Document	Document Title
US08233232B2	Method and data storage device with a snubber supported on an actuator and having a distal edge configured to have differing arcuate portions A data storage apparatus and associated method is provided involving a data storage disc that is rotatable around a first axis. An actuator is rotatable around a second axis to operably position a data transfer member between an innermost radial location of the data storage disc and an outermost radial storage location of the data storage disc. A snubber is supported by the actuator and has a distal edge configured as being, in relation to a reference plane including the first axis and the second axis when the actuator is rotated to position the data transfer member at the innermost radial location, arcuate along a first radius on one side of the reference plane and arcuate along a second radius different than the first radius on the other side of the reference plane.
US08233231B2	Pre-use tape cartridge verification in a library system which utilizes a loading operation to bring the cartridge to a ready state to determine operable performance and usability of the cartridge A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.
US08233226B2	Construction of objective A construction of an objective is configured which includes a plurality of lens groups including at least one cemented lens group; a plurality of inner frames to hold the lens groups, each including a contact projection; and a tube to hold the plurality of inner frames stacked inside. At least one cemented lens group is secured to the inner frames by causing the periphery of a cemented surface between cemented lenses to come into contact with the contact projection.
US08233213B2	Electrophoresis display panel An electrophoresis display panel including an active device array substrate and an electrophoresis display film is provided. The active device array substrate includes a plurality of active devices and a shielding pattern. The electrophoresis display film is disposed on the active device array substrate. The electrophoresis display film includes a conductive layer, a dielectric layer and a plurality of electrophoresis display mediums. The dielectric layer is disposed on the conductive layer and has a plurality of micro-cups arranged in area array. The dielectric layer is between the conductive layer and the active device array substrate. Light passing through the dielectric layer is prevented from irradiating onto the active devices by the shielding pattern. In addition, the electrophoresis display mediums are filled within the micro-cups, respectively.
US08233212B2	Electro-optic display An electro-optic display includes a “matrix” for confining moving elements of the display (e.g., rotating or twisting elements). The matrix (or at least the viewable portions thereof) may have a high reflectivity, comparable to that of white paper. This results in an overall “whiter” or brighter display. The matrix may include channels to facilitate inter-cell fluid transport and high-density element packing. In some cases, the matrix elements provide a hexagonal arrangement of cells for holding the rotating elements. The rotating elements of the display may be electrically and optically anisotropic hemispherically coated spheres. The hemispherical coating typically provides the necessary charge to create electrical anisotropy.
US08233204B1	Optical displays An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.
US08233188B2	Apparatus and method that reduces streaking by using a deformed data portion to not array dots continuously in the main scan direction of the print head in the end portions of the sub-scan direction The present invention is intended to prevent appearance of streaks in head scanning direction at the joint of print data of the image to be printed. Print data composed of a multiplicity of dot information is supplied to a printing head having a plurality of dot forming elements arrayed along a sub-scanning direction. The printing head and the printing medium relatively move in main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction each other, and an image is printed on the surface of the printing medium. In the print data supplied by every main scanning action of the printing head, a deformed data portion of concave and convex shapes of waveform are formed, for example, so that dots may not be arrayed in parallel continuously in the main scanning direction of the printing head, at the joint of the ends of the sub-scanning direction. The undulation profile of this waveform is set in an ambiguous state, and the ambiguous state of the profile is not a state of a continuous profile line when the printed profile is observed visually.
US08233187B2	Printer When performing marginless printing for content data of a size which is the same as the sheet size, white streaks occur in the print result due to a convey error. Further, when object-data items included in the content data are simply magnified, a necessary object-data item may not be printed partly and/or entirely. Therefore, the present invention provides a printer magnifying the object-data items included in the content data appropriately on the printer side. The sheet size described in the content data is compared to the size of a sheet set in the printer and the content data is magnified so that an object-data item such as a text-data item considered as necessary for a user does not extend off the sheet size.
US08233161B2	Image reading and recording apparatus An image reading and recording apparatus which can prevent a reading unit from unexpectedly being opened even when an operation of a reducing unit such as a damper for reducing an opening/closing force of the reading unit is added to an interlocking motion caused by a force adapted to open a pressure plate portion is provided. The apparatus has: a recording unit which records images onto a recording medium; and a reading unit which is openably and closably arranged for the recording unit and has an original plate on which an original document is put and a pressure plate portion which presses the original onto the original plate. A restricting unit which can restrict the reading unit to the closed state is provided. In the closed state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made inoperative. In the open state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made operative.
US08233153B2	Position detection system for the contactless interferometric detection of a location of a target object and scanning system equipped with the same The invention relates to a position detection system for the contactless interferometric detection of the location of a target object. A target object unit comprises a reference light transmitter, which is configured such that it transmits a reference light beam having curved light wave fronts. The target object unit comprises at least one detector array having a plurality of detector pixels, which is fixed to the target object unit such that the reference light beam of the reference light transmitter impinges on the same.
US08233151B2	Fiber optic sensor using a hollow core fiber An optical sensor includes at least a portion of an optical waveguide having a hollow core generally surrounded by a cladding. The cladding substantially confines a first optical signal and a second optical signal within the hollow core as the first optical signal and the second optical signal counterpropagate through the optical waveguide. Interference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal is responsive to perturbation of the at least a portion of the optical waveguide.
US08233145B2	Pattern defect inspection apparatus and method A pattern defect inspection apparatus capable of detecting minute defects on a sample with high sensitivity without generating speckle noise in signals is realized. Substantially the same region on a surface of a wafer is detected by using two detectors at mutually different timings. Output signals from the two detectors are summed and averaged to eliminate noise. Since a large number of rays of illumination light are not simultaneously irradiated to the same region on the wafer, a pattern defect inspection apparatus capable of suppressing noise resulting from interference of a large number of rays, eliminating noise owing to other causes and detecting with high sensitivity minute defects on the sample without the occurrence of speckle noise in the signal can be accomplished.
US08233144B2	Identification apparatus of optical cable and identification method An optical cable identification apparatus for identifying an optical cable by disturbing an optical fiber, existing inside an optical cable desired to be identified, from outside the optical cable. An optical unit transmits two optical signals to a single strand of optical fiber inside the optical cable, and detects a phase difference, a time difference, and light intensity between two optical signals which are reflected due to the disturbance from the outside. A single-fiber ending unit generates the time difference. A signal processing unit removes noise from the two reflected optical signals and demodulates the optical signals. A sound output unit outputs the optical signals from the signal processing unit as sounds.
US08233143B2	Three dimensional image sensor A depth sensor includes a light source, a detector, and a signal processor. The light source transmits a source signal to the target according to a transmit control signal having reference time points. The detector receives a reflected signal from the source signal being reflected from the target. The signal processor generates a plurality of sensed values by measuring respective portions of the reflected signal during respective time periods with different time delays from the reference time points. The signal processor determines a respective delay time for a maximum/minimum of the sensed values for determining the distance of the target.
US08233142B2	Monitoring method of exposure apparatus In a monitoring method of an exposure apparatus, a top critical dimension (TCD) and a bottom critical dimension (BCD) of the test pattern formed on a photo-sensitive material layer are measured. A dose deviation (ΔE) and a focus deviation (ΔF) are calculated by following equations: TCD+BCD=αΔE+(TCD0+BCD0) TCD−BCD=β1ΔF+β2ΔF3 Here, α, β1 and β2 are constants, ΔE=E−E0, ΔF=F−F0, E represents a real exposure dose, F represents a real exposure focus, E0 represents a dose defined when a middle critical dimension of the test pattern is equal to a predetermined value, F0 represents a focus defined when TCD of the test pattern is equal to BCD thereof, and TCD0 and BCD0 are theoretical values in case of E0 and F0.
US08233133B2	Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device A liquid immersion photolithography system has an exposure system that exposes a substrate with electromagnetic radiation and includes a projection optical system that focuses the electromagnetic radiation on the substrate. A liquid supply system provides liquid flow between the projection optical system and the substrate. In addition, a plurality of nozzles are arranged so as to provide a substantially uniform velocity distribution of the liquid flow between the substrate and the projection optical system.
US08233122B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device has pixel regions defined by gate lines and data lines perpendicular to the gate lines. The gate electrodes of thin film transistors (TFTs) at a first side of the data lines project from the gate lines. Active layers are disposed on the gate electrodes. Source electrodes overlap the active layers. Drain electrodes are parallel to the gate lines, spaced from the source electrodes and overlap the active layers. Pixel electrodes formed on the pixel region are connected to the drain electrodes. This structure prevents poor picture quality by minimizing the differences between the parasitic capacitance formed between the gate electrode and the drain electrode in adjacent pixel regions even if Y- or X-axis misalignment occurs.
US08233112B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel and a lighting device. The liquid crystal panel has a liquid crystal layer provided between a pair of glass substrates. The lighting device supplies illumination light to the liquid crystal panel. At least one of the glass substrates has a photonic crystal formed in a position so that it stops light from reaching a luminance point defect occurrence portion in the liquid crystal layer that is a cause of a luminance point defect. The photonic crystal absorbs light having a color displayable in the luminance point defect occurrence portion.
US08233111B2	Liquid crystal display device An LCD device is disclosed. The LCD device is configured to include a plurality of insulation films between a balancely printed circuit board and a bottom cover and to form a plurality of air layers between the plurality of insulation films. Accordingly, noise caused by vibrations from electric currents flowing through lamps can be minimized.
US08233110B2	Liquid crystal module A liquid crystal module is provided. A cell guide is attached to a rear frame and including at least a vertical plate portion and a convex portion provided on the vertical plate portion. A liquid crystal panel is mounted on the cell guide. A relay substrate is attached to the cell guide such that the relay substrate is provided along the vertical plate portion of the cell guide. A chip on film electrically connects the liquid crystal panel and the relay substrate. A lower end portion of the relay substrate is interposed between the vertical plate portion and the convex portion of the cell guide.
US08233107B2	Display device An object of the present invention is to increase the reliability in the assembly of display devices. The display device according to the present invention is provided with: a display panel; a mold frame for containing the above described display panel; and a front panel provided on a surface of the above described display panel on the viewer side, and the form of the above described mold frame in a plane is rectangular, with four corners, and at least two corners on a diagonal line, from among the above described four corners, have a cut structure with a diagonal side which is inclined relative to the two sides forming the corner.
US08233103B2	System for controlling the operation of a pair of 3D glasses having left and right liquid crystal viewing shutters A viewing system for viewing video displays having the appearance of a three dimensional image.
US08233093B2	Automatic video gain control circuit for positive and negative modulation and method thereof Disclosed is an automatic video gain control circuit, which includes an analog to digital converter, an envelope detector and an extreme value detector. The analog to digital converter converts an analog video signal to a digital video signal. The envelope detector detects a baseband amplitude signal according to the digital video signal. The extreme value detector generates an extreme value to control RF signal gain.
US08233092B2	Video signal processing device Provided is a video signal processing device capable of judging the viability of phase locking at a PLL circuit and, in accordance with the judgment, automatically switching between the PLL circuit and a DLL circuit to use to generate a sampling clock of an input analog video signal, the device including an AD converter for AD converting an analog video signal, and a clock signal generating circuit for supplying a clock signal to the AD converter. The clock signal generating circuit includes: a PLL circuit for generating a first clock signal on the basis of a horizontal synchronous signal acquired from the analog video signal; a DLL circuit for generating a second clock signal on the basis of a composite synchronous signal acquired from the analog video signal; and a clock selecting portion for selecting and outputting either the first clock signal or the second clock signal on the basis of output of a PLL-dedicated phase comparator.
US08233086B2	Process for digitizing video over analog component video cables A method for efficient digital capturing of analog video signals of computer game consoles is provided. The video format of the signal is changed from 480p to 720p, without any scaling artifacts. The number of active horizontal resolution lines and active vertical resolution lines is reduced in the higher definition space, so that the output picture is a pixel-for-pixel transformed replica of the 480p image.
US08233080B2	Electronic flash apparatus adjusting a light distribution field angle and camera provided with the same To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles.
US08233074B2	Lens unit and imaging device A lens unit having a first lens (2) whose optical surface on the imaging surface side is made of resin (32), a first lens holder (3) for holding the first lens (2), a second lens (6) placed to the imaging side of and spaced in the optical axis direction from the first lens (2), and a second lens holder (4) for holding the second lens (6). The first lens (2) and the second lens (6) are movable relative to each other. A second lens holder recess (8) which a resin projection (33) of the first lens (2) can enter and exit from is formed in the second lens holder (4).
US08233069B2	Dithering techniques to reduce mismatch in multi-channel imaging systems An embodiment of the present invention may be directed to a multi channel imaging system. The multi channel imaging system may include an input for a light signal and a plurality of channel circuits. Each of the channel circuits may have an analog signal processing chain converting some portion of the light signal into to a digital representation, the plurality of channel circuits may operate in parallel. The multi channel imaging system may further comprise at least one dither circuit coupled to a point in at least one of the analog signal processing chains to add dither.
US08233067B2	Solid-state imaging device, signal processing method of solid-state imaging device, and image capturing apparatus A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric conversion element; reading signal lines connected to the pixel circuits; a reference signal output circuit outputting a reference signal whose voltage level varies; a reference signal line connected to the reference signal output circuit; and comparators each having a first input terminal and a second input terminal and each inverting its output depending on a voltage relation of the first input terminal and the second input terminal, wherein the first input terminals of some of the comparators are connected to the reading signal lines and the second input terminals thereof are connected to the reference signal line, and wherein the first input terminals of the other of the comparators are connected to the reference signal line and the second input terminals thereof are connected to the reading signal lines.
US08233060B2	Image data processing apparatus, image data processing method, and program Image data are compressed such that they do not visually deteriorate. Nonlinear compression and DPCM compression are performed in series. A compressing unit 41 that uses nonlinear transform inputs image data (L bits per pixel) of each color component. Image data are compressed to M bits (M
US08233051B2	Method for testing camera function of electronic device A method is provided for testing a camera function of an electronic device. The electronic device communicates with a testing device. The method comprises the following steps. Parameters are configured by a parameter module of the electronic device. A camera of the electronic device takes pictures according to the configured parameters. The pictures and the configured parameters are sent to the testing device by a sending module of the electronic device. The pictures and the configured parameters are received by a receiving module of the testing device. Parameters of the pictures are got by a judging module of the testing device, and the judging module judges whether the parameters are identical to the configured parameters.
US08233050B2	Multiple view infrared imaging system An infrared imaging system used for providing images from a plurality of views. The multiple view infrared imaging system includes a plurality of lens and infrared focal plane array (FPA) pairings, wherein each pairing can be used to provide an image and/or sample scene data of a distinct view. A single set of processing circuitry and a single set of one or more output elements may be utilized to provide such images. A multi-input switch may be utilized in combination with the single set of processing circuitry and output elements to provide images from any of the lens and FPA pairings based on the positioning of the switch.
US08233047B2	Object detection system A detection system that uses a plurality of input devices with different sensitive wavelengths as image and signal acquisition devices for detecting an intruding object and which performs coordinated processing on at least two or more pieces of information to avoid issuing false alarms during an intruding object detection. Based on the position or size of an object detected by processing an input from one of the input devices, an area range in which to process an input from other input devices is defined. According to one or more of processing results, a check is made as to the presence or absence of an intruding object.
US08233038B2	Image-signal processing unit An image-signal processing unit comprising a first and second luminance calculation block, a correction-value calculation block, and a subtraction block, is provided. The first luminance calculation block calculates a first luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a first coefficient combination. The second luminance calculation block calculates a second luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of the primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a second coefficient combination. The correction-value calculation block calculates a luminance correction value according to the second luminance if the first luminance is greater than a threshold value. The subtraction block calculates a corrected luminance by subtracting the luminance correction value from the first luminance.
US08233034B2	Multi-functional active matrix liquid crystal displays A direct view display provides a light modulating panel and a backlight including first and second sets of spectral emitters. The first set of spectral emitters generate a first light bundle and the second set of spectral emitters generate a second light bundle. Several modes of operation may be provided including (1) an advanced 2D mode, (2) an enhanced color gamut mode employing simultaneous illumination of the first and second set of spectral emitters, (3) a privacy screen mode, (4) a channel multiplexed mode, and (5) a stereoscopic image mode. The latter three modes utilize the first and second set of spectral emitters to alternately illuminate a portion of the light modulating panel. Images and representations generated by the direct view display operating in the latter three modes are viewed using appropriate eyewear having filters with passband characteristics to transmit the respective light bundle.
US08233033B2	Supplementary visual display system A visual display system includes a display device having an image display region for presenting images to a viewer. The system includes one or more illumination sources that at least partially peripherally surround the image display region and/or project illumination radiated therefrom so as to illuminate a region visually appearing to the viewer to at least partially peripherally surround the image display region. A control device controls light radiation emitted in use from the one or more illumination sources in response to at least one of image and audio indicative signals so as to provide at least a partial spatial extension of the image display region.
US08233028B2	Dynamic visual background for call-center agents A system is disclosed that enables a first call participant, such as an agent at a call center, to project a carefully-controlled appearance towards a second call participant, such as a customer calling for technical support, while on a video call. Using the real-time image of the first call participant while on a video call, as well as additional information, the system of the illustrative embodiment selects and superimposes a visual background that appears to the caller as being behind the agent. The visual background can be selected to cater towards what the caller expects or wants to see, or what the message is that the agent-represented business wants to convey. The system of the illustrative embodiment can dynamically change the visual background during a call or from one call to another, depending on factors related to the calling party, factors related to the called party, and so forth.
US08233025B2	Mobile terminal and method for controlling video call thereof A mobile terminal including an input unit configured to receive an instruction from a first user to perform a video call communication with at least a second user, a display unit, a voice recognition module configured to recognize input voice statements conducted during the video call communication between the first and second users, and a controller configured to perform the video call communication between the first and second users based on the instruction from the first user, to control the display unit to display images of the first and second users, to detect a voice statement from the first user designating the second user by examining the voice statements recognized by the voice recognition module, and to emphatically display the image of the second user compared with the image of the first user based on the detected voice statement from the first user.
US08233022B2	Image forming apparatus and control method thereof It is determined whether a low density area in which pixels having density less than a predetermined density exist in succession is included in an image signal or not, and if the low density area exists, an image is formed by irradiating the laser light in a first condition for a pixel to be interested in each pixel area within the low density area and irradiating the laser light in a second condition being different from the first condition for other pixels in the pixel area. In this way, it is possible to improve reproducibility of a highlight area in a high resolution image and improve reproducibility of characters and line images or the like.
US08233021B2	Systems and methods for controlling polygon induced banding Systems and methods for reducing the degradation of image quality due to banding in an image processing system by detection of both integrated intensity and peak intensity of a laser beam reflected from the polygon mirror facet(s) of a motor polygon assembly. A banding detector is adapted to enable measurement of peak intensity and integrated intensity of the laser beam(s) reflected from the polygon mirror facet(s). Polygon facet induced banding can be determined from the measurements and can be used for sorting/manufacturing raster output scanners and/or compensating for the induced banding.
US08233020B2	Enhanced imaging of features Methods for imaging patterns of features by thermal transfer involve controlling intensities of a plurality of beams. The intensities of beams that image edge portions of a feature may be set to be different from the intensities of beams that image interior portions of the feature. Beams that image home and away edges of a feature may be controlled to have different intensities. Apparatus for imaging patterns of features may comprise a controller configured to maintain intensity information for channels of a multi-channel imaging head. The controller uses the intensity information to set intensities of those channels that correspond to edge portions of features being imaged in a current swath of the imaging head.
US08233014B2	Color sequential display and power saving method thereof For further reducing power consumption of a color sequential display, a frame rate or a field rate is reduced according to conditions, which include whether a received frame is dynamic or static and whether a backlight mode is activated, for reducing power consumption. Besides, images may be outputted in forms of color images or of grey levels selectively so as to reduce an amount of processed data and related data transmission.
US08233011B2	Head mounted display and control method therefor A viewpoint information calculation unit (710) calculates a difference value (α) between reference position and orientation information and position and orientation information held by a camera viewpoint storage unit (207), and a difference value (β) between the reference position and orientation information and position and orientation information held by a CG viewpoint storage unit (208). If \|α\|≧\|β\|, a physical space image is shifted by a shift amount calculated in accordance with the resolution of a display unit (213), a difference amount, and the angle of view of a camera (203), and is composited with a virtual space image. If \|α\|<\|β\|, the virtual space image is shifted by the shift amount, and is composited with the physical space image.
US08233004B1	Color-compression using automatic reduction of multi-sampled pixels One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for improving graphics rendering efficiency by processing pixels in a compressed format whenever possible within a multi-sampling graphics pipeline. Each geometric primitive is rasterized into fragments, corresponding to screen space pixels covered at least partially by the geometric primitive. Fragment coverage represents the pixel area covered by the geometric primitive and determines the weighted contribution of a fragment color to the corresponding screen space pixel. Samples associated with a given fragment are called sibling samples and have the same color value. The property of sibling samples having the same color value is exploited to compress and process multiple samples, thereby reducing the size of the associated logic and the amount of data written to and read from the frame buffer.
US08233002B2	Image transfer apparatus and image transfer method An image transfer apparatus includes a display configured to display multiple sets of content. A display image data generator is configured to generate display image data for each of the content, at least part of the content being displayed on the display. A storage controller is configured to relate connected image projection apparatus to the generated display image data and store the display image data related to the image projection apparatus in a storage device. A transfer unit is configured to transfer the display image data to the corresponding image projection apparatus.
US08232995B2	Local relative layout of node-link structures in space with negative curvature A node-link structure is laid out in a space with negative curvature, such as the hyperbolic plane. Nearby relationship data are obtained for an element in the structure, indicating information about nearby node-link relationships; then layout data for the element are obtained, based on the nearby relationship data. The layout data indicate the element's position relative to a parent in the negatively curved space. The layout data can indicate a position displacement and an angle displacement between the parent and the element. The nearby relationship data can be obtained by counting grandchildren of the parent for each child of the parent that is in a set that are being or have been laid out. The counts can be used to obtain a radius and an angle for each child in the set, and the radii and angles can be used to obtain the position displacement and angle displacement. The nearby node-link relationships can thus include only relationships among the parent and its children and grandchildren.
US08232982B2	Driving method of an electric circuit A variation in threshold may be suppressed by structuring an analog switch by a MOS transistor and forming a signal synchronized to a clock by making the clock which is a common signal in continuity or discontinuity. An object of the present invention is to reduce the variation in the signal synchronized to the clock by the variation in threshold of the MOS transistor in a circuit which is synchronized to the clock.
US08232978B2	Optical reflected touch panel and pixels and system thereof An optical reflective touch panel and pixels and a system thereof are provided. Each pixel of the optical reflective touch panel includes a display circuit and a sensing circuit. The display circuit controls the display of the pixel. The sensing circuit is coupled to the display circuit for sensing a sensitization state of the pixel during a turned-on period and a turned-off period of a backlight module and outputting a digital signal to notify an optical reflective touch panel system that whether the pixel is touched or not.
US08232958B2	High-contrast backlight A method and device for providing a display having increased viewability are provided. The display assembly includes a backlight layer, an electrochromic layer formed over the backlight layer, a surface layer formed over the electrochromic layer and including at least one substantially translucent graphical element thereon, and a power supply. The electrochromic layer is switchable between a substantially transparent state and a substantially reflective state upon application of a switching voltage from the power supply, where the state being selected is based on a lighting condition of the display assembly.
US08232946B2	Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof A liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof having a plurality of common electrodes to which a common voltage is independently applied, and divided into more than two portions to change a potential of a common voltage into divided common electrode units, and reducing amplitude of a scanning pulse to prevent a deterioration of a display quality by a feed through voltage.
US08232944B2	Display device The deterioration (darkness) of image quality due to a reduction in the brightness of a single color as a result of the conversion from RGB pixels to RGBW pixels is prevented and a reduction in the power is achieved.A processing portion for conversion from RGB to RGBW 106 is formed of a W generating circuit 201, which is the same as in the prior art, a sub-pixel rendering circuit 202, a W intensity calculating portion 203 which transmits a W intensity setting value 205 to a W generating circuit 201, and a low power backlight control circuit 204 which expands data on the basis of the RGBW pixels generated by the sub-pixel rendering portion 202 and lowers the backlight in accordance with the amount by which the data is expanded. The inputted RGB data is used as the RGBW data with the W intensity calculated by the W intensity calculating portion 203. A backlight control signal is generated in accordance with the amount of data expansion in the sub-pixel rendering portion 202.
US08232942B2	Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof A liquid crystal display includes scanning lines organized in sets of at least two, data lines overlapping the scanning lines at intersection regions, pixels located at the overlaps, a scanning line driver sequentially scanning the sets of scanning lines, a data line driver applying a voltage corresponding to an image data to each pixel through a corresponding data line, and a common electrode applying a reference voltage to the pixels. The sets of scanning lines each include adjacent first and second scanning lines. First and second pixels are associated with the first and second scanning lines, respectively. The scanning line driver drives the second pixel after the first pixel in a first period and the first pixel after the second pixel in a second period. The data line driver inverts a polarity of the pixel voltage with regard to the reference voltage every N horizontal scanning periods (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2).
US08232935B2	Display apparatus, driving method for display apparatus and electronic apparatus Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, a first switching transistor, a holding capacitor, and a second switching transistor; a first scanning section configured to drive the writing transistor in a unit of a row of the pixels; a second scanning section configured to drive the switching transistors in synchronism with scanning by the first scanning section; and a third scanning section configured to control the second switching transistors to a non-conducting state within a period after the image signal is written by the writing transistor until the signal writing period of the same row of the pixels ends but to a conducting state within any other period.
US08232927B2	Antenna element An antenna element is disclosed. A conductive plate is adapted to be electrically connected to an electric ground, and has a first edge. A second edge opposes the first edge and is formed with a first slit elongated in a first direction. A third edge intersects the first edge. A recessed part intersects the first edge and the third edge. A conductive member elongates from the second edge in the first direction.
US08232918B2	Digital beam-forming apparatus and technique for a multi-beam global positioning system (GPS) receiver An advanced multiple-beam GPS receiving system is achieved that is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple GPS satellites independently, detecting multiple interference signals individually, and suppressing directional gain in the antenna pattern of each beam in the interference directions. The GPS receiving system can be used for both planar and non-planar receiving arrays, including arrays that are conformally applied to the surface of a platform such as an aircraft. The GPS receiver combines spatial filtering and acquisition code correlation for enhanced rejection of interfering sources. Enhanced gain in the direction of GPS satellites and the ability to shape the beam patterns to suppress gain in the direction of interfering sources make the GPS receiving system largely insensitive to interfering and jamming signals that plague conventional GPS receivers.
US08232914B2	Radar apparatus A distance measuring apparatus comprising a transmission antenna to radiate a transmission radio wave; a reception antenna to receive a reflected signal from a target; an analog-to-digital converter to perform an analog-to-digital conversion for converting a reception signal; and a signal processing unit to process the converted signal and to detect the target, in which a transmission frequency of the transmission radio wave to be radiated is switched at a timing synchronized with a sampling frequency of the analog-to-digital conversion, the transmission frequency is switched in accordance with an arbitrary pattern within a frequency band, and the reception signal is rearranged in order on the basis of the arbitrary pattern at a time of the transmission to then be subject to a radar signal processing.
US08232906B2	Image processing system and control method thereof There are provided an image processing system and a control method thereof. The image processing system includes a control terminal which outputs control information for controlling an operation of at least one image processing apparatus according to a preset input through a wireless communication protocol, and a relay unit which converts the control information outputted from the control terminal into an infrared code and outputs the converted infrared code to the image processing apparatus, to control the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the control information.
US08232904B2	Folding analog-to-digital converter A folding analog-to-digital converter including: a reference voltage generator, a track-and-hold circuit and a first pre-amplification circuit. The reference voltage generator generates a plurality of reference voltages. The track-and-hold circuit generates a sampling control signal having a voltage level lower than or equal to a level of a power supply voltage by maintaining an initial level of a boost capacitor voltage at a level lower than a level of a power supply voltage, and samples and holds an input voltage signal in response to the generated sampling control signal to generate a sampled signal. The first pre-amplification circuit amplifies each of voltage differences between the sampled signal and each of the plurality of reference voltages.
US08232900B2	Navigation system and route guidance method A navigation system provides guidance for performing a U-turn. The navigation system includes a processing unit, which acquires guidance route information and road information to determine whether the guidance route requires a turning around in a divided two-lane road. If a turning around is required, the processing unit specifies an extension distance of a connection road of the divided two-lane road. U-turn guidance is provided if the extension distance is at or below a predetermined length, or otherwise, to guidance is provided to prompt a double turn.
US08232899B2	Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations Systems and methods are disclosed for automated notification systems. A representative method, among others, can be summarized as follows: engaging in a communication session with a personal communications device, based upon impending arrival or departure of one or more mobile things in relation to a location; during the communication session, providing a plurality of arrival or departure times in relation to a location and enabling selection of one of the times; and causing a mobile thing to arrive at or depart from the location at substantially the selected time. A representative system, among others, is a computer system that has been programmed to perform the foregoing steps.
US08232894B2	Mobile system for exacting parking tolls Mobile systems are provided for charging electronic toll collection accounts for parking fees. The systems are configured to wirelessly request and receive tag data from an electronic toll device. Some embodiments include a vehicle and a boom, some embodiments include a handheld device, and other embodiments include combinations thereof. Methods of charging an electronic toll payment system are also provided. A mobile scan system wirelessly requests and receives tag data from an electronic toll device on a customer's vehicle which is checked for validity, and then an electronic toll collection account is charged a fee for parking.
US08232893B2	Parking assist apparatus and method It is an object of the present invention to provide a parking assisting apparatus which can selectively determine an appropriate target parking position, which can be used for parking assisting, with an appropriate priority, by appropriately using obstacle detecting means and parking space detecting means in a coordinated fashion. The present invention is a parking assisting apparatus for assisting parking a vehicle, comprising the obstacle detecting means for detecting an obstacle near the vehicle; and parking section line detecting means for detecting a parking section line painted on the ground; wherein if the parking section line is detected by the parking section line detecting means, the apparatus calculates the target parking position based on the detected parking section line.
US08232889B2	Communication system in a motor vehicle, and method for setting up a wireless ad-hoc radio network Presented is a communication system in a motor vehicle which is designed to participate in a chain-like ad-hoc radio network comprising a number of traveling motor vehicles. The system includes a control unit, a transmission/reception unit in communication with the control unit, and an orientation unit configured to determine an orientation of the motor vehicle relative to a reference direction, the orientation unit being in communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the motor vehicle with respect to an orientation of at least one other motor vehicle which is received by the transmission/reception unit.
US08232886B2	Battery management system for electric vehicle The invention provides a battery management system which can reliably and easily manage a power unit of an electric vehicle. The power unit includes a plurality of battery modules. The battery management system includes: a power source for a motor, the power source being constituted by a plurality of battery modules having battery cells; battery module status sensors mounted on the battery modules on the one to one basis, detecting voltages and temperatures of the battery modules; and a control unit judging statuses of the battery modules on the basis of data detected by the battery module status sensors. The battery module status sensors are mutually connected in series by a communication line for transmitting numbering data, and each battery module status sensor assigning itself with an ID code on the basis of ID information received from an upstream battery module status sensor, and transmitting the ID information as well as the ID code to a downstream battery module status sensor. The control unit is connected to the battery module status sensors via the communication line for transmitting the numbering data and a communication line for transmitting various data except for the numbering data, and locates an abnormal battery module on the basis of detection information received via the communication line for transmitting the numbering data and the communication line for transmitting various data except for the numbering data.
US08232884B2	Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors having distinct alarm indications and a test button that indicates improper operation A detection device and detection device system are provided, wherein the detection device includes a housing, a first detector device and a second detector device. The first detector device is configured to detect at least one smoke particle. A second detector device configured to detect at least one gas particle, wherein the first detector device and the second detector device are substantially enclosed in the housing. The detection device further includes an audible enunciator configured to emit an audible noise when at least one of the first and second detector devices detect at least one smoke and gas particle, and a test button, wherein the audible enunciator emits an audible sound when the detection device is operating improperly and the test button is activated.
US08232878B2	Perimeter security system A security system for detecting physical intrusion in a monitored area including a plurality of radio units arranged in a network around the monitored area to determine received signal strength and pass variations thereof through the radio units to a base station.
US08232855B2	High energy density inductor A substrate layer for use in an inductor is provided. The substrate layer comprises traces disposed on a first side of the substrate layer, wherein the traces are configured to facilitate conduction of current in a winding of the inductor, a sealing layer disposed on a second side of the substrate layer, wherein the sealing layer is configured to provide a sealing border for an electrically isolated cooling channel and an interconnect foil disposed on the second side of the substrate layer, wherein the interconnect foil is configured to facilitate operationally coupling the substrate layer to a second substrate layer. Further, the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer may be operationally coupled to form a winding for use in an inductor with an electrically isolated cooling channel in between.
US08232853B2	Transmission line with left-hand characteristics including a spiral inductive element The present invention relates to a transmission line in which a physical value of an inductive element can be changed in various ways while minimizing a size. The transmission line of the present invention includes a transmission unit, a ground unit and inductive elements. The inductive element connects the transmission unit and the ground unit, and has a predetermined pattern. The inductive element is provided between two surfaces of a substrate. According to the present invention, a physical value of the inductive element, in particular, an inductance value can be changed in various ways while not increasing an overall size. Accordingly, a transmission line can be designed freely according to its application.
US08232851B2	On-chip millimeter wave lange coupler A Lange coupler having a first plurality of lines on a first level and a second plurality of lines on a second level. At least one line on the first level is cross-coupled to a respective line on the second level via electromagnetic waves traveling through the first and second plurality of lines. The first and second plurality of lines may be made of metal, and the first level may be higher than the second level. A substrate may be provided into which the first and second plurality of lines are etched so as to define an on-chip Lange coupler.
US08232847B2	Oscillation circuit An oscillation circuit includes a piezoelectric oscillator, a resistive element, and an exciting circuit connected between an input node and an output node in parallel with one another, a first capacitor connected between the input node and a ground node, and a second capacitor connected between the output node and the ground node. The exciting circuit includes a NAND circuit and first and second inverters that are cascade-connected. Oscillation of the piezoelectric oscillator is started when an enable signal input to the NAND circuit is switched to an H level.
US08232846B1	Resistor capacitor (RC) oscillator In one embodiment, an RC oscillator is provided. The oscillator includes a current generator circuit configured to generate a current. A capacitor is configured to be charged by the current. An inverter includes an input coupled to the capacitor. An output of the inverter goes high when a voltage across the capacitor reaches a threshold voltage of the inverter. A switch coupled to the output of the inverter and the capacitor is configured to close when the output of the inverter goes high. This discharges the capacitor. The output of the inverter goes low when the capacitor is discharged and the switch is opened. Clock generator logic is configured to receive the output of the inverter and generate a clock signal. The current is proportional to the threshold voltage of the inverter.
US08232841B1	Amplifier with output filtering An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier including an inverting input that communicates with an input signal, a non-inverting input, and an output. A first feedback path communicates with the inverting input and the output of the amplifier. A second feedback path communicates with the inverting input and the output of the amplifier. The first feedback path provides feedback at a lower frequency than the second feedback path. A first resistance has one end that communicates with the output of the amplifier. A first capacitance has one end that communicates with an opposite end of the load resistance. A second resistance has one end that communicates with the inverting input and an opposite end that communicates with the opposite end of the first resistance.
US08232836B2	Integrated circuit including a large number of identical elementary circuits powered in parallel The invention relates to an integrated circuit comprising a succession of N identical elementary circuits (CE1, CE2, . . . CEN), juxtaposed in the order of their rank j varying from 1 to N, N being at least equal to 50, and all having to receive two reference potentials Vref and V0 supplied by two conductors. An upstream input of the second conductor is situated geographically on the side of the rank 1 of the succession of juxtaposed circuits, and an upstream input of the first conductor is situated geographically on the side of the rank N of the succession of juxtaposed circuits. This reduces the error in the potential difference applied to the elementary circuits all along the succession, an error that originates from the non-zero resistance of the conductors. The integrated circuit is applicable to analog-digital converters or digital-analog converters with high resolution.
US08232833B2	Charge pump systems and methods Digital multilevel memory systems and methods include a charge pump for generating regulated high voltages for various memory operations. The charge pump may include a plurality of pump stages. Aspects of exemplary systems may include charge pumps that performs orderly charging and discharging at low voltage operation conditions. Additional aspects may include features that enable state by state pumping, for example, circuitry that avoids cascaded short circuits among pump stages. Each pump stage may also include circuitry that discharges its nodes, such as via self-discharge through associated pump interconnection(s). Further aspects may also include features that: assist power-up in the various pump stages, double voltage, shift high voltage levels, provide anti-parallel circuit configurations, and/or enable buffering or precharging features, such as self-buffering and self-precharging circuitry.
US08232829B2	Active rectifier In accordance with the present invention, the active rectifier is a circuit which directly takes the place of a passive rectifier by using a switching module (or simply a device in cases where a single device is used) controlled by a sensing circuit. Where passive devices have a single knee value determined by the physical properties of the semi-conductive material being used, the active circuit can be designed to a range of knee voltages and other performance criterion. Additional flexibility is available to the designer through the active rectifiers ability to allow for manipulation of the curve of response from the circuit in the knee region. Flexibility both in production, in designs, and in characteristics make the active rectifier highly valuable for engineering firms designing larger electronic circuits.
US08232826B1	Techniques for multiplexing delayed signals A circuit with N primary outputs and a delay chain with M selection multiplexers. M can be less than N, and M is based on the number of primary outputs that simultaneously require a delayed signal from the delay chain. The N primary outputs may include core outputs and/or registers. Each of the M selection multiplexers feed directly or indirectly a subset of the N primary outputs.
US08232820B2	Method and SOC for implementing time division multiplex of pin A method for using pins in different mode during different time is provided. The method is able to make at least one pin of a SOC be used in a first interface mode or a second interface mode during different time; wherein the SOC comprises a first interface circuit, a first pin, a second interface circuit, and a second pin; the first interface circuit comprises a first bidirectional PAD unit, a first signal interface unit of the first interface mode and a interface unit of the second interface mode; the second interface circuit comprises a second bidirectional PAD unit, a second signal interface unit of the first interface mode. The method comprises: selecting the output of the first signal interface unit or the output of the interface unit of the second interface mode to be connected with the first pin through the first bidirectional PAD unit during different time.
US08232810B2	Extended proximity sensor device with electrostatic discharge protection An input device is provided with improved electrostatic discharge protection. Specifically, the input device includes a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes configured for object detection. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) shunt is disposed near the capacitive sensing electrodes and configured to provide ESD protection to the capacitive sensing electrodes. The input device also includes an extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode configured to for object detection of relatively distant objects. The ESD shunt has an associated first resistance, and the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode has an associated second resistance. The second resistance is greater than the first resistance such that an electrostatic discharge at a first exposed location would be attracted to the ESD shunt via a first potential discharge path instead of being attracted to the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode via a second potential discharge path, where the first discharge path is longer than the second discharge path.
US08232806B2	Insulation state detector An insulation state detector detects an insulation state with respect to a ground potential portion of a DC power source on the basis of a charging voltage of a flying capacitor. The insulation state connector includes a detecting section that detects the insulation state of the DC power source by defining the charging voltage of the flying capacitor in the ground fault state as a charging voltage, in an unbalanced state where voltages across both ends of the positive-side Y capacitor and the negative-side Y capacitor are not equal to voltages obtained by dividing the voltage of the DC power source according to a voltage division ratio of the positive-side ground fault resistor and the negative-side ground fault resistor.
US08232803B2	Tool for electrical investigation of a borehole A tool 1 is used in electrical investigation of geological formations GF surrounding a borehole BH. The tool 1 is comprised in a string of tools TS. The tool 1 comprises a current injection section CIS and a current return section CRS. The string of tools TS comprises at least one other section OS1. The current injection section CIS is electrically decoupled from the current return section CRS. The current injection section CIS is electrically decoupled from the at least one other section OS1 when the current injection section CIS and the at least one other section OS1 are adjacent to each other. The current return section CRS is electrically decoupled from the at least one other section OS1 when the current return section CRS and the at least one other section OS1 are adjacent to each other.
US08232798B2	Magnetic tracking system for an imaging system A magnetic tracking system is particularly adapted for a combination with an imaging system, for example with a rotational X ray device. The magnetic tracking system includes pairs of first and second field generators that are disposed on opposite sides of a measuring volume. The first field generators may particularly be attached to a radiation source and the second field generators to a detector of the X ray device. Moreover, the first and second field generators may be constituted by coils with opposite magnetic polarity. Due to the attachment of the field generators to the X ray device, motions of the X ray device do not disturb the magnetic field in a frame of reference fixed to the imaging system.
US08232797B2	Device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part A device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part comprising several emission rows (1-4) composed of emission windings (55), and several reception columns (a-h) each composed of reception windings (56) connected in series in at least one series, in which the emission windings associated with the reception windings in one series are powered by currents at different frequencies.
US08232796B2	Conduit sensor device with magnetic shunt and process for modifying a magnetic field A conduit sensor device includes first and second pairs of permanent magnets. First and second rotor shunts include first and second rotatable magnets and interposed between the first and second pairs of permanent magnets, respectively. A shunt shaft includes a first helical worm gear and a second helical worm gear mounted thereon. The first rotor shunt includes a first rotatable magnet and a first rotor gear locked together. The first helical worm gear meshing with the first rotor gear driving the first rotor gear and the first rotatable magnet. The second rotor shunt includes a second rotatable magnet and a second rotor gear locked together. The second helical worm gear meshes with the second rotor gear driving the second rotor gear and the second rotatable magnet. The surface areas of the first and second pairs of permanent magnets equals the surface area of the first and second rotatable magnets.
US08232791B2	Soft starting driver for piezoelectric device A driver includes a boost converter, a pulse width modulator controlling the boost converter, and a timer controlling the pulse width modulator. The timer, such as a digital counter, causes the pulse width modulator to produce narrow pulses unless or until the end of a period is reached, at which point the pulse width modulator is not controlled by the timer.
US08232785B2	System and method using a current mirror to program an output voltage and current A programmable AC/DC or DC/DC power supply adapted to compensate for voltage drop in a cable extending to a portable electronic device. The invention reduces the number and size of cable wires and tip components needed to remotely control an output voltage level and an output current limit. The voltage and current programming components are outside the compensation feedback loop.
US08232784B2	Circuits and methods for current sensing A current sensing circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor and a sense amplifier. The first resistor converts a current flowing through the first resistor to a voltage drop between positive and negative sides of the first resistor. The second resistor is coupled to the negative side of the first resistor. The sense amplifier is coupled to the positive side of the first resistor via a first pin of the sense amplifier, and coupled to the negative side of the first resistor through the second resistor via a second pin of the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier employs a negative feedback to generate a sensing current proportional to the current flowing through the first resistor.
US08232777B2	Inverter generator In an inverter generator having an engine generator unit generating alternating current, a converter converting the alternating current to direct current, an inverter that converts the direct current to alternating current, an inverter driver that drives switching elements with a PWM signal generated using a reference sine wave of a desired output voltage waveform and a carrier and makes the alternating current to the alternating current of a predetermined frequency, the alternating current supplied to an electrical load is detected, gains Gn (n: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . m) of n-th harmonics of the reference sine wave and amplitudes An are calculated from the detected current, and the reference sine wave is corrected by a sum obtained by the calculated gains and amplitudes. With this, the reference sine wave is accurately corrected to reliably remove harmonic distortion components from the output voltage waveform.
US08232770B2	Battery remaining capacity predicting apparatus To provide a technology for obtaining a remaining capacity of a battery with high accuracy. A battery remaining capacity predicting apparatus predicting a remaining capacity of a battery based on an open-circuit voltage of the battery, detects a charge current or a discharge current of the battery, integrates the currents, obtains an estimated value of the open-circuit voltage that corresponds to an integrated value of the currents on the basis of conversion information representing a capacity necessary for the open-circuit voltage of the battery to change by a predetermined capacity, obtains a measured value of the open-circuit voltage on the basis of the detected current and information on internal impedance, and obtains the remaining capacity of the battery based on the estimated value of the open-circuit voltage by correcting the information on the internal impedance so that the measured value of the open-circuit voltage is equalized to the estimated value of the open-circuit voltage, or by correcting the conversion information so that the estimated value of the open-circuit voltage is equalized to the measured value of the open-circuit voltage.
US08232761B1	Power conditioner for microbial fuel cells A two-stage voltage step-up converter and energy storage system is utilized for harvesting trickling electrons from benthic microbe habitats. A relatively random low voltage from the microbial fuel cell (less than about 0.8 VDC) is provided to the first stage step-up converter, which stores power in a first output storage device. A first comparator circuit turns on the second stage step-up converter to transfer energy from the first output storage device to a second output storage device. A second comparator circuit intermittently connects the load to the second output storage device. After initial start-up, the system is self-powered utilizing the first and second output devices but may use a battery for the initial start-up, after which an automatic switch can switch the battery out of the circuit.
US08232751B2	Drive system of synchronous motor A position sensorless drive method capable of driving a permanent magnet motor by an ideal sine-wave current and enabling the driving from an extremely low-speed range in the vicinity of zero-speed is provided. A neutral-point potential of the permanent magnet motor is detected in synchronization with a PWM waveform of an inverter. The position of a rotor of the permanent magnet motor is estimated from the variation of the neutral-point potential. Since the neutral-point potential is varied in accordance with the magnetic circuit characteristics of an individual permanent magnet motor, the position can be detected regardless of the presence of saliency of the permanent magnet motor.
US08232713B2	Lamp connectors Lamp connectors are provided. The lamp connectors include a swinging connector and a rotatable connector. The swinging connector is coupled to a pivot connection point disposed on a first exterior surface of a lamp. The swinging connector is operative to pivot between a first position close in proximity to the lamp and a second position at distance away from the lamp. A portion of the swinging connector may be received and retained by a second exterior surface of the lamp, when the lamp is in the first position. The rotatable connector is attached to an end of a lamp via a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is disposed on the end of the lamp. The rotatable connector includes a surface and a pin protruding therefrom. The pin is offset from a central portion of the end of the lamp.
US08232711B2	Surface emission type electron source and drawing device A surface emission type electron source including a first electrode having a planar form, a second electrode having a planar form facing the first electrode, an electron passage layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, an insulator or semiconductor layer between the second electrode and the electron passage layer, and a power source part configured to apply a voltage to the second electrode and the first electrode. The electron passage layer includes plural quantum wires extending in a first direction from the first electrode to the second electrode. The quantum wires are made of silicon and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals, and electrons are emitted from a front surface of the second electrode. Protrusions protruding toward leading ends of the quantum wires are formed on a back surface of the second electrode at positions corresponding to the quantum wires.
US08232708B2	Piezoelectric thin film element, and piezoelectric thin film device To stably provide a KNN piezoelectric thin film element having piezoelectric characteristics replaceable with a PZT thin film. A piezoelectric thin film element includes: a piezoelectric thin film on a substrate, having an alkali niobium oxide series perovskite structure expressed by a general formula (K1-xNax)NbO3 (0
US08232707B2	Flexural vibration piece and oscillator using the same A flexural vibration piece includes a flexural vibrator that has a first region on which a compressive stress or a tensile stress acts due to vibration and a second region having a relationship in which a tensile stress acts thereon when a compressive stress acts on the first region and a compressive stress acts thereon when a tensile stress acts on the first region, and performs flexural vibration in a first plane. The flexural vibration piece also includes a heat conduction path, in the vicinity of the first region and the second region, that is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the flexural vibrator and thermally connects between the first region and the second region.
US08232706B2	Autonomous power generation unit for auxiliary system on an airborne platform A stand-alone power generation device that provides power to an auxiliary system on an airborne platform, includes a piezoelectric energy harvesting device and an energy storage unit, including a battery and a power conditioner. The device extracts energy generated by turbulent airflow around the platform and stores the energy to meet future power requirements. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device is located on a portion of an inner surface of an outward shell of the platform. The stand-alone power generation device is electrically connected to the auxiliary system. The stand-alone power generation device also includes a router that connects the power generation unit to the platform electrical distribution system. Excess power generated by the device may be delivered to the platform electrical distribution system for use by other platform systems.
US08232705B2	Thermal transfer and acoustic matching layers for ultrasound transducer Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include: a backing, a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, and a second matching layer attached to the first matching layer. The first matching layer can comprise metal and can have a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK. The second matching layer can have a thermal conductivity of about 0.5-300 W/mK. The first matching layer can have an acoustic impedance of about 10-20 MRayl, and the second matching layer can have a lower acoustic impedance. The first matching layer can be thicker than the second matching layer. The ultrasound transducer can include a lens and a matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the lens can be configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the backing.
US08232703B2	Embedded magnet motor and manufacturing method of the same In an embedded magnet motor, radial magnets and first inclined magnets form north poles. The radial magnets and second inclined magnets form south poles. Core sheets each include preformed radial accommodating slots the number of which is expressed by P/2. Some of the preformed radial accommodating slots are short slots and the rest are long slots. The short slots are located at some parts of each radial accommodating slot along the axial direction. Radially inner ends of the short slots restrict the radial magnets from moving radially inward.
US08232687B2	Intelligent laser interlock system The present invention comprises, in various embodiments, systems and methods for shutting down a laser system in an intelligent and flexible manner. An intelligent laser interlock system includes both hardwired components, and intelligent components configured to execute computing instructions. The hardwired components and the intelligent components are configured to shutdown the laser system to one or more alternative shutdown states in response to one or more interlock signals.
US08232686B2	Safety device for emergency interruption of drilling maneuvers A safety device for the emergency interruption of the drilling maneuvering in a drilling machine is provided with a guide tower or mast (17) and a device (10) for realizing the driving in the ground of drilling elements. The device includes at least a frame (12) fixed to the mast and provided with at least an arm or a door (11) rotating around an axis (Y) with respect to the frame. A microswitch (23) is activated by the movements of rotation given to the door (11) for stopping at least some of the dangerous drilling maneuvering.
US08232672B2	Power adapters for powering and/or charging peripheral devices A power adapter for a peripheral device such as portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device.
US08232671B2	System for sporadic supply and tapping of electrical energy especially for an urban vehicle used for public transport A system of localized tapping sections (1, 2 or 3) is provided with air or ground units for the distribution of electrical energy and an assembly on the vehicle (4) for tapping the energy. The electrical energy distribution units are supported by distributing poles (5), only accommodate electrical voltage when the vehicle approaches the related section, and being disconnected when the vehicle (4) leaves the tapping section. The tapping sections are located in vehicle stopping zones, for example, stations (1), acceleration zones, and uphill gradients (2), in order to recharge and/or supply drive energy to the vehicle (4). The system is beneficial to autonomous urban public transportation which accumulates drive energy.
US08232670B2	Localized utility power system for aircraft The disclosure provides for an aircraft galley and lavatory energy system capable of independent operation from a separate aircraft energy generating system. The galley and lavatory energy system comprises an energy source providing electrical energy, heat energy, and at least one by-product; a plurality of galley and lavatory devices for receiving the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product; and, a plurality of connectors for connecting the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product to the galley and lavatory devices. The energy source comprises a fuel cell, a fuel module, and optionally, a supplemental fuel source.
US08232667B2	System and method for data transmission over a power line of a switch mode power supply by frequency modulating the switch frequency thereof A method of transmitting data over a power line of a switch mode power supply system includes encoding a switch frequency of the switch mode power supply with the data. A ripple voltage is generated at the encoded switch frequency relative to a voltage generated by the switch mode power supply. The ripple voltage is conducted over the power line of the system. The ripple voltage is de-coupled from the power line and the data is decoded from the encoded switch frequency of the coupled ripple voltage.
US08232662B2	Wind turbine generator and start-up method of the same A start-up method of a wind turbine generator includes a step of increasing a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade from a feather pitch angle to a fine pitch angle. The step of increasing the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade includes steps of: determining based on first to n-th pitch angles (n≧2) greater than the feather pitch angle and smaller than the fine pitch angle and first to n-th rotational speed conditions associated with the first to n-th pitch angles, respectively, whether a control target rotational speed, which is a wind turbine speed or generator speed, satisfies the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th rotational speed out of the first to n-th pitch angles, the first to n-th pitch angles and the first to n-th rotational speed conditions being stored in a storage unit; decreasing the pitch angle to the (i−1)-th pitch angle or the feather pitch angle in a case that the control target rotational speed does not satisfy the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th pitch angle; and increasing the pitch angle to the (i+1)-th pitch angle or the fine pitch angle in a case that the control target rotational speed satisfies the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th pitch angle.
US08232656B2	Semiconductor device Wire bonding method for reducing height of a wire loop in a semiconductor device, including a first bonding step of bonding an initial ball formed at a tip end of a wire onto a first bonding point using a capillary, thereby forming a pressure-bonded ball; a wire pushing step of pushing the wire obliquely downward toward the second bonding point at a plurality of positions by repeating a sequential movement for a plurality of times, the sequential movement including moving of the capillary substantially vertically upward and then obliquely downward toward the second bonding point by a distance shorter than a rising distance that the capillary has moved upward; and a second bonding step of moving the capillary upward and then toward the second bonding point, and bonding the wire onto the second bonding point by pressure-bonding.
US08232652B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes: an interconnection substrate on which a semiconductor chip is mounted; electrodes formed on a surface of the interconnection substrate; and solder bumps formed on the electrodes. The solder bump includes a base section and a surface layer section that covers the base section. The surface layer section includes conductive metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Au, and Ag, and Sn at least and a ratio of the number of atoms of the conductive metal to the number of Sn atoms per a unit volume is more than 0.01.
US08232650B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device wherein destruction of a sealing ring caused by cracking of an interlayer dielectric film is difficult to occur, as well as a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, are provided. A first laminate comprises first interlayer dielectric films having a first mechanical strength. A second laminate comprises second interlayer dielectric films having a mechanical strength higher than the first mechanical strength. A first region includes first metallic layers and vias provided within the first laminate. A second region includes second metallic layers and vias provided within the second laminate. When seen in plan, the second region overlaps at least a part of the first region, is not coupled with the first region by vias, and sandwiches the second interlayer dielectric film between it and the first region.
US08232648B2	Semiconductor article having a through silicon via and guard ring Disclosed is a semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor base portion, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor base portion, a through silicon via and a guard ring. The semiconductor base portion is made of a semiconductor material. The BEOL wiring portion includes a plurality of wiring layers having metallic wiring and insulating material. The BEOL wiring portion does not include a semiconductor material. The through silicon via provides a conductive path through the BEOL wiring portion and the semiconductor base portion. The guard ring surrounds the through silicon via in the BEOL wiring portion.
US08232642B2	Printed circuit board A printed circuit board includes a body part formed with connection pads on a first surface thereof; and a warpage compensating part formed over the first surface of the body part and having a height that increases from edges toward a center of the warpage compensating part so that an upper surface of the warpage compensating part facing away from the first surface of the body part is convex upward. The warpage compensating part comprises conductive layer patterns formed over the first surface of the body part to be electrically connected to the connection pads; and a solder resist formed over the first surface of the body part so as to expose the conductive layer patterns. The height of the solder resist gradually increases from both edges toward a center of the solder resist.
US08232641B2	Wiring substrate and semiconductor device having connection pads formed in non-solder mask defined structure A wiring substrate includes: a semiconductor chip on which a plurality of bumps are mounted, and a plurality of connection pads which are joined to the bumps mounted on the semiconductor chip in a flip chip method, wherein the connection pads of a peripheral portion of the wiring substrate are formed in a non-solder mask defined structure, and the connection pads of a center portion of the wiring substrate are formed in a solder mask defined structure.
US08232640B2	Device, method of manufacturing device, board, method of manufacturing board, mounting structure, mounting method, LED display, LED backlight and electronic device A mounting structure and a mounting method which are capable of securely electrically connecting wiring on a board and a device to each other in the case where the device is mounted on the board, and are capable of forming a finer bump, and increasing the number of pins are provided. A device includes at least one projection having a structure in which a surface of at least a tip part of a projecting section made of an elastic body is coated with a conductive film.
US08232637B2	Insulated metal substrates incorporating advanced cooling A power module includes one or more semiconductor power devices bonded to an insulated metal substrate (IMS). A plurality of cooling fluid channels is integrated into the IMS.
US08232636B2	Reliability enhancement of metal thermal interface A frontside of a chip is bonded to a top surface of a chip carrier. Seal material is dispensed at a periphery of the top surface of the chip carrier. A solder TIM having a first side and a second side is provided. The first side of the TIM contacts a backside of the chip. A reflow is performed to melt the TIM. The second side of the TIM is bonded to a lid. The seal material is cured. The lid is attached to the top surface of the chip carrier. Backfill material is injected into a space between the top surface of the chip carrier and the lid. The backfill material abuts sides of the TIM. The backfill material is cured. TIM solder cracking and associated thermal degradation are mitigated.
US08232635B2	Hermetic semiconductor package A hermetically sealed semiconductor package that includes a power semiconductor die having electrodes thereof electrically connected to the external surface mountable terminals of the package without the use of wirebonds.
US08232628B2	Method for manufacturing a microelectronic package comprising at least one microelectronic device A method for manufacturing a microelectronic package (1) comprises the steps of providing two parts (13, 14) comprising electrically insulating material such as plastic; providing members (21, 22, 23) comprising electrically conductive material; providing a microelectronic device (30); positioning the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) and the microelectronic device (30) on the electrically insulating parts (13, 14); and placing the electrically insulating parts (13, 14) against each other, wherein the microelectronic device (30) and portions of the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) are sandwiched between the electrically insulating parts (13, 14). The electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) are intended to be used for realizing contact of the microelectronic device (30) arranged inside the package (1) to the external world. An important advantage of the method having steps as mentioned is that the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) as such are provided, wherein it is not necessary to provide a conventional lead frame which has the disadvantage of causing considerable waste of metal material during its manufacturing process.
US08232623B2	Semiconductor device A conventional semiconductor device has a problem that, when a vertical PNP transistor as a power semiconductor element is used in a saturation region, a leakage current into a substrate is generated. In a semiconductor device of the present invention, two P type diffusion layers as a collector region are formed around an N type diffusion layer as a base region. One of the P type diffusion layers is formed to have a lower impurity concentration and a narrower diffusion width than the other P type diffusion layer. In this structure, when a vertical PNP transistor is turned on, a region where the former P type diffusion layer is formed mainly serves as a parasite current path. Thus, a parasitic transistor constituted of a substrate, an N type buried layer and a P type buried layer is prevented from turning on, and a leakage current into the substrate is prevented.
US08232618B2	Semiconductor structure having a contact-level air gap within the interlayer dielectrics above a semiconductor device and a method of forming the semiconductor structure using a self-assembly approach Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor structure having a contact-level air gap within the interlayer dielectrics above a semiconductor device in order to minimize parasitic capacitances (e.g., contact-to-contact capacitance, contact-to-diffusion region capacitance, gate-to-contact capacitance, gate-to-diffusion region capacitance, etc.). Specifically, the structure can comprise a semiconductor device on a substrate and at least three dielectric layers stacked above the semiconductor device. An air gap is positioned with the second dielectric layer aligned above the semiconductor device and extending vertically from the first dielectric layer to the third dielectric layer. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of forming such a semiconductor structure using a self-assembly approach.
US08232608B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device A semiconductor device with a high-voltage transistor and a low-voltage transistor includes an isolation insulating film between a first element region of the high-voltage transistor and a second element region of the low-voltage transistor, a first gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate in the first element region, a first gate electrode on the first gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate in the second element region, and a second gate electrode on the second gate insulating film. The isolation insulating film includes a first isolation region adjacent to a surrounding area of the first element region and a second isolation region adjacent to a surrounding area of the second element region. A bottom of the second isolation region is lower than a bottom of the first isolation region. The first gate insulating film is thicker than the second gate insulating film.
US08232599B2	Bulk substrate FET integrated on CMOS SOI An integrated circuit is provided that integrates an bulk FET and an SOI FET on the same chip, where the bulk FET includes a gate conductor over a gate oxide formed over a bulk substrate, where the gate dielectric of the bulk FET has the same thickness and is substantially coplanar with the buried insulating layer of the SOI FET. In a preferred embodiment, the bulk FET is formed from an SOI wafer by forming bulk contact trenches through the SOI layer and the buried insulating layer of the SOI wafer adjacent an active region of the SOI layer in a designated bulk device region. The active region of the SOI layer adjacent the bulk contact trenches forms the gate conductor of the bulk FET which overlies a portion of the underlying buried insulating layer, which forms the gate dielectric of the bulk FET.
US08232596B2	Semiconductor structure and fabrication method thereof A method for fabrication of a semiconductor device is provided. A first type doped body region is formed in a first type substrate. A first type heavily-doped region is formed in the first type doped body region. A second type well region and second type bar regions are formed in the first type substrate with the second type bar regions between the second type well region and the first type doped body region. The first type doped body region, the second type well region, and each of the second type bar regions are separated from each other by the first type substrate. The second type bar regions are inter-diffused to form a second type continuous region adjoining the second type well region. A second type heavily-doped region is formed in the second type well region.
US08232582B2	Ultra-fast nucleic acid sequencing device and a method for making and using the same A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device, or an arrangement of insulating and metal layers, having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand, proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-type regions implanted in a p-type semiconductor layer or two p-type regions implanted in an n-type semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer, such as a base of a DNA or RNA strand. The current has characteristics representative of the component of the polymer, such as characteristics representative of the detected base of the DNA or RNA strand.
US08232581B2	Method for manufacturing an III-V engineered substrate and the III-V engineered substrate thereof Manufacturing an III-V engineered substrate involves providing a base substrate comprising an upper layer made of a first III-V compound with a <110> or a <111> crystal orientation, forming an intermediate layer comprising at least a buffer layer of a second III-V compound, wherein the intermediate layer is overlying and in contact with the upper layer of the base substrate. Then a pseudomorphic passivation layer made of a group IV semiconductor material is grown so as to be overlying and in contact with the intermediate layer. This can enable an unpinned interface. The substrate surface can be smoother, implying fewer problems from surface stress. It can be used in electronic devices such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), tunneling field effect transistors (TFETs), and optoelectronic devices.
US08232578B2	Light emitting semiconductor device A light emitting semiconductor device includes a base substrate; a light emitting semiconductor element including a crystal growth basis and provided on the base substrate so that the crystal growth basis faces in opposite direction to the base substrate; a first transparent sealing medium which seals the light emitting semiconductor on the base substrate; and a second transparent sealing medium which seals the light emitting semiconductor over the first transparent sealing medium and contains phosphor. A thickness of the second sealing medium in a portion with high emission intensity is larger than that of the other portion of the first sealing medium; and the portion with high emission intensity is defined as a portion where light emission intensity from the light emitting semiconductor element is maximum.
US08232575B2	Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a display substrate including a display substrate including an organic light emitting element and a pixel defining layer having an opening defining a light emitting region of the organic light emitting element, an encapsulation substrate arranged opposite to the display substrate, a sealant arranged at an edge between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate to seal a space between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate from an outside and a filler filling the space between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate, wherein the pixel defining layer has a thickness that varies by location, and a portion of the pixel defining layer closest to the sealant at edges of the display substrate having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the pixel defining layer at all other portions of the display.
US08232573B2	Semiconductor chip assembly with aluminum post/base heat spreader and silver/copper conductive trace A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an adhesive. The semiconductor device is electrically connected to the conductive trace and thermally connected to the heat spreader. The heat spreader is aluminum and includes a post and a base. The post extends upwardly from the base into an opening in the adhesive, and the base extends laterally from the post. The adhesive extends between the post and the conductive trace and between the base and the conductive trace. The conductive trace includes a silver coating and a copper core and provides signal routing between a pad and a terminal.
US08232567B2	Light emitting device with pillar structure having hollow structure A light emitting device, includes a substrate; a first semiconductor layer on the substrate; an active layer on the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer on the active layer; a transparent conductive layer on the second semiconductor layer; and a plurality of pillar structures with a hollow structure in the portion surface of the first semiconductor layer, thereby, the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting device can be improved due to the pillar structures with a hollow structure.
US08232566B2	Light emitting device, package, and system A light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, an active layer adjacent to the first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type and provided adjacent to the active layer, and a passivation layer provided on a side surface of the active layer. The passivation layer may be a semiconductor layer of one of the first conductivity type, the second conductivity type or a first undoped semiconductor layer. A first electrode may be coupled to the first semiconductor layer and a second electrode may be coupled to the second semiconductor layer.
US08232556B2	Semiconductor device An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which damages of an element such as a transistor are reduced even when physical force such as bending is externally applied to generate stress in the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor film including a channel formation region and an impurity region, which is provided over a substrate, a first conductive film provided over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a first interlayer insulating film provided to cover the first conductive film, a second conductive film provided over the first interlayer insulating film so as to overlap with at least part of the impurity region, a second interlayer insulating film provided over the second conductive film, and a third conductive film provided over the second interlayer insulating film so as to be electrically connected to the impurity region through an opening.
US08232544B2	Nanowire A method comprises applying a first electric field pulse to a nanowire comprising a channel and a charge trapping region configured to control conductivity of the channel, the first electric field pulse having a first polarity and a relatively large magnitude of integral of electric field during the pulse and, thereafter, applying at least one further electric field pulse to the nanowire, each further electric pulse having a second, opposite polarity and each respective further electric field pulse having a relatively small magnitude of integral of electric field during the pulse.
US08232542B2	Phase change memory element with improved cyclability A phase-change memory cell including, between two electrical contacts, a portion in a memory material with amorphous-crystalline phase-change and vice versa, as a stack with a central area located between two outmost areas. An interface, inert or quasi-inert from a physico-chemical point of view, is present between the active central area and each passive outmost area. Each passive outmost area is made in a material having a melting temperature higher than that of the material of the active central area.
US08232541B2	Optical sensors that reduce specular reflections An optical sensor device comprises a light source, a light detector, and an opaque light barrier including a first portion to block light from being transmitted directly from the source to the detector. A second portion of the light barrier extends from the first portion in a direction towards the light source, such that a portion of the second portion covers at least a portion of light emitting element(s) of the source, to reduce an amount of specular reflections, if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the sensor. Additionally, a third portion of the barrier can extend from the first portion, in a direction towards to the detector, such that a portion of the third portion covers at least a portion of light detecting element(s) of the detector, to reduce an amount of specular reflections that would be detected by the detecting element(s) of the detector, if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the sensor. Additionally, an off-centered lens can cover a portion of the light source.
US08232539B2	Shutter system The present invention relates to a shutter system operable between an open position, and a closed position operable to avoid unintended exposure of a surface to radiant flux, wherein said shutter system comprises at least one pair of shields, and an axis for each shield, wherein a first axis is connected to an end part of a first shield, and coincides with the turning axis of the first shield, wherein a second axis, in the shape of an angled arm, is connected to an end part of a second shield and the turning axis of the second shield is parallel to the turning axis of said first shield and is arranged at a distance from the second shield.
US08232535B2	System and method of treating a patient with radiation therapy A radiation therapy treatment system and method of treating a patient with radiation. The system integrates positioning of the patient, treatment planning, and delivery of the plan. As a result of the integration of imaging capabilities into the treatment apparatus, and efficient processes for contouring and planning, a patient can be treated in approximately 20 minutes or less. The method includes acquiring image data from the patient, defining a target region with one or more predefined shapes, generating a treatment plan based on the defined target region, and delivering radiation to the target region.
US08232532B2	Off-axis ion milling device for manufacture of magnetic recording media and method for using the same A tool for patterning a disk such as a magnetic media disk for use in a disk drive system. The tool includes a chamber and a first and second series of magnets, each evenly spaced about the chamber wall. An ion beam source at an end of the chamber emits an ion beam toward the disk which is held within the chamber. The first series of magnets deflect the ion beam away from center and toward the chamber wall. The second ion beam source deflects the ion beam back toward the center so that the ion beam can strike the disk at an angle. In addition, to bending the ion beam, the magnets also rotate the bent ion beam so the movement of the ion beam revolves within the chamber.
US08232524B2	Highly isolated thermal detector A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a substrate and at least one microstructure including a radiation-sensitive membrane extending substantially opposite and away from the substrate. The membrane is mechanically attached to at least two longilinear, collinear retention elements, at least one of which is mechanically connected to the substrate by an intermediate post. The membrane is in electrical continuity with the substrate. At least two collinear legs are attached to each other at the level of their ends which are attached to the membrane by a mechanical connector which is substantially co-planar with the legs and membrane. The other end of at least one of the legs is integral with a rigid cross piece which is substantially co-planar with the legs and extends substantially at right angles relative to the main dimension of the legs. The cross piece is integral with the post which is integral with the substrate.
US08232519B2	Coupling between axisymmetric differential mobility analyzers and mass spectrometers or other analyzers and detectors Prior work on differential mobility analysis (DMA) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) has shown how to couple the output of a planar DMA with the atmospheric pressure inlet of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (APCI-MS). However, because the ion inlet to APCI-MS instruments is a round orifice, while conventional DMA geometries make use of elongated slits, the coupling of both has attained less resolving power or tolerated a smaller sample flow rate than a DMA alone. The present invention overcomes these limitations with an axial DMA of cylindrical symmetry using more than two electrodes. The configuration is related to that previously proposed by Labowsky and Fernández de la Mora (2004, 2006), where ions with a critical electrical mobility are brought into the symmetry axis of the DMA. Ions with this critical mobility are now optimally transmitted into the MS, with much higher resolution than possible in planar DMAs. In a preferred embodiment of this DMA facilitating DMA-MS coupling, one DMA electrode intersecting the symmetry axis is relatively planar.
US08232517B2	Wavelength-sensitive detector comprising photoconductor units each having different types of elongated nanostructures A wavelength-sensitive detector is provided that is based on elongate nanostructures, e.g. nanowires. The elongate nanostructures are parallel with respect to a common substrate and they are grouped in at least first and second units of a plurality of parallel elongate nanostructures. The elongate nanostructures are positioned in between a first and second electrode, the first and second electrodes lying respectively in a first and second plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of substrate, whereby all elongate nanostructures in a same photoconductor unit are contacted by the same two electrodes. Circuitry is added to read out electrical signals from the photoconductor units. The electronic density of states of the elongate nanostructures in each unit is different, because the material, of which the elongate nanostructures are made, is different or because the diameter of the elongate nanostructures is different. Each unit of elongate nanostructures therefore gives a different response to incident photons such that wavelength-specific information can be derived with the device.
US08232513B2	Projector, light source lighting device having a starting condition adjustment section, and method of controlling projector A projector adapted to modulate light emitted from a light source and project the light modulated, includes: a light source lighting device adapted to perform a starting operation for starting lighting of the light source; a past result information storing section adapted to store past result information when the light source lights due to the starting operation; and a starting condition adjustment section adapted to adjust an operation condition in the starting operation to be performed later, based on the past result information stored in the past result information storing section.
US08232508B1	Water heater power control device A water heater power control device is provided, wherein the control device includes a device outlet adapted to receive an electric plug of a water heater and a timer in communication with the device outlet. The control device may further comprise an electric plug adapted to plug into a wall outlet and provide power to the device outlet and the timer. In particular aspects of the present invention, the device outlet is changeable between an on state and an off state in response to commands from the timer.
US08232504B2	High efficiency welding device The high efficiency welding device has two pairs of clamps mounted in two pairs of sliders movable in a reciprocating movement relative to one another. One pair of sliders is mounted at 0 and 180 degree positions around the circumferential surface of a support block and the other pair of sliders is mounted at 90 and 270 degree positions. Each pair of clamps is in the close condition while moving forward in the reciprocating movement to clamp onto selected air gaps of the welding electrode to advance the electrode towards the work piece as well as delivering the welding current to the welding operation, and it is in the open condition releasing the grasp of the welding electrode while moving backward.
US08232502B2	Laser engraving of ceramic articles A method for engraving an image on a surface of an article selected from a group consisting of brick, ceramic tile, concrete pavers and natural stone articles, comprising providing a laser engraving apparatus comprising a steerable laser beam, steering the laser beam continuously over a first beam path on the surface to provide an engraved image and repeatedly traversing the laser beam over a path substantially parallel to the first beam path and incrementally spaced therefrom to define a perimeter of the engraved image. The method further comprises steering the laser beam within an infill area defined by the perimeter of the engraved image to provide a plurality of engraved segments extending within infill area.
US08232496B2	Switch disconnector A switch disconnector is disclosed. The switch disconnector has a main contact point and an arc interruption contact point, of which the main contact point opens before the arc interruption contact point during a disconnection operation and is closed after the arc interruption contact point during connection, with a stationary and a moving contact-piece arrangement, with the stationary contact-piece arrangement having a pot contact piece with contact fingers and with the moving main contact point having a contact cylinder which is connected to a contact mount, and with the arc interruption point having a contact pin as the stationary contact piece and an annular contact piece as the moving contact piece. The contact pin has a section composed of interruption-resistant material, whose external diameter is greater than the external diameter of the rest of the pin area. The contact pin has at least one slot which runs in the longitudinal direction and splits the pin into at least two pin fingers.
US08232490B2	Switch activated slide linkage One embodiment of the present invention relates to a coupling arrangement for transmission of the rotational movement of a switching shaft of an electrical switch to at least one position signalling device including a mount and including at least one coupling, which is mounted on the mount so that it can rotate, via which the switching shaft is mechanically operatively connected to a device for operation of the at least one position signalling device, when the electrical switch is in the test position or in the operating position. In order to simplify the physical design, an embodiment of the invention provides that the mount be provided with a bayonet contour and that the coupling be provided with at least one bayonet projection, such that the coupling is connected to the mount in the form of a bayonet fitting by means of a plugging-in movement followed by a rotary movement, and that a stop device be arranged on the mount, limiting the movement path of the coupling, which is connected to the mount, to its rotary movement.
US08232487B2	Switch actuation device A switch actuation device for use in connection with electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure. The device includes an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure for use in urging the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. An actuatable electrical switch arrangement is also disclosed.
US08232483B2	Method and apparatus for weighing a bag wherein the bag is held open by a load suspension part such that an imaging beam directed at the goods is unobstructed by the bag while it is being gripped A method and a device for weighing weighable goods placed in a bag (24) having a filling opening (25) are characterized according to this invention in that the bag (24) is hung from a load suspension part (13) with an area of the bag adjacent to the filling opening (25) and the weight force corresponding to the weighable goods is transferred from here to a load cell (4) which forms a corresponding weight value.
US08232481B2	Wiring board with columnar conductor and method of making same A wiring board with a columnar conductor includes a wiring board defined by a multilayer ceramic board, a columnar conductor on an upper surface of the wiring board, and an insulating support portion arranged to support a side of the columnar conductor and having an external shape that expands from a tip of the columnar conductor toward the wiring board.
US08232480B2	Interconnect pattern for high performance interfaces In one embodiment, differential signaling and ground contacts are located in a rectilinear array of rows and columns with ground contacts spaced apart by three times the pitch distance between adjacent rows or columns and signaling contacts are located immediately adjacent the ground contacts. In particular, the two contacts of each differential pair are located one pitch distance apart from each other and one contact of each differential pair of contacts is located one pitch distance from a ground contact and the other contact of the differential pair is located approximately sqrt(2)*pitch distance from the same ground contact. In a second embodiment, differential signaling and ground contacts are located in a hexagonal array with ground contacts located three times the pitch distance between adjacent contacts and signaling contacts located immediately adjacent the ground contacts. In particular, the two contacts of each differential pair are located one pitch distance apart from each other and both contacts of each differential pair of contacts are located one pitch distance from a ground contact.
US08232479B2	Electronic apparatus There is provided an electronic apparatus capable of ESL reduction. The electronic apparatus includes a capacitor and a mounting board. The capacitor includes a multilayer body, an internal electrode, and a terminal electrode. The mounting board has a connection pad formed on its upper surface and has a through conductor formed inside thereof that is connected to the connection pad. The capacitor is mounted on the mounting board by connecting the terminal electrode to the connection pad. The internal electrode has an end portion exposed at an area ranging from an end face to a middle portion of a lateral face in the multilayer body. In a planar view, the through conductor is located immediately below a part of the end portion of the internal electrode exposed at the lateral face of the multilayer body, the part lying furthermost from the end face.
US08232473B2	Tank assembly for 1 phase padmount transformer that prevents pad openings A tank, mountable to an opening formed within a mounting pad, includes a front plate, at least one sidewall panel, a pedestal base, and a cover. The at least one sidewall panel is coupled to the front plate to form the tank sides. The pedestal base is coupled to the front plate and a lower portion of the sidewall panels. The cover is coupled to the upper portions of the sidewall panels. The sidewall panels are configured into a first shape which forms a gap between the opening and at least one of the sidewall panels when the sidewall panel lower portions are positioned adjacently above the opening. The pedestal base is configured into a second shape where the outer profile of the coupled pedestal base and the front plate completely covers the opening when disposed over the opening. The tank encloses an electrical device and a dielectric fluid.
US08232471B2	Squarylium dye, method of producing the same, photoelectric conversion element containing the dye, and solid-state imaging device A squarylium dye represented by formula (1): wherein A1 and B1 each independently represents a ring structure, and R1 and R2 each independently represents a substituent having a carbon number of 1 to 12.
US08232461B1	Soybean cultivar 06451223 A soybean cultivar designated 06451223 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 06451223, to the plants of soybean cultivar 06451223, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 06451223, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 06451223. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06451223. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 06451223, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 06451223 with another soybean cultivar.
US08232458B2	Soybean cultivar 93360433 A soybean cultivar designated 93360433 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 93360433, to the plants of soybean 93360433, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 93360433, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 93360433 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 93360433, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93360433, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 93360433 with another soybean cultivar.
US08232451B1	Blue transgenic fluorescent ornamental fish The present invention relates to transgenic blue ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.
US08232446B2	Non-human animal model for lung carcinoma A transgenic mouse expressing JSRV Env transgene that is operably linked to a surfactant protein C promoter (SPCp) is disclosed. The transgenic mouse is prone to developing a lung tumor and serves as an animal model for human lung carcinoma.
US08232440B2	Alternative paths to alcohols and hydrocarbons from biomass A method of producing alcohols, hydrocarbons, or both from biomass by converting biomass into a carboxylic acid, reacting the carboxylic acid with an olefin to produce an ester and hydrogenolyzing the ester to produce alcohol. A method of producing hydrocarbons from biomass by converting at least a portion of the biomass into a carboxylic acid, a ketone, or an ammonium carboxylate salt, reacting at least one of a portion of the carboxylic acid, a portion of the ketone, or a portion of the ammonium carboxylate salt in an oligomerization reactor as at least part of a process that produces an oligomerization product and separating hydrocarbons from the oligomerization product.
US08232427B2	Selective hydroxamate based MMP inhibitors The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): said compound is inhibitor of MMP-9, and/or MMP-12 and/or MMP-13, and thus can be employed for the treatment of a disorder or disease characterized by abnormal activity of MMP-9, and/or MMP-12 and/or MMP-13. Accordingly, the compound of formula (I) can be used in treatment of disorders or diseases mediated by MMP-9, and/or MMP-12 and/or MMP-13. Finally, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition.
US08232419B2	Triacylglycerol purification by a continuous regenerable adsorbent process The process utilizes the adsorbent column system as a treatment after chemical refining or before physical refining rather than water or filtration, respectively, to remove soaps and other impurities entrained in a crude triacylglycerol. The CDTAG or ORTAG is contacted with an adsorbent packed into a column, or multiple columns in series, for a sufficient amount of time to remove impurities such as, but not limited to, soaps, metals, chlorophyll, and many of the other compounds that reduce the stability of the TAG. The resulting TAG exiting the column(s) is ready for the deodorization process. Once the adsorbent no longer removes the desired amount of impurities, it is regenerated for reuse. Such a continuous regenerable adsorbent refining process substantially reduces the amount of fresh water required and the amount of waste water generated to purify TAG and reduces the amount of solid waste produced.
US08232414B2	Polymorphic form of rotigotine and process for production The present invention relates to a novel polymorphic form of rotigotine characterized by at least one of the following powder X-ray diffraction peaks: 12.04, 13.68, 17.72 and 19.01±0.2 (° 2θ), measured with a Cu—Kα irradiation (1.54060 Å), and a process for production thereof, which is useful for the manufacture of a stable medicament for treating or alleviating symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other dopamine-related disorders.
US08232412B2	Diazonium-free method to make an indazole intermediate in the synthesis of bicyclic 5-(trifluormethoxy)-1H-3-indazolecarboxylic acid amides The present invention provides novel methods for preparing 5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-3-indazolecarboxylic acid (3), which is a useful precursor for the preparation of bicyclic-5-trifluoromethoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid amides of Formula (1). Compounds of Formula (1) are active as agonists and partial agonists of the nicotinic α-7 receptor and are being studied for their use in the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain, such as for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, as well as other psychiatric and neurological disorders. The present methods are useful for preparing compound (3) on scale up levels.
US08232411B2	Methods for making central nervous system agents that are TRPV1 antagonists The invention discloses compounds of formula II: and methods of making the compounds, which are VR1 antagonists that are useful in treating pain, inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia, urinary incontinence and bladder overactivity.
US08232409B2	Heterocyclic benzimidazoles as TRPM8 modulators Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula I as follows: wherein W1, W2, W3, R1, R1a, R2, R2a, R3, V, Q, and X are defined herein.
US08232408B2	Crystalline 1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)pyridone, the preparation methods, compositions and applications thereof Crystalline pyridone compound, which is the white needle crystal containing no water and other crystallization solvents. Its unit cell belongs to monoclinic system and has space group of P21/n, wherein a=3.8512(2), b=20.2535(12), c=12.1628(6) Å, β=92.850(5)° and crystal cell volume V=947.53(9) Å3. Pyridone compound crystal of this form has the needed properties for preparing or making treatment compositions in large scale. It can be used for treating organs fibrosis of liver, kidney, lung and etc. and reducing skin scars.
US08232407B2	Nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds with insecticidal activity, and the preparation and use thereof The present invention relates to nitro-containing heterocyclic or ring-opening nitrogenous compounds of formula (A), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Y, Z, and W are as defined in the specification. The present invention discloses the preparation and the uses of a novel insecticide. Said compound and the derivatives thereof have high insecticidal activity to farm insects including homoptera and lepidoptera pests, such as aphis, fulgorides, aleyrodids, leafhopper, commom thrips, cotton bollworm, cabbage caterpillar, cabbage moth, cotton leafworm, armyworn and so on.
US08232403B2	Bicyclic derivatives as CETP inhibitors The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, with all the variables being defined in the text. The present invention further relates to the use of the compounds herein for treatment of or delay progression to overt to diseases in which CETP is involved.
US08232394B2	Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives; their intermediates and synthesis This invention relates to methods and intermediates useful for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds. Specifically novel synthetic methods and intermediates for the synthesis of 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino}-piperidin-1-yl)-3-oxo-propionitrile and its corresponding citrate salt are disclosed.
US08232392B2	Process for preparing temozolomide Described is a new process for producing temozolomide, comprising the reaction between 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide and N-succinimidyl-N′-methyl carbamate and the subsequent reaction of the thus obtained carbamoyl 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide with sodium nitrite. Temozolomide is then purified by chromatography on adsorbent polymeric resin and subsequent crystallization from water and acetone.
US08232385B2	siRNA targeting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27, Kip1) (CDKN1B) Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for CDKN1B.
US08232382B2	Avian sex identification oligonucleotides This invention relates to a number of bird sex-identification oligonucleotides and their use in determining the sex of birds in various families.
US08232379B2	Nucleic acids encoding chimeric flavivirus immunogens comprising the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) prM signal sequence The present invention encompasses isolated nucleic acids containing transcriptional units which encode a signal sequence of one flavivirus and an immunogenic flavivirus antigen of a second flavivirus. The invention further encompasses a nucleic acid and protein vaccine and the use of the vaccine to immunize a subject against flavivirus infection. The invention also provides antigens encoded by nucleic acids of the invention, antibodies elicited in response to the antigens and use of the antigens and/or antibodies in detecting flavivirus or diagnosing flavivirus infection.
US08232377B2	Method for high-level secretory production of protein This invention provides a means for enabling high-level secretory production of proteins, in particular proteins having complicated structures such as antibodies, in host cells such as yeast cells. The invention also provides transformed yeast cells having the activated HAC1 gene and the RRBP1 gene and a method for enabling high-level secretory production of foreign proteins using such transformed host cells by inhibiting O-sugar chain formation indigenous to host cells such as yeast cells.
US08232372B2	Engineered anti-TSLP antibody The invention relates to binding compounds that specifically bind to human TSLP, as well as uses thereof, e.g., in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
US08232358B2	Propylene-based polymer and production method therefor, propylene-based polymer composition and molded body made thereof Disclosed is a production method of polypropylene having high MFR value and excellent product qualities with high productivity. The method enables to produce a propylene polymer by a gas phase process where the reaction heat is removed mainly by the heat of vaporization of liquefied propylene. The method is characterized by using a solid catalyst component (A) which is prepared by contacting components (A1), (A2) and (A3) shown below. Further disclosed are: a propylene polymer produced by the method; a propylene polymer composition; and a molded body of the composition. Component (A1): a solid component containing titanium, magnesium and a halogen as essential components. Component (A2): a vinyl silane compound. Component (A3): an organosilicon compound having an alkoxy group (A3a) and/or a compound having at least two ether bonds (A3b).
US08232355B2	Liquid resin composition for electronic components and electronic component device The present invention provides a liquid resin composition for electronic components, which is excellent in migration resistance and also superior in formability and reliability, as well as an electronic component device sealed therewith, and relates to a liquid resin composition for electronic components, which comprises (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a cyclic acid anhydride which is liquid at ordinary temperature and has an acid anhydride equivalent of 200 or more, and (C) a coupling agent.
US08232353B2	Processes for producing nano-space controlled polymer ion-exchange membranes A polymer film substrate is irradiated with ions to make a large number of nano-sized through-holes and the substrate may be further irradiated with ionizing radiation so that a functional monomer may be grafted or co-grafted onto a surface of the film and within the holes; in addition, sulfonic acid group(s) may be introduced into the graft chains to produce a polymer ion-exchange membrane that may have high oxidation resistance, dimensional stability, electrical conductivity and/or methanol resistance, as well as may have an ion-exchange capacity controlled over a wide range.
US08232341B2	Rubber composition and use thereof Provided is a rubber composition capable of providing a molding having: excellent sealing properties, heat resistance, and acid resistance; a low reaction force and low hardness; a reduced compression set; and especially an improved compression set and unsusceptibility to compression cracking at high temperatures. Also provided are a use of the rubber composition and a main body comprising the rubber composition mounted thereon. The rubber composition contains a specific ethylene/α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer [A], carbon black [B], and surface-modified silica [C] that is obtained by subjecting precipitated silica to surface modification and has a BET specific surface area of 30 to 80 m2/g, a particle diameter of 1.0 to 4.0 μm as measured by the Coulter counter method, and an M value of 50 or more.
US08232335B2	Compositions and methods for making clarified aesthetically enhanced articles Thermoplastic articles may be manufactured having a high degree of visual appeal to consumers. Clarifying agents may be employed as additives in such thermoplastic articles to produce high clarity articles. A coloring agent may be mixed with clarifying agents to form a first blend, and then such a first blend may be applied in very low loadings to form a clarified polymeric article. It is possible to achieve an observable visual benefit while using very low loadings of coloring agent in a polyolefin, such as polypropylene. Carbon black is a pigment that may provide such observable benefits in polypropylene.
US08232334B2	Polymer modified carbohydrate curable binder composition A curable aqueous binder composition comprising one or more amine reactant selected from the group consisting of: a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, an ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, an ammonium salt of a (poly)hydroxy-(poly)carboxylic acid; one or more carbohydrate; and one or more emulsion polymer; and the use thereof as thermosetting binders. Also described are composite materials comprising the curable binder composition, and methods of application.
US08232332B2	Cured hydrophilic compositions A curable composition is described, including a gel material derived from the curable composition, and medical articles including such material, wherein the transparent gel material includes a polymerized monofunctional poly(alkylene oxide) macromonomer component and a surface modified nanoparticle component.
US08232329B2	Inkjet ink An inkjet ink that prevents paper deformation such as curling, and also exhibits favorable pigment dispersibility. The inkjet ink includes at least a pigment, water, a water-soluble organic solvent having an α value of not more than 65, and a dispersant, wherein the dispersant is a copolymer having a unit A represented by general formula (a) shown below and a unit B represented by general formula (b) shown below, and the mass ratio between the water-soluble organic solvent and the water satisfies (water-soluble organic solvent)/water=5/5 to 8/2. [In general formula (a), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and m represents an integer of 1 to 3.] [In general formula (b), R2 and R3 each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, wherein R2 and R3 may be the same or different, and n represents an integer of 1 to 250.]
US08232325B2	Separation membrane for direct liquid fuel cell and method for producing same In the present invention is disclosed a method for producing a membrane for direct liquid fuel cell, which comprises polymerizing and curing a polymerizable composition containing at least a) an aromatic polymerizable monomer wherein one polymerizable group, at least one hydrogen atom, and at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of methyl group bonded at the para-position relative to the polymerizable group, alkyl group having two or more carbon atoms, halogen atom, acyloxy group and alkoxy group are bonded to the aromatic ring, b) a crosslinkable polymerizable monomer, and c) a polymerization initiator, or impregnating the polymerizable composition into a porous membrane and polymerizing and curing the polymerizable composition, and then introducing a cation exchange group into the aromatic ring derived from the aromatic polymerizable monomer.
US08232322B2	High molecular weight polymers, devices and method for making and using same Anhydride polymers that release active or activatable agent(s) have pre-selected properties such as molecular weight, flexibility, hardness, adhesiveness, and other valuable properties. The polymers are suitable for use in compositions, formulations, coatings, devices, and the like that benefit from the controlled release of an agent(s) over a period of time. The polymers are prepared by a process involving various alternative and sequential steps that allow the design a priori of products with specific characteristics. The polymers are suitable as delivery systems, either by themselves, as compositions, formulations or devices.
US08232320B2	Antimicrobial nanoemulsion compositions and methods The present invention relates to compositions and methods for decreasing the infectivity, morbidity, and rate of mortality associated with a variety of pathogenic organisms and viruses. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for decontaminating areas colonized or otherwise infected by pathogenic organisms and viruses. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for decreasing the infectivity of pathogenic organisms in foodstuffs.
US08232319B2	Amino phosphate derivative and S1P receptor modulator having same as an active ingredient To provide an amino phosphate derivative having an excellent sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulatory action.As a result of continued intensive research to create a highly safe compound which has an S1P receptor modulatory action, is has been discovered that an amino phosphate derivative represented by the following general formula (1), has a strong S1P receptor modulatory action.
US08232300B2	Tricyclic amide compound A compound represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group, A and B represent —(CH2)2—, —(CH2)3—or —(CH2)4—, X represents —N(R2)—CO—(R2 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), —CO—N(R3)—(R3 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), —C(R4)═C(R5)—(R4 and R5 represent hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), or —N(R6)—SO2—(R6 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), and Ar represents an aryldiyl group or a heteroaryldiyl group], which has a retinoid action and is useful as an active ingredient of a medicament.
US08232298B2	Inhibitors of the interaction between MDM2 and P53 The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as an inhibitor of a p53-MDM2 interaction as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, p, s, t, R1, R2, A and Z have defined meanings.
US08232289B2	Spiropiperidine compounds as ORL-1 receptor antagonists An ORL-1 receptor antagonist of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described.
US08232286B2	Inhibitors of PI3-kinases New compounds of formula 1 are provided which by virtue of their pharmaceutical activity as PI3-kinase modulators may be used in the therapeutic field for the treatment of inflammatory or allergic diseases. Examples of these include inflammatory and allergic respiratory complaints, inflammatory diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract and motor apparatus, inflammatory and allergic skin diseases, inflammatory eye diseases, diseases of the nasal mucosa, inflammatory or allergic conditions involving autoimmune reactions or inflammations of the kidney.
US08232271B2	Heterocyclic antiviral compounds Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R3c, R4, R5 and p are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.
US08232269B2	Amide compounds useful in therapy A compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein, R1 and R2 each independently represent H, halogen, CF3, C1-3 alkyl or C1-3 alkoxy; R3 represents C1-6 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, phenyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from Ra) or Het (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from OH, oxo, or C1-4 alkyl); R4 represents H or C1-3 alkyl; R5 represents C1-6 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from Rb), C3-6 cycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from oxo or OH), or Het2 (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from Rd); oxygen atom or 1 sulphur atom, or (c) 1 oxygen atom or 1 sulphur atom, (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from OH, oxo or C1-4 alkyl); and R6 represents C1-3 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents each independently selected from Rf), C3-5 cycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halogen), CN or halogen; where Rf represents halogen or phenyl: and compositions, processes for the preparation, and uses thereof, e.g. in the treatment of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
US08232263B2	17,20(Z)-dehydro vitamin D analogs and their uses This invention discloses 17,20(Z)-dehydro vitamin D analogs, and specifically 17(Z)-1α,25-dihydroxy-17(20)-dehydro-2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also may be used to treat autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy and obesity. This compound also has significant calcemic activity making it a therapeutic agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, renal osteodystrophy and hypoparathyroidism.
US08232258B2	NK1 fragment of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and variants thereof, and their use The present invention relates to variants of the NK1 fragment of the polypeptide growth factor HGF/SF which act as agonists of the MET receptor and their use. The agonists comprise at least one substitution at positions equivalent to 132, 134, 170 and 181 of full length HGF/SF and these substitutions provide a variant which shows scatter factor activity and induces DNA synthesis. In vivo the variants provide protection from liver damage in a model of acute liver failure.
US08232252B2	P-selectin ligand protein A novel P-selectin ligand glycoprotein is disclosed, comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. DNA sequences encoding the P-selectin ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the P-selectin ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the P-selectin ligand protein and methods of treating inflammatory disease states characterized by P-selectin- and E-selectin-mediated intercellular adhesion are also disclosed.
US08232244B2	Compositions and methods to prevent cancer with cupredoxins The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The cargo compound may be a nucleic acid and specifically a DNA, RNA or anti-sense. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.
US08232241B2	Treating liver diseases This document provides methods and materials related to treating liver conditions. For example, the methods and materials relating to the use of cAMP inhibitors to treat liver conditions are provided.
US08232240B2	Inhibitors of enveloped virus infectivity The present invention relates to treatment of infection by enveloped viruses through the use of papain-like cysteine protease inhibitors and kits thereof. Specifically, methods for treatment of filoviruses as well as other enveloped viruses such as Nipah, in particular using cathepsin inhibitors are described.
US08232234B2	Polymer-derived lubricant additive for ultra-low wear applications Polymer-derived nanocomposite lubricants reduce friction and wear in applications involving elevated temperatures, such as within an internal combustion engine.
US08232228B2	Method for increasing the efficacy of agricultural chemicals The present invention is directed to increasing the efficacy of agricultural chemicals. This can be achieved by applying at least one agricultural chemical to a plant or plant seed under conditions effective for the agricultural chemical to perform its intended function and applying at least one hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide to the plant or plant seed under conditions effective to increase the efficacy of the agricultural chemical. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficacy of agricultural chemicals by applying an agricultural chemical to a transgenic plants or transgenic seeds transformed with nucleic acid molecule which encodes a hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide, wherein the agricultural chemical is applied under conditions effective for the agricultural chemical to perform its intended function but with increased efficacy.
US08232225B2	Production of multifunctional granular medium by partial activation of partially decomposed organic matter A process for the production of low-temperature activated or partially activated partially decomposed organic matter for use as an ion-exchange medium comprising the steps of granulating partially decomposed moisture-bearing organic matter, drying the granules and activating the granules at a temperature of about 175-520° C., wherein the granule has a hardness and cation-exchange capacity suitable for a particular application desired.
US08232216B2	Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing a semiconductor Provided are a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and method, capable of reliably and rapidly transporting a heated semiconductor wafer. the apparatus is provided for transporting a semiconductor wafer, which has been processed by desired treatment (for example, film formation) and is held by a susceptor equipped with a heater, to the outside by a transport arm which holds the semiconductor wafer by suction, by moving the susceptor to a certain position above a top of a wafer waiting stage and introducing the semiconductor wafer held by the susceptor onto the top of the wafer waiting stage. Then, the susceptor present on the top of the wafer waiting stage is moved in a horizontal direction. After a certain cooling time, the transport arm holds the semiconductor wafer placed on the wafer waiting stage by suction and transports the semiconductor wafer to outside.
US08232214B2	Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of thin film transistors, each disposed in one of the pixel regions, and a plurality of pixel electrodes, each disposed in one of the pixel regions, wherein the thin film transistor includes at least one Ti layer.
US08232213B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, and liquid crystal display device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: a first etching step of etching a TEOS layer from a glass substrate to partially expose a SiN layer; a second etching step, conducted separately and independently from the first etching step, of wet-etching the exposed SiN layer to partially expose the glass substrate; and a bonding step of bonding a driver portion to the exposed glass substrate.
US08232208B2	Stabilized chemical mechanical polishing composition and method of polishing a substrate A chemical mechanical polishing composition, comprising, as initial components: water; 0.1 to 40 wt % abrasive having an average particle size of 5 to 150 nm; 0.001 to 1 wt % of an adamantyl substance according to formula (II); 0 to 1 wt % diquaternary substance according to formula (I); and, 0 to 1 wt % of a quaternary ammonium compound. Also, provided is a method for chemical mechanical polishing using the chemical mechanical polishing composition.
US08232207B2	Substrate processing method In a substrate processing method of processing a substrate that includes an oxide layer as a mask layer and a silicon layer as a target layer to be processed, the silicon layer is etched while depositing a deposit on a surface of the oxide layer by a plasma generated from a mixed gas of a fluorine-based gas, a bromine-based gas, O2 gas, and SiCl4 gas to secure a thickness of the mask layer.
US08232201B2	Schemes for forming barrier layers for copper in interconnect structures A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate; forming a low-k dielectric layer over the substrate; embedding a conductive wiring into the low-k dielectric layer; and thermal soaking the conductive wiring in a carbon-containing silane-based chemical to form a barrier layer on the conductive wiring. A lining barrier layer is formed in the opening for embedding the conductive wiring. The lining barrier layer may comprise same materials as the barrier layer, and the lining barrier layer may be recessed before forming the barrier layer and may contain a metal that can be silicided.
US08232198B2	Self-aligned permanent on-chip interconnect structure formed by pitch splitting A method of fabricating an interconnect structure is provided. The method includes forming a hybrid photo-patternable dielectric material atop a substrate. The hybrid photo-patternable dielectric material has dual-tone properties with a parabola like dissolution response to radiation. The hybrid photo-patternable dielectric material is then image-wise exposed to radiation such that a self-aligned pitch split pattern forms. A portion of the self-aligned split pattern is removed to provide a patterned hybrid photo-patternable dielectric material having at least one opening therein. The patterned hybrid photo-patternable dielectric material is then converted into a cured and patterned dielectric material having the at least one opening therein. The at least one opening within the cured and patterned dielectric material is then filed with at least an electrically conductive material. Also provided are a hybrid photo-patternable dielectric composition and an interconnect structure.
US08232190B2	Three dimensional vertical E-fuse structures and methods of manufacturing the same Three dimensional vertical e-fuse structures and methods of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The method of forming a fuse structure comprises providing a substrate including an insulator layer and forming an opening in the insulator layer. The method further comprises forming a conductive layer along a sidewall of the opening and filling the opening with an insulator material. The vertical e-fuse structure comprises a first contact layer and a second contact layer. The structure further includes a conductive material lined within a via and in electrical contact with the first contact layer and the second contact layer. The conductive material has an increased resistance as a current is applied thereto.
US08232189B2	Dielectric film manufacturing method The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a dielectric film which reduces a leak current value while suppressing the reduction of a relative permittivity, suppresses the reduction of a deposition rate caused by the reduction of a sputtering rate, and also provides excellent planar uniformity. A dielectric film manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is forms a dielectric film of a metal oxide mainly containing Al, Si, and O on a substrate, and comprises steps of forming the metal oxide having an amorphous structure in which a molar fraction between an Al element and a Si element, Si/(Si+Al), is 0
US08232187B2	Doping method for semiconductor device A doping method for a semiconductor device includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, forming a doped layer doped with a dopant over the undoped layer, and forming a doped region into which the dopant is diffused, wherein the doped region is a portion of the semiconductor substrate in contact with the doped layer.
US08232173B2	Structure and design structure for high-Q value inductor and method of manufacturing the same Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
US08232172B2	Stress enhanced transistor devices and methods of making Stress enhanced transistor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a transistor device comprises: a gate conductor disposed above a semiconductor substrate between a pair of dielectric spacers, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a channel region underneath the gate conductor and recessed regions on opposite sides of the channel region, wherein the recessed regions undercut the dielectric spacers to form undercut areas of the channel region; and epitaxial source and drain regions disposed in the recessed regions of the semiconductor substrate and extending laterally underneath the dielectric spacers into the undercut areas of the channel region.
US08232157B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a CMOS region and a bipolar region, a first N well and a first P well in the CMOS region, a PMOS device in the first N well and an NMOS device in the first P well, a deep P well in the bipolar region, a second N well in the deep P, a second isolation layer between the deep P well and the second N well, a third isolation in the second N well, a collector in the second N well between the second and third isolation layers, and a base formed in the second N well and having a bottom surface including first type impurities to contact the emitter.
US08232152B2	Removing method of a hard mask A removing method of a hard mask includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. At least two MOSFETs are formed on the substrate. An isolating structure is formed in the substrate and located between the at least two MOSFETs. Each of the MOSEFTs includes a gate insulating layer, a gate, a spacer and a hard mask on the gate. A protecting structure is formed on the isolating structure and the hard mask is exposed from the protecting structure. The exposed hard mask is removed to expose the gate.
US08232150B2	Structure and method of forming a transistor with asymmetric channel and source/drain regions A semiconductor structure is described. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a conductive gate abutting a gate insulator for controlling conduction of a channel region; and a source region and a drain region associated with the conductive gate, where the source region includes a first material and the drain region includes a second material, and where the conductive gate is self-aligned to the first material and the second material. In one embodiment, the first material includes Si and the second material includes SiGe. A method of forming a semiconductor structure is also described. The method includes forming a pad layer on a top surface of a SOI layer of a semiconductor substrate; patterning the pad layer and a portion of the SOI layer for forming a SiGe layer; epitaxially growing the SOI layer for forming a Si layer and a SiGe layer adjacent to a sidewall of the SOI layer; selectively pulling a portion of the pad layer; forming a gate dielectric of a portion of the SiGe layer and the SOI layer; forming a gate conductor over the gate dielectric; removing the remaining of the pad layer; forming a source region in at least one of the SOI layer and the SiGe layer; and forming a drain region in at least one of the SOI layer and the SiGe layer.
US08232142B2	Self-aligned silicon carrier for optical device supporting wafer scale methods Disclosed is a carrier assembly for and a method of manufacturing an optical device. The method comprises providing a silicon substrate; attaching a number of optical dies on the silicon substrate to form an optical device carrier assembly; providing a corresponding number of through holes in the silicon substrate to permit the passage of light therethrough and further providing guide holes in the silicon substrate to present means for passive alignment of an external optical connection; and dicing the optical device carrier assembly to form individual optical devices. Preferably, the step of attaching a number of optical dies comprises using self-alignment of solder bumps using gaseous flux, the through holes are dry etched into the silicon substrate, and/or the volume between the optical die and silicon substrate is filled with a transparent polymer. Preferably, the transparent polymer is silicone rubber or epoxy. Preferably, the optical dies have a polymer mass to assist the heat transfer to the silicon substrate.
US08232138B2	Circuit board with notched stiffener frame Various embodiments of a semiconductor chip device that include a circuit board and a stiffener frame and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a circuit board and coupling a stiffener frame to the circuit board. The stiffener frame includes a first opening that defines an interior wall. The interior wall includes a notch.
US08232118B2	Light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same A light emitting device includes: a substrate having a concave portion formed on a surface thereof; a light emitting element emitting a first light which is a blue light or a near-ultraviolet light; a resin sheet being a deformable resin sheet formed on the substrate so as to cover the light emitting element; a first transmissive layer formed in a hemispherical shape on the first region of the resin sheet, and transmitting the first light; a color conversion layer including a fluorescent material that converts the first light into a second light of a different wavelength from that of the first light and a transmissive material that transmits the first light, the color conversion layer covering the first transmissive layer in such a manner that an end portion reaches an upper face of the resin sheet; and a second transmissive layer covering the color conversion layer in such a manner that an end portion reaches the upper face of the resin sheet, and transmitting the first light and the second light.
US08232117B2	LED wafer with laminated phosphor layer An LED wafer with a growth substrate is attached to a carrier substrate by, for example, a heat-releasable adhesive so that the LED layers are sandwiched between the two substrates. The growth substrate is then removed, such as by laser lift-off. The exposed surface of the LED layers is then etched to improve light extraction. A preformed phosphor sheet, matched to the LEDs, is then affixed to the exposed LED layer. The phosphor sheet, LED layers, and, optionally, the carrier substrate are then diced to separate the LEDs. The LED dice are released from the carrier substrate by heat or other means, and the individual LED dice are mounted on a submount wafer using a pick-and-place machine. The submount wafer is then diced to produce individual LEDs. The active layer may generate blue light, and the blue light and phosphor light may generate white light having a predefined white point.
US08232111B2	Micropipette, micropipette system, and method for using micropipette There is provided a micropipette, a micropipette system, and a method for using a micropipette system capable of accurately sucking a desired quantitative volume of liquid for measurement. A micropipette system comprises a micropipette 1 including a liquid-holding chamber 12 that holds a liquid for measurement sucked in by capillary action through an opening 11 provided at an end of the liquid-holding chamber 12, the liquid-holding chamber 12 having an inner surface on which a photocatalyst layer 13 exhibiting a hydrophilic property at the time of light irradiation is formed, irradiation means 2 for emitting light toward the photocatalyst layer 13, and control means 3 for controlling the range of the area irradiated with the light from the irradiation means 2 in accordance with a desired quantitative volume of the liquid for measurement.
US08232104B1	Vehicle detection system One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a detection system including a chemical taggant and a detector. The chemical taggant may be a chemical not substantially present in an untagged target exhaust plume and able to be disposed in the exhaust system of a target and to enter the exhaust plume of the exhaust system in detectable quantities. The chemical taggant may have one or more distinct energy signatures, such as optical energy signatures, that allow its detection. The detector may be able to detect at least one of these one or more energy signatures of the chemical taggant in the exhaust plume. Another embodiment relates to a method of detecting a target by disposing a chemical taggant in the exhaust system of the target and then detecting the chemical taggant.
US08232100B2	Method for producing dendritic cells Disclosed are embryonic stem cell-derived dendritic cells, genetically modified immature dendritic cells capable of maturation, as well as methods for the production of such cells. In one embodiment, the cells made be produced by a method comprising the steps of providing a population of embryonic stem cells; culturing the embryonic stem cells in the presence of a cytokine or combination of cytokines which brings about differentiation of the embryonic stem cells into dendritic cells; and recovering the dendritic cells from the culture. In a further embodiment, the cells may be genetically modified.
US08232097B2	Thermal cycler A thermal cycler includes a bearing element, a heating element, a first cooling element, and a temperature controller. The bearing element carries at least one reaction mixture. The heating element raises the temperature of the reaction mixture. The heating element includes a housing, at least one carbon nanotube structure and a pair of electrodes. The carbon nanotube structure and the pair of electrodes are accommodated in the housing. The pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure. The first cooling element cools the temperature of the reaction mixture. The temperature controller is electrically connected to the heating element and the first cooling element. The temperature controller controls the operation of the heating element and the first cooling element.
US08232091B2	Thermal cycling system This invention provides a system for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular with great speed and specificity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to rapidly transfer heat to and from reaction vessels. The system makes use of the reflective properties of the liquid metal to reflect signal from the PCR into the vessel and out the top. In this way, the signal can be measured by an optical assembly in real time without removing the vessels from the heat block.
US08232089B2	Cytosolic isobutanol pathway localization for the production of isobutanol The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with at least one isobutanol pathway enzyme localized in the cytosol, wherein said recombinant microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source. Methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol are also provided. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically active isobutanol pathway enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides mutated, modified, and/or chimeric isobutanol pathway enzymes with cytosolic activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US08232082B2	Process for the fermentative production of ethanol from solid lignocellulosic material comprising a step of treating a solid lignocellulosic material with alkaline solution in order to remove the lignin The present invention relates to a process for obtaining fuel ethanol by using agricultural and agroindustrial waste materials composed of lignocellulose, and especially sugar cane bagasse. These residues have significant contents of carbohydrates in the form of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), which can be hydrolyzed by chemical and enzymic processes. The hemicellulose fraction is submitted to mild hydrolysis with sulphuric acid, and the solid material from this hydrolysis is submitted to a process of saccharification (enzymic hydrolysis) with simultaneous rapid alcoholic fermentation under conditions which allow a significant increase in conversion to alcohol in a greatly shortened time.
US08232081B2	Methods and microorganisms for production of panto-compounds The present invention features methods of producing panto-compounds (e.g., pantothenate) using microorganisms in which the pantothenate biosynthetic pathway and/or the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway and/or the coenzymeA biosynthetic pathway has been manipulated. Methods featuring ketopantoate reductase overexpressing microorganisms as well as aspartate α-decarboxylase overexpressing microorganisms are provided. Methods of producing panto-compounds in a precursor-independent manner and in high yield are described. Recombinant microorganisms, vectors, isolated nucleic acid molecules, genes and gene products useful in practicing the above methodologies are also provided. The present invention also features a previously unidentified microbial pantothenate kinase gene, coaX, as well as methods of producing panto-compounds utilizing microorganisms having modified pantothenate kinase activity. Recombinant microorganisms, vectors, isolated coaX nucleic acid molecules and purified CoaX proteins are featured. Also featured are methods for identifying pantothenate kinase modulators utilizing the recombinant microorganisms and/or purified CoaX proteins of the present invention.
US08232069B2	Antibody directed against PAP2a and use thereof for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes The present invention aims at developing a gene delivery system which has a high selectivity to a target cell and can introduce and express a gene with high efficiency, particularly developing such a system for use in a gene delivery therapy using a viral vector. The present invention provides a method for targeting a drug, which comprises the step of delivering a drug containing a therapeutic gene to a target site using an anti-PAP2a antibody.
US08232063B2	H+-gated ion channel The invention relates to an isolated or recombinant Na+/H+ exchanger comprising an isolated or recombinant Na+/H+ exchanger, particularly to the PBO-4 Na+/H+ exchanger. Also disclosed is an isolated or recombinant protein component of an H+-gated channel which can be affected by extracellular Ca2+ concentration. In particular, the invention relates to PBO-5 and/or PBO-8 and/or a H+-gated channel composed of PBO-5 and PBO-8. The invention relates to compounds isolated from a vertebrate organism, wherein said compounds comprise at least a part of a H+-gated channel or Na+/H+ exchanger. The invention also relates to a method for identifying a component of a H+-gated channel in a vertebrate organism.
US08232061B2	Method and device for examining the attachment or detachment of living or dead cells or cell-like particles or other surface accumulations on surfaces by means of plasmon resonance and use of said method and said device A method for examining an attachment or detachment of living cells, dead cells or cell-like particles on a surface using plasmon resonance includes irradiating a measurement region with beams over the entire angle of incidence spectrum and capturing, combining and evaluating beams with identical angles of incidence reflected from different points of the measurement region with a determination of the angle of light incidence with a lowest reflected light intensity and measuring an angle of incidence shift of an intensity minimum that occurs. The evaluating includes registering different angles of incidence of two or more intensity minima occurring simultaneously to reflect a respective level of the surface accumulations.
US08232048B2	Hybridoma cell line producing monoclonal antibody against foot-and-mouth disease virus, the monoclonal antibody therefrom, immunoassay reagent and kit, and immunoassay method Provided herein are a hybridoma cell line producing monoclonal antibody against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the monoclonal antibody therefrom, reagent and kit for ELISA, and immunoassay method. The hybridoma cell line CmA40 as deposited under American Type Culture Collection patent deposit number PTA-11304 is produced by cell fusion of a parental cell and a myeloma cell line. The parental cell is a splenocyte isolated from the spleen of a mouse immunized by an antigen derived from a 3ABC non-structural protein (NSP) of FMDV. The antigen used here is expressed by a prokaryotic cell. The monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line CmA40 as deposited under American Type Culture Collection patent deposit number PTA-11304 can specifically recognize a 3ABC polypeptide and does not cross-react with an antiserum of swine vesicular disease virus.
US08232044B2	Method of extending the shelf life of platelets using a composition comprising a short-to-ultrashort antiplatelet agent and anticoagulant and an oxygen carrier The present invention relates to compositions and methods for storing platelets to preserve the function and freshness of the platelets. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a preservative composition having an antiplatelet agent, an anticoagulant, and an oxygen carrier, for maintaining the freshness of platelets. Additionally, the composition may also contain an ultra-short acting broad spectrum anti-microbial agents. The preservative composition may be used to store platelets in a liquid state, a frozen state, or a freeze-dried state.
US08232036B2	Toner for electrophotography and process for producing the same A toner for electrophotography includes toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, to which strontium titanate and hydrophobic silica as external additives are admixed, wherein the strontium titanate has a BET specific surface area of 20-50 m2/g and contains particles in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and wherein the hydrophobic silica contains hydrophobic silica A that has at least a BET specific surface area of 150-300 m2/g and the surface of which has been treated with an aminosilane and hexamethyldisilazane and hydrophobic silica B that has at least a BET specific surface area of 90-150 m2/g and the surface of which has been treated with hexamethyldisilazane.
US08232031B2	Naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide derivative and electrophotographic photoconductor having the same The present invention provides a naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2, which are identical or different, each represent a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group or a substituted or non-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group; R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; R4, R5, R6 and R7, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group, or a substituted or non-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group; and R1 and R2 may be linked to form a substituted or non-substituted heterocyclic group including a nitrogen atom; with compounds where all of R1, R2 and R3 are a methyl group, and compounds where both of R1 and R2 are a methyl group and R3 is a 1-octyl group being excluded.
US08232028B2	Holographic storage medium and method for gated diffusion of photoactive monomer An optical medium is provided. The optical medium comprises: a diffusion-controlling matrix framework; at least one photoactive monomer attached to the diffusion-controlling matrix framework in a first state of the optical medium, wherein the at least one photoactive monomer is released from the diffusion-controlling matrix framework by photo cleavage, producing a second state of the optical medium, in which diffusion of the photoactive monomer through the optical medium is possible; and wherein the at least one photoactive monomer is then polymerized or reattached to the diffusion-controlling matrix, giving a third state of the optical medium, when exposed to photo-polymerizing light.
US08232016B2	Fuel cell coolant bubble control To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) intersecting polygons, obtuse angles including triangles, trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120).
US08232015B2	One-shot fabrication of membrane based electrochemical cell stacks The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical and ion exchange applications. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing the membrane cassettes and stacks of the invention. In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides cassettes and stacks which are suitable for use in fuel cell applications.
US08232014B2	Fuel cell operational methods for hydrogen addition after shutdown A method for reducing the probability of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack is disclosed that includes closing anode valves for an anode side of the fuel cell stack to permit a desired quantity of hydrogen to be left in the anode side upon shutdown and determining a schedule to inject hydrogen during the time the fuel cell stack is shutdown. The pressure on an anode input line is determined and a discrete amount of hydrogen is injected into the anode side of the stack according to the determined schedule by opening anode input line valves based on the determined pressure along the anode input line so as to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the stack.
US08232008B2	Secondary battery An electrode body of a secondary battery is formed by superimposing a positive electrode and a negative electrode upon each other with a belt-shaped separator interposed between the electrodes, and rolling up the positive and negative electrodes and the separator into a spiral shape. At least one side edge of a positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode in the longitudinal direction thereof includes a plurality of step parts discontinuously formed in the longitudinal direction at unequal intervals, and extends at both sides of each step part with a deviation of 0.2 mm or more. At least one side edge of a negative electrode current collector of the negative electrode in the longitudinal direction thereof includes a plurality of step parts discontinuously formed in the longitudinal direction at unequal intervals, and extends on both sides of each step part with a deviation of 0.2 mm or more.
US08231999B2	Separator and battery using the same A separator having at least: a base material layer made of a microporous membrane of a polyolefin resin; and a functional resin layer which is made of a resin different from the polyolefin resin and has a porous interconnected structure in which many holes are mutually interconnected. A diameter of a narrowest portion of through-holes of said functional resin layer is larger than a diameter of a narrowest portion of through-holes of said base material layer.
US08231978B2	Simultaneously drawn opaque film made of PLA The present invention relates to simultaneously drawn opaque biaxially oriented film made of at least one cycloolefin copolymer (COC) containing layer. The COC is preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 30% by weight, based on the layer. The invention further relates to an opaque, biaxially oriented polyhydroxycarboxylic acid film containing at least one layer containing a polymer based on hydroxycarboxylic acids and a cycloolefin copolymer (COC). The invention further relates to a process for producing the PHC film and the use thereof.
US08231972B2	Fuser member coating having self-releasing fluorocarbon matrix outer layer A self-releasing fuser member and image apparatus having the fuser member, and wherein the fuser member includes a substrate, and thereover an outer layer polymer matrix having a surface, wherein the outer layer polymer matrix includes a fluoropolymer material and fluorocarbon chains, wherein the fluorocarbon chains are bonded to said fluoropolymer material, and wherein the fuser member decreases or eliminates the need for fusing oils as it is self-releasing.
US08231961B2	Low temperature co-fired ceramic material, low temperature co-fired ceramic body, and multilayer ceramic substrate A low temperature co-fired ceramic material includes a SiO2—BaO—Al2O3-based primary component, and, as secondary components, 0.044 to 0.077 parts by weight of iron in terms of Fe2O3 and 0.30 to 0.55 parts by weight of zirconium in terms of ZrO2 relative to 100 parts by weight of the SiO2—BaO—Al2O3-based primary component. The SiO2—BaO—Al2O3-based primary component preferably includes 47% to 60% by weight of SiO2, 20% to 42% by weight of BaO, and 5% to 30% by weight of Al2O3.
US08231951B2	Coating composition for metal substrates The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least on the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (“Tg”) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker. The present invention also provides a method of making such cans.
US08231949B2	Aromabag and aromafoil made of aluminum A coated aromabag or aromafoil made of aluminum and methods of making it. The aromabag or aromafoil composition comprises an aluminum foil, a polymer or/and an aluminum oxide coated surface of at least one or more layers of flavor or aroma, an optional layer of a water-soluble thermoplastic polymer and an outer, especially a not black coating to increase the absorption of thermal radiation. The invention pertains to a process for preparing and packaging cooked or uncooked foodstuff with the aromabag or aromafoil made of aluminum at high temperatures in the range of 150° C. up to 600° C., especially 200° C. to 400° C.
US08231940B2	Wafer processing method with carrier hub removal A method of processing wafers in a rotating disc CVD reactor uses wafer carrier having a unitary plate defining wafer-holding features such as pockets on its upstream surface. The carrier connects to the spindle of the reactor during processing. After processing the carrier and wafers in the reactor, the wafers are removed from the carrier. The carrier is renewed by removing the hub from the plate, cleaning the plate and then reassembling the plate with the same or a different hub.
US08231932B2	Composition, film manufacturing method, as well as functional device and manufacturing method therefor Disclosed are compositions, useful in ink jet printing methods, that prevent clogging during dispensing, achieve stable dispensing, prevent precipitating of content matter during dispensing, and prevent phase separation during film formation. Also disclosed are uniform, homogenous, functional films formed using the compositions and manufacturing methods therefor, as well as organic EL devices and other such display devices and manufacturing methods therefor. The compositions contain a functional material and a solvent comprising at least one benzene derivative having one or more substituents, whereby the substituents have at least three carbon atoms in total.
US08231923B2	Oily food material [PROBLEMS] To develop by an easy method an oily food material which, when eaten, gives a satisfactory and novel feeling in the mouth and which has high heat resistance.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] In the oily food material, the particle size of solid ingredients other than the fat is kept at 30 μm or more, which is larger than in ordinary oily food materials represented by chocolate, and the proportion of StUSt to all fat is regulated to 30 wt % or higher. Furthermore, the fat content in the oily food material is 20-55%. Due to this constitution, the oily food material has significantly improved meltability in the mouth while retaining high heat resistance. It can be produced by an easy method.
US08231910B2	Trace elements A method of preparing a trace element solution includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, providing a sodium selenite solution, and combining the EDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite solution to form a trace element solution. An EDTA complex is prepared by using disodium EDTA or EDTA acid, selenium, and any other suitable mineral.
US08231906B2	Transdermal estrogen device and delivery Described are transdermal drug delivery systems for the transdermal administration of estrogen, comprising a polymer matrix and estrogen. Methods of making and using such systems also are described.
US08231891B2	Implantable drug depot for weight control The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot for weight control. The drug depot includes at least one biodegradeable polymer and at least one biologically active agent. Through the administration of an effective amount of the biologically active agent at or near a target site, one can control weight gain and/or reduce, prevent or treat obesity. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, weight control or treatment can be conducted for at least five days and up to one hundred and thirty-five days.
US08231885B2	Compounds, formulations, and methods for ameliorating telangiectasis Methods, compounds, and topical formulations for treatment of telangiectasias are disclosed. The methods comprise topically applying a composition comprising an α-adrenergic receptor agonist to telangiectatic skin. Amelioration of telangiectasia symptoms begins within minutes after topical application of a disclosed composition. A single application can significantly lessen telangiectasia discoloration for at least about 2 hours.
US08231884B2	Diffusing particles based on organogelling xerogel fibers, method for preparing same and use in cosmetic formulations The invention concerns particles consisting essentially of fibers of an organogelling substance in the form of xerogel (dry gel), the fibers being essentially oriented in a common direction and randomly aligned around the longest fiber. The organogelling substance is preferably 1,3: 2,4-di-O-benzylidene-D-sorbitol. Said particles, which are in the form of spindles, have interesting optical properties; they have a total light transmittance higher than 0.80, with a diffuse transmittance higher than the specular transmittance. The invention also concerns a method for preparing said particles by solvent evaporation process, by solvent diffusion/evaporation process or by shearing process. The invention finally concerns active particles consisting of said particles whereon is immobilized a dermocosmetically active principle, a dermocosmetic composition comprising said particles or said active particles and a cosmetic treatment method which consists in applying on the skin said dermocosmetic composition.
US08231877B2	Heterologous antibodies which bind human CD4 The invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing high affinity human sequence antibodies. The invention is also directed to human sequence antibodies specific for human antigens , such as, human CD4. The invention also is directed to methods for producing human sequence antibodies.
US08231866B2	Cytokine protein family The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zcyto20, zcyto21, zcyto22, zycto24, and zcyto25 proteins which are most closely related to interferon-α at the amino acid sequence level. The receptor for this protein family is a class II cytokine receptor. The present invention includes methods of reducing viral infections and increasing monocyte counts. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zcyto20 polypeptides, and methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides.
US08231865B2	Liquid sealant and methods of use The invention provides a composition useful for forming odor suppressing seals in waterless urinals. Methods of using the composition to form liquid seals as well as waterless urinals employing such liquid seals are further provided.
US08231858B2	Diagnostic imaging agents with MMP inhibitory activity The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic imaging. Specifically, the invention relates to the diagnostic imaging of diseases where specific matrix metalloproteinases are known to be involved. One embodiment of the invention is a compound having matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activity suitable for diagnostic imaging. Also disclosed in the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the diagnostic imaging agent of the invention in a form suitable for mammalian administration. The invention furthermore discloses intermediates in the synthesis of the diagnostic imaging agents of the invention and kits for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be used in the diagnosis of diseases where specific matrix metalloproteinases are known to be involved.
US08231846B2	Identification tag with perforations for a laboratory sample cassette A tag (1) for a laboratory sample cassette has a first layer (3). A chip (8) is mounted on a surface (7) of the first layer (3), and an antenna (6) is printed on the surface of the first layer (3). The antenna (6) is arranged to establish communication between the chip (8) and an electric or electronic read/write device. A second layer (4) is positioned and bonded against the surface (7) and has a hole (9) which passes through the second layer (4). The hole (9) contains the chip (8) and a third layer (5) covers the hole (9) from the opposite side to the first layer (3), the third layer (5) being bonded to the second layer (4). Thus, the antenna (6) and chip (8) are sealed within the tag (1). A plurality of perforations (10) are provided which pass through all the layers (3,4,5) of the tag (1) from one side of the tag (1) to an opposite side thereof to enable liquid to pass through the tag (1).
US08231839B2	Gas detection system The present invention provides a colorimetric gas detector comprising a substrate bearing a material that can react with a gas in an atmosphere being monitored and wherein the reaction causes the material to change the radiation at which the material absorbs or radiates radiation (the color-change material). The material is located in at least one discrete area of the substrate. By providing the color change material in discrete areas, the amount of such material can be reduced and different types of color-change material can be included on a common substrate to detect two or more gases simultaneously.
US08231838B2	Method and device for processing a biological fluid for analyte determination The present invention refers to a method of processing a biological fluid which comprises cellular components by heat treatment. The method is particularly useful for preparing biological samples for analyte detection. Further, the invention refers to a processed biological fluid comprising substantially quantitatively disintegrated cellular components.
US08231834B2	Process for regenerating catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone In one exemplary embodiment, a unit for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst for a hydrocarbon conversion zone can generally include passing the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst through, sequentially, a catalyst-disengaging zone having a first atmosphere, an adsorption zone having a second atmosphere, and a regeneration zone including a combustion zone; introducing an inert gas between the first atmosphere and the second atmosphere; and passing a flue gas from the combustion zone to the adsorption zone.
US08231832B2	Analyte concentration detection devices and methods Arrangements for the detection of the presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid include diffuse transmission, diffuse reflection and edge or waveguide illumination arrangements. A vertical flow assay arrangement and/or technique is also disclosed, and includes a detection component that can be in the form of an array of optical detection elements. A number of assay pad constructions are described which may include at least one or more of the following components: a prefilter component, a reflective component, a membrane component, a reagent component, a mesh component, and a component to prevent lateral spreading.
US08231824B2	Method and device for producing a double-walled thermoplastic corrugated pipe having a connecting sleeve A method and an apparatus for producing an endless double-walled pipe having corrugated pipe sections and sleeve pipe sections are described. The production is effected by extrusion of an outer tube (Sa), forming the outer pipe of the double-walled pipe, and of an inner tube (Si), forming the inner tube of the double-walled pipe, in a molding passage (10) having sections with a corrugated molding surface and a smooth cylindrical sleeve molding surface. To shape the sleeve section, the outer tube is extruded into the sleeve molding surface and is brought into contact with the sleeve molding surface. The inner tube (Si) is then extruded into the outer tube (Sa), already in contact over the entire axial length of the sleeve molding surface, and is brought in the process into contact with the inner side of said outer tube (Sa) that is in contact.
US08231817B2	Process for the production of a three-dimensionally shaped sandwich structure The three-dimensionally shaped sandwich structure is produced starting from a layered material (1) comprising a compressible core layer, in particular a paper honeycomb structure, having two opposite main faces which are each covered with a reinforcing material and with a mouldable material. The layered material (1) is moulded in a compression mould comprising two mutually movable mould sections (7, 9). In order to reduce the formation of cracks, tears or breaks in the core layer, the first mould section (7) is composed of at least two mutually movable mould parts (10 and 11-12). A first portion of the layered material (1) is first deep-drawn by moving the first mould part (10) towards its moulding position so that wrinkles are formed in the layered material and the second mould part (11-12) is moved later and/or more slowly than the first mould part (10) towards its moulding position. In this way the formation of wrinkles by the first mould part (10) is enhanced due to the fact that the layered material (1) is little or not hampered from being drawn by the first mould part to the deep-drawn area. The second mould part may be composed of different subparts (11-13) which are also moved successively towards their moulding position.
US08231814B2	Fabrication process for mastering imaging lens arrays A process and method for fabricating a master lens array for use in the manufacture of duplicate lens arrays is provided. The fabrication methods provided herein are capable of maximizing the quality of the master lens array in an efficient and cost effective manner, thereby reducing the propagation of errors in the lenses formed using the master lens array.
US08231806B2	Liquid-crystalline medium and liquid-crystal display The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising in each case one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more further dielectrically positive compounds and optionally one or more further dielectrically neutral compounds, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays.
US08231805B2	Liquid crystalline polyester composition for connector and connector using the same The present invention provides a liquid crystalline polyester composition comprising a liquid crystalline polyester, a fibrous filler, a plate-like filler and a granular filler. The connector obtained using the liquid crystalline polyester composition has poor filling suppressed and is excellent in warp resistance and crack resistance.
US08231803B2	Piezoelectric ceramic and piezoelectric ceramic composition A piezoelectric ceramic 10 composed mainly of a three-component solid solution represented by the following general formula (1), wherein x, y and z in general formula (1) satisfy the following formulas (2), (3), (4) and (5). x(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3−y(Bi1/2Li1/2)TiO3−z(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 (1) 0.80≦x≦0.96 (2) 0.02≦y≦0.08 (3) 0.01≦z≦0.15 (4) x+y+z=1 (5)
US08231800B2	Plasma processing apparatus and method There is provided a plasma processing apparatus including a plasma generating unit for generating a plasma in a processing chamber in which a set processing is performed on a substrate serving as an object to be processed. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a particle moving unit for electrostatically driving particles in a region above the substrate to be removed out of the region above the substrate in the processing chamber while the processing on the substrate is performed by using the plasma. In addition, there is provided a plasma processing method of a plasma processing apparatus including the steps of generating plasma in a processing chamber in which a set processing is performed on a substrate serving as an object to be processed; and performing the processing on the substrate by the plasma.
US08231795B2	Micromachined horn An acoustic device includes a transducer formed on a first surface of a substrate and an acoustic horn formed in the substrate by a dry-etching process through an opposing second surface of the substrate. The acoustic horn is positioned to amplify sound waves from the transducer and defines a non-linear cross-sectional profile.
US08231790B2	Process for producing an anion adsorbent and anion adsorbent produced by said process A novel anion adsorbent with extremely high anion adsorptive power, composed mainly of iron as a metal excellent in biosafety, is provided. The anion adsorbent contains, as an active ingredient, amorphous ferric hydroxide produced under such conditions that a ferrous species is present.
US08231787B2	Tangential flow filtration system A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. Embodiments are operated without large circulation pumps. Other embodiments use components which can be disposed after a single use. The system, method and device can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.
US08231785B2	Staged membrane system for gas, vapor, and liquid separations The present invention involves the use of a multi-stage membrane system for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. In this multi-stage membrane system, high selectivity and high permeance or at least high selectivity polybenzoxazole membranes or cross-linked polybenzoxazole membranes are applied for a pre-membrane or both the pre-membrane and the secondary membrane. A primary membrane can be from conventional glassy polymers. This multi-stage membrane system can reduce inter-stage compression cost, increase product recovery and product purity for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. It can also save the cost compared to the system using all the high cost polybenzoxazole membranes or cross-linked polybenzoxazole membranes.
US08231775B2	Pitch composition A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a particulate solid material to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked in a slurry hydrocracking unit to produce vacuum gas oil (VGO) and pitch. A first vacuum column separates VGO from pitch, and a second vacuum column further separates VGO from pitch. As much as 15 wt-% of VGO can be recovered by the second vacuum column and recycled to the slurry hydrocracking unit. A pitch composition is obtained which can be made into particles and transported without sticking together.
US08231770B2	Nanoporous carbon actuator and methods of use thereof An electrochemically driveable actuator according to one embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition capable of exhibiting charge-induced reversible strain when wetted by an electrolyte and a voltage is applied thereto. An electrochemically driven actuator according to another embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted by an electrolyte; and a mechanism for causing charge-induced reversible strain of the composition. A method for electrochemically actuating an object according to one embodiment includes causing charge-induced reversible strain of a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted with an electrolyte to actuate the object by the strain.
US08231769B2	Electrode and single-rod measuring chain for determining electrochemical potentials An electrode comprising: a least a first, preferably cylindrical, glass body, in which at least a first chamber is formed; at least a first electrolyte, which is located in the first chamber; at least a first potential-forming element, which is arranged in the chamber, and forms a first potential when contacted by the first electrolyte; at least a first closing element, which is axially fixed in the first chamber for enclosing the first electrolyte and the first potential-forming element and sealedly closes the first chamber; wherein, additionally, the first closing element is conductive, the first potential-forming element conductingly contacts the first closing element, and the electrode furthermore includes at least a first electrical conductor, which electrically contacts the first closing element on the side of the first closing element facing away from the first electrolyte.
US08231765B2	Process for the purification of lactams A method and a plant are disclosed for purifying lactams, particularly lactams obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminonitrile. The purification of ε-caprolactam obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminocapronitrile is described which includes eliminating the ammonia from the reaction medium of the hydrolysis, then recovering the lactam from the medium in purified form. The recovery is carried out by performing at least a distillation of the lactam in the presence of a base producing optionally a fronts fraction having compounds more volatile than the lactam, a fraction having the lactam to be recovered to the degree of desired purity and a distillation tails having the lactam and compounds less volatile than the lactam. The distillation tails are treated by various processes such as evaporation in thin layers to recover the major part of the caprolactam and recycling the latter in the purification process.
US08231756B2	Process for making resilient pad composite The present application discloses a composite pad structure that includes a substrate bonded to a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, resilient elements engaged to at least one reinforcing structure.
US08231744B2	Tantalum and niobium billets and methods of producing the same Extruded tantalum billets and niobium billets are described having a substantially uniform grain size and preferably an average grain size of about 150 microns or less and more preferably an average grain size of about 100 microns or less. The extruded billet can then be forged or processed by other conventional techniques to form end use products such as sputtering targets. A process for making the extruded tantalum billets or niobium billets is also described and involves extruding a starting billet at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to at least partially recrystallize the billet and form the extruded billet of the present invention.
US08231742B2	Iron-based composite material and method of manufacturing iron-based composite material To provide an iron-based composite material which has higher abrasion and seizure resistance, and more excellent impact absorbing property as compared with a steel material, and which has higher mechanical strength as compared with a cast iron material, and also a method of manufacturing the iron-based composite material. The iron-based composite material includes at least a steel structure layer 12, a cast iron structure layer 14, and a carburized structure layer 13 which is formed by carburizing the steel structure between the steel structure layer 12 and the cast iron structure layer 14.
US08231740B2	Method for preparing rare earth permanent magnet material A rare earth permanent magnet material is prepared by covering a sintered magnet body of R1—Fe—B composition wherein R1 is a rare earth element, with a powder comprising at least 30% by weight of an alloy of R2aTbMcAdHe wherein R2 is a rare earth element, T is Fe and/or Co, and M is Al, Cu or the like, and having an average particle size up to 100 μm, and heat treating the powder-covered magnet body at a suitable temperature, for causing R2, T, M and A in the powder to be absorbed in the magnet body.
US08231739B2	Method for producing grain-oriented silicon steel containing copper A method of manufacturing oriented Si steel containing Cu with high electric-magnetic property comprises: hot rolling slab; after first cold rolling, heating it to 800° C. or higher temperature and performing intermediate decarburization annealing in a protective atmosphere with PH2O/PH2 of 0.50˜0.88 for 3-8 minutes, to decrease carbon content of the steel plate to less than 30 ppm; then peening and acid-pickling to remove oxide of Fe on surface and to control oxygen content to lower than 500 ppm; secondary cold rolling to final thickness and coating separation agent in water-slurry form; drying to decrease water content to lower than 1.5%; high-temperature annealing in a protective atmosphere containing hydrogen with oxidation degree (PH2O/PH2) of 0.0001-0.2; finally applying a tension coating and leveling tension annealing.
US08231735B2	Polishing slurry for chemical mechanical polishing and method for polishing substrate The present invention is directed to a CMP polishing slurry comprising cerium oxide particles, an organic compound having an acetylene bond (triple bond between carbon and carbon) and water, and a method for polishing a substrate which comprises a step of polishing a film to be polished of the substrate with the polishing slurry. In a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technique for flattening inter layer dielectrics, insulating films for shallow trench isolation and the like in a manufacturing process of semiconductor devices, the present invention enables the effective and high-speed polishing.
US08231734B2	Porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body and a surface configured to enable an instrument having contaminants to be inserted into the body. The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument.
US08231724B2	Reactor for polycrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon production method The reactor for polycrystalline silicon is a reactor for polycrystalline silicon in which a silicon seed rod installed inside the reactor is heated by supplying electricity, a raw material gas supplied inside the reactor is allowed to react, thereby producing polycrystalline silicon on the surface of the silicon seed rod, and specifically, the reactor for polycrystalline silicon is provided with a raw material gas supply port installed on the bottom of the reactor and a raw material gas supply nozzle attached to the raw material gas supply port so as to be communicatively connected and extending upward, in which the upper end of the raw material gas supply nozzle is set to a height in a range from −10 cm to +5 cm on the basis of the upper end of the electrode which retains the silicon seed rod.
US08231717B2	Apparatus and method for purifying oxidizing gas in a fuel cell An oxidizing gas purification apparatus (1) for a fuel cell (7) has a compressor (2) that compresses oxidizing gas and sends the oxidizing gas; a cooling apparatus (4), disposed downstream from the compressor (2), that cools the oxidizing gas passing therethrough; an adsorbent unit (5b), disposed downstream from the cooling apparatus (4), that houses an adsorbent (5a) that adsorbs impurities included in the oxidizing gas sent from the cooling apparatus (4) at a prescribed adsorption temperature and releases the adsorbed impurities at a prescribed thermal regeneration temperature that is above the prescribed adsorption temperature by control of the operation of the cooling apparatus (4) to cool the oxidizing gas that has a temperature above the prescribed adsorption temperature and that is sent from the compressor (2).
US08231714B2	Combined pumping and separating machine for the oil circuit of a turbojet A combined machine for pumping and separating into two distinct and purified phases a two-phase liquid/gas mixture or fluid, is provided. A first stage of the combined machine is equipped with an intake for the two-phase fluid, in which the two-phase fluid is sucked, pumped and partially separated into two distinct phases. One phase is mainly liquid and the other phase is mainly gaseous. A second stage of the combined machine includes two zones, which includes a first zone and a second zone. In the first zone, the mainly liquid phase extracted from the first stage is degassed. In the second zone, the mainly gaseous phase extracted from the first stage is dried. In a third stage of the combined machine, the degassed liquid is forced back and pressurized.
US08231713B2	Composition and method for removal of carbonyl sulfide from acid gas containing same Novel solvent composition for selective removal of COS from a gas stream containing same, said composition comprising a) at least one polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula R1O-(Alk-O)n—R2 (I) or 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone or a mixture of N-formylmorpholine and N-acetylmorpholine wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Alk is an alkylene group, branched or unbranched, having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is from 1 to 10; and b) at least one alkanolamine compound of the formula R3NHR4OR6 (II) or at least one piperazine compound of formula wherein R3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the R4OH group; R4 is a branched or unbranched alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R5, independently in each occurrence, is hydrogen or an hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R6 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
US08231711B2	Sorption processes Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.
US08231709B2	Method of separating a syngas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide but also at least carbon dioxide and water vapor A process for separating a gas mixture in a separation unit of the type in which the gas mixture comes from a reaction unit and comprises, as main constituents, hydrogen (H2) and/or carbon monoxide (CO).
US08231694B2	Use of mixtures of alkylalkanolamines and alkylhydroxylamines as stabilizers for alkyl ester fuels A stabilized alkyl ester fuel is disclosed. The stabilized alkyl ester fuel comprises alkyl esters, an effective amount of an alkylalkanolamine, and an effective amount of an alkylhydroxylamine. The alkyl ester fuel is stabilized to oxidative degradation of the alkyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids found in alkyl ester fuels.
US08231689B2	Coloring composition containing an aromatic compound and an initiator A natural coloring composition for coloring materials, and methods of its use. The coloring composition comprises a natural precursor aromatic ring molecule such as L-DOPA that is oxidatively oligomerized or polymerized in the presence of an activator, such as a salt or an enzyme, to form colored compounds that dye a material. The natural coloring composition can also include a buffer, colorant, stabilizer, and/or thickening agent, and can comprise one or two inactive solutions that are combined to form an active coloring composition.
US08231687B2	Actuated leg prosthesis for above-knee amputees The actuated leg prosthesis comprises a knee member, a socket connector provided over the knee member, an elongated trans-tibial member having a bottom end under which is connected an artificial foot, and a linear actuator. A first pivot assembly allows to operatively connect the trans-tibial member to the knee member. A second pivot assembly allows to operatively connect an upper end of the actuator to the knee member. A third pivot assembly allows to operatively connect a bottom end of the actuator to the bottom end of the trans-tibial member. The prosthesis can be provided as either a front actuator configuration or a rear actuator configuration.
US08231680B2	Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods and devices Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.
US08231679B2	Prosthesis connection mechanism A prosthesis comprising a component for engaging a surface of a vertebral body is disclosed. The component comprises a bone-engaging surface and an outer surface that is not bone-engaging, wherein the bone-engaging surface is configured to engage a portion of the surface of the vertebral body, wherein the vertebral body has been configured to engage with the bone-engaging surface, and wherein after the component is engaged with the vertebral body, at least at a location of an area of a junction between a vertical surface and an endplate surface of the vertebral body, the outer surface of the component has a shape that is substantially similar to an anatomical shape of the vertebral body.
US08231678B2	Method of treating a herniated disc Methods of treating a herniated disc are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a first biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to a portion of an anulus adjacent a herniated segment of the anulus and establishing a second biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to the anulus adjacent the segment or within an adjacent vertebral body. The method further includes connecting the first and second support members with a connection member and applying tension between the first and second support members along the connection member, thereby displacing the herniated segment.
US08231677B2	Artificial spinal disc An artificial disc prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis enables spinal segment alignment by having a variable height across its surface. The variable height is achieved by an asymmetric artificial nucleus or by at least one variable height end plate. The prosthesis may have a central keel on one end plate and an offset pair of keels on a second end plate. The nucleus may engage a slot or trough in an inner surface of an end plate. The trough can be open on the posterior or anterior end to allow the nucleus to slide into the trough without undue distraction of adjacent vertebrae. The nucleus can be prevented from moving out of the trough by inserting a stop in the trough.
US08231676B2	Motion preserving artificial intervertebral disc device A motion preserving implant having first and second bearing members and a biasing member disposed therebetween operable to provide resistance to the translation of the bodies with respect to one another. An intervertebral implant having first and second bearing members, a translatable member, a resilient connection between the translatable member and one of the bearing members to allow for relative motion therebetween and bearing surfaces of the translatable member and the other bearing member to allow complex, natural motion between the bearing members. A spinal implant having upper and lower bodies and an articulation surface that allows for polyaxial articulation and translation through a concave articulation surface having a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature in at least one plane, and a convex articulation surface having the first radius of curvature in the same plane.
US08231670B2	Repositionable heart valve and method A method for percutaneously replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of percutaneously delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration in which the anchor contacts tissue at a first anchor site; repositioning the anchor to a second anchor site; and deploying the anchor at the second anchor site.
US08231667B2	Endoprosthesis for vascular bifurcation An apparatus for treating an area of bifurcation where a principal body conduit separates into at least two secondary conduits comprises a radially expandable first stent body. The first stent body has a substantially conical shape and a first end having a greater diameter than a second end when fully expanded. The first stent body is preferably shaped to be independent of any other stent bodies, and is free of any means for connecting to any other stent bodies when fully expanded.
US08231665B2	Devices and methods for treatment of vascular aneurysms The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure and the other part is an expandable tubular mesh structure, is provided. In the first embodiment, the expandable sponge structure is intended to fill the aneurysm cavity to prevent further dilatation of the vessel wall by creating a buffer or barrier between the pressurized pulsating blood flow and the thinning vessel wall. In the first embodiment, the expandable tubular mesh structure is placed across the aneurysm, contacting the inner wall of healthy vessel proximal and distal to the aneurysm.
US08231659B2	Anchoring mechanism A system for anchoring at least a portion of material to a vertebral body is disclosed. The anchoring system comprises a base configured to affix to the vertebral body and configured to receive the at least a portion of material, and an anchoring mechanism configured to engage with the base and configured to anchor the at least a portion of material, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one elastic element configured to apply pressure to the at least a portion of material so as to anchor the at least a portion of material to the base. Also, a method for attaching at least a portion of material to bone is disclosed.
US08231657B2	Load bearing flexible spinal connecting element Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second end members and a bumper assembly between the end members that flexibly connects the end members so the connecting element can provide dynamic stabilization of the spinal column when engaged to the anchor assemblies.
US08231653B2	Method of forming knotless double row construct with graft or patch fixed under repair site Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair includes the steps of (i) providing a medial row formed of a plurality of medial anchors, the medial anchors comprising suture or tape attached to each of the bodies of the medial anchors, the suture or tape forming a loop when the medial anchors are placed within tissue; (ii) passing traction sutures through each of the corresponding loop of the nearest medial anchor; (iii) passing through the tissue (rotator cuff) the free limbs of the suture or tape attached to each of the medial anchors, and one end of the traction suture (passed through the corresponding loop) at their respective points; (iv) bringing the other end of the traction suture (through a lateral cannula) underneath the tissue (the rotator cuff) and then securing the passed end of the traction suture to a graft or patch located underneath the tissue (rotator cuff); and (v) adjusting the position of the graft or patch by pulling end of the traction suture passed through the tissue (rotator cuff).
US08231651B2	Guided filter with support wire and methods of use A guided filter system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The system includes a guidewire slideable through a wire guide included in a distal region of a support wire. The support wire has an expandable filter, which is operable between a collapsed or enlarged condition. A variety of endovascular devices, including angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent-deployment catheters, are insertable over the guidewire and/or the support wire. Methods of using the guided filter system to direct and exchange endovascular devices to a region of interest, and to entrap and remove embolic material from the vessel are also disclosed.
US08231649B2	Retrievable blood clot filter with retractable anchoring members Retrievable blood clot filter devices implantable within a blood vessel, including methods and apparatuses for retrieving such devices, are disclosed. The retrievable blood clot filter device can include an apical head, and a plurality of elongated filter legs configured to expand between a collapsed position and an expanded position within the blood vessel. A bendable anchoring member disposed on one or more filter support members can be used to secure the blood clot filter device along the inner wall of the blood vessel. The anchoring members can be configured to bend and retract into a number of filter tubes slidably disposed along the support members, allowing the blood clot filter device to be removed with a retrieval apparatus.
US08231647B2	Catheter having an improved torque transmitting shaft The present invention relates generally to a catheter having a torque transmitting shaft which retains adequate flexibility. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having an outer surface. In a preferred embodiment, a raised pattern is disposed on the outer surface. Preferably, the raised pattern improves the transmission of torque along the elongate shaft by including a series of bearing points which contact other bearing points along the shaft when torqued.
US08231643B2	Universal limbal relaxing incision guide An apparatus and method for accurately making a limbal relaxing incision. An example universal limbal relaxing guide (ULRIG) includes an inner rotating ring, a measurement gauge, a base unit and bumpers. The inner rotating ring and measurement gauge rotate concentrically relative to the base unit. The inner ring guides a keratome along an arc of constant radius. The measurement gauge enables the user to select the length of the arc and the bumpers prevent the keratome from overshooting the desired incision length. Because the thin degree ring rotates relative to the base unit, the example ULRIG can be used with more than one style of keratome. Multiple marks on a pointing bumper enable the user to adjust the resultant incision length for the cornea size of an individual patient.
US08231642B2	Intestinal anastomotic surgery aid An intestinal anastomotic surgery aid 1 is constituted with a cylindrical portion 40 for covering the proximal end side of an engaging rod 28, and a cover portion 41 that extends from the cylindrical portion 40 towards the distal end side of the engaging rod 28. The proximal end part of the cylindrical portion 40 is inserted to a recessed portion 26 of a device main body 21 to be held to the device main body 21. The anus-side piece of the intestine is tied with a suture to be held to the outer face of the cylindrical portion 40.
US08231636B2	Anchor driver with assured seating A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a patient, wherein the anchor has a shaped surface, a top and a base. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a driver having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, where the bore is configured to allow the anchor to be received therein, a first inner surface formed inside the bore proximate to the first end, wherein the first inner surface is formed with a shape that is complimentary to the shaped surface of the anchor, and a second inner surface formed inside the bore and between the first inner surface and the second end, wherein the second inner surface is formed with a shape that is different from that of the first inner surface.
US08231635B2	Polyaxial screwdriver for a pedicle screw system A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and the head of the screw self-align. A ratchet mechanism formed in the screwdriver provides progressive and automatic locking of the polyaxial screwdriver to the coupling element and prevents the accidental unthreading from the coupling element. In another embodiment of the polyaxial screwdriver, a collet slides over the outside surface of the upper end of the coupling element and locks on to the coupling element. In yet another embodiment of a polyaxial screwdriver, the outer sleeve of the polyaxial screwdriver has a split end that securely engages the coupling element.
US08231631B2	Distractor system A medical instrument includes a base; an upper member; and a linkage mechanism coupled to the base and the upper member and being operable to maintain the upper member in a variable fixed position that is substantially parallel to the base and spaced a predetermined, variable distance therefrom, wherein the linkage mechanism includes at least three linkage elements that are arranged at angles relative to one another such that when one link element opens, the other link elements open with at an equal angle resulting in the upper member being constrained to remain parallel to the base.
US08231628B2	Instrumentation and methods for use in implanting a cervical disc replacement device Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.
US08231622B2	Bipolar coagulation instrument The invention relates to a bipolar coagulation instrument having a hollow shaft configured as a suction and/or flushing tube and having two electrodes that are electrically insulated with respect to one another and extend beyond the distal end of the shaft. To provide a bipolar coagulation instrument that is both of simple structure and ensures an effective suction/flushing capacity, it is proposed with the invention that the hollow shaft should consist of two electrically conductive tubes coaxially mounted on one another that are electrically insulated with respect to one another and from the outside, so that the tubes constitute the electrodes.
US08231619B2	Sterilization device and method Sterilization devices and methods for deploying porous implants within the fallopian tubes are disclosed. The devices include a catheter component including an external electrode sheath containing at least two deployable implants and a positioning member. Sliding the external sheath proximally disposes the implants within the fallopian tubes, while sliding both the positioning member and external electrode sheath distally reloads a second implant into the external electrode sheath. The devices further includes a handle component, which houses a chassis, external electrode sheath carrier, reciprocating shaft, positioning member carrier and first and second engaging members. The reciprocating shaft may be operated by a motor to slide distally and proximally along a long axis. The reciprocating shaft, external electrode sheath and its carrier, upon selective actuation, move together proportionally to deploy and reload the implants to facilitate occlusion of the fallopian tubes and complete sterilization.
US08231616B2	Transformer for RF voltage sensing An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes a multiple-secondary transformer configured for sensing voltage. The multiple-secondary transformer includes a primary winding coupled to an active terminal and a return terminal of the electrosurgical system and a plurality of secondary windings. Each of the secondary windings is configured to transform the radio frequency voltage into a sensed voltage. Each of the secondary windings includes an output coupled to a sensor circuit and configured to transmit the sensed voltage to the sensor circuit.
US08231613B2	Deflectable sheath catheters The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.
US08231609B2	Drug-delivery pumps and methods of manufacture Embodiments of an implantable electrolytic pump include an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and an osmosis chamber, the osmosis chamber having a first portion in contact with the drug chamber and a second portion exposed to facilitate contact with a surrounding fluid. The pump further includes a cannula for conducting liquid from the drug chamber and electrolysis electrodes within the electrolysis chamber for causing generation of a gas therein, the electrolysis and drug chambers being in contact such that gas electrolysis within electrolysis chamber forces fluid from the drug chamber into the cannula, contact between the drug chamber and the osmosis chamber permitting fluid admitted into the osmotic chamber from the surrounding fluid to offset volume loss from the drug chamber and prevent buildup of vacuum pressure thereon.
US08231606B2	Method and device for removing fluid material from the airway above an endotracheal tube cuff A minimally invasive tracheal fluid removal device and corresponding method of use for removing accumulated subglottic secretions in an intubated patient's endotracheal tube. The device may be configured as a dual-track or single-tube suction guidance system. This device presents a significant improvement over the art as it eliminates the need to reintubate the patient each time the suction mechanism is removed to be cleaned.
US08231598B2	Propellant bag improvement An improved propellant pillow and method for filling a propellant chamber of an implantable pump with propellant through the use of such an improved propellant pillow are disclosed. The propellant pillow includes an improved design that prevents the damage of such during evacuating and filling procedures.
US08231593B2	Flexible absorbent article with improved body fit An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, both of which are substantially free of cellulosic fibers. The absorbent article has a Circular Bend Flexibility of less than about 15 N and an acquisition rate on the third gush of less than about 170 seconds and/or on the fourth gush of less than about 190 seconds.
US08231589B2	Irrigation system An irrigation system includes a control unit and a pump integrated with the control unit. The control unit includes an adjustment knob attached to a major surface of the control unit, a first conduit extending from a side of the control unit to a reservoir that is configured to contain a volume of irrigation liquid, and a second conduit extending from the side of the control unit to an anal probe that is inflatable for fixation of the anal probe within a user. The adjustment knob has a first setting that is selectable to inflate a cuff of the anal probe and a second setting that is selectable to allow the pump to pump gas into the reservoir and thereby transfer the irrigation liquid from the reservoir through the inflated anal probe.
US08231587B2	Disinfecting caps for medical male luer connectors Caps can be used to cover and disinfect a male protrusion portion of a medical connector. Some caps can create a seal with the male protrusion to prevent antiseptic from entering a lumen the protrusion. A biasing element can aid in creating or maintaining the seal.
US08231584B2	Contrast fluid delivery system A disposable set (5) for establishing a fluid connection between a fluid dispensing unit (17) and a dosing device adapted to dispense a fluid into a patient's vein. The disposable set comprises a length of tubing (15) having a first (1) and a second (10) tubing part. The first tubing part (1) having a one-way valve (3) which permits a fluid flow from the dispensing unit (17) towards the dosing device and to prevent a backward fluid flow from the dosing device towards the dispensing unit. The first and second tubing part are in fluid connection with each other by means of a releasable connection device (11, 12), which is adapted to permit a back flow from a patient in a released position of the releasable connection device and to prevent a back flow from the patient in a closed position.
US08231578B2	System and method for sequencing channels in a multi-channel infusion pump A system, method, and computer program for controlling at least one infusion pump wherein the system comprises a first channel for delivering a first fluid, a second channel for delivering a second fluid, a first input for receiving channel sequence data wherein the channel sequence data identifies the sequence for delivering the first fluid from the first channel and the second fluid from the second channel, a second input for receiving first delivery data for the first channel and the second delivery data for the second channel, and a processor for controlling delivery of the first fluid from the first channel and the second fluid from the second channel according to the channel sequence data, the first delivery data, and the second delivery data.
US08231574B2	Manual irrigation pump for intraprocedural irrigation A disposable manual irrigation pump system comprises a manual foot pump operatively coupled to a fluid reservoir and an associated intraprocedural device. The pump system is configured to provide a substantially continuous fluid supply at a desired flow rate from the fluid reservoir to the associated intraprocedural device along a first direction without backflow of fluid along a direction opposite the first direction.
US08231569B2	Torque-limiting catheter handle A catheter includes a handle that advantageously limits the amount of torque that can be imparted to the body of the catheter. This advantageously reduces the likelihood of catheter failure, damage to tissue, or damage to medical devices introduced into the vasculature via the catheter. The catheter handle includes a grip portion that the practitioner manipulates in order to impart a torque and a torque transmitting portion operably coupled thereto that transmits the torque to the catheter body. A torque limiting mechanism decouples the torque transmitting portion from the grip portion, the body, and/or any pull wires when the torque imparted to the grip portion exceeds a torque threshold, thereby preventing excessive torques from being transmitted to the catheter body and/or pull wires. A practitioner may be able to adjust the torque threshold and may be able to disable the torque limiting mechanism.
US08231568B2	Syringes with a reduced susceptibility to freeze-thaw void formation and methods of manufacturing such syringes Syringes for holding fluids susceptible to void formation when the syringe and fluid are frozen and thawed before use. The interior surface of the syringe barrel is modified by exposure to a plasma such that the incidence of void formation in the fluid is prevented or, at the least, significantly reduced in comparison with conventional syringes.
US08231562B2	Insulin pump configuration programming invalid settings notification and correction An insulin pump configuration programming approach is disclosed that permits setting parameters of pump configuration files to invalid values. An operator may continue with the programming workflow after setting the invalid value. The configuration file including the invalid value may be saved to a memory location of a computing device, but cannot be saved to the pump. Invalid item icons are presented when a parameter is set to an invalid value, and instructions for correcting the invalidity condition are provided when an invalid item icon is hovered over using a pointing device.
US08231560B2	Orthotic device and method for securing the same An orthotic device includes a frame having a first shell defining front and rear surfaces, and extending longitudinally into the anterior and posterior sides of the brace. The first shell defining an opening located on the posterior side of the brace. A tightening mechanism is mounted onto the first shell, and has a ratchet strap located along the rear surface of the first shell and a ratchet device mounted on the front surface of the first shell so as to extend partially into the opening and engage the ratchet strap. An elongate tensioning device having a first end portion is connected to the ratchet strap, and the first end portion of the tensioning device extends along the rear surface of the first shell. The tensioning device has a second end portion anchored to a portion of the frame. A channel is mounted to the rear surface of the first shell and entirely encloses at least a portion of the ratchet strap. The tensioning device is a textile-based and substantially inelastic strap.
US08231548B2	Portable measuring system having a moisture-proof assembly space A portable measuring system which analyzes a liquid sample for at least one analyte. The portable measuring system has a substantially moisture-proof housing with an internal atmosphere. The housing prevents moisture from the air and water vapor from penetrating into the housing. The portable measuring system also has at least one test element support inserted into the internal atmosphere of the housing. The test element support is equipped with a retaining structure and a test element that is supported by the retaining structure. The test element support is designed such that, after insertion into the internal atmosphere, the test element is exposed to the internal atmosphere. A release mechanism is also provided which can convey at least one test element into an application position within the internal atmosphere of the housing. In this application position, the liquid sample can be applied to the test element.
US08231546B2	Systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination The present invention is directed to the parenteral procurement of bodily-fluid samples. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination from dermally-residing microbes. In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid withdrawing system is used to withdraw bodily fluid from a patient for incubation in culture media in one or more sample vessels. Prior to withdrawing bodily fluid into the one or more sample vessels for incubation, an initial volume of withdrawn bodily fluid is placed in one or more pre-sample reservoirs and is not used for the incubation in culture media.
US08231545B2	Rotational core biopsy device with liquid cryogen adhesion probe A device for biopsy of body tissue. The device is driven by liquid CO2, and is provided with a control system to control various components to effectuate rotating core biopsies.
US08231542B2	System for analyzing thermal data based on breast surface temperature to determine suspect conditions A portable computing device or microprocessor/storage system including temperature sensors used to collect temperature readings of a breast tissue of a subject. The device would collect data from the sensors at regular time intervals over a period of time. All of the generated temperature data is stored in the portable computing or storage device. The sensors are placed on the greatest areas of interest on the breast, based on where most cancers develop, by using a sensor placeholder. The sensor placeholder would be lobate shaped, with the sensor placeholder aligning with the glandular regions of the breast where cancers are most likely to develop. The temperature data is then analyzed by one or more classifier systems and classified as either suspect or non-suspect tissue.
US08231537B2	Combination sensor guidewire and methods of use The present invention provides for an improved combination sensor tip that includes a pressure sensor and a second sensor other than a pressure sensor, both disposed at or in close proximity to the distal end of the combination sensor tip. The present invention also provides for an improved connector to couple a guide wire to a physiology monitor that reduces torsional resistance when maneuvering the guide wire.
US08231535B2	Capacitative microfabricated ultrasound transducer-based intravascular ultrasound probes An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.
US08231534B2	Ultrasonic transmitter/receiver device, ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The ultrasonic transmitter/receiver device comprises a transmission section which transmits ultrasonic waves generated by a piezoelectric element when a transmission signal is inputted, a reception section which is superposed directly or indirectly on the transmission section and outputs a reception signal generated by a piezoelectric element when ultrasonic waves are received, a pair of a transmission signal wire and a transmission grounding wire for supplying the transmission signal to the transmission section, and a pair of a reception signal wire and a reception grounding wire for taking the reception signal from the reception section. The transmission grounding wire and the reception grounding wire are used in common as a common grounding wire. The common grounding wire and the transmission signal wire, and further the common grounding wire and the reception signal wire are disposed on different side surfaces of the transmission section and the reception section superposed with each other.
US08231525B2	Endoscope channel cap The invention relates to an endoscope channel cap that may be used separately with two or more endoscopes each having a cap interface portion with a different configuration. The channel cap also may include one or more seals to maintain insufflation pressure both when an endoscopic instrument is inserted in a working channel of the endoscope and when the instrument is not inserted in the channel.
US08231521B2	Penile prosthesis insertion tool and system A method of implanting a penile prosthesis into a patient includes inserting a distal end of an insertion tool into an opening formed in a tip of the penile prosthesis, expanding a mechanism from the distal end of the insertion tool into a pocket formed in the tip of the penile prosthesis, and inserting the penile prosthesis into a corpora cavernosum of the patient with the insertion tool.
US08231518B2	Cardiac diastolic augmentation improving cardiac output in electromagnetic biventricular assist device An electromagnetic biventricular assist device adapted to assist ventricular output in a human heart includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body adjacent the heart, and an electromagnetic assembly adapted for mounting on the human body in functionally cooperative relation with respect to the mat. The mat is responsive to application of a first electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic assembly so as to be movable from a neutral position towards the heart and into compressive relation with the heart, and responsive to application of a second electromagnetic field that is opposite the first electromagnetic field so as to be movable from the neutral position in a direction away from the heart to expand ventricles in the heart and augment filling of the ventricles. A control circuit is constructed and arranged to control when the first and second electromagnetic fields are generated by the electromagnetic assembly.
US08231506B2	Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods in a team sports environment Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal.
US08231505B2	Electromagnetic actuation system with force feedback control using piezoelectric ring A torque transfer device for a motor vehicle includes a clutch for transferring torque between first and second shafts. An electromagnetic actuator includes an axially moveable armature for applying an application force to the clutch. An actuator control system includes a force sensor positioned within a clutch actuation force load path and is operable to output a signal indicative of a force applied to the clutch. The control system includes a controller operable to control the electromagnetic actuator to vary the force applied to the clutch based on the force sensor signal.
US08231503B2	Torque balancing gearbox A gearbox comprising a gearset is able to transmit high output torques at high numerical reduction ratios at a power-to-weight ratio higher than previously attainable with existing designs. A distributor gear is disposed relative to a spur gear in order to produce automatic torque balancing. The distributor gear can be advantageously configured as an input floatring gear, for which support in all directions is provided by gear tooth mesh forces rather than bearings. Automatic torque balancing is achieved by configuring the distributor gear with first and second rows of helical teeth on the external circumference, and with a set of double helical teeth disposed on the internal circumference of the distributor gear. This allows for the placement of up to 50 or more planet gears in a countershaft arrangement with one end having helical teeth and the other end having spur teeth.
US08231497B2	Eight speed automatic transmission An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08231486B2	Hockey stick blade A hockey stick blade assembly has forehand and backhand blade members with respective toe ends and heel ends, plus a bridging member interconnecting the two toe ends. The forehand member has a forehand contact face and a back face, and the backhand member has a backhand contact face and an inner face. The forehand member's heel end is attached or attachable to an elongate shaft. The backhand member's heel end lies closely adjacent to, and is preferably slidable relative to, the back face of the forehand member, creating a hollow zone bounded by the bridging member, the back face of the forehand member, and the inner face of the backhand member, and open at both its upper and lower ends. The blade assembly can be configured to provide any desired combination of forehand and backhand contact surface profiles.
US08231482B2	Multi-layer core golf ball Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer.
US08231479B1	Putter Grip for reading a golf green A putter grip and blade assembly for a golf putter including a grip having a distal end and a proximal end with the grip having an opening at the proximal end for a shaft of a putter and additionally a recess in the length of the grip for a blade; the blade being rotatable for the blade to extend from the recess of the grip; and where the majority of the sides of the blade are within the recess when the blade is in a closed position.
US08231465B2	Location-aware mixed-reality gaming platform One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates location-aware, mixed-reality gaming platform. During operation, the system determines a layout of a user's surrounding. The system further detects the user's location and/or nearby objects. Next, the system associates virtual content to the determined layout and associates a set of game rules with the virtual content. Subsequently, the system produces a visual and/or audio representation of a game based on the game rules and virtual content to the user, thereby allowing the user to play a game that corresponds to his surrounding and location.
US08231462B1	Distributed secrets for validation of gaming transactions Nested commit/reveal sequences using randomized inputs from each participant in a gaming transaction (e.g., the house and each player) may be employed to provide a selection of outcome or outcomes that can be verified by each participant as free from cheating. In general, techniques may be employed in a variety of distributed gaming transaction environments and as a verification facility for any of a wide variety of games in which the risk of player collusion can be eliminated. Nonetheless, several variations on a distributed card dealing method are illustrative and will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art as applicable in other gaming environments, including games employing outcomes denominated in die (or dice) rolls, coin toss, wheel spins, blind selection or other ostensibly random selection of an outcome from a predefined set thereof.
US08231461B2	Jackpot system A jackpot system comprising at least two jackpot controllers including a first jackpot controller arranged to act at least as a master jackpot controller and a second jackpot controller arranged to act as either a master or a slave jackpot controller, the first jackpot controller arranged to act as the master jackpot controller by conducting at least one jackpot during which the master jackpot controller aggregates jackpot data and at least periodically communicates the aggregated data to at least the second jackpot controller, and the second jackpot controller arranged to act initially as the slave jackpot controller and communicate jackpot data to the first jackpot controller for aggregation, the second jackpot controller arranged to store the aggregated data received from the first jackpot controller and to act as the master controller if the master jackpot controller fails by continuing to conduct the at least one jackpot based on the stored aggregated data and by aggregating further jackpot data.
US08231460B2	Enhanced play mode in a gaming machine based on contributions from player's wagers 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, free games are provided, or the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, or additional symbols combinations are deemed winning combinations, or other game parameters may be changed that are advantageous to the player. The wagers by all the players playing machines connected to the progressive jackpot system are used to set the number of free games or the length of the enhanced play mode. The number of free games increases or the length of time of the enhanced play mode increases along with the jackpot that may be won in the enhanced play mode until the values are reset to starting values upon a jackpot win. This technique increases the likelihood that the jackpot will be won in the enhanced play mode as the jackpot progressively increases to optimize the attractiveness of the system to players.
US08231450B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing an award enhancement feature The gaming system, gaming device and method disclosed herein provide an award enhancement feature that enables a player to obtain a round up factor for an award. The award enhancement feature of the present disclosure enables increasing the value of an award by rounding the award value up to a higher value based on the award value and the round up factor.
US08231419B2	Water jet propulsion watercraft A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a main engine body, a rotor chamber disposed at a rear portion of the main engine body, a crankshaft disposed so as to extend penetratingly through the rotor chamber such that a rear end portion thereof protrudes to an outer side of the rotor chamber, a rotor unit coupled to the crankshaft inside the rotor chamber, a drive shaft connected to the rear end portion of the crankshaft and rotated together with the crankshaft, and a jet propulsion unit, having an impeller that is coupled to the drive shaft, and arranged to suck in and jet out water. The crankshaft includes a flange portion that is integral with the crankshaft inside the rotor chamber. The rotor unit is fixed to the flange portion.
US08231411B1	Card edge connector A card edge connector is provided for mating with a printed circuit board (PCB) having a card edge. The connector includes a housing having an elongate card slot and a mounting side. The card slot extends a slot length and is configured to receive the card edge of the PCB therein. The mounting side extends a side length and a width. The side length of the mounting side extends in a direction that extends along a direction of the slot length of the card slot. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include first signal contacts and second signal contacts. The first and second signal contacts have respective first and second signal mounting segments that are arranged in first and second signal rows, respectively, that extend along the side length of the mounting side of the housing. The first and second signal rows are spaced apart from each other along the width of the mounting side. Ground contacts are held by the housing. The ground contacts include ground mounting segments arranged in a ground row that extends along the side length of the mounting side. The ground row extends between the first and second signal rows along the width of the mounting side of the housing.
US08231407B1	Cable assembly with improved grounding bar A cable assembly (1000) includes an elongated housing (10) having a base portion and a mating portion, said base portion having an upper surface; a plurality of contacts (20) received in the housing; a plurality of cables (30) each comprising an inner conductor (301) and an outer conductor (302) insulated from the inner conductor, said inner conductor connected to the corresponding contact; a grounding bar (40) mounted to the base portion and substantially flush with the upper surface, said grounding bar extending along a transversal direction, with a plurality of passages (43) defined thereon to accommodate the outer conductors, respectively.
US08231404B2	Electronic connection box An electric connection box includes: a case and a wired insulating plate with electric wires laid thereon and accommodated in the case. The electric wires are respectively connected to a plurality of press-contact terminals secured on the wired insulating plate, the plurality of press-contact terminals project to the outside through the case on the side of a front surface of the wired insulating plate. The case integrally includes connector peripheral wall portions configured to surround the plurality of press-contact terminals projecting to the outside. The electric connection box also includes joining and fixing portions positioned on both sides of an alignment of the plurality of press-contact terminals in the longitudinal direction that fix the wired insulating plate and the case with respect to each other.
US08231382B2	Apparatus and method for thermally removing coatings and/or impurities This invention relates to apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials. The apparatus comprises at least one support, an oven (10) mounted to each support and adapted for receiving material to be treated: each oven (10) being moveable between a first position in which a first portion (4) is generally higher than a second portion (6) and a second position in which the second portion (6) is generally higher than the first portion (4) and in use, the or each oven (10) is repeatedly moved between first and second positions to move material within the oven. The apparatus including at least one afterburner (22) for generating a stream of hot gasses and conduit means for directing the stream of hot gasses into a treatment zone of the oven and exhaust means for returning the gasses to the at least one afterburner whereby the or each oven does not include an integral afterburner.
US08231381B2	Processing system for process object and thermal processing method for process object To provide a processing system for a process object capable of preventing a transport arm mechanism from being thermally damaged, so as to effectively perform a transport operation of the process object. A processing system 2, which takes out a process object W from a storage box 6 for process object, and thermally process the process object, includes: a vertical processing unit 24; a process-object transport area 10 disposed below the processing unit; a plurality of process-object boats 20 configured to hold the process objects; a boat elevating means 68 configured to vertically move the process-object boat 20; a boat table for transport 52, on which the process-object boat can be placed; and a transport arm mechanism configured to transport the process objects between the storage box 6 and the process-object boat 20 placed on the boat table for transport 52. The transport arm mechanism 56 is vertically moved by an arm elevating means 58. A temperature measuring means 86 is disposed in an upper part in the process-object transport area. The transport arm mechanism 58 and the arm elevating means 58 are controlled by a transport control part 88 based on a measured value of the temperature measuring means 86, so that a transport operation of the transport arm mechanism is controlled.
US08231377B2	Apparatus and method for stretching an extensible sheet material The invention provides a roll assembly including a pair of cylindrical rolls that are positioned in an opposing cooperating relation for receiving a sheet material therebetween. A plurality of projections on at least one of the rolls extending radially outward from a surface thereof and a plurality of corresponding recesses is provided on the other roll. The projections and corresponding recesses are positioned and arranged on the rolls for contacting and engaging a sheet passing between the pair of rolls. The projections each include an outermost surface portion that is positioned for contacting a discrete portion of the sheet and for entering a corresponding recess on the opposite roll. When rolls rotate about their axes, the projections engage the discrete portion of the sheet material which results in the discrete portion entering the recesses with the projections so as to stretch the sheet in multiple directions.
US08231376B2	Metal mold for compression forming To provide a metal mold for forming a preform decreasing the hitting of metal molds at a portion where a slide insert metal mold and a cavity metal mold undergo the sliding yet maintaining the pressure. The metal mold (33) for forming the preform includes a slide insert metal mold (36) split into at least two for forming at least a nozzle portion of the preform, wherein a pressure is maintained by using a fitting portion which includes a preform-forming portion of the slide insert metal mold (36) coupled together from the split state and a cavity metal mold (34). Auxiliary fitting portions (40a, 40b) where the slide insert metal mold (36) and the cavity metal mold (34) undergo the sliding is formed at a position of not forming the preform separate from the fitting portion that includes the preform-forming portion.
US08231371B1	Apparatus and methods for building and drywall tools The present invention is directed to construction tools. The present invention includes tools used for applying mastic or mud to a work surface, for example, a flat box mastic applicator tool, blade assembly, and/or blade adjustment system, that have many improvements too numerous to mention all in the Abstract. The flat box mastic applicator may include unique walls. The blade assembly may have a non-uniform cross section, e.g., a blade holder with thinner areas and/or material removed at various locations along its lateral length. The blade holder may have a larger size outer end(s) to withstand bending or braking. The blade holder may have and arched shape, ribs or bumps for holding a blade more firmly, and a ridge or bump at its outer edge to act as a dam. The blade adjustment system may include symmetrical pins or posts and a tapered leaf spring. See further improvements herein.
US08231367B2	Compressor having a simplified structure with a reduced size There is provided with a compressor comprising: a compressor main body in which fluid inhaled from an inhale port is compressed, and the compressed fluid is exhausted from an exhaust port; and a pressure retaining device where provided on the exhaust port side of the compressor main body, and retaining pressure on the exhaust port side, wherein the pressure retaining device comprises: a valve body communicating with the exhaust port; an urging member normally urging the valve body into a direction to be closed; and a back-pressure means where an intermediate pressure between the inhale port and the exhaust port of the compressor main body is introduced as back pressure which affects the valve body, and wherein the valve body of the pressure retaining device is openable according to difference between pressure at the exhaust port, and the intermediate pressure of the back-pressure means and force by the urging member.
US08231361B2	Hydrostatic pump A hydrostatic pump (1) with a variable displacement volume can be operated in a closed circuit and is driven by a drive engine (2), in particular by an internal combustion engine. To control the displacement of the pump (1), a control device (4) is provided which can be actuated as a function of the speed-dependent control pressure which is a function of the speed of the drive engine (2). To improve the control characteristics of the pump, a switchover device (35) is provided, by which the pump (1) can be switched between a speed-dependent displacement control by the speed-dependent control pressure and a volume flow-dependent delivery control, in which the control device (4) of the pump (1) can be controlled as a function of the actuation of an actuator mechanism (28).
US08231359B2	Pump unit comprising a main pump and a charge pump with a variable pump capacity A pump unit includes a main pump (4) and a charge pump (5), the pump capacity of which is adjustable via an adjusting element. To adjust the pump capacity of the charge pump (5), an adjusting element of the charge pump (5) is acted upon by an adjusting force which is dependent on the inlet pressure of the main pump (4).
US08231351B2	Adaptive rotor blade for a wind turbine A rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided, the rotor blade having a first module of a first type and a second module of a second type, each module having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the first module and the proximal end of the second module are adapted to be attached to each other to form at least a part of the rotor blade, wherein at least one of said first and second modules is selected from a set of at least two differently shaped modules of the same type. Further, a kit of parts for adapting a wind turbine to a site constraint is provided, the kit of parts comprising several modules for assembling a modular rotor blade, wherein the several modules comprise at least one root-type module and at least one tip-type module and at least one further module of the root-type or the tip-type, wherein the at least one further module has a different shape compared to the other module of the same type. Finally a method for adapting a rotor of a wind turbine to a site constraint is provided.
US08231350B1	Turbine rotor blade A turbine rotor blade with a serpentine flow cooling circuit to provide cooling for the airfoil section, where the serpentine flow circuit is formed of a series of up-pass channels and at least one down-pass channel, and where the up-pass channels are formed by a series of impingement cavities separated by slanted ribs each with an impingement hole to direct impingement cooling air against the backside surface of the airfoil wall for cooling, and where the down-pass channel or channels is an open channel to minimize a pressure loss in the cooling air flow. Rotation of the blade produces a centrifugal force on the cooling air flow that increases the pressure of the impingement cooling air at the blade outer radial span wise direction.
US08231342B2	Impeller arrangement and pump A multi-impeller arrangement and to a pump having the impeller arrangement. The impeller arrangement or impeller cluster includes at least two impellers, each impeller having an annular back plate and an annular front plate. The impellers are releasably secured together in an axially in-line series having the front plate of a first impeller at one end and the back plate of a second impeller at the other end. The second impeller includes an axial projection which extends from its back plate, through and beyond its front plate to the first impeller. The first impeller is engaged with the projection of the second impeller such that all impellers are rotatable as an assembly.
US08231340B2	Leaf seal A leaf seal 10 in a rotary machine is located between a higher pressure region 14 and a lower pressure region 16 of the machine. Blow-down forces are greater on the lower pressure side 16 of the leaf seal 10 than on its higher pressure side 14, resulting in greater inward deflection of the leaves 20 on the lower pressure side of the seal than on its higher pressure side, leading in turn to greater wear of the leaves and the contacting rotor surface 44 on the lower pressure side 16 of the seal. To counteract this, the free ends 36 of the leaves 20 can be given a tapered profile 42 to gradually reduce the length of each leaf 20 over its width ‘w’ from its higher pressure side 14 to its lower pressure side 16, so that the leaves 20 are free to deflect under the blow-down forces by the amount of their reduction in length (a maximum of ‘x’), before they contact the rotor surface. As an alternative to profiling the rotor-contacting ends 36 of the leaves, the leaf-contacting surface of the rotor can be given a tapered profile 46 in a minor-reversed version of the leaf-end profile 42.
US08231322B2	Fast swap dual substrate transport for load lock A load lock is provided for a semiconductor substrate processing system having a transport robot mounted therein. The load lock transport supplies substrates directly to a processing chamber without the need for a central transport robot. The load lock transport is a dual element robot designed for minimum clearance and space and operates within a matching load lock chamber of minimum volume.
US08231304B2	Artificial flagstone An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a base portion for placement on the supporting surface, which base portion is shaped as a right regular prism for patterned, fitting arrangement of the flagstone with like flagstones to produce a continuous surface covering. The base portion has a regular base contour. The stone further includes a top portion with a facing surface, the facing surface having an irregularly shaped top contour different from the base contour and an intermediate portion connecting the top portion with the base portion. The intermediate portion has an inclined wall extending between the top portion and a sidewall of the base portion. Stones of this construction can easily be arranged in a regular, repeated pattern to generate a continuous covering for the supporting surface without the surface of the resulting covering having a regular, patterned appearance. The irregular top contours of the stones, simulate the appearance of natural stone.
US08231296B2	Mechanism for a writing implement, a writing implement including such a mechanism, and a method of manufacture A method of manufacturing a writing implement mechanism that includes a tubular element. The tubular element has a central axis and includes a first wall and a second wall which are fixed relative to each other. The second wall is offset towards the central axis relative to the first wall in a direction that is radial relative to the central axis. The first wall presents a first edge and the second wall presents a second edge. The first and second edges define a guide extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end in a direction that is inclined relative to the central axis. The method includes the steps of supplying at least two half-shells adapted to form the first edge and outside portions of the walls.
US08231294B2	Multi-cosmetic, extendable and retractable cosmetic applicator A cosmetic applicator for retaining a plurality of cosmetic members for selective extension and retraction with a housing, a revolver chamber rotatably retained within the housing, a plurality of cosmetic members disposed within longitudinal tubes circumferentially spaced relative to the revolver chamber, a slide button retained to slide along a longitudinal channel in the housing, and an end cap for selectively rotating the revolver chamber to induce one of the plurality of cosmetic members to become an active cosmetic member. The end cap can be rotatably retained relative to the housing and drivingly engaged with the revolver chamber with a key and keyhole combination. The housing can have has an eccentric aperture in the distal end thereof and the cosmetic members can be eccentrically disposed relative to the revolver chamber to align selectively with the aperture in the distal end of the housing.
US08231288B2	Rotary shaft locking device and recording apparatus having the same A rotary shaft locking device includes a locking unit having a transmission gear receiving rotary torque from a power source, transmitting rotary torque to a rotary shaft as the transmission gear receives rotary torque from the power source, and locking the rotary shaft as transmission of rotary torque from the power source is cut off, and a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear provided to be meshed with a sun gear and to planetarily move around the sun gear, and displaced between a meshed position and an unmeshed position so as to be meshed with and separated from the transmission gear. The locking unit locks the rotary shaft for a power cutoff time which occurs when the rotation direction of the sun gear is switched and for which the transmission gear is not meshed with both the first planetary gear and the second planetary gear.
US08231282B2	Reversible fiber optic connector A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
US08231281B2	Repeatable optical waveguide interconnection including an index matching elastomeric solid layer providing core and cladding index of refraction matching and related methods A repeatable optical waveguide interconnection may include first and second optical waveguides having respective first and second end faces. Each of the first and second optical waveguides may include a core having a core index of refraction, and a cladding surrounding the core and having a cladding index of refraction different than the core index of refraction. The interconnection may further include a first index matching elastomeric solid layer having a proximal face coupled to the first end face, and a distal face opposite the proximal face to be repeatably optically coupled to the second end face. The first index matching elastomeric solid layer may have an index of refraction profile matching an index of refraction of the core and the cladding.
US08231278B1	Removable cam journal A cam journal for attaching a camshaft to a cylinder head includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and lower portion of the cam journal have a generally semi-circular bearing surfaces, chamfer regions, and circumferential beveled edges. The lower portions also include oil holes. The cam journal is removably attached to a cylinder head by first connecting multiple cam journal lower portions to the cylinder head, then positioning a camshaft on those lower portions. Upper portions are placed over the camshaft and are connected to the lower portions. A fastener is used to securely connect the cam journal to the cylinder head.
US08231272B2	Stand-up, easy-open and easy-close package of flexible material, particularly for liquid, viscous, pasty, granular or powdered products A package made of a flexible material for containing liquid, viscous, pasty, granular or powdered products has a supporting base from which rise two opposite side walls joined to the perimeter of the base and joined to each other along the side edges. Each side wall includes an upper flap joined thereto by a fold line. The package also includes a top wall joined peripherally to the upper flaps of the sidewalls and a peelable closure in at least one portion of the perimeter of the top wall joined to the upper flaps of the sidewalls. The peelable closure is destined to be opened so as to form an opening for discharging the product. On the top wall there are provided gripping elements adapted to be gripped and raised by the user so as to cause the separation of the peelable closure to create the opening for discharging the product.
US08231268B2	Screening system and method for analyzing a plurality of biosensors A screening device and a method are described herein which can automatically handle and measure (interrogate) a plurality of sensor carriers (i.e., multiwell plates, microplates) with multi-dimensionally arranged, temperature-compensated or temperature-compensatable optical sensors, while maintaining a substantially constant temperature gradient for a relatively long period of time around the optical sensors where temperature compensation has been performed on the sensor carriers.
US08231255B2	Vehicle light A vehicle light can electrically change over between a horizontally wide light distribution pattern and an AFS suitable light distribution pattern for projecting light beams leftward (or rightward according to the traffic system). The vehicle light can include a projection lens having a light incident surface and a light exiting surface; and a horizontally long rectangular surface light source including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices that are horizontally disposed on both sides with respect to a focus of the projection lens and are independently controlled to be turned on/off. The projection lens can vertically converge and horizontally diffuse light beams for projection. Respective optical axes of the projection lens and the rectangular surface light source are inclined by an angle θ toward an outer side with respect to a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle body where the vehicle light is to be mounted, whereby a light distribution pattern horizontally uniform can be formed by light beams emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices disposed on the outer side with respect to the focus of the projection lens.
US08231241B2	Self-leveling bracket for lighting fixture A self-leveling bracket assembly for suspending a lighting fixture from a ceiling of a structure. The light fixture comprising a frame having a first and second ends, the self-leveling bracket assembly having two brackets, each bracket comprising a connector member adapted to be attached to the ceiling and a hangar having one end pivotally attached to the connector member and another end adapted to receive the light fixture.
US08231232B2	Illuminating device, image display device, and lamp unit A circuit board is attached in a displaceable manner to a lamp holder. When the lamp holder is attached to a holder housing, ends of pins extending from the holder housing are inserted into holes of the circuit board. At the time, the circuit board is guided and corrected for a positional shift by inclines at ends of the pins. Accordingly, a connector on an under surface of the circuit board is opposed to a connector on a circuit board in the holder housing side, whereby the two connectors can be properly connected.
US08231230B2	Image projection device The invention relates to an image projection device having a light source (1) from which light at a different wavelength originates sequentially, having an image modulation arrangement (4) and a projection surface (6) on which images are perceived visually. The invention also relates to a light source drive circuit (2) for an image projection device such as this. An image projection device of this type is provided, in which the image modulation arrangement (4) comprises a polarization beam splitter (11) and two reflective display areas (12.1, 12.2), each display area (12.1, 12.2) has an array of image reproduction elements which can be driven separately, by means of which the polarization direction of incident light is varied as a function of predetermined image information, the illumination beam path is first of all directed, for splitting purposes, into an s-polarized beam path element and a p-polarized beam path element towards the polarization beam splitter (11), the s-polarized beam path element is directed a the first display area (12.1) and the p-polarized beam path element is directed at the second display area (12.2), and the light which has been reflected from specific image reproduction elements in the display areas (12.1, 12.2) and whose polarization direction has been changed during the process is directed at the projection optics (5).
US08231229B2	Temperature sensor mounting structure and video projector A mounting structure for a temperature sensor, which detects the temperature of a wall surface. The mounting structure includes a groove formed in the wall surface and having an inlet from which the temperature sensor is inserted. The temperature sensor includes a main body, which has a temperature detection surface that detects the temperature of the wall surface, and a lead wire connected to the main body. A support supports the main body. A wire bender bends the lead wire of the temperature sensor extending out of the inlet to press the temperature detection surface of the temperature sensor against the wall surface with an elastic force of the lead wire that is produced when the lead wire is bent. A stopper restricts movement of the main body of the temperature sensor.
US08231215B2	Recording medium conveying device An apparatus includes a belt that attracts a recording medium using electrostatic force, and a power source that applies voltage to the belt. The apparatus further includes a voltage controller that controls the voltage applied to a charging portion of the belt, and a recording controller that transmits recording medium information on the recording medium to the voltage controller. The voltage controller changes a value of voltage applied to the charging portion, according to the recording medium information transmitted from the recording controller.
US08231204B2	Liquid ejection head and method for manufacturing liquid ejection head The present invention provides liquid ejection head enables a reduction in the distance between a print medium and an ejection port formation face of the liquid ejection head on which an ejection port is formed, improving the landing accuracy of droplets ejected from the liquid ejection head. A print head according to the present invention includes an element substrate and a supporting member. A supporting portion is located in the space between the element substrate and the supporting member. Connection wiring is formed on the supporting portion. The connection wiring is provided which connects wiring inside of the supporting member provided in the supporting member to the heat generating element.
US08231196B2	Continuous feed duplex printer A printing system performs full printhead assembly width duplex printing operations on both sides of a continuous web of print media. The printing system includes an entrance roller configured to receive a print media and to direct the print media in a first direction or a second direction, an intermediate roller configured to receive the print media after the entrance roller directs the print media in the first direction, and to direct the print media in a third direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and an exit roller. An inverter apparatus inverts the print media after the entrance roller directs the print media in the first direction and before the exit roller receives the print media.
US08231186B1	Hanging folder stop A hanging folder stop that is used in conjunction with a drawer in a filing cabinet that utilizes hanging folders. The hanging folder stop is fabricated from a length of plastic tubing that can be removably mounted onto a side wall of the filing cabinet drawer. Once a number of hanging folder stops have been mounted onto both the left and right side walls of the filing cabinet drawer, the hanging folders that are mounted on the side walls of the drawer will be forced to remain in a position roughly close to parallel with the front and rear panels of the drawer, thereby preventing the folders from dismounting from the side panels of the drawer and falling into the drawer itself.
US08231181B2	Brake system In a brake system including a master cylinder and an electrically-driven hydraulic pressure generator with front and rear pistons, when the hydraulic pressure generator cannot be operated and a failure of a first hydraulic system linked to a rear fluid chamber of the generator occurs and makes a first hydraulic system open to the atmosphere, the brake-fluid pressure of a second hydraulic system transmitted from the master cylinder to a wheel cylinder via a front fluid chamber of the generator is used to perform braking. A forward-facing third front cup seal provided at an intermediate portion of the front piston prevents the brake-fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder from leaking out from a front supply port via the rear fluid chamber. At the same time, a stopper prevents the pressure of the front fluid chamber from moving the front piston excessively backward. The braking is accordingly secured by use of the second hydraulic system linked to the front fluid chamber of the motor cylinder.
US08231170B2	Vehicle roof system In a vehicle roof system for closing and opening a roof opening (2a) formed in a fixed roof panel (2) of a vehicle with a moveable roof panel (4), a pair of push-pull cables (22) extend from an electric motor (24) mounted on a front frame (12) extending along the front edge of the roof opening to either side of the moveable roof panel, and cross each other at three locations (P1-P3) on the front frame in plan view. Idle cable section of the first push-pull cable (22l) that meshes with the rear side of a drive gear of the electric motor crosses the drive cable section of the second push-pull cable (22r) at one location (P1), and the drive cable section of the first push-pull cable includes a bulging section bulging forward by crossing the idle cable section of the second push-pull cable at two locations (P2 and P3). Thereby, the radius of curvature of the drive cable section of the first push-pull cable can be maximized. This in turn minimizes the frictional resistance to the push-pull cables, and allows a relatively small electric motor to be used. As a result, the thickness of the vehicle roof can be minimized, and the front edge of the roof opening to be brought highly close to the front end of the upper edge of the windshield.
US08231161B2	Drinking vessel carrier A drinking vessel carrier (10) comprises four support members (12, 14, 16, 18) pivotally mounted to one-another and a handle (20). An aperture (24) is provided in each support member (12, 14, 16, 18) for receiving a vessel to be supported. The support members (12, 14, 16, 18) are arranged in a stack and can be fanned or splayed out to different angular positions. When splayed out in one direction the support members lock 90° apart and when splayed out in the other direction, three of the support members (14, 16, 18) lock 120° apart, with the other support member (12) lying under the adjacent support member (14).
US08231156B2	Contact lens application device and method A pressure application and removal device is provided for the purpose of assisting insertion of contact lenses. The device comprises a frame portion, two contact lens holders, a pressurizing assembly, and a liquid delivery assembly. The frame portion has the structure of standard eyeglasses frames and rests on a user's ears and nose. The contact lens holders are formed of wash cups that retain contact lenses along the inside of their concave surface. Fluid conduits extend from an apex of the wash cups to a flexible ball in the center of the device. When said ball is depressed, a positive pressure or vacuum is generated to facilitate insertion and removal of contact lenses to or from a user's eye. A second flexible ball may be filled with liquid. When the ball is compressed liquid flows through a second set of conduits into the eye of a user.
US08231155B2	Bumper system for motor vehicles A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a cross-member having a U-shape that opens away from the motor vehicle and includes a pair of outer flanges. At least one crush box is connected with the cross-member and supports the same on the motor vehicle. A closure member is operably connected with the outer flanges of the cross-member, and includes first and second longitudinal segments, each of which has a generally U-shaped configuration which opens toward the cross-member, and includes a base, a pair of legs, and a pair of flanges. A coupling member attaches the first and second segments of the closure member to the outer flanges of the cross-member and includes a connecting bar that extends in a generally vertical plane and is connected with the base of each of the first and second segments.
US08231126B2	Medium-directing device and image-forming apparatus A medium-directing device includes: first-third roll members, the third roll member contacting the first and second roll members in first and second regions, respectively; and a directing member having first and second directing surfaces and being rotatable between first and second positions such that the directing member, when located at the first position, directs a medium conveyed along a first conveyance path toward the first region via the first directing surface and directs a medium conveyed from the second region toward a second conveyance path via the second directing surface, the directing member including a region of the second directing surface on a side closer to the second region relative to a bent portion, in which, when the directing member is at the first position, a distance between the second directing surface and a tangential line between the second and third roll members increases toward the second region.
US08231119B2	Workbench with saw horse A worktable having first and second portions that are removably coupled to one another. When the first and second portions are decoupled from one another they can be arranged into free-standing positions where they can be used as sawhorses.
US08231111B2	Foam generating apparatus A foam generating apparatus has a body with an inlet end at one end and an outlet end at the other end; a wind averaging piece contained in the body and adjacent to the inlet end, a buffer space being defined between the side of the wind averaging piece toward the inlet end and the inner edge of the inlet end, and the wind averaging piece being provided with a plurality of radially arranged through holes; and a porous body disposed in the body and abutting against the side of the wind averaging piece toward the outlet end, and a foam collecting chamber being defined between the porous body and the inner edge of the outlet end.
US08231109B2	Reel structure for marine fabric tape A reel structure for a marine fabric tape includes a reel device pivoted to an engaging seat. When a handle of a windlass is turned, a flat rod will be driven to rotate a gear shaft which then drives a gear disc to rotate. Because a head portion is positioned in an axle shaft, a fabric tape is rolled up along with the axle shaft to form a circular shape, providing an even applied force for rolling up the fabric tape.
US08231106B2	Synchronous moving device and image measuring apparatus A synchronous moving device includes: a device body; a movable portion which is provided in the device body; a feed screw shaft which is supported on the device body; a nut member which is thread-engaged with the feed screw shaft; a coupler which couples the movable portion and the nut member; and a cable binder which supports and guides a cable wired into the movable portion, wherein: the coupler includes a first member fixed to the movable portion, a second member fixed to the nut member, and an intermediate member interposed between the first and second members for absorbing deflecting motion of the feed screw shaft; and an end portion of the cable binder on a side of wiring of the cable into the movable portion is connected to the second member through a connection member and moved in synchronization with the movable portion.
US08231105B2	Adjustable metering servovalve for a fuel injector, and relative adjustment method The metering servovalve (7) includes a valve body (8, 30), a shutter (45), and an electromagnet (15), and is housed inside a casing (2) of the injector (1). The electromagnet (15) activates a movable armature (16) performing a travel defined by a stop member (19) carried by the electromagnet (15), which is fixed inside the casing by a threaded ring nut (40) with the interposition of at least one deformable shim (48). The ring nut (40) is screwed to a predetermined tightening torque to a thread (46) on the casing (2) to elastically deform the shim (48). And the shim (48) is defined by a metal ring with, for example, an L-, C-, S-, Z- or Σ-shaped cross section.
US08231100B2	Concrete form brace having article securing mechanism A brace for concrete forms employing first and second form elements includes at least one attachment member adapted and constructed to secure the brace to at least one of the form elements. A span member is connected to the at least one attachment member, and has a length sufficient to hold the first and second form elements apart. At least one article securing mechanism secures the article associated with the concrete form to the brace.
US08231096B2	Telescopic tube set for bridge transport system A telescopic tube set for a bridge transport system is disclosed. The telescopic tube set includes cylindrical tubes each having an upper end, at which an upper ring is mounted, and a lower end, at which a lower ring is mounted, the cylindrical tubes having different diameters, pulleys mounted to respective inner wall surfaces of a part of the tubes, and extension/retraction lines each having an end connected to the upper ring of a corresponding one of the tubes, and an opposite end connected to the upper ring of another corresponding one of the tubes while extending around the pulley mounted to the tube interposed between the corresponding tubes. A plurality of bearings are installed at the lower ring to guide the tube, at which the lower ring is mounted, such that the tube extends or retracts straight in a longitudinal direction.
US08231094B1	Adjustable cup holder An adjustable cup holder incorporates an elongated clamp assembly and cup support assembly. The clamp assembly has a proximal end and a distal clamping end. The cup support assembly is connected at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, and comprises a body portion and a pair of arcuate cup-encircling arms having respective spaced-apart free ends. A pivot pin enables pivot adjustment of the cup support assembly at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, such that the cup support assembly is movable between a desired in-use position depending from the clamp assembly, and a folded stowed position beside the clamp assembly. In the stowed position, the clamp assembly passes between the spaced-apart free ends of the cup-encircling arms and into an area defined between the cup-encircling arms.
US08231092B2	Shelf support A shelf support including a rod portion and a seating portion extending therefrom is provided. The rod portion is adapted for fixing to a support wall. The seating portion includes a spiral-shaped outer surface which constitutes a plurality of support surfaces for supporting a bottom portion of a shelf, where, when the rod portion is fixed to the support wall and the bottom portion of the shelf is disposed above the seating portion, rotation of the shelf support causes a portion of the spiral-shaped outer surface to engage the bottom portion of the shelf.
US08231082B2	Method and device for correcting the lateral dissymmetry of an aircraft Disclosed is an aircraft that comprises a fuselage, a left wing and a right wing opposite one another with respect to said fuselage and each enclosing at least one fuel tank. The aircraft further includes a control device that controls transfer of fuel from a tank on one wing to a tank on another wing, and an automatic pilot that detects a roll-wise inclination of the aircraft as a result of lateral dissymmetry. The automatic pilot is linked to the control device such that the automatic pilot controls the control device to transfer the fuel only at a condition of rectilinear and uniform cruising flight of the aircraft.
US08231080B2	Distributing power in systems having a composite structure Systems and methods to distribute power in a system having a composite structure are provided. A particular aircraft includes a fuselage having a composite skin. The composite skin includes a first resin and a plurality of fibers. The fuselage also includes an expanded conductive patch bonded to an interior surface of the composite skin by a second resin. The expanded conductive patch is in electrical contact with the plurality of fibers. The fuselage also includes a connector in electrical contact with the expanded conductive patch.
US08231079B2	Aerodynamic braking device for aircraft A speed brake apparatus reduces the airspeed of an aircraft by increasing aerodynamic drag. First and second brake panels are located on opposite sides of a portion of the aircraft, such as the fuselage, and are adapted to swing outward about a downstream hinge axis into deployed positions extending into the air stream. The panels are controlled by an operating device that includes a linear actuator. The actuator moves an operating head connected to a pair of toggle assemblies to convert linear movement of the operating head to the deployment and retraction movement of the brake panels.
US08231077B2	Torque counter-action device A torque resisting device for a helicopter which comprises a body, a first rotor and a tail rotor wherein the device comprises a deflector secured to and moveable relative to the body, wherein the deflector is positioned between the main rotor and the tail rotor and wherein the deflector is positioned generally aligned with the body in a non-deployed position and a portion of the deflector is positioned spaced apart from the body in a deployed position. Additionally, a method to counteract torque in the operating of a helicopter.
US08231076B2	Dispenser with toweling received within recess of loading door A towel dispenser includes a housing including a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position, in which the housing is configured to dispense towels there from, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein; and a guide system that is configured to guide the toweling within the housing while towels are dispensed from the housing. The loading door serves as a towel carrier and has a curved surface defining a cavity configured to receive the roll of paper towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of paper towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding.
US08231073B2	Load limiting seat belt retractor A seat belt retractor incorporating a force limiter to permit the restricted paying out of a seat belt webbing and a control mechanism for controlling the force limiting functions of the retractor. The arrangement includes a two part spindle within a retractor. On a first part of the spindle the safety belt is wound. A second part of the spindle is configured to be locked by a retractor locking device. The two spindle parts are interconnected by a belt load limiting torsion bar. The torsion bar has two sections of different torsional stiffness. The junction between the two torsion bar sections is releasably connected to part of the spindle. When the connection is present one energy absorbing level is provided and when the connection is controlled there is another energy absorbing level. The connection is broken in response to a relative movement between the two spindle parts caused by an initial belt force in excess of a predetermined force. When the initial belt load is less than a predetermined force, the control mechanism shifts from the first to the second load level. When the initial belt load is greater than the predetermined load level, the control mechanism maintains the first load level.
US08231070B2	Devices, methods and applications for extraction of molecules from polymeric gel electrophoretic media A device and method to provide a simplified wash process and controlled disintegration of a soft substance, such as a gel, are disclosed. In use, a block of, e.g., gel matrix is placed in the device and washed with a series of appropriate solutions to remove interfering contaminants. The washing liquid is removed through a deformable narrow opening in the bottom of the device, and, subsequently, the gel block is extruded through the deformable narrow opening, by a physical force, such as centrifugal force, a vacuum or positive pressure from a gas or liquid, etc., resulting in fragmentation of the gel block into a series of particles of similar size. The fragmentation of the gel results from shear forces exerted onto the gel block traveling through the deformable narrow opening in the device. The rate of such fragmentation and resulting fragment size can be controlled by extruding the gel block using a predefined level of force as well as by controlling the dimensions and shape of the narrow opening (s) in the device.
US08231068B2	Dry, low nitrous oxide calciner injector An injection device transfers calcium carbonate particles for regeneration into calcium oxide. The device includes an injector body having an inlet end which receives a heated air volume, and a discharge end. At least one transfer tube disposed through a portion of the injector body discharges the calcium carbonate particles at the discharge end. At least one flow nozzle receives the heated air volume and discharges the heated air volume at the discharge end. Each flow nozzle is angularly oriented to directly impinge the plurality of calcium carbonate particles discharged from the transfer tube with the heated air volume. A flow splitter can also be connected to the device to split the calcium carbonate particles into multiple flow streams.
US08231067B1	Straw Disclosed is a straw that consists of a fluid tube including a upstanding continuous sidewall having a proximal end forming an outlet, and an opposing distal end forming an inlet. The outlet and the inlet allow liquids to be drawn through the fluid tube from the distal end to the proximal end under suction pressure. A port extends through the continuous sidewall adjacent the proximal end thereof. The outlet defines a first size, the inlet defines a second size, and the port defines a third size. The second size is at least one of equal to and greater than the first size, and the third size is at least one of equal to and greater than the first size.
US08231054B1	Time-varying barcodes for information exchange Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a time-varying barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, information to be transmitted is divided into packets. A barcode image is generated from each packet. Each barcode image is displayed sequentially with varying display times based on the complexity of the barcode image. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence until the entire information is received.
US08231053B2	Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and closing of the micro-warehouse door, scanning the plurality of products in the micro-warehouse upon sensing closing of the door to determine the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, generating a message based on the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, transmitting the message to a remote processor or server, and maintaining an inventory in the remote processor based on the message. The system is designed to be accessed by authorized individuals possessing some type of code or identifying mechanism. The micro-warehouses may be cabinets, refrigerators, secured rooms, or similar storage units or areas.
US08231051B2	Integrated online door via electronic door handle A door security apparatus including a door strike connected to a structure and electrically connected to a first energy transceiver. The door strike is in spaced mating relationship to a door. A door-locking device is coupled to the door for locking and unlocking the door to the door strike. The door-locking device is electrically connected to a second energy transceiver in spaced mating relationship and electrically communicating with the first energy transceiver. The door-locking device includes an access interface communicating with a microprocessor for receiving an access credential. A controlling device is electrically connected to the first energy transceiver, and the controlling device initiates unlocking and locking the door to the door strike using the door-locking device after evaluating the validity of the access credential received from the access interface.
US08231050B1	Automated banking machine controlled responsive to data bearing records An automated transaction machine can operate to carry out a financial transaction for a machine user responsive to communication with a financial transaction host computer. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of a user card. The machine sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses a user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation to be presented to a machine user corresponding to the user identifier. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the machine user. A marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to a machine user. Machine communication with the remote marketing message computer is independent of machine communication with the transaction host computer.
US08231048B2	Test-sensor cartridge A test-sensor cartridge including a plurality of test sensors adapted to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample. The cartridge further includes a plurality of walls forming a cavity therein. The cavity is adapted to include the plurality of test sensors. At least one of the plurality of walls forms at least one aperture. The cartridge further includes a lid adapted to enclose the cavity. The cartridge further includes a locking feature adapted to lock the lid to one or more of the walls. The locking feature is adapted to be disengaged by the at least one aperture receiving a projection of an analyte-testing instrument.
US08231046B2	Wire bonding apparatus and wire bonding method A wire bonding method involves bonding a wire in order at a first bonding point and a second bonding point; raising a capillary, through which the wire is inserted, on the second bonding point; cutting the wire by closing a clamper provided above the capillary at a time when the capillary has reached a prescribed height; and measuring a load incurred on the wire at a time of cutting of the wire.
US08231043B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface and a longitudinally extending elongate slot, an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface, and a longitudinally extending elongate slot. A surgical buttress is releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A central knife blade is slidably disposable in the longitudinal extending elongate slot of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly, and a knife blade is supported in a distal end portion of at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The distal knife blade is actuatable by the central knife blade upon an actuation of the central knife blade.
US08231039B2	Structural backbone/motor mount for a power tool A hand-held tool with a backbone, a motor assembly that is mounted to the backbone, and a plastic housing. The motor assembly can include a driver and can be selectively actuatable to translate the driver along an axis. The plastic housing can be coupled to the backbone and can shroud at least a portion of the backbone.
US08231034B2	Hat brim protector and shaper A hat pallet for use in a printer which prints an image onto a hat of the type having a cap and a brim attached thereto includes a bottom plate and a top plate mountable in a closed position over the bottom plate. The bottom plate includes a printing plate and a brim support fixedly mounted thereon. The top plate has an opening exposing at least a portion of the printing plate when the top plate is in the closed position. The brim support is positioned relative to the printing plate such that when the hat is mounted in the pallet with the top plate in the closed position, a portion of the cap on which the image is to be printed is supported on the printing plate and exposed through the opening of the top plate and the underside of the brim of the hat is supported by the brim support.
US08231033B2	Disinfectant cap for sterile liquid dispenser A disinfectant cap for sterile liquid dispensers is disclosed. The cap includes a biocide-containing reservoir separated from the hollow interior of the cap by a rigid partition having an aperture therein for receiving the outlet port of the dispensing end of the dispenser, the cap being configured such that when in a closed configuration, the outlet port of the dispensing end extends through the aperture into the biocide-containing reservoir and the rigid partition is configured such that when the cap is removed from the dispensing end the biocide is retained in the reservoir. This may be achieved by selecting the size of the aperture such that when the cap is removed from the dispensing end the biocide is retained in the reservoir by surface tension. Or the partition may be provided with a hinged flap which seals the aperture when the cap is removed from the dispensing end and which is moved away from the aperture when the outlet port extends through the aperture.
US08231026B2	Condiment container A condiment container whose form factor of the condiment container is selected to enable the condiment container to be carried and held in place by a standard drink holder. By configuring the condiment container to be received in a standard drink holder, the problems associated with incorporating a condiment container in a drink container lid are overcome.
US08231023B2	Construction device and method Removal of the bottom end of a container, and provision of the container with threaded sections at both ends of the container allows multiple containers of the same type to be threaded together to form a tube.
US08231019B2	Bottle closure Closure for bottles, particularly for a bottle with a neck (2) provided with a thread (5), the said closure comprising an inner cap of plastics material, having an end wall (9) and a tubular skirt (10) connected to the rim of the said end wall and extending axially along the neck, the said tubular skirt (10) being provided with an internal thread (12) which engages with the said thread (5) provided on the neck, together with an outer cap (14) of sheet metal which covers the said inner cap and which is fixed to the neck of the bottle by fixing means (22), at least one circular weakening line (19) being provided in the said sheet metal outer cap (14), the said outer cap (14) having a tubular shape and being provided with an annular enlargement (24) extending radially outwards and axially over a specified distance with the formation of an inner annular channel (25) delimited by corresponding axial end stops (26, 27) and facing the tubular skirt (10) of the inner cap. The latter is provided with an annular thickening (28) extending radially and axially, the said thickening (28) being delimited by corresponding axial end stops (29, 30) and being force-fitted into the said channel (25).
US08231018B2	Screw closure with tamper-proof strip The present invention relates to a screw closure with tamper-proof strip, wherein the screw closure (10) has a tamper-proof strip connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt (2) by way of an easily tearable connection (8). The strip being in the form of a flexible strip (3), comprising a first portion (4) directed downward from the cap skirt (2) and a second portion (5) which is attached at the lower end of the first portion (4), and which is folded over inwardly and back in the direction of the head plate (1). At least one extension (7) is provided in axial extension of the second portion (5), the extension being attached to the outer free edge of the inwardly folded-over second portion (5), and leaving the inner edge thereof free. The second portion has at least one recess and extends along the inner circumference of the screw closure.
US08231012B2	Filtrate storage system A method of removing a filtrate storage bottle from a water bath includes inserting at least two finger underneath a radially protruding lip of a filtrate storage bottle sealing cap and raising the at least two fingers to lift the bottle from the water bath. A side wall portion of the filtrate storage bottle sealing cap is smaller in perimeter than a circle surrounding the radially protruding lip. The cap creates a liquid tight seal with the filtrate storage bottle.
US08231011B1	Agitator and mechanical bucket for use therewith A motor driven agitator comprises a frame and a plurality of shafts rotatably coupled within the frame. The plurality of shafts are operationally coupled to the motor. The axes of the plurality of shafts are substantially parallel when coupled within the frame. The agitator further comprises a plurality of scalping agitators coupled to each shaft of the plurality of shafts. The agitator may further comprise a plurality of screening spaces each having a predetermined spacing. Material placed on a top side of the agitator is agitated by the plurality of scalping agitators while the plurality of shafts rotate, screening small material through the plurality of screening spaces while maintaining the larger material on the top side of the agitator. The agitator may be removably coupled to a mechanical bucket.
US08231009B2	Magnetic screen clamping A magnetic clamping system for a shale shaker including at least one screen having at least two side ends extending between a first side and a second side and at least one attachment surface. The system further includes at least one mating surface of the shale shaker configured to receive the at least one screen, and at least one magnet disposed between the at least one screen and the shale shaker, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to magnetically couple the at least one screen directly to the shale shaker. Additionally, the system includes at least one decoupling apparatus, the decoupling apparatus having a handle disposed proximate a perimeter of a shale shaker, and at least one shaft that extends horizontally between the handle and one of the at least one magnet, wherein the handle is rotatable to reverse the polarity of the magnet.
US08231006B2	Methods to recover and purify silicon particles from saw kerf The present disclosure generally relates to methods for recovering silicon from saw kerf, or an exhausted abrasive slurry, resulting from the cutting of a silicon ingot, such as a single crystal or polycrystalline silicon ingot. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for isolating and purifying silicon from saw kerf or the exhausted slurry, such that the resulting silicon may be used as a raw material, such as a solar grade silicon raw material.
US08231005B2	Reticle pod A container that provides support structure and environmental control means including, for example, minimal contact with a wafer or reticle contained therein that cooperates with wafer or reticle to provide a diffusion barrier mitigates against particles settling on a face of the wafer or reticle. The container includes a base having a flat, polished surface with protrusions upon which the wafer or reticle rests. The protrusions are of a geometry, such as a sphere, that imparts minimum contact with the wafer or reticle and suspends the wafer or reticle over the base, providing a gap therebetween. The gap isolates the wafer or reticle from the flat, polished surface of the base, but is dimensioned to inhibit migration of particles into the gap, thereby preventing contamination of sensitive surfaces of the wafer or reticle. Diffusion filters provide pressure equalization without filter media. Moveable reticle pins on the top cover provide reticle restraint. Dual containment pod embodiment provides further isolation and protection.
US08230995B2	Container and packaging method for vegetation trimmer line A substantially toroidal container for coiled vegetation trimmer line has a front shell and a rear shell capable of bonding at the center with heat and pressure, radio frequency, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, or attachment mechanisms. The bonding of the shells leaves a separation between the outer edges of the shells. The separation is nonlinear around the circumference of the container, so that a user can access the trimmer line, but the trimmer line cannot uncoil and spill out of the container. The separation is preferably defined by a series of offset uniform teeth on the outer edges of the shells. One or more teeth may be removed, providing a line aperture through which the end of the trimmer line extends out of the container. Male and female indices on each shell are used to align the teeth during packaging.
US08230994B2	Container for holding endodontic instruments A container for holding endodontic instruments that may include a base, a foam pad, a retainer, and a lid. The base may include a well with a bottom and sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom to an open-ended top. The foam pad may be configured to hold one or more endodontic instruments inserted through the pad, and dimensioned to cover the open-ended top of the well. The retainer may be configured to clamp the foam pad over the open-ended top of the well so that the pad is tautly maintained in a holding position, whereby the foam pad is configured to hold at least a portion of an endodontic instrument within the well. The lid may be coupled to the base, and movable between an open position and a closed position that covers the foam pad.
US08230990B2	Parts manipulation method and apparatus Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.
US08230984B2	Holder for hydraulic brake assembly A holder for hydraulic brake assembly includes a holder. The holder has one end thrust by a pushing mechanism and another end connected to a brake shoe. The holder has a skirt formed on one end thereof and outwardly extending therefrom to define a receiving space in between the skirt. The pushing mechanism is selectively received in the receiving space in the skirt. The skirt is provided for stably connecting to the pushing mechanism such that the pushing mechanism is steady thrust with the holder to provide a stable brake effect and prevent wear from an unstable contact.
US08230978B2	Elevator regenerative drive with automatic rescue operation A system (10) continuously drives an elevator hoist motor (14) during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) delivers power to the hoist motor (14) from a main power supply (17) during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply (24) during the power failure operating condition. A controller (12) operates the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to provide available power on the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to the backup power supply (24) during the normal operating condition.
US08230977B2	Distributed control system for an elevator system An elevator system including an elevator shaft and at least one elevator cab which can move in the elevator shaft. The elevator system has a distributed control system having a first evaluation unit, respectively associated with the at least one elevator cab, and has at least one second evaluation unit, associated with the elevator shaft. A bus link connects the first evaluation unit and the at least one second evaluation unit to one another. The first evaluation unit has a set of limit curves containing limit curves for the actuation of a braking device and/or a safety gripping device that are calculated and scaled in line with a current operating state, the first evaluation unit being configured to trigger the safety gripping device or the braking device if one of the limit curves is exceeded. Defined ends of the limit curves limit a scope of movement for the at least one elevator cab.
US08230975B2	Device and method for supplying lubricating oil The invention relates to a device for feeding lubricating oil to an internal combustion engine. This device comprises a lubricating oil pump and an oil pressure regulating apparatus. The lubricating oil pump is designed as a reciprocating piston valve pump and the oil pressure regulating apparatus is designed as a multistage oil pressure regulating apparatus.
US08230965B1	Hearing assistance device A device structured to assist the hearing of a user by being removably connected to and disposing a user's ear in an enhanced hearing orientation. One embodiment includes an elongated base, which may be disposable in an operative position behind the user's ear. Opposite ends of the base include an adhesive material secured to a common side thereof, wherein different ones of said opposite ends are respectively disposed and maintained in confronting engagement with a rear surface of the ear and adjacently disposed portion of the user's head. The base further includes biasing capabilities disposed and structured to exert a sufficient, forwardly and outwardly directed force on the user's ear to dispose and maintain it in the enhanced hearing orientation, when the base is in the operative position. Another embodiment is structured to dispose the ear in the enhanced hearing orientation due primarily to its substantially constant dimension and configuration, being absent any inherent or structurally added biasing capabilities.
US08230958B2	Vehicle side cowl with heat exhaust duct A vehicle cowl may be arranged on a side portion of a vehicle, and include a duct that extends in a vehicle width direction. The duct may have an inside opening and an outside opening. The inside opening may face inward, toward the vehicle body, and the outside opening may face outward from the vehicle. The cowl may further include a panel for covering a portion of the outside opening. The panel may be arranged so that, when the vehicle is viewed from the front, a portion of the outside opening left uncovered by the panel is shielded by a forward part of the panel, and thus not visible. The vehicle may be a motorcycle.
US08230954B2	PTO driven hydraulic system A hydraulic system operably coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle having at least one PTO drive and having a hydraulic system for, in part, cooling hydraulic fluid, includes a closed hydraulic circuit having at least a first and a second hydraulic loop, a pump being a component of each of the at least a first and a second hydraulic loops, the pump being operably, rotatably coupled to the PTO drive, the first hydraulic loop having a feed line fluidly coupled to the vehicle hydraulic system and to the pump and a return line in fluid communication with the pump and operably, fluidly coupled to the vehicle hydraulic system; and the second hydraulic loop having a pressure line fluidly coupled to a output of the pump and a return line fluidly coupled to a pump return inlet, the second hydraulic loop being fluidly couplable to an implement for providing hydraulic power thereto. A method of forming the hydraulic system is included.
US08230951B2	Earth-boring tools having expandable members and methods of making and using such earth-boring tools An expandable apparatus for use in a borehole includes a tubular body having at least one opening extending between a longitudinal bore of the tubular body and an outer surface of the tubular body and at least one member positioned within the at least one opening of the tubular body. The at least one member is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuation structure is positioned within the tubular body. The actuation structure is coupled to the at least one member and is configured to move the at least one member from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to a flow rate of drilling fluid passing through the longitudinal bore.
US08230950B2	Multi-purpose scoop A multi-purpose scoop consisting of a body attached to a handle. A neck may be positioned between the body and handle. On the handle is a vent which is covered to permit suction. Passing through the center of the handle and down into the body is a rod. At the bottom of the rod is a means of pushing out any substrate. At the top of the rod is a means to rotate the rod. Also positioned within the handle and body are means to center and stabilize the rod, but still allow the rod to move. A means for keeping the rod out of the way after use is provided. The rod has a locking means for maintaining the rod in the downward position. The body also has a plurality of teeth to assist in cutting. The teeth are positioned along an opening which provides the use of the tool as a scoop. The width, shape and spacing of the teeth provide additional usage for raking and weed pulling.
US08230942B2	Power tool with improved start actuator A power tool system includes a two-handed power tool having first and second start actuators, one for each hand of an operator. A controller prevents the power tool from initiating an operating cycle unless both actuators are turned ON to reduce the possibility of the operator's hands being disposed in a hazardous position during operation of the power tool. To discourage manual override of the dual-start-switch system, the controller prevents the power tool from initiating an additional operating cycle until both actuators have been switched OFF and then ON again. The second actuator includes a tubular sleeve that extends over part of the power tool to allow the sleeve to slide axially relative to the power tool between ON and OFF positions. Axial movement of the sleeve from its OFF position to its ON position turns ON the second start actuator.
US08230941B2	Method for controlling a fastener driving tool using a gas spring A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
US08230937B1	Projectile containing metastable intermolecular composites and spot fire method of use A method for altering the course of a conflagration involving firing a projectile comprising a powder mixture of oxidant powder and nanosized reductant powder at velocity sufficient for a violent reaction between the oxidant powder and the nanosized reductant powder upon impact of the projectile, and causing impact of the projectile at a location chosen to draw a main fire to a spot fire at such location and thereby change the course of the conflagration, whereby the air near the chosen location is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a spot fire at such location. The invention also includes a projectile useful for such method and said mixture preferably comprises a metastable intermolecular composite.
US08230931B2	Lifting device and method for lifting a bonnet A lifting device configured to lift a bonnet of a blowout preventer. The lifting device includes two or more lifting pins, each lifting pin including, a body having an elongated shape and configured to enter through a hole in the bonnet; a shoulder connected to the body and having an external diameter larger than an external diameter of the body; and two or more threaded regions at different locations on the body and configured to receive threaded screws, each threaded region being formed in the body such that a coordinate of the threaded region in a given inertial system is substantially identical to a coordinate of a center of gravity of a corresponding bonnet in the same given inertial system when the lifting pin is inserted into a hole of the corresponding bonnet.
US08230918B2	Method of characterizing hydrocarbon reservoir fractures in situ with artificially enhanced magnetic anisotropy Reservoir fractures are characterized directly in situ without need to acquire and analyze formation sample cores. A magnetic fluid is injected into an isolated section of the reservoir. The magnitude and directional properties of the enhanced magnetic susceptibility in the section where magnetic fluid injection occurs is measured with a down hole magnetometer. Logs obtained of the enhanced magnetic susceptibility are analyzed to characterize fractures, and petrophysical properties of interest, such as porosity, permeability, and permeability anisotropy of the formation in the vicinity of the fluid injection.
US08230915B2	Apparatus, system, and method for determining injected fluid vertical placement An apparatus, system, and method are provided for determining injected fluid vertical placement in a formation. The apparatus includes a borehole drilled through a formation, and an injection conduit within the borehole. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fiber optic cable within the borehole wrapped helically around the injection conduit such that the fiber optic cable reads temperatures at specific depths and radial angles throughout the borehole. The apparatus includes a thermal insulation layer interposed between the injection conduit and the fiber optic cable such that the fiber optic cable detects the formation temperature rather than the injection conduit temperature. The apparatus includes a computer programmed to determine the vertical placement of the injected fluid within the formation based on the temperature readings. The apparatus detects an induced hydraulic fracture height, and detects whether an induced hydraulic fracture has deviated from the plane of the borehole.
US08230913B2	Expandable device for use in a well bore An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.
US08230910B2	Apparatus for conveying a cooling air flow having a cooling domes An apparatus for conveying a cooling air flow for at least one motor vehicle heat exchanger has a fan frame, a fan wheel, a fan control unit, and a cooling body. The fan frame has a frame opening, which the fan wheel rotates within. The fan control unit is arranged in an edge region of the frame opening. The cooling body cools the fan control unit and has cooling domes. A first cooling dome is arranged entirely radially exterior to the frame opening and a second cooling dome is located partially radially within the frame opening and partially radially exterior to the frame opening. The first cooling dome exchanges heat with an auxiliary flow that flows radially exterior to the frame opening with respect to the center of the fan wheel when the fan wheel rotates.
US08230909B2	Heat exchanger and its manufacturing method A heat exchanger is provided which has an easy-to-manufacture structure, is inexpensive, and has high quality and reliability while keeping high heat exchanging performance. The heat exchanger has first substrates (26) having first slits (30) and second slits (40) disposed substantially in parallel, and second substrates (28) having third slits (50) with substantially the same shape as that of first slits (30). The longitudinal length of second substrates (28) is set shorter than that of second slits (40). First substrates (26) and second substrates (28) are stacked so that first slits (30) communicate with third slits (50). First slits (30) and third slits (50) form tube external flow channels (60). Second slits (40) and second substrates (28) form tube internal flow channels (70). The heat exchanging section including only tubes can be formed of substrates having a slit, so that the heat exchanger can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.
US08230908B2	Heat sink for dissipating a thermal load A heat sink for dissipating a thermal load is disclosed that includes one or more heat sink bases configured around a central axis of the heat sink so as to define an interior space, at least one heat sink base receiving the thermal load, a thermal transport connected to the at least one heat sink base receiving the thermal load so as to distribute the thermal load in the heat sink, and heat-dissipating fins connected to each heat sink base, the heat-dissipating fins extending from each heat sink base into the interior space of the heat sink, each heat-dissipating fin shaped according to the location of the heat-dissipating fin with respect to the location of the thermal load and the location of the distributed thermal load in the heat sink.
US08230901B2	Electronic device cooling apparatus An electronic device cooling apparatus includes a cooling unit that is thermally connected to an electronic device and is configured to induce heat generated from the electronic device to be conducted to a cooling medium that is channeled into the cooling unit; and a heat dissipating unit including a cooling chamber configured to cool the cooling medium that is heated by the heat conducted from the electronic device. The cooling unit and the heat dissipating unit are integrated.
US08230896B2	Modular transport system for coverings for architectural openings A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled from a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.
US08230894B2	Adhesive tape dispenser An adhesive tape dispenser, to which a tape roll having a roll of an adhesive tape can be mounted and which is composed of a main body, a tape roll holder, and a pressing roller. The main body includes a handgrip, a protective wall connected with the handgrip, and an assembly member. A receiving space is formed between the handgrip and the protective wall. The protective wall has a contact surface formed at one side thereof opposite to the other side thereof facing the handgrip. The tape roll holder is mounted to the assembly member and includes a rotatable member for installing the tape roll thereto. The pressing roller is mounted to the main body and includes a rolling member which is rotatable relative to the main body for rolling the adhesive tape pulled out from the tape roll.
US08230893B2	Device for rotating container plates in a labeling apparatus The invention is generally applicable to labeling apparatus, and relates to a device (10) for rotating Container plates in a labeling apparatus; such device (10) being engaged by at least two wheels (1) with a cam (5) for guiding and rotating it, so that the plate connected therewith is also rotated; each wheel (1) consisting of at least one rigid element (2) and at least one elastic disk (3) coupled thereto, having a greater outside diameter, so that the cam (5) is first contacted by said elastic disk (3). As the load between the elastic disk (3) and the cam (5) is increased, and such disk (3) is elastically deformed, the cam (5) is contacted by the rigid element (2).
US08230888B2	Dispensing apparatus A dispensing apparatus for delivering fluid or liquid to a container (e.g. a bottle), has a container holding device and a fluid delivery system delivering fluid to a dispensing outlet under control of an actuation member, which causes the fluid delivery system to deliver fluid in response to movement of the actuation member from its start position. A dispensing lock has a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuation member from its start position, and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuation member. A release member that releases the dispensing lock includes a movable release member which is moved by the container, during its insertion into the refill position, so as to release the dispensing lock by bringing the dispensing lock to said second position, thus enabling fluid to be delivered.
US08230879B2	Actuating drive with a position transmitter The disclosure relates to an actuating drive having a position transmitter for control of an actuating element with a position in a process installation. The position transmitter is equipped with a rotary measurement system whose pivoting range is mechanically limited, with the rotary measurement system having a shaft which is connected to a pick-up lever in an interlocking and unconfusable manner, which pick-up lever is articulated by means of the actuating drive or the actuating element. The shaft and the rotary measurement system are connected to one another via a slipping clutch. Markings are arranged isoazimuthally with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft, on the shaft circumference, and include angle information about the angle of the marking position with respect to the pick-up lever. The digital position transmitter has a sensor system for identification and evaluation of the markings. The slipping clutch has hysteresis.
US08230878B2	Reversible flow valve assembly A valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets, respectively. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the valve chamber. A first valve plate is rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first opening positioned so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions at least a portion of the first opening over the first valve port opening. A second valve plate is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.
US08230875B2	Check valve A poppet-style check valve for allowing uni-directional flow in a fluid conducting system. The check valve comprises a valve body, and a poppet mounted therein for reciprocal axial movement between a first position in which the poppet is pressed against a valve seat restricting flow through the check valve, and a second position in which the poppet is spaced from the valve seat permitting flow through the check valve. An inner bore of the valve body is expanded in the area of the poppet to maximize flow through the check valve, and the external dimensions of the check valve are minimized by eliminating a conventional liner between the poppet and the valve body. Additionally, the elements of the valve mechanism are designed such that they lock in place within the valve body during assembly.
US08230872B2	Steam trap A steam trap for discharge of condensate is disclosed. The steam trap includes a chamber, a first orifice and at least one other orifice. Each of the orifices has closing elements. The closing elements of all orifices are connected to an interlinked lever arrangement operated by a float. The orifices open in response to level of condensate in the chamber of the trap.
US08230870B2	SUV tent traveler An elevated floor camper tent for SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) type vehicles having electric, hybrid or other energy-saving, lower horsepower engines and top hinged rear doors. The entire tent assembly fits inside the vehicle for aerodynamic maximization and the state-of-the-art materials minimize the total weight. A set of continuous slides provides support and, with integrated footpads, facilitates setup on hard or soft surfaces. The campers sleep within the relative safety of the vehicle and utilize the main part of the tent as a living area. The standard features, under actual test conditions, suggest the design as safe, effective and user-friendly plus the stable, framed living area having built in rail-type support braces and kick panels help prevent the users from accidents.
US08230869B2	Umbrella for outdoor furniture and frame therefor The umbrella is constructed with a frame that allows one rib to be manually lifted in order to open the umbrella and allows a manually applied force to be placed on the cover between two adjacent ribs in order to close the umbrella. Mechanical cranks and the like are eliminated. In one embodiment, rods are added to the struts to weight and maintain the lower movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella. In another embodiment, the tension in the cover maintains the upper movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella.
US08230866B2	Systems and methods for treating glaucoma and systems and methods for imaging a portion of an eye Systems and methods are described for imaging an eye portion or for treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient. In a first step an optical microscopic image of a portion of the eye is acquired. In the optical microscopic image a distinguishable anatomical structure is identified to predict a location of a volume portion to be imaged three-dimensionally. Three-dimensional imaging of the located volume portion is performed by acquiring an optical coherence tomography image of the located volume portion. The volume portion is treated by either directing a laser beam to the volume portion or inserting an implant based on the OCT-image.
US08230865B2	Palatal implant A device for modifying an eating behavior of a subject is provided. The device is configured for implantation within the oral cavity and is capable of altering a palatal vault of the subject.
US08230859B1	Method and apparatus for regulating fluid Fluid regulators provide a fluid to a cannula for use by a person. Fluid conservers also a fluid to a cannula for use by a person. A fluid conserver may be operational in a continuous flow mode of operation and an intermittent flow mode of operation. The selection of either the continuous flow mode of operation and the intermittent flow mode of operation may be based on a position of a flow selector. A home fill device may operate with a fluid conserver and may include an oxygen concentrator which provides a source of fluid.
US08230856B2	Mouthpiece for a device for dispensing a fluid product A mouthpiece (10) for a fluid dispenser device, said mouthpiece comprising a body (11) that is provided with a fluid dispenser orifice (20) through which the fluid is expelled, and said mouthpiece being characterized in that said body (11) presents a substantially convex elongate shape, with a top surface (12) incorporating said dispenser orifice (20) and extending longitudinally on two sides of said dispenser orifice (20), two lateral bearing surfaces (13) being provided laterally on two sides of said dispenser orifice (10) for receiving the lips of the user during inhalation, said top surface (12) being slightly convex and said lateral bearing surfaces (13) being slightly concave.
US08230855B2	Mask assembly A respiratory mask assembly for use in the delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user. The assembly includes a rigid shell having a channel portion defined by an inner wall, an outer wall and a channel floor, a face-contacting cushion acting to space the shell away from the user's face and a sealing tab extending from the cushion to engage a portion of the shell to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the shell. A retaining ring within the mask assembly is configured to secure the cushion to the shell. The retaining ring has a first portion including at least one clip configured to pass through at least one slot portion such that an underside surface of the at least one clip engages a section of the shell when the retaining ring is positioned within the channel.
US08230853B2	Gas mist pressure bath system The invention is to provide a gas mist pressure bath system, which is possible to control the amount of gas and liquid, pressure and others, and cause a gas mist to be absorbed through a skin and mucous membrane of a human living-body under an optimum condition, in which a mist is prepared by pulverizing and dissolving carbon dioxide or oxygen or a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and Oxygen and a liquid at a density of not less than a predetermined value, and the thus prepared gas mist is directly contacted to the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body, the gas mist pressure bath system comprises a gas supply, a liquid supply, a gas mist supply for generating and supplying the gas mist prepared by the liquid nozzle of pulverizing and dissolving the gas supplied from the gas supply as well as the liquid supplied from the liquid supply, and the living body cover member of covering the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body and forming a space of sealing the gas mist inside thereof, and the gas mist pressure bath system causes the gas mist within the living body cover member to contact the skin and mucous membrane of the living-body at pressure of not less than a predetermined value.
US08230848B2	Barbecue grill A cooking surface for a grill includes a cylindrical fire column. Food placed on the grill surface directly above the fire column will be impinged by the heat of the heat source, made even more intense by the upward, directional flow of air through the fire column. Food placed on the grill surface but not directly above the fire column can be cooked with indirect heat.
US08230836B2	Multi-cylinder reciprocating rotary engine A highly efficient, low weight-to-power ratio and adjustable high compression, gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine consisting of a multitude of cylindrical casings parallel to each other or aligned sequentially on one axle. Each casing having one radially extending vane affixed to a shaft rotatably mounted within the casing upon two end plates and one longitudinally extending wall affixed on the inside of the casing. The casing and/or the end plates equipped with plurality of ports and conduits which enable communication between interior chambers of the cylinders, allowing for intake of combustible air-fuel mixture and exhaust thereafter. Ignition means delivering a spark at the end of each working cycle. An extendable and adjustable connecting rod assembly converting the oscillating bi-directional rotary motion of the power output shaft into a continuous unidirectional motion of the main shaft. A self lubricating mechanism incorporated into the engine.
US08230835B2	Emergency engine lubrication systems and methods Emergency lubrication systems and methods for an engine are provided. One system includes a primary lubrication system including a de-aeration oil tank configured to store de-aerated oil until the oil is de-aerated, a first oil supply line configured to provide de-aerated oil to the engine, and a first valve configured to control the flow of oil through the primary lubrication system. The system further includes a secondary lubrication system including a second valve coupled to the de-aeration oil tank and configured to control the flow of oil through the secondary lubrication system, and a second oil supply line coupled to the engine and to the de-aeration oil tank via the second valve. One method includes the steps of detecting a predetermined event in the engine, preventing the aerated oil from entering the primary lubrication system, and using the aerated oil in the secondary lubrication system to lubricate the engine.
US08230827B2	Internal combustion engine with variable compression ratio An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder, and a means for varying the compression ratio in the cylinder. The at least one cylinder has two oppositely directed reciprocatingly movable pistons in it, which are each connected via a piston rod with a corresponding arm, whereby each arm shows an opening in which a main shaft that connects the two arms is rotatably supported in bearings. The main shaft includes an angle with a center line of each opening. The means for varying the compression ratio in the cylinder includes a division in the main shaft, as well as drive means in order to move the parts formed by it of the main shaft apart from each other.
US08230819B2	Vacuum grooming tool A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.
US08230816B2	Freestanding pet barrier A self-supporting pet barrier comprising a front panel and two side panels, each panel having floor-contacting surfaces preferably to which a friction reducing substance has been applied is disclosed. The front and side panels preferably are attached so that the side panels can be positioned from generally perpendicularly to the front panel in use to a folded position adjacent said front panel for storage or travel. A generally triangular stabilizing leg may protrude forward from the plane of the front panel and can be attached in either the side panel or front panel.
US08230812B2	Apparatus to prevent pets climbing a Christmas tree An apparatus to prevent a pet climbing up a Christmas tree includes a screen member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size. The screen member is formed from a pre-selected material. An aperture, having a second predetermined size, is formed through the screen member at a predetermined location for receiving therein a trunk of such Christmas tree. A slit is formed through the screen member beginning at an outer edge thereof and extending to an edge of a perimeter of such aperture to enable placing the screen member around the trunk. There is further a mechanism engageable with each of the screen member and a bottom branch of the Christmas tree for connecting such screen member to such Christmas tree beneath bottom the bottom branches thereof.
US08230811B2	Animal litter Animal litter is provided that causes little damage to the legs or the like of animals using a litter box and generates a small amount of ammonia. The animal litter includes a plurality of particulate matter, in which the plurality of respective particulate matter includes a group of particles configured with an inorganic porous material and an inorganic binder which binds the group of particles together, and the inorganic binder includes a non-cement solidifying agent.
US08230806B2	Heat treatment method and heat treatment apparatus wherein the substrate holder is composed of two holder constituting bodies that move relative to each other A heat treatment apparatus has a substrate holder with two holder constituting bodies that each have a plurality of columns and substrate holding sections. One of the holder constituting bodies holds substrates so that their front surfaces face upward, while the other holds the substrates so that their back surfaces face upward. At least one of the holder constituting bodies moves vertically to change the positions of the holder constituting bodies relative to each other. A distance between one of a first pair of vertically-adjacent substrates with respective front surfaces facing each other and the other of the first pair of substrates is set to ensure treatment uniformity and to be larger than a distance between one of a second pair of vertically-adjacent substrates with their respective back surfaces facing each other and the other of the second pair of substrates.
US08230795B2	Circulating fluidized bed device provided with an oxygen-fired furnace The invention relates to a circulating fluidized bed device provided with an oxygen-fired furnace (1), a separator (2) for separating gas and solid particles, a return circuit for returning solids to the furnace (3), and an outlet duct (4) leaving the separator and conveying gases to a heat-recovery boiler, the device being characterized in that it includes injector means for injecting combustible) gas into the outlet from the separator 2), said combustible gas being propelled by recycled carbon dioxide into the residual vortex created at the outlet from the separator, so as to ensure intimate mixing takes place in the downstream duct (4) with the combustion flue gases, thereby reducing the oxygen content of said flue gases by residual combustion.
US08230784B2	Method and apparatus for calibrating print head pressure and applying an accurate print pressure during production A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, a substrate support coupled to the frame to support a substrate in a print position, and a print head, coupled to the frame, to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The print head includes a squeegee assembly having at least one squeegee blade and a squeegee blade movement mechanism configured to move the squeegee blade from a raised position in which the squeegee blade is spaced from stencil and a lowered position in which the squeegee blade engages and applies a force on the stencil. The print head further has a device to detect a first reference point associated with a first force of the squeegee blade against the stencil and a second reference point associated with a second force of the squeegee blade against the stencil when moving the squeegee blade to the lowered position in which the squeegee blade engages and applies a force on the stencil.
US08230782B2	Stamp die assembly for a self-inking stamping device A stamp die assembly for a self-inking stamping device has a die bracket and a replaceable stamp die. The replaceable stamp die is mounted detachably on the die bracket via the engagement between the median tab of the replaceable stamp die and the transverse recess of the die bracket, and via the engagement between the side strips of the replaceable stamp die and the keyed recesses of the die bracket. The die bracket has two elongated keyed protrusions parallel with each other and near two side edges. The replaceable stamp die has two guiding channels engaging with the keyed protrusions. Therefore, the related position of the die bracket and the replaceable stamp die is fixed.
US08230776B2	Brewing apparatus for preparing foam, froth or crema under low pressure The present invention pertains to a brewing filter apparatus capable of preparing foam, froth, or crema, particularly for coffee beverages, under low pressure. The apparatus can operate at pressures below 15 bar and as low as 1-3 bar. The apparatus comprises a mesh cover, coarse filter, fine filter, large 0-ring, coffee container, small 0-ring, and foam maker having two opposing holes. The holes have a diameter in the range of 0.3 to 1 mm. The crema is created by the turbulent contacting of two opposing jets of coffee, which enter the foam maker through the two opposing holes. To further increase agitation and the surface area for contact, a stainless steel wire mesh may be situated in the center of the foam maker directly in the path of and in between the opposing jets of coffee to facilitate the formation of more crema.
US08230773B2	Axial piston compressor, in particular a compressor for the air conditioning system of a motor vehicle Axial piston compressor, especially a compressor for the air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, having a housing and, for drawing in and compressing a coolant, a compressor unit arranged in the housing and driven by means of a drive shaft, the compressor unit comprising pistons, which move axially back and forth in a cylinder block, and a tilt plate 10 (tilt ring; wobble plate or swash plate), which drives the pistons and rotates together with the drive shaft, wherein the tilt plate 10 or a tiltable part thereof associated therewith has locations 14, 15 of reduced amassing of material and/or locations which consist of a material which is different from the material from which the rest of the tilt plate 10 or tiltable part thereof is made, those locations bringing about a specific effect on the regulation behavior of the compressor in such a way that in a region of small tilt angles of the tilt plate 10 or tiltable part thereof, especially in a tilt angle range from 0° to 8°, especially 0° to 3°, a moment directed to a very large extent in the same direction as an advancing moment of the tilt plate 10 is achieved so that the tilt moment of the tilt plate 10 in the afore-mentioned tilt angle range is increased (accelerated up-regulation of the compressor).
US08230759B2	Integrated brake and chain disk assembly for door operator An integrated brake and chain disk device for a door operator includes an electrical motor with a main shaft coupled to a gear box for rolling a rolling door through an output shaft of the gear box; a brake device for braking the main shaft; a chain disk device for manually rotating the main shaft upon power failure; a clutch device which disengages the intermediate shaft from the chain disk device or engages the intermediate shaft with the chain disk device. The brake device includes at least one torsion spring fitting on a fixed hub. The torsion spring tightly fits on the hub and becomes immovable when a force in a spiral direction of the torsion spring is exerted on either end of the torsion spring, and can be released from the hub when a force in a direction opposite to the spiral direction of the torsion spring is exerted on either end of the torsion spring. In this way, the brake device and the chain disk device are integrated.
US08230750B2	Electromechanical actuating assembly An electromechanical actuating assembly can have a redundant design with a first electric motor providing actuator-moving power via a first drive train and a second electric motor providing actuator-moving power via a second drive train. A first decoupling train can transmit decoupling power to decouple the first drive train from the actuator and a second decoupling train for transmit decoupling power to decouple the second drive train from the actuator. The assembly is operable in a fault-tolerant mode wherein actuator-moving power is transferred only through one drive train and the other drive train is decoupled from the actuator.
US08230746B2	Combined type pressure gauge, and manufacturing method of combined type pressure gauge The present invention allows manufacturing of a capacitive diaphragm pressure gauge and a Pirani pressure gauge on a single silicon substrate, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by the miniaturization of products and mass production. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing method of a combined type pressure gauge is a manufacturing method of a combined type pressure gauge including a capacitive diaphragm pressure gauge and a Pirani pressure gauge, the method including a groove-forming step of forming a first groove portion and a second groove portion on a first surface side of a silicon substrate by etching, and a bonding step to bond a glass substrate to the silicon substrate so as to cover the first groove portion and the second groove portion on the first surface side of the silicon substrate.
US08230730B2	Comprehensive test bed for vehicle body The present invention relates to a comprehensive test bed for vehicle body, which comprises an vehicle body static strength testing apparatus, an vehicle body air tightness testing apparatus, an vehicle coupler strength testing apparatus and an vehicle body mode testing apparatus, wherein the tested vehicle body is provided with a strain foil and a displacement sensor; and the strain foil and the displacement sensor are connected with a data acquisition system. The comprehensive test bed for the vehicle body can perform an vehicle body static strength test on various rail passenger vehicles, an vehicle body steel structure vibration mode test, an vehicle body partial assembly vibration mode test and an vehicle body air tightness test, and can realize strength tests on partial key components of the vehicle body (a transition vehicle coupler, a return vehicle coupler, an vehicle body chassis cross beam, a hoisting structure, an end structure, and the like). The application range of the test bed includes high speed railway train units, urban rail vehicles, railway ordinary vehicles, maglev trains and straddle type single-rail vehicles. The comprehensive test bed for the vehicle body has a wide application range and can automatically carry out various tests on the same test bed, so that the test bed realizes simple and convenient testing process and convenient operation, and saves labor force and labor time.
US08230728B2	Alcohol concentration sensor disposed in fuel tank of automotive vehicle An alcohol density sensor for detecting an alcohol density in mixture fuel composed of petroleum-fuel and alcohol is installed in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The alcohol density sensor includes a pair of electrodes immersed in the mixture fuel and a conductor portion for connecting the electrodes to a control unit having a circuit board. The conductor portion is composed of a first conductor portion integrally formed with the electrode and a second conductor portion connected to the first conductor portion. The first conductor portion is led out of a casing containing the electrodes and liquid-tightly sealed at a first through-hole formed in the casing. The second conductor portion is led out of the fuel tank through a second through-hole formed in the fuel tank. Since the first through-hole is sufficiently sealed to prevent pressurized mixture fuel in the casing from leaking into an inner space of the fuel tank, sealing of the second through-hole can be simplified.
US08230727B2	Sensor structure in particular for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle A sensor structure is disclosed, notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle. The sensor includes a sensor body having, at one end, an element sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and, at another end, a circuit for connecting it, placed outside the harsh environment, physically separated from each other, connected by means for transmitting data without a connection, and between which means are provided that are permeable to data, for protecting the connecting circuit from the environment.
US08230720B2	Functionalized monolayers for carbon dioxide detection by a resonant nanosensor A resonant nanosensor apparatus associated with a functionalized monolayer for detecting carbon dioxide and a method of forming the same. A wafer including a sensing vibrating beam and a reference vibrating beam may be functionalized with a functional group in order to form a sensing self monolayer. The sensing self assembled monolayer may be configured by bridging oxygen or carbon atoms covalently bonded with respect to the vibrating beams. A liquid solution of hydrochloric acid may then be applied to the sensing self assembled monolayer at the surface of the reference beam by a direct printing process to obtain a reference monolayer. The liquid solution of HCl transforms the functional groups responsible for the carbon dioxide detection into protonated groups, which do not react with carbon dioxide, but possess visco-elastic properties similar to that of the sensing monolayer.
US08230714B2	Die carrier assembly and crimping process A die carrier assembly configured for use in a crimping machine. The assembly includes die carriers disposed in a circumferential arrangement and adapted for radially inward and outward travel. Each die carrier has oppositely-disposed circumferential extents that define circumferential gaps between adjacent pairs of the die carriers. Shoes are disposed radially inward from the die carriers and are adapted for radially inward and outward travel with the die carriers. The shoes travel radially inward and outward with the die carriers between positions in which the shoes define minimum and maximum openings, respectively, of the die carrier assembly. At least one of the shoes is disposed radially inward from one of the circumferential gaps between at least one adjacent pair of the die carriers. The circumferential extents of the adjacent pair of die carriers define interdigitated fingers that support the shoe when the die carrier assembly is at its maximum opening position.
US08230702B2	Glass-tube extended-baking process Disclosed is a method of heat treating quartz glass deposition tubes at between 900° C. and 1200° C. for at least 115 hours. The resulting deposition tubes are useful in forming optical preforms that can yield optical fibers having reduced added loss.
US08230690B1	Modular LED lamp A modular solid-state lamp has a plurality of replaceable and rearrangeable modules. The modular lamp uses active cooling and passive cooling for thermal management. One cooling system for the modular lamp includes at least one active cooling device and a graphite heat sink in thermal contact with the at least one active cooling device to further enhance the efficiency of the cooling system. The modular solid-state lamp includes at least two modules, a power supply module and a light source module. The power supply module includes a power supply and LED driver that are able to power one or more light source modules. The power supply module further includes sensors that further improve the energy-efficiency of the lamp.
US08230687B2	Multi-tube arrangement for combustor and method of making the multi-tube arrangement A fuel injector tube includes a one piece, unitary, polygonal tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. The fuel injector tube further includes a fuel passage extending from the inlet end to the outlet end along a longitudinal axis of the polygonal tube, a plurality of air passages extending from the inlet end to the outlet end and surrounding the fuel passage, and a plurality of fuel holes. Each fuel hole connects an air passage with the fuel passage. The inlet end of the polygonal tube is formed into a fuel tube. A fuel injector includes a plurality of fuel injector tubes and a plate. The plurality of fuel tubes are connected to the plate adjacent the inlet ends of the plurality of fuel injector tubes.
US08230684B2	Combustion engine breathing system including a compressor valve for a biturbo with cylinder deactivation One embodiment of the invention includes a combustion engine breathing system including a compressor valve for use with a biturbo system and cylinder deactivation.
US08230677B2	NOx control systems and methods for controlling NOx emissions An exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a selective reduction catalyst, a NOx sensor or an NH3 sensor, a urea injector, and a dosing control unit, wherein the dosing control unit calculates the rate of urea injection by estimating the concentrations of NO and NO2 in the exhaust downstream of the SCR catalyst.
US08230672B2	Spark-integrated propellant injector head with flashback barrier High performance propellants flow through specialized mechanical hardware that allows for effective and safe thermal decomposition and/or combustion of the propellants. By integrating a sintered metal component between a propellant feed source and the combustion chamber, an effective and reliable fuel injector head may be implemented. Additionally the fuel injector head design integrates a spark ignition mechanism that withstands extremely hot running conditions without noticeable spark mechanism degradation.
US08230661B2	Continuous flexible spacer assembly having sealant support member A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.
US08230658B2	Post assembly for partitioning walls The post assembly comprises a pair of juxtaposed and spaced apart post sections, the facing sides of which are provided internally with a longitudinal groove, the longitudinal grooves ] being arranged in alignment with one another and forming in co-operation, in their respective positions, a recess for receiving a longitudinal support rack member for supporting overhanging removable elements.
US08230639B2	Swivel mechanisms for fishing lures and pliable spinning appendages and fishing lure assemblies incorporating such swivel mechanisms Soft or pliable spinning appendages can be attached to a soft fishing lure using a swivel mechanism that provides unrestricted 360° rotation. The appendages increase attractiveness, flash, vibration, color, or scent. Due to their slow spinning speed and neutral buoyancy in water, the appendages provide unique properties to slow-moving lures not possible with prior art hard blades. A weedless swivel mechanism is also provided.
US08230636B1	Accessory module with integrated electronic devices An accessory module is installed between a weapon accessory (optical sighting device) and its corresponding mounting interface. The accessory module includes a body having a lower surface which is configured and arranged to mate with the corresponding upper surface of the mounting interface and an upper surface that includes a seat that is configured and arranged to conform to and receive the outer surface of the weapon accessory. The accessory module includes electronic accessories, such as for example, a flashlight configured to emit visible white light, colored light and/or infrared light. Further, the accessory module may include laser devices therein such as a laser sight, an infrared laser for night vision targeting, or a laser range finder device. The accessory module may also be configured to include a taser and/or a compact video camera.
US08230632B2	Modular portable weapon A modular portable weapon has a supporting module, constituted by the barrel of the weapon, and modules which are mutually functionally independent and are associated with the supporting module. The modular weapon according to the invention allows the user to compose the weapon by choosing, for example, a type of barrel, stock and tubular magazine among the alternatives that are commercially available, with the characteristics best suited to his requirements.

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