Document Document Title
US07843639B2 Light distribution control method, light distribution control device, and greenhouse using the same
A plurality of structures each having a number of ridges and being formed in a long and thin plate shape or a long and thin film shape. The cross section of each of the ridges forms a portion of a substantial circle and a surface thereof is a practically specular surface. The ridges of each structure are parallel to each other and respective adjacent surfaces thereof correspond to each other in parallel and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. When light is incident on a point of a surface of one of the structures at an incident angle, in either its reflection or transmittance, the light is diffused in a circular conical plane whose vertex is the incident point and whose center axis is a line parallel to the ridges, by a diffraction effect caused by the arrayed ridges. The flux of reflected diffused light is spread in one lengthwise half of the circular conical plane and the flux of transmitted diffused light is spread in the other lengthwise half of the circular conical plane.
US07843634B2 Automatic focus detection device and microscope system having the same
An AF dark field illumination device and an objective lens are moved in unity. A tissue sample in a Petri dish is illuminated by infrared light incident with an oblique angle from an LED light source. The casting of the infrared light causes scattered light from the tissue sample. A part of the scattered light passes through the objective lens, thereby forming a dark-field microscope image, which is captured by a CCD camera. The sharpness of the dark-field microscope image is dependent upon the position of the objective lens. The position of the objective lens at which the dark-field microscopic image exhibits the highest sharpness is determined to be the focus position.
US07843628B2 Light source device and projector
A light source device includes: a first light source unit and a second light source unit emitting light; and a wavelength conversion element converting wavelengths of lights emitted from the first light source unit and from the second light source unit. Chief ray of light emitted from the first light source unit and transmitted through the wavelength conversion element is not parallel with chief ray of light emitted from the second light source unit and transmitted through the wavelength conversion element.
US07843625B2 Sheet for electrophoretic display devices, process for its production, and its applications
The sheet for electrophoretic display devices includes a data display layer between electrically conductive layers of two opposite electrode films, the data display layer containing microcapsules for electrophoretic display devices and a binder resin, wherein the binder resin has a weight-average molecular weight of from 40,000 to 300,000 and a glass transition temperature of from −50° C. to 10° C. This sheet can be produced by forming the data display layer on an electrically conductive layer of a first electrode film and putting an electrically conductive layer of a second electrode film on the data display layer, followed by lamination. This sheet can be used, as its applications, for electrophoretic display devices using the sheets for electrophoretic display devices, and electronic equipments using the electrophoretic display devices.
US07843610B2 Document reading apparatus and an image formation apparatus
A document reading apparatus is disclosed. The document reading apparatus includes a scanner; an energy-saving power supply unit; an energy-saving control unit; a clock IC; an output compensation unit for updating digital conversion parameters including image signal amplification gain such that image data of a reference white board read by a CCD of the scanner are made into a proper value; andan output compensation controlling unit. The output compensation controlling unit reads time data when an operation mode is shifted from pause mode to waiting mode, stores the digital conversion parameters updated by the output compensation unit in a non-volatile memory, updates operation time with the present time if the elapsed time from a previous operation time stored in the non-volatile memory is equal to or greater than a setup value, and uses the digital conversion parameters stored in the non-volatile memory as they are, if the elapsed time from the previous operation time stored in the non-volatile memory is less than the setup value.
US07843609B2 Motion control method and apparatus for a flat bed scanner
A method of scanning a target image and inhibiting backtrack artifacts from the scanned image comprises the steps of initiating a scan on a flat bed scanner, the flat bed scanner comprising at least a scanbar, a memory buffer and a motion control pattern comprised of a plurality of spaced elements, each element having an angled portion with respect to the motion of the scanbar; acquiring scan data comprising a motion control pattern data and an image data with said scanbar; storing the previously acquired scan data in a memory buffer; querying whether the memory buffer reaches a preselected full threshold; acquiring a last valid scan data; stopping and backtracking the scanbar when the memory buffer preselected full threshold is met; and, inhibiting backtrack artifacts by one of a first real-time position analysis or a post-processing analysis.
US07843608B2 Image processing apparatus capable of preventing pseudo coutour
There is provided an image processing apparatus employing an error diffusion method capable of preventing a pseudo contour attributable to a delayed dot. The image processing apparatus receives an error diffused from a neighboring pixel and corrects a value (an input value of 0 to 1) of a pixel to be processed before it reduces a tone. Then a subtracter calculates an error associated with the tone reduction, which is diffused to a neighboring pixel. Herein, only for an input value of no less than 0.5 an inversion portion multiplies by −1 an error from a neighboring pixel and an error to a neighboring pixel. Thus a dot can be free of delay to prevent a pseudo contour.
US07843604B2 Image correcting device, image forming apparatus, and image correcting method
A pattern generating unit generates correction patterns on a transfer belt. Detection sensors detect the correction patterns, and amounts of magnification correction, amounts of misregistration in the main- and the sub-scanning direction are calculated. The amount of skew between each of colors is then calculated, and a position where an image is divided and a direction for shifting a divided image are determined. Possible dividing-positions are also determined, and a calculated dividing position and each of the possible dividing positions are compared with one another. Then, a possible dividing position closest to the calculated dividing position is set as an actual dividing position.
US07843601B2 Method for forming a color image
A method for forming a color image that allows a color image forming device to detect print chromaticity by an actually used print medium and automatically perform an optimal color balance adjustment in consideration of the chromaticity of the print medium. At a first step of the method, it is determined whether a feeder is selected for a subsequent printing operation. If selected, the process proceeds to a second step. If not selected, it is determined that the printing operation is not performed for some time and the process is completed without color balance adjustment. At the second step, a print medium for printing a test pattern is fed from the feeder selected for a subsequent printing operation, which is determined at the first step. A color sensor detects the chromaticity of the test pattern transferred and fused on the print medium, and the color balance is then adjusted.
US07843591B2 Digital tracing device for digitizing and displaying a document
A digital tracing method and device, comprising a flat acquisition element (3) for digitizing a document (7) and a flat display element (5) for displaying said digitized document mounted on said flat acquisition element (3).
US07843586B2 Systems and methods for facilitating direct scanning to network destinations by clients
In an exemplary embodiment, a scan destination profile request may be received. The scan destination profile request may include scanner-side settings. It may be determined whether the scanner-side settings are supported by a scanner. If it is determined that at least some of the scanner-side settings are not supported by the scanner, a scan destination profile may be split into a first part and a second part. The first part of the scan destination profile may include the scanner-side settings that are supported by the scanner. The second part of the scan destination profile may include the scanner-side settings that are not supported by the scanner. The first part of the scan destination profile may be uploaded to the scanner.
US07843585B2 Interface module, printing device, program, and printer maintenance method
An interface module connected to a host device for generating print data and to a printing device for printing the print data, comprises a reception unit having at least two interfaces for receiving print data from the host devices connected to the interfaces, a parameter data acquisition unit for analyzing the received print data and acquiring parameter data for calculating the printing cost incurred by printing the print data, a parameter data storage unit for storing the acquired parameter data in predetermined categories including a category for each interface.
US07843578B2 Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same
There is provided an image output method including the steps of reading image data in a predetermined format, outputting an image based on the read image data according to a first output method, outputting an image based on the read image data according to a second output method, and inputting a parameter for a process of the read image data in parallel to the reading of the image data, wherein the predetermined format is adaptable to the first output method and the second output method.
US07843574B2 Apparatus and method for measuring the surface of a body
In a light-slit method, a first and a second measurement light projection on a surface of an object to be measured may be unambiguously identified as a first or a second measurement light projection by a camera when there is a support apparatus operating the camera and/or the measurement light projectors such that, in each light-slit recording of the camera, either the first or the second measurement light projection is visible to the camera. The possibility of unambiguous identification allows evaluating several spatially overlapping and not exactly aligned measurement light projections by means of a camera.
US07843572B2 Method and apparatus for optical imaging via spectral encoding
Exemplary method, apparatus and arrangement can be provided for obtaining information associated with a sample such as a portion of an anatomical structure. The information can be generated using first data, which can be based on a signal obtained from a location on the sample, and second data, where the second data can be obtained by combining a second signal received from the sample with a third reference signal. An image of a portion of the sample can also be generated based on the information. For example, the first data can be associated with spectral encoding microscopy data, and the second data can be associated with optical coherence tomography data.
US07843566B2 Device for detection and measurement of a target compound such as a food toxin
Apparatus comprising a holder for a sample which comprises a packing or coating capable of immobilising or isolating a target compound in a layer or band, an excitation unit that emits radiation that excites fluorescence in a target compound or derivatised target compound immobilised or isolated in the packing or coating, or in another moiety stimulated by the target compound, a detection unit that is sensitive to radiation emitted by a fluorescing target compound, derivative or target compound-stimulated moiety and outputs a signal proportional to the amount of radiation detected, means for relatively moving the sample cartridge and the detection unit whereby the radiation may be sensed and a processing unit that converts the output of the detector unit into a readable value related to the amount of target compound immobilised in the layer or band.
US07843554B2 High dynamic range sensor system and method
A high dynamic range sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensing sets that are organized into a sensing array. Each of the sensing sets includes a set of sensing elements for sensing physical phenomena. Each set of sensing elements has a locally selectable integration time. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter operatively connected to the set of sensing elements acquires and converts an analog signal from each of the sensing elements into a digital signal. A processor operatively connected to the A/D converter and to the set of sensing elements manages the selectable integration time for the set of sensing elements and analyzes the digital signals from each of the sensing elements in the set of sensing elements. The digital signals from each of the sensing elements are measured by the processor and an integration scaling factor for the set of sensing elements is computed and controlled by the processor to adjust the integration time. The integration scaling factor for the set of sensing elements is mathematically combined with a value of the digital signal from the A/D converter to form a larger data word than what is generated by the A/D converter. The larger data word is utilized to represent a magnitude of each of the sensing elements. If a substantial number of A/D values have saturated, the integration time is decreased; and, if a substantial number of A/D values are below a predetermined threshold, the integration time is increased.
US07843548B2 Conduit system for a lithographic apparatus, lithographic apparatus, pump, and method for substantially reducing vibrations in a conduit system
A conduit system for a lithographic apparatus is disclosed, the conduit system including a conduit configured to guide a liquid or liquid-gas mixture, and a gas injection nozzle configured to introduce a gas in the liquid or liquid-gas mixture to at least partially absorb pressure peaks or waves in the liquid or liquid-gas mixture. In an embodiment, the gas injection nozzle may be arranged in a pump of the conduit system. The pump further includes a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a pump chamber between the pump inlet and the pump outlet arranged for compression of the liquid or liquid-gas mixture.
US07843544B2 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional image display device and method of manufacturing the same
A 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional image display device and a method of manufacturing the same is described. The display device includes an image display panel for displaying an image, and a switching panel having upper and lower substrates with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. A pixel electrode, and first and second common electrodes, are formed on the lower substrate of the switching panel.
US07843543B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided including gate lines on a substrate. Data lines cross the gate lines. A first insulation layer is between the gate lines and the data lines. Pixel electrodes are in pixel regions bounded by crossing portions of the gate lines and the data lines. A common electrode is on the second insulation layer. The common electrode partially covers the pixel regions and the data lines. A second insulation layer is between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode. Holes are in the common electrode to expose the second insulation layer. The holes are at overlapping portions of the common electrode and the data lines.
US07843538B2 Display panel
In a liquid crystal display device, the device includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The first substrate includes a pixel electrode, a thin film transistor connected to the pixel electrode, and also a hitch to connect both a lower and upper electrode of the pixel electrode. The second substrate includes a common electrode having a lower domain division part and an upper domain division part, in which each of domain division part is formed at the position corresponding to the lower and upper electrode of the pixel electrode, respectively. Through the electric field controller connected at both sides of the upper electrode of the pixel electrode, quality of display image can improve without a darkening area occurring at one part of the unit pixel.
US07843533B2 Liquid crystal display with transmission and reflection regions
A liquid crystal display device includes: pixel electrodes arranged in columns and rows, each including a reflective electrode region; scanning lines; and signal lines. The device sequentially supplies a scanning signal voltage to one of the scanning lines after another to select one group of pixel electrodes, connected to the same one of the scanning lines, after another, and then supplies display signal voltages to the selected group of pixel electrodes by way of the signal lines, thereby displaying an image thereon. The pixel electrodes are arranged such that the polarity of a voltage to be applied to a liquid crystal layer is inverted for every predetermined number of pixel electrodes in each of the rows and in each of the columns. The display signal voltage to be supplied to each pixel electrode is updated at a frequency of 45 Hz or less.
US07843532B2 Liquid crystal display panel with color filters and method of fabricating the same
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel that is adaptive for preventing rubbing defects and the fabricating method thereof. A liquid crystal display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a black matrix on a substrate; and color filters formed at pixel areas which are defined by the black matrix, wherein a distance between the adjacent color filters is between about 0.1 μm and about 5 μm.
US07843525B2 Liquid crystal display appliance
A liquid crystal display apparatus which exhausts heat generated within the apparatus efficiently, and reduces temperature increase in the heat-frail sections is provided.A circuit board mounting surface at the back of the liquid crystal monitor unit is divided into a plurality of board mount areas using the vertically extending reinforcement members. A signal circuit board section and TCON (Timing control) circuit board section are disposed in the same board mount area which is different from the partition where the power supply circuit board section resides. By arranging this way, the temperature increase in the heat-frail sections of the signal circuit board section is reduced, and the hot air heated by the power supply circuit board in the power supply circuit board section goes up along the reinforcement members, thus an efficient heat exhaustion is achieved.
US07843520B2 Display apparatus with transistors connected to sub-pixel electrodes
A display apparatus includes a plurality of pixel regions. Each of the pixel regions includes a first sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel region and a boost capacitor. The first sub-pixel region and the second sub-pixel region are electrically connected to the boost capacitor. The boost capacitor causes voltages the first and second sub-pixel regions to be at different voltages to increase the viewing angle of the display apparatus. One electrode of the boost capacitor, a coupling electrode, is formed over a storage capacitance line made of an opaque metal such that an additional boost capacitor (Cboost) may be formed without decreasing the aperture ratio of the pixel region. Other features are also provided.
US07843514B2 Signal transmitter and signal receiver
In a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, a multiplexing part multiplexes a video signal and a time-base-compressed audio signal on the basis of a multiplexing control signal to transmit the multiplexed signal through a data line in the signal transmitter. Further, a demultiplexing part demultiplexes a video/audio multiplexed signal received through the data line into the original video signal and audio signal by a demultiplexing control signal in the signal receiver. According to the so-configured signal transmitter and signal receiver, it is possible to realize a signal transmission system compliant with the DVI standard, in which the audio signal as well as the video signal can be transmitted.
US07843513B2 Automatic adaptation of a video source to a receiver
An electronic system providing a video signal to an output terminal intended to be connected to a receiver having one input impedance out of two input impedances, the electronic system including an adaptable amplifier providing the video signal and capable of operating according to one operation configuration out of two operation configurations, each operation configuration being adapted to one of the two input impedances of the receiver; circuitry for detecting characteristic portions of the video signal; and control and measurement circuitry capable of measuring a signal representative of the current provided to the output terminal by the electronic system during each detected characteristic portion, and of having the adaptable amplifier adopt one of the two operation configurations based on the comparison of the representative measured signal with thresholds.
US07843506B2 Imaging device, GPS control method, and computer program
An imaging device includes an imaging unit configured to execute processing to capture image data, a global positioning system (GPS) device configured to execute position calculation processing based on data received from a satellite, and a main controller configured to measure an imaging frequency of the imaging unit, to determine or update a control parameter as a condition for a transition of an operation state of the GPS device based on the measured imaging frequency, and to cause a transition of the operation state of the GPS device based on the determined or updated control parameter.
US07843505B2 Image-capturing device, image processing device and image processing program product for image composition processing
An image-capturing device includes: an image-capturing element that includes a first color filter that allows first color component light corresponding to a first color component to be transmitted and a second color filter that allows second color component light corresponding to a second color component different from the first color component to be transmitted, each formed in correspondence to one of light receiving pixels, and captures an image of a subject; an image-capturing control unit that engages the image-capturing element in a first image-capturing operation while the subject is illuminated with the first color component light and engages the image-capturing element in a second image-capturing operation while the subject is illuminated with the second color component light; and a pixel signal generating unit that generates a pixel signal corresponding to the first color component or the second color component at each pixel position based upon spectral characteristics of the first color filter, spectral characteristics of the second color filter, a pixel signal obtained through the first image-capturing operation and a pixel signal obtained through the second image-capturing operation.
US07843502B2 Programmable boost signal generation method and apparatus
An apparatus and method for generating a programmable boost signal. A first input receives at least one programming control signal. A second input receives a reference signal. The programmable boost signal generation circuit receives the programming control signal and the reference signal and generates a boost signal with at least two programmable levels based on the reference signal. The level of the boost signal is selected by the programming control signal.
US07843499B2 Image capturing system employing different angle cameras on a common rotation axis and method for same
An image capturing system includes a first camera, a second camera and a first rotating device. The first camera is configured to capture a first image. The second camera is configured to capture a second image whose scope is narrower than a scope of the first image. The first rotating device connects the first camera and the second camera. The first rotating device is configured to rotate the first camera and the second camera around a first rotational axis which is on the first rotating device.
US07843479B2 Method for providing a plurality of laser-printed labels from a medium supported on a disc
A method of printing labels includes supporting a laser sensitive material on a disc and printing label images on the disc with a modulated focused beam from a diode-laser. The label images may be printed in regions of the medium having pre-cut label boundaries. Alternatively, label boundaries may be cut through the medium using the focused laser beam. The labels are peeled from the disc after printing.
US07843475B2 Thermal print head and method for manufacturing the same
A thermal printhead (A1) includes an insulating substrate (1), a glaze (2), a plurality of pairs of first and second electrodes (3A, 3B) and heating resistors (5). Each of the heating resistors (5) includes a heating portion (5a) spaced apart from the first electrode (3A) and the second electrode (3B). The respective ends (31A, 31B) of the electrodes (3A, 3B) are embedded in the glaze (2). An insulating film (4) is provided between the heating portion (5a) of each heating resistor (5) and the glaze (2). The hardness of the insulating film (4) is higher than that of the glaze (2) and lower than that of the heating resistor (5). The thermal conductivity of the insulating film (4) is higher than that of the glaze (2) and lower than that of the heating resistor (5).
US07843466B2 Automated image framing
Methods and systems for automatically creating a frame image for a content image are presented, and include retaining in electronic storage one or more master frame component images, automatically cropping at least one of the master frame component images to create a plurality of frame component images including at least a plurality of cropped versions of the master frame component images, and automatically assembling the frame component images into a frame on a display such that the frame appears as a frame image for the content image when the frame component images and content image are displayed together.
US07843465B1 Method and apparatus for mapping a multi-dimensional signal from one space to another space
In a method of mapping data from a source space to a target space, a space transformation look-up table (LUT) that contains a plurality of locations storing information is maintained, wherein each of the plurality of locations includes information specifying a function to be evaluated. First data defined according to a multi-dimensional source space is input, and second data defined according to a multi-dimensional target space is generated, by applying information contained in the LUT to the first data.
US07843464B2 Automatic color adjustment of template design
The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. A processor automatically adjusts colors of the selected template design based on the selected source image. The selected template design may include a framing portion and a mat portion, at least one of which is adjusted. The colors may be adjusted to match, contrast with, or be a predetermined variation of a color of the source image at a cursor placed on a source image.
US07843463B1 System and method for bump mapping setup
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique to setup efficient bump mapping using a geometry shader. This approach uses a vertex shader, a primitive assembly unit, and a geometry shader. The vertex shader performs vertex operations, such as calculating a per-vertex normal vector, and emits vertex data. The primitive assembly unit processes the vertex data and constructs primitives. Each primitive includes a series of one or more vertices, each of which may be shared amongst multiple primitives, and state information defining the primitive. The geometry shader processes each primitive, calculating an object-space to texture-space mapping for each vertex of the primitive and, subsequently, using this mapping to transform the object-space view vector and the object-space light vectors associated with each vertex of the primitive to texture-space equivalents. Advantageously, this approach to setting up bump mapping fully utilizes the GPU, thereby optimizing both hardware resources and performance.
US07843462B2 System and method for displaying a digital video sequence modified to compensate for perceived blur
A system for displaying a digital video sequence includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a display device. The GPU receives and modifies the digital video sequence to compensate for perceived blur based on motion between frames of the digital video sequence. The display device displays the modified digital video sequence. A method and computer readable medium having computer readable code is also provided.
US07843459B2 Processor for executing multiply matrix instructions requiring wide operands
A programmable processor and method for improving the performance of processors by expanding at least two source operands, or a source and a result operand, to a width greater than the width of either the general purpose register or the data path width. The present invention provides operands which are substantially larger than the data path width of the processor by using the contents of a general purpose register to specify a memory address at which a plurality of data path widths of data can be read or written, as well as the size and shape of the operand. In addition, several instructions and apparatus for implementing these instructions are described which obtain performance advantages if the operands are not limited to the width and accessible number of general purpose registers.
US07843454B1 Animated preview of images
Computer program products, methods, systems, etc. for generating an animated preview of a number of images are disclosed. A selection of a group of images is received. A set of digital images from the group of images are identified as being representative of the group. At least some portion of the identified set of representative digital images from the group is then used to create an animated image. The animated image serves as a preview of the group of images, such that, when a user browses the images and sees the preview associated with a corresponding folder or directory, the user is able to quickly and easily associate the images in the group with a particular event and identify contents of the folder or directory.
US07843452B2 Progressive refinement for texture-based volume rendering
A method for rendering a two-dimensional image comprising: (a) obtaining a first three-dimensional set of data for a relatively high quality image; (b) generating a second three-dimensional set of data for a relatively low quality image from the obtained three-dimensional set of data; (c) rendering a relatively low quality two-dimensional image from second three-dimensional set of data; (d) rendering a first portion of a relatively high quality two-dimensional image from a first portion of the first three-dimensional set of data; (e) blending the rendered low quality two-dimensional image with relatively high quality two-dimensional image; (f) rendering a second portion of a relatively high quality two-dimensional image from a different portion of the first three-dimensional set of data; and (g) blending the rendered low quality two-dimensional image from second three-dimensional set of data with relatively high quality two-dimensional image from the second portion of the first three-dimensional set of data. The process repeats until the entire image is rendered.
US07843440B2 Scrolling electronic whiteboard
A scrolling electronic whiteboard is provided, including a thin-film antenna board, at least an electromagnetic signal transmitter, a main control board, and a scrolling mechanism cassette. The scrolling mechanism cassette is for providing the housing of the thin-film antenna board to scroll and extend by pulling. The thin-film antenna board can be entirely scrolled and housed inside the scrolling mechanism cassette. The electromagnetic signal transmitter includes a resonant circuit for transmitting an electromagnetic signal of a specific frequency to determine the length of the thin-film antenna board being pulled outside of the scrolling mechanism cassette. The main control board is for receiving the antenna loop signals of the thin-film antenna board, and the electromagnetic signals of each electromagnetic signal transmitters. Therefore, a large electronic whiteboard can vary its dimensional ratio by pulling out different length of the thin-film antenna board, which can also be entirely retracted into the scrolling mechanism cassette for easy storage and transportation.
US07843437B1 Hand-held browser transcoding
A hand-held computer device with integral web page transcoding. A processor, forming a part of the handheld computer has a display coupled to the processor forming a part of the handheld computer, with the display having limited resolution of M×N pixels. A browser program running on the processor facilitates retrieving and viewing of a web page having size greater than M×N on the display. This is accomplished in a browser having an associated browser plug-in that transcodes the web page to a format adapted to the display. The transcoding is carried out by, among other things, generating a menu of frames from the web page to permit a user to select a desired frame for display by selecting frame titles as menu selections and compressing an image to a size suitable for display on the M×N resolution display.
US07843436B2 Portable information processing apparatus
A portable information processing apparatus including a main body including a display opening and a front panel surface surrounding the display opening, a display unit to display an image through the display opening, a key button input unit oppositely arranged across the display unit in a first portion of the front panel surface and an additional input unit including at least one additional input unit in a second portion of the front panel surface.
US07843434B2 Optical mouse with a wavelength converting layer
A pointing device having an illumination system, an imaging array, and a controller is disclosed. The illumination system illuminates a surface over which the pointing device moves, the illumination system generating a light signal having first and second spectral regions. A portion of the light signal is viewable by a user of the pointing device. The first spectral region includes visible light of a predetermined color and the second spectral region includes infrared light. The imaging array records a plurality of images of the illuminated surface and is sensitive to light in the second spectral region. The second spectral region can be chosen to match the sensitivity of a silicon imaging array, while the first spectral region provides a decorative glow that is seen by the user.
US07843430B2 Inertial input apparatus with six-axial detection ability and the operating method thereof
An inertial input apparatus with six-axial detection ability, structured with a gyroscope and an acceleration module capable of detecting accelerations of X, Y, Z axes defined by a 3-D Cartesian coordinates, which is operable either being held to move on a planar surface or in a free space. When the inertial input apparatus is being held to move and operate on a planar surface by a user, a two-dimensional detection mode is adopted thereby that the gyroscope is used for detection rotations of the inertial input apparatus caused by unconscious rolling motions of the user and thus compensating the erroneous rotations, by which the technical disadvantages of prior-art inertial input apparatuses equipped with only accelerometer can be overcame and thus control smoothness of using the input apparatus is enhanced.
US07843425B2 Motion recognition system and method for controlling electronic devices
A motion recognition system and method for controlling electronic devices are disclosed, in which at least a micro inertial sensor, each being arranged at a specific location of a human body, is used to detect and measure a motion of the body so as to correspondently obtain a plurality of gesture parameters, such as angular velocity and acceleration, etc., and then the detected parameters are analyzed and converted into an input gesture sequence by a specific algorithm to be compared with a predefined motion information sequence so as to enable any of the controlled electronic devices to perform a specific operation according to the result of the comparison. In addition, a momentum can be obtained by performing a calculation upon the detected gestured parameters with respect to time, which can be used for controlling the interaction of the controlled electric devices.
US07843408B2 Device substrate, light emitting device and driving method of light emitting device
A light emitting device comprising a light emitting element and a first transistor and a second transistor controlling current to be supplied to the light emitting element in a pixel; the first transistor is normally-on; the second transistor is normally-off; a channel length of the first transistor is longer than a channel width thereof; a channel length of the second transistor is equal to or shorter than a channel length thereof; gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor are connected to each other; the first transistor and the second transistor have the same polarity; and the light emitting element, the first transistor and the second transistor are all connected in series.
US07843403B2 Compact, head-mountable display device with suspended eyepiece assembly
A compact, lightweight, head-mountable display device is provided for transmitting an image to a user's eye. The device includes a projection system including a display attached at one end to a head-mountable support fixture. An eyepiece assembly is attached to a second end of the support fixture. The support fixture maintains the projection system and the eyepiece assembly in alignment along an optical path through free space between the projection system and the eyepiece assembly, with the projection system disposed to transmit the image on the optical path and the eyepiece assembly disposed to receive the image from the projection system and to direct the image to the user's eye.
US07843401B2 Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus for displaying image signals of a form of packets incorporating display position information includes a combination of unit display devices so as to acquire translational objectivity. Each of the unit display devices including a receiving part for receiving image signals, a processing part for dividing input image signals into those falling inside and those falling outside a range for display or those subject to or those not subject to display based on the display position information and serving to process display positions of the image signals falling outside the range for display or not subject to display, an output part for outputting the processed image signals along an axis of translational objectivity to a subsequent unit display device, and a display part for displaying the images falling in the range for display, the image display apparatus displaying the image signals as a whole, with the image signals processed sequentially with the unit display devices.
US07843400B2 Apparatus for driving a plurality of display units using common driving circuits
In an apparatus for driving a plurality of display units in a mobile electronic apparatus, each including a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan line and a plurality of pixels each provided at one of the data lines and one of the scan lines, at least one of a common data driver circuit and a common scan driver circuit is provided. The common data driver circuit includes a plurality of first switch groups, each first switch group being connected to the data lines of one of the display units for driving the data lines of the one of the display units. The common scan driver circuit includes a plurality of second switch groups, each second switch group being connected to the scan lines of one of the display units for driving the scan lines of the one of the display units.
US07843392B2 Dual frequency antenna system
A dual-frequency conformal multi-filiar helical antenna system (20) provides a low-profile, low drag antenna useable in flying equipment. This antenna system (20) securely holds within its shell (22) signal distribution circuitry (64), signal combining circuitry (68), and any other circuit components necessary for antenna system (20) to communicate with other stations or devices. Antenna system (20) has radiating conductors (24, 32) tuned to two different frequencies such that simultaneous transmission and reception of signals is possible in the same and opposite directions.
US07843387B2 Wireless local area network antenna system and method of use therefore
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a plurality of sub-arrays and at least one beamformer driving the plurality of sub-arrays, the at least one beamformer employing at least one phase shifter.
US07843386B2 System and method for determining the beam center location of an antenna
A system and method for determining the beam center location of an antenna, such as a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, are provided. A system for determining the beam center of an antenna may include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) probes, such as Integrated Transfer System (ITS) antenna elements, located at respective predefined positions surrounding the geometrical center of the antenna. The system may also include at least one detector configured to provide a measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. The system may also include a processor configured to determine the beam center of the antenna based upon the predefined position of each RF probe and the measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. A corresponding method is also provided.
US07843381B2 Radar device
A radar device of FM pulse system, in which a pulsed radio wave with frequency modulated is transmitted or received, to calculate a distance to a target 203 and a relative velocity, comprising: range gate setting means 205 for determining a sampling timing every time a predetermined time period has passed from a transmission timing; sampling means 206 for making a sampling in a frequency up zone or frequency down zone in each range gate; and measurement time changing means 207 for setting a measurement data used as an input of Fourier transform based on sampling data obtained by the sampling means 206, and when letting a time period required to make a sampling of all measurement data a measurement time period, changing the measurement time period in each range gate. An optimum distance resolution and relative velocity resolution can be set based on the distance to a target.
US07843379B2 Symmetrical multi-path method for determining the distance between two transmitter-receivers
The invention relates to a symmetrical multi-path method for determining the spatial distance between two transmitter-receivers. Both transmitter-receivers set off at least one signal round in each case. A signal round comprises the steps: a) transmitting at least one request data frame of a first transmitter-receiver to a second transmitter-receiver at a request transmitting time (TTA1, TTB2), b) receiving the request data frame at the second transmitter-receiver at a request receiving time (TRB1, TRA2), c) transmitting a reply data frame from the second transmitter-receiver to the first transmitter-receiver at a reply transmitting time (TTB1, TTA2), which has a respective reply time interval (TreplyB1, TreplyA2) from the request receiving time (TRB1, TRA2) and detecting the reply time interval, d) receiving the reply data frame at the first transmitter-receiver setting off the signal round and detecting an allocated reply receiving time (TRA1, TRB2). The signal rounds are performed in such a way that the reply time intervals (TreplyA2, TreplyB1) are either identical or have a difference, in the case of performing more than one signal round set off by each transmitter-receiver an average difference, the amount of which is a maximum of 200 microseconds.
US07843377B2 Methods for two-dimensional autofocus in high resolution radar systems
Provided are two-dimensional autofocus methods in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system which include: (1) two-dimensional pulse pair product algorithm including shear PGA, eigenvector phase history (“EPH”), shear PGA/EPH); (2) two-dimensional optimization algorithms including parametric one-dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, parametric two dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, unconstrained two-dimensional nonparametric and constrained two-dimensional nonparametric methods; (3) a two-dimensional geometry filter algorithm; (4) a two-dimensional prominent point processing algorithm; (5) a one-dimensional phase estimate of higher order two dimensional phase errors; and, (6) a fast SHARP parametric autofocus algorithm.
US07843374B2 Priority encoder
A priority encoder encodes an (N+1)-bit thermometer code, where N indicates a natural number. A plurality of selectors are arranged in a matrix of M rows and (N+1) columns, where M indicates a natural number, and select one of signals at first and second input terminals (1,0) in accordance with the value of a signal input to the control terminal. An output signal from the selector in the i-th row and (j−1)th column is input to the first input terminal of the selector in the i-th row and j-th column (1≦i≦M, 2≦j≦N+1), a predetermined value of 1 or 0 is input to the second input terminal of the selector in the i-th row and j-th column, and the j-th significant bit of the thermometer code is input to the control terminal of the selector in the i-th row and j-th column.
US07843373B2 Method to reduce error in time interleaved analog-to-digital converters arising due to aperture delay mismatch
A system for randomizing aperture delay in a time interleaved ADC system that includes a plurality of selection switch stages corresponding to each of the ADCs in the system and a second selection switch stage coupled to a voltage source. A plurality of conductors extend between the second selection switch stage and each of the selection switch stages, in excess of the number of ADCs in the system. For each of N ADCs in the system, the selection switch stages and the second selection switch stage support at least N+1 selectable conductive paths extending from each of the sampling capacitors of the ADCs to the voltage source. Random selection of the N+1 paths can randomize aperture delay.
US07843370B2 Programmable settling for high speed analog to digital converter
In an embodiment, an apparatus and method reduces a calibration settling time in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC has a reference voltage supply. The reference voltage supply has an output. A filter capacitor is coupled to the reference voltage supply output. An isolation transistor is series-coupled between the filter capacitor and ground. The isolation transistor isolates the filter capacitor during calibration of the ADC.
US07843368B2 Programmable settling for high speed analog to digital converter
In an embodiment, an apparatus and method reduces a calibration settling time in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC has a reference voltage supply. The reference voltage supply has an output. A filter capacitor is coupled to the reference voltage supply output. An isolation transistor is series-coupled between the filter capacitor and ground. The isolation transistor isolates the filter capacitor during calibration of the ADC.
US07843357B2 Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities
A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system is provided. The controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component in the bathing system. The controller also includes a processing unit for modifying the measurements stored in the memory unit and for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit. In specific implementations, sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to components, such as relays and fuses, is provided. This sensing circuitry allows identify components on the controller, such as relays and fuses for example, and bathing unit components in the bathing system as potential causes of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system.
US07843355B2 Fluid-gauging systems
An aircraft fuel-gauging system has multiple gauging sensors in each tank divided into two groups. Each group of sensors connects with a respective processor. The processors are linked to provide a display in the cockpit to give an indication of fuel quantity derived from all the sensors. The two processors also provide separate, nominally-identical display indications of fuel quantity on a refuel panel on the exterior of the aircraft. The refueller can compare these two separate quantity indications with the flow meter in the fuel dispenser to confirm that the correct quantity has been dispensed.
US07843350B2 Animal management system including radio animal tag and additional tranceiver(s)
An animal management system includes a beacon, a radio animal tag configured to monitor the proximity of the animal tag to the beacon, and a reader configured to read information from the animal tag.
US07843347B2 Near-field and far-field antenna-assembly and devices having same
Systems, methods, and devices wirelessly communicate in a near-field region and a far-field region. A device may include a near-field antenna and a far-field antenna. The device may be configured to selectively operate in a near-field mode, employing the near-field antenna, and/or in a far-field mode, employing the far-field antenna, and/or in a joint mode, employing both the near-field antenna and the far-field antenna separately or concurrently. One type of device may be a wireless communications data-reader device configured for both near-field and far-field communications. Another type of device may be a wireless communications data-provider device configured for both near-field and far-field communications.
US07843345B2 Dual frequency RFID circuit
A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (FIGS. 4 and 5A) is disclosed. The transponder includes first (RF) and second (GND) terminals. A first resonant circuit (500, 504, 508) is connected between the first and second terminals. A second resonant circuit (502, 504, 508) has a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency and is connected between the first and second terminals.
US07843342B2 Organic clock generator
An organic electronic module has a clock generator having n organic switching elements connected in series. The output of the nth organic switching element is connected to the input of the first organic switching element. The outputs of two or more organic switching elements are connected to respective inputs of a first electronic circuit of the electronic module tapping off two or more clock signals such that a first clock signal for a first electronic circuit is tapped from the output of a first one of the switching elements and a second clock signal, phase-shifted with respect to the first clock signal, for the first electronic circuit is tapped from the output of a second switching element different than the first switching element.
US07843333B2 System, methods, devices and computer program products for controlling electronic appliances within a local area
A system, methods, devices and computer program products for controlling the operation of at least one electronic appliance, e.g. a TV, a music system, a lighting system, a kitchen appliance or an alarm system, located within a local area. The system has a mobile terminal located within the local area, the mobile terminal being configured to transmit a short-range radio signal to one or more short-range devices located within the local area. Each short-range device of the plurality of short-range devices located within the local area is configured to receive a short-range radio signal from the mobile terminal, perform a signal measurement of signal delay, signal strength, or both signal delay and signal strength of said short-range radio signal received from the mobile terminal, and transmit information about said measurement to an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus is configured to subsequently receive this information about the signal measurements from the plurality of short-range devices. In response thereto, the electronic apparatus is operable to determine the location of the mobile terminal, and control the operation of the at least one electronic appliance in dependence of the determined location of the mobile terminal.
US07843328B2 Medical device with selectable status monitoring modes
A medical device including a control circuit and a plurality of selectable communication modes. The control circuit controls the medical device and generates a signal representative of a characteristic of the medical device. A selected one of the plurality of selectable communication modes communicates the signal generated by the control circuit at a configurable messaging rate.
US07843312B2 Wireless control of security system with key-operated key fob
A key fob with a housing into which a deadbolt key is mounted such that the shank protrudes therefrom, enabling a user to turn the housing and cause the key to lock or unlock the door. Within the keyfob are a pair of switches or other sensing means configured to close on either the turning of the housing in a first (clockwise) direction or a second (counterclockwise) direction. Based on the direction the housing is turned, either a first coded signal or a second coded signal is transmitted to a control panel. The control panel will then either arm or disarm the security system based on how it has been programmed during installation. This enables the user to easily arm the system when the door is being locked and disarm the system when the door is being unlocked without requiring a separate action on the part of the user.
US07843307B2 Thermal fuse employing thermosensitive pellet
A thermal fuse employing a thermosensitive pellet is provided, which exhibits stabilized characteristics in a low operating temperature region. The thermal fuse includes at least a switching movable member, a thermosensitive pellet member, a pair of leads having a first lead portion and a second lead portion, and a metal casing. The thermosensitive pellet member contains a polyolefin wax. The thermosensitive pellet member is housed in the metal casing to which the pair of leads are attached. The switching movable member is operated by deformation associated with softening or melting of the thermosensitive pellet member, to attain a cut-off state between the pair of leads. The thermal fuse employing a thermosensitive pellet is suitable for an operating temperature of 50 to 180° C. Furthermore, in the thermosensitive pellet member the polyolefin wax is mixed with a thermoplastic resin as appropriate, to thereby provide a thermal fuse employing a thermosensitive pellet which increases the response speed while maintaining the operating temperature with high accuracy.
US07843304B2 Grounding of magnetic cores
An apparatus includes a magnetic core, a ground node, and one or more vias to provide a connection between the magnetic core and the ground potential. The magnetic core includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. In addition, the apparatus may include a conductive pattern. The conductive pattern may be at a third layer between the first and second magnetic layers. The apparatus may be included in inductors, transformers, transmission lines, and other components using ferromagnetic cores or shields. Such components may be integrated on a chip or die.
US07843291B2 Integrated maglatch accessory
An apparatus for indicating a condition of a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker defining an accessory pocket in communication with an operating mechanism and a trip unit of the circuit breaker, including a mount member operatively coupled to one of the operating mechanism and trip unit in the accessory pocket. A housing coupled to the mount member, with the housing defining a compartment. A magnetic latch device disposed in the compartment and operatively coupled to the mount member. A switch disposed in the compartment and operatively coupled to the mount member. Wherein a condition of the circuit breaker is indicated by a condition of one of the switch and magnetic latch, and the condition of the circuit breaker is operatively transmitted via the apparatus to a remote location.
US07843281B2 Circuit topology for multiple loads
A circuit topology for multiple loads is provided. In an embodiment, the circuit topology includes a driving terminal (50), a first node (A), a first receiving terminal (10), and a second receiving terminal (20). The driving terminal is coupled to the first node via a main transmission line (11), the first node is respectively coupled to the first and second receiving terminals via a first branch transmission line (13) and a second branch transmission line (12). A first resistor (R2) is mounted on the second branch transmission line, a distance the signal travels from the driving terminal to the second receiving terminal via the main transmission line and the second branch transmission line is greater than a distance the signal travels from the driving terminal to the first receiving terminal via the main transmission and the first branch transmission line.
US07843279B2 Low temperature coefficient oscillator
A low temperature coefficient oscillator including a current generator, a first and a second voltage generator, an amplifier, a resistor, a switch, a capacitor and an oscillating unit is provided. The current generator generates a first through a fourth current according to a control signal. The first voltage generator generates a first voltage according to the first current. The second voltage generator generates a second voltage according to the second current and a frequency signal. The amplifier generates the control signal according the first and second voltages. The resistor is coupled between a first terminal of the switch and ground, and a first terminal thereof receives the third current. The switch is conducted or not according the frequency signal. The capacitor is coupled between a second terminal of the switch and ground. The oscillating unit generates the frequency signal according to the fourth current and a voltage of the capacitor.
US07843277B2 Haptic feedback generation based on resonant frequency
A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.
US07843264B2 Differential amplifier with accurate input offset voltage
An amplifier with accurate input offset voltage is described. In one design, the amplifier includes first and second unbalanced differential pairs. The first unbalanced differential pair receives a differential input signal and provides a first differential current signal. The second unbalanced differential pair receives a differential reference signal and provides a second differential current signal, which is subtracted from the first differential current signal to obtain a differential output signal. The second differential current signal tracks an error current in the first differential current signal so that the differential output signal is zero when the differential input signal is equal to a target input offset voltage for the amplifier. For each unbalanced differential pair, one transistor is M times the size of the other transistor, with M being selected to obtain the target input offset voltage.
US07843239B2 Dividing circuit and phase locked loop using the same
The PLL includes a selection signal generator configured to output a selection signal varying in response to a first clock signal, and a first dividing circuit configured to divide an externally input reference clock signal by a division ratio and output a first division signal. The first dividing circuit selects one of a plurality of edges of the reference clock signal applied for at least one cycle of the first division signal in response to the selection signal, and synchronizes and generates the first division signal on the basis of the selected edge of the reference clock signal. A second dividing circuit is configured to receive an output clock signal, divide the output clock signal by a division ratio, and output a second division signal. The second dividing circuit selects one of the edges of the reference clock signal applied for at least one cycle of the second division signal in response to the selection signal, and synchronizes and generates the second division signal on the basis of the selected edge of the reference clock signal. A synchronous signal output portion is configured to detect a phase difference between the first and second division signals, generate a control voltage corresponding to the phase difference, and output the output clock signal having a frequency corresponding to the control voltage.
US07843228B2 Half bin linear frequency discriminator
Frequency discriminator based on a variant of the DFT transform in which the usual twiddle factors are replaced with twiddle factors as for a DFT on a number of points which is the double as the actual number of sample points. The DFT so modified allows half-bin frequency discrimination, with few added computational burden. Two DFT shifted of half bin with respect to the zero frequency provide a linear response of the discrimination and good immunity to noise. The discriminator is particularly useful in FLL for tracking signals in a GPS receiver.
US07843227B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
The present invention is directed to reduce the chip area of a semiconductor integrated circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit of the invention includes a first transistor, a second transistor disposed adjacent to the first transistor along a Y axis, and a third transistor disposed adjacent to the second transistor along an X axis. The semiconductor integrated circuit further includes a fourth transistor disposed adjacent to the third transistor along the Y axis and disposed adjacent to the first transistor along the X axis. The first to fourth transistors share a well, and an output signal of the first transistor and an output signal of the second transistor have phases opposite to each other. An output signal of the second transistor and an output signal of the third transistor have phases opposite to each other. An output of the third transistor and an output signal of the fourth transistor have phases opposite to each other. The outputs of the transistors act so as to cancel out fluctuations in well potential.
US07843226B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and test terminal arrangement method
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a column of first logic circuit cells arranged along a first side of a chip and a column of second logic circuit cells arranged along a second side orthogonal to the first side. At a corner part where the first side crosses the second side, a first test logic circuit cell is arranged to have its long side faced with a side of a cell at an end portion of the column of the first logic circuit cells and a second logic circuit cell is arranged to have its long side faced with a side of a cell at an end portion of the column of the second logic circuit cells. The first and the second test logic circuit cells are arranged so a that planar shapes thereof are symmetrical (mirror symmetrical) to each other with respect to a virtual line intermediate between the oblique sides arranged opposite to each other.
US07843225B2 Protocol-based bus termination for multi-core processors
A multi-core bus termination apparatus includes a protocol analyzer and a plurality of drivers. The protocol analyzer is disposed within a processor core and configured to receive one or more protocol signals, and is configured to indicate whether or not the processor core owns the bus. The plurality of drivers is coupled to the protocol analyzer. Each of the plurality of drivers has one of a corresponding plurality of nodes, and each is configured to control how the one of the corresponding plurality of nodes is driven responsive whether or not the processor core owns the bus. Each of the plurality of drivers has protocol-based multi-core logic. The protocol-based multi-core logic is configured to enable pull-up logic if the processor core owns the bus, and is configured to disable the pull-up logic if the processor core does not own the bus.
US07843224B2 Interface circuit that can switch between single-ended transmission and differential transmission
An object of the present invention is to realize reduction in an area of an output stage driver in an interface circuit that switches between two transmission systems. The interface circuit has two driver circuits and a drive control circuit that can switch between two driving systems that are a voltage driving system and a current driving system. The two driver circuits are connected to a power supply potential via the drive control circuit. Two input signals and inverted logic signals of the input signals are inputted via a selection circuit. According to a control signal inputted into the drive control circuit, the interface circuit switches between the voltage-driving type single-ended transmission system and current driving type differential transmission system.
US07843222B1 Buffer-driving circuit capable of increasing responding speed and prolonging lifespan, buffer, and method thereof
A method for increasing responding speed and lifespan of a buffer includes detecting an edge of an input signal of the buffer, triggering a pulse signal with a predetermined period according to the detected edge, and driving the buffer for generating an output signal according to the pulse signal and the input signal.
US07843221B2 Semiconductor device, display panel and electronic equipment
The present invention provides a semiconductor device having a buffer circuit formed on an insulating substrate using single-channel type thin film transistors, wherein the buffer circuit has an output stage which including first and second thin film transistors connected in series between first and second power sources, and the output terminal potential of the output stage is switched to the potential of the first or second power source in a complementary manner by the input timings of a set signal adapted to control the first thin film transistor and a reset signal adapted to control the second thin film transistor.
US07843216B2 Techniques for optimizing design of a hard intellectual property block for data transmission
Techniques are provided for implementing channel alignment for a data transmission interface in an HIP block on a programmable logic integrated circuit. The HIP block channel alignment logic can be run using a reduced number of parallel data paths, which consumes substantially less logic resources. Also, the HIP block channel alignment logic circuits can be processed at the higher HIP core clock rate in serial, decreasing lock latency time. Techniques are provided for implementing error handling for transmitted data in programmable logic circuits. The programmable logic circuits can be configured to implement error generation and error monitoring functions that are tailored for any application. Alternatively, the logic elements can be configured to perform other functions for applications that do not require error handling. The phase skew between data and clock signals on an integrated circuit are reduced by routing clock signals along with the data signals to each circuit block.
US07843208B2 Display substrate and apparatus and method for testing display panel having the same
A display substrate includes a gate pad part, a source pad part, a first static dissipative part, and a first test part. A gate pad part is formed on one terminal of each of a plurality of gate lines and transfers signals to the gate lines. A source pad part is formed on one terminal of each of a plurality of source lines and transfers signals to the source lines. A first static dissipative part disperses static charge that flows into the source pad part. A first test part receives a first test signal, makes electrical contact with the first static dissipative part, and transfers the first test signal to the source lines through the first static dissipative part. A display apparatus including the display substrate transmits first test signals that are uniformly applied to source lines through a first test part, so defects are easily detected through a gross test.
US07843195B2 Method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals with use of local spatially encoding magnetic fields
A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance (MR) signals from an imaging region has a preparatory step in which an encoding scheme with I phase encoding steps is defined, for each phase encoding step according to the phase encoding scheme, an excitation pattern of the transverse magnetization is defined and RF pulses to be irradiated to implement this pattern are calculated, wherein the same phase is defined at all spatial locations of the imaging region within an MSEM region and, in the execution step, according to the spatial encoding scheme each encoding step is performed I times according to the phase encoding scheme, wherein selection of the imaging region, amplitude modulation, and phase encoding are performed with the calculated RF pulses during excitation of the nuclear spin. This results in unique determination of the spatial distribution of the magnetic resonance signals with a simple RF receiver configuration using local gradient systems.
US07843193B2 System for testing magnetic sensitivity of Hall-effect switch
A system and method for determining the magnetic sensitivity of a Hall-effect switch through the use of a variable powered DC electromagnet having a permanent magnet attached to it. In use the electromagnet is placed in contact with a Hall-effect switch component and the DC voltage varied until a detector determines the Hall-effect switch has been triggered. The electromagnet is then moved to be in contact with a probe connected to a Gauss meter to determine the magnetic sensitivity of the Hall-effect switch.
US07843192B2 Kit, method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a bearing assembly, method for producing said apparatus, and bearing assembly with a condition monitor
A technique for determining properties of a bearing assembly in use involves using an eddy current probe for detecting changes in material density within a raceway of the bearing assembly. A field of detection of the eddy current probe enters the bearing raceway intermediate races that define the raceway, and as such the detection is of the bearing elements, and not deflections in a wall that defines the raceway.
US07843191B2 System and method for measuring rotational movement of a component from regions magnetized in a magnetically hard layer of the component
A position-sensing system magnetically senses the position of a piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder. A magnetically hard layer on the piston rod provides a recording medium. A track comprised of a plurality of magnetized regions is magnetized in the magnetically hard layer. A plurality of magnetic-field sensors is coupled to the cylinder in proximity of the magnetically hard layer to sense the magnetized track while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder. A first one of the magnetic field sensors is positioned over the track to sense the magnetized regions of the track serially and a second one of the magnetic field sensors is positioned radially to one side of the track. The magnetic field sensors generate signals, in response to sensing the magnetized regions, for use in measuring rotational movement of the piston rod.
US07843185B2 Configurable input high power DC-DC converter
The invention relates to electrical power conversion and more specifically to a high power direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) power converter. The DC-DC converter includes a plurality of input ports for receiving a plurality of inputs, each having current, voltage, and power, which can be selectively configured by a user. The DC-DC converter further includes a plurality of output channels for outputting current, voltage, and power, which may be selectively configured by a user. By allowing a user to configure both the inputs and outputs, the DC-DC converter may be utilized with wide variation of power conversion applications.
US07843183B2 Real time clock (RTC) voltage regulator and method of regulating an RTC voltage
A real time clock (RTC) voltage regulator, a method of regulating an RTC voltage and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). In one embodiment, an RTC voltage regulator includes a current source configured to provide a first current and a voltage regulator having a common gate amplifier and a power device. The first current is employed to establish a reference voltage for the common gate amplifier and the common gate amplifier is configured to control the power device. The power device is configured to provide an RTC voltage for the common gate amplifier.
US07843175B2 Method and apparatus for controlling excitation
Excitation control circuitry for a synchronous generator is disclosed. The synchronous generator is of a type comprising a main machine (2) and an exciter (6) for exciting the main machine. The excitation control circuitry comprises an automatic voltage regulator (10) for controlling power flow from the main machine to the exciter, and an excitation boost system (14) for selectively supplying power from a second source of electrical power (12) to the exciter (6). This can allow additional excitation to be provided, for example, when the generator is in overload. This arrangement can allow a synchronous generator to be upgraded by adding the excitation boost system to provide enhanced overload performance.
US07843173B2 Charger and method of charging
A charger includes input terminals whereto positive and negative voltages from a power source unit are applied, output terminals generating an output charging a secondary battery, upon being applied with the voltage from the input terminals via positive and negative power source lines, a first field effect type transistor and a second field effect type transistor having a region between a drain and a source inserted in at least one of the positive and negative power source lines, and having a first parasitic diode with a polarity reverse against charge current, and a second parasitic diode with a polarity forward direction with charge current respectively, a first detection circuit and a second detection circuit having series connections of a plurality of resistors inserted between the positive and negative power source lines, the first circuit is between the input terminals and the first transistor, and the second circuit is between the first transistor and the second transistor, and a charge control unit supplied with the first and second detection voltages, and generates ON/OFF control signals for the gates of the first and second transistors.
US07843161B2 Inverter device
This invention provides an inverter device that can detect a step-out state of an AC motor by a simple process without depending on a rotation speed of the AC motor and also surely hold an abnormal state in the step-out state of the AC motor. The inverter device 1 includes a torque current control unit 6 for controlling a torque current direction voltage so that a given torque current command value coincides with a torque current detection value, and a V/f conversion unit 7 for calculating an induced voltage command of the AC motor 2 based on a given output frequency command. The inverter device further includes a step-out detection unit 10 for detecting a step-out state of the AC motor 2 based on the torque current direction voltage and the induced voltage command.
US07843160B2 Motor driving control method and motor driving control apparatus
A motor driving control method in which when the steering angular velocity is lower than a predetermined reference angular velocity, an actual motor drive current is inferred from a back electromotive voltage and an applying voltage in a three-phase brushless motor, and a limitation on the peak level of each of three-phase alternating current command waves is mitigated by permitting the interval between a pair of intersection points of a peak area of each of the three-phase alternating current command waves with a peak point neighborhood of a triangle wave to become approximately the same length as a dead time.
US07843156B2 Method and apparatus for active voltage control of electric motors
Methods and apparatus are provided for dynamic voltage control of electric motors. An inverter provides an output voltage to an electric motor based on a gate voltage. The method includes determining a speed of the electric motor and modifying the gate voltage based on the speed of the electric motor. The apparatus includes a gate drive circuit and a controller coupled to the gate drive circuit. The gate drive circuit provides a gate voltage to a switch network, and the switch network produces the output voltage in response to the gate voltage. The controller modifies the gate voltage based on a speed of the electric motor.
US07843150B2 Power regulation for LED strings
One embodiment of the invention includes a power regulator system. The system comprises at least one current regulator configured to maintain a substantially constant current flow through each of at least one series connected light emitting diode (LED) string. The system also comprises a power converter configured to generate an output voltage to provide power to the at least one current regulator and the at least one series connected LED string. The system further comprises a voltage regulator configured to determine a voltage that provides power to the at least one current regulator and to adjust the output voltage based on the determined voltage to mitigate power loss due to excessive voltage provided to power the at least one current regulator.
US07843144B2 Method and apparatus for retrofitting HID lamps with system to periodically adjust operating wattage
A method, apparatus, and system for increasing usable light from a high intensity lighting fixture to a target area without an increase in energy use. In one aspect, the circuit is retrofitted into an existing lamp circuit that allows selective change in operating power or wattage to the lamp, over a substantial period of operation time, to save energy. In one aspect operating wattage of the lamp would be reduced. In another aspect of the invention, reduction in operating wattage is accomplished by a switchable capacitance in electrical communication with the lamp circuit.
US07843135B2 Organic light-emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display including a substrate, an OLED, a driver IC electrically connected to the OLED, and a sealing substrate having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the sealing substrate is affixed to the substrate such that both the driver IC and the OLED are enclosed between the inner surface of the sealing substrate and the substrate.
US07843127B2 Light emitting panel and a light source for reducing deterioration of pixel
In light emitting panel, the light emitting panel includes a substrate, a pixel part and a protection part. The pixel part has more than or equal to two unit parts separated from each other. The protection has a concave part marking off neighboring unit parts.
US07843125B2 Organic light emitting diode
This disclosure generally relates to improved structures for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), and more particularly to so-called top emitting OLEDs.
US07843119B2 Image display apparatus and image receiving and displaying apparatus
The spacer comprises an insulating member and a plurality of electroconductive members each including a portion enveloped with the insulating member within a region sandwiched between a region on which the anode is disposed and the first substrate, and the plurality of electroconductive members are arranged such that the portions of the electroconductive members enveloped with the insulating member are spaced apart from each other in a direction along which the first and second substrates are opposed.
US07843115B2 Electronic component having a resonator element arranged in an hermetically closed housing and method for manufacturing such an electronic component
The electronic component includes at least one resonator element arranged in a housing of a case. The case includes a main part with a base and at least one lateral wall of annular shape, and a cover fixed onto the main part to hermetically seal the housing of the case. One portion of the cover is transparent to a determined wavelength of a light beam to allow the resonator element to be optically adjusted once the case is sealed. The cover is fixed onto a rim of the lateral wall of the main part, which is preferably made of a ceramic material, such that one part of the rim preferably surrounds the entire lateral surface of the cover to ensure protection of the electronic component against lateral shocks.
US07843105B2 Brush holder component with ground contact plate
Electric motor, as well as a brush mount component (34) for positioning of carbon brushes with respect to a commutator (30) of an electric motor (12), having at least one attachment means (55) for fixing the brush mount component (34) on a printed circuit board (28), with an earth contact plate (70) being mounted on the brush mount component (34) and being designed symmetrically with respect to the arrangement of the carbon brushes (32). A method for production of an electric motor such as this is also described.
US07843081B2 Power-controllable outlet receptacle
A multi-type power strip includes a main body having connecting sockets with surfaces indicated by priority of supplying electric power to the connecting sockets, operation lamps, and an electric circuit installed in the main body. The circuit interfaces with a remote controller through RF, and checks statuses of loads connected to the main body to switch plural switches based on the priority when the load exceeds a threshold. An intermediate type power strip includes intermediate socket main bodies inserted into sockets and respectively having at least one connecting socket, and a remote controller to individually control the intermediate socket main bodies in remote through RF communication. The surfaces of the intermediate socket main bodies are distinguished by indicators. When switch status of the intermediate socket main bodies is requested by the remote controller, the status is displayed by lamps of a socket controlling button of the remote controller.
US07843072B1 Semiconductor package having through holes
Disclosed is a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package is configured to form a plurality of through holes for forming a through silicon via at once using a sawing device used for wafer sawing instead of a separate laser drilling equipment or a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) equipment. Accordingly, the semiconductor package saves fabricating time and increases fabrication yield, saves costs for a laser drilling equipment or a DRIE equipment, and prevents various defects generated in an inner portion of a through hole in the case of using the laser drilling equipment or the DRIE equipment.
US07843069B2 Wire bond pads
A wire bond pad and method of fabricating the wire bond pad. The method including: providing a substrate; forming an electrically conductive layer on a top surface of the substrate; patterning the conductive layer into a plurality of wire bond pads spaced apart; and forming a protective dielectric layer on the top surface of the substrate in spaces between adjacent wire bond pads, top surfaces of the dielectric layer in the spaces coplanar with coplanar top surfaces of the wire bond pads.
US07843068B2 Semiconductor chip and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate 11, a through via 12 provided in a through hole 17 that passes through the semiconductor substrate 11, insulating layers 21-1 to 21-3 laminated on the semiconductor substrate 11, a multi-layered wiring structure 14 having a first wiring pattern 22 and a second wiring pattern 23, and an external connection terminal 15 provided on an uppermost layer of the multi-layered wiring structure 14, wherein the through via 12 and the external connection terminal 15 are connected electrically by the second wiring pattern 23.
US07843065B2 Flash memory device and fabricating method thereof
A flash memory device may include a first insulating layer on a base insulating layer on a substrate, a lower wire layer that fills a trench in the first insulating layer, a first insulating interlayer and a second insulating layer stacked in sequence on the first insulating layer and the lower wire layer, a middle wire layer that fills a trench in the second insulating layer, and a second insulating interlayer and an upper wire layer stacked in sequence on the middle wire layer, wherein the lower wire layer. The middle wire layer and the upper wire layer may be electrically connected to each other and the first insulating layer may include a low-k layer in contact with the base insulating layer. In addition, each of the first insulating interlayer, the second insulating layer, and the second insulating interlayer may include an FSG layer.
US07843063B2 Microstructure modification in copper interconnect structure
Cobalt is added to a copper seed layer, a copper plating layer, or a copper capping layer in order to modify the microstructure of copper lines and vias. The cobalt can be in the form of a copper-cobalt alloy or as a very thin cobalt layer. The grain boundaries configured in bamboo microstructure in the inventive metal interconnect structure shut down copper grain boundary diffusion. The composition of the metal interconnect structure after grain growth contains from about 1 ppm to about 10% of cobalt in atomic concentration. Grain boundaries extend from a top surface of a copper-cobalt alloy line to a bottom surface of the copper-cobalt alloy line, and are separated from any other grain boundary by a distance greater than a width of the copper-cobalt alloy line.
US07843054B2 Chip package and manufacturing method thereof
A chip package including a circuit substrate, a chip, a B-staged adhesive layer, a leadframe, a number of first bonding wires, a number of second bonding wires, and a number of third bonding wires. The chip is disposed on the circuit substrate. The B-staged adhesive layer is disposed on the circuit substrate. The leadframe is disposed on the circuit substrate and includes a number of leads. Portions of the leads are embedded in the B-staged adhesive layer, and an end of each of the leads is exposed by the B-staged adhesive layer. The first bonding wires are electrically connected between the chip and the circuit substrate. The second bonding wires are electrically connected between the chip and the leads. The third bonding wires are electrically connected between the leads and the circuit substrate. In addition, a manufacturing method of a chip package is also provided.
US07843053B2 Stack package made of chip scale packages
A stack package of the present invention is made by stacking at least two area array type chip scale packages. Each chip scale package of an adjacent pair of chip scale packages is attached to the other in a manner that the ball land pads of the upper stacked chip scale package face in the opposite direction to those of the lower stacked chip scale package, and the circuit patterns of the upper stacked chip scale package are electrically connected to the those of the lower stacked chip scale package by, for example, connecting boards. Therefore, it is possible to stack not only fan-out type chip scale packages, but to also efficiently stack ordinary area array type chip scale packages.
US07843042B2 Wafer level integration package
A semiconductor package has a first conductive layer formed on a top surface of a substrate. A conductive via is formed between the first conductive layer and a bottom surface of the substrate. A semiconductor component is mounted to the substrate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact pad. The semiconductor component can be a flip chip semiconductor device, wire bond semiconductor device, or passive component. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor component. The encapsulant extends into a channel formed on a side of the substrate from the top surface to the bottom surface of the substrate. An interconnect structure is formed over the bottom surface of the substrate. A heat spreader structure can be disposed over the semiconductor component. An EMI shield can be disposed over the semiconductor component. A plurality of semiconductor components can be stacked in a package-in-package arrangement.
US07843039B2 Stress-modified device structures, methods of fabricating such stress-modified device structures, and design structures for an integrated circuit
Stress-modified device structures, methods of fabricating such stress-modified device structures, and design structures for an integrated circuit. An electrical characteristic of semiconductor devices formed on a common substrate, such as the current gains of bipolar junction transistors, may be altered by modifying stresses in structures indirectly on or over, or otherwise indirectly coupled with, the semiconductor devices. The structures, which may be liners for contacts in a contact level of an interconnect, are physically spaced away from, and not in direct physical contact with, the respective semiconductor devices because at least one additional intervening material or structure is situated between the stress-imparting structures and the stress-modified devices. The intervening materials or structures, such as contacts extending through an insulating layer of a local interconnect level between the contact level and the semiconductor devices, provide paths for the transfer of stress from the stress-imparting structures to the stress-modified semiconductor devices.
US07843032B1 Radio frequency identification device electrostatic discharge management
Apparatus, systems, and methods may include managing electrostatic discharge events in radio frequency identification (RFID) devices by using a semiconductor circuit having a non-aligned gate to implement a snap-back voltage protection mechanism. Such circuits may be formed by doping a semiconductor substrate to form a first conductive region as a well, forming one of a source region and a drain region in the well, depositing a layer of polysilicon on the substrate to establish a gating area that does not overlap the one of the source region and the drain region, and forming an integrated circuit including an RFID circuit that is supported by the substrate to couple to the one of the source region and the drain region to provide snap-back voltage operation at a node between the integrated circuit and the source or drain region. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US07843031B2 Ultraviolet detecting device and manufacturing method thereof, and ultraviolet quantity measuring apparatus
The present invention provides an ultraviolet detecting device which comprises a silicon semiconductor layer having a thickness ranging from greater than or equal to 3 nm to less than or equal to 36 nm, which is formed over an insulating layer, lateral PN-junction type first and second photodiodes formed in the silicon semiconductor layer, an interlayer insulating film formed over the silicon semiconductor layer, a first filter layer made of silicon nitride, which is formed over the interlayer insulating film provided over the first photodiode and causes light lying in a wavelength range of an UV-B wave or higher to pass therethrough, and a second filter layer made of silicon nitride, which is formed over the interlayer insulating film provided over the second photodiode and allows light lying in a wavelength range of an UV-A wave or higher to pass therethrough.
US07843029B2 Semiconductor range-finding element and solid-state imaging device
A semiconductor range-finding element and a solid-state imaging device, which can provide a smaller dark current and a removal of reset noise. With n-type buried charge-generation region, buried charge-transfer regions, buried charge read-out regions buried in a surface of p-type semiconductor layer, an insulating film covering these regions, transfer gate electrodes arranged on the insulating film for transferring the signal charges to the buried charge-transfer regions, read-out gate electrodes arranged on the insulating film for transferring the signal charges to the buried charge read-out regions, after receiving a light pulse by the buried charge-generation region, in the semiconductor layer just under the buried charge-generation region, an optical signal is converted into signal charges, and a distance from a target sample is determined by a distribution ratio of the signal charges accumulated in the buried charge-transfer regions.
US07843027B2 Solid-state imaging device, camera and method of producing the solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device in which a first conductive type epitaxial layer is formed on its first surface with an interconnection layer and light is received at a second surface of said epitaxial layer, the solid-state imaging device including: (a) a second conductive type region formed in said epitaxial layer with a first impurity concentration and storing a charge generated by a photoelectrical conversion, and (b) a first conductive type impurity layer formed closer to said second surface side of said epitaxial layer than said second conductive type region and having a second impurity concentration higher than the first impurity concentration; wherein the second impurity concentration has a concentration gradient increasing toward the second surface side.
US07843022B2 High-temperature electrostatic transducers and fabrication method
A high temperature micromachined ultrasonic transducer (HTCMUT) is provided. The HTCMUT includes a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate having a doped first silicon layer, a doped second silicon layer, and a first insulating layer disposed between the first and second silicon layers. A cavity is disposed in the first silicon layer, where a cross section of the cavity includes a horizontal cavity portion on top of vertical cavity portions disposed at each end of the horizontal cavity portion, and the vertical cavity portion spans from the first insulating layer through the first silicon layer, such that a portion of the first silicon layer is isolated by the first insulating layer and the cavity. A membrane layer is disposed on the first silicon layer top surface, and spans across the cavity. A bottom electrode is disposed on the bottom of the second silicon layer.
US07843019B2 Seal ring for mixed circuitry semiconductor devices
In mixed-component, mixed-signal, semiconductor devices, selective seal ring isolation from the substrate and its electrical potential is provided in order to segregate noise sensitive circuitry from electrical noise generated by electrically noisy circuitry. Appropriate predetermined sections of such a mixed use chip are isolated from the substrate through a non-ohmic contact with the substrate without compromising reliability of the chip's isolation from scribe region contamination.
US07843012B2 CMOS transistor
The CMOS transistor of the present invention includes deep halo doped regions in the substrate, which can avoid the occurrence of latch-up. In addition, the fabrication of the deep halo doped regions is integrated into the process of making the lightly doped drains or the source/drain doped regions, and therefore no extra mask is required.
US07843006B2 Semiconductor component arrangement having a power transistor and a temperature measuring arrangement
A semiconductor component arrangement includes a power transistor and a temperature measurement circuit. The power transistor includes a gate electrode, a source zone, a drain zone and a body zone. The body zone is arranged in a first semiconductor zone of a first conduction type. The temperature measuring circuit comprises a temperature-dependent resistor and an evaluation circuit coupled to the temperature-dependent resistor. The resistor is formed by a portion of said first semiconductor zone.
US07843003B2 Insulated gate semiconductor device
An insulated gate semiconductor device includes a one conductivity type semiconductor layer, a first operation part in a surface of the semiconductor layer and a second operation part in the surface of the semiconductor layer that is smaller in area than the first operation part. A first channel region and a first transistor of an opposite conductivity type are provided in the first operation part and a second channel region and a second transistor of the opposite conductivity type are provided in the second operation part. The first operation part is disposed around the second operation part. Accordingly, design rules for four corner portions can be made uniform and depletion layer spreading in corner portions at a peripheral edge of a channel region of an operation part in application of a reverse voltage is also made approximately uniform. Thus, stable VDSS breakdown voltage characteristics can be obtained.
US07842999B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided with silicon pillars arranged in a matrix and formed substantially perpendicularly to a main surface of a substrate, bit lines provided above the silicon pillars, gate electrodes covering a side surface of each silicon pillars via gate insulation films, first and second diffusion layers provided at an upper part and a lower part of the silicon pillar, respectively, a reference potential wiring provided in common to the plural silicon pillars for supplying a reference potential to the first diffusion layers, and memory elements connected between the second diffusion layers and the bit lines. The gate electrodes covering the silicon pillars adjacent in a first direction crossing the bit line are in contact with each other, and gate electrodes covering the silicon pillars adjacent in a second direction parallel with the bit line are isolated from each other.
US07842996B2 Memory cell of nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A memory cell of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a semiconductor region, source/drain areas arranged separately from each other in the semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film arranged on a channel region between the diffusion areas, a floating gate electrode arranged on the tunnel insulating film, an inter-electrode insulator arranged on the floating gate electrode, and a control gate electrode arranged on the inter-electrode insulator. The inter-electrode insulator includes lanthanoid-based metal Ln, aluminum Al, and oxygen O, and a composition ratio Ln/(Al+Ln) between the lanthanoid-based metal and the aluminum takes a value within the range of 0.33 to 0.39.
US07842986B2 Solid-state imaging device and method for fabricating the same related application data
A solid-state imaging device having a plurality of light-receiving sections which are disposed in a substrate and which generate charge in response to incident light, a planarizing layer which covers predetermined elements disposed on the substrate to perform planarization, a plurality of signal lines disposed above the planarizing layer and a waveguide which guides incident light to each of the light-receiving sections, the waveguide passing through the space between the plurality of signal lines.
US07842985B2 CMOS image sensor
Disclosed is a CMOS image sensor including a gate electrode of a finger type transfer transistor for controlling the saturation state of a floating diffusion region according to the luminance level (i.e. low luminance or high luminance). The CMOS image sensor includes first and second photodiode regions for generating electrons in response to incident light, and a transfer transistor positioned between the first and second photodiodes for receiving the generated electrons transferred from the first and/or second photodiode.
US07842983B2 Boundaries with elevated deuterium levels
A device is annealed in a deuterium atmosphere. Deuterium penetrates the device to a boundary, which is passivated by the deuterium.
US07842975B2 Dynamic array architecture
A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion and a number of diffusion regions defined within the substrate portion. The diffusion regions are separated from each other by a non-active region of the substrate portion. The semiconductor device includes a number of linear gate electrode segments defined to extend over the substrate portion in a single common direction. In one embodiment, the diffusion regions are defined in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a centerline of the substrate portion. In another embodiment, the substrate portion corresponds to a region of the semiconductor device in which first and second cells are defined, and respectively include diffusion shapes of different size. In another embodiment, one or more of the diffusion regions is defined to have a periphery formed by more than four orthogonally related sides.
US07842967B2 Semiconductor device used in step-up DC-DC converter, and step-up DC-DC converter
A power supply device is disclosed that is able to satisfy the power requirements of a device in service and has high efficiency.The power supply device includes a first power supply; a voltage step-up unit that steps up an output voltage of the first power supply; a voltage step-down unit that steps down an output voltage of the voltage step-up unit; and a load that is driven to operate by an output voltage of the voltage step-down unit. The voltage step-up unit steps up the output voltage of the first power supply to a lower limit of an operating voltage of the voltage step-down unit.
US07842965B2 Light emitting diode illuminating device
An illuminating device (1) includes a light source module (10) and a power source module (30). The light source module includes a base (11), a plurality of LEDs (12) and a plurality of electrode contacts (13, 14) located on the base. The LEDs is electrically connected to the electrode contacts. The power source module includes an enclosure (31) defining a light source chamber (311) therein and a plurality of electrical terminals (33, 34) received in the light source chamber. The light source module is detachably inserted into the light source chamber of the power source module, and the electrode contacts abut against the corresponding electrical terminals respectively.
US07842953B2 Pixel structure and repairing method thereof
A pixel structure disposed on a substrate and including a common line, a reserved line, a dielectric layer, two repair lines, an active device, and a pixel electrode is provided. The reserved line and the common line are disposed on the substrate and are covered by the dielectric layer. The repair lines are disposed on the dielectric layer, and each repair line has a first repairing region overlapped with the common line and a second repairing region overlapped with the reserved line. When the common line is open, the repair lines in the first and second repairing regions are connected with the common line and the reserved line, such that the common line, the repair lines, and the reserved line are electrically connected. After the common line, the repair lines, and the reserved line are connected, the above-mentioned pixel structure is effectively repaired.
US07842940B2 Structure and method to form semiconductor-on-pores (SOP) for high device performance and low manufacturing cost
A semiconducting material that has all the advantages of prior art SOI substrates including, for example, low parasitic capacitance and leakage, without having floating body effects is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a Semiconductor-on-Pores (SOP) material that includes a top semiconductor layer and a bottom semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layers are separated in at least one region by a porous semiconductor material. Semiconductor structures including the SOP material as a substrate as well as a method of fabricating the SOP material are also provided. The method includes forming a p-type region with a first semiconductor layer, converting the p-type region to a porous semiconductor material, sealing the upper surface of the porous semiconductor material by annealing, and forming a second semiconductor layer atop the porous semiconductor material.
US07842934B2 Terminal structures of an ion implanter having insulated conductors with dielectric fins
Terminal structures of an ion implanter having insulated conductors with dielectric fins are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the terminal structures of an ion implanter may be realized with insulated conductors with one or more dielectric fins. For example, the ion implanter may comprise an ion source configured to provide an ion beam. The ion implanter may also comprise a terminal structure defining a cavity, wherein the ion source may be at least partially disposed within the cavity. The ion implanter may further comprise an insulated conductor having at least one dielectric fin disposed proximate an exterior portion of the terminal structure to modify an electric field.
US07842933B2 System and method for measuring overlay errors
A system and method for detecting overlay errors, the method includes (i) directing a primary electron beam to interact with an inspected object; whereas the inspected object comprises a first feature formed on a first layer of the inspected object and a second feature formed on a second layer of the object, wherein the second feature is buried under the first layer and wherein the second feature affects a shape of an area of the first layer; (ii) detecting electrons reflected or scattered from the area of the first layer; and (iii) receiving detection signals from at least one detector and determining overlay errors.
US07842931B2 Extraction electrode manipulator
An extraction electrode manipulator system, comprising an ion source, a suppression electrode and a ground electrode, wherein the two electrode are supported by coaxially arranged two water cooled support tubes. A high voltage insulator ring is located on the other end of the coaxial support tube system to act as a mechanical support of the inner tube and also as a high voltage vacuum feedthrough to prevent sputtering and coating of the insulating surface.
US07842926B2 Method and device for correcting SLM stamp image imperfections
The invention relates to production and precision patterning of work pieces, including manufacture of photomask for photolithography and direct writing on other substrates, such as semiconductor substrates. In particular, it relates to applying corrections to pattern data, such as corrections for distortions in the field of an SLM exposure stamp. It may be used to produce a device on a substrate. Alternatively, the present invention may be practiced as a device practicing disclosed methods or as an article of manufacture, particularly a memory, either volatile or non-volatile memory, including a program adapted to carry out the disclosed methods.
US07842908B2 Sensor for eye-safe and body-fixed semi-active laser guidance
A sensor for laser spot trackers. The novel sensor includes a detector array comprised of a predetermined number of subsets, each subset including a plurality of detector elements, and a readout circuit for providing a first output and a second output, the first output including subset signals that represent the total energy received in each subset and the second output including signals representing energy received by each individual detector element. In an illustrative embodiment, the array is divided into four subsets and the first output includes four subset signals that are compatible with four-quadrant guidance systems. A subset signal is generated by thresholding signals received from each individual detector element to remove noise, and then summing the thresholded signals from each detector element in the subset.
US07842904B2 Welding system and consumable electrode welding method
A torch is moved by a manipulator in a direction separating from a base material 7 while a wire is supplied, whereby an actuator driving the robot manipulator can control a velocity of the wire for a workpiece by a unidirectional operation of separating the torch, and vibration due to reverse of torch velocity is not generated. Further, by using a dedicated separation control system, velocity follow-up performance of the actuator moving the torch can be heightened without increasing overshoot in the usual operation time, and the acceleration and deceleration time of the manipulator can be reduced.
US07842902B2 Laser processing method and laser beam processing machine
A method of carrying out laser processing along processing lines having linear portions and curved portions formed on a workpiece by using a laser beam processing machine comprising a laser beam application means for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on a chuck table which comprises a condenser for converging a laser beam, having a focal spot changing means for changing the shape of a focal spot between an elliptic spot and a circular spot, comprising the steps of:moving a processing line formed on the workpiece to the application position of a laser beam, activating the focal spot changing means to make an elliptic focal spot and positioning the long axis of the elliptic spot along a linear portion of the processing line when the linear portion of the processing line is located at the application position of the laser beam and activating the focal spot changing means to make a circular focal spot when a curved portion of the processing line is located at the application position of the laser beam.
US07842901B2 Device for drilling and for removing material using a laser beam
A device for drilling and for removing material using a laser beam comprises: a rotating image rotator (2); a beam manipulator (1) which, when viewed in the beam direction, is arranged in front of the image rotator and which serves to adjust the angle and position of the beam relative to the rotation axis of the image rotator; and a focusing device (3) located on the output side of the image rotator. A compensating device (3, 13, 14, 15) is placed between the image rotator and the focusing device and rotates with the image rotator in the same direction of rotation and with the same rotational frequency. The compensating device has a parallel displacement unit (15) and an angle changing unit (13, 14), and the compensating device, in a basic setting, is adjustable in its rotating position relative to the image rotator.
US07842883B2 Power line arrangement
A power line arrangement includes a first power line and a second power line which crosses the first power line at least once. The first and second power lines are connected to a same power supply, and current in the first power line flows in a different direction from current in the second power line at an area where the first and second power lines cross.
US07842866B1 Musical instrument
A musical instrument having a body shaped like a traditional stringed instrument such as a guitar and a sounding piece for strumming. The sounding piece, which is made of a material sufficiently stiff as to emit a sound when strummed, has a plurality of corrugations. The sounding piece is mounted within or on the body so that the corrugations run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. The sounding piece is also mounted sufficiently loosely within or on the body that it is able to vibrate sufficiently freely as to make a sound.
US07842864B1 Maize variety inbred PH13KD
A novel maize variety designated PH13KD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize varietyPH13KD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13KD through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13KD or a locus conversion of PH13KD with another maize variety.
US07842854B2 Genes encoding plant transcription factors
Identification of a gene from monocotyledonous plants such as rice, which codes for a transcription factor specific to a stress tolerant gene and provision of a novel environmental stress tolerant plant using the gene. From the rice genome, a gene, which binds to a cis element existing upstream of the gene encoding a stress responsive protein and for a transcription factor to activate the transcription of the gene, is identified. Further, the gene of the transcription factor is used to transform a plant, thereby improving tolerance against environmental stresses such as low temperature, dehydration, and salt stresses.
US07842852B2 Method for increasing the content of polyunsaturated long-chained fatty acids in transgenic organisms
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the content of polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids in an organism by introducing nucleic acids coding for polypeptides or proteins exhibiting a phospholipase, ketoacyl-CoA reductase and/or dehydratase activity. The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequences coding for polypeptides with enzyme activities of a phospholipase, ketoacyl-CoA reductase and/or dehydratase, and nucleic acid constructs, vectors and organisms containing the nucleic acid sequences according to the present invention. A further part of the present invention relates to oils, lipids and/or fatty acids produced according to the method of the present invention and the use thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to unsaturated fatty acids and triglycerides having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids and the use thereof.
US07842850B2 Methods for producing fertile crosses between wild and domestic soybean species
Methods for producing hybrids between domestic and wild soybean that are fertile and can be further bred with other soybean plants are provided, thus allowing transfer of desirable traits and genes from the wild soybean into the domestic soybean. This invention also provides novel media for producing callus and multiple somatic embryos, as well as novel media for producing multiple shoots from the embryos. The hybrid plants are made fertile by colchicine treatment to double their chromosome number so that they can be backcrossed into domestic soybean. These methods and media allow the production of elite soybean lines containing traits or genes from wild soybean as well as a minimum amount of additional wild soybean DNA. Backcrosses containing only one wild soybean chromosome can be produced, as well as sets of such backcrossed lines that each contain one chromosome from the wild ancestor, but collectively all the wild chromosomes from the hybrid ancestor. Plants and plant progeny and plant tissue (tissue including seeds) of plants produced by the foregoing methods are also provided. The methods do not require genetic modification, and thus this invention allows production of domestic soybean plants that are not genetically-modified organisms (non-GMO) but that express desirable traits derived from wild soybean.
US07842830B2 Transition-metal charge-transport materials, methods of fabrication thereof, and methods of use thereof
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include transition-metal charge-transport materials, methods of forming transition-metal charge-transport materials, and methods of using the transition-metal charge-transport materials.
US07842801B2 Phthalocyanine dyes and their preparation and use
Phthalocyanine dyes of general formula (II) and, in particular, of general formula (III) wherein R1-R8, R9-R12, Me, M, m, n, o and p are as described in the specification, are excellent photosensitizers for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for photodynamic therapy or photo diagnostics.
US07842800B2 Bioinformatically detectable group of novel regulatory bacterial and bacterial associated oligonucleotides and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a first group of novel bacterial and human associated oligonucleotides, here identified as Genomic Address Messenger or GAM oligonucleotide, and a second group of novel operon-like bacterial and human polynucleotides, here identified as Genomic Record or GR polynucleotide. GAM oligonucleotides selectively inhibit translation of known ‘target’ genes, many of which are known to be involved in various bacterial diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 6444 GAM precursors oligonucleotides, and 726 GR polynucleotides, as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotides and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotides, and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof.
US07842798B2 Production of attenuated, human-bovine chimeric respiratory syncytial virus vaccines
Chimeric human-bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric RSV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete human or bovine RSV “background” genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain. In preferred aspects of the invention, chimeric RSV incorporate a partial or complete bovine RSV background genome or antigenome combined with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) from a human RSV. A variety of additional mutations and nucleotide modifications are provided within the human-bovine chimeric RSV of the invention to yield desired phenotypic and structural effects.
US07842791B2 Dispersible pharmaceutical compositions
A pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising a vehicle that comprises (a) an amphipathic oil that is water dispersible and ethanol insoluble, (b) microcrystalline wax, and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable non-aqueous carrier; and having an antibacterial substance in an antibacterially effective amount stably dispersed in the vehicle. The composition is suitable for administration by intramammary infusion to a milk producing animal for treatment and/or prevention of mastitis or other diseases of the udder, as well as for otic administration for treatment and/or prevention of an ear infection.
US07842783B2 Mouse spermatogenesis genes related to human male sterility
The present invention provides a polynucleotide or a complementary sequence thereof, which polynucleotide is complementary to mRNA transcribed from a human male infertility-associated gene Scot-t, and has one or more mutations selected from the following group: “t” at 870th position is replaced by “g”; and “t” at 1667th position is replaced by “c”, in the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:168; various molecular biological materials relating thereto; various molecular biological materials relating to male infertility-associated gene mutations; and various test methods and diagnostic methods using the same.
US07842777B2 Sloped tubular reactor with divided flow
A sloped tubular reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor can include a downwardly sloped tubular member, a flow divider disposed in the tubular member, and one or more internal trays disposed in the tubular member. The flow divider divides flow of the reaction medium among the trays and the bottom of the tubular member.
US07842762B2 Electrodepositable coating composition containing a cyclic guanidine
The present invention is directed towards an electrocoating composition comprising a cyclic guanidine.
US07842759B2 Nitroxide compounds for minimizing scorch in crosslinkable compositions
Scorch is inhibited during the free-radical crosslinking of a crosslinkable polymer, e.g., an EPDM, by incorporating into the polymer before melt processing and crosslinking a scorch inhibiting amount of a derivative, preferably an ether, ester or urethane derivative, of a TEMPO compound, e.g., 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrocarbylpiperidin-1-oxyl. The scorch inhibitors of this invention perform as well, if not better, than their 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrocarbylpiperidin-1-oxyl counterparts in similar polymer compositions and under similar conditions in terms of scorch inhibition and ultimate degree of crosslinking, but exhibit less volatility and less migration within the polymer composition.
US07842751B2 Water-based paint compositions
This invention provides a water-based paint composition comprising an emulsion resin (A), melamine resin (B) and hydrophobic solvent (C), the emulsion resin (A) being fine resin particles having core/shell type multilayered structure composed of the core made of a copolymer (I) obtained by copolymerization of 0.1-30 mass % of polymerizable unsaturated monomer (a) having at least two polymerizable unsaturated groups per molecule and 70-99.9 mass % of other polymerizable unsaturated monomer (b), and the shell made of a copolymer (II) obtained by copolymerization of 5-50 mass % of vinyl aromatic compound (c) and 50-95 mass % of other polymerizable unsaturated monomer (d), the solid mass ratio of the copolymer (I)/copolymer (II) being within a range of 10/90-90/10; the melamine resin (B) having a weight-average molecular weight within a range of 1,000-5,000; and containing, per 100 mass parts of solid resin content in the water-based paint composition, the emulsion resin (A) within a range of 10-80 mass parts, the melamine resin (B), within a range of 5-50 mass parts, and the hydrophobic solvent (C), within a range of 10-100 mass parts. Use of the water-based paint composition allows formation of coating film free of metallic mottling and excelling in flip-flop property, smoothness, luster and water resistance.
US07842747B2 Block copolymer composition for overmolding any nylon
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for overmolding (OM) a nylon substrate with an overmolded layer consists essentially of an inert filler, a plasticizer, preferably a mineral oil, and chosen combinations of ingredients from the following: (i) a functionalized “high rubber” SHDS (styrene-hydrogenated diene-styrene) having a functionality of 1%, the “small end blocks” together present in an amount in the range from about 8-25% by weight; (ii) hydrogenated SDS or SHDS block copolymer having polystyrene endblocks and a polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer in the poly(conjugated diene) midblock, the polystyrene endblocks together present in an amount in the range from 20-30% by weight of the block copolymer, excluding weight of the polystyrene in the polydiene midblock; (iii) a functionalized “high rubber” SHDS having a functionality of >1% but <2%, the “small end blocks” together present in an amount in the range from about 8-25% by weight; (iv) from 0-30% by weight of the composition, of a functionalized polyolefin (F3), the olefin having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; (v) from 0-15% by wt of the composition, of a hydrogenated nonfunctionalized hydrogenated polystyrene-poly(conjugated diene)-polystyrene (SHDS) block copolymer; and, (vi) an additive to enhance the useful life of the composition.
US07842743B2 Stabiliser composition for halide-containing polymers
A composition for stabilising halide-containing polymers, said composition comprising compounds represented by the general formula (I) wherein X, Y, and Z are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, and groups having the structure (II) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, phenylalkyl and aryl group, A is oxygen (O) or sulfur (S); and wherein the dashed double line represents an optional double bond.
US07842741B2 Stabilized aqueous polymer compositions
The aqueous polymer composition comprises a water soluble polymer having a molar weight of at least 104 Daltons and comprising functional groups which may form complexes with metal ions. The aqueous polymer compositions of this invention are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes by addition of a phenothiazine compound to allow their use even under harsh conditions.
US07842739B2 Method of applying a compact hardened coating to a building surface and a composition for forming the coating
A two-component composition is disclosed and a method of applying the composition to a surface to form thereon a hardened compact coating, wherein each component remains separate until conveyed to a mixer for forming therein, a mixture of the two components, allowing seamless production of a liquid foil on the surface, and that hardens reactively to form a hardened compact coating, which comprises: (i) a first component which comprises: a 60-70% mixture of bitumen and water in a quantity of 50 to 100 partial mass %; and (ii) a second component which comprises: 20 to 50 partial mass % filling material, and 40 to 80 partial mass % softening, non-volatile oil, and wherein the first component and the second component are present in a ratio of 100:10 up to 50 mass %.
US07842733B2 Aromatic polyether copolymers and polymer blends and fuel cells comprising same
High temperature polymer electrolyte membranes bearing pyridine and tetramethyl biphenyl moieties are provided. Preferred polymers can exhibit good mechanical properties, high thermal and oxidative stability and high doping ability with strong acids. Further provided are MEA on PEMFC type single cells.
US07842732B2 Microgels in non-crosslinkable organic media
The invention relates to a composition which comprises a specific non-crosslinkable medium and at least one microgel, processes for its preparation, uses of the compositions, and microgel-containing polymers, rubbers, lubricants, coatings etc. prepared therefrom.
US07842720B2 Anticancer and antiprotozoal dihydroartemisinene and dihydroartemisitene dimers with desirable chemical functionalities
This invention comprises compositions containing dihydroartemisinin- and dihydroartemisitene-dimers with activity as anticancer or anticancer metastasis agents and anti-protozal, including anti-malarial and anti-leishmanial properties. This invention also describes methods of preparation of these compositions and methods of use of such compositions for the treatment of cancer or prevention of cancer metastasis, and protozoal infections, including malaria, or leishmaniasis. The compounds of this invention represent a potential new class of anti-tumor or anti-metastasis agents, one that has shown promising activity against solid tumors.
US07842705B2 Curcumin analogs with anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic properties
The present invention is directed to curcumin analogs exhibiting anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic properties, pharmaceutical formulations including such compounds and methods of using such compounds.
US07842686B2 CGRP receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to CGRP receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods therewith for treating CGRP receptor-mediated diseases and conditions.
US07842681B2 Treatment of myeoproliferative diseases
Methods of reducing the number of platelets in mammals and preventing or treating pro-thrombotic conditions and diseases that are characterized by an excess of, or undesired activation of, platelets using inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein members is disclosed.
US07842674B2 Methods of treatment of acute renal failure
The invention relates to a double-stranded compound, preferably an oligoribonucleotide, which down-regulates the expression of a human p53 gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, or a vector capable of expressing the oligoribonucleotide compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also contemplates a method of treating a patient suffering from alopecia or acute renal failure or other diseases comprising administering to the patient the pharmaceutical composition in a therapeutically effective dose so as to thereby treat the patient. The alopecia may be induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and the patient may be suffering from cancer, in particular breast cancer.
US07842664B2 Synthetic lipid mixtures for the preparation of a reconstituted surfactant
The invention relates to reconstituted surfactants consisting of artificial phospholipids and peptides able to lower the air-liquid surface tension, more particularly to reconstituted surfactants comprising special phospholipid mixtures and artificial peptides which are analogues of the natural surfactant SP-C protein for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other diseases relating to pulmonary surfactant dysfunctions.
US07842655B2 Colored bleaching composition
Liquid bleaching composition comprising a hypohalite bleach, a trimethoxy benzoic acid or a salt thereof, a pigment and/or a dye and an alkali metal salt of silicate, an alkali metal periodate or mixture thereof and the process for treating a surface using said composition.
US07842653B2 Process for the preparation of lubricants
The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of lubricants from vegetable oil or fat obtained from animal source. The present invention involves a reaction of vegetable oil or fat with an alcohol in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst, at a temperature in the range of 150° to 200° C. for a period of 3-6 hrs to obtain the desired bio-lubricant.
US07842647B2 Stable, concentrated herbicidal compositions
A liquid herbicidal composition is provided, comprising: a. 20 to 35 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a water-soluble herbicidal ingredient; b. a C12-C16 alkyl ether sulfate; c. an organic solvent; and d. an alkyl polyglucoside. The composition is stable; i. e., it occurs in a substantially continuous, single phase at temperatures as low as −20° C. It also has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0° C.
US07842644B2 Catalyst for oxidation of metal mercury
A catalyst is provided having higher mercury oxidation performance than a conventional catalyst without increasing catalyst quantity or enhancing SO2 oxidation performance and constitutes an oxidation catalyst for metal mercury, which contains a molybdenum and vanadium complex oxide, for example, MoV2O8, as a main component having a catalytic activity and is formed by placing the molybdenum and vanadium complex oxide in layers only on the surface of a plate-like or honeycomb-like porous carrier. The porous carrier contains Ti and W and has a function of an NOx removal catalyst as a whole.
US07842641B2 Nanocomposite particle and process of preparing the same
A nanocomposite particle, its use as a catalyst, and a method of making it are disclosed. The nanocomposite particle comprises titanium dioxide nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, and a surface stabilizer. The metal oxide nanoparticles are formed hydrothermally in the presence of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The nanocomposite particle is an effective catalyst support, particularly for DeNOx catalyst applications.
US07842639B2 Mechanical alloying of a hydrogenation catalyst used for the remediation of contaminated compounds
A hydrogenation catalyst including a base material coated with a catalytic metal is made using mechanical milling techniques. The hydrogenation catalysts are used as an excellent catalyst for the dehalogenation of contaminated compounds and the remediation of other industrial compounds. Preferably, the hydrogenation catalyst is a bimetallic particle including zero-valent metal particles coated with a catalytic material. The mechanical milling technique is simpler and cheaper than previously used methods for producing hydrogenation catalysts.
US07842632B2 Pulling roll material for manufacture of sheet glass
A pulling roll for glass manufacture comprised of a high-temperature millboard material. The millboard comprises aluminosilicate refractory fiber, silicate, mica, and kaolin clay. A method of manufacturing a pulling roll is disclosed, together with a roll produced by the methods disclosed herein. The method comprises forming a pulling roll and densifying at least a portion of the pulling roll by exposing to the pulling roll to high temperatures.
US07842618B2 System and method for improving mesa width in a semiconductor device
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench.
US07842617B2 Etching method and etching apparatus
The present invention is an etching method for performing an etching process in the presence of a plasma on an object to be processed in which a layer to be etched made of a tungsten-containing material is formed on a base layer made of a silicon-containing material in a process vessel capable of being evacuated to create therein a vacuum, wherein a chlorine-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a nitrogen-containing gas are used as an etching gas for performing the etching process.
US07842608B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device having via plug
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: forming a first conductive layer on a first insulating film; forming a second insulating film so as to cover the first conductive layer; forming a resist mask on the second insulating film; forming a hole reaching the first conductive layer in the second insulating film by a first etching using the resist mask; removing the resist mask; removing the first conductive layer exposed at the bottom of the hole by a second etching, so that the hole reaches the first insulating film and the first conductive layer exposes at a side surface within the hole; forming a conductive plug in contact with the first conductive layer exposed at the side surface within the hole by burying a conductive material in the hole; and forming a second conductive layer to be connected to the conductive plug on the second insulating film.
US07842607B2 Semiconductor device and method of providing a thermal dissipation path through RDL and conductive via
A semiconductor device has a conductive via formed around a perimeter of the semiconductor die. First and second conductive layers are formed on opposite sides of the semiconductor die and thermally connected to the conductive via. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die. A portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose the first conductive layer and a thermal dissipation region of semiconductor die. A thermal via is formed through the insulating layer to the first conductive layer. A thermally conductive layer is formed over the thermal dissipation region and thermal via. A thermal conduction path is formed from the thermal dissipation region through the thermally conductive layer, thermal via, first conductive layer, conductive via, and second conductive layer. The thermal conduction path terminates in an external thermal ground point. The thermally conductive layer provides shielding for electromagnetic interference.
US07842594B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a recess in an area where a gate is to be formed, spacers formed over sidewalls of the recess, and a first gate electrode filling in the recess. The spacers include material having the first work function or insulation material. The first gate electrode includes material having a second work function, wherein the second work function is higher than that of the spacers.
US07842584B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
There are provided a semiconductor device having a structure which can realize not only suppression of a punch-through current but also reuse of a silicon wafer used for bonding, in manufacturing a semiconductor device using an SOI technique, and a manufacturing method thereof. A semiconductor film into which an impurity imparting a conductivity type opposite to that of a source region and a drain region is implanted is formed over a substrate, and a single crystal semiconductor film is bonded to the semiconductor film by an SOI technique to form a stacked semiconductor film. A channel formation region is formed using the stacked semiconductor film, thereby suppressing a punch-through current in a semiconductor device.
US07842582B2 Method of forming semiconductor devices
A method of forming semiconductor devices includes providing a semiconductor substrate in which gate insulating patterns and first conductive patterns are formed, performing a first etch process to narrow a width of each of the first conductive patterns, forming an auxiliary layer on the first conductive patterns, the gate insulating patterns, and an exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate, and forming trenches by etching the auxiliary layer and the semiconductor substrate between the first conductive patterns.
US07842572B2 Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices with local recess channel transistors
A method of manufacturing a local recess channel transistor in a semiconductor device. A hard mask layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate that exposes a portion of the substrate. The exposed portion of the substrate is etched using the hard mask layer as an etch mask to form a recess trench. A trench spacer is formed on the substrate along a portion of sidewalls of the recess trench. The substrate along a lower portion of the recess trench is exposed after the trench spacer is formed. The exposed portion of the substrate along the lower portion of the recess trench is doped with a channel impurity to form a local channel impurity doped region surrounding the lower portion of the recess trench. A portion of the local channel impurity doped region surrounding the lower portion of the recess trench is doped with a Vth adjusting impurity to form a Vth adjusting impurity doped region inside the local channel impurity doped region. The width of the lower portion of the recess trench is expanded. A gate insulating layer is formed on the substrate in the recess trench. A gate electrode layer is formed on the gate insulating layer in the recess trench. A portion of the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode layer is etched to form a gate.
US07842567B2 Dual work function CMOS devices utilizing carbide based electrodes
Concurrently forming different metal gate transistors having respective work functions is disclosed. In one example, a metal carbide, which has a relatively low work function, is formed over a semiconductor substrate. Oxygen and/or nitrogen are then added to the metal carbide in a second region to establish a second work function in the second region, where the metal carbide itself establishes a first work function in a first region. One or more first metal gate transistor types are then formed in the first region and one or more second metal gate transistor types are formed in the second region.
US07842566B2 FinFET and method of manufacturing the same
A FinFET may include a semiconductor fin having a top surface and a sidewall having different crystal planes. A gate dielectric layer on the top surface and on the sidewall has different thicknesses. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric layer across the top surface and sidewall of the semiconductor fin.
US07842554B2 VLSI hot-spot minimization using nanotubes
The invention relates to a semiconductive device comprising a die with at least one defined hot-spot area lying in a plane on the die and a cooling structure comprising nanotubes such as carbon nanotubes extending in a plane different than the plane of the hot-spot area and outwardly from the plane of the hot-spot area. The nanotubes are operatively associated with the hot-spot area to decrease any temperature gradient between the hot-spot area and at least one other area on the die defined by a temperature lower than the hot-spot area. A matrix material comprising a second heat conducting material substantially surrounds the nanotubes and is operatively associated with and in heat conducting relation with the other area on the die defined by a temperature lower than the hot-spot area. The heat conductivity of the nanotubes is greater than the heat conductivity of the matrix material, with the distal ends of the nanotubes exposed to present a distal surface comprising the first heat conducting means for direct contact with a medium comprising a cooling fluid. The inventors also disclose processes for manufacturing and using the device and products produced by the processes.
US07842549B2 Methods of fabricating silicon carbide devices incorporating multiple floating guard ring edge terminations
Edge termination for silicon carbide devices has a plurality of concentric floating guard rings in a silicon carbide layer that are adjacent and spaced apart from a silicon carbide-based semiconductor junction. An insulating layer, such as an oxide, is provided on the floating guard rings and a silicon carbide surface charge compensation region is provided between the floating guard rings and is adjacent the insulating layer. Methods of fabricating such edge termination are also provided.
US07842547B2 Laser lift-off of sapphire from a nitride flip-chip
In a method for fabricating a flip-chip light emitting diode device, epitaxial layers are deposited on a sapphire growth substrate to produce an epitaxial wafer. A plurality of light emitting diode devices are fabricated on the epitaxial wafer. The epitaxial wafer is diced to generate a device die. The device die is flip chip bonded to a mount. The flip chip bonding includes securing the device die to the mount by bonding at least one electrode of the device die to at least one bonding pad of the mount. Subsequent to the flip chip bonding, the growth substrate of the device die is removed via the application of laser light.
US07842541B1 Ultra thin package and fabrication method
A method includes forming a substrate layer, the substrate layer including a circuit pattern having terminals and bump pads. A stiffener is formed, the stiffener including via apertures having electrically conductive via aperture sidewalls and an electronic component opening. The stiffener is attached to the substrate layer. The electrically conductive via aperture sidewalls are electrically connected to the terminals. An electronic component is mounted to the bump pads and within the electronic component opening thus minimizing the height of the package. Further, the stiffener minimizing undesirable bending of the package and acts as an internal heat sink.
US07842540B2 Room temperature metal direct bonding
A bonded device structure including a first substrate having a first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a first non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the first substrate, a second substrate having a second set of metallic bonding pads aligned with the first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a second non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the second substrate, and a contact-bonded interface between the first and second set of metallic bonding pads formed by contact bonding of the first non-metallic region to the second non-metallic region. At least one of the first and second substrates may be elastically deformed.
US07842536B2 Vacuum jacket for phase change memory element
A memory device including a phase change element and a vacuum jacket. The device includes a first electrode element; a phase change element in contact with the first electrode element; an upper electrode element in contact with the phase change element; a bit line electrode in contact with the upper electrode element; and a dielectric fill layer surrounding the phase change element and the upper electrode element, spaced from the same and sealed by the bit line electrode to define a vacuum jacket around the phase change element and upper electrode element.
US07842526B2 Light emitting device and method of producing same
A light emitting device having: a light emitting element; an electricity supply portion on which the light emitting element is mounted and which supplies electricity; and an inorganic sealing material for sealing the light emitting element. The inorganic sealing material has a tapered surface which becomes wider outward in a side surface direction with respect to a center axis of the light emitting element.
US07842522B2 Well formation
Composition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are produced into inks that are dispensable via ink jet or other deposition processes. The CNT ink is dispensed into wells and allowed to dry so as to formed a cathode structure. It is important to note that after the CNT ink is deposited to form a cathode structure, no further post-deposition processes are performed, such as the removal of sacrificial layers, which could damage the CNT ink.
US07842521B2 Edge exclusion zone patterning for solar cells and the like
The edge profile (and optionally the physical and electrical characteristics) of a wafer is determined. Useful regions of the wafer in an edge exclusion zone may then be identified. A customized grid array layout is created specific to that wafer from an analysis of the edge profile, for example having a grid array with interconnection lines located within the useful portions of the edge exclusion zone. This working file is then used by a system, such as a digital lithography system, to form the grid array on the surface of the wafer. The grid array is specific to that wafer. Various aspects of the grid array may also be controlled in the process. For example, the line width, inter-line spacing, and position of the lines comprising the grid array are configurable on a wafer-by-wafer basis.
US07842518B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes forming a porous dielectric film above a substrate using a porous insulating material, forming an opening in the porous dielectric film, repairing film quality of the porous dielectric film on a surface of the opening by feeding a predetermined gas replacing a Si—OH group to the opening, and performing pore sealing of the surface of the opening using the same predetermined gas as that used for film quality repairs after repairing the film quality.
US07842516B2 Detectable labels, methods of manufacture and use
Labels, methods of making labels and methods of using labels are disclosed. The labels can be manufactured using fiber drawing techniques or by shutter masking. The labels can be used for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample and for detecting interactions of biomolecules.
US07842514B2 Particle manipulation unit, chip and detection device having the same, mounted thereon, and methods of separating, capturing and detecting proteins
A channel (1) formed in a substrate (41) branches into channels (2, 3) at a branch point (43). On this branch point, obstacles (8) having a columnar structure are aligned at certain intervals.
US07842511B1 Colorimetric monitoring of reactions in solution and solid phase automated and manual systems
The present invention relates to the a new protecting group, 4-(O-nitrophthalimido)butyric acid (NPB) that may be attached to a monomer unit during oligosaccharide synthesis such that upon cleavage of this molecule, the solution turns orange. The orange color allows the simple colorimetric monitoring of the completion of the cleavage reaction and, upon collection of the colored fraction, quantification of the amount of the monomer unit that was successfully coupled to the solid phase.
US07842507B1 Sensor for direct measurement of carbonate ions in seawater
A system and associated methodology to directly measure the concentration of carbonate ions in seawater by ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy. Metal ions are added to seawater and the absorbance spectra of the added ions are measured in the ultraviolet. The spectral absorbance (light attenuation) of ions such as divalent lead or copper in seawater is predominantly determined by the carbonate ion content of seawater. Through a knowledge of (1) the strength of association between carbonate and either divalent lead or divalent copper and (2) the spectral characteristics of these cations in seawater (e.g., Pb2+ complexed solely as PbCO3 and Pb2+ complexed solely in the form of chloride complexes), it is possible to directly determine seawater carbonate ion concentrations from absorbance measurements at a variety of wavelengths in the ultraviolet. Using such procedures, carbonate ion concentrations can be directly measured, rather than calculated from other CO2 system parameters such as pH and total dissolved inorganic carbon. Measurements of carbonate ion concentrations, and measurements of solution pH that also involve spectrophotometric procedures, will allow both types of measurements in a single, small, robust instrument. Furthermore, via simple thermodynamic calculations, conjugate measurements of carbonate and pH can then be used to calculate all carbon system parameters of interest, including the total concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater.
US07842506B2 Apolipoprotein E genotyping and accompanying internet-based health management system
The invention provides a system for monitoring a patient that includes: 1) a blood test that measures an Apo E genotype or a derivative thereof from the patient to generate Apo B information; 2) a database that receives and stores the patient's Apo E information; and 3) an Internet-based system connected to the database and configured to process the Apo E information with an algorithm that, in response, generates a diet and treatment plan for the patient.
US07842504B2 Method for increasing throughput in an automatic clinical analyzer by duplicating reagent resources
A method for maximizing analyzer throughput irregardless of the mix in demand of different assays to be conducted by duplicating the reagents required to conduct selected assays in at least two separate reagent servers and also enabling newly incoming selected assays to be conducted using reagents from whichever reagent server has the smaller backlog of such high-volume assays.
US07842503B2 Hybrid recombinases for genome manipulation
The present invention provides methods to site-specifically manipulate genomes by using hybrid recombinases. Hybrid recombinases comprise a modified catalytic domain from a unidirectional serine phage integrase, fused to a foreign DNA recognition domain.
US07842501B2 Ex-vivo priming for generating cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for non-tumor antigens to treat autoimmune and allergic disease
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo. In contrast, CTL induced by antigenic peptides derived from IgE specifically inhibit IgE responses, and adoptive transfer of CD40L-specific CTL to NOD mice at early age delay the development of diabetes in NOD mice. In vitro generated CTL specific for non-tumor self-antigens expressed on activated CD4 T cells regulate immune responses in vivo.
US07842496B2 Advanced selective plating media
Selective growth media N4 agars that include a combination of high levels of yeast extract, possibly higher levels of protein, elevated levels of sugar and reduced levels of sodium chloride. The combination of ingredients provides the ability to detect Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. with almost identical sensitivity while alleviating false-negative and false-positive problems commonly encountered with the presence of Proteus spp. and Citrobacter spp.
US07842495B2 Lactic acid bacteria capable of stimulating mucosal immunity
The invention provides lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of lactobacillus ONRIC b0239 (FERM BP-10064) and lactobacillus ONRIC b0240 (FERM BP-10065), and compositions containing the bacteria, the compositions being capable of stimulating mucosal immunity, and more specifically, the compositions in the form of foods or beverages or pharmaceutical products. The lactic acid bacteria and compositions containing the bacteria are capable of providing excellent mucosal immunostimulation effects and are useful for reinforcing the host defense system.
US07842494B2 Micro-organisms for the treatment of soil and process for obtaining them
The present invention relates to product(s) containing living microorganism(s) suitable for soil treatment, microorganisms multiplying under different climatic and natural circumstances, as well as procedures for the production of the products, and procedures for the treatment of the soil and plants with the products. More particularly, the invention relates to a procedure for preparing the products from any of the microorganisms specified below, or from the mixture thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to a procedure for the creation of the cultures of the microorganisms to be used. The subject invention also pertains to the microorganisms themselves. More particularly, the invention relates to a procedure for the treatment of the soil and the plants with a product containing at least one of the microorganisms selected from Azospirillum brasilense ssp. SW51 (NCAIM /P/ B 001293), Azotobacter vinelandii ssp. M657 (NCAIM /P/B 001292), Pseudomonas fluorescens var. SW11 (NCAIM /P/ B 001296), Bacillus polymyxa var. SW17 (NCAIM /P/ B 001295), Bacillus megaterium var. M326 (NCAIM /P/ B 001291), Micrococcus roseus ssp. A21 (NCAIM /P/B 001294), Bradyrhizobium japonicum var. PH25 (NCAIM /P/ B 001302), and Streptomyces albus var. 0003 LP (NCAIM /P/ B 001301), and furthermore the products multiplying and existing in the environment of the plant in question, containing the listed microorganisms and their production.
US07842491B2 Determination of metal ions in solution by photoluminescence anisotropy
The invention relates to compositions and kits for homogeneous fluorescence polarization (anisotropy) assays for detecting and quantifying metal ions in solution. Metal-dependent binding of a fluorescent ligand to an unlabeled macromolecule effects a measurable change in anisotropy as will the binding of metal ions to a fluorescent labeled macromolecule. Binding of the fluorescent ligand to the unlabeled macromolecule is metal dependent with the change in anisotropy being proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Conversely, if the fluorescent label is first conjugated to a macromolecule and the macromolecule is subsequently stripped of metal ion, it may then be used to signal binding of metal ions. The covalently bound fluorescent label exhibits changes in anisotropy proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Kits comprise a fluorescent molecule and a macromolecule.
US07842489B2 Use of meganucleases for inducing homologous recombination ex vivo and in toto in vertebrate somatic tissues and application thereof
A single chain homing endonuclease, comprising a first variant of I-CreI having the amino acid sequence of accession number pdb 1g9y (SEQ ID NO: 23 is residues 1-153 of pdb Ig9y) and a second variant of I-CreI variant having the amino acid sequence of accession number pdb 1g9y (SEQ ID NO: 23 is residues 1-153 of pdb Ig9y) in a single polypeptide.
US07842485B2 Enhanced alcohol tolerant microorganism and methods of use thereof
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and compositions for microorganisms having increased alcohol tolerance. In certain embodiments, methods for using such microorganisms, and methods for identifying gene or genetic regions responsible for increased alcohol tolerance are contemplated.
US07842478B2 DNA encoding mammalian phosphodiesterases
The present invention relates to novel purified and isolated nucleotide sequences encoding mammalian Ca2+/calmodulin stimulated phosphodiesterases (CaM-PDEs) and cyclic-GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterases (cGS-PDEs). Also provided are the corresponding recombinant expression products of said nucleotide sequences, immunological reagents specifically reactive therewith, and procedures for identifying compounds which modulate the enzymatic activity of such expression products.
US07842469B2 Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems and methods of use thereof
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems, methods of detecting a protein-protein interaction, noninvasive methods for detecting the interaction of a first protein with a second protein within a living animal, methods to determine the efficacy of a test compound administered to modulate the interaction of a first protein with a second protein in a living animal, BRET vectors, kits relating to each of the above, transgenic cell or progeny thereof and/or animals relating to each of the above, and the like.
US07842468B2 Methods for diagnosing and treating neuroendocrine cancer
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing neuroendocrine cancers via detecting the presence of N-methyl D-asparate-associated (NMDA) glutamate receptors type 1 and/or type 2. Methods for preventing and treating neuroendocrine cancers are also disclosed.
US07842465B2 Immunocytostaining methods for enhanced dye ratio discrimination in rare event detection
A method is provided for preparing a sample containing potential cells of interest and of using a laser of a laser based system for novel excitation and emission collection, and data usage including use of obtained data for direct and ratio based measurements. The prepared sample is configured to emit signals having spectral characteristics sufficient to permit filtering to differentiate and eliminate most false positives from true positives among acquired imaging events, in an imaging system employing a laser spot having a range of diameters from 1 to 20 μm or greater and which excites the fluorescence in a conventional or novel manner. These filtered events may be subsequently imaged and confirmed with another higher resolution device such as a fluorescent microscope in a short amount of time.
US07842464B2 Use of ADAM 12 for diagnosis and therapy of preeclampsia
The present invention relates to the significant role of ADAM 12, ADAM 12-L, and ADAM 12-S in preeclampsia and related disorders. The invention further relates to the use of said genes and gene products, ligands binding to those, and modulators of activity of the gene products in diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia and related syndromes. The invention also relates to the use of further genes and combinations thereof in diagnosis of preeclampsia and related syndromes.
US07842454B2 Kit for preparing cancer cell detection sample and kit for cancer cell detection using the same
A kit for preparing a cancer cell detection sample which is highly safe, simple, and high in precision, and can detect a cancer cell quantitatively, and a kit for cancer cell detection using the same, as well as a method for diagnosing cancer using those kits, and a method for preparing a sample for cancer cell detection are provided. A kit for preparing a detection sample for detecting a cancer cell of the present invention, comprising a test container having an opening for receiving a biological sample collected from a subject, and a reagent inclusion part for accommodating a reagent containing a virus, a seal part for sealing the reagent inclusion part of the test container, a cap for closing the opening, and an opener for breaking the seal part.
US07842453B2 Methods of identifying modulators of ChemerinR polypeptides
The present invention relates to a G-protein coupled receptor and a novel ligand therefor. The invention provides screening assays for the identification of candidate compounds which modulate the activity of the G-protein coupled receptor, as well as assays useful for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease or disorder related to the dysregulation of G-protein coupled receptor signaling.
US07842446B2 Toner
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner excellent in durability and storage stability, and having good fixing performance in a wide fixing temperature region even at a high process speed. According to the present invention, there is provided a toner containing: a binder resin; a colorant; and a polyester resin, in which: I) the polyester resin contains at least, as a main component, polyester obtained by subjecting a monomer composition containing an alcohol selected from aliphatic diols each having 2 to 22 carbon atoms and a carboxylic acid selected from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids each having 2 to 22 carbon atoms to a polycondensation reaction; and II) a region having a lamellar structure is present at a surface layer of the toner.
US07842445B2 Secure imaging toner and methods of forming and using the same
A toner for printing documents that are difficult to chemically or physically forge and that are readily easy to visually verify and methods of using and forming the toner are disclosed. The toner includes a colorant for printing an image on a surface of a document, a fluorescent pigment that under normal lighting is masked by the colorant but creates a visible image on the first surface of the a substrate when irradiated by black or ultra-violet light, and a dye for forming a latent version of the image underneath a surface of a substrate. An image formed using the toner of the invention is readily verified by comparing the colorant-formed image and the dye-formed image. In addition, if a solvent is used in an attempt to alter the printed image on the substrate, the dye migrates or diffuses to indicate tampering with the document.
US07842443B2 Method for evaluating electrophotographic photoconductor and the evaluation device, and method for reusing electrophotographic photoconductor
A method for evaluating an electrophotographic photoconductor in terms of filming occurrence is provided that comprises irradiating UV rays having a wavelength of 200 nm to 420 nm onto the electrophotographic photoconductor and measuring fluorescence emitted from the electrophotographic photoconductor.
US07842441B2 Norbornene polymer for photoresist and photoresist composition comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a photoresist composition which includes a norbornene copolymer having an epoxy group, an acid generator, and an organic solvent. The norbornene polymer shows superior mechanical and thermal properties, high transparency, excellent insulating properties, and particularly, improved mechanical properties due to the presence of an epoxy group. The photosensitive resin composition shows superior performance, e.g., transparence, developing properties, residual film characteristics, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and flatness. Particularly, since the photosensitive resin composition enables easy formation of a pattern as an interlayer insulating film and shows a high light transmittance even when being formed into a thin film with a relatively large thickness, it is suitable for the production of an interlayer insulating film used in the fabrication processes of LCDs.
US07842436B2 Photomask
A pattern 121 provided on a transparent substrate 100 as a mask pattern includes partial patterns 121A and 121B. Each of the partial patterns 121A and 121B has a mask enhancer structure including a phase shifter 102 for transmitting exposing light in an opposite phase with respect to a transparent portion and a shielding portion 101 surrounding the phase shifter 102. The partial pattern 121A is close to other patterns 122 and 123 at distances not larger than a given distance with the transparent portion sandwiched therebetween. The width of the phase shifter 102A of the partial pattern 121A is smaller than the width of the phase shifter 102B of the partial pattern 121B.
US07842433B2 Fuel cell separator plate and method for producing it
A fuel cell separator plate comprising a portion in contact with an electrode, and a sealing portion provided around the contact portion, the contact portion having a larger surface roughness (Rmax) than that of the sealing portion. It is preferably a molded separator plate made of a composite carbon material comprising carbon and a thermosetting resin.
US07842431B2 Mixture, cation conductor and electrochemical device using those
A mixture, cation conductor and electrochemical device using same are provided. The mixture and a cation conductor, in which cations can be moved without humidification even in a range of temperatures less than or equal to the boiling point of water, or an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell using them. A fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode, which are oppositely arranged with an electrolyte film in between, is provided. The electrolyte film contains a first compound formed of an imidazole derivative containing N having an unshared electron pair and a second compound of at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds having structures shown below.
US07842430B2 Nanocomposite, nanocomposite electrolyte membrane including the same and fuel cell including the nanocomposite electrolyte membrane
A nanocomposite includes metal-carbon nanotubes and a sulfonated polysulfone. In the nanocomposite, the sulfonated polysulfone and the metal-carbon nanotubes have strong attraction therebetween due to π-π interactions or van der Waals interactions, and thus the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. In addition, the nanocomposite includes a metal that can be used as a catalyst for an anode, and thus the reduction in power generation caused by methanol crossover can be minimized. Therefore, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane prepared using the nanocomposite can minimize the reduction in power generation caused by the crossover of a polar organic fuel such as methanol. In a fuel cell employing the nanocomposite electrolyte membrane, when an aqueous methanol solution is used as a fuel, crossover of the methanol is more suppressed, and accordingly, the fuel cell has an improved operating efficiency and a longer lifetime.
US07842428B2 Consumption-based fuel cell monitoring and control
Fuel cell systems and methods for controlling the operation of components of the fuel cell system, such as which may include a fuel source and a fuel cell stack. In some examples, a fuel source is adapted to provide supply fuel to a fuel cell stack at a supply pressure. In some systems, fuel not used by the fuel cell stack is discharged through at least one exit orifice at an exit pressure. In some examples, a control system is adapted to control operation of one or both of the fuel source and the fuel cell stack based on the flow of unused fuel. In some examples, a target pressure is determined based on the level of electrical current produced by a fuel cell stack, such that when fuel is supplied at the target pressure, the fuel cell stack consumes a given proportion of the supply fuel.
US07842420B2 Electrode material with enhanced ionic transport properties
Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.
US07842410B2 Polymer electrolyte membrane and fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane
A solid acid including a carbon nanotube (CNT), a spacer group combined with the CNT and an ionically conductive functional group connected to the spacer group. A polymer electrolyte membrane may include the same composition, and may be used in a fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte membrane using the solid acid has excellent ionic conductivity and suppresses the cross-over of methanol. The polymer electrolyte membrane is used as an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, for example, a direct methanol fuel cell.
US07842409B2 Anti-ferromagnetically coupled perpendicular magnetic recording media with oxide
The present invention relates to perpendicular magnetic recording media with improved signal-to-medium noise ratio (“SMNR”) and thermal stability, which media include a pair of vertically spaced-apart perpendicular ferromagnetic layers which are anti-ferromagnetically coupled (“AFC”) across a non-magnetic spacer layer. The invention is of particular utility in the fabrication of data/information storage and retrieval media, e.g., hard disks, having ultra-high areal recording/storage densities.
US07842406B2 OLED device with substituted acridone compounds
The invention provides an OLED device comprising a cathode, an anode, and having therebetween a layer containing an acridone compound including a diarylamine or carbazole substituent where the nitrogen of the acridone and the nitrogen of the diarylamine or carbazole are connected by an aromatic hydrocarbon linking group. OLED devices of the invention exhibit improved efficiency and drive voltage.
US07842401B2 Halogen-free varnish and prepreg thereof
A halogen-free varnish includes epoxy resin, composite curing agent, condensed phosphate, and filler. The composite curing agent includes Benzoxazine (BZ) resin and amino triazine novolac (ATN) resin. The filler has aluminium hydroxide and silica. Glass fabric is dipped into the varnish so as to form a prepreg with better thermal stability, anti-flammability, and low moisture absorption.
US07842398B2 Dielectric device
The dielectric device includes a substrate, a lower electrode, a dielectric layer, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode is bonded onto the substrate. The dielectric layer is bonded onto the lower electrode. The dielectric layer is obtained through thermal treatment of a film layer formed by spraying of a powdery dielectric material and a fine-particulate metal. In the thus-formed film layer, the metal is dispersed in the matrix of the dielectric material. Thermal treatment of the film layer causes migration of the metal in the film layer. This metal migration causes a lower-electrode-adjacent portion and upper-surface-adjacent portion of the dielectric layer to have different metal contents.
US07842395B2 Multiple layer interlayers having a gradient region
The present invention provides multiple layer interlayers that can be used in multiple layer glass panel type applications to reduce the amount of sound transmitted through the panel while also providing a colored region within a gradient region. The acoustic effect can be achieved by using two or more polymer sheets having differing compositions that have been combined into a single multiple layer interlayer, and the gradient region effect is achieved by forming a colored region in one or more gradient regions of the individual layers.
US07842393B2 Vehicle antifogging element
The present invention provides a vehicle antifouling element that comprises a layer comprising a p-type semiconductor and a thin film that comprises an n-type semiconductor that is laminated on the surface of the p-type semiconductor layer. The thin film comprises a photocatalytic activity and the film thickness thereof is equal to or more than 5 nm and less than 60 nm.
US07842386B2 Powdery water-absorbing polymers with fine particles bound by thermoplastic adhesives
A process for producing and a powdery water-absorbing polymers comprising: about 0.01 to 20 wt. % of a fine particle with a particle size of less than about 200 μm; about 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a thermoplastic adhesive; and about 60 to 99.998 wt. % of a water-absorbing polymer particle with a particle size of about 200 μm and above, wherein the powdery water-absorbing polymers have: a flow value (FFC) within the range from about 1 to 13, and/or a dust portion of at most about 6 are disclosed. Also disclosed are a transport process, a composite, chemical products, and a use of a thermoplastic adhesive.
US07842379B2 Polymeric foams with nanocellular morphology and methods for making them
Polymeric foams having nanocellular morphology are formed from a polymeric material having structural units derived from 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine compound. The foams include a plurality of cells having an average diameter of less than 1 micron. Processes for forming the foams include melting a polymeric material having structural units derived from 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine compounds; diffusing a blowing agent into the polymeric material to form a mixture; nucleating bubbles in the mixture is at a sufficient temperature and pressure to enable the production of cells having an average diameter of less than 1 micron; stabilizing the cells; and forming the mixture into a desired shape.
US07842376B2 Diffusers and methods of manufacture
Diffusers including of a plurality of protruded structures with each structure containing multiple rugged facets are disclosed. The diffuser may be fabricated by coating a mixture of materials on a carrier film, the mixture of materials including at least a first material that polymerizes upon irradiation and at least a second material that is incompatible with the first material in polymerized form, then selectively irradiating the mixture of materials to polymerize a portion of the mixture of materials to form polymerized structures, and finally removing that part of the mixture of materials not forming part of the structures. A transparent material may be coated over the structures. The overcoat material may further contain scattering elements such as glass beads or polymeric particles.
US07842374B2 Retroreflective article comprising a copolyester ether composition layer and method of making same
A retroreflective article that includes a first layer that includes a copolyester ether composition, and a second layer that includes a retroreflective structure juxtaposed in at least a partially overlying relationship to the first layer is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of forming a retroreflective article that includes providing at least a copolyester ether composition layer, and providing a retroreflective structure in a juxtaposed and at least partially overlying relationship to the composition layer.
US07842372B2 Honeycomb structure
There is provided a honeycomb structure in which filtration efficiency of particulate matters (PM) in the exhaust gas is high, initial pressure loss is low and increase in pressure loss in accompanied with the trapping of PMs is suppressed.The honeycomb structure includes a plurality of cells partitioned by a plurality of partition walls which are made of silicon carbide porous ceramics and are lined up in a single direction, an average pore diameter of the partition walls measured by mercury porosimetry is 1 μm to 15 μm, a standard deviation in a pore diameter distribution is 0.20 or less when the pore diameter is represented by common logarithm, and percentage of the pores having the pore diameter of less than 2 μm relative to the entire pores is 5 vol % or less.
US07842368B1 Method for producing a shaped foam body, especially a foam padding element for a vehicle seat
A method produces a shaped foam body, especially a foam padding unit for a vehicle seat. At least one adhesive closure with adhesive elements is housed in a recess of a foaming mold used for producing the shaped foam body and is covered with a covering element inhibiting foaming. The covering element is placed on the side opposite to the adhesive elements to extend from the recess over a predetermined width, and is maintained by a holding device, while being removably held against the parts of the foaming mold which surround the recess.
US07842362B2 Water-resistant wound paperboard tube
A wound paperboard tube having enhanced burst strength in high-moisture conditions up to and including complete and prolonged submersion in liquid water comprises a plurality of paperboard plies formed from a pulp comprising papermaking furnish and an effective amount of a size such that the paperboard plies have reduced moisture add-on when submerged in water, relative to paperboard plies formed from a pulp comprising the identical furnish but without the size. The plies are wound one upon another about an axis of the tube and adhered together with a water-resistant adhesive comprising a polyvinyl composition containing a cross-linking agent for inducing cross-linking of the adhesive.
US07842358B2 Liquid-crystalline medium and liquid-crystal display
Disclosed are dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising in each case one or more compounds of formulae IA, IB and IC: and liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially active-matrix displays, and in particular TN, IPS and FFS displays.
US07842350B2 Method and apparatus for coating a photosensitive material
In a method and an apparatus for coating an object with photosensitive material, a roller stabilizes a supply amount of the photosensitive material and is disposed between the object and a slit coater, so that the stabilized photosensitive material is supplied to the object through the slit coater. The photosensitive material includes additives for controlling amount of a solid powder, a boiling point and a surface tension thereof. Accordingly, the photosensitive material may be uniformly coated on the object.
US07842349B2 Method for spray forming high modulus polyurethane structures
Sprayable polyurethane compositions contain particulate filler in both polyol and isocyanate components for a total content of minimally 30 weight percent of particulate filler and fibrous reinforcement. The isocyanate component is stable with respect to storage, and composite structures prepared therefrom exhibit high modulus and can be used as replacements for unsaturated polyester systems. Resin transfer molding systems employ the same components and produce molded parts with good physical properties.
US07842348B2 High yield spray application
Method and device for ensuring high yields during spraying of a settable slurry composition. The slurry is conveyed through a length of hose to a nozzle spray-orifice, and a set accelerator is introduced into the slurry at a distance “D” from the nozzle spray-orifice. The level of accelerator is monitored using a sensor located in the slurry path at a point after the set accelerator is injected. A preferred sensor comprises two pairs of conductivity sensors each having an annular body with a bore corresponding to the diameter of the hose or nozzle bore. Voltage of the slurry can be correlated to yields obtained when a salt-based accelerator fluid is injected into the slurry, such that levels of accelerator can be finely adjusted, and consistently high yields of spray coatings can be achieved.
US07842344B2 Peptide and protein arrays and direct-write lithographic printing of peptides and proteins
The present invention relates to the use of direct-write lithographic printing of proteins and peptides onto surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for creating protein and peptide arrays and compositions derived therefrom. Nanoscopic tips can be used to deposit the peptide or protein onto the surface to produce a pattern. The pattern can be dots or lines having dot diameter and line width of less than 1,000 nm. The tips and the substrate surfaces can be adapted for the peptide and protein lithography.
US07842327B2 Fresh tea leaf powder and processed product, extract, oil and aroma obtained from fresh tea leaf powder
It is intended to disclose a fresh tea leaf powder which is obtainable by collecting a fresh leaf and/or a stem of tea plant (scientific name Camellia sinensis), followed by freeze-drying and subsequent milling the same; a processed and treated tea leaf, a treated vegetable, a treated fruit or a treated flower obtained by treating a tea leave, a vegetable, a fruit or a flower with the above-described fresh tea leaf powder; a tea extract, a vegetable extract, a fruit extract (fruit juice) or a flower extract (oil) prepared from the above-described processed and treated tea leaf, treated vegetable, treated fruit or treated flower; and tea aroma, vegetable aroma, fruit aroma or flower aroma obtained from the above-described tea extract, vegetable extract, fruit extract or flower extract by the process of collecting aroma compounds.
US07842321B2 Method of concentrating minor ingredient contained in oily matter obtained from plant tissue
Fat-soluble trace constituents contained in plant tissues may be conveniently concentrated and/or purified by a method which involves extracting the fat-soluble trace constituent from a plant, to obtain an extract containing the fat-soluble trace constituent; adding a fatty acid ester to the extract, to obtain a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to molecular distillation. The method is particularly effective for the concentration and/or purification of fat-soluble constituents which are solids or viscous liquids at ambient temperature and ordinary pressure. The concentrated and/or purified fat-soluble trace constituent of a plant tissue prepared by the method may be combined with a food or drink to afford a food or drink product that contains the concentrated and/or purified fat-soluble trace constituent.
US07842318B2 Use of a potent product extracted from rhizomes of Zingiber officinale in treating a disease associated with Helicobacter pylori
The present invention discloses a new use of a potent product extracted from rhizomes of Zingiber officinale in treating a disease associated with Helicobacter pylori such as gastritis, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer in a patient. The potent product is prepared by a process including the steps of a) preparing a crude extract from rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, said crude extract comprising 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol; b) introducing the crude extract to a reverse phase chromatography column, and eluting the column with a first eluent having a polarity lower than water to obtain a first potent fraction or a second eluent having a polarity lower than that of the first eluent to obtain a second potent fraction. Preferably, the second potent fraction is substantially free of both 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol.
US07842316B2 Cosmetic compositions having extracts of Amomum melegueta and methods of treating skin
There is disclosed a topical composition and method for preventing and/or ameliorating the effects of aging on skin to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin and/or scalp. The invention utilizes the topical application of Amomum melegueta extract.
US07842313B2 System and method for applying medication to a hoof
A gel that includes a fungicide or an anti-bacterial is contained within a single dosage packet that includes a tapered nozzle end and a body. The fungicide or anti-bacterial gel is applied to the hoof of a horse by opening the packet at the tapered nozzle end and squeezing the body. The gel is then spread over the frog and sole of the hoof with a portion of the packet. The gel is heated so that it spreads to recessed areas of the hoof that can contain the bacterial and fungus infections.
US07842310B2 Pharmaceutical compositions in particulate form
A method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition is described, comprising 1) atomizing a liquid formulation of a therapeutic agent to produce an atomized formulation; 2) freezing said atomized formulation to form solid particles; and 3) drying said solid particles at about atmospheric pressure to produce a powder, wherein said drying is performed in the presence of vibration, internals, mechanical stirring, or a combination thereof. Another method is described, comprising 1) atomizing a liquid formulation of a therapeutic agent to produce an atomized formulation; 2) freezing said atomized formulation to form solid particles; and 3) drying said solid particles to produce a powder; wherein the atomized formulation comprises droplets having an average mean diameter of between about 35μ and about 300μ, and/or the powder comprises dried particles having an average mean diameter of between about 35μ and about 300μ. Compositions made by the above methods, and methods of using the compositions, are also described.
US07842305B2 Method of preparing biodegradable dual pore polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering
There is provided a method of preparing biodegradable dual pore polymer scaffolds, comprising the steps of: maintaining a polymer solution containing a biodegradable polymer, an effervescent mixture of carbonate and organic acid, and solvent at a temperature range of −196° C. to ambient temperature so as to evaporate the solvent and produce a polymer sample; and foaming the polymer sample in a mixed solution of water and alcohol.According to the present invention, the pore size of the polymer scaffolds can be easily controlled, and biodegradable polymer scaffolds can be more simply prepared compared to conventional methods such as salt leaching technique, phase separation technique or gas foaming technique. Further, since the biodegradable polymer scaffolds prepared according to the present invention have a high surface area and porosity without formation of skin layer, secretion of toxic substances and remnant phenomenon, they can be advantageously used for regenerating almost all living tissues and organs in tissue engineering.
US07842301B2 Process for making wet-skin treatment compositions
The invention provides process for making wet skin treatment compositions for use during bathing. The compositions are activated by water and retained efficiently on skin. The compositions impart desirable benefits to skin, are perceived to absorb quickly on wet skin, and leave the skin feeling clean, but non-greasy.
US07842293B2 Compositions and methods using anti-CS1 antibodies to treat multiple myeloma
The present disclosure provides methods for treating multiple myeloma comprising administering to a subject with multiple myeloma the anti-CS1 antibody HuLuc63 in combination with dexamethasone and, optionally, thalidomide.
US07842290B2 Identification of genes
A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism; (2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant; (3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment; (4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms; (5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique marker sequence of each individual mutant stored as in step (2); and (6) selecting an individual mutant which does not contain any of the marker sequences as isolated in step (4).
US07842285B2 Cosmetic compositions and methods of use
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing a phenyl substituted organosiloxane to provide shine and/or gloss when applied to a keratinous material, such as skin.
US07842272B2 Process for the regeneration of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid contaminated with byproducts of chloromethane scrubbing is regenerated for reuse in the scrubbing process by diluting with water to not lower than about a 55 weight percent concentration, heating the diluted acid to boiling at not more than about 135° C., concentrating the acid to a concentration of minimally 80 weight percent at a temperature of at least 170° C., and reacting the concentrated acid with an oxidizing agent.
US07842269B2 Pyrogenically prepared silicon dioxide compacted to give crusts
Pyrogenically prepared silicon dioxide is compacted to give crusts, in that it is subject to preliminary de-aeration, and is compacted to give crusts, and the crusts are broken and, if appropriate, classified. The tamped bulk density (to DIN EN ISO 787-11) of the silicon dioxide compacted to give crusts is from 185 to 700 g/l. It can be used as filler in rubber mixtures.
US07842258B2 Secondary containment for a perforated plate
A secondary containment system is used with a screenless reactor. The secondary containment system includes a screen sized to prevent the passage of catalyst particles, and is affixed to the screenless reactor with supports to hold the screen a desired distance from the reactor.
US07842253B2 Multi-zoned alkylation reactor with settler effluent recycle
A system for increasing the isobutane to olefin ratio in an alkylation process/system is disclosed. The system includes provisions for charging a portion of the settler effluent as a feed to at least one reaction zone downflow from the first reaction zone of a multi-zone alkylation reactor along with a portion of the olefin feed to the multi-zone alkylation reactor.
US07842248B2 Microfluidic system comprising microfluidic pump, mixer or valve
A microfluidic system. The system comprises: (A) a microfluidics platform comprising: a compliant body having a microfluidic channel defined therein; an elongate chamber defined by a section of the microfluidic channel, the chamber having a membrane wall defining part of an outer surface of the body; and a plurality of compression members spaced apart along the membrane wall, each compression member being configured for pinching a respective part of the membrane wall against an opposed wall of the chamber; and (B) a MEMS integrated circuit bonded to the outer surface of the body, the MEMS integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of moveable fingers, each finger engaged with a respective compression member, each finger being configured to urge the respective compression member between a closed position in which the respective part of the membrane wall is sealingly pinched against the opposed wall, and an open position in which the respective part of the membrane wall is disengaged from the opposed wall; a plurality of thermal bend actuators, each associated with a respective finger for controlling movement of the respective finger, and control circuitry for controlling actuation of the actuators.
US07842241B2 Analyte meter protectors and methods
Analyte meter protectors, meters that include the same, and methods.
US07842240B2 Microchip for analysis, analysis system having the same, and analysis method
A microchip has a substrate on which there are formed a reaction bath section, a first flow channel to which are connected a supply channel that supplies a buffer solution and the reaction bath section, a second flow channel to which are connected a supply channel that supplies a sample solution containing a first substance and a channel that discharges the sample and buffer solutions to an exterior of the substrate, and a connecting channel connecting the first flow channel to the second flow channel. The reaction bath section receives the first and second substances so that the first and second substances react in the reaction bath section. The first and second flow channels are provided with valves disposed relative to the connecting channel such that selective opening and closing of the valves causes the buffer solution to flow first into the reaction bath section at a preselected speed and the sample solution to flow second into the reaction bath section at the preselected speed to cause the first and second substances to react in the reaction bath section.
US07842225B2 Method of preparing a molded article
A method of forming a shaped thermoplastic sheet is described. The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one sheet retainer (35) having an upper surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35). Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations (41) of the sheet retainers (35) thereby retaining a portion of the heated thermoplastic sheet (95) thereon. The sheet retainers (35) are moved along the x-, y- and/or z-axes, and optionally rotated, with the sheet retained thereon, relative to the perimeter edge (17). The heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is allowed to cool, and a shaped thermoplastic sheet retaining the contour of interior mold surface (14) is formed.
US07842221B2 Process and apparatus for the production of filled thermoplastic polymers
To produce filled thermoplastic polymers starting from a waste thermoplastic base material, the base thermoplastic material is fed into a container (1) provided with a device for mixing and stirring (2,3) in which the base thermoplastic material is softened, the required filler is fed into said device and stirring is continued to thoroughly blend filler and softened material, subsequently collecting the softened and filled material from said container and subjecting it to an extrusion or other densification step.
US07842213B2 Die for extrusion-molding and method for manufacturing porous ceramic member
A die for extrusion-molding in accordance with the present invention comprises: a molding groove part, a material supplying part, and an outer frame for fixing a die main body comprising the molding groove part and the material supplying part to the front end of an extrusion-molding apparatus, wherein the die main body has a form in which the plate-shaped molding groove part smaller than the material supplying part is provided at almost the middle of the plate-shaped material supplying part such that it protrudes from the material supplying part, the outer frame comprises: a die holding part which is provided such that it covers the material supplying part around the molding groove part; and a peripheral part which is provided near the die holding part, and supposing that the thickness of the molding groove part is X, the thickness of the material supplying part is Y, and the thickness of the die holding part of the outer frame is Z, these X, Y and Z are allowed to satisfy the inequalities (1) about 3≦X≦about 6, (2) about 5≦Y≦about 10, (3) about 3.5≦Z≦about 8.5, (4) about 0.8
US07842203B2 Gasket for molding plastic lens
A mold (1) for molding a plastic lens is formed of a first mold (3) which forms one lens surface of the plastic lens, a second mold (4) which forms the other lens surface of the plastic lens, and a cylindrical gasket (2) into which the first and second molds (3, 4) are to be pressed. An elastically deformable projecting band (5) which has a triangular section and tapers gradually toward its distal end integrally projects on the inner circumferential surface of the gasket (2). The projecting band (5) projects on the inner circumferential surface of the gasket (2) throughout an entire circumference to form a ring-like shape, and inclines upward with respect to an axis (L) of the gasket (2). The first mold (3), when pressed into the gasket (2), presses the projecting band (5) to elastically deform it downward.
US07842200B2 Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode materials
The invention relates to compositions and composite particles that may be employed as anode materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). The invention particularly relates to novel metallic SOFC anode materials, which preferably comprise metallic nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), especially if the Ni/Cu oxide has been stabilized with yttrium (Y) oxide (e.g., Y2O3) and/or zirconium (Zr) oxide (e.g., ZrO2) composition(s) (“YSZ”). Such compositions may additionally comprise a cerium (Ce) oxide (such as CeO2) (e.g., Ni/YSZ/CeO2). The invention particularly concerns such compositions and particles produced through the use of direct deposition or Flame Spray Pyrolysis so as to provide a controlled morphology and chemical composition.
US07842192B2 Multi-component barrier polishing solution
The polishing solution is useful for removing barrier materials in the presence of at least one nonferrous interconnect metal with limited erosion of dielectrics. The solution contains 0 to 20 weight percent oxidizer, at least 0.001 weight percent inhibitor for reducing removal rate of the nonferrous interconnect metals, 1 ppm to 4 weight percent organic-containing ammonium cationic salt formed with a quanternary ammonium structure, 1 ppm to 4 weight percent anionic surfactant, the anionic surfactant having 4 to 25 carbon atoms and the total carbon atoms in of the ammonium cationic salt plus the anionic surfactant being 6 to 40 carbon atoms, 0 to 50 weight percent abrasive and balance water; and the solution having a pH of less than 7.
US07842186B2 Method of removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen
The present invention provides a method of treating wastewater containing phosphorus and/or nitrogen for removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen from the wastewater, including following steps of: (a) introducing wastewater containing phosphorus and/or nitrogen into a an anaerobic reactor, treating the introduced wastewater with anaerobic microorganisms, to produce biogas from organic matters in the wastewater, and then discharging the treated wastewater saturated with carbon dioxide under carbon dioxide partial pressure of 0.2 to 0.5 atm; and (b) injecting the treated wastewater of step (a) into a carbon dioxide stripping apparatus wherein the wastewater is free-fallen to expose the wastewater to ambient condition with carbon dioxide partial pressure of less than 0.001 atm so that carbon dioxide stripping takes place and increase in pH occurs without addition of alkaline substance, and then providing proper pH of 8.4 to 9.6 to form struvite.
US07842181B2 Composition and process for the removal of sulfur from middle distillate fuels
A composition and process for removing sulfur from middle distillate petroleum hydrocarbon fuels. The composition includes an alumina component and a carbon component. The composition is present in an amount effective to adsorb sulfur compounds from the fuel. The alumina component and the carbon component preferably collectively comprise a composite material. The composition can further include a sulfur component, preferably a metal sulfide or sulfur oxide. The composition can also further include at least one compound having a Group VI or Group VIII metal from the periodic table.
US07842177B2 Solid pigmented resin-crosslinker mixture for use in aqueous coatings
A pigmented granular pigmented coating feedstock is prepared by melting a resin, which can be a solid resin based on polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer or epoxy based resin, and a solid or viscous curing agent, blending the molten mass, and cooling to form a solid. The solid blend of resin and curing agent is ground to produce a granular feedstock. The feedstock is readily storable or shippable to a location for coating preparation. Alternatively a solid coating can be ground after shipping. An aqueous coating is made by dispersing the feedstock in water and mixing to form a dispersion. A salting agent and at least one additive can be added to form an aqueous coating composition. An article can be coated with the dispersion, for example, by electrodeposition.
US07842175B2 Electrophoresis
The invention relates to a method for separating a target for measurement utilizing electrophoresis, particularly capillary electrophoresis efficiently in high sensitivity and in a short period of time. It also relates to a method for measuring said target separated by said method for separation. The invention provides a method for separating a target for measurement and a method for measuring said target separated by said method for separation, characterized by using a substance to which is bound a nucleic acid chain labeled by a marker and which has an affinity for said target for measurement.
US07842173B2 Apparatus and methods for electrochemical processing of microfeature wafers
Apparatus and methods for electrochemically processing microfeature wafers. The apparatus can have a vessel including a processing zone in which a microfeature wafer is positioned for electrochemical processing. The apparatus further includes at least one counter electrode in the vessel that can operate as an anode or a cathode depending upon the particular plating or electropolishing application. The apparatus further includes a supplementary electrode and a supplementary virtual electrode. The supplementary electrode is configured to operate independently from the counter electrode in the vessel, and it can be a thief electrode and/or a de-plating electrode depending upon the type of process. The supplementary electrode can further be used as another counter electrode during a portion of a plating cycle or polishing cycle. The supplementary virtual electrode is located in the processing zone, and it is configured to counteract an electric field offset relative to the wafer associated with an offset between the wafer and the counter electrode in the vessel when the wafer is in the processing zone.
US07842170B1 Device for selective plating of electrical contacts for connectors
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a high contact force, high elastic response range pin-receiving and cylindrical electrical contact having a pair of spaced apart cantilever beams which extend forwardly from a base to a pin-receiving end. In accordance with the invention at least one plating cell is provided including a cavity type of enclosure thereof in general matching the outer contour of the lower portion and pin receiving end of the contact whereas plating solution is ejected towards the pin receiving end including at least one conducting device for electric current is provided adjacent to the opposite region of the contact for engaging with thereof whereas electric current is being conducted.
US07842169B2 Method and apparatus for local polishing control
A method and apparatus for local polishing and deposition control in a process cell is generally provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for electrochemically processing a substrate is provided that selectively polishes discrete conductive portions of a substrate by controlling an electrical bias profile across a processing area, thereby controlling processing rates between two or more conductive portions of the substrate.
US07842157B2 Method for bonding plastic micro chip
Disclosed is a method of bonding upper and lower substrates for manufacturing a plastic micro chip comprising the upper substrate, the lower substrate and a sample filling space having a predetermined height for filling a sample between the upper and lower substrates. According to the method, the upper and lower substrates are bonded by introducing an organic solvent between the upper and lower substrates. In addition, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a micro chip using the method and a micro chip manufactured according to the method. According to the invention, it is possible to easily and precisely bond the upper and lower substrates of the plastic micro chip.
US07842154B2 Mirror reflective element and method of forming same
A method for forming a reflective element substrate for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes generally continuously forming an elongated sheet of substrate material and applying a substantially transparent functional film to a surface of the elongated sheet. The substantially transparent functional film is unrolled from a reel or roll of the film and the unrolled film is applied to the surface of the elongated sheet generally continuously as the sheet is formed or extruded or cast. Two or more mirror substrates are formed from the elongated sheet after the film is applied to the surface of the sheet.
US07842151B2 Method and device for forming a layered product having a bent over edge
An apparatus for manufacturing a layered product having a curved surface part with an extremely small radius of curvature while lowering the rate of occurrence a defective product is provided. The manufacturing apparatus is for a layered product in which a decorative material is laminated on a surface and side of a base material, and includes a cutting unit for forming a first cut portion at the corner of the base material and forming a second cut portion having an arc-shaped portion at a portion of a rear surface side of the decorative material opposing to the first cutout part and a bending member for bending the decorative material at the circular arc-like part of the second cutout part.
US07842138B2 Elastic opposition device for a door of a front-loading dishwashing machine, and dishwashing machine including such a device
An opposition device for locking and/or braking a swing door of a dishwashing machine, in which the door is movable about a horizontal rotation axis and along a predetermined trajectory, between at least two opposite, respectively open and closed, limit positions. A contoured leaf spring is fitted integrally to a casing of the machine. The contoured leaf spring has a first and second flexible arm projecting forward. A substantially rigid arm is fixed for movement with the door, and projects inward from the door and towards the contoured leaf spring. The first and second flexible arm of the contoured leaf spring, and the rigid arm of the door cooperate, in use, in sliding contact with one another along at least part of the predetermined trajectory of the door, to oppose rotation of the door at least close to the two opposite limit positions.
US07842136B2 Device and method for collecting wastewater in dishwashers
A device and method for handling waste water to-be-discharged out of a dishwashing machine that includes a pump well and a sump section, with the sump section communicating with the pump well in the lower regions of the dishwashing machine through an inflow section. The device also contains a valve located in or operating with the inflow section that blocks the influx of waste water from the pump well into the sump section when the valve is closed. The valve allows the influx of waste water from the pump well into the sump section when the valve is opened.
US07842131B2 High opacity TiO2 pigment and production method
The invention relates to a rutile titanium dioxide pigment for use in decorative laminating papers that yields higher opacity of the papers compared to the prior art, as well as a method for its manufacture. The pigment displays a surface coating that contains aluminum phosphate, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and titanium oxide. The silicon oxide is precipitated in fluffy form. The coated particles display a BET value of at least 15 m2/g.The manufacturing method is characterized in that an aluminum and a phosphorus component are first added to a TiO2 suspension. Thereafter, an alkaline silicon component, an acid-reacting titanium component and, optionally, a further pH-regulating component are added, the pH value being set in the range from 4 to 9 in this context.
US07842130B2 Complex inorganic effect materials
The present invention relates to a complex inorganic color effect pigment material based on multiply coated platelet-shaped substrates wherein one of the layers is a complex inorganic colored pigment. The present color effect pigment may be used in automotive applications, security inks, and decorative coatings.
US07842128B2 Tissue marking compositions
Provided are permanent tissue markings comprising at least one colored compound comprising a thermally activatable fragmentation group and at least one infrared absorbing compound, wherein the at least one colored compound is capable of being rendered colorless by unimolecular fragmentation of the thermally activatable fragmentation group when the tissue marking is non-imagewise exposed by a source of infrared radiation.
US07842126B1 CO2 separation from low-temperature flue gases
Two methods are provide for the separation of carbon dioxide from the flue gases. The first method utilizes a phase-separating moiety dissolved in an aqueous solution of a basic moiety to capture carbon dioxide. The second method utilizes a phase-separating moiety as a suspended solid in an aqueous solution of a basic moiety to capture carbon dioxide. The first method takes advantage of the surface-independent nature of the CO2 absorption reactions in a homogeneous aqueous system. The second method also provides permanent sequestration of the carbon dioxide. Both methods incorporate the kinetic rate enhancements of amine-based scrubbing while eliminating the need to heat the entire amine solution (80% water) in order to regenerate and release CO2. Both methods also take advantage of the low-regeneration temperatures of CO2-bearing mineral systems such as Na2CO3/NaHCO3 and K2CO3/KHCO3.
US07842105B2 Ball of fire, an invention in the field of combustion
A process of making vegetal fuel based combustible spheres produced from naturally occurring and renewable residues of olive arboricultural farming and olive processing. The combustible spheres providing a renewable energy alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Where the use of the vegetal based combustible spheres replaces fossil fuels, the reduction in the generation of undesirable noxious gasses from combustion is achieved along with reduced consumption of the world's limited fossil fuel reserves.
US07842104B2 Method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor
Provided is a method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor having a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte having a conductive polymer is formed by an oxidative polymerization reaction, using a polymerization liquid containing a monomer and a dopant. The dopant contains alkylammonium ions as a cationic component.
US07842100B2 Two-part oxidative hair dye composition
Provided is a two-part oxidation hair dye composition having a first agent containing an alkali and an oxidation dye intermediate or a direct dye and a second agent containing an oxidizing agent, wherein at least one of the first and second agents contains both of components (A) an iso-fatty acid or an anteiso-fatty acid having from 19 to 30 carbon atoms, or a slat thereof, and (B) a quaternary cationic surfactant.
US07842099B2 Prosthetic attachment system with low profile attachment pad
An anchoring system for a transtibial or transfemoral (above or below the knee) prosthesis. The anchoring system includes a liner for enveloping an amputee limb. The liner has a first strap releasably secured to the fabric of the liner by a reinforcement plate that has a particular molded hook backing that removably adheres to the liner in such a way as to still provide a secure anchor for the buckle. The liner also has a second strap fixedly attached to the distal bottom end of the liner. The anchoring system also includes a containment socket for seating the liner. The containment socket has a pair of slots there through at positions corresponding to the two straps of the liner, respectively. To apply the anchoring system, the patient first applies the liner to his/her limb. The liner is then inserted into the socket with the two fastening straps protruding out through the respective slots. The patient pulls down on the lower strap thereby drawing the liner down into the socket until the liner is securely seated in the socket. When fully seated, the two fastening straps are overlayed and secured to themselves by Velcro® or the lower strap is threaded through a buckle on the upper strap and secured onto itself with Velcro®. The foregoing forms a suspension which holds the prosthesis on. Moreover, the fastening straps through slots absolutely prevent lateral shift as well as rotation.
US07842098B2 Longitudinally expanding medical device
A stent for maintaining an open passageway through a body lumen, such as the prostatic urethra of a male patient, includes an elongated segment including a flexible polymer material bridging a plurality of hoops. The elongated segment defines a lumen extending therethrough and has a distal end. A retention structure may be coupled to the distal end of the elongated segment to inhibit the distal end from migrating when the stent is placed within a body of a patient. The flexible polymer material is disposed between the plurality of hoops, thereby creating hinged members that allow for the spaces between the hoops to expand and contract longitudinally to accommodate prostatic swelling when the stent is placed within the prostatic urethra of the patient. A plurality of ridges is disposed along the elongated segment at locations where the flexible material circumscribes the hoops, and these inhibit migration of the stent and facilitate longitudinal expansion by frictionally engaging adjacent tissue, such as the inner wall of the prostatic urethra.
US07842096B2 Hip stem prosthesis
A hip prosthesis for insertion into a femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the hip prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. This stem may include anterior and posterior locking surfaces which diverge away from the stem. A shank portion may extend distally from the anterior and posterior locking surfaces and converge at an angle distally toward the stem.
US07842095B2 Antibiotic bone cement spacer
A temporary femoral implant system has a porous mold and a femoral component. The system fits at least partially in a femoral cavity. The mold has a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface forming an interior space for receiving an antibiotic bone cement. The mold allows the antibiotic to diffuse through the wall to the exterior surface. The femoral component has a stem portion received within the mold. A method of using the implant system includes providing an implant system comprising a mold and a femoral component, inserting the mold into the femoral cavity with the exterior surface facing the femoral cavity, inserting the stem portion of a femoral component into the interior space of the mold and filling the interior space of the mold with an antibiotic bone cement.
US07842073B2 Screw and rod fixation assembly and device
The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a deflecting mechanism for deflecting the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism against and around the rod as the locking mechanism further engages the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism.
US07842032B2 Apparatus and methods for the selective removal of tissue
An Ultrasonic apparatus and method is provided for the selective and targeted removal of unwanted tissues. The apparatus and methods may utilize combinations of ultrasonic and cryogenic energy for the selective removal tissue. The apparatus generates and delivers to the tissue cryogenic and ultrasonic energy, either in combination or in sequence, provides resize ablation of unwanted tissue parts, and may be used on various body tissues including internal organs.
US07842013B2 Trocar and cannula assembly having conical valve and related methods
A trocar system for endoscopic surgery, cap assembly, and related methods are provided. The cap assembly includes a valve housing with an opening formed in line with an axis of the valve housing and also includes a valve positioned adjacent the opening of the valve housing. The valve body includes a proximal valve section including a valve ring positioned within the valve housing, and a distal valve section extending axially from the proximal valve section. The distal valve section includes a valve extension having a proximal and distal end portions, and a substantially conically shaped medial portion connected to and extending therebetween, wherein a plurality of friction-reduction features, preferably tear-drop shaped knobs, are disposed proximate the distal end portion and extending a distance in the medial portion of the valve. A valve opening is positioned in the distal end portion of the valve extension, adapted to individually and separately receive the elongate tools so that when any one of the elongate tools of varying diameter is positioned therethrough, electrostatic adhesion between the valve and the tool is minimized and a seal is maintained between peripheries of the valve extension surrounding the valve opening and outer peripheries of the inserted elongate tool.
US07842011B2 Medical instrument with injection needles that can be spread out sideways
A medical instrument comprises a tubular body, housing at least one injection needle with a radially outwardly directed tip portion in an axially undisplaceable manner. A control element serves for deploying the tip of the injection needle out sideways from the tubular body. It is proposed that the control element is housed in the tubular body in an axially displaceable manner, and that said element it in operative connection with the at least one injection needle in such a way that, in a first axially displaced position, the outwardly directed tip portion of the injection needle is fully retracted in the body and, in a second axially displaced position, at least the tip of the outwardly directed tip portion is pressed sideways out from the tubular body (FIG. 5).
US07842002B2 Device for the extravascular recirculation of liquid in body cavities
Biocompatible liquid is pumped into a body cavity (eg. subarachnoid space, peritoneum, mediastinum, pleural space) by means of one pump and removed from it by means a second pump, preferably via a double-barreled catheter is used for insertion and removal of the liquid. An optional secondary catheter removes liquid from a distal area of the body cavity. Temperature and pressure are sensed within the cavity and can be controlled by adjusting liquid flow rates. While outside the body, the liquid can be ultraviolet-sterilized, foam fractionated to remove contaminants, oxygenated and pH balanced, cooled or warmed, and augmented with exogenous liquid that may contain drugs.
US07841999B2 Adjustable hinge for orthopedic brace
An adjustable hinge for an orthopedic brace includes a housing, first and second members and first and second control devices rotatably supported by the housing. The first member has a first gear portion pivotable about a first axis, and first and second cam surfaces. The second member has a second gear portion pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the first gear portion. The second axis is parallel and spaced apart from the first axis. The first control device has a third cam surface that is selectively rotatable in and out of engagement with the first cam surface and controlling a range of motion in a first rotational direction. The second control device has a fourth cam surface that is selectively rotatable in and out of engagement with the second cam surface and controlling a range of motion in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
US07841985B2 Sensor identification method and system
An inventive method and system are provided for identifying a compatible photoplethysmographic sensor when interconnected to a given photoplethysmographic monitor. The method and system may further provide for the identification of which of a plurality of compatible sensors is interconnected to allow for selective calibration of the photoplethysmographic monitor. In this regard, the system and method may entail provision of a predetermined drive or test signal to a light source and/or identification element (i.e., sensor elements) of a photoplethysmographic sensor, and the obtainment of a corresponding output signal for use in sensor identification. In one approach, an output signal is obtained from at least one of three sensor elements each of which is interconnected between a different pair of sensor terminals which is a unique combination of two of four sensor terminals on the sensor. In this regard, individual circuits may be formed through each sensor element allowing for enhanced flexibility in signal application.
US07841983B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of transducer units which are two-dimensionally arranged to transmit/receive an ultrasonic wave to/from hard tissue; a transceiver unit which receives an echo signal for each transducer unit from the plurality of transducer units; a surface point specifying unit which specifies a surface point corresponding to a surface of the hard tissue for each echo signal; and a form data generator unit which generates form data of hard tissue surface on the basis of a plurality of surface points obtained two-dimensionally from the echo signals of the plurality of transducer units.
US07841968B1 Free path elliptical exercise apparatus
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator.
US07841964B2 Exercise device and method for simulating physical activity
An exercise and performance evaluation apparatus includes a revolving belt on which a subject can perform bipedal locomotion, a harness for securing the subject at a fixed position relative to the apparatus, a means for measuring the force applied by the subject to the belt, and a means for monitoring and controlling the velocity of the belt. The harnessing of the subject allows monitoring of the velocity as a function of time. An overhead harness may be used to alter the effective mass of the subject. The velocity of the belt may be controlled by a motor and brake system, where the motor may be uni-directional or bi-directional. A digital processor may be used to control the motor and/or brake as a function of the applied forces to simulate real-world or virtual world environments, allowing the operation of the device in modes such as constant-force modes, constant-load modes, constant velocity modes, sprint simulation mode, bob sled simulation mode, terminal velocity determination mode, isokinetic overspeed mode, and isotonic overspeed mode. Processing of the velocity and force as a function of time allows for the recording and analysis of data such as the maximal exertion force-velocity curve, left leg/right leg performance, force as a function of stride, etc.
US07841961B2 Planetary gearset
A planetary gearset provided with a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier that rotatably retains a plurality of pinion gears arranged between the sun gear and the ring gear as elements, in which one of the elements is made a fixed element and one of the other elements is made a rotating element, and which transmits torque between that rotating element and an external member provided in a location eccentric with respect to that rotating member. The planetary gearset is constructed such that the fixed element is movably retained in the direction of a load from the transmission of torque between the rotating element and the external member, and the load from the transmission of torque between the rotating element and the external member is received by a fixed portion that rotatably retains that rotating element.
US07841956B2 Golf ball
A two-piece golf ball having a reaction injection molded polyurethane cover is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core with a diameter preferably ranging from 1.610 inches to 1.670 inches, and a cover having a thickness preferably ranging from 0.015 inch to 0.045 inch. The cover also preferably has a plurality of deep apertures extending through the cover.
US07841950B2 Products and methods for ocular enhancement and methods for conducting business thereby
The present invention provides methods and products effective for ocular enhancement conditioning of users attempting to successfully hit or otherwise make contact with objects projected towards, away from or at angles by the users, and increasing efficacy in hitting and contact.
US07841945B2 Wireless communication game system and storage medium storing a wireless communication game program
A wireless communication game system includes at least one parent device and a plurality of child devices that can communicate wirelessly with one another. The parent device transmits a parent device program and game data for distribution and generation information indicating what generation the data for distribution belongs to when counting from the one in the parent device. Each of the child devices receives the data for distribution and executes the parent device program to update the generation information and transmit to another plurality of child devices the parent device program and game data for distribution and the updated generation information.
US07841937B2 Slot machine
When a start condition of a payout variable game is fulfilled during a base game, depending on number of award-not-accompanied occurrence times of a specific symbol combination selected by a player at the beginning payout variable game to be executed a predetermined number of times at maximum, a number of credits to be paid out to an award-accompanied occurrence of the specific symbol combination during the payout variable game is varied depending on number of award-not-accompanied occurrence times of the specific symbol combination. Alternatively, a number of credits to be paid out at a termination of the payout variable game is varied depending on number of award-accompanied occurrence times of the specific symbol combination.
US07841936B2 System and method for presenting payouts in gaming systems
A system and method for facilitating participation by a player in a primary or bonus event of a slot machine. A plurality of rotatable shapes such as wheels, with symbols presented thereon, are spun. Each of the rotatable shapes is associated with at least one respective segment designator to identify at least one of the symbols on that rotatable shape as active for that spin. Each rotatable shape is allowed to perform subsequent spins if the segment designator for that shape on the current spin did not identify a discontinue symbol. Spins therefore continue for each of the rotatable shapes until all rotatable shapes have been associated with a discontinue symbol, or another termination event occurs. Payouts may be associated with some or all of the continue symbols, such that a total payout continues to accumulate at the rotatable shapes are allowed to perform additional spins.
US07841935B2 Device to automatically change award parameters for a gaming machine
A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, and the game parameters, other than the award amounts may be changed.
US07841934B2 Amusement machine having a secondary game for determining a winning amount
The gaming device comprises a main game, which results in random outcomes. At least one of the outcomes enables a secondary game. Indicia are selected and displayed in the secondary game. A player positions the indicia of the secondary game by operating controls. A pay out to the player is made based on the indicia and their positions selected by the player.
US07841919B2 Method of sealing an organic light emitting display using closed loop pattern of frit paste composition
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing the organic light emitting display apparatus. The method includes preparing a substrate and placing a mask over the substrate. A frit paste composition is disposed on the mask which has a patterned opening. The frit paste composition is pressed to land on the substrate to form a frit paste structure. The frit paste structure is pre-sintered. Another substrate on which an array of pixels is formed is arranged to oppose the substrate on which the frit structure is formed, and then the substrates are coupled with the frit structure.
US07841914B1 Floating apparatus with manual driver
A floating apparatus is arranged to be propelled manually. The apparatus has a float with a head and a foot for supporting a recumbent person. Also included is a hull attached under the float. The hull has a first end and a second end and is narrower than the float. The apparatus has a propeller shaft with a propeller that is rotatably mounted in the hull. Also included is a manual driver for rotating the propeller shaft. The manual driver is mounted at the first end of the hull and the propeller is mounted at the second end of the hull.
US07841909B2 Multistage capacitive far end crosstalk compensation arrangement
Methods and systems for providing crosstalk compensation in a jack are disclosed. According to one method, the crosstalk compensation is adapted to compensate for undesired crosstalk generated at a capacitive coupling located at a plug inserted within the jack. The method includes positioning a first capacitive coupling a first time delay away from the capacitive coupling of the plug, the first capacitive coupling having a greater magnitude and an opposite polarity as compared to the capacitive coupling of the plug. The method also includes positioning a second capacitive coupling at a second time delay from the first capacitive coupling, the second time delay corresponding to an average time delay that optimizes near end crosstalk. The second capacitive coupling has generally the same overall magnitude but an opposite polarity as compared to the first capacitive coupling, and includes two capacitive elements spaced at different time delays from the first capacitive coupling.
US07841904B2 Cable assembly having enhanced mechanical interconnection means thereof
A cable assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (11) having a base portion (110) and a tongue portion (112) extending forwardly from the base portion; a plurality of contacts (113) supported by the insulated housing; at least a lens (120) mounted to the insulated housing; a cable (2B) including a number of wires (21), at least an optic fiber (22) and a strength member (23) therein, the wires respectively connected to the contacts, the optical fiber coupled to the lens, and the strength member wrapped around at least a tab (1106) formed on the base portion; and an adhesive material (1108) applied to the tab to make the strength member securely attached to the tab.
US07841893B2 Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a compartment and a transmission line. The transmission line has a cable and a connector part. One end of the cable is electrically connected to the main body, and the other end of the cable extends out from the main body and is connected to the connector part. The compartment defines a receiving space therein. The compartment is pivotally connected to one end of the main body and has a closed position and an open position relative to the end of the main body. The connector part and the cable are received in the receiving space and concealed by the compartment when the compartment is in the closed position. The connector part is detachably connected to an external device with the cable being pulled out from the receiving space of the compartment when the compartment is in the open position.
US07841889B2 Locking device for a shielded sub-miniature connection assembly
Locking device for a shielded sub-miniature connection assembly having two sub-miniature connectors with housings made of two molded thermoplastic half-shells, a high contact density miniature sub-assembly with a molded thermoplastic insulating body provided with contact cavities for the positioning and retention of contacts, wherein one of the housings includes on at least one of its faces a movable metal latch able to co-act with a slot made in at least one of the outside faces of the complementary housing.
US07841878B2 Modular electrical distribution system for a building
A universal power distribution system is provided for routing electrical circuits within a building structure to comprehensively provide electrical power to the building in ceiling configurations, wall-mounted configurations, raised floor configurations and in office furniture configurations. The system components for all of these configurations have common plug connectors that are engagable with each other so as to be readily usable in a wide variety of applications. The system is readily adaptable to form virtually any conventional circuit configuration found within conventional hard-wired systems yet is formed simply through the routing of the cables through the building cavities and interconnection is accomplished merely by plugging components together rather than through labor-intensive manual wiring.
US07841874B2 Socket protector
A socket protector for fixing a protective cover to a housing includes a connecting member and a receiving groove defined in the housing. The connecting member is connected to the protective cover. The connecting member has an elastic connecting portion defining a restricting hole. A restricting portion is formed in the receiving groove. When the elastic connecting portion resists the restricting portion, the elastic connecting portion deforms to extend the restricting portion through the restricting hole of the elastic connecting portion, thus connecting the protective cover to the housing.
US07841870B2 Electronic device and assembling method thereof
An electronic device and an assembling method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first electronic module, a second electronic module, and a through connection element. The first electronic module includes a plurality of electronic units, a plurality of lead wires, a daughterboard, and a first connector. The first connector is disposed on the daughterboard. The lead wires are separately connected between the electronic units and the daughterboard. The daughterboard is electrically connected between the lead wires and the first connector. The second electronic module includes a motherboard and a second connector, wherein the second connector disposed on the motherboard is electrically connected with the motherboard. The through connection element being assembled between the first and the second connectors is electrically connected to the first and the second connectors to connect the first electronic module with the second electronic module.
US07841865B2 Orientationless spring probe receptacle assembly
An electrical connector assembly for establishing an electrical connection (for signal or current transfer) between two circuits or wiring assemblies.
US07841861B2 Encoder spacer for a spindle motor and encoder assembly including the same
A encoder spacer for a spindle motor and an encoder assembly including the same are disclosed wherein the encoder spacer comprises: a body in monolithic structure made of insulation material; a first terminal electrically connected to a main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) of the spindle motor and protruded from a lateral surface of the body; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal via a conduction path through the body, electrically connected to an auxiliary PCB and protruded from an upper surface of the body; a substrate groove including an accommodation space for accommodating the encoder formed at an upper center of the body, wherein the auxiliary PCB slides in the accommodation space by being inserted into a both sides of the accommodation space; and a third terminal exposed at the substrate groove for electrically connecting the auxiliary PCB with the first terminal.
US07841855B2 Injection molding nozzle
A nozzle 10 used in injection molding comprises at least one runner 30 within a nozzle casing 20 to convey injection material to be processed. At its lower end, the runner 30 communicates, in flow-transmitting manner, through a nozzle orifice element 40 and an insert 50, with an injection mold cavity constituted by at least one mold insert 12, 13. The insert preferably is made in powder metallurgy form of a wear-resistant material and is configured in limited longitudinally displaceable manner in the nozzle orifice 40 in the lower end of the runner 30. Said insert 50 furthermore constitutes a gate aperture 18. In the embodiment mode of a needle shutoff nozzle 10, a shutoff needle 60 displaceable between an open and a closed position passes through the runner 30 and through the insert 50 which constitutes a centering element wherein an intake cone 54 centers the intrinsic sealing element 65 of the needle 60. The thermally highly conducting nozzle orifice element 40 encloses the upper part 53 of the insert 50 and can be screwed from below into the nozzle casing 20. Alternatively the nozzle orifice element 40 and the insert 50 are integral and both are inserted as a unit into the nozzle casing 20 to be jointly longitudinally displaceable therein. The insert/centering element 50 is fitted with a support flange 52 so that the nozzle orifice element 40 and/or the insert 50 be reliably affixed.
US07841852B2 Apparatus for demolding building products from a mold
A demolding apparatus for removing molded building products from a mold has a conveyor assembly to advance the mold in a machine direction. A removal mechanism contacts a dislodged portion of the molded building product and applies a dislodging force to the dislodged portion of the molded building product.
US07841845B2 Open drive scroll machine
A compressor assembly includes a planetary gear train located between an input shaft from the power unit and a drive shaft of the compressor. The planetary gear train is switchable between a high speed and a low speed condition. In the high speed condition, power is provided to the planetary gears, the ring gear is locked and output to the drive shaft is through the sun gear. In the low speed condition, a one-way clutch between the input shaft and the output shaft provides a one-to-one driving ratio.
US07841835B2 Spar cap for wind turbine blades
A blade of a wind turbine is provided having an improved spar cap. The spar cap includes at least one trench extending in a substantially span-wise direction in at least a portion of the spar cap. At least one shear web is connected to the spar cap. At least a portion of the shear web is positioned within the trench of the spar cap.
US07841832B2 Fan for generating an air flow
A weight adjustment portion is formed at an upper end of a hub to project radially inward. An approximately U-shaped balance clip is attached to the weight adjustment portion. A gap to be constantly ensured is formed axially between the weight adjustment portion and a rotor holder. For ensuring the gap, a plurality of seats are provided on the lower surface of the weight adjustment portion at regular circumferential intervals. The rotor holder is press-fitted to the hub until the rotor holder comes into contact with the seats. The upper surface of the weight adjustment portion is positioned lower than the uppermost portion of the hub, thereby preventing the balance clip projecting from the uppermost portion of the hub when the balance clip is attached to the weight adjustment portion.
US07841831B2 Asymmetrically changing rotating blade shape (ACRBS) propeller and its airplane and wind turbine applications
A propeller includes a plurality of propeller blades. Each blade has an adjustable drag coefficient. A plurality of actuators adjusts the drag coefficients of the propeller blades. A controlling unit controls the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjusted according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade so that the drag of each propeller blade is maximized at the same point through a course of revolution and minimized throughout the remainder of that revolution.
US07841830B1 River power megawatts producer
A river power generating apparatus is provided in which a plurality of angular baffles are configured to extract and combine the available energy from flowing river water into a force for rotating an electric generator to 1800 rpm to produce large quantities of electric current without using a hydro-electric dam thereby allowing wild salmon to spawn upstream of the river. The angular baffles can harvest and convert the energy of the ocean currents and tides into great amounts of electric power.
US07841824B2 Method for transferring magnetic samples from a source to a target
A control system for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel generally includes a vessel unit, a primary transfer unit, an x-drive, a y-drive, a z-drive and a control unit for controlling the drives. The vessel unit includes a support plate for supporting the source vessel and the target vessel thereon and the transfer unit includes at least one transfer device for transferring the sample from the source vessel to the target vessel. The x-, y- and z-drives reciprocally translate one of the support plate and the transfer device in a respective x-direction, y-direction and z-direction, wherein the x, y and z directions define a three axis Cartesian coordinate system.
US07841823B2 Brace system and method for a vehicle at a loading dock
To help hold a (trailer) bed of a truck or trailer steady at a loading dock as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo, a yieldable vehicle brace exerts a substantial, but limited, reactive force upward against the trailer's rear impact guard to resist the trailer's downward movement. In some embodiments, the brace holds the trailer bed stationary up to a certain load limit and provides the trailer bed with a controlled or dampened descent when the load exceeds that limit. In some cases, the reactive upward force exerted by the brace increases with the downward velocity of the trailer bed. The reactive force can be created by one or more pressure relief valves, hydraulic fluid passing through a flow restriction, a brake, a spring, or various combination thereof. Some embodiments of the brace include provisions for accommodating horizontal movement of the rear impact guard.
US07841822B2 Manipulator for a lift truck
A manipulator for use with a lift truck includes a guide assembly mountable on a mast of a lift truck, a carriage assembly supported for movement along the guide assembly, and an arm assembly mounted on the carriage assembly for supporting a lift truck attachment such as a clamping apparatus. The arm assembly may include two arms pivotable with respect to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The manipulator can move a load in a widthwise direction of a lift truck and between opposite widthwise sides of a lift truck.
US07841818B2 Structural fasteners and components thereof
A captive structural fastener including an integral hold-out feature is provided. The fastener includes a stud assembly including a stud, a retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring, a first sleeve that is matingly engageable with a second sleeve, the second sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving the retaining ring; and a receptacle assembly, the receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a grommet assembly including means defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough.
US07841805B2 Engineered composite wooden crib for use as a mine support
This invention provides improvements through 1) a composite, engineered wooden support element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces, 2) use of support elements to construct cribs, and 3) a wedge system to provide substantial sustained preload on a crib. The wooden support element consists of a center elongate element wherein the wood grain runs transversely to the crib element loading direction, and at least two outer plate elements wherein the wood grain runs axially with the crib element loading direction. Each outer plate element is attached to a surface of the center elongate element using fastening means and the outer plate element wood grain direction is aligned transversely to the grain direction in the center elongate element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these support elements in 2×2 layers or in conjunction with solid prismatic wooden elements. A wooden wedge system with relatively low angle surface and with wood grain running axially is utilized to apply vertical preload. Due to high stiffness of the wedge in the axial direction, a substantial vertical preload can be applied and sustained to make cribbing structure a more efficient load carrying structure. The wooden support elements are lightweight, have controllable higher stiffness and load carrying capacity than current cribs, engineered yielding characteristics and allow much lower resistance to air flow in underground mine roadways.
US07841800B2 Mounting fixture and drum assembly
The drum (1) is fixed to a mounting star (2), on which a shaft (4) for drive of the drum is fixed. The fixing is achieved by means of arrangement of several openings (6) in the mounting star (2) with different entry and exit diameters, whereby a tip (8) corresponding to each opening (6) is arranged on the drum (1), which is introduced through the smallest hole in the opening (6). The tip (8) is subsequently deformed such that the outer surface thereof is pressed against at least the walls (7) of the opening (6), whereupon the fixing is generated.
US07841796B2 Paint trim tool with adjustable valve
A hand-held trim painting tool consists of a cylindrical body holding paint to be dispensed in a reservoir within the cylindrical body, a head attached to the body, a removable paint applicator attached to the head, a mechanism for loading paint into the reservoir, a valve permitting paint to be dispensed from the reservoir, an actuator incrementally opening and closing the valve, and a dispensing rate adjuster to regulate the rate at which paint is dispensed.
US07841787B2 Rinsing method, developing method, developing system and computer-read storage medium
The present invention provides a rinsing method capable of satisfactorily rinsing the surface of a resist film regardless of the condition of the surface of the resist film so that development defects caused by residuals produced by development may be reduced. A rinsing method of rinsing a substrate processed by a developing process for developing an exposed pattern comprises the steps of discharging a rinsing liquid onto a central part of the substrate processed by the developing process and coated with a developer puddle while the substrate is stopped or rotated (step 5), stopping discharging the rinsing liquid in a state where the developer puddle remains at least in a peripheral part of the substrate (step 6), and rotating the substrate at a high rotating speed to shake the developer remaining on the substrate off the substrate together with the rinsing liquid (step 7).
US07841786B2 Digital camera sensor cleaning and lense changing case
Disclosed is a collapsible field deployable environmental enclosure device with internal electronic air scrubbing and static suppression electronics, high luminosity wide angle solid state lighting, magnifying optics, viewing ports, an expansion compartment, utility compartments, and sealed operator arm ports. This device was developed for the purpose of containing a Digital SLR (Single Lense Reflex) camera, a digital rangefinder camera, a digital medium format camera, or medium and large format digital camera backs. The stated equipment is contained within the invention as a prophylactic method of avoiding dust and particle contamination to the sensor and body cavity while in the process of exposing the internal body cavity and or the digital image sensor during the operations of either changing lenses, cleaning the image sensor, or other inspection and maintenance procedures. This invention may also be used for other particle sensitive equipment. The enclosure was also developed to facilitate photographing in rain conditions.
US07841777B2 Adapter with dust shutter
An adapter with a dust shutter also provides eye protection and an even seal around the connector opening. The adapter includes a main body, a cover, and a resilient member to bias the cover in a closed position. The adapter also includes a flexible member to assist in sealing the adapter. The resilient member contacts the cover in a center portion and the cover floats relative to the main body to ensure a good seal.
US07841774B2 Sealed bearing
A sealed bearing includes a first race having a circumferential outer surface with a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a reduced diameter. A second race is provided having an circumferential outer surface with a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a reduced diameter. Rolling elements are positioned between the first race and the second race. A race retention sleeve is provided which engages the second portion of the first race and the second portion of the second race.
US07841773B2 Tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing comprises an inner ring having a conical surface-like raceway surface in it outer periphery and formed with a cone back face rib and a cone front face rib on the opposite sides of the raceway, an outer ring having a conical surface-like raceway in its inner periphery, a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the raceways of the inner and outer rings, and a cage for holding the tapered rollers in predetermined circumferential intervals, wherein the ratio R/RBASE of the radius of curvature R of the large end face (32) of the tapered roller (30) to the distance RBASE from the apex of cone of the tapered roller (30) to the cone back face rib surface (18) of the inner ring (10) is set at 0.75 to 0.87, and the end face deflection of the large end face (32) of the tapered roller (30) is 3 μm or less.
US07841772B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus in which positions of an X-ray image and optical image of a subject can be brought into registration with each other is provided. A half-mirror is provided between the X-ray source and subject and is configured to pass X-rays and reflect visible light. A TV camera captures the optical image of the surface of the subject reflected by the half-mirror. A display unit displays the optical image captured by the TV camera together with a reference mark indicating the reference position of this optical image, and displays, in superimposed form, an X-ray image obtained by capturing a prescribed reference object as a subject by using an X-ray imaging unit. An adjusting unit adjusts position and attitude of an X-ray detector in such a manner that the reference object displayed by the display unit will coincide with the reference mark.
US07841764B2 Blender base with food processor capabilities
A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
US07841761B2 Backlight module and the method for manufacturing the same
A backlight module and a manufacture method thereof are provided. The backlight module includes a frame body and an optical plate. The frame body includes a first material frame and a second material frame, and the second material frame is embedded in the first material frame and the strength of the second material frame is higher than that of the first material frame. The first material frame enwraps part of the second material frame to form at least one connection part, and the optical plate is disposed in the frame body and is connected with at least one connection part.
US07841756B2 Vehicle lamp assembly
A vehicle lamp assembly for a vehicle includes a light source unit (e.g., one or more LEDs) mounted to the vehicle for providing illumination and a heat sink thermally coupled to the light source unit for dissipating generated heat therefrom. An air guide is secured to the vehicle for guiding air to the heat sink to remove heat therefrom.
US07841751B2 Pediatric adapter for transillumination
A transillumination device can use an adapter to make it more appropriate for neonatal and pediatric application. The adapter attaches to the bottom of the transillumination device and covers the illumination source. An aperture in the adapter allows part of the light generated by the illumination source through the adapter and blocks the remaining light. The reduces light enhances the transillumination device's ability for viewing pediatric patients.
US07841748B2 Diffractor-diffuser system for a fluorescent lumen package
The diffractor has a profile defined by first, second and third parabolic segments, and continuously tapering facets for improved lighting performance. Different diffuser geometries are provided to generate differing light distribution patterns, including a conical diffuser, and a diffuser having a fresnel lens portion and an angled flange portion. Equal numbers of facets and/or facets of similar geometrical profile may be provided on the diffuser and on the diffractor.
US07841747B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device is disclosed herein which includes a substrate, a housing, a light emitting die, and a cup with a reflective inner surface. The housing has an upper surface and at least one sidewall and is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate, thereby forming a cavity. The light emitting die is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate within the cavity. The cup is positioned within the cavity and is supported by the housing. The cup has a continuous sidewall with a reflective inner surface surrounding the light emitting die and a lowermost edge that is suspended above, detached and spaced away from the upper surface of the substrate.
US07841737B2 Ambient lighting in surgical environments
An ambient lighting system for a hospital operating room environment and a method of using said system is described. An apparatus comprising the combination of a translucent sheet and a backlight LED panel or colored light source (colored lamp(s) or LED(s) in an alcove) provides a diffuse light when light from said panel, alcove, or other source is presented to the translucent sheet, is scattered, and represented as unfocused light on the exposed surface of the translucent sheet. Usage of the apparatus in an operating room provides a calming environment. The method and apparatus may be adapted to include wireless control over the intensity, color, and on/off state of the light. Further, usage of known translucent materials provides a sterile and safe surface.
US07841733B2 Display device
A display device such as a light box comprises: a housing; a light source accommodated in this housing; and at least one diffusely translucent display face illuminated by the light from this light source.Orienting means are added to the light source so as to obtain a directional characteristic of the light emitted by the light source such that the light source directly illuminates at least one wall almost exclusively.This at least one wall is diffusely reflective such that a part of the light incident thereon is reflected to the display face. This has an almost constant luminance as a result.
US07841730B2 Light source device and crystal display device
A light source comprising sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L), wherein a transmittance angle dependent layer (T1) which transmits normally incident light and reflects obliquely incident light is disposed on one surface of the sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L), and a reflection plate (R) having a repetitive slope structure is disposed on the other surface of the sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L). The invention light source is less in absorption loss due to repetition of light reflection and the like.
US07841726B2 Illumination system and projection system incorporating the same
An illumination system and a projection system incorporating same are disclosed. The illumination system includes a two-dimensional array of independently operable light sources. Each light source illuminates substantially the entire active area of a pixelated optical light modulator. Each light source emits light in different emission directions. Each emission direction is directed to a respective location in the active area. Each pixel in the active area is illuminated by an incident cone of light from the two-dimensional array of independently operable light sources. The cone has a cone angle and includes at least one light ray from each light source. The cone angle of at least one such cone of light can be controlled by adjusting the intensity of one or more of the independently operable light sources.
US07841712B2 Automatic printhead and tank install positioning
A system and method for automatically determining the appropriate printhead/ink tank installation position to move a carrier transporting the printhead/ink tanks for a printing device is presented. The carrier transporting the printhead/ink tank moves along a carrier frame and is covered by a protective cover. Once the protective cover is raised on the printing device, the status of the ink tank is sensed. Based on the ink tank status, the printing device carrier is moved to the appropriate printhead/ink tank installation position. In one embodiment, the status of the ink tank is determined by using the ink presence sensor. In another embodiment, the status of the ink tank is determined by using near field wireless communication with the memory of the ink tank.
US07841708B2 Fludically controlled inkjet printhead
An inkjet printer that has a printhead IC with and array of ink ejection nozzles, an ink manifold for distributing ink to the printhead IC, the ink manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet, an accumulator, and a downstream pump in fluid communication with the ink outlet. The downstream pump is independently operable. This allows the printhead to be primed or deprimed for storage and transport and it allows the printhead IC to be cleaned by a foam formed by air forced through the ink election nozzles.
US07841705B2 Actuator device, liquid-jet head and liquid-jet apparatus
Provided is an actuator device including piezoelectric elements which are displaceably provided on a substrate. Each piezoelectric element is formed of a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode. In the actuator device, longitudinal end portions of the upper electrode define longitudinal end portions of a piezoelectric active portion to be a substantial driver of the piezoelectric element. The lower electrode and the piezoelectric layer are provided continuously to the longitudinal outside of the piezoelectric active portion. Regions of the piezoelectric layer outside of the piezoelectric active portion are formed so that thin film portions may have a thin thickness.
US07841695B2 Printhead IC with more than 10000 nozzles in the exposure area of a photo-imaging device
A printhead integrated circuit for an inkjet printer that has a monolithic wafer substrate supporting an array of droplet ejectors for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto print media. Each droplet ejector has nozzle and an actuator for ejecting a drop of printing fluid the nozzle. The array is formed on the monolithic wafer substrate by a succession of photolithographic etching and deposition steps involving a photo-imaging device that exposes an exposure area to light focused to project a pattern onto the monolithic substrate. The array has more than 10000 of the droplet ejectors configured to be encompassed by the exposure area. The invention arranges the nozzle array such that the droplet ejector density is very high and the number of exposure steps required is reduced.
US07841694B2 Inkjet printer and purging method
A first detaching step including (1) moving a nozzle cap from a position, where a sealing surface of the nozzle cap is entirely in contact with a nozzle surface of a recording head, to a first state, where a first end of the sealing surface is separated by a minute distance from the nozzle surface and a second end of the sealing surface is separated from the nozzle cap by a first distance, and (2) maintaining the nozzle cap in the first state. A second detaching step including (1) moving the nozzle cap from the first state to a second state, where the first end of the sealing surface is separated from the nozzle surface by a second distance and the second end is separated from the nozzle surface by a distance greater than the first distance, and (2) maintaining the nozzle cap in the second state.
US07841690B2 Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a recording head and a capping unit which seals a nozzle forming face of the recording head and sucks the ink from the nozzles. The capping unit includes a cap member having a plurality of housing recesses partitioned from each other for ink suction from a corresponding one of a plurality of groups of the nozzles, and cap chips housed in the respective housing recesses. The cap member includes discharge ports discharging the ink sucked into the respective housing recesses, a peripheral rib positioned at an outer peripheral portion enclosing all of the housing recesses, and a partitioning rib defining the housing recesses, two end portions of the partitioning rib being connected to the peripheral rib. The cap chips include regulating portions which abut against side faces of the partitioning rib to suppress deformation of the partitioning rib in a direction crossing the side faces.
US07841683B2 Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus which mounts a printing medium on a conveyor belt, conveys it to a printing area, and carries out printing by ejecting a liquid onto the printing medium from nozzles of a liquid ejection head, includes: a tension imparter which imparts tension to the conveyor belt, a tension remover which removes the tension imparted to the conveyor belt by the tension imparter, a conveyance failure detector which detects a printing medium conveyance failure, and a conveyance failure controller which, when the printing medium conveyance failure is detected by the conveyance failure detector, causes the tension remover to remove the tension imparted to the conveyor belt by the tension imparter.
US07841661B2 Lumbar support assembly and corresponding seat structure
A lumbar support assembly (2) comprises a support arrangement (3) which may have the form of a wire framework with two side wires (4) and a plurality of transverse wires (6). A Bowden cable arrangement (10) with a single Bowden cable is attached by two plate clips (15, 17) to the two side wires (4). A first end portion (13) of the wire (12) of the Bowden cable arrangement (10) is anchored to a front edge of a seat frame (1), while a second end portion (14) of the wire (12) is coupled to an actuator (20) for adjusting the tension of the Bowden cable. The lumbar support assembly (2) thus requires only one single Bowden cable to arch the lumbar support assembly at least in a lumbar region and to adjust the degree of lumbar support accordingly.
US07841660B2 Swivel rocker chair and assembly
A swivel rocker chair connection assembly facilitates construction of a swivel rocker chair and allows for the secure and stable operation of the chair. The chair includes a base portion, a seat portion and a connection assembly having at least one dual washer plate adapted to engage one or more rocker spring members positioned and engaged with the chair base and seat portions.
US07841651B2 Vehicle front end assembly
A vehicle front end assembly is provided with a vehicle bumper fascia panel, a headlamp, a headlamp support bracket and a bumper fascia reinforcement bracket. The vehicle bumper fascia panel has an inbound facing surface and an exterior surface. The headlamp is disposed above the vehicle bumper fascia panel. The headlamp support bracket is disposed below the headlamp. The headlamp support bracket has a first locating structure. The bumper fascia reinforcement bracket is fixed to the vehicle bumper fascia panel to overlie an end section of the inbound facing surface of the vehicle bumper fascia panel to reinforce the end section. The bumper fascia reinforcement bracket includes a second locating structure mating with the first locating structure to position the headlamp with respect to the vehicle bumper fascia panel.
US07841639B2 Utility vehicle equipped with extendable cargo bed
A utility vehicle comprises plural rows of seats mounted in a vehicle body of the utility vehicle, and an extendable cargo bed positioned behind the seats. The cargo bed includes a bottom wall member having an extended region which is extended forward relative to a cargo accommodating space in an unextended state of the cargo bed. The plural rows of seats include a rear seat having a rear seat seating portion which is rotatably provided on the extended region of the bottom wall member such that the rear seat seating portion is rotatable forward to an upright position. The rear seat seating portion has a bottom plate provided integrally with a bottom surface thereof. In a state where the rear seat seating portion is rotated forward and is in the upright position, the bottom plate of the rear seat seating portion defines a front wall member of the cargo bed.
US07841625B2 Off-road competition motorcycle
An off-road motorcycle apparatus. There is provided is an off-road competition motorcycle comprising an internal combustion engine (2), having at least one cylinder, and a front wheel (3) as well as a rear wheel (4), a tubular trellis frame (5) and a self-supporting fuel tank configured as a rear tank (11) mounted at the rear end of the off-road competition motorcycle, releasably secured to the tubular trellis frame (5), wherein the rear tank (11) is the sole fuel tank of the off-road competition motorcycle and a lower portion of the rear tank (11) extends by its bottom (16) in the yaw axis direction of the off-road competition motorcycle (1) into the region of one end of the tubular trellis frame (5).
US07841622B2 Airbag and airbag apparatus
The area of panels used in an airbag that inflates so that a recess extends in the vertical direction between a left chamber and a right chamber. The airbag 1 includes a front chamber 2 positioned in the forefront when viewed from the position of an occupant, the left chamber 3 communicating with the front chamber 2 to be inflated on the left side in front of the occupant, and the right chamber 4 communicating with the front chamber 2 to be inflated on the right side in front of the occupant. In a state in which the airbag 1 is inflated, there is no extending member such as a tie panel between the distal parts of the left chamber 3 and the right chamber 4, and a recess 6 formed between the distal parts of the left chamber 3 and the right chamber 4 opens toward the occupant, and continuously extends from the upper part of the airbag 1 to the lower part thereof. A tether belt 7 extends between the upper part of the deepest part of the recess 6, and the bottom part of the airbag 1 so that the upper part of the recess 6 is pulled to the inside of the airbag 1.
US07841617B2 Interior trimming piece
Described is an interior trimming piece (e.g., for a motor vehicle) which includes (a) a plastic substrate; (b) a metal reinforcing piece connected to the substrate and (c) at least one bridge. The metal reinforcing piece includes (i) a hinge sheet for bridging a channel for passage of an airbag in at least one region and (ii) a fastening frame for an airbag module which is connected in one piece with the hinge sheet via a hinge web. The at least one bridge engages behind the substrate in the at least one region. The bridge fixes the fastening frame to the substrate. The hinge sheet is mounted on a side of the substrate which faces away from an interior.
US07841606B2 Rack steering motor vehicle
A motor vehicle wherein the steering includes: a steering bar including a rack steering component and a steered component fitted in a sliding manner; a rack housing passed through by the steering component and including a plate displaying a correction sliding rail receiving a roller; two correction arms; assembly elements of the rack housing suitable for allowing pivoting of the rack housing in a steering plane, around an attachment axis obliged to move in a direction contained in the steering plane and in a longitudinal plane of the chassis; a telescopic steering column; two steering gears connecting the steering component and the steered component to the stub pivot arms of the front guiding wheels. The correction slide rail follows a suitable curve such that the vehicle wheel stubs extend along directions that intersect, at each time, at the same point.
US07841604B2 Detachable trailing tag axle
A vehicle designed to haul loads may be provided, which may be effectively extended and load hauling capacity increased with a detachable trailing tag axle that may include a framework with a front, a rear end, an axle attached to near the rear of the framework, wheels attached to the axle, and a mechanism near the front of the framework for stabilization when the tag axle assembly is standing alone. A holding mechanism near the front of the tag axle assembly may be used to attach the tag axle assembly to a portion of the vehicle chassis, such as a receiving mechanism at the rear of the vehicle chassis.
US07841591B2 Sheet-supplying device
A sheet-supplying device has a sheet-accommodating tray, a raising/lowering unit, a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a controlling unit. The raising/lowering unit raises and lowers the sheet-accommodating tray substantially. The first position sensor detects a first position indicating a position in the stacked direction of one end portion of a topmost sheet stacked in the sheet-accommodating tray. The second position sensor detects a second position indicating a position in the stacked direction of another end portion of the topmost sheet. The controlling unit controls the raising/lowering unit to raise or lower the sheet-accommodating tray based on both the first position detected by the first position sensor and the second position detected by the second position sensor so that one end of the topmost sheet in the stacked status is positioned at a prescribed position in the stacked direction.
US07841589B2 Image forming apparatus
After an image was formed, a position in the width direction of the sheet stacked on a stacking portion is aligned by fixing one of aligning plates which can independently be driven and moving the other aligning plate in one direction. When the image is formed onto the sheet, a side edge of the sheet on the side which is come into contact with the aligning plate on the side fixed as a reference wall upon aligning is used as a reference and the image is formed.
US07841588B2 Stand with a damping element
In order to provide a damping element (4) in compact form for transportation as an individual part of a dismantled stand (1) and to be able to push a support (11) into a tube (2) to fix it there, it is proposed that the support (11) is relatively, in particular vertically and telescopically, displaceable with respect to tube (2), in that damping element (4) is connected at a first end (19) on support (11) to a component (20) for holding the appliance, in that damping element (4) is held by tube (2), in that a second, opposite end (21) of damping element (4) protrudes out of tube (2) when damping element (4) is relaxed, in that the second end (21) of damping element (4) can be shifted onto tube (2) or into it when damping element (4) is compressed, and in that second end (21) can be fastened in this compressed state by a fixing element (22) to fix support (11) in its position shifted towards tube (2).
US07841574B1 Organizer for computer monitors
An organizer that attaches to a computer monitor or other display monitor and has a transparent dust, glare, and/or UV radiation shield and at least one lateral storage panel with pockets that hold various documents and materials and maintain them in a convenient location for easy access or viewing while working on the computer.
US07841564B2 Device for automatically controlling a track-bound vehicle
A device for automatically controlling a track-bound vehicle, particularly a magnetic levitation vehicle is described. The device comprises a drive and brake system (4), an additional brake (9), a stationary mounted travel computer (5) and data carriers (10) arranged along the guideway for the supply of status signals in the form of location, speed or travel direction signals. In accordance with the invention the device also comprises means (12, 29) which are arranged for safely stopping and/or starting the vehicle at or from preselected target stopping points (15) within the stopping zones (A) and which are so configured that an immediate decoupling of the vehicle from the drive and brake system (4) is effected when an impermissible travel status within the area of a stopping zone (A) is reached (FIG. 1).
US07841555B2 Cartridge and method for handling thin film membranes
A cartridge and a method for handling thin film membranes using a cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge may be used to handle any thin-film material, but is particularly useful in handling the thin membrane materials used in fabricating Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for fuel cells. In one aspect, the cartridge includes cavities positioned at opposite ends of a frame. The cavities and associated mounting arrangements are adapted to accept spools for dispensing membrane material and drawing it across the frame. The cartridge also includes a removable cover having an aperture through which the membrane material may be accessed and, for example, cut to a desired shape. Aspects also include methods and apparatus for advancing the membrane in the cartridge. Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and devices that facilitate the handling and assembly of thin film membranes into membrane-containing devices, such as, fuel cells.
US07841552B2 Twin-roll machine, in particular for comminuting a bed of material
A two-roll machine has two rolls rotatably mounted in bearing housings, driven in opposite directions and separated from each other by a roll gap. One roll is a loose roll with bearing housings horizontally supported on machine frame side parts by hydraulic cylinders applying a roll pressing force. The other roll is a fixed roll with bearing housings horizontally supported on frame end pieces. The bearing housings are mounted on sliding tracks of two lower-flange and two upper-flange machine brackets. The two-roll machine includes a lower frame adjacent to the fixed roll, the lower frame lengthening the two lower-flange machine brackets. A transverse frame is connected to the two upper-flange machine brackets, the transverse frame having a clear opening width which permits the rolls to be moved through the transverse frame onto the lower frame. The frame end pieces are releasably connected to the lower-flange and upper-flange machine brackets.
US07841548B2 High pressure nozzle and method for the manufacture of a high pressure nozzle
High pressure nozzle and method for the manufacture of a high pressure nozzle. The high pressure nozzle has a jet director located within a supply channel leading to a discharge opening. In an area directly surrounding the supply channel median longitudinal axis, the jet director has a free flow cross-section.
US07841543B2 Tie for a ballasted track
The invention relates to a sleeper (1) for a gravel-mounted structure in railways, which has a cross member (4) extending along a sleeper longitudinal axis (6) and two longitudinal members (5) spaced apart from one another by the cross member (4), and each longitudinal member (5) has a bearing (9) extending on a top face for mounting a rail element (10) above the longitudinal member (5). Each longitudinal member (5) has one or more mounting devices (26) for a rail fixing element (28) each for retaining a rail element (10) on the longitudinal member (5) and at least one of the mounting devices (6) is disposed transversely offset from the sleeper longitudinal axis (6) on at least one of the two longitudinal members (5). The invention further relates to a sleeper (1) of this type which is of a stepped or recessed design at the ends of the longitudinal members (5), to enable connecting elements (56) to be fitted in these regions in order to secure two rail elements (10) lying end to end.
US07841542B1 System for supplying communications and power to a thermostat over a two-wire system
One embodiment of the invention discloses a system for supplying power and data to and receiving data from a thermostat over a two-wire system. The invention allows modern thermostats that feature digital communications to be installed in two-wire systems, such as conventional older technology thermostat systems. In this manner, one or more embodiments of the invention disclose systems for simplifying and reducing costs associated with upgrading conventional older technology HVAC systems to accommodate modern thermostat technologies.
US07841536B2 Portable electronic device with orientation sensor
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a display screen formed on the main body, and an orientation sensor mounted on the main body. The orientation sensor includes a ring-shaped container having an opaque liquid and a gas bubble sealed therein, and a detection assembly. The detection assembly includes a light source, many spaced light detection elements, and a display controlling module. The gas bubble is movable in the container for allowing transmission of light from the at least one light source therethrough. Each of the light detection elements is configured for sensing the light transmitted through the gas bubble and outputting a sensing signal. The display controlling module is configured for deviating the displayed image at a given angle clockwise or counterclockwise from the original orientation of the image based on the sensing signals.
US07841534B2 Apparatus and method for POS processing
An apparatus and method for configuring, altering, controlling, securing, and extending the processing capability and functionality of PCs and POS devices using a non-volatile memory device using software and data carried within the apparatus.
US07841526B2 System and method for correlating supply chain theft with internet auction activity
A method, activity monitoring station and system automatically track lost or stolen items. The method begins by searching a sales activity database for at least one sales data record containing information for items sold or offered for sale on at least one Internet site, and searching a loss database for at least one loss data record containing information relating to lost or stolen items. The at least one sales data record is compared to the at least one loss data record to discover at least one matching item. If at least one matching item is discovered, a suspicious activity report is generated.
US07841524B2 POS-based checkout system configured to enable the reading of code symbols on cashier and customer sides thereof, during a retail transaction being carried out at a point-of-sale (POS) station
Novel POS-based bar code symbol reading systems are disclosed having an integrated customer-kiosk terminal. Also disclosed are novel POS-based bar code reading cash register Systems having integrated Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminals.
US07841507B2 Fusion welding process to join aluminum and titanium
The invention concerns a process for joining a first member (1) comprising an aluminum alloy to a second member (2) comprising a titanium alloy and having at least one edge with a thickness e, comprising the steps of (i) chamfering said edge of said second member into a tapered truncated shape having on a first side a first tapering angle α1, on a second side a second tapering angle α2 and a minimum thickness t, wherein α1 and α2 are greater than or equal to zero, the sum of α1 and α2 is between 10° and 50° and t is between 0.05 e and 0.3 e, (ii) placing said first member and said chamfered edge of said second member (21) in an abutting relationship defining a geometry to be weld-brazed (3), (iii) heating the surface areas of said members adjacent the abutment to a temperature above the melting temperature of said aluminum alloy and below the melting temperature of said titanium alloy, in the presence of an inert gas (5) and of a filler metal (4) to obtain a weld-brazed joint. The process of the invention is particularly useful for obtaining high strength weld-brazed joints between aluminum and titanium with a high process output.
US07841494B2 Pump dispenser
The invention is a pump cap that is designed to seat on top of a receptacle, which in at least one example is filled with powder or hair fibers. The cap is fitted on top with a deformable dome with an empty chamber of air within it. The cap has an air inlet with a check valve that then opens into a wide flared opening into the dome's empty chamber. The air in the dome is pushed past a check valve and down a long passageway into the receptacle to aggressively disturb the powder or hair fibers within the receptacle. The disturbed hair fibers or powder then exits the cap through a third passage with a flared opening that is flush with the bottom of the cap that then exits out the side of the cap.
US07841493B2 Dispenser and refrigerator including the same
A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided. The dispenser may include a cover which opens or shuts an opening of a duct that guides contents from an interior of the refrigerator to the dispenser for discharge. An actuator transmits an externally applied force to the cover to cause the cover to move and selectively open and shut the opening. A regulator controls action of the actuator to adjust movement of the cover.
US07841490B2 Mixture of low-boiling liquids with products dispensable by pumps
Fluid mixture which comprises at least one low-boiling liquid, and which during use generates a low vapour pressure, said mixture being dispensable by a manually operated dispensing pump mounted on a hermetically sealed container of this mixture. The low vapour pressure developed by the low-boiling liquid is such as to prevent a vacuum being created in the container interior when the mixture is dispensed by the pump, in order to allow correct pump operation.
US07841488B2 Sheet-like article storage container
A sheet member container from which sheet members housed in a stacked state can be taken out reliably and in which occurrence of a wrinkle in a next sheet member in a returning operation of a sheet feeder is reduced. The sheet member container includes a container body having a top face opening for containing stacked sheet members; a lid member for openably/closably closing with respect to a top face opening of the container body; and a sheet feeding mechanism provided for the lid member for feeding the sheet members one by one from the top via a slot formed in either one of the container body or the lid member. The sheet member container includes a mechanism for bending the sheet members housed in the container body in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of the sheet members.
US07841485B1 Anti-contamination seal and drinking straw for a beverage container
Beverage containers can be sealed against various sorts of contamination by a sealing member having, on its underside, generally circular channels arranged to hold a drinking straw. When the liquid is to be dispensed, the flexible sealing member is pulled off the rim of the container, the straw is retrieved from the channels on the sealing member, a conventional pop-top is used to open the container, and the straw is inserted into the container so that the consumer can drink the liquid.
US07841483B2 Double cap system for the handling and transfer of hazardous materials
This invention relates to a system of double cap for the handling and transferring of hazardous materials between two vessels containing radioactive or toxic materials or pathogenic microorganisms. The system of the present invention includes a particular metal-metal sealing embodied between the cap and flange of a first container or water-tight compartment, and the cap and flange of a second container.
US07841477B2 Cyclone separator
Described is a cyclone separator comprising a cyclone housing (1), a discharge duct (5) and a central tube (3) for diverting gases, said central tube (3) extends axially into the cyclone housing (1) and being composed by a number of segments (3a) which are suspended on a supporting element (15) provided in the area between the cyclone housing (1) and the discharge duct (5). The cyclone separator is peculiar in that it comprises a number of carrying means (17) which are evenly distributed and fixed to the inner side of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5), and in that the supporting element (15) comprises an annular disc which is loosely fitted on top of the carrying means (17) and having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5) so that a clearance (18) is provided between the annular disc (15) and the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5). Hereby is obtained a significant reduction in the heat transmission from the supporting element to the cyclone housing and/or the discharge duct so that the radial temperature gradient in the supporting element is reduced with an approximately uniform temperature over the radial cross section of the element. Hence the thermal stresses in the supporting element will be substantially reduced. This is mainly ascribable to the reduction in the contact area between the supporting element and the cyclone housing and/or the discharge duct.
US07841472B1 Gun cleaning kit tool insert
A firearm cleaning kit includes a case, a fastener, a tool insert, and firearm cleaning tool. The case includes a first side and a second side joined along a fold line. The fastener joins the first and second sides of the case together. The tool insert is secured to an interior region of the case, and includes a base portion joined to a flexible back plate. The base portion includes a tool base cavity, and the flexible back plate includes a raised wall defining a tool tip enclosure in alignment with the tool base cavity. The firearm cleaning kit further includes a firearm cleaning tool. The firearm cleaning tool includes an attachment base secured within the tool base cavity of the base portion, and a tool tip ensconced within the tool tip enclosure.
US07841470B2 Small article package
A small article package has a card front member having a card front member blister receiving opening, a button snap performed on the card front member, a card rear member attached to the card front member, and the card rear member has a card rear member blister receiving opening. A button depression releasably engages the button snap in interference fit and the blister package has a front panel, a rear panel, and a flange protruding from the blister package. The flange extends between the card front member and the card rear member. The blister package fits within the blister receiving opening which is sized to receive the blister package. The front panel is hinged to the rear panel. A rear panel plateau on the blister package extends upward from the flange. A depression is formed on the rear panel plateau for receiving a small article.
US07841459B2 Paper sheet handling apparatus
A paper sheet handling apparatus, includes: an identifying unit 20 which forwards and identifies a paper sheet A that is inserted from an opening portion 22 formed in its front plane; a collecting unit 30 which stores the identified paper sheet A; a paying-out unit 40 which stores a paying-out paper sheet B to be paid out to the opening portion 22 in a certain case; a forwarding unit 50 which forwards the paper sheet A and the paying-out paper sheet B, between each of the identifying unit 20, the collecting unit 30 and the paying-out unit 40; an outer frame 10 which holds each unit of the identifying unit 20 disposed on its front side, the forwarding unit 50 disposed on the inner side from it, the collecting unit 30 disposed below these identifying unit 20 and forwarding unit 50 and on the front side, and the paying-out unit 40 disposed on the inner side from the collecting unit 30, in which to the outer frame 10, at least the collecting unit 30 and the paying-out unit 40 are detachably attached from its front side.
US07841452B2 Conveyor passenger interface system
A conveyor passenger interface system includes a passenger reception area (10) having a mechanism (14) for receiving a voice request from a passenger. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice request receiving mechanism (14) is a sound dome. The system further includes a device (18) responsive to the voice request for identifying a conveyor for transporting the passenger to a desired location and for identifying the conveyor to the passenger. The system of the present invention has utility in elevator systems as well as other transportation systems.
US07841451B2 Non-contact running type elevator
In an elevator including a guide apparatus which levitates the car from a guide rail by an effect of magnetic force and non-contactly runs and guides the car, the guide apparatus is controlled in a manner to generate magnetic force with respect to at least two of movement axes of the car. In this case, control is executed with respect to only some of the movement axes at a time of start of guide, and then control is executed with respect to the other movement axes after passing of a predetermined time from the start of the guide.
US07841441B2 Airbag apparatus
An airbag apparatus for pedestrian protection capable of preventing or suppressing deformation of a case in a width-expanding direction when an airbag is expanded, by means of a simple countermeasure, is provided with a case for housing a folded airbag, an inflator for expanding the airbag, a lid that closes an opening of a hood for passing an airbag, and so forth. In the middle of the case in a longitudinal direction, a tie plate serving as a connecting member connecting a front wall portion and a rear wall portion is provided.
US07841437B2 Motorcycle having a plurality of brake calipers acting on its rear wheel
A motorcycle (10) is described, equipped with a rear drive wheel (12), rotatingly constrained to an oscillating arm (14) integral with the engine (16) of the motorcycle (10), at least one rear shock absorber (20), positioned between the oscillating arm (14) and the chassis (24) of the motorcycle (10), at least a first brake caliper (28) and at least a second brake caliper (32), acting on a single disc brake (36) fixed on the rim (38) of the rear drive wheel (12). The lower end (26) of the rear shock absorber (20) and the second brake caliper (32) are fixed to a plate (42) removably constrained to the oscillating arm (14) at one of its rear ends (14b). In this way, it is possible to have access to the rear drive wheel (12), and therefore remove it, without having to dismantle the second brake caliper (32) and relative transmission (34), thus facilitating the possible substitution of the wheel (12) or tire (46).
US07841430B2 Transmission
A transmission includes a transmission case accommodating a planetary gear mechanism, a traveling speed change mechanism, a differential gear mechanism and a PTO clutch mechanism, and supporting an HST. The HST is connected to a first end wall of the transmission case positioned on one side in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a state that its HST output shaft is positioned its HST input shaft. A plurality of traveling rotational shafts forming a traveling transmission path are positioned coaxially with the HST output shaft, or on a first side of the HST output shaft in a vehicle width direction and below the HST output shaft. A plurality of PTO rotational shafts forming the PTO transmission path are positioned coaxially with or below the HST input shaft.
US07841422B1 Soil separating systems
A towable apparatus adapted for the separation of rock, stones, or debris from topsoil, having a stationary, non-vibrating sifting screen. A hydraulically powered conveyor belt with paddles pushes the soil across the sifting screen. The system provides features to assist prevention of machine jamming by large debris. A method of use is also disclosed.
US07841406B2 Formation fluid sampling apparatus and methods
A fluid sampling system retrieves a formation fluid sample from a formation surrounding a wellbore extending along a wellbore axis, wherein the formation has a virgin fluid and a contaminated fluid therein. The system includes a sample inlet, a first guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a first direction along the wellbore axis, and a second guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a second, opposite direction along the wellbore axis. At least one cleanup flowline is fluidly connected to the first and second guard inlets for passing contaminated fluid, and an evaluation flowline is fluidly connected to the sample inlet for collecting virgin fluid.
US07841402B2 Methods and apparatus for collecting a downhole sample
Apparatus and methods for collecting a downhole sample are provided. The method may include introducing a flowable sealant to a borehole wall portion, modifying a formation system mobility using the flowable sealant, and receiving the downhole sample using a sample receiving port positioned proximate the borehole wall portion. An apparatus includes a formation sampling member having a sample receiving port for receiving the downhole sample, and an inhibitor that includes one or more of an activator and an injector.
US07841398B2 Gravel packing apparatus utilizing diverter valves
Method and apparatus for gravel packing an open-hole wellbore are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sandscreen disposed in the wellbore thereby creating an annulus between the wellbore and the sandscreen for receiving a gravel slurry. The apparatus further comprises a tubular member or wash pipe which is concentrically disposed in the sandscreen for receiving carrier fluid which passes through the sandscreen and for returning the carrier fluid to the earth's surface. At least one diverter valve is installed in the tubular member for permitting flow of the carrier fluid into the tubular member.
US07841393B2 Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger has tubes, an inlet tank and an outlet tank. The inlet tank and the outlet tank are coupled to ends of the tubes. The inlet tank and the outlet tank have an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively, on ends thereof. The heat exchanger further has a cover member disposed in at least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank. The cover member partly covers openings of the ends of predetermined tubes of the tubes, the predetermined tubes being closer to at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port.
US07841391B2 Flooded type evaporating heat-exchange copper tube for an electrical refrigeration unit
The present invention discloses a flooded type evaporating heat-exchange copper tube for an electrical refrigeration unit. The evaporating heat-exchange tube comprises a smooth surface portion, a finned portion provided with plurality of fins and a transitional portion connecting the smooth surface portion to the finned portion, with primary evaporating chambers defined between the fins. Fifth fins extending upwardly are provided on a bottom wall of the primary evaporating chamber, which divide the primary evaporating chamber into at least two minor cavities, and an evaporating opening is defined between adjacent fins of the primary evaporating chamber. Due to plurality of minor cavities arranged in the evaporating heat-exchange tube, refrigerant film is easy to form on bottom walls of the minor cavities, and nucleus boiling is easily to be developed. Thereafter, the refrigerant gets boiled and evaporated to form bubbles to escape via evaporating openings. Surrounding refrigerant refills the empty minor cavities via the evaporating opening. This process of boiling, evaporation and refilling continues to go on. Thus, the number of vaporization nucleus is dramatically increased, and the refrigerant is much easier to form nucleus and get vaporized, thus improving the heat transfer property of the evaporating heat-exchange tube.
US07841371B2 Lid opening/closing system of an airtight container
A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.
US07841363B1 Modular upgradeable pneumatic/hydraulic manifold
An upgradeable A/C maintenance system and methodology is provided including one or more modular manifolds for mounting and fluidly connecting several components. Embodiments include first and second manifolds, each for removably mounting a plurality of components, and each comprising an internal passage for fluidly connecting at least two of the plurality of components to each other, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal passage to an external surface of the first manifold. The first and second manifolds are removably attachable to each other such that their respective ports fluidly communicate with each other. The first manifold provides a first functionality for the system when the second manifold is not attached to the first manifold, and the second manifold provides a second functionality different from the first functionality when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold.
US07841362B2 Water control valve
A water control valve, which has one valve cartridge to control the temperature and flow rate of hot water, cold water or a mix of hot and cold water only through rotating motions, is disclosed. The valve cartridge (100) has a first fixed disk (120) to guide hot and cold water into the valve cartridge, a rotary disk (130) to control the flow rate of hot and cold water from the first fixed disk, thus controlling the temperature of water, a second fixed disk (140) to guide controlled water in the cartridge, a temperature control unit (170) to rotate the rotary disk during rotation of a temperature control lever, the moving unit (150) to linearly move toward or away from the second fixed disk, thus controlling the flow rate of discharged water, and a flow rate control unit (160) to cause linear movement of the moving unit by rotation.
US07841356B2 Strut and arch structure for tent
A tent shelter of the type that is erected by at least one arch pole and has multiple fabric walls that intersect to form substantially vertical corners when the shelter is erected. At each corner a strut-and-guy line support structure is provided for supporting and tensioning the fabric walls. Each strut structure includes two strut legs, each leg being integrated with a respective wall of a particular corner. The bottom ends of the strut legs are spread apart in the erected state of the shelter but are interconnected by a flexible strap. The top ends of each set of legs converge to form an inverted V shape. A guy line arrangement tensions each of the corners. The tent body can further be strengthened against severe weather by additional arch poles removably secured to the fabric body in an X configuration crossing the center arch and passing over the corners.
US07841340B2 Inhaler with powder dislodging member
A powder inhaler for administering powder by inhalation, comprising: a flow path defined by a plurality of surfaces through which a stream of air is in use drawn on inhalation by a user; and dosing means (18) for providing a dose of powder to the flow path for entrainment in the stream of air; characterized in that the inhaler further comprises dislodging means for dislodging powder accumulated on a surface of the flow path downstream of the dosing means (18).
US07841337B2 Breath-actuated nasal delivery device
A breath-actuated nasal delivery device, comprising: a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device; a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of the user through which a substance is in use delivered; a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; a loading unit operable to load the substance supply unit with an actuation force; and a release mechanism for enabling actuation of the substance supply unit in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece; wherein the release mechanism comprises a locking unit which is movable: between a locking configuration in which the substance supply unit is locked in a non-actuated position when loaded by the loading unit and a release configuration in which the substance supply unit is actuatable by the loading unit, and a trigger member for releasing the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece and thereby enabling actuation of the substance supply unit.
US07841336B2 Nebulize with pressure-based fluidic control and related methods
Various embodiments of a breath-activated nebulizer with fluidic control and related methods of using such a nebulizer are disclosed. The nebulizer may include a body comprising a reservoir for holding medication, a nozzle for emitting a jet of pressurized gas, and a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication. The nebulizer may also include a nebulizer outlet in communication with an interior of the body for delivery of the aerosol to a patient, a control conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for delivery of a control gas to the fluid conduit to prevent the delivery of the medication proximate the jet, and a fluidic amplifier configured to control the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit.
US07841323B2 Internal-combustion engine having a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system as well as an exhaust gas manifold
An internal-combustion engine contains at least one piston/cylinder unit containing a combustion chamber, having an intake path leading into the combustion chamber, an exhaust gas path leading out of the combustion chamber, and having an exhaust gas manifold. An exhaust gas recirculation path leads from the exhaust gas manifold into the intake path. A cooling device is provided for cooling the recirculated exhaust gas, wherein the cooling device cools the exhaust gas manifold, and the exhaust gas recirculation path branches off the cooled exhaust gas manifold.
US07841322B2 Super cooled air and fuel induction system for internal combustion engines
The instant invention provides an apparatus and system for cooling the air charge of an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the instant invention provides an air-induction system suitable to provide cooled air charges to turbocharged, supercharged or naturally aspirated internal combustion engines to increase power output while reducing engine emissions. The system utilizes gaseous fuel stored as a liquid wherein the liquefied gaseous fuel is vaporized and warmed at least partially with heat removed from the intake air charge supplied to the engine from the turbocharger or supercharger. In a preferred embodiment, the compressed intake combustion air is first cooled in an aftercooler against an ambiently cooled coolant and is subsequently cooled further by the chiller of the instant invention which utilizes the change in phase, between liquid and gas, of the alternative fuel to cool the incoming air charge. The fuel, in the gaseous phase, is then supplied to the engine in a controlled manner for combustion by the engine. The operation of this system is measured and controlled by a control box mounted in the engine compartment.
US07841317B2 Alternate fuel blending system and associated method
A fuel control system for controlling the use of primary fuel and alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine without cross-contamination of fuel types. Cross-contamination of fuel types may eliminate the ability to receive certain benefits or financial incentives associated with use of alternate fuel, including but not limited to RINs, credits, and subsidies. In one embodiment, primary and/or alternate fuel are controllably delivered from sources to a flow cell. If blending is desired, both primary and alternate fuels are delivered to the flow cell. The engine is fed with the resulting primary fuel, alternate fuel, or blended mixture of fuel from the flow cell. The flow cell contains a bypass inlet port adapted to receive excess fuel not consumed by the engine in lieu of the excess fuel being returned to the primary and/or alternate fuel sources. In this manner, cross-contamination of the fuel sources can be avoided.
US07841315B1 Safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus
A safety fuel tank and filler cap arrangement is disclosed wherein the cap attaches to an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank and a starter or ignition system. The tether that connects the cap to the engine ignition or starter is an electrical conduit that can disable the engine so that it will not run or start if the cap is separated from the fuel tank such as when a user wants to fill it with gasoline. In one embodiment, a switch arrangement is contained entirely within the cap. In another arrangement a ring attaches to the tether and a conventional cap engages the ring to enable ignition when the cap is added to the fuel tank.
US07841309B2 Gas exchange valve actuator for a valve-controlled internal combustion engine
A gas exchange valve actuator for a valve-controlled internal combustion engine is equipped with a rotor, which is to be coupled to a valve member, and a stator, wherein the rotor has at least two stacks, which are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another, of superposed permanently magnetic bars, and the stator is formed, at least partially, from a soft-magnetic material and has at least two pairs of teeth with mutually opposed teeth, of which each pair of teeth receives one of the two stacks between them in each case, while forming an air gap, and wherein the stator has at least two magnetically conductive inner regions which are located between the two stacks and arranged at a predetermined distance from one another in the direction of movement of the rotor and which are at least partially surrounded, in each case, by an essentially hollow-cylindrical coil arrangement, the central longitudinal axis of which is oriented approximately transversely to the direction of movement of said rotor.
US07841306B2 Recovering heat energy
Some embodiments of a generator system can be used with the working fluid in a Rankine cycle. For example, the generator system can be used in a Rankine cycle to recover heat from one of a number of commercial applications and to convert that heat energy into electrical energy. In particular embodiments, the generator system may include a turbine generator apparatus to generate electrical energy and a liquid separator arranged upstream of the turbine generator apparatus.
US07841305B2 Heat exchange apparatus
A heat exchange apparatus for use in transferring heat to a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink is comprised of a natural gas supply line at a pressure reduction station. Alternately, the heat sink is comprised of a storage tank. The apparatus is comprised of a heat exchange vessel, adapted to contain an amount of a heat exchange fluid, and a heat source. The heat exchange vessel includes a sump section at a lower end thereof, and a heat transfer section for transferring heat to the heat sink. The heat exchange vessel further includes a single communication junction between the sump section and the heat transfer section which provides fluid communication therebetween. The heat source is associated with the sump section and adapted to add heat to the heat exchange fluid in order to cause the heat exchange fluid to evaporate in the heat exchange vessel.
US07841297B2 Anti-pest bird feeder apparatus
An anti-pest feeder apparatus whose box contains a hinged lid. The lid and a front compartment of the box are fitted with substantially transverse exposed alternating positive and negative circuits. The remote control provides for instantly initialized current through the circuits, whether lid and box bottom, or bottom only. A master control switch turns the electronic shock potential on and off.
US07841296B2 Controller for monitoring and controlling pulsators in a milking system
A controller for monitoring and controlling an operating pulsator in a milking system is shown. The controller receives a start signal generated when a milking apparatus is attached to a cow. A first sensor is operatively connected to a designated pulsator for receiving a pulsating vacuum and for producing a first signal representing the pulsating vacuum level. The controller includes a processor having a comparator for comparing the first signal to a stored reference of predetermined vacuum ranges and for generating a control signal when the designed pulsator pulsating vacuum level is outside of a predetermined vacuum range. A control circuit signals that the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is outside of the predetermined vacuum range.
US07841284B2 Marine vessel and system for operating a marine vessel
A modified marine vessel system including a marine vessel configured to carry and transport marine freight in an ocean environment, and at least one engine module carried on the marine vessel. The engine module includes an engine housed inside a marine freight container. The system further includes a propeller and a power coupling operably connecting the engine and the propeller such that the propeller is rotatably drivable by the engine, wherein the power coupling does not extend through a hull of the marine vessel.
US07841282B2 Apparatus, system, and method for operating and controlling combustor for ground or particulate biomass
An apparatus, method, and system for combusting bridging fuel which includes biomass material. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a relatively thin wall defining a firebox. A temperature sensor is positioned on the exterior of the wall of the firebox. A controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the fuel feed conveyor. If the temperature sensor exceeds a set point, the controller automatically operates the fuel feed conveyor to refill the firebox with fuel, which reinsulates the wall of the firebox so that fuel surrounds the combustion. A method according to the invention causes a refilling of fuel into a firebox upon sensing a condition indicative of a collapse of the bridging fuel in the firebox during combustion, losing its insulating effect at that location. The refilling is adapted to reinsulate the firebox with the fuel.
US07841278B2 Method and apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, machine for processing printing material and method for treating a surface making contact with printing material
A method for treating a re-imageable printing form includes surface modifying a surface of the printing form acting as a printing area in a nanoscopic range by chemically functionalizing the surface through covering with molecules, in particular amphiphilic molecules or polymers. The printing form is subjected to a primary process of imaging by laser radiation, and subjected to a primary process of application of at least one lithographic fluid, for example dampening solution, printing ink and/or varnish. The molecules are fixed in image regions by the primary process of imaging. The molecules are removed in non-image regions substantially by at least one primary process different than the application of printing ink, in particular by imaging, application of dampening solution or chemical developing. An apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, a machine for processing printing material and a method for treating a surface contacting printing material, are also provided.
US07841277B1 Layered structure of a printing plate for printing solid areas and highlight areas
A printing structure for printing on a medium, includes a first layer having an outer surface adapted to receive ink for printing on the medium, the first layer having a first hardness and/or a first surface energy; and a second layer positioned outside of the first layer, the second layer having an outer surface adapted to receive ink for printing on the medium and the second layer having a second hardness which is less than the first hardness and/or a second surface energy which is greater than the first surface energy, and portions of the second layer are removed to expose the outer surface of the first layer.
US07841274B2 Transfer press with non-uniform station spacing
In a press installation including a press with at least one press station and a multi-station press between arranged at a distance from each other which is a non-integral multiple of the press station distance of the multi-stage press. The installation also includes a transport arrangement for moving workpieces from press station to press-station concurrently by a step corresponding to the distance between the press station of the multi-station press. To compensate for an increased distance between the press station of the press and the adjacent press station of the multi-station press a deposit stage is arranged between the press and the multi-station press and includes a movable support an which the workpiece removed from the press can be deposited and from which, after appropriate movement of the support in the transport direction, it can be picked up by the transport arrangement for placement in the adjacent press station of the multi-stage press.
US07841268B2 Defence system
There is described a barrage unit comprising a porous bag or sack containing an absorbent core said absorbent core comprising an absorbent crystalline material and an absorbent fibrous material.
US07841261B2 Reinforced impact socket
The present invention is a lightweight impact socket having an aluminum or other light metal blank having a fastener end and a drive end. A high strength, heat-treated steel alloy insert is inserted into the fastener end of the blank and glued in place to yield a highly effective impact socket. A drive end insert can be inserted into the bore at the drive end to add strength to the drive end of the impact socket. A high strength, heat-treated steel alloy sleeve can be adhered to the outside of the lightweight blank to add further strength to the drive end of the impact socket.
US07841252B2 Powershift gearbox and shifting method therefor
A powershift gearbox includes a first and a second gearbox block in which respectively one gear from a first or second set of gears associated with each gearbox block can be passed between an input shaft and an output shaft of the gearbox block. The inventive gearbox comprises a slip-free clutch arrangement between each gearbox block and a common drive shaft of the powershift gearbox, that enables the input shaft of the gearbox block to be coupled to the drive shaft either directly or by means of a common slippable clutch.
US07841244B2 Apparatus and method for mobile collection of atmospheric sample for chemical analysis
The present invention discloses a portable sampler for collecting an atmospheric sample. In one implementation, the portable sampler includes a portable housing with an interior portion; a sample inlet communicating between an area outside the housing and the interior portion of the housing; a sample cartridge in fluid communication with the sample inlet and adapted to store the atmospheric sample, the sample cartridge being removably secured within the housing; a pump disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the sample inlet, the pump being arranged to draw the atmospheric sample from the area outside the housing into the sample cartridge through the sample inlet; and a carrier gas inlet communicating between the area outside the housing and the sample cartridge, the carrier gas inlet being configured to couple with a carrier gas source for sweeping the atmospheric sample from the sample cartridge into an analyzer while the sample cartridge is secured within the housing.
US07841240B2 Header for a differential pressure transducer
There is disclosed a header for a differential pressure transducer. The header has a cylindrical sensor housing section which has a front and a back surface. The front surface has a sensor accommodating recess. There is a plurality of terminal pins extending from the front surface and directed through the housing to extend from said back surface. The pins are arranged in a semi-circular pattern, said sensor housing having a stem aperture and cylindrical wall. A stem housing is positioned in the stem aperture and is brazed thereto. The stem housing has a stem passageway directed through the housing which communicates with a passageway in the cylindrical sensor housing. The cylindrical sensor recess contains a sensing device which receives a first input pressure on one diaphragm surface of the sensing device and a second input pressure on a second surface of the diaphragm to produce a differential output pressure. The header, as indicated, is rugged and simple to use and produce.
US07841238B2 Pressure sensor with temperature compensation
The invention provides for a pressure sensor with compensation for temperature variations. The sensor has CMOS layers deposited on a substrate, a conductive layer connected to the CMOS and a passivation layer deposited on the CMOS layers. The arrangement also includes a conductive active membrane spaced from the conductive layer to form an active chamber, and a conductive reference membrane spaced from the conductive layer to form a sealed reference chamber. Further included is a cap which covers the membranes, said cap exposing the active membrane to an outside fluid pressure. The active membrane further defines a foot which is located between the substrate and cap with a leg extending away from the substrate and terminating in a substantially planar deflectable portion, which deflects due to differential pressure stresses so that an active capacitance is developed between the active membrane and the conductive layer depending on the electrical permittivity e of the fluid. The reference membrane provides a temperature compensating reference capacitance. The arrangement also has sensor circuitry configured to determine a charge imbalance indicative of a pressure difference between the active and reference membranes.
US07841226B1 Proboscis extension reflex platform for volatiles and semi-volatiles detection
The present invention provides an apparatus for the detection of volatile and semi-volatile chemicals using the olfactory abilities of honey bees that are trained to respond to the presence of a specific chemical in a sample of gas with the proboscis extension reflex (PER). In particular, the geometry and arrangement of the parts of the apparatus are such that the amount of surface area in contact with the sample of gas prior to its introduction to the bees is minimized to improve the detection of particular volatile and semi-volatile that have a tendency to “stick” to contacting surfaces, especially certain chemicals associated with explosives and narcotics. According to another aspect of the present invention, a pre-concentrating means is incorporated with the device to effectively increase the concentration of “sticky” chemicals presented to the insects.
US07841223B2 Rocker switch
Disclosed herein is a hydraulic tool user interface. The hydraulic tool user interface includes a rocker section, a drain trigger section, and an activation trigger section. The rocker section includes a first end, a second end, and a first contact portion. The first contact portion is between the first end and the second end. The first contact portion is configured to contact a drain pin. The drain trigger section is at the first end. The activation trigger section is between the first end and the second end. The activation trigger section is configured to contact the second end. The activation trigger section is configured to contact an electrical switch.
US07841216B2 Dry cleaning machine and driving unit compartment
A cleaning machine, such as a laundry cleaning machine, includes a treatment compartment housing that defines a treatment compartment and a driving unit compartment housing that defines a driving unit compartment. The driving unit compartment housing is connected to the treatment compartment housing such that the driving unit compartment housing can be removable from the treatment compartment housing to access the driving unit compartment from outside the treatment compartment.
US07841215B2 Knitted bandage
A medical bandage consists of a knit fabric made from loop yarns without inlaid yarns. The loop yarns are multifilament yarns having at least one elastic filament, a plurality of synthetic microfilaments and a plurality of cellulose or cellulosic filaments. The bandage has a linear and a non-linear stretching regime, with an operating point lying between them. When it is applied to a patient, it is elastically stretched to the operating point, which allows to generate reproducible, well defined compression forces.
US07841210B2 Method of manufacturing glass substrate and information recording medium
In a method of manufacturing a glass substrate for an information recording medium including a step for chemically strengthening the glass substrate by contacting the glass substrate with chemical strengthening processing liquid containing chemical strengthening salt, concentration of Fe and Cr is 500 ppb or less in said chemical strengthening salt, respectively. The concentration may be detected by the use of an ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) emission spectrometry analyzing method or a fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy analyzing method.
US07841202B2 Heat packages and methods of their use
The present invention provides a heat package wherein a surface of a generating heat element that generates heat when exposed to atmosphere is placed against or attached to a heat conductive member. The heat element is protected from atmosphere until use. The heat package may include a heat-generating element attached to an insulating member with one or more air spaced there between. An outer surface of the heat-generating element can be exposed to atmosphere to produce heat when desired.
US07841194B2 Air conditioner and method of controlling such
The invention provides an air conditioner that is capable of performing optimal control in accordance with the environment of an indoor space at startup, and a method of controlling such. The air conditioner forms a refrigerant circuit having a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, thermistors, humidity sensors, a temperature sensor, ventilation fans, a compressor, a casing, a control unit, and the like. The control unit is connected to the temperature sensor, the humidity sensors, a storage unit, a timer, a manual input unit, air passageway switching mechanisms, a four-way switching valve, and an expansion valve. In the stage before the air conditioner starts normal operation after startup, the control unit performs a priority control operation that prioritizes either the sensible heat process or the latent heat process.
US07841189B2 Device for adjusting the temperature of a physiological fluid
The invention relates to a device for adjusting the temperature of a physiological fluid. The inventive device includes: a casing (1), a first heat energy generating unit (2), a heat energy receiving unit (3) through which the fluid flows along a passage from a fluid inlet (3a) to a fluid outlet (3b) and which consists of a flat body (3d) having a first large surface (3e) which is made from a heat conductor material, and a control unit (4) for controlling at least the first generating unit (2). According to the invention, the first generating unit (2) includes first units of Peltier cells (5) and at least one first contact plate (6) which is made from a heat conductor material and which is placed in contact with a first side (5b, 8b) of the units of Peltier cells (5). In addition, the receiving unit (3) is removably installed in the first generating unit (2) such that it is in contact with the first contact plate (6).
US07841187B2 Turbomachine comprising a system for cooling the downstream face of an impeller of a centrifugal compressor
A turbomachine comprising a diffuser—distributor assembly comprising a downstream end-piece connected at its downstream end to means for injecting air for ventilating a turbine and delimiting with the impeller of a centrifugal compressor an annular cavity for the circulation of ventilation air taken from the outlet of the compressor, this turbomachine comprising means for taking air from the injection means and means for guiding this air to the radially internal portion of the downstream face of the impeller.
US07841186B2 Inlet bleed heat and power augmentation for a gas turbine engine
An inlet bleed heat and power augmentation system utilizing a bi-directional and common piping arrangement is disclosed. The piping arrangement includes a plurality of feed tubes arranged to communicate either steam to a compressor discharge plenum or compressed air from the compressor discharge plenum. Various embodiments of the invention are discussed including operation methods.
US07841183B2 Method and apparatus for delivering a liquid
A method of operating a delivery apparatus and a delivery apparatus are disclosed for the continuous delivery of a liquid. The method and the apparatus are suitable in particular for use in a water injection system for injecting water into a main flow of a gas turbine. The delivery apparatus includes a plurality of delivery devices connected parallel to one another. In a first method step, the delivery devices of the delivery apparatus are assigned to at least two delivery device groups. The delivery device groups with the respectively assigned delivery devices are then switched to the active state from the rest mode in a rolling manner in time segments in order to deliver the liquid mass flow. In each case at least one delivery device is therefore operated in the rest mode in a rolling sequence per time segment.
US07841179B2 Power system and apparatus utilizing intermediate temperature waste heat
System and method is disclosed to increase the efficient of internal combustion engines using to generate electric power, where the system and method converts a portion of thermal energy produced in the combustion process to a usable form of energy.
US07841166B2 Jet-type steam engine
A simply constituted steam engine efficiently obtains mechanical energy not only from a heat source of a high temperature but also from the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine and various kinds of heat sources of a low-temperature state such as the solar heat. In the engine, a rotor (5) having a folded jet pipe (51) is rotatably supported in a sealed container (1) filled with a liquid. A heating portion (9) is inserted in a center cylinder (50) at the center of the rotor, and a fluid of a high temperature is passed therethrough to vaporize the liquid sucked through the suction pipe (52) of the rotor (5). A mixture of steam and liquid is jetted from the jet pipe (51) due to the pressure of the steam that is vaporized to rotate the rotor (5). A check valve (53) for jetting and a check valve (54) for suction are disposed at the ends of the jet pipe (51) and the suction pipe (52). The jetted steam is guided to a condenser (2) disposed on the sealed container (1), and is condensed and is refluxed into the sealed container (1). A vacuum pump (23) is connected to the condenser (2), and the pressure in the sealed container is held at the saturated steam pressure.
US07841163B2 Turbofan emergency generator
A turbine engine emergency power system includes low and high pressure spools, the lower pressure spool including a low pressure compressor. A turbofan is coupled to the low pressure spool. The turbofan drives the low pressure spool in a windmill condition in which the low pressure turbine fails to provide rotational drive to the turbofan. A generator is rotationally driven by the low pressure spool in the windmill condition. A gear train is used to increase the speed of the generator in one example. In one example embodiment, a centrifugal clutch is used to selectively decouple the generator from the low pressure spool at a predetermined engine speed, which corresponds to normal operating speeds when the turbine engine is under power.
US07841148B2 Non-combustible reinforced cementitious lightweight panels and metal frame system for roofing
A roofing system including horizontal or sloped metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The roofing system is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres.
US07841146B2 Product and method for concealing joints
Materials and methods are provided to quickly and conveniently conceal drywall seams, corner joints and nail and screw holes or other imperfections in drywall material.
US07841143B2 Tower construction
The invention provides a tower construction e.g. for a wind mill and a method of laying a foundation of a tower construction. The tower construction (1) comprises a concrete element (2), and a base flange (3) from which a tower wall (4) extends upwardly. The base flange is supported by an intermediate support structure (5) positioned on the concrete element (2). The support structure (5) is more rigid than the concrete element (2) and comprises a resilient pressure distributing element (6) which is soft relative to the concrete element (2). Furthermore, the invention provides a support structure for a tower construction.
US07841142B2 Stack-on panel assembly
A stack-on panel assembly is supported on a base panel having tubular uprights disposed adjacent opposite sides thereof with open tops and a fastener end extending into an interior of the uprights. A stacker panel has a bottom portion abuttingly supported on a top portion of the base panel, a vertically extending slot along one side thereof, and a first latch member adjacent to the slot. A connector bracket has a lower portion received in the interior portion of the frame upright, and an aperture shaped to receive the fastener end to vertically locate the connector bracket relative to the base panel. The connector bracket is received in the slot to horizontally locate the stacker panel relative to the base panel, and has a second latch member selectively engaging the first latch member on the stacker panel.
US07841138B1 Plastic paneling on metallic door frame
A door structure, comprising a metallic door frame, having opposite sides, plastic paneling received on the frame in covering relation with at least one of the sides, the plastic paneling including paneling sections having abutting edges.
US07841137B2 Insulation block and baffle vent for manufactured housing
An insulation block is utilized with a corresponding baffle vent having a transverse width that will span several roof rafters, as is provided for use with manufactured housing. The insulation block includes uniformly spaced vertical ribs that extend from one edge of the insulation block to the opposing edge thereof to stiffen the insulation block which is formed of vacuum molded polyvinyl chloride film. After the baffle panel is placed on top of the roof rafters, which is before the roof sheeting is applied, the insulation block is attached to the wall top plate with the top edge of the insulation block placed into engagement with the baffle vent. The top edge of the insulation block is configured to mate with the undulating configuration of the corresponding baffle vent, fitting between transversely extending stiffening ribs on the baffle vent, to prevent insulation from entering the soffit area.
US07841135B2 Fire assembly for recessed electrical fixtures
A fire assembly that can be used for installing recessed electrical fixtures into various structures such as wall assemblies is provided. The fire assembly includes an electrical fixture contained within a generally fire-resistant housing. The housing can enclose the electrical fixture in such a manner that the resulting fire assembly has an integral structure. In some instances, a support structure can be utilized to attach the housing to the electrical fixture. Furthermore, the housing can be a cube-shaped box have a variety of generally fire-resistant walls. These walls can be made from materials such as sheet rock.
US07841128B1 Fishing float
Various embodiments of a fishing float are provided. The fishing float has an internal axial passageway for use when a slip-type configuration for the float is desired, and a plurality of divergent passageways for use when a fixed-type configuration for the float is desired.
US07841122B1 Adaptable leg support for bipod assemblies
The present invention relates to adaptable leg supports for bipod assemblies and more specifically to an adaptable leg support assembly that is pivotable with respect to the legs of the bipod to maintain complete contact with the supporting surface as the weapon is rotated, removable to allow the adaptable leg support assembly to be sued with multiple bipod assemblies, and adaptable for use on different surfaces by changing the foot portion of the adaptable leg support assembly that actually contacts the supporting surface.
US07841118B2 Training bolt for rifle
A training bolt for use in an automatic or semi-automatic firearm includes a training bolt installable in a bolt receiver of a firearm, wherein the training bolt is constructed and arranged with cutouts and protrusions which cooperate with the internal structure of the firearm bolt receiver and which allow function of the hammer/trigger/safety mechanism of the firearm, wherein the training bolt is configured to prevent, absolutely, chambering or firing a live round.
US07841114B2 Angled top view printable hanging file tabs
Systems and tabs are provided for labeling a hanging folder having substantially vertical slots. The tab includes three walls. The first wall has a top edge and a flange located below the top edge that is adapted for engagement of the vertical slot on the hanging file folder such that the first wall projects above the file folder. The second wall has a top edge and a flange located below the top edge that is adapted for engagement of the vertical slot on the hanging file folder such that the second wall projects above the file folder. The third wall is located between the first and second walls, and located along a plane that forms an angle with either the first or second walls that is not 90 degrees.
US07841110B2 Plow quick connect/disconnect hitch mechanism
A snow plow including a quick connect/disconnect hitch. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a hitch frame tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin. A plow frame is included with the plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A plow blade is coupled to the front portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notch member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler of the hitch frame nose assembly. Each of the notched members is configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.
US07841108B2 Article of footwear with visible indicia
An article of footwear with a sole system including a transparent heel portion is disclosed. The transparent heel portion includes a cavity configured to receive a support member comprising a plurality of support columns and an indicia member associated with the support member. The indicia and the support member are both visible along a bottom surface of the heel portion.
US07841107B2 Shoe with transparent panels
A method for displaying content in a shoe system that includes a shoe having an upper includes the steps of: selecting a first region on the upper to display content and defining a first display area within the first region of the upper that permits an interior of the shoe to be visible therethrough and identifying a first area on an innerliner that is constructed to be worn on a foot inside the upper of the shoe; the first area being an area that is specifically selected in view of the location of the first display area such that when the innerliner is worn with the shoe, the first area is in registration with the first display area. The method also includes placing first content on the inner liner in the first area such that the first content is displayed area when the innerliner is worn with the shoe, thereby allowing the shoe to have different, customizable appearances depending upon the content.
US07841105B2 Article of footwear having midsole with support pillars and method of manufacturing same
An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.
US07841103B2 Through-air dryer assembly
A through-air dryer is disclosed. The through-air dryer includes a cylindrical deck made from a plurality of deck plates that support a throughdrying fabric. The deck plates are supported by opposing hubs. Each of the hubs is in communication with a bearing that is mounted to a stationary shaft for allowing the cylindrical deck and the hubs to rotate. The bearings are positioned so as to create a through-air dryer structure that remains stable during operation and allows for easy calculation of loads on the dryer.
US07841099B2 Device forming a sight-vane for three-dimensional measuring machine
A device forming a sight-vane for a three-dimensional measuring machine. It includes a cylinder-shaped body (1), a thin part (5), and a tail (6). The part (5) and the tail (6) are provided with slots enabling the expansion or the withdrawal of the tail (6) in relation to the nominal diameter thereof. A contact face (2) is calibrated in relation to a bearing face (3). A cylinder (4) and the contact face (2) are calibrated and intended for the palpation. The exterior of the tail (6) is calibrated, the interior is provided with a conical (11) bore and the end thereof is provided with a wedge-shaped chamfer (13). The contact face (2) is provided with a countersink (9) and a threading (8) suitable for receiving an expansion screw (10) at the conical end. The device is useful as a palpation point for a measuring machine.
US07841095B1 Drafting apparatus
The drafting apparatus has only three parts which are the permanently attached first head and blade, the adjustably attached second head, and the thumb screw. The apparatus quickly adjusts to a given surface. If secure attachment is desired, the thumb screw is tightened against the blade to position the second head firmly against a side of the surface opposite the first head. If desired, the second head is easily completely removed, to aid a draftsperson in a given task. The apparatus is not confined to use only on a drafting table. The transparent bevels provide visual access to indicia under part of the blade. The relatively long length of the elongated slot provides for fit to even narrow drawing surfaces.
US07841088B2 Method of producing a suspension coil spring
A suspension coil spring, when assembled to a suspension device, in which a spring reaction axis is positioned coincident with or sufficiently close to a load input axis, and the design and manufacture of coil springs are facilitated. Namely, A suspension coil spring (19) in a free state is formed so that a coil axis (AC) is bent in V-shape at bend point (PB) and the distance from the end turn center (CU) of the upper seating surface (38) to an imaginary coil axis (AI) is an upper inclination amount (VU), and the distance from the end turn center (CL) to the imaginary coil axis (AI) is a lower inclination amount (VL). When the suspension coil spring (10) is interposed between spring seats (22, 24) in the suspension device and compress along a strut axis, the spring reaction axis of the suspension coil spring (10) is inclined and offset with respect to the imaginary coil axis (AI) according to the inclination amounts (VU, VL).
US07841080B2 Multi-chip packaging using an interposer with through-vias
One embodiment relates to forming a plurality of vias extending partially through a body, the vias including sidewalls defined by the body. An insulating layer is formed on the sidewalls and on an upper surface of the body. An electrically conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer, the electrically conductive layer defining first metal pads on the upper surface and second metal pads in contact with the first metal pads, the second metal pads having a denser pitch than the first metal pads. A dielectric layer is formed between adjacent first metal pads and between adjacent second metal pads. A plurality of electronic elements are coupled to the second metal pads. After the coupling the elements, the body is thinned through a lower surface. A portion of the insulating layer in the vias is removed and the electrically conductive layer is coupled to a substrate.
US07841071B2 Position-correction device for correcting the position of a component holder for electronic components
In the case of a position-correction device for correcting the position of a component holder of a handling apparatus for electronic components, in particular ICs, a base plate and a centering frame which can be displaced in relation to the base plate are provided in the region of a contact unit. A drive device is also provided and is operatively connected to the centering frame in order to displace the centering frame and thus the component holder inserted into the centering frame as a function of correction values which are calculated by a computation device on the basis of measured values which are obtained by a position-detection device for detecting the actual position of the component which is to be tested and is held in the component holder.
US07841069B2 Method for manufacturing a thin closure magnetic head
A method of manufacturing thin closure magnetic read/write heads, such as magnetic tape heads is provided. The method provides improved flexural strength of the closure so that the closure breakage during fabrication of the heads is mitigated and closure thickness is reduced. An array of chips is fabricated on a wafer. The array is closed, with a closure strip bonded to each row of the array. Closures span only the length of a row, so that the closures are not subjected to flexure during processing and breakage due to flexure is mitigated. Side bars are bonded to the array to form a column with dimensions similar to prior art columns. This allows columns manufactured by the invention to undergo additional processing using existing processes.
US07841062B2 Method for working a metal slug, sleeve for implementing the method
An upsetting method for working a metal slug of cylindrical shape and provided with a coating is disclosed. The slug is placed, lengthwise, in a sleeve the internal wall of which leaves a space with respect to the lateral surface of the slug, the slug and sleeve assembly is placed in an upsetting container, and an upsetting force is exerted on the slug on at least one of its transverse surfaces until a determined slenderness ratio has been obtained, and the slug is separated from the sleeve. The slug is upset continuously but only the slug is upset because of the space formed by the internal wall of the sleeve. The material of the sleeve, for example made of steel, is not welded or seized to the slug, which means that it need not be machined in order to separate the two after the operation.
US07841059B2 Mold attaching/detaching apparatus and mold attaching/detaching method
As cams provided on platen-side attachments move from a lock-releasing position to a locking position while the ball-supporting members of the platen-side attachments remain inserted in the ball-receiving members of mold-side attachments, locking balls sliding in inclined-locking grooves are moved outward in a direction at right angles to the direction in which the cams move, and are set in engaging-locking grooves and abut on the curved parts of the engaging-locking grooves. Therefore, the mold-side attachments are closely attached and fixed to the platen-side attachments. As the cams move from the locking position to the lock-releasing position, the pushing balls sliding in inclined-pushing grooves are moved outward in a direction at right angles to the direction in which the cams move, and abut on the curved parts of the engaging-pushing grooves. In this case, the mold-side attachments can project from the platen-side attachments.
US07841050B2 Folder type hinge device and personal portable device using the same
A folder type personal portable device comprises a main part including a first hinge case having a hollow shape formed at one side of a top; a folder part including a second hinge case having a hollow shape formed on an opposite side of the top to correspond to the first hinge case; a first hinge part including a clamp piece disposed inside the first hinge case and a first T-shaped clamp flange formed in a single body with the clamp piece and fixed to the main part in a single body; a second hinge part including a rotation boss disposed inside the second hinge case and a second T-shaped clamp flange formed in a single body with the rotation boss and fixed to the folder part in a single body; and a hinge connection axis having one end fixed to the clamp piece.
US07841046B2 Height adjusting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner nozzle
The invention discloses a height adjusting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a barrel with a vertical passage, a groove module is formed on the inner surface of the barrel, said groove module comprises an upper groove, a lower groove, which has at least a first positioning point, a second positioning point differing from first positioning point in height and a intermediate point between the two positioning points; a resilient member, a lifting member, a driven member and a driving member are arranged in the passage of barrel from down to up. The height adjusting apparatus could be adjusted by applying a pressure force downwardly in vertical direction (for example, press by foot) and that takes less labor and time.
US07841041B2 Oral care implement
An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.
US07841040B2 Absorbent cleaning pad with extended portion for use with a cleaning implement
A surface cleaning pad is provided comprising a pad body including a primary portion and a secondary portion contiguous with the primary portion. An attachment member is coupled to the primary portion of the pad body, whereby the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a primary surface of a cleaning implement. An attachment member is coupled to the secondary portion of the pad body, wherein the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a secondary surface of a cleaning implement. The primary portion and the secondary portion of the pad body are each configured to be independently positioned against a soiled surface.
US07841039B1 Cleaning implement, cleaning pad, and scrubbing device
A conventional floor cleaning mop has a cleaning pad support platen defining a support cleaning surface region that is arranged to releasably receive and secure a conventional cleaning pad via Velcro hook fasteners on the platen. The cleaning pad has a relatively non-abrasive cleaning surface. A scrub device with a relatively more abrasive surface is releasably or permanently attached to the pad cleaning surface by an attachment device. One or more such scrub devices may be attached to the same pad cleaning surface to cover part or all of the pad cleaning surface. The abrasive scrub devices may have different dimensions to cover different areas of the cleaning pad non-abrasive surface to provide enhanced scrubbing action as desired. The abrasive scrub devices may be provided with different abrasion surfaces having different abrasive values and may be removed to expose the full non-abrasive cleaning surface for non-abrasive cleaning. The mop may have an optional cleaning fluid dispensing spray device. Different embodiments including hand held devices are disclosed with multiple layer scrubbing pads releasably attached to each other and for attaching to a rigid hand held handle are disclosed.
US07841036B2 Hand-held roller device with cover for providing benefits to fabrics
Hand-held roller article for providing benefits to fabric. The present invention relates to utilizing a hand-held roller article for providing benefits to fabrics. The hand-held roller article comprises a substrate formed into a roll wherein the substrate may include one or more benefit agents for providing benefits to fabrics. The hand-held roller article also includes a roller device comprising a handle connected to the substrate roll and a cover for covering the substrate roll.
US07841035B2 Disc cleaning machinery, disc cleaning device thereof and rotary brush thereof
A disc cleaning mechanism or device has a rotary brush having a rotary shaft on which a plurality of brushes are mounted and, between adjacent brushes of which a plurality of discs is inserted, and a disc revolution stopper for preventing the discs inserted between the brushes from revolving about the rotary shaft by rotation of the rotary brush and allowing the discs to rotate. The disc cleaning mechanism includes a core roller having an uneven inner peripheral portion of the brush as a core of the brush and an uneven outer peripheral portion and a rotary shaft on which a plurality of the core rollers are mounted. The brush and the core rollers constitute a spline joint.
US07841033B2 Method for cleaning and waterproofing textiles
A method for cleaning and restoring a hydrophobic effect of textiles in a domestic washing machine in which hydrophobic substances dissolved in the washing liquid are contacted with the textiles during a treatment process. A washing process for cleaning the textiles while adding a special detergent is carried out in the presence of an inflow of fresh water, and at the end thereof, the used washing liquid is pumped off. The soapy water used for the preceding process is replaced and a multi-stage rinsing process is carried out for the textiles. After termination of the rinsing process, the last rinsing water is replaced and the hydrophobic substances are added to a newly supplied amount of fresh water, and a treatment process for waterproofing the textiles is carried out in an additive-containing washing liquid and the used additive-containing washing liquid is removed without repeating the rinsing process.
US07841031B2 Foam spring mattress using a foam containment facility
An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.
US07841027B2 Partition system
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a partition system includes a flexible partition expandable along at least its length and its height, at least one support element associated with the partition, and a fluid delivery system associated with the partition and configured to deliver a fluid to a space adjacent to the partition.
US07841026B2 Head protector
A head protection system comprises a helmet shell, a visor mounting for pivotally mounting a visor to the shell to enable the visor to be moved between raised and lowered positions, and a retainer for releasably retaining the visor to the helmet. The system includes a visor adapted for mounting on the shell which comprises a substrate of transparent thermoplastic material and a backing substrate comprising a plurality of layers of high performance, ballistic resistant material. The system may further include a second visor which can be releasably connected to the shell using the same visor mounting and which may have a different construction and primary function.
US07841022B2 Garment having various functional finishes
A garment, particularly a shirt, is made from a number of fabric portions which are sewn together, each of the portions having different performance characteristics. The front of the shirt is finished so as to be stain-resistant with a chemical water- and oil-repellent finish. To mitigate moisture accumulation on the wearer's skin, the back and sleeves are treated with an absorbency-enhancing finish, the collar and cuffs having a soil-release finish. In manufacture, the different portions are cut from differently treated sections of a mill run of fabric, the sections being processed under constant conditions so that the different sections have consistent shrinkage properties and colours.
US07841020B2 Easy donning garment
A protective garment configured to facilitate easy donning of the garment is described. The garment includes one or more foreshortening structures within the garment that allows for the arms and legs to be shorted into a donning configuration. This allows the garment to be handled and donned by the wearer, without the wearer touching an exterior surface of the garment or allowing any portion of the garment to touch another surface. A method of preparing a protective garment for donning and a method of donning such a garment is also disclosed.