and a balance of iron and inevitable impurities, in which an amount of P is limited to 0.05% or less, an amount of S is limited to 0.02% or less, an amount of N is limited to 0.006% or less, the microstructure includes 2% to 30% of retained austenite by area percentage, martensite is limited to 20% or less by area percentage in the microstructure, an average particle size of cementite is 0.01 μm to 1 μm, and 30% to 100% of the cementite has an aspect ratio of 1 to 3.
US08951365B2 High strength steel and high strength bolt excellent in delayed fracture resistance and methods of production of same
A steel which is excellent in delayed fracture resistance containing, by mass %, C: 0.10 to 0.55%, Si: 0.01 to 3%, and Mn: 0.1 to 2%, further containing one or more of Cr: 0.05 to 1.5%, V: 0.05 to 0.2%, Mo: 0.05 to 0.4%, Nb: 0.001 to 0.05%, Cu: 0.01 to 4%, Ni: 0.01 to 4%, and B: 0.0001 to 0.005%, and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, the structure being a mainly tempered martensite structure, the surface of the steel being formed with (a) a nitrided layer having a certain thickness range and a nitrogen concentration higher than the nitrogen concentration of the steel by 0.02 mass % or more and (b) a low carbon region having a certain depth range from the surface of the steel and having a carbon concentration of 0.9 time or less the carbon concentration of the steel.
US08951362B2 Replenishing compositions and methods of replenishing pretreatment compositions
Disclosed are replenisher compositions and methods of replenishing pretreatment compositions. The methods include adding a replenisher composition to a pretreatment composition wherein the replenisher composition includes: (a) a dissolved complex metal fluoride ion wherein the metal ion comprises a Group IIIA metal, Group IVA metal, Group IVB metal, or combinations thereof; (b) a component comprising an oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate of Group IIIA, Group IVA, Group IVB metals, or combinations thereof; and optionally (c) a dissolved metal ion comprising a Group IB metal, Group IIB metal, Group VIIB metal, Group VIII metal, Lanthanide Series metal, or combinations thereof.
US08951358B2 Cleaning compositions and methods
The present invention relates, in part, to cleaning methods and solvent cleaning compositions including at least one hydrofluoro-olefin or hydrochlorofluoro-olefin solvent for use in connection with cleaning of metal parts, and in certain preferred embodiments cleaning metal parts to be used in an aircraft.
US08951357B2 Device for whisking milk and method for cleaning such a device
A device (1) comprises an intake duct (11) for taking in milk, an intake duct (15) for taking in a cleaning fluid, a central duct (13) in which both intake ducts (11, 15) are merging, and a pump (31) which is arranged in the central duct (13). Cleaning the device (1) involves filling both the central duct (13) and the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid. In particular, the pump (31) is a bi-directional pump, wherein filling the central duct (13) with the cleaning fluid is realized by operating the pump (31) in one direction while blocking the milk intake duct (11), and wherein filling the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid is realized by opening the milk intake duct (11) and operating the pump (31) in a reversed direction, wherein cleaning fluid is displaced from the central duct (13) to the milk intake duct (11).
US08951353B2 Manufacturing method and apparatus for semiconductor device
A manufacturing method for semiconductor device includes: loading a wafer to a reaction chamber and placing the wafer on a support member; supplying process gas including source gas to a surface of the wafer, controlling a heater output and heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature while rotating the wafer at a first rotational speed, and thereby forming a film on a surface of the wafer; stopping supplying the source gas; decreasing a rotational speed of the wafer to a second rotational speed which enables an offset balance of the wafer to be maintained and stopping the heater output; and decreasing a temperature of the wafer while rotating the wafer at the second rotational speed.
US08951350B2 Coating methods and apparatus
An apparatus deposits a coating on a part. The apparatus comprises a chamber and a sting assembly for carrying the part. The sting assembly is shiftable between: an inserted condition where the sting assembly holds the part within the chamber for coating; and a retracted condition where the sting assembly holds the part outside of the chamber. The apparatus comprises a source of the coating material positioned to communicate the coating material to the part in the inserted condition. The apparatus comprises a thermal hood comprising a first member and a second member. The second member is between the first member and the part when the part is in the inserted condition. The second member is carried by the sting assembly so as to retract with the sting assembly as the sting assembly is retracted from the inserted condition to the retracted condition.
US08951345B2 High temperature support apparatus and method of use for casting materials
This invention relates to a system and a method of use for large ceramic member support and manipulation at elevated temperatures in non-oxidizing atmospheres, such as using carbon-carbon composite materials for producing high purity silicon in the manufacture of solar modules. The high temperature apparatus of this invention includes one or more support ribs, one or more cross braces in combination with the one or more support ribs, and a shaped support liner positionable upon the one or more support ribs and the one or more cross braces.
US08951343B2 Ultra high performance concrete reinforced with low-cost graphite nanomaterials and microfibers, and method for production thereof
Ultra-high-performance cementitious materials are made using suitably functionalized and relatively low-cost carbon nanofibers and graphite platelets. Polyelectrolytes and surfactants are physisorbed upon these graphite nanomaterials in water, and dispersion of nanomaterials in water is achieved by stirring. Stable and well-dispersed suspensions of nanomaterials in water are realized without using energy-intensive and costly methods, and also without the use of materials which could hinder the hydration and strength development of ultra-high-performance cementitious materials. The water incorporating dispersed nanomaterials is then mixed with the cementitious matrix and, optionally, microfibers, and cured following standard concrete mixing and curing practices. The resulting cementitious materials incorporating graphite nanomaterials and optionally microfibers offer a desired balance of strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, moisture barrier attributes, durability and fire resistance.
US08951337B2 Cost-effective tunable precleaner
An inertial separation air precleaner system includes a replaceable insert removably mounted to the precleaner and altering air flow velocity through the precleaner by changing flow area of the flowpath through the precleaner housing. The replaceable insert is replaceable with a different insert for the same precleaner housing, which different insert provides a different flow area through the precleaner housing, enabling a selectable precleaner efficiency vs. restriction trade-off as chosen by a user for a particular application, enabling tuning of precleaner performance by the user.
US08951334B2 Electric dust collector apparatus in electrostatic precipitator system and method for electrostatic precipitation thereby
Disclosed are an electric dust collector apparatus in an electrostatic precipitator system and a method for electrostatic precipitation thereby. The electric dust collector apparatus includes a flow liquid dust collector part collecting charged dust in a liquid flowing to its one side surface, and a counter unit located opposite to the flow liquid dust collector part and including a metal plate charged with the same polarity with the charged dust to guide the induced charged dust to flow toward the flow liquid dust collector part, wherein the counter unit further includes a coating including an insulating material coating the metal plate.
US08951332B2 Method for collecting Co from urban ore
Urban ore is a mixture of a lot of metallic elements, and these metallic elements need to be separately collected therefrom. However, because the content of each metallic element is very small, it has been extremely difficult to selectively collect the required metallic element.In order to solve the problem, there is provided a metal-ion adsorbent which is for use in a method for collecting metal ions present in a liquid, and in which a continuously porous support having large numbers of pores of uniform size and shape, and a compound having a metal ion-binding group is chemically bonded to the inner surfaces of the pores, whereby a material and a method with which rare-metal ions contained in urban ore are efficiently and inexpensively taken out are provided.
US08951331B2 Valuable metal recovery method
Provided is a method for stabilizing the degree of oxidation of molten battery waste, and definitively separating slag and alloy. The method is provided with a pre-oxidation step (ST20) for roasting and oxidizing battery waste; and a drying step (S20) for melting the battery waste oxidized in the pre-oxidation step, and separating and recovering the slag and the valuable metal alloy. By providing the pre-oxidation step (ST20) for oxidizing the battery waste by roasting in advance of the drying step (S20), it is possible to stably obtain the optimal degree of oxidization in a melting step (ST21), and to improve the slag-alloy separation efficiency.
US08951330B2 Method for preparing silver nanoparticles by employing ethanolamine and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymers
The present invention provides a method for producing silver nanoparticles by employing ethanolamine. The method of this invention can be easily operated and no organic solvent is required. Ethanolamine first reacts with copolymers of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (abbreviated as SMA) to generate polymeric polymers. The polymeric polymers then reduce silver ions to silver atoms which are dispersed in the form of silver nanoparticles. Functional groups of the polymeric polymers can chelate with silver ions and be stably compatible with water or organic solvents, whereby the silver nanoparticles can be stably dispersed without aggregation and the produced silver nanoparticles.
US08951329B2 Production of valve metal powders with improved physical and electrical properties
The invention relates to a process that involves (1) feeding (a) a first valve metal powder component containing valve metal particles and (b) reducing component into a reactor having a hot zone; and (2) subjecting the first valve metal powder component and the reducing component to non-static conditions sufficient to simultaneously (i) agglomerate the first valve metal powder component particles, and (ii) reduce oxygen content in the valve metal powder component particles, and thereby form a second valve metal powder component containing oxygen-reduced valve metal particles, in which the reducing component is selected from the group consisting of magnesium reducing components, calcium reducing components, aluminum reducing components, lithium reducing components, barium reducing components, strontium, reducing components, and combinations thereof.
US08951324B2 Air filter medium
The objective of the present invention is to provide an air filter medium having a lower pressure drop and higher efficiency as compared to an air filter medium currently in use. This objective is achieved by providing an air filter medium characterized by comprising glass short fibers as its main fibers in which the constituent fibers are dispersed uniformly and, when the constituting fibers at a diluted concentration of 0.04% by mass are allowed to stand for 12 hours, the sedimentation volume is 450 cm3/g or greater.
US08951322B2 Filter fan
A filter fan of a switch cupboard or of an electrical and/or electronic device placed in a casing with a blast producing an air flow and with a filter element (3) which is placed in the air flow and separates a clean side, on which the blast is placed, from an unclean side, wherein the filter element is held in a frame which can be fixed on the casing by covering the air passage opening penetrating through the casing wall and wherein a protective grid (4) is placed between the filter element (3) and the blast, the invention proposes that a bridging-free distance is provided between the filter surface of the filter element (3) and the protective grid (4), wherein this distance is dimensioned so as to make possible the discharge of water drops on the clean side surface of the filter element and to avoid a contact of the water drops with the protective grid.
US08951321B2 Pulse jet air cleaner components; features; assemblies; and, methods
According to the present disclosure a pulse jet air cleaner components, features and assemblies are described, as well as methods of use. Preferred v-pack configurations, scavenge arrangements, pulse jet arrangements and filter cartridge retention arrangements, are shown and described, for example.
US08951315B2 Method of injecting fuel into a gasifier via pressurization
The present invention relates to an improved gasifier injection system. In particular, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and operating scheme to improve the control flow of solid particulates in a multi-burner gasifier. The system also provides for integrated flow control and emergency shutoff in the case of abnormal operating conditions or unexpected backflow of the process burners. This improved design simplifies the mechanical systems required for large multi-burner gasifiers thus providing a more reliable and compact gasifier feed system. In preferred embodiments, the gasifier hydrocarbon feed is substantially in a solid particulate state and is preferably comprised of coal, petrochemical coke, and/or solid biomass.
US08951314B2 Fuel feed system for a gasifier
A fuel feed system for use in a gasification system includes a feed preparation section, a pressurization and conveyance section, and a slag additive section. The feed preparation section is configured to grind the fuel to a predetermined size and to adjust the moisture content within the particulate fuel. The pressurization and conveyance section is coupled in flow communication with the feed preparation section, and includes at least one solids pump configured to receive a flow of the particulate fuel at a first pressure and discharge the particulate fuel at a second pressure. The slag additive section is configured to feed a slag additive mixture into the gasifier and to substantially control the total water content within the gasification system.
US08951308B2 Pyrolysis oil and other combustible compositions from microbial biomass
Oleaginous microbial biomass is subjected to pyrolysis to make microbial pyrolysis oil for use as a fuel or is otherwise formed into combustible products for the generation of heat and/or light.
US08951306B2 Film-type supercapacitor and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a film-type micro-supercapacitor and a manufacturing method thereof including a method for manufacturing an electrode film by using graphene or graphene oxide, a method for forming a two-dimensional electrode by separating a graphene or graphene oxide electrode film into two independent electrodes through patterning, a method for forming an in-plane structure of the two-dimensional electrode, a method for forming a current collector on an electrode, and a method for manufacturing a supercapacitor with a micrometer thickness by supplying an electrolyte to the two-dimensional electrode.
US08951304B2 Vacuum suction structure of ankle joint and support barrel of artificial limb
A vacuum suction structure of ankle joint and support barrel of artificial limb is connected, to the top thereof, with an artificial limb and the support barrel and is connected, to the bottom thereof, with an artificial foot. An ankle pressure cylinder forms therein an air chamber receiving therein an air chamber piston that forms therein a hydraulic fluid compartment. A hydraulic fluid supplementing cylinder and a one-way hydraulic fluid cylinder are arranged at one side of the ankle pressure cylinder and are connected via a connection piping system to the hydraulic fluid compartment. The one-way hydraulic fluid cylinder receives therein a push rod and the hydraulic fluid cylinder piston. When the structure is put into operation to allow a user to step forwards, the ankle pressure cylinder can provide both functions of hydraulic cushioning and air pressure regulation.
US08951295B2 Posterior spinal fastener
A posterior spinal fastener is disclosed for insertion into a vertebra of a mammalian body, the vertebra having posterior elements and a vertebral body. The fastener includes an elongate member adapted for insertion into the vertebra. The elongate body has an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The anterior portion is arcuate in shape for placement in the vertebral body. The posterior portion has a length so as to be accessible at the posterior elements of the vertebra when the anterior portion is disposed in the vertebral body. A method of use of the posterior spinal fastener is also disclosed, in which the posterior spinal fastener is introduced into the vertebra at the posterior elements and arcuately extended into the vertebral body.
US08951285B2 Tissue anchor, anchoring system and methods of using the same
A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor can optionally be deployed and activated using a catheter device.
US08951283B2 Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture
Apparatus for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel includes a porous carrier formed from lyophilized hydrogel or other material. The plug may include at least first and second hydrogel precursors and a pH adjusting agent carried by the porous carrier in an unreactive state prior to exposure to an aqueous physiological environment. Once exposed to bodily fluids, the carrier expands as the lyophilized material hydrates to enhance and facilitate rapid hemostasis of the puncture. When the plug is placed into the puncture, the natural wetting of the plug by bodily fluids (e.g., blood) causes the first and second precursors to react and cross-link into an adhesive or “sticky” hydrogel that aids in retaining the plug in place within the puncture.
US08951282B2 Extraluminal sealant applicator and method
An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.
US08951280B2 Cardiac valve procedure methods and devices
Devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures without cardiac bypass include embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves. The temporary filter devices have a cannula which provides access for surgical tools for effecting repair of cardiac valves. The cannula may have filters which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta. The valve devices may also have a cannula for insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel and operate to prevent blood flow and to permit flow through the valve. The prosthetic valves include valve fixation devices which secure the prosthetic valve to the wall of the vessel. The prosthetic valves are introduced into the vascular system in a compressed state, advanced to the site of implantation, and expanded and secured to the vessel wall.
US08951279B2 Balloon catheter and method for manufacturing it
A balloon catheter includes a catheter tube and an inflatable balloon. The ends of the balloon are attached to the catheter tube. The outside surface of the balloon in an uninflated state is provided with a relief structure which in an inflated state of the balloon is substantially disappeared. A method for producing such a relief structure is by winding a wire helically around the outer surface of the balloon.
US08951278B2 Post carrier for body piercing instrument
Apparatuses and systems for ornamental piercing of body parts are disclosed. Various embodiments of the invention employ a post carrier which includes a cylindrical recess at a first end for holding an ornament of a post for piercing. A wall of the cylindrical recess of the post carrier further includes at least one wall recess for engaging a point on the ornament of the post. The at least one wall recess may include a spring finger extending from a side of the at least one wall recess applying a cantilever force to the point on the ornament engaged in the at least one wall recess for holding the post. The post carrier provides more consistent holding force of the post across typical manufacturing tolerance ranges to provide both secure engagement of the post for handling and piercing and later disengagement without discomfort to the user.
US08951277B2 Tamponade trocar device and method
A tamponade trocar includes an elongate balloon having a closed distal end and is adapted to expand from a small diameter to a large diameter. A cannula is positioned at a proximal portion within the balloon lumen. A rigid stylet is removably positioned within the balloon and cannula lumens. A distal end of the stylet supported balloon is inserted into a perforation in a body wall and advanced into a body cavity while the balloon is unexpanded. The balloon is expanded and the cannula is advanced to a distal portion of the balloon lumen and across the body wall. At this stage, the perforation is dilated and in compressive tamponade. The proximal portion of the balloon may be removed and a seal housing may be coupled to the proximal end of the cannula. The distal end of the balloon may be punctured and opened, making the trocar ready for use.
US08951276B2 Systems and methods for percutaneous intravascular access and guidewire placement
A device for allowing passage of a guidewire from a primary blood vessel to an adjacent secondary blood vessel includes a main body having a primary lumen and a secondary lumen, and a piercing member disposed in the secondary lumen, and configured to be moved distally out of the secondary lumen, and to pierce through tissue while being distally moved. A third lumen located within the piercing member is configured to allow placement of a guidewire from the primary blood vessel to the adjacent secondary blood vessel. In one embodiment, the secondary lumen is configured to allow articulation of the distal end of the piercing element. The piercing member has a sharp point on one end to facilitate cutting a small communicating aperture from the primary blood vessel to the secondary blood vessel.
US08951272B2 Seal arrangements for ultrasonically powered surgical instruments
In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.
US08951270B2 Surgical securement system and apparatus
A surgical securement apparatus for selectively securing one or more ends of a cord while allowing adjustments in the tension or a full release of the cord intermittently after a prolonged period of time. A surgical securement and marking system utilizing one or more surgical securement apparatus that are color-coded to convey information about the associated intercorporeal structures. The surgical securement apparatus can be particularly adapted for use in securing intracorporeal structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and tendons during a surgical procedure. An extender tube connected to the surgical securement apparatus enables securement of intracorporeal structures within the surgical site from outside the surgical site. A threading assembly for use with the surgical securement apparatus that is adapted to facilitate threading of a cord along the length of the surgical securement apparatus.
US08951269B2 Surgical suture apparatus having sewing function
The present invention relates to a surgical suture apparatus having a sewing function. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical suture apparatus comprising: a coupling part, a shaft part connected to the coupling part, an operating part, and a suture part connected to the shaft part by way of the operating part, the suture part including a support, a surgical needle and a needle driving part, wherein the surgical needle operates in a direction substantially orthogonal to the support by the needle driving part, and a suture thread from the surgical needle and a suture thread from the support are entangled with each other by the operations.
US08951266B2 Methods and systems for modifying a parameter of an automated procedure
A variety of systems and methods are described which enable quantitative information to be extracted regarding automated procedures, including those performed at a high speed that may require a user input, without having to interrupt the procedure. In addition, these systems and methods serve to provide information on one or more parameters of the automated procedure, whereby they may be modified, if required, to improve the automated procedure or the results from such a procedure. The systems and methods provided are especially useful in automated hair transplantation procedures.
US08951264B2 Push-off driver and method for inserting bone screws
A method and device for inserting screws into a patient, such that when the device is removed the device does not stick to the screw. The device, being a push-off driver, may have a handle, an inner driver, and a threaded driver sleeve having a button mechanism and a plurality of spheres, and an inner sleeve. The method includes the steps of assembling a push-off driver attaching a bone screw to the push-off driver inserting the bone screw and detaching the bone screw from the driver by unthreading the threaded driver sleeve from the polyaxial screw which causes the spheres in the recess of the inner driver to back up against the start of the recess and causing the threaded driver sleeve to “push-off” the polyaxial screw from the inner driver.
US08951259B2 Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08951258B2 Spinal correction system and method
A surgical instrument comprises a first arm extending between a first end and a second end including a first pivot engageable with a first spinal construct disposed with a first vertebral surface. A second arm is connected with the first arm via a second pivot. The second arm extends between a first end and a second end including a third pivot engageable with a second spinal construct disposed with a second vertebral surface. The arms are relatively movable to rotate the first spinal construct relative to the first pivot and the second spinal construct relative to the third pivot such that the first vertebral surface is moved relative to the second vertebral surface. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.
US08951255B2 Method of treating spinal internal disk derangement
A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.
US08951252B2 External fixation system
An orthopedic fixation ring for an external fixator has a ring or a ring-segment extending around a center axis. The ring comprises a first surface running perpendicular to the center axis, a second surface which is parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart through openings running parallel to the center axis and extending through the fixation plate. The fixation plate has at least a third surface which is parallel to the first surface spaced outwardly thereof with respect to the center axis. A further set of through openings extends from the first surface to the third surface. A fourth surface may be provided which is axially displaced from the second surface with respect to the center axis. The ring preferably is circular or part-circular and is molded from carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.
US08951248B2 Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices
A surgical generator for providing a drive signal to a surgical device may have a receptacle assembly having a receptacle body, a flange and a central protruding portion. The outer periphery of the central protruding portion may have at least one curved section and at least one linear section. Additionally, a surgical instrument may comprise an electrical connector assembly having a flange. The flange may comprise at least one curved section and at least one linear section. In some embodiments, A surgical instrument system may comprise a surgical generator, a surgical instrument comprising a connector assembly, and an adapter assembly operatively coupled to the receptacle assembly and the connector assembly.
US08951247B2 Methods and apparatus for forming cardiac lesions and assessing lesion quality
Method and apparatus for treating conductive irregularities in the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation and accessory path arrythmias. An ablative catheter is positioned relative to an inter-atrial electrical pathway, or a vicinity of accessory paths such as the coronary sinus or fossa ovalis, and actuated to form a lesion that partially or completely blocks electrical conduction in at least one direction along the pathway. Method and apparatus for assessing lesion quality are also described.
US08951246B2 Cryosurgical device with a probe coupling formed from the socket and the plug of cryoprobes
A cryosurgical device, with a control for the supply and/or removal of a coolant gas to a cryoprobe via a return flow or a supply flow. The device has at least one socket for the attachment of a rigid cryoprobe and a flexible cryoprobe. The socket and the plugs of the cryoprobes each form probe couplings. The configuration of the cryosurgical device allows both rigid and flexible cryoprobes to be automatically connected to the appropriate return flow conduit, independently of the level of knowledge of operating personnel.
US08951244B2 Multi-spot laser probe
A multi-spot/multi-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a first adapter; a GRIN lens within the first adapter, the GRIN lens configured to receive a laser beam from a laser source at a proximal end of the GRIN lens and to relay the received laser beam towards a distal end of the GRIN lens; and a multi-fiber array having a proximal end configured to receive the relayed laser light. In addition, a multi-spot/single-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a cannula; an optical fiber positioned within the cannula; a diffractive beam splitter within the cannula; and a GRIN lens within the cannula and arranged between a distal end of the optical fiber and the diffractive beam splitter, wherein the diffractive beam splitter is configured to split a focused laser beam from the GRIN lens into multiple diffracted laser beams.
US08951243B2 Medical device handle
A medical device handle may include an elongated handle housing, a rotatable collar disposed about the handle housing, a rotatable control knob disposed about the collar, and a slidable door disposed about the collar. The door may be rotatably locked to the collar to prevent relative rotation between the door and the collar.
US08951242B2 Bacterium-based microrobot including magnetic particles
Provided is a bacterium-based microrobot, wherein bacteria are attached to a part of a surface of a microstructure including at least one or more magnetic particle, for actuating a bacterium-based microrobot more effectively.
US08951241B2 Prevention of bacterial adherence and growth in an urological implant
A medical device is disclosed, which comprises a functional unit (C) for permanent or temporary placement in the urogenital tract of a human or animal body. The functional unit has at least one electrically conducting portion. A power source (G) supplies a current to the electrically conducting portion after placement of the functional unit in the urogenital tract. In this manner, the growth of bacteria on the functional unit can be reduced.
US08951239B2 Disposable diaper
A disposable diaper has an absorbent body, an outer covering sheet and two end holding sheets, and both end portions of the absorbent body are fixed between the end holding sheets and the outer covering sheet. Since a turndown portion of an upper end portion of the end holding sheet is bonded on an upper end portion of a first covering sheet, a waist covering portion has structure where the first covering sheet is laminated on the two-layered end holding sheet. Therefore, a thickness of the outer covering sheet can be reduced, while maintaining strength of the waist covering portion by appropriately selecting material of the end holding sheet, thereby to easily improve softness of the disposable diaper. Since an upper end of a second covering sheet is positioned below the turndown portion, softness and breathability in an area between the turndown portion and the second covering sheet is increased.
US08951237B2 Layered adhesive construction with adhesive layers having different hydrocolloid composition
A layered adhesive construction comprising a backing layer and a first and second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive, where the first and second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive have different composition, and the second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive is at least partly interposed between the first layer of hydrocolloid adhesive and the backing layer, the first and second adhesive layers consisting of a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase where the discontinuous phase of the first adhesive layer comprises a hydrocolloids providing a higher moisture absorption capacity and higher initial rate of absorption to the adhesive layer than the hydrocolloids in the discontinuous phase of the second adhesive layer, and the discontinuous phase of second layer of adhesive comprises hydrocolloids providing a higher cohesion following moisture absorption to the adhesive compared to the hydrocolloid in the discontinuous phase of the first adhesive layer.
US08951234B2 Pharmaceutical dosages delivery system
Pharmaceutical delivery systems for delivering dosages according to the present invention include a carrier component and a cap configured to seal an internal volume of the carrier component, wherein the cap includes a device that produces a unique current signature. Dosages prepared to be delivered according to embodiments of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including clinical trials.
US08951233B2 Needleless access connector and method of use
A positive-displacement needleless access connector is disclosed that has a housing with a first luer fitting at a proximal end thereof, a base with a second luer fitting at a distal end thereof, and a valve element with a proximal end that creates a seal at the first luer fitting and fastens to the base so that a surface of the valve element is substantially flush with a surface of the base.
US08951227B2 Device for the administration of injectable products with a controlled flow rate
A device is for the administration of injectable products with controlled flow rate, with a container (23) in the form of both a syringe and an ampoule preloaded with the injectable product, an injection port (25) and a control valve (21) for controlling the outlet rate and pressure arranged between the injectable products and the injection port (25). A device for reducing the outlet flow rate depends on the pressure increase applied during the administration of the injectable product, the administration being moderated by closing the valve (21) when the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. A device prevents the backflow of fluids during the administration of the injectable product. The valve (21) can be positioned both in the container (23) and at an injection end (27) including the injection port (25) which is coupled to the container (23).
US08951226B2 Mediastinoscopy access, sampling, and visualization kit featuring toroidal balloons and exotracheal method of using
The present invention provides various systems, a kit, and a method for accessing, sampling within, and visualization of areas within the mediastinal cavity for assisting a surgeon in performing a mediastinoscopy procedure. The access system includes one or more preferably toroidal balloons that can be expanded to dilate and protect the inner walls of a bodily conduit. Instruments pass through hollow spaces within the expanded toroidal balloons. The proximally positioned balloons are expanded first and the unexpanded balloons to be positioned distally are passed through them and subsequently expanded. The sampling system includes an instrument with a rounded head having two or more jaws and a slit therein at the distal end of an elongated tubular body. The visualization system includes a 360° camera that can be positioned from proximal to distal a target site and can also do a U-turn about its axis of extension.
US08951224B2 Interventional catheter assemblies, control systems and operating methods
An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head and catheter system that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. An operating head is positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter system and coupled to a drive shaft and drive system for rotation. A guidewire brake control system interrupt prevents the drive system from being actuated when the guidewire brake is in a released position, and a selectable guidewire brake interrupt override control permits an operator to translate and/or rotate the drive shaft and operating head while the guidewire is simultaneously moved. This allows withdrawal of the guide wire and the operating head from the target site while rotating the operating head.
US08951218B2 Multi-path catheter
A multi-path catheter includes an elongate tubular member and a withdrawal pathway along which unfiltered fluid is withdrawn in a distal to proximal direction. The withdrawal pathway originates at a distal point and is at least partially defined by the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member also defines, at least partially, at least one infusion pathway along which filtered fluid is returned in a proximal to distal direction. The at least one infusion pathway extends distally beyond the withdrawal pathway. First and second legs of the elongate tubular member are positioned on opposing sides of the withdrawal pathway at the distal point, and the at least one infusion pathway is at least partially defined by one of the first and second legs. The first and second legs have outer walls that are unattached to one another at distal ends thereof.
US08951214B2 Battery pack with massage function
A battery pack with massage function includes a case, a battery cell, an electrical connector, a switch, a moving body, and an electrical actuator assembly. The case has an accommodation space and a through hole communicating the accommodation space. The battery cell is disposed in the accommodation space. The electrical connector is disposed on a surface of the case and is electrically connected to the battery cell. The electrical connector is used for connecting with an electrical receiver of an electronic device for supplying electrical power from the battery cell to the electronic device. The switch is electrically connected to the battery cell to be selectively switched to a close-circuit-state or an open-circuit-state. The moving body is capable of moving reciprocally via the through hole. The electrical actuator assembly is connected to the battery pack via the switch to generate a driving force to move the moving body reciprocally.
US08951213B2 Chest compression monitor with rotational sensing of compressions for discrimination of CPR movement from non-CPR movement
A chest compression monitor for measuring the depth of chest compressions achieved during CPR. A sensor of the chest compression monitor is disposed within its housing such that compression of the housing due to CPR compressions, and its resultant deformation, is detected by the sensor and used by the control system as the starting point for calculating chest compression depth based on an acceleration signal indicative of the downward displacement of the chest.
US08951211B2 Prosthetic limb monitoring system
Parameters related to use of a prosthesis by a patient with a limb amputation are monitored using a tool that includes one or more piezoelectric force sensors. The resulting data are processed for use both in short and long term management of amputee patients. The sensor is a small modular unit that fits within or between traditional prosthetic components, e.g., below a prosthesis socket. The data produced by the tool are collected, processed, and stored. Optionally, the data are periodically communicated to a remote site via a network, e.g., over the Internet. The device and associated software used to process the data can be used to characterize activities conducted by a prosthesis user, to determine pistoning or threatening interface stress distributions between the limb and socket, mal-alignment of the socket, use of improper components, and other possibly undesired conditions that the amputee patient using the prosthesis may be experiencing.
US08951210B2 Medical guidewire
Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, and an inner flexible tube that surrounds a distal end portion of the core shaft. The inner flexible tube is disposed in the outer flexible tube so that a distal end thereof is positioned between the distal end of the core shaft and a proximal end of the core shaft so as to be separated from the core shaft. A first joint is formed so as to join the distal end of the inner flexible tube to the core shaft. At least one second joint is formed so as to join the outer flexible tube to the inner flexible tube. The at least one second joint is positioned between the first joint and the proximal end of the core shaft.
US08951206B2 Methods and systems for screening and treatment of young infants demonstrating deficits in auditory processing
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for screening infants at high risk for central auditory processing deficits and then remediating less efficient processing behaviorally using an adaptive training algorithm that gradually increases sensitivity to rapidly occurring stimuli streams.
US08951204B2 Method for using a pulse oximetry signal to monitor blood pressure
A system for continuously monitoring the blood pressure of a patient over an extended time interval requires using a blood pressure measuring unit (e.g. a sphygmomanometer) to calibrate an oximeter. Specifically, the oximeter is used to continuously detect and measure amplitudes for each blood flow pulse of the patient. Periodically, the sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) in an artery of the patient. Immediately after the measurement cycle is completed, a computer correlates the measured systolic pressure with the pulse amplitude that is detected by the oximeter. Thereafter, the pulse amplitudes that are detected by the oximeter are used as indications of variations in the systolic pressure during the extended time interval that follows.
US08951203B2 Measures of cardiac contractility variability during ischemia
Systems and methods include obtaining a measure of cardiac contractility. A cardiac contractility variability is determined from the measure of cardiac contractility. Analyzing the cardiac contractility variability, an indication of cardio-vasculature health is provided.
US08951201B2 Method and apparatus for performing transesophageal cardiovascular procedures
An apparatus for performing a transesophageal cardiovascular procedure includes an elongated tubular main access device having a first lumen with an open proximal end and a distal side opening, and a second lumen with a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall. The second lumen is adapted to receive an elongated probe or surgical device. The apparatus further includes an inflatable sealing means on the outside of the main access device above and below the side opening, and a first fluid conduit extending along the main access device for inflating the sealing means so that when the main access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the sealing means are inflated. The portion of the esophagus opposite the side opening is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the side opening.
US08951197B2 Method of displaying elastic image and diagnostic ultrasound system
To carry out objective or definitive diagnosis on the basis of an elastic image regardless of experience and proficiency, a method of displaying an elastic image includes the steps of measuring ultrasound cross-section data of a cross-section region of a subject by applying pressuring to the subject, determining a physical value correlating with the elasticity of tissue in the cross-section region on the basis of the ultrasound cross-section data, generating an elastic image of the cross-section region on the basis of the physical value and displaying the elastic image on a display device, determine compression state information relating to the compression state of the cross-section region on the basis of the pressure applied to the subject, and displaying the compression state information together with the elastic image on the display device.
US08951193B2 Method of predicting acute cardiopulmonary events and survivability of a patient
A method of producing an artificial neural network capable of predicting the survivability of a patient, including: storing in an electronic database patient health data comprising a plurality of sets of data, each set having at least one of a first parameter relating to heart rate variability data and a second parameter relating to vital sign data, each set further having a third parameter relating to patient survivability; providing a network of nodes interconnected to form an artificial neural network, the nodes comprising a plurality of artificial neurons, each artificial neuron having at least one input with an associated weight; and training the artificial neural network using the patient health data such that the associated weight of the at least one input of each artificial neuron is adjusted in response to respective first, second and third parameters of different sets of data from the patient health data.
US08951182B2 Mitigation of secondary phase formation during waste vitrification
A method for vitrification of waste to reduce the formation of persistent secondary phases comprising separating at least one glass frit constituent from an initial glass frit to form a modified glass frit. The waste, modified glass frit, and the at least one glass frit constituent are mixed together with the modified glass frit and the at least one glass frit constituent being added as separate components. The resulting mixture is vitrified.
US08951181B2 Sound abating heat sink and motor housing
A centrifuge includes a rotor configured to receive sample containers; a drive shaft operatively coupled to the rotor; and a motor. The motor includes a housing; a plurality of substantially parallel fins integral with the housing, each fin having a free end spaced from the housing, wherein the free ends of the plurality of fins are disposed in a common cylindrical plane; and a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove disposed between a pair of adjacent fins and having a groove depth defined by a distance between the common cylindrical plane and the housing. Wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first multitude of grooves having a common groove depth and a second multitude of grooves having a groove depth that is not the same as the common groove depth, wherein the first and second multitude of grooves are interleaved.
US08951179B2 Unit and method for feeding reels of a sheet-like material, in particular but not exclusively a printed plastic film with print-position marks for automatic packaging machines
A feeding unit from reels of sheet-like material , in particular but not exclusively printed plastic film with print-position marks for automatic packaging machines, comprising two unrolling shafts of respective reels of material for feeding in turn said material towards a unit that cuts and welds the tail of material of a running out reel and the head of a fresh, loaded reel. Such a unit comprising suction, cutting and welding devices (7, 8) movable so as to approach and move away from each other to press the material (F1, F2) over a welding plane. Each device is formed by a group of mutually stacked suction and cutting modules, at least two of such modules having respective guides for slidable in a transversal direction with the respect to the feeding direction of the material, whereby it is possible to select and adjust the number of modules according to a desired welding height.
US08951173B2 Exercise apparatus
An apparatus for exercising muscles of a user. At least one member has a dynamic mass distribution that changes according to an orientation of the apparatus. The orientation of the apparatus may be altered by the user so as to exercise the user's muscles.
US08951168B2 Programmable exercise bicycle
The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider's schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.
US08951167B2 Anti-drift mechanism for treadmill
An anti-drift mechanism for a treadmill having a chassis, a support frame, and endless belt is mounted between a bottom side of the support frame and a lower half part of the endless belt includes a guide member and a pressing axial member sleeved onto the guide member. The guide member is mounted to the chassis of the treadmill and movable longitudinally with respect to the endless belt in such a way that the pressing axial member can be driven by the guide member to oppress the endless belt so as to increase the pressure applied to the endless belt for the purpose of adjusting the drifting belt back to its normal operational position.
US08951153B2 Power transmission mechanism
The present power transmission mechanism comprises: a first rotation member mounted integrally rotatably on the rotation shaft of a drive apparatus; a second rotation member rotatable integrally with or relative to the first rotation member; an elastic member interposed between the first and second rotation members which, when the first and second rotation members rotate relative to each other, absorbs a rotation difference between them; and, a switching portion which includes a mass member mounted on one of the first and second rotation members and rotatable integrally therewith, and an energizing member for energizing the mass member in a direction where it can be contacted with the other of the first and second rotation members. In the switching portion, when the number of rotations of the rotation shaft is a given number of rotations or less, the mass member is contacted with the other rotation member due to the energizing force of the energizing member to generate a frictional force between their contacted surfaces, thereby preventing the relative rotation between the first and second rotation members. And, when the number of rotations of the rotation shaft exceeds a given number of rotations, due to a centrifugal force generated from the rotation of the rotation shaft, the mass member is shifted against the energizing force of the energizing member and is separated from the other rotation member, thereby allowing the relative rotation between the first and second rotation members through the elastic member.
US08951148B2 Golf ball
A core 4 of a golf ball 2 includes a center 10 and an envelope layer 12 positioned outside the center 10. The ratio of the volume of the core 4 to the volume of a phantom sphere of the golf ball 2 is equal to or greater than 78%. The difference (He−Ho) between a JIS-C hardness He at the surface of the core 4 and a JIS-C hardness Ho at the central point of the core 4 is equal to or greater than 15 but equal to or less than 40. The difference (H1−Ho) between a JIS-C hardness H1 at a point P1 that is located radially outward of the boundary between the center 10 and the envelope layer 12 and whose distance from the boundary is 1 mm and the JIS-C hardness Ho is equal to or greater than 0 but equal to or less than 2.
US08951145B2 Golf club head and removable weight
A golf club head and a removable weight that is received in a receptacle of the golf club head. The weight includes a cap and a slug. The cap is removably coupled to the receptacle and includes a recess that receives a portion of the slug so that the cap and slug are able to rotate relative to each other. The slug includes an anti-rotation feature that prevents relative rotation between the slug and the receptacle and a lead-in portion.
US08951144B2 Colorized damping indicators for customized golf club heads
The present invention is directed to a golf club having a playing characteristic that is communicated to a player based upon a vibration damping material that is colorized and visible from outside of the club head, thereby communicating to a golfer information about the playing characteristics of the club.
US08951141B2 Iron-type golf club set and iron-type golf club head set
A set of iron-type golf clubs and a set of iron-type golf club heads are disclosed. The loft angles of the heads are gradually increased from the lowest numbered golf club to the highest numbered golf club in the set. Given that a coefficient of inertia of the head is the ratio Ms/M of a moment of inertia Ms (gram sq·cm) of the head around a horizontal axis extending in a toe-heel direction of the head passing through the center of gravity of the head, to the mass M (g) of the head, the coefficient of inertia is gradually increased with the increase in the loft angle, and the difference of the coefficient of inertia of the head of the highest numbered club from that of the lowest numbered club is 0.3 or more.
US08951135B1 Tabletop miniature golf game
In one aspect, an apparatus includes first and second end rails, a flexible rectangular playing surface, and first and second side rails. A first end edge of the surface is connected to the first end rail, and a second end edge of the surface is connected to the second end rail. The first and second side rails are configured for removable attachment to the first and second end rails. A method includes unrolling a flexible rectangular playing surface and attaching first and second side rails. Further, an apparatus comprises a rectangular playing surface, a rectangular raised perimeter border, and a plurality of golf course construction elements, wherein at least some of the elements comprise complementary curves so that the elements fit with each other.
US08951134B2 Artificial sport log
A lightweight, portable artificial sport log for logrolling, having physical properties that mimic a selected natural log, has a hollow cylindrical shell of a suitable high density polymeric material and an internal baffle support shape of a rigid polymeric material fixed to the internal surface of the cylindrical shell. One or more sealable fill/drain ports allow addition and draining of water from the artificial log. Auxiliary training devices to control log rotation are disclosed, as is an inflatable embodiment.
US08951130B2 Flexible shaft assemblies
A flexible shaft assembly that transfers torque from a driver to a driven member includes a stub shaft that includes an elongated shaft axis, where the stub shaft couples to the driver, and a flexible coupling that includes a first hub that is adjustably connected to a second hub, where the second hub is coupled to the driven member and includes an external cylindrical interface. The flexible shaft assembly further includes a spacer that includes a spacer body, a shaft clearance hole that passes through the spacer body having a central axis extending therethrough, and a cylindrical guide surface concentric with the shaft clearance hole, where the external cylindrical interface of the flexible coupling is located inside the cylindrical guide surface, and the first hub adjusts relative to the second hub when the elongated shaft axis is out of alignment with the central axis of the shaft clearance hole.
US08951129B2 Device for regulating stiffness
A device for regulating stiffness has a rotary shaft coupled to the driven member to rotate the driven member, a rotational connection body coupled to the rotary shaft to freely rotate thereon and rotating by a driving power of the driving motor, and an elastic connection body fixed to the rotary shaft and extending in the length direction of the rotary shaft to connect to the rotational connection body, wherein the elastic connection body gives an elastic force in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the rotational connection body to interrupt free rotation of the rotational connection body with respect to the rotary shaft, and wherein if the rotational connection body rotates by the driving motor, the elastic force of the elastic connection body acts as spring so that the rotating force of the rotational connection body is transmitted to the rotary shaft.
US08951128B1 Device and method for an electronic tag game
A device combining a gun and target for facilitating a game of tag using infrared light communications and augmented reality with one or more players is provided. The device includes infrared transmitters and infrared receivers to facilitate omni-directional two-way communication between two or more devices and a shaped housing facilitating handling of the device by a user. The housing includes a grip portion with a finger-operable trigger and a barrel portion. A mobile electronic device is used as an accessory to provide single player and multiplayer augmented reality game play and a user-interface including a display and a touch screen for programming the device and controlling various game and device functions.
US08951122B2 Game system, game apparatus, storage medium storing game program and game data exchange method
A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.
US08951121B2 Multigame action button deck in a concurrent gaming system
A multi-game action button deck in a concurrent gaming system is disclosed. The system includes at least one gaming machine in communication with a game server via a network, a display manager, a multi-game action button, and a touch sensor. The display manager is configured to display content related to one or more games to be played on the display areas of the gaming machine, wherein the content includes at least one game display area and a virtual button deck display area associated with each game. The display manager resizes and repositions the streaming video content on the display areas of the gaming machine depending on the game themes that are selected and the number of games that are selected. The multi-game action button is displayed on the virtual button deck, wherein the multi-game action button has multiple touch areas to control different combinations of games.
US08951117B2 Display device for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same
A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images for a game; a shutter assembly configured to cover and uncover the display panel at least in part, the shutter assembly including a first sliding door configured to move along a first guide and a second sliding door configured to move along a second guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door, wherein at least one of the first sliding door and the second sliding door includes a catching member configured to catch another of the first sliding door and the second sliding door such that the second sliding door follows movement of the first sliding door.
US08951116B1 Slot machine game with intersecting wheels
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine game. Different wheels can spin simultaneously and paylines can bridge across different wheels to form combinations. Wheels can share intersecting symbols, wherein when one wheel spins it takes the intersecting symbol with that wheel, and when the other wheel that shares the intersecting symbol spins it takes the intersecting symbol with that wheel.
US08951113B2 Insurance enabled hybrid games
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate an insurance enabled hybrid game, including: a gambling game providing a game of chance and an entertainment game providing a game of skill, where the insurance enabled hybrid game utilizes a multisession module constructed to: activate an insurance proposition associated with an insurance trigger event in accordance with an insurance activation rule to generate at least one insurance relationship between an insurance safeguard that can be applied in exchange for an insurance fee, and where a challenge is a gameplay event dependent upon player action with a negative outcome of the challenge defined by the insurance safeguard; collect an insurance fee; and apply an insurance safeguard associated with the collected insurance fee by altering insurance enabled hybrid game gameplay in response a negative outcome of a challenge detected by the insurance module that mitigates the negative outcome.
US08951112B2 Gaming machine
A display device having bet areas where a plurality of bet objects are displayed and a unit bet buttons where a plurality of bet amounts are displayed and a touch panel which is provided on the front surface side of the display device to be able to receive a touch input from the outside and detect a touched position of the touch input are included. When the touched position of the touch input corresponds to any bet amounts in the unit bet buttons, a bet amount is determined based on this touched position. When the touched position of the touch input continuously moves at least in the bet areas, betting on each bet object on the moving path among the bet objects in the bet areas is received with the bet amount determined using the unit bet button.
US08951111B2 Method of gaming and a game controller
A gaming system. A symbol selector selects a plurality of symbols for display at display positions. A symbol hierarchy evaluator evaluates the selected symbols to identify a column corresponding to a highest winning symbol combination to be applied to one of the columns. A column selector selects a column to apply the designated modification. A display modification element selector selects a designated number of display modification elements to be in a subset of the plurality of display elements changed to an active state. A modification applier applies the designated modification to the selected column subsequent to changing the subset of display modification elements to an active state. A symbol evaluator evaluates the symbols displayed at the display positions subsequent to the modification being applied to determine whether to make one or more awards.
US08951109B2 Enhanced slot-machine for casino applications
Methods and apparatus for a gaming system are provided. The gaming system receives a request for a wager for a player of an entertainment game, the request being triggered by a player action taken by the player while playing the entertainment game. The gaming system establishes a result for the wager and generates, based on the result of the wager, a controlled sequence of a portion of the entertainment game, the controlled sequence changing the state of the entertainment game as the entertainment game is being played by the player.
US08951108B2 Methods and systems for conducting a game
In some embodiments, the instant invention provides a computer-implemented method to conduct a drawing game that at least includes: providing a first game piece, where the first game piece has a first game data of the drawing game; receiving the first game data of the drawing game; determining a second game data of the drawing game based at least in part on: the first game data, where the second data includes the first game data, and a predetermined rule; randomly generating a third game data of the drawing game; providing a second game piece having the second game data and the third game data of the drawing game to a player, where the second game piece is capable of enabling the player to determine, by comparing the second game data and the third game data of the drawing game, whether the player wins a prize of the drawing game.
US08951107B2 System and method for non-sequential automated fantasy drafting
A system and method for non-sequential automated fantasy drafting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing a ranked list of players, each player associated with one or more characteristics from a predefined set of characteristics, defining one or more rules which specify the maximum number of active players having each of the characteristics and a maximum number of players having of each of the characteristics, storing a roster of previously selected players having the maximum number of active players for a particular characteristic and less than the maximum number of players for the particular characteristic, and automatically selecting, in an electronic device, based on the stored roster, a player for the roster from the ranked list of players satisfying the one or more rules such that a player is selected with a lower rank than a player with the particular characteristic.
US08951099B2 Chemical mechanical polishing conditioner
A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) conditioner includes a ceramic substrate having a major surface, and an abrasive coating overlying the major surface. The major surface can include micro-protrusions arranged in a curved pattern. Alternatively, the micro-protrusions can be arranged in an irregular pattern.
US08951092B2 Distributed system of autonomously controlled mobile agents
A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.
US08951088B2 Puzzle with conductive path
System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.
US08951086B2 Modular miniature unmanned aircraft with vectored-thrust control
An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust-vectoring (“T/V”) module and a second T/V module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two T/V modules. The two T/V modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as T/V modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.
US08951083B2 Method for manufacturing an organic light emitting diode display
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention discloses an organic light emitting device including: a plurality of scanning signal lines; a first and second contact assistant; a plurality of data lines crossing the scanning signal lines; a driving voltage line; and a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel alternately arranged, wherein each pixel includes: a switching transistor, a driving transistor including an output terminal, a pixel electrode connected to the output terminal, the pixel electrode including at least two layers including a transflective electrode, an organic light emitting member arranged on the pixel electrode, and a common electrode arranged on the organic light emitting member, wherein the first pixel further includes a supplementary member arranged on the pixel electrode, and wherein the first and second contact assistants include the same material as the supplementary member.
US08951078B2 Onboard floating drilling installation and method for operating an onboard floating drilling installation
The disclosure relates to an onboard floating drilling installation and to a method for operating an onboard floating drilling installation, comprising a draw-works for reeling out and reeling in a drilling line, comprising several thrusters for dynamic positioning the onboard floating drilling installation and comprising at least one generator to operate the thrusters and the draw works.
US08951076B2 Receptacle unit
A receptacle unit includes a body having multiple slots and a wire connection portion is formed to the body. The wire connection portion is exposed from the body and is electrically connected to the slots. A housing is mounted to the wire and connected to the body. The housing is mounted to the wire connection portion to provide electrical isolation to the wire connection portion. Multiple connectors are connected to the body and an isolation member is located to provide isolation to the connectors. Multiple wires are replaceably connected to the connectors.
US08951072B2 Communication jacks having longitudinally staggered jackwire contacts
Communications jacks include a housing having a plug aperture that is configured to receive a mating RJ-45 plug along a longitudinal axis and eight jackwire contacts that are arranged as four differential pairs of jackwire contacts, each of the jackwire contacts including a plug contact region that extends into the plug aperture. A first of the jackwire contacts is configured to engage a longitudinally extending surface of a first blade of a mating RJ-45 plug when the mating RJ-45 plug is fully received within the plug aperture.
US08951070B1 SATA and SAS plug connector
A high speed, high reliability connector that may be employed with standard Serial ATA (SATA) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) compliant receptacle connectors. The present invention reduces impedance discontinuity by reducing the interconnection length and cross-planar transit found in typical SATA and SAS compliant connectors.
US08951066B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes an electrical terminal and a housing having a front end and a back end with an opening configured to receive the electrical terminal therethrough. The housing includes a first lock system configured to allow insertion of the electrical terminal into the housing and prohibit removal of the electrical terminal from the housing. The housing is configured such that the first lock system is accessible from the front of the housing to release the electrical terminal from the first lock system. A second lock system is configured for insertion into the housing to prohibit removal of the electrical terminal from the housing independently from the first lock system.
US08951065B2 Connection structure of conductive paths
A first conductive path and a battery are connected via a junction block that is provided to the battery. The junction block is provided with a second conductive path. The second conductive path is arranged at an upper side of a floor which is to be an interior side of a panel member. The first conductive path and the second conductive path are electrically connected in the vicinity of a through-hole of the panel member. A part of the first conductive path is inserted into the through-hole and then the first conductive path is connected to the second conductive path.
US08951062B2 Motor connection in particular for a radiator fan motor for a motor vehicle and a radiator fan motor
An electrical assembly connection, in particular a motor connection for an electrical radiator fan motor, for a motor vehicle, has a connected cable harness. The cable ends of the cable harness are connected to an assembly-end connection terminal. Two housing parts of a connection housing are combined so as to form a hollow space in the assembled state and accommodate the connection-end cable ends of the cable harness. Wherein one of the housing parts contains at least one cable bushing which has a conical guide inner contour which opens in the direction of the connection terminal. A clamping part rests against the guide inner contour, and wherein, as a result of tensile loading on the cable harness, the clamping part slides along the corresponding guide inner contour and increases the clamping action on the corresponding cable as the tensile loading increases.
US08951060B2 Charging coupling and charging coupling arrangement for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle
A charging coupling (1) for a motor vehicle (2) has a receiving device (3) with a receiving section (4) for receiving a charging plug (7) and a locking device (11) having a locking section (13) that can be displaced into the receiving section (4) approximately perpendicularly with respect to an introduction direction (E) of the charging plug (7) into the receiving section (4) for locking the charging plug (7) in the receiving device (3) in a charging position. A cover (16) having a sealing device (21) is provided for closing the receiving section (4) in a dust-tight and water-tight manner when the charging plug (7) is removed from the receiving section (4).
US08951059B2 Safety receptacle for power cord
A safety receptacle for power cord includes a main body, a positioning plate, and a sheath. The positioning plate is fixed to the main body, having an elastically swayable active section. The sheath is movably sheathes the main body. The main body, the sheath, and the active section are formed with corresponding insertion holes and aperture. When the plug is inserted in the receptacle, the conductive pin of the plug is clutched by the active section so as to prohibiting slack of the plug. Additionally, the active section contacts the conductive pin by point contact, so that little dust would be produced by abrasion of the active section and the conductive pin. Without the piled dust, ignition is prevented. Safety of the receptacle is then improved.
US08951055B2 Electrical device with a plug-type connector and electrical plug-type connection
Connection between an electrical device and a stationary base part, with a plug type connector which can be fixed in floating fashion to a fixing plate of the device and with a corresponding mating plug type connector which can be fixed to the base part, wherein the mating plug type connector has a housing at least one guide hole. Compensation between the plug type connector and the mating plug type connector is possible when joining the electrical device to the stationary base part by at least one screw hole being formed in the housing of the plug type connector for a fixing screw which passes through the screw hole into a fixing plate of the electrical device, the diameter of the screw head being greater than the diameter of the screw hole, and the diameter of the screw neck being substantially smaller than the diameter of the screw hole.
US08951049B2 Electrical connector assembly with an adaptor for electrical connecting the electrical connector and the PCB
An electrical connector assembly includes a printed circuit board, an electrical connector assembled on the printed circuit board and an interposer assembled between the electrical connector and the printed circuit board, the electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals and a shielding element received therein, and wherein the interposer electrically connect the terminals and the shielding element and electrically connect the printed circuit board.
US08951047B2 Interactive education system for teaching patient care
Simulator systems including a maternal simulator and a fetal simulator are provided. In some instances, the maternal simulator includes a chamber sized and shaped to receive a fetal simulator and a birthing mechanism disposed within the chamber for providing rotational and translational movement to the fetal simulator in a birthing simulation. In some instances, the fetal simulator is configured to be selectively, fixedly engaged with a locking mechanism of the maternal simulator such that the fetal simulator is not removable from the maternal simulator during the birthing simulation when fixedly engaged with the locking mechanism and the fetal simulator is removable from the maternal simulator during birthing simulation when not fixedly engaged with the locking mechanism.
US08951044B2 Keeper for implant and its assembly, and keeper-fixing method
A keeper for an implant comprising (a) a keeper body made of a soft-magnetic material, which comprises a recess for receiving a head of an abutment having a female thread, and a female thread extending along a center axis to have communication with the recess and having a larger nominal diameter than that of the female thread of the abutment; and (b) a stepped screw member comprising a small-diameter screw portion threadably engageable with the female thread of the abutment, and a large-diameter screw portion threadably engageable with the female thread of the keeper body; the keeper body being strongly fixed to the abutment by the stepped screw member, when the keeper body is rotated in a threadably engaging direction, after the female thread of the abutment threadably engages the small-diameter screw portion, and after the female thread of the keeper body threadably engages the large-diameter screw portion.
US08951042B2 Dental prosthesis
The invention relates to a dental prosthesis, comprising an implant body (1) and an abutment (2) that can be inserted into a receptacle of the implant body (1), said abutment (2) forming a passage opening (4) for accommodating a cap screw (3) that engages in an internal thread (5) of the implant body (1), which screw is supported by means of a conical cap part (7) of the cap screw (3) on a conical shoulder (8) of the abutment (2). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the conical cap part (7) has at least two consecutive conical sections (9, 10) in the axial direction, which conical sections have an opening angle that differs from the opening angle of the conical shoulder (8), and when the one conical section (9) contacts the conical shoulder (8) without pressure the other conical section (10) engages in the shoulder cone (11) with play.
US08951041B2 Heater for liquefied petroleum gas storage tank
A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
US08951040B2 Vertical flame burner
A gas burner (10) comprising a bowl-shaped base body (12), a burner crown (14) arranged on the base body (12) and an upper cap (16) arranged on the burner crown (14), wherein a plurality of flame ports (34) is provided to let out a gas-air mixture towards to a recipient (36) to be heated, wherein the flame ports (34) are formed in such a manner that the gas-air mixture leaves the flame ports (34) in an essentially vertical direction.
US08951035B2 Injection molding tool
An injection molding tool is used to produce plastic parts such as toothbrush bodies or razor handles, for example. The tool has a stationary center mold block and a pair of outer mold blocks. The center mold block has two parallel opposed molding faces joined by two parallel opposed side faces extending perpendicular to the molding faces. The molding faces have parallel partial mold cavities formed therein and the outer mold blocks each are associated with one mold face of the center mold block and each have a molding face with parallel partial mold cavities formed therein which together with corresponding partial mold cavities of the associated mold face of the center mold block form complete mold cavities. Holders are indexed alongside the peripheral faces and around corners formed between the peripheral faces to hold and transport molded parts alongside the peripheral faces of the center mold block.
US08951034B2 Modular mould system for manufacturing a shell part
A modular mold system for manufacturing a shell part of an oblong composite structure having a longitudinal direction from a fiber reinforced matrix material. The modular mould system includes a number of mold sections, which are adapted to being assembled to an assembled mold part. The number of mold sections includes a first mold section having a first molding surface with a contour that defines a surface of a first longitudinal part of the shell part and a first end section; and a second mold section having a second molding surface with a contour that defines a surface of a second longitudinal part of the shell part and a second end section; which, when the modular mold system is assembled to the assembled mold, the second end section of the second mold section abuts the first end section of the first mold section.
US08951032B2 Device for processing a material web using ultrasound and having a support for the sonotrode
A device for acting on a material web using ultrasonic includes an ultrasonic unit which has a converter a booster and a sonotrode, and a counter tool. The material web is guided through a gap between the sonotrode and the counter tool and acted upon by the sonotrode. The ultrasonic unit is adjustable relative to the counter tool by way of a movable carriage, and the booster is firmly connected to the carriage. A support supports at least one side surface of the sonotrode and guides the sonotrode in the longitudinal direction thereof.
US08951030B2 Resin filling device
A resin filling device for a laminated iron core, the resin filling device being used when a magnet insertion hole provided in the laminated iron core of a rotor for an electric motor is filled with a molten resin for fixing a magnet. The resin filing device configured with a resin feeding mold, an opposing mold, and a pressing mechanism that applies a compression force with the laminated iron core sandwiched between the resin feeding mold and the opposing mold. The resin feeding mold includes one or more discharge outlets arranged so as to face the opening of the magnet insertion hole, and configured to include a diameter reducing part in which an inner diameter is reduced gradually along a discharge direction of the molten resin. A diameter reducing part is arranged inside of the laminated iron core.
US08951029B2 Mobile plastics extrusion plant
A mobile plastics extrusion plant 10 for manufacturing an extruded plastics product in a remote location. The mobile plant 10 comprises the following components: a transportable container 16 for storing raw plastics material prior to extrusion, and a transportable extruded product forming assembly (in the form of a die and former assembly 12) for forming an extruded plastics product from the raw plastics material. The mobile extrusion plant 10 further comprises a transportable delivery system 18 for delivering the raw plastics material from the transportable container 16 to the die and former assembly 12 whereby, in use, the entire plant can be transported to a remote location and operated to manufacture an extruded plastics product.
US08951027B2 Vane cell machine
The invention concerns a vane cell machine having a stator and a rotor that is made of a first material, the rotor having guides comprising radially displaceable vanes that rest on an inside of the stator and border work chambers at each axial end of the rotor together with the rotor, the stator and individual stationary side walls, the vanes having, at least at some contact faces with the rotor and the stator, a second material that interacts unfrictionally with the first material. It is endeavoured to keep the wear small. For this purpose, in a radially inner area, the side wall comprises a surface of a third material interacting unfrictionally with the first material and, in a radially outer area a surface made of the first material.
US08951022B2 Feeding device for powder spray coating device
A powder feed apparatus for a powder spraycoating equipment includes a dense phase powder pump fitted with at least one, or two feed chambers. Each of the feed chambers includes at one chamber end a powder intake valve and at the opposite chamber end a powder outlet valve and further includes at least one air exchange aperture to alternatingly apply compressed conveying air or a partial vacuum to the feed chamber. The apparatus further includes an integral structural block. The structural block includes the feed chambers and first control valves connected in fluid communication to at least one of feed chambers for the purpose of applying compressed conveying air and a partial vacuum to it. The first control valves are directly connected, in fluid communication via ducts constituted in the structural block, to at least one of the feed chambers.
US08951019B2 Multiple gas turbine forwarding system
A fuel forwarding skid for delivering fuel from a storage area to a plurality of turbines includes at least two pumps for delivering fuel to a skid outlet line. A flow control device is connected to the pumps to control an output of the pumps. A recirculation line is in communication with the skid outlet line and is adapted to return a portion of the fuel in the skid outlet line to the storage area. A flow meter is in communication with the recirculation line to measure a rate of flow in the recirculation line, and the flow control device controls the output of at least one of the pumps in accordance with the rate of flow in the recirculation line.
US08951016B2 Rotor blade for an axial flow turbomachine and mounting for such a rotor blade
A rotor blade for an axial flow turbomachine, preferably a turbine, and to a mounting for such a rotor blade is provided. In the rotor blade, the two opposing lateral walls of the blade base are continuously curved along their extension between platform and bottom side of the blade base in order to reduce the mechanical load in the blade base and that of the walls supporting the blade base of a rotor.
US08951012B1 Contra-rotating axial fan transmission for evaporative and non-evaporative cooling and condensing equipment
According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an oil-free contra-rotating transmission is disclosed. The contra-rotating transmission may comprise a lower drive unit; and an upper drive unit, wherein the lower drive unit receives power from a motor and is configured to (i) transfer power from the motor to the upper drive unit, and (ii) rotate a first axial fan in a first direction. The upper drive unit may be configured to rotate the second axial fan in a second direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first direction.
US08951009B2 Sculpted impeller
A system, in certain embodiments, includes an impeller having a plurality of impeller blades coupled to an impeller hub body, wherein each impeller blade is sculpted having a nonlinear profile extending from a hub intersect surface of the impeller blade to a shroud intersect surface of the impeller blade.
US08951004B2 Cooling arrangement for a gas turbine component
A cooling arrangement (82) for a gas turbine engine component, the cooling arrangement (82) having a plurality of rows (92, 94, 96) of airfoils (98), wherein adjacent airfoils (98) within a row (92, 94, 96) define segments (110, 130, 140) of cooling channels (90), and wherein outlets (114, 134) of the segments (110, 130) in one row (92, 94) align aerodynamically with inlets (132, 142) of segments (130, 140) in an adjacent row (94, 96) to define continuous cooling channels (90) with non continuous walls (116, 120), each cooling channel (90) comprising a serpentine shape.
US08951003B2 Stacking device
A device for stacking veneer sheets (1, 2) while substantially horizontal, the device including a supporting element, that escapes in the advancement direction at a release area from beneath the veneer (2) to be stacked, the supporting element being moved by a conveyor (7), and a controlled element for stopping the veneer to be stacked in a corrected position at a release point. An element for stopping the veneer to be stacked is a gripper (10) that grips the trailing edge of the veneer (2) from below and moves up and down, in the advancement direction of the veneer, and transversely to it, the gripper having a gripping point to the veneer at the trailing edge in the veneer's advancement direction, extended at a distance in the advancement direction from the gripper's transverse travel path.
US08950997B2 Method and apparatus for supporting a load
A lifting block and a method of using it for supporting a load from a first lifting device or sharing the load between the first lifting device and a second lifting device, particularly for use on a vessel and deep water applications, are disclosed. The lifting block, with at least one sheave, has first and second connection elements associated with it. In one arrangement (single fall) a lifting wire or rope is fed around the sheave and terminated in an end stop which also provides the first connection element. When the first lifting device is operated alone, the end stop rests on the block. When the second connection element, secured to the lifting wire or rope of a second lifting device, is joined to the first connection element the load is snared between the two lifting devices which can then be operated in unison to position the load at a required, deeper position.
US08950994B2 Perfect binding machine
A measurement unit (6) is provided with a fixed body (19) which is fixed on a base (17) and has a reference surface (19a). A movable body (21) slides in the base along a guide rail, and a measurement body (22) having a measuring surface (22b) slides in the movable body along the guide rail. The measurement body is always pressed against a first side wall (21a) of the movable body by a coil spring (24). A first sensor (27) to detect the time when a book body is located on the front side of the reference surface, and a second sensor (28) to detect the time when the measurement body is separated from the first side wall of the movable body by a predetermined distance, are provided.
US08950993B2 Speed nut and assembly
A fastener device and assembly comprises segmented arms of rectangular cross section that extend inwardly from a central opening in a surface of the device body. A distal end portion of each segment arm comprises an internally threaded portion, to collectively form a single thread engageable with an externally threaded fastener. Centering portions enhance alignment of the device when applied to the externally threaded fastener.
US08950990B2 Nut sensing devices
Safety apparatuses for objects having a nut are disclosed. Contemplated apparatuses comprise a nut cap and a nut rotation indicator that can readily be observed by an operator. A retention wall can also be included to operate in conjunction with an additional component to block a rotation of a nut. Apparatuses are preferably configured to remain stable in harsher environments.
US08950985B2 Rotating tool
A rotating tool includes a plurality of elongated members, a cutting edge extending from at least one of the elongated members. A support is attached to each of the elongated members for holding the elongated members at a distance relative to an axis of rotation of the tool. A guiding pad extends radially outwardly from the axis relative to at least one of the elongated members. The tool is particularly useful for reaming operations in which it can be useful to have a tool with a large diameter and/or length.
US08950982B2 Geocell for moderate and low load applications
Geocells for moderate to low load applications are disclosed here. The geocells have a cell wall thickness of from 0.25 mm to 0.95 mm. They have a wall strength of from 3500 N/m to 15000 N/m.
US08950981B2 Earth retaining system such as a sheet pile wall with integral soil anchors
A soil raining system combining flat sheet pile walls in an open cell configuration includes integral soil anchors providing an improved earth retaining system. Another aspect of the invention is a method of designing and installing a soil retaining system with an open sheet pile cell structure having integral soil anchors. The method includes, inter alia, calculating soil forces by taking into account material strength of sheet pile, soil friction against the sheet pile in combination with the strength of the integral soil anchor, selecting sheet pile size and length based on soil forces calculation; and installation of sheet pile to form a soil retaining system. The integral soil anchors serve to provide higher load resistance to the improved earth retaining system.
US08950979B2 Method for laying a pipeline on the seabed and a pipeline installation device
The present invention regards a method for laying pipelines on the seabed comprising the steps of attaching an end (2) of the pipeline (1) to a structure (10, 20), lowering the structure with the pipeline to the seabed, allowing the pipeline end to pivot relative the structure, measuring the inclination of the pipeline end relative to the seabed, modifying a pipe spool such that one end is given the same inclination of the end as the pipeline and that at least one part of the pipe spool will be resting on the seabed after connection, connecting the pipe spool to the pipeline. The invention also regards a pipeline installation device where at least a one side of a top structure is allowed to move relative a foundation structure.
US08950975B2 System and method for shoreline preservation
Disclosed is a removable erosion-control and fencing (“REAF”) system for shoreline preservation along a line defined by a plurality of posts. An exemplary REAF system comprises first and second post clamp pairs mounted to adjacent posts. Each post clamp pair “sandwiches” a post and is fixedly attached to the post by virtue of fasteners that lock one half of the post clamp pair to its other half. In this way, the post clamp pair “hugs” the post and is secured thereon without having to be permanently fixed to the post or damaging the structural rigidity of the post. Each post clamp pair includes a substantially vertical wall slot such that one or more cross-members may be received into the walls slots to form a wall section in a space defined between the adjacent posts.
US08950974B2 Mat for sea floor installation
In one aspect, a mat for placement on a sea floor includes a plurality of fabric cells formed from a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, each of the plurality of fabric cells including a first cell edge and a second cell edge where the first and second fabric layer are coupled, the first and second cell edges being aligned in a first direction, a third cell edge and a fourth cell edge where the first and second fabric layer are coupled, the third and fourth cell edges being aligned in a second direction and a cavity configured to receive a filling material, the cavity being defined by the first, second, third and fourth cell edges. The mat also includes a grid of cables disposed within and supporting the plurality of fabric cells.
US08950964B1 Moisture removing and deodorant application system
A specially designed addition to stick deodorant packaging that incorporates a handy absorbent pad or brush that removes moisture from the skin prior to application. Design intent is to provide consumers with a novel tool that ensures optimal hygiene may be realized.
US08950963B2 Multi-unit cosmetic applicator
The invention relates generally to a multi-unit cosmetic applicator comprising a housing body, a first cosmetic unit housed in the housing body, a second cosmetic unit housed in the housing body, an opening in the housing, wherein each cosmetic unit has a means for being independently movable relative to each other from a stored position to an advanced position and back to its stored position. The means may include a ratchet assembly, a squeeze assembly, or a dual twist assembly.
US08950962B2 Heating applicator system for products that may be degraded by heat
A system for sampling a heated product comprising a disposable first subassembly having an applicator head, and a physically separate reusable second subassembly having an electric heating circuit. Prior to use, the two subassemblies are able to form a rigid connection. As a result of forming this connection, the applicator head is transferred to the second subassembly such that a portion of the electric heating circuit is inserted into an interior space of the applicator head. In this configuration, the second subassembly is used to apply heated product.
US08950959B2 Cutting device and recording apparatus
A cutting device includes a cutting blade configured to cut a recording medium; a support unit that supports the cutting blade to be movable in an inclined direction with respect to a surface of the recording medium such that the cutting blade is moved toward the recording medium while moving in a width direction of the recording medium; and a movable unit that causes the cutting blade supported by the support unit to be moved in the inclined direction to cut the recording medium.
US08950952B2 Constraining ball lens in an optical subassembly
In one embodiment, an optical subassembly includes a housing, a ball lens, a constraining insert, and a ball lens constraint. The housing includes a fiber receptacle formed in a first end of the housing and a second receptacle formed in a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The fiber receptacle and second receptacle define a cavity through the housing from the first end to the second end of the housing. The ball lens and the constraining insert are disposed within the cavity. The ball lens constraint is configured to cooperate with the constraining insert to constrain the ball lens in three dimensions within the cavity.
US08950951B2 Optical sub-assembly and packaging method thereof
The present invention discloses an optical sub-assembly (OSA) comprising: a base; at least one photoelectric component; and a housing. The base includes an alignment part including an upper surface and a side surface; the side surface includes a first surface and a second surface; and the first and second surfaces have different curvatures and/or constitute a discontinuous surface. Said photoelectric component is set upon the upper surface for optically connecting to a fiber. Said housing includes a window and an interior surface in which the window is for inserting the fiber, and the interior surface is for defining an accommodation room and includes a third surface and a fourth surface. The accommodation room is capable of containing at least some of the alignment part; meanwhile, the third surface closely meets the first surface and the fourth surface closely meets the second surface.
US08950942B2 Eccentric bearing
An eccentric bearing for an electrohydraulic piston pump assembly of a vehicle brake system includes a shaft configured to be driven in rotation about its axis, a bearing ring which is eccentric relative to the shaft, and rolling bodies between the bearing ring and the shaft. The rolling bodies have different diameters corresponding to a varying width of a gap between the bearing ring and the shaft. When the shaft is driven in rotation, an eccentricity of the bearing ring revolves around the shaft at half of the rotational speed of the shaft and drives pump pistons to perform a reciprocating movement. A rolling body cage is open between the two largest rolling bodies. The rolling body cage loads the rolling bodies into the tapering gap and ensures that the rolling bodies revolve on the shaft when the shaft is driven.
US08950938B2 System and method for correcting for image artifacts in X-ray image data
A computer-implemented method for reducing image artifacts in X-ray image data includes dividing pixels of X-ray image data into a plurality of pixel value regions based on a pixel value of each pixel, wherein each pixel value region has a different range of pixel values. The method also includes generating calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region, wherein the respective calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region is generated using a different dose of radiation. Further, the method includes calculating a gain slope for each pixel value region based on the calibrated X-ray image data, and calculating a pixel gain correction for the pixels of the X-ray image data based on at least one of the calculated gain slopes.
US08950937B2 X-ray inspection apparatus
When a size of a flat panel detector, contained in an X-ray detector containing part, in a body axial direction of a subject is detected, a detected value of a potentiometer, and stored information on a maximum size of a flat panel detector, containable in the X-ray detector containing part, in the body axial direction of the subject are compared with each other. If the size of the flat panel detector contained in the X-ray detector containing part coincides with the maximum size of the flat panel detector containable in the X-ray detector containing part, a reference position information switching part switches reference position information stored in a reference position information storage part. When an operator performs a predetermined operation on an operation part by pressing a switch or performing another action, the stored reference position information is changed to a preset reference position.
US08950934B2 Device for measuring the flash point of liquids and solids
Device for measuring the flash point of liquids and solids includes a measurement chamber (formed by a measurement basin and a lid) and which is provided with means for heating the liquid or the solid in the basin, an electrical igniter having a spark gap, temperature sensors, a pressure measuring apparatus and a press-on device for tightly connecting the measurement basin and the lid. A control device is provided in order to control the heating means, the igniter and the press-on device and to collect the measured values of the temperature sensors and the pressure measuring apparatus. The control device is formed by a computer designed as an embedded system, which is connected to the heating means, the igniter, the press-on device, the temperature sensors and the pressure measuring apparatus by means of an interface device. The measurement chamber and the control device are arranged in a common housing.
US08950933B2 Apparatus and method for channel aggregation and guard channel indication for visible light communication
A method, apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for supporting visible light communication (VLC) exchanges bitmaps for capabilities field exchange in a media access control (MAC) layer during link establishment and association with other VLC-enabled devices. An aggregation bitmap is generated to indicate whether a visible light communication (VLC) transmitter of a first device uses at least one aggregated band that comprises multiple active frequency bands. The aggregation bitmap is transmitted in a capabilities information exchange (CIE) signal to a second device. A guard bitmap that identifies a set of guard frequency bands is also generated and transmitted in the CIE signal. Each guard frequency band indicates leakage transmission from the VLC transmitter.
US08950931B2 Automated mix in-cup apparatus and the method of operating the same
The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A shield is automatically lowered to at least partially isolate the cup. After mixing, the shield and blade are automatically retracted, and the cup is removed from the apparatus. The shield and blade may be automatically lowered again for a cleaning operation. Overall, the apparatus contains various structural and safety elements that provide a unique construction and method of operating the apparatus.
US08950928B2 Quick-setting admixture and spraying method using it
A slurry quick-setting admixture comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate, a water-soluble acidic substance, calcium aluminate, an alkali metal sulfate, and water; and a quick-setting cement concrete comprising such a slurry quick-setting admixture and cement concrete. The slurry quick-setting admixture may further contain calcium sulfate, calcium hydroxide and/or aluminum hydroxide, a retarder, etc. The spraying method comprises mixing water and a powder quick-setting admixture comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate, a water-soluble acidic substance, calcium aluminate and an alkali metal sulfate, to form a slurry quick-setting admixture, mixing this slurry quick-setting admixture with cement concrete to form a quick-setting cement concrete, and spraying this quick-setting cement concrete.
US08950918B2 Vehicle lamp with light-emitting diode as light source
A vehicle lamp having a housing and an illumination unit arranged within the housing is provided. The illumination unit comprises at least one light-emitting diode as light source. The at least one light-emitting diode is thermally coupled to a cooling element. The cooling element has a surface region arranged within the housing. On the surface region a decorative element is arranged.
US08950915B2 Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp includes a light guide extending in a first direction intersecting a front-rear direction of the lamp, a light source arranged to input light into the light guide from an end face of the light guide, and a reflector arranged behind the light guide to extend in the first direction. Reflecting elements on a rear surface portion of the light guide internally reflect the light toward a front surface portion of the light guide. The reflector has a first reflecting portion disposed behind the reflecting elements and a second reflecting portion disposed adjacent to the first reflecting portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first reflecting portion reflects a portion of the light that has leaked rearward from the reflecting elements, and the second reflecting portion forwardly reflects the portion of the light that has been reflected by the first reflecting portion.
US08950910B2 Lighting device and method of cooling lighting device
A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and a fan, the fan blowing fluid toward the emitter. A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and a baffle, the solid state light emitter being movable. A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter, a substrate and a diaphragm, the diaphragm defining a chamber having a valve and being movable. A lighting device comprising a housing and a solid state light emitter within the housing, the solid state light emitter being movable. Also, methods of cooling a lighting device.
US08950907B2 Convertible lighting fixture for multiple light sources
A convertible lighting fixture includes a first housing defining a first compartment, a second housing defining a second compartment and movably attached to the first housing, the second housing having a surface adjacent the first compartment. The lighting fixture further includes a mounting plate attached to the second housing and at least partially separating the second compartment from a third compartment, a light source mechanically attached to the mounting plate and electrically connected to a power source disposed within the first compartment, and a cover defining the third compartment and substantially surrounding the light source, the cover reversibly attached to the second housing opposite the first housing, where the first, second, and third compartments are arranged to thermally insulate the power source from the light source.
US08950902B2 Light emitting device with light mixing within a film
In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.
US08950898B2 Recessed can downlight retrofit illumination device
In various embodiments, an illumination device includes driver and LED lighting modules collectively sized to fit within a recessed-can lighting fixture constructed for use with incandescent or halogen bulbs, thereby facilitating LED changeover without removal and replacement of the fixture.
US08950896B2 Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes lenses, a first casing that has a radiation plane provided with annularly arranged windows for attaching the lenses, respectively, independently, and that has an opening at a position opposite to the radiation plane, and a first substrate associated with each of the lenses and accordingly disposed. The first substrate has at least one light emitting device mounted thereon. The first casing includes a holding portion associated with each of the windows. The holding portion each permits the lens to be attached to the first casing from a side thereof having the opening and also restrains the lens from moving through the first casing toward the radiation plane, and when the lens is attached to the first casing, the lens has an optical axis in a direction having a predetermined angle relative to a center axis of the first casing.
US08950895B2 Moving head light fixture with protruding diffuser cover and multiple light sources
The present invention relates to a moving head light fixture comprising a base; a yoke connected rotatable to the base and a head connected rotatable to the yoke. The head comprises a number of light sources and a number of light collecting means arranged in the head, where the number of light collecting means collect and convert light from at least one of the light sources into a number of source light beams which are emitted from said head. The head comprises a diffuser cover, which comprises at least one diffuser region. The diffuser region receives and diffuses at least a part of the light and at least a part of the diffuser cover protrudes from the head. The invention relates to a illumination system comprising such a moving head and a diffuser cover protruding from the head of for a moving head light fixture.
US08950890B2 Lamp and lighting apparatus
A lamp according to the present invention includes: a line portion which blocks a part of light proceeding from a light emitting unit in a direction perpendicular to a tube axis direction; and a raised portion which blocks the light proceeding from the light emitting unit in the direction perpendicular to the tube axis direction that is not blocked by the line portion. The raised portion has an end portion having a linear shape in the tube axis direction, the end portion being an end portion of a section of the raised portion that blocks light.
US08950888B2 Attachment device for attachment to a membrane, E.G. of a balloon, without puncturing the membrane
An attachment device for attachment to a membrane without puncturing the membrane. It comprises two interengaging parts (10, 12) and an O-ring (50) held by the interengaging parts (10, 12) when the device is in use. The interengaging parts (10, 12) are movable relative to one another from a position in which they are able to receive the O-ring (50) to a position in which they trap the O-ring (50). As a result, when the device is attached to a membrane (52), the interengaging parts (10, 12) can be located on one side of the membrane (52) with the O-ring (50) on the other side of the membrane (52) adjacent to the interengaging parts (10, 12), and the O-ring (50) can be slipped over at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12) with the membrane (52) extending between the O-ring (50) and at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12). In this way the O-ring (50) is received by the interengaging parts (10, 12), whereupon the interengaging parts (10, 12) may be moved relative to one another so that they trap the O-ring (50) and with it portions of the membrane (52), to secure attachment of the attachment device to the membrane (52).
US08950883B2 Bezel-free display device using directional backlighting
A display device comprising a display panel, a diffusing member positioned between the display panel and an observer, and a directional backlight wherein the directional backlight comprises a half angle divergence equal to or less than 15°. The display cover is preferably configured to shift an image displayed on the display panel relative to an observer to obscure a bezel surrounding the display panel. The use of a directional backlight and a diffusing display cover plate allows for a very small gap between the display panel and the display cover plate.
US08950882B2 Control panel assembly and washing machine having the same
A washing machine having a control panel assembly for controlling an operation of the washing machine. The control panel assembly includes a control panel; a circuit board disposed at an inner side of the control panel; at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the circuit board and emitting light; an LED bracket that is coupled to the circuit board, accommodates the at least one LED, guides light emitted from the LED to front of the control panel, and has at least one light guide hole of which a cross-sectional area is not uniform in at least a portion of the light guide hole in a direction in which light emitted from the LED is guided; and an LED window that is disposed at a front side of the LED bracket and allows light emitted from the LED to be transmitted to front of the control panel.
US08950881B2 Backlight module and keyboard
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, a light shielding sheet, a light reflecting sheet and a light shielding member. The light guide plate has a hole formed thereon and the hole has a side wall. The light source is disposed neighboring to the light guide plate and used for emitting light into the light guide plate. The light shielding sheet is disposed on the light guide plate. The light reflecting sheet is disposed below the light guide plate. The light shielding member is disposed in the hole and covers the side wall of the hole, so as to block the light guided by the light guide plate from being emitted out of the hole.
US08950879B2 Laser projection module with conical reflector supported by thin walls
A laser projection module with a conical reflector supported by thin walls comprises: an upper mounting plate, a lower mounting plate with an aperture set in the center and a conical reflector which is provided on the upper mounting plate corresponding to the aperture, wherein at least three thin-walled supporting slices surrounding the conical mirror, are provided between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate there are provided. The disclosure has a compact structure. With the support of the thin walls, the laser divided is self-assembled and the mechanical principle that side faces of the thin-walled slices have high resistance is satisfied, so that reliability and precision of the use of the conical mirror in a laser projection apparatus with the conical mirror are guaranteed. The support pattern of the conical mirror by thin walls is also applicable to various conical mirrors in other application occasions.
US08950877B2 Security markings in retroreflective sheeting
Retroreflective sheeting includes a first portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a first cube corner structure that creates a first visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting and a second portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a second cube corner structure that differs from the first cube structure and that creates a second visual feature in the sheeting. The second visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting forms a security mark.
US08950876B2 Large vehicle side view mirror shield
A shield for a vehicle side view mirror comprises a main deflector body forming a hood with a lip extending from the deflector body configured to abut a surface of the minor. In a preferred embodiment a secondary deflector body extends rearwardly from the main deflector body opposite the lip. When the lip is attached to the mirror the shield is interposed in a space between the windshield and a reflective surface of the mirror, to deflect water and debris being cleared from the windshield thereby shielding the reflective surfaces of the mirror.
US08950871B2 Projection device and projection-type video display device
Provided are a projection device and a projection-type video display device capable of displaying a plurality of videos, allowing speckles to be inconspicuous, and miniaturizing an optical system. A projection device includes an optical element including light diffusion elements capable of diffusing light, an irradiation device configured to irradiate the optical element with illumination light beams, each illumination light beam scanning the corresponding light diffusion element, spatial light modulators, each spatial light modulator being illuminated with illumination light beam which is incident from the irradiation device to each light diffusion element to be diffused, and projection optical systems, each projection optical system projecting modulation image obtained on each spatial light modulator on corresponding screen. The illumination light beam, which is incident to each position of each light diffusion element to be diffused, overlappedly illuminates on corresponding spatial light modulator.
US08950870B2 Projection display device for projecting an input unit image
A projection display device (100) capable of providing a virtual keyboard function to the user, using a light source of a pico projector, is discussed. According to an embodiment, the projection display device includes a light source unit (110) configured to emit lights; a light combining unit (120) configured to generate a leakage light from the lights emitted by the light source (110) unit and to selectively combine the lights from the light source unit (110); an image projection unit (130) configured to project an image using the combined light from the light combining unit (120); and a virtual input unit (140) configured to project an input unit image (150) using the leakage light from the light combining unit (120).
US08950869B2 Three dimensional image projector with two color imaging
A method for projecting a three-dimensional image, that includes providing a first light source and a second light source. A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) is disposed adjacent the first light source and the second light source. An imaging device is adjacent the PBS. A polarization flipping element is disposed adjacent the PBS opposite the imaging device, and a mirror is disposed adjacent the polarization flipping element. A first light is emitted from the first light source. The first light is polarized such that it reflects through the PBS to a polarization flipping element. The first light passes through the polarization flipping element twice such that it will reach the surface of the imaging device. The second light is emitted from the second light source after the first light is emitted. The second light is polarized such that the light passes through the PBS to the imaging device.
US08950868B2 Head-up display device
The head-up display device sequentially displays a virtual image (51V) of a guide light from one end of a reflector (30) side, in the back inside of a virtual image (83V) of an opening bezel formed into a square frame displayed along an outer edge of a projection area (71) of a window shield, and further displays a virtual image (20V) of display information in the back thereof. The amount of travel of the virtual images (51V) of the guide light when the reflector provided in the head-up display device rotates is smaller than the amount of travel of the virtual image (20V) of the display information. Therefore, even if the virtual image (20V) of the display information falls outside the projection area, the virtual images (51V) of the guide light remain in the projection area, and are displayed.
US08950865B2 Effective acuity and refraction targets
A viewing target for a visual acuity and refraction measurement includes at least one line comprising a width dimension that is below a resolution limit width (hereinafter “RLW”) of a test subject visual acuity, and an adjustable length dimension that is initially set at greater than the RLW of the test subject visual acuity. A base, at least approximately intersecting the line, has a thickness along the direction of the length of the line that is greater than the RLW of the test subject visual acuity. The length dimension of the line is adjustable in increments small enough to effectively approximate the visual acuity of the test subject by determining a shortest resolvable line and a next smaller line that is not resolvable by the test subject.
US08950864B1 Brain dysfunction testing
Systems and methods provided utilize gaze-tracking to measure quantitatively and accurately the ability of an athlete or other subject suspected of a concussion to maintain gaze within a figure-eight pattern during a given period of time. The fixation icon is presented at increasing velocities, with multiple staged velocities constituting the preferred embodiment. Utilizing a figure-eight pattern is preferred. Total tracking error time is tabulated during each velocity stage of the test protocol, and total tracking error time occurring during a given velocity stage is compared to a subject's baseline, e.g., a pre-season Individual Bioperformance Level (IBL) for that velocity stage. Systems and methods disclosed may be used to help prevent debilitating neurological damage in our athlete population, as well as having important military applications related to PTSD, and to other mission-critical performance endeavors.
US08950861B2 Eyeglass lens and method of manufacturing the same
An aspect of the present invention relates to an eyeglass lens, which comprises an outermost layer in the form of a water-repellent vapor deposition film formed by vapor depositing a vapor deposition material in the form of a perfluoropolyether-modified silane compound denoted by general formula (I): wherein, in general formula (I), R1 denotes an alkyl group with 1 or 2 carbon atoms, x denotes 1 or 0, R2 denotes an alkoxy group with 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R3 denotes a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group, and n denotes an integer ranging from 10 to 40.
US08950859B2 Multi-focal optical lenses
A multi-focal lens having a center optical zone for creating a first focal point within 2° of the optical axis and a peripheral optical zone located adjacent the center optical zone for creating a second focal point from 2° to 10° of the optical axis, the peripheral optical zone having a correction of at least 2 diopters more than the center optical zone.
US08950858B2 System and method of surfacing a lens, such as a lens for use with eyeglasses
A system and method of forming surfaces on eyeglass lenses is described. In some examples, the surface is a spherical, cylindrical or spherocylindrical surface at a center of the lens and an aspherical surface at a periphery of the lens. In some examples, forming the surface on the lens reduces the thickness of the lens at the periphery of the lens.
US08950857B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus
There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departuring direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departuring direction to move the platen.
US08950848B2 Printing apparatus and manufacturing method of printed matter
A printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium, comprising an ejecting unit that reciprocates in a main scanning direction which is a width direction of the printing medium, ejecting a liquid onto the printing medium when moving at least in a forward direction of the main scanning direction; and a control unit that controls an operation of the printing apparatus, wherein in one movement of the ejecting unit in the forward direction, the control unit includes a specific operation mode which causes the ejecting unit to move to a predetermined distance in addition to a width of an image when the width of the image to be printed on the printing medium is less than a predetermined value.
US08950845B2 Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus conducts inspection associated with printing by changing a relative positional relationship between a line print head and a sheet feeding position for a sheet in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet is fed, forming an image on the sheet using the line print head a plurality of times, and reading the formed images using a reading unit.
US08950842B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In a high print resolution, high image quality mode and a low print resolution, high speed mode, image processes are made in common between them to the extent possible, and the same gradation characteristics and image densities can be obtained between them. For this purpose, for the high image quality mode, a dot arrangement pattern is prepared for a pixel region having gradation data of K levels, which determines the presence or absence of print dots at K-1 areas, and in which the printing of 1 dot is permitted at all of the K-l areas. On the other hand, for the high speed mode, a dot arrangement pattern which determines the presence or absence of print dots at a number of areas less than K-1 is prepared, and in which the sum of the number of dots permitted to be printed at the pixel region is K-1.
US08950840B2 Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer is provided that includes a control device configured to determine ink discharge moments to sequentially discharge ink droplets from a specific one of nozzles, in such a manner that a time interval between any two successive ones of the ink discharge moments is longer than a predetermined time period required for an operation to be executed by an inkjet head when forming a single dot, based on gap variation information related to a variation, in a scanning direction, of a gap between an ink discharge surface and a recording sheet held in a wave shape.
US08950839B2 Liquid container and liquid ejecting system
A liquid container mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus to supply a liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid container includes a storage unit which stores the liquid, an optical member having one portion which is exposed to an inside of the storage unit, and the other portion which is exposed to an outside of the liquid container, and a reflection portion which is provided at the same side as the other portion of the optical member on the outside of the liquid container, and is installed in front of a mounting direction of the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus with the other portion of the optical member.
US08950838B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus stabilizes an ink discharge amount of a line head, while suppressing an ink supply amount of a circulation route, thereby performing high quality image recording. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a first flow path configured to supply ink from an ink tank to a first discharge port group, a second flow path configured to supply ink from the ink tank to a second discharge port group, and a control unit configured to control an ink supply amount of at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path according to the passing position of a recording medium with respect to the line head.
US08950837B2 Sealing sheet, and liquid ejection head and inkjet apparatus using same
A sealing sheet is configured to restrain at least one of leakage of liquid in and out. The sealing sheet includes: a film member which is impermeable to the liquid and configured to cover a region that needs to be sealed; and electrical wires which are arranged on the film member. An electrical signal corresponding to change in electrical resistance due to contact with the liquid is obtainable from the electrical wires.
US08950836B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a main body and a storage room defined in the main body. The refrigerator also includes a cooling device configured to cool the storage room, a first storage area disposed inside the storage room, and a door mounted to the main body. The refrigerator further includes a second storage unit disposed at the door and a third storage unit configured to move between an inserted position inside the storage room and an extracted position in which at least a portion of the third storage unit is extracted outside of the storage room.
US08950834B2 Slide assembly
A slide assembly includes a first slide and a second slide slidably attached to the first slide. The first slide includes a first main plate and a pair of first flanges extending from opposite lengthwise edges of the first main plate. The second slide includes a second main plate and a pair of second flanges extending from opposite lengthwise edges of the second main plate. Each of the pair of second flanges includes a first segment extending from second main plate and abutting the second main plate and an L-shaped second segment extending from the first segment. The first segment is received in and slidable along each of the pair of first flanges. The L-shaped second segment protrudes out from each of the pair of the first flanges.
US08950831B2 Washing machine
The present invention relates to a washing machine which can close/open a lid on a supplementary washing machine automatically at the time the supplementary washing machine is opened/closed. The washing machine includes a cabinet which forms an exterior of the washing machine, a supplementary washing machine removably mounted to a lower side of the cabinet, having a lid for introducing laundry and a tub for holding the laundry, and an automatic opening/closing member for slidably opening/closing the lid at the time the supplementary washing machine is opened/closed.
US08950830B2 Enclosure with detachable top panel
An enclosure includes a chassis, a locking member, a top panel and a detaching member. The chassis includes a rear wall. The locking member is attached to the rear wall. The top panel is attached to the chassis. The top panel includes a hook. A through opening is defined in the top panel. The detaching member is rotatable relative to the top panel. The detaching member includes a tab and an operating portion. The detaching member extends through the through opening. The tab and the operating portion are located at opposite sides of the top panel.
US08950828B2 Braking system
A braking system for braking at least one wheel of a vehicle includes at least one brake actuator assigned to the wheel, a hydraulic modulator, at least one brake line path connecting the hydraulic modulator to the brake actuator, the brake line path having at least one electrically conductive brake line, a control unit for controlling and/or regulating the hydraulic system, a sensor assigned to the wheel and a signal line path technically connecting the control unit to the sensor for signal transmission. The brake line forms or participates in forming the signal line path.
US08950826B2 Brake system for a vehicle and method for operating a brake system of a vehicle
A brake system and a method for operating same for a vehicle having a first wheel brake cylinder, into which a first brake medium volume is displaceable from a master brake cylinder, a second wheel brake cylinder, into which a second brake medium volume is displaceable from the master brake cylinder, a first pump associated with the first wheel brake cylinder and a second pump associated with the second wheel brake cylinder, the brake system including a block valve coupled to the brake medium reservoir, the first pump being able to pump a third brake medium volume through the at least partially open block valve and a first non-return valve into the first wheel brake cylinder, and the second pump being able to pump a fourth brake medium volume through an at least partially open block valve and the second non-return valve into the second wheel brake cylinder.
US08950820B2 Method of mining and processing seabed sediment
A method and apparatus for mining and processing seabed sediment comprising disturbing sediment at the seabed (3) to form a slurry; transporting the slurry to the surface via a production riser (6) and processing the slurry to dissociate hydrates and remove hydrates from the slurry in gaseous form at the surface. The slurry may also contain sapropel and minerals. If so, the slurry may be split into a mineral rich stream and a sapropel rich stream each of which may be subjected to further treatment.
US08950819B2 Seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus including the same
During an emergency, in one form of a retractor having a spool, external teeth of a pawl provided at a spool right side end are made to mesh with some of internal teeth provided on a frame, and, with load acting on a seat belt, a spool left side end is brought into contact with a spool pushing portion. Since the spool left side end tends to be moved further in a direction of seat belt load with the load acting on the seat belt, the spool pushing portion pushes the spool left side end, whereby some of external teeth come into contact with internal teeth provided on the frame and fit deeply into gaps between adjacent ones of the internal teeth. Thus, some of the external teeth of the spool effectively come into mesh with the respective internal teeth of the frame with a simple movement of the spool.
US08950811B2 Seat reclining apparatus
A seat reclining apparatus includes a first member including a first tubular portion, a second member including a second tubular portion, a pair of wedge members each including a protruding portion, a biasing member biasing the wedge members, an input member pressing the protruding portion to rotate the wedge members, a pressing point via which the input member presses the wedge member, a radially inward contact point via which the wedge member is contactable with the first tubular portion, and a radially outward contact point via which the wedge member is contactable with the second tubular portion, wherein in a state where a biasing force of the biasing member is largest because of a dimensional variation in manufacturing, a pressing force line passing through the pressing point is identical to an intermediate line between first and second tangent lines passing through the radially inward and outward contact points.
US08950805B2 Seating apparatus
A combined table and chair seating apparatus is provided. The seating apparatus comprising a table (25), a chair (26) and a table base (16). The table comprises a table top (10) and a table leg (11) defining an axis about which axis the table top is rotatable with respect to the table base. The chair is mounted for rotation with the table top about the axis. In a preferred embodiment, the chair comprises a seat and a chair frame upon which the seat is mounted. The frame includes at least one floor-engaging leg. Preferably, the table leg has upper and lower ends, the lower end being mounted for rotation upon the table base and the chair frame is mounted upon the table leg at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. More preferably, the chair frame is mounted substantially adjacent the lower end of the table leg.
US08950803B2 Driver roof for the control platform of a road making machine
A driver roof for a control platform of a road making machine comprises a first roof module and a second roof module which are connected to each other permanently or detachably for forming a common driver roof.
US08950802B2 Structural construction unit
A structural part, in particular a structural part designed as a transverse supporting member for connection between the A columns of a motor vehicle and, more in particular as a structural part in tailgates or bumper supporting members, is to be developed in such a way that it has low weight, high mechanical stability and rigidity and is simple and inexpensive to produce. To do this, the structural part (1, 1′) is designed with a number of elongated closed or half-open synthetic material structures (2, 3), which in outer regions (4, 5) surround reinforcing filaments (6) running in the longitudinal direction (A) sectionwise, wherein the reinforcing filaments (6) are held form-lockingly in the respective synthetic material structure (2, 3) by means of formations (7) in their surface, so as to absorb tensile forces in bending of the structural part (1, 1′).
US08950801B2 Construction machine
A floor member comprises a lever-pedal mounting part in a front side, an operator's seat mounting part in a rear side, an indoor unit mounting surface part on which an indoor unit is mounted under the operator's seat mounting part, an entrance surface part which is provided in a door side between the indoor unit mounting surface part and the lever-pedal mounting part and on which an operator places a foot at getting-in/off, and a foot rest part which is surrounded by the lever-pedal mounting part, the indoor unit mounting surface part and the entrance surface part. The indoor unit mounting surface part and the entrance surface part form a successive plane successively extending with each other in a position lower by one step than the lever-pedal mounting part and the foot rest part.
US08950800B1 Deployable lower leg stiffener for pedestrian protection
A deployable pedestrian protection lower leg stiffen apparatus includes a left and a right linear actuator mountable adjacent to respective left and right forward frame members of a vehicle and a lower leg stiffener attached to and movable by the actuators. The actuators are extendable along respective deployment axes extending forward and downward relative to the vehicle to move the stiffener between a retracted position rearward of a forward surface of a front bumper beam and above a ground clearance plane and a deployed position forward of the retracted position and below the ground clearance plane. The actuators have rotational joints defining a horizontal pivot axis about which at least the forward portions of the piston may rotate upward along with the stiffener to prevent damage to the system if it strikes a road obstacle.
US08950799B2 Windbreak structure for saddle type vehicle
A windbreak structure for a saddle type vehicle to provide an increase in the windshield effect behind a leg shield. Exhaust ports for letting a flow of air from the front of a vehicle body rearwardly are provided at a side end portion of a leg shield. Further, sideward covering portions are provided that serve as exhaust air guide portions that extend rearwardly on the inner side in a vehicle widthwise direction of the exhaust port.
US08950798B2 Spoiler for vehicle
A vehicle spoiler that is provided to the rear part of the vehicle body and extends in the width direction of the vehicle. The spoiler is provided with a resin external surface member; and a metallic reinforcement member for reinforcing the external surface member. The reinforcement member is provided with a reinforcement body extending rearward with respect to the vehicle body from the rear part thereof. The external surface member has an upper member that extends in the width direction of the vehicle above the reinforcement body, and also has a lower member that extends in the width direction of the vehicle below the reinforcement body. The reinforcement body is inserted through the inside of the hollow closed cross-section formed by the upper member and the lower member. The upper member and the lower member are joined within the hollow closed cross-section to the reinforcement body.
US08950797B2 Vehicle seal structure having two sealing lines
A first seal is installed on one of a first body structure and a second body structure. The first seal has a first sealing surface and a first sealing projection. A second seal is installed on the other of the first body structure and the second body structure, the second seal having a second sealing surface and a second sealing projection. The first and second sealing surfaces and the first and second sealing projections are positioned such that with the second body structure in a closed position and adjacent the first body structure, the second sealing surface contacts the first sealing surface to form a first sealing line between the first and second body structures, and the second sealing projection contacts the first sealing projection to form a second sealing line between the first and second body structures, with the second sealing line spaced apart from the first sealing line.
US08950793B2 Semi trailor underrun protection
The device may have a plurality of upright supports where the supports may include a mounting plate with mounting openings, a plurality of vertical members that may be in non-welded communication with the extruded back mounting plate and a plurality of horizontal members where the vertical members provide strength and support to the supports. The horizontal under-run prevention beam may include mounting openings that correspond to the horizontal beam mounting openings and a removable reflective strip that correspond to reflective strip openings in the beam. The vertical and horizontal members may be stacked extruded rectangles of the desired widths and lengths.
US08950788B2 Coupling for use with ultra low permeation hose
A hose coupling assembly is provided for use with an ultra low permeable hose. The coupling utilizes multiple sealing techniques to ensure that no refrigerant escapes from the end of the hose. The techniques are mechanical crimping utilizing a shell with barbs, a chemical sealant on the cut end of the hose and between the hose and the shell, annular seals on the nipple portion of the coupling, and an annular weld or braze of the shell to the coupling body.
US08950784B2 Consist communication system
A communication system is disclosed for use with a train consist. The consist communication system may have a first fluid conduit, a first coupling connected to the first fluid conduit, a first cover connected to the first coupling and configured to close an end of the first fluid conduit, and at least a first cable disposed within the first fluid conduit. The system may also have a second fluid conduit substantially identical to the first fluid conduit, a second coupling substantially identical to the first coupling, fixedly connected to the second fluid conduit, and connectable to the first coupling, and a second cover connected to the second coupling and configured to close an end of the second fluid conduit. At least a second cable may be disposed within the second fluid conduit in communication with the at least a first cable through the first and second covers. The first and second fluid conduits may be pressurized.
US08950781B2 Belt presenter
A belt presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle includes an arm (22) which is pivotal in a state mounted on the vehicle, wherein the arm (22) can adopt a feeding position (A) and a parking position (P). The arm (22) includes a finger (44) for seizing the strap (20) when the arm moves into the feeding position (A), and the finger (44) is pivoted at the arm (22) so that it can adopt a folded position in which it is located substantially in parallel to the arm (22) and an unfolded position in which the finger (44) is orientated substantially perpendicularly to a pivoting plane of the arm (22).
US08950780B2 Seat belt buckle and seat belt system for a vehicle
The invention relates to a seat belt buckle for a seat belt comprising a casing, a locking member for a plug-in latch and an unlocking device (26) for releasing the unlocking member. The unlocking device (26) includes at least two unlocking surfaces (56, 60) which are independent of each other, wherein a predetermined force has to be applied to both unlocking surfaces (56, 60) for operating the unlocking device (26). The unlocking device (26) includes at least one fastening element (30) constituting an engaging connection with the casing, wherein the engaging connection prevents a movement of the unlocking device (26) in an unlocking direction of the locking member and the fastening element (30) has to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the unlocking direction for releasing the engaging connection.
US08950772B1 Lightweight cantilever bicycle frame
A bicycle frame, comprising at least two members, capable of improving upon at least several aspects of existing bicycle frames, including cost, weight, and reliability, while accommodating a wide range of rear tire widths. Various embodiments accomplish these improvements through the employment of structurally efficient cross sections, few supporting members, a cantilever rear wheel support, and few locations where members are adjoined and susceptible to certain failure modes.
US08950766B2 Axle suspension with longitudinal leaf spring for a motor vehicle
An axle suspension for a motor vehicle includes a longitudinal leaf spring made of fiber composite and having ends coupled to the motor vehicle. The leaf spring has an attachment zone and two arms which extend from the attachment zone to the ends of the leaf spring to define a trailing arm and a leading arm in a travel direction of the motor vehicle, with the trailing arm having a cross sectional dimension which is greater than a cross sectional dimension of the leading arm. A clamping device couples an axle component to the leaf spring substantially in midsection of the leaf spring and is arranged offset in longitudinal direction from the midsection of the leaf spring.
US08950759B2 Systems and methods for steering vehicles
In one embodiment, a vehicle comprises a body, a steerable drive wheel attached to the body, and a load platform connected to the body that is movable between a lowered position and a lifted position. A load wheel is connected to the load platform and an intermediate load wheel is connected to the vehicle and positioned between the drive wheel and the load wheel. The load wheel is configured to facilitate moving the load platform between the lowered position and the lifted position and the intermediate load wheel is configured to cooperate with the load wheel to facilitate moving the load platform between the lowered position and the lifted position. The intermediate load wheel is also configured to form a pivot about which the vehicle turns throughout a range of motion of the load platform between and including the lowered position and the lifted position.
US08950758B2 Wheelbarrow sled system
An accessory is provided for a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow has: a wheel; a tray; a pair of handle members supporting the tray relative to the wheel and extending rearward past the tray; and a pair of legs for cooperating with the wheel to support the wheelbarrow in a parked condition. The sled has a left runner and a right runner each mounted at a first location relative to one or both of the legs and mounted at a forward location.
US08950756B2 Universal mounting hole means for different electric tool heads
The present invention discloses a kind of universal mounting hole means for different tool heads of electric tools, which are disposed on a mounting portion of the tool head, comprising a central hole and a plurality of long and narrow limiting holes which orient radially surrounding the central hole and disposed in distance with each other. Compared with the prior art, the present invention is applicable to various kinds of structures of the mounting seat on electrical tool and is more universal. It takes much convenience to people when changing different tool heads of electric tools, and it is benefit for storing.
US08950742B2 Milling block with orthodontic auxiliary
A milling block fitted with, or directly milled into said block at least one orthodontic auxiliary. These auxiliaries include but are not limited to orthodontic fasteners, buttons, cleats, tubes, brackets, springs, tad fastening clamps flex fit modules (FFM) or flex fit wafers (FFW) to be placed within the mouth and attached to teeth after custom milling of the block to conform to the anatomy of a tooth/teeth and/or TADS or other orthodontic appliances such as RPE screw and/or other orthodontic hardware.
US08950740B2 Control stick with simulated feedback feel of load
This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member upper portion such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members. The various pivotal connections may be provided by gimbals such that the various members are mounted for compound pivotal movement about two mutually-perpendicular axes.
US08950738B2 Vibration-damping support device
To provide a vibration-damping support device that requires a smaller space for its own installation. A vibration-damping support device is provided with a rubber mount, a support member supporting the rubber mount thereon, and stoppers. The rubber mount is to be attached to a mounting platform for an object which is installed in a hydraulic excavator and is to be damped, for example, an engine that vibrates in vertical and horizontal directions, and has an elastic member of a rubber or like member for absorbing vibrations of the engine. The support member can be, for example, a support bracket to be fixedly secured on an unillustrated revolving frame. The stoppers are arranged integrally with the support bracket, and prevent an excessive deformation of the elastic member of the rubber mount under vibrations of the engine. The stopper is arranged on an upper side of the support bracket, while the stopper is arranged on a lower side of the support bracket. The stoppers are formed of plural plate members, which are each of a circular arc shape as viewed in plan.
US08950736B2 Frequency tuned damper
The present disclosure relates to a frequency tuned damper having a vibration body in the form of a casing. The casing has first and second parts which partly enclose a connector part which extends through a connector opening in the casing, such that it can be attached to a surface, the vibrations of which is to be dampened. The casing and the connector part are interconnected by means of a resilient member in the casing interior. The first casing part is a can portion 31 and the second casing part is a lid portion 33. The can portion defines an internal space having a mounting opening at one end to receive the resilient member, and the lid portion is arranged to be attached to the can portion over the mounting opening in order to compress the resilient member into a compressed state in the internal space. The internal space substantially fully contains the resilient member in the compressed state. The lid portion may be produced as e.g. a punched sheet metal component which provides for an overall low cost damper.
US08950734B2 Operating device and moving apparatus including operating device
The present invention provides techniques relating to an operating device exhibiting superior dust resistance and water resistance, and more particularly to an operating device exhibiting few design restrictions and a small assembly operation load, and to a moving apparatus including the operating device.In an operating device having, in a casing, a detection unit for detecting input relating to an instruction to operate a driving device that drives movement of an object, a plurality of the detection units are arranged over a partial or entire range of a circumference of the casing in accordance with movement directions of the object.
US08950729B2 Gate valve with linearly displaceable closing members
Valve (1), in particular vacuum valve, having a passage opening (2) and a closure member (3), it being possible for the closure member (3) to be moved by a valve drive (4) of the valve (1) in a closing direction (5) from an open position, in which it releases the passage opening (2), into a closed position, in which it closes the passage opening (2), and in the reverse direction. The closure member (3) is arranged in the closed position between two valve seats (6, 7) which lie opposite one another and surround the passage opening (2), and a first closure member part (8) of the closure member (3) bears against a first of the valve seats (6) in the closed position and a second closure member part (9) bears against the second valve seat (7) in the closed position. The closure member parts (8, 9) are mounted such that they can be displaced relative to one another in the closing direction (5).
US08950728B2 Devices and methods for occluding a flexible tube
A device and method to constrict or occlude the lumen of a flexible tube may include an occluder under the influence of an elastic force, such as a spring force, that can compress a portion of the wall of the flexible tube. The occluder can be under the influence of the elastic force, but prevented from occluding the tube by a stop. The stop can be connected to a tube gripping feature, so that a pulling force on the tube near the gripping feature can disengage the stop from the occluder, releasing the occluder to compress the tube. In some embodiments, the pulling force applied to the tube causes movement of the gripping feature by taking up slack in a portion of the tube held in the device. In other embodiments, the pulling force applied to the tube causes the tube to stretch elastically near the gripping feature, causing the gripping feature to move, and disengaging the stop from the occluder.
US08950724B2 Turbine engine mounting system and method
A mounting system is provided to couple an engine unit including a turbine engine portion coupled to a gearbox portion about an axial axis to a support structure. An aft mounting device can couple the turbine engine portion to the support structure. A force determinator can be configured to determine a force load of the engine unit at the location of the aft mounting device. The length of the aft mounting device is adjustable between the turbine engine portion and the support structure in a radial direction to substantially align the gearbox portion and the engine portion relative to the axial axis. The aft mounting device may be sized to a desired length to correspond to a force load of the engine unit during the running condition.
US08950720B1 Phone stand assembly
A phone stand assembly provides a stand to support a personal phone in a viewable hands free position. An embodiment of the assembly includes a planar member having a back section, a front section, and a base section extending between the back section and the front section. The front section and back sections are pivotally coupled to the base section. The front section is selectively couplable to the back section when the front section and the back section are pivoted relative to the base section. An opening is positioned in the front section. The opening is configured for receiving a phone therein whereby the phone is supported in an upright position.
US08950714B2 Elongated structure for movable section
In an elongated structure for a movable section, a plurality of operational linear elements such as conductive wires are arranged in parallel in a belt-like sheath member, and an outer region of the sheath member, which is defined by a bend of the sheath member, has a larger rigidity than that of an inner region of the sheath member, which is defined by the bend of the sheath member. When the sheath member 2 have the regions exhibiting the different rigidities, and when an external force is exerted on the elongated structure 1 for the movable section, it is apt to bend toward the side of the sheath member having the small rigidity, and the bent portion is maintained at a given curvature which is determined by the entire rigidity of the sheath member 2. Therefore, the elongated structure 1 for the movable section cannot easily meander while the movable end thereof is moved. Also, while the position of the bent portion is shifted, it is possible to stably carry out the movement of the movable end and the shift of the bent portion. In addition, a protective guide structure is not needed, and not only can an installing space for the elongated structure 1 for the movable section become smaller, but also it is possible to cut down a cost necessary for such a protective guide structure.
US08950713B2 Clip
A clip is provided which allows the lengths of paired leg portions extendable and contractible in the same manner as a pantograph to be shorter in a state where the clip is mounted on a silencer, than in the conventional art. Third hinge portions which connect the second leg portions of the opposed leg portions to the common connection leg portion at a side opposite to first hinge portions which connect the insertion base portion to the first leg portions are formed at an inner side so as to be closer to an insertion axis for a hole of the silencer than the first hinge portions, whereby a folded state is obtained with such a small angle that each first leg portion and each second leg portion are in contact with or close to each other.
US08950707B2 Connection arrangement, particularly for aircraft structure parts
A connection arrangement for at least two abutting components to be firmly connected to one another, includes a self-piercing rivet having a rivet head for punching of a hole and subsequent riveting of the components, wherein a washer is allocated to the self-piercing rivet at the distal end region opposite to the rivet head, with the washer including a frontal area for the insertion of a circular indentation to create a firm compression connection between a hole in the washer and the distal end region of the self-piercing rivet.
US08950706B2 Aircraft flight control system comprising a connecting rod provided with a sensor
A control system, in particular an aircraft flight control system, having a linkage with a force-transmission link (3), the link having a body (5) having at least one end housing (8) slidably receiving a coupling rod (9) for coupling the link to an adjacent element of the linkage, the housing being closed by an elastically-deformable test member (10) through which the rod passes and that has an inner periphery fastened to the rod and an outer periphery fastened to a wall defining the end housing, and the end housing receiving at least one sensor (11) for sensing relative movement between the rod and the body.
US08950705B2 Device for monitoring the synchronism of flaps of an aircraft wing
This invention relates to a device for monitoring the synchronism of one or more flaps of aircraft wings, wherein the device includes a control cable which is connected with the flaps such that the control cable follows the flap movement. In accordance with the invention, the path of installation of the control cable extends from a first point to a second point, one or both of which are arranged on non-movable structural components of the aircraft wing.
US08950698B1 Convertible compounded rotorcraft
A compound rotorcraft including a rotary wing aircraft having a fuselage and at least one rotor and a fixed-wing aircraft coupled to the rotary wing aircraft, wherein the rotary wing aircraft can fly on the rotor or the fixed-wing aircraft, and wherein the fixed-wing aircraft is detachable from the rotary wing aircraft to fly independently.
US08950694B2 Fuel injector having a body with asymmetric spray-shaping surface
A fuel injector body has a fuel chamber and a valve seat around a fuel outlet. A valve body is positioned at the valve seat and a valve stem extends through the fuel outlet and fuel chamber. Engagement (disengagement) of valve body and valve seat closes (opens) the injector. The fuel chamber can comprise primary and secondary chambers connected by a valve passage and a metering member that restricts fuel flow between the chambers, thereby providing a flow-dependent closing force that reduces the dependence of fuel flow through the injector on fuel inlet pressure and that makes that flow dependent on an injector actuating force. The injector body or the valve body can comprise a spray-shaping surface arranged at least partly around the valve seat, which spray-shaping surface is arranged to direct a spray of fuel flowing through the fuel outlet.
US08950692B2 Water faucet
Disclosed is a water faucet, in which a main body (1) is composed of a water outlet channel (2) and a water inlet channel (3), with a micro flow ejector (5) having a vent hole (4) fitted between the water outlet channel (2) and the water inlet channel (3), a flow-adjusting positioning screw (6) fitted on a hollow inner circular tube wall (14) behind the micro flow ejector (5), between the micro flow ejector (5) and the flow-adjusting positioning screw (6) there being fitted a hollow flow regulating valve (8) which is T shaped at the rear portion and cone shaped at the head portion; wherein the cone-shaped head portion of the hollow flow regulating valve (8) is provided with an ejecting orifice (9), the small cylindrical tube wall of the hollow flow regulating valve (8) is provided with more than one water inlet/outlet hole (10), and an air inlet check valve (13) is placed in the vent hole (4) of the micro flow ejector (5). By using the water faucet with the above-mentioned structure of the present application, users are able to conveniently control and regulate the flow rate of water consumption at will, to obtain a water quality activated by highly effective oxygenation during water utilization, with a water supply amount between 1.5 liters and 9 liters per minute under a water supply pressure range of 0.1 MPa to 0.35 MPa.
US08950690B2 Safety drain apparatus
An anti entrapment fail safe drain having a drain cover for partially covering an influent opening; a pressurized supply line; and a nozzle assembly in communication with the pressurized supply line and mounted within a drain sump. The nozzle assembly is for directing a pressurized liquid in a pattern over a surface of the drain cover when the drain cover and the nozzle are immersed in the liquid such that a portion of the liquid above the pattern or objects suspended in standing liquid can not be pulled directly toward the drain cover through a drain inlet opening. The drain also has an effluent opening for connecting to the drain sump arranged such that the liquid flows into a pipe in a first direction. The pressurized supply line is arranged inside the pipe for returning the liquid to the nozzle assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08950689B2 Ballast anti-flight railroad sleeper
A ballast anti-flight sleeper characterized by having on the upper face two surfaces endowed with sufficient inclination as to prevent the accumulation of ballast over this side of the sleeper, with this geometric topology being the main claim; the fundamental elements in the same figure: track (1), ballast anti-flight sleeper (2), ballast (3) and the elements to anchor and secure the track (4).
US08950688B2 Apparatus and method for self-test of thermostat
An environmental control system includes at least one of a security monitoring system, or a building automation control system. A thermostat coupled to the at least one system, where the thermostat provides feedback as to output signals therefrom to evaluate functioning of the thermostat. The output signals would be coupled to a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
US08950686B2 Control unit with automatic setback capability
Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy.
US08950685B1 Stylized QR code generating apparatus and method thereof
A stylized QR code generating apparatus is provided, which includes: an image adjusting module having an image detecting unit and a shape distorting unit; and a code stylizing module having a boundary matching unit and a boundary adjusting unit. The image detecting unit detects an error value generated in a QR code when a predetermined image is embedded in the QR code, and the shape distorting unit distorts a plurality of meshes converted from the image to adjust a shape of the image and thereby correct the error value in the QR code. The boundary matching unit matches a plurality of first boundary sections of the QR code with second boundary sections of a predetermined pattern, and the boundary adjusting unit adjusts the first boundary sections to the matched second boundary sections, respectively.
US08950684B1 Fluorescent barcode for identification
Identification marking systems and methods are disclosed. A symbolic surface cover comprises coded information. The symbolic surface cover shows a first image thereof in response to a first electromagnetic excitation and a second image thereof comprising the coded information in response to a second electromagnetic excitation.
US08950681B2 Universal integrated circuit card apparatus and related methods
UICC apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example UICC apparatus includes a carrier and a first UICC defined by a first punch-out feature formed in the carrier. The first punch-out feature is configured to remain attached to the carrier when the first UICC is removed from the carrier.
US08950680B2 Multifunction removable cover for portable payment device
Methods and devices for conducting financial transactions are provided. Aspects and embodiments include multifunction removable covers for portable payment devices; multifunction removable covers configured as password token type portable payment devices; and multifunction removable covers configured as radio frequency shields to prevent unintended data transmission.
US08950678B2 Barcode reader with edge detection enhancement
An optical reader for decoding an encoded symbol character of a symbology includes a scan data signal processor having as an input a scan data signal encoding information representative of the encoded symbol character. The scan data signal processor includes a first time delay stage adapted to provide a primary phase waveform from the scan data signal, a second time delay stage adapted to provide an early phase waveform from the scan data signal, and a third time delay stage adapted to provide a delayed phase waveform from the scan data signal. The early phase waveform has a propagation delay less than the primary phase waveform, and the delayed phase waveform has a propagation delay greater than the primary phase waveform. The scan data signal processor further includes a peak window detection stage for generating a peak window timeframe when an amplitude of the primary phase waveform is greater than, less than, or equal to both an amplitude of the early phase waveform and the delayed phase waveform. The optical reader further includes a digitizer circuit adapted to accept, within the peak window timeframe, the scan data signal processor output.
US08950670B1 Barcode to magnetic media converter
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for converting barcode media to magnetic media. In one aspect, a method for converting a barcode media into a magnetic stripe media is provided. The method includes reading data encoded on a barcode media. The data includes information indicative of a transit purchase and an identifier of the barcode media. The barcode media is authenticated by checking the identifier against a list of issued barcodes and determining that the barcode media is unused by checking the identifier against a list of used barcode media. The method includes converting the data from the barcode media into magnetic data storable on a magnetic media and writing the magnetic data onto the magnetic media. The method includes distributing the magnetic media containing the magnetic data and communicating information related to a conversion transaction. The information includes an indication of the distribution of the magnetic media.
US08950668B2 Unitary membership card
A unitary membership card capable of managing multiple membership accounts.
US08950663B2 Display electronic tagging and setting management method thereof
A display electronic tagging and a setting management method thereof are provided. The display electronic tagging comprises a wireless RF module, a display, an encapsulant and a bar code. The wireless RF module is used for receiving a wireless RF signal. The display is electrically connected to the wireless RF module, and used for showing a price of a product. The encapsulant encapsulates the wireless RF module and the display, wherein the display is exposed form the encapsulant. The bar code is located at the encapsulant. A setting module pairs the bar code and the wireless RF module according to a barcode identification signal and a RF identification signal, such that the wireless RF module and the barcode together correspond to the same product.
US08950661B2 Realizing desktop metaphors on a computer
A desktop metaphor system. There is included a physical, non-virtual icon card corresponding to a certain computer application and a computer separate from the icon card. The computer includes a computer readable storage medium for storing computer applications, one of which is the certain computer application, and a computer processor. The computer processor includes an icon detection module to detect the approaching of the icon card to the computer and recognize the certain computer application corresponding to the icon card; an application context memory module for storing application context for an application running on the computer processor and for storing application context for the certain application corresponding to the icon card and stored in storage; and an event processing logic module for switching between the application, if any, currently running on the computer processor and the certain application corresponding to the icon card.
US08950660B2 System and method for a complete and convenient shopping experience using product print catalogs or print advertisements
A method and system whereby a consumer creates a shopping list using a portable barcode scanner to scan barcodes from a printed catalog and a printed advertisement. The entered barcodes are downloaded to an smart base-station from the barcode scanner. The base-station retrieves related information from a barcode database via the Internet. The database can belong to a merchant, or it can be a generic shopping service.The base-station can be a consumer's computer, or some other smart electronic device.The base-station maintains a predictive shopping list database for all barcodes entered via the barcode scanner. The database learns the shopping consumption habits of the consumer over a period of time and ensures that when the consumer is ready to shop no previously needed, but currently forgotten items are left off of the shopping list.The consumer can use this method to shop in a store, or via Mail-Order/Telephone-Order or on the Internet.
US08950657B2 Carton with handle
A carton for containing and dispensing flowable materials. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one bottom flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one bottom flap can at least partially form a closed bottom end of the carton. A handle can extend in at least the bottom end proximate the back panel.
US08950655B2 Method of manufacturing packaging container and packaging container
A packaging container including a top wall and a bottom wall that are substantially horizontal when the packaging container is straight, and side walls. The top wall and the bottom wall have a triangular shape and a rectangular shape, respectively, a section of a transverse direction of a main body of the packaging container formed in four ridgelines which connect three corner points of the top wall and four corner points of the bottom wall has a trapezoidal shape, and the horizontal top wall overhangs a front side wall.
US08950654B2 Folding carton with auto-erecting bottom
The present invention provides a carton constructed from a single blank of paperboard material featuring an auto-erecting bottom. The carton includes first through eighth sides panels, a glue flap attached along a fold line to a first side edge of the first side panel, a first bottom flap attached along a fold line to a bottom edge of the second side panel, and a second bottom flap attached along a fold line to a bottom edge of the sixth side panel.The carton includes a first bottom folding assembly attached to a bottom edge of the third and fourth side panels, a second bottom folding assembly attached to a bottom edge of the seventh and eighth side panels, a third bottom folding assembly attached to the first side panel, and a fourth bottom folding assembly attached to the fifth side panel.
US08950652B2 Metal paste with oxidizing agents
A sintering method is provided which allows components to be joined to each other in a stable way, wherein the processing temperature is less than 200° C. and stable contact points are produced, which have low porosity and also high electrical and thermal conductivity. The method for joining components includes (a) providing a sandwich arrangement having at least (a1) one component 1, (a2) one component 2, and (a3) a metal paste located between component 1 and component 2, and (b) sintering the sandwich arrangement. The metal paste contains (A) 75-90 weight percent of at least one metal present in the form of particles having a coating containing at least one organic compound, (B) 0-12 weight percent of at least one metal precursor, (C) 6-20 weight percent of at least one solvent, and (D) 0.1-15 weight percent of at least one sintering agent selected from the group comprising (i) organic peroxides, (ii) inorganic peroxides, and (iii) inorganic acids.
US08950650B2 Friction stir spot welding device and friction stir spot welding method
A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to cause each of a pin member and a shoulder member to advance and retract, and is controlled by a tool driving control section. A press-fit reference point setting section sets a position where the pin member or the shoulder member contacts an object to be welded as a press-fit reference point, and the tool driving control section controls the position of the pin member with respect to the shoulder member on the basis of the press-fit reference point, thereby controlling the press-fit depth of a rotating tool press-fitted from the surface of the object to be welded. This achieves the excellent welding quality at suitable precision according to welding conditions especially in a double-acting friction stir spot welding method.
US08950642B2 Multi-position beverage container carrier for bicycles
A multi-position beverage container carrier including a mount (302) adaptable for mounting on a down tube (106) of a bicycle (102), the mount having a hub (310) disposed substantially near the lower end the mount; and a carriage (300) extending from the hub, wherein the carriage is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the down tube to a second position located substantially vertical in a plane formed by the seat post and the down tube.
US08950641B2 Hand tool holder for mounting on skid-loader or other power machine
A hand tool holder, for a skid-loader and the like, includes a clip formed of a sheet of resilient material, such as heat-treated steel, bent into a V-shape and having, a rounded section near an open end for holding a handle of a hand tool. In one embodiment the hand tool holder is attached to an arm of a skid-loader by means of a strap and a ratchet mechanism. The strap is inserted through strap holes in the base and around the arm of the skid-loader and tightened with the ratchet mechanism such that the hand tool holder is held firmly against the skid-loader. Normally a second hand tool holder is mounted on the arm of the skid-loader in parallel with the first hand tool holder, with the respective clips being oriented such that a handle of a hand tool can be inserted into and securely held in both clips.
US08950640B2 Torso to waist load transfer apparatus
An adjustable load transfer apparatus adapted to transfer a portion of a load between a torso-covering garment and a belt at the user's waist. The apparatus includes a post adapted for insertion into the interior passageway of a female body. The insertable post includes cutouts disposed in spaced-apart, stacked relation along a lateral edge. The thickness dimension of the insertable post is such that the insertable post can pass beneath a locking tooth in the female body when the locking tooth is in a raised position. The cutouts are sized and positioned to receive the locking tooth when the locking tooth is lowered. The apparatus is adapted to releasably engage webbing loops disposed at the surface of the torso-covering garment and/or the belt structure.
US08950639B1 Replaceable executive pocket liner
A pencil or pen holder pocket liner having a replaceable main body that is impervious to ink and is fitted with a customizable front portion that hangs outside the pocket and joins with the replaceable pocket liner by means of a slide tab that inserts into a slot in the replaceable pocket liner.
US08950628B2 Through surface dual function fluid dispensing system
A through surface hybrid apparatus for dispensing a fluid either in an automatic mode or a manual mode.
US08950627B2 Method of dispensing material from a bag using a segmented piston
A material dispensing assembly (100) and method of operation for converting a portable cartridge dispensing tool to a bag-type dispensing tool is provided in which the assembly includes a single piece piston (110) for advancing material though a material housing (104). The single piece piston (110) includes a substantially square-shaped receptacle (140). The assembly further includes a square shaped drive rack (112) for attaching to the piston (110) at the substantially square-shaped receptacle (140) at a connection end (128). The drive rack (112) further includes a plurality of teeth (142) located thereon. The assembly (100) further has a support (127) with a substantially square profile for receiving and supporting the drive rack (112) during operation such that the construct of the drive rack and piston (110) are prevented from rotating during operation.
US08950626B2 Device for storing and dispensing small parts such as rivets
The invention relates to a device (D) for storing and dispensing parts (P) of the type that comprises a rigid parallelepiped container (100) receiving at least one winding of a flexible storage pipe (200), wherein at least one end (220) of said pipe (200) opens to the outside and said end (220) is provided with a dispensing head (300), while the other end (210) is supplied with movement fluid, characterized in that the pipe (200) used for storing the parts (P) is made of a polyether-based polyurethane of about 64 shore D.
US08950624B2 Externally operated alpha port system for use with a rapid transfer port
The present invention relates to an externally operated alpha port for a rapid transfer port (RTP) system such as those found in isolation barrier systems. Means are provided for the actuation by the operator of the alpha port door locking system externally of the isolation barrier to facilitate the locking and unlocking of the alpha port door without requiring gloved entry into the isolation barrier. Means are also provided for opening and closing of the alpha port door with the actuation by the operator of a lever external to the isolation barrier.
US08950618B2 Metallic flange plate with lining
A flange plate closure for accessing a containment vessel has a metal base plate, having an interior and an exterior surface, at least one vertical metal tube having an open end, a metal flange ring at said open end defining an upper planar surface, and a lining made of non-corrosive material. The lining is disposed in overlying relation to the interior surface of the base plate, the interior of the tube and the upper planar surface of the flange ring. The lining is rigid, and is mechanically affixed to the metal components. The lining is made of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.
US08950615B2 Vehicle fueling apparatus
A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.
US08950611B2 Container comprising a bottom equipped with a deformable membrane
Plastic container (1), characterized in that it comprises: a rigidified body (5), a bottom (8) extending to a lower end of the container (1) and comprising: an annular base (9) extending substantially perpendicular to the body (5) in the prolongation thereof; an annular step (10) extending from the base (9) towards the interior of the container (1), a recess (12) at the center of the bottom (8) projecting towards the interior of the container (1), a deformable annular membrane (11) in the shape of a spherical cap extending substantially perpendicular to the body (5) between the step (10) and the recess (12).
US08950600B2 Method and system for securing a cross member to a tube
There is provided in a preferred embodiment a method and system for attaching a cross member to a tube. The tube has two holes drilled into it at opposite surfaces. The upper body of the cross member is inserted into one hole, through the tube and into the opposite hole. At the opposite hole, the cross member is welded or otherwise affixed to the tube. The lower body of the cross member is designed and adapted to be selectively attached to the upper body.
US08950598B2 Hanging clip for tools
A hanging clip for tools includes a hanging clip body, a sleeving portion, a connecting portion, support limiting flanges, a flexible sheet, a positioning bulge and a male/female clamping part. The sleeving portion is directly extended to the bottom end of the hanging clip body. The flexible sheet is unfolded and extended downwards to the connecting portion and comprises of an inner surface, an outer surface, an extended end and a folded flange. The sheet could be unfolded and extended downwards via said folded flange, or bent and retracted upwards to form a columnar pattern together with the sleeving portion. The sleeving portion and flexible sheet are pre-fabricated and when the sleeving portion and flexible sheet are in service state, two vertical limiting walls of the sleeving portion could be supported via the support limiting flanges, thus saving manufacturing cost and enhancing the structural strength for excellent anti-theft functions.
US08950593B2 Structure for mounting a device on a rack
A mounting structure for mounting two pieces of equipment to a U shaped support arm structure of an equipment rack. The mounting structure includes an affixing structure supported by the support arm structure and a positioning structure affixed to the affixing structure at an adjustable position to define an adjustable size of the mounting structure. The first piece of equipment (e.g. a monitor) is mounted on the support arm structure, and is fixedly connected to one end of the mounting structure. The second piece of equipment (e.g. a KVM switch) is supported by the affixing structure. The positioning structure is fixedly connecting to the second piece of equipment near the other end of the mounting structure. Horizontal and vertical calibration devices help align the two pieces of equipment to enable two connectors of the two pieces of equipment to directly connect with each other without using a cable.
US08950591B1 Ponytail holder
A ponytail holder apparatus has a base, an elongate support element extending upwardly from the base, and a holder element operably mounted on the elongate support element so that the holder element is positioned above the base. The holder element is comprised of a front surface and a rear hook element extending downwardly from the holder element. The drawstring ponytail may be hooked by the rear hook element and draped over the front surface to hang from the holder element over the base.
US08950590B2 Cyclonic flow separator
The invention relates to a separator of fluid medium components, said separator including, along one axis, a movable assembly that is rotatable around the axis. Said separator moreover includes an output device. The movable assembly includes a cylindrical separation chamber having an inner wall. The output device includes a second outlet and a first outlet that is farther than the second outlet from the axis. The output device includes a third outlet that is farther than the first outlet from the axis and is intended for extracting a third fluid component comprising solid particles. Said third outlet includes an edge that is near an inner wall of the separation chamber.
US08950589B2 Apparatus and method for separation of phases in a multiphase flow
A device is disclosed for the separation of liquid-liquid phase and/or a liquid-gas phase where one or more of the phases is suspended in water and has a bubble/drop/particle size in the sub micron and micron range, and/or fine particular organic or inorganic material is present in one or more of the phases. There is also disclosed a method and use for the device.
US08950587B2 Filter media suitable for hydraulic applications
Filter media, including those suitable for hydraulic applications, and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are provided. The filter media described herein may include two or more layers, at least one of the layers having a relatively high percentage of microglass fibers. Additionally, the filter media may be designed such that the ratio of average fiber diameters between two layers is relatively small, which can lead to a relatively low resistance ratio between the layers. In some embodiments, at least one layer of the filter media comprises synthetic polymer fibers. Certain filter media described herein may have desirable properties including high dirt holding capacity and a low resistance to fluid flow. The media may be incorporated into a variety of filter element products including hydraulic filters.
US08950584B2 Apparatus for screening fibrous suspensions
In a screening device, a rotor element on a rotor coaxial with a cylindrical screen drum and a cylindrical screen including: an upper surface and a front face between the surface of the rotor and the upper surface, wherein the front face faces upstream into pulp flow through a gap between the screen drum and the cylindrical screen; a trailing surface extending downstream of the pulp flow from the upper surface, wherein the trailing surface tapers to the surface of the rotor and meets the surface of the rotor at a back region of the trailing surface, and opposite sidewalls extending between the trailing surface and the surface of the rotor, wherein the opposite sidewalls gradually converge towards the back region.
US08950583B2 Method to remove heavy metals from a mammal
A method of supplementing a diet and ameliorating oxidative stress in a mammal includes administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an active compound having the chemical structure: where n=1-4 and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium.
US08950582B2 Protective case having elastically deformable air chambers for impact reduction
The present invention is to provide a. protective case having elastically deformable air chambers for impact reduction, which is made of an elastically deformable material and includes at least four lateral walls and at least four outer curved walls each connecting adjacent lateral wails, such that the outer curved wails and the lateral walls jointly form and enclose a receiving space. When a portable electronic device is received in the receiving space, the inner sides of the lateral walls lie against the four lateral sides of the periphery of the portable electronic device respectively. Meanwhile, the outer curved walls correspond in position to the four corners of the portable electronic device respectively, but the inner sides of the outer curved walls are not in contact with the portable electronic device, so as to form the air chambers between the outer curved walls and the portable electronic device respectively.
US08950575B2 Conveying arrangement having a device for generating electric current
A conveying arrangement includes a conveyor belt having a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate. The conveying arrangement further includes a drive drum, a reversing drum, carrying rollers and a carrying structure. The conveying arrangement forms a material-conveying upper strand (A) with a charging location for the conveyed goods and a lower strand (B). A device for generating current is provided at the charging location for the conveyed goods underneath the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). The device includes an impact bearing having sliding properties for the running-side cover plate of the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). A generator is operatively connected to the impact bearing and a supporting device is provided for the generator. The generator converts at least part of the impact energy of the conveyed goods into electric current.
US08950574B2 Automated packaging systems with electric motor driven actuators for compression chambers
Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.
US08950573B2 Electric motor driven pushers for automated clipping packaging apparatus
Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly.
US08950572B2 Scrap metal advancing arrangement
In a scrap metal advancing arrangement with a scrap metal pusher supported in a linear guide structure and a first hydraulic drive system comprising at least one first cylinder piston unit wherein the scrap metal pusher has a front surface extending normal to the linear guide direction, the scrap metal pusher includes an inner pusher block which is movable relative to the first hydraulic cylinder piston unit. The push block also has a front surface which extends normal to the linear guide direction, with the gradient of the effective piston surface of ail second cylinder-piston units and the effective front surface area being greater than the quotient of the effective piston surfaces of all first cylinder piston units and the effective pusher front surface area.
US08950570B2 Passive solids supply system and method for supplying solids
A solids supply system having a solids deaeration zone and a solids pump zone, and a method for supplying the solids e.g., pulverized dry coal, to an application, e.g., gasification process. The solids deaeration zone includes a container having a passageway defined by one or more sloped walls. The solids deaeration zone is operable to deaerate and convey the solids to the solids pump zone. In the solids deaeration zone, the solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into the solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through the solids pump zone.
US08950569B1 Conveying device and process for operating the same
A direct engagement drive system [108] for a tripper conveyor system is disclosed. The drive system [108] comprises lead [140′] and follow [140″] cogwheels, each driven by a programmable logic controller [108q] and variable frequency drive-controlled electric motor [108a]. The torque applied to each of the lead [140′] and follow [140″] cogwheels varies as a function of loading experienced by the cogwheels [140] and as a function of the location of the cogwheels [140] relative to a gap [159] or other discontinuity in a cog rail [150] provided on a conveyor [110]. A process for moving a tripper [100] along a conveyor [110] is also disclosed. Other mobile conveying device such as mobile hoppers, maintenance vehicles, stacking machines, conveying devices, or cranes may employ the drive systems [108] shown and described.
US08950568B2 Support, module, transport system for displacement of people/goods and modernization method of people/goods transport systems
A support (1), module (101, 201) to be placed on the support, transport system is for displacement of people/goods modernized with the module and modernization method of transport systems is for displacement of people/goods. The support (1) has fixings (11) to fix the support (1) to a bearing structure (10) of the transport system, horizontal tie plates (12) to support and horizontally place the module (101, 201), lateral tie plates (13) to support and laterally place the module (101, 201), longitudinal tie plates (14) to support and longitudinally place the module (101, 201). The module has positioning and verification equipment (101A, 201A, 301A) to place the module (101, 201, 301) maintaining within tolerances the system lines of the transport system. The transport system has a support (1) and an entrance (101)/exit (201)/central (301) module on an entrance (100)/exit (200) finished floor/in a central section.
US08950565B2 Anti back-drive couplings
An anti back-drive coupling (5) comprises an input (20) driveable about an axis A in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction in torque transmitting communication, via a mechanism, with an output (40) driveable about the axis by the input in either of the rotational directions, the mechanism including: a tube (29), driveable by the input, carrying two cages (21) and (23) spaced along the axis A, each cage housing rollers (26) and (28) respectively; an output member 48 for driving the output (40), including two flattened formations (42) and (44) adjacent each cage in use, for engagement with the rollers (26) and (28) respectively; and a back-torque reaction freewheels (30) and (32) engageable with the rollers, for reacting back-torque transmitted through said output member (48) and into the rollers.
US08950562B2 Continuously variable transmission with brake
A transmission is disclosed for a wheeled vehicle. The transmission has a rotary input (14) to be driven by a rotary power source, e.g. an internal combustion engine. It has a rotary output (16) for driving a vehicle wheel. A transmission unit is coupled between the rotary input and the rotary output to transfer drive between them at a speed ratio which is continuously variable through a range which includes both negative ratios (providing a reversal of rotational direction between the rotary input and the rotary output), positive ratios (in which the rotary input and the rotary output rotate in the same direction), and a geared neutral ratio, in which the rotary output is stationary. In accordance with the invention, the transmission further comprises a brake (20) for braking the rotary output. The brake is provided with a control arrangement adapted to apply it when the speed ratio is set to the geared neutral ratio and to release the brake as the speed ratio is adjusted away from the geared neutral ratio.
US08950560B2 Vehicular power unit
A power unit includes, electric motors for generating driving forces for respectively engaging clutches, and a clutch cover covering outer sides of the clutches in a direction along a power shaft. The electric motors are disposed in such a manner that drive axes arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof are perpendicular to the direction along the power shaft; further, the electric motors are disposed on the periphery of the clutch cover within a width W in the direction along the power shaft.
US08950559B2 Adjustable shock absorber
Shock absorber comprising a piston inside which a sleeve is present which can be operated separately from the piston. This sleeve is provided with through-flow conduits which can cooperate with apertures, which are fitted at a vertical distance, of a part of the piston in order to provide an auxiliary flow when the piston is displaced in the cylinder. Such auxiliary flow enters into a chamber which is delimited by one or more spring plates which act on a sleeve which loads the main valve against opening when it is pressed down by the spring plate. By filling the chamber with fluid, the load applied on the sleeve by the spring plate is reduced and the load on the main valve decreases, as a result of which the latter opens more readily.
US08950556B2 Disk brake hub assembly
A brake hub assembly for coupling to the axle of a vehicle, the brake hub assembly including a hub defining a central axis, a wheel flange plate removeably coupled to the hub, and a brake disk removeably coupled to the hub. Where when the hub is coupled to the axle, at least one of the wheel flange and the brake disk is removable from the hub without removing the hub from the axle.
US08950553B2 Safety bar
Disclosed is a safety bar having a resiliently flexible neck connecting a shaft to a head. The head includes a surface connected to at least one pair of spaced apart opposing legs. The surface and the spaced apart opposing legs define a passage and a channel intermediate the surface and the passage. Also disclosed is a method of making such a safety bar. The safety bar can be installed in a reach lift truck for protecting an operator of the reach lift truck from injury due to accidental impact.
US08950550B2 Ascender and descender appliance for climbing and descending on a rope
An ascender/descender appliance for ascending and descending on a rope, comprising a body having attachment means to be connected to the user's harness and a clamping device able to be released on load. The clamping device is arranged outside the body and comprises a chain of metal links constituted by a succession of friction elements articulated on one another by connecting rods to form a series of gaps for the rope to pass in zigzag manner. Means are associated with the top link to trigger clamping of the ascender device.
US08950549B2 Composite sound absorber
A sound absorbing material comprising a nonwoven fibrous acoustic insulation material and a flow resistive non-woven facing, wherein the flow resistive nonwoven facing is bonded to the insulation material and has an air flow resistance of from about 600 to about 1800 Rayls and a surface mass of from about 20 to about 150 g/m2.
US08950544B2 Ball screw and electric power steering system including ball screw
There are provided a ball screw that makes it possible to prevent a situation where a large load is applied to a part of a plurality of balls, and an electric power steering system including the ball screw. The ball nut is a component that surrounds a part of the male thread groove, and has a nut inner surface and a female thread groove. The female thread groove is formed in the nut inner surface, and forms a part of the rolling path. A female thread diameter varies according to a position in an axial direction of the ball nut. The female thread diameter is larger at each axial end of the ball nut than at an axially intermediate portion of the ball nut, and the female thread diameter is larger at one axial end than at the other axial end.
US08950543B2 Electric power steering apparatus
The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric power steering apparatus configured to be capable of being assembled in a state in which the tension of a belt is correctly tuned without using a separate process of measuring the tension of the belt, to substantially reduce the number of steps at the time of assembling a motor housing and a rack housing and hence the manufacturing costs, and to reduce vibration and noise to provide a pleasant steering feeling to a driver.
US08950542B2 System for driver-vehicle interaction
A system for driver-vehicle interaction has a soft key arrangement located on a steering wheel and a display key arrangement located on a dashboard and having a layout corresponding to that of the soft key arrangement. The vehicle has multiple function modes each of which has a set of selectable options in order to affect a behavior of the vehicle. Each function mode is associated with a respective layout of the display key arrangement in order to display the set of options. For each function mode layout, each display key is illustrates and corresponds to a selectable option for each soft key. Actuation of the soft key arrangement both commands changes between the function modes and selects among the available selectable options within the chosen function mode.
US08950540B2 Environment adaptive electric vehicle with lock on security and control saddle
The Environment Adaptive Electric Vehicle (EAEV) is capable of operating in a number of operating environments such as on a conventional highway, or on an elevated mainstream transportation infrastructure and also on a variety of local, low velocity, low volume, automated and semi-automated transportation infrastructures that may serve as collector roads for vehicles to access the mainstream elevated integrated bimodal infrastructures. The EAEV has a variety of sensors, receivers, cameras, monitoring devices, magnetic readers, GPS built into the vehicle. In a typical vehicle all of this information would be interpreted and applied in the same way. In the EAEV the vehicle wants to know what environment it is in. It then uses the software that defines that environment for all of its decisions. As a result, the EAEV uses the same equipment and similar information that is received over the equipment but applies it differently depending on what kind of system the vehicle is travelling on.
US08950539B2 Lightweight integrated rear suspension and drive enclosure for a ridden motorized vehicle
A ridden motorized vehicle such as a motorized scooter, motorcycle, ATV, tricycle, snowmobile, or lawn tractor, having a driven rear wheel may be equipped with an enclosed chain or belt drive enclosure having a first end and a second end and an inner enclosure and an outer enclosure, such that the inner enclosure has the rear suspension member and the rear wheel mounted at the second end, and concentrically pivots at the first end on the motor assembly output shaft of a motor assembly fastened to or comprising part of the main vehicle frame, and the outer enclosure pivoted on another bearing co-linear with the motor assembly output shaft, but mounted on a removable section of, or attachment to, said frame.
US08950536B2 Modular battery assembly support and seals
A battery assembly, or module, for a vehicle having a battery compartment that defines an opening in the floor. The battery module is disposed partially within the battery compartment and extends through an opening in the floor of a battery compartment to be partially disposed below the floor of the vehicle. A method of installing a battery module into a vehicle is also disclosed. The battery module is inserted partially into an opening in a floor of a battery compartment with a lower portion of the battery module being retained below the floor and an upper portion of the battery module being retained above the floor. A seal is attached between the battery module and the opening in the floor.
US08950535B2 Work vehicle with a bracket supporting post-treatment apparatuses
A work vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a radiator, an engine, a first post-treatment apparatus, a second post-treatment apparatus, and a bracket. The engine is provided in front of the radiator. The first post-treatment apparatus and the second post-treatment apparatus are positioned in front of the radiator and treat exhaust from the engine. The bracket is positioned in front of the radiator and is elastically supported by the vehicle frame. The bracket supports the engine, the first post-treatment apparatus, and the second post-treatment apparatus. Both the highest position of the first post-treatment apparatus and the highest position of the second post-treatment apparatus are no higher than the highest position of the radiator.
US08950534B2 Directed air systems for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., reduce drag) on vehicles, such as class 8 tractors. In some disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize exhausted gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle. In other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize generated air flow from, for example, electric fans, engine driven or pneumatically/hydraulically driven pumps, etc., to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle for reducing the aerodynamic drag on vehicles. In yet other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize a unique configuration of the vehicle's radiator fan(s) in order to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle.
US08950532B2 Hub reduction gear and driveline for a wheeled vehicle and multi-shaft wheeled vehicle
The invention relates to a hub reduction gear (10) for a driving wheel (20) of a wheeled vehicle with a planetary gear unit, which has a sun gear (12) connectable to a drive shaft (38a, 38b), a carrier (14) for planet gears (16), which are in mesh with the sun gear (12), and a ring gear (18) being in mesh with the planet gears (16). The planet gear carrier (16) and the ring gear (18) are configured to be alternately connected to the driving wheels (20) of the vehicle and being alternately connectable to a body-fixed part (24). The invention also relates to a driveline for a multi shaft, wheel supported vehicle with a hub reduction gear (10) of planetary gear type at the driving wheels of the vehicle, wherein the planet gear carrier and the ring gear of the planetary gears on at least one side of the vehicle are configured to be alternately connected to the driving wheels of the vehicle and being alternately connectable to a body-fixed part of the vehicle.
US08950523B2 Drive train between the power take-off shaft of a tractor unit and the gearbox of a trailer vehicle
The invention relates to a drive train (1; 52) between a power take-off shaft (27) of a tractor unit (26) and the gearbox (34) of a trailer vehicle (33), the drawbar of which is coupled in a bottom hitching arrangement to the hitch (28) of the tractor unit (26), wherein the drive train (1; 52) extends above the drawbar beam. Depending on the rotational speed and length of the propeller shaft, a long propeller shaft may result problems in revolution that is agitated and vibratory. The novel drive exhibits smooth running properties and allows for easy handling.
US08950521B2 Tractor mower with enhanced turning radius
A tractor mower with an enhanced turning radius comprising steerable left and right front wheels; left and right rear wheels; an engine for providing power to drive said rear wheels; an independent rear braking system capable of applying a braking force to said left and right rear wheels independently of one another; and a steering system coupled to said front steerable wheels and said independent rear braking system. The steering and braking systems may be configured such that when the tractor mower is steered in a first direction the front wheels are turned to the right and a braking force is applied on the right rear wheel. Alternatively, when the tractor mower is steered in a second direction the front wheels are turned to the left and a braking force is applied on the left rear wheel.
US08950520B2 Front steering module for a zero turn radius vehicle
A front steering module adapted for integration with the subframe of a zero-turn radius vehicle incorporating an electronic steering apparatus. The module provides both front wheel steering and corresponding control inputs for the electronic steering apparatus. The module has a frame member having a pair of steered wheel assemblies mounted thereto and a mounting member for attachment to the vehicle. The module further comprises a steering mechanism and a steering position sensor for providing input to the electronic steering apparatus.
US08950518B2 Matrix tool bodies with erosion resistant and/or wear resistant matrix materials
Methods for manufacturing a matrix tool body comprising placing a first matrix material within a first region of a mold cavity proximate a surface of the mold. A second matrix material may be placed within a second region of the mold cavity positioned inwardly of the first matrix material. The first matrix material and the second matrix material comprise a plurality of hard particles. The plurality of hard particles of the second matrix material have a median particle size that is less than the median particle size of the first matrix material. The plurality of hard particles of the first matrix material and the second matrix material are infiltrated with an infiltration binder to form the tool body. Also included are tool bodies having one or more regions proximate a surface of the tool body comprising an erosion resistant matrix material and/or a wear resistant matrix material.
US08950517B2 Drill bit with a retained jack element
A drill bit having a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face having at least one cutting insert. A bore is formed in the working face co-axial within an axis of rotation of the drill bit. A jack element is retained within the bore by a retaining element that intrudes a diameter of the bore.
US08950515B2 Cone retention and tapered bearing preload system for roller cone bit
The roller cone is retained to the head with axial play taken out of the bearings with a tension rod tensioned from the rear of the head and away from the nose bearing region of the head allowing greater resistance to loading in the region of the nose bearing and a reduction in critical stresses. The tension rod has a flat oriented for tightening and facing grease passages to allow grease to gain access to the bearings through the bore for the tension rod and otherwise fill the bore so the tension rod actively supports loading in the head bearing. The nose bearing is separately directly cone supported with a retainer threaded to the cone or a spacer between bearings can be used so that tensioning of the rod takes out the axial play in both bearings with force transmitted to a retainer at the back of the cone.
US08950508B2 Handheld power tool
A handheld power tool, including a tool socket on a drive shaft for purposes of holding a tool, the drive shaft executing a rotating and partially tangentially striking movement using a tangential striking mechanism drivable by a drive. The tangential striking mechanism has an anvil associated with the drive shaft and a hammer associated with the drive, movable with respect to each other so as to strike each other axially when under the effect of the force of at least one first spring, and to strike each other tangentially when the anvil and the hammer are rotated. The hammer has a main mass, and an extra mass that is under the effect of a second spring couplable to the main mass.
US08950507B2 Device for preventing vibrations in a tool spindle
A device and a method for preventing vibrations (19) in a rotating spindle (1) mounted in at least one front 8 and one rear bearing (9) in a machine tool, wherein the device comprises measuring units (2, 3, 4, 5) for detecting the vibrations (19) and correction device (6) for preventing the vibrations (19) disposed directly about the periphery (10, 11) of the spindle (1) in a contacting or non-contacting manner and that a control unit (7) for processing the measuring units (2, 3, 4, 5) and for calculating the correction values for the correction device (6) is assigned to this device.
US08950505B2 Method and apparatus for setting a wellbore packer
A wellbore packer for setting one or more packing elements in a borehole having an open hole section. The wellbore packer comprises a port-less mandrel configured with one or more packing elements and one or more setting mechanisms. The setting mechanism is responsive to a to a driving force and configured to set the packing elements in the borehole, wherein the driving force is not tubing string pressure.
US08950501B2 Riser clamp
A riser clamp (20) comprising a first jaw portion (211) and a second jaw portion (212) that can be opened and closed relative to each other. The jaw portions (211/212) each comprise a thermoplastic body (301/302) that can be, for example, injection molded pieces of polyethylene (e.g., HDPE). The jaw portions (211/212) can be connected by a hinge (39) that is integrally formed therewith. The clamp (20) can also include cradles (701/702) and caps (711/712) for holding auxiliary lines.
US08950497B2 Assemblies, systems and methods for installing multiple subsea functional lines
Disclosed are methods for installing at least two subsea functional lines having differing functions, such as a subsea umbilical and a subsea flowline, and integrated termination assemblies for use in the methods. The integrated termination assemblies combine terminations of the at least two subsea functional lines, simplifying the layout of a subsea production field, reducing the number of connections necessary and simplifying the installation of subsea functional lines used in offshore hydrocarbon production.
US08950496B2 Counter device for selectively catching plugs
A counter assembly including an actuatable component. A counter component is disposed with the actuatable component and initially in a first position relative the actuatable component and movable with respect to the actuatable component. A lock member is engaged in a track formed between the actuatable component and the counter component. The lock member is operatively arranged for enabling relative movement between the actuatable component and the lock member in a first direction only and between the counter component and the lock member in a second direction only. At least one iteration of travel of the counter component to a second position relative the actuatable component and back to the first position progresses the lock member incrementally along the track. The actuatable component is immovably locked to the counter component by the lock member when the lock member has reached an end of the track.
US08950494B2 Foamers for downhole injection
A method of foaming a fluid for recovering gas from a gas well and enhancing oil production from a gas-lifted oil well penetrating a subterranean oil-bearing formation is disclosed and claimed. The method includes introducing into the fluid a foam-forming amount of a composition comprising at least one compound selected from the following: X+ alkyl benzene sulfonate; X+ alkylnapthalene sulfonate; alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate; diallyldiphenyloxide disulfonate; X+ alkyl sulfate; naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate; and combinations thereof. The method of invention further provides foamers that are compatible with a reverse osmosis membrane.
US08950493B2 Method and system using zeta potential altering compositions as aggregating reagents for sand control
Methods and systems are disclosed for well completion and/or production, where an aggregating, agglomerating or conglomerating composition is injected into a producible formation, zone or interval thereof to alter an aggregation or zeta potential of formation surfaces and particulate to increase a maximum sand free production rate.
US08950490B2 Methods of using cellulose in various oilfield applications
A method of well treatment that includes providing a well treatment composition containing a non-functionalized cellulose material and a halide salt composition containing at least zinc halide, calcium halide or a mixture thereof, andplacing the well treatment composition within a wellbore or a subterranean formation, and wherein the halide salt composition dissolves at least a portion of the non-functionalized cellulose material.
US08950489B2 Annular disposed stirling heat exchanger
Apparatus and method for cooling internal components of a down-hole well drilling apparatus. Components of the well drilling apparatus are encased in an inner canister that is further encased in an outer canister creating a void between the inner canister and the outer canister. Further, a plurality of moveable barriers is disposed between the inner canister and the outer canister and contains a heat transfer fluid. A plurality of agitators add mechanical energy to the plurality of moveable barriers compressing and expanding, while repositioning, the heat transfer fluid and creating a heat pump based on a reverse Stirling cycle to remove heat from the cooler inner canister and transfer the heat to the hotter environment outside the outer canister.
US08950485B2 Drilling/frac adapter and method of use
A method of drilling and fracturing a well includes installing a drilling/frac adapter on a lower wellhead housing. The drilling/frac adapter has a higher internal pressure rating than the lower wellhead housing. The operator drills through the drilling/frac adapter to a desired depth, then runs and cements a casing string in the well. A lower packoff is installed in an annulus between the casing hanger and the lower wellhead housing and an upper packoff is set in an annulus between the drilling/frac adapter and the casing hanger. Frac fluid is pumped through the frac tree into the casing string at a higher pressure than the pressure rating of the lower housing but less than the pressure rating of the drilling/frac adapter. Then, the upper packoff and the drilling/frac adapter are removed from the lower housing and installing an upper wellhead housing on the lower wellhead housing.
US08950480B1 Downhole tool delivery system with self activating perforation gun with attached perforation hole blocking assembly
A downhole tools deployment apparatus is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. The embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
US08950475B2 Tubular guiding and gripping apparatus and method
A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.
US08950474B2 Subsea cap
A cap having a stinger adapted to be inserted into a bore of a subsea well element. The stinger includes locking means for locking to a profile in said bore, which locking means include a plurality of locking dogs. The locking dogs exhibit a large inclination face and a small inclination face, and are adapted to be actuated in a radial direction by an actuation sleeve. The small inclination face is divided by a slot, in which slot the large inclination face is arranged. A cam is arranged on the actuation sleeve and is adapted to extend into said slot. Alternatively, the small inclination face is divided by a cam arranged on the locking dog, on which the large inclination face is arranged, which cam is adapted to extend into a slot in the actuation sleeve.
US08950473B2 Cross-jack counterbalance system
The device is a counterbalance system and method to reduce the work of conventionally balanced, reciprocating cantilevered beam pumping units, and comprises a pair of transversely oriented support mounts attached to the cantilevered beam or walking beam of a pre-existing reciprocating pumping unit, attaching on either side of the pivoting-fulcrum, mounting point of the cantilevered walking beam. These transverse mounting points terminate individually on either side of said walking beam in channel-like saddles that support independent, parallel beams, which in turn cantilever themselves in tandem with said walking beam of the pumping unit; moreover, the position of the parallel beams by virtue of the transverse mounts creates a new center of gravity corresponding to the center of the pivoting mounting point of the walking beam, eliminating counter-productive torque forces on the walking beam as it tilts from horizontal.
US08950472B2 System for monitoring linearity of down-hole pumping systems during deployment and related methods
Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The alignment and linearity of the pump and motor can be crucial to run life of the pump and/or motor.
US08950466B2 Method for production of metal elongated products
A method for producing elongated rolled products uses a steelmaking station for producing liquid metal at a first production rate, a rolling mill having a second production rate, and a continuous casting station located between the steelmaking station and the rolling mill. The continuous casting station contains at least two casting lines, each line being operable to produce elongated intermediate products. A first casting line is directly aligned with the rolling mill to feed the rolling mill with casted products, and at least one second casting line not aligned with the rolling mill and not feeding the rolling mill. The method further uses a varying device for varying simultaneously the production rate of the first casting line and the production rate of the at least one second casting line depending on a difference between the steelmaking station production rate and the rolling mill production rate.
US08950465B2 Aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy products and methods for making the same
Decorative shape cast products and methods, systems, compositions and apparatus for producing the same are described. In one embodiment, the decorative shape cast products are produced from an Al—Ni or Al—Ni—Mn alloy, with a tailored microstructure to facilitate production of anodized decorative shape cast product having the appropriate finish and mechanical properties.
US08950464B2 Panel curtain system with improved operating runner
A panel curtain system including a number of panels guided by a rail, a control cord endlessly secured to the panels and at least one operating runner secured to at least one panel and securing the control cord. The panel curtain system includes a motorized drive for the at least one control cord and a means tensioning element for tensioning the control cord.
US08950461B2 Motorized window treatment
A motorized window treatment controls daylight entering a space through a window and includes a covering material, a drive shaft, lift cords received around the drive shaft and connected to the covering material, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft. It also includes a spring assist unit for the motor providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the lift cords at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions, minimizing motor usage and conserving battery life. A photosensor for measuring the daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window may be provided. The position of the covering material is automatically controlled to save energy, or may also be controlled in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.
US08950458B2 System and method for mounting ultrasonic tools
An ultrasonic tool having a sonotrode having a single weld region and two nodal regions formed on either side of the weld region. Two rigid mount boosters are each coupled to either side of the weld region. One transducer is coupled to one of the rigid mount boosters. Two ultrasonic stack mounting rings are each configured to be coupled to a housing assembly at a non-nodal region and coupled to one of the rigid mount boosters at a nodal region.
US08950456B2 Radial tire with specified bead for light heavy-weight vehicle
An assembly including a tire having beads, said bead axially including outside the turn-up a layer of a material defining a bead outer profile, such that the distance A, between the carcass frame and the bead outer profile, is as defined in formula (Z), B being the distance between the end of the turn-up, said bead including first and second profiles between the carcass frame and the turn-up, the first profile extends from the bead wire and is made of a material having an extension secant modulus at a 10% elongation higher than 20 MPa, a second profile arranged in the bead such as to be in contact with a surface of the first profile and the turn-up, made of a material having an extension secant modulus at a 10% elongation of at least 7 MPa and an extension secant modulus at a 100*% extension of at least 4.5 MPa.
US08950453B2 Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire is provided with a large number of holes that are arranged in the tire's circumferential direction. These holes are provided in land portions that are provided in both shoulder sections of a tread. The land portions can have different pitch lengths. Each of the holes has formed there inside a projection having an upper end with a flat surface or a convex surface. The distance between the outer wall of the projection at the upper end thereof and the inner wall of the hole is set in the range from 1 to 5 mm. The upper end of the projection is located at a position below the opening of the hole.
US08950452B2 Motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain
A motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain comprises a tread portion having a unidirectional tread pattern and provided with T-sided blocks having a top surface, a heel-side sidewall surface extending from a heel-side edge of the top surface, and a toe-side sidewall surface extending from a toe-side edge of the top surface. The heel-side sidewall surface has an inclination angle α of from 0 to 15 degrees. The toe-side sidewall surface has a radially outer region having a height of from 20 to 55% of the block height and inclined at an angle β of from 20 to 45 degrees. A radially inner region of the toe-side sidewall surface has: a central part inclined at the same angle β as the radially outer region; a pair of lateral parts located one on each side of the central part and having an inclination angle γ of from 0 to 15 degrees; and a pair of stepped parts extending between the lateral parts and the central part in a direction crosswise to the toe-side edge.
US08950451B2 Non-pneumatic tire
In a non-pneumatic tire (1), a plurality of connecting members (13) that connects a mounting body (11) and an annular body (12) are provided along a tire-circumferential direction. The annular body is split into a plurality of split bodies (12a) along the tire-circumferential direction. A resilient member (16) that is extended along the tire-circumferential direction and connects the plurality of split bodies in the tire-circumferential direction is provided in the annular body. This non-pneumatic tire (1) secures satisfactory ride quality, maneuverability and durability by suppressing increase in weight, hardness and rolling resistance, ensures uniform contact-pressure distribution, and prevents the occurrence of a puncture.
US08950448B2 Multi-function transfer device
Various embodiments provide a multifunction transfer device, which can have: an open-ended conical portion having a larger diameter at a top open-end than at a bottom open-end; a release coupled to the bottom open-end of the conical portion and configured to move from a closed position to an open position; a rest integrated to a bottom of the release and configured to hold the device above a liquid container; and an open-ended chute coupled to the release below the rest and configured for fluid communication with the conical portion. In one embodiment, the multifunction transfer device can include at least one graduation configured to indicate a measurement of the material contained in a volume within the conical portion.
US08950445B2 Device for filling at least one dosing chamber
A device for filling at least one dosing chamber is provided, with at least one dosing chamber arranged in a dosing disc into which a filling material is to be introduced. At least one ram acts on the material located in the dosing chamber. The at least one ram is arranged on a support, and at least two columns are connected to the support. A drive mechanism is provided which, via a coupling mechanism, moves at least the two columns up and down in synch.
US08950443B2 Method for recovering puncture repair liquid and apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid
A method for recovering puncture repair liquid includes preparing tube, preparing sealing portion, removing, discharging, inserting, and recovering. The tube is to be inserted into a tire from a tire valve mounted to a wheel. The sealing portion is at a part of the tube in a longitudinal direction, has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tube, and is fittable in the tire valve. The removing removes a valve core from the tire valve of the wheel. The discharging discharges pressurized air filled in the tire from the tire valve. The inserting inserts the tube from the tire valve so as to bring the tube to a liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid. The recovering recovers the puncture repair liquid in the tire via the tube using a residual pressure in the tire by fitting the sealing portion to the tire valve.
US08950441B2 Reciprocating compressor with high pressure storage vessel let down for CNG station and refueling motor vehicles
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a reciprocating compressor having a high pressure storage vessel let down for a CNG station for refueling motor vehicles, wherein the CNG station design utilizes inlet gas from a local gas utility. By supplementing the inlet gas with a pressure let down in order to de-pressurize the gas from a high-pressure storage vessel, the CNG station has the ability to increase and adjust its flow capacity.
US08950438B2 Method and compositions for delivery of a concentrated quantity of sealing elements to a leak site in a vessel
A method of delivering a concentrated quantity of sealing elements to a leak site in a vessel includes deploying a flexible body of material and at least one sealing element into fluid flowing within the vessel upstream of the leak site. The body of material transports the sealing elements through the vessel to the leak site where the body of material is drawn to the leak by fluid flow created by a pressure differential at the leak site. The sealing element(s) are constrained by the body of material at the leak site such that the sealing element(s) become(s) entrained within the leak.
US08950437B2 Leak sealing apparatus
An apparatus includes one or more sealing elements to be transported along a duct by the flow of fluid therein at an internal pressure and to be drawn to a leak by the pressure differential resulting from a reduced pressure associated with the locality of that leak. Each sealing element has a body formed from an elastic material to have one or more impermeable bubbles filled with gas so that the sealing element has a volume which varies resiliently according to the change in volume of the bubble(s) in response to externally applied pressure. The product of the volume of the bubble(s) and the pressure of the gas therein is selected to provide a sealing element having a transport volume at the internal pressure which is appropriate to enter a leak and which, in response to the reduced pressure associated with the locality of that leak, is capable of increasing in volume from the transport volume sufficiently to seal that leak.
US08950429B2 Valve-member monitoring system
Construction of a valve-member monitoring system using wireless communication is facilitated. The valve-member monitoring system is structured with operating-condition sensors each attached to each of multiple steam traps installed on a manifold. The manifold serves as a discharged condensate collecting pipe in which condensate is discharged through the multiple steam traps. The valve-member monitoring system further includes a sensor controlling terminal device that is attached to the manifold or in the vicinity of the manifold and exchanges information by radio with a central control apparatus. In the valve-member monitoring system, the terminal device is connected to the operating-condition sensors each attached to each of the steam traps installed on the manifold with lead lines. This reduces time and effort required to determine which operating-condition sensors are to be connected to the terminal device, and therefore facilitates the construction of the valve-member monitoring system, which are excellent results.
US08950427B2 Water transport system
A water transport system comprising a first container, a second container, a mechanical connector fixing the first and second containers to each other and/or a towing vehicle, and a control device. The water transport system may be used in a method of water management for recreational vehicles (RV), trailers, or motor homes. The water transport system may be sized and configured to fit in a bed of the towing vehicle used for towing the RV, trailer, or motor home. The second container may be coupled to a macerator pump of the RV, trailer, or motor home to receive wastewater therefrom and the control device may be configured to automatically shut off the macerator pump when the second container is full.
US08950424B2 Device for transporting small volumes of a fluid, in particular a micropump or microvalve
A microfluidic device for transporting a fluid, in particular a micropump or microvalve. The device has films, which lie against each other at film surfaces facing each other and are connected to each other in such a way that a transport channel to be formed between the films is defined, Deflecting apparatuses for forming the transport channel by jointly deflecting the films lie against each other in a direction perpendicular to the film surfaces. A deflecting surface region of the rear film in the deflection direction lies within the deflecting surface region of the front film in the deflection direction defined by the connection between the films.
US08950423B2 Double-seat valve device
A double-seat valve device, with a valve seat region, includes a first circular cylindrical-shaped seat surface with a first diameter, which with a first sealing element forms a radial seal for a connection opening to a first housing part, and a second circular cylindrical-shaped seat surface with a second diameter smaller than the first, which with a second sealing element forms a radial seal for the opening to a second housing part. A third seat surface is arranged between the first and second surfaces. In a closed position of the first closing member, the contact region rests against the third seat surface, to form a solid-state stop for the contact region. A deflecting surface is arranged between the first and third seat surfaces. The deflecting surface has an outlet edge offset to the third seat surface. A direction vector at the outlet edge points away from the second sealing element.
US08950422B2 Actuating mechanism for a valve and an electric switch having an actuator
A valve actuating mechanism has an actuator housing and an actuator drive. A spring is connected between them so that when the actuator drive is in a lock position, the spring biases the actuator drive toward an unlock position. A locking member is movable from a first position received in a locking aperture of the actuator drive and in a hole in the actuator housing so as to hold the actuator drive relative to the housing in the locking position and to a second position in which the locking member is outside of the locking aperture so that the spring can move the actuator drive to the unlocked position. A blocking device blocks movement of the locking member but can release the locking member to allow the actuator drive to turn.
US08950418B2 Fluid drainage system and methods
A method for operating a fluid drainage control system to drain a fluid from a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes determining a first ambient air temperature, determining if the first ambient air temperature is less than a predetermined drain set point temperature, isolating the fluid dispensation system from a fluid supply source by closing a supply valve located inside a temperature controlled area in response to the first ambient air temperature being less than the predetermined drain set point temperature, and draining the fluid from the fluid dispensation system by opening a drain valve subsequent to closing the supply valve. The method further includes determining a second ambient air temperature, determining if the second ambient air temperature is greater than a predetermined operation set point temperature, closing the drain valve in response to the second ambient air temperature being greater than the predetermined operation set point temperature, and opening the supply valve subsequent to closing the drain valve.
US08950417B2 Articulating pole hub for a collapsible shelter and method of forming a collapsible shelter
A pole hub for a collapsible shelter, such as a tent, canopy, or sun-shade is configured and adapted to connect at least two pairs of poles to each other in manner such that the pairs of poles are able to pivot relative to each other about an axis, while each pair of poles remains generally rigid.
US08950413B2 Applicator device, in particular for a cosmetics applicator, applicator, in particular cosmetics applicator comprising an applicator device, and an application unit, in particular cosmetics unit, comprising the applicator device
The invention relates to an applicator device comprising a carrier having an application element covering, which includes a plurality of application elements. At least one application element has, along its longitudinal extent, at least one first section closer to the carrier and at least one second section more distant from the carrier, and at least one section of the application element has a curved central longitudinal axis. Central longitudinal axes or their end tangents of the first and second sections, in a transitional zone from the first to the second section, converge in at least one projection onto a sectional plane through the application element so as to form a bend.
US08950403B2 Mask system and method for constructing the same
A mask system including a frame module and a cushion module provided to the frame module and adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The cushion module includes a main body defining a breathing chamber and adapted to interface with the frame module and a cushion adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The main body and the cushion are comolded with one another.
US08950402B2 Autonomous O2 channel extending in the longitudinal direction
The present invention is concerned with a system for the oxygen supply of persons in an aircraft. In order to provide the simplest possible system, which is suitable in particular for a reconfiguration of the seat devices (12), the system has at least one oxygen line, one oxygen feed, and multiple attachment points for oxygen masks (24), the oxygen line extending in the longitudinal direction and the attachment points being connected to the oxygen line. The attachment points are preferably situated linearly and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.
US08950398B2 Supplemental gas safety system for a breathing assistance system
A system for managing a supplemental gas supply in a breathing assistance system configured to provide breathing assistance to a patient includes a temperature sensor and a control system. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature associated with a breathing assistance system configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas toward a patient. The control system is configured to automatically control the flow of the supplemental gas based at least on the monitored temperature.
US08950397B2 Unit dose cartridge and dry powder inhaler
A dry powder inhaler having improved aerodynamic properties for diluting, dispersing, and metering drug particles for increasing the efficiency of pulmonary drug delivery to a patient is described. The inhaler comprises, in general, a housing having an air intake, an air flow-control/check-valve, a mixing section and a mouthpiece. A cartridge loaded with a single dose of medicament can be installed in the mixing section.
US08950393B2 Nebulizer
A nebulizer which has an insertable container and a counter device for counting operations of the nebulizer, and is opened for replacing the container. A securing device having locking portions which are forced apart is provided to prevent reconnection of an already used container. The nebulizer has an indicator for showing the current container number and/or symbols indicating the need container replacement. The indicator is driven by the force of an internal spring. The indicator member also controls a lock of the container for locking the container against further actuation. The lock is reset after container replacement.
US08950381B2 Fuel supply unit
A fuel supply unit (1) is provided e.g. a carburetor or a low pressure injection system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel supply unit (1) includes a main air passage (3), which has a throttle valve (8, 9) mounted therein and the throttle valve (8, 9) includes a throttle shaft (8) extending between two to one another opposite located shaft sides (6, 7). A control module (2) for the fuel supply (2) is mounted to one (7) of the shaft sides (6, 7), which control module (2) includes throttle position detecting means (30; 300) for monitoring the position of the throttle valve (8, 9), and fuel valve means (60) for controlling the fuel supply to the main air passage (3). Also, an ignition system is provided which is able to control the ignition timing with respect to status of the at least one of the means (30; 300, 40, 60, 100) in the control module (2) in order to at least control the idle speed of the engine. The ignition system further being arranged to power at least one of the means (30; 300, 40, 60, 100) of the control module (2).
US08950379B2 Measured fuel rail pressure adjustment systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a pump control module, an adjustment determination module, and an adjusting module. The pump control module selectively disables pumping of a fuel pump that is driven by a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine. A predetermined period after the pumping of the fuel pump is disabled, the adjustment determination module determines a pressure adjustment for a first fuel rail pressure measured using a fuel rail pressure sensor. The adjusting module generates a second fuel rail pressure based on the pressure adjustment and the first fuel rail pressure.
US08950376B2 Multilink-type internal combustion engine
A multilink-type internal combustion engine includes a power transmission structure capable of transmitting rotation of a crankshaft to a pivot shaft. The power transmission structure comprises: a planet gear mechanism having a sun gear mounted on the crankshaft; a drive gear provided on a ring gear section of the planet gear mechanism; a driven gear mounted on the pivot shaft and meshing with the drive gear; and an adjustment mechanism for switching a rotation direction of a carrier of the planet gear mechanism to thereby adjust a meshing phase of the driven gear relative to the drive gear.
US08950374B2 Cylinder head for internal combustion engine
Rib configurations for increasing the structural efficiency of a cylinder head, which relates to a peak combustion pressure capability of the cylinder head. In addition to increasing peak combustion pressure, the rib configurations may also improve sealing of the cylinder head and may improve the durability of an associated cylinder head gasket.
US08950373B2 Engine control device
A ring gear is connected to a crank shaft of an engine. A pinion is placed to face to the ring gear. When the engine is started, an ECU performs cranking of the engine under a state where the ring gear and the pinion are in mesh. The ECU releases the mesh state of the ring gear and the pinion after completion of the cranking of the engine. In particular, the ECU performs dispersion control to increase a degree of dispersion of a mesh portion of the ring gear which is meshed with the pinion when the rotation of the ring gear is stopped according to the engine stop. The dispersion control prevents the mesh portion of the ring gear and the mesh portion of the pinion from progressing abrasion and avoiding defect.
US08950371B2 Three-shaft transmission having an elastic coupling element
A triple shaft adjusting gear including a driving part (01) that can be connected rotationally fast to a drive shaft, a driven part that can be connected rotationally fast to a driven shaft and an adjusting member that can be connected to an adjusting shaft. A mechanical stop for limiting an adjusting angle between the drive shaft and the driven shaft is arranged between two of the three shafts. According to the invention, the stop is an elastic coupling member for damping an impingement in case of a stop.
US08950370B2 Valve timing control apparatus
A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member, a fluid pressure chamber formed by the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member and divided into a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber by a parting portion, a fluid control valve mechanism controlling a supply and a discharge of an operation fluid to and from the fluid pressure chamber, a lock mechanism locking a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotating member relative to the driving-side rotating member at a predetermined phase, a monitoring mechanism monitoring a driving state of an internal combustion engine, and a phase setting mechanism controlling the fluid control valve mechanism so as to establish the predetermined phase in a case where the monitoring mechanism detects a signal indicating a likelihood of a decrease of a number of rotations of the internal combustion engine exceeding a control range.
US08950366B2 Method for reducing valve recession in gaseous fuel engines
A method for operating a condensed natural gas engine, comprising injecting a mass of additive into the engine, the mass of additive a function of a mass-of-soot desired and producing a mass-of-soot during combustion, mass-of-soot produced a function of the mass of additive injected into the engine. By this method additional soot may be produced for heightened lubrication and valve protection.
US08950363B2 MRI with magnet assembly adapted for convenient scanning of laboratory animals
An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.
US08950361B1 Organic fishery system having cleaning and heating features
A system for organic farming of aquatic livestock has at least one substantially enclosed container structured and arranged to contain at least one input-controlled organic environment usable to organically farm such aquatic livestock. At least one pollutant-free water-supplier is structured and arranged to supply, to the at least one substantially enclosed container, water substantially free of environmental pollutants. At least one aquatic life-support unit is structured and arranged to maintain within the at least one substantially enclosed container habitable environment consistent with sustaining growth of such aquatic livestock. At least one heating system is coupled to the at least one substantially enclosed container for heating an air mixture. The air mixture is injected into the water substantially free of environmental pollutants to heat the water substantially free of environmental pollutants.
US08950358B2 Device for and a method of milking a dairy animal
A milking device for milking a dairy animal, including at least one teat cup including a flexible cup liner around a teat space, and a single pulsation space and a milk line, a milking vacuum pump connected to the milk line, for providing a milking vacuum, a pulsator connected to the pulsation space, for providing a controllable air pressure therein, and a control device for controlling at least the pulsator during at least a milking action. The control device is configured to cause the pulsator and/or the milking vacuum pump to provide, in a period of time consecutive to a milking action wherein a dairy animal is milked and a teat is located in the teat space, such a substantially stable, non-pulsating pressure difference between the pulsation space and the teat space, that the cup liner shuts off the teat space from the milk line.
US08950357B2 System and method for milking stall assignment using real-time location
In certain embodiments, a method for milking stall assignment includes storing first location information associated with a dairy livestock, the first location information comprising a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a milking parlor at a first time. The method further includes comparing the stored first location information associated with the dairy livestock with an area associated with each of a plurality of milking stalls of the milking parlor to identify a milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time and assigning the dairy livestock to the milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time such that data associated with milking of the dairy livestock may be associated with the dairy cow.
US08950354B2 Testing apparatus for hydrostatic interlock of a lifeboat
A testing apparatus for the hydrostatic interlock of a lifeboat includes a pressure cylinder provided with a valve. A positive-negative pressure annular fastener made of soft plastic material is assembled on the topside of the pressure cylinder and has its topside formed with an attaching surface. A U-shaped support frame is fixed at the outer side of the pressure cylinder, and a telescopic support holder is connected to the U-shaped support frame. An anchor base is positioned under the telescopic support holder, and a manual pump has a tube connected to the valve, and installed with a pressure gauge. The testing apparatus for the hydrostatic interlock of a lifeboat in the invention can simulate the launchings pressure of a lifeboat to carry out actual hooks release in a lifeboat drill, able to ensure safety of lives of the personnel who participate in the drill.
US08950345B2 Pulverized coal burner and pulverized coal boiler having it
A pulverized coal burner and a pulverized coal boiler. The coal burner comprises a primary air cylinder (111) and a pulverized coal concentration device (112). The coal concentration device (112) makes the concentration of the coal flow gradually decrease from inside to outside along the radial direction, with respect to an axis (100) of the primary air cylinder (111). The coal burner further comprises a coal separating cylinder (113) and a coal guiding cylinder (114) located downstream of the device (112), the rear end of the cylinder (113) is connected with the front end of the coal guiding cylinder (114). The outlet of the cylinder (114) has a conical expansion portion (1141). The coal burner further comprises a divergent nozzle (115) connected with the rear end of the primary air cylinder (111) and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases along the flow direction of the coal flow.
US08950342B2 Plastic pallet
A plastic pallet has a top part and a bottom part and multiple runners and foot elements. The foot elements have multiple ribs which extend over the entire height of the foot elements. The foot elements of the top part and bottom part are fully insertable into each other and lockable by means of latching connections, wherein the joined foot elements have a double wall. The ribs of the foot elements have semicircular recesses for receiving reinforcement tubes, and projections for fixing the tubes.
US08950341B2 Multi-unit intermodal railroad well car with safety platform and handbrake
A railroad well car includes a spaced trucks grouped in pairs, and a railcar body supported on a pair of the trucks, the body comprising a pair of spaced end structures, each end structure supported on one truck, and a well structure extending between the end structures. The well structure comprises a pair of top chord members extending between the end structures; a pair of side sills extending between the end structures. The rail car includes safety platform and handbrake wherein operator walkway platforms are included with co-planer end walkways and running boards, wherein the running boards are above the top chords of the sidewalls of the well car; and a handbrake operated with a hand wheel is mounted on one side of the railroad well car, which hand wheel extends below the top chords of the side walls of the well car whereby the hand wheel is accessible from the side of the railcar via an operator on the ground.
US08950338B2 Pipeline tool
A self propelled autonomous pipeline tool for use in straight pipe comprising a first part and a second part, a hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic piston and means for operating the piston, and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the pipeline tool is moveable within a straight pipeline. The pipeline tool further comprises a communications module which enables the pipeline tool to utilize ELF communications.
US08950332B1 Expanding non-lethal munition
A non-lethal, hand or rifle fired grenade which widely disperses non-lethal pellets—using a flexible multipocket bladder type device which is mounted on a rigid internal frame. The grenade provides a wide distribution arc of rotation for the pellets, as the pellets are located in pockets about the bladder, which is blown outward to expel the pellets. Further, as the propellant is located within the flexible multipocket bladder, the hot gases and embers cannot escape—thereby helping to protect the target individuals from exposure to such potentially hazardous materials.
US08950330B2 Mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosive
The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform provides the ability to obtain weight information relating to the contents of a tank that is associated with the platform and that, in operation, contains either the bulk explosive or a constituent of the explosive. The platform comprises a vehicle with a frame, a tank, a load cell structure for connecting the frame and the tank and providing weight data relating to the contents of the tank, and a suspension system that prevents relative movement of the frame and the tank that could compromise the load cell structure. Another embodiment of the platform provides a tank for holding an explosive composition and a rotary shaft that supports a mixing blade that mixes the explosive composition within the tank. The platform further comprises bearing structure for supporting the rotary shaft that is located to deter any of the explosive composition from entering the bearing. A further embodiment of the platform comprises a conduit structure for discharging a bulk explosive into a blast hole that includes a substantially rigid tube with an outlet port for discharging a bulk explosive into the blast hole. The tube is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis such that the outlet port can be moved towards and away from the vehicle along an arc of less than 180°. In one embodiment, the outlet port can be positioned substantially adjacent to an operator's station to allow an operator to readily view the loading of the explosive into the blast hole.
US08950328B1 Methods of fabricating organic electronic devices
Methods for fabrication of organic electronic devices are described.
US08950326B1 Method and apparatus for laser ablating an image on a mounted blank printing plate
A method for laser ablating an image on a blank printing plate, includes providing a peripheral tolerance region at the edges of a printing plate, mounting the printing plate on a roller, detecting positions of at least one edge of the printing plate, determining positions of all edges of the printing plate in accordance with the detection, determining an image area within boundaries of the printing plate, laser ablating an image on the printing, within the image area, laser ablating all areas outside of the image area on the printing plate to provide a relief area at which no printing, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, and controlling the laser to prevent any laser ablation outside of boundaries of the edges of the printing plate, based on the determined positions of all edges of the printing plate, within the provided peripheral tolerance region.
US08950323B2 Method and apparatus for driving processor
In a sheet-fed printing press including; an impression cylinder gear driven by an upstream drive motor of an upstream printing unit group; an impression cylinder rotationally driven by the impression cylinder gear; a transfer cylinder gear of a convertible press mechanism rotationally driven by the upstream drive motor through the impression cylinder; and a transfer cylinder which is provided with a notch and is rotationally driven by the transfer cylinder gear, a load motor is provided to the transfer cylinder or the transfer cylinder gear, and braking force of the load motor is controlled according to load on the upstream drive motor.
US08950321B2 Screen printing device and screen printing method
At the two ends of a pair of clamping members (9a) which sandwich and clamp a board (10) from the Y direction, mask supporting members (9b) forming a rectangle frame are disposed, and a screen mask (12) is supported from below by the mask supporting members (9b) in a state that the board (10) abuts against the under surface of the screen mask (12). A downwards bending of the screen mask (12) can be prevented, and the time and labor of maintenance can be decreased by preventing the deposits of paste on the screen mask (12) that occur due to the bending.
US08950319B2 Cooking appliance
A cooking appliance is provided. An operation of a convection motor for operating a convection fan is controlled into various modes according to a cooking temperature and kind of food to be cooked within a cooking chamber. Thus, the food may be more effectively cooked according to the cooking temperature and the kind of food to be cooked.
US08950318B2 Brewer system with active brewing mechanism and buffer reservoir piston compression of brewing substance
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method of use for producing beverages. The apparatus includes at least a modular brewing mechanism. Also, the system includes a reservoir for retaining a volume of beverage produced by the brewing mechanism. The system includes controls for dispensing a single cup of beverage while producing multiple cycles of beverage for transfer to the reservoir. The system also includes controls for monitoring freshness of beverage, controllably disposing of beverage, and controlling production of single cup or batch production of beverage. The method and apparatus includes controllable pressurized brewing in a column or chamber using a controllable piston moving in the chamber and which may include controlling steep time, pressurization, extraction time, active controllable agitation of the brewing substance, as well as other brewing characteristics.
US08950317B2 Beverage preparation machines
A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part, a fixed second part and a cartridge guide; the first part being movable between an open position and a clamping position; the cartridge guide being operatively engaged with the first part and slidably movable relative to the second part between a loading position and a dispensing position; the cartridge guide being located in the loading position when the first part is in the open position so as to enable loading of a cartridge into the cartridge guide; wherein on movement of the first part into the clamping position the cartridge guide is slidable into the dispensing position due to the operative engagement of the cartridge guide with the first part.
US08950314B2 Yoke position sensor for a hydraulic device
An embodiment the invention relates to a yoke position sensor system (7) for a hydraulic device (1), such as a pump or motor, provided with a moveable yoke (3) which is used for varying the displacement of the hydraulic device (1) and to a method for sensing the position of a yoke (3) relative to a housing (2). The housing (2) and the yoke (3) are movably and rotatably connected to each other. When the yoke (3) is rotated, there is a yoke angle sensor (5) indicating the degrees of rotation of the yoke and a yoke angle of zero corresponds to a zero displacement volume. The hydraulic device (1) includes a second yoke angle sensor (7) constructed to indicate when the yoke angle is within or outside an interval including the zero displacement angle.
US08950313B2 Self regulating gas system for suppressed weapons
A gas system for an autoloading firearm wherein the gas used to cycle the weapon can be restricted automatically through a mechanical shutoff actuated by the installation of a suppressor on the weapon. The gas system could be used to actuate either a piston to mechanically operate the weapon or a gas impingement mechanism wherein the gas is redirected into the bolt carrier assembly to directly actuate the unlocking and cycling of the bolt and bolt carrier group. A gas block for the firearm includes a spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within a bore of the gas block and oriented parallel to a bore of a barrel of the firearm, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap. Mounting a suppressor over the muzzle depresses the regulator plunger driving it rearward, the rearward movement of the regulator plunger blocking one of gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system.
US08950310B2 Firearm suppressor and injector assembly
A suppressor assembly for connection to the muzzle of a firearm includes an injector portion for connection to the muzzle and a suppressor portion for connection to the injector portion. The injector portion has a chamber for holding a quantity of fluid. When a firearm is discharged and the projectile passes through the injector portion, fluid is drawn from the chamber and into the suppressor portion to thereby shield the suppressor portion from full impact of gases associated with the fired projectile. The injector and suppressor portions can be operated independently and the injector portion can also function as a muzzle break, flash suppressor, and so on.
US08950309B1 Explosive tank barrel blocker
A self-propelled explosive system is configured to fit within a barrel mounted on a tank. The system includes: a carrier body defining an interior volume; an explosive within the interior volume; a wheel extending from the carrier body to propel the system to a position within the barrel; a foot extensible from the carrier body, preferably so as to hydraulically lock the system in place within the barrel; a proximity fuse at the front end and the rear end of the carrier body to set off the explosive if tampering is detected; a motor operably connected to the wheel to rotate the wheel and propel the carrier body to a desired position within the barrel and to extend the foot from the carrier body to press against the inner wall of the barrel and lock the carrier body in place.
US08950299B2 Locking pliers
A locking pliers includes a fixed handle supporting a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a movable handle pivotally connected to the movable jaw about a pivotal axis, and a movable pivot unit disposed on the fixed handle and the movable jaw. The pivot unit includes a pivot pin and a pivot hole configured to loosely receive the pivot pin such that, when a manual turning force is applied to the movable handle, the movable jaw is turned clockwise to a locking position. As a result of abutting engagement between the pivot pin and a leading region of the pivot hole, a friction force is generated to hold the movable jaw in a tightening position. The gripping force between fixed and movable clamping surfaces of the jaws can be firm and stable.
US08950298B2 Device for assembling and disassembling an oil filter tank
A device for assembling and disassembling an oil filter tank has a clamp module, a base plate, two elbow plates, two restricting elements, and a rotating base. The clamp module has a pair of clamp plates. Each clamp plate has a slipping portion, and the slipping portion has a restricting hole. The base plate is mounted on the clamp plates. The elbow plates are pivotally mounted on the slipping portions respectively. The restricting elements are inserted slidably in the restricting holes respectively and are fixed on the base plate. The rotating base is pivotally mounted on the elbow plates and has an adapter. When the clamp plates are separated from each other, the restricting elements can ensure that the clamp plates move parallelly, such that stability and strength of the device can be enhanced.
US08950297B2 Socket with a reinforced strength
A socket includes a body and a reinforcing sleeve. The body includes first and second coupling ends for respectively coupling with a fastener and a driving tool. The first coupling end includes a conical section having a small diameter end and a large diameter end. A spacing between the small diameter end and the second coupling end along the longitudinal axis is smaller than a spacing between the large diameter end and the second coupling end along the longitudinal axis. The conical section has increasing diameters perpendicular to the longitudinal axis away from the second coupling end. The reinforcing sleeve is mounted around the conical section of the body to reinforce the socket.
US08950293B2 Ratchet wrench
An open-ended ratchet wrench includes a body having a fixed jaw, a first pivotal portion, and a second pivotal portion. A driving member is rotatably mounted to the fixed jaw. The driving member includes an inner periphery for holding an object to be driven. A first movable jaw includes a first pivotal end pivotably connected to the first pivotal portion and a first movable end having a first toothed portion meshed with a toothed portion on an outer periphery of the driving member. A second movable jaw includes a second pivotal end pivotably connected to the second pivotal portion and a second movable end having a second toothed portion meshed with the toothed portion of the driving member.
US08950290B2 Vehicle and transmission for a vehicle
A vehicle is described having a transmission driven through a propulsion unit such as an engine, and through a CVT. The transmission is comprised of an input shaft and an output shaft which are coaxially disposed. An idler shaft is driven by the input shaft, and the idler shaft drives the output shaft, through selected gear sets, to provide different gear ratios or drive directions. The CVT also has a fan on the driven side which feeds air through the CVT for cooling. The CVT comprises a drive side clutch and a driven side clutch with the output shaft of the extending through the CVT driven clutch.
US08950287B2 Bicycle operating device
A bicycle operating device is provided with a base member, a brake operating lever and a shift operating lever. The shift operating lever moves from a rest position in a second direction to perform a gear shift operation in response to operation of the shift operating lever by the user. The shift operating lever has a handlebar engagement portion that is moved by a handlebar of the bicycle relative to the brake operating lever in a third direction toward the brake operating lever to move closer to the brake operating lever when the brake operating lever is pivoted in the first direction by the user. The third direction is a non-shifting direction that is different from the first and second directions. The shift operating lever does not perform the gear shifting operation when moved in the third direction by the handlebar of the bicycle.
US08950286B2 Robot or haptic interface structure with parallel arms
A structure with six degrees of freedom for a robot or haptic interface including a base, two branches in parallel, and a wrist joint. The branches are installed articulated between the base and the wrist joint, the branches including a shoulder, an arm, and a forearm supporting the wrist joint. The wrist joint includes a connecting segment onto which a handle holder is articulated about a first rotation axis. A handle is articulated in rotation on the handle holder about a second rotation axis, the handle capable of being moved in rotation about the first axis, the second axis, and a third axis, and a mechanism gears down the rotation of the handle holder about at least the first rotation axis relative to rotation of the connecting segment.
US08950284B2 Bevel gear for gearbox
A gear set is provided for use in a gearbox. The gear set includes a first bevel gear having a first rotational axis and a second bevel gear having a second rotational axis. The second gear is driven by the first gear. The first gear has an outside diameter of about 3.1956 inches, an outer cone distance of about 2.1044 inches, a face width of about 0.62 inches, and a ratio of the outside diameter to a length parallel to the axis of rotation between the crown and the pitch apex of about 1.83. The second gear has an outside diameter of about 2.8337 inches, an outer cone distance of about 2.1044 inches, a face width of about 0.62 inches, and a ratio of the outside diameter to a length parallel to the axis of rotation between the crown and the pitch apex of about 2.33.
US08950282B2 Ball screw assembly with enhanced radial load capacity and method of construction thereof
A linear ball screw assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The assembly includes a screw having a helical external groove and a ball nut having a through bore configured for receipt of the screw therethrough and including a helical internal groove radially aligned with the external groove of the screw to form a helical raceway. A plurality of axial load balls are disposed in the helical raceway. The nut includes a pair of non-grooved internal cylindrical surfaces extending in axially opposite directions from the internal groove along the external groove of the screw to provide outer surfaces of a pair of radial load raceways. A plurality of radial load balls are disposed in the radial load raceways. The radial and axial load balls have different diameters and/or the internal cylindrical surfaces are provided by a pair of sleeve inserts.
US08950281B2 Worm-gear assembly having a pin raceway
A worm-gear assembly including a worm screw having at least one groove and a wheel having a plurality of rotatable pins along its periphery for engaging the worm screw. The pins are able to rotate in a direction other than a direction of wheel rotation. At least one raceway is provided for contacting pins that are not engaged with the worm screw during operation of the assembly.
US08950280B2 Wear-compensation device for a gear
The wear-compensation device for a gear comprises a fixed support capable of being fixed axially on an external element in order to keep the device on the said external element, a bearing designed to be mounted on a shaft comprising one of the wheels of the gear, an eccentric mounted on the bearing and designed to be in contact with the external element, the said eccentric being able to move angularly relative to the fixed support. The device also comprises a torsion spring mounted axially between the fixed support and the eccentric and capable of exerting a circumferential preload force on the said eccentric, the said spring comprising a first end mounted inside a recess of the eccentric and a second end interacting with the fixed support.
US08950278B2 Linear Step motor
A linear step motor can include: a motor housing fixedly mounted at an inner surface of a ring-shaped stator and formed with an opening; a rotor rotatably mounted at a space centrally formed at the stator; a cover member coupled to a bearing to open/close the opening; a nut shaft centrally arranged at the rotor, coupled to an outside of the cover member by passing through a shaft hole centrally formed at an inner ring of the bearing, coupled at a periphery by a magnet and formed with a female screw gear-combined with a lead screw member formed at an inner surface with a male screw; and a fixing unit integrally formed with the nut shaft and fixed to the bearing coupled to the cover member.
US08950272B2 Air mass flowmeter
An air mass flowmeter having a sensor module fitted in a tube for measuring a gas quantity flowing in the tube at a flow speed. The sensor module extends in the tube. A start of the sensor module defines a first plane and an end of the sensor module defines a second plane both normal to the direction of flow. Extended flow directing elements are arranged in the tube parallel to the direction of flow so that the gas flows onto end faces and wall regions of the flow elements. The wall regions extend between the first and second planes and increase the flow speed of the gas given a low flow speed, relative to the flow speed in the tube, and increase the flow speed of the gas to a lesser extent, given a high flow speed of the gas relative to the flow speed.
US08950269B2 Detecting anomalous stiff pillar bumps formed above a metallization system
Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to testing pillar bumps formed on a semiconductor chip so as to detect the presence of anomalous stiff pillar bumps. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a test probe adjacent to a side of a pillar bump formed above a metallization system of a semiconductor chip, and performing a lateral force test on the pillar bump by contacting the side of the pillar bump with the test probe while moving the test probe at a substantially constant speed that is less than approximately 1 μm/sec.
US08950264B2 Jig device usable with flat display panel and endurance test method using the same
A jig device usable with a flat display panel which includes a frame including a base frame having an opening and a vertical frame which extends vertically along a perimeter of the base frame and a supporting frame coupled to the base frame within the frame, on which the flat display panel is disposed, wherein the supporting frame includes fixing portions provided at corners thereof to support respective corners of the flat display panel.
US08950260B2 Air seeder monitoring and equalization system using acoustic sensors
A particulate flow monitor for a pneumatic system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path, a blower connected to the flow tube and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; said acoustic transducer being located in said particulate flow path; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by the particulate matter in said flow path; and an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; and a processor connected to said signal generator output; and said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact.
US08950259B2 Element structure, inertia sensor, and electronic device
The manufacturing of an element structure including two or more sensor element is to be facilitated. An element structure includes a first substrate including a first support layer and a first sensor element disposed on the first support layer and a second substrate including a second support layer and a second sensor element disposed on the second support layer, wherein the second substrate is disposed on the first substrate via a spacer member in a state in which the first sensor element and the second sensor element are disposed to face each other.
US08950256B2 Dynamic fit unit
An optimal bicycle frame size based on operational characteristics provided by a rider when riding a dynamic fit unit is determined. A best-fit bicycle frame size that is a closest match to the optimal frame size is determined. At least one of the optimal X,Y location of the bicycle's handlebar relative to the bottom bracket, and the optimal X,Y location of the bicycle's seat relative to the bottom bracket, is determined. A stem and spacer from a list of available stems and spacers that will best fit between the head tube of the best-fit frame and the optimal X,Y location of the handlebar is determined. A seat post from a list of available seat posts that will best fit between the seat tube of the best-fit frame and the optimal X,Y location of the seat is determined. A list of the best-fit frame, the best fit stem and spacer, and the best fit seat post, is produced.
US08950247B2 Pressure-measuring plug for a combustion engine
The invention relates to a pressure-measuring plug for a combustion engine comprising a plug body with a body tip section facing in use the combustion chamber and comprising a passage, a ring-shaped sensing structure comprising an outer section, an inner section and an annular diaphragm, the plug body being attached to the outer section, a circular membrane comprising an outer part coupled to the outer section and an inner part coupled to the inner section, the membrane provides a sealing protecting the annular diaphragm against the harsh environment in a combustion chamber; and, a plug chamber formed by the circular membrane and the body tip section wherein the passage of the body tip section provides an open connection between the plug chamber and the combustion chamber. The passage is part of a channel structure which functions as a soot filter.
US08950246B2 Thermal bubble point measurement system and method
A method and an apparatus for nucleating bubbles in an oil-gas mixture, including introducing a sample comprising an oil-gas mixture into a chamber; and heating the sample with a heater until at least one bubble is thermally nucleated in the chamber. The bubble point (BP) pressure of the sample can be determined by detecting pressure at two points in a system, which includes the chamber and the heater, and by determining the behavior of the nucleated bubble as the pressure on the bubble is varied.
US08950245B2 Fuel quality determining method, program, computer readable recording medium which stores the program, and fuel quality determination device
A value of ignition delay and a value of a flame spread rate are measured with respect to fuel which is an object to be determined. When the measured value of the ignition delay falls within a range which is smaller than a reference line and constitutes a first range or falls within a range which is larger than a reference line and constitutes the first range, goodness or badness of quality of fuel is determined based on goodness or badness of quality of fuel which is decided in accordance with the first range. When the measured value of ignition delay falls within a range between the reference line and a reference line which constitutes a second range, goodness or badness of quality of fuel is determined based on whether or not a measured value of a flame spread rate falls within a good product range.
US08950243B2 Method of testing for leaks in a contained system
A method of testing for leaks in a contained system with an interior containing system gas and system liquid at an operating pressure, the method comprising: pressurizing the interior of the contained system, by introduction of gas comprising tracer gas into the interior, to at least 0.5 pounds per square inch above the operating pressure to disperse the tracer gas throughout the system liquid; and sensing for the presence of the tracer gas using one or more sensors located outside the contained system.
US08950241B2 Method for checking and/or monitoring the tightness of a plurality of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated actuators, and machine, especially medical treatment machine
A method is provided of monitoring the leak tightness of a plurality of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated actuators of a machine, in particular a plurality of valve actuators of a medical treatment machine, in which pressure is exerted on the actuators in different combinations during operation of the machine. A common pressure drop occurring during a stationary operating phase at the actuators on which pressure is exerted in the respective combination is measured for a plurality of different combinations of actuators on which pressure is exerted. A respective leak tightness value is determined for individual actuators and/or groups of actuators, with the pressure drop measured for those combinations and in which the respective actuator and/or the respective group of actuators on which pressure is exerted being accounted for in the leak tightness value. A machine, in particular a medical treatment machine, is configured to effect the valve actuator monitoring.
US08950239B2 Conductive dust detection
An apparatus is provided, which includes a dust detector, a voltage source, and a controller. The dust detector includes two opposing surfaces and a conductive dust sensor. The two opposing surfaces are disposed in spaced, opposing relation to allow for the passage of airflow between the surfaces, and the conductive dust sensor is disposed at a surface of the two opposing surfaces. The voltage source is configured and controlled to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces to facilitate directing conductive particles in the airflow passing between the two opposing surfaces towards the dust sensor. The controller monitors for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor and determines whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of conductive dust, and if so, automatically indicates a conductive dust warning.
US08950237B2 Gas analyzer system configured to determine the concentration of a refrigerant gas and/or the concentration of contaminant gases in an automotive air conditioning system
A gas analyzer system to determine the concentration of gases in an automotive air conditioning system comprising: an infrared multi-detector device equipped with a gas analysis chamber; an emitter source emitting infrared radiation in the analysis chamber; infrared multi-detectors generating an electrical measurement quantity based on the absorption of radiation by the gas; a suction pump creating a depression inside the analysis chamber; and an electronic control unit determining a main automotive refrigerant gas concentration and the contaminant gases concentration, based on electrical measurement quantities provided by the multi-detectors and a reference electrical quantity. The control unit controls the pump to suck the gases in the analysis chamber until a condition of absence of gases is achieved, wherein the internal pressure of the chamber reaches a minimum pressure, and then determines the reference electrical quantity, based on the electrical quantity generated in the condition of absence of gases.
US08950233B2 Shoulder pilot assembly with self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies
A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die.
US08950230B2 Fabrication member
A method of making a composite tube-shaped fabrication member by providing in coils a first planar member suitable to form a flange of a tube-shaped fabrication member, two second planar members suitable to form web portions of a tube-shaped frame member, and two third planar members suitable to form a portion of a flange of the tube-shaped member, uncoiling the coils fo first, second, and third planar members and passing them through accumulators, aligning the first, second, and third planar members adjacent respective side portions and attaching side portions of each planar member to respective side portions of adjacent planar members to form a composite intermediate product, and cold-forming to form a composite fabrication member of a desired shape.
US08950229B2 Duct blank seam and apparatus for making a duct blank seam
A flanged duct blank has a male part defined by lead notches formed at each side of a leading end and has a female part defined by trail notches formed at each side of a trailing end. The male part includes a lock tab. The female part includes a leg part and a Z-bend. The Z-bend includes a leg part and a gap. The duct blank is repeatedly clamped and bent by a pivoting wiper to form a duct portion. The pivoting wiper includes a clench tool that has a retractable rib and a retractable roller. With the lock tab inserted into the Z-bend and the retractable rib engaged with the Z-bend, the retractable roller clenches the leg part over the lock tab to lock the male and female parts together in a duct seam.
US08950227B2 Method and device for preparing hot-rolling stock
A method and a device have high energy efficiency and high descaling performance, with which high-quality rolling stock can be produced. In a method in which the rolling stock is heated in an induction furnace and subsequently descaled, before the rolling stock is rolled in a rolling stand or rolling relay, the heated rolling stock is descaled by at least one rotating water jet from a rotary descaler; then at least one temperature of the descaled rolling stock is respectively recorded by a temperature measuring instrument and delivered to a controller; and the controller determines at least one control parameter with the aid of a control rule and by taking into account a setpoint temperature, and delivers it to a control component, at least one inductor of the induction furnace being driven so that the temperature of the descaled rolling stock corresponds as far as possible to the setpoint temperature.
US08950224B2 Method and system for temporary storage of firearms
Provided is a temporary secure storage system for firearms. The system is designed to provide convenient, secure storage of handguns. A number of storage containers employing electronic locking mechanisms are stored within a secure facility. Customers can rent a storage container for a predetermined period of time, during which firearms and accoutrement are kept within an individually locked container. Biometric scanners, card readers, and PIN keypads are examples of the types of authenticators used on each storage container to ensure that only the owner gains access to the contents. The system is ideally suited for persons who lawfully carry concealed weapons and seek to abide by local ordinances regarding gun-free areas. In this manner the system provides convenience and peace of mind to gun-carrying persons.
US08950222B1 Tamper resistant plaque holder
A tamper resistant apparatus for removable retention of a memorial marker such as those found at a grave site. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism housed within a cylinder. The cylinder has a cover intended for use exposed to the environment. The cylinder is attached to a footing plate that provides lateral stability during placement of the apparatus in the ground. Horizontal gripping within the ground is provided by a helical anchor attached to the footing plate. The locking mechanism includes a latch which may be moved into and out of a notch in the post of the memorial marker to respectively retain and release the marker from the apparatus.
US08950220B2 System for dispensing substances into a washing machine
A system for dispensing substances into a washing machine is disclosed. A plurality of preferably different sized or shaped cartridges are located within removable drawers. Each cartridge contains a particular substance, such as laundry detergent, bleach, or fabric softener, that is released into the washing machine. The system also includes a means to identify the substance contained within the cartridge as well as when and how much of the substance should be released into the washing machine. At the appropriate time, the system dispenses an appropriate amount of substance into the washing machine. A pump pulls the substance out of the container and into the washing basin of a washing machine. Alternatively, a valve is opened and the substance pours into the washing basin due to gravitational forces.
US08950217B2 Method of cutting object to be processed, method of cutting strengthened glass sheet and method of manufacturing strengthened glass member
A method of cutting an object to be processed comprises the steps of irradiating an object to be processed with a laser light which is an elliptically-polarized light having an ellipticity other than 1 such that a direction of polarization of the laser light intersects a line to cut the object and a thickness direction of the object, while locating a converging point of the laser light within the object, so as to form a modified region within the object along the line and generate a fracture from the modified region in the thickness direction of the object, and causing the fracture to reach front and rear faces of the object so as to cut the object along the line.
US08950211B2 Arrangement for air conditioning of subassemblies
Subassemblies are arranged in the interior of a closed housing. The housing has an air inlet via which air-conditioning air is guided into the interior of the housing. The housing contains a fan via which the air used for the air conditioning of the subassemblies is guided to the outside from the interior of the housing. In addition to a fan input opening, the fan has at least two fan output openings wherein a rotatably mounted screen is arranged in the interior of the fan. By variably adjusting the position of the screen, the air sucked in via the fan input openings is optically guided via at least one of the fan output openings.
US08950209B2 Bottom mount refrigerator airflow system
A refrigeration system includes an airflow system which eliminates the traditional evaporator fan cover assembly in the freezer area by utilizing at least one air outlet formed between a freezer cavity area and a duct coupled to the fresh food cavity area. The air outlet is configured to permit at least a portion of a cooled air stream generated by a fan of the evaporator assembly received in the freezer cavity area to be provided to the fresh food cavity area through the air outlet and via the duct. The refrigeration system also includes at least one air return formed between the evaporator assembly and the fresh food cavity area. The air return is configured such that air from the fresh food cavity area flows into the evaporator assembly through the air return.
US08950202B2 Heat pump system
A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit and a controller. In a heating operation, the usage-side expansion valve is controlled so that a degree of subcooling of outlet refrigerant of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to a predetermined target degree of subcooling. In a refrigerant recovery control, the heat-source-side expansion valve is controlled so that a degree of superheat of outlet refrigerant of the heat-source-side heat exchanger is equal to a predetermined target degree of superheat, the predetermined target degree of superheat is changed so that the outlet refrigerant of the heat-source-side heat exchanger is wet when the usage-side expansion valve is opened greater than a predetermined opening degree at a start of refrigerant recovery, and change in the predetermined target degree of superheat is cancelled when the usage-side expansion valve is closed smaller than a predetermined opening degree at an end of refrigerant recovery.
US08950201B2 System and method for cooling power electronics using heat sinks
A heat pump includes a main refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, and a reversing valve. A biflow expansion valve is configured to receive condensed liquid refrigerant and to expand the refrigerant. A cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main refrigerant line includes an expansion device configured to receive a portion of condensed liquid refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit and to expand the portion of condensed liquid refrigerant. A heat sink is configured to receive the expanded portion of refrigerant from the expansion device. Power electronics are coupled to the heat sink such that the portion of expanded refrigerant from the expansion device passes through the heat sink and cools the power electronics.
US08950200B2 Evaporative condenser cooling unit and method
An evaporative cooled condenser unit employs a quiet motor/fan system that pulls air across an evaporative media pad, through a drift eliminator and delivers cool air to a condensing unit of an air conditioner thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the air conditioner. A condenser enclosure into which the cool air is delivered is adjustable for various sizes of condenser units and contains a plurality of barometric dampers to provide failsafe operation and provide for external air flow to the condenser during heat pump operation or when the auxiliary cooling module is disabled.
US08950195B2 Continuous flow thermodynamic pump
A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
US08950194B2 Reduction of cryogen loss during transportation
In order to minimize the loss of cryogen during transportation of superconductive magnet systems, or indeed at any time that the refrigerator is turned off, part of the boil-off gas is directed from the cryogen vessel through the refrigerator interface and past the refrigerator to cool the refrigerator. Some of the heat conducted along the refrigerator into the system is intercepted and removed by that part of the boil-off gas. The heat load onto the cryogenic vessel is thereby reduced, which in turn reduces the boil-off of cryogen from the cryogenic vessel. This part of the boil-off gas is then vented from the system along with the remainder of the boil-off gas, for example to leave the cryogenic liquid vessel via the access neck.
US08950193B2 Secondary pulse tubes and regenerators for coupling to room temperature phase shifters in multistage pulse tube cryocoolers
Pulse tube refrigeration or cooling systems are described which utilize a secondary regenerator or a secondary pulse tube. Use of such a secondary regenerator or pulse tube enables a commercially available pressure oscillator to be incorporated in the cooling system. The commercially available oscillator can be operated at room temperature or approximately so.
US08950189B2 Gas turbine engine staged fuel injection using adjacent bluff body and swirler fuel injectors
A fuel injection array for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of bluff body injectors and a plurality of swirler injectors. A control operates the plurality of bluff body injectors and swirler injectors such that bluff body injectors are utilized without all of the swirler injectors at least at low power operation. The swirler injectors are utilized at higher power operation.
US08950187B2 Premix burner of the multi-cone type for a gas turbine
A premix burner of the multi-cone type for a gas turbine, that includes a plurality of shells, which are arranged around a central burner axis and are parts of a virtual, axially extending common cone, which opens in a downstream direction, whereby the parts are displaced perpendicular to the burner axis such that a tangential slot is defined between each pair of adjacent shells. A disadvantageous transition piece between the shells and a downstream mixing tube is avoided by bordering the downstream ends of the shells by intersecting planes, which are defined by intersecting the shells with a virtual coaxial cylinder of a predetermined radius.
US08950186B2 Speed card-controlled override fuel pump assist
A system and method for supplementing fuel feed pressure and flow within an aircraft fuel system. The fuel system includes boost and override fuel pumps delivering fuel from the tanks to a fuel manifold, and a jettison fuel pump. The method includes the steps of: (a) sensing whether the aircraft engine is operating near maximum power; (b) upon sensing the condition, operating the jettison fuel pump in fluid interconnection with the override fuel pump to deliver fuel to the fuel manifold; and (c) upon sensing the cessation of the condition, deactivating the jettison fuel pump. The system includes a monitoring circuit signaling when the aircraft engine speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, and a fuel system control circuit operating a jettison fuel pump enable circuit portion in response to the signal while omitting other jettisoning operations. The jettison fuel pump consequently functions as an override fuel pump assist.
US08950175B2 Exhaust-gas aftertreatment device
An exhaust-gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine includes a catalytic converter having a tubular member which defines a volume housing a catalytic converter substrate. The volume housing the catalytic converter substrate communicates with an inlet portion for receiving exhaust gas from the engine and with an outlet portion for discharging the exhaust gas after catalytic conversion thereof in the volume. The device further has a pipe member within the tubular member which connects the inlet portion with the volume in the tubular member and guides the exhaust gas from the inlet portion in a first direction of flow. The pipe member opens downstream into a deflector which deflects the exhaust gas into the volume of the tubular member in a second direction of flow other than the first direction of flow. Unburned liquid fuel contained in the exhaust gas is deposited on the deflector for later evaporation.
US08950171B2 Counter-rotating gearbox for tip turbine engine
A tip turbine engine provides an axial compressor rotor that is counter-rotated relative to a fan. A planetary gearset couples rotation of a fan to an axial compressor rotor, such that the axial compressor rotor is driven by rotation of the fan in a rotational direction opposite that of the fan. By counter-rotating the axial compressor rotor, a final stage of compressor vanes between the final stage of compressor blades and inlets to the hollow fan blades of the fan are eliminated. As a result, the length of the axial compressor and the overall length of the tip turbine engine are decreased.
US08950166B2 Automated solid pharmaceutical packaging machine utilizing robotic drive
A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.
US08950163B2 Packaging machine for goods in blister shell moldings to be sealed with a blister film
A packaging machine seals goods in blister shell moldings with a blister film. The packaging machine contains a first transport system for a blister film web, a second transport system for blister shell moldings, and a sealing apparatus, the effect of which is to connect a blister shell molding to a portion of the blister film web. A printing apparatus is provided for applying optical information to the blister film web. A dancing roller system is provided for motional decoupling and disposed between a position at which the printing apparatus prints on the blister film web and the sealing apparatus along the blister film. The printing apparatus and/or the first transport system for the blister film web contains an apparatus for insulating against occurring vibrations of the rest of the packaging machine at the position at which the printing apparatus prints on the blister film web.
US08950157B1 Solar panel tile roof mounting device installation method
Disclosed is a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roofs, or similar roof structures, that does not require removal of roofing tile for installation. A stanchion is inserted into a hole drilled into a roofing tile. Two or more wood securing fasteners are inserted into diagonal and crossing through-holes in the sides of the stanchion above the tile and exit on opposing sides of the stanchion, with respect to their insertion point, below the tile. The ends of the wood securing fasteners engage the surface of the roof sheeting beneath the tile at a distance outwardly away from the stanchion. With this arrangement, the tile roof equipment-mounting device engages the roof surface over a wider area than the diameter of the hole drilled into the roof tile without the need for removing the roof tile.
US08950156B2 Method for modifying walls
In some embodiments, a form assembly is provided with a form member facing an existing wall, to which sheathing panels are attached. The cavity created between the sheathing panels and the existing wall can be filled with a foamable, adhesive material which adheres to the sheathing panels and the existing wall and creates an adhesive connection between them. In some embodiments, the form assembly is vertically adjustable to facilitate the installation of multiple rows of sheathing panels. In some embodiments, the foamable, adhesive material is introduced in successive layers.
US08950155B2 Pool stair forms and methods of forming pool stairs
The disclosure provides for pool step forms and related methods for forming steps in a pool formed by wall panels. The step forms may include a wall panel insert configured for insertion between adjacent pool wall panels. The step forms may include one or more step form brace configured to couple with the wall panel insert and, thereby, the wall panels. The step forms may include riser forms that from riser portions of the stairs when the step forms and riser forms are coupled. The pool stair forms may be filled with filling material to form tread portions of the stairs. The pool stair forms may include liner support members coupled to the step form braces and/or the wall panels that facilitate the coupling of a liner to the stairs formed by the pool stair forms and filling material.
US08950150B1 Apparatus for maintaining optimum orientation of tower mounted devices
The present invention is an apparatus for maintaining the orientation of a tower-mounted device in use with a tower structure. The apparatus includes an adjustable vertical mount member positioned within a tower structure. Several adjustable rods move the vertical adjustable vertical mount member by adjusting their position relative to the tower. Movement of the adjustable vertical mount member in one direction causes an extended section of the adjustable vertical mount member to move in the opposite direction. This has the effect of adjusting the orientation of any device attached to the extended section.
US08950147B2 Floor panel and floating floor system incorporating the same
A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.
US08950144B2 Flexible composite lap joint for trailer flooring
A composite lap joint for the assembly of a first and a second floor board from a plurality of boards, used to make the floor for a vehicular trailer, each board composed of a layer of wood at the top side and a layer of fiber reinforced composite at the bottom side, wherein the composite layer is at least partly bonded to the wood layer; the composite layer of a first board forming a lip, wherein the lip is a lateral extension of the composite layer and the lip is disposed under the bottom side recess of an adjacent second board to form a composite joint, whereby the joint provides improved flexibility, moisture sealing ability at the seam of the joint and higher strength to the edges of the boards.
US08950143B2 Composite joist floor system
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems for connecting a flooring system to a vertical wall. In one embodiment the building structure includes a floor comprising a cementitious slab and a wall supporting at least a portion of the cementitious slab. A plurality of stand-off screws extend from the top of the wall into the cementitious slab and are configured to transfer forces between the cementitious slab and the wall. The stand-off screws comprise a lower screw portion and an upper stand-off portion. The lower screw portion is drilled into the top of the wall, and the upper stand-off portion extends above the top of the wall and is encapsulated within the cementitious slab. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lower screw portion is heat treated to a higher degree of hardness relative to the remainder of the stand-off screw.
US08950135B2 Corner assembly for siding and roofing coverings and method for covering a corner using same
A corner assembly for siding and roofing coverings includes two complementary corner molding members, each one of the two corner molding members having a front wall including a covering section with simulated building elements on an outer face thereof. Each one of the two corner molding members further has at least one protruding finger and at least one recess. The at least one protruding finger and at least one recess are configured in an alternate configuration in order to interlock in a male-female configuration when the two complementary corner molding members are engaged with one another to define a corner. A method covers a length of a corner defined at a junction of a first support surface and a second support surface.
US08950133B2 Bracket and an arrangement for supporting a precast slab element of concrete on a precast structure element of concrete
A bracket that supports a precast structural element of concrete has: a first support part that casts at least partly into a support element of concrete; a bracket part movably fastened to the first support part by bolts, the bracket part having first through holes which are penetrated by the bolts, and the first support part having threaded holes for the bolts, the bolts having an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the through holes in the bracket part to fasten the bracket part in various positions with respect to the first support part; and a second support part to cast at least partly into a precast structural element of concrete and to support on the bracket part. The second support part has a support plate having a slot with a second support surface for support on a first support surface of the bracket part.
US08950130B2 Techniques for building construction using fabricated timbers
Techniques for building construction using fabricated timbers. In one example, such timbers are fabricated using conventional 2× (two-by) lumber to produce a square log appearance. These fabricated timbers are stacked to form outside and/or inside walls. The fabricated timbers and walls are configured to sustain desired vertical and lateral loads anticipated of a building such as a cabin, home, garage, barn, office building, or the like. A building constructed using such timbers appears to be built of square logs. Fabricated timber construction, as compared to conventional log or stick-frame construction, provides the appearance of high-quality log construction at a far lower cost, with higher R-values and appraised values, and is also far lower in cost and much simpler than conventional stick-frame construction.
US08950129B2 Shutter panel assembly
A shutter panel assembly is provided to protect a building opening from impact damage. The building opening includes a frame with a bore formed therein and an externally threaded elongated anchor having an exposed portion extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the bore. The shutter panel assembly includes a shutter panel and a fastener. The shutter panel having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and an aperture extend between the first surface and the second surface. The fastener having a shank portion and a flange portion. The shank portion having an internally threaded hollow portion adjacent a distal open end of the shank portion. The flange portion extending radially outwardly from a proximate end of the shank portion.
US08950125B2 Extendable/retractable support column
An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
US08950123B1 Rainwater head
A rainwater head, including: a dome, a drainage pipe, a siphon, and a ball cock mechanism. The drainage pipe includes a drainage exit and a wall including a water outlet hole. The ball cock mechanism includes a floating ball, a connecting bar, a fulcrum, and a stopper. The drainage pipe is connected to the lower part of the dome. The drainage exit is arranged on the top of the drainage pipe. The drainage exit is adapted to be between 5 and 10 cm higher than the roof. The water outlet hole is arranged on the wall of the drainage pipe at a position having the same height as the roof or is lower than the roof. The siphon is disposed on the upper part of the drainage pipe. The inlet of the siphon faces the roof; and the outlet of the siphon extends inside the drainage pipe.
US08950114B1 Hands-free gun-port door with seal
A blast and projectile resistant gun port is provided with both a roller-slide mechanism and a lever-actuated, spring-loaded, cam mechanism which a shooter operates to open or close a gun-port door over a gun-port opening in a gun-port frame, as well as to translate the gun-port door out of the way of the gun-port opening. The shooter is able to effect these actions by nudging the lever on the cam mechanism with or without placing one or more hands on the lever and is thus able to keep both hands on weaponry. The gun-port door keys into its closed position, and an elastic weather seal is squeezed firmly between the gun-port door and the gun port frame when the gun-port door is closed. The squeezing of the weather seal is effected by springs in the cam mechanism. The gun-port door and the components and subassemblies are easily and rapidly replaceable.
US08950110B2 Foldable planter or holder
The present invention relates to a foldable planter or holder. The planter or holder of the present invention includes one or more foldable compartments defined by an array of panels. Each compartment includes one or more upright panels to form an upright core; one or more movable panels to form a trough used for planting or storing belongings; and one or more fold lines, wherein at least one fold line is between the one or more upright panels and the one or more movable panels. In an embodiment, each panel is attached to at least one adjacent panel along a fold line. When the planter or holder is not in use, the movable panel pair folds at a fold line between the upright panel and the movable panel.
US08950108B1 Fly trap
A large fly trap apparatus designed for use around livestock and other outdoor areas to attract and trap flies without bait. The apparatus includes a base and a cylindrical canopy having a plurality of conical feeder tubes for entrance into a trap chamber. The canopy is formed from a plurality of support frames covered by a mesh covering. The feeder tubes allow flies to land on the outside of the mesh cover and crawl through the funnel-shaped feeder tubes into the trap chamber, where they become trapped.
US08950104B2 Ice fishing hole retaining device
A hole retaining device to preserve an ice fishing hole comprising a cylinder, where the cylinder extends between an open rim and a closed bottom, and where the cylinder houses a fire ignited to melt ice surround the hole retaining device; a handle attached to the rim, where the handle serves to lift the cylinder; and a bait container attached to the bottom of the cylinder, where the bait container houses bait for ice fishing. The hole retaining device features a tapered cylinder to easily remove the device from the fishing hole.
US08950103B2 Decoy dunking apparatus
A decoy collapsible base and frame that floats with a portion thereof immersed in a body of water. A plurality of fowl shaped bodies defining duck decoys that float are detachably connected to the frame by tether lines. The tether lines are connected to a cam and a tether anchor moveably mounted on the frame. Rotation of the cam connecting to the tether lines pivots opposing duck decoys resulting in a dunking motion of selectively positioned duck decoys.
US08950102B1 Scope correction apparatuses and methods
A scope correction apparatus comprises at least one lens and is positioned on a weapon in front of a reticled scope. Such scope correction apparatus receives light from a scene that is located a relatively short distance from the scope such that, without the presence of the scope correction apparatus, the focal point of the light within the scope would not be overlaid with the scope reticle. The scope correction apparatus optically alters the light such that its focal point is overlaid with the scope reticle thereby correcting for optical aberrations caused by the short distance between the scene and the scope. Accordingly, the user is able to view through the scope clear images of both the scene and the reticle.
US08950099B2 Collapsible stock assembly
A collapsible stock assembly for a firearm includes a stock body defining a buffer tube passage for slidably accommodating a firearm buffer tube therein. An adjustment slit communicates with the buffer tube passage along a forward portion thereof. A first adjustment mechanism canied by the stock body includes a buffer tube engagement element that can extend into the buffer tube passage and is selectively positionable by a first operating lever. A second operating mechanism includes a second operating lever that is operable to selectively compress the adjustment slit. Disengaging the first adjustment mechanism automatically disengages the second adjustment mechanism. Excessive force on the stock in several embodiments automatically disengages both adjustment mechanisms and minimizes damage to stock assembly and/or buffer tube.
US08950098B2 Shock, muzzle jump, and felt recoil reducers for handguns
Slip-on handgun grips which contribute to accuracy and speed of target acquisition and make shooting a handgun a more pleasant experience by providing a comfortable, secure grip; and by isolating a shooter's thumb from impact and reducing shock, muzzle jump, twist, and recoil when the handgun is fired. The grip is fabricated from a stretchable elastomeric material. This material plus breakaway technology, external grooving, and a thumb-isolating tab maximize the enumerated benefits.
US08950095B2 Cold crack additive on paving advertising and related methods
A paving advertisement has an elongated flexible tape body with a base substrate layer. The base substrate layer has front and rear faces, the front face having at least one text message that conveys information. The base substrate layer includes a cold crack additive, such as polyvinyl chloride, thereby increasing its strength and flexibility.
US08950092B2 Retainer systems for ground engaging tools
Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may include a head portion and a C-shaped portion extending from the head portion. The C-shaped portion may include an inner surface extending between a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end to define a lock slot. The inner surface may include a first inner surface extending from the first circumferential end to a midpoint between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end and a second inner surface extending from the second circumferential end to the midpoint. The first inner surface and the second inner surface may be symmetrical with respect to a first plane substantially parallel to a lock rotation axis. On a plane substantially perpendicular to the lock rotation axis, a distance between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end may be less than a maximum distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface in a direction perpendicular to the first plane.
US08950091B2 Dragline bucket with remote dumping and positioning capabilities
A dragline bucket includes a main body moveable between a digging orientation and a dumping orientation and a pivotable spreader beam coupled to the main body at a pivot point. The dragline bucket further includes an energy capture mechanism including an actuator coupled to the main body and the pivotable spreader beam and an energy storage mechanism coupled to the actuator.
US08950089B2 Heat retention and insulation system for wearable articles
The present application relates to an insulation pack in a wearable article, such as a footwear article. In one example embodiment, the insulation pack includes a perforated air retention and communication layer, an insulating compressible layer, and a reflective layer. In a compressed state, when the wearable article is worn by a wearer, the perforated air retention and communication layer and the insulating compressible layer maintain a lofted air space which is in air communication with an inner body space of the wearable article and acts as an insulating layer. Further, the reflective layer reflects radiated body heat. Thus, the insulation pack may provide a heat retention and insulation system for the wearable article by reducing body heat lost via radiation and conduction.
US08950087B2 Article of footwear with a customizable upper
An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper. The insert system can include a lateral insert configured to be inserted into an upper and associated with an inner surface of the lateral side portion. The system can also include a medial insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with an inner surface of the medial side portion.
US08950084B2 Semi-dry method of washing machine and the ventilating structure, control apparatus for the same
A semi-drying method of a washing machine, and a ventilating structure and a control apparatus for the same. In the semi-drying method, the dehydration and disentanglement of cloth are repeated plural times, and a washing tub is rotated at a designated dehydration speed for a time longer than that of the conventional dehydrating operation so as to minimize the jamming of the cloth into water pores of the washing tub, thereby increasing the dehydration degree of the cloth compared to the conventional dehydrating operation, removing offensive odors from the cloth, preventing damage to the cloth, allowing a user to select the duration of a semi-drying operation and to see the state of the semi-drying operation, and ventilating the washing tub during the semi-drying operation to improve the dehydration degree of the cloth.
US08950078B2 Apparatus with internal optical reference
An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera designed to capture an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. Furthermore, the apparatus has a reflection element and a calibration arrangement. The reflection element can selectively be introduced into a beam path running from the measurement object through the objective to the camera. The calibration arrangement is coupled into the beam path to the camera by means of the reflection element.
US08950076B2 Power operated rotary knife
A power operated rotary knife (100) including: an annular rotary knife blade (300) including a knife blade bearing surface (319); a blade housing (400) defining a blade housing bearing surface (459); and a blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) disposed between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459). The blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) includes a rolling bearing strip (502) having a plurality of rolling bearings (506), such as ball bearings, disposed in spaced apart relation in a flexible separator cage (508). The rolling bearing strip (502) traverses through an annular passageway (504) defined between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459) to secure the knife blade (300) to the blade housing (400) and support the knife blade for rotation about a central axis (R) with respect to the blade housing (400).
US08950074B2 Slider for a cutter
A slider has an upper sliding element, a lower sliding element and a resilient tab. The upper sliding element has two first engaging segments disposed on an inner side of the upper sliding element. The lower sliding element has two second engaging segments disposed on an outer side facing the inner side of the upper sliding element and engaging the first engaging segments. A tab holding base is formed on and protrudes from the outer side of the lower sliding element and has a chamber defined in the tab holding base. The resilient tab is held in the chamber in the lower sliding element and has two legs. Accordingly, a slider having a structure in a closed condition is provided to prevent objects from entering into the chamber to interfere the operation of the resilient tab and the operation of the slider is smooth.
US08950070B2 Method of forging turbine blade
The present invention relates to a method of forging turbine blade, which comprises forging a plurality of turbine blades as an integrally connected body in a longitudinal direction, and then separating the integrally connected body into said respective turbine blades. According to the method of the invention, a yield of material can be improved as compared with the conventional art and the number of processes for forging work can be reduced. In addition, the turbine blades cab be forged into a favorable shape without occurring cracks. Further, it is possible to effectively reduce the cost for the die required for the forging work.
US08950069B2 Integrated compressor vane casing
A low leakage, integral fixed vane system for a gas turbine engine compression system which can accommodate the latest 3-D aerodynamic airfoil geometries and provide endwall ovalization control. A unitized construction wherein the vanes are integral with the case wall in the compression system.
US08950066B2 Method for manufacturing light emitting diode module
A method for manufacturing an LED module includes following steps: providing a SMT apparatus having a CCD image sensor, providing a PCB having an LED mounted on, and fixing the PCB in the SMT apparatus; providing a lens, the CCD image sensor imaging the lens, and then the SMT apparatus obtaining a location of the lens relative to the LED, and the SMT apparatus positioning the lens on the PCB to cover the LED; providing an optical diffusing board located above the lens, and electrifying the LED for emitting light towards the optical diffusing board; providing a luminance colorimeter to measure luminance and chroma of light exited from the optical diffusing board, and obtaining a light-emitting data; calculating the light-emitting data, and the SMT apparatus adjusting a position of the lens relative to the LED; and fixing the lens on the PCB.
US08950063B2 Methods of manufacturing printed circuit boards with stacked micro vias
A method of manufacturing at least a portion of a printed circuit board. The method includes: applying a lamination adhesive on a first plural-layer substrate that includes a plurality of circuit layers with at least one first metal pad on a first side of the first plural-layer substrate; applying a protective film on the lamination adhesive; forming at least one via into the lamination adhesive to expose the at least one metal pad on the first side of the first plural-layer substrate; filling at least one conductive paste into the at least one via formed in the lamination adhesive; removing the protective film to expose the lamination adhesive on the first plural-layer substrate; and attaching the first plural-layer substrate with a second plural-layer substrate that includes a plurality of circuit layers with at least one second metal pad on a second side of the second plural-layer substrate.
US08950061B2 Electronic component mounting device
In the substrate-bottom receiving mechanism 20 of the lane A transporting conveyor 2A and lane B transporting conveyor 2B of the electronic component mounting device, on the rectangular-plate-shaped bottom receiving plate 23 that holds the bottom receiving pins 25 such that the bottom receiving position can be adjusted there is a rotating holding part 32 that rotates around pivotal shaft 31; the holding parts 30, which normally do not protrude over the upper surface and which protrude over the upper surface to be grasped only in the fetching operation by the operator, are arranged on the end surfaces on the upstream side and downstream side with respect to the substrate transporting direction of the bottom receiving plate 23, respectively; and the operator can hold the rotating holding part 32 to remove the bottom receiving plate 23.
US08950059B2 Method of manufacturing a complex fusible link
The present invention provides a complex type fusible link which includes an insulative block base including a plurality of cavities; a conductive connecting plate which is integrally embedded in the insulative block base, a part of the conductive connecting plate being exposed to at least one of the cavities; a plurality of fusible elements each of which is accommodated in corresponding one of the cavities and includes a first end which is connected to the part of the conductive connecting plate and a second end; and a plurality of terminals each of which is integrally embedded in the insulative block base and includes a first end which is connected to the second end of corresponding one of the fusible elements and a second end which is exposed from the insulative block base.
US08950058B2 Producing stacked lamina elements by combining a cut out and a stacking procedure
It is described a method for producing and stacking lamina elements in an aligned manner, in particular lamina elements for a stator of an electrical generator. The method cutting out a first lamina element from a foil, transferring the first lamina element to a container by utilizing the gravitational force, cutting out a second lamina element from the foil or from a further foil, and transferring the second lamina element to the container on top of the first lamina element by utilizing the gravitational force. It is further described a cutting machine for producing lamina elements, a container for stacking lamina elements in an aligned manner and a system for producing and stacking lamina elements in an aligned manner.
US08950057B2 Parallel-plate structure fabrication method
A fabrication method for parallel-plate structures and a parallel-plate structure arrangement, wherein the structures have a middle layer, grown on a substrate and disposed between top and bottom electrode layers, wherein the middle layer and the top and bottom electrode layers are deposited on a bottom substrate, and wherein the middle layer is grown first and the top and bottom electrodes are essentially deposited afterwards.
US08950055B2 Non-penetrating anchor system and method
An anchor for lightning protection systems include a base and pad that extend over a sufficient area and a sufficient bearing length to hold in shear and in tension against the weight, shear force, and moment of cables, points, and other components of a lightning protection systems. The mounting anchor is non-penetrating, and adheres to a vertical surface almost immediately without requiring damage to structures, long term support over days waiting for cure, and works in overhang situations as well. An integrated clip may be constructed with the base from sheet material. Adhesion of the base to a cover material on a wall or parapet may be promptly followed by snapping cable into clips formed monolithically with the base.
US08950052B2 Method of installing a filter unit
A method of installing a filter unit includes aligning a filter unit into a filter head assembly. The filter unit includes a laterally extending key member and an engagement protrusion. The engagement protrusion includes a first portion that has a first radius of curvature and a second portion opposing the first portion that has a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. The laterally extending key member is aligned into a key slot in the filter head assembly. An engagement surface is aligned on the filter unit into a complementary engagement surface on the filter head assembly. The filter unit is rotatingly inserted into the filter head assembly. The laterally extending key member shifts an interference member on the filter head assembly from an interference position, wherein the filter unit cannot sealingly engage the filter head assembly, to a non-interference position, wherein the filter unit can sealingly engage the filter head assembly.
US08950049B2 Fastener feed method and apparatus
Fasteners, such as rivets, are fed to a fastener insertion tool (1) via a buffer magazine (5) adjacent to the tool. The buffer is movable with the tool and C-frame between an operative position where fasteners can be inserted int a workpiece and a re-filling position where it is docked at a docking station (13) to reload. Fasteners are delivered to the docking station from a source (14) and held there ready for when the tool docks. Once docked a transfer gat is opened at an interface between the buffer magazine (15) and the docking station (13) and fasteners from the docking station are transferred into the buffer magazine. A fastener insertion cycle is executed while the docking station is refilled with fasteners. A control cycle is used to control the quantity of fasteners loaded into a storage track at the docking station and operates to reduce overfilling of the buffer.
US08950046B2 Low-pressure process apparatus
A method for disassembling a low-pressure process apparatus. The method provide a transmission device and a low-pressure process apparatus; and moves the housing to a transmission device in a first horizontal direction via the first roller set.
US08950045B2 High burst leak-resistant slider zipper system
The disclosure pertains to a slider zipper which includes first and second zipper profiles, typically a hinged profile and an non-hinged profile, with first and second ears extending above the respective first and second zipper profiles. A slider rides above the zipper profiles and opens the zipper by separating the ears. Typically, the slider is configured to push the non-hinged zipper profile away from the hinged zipper profiles. Similarly, typically, the ear on the non-hinged zipper profile is stiffer than the ear on the hinged zipper profile.
US08950044B2 Fastener stringer and slide fastener
A fastener stringer, is configured such that a fastener element of a continuous shape includes a plurality of fine projected rims which are continuously disposed on a peripheral surface of the monofilament (30); along a length direction of the monofilament and a plurality of fine concave grooves which are disposed between the projected rim and in a cross section of the monofilament, a cross-sectional area of a space region of the concave groove is set to be larger than that of the projected rim. With this configuration, when performing dyeing process employing a beam dyeing or a continuous dyeing method while appropriately securing the strength of the monofilament, it is possible to prevent dyeing irregularities and dyeing defects from arising. Further, when performing a coloring according to an inkjet, scheme, it is possible to finely form a desired pattern with clear outlines on the fastener element.
US08950038B2 Modular robot
A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.
US08950036B2 Dust remover for charge-coupled device
A dust remover according to the present disclosure forms an air flow in a space formed between a charge-coupled device and a shutter unit, and removes dust on a surface of the charge-coupled device, the dust remover comprising an air injector having a plurality of air injecting holes; an air discharger which is installed on a surface facing the air injector, and has at least one air discharging hole which is smaller than the air injecting hole; and an exhausting dust collecting filter which is installed in the air discharger, and collects dust in the air being discharged.
US08950033B1 Spatula cleaning device
A spatula cleaning device for cleaning a spatula by scraping is described. The spatula cleaning device includes a stainless steel base assembly having a base plate, an attachment feature, and a stainless steel blade assembly with a first blade that is attached to a first post affixed to the base plate and a second blade attached to a second post that is affixed to the base plate. The first blade and the second blade are disposed slightly above the base plate and converge toward each other. The first blade and the second blade provide cleaning surfaces for wiping the top and bottom of a spatula on. The attachment feature is either a magnet or a suction cup.
US08950031B1 Steaming device and steaming method
A garment hung in a vertical orientation has at least one entire side of the garment exposed to steam from a steaming device including a planar steam panel having a steam emitting side with a surface area including restricted orifices distributed substantially uniformly over the steam emitting side. Jets of steam shoot under pressure from the surface area of the steam panel, this surface area being essentially the same as or greater than the area of the one entire side of the garment being treated. The hanging garment is placed next to the steam panel with the steam emitting side positioned to direct the steam jets from the orifices towards the garment so that essentially the one entire side of the garment is treated simultaneously as steam impinges against the entire area of this one side of the garment.
US08950023B2 Multipurpose attachable protective blanket
A multipurpose blanket system includes blanket material and a first pair of fasteners configured to fasten to one another. The blanket may be constructed using sun protective, breathable material. A first fastener of the first pair is positioned along a first direction relative to a second fastener of the first pair. A second pair of fasteners may be configured to fasten to one another. A third fastener of the second pair is positioned along a second direction relative to a fourth fastener of the second pair. The first direction may form an acute angle with respect to the second direction. A third pair of fasteners may be configured to fasten to one another. A fifth fastener of the third pair is positioned along a third direction relative to a sixth fastener of the third pair, and the third direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US08950020B2 Bassinet rocking device
An automatic bassinet rocking device imparts a rocking motion to a bassinet or rocking crib. A housing is supported above the rocker base of the bassinet on adjustable legs so that the device straddles the curved rocking base. A reciprocating rod descends from the housing and attaches to a strap or clamp at an anchor point on the rocker base. An oscillatory drive inside the housing imparts a reciprocating motion via the reciprocating rod onto the rocker base.
US08950018B2 RV mounted sauna
A mobile recreational vehicle mounted sauna which in one embodiment is wood-fired to provide the super heated atmosphere associated with russian saunas as well as the ambience thereof, with the mobile sauna being provided with cold showers to simulate jumping into a cold lake or river. A bi-fuel capability is provided in one embodiment in which the firebox of the heater is provided with an extension so that its orifice extends to the exterior of the recreational vehicle so that the wood can be conveniently loaded into the firebox, or so that a propane heating element can be inserted into the firebox, with the sauna being operable in one embodiment during transit.
US08950015B2 Glove with laminated padding regions
A glove may comprise at least one laminated padded portions affixed to at least one other portion. A laminated padded portion may comprise an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one pad. The at least one pad may be secured by laminating the outer layer to the inner layer with the at least one pad retained between the inner layer and the outer layer without stitching. The at least one pad may be positioned to protectively cover portions of the wearer's hand.
US08950013B2 Grip garment
Disclosed herein is a grip garment for assisting a user in carrying an item. The garment comprises an article of clothing selected from a long sleeve shirt, a short sleeve shirt and a vest. The article has at least one lateral grip area having a frictional material, such as an elastomer, applied to the lateral grip area to create a frictional surface extending above the outside surface of the article. The frictional surface is in contact with an item carried under the arm of a user to resist the relative motion of the item with respect to the grip area. Additional grip areas are also disclosed.
US08955160B2 Method for detecting abnormalities in a cryptographic circuit protected by differential logic, and circuit for implementing said method
In a method for detecting anomalies in a circuit protected by differential logic and which processes logic variables represented by a pair of components, a first network of cells carrying out logic functions on the first component of said pairs, a second network of dual cells operating in complementary logic on the second component, the logic functions being carried out by each pair of cells in a pre-charge phase placing the variables in a known state on input to the cells and followed by an evaluation phase where a calculation is performed by the cells, the method includes detecting an anomaly by at least one non-consistent state.
US08955158B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting rights object information between device and portable storage
A method and apparatus for transmitting rights object information between a device and a portable storage are provided. The method includes transmitting a predetermined request from the device to the portable storage, generating a current permission status format including information of a rights object designated by the request, using the portable storage, and transmitting the current permission status format from the portable storage to the device. According to the method and apparatus, overhead is reduced and information transmission speed is increased when the rights object information is transmitted between the device and the portable storage.
US08955156B2 Method and apparatus for securely providing postal address data to client devices
A method of securely providing postal address data to a requesting client device includes storing, at a server, a plurality of number items each associated with at least one respective address item. Each number item is indicative of a mobile telephone number and each address item is indicative of postal address data. A requesting client device sends an address item request, to the server, and the address item request includes a target key indicative of a mobile telephone number. The address item request is received at the server. A respective address item associated with a number item indicative of the mobile telephone number indicated by the target key is identified at the server. A data package including at least a part of the postal address data indicated by the respective address item identified at the server is sent from the server to the requesting client device.
US08955151B2 Dynamic management of groups for entitlement and provisioning of computer resources
Methods, systems, and techniques for managing groups of entities, such as individuals, employees, or systems, and providing entitlement and access to computer resources based on group membership are provided. Example embodiments provide a Group Management System having a Group Management Engine “GME,” an Entitlement Engine, and a Provisioning Engine, which work together to allow simplified grouping of entities and providing entitlement and access to the entities based upon the group membership. In one embodiment, the GME leverages dynamic programming techniques to enable accurate, scalable systems that can manage near real time updates and changes to the group's status or to the entities' status. These components cooperate to enable provisioning of applications based upon current entitlement.
US08955150B2 Apparatus and method for managing digital rights using virtualization technique
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for managing digital rights using virtualization technique, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for enabling a user to access a desired text file in an independent area through a virtual machine corresponding to a licensed right for accessing the text file. The present invention comprises a virtual machine (VM) management unit for controlling a user access authorization function for accessing the text file in the area to which the virtualization technique is applied.
US08955146B1 System and method for regulated collaboration marketplace
A collaboration system includes a banker collaboration platform offering a first degree of access, and a vendor collaboration platform that offers a second degree of access to the banker collaboration platform. Vendors are not allowed to directly contact bankers and bankers' identities are maintained secret from the vendors. The two platforms can be part of a network site hosted on one or more server machines in a network environment.
US08955145B2 Dynamic enforcement of privacy settings by a social networking system on information shared with an external system
An external system (such as a website) that interacts with users communicates with a social networking system to access information about the users, who may also be users of the social networking system. If a privacy setting is changed in the social networking system, and the change applies to information that has been shared with an external system, the change is enforced at the external system. For example, the external system may be notified that the information is invalid and must be deleted, or the external system may periodically request the information so that changes to the privacy settings are eventually experienced at the external systems. When an external system again needs the information, whether expired naturally or actively invalidated by the social network, the external system sends a new request for the information, which is subject to the (possibly revised) privacy settings.
US08955139B2 Sound and effective data-flow analysis in the presence of aliasing
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are disclosed that include tracking, using a data flow model of a program suitable for taint analysis of the program, information from sources of taint to entities in a heap using a model of the heap based on the program. The tracking is performed so that the information is relevant for taint propagation and is performed in a manner that is field-sensitive for the entities in the heap. The method, apparatus, and computer program product also include, based on output of the tracking, the operation of performing data-flow analysis to determine taint flow from the sources of the taint through data flow paths to sinks using the taint.
US08955138B1 Systems and methods for reevaluating apparently benign behavior on computing devices
A computer-implemented method for reevaluating apparently benign behavior on computing devices may include (1) receiving a plurality of reports from a plurality of computing systems that indicate that an attack that targeted each of the systems reached a specific stage on each system, (2) identifying behavioral data that includes, for each computing system within the plurality, a plurality of activities that the computing system observed before the attack reached the specific stage on the computing system, wherein the plurality of activities are of a type of activity that is relevant to detecting a prior stage of the attack, (3) analyzing the behavioral data to correlate the attack with at least one activity observed before the attack reached the specific stage, and (4) determining that the activity is suspect based at least in part on correlating the attack with the activity. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08955131B2 Method and system for proactive detection of malicious shared libraries via a remote reputation system
A method for proactively detecting shared libraries suspected of association with malware includes the steps of determining one or more shared libraries loaded on an electronic device, determining that one or more of the shared libraries include suspicious shared libraries by determining that the shared library is associated with indications that the shared library may have been maliciously injected, loaded, and/or operating on the electronic device, and identifying the suspicious shared libraries to a reputation server.
US08955129B2 Method and system for detecting fake accounts in online social networks
A system and method for detecting fake accounts in OSNs is proposed to aid the OSN provider 20 against fake users, wherein a social graph G of the OSN, with n nodes, a non-Sybil region GH and a Sybil region GS, is obtained and the following steps are performed: a trust value T(i)(v) is computed through i power iterations on each node v of the social graph G, i=0, 1, . . . O(log n) the power iterations distribute the trust value T(i)(v) from each node v to its neighbor nodes, after O(log n) power iterations, ranking nodes by a degree-normalized trust T ^ v = T ( w ) ⁡ ( v ) deg ⁡ ( v ) in order to obtain a ranked list of nodes, detecting fake accounts based on the obtained ranked list assigning intervals in the ranked list to a fake portion, determined by manual inspection means of the OSN provider, based on the degree-normalized trust of the nodes belonging to the intervals.
US08955126B2 Tiered object-related trust decisions
Adware and viruses are examples of objects that may be embedded in a web page or linked to a web page. When such an object is detected to be associated with a web page loading on a browser, an analysis may be performed to determine a trust level for the object. The object is suppressed based on the trust level. A prompt is displayed to advise a user that the object has been suppressed, and to provide an opportunity to interactively accept or decline activation of an action for the object.
US08955124B2 Apparatus, system and method for detecting malicious code
Provided are an apparatus, system and method for detecting malicious code inserted into a normal process in disguise. The apparatus includes a malicious code detection module for extracting information on a thread generated by a process running on a computer system to identify code related to the thread, preliminarily determining whether or not the identified code is malicious and extracting the code preliminarily determined to be malicious; and a forcible malicious code termination module for finally determining the code as malicious code based on an analysis result of behavior of the extracted code executed in a virtual environment and forcibly terminating execution of the code.
US08955121B2 System, method, and computer program product for dynamically adjusting a level of security applied to a system
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for dynamically adjusting a level of security applied to a system. In use, predetermined activity that is at least potentially associated with unwanted activity is identified on a system. Further, a level of security applied to the system is dynamically adjusted, in response to the identification of the predetermined activity.
US08955119B2 Behavior-based traffic profiling based on access control information
A method includes receiving one or more of user information, role information, or authorization information associated with a user accessing a network, selecting a traffic flow to monitor that is associated with the one or more of user information, role information, or authorization information, monitoring the traffic flow, determining whether an anomaly exists with respect to the traffic flow based on a traffic behavior pattern associated with the one or more of user information, role information, or authorization information, and performing a security response when it is determined that the anomaly exists.
US08955116B2 Information processing apparatus and control method of the same
A device function to be used by an application is specified, a risk level of the specified device function is acquired, and a risk level of the application is calculated based on the acquired risk level of the device function.
US08955114B2 Application monitoring through collective record and replay
Methods and systems for application monitoring through collective record and replay are disclosed herein. The method includes recording a number of execution traces for an application from a number of user devices at a runtime library, wherein the number of execution traces relates to non-deterministic data. The method also includes replaying the number of execution traces to determine whether a behavior of the application creates a security risk.
US08955111B2 Instruction set adapted for security risk monitoring
A processor is adapted to manage security risk by updating and monitoring a taint storage element in response to receipt of taint indicators, and responding to predetermined taint conditions detecting by the monitoring. The processor can be operable to execute instructions of a defined instruction set architecture and comprises an instruction of the instruction set architecture operable to access data from a source and operable to receive a taint indicator indicative of potential security risk associated with the data. The processor can further comprise a taint storage element operable for updating in response to receipt of the taint indicator and logic. The logic can be operable to update the taint storage element, process the taint storage element, determine a security risk condition based on the processing of the taint storage element, and respond to the security risk condition.
US08955108B2 Security virtual machine for advanced auditing
A security system collects an audit trail on a computer outside of a boundary created by one or more virtual machines. The security system uses a privileged virtual machine to collect audit logs for each protected virtual machine. As the protected virtual machines run, they send auditing information to the privileged virtual machine. The privileged virtual machine can collect auditing information from protected virtual machines much more quickly than a network server, as well as collecting auditing events from multiple protected virtual machines. Because the auditing destination is located on the same computer as the virtual machine monitored by the audit trail, no network dependency is present. Thus, the security system allows for monitoring the activity of administrators and other users while preventing tampering with the audit trail of each user's actions.
US08955106B2 Managing infectious forwarded messages
Systems and methods for managing forwarded infectious messages are provided. Managing electronic message comprises receiving a message, forwarding the message, determining that the forwarded message is infectious after the message has been forwarded and preventing the infectious forwarded message from spreading.
US08955104B2 Method and system for monitoring system memory integrity
A host system integrity monitor for monitoring memory, operating systems, applications, domain manager, and other host system's structures of interest is isolated and independent of the CPU and operating system of commodity systems. The system requires no modifications to the protected (monitored) host's software, and operates correctly even when the host system is compromised. Either arranged as a stand-alone computer on the add-in card which communicates with the monitored host system through the PCI bus, or as the co-processor based monitor located on the motherboard of the host system, or residing on one of the virtual CPU while the monitored system resides on another virtual CPU, or residing within the domain manager of the host system, the monitor monitors the integrity of the examined structure by calculating hash values of the structure, comparing them with expected hash values, and sending error reports once the discrepancy between these values is detected.
US08955101B2 Upper-order computer, lower-order computer, monitoring system and monitoring method
The present disclosure discloses an upper-order computer, a lower-order computer, a monitoring system and a monitoring method, so as to eliminate the disadvantages of low standardization level and small scale in manually setting and adjusting performance parameters. The upper-order computer includes a central control module and an information interacting module, the information interacting module including a human-computer interacting unit, and the central control module including a processing unit, a display control unit and a parameter configuring unit, wherein the processing unit is adapted for controlling a lower-order computer by sending control commands; the display control unit is adapted for processing effective operating data acquired from the lower-order computer, and is adapted for instructing the human-computer interacting unit to perform presenting; and the parameter configuring unit is adapted for configuring parameters of the lower-order computer by sending parameter configuring commands. It can be seen that the upper-order computer is capable of presenting the processed effective operating data and configuring parameters. Compared with directly setting and adjusting the controller by human, the technical solution of the present disclosure has the advantages of high standardization level and large scale.
US08955099B1 Distributing and sharing licenses across network devices in a virtual private network (VPN)
A device creates a pool of available licenses for secure network resources, and receives an unused license from a network device. The device also provides the unused license in the pool of available licenses, and receives a request for a license from another network device. The device further provides, to the other network device, the unused license from the pool of available licenses.
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