| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08999225B2 |
Method for producing hollow nanoparticle comprising deposition on/in an ionic liquid, hollow nanoparticle, and dispersion liquid thereof
First, an ionic liquid is placed on a glass slide, which is then installed in an evaporation apparatus, and a metal (for example, indium) is mounted as a target material at a position facing the ionic liquid, followed by sputter deposition of the metal. After sputtering, the ionic liquid containing nanoparticles dispersed therein is recovered. The nanoparticles are solid nanoparticles. Next, the ionic liquid containing the solid nanoparticles dispersed therein is placed in a test tube and then oxidized by heating in air at 250° C. for 1 hour. As a result, hollow nanoparticles having cavities formed in core portions of the solid nanoparticles are produced. |
| US08999224B2 |
Cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles with delayed microcrack evolution
A porous ceramic honeycomb article includes a primary cordierite phase and an intercrystalline glass phase. In an as-fired condition, the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits microcrack parameter Nb3≦0.06 and an as-fired E500° C./E25° C. ratio ≦0.99. The article exhibits a coated microcrack parameter Nb3≦0.14 and a coated E500° C./E25° C. ratio ≦1.06 after the porous ceramic honeycomb article has been washcoated and calcined at a temperature of 550° C. After the article is exposed to a thermal treatment at a temperature ≧800° C. following washcoating and calcining, at least a first portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article has a first treated microcrack parameter Nb3≧0.18, and a first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion of not more than 12×10−7/° C. over a temperature range of 25° C. to 800° C. Methods of forming the porous ceramic honeycomb article are also disclosed. |
| US08999215B2 |
Method for producing a cover
A cover that is assembled from a front assembly (3+6) and a base element (2) is produced in that the front assembly including the front plate (3) and the light conductor pin (6) are integrally injection molded in two subsequent injection molding steps, while the base element (2) is injection molded remote there from. Subsequently, the two components which are arranged in the different tool halves (101, 102) are brought in alignment with one another with an index plate (103) and are joined through closing the tool and are preferably interlocked with one another. |
| US08999214B2 |
Multi K-tool with assembly
In order for light conductor pins (6) in dead hole channels (5) of a plastic cover not to be melted together at their entire side walls with the cover they are produced through a particular injection molding tool in the same tool as the cover and the tool slide (104) which is a component of the injection molding tool (100) is aligned in the injection molding tool (100) with the dead hole channels (5) and inserted into the dead hole channels. The front plate is integrally molded with the base component before or after the light conductor pins are inserted into the base component. When the integral molding is performed after inserting the light conductor pins (6) the integral molding is also provided e.g. at a face of the inserted light conductor pins (6). |
| US08999213B2 |
Process for making artificial turf fibers
A method of making a fiber for use in association with an artificial turf system, as well as an artificial turf system having such a fiber. The fiber is made by extruding a fiber, fibrillating the fiber, and storing the fiber, wherein the fiber is not cut longitudinally between the step of extruding the fiber and storing the fiber. After being extruded the fiber may be folded and wrapped with a wrapping yarn. |
| US08999207B2 |
Metallically conductive ink for ink-jet printing and method for producing the same
The invention relates to a metallic, conductive ink for ink-jet printing, comprising a metal precursor material, in particular an organometallic decomposition compound, and a thermally decomposable polymer dissolved in an organic solvent, wherein a polymer having a decomposition temperature Tc<150° C. is contained as the thermally decomposable polymer. The polymer is selected from a cyclic polyacetal having blocked terminal groups, a cyclic polyaldehyde comprising bifunctional monomers, such as polyphthalaldehyde, polyglutaraldehyde, polysuccinaldehyde, and a polymeric glyoxylic acid, or a glyoxylic acid derivative, such as poly(methyl glyoxylate). The monomeric depolymerization products of the thermally decomposable polymer are used as reductants for the metal precursor material. The invention further relates to a method for producing the ink. |
| US08999205B2 |
Metal nanowires with high linearity, method for producing the metal nanowires and transparent conductive film including the metal nanowires
Metal nanowires with high linearity can be produced using metal salts at a relatively low temperature. A transparent conductive film can be formed using the metal nanowires. Particularly, the transparent conductive film has high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and good thermal, chemical and mechanical stability. The transparent conductive film has a high electrical conductivity due to the high linearity of the metal nanowires. The metal nanowires take up 5% or less of the volume of the transparent conductive film, ensuring high transmittance of the transparent conductive film. Furthermore, the metal nanowires are useful as replacements for existing conductive materials, such as ITO, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes and graphene. The metal nanowires can be applied to flexible substrates and other various substrates due to their good adhesion and high applicability to the substrates. Moreover, the metal nanowires can find application in various fields, such as displays and solar cell devices. |
| US08999202B2 |
Methods for producing precursor solutions and sol-gels for nano-engineered carbon materials and nano-engineered carbon materials created therefrom
Methods of manufacturing nano-engineered carbon materials, such as carbon aerogels and carbon xerogels, and methods of manufacturing precursor solutions and sol-gels for making the same are provided. A method for manufacturing a precursor solution comprises programmed-addition of a cross-linking agent to a component mixture comprising a resorcinol compound. A method for manufacturing a sol-gel comprises subjecting a precursor solutions to at least one heat treatment. Methods for producing nano-engineered carbon materials from precursor solutions and sol-gels are also provided. Methods for using the nano-engineered carbon materials are also disclosed. The resulting nano-engineered carbon materials can be useful in a range of products including, supercapacitor applications, high-surface-area electrodes, fuel cells, and desalination systems. |
| US08999192B2 |
Method for transferring heat
A process for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising using as heat transfer medium a composition comprising: at least one fluorinated fluid free from functional groups (fluid (H)); at least one functional (per)fluoropolyether (functional PFPE(1)) comprising recurring units (R1), said recurring units comprising at least one ether linkage in the main chain and at least one fluorine atom (fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain), and at least one functional end group chosen between —COOH and —CONH2; at least one functional (per)fluoropolyether (functional PFPE(2)) comprising recurring units (R1) as defined above and at least one functional end group chosen between —COCF3 and its hydroxylated derivative —C(OH)2CF3. |
| US08999189B2 |
Ferroelectric fluoride compositions and methods of making and using same
A method for synthesis of a ferroelectric material characterized by the general formula AxByFz where A is an alkaline earth metal, B is transition metal or a main group metal, x and y each range from about 1 to about 5, and z ranges from about 1 to about 20 comprising contacting an alkaline earth metal fluoride, a difluorometal compound and a fluoroorganic acid in a medium to form a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions suitable for hydrothermal crystal growth. |
| US08999188B2 |
Composition for application as a flotation frother
The present disclosure provides a froth flotation composition including a cycloaliphatic alcohol and a reaction product of the cycloaliphatic alcohol and propylene oxide. The froth flotation composition is especially suited for use in ore and coal flotation processes. |
| US08999185B2 |
Etching or plating process and resist ink
The present invention provides a process of etching or plating comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removeable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate to form a resist image; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali. |
| US08999179B2 |
Conductive vias in a substrate
A method of forming a conductive via in a substrate includes forming a via hole covered by a dielectric layer followed by an annealing process. The dielectric layer can getter the mobile ions from the substrate. After removing the dielectric layer, a conductive material is formed in the via hole, forming a conductive via in the substrate. |
| US08999177B2 |
Out-of plane microneedle manufacturing process
Out-of-plane microneedle manufacturing process comprising the simultaneous creation of a network of microneedles and the creation of a polygonal shaped hat (2) above each microneedle (1) under formation, said process comprising the following steps: providing bridges (3) between the hats (3), maintaining the bridges (3) during the remaining microneedle manufacturing steps, removing the bridges (3), together with the hats (2), when the microneedles (1) are formed. |
| US08999176B2 |
Isolation of nucleic acids
Provided herein is technology relating to isolating nucleic acids. In particular, the technology relates to methods and kits for extracting nucleic acids from problematic samples such as stool. |
| US08999174B1 |
Chlorine tablet chamber vacuum systems
A chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system for attaching to a chlorine tablet chlorinator used in a potable water system. The chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system is continuously running to remove chlorine gas as it is liberated from calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, or trichloroisocyanuric acid tablets so that a back pressure event does not expel chlorine gas to the inside of a human occupyable space. The chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system is reliable in that all of the components are resistant to the oxidizing effects of chlorine gas. The apparatus comprises an upper body joined to a lower body secured by a plate fastened to both flanges of the upper and lower body. The upper body has a vacuum port and a discharge port. The lower body has a nozzle and a centrally located cone assembly creating a venturi effect with air movement. |
| US08999171B2 |
Membrane and electrodialysis based seawater desalination with salt, boron and gypsum recovery
A method of producing desalinated water and recovering minerals from the feedwater uses membrane separation and electrodialysis brine concentration. This process can recover all of the minerals as high purity industrial minerals, including capturing the calcium and sulfate as agricultural grade gypsum and boron as high purity boric acid. In addition the process allows the use of low cost lime or dolime to produce valuable magnesium hydroxide. |
| US08999170B2 |
Peak flow management in wastewater treatment using direct membrane filtration
A biological wastewater treatment system includes an equalization tank for sending a defined first portion of the wastewater to a submerged membrane filter. When the quantity of the received wastewater exceeds the defined first portion, a second portion of wastewater, formed from the wastewater that exceeds the defined first portion, is sent to a filtration process. The filtration process includes adding a flocculating agent to the second portion entering filtration, filtering the second portion, thereby producing retentive waste including flocculated material, and then sending the retentive waste to the submerged membrane filter. |
| US08999168B2 |
Supported liquid inorganic membranes for nuclear waste separation
A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium. |
| US08999165B2 |
Method for the biological treatment of wastewater using an aerobic granular biomass
A method for the biological treatment of wastewater containing pollutants, using an aerobic biomass, includes a plurality of successive cycles of a predefined duration in order to achieve pollutants removal efficiency of 90% or higher, each of the cycles including the following steps: —introducing a wastewater effluent containing phosphorus and calcium into a reactor containing biomass; —applying an aerobic phase by introducing into the reactor a gas flow containing oxygen for a predefined length of time, sufficient to form aerobic biomass granules; —decanting the aerobic biomass granules thus formed; —and removing at least part of the treated effluent. After each step of introducing effluent into the reactor, the pH in the reactor is maintained at a value above 8 for a length of time at least equal to 10% of the cycle duration. |
| US08999161B2 |
Plasma filter with laminated prefilter
A plasma filter is provided for separating aggregates and targeted blood cell species from plasma comprising a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet and an internal flow path between the inlet and outlet. A filter media is disposed in the flowpath between the inlet and the outlet for filtering plasma that passes therethrough. The filter media comprises a filter configured to substantially remove targeted blood cell types from the plasma and a prefilter upstream of the filter, the prefilter having at least one reinforcement layer. |
| US08999160B1 |
Filter plate shifter
A mechanical plate shifter system for moving filter plates in a filter press during a process of plate separation for filter cake removal comprises: a pusher to automatically engage with a single filter plate at the end of a stack or at the edge of a gap in the stack for moving the plate forward and then automatically disengaging when the plate reaches an end plate/dummy plate or another filter plate previously pushed. The filter plates are configured with handles for engaging with the pusher. The pusher is attached to a continuous drive belt and is configured with a pivoting structure including: a head with a receiving notch for a handle of a filter plate; and a counterweight for the head. The pusher and belt are configured relative to the filter plate stack to allow for filter plates to be engaged/disengaged by the receiving notch. |
| US08999159B2 |
Removal of magnetic particles from a fluid
An apparatus for removing magnetic particles from a mud slurry is disclosed, and includes one or more endless belts or chains enclosed almost wholly within a pipe. A motor drives the chain around the pipe. When the pipe is located within a mud slurry, magnetic particles in the mud slurry are drawn to the pipe and carried along the outside and away from the slurry until a collar is reached. Once separated the particles can be collected for disposal. The chain comprises a series of units linked together. Each unit includes a magnet with pole pieces at either pole to direct magnetic flux. Wear discs prevent the magnets and pole pieces from abrasion as they are drawn through the pipe. Units can be included in the chain which units do not include a magnet, thereby providing a break in the field, allowing particles to fall away from the collar region. |
| US08999157B2 |
Method for preparation of a biomolecule adsorbent
The present invention is relates to method for production of a biomolecule adsorbent with a pentadentate ligand with very strong chelating properties, and to methods for use thereof for, for example, protein purification, detection or binding. The biomolecule adsorbent comprises the formula: wherein Q is a carrier, S is a spacer, L is an amide linkage, X is COOH, and n=2 or 3. |
| US08999156B2 |
Frit for high pressure liquid chromatography
A frit (44) includes a porous support structure having a plurality of void spaces, where a plurality of secondary particles (46) are filled in the void spaces, the secondary particles (46) being dimensioned with respect to the void spaces such that the frit (44) retains packing materials with diameters of less than about 2.5 microns. Preferably one or more frits (44) are received in a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic column, where the column includes fittings and filter assemblies for receiving frits (44) at its inlet and outlet. The frit (44) can be constructed from a porous support structure with void spaces or pores that are filled with secondary particles (46) smaller those used to manufacture the support. The particles (46) contained in the void spaces are large enough to be retained by the support, but small enough to create a finer network of interconnected channels within the support's void spaces that are capable of retaining sub-2.5 micrometer particles. |
| US08999155B2 |
Filtration media cleaning apparatus
The cleansing apparatus is equipped with: an upright outer cylinder and a screw conveyor is rotatably provided within the outer cylinder. The screw conveyor conveys filtration media introduced through an inlet at the lower end of the outer cylinder upward to an outlet at the upper end of the outer cylinder. A drive section rotationally drives the screw conveyor. A control section controls the rotation of the drive section. A regulating blade regulates the upward movement of the filtration media is above the outlet and is coaxially with the screw conveyor. A cleansing liquid is introduced through an aperture above the regulating blade within the outer cylinder. |
| US08999153B2 |
Liquid waste treatment system
A liquid waste treatment system is described. The system may include a first treatment conduit, a second treatment conduit, and at least one junction pipe disposed there between. In some instances, the system may include an upper junction pipe and a lower junction pipe disposed between a first and a second treatment conduit. In one or more embodiments, the system may be arranged in a substantially linear arrangement, such as a straight trench arrangement or a serial distribution arrangement. The system may reduce the need for additional treatment conduits. |
| US08999151B2 |
Halogen-free ionic liquids in naphtha desulfurization and their recovery
Ionic liquids of the general formula C+A− where C+ represents an organic cation, specifically, but not limited to the imidazolium, pyridinium, isoquinolinium, ammonium types, which have aliphatic and aromatic substituents, while A− represents a carboxylate, aromatic and aliphatic anion. The ionic liquids are synthesized under conventional heating or microwave irradiation This invention is also related to the application of ionic liquids to remove sulfur compounds of naphthas through a liquid-liquid extraction and the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids by the application of heat, reduced pressure and washing with solvents. |
| US08999147B2 |
Solvent extraction process to stabilize, desulphurize and dry wide range diesels, stabilized wide range diesels obtained and their uses
A process allowing the removal of contaminants from an unstable oil such as those produced by thermal or catalytic cracking, wherein, in at least one step of the process, mixing of the unstable oil with a pure or impure solvent having a dipole moment greater than 2 is performed. The stabilized diesels thereby obtained exhibit interesting properties among which significant stability features and are useful in numerous applications, some of these stabilized wide range diesels are new as well as their uses. |
| US08999146B2 |
Process for feed preheating with flue gas cooler
Hydrocarbon feed to a catalytic reactor can be heat exchanged with flue gas from a catalyst regenerator. This innovation enables recovery of more energy from flue gas thus resulting in a lower flue gas discharge temperature. As a result, other hot hydrocarbon streams conventionally used to preheat hydrocarbon feed can now be used to generate more high pressure steam. |
| US08999140B2 |
Glucose oxidase mutants, compositions, devices, kits and uses thereof
Compositions, devices, kits and methods are disclosed for assaying glucose with a glucose oxidase mutant that has been modified at an amino acid residue involved in the active site. The glucose oxidase mutant has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity. |
| US08999138B2 |
Anodic devices and methods for reducing corrosion
The present invention includes an anodic device for reducing corrosion adapted to reduce corrosion of an object subject to corrosion having a base with a thickness and surface area, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base each having a thickness and surface area, wherein the device is configured to allow a current to flow between the device and the object subject to corrosion. The present invention also includes methods associated with the use of such devices. |
| US08999134B2 |
Manufacturing carbon-based combustibles by electrochemical decomposition of CO2
Provided is a method for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels. The method employs reducing CO2 in an electrochemical cell using an aerogel carbon electrode and an ionic liquid membrane, thereby providing a carbon-based combustible. |
| US08999133B2 |
Method for forming anodized layer and mold production method
An anodized layer formation method includes: providing an aluminum film provided on a support or an aluminum base; and forming a porous alumina layer which has minute recessed portions by applying a voltage between an anode which is electrically coupled to a surface of the aluminum film or the aluminum base and a cathode which is provided in an electrolytic solution with the surface of the aluminum film or the aluminum base being in contact with the electrolytic solution. The forming of the porous alumina layer includes increasing the voltage to a target value and, before the voltage is increased to the target value, increasing the voltage to a first peak value which is lower than the target value and thereafter decreasing the voltage to a value which is lower than the first peak value. As such, an anodized layer with reduced variation of recessed portions can be formed. |
| US08999131B2 |
Electrophoretic mobility measurement cell and measurement apparatus and method using the same
An electrophoretic mobility measurement cell includes a container having a rectangular parallelepiped internal space for introducing a sample solution, two electrodes for applying an electric field to the internal space, tubular sample injection and extraction portions in communication with the internal space, first and second caps for covering the sample injection and extraction portions and sealing the internal space, the first cap has a first side surface contacting an inner side surface of the tubular sample injection portion, the inner side surface formed so that the cross-sectional area of the tube increases with distance from the internal space, and the area of the cross section of the first side surface decreases in the direction of insertion of the first cap. The cell and electrode portions are formed integrally, the electrode portions are made disposable together with the cell, and bubbles are unlikely to remain during injection of the sample solution. |
| US08999123B2 |
Alkali-metal generator and absorber
Electrodes are positioned substantially in contact with at least one surface of a solid to generate or absorb alkali metals when a voltage is applied between the electrodes. |
| US08999122B2 |
Insulator interposed type plasma processing apparatus
Electrically charged droplets and neutral droplets mixed with plasma are removed with better efficiency, and an improvement in the surface treatment precision of film formation by high purity plasma is sought.In a plasma processing apparatus including plasma generating portion A, plasma transport tube B and plasma processing portion C, an insulator interposed plasma processing apparatus is constituted in which plasma transport tube B is made electrically independent from plasma generating portion A and plasma processing portion C electrically by interposing insulator IS and insulator IF between the starting end side and the finishing end side of the plasma transport tube. Plasma transport tube B is divided into multiple small transport tubes B01, B23 through intermediate insulator II1, and each small transport tube is made independent electrically. The electric potential of the plasma transport tube or the small transport tubes is set to GND, a variable positive electric potential, or a variable negative electric potential, by putting the plasma transport tube or the multiple small transport tubes in an electric floating state, or connecting bias power supplies EB 01, EB 23 for transport tube. Also, the small transport tubes are connected in a bent manner, and droplets are removed by the geometric structure. |
| US08999119B2 |
Hydrogen production device
The hydrogen production device of the present invention includes: a first electrode including a conductive substrate and a photocatalytic semiconductor layer; a second electrode that is electrically connected to the first electrode and disposed in a second region opposite to a first region relative to the first electrode; the first region is defined as a region on a side of a surface of the first electrode in which the photocatalytic semiconductor layer is provided; a water-containing electrolyte solution; and a housing containing these. The first electrode is provided with first through-holes and the second electrode is provided with second through-holes; and the first through-holes and second through-holes form a communicating hole for allowing the first region and the second region to communicate with each other. An ion exchange membrane having substantially the same shape as the communicating hole is disposed in the communicating hole to close the communicating hole. |
| US08999113B2 |
Treatment, such as cutting, soaking and/or washing, of organic material
The invention relates to a method or methods of operating an apparatus for treating material by cutting, soaking and/or washing of the material, wherein the apparatus comprises a receptacle, a discharge element with a vortex generator and a pump arranged to pump fluid and material from the receptacle towards the vortex generator, wherein the vortex generator and the pump in combination are adapted to generate a vortex in the form of a conic helix in the fluid extending into the receptacle. |
| US08999112B2 |
Process for manufacturing paper and board having improved retention and drainage properties
A method for manufacturing a sheet of paper and/or board having improved retention and drainage properties is provided, according to which, before the formation of the sheet and/or board, at least two retention aids are added to the fibrous suspension. These two retention aids are a main retention aid corresponding to a (co)polymer having a cationic charge density above 2 meq/g, obtained by the Hofmann degradation reaction, and a secondary retention aid corresponding to a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer having an anionic charge density above 0.1 meq/g. The main retention aid is introduced into the fibrous suspension in a proportion of 100 to 800 g/t of dry pulp, and the secondary retention aid is introduced into the fibrous suspension in a proportion of 50 to 800 g/t of dry pulp and has an intrinsic viscosity IV above 3 dl/g. |
| US08999111B2 |
Method of increasing paper surface strength by using acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer in a size press formulation containing starch
The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the strengthening effect of a starch coating on paper. The method involves contacting the starch with a synthetic polymer before the starch is cooked. This changes how the starch gelatinizes and how the polymer gets distributed on the paper resulting in greater paper surface strength. |
| US08999110B2 |
Blends of polymers as wet strengthening agents for paper
Resin systems and methods for making and using same are provided. The method for making a paper product can include contacting a plurality of pulp fibers with a resin system. The resin system can include a first polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin and a second resin that can include a second polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, or a mixture thereof to produce a paper product. The first resin and the second resin can be sequentially or simultaneously contacted with the plurality of pulp fibers. The period for sequential addition between the first resin and the second resin is about 1 second to about 1 hour. |
| US08999105B2 |
Small-scale fabrication systems and methods
An etch mask is formed on a substrate. The substrate is positioned in an enclosure configured to shield an interior of the enclosure from electromagnetic fields exterior to the enclosure; and the substrate is etched in the enclosure, including removing a portion of the substrate to form a structure having at least a portion that is isolated and/or suspended over the substrate. |
| US08999104B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for separate plasma source control
A plasma source includes multiple ring plasma chambers, multiple primary windings, multiple ferrites and a control system. Each one of the primary windings is wrapped around an exterior one of the ring plasma chambers. Each one of the plurality of the ring plasma chamber passes through a respective portion of the plurality of ferrites. The control system is coupled to each of the ring plasma chambers. A system and method for generating and using a plasma are also described. |
| US08999100B2 |
Method for applying labels to articles
The invention relates to a method for applying a label to an article travelling along an article path, said label being received on a movable surface at an input location to be retained against said surface whilst being glued and advanced to an output location, at which the label is transferred to the article; the article being rotated with a tangential speed about an axis whilst travelling at a speed along the path including providing at least three portions of surface with independent and controllable vacuum means for retaining the label, including curtailing the application of vacuum means at the first portion of the surface upon the first portion reaching the output location and interrupting the application of vacuum means at the third portion of the surface, with the trailing edge of the label being retained at the second portion of the surface. |
| US08999097B2 |
Fabrication and installation of preformed dielectric inserts for lightning strike protection
A fabrication method for providing a relatively smooth surface associated with lightning strike protection for composite materials joined with fasteners recessed below the surface is described. The method includes coating at least one of a head of the fastener and a preformed dielectric insert with an adhesive, inserting the preformed dielectric insert into the recess such that the adhesive engages both contours of the recess and the preformed dielectric insert, and removing any excess adhesive from the surface area of the composite material and a top surface of the insert. |
| US08999093B2 |
Pneumatic tire set
On a tire inner surface “is” facing a tire cavity “i” surrounded by a rim 2 and a pneumatic tire 3, the tire is provided with a noise damper 4 made of a spongy material and extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. Noise dampers 4 having the same cross sectional shape are used in a size group of tires which include a minimum volume tire that the cross sectional area S of the tire cavity on the meridian cross section has a minimum value Smin and a maximum volume tire that the cavity cross section area S has a maximum value Smax, and which have sizes such that the cavity sectional area ratio Smax/Smin falls within the range of 1.00 to 1.95. |
| US08999086B2 |
Joining of mouldings of different polyamide compounds
A molding compound for joining two moldings each made of a PA11 and/or PA12 molding compound contains at least 50% by weight of a polyamide component so chosen that it is preparable from linear aliphatic diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or lactams or ω-aminocarboxylic acids, there being 11 to 12 carbon atoms present per carboxamide group in the repeating units, and, furthermore, this polyamide component containing not more than 80% by weight of either one of the polyamides PA11 and PA12. With this compound a firm weld is obtained both to a PA11 molding and to a PA12 molding. |
| US08999084B2 |
Method for manufacturing a galvanized steel sheet
A galvanized steel sheet includes a zinc plating layer which is disposed on a steel sheet containing 0.01% to 0.15% C, 0.001% to 2.0% Si, 0.1% to 3.0% Mn, 0.001% to 1.0% Al, 0.005% to 0.060% P, and 0.01% or less S on a mass basis, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and which has a mass per unit area 20 g/m2 to 120 g/m2. An oxide of at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Si, Mn, Al, and P is present in a surface portion of the steel sheet that lies directly under the zinc plating layer and that extends up to 100 μm from the surface of a base steel sheet. The amount of the oxide per unit area is 0.05 g/m2 or less in total. The steel sheet has excellent corrosion resistance, anti-powdering property during heavy machining, and strength. |
| US08999082B2 |
Method for producing and assembling superheater tubes of steam generators
A method for producing superheater tubes and connecting pipes and assembling superheater tubes inside a steam generator tube wall includes preparing tubes composed of precipitation-hardened nickel-based alloys in a solution-annealed state for the straight tubes, the bends, and the connecting pipes in a workshop and preparing sleeves composed of a material that is not to be heat treated in a shop. The bends and the connecting pipes are manufactured in the workshop using bending tools. The superheater tubes are manufactured in the workshop by connecting the straight tubes and the bends with weld seams, and connecting the sleeves with the connecting pipes with weld seams. The superheater tubes and the connecting pipes having sleeves are precipitation hardened in the workshop in a first heating device. The superheater tubes are connected with the connecting pipes on the assembly site inside the steam generator tube walls with a weld seam and the sleeves are connected with the take-up device with a weld seam. The weld seams are precipitation hardened on the assembly site with second heating devices located proximate to the weld seams. |
| US08999080B2 |
Casting aluminum alloy and internal combustion engine cylinder head
Disclosed are: a casting aluminum alloy that is excellent in elongation as alternative properties of a high cycle fatigue strength and a thermal fatigue strength and is suitably usable for a casting for which both of the excellent high cycle fatigue strength and the excellent thermal fatigue strength are required, for example, an internal combustion engine cylinder head; a casting made of the aluminum alloy; a manufacturing method of the casting; and further, an internal combustion engine cylinder head composed of the aluminum alloy casting and manufactured by the manufacturing method of the casting. The casting aluminum alloy contains, in terms of mass ratios, 4.0 to 7.0% of Si, 0.5 to 2.0% of Cu, 0.25 to 0.5% of Mg, no more than 0.5% of Fe, no more than 0.5% of Mn, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of Na, Ca and Sr, each mass ratio of which is 0.002 to 0.02%. |
| US08999075B2 |
Composite magnetic material and process for production
A composite magnetic material manufactured by mixing a metal magnetic powder with an insulating binder to produce a mixed powder, press-molding the mixed powder to produce a molded product, and heat-treating the molded product in an oxidizing atmosphere at not lower than 80° C. and not higher than 400° C. to form an oxide film on a surface of the molded product. The metal magnetic powder includes Si, Fe, and component A, and the composition thereof satisfies 5.5%≦Si≦9.5%, 10%≦Si+component A≦13.5%, and the remainder is Fe, where % denotes weight %. The component A includes at least one of Ni, Al, Ti, and Mg. |
| US08999074B2 |
Fluid input module for multi-lumen catheters
A cleaning catheter (200) includes fluid-delivery and suction lumens (520, 530). A flow regulator (700) defines suction and fluid ports (830, 827). A mechanical user control element (320) is configured to mechanically and non-electrically set activation states of the flow regulator (700), and transition between first and third configurations via a second configuration. When the control element (320) is in the first configuration, the flow regulator (700) blocks fluid communication (a) between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530) and (b) between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). When the control element (320) is in the second configuration, the flow regulator effects fluid communication between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530), and blocks fluid communication between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). When the control element (320) is in the third configuration, the flow regulator (700) effects fluid communication (a) between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530) and (b) between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). |
| US08999072B2 |
Chemical cleaning method and system with steam injection
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time. |
| US08999068B2 |
Chamber cleaning method
Provided is a chamber cleaning method capable of efficiently removing a CF-based shoulder deposit containing Si and Al deposited on an outer periphery of an ESC. A mixed gas of an O2 gas and a F containing gas is supplied toward an outer periphery 24a of an ESC 24 at a pressure ranging from about 400 mTorr to about 800 mTorr; plasma generated from the mixed gas is irradiated onto the outer periphery 24a of the ESC 24; an O2 single gas as a mask gas is supplied to the top surface of ESC 24 except the outer periphery 24a; and the shoulder deposit 50 adhered to the outer periphery 24a is decomposed and removed while preventing the top surface of ESC 24 except the outer periphery 24a from being exposed to a F radical. |
| US08999066B2 |
Bleached dextrin and methods of forming same
A method of forming a bleached dextrin, comprising combining a dextrin-based composition selected from the group consisting of starch dextrin, cyclodextrins, inulin, hydrogenated indigestible dextrins, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, highly branched maltodextrins, and combinations of any thereof with a caustic agent and an oxidant to form a mixture; heating the mixture for a period of time; and drying the mixture to form the bleached dextrin. |
| US08999065B2 |
Supercritical hydrolysis of biomass
Methods are disclosed for processing biomass by single-stage supercritical hydrolysis, wherein the biomass has been size reduced. |
| US08999064B2 |
Apparatus for forming thin film
A thin film forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a plurality of vapor deposition sources respectively separated from each other, a plurality of nozzle bodies connected to upper portions of the respective vapor deposition sources, and a plurality of nozzles connected to upper portions of the respective nozzle bodies. A nozzle hole of each of the nozzles is formed on a same vapor deposition line. Thus, according to the embodiment, the first organic material and the second organic material respectively sprayed through a first nozzle hole and a second nozzle hole can be uniformly mixed by disposing the first nozzle hole and the second nozzle on the same vapor deposition line. |
| US08999061B2 |
Method for producing silicon epitaxial wafer
The method for producing a silicon epitaxial wafer according to the present invention has: a growth step G at which an epitaxial layer is grown on a silicon single crystal substrate; a first polishing step E at which, before the growth step G, both main surfaces of the silicon single crystal substrate are subjected to rough polishing simultaneously; and a second polishing step H at which, after the growth step G, the both main surfaces of the silicon single crystal substrate are subjected to finish polishing simultaneously. |
| US08999059B2 |
Process for producing a nitride single crystal and apparatus therefor
A growth apparatus is used having a plurality of crucibles each for containing the solution, a heating element for heating the crucible, and a pressure vessel for containing at least the crucibles and the heating element and for filling an atmosphere comprising at least nitrogen gas. One seed crystal is put in each of the crucibles to grow the nitride single crystal on the seed crystal. |
| US08999050B2 |
Ink containing anthraquinone based dye, dye used in the ink, and display
An object of the present invention is to provide an anthraquinone based dye having excellent solubility in a low polar solvent and having high absorption coefficient and high light resistance and an ink containing the same. The present invention relates to an ink comprising a specific anthraquinone based dye. |
| US08999041B2 |
Carbon dioxide isolating device and method
An apparatus for separating carbon dioxide is provided. The apparatus includes: an absorption column in which carbon dioxide in off-gas is allowed to react with an absorbent solution so as to strip the carbon dioxide from the off-gas; a regeneration column in which the carbon dioxide is removed from the absorbent solution to regenerate the absorbent solution; and an ion-exchange column including a chamber having a cathode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the absorption column and an anode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the regeneration column, the ion-exchange column further including a permeable membrane that divides the chamber into the cathode chamber space and the anode chamber space. |
| US08999038B2 |
Process for separation of gases
The invention relates to a specific apparatus, more particularly a chain of gas separation membrane modules, for separation of gas mixtures into two fractions each of elevated purity. |
| US08999035B2 |
Integrated containment system
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a containment system having integrated bubble tight-dampers. In another embodiment, the containment system includes an integral auto-scan mechanism disposed in the housing of the containment system so that a filter element, disposed in the housing, may be leak tested without accessing the interior of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter disposed in a containment system includes challenging an upstream side of a filter element disposed in a housing of the containment system with a test aerosol, and automatically moving a probe disposed within the housing to obtain samples for leak testing. |
| US08999030B2 |
Methods of producing coal and fertilizers from fermentation residues
The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry. |
| US08999029B1 |
Furnace filter box and method of assembly
A furnace filter box for mounting next to an intake air opening in a furnace. The filter box is adapted for receiving a furnace filter therein for filtering intake air. The filter box includes a front panel with a furnace filter door. The front panel is attached to sides of a first side panel and a second side panel. The first and second panels are attached to a back panel. A bottom panel is attached to a bottom portion of the front, back and first and second side panels. Mounted to an inside of an upper portion of the first and second side panels are filter rails. The filter rails are adapted for holding the furnace filter next to an open top in the filter box. |
| US08999026B2 |
Bonded abrasive article and method of forming
An abrasive article having an abrasive body including abrasive grains contained within a bond material, wherein the abrasive grains comprise microcrystalline alumina, and wherein the bond material includes less than about 1.0 mol % phosphorous oxide (P2O5), and a ratio measured in mol % between a total content of sodium oxide (Na2O) and a total content of potassium oxide (K2O) defined by [K2O/Na2O] having a value greater than about 0.5. |
| US08999023B2 |
Composite sintered body
A composite sintered body according to the present invention contains at least cubic boron nitride and a binder. Cubic boron nitride has a continuous skeleton structure as a result of bonding of a plurality of first cubic boron nitride particles to each other. The binder has a continuous structure as a result of bonding of a plurality of binder particles to each other, that are present in a region except for a bonding interface where the first cubic boron nitride particles are bonded to each other. Second cubic boron nitride particles isolated from the first cubic boron nitride particles forming the skeleton structure are dispersed in the continuous structure of the binder particles. |
| US08999022B2 |
Method and system for producing synthetic gas from biomass
A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas. |
| US08999018B2 |
Apparatus and method for rapidly producing synthetic gas from bio-diesel by-product using microwave plasma
Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas. |
| US08999015B2 |
Apparatus for upgrading coal and method of using same
An apparatus for upgrading coal comprising a baffle tower, inlet and exhaust plenums, and one or more cooling augers. The baffle tower comprises a plurality of alternating rows of inverted v-shaped inlet and outlet baffles. The inlet and outlet plenums are affixed to side walls of the baffle tower. Process gas enters the baffle tower from the inlet plenum via baffle holes in the side wall and dries the coal in the baffle tower. Process exhaust gas exits the baffle tower into the exhaust plenum via baffle holes in a different side wall of the baffle tower. Coal that enters the baffle tower descends by gravity downward through the baffle tower and enters a cooling auger, where the dried coal from the baffle tower is mixed with non-dried coal. A method of using the apparatus described above to upgrade coal. |
| US08999014B2 |
Systems and methods for producing engineered fuel feedstocks with reduced chlorine content
Systems and methods for producing engineered fuels from municipal solid waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes combining a first waste stream that includes at least one of hard plastic, soft plastic and mixed plastic with a sorbent and increasing the temperature of the combined first waste stream and sorbent to a temperature of at least about 200° C. The method further includes combining the thermally treated first waste stream and sorbent with a second waste stream that includes fiber, and compressing the combined first waste stream, sorbent, and second waste stream to form a densified engineered fuel feedstock. |
| US08999010B2 |
Transparent gel candle base
The present invention relates to transparent gel candle bases that may be used as a base material of transparent candles, to the transparent candles made therefrom, and to methods of making such candle bases and candles. The transparent gel candle bases of the present invention include a hydrocarbon oil and a gelling agent comprising dibutyl lauroyl glutamide and dibutyl ethylhexanoyl glutamide. |
| US08999009B2 |
Surface modification of battery materials and method for making a battery
Provided herein are methods for processing electrochemically active materials for use in rechargeable batteries. The methods may also be practiced on electrodes and batteries containing such electrochemically active materials. In a typical embodiment, a method of chemically modifying the surface of an electrochemically active component of a battery is provided, the method including receiving the electrochemically active material and exposing the electrochemically active material to a gaseous reactant under conditions that chemically modify surfaces of the electrochemically active material that are accessible to the gaseous reactant, and thereby produce a modified electrochemically active material having improved properties for use in the battery. |
| US08999000B2 |
Orthopedic implant with bone interface anchoring
A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface. |
| US08998996B2 |
Knee prosthesis system with standard and distal offset joint line
A modular knee prosthesis system includes a femoral component having a stem and a sleeve. The system is modular, and provides the surgeon with the option of distally offsetting the joint line by controlling the relative axial positions of the stem and the sleeve. Alternative options include providing sleeves with tapered bores of different diameters, providing a shim to be placed between the sleeve and the stem and providing the stems as adapters having different diameters. |
| US08998991B2 |
Six degree spine stabilization devices and methods
An implant stabilizes two adjacent bones of a joint, while enabling a natural kinematic relative movement of the bones. Support components are connected to each bone of the joint, and a flexible core is interposed between them. The core and at least one of the support components are provided with a smooth sliding surface upon which the core and support component may slide relative to each other, enabling a corresponding movement of the bones. The surfaces may have a mating curvature, to mimic a natural movement of the joint. The core is resilient, and may bend or compress, enabling the bones to move towards each other, and or to bend relative to each other. |
| US08998982B2 |
Method and apparatus for fine adjustment of a percutaneous valve structure
The invention provides a device for fine adjustment of a prosthetic valve device and a method of adjusting the position of a prosthetic valve after implantation. The adjustment mechanism includes complementary structures on a valve member and device frame that cooperate to provide relative axial and/or angular motion between the valve member and device frame (and thus the native vessel). The adjustment mechanism of the invention may also include a means for selectively maintaining the relative position of the valve member and device frame. The device and method are particularly applicable for use with a modular prosthetic valve device that is assembled in the body lumen. |
| US08998980B2 |
Transcatheter prosthetic heart valve delivery system with recapturing feature and method
A delivery system for percutaneously deploying a prosthetic heart valve. The system includes an inner shaft assembly, a delivery sheath capsule and a handle maintaining a first actuator and a second actuator. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the prosthetic heart valve over the inner shaft assembly. The first actuator is operated to proximally retract the delivery sheath capsule and expose the prosthetic heart valve relative to the capsule. The second actuator is operated to proximally retract the prosthetic heart valve by transmitting forces to the inner shaft assembly. |
| US08998970B2 |
Vascular prosthetic delivery device and method of use
A delivery device includes a guidewire catheter and a delivery assembly extending about the guidewire catheter. The delivery assembly includes a locking mechanism that selectively engages a proximal handle of the delivery assembly with a push rod to which a vascular prosthesis is directly or indirectly attached. When an actuator selectively disengages the proximal handle from the handle body, rotation of the proximal handle is independent of longitudinal movement of the vascular prosthesis relative to the handle body, whereby the proximal handle can be moved along the handle body with rotation. |
| US08998968B1 |
Facet screw system
A medical screw system configured to facilitate determination of when the screw system is desirably set in a bone during implantation of the screw at a surgical site. The screw system includes a screw and a washer having a central ring surrounding a head receiving pocket configured for receiving the head of the screw, a plurality of arms spaced around and extending outwardly from the ring, the arms each having a bone contacting surface that engages the bone when the screw is implanted into the bone, and a groove defined between the arms and an exterior of the central ring. The groove is configured to enable the arms to flex when the screw system becomes desirably set into the bone to provide a visual indication that the screw is desirably set in the bone. |
| US08998962B2 |
Osteosynthesis plate for lumbosacral joint
The plate (1) has a generally triangular shape and includes two juxtaposed lower holes (7), intended to receive implantation screw (2) in the sacrum (100), and a first upper hole (8) for receiving an implantation screw (2) in the fifth lumbar vertebra (101). According to the invention, the plate (1) includes an extension (6) integral therewith, extending its upper side, i.e. protruding from the side opposite the two juxtaposed lower holes (7), the extension (6) having a second upper hole (15) formed in its entirety thereon, for receiving a second screw (2) intended to be implanted in the fifth lumbar vertebra (101), and having, at all points of its length, a width not greater than two times the diameter of the second upper hole (15); the direction in which the extension (6) protrudes from the plate (1) is such that the first upper hole (8) and the second upper hole (15) are placed on a first line (L1) substantially perpendicular to a second line (L2) passing through the two juxtaposed lower holes (7). |
| US08998959B2 |
Polyaxial bone anchors with pop-on shank, fully constrained friction fit retainer and lock and release insert
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having super structure for temporary friction fit with an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. |
| US08998958B2 |
Locking device introducer instrument
An instrument includes components configured to secure a locking device inside a rod fixation assembly. In one embodiment, an instrument includes an outer sleeve and a pusher member arranged telescopically within the outer sleeve. A drive assembly cooperatively engages the pusher member. In another embodiment, an instrument includes an outer sleeve, a pusher member arranged telescopically within the outer sleeve, and a pair of drive assemblies. A first drive assembly engages the pusher member to distally advance the pusher member under a first loading. A second drive assembly also engages the pusher member to distally advance the pusher member under a second loading, the second loading being substantially greater than the first loading. In another embodiment, a method for reducing and locking a spinal rod includes the step of advancing a locking element while the locking element is retained in a fixed orientation. |
| US08998957B2 |
Spinal rod connector
A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole. |
| US08998954B2 |
Spinous process spacer
A spinous process spacer that is designed to maintain a desired spatial relationship between adjacent vertebrae, is configured for introduction into a spinal implant site in a compressed state and then expands in situ. Once expanded, formations of the present spinal spacer form areas, pockets or spaces that receive at least one bony portion of each adjacent vertebra. The present spinous process spacer has a changeable circumferential profile wherein a first circumferential profile is smaller than a second circumferential profile in order to provide/achieve its compressed and expanded states. The first circumferential profile defines the collapsed position or state while the second circumferential profile defines the position or state. Upon implantation, the present spinous process spacer is not fixed to any bony structure of the vertebrae but provides support. In this regard, use of the spinous process spacer, by itself, will not result in vertebral fusion. However, fusion can result with the use of bone graft packed about the spinous processes (and the spinous process spacer) or in conjunction with the use of an intervertebral body spacer. |
| US08998953B2 |
Vertebral facet joint prosthesis and method of fixation
Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided. |
| US08998945B2 |
Methods and apparatus for filtering a body lumen
An implantable lumen filter is described. The filter may include a body formed from an elongate member. The body may include loops encircling an axis extending along the length of the body. The body may be sized to be implanted into a body lumen. The body may be capable of transitioning from a collapsed state to a deployed state. The filter may include a first group of a plurality of members positioned around at least one loop of said body. At least a portion of the plurality of members may be oriented towards the axis. The plurality of members may be arranged to capture and/or lyse particulates of a selected size and/or to inhibit the particulates from passing through the body. Methods of making, deploying, and retrieving the same are described. |
| US08998944B2 |
Invertible intravascular filter
An intravascular filter for use in a body vessel lumen having a longitudinal axis, which may include a plurality of elongate filter members, each of the plurality having a first portion and having a first end and a second end, a plurality of anchoring members, each of the plurality of anchoring members joint to a first end of an elongate filter member, and a filter center portion, each elongate filter member second end joined to the filter center portion, wherein the plurality of elongate filter member first portions may extend radially outward and in a first longitudinal direction when the intravascular filter is disposed in the body vessel lumen, and wherein when the intravascular filter may be disposed in the body vessel lumen, the plurality of elongate filter member first portions are adapted to be moved from extending radially outward and in the first longitudinal direction to extending radially outward and in the second longitudinal direction. |
| US08998942B2 |
Lancet device
The lancet device includes a housing and a lancet having a puncturing element. The lancet is disposed within the housing and is adapted for axial movement between an initial or pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing, and a puncturing position wherein the puncturing element extends through a forward opening in the housing. The lancet device includes a drive spring disposed within the housing for biasing the lancet toward the puncturing position, and a retraction or return spring for returning the lancet to a position within the housing where the puncturing element is disposed within the housing. The retraction spring thereafter maintains engagement with the lancet to assist in preventing the puncturing element from again projecting outward from the forward opening in the housing. |
| US08998941B2 |
Cam-actuated medical puncturing device and method
The medical puncturing device includes a housing (12), a shield (13), and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing. |
| US08998940B2 |
Lancet gripper for use in a lancet device
A gripper device for use in a lancet device for generating a sample of a body fluid. In the lancet device, a plurality of lancets can be provided in succession on a carrier element in an application position. The gripper device is equipped to seize one lancet at a time in the application position and carry out a piercing movement using the lancet. The gripper device includes at least one stop element, which is equipped to stop the lancet in the application position and temporarily prevent further movement of the carrier element. The gripper device further includes at least one positioning element, which is equipped to position the lancet during the piercing movement in a direction transverse to a piercing direction. The gripper device can further include at least one counter-gripper, which is equipped to cooperate with the stop element whereby the lancet can be held with a form fit. |
| US08998939B2 |
Surgical instrument with modular end effector
A surgical instrument may include a reusable body assembly, a reusable transducer and blade assembly, and a disposable end effector. The transducer and blade assembly may be latched into the body assembly. One version may include an electrical connector on the latch member to electrically couple the body assembly to the transducer. The end effector may include an outer sheath portion coupleable to an outer sheath of the body assembly via a bayonet connection and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the outer sheath portion. In some versions, an inner tubular member of the body assembly may also couple to an inner tube portion via a bayonet connection. The inner tubular member may include a key to align with a slot on the transducer and blade assembly to align the clamp arm with the blade. The end effector may alternatively couple via threading or ratcheting teeth having a slip feature. |
| US08998936B2 |
Reentry catheter and method thereof
The invention generally relates to method and apparatus for crossing an obstruction in a tubular member, and more particularly to a medical device method for crossing of a chronic occlusion in a subintimal or interstitial space of an artery. |
| US08998927B2 |
Mechanically registered videoscopic myringotomy/tympanostomy tube placement system
Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office. |
| US08998922B2 |
Locking cap release mechanism
The present invention is directed to a release mechanism for removing and/or releasing a locking cap from the head of a bone anchor in situ. The release mechanism includes a sleeve, an anchor coupling member and a knob. The anchor coupling member is located within the sleeve and the knob engages both the anchor coupling member and the sleeve. The distal end of the sleeve and anchor coupling member engage the bone anchor causing the bone anchor to splay from the locking cap. A driver may be inserted into the central bore of the release mechanism to release any further threaded engagement of the locking cap and the bone anchor. |
| US08998921B2 |
Polyaxial screwdriver for a pedicle screw system
A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and the head of the screw self-align. A ratchet mechanism formed in the screwdriver provides progressive and automatic locking of the polyaxial screwdriver to the coupling element and prevents the accidental unthreading from the coupling element. In another embodiment of the polyaxial screwdriver, a collet slides over the outside surface of the upper end of the coupling element and locks on to the coupling element. In yet another embodiment of a polyaxial screwdriver, the outer sleeve of the polyaxial screwdriver has a split end that securely engages the coupling element. |
| US08998917B2 |
Instrument assembly for use in knee joint replacement surgery
An instrument assembly for use in knee joint replacement surgery is provided including a base instrument having a tibial plate, a femoral plate, a tibial arm having a plate end and a control end, a femoral arm having a plate end and a control end, wherein the femoral plate is rotatably fastened to the plate end of the femoral arm. The assembly also includes a distractor mechanism configured to act between the tibial arm and the femoral arm at a point between their respective plate ends and control ends by which the distance between the plate ends of the arms can be adjusted and an ancillary instrument mountable on the base instrument and configured such that the position of the ancillary instrument relative to the tibial plate is fixed during subsequent steps in the knee replacement procedure, while the knee joint is distracted as a result of forces applied across the joint between the tibial plate and the femoral plate. |
| US08998915B2 |
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. |
| US08998913B2 |
Patella resection assembly
A patella resection assembly comprises a handle, slide member and two claw members. The slide member is movably mounted on the handle and includes two diverging arms. Inner edges of the diverging arms contact outer edges of the claw members so that distal movement of the slide member causes the claw members to move toward each other and close around a patella. The claw members and slide member have teeth for grasping the patella as the claw members move together. The claw members also have flat co-planar surfaces for guiding the path of a saw blade during resection of the patella. |
| US08998909B2 |
Devices and methods for hip replacement
Devices and methods for use in hip replacement surgery can incorporate computer models of a patient's acetabulum and surrounding bone structure, a first patient-specific jig designed from the computer model and configured to correspond to a final installation position and orientation of a prosthetic him implant, a second patient-specific jig, also designed from the computer model, configured to refine the procedure, if necessary, following use of the first patient-specific jig, and/or a third patient specific jig, designed from the computer model, configured to refine the procedure, if necessary, following use of the first and second patient-specific jigs, allowing the surgeon to properly position and orient the hip prosthesis. Also shown and described are novel devices for implanting an acetabular cup. |
| US08998907B2 |
System and method for a modular resection guide
A modular bone resection guide system includes a positioning base configured to be attached to a bone, a modular resection block configured to be removably attached to various locations of the positioning base and a cutting tool configured to be supported and guided by the modular resection block while cutting the bone. |
| US08998903B2 |
Wedge opening osteotomy plate
An orthopedic plate is designed for opening osteotomies and includes a contoured double tabbed or butterfly shaped plate portion which can accommodate selective fixation including locking, variable locking and non-locking. The plate also includes a centrally located osteotomy support that maintains the opening between bone segments at a spaced relationship. The support can be integral to the plate, or can be modular, i.e. a separate and adjustable segment which can be changed to accommodate the desired geometry of the osteotomy site. |
| US08998901B2 |
Endometrial ablation method
Systems and methods for endometrial ablation. The systems include a handle and elongated introducer sleeve extending to an expandable working end having a fluid-tight interior chamber. A thin dielectric wall surrounds at least a portion of the interior chamber and has an external surface for contacting endometrial tissue. The thin dielectric wall surrounds a collapsible-expandable frame and receives an electrically non-conductive gas. First and second polarity electrodes are exposed to the interior and exterior of the chamber, respectively. A radiofrequency power source operatively connects to the electrode arrangement to apply a radiofrequency voltage across the first and second electrodes, wherein the voltage is sufficient to initiate ionization of the neutral gas into a conductive plasma within the interior chamber, and to capacitively couple the current in the plasma across the thin dielectric wall to ablate endometrial tissue engaged by the external surface of the dielectric structure. |
| US08998898B2 |
Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation or coagulation of organs and other tissue includes a metallized fabric electrode array which is substantially absorbent and/or permeable to moisture and gases such as steam and conformable to the body cavity. Following placement of the ablation device into contact with the tissue to be ablated, an RF generator is used to deliver RF energy to the conductive regions and to thereby induce current flow from the electrodes to tissue to be ablated. As the current heats the tissue, moisture (such as steam or liquid) leaves the tissue causing the tissue to dehydrate. Suction may be applied to facilitate moisture removal. The moisture permeability and/or absorbency of the electrode carrying member allows the moisture to leave the ablation site so as to prevent the moisture from providing a path of conductivity for the current. |
| US08998897B2 |
Ablation cap
An ablation cap and a method of delivering energy to a tissue are provided. An ablation cap includes a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therethrough. The ablation cap also includes a cover portion covering a portion of the tubular body, the covering portion having a region at least partially spaced apart from the tubular body and an electrode portion movably positionable relative to the cover portion. The electrode portion has a covered position where the electrode portion is positioned within the cover portion and an exposed position where the electrode portion is exposed relative to the cover portion. The proximal portion of the body is sized and shaped to fit on a distal end of an endoscope and the distal portion of the body extends distal to the distal end of the endoscope. |
| US08998896B2 |
Tube connector for a radio-frequency surgical device, handle for an RF surgical device, and method for connecting tubes for an RF surgical device to such a tube connector
A tube connector for a radio-frequency surgical device, having two end sleeves, which are each provided with an axial through channel and connected to each other by a web extending from a wall plane of the first end sleeve axially in the direction of the second end sleeve. The web being at least partially made of an electrically conductive material, and the respective end sleeves can be compressed or crimped in some regions for fixing a tube, which can be arranged in the respective through channel. Also disclosed is a handle for an RF surgical device, and to a method for connecting tubes for an RF surgical device to such a tube connector. |
| US08998894B2 |
Catheter apparatuses having multi-electrode arrays for renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods
Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. |
| US08998893B2 |
Catheter systems for cardiac arrhythmia ablation
A plurality of catheter-based ablation apparatus embodiments are provided that address several areas of atrial target tissue and which feature firm and consistent ablation element to tissue contact enabling the creation of effective continuous lesions. |
| US08998888B2 |
Modular pulsed pressure device for the transport of liquid cryogen to a cryoprobe
A cryogenic medical device for delivery of subcooled liquid cryogen to various configurations of cryoprobes is designed for the treatment of damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues. The device is a closed or semi-closed system in which the liquid cryogen is contained in both the supply and return stages. The device is capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state and may be utilized in any rapid cooling systems. As designed, the device comprises a number of parts including a vacuum insulated outer dewar, submersible cryogen pump, baffled linear heat exchanger, multiple pressurization cartridges, a return chamber, and a series of valves to control the flow of the liquid cryogen. The cryogenic medical device promotes the subcooling to any external cryogenic instrument. |
| US08998885B2 |
System and method for intraparenchymal drug infusion
A system for performing an intraparenchymal drug infusion including a pump device, a delivery tube, a sensor, and a processor. The tube is fluidly coupled to the pump device, establishing an infusate pathway from the pump to an infusate exit port of the delivery tube. The sensor is positioned to sense a parameter indicative of pressure in the infusate pathway. Finally, the processor is programmed to generate information indicative of infusate delivery effectiveness of a drug infusion procedure based upon information from the sensor. In some embodiments, the processor generates a net infusion pressure profile, such as a pressure-time curve, and prompts display of the pressure profile to a neurosurgeon for subsequent evaluation of infusate delivery effectiveness. |
| US08998879B2 |
Device and method for collecting and dispensing colostrum
A method of using a system to collect colostrum from a breast of a human and using at least part of the system to dispense the colostrum to an newborn involves: coupling an interface member with a suction member to form at least part of the system; positioning the interface member in contact with or near the breast; expressing colostrum from the breast, into the interface member; applying suction force to the interface member, using the suction member, to draw the colostrum into the suction member; detaching the interface member from the suction member; and dispensing the colostrum to the newborn from the suction member. |
| US08998877B2 |
Intradermal delivery of substances
The present invention provides improved methods for ID delivery of drugs and other substances to humans or animals. The methods employ small gauge needles, especially microneedles, placed in the intradermal space to deliver the substance to the intradermal space as a bolus or by infusion. It has been discovered that the placement of the needle outlet within the skin and the exposed height of the needle outlet are critical for efficacious delivery of active substances via small gauge needles to prevent leakage of the substance out of the skin and to improve absorption within the intradermal space. The pharmacokinetics of hormone drugs delivered according to the methods of the invention have been found to be very similar to the pharmacokinetics of conventional SC delivery, indicating that ID administration according to the methods of the invention is likely to produce a similar clinical result (i.e., similar efficacy) with the advantage of reduction or elimination of pain for the patient. Delivery devices which place the needle outlet at an appropriate depth in the intradermal space and control the volume and rate of fluid delivery provide accurate delivery of the substance to the desired location without leakage. |
| US08998876B2 |
Ampoule comprising an ampoule holder
An ampoule holder for receiving an ampoule that has a closure element with a radial projection, the ampoule holder including an ampoule seat and a securing member operably coupled to the ampoule seat, wherein the radial projection of the closure element can be arranged between the ampoule seat and securing member. |
| US08998875B2 |
Vial assemblage with vial and pre-attached fluid transfer device
Vial assemblages having a vial and a pre-attached fluid transfer device for use with a needleless syringe for enabling flow communication between the syringe and the vial. The fluid transfer device includes an elongated tubular flow member having a connector for sealing flow communication with the needleless syringe and a spike having a spike end for puncturing the vial for enabling flow communication between the needleless syringe and vial interior. The spike end is in intimate sealing contact with the vial's stopper. The fluid transfer device also includes a manually removable closure for initially sealing the connector and, on removal, exposing the connector. |
| US08998872B2 |
Absorbent article
In a crotch region in the disclosed absorbent article, a waist elastic member provided in a front waist region, and waist elastic members provided in a rear waist region are arranged so as to not come into contact with each other, and a linear identification part is provided in either the front waist region or the rear waist region, in a manner such that in a first region wherein an absorbent main body is provided the identification part is only visible from the side of the absorbent article which is not in contact with the skin, and in a second region wherein the absorbent main body is not provided the identification part is visible from both the side of the absorbent article which is in contact with the skin and that which is not. |
| US08998867B2 |
Medical device
An ostomy device (1) has an implant (10) arranged, in use, to be located inside the body of person near the site of a stoma (S). A discharge device (20) is arranged, in use, to provide means for intestinal waste to exit to the exterior of the body of the person. In addition, there is means, in use, to be operatively associated with the implant (10) and removably locate the discharge device (20) at the site of the stoma (S). The discharge device (20) is retained at the site of the stoma (S) by magnetic attraction between the implant (10) and the discharge device (20). |
| US08998863B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling the negative pressure in a wound
An apparatus and method are provided for treating wound with negative pressure. The apparatus includes a wound cover, a first pump for providing said negative pressure at a chosen pressure level to the wound, a canister, a first conduit between the wound cover and the canister, first means for measuring the pressure within the canister, and a second conduit which connects the canister with the first pump. A circulating pump is arranged to intermittently transport a gas volume from the canister to the wound region via a third conduit and back to the canister via the first conduit in order to press out possible exudates from the first conduit to the canister. A second means analyzes the pressure curve over time of said pressure in the canister and a third means indicates by alarm when said pressure curve differs from a normal cyclical form. |
| US08998859B2 |
Medical needle and puncturing instrument
Provided are a medical needle and a puncturing instrument which make it possible to administer a predetermined amount of a substance to be administered into a living body and/or collect a predetermined amount of an object to be collected from within the living body with ease and accuracy. A medical needle (1) is provided with a puncturing part (10) which can penetrate into the living body. The puncturing part (10) has a pair of planar portions (12, 12) which are parallel to each other in an outer surface and a retaining chamber (18) defined within the puncturing part (10), the retaining chamber (18) passing through the puncturing part (10) and opening to the pair of planar portions (12) on each side. A puncturing instrument can be structured by accommodating the medical needle (1) in a casing in such a way that the medical needle (1) can project therefrom. |
| US08998856B2 |
Handheld medicament injection device with illuminated dose button
A cartridge holder is presented having a first cartridge retainer, at least a second cartridge retainer and a locking device for each cartridge retainer, wherein each cartridge retainer is configured to receive a medicament reservoir and wherein each cartridge retainer is movable between a closed and an open position, wherein the locking devices are configured to lock and unlock the cartridge retainers in the closed position and wherein the locking devices are configured to operate such that only one of the cartridge retainers at a time is movable into the open position. An apparatus is also presented that has a main body and a cartridge holder, wherein the cartridge holder is removably attached to the main body. A method for inserting of a medicament reservoir in a cartridge holder or in an apparatus is also described. |
| US08998854B2 |
Catheter devices and drainage systems for delivering therapeutic agents
A catheter for drainage of a wound and delivery of a therapeutic agent at or near the wound of a patient is provided. The catheter comprises: a proximal end configured to receive the therapeutic agent and permit passage of bodily fluid, the proximal end configured to be coupled to a drainage tube and/or a therapeutic agent delivery device; a distal end for insertion at or near the wound; and a body disposed between the proximal end and distal end of the catheter and configured to receive the therapeutic agent from the proximal end of the catheter, the body having a first set of holes configured to allow passage of the therapeutic agent from the proximal end to a site at or near the wound and the body having a second set of holes configured to allow drainage of bodily fluid from the wound into the catheter. |
| US08998852B2 |
Catheter placement device and method
An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component. |
| US08998850B2 |
Adhesive and peripheral systems and methods for medical devices
Fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems. The fill stations may be opened and closed to accept a reservoir and to allow fluid to be introduced into the reservoir for use with personal pump systems. The fill stations may hold the reservoir at a tilt relative to an underlying surface and may discourage overfilling of the reservoir. The filling stations may also include viewing windows having fluid lines marked thereon for indicating volume of fluid within the reservoir. |
| US08998845B2 |
Deflection mechanism for an elongate medical device
A deflection mechanism for use in an elongate medical device is presented. The deflection mechanism comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a rotatable body comprising a channel. The deflection mechanism further comprises an activation wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a wire lock attached to the proximal end of the activation wire. The wire lock is disposed within the channel and is configured to ride therein when the actuator body is rotated. An elongate medical device, and a handle assembly thereof, that incorporate the deflection mechanism are also presented. |
| US08998844B2 |
Handle extension for an elongate medical device
A medical device handle assembly can include a modular extension that allows for the addition of any number of connector ports to an existing handle. In an embodiment, such an extension can comprise a main body portion configured to be coupled with an elongate medical device shaft comprising at least one of an electrical wire and a fluid lumen. The main body portion may comprise a handle port configured to provide access to one or more of a fluid connector fluidly coupled with the fluid lumen and an electromechanical connector electrically coupled with the electrical wire. The handle assembly can further comprise a handle extension portion coupled with the handle port. |
| US08998843B2 |
Enhanced cross stream mechanical thrombectomy catheter
A thrombectomy catheter includes a catheter body having a catheter lumen. An outflow orifice is positioned along a catheter perimeter. A fluid jet emanator communicates with a high pressure tube. The fluid jet emanator includes at least one jet orifice for directing a fluid jet from the fluid jet emanator through the catheter lumen toward the outflow orifice. The fluid jet emanator provides a jet stream from the catheter body through the outflow orifice. The jet stream includes first and second stream portions. An entrainment fluid flow circuit includes at least the first stream portion, and the entrainment fluid flow circuit entrains particulate and macerates the particulate therein. An exhaust fluid flow path includes the second stream portion, and the exhaust fluid flow path draws entrained particulate from the entrainment fluid flow circuit at a location exterior to the catheter body and directs it toward the catheter proximal portion. |
| US08998841B2 |
Monitoring conditions of implantable medical fluid delivery device
A programmer device includes an interface that communicates with an implantable fluid delivery device and a user interface that allows a user to troubleshoot a catheter connected to the fluid delivery device by measuring a pressure associated with the catheter. A processor may compare the measured pressure waveform to a previously-acquired waveform or the user interface may display the measured pressure waveform for the user to compare the displayed pressure waveform to a previously-acquired baseline waveform. The comparison between the two waveforms may be based on the pressure decay time. A historical log of measured pressure decays associated with the catheter may be maintained by the programmer device or the implantable fluid delivery device and displayed for the user to determine whether the performance of the catheter is deteriorating. |
| US08998840B2 |
Connection and alignment systems and methods
A delivery system for delivering fluidic media to a user having a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion configured to be slidable relative to each other to operatively engage each other; and a fluid connector supported by one the housing portions in a position to engage a reservoir supported by an other of the housing portions in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are slid relative to each other to operatively engage each other. |
| US08998838B2 |
Adjustable valve for IOP control with reed valve
A drainage device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition, that includes an implant body portion comprising of a valve portion. The valve portion may comprise a flexible membrane disposed and arranged in a manner to affect flow of aqueous humor through the implant body portion. The device may also include a reed valve disposed downstream of the flexible membrane. The reed valve may be configured to prevent backflow of aqueous humor toward the membrane and configured to stabilize flow by affecting pressure at the flexible membrane. In one aspect, the reed valve is configured to create backpressure at the membrane that affects the rate of flow at the flexible membrane. |
| US08998835B2 |
Method of using a compression bandage
A compression dressing and method of use is provided. The dressing is self-adherent, washable and reusable and provides a selected and generally constant pressure to the surface of an animal. |
| US08998826B2 |
Contact sensor and sheath exit sensor
A system and method is provided that allows for determining the local impedance of one or more electrodes of an electrode catheter. Such local impedance may be utilized to identify the relative position of an electrode catheter to a sheath of a guiding introducer. In another arrangement, local impedance of a catheter electrode can be utilized to calibrate a catheter electrode to provide improved contact sensing. |
| US08998825B2 |
Endoscope treatment system
The endoscope treatment system includes an endoscope treatment tool that has an operating section including a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath that is connected to the distal end of the operating section and is formed with a lumen into which the guide wire is capable of being inserted; a guide wire holder that has a tube member, in which the guide wire is accommodated, and that is circumferentially wound; and a fixing member that couples the operating section to the guide wire holder so that the distal end and the proximal end of the operating section are located outside the circumference of the guide wire holder. |
| US08998824B2 |
Biological sample collection device
Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter. This provides an improved means of collecting a biological sample. |
| US08998823B2 |
Physiological sensor delivery device and method
An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example. |
| US08998822B2 |
Portable preprogrammed thermometer for indicating fertility status
A method of recording, storing, analyzing, and displaying changes in a woman's basal body temperature includes the steps of: (a) recording with an intelligent, preprogrammed thermometer the woman's orally-measured temperature; (b) storing in the thermometer the woman's temperature to create a stored temperature reading; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b); (d) analyzing inside the thermometer the significance of any changes in the stored temperature readings; and (e) displaying the changes in the woman's basal body temperature, and displaying an analysis of those changes, on the thermometer, and on any electronic device connected to the thermometer. In other features of the invention, steps (a) and (b) are repeated daily when the woman first awakes from her night's sleep, and the woman first inputs into the thermometer data about herself, including at least her year of birth, her height, her weight, her body mass index, and her current and past menstruation data. |
| US08998820B2 |
Devices and method for determining and monitoring a cardiac status of a patient by using PLVDT or PLVST parameters
The present invention relates to an improved medical device and method for accurately and reliably determining a cardiac status of a patient. An implantable medical device, IMD, comprises a sensor arrangement adapted to sense signals related to mechanical activity of the heart and an activity level sensor arrangement adapted to sense an activity level of the patient. Further, the IMD calculates a percentage of left ventricular diastolic time (PLVDT) for a cardiac cycle corresponding to a relation between a diastolic time interval and a cardiac cycle time interval using the determined systolic and diastolic time intervals or a percentage of left ventricular systolic time (PLVST) for a cardiac cycle corresponding to a relation between a systolic interval time interval and a cardiac cycle time interval. A cardiac status is determined based on the calculated PLVDT (or PLVST) and on an activity level of the patient. |
| US08998818B2 |
Noninvasive method to measure intracranial and effective cerebral outflow pressure
A system for detecting and measuring increased global or local intracranial pressure includes various devices for performing controlled occlusion of jugular cranial blood outflow and generating occlusion data related to said controlled occlusion, a cranial blood outflow pressure measurement device and a processor for processing jugular cranial blood outflow occlusion data and cranial blood outflow data to identify and/or measure a functional relationship between the jugular controlled occlusion and the jugular cranial blood outflow pressure. A device communicates the functional relationship a display device and/or a patient monitoring system. The processor also detects a state of equilibrium between the jugular cranial blood outflow pressure and the jugular occlusion pressure at occlusion. In yet another embodiment, intracranial and extracranial vessel compliance is measured by NIRS system, the equilibrated using external compression bladder, and equilibrium bladder pressure is displayed as local intracranial pressure. |
| US08998817B2 |
Blood pressure measuring device and method for measuring the blood pressure of a living being
A blood pressure measuring device includes a flexible element configured to at least partially surround a body part and having a stiffening element configured to stiffen the flexible element; and at least one pressure sensor element attached to the flexible element. |
| US08998816B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for isometric and isotonic contraction of blood vessels using an isovolumetric myograph
The present invention discloses devices, systems and methods for the isovolumic measurement of vasoactivity in a blood vessel (3). The length and volume of the blood vessel (3) are maintained constant while a chemical or pressure is exposed to the blood vessel (3). The reaction of the blood vessel (3) to the chemical or physical stimuli is measured by internal lumen pressure changes. |
| US08998810B2 |
Arrangement in a tonometer
The arrangement in a tonometer has a probe that is brought into contact with the surface of the eye and the intraocular pressure in the eye is derived from the variations in the velocity of the probe. The probe is formed of a piece of a non-magnetic substance. The arrangement includes a holder located in the tubular component and attached to a shaft providing the force for the measurement, in which holder there is a guiding means for guiding a movement of the probe along an internal surface of the tubular component. |
| US08998808B2 |
System for identifying patient response to anesthesia infusion
A generic model structure captures basic characteristics in BIS-based patients' responses to anesthesia and surgical stimulation, the model being used in combination with the insight of an anesthesiologist. The model structure represents the patient response with a time delay, a time constant for response speed, and a nonlinear function for drug sensitivity. Clinical data confirms the model structure and is used to establish parameters and function forms for individual patients. A feedback and predictive control strategy for anesthesia drug infusion is then introduced on the basis of the patient model. Feedback control alone cannot avoid large fluctuations in BIS values when significant surgical stimulation is imposed, as a result of time delays in a patient's response to drug infusion. Predictive control attenuates fluctuations of BIS levels from surgical stimulation. |
| US08998804B2 |
Suction catheter assembly for a laryngoscope
A laryngoscope is provided with a suction catheter assembly that includes a catheter to supply suction for removal of fluids (e.g., blood, vomit, secretions, and so on) proximate to the distal end of the blade of the laryngoscope during intubation. A connector secures the catheter to the distal end of the blade. A retainer holds the catheter against the side of the blade. |
| US08998801B2 |
Insertion instrument
Contact between a face to be pressed and a cam face in an interaxial direction T of two inner guide sheaths is set so that a contact width H therebetween is shorter than an interaxial distance L, and so that the contact position is located between axes of the two inner guide sheaths. As a result, even in a case where external diameters of two inner guide sheaths that form a pair are slightly different to each other, a braking member can be tilted to cause a contact face to simultaneously come in contact with the respective inner guide sheaths, and a pressing force from an eccentric cam can be transmitted equally to the respective inner guide sheaths. |
| US08998800B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope has a bending portion operation apparatus at an operation portion, the bending portion operation apparatus being for bending and operating a bending portion, and the bending portion operation apparatus includes a dial for bending operation which bends the bending portion by pivoting about a shaft, a portion of the dial for bending operation provided at the operation portion being protruded at a position where the dial for bending operation is operated with a thumb grasping the operation portion, and an auxiliary dial for bending operation which has a meshing portion meshing with the dial for bending operation and a protruding portion protruding at a position where the auxiliary dial for bending operation is operable with a finger other than the thumb, an operation input entered at the protruding portion with the finger other than the thumb being transmitted to the bending operation dial via the meshing portion. |
| US08998799B2 |
Sterile surgical adaptor
A robotic surgical system comprises a manipulator arm including a spring loaded input and a spring loaded plunger. The system also comprises a sterile adaptor. The sterile adaptor includes a housing, an electrical contact coupled to the housing, and a retractor plate assembly including a top retractor plate and a bottom retractor plate. The retractor plate assembly is movably disposed relative to the housing and adapted to engage the spring loaded plunger. The sterile adaptor also includes a disc captured between and rotatable relative to the top retractor plate and the bottom retractor plate. The disc has a first surface adapted to engage the spring loaded input and a second rotatable surface adapted to engage a surgical instrument in a sterile field. |
| US08998796B2 |
Sexual stimulation device
A sexual stimulation device is described. The device uses electrical stimulation and provides advantages in means to make gentle and safe electrical contact to the user's penis that is contained within a fluid environment. The device includes both a containment vessel as well as electrical connection embodiments that incorporate magnetically actuated contacts the can be quickly disconnected. The device provides flexibility for programmed and varied stimulation to different regions of the user's penis. |
| US08998789B2 |
Continuous centrifuge
A continuous centrifuge includes: a cylindrical rotor configured to separate a specimen; a centrifuging chamber accommodating the rotor; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotor; a specimen line configured to continuously supply and discharge the specimen to and from the rotor during rotation of the rotor; and a controller configured to control the driving unit. The control unit has a cleansing mode which flows a liquid chemical through the specimen line so as to conduct sterilization and/or cleansing while rotating the rotor. |
| US08998782B1 |
Exercise equipment and adjustable band peg assemblies for exercise equipment
An adjustable band peg assembly is for exercise equipment in an exercise zone where a user performs exercises. The assembly comprises a housing and a band peg that is connected to the housing so as to be selectively movable between an active position wherein the band peg extends into the exercise zone and an inactive position wherein the band peg is retracted away from the exercise zone. |
| US08998781B1 |
Exercise equipment having adjustable band pegs
Exercise equipment is for performing exercises in an exercise zone. The exercise equipment comprises a frame and a band peg that is connected to the frame so as to be selectively movable between an active position wherein the band peg extends from the frame into the exercise zone and an inactive position wherein the band peg is retracted away from the exercise zone. |
| US08998779B1 |
Exercise resistance apparatus
An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is extracted from a housing when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is rotatably mounted within the housing. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution relative to the housing. |
| US08998777B2 |
Offset weight bars
An offset weight bar is provided which operates with the lifter's neuro-fascial connections to increase muscle activation and recruitment of muscle groups. The offset weight bar includes a grip portion that is shaped in accordance with the neuro-fascial connections in the lifter's hands and arms. The offset weight bar also offsets the weight of the bar from the lifter's palm to a point out along the lifter's unfolded fingers. The shape of the offset weight bar operates with the offset of the weight from the palm to increase the lifter's muscle activation and muscle group recruitment in accordance with the lifter's neuro-fascial physiology. |
| US08998773B2 |
Method for controlling shifting of a partial double clutch transmission
A method of controlling shifting in a transmission having a first partial transmission, designed as a dual-clutch transmission, which comprises first and second clutches by which the dual-clutch transmission can be functionally connected to a turbocharged internal combustion engine. A second partial transmission is arranged in the drive-train, downstream of the dual-clutch transmission, which is in the form of a main transmission that shifts with traction force interruption. To at least reduce traction power loss of the turbocharged engine after a traction shift, during a traction shift involving a gearshift in the main transmission, the clutches are at least partially engaged so as to be braced against one another and produce a torque that acts in opposition to the drive engine by virtue of which, during the traction shift, the supercharge pressure of the drive engine is largely maintained, or at least built up shortly after the traction shift. |
| US08998771B2 |
Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be manually selected to improve hybrid driveline operation during off road conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation. |
| US08998763B2 |
Rotary speed-change transmission
A transmission has a housing having a main axis with a retaining element fixed in the housing and forming a set having a predetermined number of radially extending and angularly equispaced guides. An output element rotatable in the housing about the axis is formed with an array having a number smaller than the predetermined number of radially inwardly open recesses axially adjacent the guides. An input element rotatable in the housing about the axis has a radial outer and generally circular peripheral surface centered on an axis radially offset from the main axis. Respective transmission elements radially displaceable in the guide grooves between inner and outer positions each have a shaft extending substantially parallel to the axis with a guide section engaged and radially shiftable in the respective guide groove, a driven section engageable in the recesses, and a drive section radially engageable with the input-element surface. |
| US08998762B2 |
Planetary transmission
The invention relates to a planetary transmission for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, having three coupled planetary gear sets, having numerous shift elements, and having at least one electric machine, to which a shaft inside the transmission is allocated, wherein, with a first planetary gear set, the ring gear can be connected to a component permanently attached to the housing, and the planet carrier is connected in a driving manner to the ring gear of a second planetary gear set, wherein, with the second planetary gear set, the planet carrier is connected to the ring gear of a third planetary gear set, and the sun gear can be powered by a transmission input shaft, and wherein, with the third planetary gear set, the planet carrier is connected to a transmission output shaft. In order that the planetary transmission has a compact structure and is cost-effective in terms of its production, and is efficient in terms the operation thereof, it is provided that the sun gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the component permanently attached to the housing, and that the sun gear of the third planetary gear set can be connected to the component permanently attached to the housing and to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set. |
| US08998761B2 |
Transmission for hybrid vehicle
A transmission for a hybrid vehicle is provided to implement one or more electric vehicle modes, two or more power split modes, and a plurality of fixed-gear ratio modes that can improve driving performance and fuel efficiency. |
| US08998760B2 |
Dual damper isolation for a motor vehicle hybrid powertrain
A hybrid transmission has an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The input member is driven by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. |
| US08998756B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting a position of a bicycle derailleur
A bicycle transmission control apparatus comprises a control unit that provides a first signal to operate a first derailleur a gear shift distance from a first origin sprocket to a first destination sprocket. The control unit receives a condition signal that indicates a condition resulting from at least one of the first derailleur and a second derailleur; and an adjustment controller moves the first derailleur an adjustment distance less than the gear shift distance in response to the condition signal. |
| US08998754B2 |
Handle weighted bat and assembly process
A handle weighted bat according to various embodiments can include an elongated hollow aluminum barrel portion. A handle weighted portion is included such that the largest concentration of mass is provided in the handle portion and for positioning the center of gravity within the handle portion of the bat. The handle weighted portion is configured as a one-piece, solid body construction that is impression die forged from a single piece of carbon steel to form an integral knob and rod portion. The bat includes a non-threaded connector comprising a pair of spring pins inserted to rigidly connect the aluminum barrel portion to the rod portion. The pair of spring pins is oriented at a 90 degree angle relative to each other. |
| US08998753B2 |
Hand implement vibration isolation system
A vibration isolation system for hand implements including sporting equipment and tools to substantially reduce impact forces from being delivered to the user's hands. Isolation elements provide low spring rates enabling the system to isolate bending vibration, recoil, and twist. An outer shell member substantially encircles the grip end of the hand implement and is spaced outwardly thereto allowing the grip end to freely deflect within the outer shell member. |
| US08998750B2 |
Multi-layered coes for golf balls having foam and thermoset layers
Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. |
| US08998746B2 |
Golf club assembly and golf club with sole plate
A body member has a face plate and a first engaging member. A sole plate has a second engaging member, the first and second engaging members being interlocked with one another. A layer of resilient material is disposed between the first engaging member and the second engaging member. |
| US08998744B1 |
Ergonomic handle golf club
One embodiment of a golf club of the type having a shaft (30) with a head (32) on one end and a base (24) on the other end. A proximal handle (20) and a distal handle (22) each extend from the base. The orientation of the proximal handle and distal handle are each set at an angle relative to the axis of the base. Each handle is directed outward from the shaft in a respective meridian which is substantially opposite the head. The proximal handle is grasped with the preferred hand for substantial control and power of the swing. The distal handle is grasped with the non-preferred hand to augment the control and power of any desired portion of the swing. Other embodiments are described as shown. |
| US08998743B2 |
Golf club
Provided is a golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft. A club weight is not larger than 290 g, and a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to a club weight is not lower than 0.67 but not higher than 0.72. Furthermore, a grip weight is not smaller than 27 g but not larger than 45 g, and when a distance from the front end of the shaft to a center of gravity the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54≦LG/LS≦0.65 is satisfied. |
| US08998738B1 |
Systems and methods for training golf swings
Systems and methods are provided for training golf swings. A device may be provided with a visual guide that assists golfers with practicing different shot types. The visual guide may include one or more shot arrow and corresponding clubface lines for different types of shots. The visual guide may also include one or more alignment indicators which may be used by the golfer to orient the golfer's stance. The device may be a portable mat, and its position may be adjustable to orient the mat for different shot types. |
| US08998737B2 |
Golf system
A golf shot recordal system permits images of a golfer's shot to be recorded. The system comprises a tee unit adjacent to the tee comprising a tee camera and a green unit in the golf hole on the green comprising a green camera. The tee unit further comprises a radio frequency video receiver to receive and decode signals corresponding to the image from the green camera and a video encoder to receive signals corresponding to the image from the tee camera and signals corresponding to the green images from the radio frequency receiver. The green unit further comprises a pin located in the golf hole, wherein the green camera is mounted on the pin, and a radio frequency video transmitter to send signals to the radio frequency video receiver in the tee unit. Also provided is a method of recording video images of a golfer's shot using the recordal system. |
| US08998736B2 |
Bowling ball elevating assembly for an automatic pinsetter
A bowling ball elevating assembly for an automatic pinsetter includes an idler pulley assembly having an idler arm and a tension spring causing the idler arm to maintain tension on a ball wheel belt driving a ball elevating ring member. An adjustment arm and a tension arm are mounted to an idler pulley shaft enabling adjusting the amount of tension applied by the tension spring to the idler arm, and consequently the tensioning force applied by an idler pulley to the ball wheel belt, thereby permitting slippage of the ball wheel belt relative to the ball elevating ring member when bowling pins and a bowling ball become jammed in the pinsetter. An improved idler v-pulley wheel has a reduced frictional engagement with the ball wheel belt, and improved positioning of the ball lift drive belt pulley reduces stress on the ball wheel belt. |
| US08998734B2 |
Thread forming tap
A thread forming tap has a full thread portion and a leading portion contiguous with the full thread portion and reducing in diameter toward its tip. The full thread and leading portions are provided with external thread on which lobes and recesses are alternately formed. When δ represents an angle around a tool center line toward a thread forming side, the shape of the lobe varies along a quadratic curve relative to angle δ so that relief amount increases toward inflection point angle δ. However, in a rough plastic deformation section where angle δ is greater than inflection point angle θ and exceeds the working region, the shape varies along an Archimedean curve with clearance angle α1 so that the relief amount increases linearly relative to angle δ, and a margin section is substantially zero or within a range where angle δ is less than or equal to 1°. |
| US08998724B2 |
Communication game system, communication game apparatus, and program
A game system which enables a host player to progress a game in collaboration with guest players is provided. The host player progresses the game by moving a party, including a plurality of player characters, on a field. When the party arrives at a predetermined point on a predetermined field, a battle with an enemy character is started. When a player character of the party becomes inoperative in the battle, a player character of a guest player may be substituted for the inoperative player character by sending a support request to the guest player. Although there is a time limit that the player character of the guest player may participate in the battle, the time limit may be extended when the corresponding player character achieves a predetermined condition in the battle. |
| US08998723B2 |
Automatic player information generation for interactive entertainment
Automatic player profile generation may be implemented for an interactive online game in which one or more players interact via one or more client devices connected to a server device via a network. Information relating to game activity may be collected for the one or more players during one or more game sessions with the server device. One or more player statistics relevant to the game activity may be calculated for each of the one or more players during the game session based on the information relating to game activity with the server device. A player profile may be generated for each of the one or more players with the server. Each player profile may include the one or more player statistics for a corresponding one of the one or more players. |
| US08998719B1 |
Network-enabled game controller
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the implementation of a gaming environment including gaming servers for instantiating instances of games requested by a user. The gaming environment includes a game device for obtaining game inputs corresponding to the instantiated game. Additionally, the gaming environment includes one or more output devices for obtaining outputs generated by the processing of the inputs by the gaming server. Illustratively, the game device and one or more output devices form game device groups. Within each game device group, the inputs obtained by game device are transmitted independent of the outputs transmitted to the output devices. The transmission of input data from the game device and the transmission of the output audio data, output video data or other data from the gaming server may be individually optimized. |
| US08998718B2 |
Image generation system, image generation method, and information storage medium
An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor, a grasp motion determination section that determines whether or not a player has made a grasp motion with one hand that is a right hand or a left hand based on the image information, a grasp-linked motion determination section that determines whether or not the player has made a grasp-linked motion that follows the grasp motion with the other hand based on the image information when the grasp motion determination section has determined that the player has made the grasp motion with the one hand, and an image generation section that generates an image based on the determination results of the grasp motion and the grasp-linked motion. |
| US08998717B2 |
Device and method for reconstructing and analyzing motion of a rigid body
An information processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to acquire information corresponding to a reference orientation that indicates a spatial position of a sensor unit attached to a golf club. The reference orientation is determined based on a vector projecting in a normal direction from a planar surface of the golf club. The circuitry acquires a measurement signal generated by the sensor unit in response to a movement of the golf club, the measurement signal including measurements of one or more of an angular acceleration, a linear acceleration, and an angular velocity. The circuitry generates data corresponding to a motion path of the golf club based on the measurement signal and the reference orientation. The circuitry controls an interface to output the generated data corresponding to the motion path. |
| US08998716B2 |
Gaming system for updating a presentation of a virtual game environment
A system, a computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for updating a performance of a presentation of a virtual game environment. A presentation of a virtual game environment is generated based on a visual attribute. The visual attribute may identify a visual quality of the presentation of the virtual game environment. A visual performance metric associated with the presentation of the virtual game environment is then monitored. The visual attribute then updated based on the visual performance metric. After the visual attribute is updated, an updated presentation of the virtual game environment is generated based on the updated visual attribute. |
| US08998712B2 |
Game system, game apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having game program stored thereon, and game processing control method
A game system includes a game apparatus, a first output device having a first display section and a first sound output section, and a second output device having a second display section and a second sound output section. In this system, a first sound signal to be output to the first sound output section and a second sound signal to be output to the second sound output section are generated based on the same sound data. When transmitting the two sound signals, the timing to transmit the first sound signal to the first sound section is delayed by a predetermined time with respect to the timing to transmit the second sound signal to the second audio section. |
| US08998707B2 |
Networked hybrid game
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a networked hybrid game. The networked hybrid game includes an entertainment software engine constructed to generate a player presentation for a skill-based entertainment game of a game server, and transmit a player action taken by the player during the player's skillful execution of the entertainment game, a game world engine constructed to receive the player action during the player's skillful execution of the entertainment game, generate a wager for a gambling game based on the received player action. and transmit the wager. A real world engine is constructed to receive the wager and provide a wager result from the wager made in the gambling game. The networked hybrid game also includes a router constructed to route the player action to the game world engine and the game server, route the wager to the real world engine, and route game state updates generated by the game server to the entertainment software engine. |
| US08998703B2 |
Gaming system and method having configurable bonus game triggering outcomes
A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. A player's accumulated triggering symbols determine, at least in part, the player's probability of winning part of the bonus accumulation pool and/or the player's portion of the bonus accumulation pool. |
| US08998690B1 |
Window mounted safety net for an air conditioner
A safety net for a window air conditioner window mounted air conditioning unit. The safety net protects a window mounted air conditioning unit from falling from a window opening during installation, operation and removal thereof. |
| US08998683B2 |
Polishing device with driving mechanisms
A polishing device includes a reducer, a polishing mechanism, a rotatably driven mechanism, and a sliding driving mechanism. The polishing mechanism is connected to the reducer. The rotatably driven mechanism includes a first driving member and a transmission shaft, the first driving member includes a first main body and an output shaft rotatably connected to first main body, the transmission shaft is fixed to the output shaft. A sliding driving mechanism includes a second driving member, the second driving member includes a second main body and a driving shaft collar connected to the second main body, the second main body is fixed to the first main body. The second main body and driving shaft collar cooperatively define a through hole. The transmission shaft extends through the through hole and is connected to the reducer to enable the polishing mechanism to polish a workpiece. The driving shaft is fixed to the reducer. |
| US08998679B2 |
Surface treatment of a polymeric stent
Methods of treating the polymeric surfaces of a stent with a fluid including a solvent for the surface polymer are disclosed. |
| US08998678B2 |
Spider arm driven flexible chamber abrading workholder
Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers or sapphire disks are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier that is supported by a pressurized-air flexible elastomer sealed air-chamber device and is rotationally driven by a circular flexible-arm device. The rotating wafer carrier rotor is restrained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary housing to provide rigid support against abrading forces. The abrading system can be operated at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The range of abrading pressures is large and the device can provide a wide range of torque to rotate the workholder. Vacuum can also be applied to the elastomer chamber to quickly move the wafer away from the abrading surface. Internal constraints limit the axial and lateral motion of the workholder. Wafers can be quickly attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum. |
| US08998677B2 |
Bellows driven floatation-type abrading workholder
Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier rotor that is supported by and rotationally driven by a bellows. The rotating wafer carrier rotor is restrained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary housing to provide rigid support against abrading forces. The idlers allow low-friction operation of the abrading system to be provided at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The carrier rotor is also restrained by a rigid rotating housing to allow a limited lateral motion and also a limited angular motion. Air pressure within a sealed bellows chamber provides controlled abrading pressure for wafers or other workpieces. Vacuum can also be applied to the bellows chamber to quickly move the wafer away from the abrading surface. Wafers can be quickly attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum. |
| US08998674B2 |
Toy sword with replaceable hilt assembly
A toy sword including a blade having a tip and a base carried by a tubular member having a blade support end and a pommel end. The tubular member extends from the blade terminating in the pommel end. A front piece, a grip and a pommel each include a bore formed therethrough and are slidably received by the tubular member proximate the pommel end. A coupler removably couples the pommel to the tubular member proximate the pommel end, retaining the grip and the front piece in position on the tubular member between the pommel and the base of the blade. |
| US08998672B2 |
Facial expression control device
A facial expression control device is provided. The facial expression control device of the present invention provides multiple structures and links, wherein the links are connected to the linking assembly; therefore varies facial expressions are expressed according to the combination of the structures and links. In this way, the facial expression is changed by means of the least actuators under the condition of maintaining the number of facial expression and imitation. |
| US08998669B2 |
Method and apparatus for a two-stage model rocket
A reconfigurable model rocket that can be flown either in a single-stage or a two-stage configuration is disclosed. The model rocket has a main body tube, a nose cone, a first tail section, a second tail section, and a staging adapter. The nose cone is removably coupleable to a top end of the main body tube and the first tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the main body tube. The first tail section accommodates a first rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the first tail section. The second tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the first tail section and accommodates a second rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the second tail section. |
| US08998668B1 |
Plasma-shell
A gas discharge device constructed out of one or more plasma-shells with an organic luminescent substance located on an external portion of each plasma-shell, the organic substance being excited by photons from a gas discharge within the plasma-shell. In one embodiment, the plasma-shell is made of an inorganic luminescent substance. The external organic luminescent substance may contain or be combined with an inorganic substance that may also be a luminescent substance. The plasma-shell may contain both inorganic and organic substances. |
| US08998660B2 |
Clamping element
A clamping element for fastening an electrical conductor to a printed circuit board, by which electrically conductive connection between the electrical conductor and the printed circuit board is produced. In order to achieve an inexpensive and completely automatable possibility for connection between electrical conductors and printed circuit boards, the clamping element is in the form of a stamped sheet-metal part and has at least two clamping wings and one clamping web, which is arranged between the clamping wings. The clamping web is capable of being bent in such a way that the clamping wings clamp in the conductor. At least one securing claw is formed on the clamping wings. The securing claw can be pressed into the printed circuit board. |
| US08998659B2 |
Crimping terminal
A first member including an electric connection portion and a second member including an electric wire connecting portion are joined together. The first member and the second member are made of dissimilar metal materials. Joined portions of the first member and the second member are covered with a resin mold portion. |
| US08998654B2 |
Industrial automation technology input/output module
An industrial automation technology input/output module includes a base section with front and rear sides, a printed circuit board, a contact strip on the front side with a plurality of contact elements configured to make an electrical connection with corresponding mating contact elements of a connector strip, wherein the contact elements are electrically connected to the printed circuit board, a device for forwarding a supply voltage for the printed circuit board is disposed parallel to the contact strip, the device includes a terminal point and the connector strip is formed to include a plurality of mating terminal points electrically connected to respective mating contact elements, and the supply voltage is switched to the printed circuit board via a link element that is insertable into the terminal point and the mating terminal point to interconnect a pair of opposed contact elements and to supply voltage to the printed circuit board. |
| US08998652B2 |
Interactive pin array device
An interactive pin array device comprising a plurality of elongated pins held in a frame and forming a set. The frame is adapted to hold the plurality of pins in a parallel position to one another in a series of columns and rows, such that the distal ends of the plurality of pins together form a flat virtual plane. Each pin of the plurality of pins includes an elongated housing member defining a linear axis therethrough, and a pin member adapted to slide linearly in either direction along the axis. Each of the housing member includes an upper electromagnet, and a lower electromagnet separated from the upper electromagnet. |
| US08998646B2 |
Battery connecting assembly
A battery connecting assembly includes: a power line having the outer circumferential portion of a conductor covered with an insulating resin and connected to electrode terminals; and a connecting units including: a connecting member that connects the adjacent electrode terminals to each other; and a wire mounting portion that mounts the power line thereon along the direction of arranging electric cells. The connecting units are coupled to each by mounting the power line on the wire mounting portion of the connecting units. |
| US08998645B2 |
Hermaphroditic interconnect system
An electrical interconnect system employs electrical connectors in which the contacts are identical for both the male and the female side of the connection. Contacts are arranged in a linear header and multiple header pairs are arranged in a dielectric matrix or grid. The grid is an external dielectric frame capable of providing load bearing and geometry requirements. This arrangement results in a cost-effective construction that features very high electrical bandwidth capabilities and an extremely rugged product. |
| US08998642B2 |
Connector with improved shielding in mating contact region
An electrical connector system includes a daughter card connector formed of a plurality of wafers. Each wafer is formed with cavities between the contacts of the signal conductors. The cavities are shaped to receive lossy inserts whereby crosstalk is reduced. The connector system may also or alternatively include a front housing formed with shield plates also to aid in reducing cross-talk. The front housing is adapted to mate between the wafers of the daughter card connector and a backplane connector of the electrical connector system. In an alternative embodiment, the front housing portion may include lossy conductive portions for cross-talk reduction. |
| US08998637B2 |
Electronic accessories for digital music players and related methods
Embodiments of electronic accessories for digital music players are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein. |
| US08998636B2 |
Interconnect assembly
An interconnect assembly and system are disclosed herein. An example of the interconnect assembly includes a first signal connector and a second signal connector. The example also includes a combination connector coupled to the first signal connector and the second signal connector. The example further includes a power bus coupled to the combination connector to supply power to the combination connector. Other elements, components, and features of the interconnect assembly are disclosed herein as are alternative examples of interconnect assemblies. Elements, components, and features of the system are also disclosed herein as are alternative examples of the system. |
| US08998634B2 |
Conductor terminal
A conductor terminal (1) having an insulating-material housing (6), at least one spring-force clamping contact (4) which is accommodated in the insulating-material housing (6), and having at least one operating pusher (8) which is operatively connected to at least one respective spring-force clamping contact (4) and is displaceably guided in a guide channel (1) in the insulating-material housing (6) in order to open and to close the associated spring-force clamping contact (4) is described. The at least one guide channel (10) has a recess (11) for accommodating a section of the operating pusher (8) which is guided in the respective guide channel (10). The recess (11) and the section of the operating pusher (8) are matched to one another in such a way that the operating pusher (8) can be fixed in an unlocking position, in which the spring-force clamping contact (4) is open, in the recess (11). |
| US08998632B2 |
Dual orientation connector with external contacts
A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations. |
| US08998630B2 |
Non-conductive material with peaks and valleys surrounding a plurality of electrical contacts
Technologies for reducing the risk of fluid-induced electrical shorting in electrical connectors are provided. An electrical connector comprises a non-conductive member interposed between a first end and a second end of the connector that supports electrical contacts configured to conduct an electrical signal through the non-conductive member. The non-conductive member further has one or more peaks disposed on a surface of the non-conductive member between adjacent contacts. |
| US08998621B2 |
Socket mount
A socket mount for use in connection with an integrated circuit test socket having a body with fastener holes, a plurality of electrical connector links, and a plurality of elastomer elements biasing said links, the socket mount comprising a block having a flat upper surface, a flat lower surface, and four flat edges defining a square, and respective fastener holes aligned with the fastener holes in the test socket, a first groove oriented perpendicularly with respect to a flat edge along the flat lower surface, and a second groove oriented diagonally from a first edge to a second edge along the flat lower surface, the grooves having a length equal to a length of elastomer in the test socket. |
| US08998619B2 |
Cable connector and endoscope apparatus
A cable connector includes a circuit board, having a predetermined width in a manner passable through an elongated tube of an endoscope apparatus, disposed to extend in an axial direction. A terminal group is formed on the circuit board, for electrically contacting a socket connector. First and second land patterns are formed on the circuit board, arranged in the axial direction so that the terminal group is disposed therebetween, wherein a front end of a first electric line group having lines among electric lines of a cable structure is electrically coupled to the first land pattern, and a front end of a second electric line group having lines among the electric lines is coupled to the second land pattern. A wiring pattern is formed on the circuit board, for electrically coupling the first land pattern to the terminal group and coupling the second land pattern to the terminal group. |
| US08998618B2 |
Connector
A connector which is capable of accommodating displacement between objects to be connected, and prevents an operation force required in connecting the connector and the objects and the amount of deformation of the contacts from becoming too large. A plurality of contacts are each provided with contact portions which sandwich a plate-shaped contact portion of a contact (first object to be connected) in a manner capable of relatively pivoting in a direction of thickness thereof, and contact portions which sandwich a plate-shaped contact portion of a contact (second object to be connected) in a manner capable of relatively pivoting in a direction of thickness thereof. The contacts are accommodated in a contact-accommodating hole of a housing in a manner capable of pivoting in the direction of the thickness of each of the contact portions of the first and second objects to be connected. |
| US08998614B2 |
Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth
A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model. |
| US08998613B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics using a camera and a calibration chart imaged with the camera
A method for determining color information of an object, wherein data is generated of the object with an image generation device having a field of view. The object and a reference implement having one or more regions of predetermined optical properties are positioned in the field of view. Data is generated of the reference implement, which includes a positional location attribute, based on which a position of the one or more regions of predetermined optical properties is determined by a processing system without operator identification of the position of the reference implement in the field of view. Color information of the object is generated by adjusting the data generated of the object based on the data generated of the reference implement. The color information may include value, chroma and hue information, RGB values, XYZ coordinates, or Lab values, and may be transmitted electronically to a remote location. |
| US08998609B2 |
Techniques for standardized imaging of oral cavity
A method, system and apparatus for imaging an oral cavity of a subject include a bracket comprising a mouthpiece and a camera mount. The mouthpiece has upper and lower bite guides disposed on a posterior side and separated by an opening through the mouthpiece. The bite guides are spaced apart so a subject biting on the guides opens the oral cavity to inspection through the opening. The mount is disposed on an anterior side of the mouthpiece; and has a flange to engage and slide along the opening and an optical path for light to pass through the mount and mouthpiece. A clip on an anterior side of the mount is configured to removeably hold a camera to record light passing through the optical path from the posterior side of the mount. In one embodiment, the camera is a programmable cell phone with digital camera. |
| US08998597B2 |
Compressor, engine or pump with a piston translating along a circular path
Described herein is a device comprising: a chamber wall comprising outer and inner surfaces, wherein the inner surface encloses a lobed chamber with a plurality of lobes and the inner surface comprises segments of arcuate surfaces, each of the segments of arcuate surfaces being tangent with its immediate neighboring segments, and wherein the chamber wall further comprises channels connecting the outer surface and the inner surface of the chamber wall and/or channels through an end surface of the chamber wall; a lobed piston configured to translate along a circular path relative to the chamber wall, the outer surface of the piston and the inner surface of the chamber wall engaged during translation and forming a fluid-tight seal between some portions of the outer surface of the piston and the inner surface of the chamber wall such that enclosed spaces are formed between the piston and the chamber wall. |
| US08998595B2 |
Scroll compressor with passage in the spiral wrap
[Object] To provide a scroll compressor capable of improving compression efficiency.[Means of Solution]In a scroll compressor 1, a fixed scroll 16 includes a fixed base plate 16c, and a fixed spiral wrap 16d integral with the fixed base plate 16c, while a movable scroll 22 includes a movable base plate 22a facing to the fixed base plate 16c and a movable spiral wrap 22b integral with the movable base plate 22a and meshing with the fixed spiral wrap 16d. The movable scroll 22 is formed with a supply passage 50, which is formed by an inflow opening 51 opened to a distal end face 22f of the movable spiral wrap 22b and communicatable with compression chamber 38, an outflow opening 52 formed in the movable base plate 22a to communicate with a back pressure chamber 39, and a communication hole 53 communicating the inflow opening 51 with the outflow opening 52, so as to communicate the compression chamber 38 with the back pressure chamber 39 by an elastic deformation or displacement in a direction of the orbit axis R of the movable scroll 22. |
| US08998593B2 |
Fluid end assembly
A fluid end assembly including a pump housing with a number of interior passages for the flow of fluids. The housing has a plunger bore with a closed inner end and an open outer end. A suction passage intersects the plunger bore. A discharge passage intersects both the plunger bore and the suction passage such that the discharge passage, the suction passage, and the plunger bore radiate outwardly from their point of intersection to define a shape resembling a “Y”. A connector passage branches from the discharge passage. An outlet passage intersects the connector passage and passes through the pump housing at right angles to the plunger bore. A reciprocating plunger is located in the plunger bore. A suction valve is located in the suction passage. A discharge valve is located in the discharge passage. A fluid supply manifold is pivotally secured to the housing and is in fluid communication with the suction passage. |
| US08998592B2 |
Compressor
A compressor includes a discharge chamber, compressor chamber, valve plate, and discharge reed valve. The valve plate includes a fixing surface, exposed to the discharge chamber, and a discharge port, which communicates the discharge chamber and the compression chamber. The discharge reed valve includes a fixed portion, fixed to the fixing surface, a base portion, separable from the valve plate, and a valve portion, which closes the discharge port. The valve plate includes an annular seal surface, recessed groove, receiving surface, and support surface. The seal surface contacts the valve portion around the discharge port. The recessed groove is arranged in the fixing surface outward from the seal surface. The receiving surface is flush with the fixing surface and contacts a distal region of the valve portion. The support surface is flush with the fixing surface and contacts a central region of the valve portion. |
| US08998589B2 |
Linear compressor
The linear compressor comprises a shell (10) which affixes a cylinder (20) defining a compression chamber (21) housing a piston (30); a linear electric motor (40) having a fixed part (41) affixed to the shell (10) and a reciprocating movable part (42); an actuating means (50) driven by the movable part (42); an elastic means (60a) coupling the actuating means (50) to the piston (30), so that they are reciprocated in phase opposition. A supporting elastic means (70) connects the actuating means (50) to the shell (10) and presents a radial rigidity for supporting the lateral loads actuating on said movable part (42) and actuating means (50), and for minimizing the axial misalignments between the movable part (42) and the fixed part (41) of the linear electric motor (40), the supporting elastic means (70) presenting a minimum axial rigidity for allowing the displacement of both the piston (30) and the actuating means (50). |
| US08998586B2 |
Self priming pump assembly with a direct drive vacuum pump
A self-priming pump assembly is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the self-priming pump assembly includes a motor, a main pump having a main pump impeller, a vacuum pump having a vacuum pump impeller, and a drive shaft driven by the motor. The main pump impeller and the vacuum pump impeller may be directly coupled to and driven by the drive shaft, and may rotate about the rotation axis of the drive shaft. In some instances, the vacuum pump impeller is situated between the motor and the main pump impeller, while in other instances, the main pump impeller may be situated between the vacuum pump impeller and the motor. In some cases, bearings may be provided at or near the vacuum pump to help support the vacuum pump relative to the drive shaft. |
| US08998584B2 |
Electro-osmotic apparatus, method, and applications
A switchable adhesion device combines two concepts: the surface tension force from a large number of small liquid bridges can be significant (capillarity-based adhesion) and these contacts can be quickly made or broken with electronic control (switchable). The device grabs or releases a substrate in a fraction of a second via a low voltage pulse that drives electroosmotic flow. Energy consumption is minimal since both the grabbed and released states are stable equilibria that persist with no energy added to the system. The device maintains the integrity of an array of hundreds to thousands of distinct interfaces during active reconfiguration from droplets to bridges and back, despite the natural tendency of the liquid towards coalescence. Strengths approaching those of permanent bonding adhesives are possible as feature size is scaled down. The device features compact size, no solid moving parts, and is made of common materials. |
| US08998581B2 |
Composite shroud and methods for attaching the shroud to plural blades
An impeller for a turbo-machine and is provided. The impeller includes a metallic base having a central hole, a back surface and a front surface opposite to the back surface; at least one blade extending on the front surface of the metallic base; a composite shroud attached to the at least one blade such that plural closed paths or vanes are formed by the front surface of the metallic base, the at least one blade and the composite shroud; and a connector configured to attach the composite shroud to the metallic base or the at least one blade. |
| US08998580B2 |
Method for balancing a propulsive system having non-hull contra-rotating propellers
According to the invention, at least one of the counterweights (40, 40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4) is mobile mounted on a guiding slot (24, 34) coaxial to the hub envelope (22, 32) that surrounds the hub (21, 31) of the corresponding propeller (2, 3), the movement of said mobile counterweight (40, 40.1, 40.2, 40., 40.4) along said guiding slot (24, 34) being controlled on the basis of an estimation of the possible unbalance of said propulsive system (1). |
| US08998579B2 |
Blade retention disk
A blade retention disk includes, on its external surface, a peripheral annular groove configured to receive a plurality of blade roots of the hammer attachment type, the peripheral annular groove including a loading orifice intended for the introduction of blade roots inside the peripheral annular groove. The retention disk also includes: a crown covering the peripheral annular groove; a crown centering device to center the crown, the crown centering device and the crown forming an air supply enclosure from the bottom of the peripheral annular groove; at least one orifice opening in the air supply enclosure, the orifice being configured to introduce cooling air into the air supply enclosure. The blade retention disk finds a direct application in the field of low pressure turbines for aircraft turbine engines. |
| US08998576B2 |
Pump with hydraulic isolator
Embodiments of the invention provide a hydraulic isolator to split a volute of a pump into two compartments. The hydraulic isolator is positioned within the volute and includes an inlet positioned around a volute inlet channel of the pump, and an outlet positioned adjacent to an outlet channel of the pump. The hydraulic isolator also includes a toroidal portion to at least partially surround an impeller of the pump. |
| US08998575B2 |
Structural stator airfoil
An airfoil comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, and pressure and suction surfaces defined therebetween. An inner platform is coupled to a root section of the airfoil, with a curvilinear gusset extending along a lower surface of the inner platform, opposite the root section. An outer platform is coupled to a tip section of the airfoil, with a multi-lobed gusset extending along an upper surface of the inner platform, opposite the tip section. |
| US08998574B2 |
Spring-tensioned stator restraining strap
A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially between an outer case and an inner case. A spring-tensioned stator restraining strap is provided around the outer case and surrounding outer ends of the respective vanes. The outer ends of the vanes are received in corresponding openings defined in the outer case and project radially outwardly from the outer case. The spring-tensioned strap compresses the respective vanes radially and inwardly in position. |
| US08998571B2 |
Slotted turbine airfoil
A slotted turbine static nozzle airfoil. In one embodiment, the turbine static nozzle airfoil includes a concave pressure wall having a slot extending therethrough; a convex suction wall adjoined with the concave pressure wall at respective end joints; and a pocket fluidly connected with the slot and located between the convex suction wall and the concave pressure wall, wherein at least one of the convex suction wall or the concave pressure wall includes a thinned segment proximate one of the respective end joints, the thinned segment configured to extend the pocket toward a trailing edge of the turbine static nozzle airfoil. |
| US08998568B2 |
Sensor packaging for turbine engine
A turbine is provided and includes a rotor, which is rotatable about a centerline thereof, a sensor to measure a condition at a point of measurement interest defined on the rotor at a radial distance from the centerline, a communication system by which condition measurements are transmittable from the sensor to a non-rotating recording system and a probe holder to secure the sensor and a portion of the communication system on the rotor proximate to the point of measurement interest. |
| US08998567B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for enhanced off line compressor and turbine cleaning
Methods, systems and apparatus for cleaning turbines, such as power generation turbines, are disclosed. Supplemental piping is connected to existing compressor air extraction and turbine nozzle cooling air piping, to supply water and/or cleaning agents into areas of a turbine not ordinarily accessible by injection of water and/or cleaning agents into the bellmouth of the turbine alone. Pressure and flow sensors, pumps, valving, and a control system to regulate the operation of the pumps and valving are provided to control the introduction of water and/or cleaning agents into the turbine. |
| US08998566B2 |
Blade arrangement for a gas turbine and method for operating such a blade arrangement
A blade arrangement is provided for a gas turbine, in which blade leaves, having a leading edge and a trailing edge and also a pressure side and a suction side, are assembled sealingly with platforms configured as separate components. A peripheral sealing arrangement is provided between the blade leaves and the associated platforms, which seals off an interspace between the blade leaves and platforms against hot gas flowing around the blade leaves. A directed site-dependent supply of cooling air for purging the sealing arrangement is provided on a side of the sealing arrangement which faces away from the hot gas. A method of operating the above blade arrangement is also provided. The method includes supplying cooling air for purging the sealing arrangement at a pressure which decreases from the leading edge of the blade leaves to the trailing edge. |
| US08998565B2 |
Apparatus to seal with a turbine blade stage in a gas turbine
Disclosed is an apparatus configured to seal with a turbine blade stage of a gas turbine. The apparatus includes an outer shroud coupled to an inner shroud and configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage. The inner shroud is configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage to seal with the turbine blade stage and includes an attachment element configured to be inserted into the outer shroud to couple the inner shroud to the outer shroud. |
| US08998563B2 |
Active clearance control for gas turbine engine
An active clearance control system for a gas turbine engine includes a structural member that is configured to be arranged near a blade tip. A plenum includes first and second walls respectively providing first and second cavities. The first wall includes impingement holes. The plenum is arranged over the structural member. A fluid source is fluidly connected to the second cavity to provide an impingement cooling flow from the second cavity through the impingement holes to the first cavity onto the structural member. A method includes the steps of providing a conditioning fluid to an outer cavity of a plenum providing an impingement cooling flow through impingement holes from an inner wall of the plenum to an inner cavity, directing the impingement cooling flow onto a structural member, and conditioning a temperature of the structural member with the impingement cooling flow to control a blade tip clearance. |
| US08998561B2 |
Gripping device, transfer device, processing device, and manufacturing method for electronic device
According to one embodiment, a gripping device grips a rim of a workpiece by opening and closing gripping plates. The device includes a gripping unit, a hoisting and lowering unit and a motion control unit. The gripping unit includes a first and a second gripping plate. The first gripping plate has a first gripper to contact the rim. The second gripping plate has a second gripper to contact the rim. At least one of the first and second gripping plates is moved and the first and second gripper are spaced from each other. The hoisting and lowering unit is configured to hoist and lower the gripping unit. The motion control unit is configured to control open/close operations and hoisting and lowering operations. The motion control unit mechanically controls first first hoisting and lowering operations, controls second the open/close operations, and controls third second hoisting and lowering operations. |
| US08998560B2 |
Boom assembly
A boom assembly is provided for a material handling machine. The boom assembly includes a boom pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The boom has a pair of side plates, a top plate and a bottom plate that are rigidly interconnected. The top plates have a pair of slots which extend therethrough. An arm is pivotally coupled to an end of the boom. A mounting unit extends between a center portion of the side plates. A pair of hydraulic boom cylinders are coupled between the frame and the mounting unit. A pair of spaced apart arm cylinder mounting plates are rigidly mounted to the mounting unit. Each mounting plate extends through a corresponding one of the slots. An arm cylinder is connected between the mounting plates and an arm. |
| US08998558B2 |
Vehicle wheelchair lift
The present invention provides a compact wheelchair lift mechanism useable within a relatively small vehicle cabin space, such as a pickup truck with an extended cabin. The wheelchair lift includes a lateral actuator and a vertical actuator that cooperate to move a wheelchair support laterally in and out of a vehicle cabin and vertically between the cabin floor and the ground. The vehicle includes a lowered floor for expanding the vertical opening available to the lift, wheelchair, and vehicle occupant. The lift is positioned within the vehicle cabin such that no loss of seating capacity results from the installation of the lift. |
| US08998555B1 |
Lightweight waste gathering and disposal vehicle with automated arm
A lightweight waste gathering vehicle is used to automate trash collection and removal from soft landscapes within recreation venues minimizing or eliminating damage to landscape. The lightweight vehicle can be used in crowded areas or areas where height, width and/or weight restrictions prevent the use of large refuse trucks. The lightweight waste gathering vehicle includes an automated arm, a tow-behind trailer and turf tires. In one implementation, the automated arm includes a lift arm type system. In another implementation, the automated arm includes a transport rail type system where the grabbers are mounted to a carrier and the carrier is mounted to a transport rail. |
| US08998554B2 |
Multilevel vertical conveyor platform guides
A multilevel vertical conveyor system for transporting uncontained case units to and from a multilevel storage structure having an array of vertically stacked storage levels is provided and includes a frame having platform guide members, a drive member connected to the frame, and support platforms coupled to the drive member. The drive member is configured to move the support platforms relative to the frame in a substantially continuous vertical loop, each of the support platforms being configured to support multiple uncontained case units where each of the multiple uncontained case units is disposed at a respective predetermined area of a respective support platform, the support platforms have support members that are guided by guide members substantially throughout a path of the substantially continuous vertical loop, where the support members are guided in three point contact by the guide members substantially throughout the path. |
| US08998547B2 |
Cargo catch
A cargo holding apparatus configured to secure cargo in a pickup truck cargo bed and facilitate unloading of the cargo therefrom is provided with a holding frame having cross members forming a top and a bottom of the holding frame; and side support members forming a left side and a right side of the holding frame, where the cross members being joined to the side support members at each end; a strap secured to each side support member, the strap being dimensioned to extend at least a length of the cargo bed; and a clamping member disposed and a left and a right side vertical walls of the cargo bed at a position nearest a lift gate of the cargo bed, each of the straps being fed through respective clamping members, the respective clamping members securely holding each strap when in an engaged aspect and allowing each strap to slide unrestricted when in a disengaged aspect. |
| US08998542B2 |
Cutting insert, cutting tool, and method of manufacturing machined product using them
A cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an upper surface; a lower surface; a side surface which is connected to each of the upper surface and the lower surface, and includes a first side surface and a second side surface adjacent to each other; and a cutting edge including a major cutting edge located at an intersection of the upper surface and the first side surface, and a minor cutting edge located at an intersection of the upper surface and the second side surface. The upper surface includes a rake surface which is located along the major cutting edge, and is inclined downward as the upper surface separates from the major cutting edge. The second side surface includes a second upper constraining surface and a second lower constraining surface in order as the second side surface goes from the upper surface to the lower surface. The second upper constraining surface is inclined inward at an inclination angle α1 with reference to a central axis extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The second lower constraining surface is continuous with the second upper constraining surface, and is inclined outward at an inclination angle α2 with reference to the central axis. A cutting tool with the cutting inserts, and a method of manufacturing a machined product by using the cutting tool are also provided. |
| US08998539B2 |
Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same
Disclosed is a riser including a plurality of pipelines. In one example there are three such pipelines extending from the seabed toward the surface and having an upper end supported at a depth below the sea surface. In one embodiment, a first of the pipelines acts as a central structural core, and the other pipelines are arranged around the first pipeline. In another embodiment, three pipelines are arranged around a structural core. In each case, the first of the pipelines can be a fluid injection line, and the other pipelines are production lines. Also disclosed is a riser having buoyancy along at least a part of its length. The buoyancy results in the riser having a generally circular cross-section, the circumference of which is non-contiguous. Methods of installing such risers are also described. |
| US08998532B2 |
Retention device for retained substance and retention method
A carbon dioxide tank (3) is connected to a pump device (5). The pump device (5) is joined and connected with an infusion well (9), which is a tubular body. The infusion well (9) extends downward beneath the ground (7) and is provided so as to reach a saltwater aquifer (11). Part of the infusion well (9) forms a horizontal well (10) in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, the horizontal well (10) is a location in which part of the infusion well (9) is formed in a substantially horizontal direction within a saltwater aquifer (11). The horizontal well (10) is provided with filters (13), which are porous members. For the filters (13), for example, a fired member in which ceramic particles are mixed with a binder that binds those particles can be used. Moreover, if the hole diameter for the filters (13) is small, microbubbles with a smaller diameter can be generated. |
| US08998530B2 |
Method for laying down a pavement, a screed and a road paver
A method for laying down a pavement in which a compaction unit such as a tamper pre-compacts the paving material with a selectable stroke and at a selectable frequency while the pavement having a selectable pavement thickness is in the process of being laid down at a selectable paving speed, the stroke of the compaction unit is automatically adjustable in response to paving parameters, such as the paving speed and/or the pavement thickness, along a characteristic curve or in a characteristic map. The compaction unit includes an adjusting mechanism which is operable during the paving operation for adjusting the stroke of the compaction unit. |
| US08998529B2 |
Deployment apparatus for use with track systems
A track system may include a plurality of connected slat members that may form rollable tracks. The rollable tracks may be used in moving vehicles across sensitive ground. The rollable track may be deployed using various methods and/or apparatus such as, e.g., deployment apparatus including one or more spool portions for rolling and unrolling the rollable tracks. |
| US08998528B2 |
Street ironwork
The street ironwork according to the invention includes a frame (4), a manhole cover (6), a hinge (10) for pivotably connecting the covering element relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, the hinge including a frame knuckle (20) and a covering element knuckle (22).The street ironwork includes a locking element (40) attached to the covering element knuckle and suitable for preventing the covering element knuckle from being released from the frame knuckle in at least one of the open positions of the covering element relative to the frame or in the closed position. |
| US08998526B2 |
Structural profile system
A set of profiles for forming complex profiles comprises two profiles, namely a first profile (10) and a second profile (20), adjoining each other and having walls surrounding a main chamber. Each profile (10, 20) of the set has an outer shape which may be inscribed into a triangle, and has an inner wall (12, 22) with a faying face (13, 23) without protruding fragments. The faying faces (13, 23) adjoining each other, after being coated with adhesive enable a joint to be created when the complex profile is discussed, however, in the case of the set of the profiles they are considered to be contact surfaces. After adjoining the first profile (10) and the second profile (20) by attaching the first faying face (13) to the second faying face (23) in order to create a complex profile (30), a first outer surface (15) of first side walls (14) and a second outer surface (25) of second side walls (24) are situated outside of the complex profile and an angle between the first outer surface (15) and the second outer surface (25) equals to a sum of a first angle (α) between the first faying face (13) and the first outer surface (15) of the first side wall (14) of the first profile (10) and a second angle (β) between the second faying face (23) and the second outer surface (25) of the second side wall (24) of the second profile (20). |
| US08998524B2 |
Liquid application device
A liquid-application device that permits a user to selectively apply herbicide to weeds without applying the herbicide to adjacent plants. A reservoir of herbicide is mounted to a container end of an elongated tube and a wick is mounted to an opposite end. The tube has a central passage through which the liquid flows from the container end to the wick end by gravity. A valve mechanism at the wick end controls the flow of liquid out of the central passage. A wick retainer in the valve mechanism holds a wick that receives liquid released through the valve. A shroud covers the wick and the wick protrudes after the shroud is seated on a weed leaf. The shroud can be withdrawn by a mechanical connection, such as a trigger, or by simply forcing the shroud out of the way. |
| US08998521B2 |
Cosmetics unit with latching closure that can be blocked
A cosmetics container for a liquid or pasty cosmetic, comprising a storage container having a removal opening, and a closure cap for opening and closing this removal opening. The closure cap can be detachably locked in its closing position on the storage container using at least one latching device that acts between the closure cap and the storage container. The cosmetics container further comprises at least one locking device which is able to assume at least one release position and at least one blocking position, and which in the blocking position blocks the latching element in such a way that a lock existing between the closure cap and the storage container cannot be released and the closure cap thus cannot be moved out of its closing position. |
| US08998519B2 |
Process and formulation for a plastic pencil
A plastic pencil comprising a writing core, an interlayer coating material placed about the writing core, a porous casing enclosing the interlayer coating material on the writing core and a covering applied to the exterior surface of the porous casing. |
| US08998514B2 |
Capillary actuator deployment
A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced a selected distance apart from the fixed frame, and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame. |
| US08998509B2 |
Stackable photonic interconnect module
An interconnect module for communicating electrical signals and optical signals is described. In particular, an integrated circuit in the interconnect module receives and transmits the electrical signals with other components in a system that includes the interconnect module via an electrical connector. In addition, the integrated circuit receives and transmits electrical signals to a hybrid silicon-photonic bridge chip that performs electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical conversion. In turn, this bridge chip receives and transmits optical signals via an optical fiber. The interconnect module can be remateably connected to a backplane in the system, and can be arranged in a stacked configuration with other instances of the interconnect module. In these ways, the interconnect module facilitates dense, modular or scalable, and compact electrical and optical communication in the system. |
| US08998505B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector of the present invention comprising a regulating member having regulating portion provided between a lower surface of an operation arm and an upper surface of a retainer. The regulating member movable in a longitudinal direction between a regulating position for regulating downward movement of a front end of the operation arm by the regulating portion and a retracted position for allowing the downward movement of the front end of the operation arm. The retracted position is located behind the regulating position. |
| US08998504B2 |
User-configurable optical fiber link
An optical fiber connector includes a connector body and a submodule having a user-selectable configuration, such as a splitter or coupler. The connector body has a submodule mounting region. A first end of the connector body has a pluggable optical fiber port. A second end of the connector body has at least one body fiber guide. The submodule is releasably mounted in the submodule mounting region. The submodule has at least one submodule fiber guide aligned with at least one body fiber guide and at least one submodule fiber guide aligned with the pluggable optical fiber port. One or more optical fibers are routed through the connector body in accordance with the submodule configuration. |
| US08998503B2 |
Fiber optic connector and bonded cover
A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover. |
| US08998499B2 |
Seal for rolling bearing used in a wind turbine
The rolling bearing comprises an inner ring 1, an outer ring 2, at least one row of rolling elements and at least one seal 7 provided between the outer and inner rings. The seal 7 has, in cross section, the overall shape of an H and comprises internal lips 21, 22 and external lips 23, 24 forming the two substantially parallel branches of the H. The inner and outer rings 1, 2 comprise opposite radial ribs 25, 26 located axially between the internal and external lips 21 to 24 to axially retain the seal. |
| US08998498B2 |
Tapered roller bearing and manufacturing method for retainer of tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing improves durability during a state of insufficient lubrication by sufficiently lengthening the time until rotation becomes impossible due to seizure. Oil retaining concave sections, recessed outward in the radial direction, are formed in portions on the inner circumferential surface of a large-diameter rim section of the retainer whose phase in the circumferential direction coincides with the pockets. A portion of the bottom surface of each of the oil retaining concave sections, open to the inside surface of the pocket, face a concave section formed in an end surface on the large-diameter side of tapered roller that is held inside the pocket. When lubrication becomes insufficient, oil remaining in the concave sections is effectively used for lubricating areas of sliding contact between the end surfaces on the large-diameter side and the inside surface in the axial direction of a large-diameter side flange section. |
| US08998497B2 |
Thrust sliding bearing and combination mechanism of the thrust sliding bearing and piston rod with coil spring
A thrust sliding bearing includes an synthetic resin-made annular bearing body having an annular upper surface, an annular outer peripheral surface, and an annular lower surface; a synthetic resin-made annular bearing body having an annular lower surface; a sheet metal-made reinforcement member having an annular lower surface and an annular upper surface; a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing piece interposed between the annular upper surface of the reinforcement member and the annular lower surface of the bearing body; and a synthetic resin-made radial sliding bearing piece disposed between an annular inner peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical portion of the reinforcement member and an annular outer peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical portion of the bearing body. |
| US08998496B2 |
Gear pump with asymmetrical dual bearing
An asymmetrical bearing is disclosed for use in a gear pump. The bearing may have first and second opposing faces, and first and second bores in communication with the first and second opposing faces. The first and second bores may be configured to receive first and second shafts of a gear pump. The bearing may have a first flat side surface and a second curved side surface, where the second curved side surface includes first and second curved portions associated with the first and second bores, respectively. The first and second faces and the first flat side surface may also include a plurality of grooves configured to direct a flow of process fluid over the bearing during operation of the pump. Self-aligning features can be provided on one or more sealing elements to ensure desired alignment of the sealing components during assembly. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08998495B2 |
Sliding bearing
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding bearing which has a simple construction and thus can be produced easily and at a low cost and yet eliminates the need for the use of a heat insulation sleeve and the like and is capable of maintaining a frictional torque to a low extent. A sliding bearing (1) has an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), and a sliding contact member (4) interposed therebetween. The inner ring (2) has a curved surface (2a) formed along an outer circumference thereof and a shaft-receiving hole which fits on a supporting shaft along an inner circumference thereof. The sliding contact member (4) is a molded body, made of resin composition, which has a curved surface (4a) making sliding contact with the curved outer circumferential surface (2a) of the inner ring (2) with the curved surface (4a) being opposed to the curved outer circumferential surface (2a). The outer ring (3) does not contact the inner ring (2) and holds the sliding contact member (4) on an inner circumferential side thereof with the outer ring (3) covering the sliding contact member (4). The outer ring (3) has an open portion (3d) formed on an axial one end surface thereof and a pawl portion (3a) formed at an edge of the open portion (3d). The sliding contact member (4) is combined with the outer ring (3) by inserting the sliding contact member (4) into the outer ring (3) from the open portion (3d) thereof and fixed by the pawl portion (3a). |
| US08998494B2 |
Dry gas thrust bearing for use in rotating equipment
A dry gas thrust bearing is provided for use in rotating equipment and more particularly, this thrust bearing is designed to support compressor/turbine thrust loads in an improved arrangement which does not require oil lubrication and which is designed to support necessary shaft thrust loading by the utilization of a dry gas film. The bearing includes a shaft rotor between two axially movable stators and relies on a dry gas film to separate the rotor and stators. The stators are axially loaded by a double spring package arranged in series wherein a lightly loaded spring engages the stator during zero thrust applications, and as the shaft begins to rotate and encounter axial thrust, a heavier stiffer spring, greater than the thrust load, quickly engages. |
| US08998491B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator includes a guide mechanism and a retainer. On a guide block of the guide mechanism, a pair of ball-circulating grooves is formed on the lower surface that faces a cylinder body. Multiple balls are loaded in the ball-circulating grooves. Paired cover blocks are respectively mounted on the two ends of the guide block. The retainer has the form of paired ball clips, which are formed as arms to engage with the cover blocks when the clips are inserted in the ball-circulating grooves to hold the balls. Paired cover plates are respectively mounted on the end faces of the cover blocks, and arm-shaped cover clips are mounted so as to hold the cover plates. The cover plates, the cover blocks, and the guide block are thereby integrally linked. |
| US08998490B2 |
Clam shell linear motion bearing assembly
A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a rolling element retainer structure and an outer housing sleeve enclosing substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of said rolling element retainer structure. A bearing block effective to enclose substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the outer housing sleeve, the bearing block including a first bearing block segment effective to enclose a first part of the outer housing sleeve; and a second bearing block segment effective to enclose a second part of the outer housing sleeve, wherein the first bearing block segment and the second bearing block segment include first elements and second elements effective to interlock with each other when the bearing block encloses the outer housing sleeve. |
| US08998487B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source; a housing configured to accommodate the X-ray source; and a plurality of supporting legs each connected to the housing via a movable connecting portion and configured to support the housing, wherein each of the supporting legs can change, by the movable connecting portion, a support angle made by a ground plane and the supporting leg. |
| US08998482B2 |
Agitation apparatus
An agitation apparatus (100) has a substantially cylindrically shaped agitation vessel (102); a rotation shaft (150) provided along the central axis of the agitation vessel (102); a substantially cylindrically shaped agitation member (104) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the agitation vessel (102) and being fitted to the rotation shaft (150) so as to rotate concentrically with an inner circumferential surface of the agitation vessel (102); and a plurality of through holes (162, 164) formed through the agitation member (104) in radial directions of the agitation member. In the agitation apparatus (100), a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the agitation vessel (102) and the outer circumferential surface of the agitation member (104) is partially varied along a vertical direction of the agitation member (104). For example, the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the agitation vessel (102) and the outer circumferential surface of the agitation member (104) is wider at a lower portion (S2) of the agitation member (104) than at an upper portion (S1) of the agitation member (104). |
| US08998479B2 |
Surface light guide and planar emitter
A surface light guide has a radiation exit area extending along a main extension plane of the surface light guide and is provided for laterally coupling radiation. The surface light guide includes scattering locations for scattering the coupled radiation. The surface light guide includes a first boundary surface and a second boundary surface which delimit the light conductance of the coupled-in radiation in the vertical direction. A first layer and a second layer are formed on each other in the vertical direction between the first boundary surface and the second boundary surface. Further disclosed are a planar emitter including at least one surface light guide. |
| US08998478B2 |
Lighting assembly
A lighting assembly includes a light guide having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a light input edge, and an end edge distal the light input edge. Light input to the light guide through the light input edge propagates by total internal reflection toward the end edge. The lighting assembly further includes light extracting elements at least one of the major surfaces of the light guide, the light extracting elements configured to extract light through the first major surface in a direction away from the light input edge and away from the first major surface, and a banding reduction element at the end edge configured to redirect light incident thereon in a direction away from the light input edge. |
| US08998477B2 |
Apparatus for providing a light source in the form of a surface that allows almost all external light to pass through without being dispersed
An apparatus and method for providing a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet including a light diffuser, and a light source placed along an edge of the first sheet. The first sheet diffuses light generated by the light source, wherein the distribution of light diffusing particles is varied throughout the light diffuser to emanate a predetermined light pattern. |
| US08998475B2 |
Lighting system and display device
A plurality of prisms 23e which make an input angle of light from an LED 21 with respect to a rear surface of a light guiding body 23 gradually small are provided on a light emission plane 23b of the light guiding body 23, and a plurality of prisms 24b which cause the light from the LED 21 to be totally reflected to front in an interface between a rear surface of a low refractive index layer 24 and an air layer are provided on the rear surface of the light guiding plate 22. The light guiding plate 22 further includes an inclined plane 30 which is inclined to an optical axis O of the light from the LED 21. The inclined plane 30 is configured so as to cause input light to be reflected in the direction which is close to the optical axis O. |
| US08998473B1 |
Light reflector structure for horticultural lamps
A light reflector frame has an upper wire frame and a lower wire frame each of generally rectangular form that are spaced apart and attached at an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge by a plurality of transverse brackets. At least four of the transverse brackets have a hook formed at a top end and a bottom end such that each of the hooks opens inwardly of the upper wire frame and the lower wire frame. At least one reflective panel is disposed inwardly of at least four transverse brackets to engage the hooks with a reflective surface of each reflective panel oriented inwardly of the transverse brackets. At least two pairs of opposed transverse brackets have an extended member at the top end positioned to extend upwardly over a cover of a horticultural lamp enclosure. |
| US08998472B2 |
Liquid filled light guide containing voids within the walls
Illumination systems that include a plurality of illumination devices disposed within a water environment. Such illumination devices having a tube filled with water, at least one light source positioned to project light into the tube, and connected to the illumination devices via light carrying connectors, include one or more voids within each tube wall which extend substantially longitudinally and cause light incident below a critical angle to be reflected hack into the tube. Projected or reflected light above a critical angle that strikes a portion of the wall without a void is transmitted through the tube wall. By adjusting the ratio of voids to non-voids light can be delivered in a controlled manner. |
| US08998469B1 |
Lighted ceramic tile assembly
A lighted tile assembly illuminates tiles to enhance visibility of a floor or wall surface while enhancing the decorative appearance of the floor surface. The assembly includes a panel having a perimeter edge extending between an upper surface and a lower surface. Each of a plurality of secondary conduits has a first end extending into a primary conduit and a second end extending through the upper surface. A fiber optic trunk line is coupled to the panel and positioned in the primary conduit. Each of a plurality of fiber optic filaments is positioned in and extends through an associated one of the secondary conduits. Each filament has a second end positioned proximate the second end of the associated secondary conduit and a first end operationally coupled to the trunk line. Thus, the second end of the filament provides visible light through the second end of the associated secondary conduit. |
| US08998466B2 |
Interior lighting for a vehicle, method for providing the interior lighting in the vehicle and vehicle with the interior lighting
An interior lighting for a vehicle includes, but is not limited to a coupling-out zone for illumination of the vehicle interior, which includes, but is not limited to a lighting device. The lighting device includes, but is not limited to a light source that is configured to produce light and an optical fiber, into which the light can be coupled in or is coupled in. The optical fiber is configured to couple out the light extensively in the at least one coupling-out zone, and includes, but is not limited to an auxiliary lighting for producing an auxiliary light which is also configured for the illumination of the vehicle interior. The auxiliary lighting emits the auxiliary light starting from a side of the at least one optical fiber facing away from the vehicle interior in a trans-illumination zone through the optical fiber into the interior. |
| US08998465B2 |
Method for injection moulding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights of motor vehicles and similar, and lenticular body for lights of motor vehicles and similar
A method for injection molding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights; of motor vehicles and similar, the method comprising the steps of coupling a punch half-mold with a first matrix half-mold so as to define, on the surface of the punch half-mold, a first closed cavity that copies in reverse the shape of the first plastic-material sheet; filling said first cavity with a first plastic polymer in a liquid state, injecting the first plastic polymer in the first cavity from an injection point located at said first segment of the peripheral edge of the first plastic-material sheet; and finally separating, after the first plastic polymer has solidified to form the first plastic-material sheet, the punch half-mold from the first; matrix half-mold maintaining the first plastic-material sheet still on the surface of the punch half-mold. |
| US08998464B2 |
Trim part for automobile with integrated lighting device and process for manufacturing it
Trim component with integrated lighting device comprising a lighting substrate, which in turn comprises a base substrate and a lighting substrate, said lighting substrate being covered by a decorative lining in which have been defined areas that allow light to pass and other areas that prevent light from passing, establishing by their combination a lighting pattern. These areas that allow light to pass are obtained by a laser treatment, removing at least one part of the material of said decorative lining. |
| US08998451B2 |
Customizable decorative party apparatus
A customizable decorative party apparatus. One of several possible insert photographs, name tags, decals, or logos inserts in place on a generally planer surface of a base. A substantially transparent cover removably locks onto the base, defining a substantially water-tight protective cover over the insert. The apparatus includes an attaching structure on the opposite surface, configured to temporarily, removably connect the apparatus to one of a plurality of party items, e.g., cups, plates, straws, hats, ornaments, a string of holiday lights, or the like. The apparatus can be removed from the decoration, the cover can be removed from the base by hand-manipulating the lock, and the same insert, or a different insert, can be inserted for use at the same party or a different party. |
| US08998449B1 |
Light emitting diode (LED) sports lighting luminaire assembly
An assembly of LED luminaires is distributed at a sports venue, includes key, back, and fill light sources in such a way as to provide modeling within a significant portion of the playing area of the sports venue, uses beam types narrower than previously used, and achieves efficiencies higher than previously attained, while also reducing glare and spill light. |
| US08998448B2 |
LED tube lamp
A LED tube lamp includes a heat sink, a LED substrate, a pair of connectors, and a cover fixed to the heat sink. The cover includes a first cover and a second cover, at least one optical lens is arranged on the first cover, the at least one optical lens comprises a concave lens and reflective lenses arranged on both sides of the concave lens. The concave lens is configured to refract light beams from the LEDs in a forward direction or in an approximate forward direction, the reflective lenses are configured to reflect light beams from the LEDs in a lateral direction. After the light beams are refracted by the optical lens, the light divergence angle of the LED tube lamp is increased. |
| US08998446B2 |
Optical film and organic light emitting display apparatus comprising the same
An optical film and an organic light emitting display apparatus including the optical film are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical film is formed on a substrate of the organic light emitting display, and the substrate is configured to transmit light, emitted from an organic light emission unit of the display, toward the optical film. Further, the optical film is configured to absorb ambient light via a first portion, and the optical film is further configured to at least partially transmit light emitted from the organic light emission unit to the environment via a second portion. |
| US08998444B2 |
Solid state lighting devices including light mixtures
A solid state lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) including at least a first LED and a second LED. Chromaticities of the first and second LEDs are selected so that a combined light generated by a mixture of light from the pair of LEDs has about a target chromaticity. The first LED may include a first LED chip that emits light in the blue portion of the visible spectrum and a phosphor that emits red light in response to blue light emitted by the first LED chip. The second LED emits light having a color point that is above the planckian locus of a 1931 CIE Chromaticity diagram, and in particular may have a yellow green, greenish yellow or green hue. |
| US08998439B1 |
Directionally oriented lighted connecting apparatus for connecting an electronic device to a power source
The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting a portable electronic device to a power source. The apparatus comprises a light that illuminates the charging port receptacle into which the connecting tip is inserted. In the field of devices that connect electronic devices to power sources, it is often difficult to see the charging port receptacle, especially in low light applications. It would therefore be desirable to have a light that shines on the charging port receptacle to facilitate inserting the connecting tip into the charging port receptacle. The apparatus comprises a housing, having a light, a connecting tip, a cord, and a connection to a power source. The light shines in the direction of the connecting tip, and thus, on to the charging port receptacle into which the connecting tip is inserted. |
| US08998438B1 |
Modular emergency exit route illumination system and method
A system and method that helps evacuees exit a residential structure in the event of an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security breach or the like, by providing emergency illumination around the periphery of an exit door and/or an alternative safe exit portal together with floor/ground level illumination along the path to the portal, and by providing an audible tone or voice recording to guide occupants to the exit portal. Various forms of linear illuminators parallel to and near the floor of an interior room or hallway provide the floor-level identification and illumination of the exit route to be used in the event of emergency, with some linear illuminators having directional aspects along hallways to lead evacuees toward an exit, and other illuminators outlining the perimeter of portals that are safe to exit through, the illuminators normally being hardly noticeable but having controllers and energizers to light up the planned exit route when emergency conditions are detected. |
| US08998437B2 |
Light emitting component board group, light emitting device and liquid crystal display device
A light emitting component board group includes first and second light emitting component boards that are rectangular in shape. The first light emitting component board has first short and long sides, and includes a first input connector provided on one of the first short sides, a first light emitting component group, a first output connector provided on another one of the first short sides. The second light emitting component board has second short and long sides, is arranged in adjacent to the first light emitting component board, and includes a second output connector provided close to one of the second short sided that is close to the one of the first short sides, a second light emitting component group, a second input connector provided close to another one of the short sides that is close to the other one of the first short sides. |
| US08998436B2 |
Light source apparatus of backlight module
A light source apparatus includes a light guide plate, a number of optical fibers, at least two first light emitting diodes, and at least two second LEDs. Each fiber has a light exiting surface facing the light guide and at least two light entrances at both ends of the fiber. The second LEDs are located on both sides of the light guide plate. Light generated by the first LEDs has a wavelength longer than that generated by the second LEDs. The light generated from the first LEDs enters the light guide plate after travelling through the optical fiber to mix with the light generated from the second LEDs to provide a good color rendering property of the light generated by the light source. |
| US08998434B2 |
Reflective color pixel
A reflective color pixel includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel is for generating a first color. A color conversion layer extends through the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel and is disposed in a waveguide. The color conversion layer contains a luminescent material, which converts a portion of light incident on the second sub-pixel into light of the first color. The waveguide guides the light of the first color generated by the luminescent material to the first sub-pixel for emission from the first sub-pixel. |
| US08998433B2 |
Light emitting device utilizing remote wavelength conversion with improved color characteristics
A light emitting device includes a radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy, the source being configured to irradiate a wavelength conversion component with excitation energy and the wavelength conversion component comprising a layer of photo-luminescent material configured to emit radiation of a selected color when irradiated by the radiation source and a color enhancement filter layer configured to filter undesirable wavelengths of an emission product of the layer of photo-luminescent material to establish a final emission product for the light emitting device. |
| US08998431B2 |
Vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly
An exterior rearview mirror assembly is to be mounted to a vehicle and includes a pedestal, a mirror holder, a coupling member connected between the pedestal and the mirror holder, a sleeve mounted to the coupling member, an engagement member held between the coupling member and the pedestal, a first screwed fastener threaded with the pedestal, a limiting member mounted to the first screwed fastener, and a springy member held between the limiting member and the coupling member. The engagement member is engaged with the pedestal and the sleeve. When the engagement member is controlled to disengage selectively from the pedestal or the sleeve, an included angle between the coupling member and the pedestal can be adjusted. |
| US08998428B2 |
Retroreflective sheeting including cube corner elements
The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting. |
| US08998427B2 |
Three dimensional image projector
A method of projecting an image is provided. The method includes the step of providing a first light source, the first light source emitting light at a first polarization. A second light source is provided adjacent the first light source, the second light source emitting light at a second polarization. A digital mirror device is provided (DMD), the DMD having a first axis. A mirror is provided optically disposed between the first light source, the second light source and the DMD, the mirror being adjacent the DMD. A first light is emitted from the first light source. The first light is reflected with the mirror onto the DMD. A second light is emitted from the second light source after the first light is emitted. The second light is reflected with the mirror onto the DMD. |
| US08998425B2 |
Image projection apparatus
An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit. |
| US08998424B2 |
Micro-projection device with anti-speckle imaging mode
A micro-projection system for projecting light on a projection surface (104), comprising: —at least one coherent light source (101); —optical elements (102, 108, 109) in the optical path between said coherent light source and said projection surface; —said optical elements including at least one reflective member (102) actuated by a drive signal for deviating light from said light source so as to scan a projected image onto said projecting surface; —said optical elements including at least one pixel displacement unit (106) for providing a displacement signal synchronized with the image scanning signal so as to reduce speckle onto said projecting surface. The corresponding method for reducing speckle is also provided. |
| US08998422B1 |
System and method for displaying control room data
Systems, devices and methods for displaying control room data are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems, devices and methods are employed by operators of infrastructure to depict the status of the infrastructure to provide situational awareness to the operators. |
| US08998421B2 |
Projector having polarization conversion
A projector includes a solid-state light source that emits linearly polarized light, a birefringence element that converts the linearly polarized light emitted from the solid-state light source into circularly or elliptically polarized light, a diffusion element that diffuses the light having exited from the birefringence element, and a polarization conversion element that separates the diffused light having exited from the diffusion element into first polarized light polarized in a first polarization direction and second polarized light polarized in a second polarization direction, converts the polarization direction of the first polarized light into the second polarization direction, and outputs the resultant first and second polarized light. |
| US08998418B2 |
Color light mixing method, color light mixing device and small-sized projecting system having such color light mixing device
A color light mixing device, a color light mixing method and a small-sized projecting system using the color light mixing device are provided. The color light mixing device includes a tube structure, a plurality of light-emitting units, a reflective polarizer and a microlens assembly. The light-emitting units are located at an inlet end of the tube structure. The reflective polarizer is located at the other end of the tube structure. The microlens assembly is arranged between the light-emitting units and the reflective polarizer. By the color light mixing device, the light beams with a single polarization state are homogenized and outputted to a microdisplay element of the small-sized projecting system. By an optical projection lens assembly of the small-sized projecting system, an image shown on the microdisplay element is projected onto a screen. |
| US08998416B2 |
Ophthalmologic device for breaking down eye tissue
An opthalmological apparatus includes a base station having a light source for generating light pulses, and an application head mountable on an eye having a light projector for the focussed projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The application head has drivers for moving the light projector in a feed direction and in a first scanning direction. A scanner is arranged in the base station in order to deflect the light pulses in a second scanning direction. The opthalmological apparatus includes an optical transmission system for transmitting deflected light pulses from the base station to the application head, and for superimposing the light pulses deflected in the second scanning direction onto the movement of the light projector in the first scanning direction. |
| US08998414B2 |
Integrated eye tracking and display system
Technology is provided for an integrated eye tracking and display system for a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device. Image data and IR illumination for eye tracking are optically coupled into a respective see-through, planar waveguide positioned to be seen through by each eye in a respective display optical system of the display device. The respective planar waveguide comprises one or more wavelength selective filters positioned to be co-axial with an optical axis of the respective display optical system. The wavelength selective filters direct IR and visible illumination out of the planar waveguide in the direction of the respective eye and direct IR reflections, including reflections from the eye, into the planar waveguide. The reflections are optically coupled out of the waveguide to an IR sensor which generates eye tracking data based on the reflections. |
| US08998413B2 |
Measurement apparatus, ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, control method, and storage medium
A measurement apparatus for measuring aberration based on return light of measuring light radiated to an object, includes a light source configured to emit the measuring light, a focusing unit configured to focus the measuring light on the object, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a storage unit, information indicating a state of the focusing unit corresponding to identification information of a specific object, and a control unit configured to control the focusing unit based on the acquired information indicating the state of the focusing unit. |
| US08998409B2 |
Variable progressive lens design
A method and apparatus for creating a progressive spectacle lens design by transforming a starting design. The starting design is defined to include specification of a principal line, specifications for target astigmatism values A(u=0,y) along the principal line, and specifications for the course of a base target isoastigmatism line, which is described by a one-dimensional function of the form uG(y)=ƒ(y). The method and apparatus transform the starting design by modifying the course of the base target isoastigmatism line uG(y)→u′G(y), and calculating the target astigmatism values A(u,y) of the spectacle lens design by an interpolation between the target astigmatism values A(u=0,y) on the principal line and the target astigmatism values A(u′G(y),y) on the modified base target isoastigmatism line. Furthermore, the method and apparatus are provided to create the spectacle lens for the wearer on the basis of the progressive spectacle lens design. |
| US08998408B2 |
Asymmetric lens design and method for preventing and/or slowing myopia progression
Contact lenses incorporating asymmetric radial power profiles that increase the radial dioptric power from the center to the margin of the optical zone of the lenses may be utilized to prevent and/or slow myopia progression. The power profiles vary along different meridians. |
| US08998405B2 |
Transportation device and recording apparatus
A transportation device includes: a transportation section that transports a continuous paper; and an imaging unit that detects a transportation amount of the continuous paper which is transported by the transportation section. The imaging unit includes a lens barrel; a light irradiation unit disposed in the lens barrel and capable of radiating light on the continuous paper; a condensing lens which is disposed in a position farther than the light irradiation section with respect to the continuous paper in the lens barrel and condenses a reflected light when the light is radiated from the light irradiation section to the continuous paper; and an imaging element which is disposed in a position farther than the condensing lens with respect to the continuous paper P in the lens barrel and captures an image by receiving the reflected light condensed by the condensing lens. |
| US08998402B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a print head for inkjet printing, and a guide disposed opposing the print head and configured to guide a back surface of a sheet being conveyed in a first direction. The back surface is a reverse surface of a surface being printed. The printing apparatus further includes a receiving unit disposed opposing the print head and configured to receive ink outside the sheet being conveyed, and a mechanism configured to change a position of the guide in a second direction relative to the receiving unit being fixed, according to a size of the sheet to be used. The second direction crosses the first direction. |
| US08998400B2 |
Copolymer, aqueous ink, and ink cartridge
A copolymer contains repeating units represented by the following chemical formulae 1 and 2: In the chemical formulae 1 and 2, R represents a hydrogen atom or a cation; X represents an alkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; Y represents a single bond, an oxycarbonyl group [(X)—O—CO—(Z)], a carbonyloxy group [(X)—CO—O—(Z)], an ether group (—O—), or an imido group [(X)—N—CO—(—CO—)(Z)]; and Z represents a biphenyl group or a naphthyl group). |
| US08998399B2 |
Active-energy-ray-curable ink jet recording ink composition and method for forming image
An active-energy-ray-curable ink jet recording ink composition is provided, in which (1) a polymerizable compound having an active-energy-ray-polymerizable group and a polymerizable compound having at least two active-energy-ray-polymerizable groups are used in amounts of 10 to 25 mass % and 75 to 90 mass % relative to the total amount of the active-energy-ray-polymerizable compounds, respectively; (2) the polymerizable compound having an active-energy-ray-polymerizable group includes 10 to 20 mass % of N-vinylcaprolactam; and (3) the polymerizable compound having at least two active-energy-ray-polymerizable groups includes 15 to 35 mass % of 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl(meth)acrylate. Furthermore, a method for forming an image is provided. |
| US08998397B2 |
Ink, ink cartridge and ink jet recording method
The invention provides an ink that inhibits lowering of ejection stability caused by a precipitate derived from a self-dispersible type monoazo pigment and also inhibits deterioration of a liquid contact surface of a heater portion of a recording head. The ink is an ink for ink jet recording system employing an thermal energy, containing a monoazo pigment, a resin and a surfactant represented by the following formula (1). A proportion of a molecular weight of an ethylene oxide group moiety occupying the surfactant is 10% or more and 85% or less, the monoazo pigment is a self-dispersible pigment to the particle surface of which at least one hydrophilic group selected from the group consisting of —COOM, —SO3M, —PO3HM and —PO3M2 is bonded directly or through another atomic group, and the acid value of the resin is 240 mg KOH/g or less. |
| US08998396B2 |
Treatment liquid for liquid jetting device, and cartridge containing the same
A liquid jetting device treatment liquid containing no colorant including a N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone represented by the following General Formula 1: General Formula 1 where R represents an alkyl group having 8 to 11 carbon atoms. |
| US08998393B2 |
Integrated multifunctional valve device
An integrated multifunctional valve device includes a surface member having a first port and a second port formed therein, a flexible disk member having a central portion and a surrounding portion, a first seat member extending outward from the surface member and coupled to the surrounding portion of the flexible disk member, a second seat member extending outward from the surface member and surrounded by the first seat member. The central portion is movable between an open port position to establish fluid communication between the respective ports and a close port position to stop the fluid communication between the respective ports. The second seat member is configured to selectively receive the central portion of the flexible disk member corresponding to the close port position. The integrated multifunctional valve device also includes an actuator member configured to selectively move the central portion of the flexible disk member into the open port position and the close port position. |
| US08998379B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus prevents the problem of reduced utilization efficiency of a waste fluid tank caused by the storage of waste fluids with high and low viscosities in the same open-type waste fluid tank. The image forming apparatus includes a first waste fluid tank for storing waste ink fluid ejected from a recording head, and a second waste fluid tank for storing waste ink fluid ejected into a cap of the recording head. The waste ink fluid ejected into the cap is guided to the second waste fluid tank via a tube. The second waste fluid tank is an airtight structure having an inlet at one end to which the tube is detachably connected via a needle or a valve. At the other end of the second waste fluid tank, there is disposed an opening communicating the inside and the outside of the tank. |
| US08998378B2 |
Ink jet printing method and printer
In an ink jet printing method, a recording medium is moved relative to a print head having a plurality of nozzles, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium in a single pass in accordance with print data supplied to the print head. Spit pattern data is included in the print data A location of an expected ink dot ejected according to the spit pattern data is scanned, providing a scanned image, and such ink dot is searched for in the scanned image in order to determine an actual presence of the ink dot. |
| US08998377B2 |
Head cleaning apparatus and droplet ejection apparatus
A head cleaning apparatus is configured to move relatively along a nozzle surface of a droplet ejection head to clean the nozzle surface. The head cleaning apparatus includes: a web configured to wipe the nozzle surface; a web driving unit configured to cause the web to travel; a pair of rigid body pressing members configured to press both end portions of the web in a width direction to the nozzle surface; an elastic body pressing member provided between the pair of rigid body pressing members and provided to further protrude to a nozzle surface side than the pair of rigid body pressing members, the elastic body pressing member being configured to press a center portion of the web in the width direction to the nozzle surface; and a support member configured to support the pair of rigid body pressing members and the elastic body pressing member. |
| US08998374B2 |
Inkjet head and methods of manufacturing the inkjet head
An inkjet head comprises a pressure chamber, piezoelectric elements, and pressure chamber electrodes disposed on an interior side of the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber electrodes being configured to apply a driving voltage to the piezoelectric elements. The inkjet head also includes a nozzle plate adhered to the frame body with the resin film. The nozzle plate includes an ink discharge hole configured to discharge ink. The inkjet head includes a frame body including an attaching part to which a mask that surrounds the outer perimeter of the inkjet head is to be attached. The inkjet head also includes a resin film that coats the pressure chamber electrodes and that includes an end portion that extends to and covers the attaching part. The inkjet head also includes a layer that coats the end portion of the resin film and by which the mask is to be adhered to the frame. |
| US08998363B2 |
Ink-jet printer
An ink-jet printer which records an image by discharging an ink onto a recording medium includes: an ink-jet head having nozzles for discharging ink droplets; a carriage which makes the ink-jet head to scan in a main scanning direction; a transport mechanism which transports the recording medium in a transporting direction intersecting the main scanning direction; and a discharge controller configured to control the ink-jet head to discharge the ink droplets from the nozzles. The discharge controller is configured to change a discharge timing of the ink droplets from reference timing to deviate the landing positions of the ink droplets in a case that at least one of the alignment direction of the nozzles and the transport direction is inclined with respect to a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. |
| US08998359B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling multicolor overprint of intermittent print device
Disclosed are a multicolor overprint control method and device applicable to an intermittent printing apparatus. According to the operating characteristic of the intermittent printing apparatus, the method solves the problems of overlap and inaccurate overprint of various colors during intermittent printing by controlling the relationship between the distance between adjacent color group modules of different colors and the motion distance between uniform segments of the intermittent printing apparatus. In addition, the method also sets different inkjet printing modes in accordance with whether the detected inkjet printing of the same color group module is in a first period, thereby solving the problems of printing media waste and discontinuous printing data. The method achieves multicolor digital inkjet printing by combining the unique motion mode of the printing media thereof, and makes printing contents flexible and changeable on the basis of guaranteeing printing efficiency. |
| US08998358B2 |
Liquid cartridge, liquid ejecting device comprising liquid cartridge and main body, method of manufacturing liquid cartridge, and method of refurbishing liquid cartridge
A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value. |
| US08998349B2 |
Electronic control brake system for vehicles
Disclosed are electronic control brake systems for vehicles which suppress residual frictional force generated due to contact between pads and a disc. |
| US08998346B2 |
Attack tool with an interruption
In one aspect of the present invention, a tool has a wear-resistant steel base comprising a shank suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. A planar end of a cemented metal carbide segment brazed to an interfacial surface of the base axially opposed to the shank. At least one interruption is formed in the interfacial surface. |
| US08998341B2 |
Multi-function dump cart
A dump cart comprises a bed, a bed adapter, a frame, and a lift adapter. The bed is configured to carry a load. The bed adapter is configured to receive a bottom wall of the bed and includes a left adapter rail and a right adapter rail. The frame includes a left frame rail pivotally coupled to the left adapter rail and a right frame rail pivotally coupled to the right adapter rail. These connections allow the bed to dump the load to the rear of the dump cart. The lift adapter assists in lifting an object and includes left and right cradle arms that are configured to couple to one or more features of the object and a stabilizer leg that is configured to contact the ground so as to support a portion of the weight of the object. |
| US08998339B2 |
Chair assembly with upholstery covering
A chair assembly includes a back shell member including a laterally-extending top portion, a laterally-extending bottom portion and a pair of longitudinally-extending side portions extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and cooperating therewith the defined open space therebetween, and a cover having a first surface adapted to support a seated user and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cover is positioned over the back shell member to cover at least a portion of the open space, and wherein the cover comprises an elastomeric material having a longitudinal direction compliance to lateral direction compliance ration of at least 3:1. |
| US08998338B2 |
Chair assembly with upholstery covering
A chair component assembly includes a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user and a cover having a plurality of sides that cooperate to form an interior space that receives the support component herein, wherein the cover includes a first portion comprising a thermoplastic material, and a second portion comprising a non-thermoplastic material, wherein the first portion and the second portion are attached to one another to each form an outer aesthetic surface of the cover about the support component. |
| US08998328B2 |
Fitting for a vehicle seat
The invention relates to a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part and a second fitting part that can be rotated with respect to each other, a clip ring that is fixed to the first fitting part for holding both fitting parts axially together by an outer ring section and engaging the second fitting part by an inner annular section, and stops that define the limits of the relative rotation of both fitting parts and that comprise at least one limiting stop embodied as a clip ring and at least one locking stop joined to the second fitting part such that the limiting stop protrudes outwards from outside of the annular section of the clip ring, and the limiting stop is provided on a structural part secured to the second fitting part. |
| US08998323B2 |
Warped-floor tolerant aircraft seat
A track-mounted aircraft seat has seat track locking pins that are capable of moving independently to remain engaged with the seat track assembly in a warped-floor condition. The seat track locking pins are actuated by means of a pair of torque tubes that rotate independently about a common pilot shaft. A control link, which is operated by the user, acts on a pair of bell cranks each of which acts on one of the torque tubes. The control link is attached to the bell cranks by means of a spherical joint. Because the torque tubes rotate independently and because the spherical joint allows the bell cranks also to move independently, in the event of a warped-floor condition, rotation of one torque tube caused by the skewed seat track will not cause the other torque tube to release its track locking pin. |
| US08998320B2 |
Using resting load to augment active material actuator demand in power seats
A power seat adjustment assembly comprising an active material actuator, adapted for use when a resting load is present within the seat, and configured to reduce actuator demand, and therefore actuator size and/or rating, by modifying the load to augment performance. |
| US08998311B2 |
Seat frame for a vehicle seat
A seat frame for a vehicle seat comprises an upholstered seat cushion, a seat frame, an upholstery support structure attached thereto and a fan housing with a radial fan. The fan housing has an axial inlet and a radial outlet for the passage of air. The fan housing is supported in the seat frame by means of a holder which includes at least one frame-shaped receptacle adapted to receive the radial outlet of the fan housing and at least one locking element for connecting itself to the fan housing. |
| US08998310B2 |
Seat trim retention clip
A seat trim retention clip that may have a pad and at least one footing. The pad may have first and second retention features. A footing may extend from the pad and may have a plurality of arms that extend from the pad. |
| US08998302B2 |
Material handling equipment impact decelaration device
An MHE impact deceleration device, which includes an elongate outer profile and an elongate inner profile, the outer profile surrounding at least part of the inner profile, wherein the outer and the inner profile are made out of an elastomeric material, the elastomeric material of the inner profile having a shore resistance higher than the shore resistance of the outer profile. |
| US08998300B2 |
Front-end module for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle
A front-end module for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, includes a support frame (1) and at least one flange (2) for coupling the support frame (1) to a chassis of the vehicle, the flange (2) being configured so as to enable the free positioning of the module relative to the chassis within a plane orthogonal to a direction X of movement of the vehicle, as well as the attachment of the module onto the chassis in accordance with the positioning, the flange (2) and the support frame (1) being mutually configured so as to be attached to each other while enabling the movement of one relative to the other in the direction X in the event of impact. |
| US08998298B2 |
Recoverable energy absorber
An energy absorber includes a base sheet and a plurality of recovering crush lobes extending from the base sheet. The crush lobes protect an adjacent object by cushioning the blow following repeated impacts in both vehicular and non-vehicular (e.g. helmets) environments. Each crush lobe includes a side wall that is oriented to buckle or bend and then spring back after absorbing energy when impacted. At least one of the base sheet and an end wall of at least one crush lobe optionally includes a number (X) of integrally-formed protruding countermeasures where 0<=X<1000 of lower standing strength than the crush lobes. Methods related to the above are also described. |
| US08998297B1 |
Systems for mounting a vehicle windshield
Systems for mounting a windshield to a vehicle are described. In one example, an apparatus configured to a mount a windshield to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a foam configured to be positioned between the windshield and a frame of the vehicle along at least three sides of an interior perimeter of the windshield. The apparatus also includes one or more rigid components configured to compress the foam when the windshield is deformed. The one or more rigid components may be positioned at least partially within the foam. The apparatus further includes an attachment component configured to attach the foam to the frame of the vehicle. |
| US08998295B2 |
Sidewall construction for trailer
A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding panels. Each panel includes two opposing flanges. The flanges are disposed on opposing lateral edges of the panel. Adjacent flanges of two adjacent panels partially overlap each other. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented logistics posts includes two lateral margins. A first of the margins is attached to a respective first of the flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. A second of the margins of the post is attached to each of the first and second flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. |
| US08998292B2 |
Front air dam for truck
An air dam for a semi-truck tractor in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a rigid upper panel affixed to a bumper of the semi-truck tractor and a lower flexible panel affixed to the upper panel. |
| US08998290B2 |
Side window visor, a method of installation, and a motor vehicle having a side window visor
A side window visor designed to attach to a vehicle window channel. The side window visor can be arranged and configured to extend over a portion of a window area for preventing inclement weather from entering the passenger cabin with the window slightly opened. A full length tab is reduced to form a plurality of tabs along the tab area of a side window visor. The plurality of tabs located on the side window visor allows the auto-up window feature to be used without causing large resistance and retraction of the window. |
| US08998289B2 |
Vehicular door assemblies and vehicles having same
A vehicular door assembly includes a door and at least one hinge structure. Each of the at least one hinge structure includes a knuckle and a bushing. The knuckle extends away from the door. The door and the knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure. The knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and defines a bore extending through the knuckle and opening onto each of the upper surface and the lower surface. The bushing defines a hinge aperture and a hinge axis. At least a substantial portion of the bushing is positioned within the bore defined by a respective one of the knuckles. Each of the at least one hinge structure is configured for coupling with a frame of a vehicle. Vehicles are also provided. |
| US08998285B2 |
Dump truck tailgate debris bin
A tailgate debris catching assembly for a vehicle is presented herein. Particularly, the assembly includes at least one, but in some cases, a plurality of at least two, vehicle attachment assemblies securely attached to the vehicle, for example, on the sides of the vehicle at or near the rear. A debris receptacle or bin including an open top portion and an inner receiving area is connected to or otherwise attached to the vehicle attachment assemblies and positioned in a manner to receive and at least temporarily retain debris fallen from the vehicle and through the open top portion of the debris receptacle. Accordingly, the debris receptacle may include at least one, but in some cases, a plurality of at least two, receptacle attachment members, which are capable of being securely and removably attached to the correspondingly structured and disposed vehicle attachment assemblies. |
| US08998283B1 |
Utility vehicle
A utility vehicle is equipped with a passenger space, a cargo bed disposed behind the passenger space, and a screen disposed between the passenger space and the cargo bed. The screen is formed into a lattice shape using an outer frame made of a square pipe, a plurality of vertical cross-piece members made of square pipes, and a plurality of horizontal cross-piece members made of square pipes. |
| US08998273B2 |
Lock for a vehicle opening leaf fitted with an operating lever
The opening system according to the invention is arranged so that a distance between a first geometric straight line passing through the region of contact between the lever (10) and the rotary member (12) and normal to this contact region and a second geometric straight line parallel to the first straight line and passing through the axis of rotation of the lever (10) progresses in a constant direction of increase or of decrease throughout the opening movement of the opening leaf. |
| US08998269B2 |
Vacuum insulated fitting enclosure
An enclosure for providing a fluid conduit and high-pressure fitting of a fluid transfer hose with a highly-insulative vacuum jacket and for providing convenient access to the fitting. The enclosure includes an interface collar mounted to an end of the transfer hose with the fluid conduit and the fitting extending therethrough, a bellows fastened at a first end to an interior of the interface collar and fastened at a second end to a pass-through collar, a tubular slide cuff mounted to the pass-through collar and extending over the bellows and the interface collar, and a connecting nut mounted to the pass-through collar. The slide cuff is axially displacable relative to the interface collar between a retracted position, wherein the connecting nut, the pass-through collar, and the bellows are refracted to expose and provide access to the fitting, and an extended position, wherein the fitting is entirely covered by the enclosure. |
| US08998265B2 |
Paired optically variable security element
Paired optically variable security element which includes first and second optically variable thin-film multilayer interference devices in the form of optically variable foils or of printings made with inks having optically variable interference pigments. The first and second interference devices exhibit spectral matching at a determined angle of incidence. Sets of optically variable devices and of coating compositions include optically variable pigments for the production of the paired optically variable security element. Moreover, the security element can be used for the protection of documents and goods, and security documents and goods. |
| US08998263B1 |
Vehicle structural support assembly with a split inner panel
A structural support assembly for a vehicle that has a roof and a rocker assembly. The structural support assembly includes an outer panel extending from the rocker assembly to the roof, an inner reinforcement including an upper panel and a lower panel. A seat belt retractor is assembled to the structural support assembly between the upper panel and the lower panel of the inner reinforcement. The upper panel and the lower panel are separate parts that are assembled to the outer panel in a spaced apart relationship. |
| US08998257B2 |
Lift system and apparatus for use with motorized tricycles
A wheelchair transport system and apparatus enables users to transport a wheelchair by way of a motorized, tadpole-configured tricycle. The wheelchair transport apparatus includes a main frame, a pivot assembly, and a lever arm assembly. The main frame includes an elongate frame member that attaches to a motorized tricycle. The pivot assembly includes pivot arm and chair support assemblies. The pivot arm assembly includes two pivot arms pivotally attached to the main frame. The chair support assembly includes two support members pivotally attached to the pivot arms. The lever arm assembly is attached to a forward pivot arm. Together, the lever arm assembly, the pivot arms, and the support arms are positionable intermediate a lowered position and a raised position. The raised positions enable the user to transport a wheelchair as supported upon the support arms. |
| US08998256B2 |
Loader stand
A front loader (10) for a tractor with a parking stand unit (28) including a parking support (30) pivotably mounted on the front loader arm (12). A locking brace (32) is pivotably seated at one end on the parking support (30) and is movably guided at the other end by a guidance means (50) formed on the locking brace (32) and at least one guide groove (48, 49) formed in the parking support (30). The guidance means (50) can be brought by pivoting the parking support (30) into the parking position (P3) into a locking position in which it comes to rest at a stop (66) formed in the guide groove (48, 49). The guidance means (50) can be pressed against the stop (66) and fixed in the locking position by a support force of the front loader arm (12) acting in the parking position (P3) on the locking brace (32). |
| US08998251B2 |
Horn switch device for steering wheel
A horn switch device for a steering wheel may include an airbag module mounted in an inner region of the steering wheel to perform pressing and restoring operations while being elastically supported by a plurality of horn springs, a link plate assembly mounted on a lower surface of the airbag module and including a plurality of link plates to facilitate a seesaw movement, a module-side horn contact point positioned at the fixed end portion of each link plate and toward the outside of the airbag module, and a wheel-side horn contact point positioned below the module-side horn contact point. A horn operation is produced when the wheel-side horn contact point contacts with the module-side horn contact point. |
| US08998246B2 |
Collapsible cart
The present invention relates to a collapsible cart which has a substantially rectangular base comprising four side regions, four corner regions and hinge assemblies disposed at each corner region, hinged upright frame assemblies having a lower end rotatably connected to the hinge assemblies at the base, and an open top frame having hinge assemblies at each corner region rotatably connected to an upper end of the hinged upright frame assemblies. The base, upright and top frame hinge assemblies are all oriented so the upright frame assemblies can fold along the side regions of the cart when the collapsible cart is folded flat. In one particular embodiment, the base and top frame are square. A basket for storing a variety of items may be attached to the collapsible cart. The collapsible cart may also have wheels or casters on the base to permit easy movement of the collapsible cart. |
| US08998243B2 |
Buggy
The present invention relates to a buggy (10) or collapsible perambulator, comprising a sliding frame which, in the unfolded state, runs in an inclined plane and has a division, in the region of which joints (17, 18) are located, and therefore, upon collapsing, an upper portion (11) of the sliding frame is pivotable in relation to a lower portion (12) of the sliding frame about the approximately horizontal axis (21) of said joints, and furthermore comprising an underframe with wheels, wherein, in the collapsed state, the lower portion and upper portion of the sliding frame and at least parts of the underframe are virtually parallel or are at a flat angle to each other and the buggy assumes a flat, compact state, wherein the two sliding-frame portions which are pivotable in relation to each other each have approximately the shape of a U bar. According to the invention, the suspensions of the front wheels (16) are located on the lower portion (12) of the sliding frame, the suspensions for the rear wheels (15) are located on a rear frame (13) of the underframe, said rear frame having an upper horizontal transverse strut (131) which is accommodated in an articulated sleeve (124) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (22) and is located on the lower portion (12) of the sliding frame. |
| US08998237B2 |
Two-wheeled vehicle parking mechanism
A two-wheeled vehicle parking mechanism, comprising a lifting and dropping gear, the lifting and dropping gear being provided with two front wheel driving rods set in parallel, each front wheel driving rod comprising a first sliding rod and a second sliding rod, the first sliding rod sliding relatively to the second sliding rod, and the mechanism comprising a controlling part that connects to the second sliding rod for controlling the lifting and dropping of the front wheel. |
| US08998230B2 |
Rear suspension mounting structure for electric vehicle
Provided is a rear suspension mounting structure for an electric vehicle, which can reduce the overall weight and can enhance steering stability by forming a torsion beam and a trailing arm using different materials. In one embodiment, the rear suspension mounting structure includes a hub fastened to the center of a wheel, a trailing arm including a housing producing an internal space and an arm bush extending to one side of the housing, a torsion beam bolt-coupled to the arm bush through a coupling plate, a motor coupled to the internal space of the housing and supplying a driving force, a motor cover provided in the internal space of the housing, and a driving speed reducer provided at the outside of the motor cover in the internal space of the housing, wherein the torsion beam and the trailing arm are formed using dissimilar metals. |
| US08998229B2 |
I-beam axle suspension system
An axle bearing suspension system and method has a pair of elongated beams having an upper section and lower section with T-shaped cross sections. The T-shaped cross sections are welded together to form beams having an I-beam cross section. The beams have attachment portions which are preferably arc shaped cylindrical portions for fixing the beams to the axle with the upper section being welded to an upper part of the axle and the lower section being welded to a lower part of the axle. |
| US08998226B2 |
Three-wheeled rear-steering scooter
A three wheeled scooter comprises a chassis having forward and aft ends with a front wheel non-pivotally mounted to the forward end and a pair of rear wheels coaxially mounted to the aft end. The chassis defines a longitudinal axis and includes a support assembly and a handle assembly extending upwardly from the support assembly. The rear wheels are configured to be angularly yawable relative to the longitudinal axis between a neutral position and a yawed position. Steering of the scooter is thereby effectuated by angular yawing of the rear wheels relative to the longitudinal axis such as by asymmetric loading of one of opposing sides of the support assembly. |
| US08998225B2 |
Bushing securement device
A skateboard bushing securement system is provided for improvement of skateboard truck stability and performance. Base washers having a raised annular ring are positioned on opposite sides of bushings engaged to the truck hanger. The annular rings are sized to engage around the circumference of the bushings. Sleeve washers having axially located projecting sleeves communicate against the base washers during compression. The projecting sleeves engage inside the axial cavity of the bushings on both sides of the hanger. Stability and performance is enhanced through the stabilization of both bushings axially and about their circumference by the annular rings. |
| US08998218B1 |
Shopping cart bottom shelf monitor
The invention includes a pivoting floor member coupled to the bottom shelf of a shopping cart. The floor member is pivotally arranged so that it assumes a first position when nothing is placed upon it and a second position when any object having more than a predetermined weight is placed upon it. The floor member is mechanically coupled to a mechanical indicator which assumes a first indicating position when the floor member is in its first position and a second indicating position when the floor member is in its second position. The indicator may be a rod and sleeve arrangement and the rod may include indicia such as one or more colored stripes. |
| US08998215B2 |
Arrangement for overcoming an obstruction to traveling movement
The invention relates to an arrangement (9) for overcoming an obstruction (8) to traveling movement, preferably on an automatically traveling floor cleaning appliance (1) having a driven travel wheel (3). To configure an arrangement of the kind in question in an improved manner, it is proposed that on the travel wheel (3), a lifting part (10) is mounted in an eccentrically pivotable manner, the lifting part protruding with a front end surface (12) beyond a running surface (7) of the travel wheel (3) in the direction of travel (r), a counter mounting being provided which is fixed to the housing. |
| US08998204B2 |
Medium carrying device and image forming apparatus
A medium carrying device includes an apparatus body, medium guide unit that is detachable with respect to the apparatus body, a carrying roller that is disposed in the apparatus body, and is configured to rotate to carry a print medium passing through the medium guide unit, and a driven roller that is disposed in the medium guide unit at a position corresponding to the carrying roller in a contacting manner so that the driven roller rotates in accordance with a rotation of the carrying roller. |
| US08998203B2 |
Sheet take-out apparatus with multiple separation units
A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated. |
| US08998202B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet reconveyance propriety discriminating method
Provided is a technology capable of identifying presence/absence of buckling at an occurrence of a jam and determining more appropriately whether or not to perform automatic sheet discharge. A sound collecting device provided on a conveying path of an image forming apparatus is used to collect sound generated from a sheet at the occurrence of the jam. Generated spectrum data is obtained by analyzing characteristics of the collected sound. The generated spectrum data is compared with reference spectrum data, to thereby identify the presence/absence of the buckling and discriminate the conveyance propriety of the sheet. |
| US08998201B2 |
Sheet retention device
A sheet retention device is provided for retaining at least one sheet. The sheet retention device comprises a sheet supporting unit for supporting at least a first portion of the sheet, a rotatable guiding unit configured to enclose a second portion of the sheet, an urging unit and a drive unit for in operation controllably rotating the rotatable guiding unit. The rotatable guiding unit comprises a passageway arranged through the rotatable guiding unit, which passageway is configured to enclose the second portion of the sheet, the passageway having an entrance portion at one side of an outer surface of the rotatable guiding unit and an exit portion at another side of an outer surface of the rotatable guiding unit. The exit portion is arranged in the passageway at an opposite end with respect to the entrance portion. |
| US08998200B2 |
Medium feeding device with rotational difference generating unit
A medium feeding device includes a feeding roller that conveys a medium in a conveying direction, and a brake roller that includes rollers that are arranged to be rotatable around one shaft and cause a conveyance load to act on the medium that has entered between the feeding roller and the rollers. The rollers are arranged to press the feeding roller with a predetermined pressure. The medium feeding device further includes a rotational difference generating unit that generates a rotational difference between the rollers so that the conveyance load acting on the medium by the rollers becomes even. |
| US08998199B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port is stacked; a cover portion configured to move to a closed position for covering the sheet discharge port and the sheet stacking portion and an open position for allowing taking out of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; a sheet pressing portion configured to move to a press-down position for pressing the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion and an apart position that is distant from the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; and a movement-linking portion configured to cause the sheet pressing portion to move from the apart position to the press-down position upon an opening movement of the cover portion. |
| US08998198B2 |
Sheet sorting device
A controller temporarily opens a pair of side fence plates under a prescribed condition to move the side fence plates away from both side ends of sheets in a sheet width direction, after each time stacking of sheets at a first or second sheet stacking position is completed, but before a sheet receiving tray is temporarily lifted down to offset an offset guide plate and an end fence plate. Else, the controller sets an amount of lifting up and down of the sheet receiving tray such that the amount at the second sheet stacking position is smaller than that at the first sheet stacking position when offsetting the offset guide plate and the end fence plate after each time the stacking of sheets at the first or second sheet stacking position on the sheet receiving tray is completed. |
| US08998196B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first roller to come into contact with a first side of a recording medium and a second roller and a third roller to come into contact with a second side of the recording medium opposite the first side. Each of the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller includes a plurality of increased diameter portions and a plurality of decreased diameter portions alternately arranged in an axial direction of each of the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller to produce an uneven outer circumferential surface thereof. The increased diameter portions of the first roller overlap the increased diameter portions of each of the second roller and the third roller, respectively, with a clearance therebetween. |
| US08998195B2 |
Automatic document feeder
An automatic document feeder includes a paper transmitting path for guiding documents, a driving motor for providing driving torque, a pickup device disposed at the upstream of the paper transmitting path, an output device disposed at the downstream of the paper transmitting path and transmitting rollers disposed along the paper transmitting path for transmitting the documents, a first driving gear disposed between the pickup device and the output device, a transmitting gear swing arm equipped with a transmitting gear set and axially hinged with the first driving gear to swing according to the driving torque between a first position meshing the transmitting gear set with the pickup device and a second position idling the transmitting gear set, an actuator connected with the output device and a braking device disposed on the output device for locking the transmitting gear swing arm according to the position of the output device. |
| US08998194B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus including separating members in a conveyance direction of sheets conveyed from a paper tray, the separating members being configured to separate the sheets one by one. The separating members include an upward regulating member configured to regulate a central part of a sheet in a width direction in a manner that the central part of the sheet points upward, and downward regulating members on both sides of the upward regulating member, the downward regulating members each being configured to regulate both ends of the sheet in the width direction in a manner that both ends of the sheet point downward. A position of an upper end of the upward regulating member is higher than a position of a lower end of each downward regulating member. |
| US08998191B2 |
Flexible support assembly for vehicle tooling plates
A support pin assembly for supporting and/or locating a fixture on a tooling plate is provided. The support pin assembly includes a stanchion with a bore configured to secure the support pin assembly to a locating surface on the tooling plate. A sleeve is included within the stanchion bore, such that the sleeve is infinitely adjustable between two positions and lockable with respect to the stanchion. The assembly additionally includes a locator pin engaged at a first end thereof with the sleeve, and configured to mate at a second opposing end thereof with the fixture. Furthermore, the assembly includes a stopper pin operatively connected to the sleeve and configured to selectively extend and retract relative to the locator pin. The locator pin is free to displace relative to the locating surface when the stopper pin is retracted and is blocked from displacing when the stopper pin is extended. |
| US08998189B2 |
Wave washer, rotary shaft supporting device including the wave washer, and electric motor including the rotary shaft supporting device
A wave washer is used for a shaft supporting device of an electric power steering system. The wave washer has an annular portion and six outward protrusions. The annular portion has first protrusions that protrude in a first axial direction and second protrusions that are formed so as to continuous with the first protrusions and that protrude in a second axial direction. Each outward protrusion protrudes from an outer periphery of the annular portion in a radially outward direction of the radial direction of the annular portion. |
| US08998187B2 |
Multi-stage switchable inertia track assembly
A two vacuum actuated switch mechanism is provided within an engine or hydromount. First and second ports are provided along a peripheral portion of an inertia track assembly. A decoupler or vacuum diaphragm is selectively exposed to vacuum through a first port. Under the influence of the vacuum, the decoupler can no longer oscillate. If vacuum is applied only to the decoupler, and not and idle diaphragm, the fluid is forced through a low frequency inertia track which creates high levels of damping and low frequencies. If vacuum is also applied to the decoupler and the idle diaphragm, the high frequency inertia track is opened and causes the fluid to flow therethrough. This creates a high frequency dynamic rate dip. Alternatively, if no vacuum is applied to either the decoupler or the idle diaphragm, the decoupler is allowed to freely oscillate creating a decoupled state for low input displacements. Higher input displacements results in fluids being forced through the low frequency inertia track. An integrated accumulator is disposed between the port and the decoupler to reduce or eliminate air resonance response, buffering the pumping effect of the decoupler in a decoupled state. |
| US08998172B2 |
Ball valve seat seal
In an embodiment of the present invention, a valve seal for a ball valve includes a ball configured to mate with a tail piece, an annular seat ring to facilitate the mating of the ball with the tail piece, the seat ring having an angled wall having a first groove for accommodating a first seal and a second groove for accommodating a second seal, the first seal having a different Young's modulus from the second seal. |
| US08998170B2 |
Adapter for a capless fuel tank filler neck to test a fuel tank for leaks
A filler neck adapter to be inserted through the open fuel mouth of a capless filler neck of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The adapter has a hollow flow body to create a continuous flow path between a source of pressure or vacuum and the fuel tank to enable the fuel tank to be tested for leaks. A resilient seal surrounds the flow body of the adapter so as to lie between movable and stationary seal stops. A force-generating member is moved along the flow body to push the movable seal stop and the seal towards the stationary seal stop. Accordingly, the seal is compressed between the movable and stationary seal stops so as to bulge outwardly towards and thereby create an air-tight seal against the fuel mouth of the filler neck. |
| US08998168B2 |
Plug valve indicator
A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not. |
| US08998167B2 |
Solenoid valve for controlling flow of high viscosity medium
A solenoid valve has a valve seat, a valve element, and a tappet which is shiftably mounted within the solenoid valve and can urge the valve element against the valve seat in which a line perpendicular to a plane defined by the valve seat can be oriented at an angle that is non-zero in relation to the direction of movement of the tappet, the valve seat being oriented obliquely to a center axis defined by a magnetic coil. |
| US08998161B2 |
Apparatus for holding portable devices
An apparatus comprises a device cradle being configured to removably retain a portable device. The device cradle comprises a u-shaped frame being configured to receive and hold at least three peripheral sides of the portable device. An easel is in engagement with the cradle. The easel comprises lower attachment points configured to engage carrying apparatuses. The easel is further configured to extend upward from a back bottom of the frame. A junction is in engagement with a top of the easel. A hoop structure is in engagement with the junction. The hoop structure is positionable to have a spring-forward tension towards the easel to form a clip in which the clip may engage a structure and the portable device is removably secured to the structure. |
| US08998159B2 |
Locking system for adjustable telescopic props
A locking device for preventing unauthorized retraction of a telescopic prop is made up of an adjustable clamp which can be fitted round the outer circumference of the prop together with a fastener for tightening the clamp, such as a nut and bolt with anti-tamper heads and a shield to prevent access to the head with a gripping instrument. The device can be placed around the outer circumference of an extended prop adjacent to the collar such that once the clamp is tightened the collar is sandwiched between the locking device and the pin. Alternatively the device can be placed around the outer circumference of the inner tube of the prop adjacent to and abutting the end of the outer tube of the prop in order to prevent unauthorized retraction of the prop. |
| US08998157B2 |
Molar media mount
Some embodiments provide a molar media mount for positioning a media display device in unobscured view and direct line of sight of a patient. In some embodiments, the molar media mount includes a first end that attaches to a mounting arm of a medical device and a second end that attaches to and holds the media display device. In some embodiments, the second end includes a ball joint for setting an angle of the media display device that corresponds to the direct line of sight. In some embodiments, the molar media mount includes a set of articulating points that position a media display screen in a direct line of sight of a person in an examination seat In some embodiments, the medical device is a dental light. In some embodiments, the media display device attaches to the dental light. |
| US08998154B2 |
Field installable support bracket assembly
A field installable support bracket assembly for an electrical box, wherein the electrical box is to be secured to a side surface of a first structural stud. The field installable support bracket assembly includes a stud bracket and an adjustable back bracket. The stud bracket includes a stud bracket member configured to be secured to a front surface of a second structural stud, and a stud bracket guiding rib. The adjustable back bracket includes a mounting panel configured to be secured to a back of the electrical box, and a back bracket guiding rib. The back bracket guiding rib and the stud bracket are configured to join the stud bracket to the adjustable back bracket. The field installable support bracket assembly is configured to provide support for the electrical box. |
| US08998151B2 |
Cable organizer
A cable organizer including a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the front surface and the rear surface define a width therebetween; a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween; a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is adapted for placement proximate a work surface; a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises at least one aperture for receiving a cable therethrough, and wherein the top surface comprises at least one of a tab and detent which is controllably bendable, thereby facilitating releasable insertion of a cable into at least one cable channel such that the cable is retained in the at least one cable channel during normal use and removable by a user upon upward displacement of the cable by the user. |
| US08998150B2 |
Retrofit clamp for MUX, umbilicals and IWOCS
A clamp for placement about a riser having an assembly with a housing for releasably engaging at least one strap, the strap having a first and second end wherein the first and second ends are releasably attached to the housing, a plate on the housing for selectively engaging the first and second ends of the strap; and a support operably connected to the housing for releasably holding MUX, IWOC and other umbilical cables used in subsea applications. The housing may have two straps for engagement to a riser that shorten and lengthen by the turning of a screw through a plate engaged to the straps. The clamp may also have a hinged or fixed circular member for attachment around the riser. The cables are held by a hinged attachment to the housing that forms cylindrical vertical openings upon closure of the hinge. |
| US08998147B2 |
Train control system with pulse-code-modulated cab signaling
A train control system with pulse code-modulated cab signaling, especially for defining traveling speeds, includes a code generator acting upon a signal generator in dependence on a direction of travel. An output signal of the signal generator is supplied to a current track circuit covering a track section. In order to economize on components, the signal generator includes a transmitting device for modulating the input signals of both code generators. The transmitting device is connected to circuit connection adaptation devices on one of two entry ends of the track section through travel direction-specific outputs. |
| US08998145B2 |
Parachute package and components thereof
A parachute package including a harness, a reserve parachute container attached to the harness, and a main parachute container releasably secured to the harness, wherein the main and reserve parachute containers are releasably fastened together. |
| US08998144B2 |
Thermal insulation barrier for an aircraft de-icing heater
A structure for use with an electrothermal heating element is disclosed comprising a heating element contained in a mat and heater supports attached to one surface of the mat. The heating element is disposed between the skin and internal structure of an aircraft with the heater supports disposed toward the internal structure thereof. The heater supports maintain an insulating layer of air between the mat and the internal structure of the aircraft. |
| US08998143B2 |
Aerodynamic fairing device, aircraft component arrangement with an aerodynamic fairing device and method for installing such a fairing part
A fairing device for creating an aerodynamic cover for an area of an aircraft structure, including a first fairing part with an outer side forming a first exterior flow contour, and having a fairing section for contacting a first section of the aircraft structure and a connecting section. The first fairing part includes a mounting device for receiving a connecting element. The fairing device includes a second fairing part including a fairing section having an outer side forming a second exterior flow contour and is designed for contacting a second section of the aircraft structure and a connecting section. The shape of the outer side of the second fairing part is adapted to the inner side of the connecting section of the first fairing part in an overlapping area, so the connecting section of the first fairing part forms a joint piece protruding over the second fairing part in the overlapping area. |
| US08998136B2 |
Aircraft waste bin extractor
An aircraft galley waste bin extraction unit is disclosed having a first compartment formed by a plurality of walls that conform with walls of the waste bin, an extraction chamber adjoining the first compartment and sharing a common wall, and a platform within the common wall including a hinged bottom edge that allows the platform to pivot into a horizontal position against a rest on an extraction chamber side wall, the deploying of the platform forming a window through which the waste bin can pass through from the first compartment to the extraction chamber. The unit preferably also includes retractable ramp extendable from the platform to a ground surface to guide the waste bin from the extraction unit to the ground. |
| US08998135B1 |
Translating equipment rack system
An apparatus and method comprising a rack and a translation mechanism. The rack may be configured to hold components. The rack may comprise movable rack segments that are movable independently of each other. The translation mechanism may be configured to move a portion of the movable rack segments relative to another portion of the movable rack segments inside a platform such that internal access to at least a portion of the components is provided inside the platform. |
| US08998128B2 |
Umbrella valves to inflate bladder in balloon envelope
A balloon having a bladder positioned within a balloon envelope, a plate having a port, a housing secured to the plate, an impeller positioned within the housing, the port providing a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the bladder, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, a control system configured, upon receiving a signal to increase the amount of air within the bladder, to cause the passive valve to move from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port to open the passageway between the housing and the bladder and to allow air to be forced into the bladder. |
| US08998122B2 |
Winder for film trim winding
The disclosure relates to a winder for winding film trims for packaging machines. The winder comprises a drive, a winding mandrel and at least two winding rolls. The disclosure is characterized by an adjustment device for adjusting a torque threshold above which slip occurs between the respective winding rolls and the winding mandrel and/or between the individual winding rolls. |
| US08998121B2 |
Reel stand brake system
A braking mechanism for a reel stand has been developed. The braking mechanism is affixed to a reel support member. The reel support member is configured to rotatably support at least a part of a reel. The braking mechanism includes a brake lever connected to the reel support member at a pivot point, and a braking member connected to the brake lever. The pivot point is offset from an axis of rotation of a reel supported by the reel support member. The braking member is configured to be positionable against the reel supported by the reel support member with an adjustable braking force. |
| US08998120B1 |
Curved hammer
The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a curved hammer for comminuting various materials. The illustrative embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The curved hammer includes a connection portion having a rod hole therein, a contact portion for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a curved neck portion affixing the connection portion to the contact portion. In other embodiments, a shoulder is positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, a neck reinforcement is positioned along a portion of the neck for increased strength. A weld or plurality of welds may be affixed to various surfaces of the contact portion to aide in comminuting and/or longevity of the curved hammer. |
| US08998119B2 |
Paper shredder with allowable thickness warning function
A paper shredder with an allowable thickness warning function is provided. The paper shredder includes a casing and an upper cover. An input tray is disposed on the casing for placing plural papers thereon. A pressing member and a thickness detecting device are installed on the upper cover. When the pressing member is contacted with the plural papers on the input tray and pushed by the plural papers, the pressing member is moved. The thickness detecting device is located near the pressing member. Moreover, in response to the movement of the pressing member, the thickness detecting device may be triggered. If an overall thickness of the plural papers exceeds an allowable thickness, the pressing member is pushed by the plural papers. Consequently, the thickness detecting device is triggered by the pressing member to generate a warning signal. |
| US08998118B2 |
Truck mounted debris grinder
A debris grinder interfaces directly with a typical roll-off container and a typical roll-off truck. By interfacing to the roll-off container, there is no need to feed waste by hand—an operation that is often dangerous to those operating the equipment. By interfacing with a typical roll-off truck, the debris grinder becomes mobile for spreading of the ground debris into the soil around the construction site. The debris grinder includes a skid portion for supporting and holding the roll-off container, a grinder portion for grinding debris from the roll-off container and depositing the ground-up debris onto the soil at the job site. |
| US08998117B2 |
Irrigation system with smart hydrants and related method
An irrigation system is composed of a mobile sprinkler cart; a system water supply pipe supporting a plurality of hydrants adapted to be engaged by the mobile sprinkler cart and to supply water to a sprinkler supported on the cart; and an addressable electronic ID tag mounted on each hydrant. A main controller is programmed to control operation of the mobile sprinkler cart, and the ID tag is adapted to send at least hydrant identifying data to the main controller to thereby enable the main controller to move the mobile sprinkler cart to the hydrant. |
| US08998113B2 |
Drip irrigation emitter
A drip irrigation emitter receives liquid flowing in an irrigation pipe at an inlet pressure and emits the liquid out of the emitter at an outlet pressure lower than the inlet pressure. The emitter has a flow path through which the liquid flows in the emitter, wherein below a threshold pressure of liquid in the pipe the emitter is adapted to emit a regulated flow of liquid out of the emitter, and above the threshold pressure of liquid in the pipe the emitter is adapted to emit a non-regulated flow of liquid out of the emitter. |
| US08998111B2 |
Variable flow concentration product dispenser
The dispenser draws a concentrate fluid from a liquid container into an input fluid. There is an elongated channel having an input for the input fluid and dispensing nozzle at an exit end for dispensing the concentrate fluid in a diluted form. A transverse intersecting channel is intermediate the input end and the exit end. An insert is moveable in the transverse intersecting channel, apertures of the moveable insert being alignable with apertures in the transverse intersecting channel and the liquid container. The channels from the liquid container will have a plurality of various sized apertures to provide for the flow of differing amounts of concentrate fluid into the input fluid. By adjusting the moveable insert in the transverse intersecting channel and/or the input fluid flow rate the concentration of concentrate fluid in the input fluid is changed. |
| US08998110B2 |
Safe handling spraying device
Safe handling spraying device, which comprises a reservoir where is assembled an actuating lever or, manually or automatically actuating air pumps, that perform the internal reservoir pressurization. Inside of it, there is a pressure chamber where is stored water and the Chemical Concentrated product that is inside a pliable tightly closed bag. The reservoir (10) is designed for supplying water (Ag), the chemical concentrated product (CCP) is stored separately in a pliable container (12). The pliable container (12) is disposed inside of a pressure chamber or water reservoir (10), so that the same pressure defined inside the reservoir (10) is applied to the pliable container (12) simultaneously. The output end of the pliable container (12) is connected to the inlet of a mixing device (20) which doses the CCP continuously. After the CCP had been mixed with water, it communicates with a hose provided with an actuating trigger (30) and spraying nozzle (27) at the free end. |
| US08998107B2 |
Pop-up sprinkler with integrated pressure regulator and drain check
A sprinkler head includes a first housing carrying a center stem having an inlet at an upstream end and an outlet at a downstream end. A second housing is supported within the first housing and encloses a nozzle and a pressure regulator in axially-aligned relationship, defining a flowpath between the inlet and an orifice of the nozzle. The second housing is normally biased to a retracted position but is moveable to an extended position relative to the first housing and to the center stem. A surface of the pressure regulator cooperates with the outlet of the center stem as the second housing moves relative to the first housing to regulate pressure to the nozzle orifice. |
| US08998106B2 |
Boom mounting assembly for an agricultural application machine
A boom mounting assembly (20; 120; 220) for attachment to an agricultural application machine (10) is provided. The assembly comprises a boom support frame (22) which is suspended from a primary frame (24) mounted to a chassis. The boom support frame comprises a transverse beam (35) for supporting an intermediate section of a fluid application boom (16). The suspension mechanism allows both yaw and pitch of boom support frame relative to the primary frame resulting from fore and aft forces on the boom. Dampers (50, 52) are each connected between the primary frame and the boom support frame at a position spaced from the transverse centre of the assembly. Damping of pitch and asymmetrical yaw movement of the transverse beam away from a neutral position is controlled by the first and second dampers. |
| US08998102B2 |
Round thermostat with flanged rotatable user input member and wall-facing optical sensor that senses rotation
A sleek, low-profile wall-mountable thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described. The thermostat includes a ring-shaped controller that rotates about a central axis, and an optical sensor directed away from the central axis and toward a radially inward-facing surface of the ring-shaped controller so as to accurately detect optical signals indicating controller's rotational movement. |
| US08998099B2 |
Transparent micropatterned RFID antenna and articles incorporating same
Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer. |
| US08998098B2 |
Microcircuit card and a tool and method for making thereof
A microcircuit card (2) and held within a carrier card (3) is generally shown as 1 in FIG. 1. The microcircuit card (2) is bounded on all edges except one edge (10a) which is free. The free edge (10a) is substantially in alignment with an edge (7) of a carrier card (3). The microcircuit card and carrier card are held together by connections (12), which can be broken to release the microcircuit card (20) so it can be used independently of the carrier card. The position of the microcircuit card allows it to be easily and cleanly removed from the carrier card. |
| US08998096B2 |
Magnetic emissive use of preloaded payment card account numbers
A thin-client access card has a card body with partial or fully emissive magnetic data tracks. An emissive element is disposed in the card body under the location of the legacy magnetic data tracks. An electronic signal conditioner converts audio signals from a mobile device into magnetic data applied to the emissive element. A swipe sensor detects when the thin-client access card is being swiped by a legacy card reader, and triggers an output of magnetic data from the emissive element while proximal to the POS reader head. A cable attaches the thin-client access card as a peripheral to the mobile device with an audio output jack. |
| US08998094B2 |
ID documents having a multi-layered laminate structure
An ID document includes a document core and a multi-layer laminate. The multi-layer laminate includes at least three layers: a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer, in combination with other layers, provides durability to the ID document. The top layer can be made of a material with strong intrusion or scratch resistance and a high thermal softening/deformation point and can also have high resistance to solvents. The middle layer may be made of a material with a low melting point, and may also have high resistance to solvents. The bottom layer helps to facilitate strong binding to the document core or inlay and may be made of a material with a relatively high melting point. |
| US08998090B1 |
Standoff for optical imaging system
A standoff for an optical imaging system includes a base, with a target plate coupled to the base and positioned along a central trajectory of the base. The target plate includes a scan window positioned along the central trajectory of the base. The scan window serves to align the optical imaging system with an optical mark on an object. A machine readable code can be positioned on the target plate, the machine readable code including optical imaging system setting information to be read by the optical imaging system. |
| US08998089B2 |
Method of controlling illumination pulses to increase dynamic range in bioptic imager barcode scanner
A method for controlling a workstation includes the following: (1) energizing a first illuminator to illuminate a first subfield of view with a first illumination pulse and subsequently energizing the first illuminator to illuminate the first subfield of view with a second illumination pulse; (2) exposing the array of photosensitive elements in the imaging sensor for a first sensor-exposure time and subsequently exposing the array of photosensitive elements in the imaging sensor for a second sensor-exposure time; and (3) processing an image captured by the imaging sensor to decode a barcode in the image. The first illumination pulse overlaps with the first sensor-exposure time for a first overlapped-pulse-duration, and the second illumination pulse overlaps with the second sensor-exposure time for a second overlapped-pulse-duration. The first overlapped-pulse-duration is different from the second overlapped-pulse-duration. |
| US08998087B2 |
RFID tag and article-monitoring system using same
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a power supply, a RFID microchip, an enable unit, an adhesive unit, and a conducting unit. The adhesive unit is positioned on a bottom surface of the RFID tag. The conducting unit is secured to the bottom surface of the RFID tag through the adhesive unit. An end of the conducting unit is electronically connected to the power supply or the enable unit. Another end of the conducting unit is connected to the RFID microchip. The power supply or the enable unit switches on/off the RFID microchip through the conducting unit. |
| US08998083B2 |
Systems and methods for the tracking of evidence
A system for the tagging, organization and tracking of evidence during the course of an investigation. The system generally utilizes an onsite handheld mobile computer device which is capable of taking input information including a description of evidence and a photo of evidence, reading a machine readable tag placed on the evidence, and printing an evidence bag label for identification the storage into which the evidence is placed. The handheld device can store this information in onboard memory until it is uploaded to a central server computer. |
| US08998073B2 |
Stackable open topped box with indented side edges
A stackable open topped box and a blank from which it is folded are provided in which a fluted sheet material is cut and sulcated to form a box The flutes extend parallel to the side walls of the box and up the height of the end walls. Each side wall has an indent whereof the ends terminate in a diagonal fold inclined upwardly and towards the adjacent end of the box at an angle of 45°. The fluted sheet material originally adjacent the edge of the indent is folded inwards and downwards as a composite flap such that the flutes of the fluted material are generally vertical and the material extends to substantially the bottom of the box. A strip that is approximately beneath the diagonal fold is flush with the inside of the side wall of the box. |
| US08998070B2 |
Bulk container with bag liner secured in place
A bulk container for shipping product in bulk from one location to another location, wherein the container has a sidewall with a top end and a bottom end, a bottom closure at the bottom end of the sidewall closing the bottom end of the container, a bag liner in the container, and attaching structure on the bottom closure for attaching the bottom end of the bag liner to the bottom end of the container so that the bag liner remains in the container when the container is inverted and product is dumped from the container. |
| US08998067B2 |
Tubular friction welding joining method without rotation of the tubulars
Tubulars are joined to each other without rotation of the tubulars. A coupling is placed between the aligned tubulars and is supported for rotation or oscillating about its longitudinal axis. The tubulars are clamped in a manner that allows a compressive force to be transmitted to the coupling as the coupling is rotated. An induction device can preheat each connection site before friction welding and/or provide heat as the connection is made and is allowed to cool down. The process can continuously create a string of casing or liner that can be run in or drilled into a wellbore. |
| US08998066B2 |
Method for holding high speed friction spot joining tools
The invention utilizes vibration control, precision manufacturing tolerances for certain components of the system, and techniques for limiting thermal expansion of components, including passive insulation and active cooling techniques, in order to enable high speed tool rotation for Friction Stir Spot Joining of Advanced High Strength Steels. |
| US08998061B2 |
Surgical fastener applying apparatus
A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion. A cartridge assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples. Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan. An anvil member disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets. Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof. |
| US08998059B2 |
Adjunct therapy device having driver with cavity for hemostatic agent
An instrument is configured to receive a staple cartridge to staple tissue and expel a fluid from within a container in the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has an upper deck including staple apertures and orifices formed therein. The orifices are in fluid communication with the containers. The staple cartridge includes staple drivers having a driver body to translate a staple and a container protrusion to expel the fluid out the orifices. The fluid may be expelled while driving the staples out through the staple apertures. The container may be vertically compressible container or, in one alternative, may be a container having a channel and a sealant that is configured to be pierced as the fluid is expelled. Some configurations for the fluid include a hemostatic agent, thrombin, a gel, or a medicament. The containers may also be formed as reservoirs defined within the upper deck and/or cartridge body. |
| US08998056B2 |
Nail gun structure
A nail gun structure includes a gun body, a clamp set and a pneumatic driving set. The gun body has a trigger for shooting a nail. The clamp set is assembled with the gun body. The clamp set has a driven base and a clamp base. The clamp base pivots relative to the driven base. A stacked board is positioned on the clamp base. The pneumatic driving set is disposed between the gun body and the clamp set. The pneumatic driving set communicates with an air pressure source. The trigger moves along with the pneumatic driving set. Under this arrangement, when a user pulls the trigger, the pneumatic driving set drives the clamp base to pivot, so that the stacked boards are clamped between the clamp base and the driven base; thereafter, the nail is shot and nailed on the stacked board. |
| US08998054B2 |
Holder for tongs
A holder for a set of tongs is provided that includes a back anchoring portion with a tab joined to an intermediary bridge portion which is in turn joined to a forward tubular tong-receiving portion. A bend at the bridge portion positions the back anchoring portion to the back of the forward tong-receiving portion. The tab and bridge portion are adapted to be engaged over the top edge of an apron, apron tie, or similar support at a user's waist. The forward tong-receiving portion is formed into a generally open tubular-shape to receive a set of tongs. Preferably the holder is formed of a unitary continuous, thin blank. The support of the bridge and back anchor portion including a projecting tab allows the tongs to be inserted quickly and removed efficiently from the forward tubular tong-receiving portion. |
| US08998053B2 |
Load bearing devices for human load bearing usages
A load bearing device for human use include first and second load bearing plates that have a first uncompressed position and a second compressed position that conform to the anatomy of the hips of a human. The plates are sufficiently rigid so as to prevent local inversion when the plates are subject to point or line loads and so as to distribute local loads over the plates. The plates can be used with belts, clothes, backpacks and other load carrying devices and can be incorporated into belts, clothes, backpacks and other load carrying devices. |
| US08998049B1 |
Vehicle dash accessory holding device
A vehicle dash accessory holding device holds an accessory such as a global positioning device while providing an appearance that the device is integrated into the original equipment of the vehicle. The device includes a housing having a perimeter wall extending between a front end and a back end. The perimeter wall defines an open front face at the front end of the housing. A top slot extends through the perimeter wall. Each of a plurality of tabs is coupled to and extends from the perimeter wall. Each tab is curved to extend in front of the open front face of the housing wherein the tabs support an extrinsic device in the front end of the housing. A fastener is coupled to a bottom face of the housing for coupling the housing to a dash of a vehicle. |
| US08998047B2 |
Hitch-mounted telescopic rack and method of use
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a hitch-mounted telescopic rack and its operation, the rack could be comprised of a vertical telescopic tube assembly having an inner tube movably received within a hollow outer tube, the hollow outer tube having a hitch attachment end while the inner tube has an attachment end that connects to a top tube assembly that movably supports one or more rollers perpendicularly to the vertical telescopic tube assembly; wherein the hitch attachment end is reversibly received by a trailer hitch of an automotive vehicle to vertically orient the vertical telescopic tube assembly and place the rollers in a horizontal position distal from the trailer hitch, the one or more rollers moving an object relative to a rear edge of a top of the automotive vehicle as well as supporting the rear overhanging portion of the object that is placed on the top. |
| US08998044B1 |
Garment separator assembly and method of use
A garment separator assembly is disclosed that includes at least two separators for maintaining even spacing between a plurality of clothing hangers on a clothing rod. The separators are spaced a distance apart that allows only a single clothing hanger to fit therebetween. Each separator includes a first member defining a first half of the separator and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member and defining an opposing second half of the separator. The second member, together with the first member, define a first inner-surface circumference and a second inner-surface circumference, wherein the second inner-surface circumference is adjacent the first inner-surface circumference. The first inner-surface circumference is larger than the second inner-surface circumference and both are sized and shaped to mate with clothing rods of various sizes and shapes. |
| US08998042B2 |
Liquid dispensng container and method
A liquid dispenser includes a container having an interior adapted to hold a fluid. An air vent is coupled to the container, and a balloon is disposed in the container and in fluid communication with the air vent to provide selective fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the container, the balloon movable from an undeployed state to a deployed state, and the balloon in the deployed state having a position in which the balloon establishes fluid communication between the exterior of the container and the interior of the container. |
| US08998041B2 |
One-piece trigger cap for a spray dispenser
A finger trigger spray cap actuator and a separable overcap for a mounting cup on an aerosol container. The actuator comprises a spray cap actuator having a base, a collar, a finger trigger support, a finger trigger hingedly connected to the trigger support by a living hinge, and a finger grip depending from the finger trigger. The spray cap actuator has an operable position in which a central passage, formed through the base, engages with an integral down tube depending from the finger trigger, and a non-operable position in which the finger trigger is pivoted away from the lower base. The overcap has an interior space and an overcap support wall defines a receiving compartment for engaging with the spray cap actuator. When the spray cap actuator is folded into the operable position, the actuator can be inserted into the receiving compartment of the overcap and releasably retained therein. |
| US08998036B2 |
Dispenser and refill unit
A dispenser including a base unit with an actuation mechanism for dispensing liquid and a refill unit insertable into the base unit in an inverted configuration with its outlet lowermost for the supply of liquid to the base unit. The refill unit includes an annular wall projecting into the refill unit and defining an outlet from the refill unit, the annular wall being closable at its innermost end by a valve element biased onto the annular wall. The base unit includes a hollow spigot and an annular seal surrounding and spaced from the top of the spigot whereby insertion of the refill unit into the base unit causes the spigot to enter the annular wall and to lift the valve element from the annular wall to define a flow path from the refill unit, and the annular seal to seal between the spigot and the annular wall. |
| US08998027B2 |
Retort container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end
A retort container includes a metal end applied and sealed to an all-thermoplastic container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress. |
| US08998026B2 |
Bottle formed of synthetic resin material into cylindrical shape with bottom
A synthetic resin bottle has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a bottom wall portion that includes a grounding portion located at an outer circumferential edge, a rising circumferential wall portion that is connected from an inner side to the grounding portion and extends upward, an annular movable wall portion protruding from an upper end of the rising circumferential wall portion toward the bottle radial inner side, and a recessed circumferential wall portion between the bottle radial inner side and the movable wall portion. The movable wall portion is free to rotate around a portion connected to the rising circumferential wall portion so as to move the recessed circumferential wall portion in an upward direction. The rising circumferential wall portion extends to be gradually inclined toward the bottle inner side, and an inclined angle thereof is equal to or less than 10° with respect to a bottle axis. |
| US08998024B2 |
Device for storing low-molecular gases
A device that stores a low molecular gas, such as hydrogen (H2), under high pressure includes having an inner shell and at least one outer sleeve surrounding the inner shell. The region between the inner shell and the outer sleeve is connected via at least one valve with a backflow prevention capability to the region surrounded by the inner shell. The valve is thereby formed so that low molecular gas which has diffused through the inner shell can flow back into the inner shell when there are suitable pressure conditions. |
| US08998023B2 |
Spherical object formed of several joint parts and method for producing spherical object formed of several joint parts
A spherical object formed of several joint parts and a method for producing a spherical object formed of several joint parts, where the spherical object includes at least twenty pieces of hexagonal panel type elements and at least twelve pieces of pentagonal panel type elements. The radius of curvature of each panel type element is shaped in such a way that, when assembled, the elements make up a hollow spherical object with a radius of not less than 1.5 meters. Each panel type element is additionally provided with an attachment and handling cap. |
| US08998021B2 |
Dual lumen storage and waste container
A portable container having two interior lumens, a top cover, and a bottom cover, One of the lumens includes a lower disposal opening for easy disposal of waste items. |
| US08998020B2 |
Double container, inner container, and outer container
An inner container is to be installed inside an outer container, the inner container including a jointed portion configured to joint a jointing portion formed in the outer container to prevent the inner container from being separated from the outer container when the inner container is installed in the outer container; and a second engaging portion engaged with a first engaging portion formed in the outer container and configured to prevent the inner container from rotating relative to the outer container. |
| US08998019B2 |
Baggage system and related methods
A system for storing bags adjacent to or within a container with which the bags will be used includes a bag bundle holding assembly, attached to or held adjacent the container and a bag bundle. The bag bundle includes a plurality of bags held in a bundle. The bag bundle is removably coupleable to the holding assembly adjacent to or within the container. |
| US08998018B2 |
Paint cup assembly with an extended ring
A paint cup assembly for a paint sprayer is disclosed and can include a cap, a paint liner defining a closed proximal end and an open distal end, and a ring configured to fit around the paint liner. The ring can engage the cap and secure the paint liner to the cap. Further, the ring can include an axial extension that can extend toward the proximal end of the paint liner such that the ring can be configured to allow a user to grasp the paint cup assembly without collapsing the paint liner during attachment with a paint sprayer. |
| US08998017B2 |
Container, lid body and method of seaming a container
The present invention provides a container, a lid body and a method of seaming a container, in which the influence of a load at the time of seaming can be made as small as possible, in the container having a seaming flange portion and a seaming curl portion notched. In a container of a structure in which a seaming flange portion formed at an open end portion of a container body, and a seaming curl portion formed on a periphery of a bottom lid are seamed to be joined to each other, and in which a notch is formed in at least one of the seaming curl portion and the seaming flange portion, a short and small curl portion in which a width of protrusion of the seaming curl portion is partially short is formed in at least one of circumferentially opposite sides of the notched portion. |
| US08998016B2 |
Forcing-off device and container including such a device
A forcing-off device of an, in particular, explosion-proof or flameproof container for electronic devices, the container including at least one base body having an opening surrounded by an opening edge and a cover part that can be placed onto or inserted into the opening edge. A forcing-off shoulder is formed on the base body or cover part at least in a section in circumferential direction of the container. The forcing-off shoulder is part of a shoulder running around the opening edge, and at least one forcing-off part is rotatably mounted in a lateral recess of the cover part or on the base body in an eccentric fashion between a forcing-off position and a passive position. The forcing-off part is an eccentric disc and in the forcing-off position is in abutment with the forcing-off shoulder for the gap-forming spacing of cover part and base body. |
| US08998015B2 |
Can end
The invention is an easily openable (1) can end which provides an improved way of providing finger access under the tab for a consumer. A can end is disclosed having an end pane (2)1, the end panel including a moveable portion (7) on which the tab is mounted. Finger access is provided by the moveable portion being moveable from a predetermined first state to a predetermined second state to thereby displace the handle of the tab away from the end panel and define a gap between the handle of the tab and the end panel suitable for finger access by a user. |
| US08998012B2 |
Container cap locking mechanism
A container cap locking mechanism includes a barb and adjacent stop both projecting downward from a cap edge to mesh with a V-shaped block projecting outward from a container sidewall. |
| US08998006B2 |
Fashion accessories hanging system
The fashion accessories hanging system has a group of hanger types including of open circle, open triangle, modified circle and flattened circle. The fashion accessory hangers are adapted to hold various fashion accessories. The user can select one or more any of the fashion accessory hangers or one or more of each of the fashion accessory hanger types. Another embodiment of the system includes a rod to place and remove the fashion accessory hangers. Another embodiment includes a c-shaped ring to prevent lateral movement of the hangers. |
| US08998002B1 |
Vertically arranged hair extension rack
A rack for holding hair extensions. A vertical member has a plurality of openings arranged along a length of the vertical member. Combs hold the hair extensions. The combs attach in a series of vertically arranged openings along a length of the vertical member. The openings in the vertical member are arranged in a spiral or other pattern as desired for an organization of hair extensions according to where they go on a head and adapt to right or left handed users or different styles and kinds of extensions on one or more heads. |
| US08998001B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing materials from a material collection container
A system for removing sludge from a collection area having at least one collection conduit for receiving and collecting sludge. The at least one collection conduit has at least one opening for receiving sludge. The system further includes a sludge collection control member operably associated with at least a portion of the at least one collection conduit for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit. The sludge collection control member for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit is preferably configured such that it can be readily added to an existing sludge removal system. |
| US08998000B2 |
Density phase separation device
A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body. |
| US08997999B1 |
Rotating pressure washing stand for spa or pool filter
A rotating pressure washing stand for spa or pool filter that includes an open-topped cylindrical housing having a vertical rod centrally disposed therein, a buoyant base disc insertable around said rod, said buoyant base disc configured to releasably support an extant pool or spa filter thereon, wherein water pressurized through a pressure washer is forcibly ejected from a plurality of nozzles disposed in a spiral around the housing into the interior of the housing, said plurality of nozzles including a lowermost nozzle oriented to directionally jet water and rotationally engage a plurality of fin members disposed on a bottom surface of the base disc, whereby a filter is rotated and cleaned inside the housing without a user having to scrub the filter or bend over so to do. |
| US08997997B2 |
Apparatus and method for product display alignment
A device, system, and method system for manually aligning merchandise items in a display box. The merchandise is supported above the base of the container with product support rails. A pull member is positioned between the support rails. Merchandise is pulled forward by pulling the pull member forward. The pull member may be positioned before or after merchandise is placed in the box or carton. Multiple rows of merchandise may be provided. |
| US08997996B2 |
Drawer type cushioning packaging device for liquid crystal glass
The present disclosure provides a drawer type cushioning packaging device for liquid crystal glasses, including several cushioning packing boxes and a rack. The rack includes a bottom plate and a pair of symmetrically configured supporting brackets, each of the supporting brackets includes at least one standing post and several supporting plates; a lower portion of each standing post is connected to the bottom plate; each of the supporting plates is connected to one side of the corresponding standing post and is located above the bottom plate; and each of the cushioning packing boxes is placed on the corresponding supporting plate. |
| US08997990B2 |
Package of premoistened multilayered cleaning wipes
A package including a container and a plurality of premoistened cleaning wipes. |
| US08997987B1 |
Wrap-around container carrier
A carrier is constructed from paperboard and includes a rounded or non-rectangular top in combination with a non-rounded or rectangular bottom. Dust flaps which extend from the top and bottom of the carrier overlap one another to form a pair of opposing composite side panels. The dust flaps which are attached to the side panels include a crease or fold line adjacent to the bottom of the carrier which only extends partially along the height of the carrier so that the juncture between the side flap and the associated side panel adjacent the top of the carrier does not include a crease or fold line. As such, the side panel and adjacent side flap adjacent the top of the carrier can be tightly wrapped around the arcuate sidewall of the containers within the carrier to thereby provide a neat and tightly packed package configuration. |
| US08997985B2 |
Surgical instrument holder
Disclosed are various embodiments for holding and organizing surgical instruments in a surgical environment. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument holder comprises an elongated body portion including a plurality of slots. Each of the slots may be configured so as to retain a surgical instrument in a fixed position. The elongated body portion may have a base surface configured to contact a table surface. |
| US08997983B2 |
Combination protective case and stand for a tablet device and keyboard
A combination protective case and stand for a tablet device and keyboard. The case includes a first panel configured to receive a tablet device on a first face of the first panel, a second panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to receive a keyboard on a first face of the second panel, and a cover portion pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to enclose the first panel and the second panel such that a first face of the cover portion is disposed in facing relation to the first panel and in facing relation to the second panel. |
| US08997978B2 |
Medical device package
The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device having an area configured for storing at least one agent and a port for permitting the passage of a contact material between the outside the container and the area configured for storing the agent. |
| US08997977B2 |
Ammunition storage container
An apparatus for storing ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member has an interior portion. The second member is configured so that at least a portion of the second member may enter the interior portion of the first member. The first member includes a first element of a securing device and the second member includes a second element of the securing device. The securing device releasably secures the first and second members together. |
| US08997972B2 |
Systems and methods for transferring items over transition gap between conveyor sections of automated checkout system
An automated checkout system for reading optical data, such as barcode labels, on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a housing supporting a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap. The housing movably supports a transition element positioned across the gap for helping items transition between the conveyor sections. The transition element is movable between a first position and a second position. A sensor is in communication with the transition element and is configured to sense the position of the transition element, where movement of the transition element from the first position to the second position activates the sensor. When activated, the sensor may send a signal to a terminal to display a warning message to a user. Alternatively, the sensor may send a signal to an automatic shut-off mechanism to stop operation of the conveyors. |
| US08997968B2 |
Automatic adjustment of parameters for safety device
A device and method for automatically adjusting safety control parameters of a conveyor are disclosed. The safety device may include various sensors and a safety control module. The safety control module may be preprogrammed with a learn-run method configured to learn operational and mechanical characteristics of a conveyor, validate the operational characteristics of the conveyor based on predefined nominal specifications, and determine a safety function with calibrated safety control parameters by which to monitor conveyor operation. |
| US08997967B2 |
Banknote handling machine
In one embodiment, a banknote handling machine includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each banknote taken in a take-in unit, a plurality of stacking units, respectively configured to stack therein the banknotes, a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes, respectively recognized by the recognition unit, to any of the plurality of stacking units, an instruction accepting unit configured to accept an instruction concerning an automatic decision mode provided for deciding the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, by utilizing a recognition result obtained by the recognition unit, for each of the plurality of stacking units, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit to transport each banknote to a destination, which destination is decided based on the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting unit and on the recognition result obtained by the recognition unit. |
| US08997965B2 |
Friction clutch device
A friction clutch device, in particular for a drive train of a motor vehicle which is driven by internal, combustion engine, having a rotational axis, a housing, at least one pressure plate which can be displaced in the direction of the rotational axis relative to the housing for an actuation, and a spring device for loading the at least one pressure plate, in which friction clutch device the spring device has a first element for generating a pressure force which acts on the at least one pressure plate, and a second element which is separate structurally from the first element for transmitting an actuating force, in order to improve the friction clutch structurally and/or functionally. |
| US08997963B2 |
Cam hard stop for end of life
A dry friction clutch is provided having an innovative baffle design wherein the baffle has a tab that sets the limit for maximum adjustment of an adjustment mechanism of the dry clutch. |
| US08997962B2 |
Clutch apparatus for a power unit and power unit incorporating the same
A clutch apparatus includes a clutch outer member for supporting friction discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch outer member, and are axially slidable along a clutch axis; a clutch inner member for supporting clutch discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch inner member, and are axially slidable along the clutch axis, and a pressure plate having a deep recess for accommodating a clutch spring engaged with the clutch inner member. The deep recess includes a bottom portion having a spring seat for receiving the clutch spring, and a partially cylindrical shape wall portion having an axis parallel to the clutch axis. The wall portion is oriented towards the clutch axis. The deep recess has a communicating portion formed therein for establishing the communication between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall portion so as to discharge oil towards the friction and clutch discs during operation. |
| US08997959B2 |
Clutch arrangement and two-speed gearbox
Clutch arrangement for a motor vehicle gearbox. The clutch arrangement has a housing and a clutch. The clutch is arranged in the housing and is arranged concentrically with a shaft, which extends in a longitudinal axis. The shaft is supported on the housing by means of a first shaft bearing adjacent to the clutch and by means of a second shaft bearing spaced at an axial distance from the clutch. The clutch arrangement has an actuator arrangement for actuating the clutch. The actuator arrangement is designed to exert an actuating force on the clutch in a first longitudinal direction. The actuator arrangement here being axially braced on the housing and a force flux being introduced into the shaft as a result of the actuating force. The first shaft bearing is arranged so that the force flux introduced into the shaft can be axially braced on the housing by way of the first shaft bearing. |
| US08997955B2 |
Transferring electric energy to a vehicle by induction
A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing a magnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, wherein the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least one current line, wherein each current line is adapted to carry the electric current which produces the magnetic field or is adapted to carry one of parallel electric currents which produce the magnetic field and wherein: the at least one current line extends at a first height level, the system comprises an electrically conductive shield for shielding the magnetic field, wherein the shield extends under the track and extends below the first height level, and a magnetic core extends along the track at a second height level and extends above the shield. |
| US08997952B2 |
Motor vehicle shock absorber
A motor-vehicle shock absorber has a tube at least partially filled with damping liquid and extending, a piston rod axially shiftable inside the damper tube, and a piston connected to the piston rod and subdividing the damper tube into a piston rod-side working chamber and an opposite working chamber. An on-off control valve is axially movable inside the piston between a closed and an open position. A first soft-characteristic damping valve inside the piston through which the damping liquid may flow in both flow directions is connectable to a flow path of the damping liquid from one into the other working chamber through the control valve. A second hard-characteristic damping valve through which the damping liquid may flow in both flow directions is also provided in the piston. |
| US08997942B2 |
Well carcass for an elevator installation
The invention relates to a well carcass (102) for an elevator installation (103), which well carcass may be arranged so as to be free-standing and/or in an elevator well (100) and serves for receiving a load suspension means (200) which is moved upward and downward in the well carcass (102) with the aid of carrying means, in particular a traction device (208), via at least one drive shaft (204) connected to a drive motor (126) and mounted horizontally on the well carcass (102) or in the elevator well (100).The object on which the invention is based is to produce the well carcass and the associated elevator installation in a simple and cost-effective way, along with optimal space utilization for the load suspension means.The object is achieved, according to the invention, in that at least one drive shaft (204) extends approximately horizontally between two diagonally opposite corner regions (105) of the well carcass (102) and is connected indirectly or directly to opposite parts, in particular to longitudinal sides (109, 111, 113, 115), of the well carcass (102) or wall parts of the elevator well (100) and has in the region of each of its two ends a driving pulley (206) which moves the load suspension means (200) upward and downward in each case with the aid of a carrying means (208). |
| US08997934B2 |
Lubrication system for a gear system providing emergency lubrication
A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir. This causes a decrease in the lubricant level in the reservoir and an increase in the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘wet sump mode’. |
| US08997933B2 |
Load-bearing platform
Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can comprise a plurality interconnected polygonal shapes defining a top standing surface. The platform can be a grating that has load bearing properties and that can be cast from a mold. The platform includes a perimeter wall, a surface portion, and one or more reinforcement walls. A height or thickness of the surface portion is less than a height or thickness of the perimeter wall and/or the reinforcement walls. |
| US08997932B1 |
Climbing safety assembly
A climbing safety assembly for securing a ladder to a stanchion includes a plate that may abut a stanchion so the plate extends laterally away from the stanchion. The plate selectively engages a ladder. The ladder is retained proximate the stanchion so the ladder may be safely climbed by a user. A hook is operationally coupled to the plate. The hook may selectively engage the stanchion so the hook retains the plate on the stanchion. A belt is operationally coupled to the plate. The belt may be extendable around the stanchion so the plate is retained on the stanchion. |
| US08997929B1 |
Tree stand ladder locking device
A ladder locking designed intended to prevent access to a tree stand and an attached ladder includes a two-piece interlocking frame, top and bottom hooks to engage rungs of the ladder, and a locking bar. The frames include a mesh covers having a width greater than the tree stand ladder. The frame is secured to the ladder by the top and bottom hooks, which provide opposing hangers hooked over and clamping ladder rungs. A bottom of the frame includes a locking bar which insertingly engages between the two frame sections and secured with a padlock. The frame is placed over a ladder and locked to prevent unwanted persons from ascending the ladder. |
| US08997920B2 |
Method and damping element for reducing the natural vibration of a component
The invention relates to a method for the reduction of the natural vibration (resonance) of a component (2). According to the invention a vibration behavior of component (2) is determined, wherein to each of the positions having vibration amplitudes, which exceed a preset threshold value, an attenuation element (1) is locally mounted, which is formed as a multilayered adhesive element including a support layer (1.1) and a self-adhesive damping mass. Moreover the invention relates to an attenuation element (1) for the reduction of the natural vibrations of a component (2). According to the invention the attenuation element (1) is formed as a multilayered adhesive element of a support layer (1.1) and a self-adhesive damping mass (1.2), wherein the support layer (1.1) is formed of a bend-resistant material and the damping mass (1.2) preferably is formed of butyl rubber. |
| US08997919B2 |
Motor-driven steering controller and automobile anti-skid controller
A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit. |
| US08997915B2 |
Wheel loader
A wheel loader includes a vehicle frame, an engine, an operating fluid tank, a stand, a rear support frame, and a base member. The engine is mounted on the vehicle frame. The operating fluid tank is disposed in front of the engine. The stand is fixed to the vehicle frame and supports the operating fluid tank. The rear support frame is disposed facing the stand with the engine interposed there-between and fixed to the vehicle frame. The base member is disposed above the engine and has one end fixed to an upper part of the stand and the other end fixed to an upper part of the rear support frame. A diesel particular filter, a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, and a connecting pipe are all mounted on the base member with the connecting pipe connecting the diesel particulate filtering device and the nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter. |
| US08997911B2 |
Vehicle
A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a steering section and a main body section connected together; a steerable wheel which is rotatably mounted to the steering section and which steers the vehicle body; a non-steerable wheel which is rotatably mounted to the main body section; a steering apparatus for inputting a steering instruction information; an inclination actuator apparatus for inclining the steering section or the main body section in a turning direction; a steering actuator apparatus for varying a steering angle of the steerable wheel based on the steering instruction information inputted from the steering apparatus; and a control apparatus which controls the inclination actuator apparatus and the steering actuator apparatus. The control apparatus controls a center of gravity to move in a steering direction included in the steering instruction information at an initial steering stage so that an acceleration toward turning-locus inner side is generated. |
| US08997909B2 |
Air cushion transport
A movable support platform is disclosed that includes a platform, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the platform that provides an enclosed space below the platform that retains pressurized gas, and a thrust propulsion device coupled to the platform for pressurizing gas in the enclosed space. The thrust propulsion device includes an array of gas-propelling devices “distributed thrusters” that propel gas into the enclosed space below the platform. The distributed thrusters may be comprised of Nano Molecular Solid-state Electrodynamic Thrusters (“NMSET”). |
| US08997905B2 |
Electric utility vehicle
A utility vehicle can comprise a wheeled platform, a motor coupled to the platform and configured to propel the platform, at least one cleaning element coupled to the platform, wherein the at least one cleaning element is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, and one or more controls configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the collapsed position and the expanded position. The at least one cleaning element can also be movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the wheeled platform, and the one or more controls can further be configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the raised position and the lowered position. |
| US08997904B2 |
System and method for powering a hydraulic pump
A hydraulic pump powering system includes a mobile vehicle, a first electric current generator device, and one or more electric pump motors. The mobile vehicle has first and second prime movers. The first electric current generator device is disposed onboard the mobile vehicle and is configured to be mechanically coupled with the first prime mover to convert movement created by the first prime mover into first electric current. The one or more electric pump motors are configured to receive the first electric current to power a hydraulic pump. The second prime mover is configured to generate movement that is converted into a propulsive force that propels the mobile vehicle. The one or more electric pump motors are configured to receive the first electric current in order to power the hydraulic pump to pump a fluid into a pumping location located off-board the mobile vehicle. |
| US08997901B2 |
Vehicular body panel energy generator system
A vehicular body panel energy generator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle body and a plurality of body panels forming the vehicle body. At least one of the body panels comprises a vehicular solar panel. A method of generating and utilizing electrical power in a vehicle is also disclosed. |
| US08997900B2 |
In-situ boron doped PDC element
A polycrystalline diamond compact formed in an in-situ boron-doped process. The in-situ boron-doped process includes consolidating a mixture of diamond crystals and boron-containing alloy via liquid diffusion of boron into diamond crystals at a pressure greater than 5 Gpa and at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the boron-containing alloy, typically less than about 1450° C. |
| US08997898B2 |
Drilling equipment and attachment means for the same
This invention relates to a ground drilling or cutting tool comprising a cutting element removably attached thereto by attachment means, the tool further including retention means adapted to maintain attachment of the cutting element to the tool in the event that the attachment means fails. The retention means comprises a first surface on a side of the cutting element, a mounting recess in the cutting tool in which at least a portion of said cutting element locates, a second surface in a side of the mounting recess against which said first surface locates, channels in each of said first and second surfaces that align so as to cooperatively define a dowel hole when said first and second surfaces locate together, at least one dowel that locates in the dowel hole, and means for retaining the or each dowel within the dowel hole. |
| US08997896B2 |
Oil-based drilling fluid recovery and reuse
Methods and related systems are configured to treat a drilling fluid to cause water droplets to coalesce. One or more phases are thereafter separated from the treated drilling fluid. The oil and/or solids separated from the treated drilling fluid may be added to a base fluid. |
| US08997895B2 |
System and method for coupling an impregnated drill bit to a whipstock
A system and method to facilitate the drilling of one or more lateral wellbores while eliminating one or more trips downhole. The system utilizes a drilling assembly comprising an impregnated drill bit or other suitable drill bit. The impregnated drill bit is coupled to a whipstock by a connector for deployment downhole in a single trip. The connector comprises a separation device which facilitates disconnection of the impregnated drill bit from the whipstock once the whipstock is anchored at a desired downhole location. |
| US08997892B2 |
Drill rig and associated drill rig traverse system
A drill rig 10 has a drill tower 12, rotation head 14 and drill table 16. The rotation head 14 is supported on and linearly traversable along drill tower 12. A drill rig traverse system 20 provides pull back and pull down force to the rotation head 14 enabling the rotation head 14 to traverse along drill tower 12 and controlling contact force between a drill bit and toe of a hole being drilled. The system 20 is formed as a combination of a hydraulic ram traverse system 22 providing both pull back and pull down force; and a winch pull back system 24 providing pull back only. Both hydraulic ram traverse system 22 and winch pull back system 24 can traverse the rotation head for the full length of the tower 12 when simultaneously applying pull back to the rotation head 14. |
| US08997886B2 |
Cultivator with two rows of discs in direction of travel
An agricultural machine (101; 201; 301) comprising two mainly parallel, in the direction of travel, cross-running disc implement rows (102a, 102c; 202a, 202b; 304a, 304b), wherein the orientation of the disc implements (102b, 102d; 203a, 203b; 302a, 302b) contained in the mentioned disc implement rows is arranged so that the fore row (102a; 202a; 304a) has disc implements that are mounted on a frame beam (110; 211; 303) and that are angled outwards and backwards towards the sides of the machine and in a dividing line mainly parallel to the direction of travel of the machine form a first point of change (208a, 304c), and the rear row (102c, 202b; 304b) has disc implements (102d; 203b; 302b) that are mounted on a frame beam (110; 211; 303) and that are angled inwards and backwards from the sides of the machine and in the dividing line form a second point of change (208b, 304a), wherein the fore row is adapted to throw soil from the first point of change outwards towards the sides of the machine and the other row is adapted to throw soil from the sides of the machine inwards towards the second point of change. The dividing line with the first point of change (208a, 304c), and with the second point of change (208b, 304) is arranged at a predetermined distance from the centre line of the machine (101; 201; 301) across the direction of travel. |
| US08997884B1 |
Wild fire and structure fire containment and barrier system
Several embodiments of a wildfire and structure fire containment system by means of a fire-resistant Mesh Sheet (13). Said Mesh Sheet (13) is held aloft by a fire resistant Balloon (11) or Balloons (21) which are filled with a lighter-than-air material comprising gas, plasma, liquid, solid, or a combination. Propellants (10) are attached to said Balloon (11) or Balloons (21). A fire resistant Base or Anchor (16) is along the bottom edge of said Mesh Sheet (13). One or more additional said Mesh Sheets (13) can be attached horizontally using a Lip (32) and Channel (31) system. Additional said Mesh Sheets (13) can be added to vertically extend the embodiment to higher elevations. A Flap (14) exists covering an opening on the bottom section of the Mesh Sheet (13). Various electronic cameras, heat sensors, wind sensors, and other electronic and digital devices can be attached. |
| US08997882B2 |
Stage tool
The present invention generally relates to a stage tool. In one aspect, a downhole tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The tool includes a body having a bore. The tool further includes a seal assembly attached to the body. The seal assembly having an expandable annular member, a seal member and an expander sleeve, wherein the seal member includes one or more anti-extrusion spring bands embedded within the seal member. The tool further includes a slip assembly attached to the body. The slip assembly includes slips that are configured to engage the wellbore. |
| US08997880B2 |
Lined downhole oilfield tubulars
A method for providing a string of tubing for installation in a well, which method comprises installing a string of tubing within a wellbore. The string of tubing comprises a plurality of elongated tubular members and at least one cylindrical liner comprising a polymer. At least one of the plurality of elongated tubular members includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindrical liner has an outer surface that is disposed in adjacent contact with the inner surface of the elongated tubular member. The cylindrical liner has an inner surface that defines the tubing borehole through which fluids are capable of flowing. The cylindrical liner has a scrolled configuration. |
| US08997878B2 |
SALT ring handling system and method
A SALT ring handling system having a platform, a track system operatively connected to a lower side of the platform, and a pickle fork operatively connected to the track system. The platform may include an upper deck, a lower deck, a spacer for positioning the deck near a riser, and an engaging mechanism for operatively connecting the platform to a carrier system. The track system may include a vertical track assembly and a horizontal track assembly for transferring the vertical track assembly in a substantially horizontal direction. The vertical track assembly may include a lift mechanism that is operatively connected to the pickle fork, and the lift mechanism may transfer the pickle fork in a substantially vertical direction. The pickle fork may include one or more extensions for engaging a portion of a SALT ring. |
| US08997871B2 |
Actuator for dual drill string valve and rotary drill string valve configuration therefor
A dual drill string valve includes an actuator including a piston disposed in a housing. The housing is configured to couple at its ends to an end of a nested dual drill string segment. An upper internal conduit is mounted in the housing proximate one longitudinal end thereof. A lower internal conduit is mounted in the housing proximate the other longitudinal end thereof. The piston is slidably, sealingly engaged between the upper and lower inner conduits and defines a fluid flow passage therethrough. The upper inner conduit, the piston and the lower inner conduit define another flow passage between respective exterior surfaces thereof and an interior of the housing such that application of fluid pressure to the external flow passage causes movement of the piston away from the upper inner conduit. A rotary valve is coupled to the actuator whereby longitudinal movement thereof rotates the rotary valve. |
| US08997868B2 |
Methods of using nanoparticle suspension aids in subterranean operations
Methods of drilling wellbores, placing proppant packs in subterranean formations, and placing gravel packs in wellbores may involve fluids, optionally foamed fluids, comprising nanoparticle suspension aids. Methods may be advantageously employed in deviated wellbores. Some methods may involve introducing a treatment fluid into an injection wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a foaming agent, a gas, and a nanoparticle suspension aid; and producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation via a production wellbore proximal to the injection wellbore. |
| US08997866B2 |
Cement compositions comprising lignite-based grafted copolymers and methods of use
A method of cementing in a subterranean formation may comprise: introducing a cement composition comprising cement, water, and a lignite-based copolymer into a subterranean formation, wherein the lignite-based copolymer comprises a lignite backbone, a first grafted monomer selected from the group consisting of -acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and a second grafted monomer comprising N,N-dimethylacrylamide; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation, wherein cement composition has a transition time of less than or equal to about 150 minutes. |
| US08997863B2 |
Method for using electrocoagulation in hydraulic fracturing
A method of improving natural gas release from a well via an enhanced hydraulic fracturing operation. The method includes capturing or retrieving the flow back from the well following the fracturing operation. The flow back or other source water is introduced to an electrocoagulation (“EC”) treatment process. EC treatment separates the water from other fracturing fluid components in the flow back and also removes bacteria and other contaminants. Thereafter, the EC-treated fluid is recycled for subsequent fracturing operations. The process may also be used to treat all source water, including fresh water delivered to the well before it is used as a fracturing fluid. |
| US08997861B2 |
Methods and devices for filling tanks with no backflow from the borehole exit
A method for sampling fluid from a subsurface formation includes retrieving fluids from the formation using a plurality of pumps. The method also includes the steps of controlling a flow of the retrieved fluids using at least a first valve and a second valve and estimating an operating parameter of at least one pump of the plurality of pumps. The method further includes the step of controlling the first valve and the second valve using the estimated operating parameter to initiate a fluid sampling event. |
| US08997858B2 |
Liner hanger/packer apparatus with pressure balance feature on anchor slips to facilitate removal
A liner hanger/packer apparatus operates by sequential expansion of a slip ring and then a sealing element. The hanger slips are set by pressure on a seated ball actuating anchor slips to grip followed by a stroker assembly and a swage making a first movement. The ball seat is defeated and the liner is cemented. A pickup force extends landing dogs so that a subsequent set down force releases a flapper to close and closes off fluid ports associated with the anchor slips so that pressure on the closed flapper sets the anchor and strokes the swage a second stroke to set the sealing element. A rupture disc breaks in the flapper after further relative movement of mandrel components to open the fluid displacement ports so that the anchor is in pressure balance to backpressure developed from fluid moving through the now broken disc as the running tool is removed. |
| US08997856B2 |
System and method for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall
The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface. |
| US08997852B1 |
Electrical submergible pumping system using a power crossover assembly for a power supply connected to a motor
An electric submergible pumping system that includes a pump having a pump discharge; a motor; a power crossover assembly including a top flange having a generally circular opening in the center, an upper tubular portion connected to the top flange portion, a lower tubular portion including two generally rectangular-like shaped windows for intake suction for crude oil, a lower flange having a circular shape connected to the lower tubular portion. The top flange, the upper tubular portion, the lower tubular portion, and the lower flange are one unit, each having three adjacent holes passing there through in alignment. A first support leg includes a vertical extension from the lower flange to the upper tubular portion. Three electrical conductors, each disposed adjacent to each other, pass through the three adjacent holes for electrical connection to the motor. |
| US08997846B2 |
Heat dissipation system with boundary layer disruption
A heat dissipation system that includes a structure having a surface with a cavity recessed on the surface. A wing or channel causes a vortex to occur in the cavity. Destabilizers, such as projections or recesses are disposed on the sidewall of the cavity to disrupt the local surface boundary layer that forms in the cavity. Alternatively, a plurality of freely moving bead elements are disposed in the cavity to disrupt the local surface boundary layer. A cover can be included that prevents the bead elements from exiting the cavity. |
| US08997845B2 |
Heat exchanger with long and short fins
A heat exchanger includes two headers and tubes secured to and extending between the headers, each tube including a wall formed with a leading surface, a trailing surface and lateral surfaces extending between the headers and interconnecting the leading and trailing surfaces, a passage enclosed by the wall for carrying fluid between the headers, and long and short fins formed integrally with and extending outward from the wall. |
| US08997844B2 |
Reinforced collector for the collecting box of a heat exchanger and collecting box comprising one such collector
The invention relates to a manifold, of the type comprising a substantially flat plate (20) with holes (22) to accept tubes of a heat exchanger, and turned-up lateral edges (24) extending at an angle to said plate (20) and connected thereto by at least one curved portion in which ribs (52) are formed, the ribs each having a convexity extending substantially in the direction of extension of the lateral edges (24). The plate (20) comprises at least one additional rib (50) between at least some of said holes (22), which ribs each have a convexity extending substantially in the opposite direction to the direction in which the lateral edges (24) extend. |
| US08997840B2 |
Heat-dissipating unit having a hydrophilic compound film and method for depositing a hydrophilic compound film
A heat-dissipating unit having a hydrophilic compound film and a method for depositing a hydrophilic compound film are disclosed. The heat-dissipating unit includes a metallic body having a chamber and a working fluid. The chamber has a liquid-guiding structure constituted of an evaporating portion, a condensing portion and a connecting portion. At least one hydrophilic compound film is coated on surfaces of the chamber and the liquid-guiding structure. By this arrangement, the flowing of the working fluid in the heat-dissipating unit is enhanced to improve the heat-conducting efficiency of the heat-dissipating unit. |
| US08997839B2 |
Thin heat pipe structure and method of manufacturing same
A thin heat pipe structure includes a pipe body, a thin-sheet member, and a plurality of bosses. The pipe body internally defines a receiving space, in which a working fluid is provided. The thin-sheet member includes a plurality of open spaces, and the bosses are provided in the open spaces, so that the bosses and the thin-sheet member are disposed in the receiving space of the pipe body at the same time. A method of manufacturing thin pipe structure is also disclosed for manufacturing thin heat pipe structure with reduced time and labor, and protecting a wick structure formed in the thin heat pipe structure against damage. Therefore the thin heat pipe structure can be manufactured with increased good yield and at reduced manufacturing cost. |
| US08997832B1 |
Method of fabricating micrometer scale components
A method for manufacturing micrometer scale components comprises depositing a first metal on a substrate, depositing a second metal in a mold, and alloying the first and second metals together to form the component. |
| US08997830B1 |
Drape assembly
A drape assembly facilitates replacement of curtains without tools and without disassembling or taking down a curtain rod. The assembly includes a suction cup that may be coupled to a support surface. A tubular rod is removably coupled to the suction cup so the tubular rod is spaced from the support surface. A coupler is slidably coupled to the tubular rod so the coupler is movable between a first end and a second end of the tubular rod. A drape is selectively coupled to the coupler so the drape extends downwardly from the tubular rod. |
| US08997827B2 |
Covering for architectural openings with brakes in series
A cord drive mechanism to convert linear motion to circular motion for use in coverings for architectural openings. Various controls are used to provide a braking force on the cord. Some of the embodiments incorporate a capstan. |
| US08997824B2 |
Solar shutter
A window covering specially designed and attached to indoor residential shutters is disclosed. The window cover is removably attached by various means in various embodiments and provides a user with more control over light transmission, solar transmission and view through properties, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, holes are drilled into as shutter at respective corner. Subsequently, circular magnets are provided to each of the holes to mate with ferromagnetic material configured to the window covering. A variety of fabrics and color options are additionally provided to the window covering. |
| US08997823B2 |
System and method for processing a tire-wheel assembly
An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08997822B2 |
Substrate inverting device, substrate inverting method, and peeling system
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate inverting device for inverting front and rear surfaces of a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a first holding unit configured to hold one surface of the substrate and a second holding unit disposed to face the first holding unit and configured to hold one surface of the substrate. Further, the substrate includes a moving mechanism configured to relatively move at least one of the first holding unit and the second holding unit to approach each other and stay spaced apart from each other, and a transfer mechanism configured to hold the one surface of the substrate. In this case, a support of the substrate in the first holding unit, the second holding unit and the transfer mechanism is performed by a Bernoulli chuck. |
| US08997821B2 |
Delamination system
A delamination system delaminates a laminated substrate, in which a first substrate and a second substrate are bonded together, into the first substrate and the second substrate. The delamination system has a first processing block processing the laminated substrate or the delaminated first substrate and a second processing block processing the delaminated second substrate. The first processing block has a delamination station having a delamination device that delaminates the laminated substrate transferred by a first transfer device into the first substrate and the second substrate. The second processing block has a second cleaning station and a delivery station. The second cleaning station has a second cleaning device cleaning the delaminated second substrate. The delivery station is disposed between the second cleaning station and the delamination station. The delivery station receives the delaminated second substrate from the delamination station and delivers it to the second cleaning station. |
| US08997818B2 |
Device for fabricating a composite structure
A device for fabricating a composite structure comprises a multi-axis positioner and an attached end effector comprising an integrated head and creel. The head has a clamp, cut and restart mechanism and a compaction roller with a rotary axis. The creel has a prismatic shape with a coupling device on the top of the creel for attachment to the multi axis positioner and a centerline which passes through the center of the creel and intersects the axis of rotation of the compaction roller. A composite placement head is attached to the bottom of the creel. A plurality of composite material supply spools are mounted on the sides of the creel and face outward from the creel. A plurality of rollers are mounted on the outside surface of the creel for directing the composite material from the supply spools to the fiber placement head. |
| US08997816B2 |
Tape dispenser
A tape dispenser includes a torque controller and a take-up cassette. |
| US08997812B2 |
Pneumatic tire with specified inner liner
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having an inner liner formed from a rubber composition that includes a butyl rubber in which the Mooney viscosity measured at 130° C. of an unvulcanized rubber of the rubber composition is at least 45, wherein the average value and standard deviation of the butyl rubber gauge of shoulder portion of a finished tire satisfy: (Standard deviation of butyl rubber gauge)/(Average value of butyl rubber gauge)≦0.060. The rubber gauge of the tire exhibits improved uniformity and is superior in air permeability resistance. |
| US08997807B2 |
Tyre for motor vehicles
A tyre for motor vehicles, in particular for rear wheels of motor vehicles, has a tread band including an annular central portion, two first annular side portions and two second annular side portions, each arranged between the annular central portion and a respective first annular side portion and being narrower than the first annular side portion. The tread band has at least one module replicated along a circumferential direction of the tyre and includes grooves inclined with respect to the equatorial plane, at least two first grooves, each extending from a second annular side portion to a first annular side portion; at least two second grooves spaced from the first grooves in the circumferential direction, each extending only on a respective second annular side portion and at least two third grooves arranged along the circumferential direction on the opposite side to the first grooves with respect to the second grooves, each of said third grooves extending from a second annular side portion to a first annular side portion. |
| US08997806B2 |
Tire noise reduction device
Provided is a tire noise reduction device including an annular noise absorbing member which is made of a porous material, and which is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of a tire. A protective layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by dispersing an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the annular noise absorbing member. |
| US08997805B2 |
Pneumatic tire and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a pneumatic tire in which the adhesion of a noise absorbing member formed of a porous material is improved. A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes a resin layer, a noise absorbing member and a locking member. The resin layer is formed of any one of a thermoplastic resin and a thermoplastic elastomeric composition obtained by dispersing an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin, and is formed on at least a part of the inner surface of the tire. The noise absorbing member is formed of a porous material, and is disposed on the resin layer. The locking member is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and is bonded to the resin layer through the noise absorbing member by thermal fusion. |
| US08997804B2 |
Nozzle interlock failsafe/lost motion mechanisms
The present invention comprises a nozzle assembly for dispensing fuel into an inlet of a container comprising a body, a spout and a vapor collection sleeve fitted over the spout and compressing when the spout is inserted into the inlet of a container. An interlock mechanism prevents operation of the nozzle assembly unless the sleeve is at least partially compressed by insertion of the spout into the container inlet. The interlock mechanism includes structure to prevent the interlock mechanism from moving from the engaged position to the disengaged position in the event of a failure of the interlock mechanism whereby the nozzle assembly cannot dispense fuel regardless of whether the spout is engaged with the inlet of the container or not. An interlock actuator is mounted for movement within the body and coupled to the sleeve, while a lost motion mechanism limits movement of the interlock actuator into the body. |
| US08997799B2 |
Powder filling processes
A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. At the powder filling stage, the powder, which is fed either onto the web upstream of the roller or to the roller of the powder filling stage, is filled into the microdepressions of the web using the driven roller, wherein said roller is rotating about an axis generally transverse to the direction of web, while the surface speed of the roller and the web speed are different and wherein the roller and web are positioned relative to one another, such that between the upper surface of the web and the outer surface of the roller there is a gap. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length. |
| US08997798B2 |
Refrigerant line
A refrigerant line for carrying a mixture of refrigerant and lubrication oil. The line includes an inner casing made of a material impermeable to the refrigerant/oil mixture, an outer casing made of a material that is highly permeable to the refrigerant in its gaseous state, and an intermediate layer between the inner and outer casings made of a material that is high permeable to the gaseous refrigerant but that is able to retain the admixed oil. In this way, any oil contained in a refrigerant/oil mixture leaking through the inner casing is retained by the intermediate layer, while the refrigerant gas is allowed to escape through the outer two layers. The intermediate layer may retain the oil by absorption, by adsorption, or by binding of the oil. |
| US08997796B2 |
Durable semi-rigid single-layer flexible duct
A durable, semi-rigid, single-layered flexible duct having a sleeve made of a single aluminum layer and a resilient wound element disposed at the mid-point of the overlap region of the aluminum layer. The wound element imparts corrugations to the sleeve, such that the duct is extendible between a compacted configuration suitable for storage and for shipping and an extended configuration suitable for installation in a gas transport arrangement. Closely and evenly-spaced ridges that are situated in between the corrugations, add rigidity and durability to the duct. The inward-facing surface of the aluminum ribbon is substantially smooth and featureless except for the helical corrugations imparted by wire winding and the closely and evenly-spaced ridges. The aluminum sleeve is of a predetermined thickness rendering the duct substantially rigid when in an extended configuration and enabling the duct to maintain its substantial rigidity upon extension from a compacted configuration. |
| US08997792B2 |
Abrasion monitoring system for hose assembly
A system and method for detecting hose abrasion are disclosed. In one aspect, a hose abrasion monitoring system includes a hose assembly a monitoring circuit. The hose assembly includes a hose having at least one conductive layer and at least one outer insulating cover overlaying the at least one conductive layer. The monitoring circuit is in electrical communication with the at least one conductive layer. Upon abrasion of the at least one outer cover to expose a portion of the at least one conductive layer, the monitoring circuit is configured to detect electrical continuity between the at least one conductive layer and a conductive component external to the hose. |
| US08997791B2 |
Multiple-channel flow ratio controller
A system for dividing a single mass flow into a plurality N of secondary flows includes an inlet configured to receive the single mass flow, a master FRC (flow ratio controller), and one or more slave FRCs. Each FRC is connected to the inlet and including at least one flow channel. The master FRC and the slave FRCs include in combination a total of N flow channels. Each flow channel i (i=1, . . . , N) is connected to carry a corresponding one of the N secondary flows. In response to preselected ratio setpoints received from a host controller, the master FRC and the slave FRCs maintain ratios Qi/QT (i=1, . . . , N) between individual flow rates Qi (i=1, . . . , N) and a total flow rate QT at the preselected ratio set points. |
| US08997786B2 |
Work vehicle having hydraulic apparatus
Disclosed is a work vehicle having a hydraulic apparatus which can reliably prevent erroneous operation of the valve of the hydraulic apparatus even when the operating lever is moved inadvertently. With this hydraulic apparatus, with operations of a single operating lever in two directions, two valves are operated respectively. Two valve operating links for operating the two valves respectively are pivotally supported to a support shaft provided to a pair of frame plates and a lock pin is provided to the frame plates. The two valve operating links form pin holes. When the two valves are at the neutral positions, the lock pin is inserted into the pin holes with a locking operation of a lock operating tool, thus fixing the valve operating links and locking the valves. |
| US08997783B2 |
Plastic housing
A liquid filter housing which comprises a housing pot of two-layered configuration and a housing cover closing the housing pot. The housing pot and the housing cover mutually enclose an interior, wherein the inner layer of the housing pot facing the interior is manufactured from an electrically conductive plastic material and the outer layer of the housing pot facing away from the interior from an electrically insulating plastic material. An especially good mechanical connection is achieved between the two layers by the inner layer and the outer layer being connected to one another in a positive-locking manner. |
| US08997778B2 |
Conduit and a method of cleaning a conduit
The invention relates to a conduit for transferring milk. The conduit is provided with at least one flexible wall, which divides the conduit into at least one milk duct and at least one secondary duct. The milk duct and the at least one secondary duct extend along a longitudinal axis of the conduit, it being possible for the at least one milk duct to be substantially emptied by pressing through filling the at least one secondary duct. |
| US08997777B2 |
Fire hydrant security integrated flow control/backflow preventer insert valve
Integrated flow control backflow preventer valve (“IFCBPV”) for new and existing wet- and dry-barrel fire hydrants, with barrel drain assemblies for dry-barrel hydrants, and hydrants equipped with such IFCBPVs, are presented. An exemplary IFCBPV can have a retaining screen comprising equidistant concave radial spokes intersecting at a central ring structure, a freely suspended check ball, and a lower ball seat with a seal. The upper surface of the retaining screen can be affixed to the hydrant's axial shaft, and can thus be used to open and close the hydrant via the ball. Alternatively, the retaining screen can be fixed and the axial shaft provided with a cup on its bottom that mates with the freely suspended ball that is caged between the retaining screen and the ball seat. An exemplary barrel drain assembly can comprise a spring-loaded piston, or alternatively, a check ball design as in the main barrel. |
| US08997775B2 |
Vapor delivery device, methods of manufacture and methods of use thereof
A method comprises transporting a first stream of a carrier gas to a delivery device that contains a solid precursor compound. The first stream of carrier gas is at a temperature greater than or equal to 20° C. The method further comprises transporting a second stream of the carrier gas to a point downstream of the delivery device. The first stream and the second stream are combined to form a third stream, such that the dewpoint of the vapor of the solid precursor compound in the third stream is lower than the ambient temperature. The flow direction of the first stream, the flow direction of the second stream and the flow direction of the third stream are unidirectional and are not opposed to each other. |
| US08997773B2 |
Pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels
The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed vessel when the contents of the closed vessel reaches a predetermined temperature while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a munitions casing which functions as intended under normal operating environments, but then when exposed to extreme temperatures, reduces the munition's high order explosion capability, and is transformed into a safe, low order reaction with significantly less reactive potential. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a transport tanker which should not release substances contained therein. However, if the tanker catches fire, the pressure relief mechanism of the present invention reduces risk of explosion. |
| US08997769B2 |
Canopy for portable electrical device
A system and method are provided for the shielding of outdoor electrical equipment from inclement weather, the system comprising: a plurality of support brackets affixed to the outdoor electrical equipment; a support frame disposed in the support brackets; a waterproof cover disposed over the frame; an apron depending from the cover, configured to cover electrical connections on a side of the outdoor electrical equipment. |
| US08997766B2 |
Walking stick chair
A walking stick chair includes a main stick, a seat unit, a support unit, and a linking unit. The seat unit includes a sleeve member connected in a fixed position to the main stick, and a seat member connected pivotally to the sleeve member and operable between a folded state and an unfolded state. The support unit is connected pivotally to the main stick. The linking unit is connected pivotally to the support unit and the seat member. When the seat member is at the unfolded state, the walking stick chair serves as a chair, and when the seat member is operated from the unfolded state to the folded state, the walking stick chair is converted from the chair to a walking stick. |