US08872514B2
A magnetic sensor comprises a first ferromagnetic body, a second ferromagnetic body, a channel extending from the first ferromagnetic body to the second ferromagnetic body, a magnetic shield covering the channel, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the channel.
US08872501B2
A switch-mode voltage converter has a switching transistor coupled between an input voltage (Vin) and the ground and a controller coupled directly between the input voltage (Vin) and the ground. The controller periodically turns on the switching transistor for a generally constant period of time. The controller is further coupled to a DC bias voltage (Vbias) and generates a control current based on the input voltage (Vin) and the DC bias voltage (Vbias) for generating a switching signal to the switching transistor.
US08872490B2
Provided is a voltage regulator which includes an inrush current prevention circuit so that no current is consumed after the start-up of the voltage regulator. A start-up circuit of the voltage regulator includes: a constant current circuit; a first transistor connected between the constant current circuit and a constant voltage generation circuit; a second transistor including a drain connected to a gate of the first transistor, and a gate to which a voltage based on an output voltage is input; a first depletion transistor including a gate connected to the drain of the second transistor, and a source connected to a source of the second transistor; and a third transistor including a gate connected to the gate of the second transistor, and a drain connected to the drain of the second transistor.
US08872488B2
A voltage regulator and a memory device including same are provided. The voltage provider includes a resistive circuit configured to output at least one divided voltage; at least one driver circuit configured to be connected to the resistive circuit and to set the at least one divided voltage; and a compensation circuit configured to be connected to the at least one driver circuit, to receive a predetermined voltage, and to apply a power supply voltage to the at least one driver circuit. The at least one driver circuit may set the at least one divided voltage based on the power supply voltage received from the compensation circuit.
US08872481B2
Battery management systems and methods related to predicting power-delivery performance are provided. In one embodiment, a method for predicting power-delivery performance for a battery includes retrieving a plurality of battery operating parameters for a selected discharge cycle, calculating an offset indicative of a difference between a modeled internal resistance of the battery and an observed internal resistance generated from a calibration discharge cycle of the battery prior to the selected discharge cycle, and outputting a battery power-delivery performance prediction based on an offset-corrected internal resistance indicative of a difference between a modeled internal resistance based on the plurality of battery operating parameters for the selected discharge cycle and the offset.
US08872474B2
A fail safe battery pack is disclosed and claimed wherein first and second housings are affixed together. A plurality of battery cells reside within and fixedly engage the first and the second housings. First and second printed circuit boards (PCBs) reside within first and second lattice structures of the first and second housings. A variable bias device resides in the first and/or second lattice structure of the first and second housing and engages the first and/or second PCBs. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently large it overcomes a plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices operating between the PCB and the plurality of battery cells and tending to separate same and causes the PCB to electrically communicate with the plurality of battery cells. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently small, the plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices separates the PCB and the plurality of battery cells rendering the battery cells in an electrically safe condition.
US08872473B2
A system for recharging a battery in a hybrid vehicle provided with two motor is provided. If connection of a recharging connector (recharging stand) is detected, an initial activation of a controller is performed, and a DC link is pre-recharged. If the DC link is pre-recharged to a voltage higher than or equal to a predetermined voltage, an exterior AC or DC electricity is supplied to the battery so as to recharge the battery according to the present invention.
US08872472B2
An inductive charging system for recharging a battery. The system includes a charger circuit and a secondary circuit. The secondary circuit includes a feedback mechanism to provide feedback to the charger circuit through the inductive coupling of the primary coil and the secondary coil. The charger circuit includes a frequency control mechanism for controlling the frequency of the power applied to the primary coil at least partly in response to the feedback from the feedback mechanism.
US08872471B2
A vehicle includes a battery charger system arranged to charge a traction battery. The battery charger system receives current from a power distribution system remote from the vehicle and outputs the current to the traction battery at a series of magnitudes to characterize a charge efficiency profile of the battery charger and power distribution systems. The battery charger system then charges the traction battery according to the charge efficiency profile.
US08872468B2
Method and device for operating an asynchronous motor having increased efficiency. According to the invention, ranges for a motor size of the asynchronous motor are specified. In addition, a value of the motor size is calculated depending on at least one measurement value of a measurement parameter during the operation of the asynchronous motor, wherein the respective calculated value of the motor size is allocated to one of the ranges. Furthermore, a control parameter is changed depending on the range to which the calculated motor parameter is allocated to provide an optimised control parameter such that the control parameter is changed beginning from a starting value specified for the respective range of the motor size until a predetermined criterion for a specific motor size is reached. Furthermore, the optimised control parameter is stored as a support point of a continuous optimal characteristic curve for the control parameter depending on the range to which the calculated motor size is allocated.
US08872467B2
A method and system for starting and operating an electrically driven load, e.g. a compressor or pump, by power supply from a mechanical driver, e.g. a turbine or combustion engine, whereby the load is mechanically connected to a first electrical machine, and the mechanical driver is mechanically connected to a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is electrically interconnected to the second electrical machine at a standstill or when the first and or second machine have low speed. In an acceleration phase, the first electrical machine is accelerated by accelerating the second electrical machine with the mechanical driver. When the first electrical machine has reached a predefined rotational speed, the first machine is synchronized with a local electrical power network and connected it to that network.
US08872460B2
An integrated drive motor (IDM) power distribution architecture utilizes an IDM power interface module (IPIM) to create a control voltage that is distributed to all the IDMs in a network. This power distribution may be accomplished along a hybrid cable, for example, that includes both signal conductors and power conductors. The IPIM is capable of detecting short circuits and/or overload conditions and disabling the power supply to the IDMs. Additionally, a second power supply may be utilized in the IPIM such that when the power supply to the IDMs is deactivated, the IPIM may remain functional, for example, to report one or more fault conditions to the user. Additionally, this reporting of fault status may be accomplished via a user display integrated with or coupled to the IPIM.
US08872455B2
For each phase of a controller, semiconductor switches comprise a high side switch and a low side switch. A direct current voltage bus provides electrical energy to the semiconductor switches. A measuring circuit is adapted to measure the collector-emitter voltage or drain-source voltage for each semiconductor switch of the controller. A data processor determines that a short circuit in a particular semiconductor switch is present if the measured collector-emitter voltage or measured source-drain voltage for the particular semiconductor switch is lower than a minimum threshold and if an observed current associated with the particular semiconductor switch has an opposite polarity from a normal operational polarity. A driver simultaneously activates counterpart switches of like direct current input polarity that are coupled to other phase windings of the electric motor, other than the particular semiconductor switch, to protect the electric motor from potential damage associated with asymmetric current flow.
US08872454B2
In a control unit that controls a control amount of a rotary device by controlling on and off states of switching elements of a power converting circuit, a relative rate predicting section temporally sets operation states of the power converting circuit and predicts a relative rate of a control amount according to each of the temporally set operation states relative to a command value thereof. Each of the operation states is indicated by a voltage vector defined by the on and off states of the switching elements. A determining section determines an operation state of the power converting circuit based on the relative rate predicted by the relative rate predicting section. An operating section operates the power converting circuit to the operation state determined by the determining section.
US08872453B2
A motor drive controller to control a motor via multiple sensors includes a first phase detector to compare respective differential pairs of the sensor signals from the same sensor to detect phases of the rotor, and output a first phase information signal; a second phase detector to compare a respective one of the multiple sensor signals with another sensor signal from the different sensor to detect the phases and output a second phase information signal; a phase divider to divide the phases, detected by the first and second phase detectors, into multiple predetermined phase intervals; a signal selector to select one of the multiple sensor signals in the multiple predetermined phase intervals; and a third phase detector to detect whether the signal selected by the signal selector reaches a predetermined threshold level corresponding to a predetermined phase of the rotor, and output a third phase information signal.
US08872451B2
A motor device includes an electric motor operated when supplied with power from a rechargeable battery, a voltage detection unit that detects voltage of the rechargeable battery, a determination unit that performs an abnormality determination based on a comparison of the voltage of the rechargeable battery, which is detected by the voltage detection unit, and a determination value, a control unit that controls the operation of the electric motor in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit, and a temperature detection unit that detects the usage environment temperature. The determination unit changes the determination value in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and performs the abnormality determination based on the changed determination value.
US08872450B2
The power circuit comprises a voltage conversion part converting an input voltage entered in accordance with a voltage of a power source to generate an output voltage and outputting the generated output voltage to the motor and a current detection part outputting a first signal in accordance with a current flowing through a given part of the power circuit. The voltage conversion part lowers the voltage value of new output voltage being generated when the current detection part outputs the first signal.
US08872443B2
A lighting apparatus includes a first LED unit and a second LED unit configured to provide different color temperatures. A pulse/voltage conversion circuit is connected between a power supply line and a low-potential side reference line, and configured to convert the pulses of input electric power into a voltage. A voltage dividing circuit is connected between the output terminal of the pulse/voltage conversion circuit and the low-potential side reference line, and configured to divide the voltage converted by the pulse/voltage conversion circuit. The dividing node of the voltage dividing circuit and the low-potential side terminal of the second LED unit are connected.
US08872442B2
An illumination system includes: a plurality of lighting devices; a control device for controlling the lighting devices; and a remote controller for remotely setting a control content to be performed by the control device. The remote controller includes: a light property setting unit for setting a light property of a control target lighting device; a pointer for emitting visible light to point the target lighting device; a projection position acquiring unit acquiring a projection position of the visible light; and a remote controller transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting the property information indicative of the light property and the projection position information.
US08872441B2
A controller with protection function, for controlling a transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a load, a second terminal, is disclosed. The controller comprises a judgment unit and a current control unit. The judgment unit is coupled to the transistor and generates a current reducing signal when a potential of the first terminal of the transistor or a voltage difference between the first terminal and the second terminal of the transistor is higher than a preset value. The current control unit is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor for substantially stabilizing the current flowing through the transistor at a preset current value, and reduces the current flowing from the preset current value when receiving the current reducing signal.
US08872438B2
A system and method for dimming an LED lighting installation using an AC power source are disclosed. The disclosed LED lighting system includes an LED light having one or more LEDs, a dimming control module for controlling and adjusting brightness level of the LED light toward a desired target brightness, and a user-operated lighting control device including a power on/off switch and a dimmer. The power on/off switch passes or interrupts the AC power fed into the dimming control module. A series of turned-off operations of the power on/off switch of transitory duration causes LED light target brightness levels to be progressively increasing or decreasing leading to a desired target brightness. Operations of the dimmer result in a target brightness setting signal being generated for the dimming control module, representative of a desired target brightness as well.
US08872435B2
A light is provided having a base unit, an arm extending from the base unit, and a lamp head coupled to the arm. The lamp head includes an LED configured to provide light based on an input drive current, an optical mixing element configured to collect the light produced by the LED and a zoom lens configured to adjust an output size of a spot generated by the light collected in the mixing element. A controller receives DC power from the base unit through the arm. The controller is configured to set the input drive current for the LED to control an output light density of the spot in response to an operator selected input and configured to adjust the output light density of the spot in response to a change in the size of the spot.
US08872430B2
An LED drive circuit is disclosed, which comprises a square wave generator configured to generate a square-wave signal for driving an LED unit, an LLC resonance circuit configured to transform the square-wave signal outputted by the square wave generator into a sinuous wave of a reduced voltage level, and the LED unit comprising at least one LED sub-unit. The LED sub-unit comprises at least a first LED lamp set and a second LED lamp set connected in parallel, and LEDs of the first LED lamp set are disposed in a direction opposite to those of the second LED lamp set. The square wave generator, the LLC resonance circuit and the LED unit are connected in sequence. The LED drive circuit of the present disclosure can drive an LED and has a reduced cost.
US08872424B2
A lamp device and a light source module are provided. The lamp device includes a lamp body and a coil connecting tube. The lamp body has an end portion and a lead wire extends from the end portion. The coil connecting tube is disposed corresponding to the end portion of the lamp body and electrically connecting to the lead wire for power supply purpose. The coil connecting tube winds about an axial direction of the lamp body and is capable of stretching or compressing along the axial direction. The light source module includes the lamp device and a lamp connector which has a power source portion being coupled to the coil connecting tube for power supply.
US08872421B2
Certain embodiments provide a white LED for a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, which comprises an ultraviolet (or violet) light emitting element and a phosphor layer that contains a green phosphor selected from trivalent cerium- and terbium-activated rare earth borate phosphors, a blue phosphor selected from divalent europium-activated halophosphate phosphors and divalent europium-activated aluminate phosphors, and a red phosphor selected from europium-activated lanthanum oxysulfide phosphors and europium-activated yttrium oxysulfide phosphors as the contained amounts of the respective phosphors relative to the total amount of the phosphors as follows: 35-50% by weight of the green phosphor content; 50-70% by weight of the blue phosphor content; and 1-10% by weight of the red phosphor content.
US08872419B2
The disclosed light emitting device comprises at least one first light emitting element including at least one light emitting chip for emitting light having a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm and a phosphor; and at least one second light emitting element disposed adjacent to the first light emitting element to emit light having a wavelength of 560 to 880 nm.
US08872414B2
A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a package body, a heat radiating member disposed in the package body, a light emitting device disposed on the heat radiating member, a bonding member disposed between the light emitting device and the heat radiating member, and a bonding member fixing layer disposed around the bonding member, wherein the bonding member fixing layer has at least one through region.
US08872408B2
A betavoltaic power source for mobile devices and mobile applications includes a stacked configuration of isotope layers and energy conversion layers. The isotope layers have a half-life of between about 0.5 years and about 5 years and generate radiation with energy in the range from about 15 keV to about 200 keV. The betavoltaic power source is configured to provide sufficient power to operate the mobile device over its useful lifetime.
US08872402B2
In a rotating electrical machine for vehicle, at least one of a rectifier device, a voltage regulator, and a brush holder includes an external terminal connection portion provided with an insert terminal inserted into resin and an insert nut inserted into the resin and superimposed on the insert terminal. The insert terminal includes a contact portion on a surface on a side opposing the insert nut and the insert terminal and the insert nut are superimposed via the contact portion and inserted into the resin. It thus becomes possible to provide a rotating electrical machine for vehicle provided with constituent components that are free from an inconvenience caused by a variance over time.
US08872399B2
An electrical device includes a plurality of stacked laminates that form a tubular stator portion, a cooling passage partially defined by orifices formed in the plurality of stacked laminates, a housing including a cavity further defining the cooling passage, the cooling passage defining a fluid flow path parallel to a rotational axis of the stator portion, a sump portion communicative with the cooling passage, the sump portion including a cavity defined by the stator portion and the housing member.
US08872391B2
An electronic device and a method of controlling the electronic device are provided. Based on smart grid information received from a smart grid network, contents are played by an electronic device that consumes less power at a time slot during which a high electricity rate applies, thus minimizing electricity fees.
US08872386B2
An inductive power receiver including a resonant circuit, a rectifier, a rectified current sense, and a communication and control unit includes a communications modulator and at least one signal generator operable to generate a set of communication signals including a series of pulses generated at characteristic frequencies. Communication signals provide instructions for an inductive power outlet to regulate power transfer to the inductive power receiver.
US08872385B2
A wireless power transmission system transmits power wirelessly from a power transmitter to a power receiver. The power transmitter includes a class E amplifier, a transmitting-end resonant circuit, a detector that detects a voltage or current waveform at a predetermined position in the class E amplifier in accordance with the impedance of the transmitting-end resonant circuit as viewed from the class E amplifier, and a signal extractor that extracts a signal according to the waveform. The power receiver includes a receiving-end resonant circuit, a rectifier circuit, a power reproducing section, and an impedance changer connected between the rectifier circuit and the power reproducing section to change its impedance. When the impedance is changed, the detector detects the waveform variation and the signal extractor extracts and outputs a signal corresponding to the waveform detected by the detector.
US08872381B2
A utility interconnection inverter device (7) includes an inverter circuit (21) that converts DC power generated by a solar panel (3) to AC power by switching a plurality of switching elements, and a controller (39) that controls the plurality of switching elements.Moreover, fans (43, 45) are provided for cooling the plurality of switching elements.Furthermore, a power supply circuit (a terminal 38, a transformer 40, and a power circuit 41) is provided, and supplies power from a control power supply (10) to the controller (39) and the fans (43, 45).
US08872379B2
The present disclosure relates generally to energy demand and supply for buildings, vehicles, and equipment. In exemplary embodiments, energy may be stored in one or more battery packs (e.g., stationary batteries or vehicle batteries) for use in buildings, appliances, and equipment typically relying on energy from a power grid. The exemplary embodiments may store the energy during periods of low demand and/or low cost of energy. Thus, the exemplary embodiments may reduce costs associated with energy usage. The exemplary embodiments may use the stored energy to reduce demand on the power utility during periods of high demand and/or provide energy back to the power utility to meet demands.
US08872378B2
A method for operating a control circuit having a first output and a second output and having an allocated first switching arrangement and an allocated second switching arrangement, in which a control voltage present between the outputs for operating a load, in particular of a motor vehicle, is formed in that the first output is optionally connected by a switching arrangement to a first potential or to a second potential, and the second output is optionally connected by a switching arrangement to the first potential or to the second potential, a state in which the control voltage is intended to be at least briefly and at least approximately zero being brought about in a first case in that the two outputs are simultaneously connected by the two switching arrangements to the first potential, and being brought about in a second case in that the two outputs are simultaneously connected by the two switching arrangements to the second potential, both cases being brought about at least once during operation of the control circuit, and, both in the first case and in the second case, a difference between two output potentials that characterizes the control voltage present at the outputs, or that characterizes a current flowing through at least one shunt resistor situated in series to the outputs and/or in series to switches, being acquired and being subjected to a comparison.
US08872366B2
A scalable portable modular power plant that includes an electrical substation module containing a substation container with a first transformer and a second transformer positioned at the first and second ends of the substation container, and a plurality of containerized electric generator modules each positioned relative to a corner of the substation module, where each electric generator module is connected to one of the two transformers.
US08872361B2
A standby generator includes a base and a number of walls extending from the base including a wall having a removable panel. A cover is coupled to the wall having the removable panel and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the cover in the open position, the removable panel may be removed from the standby generator.
US08872357B2
An anisotropic conductive film composition for bonding a semiconductor device, the composition including: a binder system including a urethane resin having a glass transition temperature of about 100° C. or higher, a radical polymerizable compound, an organic peroxide, and conductive particles.
US08872332B2
A power module includes a substrate having an electrically insulative member with opposing first and second metallized sides and one or more semiconductor die attached to the first metallized side of the substrate. A plurality of thermally conductive structures are laterally spaced apart from one another and individually attached directly to the second metallized side of the substrate so that the plurality of thermally conductive structures extend outward from the second metallized side.
US08872331B2
A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication, which has high reliability in terms of resistance to external force, in particular, pressing force and can prevent electrostatic discharge in an integrated circuit without preventing reception of an electric wave. The semiconductor device includes an on-chip antenna connected to the integrated circuit and a booster antenna which transmits a signal or power included in a received electric wave to the on-chip antenna without contact. In the semiconductor device, the integrated circuit and the on-chip antenna are interposed between a pair of structure bodies formed by impregnating a fiber body with a resin. One of the structure bodies is provided between the on-chip antenna and the booster antenna. A conductive film having a surface resistance value of approximately 106 to 1014 Ω/cm2 is formed on at least one surface of each structure body.
US08872323B2
A stack package may include a plurality of chips stacked with a plurality of layers; and a chip selection controller configured to provide a reference and chip selection control signal to the plurality of chips. Each chip may comprise: a reference signal controller configured to transmit the reference signal through a first line interconnecting the plurality of chips; a chip selection delay unit configured to control a delay timing point of the chip selection control signal to transmit the control result to each node of a second line interconnecting the plurality of chips; a delay-time-difference sensing unit configured to calculate a delay time difference between a signal applied to each node of the first and second line to generate chip selection information corresponding to the calculated delay time difference; and a memory unit configured to store the chip selection information.
US08872317B2
A stacked package for an electronic device and a method of manufacturing the stacked package include a first semiconductor package being formed with a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad. A second semiconductor package is formed with a third conductive pad and a fourth conductive pad and is disposed over the first semiconductor package. A first conductive connecting member electrically connects the first conductive pad and the third conductive pad. A second conductive connection member electrically connects the second conductive pad and the fourth conductive pad.
US08872312B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, a photosensitive molding on a first side of the substrate, a via formed in the molding, and a conformable metallic layer deposited over the first side of the substrate and in the via. A through via may be formed through the substrate aligned with the via in the molding with an electrically conductive liner deposited in the through via in electrical contact with the conformable metallic layer. The integrated circuit structure may further include a connector element such as a solder ball on an end of the through via on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. The integrated circuit structure may further include a die on the first side of the substrate in electrical contact with another through via or with a redistribution layer.
US08872309B2
Group-III nitride crystal composites made up of especially processed crystal slices, cut from III-nitride bulk crystal, whose major surfaces are of {1-10±2}, {11-2±2}, {20-2±1} or {22-4±1} orientation, disposed adjoining each other sideways with the major-surface side of each slice facing up, and III-nitride crystal epitaxially present on the major surfaces of the adjoining slices, with the III-nitride crystal containing, as principal impurities, either silicon atoms or oxygen atoms.
US08872296B2
The present invention provides a chip module structure for particles protection. The structure includes a substrate. A chip is configured on the substrate, with a sensing area. A holder is disposed on the substrate, wherein the holder has a first rib. A transparent material is disposed on the holder, substantially aligning to the sensing area. A lens holder is disposed on the holder, and a lens is configured on the lens holder, substantially aligning to the transparent material and the sensing area. The lens has a second rib, wherein the second rib is disposed corresponding to the first rib for blocking particles entering into the chip module structure.
US08872287B2
The present invention relates to an integrated structure for a MEMS device and a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, in which an etch stopping element is included on a substrate between the MEMS device and the semiconductor device for protecting the semiconductor device from lateral damage when an oxide releasing process is performed to fabricate the MEMS device. The etch stopping element has various profiles and is selectively formed by an individual fabricating process or is simultaneously formed with the semiconductor device in the same fabricating process. It is a singular structure or a combined stacked multilayered structure, for example, a plurality of rows of pillared etch-resistant material plugs, one or a plurality of wall-shaped etch-resistant material plugs, or a multilayered structure of a stack of which and an etch-resistant material layer.
US08872281B2
A trench contact silicide is formed on an inner wall of a contact trench that reaches to a buried conductive layer in a semiconductor substrate to reduce parasitic resistance of a reachthrough structure. The trench contact silicide is formed at the bottom, on the sidewalls of the trench, and on a portion of the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is subsequently filled with a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric. A contact via may be formed on the trench contact silicide. The trench contact silicide may be formed through a single silicidation reaction with a metal layer or through multiple silicidation reactions with multiple metal layers.
US08872275B2
An SRAM device has a first tunnel transistor that allows a current to flow in a direction from the non-inverting output terminal to the first bit line when the first tunnel transistor turns on. The SRAM device has a second tunnel transistor allows a current to flow in a direction from the first bit line to the non-inverting output terminal when the second tunnel transistor turns on. The SRAM device has a third tunnel transistor allows a current to flow in a direction from the inverting output terminal to the second bit line when the third tunnel transistor turns on. The SRAM device has a fourth tunnel transistor allows a current to flow in a direction from the second bit line to the inverting output terminal when the fourth tunnel transistor turns on.
US08872268B2
Controlled localized defect paths for resistive memories are described, including a method for forming controlled localized defect paths including forming a first electrode forming a metal oxide layer on the first electrode, masking the metal oxide to create exposed regions and concealed regions of a surface of the metal oxide, and altering the exposed regions of the metal oxide to create localized defect paths beneath the exposed regions.
US08872264B2
A semiconductor device includes a first trench and a second trench extending into a semiconductor body from a surface. A body region of a first conductivity type adjoins a first sidewall of the first trench and a first sidewall of the second trench, the body region including a channel portion adjoining to a source structure and being configured to be controlled in its conductivity by a gate structure. The channel portion is formed at the first sidewall of the second trench and is not formed at the first sidewall of the first trench. An electrically floating semiconductor zone of the first conductivity type adjoins the first trench and has a bottom side located deeper within the semiconductor body than the bottom side of the body region.
US08872252B2
Methods of forming multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatuses that include them. In one such method, a silicide is formed in a tier of silicon, the silicide is removed, and a device is formed at least partially in a void that was occupied by the silicide. One such apparatus includes a tier of silicon with a void between tiers of dielectric material. Residual silicide is on the tier of silicon and/or on the tiers of dielectric material and a device is formed at least partially in the void. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08872244B1
After formation of a replacement gate structure, a template dielectric layer employed to pattern the replacement gate structure is removed. After deposition of a dielectric liner, a first dielectric material layer is deposited by an anisotropic deposition and an isotropic etchback. A second dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized employing the first dielectric material portion as a stopping structure. The first dielectric material portion is removed selective to the second dielectric material layer, and is replaced with gate cap dielectric material portion including at least one dielectric material different from the materials of the dielectric material layers. A contact via hole extending to a source/drain region is formed employing the gate cap dielectric material portion as an etch stop structure. A contact via structure is spaced from the replacement gate structure at least by remaining portions of the gate cap dielectric material portion.
US08872242B2
A silicon carbide substrate has a first conductivity type. The silicon carbide substrate has a first surface provided with a first electrode and a second surface provided with first trenches arranged to be spaced from one another. A gate layer covers an inner surface of each of the first trenches. The gate layer has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. A filling portion fills each of the first trenches covered with the gate layer. A second electrode is separated from the gate layer and provided on the second surface of the silicon carbide substrate. A gate electrode is electrically insulated from the silicon carbide substrate and electrically connected to the gate layer. Thereby, a silicon carbide semiconductor device capable of being easily manufactured can be provided.
US08872238B2
The present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a low defect interface between a dielectric material and an III-V compound. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a passivated interface between a dielectric material and an III-V compound. The present invention is also directed to a device comprising a low defect interface between a dielectric material and an III-V compound that has improved performance.
US08872237B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a heterojunction bipolar transistor comprising a substrate, an upper region of said substrate comprising an active region of the bipolar transistor bordered by shallow trench insulation, said active region comprising a buried collector region extending to a depth beyond the depth of the shallow trench insulation, the method comprising forming a trench in the substrate adjacent to said active region, said trench extending through the shallow trench insulation; at least partially filling said trench with an impurity; and forming a collector sinker in the substrate by developing said impurity to extend into the substrate to a depth beyond the depth of the shallow trench insulation. An IC comprising a heterojunction bipolar transistor manufactured by this method is also disclosed.
US08872233B2
A semiconductor structure includes a barrier layer, a spacer structure, and a channel layer. The barrier layer includes a group III nitride. The spacer structure includes first and second aluminum nitride layers and an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a group III nitride and is between the first and second aluminum nitride layers. The intermediate layer has a first free charge carrier density at an interface with the second aluminum nitride layer. The spacer structure is between the barrier layer and the channel layer. The channel layer includes a group III nitride and has a second free charge carrier density at an interface with the first aluminum nitride layer of the spacer structure. The first aluminum nitride layer, the intermediate layer, and the second aluminum nitride layer have layer thicknesses so the first free charge carrier density is less than 10% of the second free charge carrier density.
US08872231B2
A semiconductor wafer includes a first semiconductor, and a second semiconductor formed directly or indirectly on the first semiconductor. The second semiconductor contains a first impurity atom exhibiting p-type or n-type conductivity, and a second impurity atom selected such that the Fermi level of the second semiconductor containing both the first and second impurity atoms is closer to the Fermi level of the second semiconductor containing neither the first impurity atom nor the second impurity atom, than the Fermi level of the second semiconductor containing the first impurity atom is. For example, the majority carrier of the second semiconductor is an electron, and the Fermi level of the second semiconductor containing the first and second impurity atoms is lower than the Fermi level of the second semiconductor containing the first impurity atom.
US08872230B2
A tunnel Field Effect Transistor is provided comprising an interface between a source and a channel, the source side of this interface being a layer of a first crystalline semiconductor material being substantially uniformly doped with a metal to the solubility level of the metal in the first crystalline material and the channel side of this interface being a layer of this first crystalline semiconductor material doped with this metal, the concentration decreasing towards the channel.
US08872226B2
Provided is an epitaxial substrate having excellent two-dimensional electron gas characteristics and reduced internal stress due to strains. A channel layer is formed of a first group III nitride represented by Inx1Aly1Gaz1N (x1+y1+z1=1) so as to have a composition in a range determined by x1=0 and 0≦y1≦0.3. A barrier layer is formed of a second group III nitride represented by Inx2Aly2Gaz2N (x2+y2+z2=1) so as to have a composition, in a ternary phase diagram with InN, AlN and GaN being vertices, in a range surrounded by five straight lines determined in accordance with the composition (AlN molar fraction) of the first group III nitride.
US08872220B2
An integrated circuit device that includes a plurality of multiple gate FinFETs (MuGFETs) is disclosed. Fins of different crystal orientations for PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs are formed through amorphization and crystal regrowth on a direct silicon bonded (DSB) hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrate. PMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (110) crystal orientations. NMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (100) crystal orientations in a Manhattan layout with the sidewall channels of the different PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs aligned at 0° or 90° rotations.
US08872208B2
A light source can include: a light source that emits light of a predetermined wavelength within a wavelength region covering the wavelength of ultraviolet light and that of visible light; and a wavelength conversion layer containing a fluorescent material of at least one type that is excited by excitation light from the fixed light source to emit fluorescent light of a wavelength longer than that of light emitted from the fixed light source. The fixed light source and the wavelength conversion layer can be spaced from each other. The light source device can employ a reflection system of extracting at least fluorescent light from an incident surface of the wavelength conversion layer through which excitation light from the fixed light source enters the wavelength conversion layer. The wavelength conversion layer can have a surface structure with depressions or projections.
US08872196B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a sensor region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a light emitting device disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate; at least one first conducting bump disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the sensor region; at least one second conducting bump disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the light emitting device; and an insulating layer located on the semiconductor substrate to electrically insulate the semiconductor substrate from the at least one first conducting bump and the at least one second conducting bump.
US08872192B2
A rectifier circuit has a rectifier element and a unipolar field-effect transistor connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal. The rectifier element comprises a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in a direction of a forward current flowing from the first terminal to the second terminal. The field-effect transistor has a gate electrode having a potential identical to a potential at the first electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected in series to the rectifier element and passing a current depending on the potential at the gate electrode. A breakdown voltage between the gate electrode and drain electrode of the field-effect transistor in a reverse bias mode, where a potential at the second terminal is higher than a potential at the first terminal, being set higher than a breakdown voltage of the rectifier element.
US08872191B2
A normally-off type silicon carbide junction FET has a problem that the gate thereof is not easy to use due to inferiority in the characteristics of it. This problem occurs because in order to achieve normally-off, the gate voltage should be off at 0V and at the same time, the ON-state gate voltage should be suppressed to about 2.5V to prevent the passage of an electric current through a pn junction between gate and source. Accordingly, a range from the threshold voltage to the ON-state gate voltage is only from about 1 V to 2V and it is difficult to control the gate voltage. Provided in the present invention is an electronic circuit device obtained by coupling, to a gate of a normally-off type silicon carbide junction FET, an element having a capacitance equal to or a little smaller than the gate capacitance of the junction FET.
US08872186B2
A method for manufacturing a display device provided with gate wiring lines (112) disposed on a substrate to supply signals to TFTs, and a plurality of source wiring lines (111) disposed above the gate wiring lines, the method for manufacturing a display device including: a step of forming a first conductive pattern (31) that includes the gate wiring lines (112) by etching a gate metal layer with a first resist pattern as a mask; and a step of forming a second resist pattern (12) at a portion located between the source wirings (111) so as to expose a portion of an edge of an upper surface of the first conductive pattern (31) and so as to cover other parts thereof, at the aforementioned portion of the edge of the upper surface, the first conductive pattern (31) is etched off from the upper surface through an intermediate point along the direction of thickness.
US08872183B2
Three-dimensional semiconductor devices are provided. The three-dimensional semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate. The buffer layer includes a material having an etching selectivity relative to that of the substrate. A multi-layer stack including alternating insulation patterns and conductive patterns is provided on the buffer layer opposite the substrate. One or more active patterns respectively extend through the alternating insulation patterns and conductive patterns of the multi-layer stack and into the buffer layer. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
US08872178B2
Test circuits located on semiconductor die enable a tester to test a plurality of die/ICs in parallel by inputting both stimulus and response patterns to the plurality of die/ICs. The response patterns from the tester are input to the test circuits along with the output response of the die/IC to be compared. Also disclosed is the use of a response signal encoding scheme whereby the tester transmits response test commands to the test circuits, using a single signal per test circuit, to perform: (1) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic high, (2) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic low, and (3) a mask compare operation. The use of the signal encoding scheme allows functional testing of die and ICs since all response test commands (i.e. 1-3 above) required at each die/IC output can be transmitted to each die/IC output using only a single tester signal connection per die/IC output. In addition to functional testing, scan testing of die and ICs is also possible.
US08872175B2
It is an object to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with stable electric characteristics. In a semiconductor device including an inverted staggered thin film transistor whose semiconductor layer is an oxide semiconductor layer, a buffer layer is provided over the oxide semiconductor layer. The buffer layer is in contact with a channel formation region of the semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers. A film of the buffer layer has resistance distribution. A region provided over the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer has lower electrical conductivity than the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer, and a region in contact with the source and drain electrode layers has higher electrical conductivity than the channel formation region of the semiconductor layer.
US08872172B2
Semiconductor structures having embedded source/drains with oxide underlayers and methods for forming the same. Embodiments include semiconductor structures having a channel in a substrate, and a source/drain region adjacent to the channel including an embedded oxide region and an embedded semiconductor region located above the embedded oxide region. Embodiments further include methods of forming a transistor structure including forming a gate on a substrate, etching a source/drain recess in the substrate, filling a bottom portion of the source/drain recess with an oxide layer, and filling a portion of the source/drain recess not filled by the oxide layer with a semiconductor layer.
US08872157B2
A nitride semiconductor structure and a semiconductor light emitting device including the same are revealed. The nitride semiconductor structure includes a light emitting layer disposed between a n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, and a hole supply layer disposed between the light emitting layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. The hole supply layer is made from material InxGa1-xN (0
US08872156B2
A group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type cladding layer and a p-type cladding layer on a primary surface of a substrate, the c-axes of which tilt relative to the normal axis of the primary surface of the substrate. The p-type cladding layer is doped with a p-type dopant providing an acceptor level, and the p-type cladding layer contains an n-type impurity providing a donor level. An active layer is disposed between the n-type cladding layer and the p-type cladding layer. The concentration of the p-type dopant is greater than that of the n-type impurity. The difference (E(BAND)−E(DAP)) between the energy E(BAND) of a band-edge emission peak value in the photoluminescence spectrum of the p-type cladding layer and the energy E(DAP) of a donor-acceptor pair emission peak value in the photoluminescence spectrum is not more than 0.42 electron volts.
US08872150B2
Some embodiments include memory constructions having a plurality of bands between top and bottom electrically conductive materials. The bands include chalcogenide bands alternating with non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, there may be least two of the chalcogenide bands and at least one of the non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be between a pair of electrodes; with one of the electrodes being configured as a lance, angled plate, container or beam. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be electrically coupled with select devices, such as, for example, diodes, field effect transistors or bipolar junction transistors.
US08872144B1
Focus of a laser beam on a target in a Laser Produced Plasma (LPP) Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source is maintained by focusing reflected light from the target illuminated by a laser source, sampling the focused reflected light in a plurality of planes at different optical path lengths, and comparing the image sizes of the focused reflected light at the plurality of planes to determine a correction signal to correct the focus of the laser source. In an embodiment, the focused reflected light is split into a two optical paths of differing optical path lengths, with each optical path directed to a sensing device at an imaging plane. Since each of the optical paths is of a different length, the images of the target taken by the sensing device at the imaging plane will be of different sizes. By comparing the relative sizes of the target images from the optical paths, a correction signal is produced to correct the focus of the laser source.
US08872140B2
Provided are a carbon ion generation target and a treatment apparatus including the same. The treatment apparatus includes a support member, a carbon ion generation target fixed to the support member, and a laser for irradiating laser beam into the carbon ion generation target to generate carbon ions from the carbon ion generation target, thereby projecting the carbon ions onto a tumor portion of a patient. Here, the carbon ion generation target includes a substrate and carbon thin films disposed on the substrate.
US08872139B2
A settling time acquisition method includes writing at least one reference pattern formed by at least one shot of a charged particle beam, writing an evaluation pattern, which has been formed by combination of the first and second shots of a charged particle beam shaped to first and second patterns of different sizes and whose width size is the same as that of the reference pattern, while changing, concerning beam shaping of the second shot, a settling time of a DAC amplifier, wherein writing is performed for each settling time, measuring the width size of the reference pattern, measuring the width size of the evaluation pattern for each settling time, calculating, for each settling time, a difference between the width sizes of the reference and evaluation patterns, and acquiring a settling time from each settling time of the DAC amplifier when the difference is not exceeding a threshold value.
US08872130B1
A water purification system is described herein. The water purification system comprises a container configured to hold a liquid; an ultraviolet light source configured to irradiate liquid within the container; a reflector configured to reflect light from the ultraviolet light source into the container; a trough adaptor having a first end and a second end and configured to channel a liquid from the first end to the second end while exposing the liquid to light from the ultraviolet light source; and wherein the reflector is configured to reflect light from the ultraviolet light source both onto the trough adaptor and into the container.
US08872128B2
A novel specimen holder for specimen support specimen support devices for insertion in electron microscopes is provided. The novel specimen holder of the invention provides mechanical support for specimen support devices and as well as electrical contacts to the specimens or specimen support devices.
US08872126B2
A target supply device 4 may include a tank 51, formed of a metal, that holds a target material, an insulating member 62 that makes contact with at least part of the periphery of the tank 51, and a heater 58 that is separated from the tank 51 and heats the tank 51 via the insulating member 62.
US08872103B2
Mass spectrometers ionize samples by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The samples are located on a moveable support plate, and irradiated by a pulsed laser. A fast positional control of laser spots is provided via a system of rotatable mirrors to relieve strain on a support plate motion drive. If the spot position is finely adjusted by the mirror system and follows the movement of the sample support plate, the intermittent movement of the sample support can be replaced with a continuous uniform motion. The fast positional control allows more uniform ablation of a sample area. Galvo mirrors with low inertia may be used between the beam generation and a Kepler telescope in the housing of the laser. The positional control can also provide a fully automatic adjustment of MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometers, at least if the ion-optical elements are equipped with movement devices.
US08872099B2
The invention provides a photosensitive resin composition including a black colorant, a photopolymerizable compound, a resin, a photopolymerization initiator and a solvent, the composition capable of forming a light-shielding color filter having a ratio OD1200/OD365 of from 0.5 to 3, where OD1200 is an optical density at a wavelength of 1200 nm and OD365 is an optical density at a wavelength of 365 nm; and a photosensitive resin composition including titanium black, a photopolymerizable compound, a resin A having an acid value of from 70 to 250 mgKOH/g, a resin B having an acid value of from 26 to 65 mgKOH/g, a photopolymerization initiator, and a solvent.
US08872094B2
A photon sensing and amplification device including a photocathode, a transparent electrode opposed from the photocathode, and a plasma chamber positioned between the photocathode and the transparent electrode, wherein the plasma chamber houses an ionizable gas.
US08872093B2
An electronic device may be provided with an image sensor for capturing digital images. The image sensor may be used as part of image-sensor-based ambient light sensing circuitry for producing ambient light sensor readings. The image-sensor-based ambient light sensing circuitry may include a reference array. The reference array may be formed from an array of light sensor elements that are matched to elements in the image sensor but that are covered with a light blocking material. Control circuitry can measure current flow into the reference array and the image sensor array and can use current measurements from these arrays in producing a calibrated ambient light sensor reading. The control circuitry may make current measurements by measuring a decay time associated with the voltage of a discharging capacitor. A comparator, pulse generator, and switch may be used in periodically recharging the capacitor. The capacitor may be adjusted to ensure accurate readings.
US08872089B2
Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device capable of calculating the difference in charge obtained by photoelectric conversion, and capable of a high level of integration. A solid-state imaging device is provided with an AD converter which is provided with: a first comparator which outputs a signal corresponding to a first analog signal of a first pixel by comparing said first analog signal with a reference voltage supplied from the reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage which gradually changes; a second comparator which outputs a signal corresponding to a second analog signal of a second pixel by comparing said second analog signal with the reference voltage supplied by the reference voltage generation unit; a difference circuit which finds the difference between the signal corresponding to said first analog signal and the signal corresponding to said second analog signal and outputs a difference signal; and a counter circuit which counts the number of pulses in a pulse sequence corresponding to the aforementioned difference signal and converts said difference signal into a digital signal.
US08872086B2
A photoelectric conversion device comprises: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each having a photo-sensing surface; insulation films; a plurality of light-guiding portions arranged above the insulation films, each of the plurality of light-guiding portions guiding light on the photo-sensing surface of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and boundary portions, each of the boundary portions defines a boundary between the adjacent light-guiding portions and is formed of a material lower in refractive index than a material that forms the plurality of light-guiding portions, wherein a width of each of the boundary portions is not more than half a shortest wavelength in a wavelength range of visible light, and a height from a lower surface to an upper surface of each of the plurality of light-guiding portions is not less than double a longest wavelength in the wavelength range of visible light.
US08872075B2
A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) assembly, in which protrusions are formed on opposite longitudinal edges of an electrode terminal, PTC elements are held between the protrusions and are in contact with the electrode terminal, an insulating member is attached to an outer surface of the electrode terminal, and a rod cover houses therein the electrode terminal, the PTC elements and the insulating member. A simple structure is realized, fabrication costs are reduced, and a hollow space inside the rod cover is minimized, leading to improved heat transfer efficiency from the PTC elements to the rod cover, reduced noise and a slim structure.
US08872072B2
A heat-producing element for a fixing device to carry out heat-fixing after a toner image having been formed using a pulverized toner is transferred on an image support, a heat-producing element for a fixing device in which a thin-leaf graphite-pulverized material of a volume specific resistance of 10−6 Ω·cm to less than 10−2 Ω·cm is incorporated in a heat-resistant resin as a conductive material.
US08872068B1
A system for modifying a hypotube may include a hypotube holding subsystem, a hypotube collection subsystem, and a cooling subsystem. The hypotube holding subsystem may be configured to inhibit sag of a held hypotube. The hypotube collection subsystem may be configured to collect a hypotube after laser cutting. The cooling subsystem may include a valve configured to direct gas into the hypotube collection subsystem.
US08872063B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a blank printing sleeve for laser engraving, comprising: (1) a step of laminating a photosensitive resin composition layer (a) on a hollow cylindrical support (b); (2) a step of photo-curing the laminated photosensitive resin composition layer (a) to form a cured photosensitive resin layer (c); and (3) a step of cutting the hollow cylindrical support (b) and the cured photosensitive resin layer (c) approximately in a circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical support (b) by a laser cutting method and/or a water beam cutting method.
US08872046B2
A method of creating a switch to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of a device, comprising providing a hollow body defining an interior cavity, disposing a switching element movably within the interior cavity, the switching element defining a switch-making position and a switch-breaking position and having a biasing element, coupling an electrically-conductive contact to the switching element to define a switch-making state when the switching element is in the switch-making position and a switch-braking state when the switching element is in the switch-braking position, and imparting a variable longitudinal bias to the switching element with the biasing element to place the switching element in one of the switch-making position and the switch-braking position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the switching axis exceeds the longitudinal bias thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the switch-making position and the switch-braking position.
US08872042B2
An inflatable, lightweight shielded enclosure that includes one or more inflatable, lightweight shielded beams arranged to support a shielded material, and an inflatable, lightweight shielded connection system for connection to a control system is provided along with related methods. The enclosure may have a weight of approximately twenty-one pounds, and provide an attenuation of 70 dB to 80 dB for a 1 GHz signal.
US08872038B2
To provide a technique by which a material exhibiting high adhesiveness to objects to be fixed can be selected regardless of a material used for an insulating base in an anisotropic conductor having an adhesive section. An intermediate sheet which can be attached to the base is provided between the base and adhesive section. Since the intermediate sheet is provided in this manner, adhesive materials that exhibit high adhesive force to objects to be fixed can be used for the adhesive section without the consideration for adhesive force to the base. Furthermore, adhesive force which cannot be exhibited between the adhesive section and the base in the case of direct contact of the adhesive section with the base can be exhibited.
US08872037B2
A circuit board assembly includes a flexible circuit board and a reinforcing plate. The flexible circuit board includes a surface. A conductive layer is positioned on the surface. The conductive layer includes a circuit portion entirely covered by a dielectric layer and a grounding portion exposed outside the dielectric layer. The reinforcing plate is mounted on the dielectric layer. The reinforcing plate includes a connection surface connected to the dielectric layer and a supporting surface facing away from the connection surface. Projections extend from the connection surface. The location of all of the projections correspond to the location of the grounding portion, and all of the projections are in electrical contact with the grounding portion by means of a conductive adhesive.
US08872033B2
A cable with less residual bend includes a sheath as an outermost layer; and a thread for correcting a residual bend. The thread is provided inside the sheath and disposed in parallel with a center axis of the cable along a longitudinal direction of the cable.
US08872031B2
A twisted pair wire includes a pair of covered wires each formed by covering stranded conductors with a covering body. The covering body includes a covering body material including a silane coupling agent. Alternatively, the covering body includes a plurality of covering layers, and an innermost layer of the plurality of covering layers contacting with the stranded conductors includes a covering body material including a silane coupling agent.
US08872023B2
A cover for an electronic device includes first and second planar members wherein, a first end of the second planar member is disposed adjacent to a first end of the first planar member. The cover also includes a coupling arrangement configured to be attached to a first end of the electronic device and configured to permit rotation of the first and second planar members around the first end of the electronic device, and a rotational hinge configured to couple together the first ends of the first and second planar members such that the second planar member is rotatable with respect to the first planar member.
US08872022B2
A cooling system for a subterranean power line may include a cooling tube configured to house a fluid. Heat generated by the subterranean power line may be radiated and/or conducted to the cooling tube and absorbed by the fluid within the cooling tube. As the fluid heats up, it may change phase from a liquid to a gas. The hot gas may rise to a heat-exchanging condenser configured to dissipate the heat and condense the fluid back into a liquid. The cool, condensed liquid my return from the heat-exchanging condenser to the cooling tube. Risers, gas transport tubes, pressure regulation systems, fluid storage tanks, and other components described herein may increase the efficiency of the cooling system and/or otherwise improve the viability of the cooling system for subterranean power lines.
US08872021B2
An object is to increase conversion efficiency of a photoelectric conversion device without increase in the manufacturing steps. The photoelectric conversion device includes a first semiconductor layer formed using a single crystal semiconductor having one conductivity type which is formed over a supporting substrate, a buffer layer including a single crystal region and an amorphous region, a second semiconductor layer which includes a single crystal region and an amorphous region and is provided over the buffer layer, and a third semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite to the one conductivity type, which is provided over the second semiconductor layer. A proportion of the single crystal region is higher than that of the amorphous region on the first semiconductor layer side in the second semiconductor layer, and the proportion of the amorphous region is higher than that of the single crystal region on the third semiconductor layer side.
US08872020B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a heterojunction solar cell. The solar cell includes a metallurgical-grade Si (MG-Si) substrate, a layer of heavily doped crystalline-Si situated above the MG-Si substrate, a layer of lightly doped crystalline-Si situated above the heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a backside ohmic-contact layer situated on the backside of the MG-Si substrate, a passivation layer situated above the heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a layer of heavily doped amorphous Si (a-Si) situated above the passivation layer, a layer of transparent-conducting-oxide (TCO) situated above the heavily doped a-Si layer, and a front ohmic-contact electrode situated above the TCO layer.
US08872019B2
The invention relates to the use of plasticizer-containing, polyvinyl acetal-based films that have a UV transmission of more than 35% to manufacture photovoltaic modules.The films preferably have a volume resistivity of more than 1E11 Ohm*cm in an ambient climate of 85% rH/23° C.The photovoltaic modules can be used as façade elements, roof surfaces, conservatory paneling, acoustic barriers, balcony or curtain wall panels, or as elements in glazed surfaces.
US08872013B2
The audiovisual teaching apparatus (2) for demonstration purposes before a group of students has a frame (6) on which is mounted a board (4). The front surface of the board (4) includes an area (5) treated to function as a whiteboard surface on which standard dry-maker pens can be used to removably write and draw on the surface. The whiteboard surface (5) is pre-printed with a plurality of musical staves (8) and has an array of substantially parallel conductive tracks aligned with the lines and spaces of the musical staves (8). The conductive tracks are connected to sound reproduction apparatus and a hand-held wand (24), which includes a localized antenna, is adapted to select an individual line or space of the musical stave (8) so that the selected note is played by the sound reproduction apparatus.
US08872009B2
Violin Sound Post inserting tool with a handle having a spring type clamp attached at right angle. One half of the clamp has a groove or cradle into which sound post is placed. The second half is a spring plate which secures the Sound Post in the clamp. After the sound post has been introduced and firmly set inside the violin sound box the spring plate of the clamp can be deflected by pressure against the sound post, thus opening the clamp. Also the spring plate has extended lip beyond the cradle, thus with the clamp open the sprig part is made to slide along the sound post without interference from the cradle of the base plate.
US08872008B2
Embodiments of the present invention related to plectrum composite couplers comprising a spacer material, the spacer material comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and a pivot core that is embedded at least partially in the spacer material. Different embodiment of the invention comprise methods for manufacturing composite couplers, methods of assembling a dual plectrum system comprising a dual plectrum composite coupler, and methods for striking the strings of a stringed instrument using an assembled dual plectrum device comprising said dual plectrum composite coupler.
US08872005B1
A novel maize variety designated X08C980 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08C980 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08C980 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08C980, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08C980. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08C980.
US08872000B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for transforming soybean, corn, cotton, or canola explants using spectinomycin as a selective agent for transformation of the explants. The method may further comprise treatment of the explants with cytokinin during the transformation and regeneration process.
US08871991B2
A method of stabilizing a fuel containing a reactive sodium metal may include puncturing a cladding of a fuel pin enclosing the fuel containing the reactive sodium metal to form an injection passage and an extraction passage. A reaction gas may be injected into the fuel pin through the injection passage to react with the reactive sodium metal to form a stable sodium compound. A ratio of a product gas and a remaining quantity of the reaction gas exiting the fuel pin through the extraction passage is subsequently measured, wherein the product gas is a reaction product of the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal within the fuel pin. Once the measured ratio indicates that a reaction between the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal is complete, the injection passage and the extraction passage are sealed so as to confine the stable sodium compound within the fuel pin.
US08871990B2
A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises (a) contacting ethane with a dehyroaromatization aromatic catalyst which is comprised of about 0.005 to about 0.1% wt platinum, an amount of an attenuating metal which is no more than about 0.02% wt less than the amount of platinum, from about 10 to about 99.9% wt of an aluminosilicate, and a binder, and (b) separating methane, hydrogen, and C2-5 hydrocarbons from the reaction products of step (a) to produce aromatic reaction products including benzene.
US08871987B2
A process for separating cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene from a first mixture comprising cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and at least one chlorofluoroolefin is disclosed. The process involves the steps of contacting the mixture with at least one extractive agent, to form another mixture, distilling the mixture; and recovering cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene substantially free of chlorofluoroolefin.
US08871984B2
The invention makes public a method for preparing xanthophyll crystals with higher content of zeaxanthin from plant oleoresin. The current methods generally are to get quite pure crystal forms of xanthophyll or zeaxanthin, and they refer to several separation steps. The invention mixes the xanthophyll diester-containing plant oleoresins and food grade alcohol solvents to form smooth solution, and then soap-dissolve the solution under an alkaline environment; then replenish organic solvents and emulsifiers into the reaction solution and drop some alkali solution into the solution to make partial xanthophyll crystals be transformed to be zeaxanthin through epimerization reaction; after the reaction is finished, add the mixed solvents of alcohol solvent and water to separate out the crystals; use the method of centrifugation or filtration to get the crystals; wash the crystals several times with the mixed solution of deionized water and alcohols to remove the impurities among the crystals; recrystallize the gained crystals with absolute ethyl alcohol, and then dry the crystals to get the products. The invention can gain mixture of crystals that contain xanthophyll and zeaxanthin at one time in quite high collection rate.
US08871980B2
An object is to provide a process for providing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens conveniently without the necessity of large-scale equipment and a process capable of performing hydrogenation (protiation, deuteration or tritiation) reaction conveniently without the use of an expensive reagent and a special catalyst. The production process includes a process for producing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens, containing subjecting water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal, and a process for producing a hydrogenated (protiated, deuterated or tritiated) organic compound, containing subjecting an organic compound and water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal.
US08871979B2
A process for providing methylene-bridged polyphenyl polyamines from aniline and formaldehyde according to the invention comprises the subsequent steps of a) condensing aniline and formaldehyde; b) reacting, in a first catalytic reaction step, said condensate over a solid catalyst, whereby an intermediate mixture is provided; c) converting, in a subsequent catalytic reaction step, said intermediate mixture into methylene-bridged polyphenyl polyamines in presence of a subsequent solid catalyst, thereby providing said methylene-bridged polyphenyl polyamines.
US08871974B2
An ionic liquid which contains an organic matter represented by the following general formula (1) as a cation component. The ionic liquid is stably in a liquid state over a wide temperature range and is excellent in electrochemical stability. The ionic liquid is advantageously used for applications such as electric power storage devices, lithium secondary batteries, electrical double layer capacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, fuel cells, and reaction solvents.
US08871949B2
A novel process for the production of Fmoc (9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl)-based compounds is provided, wherein a protecting group for the 9-hydroxymethyl group of the fluorene ring system is utilized. These compounds are useful for the modification of protein and peptide drugs.
US08871948B2
An (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1, G2, G3, R1, W, and R2 have the meanings given in the description, a pharmaceutical composition comprising it, and also intermediate compounds and a preparation process therefor.
US08871939B2
A method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 comprising contacting a compound of Formulae 2 and 3 in the presence of a palladium source, a ligand, a base and carbon monoxide wherein R1, R2, X and R3 are as defined in the disclosure. A method for preparing a compound of Formula 5 wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and Z are as defined in the disclosure, using a compound of Formula 1 characterized by preparing a compound of Formula 1 by the method disclosed above or using a compound of Formula 1 prepared by the method above.
US08871935B2
Novel crystalline polymorphic forms, Forms A, B, C, D, and E of a compound of Formula I, which has been found to be a potent inhibitor of LFA-1, are disclosed. Methods of preparation and uses thereof in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases are also disclosed in this invention.
US08871929B2
The invention relates to fused-imidazoyl compounds of Formula (I): wherein ring A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, m and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of Formula (I) and methods of using the compound of Formula (I) to treat microbial infections.
US08871926B1
The present disclosure generally relates to self-assembly methods for generating porphyrin nanostructures. For example, in one embodiment a method is provided that includes preparing a porphyrin solution and a surfactant solution. The porphyrin solution is then mixed with the surfactant solution at a concentration sufficient for confinement of the porphyrin molecules by the surfactant molecules. In some embodiments, the concentration of the surfactant is at or above its critical micelle concentration (CMC), which allows the surfactant to template the growth of the nanostructure over time. The size and morphology of the nanostructures may be affected by the type of porphyrin molecules used, the type of surfactant used, the concentration of the porphyrin and surfactant the pH of the mixture of the solutions, and the order of adding the reagents to the mixture, to name a few variables.
US08871917B2
Methods, compositions and kits for detecting analytes of interest in a sample using electrogenerated chemiluminescence are provided. Compositions comprising at least one solid support that entraps or contains an electrogenerated chemiluminescent moiety also provided.
US08871906B2
The invention provides mutated, cytotoxic forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising a furin cleavage sequence conjugated or fused directly to residues 395-613 of PE or variants of that sequence. These minimal forms of PE are smaller than previous cytotoxic forms of PE, reduce non-specific toxicity, and reduce immunogenicity due to domain II or domain Ib of PE. The invention further provides nucleic acids encoding said PEs, chimeric molecules containing them, and methods of use thereof.
US08871891B2
Two-part polyurea-urethane adhesive compositions comprising a Part A prepolymer component having an isocyanate component comprising polymeric isocyanate and an oligomer content greater than 15 weight percent, polyol having a molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 12,000 and about 20 weight percent to about 44 percent weight percent filler; and a Part B curative component comprising polyol having molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 12,000, aromatic amine, about 20 weight percent to about 44 percent weight percent filler and catalyst wherein the adhesive has an 85° C. storage modulus greater than about 20 MPa. The two-part polyurea-urethane adhesive composition can be applied to bond various substrates including composite materials and metal, including making parts for the transportation and assembly markets.
US08871890B2
Disclosed is a curable resin composition which includes a ladder-type silsesquioxane (A) having an aliphatic carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule; a ladder-type silsesquioxane (B) having a Si—H bond in the molecule; and a hydrosilylation catalyst. The curable resin composition is useful as sealants typically for optical semiconductor elements. Also disclosed is a cured article which is obtained by curing the curable resin composition. The curable resin composition can give such a cured article having properties including resistance to elevated temperatures, flexibility, transparency, resistance to thermal yellowing, and resistance to photoyellowing.
US08871885B2
An ethylene-α-olefin copolymer wherein the copolymer has a monomer unit based on ethylene and a monomer unit based on an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, the density (d) is 860 to 950 kg/m3, the melt flow rate (MFR) is 1 to 100 g/10 min, the ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) is 4 to 30, the ratio (Mz/Mw) of the Z average molecular weight (Mz) to the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 2 to 5, the swell ratio (SR) is 1.8 or more, and the characteristic relaxation time (τ) obtained by linear viscoelasticity measurement is 0.01 to 10 seconds.
US08871870B2
Synthesized base resin compositions that include a raw resin and a maleimide and/or bismaleimide monomer as well as compounded varnishes that include a raw resin or synthesized base resin as well as a monomer, flame retardant and initiator as well as prepregs and laminates made using the synthesized base resin and compounded varnishes.
US08871867B2
The invention discloses a terminal-modified conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the following steps. An organic alkali metal initiator is added into a first mixture containing a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer to perform reaction to obtain a conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer with active terminal. The conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer with active terminal reacts with polysiloxane to obtain a terminal-modified conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic copolymer. The aforementioned polysiloxane is expressed as chemical formula (I): R1, R2, R3 and R5 independently are alkyl group with 1˜20 carbon atoms. R4 is selected from one of alkyl group, alkoxy group or hydroxyl group with 1˜5 carbon atoms, m is an integer of 2˜50, and n is an integer of 0˜50.
US08871865B2
Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising a polycarbonate terpolymer comprising structures derived from structures (I), (II) and (III), wherein (I) is a dihydroxy compound having the structure (A): wherein n is 0 to 4 and Rf is independently a halogen atom, a C1-10 hydrocarbon group, or a C1-10 halogen substituted hydrocarbon group; (II) comprises a second dihydroxy compound derived from Formula (A) and different from (I) and wherein n and Rf are as previously defined; and (III) a third dihydroxy compound not derived from Formula (A), wherein the sum of the mol percent of all of structures (I) and (II) is greater than 45% relative to the sum of the molar amounts of all of structures (I), (II) and (III) in the polycarbonate terpolymer and wherein said polycarbonate terpolymer is amorphous; an impact modifier; an ungrafted rigid copolymer; and a flame retardant. The thermoplastic composition has improved chemical resistance and flame retardance.
US08871858B2
A thermoplastic composition comprising from 30 to 93 wt. % of an aromatic polycarbonate, from 0.5 to 20 wt. % of an impact modifier, from 0 to 25 wt. % of an aromatic vinyl copolymer, from 6 to 35 wt. % of a mineral filler, and from 0.01 to 4 wt. % of an organo-hydrosiloxane or a copolymer comprising an organo-hydrosiloxane and a polysiloxane, based on the total weight of the composition, has been found to exhibit improved mechanical properties and other characteristics and less degradation than filled thermoplastic compositions without the organo-hydrosiloxane. The composition optionally comprises an acid or acid salt. An article may be formed by molding, extruding, shaping or forming such a composition to form the article.
US08871846B2
The invention relates to a plastic material comprising a composition Z comprising the components A, B, C and D,the component A being a polyester,the component B being a polyamide,the component C being a transition metal catalyst,the component D being an organic compound selected from the group consisting of paraffins, vegetable oils, polyalkylene glycols, esters of polyols, alkoxylates, and mixtures of these substances.
US08871845B2
A composition for an easy to clean surface comprises a reaction product of a. a first compound of a formula AYB, wherein A comprises an alkyl group, Y comprises a metalloid, and B comprises alkali metal; b. a second compound comprising i. a compound (1) selected from a group consisting of a compound of a formula MR or a precursor of the compound of the formula MR, wherein M is selected from a group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, and a mixture thereof, and R is selected from a group consisting of phosphonic group, phosphinic group, phosphoric group, and a mixture thereof; ii. a compound (2) comprising metal oxides, metal hydroxides, or metal peroxides, wherein the metal is selected from alkaline earth metals; and/or iii. A mixture thereof; and c. an optional polymer. Methods of making and using the above compositions are also included.
US08871836B2
Provided are: a polycarbonate-based resin composition, including: (A) 100 parts by mass of a resin mixture formed of: 30 to 100 mass % of a PC-POS copolymer (A-1) which has constituent units represented by a general formula (I) and a general formula (II), and in which an average repetition number n of organosiloxane constituent units in the general formula (II) is 70 to 500; and 70 to 0 mass % of an aromatic polycarbonate resin (A-2) except the PC-POS copolymer (A-1); (B) 0.01 to 0.15 part by mass of an alkaline (earth) metal salt of an organic sulfonic acid; (C) 0.1 to 1 part by mass of a polytetrafluoroethylene having a fibril-forming ability; and (D) 2 to 15 parts by mass of titanium dioxide particles each having, on an outermost surface thereof, a coating layer formed of a polyol free of a nitrogen atom; a molded article obtained by molding the resin composition; and a structure member for solar photovoltaic power generation formed of the molded article. The polycarbonate-based resin composition, molded article, and structure member for solar photovoltaic power generation each have excellent flame retardancy and excellent tracking resistance without impairing a low-temperature impact characteristic which a PC-POS copolymer has.
US08871835B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a heat conductive elastomer composite useful as the heat radiating member of electric parts or electronic parts, or the like. In the present invention, an aluminum hydroxide having a surface covered with an organic coupling agent and/or an inactivated magnesium oxide, being a magnesia clinker having a surface covered with an inorganic substance and/or an organic substance, is (are) combined as heat conductive filler(s) in an elastomer composite mainly composed of a styrenic elastomer.
US08871833B2
Provided is a metallic-pigment composition which is usable in coating compositions or ink compositions, in particular, in water-based coating compositions or aqueous inks, and which gives coating compositions having excellent storage stability. The metallic-pigment composition gives a coating film having excellent performances with respect to brightness, hiding properties, flip-flop feeling, etc., causes no colorant or organic-pigment discoloration, and has excellent adhesion and chemical resistance. The metallic-pigment composition comprises one or more mixed-coordination-type heteropolyanion compounds, a hydrolyzate of a silicon compound and/or a condensate thereof, and metal particles.
US08871831B2
A polymer formed by controlled radical polymerization includes groups that can be modified after controlled radical polymerization to form a radical. The polymer can be the reaction product of a controlled radical polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers, wherein at least one of the radically polymerizable monomers includes at least one group that can be modified after the controlled radical polymerization to form a radical.
US08871826B2
A hybrid polymer composition can include a polymeric material that has dispersed within it a plurality of photocatalytic particles and a plurality of conductive particles at least some of which are in contact with one or more of the plurality of photocatalytic particles such that the conductive particles provide electron donating and electron accepting properties to the photocatalytic particles to enhance the creation of free radicals upon exposure of the hybrid polymer composition to one or more degradation enhancing factors. Examples of degradation enhancing factors can include, but are not limited to, one or more of visible light, ultraviolet light, moisture, and ozone. The photocatalytic particles can include a metal oxide, such as for example titanium dioxide and/or another non-toxic metal oxide. Related methods, articles, and the like are described.
US08871821B2
A carbon-based aerogel is disclosed in which the carbon atoms are arranged in a sheet-like nanostructure. The aerogel may be either a graphene oxide aerogel or a graphene aerogel and may further be reinforced with a polymer. A method for making the aerogel is also disclosed and includes providing graphite oxide, creating a dispersion of the graphite oxide in a liquid, and drying the dispersion to form a graphene oxide aerogel. In one embodiment, the graphene oxide aerogel is thermally treated to convert the graphene oxide to graphene.
US08871818B2
Gastrointestinal absorption enhancer mediated by proton-coupled transporter and its preparing method
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation that can improve absorption of a pharmaceutical compound in the gastrointestinal tract and that provides, through oral administration or like method, a blood concentration from which sufficient remedial effects can be expected, and a method for producing such a preparation. The invention is directed to a pharmaceutical preparation exhibiting excellent gastrointestinal absorbability comprising a compound recognized by a proton-coupled transporter and a pH-sensitive polymer in an amount sufficient for the gastrointestinal tract to acquire a pH at which the proton-coupled transporter optimally absorbs the compound into a cell.
US08871817B2
The present invention relates to a single-stage process for preparing polyurethanes which comprise at least three hydrophilic sections, at least four hydrophobic sections, optionally allophanate segments and optionally isocyanurate segments, in the presence of alkali(ne earth) metal carboxylates or zinc carboxylates. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the polyurethanes themselves obtainable in this way, to the use thereof as thickeners for aqueous preparations, and to aqueous preparations comprising polyurethanes of this type.
US08871813B2
An aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or a hydrate thereof, an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer such as tyloxapol, or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester such as polyethylene glycol monostearate is stable. Since even in the case where a preservative is incorporated into said aqueous liquid preparation, the preservative exhibits a sufficient preservative effect for a long time, said aqueous liquid preparation in the form of an eye drop is useful for the treatment of blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, and postoperative inflammation. Also, the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention in the form of a nasal drop is useful for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and inflammatory rhinitis (e.g. chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, nasal polyp, etc.).
US08871810B2
Methods of treating at least one condition chosen from pain, inflammation, and fever in a critically ill patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the critically ill patient an intravenous pharmaceutical composition comprising ibuprofen using a first dosage regimen, wherein the first dosage regimen produces a first pharmacokinetic profile in critically ill patients that is about equivalent to a second pharmacokinetic profile produced by administration of the intravenous pharmaceutical composition using a second dosage regimen of ibuprofen to non-critically ill patients, wherein the at least one condition of the critically ill patient is thereby treated.
US08871807B2
The present invention relates to novel combined laundry detergent, bleach, and antimicrobial composition incorporating novel sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds, and methods for making and using them. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds used in compositions of the invention are storage stable, water soluble and have low to no odor. Compositions of the invention may be in the form of a liquid, a solid, or a gel. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds useful in preparing compositions of the present invention can be formed from non-petroleum based renewable materials.
US08871798B2
This disclosure relates to compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X and Y have the meanings denoted in the disclosure. The compounds of formula I have antithrombotic activity and in particular inhibit the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). The disclosure further relates to a method for producing the compound of formula I and to the use thereof as a pharmaceutical product.
US08871790B2
Compounds that are fatty acid synthesis modulators are provided. The compounds may be used to treat disorders characterized by disregulation of the fatty acid synthase function by modulating the function and/or the fatty acid synthase pathway. Methods are provided for treating such disorders including viral infections, such as hepatitis C infection, cancer and metabolic disorders.
US08871788B2
The present disclosure relates to a series of substituted N-alkyl and N-acyl tetrahydro-isoquinoline derivatives of formula (I). wherein R, R1, R2, X, m, n and p are as described herein. More specifically, the compounds of this invention are modulators of H3 receptors and are, therefore, useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases modulated by H3 receptors including diseases associated with the central nervous system. Additionally, this disclosure also relates to methods of preparation of substituted N-alkyl and N-acyl tetrahydro-isoquinoline derivatives of formula (I) and intermediates therefor.
US08871786B2
Disclosed are CCR1 inhibitor compounds of the formula (I): which are useful in the treatment of autoimmune and other diseases. Also disclosed a pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of making and using same.
US08871780B2
The presently described technology provides phenylethanoic acid, phenylpropanoic acid, phenylpropenoic acid, a salt thereof, a derivative thereof or a combination thereof chemically conjugated to hydrocodone (morphinan-6-one, 4,5-alpha-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl) to form novel prodrugs or compositions of hydrocodone which have a decreased potential for abuse of hydrocodone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology.
US08871779B2
The present invention generally relates to processes for preparing highly pure morphinan-6-one products. The processes involve reducing the concentration of α,β-unsaturated ketone compounds present as impurities in morphinan 6 one products or reaction mixtures including morphinan 6 one compounds by treatment with a sulfur-containing compound. (A)
US08871774B2
Methods of inhibiting the replication of influenza viruses in a biological sample or patient, of reducing the amount of influenza viruses in a biological sample or patient, and of treating influenza in a patient, comprises administering to said biological sample or patient an effective amount of a compound represented by Structural Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the values of Structural Formula (I) are as described herein. A compound is represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the values of Structural Formula (I) are as described herein. A pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of such a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.
US08871767B2
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I): where X, Y, X, A, R1, R2, and R3 are defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to treat, e.g., cancer.
US08871763B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurines and uses thereof for the treatment of facial wrinkling are provided.
US08871747B2
The present application discloses compounds of formula (I) wherein X is ═O, ═S, ═NH, ═NOH and ═NO-Me; A is —C(═O)—, —S(═O)2—, —C(═S)— and P(═O)(R5)—; B is, —O—, —(CH2)3-6—, and O—(CH2)2-5—; D is, —O—, —CR7R8— and —NR9; m is 0-12, n is 0-12, m+n is 1-20; p is 0-4; R1 is opt. sub. heteroaryl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and prodrugs thereof. The application also discloses the compound for use as a medicament for the treatment of a disease or a condition caused by an elevated level of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPRT), e.g. inflammatory and tissue repair disorders; dermatosis; autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, athersclerosis, restenosis, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, cancer, cachexia, inflammation associated with infection and certain viral infections, including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), adult respiratory distress syndrome, ataxia telengiectasia.
US08871742B2
The present invention provides a composition, and a method of use thereof, for treating connective tissue damage in man and in animals, which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, and hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid). Particularly, the present invention provides a composition, and a method of use thereof, for treating connective tissue damage including, but not limited to, arthritic disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osterochondrosis dessicans, cartilage damage, joint injury, joint inflammation, joint synovitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), post surgical DJD, traumatic injury, fracture, tendon damage, ligament damage, skeletal damage, musculoskeletal damage, fiber damage, adipose tissue damage, blood cell damage, and plasma damage. Compositions for delivery of the present invention include those for parenteral, oral, and transmucosal delivery and for direct surgical placement onto the affected tissues.
US08871741B2
Oral pentosan polysulfate (PPS) compositions treat diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, atherosclerosis. The compositions are also effective in reducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
US08871740B2
The present invention relates to a composition including a mix of a polysaccharides having: 15% to 50% of glucoside linkages 1-6; a reducing sugar content of less than 20%; a polymolecularity index of less than 5; an average molecular weight with number Mn of less than 4500 g/mole and at least one active agent for treating stress, anxiety and depressive behavior, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia and epilepsy in humans or animals. The present invention also relates to the use of the polysaccharide for treating stress, anxiety or depressive behavior, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia and epilepsy in humans or animals.
US08871739B2
Provided are methods for the solubilization of cellulose into soluble sugars without the need for high temperatures, high pressures, strong acid solutions, and/or added water. The produced sugars can be fermented into ethanol. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting a cellulose-containing material with a solid acid material and agitating the cellulose-containing material and the solid acid material for a time sufficient to produce an aqueous solution comprising a quantity of soluble sugars.
US08871737B2
Disclosed herein are phosphorothioate nucleotide analogs, such as thiophosphoroamidate prodrugs and thiophosphates (including α-thiomonophosphates, α-thiodiphosphates, and α-thiotriphosphates), methods of synthesizing phosphorothioate nucleotide analogs, such as thiophosphoramidate prodrugs, and thiophosphates and methods of treating viral infections, such as HCV, cancer, and/or parasitic diseases with the phosphorothioate nucleotide analogs, such as thiophosphoramidate prodrugs, and thiophosphates.
US08871734B2
A viral or non-viral vector particle having a modified viral surface protein wherein the viral surface protein is modified to include a targeting polypeptide including a binding region which binds to an extracellular matrix component. Such vector particles are useful in delivering genes encoding therapeutic agents to cells located at the site of an exposed extracellular matrix component.
US08871732B2
The invention provides immunomodulatory polynucleotides and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory polynucleotides.
US08871722B2
The present invention provides perhydrolase enzyme CD4+ T-cell epitopes, as well as variants that exhibit reduced immunogenic responses, as compared to the parental perhydrolase. The present invention further provides DNA molecules that encode perhydrolase variants, and host cells comprising DNA encoding perhydrolase variants, as well as methods for making perhydrolase enzymes less immunogenic. In addition, the present invention provides various compositions that comprise perhydrolase variants that are less immunogenic than the wild-type perhydrolase. In some specific embodiments, the present invention provides perhydrolase variants with reduced immunogenicity identified and/or characterized using the methods of the present invention. These enzymes find use in cleaning and other applications. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention finds particular use in applications involving cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.
US08871705B2
Long-lasting fragrance delivery systems and uses of the systems to provide fragrance-emitting articles with a long-lasting fragrance are disclosed herein. The long-lasting fragrance delivery systems include an emulsion of silicone-based polyurethane, fragrance, and a carrier.
US08871697B2
A substrate such as a fabric may be provided with a fragrance during washing or rinsing process by the addition to the wash water of a free-flowing solid fragrance-providing composition that comprises a fragrance deposited on a particulate carrier along with a water soluble salt of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.
US08871693B2
A gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is disclosed, comprising the general formula of: in which X is an OR1, NR1R2, or SR1 group, R1 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R2 is an organic group or a hydrogen. Y is an NR3R4 or SR3 group, R3 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R4 is an organic group or a hydrogen. A method of making a gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is also disclosed. Phosphorus oxyhalide is reacted with a chemical reagent to produce substantially only diester phosphorus oxyhalide, the chemical reagent comprising at least one of an organic alcohol having 2-24 carbon atoms, an organic amine with an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and an organic sulfide having 2-24 carbon atoms. The diester phosphorus oxyhalide is then hydrolyzed to produce diester phosphoric acid.
US08871692B2
The present invention refers to the use of anionic water-soluble polymers being partially or totally neutralized with an organic counter-ion for oil filed application, especially tertiary oil recovery steps.
US08871687B2
The present invention pertains to a method for determining a sequence of contiguous bases within a polynucleotide, the method relying on single-base primer extension using labeled dideoxynucleotide terminators. The primers are immobilized to solid supports (e.g. microspheres or two-dimensional arrays), allowing for the identification of the labeled terminator incorporated into each primer.
US08871686B2
The invention relates to methods of identifying a binding partner of a target molecule within a plurality of analyte molecules, including a plurality of peptides and/or proteins. The target molecule is physically combined with a target labeling nucleic acid molecule. Each member of the plurality of analyte molecules is physically linked to an analyte labeling nucleic acid molecule, each analyte labeling nucleic acid molecule comprising a selected nucleotide sequence. This specific nucleotide sequence may include a sequence encoding a peptide/protein combined therewith. The target molecule is contacted with the analyte molecules and a complex between the target molecule and an analyte molecule forms. The mixture is subdivided into compartments. The target labeling nucleic acid molecule and the analyte labeling nucleic acid molecule are linked and the plurality of compartments allowed to disintegrate. The linked nucleic acid molecule is retrieved and the sequence determined.
US08871683B2
A herbicidal composition comprising dicamba in each of the monomethylamine and dimethylamine salts wherein the ratio of monomethylamine:dimethylamine is from 20:1 to 1:1.
US08871681B2
Provided herein are synergistic herbicidal compositions comprising (a) a compound of formula (I): or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) a sulfonylurea e.g., amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, chlorsulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl sodium, foramsulfuron, imazosulfuron, iofensulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl sodium, mesosulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, primisulfuron-methyl, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrimisulfan, pyroxasulfone, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, triafamone, triasulfuron, tribenuron-methyl or trifloxysulfuron-sodium, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof. The compositions and methods provide control of undesirable vegetation, e.g., in crops and other settings, e.g., in direct-seeded, water-seeded and transplanted rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, corn or maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) or rights-of-way (ROW).
US08871672B2
In one example embodiment, a core-shell type platinum-containing catalyst is allowed to reduce the amount of used platinum and has high catalytic activity and stability. In one example embodiment, the core-shell type platinum-containing catalyst includes a core particle (with an average particle diameter R1) made of a non-platinum element and a platinum shell layer (with an average thickness ts) satisfying 1.4 nm≦R1≦3.5 nm and 0.25 nm≦ts≦0.9 nm. The core particle includes an element satisfying Eout≧3.0 eV, where average binding energy relative to the Fermi level of 5d orbital electrons of platinum present on an outermost surface of the shell layer is Eout. In a fuel cell including a platinum-containing catalyst which contains a Ru particle as a core particle, the output density at a current density of 300 mA/cm2 is 70 mW/cm2 or over, and an output retention ratio is approximately 90% or over.
US08871670B2
The present invention provides methods for controlling defects in materials, including point defects, such as interstitials and vacancies, and extended defects, including dislocations and clusters. Defect control provided by the present invention allows for fabrication and processing of materials and/or structures having a selected abundance, spatial distribution and/or concentration depth profile of one or more types of defects in a material, such as vacancies and/or interstitials in a crystalline material. Methods of the invention are useful for processing materials by controlling defects to access beneficial physical, optical, chemical and/or electronic properties.
US08871668B2
The invention provides a novel immobilized Lewis acid catalyst which exhibits high catalytic activity in an aqueous solution and which permits recovery and reuse or long-term continuous use. The invention relates to an immobilized Lewis acid catalyst comprising a solid substance and a Lewis acid supported on the surface of the solid substance by chemical bonding, wherein the surface of the solid substance and the peripheries of the Lewis acid are coated with an ionic liquid, more specifically, an immobilized Lewis acid catalyst comprising a solid substance such as silica gel or an organic polymer and a Lewis acid stable even in water which is supported on the surface of the solid substance by chemical bonding, wherein the surface of the solid substance and the peripheries of the Lewis acid are completely or partially coated with a hydrophobic ionic liquid; a process for the production of the catalyst; use thereof; and a process for the preparation of compounds with the catalyst.
US08871666B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing a rheology product from a pseudomlaminar silicate comprising microfiber bundles. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: grinding the pseudolaminar silicate mineral which is selected from sepiolite mineral, attapulgite mineral and combinations of same, with a pseudolaminar silicate concentration of at least 50%, moisture of less than 40% and a particle size of less than 1 mm; mixing the ground pseudolaminar silicate mineral with an aqueous solution of a dispersing component comprising at least one dispersing agent, in order to obtain a first mixture comprising between 35% and 85% water and between 0.1% and 7% dispersant in relation to the weight of the pseudolaminar silicate mineral; and intensively mixing the first mixture obtained in the second step until the dispersion of the pseudolaminar silicate microfibre bundles in order to obtain the rheology product in a dispersion homogeneously mixed with the dispersant and the water.
US08871665B2
The method includes a pretreatment step during an operation of a boiler in which in a predetermined period of time before shutdown of the boiler, a part of combustion gas that has bypassed an economizer provided in a flue gas duct for flue gas from the boiler is supplied to an upstream of a NOx removal device having a NOx removal catalyst and mixed with the combustion flue gas from the economizer to generate mixed gas having a predetermined temperature equal to or higher than 360° C. (360° C. to 450° C.), the mixed gas is introduced into the NOx removal catalyst, thereby decomposing VOSO4 adhering to and accumulating on the NOx removal catalyst into V2O5.
US08871664B2
Provided is a manufacturing method for a refractory filler, comprising melting a raw material batch and cooling the resultant melt to precipitate willemite as a main crystal phase.
US08871662B2
The subject of the invention is a mineral wool, the glass fibers of which have a chemical composition substantially free of boron oxide and comprising the following constituents in the limits defined below, expressed in percentages by weight: 60 to 75 SiO2; 0 to 4 Al2O3; 17 to 22 Na2O; 5 to 15 CaO; 0 to 2 Fe2O3; and 0 to 3 P2O5.
US08871661B2
Provided is a bonding material which can bond base materials or substrates having different linear thermal expansion coefficients, and can have heat resistance against temperatures of 300° C. or higher, vacuum airtightness and bonding strength, further which has excellent handleability and workability. The bonding material is produced by mixing, in a content ratio of 0.01 to 60 mass % (to the whole), a metal Ga, and/or at least one metal or alloy powder selected from the group consisting of a metal powder mixture of a combination of Bi and Sn or an alloy powder thereof, and a metal powder mixture of a combination of Bi, Sn and Mg or an alloy powder thereof with a Bi2O3-based glass frit powder having an average particle diameter of 200 μm or less. The bonding material may be formed in a paste form by adding a solvent thereto. This feature makes it possible to bond together substrates having different thermal expansion coefficients without causing a crack or unsticking.
US08871656B2
Methods of depositing initially flowable dielectric films on substrates are described. The methods include introducing silicon-containing precursor to a deposition chamber that contains the substrate. The methods further include generating at least one excited precursor, such as radical nitrogen or oxygen precursor, with a remote plasma system located outside the deposition chamber. The excited precursor is also introduced to the deposition chamber, where it reacts with the silicon-containing precursor in a reaction zone deposits the initially flowable film on the substrate. The flowable film may be treated in, for example, a steam environment to form a silicon oxide film.
US08871655B2
The method of forming a silicon oxycarbonitride film on a base includes stacking a silicon carbonitride film and a silicon oxynitride film on the base to form the silicon oxycarbonitride film.
US08871654B2
A film deposition apparatus forming a thin film by after repeating cycles of sequentially supplying gases to a substrate on a turntable inside a vacuum chamber that includes a first supplying portion for causing the substrate to absorb a first gas containing silicon; a second supplying portion apart from the first supplying portion for supplying a second gas containing active species to produce a silicone dioxide; a separating area between the first and second supplying portions for preventing their mixture; a main heating mechanism for heating the substrate; and an auxiliary mechanism including a heat lamp above the turntable and having a wavelength range absorbable by the substrate to directly heat to be a processing temperature at which an ozone gas is thermally decomposed, wherein a maximum temperature is lower than the thermally decomposed temperature, at which, the first gas is absorbed and oxidized by the second gas.
US08871652B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor template balanced between strains and defects is provided, the method including steps of: preparing a substrate, dividing the substrate into a plurality of first patterned zones and a plurality of second patterned zones, the second patterned zones applied to separate the first patterned zones; selecting a semiconductor with an ideal lattice of a semiconductor buffer layer to be deposited on the substrate; etching a plurality of first microstructures in the first patterned zones according to the semiconductor with the ideal lattice, the first microstructures and the semiconductor with the ideal lattice following a lattice-structure matching relationship, discovered by strain-traction experiments, making the substrate a multi-patterned substrate; and depositing the semiconductor buffer layer having the semiconductor with the ideal lattice on the multi-patterned substrate to manufacture a semiconductor template which is balanced between strains and defects.
US08871651B1
A mask for use in fabricating one or more semiconductor devices is fabricated by: providing sacrificial spacing structures disposed over a substrate structure, and including protective hard masks at upper surfaces of the spacing structures; disposing a sidewall spacer layer conformally over the sacrificial spacing structures; selectively removing the sidewall spacer layer from above the sacrificial spacing structures to expose the protective hard masks of the spacing structures, the selectively removing including leaving sidewall spacers along sidewalls of the sacrificial spacing structures; providing a protective material over the substrate structure; and removing the exposed protective hard masks from the sacrificial spacing structures, and thereafter, removing remaining sacrificial spacing structures and the protective material, leaving the sidewall spacers over the substrate structure as a mask.
US08871649B2
Methods of forming trench/hole type features in a layer of material of an integrated circuit product
One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming a layer of insulating material, forming a patterned layer of photoresist above the layer of insulating material, wherein the patterned layer of photoresist has an opening defined therein, forming an internal spacer within the opening in the patterned layer of photoresist, wherein the spacer defines a reduced-size opening, performing an etching process through the reduced-size opening on the layer of insulating material to define a trench/hole type feature in the layer of insulating material, and forming a conductive structure in the trench/hole type feature in the layer of insulating material.
US08871643B2
A manufacturing method for manufacturing a lateral semiconductor device having an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) substrate, the lateral semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor layer that includes a buried oxide layer and a drift region, the manufacturing method comprising an etching process of etching, by a predetermined depth, a LOCOS oxide that projects from a surface of the semiconductor layer by a predetermined thickness and is embedded in the semiconductor layer by a predetermined thickness, and a trench forming process of simultaneously forming a first trench extending from the drift region toward the buried oxide layer, and a second trench extending from a portion obtained by the etching in the etching process toward the buried oxide layer, at a same etching rate, and stopping forming the first trench and the second trench at a time when the second trench reaches the buried oxide layer.
US08871642B2
Provided is a method of forming a pattern, including (a) forming a chemically amplified resist composition into a film, (b) exposing the film to light, (c) developing the exposed film with a developer containing an organic solvent, and (d) rinsing the developed film with a rinse liquid containing an organic solvent, which rinse liquid has a specific gravity larger than that of the developer.
US08871633B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a substrate having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer arranged deeper than the first conductive layer; a large-diameter concave portion having, on a main side of a substrate, an opening sized to overlap the first and second conductive layers, with the first conductive layer exposed in part of the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion; a small-diameter concave portion extended from the large-diameter concave portion and formed by digging into the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion, with the second conductive layer exposed at the bottom of the small-diameter concave portion; and a conductive member provided in a connection hole made up of the large- and small-diameter concave portions to connect the first and second conductive layers.
US08871632B2
In one embodiment, a program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, includes operations comprising: providing a structure comprising a first layer overlying a substrate, where the first layer comprises a dielectric material having a plurality of pores; applying a filling material to a surface of the first layer, where the filling material comprises a polymer and at least one additive, where the at least one additive comprises at least one of a surfactant, a high molecular weight polymer and a solvent (e.g., a high boiling point solvent); and after applying the filling material, heating the structure to enable the filling material to at least partially fill the plurality of pores uniformly across an area of the first layer, where heating the structure results in residual filling material being uniformly left on the surface of the first layer.
US08871618B2
An in-situ fabrication method for a silicon solar cell includes the following steps: pretreating a silicon chip; placing the pretreated silicon chip in an implantation chamber of a plasma immersion ion implantation machine; completing the preparation of black silicon via a plasma immersion ion implantation process; making a PN junction and forming a passivation layer on the black silicon; after making the PN junction and forming the passivation layer, removing the black silicon from the plasma immersion ion implantation machine; preparing a metal back electrode on the back of the black silicon; preparing a metal grid on the passivation layer; obtaining a solar cell after encapsulation. Said method enables black silicon preparation, PN junction preparation, and passivation layer formation in-situ, greatly reducing the amount of equipment needed for the preparation of solar cells and the preparation cost. In addition, the method is simple and easy to control.
US08871616B2
A thin film transistor (TFT), an OLED device having the TFT and a method of fabricating the same and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device that includes the TFT. The method of fabricating a TFT includes providing a substrate, forming a buffer layer on the substrate, forming an amorphous silicon layer pattern on the buffer layer, forming a metal layer on an entire surface of the substrate, forming a semiconductor layer by applying an electrical field to the metal layer to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer pattern, forming source and drain electrodes connected to the semiconductor layer by patterning the metal layer, forming a gate insulating layer on the entire surface of the substrate, forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer to correspond to the semiconductor layer and forming a protective layer on the entire surface of the substrate.
US08871615B2
According to one embodiment, a method includes forming a first SiGe layer having a first profile of a concentration of Ge on a semiconductor substrate, forming a second SiGe layer having a second profile of a concentration of Ge on the first SiGe layer, the second profile lower than a first peak of the first profile, forming a mask layer on the second SiGe layer, etching the first and second SiGe layers by anisotropic etching using the mask layer as a mask to form trenches, selectively removing the first SiGe layer exposed into the trenches to form a cavity under the second SiGe layer, and oxidizing side and lower surfaces of the second SiGe layer exposed in the trenches and the cavity to increase the concentration of Ge in the second SiGe layer.
US08871608B2
A method for fabricating a backside-illuminated sensor includes providing a thin film semiconductor lamina having a first conductivity, and forming a doped region having a second conductivity within the lamina and at a front surface of the lamina. The lamina may be provided as a free-standing lamina, or may be provided as a semiconductor donor body from which the lamina is cleaved. An electrical connection is formed to the doped region. A temporary carrier is contacted to the back surface of the semiconductor and later removed. A backside-illuminated sensor is fabricated from the semiconductor lamina, in which the thickness of the semiconductor lamina remains substantially unchanged during the fabrication process.
US08871603B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing an electronic device. A first conductive layer (first metal interconnect layer) is deposited. There is an insulating layer (first intermetal dielectric) layer deposited. A resistive layer is deposited on top of the insulating layer and structured in order to serve as a thin film resistor. A second insulating layer (second intermetal dielectric) is then deposited on top of the resistive layer. A first opening is etched into the insulating layers (first and second intermetal dielectric) down to the first conductive layer. A second opening is etched into the insulating layers (first and second intermetal dielectrics) down to the first conductive layer. A cross-sectional plane of the second opening is arranged such that it at least partially overlaps the resistive layer of the thin film resistor in a first direction.
US08871602B2
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a molecular memory device includes: forming a first wiring layer including a plurality of first wirings extending in a first direction; forming a sacrificial film on the first wiring layer; forming a plurality of core members on the first wiring layer, the core member extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and being formed from an insulating material different from the sacrificial film; forming a second wiring on a side surface of the core member; removing a portion of the sacrificial film located immediately below the second wiring; embedding a polymer; and embedding an insulating. The embedding a polymer includes embedding a polymer serving as a memory material between the first wiring and the second wiring. The embedding an insulating member includes embedding an insulating member in a space between the second wirings between the core members.
US08871601B2
Embodiments of the present invention include diffusion barriers, methods for forming the barriers, and semiconductor devices utilizing the barriers. The diffusion barrier comprises a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a semiconductor substrate, where one surface of the SAM is disposed in contact with and covalently bonded to the semiconductor substrate, and one surface of the monolayer is disposed in contact with and covalently bonded to a metal layer. In some embodiments, the barrier comprises an assembly of one or more monomeric subunits of the following structure: Si—(CnHy)-(LM)m where n is from 1 to 20, y is from 2n−2 to 2n, m is 1 to 3, L is a Group VI element, and M is a metal, such as copper. In some embodiments, (CnHy) can be branched, crosslinked, or cyclic.
US08871598B1
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a split gate memory gate structure on a memory region of a substrate, and protecting the split gate memory gate structure by depositing protective layers over the memory region including the memory gate structure and over a logic region of the substrate. The protective layers include a material that creates a barrier to diffusion of metal. The protective layers are retained over the memory region while forming a logic gate in the logic region. The logic gate includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal layer. A spacer material is deposited over the logic gate. Spacers are formed on the memory gate structure and the logic gate. The spacer on the logic gate is formed of the spacer material and the spacer on the memory gate structure is formed with one of the protective layers.
US08871589B2
Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays may have digit lines under vertically-oriented transistors, with the digit lines interconnecting transistors along columns of the array. Each individual transistor may be directly over only a single digit line, with the single digit line being entirely composed of one or more metal-containing materials. The digit lines can be over a deck, and electrically insulative regions can be directly between the digit lines and the deck. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory arrays. A plurality of linear segments of silicon-containing material may be formed to extend upwardly from a base of the silicon-containing material. The base may be etched to form silicon-containing footings under the linear segments, and the footings may be converted into metal silicide. The linear segments may be patterned into a plurality of vertically-oriented transistor pedestals that extend upwardly from the metal silicide footings.
US08871588B2
A method of fabricating a memory cell comprises forming a plurality of doped semiconductor layers on a carrier substrate. The method further comprises forming a plurality of digit lines separated by an insulating material. The digit lines are arrayed over the doped semiconductor layers. The method further comprises etching a plurality of trenches into the doped semiconductor layers. The method further comprises depositing an insulating material into the plurality of trenches to form a plurality of electrically isolated transistor pillars. The method further comprises bonding at least a portion of the structure formed on the carrier substrate to a host substrate. The method further comprises separating the carrier substrate from the host substrate.
US08871584B2
A finFET is formed having a fin with a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions. The fin is etched on a semiconductor wafer. A gate stack is formed having an insulating layer in direct contact with the channel region and a conductive gate material in direct contact with the insulating layer. The source and drain regions are etched to expose a first region of the fin. A portion of the first region is then doped with a dopant.
US08871579B2
Provided is a manufacturing method for a semiconductor transistor comprising: forming a resist layer containing resist material on a base layer including a substrate; patterning the resist layer to form apertures therein; forming a metal layer by disposing metallic material to cover the resist layer and to fill the apertures formed in the resist layer; removing a metal oxide layer formed by oxidation of a top surface of the metal layer by performing cleaning by using a cleaning liquid; forming the source electrode and the drain electrode by removing the resist layer by using a dissolution liquid different from the cleaning liquid, the source electrode and the drain electrode constituted of the metallic material having been disposed in the apertures; and forming a semiconductor layer so as to cover the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US08871576B2
A nanotubular MOSFET device and a method of fabricating the same are used to extend device scaling roadmap while maintaining good short channel effects and providing competitive drive current. The nanotubular MOSFET device includes a concentric tubular inner and outer gate separated from each other by a tubular shaped epitaxially grown silicon layer, and a source and drain respectively separated by spacers surrounding the tubular inner and outer gates. The method of forming the nanotubular MOSFET device includes: forming on a substrate a cylindrical shaped Si layer; forming an outer gate surrounding the cylindrical Si layer and positioned between a bottom spacer and a top spacer; growing a silicon epitaxial layer on the top spacer adjacent to a portion of the cylindrical shaped Si layer; etching an inner portion of the cylindrical shaped Si forming a hollow cylinder; forming an inner spacer at the bottom of the inner cylinder; forming an inner gate by filling a portion of the hollow cylinder; forming a sidewall spacer adjacent to the inner gate; and etching a deep trench for accessing and contacting the outer gate and drain.
US08871569B2
Disclosed herein are a semiconductor package and a method of manufacturing the same, the semiconductor package including: a molding member having a cavity formed therein; a device mounted in the cavity; an insulating member formed inside the cavity and on and/or beneath the molding member and the device; a circuit layer formed on the insulating member, and including vias and connection pads electrically connected with the device; a solder resist layer formed on the circuit layer, and having openings exposing upper portions of the connection pads; and solder balls formed in the openings.
US08871568B2
A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate, forming an interconnect structure over the dielectric layer, and bonding a die to the interconnect structure. The substrate is then removed, and the dielectric layer is patterned. Connectors are formed at a surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the connectors are electrically coupled to the die.
US08871566B2
A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a first insulating layer on the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode and separated from the gate electrode by the first insulating layer, the semiconductor layer including a channel region corresponding to the gate electrode, a source region, and a drain region, a hydrogen diffusion barrier layer on the semiconductor layer, the hydrogen diffusion barrier layer covering the channel region and exposing the source and drain regions, and a second insulation layer on the source and drain regions and on the hydrogen diffusion barrier layer, such that the hydrogen diffusion barrier layer is between the second insulation layer and the channel region.
US08871565B2
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability. A crystalline oxide semiconductor film is formed, without performing a plurality of steps, as follows: by utilizing a difference in atomic weight of plural kinds of atoms included in an oxide semiconductor target, zinc with low atomic weight is preferentially deposited on an oxide insulating film to form a seed crystal including zinc; and tin, indium, or the like with high atomic weight is deposited on the seed crystal while causing crystal growth. Further, a crystalline oxide semiconductor film is formed by causing crystal growth using a seed crystal with a hexagonal crystal structure including zinc as a nucleus, whereby a single crystal oxide semiconductor film or a substantially single crystal oxide semiconductor film is formed.
US08871558B2
In a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent display, when a substrate including first and second pixel areas is prepared, a first mask including openings is disposed on the substrate to respectively correspond to the first and second pixel areas, and a second mask including an opening corresponding to the first pixel area is disposed on the first mask to expose the first pixel area and cover the second pixel area. Then, a first organic light emitting material is provided to the substrate to form the first organic light emitting material in the first pixel area and the second mask is removed from the substrate to expose the first and second pixel areas. Thereafter, a second organic light emitting material is provided to the substrate to form the second light emitting material in the first and second pixel areas and the first mask is removed from the substrate.
US08871557B2
Provided are a photomultiplier and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method thereof may include forming a mask layer on an active region of a substrate doped with a first conductive type, ion implanting a second conductive type impurity opposite to the first conductive type into the substrate to form a first doped region in the active region under the mask layer and an non-active region exposed from the mask layer, forming a device isolation layer on the non-active region, removing the mask layer, and ion implanting the second conductive type impurity having a concentration higher than that of the first doped region into an upper portion of the first doped region in the active region to form a second doped region shallower than the first doped region.
US08871555B2
A photoelectric conversion device having a new anti-reflection structure is provided. A photoelectric conversion device includes a first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region that is provided over a conductive layer; a crystalline semiconductor region that is provided over the first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region and has an uneven surface by including a plurality of whiskers including a crystalline semiconductor; and a second-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region that covers the uneven surface of the crystalline semiconductor region having the uneven surface, the second conductivity type being opposite to the first conductivity type. In the photoelectric conversion device, a concentration gradient of an impurity element imparting the first conductivity type is formed from the first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region toward the crystalline semiconductor region having the uneven surface.
US08871553B2
A moisture trapping filler composition may include a filler material combined with a desiccant material.
US08871552B2
Although Cl (chlorine) is no longer supplied in the course of a first process in which a detecting layer formed by a polycrystalline film or a polycrystalline lamination film by vapor deposition or sublimation is formed, an additional source (e.g., HCl of Cl-containing gas) other than a source is supplied at the start or in the course of the first process. Thus, the detecting layer as the polycrystalline film or the polycrystalline lamination film of CdTe, ZnTe, or CdZnTe can be doped with Cl uniformly in a thickness direction from the start until the end of the first process in film formation. As a result, uniform crystal particles and uniform detection characteristics can be achieved.
US08871540B2
A laser dicing method includes: placing a workpiece substrate on a stage; generating a clock signal; emitting a pulse laser beam synchronous with the clock signal; switching irradiation and non-irradiation of the workpiece substrate with the pulse laser beam in a unit of light pulse in synchronization with the clock signal to perform first irradiation of the pulse laser beam on a first straight line by controlling the pulse laser beam using a pulse picker; performing second irradiation of the pulse laser beam on a second straight line, which is adjacent to the first straight line in a substantially parallel fashion, after the first irradiation; and forming a crack reaching a workpiece substrate surface on the workpiece substrate by the first irradiation and the second irradiation.
US08871538B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus is provided. The LED lighting apparatus includes at least one LED, and a wavelength conversion member spaced apart from the LED and configured to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the LED. The wavelength conversion member includes a light-transmitting member, and a transfer molded wavelength conversion layer disposed on at least one surface of the light-transmitting member. The transfer molded wavelength conversion layer includes a resin and a phosphor.
US08871534B1
A method for fabricating an LED light tube includes: fabricating a heat dissipation base having a light emitting side with a recess and a reception chamber; disposing one illumination unit and one bridging unit on the recess, wherein the illumination unit and the bridging unit are constituted by LED dies and conductive elements, respectively; fixing a circuit unit on the light emitting side in such a manner that the circuit is located adjacent to the recess; applying wire-bond technique to connect the LED dies and the conductive elements electrically; forming an optical layer over the LED dies; forming a protection layer on the optical layer; establishing electrical connection among the circuit unit, the conductive elements and the LED dies; installing a power supply source within the reception chamber; and disposing a diffusion shield over the dissipation base and two end caps respectively on two ends of the dissipation base.
US08871531B2
A thermally assisted magnetic memory cell device includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the magnetic tunnel junction, a conductive hard mask disposed on the second electrode and a parallel shunt path coupled to the magnetic tunnel junction, thereby electrically coupling the first and second electrodes.
US08871526B1
A reservoir is supported by a base in a vertical position. A reciprocating member is positioned in the reservoir forming an internal chamber. The chamber receives growth factor starting material through an inlet in the reciprocating member. After the inlet is sealed, the reciprocating member increases the volume of the chamber to apply negative pressure to the growth factor starting material within the chamber to produce activated growth factors. The activated growth factors are extracted from the chamber through an outlet in the reciprocating member. Optionally, the growth factor starting material is held in the chamber to separate into fractions.
US08871524B2
The invention provides methods of performing a sizing analysis. In the methods, a sizing ladder used in performing the sizing analysis is corrected. In one method, the sizing ladder is corrected for batch-to-batch variations in a sieving gel. In another method, the sizing ladder is corrected for a sample concentration that is different from the archival sizing ladder concentration. Methods are also provided in which the sizing ladder is corrected using a standard marker in a sample and/or using a real-time standard sizing ladder. The methods may be used individually or in combination.
US08871523B1
Disclosed is a sensor for detecting explosive devices. The sensor includes a ferromagnetic metal and a molecular recognition reagent coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The molecular recognition reagent is operable to expand upon absorption of vapor from an explosive material such that the molecular recognition reagent changes a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal. The explosive device is detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the tensile stress.
US08871518B2
A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided.
US08871508B2
The present invention provides methods and kits for measuring a cell-mediated immune (CMI) in a small volume of whole undiluted blood collected from a subject. In particular, the methods are for measuring responses in undiluted whole blood samples having a volume of, for example, 50 μl to 500 μl. Thus, capillary sampling and rapid testing of subjects including pediatric, adult or geriatric human subjects are facilitated.
US08871502B2
The present invention discloses a culture medium device, which comprises a plate containing a solid-state or gel-state culture medium layer; a shield layer covering the culture medium layer; and a lid covering the plate. The shield layer is in a solid, gel or liquid state and contains sugar at a concentration of greater than 0% (w/w) and less than or equal to 0.1% (w/w). Via the shield layer containing a select composition, the present invention can reduce the affection of microbiological contamination and promote the yield and productivity of biomass in the process of inoculating and cultivating Polyporales.
US08871501B2
A rotating drum that is made from a plurality of panels that are connected to form sub-cylinders that, in turn, are connected to form a drum cylinder. Drum heads are connected at both ends of the drum cylinders. The drum may be rotated using rotational means. In one preferred embodiment the rotational means is a tangential rotational drive system that engages drive tires that are positioned between sub-cylinders. A method for fabricating rotating drums. A business method of mass production of and/or distribution of rotating drums.
US08871500B2
A MEMS-based system and a method are described for separating a target particle from the remainder of a fluid stream. The system makes use of a unique, microfabricated movable structure formed on a substrate, which moves in a rotary fashion about one or more fixed points, which are all located on one side of the axis of motion. The movable structure is actuated by a separate force-generating apparatus, which is entirely separate from the movable structure formed on its substrate. This allows the movable structure to be entirely submerged in the sample fluid.
US08871493B2
A novel transformation system in the field of filamentous fungal hosts for expressing and secreting heterologous proteins or polypeptides is described. The invention also covers a process for producing large amounts of polypeptide or protein in an economical manner. The system comprises a transformed or transfected fungal strain of the genus Chrysosporium, more particularly of Chrysosporium lucknowense and mutants or derivatives thereof. It also covers transformants containing Chrysosporium coding sequences, as well expression-regulating sequences of Chrysosporium genes. Also provided are novel fungal enzymes and their encoding sequences and expression-regulating sequences.
US08871492B2
A fat-soluble fraction extracted from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceum is demonstrated to inhibit the neuronal toxicity of amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) and induce the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF), and has great potential as an active ingredient for pharmaceutical products, health food products, food products and/or beverages to prevent and/or treat dementia, especially Alzheimer-type dementia. This invention is to provide the bioactive fraction and its preparation method.
US08871484B2
A nitrile hydratase variant of the present invention comprises substitution of at least one amino acid with another amino acid to improve two or more properties of nitrile hydratase by substitution of one amino acid.
US08871479B2
The invention relates to applications of the cellulase Cel5H of Saccharophagus degradans and its homologues, functional fragments and/or variants and engineered forms thereof, in the context of recombinant, more particularly solventogenic microorganisms, more particularly C. acetobutylicum. The invention also characterizes a novel domain of the Cel5H cellulase with a putative cellulose-binding module function, and its uses in chimeric proteins for depolymerization of cellulose containing substrates.
US08871469B1
This invention concerns self-avoiding molecular recognition systems (SAMRS), compositions that bind to natural DNA and RNA, but do not bind to compositions at sites that incorporate other SAMRS components, and processes dependent on them. Their utility is shown by discoveries that DNA polymerases accept these compositions as primers and templates, where standard triphosphates are added to primers containing SAMRS components, and added opposite to SAMRS components in the template. A critical mass of data are provided in 16 examples to provide first-generation heuristic rules to permit design of SAMRS sequences can be used as primers and templates that are accepted by DNA polymerases. The presently preferred primers are at least 12 nucleotide units in length, and more preferably between 15 and 30 nucleotides in length. Also preferred are chimeric primers that have standard nucleotides in their 5′-segments, and SAMRS nucleotides in their 3′-segments, and in multiplexed priming.
US08871461B2
Methods and devices for applying hemodynamic patterns to human/animal cells in culture are described. Hemodynamic flow patterns are measured directly from the human circulation and translated to a motor that controls the rotation of a cone. The cone is submerged in fluid (i.e., cell culture media) and brought into close proximity to the cells. Rotation of the cone creates time-varying shear stresses. This model closely mimics the physiological hemodynamic forces imparted on endothelial cells in vivo. A TRANSWELL coculture dish (i.e., a coculture dish comprising an artificial porous membrane) may be incorporated, permitting two, three, or more different cell types to be physically separated within the culture dish environment. In-flow and out-flow tubing may be used to supply media, drugs, etc. separately and independently to both the inner and outer chambers. The physical separation of the cell types permits each cell type to be separately isolated for analysis.
US08871458B2
A method of screening for increased risk of fatal prostate cancer in a subject comprises providing a blood sample collected from the subject, and then detecting the presence or absence of an increased level of serum calcium in the sample. An increased level of serum calcium indicates the subject is at increased risk of fatal prostate cancer.
US08871453B2
Embodiments of the invention provide method and devices for predicting the likelihood of acute appendicitis without invasive exploratory medical procedures. Several protein biomarkers: leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein (LRG); S100-A8 (calgranulin); α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (ORM); plasminogen (PLG); mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2 (MASP2); zinc-α-2-glycoprotein (AZGP1); Apolipoprotein D (ApoD); and α-1-antichymotrypsin (SERPINA3); are increased in the urine of patients with appendicitis. The method and devices comprise detecting the levels of these biomarkers and comparing with reference levels found in healthy individuals.
US08871441B2
The invention provides methods of screening a microbial host cell for a property of interest in a microfluidic device, the method comprising the steps of: a) transforming a d-alanine racemase-deficient microbial host cell with a polynucleotide construct comprising: i) one or more polynucleotide region providing the property of interest when present in the host cell, and ii) at least one polynucleotide region complementing the d-alanine racemase deficiency when present in the host cell; and b) screening the transformed host cell for the property of interest in the microfluidic device in the absence of externally provided d-alanine.
US08871439B2
The present invention relates to an improved method for the serum-free production of an immortalized human cell line stably transfected under serum-free conditions with a specific vector carrying the gene coding for the protein of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to a production cell line obtained by said method, a production method for said protein of interest utilizing said production cell line, and the specific vector carrying the gene of interest itself.
US08871434B2
Synthetic aqueous storage solutions are disclosed for use in the processing and the storing of red blood cells prepared from whole blood including cells derived from whole blood held for an extended period at room temperature.
US08871428B2
New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprises two or more distinct materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.
US08871425B2
This invention relates generally to silicon based photoresist compositions that can be used in forming low k dielectric constant materials suitable for use in electronic devices, methods of their use and the electronic devices made therefrom.
US08871422B2
A negative-type photosensitive resin composition which is good in sensitivity and resolution, a pattern forming method by the use thereof wherein a pattern which can be developed in an alkali aqueous solution, is excellent in sensitivity, resolution and heat resistance and has a good shape is obtained, and highly reliable electronic parts are provided. The negative-type photosensitive rein composition includes (a) a polymer that has a phenolic hydroxyl group at a terminal and is soluble in the alkali aqueous solution, (b) a compound that generates an acid by irradiating active light, and (c) a compound that can be crosslinked or polymerized by an action of the acid.
US08871420B1
A method and system for magnetic actuated mixing which use magnetic particles and magnetic field to facilitate the mixing for preparing latex emulsion. In embodiments, a suitable process includes dissolving a resin in an organic solvent, optionally adding a surfactant, adding a neutralization agent and water, adding magnetic particles, and subjecting the mixture to a magnetic actuated mixing to form a latex emulsion. In embodiments, the latex emulsion thus produced may be utilized to form a toner.
US08871414B2
Domains of a charge control resin are formed by dispersing a charge control resin containing a quaternary ammonium salt functional group-containing resin of a copolymer of an addition-polymerizable monomer having a quaternary ammonium salt functional group and a styrene and/or acrylic monomer into a polyester resin as binder resin, and the proportion of the number of domains of the charge control resin with a domain diameter of no less than 0.01 μm to less than 0.3 μm versus the number of domains of the charge control resin with a domain diameter of no less than 0.01 μm, which is measured by a predetermined method, is adjusted to no less than 98% by number.
US08871395B2
An air battery system may include an air battery cell containing an air cathode, an anode, a separator, and an oxygen gas supply for supplying an oxygen gas by bubbling to a liquid electrolyte. The air cathode may include an air cathode layer containing a conductive material, and an air cathode current collector for collecting current of the air cathode layer. The anode may include an anode layer containing an anode active material which stores and releases a metal ion, and an anode current collector for collecting current of the anode layer. The separator may be provided between the air cathode layer and the anode layer, wherein the air cathode layer and the anode layer may be constantly filled with the liquid electrolyte at a time of a change in a volume of the electrode caused by a discharge or a discharge and charge.
US08871394B1
A metal-air battery according to the present disclosure includes an electrode assembly with a first electrode layer having a length and being folded lengthwise, and a gas diffusion layer having a length that is approximately half the length of the first electrode layer. Furthermore, the gas diffusion layer is positioned proximate the first electrode layer or between first and second portions of the first electrode layer.
US08871389B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery uses as its positive electrode active material a mixture of a first lithium-containing transition metal oxide containing nickel and manganese as transition metals and having a crystal structure belonging to the space group R3m and a second lithium-containing transition metal oxide containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese as transition metals and having a crystal structure belonging to the space group R3m, or a mixture of the first lithium-containing transition metal oxide and a lithium cobalt oxide. The first lithium-containing transition metal oxide is LiaNixMnyO2 wherein 1≦a≦1.5, 0.5≦x+y≦1, 0
US08871380B2
A bipolar battery (2) is constructed by laminating a plurality of bipolar electrodes (3), each constituted by a layer-form collector (4), a positive electrode active material layer (5) disposed on one surface of the collector (4), and a negative electrode active material layer (6) disposed on another surface of the collector (4), via an electrolyte layer (7). A voltage detection terminal (21a, 21b) is attached to a peripheral edge portion of the collector (4). By disposing a voltage detection terminal (21b) of an adjacent collector (4) on an opposite side of a second straight line (Da2), which passes through a centroid (O) of the collector (4) and is orthogonal to a first straight line (Da1) that connects the voltage detection terminal (21a) to the centroid (O) of the collector (4), a state of charge within an identical unit cell (15) is made even.
US08871375B2
A coupling member between battery cells and a battery cell assembly using the same are disclosed. Specifically, a coupling member between battery cells comprises a coupling body having battery insertion holes at first and second sides of the coupling body, and an insertion space in an interior of the coupling body; and a conductor installed in the insertion space to partition the insertion space into the first and second sides, the conductor configured to contact an electrode of the battery cells.
US08871374B2
An isolated salt comprising a compound of formula (H2X)(TiO(Y)2) or a hydrate thereof, wherein X is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and Y is oxalate anion (C2O4−2), when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of at least about 275° C. to less than about 400° C., decomposes to form an amorphous titania/carbon composite material comprising about 40 to about 50 percent by weight titania and about 50 to about 60 percent by weight of a carbonaceous material coating the titania. Heating the composite material at a temperature of about 400 to 500° C. crystallizes the titania component to anatase. The titania materials of the invention are useful as components of the anode of a lithium or lithium ion electrochemical cell.
US08871369B2
A hermetic battery including: a safety valve through which gas generated in the battery due to increase in pressure in the battery is discharged outside the battery, wherein the safety valve includes a first safety valve 9a, 10 which is operated at a first operating pressure, and a second safety valve 15a which is operated at a second operating pressure higher than the first operating pressure, a rate at which the gas is discharged while the second safety valve 15a is operated is higher than a rate at which the gas is discharged while the first safety valve 9a, 10 is operated, and the first safety valve 9a, 10 is closed at least while the second safety valve 15a is operated.
US08871362B2
The present invention relates to a cutting tool having a base body and a multilayered coating applied thereto, wherein at least two layers of the multilayered coating arranged one on top of the other contain, or consist of, metal oxide of the same metal or of different metals. In order to create cutting tools which are better than those of the prior art, it is proposed according to the invention that the at least two metal oxide layers arranged one on top of the other be produced successively by different PVD-processes, selected from i) reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS), ii) arc vapour deposition (arc-PVD), iii) ion plating, iv) electron beam vapour deposition and v) laser deposition, wherein modifications of the respective processes i) to v) do not constitute different PVD-processes.
US08871356B2
The invention relates to a self-fluxing brazing piece. The piece comprises a composite material comprising at least one inorganic material distributed in a metal or metal alloy matrix, the inorganic material forming a flux during brazing to promote the formation of a thermally induced metallic bond. The matrix may be an aluminum silicon brazing alloy and the inorganic material may be a potassium-fluoro-aluminate flux. The piece is made by spray forming.
US08871354B2
Provided is a copper-based sliding material including a steel back-metal layer and a Cu alloy layer. The Cu alloy layer contains, by mass %, 10 to 30% of Bi, 0.5 to 5% of an inorganic compound, and the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The Cu alloy layer may further contain 0.5 to 5% of Sn and/or at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, P and Ag in a total amount of 0.1 to 10%. The inorganic compound has an average particle size of 1 to 5 μm and a specific gravity of 70 to 130% relative to the specific gravity of Bi. Bi phase is formed in the Cu alloy layer in an average particle size of 2 to 15 μm, and the Bi phase is dispersed in the Cu alloy layer and isotropic.
US08871347B2
An aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent having excellent latency and thermal response includes a latent curing agent in which an aluminum chelating agent is retained in a porous resin obtained by interfacial polymerization of a polyfunctional isocyanate compound, and an enzyme-treated gelatin film coating such latent curing agent. This microcapsule-type latent curing agent can be produced by dissolving an aluminum chelating agent and a polyfunctional isocyanate compound in a volatile organic solvent, charging the obtained solution into a gelatin-containing aqueous phase, carrying out interfacial polymerization by heating and stirring, and subjecting the gelatin to an enzyme treatment by adding an enzyme to the obtained polymerization reaction mixture.
US08871346B2
Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.
US08871336B2
The present invention provides a low-friction coating layer for vehicle components comprising: a Ti layer on a surface of a base material; a TiN layer on the Ti layer surface; a TiAgN layer on the TiN layer surface; and an Ag layer transferred on the TiAgN layer surface, and a method for producing the same.
US08871331B2
A coated abrasive article includes a backing having a surface, a plurality of abrasive regions overlying the surface in each of the first and second portions, and at least one macro-channel. The surface of the backing has a shape defined by an outer contour. A bisecting axis divides the shape into first and second portions. Each abrasive region includes a binder and a plurality of abrasive grains in contact with the binder. The abrasive grains have an average grain size of not greater than about 200 microns. The at least one macro-channel defines a passageway extending between a pair of adjacent abrasive regions and terminating at openings at the outer contour within each of the first and second portions. The macro-channel has an average channel width of between about 0.1 millimeters to about 5 millimeters and is substantially free of the binder and the abrasive grains.
US08871327B2
A camouflage structure, capable of altering its appearance, comprises a camouflage graphic layer and a color-changing layer disposed on the camouflage graphic layer. Originally, the camouflage structure presents a first color state. After the color-changing layer changes the color by driving methods, the camouflage structure presents a second color state. For example, a transparent or semi-transparent color-changing layer able to reflect or emitting red light could be disposed on the woodland camouflage graphic layer, which allows for the overall appearance to change from the greenish woodland camouflage to the brownish desert camouflage. Alternatively, the camouflage structure could comprise a greenish camouflage graphic layer made of material with red-shift characteristics, which means the greenish camouflage graphic layer consists of different colors of chromic materials with reversible red-shift characteristics. The greenish camouflage graphic layer can be red-shifted by driving methods so as to present an appearance of brownish desert camouflage.
US08871322B2
Disclosed is a coating composition for coating polycarbonate substrates. The coating composition comprises (A) at least one radiation-curing binder, (B) nanoparticles, and (C) optionally at least one reactive diluent and/or optionally a solvent, and wherein the nanoparticles (B) comprise silicon dioxide nanoparticles , the silicon dioxide nanoparticles have a d50 of between 80 and 300 nm, and the silicon dioxide nanoparticles have a particle size distribution wherein less than 15% by weight of the particles have a size in the range of less than 80 nm, 75% to 95% by weight of the particles have a size in the range from 80 to 300 nm, 0% to 5% by weight of the particles have a size in the range from more than 300 to 1000 nm, and 0% to 5% by weight of the particles have a size in the range from more than 1000 nm to 10 000 nm.
US08871321B2
A method of fabricating an ornamental purfling strip which has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The ornamental purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an ornamental layer, with an adhesive or bonding agent attaching the layers together. The ornamental layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the ornamental layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The ornamental layer may comprise organic shell material or synthetic materials such as synthetic opal.
US08871315B2
Optical films are described having a polymerized microstructured surface that comprises the reaction product of a polymerizable resin composition comprising at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated triphenyl monomer. Also described are certain triphenyl(meth)acrylate monomers and polymerizable resin compositions.
US08871310B2
The present invention relates to a surface-modified tantalum oxide nanoparticle, a method for preparation thereof, a contrast agent (medium) for X-ray computed tomography, and a highly dielectric (high-κ) film using the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to a surface-modified tantalum oxide nanoparticle, a method for preparing surface-modified tantalum oxide nanoparticles, comprising: (i) adding an aqueous phase to an organic solvent which contains a surfactant, to prepare a water-in-oil microemulsion; (ii) introducing a tantalum precursor to said microemulsion; (iii) adding a surface-modifier having an organic silane group or phosphine group to a solution obtained at the step (ii); (iv) removing said organic solvent from a product obtained at the step (iii); and (v) separating surface-modified tantalum oxide nanoparticles from a mixture obtained at the step (iv), a contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography, and a highly dielectric (thin) film using the same.
US08871308B2
A method of coating ceramic material fibers in metal using a liquid technique and a device implementing the method. The method maintains a charge of molten metal in levitation in a substantially spherical shape inside a crucible and causes a tensioned ceramic material fiber to travel at a predetermined speed between a bottom pulley and a top pulley disposed on either side of the crucible such that a portion of fiber is immersed in the charge to be covered in a metal coating. During coating, the portion of fiber that is immersed in the charge is shifted as a function of the remaining volume of the charge such that the instantaneous height of fiber that is immersed in the charge remains substantially constant throughout the coating operation.
US08871305B2
Methods for infusing one or more materials into nano-voids of nanoporous or nanostructured materials
A method of forming composite nanostructures using one or more nanomaterials. The method provides a nanostructure material having a surface region and one or more nano void regions within a first thickness in the surface region. The method subjects the surface region of the nanostructure material with a fluid. An external energy is applied to the fluid and/or the nanostructure material to drive in a portion of the fluid into one or more of the void regions and cause the one or more nano void regions to be substantially filled with the fluid and free from air gaps.
US08871302B2
A method for synthesizing graphene films is disclosed. Monolayer or multilayer graphene can be directly grown on the dielectric materials. The method includes the following steps: disposing dielectric materials and metals in a reactor, introducing reaction gases into the reactor and decomposing the reaction gases by heating, thus directly depositing graphene films on the surfaces of the dielectrics. High crystalline quality and low-defect graphene films can be synthesized directly on dielectric materials, without the process of wet etching and transfer. The method opens up a more direct route to apply graphene on electronics, optoelectronics, and bio-medical devices.
US08871300B2
A method for making a carbon nanotube based composite is provided. In the method, carriers, solution containing metal ions, and a carboxylic acid solution are mixed to form a mixed solution containing a complex compound. A reducing agent is added into the mixed solution. The metal ions are reduced to metal particles absorbed on the surface of the carriers. The carriers having the metal particles absorbed thereon are purified to obtain the carbon nanotube based composite.
US08871294B2
One exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising: depositing a solution comprising an organometallic compound on a substrate, drying the solution to provide a film of the organometallic compound and at least partially oxidizing an organic component of the organometallic compound to provide nanoparticles including metal oxides on the substrate which would have multiuse industrial applications.
US08871291B2
Methods and systems for separating muscle tissue from connective tissue are provided, in which animal tissue containing both muscle tissue and connective tissue is subjected to stress, and muscle proteins are separated from the connective tissue. Slurries of separated myofibrillar protein are also provided.
US08871283B2
The present invention relates to a method of making a sorbent, comprising the steeps of crushing seed husks, acid hydrolysis with extraction of water-soluble ballast substances and formation of the target composition of lignin, cellulose and melanin, water rinsing and drying, wherein the acid hydrolysis is made with an 0.1-36% acid solution during 0.3-4.5 hours in the boiling mode under pressure in the range 0.1-0.7 MPa, rinsing is made with water and/or a 0.1-1.0% alkali solution and then softened water, and the product is subsequently dried. The sorbent comprises a porous multilevel matrix on the basis of lignin, cellulose and melanin. The invention further discloses the sorbent and its uses as for prophylaxis and treatment of toxicoses, free-radical pathologies, diarrhea syndromes which are caused by ecotoxicants, viral and bacterial infections, for prophylactic and treatment of animal diseases caused by mycotoxins, pesticides, bad-quality forages in all kinds of animals.
US08871273B2
In a production process of granules containing a biologically active substance, variation in the elution profile of the biologically active substance is reduced by heating the temperature of granules to about 50° C. or higher and maintaining the temperature for about 1 minute or longer. By setting the spray speed to about 90 mg/min or more per 1 g of cores when a spray agent for a primary agent containing the biologically active substance is sprayed while spraying a binding liquid to the cores and setting the total feeding weight per unit area for a centrifugal fluidized bed coating granulation machine to about 1.5 g/cm2 or more, the variation in the elution profile of the biologically active substance from the granules is reduced.
US08871271B2
This invention is directed to a composition comprising dry granulated tenofovir DF and emtricitabine, and a method for making same. Dry granulation was unexpectedly found to be important in preparing a tenofovir DF containing composition suitable for inclusion in a combination dosage form containing emtricitabine, efavirenz and tenofovir DF.
US08871269B2
The methods disclosed herein are of use for the production of controlled release compositions. In particular, the methods provide the contacting of an organic phase containing a bioactive agent and a polymer with an aqueous phase containing an organic ion to create controlled release compositions containing bioactive agents. The present invention also includes controlled release compositions including a polymer, an organic ion and a bioactive agent. The present invention also includes methods of using such controlled release compositions. The usefulness of the present invention is that the methods result in the production of controlled release compositions containing bioactive agent capable of administration in a concentrated low-dose form, having low burst and reduced production of degraded bioactive agent.
US08871265B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a controlled release oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug susceptible to abuse together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; the dosage form further including a gelling agent in an effective amount to impart a viscosity unsuitable for administration selected from the group consisting of parenteral and nasal administration to a solubilized mixture formed when the dosage form is crushed and mixed with from about 0.5 to about 10 ml of an aqueous liquid; the dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours when orally administered to a human patient.
US08871263B2
The present invention features a process for making a tablet by (i) compacting a powder blend in a die to form a tablet shape, wherein the powder blend contains a pharmaceutically active agent and a meltable binder and (ii) applying radiofrequency energy to the tablet shape for a sufficient period of time to soften or melt the binder within said tablet shape to form the tablet.
US08871261B2
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects having or at risk of cancer or other conditions. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US08871259B2
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects having or at risk of neuropathic pain or other conditions. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto a location with neuropathic pain, or on another suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US08871253B2
A liposome comprising bilayer and inner water phase is disclosed. Said inner water phase contains sulfobutyl ether cyclodextrin and active compound. Said sulfobutyl ether cyclodextrin is sulfobutyl ether α-cyclodextrin, sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin, or sulfobutyl ether γ-cyclodextrin.
US08871248B2
Compositions containing a surface active agent and a sub-lethal amount of an antimicrobial agent and methods for using such compositions are provided herein.
US08871247B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of hemostasis, including methods, compositions, and devices that can be employed to treat wounds. More specifically the present invention relates to hemostatic compositions that reduce the need for, and cost of, nursing care of patients with chronic wounds by reducing the frequency of wound dressing changes.
US08871239B2
The present invention includes biocompatible polymeric coatings, membranes, matrices, and films to be used with implantable medical devices. Medical devices containing such materials applied to a surface thereof contain a film-forming fluorous homo-polymer or copolymer containing the polymerized residue of a fluorous moiety, wherein the relative amounts of the polymerized residues of one or more moieties are effective to provide the coating and films with properties effective for use in coating implantable med devices.
US08871237B2
Articles of manufacturing comprising electrospun elements having continuous or stepwise gradients of porosity, average pore size, weight per volume and/or of agents for promoting cell colonization, differentiation, extravasation and/or migration are provided. Also provided are methods of manufacturing and using same for guiding tissue regeneration.
US08871235B2
The present invention is directed to implantable compositions comprising substantially spherical bioactive glass particles.
US08871225B2
The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo Leishmania KMP11 or an epitope thereof that elicits an immune response in a dog against Leishmania, compositions comprising said vectors, methods of vaccination against Leishmania, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.
US08871221B2
Compositions that include at least a portion of at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a Den1 viral envelope protein, a Den2 viral envelope protein, a Den3 viral envelope protein and a Den4 viral envelope protein are employed in methods to stimulate a protective immune response in a subject.
US08871210B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein all symbols are as defined here, a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof. The compound of the present invention has an antagonistic activity against CXCR4 and is therefore useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for CXCR4-mediated diseases, for example, inflammatory and immune diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, retinopathy, pulmonary fibrosis, rejection of transplanted organ, etc.), allergic diseases, infections (for example, human immunodeficiency virus infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, etc.), psychoneurotic diseases, cerebral diseases, cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, and cancerous diseases (for example, cancer, cancer metastasis, etc.), or an agent for regeneration therapy.
US08871206B2
Human anti-human folate receptor beta (FRβ) antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof are described, as well as methods of using such antibodies and fragments to treat inflammatory disorders or cancers expressing cell surface FRβ.
US08871205B2
The present invention provides a method of treating an immune-related disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of plexin-A4 activity, which results in reducing the plexin-A4 activity in the subject, and thereby treating the immune-related disorder. Inhibitors of plexin-A4 activity include, for example, plexin-A4 antibodies and plexin-A4 fusion proteins. The present invention further provides a method of treating an immune-related disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of semaphorin-3A (Sema3A) activity, which results in reducing the Sema3A activity in the subject, thereby treating the immune-related disorder. Inhibitors of Sema3A activity include, for example, Sema3A antibodies and Sema3A fusion proteins.
US08871202B2
The present invention relates to use of anti-S1P agents, for example, humanized monoclonal antibodies, for prevention and/or treatment of pain, including neuropathic pain, hyperalgesia, allodynia, and chemotherapy-induced pain.
US08871201B2
Formulations are described that are suitable for storage of proteins, such as antibodies, over a relatively broad range of protein concentrations, pH, and buffer types. Also described are methods of storing a protein and methods of identifying a suitable formulation for storage of a specific protein. In general, a formulation contains low to no surfactant, no to relatively low salt concentrations, and requires a relatively low buffer concentration.
US08871199B2
Tissue repair in-vivo depends on acute inflammation, but in many clinical situations the other major components of healing such as blood supply, anabolic hormones, growth factors, and stem cells are lacking. This invention includes compositions consisting of an agent which induces an inflammatory healing response combined with an autologous platelet lysate at a specific concentration which may have demonstrated in-vitro abilities to expand autologous tissue repair cells.
US08871193B2
The invention provides viral vectors (e.g., herpes viral vectors) and methods of using these vectors to treat disease.
US08871173B2
Methods for production of carbon black using high temperature feedstock at temperatures exceeding about 300° C. with fouling control are provided. An apparatus for production of carbon black according to these methods also is provided.
US08871172B2
The invention is directed to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making the carbon fibers. The method comprises advancing a precursor fiber through an oxidation oven wherein the fiber is subjected to controlled stretching in an oxidizing atmosphere in which tension loads are distributed amongst a plurality of passes through the oxidation oven, which permits higher cumulative stretches to be achieved. The method also includes subjecting the fiber to controlled stretching in two or more of the passes that is sufficient to cause the fiber to undergo one or more transitions in each of the two or more passes. The invention is also directed to an oxidation oven having a plurality of cooperating drive rolls in series that can be driven independently of each other so that the amount of stretch applied to the oven in each of the plurality of passes can be independently controlled.
US08871169B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting.
US08871160B2
Provided is a biomaterial detecting device for confirming or detecting a biomaterial reaction, and more particularly to a biomaterial detecting device, which is formed in a stick type to thereby be immersed in a tube containing a biomaterial solution to be tested; has an upper portion with a cap structure to thereby induce reaction with a biomaterial, and thus facilitate confirmation and detection of the biomaterial; and is formed in a cap structure to thereby prevent evaporation of a sample and infiltration of an external material at the time of a biomaterial reaction in the tube, and thus improve reliability in analysis.
US08871144B2
Provided are a high purity Ni—V alloy, high purity Ni—V alloy target and high purity Ni—V alloy thin film wherein the purity of the Ni—V alloy excluding Ni, V and gas components is 99.9 wt % or higher, and the V content variation among ingots, targets or thin films is within 0.4%. With these high purity Ni—V alloy, high purity Ni—V alloy target and high purity Ni—V alloy thin film having a purity of 99.9 wt % or higher, the variation among ingots, targets or thin films is small, the etching property is improved, and isotopic elements such as U and Th that emit alpha particles having an adverse effect on microcircuits in a semiconductor device are reduced rigorously. And further provided is a manufacturing method of such high purity Ni—V alloy capable of effectively reducing the foregoing impurities.
US08871143B2
Hardened amalgams formed from copper mixed with liquid gallium or liquid gallium-indium alloys are used to fabricate sputter targets comprised of copper, gallium and indium (CIG) and targets of selenides of copper, gallium and indium (CIGS). Amalgam hardening occurs by formation of intermetallic compounds at or near ambient temperature as a result of reaction between liquid metals and solid metals in powder form.
US08871141B2
The invention relates to a process for preparation of a part comprising silicon carbide with an average nanometric grain size and a relative density of more than 97%, said process comprising: a preform formation step by cold compaction of a nanometric silicon carbide powder or the formation of agglomerates of such a powder by granulation of the powder; a spark plasma sintering step of said preform or said agglomerates, without the addition of sintering, at at least one predetermined temperature and pressure so as to obtain the required relative density and average grain size, namely a relative density of more than 97% and a nanometric average grain size.
US08871137B2
A process for producing medical instruments (7) comprising the operations of extruding plastic material in order to obtain a heated tubular element (1) made of molten state plastic material, performing on the tubular element (1) a blow molding in order to obtain a plurality of medical containers (6). The process comprises the operation of calibrating the inner surface (6a) of the various medical containers (6), performed after the operation of extruding plastic material, in order to make smooth and continuous the inner surface (6a) of each of the medical containers (6).
US08871135B2
A labeler for in-mold labeling of plastic bottles as well as to a labeling method for use of the labeler, including that a transfer star wheel and a transfer device of the labeler move the preforms and the labels in a transfer region towards one another in such a way that a respective label is only affixed to a circumferential subarea of a perform. In this manner, the label can be inserted in the blow mold in a particularly fast and reliable manner and excessive stretching of the label during blow molding can be avoided.
US08871128B2
{Problem} The exact method with small time-lag of detecting injection pressure for controlling pressure in an electric-motor driven injection molding machine without using a pressure detector has been asked for because the pressure detector is very expensive, necessitates troublesome works for mounting, an electric protection against noise and the works for zero-point and span adjustings and causes a complicate mechanical structure.{Solution} The present invention uses a high-gain observer which contains the discrete-time arithmetic expressions derived from a mathematical model of an injection and pressure application mechanism in an electric-motor driven injection molding machine consisting of a state equation and an output equation and outputs an estimate of injection pressure, which is one of the state variables of the above state equation, by using an injection velocity signal and a servomotor current demand signal or actual motor current signal as inputs. The high-gain observer obtains the exact injection pressure estimate with very small time-lag without using a pressure detector. Thus the estimate of injection pressure fed by the high-gain observer can be adopted as a feedback signal of actual injection pressure for controlling injection pressure.
US08871127B2
There is provided a production method that is capable of producing a high-strength fiber-reinforced resin member, wherein the desired orientation is ensured for continuous fibers forming a continuous fiber-reinforced member, as a result of which an appropriate part thereof is reinforced with a continuous fiber-reinforced member that possesses desired physical properties (tensile strength, etc.). It is a method of producing a fiber-reinforced resin member using a mold in which a cavity is defined by closing a lower mold and an upper mold, the mold comprising a groove part formed within the lower mold and that communicates with the cavity, a core slidably provided within the groove part, and a push-up means that pushes the core up, the method comprising: a first step of disposing a continuous fiber-reinforced member on the core; and a second step of charging softened or molten matrix resin into the cavity, pushing up the core with the push-up means to bury the continuous fiber-reinforced member in the matrix resin, and producing a fiber-reinforced resin member in which the continuous fiber-reinforced member is buried in cured matrix resin.
US08871122B2
A method facilitates fabricating a cellular cushion. The method comprises injecting material into a mold in an injection molding process to form a cushion first layer that includes a plurality of hollow cells that extend outward from the base and are each coupled together in flow communication, coupling a second layer to the first layer, and coupling an injection stem in flow communication to the plurality of hollow cells to enable an operating pressure within the cells to be changed.
US08871115B2
A luminescent material can be formed by a process using a vacancy-filling agent that includes vacancy-filling atoms. In an embodiment, the process can include forming a mixture of a constituent corresponding to the luminescent material and the vacancy-filling agent. The process can further include forming the luminescent material from the mixture, wherein the luminescent material includes at least some of the vacancy-filling atoms from the vacancy-filling agent. In another embodiment, the process can include melting a constituent corresponding to the luminescent material to form a melt and adding a vacancy-filling agent into the melt. The process can also include forming the luminescent material from the melt, wherein the luminescent material includes at least some of the vacancy-filling atoms from the vacancy-filling agent. The luminescent material may have one or more improved performance properties as compared to a corresponding base material of the luminescent material.
US08871096B2
A system for separating particulate from a fluid stream having an inlet solids content, the system comprising: a magnetic dynamic settling vessel comprising at least one magnetic field inside the vessel and/or one magnetized component; at least one inlet for introduction of the fluid stream having a starting solids content; at least one exit for a stream comprising a solids content not greater than the inlet solids content; at least one exit for a fluid stream comprising a solids content not less than the inlet solids content; and a vertical feed conduit extending at least 70% of the distance from the at least one fluid inlet to the at least one exit for a fluid stream comprising a solids content not less than the inlet solids content. A method for separating particulate from a fluid stream having an inlet solids content is also provided.
US08871095B2
A dialysis method comprising coding a wireless receiver of a dialysis machine with at least one of an address or a personal identification number (“PIN”); and receiving at least one of blood pressure data from a blood pressure monitor wirelessly or patient weight data from a weight scale wirelessly, wherein the at least one coded address or PIN ensures that the at least one of the blood pressure data or the patient weight data is received by the receiver as opposed to a receiver of another dialysis machine.
US08871089B2
The wastewater treatment system includes a hollow, elongate, horizontally disposed, cylindrical body made from plastic is adapted for water storage and treatment. The cylindrical body includes reinforcement ribs formed by a helically wound steel band embedded in the plastic and extending between opposite open ends of the elongate cylindrical body. A voltage source selectively energizes the steel band. A pair of bulkhead members respectively extends across and covers opposite ends of the cylindrical body. A fluid-tight wall is mounted in the cylindrical body, the first bulkhead member, the fluid-tight wall and the cylindrical body forming a fluid-tight tank defining a liquid storage chamber. The second bulkhead member and the fluid-tight wall define a dry liquid treatment equipment chamber. An inlet pipe extends into the tank for admitting the pretreatment liquid into the tank. An outlet pipe extends from the tank and discharges the treated liquid from the tank.
US08871086B2
A valveless siphon decanter for processing fluid within a tank having a siphon tube external to the tank, the siphon tube having an output, a boom extending substantially transversely from the siphon tube, the boom providing a path for the communication of fluid from within the tank into the siphon tube, a vacuum head in association with the boom, the vacuum head having at least one orifice disposable within the tank for receiving the fluid, a vacuum source for creating a vacuum within the siphon tube and the boom to draw the fluid in through the at least one orifice of the vacuum head into the boom and into the siphon tube thereafter, a vacuum break for breaking the vacuum within the boom and the siphon tube; and wherein the siphon tube and the boom are disposed outside of the tank.
US08871081B2
A process for treating a heavy oil which comprises subjecting a heavy oil to cavitation to reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. The treated heavy oil, which has a reduced viscosity and specific gravity, thus is more pumpable and transportable, which facilitates further processing. The treated heavy oil also can be fractionated with less severity than untreated heavy oil.
US08871078B2
The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules.
US08871075B2
A method of forming a metal pattern includes forming a precursor layer including a metal precursor on a substrate, irradiating a light on the precursor layer to form a metal seed layer having a predetermined pattern, and electroless-plating the metal seed layer to form a metal pattern layer.
US08871071B2
Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08871068B2
The disclosure concerns a high efficiency electrochemical sensor with high signal yield for determining an analyte in a fluid medium comprising, at least one reference electrode, at least one working electrode having particles of an electrocatalyst in an electrode matrix, and an enzyme that is suitable for determining an analyte is selectively covalently bound to the particles of the electrocatalyst. The disclosure also describes a process for producing the electrochemical sensor and a method for determining an analyte in a fluid medium using the electrochemical sensor. have a high efficiency and thus achieve a high signal yield.
US08871065B2
The invention relates to an equipment for the surface treatment of parts (4), that comprises a plurality of treatment vats arranged in series and comprising rotating drums (2) provided with means for temporarily attaching the parts to be processed and having their axes (XX′) rotatingly mounted horizontally so that the major portion of each drum (2) is submerged in the processing liquid contained in the corresponding vat, and a conveyor line (14) for supplying each drum (2) with parts to be processed and for removing from said drum the parts already processed, characterized in that the conveying process is carried out along a general axis (ZZ′), and in that the axes (XX′) of the drums are parallel relative to each other and parallel to the general axis (ZZ′) of the conveyor line.
US08871064B2
A multi-step process performed in a plasma sputter chamber including sputter deposition from the target and argon sputter etching of the substrate. The chamber includes a quadruple electromagnetic coil array coaxially arranged in a rectangular array about a chamber axis outside the sidewalls of a plasma sputter reactor in back of an RF coil within the chamber. The coil currents can be separately controlled to produce different magnetic field distributions, for example, between a sputter deposition mode in which the sputter target is powered to sputter target material onto a wafer and a sputter etch mode in which the RF coil supports the argon sputtering plasma. A TaN/Ta barrier is first sputter deposited with high target power and wafer bias. Argon etching is performed with even higher wafer bias. A flash step is applied with reduced target power and wafer bias.
US08871058B2
A process in which an at least partially delignified pulp fiber web having a Kappa number of less than about 130 is treated with an aqueous endothermic fire retardant solution having a pH of about 10 or less. The treated pulp fiber web has a near neutral pH of from about 5 to about 9, and is treated with at least about 20 lbs of endothermic fire retardants per ton of the pulp fiber web, with at least about 5% of the total amount of endothermic fire retardants being added at a point prior to when the pulp fiber web is formed. Also a fire resistant pulp fiber web having a near neutral pH.
US08871056B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of nano-fibrillar cellulose gels by providing cellulose fibers and at least one filler and/or pigment; combining the cellulose fibers and the at least one filler and/or pigment; and fibrillating the cellulose fibers in the presence of the at least one filler and/or pigment until a gel is formed, as well as the nano-fibrillar cellulose gel obtained by this process and uses thereof.
US08871049B2
A method of manufacturing a resistor includes steps of providing a resistance material and two electrode materials, wherein a reflectivity of the resistance material is smaller than a reflectivity of the electrode material; fixing the two electrode materials at opposite sides of the resistance material; and welding two first junctions between the resistance material and the two electrode materials by a first laser from a first side of the resistance material, wherein a beam area from the first laser to the resistance material is larger than a beam area from the first laser to the electrode material.
US08871044B2
After making a carbon fiber preform and prior to completing densification of the preform with a carbon matrix, impregnation is performed with a liquid formed of a sol-gel type solution and/or a colloidal suspension enabling one or more zirconium compounds to be dispersed. The impregnation and the subsequent treatment, up to obtaining the final part, are performed in such a manner as to have, in the final part, grains or crystallites of one or more zirconium compounds presenting a fraction by weight lying in the range 1% to 10% and of composition having at least a majority of the ZrOxCy type with 1≦x≦2 and 0≦y≦1.
US08871040B2
The invention relates to an air hardenable high-hardness steel for armoring applications, such as armor plate for use in light armored vehicles and body armor, and having a high level of ballistic performance relative to its plate thickness. In particular, the invention concerns a high ballistic strength martensitic armor steel which, in an air cooled and untempered condition, has a strength coefficient (s0) of higher than 2500 MPa; a flow parameter (P) of higher than 8.0, preferably higher than 18.0; and a manganese content of 1.8 to 3.6% by weight of manganese, preferably 2.8 to 3.1% by weight of manganese. The armor steel also includes retained austenite at a volume fraction of at least 1%, and preferably a volume fraction of 4 to 20%.
US08871038B2
A tinned steel sheet includes an Sn-containing plating layer disposed on at least one surface of a steel sheet and in which mass per unit area of Sn is 0.05 to 20 g/m2; a first chemical conversion coating disposed on the Sn-containing plating layer and contains P and Sn, and in which mass per unit area of P is 0.3 to 10 mg/m2; a second chemical conversion coating disposed on the first chemical conversion coating and contains P and Al, and in which mass per unit area of P is 1.2 to 10 mg/m2 and mass per unit area of Al is 0.24 to 8.7 mg/m2; and a silane coupling agent-treating layer formed with the silane coupling agent disposed on the second chemical conversion coating and has a mass per unit area of Si of 0.10 to 100 mg/m2.
US08871036B1
The present invention relates to a process for carburizing a metal article comprising: (1) heating the metal article to an elevated temperature, (2) coating the heated metal article with a graphite suspension to produce a graphite coated metal article, wherein the graphite suspension is comprised of graphite and an organic or inorganic liquid having a boiling point of at least 50° F. (28° C.) less than the elevated temperature to which the metal article is heated, (3) heat treating the graphite coated metal article under a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature which is sufficient to promote the diffusion of carbon into the metal structure of the article to produce a carburized metal article, and (4) cooling the carburized metal article to ambient temperature.
US08871029B1
A shoe cleaning device is disclosed, mainly comprising a scrubber member and an enclosure. The scrubber member is provided with a handle and retention members to which disinfecting sanitary wipes can be attached, so that a user holding the scrubber member by the handle can use the scrubber member and attached sanitary wipe to efficiently remove soil and contamination from a shoe without soaking the shoe. The enclosure that has an internal space for storing a plurality of sanitary wipes, and an upper separation platform on top of which there is a recess for storing the scrubber member. The enclosure further includes a lid that closes onto the scrubber member and conceals the scrubber member, except for, optionally, the scrubber member handle. The lid preferably closes in a sealed manner to guarantee that the plurality of wipes does not dry out over time.
US08871026B2
In order to provide a vitreous silica crucible which does not employ a crystallization accelerator but is difficult to deform during its use even under high temperature, and is easily manufactured, there is provided a vitreous silica crucible for pulling single-crystal silicon wherein the outer surface layer is formed of a bubble-containing vitreous silica layer, the inner surface layer is formed of a vitreous silica layer whose bubbles are invisible to the naked eye, a surface of the outer surface layer includes an unmelted or half-melted silica layer (abbreviated as a half-melted silica layer), and the center line average roughness (Ra) of the half-melted silica layer is 50 to 200 μm, also preferably, and the thickness of the half-melted silica layer is 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
US08871022B2
The disclosed subject matter relates to the use of laser crystallization of thin films to create epitaxially textured crystalline thick films. In one or more embodiments, a method for preparing a thick crystalline film includes providing a film for crystallization on a substrate, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is substantially transparent to laser irradiation, said film including a seed layer having a predominant surface crystallographic orientation; and a top layer disposed above the seed layer; irradiating the film from the back side of the substrate using a pulsed laser to melt a first portion of the top layer at an interface with the seed layer while a second portion of the top layer remains solid; and re-solidifying the first portion of the top layer to form a crystalline laser epitaxial with the seed layer thereby releasing heat to melt an adjacent portion of the top layer.
US08871018B2
Use of at least one polyethylenimine as an additive in an aqueous suspension, containing from 25 to 62 vol. % of at least one calcium carbonate-comprising material, wherein the use provides improved stability with regard to the conductivity of the suspension.
US08871017B2
A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.
US08871015B2
Non-aqueous pigment dispersions exhibiting improved dispersion quality and/or stability were prepared for a specific selection of naphthol AS pigments, diketopyrrolo-pyrrole pigments and quinacridone pigments, by using specific yellow monoazo dispersion synergists. The non-aqueous pigment dispersions can be advantageously used in inkjet inks inkjet printing methods.
US08871000B2
The present invention relates generally to a smelting operation or the like, by which molten metal is produced from a metal oxide after metal oxide agglomerates are directly reduced and melted with a carbonaceous material in an electric heating and melting furnace. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric furnace for producing molten metal that has material recycling capability, especially in-process material recycling capability.
US08870999B2
A ladle that can melt and freeze castable metal in a specific manner so that high quality liquid metal and metal alloys may be produced with minimum oxide and hydrogen content. Upon introduction of a quantity of molten metal into the ladle, staged heating and cooling of the molten metal promotes the liberation of previously-dissolved gases from the castable metal, resulting in significant decreases in as-cast porosity.
US08870988B2
A dust collector includes a dust container; a centrifugal separator installed inside the dust container to separate dust from air; a filter unit installed at a discharge hole of the centrifugal separator and provided with a filter member; and a dust-removing device for dislodging dust from the filter unit. The dust-removing device includes a dust removal unit including a dust-removing member having dust-removing projections formed on an undersurface thereof, wherein the dust-removing projections move back and forth while contacting the filter unit to dislodge dust from the filter unit; and a drive unit for providing driving power to the dust removal unit.
US08870987B2
An object of the present invention is to detect any breakdown or failure of a particulate filter more appropriately. A failure detecting apparatus for detecting failure of a particulate filter according to the present invention comprises an acquiring section which acquires an amount of PM contained in an exhaust gas allowed to outflow from the particulate filter; a regeneration process executing section which executes a filter regeneration process for oxidizing and removing PM deposited in the particulate filter; and a failure judging section which judges that the particulate filter is in the failure state if a decreased amount of the amount of PM contained in the exhaust gas acquired by the acquiring section, during a predetermined period of time as started from a point in time at which the execution of the filter regeneration process performed by the regeneration process executing section is completed, is not equal to or larger than a predetermined reference amount.
US08870985B2
An abrasive article comprising an abrasive particle including a core comprising a compressible material, an intermediate layer comprising a binder material overlying an exterior surface of the core, and an outer layer comprising abrasive grains overlying the intermediate layer.
US08870983B2
A gasoline blend and a method for producing a gasoline blend containing low concentrations of a butanol isomer and having good cold start and warm-up driveability characteristics are disclosed.
US08870976B2
A secondary battery that can avoid reduction in battery capacity over the lapse of charge-discharge cycles and can exhibit high performance is provided. A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, the secondary battery including a laminated body having a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte layer provided between the pair of electrodes, the laminated body having an end portion, and a restrictor provided so as to cover at least the end portion of the laminated body for restricting expansion of the electrolyte layer in the plane direction thereof, the method includes preparing a mold, the pair of electrodes and electrolyte particles for forming the electrolyte layer, joining the pair of electrodes and the electrolyte layer together by pressing the electrodes and the electrolyte particles within the mold to form the laminated body, and providing the restrictor so as to cover at least the end portion of the laminated body removed from the mold.
US08870974B2
A method of fabricating a battery comprises selecting a battery substrate having cleavage planes, and depositing on the battery substrate, one or more battery component films comprising electrode films that at least partially surround an electrolyte film. Pulsed laser beam bursts are applied to the battery component films at a sufficiently high power level to vaporize portions of the films to form shaped battery features. The pulsed laser bursts shape the films substantially without causing fractures along the cleavage planes of the battery substrate. Pulsed laser shaping can be used to replace the use of a mask in the fabrication of shaped battery components.
US08870968B2
Prosthetic devices containing an artificial foot are disclosed. Methods of making and using prosthetic devices containing an artificial foot are also disclosed. The artificial foot may be in the form of a thermoformed foot member having at least one foot member curved section between a foot member first end and a foot member second end opposite the foot member first end such that (a) a first portion of a foot member inner surface overlaps and faces a second portion of the foot member inner surface, (b) a foot member second end surface is positioned (i) between and connecting a foot member outer surface and the foot member inner surface to one another and (ii) over and facing the foot member second end surface along the at least one foot member curved section.
US08870966B2
A transorally implanted intragastric balloon or treating obesity and for weight control including a variable size balloon with one or interconnected regions acting to exert a pressure on the stomach, to provide a stomach volume occupying effect, and/or to anchor the balloon within the stomach.
US08870962B2
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (e.g., reverse total shoulder arthroplasty). In one specific example, a glenoid component used to resurface the scapula may be provided. Of note, unlike traditional total shoulder arthroplasty the glenoid component in a reverse shoulder is convex rather than concave; it acts as a physical stop to prevent the superior migration of the humeral head—a typical occurrence in patients suffering from rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA).
US08870961B2
The embodiments provide a spinal implant that is configured for midline insertion into a patient's intervertebral disc space. The spinal implant may have a body and the body comprises one or more apertures. The apertures receive fixation elements, such as a screw and the like. The fixation element may comprise one or more anti-backout features, such as a split ring. In addition, at least some of the apertures are designed to permit a predetermined amount of nutation by a fixation element. The apertures that allow nutation enable the fixation element to toggle from one position to another, for example, during subsidence of the implant in situ. Some of the apertures may be configured to rigidly lock with the fixation elements. Moreover, the spinal implant may include features, such as one or more bores, that can accommodate imaging marks to help guide a surgeon.
US08870956B2
A fusion implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent bone structures includes a threadless implant member which is positioned between adjacent opposed bone structures. The implant member defines a longitudinal axis and first and second longitudinal ends and has an outer wall which is dimensioned to engage the opposed bone structures upon positioning therebetween in supporting relation therewith. The outer wall defines an internal cavity for the reception of bone growth inducing substances and includes a plurality of apertures which extend therethrough in communication with the internal cavity to permit fusion of vertebral bone tissue. The implant member also includes an intermediate portion which defines a cross-sectional dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis which is greater than the respective cross-sectional dimensions of the first and second longitudinal ends of the implant member.
US08870954B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of tendon and ligament injuries and/or repair of damaged tendons and ligament. The invention provides compositions comprising a biocompatible matrix and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).
US08870951B1
The present invention is TAH system for auto-regulating blood flow and maintaining the asymmetric pressure balance in the mammalian cardiovascular system by decreasing the resistance in blood flow and minimizing the pressure gradients to exploit the in-flow pressure sensitivities of continuous flow pumps. The system further includes laminar flow generating manifolds connected to the atrium at one end and attached to pumps linked to the great vessels at the other, such that the in-let flow sensitivities of the pumps are maximized to auto-regulate blood flow, providing adequate pulmonary and systemic arterial flow to support normal metabolism and end-organ function and maintain the appropriate asymmetric physiologic pressure balance between the systemic and pulmonary systems of the mammalian cardiovascular system.
US08870942B2
In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.
US08870941B2
Aneurysms are treated by filling at least one double-walled filling structure with a curable medium within the aneurysm. The filling structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. Scaffolds are placed into the tubular lumens in order to help maintain the shape, anchor the filling structures in place, and provide improved blood flow transition into and out of the tubular lumens.
US08870938B2
An endovascular sealing stent-graft is configured to initially be positioned in a delivery catheter in a radially-compressed state, and to assume a radially-expanded state upon being deployed from the delivery catheter. The stent-graft includes a structural member, which includes a plurality of structural stent elements, and which, when the stent-graft assumes the radially-expanded state, has a generally tubular shape, and is shaped so as to define at least two elongated indentations, each of which extends rostrally to a rostral end of the structural member, and is tapered in a caudal direction until the indentation converges with the generally tubular shape of the structural member, and each of which has an axial length of at least 2 cm. The stent-graft further includes a fluid flow guide, which is coupled to at least a portion of the structural member, and covers at least a portion of each of the elongated indentations.
US08870936B2
Methods for restoring the conical shape of a dilated heart ventricle, or at least reshaping the ventricle to a more conical shape to counter the effects of dilation, thereby improving pumping efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, a reshaping apparatus comprises an implantable body that can be delivered to a dilated left ventricle via the patient's vasculature in a minimally-invasive procedure. When deployed inside the left ventricle, the body is adapted to apply a longitudinal (downward) force against the inner surface of the left ventricle that causes the ventricle to distend or elongate downwardly relative to the base of the heart so as to at least partially restore the conical shape of the heart. In other embodiments, one or more tension members can be secured to heart tissue inside a heart chamber or on the outside of the heart and placed in tension to reshape the geometry of the heart.
US08870927B2
A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a head, a receiving portion having a first region adjacent to a second end for receiving the head and a recess which is open towards a first end to form two free legs for receiving a rod. The anchoring device further includes a pressure element configured to couple to the head, a first closure element and a second closure element. The first closure element cooperates with the legs to simultaneously fix the rod in the recess and fix the head in the receiving portion, and the second closure element cooperates with the legs, the second closure element acts on the pressure element and on the rod to independently fix the head in the receiving portion and fix the rod in the recess. The first closure element and the second closure element are interchangeable.
US08870924B2
A spinal fixation assembly for connecting an elongate member along a region of a spinal column with a plurality of fasteners is disclosed. The spinal fixation assembly comprises a threaded fastener having a first threaded end region and a second end region configured to receive an elongate member, such as a rod. A locking member is included for securing the elongate member within the second end region. The second end region and the locking member include elastomeric members that contact the elongate member to allow for a degree of dynamic movement.
US08870917B2
A deployment instrument for deploying a closure device for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a wall of a body passageway, the deployment instrument including a carrier assembly, wherein the carrier assembly is configured to hold the closure device in a pre-deployment state, and a tensioner assembly, wherein the filament is fixedly attached to the tensioner assembly, wherein the deployment instrument is configured to increase the tension in the filament upon linear movement of the deployment instrument away from the wall of the body passageway when the closure device is anchored to the wall via the anchor such that the tension is gradually increased as the deployment instrument is moved between a first linear distance and a second linear distance greater than the first linear distance from the wall of the body passageway.
US08870912B2
Methods for treating tissue, and surgical assemblies and related methods are disclosed in which a single input is used to sequentially articulate two members. A surgical assembly includes an end effector, a base supporting the end effector, an input link movable relative to the base through a range of motion between a first configuration and a second configuration, and an actuation mechanism. The end effector includes a first articulated member and a second articulated member. The actuation mechanism drivingly couples the input link to the first articulated member within a first portion of the range of motion and drivingly coupling the input link with the second articulated member within a second portion of the range of motion so that a movement of the input link from the first configuration to the second configuration articulates the first articulated member and then articulates the second articulated member.
US08870906B2
A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.
US08870881B2
A surgical instrument comprises a first member having a first surface defining a first cavity for disposal of a first implant. A distal end is configured to mate with a recess of a connector and defines a second cavity. A second member is configured for movable disposal in the second cavity. A third member is connected to the proximal end of the second member and the first implant. The second member is axially movable in a first direction to tension the first implant and in a second direction to release tension from the first implant. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08870870B2
A vertebral fixing system comprising a connecting part with two longitudinal elements coupled to each other at a first end and having mutually facing recesses for receiving a rod. A portion of a flexible ligature extends through orifices of the two longitudinal elements to define a loop opposite two free ends of the flexible ligature. The two longitudinal elements are engaged at a second end of the connecting part via a locking means. When the two longitudinal elements of the connecting part are locked at the second end of the connecting part, two strands of the flexible ligature are pinched between the rod and a wall of the mutually facing recesses of the two longitudinal elements of the connecting part, preventing the flexible ligature from moving in translation relative to the connecting part.
US08870863B2
Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver an energy delivery element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Thermal or electrical renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or cool, or otherwise electrically modulate, neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.
US08870860B2
A microwave ablation system is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a power source. A microwave antenna is adapted to connect to the power source via a coaxial cable that includes inner and outer conductors having a compressible dielectric operably disposed therebetween. The inner conductor in operative communication with a radiating section associated with the microwave antenna. The outer conductor includes a distal end transitionable with respect to each of the inner conductor, compressible dielectric and radiating section from an initial condition wherein the distal end has a first diameter to a subsequent condition wherein the distal end has second diameter. Transition of the distal end from the initial condition to the subsequent condition enhances the delivery of microwave energy from the power source to the inner conductor and radiating section such that a desired effect to tissue is achieved.
US08870857B2
A waveguide neural interface device including: a neural device implantable in tissue and including an array of electrode sites that electrically communicate with their surroundings, in which the array of electrode sites includes at least one recording electrode site; and a waveguide, coupled to the neural device, that carries light along a longitudinal axis and includes a light directing element that redirects the carried light from the waveguide to illuminate selectively targeted tissue, in which at least a portion of the redirected light is directed laterally away from the longitudinal axis and the recording electrode site is configured to sample illuminated tissue. A method for assembling a waveguide neural interface device is also described.
US08870855B2
A release mechanism (100, 100a) for releasing a medical implant (105) from an insertion device (110), comprising a body (10) having a proximal end (12) and a distal end (14), wherein between the proximal end and the distal end (12, 14) an actuator (16, 16a) is provided, wherein for generating a selective relative displacement between the first and second insertion elements (72; 74) of the insertion device (110), the actuator (16, 16a) has a first and at least a second direction of motion (18; 20), wherein in the first direction of motion (18), the first and second insertion elements (72; 74) can be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction (18), and wherein in the at least second direction of motion (20), the actuator (16, 16a) effects a movement transversely to the longitudinal direction (18).
US08870853B2
Some embodiments of a portable medical device, such as an infusion pump, can receive an external reference signal (e.g., a radio, cellular and/or satellite signal) to provide an automatic time-setting and maintenance operation. In these circumstances, the medical device can maintain accurate time and date information even in the event of a power interruption, a time-zone change and/or an internal clock error, for example. In this manner, the portable medical device provides safe operation and added convenience to the user.
US08870851B2
A method of treating a tissue site is provided. The method includes applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site with a reduced pressure source. A source pressure is monitored at the reduced pressure source, and a differential pressure is determined between the source pressure and the desired tissue site pressure. If a blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a first maximum differential pressure. If no blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a second maximum differential pressure.
US08870850B2
A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
US08870843B2
A disposable absorbent product extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and laterally along a transverse axis, with the transverse axis conceptually dividing the product into first and second hemispheres. The product has a permeable topsheet, an impermeable backsheet overlaying the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet for storing fluid secreted by the wearer of the disposable absorbent product. Each of a pair of side regions extends laterally outboard of the absorbent core, with each side region having a first face configured to face the wearer during use and a second face opposite the first face. The product also has at least one skin-friendly adhesive element in the first hemisphere in at least one of the side regions for temporarily attaching the disposable absorbent product to the skin of the wearer.
US08870842B2
The invention is carried out by forming three embodiment shaped, target zone, externally worn feminine protection sanitary pad, targeting trouble zone leakage between the buttocks, towards the anal and front pubic area. The preferred embodiment absorbent article includes a rear flexible, peak and comfortable raised component liquid absorbent and a front semi-square raise absorbent, raise absorbency will blend from standard center raise absorbent of the pad. Rear peak raise absorbent will fit up against the perineum. The front raise semi-square absorbent is design to cover external area of the pubic mons and clitoris. Alternate preferred embodiment is rear peak raise absorbent, with standard flat front covering the pubic mons and the clitoris exterior. Another alternate embodiment is front semi-square raise absorbent, with standard flat rear. Preferred and alternate embodiments front and rear edges are extended semi-square shape to cover beyond the front and rear of the panty crotch and slightly raise absorbent fold under flaps for center crotch.
US08870839B2
A disposable treatment article or disposable cleaning article that includes a hydrophobic nanoporous material. The disposable treatment or cleaning article is configured to contact and apply the nanoporous material to a surface. The nanoporous material is configured to form hydrophobic nanostructures on a surface upon the application of an activation stimulus. The nanostructures provide an anti-contamination benefit to the surface upon which the nanostructures are disposed.
US08870837B2
Connection pads for coupling fluid-instillation and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods and wound dressings for breaching a drape after coupling a wound dressing to a fluid-instillation and/or NPWT apparatus.
US08870835B2
A needle safety device for a medical device, in particular for an IV catheter assembly, being movably arranged on the needle comprising: a first part made of a suitable plastic material; a second part preferably made of a strip of suitable metal sheet; and a ring surrounding the first part and the second part having elastic properties made of suitable elastomeric material.
US08870823B2
A penis erection stimulation system comprises an infusion device (11) adapted for implantation inside the patient's body and at least one reservoir (R1, R2) adapted for implantation inside the patient's body in fluid connection with the infusion device to supply to the infusion device a substance to be injected into the patient's body. The reservoir comprises at least one first compartment accommodating or adapted to accommodate a first substance and at least one second compartment accommodating or adapted to accommodate a second substance, said second substance being a drug for stimulating penis erection. The infusion device preferably comprises one or more infusion needles disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A pump may be implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body may be arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing at least in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection.
US08870821B2
A system for administering an injection is described. The invention consists of an adhesive patch with an integrated injector that controllably insets an injection needle and delivers the medication contained within the patch. Variations of the system may also subsequently and automatically retracts the needle, rendering the patch safely inert. In additional variations, a portion of the system may remain on the patient and function as a bandage.
US08870817B2
A transluminal device may include an elongate section extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the device. The elongate section may be configured to be inserted into a body cavity. The device may include a balloon within the elongate section between the proximal end and the distal end.
US08870815B2
A steering system (30) comprises two radially oppositely arranged drive wheels (1; 3) for steering a tubular object (5) positioned between the drive wheels (1; 3). The drive wheels (1; 3) each have a wheel rotation axis (40; 42) and each include a plurality of rollers (7) distributed around the wheel rotation axis (40; 42). The rollers (7) are rotatably arranged, each roller having a roller rotation axis (44) and an outer drive face (58) concavely vaulted in a direction corresponding to its roller rotation axis (44). The roller rotation axis (44) is obliquely oriented in relation to the wheel rotation axis (40; 42) and the rollers (7) of each drive wheel (1; 3) form together a steering periphery for the tubular object (5). The steering system enables continues rotation of a tubular object without danger that the object will lose the contact with the rollers. The steering system (30) may be incorporated in a catheter system which comprises a catheter (5).
US08870810B2
According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.
US08870796B2
An emergency method of using localized mechanical percussion for enhancing clearance of potentially life threatening acute thrombotic arterial obstructions blocking blood flow to vital internal organs such as the heart or brain of a patient, employing the application of non-invasive localized low frequency mechanical percussion at a frequency between 1 Hz-1000 Hz and a stroke or displacement amplitude in the range of 0.1-10 mm upon a targeted external body surface deemed generally proximate such acute thrombotic arterial obstruction, whereby the percussion accelerates the emergency clearance of the acute thrombotic arterial obstruction in restoration of blood flow to the vital internal organ. Preferred methods for percussion delivery to the chest wall/upper back or head/neck of a patient are described for use in treatment of heart attack or acute ischemic stroke respectively.
US08870792B2
A physiological acoustic monitoring system receives physiological data from an acoustic sensor, down-samples the data to generate raw audio of breathing sounds and compresses the raw audio. The acoustic monitoring system has an acoustic sensor signal responsive to tracheal sounds in a person. An A/D converter is responsive to the sensor signal so as to generate breathing sound data. A decimation filter and mixer down-samples the breathing sound data to raw audio data. A coder/compressor generates compressed audio data from the raw audio data. A decoder/decompressor decodes and decompresses the compressed audio data into decompressed audio data. The decompressed audio data is utilized to generate respiration-related parameters in real-time. The compressed audio data is stored and retrieved so as to generate respiration-related parameters in non-real-time. The real-time and non-real-time parameters are compared to verify matching results across multiple monitors.
US08870791B2
In some embodiments, an apparatus for acquiring, processing and transmitting physiological sounds may include a sensor for acquiring physiological sounds. Analog signals representative of the physiological sounds are converted into an electrical output. The electrical output is converted to digital data. A processing unit processes the digital data. The digital data is transmitted over a wireless network.
US08870787B2
A ventricular shunt systems and methods of preventing hydrocephalus are described herein. In one aspect, the ventricular shunt system has at least one pressure sensor that is configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy and is variable in response to the pressure in a patient's ventricle.
US08870785B2
Respiration of a patient is detected by emitting an electromagnetic signal towards the patient; receiving a reflected electromagnetic signal reflected from the patient; converting the reflected electromagnetic signal, yielding a first signal; phase-shifting the reflected electromagnetic signal and converting the phase-shifted reflected electromagnetic signal, yielding a second signal; determining a first vector being defined by the time derivatives of the first signal and the second signal, for a common first point in time; determining a second vector being defined by the time derivatives of the first signal and the second signal, for a common second point in time; and calculating the scalar product of the normalized first vector and the normalized second vector as an indicator value for a change from expiration to inspiration of the patient or vice versa. A change from expiration to inspiration of the patient or vice versa is preferably indicated if the indicator value is below a threshold value, preferably below a value of 0. In this way, respiration is monitored contactlessly and remotely based on the Doppler radar principle which is reliable and easy to handle.
US08870781B2
A pressure supplier including an actuator that may be selectively expanded and contracted by applying a voltage, an elastic board being transformed in a predetermined direction to apply pressure upon a body part of a user when the actuator is contracted, and a guide member connecting with the actuator and the elastic board, and guiding the elastic board to be transformed in the predetermined direction while applying the pressure when the actuator is contracted.
US08870780B2
Characteristics of a user's heart are detected. In accordance with an example embodiment, a ballistocardiogram (BCG) sensor is used to detect heart characteristics of a user, and provide a BCG output indicative of the detected heart characteristics. The BCG output is further processed using data from one or more additional sensors, such as to reduce noise and/or otherwise process the BCG signal to characterize the user's heart function.
US08870767B2
An endocapsule has a measurement chamber therein containing a sensor that detects at least one metabolic product of a specific bacterium in a hollow organ of a human or animal gastrointestinal tract. The endocapsule is introduced into the hollow organ wherein detection of the at least one metabolic product takes place.
US08870754B2
Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention may include an outer flexible tube and a positioning mechanism configured for rotating one portion of the flexible tube relative to another portion of the flexible tube.
US08870743B2
A support device includes a support member and a frame member. The support member has a body portion and an elongated arm extending from the body portion. The elongated arm has a width smaller than a width of the body portion of the support member. The body portion is configured to help support an anatomical structure located in a pelvic region of a patient. The frame member is coupled to the support member and comprised of a shape memory alloy.
US08870742B2
An implantable restriction device can be configured to provide a restriction in a patient, for example as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device can include one or more sensors configured to sense a variety of parameters, such as pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device, pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse count, pulse duration, or frequency, electrical characteristics, or other parameters. Data obtained by the one or more sensors (for example, the data representing pressure, pulse characteristics, and so on) may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, such as a data logger, using telemetry coils or other communicators. The data logger may store the data, and may communicate the data to a remote location via a network such as the Internet. A docking station may be provided to couple the data logger to a network and/or to recharge a cell in the data logger. The logged data may be analyzed and/or displayed using a variety of techniques to assess and/or track the condition of the restriction device or of the patient, to monitor patient physiology, or for other purposes.
US08870737B2
Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
US08870736B2
A method of analyzing myocardial instability includes obtaining a physiological parameter representative of myocardial behavior over a set of cardiac cycles and determining reversal points in the physiological parameter over the set of cardiac cycles. The method also includes identifying myocardial instability based on the reversal points in the physiological parameter. A reversal point may correspond to a value of the physiological parameter, during a current cardiac cycle, that exceeds or is less than the values of the physiological parameter during prior and subsequent cardiac cycles. Optionally, the method includes calculating differences between values of the physiological parameter for consecutive cardiac cycles and detecting the reversal points when a current difference exceeds or is less than differences for prior and subsequent cardiac cycles.
US08870733B2
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08870726B2
An abdominal exercise device includes a support structure, a track movable relative to the support structure, and a body support member movable relative to the support structure and track. A locking mechanism attaches to the track, and selectively secures the track at a fixed orientation relative to the support structure. In a first state, the locking mechanism restricts the track from rotating relative to the support structure. In a second state, the locking mechanism allows the track to rotate relative to the support structure. In using the exercise device, the user may obtain any of three motions. A first motion is provided by sliding the body support member along the track. A second motion is provided by rotating the track relative to the support structure. A third motion is a combined motion in which the body support slides along the track and the track rotates relative to the support structure.
US08870721B2
Functional group (1) for a gymnastic machine (100) provided with a frame (110) supporting a load group (120) usable for executing a gymnastic exercise; the machine (1) comprising an actuating group (130) provided with at least one user interface (132) carried movable by the frame (110) to exchange power with the load group (120); a modular transmission member (10) being arranged between each user interface (132) and the load group (120) to exchange power between these latter so as to facilitate the assembling and disassembling of the frame (110).
US08870718B2
A flexible shroud is used to cover weights and hide pulleys and cables on exercise machines. The flexible shroud can be a coarse mesh or screen for see through areas, cloth such as canvas or other fabrics, or other flexible sound absorbing materials. The material may be supported around or between a framework of ribs, poles, or metal screen and takes the shape of the framework. The material may also be supported only at the top and bottom of a weight stack or structure by a rigid template from which the material takes shape. The top or bottom support may be adjusted to stretch the fabric taut so it takes shape better and tightens to provide a better safety shield. The material may be attached to the supports or framework by snaps, hook and loop material, or other removable fasteners.
US08870715B2
An apparatus for flexing the knee comprising a U-shaped bar having two straight arms each having a distal end and a handle portion generally perpendicular to the straight arms and a perpendicular cross-member adjustably attached to the straight arms; and a method for flexing the knee comprising the steps of providing a patient with device having a handle section and two parallel straight sections with a perpendicular cross-member attached to the straight sections, having the patient to place his or her foot onto the cross-member, and having the patient to pull the device toward the knee.
US08870711B2
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable accessory drives (CVAD). In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD. In another embodiment, a skew-based control system includes a skew actuator coupled to a carrier member. In some embodiments, the skew actuator is configured to rotate a carrier member of a CVT. Various inventive traction planet assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In some embodiments, a traction planet assembly is operably coupled to the carrier members. Embodiments of a shift cam and traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
US08870705B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. The torque transmitting devices include a selectable one-way clutch.
US08870703B2
A transmission is provided having a housing, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a structural member, a sprocket member, an annular drum, a band, and an actuator. The sprocket member is rotationally supported by the structural member. The annular drum is adjacent the structural member and is continuously rotationally coupled with a member of the one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. The band circumscribes the annular drum and includes at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the band is substantially separated from the drum and in the second position the band contacts the drum. The actuator selectively positions the band between at least the first position and the second position to transfer torque between the structural member and the annular drum.
US08870700B2
Automatic transmission comprising: planetary gears arranged coaxially in a row, each planetary gear comprising a sun wheel, a planetary carrier carrying pivoted planetary wheels and an annulus gear, an input column connected to a sun wheel of a first planetary gear, a general gear positioned adjacent to the row of planetary gears next to a last planetary gear, n mediator gears mounted on an output column and connected to the output column via a freewheel assembly so the mediator gears are freely rotatable in one direction relative to the output column, each mediator gear in engagement with one of the planetary wheels, wherein a planetary carrier of the last planetary gear is fixed to the general gear, and a planetary carrier of each but the last planetary gear connected to a sun wheel of a following planetary gear, wherein rotation of any of the mediator gears can be stopped selectively.
US08870699B2
A reduction gear box is part of a gas turbine engine and includes a casing and reduction epicyclic gear stages within the casing. The reduction gear stages comprising at least an epicyclic array of gears meshing together with at least one planetary gear mounted for rotation on a gear carrier and a bearing associated therewith. A lubricating oil delivery system is provided within the casing, surrounding a portion of the gear carrier. The oil delivery system includes a conduit; a closed oil reservoir; a first metered opening communicating the conduit with the reservoir and a plurality of metered outlet openings communicating the reservoir with the gear carrier and the bearing such that the reservoir is filled with oil in normal flight operating conditions and the oil trapped in the reservoir is released to the carrier and bearing when a temporary drop in the oil system pressure occurs.
US08870697B2
A hybrid drive system includes an input member, a rotating electric machine, a power distributing apparatus that distributes and transmits torque that is transmitted to the input member to the rotating electric machine and an output member, an output gear capable of outputting torque transmitted to the output member, and an output bearing that rotatably supports the output member from the radially inner side. The entire apparatus is arranged overlapping with the output member at a position in an axial direction on the radially inner side of the output member, and a ring gear of the apparatus is integrally provided with the output member, on an inner peripheral surface of the output member. The output gear is integrally provided with the output member, on an outer peripheral surface of the output member. The output bearing and the output gear are arranged overlapping at a position in the axial direction.
US08870691B2
A fletching system and method that allows for quick and easy attachment of a fletching member to an arrow or cross bolt shaft provides a slotted fletch holder adapted to receive a fletching member projecting therethrough and an external end cap member to provide frictional fit engagement with a flanged base portion of the fletching member wherein the flanged base portion is secured between the end cap member and an internal surface of a sidewall of the fletch holder.
US08870689B2
An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.
US08870684B2
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or positive hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer. The overall core preferably has a zero hardness gradient, a negative hardness gradient, or a positive hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C units.
US08870670B2
An aid for protecting and/or supporting a user's finger(s) or hand during an activity is described. The aid is particularly suited for activities involving repeated grasping which causes strain to the finger(s) and/or hand. The aid may be of a one-piece or two-piece design with features which allow adjustment to accommodate various finger and hand sizes. Generally speaking, the aid includes a finger collar which is placed about a user's fingers, and an extended support which combined with the collar holds the user's finger(s) in a particular curved state.
US08870668B2
Rotating inclusive play devices are provided. In certain embodiments, a rotating play device includes a stationary base, a rotatable portion, and a speed limiting device that connects the stationary base to the rotatable portion. The speed limiting device illustratively limits a rotational speed of the rotatable portion relative to the stationary base. The rotatable portion may have an elevated outer perimeter that includes recessed and raised portions. The speed limiting device may include a cranking mechanism and/or a piston mechanism.
US08870663B2
A bar top gaming unit is configured to be mounted in a bar top or similar environment. The unit includes an air cooling system including at least one moveable air port. The air port has a first end located remote from the unit and a second end in communication with the interior, and where a position of the first end is changeable relative to the unit. The unit also includes an operator interface including at least one display. The operator interface is located at the rear of the unit and faces in an opposing direction from a main player display so as to be viewable by an operator located at a rear of the unit.
US08870656B2
The invention relates to a system (20), method, and a signal and a system for presenting a name of the day including a gaming opportunity. The gaming means comprises at least one of casino, lottery, sweepstakes, competition based gaming, and skill games being presented on said media channel means to be played by at least one of every person bearing the name of the day, and persons greeting a person bearing the name of the day through the media channel means (40).
US08870652B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first gamer, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second gamer, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second gamers determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08870650B2
An example game system includes a plurality of operating devices, a game apparatus, and at least one portable display device. From each of the operating devices, the game apparatus acquires operation data outputted on the basis of an operation on the operating device, and performs a game process on the basis of the operation data. In addition, the game apparatus generates a first game image on the basis of the game process, the first game image being intended for a predetermined first one of the players. The game apparatus also generates a second game image on the basis of the game process, the second game image being intended for another player different from the first player. The first game image is outputted and displayed on the portable display device. The second game image is outputted and displayed on a predetermined display device different from the portable display device.
US08870647B2
A system employs a server computing system with an integrated database and wireless communications devices, for example, handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs). The server computing system may also communicate with fully automated data collection systems associated with some gaming tables and/or with the casino's legacy data collection systems and databases. The server computing system may communicate with various non-gaming related casino systems, such as point-of-sale terminals and/or accounting systems, related to the various guest facilities, for example, allowing player comps to be freely exchanged for services and merchandise. The wireless communications devices permit remote wagering.
US08870636B2
A mobile meat processing system and method of use is provided. The mobile system of abattoir contemplates various features and methods for producing various meat and meat products, enables the processing of meat at locations that are desirably close to the source, and further includes features for ensuring safety and cleanliness of the operations to be performed. Water purification and filtration systems are provided for both inlet and waste water, such that the system is adapted to function in connection with a wide variety of water sources.
US08870635B2
A filling tube assembly for being mounted to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products. The filling tube assembly comprises a mounting unit for mounting the filling tube assembly to the clipping machine and a filling tube for feeding flowable filling material into the packaging casing. The packaging casing is being consumably arranged on the filling tube. The filling tube is pivotable relative to the mounting unit at least between a production position and an interchanging position. The filling tube assembly further comprises a casing brake unit, a casing brake holder and a casing brake for being reversibly coupled to the casing brake holder. The casing brake is moveable between a braking position and a releasing position by a pivoting and translational action. In the releasing position, the casing brake is pivoted away from the filling tube, so that unfilled packaging casing can be loaded onto the filling tube.
US08870632B2
Methods and apparatus for cleaning the peeling section of a roller-type peeling machine. The apparatus includes an x-y robot disposed above the peeling section of the peeling machine. The robot has a cleaning tool, such as a liquid spray nozzle, as an end effector. A controller commands the robot to control the movement of the cleaning tool along a predetermined cleaning path to clean the peeling section. One such cleaning path follows each of the insert rollers in the peeling section of a peeling machine. An underside cleaner may be used in conjunction with the robot to simultaneously clean the underside of the peeling section.
US08870629B2
A two-piece sanding block presents base and handle/grip components. The base presents a flat surface for extension of a strip of sandpaper or other abrasive material therealong. Prongs extending from the base pierce the ends of the strip. The prongs seat within the handle and cooperate with a post which seats in the base for precluding slippage between the base and handle during the sanding process. Upon placing the handle atop the base the strip is further held in place. The top surface of the handle presents a particularly configured arch-like surface for complementing the fingers and palm of the user in an ergonomic fit therebetween.
US08870625B2
A dressing method is used to dress a polishing pad of a polishing apparatus for polishing a substrate. This method includes repetitively moving the dresser on an upper surface of the polishing pad in a radial direction of the polishing pad so as to perform a dressing process on the polishing pad, during the dressing process, measuring a height of an upper surface of the polishing pad at a predetermined point in one of plural zones on the polishing surface, and repeating the repetitive moving of the dresser and the measuring of the height of the upper surface of the polishing pad so as to measure the height of the upper surface of the polishing pad in all of the plural zones.
US08870621B2
An inertial dynamic toy is disclosed comprising: an annular housing having a circumferential groove: a flywheel mounted to a flywheel support axle, the flywheel support axle configured to be retained inside the annular housing; and an outrigger support frame releasably attached to the annular housing.
US08870618B2
Methods of the invention can form microtip microplasma devices having the first and second metal microtips and metal oxide in a monolithic, unitary structure. Methods can form arrays that can be flexible, can be arranged in stacks, and can be formed into cylinders, for example, for gas and liquid processing devices, air filters and other applications. A preferred method of forming an array of microtip microplasma devices provides a metal mesh with an array of micro openings therein. Electrode areas of the metal mesh are masked leaving planned connecting metal oxide areas of the metal mesh unmasked. Planned connecting metal oxide areas are electrochemically etched to convert the planned connecting metal oxide areas to metal oxide that encapsulates opposing metal microtips therein. The mask is removed. The electrode areas are electrochemically etched to encapsulate the electrode areas in metal oxide.
US08870615B2
Dynamic foot repositioning systems for a gliding board including a platform, having a top surface and a bottom surface, the platform including a foot receptacle disposed on the top surface of the platform, and a tether coupled to the platform with a distal end protruding from the bottom surface of the platform. The systems further include a guide track configured to slidably receive the distal end of the tether, the guide track defining a motion path over which the platform slides freely in response to forces applied by a user's foot while the gliding board is traversing a supporting surface. Related gliding board assemblies and methods for repositioning a user's feet are also described.
US08870611B2
Provided is a crimping terminal, having a conductor crimping portion of a wire connection portion formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped cross-section with a bottom plate and a pair of conductor caulking pieces, and a sheath caulking portion formed so as to have a substantially U shaped cross-section with a bottom plate and a pair of sheath caulking pieces. The bottom plate of the conductor crimping portion and the bottom plate of the sheath caulking portion are continuously formed as a common bottom plate, and the wire connection portion, which is provided therein with a pair of covering walls formed continuously between the conductor caulking piece and the sheath caulking piece, is formed on an entire inner surface thereof with serrations, in the direction of intersecting with a longitudinal direction of electric wire.
US08870610B2
A terminal fitting (10) includes a terminal main body (21) with a bottom wall (22) on which cores (71) of wires (70) are placed, and two side walls (23) that stand up from opposite lateral sides of the bottom wall (22). A welding portion (25) where the cores (71) are welded to the bottom wall (22) is formed at a front part of the terminal main body (21). A crimping portion (26) is formed at a rear part of the terminal main body (21) and has crimping pieces (27) projecting from upper ends of the side walls (23) for crimped connection to the wires (70). Cutouts (28AF, 28AR) are cut into the upper end of the side wall (23) of the crimping portion (26) at front and rear sides of the front crimping piece (27F) while retaining parts of the side wall (23L) below the cutouts (28AF, 28AR).
US08870608B2
A mechanical lug assembly for an electrical power device includes a spring clamp and a cradle. The spring clamp has a fixed section, a clamping section, and a deflecting section. The deflecting section has a deflecting spring force DF to allow flexible bending of the clamping section relative to the fixed section. The clamping section is offset relative to the fixed section. The cradle has a fastened section mounted to the fixed section to form a closed end of the lug assembly. The cradle has a terminal section extending from the fastened section along the clamping section to form an open end of the lug assembly. The cradle further has a pair of side walls extending at an angle from respective sides of the terminal section towards the spring clamp. The clamping section is fixed in place between the side walls.
US08870605B2
A socket connector includes an insulative housing, a number of conductive contacts received in the insulative housing and a protection cover. The insulative housing defines a number of contact-receiving slots. Each contact-receiving slot opens to both a top surface and a front surface of the insulative housing. Each conductive contact includes a contacting portion received in a corresponding contact-receiving slot, and a termination portion extending beyond the insulative housing. The contacting portion includes a pair of contacting sections each forming a recess on a front edge adjacent to said front surface of the insulative housing. The protection cover is disposed to the bottom of the insulative housing.
US08870597B2
A connector includes a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts. Each first contact includes a first movable contact portion and a wire connecting portion having a greater width than the width of the first movable portion and connected to a wire. Each second contact is shorter than the first contact and includes a second movable contact portion and a ground contact portion which is not in direct contact with the wire. A contact accommodating member accommodates the first contacts and the second contacts in juxtaposition with each other in such a manner that the wire-side ends of the second contacts are positioned closer to an inserted portion than the wire connecting portions of the first contacts. A guide member includes a ground terminal which comes into contact with the ground contact portion of the second contact.
US08870588B2
A connector has contacts, each including a holding portion inserted from a direction orthogonal to a connector fitting direction and held by a housing, a contact portion continuous with the holding portion and extending in the fitting direction, and a connection portion continuous with the holding portion and connected to an LED mounting substrate. The housing includes a main body inserted in a hole formed in the LED mounting substrate, and a top hoard portion formed thereon. The main body is formed with connector receiving portions which accommodate the contact portions and receive a cable connector. The board portion is formed with contact accommodating portions which communicate with the connector receiving portions and accommodate the holding portions. The main body is formed with slots via which the contacts are inserted into the connector receiving portions and the contact accommodating portions from directions orthogonal to the fitting direction.
US08870581B2
A socket module of electrical connector includes a first socket, a second socket arranged in a row with the first socket, and an electric conduction elastic piece. The first socket includes a first terminal base and a first ground piece circumferencing the first terminal base. The second socket includes a second terminal base and a second ground piece circumferencing the second terminal base. The electric conduction elastic piece contacts and electrically connects the first ground piece and the second ground piece.
US08870579B1
An elastomeric material includes an elastomeric matrix having one or more outer surfaces and a set of electrically conductive pathways disposed through the elastomeric matrix. The elastomeric material also includes a thermally-conductive and electrically-insulative material, disposed through the elastomeric matrix, which improves the formation of the electrically conductive pathways.
US08870578B2
An inner terminal (54) of the present invention includes a horizontal part (C) held in an insulator part (55) covered with an outer terminal (56) and a suspending part (D) extended in a direction substantially orthogonal to the horizontal part (C) and having a lower end part connected to a signal patter of a circuit board. In the suspending piece (C) as a part opposed to one pair of side surface pieces (56b) suspended and extended in the outer terminal (56), plate shaped impedance adjusting pieces (54c) are integrally provided which respectively face the side surface pieces (56b) with prescribed spaces held from the side surface pieces.
US08870573B2
In order to further facilitate the insertion of the dental implant into the bone, 3 plurality of apex indentations 13 are spacedly formed in the insertion root portion of the dental implant body 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each apex indentation 13 has a V-shape cross section defining two blade surfaces 131 cutting into the dental implant body 10 from the tip of the first end 11 of the dental implant body 10. At these two blade surfaces 131, the cross section of the asymmetric thread 20 is exposed and the blade edge 23 of the asymmetric thread 20 forms one or more cutting blades 24, wherein the dental implant of the present invention is screwed in the bone, the cutting blades 24 are the first part to cut into the bone. If the bone is hard, some bone will be drilled out by the cutting blade 24 but will be reserved inside the indentations 13. In a preferred embodiment, the dental implant body 10 has a total of three apex indentations 13.
US08870572B2
An implant according to the invention includes first thermoplastic material portions, and second thermoplastic material portions liquefiable by mechanical vibrations and being in contact with the first thermoplastic material portions, wherein the second thermoplastic material portions preferably constitute at least a part of a surface of the implant, and wherein the first thermoplastic material portions have a glass transition temperature above an implantation temperature (about 20° C. to 40° C.), and wherein the second thermoplastic material portions either have a glass transition temperature below said implantation temperature or include means for transforming non-mechanical energy into heat.
US08870571B2
A rotary dental tool. The tool comprises a blank having a shaft portion and a head portion. A single layer of grit comprising diamond crystals extends from the blank at substantially uniform height, said grit covering a predetermined proportion of the surface area of the head portion. A bonding material substantially surrounds the diamond crystals, forming micro-channels between the diamond crystals. The diamond crystal size is substantially less than other rapid cutting tools yet outperforms other tools in cutting speed, durability and smoothness of finish. The micro-channels are believed to both cool the dental tool and facilitate debris removal during use.
US08870563B2
Plasticizing system for plasticizing solidified-resin particle, plasticizing system, comprising: housing assembly providing: (i) melt channel configured to receive solidified-resin particle, and (ii) opposite-facing surfaces spaced apart from each other, and defining, at least in part, convergene channel configured to receive the solidified-resin particle. Opposite-facing surfaces and the convergence channel form part of melt channel. Plunger assembly is movable, at least in part, relative to opposite-facing surfaces. Plunger assembly configured to move, at least in part, solidified-resin particle relative to opposite-facing surfaces along, at least in part, convergence channel. In response to relative movement between solidified-resin particle and opposite-facing surfaces, solidified-resin particle receives, in use, plasticization-inducing effect from opposite-facing surfaces. The plasticization-inducing effect is configured to platicize solidified-resin particle into flowable melt and injected into a mold assembly (850 ).
US08870558B2
An earplug shaping device compresses a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes a first member and a second member which rotate with respect to each other. The outer surface of the first member and inner surface of the second member define a space that decreases in size as the first and second members rotate with respect to each other, thereby compressing the compressible earplug. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ a ratchet mechanism permitting substantially only one direction of rotation.
US08870555B2
In order to improve a screw compressor comprising a housing, at least one screw rotor arranged in a compressor housing of the housing, a lubricant sump which is arranged on the high pressure side and in which lubricant collects, and a lubricant supply device which supplies lubricant from the lubricant sump to the at least one screw rotor, in such a manner that the amount of circulating lubricant can be kept as small as possible for adequate lubrication, it is suggested that the lubricant supply device comprise a first lubricant supply system and a second lubricant supply system, that the first lubricant supply system supply lubricant to the at least one screw rotor during operation of the screw compressor and that the second lubricant supply system additionally supply lubricant to the at least one screw rotor and thereby be activatable and deactivatable.
US08870550B2
A motor-driven compressor is to be mounted to a first mounting of a vehicle. The compressor includes a compressor body that is electrically powered to draw in fluid for compression and to discharge the compressed fluid, and a second mounting for securing the compressor body to the first mounting. The second mounting includes a first mounting member having a first mounting hole, a second mounting member provided away from the first mounting member and having a second mounting hole, a resin member integrally formed with the first and second mounting members and provided at least between the first mounting member and the compressor body, a first fastening member inserted through the first mounting hole for securing the first mounting member to the first mounting, and a second fastening member inserted through the second mounting hole for securing the second mounting member to the compressor body.
US08870546B2
Edgewise stiffness of a wind turbine blade is enhanced by arranging a tension element between anchor points at the ends of a load bearing member in the turbine blade such as a spar or a beam. The tension element is spaced away from the load bearing member on the trailing edge side of the load bearing member by struts and acts as a suspension cable. Several tension elements may be used and a similar tension element may be arranged on the leading edge side of the load bearing member.
US08870543B2
The present invention relates to a rotor stage of a compressor drum (2) for an axial turbomachine comprising a row of rotor vanes (9) each provided with a platform (12), and a wall (3) that is generally symmetrical in revolution relative to the rotation axis of the turbomachine and forming a hollow body, said wall (3) comprising a partition wall and a support zone (5) that is raised relative to the partition wall in a direction oriented towards the outside of the hollow body, said support zone (5) having a central portion (8) and side walls (7) connecting the central portion (8) to the partition wall of the drum, said platform (12) of each of said vanes (9) being assembled to said central portion (8) by means of one or more fastening elements.
US08870542B2
A turbomachine is disclosed. The turbomachine includes a rotor, a plurality of blades arranged side by side on the rotor in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of sealing apparatuses each disposed on a respective blade shaft of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of sealing apparatuses includes first and second bottom plates protruding in a respective axial direction on the respective blade shaft and first and second bulkheads which extend in a radial direction along the respective blade shaft and form a double-walled seal in the axial direction. A respective rounded or parabolic transitional cross-section from the bottom plates to the bulkheads is provided and at least one of the bulkheads is offset with respect to a blade root edge of the respective blade shaft in a direction toward a radial longitudinal axis of the respective blade shaft.
US08870532B2
The present application provides a diffuser for an exhaust hood of a steam turbine. The diffuser may include a first end adjacent to a last bucket and a second end downstream of a steam guide and adjacent to a bearing cone. An exhaust flow path extends therethrough. The second end may include an axial extension enlarging the exhaust flow path.
US08870522B2
In a centrifugal pump, in particular a radial or semi-axial pump including a housing with a pump chamber and a dry chamber, a drive shaft rotatably supported in the housing and connected to an impeller for pumping a liquid flow medium disposed in the pump chamber and a shaft seal arranged in an inner radial area for sealing the dry space with respect to the flow medium, a seal carrier is provided with a guide structure by which fluid flow medium is conducted from an outer radial area to an inner radial area for directing flow medium into the seal for lubrication and cooling of the seal.
US08870516B2
A loadport has a port door and a frame with an opening through which the port door interfaces with a container door of a container for holding semiconductor workpieces. In one embodiment, a movable closure mechanism is connected to the port door and is defined to be movable in a controlled manner relative to both the port door and the frame. In this embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In another embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is connected to the port door, and a movable closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In both embodiments, the movable closure mechanism is defined to engage with the stationary closure mechanism such that movement of the movable closure mechanism to engage with the stationary closure mechanism applies a closing force between the port door and the container door.
US08870515B2
Disclosed are a device and a method for picking up glass plates from at least one production line in order to convey said glass plates on to a storage housing or a coating plant. An embodiment of the device includes: a) a linearly movable, vertically installed main lifting column with a lifting rake that can be vertically moved therealong; b) a horizontal drive unit for the lifting rake; c) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting the availability of the targeted storage place of a glass plate; d) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting if a glass plate is located on the lifting rake; e) at least one sensor that is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting cracks in a glass plate.
US08870511B2
The present invention relates to a binding apparatus (10) for facilitating placement of a book block (44) in relation to a cover (16). The cover (16) has front and back panels (28 and 32) for subsequent attachment of the book block (44) to the cover (16). The apparatus (10) includes a first guiding means (46), a second guiding means (56), a first positioning element (54) and a second positioning element (62). The first guiding means (46) is adapted to guide a first edge (58) of the front panel (28). The second guiding means (58) is adapted to guide a second edge (37) of the front panel (28). The first positioning element (54) is movably attached to the first guiding means (46) and is adapted in use to abut at least part of a first peripheral surface (60) of the book block (44). The second positioning element (56) is movably attached to the second guiding means (56) and is adapted in use to abut at least part of a second peripheral surface (64) of the book block (44).
US08870510B2
A wire mesh rivet (13) is provided which is used to produce a wire mesh isolator (11) in a bore (9) of a substrate such as a heat shield (7) for a vehicle exhaust system. The rivet (13) comprises a unitary wire mesh structure (19) which has a collar (15) and a shank (17). The collar (15) has a higher density than the shank (17), e.g., the collar (15) has the density of the finished isolator (11). The rivet (13) is formed into the finished isolator (11) by compressing the shank (17) to form a second collar, while restraining the original collar (15) from substantially changing its shape. The rivet (13) can include a metal insert (23) which prevents the wire mesh of the finished isolator (11) from experiencing high levels of compression when the substrate is fastened to its supporting structure. The rivets (13) can be carried by a dispensing strip (31) and can be formed into the finished isolator (11) using forming equipment (39) whose dimensions are compatible with the limited space available with some substrates.
US08870504B2
A net is provided having a plurality of net members, the net members being arranged in a lattice structure and having a thickness (D1). The net is further provided with attachment devices having a thickness (D2) which are connected to the net members, the thickness (D2) of the attachment devices being larger that the thickness of the net members (D1) at least at the places of connection through which loads are transmitted between the net members and the attachment devices. The ratio between the thickness of the net members and the thickness of the attachment devices (D1/D2) is at least 1.15. The net is useful as a barrier net to secure an off-limits area and as a cargo net to restrain cargo movement on a platform of a pallet.
US08870499B2
Disclosed is a cutting tool holder for mounting a cutting insert having a top face, a bottom face and an insert bore having an inner surface extending between the top and the bottom faces. The holder includes a seat having a bottom surface and at least one side wall angled to the bottom surface, a seat bore with a bore axis having an open end at the bottom surface of the seat, and a securing mechanism for securing the cutting insert in the seat. The securing mechanism includes a securing pin within the seat bore and a body with an outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the body. The securing mechanism includes a displacement arrangement separate from the securing pin for axially displacing the securing pin along the bore axis of the seat bore between a first, mounting position and a second, securing position.
US08870492B2
A rig mat comprising a downwardly sloping first end comprising a female coupling and extending across a first lateral end of the rig mat and an upwardly sloping second end comprising a male coupling and extending across a second lateral end of the rig mat. Each of the downwardly sloping first end and upwardly sloping second end is in the form of a triangle comprising three angles that total one hundred eighty degrees. The downwardly sloping first end comprises a sloped flat surface and a bottom surface that is level with a bottom surface of the rig mat. The upwardly sloping second end comprises a sloped flat surface and a top surface that is level with a top surface of the rig mat.
US08870491B2
A system and method for building and renovating golf course paths to provide an alternate golf cart path with a drainage system and durable natural path for golf. A drainage system and a layer of gravel is installed over the entire sub grade of the path. A layer of crumb rubber is placed over the gravel. A pre-polymer is sprayed onto the layer of crumb rubber and gravel to secure it in place. The polymer sprayed is permitted to cure for approximately 24-48 hours.
US08870481B2
A tape cutting apparatus including: a half cutter configured to cut a body tape or a release tape with respect to a processed tape having the release tape adhered to the body tape; a stepping motor configured to cause the half cutter to perform a cutting operation; and a motor control unit configured to control the stepping motor, wherein the motor control unit is configured to continue the cutting operation until the stepping motor loses steps.
US08870477B2
A key for a keyboard includes a keycap having a top surface configured to be contacted for pressing the key down, and having a bottom. The keycap is substantially transparent. An intermediate layer is coupled to the bottom of the keycap. The intermediate layer is translucent and includes a top and a bottom. The top of the intermediate layer faces the bottom of the keycap. A character layer is positioned between the bottom of the keycap and the top of the intermediate layer. A resilient member is coupled to the bottom of the intermediate layer. The resilient member is translucent and is configured to direct light through the intermediate layer, through the character layer, and out from the keycap. The character layer is configured to be lighted for viewing through the keycap.
US08870476B2
An image recording apparatus is provided. The image recording apparatus includes a first conveyer to convey a recording medium in a first direction, a recording unit to record the image on the recording medium, a second conveyer including a first roller pair with a first driving roller and a first driven roller, an image position detector to detect a position of the formed image along a second direction within the recording medium, a rotation rate setting unit to set a rotation rate of the first driving roller based on the detected position of the formed image when a part of the formed image on the recording medium is nipped by the first roller pair, and a controller to control the first driving roller to rotate in the rotation rate set by the rotation rate setting unit and convey the recording medium by the first roller pair.
US08870466B2
Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
US08870463B2
An eccentric bearing for an electrohydraulic piston pump assembly of a vehicle brake system includes a shaft which can be driven in rotation about its axis, a bearing ring which is eccentric relative to the shaft, and rolling bodies arranged between the bearing ring and the shaft. The rolling bodies have different diameters corresponding to a varying width of a gap between the bearing ring and the shaft. When the shaft is driven in rotation, an eccentricity of the bearing ring circulates around the shaft at half of the rotational speed of the shaft and drives pump pistons. The pump pistons bear at the outside against the bearing ring so as to perform a reciprocating movement.
US08870461B2
A bushing for a bearing assembly is provided. The bushing includes a tubular sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner circumferential channel is provided on the inner surface of the bushing. An outer channel is provided diagonally on the outer surface of the bushing and is configured to be in fluid communication with a lubricant supply path. Further, the bushing includes a port connecting the inner channel and the outer channel of the bushing.
US08870460B2
The invention relates to a plain bearing half liner for a crankshaft main bearing (24), with a slot (10) which extends in the circumferential direction over an angle of 90 to 170°, is closed at both circumferential ends of the plain bearing half liner and passes radially through the plain bearing half liner, and with an otherwise oil-groove-free sliding surface (11) on the inside of said plain bearing half liner.
US08870459B2
In a self-adjusting bushing bearing for engagement with a bearing shaft, a bearing housing is provided. A bearing sub-assembly is received inside of said bearing housing, and said bearing sub-assembly being adapted to receive said bearing shaft. The bearing sub-assembly comprises at least two bearing segments and at least one springy element engaged with the bearing housing which compresses the bearing segments toward one another.
US08870456B2
An imaging apparatus includes: a rotator having a shape of a perforated circular plate and rotating around a rotating axis of a center of the perforated circular plate; and a supporter having a perforated circular plate and one side of which is connected to one side of the rotator such that the rotator is restricted only to rotation movement. The supporter includes a supporter opening/closing part a part of which is separated along the rotating axis and then rotates by a predetermined angle around the rotating axis, and the rotator includes a rotator opening/closing part a part of which integrally moves with the supporter opening/closing part.
US08870454B2
During operation of the device, a drive circuit may provide a drive signal having a fundamental frequency to two electrothermal filters (ETFs) having different temperature-dependent time constants. In response to the drive signal, the two ETFs may provide signals having the fundamental frequency and phases relative to the drive signal corresponding, respectively, to the time constants of the ETFs. Then, phase-shift values of the phases may be measured using a phase detector, and a signal may be output based on the phase-shift values. Note that the signal may correspond to a value that is a function of a temperature of the device.
US08870451B2
An electrical seat heater of a vehicle has a heating resistor which is connected to a seat ground cable has a temperature-dependent sensor resistor in the vehicle seat. A control unit is outside the vehicle seat is connected to a control unit ground remotely from the vehicle seat. The voltage measurement for determining the temperature is carried out with the seat heater briefly disconnected from the supply voltage. The heating resistor is connected to the supply voltage via a series circuit including the sensor resistor and a further resistor or to the supply voltage via a power path. The control unit measures the voltage drop at the sensor resistor by a measuring signal cable. The control unit measures the potential difference between the seat ground cable and the control unit ground, which is used to correct the seat temperature.
US08870445B2
The liquid accelerator and chemical mixing system apparatus is a means for generating a velocity head differential to a current of liquid in a liquid environment or liquid containment means or a natural water body. The generating means includes a venturi eductor, having a motive liquid distribution housing and at least one venturi nozzle. The venturi eductor functions by motive liquid introduced from a remote motive liquid source, received via the motive liquid attachment means passing through a motive liquid main pipe or cylinder, through the liquid distribution housing, which is circumferentially attached to the eductor tube. The generated velocity head differential induces and accelerates the current of liquid, enabling the venturi eductor to discharge a current of liquid to move objects within the liquid environment by directing the current of liquid and to induce and mix chemicals in a liquid containment means.
US08870441B2
An object of the invention is to improve capacity of process and not require a vent portion by an upper polygonal groove and a transition portion provided to a transport cylinder.A plastic extrusion method and apparatus according to the invention is a method and a configuration, in which an upper polygonal groove and a transition portion are integrally or separately provided to a transport cylinder so as to increase a frictional coefficient of an inner wall of the cylinder, to increase transport efficiency of a plastic raw material by a screw, and to allow at least gas, etc., pass toward a hopper side without using a vent portion.
US08870423B2
A vehicle decorative lighting device and a vehicle lamp including a lighting device can include a light guide lens formed in a substantially U-shape and a pair of LED light sources that can emit various color lights. Each of the light sources can be located at both end surfaces of the light guide lens having a U-shaped light-emitting surface. The vehicle lamp can include a lamp room between an outer lens and a housing, and can incorporate various vehicle lamps such as a headlight along with the lighting device in the lamp room. The lighting device can be located in the lamp room so as to emit various U-shaped color lights along a periphery of the outer lens. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can include providing vehicle lamps including the decorative lighting device having a harmonious favorable light distribution, for example, such that combine a headlight with a position lamp.
US08870417B2
A modular lighting fixture assembly. Multiple light pods can be removably mounted on both lateral sides of a mechanical thermal element, such as an elongated heat sink. The pods can be easily removed for cleaning, maintenance, and transport, for example. A light strip including multiple LEDs can be mounted to a surface of the heat sink on both sides. Each pod has a portion cutaway such that when the pods are mounted to the heat sink, the cutaway portions align with the light strips. Thus, when mounted, the light strip can be adjacent to or protrude into an interior cavity of the pod. The interior surfaces of the pods are shaped to redirect light in a particular output profile. The assembly may be mounted to a ceiling and used as an overhead fixture designed to efficiently light an aisle in a retail space or a storage facility, for example.
US08870412B1
A replacement light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube includes an elongate tubular housing having first and second ends, first and second end caps disposed thereon, each configured to fit with a socket for a fluorescent light tube, and a rigid support structure having a planar portion having a first surface extending within the elongate tubular housing between the first and second ends and having spaced-apart sidewalls extending away from the first surface and extending within the housing between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the sidewalls are in contact with an interior surface of housing. A plurality of light emitting diodes are supported only by a second surface of the planar portion opposite to the first surface and between the first and second ends, and are arranged to emit light through the housing.
US08870400B2
An object of the present invention is to configure a lighting device to discriminate the front and back sides of a substrate at low costs. In the lighting device of the present invention, a diffuser plate 30 as an optical member 15 includes: a light-transmissive substrate 32; an optical pattern 33 formed on the substrate 32 and applying an optical action to light; and a discrimination pattern 34 configured to discriminate between a first position (normal position) of the substrate 32 and a second position (non-normal position) of the substrate 32 reversed from the first position, formed on a first plane 30a that is a surface of the substrate 32 on which the optical pattern 33 is formed, and made of the same material as that of the optical pattern 33.
US08870384B2
A light source device includes: a first light source (3a) that emits first polarized light of a plurality of colors including different wavelengths; a second light source (3b) that emits second polarized light whose polarization state differs from that of the first polarized light and that includes light of at least one color from among the plurality of colors; and a first color synthesis optical element (1) that synthesizes the first polarized light emitted from the first light source (3a) and the second polarized light emitted from the second light source (3b).
US08870383B2
An optical member includes: a total reflection mirror including a reflection surface for reflecting a laser beam; a filter including a partially transmissive surface for passing therethrough a part of the laser beam and reflecting the remaining part of the laser beam, the partially transmissive surface being located so as to be opposed to the reflection surface ; and a diffraction grating into which the laser beam enters, for diffracting the incident laser beam to enter the total reflection mirror or the partially transmissive filter.
US08870365B2
A printing system includes one or more lineheads disposed opposite a first side of a print media and at least one vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite a second side of the print media. The linehead or lineheads has one or more print zones where a liquid or ink is deposited onto the first side of the print media. The vacuum manifold is aligned with a non-print zone of each linehead and outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print media such that at least a portion of the second side of the print media is deflected away from the lineheads. The printing system can also include another component, such as a dryer, disposed over the print media and laterally adjacent to the linehead. Another vacuum manifold can be disposed adjacent to the second side print media between the linehead and the component.
US08870363B2
A cutting device includes a guide rail opposing a platen, a printer head that prints an image and Trim marks on a sheet member, a cutter blade that performs a cutting process on the sheet member, a medium feeding mechanism that feeds the sheet member from front and back, a Trim mark detection portion that detects positions of the reference marks, and a controller that sets a cutting process position to correspond to a printing position of the image, prints the image and Trim marks while feeding the sheet member forward, detects the positions of the Trim marks with the Trim mark detection portion, and performs the cutting process with the cutter blade in the cutting process position set by the controller.
US08870361B2
A printing device includes a rotatable printing cylinder, a blanket cylinder configured to make a synchronous rotation with the printing cylinder in contact with each other and to convey a printing medium by nipping the printing medium with the printing cylinder, an inkjet head that forms an image on a surface of the blanket cylinder by squirting heatset ink onto the surface of the blanket cylinder, and a first heating unit that heats up either the printing medium conveyed into a contact portion of the printing cylinder and the blanket cylinder or the blanket cylinder.
US08870360B2
A method of reducing a curl of a recording medium caused by ejection of a liquid by a droplet ejecting apparatus to the medium including steps of calculating an ejected-liquid amount ejected onto an evaluation region defined on the medium and an ejected-liquid associated quantity which is an ejected-liquid-droplet number ejected to the evaluation region or an ejected-area associated quantity which is an area of unit regions to which the liquid is ejected; and a ratio of the area of the unit regions to an area of the evaluation region, and estimating a curl degree of the medium caused by ejection of the liquid thereto or a correction degree necessary for restraining the curl, based on a position of the evaluation region; and the calculated ejected-liquid amount and ejected-liquid associated quantity.
US08870355B2
A first part of liquid holders includes at least one liquid holder provided at the first casing. A second part of liquid holders includes at least one liquid holder provided at the second casing. Each of a plurality of flexible tubes has one end and another end. The one end is connected to the first part of the liquid holders. The other end is connected to the second part of the liquid holders. A first supporting section is provided at the first casing and supports the tubes. A second supporting section is provided at the second casing and supports the tubes. A third supporting section supports the tubes at a position between the first supporting section and the second supporting section in such a manner that the tubes are arranged in a direction parallel to a pivotal axis.
US08870351B2
A heating element of a fluid ejection device, the heating element including a ring-type body, an inner edge of the body, and an outer edge of the body, wherein at least one of the inner edge and the outer edge defines an undulated surface contour.
US08870350B2
An image forming device includes a head including a nozzle that discharges an electrically-conductive recording liquid in accordance with a driving signal; an intermediate transfer body on which the recording liquid discharged by the head is applied; a voltage apply unit that applies a voltage between the intermediate transfer body and the head, so as to decompose the electrically-conductive recording liquid by electrolysis; a transfer unit that transfers an image supported on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording material; and a discharging control unit that generates the driving signal that causes the electrically-conductive recording liquid to be discharged from the nozzle. The discharging control unit generates the driving signal so that a position of a meniscus is placed outside the nozzle during a time interval in which the recording liquid temporarily bridges between the head and the intermediate transfer body.
US08870347B2
A liquid ejecting head includes: a flow channel member made of silicon; a nozzle plate made of silicon; a manifold member, which cooperates with the flow channel member to define a manifold in fluid communication with a plurality of pressure generation chambers; and a cover member, wherein the cover member is made of a different material than the nozzle plate, and wherein the cover member is affixed to the surface of the flow channel member that is affixed to the nozzle plate. The cover member fluidly blocks the manifold from the ambient atmosphere.
US08870341B2
An ink jet printhead includes: a nozzle plate having an underside and including one or more nozzles in the underside configured to dispense drops of fluid in a dispensing direction; and a multi-level maintenance structure coupled to the nozzle plate such that a gap exists between a portion of the maintenance structure and the underside of the nozzle plate. The maintenance structure includes: a first portion having a first upper surface suspended at a first distance from the underside of the nozzle plate; and a second portion that is coupled to the first portion, the second portion having a second upper surface suspended at a second distance from the underside of the nozzle plate, which is greater than the first distance, the second upper surface laterally displaced relative to the first upper surface.
US08870336B2
To detect an edge part of a medium with accuracy although the medium includes a false detection element, more than one change point, which changes from a condition that an output of an optical sensor indicates existence of a print medium to a condition that the output indicates non-existence of the print medium, is detected while the optical sensor moved on the print medium along a main scanning direction. A right edge part candidate detection process and a left edge part candidate process are performed to detect at points immediately before output changes as the right and left edge part candidates of the medium when the output of the optical sensor continuously indicates a condition of non-existence of the medium while the optical sensor and the print medium are moved further along the main scanning direction for a predetermined distance from the detected change points.
US08870335B2
A liquid discharge state detection device includes a light emitting element that emits a light beam; and a light receiving element that is placed at a position shifted from a beam diameter of the light beam. The light receiving element receives scattered light generated when the light beam collides with a liquid droplet. A discharge state of the liquid droplet is detected based on a received light amount of the received scattered light. The liquid discharge state detection device further includes an analyzer in the forward direction from the light receiving element. The analyzer detects the scattered light having a polarization direction the same as a polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the light emitting element. The light receiving element receives the scattered light that has passed through the analyzer.
US08870330B1
According to one example there is provide a printing system that comprises a carriage moveable bi-directionally across a platen. The system additionally comprises a substrate edge detector to detect the position of a lateral edge of a substrate when positioned on a platen, a parking zone in which a substrate edge holder may be parked, and a substrate edge holder pick-up system on the carriage to pick up a substrate edge holder parked in the parking zone and to position the substrate edge holder on a detected lateral edge of a substrate positioned on the platen.
US08870329B2
Detecting an issue in a digital printer that has an optical element positioned to direct a laser beam towards a photoconductor surface may include sending optical element position commands to move the optical element to compensate for inconsistent movements of a photoconductor drum and creating a record of the optical element position commands.
US08870324B2
In a method to execute a print interruption, a printing substrate is printed to with a printing unit with at least one print head. With aid of a sensor, print clock pulses are generated that are supplied to a print controller depending on a feed of the printing substrate. With triggering of the print interruption, a feed speed of the printing substrate is reduced from a print speed in the printing operation to a predetermined speed according to a deceleration ramp. After the print interruption the printing substrate is accelerated again to the print speed according to an acceleration ramp. Given occurrence of a print clock pulse during at least one of the ramps, the print controller sends at least one vibration pulse to the at least one print head so that at least one cycle of vibration oscillations is implemented at the print head. The at least one vibration pulse is generated if a time interval of the print clock pulses relative to one another reaches a predetermined value.
US08870319B2
An inkjet printer forms ink images from image data including colors in a device independent color space. A color profile associated with the printer maps a plurality of colors in the device independent color space and to a plurality of ink colors formed from a plurality of inks in the printer. The plurality of ink colors only includes colors that are formed with an ink mass density that is below a predetermined threshold.
US08870317B2
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, a head tank, a carriage, a main tank, a liquid feed device, a supply controller, a displacement member, a first detector, and a second detector. When a consumption amount of liquid in the head tank reaches a threshold value, the controller controls the feed device to start supplying the liquid from the main tank to the head tank. When printing operation is not performed and the displacement member is at a position at which a remaining amount of the liquid in the head tank is smaller than when the displacement member is at a first position, the controller controls the feed device to supply the liquid until the displacement member is placed at the first position or a position at which the remaining amount of the liquid is greater than when the displacement member is at the first position.
US08870312B2
A differentiated pull-out chest of drawers (1), comprising: a containment frame (2) for at least one drawer (6), which is movable between a closed position in which it is contained within the volumetric dimensions of said frame (2) and an open position in which it projects out from said frame (2) to a preset length; moving means (8) of the drawer (6), interposed between a pair of side uprights (3) of the frame (2) and said drawer (6) to make the drawer (6) slidable between the closed position and the open position; and an adjusting member (12) of the open position of the drawer (6) to determine the preset length of projection of the drawer (6) from the frame (2).
US08870300B2
A method for actuating a hydraulic vehicle brake system, includes a master brake cylinder with a preferably electromechanical brake booster and a wheel slip control device. The master brake cylinder is actuated simultaneously with the brake booster, and hydraulic pumps of the wheel slip control device are driven by an electric motor. Pressure builds more quickly in the wheel brakes of the vehicle brake system for safety and assistance functions that require high pressure build-up dynamic. The method also increases the wheel brake pressure using the pressure that can be generated by actuating the master brake cylinder with the brake booster.
US08870283B2
A vehicle protective seat cover for use under a child safety car seat. The cover includes at least a seat cover bottom panel having upper and lower opposed surfaces. Frictional grip pads are attached to the lower protective panel. In one form, the frictional grip pads include four upper grippers protruding above the upper surface, sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the upper grippers at least in part, as well as four lower grippers protruding below the lower surface. In another form, four apertures are formed in the seat cover bottom panel. The apertures are sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the apertures at least in part. Correspondingly, four frictional grip pads are configured so as to be retained in respective ones of the apertures.
US08870278B2
A reinforcing arrangement for reinforcing a joint portion between two support units of a foldable furniture object, comprising a first mounting unit which comprises a first mounting body and a first guiding member outwardly protruded from the first mounting body mounting on the first support unit; a second mounting unit which comprises a second mounting body and a second guiding member or a second guiding groove complimentary to and moveably engaging with the first mounting unit to define a maximum extending angle of movement, thereby the first and second support unit are guided to lock into position at an unfolded position at the maximum extending angle and to unlock at a folded position; and a connecting unit pivotally connecting the first support unit and the second support unit between which the two mounting units are positioned, thereby the joint portion is reinforced.
US08870277B2
An adjustable height chair has a pair of side frames and a seat frame with two seat/backrest portions secured together, with the seat frame pivotably mounted in the side frames. The chair height is changed by rotating the side frames in a direction opposite to the rotation of the seat frame, so that a seat panel which previously served as a platform to sit on becomes a backrest, and vice-versa. The chair preferably has one or more crossbars to serve the double duty of strengthening the frame of the chair, and supporting the seat panels in both sitting positions of the chair.
US08870271B2
A cowl member for a vehicle includes a grill portion with grill openings formed therein for taking in external air, a hood sealing portion disposed forwardly of the grill portion, and a hood seal integrally formed with the hood sealing portion. The cowl member further includes a vertical wall portion integrally formed with the hood sealing portion and extending downwardly relative thereto, and a plenum sealing portion integrally formed with a terminal edge of the vertical wall portion and extending forwardly relative thereto for sealing with a flange of a dashboard that separates an engine compartment from a passenger compartment on the vehicle.
US08870270B2
Structure for lower vehicle body of vehicle front part is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, structure includes suspension frame fastened to connection parts of front side members and floor side members; dash side members extend from fastening parts obliquely rearward and outward in vehicle width direction; outer end parts of dash side members connected to front end parts of side sills; front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels arranged ahead of front end parts of side sills; dash side outer panels, side outer panels, and dash side inner panels connected together by flanges extending in vehicle up-down direction of front end part of each thereof, at positions of front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels, side outer panels formed into an inclined surface inclined obliquely downward toward vehicle rear in side view and inclined obliquely rearward toward outside of vehicle in top view.
US08870267B2
A vehicle cabin body structure a side sill, a floor fixedly attached to the side sill, a dash wall and an inner reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is fixedly being attached to the side sill and the floor at least partially defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The inner reinforcing bracket has a sill attachment section attached to an inboard surface of the side sill, a dash wall attachment section attached to an interior surface of the dash wall and a floor attachment section attached to an upper surface the floor.
US08870261B2
[Object] It is an object of the present invention to provide a crash reinforcing member for a vehicle capable of preventing reduction in flexural rigidity as much as possible even if deformation progresses when a load at the time of crash of the vehicle is input.[Solution] A crash reinforcing member for a vehicle (e.g., door impact beam) includes a long body 10. The body 10 has a hat-shaped opened cross-sectional shape by connecting, with one another, a pair of walls 11, a pair of curved corners 12, a center flange 13, and a pair of outer flanges 14. The body 10 is divided into three sections P1, P2 and P3. A width (C1) of the center flange in the section P1 is wider than a width (C2) of the center flange in the section P2. A cross-sectional area of the curved corner 12 in the section P1 is narrower than a cross-sectional area of the curved corner in the section P2. A cross-sectional height (H1) of the section P1 is higher than a cross-sectional height (H2) of the section P2. The section P3 is provided as a gradually changing portion which smoothly connects the section P1 and the section P2 with each other.
US08870249B2
The invention provides tie-down devices and related methods for securing oversized items in a vehicle trunk or rear storage compartment in preparation for transport. The tie-down devices include sections connected by a releasable buckle that allows for separately cinching the strap sections to desired lengths. The tie-down devices incorporate specialized connectors at each end in the form of at least one grip that is curved to attach to the edge of a panel on the vehicle and a latch that attaches to a fixed attachment mechanism at the opposite end.
US08870248B2
The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2), comprising also at least one operating lever (3a, 3b) and a locking lever (4, 5). According to the invention, the operating lever (3a, 3b) contains a first partial lever (3a) and a second partial lever (3b). The locking lever (4, 5) controls a coupling element (12), optionally connecting the partial levers (3a, 3b) with each other.
US08870241B2
An opening and closing device for a fuel door of a vehicle including a push type latch device for locking or unlocking the fuel door that may be rotatably mounted to a side of a housing by a hinge unit, may include a locking rod movable by an actuator and selectively locked to a locking slot provided in the hinge unit to which the fuel door may be attached, thereby controlling rotation of the hinge unit, and an anti-thrust lever operated in conjunction with the locking rod actuated by the actuator to selectively support the fuel door so as to prevent the fuel door from being thrust backwards.
US08870238B2
A female connector for medical infusion systems has a main body that has two curved wings that extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body. The respective front ends of the wings are joined integrally to a substantially circumferential partition that also extends circumferentially from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting. The connector of the fitting has a non-conventional configuration with at least two protuberances offset at an angle. The non-conventional configuration of the connector allows the fitting to only mate with a counterpart connector that has a complementary non-conventional configuration.
US08870233B2
A swivel joint has uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races. The swivel joint has a male connector and a female connector that coaxially interconnect and swivel relative to each other. Each connector has three bearing races to form three sets of bearing races, each of which supports that same number of ball bearings. The circumference of the main set of races are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball.
US08870231B2
In a fiber-reinforced resin pipe for introducing and discharging a liquid, a pipe (1) is provided with a plurality of introduction/discharge parts (2) for introducing or discharging liquid that are arranged at intervals in the axial direction from a peripheral surface of the pipe.
US08870226B2
There is provided an evaporated fuel control device for a saddle-type vehicle in which an air supply passage is laid out without being disposed at a higher position than a fuel tank. The fuel tank 12 is disposed at a higher position than the engine 20, an evaporated fuel passage 110 is routed as a descending passage from the fuel tank 12 to the engine 20, and an air supply passage 120 is jointed to a halfway position of the evaporated fuel passage 110 which is located at a fuel tank 12 side with respect to a first check valve 117 and positionally lower than the uppermost portion of the fuel tank 12.
US08870222B2
A gas generator includes, an ignition device chamber housing, a pressurized gas chamber housing, a closing member closing a boundary surface between the ignition device chamber housing and the pressurized gas chamber housing, a plenum chamber enclosed by the ignition device chamber housing having a gas discharge port facing thereto, a gas generating agent charging chamber, a multifunctional member disposed inside the ignition device chamber housing and including, a base plate portion, and a wall portion extending from one surface of the base plate portion and including an inclined end surface inclined with respect to the base plate portion, and a movement restriction member restricting a moving distance in an axial direction of the multifunctional member before and after activation such that a longest portion of the cylindrical wall portion passes through the closing member but a shortest portion thereof does not pass through the closing member.
US08870209B2
A connector for releasably attaching a vehicle such as a shopping cart to a wheelchair includes a pivoting frame that is mounted for use on the cart by a front attachment device and that can be releasably attached to the wheelchair by the chair's occupant. The frame is pivoted to an in-use position and aligned with the wheelchair for attachment. The frame can also be readily released from attachment to the wheelchair by the chair's occupant.
US08870203B2
An air ride suspension assembly or kit useful when converting a leaf spring suspension arrangement on a motor vehicle having a solid rear axle to one supported by the conversion suspension assembly is disclosed. The two sets of leaf springs which are attached to both sides of the vehicle chassis and the axle are removed and replaced by first and second upper support arms which are secured to the pre-existing leaf spring attachment sites on the chassis. The leading end of first and second lower trailing arms are each pivotally connected to a corresponding upper support arm proximate the front end of each support arm, and in the intermediate section of each trailing arm, are attached to the underlying axle by pivot connection means which permits the axle to pivot at right angles to the trailing arms. First and second inflatable air bladders are disposed between each support arm and trailing arm combination at a location rearward of the pivot connection means. The air ride conversion assembly can be supplied as a kit which may or may not include a known inflation control system for controlling air flow into and out of the air bladders which can also be obtained separately from third party sources. The conversion system has particular appeal to owners of light trucks who routinely carry heavy loads in the truck bed.
US08870196B1
A trolley is provided for storing and transporting components. The trolley has a frame and a cover that can open or close. The frame has a base, rollers mounted on the bottom of the base, vertical supports extending from the top of the base, and one or more pairs of rails mounted in between adjacent vertical supports, each pair of rails being adapted to receive and support said components. The cover has a first side support that is hingeably mounted to the frame, a second side support, and cross members substantially parallel to one another and horizontally spaced apart, mounted between the first side support and the second side support. When the cover is open, components may be loaded by sliding them along a pair of rails or by lowering the components between a pair of rails. When the cover closed, loaded components are constrained from movement.
US08870188B2
Gaskets for use with a bell and spigot coupling system are disclosed herein. The gasket comprises an elastomeric member having a front edge, a first section, and a second section. Axial forces generated by the insertion of the spigot to the first section of the elastomeric member displace the first section of the elastomeric member in an axial and radial direction.
US08870178B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of improving operation performances. Sheet feeding cassettes and having sheet stacking portions SS1 and SS2 and sheet feeding portions, which are engaged and provided on the upstream side of the sheet stacking portions SS1 and SS2 in a pulling-out direction in an engaging and disengaging manner and feed the sheet stored in the sheet stacking portions SS1 and SS2, are vertically disposed at a plurality of positions in an image forming apparatus main body so that the sheet feeding cassette can be pulled out. Moreover, when the sheet feeding operation using the lower sheet feeding cassette is performed, only the sheet stacking portion SS1 of the sheet feeding cassette is pulled out, and when the sheet feeding operation stops, the sheet stacking portion SS1 and the sheet feeding portion of the sheet feeding cassette are integrally pulled out.
US08870177B2
A sheet processing apparatus, including an ejection section; a sheet stacking section; an abutting unit; a driving section; a control section; and a rotating member which has a rotating shaft in parallel with a width direction of the sheet bundle and is held so as to rotate from above the base end portion of the sheet stacking section through a gap of a predetermined width in the abutting unit. The control section starts rotation of the rotating member after lowering of the sheet stacking section is stopped, and when the rotation is started, the rotating member operates so as to abut a rear portion of a surface of the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking section and pass through the gap in the abutting unit.
US08870173B2
A cutting board which is used for the preparation of types of food and/or for the presentation and cutting of appetizer type foods such as cheese, fruit, etc. The cutting board is constructed simply of a relatively thick (1½″) piece of soft wood such as douglas fir and reinforced with wooden dowels perpendicular to the grain of the wood. Such unique construction maintains the flatness of the board allowing it to be maintenance free and washable in a normal dishwasher cycle without warping.
US08870171B2
The present application provides an extraction system for removing a retaining pin from a turbine engine. The extraction system may include a pin extraction fixture and a drill such that the pin extraction fixture positions the drill about the retaining pin. The pin extraction fixture may include a collet and one or more expanders positioned thereabout.
US08870163B2
A bracket system for connecting a structural member to an upright member includes a bracket having an attachment portion configured to be operatively attached to a vertical or side surface of the structural member and a cup portion integral with the attachment portion. The cup portion includes a base portion and an interior perimeter surface configured to receive the upright member in an installed position such that the exterior perimeter surface of the upright member is proximate to the interior perimeter surface of the cup portion and the upright member is supported in an orientation which is substantially perpendicular and parallel to the structural member. The bracket may include an adjustable member received through a bracket opening and adjustable to retain the upright member in or allow removal of the upright member from the bracket. The upright member may include a reinforcing face plate interfacing with the adjustable member.
US08870161B2
A pipe flange spreading tool is disclosed. The pipe flange spreading tool includes a pair of wedges and a retainer strap. Each of the wedges has a through-hole and a tapered end. The tapered end is configured to be forced between two pipe flanges of a pipeline to separate the pipe flanges of the pipeline. The retainer strap connects the pair of wedges via the through-holes. The retainer strap includes a first and second end loops configured to be looped around a first and second secured locations of the pipeline, respectively, in order to retain the pair of wedges with respect to the pipeline during operation.
US08870159B2
This supersonic pulse flow device is intended to provide a technical solution in a number of fields where the injection of a flow must be pulsed as required by the process or in order to limit the power consumption and size of the pumping means. In the case of flows achieved by means of a Laval nozzle, it is possible to generate a uniform supersonic jet at very low temperature (currently up to 20 K), which is stable over hydrodynamic periods of time between 150 and 1000 microseconds. This device is aimed as solving problems relating to the use of aerodynamic tools in research and development and in industrial processes.
US08870153B2
A pressure actuated valve is disclosed which includes a plurality of flow openings, and first and second pistons. The first and second pistons are independently actuatable relative to one another, and are releasable coupled to one another by a release sleeve. The pressure actuated valve also includes a closing sleeve that is operatively coupled to the second piston. In an initial position of the second piston, the closing sleeve covers or blocks the plurality of flow openings. The pressure actuated valve includes a ratchet mechanism coupling the release sleeve to the first piston, the ratchet mechanism being adapted to allow movement of the first piston between its initial position and an intermediate position and back to its initial position while allowing the release sleeve to release the second piston after a predetermined number of cycles of movement of the first piston between its initial position and the intermediate position and back to its initial position. Upon release of the second piston by the release sleeve, the second piston, and the closing sleeve, responsive to the urging of a spring, will move to its final position uncovering the plurality of flow openings. The ratchet mechanism allows for the incremental movement of a release sleeve in response to movements of the first piston. The release sleeve is adapted to open the pressure actuated valve upon movement of the release sleeve through a designated distance.
US08870150B2
A frame for a power machinery, such as a pump, a motor, a generator, etc., includes a machine frame formed by connecting a plurality of tubes; two roofs installed at upper ends of the tubes and having a plurality of latch bases disposed on inner sides of the two roofs respectively; and a plurality of side plates installed on outer sides of the two roofs and having a plurality of elastic latch rods installed on inner ends of the plurality of side plates, and a tube clamp adjacent the inner end of each side plate. The elastic latch rod is latched to the latch base, and the tube clamps are latched to the tubes, so that the two roofs and the plurality of side plates are fixed at a top end of the machine frame to form a rain shelter.
US08870146B2
A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
US08870144B2
In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.
