US08722086B2
A multiparticulate dosage form formulated to make misuse more difficult containing least one active substance with potential for misuse (A), at least one synthetic or natural polymer (C), optionally at least one natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic wax (D), at least one disintegrant (E) and optionally one or more additional physiologically compatible excipients (B), wherein the individual particles of the dosage form display a breaking strength of at least 500 N and a release of active substance of at least 75% after 45 minutes measured according to Ph.Eur. in the paddle mixer with sinker in 600 ml of aqueous buffer solution with a pH value of 1.2 at 37° C. and 75 rpm.
US08722085B2
Methods and systems for administration of pharmaceuticals using a unit dosage package that includes a first unit dosage that has a first drug and a second drug, a second unit dosage that has the first drug and the second drug, where the second unit dosage includes a different amount of the second drug than the first unit dosage and a unit dosage package is configured to hold the first unit dosage and the second unit dosage. In preferred embodiments the methods and systems are used for administration of weight loss medications.
US08722084B2
A controlled release preparation wherein the release of active ingredient is controlled, which releases an active ingredient for an extended period of time by staying or slowly migrating in the gastrointestinal tract, is provided by means such as capsulating a tablet, granule or fine granule wherein the release of active ingredient is controlled and a gel-forming polymer. Said tablet, granule or fine granule has a release-controlled coating-layer formed on a core particle containing an active ingredient.
US08722082B2
The present invention provides lipids that are advantageously used in lipid particles for the in vivo delivery of therapeutic agents to cells. In particular, the invention provides lipids having the following structures XIV or XVII.
US08722078B2
Polymeric devices for controlled release of an active agent of interest are provided. The active agent is provided within a biodegradable polymer system to supply a polymeric device for controlled release of the active agent. The polymer system is a copolymer or a polymer blend comprising a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component, and the polymer system does not form a hydrogel when contacted with, or immersed in an aqueous system, for example when the device is implanted in a subject. When the device is administered to a subject, for example, when it is implanted, the device releases the active agent in a controlled fashion without a lag period, or with a minimal lag period. Methods for producing the polymeric devices are also provided, as are methods of using the polymeric devices to provide for controlled release of an active agent in a subject.
US08722072B2
The present invention relates to active ingredient combinations which are composed of a known dihydrofuranone derivative on the one hand and of other known active pesticidal ingredients on the other hand, and are suitable for controlling animal pests from the families of the Aleyrodidae, Thripidae, Psyllidae and Agromyzidae, and also, more particularly, from the order of the Acari. The invention also relates to combinations which consist of the abovementioned active ingredient combinations on the one hand and of beneficial species on the other hand and which are suitable for controlling animal pests.
US08722068B2
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue.
US08722067B2
This invention provides for a process of rapidly forming silk fibroin gelation through ultrasonication. Under the appropriate conditions, gelation can be controlled to occur within two hours after the ultrasonication treatment. Biological materials, including viable cells, or therapeutic agents can be encapsulated in the hydrogels formed from the process and be used as delivery vehicles.
US08722057B2
In a step of producing a powder product of the alga belonging to the genus Dunaliella, a pH adjusting step is included in which an alga belonging to the genus Dunaliella is allowed to be in a basic state of pH 9.5 or higher. According to the method, it is possible to provide dried Dunaliella powder containing β-carotene at a high content by suppressing degradation of β-carotene as an active ingredient while decreasing each of the total pheophorbide amount and the existing pheophorbide amount to a predetermined value or less, even if the total pheophorbide amount and the existing pheophorbide amount of the cultured algae belonging to the genus Dunaliella are higher in summer.
US08722053B2
The present invention relates to the provision of novel immunogens comprising an antigenic IgE peptide preferably linked to an immunogenic carrier, compositions comprising the immunogens, and methods for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of IgE-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.
US08722051B2
The present invention provides the TWEAK receptor and methods for identifying and using agonists and antagonists of the TWEAK receptor. In particular, the invention provides methods of screening for agonists and antagonists and for treating diseases or conditions mediated by angiogenesis, such as solid tumors and vascular deficiencies of cardiac or peripheral tissue.
US08722047B2
The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of humanized anti-HLA-DR antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of lymphoma cells without inducing CDC or ADCC. In more preferred embodiments, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibodies bind to the same epitope of HLA-DR as, or compete for binding to HLA-DR with, a murine L243 antibody. Most preferably, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibody exhibits a higher affinity for HLA-DR than the parental murine antibody. The humanized HLA-DR antibody is of use for therapy of various diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disease or immune dysregulatory function, and is of particular use for therapy of B cell lymphomas and leukemias. In most preferred embodiments, the humanized anti-HLA-DR antibody is capable of inducing at least partial remission of lymphomas that are resistant to other B cell antibodies, such as rituximab.
US08722046B2
In this application are described fully human monoclonal antibodies which specifically recognize F1 or V antigen of Y. pestis and epitopes recognized by these monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are mixtures of antibodies of the present invention, as well as methods of using individual antibodies or mixtures thereof for the detection, prevention, and/or therapeutical treatment of plague infections in vitro and in vivo.
US08722036B2
There is a disclosed a method of killing abnormal cells such as malignant cells including melanoma cells, using a virus recognising at least one of a cell adhesion molecule and a complement regulatory protein. The virus may be a member of the Picornaviridae family. Coxsackie A-group viruses have been found to be particularly suitable. The cell adhesion molecule is desirably a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily. Typically, the complement regulatory protein will be DAF.
US08722030B2
The invention provides a composite vaccine adjuvant, which is comprised of sodium ferulate and zinc hydroxide in a mass ratio of 10:1˜50:1. When the composite vaccine adjuvant and vaccine used in combination, the humoral immunity response is enhanced effectively, the enhanced effects is similar with aluminum adjuvant, superior to single sodium ferulate adjuvant and single zinc hydroxide adjuvant. It is not only atoxic, safety, but also reliable in the range of immune dose. The composite vaccine adjuvant with easily obtained and commercially available raw materials, is low cost, stable performance and simple preparation technology, which can be used as an adjuvant of hepatitis B vaccine, gene-engineered vaccine, virus vaccine and so on.
US08722028B2
The present disclosure relates to novel ethylenic copolymers comprising from 10% to 80% by weight, of at least one monomer of polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate type, from 20% to 90% by weight, of at least one anionic monomer, and from 0% to 70% by weight, at least one additional nonionic hydrophilic monomer. The disclosure also relates to a composition, such as cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the copolymers and to a method of using the same.
US08722024B2
Gels of isopropyl esters of fatty alcohols that include a dimethyl/methylhydrogensiloxane copolymer, a silanol-terminated PDMS or an ethenyl-terminated PDMS, and a hydride functional siloxane. Also provided are methods for making the gels and articles containing them.
US08722021B2
The invention relates to an alcohol-free cosmetic or therapeutic foam carrier comprising water, a hydrophobic organic carrier, a foam adjuvant agent, a surface-active agent and a gelling agent. The cosmetic or therapeutic foam carrier does not contain aliphatic alcohols, making it non-irritating and non-drying. The alcohol-free foam carrier is suitable for inclusion of both water-soluble and oil soluble therapeutic and cosmetic agents.
US08722020B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides a contrast enhancement agent comprising an iron chelate having structure I and salts thereof wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a hydroxy group, a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group, or a C1-C3 alkyl group, and b is 0-4; R2-R7 are independently at each occurrence hydrogen, a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group, or a C1-C3 alkyl group, with the proviso that at least one of R1-R7 is a hydroxy group or a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group; and wherein Q is one or more charge balancing counterions. Also provided are a metal chelating ligand having structure IX and medical formulations comprising the contrast enhancement agent I.
US08722018B2
A novel method for preparing nanoparticles for medical imaging, including a metal core, an organic stabilizing layer containing gem-bisphosphonate compounds and at least one hydrophilic biodistribution ligand.
US08722014B2
Tracers for cationic amino acid transport systems and methods of synthesis are disclosed, including compounds comprising a 1H-[1,2,3]triazole moiety. Further disclosed are uses of the analogues, including in vivo imaging of tumors by Positron emission tomography (PET) or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
US08722013B2
The present invention relates to the use of R(+)-alpha-lipoic acid ((R)-5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)valeric acid) and/or of a physiologically acceptable derivative of this compound for cryptogenic neuropathy.
US08722012B2
The invention is directed to a method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a patient receiving high dose radioactive iodine for treatment of cancer. The method includes administering an effective amount of perchlorate anion to the eyes of the patient.
US08721993B2
A clamp for an Erlenmeyer flask or other laboratory containers or racks uses nickel-coated, rare earth magnets to secure the clamp to a platform for a laboratory shaker. The base of the clamp has downwardly extending positioning bosses that seat in holes or indentations on the shaker platform to prevent horizontal sliding of the clamp when the shaker is in use. A removable and replaceable, elastomeric cover for the base of the flask clamp provides cushioning and prevents spinning of the flask when the shaker is in use.
US08721992B2
A micro fluidic device comprises a micro channel in which a plurality of fluids form laminar flows and are supplied, wherein an inner wall of the micro channel comprise a protruding part that is substantially parallel to the flows of the fluids and protrudes in directions substantially vertical to interfaces formed by the plurality of fluids.
US08721989B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring blood oxygen saturation, comprising a housing (1), a sensor (2), a connecting cable (3) and a plug (4), wherein the housing (1) has a cavity (5) for accepting a patient's tissue which is supplied with blood; the sensor (2) which is arranged on the housing and has at least one light source (21) for the emission of light which passes through the tissue which is supplied with blood and a detector (22) for receiving the light passing through the tissue which is supplied with blood; and the apparatus can be connected to an evaluation unit via the plug (4).
US08721985B2
The device is suitable in particular for treating medical endoscopes. At least one treatment fluid is fed through a conduit system (3) to a channel attachment (4), to which a channel of the instrument to be treated can be attached. The conduit system has a fluid attachment (39), which can be connected to a source of treatment fluid. With the aid of a measuring device, the flow of the treatment fluid in the conduit system, and thus the permeability of the attached channel, can be measured. The measurement is effected with the aid of a measurement section (6) in which a flow sensor (7, 7′) is arranged. All the treatment steps are carried out via the conduit system and in particular also via the measurement section. In this way, the conduit system is subjected to the same process as the instrument to be treated, and a flow measurement can be carried out in each individual treatment step.
US08721983B2
A sterilizer is connectable to an external chamber. A sterilization gas generator is configured to generate sterilization gas. A gas supply system including a first gas supply system which is configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to a sterilization chamber; and a second gas supply system which is different from the first gas supply system and configured to supply the sterilization gas from the sterilization gas generator to the external chamber.
US08721979B2
A honeycomb structure includes a ceramic block including a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies. Each of the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies includes large volume cells and small volume cells. Either one of the end portions of each of the large volume cells and the small volume cells is plugged. An aperture in the cross section in a central part of the honeycomb structure is about 65% or more. A ratio of an aperture of the first end face to an aperture of the second end face of the honeycomb structure is about 1.4 or more. Each of the cell walls except the peripheral walls has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.2 mm. The honeycomb structure has a diameter of about 200 mm or more. A ratio of a length to the diameter of the honeycomb structure is about 1.0 or less.
US08721977B2
An exhaust treatment device includes an insulation material positioned between an inner shell and an outer shell. An inlet tube has an end in communication with a cavity defined by the inner shell. A substrate for treating engine exhaust is positioned within the inner shell. A metal mounting ring is positioned between the inner and outer shells and includes a mounting provision for receipt of a fastener.
US08721967B2
Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen, which apparatus (2) comprises a container (4) for the liquid specimen, a response chart (6) which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen, and a result chart (8) for use with the response chart (6), and the apparatus (2) being such that: (i) the container (4) comprises a body portion (10), a lid (12), a test chamber (14), and openable means (16) which is adapted to be broken in order to allow the liquid specimen to pass from the body portion (10) into the test chamber (14); (ii) the response chart (6) comprises response portions (18) which are contacted by the liquid specimen, which become differently colored to indicate different characteristics present in the liquid specimen, and which are read at predetermined time intervals; (iii) the result chart (8) comprises result sectors (22), each result sector (22) is for indicating the result of a different test for the liquid specimen, and each result sector (22) has a plurality of differently colored result portions (24), and the different colors of the result portions (24) in each result sector (22) indicate different degrees of result for the test afforded by the result sector (22); (iv) the response chart (6) is inside the container (4); and (v) the result chart (6) is mounted on the outside of the container (4).
US08721962B2
Systems, devices, methods, and compositions that improve the scent perception for a user. Improved scent perception is achieved by presenting alternating scents and by varying levels of output of scents, as well as by minimizing device clogging, thereby improving evaporation profiles.
US08721951B2
A method to form a multiple walled enclosure with low permeation properties and rugged impact resistance useful as a fuel tank or chemical container. The enclosure is made by rotomolding a first charge of thermosetting polymer into an outer layer, then rotomolding a charge of EVOH or other low permeation thermoplastic into a second layer, then rotomolding a second charge of thermosetting polymer into a third layer so that the low permeation thermoplastic layer is fully enclosed by layers of thermoset polymer. The preferred thermosetting polymer is crosslinkable polyethylene and the preferred low permeation thermoplastic is EVOH.
US08721950B2
A resin for thermal imprint include a cyclic-olefin-based thermoplastic resin that contains at least one of skeletons represented by the following chemical equation 1 or the following chemical equation 2 in a main chain. The glass transition temperature Tg (° C.) and the value ([M]) of MFR at 260° C. satisfy the following equation 1, and [M]>10. The thermal imprint characteristics (transferability, mold release characteristic, and the like) are superior and the productivity (throughput) is improved. Tg(° C.)<219×log [M]−104 [Equation 1]
US08721948B2
[Problem]To provide a method for producing a polyol-crosslinking, crosslinked fluororubber product which exhibits low tack properties and significantly increased rubber hardness.[Means for Solving the problem] The method comprises pressurizing, heating, and vulcanizing a fluororubber composition to mold a vulcanized product; the fluororubber composition comprising a polyol-crosslinkable fluororubber, a crosslinking accelerator including a quarternary phosphonium salt or a quarternary ammonium salt, and a polyol crosslinking agent, the weight ratio X of the crosslinking accelerator to the polyol crosslinking agent (crosslinking accelerator/polyol crosslinking agent) being from 0.90 to 3.00 for a quarternary phosphonium salt, and being from 0.4 to 0.6 for a quarternary ammonium salt; applying a treatment solution containing the polyol crosslinking agent and the crosslinking accelerator dissohttp://reedman/Manuals/Text_Manual/Section_03.htm - 3.1lved in a solvent to a surface of the vulcanized product; and heat-treating the resulting vulcanized product at a temperature ranging from 200 to 300° C. for 1 to 20 hours.
US08721947B2
A system and method for producing customized items is provided. The system includes a computer interface, an extruder and a mold supported by a movable support unit, all in communication with a control unit. The extruder and support unit are activatable by the control unit to produce a customized item in accordance with the shape of the mold and design parameters associated with the customized item onto the mold. The extruder may be configured to be movable and to extrude material having elastic properties onto the mold in a single continuous extrusion.
US08721944B2
A method for producing a cranial remodeling device to correct for cranial shape abnormalities is described. One method comprises the steps of: providing cranial remodeling device trim line information; forming device material onto a three-dimensional model of a desired head shape; providing a machine responsive to said trim line information to move a spindle in a plurality of axes over the device material; providing a marking tool carried by the spindle; and operating the machine in response to the trim line information such that the machine moves the marking tool into surface engagement with the device material such that trim lines for the cranial remodeling device are marked onto the device material.
US08721942B2
Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and acetophenone compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an acetophenone compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more acetophenone functional groups.
US08721928B2
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing an aqueous or nonaqueous dispersion or solution comprising at least one conductive polymer and at least one polyanion, characterized in that the polymerization is performed with ultrasound irradiation, to aqueous or nonaqueous dispersions prepared by this process and to the use thereof.
US08721926B2
A single-source solid precursor matrix for semiconductor nanocrystals includes 45-55% by weight of zinc, 28-35% by weight of oxygen, 0.70-1.2% by weight of carbon, 1.5-2.5% by weight of hydrogen, 4-6% by weight of nitrogen, 5-7% by weight of sulphur and 1-5% by weight of dopant ions with respect to the weight of zinc atoms. Doped semiconductor nanocrystals for multicolor displays and bio markers include 60-65% by weight of zinc, 30-32% by weight of sulphur, 1.2-1.3% by weight of copper and 1.2-1.3% by weight of dopant ions.
US08721921B2
To provide a liquid crystal polyester composition that yields compacts that are resistant to cracking. A plate-like filler with a volume-average particle size of 14 μm or greater and a fibrous filler are combined with a liquid crystal polyester to form a liquid crystal polyester composition. The total content of the plate-like filler and the fibrous filler is 45-55 wt % with respect to the total of the liquid crystal polyester composition. The weight ratio of the fibrous filler content to the plate-like filler content is greater than 0.5 and not greater than 0.65.
US08721916B2
The refrigerant composition is a hydrocarbon-based composition that may be used as a refrigerant for air conditioners, refrigerators or the like, and further, which may be used as a detergent for cleaning precision components, such as semiconductor chips, motherboards or the like. The refrigerant composition preferably includes, by volume, between 50% and 65% propylene, between 30% and 45% propane, and between 5% and 10% isobutane. In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant composition contains about 40% propane, about 55% propylene, and about 5% isobutane (methyl propane) by volume.
US08721914B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric layer and an electrode provided with the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is made of a composite oxide containing bismuth ferrite, barium titanate, and bismuth zinc titanate.
US08721910B2
A process for manufacturing a membrane of nozzles of a spray device, comprising the steps of laying a substrate, forming a membrane layer on the substrate, forming a plurality of nozzles in the membrane layer, forming a plurality of supply channels in the substrate, each supply channel being substantially aligned in a vertical direction to a respective nozzle of the plurality of nozzles and in direct communication with the respective nozzle.
US08721905B2
A method for forming a minute pattern mask includes forming an etching target layer on a substrate. A convex pattern including a plurality of convex parts is formed on the etching target layer. A resin composition is coated on the convex pattern to form a resin layer including a first region neighboring the convex part and a second region positioned between the neighboring convex parts. The resin layer is ashed or etched to form the plurality of first resin patterns. The plurality of first resin patterns is processed to form a minute pattern mask including a plurality of second resin patterns. The etching target layer is etched using the plurality of second resin patterns as an etch mask to form a minute pattern.
US08721896B2
The disclosure relates generally to the use of low molecular weight polymers to aggregate mineral components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry.
US08721894B2
Methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from liquid using a continuously circulating stream of purifying media are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes mixing a regenerated purifying media with a contaminated liquid containing diverse contaminants; co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid in a mixed state; removing, using the purifying media, while co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid, contaminants from the contaminated liquid so as to produce a mixture of a decontaminated liquid and a contaminated purifying media; and separating contaminated purifying media from the decontaminated liquid. In addition, the contaminated purifying media is contacted in counter current fashion with a regenerant solution so as to produce a regenerated purifying media and the regenerated purifying media is returned to the mixing step, whereby the continuously circulating purifying media selectively removes contaminants from the liquid.
US08721887B2
Methods and systems for utilizing biological wastewater treatment processes to remove nutrients from wastewater containing reduced sulfide compounds may include treating the wastewater in an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone, and an aerobic zone. The wastewater is first treated in the anaerobic zone to uptake residual biodegradable organic material using specialized bacteria known as phosphorus accumulating organisms (“PAOs”) and glycogen accumulating organisms (“GAOs”). After treatment in the anaerobic zone, the wastewater is treated in an anoxic zone to convert nitrates to nitrogen gas and sulfur to sulfates. Following treatment in the anoxic zone, the wastewater is treated in the aerobic zone to oxidize ammonia to nitrate and to complete removal of phosphorus. After treatment in the aerobic zone, the wastewater may be treated in other zones, or may be delivered to a liquid-solids treatment stage.
US08721885B2
Systems and methods for removing phosphorous (P) from P-containing wastewater are disclosed. The system includes a main filter unit (MFU) comprising P-adsorbing material. The MFU receives the P-containing wastewater and forms therefrom MFU-filtered wastewater having a first pH. A pH adjusting unit (AU) that contains pH-reducing material receives the MFU-filtered wastewater and forms therefrom AU-filtered wastewater having a second pH lower than the first pH. A replaceable filter unit (RFU) similar to the MFU but smaller may be arranged upstream of the MFU to pre-filter the P-containing wastewater. Some or all of the RFU may be replaced when maintaining the system.
US08721883B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a medical liquid comprising a liquid treatment machine and a cassette insertable therein substantially made of a rigid base body of the cassette with fitted chambers and passages and a foil covering them.
US08721877B2
An upflow reactor is provided that includes a reactor tank, conduits, a waste water distributor, at least one first flotation separator and an optional second flotation separator for separating reactor water, biomass, and biogas, a collection device, and a gas separator for separating biomass and biogas. The first flotation separator includes one or more gas domes that are connected to the collection device and have outlets, the cross-sectional area or geometry of which can be controlled using movable covers.
US08721873B2
Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidant such as oxyhalites, converting elemental mercury into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In an improved method for the removal of mercury, at least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides.
US08721865B2
Disclosed is an electrolytic manganese dioxide having an alkali potential of at least 310 mV, a full width at half maximum of the (110) plane in the XRD measurement using the CuKα line as the light source of from 2.2o to 3.0o, and a (110)/(021) peak intensity ratio in the X-ray diffraction spectrum of from 0.5 to 0.80. Also disclosed is a method for producing electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an aqueous solution of a sulfuric acid/manganese sulfate mixture.
US08721861B2
An electrophoresis method is provided involving a parallel and simultaneous multiple process, using multiple separation sub-spaces within a separation chamber.
US08721850B2
A biosensor for detecting an analyte in a sample of body fluid and methods for manufacturing the biosensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a biosensor includes at least two electrical conductors embedded within an electrically insulating test element body. The electrical conductors are exposed at two ends of the test element body and a reagent, for example a reagent adapted to test for blood glucose, is applied to one end. In one form, the test element body is cylindrical with a circular or non-circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the test elements are manufactured by a resin pultrusion process in which resin embedded with electrical conductors is dried or cured, shaped and cut into segments, and reagent applied to one end of each segment.
US08721847B2
A control system and method for controlling two motors determining the azimuthal and circumferential position of a magnetron rotating about the central axis of the sputter chamber in back of its target sputtering and capable of a nearly arbitrary scan path, e.g., with a planetary gear mechanism. A system controller periodically sends commands to the motion controller which closely controls the motors. Each command includes a command ticket, which may be one of several values. The motion controller accepts only commands having a command ticket of a different value from the immediately preceding command. One command selects a scan profile stored in the motion controller, which calculates motor signals from the selected profile. Another command instructs a dynamic homing command which interrogates sensors of the position of two rotating arms to determine if the arms in the expected positions. If not, the arms are rehomed.
US08721835B2
Embodiments of the device relate to an injector (11) for injecting a gas in a processing chamber, including an inlet (21) for receiving a gas wave or a gas flow, a flow-shaping section (20) for expanding the gas in a direction (YY′) perpendicular to a propagation axis (XX′) of the gas, and an outlet (22) for expelling the gas. The flow-shaping section has first and second sidewalls (23) which diverge according to a divergence angle (A1) relative to the propagation axis of the gas, and includes means for slowing down the velocity of the gas near the center of the flow-shaping section, relative to the velocity of the gas near at least one sidewall.
US08721831B2
A fastening composition for attaching two articles, comprising a mixture of an aerobic adhesive and a hydrophilic substance. A process for fixing an article to a substrate, includes the steps of initially preparing a fastening composition by mixing together a hydrophilic substance and an aerobic adhesive; applying a layer of the fastening composition to the article; and subsequently fixing the article to the substrate by pressing the layer of the fastening composition against the substrate. The aerobic adhesive in this layer hardens because of the moisture contained in the hydrophilic substance.
US08721824B2
A production method of three-dimensional pattern is disclosed. First, an adhesive layer is applied on a three-dimensional workpiece. Next, a film is vacuum adsorbed on the adhesive layer so that the film is impressed onto the adhesive layer to form the three-dimensional pattern on the adhesive layer. Finally, the adhesive layer is cured by implementing a plurality of heat treatments thereon. A workpiece of three-dimensional pattern and a production device of three-dimensional pattern are also disclosed.
US08721815B2
Methods for assembling fiberglass reinforced plastic sucker rods include transporting fiberglass reinforced plastic sucker rod sections from an off-site location to an assembly facility at or near a point of use, and transporting a sufficient number of metallic end fittings to connect respective ends of the plurality of sucker rod sections in series at the assembly facility. Systems for assembly of completed sucker rods from sucker rod sections transported from off-site location to or near a point of use. The systems may include a female threaded end component, collar and machine mount that allows completed sucker rods to be pull tested, and record load, peak load, and elongation during the pull test.
US08721808B2
The ferrite system heat-resistant cast steel and the exhaust system component are provided, which are inexpensive and are able to improve the reliability by largely improving the toughness under normal temperature and thermal fatigue performance. The ferrite system heat-resistant cast steel includes composition structure comprised, percent by mass, of 0.1% to 0.4% carbon, 0.5% to 2.0% silicon, 0.2% to 1.2% manganese, 0.3% or less phosphorus, 0.01% to 0.4% sulfur, 14.0% to 21.0% chrome, 0.05% to 0.6% niobium, 0.01% to 0.8% aluminum, 0.15% to 2.3% nickel, residual iron and inevitable impurities.
US08721802B2
A condition warning system for an apparatus such as a pot and pan washing machine, a control system and control methods for a pot and pan washing machine are provided. The condition warning system includes a control system that monitors operational, safety or compliance parameters of an apparatus, and a light that illuminates a location below (or above) an operator's direct line of sight, and which is outside of the operator's direct line of sight. The control system and control methods include a punitive wash action lockout, an extended wash cycle time, and a deep clean wash cycle.
US08721791B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide apparatus and methods for supporting a gas distribution showerhead in a processing chamber. In one embodiment, a gas distribution showerhead for a vacuum chamber is provided. The gas distribution showerhead comprises a body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of gas passages formed through the body, the gas passages comprising a first bore formed in the first side that is fluidly coupled to a second bore formed in the second side by a restricting orifice, and a suspension feature formed in the first bore of at least one of the gas passages.
US08721790B2
A film deposition apparatus includes a turntable provided in the chamber and having on a first surface a substrate receiving area in which a substrate is placed; first and second reaction gas supplying portions supplying first and second reaction gases to the first surface, respectively; a separation gas supplying portion provided between the first reaction gas supplying portion and the second reaction gas supplying portion and supplying a separation gas that separates the first reaction gas and the second reaction gas; an evacuation port that evacuates the chamber; a space defining member provided for at least one of the first and second reaction gas supplying portions and defining a first space between the at least one of the first and second reaction gas supplying portions and the turntable and a second space so that the separation gas is likely to flow through the second space rather than the first space.
US08721785B2
This invention describes the use of a fluidized bed reactor in the carbonation of a solid, inorganic and alkaline particulate material which contains alkaline metal salts. It also describes a method for treating cement kiln dust (CKD) containing alkaline metal salts. The treatment method comprises two steps: (a) a hydration step; and (b) a carbonation step, wherein the carbonation step is carried out in a fluidized bed reactor. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the treated CKD is used as an aggregate in sulfur polymer concrete (SPC). Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for producing SPC, which method comprises heating and mixing treated CKD of the present invention, elemental sulfur and modified sulfur to produce a mixture. The SPC can be used as a barrier to restrict permeation of matter, e.g. in a containment construction for storing matter such as hazardous waste.
US08721783B2
Material treatment compositions for various materials and methods of treating the same is disclosed. A material treatment composition includes at least one silane-containing material, at least one base-containing material, and at least one solvent to enhance the strength of a material contacted by the composition.
US08721781B2
An ink composition includes a cyclic saccharide and hydantoin or a derivative thereof.
US08721776B2
A reactor unit includes a bed of desiccant and a bed of media for treating pollutants. The media includes an adsorptive material and a reactive material. The adsorptive material is selected from at least one of activated carbon and zeolite. The reactive material is selected from at least one of potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide. The adsorptive material is impregnated with reactive materials to enhance performance. A method of using the reactor unit includes delivering a moldable material into a mold. An effluent stream carrying pollutants produced by the moldable material flows through the reactor unit.
US08721772B2
A process chamber is configured to contain a work piece in a controlled atmosphere and to perform a process that emits pyrophoric particulates. A closed recirculating loop connected with the process chamber recirculates gas defining the controlled atmosphere through the process chamber. A filter in the closed recirculating loop captures the generated pyrophoric particulates in the recirculating gas. A valve set has a work configuration defining the closed recirculating loop including the connection of the process chamber with the filter, and a filter regeneration configuration in which the filter is blocked off from the process chamber and is connected with an exhaust. A work piece is loaded into the process chamber. With the valve set in the work configuration, the process is performed on the loaded work piece. Thereafter, regeneration gas containing oxygen is delivered to the filter with the valve set in the regeneration configuration.
US08721768B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to a switching valve to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system. In some examples, the microfluidic device may include a charging chamber, a bypass restrictor or other features that can provide for added control of the fluid flow in the system. Methods of using the devices and methods of calculating lengths and diameters to provide a desired flow rate are also described.
US08721766B2
A porously coated, densely sintered ceramic membrane, which can be produced from a green membrane and subsequent sintering. The membrane is coated with ceramic material, which contains noble metals, which can be produced by application and subsequent thermal treatment. The noble metals are contained at a concentration of 2.5 to 5 mass percent.
US08721760B2
Preferred aspects of the present invention provide ammonium nitrate compositions comprising ammonium nitrate and at least a second compound, said second compound being present under conditions and in amounts effective to substantially reduce the detonation sensitivity of the composition and/or to otherwise improve a desired property of the composition. In certain embodiments, the second compound is selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexaflouralsilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more of these. In preferred embodiments, at least a substantial portion of the ammonium nitrate in the composition is in the form of a double salt with one or more of said second compounds. In highly preferred embodiments, the present compositions consist essentially of one or more double salts of ammonium nitrate and a second compound as described herein.
US08721741B2
The present invention is drawn to an agent and process for altering the color of keratin fibers wherein the agent comprises: (A) a color base composition, containing from about 50% to about 80% by weight of a fatty substance comprising a fatty substance having a viscosity greater than about 50 mm2/s at 40° C.; and optionally, an additional fatty substance; a rheology modifying polymer; and an alkalizing agent; a short alkyl chain hydroxy compound chosen from monoalcohols and polyols; a direct dye; optionally an oxidative dye precursor; and (B) optionally, an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent.
US08721733B2
A modular prosthesis kit includes a sleeve. The sleeve has a central portion and a fin. At least part of the central portion includes a plurality of adjacent terraces. The fin includes a pair of tapered outer surfaces that are continuous, non-terraced and define a wedge-shape to stabilize the position of the sleeve when implanted. The sleeve may include a single terraced spout or wing with such a fin or may not have any spouts or wings extending out from the central portion. The kit may also include sleeves with two spouts or wings extending out from the central portion.
US08721731B2
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities, more physiologic load bearing and improved patellar tracking for knee prosthesis patients. Such systems and methods include a tibial component for replacing at least part of a proximal portion of a tibia. In some cases, the tibial component includes an articulation feature that forms a projection that projects from a posterior portion of at least one of a medial articulation surface and a lateral articulation surface of the tibial component. In some cases, the articulation feature is contained within an area of the tibial component that is selected from a lateral portion which is lateral to a medial-most portion of an intercondylar surface, and a medial portion, which is medial to a lateral-most portion of the intercondylar surface, and wherein the intercondylar surface is disposed on an object selected from the tibial component and the proximal portion of the tibia. While the tibial component can replace both the medial and lateral articulation surfaces, in some cases, the tibial component is a unicompartmental component. Other implementations are also described.
US08721726B2
A cup intended to interact with a prosthetic humeral head has a generally circular shape and positioning and anchoring devices for embedding the cup in an anatomical glenoid cavity in such a way that a load-bearing and sliding surface of the cup is integrated into the continuity of the anatomical cavity so as to be perfectly congruent with the humeral head.
US08721723B2
An expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, gear member and a locking assembly positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis is disclosed. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate the inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US08721712B2
An agent depot for mechanical connection to a surface of an endovascular implantable body, comprising one or more polymers, one or more bioactive agents, the agent depot being mechanically connectable to the implantable body by a force fit or an adhesive.
US08721711B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device for the local delivery of a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body, having a first element capable of contacting the lumen of the conduit and a second element which overlays first element, a reservoir being formed between the first element and the second element, the interior of the reservoir being capable of fluid communication with the conduit such that a substance placed in the reservoir is delivered into the conduit. In embodiments, the first element may be fully or partially microporous or a separate intermediate microporous membrane may be provided. Also provided are methods of mixing or moving a drug within a reservoir using various mixing elements. Also provided are methods of locally delivering a substance into a natural tissue conduit in the mammalian body utilizing a device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
US08721710B2
The present invention provides docking heads to be mounted on a graft so as to establish a vascular device that is coupled to a blood vessel with aneurysm, and dedicated delivery devices as well as methods of coupling. The vascular device comprises a graft having docking head at the proximal portion and another docking head at its distal portion, or two docking heads if the graft is bifurcated. The docking heads comprises a hollow truncated cone having a passage adapted to correspond the outer diameter of the graft and is provided with a plurality of outwardly pointing and inclined barbs. The vascular device is coupled to the blood vessel on both sides of the aneurysm while the docking heads act as guiding, anchoring and sealing means in a suture-less and rapid manner. The vascular device is modular and can be prepared according to the condition of the aneurysm and the dimensions of the blood vessels during operation.
US08721705B2
A stent has a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell. At least one strut has a portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.
US08721701B2
A vascular occlusion device deployment system for placing an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system employs a pusher including a gripper located at the distal end of the pusher to releasably retain a vascular occlusion device. The gripper is expanded under the force of a collapsible chemical reaction chamber so that the gripper releases the vascular occlusion device, thereby deploying the vascular occlusion device.
US08721677B1
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08721675B2
A device, such as for use with lumen reentry, including a catheter including a balloon disposed at a distal end thereof, the catheter being formed with a first lumen through the balloon for passing therethrough a guidewire and a second lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, the catheter and the balloon being sized and shaped for entry between two layers of a wall of a body lumen, wherein upon expansion of the balloon when placed between the layers, a distal portion of the first lumen that passes through the balloon is bent with respect to a portion of the first lumen proximal to the balloon and is directed towards the body lumen.
US08721667B2
An angioplasty catheter includes a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.
US08721666B2
A self-anchoring tissue lifting device for use with facial cosmetic reconstructive surgery includes an implant and a removable foil cover disposed on the implant. The implant includes an elongated mesh strip having a distal end on which is situated a tissue anchoring fleece material. Opposite lateral edges of the mesh material are preferably laser cut during the manufacturing process of the implant to provide a plurality of tissue engaging prickles along the longitudinal length of the implant. For treating the mid face and jowl, a stab incision is made within the hairline of the temple region of the patient and the device is applied from the temporal area to the peak of the ipsilateral cheek to capture the malar fat pad to correct midface abnormalities or the ptotic tissue causing the jowl.
US08721655B2
The present invention provides a means for guiding a medical device within the body to approach a target destination. The system and method provide a means for determining a predicted length and orientation, navigating the device to an intermediate point less than the predicted length, determining an error between the projected destination and actual target destination, and successively updating a predicted value of a control variable to yield an orientation within a predetermined distance error before advancing the device the remaining distance to the destination. This provides a physician with the capability of verifying the device will be accurately guided to the target destination without trial and error. A method is also provided for intuitive navigation to targets with limited trial and error based on user-applied device orientation adjustments, where the user chooses the magnitude of the adjustments and the system determines the adjustment direction.
US08721654B2
A lens support system for use during extracapsular cataract surgery. The lens support system may be used to support a lens or lens fragment in the event of a posterior capsule tear or zonular dialysis. The lens support system comprises a cannula in which a piston attached to a lens support is slidably disposed. By means of the piston, the lens support is movable between collapsed and expanded configurations.
US08721647B2
The present invention features new methods, apparatuses and devices for fixing adjacent bone segments, segments of a bony structure and adjacent vertebrate of a spine. The methods, apparatuses and devices utilize a new apparatus for forming a channel in a surface of the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra or a channel submerged within the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra. In more particular embodiments such apparatuses and methods including forming an arcuate channel and which channel can receive therein a curved rod or implant member, which also preferably is arcuate, and avoids the associated problems with prior cage or straight rod and screw systems. Also featured are systems, apparatuses and methods for repairing, replacing or augmenting the nucleus and/or annulus of a disc.
US08721645B2
A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of a body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the body.
US08721643B2
An instrumented orthopaedic implant, such as an intramedullary (IM) nail, is disclosed. The implant has the capacity to provide an accurate measurement of the applied mechanical load across the implant. The implant includes sensors and associated electronic components located in recesses on the outer surface of the implant. The implant houses the sensing apparatus, the interface circuitry, the data transmitter, and the power receiver. The hermetically sealed housing is adapted for implantation in the body of a patient. The implant is used with a controller which communicates with it by telemetry, and there is an acting unit connected to the electronic components which is adapted to carry out a function based upon a condition detected by the sensors.
US08721640B2
An electrosurgical instrument for treating tissue includes a housing having a flexible shaft extending therefrom having an axis A-A defined therethrough. The flexible shaft has first and second jaw members attached at a distal end thereof and each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is disposed in the housing and has a first actuator operably coupled to a drive rod for reciprocation thereof and a second actuator operably coupled to the drive rod for rotation thereof. A knife is operably coupled to a distal end of the drive rod. Actuation of the first actuator moves the jaw members relative to one another for engaging tissue and actuation of the second actuator rotates the drive rod about the axis A-A to translate the knife to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08721633B2
A cardiac ablation device, including a steerable catheter (10) and an expandable ablation element (18) incorporating one or more balloons (20,22) at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway (28, 30) extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. A probe (72) carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop (82) which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the sensor probe.
US08721632B2
An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery.
US08721624B2
Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated shaft including a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75 D with an inflation lumen defined therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.
US08721623B2
A catheter system for use during biliary procedures, including a first elongate member carrying a guidewire lumen, and a channel extending longitudinally along the member which provides access to the guidewire lumen and defines two edge surfaces. A second elongate member is also included which is disposed within the guidewire lumen and mates with the cross-sectional profile of the guidewire lumen of the first elongate member, thereby converting a guidewire lumen having a C-shaped design into one having an O-shaped design. The catheter may be used in rapid exchange catheter procedures requiring the use of small diameter guidewires which would otherwise slip out of the channel during use.
US08721618B2
Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling the level of one or more target cell types in the blood fluid and/or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; one or more sensor configured to detect one or more target cell types in blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; at least one reactive component disposed in the at least one treatment region; and at least one controller in communication with the one or more sensor and in communication with the at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen.
US08721608B2
A body waste collecting device comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive construction for attaching a collecting pouch on human skin containing at least two layers of adhesive. The two layers differ in that the skin facing layer of adhesive is softer and more dissipative in nature than the non-skin facing layer of adhesive.
US08721607B2
An ostomy appliance body side member or an ostomy appliance comprising an adhesive wafer having a first adhesive surface for securing the appliance to the user's skin, said wafer having a second surface being covered with a carrier sheet which wafer has a hole for receiving a stoma wherein a part of the adhesive wafer surrounding the stoma shows balanced plastic and elastic properties allowing an adaptation of the size of the hole of the ostomy appliance to a stoma by enlarging the hole for accommodating the stoma by rolling up the inner rim thereof forming a torus and wherein a part of the second surface of the wafer surrounding the hole shows surface properties compatible with the first adhesive surface of the adhesive wafer locking the torus to the second surface in its rolled position by the contact between the second surface and the first adhesive surface enables a simple, safe and reliable customisation of the hole of a body side member without the use of tools and at the same time provides means for reducing the risk of causing injury to or constriction of the stoma.
US08721606B2
Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with reduced pressure. A dressing for distributing reduced pressure to a tissue site includes a plurality of liquid-impermeable layers that are stacked and a plurality of spacers disposed at least partially between adjacent liquid-impermeable layers. The plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are fenestrated at least in part. The plurality of spacers and plurality of liquid-impermeable layers form a plurality of flow paths for allowing fluid flow under reduced pressure. Adjacent layers of the plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are stacked without foam between at least a majority of coextensive surfaces. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08721599B2
Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. In one or more embodiments, the assemblies include a fluid barrel for retaining fluid and a retraction barrel for housing the retraction feature and the needle hub assembly. The assemblies include a trigger element that moves with the plunger rod to activate the retraction feature within the retraction mechanism.
US08721596B2
A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.
US08721589B1
The present general inventive concept relates to a syringe that, when connected to an endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff, automatically inflates the ETT cuff to a safe pressure in a single, full stroke of the syringe, and methods related thereto. The syringe includes a plunger, body, high pressure valve and low pressure valve. The syringe inflates an ETT cuff to a pressure high enough to seal the ETT cuff in a patient's trachea, but not high enough to cause damage. Then the pressure is reduced to a desired optimal pressure by releasing pressure through the low pressure valve.
US08721586B1
A percutaneous gastrostomy introduction system may include may include an elongate tube assembly including one or both of a dilator portion and a gastrostomy tube portion, which may be continuously formed or joined by one or more connection joints that may—in certain embodiments—provide for rotation about a common longitudinal axis. The dilator portion includes a helical surface for advancing contact with body tissue and may be disposed near (including up to and defining) a first end of the elongate tube assembly. An engagement structure, including—for example—one or more of a wire loop, a user-graspable handle, or another graspable structure may be included at the first end of the device. Device embodiments may be effective to lessen or prevent tenting of patient tissue during introduction.
US08721573B2
A vibratory attachment interface enabling transmission of oscillations generated by an oscillation source upon an external human body surface. The interface comprises a first contact node and a second contact node slideably mounted alongside the first contact node, wherein the contact nodes are each sized and shaped to enable seating within a human rib-space, and whereby upon forced engagement of the first contact node within a first rib-space, the second contact node automatically slides and conforms to the contour of a second differing rib-space thereby optimally nestling within the second rib-space. The attachment interface is for use in contoured application to preferably the anatomic left sternal border, third and fourth intercostal space, such as to enable and ensure an optimized vibratory transmission pathway from the chest wall to the base of the heart and coronary arteries thereupon.
US08721552B2
Automated ultrasonic scanning of a chestwardly compressed breast of a supine patient uses a scanning assembly that moves down to compress the breast through a membrane that is secured to the assembly across a bottom opening. A motorized ultrasound transducer moves across the breast while the breast remains downwardly compressed against the patient's chest, sending and receiving ultrasound energy through the membrane. The membrane is porous with respect to an acoustic coupling liquid that impregnates it. The transducer outputs ultrasound information that is processed to form initial planar images and then reconstructed slice images of breast tissue.
US08721547B2
The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.
US08721546B2
Devices and methods for guidewire assisted placement of catheters into blood vessels are described. Some of the devices and methods relate to automated or partially automated or assisted insertion and placement of an intravenous catheter into a vein or artery of a patient. Other of the devices are blood draw devices and methods for insertion and placement of an intravenous device into a vein or artery of a patient or to withdraw a blood sample from the patient. The devices also provide for guide wire tip inspection after use.
US08721541B2
A patient monitor has multiple sensors adapted to attach to tissue sites of a living subject. The sensors generate sensor signals that are responsive to at least two wavelengths of optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood within the tissue sites.
US08721535B2
A tracheal intubation device for placing an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patient includes a bar-shaped camera, a handle portion, a guiding portion, and a display device. The bar-shaped camera for capturing images is placed inside the endotracheal tube. The display device is electrically connected to the bar-shaped camera for displaying images captured by the bar-shaped camera. The guiding portion connected to the handle portion has a front end and a rear end. The rear end is connected to the handle portion, and the bar-shaped camera and the endotracheal tube are movably situated in the guiding portion.
US08721532B2
An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source portion that irradiates an excitation light and a reference light alternately; an image pickup portion that picks up images of the fluorescence from the living tissue and the reflected light; a signal processing portion that generates image signals from picked up signals; an addition processing portion that generates, from image signals of fluorescence, addition processed signals of fluorescence in which pixels are added; a light quantity control portion that controls the quantity of light so as to maintain a predetermined light quantity ratio between the quantities of the excitation light and the reference light from the addition processed signals of fluorescence and image signals of the reflected light; and a superimposition processing portion that superimposes the addition processed signals and the image signals of the reflected light, with the predetermined light quantity ratio being maintained.
US08721526B2
An insertion assisting device 60 has an insertion path 70 into which an insertion portion 12 of an endoscope 100 is inserted and has a substantially tubular shape. The insertion assisting device 60 includes a ventilation opening 90 that is formed on a distal-end surface or outer circumferential surface thereof, a ventilation duct 74 that communicates with the opening 90 and is different from the insertion path 70, and a liquid reservoir tank 116 that is connected to a base-end side of the duct 74 and stores liquid flowing out of the duct 74.
US08721520B2
An implant delivery system can be configured to deliver an inflatable implant into a bladder via a urethra. The delivery system can comprise an elongate tubular body, an inflation tube and an implant decoupler. The tubular body can comprise a central lumen configured to hold an inflatable implant in an initial un-inflated state for delivery of the implant into the bladder. A method of use can include passing a distal tip of the elongate tubular body into the bladder. The implant can be inflated and released into the bladder.
US08721512B2
A tool magazine device includes a magazine body adapted to be disposed on a machine body of a machine tool to confront a working space, a plurality of insertion openings formed in a right side wall of the magazine body and each extending towards a left side wall of the magazine body to form a storage chamber, a plurality of gripping members fitted in the insertion openings for grippingly engage cutting tools, an inlet disposed in the magazine body for introducing therein a flow of pressurized air, and an air duct unit disposed on the left side wall and coupled to communicate the inlet with the storage chambers so as to permit the pressurized air to flow out of the insertion openings to thereby clean swarf from the cutting tools.
US08721511B2
A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.
US08721509B1
A table is slidably supported on a chassis which is tiltably supported on a base or support frame whose angle may be adjustable via a motorized tilt control device that allows the chassis and table to be tilted and the weight of the user made available to produce a load against which exercising can be carried out. Said weight may be increased by the addition of one or more elastic resistance bands at various geometric points of said slidable supported device and the fixed base on which it is mounted, and whose geometry serves to apply a pre-tension force to said band(s). By pre-tensioning the material, the resistance band then provides a more linear force to the end user.
US08721505B2
Training equipment includes a punch bag suspended on a tensioned flexible resilient suspension cord between two vertically spaced apart fixed points, such as an overhead point and the floor. A pair of stop members limits sliding movement of the punch ball along the suspension cord. A bounce member is secured between the stop member(s) and the punch ball to impart unpredictability to the movement of the punch ball during horizontal and vertical displacement of the ball following a punch or a kick by a trainee.
US08721501B2
A detection device and a monitoring system are adapted to detect an exercising state of a user. The detection device is adapted to be equipped on a circulation exercise device of a physical training equipment. The detection device has a state detector and a rotation speed detector. The state detector generates multiple signal combinations based on a periodic motion of the circulation exercise device. The rotation speed detector estimates a relative variation between a rotation speed and degrees of the circulation exercise device based on the signal combinations. The relative variation represents the user's exercising state. According to the relative variation, a user can realize whether the exercising state is in balance.
US08721500B2
A method for controlling deceleration of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine with an automated clutch, in which method, when a deceleration is present, a deceleration fuel cutoff is carried out in order to generate a drag torque as a drive torque if the engine speed is higher than a deceleration fuel cutoff threshold wherein when a braking request is present, the effect of the engine speed is evaluated, a comparison is carried out between the expected engine speed or the current engine speed and the deceleration fuel cutoff threshold, and the internal combustion engine is adjusted to a deceleration mode or a deceleration fuel mode is maintained only if the expected or current engine speed is higher than the deceleration fuel cutoff threshold.
US08721490B2
A planetary drive system that has an input and a gear housing that is connected to a speed control system. A cross connecting shaft is drivingly engaged by the speed control system and rotatably connects to a forward and reverse gear set that is drivingly connected to a reduction gear set to provide an output. The speed control system, forward and reverse gear set, and reduction gear set are actuated by band clutch elements that frictionally engage the exterior of ring gears and carriers within the system to control the operation of the planetary drive system.
US08721489B2
Provided is an automatic transmission capable of reducing friction loss. The automatic transmission is provided with an input shaft (2) coupled with a sun gear (Sa), an output member (3), a first to third planetary gear mechanisms (4, 5, 6), a first engagement mechanism (C1) coupling the input shaft (2) with a ring gear (Rc) releasably, a second engagement mechanism (C2) coupling a carrier (Ca) with a carrier (Cc) releasably, a third engagement mechanism (C3) coupling the carrier (Ca) with a second coupling body (Rb-Sc) releasably, a fourth engagement mechanism (B1) fixing a first coupling body (Ra-Cb) to a transmission case (1) releasably, a fifth engagement mechanism (B2) fixing a sun gear (Sb) to the transmission case (1) releasably, and a sixth engagement mechanism (B3) fixing the ring gear (Rc) to the transmission case (1) releasably.
US08721479B2
A belt tensioning device (10) prevents excess belt tension when installing a belt (16) between a driver axis (28) and a spindle axis (22). A clutch (48) supported on a fixed structure (14, 46) includes an engagement member (52, 64) and a rod (32). Rotating the engagement member (52, 64) in a first direction moves the rod (32) and the driver axis (28) in a direction away from the spindle axis (22), until further rotation causes the engagement member (52, 64) to disengage preventing further movement of the driver axis (28) in the direction away, and subsequent rotational movement of the engagement member (52, 64) in a second rotational direction moves the driver axis (28) toward the spindle axis (22).
US08721471B2
A hollow golf club head incorporating a stress reducing feature including a sole located stress reducing feature. The location and size of the sole stress reducing feature, and their relationship to one another and other club head engineering variables, play a significant role in selectively influencing deflection of the face.
US08721468B1
A golf ball has indicia adapted to allow a user to align the indicia with at least one of an intended direction of travel of the ball and a club head of a club the user will use to strike the ball. The indicia can be three parallel lines extending around a portion the golf ball. A golf club can be provided with a marking on the club head adapted to align with the indicia on the golf ball.
US08721465B2
A water dispensing device comprises a container mounted to rotate about an axis. The container is adapted to receive and accumulate quantities of water. The container is pivotal mounted to rotate about the axis such that when the container accumulates more than a predetermined quantity of water, the container is adapted to rotate at least one rotation about the axis to dispense a quantity of water.
US08721463B2
A roundabout for performing acrobatic figures such as barrel roll comprises a main arm rotatable around a central axis A and having a longitudinal axis C, a second arm rotatable about an axis of rotation B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of the main arm, and a vehicle fixed on the second arm at a distance from the axis of rotation B of the second arm and having a longitudinal axis z directed radially towards the axis of rotation B. The vehicle is fixed to the second arm so that its position with respect to the second arm does not change during the operation of the roundabout.
US08721448B2
A local game-area network includes a plurality of gaming devices and local game-area servers. Each local game-area server is associated with a corresponding gaming device. Each local game-area server in the local game-area network is operatively associated with every other local game-area server in the local game-area network. Additionally, one of the local game-area servers is a host local game-area server while the remaining gaming devices and associated local game-area servers are clients. Furthermore, the host status of the host local game-area server moves dynamically to an available local game-area server in the local game-area network in response to the host local game-area server becoming non-operational.
US08721446B2
Software is download to a gaming device as a background operation while the gaming application runs in the foreground. An authorization operation may be completed before the download operation to prevent unauthorized installation of software. New games, software updates, and advertising content can be downloaded to the gaming machine in a background operation.
US08721445B2
An ambient effects system and method of operation is described in which regions (30, 38) of a game or movie screen (10) are analyzed (32, 40). The result of the analysis is then processed using logical, heuristic, or a combination of both techniques to determine a content related event. An ambient effects script (34, 36, 48) is then selected (if pre-authored) or generated (if not pre-authored) on the basis of the determination, and provided to the system to render appropriate ambient effects throughout the users environment. Hence, immersive, ambient effects are enabled for media or game content created independently of, and without, the ambient effects system in mind.
US08721436B2
Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.
US08721431B2
A gaming machine is configured to selectively provide instances of a primary game and instances of a secondary game. Instances of the secondary game may be provided based at least on outcomes of primary games. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of secondary game credits. The number of secondary game credits may be associated with a player of the gaming machine. The number of secondary game credits may be awarded to a player of the gaming machine based at least on an outcome of the primary game and/or an outcome of the secondary game. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of available secondary game credits. The number of available secondary game credits may be based at least on a number of secondary game credits and/or a number of other credits.
US08721429B2
In one embodiment, the gaming device and method disclosed herein provides a player one or more modifiers to apply to different components or characteristics of a game. In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each game component with at least one applied modifier, the gaming device disclosed herein modifies said game component based on each applied modifier. The gaming device generates any awards based on any modified game components and any unmodified game components and provides any generated awards to the player.
US08721428B2
A gaming machine includes a display and a game controller that provides a wagering game in which a plurality of symbol display positions are provided on the display. When a player stakes a wager on the outcome of the wagering game the game controller selects symbols for display sequentially. The set of symbols is dynamic, wherein at least two symbols from the symbol set are changed between at least certain symbol selections depending on a characteristic of a symbol selected in a previous selection. The display positions may be arranged in rows and columns.
US08721426B2
Disclosed herein are techniques and equipment for providing state-based power-ups to a wagering game player. The state-based power-ups may be reused by the player until a game outcome condition is not met.
US08721420B2
Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first network connected device, and joining a second player from a second networked connected device to a team. The method enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked during play of the gambling game. The method enables debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency, and enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency. The method enables displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device; and displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device, the method being executed by at least one processor.
US08721419B2
A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays.
US08721416B2
Systems, methods, and products for self-contained casino gaming haptics are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system for casino gaming haptics includes a touch-sensitive input device configured to sense a contact from a user; an actuator coupled to the touch-sensitive input device, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the touch-sensitive input device; and a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive input device and the actuator, the processor configured to: generate a display signal configured to cause an image associated with a casino game to be displayed; receive an input signal from the touch-sensitive input device associated with the contact; determine an interaction between the contact and the image; and generate an actuator signal associated with the interaction, the actuator signal configured to cause the actuator to generate a haptic effect.
US08721415B2
A method for operating a computer-based solitaire game which collects a player's fee at the start of the game and pays a player award as a function of a per-card payout award and one or more of the number and/or identities of cards that have been transferred from the card deck on foundation stacks. The per-card payout award is determined as a function of an expected number of transferred cards, which number has been determined as a function of a discrete probability density function calculated from outcomes produced in a multi-game simulation. The number of games in the multi-game simulation is selected to provide a statistically stable result, and may be on the order of more than one million games. The simulated games are played by applying a set of ordinally-ranked solitaire game play rules.
US08721411B2
A combine harvester having a tubular housing that concentrically receives a rotor used for threshing and separating crop materials. Concave assemblies are arranged side-by-side along the a processing system. The processing system also includes at lease one disrupter plate placed between adjacent concave assemblies having an arcuate configuration similar to that of concave assemblies. An upper edge of the disrupter plate projects above the transverse bars and curved rods of the concave assemblies toward the rotor to slow the axial flow of the crop material through the rotor housing. Accordingly, the disrupter plate provides a tortuous flowpath for the crop material as it moves axially through the processing system to permit the more time for threshing and separation to take place.
US08721409B1
A cooling system includes one or more air channeling sub-systems that provide cooling air to electronic equipment, at least one heat removal sub-system that removes heat from the cooling air in at least one of the air channeling sub-systems, at least one temperature sensor measures a wet bulb temperature of outside air, and at least one controller. At least one of the air channeling sub-systems includes an outside air damper operable allow outside air into the air channeling sub-system. The at least one controller at least partially opens the outside air damper if a wet bulb temperature measured at the at least one temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature.
US08721396B1
The invention includes a method for preparing and buffing an item made of powder coated MDF (or other substrate containing wood) with the end result of improved visual and tactile smoothness; the invention includes the steps of cutting and machining the part, pre-powder preparation and sanding of the part, powder coating the part, post-powder preparation and sanding, and buffing the part. This method of sanding and buffing results in a smoother finish than is currently available in any other powder coated MDF finish while requiring less coats than similar liquid paint finishes.
US08721394B2
A polishing pad and a polishing method for polishing a substrate are described. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer and at least two grooves. The grooves form polishing tracks respectively. The polishing tracks collectively construct an even tracking zone. A better polishing uniformity of a substrate surface is achieved with the even tracking zone.
US08721390B2
A method for double-side polishing of a semiconductor wafer includes situating the semiconductor wafer in a cutout of a carrier that is disposed in a working gap between an upper polishing plate covered by a first polishing pad and a lower polishing plate covered by a second polishing pad. The first and second polishing pads each include tiled square segments that are formed by an arrangement of channels on the pads, where the square segments of the first pad are larger than the segments of the second pad. The square segments of the polishing pads include abrasives. During polishing, the carrier is guided such that a portion of the wafer temporarily projects laterally outside of the working gap. A polishing agent with a pH that is variable is supplied during polishing at a pH in a range of 11 to 12.5 during a first step and at a pH of at least 13 during a second step.
US08721385B2
This method of interconnection utilizes aesthetic features of the toy itself to alloy interconnection in a safe and secure way, without the use of snaps and pins that can cause a safety hazard to young children. The proposed method also allows for interconnection of multiple toys to create a toy chain as well as an adapter that allows for toys that embody this feature to be connected to clothing, back packs, shoes as an accessory. By extension of this basic interconnection method, any two or more objects can be connected this same way.
US08721377B2
In an outboard motor having an engine and an engine cover adapted to cover the engine, the engine having an air intake passage that opens at the engine cover, it is configured such that a secondary air passage having an inlet disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and an outlet connected to the air intake passage at a position downstream of a throttle valve of the engine. The inlet of the secondary air passage is disposed at an internal space of the engine cover and near a belt cover that covers a timing belt adapted to transmit rotation of a crankshaft of the engine to a cam shaft of the engine.
US08721375B2
The connector of the present invention is provided with a cover member attached to an enclosure main body and has a plurality of terminal holes formed, wherein the cover member has engagement piece that is attached to the edge of an opening of a holding hole where a holding member is inserted.
US08721364B2
An electrical connector, which is adapted to a printed circuit board (PCB) with a first connection port, comprises a bottom having a base and a conductive element mounted in an opening of the base, a second connection port disposing on the base, and a housing covering the bottom. When the bottom is disposed on the PCB, the first connection port is accommodated in the opening of the base, and an elastic strip of the conductive element presses on the first connection port toward a direction parallel to the PCB for combining the electrical connector and the first connection port on the PCB, and preventing the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector from the first connection port or the PCB.
US08721362B2
A connection member which is electrically connected to a conductive fabric having conductive threads, a method for manufacturing the connection member, and a connection structure are provided. The connection member includes a band-shaped part including conductive wires which extend in a longitudinal direction, and a connection terminal which is attached to an end portion of the conductive wires. The method includes forming an original band-shaped member by weaving while using the conductive wires for a part of warp and using at least non-conductive threads for weft; exposing the conductive wires at an end portion of the original band-shaped member; and attaching a connection terminal to the exposed conductive wires. The connection structure includes the conductive fabric and the connection member, and the conductive wires of the connection member are electrically connected to the conductive threads exposed from the conductive fabric.
US08721361B2
A cable connector assembly (100), comprises: a plurality of first contacts (2), an insulative housing (1) molding outside the first contacts (2), a plurality of second contacts (3) received in the housing (1), a flat cable (4) connecting with the first contacts (2) and the second contacts (3), and the cable (4) comprising a plurality of inner conductors (40) arranged on upper and lower row, the upper row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the second contacts (3) and the lower row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the first contacts (2), a metallic shell (5) shielding outside the insulative housing (1). The two inner conductors (40) are soldered to a single power contact (21).
US08721360B2
An intelligent network patch field management system and specialized cross-connect cable are provided to help guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in a cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. The cross-connect cable is provided with LED's in both of the cable plugs. When only one plug of the cross-connect cable is plugged into a port, the LED associated with that plug is switched out of the circuit, while the LED in the unplugged plug remains in the circuit and can still be illuminated by the system.
US08721354B2
An electronic device includes a body, a door, and a connection module. The body has an opening located at a side of the body. The door is pivoted to the body and capable of rotating between an opening position and a closing position in relative to the body for exposing or covering the opening. The connection module is slidably connected to the body. When the door is rotated to the opening position in relative to the body and exposes the opening, the door drives the connection module to slide to a working position in relative to the body, and when the door is rotated to the closing position in relative to the body and covers the opening, the door drives the connection module to slide to a retracted position in relative to the body.
US08721337B2
System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis, such as AR or the like to assist the user of mobile devices with landscape design. Through the use of real-time vision object recognition objects, logos, artwork, products, locations, and other features that can be recognized in the real-time video stream can be matched to data associated with such to assist the user with selecting the proper landscape elements for the area the user wishes to landscape. The proper landscape elements may be based off of several factors regarding the landscape area. These factors include natural characteristics of the area, such as soil type, weather, sun/shade, natural terrain of the area, etc. This invention provides recommended landscape elements for an area, such that the recommended landscape elements have a high rate of success in the area.
US08721325B2
A method for starting a combustion device, in particular after a first ignition failure, in particular for starting a gas burner under unknown basic conditions, wherein a characteristic diagram of a start air ratio depending on the burner temperature known from empirical analysis is stored for the combustion device in a memory, wherein a calibration of the starting process is performed, wherein the ratio of opening of the gas valve (w) to air volume mL necessary for ignition is iteratively determined by variation of the gas and/or air volume; and in case of ignition, the combustion device is started and the applicable air ratio (λ)IGNITION is stored.
US08721323B2
A lever-type mold ejection mechanism is arranged on a platen of a mold in the injection molding machine. The lever-type ejection mechanism includes a base body arranged on the platen; an actuating cylinder having a motion shaft; a link rod having a first end and a second end opposite to each other, wherein the first end is pivotally disposed on the base body through a first pivot axis, and the second end is pivotally disposed on an end of the motion shaft of the actuating cylinder through a second pivot axis, and the link rod has a movable ejector pin at its bottom surface adjacent to the first end; and a ejector rod resisting between the ejector pin and the mold. The actuating cylinder is operated to push the mold through the link rod in a lever manner so as to obtain enough pushing force.
US08721320B2
A device for stretching a plastic ring which comprises pushing means (2) and a loading body (5) which are reciprocally slidable across a plurality of ribs (4) solidly constrained to the pushing means (2), and a plurality of grooves (6) afforded on the loading body (5). The loading body (5) exhibits a first substantially conical portion (7) exhibiting a base (7a), having an external diameter (D) and an apex (7b). The loading body (5) further comprises a second portion (8), contiguous to the first conical portion (7) and exhibiting a proximal end (8a) and a distal end (8b).
US08721314B2
In an extruder-type noodle maker comprising a casing constituted as a cylindrical body, a screw, a nozzle unit, a connector, a hopper, and a drive unit, the nozzle unit is formed with many holes tapered in the outlet direction, an inner peripheral surface of the nozzle unit is provided with multiple engaging protrusions and depressions, an end surface of the distal end periphery of the cylindrical casing is provided at corresponding locations with multiple receiving depressions and protrusions for insertion into the engaging protrusions and depressions, and the cylindrical casing is constituted by forming a proximal end section thereof positioned under the hopper of resin and forming a distal end thereof near an outlet of metal, whereby it has a structure comprising a resin portion and a metal portion joined together.
US08721305B2
A fan comprises a hub, fan blades, and inserts. The hub comprises outwardly extending mounting tabs that lie along a common horizontal plane. The fan blades are hollow, such that each mounting tab is inserted in the hollow interior of a corresponding fan blade. Each insert is positioned in the hollow interior of each fan blade, between each mounting tab of the hub and the interior surface of the corresponding fan blade. Each insert is configured to position and maintain the chord line of each corresponding fan blade at an oblique angle relative to the horizontal plane of the hub. A kit may include several insert sets to choose from to provide adjustable angle of attack. A fan control system includes a dimmer switch and a control module, which allows the dimmer switch to be used to infinitely adjust the speed of a fan motor within a range.
US08721303B2
A piezoelectric micro-blower includes a blower chamber located between a blower body and a vibrating plate, a first wall portion of the blower body arranged to face the vibrating plate across the blower chamber so as to vibrate with vibrations of the vibrating plate, a first opening in the first wall portion, a second wall portion on the opposite side of the first wall portion with respect to the blower chamber, a second opening in a portion of the second wall portion which faces the first opening, and an inflow passage located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. Each of the first and second openings includes a plurality of holes, and each hole of the first opening and each hole of the second opening are arranged to face each other. Thus, noise is significantly reduced while the flow characteristic is maintained.
US08721299B2
A piston member that includes a piston rod provided with a piston serves for reciprocating inside a cylinder barrel, the piston dividing the cylinder barrel chamber into a proximal cylinder barrel chamber having a proximal capped end opposite the piston and a distal cylinder barrel chamber having a distal cylinder barrel end opposite the piston. The piston member has at least one sealing ring or seat arranged inside the distal cylinder barrel chamber at the distal cylinder barrel end. Preferably three consecutive piston members are arranged to operate in a series in an apparatus for transporting coal powder to a gasifier. The movement of the pistons inside the cylinder barrels is controlled in relation to each other to transport apportioned batches of coal powder to a high pressure reactor.
US08721297B1
The multistage pulsating airlift pump includes a lowermost air injector stage and at least air injector stage above the lowermost stage installed in a lift pipe. Each stage includes a multifunction timer. The stages above the lowermost stage have sensors along the lift pipe communicating with the respective timers of those stages. The timers are adjusted to provide time delays in accordance with a number of parameters, e.g., the height of the pipe, pressure head, etc. When a sensor detects a rising gas slug, the sensor sends a signal to its timer to start an elapsed delay time. When the delay time has elapsed, the timer opens a control valve to send another volume of gas into the injector in the pipe. The sequentially spaced series of gas slugs rising in the pipe provide constant lifting for the liquid to a much greater height than using a single-stage airlift pump.
US08721292B2
A gas-turbine blade root 1 has at least two essentially rectangularly adjoining surfaces 4, 5 for locating the gas-turbine blade root 1 and a transition area of the surfaces 4, 5 includes a bevelled, plane edge 6.
US08721288B2
This member (4) can be attached to the crown (12) of a wheel (1) of a hydraulic machine. It is provided with a skin (42) of which a surface (421) is able to be arranged in the continuation of a wet surface (121) of the crown. This member is equipped with at least one fun (43) arranged radially inside the skirt (42) and projecting axially (h) from the skirt (42) in the downward direction.
US08721278B2
A flange connection for an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine. The flange connection includes a stub flange attached to an exhaust manifold. The stub flange has a first axial face for engagement with the axial face of a cylinder flange extending radially from an exhaust cylinder. A plate structure attached to the cylinder flange is configured to provide axial retention of the stub flange to the axial face of the cylinder flange. The plate structure includes a resilient beam portion extending radially inwardly and engaging a second axial face of the stub flange. The stub flange is retained between the cylinder flange and the beam portion of the plate structure in an interference fit to provide three degrees of freedom of the stub flange relative to the exhaust cylinder.
US08721277B2
A unit locking a ring sector attachment device onto an aircraft turbomachine casing, the unit including two clamping arms connected to each other at their aft ends by a connecting arm extending approximately parallel to the general direction between the two clamping arms. The unit also includes a passage enabling gripping of the unit on each side of a fictitious median plane orthogonal to the circumferential direction, each passage being formed in the connecting arm, extending along a direction line approximately parallel to the direction between the arms.
US08721268B2
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel mounted for rotation about a turbine axis within a housing, the housing defining an annular inlet surrounding the turbine wheel and defined between first and second inlet sidewalls; and a cylindrical sleeve axially movable across the annular inlet to vary the size of a gas flow path through the inlet; wherein the annular inlet is divided into at least three axially offset annular inlet portions by two or more axially spaced annular baffles disposed between the first and second inlet sidewalls; inlet vanes extending axially into at least one of the inlet portions and defining circumferentially adjacent inlet passages; and wherein each of at least two of said baffles extends radially inboard of inlet vanes which extend into at least one of the inlet portions axially adjacent the respective baffle, and wherein a distance between an inner diameter of a first baffle of said at least two of said baffles and a trailing edge of a radially innermost vane in one of said annular inlet portions adjacent the first baffle is greater than a distance between an inner diameter of a second baffle of said at least two of said baffles and a trailing edge of a radially innermost vane in one of said annular inlet portions adjacent the second baffle.
US08721264B2
A compressor rotor for a turbomachine including at least two disks on a common axis carrying blades and connected together by a tubular wall, forming a surface of revolution, and a centripetal air bleed mechanism including air passages passing through the tubular wall, together with a wall extending along the tubular wall from the through passages up to one of the disks to channel the air stream inside the tubular wall.
US08721262B1
A vertical centrifugal pump comprises a housing, impeller, annular guiding vanes, annular outlet with outer and inner casings, forming a collector with a pressure pipe, and flow channels to lower and upper rims. Channels to the lower rim pass through the center of the pump axis. Blades direct flow between pipes into the pressure pipe. Pipes are connected with the lower rim through the lower confuser with flat radial ribs, positioned with the inner part of the confuser from the pipes and the outer part from the inner casing to the lower rim. An annular baffle is implemented between the housing and outer casing, dividing the inlet to the rims. Channels to the upper rim are created between the two annular elements, connected by radial outer ribs with a thickened, streamlined form and mated with flat inner ribs, merged in the upper confuser similarly to the lower confuser.
US08721258B2
A wind turbine having a nacelle being rotatably disposed on a tower is proposed. The nacelle has a first cavity, a generator housing portion disposed upstream to the nacelle having a second cavity, a hub disposed upstream to the generator housing portion with attached rotor blades at it having a third cavity. The first, second and third cavities communicates with one another. A rail-system has at least one rail-element having a device for lifting and/or transporting. The device for lifting and/or transporting is movable along the rail-system. The rail-system at least partially extends through at least two adjacent cavities.
US08721254B1
A computer implemented method for automatically stacking beams from a continuously moving live deck, wherein the method involves sequentially receiving a plurality of beams onto a stacking fork assembly, pivoting the stacking fork assembly from a receiving position to a stacking position forming a tier of beams, placing the tier on a pair of bidirectional moving members, moving the tier away from the stacking fork assembly, rotating the stacking fork assembly back to the receiving position to sequentially receive another plurality of beams, pivoting the plurality of beams forming a second tier, moving the first tier back to contact the second tier, moving the contacted first and second tier away from the stacking fork assembly enabling a third or fourth tier to be formed and contact the first and second tiers, forming a bundle.
US08721253B1
A transfer apparatus for moving an item from a first to a second location. The apparatus includes a base, a platform movably supported by the base, a bracket movably supported by the platform, a table, and at least one transfer unit movably connected to the platform and perpendicularly displaceable with respect thereto. The platform and bracket are each provided with a follower that is operatively connected to a cam, and both of the cams are connected to a single rotatable shaft. In operation the shaft, which is connected to a suitable motive source, rotates the cams, which reciprocally move the platform and bracket in a generally parallel directions. As the platform is moved by its cam, the transfer unit is displaced parallel to the base. As the bracket is moved by its cam, the bracket displaces the table perpendicularly to the base, which, in turn displaces the transfer unit perpendicularly to the platform.
US08721247B2
A spring clip includes two articulated legs having engagement tongues for engagement with an external thread of a threaded shank, and at least one spring leg extending away from a base plate and arranged on a side of the base plate opposite the articulated legs. Engagement of the engagement tongues with the external thread is improved by the spring force exerted by the spring legs. Manipulation tongues are provided for assembly and disassembly of the spring clip, and ensure torque-free handling of the spring clip.
US08721240B1
A cargo bracing device includes a fixing member and a driving member. Mainly the fixing member possesses a connecting plate easily fitted with one end of an elastic device, and a locking plate easily fitted with another end of the elastic device. So the locking plate can be restored with dynamic force provided by the elastic device deposited between the connecting plate and the locking plate. The driving member includes two wings respectively having one end formed as a hook collaborating with a latch of a driven plate to enable the driving member combined with or detached from the fixing member. Similar to the fixing member, an elastic device is easily installed between an actuating plate and a connecting bar of the driving member, providing dynamic force for restoring the actuating plate. Therefore the cargo bracing device can be easily assembled, even with automatic equipments.
US08721238B2
In the case of a tool clamping device, in particular, for an operating spindle of a processing machine, with an activation element (3) that can be moved by a drive between a first position, in which the tool clamping device is located in a clamped position, and a second position, in which the tool clamping device is located in a released position, a sensor is present in the form of at least one electrical component for detecting a position of the activation element (3). The sensor is integrated structurally into the tool clamping device and at least one section of the activation element (3) directly forms a component of the one or more electrical components, wherein its position influences an electrical property of this component. The component can be an electrical switch whose closed state depends on the position of the activation element (3) in that at least one section of the activation element (3) is electrically conductive and forms a contact electrode of the switch or a part of such an electrode. However, it could also be a capacitor or an inductor.
US08721226B2
A helical pier having a rock tip for rotational insertion into soil/rock and anchoring a structure thereto has an elongated shaft with a longitudinal axis, a penetrating end, a trailing end, and a peripheral surface between the penetrating end towards the trailing end. The penetrating end defines a penetrating edge of the shaft. A recess formed in the shaft extends from the first end surface toward the trailing end of the shaft, forms a recess wall and terminates in a second end surface that is obliquely inclined relative to the first end surface and the longitudinal axis. The recess wall defines a lateral cutting edge oriented transversely to the penetrating edge. In use, the recess receives soil/rock loosened by the penetrating edge and the cutting edge, and the second end surface directs loosened soil/rock out of the recess when the helical pier is rotated into the soil/rock.
US08721222B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling lateral deformation and reducing axial displacement, also referred to as walking, of a subsea conduit such as a pipeline for conveying produced hydrocarbon fluids. The systems and methods include the installation of rolling assemblies on the conduit at predetermined locations. The rolling assemblies include elements for forming rolling modules rotatable with respect to the conduit. Also disclosed is a system for monitoring displacement of the conduit over time.
US08721211B2
A dispenser for spreadable foodstuffs and other spreadable non-food substances allowing for spreading without the need for additional utensils not a part of the packaging is disclosed. The dispenser may rapidly switch between different disposable cartridges and is designed for an extended useful lifetime.
US08721209B2
A multi-function printer including a body, a door, a feeding module, a transmission module, and a cam assembly is provided. The door is assembled to the body being opened or closed relative to the body. The feeding module and the transmission module are disposed in the body. The feeding module has a driving gear. The transmission module has a swim arm with an end connected to the driving gear. The cam assembly is movably disposed in the body and configured between the door and the transmission module. The cam assembly is in a moving range of the swim arm, and the door is in a moving range of the cam assembly. When the driving gear rotates in a direction, the other end of the swim arm is engaged to the cam assembly, and drives the cam assembly to push the door open.
US08721201B2
A CPU generates time stamp data using a timed result for the present time timed by timer and a set expression pattern. Then, the CPU generates modified time stamp data for a predetermined time period based on the time stamp data. The CPU identifies the maximum time stamp data through the printing range of the above time stamp data. The CPU reduces the font size until the maximum time stamp data becomes printable onto the printing medium. The CPU then sets the reduced font size as the font size for each time stamp data, etc., and carries out printing.
US08721198B2
A remote control and/or gyrostabilized camera head has circular roll track segments on roll arms. A roll frame has first and second motor supports or housings. A roll motor on or in the first motor support moves the roll frame about a roll axis. A tilt motor on or in the second motor support rotates a tilt frame about a tilt axis. The weight of the roll motor support and the roll motor may be substantially the same as the tilt motor support and the tilt motor, so that the roll frame is balanced, allowing for better performance. As the camera head is a pan/roll/tilt head, the head can continue to provide movement in three axes, regardless of the camera position.
US08721195B2
The optoelectronic mechanical assembly can have an integrated light source and couple a non-rotary light outlet thereof directly into a tip of a freely rotatable optical fiber. The assembly includes a fixable structure which can house a light source, and a rotary structure which receives the optical fiber and which is mounted to the fixable structure by way of at least one bearing, in a manner to maintain the optical alignment of the optical fiber with the non-rotary outlet. If more than one light source is used, they can be combined into the common outlet by a beam combiner.
US08721192B2
An optical connecting structure has an optical fiber, a pressing member having a circular outer cross section, and an optical member, wherein the optical member has an optical element, an optical fiber stopper structure, and an optical fiber holding groove, wherein the optical fiber stopper structure is positioned between the optical element and the optical fiber holding groove, wherein the optical fiber is inserted along the optical fiber holding groove so as to contact with the optical fiber stopper structure, and wherein the pressing member is arranged on the optical fiber holding groove mutually perpendicular, the pressing member presses the upper surface of the optical fiber to a direction of a bottom of the optical fiber holding groove, and the optical fiber and the optical element are thereby optically connected.
US08721189B2
An optical fiber connector assembly includes a first, and second plug connectors, and a socket connector. The first plug connector includes a first main portion and a first plate with a first front surface defining alignment holes. A first distance is defined between the first front surface and the first main portion. The second plug connector includes a second main portion and a second plate with a second front surface. A second distance is defined between the second front surface and the second main portion. The socket connector includes a side surface defining a recess with a bottom surface. A third distance is defined between the side surface and the bottom surface. Alignment pins extend from the bottom surface. The length of each alignment pin is defined as a fourth distance. The third distance is equal to the first distance and greater than sum of the second and fourth distances.
US08721183B2
A bearing assembly is formed by coupling at least two units together in an axially abutting manner. Each unit has two connection portions on two opposite ends and a mounting portion on a largest outer periphery. The connection portions between two adjacent units form at least one set of interfaces, each set having complementary shapes contact with each other. The mounting portion is securely encased in an inner periphery of a jutting chamber located at each end of a motor housing. At least one groove and notches are formed on at least one of two abutting connection portions between the two adjacent units. The notches communicate with the groove and an axle hole. In the assembly, the groove forms at least one storage chamber to store lubricating media, and the notches form at least one set of passages communicating with the storage chamber and an axial hole.
US08721180B2
A linear motion guide device includes a slider slidably attached onto a guide rail, an end cap having an inner side attached to the slider, a ball bearing device disposed between the slider and the guide rail, the end cap includes an inlet for receiving a lubricating fluid, two chambers formed in two legs, a groove communicating with the chambers of the end cap, and a casing having a compartment formed by an outer wall and communicating with the inlet of the end cap for receiving the lubricating fluid from the inlet of the end cap, and the outer wall of the casing is aligned with and directed toward the inlet of the end cap for resisting a flowing of the lubricating fluid.
US08721175B2
The fastening apparatus for fastening elements includes a combustion chamber, a housing for a gas cartridge, means for injecting gas from a cartridge into the combustion chamber and a management module. An engine thermistor is provided to be subjected to the temperature of the chamber, as well as a second cartridge thermistor intended to be subjected to the temperature of the gas cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing. Both thermistors are mounted for transmitting their temperature information to the management module. The management module is operable for managing temperature information and determining the opening time of the injection means.
US08721167B2
A kneading and granulating machine comprises: a container containing a material to be kneaded; a kneading member, which moves along the inner wall surface of the container and revolves and spins at the same time within the container; and a crushing blade, which revolves and spins at the same time within the container to shear the material to be kneaded in the container. The kneading member comprises a blade having a shape corresponding to the inner wall surface of the container, which enables kneading the material to be kneaded between itself and the inner wall surface of the container.
US08721166B1
A method of evacuating a refinery tank containing waste with solid constituents is disclosed. The method includes inserting an agitator on a boom through a first opening on a side of the refinery tank and agitating waste in a first area of the refinery tank to cause the waste in the first area to have a first viscosity lower than a second viscosity of waste in a second area at a periphery of the first area. The method further includes removing agitated waste from the first area while maintaining the waste of the second viscosity in the second area, thereby forming a safe room in the refinery tank. The method also includes expanding the first opening toward the floor of the safe room to enable entry of a movable excavator into the safe room of the refinery tank and removing waste of the second viscosity from the second area of the refinery tank.
US08721152B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides light emitting devices, including light fixtures and luminaires. In some embodiments, a light emitting device comprises at least one light source, a lightguide operable to receive light from the at least one light source at a first location on the lightguide, at least one light extraction region optically coupled to the lightguide and a substantially non-scattering region along a portion of the lightguide.
US08721149B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination devices. In one aspect, an illumination device having a longitudinal axis includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide has a peripheral edge, a transmissive illumination surface, a center portion, and an upper surface. The transmissive illumination surface is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the center portion and the peripheral edge. The upper surface is oriented relative to the illumination surface to define an angle α therebetween. In some implementations, the angle α can be greater than 15 degrees, for example.
US08721140B2
A transmission indicator apparatus for a vehicle, may include a light source disposed on an upper surface of a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and electrically configured in a circuit; a housing for housing the light source and the PCB therein; and a light guide sheet disposed at the front of the light source to deliver light of the light source to a character part therethrough, wherein the light source is integrated into the PCB.
US08721133B2
The present invention is a light apparatus comprised of a housing, which forms a contoured surface plate having a lower surface and an upper surface adapted to receive a carved cucurbit; at least one socket adapted to receive a light bulb so that the light bulb is positioned perpendicular to said upper surface of said contoured face plate; at least one power source component operatively coupled to the socket, and at least one spiked member adapted to pierce and secure the carved cucurbit.
US08721130B2
A lighting apparatus including a light source having a light emitting surface, and a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source to form a light distribution pattern having a first cutoff line and a second cutoff line such that the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line form an angle with each other. The reflector is configured to form the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line by reflection images of the same edge of the light emitting surface.
US08721121B1
A decorative lighting string including blinking or twinkling lights spaced apart by at least three feet and preferably approximately six feet on a light string will create the effect of twinkling starlight or flickering firelight when used as part of a decorative scheme, such as Christmas decorations. This decorative lighting display is especially suited for outdoor use and can be effectively used in deciduous trees after they have lost their leaves. Twinkling lights that emit an illuminate of at least 40 lumens are especially suited for outdoor use. A random, irregular lighting pattern in which the lights do not appear to be connected by a light string provides the illusion of twinkling lights suspended in mid-air in a dark or darkening sky.
US08721119B2
A light emitting diode (LED) display screen including a plurality of LED display modules is disclosed. Each of the plurality of LED display modules includes a flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, on which a plurality of LEDs are disposed; a power cable having a socket or a plug, the power cable being disposed on the first surface; a data cable having a socket or a plug, the data cable being disposed on the first surface; a magnet disposed on the first surface; and a plurality of connectors fixed to the flexible substrate, the plurality of connectors being disposed on the first surface and including a male connector and a female connector. A height of the magnet from the first surface of the flexible substrate is higher than heights of any components disposed on the first surface.
US08721114B2
A device for illuminating a space comprising is discussed. In one variation, the device includes: a central body portion, with a length and a width, and including two plates running along the length of the central body portion wherein the two plates are separated by a spacer; an opening for the removal of heat during operation of the device that extends along a portion of the length of the central body portion, a light emitting diode on the central body portion; a reflector, extending from the central body portion, for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting diode towards the illuminated space. Other variations are also discussed as are methods for using suitable variations for retrofitting existing non-light emitting diode light sources.
US08721111B2
A flashlight zooming structure includes a main body and a zooming assembly screwed on one end of a neck of the main body. In the zooming assembly, a transparent lamp cup centrally formed with a convex lens is received in a cup seat, the cup seat is screwed into a cap, and the lugs on the outer periphery of the cup seat are received in the corresponding peripheral notches of a receiving section extending from one end of a middle annular element. To illuminate a distant or nearby target, the zooming assembly mounted around the neck of the main body is rotated in the desired direction so that the light emitted by a lighting unit at one end of the neck of the main body is projected outward through the transparent lamp cup in the zooming assembly as a convergent or divergent light beam.
US08721106B2
A curtain wall having integrated lighting, comprises a first series of transoms (14), a second series of mullions (12), at least one of the first transoms and the second mullions having an extruded first member (20) having a hollow interior, a driver (30) positioned within the hollow portion of the first member, a second member (22) connected to the first member, the second member having a lens (46) disposed along an outer side of the second member to illuminate one of an outer façade of a building or an area adjacent said façade.
US08721102B2
The disclosed technology provides a backlight lamp guide, a back cover for a backlight, and a backlight. The backlight lamp guide, the back cover and the backlight comprise a lateral positioning mechanism. The lateral positioning mechanism prevents the backlight lamp guide and the back cover from moving with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the back cover.
US08721100B2
The present invention provides a reflector plate and a backlight system. The backlight system includes a reflector plate and a back frame and the back frame carries the reflector plate. The back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and the reflector plate has a substrate containing a conductive fiber net for preventing electromagnetic interference. With the above arrangement, the backlight system of the present invention has a back frame having a simple structure, saving material for the back frame, and reducing the cost of the back frame. Further, the present invention integrates a conductive fiber net in a substrate of a reflector plate for preventing electromagnetic interference so that the reflector plate provides two uses of being a reflector plate and also realizing prevention of electromagnetic interference to thereby allow a backlight system or device that uses a joined back frame of the present invention can achieve the purpose of preventing electromagnetic interference with an easy manner and thus further reduce the manufacturing cost of backlight system.
US08721089B2
The image projection apparatus is disclosed to which plural interchangeable optical units are selectively attachable. The apparatus includes a shift mechanism moving an attached optical unit, which is one of the plural interchangeable optical units that is attached to the apparatus, with respect to a light modulation element in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, an actuator driving the shift mechanism, and a controller controlling drive of the actuator using a control parameter for moving the attached optical unit by a specific movement amount via the shift mechanism. The controller acquires information on at least one of a weight and an optical characteristic of the attached optical unit from a memory provided in one of the apparatus and the attached optical unit, and to change the control parameter using the acquired information.
US08721087B2
A light source device includes: light sources arranged in a plane; collimator lenses disposed in the vicinities of corresponding each of the light sources, each of the collimator lenses collimating a light beam emitted from the corresponding light source, and a holder that holds the light sources and the collimator lenses. The holder holds the light sources and the collimator lenses so that optical axes of the collimator lenses are respectively shifted parallel to optical axes of the light sources by shift lengths that are set so that light beams emitted from the light sources via the collimator lenses are focused on a certain region of an illumination subject body. The light beams emitted from the light sources are refracted by the collimator lenses and focused on the certain region.
US08721080B2
Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject.
US08721073B2
An ophthalmic lens incorporating a repeating periodic wavelike pattern of pigmented lines is utilized to highlight, shade and expose the iris of the wearer to create an enhanced look without affecting the natural appearance of the iris. The ophthalmic lens incorporates the repeating periodic wavelike pattern of pigmented lines in a region corresponding to the wearer's iris.
US08721072B1
A vision correction method is disclosed wherein a purchaser selects, obtains, and assembles a custom pair of over-the-counter, non-prescription reading glasses having different diopter magnification for each eye. A display of left lenses and right lenses in various diopters and lens frame components are available in a retail store. The purchaser conducts a self-test of reading ability to determine the correct lens diopter for each eye. The purchaser then assembles the selected lenses with supplied components according to the model selected.
US08721052B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric member made of a complex oxide and an electrode which contains platinum. The complex oxide contains potassium sodium niobate and bismuth ferrate. The molar ratio of the bismuth ferrate to the sum of the potassium sodium niobate and the bismuth ferrate is in the range of 3% to 10%. And the molar ratio of the sum of potassium and sodium to niobium is in the range of 103% to 115%.
US08721039B2
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a print head, including nozzle heads, configured to discharge ink droplets upward and movable between an image forming area in which images are formed on a recording medium and an idle discharge area in which idle discharge of the ink droplets is performed to clean the nozzles; an endless belt ink receiving member, disposed above the print head in the idle discharge area in which the print head performs idle discharge and configured to hold the idly-discharged ink; an ink receiving member driver operatively connected to the ink receiving member to circularly drive the ink receiving member; and a cleaner disposed downstream of the idle discharge area in the direction of rotation of the ink receiving member and configured to remove the ink from the ink receiving member.
US08721038B2
In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil.
US08721031B2
A method and apparatus for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer, and more particularly analyzing images deposited on a surface of an imaging drum in an inkjet printer. A photoelectric sensor supported by a sled in contact with the surface of the imaging drum can be used to detect missing jets in the printhead, to align the printhead, to reduce the amount of purged ink, and to determine run out of the imaging drum.
US08721025B2
Methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program products for measuring spatial characteristics of an inkjet printer are disclosed. Group of marks of a first predetermined pattern are printed on a print medium using a first group of nozzles. Groups of marks of a second predetermined pattern are printed using a second group of nozzles. A region of overlap of the printed groups of marks is formed. At least a portion of the print medium having printed groups of marks is imaged. From the region of overlap, first and second groups of marks from the first and second printed patterns are selected. For each group of marks, a position representative of that group is determined. An offset for measuring spatial characteristics of the printer between the first and second printed patterns is determined dependent upon the representative position of each of the first and second groups of marks.
US08721019B2
An inkjet printer ejects ink drops onto a surface of a print medium to form an ink image. A fluid emitter sprays fluid onto the ink image. The fluid sprayed on the ink image reduces or eliminates an offset of ink from the ink image during additional processing of the print medium after the ink image is printed on the print medium.
US08721003B2
A chair may include a seat, a chair back and a frame that may be connected to the seat and/or chair back. The chair back and the frame may include engaging portions and/or receiving portions that may be sized and configured to contact, abut, engage and/or interlock with each other to connect the chair back to the frame. The engaging portions and/or receiving portions may be sized and configured to connect the chair back to the frame using a friction, interference and/or snap fit.
US08720986B2
An opening-and-closing member control apparatus includes a panel drive device moving a movable panel in opening and closing directions, a panel monitoring device monitoring a position of the movable panel between fully closed and opened positions, a sunshade drive device moving a sunshade in opening and closing directions, a sunshade monitoring device monitoring a position of the sunshade between fully closed and opened positions, and a control device controlling driving of the panel drive device and the sunshade drive device on the basis of the position of the movable panel monitored by the panel monitoring device and the position of the sunshade monitored by the sunshade monitoring device, so that the position of the movable panel precedes the position of the sunshade toward the fully closed position when the movable panel and the sunshade move in the closing direction.
US08720980B2
The invention relates to a vehicle body structure in the floor region of the occupant compartment having on both sides a respective longitudinal beam (3) in the floor region of the occupant compartment between a transmission tunnel and a side sill. According to the invention each longitudinal beam (3) extends longitudinally continuously over the entire footwell length from the front end (4) to a heel plate. The longitudinal beam (3) is here formed on the bottom side as a closed longitudinal hollow beam by virtue of a longitudinal beam stepped edge (9) of the floor panel (10AB) and on the top side as a longitudinal beam closure part (11SW) by virtue of a longitudinal beam angle section connected to the top side.
US08720967B2
A windshield adjusting system for adjusting a windshield of a vehicle includes a rail adapted for connection to the vehicle and a bracket connected to the windshield. The rail includes a position profile and the bracket includes an alignment portion and a latch with a lock profile that is configured to selectively engage the complementary position profile to secure the windshield in a desired position.
US08720964B2
A mechanical finger comprises at least three phalanges, with a base phalanx pivotally connected at a proximal end to a base. At least one intermediate phalanx is pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the base phalanx. An end phalanx is pivotally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of a distal-most one of the at least one intermediate phalanx. The phalanges pivot about parallel pivot axes. A transmission linkage is between the base and the end phalanx. The transmission linkage has links and joints unconnected to any of the phalanges other than the end phalanx, the transmission linkage being configured so as not to constrain the degrees of freedom of the mechanical finger.
US08720949B2
Recess portions (15) and (16) are disposed in a seat-belt sliding face (14) of a seat-belt sliding member (13), and a predetermined number of projections (17) are provided independently of each other in a dotted state in the recess portions (15) and (16). In each of the projections (17), sliding resistance between a seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) in a normal time is small, and the sliding resistance between the seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) when the seat belt (4) slides to the lap belt (4c) side is larger than the sliding resistance between the seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) when the seat belt (4) slides to the shoulder belt (4b) side. By means of the dotted-state projections (17), extension of the lap belt (4c) in an emergency is suppressed.
US08720948B2
An active bolster for mounting at an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle has a plastic-molded, expandable inner wall having a welding flange disposed at an outer perimeter and a pleated region bending inward from the welding flange. A plastic-molded outer wall overlies the inner wall, wherein the welding flange is hot welded to the outer wall to form an inflatable bladder for receiving an inflation gas. The inner wall further includes a blocking rib extending from between the welding flange and the pleated region into abutment with the outer wall to restrict flow of the inflation gas against the welding flange.
US08720944B2
A gas generator includes, a housing having a circumferential wall, a first end, and a second end, an inner tube member disposed in the housing, an outer space thereof being a combustion chamber, an outer circumference cylindrical member being such that one end opening abuts against a bottom plate of the second end, an annular porous member provided between the outer circumference cylindrical member and the cup-shaped inner tube member so as to form a space above the combustion chamber, a gas discharge path formed between the outer circumference cylindrical member and an inner wall surface of the circumferential wall portion of the housing; a communicating portion communicating the space and the gas discharge path, and being provided in the other end opening of the outer circumference cylindrical member; and a total cross-sectional area of the gas discharge port being smaller than a smallest cross-sectional area of a gas pathway.
US08720943B1
An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable front wall and a plastic-molded back wall joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes at least one active vent and at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The active vent comprises a window opening in the back wall and an integrally-molded flap juxtaposed to the window opening. The flap has an undeflected position corresponding to a first flow coefficient and a deflected position corresponding to a second, nonzero flow coefficient that is less than the first flow coefficient. The flap moves from the undeflected position to the deflected position when a pressure in the inflatable bladder resulting from a passenger impact is greater than a predetermined pressure.
US08720933B2
A trailer hitch assembly includes a support bracket having an upper support bushing and a lower support bushing separated from the upper support bushing. A hitch pin slideably engages the upper and lower support bushings. The hitch pin includes a ring shaped actuating collar disposed between the upper and lower support bushings. A release lever pivotally connects to a mounting pin and slideably engages the actuating collar between the upper and lower support bushings. An actuating arm is fixedly attached to the release lever for concurrent rotation therewith about the mounting pin. The release lever may be selectively pivoted around the mounting pin by apply an actuating force to the actuating arm to move the hitch pin between a latched position and an unlatched position. A latch plate attached to the support bracket includes an aperture for receiving the hitch pin when positioned in the latched position.
US08720929B2
A bicycle frame including a head tube and a bottom bracket adapted to support a crankset. The frame also includes a tubular frame member that is coupled to the head tube and that has a concave section disposed on an underside of the frame member and spaced from the head tube.
US08720925B1
An intelligent side step apparatus for a vehicle may include a linear motor having a stator fixed to a vehicle body, with both ends thereof being positioned in a traverse direction of the vehicle, and a mover engaged to the stator and slidable along the stator when a current may be supplied to the stator, a side step that may be rotatably combined with the mover, and a step actuator that may be connected to the mover and engaged to an end of the side step to selectively rotate the side step.
US08720922B2
A suspension system for use with a vehicle including an axle tube, an internal tube and a locking structure. The axle tube is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. The internal tube assembly has an inner member with a first end and a second end. A locking structure is formed integrally at the second end with the inner member. The locking structure has a locking shape that allows the internal tube assembly to be inserted into the axle tube when the locking structure is rotated to a non-operational position. The internal tube assembly is prevented from being removed from the axle tube when the internal tube assembly rotates between jounce and rebound positions when the suspension system is operational.
US08720921B1
A vehicular suspension enhancer comprises a pair of vertically oriented spring portions, one portion mounted to the axle and the other portion mounted to the frame. Each vehicle axle can be equipped with two suspension enhancers, one enhancer located on each side of an axle. Each of the spring portions are positioned in the space between the axle and the vehicular frame, with the distal ends of each spring portion facing one another with a space between the distal ends defining a gap. The gap between the facing spring portions will increase in response to an increase in the distance between frame and axle.
US08720915B2
The present application is directed to a device for transporting users having an injured leg across a surface and a method of adjusting the device. An embodiment of the device includes a frame, at least two wheel assemblies, and a support for supporting the knee of the injured leg of the user. The frame may have a top portion and at least two legs. The wheel assemblies may be operatively connected to the legs of the frame. The support may be at least partially supported by the top portion of the frame. The device may include an anti-rotation arrangement that increases the resistance to the rotation of a wheel of at least one of the wheel assemblies to assist alignment of the device with a forward direction when a force is applied by the non-injured leg of the user in a direction that is parallel to the forward direction.
US08720909B2
A quick-release bit adapter includes a body having first and second ends spaced along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a driving hole extending from the first end towards the second end along the longitudinal axis. The body further includes a sliding groove in communication with the driving hole and intermediate the driving hole and the second end along the longitudinal axis. A through-hole extends from an outer periphery of the first end through the sliding groove. A bit received in the driving hole abuts and is stopped by at least one protrusion extending inward from an inner periphery of the driving hole towards the longitudinal axis. A magnetic device is slideably received in the sliding groove and controllable by a user through the through-hole to slide along the longitudinal axis between two positions to engage with or disengage from the bit.
US08720908B2
A vehicle component includes a sealing member that is sandwiched between the vehicle component and a vehicle body to seal a gap between the vehicle component and the vehicle body. The sealing member includes an adhering/separating member that is adhereable to and separable from a wall of the vehicle body, and an elastic compressing member that is elastically compressible and stacked on the adhering/separating member. The adhering/separating member adheres to the wall of the vehicle body when the sealing member is present between the vehicle component and the vehicle body.
US08720905B2
A sealed t-joint includes a first component having a first sealing surface, a second component having a second sealing surface, and a third component including a channel characterized by a channel height, channel width, and a channel depth. The t-joint also includes a gasket having a thickness and a protrusion characterized by a protrusion height, a protrusion width, and a protrusion depth. The protrusion height is less than the channel height, the protrusion width is less than channel width, and the protrusion depth is less than the channel depth. The t-joint additionally includes a polymer sealant. The gasket is compressed between the first and second sealing surfaces to generate a first and second component sub-assembly. Additionally, the polymer sealant is applied into the channel. The third component is subsequently assembled with the first and second component sub-assembly such that the protrusion extends into the channel to seal the t-joint.
US08720902B2
In combination with a body defining an annular space and a member received for rotation or linear movement within the annular space, an annular seal includes a first sealing member defining a first sealing portion disposed in constant engagement with a peripheral surface of the member during the rotation or the linear movement thereof, a second sealing member defining a second sealing portion disposed in constant engagement with the first sealing member and radially aligned only with the first sealing portion, and a fluid pressure directed at least onto the second sealing member, whereby the second sealing portion is configured to bias the first sealing portion into the constant engagement with the peripheral surface of the member.
US08720901B2
A seal ring that seals an annular gap formed between a shaft and a housing that has a shaft hole into which the shaft is inserted. The seal ring is configured such that one of both the ends and has a projection projecting in the direction of the circumference of the seal ring. The other end has a recess used in combination with the projection. The seal ring is characterized in that the recess has an inclining side face, which inclines from the direction of the circumference, and the projection and the recess form a sliding part so that a part of the edge of the leading end of the projection slides over the inclining side face of the recess, and portion of the sliding part is formed as a linear sliding portion.
US08720896B2
In a preferred embodiment the present invention contemplates a system for selectively coupling a shooting target to a target mount device. This system includes a target mount device having a T-shaped mount body. The mount body has three mount holes defined on an underside of the mount body and each mount hole terminates at a solid wall portion provided by an underside of a top surface of the mount body. Three legs selectively attach to the mount body, one leg at each corresponding mount hole. At least one leg includes an adjustment mechanism for extending the length of the leg. A conventional target attaches to the mount device by a mechanism for suspending the target from the mount block coupled to the mount block.
US08720890B1
A method of conducting a wagering game incorporating an opportunity for a player to increase a primary game award is disclosed. A slot machine primary game award may be increased or decreased pursuant to an optional bonus game. Should the player elect not to play the bonus game, the player is paid the primary game award. Otherwise, the bonus game is conducted and the primary game award is increased, decreased or maintained constant. In one version, a threshold primary game award (e.g., $10.00) triggers the bonus game option.
US08720888B2
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a turn-around mechanism, and a re-feeding unit that includes a first feeding unit having a guide curved to bulge in such a direction as to be farther from an image forming unit, the guide defining an outer side of a curved first feeding route for feeding a sheet received from the turn-around mechanism, and a second feeding unit defining a second feeding route for feeding the sheet fed via the first feeding route, the guide including a first section on a first side thereof in the width direction of the sheet, and a second section around a second side opposite to the first side thereof in the width direction, the second section being curved to bulge more than the first section in such a direction as to be farther from the image forming unit.
US08720884B2
A sheet loading device positioned in an image forming apparatus includes a frame and a loading plate located on an upper surface portion of the frame. The loading plate, in association with, the upper surface portion allows the sheet to be loaded on thereon. The loading plate includes a sheet loading member that supports a downstream side of the sheet in a sheet feed direction, and can be raised and lowered with respect to a sheet transportation path, and a cover member that is located between the sheet loading member and the upper surface portion. The cover member covers a gap formed between the sheet loading member and the upper surface portion when the sheet loading member is in a raised position.
US08720881B2
An image forming apparatus is provided that can efficiently reduce power consumption. The image forming apparatus includes a power supply portion that brings, into a power saving state, a paper feed device holding a sheet of a sheet size whose paper feed frequency does not reach a threshold value and a notification portion that provides a notification that a paper feed device holding the sheet of the sheet size whose paper feed frequency reaches the threshold value is encouraged to be the paper feed device that is closer to the print portion than the paper feed device holding the sheet of the sheet size whose paper feed frequency does not reach the threshold value.
US08720879B1
A food preparation cutting board for cutting and storing food stuff in isolated compartments adjacent to the cutting board preferably includes a cutting board including a plurality of openings formed along a perimeter thereof, and a plurality of food containers removably interfitted within the openings respectively such that the food containers are juxtaposed adjacent to the perimeter of the cutting board. The food containers are fixedly engaged with the cutting board when the food containers are disposed within the openings respectively. Such food containers are capable of may be interchangeably oriented at an upright position and an inverted position relative to the cutting board. In this manner, the food containers are adapted to receive food stuff directly from the cutting board. Furthermore, a user is able to expand the surface area of the cutting board and/or conveniently slide food stuff into the food containers directly from the cutting board.
US08720878B2
A positioning device includes a base, a supporting member, a fixing member, a first electromagnetic clutch, an engaging member, and at least one guide member. The base defines at least one hole. The supporting member is configured to support a workpiece. The supporting member and the fixing member are at the opposite sides of the base. The first electromagnetic clutch is disposed on a side of the base adjacent to the fixing member. The engaging member configured to be attracted by the first electromagnetic clutch is disposed on a side of the fixing member adjacent to the base and corresponds to the first electromagnetic clutch. An end of the at least one guide member is fixed to the fixing member, and an opposite end of the fixing member passes through the at least one hole and is fixed to the supporting member.
US08720865B2
A winch assembly is described and shown herein. The winch assembly may include a first housing member having a first retaining member formed therein and a second housing member having a second retaining member formed therein, the second housing member secured to the first housing member forming a winch housing. The winch assembly may further include a drive system generally positioned within the winch housing, and a winch drum operatively coupled with the drive system and rotationally secured with the first and second retaining members.
US08720858B2
Diaphragm valve having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet, a sealing membrane, and a connecting piece connecting the sealing membrane to a pressure piece of a drive. The valve body, the sealing membrane and the connecting piece are rigidly connected together to form an interchangeable, sealed valve body unit that can be connected to the drive. The connecting piece is molded on the sealing membrane, and the valve body and the sealing membrane are welded ultrasonically to one another.
US08720855B2
Embodiments and methods are disclosed herein that relate to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a housing having a passage formed therethrough, and a valve ball having a through hole and disposed in the housing, in which the valve ball is rotatable between an open position that has the through hole aligned with the passage and a closed position that has the through hole misaligned with the passage. The valve assembly further includes a first seat having a first sealing surface and disposed in the housing adjacent to the valve ball, and a second seat having a second sealing surface and disposed in the housing adjacent to the first seat such that the first sealing surface of the first seat is disposed adjacent to the second sealing surface of the second seat. At least one of the first sealing surface of the first seat and the second sealing surface of the second seat comprises an arcuate surface.
US08720852B2
The positioning of the actuating drive in a fuel injector with a piezoactuator (2) that is screwed into the housing (1) of the fuel injector is performed by applying a voltage (U) to the piezoactuator (2) that corresponds to a given idle stroke (h), and the surface grinding of the housing (3) and base plate (4) of the piezoactuator (2) when voltage is applied. Between the housing (1) of the fuel injector and the housing (3) of the piezoactuator (2), there is also provided a compensation collar (9) of a suitable thickness.
US08720848B2
A securing device for securing portable electronic devices and the method of using the securing device are disclosed. The securing device has a plate assembly, a post assembly and a main bar. A portable electronic device is inserted in-between the plate assembly and the main bar. Thereafter, the post assembly is rotated from a first position to a second position which is perpendicular to the length of the plate assembly. While in the second position, the post assembly prevents the rearward movement of the portable electronic device. The main bar prevents the upward movement of the portable electronic device. The plate assembly has a recessed profile that allows airflow through the bottom portion of the portable electronic device while being secured with the securing device.
US08720847B2
An external articulation mechanism for pivotably holding the backrest of a vehicle seat on the vehicle. A receiving element can be secured to the vehicle and has a support opening and side walls defining an introduction slot that opens into an open side of the support opening. A pivot member securable to the backrest can be inserted into the support opening via the introduction slot. An arresting mechanism on the receiving element extends over the open side of the support opening and is pivotable between release and arresting positions. A support element disposed on the pivot member has an extension that juts into the introduction slot and that on both sides has deformable projections for resiliently engaging recesses of the side walls of the receiving element.
US08720830B1
An adapter assembly for interconnection with a launch vehicle is provided. Generally, the adapter assembly is positioned between two separable components of a launch vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the launch vehicle to structurally interconnect the components. In an embodiment, a solar panel having a stowed state and a deployed state is interconnected to the adapter assembly. In a stowed state, the solar panel can be positioned within the interior space of the adapter assembly to utilize space within the launch vehicle that would otherwise not be fully utilized.
US08720827B2
A dual function lavatory door and methods are presented. A hinged door panel comprises a doorway hinge coupled to a first side of a lavatory doorway of a lavatory. The doorway hinge positions the hinged door panel to couple to a first interior side-wall of the lavatory in a deployed position. An extendable door panel is coupled to the hinged door panel by a vertical hinge and can couple to a second side of the lavatory doorway opposite to the first side. The extendable door panel folds along the vertical hinge into an interior space of the lavatory in the deployed position. An extension panel is coupled to the extendable door panel and extends from the extendable door panel to couple to a second interior side-wall of the lavatory opposite to the first interior side-wall in the deployed position.
US08720826B2
A window element for a double-shell skin field of an aircraft fuselage cell includes a window frame having a window module disposed in the frame, wherein the frame is disposed in an opening of the double-shell skin field, and wherein the frame is connected to the double-shell skin field by a surrounding embrasure profile positioned against a core structure of the skin field at least in some regions, wherein the core structure includes an inner and an outer covering layer.
US08720823B2
An aircraft structural element situated at an interface between a wing and the fuselage, and including a web and profiled elements flanking the web. At least one the profiled element includes a flat part positioned without overlap in the continuation of a flat part of the web and connected thereto by a welded butt joint using friction stir welding.
US08720819B2
The invention relates to a passenger seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, comprising seating components such as a seat section (3) and a backrest (1), which is located on a backrest frame (7) and has at least one support section (15) that supports the relevant part of the body of the seat occupant, said section being displaceable in relation to the backrest frame (7) by means of an adjusting device (25). Said seat is characterized in that a web (15) constitutes the displaceable support section, said web extending between the lateral edges (5) of the backrest frame (7) and being suspended by its upper edge (17) from the backrest frame (7) and engaging at its lower end (23) that adjoins the seat section (3) with the adjusting device that is configured as a tensile device (25). The tensile device is used to exert a tensile force on the lower end of the web (15), in order to pull the web (15) forwards by said lower end (23) from a position in which it lies longitudinally against the backrest (1).
US08720818B1
A thrust reverser for a double-flow nacelle that has a cowling, with the thrust reverser having an internal door and an external door designed to be made within the thickness of the cowling. The reverser also has means for simultaneously displacing the doors between a first position called the rest position, in which the doors are integrated into the cowling so as to form an aerodynamic continuity with the external wall and the internal wall of the cowling, and a second active position, in which the doors are open so that the internal and external doors extend toward the inside and toward the outside of the nacelle, respectively, thus at least partially blocking the annular channel of the secondary flow, to deflect the secondary flow and to generate a thrust reversal, with the means being designed to be received in a compartment arranged inside the cowling formed by the doors in the rest position.
US08720806B2
A laboratory grinding mill having at least one grinding bowl configured to carry out a rotary movement about its central axis, and designed for conveying a liquid or gaseous medium therethrough. A rotary lead-through device having a stationary part and a movable part is coupled to the movement of the grinding bowl. The stationary part is provided with at least one connection for a stationary conduit, and the movable part is provided with at least one connection with a conduit that leads to the grinding bowl.
US08720804B1
A system for grinding comprises a first grinding apparatus and a sifting apparatus to receive particles from the first grinding apparatus and to remove and divert particles having a size less than a threshold size from a particle path to an output stream such that the particles are not subjected to further grinding. The sifting apparatus comprises a first particle removal stage configured to remove grain particles of a first size and larger, and a second particle removal stage configured to remove grain particles of a second size and larger from the grain path. A second grinding apparatus may be configured to grind grain exiting the sifting apparatus and to output to the sifting apparatus. A method is also disclosed.
US08720802B2
The invention relates to a fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines having a valve body in which a blind hole is formed, with at least one injection opening proceeding from said blind hole. A longitudinally displaceable needle in the valve body has a valve sealing face formed at its end which faces towards the blind hole. The valve sealing face is formed from one or more conical faces, and the valve needle interacting, by means of a body seat, with said valve sealing face to control a fuel flow to the at least one injection opening. A needle tip adjoining the valve sealing face dips into the blind hole when the valve needle bears against the body seat, the needle tip being curved in a concave fashion directly adjacent to the valve sealing face.
US08720775B2
An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.
US08720770B2
A partition set for reinforcing a container's handles, the partition set including at least one interlocking subcomponent without hand holes and at least one interlocking subcomponent with two end panels with hand holes; the hand holes alignable with the container's hand holes; thereby providing reinforcement to the container's handles. Also, a container with hand hole reinforcement provided by the partition set.
US08720765B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nailing machine including: a housing; a motor that is accommodated in the housing; a plunger that plunges a nailing member; and a spring that is expanded or compressed by the motor to store an elastic energy therein and that accelerates the plunger by releasing the elastic energy, wherein a spring constant of the spring at one end of the spring in an expanding/compressing direction is set smaller than that of the spring at a center in the expanding/compressing direction.
US08720757B2
Disclosed is a low-profile storage apparatus for a motorcycle. The low-profile storage apparatus comprises a base attachable to a motorcycle. The low-profile storage apparatus also comprises a shell supported about the base, and movable between a stowing position and an open position. The low-profile storage apparatus further comprises at least one storage compartment supported by an underside of the shell, the at least one storage compartment having an opening accessible upon the shell being positioned in the open position.
US08720743B2
A paperboard carton for receiving articles in two or more layers separated by a divider pad is provided. The divider pad is secured relative to an end panel arrangement at one end of the carton. The carton has a top panel, a base panel and a pair of opposite sides. One of the side panels has a removable portion adjacent one end, which, when removed, defines a roll out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on the end panel arrangement.
US08720738B1
A cover assembly that can be used with all large commercial and residential propane tanks includes a lid proportioned to fit over the collar of the propane tank, an adapter to permit pivotal attachment of the lid to the collar, a cotter pin to enable the lid to pivot opened and closed, and attaching rivets to secure the adapter to the collar. There is also a button that can be attached to the collar to maintain the lid in closed orientation. The lid can be made in a range of sizes to accommodate all large commercial and residential propane tanks currently in service. A single adapter able to conform to the curvature of the collars of all sizes of the propane tanks can be used with all of the lids.
US08720735B2
A pressure vessel, including: a body portion; and an inclined nozzle projecting from the body portion along an axis inclined relative to an inner surface of the body portion, wherein: a through hole of a circular section is formed through both the body portion and the inclined nozzle. At an intersecting portion between the inner surface of the body portion and a surface surrounding the through hole, there are formed round portions. The radius of each of the round portions at two positions in a major axis direction is smaller than the radius of each of round portions.
US08720717B2
A container for food and beverages with a fully opening end panel is provided. An end closure of the container has a generally circular end panel defined by a score line. A rotational opening tool is providing for contacting the end panel and separating the end panel from the score line upon rotation of the tool.
US08720715B2
A closure cap for medicine containers and the like, having a bowl-shaped outer part made of PE or PP having at least one exposable penetration opening and a sealing element made of a soft plastic covering said opening. In order to obtain a reliable tight connection between the outer part and the sealing element, the sealing element is tightly connected all around to a socket encompassing the circumference thereof by injection into the same, and .the socket is tightly welded around the entire circumference thereof to the outer part or otherwise tightly connected thereto.
US08720714B2
A multi-purpose device is disclosed for opening beverage containers, such as glass bottles, plastic bottles and/or cans and for covering some open beverage containers having a neck, such as beverage bottles. The device includes a housing. The housing can represent various decorative forms of headgear. The housing includes a bottle cap remover and bottle retainer. For twist-off caps, a twist-off bottle cap remover can be provided that includes a cup-like guide member that can receive the cap of a beverage container. Ridges formed on and projecting outward from the surface of the cup-like guide member's inner circumference can be received by indentations between ridges typically found on the outer circumference of beverage container caps (e.g., bottle caps). By twisting the guide member, the twist-off cap becomes loosened for easy removal. The housing provides a user with the necessary leverage to facilitate application of twisting torque onto a twist-off bottle cap, or leverage necessary to pull a pop-off cap off of a bottle or cause a can-tab to perforate the upper surface of a can. The device can include at least one bottle cap opener (e.g. twist-off or pop-off) and a lift tab opener for standard soda can. The bottle retainer can be integrated within the decorative housing, should be formed of a flexible material that will enable the device to be retained at the neck of an opened beverage bottle, thereby enabling cover for an opened bottle.
US08720699B2
A hoist system for securing a bicycle in an elevated or stationary position includes a hoist attachment and a clamp. The hoist attachment, which connects to a seat post of the bicycle, includes a T-shaped joint, a pair of tube members, a T-shaped tube, and a pair of attachment brackets. The T-shaped joint has receptacles for receiving the pair of tube members and the T-shaped tube. The first tube member attaches to the T-shaped joint via a first receptacle, and the second tube member attaches to the T-shaped joint via a second receptacle. The T-shaped tube includes a stem and a cross-piece, the stem attaching to the T-shaped joint via a third receptacle. The pair of attachment brackets, which are configured to engage the seat post of the bicycle, extends beneath the T-shaped joint from the T-shaped tube to the first tube member.
US08720686B1
A lidded container assembly includes a container having a lid that rotates between a closed position to close the container and an opened position to open the container. A coupling assembly joins a flag and the container to allow rotation of the flag between lowered and raised positions. When the container is moved from an upright position to an inverted position, gravity moves the lid from the closed position to the open position, and the lid acts on the flag positioned over the lid to overcome friction between the coupling assembly and the container to rotate the flag from the lowered position to the raised position. When the container is returned to the upright position, gravity moves the lid from the open position to the closed position, and the friction between the coupling assembly and the container automatically holds the flag in the raised position.
US08720677B2
Stimuli-responsive highly absorbent superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are used to harness water to augment water supply and solve water crisis. Rain water, dew or sea water is harnessed in fabric-based sachets or bags partially filled with the polymers. The hydrated polymers are used to store water in warehouses for an extended period of time and the invention may obviate the need to construct controversial huge dams and canals or drill wells. The stored water in superabsorbent polymers is released at the point of use by any stimulus which may be light-induced, electrical, thermal or chemical treatment. SAPs with 2000 g/g of absorbency can yield 99.95% pure water in solid/gel form. An ultra SAP with absorbency of 10,000 g/g of the polymer could hold 10 billion cu·m. of water in one million tonnes of the polymer. This is more than the capacity of a typical large dam over a river.
US08720676B2
The present disclosure is directed to a pitch for a modular conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the pitch may include a link having a first leg, including an opening formed in the first leg. The opening may be defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge. In addition, the pitch may include a projection associated with the first edge. In a first position, the projection may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first edge towards the second edge so that a free end of the projection is positioned proximate the second edge. Also, the projection may be configured to deflect to a second position, in which the free end of the projection is deflected within the opening towards one of the first side edge and the second side edge.
US08720674B2
A sorting apparatus sequentially receives and holds a plurality of transported items that are transported and sorts and supports the transported items, and includes an endless movement member disposed so as to form a constant revolving movement pathway, and a plurality of support members that are attached to the movement member so as to be arranged along the direction in which the movement member revolves and that are capable of supporting respective transported items. In a support region that is a region of the revolving movement pathway of the movement member in which the transported items are supported by respective support members, the highest position of the support members decreases the closer the support members are to the downstream side of the direction in which the movement member revolves.
US08720669B2
A device for delivering a conveying truck into a screw driving area has a truck delivery screw and a truck propulsion screw which are connected in tandem via a single position electromagnetic clutch and both the screws are configured to rotate in the same phase in the transmission state of the electromagnetic clutch. Two front and back driven rollers are pivotally connected to a conveying truck at an interval at which the driven rollers can engage both screws. A truck delivery mechanism is provided for delivering the conveying truck in the disengaged state of the electromagnetic clutch while rotating the truck delivery screw by the front-side driven roller until the roller arrives at a fixed position in the truck delivery screw.
US08720667B2
A product bag unloading apparatus in which two product bags (3, 4) arranged in a single row in the bag width direction are conveyed on a carry-out conveyor (5) in a single-row arrangement, with their length direction oriented in the conveyor's conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first chuck (11) for gripping one product bag (3), a second chuck (12) for gripping the other product bag (4), a pivot arm (17) pivoting through 90 degrees about a fulcrum shaft (16) with the first chuck (11) rotatably provided at a free end thereof, and a chuck translation mechanism (parallel linkage mechanism) (14) maintaining the first chuck (11) in a constant orientation at all times when the first chuck (11) is moved between a bag receiving position and a bag release position by the pivot motion of the pivot arm (17).
US08720661B2
A clamping-roller freewheel for an adjustment device in a motor vehicle includes a housing, a cylindrical lateral surface that defines an axis, at least one roller, an output shaft that is central to the axis, and a clamping contour which is located on the side of the roller opposite from the cylindrical lateral surface and rotationally connected to the output shaft. The clamping contour is a double clamping contour. The roller is allocated to the double clamping contour. The double clamping contour has a left and a right clamping area. A clamping action arises due to the cooperation of the roller with the left or right clamping area, depending on the direction of rotation, and the cylindrical lateral surface.
US08720658B2
A starting device includes: a lock-up clutch mechanism; a fluid coupling; a spring damper including a spring, a power transfer portion transferring power from the lock-up clutch mechanism to the spring, and a power output portion transferring power from the spring to an input shaft; and a pendulum damper including a pendulum and a pendulum power transfer portion transferring power from the spring damper to the pendulum. The output portion of the lock-up clutch, the pendulum damper, the spring damper, and the fluid coupling are arranged sequentially in this order from a motor in the axial direction. The lock-up clutch mechanism output and the spring damper output are connected to each other on the outer circumferential side of the pendulum damper, and the spring damper output and the pendulum power transfer portion are connected to each other on the inner circumferential side of the pendulum.
US08720654B2
A brake disc pot for a motor vehicle disc brake having one or two brake discs includes a device for the centered attachment of the brake disc and a device for guiding cooling air in the radial direction toward the brake disc. The brake disc pot has recesses on its periphery.
US08720652B2
A braking system comprising a reconfigurable caliper piston adapted for, and a method of, retracting a brake pad utilizing active material actuation.
US08720646B2
A treestand including a support platform that defines a bow holder hole within which a cam post is located. The bow holder hole accommodates a cam and/or a limb of a compound archery bow inserted therein. The cam post projects at least partially through the cam while a limb of the compound archery bow rests on a forward edge of the bow holder and/or a forward edge of the support platform to generally support the compound archery bow in an upright position, ready for use by an archer. A related method of use also is provided.
US08720645B2
A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position.
US08720642B1
An acoustic element has at least two board-shaped elements (1, 2). A dampening element (3), preferably a nonwoven element, is arranged between the two board-shaped elements (1, 2). The board-shaped elements (1, 2) exhibit bore holes (1c, 1d, 2c, 2d). The bore holes each exhibit a diameter of not more than 3 mm.
US08720632B2
A motorcycle having high durability and a large space below a seat includes an internal space at least a portion of which is located between an engine unit and a seat provided in a cover member. The engine unit is pivotally suspended on a body frame. A center axis of a cylinder extends obliquely upward from a crankcase and forwardly. Oil reservoirs and provided in a bottom of a crank chamber and a bottom of a portion of a transmission chamber located in a front portion of a transmission case, respectively. The oil reservoirs are communicated with each other by a communication path. A bottom surface of the transmission chamber in the portion in which portion the oil reservoir is provided is located downward of the bottom surface of the portion rearward of the oil reservoir of the transmission chamber.
US08720630B2
A motorcycle in which a plate member can be mounted to a front cover disposed above a headlight. The front cover includes a front cover main body portion and a hole formed in the front cover main body portion. The front cover main body portion is provided at a back side thereof with a mount portion for a bracket having a portion passing through the hole. The portion passing through the hole includes a retaining portion for retaining the plate member in front of the front cover main body portion.
US08720628B2
A working machine comprising a frame, a working implement supported at a front end of the frame, a cover member, a latch member, a selector valve and a support bracket. The cover member has a cover-member body covering a side equipment room and having an opening. The latch member is disposed near the opening and inside the side equipment room to hold the cover member closed in cooperation with the lockable member. The support bracket extends from the side equipment room toward the opening and supports the latch member and the selector valve at the side of the frame. The support bracket has a base portion connected to the frame or connected to another member fixed to the frame, a selector valve-retaining portion retaining the selector valve and a latch member-retaining portion retaining the latch member at a position closer to the opening and higher than the selector valve.
US08720624B2
A shutter system includes a first louver configured to rotate about a first pivot axis and a second louver configured to rotate about a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is arranged at an angle that is smaller than 180 degrees with respect to the first pivot axis. The shutter system also includes a dual-drive actuation mechanism configured to rotate the first and the second louvers about the respective pivot axes. The dual-drive mechanism includes a first driven element operatively connected to the first louver and a second driven element operatively connected to the second louver. The dual-drive mechanism also includes a drive element configured to receive a drive torque and apply the drive torque simultaneously to the first and second driven elements. A vehicle having the above shutter system is also disclosed.
US08720616B2
A wheeled object or vehicle, such as a hospital bed (10) comprises a main chassis or frame (12) supported by a plurality of supporting wheels or rollers (11), which define the vertices of a polygonal supporting surface (21). The bed, which is usually moved by a walking person, is provided with at least one motor driven driving device (15), including at least one driving wheel or roller (18), positioned within said polygonal supporting surface. The driving device is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (14) in relation to the chassis or frame so as to change the angular position of the driving wheel (18) in relation to the chassis or frame. Biasing means, such as a compression spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (22, 34) is provided for biasing the driving device (15) in a direction away from the main chassis or frame (12) and towards the supporting surface (21). The biasing force is controlled such that the driving device (15) id kept in close non-skidding contact with the ground or floor surface (21) without lifting the supporting wheels (11) out or contact with the supporting surface.
US08720615B2
A quick release electric throttle assembly connected to a supplemental electric propulsion system, wherein the propulsion system may be moved from one vehicle to another, and the throttle must be correspondingly moved among the vehicles as well is disclosed. The quick release interface may incorporate a disengaging and disengageable electric connection to permit electrical wiring to be quickly plugged and unplugged from the hand actuated accessory. The throttle may be further be configured as a low profile throttle, such as having a flat surface with at least one button by which the throttle may be actuated. The throttle may be secured and released from the control surface of a vehicle by wrapping the laminar flexible sheet at a desired position and wrapping a Velcro like strap over one another about the manual control surface.
US08720610B2
A drill bit for subsurface drilling includes a body; a blade extending from the body and having a front, a back side, and a formation facing surface between the front side and the back side. The blade is configured to have a plurality of cutting elements mounted to it. In addition the drill bit includes a first flex cut extending into the blade from the formation facing surface and positioned between the front side and the back side of the blade. The first flex cut is configured to allow at least a portion of the blade to flex.
US08720604B2
A drill bit direction system and method is disclosed that modifies or biases the stochastic movement of the drill bit to change a drilling direction of a drilling system. The direction of the drill bit is monitored to determine if the direction happens to align in some way with a preferred direction. If the direction isn't close enough to a preferred or desired direction, stochastic motion of the drill bit in the borehole may be controlled and/or motion of the drill bit under a side force acting on the drill bit to direct the drilling may be focused or biased to modify the direction of drilling closer to the preferred direction. Any of a number of stochastic motion control mechanisms or biasing mechanisms can be used. Some embodiments can resort to conventional steering mechanisms to supplement the stochastic motion control or side force biasing mechanisms.
US08720600B2
A method of detecting a fault attack including generating a first signature of a first group of data values by performing a single commutative non-Boolean arithmetic operation between all the data values of the first group; generating a second set of data values by performing a permutation of the first set of data values; generating a second signature of the second group of data values by performing said single commutative non-Boolean arithmetic operation between all the data values of the second group; and comparing the first and second signatures to detect a fault attack.
US08720592B2
A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end.
US08720591B2
A fire protection system includes a dry pipe system and a controlled discharge gas vent. The dry pipe system and controlled discharge gas vent operate using a breathing cycle to displace oxygen and/or water vapor from within the piping network of the dry pipe system. The controlled gas discharge vent allows displacement of pressurized air with nitrogen, for example, using manual or automated processes that can employ one or more sensors. Corrosion resulting from oxygen, water, and/or microbial growth is reduced or nearly eliminated.
US08720588B2
A method is provided of fixing at least one element, preferably a sensor or a valve, in a borehole formed in an earth formation. The method comprises positioning each element in the borehole, positioning a swellable body in the borehole, the swellable body being susceptible of swelling upon contact with a swell fluid, wherein the swellable body is arranged to press the element against a wall of the borehole upon swelling of the swellable body, and allowing the swell fluid to contact the swellable body thereby inducing the swellable body to swell and to press the element against said wall of the borehole.
US08720585B2
The present invention provides a deep-water oil well plug apparatus having a plunger member on an elongate shaft and a plurality of inflatable members configured and shapes to seal within the well bore, and a bell-shaped chamber placed on top of the oil well and adapted to be filled with concrete, and a hydraulic mechanism to remove and release the bell-shaped chamber from the oil well.
US08720580B1
A system for capping a blowout preventer has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection to the blowout preventer, a flowing stack, and an intervention blowout preventer connected to a connector of the flowing stack. The capping stack has a fluid passage extending from the connector. The capping stack has at least one diverter line in communication with the fluid passage. The flowing stack has an interior passageway extending to the connector at an upper end thereof. The flowing stack has at least one pipe in communication with the interior passageway. The pipe is connected with the diverter line of the capping stack such that a flow fluid passing through the diverter line passes through the pipe into the interior passageway of the flowing stack.
US08720564B2
Techniques for severing a tubular of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are provided. A blade is extendable by a ram of a blowout preventer positionable about the tubular. The blade includes a blade body having a front face on a side thereof facing the tubular. At least a portion of the front face has a vertical surface and at least a portion of the front face has an inclined surface. The vertical surface is perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade body. The blade body includes a loading surface on an opposite side of the blade body to the front face. The loading surface is receivable by the ram. The blade also includes a cutting surface along at least a portion of the front face for engagement with the tubular, and a piercing point along the front face for piercing the tubular. The piercing point has a tip extending a distance from the cutting surface.
US08720562B2
A method of cementing a wellbore comprising preparing a wellbore cementing composition comprising a cementitious materials and a modified biopolymer additive wherein the modified biopolymer additive is the reaction product of a process comprising contacting a biopolymer and an organic carbonate to form a reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 250° F. and placing the wellbore cementing fluid in the wellbore. A method of cementing a wellbore comprising contacting a modified biopolymer additive with a cementitious slurry to produce a wellbore cementing composition having an initial viscosity, v0; placing the wellbore cementing composition to a desired depth in a subterranean formation wherein the wellbore cementing composition has a transitional viscosity, vt, during placement in the subterranean formation and a final viscosity, vf, at the desired depth wherein vf≧vt>v0; and allowing the wellbore cementing composition to set.
US08720557B2
A method of treating a zone of a subterranean carbonate formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. The method includes the steps of: According to an embodiment, a method of treating a zone of a subterranean carbonate formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group that can be crosslinked with aluminum(III); and (iii) a water-soluble aluminum carboxylate; wherein the pH of the treatment fluid is less than 1; (b) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone; and (c) allowing time for the strong acid in the treatment fluid to spend in the formation such that the pH of the fluid increases sufficiently for the aluminum of the aluminum carboxylate to crosslink the polymer.
US08720556B2
Fracturing operations can be problematic in completed wellbores containing at least one existing fracture, since it can be difficult to seal an existing fracture and initiate a new fracture within a reasonable timeframe due to the presence of particulate materials in the wellbore. Methods for fracturing a completed wellbore can comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising a plurality of degradable sealing particulates into a completed wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having an existing fracture therein; sealing the existing fracture with at least a portion of the degradable sealing particulates, thereby forming a degradable particulate seal; after sealing, allowing any degradable sealing particulates remaining in the treatment fluid to degrade, such that the treatment fluid becomes substantially particulate free; and after the treatment fluid becomes substantially particulate free, fracturing the subterranean formation so as to introduce at least one new fracture therein.
US08720546B2
Disclosed herein is introduction of different nutrient solution formulations to a subterranean target site to prevent biofilm formation and biomass aggregation at the sand face of an injection well bore during MEOR or bioremediation processes. A first nutrient solution formulation supports growth of introduced microorganisms and a second nutrient solution formulation is used to promote biofilm formation to allow plugging of pores and channels in the subterranean target site, for MEOR or bioremediation.
US08720538B2
A cold energy storage system for a vehicle includes an air-conditioning unit that includes an evaporator and a heater core. The system stores cold energy during a cooling operation and supplements the cooling operation by using the stored cold energy after stoppage of the cooling operation. A cold energy storage tank (50) connects in parallel to an engine cooling circulation circuit to the heater core. The storage tank (50) has a liquid storage layer (50A) for engine coolant and a refrigerant layer (50B) in which refrigerant from the evaporator flows. A mode switcher switches between a storing cold energy mode and a cooling supplement mode. In the storing cold energy mode, engine coolant stored in the liquid storage layer (50A) is refrigerated during the cooling operation. In the cooling supplement mode, refrigerated engine coolant from the liquid storage layer (50A) is introduced to the heater core.
US08720532B2
An airflow control apparatus includes a controllable airflow resistance aligned with an airflow path of a plurality of airflow paths, a sensor capable of detecting an airflow condition in at least one of the plurality of airflow paths, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the controllable airflow resistance and to the sensor, and can control the controllable airflow resistance to manage airflow recirculation based on the airflow condition detected by the sensor.
US08720530B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a multi-layer wick for a loop heat pipe is provided. The multi-layer wick includes a primary wick, the primary wick comprising: a first layer; and a second layer, wherein the first layer surrounds the second layer; and a secondary wick, wherein the second layer of the primary wick surrounds the secondary wick.In another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a multi-layer wick is provided. The method includes machining the outer diameter of an inner layer larger than the inner diameter of an outer layer; heating the outer layer to enlarge the inner diameter; inserting the inner layer into the outer layer; and cooling the inner layer and the outer layer.
US08720529B2
A heat exchanger for use in a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, including a plurality of first and second tubes; a first heat exchanger section, a boundary portion, and a second heat exchanger section; a plurality of first fins disposed on the first heat exchanger section and a plurality of second fins disposed on the second heat exchanger section; and a partition member formed at the boundary portion, wherein the partition member is made of a synthetic resin or synthetic rubber and in contact with the plurality of the first and second tubes and end surfaces of the plurality of the first and second fins at the boundary portion such that the partition member blocks the air from flowing between the first heat exchanger section and the second heat exchanger section.
US08720527B1
A method for manufacturing a cast product having a photographic relief image thereon is disclosed. The method includes steps of capturing a photographic image as a digital grayscale image, converting the digital grayscale image to a series of instructions for operating a laser engraving machine; laser engraving a pattern material to provide a pattern having a photographic relief image therein corresponding to the digital grayscale image and having a relief depth of about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch, wherein the relief depth refers to the maximum relief distance within the photographic relief image, and wherein the photographic relief image exhibits a true resolution corresponding to at least about 80 dpi; creating a mold cavity in sand using the laser engraved substrate; and casting a metallic material in the mold cavity to provide a cast product having the photographic relief image therein.
US08720526B1
A process is provided for forming an airfoil for a gas turbine engine involving: forming a casting of a gas turbine engine airfoil having a main wall and an interior cavity, the main wall having a wall thickness extending from an external surface of the outer wall to the interior cavity, an outer section of the main wall extending from a location between a base and a tip of the airfoil casting to the tip having a wall thickness greater than a final thickness. The process may further involve effecting movement, using a computer system, of a material removal apparatus and the casting relative to one another such that a layer of material is removed from the casting at one or more radial portions along the main wall of the casting.
US08720522B2
A motorcycle wheel changing tool is presented that utilizes a rolling carriage that immobilizes the front or back wheel utilizing flat steel swing arms and a tension spring that holds the wheel in place with a knockout retaining rod through the wheel. The entire unit can be rolled and/or lifted in place to work in conjunction with a motorcycle stand. There is a folding handle that expands or contracts to accommodate different size tire/wheel widths and can pull the unit. The rolling wheels can be raised or lowered for different motorcycles depending on the height of the bike in relation to the wheel stand. Additionally, four large eye hooks can be raised or lowered to secure the wheel. Two threaded rods are utilized that secure both angle ends in place to secure the unit so that it is perpendicular to the wheel and keeps the unit from flexing.
US08720521B1
A tape dispenser assembly facilitates dispensing and cutting tape. The assembly includes a housing having side panels and upper wall and lower walls extending between the side panels. The upper and lower walls are spaced defining an interior space therebetween. A forward edges of the upper and lower walls form a dispensing opening in the housing. A tape formed into a roll positioned in the interior space. The roll of tape has a free end extendable through the dispensing opening. A roller assembly coupled to the housing includes a roller positioned proximate the dispensing opening. A non-sticky side of the tape abuts the roller proximate the free end of the tape. A blade is positioned proximate the roller assembly to cut the tape by manipulating the housing such that the blade engages the tape.
US08720520B2
A machine for equipping articles with labels, such as vessels or similar items, including at least one carousel which transports the articles, at least one exchangeable labeling aggregate which is arranged on the periphery of the carousel for equipping the articles, where, on the periphery of the carousel, at least one stationary floor-supported aggregate reception for a labeling aggregate is arranged.
US08720514B2
A tire comprising a hooping reinforcement, wherein the axial distance between neighboring portions of the hooping reinforcement is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and smaller than or equal to 2 mm, with the exception of one first axial region L1 and two second axial regions L2. The axial distance of each of the axial ends of the first axial region L1 from the median plane is greater than or equal to 0.05·S and smaller than or equal to 0.15·S, S being the maximum axial width of the tire. The two regions L2 are provided on both sides of the median plane, each second axial region being centered at an axial distance D2 from the median plane, D2 being greater than or equal to 0.25·S and smaller than or equal to 0.4·S. Each second axial region L2 has an axial width W2 that is greater than or equal to 0.1·S. The sum of the axial widths of the first and second axial regions is smaller than or equal to 0.5·S. The difference between the average axial distance between neighboring portions of the hooping reinforcement in the first and second axial regions L1 and L2, and the distance outside the first and second axial regions L1 and L2 is at least 0.2 mm.
US08720511B2
A run flat tire which comprises a ply layer (4) disposed extending toroidally between a pair of bead cores and comprising ply coating rubber and ply cords, an inner liner layer (5) disposed circumferentially at an inner side of the ply layer, side reinforcing rubber layers (6) having an approximately crescent-shaped cross section and disposed in side portions of the tire between the ply layer and the inner liner layer and rubber sheets (7) disposed extending at interface of the ply layer and the side reinforcing rubber layer, wherein relations of t90>tp10 and t10
US08720505B2
A tire (3) for vehicles, which does not require pressurization by means of a pressurized fluid, has a tread (16), two sidewalls (15), and two beads (8) attached to a wheel rim (2) and made of elastomer material; the tire is provided with at least one tubular reinforcement body (18) which is associated with the tread; each of the sidewalls have a respective homogeneous resilient annular membrane (24).
US08720501B2
A hollow needle comprising a shaft having a distal portion suitable for passing through an elastomer closure of a container, said shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and having a central longitudinal axis, and having an internal longitudinal conduit therein for the flow of liquid and one or more orifices communicating between the conduit and the exterior of the needle, the distal portion of the shaft being provided with a pointed end that has a profile comprising a cutting edge in the form of two part cutting edges converging in the longitudinal direction to meet at the needle point, each part cutting edge extending in a straight line in a widthways direction across a plane including the central longitudinal axis, on both widthways sides of the cutting edge the pointed end having a profile which is a non-cutting surface, wherein the pointed end of the needle tapers from an outer surface of said distal portion toward the point of the needle, and the distance, measured in a further plane defined by said two part cutting edges between the outermost ends of said part cutting edges, is smaller than the largest outer dimension of said distal portion, measured perpendicular to said central axis in said further plane.
US08720500B2
A system and method for waking up a vehicle controller during a hydrogen gas refueling process for a high pressure hydrogen storage tank on a fuel cell vehicle. The system includes a first temperature switch mounted to the high pressure tank and enclosed within an insulation housing for monitoring the temperature within the tank and a second temperature switch for monitoring the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the refuel receptacle, where the second temperature switch is also enclosed within an insulation housing. If the temperature within the tank increases above a predetermined temperature, the first switch will close, and if the temperature at the refueling receptacle falls below a predetermined temperature, then the second switch will close, which causes a wake up signal to be provided to the controller to allow the controller to monitor the temperature of the tank.
US08720499B2
A fuel quality monitoring system and method to automatically and/or continuously monitor quality of fuel dispensed and control the operation of the fuel dispenser. The control system monitors fuel quality to prevent unsafe refuelings when the fuel quality is unacceptable. In one embodiment, a combination of a differential pressure sensor, a water detector, and/or a particle monitor is employed inline the fuel flow path of a fuel dispenser, and in particular an aviation refueling truck, to monitor the quality of the fuel. If fuel quality is at an acceptable level although not ideal, the control system can allow fueling with the generation of reports and alarms. If the fuel quality is unacceptable, fuel flow can be stopped. If the differential pressure across the filter indicates a high degree of debris and/or water retention, the control system can automatically lower the flow rate to reduce the risk of filter breakdown without completely preventing fueling until the filter can be replaced.
US08720495B2
The present invention discloses an integrated supplying apparatus for gas and sizing. It comprises a sizing barrel, a gas supply unit and a switching unit. The sizing barrel and the gas supply unit are both connected with the switching unit. When the switching unit is fixed in a first state by a safety cover, the gas supply unit can only output high pressure gas through the switching unit. When the switching unit is converted into a second state by releasing the safety cover, the gas supply unit in turn outputs some high pressure air into the sizing barrel through the switching unit, so that the sizing inside the sizing barrel is output under the action of the gas pressure and the gas inside the sizing barrel is then output when completing the output of the sizing.
US08720494B2
Method and apparatus for filling bags with loose materials, wherein a package to be filled is filled by means of a filling element in a filling process. The filling process comprises a filling stage, a settling stage, and a discharge stage wherein during the filling stage, loose material is filled into the bag while admitting air and in the settling stage, a settling phase is provided for the pressure to drop and in the discharge stage, the bag is discharged from the filling element. In the settling phase, the squeezing device applies a squeezing pressure to the package so as to vent the package and to reduce the volume available to the package, until a predetermined reduction of the volume available to the package is reached, whereupon the squeezing pressure of the squeezing device on the package is reduced and the package is discharged from the filling element.
US08720486B2
A valve apparatus includes a valve main body provided with a first inlet and outlet, a valve chamber to which a valve port is open, and a second inlet and outlet connected to the valve port. A valve shaft having a valve body portion for opening and closing the valve port is provided in the valve chamber. A relief valve is provided within the valve body portion to relieve a pressure of the valve chamber to the second inlet and outlet when a fluid pressure of the refrigerant within the valve chamber becomes a predetermined pressure or more in a fully closed state in which the valve port is closed by the valve body portion, thereby to automatically relieve a fluid within a valve chamber without causing a cost increase and an enlargement of size.
US08720476B2
An apparatus for engaging and moving a ram block. In some embodiments, the apparatus, or ram block changer, includes a support bracket coupled to a blowout preventer and an articulated arm releasably coupled to the ram block. The ram block changer may further include a pivot coupling assembly having a first axis of rotation. The pivot coupling assembly extends through the support bracket and the articulated arm, wherein the articulated arm is rotatable about the first axis of rotation relative to the support bracket. The articulated arm may include a first member receiving the pivot coupling assembly therethrough, a second member coupled to the ram block, and a second pivot coupling assembly having a second axis of rotation spaced apart from the first axis of rotation and extending through the first and second members. The second member is rotatable about the second axis of rotation relative to the first member.
US08720475B2
An air valve connector is threadly engaged to a nozzle head of an air pump, which is eccentrically and pivotally connected with a cam lever. The cam lever is adapted to press against a plug and an airtight ring disposed in the nozzle head to compel the valve connector to connect with different types of air valves such as a French type valve, a German type valve, an English type valve, and an American type valve. The air valve connector is reversed easily between first and second positions to be adapted to connect with the different type valves by the user.
US08720473B2
Cell flow technology is a platform technology comprised of a family cell, or multiple familiar cells (matrix), in a homogeneous or heterogeneous group format, which includes primary and secondary active cells and passive cells. These continuance cells in a congruent or varying size and shape that have the same or different degrees of capabilities are interconnected and interactive with or without the advantage of a properly calibrated and variable continuance valve(s) and shall dynamically transfers air, gas, liquid, or other substance or media, or mixture thereof by a continuously variable, and renewable, continuance of pressure resistance autogeneously through elastomeric potential energy, geometric advantages, introduction of a force, or removal of a source of a force. Thereby, the family cell will perform the predetermined function in a present device that shall use the technology for a wide array of uses for any imaginable living being that shall operate the technology.
US08720459B2
An anti-slip foot assembly for a strut is disclosed. An embodiment of the anti-slip assembly includes a heel pad adapted to resist normal forces applied by the strut, a plurality of independently flexible toes adapted to resist the lateral forces that tend to cause slipping. A foot assembly with retractable cleat system is also disclosed.
US08720451B2
A wrapper (16) for a smoking article filter, the wrapper comprising at least one aperture (20) and an additional strengthening material (22) around the at least one aperture. A filter for a smoking article comprising such a wrapper, and a method of manufacturing such a wrapper and such a filter.
US08720449B2
A cigar punch with retractable plunger that includes a housing that has a cutting edge and an end-to-end passage having two sub-passages with different cross-sectional area. The cigar punch further includes a plunger extending through the housing and protruding from the cutting edge of the housing. The plunger includes at least one locking pin and a knob. The cigar punch further includes a biasing means to bias the plunger head for movement towards the cutting end when the plunger is in retracted position. To cut the cigar plug, the plunger is retracted and locked using locking means, thereby compressing biasing means and exposing the cutting edge to cut and hold a cigar plug. The plunger is unlocked by twisting the knob. The biasing means effects movement of the plunger head towards the cutting end, thereby automatically ejecting plug from within the cigar punch.
US08720444B2
A breathing assistance apparatus includes a main body unit, a head strap unit, a nasal prong unit, and an intake unit. The main body unit has a rearwall, a frontwall, a connecting wall connected between the rearwall and the frontwall to define a chamber thereamong. The connecting wall has a rearwall-connecting portion connected to the rearwall, and a frontwall-connecting portion connected between the frontwall and the rearwall-connecting portion and having a thickness smaller than that of the rearwall-connecting portion so as to allow for floating movement of the frontwall relative to the rearwall.
US08720443B2
A respiratory mask includes a mask frame and a forehead support provided to the mask frame. The forehead support includes a base extending from the frame. The base includes a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length including a material and/or physical characteristic that allows the base to flex from an original, unloaded position.
US08720437B2
A head protective equipment comprises: —a breathing mask (2) connectable to a breathing-gas source and adapted to be applied, in a use position, around an user's nose and mouth, for supplying said user with breathing gas; —a shield (6) adapted to be applied around the user's eyes; and—first and second lock elements (28, 30, 38, 40), respectively located on said mask and on said shield, and adapted to cooperate with each other in order to secure said shield to said mask when said mask is in said use position around said user's nose and mouth, said first and second elements being adapted to create a snap-together connection, —said shield and said mask being adapted to be locked together by a two-step movement, the first step consisting in approaching the shield to the mask until said shield reaches said mask, and the second step being a substantially linear movement until locking.
US08720435B2
Atomizer for a ventilation machine with a ventilator, including a body with a first connection for connecting the atomizer to a ventilator and a second connection for connecting the atomizer to a line leading to a patient, wherein the body forms a flow channel from the first connection to the second connection; and an atomizing device for atomizing a fluid; wherein the atomizing device is disposed between the first connection and the second connection in the flow channel and adapted so that the fluid can be atomized substantially parallel to, and preferably in, the flow direction from the first connection to the second connection.
US08720434B2
The invention provides a medicine ejection device which provides stable ejection even when a reservoir with high sealability is used and can eject an appropriate amount of medicine. A medicine ejection portion 1 includes an ejection nozzle 1a for ejecting a medicine and an element 1b which generates energy for ejecting the medicine from the ejection nozzle 1a, and is connected to a medicine storing portion 2 for storing the medicine. The medicine storing portion 2 is blocked from the outside air except a path through the ejection nozzle 1a, so that when the medicine is ejected from the ejection nozzle 1a, a pressure difference is formed between the outside and the inside of the medicine storing portion 2. A pressure unit 3 which is a feature of the present invention pressurizes a movable wall 5 when ejecting a medicine, which is displaced so that the volumetric capacity of the medicine storing portion 2 decreases due to the pressure difference.
US08720416B2
The disclosure provides a method of detecting and inhibiting an abnormal combustion event in an internal combustion engine, comprising operating the internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas from the cylinder at a break mean effective pressure greater than or equal to 10 bars at a speed less than or equal to 2,000 revolutions per minute; monitoring the exhaust gas from the cylinder with an oxygen sensor while the internal combustion engine undergoes a pre-ignition combustion event; obtaining an output from the oxygen sensor, the output from the oxygen sensor providing an indicator of the pre-ignition combustion event; and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine in response to the output of the oxygen sensor, wherein the at least one operating parameter is adjusted to inhibit an occurrence of a subsequent pre-ignition combustion event.
US08720411B2
The invention relates to a reciprocating piston engine, comprising at least one main combustion chamber, which is formed between a piston and a cylinder and which is connected by means of a riser to a pre-chamber having a pre-chamber axis, so that gas-air mixture pushed from the main combustion chamber into the riser by the piston forms a rising flow in the pre-chamber, wherein a gas supply channel separate from the riser opens into the prechamber, and wherein the riser and the gas supply channel are oriented with respect to each other in such a way that gas fed into the pre-chamber by means of the gas supply channel hits the rising flow substantially head-on, wherein the riser runs at an angle from the pre-chamber axis.
US08720408B1
An oil distribution system for a vehicle diesel engine having a replacement oil cooler block which directs oil to a remote oil filter block. Filtered oil is routed across the supply passage of a thermostat to an oil-to-air oil cooler. Oil from the cooler is directed via a return passage to the oil cooler block for distribution to the engine. The thermostat will bypass oil directly to the return passage when the oil temperature is below a preset level. The system may be an OEM system or a retrofit modification to existing engines. The system may include multiple oil-to-air heat exchangers and may be adapted to retain existing components such as a stock oil-to-coolant oil cooler.
US08720407B2
In an engine crankcase including a crankshaft supported at its front end by a crankshaft bearing having a crankshaft bearing cover including a bearing top part and a bearing bottom part and a front end gear drive arranged in front of the crankcase for driving auxiliary component and including a first drive gear mounted onto the crankshaft, a second gear mounted to the auxiliary component and an intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the first and second gears and supported on a support plate, the support plate is screwed onto the crankcase, the bearing top part and the bearing bottom part.
US08720405B2
A piston including a crown and a skirt extending generally axially away from the crown. The skirt includes a pair of opposed skirt panel portions and a band spaced away from the crown and extending generally around a perimeter of the piston. The piston further includes a pair of strut assemblies, each strut assembly including a pair of struts which converge in a radially outward direction. Each strut terminates at or adjacent to one of the panel portions.
US08720399B2
In a valve timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine, a first lock member is installed axially movably on either one of a housing and a vane member, a first lock recess section with which the first lock member is engaged when the vane member is relatively revolved at an intermediate phase position between most advance and retardation angle sides is installed on the other of the housing and the vane member, and a third lock recess section is installed at a retardation angle side in a circumferential direction of the housing with respect to the first lock recess section to limit a relative rotary position of the vane member at the most retardation angle side by an engagement of the first lock member with the third lock recess section.
US08720398B2
A continuous variable valve lift apparatus may include an input cam disposed to an input shaft, a valve elastically supported by a valve spring, a rocker arm of which an end may be connected with the valve and the other end may be connected a rocker ratio change guide, which may be slidable along the length direction of the rocker arm and the rocker arm rotates around the rocker ratio change guide according to rotation of the input cam so as to open and close the valve, and a control portion selectively varies position of the rocker ratio change guide.
US08720397B2
A compensating arrangement for a variable compression ratio engine, the compensating arrangement comprising a piston (1) reciprocally movable in a guiding sleeve (2) having an open end (24) in communication with a combustion cylinder of the engine and a closed end (11, 30), wherein the arrangement further comprises a first pneumatic cushion (20) formed between the closed end (11, 30) of the guiding sleeve (2) and the internal surface of the piston (1) such as to limit the movement of the piston (1) towards the closed end (11, 30) of the guiding sleeve (2), a second pneumatic cushion (19) formed between the guiding sleeve (2) and the external surface of the piston (1) such as to limit the movement of the piston (1) towards the open end (24) of the guiding sleeve (2), and a check valve (18) configured to provide pneumatic medium to the second pneumatic cushion (19) in amount dependent on the displacement of the piston (1) during its movement towards the closed end (11, 30) of the guiding sleeve (2).
US08720394B2
A variable compression ratio (VCR) apparatus with dual eccentric links is mounted on an engine, receives combustion power of a fuel-air mixture from a piston to rotate a crank shaft and changes a compression ratio of the fuel-air mixture. The VCR apparatus may include a connecting rod having a large end portion formed at one end thereof, which is connected to the crank shaft to receive a torque of the engine, and a small end portion formed at the other end thereof, the small end portion having a coupling hole formed therein, a pair of eccentric links having one ends coupled to the coupling hole from both sides facing each other and integrally rotating, and an eccentric rod connected to the other ends of the eccentric links and rotating within a predetermined angle range. The eccentric rod may be a pair of eccentric rods.
US08720390B2
Hydrogen is produced from methanol and water under supercritical temperature and pressure conditions desirably without any catalyst. The hydrogen can be produced in situ on an internal combustion engine using a heat source such as the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to achieve the supercritical temperature.
US08720384B2
A dog walking tube comprising a hollow tube having a first end and a second end. The hollow tube has a portion that will hold fecal matter waste bags. The opposite or second end of the hollow container receives and stores used fecal matter waste bags. The dog walking tube may allow used and new fecal mater waste bags to be held within the dog walking tube and not the dog walkers hand during the walk.
US08720380B1
The present invention provides a sink enclosure for bathing pets that provides a safe environment for such bathing. The sink enclosure is composed of a number of vertical posts which support a heavy duty vinyl panel that extends around the sink and withstand water flow, spray, and pet nail penetration. An adjustable front access panel allows the pet owner easy access to the pet within the enclosure. The sink enclosure provides a water barrier and pet restraint. The invention adapts to any size sinks and configuration, and is highly durable and adds a high level of safety for both the animal and the bather. The enclosure is easy and fast to put up and take down, usually within a few minutes.
US08720373B1
A bale holder for use with a bale feeder having an open upper end. The bale holder includes an upstanding framework, having an open upper end, which is secured to the upper end of the bale feeder. The bale holder includes a selectively pivotal door which extends over a portion of the upper end of the framework. The door is movable between a bale supporting position to a second position. A stand-by bale may be supported on the door and the upper end of the framework when the door is in its bale supporting position. When the door moves from its bale supporting position to its second position, the stand-by bale drops downwardly into the bale feeder.
US08720364B2
A portable machine and process is described for covering all sides of an elongated object with a liquid without the use of brushes. The machine is particularly useful with manufactured building products such as a fence picket, trim, molding, or any other type of board. The machine generally has four stations, an entry station that drives the object down a track, a liquid application station where the object is covered by liquid that is poured over the object, a blower station where the fluid is spread evenly over the object and excess fluid is blown off, and an exit station that continues to pull the object down the track and directs the object as the object leaves the exit station. Finally, the object may enter a releasably attached drop track.
US08720363B2
A water activated device having a lower casing with a cavity into which a spring is received, followed by a plunger and a bobbin. The lower casing attaches to an upper casing which houses a floatation member and includes a central aperture sized to allow the plunger to pass. The bobbin is sandwiched between the floatation member and the plunger. The floatation member defines a line holding dispensing spool such that one end of a line is attached to the spool and the opposite end of the line is attached to the device. The bobbin is the water sensitive trigger: when the water comes in contact with the bobbin, the bobbin starts to disintegrate losing its structural integrity, allowing force to enable the spring, forcing the plunger against the floatation member which discharges the floatation member from the upper casing. Once the floatation member is discharged, the floatation member floats to the water surface.
US08720350B2
A pallet for transportation and handling of goods includes a base and a deck above the base for supporting goods. The pallet includes at least one location element that is provided between the deck and the base arranged to substantially limit lateral motion of the deck relative to the base. At least one isolator is provided between the deck and the base arranged to provide shock and vibration isolation to the deck from the base. In another aspect, the pallet includes at least one isolator between the deck and the base arranged to provide shock and vibration isolation to the deck from the base, the isolator including a resilient hollow shell that is open to the atmosphere in at least one place.
US08720343B2
A transverse-longitudinal perpendicular automatic adjusting apparatus used for a cutting machine is disclosed. The automatic adjusting apparatus comprises a cross beam (8), a driving trolley (5), a driven trolley (7), a rotating shaft (1), a rolling bearing (2), a driving connecting plate (3) and a disc spring (4). The cross beam (8) is a drawn cross beam. The driving connecting plate (3) is connected to a bottom surface of the cross beam (8). A bottom surface of the cross beam is rigidly connected with a driven connecting plate (6), which is connected with the driven trolley (7). The apparatus ensures stable operation and is inexpensive. The apparatus is easy to adjust, install and manufacture.
US08720340B1
The rocket launcher includes a launching tube that extends vertically from a flat base. The launching tube is of an undefined length and includes an opening adjacent to the bottom distal end where the flat base attaches. The flat opening includes a hinged door that opens to enable insertion of a rocket or firework therein. The door includes a plurality of small holes thereon so as to enable air to pass there through along with a fuse if applicable. A handle is also attached to and extends from the exterior surface of the launching tube, and enables the rocket launcher to be carried between uses.
US08720337B2
A printing device system comprises a printing roller that has a blanket adhered to an outer surface thereof. The printing device system further comprises a drying device that dries the blanket of the printing roller.
US08720332B2
In a cylinder throw-on/off apparatus for a printing press, a cylinder throw-on/off motor is driven while the notch of a blanket cylinder opposes the notch of a plate cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the plate cylinder, and driven while the notch of the blanket cylinder opposes the notch of an impression cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder. A throw-on operation control unit drives the cylinder throw-on/off motor, to control throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder for the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. A motor drive amount calculation unit obtains a drive amount of the cylinder throw-on/off motor, while controlling the throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder, in accordance with the rotation phase of the printing press.
US08720331B2
A screen printing device and screen printing method in which, in screen printing which is to be applied to a cavity circuit board configured by bonding board members together, printing misalignment hardly occurs. A mask member has a cavity-portion corresponding mask region MRC where a mask pattern MPC corresponding to cavity-portion electrode patterns is formed on the bottom faces of fitting portions to be fitted into cavity portions CV; and a flat-portion corresponding mask region MRF where a mask pattern MPF corresponding to flat-portion electrode patterns is formed as separate regions. Positioning between the cavity-portion corresponding mask region MRC and the cavity-portion electrode patterns is performed, and screen printing is applied. Positioning between the flat-portion corresponding mask region MRF and the flat-portion electrode patterns is performed, and screen printing is applied.
US08720327B2
A device for untangling pieces of laundry, in particular flat pieces of laundry, is provided. The device is integrated into a processing system that includes a washing system, a press and a conveying system. The mass of laundry is delivered from the press, is conveyed through a rack-like housing, and is untangled. The laundry is then transferred to a transverse conveyor belt in separated form.
US08720326B2
A sealing head for a strapping machine welds steel strapping material to itself in an end-to-end weld. The sealing head includes a body, a drive, an end grip at the inlet to the body, a cutter, a grip clamp and a loop grip downstream of the end grip. The loop grip is carried on a carriage that is movable in a direction along the strap path. A leading end of strap is secured by the end grip and a loop portion of the strap is gripped by the loop grip and severed by the cutter to form a loop end. The loop end is secured by the grip clamp. The loop grip carriage moves the loop end toward the leading end as current is passed though the loop end and the leading end to weld the ends to one another in an end-to-end weld.
US08720324B2
An improved stovetop grilling device includes a grilling surface, a catch tray and a heat conducting element. The grilling surface has a plurality of upward pointing V-shaped first members. The first members are attached at first and second ends to a first supporting frame. Adjacent pairs of their side edges are spaced apart by a first distance. The catch tray has a plurality of downward pointing V-shaped second members. The second members are attached at their first and second ends to a second supporting frame. Adjacent pairs of their side edges are spaced from one another by the first distance. The first supporting frame is located over the second supporting frame such that drippings from the grilling surface fall into the catch tray. The heat conducting element has a plurality of upward pointing planar third members that extend upwardly between the second members and contact undersides of the first members.
US08720317B2
A piston engine may include a non-contact bearing between a piston assembly and a cylinder. The piston may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder, and a non-contact bearing may be included in a clearance gap between the piston assembly and the bore. A bearing fluid may be supplied to the clearance gap via the piston assembly and/or cylinder to create the non-contact bearing. A bearing element may be used to direct or otherwise manage the flow of bearing fluid in the clearance gap. The bearing element may include one or more holes, porous portions, and/or passages to direct the bearing fluid to the clearance gap.
US08720309B2
A ratchet wrench having easily assembling structure includes a body, a D-head, a loose ratchet, a heart-shaped spring, a disc and a ring. The body has a head portion. The head portion has a through hole. A plurality of teeth is uniformly defined on the through hole. The D-head is rotatably disposed in the through hole and has a connecting member and a threaded member. The loose ratchet is disposed on the D-head. The heart-shaped spring has a closed tip. The disc is disposed on the head portion. A shouldered hole is opened on the disc. A ring is disposed onto the shouldered hole. The ring is disposed onto the shouldered hole. Under this arrangement, a user engages a tool bit with the connecting member of the present invention to lock a bolt by repeatedly rotating the body of the present invention clockwise/counterclockwise.
US08720304B1
A bicycle crank assembly of bicycle cranks and axle includes a first crank having a first hole which has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end. A first protrusion extends from the inner periphery of the first open end and a second protrusion extends from the first protrusion. The second protrusion has a first restriction face. An axle extends through the first crank and has a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end. The third end has a fixing portion on the outside thereof. The fixing portion has a recessed portion defined in the connection area with the axle. The recessed portion has a second restriction face which is matched with the first restriction face so as to evenly share the stress.
US08720295B2
A manipulator includes a mechanical arm, a cable positioned in the mechanical arm, at least one cable protection device, and a plurality of fasteners. The at least one cable protection device is fixed to the mechanical arm by the fasteners. The mechanical arm defines a receiving slot, in which the cable is partially received. The at least one cable protection device includes a fixing member and a resilient arm. The fixing member is connected to the mechanical arm, opposite to the receiving slot. The resilient arm is capable of swinging relative to the fixing member.
US08720281B2
A method and apparatus for operating a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter and determining a current zero offset for the vibrating flow meter. The current zero offset can be determined based on the received sensor signals. The method also comprises the step of determining one or more current operating conditions. The one or more current operating conditions can be compared to one or more previous operating conditions of the offset correlation. The method also includes the step of generating an average zero offset if the offset correlation includes a previously determined zero offset corresponding to the current operating conditions. The average zero offset can be based on the current zero offset and the previously determined zero offset.
US08720274B2
A device includes a substrate 5, an emission source 1 emitting an acoustic beam from the first surface 7 of the substrate 5 towards the second surface 6 of the substrate 5, first reflection element 11 arranged so that, after reflection, the beam has a propagation direction substantially parallel to the second surface 6 and through a study area 3, and second reflection element 12 for reflecting the beam after crossing the study area 3 in the direction of the first surface, towards a receiver 10. The device is useful in the field of bioMEMS and labs-on-a-chip, and in particular makes it possible to leave one of the surfaces of the substrate free, for example for observation of the study area in parallel by element of an optical microscope. Moreover, the device facilitates the production of elements for the focussing or divergence (lenses) or reflection (mirror) of the acoustic beam.
US08720270B2
A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.
US08720265B2
A spring testing fixture and measuring assembly thereof are described. The spring testing fixture includes a measuring assembly, an upper cover and a lower cover. The measuring assembly further includes a contact plate, a containing space and a buckling unit. The contact plate of the measuring assembly is correspondingly adapted to the configuration (or profile) of the spring for effectively restricting the exerted force on the spring to precisely measure the practical reliability and the life span of the spring.
US08720261B2
The jig may include a base plate having mounting surfaces, upper mounting holes formed in the mounting surfaces and disposed symmetrically, lower mounting holes formed through both of the mounting surfaces, respectively, and disposed under the upper mounting holes, an upper support bracket having one end connected to both of the upper mounting holes and another end fixed and connected to one mounting surface, a lower support bracket having one end connected to both of the lower mounting holes and another end fixed and connected to another mounting surface, a first sample fixing rod connected and supported across the upper support bracket at both sides, and a second sample fixing rod connected and supported across the lower support bracket at both sides.
US08720256B2
Modifications to the indenter probe tips and transducer, and proper selection of optics in an indentation system allow straight down or slightly angled optical viewing of the sample surface under the indentation tip by a microscope, by providing an optical path through the transducer from the sample surface under the tip to a microscope objective, thereby simplifying alignment of the tip to features on the sample.
US08720243B2
The invention describes a switching device which can be variably positioned (45), in particular a foot switch (47), which is connected, preferably wirelessly, to a control device (46) optionally co-operating with a production unit (1), in particular a press brake (2), for transmitting signals and/or data. A positioning system (50) is provided as a means of changing the position when necessary, which comprises at least a detection unit (51) and a drive system (52) in the form of a bogie provided with a drive mechanism and at least one drive member.
US08720242B2
The present invention provides a rolling mill of a plate or a sheet which eliminates rolling trouble due to warping of the rolled material and wavy shaped flatness defects running through the plate or sheet width direction such as “waviness”, “full waves, and “small waves” by providing a pair of a top and bottom work rolls, a pair of electric motors independently driving the pair of rolls, and control means for controlling one electric motor using the roll rotational speed as a control target value and controlling the other electric motor using the rolling torque applied to the rolled material from the work roll driven by that electric motor becoming substantially constant as a control target and using the drive torque as a control amount and a control technique of such a rolling mill of a plate or a sheet.
US08720241B1
A cylinder lock and key combination includes a cylinder lock with a housing accommodating a rotatable key plug having a keyway. A row of tumbler pins are arranged in corresponding cylindrical chambers for engagement with coded V-cut bittings of an associated key. A longitudinal side bar with a row of inner projecting lugs each selectively registering with one or more recesses in the tumbler pins is slidingly journalled for transversal movement in the key plug. The coded V-cut bittings are at a respective angle and are located at a respective vertical level. The row of inner projecting lugs of the side bar is located above the top bitting level of the key blade. The tumbler pins are positioned in pin recesses located in a cylindrical outer surface and covered by a cylindrical wall part of an associated one of said cylindrical chambers, without communicating downwardly with the keyway.
US08720231B2
An apparatus for coloring optical fibers, includes: a first reservoir for containing a natural coating material to be applied onto an optical fiber being drawn; a second reservoir for containing a colorant to be mixed with the natural coating material; a mixer in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs to receive a first flow of natural coating material and a second flow of colorant and to mix the first and second flows to obtain a colored coating material; a coating die in fluid communication with the mixer to receive the flow of colored coating material and to apply it onto the optical fiber being drawn. A first gas pressure source is associated with the first reservoir, exerting on the natural coating material a first gas pressure variable as a function of at least one optical fiber drawing parameter, and a second gas pressure source is associated with the second reservoir, exerting on the colorant a second gas pressure variable as a function of at least one optical fiber drawing parameter. The first and second lines have relevant pressure drop in a ratio corresponding to the ratio of natural coating material and colorant providing the colored coating material.
US08720223B2
A food storage system including a secondary bowl that is adapted to be positioned at least partially on and/or in a main lid. The secondary bowl is adapted to be detachable from the main lid.
US08720221B2
A refrigerator that has a refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment. A refrigerating compartment door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. An ice compartment located in the refrigerating compartment is located on the refrigerating compartment door. An ice maker is located in the ice compartment and a dispenser is located on the refrigerating compartment door.
US08720208B2
An aircraft gas turbine engine includes a core engine 1 having a high pressure turbine 6 and a downstream low pressure turbine 7. A bypass duct 18 surrounds the core engine 1. A mixer 19 is arranged in an inlet portion of the low pressure turbine 7, into which a bypass flow 20 from the bypass duct 18 and a core flow 22 from the core engine 1 are supplied.
US08720206B2
Methods and systems are provided for inducing combustion dynamics within turbine engines to remove combustion deposits within the turbine engine during operation of the turbine engine.
US08720193B2
A catalyst heating system includes a monitoring module, a mode selection module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The monitoring module monitors at least one of (i) a first active volume of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) a first temperature of a non-EHC of the catalyst assembly. The mode selection module is configured to select a non-EHC radiant heating mode and generate a mode signal based on the at least one of the first active catalyst volume and the first temperature. An EHC control module increases temperature of the EHC to an elevated temperature that is greater than a stabilization temperature based on the mode signal. The stabilization temperature is greater than a catalyst light off temperature.
US08720173B2
A mower unit configured to be supported to a work vehicle at a position between front wheels and rear wheels, comprises a mower deck; at least one blade supported by the mower deck; a climb-up assist member in which an inclined surface is formed for assisting the wheels in climbing over the mower unit; and a connecting device for detachably connecting the climb-up assist member to the mower unit in a service position in which the inclined surface assists the wheels in climbing over the mower unit.
US08720168B2
A form-fill-seal machine has a tube, a sailor-collar-shaped part, and a vertical sealing mechanism. The sailor-collar-shaped part wraps a sheet-shaped film around the tube so that two edges thereof define overlapping portions. The vertical sealing mechanism ultrasonically seals the overlapping portions of the sheet-shaped film in the vertical direction. The vertical sealing mechanism has an oscillator and a roller. The oscillator generates ultrasonic waves. The roller is disposed downstream of the oscillator along the advancing direction of the film. The roller holds down the film while rotating in the advancing direction of the film after the film has passed the oscillator.
US08720157B1
An assembly for a levelable rail gauge leveling tie and associated methods of preparing a railway bed for the laying of a railway track and laying railroad track employing the assembly. The assembly includes a longitudinally elongated U-shaped rail gauge leveling tie, and first and second leveling studs. The leveling tie has first and second transversely extending orifices proximate the longitudinal ends. The leveling studs are operable for threaded engagement within a corresponding orifice through the leveling tie whereby rotation of a leveling stud within the corresponding orifice effects a change in the transverse distance between the distal end of the rotated leveling stud and the central portion of the leveling tie.
US08720149B2
A rectangular floor panel is described with mutually parallel, substantially planar upper and lower sides and with two pairs of respective mutually opposite side edges connecting the upper and lower sides, wherein the opposite side edges of a pair are provided with complementary profiles for interconnecting adjacent floor panels. Of at least one pair of opposite side edges the profile of a first side edge is provided with a frontal face and a counter face, whereas the profile of the corresponding second side edge of the respective pair of opposite side edges is provided with a frontal face and counter face, respectively, cooperating therewith. The frontal faces and the counter faces are provided with locking tabs cooperating in the interconnected position of adjacent floor panels. The floor panel further is provided with two reinforcement layers extending substantially in parallel to the upper and lower sides of the floor panel, wherein the locking tabs substantially are positioned at the level of said reinforcement layers.
US08720143B2
In an embodiment, a tile spacer for providing spacing between adjacent tiles during installation on an installation surface includes a body portion defining a substantially planar surface, a flange portion extending outward from the body portion along the planar surface and at least one arm member extending from the flange portion substantially perpendicular to the planar surface and configured for insertion between adjacent tiles
US08720140B2
An extruded synthetic deck panel includes an elongate plank portion having a plank portion top surface and a plank portion bottom surface, and a first side and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the first and second sides extending lengthwise of the plank portion. A first engagement member extends laterally outwardly from the first side of the plank portion and lengthwise along the plank portion, the first engagement member including a plurality of first holes therethrough for drainage through the first engagement member, the first holes spaced apart lengthwise along the first engagement member. A second engagement member for inter-engaging with the first engagement member of an adjacent like deck panel extends laterally outwardly from the second side of the plank portion and lengthwise along the plank portion, the second engagement member comprising a fastening strip extending laterally away from the plank portion.
US08720131B2
A mounting system for photovoltaic modules includes at least two profile-shaped cross rails arranged parallel to each other and configured to hold several PV modules. Each cross rail includes plane supporting surfaces. The PV module is mounted by placing it onto the at least two cross rails so that the at least two holders lay flat on the plane supporting surfaces of the at least two cross rails. The PV module is then moved in a joining direction perpendicular to the cross rails while lying on the plane supporting surfaces so that either a recess engages with an integrated protrusion or a protrusion engages with an integrated recess. A retaining safety device is disposed between at least one cross rail and its corresponding holder and is configured to counteract a move against the joining direction.
US08720118B2
The vehicle door construction includes a bezel carrying a door release lever and linkage connected by a pair of first attachments to a door trim panel and by a second attachment to a door inner panel. The pair of first attachments includes a collar with an aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the bezel via the collar to the door trim panel. A small tab integrally connects the collar to a main portion of the bezel and defines a rupturable area when force is exerted on the door causing the door trim panel to separate from the door inner panel. The tabs rupture to allow the door trim panel to separate from the door inner panel while maintaining the bezel and the door release lever and linkage fixedly attached to the door inner panel.
US08720117B2
An explosive breach training system comprising a frame having a lock jamb with two opposing ends and an inner surface, two wide members connected to the opposing ends of the lock jamb, and a long member having ends connected to the wide members. The frame defines an interior space. A hinge jamb assembly comprises an elongate member within the interior space, the assembly being slidably attached to the frame and moveable between the lock jamb and the long member. A door member has a hinge side attachable to the assembly and a lock side, and fits in a door space defined by the elongate member, the lock jamb, and the portions of the wide members extending between the assembly and the opposing ends of the lock jamb. A lock bracket is adjacent to the lock jamb, and defines an elongate slot intersecting with a portion of said door space.
US08720115B2
The invention relates to a door for a paper shredder, for closing at least one interior that is open to one side and location below a cutting mechanism in the housing of the paper shredder or a similar device, comprising at least one viewing window and hinges for fastening the door to the housing, the door being composed of at least two profiled parts.
US08720113B1
A non-handed door operator comprising a motor connected to a mounting plate; at least one gear assembly coupled to the motor and having a driven gear and a driving gear; a gear coupled to the at least one gear assembly; a shaft fixed to the gear and rotatable around an axis in a first rotational direction, the shaft having a first end and an opposing second end; at least one cam positioned on the shaft and having a shell of revolution about the shaft axis; at least one switch intersecting the shell of revolution of the at least one cam; and an arm attachable to the first end and the second end of the shaft.
US08720108B2
A composition in compacted form for use for termite monitoring and control comprises a cellulose material which may be purified cellulose or micro-crystalline cellulose as a base bait, the composition being compacted to an optimum density of not less than approximately 1.033 g/cc. Also disclosed is a method for monitoring and controlling termite infestations which comprises the steps of a) preparing such a composition; b) placing the composition in a bait station; c) monitoring the station at periodic time intervals for termites; and d) upon observing termite infestation in the bait station, replacing the above composition with a bait composition containing a termite killing agent.
US08720104B2
A customized fishing lure system having a lip and a body. The lip being adapted to provide resistance when said fishing lure is moved within water. The body having a keyway adapted to receive, engage and lock the lip. The lip being adapted to releasably engage with the body without the need of another structural element or hand-tool. The lip further having a stem portion and a protrusion portion being adapted to releasably engage within the keyway. The lip is not capable of being releasably disengaged from the body by merely apply a longitudinal tensile force to the lip. The lip is releasably engaged within the keyway by applying a rotational force no greater than 360 degrees.
US08720098B2
The tactical precision grip includes an elongate body having an upper mounting portion for mounting the grip to existing mounting hardware on a firearm. At least the sides and back of the body include anti-skid surfaces to prevent slip on the hold during operation. An upper depression is formed on the back of the body for placing a user's thumb, and the front of the body includes an elongate, vertical fingertip groove for placing the user's fingertips during shooting. The depression and the fingertip groove encourage user placement of the respective thumb and fingertips to minimize contact with the firearm grip, thereby enhancing trigger control and shooting accuracy.
US08720097B2
A trigger lock is provided with a shield member having a U-shaped channel forming a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first flange, with a web connecting the first and second plates. The shield member has a peripheral contour that is complementarily shaped to closely match the transition contour of a firearm, in the region of the firearm frame transitioning between the thick frame and the thin trigger guard. The shield member is fitted over the trigger guard, with the trigger guard situated within the U-shaped channel. A plug is inserted through an aperture in the first plate, through the trigger guard, and through a second aperture in the second plate. The plug is secured within the shield member by a lock attached to the end of the plug protruding from the second aperture, thus preventing access to the trigger and preventing removal or substantial movement.
US08720093B2
A recoil reducing buffer and stock adaptor having a front portion adapted to fit into and connectively engage with the backplate of an H&K-style rifle and a rear portion comprising an aperture adapted to accept and connectively engage with an AR-15/M16 buffer tube. The adaptor attaches to an H&K-style rifle between the action or receiver and the buttstock and allows the rifle to accept and function with a larger and/or stronger H&K-style rifle buffer than its original factory-installed buffer. The adaptor reduces the recoil of an H&K-style rifle by allowing the rifle to function with a larger and/or stronger H&K-style recoil buffer than its original factory-installed buffer. The adaptor also makes substantially all existing H&K-style rifles compatible with substantially all current and existing H&K-style rifle stocks and AR-style rifle stocks and stock accessories.
US08720091B1
A three-dimensional marking display to partially enclose conventional outdoor lighting poles whereby the display includes a circular or multisided wrap having a top affixed to the upper edge of the wrap and a bottom affixed to the lower edge of the wrap for attachment to the upright lighting pole element.
US08720087B2
Coupling assemblies for releasably holding separable parts together, and in particular for releasably securing a wear member to a support structure in excavating equipment are formed so as to provide increased take up to ensure a tight fit of the wear member on the support structure even if considerable deviation between the parts exists due to wearing, manufacturing variations or the like. The coupling assemblies are suitable for securing points, adapters, shrouds, or other replaceable component to various excavating equipment. The components of the coupling assembly include a wedge and a spool that pivots about a fulcrum when the wedge is driven into assembly for increased take up capabilities. The spool is rotatably engaged around a fulcrum of the support structure and has a bearing portion that bears against and moves the wear member to be secured to thereby take up any gaps between the engaging surfaces of these members. A movable insert may be provided to improve the cooperation between the wedge and the spool to further increase the available take up.
US08720082B2
An improved desolventizer toaster and methods are provided wherein a solvent vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle solvent vapor throughout a portion of the desolventizer portion of the apparatus housing. In other embodiments of the invention, a water vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle water vapor throughout a portion of the toaster portion of the apparatus housing. The solvent vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate meal dust separator, blower and superheater. The water vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate ejector or blower and superheater. Water vapor recovered in the solvent extraction process may be used as a water vapor feed to the heated water vapor recycling system.
US08720077B1
A photographic aid measuring tape is formed of a flexible, tearable substrate having regularly spaced markings on the top side and an adhesive on the back side to allow the invention to be temporarily affixed to an object or item, such as a wall, ceiling or floor. The invention has markings of sufficient size to be readable in a photograph taken of the event using a digital camera and the image viewed using standard software on a conventional computer.
US08720071B2
A weed trimmer having an accuracy shield. The accuracy shield is a generally planar, circular configuration that is attached to a weed trimmer at a location in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the rotating line and in close proximity thereto between the rotating line and the housing having a debris shield. The accuracy shield protects the line from being severed too short and also provides a convenient guide for edging wherein the cut is uniform and easy to control.
US08720067B2
A contoured roller set and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A male roller having a convex surface and a pair of female rollers each having a concave surface can receive a generally thin sheet of material and impart a doubly-curved shape to the sheet. The convex and concave surfaces of the male and female rollers can have a radius of curvature chosen to match a radius of curvature of the sheet of material. The rollers are positioned and shaped to urge the sheet between the female rollers to cause the sheet to curve toward the male roller.
US08720059B2
A method and ground support equipment (GSE) for attaching an engine core to an engine fan module on an aircraft pylon. The GSE may comprise GSE supports and lifting components attached to the pylon, two suspension rails attached to the lifting components, two translating rails translatably attached to the two suspensions rails and fixedly attached to opposite sides of the engine core, and two alignment fittings fixed to the engine fan module. The method of using the GSE may comprise lifting the engine core vertically using the lifting components and anchoring the suspension rails to the alignment fittings. The translating rails and engine core may then be translated in an aft-to-forward direction such that portions of the translating rails engage portions of the alignment fittings to cooperatively guide the translating rails into a final forward position in which the engine core is aligned relative to the engine fan module.
US08720054B2
To provide a method of setting a performance characteristic of a pump for setting a performance characteristic of a pump, the pump including an impeller that takes in fluid from a suction port and that sends out the fluid toward a discharge port, and a diffuser provided in a flow passage between the impeller and the discharge port, where the diffuser includes a hub arranged in a central portion of the flow passage, a shroud arranged around a periphery of the hub, and a plurality of diffuser vanes radially arranged from an outer peripheral surface of the hub toward an inner peripheral surface of the shroud, and the method includes a mounting-position setting step of setting a mounting position of each of the diffuser vanes to be mounted on the hub according to the performance characteristic of the pump in a direction perpendicular to a radial direction extending from the hub toward the shroud.
US08720052B2
A method of applying a conductive pattern of metal onto a web of indefinite length material. This method includes applying a metal containing composition onto the web in a predefined pattern, providing a roll having a very low thermal mass, and conveying the patterned web around the roll while simultaneously applying heat energy to the metal containing composition thereby converting the metal to a conductive pattern. This allows for flexible circuitry to be fabricated in an inexpensive roll-to-roll process.
US08720048B2
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board includes arranging a core layer in which a bending prevention portion of at least two layers that are metal layers having different thermal expansion coefficients is disposed between a plurality of insulating members; forming a circuit pattern so as to have a desired pattern on at least one of the inside of the core layer and an outer face of the core layer; and forming an insulating layer including an opening portion that exposes the circuit pattern on the core layer.
US08720046B2
In a production system general-purpose cell for general-purpose use in processing and transportation of a received workpiece in a production system of processing and delivering the workpiece, the production system general-purpose cell includes a base unit having a planar shape of quadrangle and supporting at least a robot for use in transportation of the workpiece such that the robot is movable on the planar area of quadrangle, a parts supply unit for supplying parts of the workpiece to the robot supported by the base unit, and a processing area extending outside the base unit. The robot supported by the base unit having a motion range set in a range from inside to outside the base unit in a form including at least part of the processing area.
US08720042B2
A stator manufacturing method which manufactures an insulated conductor coil and mounts this coil to the core, the insulated conductor coil being formed by deforming an insulated conductor into a shape having rectilinear in-slot conductor sections and coil end sections having bent sections, the conductor having an enamel layer formed on the outer periphery thereof and also having an extruded resin coating layer formed on the outer periphery of the enamel layer, comprises: a first step of forming the conductor coil by deforming the conductor to form the bent sections while the coating layer of the conductor is in a non-crystalline resin state; a second step of heating the extruded resin coating layer of the conductor coil to change into a crystalline resin state to a temperature higher than or equal to the glass transition temperature; and a third step of mounting the conductor coil to the core.
US08720040B2
A method of manufacturing a hollow waveguide including a metal pipe and a hollow region formed inside of the metal pipe includes pressure-bonding metal pipes each of which includes a metal material different from each other to form a metal-clad pipe including an inside metal layer and an outside metal layer, and polishing a surface of the inside metal layer.
US08720037B2
A method for making a guide channel includes providing an auxiliary jig comprising a coupling structure and a corresponding coupling structure of a drilling jig so that the auxiliary jig and the drilling jig are arranged in a defined spatial position. An auxiliary bore is drilled into the auxiliary jig. An auxiliary bore sleeve comprising a reference ring plane is inserted into the auxiliary bore predefined by a target depth. The auxiliary jig is placed on the drilling jig in the defined spatial position. A guide bore is drilled into the drilling jig. A guide sleeve is inserted into the guide bore using a positioning tool so as to form the guide channel. The guide sleeve comprises a depth stop for the drill stop. The guide sleeve is inserted to an insertion depth defined by the reference ring plane and the reference device. The auxiliary jig is removed.
US08720033B2
A wiper blade assembly has a resilient wiper element with a crown having lengthwise grooves and a tip for wiping a window. An arcuate metal flexor has inner edges disposed in the grooves of the crown and outer edges. An elongate cover has an upper wall and a pair of flanges curled inwardly in spaced relation from the upper wall to provide elongate channels. The outer edges of the flexor are disposed in the channels. The connector is configured for attachment to a wiper arm, and has a lower surface with a pair of flanges curled in spaced relation from the lower surface to provide opposite facing pockets that slidingly receive the cover flanges therein. A projection on one of the connector or the cover is received in an opening of the other of the connector or the cover to lock the connector to the cover.
US08720024B2
A method for processing a ring type piezoelectric device comprises: providing a ring type piezoelectric embryo; printing at least a pair of electrodes to divide the ring type piezoelectric embryo into a plurality of equal sections; and immersing the divided ring type piezoelectric embryo into high temperature silicon oil with high voltage for polarization so as to make the polarization of the ring type piezoelectric device perpendicular to a cross-section thereof.
US08720015B2
There is provided a slide fastener that includes a pair of fastener stringers provided with fastener element rows having a plurality of fastener elements along opposing tape-side edges of fastener tapes, and a slider slidably attached to the fastener element rows to engage an disengage the fastener elements. One of the fastener stringers is separated from the slider when a lateral pulling force directed outward in a width direction of the fastener tapes is applied to the pair of fastener stringers. Inner surfaces of the upper and lower flanges at one side of the body in the width direction, are formed as inclined surfaces in which thicknesses of the inclined surfaces gradually increase as the inclined surfaces extend from an inside to an outside in the width direction.
US08720002B2
A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a flexible hose having a first end that is connectable to a main body of the cleaning appliance and a second end, a handle portion for maneuvering the handle assembly during use and a tubular wand. The second end of the flexible hose is connected to the handle portion, and the tubular wand is slidably mounted in the handle portion so as to be movable between a first position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion inside the flexible hose and a second position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion away from the flexible hose.
US08720001B2
A tool for a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a housing having a suction opening. An agitator, such as a brush bar, is rotatably located in the suction opening of the housing. The interior of such a tool can get blocked due to large objects being drawn in through the suction opening, or else by threads and fibers becoming tangled in the brush bar. The brush bar may be removed through the suction opening for replacement or repair. A portion of the housing may also be removable to clear the way for the user to access a narrow opening in the neck of the tool which may be prone to blockage.
US08720000B2
Vacuum cleaner including a container (1, 101) provided with a suction mouth (8, 108), motor elements (2, 20) and at least one suction fan (3, 103), in which the vacuum cleaner includes at least one additional machine (4, 10, 104) connected to the motor elements through transmission elements (7, 11) that can be activated selectively. A particularly preferred application has a ‘canister’ type of vacuum cleaner that additionally includes a high-pressure pump unit, fitted on the opposite side to the vacuum cleaner fan or on the same side, in axis or off axis, and driven by the motor by an idle gear and a speed reduction unit.
US08719997B1
A pass-through vacuum includes a mixing tube and separate and removable housing extending along a mutual central longitudinal axis. The housing contains at least one location for retaining a nozzle which extends along a nozzle axis and has an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a compressed gas source and an outlet in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the mixing tube via an aperture. The nozzle axis of the nozzle extends at an acute angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the mixing tube. The at least one nozzle accelerates gas from the compressed gas source to create an improved performance to entrain gas and material to flowing through the mixing tube from the entrance end to the exit end. The mixing tube and the housing can each be independently configured to optimize their function and performance.
US08719996B1
A cleaning apparatus is disclosed for processing a moving surface. The cleaning apparatus includes a pad that is attached to a support structure, wherein the pad includes a plurality of pad apertures and the support structure includes a plurality of support structure apertures. A vacuum is provided proximate the plurality of support structure apertures for removing debris from a moving surface during use as well as for facilitating cooling of the pad during use.
US08719989B1
The chemical pigging apparatus for pipelines includes a forward component and a rearward component. The forward component has front and rear seals, with a chemical chamber between. A flexible elongate dispensing tube is in communication with the front of the chamber, with the tube having a perforated dispensing tip at its forward end. The chamber is open to the rear, with a piston sealing the rear portion of the chamber. The rearward component has a rearward component seal, with a rod extending forward of the seal. The rod has a protrusion that seats within a mating socket at the rear of the piston. The apparatus is propelled through a pipeline by pressure behind the rearward component seal, with the rearward component pushing the forward component through the pipeline and pushing the piston into the chemical chamber to expel chemicals through the forward dispensing tube and its dispensing tip.
US08719987B2
A thin-type automatic cleaning device includes a main body, a fan module and a dust collecting box. The main body includes a placing chamber for receiving the fan module. The dust collecting box has an outer surface with a shape corresponding to that of the placing chamber, and the dust collecting box is received within the placing chamber. The lower casing is provided with a receiving cavity from the bottom surface toward the interior of the dust collecting box to cover the fan module. The dust collecting box forms a nested structure with the fan module thereby to reduce the thickness of the device.
US08719986B2
Disclosed herein is a control method of a washing machine which minimizes damage to laundry to be washed. The control method includes executing a washing cycle to wash laundry to be washed by supplying wash water, dissolving detergent in wash water and washing the laundry, executing a rinsing cycle to rinse the laundry by draining wash water, spin-drying the laundry, and rinsing the laundry, and executing a spin-drying cycle to spin-dry the laundry by draining wash water and spin-drying the laundry, wherein the dissolving of the detergent is carried out at a water level lower than a predetermined reference water level.
US08719981B2
A pillow having a bladder for containing fluid or gas and on top of which compressible fill is to float. The pillow includes an elongate neck support mat atop an upper surface of the bladder, under the compressible fill, and extending along the substantially the length of one side of the bladder. The elongate mat provides upwards neck support when a user's head displaces fluid or gas by applying a downwards force near the center portion of the bladder.
US08719979B2
A patient support system includes independently adjustable end columns supporting a centrally hinged, jointed or breaking patient support structure. At least one column includes a powered rotation assembly. The patient support includes at least two sections. A coordinated drive system provides for both upwardly and downwardly breaking or jointed orientations of the two sections in various inclined and tilted positions. Cable, cantilevered and pull-rod systems are included.
US08719964B2
The present invention relates to articles and gloves having a polymer coating on at least a portion of the article or gloves's surface, wherein the polymer coating comprises a polyurethane dispersion made from the reaction product of an isocyanate functional prepolymer, a chain extender, and a chain terminator; and methods for making the same. The articles and gloves of the present invention have improved flexibility, breathability, dexterity and feel, and provide self-sanitizing and self-deodorizing capabilities and improved non-slip grip performance in dry, wet, humid and lubricated conditions.
US08719963B2
A protective sports glove including a contoured wrist cuff that substantially shields a gap defined between adjacent portions of the protective sports glove, such as hand and cuff portions. The contoured wrist cuff and/or the cuff portion can include multiple segments that enable the wrist cuff to flex with a wearer's wrist. The contoured wrist cuff can include a leading edge that contours forwardly adjacent a thumb portion of the contoured wrist cuff and rearwardly across a portion of the radial side of a wearer's hand when the glove is on the wearer's hand. This can allow protection of the wearer's wrist in flexion without also impairing movement of the wearer's wrist.
US08726401B2
According to the present invention, a data transmission apparatus capable of transmitting data by using a plurality of transmission media, comprises an authority storage unit, adapted to store authority information representing use authority to use each transmission medium by each user; and a transmission control unit, adapted to, in transmitting data, restrict data transmission to a destination corresponding to a transmission medium for which a current user does not have the use authority.
US08726399B1
A trusted apparatus including an input filter, security mode indicator working with a proxy node thwart the possibility of spyware being able to observe user input when a security mode signal indicates security mode asserted. The trusted apparatus may further include any combination of the user input device, the proxy node, and a router. A personal computing device may include the trusted apparatus. The proxy node may include the router. The proxy node operates to create an authentic response based upon the authentic input from the input filter, and may be operated to create revenue, which is also a product of these processes.
US08726396B1
A method and apparatus for scanning protected files for violations of a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy is described. In one embodiment, a protected file scanning tool monitors protected files in a computing system, and when one of the protected files is created, opened, or saved, the protected file scanning tool obtains a running instance of a data object, corresponding the protected file, from a data store that stores information to track objects that are currently running on the computing system. The protected file scanning tool extracts the decrypted data from the obtained data object, and scans the decrypted data to detect a violation of a DLP policy.
US08726393B2
An overall cyber security risk diagram is generated from a hierarchy of determined KPI's by combining a Procedures and Protocol KPI determined from values assigned to answers to questions presented to organization personnel implementing a control systems, with a Group Security Policies KPI that is determined from system-wide policy information and settings of the automation system by an automated processing device tool, and a Computer Settings KPI determined from device setting data collected from individual system devices by the automated processing device tool and relevant to cyber security. The device setting data comprises service areas unique to each device that are not assessable by review of the domain data collected and used to determine the Group Security Policies KPI. Each level of the hierarchy of determined KPI's may be used to generate a representation of relative risk of a cyber-security attribute.
US08726388B2
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of scanning for malware during execution of an application on a computer system. The method includes detecting accesses by the application to files within a common directory, using the detected accesses to identify one or more groups of files within said common directory that the application may subsequently want to access, and scanning said one or more groups of files for malware prior to the application attempting to access files of the group or groups.
US08726387B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a Trojan horse in a suspicious version of a software application in the form of at least one electronic file. A computer device determines a source from which the suspicious version of the software application was obtained. A comparison is then made between the source from which the suspicious version of the software application was obtained and a source from which an original, clean version of the software application was obtained. If the sources differ, then it is determined that the suspicious version of the software application is more likely to contain a Trojan horse than if the sources were the same.
US08726385B2
Disclosed are systems and methods to perform coordinated blocking of source addresses, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, across a plurality of network appliances (e.g., gateways). In one disclosed embodiment the method and system temporarily alter a configuration of one or more network appliances (based on user defined configuration parameters) to allow communication from a “blocked” IP address for a period of time. A network appliance can then “receive” an email and perform analysis and provide results of the analysis to a reputation service. Thereby, the temporarily allowed communication can be used to learn information about a threat which would not have been available if all communication from that IP address had actually been blocked at the network appliance.
US08726383B2
Disclosed herein are techniques for detecting possible security intrusions in a computer network. The security intrusion detection may be based on analyzing patterns of how transactions flow through one or more software applications. For example, patterns of transaction flows are determined for an initial time period to establish a baseline of normal flow patterns. These normal flow patterns may be compared with patterns for transaction flows for a later time period. Deviations in the patterns of transaction flow may indicate a possible security intrusion.
US08726378B2
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer readable storage mediums for validating input parameters provided to an application, including executing the application using the one or more processors, collecting one or more validation aspects associated with the application to provide a set of validation aspects, receiving a first input parameter that is associated with a first validation point, extracting a first data type of the first input parameter, and determining that a validation aspect corresponding to the first data type is available in the set of validation aspects and, in response, applying a corresponding validation function to the first input parameter.
US08726364B2
Methods and systems to authenticate and load a plurality of boot logic modules in corresponding access protected memory regions of memory, and to maintain the access protections in run-time environments. Access protection may be implemented with access control list (ACL) policies expressed in terms of page boundaries to distinguish between read, write, and execute access requests.
US08726342B1
A keystore access system is provided that controls access to a keystore. The keystore access control system receives a request to access content of the keystore from a software application component. The keystore access control system applies a stored authorization policy to the request to determine whether access to the content of the keystore is granted. The keystore access system further grants the software application component access to the content of the keystore when it is determined that access to the content of the keystore is granted. The keystore access system further denies the software application component access to the content of the keystore when it is determined that access to the content of the keystore is not granted.
US08726338B2
In general, techniques are described for dynamic threat protection in mobile networks. A network system comprising a network security device and a management system may implement the techniques. The management system includes a network server having a shared database. A mobile device manager (MDM) of the management system receives a report message from a mobile device, specifying a threat to a mobile network. The MDM publishes the threat to the shared database. A network management system (NMS) of the management system receives data from the shared database identifying the threat and generates a security policy that specifies actions to address the threat. The NMS then installs the security policy in the network security device so that the network security device performs the actions of the security policy to address the threat.
US08726322B2
In certain embodiments, a transmitter transmits an output packet stream containing non-real time program content, a FLUTE file description table (FDT), NRT service metadata and NRT content metadata. A multiplexer is configured to multiplex the IP packet stream to contain: NRT program content, the FLUTE FDT, NRT service metadata, and NRT program content metadata. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08726321B2
A master scheduler system and method automatically operate and/or coordinate operation of a plurality of relatively independent systems, including manual systems, to function as an NVOD system to provide automating diverse operations for supporting and maintaining an NVOD system. The master scheduler system and method may also be applied to automate manual processes of analog-based and digital broadcast based service. The master scheduler receives, processes, and disseminates NVOD schedule-related information for end-to-end NVOD service; that is, sending video from a back-end which stores video data to a head-end for viewing by a user. The master scheduler also provides operations support for the NVOD system, such as maintaining the head-end configuration, allocating channels, performing asset management, performing content management, etc. The master scheduler provides validation of scheduling information by comparing information such as programmed schedules, asset metadata, and data obtained by measuring asset parameters, for example duration.
US08726318B2
A multimedia information receiving apparatus receives multimedia information which is transmitted by a broadcast system and receives multimedia information which is simultaneously transmitted by another transmission system such as IP communications, and generates one received information by selecting elements having a few errors from elements of demodulated broadcast system information and elements of demodulated other transmission system information and then arranging the selected elements.
US08726315B2
A method and a service side and a terminal for finding an interactive electronic service guide. Said method comprises: the server side down-issuing the information corresponding to the finding interactive ESG service to the terminal through the broadcast channel, and the terminal acquires the information for finding the interactive ESG service in the broadcast channel. Said server side comprises a sending module of the related information for finding interactive ESG service and a down-issue module for the ESG supplier list. The terminal comprises a receiving module of the related information for finding the interactive ESG service and a receiving module for the ESG supplier list.
US08726306B2
Device-specific pre-provisoining access-limiting for a modem and a consumer premise equipment device
A method of initializing, provisioning, and managing a cable modem and a customer premise equipment device includes, prior to receiving the configuration file for the cable modem, providing an equipment identification message containing a description of the customer premise equipment device connected to the cable modem. In the case where the cable modem has yet to be provisioned, the configuration file received from the network server is a particular access-limiting configuration file that is selected from a group of access-limiting configuration files. The selection of the particular access-limiting configuration file is based on the description of the customer premise equipment device in the equipment identification message. This allows different devices to have different network restrictions or different walled gardens.
US08726305B2
Methods and systems for application rendering and management on internet television enabled displays
Computer implemented methods for managing communication between a display device and a remote server or services is provided. A remote server provides access to widget applications that are to be used on the display device. The method includes receiving a request from the display device, and the request includes data that identifies attributes of the display device. Then, examining the data to authorize access a specific application widget gallery. The specific widget gallery includes widget applications that have passing filter parameters for the request. Then, returning to the display device data for populating attributes or widget application data for rendering on the display device. Furthermore, the methods and systems for providing access to, installing, administering and rendering web-based applications (e.g., widgets) on a display device, which connects to a server, are provided. The server is defined by a system infrastructure of software, hardware and storage that can be distributed, load balanced and securely accessed over the internet from any connected location on the globe. A display device, as used herein, is generally a system, with integrated hardware and software that will enable access to the internet, browsing and connections to remote processing servers and storage. The display device, in one example, is a television set, with integrated hardware, memory and software, which can connect to the Internet.
US08726301B2
A cover for an optical disc drive. The cover includes: a body having a top portion that is configured to cover a disc if the disc is inserted into the optical disc drive, and a pressure structure formed on the body and having an asymmetrical shape.
US08726294B2
A mobile computing device with a mobile operating system and desktop operating system running concurrently and independently on a shared kernel without virtualization. The mobile operating system provides a mobile user experience while the desktop operating system provides a full desktop user experience when the mobile computing device is docked to a secondary terminal environment. Applications of the desktop operating system communicate with applications and services of the mobile operating system through a cross-environment communication framework. The cross-environment communication framework may include application programming interfaces through which categories of applications can communicate across a multiple operating system computing environment through category-specific remote communication calls. The mobile computing device may be a smartphone running the Android mobile operating system and a full desktop Linux distribution on a modified Android kernel.
US08726289B2
A method of streaming attachment of hardware accelerators to a computing system includes receiving a stream for processing, identifying a stream handler based on the received stream, activating the identified stream handler, and steering the stream to an associated hardware accelerator.
US08726288B2
In order to improve processing efficiency, a command execution device includes: a behavior type decision unit which decides a behavior type indicating the content of a data input/output operation, according to the content of data processing executed by an entered command; a command storage unit which refers to setting information set in advance for each of the behavior types, and stores the command in a command queue created for each priority level, based on the priority level included in the setting information; and a command execution unit which fetches, out of commands stored in the command queue, a command stored in a section of the command queue having the highest priority level from the command queue, and executes the command.
US08726258B2
Approaches for customizing a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) compatible firmware component to support multiple hardware components. The UEFI compatible firmware component may be implemented by linking one or more executive drivers created in an executive module of the firmware component. The executive drivers, instead of platform drivers, are executed by UEFI dispatchers. The platform module, rather than being a collection of drivers, functions as a platform library that links to the executive drivers. One or more programs for providing one or more library functions to the one or more executive drivers are also linked into the firmware component. Call outs to board library functions provided by a board module are implemented in the executive drivers, instead of drivers of the platform module. The board library functions replace the one or more library functions provided to the executive drivers and reflect a change in a customer reference board (CRB).
US08726253B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods for a compiler are described. One such compiler converts source code into an automaton comprising states and transitions between the states, wherein the states in the automaton include a special purpose state that corresponds to a special purpose hardware element. The compiler converts the automaton into a netlist, and places and routes the netlist to provide machine code for configuring a target device.
US08726252B2
A compiler of a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) information handling system (IHS) identifies “if-then-else” statements that offer opportunity for conditional branch conversion. The SIMD IHS employs a processor or processors to execute the executable program. During execution, the processor generates and updates SIMD lane mask information to track and manage the conditional branch loops of the executing program. The processor saves branch addresses and employs SIMD lane masks to identify conditional branch loops with different branch conditions than previous conditional branch loops. The processor may reduce SIMD IHS processing time during processing of compiled code of the original “if-then-else” statements. The processor continues processing next statements inline after all SIMD lanes are complete, while providing speculative and parallel processing capability for multiple data operations of the executable program.
US08726239B2
An isolation system is described for converting original product code into corresponding modified code. The isolation system operates by identifying a subset of original methods to be converted. For each such original method, the isolation system generates a modified part having at least one property with a type-safe delegate type which matches a signature of the original method. Test code, which tests the product code, can then associate a delegate instance to the thus-defined property of the original method. This prompts an execution system to dynamically execute detour code associated with the delegate instance, rather than an instrumentation of the original method, thus avoiding dependency on potentially non-deterministic functionality which would be otherwise invoked by an instrumentation of the original method.
US08726237B2
Many computer applications involve event driven programming. Unfortunately, it may be burdensome on application developers to develop event handlers in unmanaged code for all relevant events within their computer application. For example, when using COM objects in connection with event handling, the burden of lifetime management may be placed on the application developer. Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for event handling in unmanaged code are disclosed herein. A delegate comprising a first interface and a second interface is provided. The delegate may receive event data from a software platform connected to the first interface and may notify a function of a process connected to the second interface. The delegate self destructs when both the computing platform and the process have released their connections to the respective interfaces, thus mitigating manual coding of lifetime management functionality within the process.
US08726232B1
A tool for enabling a user, such as a programmer and a designer, to identify patterns in a program or model and to determine duplicated portions of the program or model that have the same or similar pattern is disclosed. The pattern may include the connectivity of the elements in the group as well as the attributes and parameters of the elements in the group. The tool may also enable the user to replace the duplicated portions of the program or model with a sub-program or sub-model that can be shared for the duplicated portions. Code for the sub-model may be used for the simulation or generated code for the duplicated portions of the program or model in the simulation or code generation of the program or model.
US08726228B2
System and method for specifying and implementing programs. A graphical program is created in a graphical specification and constraint language that allows specification of a model of computation and explicit declaration of constraints in response to user input. The graphical program includes a specified model of computation, a plurality of interconnected functional blocks that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program in accordance with the specified model of computation, and specifications or constraints for the graphical program or at least one of the functional blocks in the graphical program. The specified model of computation and specifications or constraints are useable to analyze the graphical program or generate a program or simulation.
US08726227B2
Modeling a governance process of establishing a subscription to a deployed service in a governed SOA
Modeling a governance process of establishing a subscription to a deployed service in a governed Service Oriented Architecture (‘SOA’) and generating, in dependence upon the modeled governance process, one or more automation modules, each automation module comprising a module of computer program instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, supports performance of one or more steps of the modeled governance process, where the modeled governance process includes collecting available service artifacts associated with a deployed service; determining whether the deployed service meets predefined functional requirements; if the deployed service meets the predefined functional requirements, determining whether the deployed service meets predefined non-functional requirements if the deployed service meets the predefined non-functional requirements, creating a subscription request; requesting approval of the subscription request; and if approval is received, creating a subscription to the deployed service.
US08726221B2
A method for selecting and placing of an IP block in a SOC design based on a topology and/or a density of the SOC design is disclosed. Embodiments include: displaying a user interface; causing, at least in part, a presentation in the user interface of a topology and density view of a SOC design that includes an IP block; and modifying, prior to a tape-out of the SOC design, topology and/or density transition for the IP block in the SOC design based on the presentation.
US08726220B2
A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. The planar layout is analyzed and corresponding FinFET structures are generated in a matching fashion. The resulting FinFET structures are then optimized. Dummy patterns and a new metal layer may be generated before the FinFET layout is verified and outputted.
US08726212B1
An embodiment method of streamlining parasitic modeling using a common device profile includes importing, using a processor, a simulated middle end of line (MEOL) profile into a characterization tool, generating, using the processor, a MEOL pattern based on the simulated MEOL profile, import, using the processor, the MEOL pattern and a real profile into a field solver to generate a MEOL capacitance table, updating, using the processor, capacitance data in the characterization tool based on the MEOL capacitance table generated, and generating, using the processor, a resistance and capacitance parasitic extraction technology file using the characterization tool with the capacitance data as updated.
US08726208B2
A utility includes a design-for-manufacturing (DFM) checker configured to check layout patterns of an integrated circuit, and a layout change instruction generator configured to generate a layout change instruction based on a result generated by the DFM checker. The DFM checker and the layout change instruction generator are embodied on a non-transitory storage media. The layout change instruction specifies an identifier of a layout pattern among the layout patterns, and a respective layout change to be performed on the layout pattern.
US08726202B2
An image of a mask pattern is overlaid on an image of a mask blank annotated with the center location and dimensions of each measured mask defect. Design clips centered at the measured defects are generated with lateral dimensions less than allowable movement of the mask pattern over the mask blank. Each design clip is converted into a binary image including pixels corresponding to defect-activating regions and pixels corresponding to defect-hiding regions. Each pixel region representing the defect-activating region is expanded by laterally biasing peripheries by one half of the lateral extent of the defect located within the corresponding design clip. Biased design clips are logically compiled pixel by pixel to determine an optimal pattern shift vector representing the amount of pattern shift.
US08726182B1
A multi-stage throbber that can be used to communicate stages of progress of resource loading in a browser to a user. In an embodiment, a method for communicating resource loading progress in a browser is provided. The method includes evaluating the resource loading progress, identifying a throbber stage representative of the evaluated resource loading progress, and outputting multi-stage throbber data for rendering a multi-stage throbber at the identified throbber stage.
US08726173B2
A method, system and apparatus for browser based enablement through customized temporary browser profiles. A method for enabling a browser based application through a customized temporary browser profile can include the following steps. First, responsive to a request to provide a browser based application to a content browser in a client computing device, a customized browser profile can be applied in lieu a default browser profile in the content browser. Subsequently, the browser based application can be loaded in the content browser and the customized browser profile can be deleted in temporal proximity to the loading step. Preferably, the applying step can include receiving wrapper logic in the content browser; and, executing the wrapper logic to configure the customized browser profile and to apply the customized browser profile to the content browser.
US08726172B1
Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
US08726162B2
An audio apparatus contains a plurality of playable files stored in a database and organized in folders. The folders can be listed in a manner understandable at a glance even when viewed on a small display area and when the hierarchical structure shows a minimum level of detail. A folder selection section selects a folder from a database, and a directly-under-folder detection section detects if a playable file exists directly under a folder selected. A folder-under-folder detection section detects if a playable file exists directly under any folder located under the selected folder assuming no playable file exists directly under the selected folder.
US08726147B1
A computer-implemented method for restoring web parts in content management systems may include identifying a backup of a content management system. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying an instruction to restore at least one web part of the content management system. The computer-implemented method may further include retrieving the web part. The computer-implemented method may additionally include identifying at least one object referenced by the web part. The computer-implemented method may also include recreating the object within the content management system. The computer-implemented method may additionally include updating the web part to reference the recreated object. The computer-implemented method may also include restoring the web part to the content management system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08726133B2
When errors occur in a packet received from a satellite terminal device, a modulation and coding (MODCOD) value is calculated according to a result of the detection, and a calculated MODCOD value is transmitted to the satellite terminal device, so that packet loss is reduced based on the yield of actual traffic when the satellite terminal device transmits a return link packet. An occurrence of a packet error is detected by generating a first return link packet by sequentially assembling the plurality of return link packets from the satellite terminal device and performing a comparison analysis by comparing the first return link packet with a newly received second return link packet.
US08726131B2
A method of data transmission includes encoding an information block according to a predetermined retransmission protocol to generate, for a single hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) instance, a transport block having information bits and error detection bits and channel coding different parts of the transport block using different modulation and coding schemes to generate one or more codewords for transmission to a receiving station.
US08726126B2
This can relate to non-regular parity distribution of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as flash memory, and detection of the non-regular parity via a metadata tag. For example, each codeword of the NVM can include one or more parity pages that may be distributed at random through the NVM. To identify the page as a parity page, a parity page marker can be included in the metadata of that page. During power-up of the NVM, an address table including the logical-to-physical address mapping of the pages can be created. Pages including a parity page marker, however, can be skipped during the creation of this address table. Additionally, by having two or more parity pages associated with a codeword, an additional layer of protection can be provided for repairing errors in that codeword.
US08726125B1
An approach to reducing interpolation error is described. This approach generally involves using an offset correction table, populated with predetermined offset correction values, to reduce the error introduced by linear interpolation. This approach includes calculating an approximate inverse quantized value. The offset correction table is accessed, and a corrected inverse quantized value is then calculated.
US08726121B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing circular buffer based rate matching. Encoded block(s) that include systematic, parity 1, and parity 2 bits can be generated using turbo code. Bit type can be identified to separate bits into distinct groups. Systematic bits can be interleaved together to generate a randomized sequence of systematic bits, parity 1 bits can be interleaved together to yield a randomized sequence of parity 1 bits, and parity 2 bits can be interleaved together to output a randomized sequence of parity 2 bits. The randomized sequences of parity 1 bits and parity 2 bits can be interlaced together in an alternating manner. The randomized sequence of systematic bits can be inserted into a circular buffer, and upon inserting the entire sequence, the interlaced parity bits can be inserted into the circular buffer (e.g., until reaching capacity). Bits inserted into the circular buffer are transmitted.
US08726120B2
A method begins with a processing module receiving an access request for the data object. The method continues by ascertaining that the data object is divided into a plurality of data segments and that plurality of data segments are dispersed storage error encoded to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues by ascertaining batching of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein the plurality of sets of encoded data slices are arranged into a set of batched encoded data slices. The method continues by outputting a set of access requests for the set of batched encoded data slices to storage units of the DSN.
US08726117B2
A wireless reception apparatus (200) for a wireless communication system which transmits, between an MBS transmission apparatus and MBS reception apparatus, multiple transport blocks (TB) coded by error correction coding at the physical layer or at both the physical layer and the data link layer. In the wireless reception apparatus (200), a feedback condition judgment unit (208) transmits feedback information to the MBS transmission apparatus when a reception judgment unit (206) detects errors in L or more TBs out of an N-number of TBs (N is a natural number while L is a natural number less than N) that constitute the beginning portion of any MAC FEC blocks where the beginning TB has been identified. In the wireless communication apparatus (100), the link adaptation unit (114), based on the feedback information from the wireless communication apparatus (200), adjusts the physical layer transmission parameters used for the TBs in the physical layer processing unit.
US08726114B1
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with at-speed testing of static random access memory (SRAM) are described. In one embodiment, a method includes loading, into a multi-stage pipeline of memory devices, a control pattern for testing a static random access memory (SRAM). The SRAM is tested by generating a test input that is based, at least in part, on the control pattern from the multi-stage pipeline of flip-flops. The test input is provided to the SRAM over a series of clock cycles that are at a core clock speed of the SRAM.
US08726111B2
IEEE 1149.1 Test Access Ports (TAPs) may be utilized at both IC and intellectual property core design levels. TAPs serve as serial communication ports for accessing a variety of embedded circuitry within ICs and cores including; IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan circuitry, built in test circuitry, internal scan circuitry, IEEE 1149.4 mixed signal test circuitry, IEEE P5001 in-circuit emulation circuitry, and IEEE P1532 in-system programming circuitry. Selectable access to TAPs within ICs is desirable since in many instances being able to access only the desired TAP(s) leads to improvements in the way testing, emulation, and programming may be performed within an IC. A TAP linking module is described that allows TAPs embedded within an IC to be selectively accessed using 1149.1 instruction scan operations.
US08726102B2
A system and a method for handling a system failure are disclosed. The method is adapted for an information handling system having a basic input and output system and a micro-controller. The method includes the following steps: sending, via the micro-controller, a signal; checking, via the micro-controller, whether an acknowledgement is received from the basic input and output system responsive to the signal; and scanning, via the micro-controller, a type of a system failure in response to the acknowledgement being not received.
US08726099B2
Disclosed is a data processing system capable of detecting a sign of abnormality in such a manner as to increase the degree of safety and availability of the system. The data processing system uses a prediction circuit that detects a sign of abnormality in accordance with a cumulative history of significant events encountered during the processing of CPUs. The prediction circuit retains latest notification timing information about periodic notification from the CPUs in association with the CPUs, acquires elapsed time from the latest notification timing at predetermined intervals, and successively retains history information corresponding to changes in the elapsed time from a target value in association with the CPUs. When the retained history information reaches a predetermined threshold value, the prediction circuit concludes that there is a sign of abnormality.
US08726094B2
A communication monitoring apparatus that is capable of preventing determination of communication error due to communication shutdown accompanying the communication speed change so as not to inspire a user with unnecessary uneasiness. The communication monitoring apparatus monitors a connecting condition of communication between a terminal that can change a communication speed and a host apparatus through a network. A check unit periodically checks whether the connecting condition of communication between the terminal and the host apparatus through the network is normal or abnormal at first set time, and determines that a communication error occurs when the checked result shows abnormal connecting condition. A control unit detects a communication speed change in the terminal, and stops the check by the check unit before the communication speed change concerned.
US08726093B2
A system for maintaining direct hardware access in the event of PNIC failure. A host for the system includes: a processor; a first and a second PNIC, where the first PNIC is activated and all other PNICs are deactivated; a host operating system; a virtual machine; and a hypervisor for transferring packets between the host operating system and the virtual machine. The host operating system includes a link aggregator, multiple host VNICs, and a virtual switch associated with the VNICs. The first virtual machine includes a virtual network protocol stack and a guest VNIC. The link aggregator is configured to determine whether the first PNIC has failed. Based on a determination that the first PNIC has failed, the link aggregator is further configured to: remove a virtual function mapping between the first PNIC and the virtual machine; determine the second PNIC; deactivate the first PNIC; and activate the second PNIC.
US08726091B2
A system for troubleshooting control programs employs an event log that captures the values of inputs to outputs from the control program only at event times determined by changes in input or output data. The program allows the event log to be reviewed in jumps to only events which cause a change in output value of an instruction or particular change in output value of a particular instruction, greatly simplifying the troubleshooting process. The event log records a particular instruction instance associated with the event permitting the operation of the program to be studied in reverse order. The event log may also record a timestamp of the event allowing time stamped data from different devices to be synchronized with the review of the events.
US08726086B2
Embodiments of the invention enable error simulation for system validation. Errors can be simulated by modifying data presented to the processor as well as generating interrupts consistent with the modified data in the ASIC hardware. Modify logic may be added to the ASIC so when the microprocessor attempts to read a specific address, the modify logic may mask one or more of the data bits returned by the requested address. Address, bit mask, and force value data may be stored in registers to determine which address may be modified, the bit location to be modified, and the value that bit location should be changed to. Selection logic may then determine whether data from the modify logic or the unmodified value from an attached device should be sent to the ASIC interface and on to the microprocessor. A timer may also be used to decouple the setup from the test.
US08726075B1
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing and reconstructing data. In one embodiment of the present invention, both real-time (i.e., dynamic) information and static information are stored in a Digital Video Disk (DVD) to replicate or restore an information system. The dynamic and static information are considered trust-support data. The trust-support data provides a complete view of the information system. For example, the state of current transactions operating in the information system is part of the trust-support data. The trust-support data may include GUI information, timestamp information, network information, authentication information, generalized receipts, and specialized receipts.
US08726074B2
A handling device and method for voltage faults applicable for using in a computer system. The handling method includes acquiring a signal of voltage fault. According to the signal of voltage fault and by looking up at tables, an operating status of the computer system corresponding to the signal of voltage fault is acquired, and generating a control signal according to the operating status. Then, the computer system according to the control signal is restarted.
US08726066B1
A method, system, and computer product for data replication comprising enabling a second site to receive I/O from a first site; wherein the second site stores the I/O in a journal until transferring the I/O to an image, regulating, at the first site, an application by delaying acknowledgements of I/O requests from the application, and controlling the size of a do stream in the journal by slowing a response of a splitter.
US08726065B2
Managing failover operations on a cluster of computers, including: identifying, by a failover hold module, a failure to access data storage in the cluster of computers; preventing the execution of all read operations directed to the data storage that were received after the failure to access data storage was identified; executing all write operations directed to the data storage that were received after the failure to access data storage was identified, including writing data to a cache; identifying that a failover to alternative data storage is complete; executing the held read operations, including reading data from the alternative data storage; and copying, from cache to the alternative data storage, the data written to the cache as part of the write operations.
US08726059B2
A computing device is provided. The computing device includes a communication interface that is configured to receive at least one signal from a utility, wherein the signal is representative of a request for a reduction of energy consumption within a building. Moreover, the computing device includes a processor that is coupled to the communication interface and is programmed to identify at least one machine within the building that is subject to the request. The processor is further programmed to generate at least one proposed control parameter for the machine based on the request. A user interface is coupled to processor and configured to enable a user of the machine to provide a response to the control parameter.
US08726052B2
A power supply system includes a battery and a power management system. The power management system is coupled to the battery and to an external power source that is operable to charge the battery using a first charge level. The power management system is operable to determine that a battery power level of the battery is greater than a first predetermined level that depends on a battery storage option and, in response, disable power from being supplied from the external power source such that power is supplied from the battery until the battery power level is below the first predetermined level. The power management system is also operable to determine that the battery power level of the battery is less than the first predetermined level and, in response, charge the battery with a second charge level that is less than the first charge level until the battery power level is above a second predetermined level that depends on the battery storage option.
US08726050B2
A computer power supply with low standby power has a power inlet wired to an external AC power supply, a DC conversion circuit wired to convert AC into DC, a power control switch operating an AC switch, a power supply circuit connected to the power control switch, a power outlet connected to the power control switch, a starting circuit, a power bus connected to the power supply circuit to transfer DC to the host computer, and a start button connected to a starting circuit. The start button starts the power supply circuit, supplies power to the hose computer, and transmits switching signals of the computer.
US08726041B2
A system and method is disclosed which may include providing at least one processor with an integrally disposed random number generator (RNG) therein; entering a protected mode by said at least one processor; and generating a random number using said RNG in said at least one processor after entering said protected mode.
US08726040B2
Side channel attacks against a computing device are prevented by combinations of scrambling data to be stored in memory and scrambling the memory addresses of the data using software routines to execute scrambling and descrambling functions. Encrypted versions of variables, data and lookup tables, commonly employed in cryptographic algorithms, are thus dispersed into pseudorandom locations. Data and cryptographic primitives that require data-dependent memory accesses are thus shielded from attacks that could reveal memory access patterns and compromise cryptographic keys.
US08726038B2
An FPGA apparatus and a method for protecting bitstreams are provided. The FPGA apparatus includes: a key storage unit, which is configured to be accessed only from within the FPGA, and having stored therein the encryption/decryption key and the initial key generated by the random number generator; a setting bitstream storage unit, which is an internal non-volatile memory stored with bitstreams for setting authentication and encryption/decryption; and an authentication and encryption/decryption setting unit, which is configured to call the encryption and decryption key and the initial value stored in the key storage unit to store encrypted bitstreams and authentication codes generated as a result of performing encryption on the bitstreams stored in the setting bitstream storage unit in external non-volatile memory, and verity the integrity of the encrypted bitstreams stored in the external non-volatile memory at the time of designing of the FPGA using the encrypted bitstreams.
US08726037B2
Various systems and methods for encrypting data are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes receiving a memory address and a value to be written in the memory address. The method also includes encrypting the value using the memory address as an initial value for an encryption process. The method also includes storing the encrypted value in the memory address.
US08726030B2
A terminal device recording content onto a recording medium device, a permission to record the content onto the recording medium device being granted by a server device, the terminal device comprising: a generation unit generating a value calculated so as to represent subject content for which permission to record is requested; an information transmission unit requesting the permission from the server device by transmitting information indicating the value generated by the generation unit to the server device; a signature reception unit receiving subject content signature data from the server device, the subject content signature data being transmitted by the server device upon granting the permission; and a recording unit recording the subject content onto the recording medium device as one of plain-text data and encrypted data, as well as the subject content signature data received by the signature reception unit.
US08726027B2
Methods and apparatus for processing title data watermarked with a code. At least a portion of the title data may be watermarked at a plurality of locations within the title data with customer information data, so that the title data provided to a customer includes the watermark information. To obtain the code from the watermarked title data, watermarking information associated with the watermarked title data is first received. The watermarking information identifies a plurality of locations and a number to frequency modulation relationship at each of the locations. A different modulation scheme may be used at each location. The watermarked title data is demodulated at each of the plurality of placement locations based on the number to frequency modulation relationship. The code is then generated from the demodulated watermarked title data. A verification indication is output based in part on the generated code.
US08726025B2
An enterprise system includes a storage having stored thereon a private key and a processor that is configured to receive a data object including an encrypted datum; decrypt the encrypted data based on the private key to generate a first string of digits, each digit including N bits, wherein N is a positive integer; shuffle the N bits of the each digit according a pre-determined pattern of bit positions to generate a second string of digits; and substitute a subset of the N bits of the each digit with pre-determined bits to generate a third string of digits.
US08726021B2
A protocol with constant-time complexity solves the problem of private identification of tags in low-cost, large-scale radio frequency identification (RFID) systems—assuming that an adversary has complete control over the communication channel. Each RFID tag has an internal counter, c, and is preloaded with a unique pseudonym, ψ, and a secret key, k. A RFID reader attempting to identify and authenticate a tag within its range generates and transmits a random nonce to the RFID tag, which returns a first hash of its current pseudonym and counter, and a second hash that is a function of the secret key. The reader uses the returned data to identify the RFID tag and its secret key by reference to a database and returns other hash values that authenticate the reader to the RFID tag. The most expensive operation that RFID tags are required to perform is a hash function.
US08726019B2
In a communication system in which two communication entities seek to have a private or confidential communication session, a trust relationship needs first be established. The trust relationship is based on the determination of a shared secret which in turn is generated from contextual information. The contextual information can be derived from the circumstances surrounding the communication session. For example, the contextual information can include topological information, time-based information, and transactional information. The shared secret may be self-generated or received from a third party. In either event, the shared secret may be used as key material for any cryptographic protocol used between the communication entities.
US08726011B1
A method of managing a digital certificate by a computer system can include the steps of receiving, the at the computer system, a business request for a digital certificate from a requester and transmitting, by the computer system, the request to a first approver. The method can further include, upon approval by the first approver, transmitting, by the computer system, the request to a second approver, upon approval by the second approver, transmitting, by the computer system, the request to a certificate manager, transmitting, by the computer system, the request to an implementer and receiving, by the computer system, from the implementer, technical information related to the request and transmitting, by the computer system, a certificate to a certificate supplier.
US08726005B2
A website fingerprint is generated that characterizes network traffic associated with a website as a website traffic fingerprint that includes size description(s), order description(s), and timing description(s) of packet traffic for the website. A website monitor generates website trace(s) of packet statistics. A correlation processor correlates a sequence of packet statistics from the website trace(s) with the size description, the order description, and timing description found in the website traffic fingerprint(s).
US08725995B1
A computer-implemented method for updating system-level services within read-only system images may include (1) executing, during initialization of a mobile computing device, an update service stored within a read-only system image located on the mobile computing device, (2) identifying, via the update service, a writable partition located on the mobile computing device, (3) identifying, via the update service, a digitally signed update within the writable partition for at least one system-level service stored within the read-only system image, and (4) executing, via the update service, the digitally signed update within the writable partition instead of the system-level service stored within the read-only system image. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08725987B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for pre-fetching data into a cache memory system. These systems and methods comprise retrieving a portion of data from a system memory and storing a copy of the retrieved portion of data in a cache memory. These systems and methods further comprise monitoring data that has been placed into pre-fetch memory.
US08725986B1
The present invention provides a system and method for virtual block numbers (VBNs) to disk block number (DBN) mapping that may be utilized for both single and/or multiple parity based redundancy systems. Following parity redistribution, new VBNs are assigned to disk blocks in the newly added disk and disk blocks previously occupied by parity may be moved to the new disk.
US08725981B2
A storage system for storage of data written from a computer, and when a write request of data to a first logical volume is received, the data on request is stored into the first logical volume. When a first-generation snapshot creation request is received, the data stored in the first logical volume at the time of receiving the first-generation snapshot creation request is written into a pool region as data corresponding to a first-generation snapshot, and when a second-generation snapshot creation request is received, any portion of the data updated after the first-generation snapshot creation request is received but before the second-generation snapshot creation request is issued is read from the first logical volume for writing into the pool region. Such a storage system favorably implements snapshot backup with no dependency with a positive volume in terms of performance and failure, and with high capacity efficiency.
US08725980B2
System and methods for storing electronic data is provided, where the system comprises a storage manager component and a management module associated with the storage manager component. The management module is configured to receive information related to storage activities associated with one or more storage operation components within the storage operation system under the direction of the storage manager component. The management module is adapted to predict storage operation resource allocations based on the received information related to the storage activities.
US08725977B2
A hybrid data storage device includes a solid-state memory device, a disc-type memory device and a hybrid data storage device controller in communication with the solid-state memory device and the disc-type memory device. The hybrid data storage device controller is configured to receive Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface (NVMHCI) commands from a host and use logic to make decisions for the optimization and efficient performance of the solid-state memory device and the disc-type memory device.
US08725970B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes receiving second information about second data stored on a second device. The method also includes determining that the second data is associated with first data stored on a first device. The method further includes, based on the determination about the second data, associating the second data with a policy for backing up a particular type of data. The method further includes initiating a transfer of one or more copies of the second data to a second one or more storage medias defined by the policy.
US08725969B2
A storage device includes: a data storing control unit configured to store storage target data into a storage device and, in the case of storing other storage target data with the same data content as the storage target data already stored in the storage device into the storage device, control so as to refer to the storage target data already stored in the storage device as the other storage target data; a reference count management unit configured to, for each of the storage target data stored in the storage device, store a reference count that is a number of times that the storage target data is referred to as other storage target data; and a redundancy degree control unit configured to execute redundancy processing corresponding to a redundancy degree proper to the reference count of the storage target data, and store the storage target data into the storage device.
US08725966B2
A plurality of storage subsystems and a plurality of storage devices are maintained, and wherein each storage subsystem includes at least one storage device of the plurality of storage devices. A plurality of storage groups is generated, wherein each storage group includes one or more storage devices selected from the plurality of storage devices, and wherein the one or more storage devices selected in each storage group are included in at least two different storage subsystems. The plurality of storage groups is adjusted based on: (a) usage statistics of the data, wherein the usage statistics are stored in a log file; and (b) properties and organization of the data stored in a plurality of data structures.
US08725961B2
Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a method for configuring an electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include one or more memory locations having stored values representative of the capabilities of the device. According to an example configuration method, a configuring system may access the device capabilities from the one or more memory locations and configure the device based on the accessed device capabilities.
US08725959B2
Methods and systems are provided that may include a memory device having a physical nonvolatile memory, a memory space, and a controller. At least a portion of a physical nonvolatile memory may permit a direct read operation of the physical nonvolatile memory and prohibit a direct write operation of the physical nonvolatile memory. A memory space may comprise at least open one write overlay window available after a reset operation. Such a memory space may be adapted to permit at least one read overlay window to be opened that is logically separate from at least one open write overlay window. A controller may be included to open at least one read overlay window.
US08725954B2
A memory control apparatus, in a case of receiving from a processor, under a condition where the number of cache memories retaining a copy of data stored in a main storage device is one, a notification to the effect that data retained in the cache memory is purged, updates directory information on a directory cache without accessing the main storage device when the data is not modified by the processor, and the directory information on the directory cache and directory information on the main storage device is determined to be different and the directory information on the main storage device is determined to be in a state indicating that the copy of the data is not retained by any processor in the state of coherence.
US08725951B2
Approaches for an object store implemented, at least in part, on one or more solid state devices. The object store may store objects on a plurality of solid state devices. The object store may include a transaction model means for ensuring that the object store performs transactions in compliance with atomicity, concurrency, isolation, and durability (ACID) properties. The object store may include means for providing parallel flushing in a write cache maintained on each of the solid state devices. The object store may include means for maintaining one or more double-write buffers, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may optionally comprise means for maintaining one or more circular transaction logs, for the object store, at a location other than the solid state devices. The object store may operate to minimize write operations performed on the solid state devices.
US08725948B2
A computer system caches variable-length instructions in a data structure. The computer system locates a first copy of an instruction in the cached data structure using a current value of the instruction pointer as a key. The computer system determines a predictive length of the instruction, and reads a portion of the instruction from an instruction memory as a second copy. The second copy has the predictive length. Based on the comparison of the first copy with the second copy, the computer system determines whether or not to read the rest of the instruction from the instruction memory, and then interprets the instruction for use by the computer system.
US08725940B2
A method begins by a processing module receiving redundant array of independent disks (RAID) data and determining whether to store the RAID data in at least one of a RAID format and in a dispersed storage network (DSN) format. The method continues with the processing module converting at least a portion of the RAID data into at least one set of encoded data slices when the at least a portion of the RAID data is to be stored in the DSN format. The method continues with the processing module outputting the at least one set of encoded data slices to a DSN memory.
