Document	Document Title
US08350622B2	Output common mode voltage stabilizer over large common mode input range in a high speed differential amplifier A circuit includes a differential amplifier having a folded cascode architecture with a pair of cascode transistors. A sensing circuit senses a common mode input voltage of a differential input signal applied to the differential amplifier. A bias generator circuit generates a bias voltage for application to the pair of cascode transistors in the folded cascode architecture. The bias generator circuit is connected to an output of the sensing circuit such that the generated bias voltage has a value which is dependent on the sensed common mode input voltage. This dependence stabilizes a common mode output voltage from the differential amplifier in response to changes in the common mode input voltage.
US08350619B2	Filter circuit and optical disk device including the same A current-mode filter includes a first, a second, and a third transistor having the same channel polarity. The drain of the first transistor is connected to the source of the second transistor functioning as a gate grounded circuit. The drain of the second transistor is connected to the gates of the first and third transistors. A first and a second capacitive element are connected to the gate and drain of the first transistor. The current source supplies a bias current to each of the first and second transistors. The drain of the first transistor is used as an input terminal. An output signal is extracted from a drain current of the third transistor. Therefore, only one transconductance adjustment circuit is enough.
US08350612B2	Circuit for resetting system and delay circuit A reset circuit and a delay circuit are provided. The delay circuit includes a first resistor module, a second resistor module, a switch module and a capacitor module. First terminals of the first and the second resistor modules are coupled respectively to a first voltage and a second voltage. The switch module have a control terminal served as a input terminal of the delay circuit, a first terminal served as a output terminal of the delay circuit, a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first resistor module, and a third terminal coupled to a second terminal of the second resistor module. In the delay circuit, the first terminal selectively connected to the second terminal or the third terminal in accordance with the control terminal. The capacitor module couples between the first terminal of the switch module and the second voltage.
US08350611B1	Bandgap circuit and start circuit thereof A start circuit including a load unit, a first switch, a second switch and a reset control circuit is provided. The load unit receives a power voltage. The first switch is electrically connected between a first end of the load unit and a ground, and receives a node voltage from a reference circuit. The second switch has a first end electrically connected to the reference circuit, a second end electrically connected to the ground, and a control end electrically connected to the second end of the load unit. The second switch determines whether to provide a start voltage to the reference circuit according to a conducting state thereof. The reset control circuit provides a discharge path between a control end of the first switch and the ground, and conducts the discharge path according to the power voltage during a period when the power voltage is smaller than a threshold voltage.
US08350600B2	Glitchless clock multiplexer controlled by an asynchronous select signal A glitchless clock multiplexer controlled by an asynchronous select signal for use in GPS receivers is disclosed. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a device for producing a clock signal, the clock signal being selected from a plurality of asynchronous frequency sources. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a first frequency source, a second frequency source, a select signal, wherein the select signal is asynchronous with the first frequency source, and a multiplexer, which receives the first frequency source and the second frequency source, wherein the multiplexer selects as an output of the multiplexer one of the first frequency source and the second frequency source based on a value of the select signal, such that when the multiplexer switches between the first frequency source and the second frequency source, and between the second frequency source and the first frequency source, the transition is performed when the output of the multiplexer is at a logic low.
US08350599B2	Voltage comparators A voltage comparator, comprises: a first branch comprising a first transistor, a first resistor (R1), and a first current dependent voltage source (VA), wherein a first voltage (V1) is applied across the first branch to generate a first current and wherein the first transistor is a diode-connected transistor; a second branch comprising a second resistor (R2), a second current dependent voltage source (VB), and a second transistor having a control voltage (V3), wherein a second voltage (V2) is applied on an end of the second branch to generate a second current; and a third branch for generating a comparator output, wherein a trip point of the comparator output is set to when the first current and the second current are equal and wherein the trip point is a function of the transistors, the resistors, and the current dependent voltage sources of the first branch and the second branch.
US08350597B2	Low voltage self calibrated CMOS peak detector The present invention relates to a low-voltage self-calibrated peak detector (100). Using a two-step calibration process that compensates the offset errors introduced by the respective first, second and third comparators (122, 128, 130), the peak detection is made accurate whatever temperature, process or mismatch spreads. Its input bandwidth can be as high as the bandwidth of an operational amplifier of unity gain. In a rail-to-rail configuration, it can be implemented into a fully differential low-voltage self-calibrated CMOS peak detector (200), which can have a very high conversion gain (α) and a very high input signal dynamic ranging.
US08350587B2	Reversing the weak measurement on a qubit Methods and systems are disclosed for restoring a state of a qubit transformed by a weak measurement to its original state. Unlike traditional methods, in which, the restoration was carried out by way of another weak measurement, the disclosed method uses an additional qubit, referred to as the ancillary qubit, and appropriate Hadamard and CNOT transformation for restoring the original state. Because the disclosed method avoids a second weak measurement, the time for restoration of the original state is considerably reduced.
US08350585B2	Simultaneous QE scanning system and methods for photovoltaic devices Methods for simultaneously making quantum efficiency measurements at multiple points in a photovoltaic cell are provided. A light beam (e.g., monochromatic light) can be directed to a first beam splitter, where it is split into a first reflected portion and a first passthrough portion such that the first reflected portion is directed to a first point on the photovoltaic cell. The first reflected portion can then be chopped at a first frequency between the first beam splitter and the first point. The first passthrough portion of the light beam can be reflected at a second beam splitter to a second point on the photovoltaic cell. The second reflected portion can then be chopped at a second frequency between the second beam splitter and the second point. Finally, the quantum efficiency can be calculated at both the first point and the second point. Systems are also generally provided for simultaneously making quantum efficiency measurements at multiple points in a photovoltaic cell.
US08350581B1	Nondestructive inspection to quantify degradation of cylindrical objects made of polymer materials Apparatus for non-destructively testing a polymeric cylindrical object to measure aging characteristics includes a source of electrical energy, a monitoring device, a probe for engaging an inner surface of the cylindrical object, and a conductor connecting at least the source of electrical energy and the probe, the probe comprising contact portions having object engaging surfaces including capacitor circuitry thereon. The probe further includes a nose portion having recesses disposed about the circumference within which the contact portions are housed, the nose portion being engagable with an inner surface of the cylindrical object and the object engaging surfaces being movable between a first position in which the object engaging surfaces are housed entirely within recesses and a second position in which the object engaging surfaces are deployed away from the nose portion.
US08350578B2	Wiring nanoscale sensors with nanomechanical resonators A system, device, method, and apparatus provide the ability to wire a voltage sensitive device to a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) resonator. A voltage sensitive device is configured to detect one or more voltage signals and output one or more electrical potentials in real-time. An array of piezoelectric NEMS resonators (with each resonator tuned to a unique frequency) is used to receive the output electrical potentials and convert each output electrical potential to a corresponding resonance frequency varying signal. The output signal from each resonator varies in linear proportion to the resonator's corresponding frequency variation arising from the applied electrical potential. The frequency varying signals are multiplexed together into a single readout signal path that is monitored to determine variations in vibrational amplitude. A demodulation device deconvolves the multiplexed frequency varying signals to recover and uniquely identify the output electrical signal.
US08350571B2	Electronic salt meter An electronic salt meter including a sensor rod, salt meter body and receiving components to measure a temperature and salinity. The electronic salt meter includes a first and sensor electrode and a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the measurement object. A measurement monitoring unit detects whether the first and second sensor electrodes are electrically connected to each other. A salinity measurement unit applies an AC power to the first and second sensor electrodes to measure salinity of the measurement object. A temperature measurement unit applies a power to the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the measurement object. A thermal equilibrium detection unit stores the temperature value previously measured, and when the temperature variation is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined as a thermal equilibrium state. A room-temperature salinity conversion unit converts the salinity value into a salinity value at room temperature.
US08350562B2	Device with contactless adjustment means A device including: an actuation unit that is a rotatable ring including a permanent magnet affixed to an inner periphery of the ring, wherein the ring is capable of assuming several predetermined angular positions and the permanent magnet moves with the ring; an integrally closed enclosure on which the actuation unit is mounted enabling adjustment of a parameter or operating mode of the device, wherein the ring surrounds the enclosure; one or more sensors that can be guided by magnetic effect according to an angular position of the ring, each sensor being capable of sending at least one signal corresponding to a modification of the parameter or of the operating mode of the device; and means for processing each signal and for changing the parameter or the operating mode of the device depending on each signal.
US08350560B2	Electromechanical transducer device An electromechanical transducer device for a vehicle transmission or drive has a lever (1) that can be pivotally actuated about at least one first axis (2a, 2b) and which is mechanically decoupled from the transmission or drive. The lever is supported by a suspension (3) on the first axis (2a, 2b). The axis (2a, 2b) comprises at least one first component (6a, 6b) of a magnetic rotational angle sensor system (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) at an axial end section to detect angular position or rotational movement of the lever (1). A second component (7a, 7b) of the rotational angle sensor system is arranged on the suspension (3) opposite of the end section of the axis (2a, 2b), wherein the axial end section is located within the suspension (3). A circuit board (15) accommodating the rotational angle sensors (7a, 7b) is arranged on the suspension (3), and the circuit board (15) comprises at least one flange-like extension (17, 18) protruding from the circuit board plane.
US08350559B2	Position detection apparatus and sensor unit A position detection apparatus includes a position pointer having a coil and a sensor unit for detecting the position of the position pointer. The sensor unit has a sensor board including a plurality of loop coils juxtaposed and extending in a predetermined direction, and the sensor unit detects a signal generated in the loop coils by electromagnetic induction between the coil of the position pointer and the loop coils, to thereby detect the position of the position pointer. The sensor unit further includes a shield member disposed on the sensor board remotely from the position pointer for reducing noise, and a magnetic path sheet formed from a plurality of magnetic path members of a substantially rectangular shape having a higher magnetic permeability than that of the shield member and disposed between the sensor board and the shield member. The magnetic path members have mutually contacting portions disposed in an inclined relationship by a predetermined angle relative to said predetermined direction of the sensor board.
US08350553B2	Reference voltage generation circuit for supplying a constant reference voltage using a linear resistance An object of the present invention is to generate a reference voltage that is stable in relation to manufacturing process variations, by matching the operating regions of the MOSFETs contributing to generation of the reference voltage. The reference voltage generation circuit 1 includes: a current mirror unit 2 that generates a current IP at current output terminals PC1 to PC5; a MOSFET 6b having a drain terminal connected to the current output terminal PC2 side, a source terminal connected to ground side, and a gate terminal connected to a reference voltage output terminal POUT; a combined voltage generating unit 8 having two MOSFET pairs in which currents are generated at drain terminals from the current output terminals PC3 to PC5, source terminals are mutually connected, and a combined voltage with a positive temperature coefficient is generated; and a MOSFET 9 in which current is generated at a drain terminal from the current mirror unit 2, a gate terminal is connected to the input of the combined voltage generating unit 8, a source terminal is connected to the ground side, and a voltage with a negative temperature coefficient is generated.
US08350549B2	Converter with switches having a diode region that is unipolar-conductive only in the reverse direction A converter utilizing synchronous rectification comprises a first switch, a second switch connected in series to the first switch, and a gate drive circuit controlling each switch to switch to on/off-state using pulse-width modulation. Each switch includes a channel region that is conductive in both forward and reverse directions in on-state and is not conductive in the forward direction in off-state, and a unipolar diode region conductive only in the reverse direction. The gate drive circuit synchronizes output timing for signal with which the first switch switches to on-state with output timing for signal with which the second switch switches to off-state, and synchronizes output timing for signal with which the first switch switches to off-state with output timing for signal with which the second switch switches to on-state.
US08350545B2	Current balancer A current balancer suitable for a multi-phase power converting device is provided. The current balancer includes an error detection unit and a plurality of pulse control units. Each of the pulse control units includes a current-to-voltage converter, a charging and discharging controller, a capacitor, and a comparator. The error detection unit detects a plurality of channel currents generated by the multi-phase power converting device, and generates a plurality of error currents by calculating. The charging and discharging controller provides a charging voltage or a discharging voltage according to a constant pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. When the channel currents are balanced, the comparator generates a PWM signal with a constant duty cycle. When the channel currents are not balanced, an error voltage generated by the current-to-voltage converter is used to adjust a voltage level of the charging voltage or the discharging voltage, so that the PWM signal is varied correspondingly.
US08350541B2	Control circuit and method for a soft-start scheme of a switch mode power supply for a power amplifier There is provided a control circuit including a sampling controller configured to sample an output voltage of a power converter at an appropriate time slot by opening a control loop. A soft-start circuit configured to enable soft-starting of an internal soft-start reference voltage to start from the sampled output voltage and to control the internal soft-start reference voltage to a predetermined target value in order to pre-charge the output voltage close to an input voltage level, or to continue charging the output voltage to a predetermined output voltage value.
US08350533B2	Portable electronic device having automatic low temperature battery charging capability A controller detects the temperature of a portable electronic device as being below a battery charging threshold, and in response signals one or more of the electronic circuit components that make up the device to enter an increased power consumption state so as to generate more heat in the device for warming up the battery. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08350526B2	Station for rapidly charging an electric vehicle battery A vehicle charging station is provided. The vehicle charging station includes a charging source providing an electrical charge, a coolant source providing coolant and a connector having both an electrical supply section delivering the electrical charge and a coolant supply section delivering the coolant. The connector is capable of connecting to a vehicle. A connector for a vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle are also provided.
US08350519B2	Passive over/under voltage control and protection for energy storage devices associated with energy harvesting Described herein is, for example, a battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit, that, for example, is adapted to not draw current from the battery or capacitor to be charged unless charge energy is detected and to not charge an energy storage device when an over-charge condition is sensed. The protection circuit may, for example, not be turned on unless an over voltage condition is present. Incoming energy to the system can be shunted to ground via a shunt load of various types including resistive loads and active components such as a zener diode. In some embodiments, no switching of the inbound power is required. Within limits, no regulation of inbound power is needed. When inbound power is sufficient to charge the battery or capacitor, regulation can occur via the applied shunt regulator if overcharge voltage conditions exist. Either type of charge source, voltage or current, can be used to provide charge energy. Combining said battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit with electronic loads, such as wireless sensors, may lead to autonomously-powered wireless sensor systems.
US08350517B2	Applying a control unit to an asynchronous machine which is operated without a rotary encoder Exemplary embodiments provide a method for connection or application of a converter to a rotating asynchronous machine which is operated without an encoder, without a high current and without a torque surge. The method provides a control unit, using an inverter or converter, for feeding the asynchronous machine which rotates at a mechanical rotary speed. The asynchronous machine is regulated by the control unit. A stator current vector is ascertained from measured currents of the stator windings of the asynchronous machine and a rotating stator voltage vector. Calculation is effected in respect of a stator flux change vector from the stator current vector, the stator voltage vector and a stator resistance in accordance with a motor model. An angle difference between the stator current vector and the stator flux change vector is calculated. That angle difference is regulated to a reference value of 90° or −90°, wherein an output signal of the regulator corresponds to a rotary field frequency, to be impressed, of the voltage vector of the stator. Regulation is effected in respect of an amplitude of the stator voltage vector by way of a current regulator to which the difference of a current reference value and a parameter corresponding to the amplitude of the stator current is made available at the input as a regulating difference.
US08350514B2	Numerical controller for multi-axis machine A numerical controller for controlling a multi-axis machine calculates an axis-dependent translation error amount and an axis-dependent rotation error amount based on a command axis position. Translation and rotation compensation amounts are calculated based on the axis dependent translation and rotation error amounts, respectively. The translation and rotation compensation amounts are added to command linear and rotary axis positions, respectively. Three linear axes and three rotary axes are driven to the added positions, individually. Thus, there is provided a numerical controller that enables even machining with a side face of a tool or boring to be in commanded tool position and posture (orientation) in the multi-axis machine.
US08350510B2	Voltage booster apparatus for power steering system In a voltage booster apparatus, a charge control transistor is turned on to charge a coil output capacitor and a booster output capacitor and then turned off, thereby confirming rise of a coil output voltage and a booster output voltage. A power supply relay is turned on to restore a booster operation thereby to check rise of the booster output voltage. If both of a step-up FET and a step-down FET are not in short-circuit failure, ON state of the power supply relay is fixed thereby to restore a power steering system operation.
US08350506B2	Frequency converter start-up Method and apparatus to start a frequency converter equipped with a direct current intermediate circuit, particularly when a permanent magnet motor whose rotor is rotating at the start-up time is connected to it, wherein the frequency converter has a network bridge (10) and load bridge (11), and the load bridge has controllable power semiconductor switches of the upper and lower branch (V1-V6) and parallel connected zero diodes (D1-D6), and a direct current intermediate circuit between them, and the said frequency converter uses a current transducer placed in the direct current intermediate circuit, and the analogue current signal composed by it features samples of the measured output currents, and the diverter switches of the frequency converter's upper branch are controlled using the bootstrap method, wherein start-up is initiated by controlling the controllable power semiconductor switch of the lower branch of at least one output phase to a conductive state for one or several periods of time, preferably of approximately 200 μs, at a time.
US08350503B2	Brushless motor device An n-phase brushless motor device is provided. The device includes a magnet for magnetic pole position detection having a number of poles twice as many as that of a rotor and fixed to a face perpendicular to a rotation axis of the rotor; n main Hall elements arranged opposite to the magnet, for detecting a magnetic pole position of the rotor; n sub Hall elements arranged in such a way as to have an offset in a direction of a periphery with respect to the main Hall elements, for detecting the magnetic pole position; and a control unit for counting “2” according to a change in an output pattern of the main Hall elements, for counting “1” when the output pattern is the same as that of the sub Hall elements at a predetermined timing, and for controlling a rotation of the rotor according to these counted values.
US08350492B2	Driver for backlight unit A backlight unit, with a parallel configuration of plural lamps, having improved reliability is disclosed. The backlight unit driver includes: first and second lamps connected parallel to each other; a DC/AC inversion portion inverting a DC voltage into an AC voltage to apply the AC voltage to the lamps; a transformer transforming the AC voltage from the DC/AC inversion portion; a positive polarity AC signal compensator compensating an electric current difference between the first and second lamps using positive polarity AC signals from the first and second lamps; and a negative polarity AC signal compensator compensating the electric current difference between the first and second lamps using negative polarity AC signals from the first and second lamps.
US08350484B2	Push button switch A push button switch for use in logic-level switching applications. It has dual-intensity LED backlighting of a display: the switch off-state is low intensity and the on-state is distinctly brighter. The button assembly, not attached to the main body, uses magnets to provide a tactile touch and a retaining force. The backlight power is inductively coupled to the button assembly by a high-frequency oscillator that also limits and controls the LED backlight current. Switching is by a Hall-effect switch; alternate action is by bistable logic; and diode logic provides single-wire switch output and remote-control input. The wire can also carry remotely generated pulse signals to program an alternative active display. There are no mechanisms or wear parts in the assemblies, allowing impregnation sealing.
US08350482B2	Hybrid lighting device A hybrid lighting device is described. The hybrid lighting device comprises a solar panel arranged to generate electric power; a wind turbine arranged to generate electric power; an energy storage device electrically connected with the power controller and arranged to store electric power; a power controller electrically connected with the energy storage device and the solar panel and the wind turbine and arranged to transfer electric power; and an induction-based light source electrically connected with the power controller.
US08350481B1	Method of creating a light effect A method of creating a light effect using the concurrent exposure of a variety of colored designs to at least two different colored light emitting diode lights and controlling the light emitting diode lights.
US08350480B2	Plasma lamp using a shaped waveguide body A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a shaped dielectric waveguide body. The shaped body may have a relatively thin region containing a bulb, and a second region thicker than the first region. Microwave probes may be positioned in the second region to provide power to the waveguide body. The body may be shaped to intensify the electric field in the first region adjacent to the bulb to allow operation at a lower frequency than a solid cylindrical or rectangular waveguide body having the same volume and dielectric constant.
US08350478B2	Vehicle discharge lamp A vehicle discharge lamp includes: an arc tube including a light emitter, a cathode side fine tube and an anode side fine tube; a cathode side connecting rod; an anode side connecting rod; a cathode side electrode and an anode side electrode disposed within the arc tube. The anode side fine tube includes an expansion portion and an insertion portion formed continuously with the expansion portion, a portion of the anode side electrode is situated within the expansion portion with a clearance, the expansion portion includes a uniform diameter portion with its inside diameter set uniform in an anode side electrode's axial direction, the light emitter includes a flat portion with its axial direction set coincident with the anode side electrode's axial direction, and an inside diameter of the uniform diameter portion is set larger than that of the insertion portion and smaller than that of the flat portion.
US08350476B2	Short arc type discharge lamp A short arc type discharge lamp comprises a pair of electrodes, at least one of which has an electrode main body portion and an axis portion and/or a taper portion formed between the electrode main body portion and the axis portion, wherein in the at least one of the electrodes, the axis portion has an outer diameter smaller than that of the electrode main body portion, and at least one groove extending in an axis line direction of the electrode is formed in the electrode main body portion, the axis portion or the taper portion.
US08350470B2	Encapsulation structures of organic electroluminescence devices An encapsulation structure comprises a first barrier layer, and an electroluminescence device configured to be coupled to the first barrier layer and comprising a substrate and an electroluminescence element both defining a lateral side. The electroluminescence element comprises a first electrode disposed on the substrate, a second electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. Further, the encapsulation structure comprises a second barrier layer configured to be coupled to the electroluminescence device, and an adhesive configured to locate between and connect the first and second barrier layers, and at least to be coupled to the lateral side of the electroluminescence device to seal the electroluminescence device between the first and second barrier layers. An encapsulation method is also presented.
US08350456B2	Cold foul resistant spark plug A spark plug is provided providing resistance to fouling. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion that collectively define a central cavity. The spark plug also includes an insulator that extends through the central cavity of the metal shell. The insulator includes a first end portion extending through an intermediate portion to a stepped tip portion having a first length. The stepped tip portion includes a first section and a substantially straight second section having a second length. The substantially straight second section includes a segment that extends beyond the second end of the metal shell to a third length. The second length of substantially straight portion is based upon at least one of the first length and the third length.
US08350452B1	HID light bulb and base system A light bulb is disclosed comprising a base that has an enclosure and a socket connector and a base connector. The enclosure includes conductors for conveying electric power from the socket connector to the base connector. A selectively detachable bulb assembly is further included and has a bulb connector that is mechanically and electrically cooperative with the base connector to secure the bulb assembly to the base and conduct electrical power therethrough. The bulb assembly further includes an inner bulb having a transparent quartz inner layer with a transparent silicon outer layer, and a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp electrically connected to the bulb connector. An outer bulb contains the inner bulb and likewise comprises a transparent quartz inner layer with a transparent silicon outer layer. An instant-on bulb illuminates immediately until the HID lamp reaches its full luminosity.
US08350451B2	Ultrathin transparent EMI shielding film comprising a polymer basecoat and crosslinked polymer transparent dielectric layer Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The films include a transparent substrate, a nucleation layer, an electrically-conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a dielectric layer. The films can provide high visible transmission, are corrosion-resistant, and can provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The optical display filters are useful as components of active optical devices such as display panels including liquid crystal display panels such as those used on mobile hand-held phones.
US08350447B2	Electro-polymer motor An electro-polymer motor comprising a fixed member and a first actuator having a first end fixedly connected to the fixed member and a second end is presented. The first actuator comprises a polymer positioned between two electrodes. The electrodes are in communication with a power supply. The motor also comprises a driven member comprising a first leg and a second leg such that the first leg and the second leg are separated by an axis. The driven member is fixedly connected to the second end of the first actuator. The motor also comprises a compressible member having a first end fixedly connected to the fixed member and a second end fixedly connected to the second leg of the driven member. The compressible member is spaced apart from the first actuator. The first actuator elongates after the power supply applies a voltage across the electrodes to move the driven member.
US08350445B1	Bulk acoustic resonator comprising non-piezoelectric layer and bridge A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator, comprises: a first electrode formed on a substrate; a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode; a second electrode formed on the first piezoelectric layer; a non-piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode and adjacent to the piezoelectric layer; and a bridge formed between the non-piezoelectric layer and the first or second electrode.
US08350438B2	Stator winding for an electric motor The invention relates to a stator for an electric motor comprising several poles (P) that are directed inwards towards the motor axis (2) and that surround a rotor (1), each pole (P) being provided with one winding (L) and the coils of the windings (L) being wound around the poles (P) one after the other without interruption. The stator (20) contains at least three pole groups (n), having at least three poles (P) and each group having the same number of poles (P). The windings (L) run out from the end face at least at the respective beginning and end of a pole group and are contacted there in such a way that the windings (L) associated with each pole group contain their own connection pair (U-U′, V-V′, W-W′) and one connection (U′, V′, W′) of each of these connection pairs is connected to a star point (Y) on the end face of the stator (20). The windings (L) are wound around the poles (P) one after the other with an alternating winding direction (WR), a single pole (P) having a winding (L) with the same winding direction as the preceding winding (L) of the preceding pole group (n) at an individual transition point between two pole groups (n).
US08350435B2	Interior magnet machine with reduced cogging An interior permanent magnet machine has non-contiguous, non-magnetic radial slots between the magnets and the cylindrical periphery and the magnets have non-magnetic radial end slots.
US08350432B2	Electric machine An electric machine system includes an electric machine and a companion device. The electric machine has a stationary member and a movable member that, by interaction of magnetic fields, at least one of moves relative to the stationary member or generates electricity when moved relative to the stationary member. One of the stationary member and the movable member includes a permanent magnet. The companion device is coupled to the electric machine to communicate mechanical movement with the movable member. In certain instances, the electric machine system has adaptations for operation of the electric machine system subsea and/or in a corrosive environment.
US08350431B2	Permanent magnet machine A permanent magnet electric machine with optimum motoring efficiency is disclosed. It is adapted for use in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. An asymmetric magnetic flux distribution pattern in the rotor of the machine is established by asymmetrically positioning rotor openings relative to rotor magnets to improve operating efficiency of the machine when it is in a motoring mode.
US08350428B2	Rotation drive A tubular drive has a hollow shaft and at least one drive wheel mounted on the hollow shaft so as to rotate. The hollow shaft is rotatably mounted in a flange. An electric motor with an integrated generator is supplied for relative rotational adjustment of the drive wheel on the hollow shaft. A vibration exciter, particularly for a vibration pile driver, has at least two axles disposed parallel to one another, as well as at least two imbalance masses, which are attached on one or more of the axles. There is at least one such tubular drive for adjusting the relative rotation position of the imbalance masses with regard to one another.
US08350420B2	Winding method of electric motor, electric motor and seatbelt device provided therewith An electric motor 1 includes a rotor core 22 having n pieces of teeth T arranged in the circumferential direction around which a coil wire 23 is wound, a commutator 24 having n pieces of segments 24a 24b, and 24c, and the coil wire 23 having a connecting wire portion 23a that connects the teeth T and the segments 24a, 24b, and 24c and a crossover portion 23b that interconnects the segments 24a, 24b, and 24c at the opposite pole positions of the commutator 24 around a shaft 23. The crossover portion 23b that connects the i-th (i=1 to n) and the (i+n/2)th of the segments 24a, 24b, and 24c is wound prior to the connecting wire portion 23b that connects the teeth T connected with the i-th segment 24a, 24b, 24c and the (i+1)th segment 24a, 24b, 24c, respectively.
US08350419B2	Single-shaft linear motor, multi-shaft linear motor, and component transfer apparatus The present invention relates to a linear motor provided with a magnetic body and an armature. The liner motor is adapted to produce a force causing the magnet body and the armature to be relatively displaced along a given linear moving direction by interaction of magnetic fluxes generated between the magnetic body and the armature during an operation of supplying electric power to the armature. In a typical aspect, the linear motor of the present invention comprises a movable section attached to a base plate adapted to set the moving direction on a base surface thereof, in such a movable manner as to relatively reciprocate along the moving direction with respect to the base plate. A mover is provided on the movable section and formed as one of the magnetic body and the armature. A stator is provided on the base surface of the base plate in such a manner as to be disposed opposed to the mover in a widthwise direction, and formed as the other one of the magnetic body and the armature to extend along the moving direction. A standing wall is provided on an outer peripheral edge of the base plate at least at a position which is along the moving direction, to define a containing space in cooperation with the base surface. The containing space is opened to allow the stator, the mover, and the movable section to be selectively mounted therein and removed therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the base surface.
US08350414B2	Semiconductor assisted DC load break contactor An electrical switch apparatus for use in connecting and disconnecting a DC power source and a load includes first and second pairs of controllable electromechanical contacts coupled to the DC power source and the load for connecting the power source to the load when the contacts are closed, and disconnecting the power source from the load when the contacts are open. A controller is coupled to the electromechanical contacts and programmed to produce control signals for opening and closing the contacts. A diode is coupled to the electromechanical contacts to prevent electrical current from flowing from the load to the power source, and a controllable semiconductor switch is coupled to the controller and across the power source for momentarily short circuiting the source in response to a control signal indicating a transition of either or both of the first and second pairs of electromechanical contacts from a closed condition to an open condition.
US08350413B1	Power pack The power pack includes a plurality of parallel groups. Each parallel group includes a plurality of electrical power sources connected in parallel. The pack also includes a plurality of series groups. Each series group connects in series one of the power sources from each of the parallel groups. The pack also includes a series balancing circuit configured to balance the voltage of the power sources in one of the series groups such that one or more power sources in the series group recharges one or more other power sources in the same series group.
US08350404B2	Regulating device of general automobile performance A regulating device for general automobile utilizes automobile batteries, the plug of the lighter, or the DC output of the engine to obtain power. It has a voltage recognition circuit; when voltage is ≧12.9V, the circuit is started up; when the voltage is ≦12.8V, the circuit is cut off; as a result, the storaged batteries can be protected effectively. When the automobile is started, the circuit will generate pulse energy of 5KHz-10KHz; the pulse has the function of clamping voltage reversely and therefore will eliminate the electromagnetic induction ripple derived from the lightering and fuel feeding circuit, shorten the primary and secondary induction time of lighter coils, quicken the on/off action of a fuel injection needle valve, and improve sprayability effects, make combustion more fully and cut down the carbon deposits; torque can be increased, emission can be cut; accordingly, the whole automobile performance will be improved greatly.
US08350397B2	Current source converter-based wind energy system Switching control systems and methods are presented for controlling power conversion systems to provide electrical power to a grid or other load in which a synchronous machine is driven by a wind turbine or other prime mover to provide generator power to a switching type current source converter (CSC), with a current source rectifier (CSR) of the CSC being switched to provide d-axis control of the synchronous machine current based on grid power factor feedback, and with a current source inverter (CSI) of the CSC being switched to provide leading firing angle control and selective employment of dumping resists to dissipate excess generator energy in a fault mode when a grid voltage drops below a predetermined level.
US08350396B2	Water-current paddlewheel-based energy-generating unit having a tapered partial covering structure Provided are, among other things, systems, methods, apparatuses and techniques for generating energy from water current. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes: a paddlewheel having multiple individual paddles, an axis of rotation, a front side that is forward of the axis of rotation, and a rear side that is behind the axis of rotation; and a covering structure having a front portion that (a) covers a first part of the front side of the paddlewheel, leaving a second part of the front side of the paddlewheel uncovered by said front portion and (b) extends a distance forward of the front side of the paddlewheel, with the front portion of the covering structure being tapered, becoming thinner as it extends further forward of the paddlewheel.
US08350392B2	Semiconductor device having recess with varying width and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, and an encapsulation resin which covers and encapsulates the semiconductor chip, the semiconductor chip having a recess formed in the surficial portion thereof; the recess having, on the deeper side than a predetermined portion thereof, a portion having a larger width than the predetermined portion has; and the encapsulation resin being anchored in the recess.
US08350389B2	Semiconductor device and information processing system including the same A semiconductor device includes a plurality of core chips and an interface chip that controls the core chips. Each of the core chips and the interface chip includes plural through silicon vias that penetrate a semiconductor substrate and plural pads respectively connected to the through silicon vias. The through silicon vias include a through silicon via of a power source system to which a power source potential or a ground potential is supplied, and a through silicon via of a signal system to which various signals are supplied. Among the pads, at least an size of a pad connected to the through silicon via of the power source system is larger than a size of a pad connected to the through silicon via of the signal system. Therefore, a larger parasitic capacitance can be secured.
US08350386B2	Top layers of metal for high performance IC's The present invention adds one or more thick layers of polymer dielectric and one or more layers of thick, wide metal lines on top of a finished semiconductor wafer, post passivation. The thick, wide metal lines may be used for long signal paths and can also be used for power buses or power planes, clock distribution networks, critical signal, and re-distribution of I/O pads for flip chip applications. Photoresist define electroplating, sputter/etch, or dual and triple damascene techniques are used for forming the metal lines and via fill.
US08350384B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming electrical interconnect with stress relief void A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of tapered bumps formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. The tapered bumps can have a non-collapsible portion and collapsible portion. A plurality of conductive traces is formed over a substrate with interconnect sites. A masking layer is formed over the substrate with openings over the conductive traces. The tapered bumps are bonded to the interconnect sites so that the tapered bumps contact the mask layer and conductive traces to form a void within the opening of the mask layer over the substrate. The substrate can be non-wettable to aid with forming the void in the opening of the masking layer. The void provides thermally induced stress relief. Alternatively, the masking layer is sufficiently thin to avoid the tapered interconnect structures contacting the mask layer. An encapsulant or underfill material is deposited between the semiconductor die and substrate.
US08350382B2	Semiconductor device including electronic component coupled to a backside of a chip A semiconductor package includes a substrate, at least one chip including a first side and a backside opposite of the first side, the first side electrically coupled to the substrate, a conductive layer coupled to the backside of the at least one chip, and at least one electronic component coupled to the conductive layer and in electrical communication with the substrate.
US08350377B2	Semiconductor device package structure and method for the same The present invention discloses a semiconductor device package and the method for the same. The method includes preparing a first substrate and a second substrate; opening a die opening window through the second substrate by using laser or punching; preparing an adhesion material; attaching the first substrate to the second substrate by the adhesion material; aligning a die by using the aligning mark of the die metal pad and attaching the die onto the die metal pad with force by the adhesion material; forming a first dielectric layer on top surfaces of the second substrate and the die and pushing the first dielectric layer into gap between the side wall of the die and the side wall of the die opening window under vacuum condition; opening a plurality of via openings in the first dielectric layer; and forming a redistribution layer in the plurality of via openings and on the first dielectric layer.
US08350376B2	Bondwireless power module with three-dimensional current routing According to an exemplary embodiment, a bondwireless power module includes a common output pad coupling an emitter/anode node of a high side device to a collector/cathode node of a low side device. The bondwireless power module also includes a high side conductive clip connecting a collector of the high side device to a cathode of the high side device, and causing current to traverse through the high side conductive clip to another high side conductive clip in another power module. The bondwireless power module further includes a low side conductive clip connecting an emitter of the low side device to an anode of the low side device, and causing current to traverse through the low side conductive clip to another low side conductive clip in the another power module. The bondwireless power module can be a motor drive inverter module.
US08350373B2	Chip stacked structure and method of fabricating the same A chip stacked structure and method of fabricating the same are provided. The chip stacked structure includes a first chip and a second chip stacked on the first chip. The first chip has a plurality of metal pads disposed on an upper surface thereof and grooves disposed on a side surface thereof. The metal pads are correspondingly connected to upper openings of the grooves. The second chip has a plurality of grooves on a side surface of the second chip, locations of which are corresponding to that of the grooves on the side surface of the first chip. Conductive films are formed on the grooves of the first chip and the second chip and the metal pads to electronically connect the first chip and second chip. The chip stacked structure may simplify the process and improve the process yield rate.
US08350360B1	Four-terminal carbon nanotube capacitors A carbon nanotube (CNT) capacitor includes a CNT film and four terminals. The first terminal includes a first end electrode disposed at a first end of the CNT film. The second terminal includes a second end electrode disposed at a second end of the CNT film. The third terminal includes an upper electrode disposed above the CNT film. The fourth terminal includes a lower electrode disposed below the CNT film. A method of operating a CNT capacitor includes applying a first signal across the first and second terminals to switch a CNT film from a conductive state to a non-conductive state, and applying a second signal across the third and fourth terminals to store charge or to discharge charges in the CNT capacitor. A method of making a CNT capacitor includes providing four terminals and a CNT film.
US08350355B2	Electrostatic discharge devices Electrostatic discharge devices and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device region disposed within a semiconductor body. A first ESD device is disposed in a first region of the ESD device region, and a second ESD device disposed in a second region of the ESD device region. The second region is separated from the first region by a first trench.
US08350343B2	Field effect transistor with channel region edge and center portions having different band structures for suppressed corner leakage Disclosed are embodiments of field effect transistors (FETs) having suppressed sub-threshold corner leakage, as a function of channel material band-edge modulation. Specifically, the FET channel region is formed with different materials at the edges as compared to the center. Different materials with different band structures and specific locations of those materials are selected in order to effectively raise the threshold voltage (Vt) at the edges of the channel region relative to the Vt at the center of the channel region and, thereby to suppress of sub-threshold corner leakage. Also disclosed are design structures for such FETs and method embodiments for forming such FETs.
US08350339B2	Integrated circuits having dummy gate electrodes and methods of forming the same An integrated circuit includes at least one first gate electrode of at least one active transistor. At least one first dummy gate electrode is disposed adjacent to a first side edge of the at least one first gate electrode. At least one second dummy gate electrode is disposed adjacent to a second side edge of the at least one first gate electrode. The second side edge is opposite to the first side edge. At least one guard ring is disposed around the at least one first gate electrode, the at least one first dummy gate electrode, and the at least one second dummy gate electrode. An ion implantation layer of the at least one guard ring substantially touches at least one of the at least one first dummy gate electrode and the at least one second dummy gate electrode.
US08350338B2	Semiconductor device including high field regions and related method A semiconductor device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a N-well within a P-well in a silicon layer, the silicon layer positioned atop a buried oxide layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate; a first source region and a second source region within a portion of the P-well; a first drain region and a second drain region within a portion of the P-well and within a portion of the N-well; and a gate positioned atop the N-well, wherein a lateral high field region is generated between the N-well and the P-well and a vertical high field region is generated between the gate and the N-well. A related method is disclosed.
US08350332B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A first and second gate electrodes are formed on a first and second active regions, respectively. The first and second gate electrodes have a first and second metal-containing conductive films, respectively. The first and second metal-containing conductive films are formed on the isolation region for segmenting the first and second active regions to be spaced apart from each other. A third metal-containing conductive film, which is a part of each of the first and second gate electrodes, is continuously formed from a top of the first metal-containing conductive film through a top of the isolation region to a top of the second metal-containing conductive film. The third metal-containing conductive film is in contact with the first and second metal-containing conductive films.
US08350324B2	Semiconductor device The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer; a second conductive type source region formed in a surface layer portion of the semiconductor layer; a groove formed by digging in the source region from a surface thereof; an insulating film laminated on the semiconductor layer to cover a surface of the semiconductor layer; a contact hole penetrating through the insulating film in a layer thickness direction at least at a position facing the groove; a wiring formed on the insulating film; and a contact plug embedded in the contact hole so that a bottom portion thereof enters the groove to electrically connect the wiring and the source.
US08350322B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first and a second semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a source region of the first conductivity type, a first and a second main electrode, trench gates, a first and a second contact region. The third semiconductor layer is provided on the second semiconductor layer provided on the first semiconductor layer. The first main electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second main electrode is electrically connected to the source region provided on the third semiconductor layer. The trench gates are provided from the third semiconductor layer to the second semiconductor layer. The first and second contact regions electrically connect the second main electrode and the third semiconductor layer. An opening area of the second contact hole is smaller than that of the first contact hole.
US08350320B2	Memory array and memory device A memory array with staggered local data/bit lines extending generally in a first direction formed in an upper surface of a substrate and memory cell access transistors extending generally upward and aligned generally atop a corresponding local data/bit line. Selected columns of the memory cell access transistors are sacrificed to define local data/bit access transistors which are interconnected with overlying low resistance global data/bit lines. The global data/bit lines provide selectable low resistance paths between memory cells and sense amplifiers. The sacrificed memory cell access transistors and staggered local data/bit lines provide increased footprints for sense amplifiers to facilitate increased circuit integration.
US08350318B2	Method of forming an MOS transistor and structure therefor In one embodiment, an MOS transistor is formed with trench gates. The gate structure of the trench gates generally has a first insulator that has a first thickness in one region of the gate and a second thickness in a second region of the gate.
US08350316B2	Phase change memory cells having vertical channel access transistor and memory plane Memory devices are described along with methods for manufacturing. A memory device as described herein comprises a plurality of word lines overlying a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of field effect transistors. Field effect transistors in the plurality of field effect transistors comprises a first terminal electrically coupled to a corresponding bit line in the plurality of bit lines, a second terminal overlying the first terminal, and a channel region separating the first and second terminals and adjacent a corresponding word line in the plurality of word lines. The corresponding word line acts as the gate of the field effect transistor. A dielectric separates the corresponding word line from the channel region. A memory plane comprises programmable resistance memory material electrically coupled to respective second terminals of the field effect transistors, and conductive material on the programmable resistance memory material and coupled to a common voltage.
US08350314B2	Semiconductor memory device and method for fabricating semiconductor memory device According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising a plurality of memory strings, each of the memory strings being constituted with a plurality of electrically erasable memory cells being serially connected each other, the memory strings comprising: a columnar semiconductor layer perpendicularly extending toward a substrate; a plurality of conductive layers being formed in parallel to the substrate and including a first space between a sidewall of the columnar semiconductor layers; and characteristic change layer being formed on the sidewall of the columnar semiconductor layer faced to the first space or a sidewall of the conductive layer faced to the first space and changing characteristics accompanying with applied voltage; wherein the plurality of the conductive layers have a function of a relative movement to a prescribed direction for the columnar semiconductor layer.
US08350305B2	Solid-state imaging device and camera A solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arrayed; a photoelectric conversion element in each of the pixels; a read transistor for reading electric charges photoelectrically-converted in the photoelectric conversion elements to a floating diffusion portion; a shallow trench element isolation region bordering the floating diffusion portion; and an impurity diffusion isolation region for element isolation regions other than the shallow trench element isolation region.
US08350302B2	Organic light emitting display apparatus An organic light emitting display apparatus is disclosed. The organic light emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate, a seal facing the substrate, bonded to the substrate, a display area disposed on the substrate configured to produce an image, a pad area disposed on the substrate, present on at least one side of the display area, an insulating layer directly extending from the display area, formed on the pad area, a first adhesive layer surrounding the display area, which bonds the substrate to the seal, and comprising an organic material, and a second adhesive layer insulated from the pad area by the insulating layer, disposed outside the first adhesive layer, which bonds the substrate to the seal.
US08350298B2	Hybrid material inversion mode GAA CMOSFET A Ge and Si hybrid material inversion mode GAA (Gate-All-Around) CMOSFET includes a PMOS region having a first channel, an NMOS region having a second channel and a gate region. The first channel and the second channel have a racetrack-shaped cross section and are formed of n-type Ge and p-type Si, respectively; the surfaces of the first channel and the second channel are substantially surrounded by the gate region; a buried oxide layer is disposed between the PMOS region and the NMOS region and between the PMOS or NMOS region and the Si substrate to isolate them from one another. In an inversion mode, the devices have hybrid material, GAA structure with the racetrack-shaped, high-k gate dielectric layer and metal gate, so as to achieve high carrier mobility, prevent polysilicon gate depletion and short channel effects.
US08350294B2	Compensated gate MISFET and method for fabricating the same A MISFET, such as a GaN transistor, with low gate leakage. In one embodiment, the gate leakage is reduced with a compensated GaN layer below the gate contact and above the barrier layer. In another embodiment, the gate leakage is reduced by employing a semi-insulating layer below the gate contact and above the barrier layer.
US08350291B2	Modulation-doped multi-gate devices Modulation-doped multi-gate devices are generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface, one or more buffer films coupled to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first barrier film coupled to the one or more buffer films, a multi-gate fin coupled to the first barrier film, the multi-gate fin comprising a source region, a drain region, and a channel region of a multi-gate device wherein the channel region is disposed between the source region and the drain region, a spacer film coupled to the multi-gate fin, and a doped film coupled to the spacer film.
US08350289B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer; a first electrode provided on a first surface side of the first semiconductor layer; a first insulating layer; and a second semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer is provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first electrode and configured to constrict current flowing between the first semiconductor layer and the first electrode. The second semiconductor layer has a first conductivity type and is provided at least on a path of the current constricted by the first insulating layer. The second semiconductor layer is in contact with the first electrode. The second semiconductor layer contains first impurities at a concentration higher than a concentration of impurities contained in the first semiconductor layer.
US08350288B2	Gallium nitride devices with electrically conductive regions Semiconductor structures comprising a III-nitride (e.g., gallium nitride) material region and methods associated with such structures are provided. In some embodiments, the structures include an electrically conductive material (e.g., gold) separated from certain other region(s) of the structure (e.g., a silicon substrate) by a barrier material in order to limit, or prevent, undesirable reactions between the electrically conductive material and the other component(s) which can impair device performance. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive material may be formed in a via. For example, the via can extend from a topside of the device to a backside so that the electrically conductive material connects a topside contact to a backside contact. The structures described herein may form the basis of a number of semiconductor devices including transistors (e.g., PET), Schottky diodes, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes, amongst others.
US08350286B2	Light emitting element A heat radiation structure of a light emitting element has leads, each lead having a plurality of leg sections, and a light emitting chip mounted on any one of the leads. The present invention can provide a high-efficiency light emitting element, in which a thermal load is reduced by widening a connecting section through which a lead and a chip seating section of the light emitting element are connected, and the heat generated from a heat source can be more rapidly radiated to the outside. Further, the present invention can also provide a high-efficiency light emitting element, in which heat radiation fins are formed between a stopper and a molding portion of a lead of the light emitting element so that natural convection can occur between the heat radiation fins, and an area in which heat radiation can occur is widened to maximize a heat radiation effect.
US08350285B2	Semiconductor light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same A semiconductor light-emitting device of the invention includes: a semiconductor layer including a light-emitting layer and having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface; a phosphor layer facing to the first major surface; an interconnect layer provided on the second major surface side and including a conductor and an insulator; and a light-blocking member provided on a side surface of the semiconductor layer and being opaque to light emitted from the light-emitting layer.
US08350279B2	Light emitting diode having AlInGaP active layer and method of fabricating the same A light emitting diode having an AlInGaP active layer and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The light emitting diode includes a substrate. A plurality of light emitting cells are positioned to be spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the light emitting cells has a first conductive-type lower semiconductor layer, an AlInGaP active layer and a second conductive-type upper semiconductor layer. Meanwhile, a semi-insulating layer is interposed between the substrate and the light emitting cells. Further, wires connect the plurality of light emitting cells in series. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a light emitting diode, in which a plurality of light emitting cells are connected in series to one another through wires to be driven by an AC power source.
US08350276B2	Alternating current light emitting device The present invention relates to a light emitting device. In the light emitting device of the present invention, light emitting cells of a first light emitting cell block and light emitting cells of a second light emitting cell block corresponding thereto are connected in parallel so that a current can cross the light emitting cells of the first and second light emitting cell blocks. Thus, even though a leakage current occurs in some of light emitting cells, the current is allowed to cross light emitting cells connected in another direction, thereby preventing overload on some of the light emitting cells due to the leakage current and ensuring uniform light emission and prolonged life span in the AC light emitting device.
US08350266B2	Display substrate and method of fabricating the same A display substrate is provided that can prevent the opening of an upper conduction layer. The display substrate comprises a semiconductor layer pattern formed on a substrate, a data interconnection pattern formed on the semiconductor layer pattern, a protection layer formed on the substrate and the data interconnection pattern, contact holes formed on the substrate to expose at least a portion of an upper surface of the semiconductor pattern and at least a portion of an upper surface of the data interconnection pattern, and contact electrodes formed in the contact holes to be in contact with the exposed upper surfaces of the data interconnection pattern and the semiconductor layer pattern.
US08350259B2	Electronic circuit An electronic circuit includes at least two organic components interconnected by conductor tracks and having a common carrier substrate. The components and the conductor tracks are formed from layer portions. An uppermost layer portion, remote from the carrier substrate, of the electronic circuit is of a patterned configuration comprising an electrically conducting material. The patterned uppermost layer portion on its side remote from the carrier substrate is provided with at least one protective layer arranged in congruent relationship with the uppermost layer portion. The at least two organic components include at least one first component of a first component type and at least one second component of a second component type different therefrom. Components of the same component type are respectively protected by a protective layer of the same composition and/or the same structure corresponding to that component type and differing from one another according to the corresponding component type.
US08350256B2	Organic semiconductor compounds The disclosure is related to organic semiconductor compounds including benzodithieno(3,2-b:2′,3′-d)thiophene (BDTT) and the derivatives of benzodithieno(3,2-b:2′,3′-d)thiophene. The organic compounds of the disclosure have high resistance to the oxidation and high electrical stability. Accordingly, the semiconductor device having an organic semiconductor layer made of the organic compounds of the disclosure has stable electrical performance, and the reliability of the semiconductor device is improved.
US08350253B1	Integrated circuit with stress inserts An integrated circuit (“IC”) fabricated on a semiconductor substrate has an active gate structure formed over a channel region in the semiconductor substrate. A dummy gate structure is formed on a dielectric isolation structure. The dummy gate structure and the active gate structure have the same width. A sidewall spacer on the dummy gate structure overlies a semiconductor portion between a strain-inducing insert and the dielectric isolation structure.
US08350245B2	Variable resistance element and nonvolatile semiconductor memory device using the same To provide a variable resistance element capable of preventing the interface resistance, in a side of the variable resistance element in which resistance change is not allowed, from changing to high resistance due to applied voltage. The variable resistance element is configured by providing a variable resistance film (265) between a first electrode (280) and a second electrode (250), the oxygen concentration within the film of the variable resistance film (265) is high at the side of an interface with the second electrode (250) (high-concentration variable resistance layer (260)) and low at the side of an interface with the first electrode (280) (low-concentration variable resistance layer (270)), and the junction surface area between the low-concentration variable resistance layer (270) and the first electrode (280) is larger than the interface surface area between the high-concentration variable resistance layer (260) and the second electrode (250).
US08350242B2	Mold for forming a radioactive shield component and for shielding radioactivity A shield for absorbing radiation emitted during generation of a radioisotope. The shield includes an inner portion fabricated from a first type of shielding material. The shield also includes an outer portion fabricated from a second type of shielding material wherein the outer portion serves as a mold for forming the inner portion. The inner portion may be fabricated from a material which shields against gamma rays such as concrete. The outer portion may be fabricated from a material which moderates neutrons such as high density polyethylene. Additional shielding materials may be embedded into the inner portion as desired.
US08350238B2	Device patterning using irradiation In one embodiment, a method for creating a pattern in a layer of an organic electronic device that includes selectively irradiating a portion of the layer is provided, and devices and sub-assemblies made by the same.
US08350237B2	Automated slice milling for viewing a feature A method and apparatus for performing a slice and view technique with a dual beam system. The feature of interest in an image of a sample is located by machine vision, and the area to be milled and imaged in a subsequent slice and view iteration is determined through analysis of data gathered by the machine vision at least in part. A determined milling area may be represented as a bounding box around a feature, which dimensions can be changed in accordance with the analysis step. The FIB is then adjusted accordingly to slice and mill a new face in the subsequent slice and view iteration, and the SEM images the new face. Because the present invention accurately locates the feature and determines an appropriate size of area to mill and image, efficiency is increased by preventing the unnecessary milling of substrate that does not contain the feature of interest.
US08350230B2	Method and optical assembly for analysing a sample A method and an arrangement for analyzing a specimen, wherein the specimen is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation and displaceable in all three spatial directions and is illuminated by a first illumination device. Light radiated from the specimen is imaged on a detection device. A plurality of sectional images of the specimen are recorded at different settings of the rotational angle, and the specimen is rotated. The recorded sectional images are fused to form a data set of spatial image data of the specimen. The specimen is then illuminated by a second illumination device perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein a plurality of shadow images of the specimen are recorded and the specimen is rotated. A second data set of spatial image data of the specimen is constructed from the recorded shadow images by means of a back projection algorithm.
US08350221B2	Apparatus and method for generating countable pulses from impinging X-ray photons; and corresponding imaging device The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating countable pulses (30) from impinging X-ray (12, 14) in an imaging device (16), in particular in a computer tomograph, the apparatus (10) comprising a pre-amplifying element (18) adapted to convert a charge pulse (20) generated by an impinging photon (12, 14) into an electrical signal (22) and a shaping element (26) having a feedback loop (28) and adapted to convert the electrical signal (22) into an electrical pulse (30), wherein a delay circuit (38) is connected to the feedback loop (28) such that a time during which the feedback loop (28) collects charges of the electrical signal (22) is extended in order to improve an amplitude of the electrical pulse (30) at an output (56) of the shaping element (26). The invention also relates to a corresponding imaging device (16) and a corresponding method.
US08350220B2	Enhanced PET scanner detector module A programmable memory is provided in each of a plurality of detector modules arrayed in a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. Each detector module memory stores data associated with its respective detector module. Each memory may be coupled to a processor via a transmission bus. A display device may be coupled to the processor for displaying information relating to information obtained from the detector module memories.
US08350213B2	Charged particle beam detection unit with multi type detection subunits A detection unit of a charged particle imaging system includes a multi type detection subunit in the charged particle imaging system, with the assistance of a Wien filter (also known as an E×B charged particle analyzer). The imaging system is suitable for a low beam current, high resolution mode and a high beam current, high throughput mode. The unit can be applied to a scanning electron inspection system as well as to other systems that use a charged particle beam as an observation tool.
US08350209B2	Production of self-organized pin-type nanostructures, and the rather extensive applications thereof The invention relates to methods and devices comprising a nanostructure (2;4,4a) for improving the optical behavior of components and apparatuses and/or improving the behavior of sensors by increasing the active surface area. The nanostructure (2) is produced by means of a special RIE etching process, can be modified regarding the composition of the materials thereof, and can be provided with adequate coatings. The amount of material used for the base layer (3) can be reduced by supplying a buffer layer (406). Many applications are disclosed.
US08350205B2	Optical receiver comprising breakdown-voltage compensation The present invention enables the detection of light using an APD that has high gain and/or a wide range of operating temperature. A first APD is biased with a voltage bias that is controlled based on the breakdown voltage of a second APD, which is thermally coupled with the first APD. Changes in the breakdown voltage of the second APD due to aging, temperature chances, and the like, are reflective of changes in the breakdown voltage of the first APD. As a result, the first APD can be operated with greater stability and reliability at high gain and over larger temperature excursions than APDs known in the prior art.
US08350198B2	Heating and melting of materials by electric induction heating of susceptors Apparatus and method are provided for heating and melting of materials by electric induction heating of susceptor components in a crucible of the furnace. The susceptor components comprise at least an array of susceptor rods arranged around the inner perimeter of the crucible. A susceptor base may also be provided in the crucible with connection to one end of the susceptor rods. One or more susceptor tubes may also be used within the interior volume of the crucible. Alternating current flow through one or more induction coils surrounding the exterior of the crucible generate magnetic flux fields that couple with the susceptor components to inductively heat the susceptor components. Heat from the susceptor components transfers to the material in the crucible to heat and melt the material.
US08350197B2	Induction heating cooker An induction heating cooker including a top plate where a pan is placed; a heating coil for induction heating the pan; an inverter circuit for supplying a high frequency current to the heating coil; an infrared sensor, which is arranged under the heating coil and detects an infrared light radiated from the pan; a light guiding part including an upper opening formed at an upper end facing the top plate and a lower opening formed at a lower end, and guiding the infrared light from the pan to the infrared sensor; and a control unit for controlling an output of the inverter circuit according to an output from the infrared sensor; wherein the light guiding part includes a nonmetallic material part in which the upper opening is formed upper than a lower surface of the heating coil.
US08350193B2	Oil water mixture heating apparatus An oil water mixture heating apparatus comprises a metal outer barrel with a helical trough formed inside, a metal inner barrel held in the metal outer barrel to form a helical passage with the helical trough, a first and a second guide cap coupled on two sides of the metal outer and inner barrels, a first and a second seal cap coupled respectively on the first and second guide caps, a first and a second holder fixedly located on outer sides of the two seal caps and an electric heater encasing the metal outer barrel. When combustible oil or oil water mixture enters the helical passage and are heated by the electric heater, the oil or oil water mixture also is constantly blended in the helical passage so that it is heated rapidly to a required temperature and forms a finer oil water mixture.
US08350190B2	Ceramic electrode for gliding electric arc A ceramic electrode for a gliding electric arc system. The ceramic electrode includes a ceramic fin defining a spine, a heel, and a tip. A discharge edge of the ceramic fin defines a diverging profile approximately from the heel of the ceramic fin to the tip of the ceramic fin. A mounting surface coupled to the ceramic fin facilitates mounting the ceramic fin within the gliding electric arc system. One or more ceramic electrodes may be used in the gliding electric arc system or other systems which at least partially oxidize a combustible material.
US08350188B2	Method for material removal and device for carrying out said method A method for material removal to a predetermined removal depth from a workpiece employs a laser beam consisting of one or more sub-beams, each of the latter having a defined beam axis. The axis of the laser beam or the individual axes of the sub-beams are guided along a removal line at a predetermined travelling speed and the laser beam has a predetermined spatial energy flow density that defines a Poynting vector S with a value I0f (x) and a direction s, the spatial energy flow density creating a removal face with an apex formed by the leading part of the removal face in the removal direction and the face, creating a removal edge.
US08350186B2	Laser-produced implants A method of producing an orthopedic implant including the steps of building a flat open model of at least a portion of an implant. The flat open model may be built using a selective laser sinter process. The flat open model preferably includes at least one groove along either a first surface or a second surface of the model. Next a force may be applied to the flat open model at predetermined locations to thereby cause the model to bend and assume a shape similar to a desired result. The now bent model may be resurfaced by either applying additional material such that the bent flat open model assumes the shape of a desired implant or the bent open model may be snap fit to an additional element.
US08350185B2	Laser welding method for steel sheet The present invention provides a laser welding method for steel sheets. The laser welding method includes irradiating a low heat input laser beam to a weld zone with a uniform welding pattern of a zigzag shape, with a constant pitch, and with a constant welding speed, so that autogenous welding may be achieved without a feed wire, such that cost of material may be reduced and joinability and performance may be improved.
US08350183B2	Method for laser machining transparent materials A method for machining a transparent material by the non-linear absorption of pulsed laser radiation, in the region of a laser focus, includes the following steps: a laser wavelength of between 300 and 1000 μm is selected; and laser impulses having a temporally flat beam profile are applied. The method is characterized in that the irradiation intensity is selected from an interval pre-determined for the material to be machined, in which plasma is formed without plasma luminescence. An apparatus for laser treating a transparent material includes structure to set an irradiance and inspect the treatment as being within a defined interval.
US08350181B2	Gas distribution ring assembly for plasma spray system A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system includes a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof. The assembly also includes a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray system.
US08350172B2	Illuminated keyboard Presented herein is an illuminated keyboard having: a key module having a plurality of keycaps, scissors structures, elastic members, and a membrane circuit board; a keyboard base plate having a plurality of positioning members corresponding to the keycaps and integrally formed on the keyboard base plate for positioning the keyboard module on the keyboard base plate; a light guiding plate disposed beneath the key module and over the keyboard base plate, the light guiding plate having a light incoming surface, a bottom surface intersecting the light incoming surface, a light outgoing surface opposite to the light incoming surface, and provided with light holes corresponding to the positioning members; light sources arranged on one side of the light incoming surface of the light guiding plate, wherein a light emitted from the light sources is transmitted into the light guiding plate from the light incoming surface and transmitted out of the light guiding plate from the outgoing surface; and a reflecting sheet disposed beneath the bottom surface of the light guiding plate for reflecting the light emitted from the light sources into the light guiding plate, the reflecting sheet having through holes corresponding to the positioning members and the light holes.
US08350169B2	Three-positions disconnector for medium voltage panels A three-positions disconnector comprising, for each phase an insulating casing which comprises a first and a second cavity separated by an insulated partition wall, a through hole being present in said partition wall between said first and second cavity. The first cavity houses: a first fixed contact electrically connected to a corresponding branch conductor (of a bus-bar system; at least a portion of a movable contact pivotally mounted on a support positioned in the first cavity and electrically connected to a first electrical terminal positioned in said second cavity. The disconnector further comprises, for each phase, a second fixed contact suitable for ground connection. Also, the disconnector comprises an operating mechanism and a kinematical chain linking the movable contact with the operating mechanism; the movable contact is movable between a first position in which it is coupled to the first fixed contact, a second position in which it is isolated from both the first and second fixed contacts, and a third position in which it coupled to the second fixed contact.
US08350157B2	Printed circuit board A printed circuit board includes a layer. A layer of copper is covered on a surface of the layer. A through hole passes through the printed circuit board. An approximately C-shaped thermal engraving is defined in the surface of the layers, surrounding the through hole and without being covered by the layer of copper. An opening of the thermal engraving faces an output terminal of the power supply.
US08350154B1	Universal wall plate mount A wall plate comprising a housing defining a wall plate perimeter, a pair of mounting members integral to the housing, at least one mounting flange having an aperture and being removably secured to the pair of mounting members, and a mounting screw for securing an electrical device to the at least one mounting flange.
US08350147B2	Process for producing encapsulating material for solar cell The present invention provides a process for producing an encapsulating material for solar cell which makes high-speed crosslinking possible and causes no blister phenomenon without significant restrictions being imposed on the conditions for molding the encapsulating material.The present invention provides a process for producing the encapsulating material for solar cell including impregnating a molded form of an ethylene copolymer with an organic peroxide in a liquid state at normal temperature which shows a decomposition temperature (a temperature at which the half-life period is one hour) of not higher than 150° C.A process for producing the encapsulating material for solar cell in which dialkyl peroxide (A) and an organic peroxide (B) selected from peroxycarbonate and peroxyketal at a ratio by weight of 10/90 to 90/10 of (A) and (B) in a liquid state impregnate the molded form of the ethylene copolymer is a preferable embodiment of the present invention.
US08350145B2	Photovoltaic generator with a spherical imaging lens for use with a paraboloidal solar reflector The invention is a generator for photovoltaic conversion of concentrated sunlight into electricity. A generator according to the invention incorporates a plurality of photovoltaic cells and is intended for operation near the focus of a large paraboloidal reflector pointed at the sun. Within the generator, the entering concentrated light is relayed by secondary optics to the cells arranged in a compact, concave array. The light is delivered to the cells at high concentration, consistent with high photovoltaic conversion efficiency and low cell cost per unit power output. Light enters the generator, preferably first through a sealing window, and passes through a field lens, preferably in the form of a full sphere or ball lens centered on the paraboloid focus. This lens forms a concentric, concave and wide-angle image of the primary reflector, where the intensity of the concentrated light is stabilized against changes in the position of concentrated light entering the generator. Receiving the stabilized light are flat photovoltaic cells made in different shapes and sizes and configured in a concave array corresponding to the concave image of a given primary reflector. Photovoltaic cells in a generator are also sized and interconnected so as to provide a single electrical output that remains high and stable, despite aberrations in the light delivered to the generator caused by, for example, mispointing or bending of the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the cells are set back from the image formed by the ball lens, and part of the light is reflected onto each cell small secondary reflectors in the form of mirrors set around its perimeter.
US08350139B2	Device for adjusting and blocking a snare band A snare band adjustment and locking device of a snare drum includes a mechanism for adjusting first, second and third settings, a first setting wherein the snare band is removed from the snare head, a second setting wherein the snare band has a maximum, predetermined contact pressure with the snare head, and a third setting wherein the contact pressure of the snare band with the snare head can be continuously varied between the contact pressure in the first and second settings. The adjustment mechanism is operated in the third setting via a foot pedal and a cable running through a control member which determines by its tension the spacing between the control member and a control lever pretensioned by a compression spring.
US08350135B1	Maize variety hybrid X95A939 A novel maize variety designated X95A939 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95A939 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95A939 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95A939, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95A939. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95A939.
US08350122B2	Starches with high amylose content and improved processing properties The present invention relates to maize starches with an apparent amylose content between 35 wt. % and 90 wt. % and improved processing properties relative to conventional high-amylose maize starches. Furthermore, the present invention relates to maize meals and foodstuffs containing these maize starches or maize meals. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of production of said maize starches/maize meals and maize plants which synthesize these maize starches. Moreover, the present invention relates to wheat starches with an apparent amylose content between 35 wt. % and 90 wt. % and improved processing properties, and wheat meals and foodstuffs containing said wheat starches or wheat meals. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of production of said wheat starches/wheat meals and wheat plants which synthesize these wheat starches.
US08350120B2	Plants modified with mini-chromosomes The invention is generally related to methods of generating plants transformed with novel autonomous mini-chromosomes. Mini-chromosomes with novel compositions and structures are used to transform plants cells which are in turn used to generate the plant. Methods for generating the plant include methods for delivering the mini-chromosome into plant cell to transform the cell, methods for selecting the transformed cell, and methods for isolating plants transformed with the mini-chromosome. Plants generated in the present invention contain novel genes introduced into their genome by integration into existing chromosomes.
US08350118B2	Allergic disease model animals The object of the present invention is to provide a mouse model for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, and a dermatitis mouse model with impaired skin-barrier function. The present inventors found out that a mouse that has been caused to completely lose the function of expressing profilaggrin protein and filaggrin protein by entirely or partially disrupting the endogenous gene encoding filaggrin by a genetic mutation such as deletion or replacement, can be used as a mouse model for allergic diseases or atopic dermatitis wherein the skin-barrier function has been impaired.
US08350117B2	Wound cover A wound cover comprising: an absorber layer made of a functional non-woven comprising at least first and second filaments; wherein said first filaments comprise a core of a polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath of polyolefin, and a silver source is incorporated in the sheath; and wherein said second filaments comprise a core of polyacrylonitrile and a sheath of polyacryl; wherein the absorber layer is capable of absorbing from 0.15 to 1.20 ml/cm2 of water.
US08350110B2	Heavy alkylbenzene transalkylation operating cost reduction A process for increasing the production of monoalkylbenzenes is presented. The process includes utilizing a transalkylation process to convert dialkylbenzenes to monoalkylbenzenes. The transalkylation process recycles a portion of the effluent stream from the transalkylation reactor back to the feed of the transalkylation reactor. The recycled dialkylbenzenes and a portion of the recycled benzene are converted to monoalkylbenzenes.
US08350104B2	Method for catalytically cracking waste plastics and apparatus for catalytically cracking waste plastics To provide a method for catalytically cracking waste plastics wherein the efficiency in decomposition is high; even polyethylene composed of linear chain molecules difficult in decomposition is decomposable at a low temperature and decomposed residue is hardly produced; the process is simple since dechlorination can be achieved at the same time with catalytically cracking waste plastics in one reaction vessel; and oil fractions can be recovered at 50% or more on a net yield basis. The method for catalytically cracking waste plastics of the present invention has a constitution in which waste plastics are loaded as a raw material into a granular FCC catalyst heated to a temperature range from 350° C. to 500° C. inside a reaction vessel, thereby decomposing and gasifying the waste plastics in contact with the FCC catalyst.
US08350102B2	Process for conversion of biomass to fuel The present disclosure is directed to processes for the direct conversion of lipidic biomass fuelstock to combustible fuels. In particular, the disclosure provides a process for the direct conversion of animal fats to transportations fuels suitable as replacement for petroleum-derived transportation fuels. In an example, the method comprises the steps of hydrolyzing a lipidic biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to form n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds in the correct chain length, conformations, and ratio to be useful transportation fuels. Particularly, the product prepared comprises mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of n-alkanes, isoalkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.
US08350099B2	Fluorovinyl ether functionalized aromatic diesters, derivatives thereof, and process for the preparation thereof Disclosed are fluorovinyl ether functionalized aromatic diesters and derivatives thereof. The compounds disclosed have utility as functionalized monomers and comonomers in polyesters, polyamides, and the like. It has been found that incorporation of the monomers into polymers provides improved soil resistance to shaped articles produced from the polymers.
US08350098B2	Ethanol production from acetic acid utilizing a molybdenum carbide catalyst A process for the selective and direct formation of ethanol from acetic acid comprising contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen in vapor form at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide and one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, potassium, tin and tungsten on a catalyst support.
US08350096B2	Compound for resist and radiation-sensitive composition A radiation-sensitive composition containing 1 to 80% by weight of a solid component and 20 to 99% by weight of a solvent. The solid component contains a compound B which has (a) a structure derived from a polyphenol compound A by introducing an acid-dissociating group to at least one phenolic hydroxyl group of the polyphenol compound A which is synthesized by a condensation between a di- to tetrafunctional aromatic ketone or aromatic aldehyde each having 5 to 36 carbon atoms with a compound having 1 to 3 phenolic hydroxyl groups and 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and (b) a molecular weight of 400 to 2000. The composition containing the compound B is useful as an acid-amplified, non-polymeric resist material, because it is highly sensitive to radiation such as KrF excimer lasers, extreme ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and X-rays, and provides resist patterns with a high resolution, high heat resistance, and high etching resistance.
US08350093B2	Methylated curcumin-resveratrol hybrid molecules for treating cancer Methylated curcumin-methoxystilbene hybrid molecules that have particular use in treating cancer.
US08350092B2	Process of racemisation of optically active alpha aminoacetals The invention relates to a process for preparing α-aminoacetals substantially in racemic form, comprising a step of oxidizing optically enriched α-aminoacetals to the corresponding oximes, in the presence of a catalyst, and a step of reducing the oximes thus obtained.
US08350089B2	Yield-efficient process for the production of highly pure 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives The present invention discloses a process for the production of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its bisulfite adducts, comprising the following steps: a) oxidizing 2-methyl-naphthalene (2-MNA) to achieve an organic phase containing 2-methyl-naphthoquinone (2-MNQ) and 6-methyl-naphthoquinone (6-MNQ); b) subjecting said organic phase to treatment with an aqueous solution of a bisulfite salt to extract preferentially the 6-MNQ isomer from the organic phase; c) separating said organic phase from the aqueous phase; d) subjecting the organic phase of process step c) to a second bisulfidation step with an aqueous solution of a bisulfite salt, resulting in an organic phase containing 2-MNA and trace amounts of 2-MNQ and an aqueous phase containing 2-MSB and trace amounts of 6-MSB; e) optionally removing interfering bisulfite ions from the aqueous phase of process step c); f) raising the pH of the aqueous phase from step c) or e) to higher than 8.5 in the presence of a solvent resulting in an organic phase containing 2-MNQ; g) combining the organic phase from step f) with the organic phase being treated in the process step d); h) recycling the organic phase from step d) back to step a) to be used as solvent for the oxidation reaction of 2-MNA.
US08350088B2	Gelling agent containing a fluoroalkyl derivative To provide a gelling agent containing a fluoroalkyl derivative, a small amount of which can gelatinize or solidify various organic solvents.The gelling agent for organic liquids contains a fluoroalkyl derivative represented by the following formula: wherein each of m, n and x is a positive integer.
US08350081B2	Process for preparation of methyl metharylate using recycled methanol The invention relates to processes for production of methacrylic acid and to processes for production of methyl methacrylate.
US08350075B2	Mixed metal oxide ammoxidation catalysts Olefins selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, are converted to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof in a process comprising reacting in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature and pressure said olefin with a molecular oxygen containing gas and ammonia in the presence of a catalytic composition comprising a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoter elements, wherein the X-ray diffraction pattern of the catalytic composition has X-ray diffraction peaks at 2θ angle 28±0.3 degrees and 2θ angle 26.5±0.3 degrees, and wherein the ratio of the intensity of the most intense x-ray diffraction peak within 2θ angle 28±0.3 degrees to the intensity of most intense x-ray diffraction peak within 2θ angle 26.5±0.3 degrees is defined as X/Y, and wherein X/Y is greater than or equal to 0.7.
US08350073B2	Olefin metathesis catalysts and related methods The present invention provides methods for the synthesis of catalysts and precursors thereof. Methods of the invention may comprise combining a catalyst precursor and at least one ligand to generate a catalytically active species, often under mild conditions and in high yields. In some cases, a wide variety of catalysts may be synthesized from a single catalyst precursor. Methods of the invention may also include the preparation of catalysts which, under reaction conditions known in the art, may have been difficult or impossible to prepare and/or isolate due to, for example, steric crowding at the metal center. The present invention also provides catalyst compositions, and precursors thereof, which may be useful in various chemical reactions including olefin metathesis. In some cases, methods of the invention may reduce the number of synthetic and purification steps required to produce catalysts and/or other reaction products, as well as reducing time, cost, and waste production.
US08350071B2	Decantation improvement in a method of producing alkyl esters from vegetable or animal oil and an aliphatic monoalcohol The present invention describes a method of producing fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerin implementing, in a reaction section, a set of transesterification reactions between a vegetable or animal oil and an aliphatic monoalcohol, and using a heterogeneous solid catalyst, comprising: a) a stage of recontacting the effluent coming from the reaction section, and separated from the excess alcohol, with a glycerin phase, b) a stage of mixing said effluent with said glycerin phase, and c) a glycerin phase decantation stage. The supernatent ester phase obtained after decantation is then optionally sent to a coalescer, also allowing separation of the glycerin, then to a purification stage by adsorption on solids.
US08350060B2	2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0] hexane-2, 6-dicarboxylic ester derivative A drug effective for the treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and related ailments thereof, depression, bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The drug antagonizes the action of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors and shows high activity in oral administrationA 2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic ester derivative represented by formula [I] [wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; Y represents —OCHR3R4 or the like (wherein R3 and R4 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; and n represents integer 1 or 2)], a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof.
US08350057B2	Method for producing 3-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid A method for producing 3-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid is provided.A method for producing 3-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid, which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein X is a chlorine atom or a bromine atom) with magnesium in the presence of an alkyl halide to give a Grignard reagent represented by the formula (II): (wherein X is the same as defined above), reacting the Grignard reagent of the formula (II) with carbon dioxide, and acidifying the reaction product.
US08350054B2	Optical filter An optical filter containing at least one naphtholactam derivative represented by general formula (I), wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and Y are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, aldehyde, carboxyl, hydroxyl, —NRR′, organosilyl, optionally substituted C1-C30 alkyl, optionally substituted C6-C30 aryl, or optionally substituted C7-C30 arylalkyl; and R and R′ are each hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C30 alkyl, or optionally substituted C6-C30 aryl.
US08350047B2	Methods of preparing secondary carbinamine compounds with boronic acids The present application relates to novel methods for the preparation of secondary carbinamine compounds, particularly the preparation of secondary carbinamine compounds of the formula Ia, formula Ib or formula IV from aldehydes of the formula II and boronic acids of the formula III or formula V, in the presence of ammonia or an ammonia equivalent of the formula NH4+X−.
US08350035B2	Fluorinated rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives and use thereof The present invention relates to fluorinated rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives, to a process for their preparation and to their use, especially as n-type semiconductors.
US08350034B2	Substituted chiral fused [1,2]imidazo[4,5-C] ring compounds Substituted fused [1,2]imidazo[4,5-c] ring compounds (e.g., imidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, imidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridines, and 6,7,8,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridines) with a —CH(—R1)— group in the fused ring at the 1-position of the imidazo ring, wherein R1 includes a functional group, for example, an amide, sulfonamide, urea, carbamate, ester, ketone, ether, a thio analog of the forgoing, sulfone, oxime, or hydroxylamine, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.
US08350033B2	4-((3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine-2-yl) methoxyl) benzoic acid and its derivatives Ligustrazine aromatic acid ether derivative of general formula I, its preparation method, pharmaceutical composition and application, wherein Ar is selected from aryl substituted aryl and substituted styryl, R is selected from hydrogen and alkyl with no more than 6 carbon atoms.
US08350030B2	Process for producing 5-fluoro-1-(2R, 5S)-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine Disclosed herein an improved process for producing 5-Fluoro-1-(2R,5S)-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine and its pharmaceutical acceptable salts.
US08350029B2	Process for the preparation of gefitinib There is provided a compound of formula III, and a process for preparing a compound of formula V comprising converting a compound of formula III to the compound V, wherein X is fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. There is also provided a process for preparing a compound of formula XI comprising converting a compound of formula X to the compound XI. The compounds V and XI so prepared may be used in a process for preparing gefitinib.
US08350010B2	Anti-alpha5/beta1 antibody The present invention relates to the use of VEGF antagonists and alpha5beta1 antagonists for treating cancer and inhibiting angiogenesis and/or vascular permeability, including inhibiting abnormal angiogenesis in diseases. The present invention also relates to use of a VEGFR agonists and alpha5beta1 agonists to promote angiogenesis and vascular permeability. The present invention also relates to new anti-alpha5beta1 antibodies, compositions and kits comprising them and methods of making and using them.
US08349991B2	Amphiphilic polymers and methods of use thereof The present invention relates to amphiphilic polymers, and micelles and compositions comprising the same, and their use in a variety of biological settings, including imaging, targeting drugs, or a combination thereof for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
US08349987B2	Adhesive formulations The disclosure relates to biocompatible components useful for forming compositions for use as medical/surgical synthetic adhesives and sealants. Biocompatible components of the present disclosure may include a polymeric polyol core, which may be treated with a nitroaryl compound to form a nitro ester. The resulting nitro ester groups may be reduced to form amino groups which, in turn, may be treated to form isocyanate groups. The resulting isocyanate may then be reacted with a second component to form adhesive and/or sealant compositions.
US08349979B2	Liquid admixture composition An admixture comprises an aqueous composition of a) a copolymeric dispersing component, b) an antifoaming agent component, c) a surfactant component, and d) water. The components may be a blend or physically or chemically attached and result in a stable liquid system that can be used as a dispersing agent for a calcium sulfate compound containing construction chemicals composition.
US08349970B2	Phase change composition for printing A phase change composition including at least one crystalline polyester and at least one acrylate monomer. Examples of suitable crystalline polyesters include aliphatic crystalline polyesters and polylactones. A method of making the phase change composition, and a method for applying the phase change composition to a substrate.
US08349958B2	Golf ball An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition for the golf ball that suppresses the bleed out of the low molecular weight material component, as well as improves the fluidity and repulsion performance. The present invention provides a golf ball forming resin composition comprising as a resin component, (A) a high melt viscosity resin; (B) a low melt viscosity ionomer resin having a melt viscosity (190° C.) ranging from 1 Pa·s to 10 Pa·s measured by a brookfield viscometer, in a ratio of (A) the high melt viscosity resin/(B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin being 55 mass % to 99 mass %/45 mass % to 1 mass %; and (C) a metal ion source capable of neutralizing carboxyl groups of (A) the high melt viscosity resin and (B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin, in an amount of from 0.1 part to 10 parts with respect to 100 parts by mass of a sum of (A) the high melt viscosity resin and (B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin.
US08349952B2	Golf ball An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in abrasion-resistance and durability. The golf ball of the present invention comprises a cover using a cover composition containing thermoplastic polyurethane (A) and a polyisocyanate mixture (B) in which a urethane prepolymer (b-1a) having at least two isocyanate groups or a polyisocyanate (b-1b) having at least three isocyanate groups is dispersed in a thermoplastic resin (b-2) which does not substantially react with the isocyanate groups.
US08349950B2	Miktopolymer compositions The present invention provides a block copolymer composition and method of making the same having the structures (A2-B)n—X-(A1) or (A2-B2)n—X—(B1A1), where A1 and A2 are each a polymer block of a monoalkenyl arene and B, B1, and B2 are each a polymer block of one or more conjugated dienes or a hydrogenated diene polymer, n is an integer from 2 to 30 and X is the residue of a coupling agent.
US08349949B2	Modifiers for thermoplastic alloys and alloys produced using such modifiers Non cross-linked modifiers for thermoplastic alloys comprising from 20 to 80% by weight based on the modifier of an interpolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms grafted with an acid functionality, preferably maleic anhydride, having a Melt Index of from 0.3 to 100 and a density of 0.85 to 0.91 prior to being grafted and from 80 to 20% by weight of an ungrafted diene containing interpolymer derived from ethylene and an alpha-olefin having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms and an amount of a cross-linking component effective to provide cross-linking during subsequent melt blending with a condensation polymer having a melting point of at least 150° C.
US08349946B2	Production of a water-absorbing resin to which a particulate additive is admixed The invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing resin by polymerization of a reaction mixture comprising at least one hydrophilic monomer and, if appropriate, at least one crosslinker in a reactor, which comprises admixing the reaction mixture with at least one first portion of a particulate additive before the reaction mixture has reached a residence time of 40% of the overall residence time in the reactor and with at least one second portion of a particulate additive when the reaction mixture has reached a residence time of 45% or more of the overall residence time in the reactor, the additive being selected from water-absorbing resin powders, fillers and mixtures thereof, the total solids content of monomer and additive being in the range from 30% to 60% by weight, the amount of additive being in the range from 5% to 50% by weight, based on the monomers, and the weight ratio of the first portion to the second portion of the additive being in the range from 10:1 to 1:5. The resin powder is recycled fine-sized material for example. Not only the residual monomer content, specifically the residual crosslinker content, but also the level of extractables in the water-absorbing resin are reduced by the method of addition described. A high fraction of additives can be incorporated without the properties of the water-absorbing resin obtained being adversely affected. The additives enter a sufficiently firm bond with the resin, so that no excessive dusting occurs on exposure to mechanical stress.
US08349930B2	Glycerol esters There is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing x carbon atoms, wherein x is from 1 to 10, wherein one of R2 and R3 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing y carbon atoms, wherein y is from 1 to 10, wherein the other of R2 and R3 is a branched group of the formula (II) wherein q is from 0 to 3, wherein each R5 is independently selected from —OH and —O—C(O)—R4, wherein n is from 10 to 20 and m is selected from 2n-q, 2n-2-q, 2n-4-q, and 2n-6-q, wherein each R4 is independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups containing z carbon atoms, wherein z is from 7 to 21, wherein z is different to at least one of x and y.
US08349926B2	Scratch-resistant, impact-resistant polycarbonate moulding compositions with good mechanical properties The present invention relates to scratch-resistant, impact-resistant polycarbonate (PC) compositions and moulding compositions which have good mechanical properties and a high resistance to chemicals coupled with good flameproofing properties, and show improved flow properties during processing. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the compositions and their use for the production of shaped articles, in particular housings of flat screen apparatuses.
US08349917B2	Printing ink, transfers, and methods of decorating polyolefin articles The ink of the invention comprises a mixture of finely subdivided polyethylene powder, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, a dispersing agent, an indicia material additive such as a dye or pigment and/or a physical property enhancing additive such as alumina, glass beads, silica, metal flakes, etc. Preferably high and very high molecular weight polyethylene is used, alone or in mixture with lower density polyethylene in amounts from 25 to 45 weight percent in the ink. The polyethylene can have a particle size from 1 nanometer to 150 microns, preferably from 0.1 to 100 microns.The printing ink can be used to prepare a transfer having a decorative layer printed onto a carrier sheet. Various printing methods can be used to prepare the transfer such as gravure printing with etched or engraved chrome-plated or copper rolls; flexography printing with a flexible printing plate; and screen printing. The preferred method is screen printing. The printed layer is thermally treated to remove hydrocarbon solvent.The transfers are applied to the surfaces of molded polyethylene or polypropylene parts with adequate heat, pressure and time to fuse the transfers into the walls of the parts. For this application, the transfer is applied by a commercial hot-stamping, reciprocal press which heats the transfer to temperatures from 450° F. to 650° F., and compresses the transfers at a controlled pressure from 500 to 1000 psig. against a molded part, melting and fusing the transfers into the wall of the molded part.
US08349913B2	Process for gentle mixing and coating of superabsorbers The present invention relates to a process for the production of a superabsorber, comprising as steps providing a water-absorbing polymer structure, bringing the water-absorbing polymer structure into contact with a modifying agent, preferably a modifying agent, and the further treatment of the water-absorbing polymer structure which has been brought into contact with the modifying agent. The further treatment is carried out at least partly in a rotating container. The invention furthermore relates to a device for the production of a superabsorber, superabsorbers, a composite, a process for the production of a composite, the composites obtainable by this process, chemical products, such as foams, shaped articles or fibers, and the use of a superabsorber.
US08349912B2	Crosslink agents and dual radical cure polymer Crosslink agents used to copolymerize at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare polymeric materials for ophthalmic lenses. The crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer that comprises at least two monomeric units and at least two different crosslink units. The use of the dual crosslink system provides an improved means to control the final chemical, physical and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer.
US08349910B2	Aldehyde tags, uses thereof in site-specific protein modification The invention features compositions and methods for site-specific modification of proteins by incorporation of an aldehyde tag. Enzymatic modification at a sulfatase motif of the aldehyde tag through action of a formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) generates a formylglycine (FGly) residue. The aldehyde moiety of FGly residue can be exploited as a chemical handle for site-specific attachment of a moiety of interest to a polypeptide.
US08349908B2	Foamed materials comprising a matrix having a high highblock content and process for preparing them Foamed material having a density of less than 100 kg/m3 and comprising a matrix material comprising a plurality of urea groups and having a hardblock content of more than 50% (hereinafter called matrix A); and a polymeric material which 1) has no groups which are able to form a urethane, urea or isocyanurate group with an isocyanate group, 2) is interpenetrating said matrix A, and 3) is a polymer having an average molecular weight of more than 500 which polymer comprises at least 50% by weight of oxyethylene groups based on the weight of this polymer (hereinafter called polymeric material B); and wherein the relative amount of all ingredients used to make said matrix A and of said polymeric material B, on a weight basis, ranges from 10:90 to 70:30 and process for making such materials.
US08349902B2	Pharmaceutical compositions useful for preventing and treating oncological diseases The invention relates to pharmacology, medicine and oncology, in particular, to a class of chemical compounds, the structure of which corresponds to formula (I) and which can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treating an extended range of oncological diseases, including, in the form of an anti-tumoral preparation and a preparation which is used for combined therapy of oncological diseases.
US08349899B1	Selective inhibitors of EG5 motors and methods of use Embodiments of the present invention comprises a compound of formula I or its enantiomer, diastereomer, stereoisomer or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, methods of use and methods of synthesis.
US08349893B2	4-trimethylammonio-butyrates as CPT2 inhibitors This invention relates to novel 4-trimethylammoniobutyrates of the formula wherein A1, R1, m and n are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibit carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) activity, in particular CPT2 activity, and can be used as medicaments.
US08349892B2	Solid formulations of prostacyclin analogs Moderate moisture levels, such as greater than 3% but no greater than 7%, may be beneficial for solid formulations of certain prostacyclin analogs. Accordingly, a solid formulation containing a prostacyclin analog may be packaged inside a pharmaceutical packaging with such amount of a desiccant or a drying agent that after the storage the solid formulation may have a moderate level of moisture in it.
US08349891B2	Crystalline solids of a MetAP-2 inhibitor and methods of making and using same The disclosure is in part directed to crystalline forms of 6-O-(4-dimethylaminoethoxy)cinnamoyl fumagillol and variants thereof.
US08349870B2	Fungicidal hetercyclic compounds Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all geometric and stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein E, R2, G, Z1, J and n are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
US08349869B2	Macrocylic inhibitors of hepatitis C virus Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I) and the N-oxides, salts, and stereoisomers, wherein each dashed line represents an optional double bond; X is N, CH and where X bears a double bond it is C; R1 is —OR7, —NH—SO2R8; R2 is hydrogen, and where X is C or CH, R2 may also be C1-6alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxyC1-6alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl; R4 is aryl or Het; n is 3, 4, 5, or 6; R5 is halo, C1-6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkoxy, phenyl, or Het; R6 is C1-6alkoxy, or dimethylamino; R7 is hydrogen; aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; R8 is aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; Het is a 5 or 6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated or completely unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and being optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds (I) and processes for preparing compounds (I). Bioavailable combinations of the inhibitors of HCV of formula (I) with ritonavir are also provided.
US08349863B2	Crystalline polymorphic form of a camptothecin analogue The invention relates to a novel crystalline form of topotecan hydrochloride, and methods of making the same. The characteristic XRPD pattern and FT-IT patterns are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
US08349861B2	Methods for identification of JAK kinase interacting molecules and for the purification of JAK kinases The present invention relates to immobilization compounds and methods useful for the identification of JAK interacting compounds or for the purification or identification of JAK.
US08349858B2	Polycyclic guanine derivatives and use thereof The present invention relates to Polycyclic Guanine Derivatives, compositions comprising the Polycyclic Guanine Derivatives and methods of using the Polycyclic Guanine Derivatives to treat pain or an inflammatory disease.
US08349857B2	Quinazoline derivatives having tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity A compound which inhibits both of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase and HER2 tyrosine kinase is provided.A compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein RX is a group represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; Z is —O—, —N(R10)—, etc.; R10 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, etc.; R2 is a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; R18 is a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; R19 is optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; W1 is an optionally substituted non-aromatic nitrogen-containing group; R17 is a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; R3 and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl, etc.; X is —O—, —S—, or —N(R12)—, etc.; R12 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, etc.; and A is phenyl optionally having a substituent, etc., its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof.
US08349853B2	Compositions and methods of treatment of cancer This invention generally relates to compositions and methods for cancer treatment and, in particular, to compositions able to interact (e.g., bind to) with MUC1 growth factor receptor or its ligands, and methods for treating the same. The invention also relates to assays or use of such compositions for the treatment of patients susceptible to or exhibiting symptoms characteristic of cancer or tumorigenesis. Other compositions of the present invention useful for the treatment or prevention of cancer or tumorigenesis include homologs, analogs, derivatives, enantiomers or functional equivalents. The present compositions can also be packaged in kits in some cases.
US08349849B2	Heterobicyclic sphingosine 1-phosphate analogs Compounds of formula (I): that have agonist activity at one or more of the S1P receptors are provided. The compounds are sphingosine analogs that, after phosphorylation, can behave as agonists at S1P receptors.
US08349839B2	Inhibitors of HIV replication Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, X and Y are as defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08349836B2	Phthalazine derivatives as inhibitors of protein kinase The present invention relates to novel phthalazine derivatives and, more particularly, to phthalazine derivatives that are useful as protein kinase inhibitors. The invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds.
US08349833B2	Compounds, compositions and methods useful for cholesterol mobilisation The invention relates to classes of pharmaceutically-active heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and hydrates thereof, and compositions comprising the same. The invention also relates to methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder, which comprises administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount a compound described herein.
US08349824B2	Triazolopyridine compounds The invention is concerned with triazolopyridine compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibit PDE10A and can be used as pharmaceuticals.
US08349818B2	Method of preventing Type 1 diabetes The invention relates to novel methods of using 2α-methyl-19-nor-20(S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to prevent Type 1 diabetes in a subject at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes without causing hypercalcemia in the subject.
US08349815B2	Synergistic pesticidal mixtures Synergistic pesticidal mixtures are provided.
US08349812B2	Immune stimulatory oligoribonucleotide analogs containing modified oligophosphate moieties Immunostimulatory oligoribonucleotides (ORN) featuring 5′-triphosphates and various 5′-triphosphate analogs are provided. Also provided are physiologically acceptable salts of the immunostimulatory ORN and pharmaceutical compositions containing the immunostimulatory ORN of the invention. ORN of the invention are useful as adjuvants and can be combined with an antigen to promote an antigen-specific immune response. ORN of the invention are also particularly useful for promoting a Th1-type immune response. Also provided are methods of use of the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention to enhance an immune response in a subject, as well to treat a number of conditions including cancer, infection, allergy, and asthma, and to vaccinate a subject against an antigen.
US08349802B2	Methods and compositions for contributing to the treatment of cancers Methods and compositions for contributing to the treatment of cancers, especially ovarian tumors, are disclosed. The methods and compositions utilize an endothelin B agonist (ETB) to enhance the delivery and resulting efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent(s) (e.g., cisplatin and/or cyclophosphamide).
US08349799B1	Pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and a bioactive agent for oral delivery. The chitosan-based nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability for drug delivery.
US08349798B2	Caveolin peptides and their use as therapeutics The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods useful for treating various conditions and afflictions, such as inflammation and cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment which utilize peptides comprising at least one caveolin scaffolding domain. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to compositions of fusion peptides comprising the antennapedia homeodomain fused to a caveolin scaffolding domain and to methods of using these peptides to treat various conditions and afflictions.
US08349792B2	Combination comprising CNDAC (2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine) and a cytotoxic agent A first aspect of the invention relates to a combination comprising 2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, or a metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a cytotoxic agent selected from: (a) a HDAC inhibitor; and (b) a topoisomerase inhibitor selected from etoposide, topotecan and SN-38, or a prodrug thereof. A second aspect relates to a pharmaceutical product comprising (i) 2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, or a metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) a cytotoxic agent selected from: (a) a HDAC inhibitor; and (b) a topoisomerase inhibitor selected from etoposide, topotecan and SN-38, or a prodrug thereof, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, sequential or separate use in therapy. A third aspect relates to a method of treating a proliferative disorder, said method comprising simultaneously, separately or sequentially administering to a subject 2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, or a metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a cytotoxic agent selected from: (a) a HDAC inhibitor; and (b) a topoisomerase inhibitor selected from etoposide, topotecan and SN-38, or a prodrug thereof. A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a subject 2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, or a metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
US08349791B2	Polypeptides that bind membrane proteins Polypeptides which bind to the helical transmembrane region of membrane proteins are disclosed, as are methods for the design of polypeptides that bind to the transmembrane region of membrane proteins. Also provided are methods for the use of the disclosed polypeptides in various applications, as well as products made through the practice of the instant methods.
US08349789B2	Laundry composition Laundry treatment composition comprising a substituted cellulose having a degree of substitution, DS, of from 0.01 to 0.99 and a specific degree of blockiness, DB, such that either DS+DB is of at least 1 or DB+2DS−DS2 is of at least 1.20, and a laundry adjunct ingredient.
US08349788B2	Cotton-gentle hypochlorite bleach This invention discovers that laundry-strength hypochlorite bleach compositions are described by three essential components; hypochlorite, hydroxide, and the concentration ratio (CR), the latter defined as the concentration of hypochlorite over the concentration of hydroxide (also, its reciprocal). The hypochlorite content determines fabric cleaning efficacy, the hydroxide content determines stability, and the CR indicates quality of fabric safety, such quality ranging from damaging to gentle. Therefore, hypochlorite bleach compositions can range from fabric damaging to degrees of fabric protection, depending upon the values of CR. Values of CR (as defined) greater than 30:1 characterize fabric-damaging common regular bleach. By decreasing the ratio value, fabric protection progressively improves to a relatively broad maximum at a ratio value about 2:1.
US08349785B2	Machine dishwasher detergent Cleaning agent combinations comprising a cleaning agent preparation B further comprising: (b1) at least one non-ionic surfactant; and (b2) at least one active cleaning enzyme; and a rinsing composition C further comprising: (c1) at least one non-ionic surfactant, are by virtue of their thermal stability particularly suitable for automatic dosing in automatic dishwashing. The cleaning agent combinations of the present invention also have the characterizing feature of markedly improved cleaning performance in comparison to conventional methods.
US08349783B2	Treatment methods using disinfecting compositions containing a polymer complex of organic acid The present invention provides compositions which not only effectively kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms present on surfaces on contact but continue to kill microorganisms for a period of time thereafter.
US08349775B2	Lubricant composition A lubricating oil composition used in an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combusting engine uses a fuel that contains at least one fat and oil selected from a group consisting of natural fat and oil, hydrotreated natural fat and oil, transesterified natural fat, and oil and hydrotreated transesterified natural fat and oil. The lubricating oil composition includes: base oil of lubricating oil; a component (A) containing a boron derivative of an alkyl or alkenyl-substituted succinimide compound having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 5000; and a component (B) containing an alkaline earth metal-based detergent. The component (A) is contained by 0.01 to 0.2 mass % in terms of boron of a total amount of the composition while the component (B) is contained by 0.35 mass % or less in terms of the alkaline earth metal of the total amount of the composition.
US08349773B2	Slide member In a slide member in which an overlay is provided on a slide receiving surface of a base member, the overlay is formed by attaching a mixed solid lubricant on the slide receiving surface of the base member. The mixed solid lubricant is made by mixing a large amount of hydrogen containing solid lubricant which contains a large amount of hydrogen, and a small amount of hydrogen containing solid lubricant which contains a smaller hydrogen amount than the large amount of hydrogen containing lubricant. Thereby, a lubricant absence region where the solid lubricant is absent in a thickness direction is formed on the slide receiving surface of the base member after sliding, and an oxidized portion where the base member is oxidized is formed in the lubricant absence region.
US08349770B2	Method for the preparation of a composition based on 4-hydroxyproline and the uses thereof in the agronomical field The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of 4-hyroxy-L-proline or compositions with a high content of this aminoacid and the use thereof as agrochemical in the agronomical field and/or as a synthesis intermediate of chemical compounds.
US08349769B2	Fungicidal compositions The present invention relates to fungicidal compositions and particularly fungicidal compositions comprising anhydrous milk fat (AMF), soybean oil and/or coconut fat. The invention also relates to a fungicidal method employing a composition of the invention. The compositions and methods of the invention have applications in the management (prevention and control) of fungal growth in commercial and small scale crop production.
US08349768B2	Use of abscisic acid to alter sensory characteristics of white grapes and wine This invention describes the use of S-abscisic acid (S-ABA) to modify sensory characteristics such as aroma, bouquet, flavor, mouthfeel, astringency, balance, complexity or finish of white grapes and white wine.
US08349767B2	Defoliant composition and method An aqueous suspension or slurry (suspension concentrate) contains a synergistic amount of thidiazuron, diuron and surfactants. The aqueous suspension contains surfactants in amounts to obtain a stable suspension or slurry without the use of organic solvents.
US08349760B2	Homogeneous bed of catalyst and a process for transforming hydrocarbons into aromatic compounds using said bed The invention concerns a homogeneous bed of particles of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising at least one amorphous matrix, at least one noble metal, at least one additional metal M and at least one halogen, and in which, for a catalyst particle, CPt is the local concentration of noble metal Pt; CM is the local concentration of additional metal M; CX is the local concentration of halogen; said catalyst being in the form of a homogeneous bed of particles, in which across the diameter of the particle, at least 70% of the values CPt/CM or CPt/CX differ from the mean local ratio by at most 30%, and in which the mole ratio M/Pt in the catalyst is in the range 1.8 to 6.
US08349758B2	Catalyst design and preparation process for steam-reforming catalysts A catalyst with large surface area structure, in particular for steam-reforming catalysts, which is characterized in that the large surface area structure is formed of a large number of round or parallel penetrating holes of polygonal cross-section, wherein the catalyst carrier is prepared in the injection molding process, coated with a washcoat and then impregnated with the active component. The catalyst carrier includes at least one sinterable material and has a lateral pressure resistance of at least 700 N. Also, a process for the preparation of such catalysts and the use thereof in a reactor.
US08349756B2	Noble metal-containing titanosilicate material and its preparation method A noble metal-containing titanosilicate material, characterized in that said material is represented with the oxide form of xTiO2.100SiO2.yEOm.zE, wherein x ranges from 0.001 to 50.0; (y+z) ranges from 0.0001 to 20.0 and y/z<5; E represents one or more noble metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Ag and Au; m is a number satisfying the oxidation state of E. The crystal grains of said material contain a hollow structure, or a sagging structure. In said material, the synergistic effect between the noble metal and the titanosilicate are enhanced. As compared with the prior art, the selectivity, catalytic activity and stability of the reaction product are obviously increased in the oxidation reaction, e.g. the reaction for preparing propylene oxide by epoxidation of propylene.
US08349753B2	Bathtub-type spent catalyst distributor for effective counter-current regeneration in fluid catalytic cracking units An improved spent catalyst regenerator which contains sub-troughs branching off from the main trough, distribution troughs which extend outward from the sides of the main trough and the sub-troughs, and downflow tubes extending downward from the bottom of the main trough and sub-troughs.
US08349750B2	Glass and use of a glass for glass-metal bonds The glass of the glass-metal bond contains the following ingredients in the following amounts: SiO2, 72-80 wt %; B2O3, 4-<6 wt %; Al2O3, 2-5 wt %; Na2O, 4-7 wt %; K2O, 0-3 wt %; CaO, 2.5-8 wt %; MgO, 0-2 wt %; BaO, 0-4 wt %; TiO2, 0-5 wt %; CeO2, 0-2 wt %; Fe2O3, 0-0.1 wt %; F, 0-2 wt %; and the ratio of the sum total amount of Al2O3 and B2O3 (in mol %) to the sum total amount of MgO, CaO and BaO (in mol %) in the glass is less than 5. The glass-metal bond advantageously includes a KOVAR® alloy and the glass of the aforesaid composition and connects the glass envelope tube with an inner metal absorber tube in a tube collector.
US08349749B2	Optical glass, preform for precision press molding, optical element and method of manufacturing thereof An optical glass having a refractive index nd of 1.70 or greater and an Abbé number of 50 or greater. Given as mole percentages, it comprises: B2O3 (20 to 80 percent), SiO2 (0 to 30 percent), Li2O (1 to 25 percent), ZnO (0 to 20 percent), La2O3 (4 to 30 percent), Gd2O3 (1 to 25 percent), Y2O3 (0 to 20 percent), ZrO2 (0 to 5 percent), MgO (0 to 25 percent), CaO (0 to 15 percent), and SrO (0 to 10 percent), with the combined quantity of the above components being 97 percent or greater. The molar ratio of {ZnO/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)} is 0.8 or less and the molar ratio of {(CaO+SrO+BaO)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)} is 0.8 or less. Ta2O5 may be incorporated as an optional component, with the molar ratio {(ZrO2+Ta2O5)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)} being 0.4 or less.
US08349739B2	Conformal etch material and process The present disclosure provides a method for etching a substrate. The method includes forming a resist pattern on the substrate; applying an etching chemical fluid to the substrate, wherein the etching chemical fluid includes a diffusion control material; removing the etching chemical fluid; and removing the resist pattern.
US08349734B2	Integrated circuits having backside test structures and methods for the fabrication thereof Embodiments of a method for fabricating an integrated circuit having a backside test structure are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) through the semiconductor substrate, forming a backside probe pad over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the at least one TSV, and forming a frontside bondpad over the frontside of the semiconductor substrate. The frontside bondpad is electrically coupled to the backside probe pad by the at least one TSV.
US08349731B2	Methods for forming copper diffusion barriers for semiconductor interconnect structures Embodiments of methods for forming Cu diffusion barriers for semiconductor interconnect structures are provided. The method includes oxidizing an exposed outer portion of a copper line that is disposed along a dielectric substrate to form a copper oxide layer. An oxide reducing metal is deposited onto the copper oxide layer. The copper oxide layer is reduced with at least a portion of the oxide reducing metal that oxidizes to form a metal oxide barrier layer. A dielectric cap is deposited over the metal oxide barrier layer.
US08349730B2	Transitional interface between metal and dielectric in interconnect structures An integrated circuit structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; an opening in the dielectric layer; a conductive line in the opening; a metal alloy layer overlying the conductive line; a first metal silicide layer overlying the metal alloy layer; and a second metal silicide layer different from the first metal silicide layer on the first metal silicide layer. The metal alloy layer and the first and the second metal silicide layers are substantially vertically aligned to the conductive line.
US08349728B2	Method of fabricating copper damascene and dual damascene interconnect wiring An integrated circuit and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit, the method including: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a copper diffusion barrier layer on the substrate; (c) forming a dielectric layer on a top surface of the copper diffusion barrier layer; (d) forming a copper damascene or dual damascene wire in the dielectric layer, a top surface of the copper damascene or dual damascene wire coplanar with a top surface of the dielectric layer; (e) forming a first capping layer on the top surface of the wire and the top surface of the dielectric layer; (f) after step (e) performing one or more characterization procedures in relation to said integrated circuit; and (g) after step (e) forming a second capping layer on a top surface of the first capping layer.
US08349727B2	Integrated method for high-density interconnection of electronic components through stretchable interconnects Stretchable multi-chip modules (SMCMs) are capable of withstanding large mechanical deformations and conforming to curved surfaces. These SMCMs may find their utilities in elastic consumer electronics such as elastic displays, skin-like electronic sensors, etc. In particular, stretchable neural implants provide improved performances as to cause less mechanical stress and thus fewer traumas to surrounding soft tissues. Such SMCMs usually comprise of various electronic components attached to or embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate and wired through stretchable interconnects. However, reliably and compactly connecting the electronic components to PDMS-based stretchable interconnects is very challenging. This invention describes an integrated method for high-density interconnection of electronic components through stretchable interconnects in an SMCM. This invention has applications in high-density SMCMs, as well as high-density stretchable/conformable neural interfaces.
US08349724B2	Method for improving electromigration lifetime of copper interconnection by extended post anneal Methods for improving electromigration of copper interconnection structures are provided. In one embodiment, a method of annealing a microelectronic device including forming microelectronic features on a substrate, forming a contact structure over the microelectronic features, and forming a copper interconnection structure over the contact structure. A passivation layer is deposited over the copper interconnection structure and the substrate is subjected to a first anneal at a temperature of about 350° C. to 400° C. for a time duration between about 30 minutes to about 1 hour. The substrate is subjected to a second anneal at a temperature of about 150° C. to 300° C. for a time duration between about 24 to about 400 hours.
US08349723B2	Structure of power grid for semiconductor devices and method of making the same An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor structure, which may include a stud of a first conductive material formed inside a dielectric layer; a via of a second conductive material having a bottom and sidewalls with the bottom and the sidewalls being covered by a conductive liner, and the bottom being formed directly on top of the stud and being in contact with the via through the conductive liner; and one or more conductive paths of a third conductive material connecting to the via through the conductive liner at the sidewalls of said the. A method of making the semiconductor structure is also provided.
US08349721B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming insulating layer on conductive traces for electrical isolation in fine pitch bonding A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of bumps formed over an active surface of the semiconductor die. A plurality of first conductive traces with interconnect sites is formed over a substrate. The bumps are wider than the interconnect sites. A surface treatment is formed over the first conductive traces. A plurality of second conductive traces is formed adjacent to the first conductive traces. An oxide layer is formed over the second conductive traces. A masking layer is formed over an area of the substrate away from the interconnect sites. The bumps are bonded to the interconnect sites so that the bumps cover a top surface and side surface of the interconnect sites. The oxide layer maintains electrical isolation between the bump and second conductive trace. An encapsulant is deposited around the bumps between the semiconductor die and substrate.
US08349720B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and manufacturing method thereof A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell string having a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series, a selection gate transistor connected in series with one end of the memory cell string, and having a gate electrode provided on a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and an element isolation insulating layer which is provided in the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode includes a first gate electrode provided on the gate insulating film, a first and second insulating films provided on the first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode provided on the second insulating film and the element isolation insulating layer, and electrically connected to the first gate electrode. An first upper surface portion of the element isolation insulating layer below the second gate electrode is leveled with an upper surface of the first gate electrode.
US08349718B2	Self-aligned silicide formation on source/drain through contact via According to certain embodiments, a silicide layer is formed after the fabrication of a functional gate electrode using a gate-last scheme. An initial semiconductor structure has at least one impurity regions formed on a semiconductor substrate, a sacrifice film formed over the impurity region, an isolation layer formed over the sacrifice film and a dielectric layer formed over the isolation film. A via is patterned into the dielectric layer of the initial semiconductor structure and through the thickness of the isolation layer such that a contact opening is formed in the isolation layer. The sacrifice film underlying the isolation layer is then removed leaving a void space underlying the isolation layer. Then, a metal silicide precursor is placed within the void space, and the metal silicide precursor is converted to a silicide layer through an annealing process.
US08349714B2	Method of crystallizing semiconductor film and method of manufacturing semiconductor device It is an object of the present invention to align the plane orientations of crystal grains of a semiconductor film crystallized by irradiation with a linear laser beam with a width of less than or equal to 5 μm. By performing irradiation with the linear laser beam condensed by an aspheric cylindrical lens or a gradient index lens to completely melt the semiconductor film and scanning the linear laser beam, the completely melted semiconductor film is made to grow laterally. Because the linear beam is very narrow, the width of the semiconductor which is in a liquid state is also narrow, so the occurrence of turbulent flow in the liquid semiconductor is suppressed. Therefore, growth directions of adjacent crystal grains do not become disordered due to turbulent flow and are unformalized, and thus the plane orientations of the laterally grown crystal grains can be aligned.
US08349712B2	Layer assembly The invention inter alia relates to a method of fabricating a layer assembly comprising the steps of: arranging a first layer on top of a carrier; arranging a second layer on top of the first layer; locally modifying the material of the buried first layer and providing at least one modified section in the first layer, wherein the modified material changes or induces mechanical strain in a portion of the second layer which is arranged above the at least one modified section; after locally modifying the material of the buried first layer, depositing a third material on top of the second layer, at least one characteristic of the third material being sensitive to the local mechanical strain in the second layer.
US08349709B2	Method of layout of pattern A method of layout of pattern includes the following processes. A graphic data of a first wiring in a first area of a semiconductor wafer is extracted. The first area is a semiconductor chip forming area. The first area is surrounded by a scribed area of the semiconductor wafer. The first area includes a second area. The second area is bounded with the scribed area. The second area has a second distance from a boundary between the semiconductor chip forming area and the scribed area to an boundary between the first area and the second area. A first dummy pattern in the first area is laid out. The first dummy pattern has at least a first distance from the first wiring. A second dummy pattern in the second area is laid out. The second dummy pattern has at least the first distance from the first wiring. The second dummy pattern has at least a third distance from the first dummy pattern.
US08349703B2	Method of bonding two substrates The invention relates to a method of forming a structure comprising a thin layer of semiconductor material transferred from a donor substrate onto a second substrate, wherein two different atomic species are co-implanted under certain conditions into the donor substrate so as to create a weakened zone delimiting the thin layer to be transferred. The two different atomic species are implanted so that their peaks have an offset of less than 200 Å in the donor substrate, and the substrates are bonded together after roughening at least one of the bonding surfaces.
US08349692B2	Channel surface technique for fabrication of FinFET devices A FinFET (p-channel) device is formed having a fin structure with sloped or angled sidewalls (e.g., a pyramidal or trapezoidal shaped cross-section shape). When using conventional semiconductor substrates having a (100) surface orientation, the fin structure is formed in a way (groove etching) which results in sloped or angled sidewalls having a (111) surface orientation. This characteristic substantially increases hole mobility as compared to conventional fin structures having vertical sidewalls.
US08349679B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same According to the present invention, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided including forming a first interlayer insulating film 11, a crystalline conductive film 21, a first conductive film 23, a ferroelectric film 24 and a second conductive film 25 on a silicon substrate I in sequence, forming a conductive cover film 18 on the second conductive film 25, forming a hard mask 26a on the conductive cover film 18, forming a capacitor upon etching the conductive cover film 18, the second conductive film 25, the ferroelectric film 24 and the first conductive film 23 using the hard mask 26a as an etching mask in areas exposed from the hard mask 26a, and etching the hard mask 26a and the crystalline conductive film 21 exposed from the lower electrode 23a using an etching condition under which the hard mask 26a is etched.
US08349673B2	Method of producing plurality of organic transistors using laser patterning A method of producing a plurality of transistors each including a source/drain electrode pair comprising a conductor material and a channel comprising semiconductor material between the source and drain electrodes of said source/drain electrode pair; the method comprising (i) forming over a substrate at least a first layer of said conductor material or a precursor thereto and a second layer of said semiconductor material or a precursor thereto; and (ii) thereafter removing selected portions of at least said first and second layers so as to define at least two adjacent source/drain electrode pairs that are unconnected to each other within said first and second layers.
US08349667B2	Method for stabilizing germanium nanowires obtained by condensation The substrate comprises a first silicon layer, a target layer made from silicon-germanium alloy-base material forming a three-dimensional pattern with first and second securing areas and at least one connecting area. The first silicon layer is tensile stressed and/or the target layer contains carbon atoms. The first silicon layer is eliminated in the connecting area. The target layer of the connecting area is thermally oxidized so as to form the nanowire. The lattice parameter of the first silicon layer is identical to the lattice parameter of the material constituting the suspended beam, after said first silicon layer has been eliminated.
US08349661B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device The yield of semiconductor devices is improved. In an upper die of a resin molding die including a pair of the upper die and a lower die, by lengthening the radius of the cross section of an inner peripheral surface of a second corner part facing an injection gate of a cavity more than that of the other corner part, a void contained in a resin in resin injection can be pushed out into an air vent without allowing the void to remain in the second corner part of the cavity. Consequently, the occurrence of the void in the cavity can be prevented and then the occurrence of the appearance defect of the semiconductor device can be prevented.
US08349660B2	Cavity closure process for at least one microelectronic device A process for closure of at least one cavity intended to encapsulate or be part of a microelectronic device, comprising the following steps: a) Producing a cavity in a first substrate comprising a first layer traversed by an opening forming an access to the cavity; b) Producing a portion of bond material around the opening, on a surface of the first layer located on the side opposite the cavity; c) Producing, on a second substrate, a portion of fusible material, with a deposition of the fusible material on the second substrate and the use of a mask; d) Placing the portion of fusible material in contact with the portion of bond material; e) Forming a plug for the opening, which adheres to the portion of bond material, by melting and then solidification of the fusible material; f) Separating the plug and the second substrate.
US08349656B2	Manufacturing method of leadframe and semiconductor device In order to remove plating burrs generated in etching step, there is provided a manufacturing method of semiconductor devices on each of unit leadframes in a leadframe material in which a plurality of the unit leadframes are arranged in plural rows or a single row, wherein at least two types of plating burr removals are conducted after a half-etching is performed onto a front surface side of the leadframe material, using a first plating layer as resist film.
US08349648B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming RF FEM with IC filter and IPD filter over substrate A semiconductor device has a substrate and RF FEM formed over the substrate. The RF FEM includes an LC low-pass filter having an input coupled for receiving a transmit signal. A Tx/Rx switch has a first terminal coupled to an output of the LC filter. A diplexer has a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the Tx/Rx switch and a second terminal for providing an RF signal. An IPD band-pass filter has an input coupled to a third terminal of the Tx/Rx switch and an output providing a receive signal. The LC filter includes conductive traces wound to exhibit inductive and mutual inductive properties and capacitors coupled to the conductive traces. The IPD filter includes conductive traces wound to exhibit inductive and mutual inductive properties and capacitors coupled to the conductive traces. The RF FEM substrate can be stacked over a semiconductor package containing an RF transceiver.
US08349646B2	Semiconductor wafer for semiconductor components and production method A semiconductor wafer for semiconductor components and to a method for its production is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor wafer includes a front side with an adjoining near-surface active zone as basic material for semiconductor component structures. The rear side of the semiconductor wafer is adjoined by a getter zone for gettering impurity atoms in the semiconductor wafer. The getter zone contains oxygen precipitates. In the near-surface active zone, atoms of doping material are located on lattice vacancies. The atoms of doping material have a higher diffusion coefficient that the oxygen atoms.
US08349643B2	Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method thereof A photovoltaic device capable of improving an output characteristic is provided. The photovoltaic device includes an n-type single-crystal silicon substrate, a p-type amorphous silicon substrate, and a substantially intrinsic i-type amorphous silicon layer disposed between the n-type single-crystal silicon substrate and the p-type amorphous silicon layer. The i-type amorphous silicon layer includes: a first section which is located on the n-type single-crystal silicon substrate side, and which has an oxygen concentration equal to or below 1020 cm−3; and a second section which is located on the p-type amorphous silicon layer side, and which has an oxygen concentration equal to or above 1020 cm−3.
US08349632B2	Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same Provided is an organic light-emitting display device that can display a full color image by forming a simple structure of light-emitting layers and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light-emitting display device includes a substrate; a first electrode layer formed on the substrate; a second electrode layer which is formed above the first electrode layer and faces the first electrode layer; and a light-emitting layer interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the light-emitting layer comprises first and second light-emitting layers respectively corresponding to first and second pixels having different colors from each other, and the first light-emitting layer is commonly formed in the first and second pixels, and the second light-emitting layer is formed in the second pixel.
US08349627B2	Method for fabricating a light emitting diode package structure The present invention discloses a method for fabricating a light emitting diode (LED) package structure. The method comprises the following steps: a carrier having a substrate and a first protrusion is provided, wherein the first protrusion is disposed on the substrate and has a recess. An adhesion layer and a LED chip are disposed on a bottom of the recess, wherein the adhesion layer is bonded between the carrier and the LED chip, and a ratio between a width of the recess and a width of the LED chip is larger than 1 and smaller than or equal to 1.5 such that a gap existing between a sidewall of the LED chip and an inner sidewall of the recess.
US08349626B2	Creation of low-relief texture for a photovoltaic cell A novel method is described to create low-relief texture at a light-facing surface or a back surface of a photovoltaic cell. The peak-to-valley height and average peak-to-peak distance of the textured surface is less than about 1 microns, for example less than about 0.8 micron, for example about 0.5 microns or less. In a completed photovoltaic device, average reflectance for light having wavelength between 375 and 1010 nm at a light-facing surface with this texture is 6 percent or less, for example about 5 percent or less, in some instances about 3.5 percent. This texture is produced by forming an optional oxide layer at the surface, lightly buffing the surface, and etching with a crystallographically selective etch. Excellent texture may be produced by etching for as little as twelve minutes or less. Very little silicon, for example about 0.3 mg/cm2 or less, is lost at the textured surface during this etch.
US08349622B2	Magneto-resistive element A magneto-resistive element according to an aspect of the present invention includes a free layer whose magnetized state changes and a pinned layer whose magnetized state is fixed. The free layer comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers and a non-magnetic layer which is arranged between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. An intensity of exchange coupling between the first and second ferromagnetic layers is set so that an astroid curve in a hard axis direction opens.
US08349621B2	Ligand molecule-immobilized polymer, ligand molecule-immobilized particle, method of detecting target substance, and method of separating target substance A ligand molecule-immobilized polymer has a structure represented by the following general formula (1). In the general formula (1), R1 represents a ligand molecule-containing group, R2 represents a hydrophobic group, R3 represents a spacer site, R4 represents a hydrophilic group, R5 represents a group having charge, a to d specify a composition ratio and each represent an integer of 1 or more, and n and m specify chain lengths and represent integers satisfying the relationships of 1≦n(a+b+c+d)≦10,000 and 1≦m≦350.
US08349618B2	Diagnostic devices The present invention relates to analytical methods, platforms, and devices for the rapid and efficient immunochromatic determination of one or more components in fluid samples.
US08349617B2	Optical sensor comprising diffraction gratings with functionalized pores and method of detecting analytes using the sensor Diffraction gratings comprising a substrate with protrusions extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the protrusions are made of a porous material, for example porous silicon with a porosity of greater than about 10%. The diffraction grating may also be constructed from multiple layers of porous material, for example porous silicon with a porosity of greater than about 10%, with protrusion of attached thereto. In some embodiments the protrusions may be made from photoresist or another polymeric material. The gratings are the basis for sensitive sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are functionalized with selective binding species, to produce sensors that specifically bind to target molecules, for example chemical or biological species of interest.
US08349601B2	Trichoderma reesei glucoamylase and homologs thereof The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.
US08349586B1	Commensal strain of E. coli encoding an HIV GP41 protein The present invention relates, e.g., to a commensal bacterium which can colonize the genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal mucosa, and which, under suitable conditions, secretes a heterologous antimicrobial polypeptide, wherein the secreted antimicrobial polypeptide is effective to inhibit infectivity by, or a pathogenic activity of, a pathogen. In a most preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial polypeptide inhibits HIV infection (e.g., fusion) and/or pathogenesis. Also described are preventive or therapeutic compositions comprising the commensal bacteria, and methods to inhibit infectivity and/or pathogenesis, using the bacteria.
US08349579B2	Galectin-3 cleavage as a marker for matrix metalloproteinase activity in cancer Provided are differential antibodies recognizing the cleaved and non-cleaved forms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and methods of using the antibodies as surrogate diagnostic markers for the presence of active MMPs in cancer, such as growing breast cancers.
US08349576B2	eEF2K assays for identifying compounds that inhibit eEF2K activity Assays for identifying novel compounds for inhibiting eEF2 kinase and consequence peptides employed therein.
US08349574B2	Methods of determining patient response by measurement of Her-3 The invention provides methods of measuring and/or quantifying the presence and/or amount of Her-3 and/or Her-3 in a complex in a sample. The invention also provides antibodies specific for Her-3.
US08349568B2	Method of diagnosing poor survival prognosis colon cancer using let-7g The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. In particular, the present invention provides diagnostics and prognostics for colon (including colon adenocarcinoma) cancer patients, wherein the methods related to measuring miR levels can predict poor survival. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US08349564B2	Method for continuous mode processing of the contents of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
US08349562B2	Molecular markers for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors The invention relates to the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and treatment of neoplastic diseases such as tumor diseases, especially tumor diseases of the endometrium and the metastases thereof.
US08349556B2	Use of base-modified deoxynucleoside triphosphates to improve nucleic acid detection Aspects of the invention provide novel and surprisingly effective methods for the detection of nucleic acids, comprising nucleic acid amplification using base-modified deoxynucleoside 5′-triphosphates (dNTPs). Particular aspects relate to methods for enhancing hybridization properties of oligonucleotide primers and probes in assays detecting nucleic acids, comprise amplifying target DNAs in presence of base-modified duplex-stabilizing deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates to provide for modified target DNAs, and thereby considerably improving performance of the detection assays. The disclosed methods allow for increasing of the reaction temperature in PCR-based detection systems or, alternatively, reducing the length of the oligonucleotide primers and probes. Certain aspects relates to improvement of real time PCR assays, wherein nucleic acids of interest are detected as the reaction proceeds using fluorescent agents or oligonucleotide FRET probes.
US08349554B2	Needle array assembly and method for delivering therapeutic agents A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment.
US08349552B2	Fabricating a flexible rapid blood cooling system A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having, a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design uses inner and outer containers, each made of transparent polyethylene sheets, where the inner compartments are filled with the solution and sealed, and then placed into each compartment in an outer container, wherein two compartments in the outer container are separated by a flattened and sealed portion of the polyethylene.
US08349550B2	Methods for reducing levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in the blood Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.
US08349545B2	Methods of forming patterns Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
US08349534B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition including: a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a0) that contains a “cyclic group containing —SO2—” on the side chain terminal, and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group; an acid generator component (B); and a fluorine-containing resin component having a structural unit (f1) represented by general formula (f1-0): wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Q0 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group having a fluorine atom; and RX0 represents an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group-containing group which may contain a fluorine atom, with the provision that at least one fluorine atom is contained in formula (f1-0).
US08349526B2	Pellicle for lithography There is provided a pellicle for lithography which is capable of preventing or at least restricting the outgas from its mask-bonding agglutinant layer from entering the hollow of the pellicle by virtue of a unique structure of the mask-boding agglutinant layer, that is, the agglutinant layer is formed of two or more juxtaposed endless belts of which the inner-most belt that faces the pellicle hollow is made of a substance which is non-agglutinant while at least one of the other belts is agglutinant; when the outer-most belt is also made of a non-agglutinant substance, the outgas is completely prevented from escapting from the pellicle.
US08349522B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell (1) includes an anode (11), a cathode (14), an electrolyte layer (13) containing ceria and provided between the anode (11) and the cathode (14), and at least two intermediate layers containing zirconia and provided between the electrolyte layer (13) and the anode (11). The at least two intermediate layers include a first intermediate layer (18) that contains ceria and a second intermediate layer (19) that has a higher zirconia concentration than the first intermediate layer and is provided between the first intermediate layer and the anode.
US08349519B2	Titanium electrode material and surface treatment method of titanium electrode material It is an object of the present invention to provide a titanium electrode material which is low in cost and is excellent in electric conductivity, corrosion resistance and hydrogen absorption resistance, and a surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material. A titanium electrode material includes: on the surface of a titanium material including pure titanium or a titanium alloy, a titanium oxide layer having a thickness of 3 nm or more and 75 nm or less, and having an atomic concentration ratio of oxygen and titanium (O/Ti) at a site having the maximum oxygen concentration in the layer of 0.3 or more and 1.7 or less; and an alloy layer including at least one noble metal selected from Au, Pt, and Pd, and at least one non-noble metal selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, and Hf, having a content ratio of the noble metal and the non-noble metal of 35:65 to 95:5 by atomic ratio, and having a thickness of 2 nm or more, on the titanium oxide layer. The surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material includes a titanium oxide layer formation step, an alloy layer formation step, and a heat treatment step.
US08349506B2	Fuel cell system The fuel cell system includes a storage portion, a fuel cell, a fuel supply portion, a hydrogen circulation system and a boil-off gas supply portion. The storage portion stores liquid hydrogen. The fuel cell uses hydrogen gas as fuel gas. The fuel supply portion provides hydrogen gas to an anode of the fuel cell. The hydrogen gas is generated caused by a vaporization of liquid hydrogen stored in the storage portion. The hydrogen circulation system includes the anode of the fuel cell. The boil-off gas supply portion provides boil-off gas generated in the storage portion to the hydrogen circulation system.
US08349504B1	Electricity, heat and fuel generation system using fuel cell, bioreactor and twin-fluid bed steam gasifier The process and system of the invention converts solid and liquid carbonaceous feedstock into electricity, steam, fuels, and carbon dioxide with minimal air emissions. Oxygen is partially consumed in a fuel cell then exhausted to a combustor of a Twin-Fluid Bed Steam Gasifier Unit (TFBSGU) where it is consumed in burning carbon contained in ash. After particulates are separated, the flue gas is expanded then cooled to recover power before returning to atmosphere or a bio-reactor. Synfuel leaving the TFBGSU is cooled in a heat recovery unit, producing steam and hot water. Carbon monoxide in this stream reacts with steam producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The stream is then cooled and compressed. The compressed gas passes through an acid gas removal system removing carbon dioxide and sulfur bearing compounds. Steam is added to the clean gas to prevent coking and the stream enters the anode space of the fuel cell.
US08349500B2	Solvent for dissolving electrolyte salt of lithium secondary battery There are provided a solvent for dissolving an electrolyte salt of lithium secondary battery comprising at least one fluorine-containing solvent (I) selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing ether, a fluorine-containing ester and fluorine-containing chain carbonate, 1,2-dialkyl-1,2-difluoroethylene carbonate (II) and other carbonate (III), a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising the solvent and an electrolyte salt, and a lithium secondary battery using the non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The solvent for dissolving an electrolyte salt provides a lithium secondary battery being excellent particularly in discharge capacity, rate characteristic and cycle characteristic and has enhanced incombustibility (safety) and the non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises the solvent and an electrolyte salt.
US08349499B2	Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery, including a lithium salt, an organic solvent, lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), and at least one kind of tris(trialkylsilyl)borate represented by following Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, R1 to R9 are the same as described in the detailed description.
US08349496B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material comprising sodium oxide, is characterized in that the sodium oxide contains lithium, and the molar amount of the lithium is less than the molar amount of the sodium.
US08349494B2	Electrode composite material, method for making the same, and lithium ion battery using the same A cathode composite material includes a cathode active material particle having a surface, and a continuous aluminum phosphate layer coated on the surface of the cathode active material particle. A material of the cathode active material particle is layered type lithium nickel oxide. The present disclosure also relates to a lithium ion battery and a method for making the cathode composite material.
US08349491B2	Lithium secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same A lithium secondary battery contains a negative electrode binder containing a polyimide resin having a structure represented by the following chemical formula (1), and the polyimide resin having a molecular weight distribution such that the weight ratio of a polyimide resin having a molecular weight of less than 100,000 and a polyimide resin having a molecular weight from 100,000 to less than 200,000 is from 50:50 to 90:10: where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and R is a functional group represented by the following chemical formula (2) or (3):
US08349483B2	Non aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having multilayer polyolefin membrane and electrolyte containing dinitrile compound A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The separator is constituted of a polyolefin microporous membrane constituted of two or more layers of stacked film containing polyethylene and polypropylene, one or both of the surface layers has a polypropylene mixture proportion exceeding 50% by mass and contains inorganic particles, and the nonaqueous electrolytic solution contains a dinitrile compound expressed by CN—(CH2)n—CN (where n≧1 and n is an integer). Thus, the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that even when stored at high temperature in a charged state is not prone to positive electrode degradation and has a large post-high temperature storage capacity recovery rate and good cycling characteristics can be provided.
US08349469B2	Composite article made by process for joining stainless steel part and silicon carbide ceramic part A process for joining a stainless steel part and a silicon carbide ceramic part comprising: providing a SUS part, a SiC ceramic part, a Mo foil and a Ti foil; placing the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil, the Ti foil, and the SUS part into a mold, the Mo foil and the Ti foil located between the SiC ceramic part and the SUS part, the Mo foil abutting the SiC ceramic part, the Ti foil abutting the SUS part and the Mo foil; placing the mold into a chamber of an hot press sintering device, heating the chamber and pressing the SUS part, the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil, and the Ti foil at least until the SUS part, the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil and the Ti foil form a integral composite article.
US08349465B2	Paper suitable for cold-set as well as heat set A coated paper suitable for cold-set as well as heat-set printing applications and methods for producing the coated paper. In accordance with one aspect, the coated paper comprises a cellulosic substrate and a coating on at least one side of the substrate wherein the coating comprises a binder and a pigment such that the coated side exhibits surface characteristics such that the surface accepts cold-set inks.
US08349462B2	Aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy products and methods for making the same Decorative shape cast products and methods, systems, compositions and apparatus for producing the same are described. In one embodiment, the decorative shape cast products are produced from an Al—Ni or Al—Ni—Mn alloy, with a tailored microstructure to facilitate production of anodized decorative shape cast product having the appropriate finish and mechanical properties.
US08349455B2	Glass and chemically tempered glass Glass comprising, as represented by mole percentage based on the following oxides, from 50 to 75% of SiO2, from 1 to 15% of Al2O3, from 6 to 21% of Na2O, from 0 to 15% of K2O, from 0 to 15% of MgO, from 0 to 20% of CaO, from 0 to 21% of ΣRO (wherein R is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and/or Zn), from 0 to 5% of ZrO2, from 1.5 to 6% of Fe2O3, and from 0.1 to 1% of Co3O4.
US08349454B2	Strengthened glass substrate and process for producing the same An object of the invention is to obtain a glass substrate having high mechanical strength by reconciling suitability for ion exchange and devitrification proof in a glass. The strengthened glass substrate of the invention is a strengthened glass substrate having a compression stress layer in the surface thereof, the glass substrate having a glass composition including, in terms of % by mass, 40-70% of SiO2, 12-25% of Al2O3, 0-10% of B2O3, 0-8% of Li2O, 6-15% of Na2O, 0-10% of K2O, 13-20% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, 0-3.9% of MgO, 0-5% of CaO, 0-5% of ZnO, 0-6% of ZrO2, and 0-5% of SrO+BaO, the value of (MgO+ZrO2+ZnO)/(MgO+ZrO2+ZnO+Al2O3) in terms of mass proportion being from 0.25 to 0.45. The above-mentioned strengthened glass can be produced by melting raw glass materials mixed together so as to result in the given glass composition, forming the melt into a sheet by an overflow downdraw process, and then conducting an ion exchange treatment to form a compression stress layer in the glass sheet surface.
US08349453B2	Metal ion sensor and fabricating method thereof A metal ion sensor is provided. The metal ion sensor includes a nanoparticle core doped with a first luminescent material and a shell enclosing the nanoparticle core. The shell includes a second luminescent material and binding sites of outer metal ions. The first luminescent material and the second luminescent material emit light with mutually different colors when excited by an excitation source. The luminescence intensity of the light emitted from the second luminescent material varies in accordance with the binding amount of the outer metal ions, such that the emission color of the combined luminescence of the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material is changed.
US08349446B2	Coated steel sheet A coated steel sheet coated with a composite coat, wherein said composite coat is a coat formed by compounding ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymerization resin particles (A) having an average particle diameter of 20 to 100 nm and a silanol group and/or an alkoxysilyl group, silicon oxide particles (B) having an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 nm and an organic titanium compound (C), and wherein an amount of a coat of said composite coat is 0.5 to 3 g/m2.
US08349442B2	Agricultural film To provide an agricultural film which has high transparency and which has a coating film formed with excellent abrasion resistance (adhesion), hydrophilicity (anti-fogging, wettability and anti-fouling) and hydrophilic durability.An agricultural film 10 comprising a base material film 12 and a porous hydrophilic coating film 14 formed on the base material film 12. The hydrophilic coating film 14 contains boehmite particles, silica particles and a binder, wherein (a) the atomic ratio of Al to Si (Al/Si) is from 0.2 to 5.0, (b) the average particle diameter of the silica particles is from 5 to 50 nm, and (c) the crystallite diameter of the boehmite particles, as calculated from the diffraction peak of the (120) plane is from 20 to 50 nm. The hydrophilic coating film 14 is formed by applying a composition comprising boehmite particles, silica particles, a binder and water, on a surface of a base material film, followed by drying.
US08349437B2	Temporary outdoor graphic film Temporary graphic films that may be applied to rough, outdoor surfaces such as concrete or asphalt pavement are provided. The temporary graphic films are durable, yet easily removed and may include a fracturable material that permits fluid flow to reduce slip and fall situations.
US08349435B2	Mineral surfaced asphalt-based roofing products with encapsulated healing agents and methods of producing the same An asphalt-based sheet roofing material includes capsules on its upper surface. When struck, as by hailstones, the capsules break to release a film forming fluid that spreads over the surface to heal the damage created by the hailstones.
US08349428B2	Resistively welded part for an appliance including a surface cleaning apparatus A part for an appliance, such as a surface cleaning apparatus, a method of making the part, and a method of disassembling the part are disclosed. The part comprises at least first and second plastic members resistively welded together. In some embodiments, the plastic members define a fluid flow cavity, such as a portion of the air flow path through the surface cleaning apparatus.
US08349420B2	Packing body sealed by laser welding and method of sealing the same A sealed packing body comprising a packing body made from a laminated material and a sealing member for sealing the packing body; wherein the laminated material includes a base material layer, a thermoplastic resin layer containing an iron powder, and a thermoplastic resin layer which permits a laser beam to pass through, at least the surface of the sealing member which comes in contact with the packing body comprising a thermoplastic resin which permits the laser beam to pass through; and the surfaces of the packing body and the sealing member coming in contact are sealed together by laser welding. It is, therefore, allowed to effectively utilize the iron powder that has, heretofore, been utilized as an oxygen absorber of the packing containers and to efficiently conduct the laser welding.
US08349414B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display element A liquid crystal composition which satisfies at least one property selected from the properties including a high upper-limit temperature of a nematic phase, a low lower-limit temperature of a nematic phase, a low viscosity, high optical anisotropy, high positive dielectric anisotropy, a high specific resistance, high stability toward ultraviolet ray and high stability toward heat or has a proper balance between at least two properties selected from the aforementioned properties is described. And the liquid crystal composition which comprises a specific tetracyclic compound that enables the production of a nematic phase having a high upper-limit temperature and has high dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having high positive dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and which has positive dielectric anisotropy; and a liquid crystal display element comprising the composition.
US08349412B2	Deposition of amorphous silicon films by electron cyclotron resonance A method is described for forming a film of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) on a substrate by deposition from a plasma. The substrate is placed in an enclosure, a film precursor gas is introduced into the enclosure, and unreacted and dissociated gas is extracted from the enclosure so as to provide a low pressure in the enclosure. Microwave energy is introduced into the gas within the enclosure to produce a plasma therein by distributed electron cyclotron resonance (DECR) and cause material to be deposited from the plasma on the substrate. The substrate is held during deposition at a temperature in the range 200-600° C., preferably 225-350° C. and a bias voltage is applied to the substrate at a level to give rise to a sheath potential in the range −30 to −105V, preferably using a source of RF power in the range of 50-250 mW/cm2 of the area of the substrate holder.
US08349410B2	Modification of surfaces with polymers A polymer formed by controlled radical polymerization includes groups that can be modified after controlled radical polymerization to form a radical. The polymer can be the reaction product of a controlled radical polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers, wherein at least one of the radically polymerizable monomers includes at least one group that can be modified after the controlled radical polymerization to form a radical. A compound includes a first group that is stimulated upon application of energy to the molecule to tether the molecule to a surface or to another polymer chain and a second group comprising a controlled radical polymerization initiator functionality. A block copolymer includes at least a first segment to impart a predetermined functionality to a target surface and at least a second segment including functional groups to interact with the targeted surface to attach the block copolymer to the surface. The first segment can free of functional groups that interact with the surface to attach the block copolymer to the surface.
US08349403B2	Vapor-phase process apparatus, vapor-phase process method, and substrate A vapor-phase process apparatus and a vapor-phase process method capable of satisfactorily maintaining quality of processes even when different types of processes are performed are obtained. A vapor-phase process apparatus includes a process chamber, gas supply ports serving as a plurality of gas introduction portions, and a gas supply portion (a gas supply member, a pipe, a flow rate control device, a pipe, and a buffer chamber). The process chamber allows flow of a reaction gas therein. The plurality of gas supply ports are formed in a wall surface (upper wall) of the process chamber along a direction of flow of the reaction gas. The gas supply portion can supply a gas into the process chamber at a different flow rate from each of one gas supply port and another gas supply port different from that one gas supply port among the plurality of gas supply ports.
US08349396B2	Method and system for creating functionally graded materials using cold spray A method and system for depositing multiple materials onto a substrate is described. The method broadly comprises the steps of providing a source of a first powder material to be deposited, providing a source of a second powder material to be deposited, and sequentially depositing the first powder material and the second powder material onto the substrate at a velocity sufficient to deposit the materials by plastically deforming the materials without metallurgically transforming the particles of powder forming the materials.
US08349390B2	Method and apparatus for loading a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a mandrel, the medical device forming a cylindrical device having a plurality of openings and dispensing a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.
US08349378B2	Brewing process and brewery installations A brewing process including taking off a fluid having a starting temperature from a heat store; feeding the fluid to a plurality of heat consumers for releasing heat; and returning to the heat store the fluid which has a final temperature. The brewery installation has a heat store for controlling the flow of the fluid in the installation, and a plurality of heat consumers each of which is connected to the primary circuit for releasing heat. Improved efficiency is achieved in part by the final temperature of the fluid which flows out of the respective heat consumers is measured and the return of the fluid is controlled as a function of the measured final temperature.
US08349371B2	Method for anti-oxidation, inhibiting activity and/or expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and/or inhibiting phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase using neonauclea reticulata leaf extracts A method of inhibiting at least one selected from the group consisting of oxidation, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a Neonauclea reticulate leaf extract, is provided.
US08349368B2	Compositions and methods for treating vaginal infections and pathogenic vaginal biofilms The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for treating pathogenic vaginal biofilms. More specifically, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of boric acid and diethylaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and to methods of using such compositions to treat or prevent biofilm formation associated with vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), trichomoniasis or mixed infections.
US08349367B2	Freeze-dried plasma formats for the trauma care field Disclosed are freeze-dried plasma formats specifically designed for the trauma care field. Blood plasma is subjected to a glucose removal step, a protein fraction up-concentration step and addition of stabilizers prior to freeze-drying. Preferable stabilizers are glutamine dipeptides, glutamine and glycine. The glutamine based formulation is added direct to plasma and serves three main purposes: 1) Increases stability of plasma proteins and stabilizes pH in freeze-dried state; 2) Increases stability of plasma proteins against Gamma Irradiation and thus allows for the application of a terminal sterilization step; 3) Introduces supplements beneficial to the trauma patient.
US08349366B2	Immediate release pharmaceutical granule compositions and a continuous process for making them A pharmaceutical or veterinary granule composition in the form of a mixture consisting essentially of: (i) at least one drug classifiable as Class II or Class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, wherein said drug (i) constitutes from above about 20% to 50% by weight of the composition, said pharmaceutical or veterinary granule composition providing a drug release of at least 70% within 10 minutes in water, (ii) a first excipient being a maltodextrin representing from 40% by weight to 85% by weight of said composition, (iii) a wetting amount of a second excipient being a polyethylene glycol having a weight number molecular weight between 300 and 5,000, said second excipient comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, and representing from 15% to 40% by weight of said composition, and optionally one or more pharma-ceutically acceptable fillers selected from the group consisting of hydrocolloids, glidants, lubricants, surfactants and diluents, wherein the weight ratio of said first excipient (ii) to said second excipient (iii) is in a range from 1:1 to 5:1.
US08349359B2	Liposomal formulation for oral administration of glutathione (reduced) The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.
US08349357B1	Adhesive patch and adhesive preparation The present invention provides an adhesive patch comprising a support, an adhesive layer on at least one surface of the support, and a release liner on a surface of the adhesive layer opposite from the support, wherein(a) the lateral end of the adhesive layer is exposed,(b) in at least one lateral end, the lateral end of the adhesive layer is located toward the central part side of the adhesive patch from the lateral end of the support, and(c) when placed horizontally with the release liner facing down, a distance A between the upper end of the support and the lower end of the release liner at said lateral end of the adhesive patch is greater than a thickness B of the central part of the adhesive patch.
US08349343B2	Textiles with chitosan core-shell particles The present invention describes a novel antibacterial treatment on textile materials using polymeric core-shell particles dispersing in water. These particles are prepared from a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization according to the method of U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,313 and have average particle sizes in the range of 100 to 1000 nm in diameter. When applied to a textile article, the particles form a uniform coating, which prevents the growth of bacteria and microbes. The treatment does not affect the fabric mechanical properties, hand feeling and appearance. Antibacterial activity on cotton is maintained even after 50 times of home laundering.
US08349342B2	Puffed starch material The present invention concerns a puffed popcorn starch containing powder having a loose bulk density of less than 120 g/L and a particle size smaller than 1 mm, a non-aqueous liquid-loaded starch material comprising said powder and a process for preparing these. In addition the present invention relates to the use of said powder as a solid carrier material for non-aqueous liquid or gaseous components and the use of said non-aqueous liquid-loaded starch material in food and animal feed products, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, agrochemicals, and cosmetic or personal care products.
US08349340B2	Nanotechnology for spilled oil encapsulation, remediation and recovery Diacylglycerol PEGs (DAG-PEGs) are used remediate oil contaminations. DA-PEGs encapsulate the oil into lipsomes in an aqueous environment. The lipsomes sequester the oil from causing damage.
US08349338B2	Cosmetic product containing acrylates The invention refers to a cosmetic gel product containing acrylates and to a method for manufacturing the said product. The gel comprises 0.01-80% by weight of a film-forming agent on the basis of an acrylate copolymer or acrylate derivate which agent is emulsifiable with water, 0.01-90% by weight of an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent or a volatile silicone derivate, both of which are not miscible with water and are emulsifiable with water-based ingredients and/or with ingredients on the basis of organic solvents in the presence of an emulsifier.
US08349335B2	Methods for preparing chlorophyll a and chlorin e6 The present invention relates to a method for preparing chlorophyll-a and chlorin e6. This invention extracts chlorophyll-a by use of undisrupted chlorella cells themselves, thereby preparing chlorin e6 from the chlorophyll-a extract. The high contents of chlorophyll-a may be obtained by the pretreatment procedure of chlorella cells themselves selected in this invention. The present method is performed according to relatively simple procedures, and is suitable in the mass production of chlorin e6.
US08349327B2	Method for treating muscular dystrophy using antagonist antibodies against GDF-8 The disclosure provides novel molecules related to growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), in particular mouse and humanized antibodies, and antibody fragments, including those that inhibit GDF-8 activity and signaling in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, ameliorating, preventing, prognosing, or monitoring degenerative orders of muscle, bone, and insulin metabolism, etc., in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, the disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such disorders by using the antibodies, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and vectors of the invention.
US08349320B2	Compositions and methods for modulating responses mediated or associated with BTLA activity Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and acts as a molecular switch that modulates T cell activation by propagating positive signals from the TNF related ligand, LIGHT (p30, TNFSF14), or inhibitory signals through the immunoglobulin superfamily member, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA). A novel binding site for BTLA is disclosed, located in cysteine-rich domain-1 of HVEM. BTLA binding site on HVEM overlaps with the binding site for the Herpes Simplex virus-1 envelope glycoprotein D (gD), but is distinct from where LIGHT binds, yet gD inhibits the binding of both ligands. A BTLA activating protein present in human cytomegalovirus is identified as UL144. UL144 binds BTLA, but not LIGHT, and inhibits T cell proliferation.
US08349313B2	Dairy composition with probiotics and anti-microbial system Dairy compositions are provided having a high pH, of about 4.8 to about 6.2, comprising desirable probiotic cultures as well as an anti-microbial system for inhibiting undesirable pathogenic and/or spoilage microbial growth without significantly reducing the beneficial effect of the probiotic cultures.
US08349312B2	Proline substituted cyclosporin analogues The present invention provides novel proline substituted cyclosporinanalogue compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds for the treatment of disorders and diseases, including immune disorders, inflammatory disorders and viral infections.
US08349301B2	Shampoo containing a gel network Shampoo compositions comprise (a) from about 5% to about 50% of one or more detersive surfactants, by weight of the shampoo composition; (b) a dispersed gel network phase comprising, by weight of the shampoo composition, (i) at least about 0.05% of one or more fatty amphiphiles; (ii) at least about 0.01% of one or more secondary surfactants; and (iii) water; and (c) at least about 20% of an aqueous carrier, by weight of the shampoo composition. A process for preparing a shampoo composition comprises the steps of: (a) combining a fatty amphiphile, a secondary surfactant, and water at a temperature sufficient to allow partitioning of the secondary surfactant and the water into the fatty amphiphile to form a pre-mix; (b) cooling the pre-mix below the chain melt temperature of the fatty amphiphile to form a gel network; (c) adding the gel network to one or more detersive surfactants and an aqueous carrier to form a shampoo composition.
US08349300B2	Personal care compositions containing at least two cationic polymers and an anionic surfactant A personal cleansing composition comprising: a. from about 5% to about 50% by weight of an anionic detersive surfactant; b. from about 0.025% to about 5% by weight of a first cationic polymer having a cationic charge density of less than about 4 meq/gm, wherein said first cationic polymer forms an isotropic coacervate; c. from about 0.025% to about 5% by weight of a second cationic polymer having a cationic charge density of greater than or equal to about 4 meq/gm, wherein said second cationic polymer forms a lyotropic liquid crystal coacervate; and d. from about 20% to about 94% by weight of water.
US08349297B2	Topical formulations Saturated, monophasic solutions of drug in a solvent and propellant mixture, together with a film-forming agent, exhibit transdermal diffusion fluxes greater than those predicted by Fick's law when applied topically.
US08349283B2	Metal recovery method, metal recovery apparatus, gas exhaust system and film forming device using same A metal recovery apparatus recovers metal components from an exhaust gas exhausted from a processing chamber in which a thin film is formed on the surface of a target substrate by using a source gas formed of an organic metal compound serving as a source, and scrubs the exhaust gas. The metal recovery apparatus 66 includes a trap unit having an adsorption member for attaching thereon metal components included in the source gas by heating the exhaust gas and thus thermally decomposing an unreacted source gas included in the exhaust gas; and the scrubbing unit including a catalyzer for oxidizing and thus scrubbing harmful gas components included in the exhaust gas that has flowed through the trap unit.
US08349279B2	Samples storage system for pharmaceutical development A samples storage system for pharmaceutical development in which the usable volumes of ultramicrotubes (384 tubes) are increased and smooth insertion and extraction of ultramicrotubes is possible irrespective of the positions of the ultramicrotubes. The samples storage system includes tubes in which samples are sealed and a storage rack for vertically accommodating a plurality of the tubes in a grid pattern. Each tube is of a rectangular hollow tubular cross-section and the intersect is tapered toward the bottom portion of the tube. Corner portions of the outer four side surfaces of the tubes are chamfered. The storage rack has engagement partition walls forming open-ended sections in a grid pattern inside the rack frame. The height of the walls is smaller than the length of the tube, and tube-supporting pins project vertically from the intersections of the grid. The outermost walls of the grid are spaced inwardly from the frame so that all of the tubes in the grid are supported for ready insertion and removal.
US08349270B2	Apparatus for treating containers including carrier sterilisation An apparatus for treating containers, including a transport device which transports the containers along a specified transport path, the transport device including a plurality of holding elements for holding the containers, with the holding elements being transported along the specified transport path. The apparatus includes a cleaning device for sterilizing the holding elements at least in sections.
US08349269B2	High shear system and process for the production of acetic anhydride A system and method for a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of acetic anhydride as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the process. A system for the production of acetic anhydride including the mixing of catalyst and acetic acid via a high shear device.
US08349268B2	Pyrolysis of residual hydrocarbons A process and apparatus for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons such as asphaltenes to lighter oil and gas components is disclosed. The process provides a reaction environment that promotes fast and selective cracking of heavy hydrocarbons, while minimizing coke formation and fouling and enhancing product yields.
US08349260B2	System and method for limiting sensor exposure to ozone This invention relates to a system for mitigating the deleterious effect on a gas-detection sensor of exposure to ozone, which system comprises a sensor capable of detecting one or more select gas species, the performance of which sensor is degraded by contact with ozone, and a scrubber capable of absorbing ozone or otherwise converting ozone to one or more other substances so as to mitigate degradation of the sensor's performance; and a method for mitigating such deleterious effect as well.
US08349256B2	Blood cell analyzer, blood cell analyzing method, and computer program product A blood cell analyzer comprising: a detector for detecting predetermined component of leukocytes contained in a specimen; and a controller, including a memory under the control of a processor, the memory storing: correlation information relating to the correlation between leukocyte distribution data and either stab neutrophil or segmented leukocyte classification data; and instructions enabling the processor to carry out operations, comprising: (a) obtaining leukocyte distribution data of a subject based on the detection results of the detector; (b) obtaining the stab neutrophil or segmented leukocyte classification data based on the correlation information and the leukocyte distribution data of the subject; and (c) outputting the obtained stab neutrophil or segmented leukocyte classification data. A blood cell analyzing method and a computer program product is also disclosed.
US08349242B2	Method of molding reel flanges and tool arrangement thereof A method of molding a flange uses a first tool element and a second opposing tool element. The first tool element defines a negative of at least a portion of a first side of a flange, and the second tool element defines a negative of at least a portion of the second side of the flange. The method includes providing a set of blocks for insertion into a plurality of recesses in the second tool element, the set of blocks insertable in a plurality of configurations, each configuration defining a negative of a set of retention features on the second side of the flange. The plurality of configurations define differing configurations of retention features on the second side. The method also includes inserting at least some blocks into the second tool element to form a selected one of the plurality of configurations, and performing injection molding using the first tool element and the second tool element.
US08349240B2	Hidden parting line mold and hidden parting line molding technique using associated part removal device An injection mold and a cooperating molding system and method that allows for the parting line of a molded vehicle bumper fascia to be hidden within the wheel arch portion thereof. The invention contemplates two different mold designs for producing such a parting line: a double-lifter design and a collapsing slide core design. The bumper fascia remains in the cavity portion of the mold after molding due to the presence of undercuts in the mold cavity. A robotic part removal device is used to remove the molded bumper fascia from the mold cavity after mold opening. The part removal device is adapted to temporarily deform the bumper fascia in the wheel arch flange areas thereof to facilitate its removal from the cavity.
US08349238B2	Imprint lithography An imprint template configured to imprint an imprintable medium by an imprint lithography process is disclosed, the imprint template having a pattern with a pattern density corresponding to a volume of imprintable medium used to substantially fill pattern features per unit area of a contact face of the imprint template, wherein adjacent regions of the pattern on the imprint template contact face, each of which will provide different functionality once imprinted onto a substrate, have substantially the same pattern density, have differences in pattern density which are minimized, or differences in pattern density which are maintained below a maximum.
US08349215B2	Corrosion inhibitors having increased biological degradability and minimized toxicity The invention relates to the use of salts of compound of the formula (1) and amines of the formula (2), where R1 means C8- to C30-Alkyl or C8- to C30-Alkenyl, R2 means hydrogen or a group of the formula -(A-O)x—H, R3, R4 mean hydrogen, C1- to C4-Alkyl or a group of the formula -(A-O)x—H, A means C2- to C4-Alkylene, and x means a number from 1 to 10, as water-soluble or water-dispersible corrosion inhibitors.
US08349209B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal element The invention provides a liquid crystal composition having an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase used in an element driven in a state of an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase, which comprises a compound 1 having the clearing point T1 and a compound 2 having the clearing point T2, and which has the clearing point Tx, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises 10 to 80 wt % of compound 1 and 20 to 90 wt % of compound 2, and wherein the clearing point T1, the clearing point T2 and the clearing point Tx of the liquid crystal composition satisfy the following conditions: T1>T2 T1−Tx≧100° C.
US08349206B2	Process for lubricating a refrigerator containing sliding parts made of an engineering plastic material A process to lubricate a refrigerator preferably having a sliding portion which is made of an engineering plastic material, or provided thereon with an organic coating film or an inorganic coating film is provided. The process includes contacting sliding parts of the refrigerator with a refrigerating machine oil composition having a base oil containing a polyvinyl ether and/or a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative as a main component and having a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 8 mm2/s as measured at 40° C. The refrigerating machine oil composition has a low viscosity, an improved energy saving performance, a good sealability and an excellent compatibility with a refrigerant and, therefore, the process can be suitably used in various refrigerating application fields, in particular, in closed-system refrigerators.
US08349201B2	Processing method for SOI substrate A method of processing a SOI substrate to form a groove in the SOI substrate in which a silicon layer is stacked on both sides of an oxide layer is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes dividing a portion of the silicon layer, in which the groove is to be processed, into a plurality of unit portions, performing dry etching on certain portions of the plurality of divided unit portions such that the oxide layer is exposed and removing remaining portions of the plurality of divided unit portions by removing the oxide layer.
US08349192B2	Method for collapsing microbubbles A method for collapsing a microbubble includes applying stimulation to the microbubble during the gradual decrease of the its size. As a result, the microbubble floating in a solution that decreases in size due to the natural dissolution of a gas contained in the microbubble and disappears after a while, has the speed of its size decrease enhanced and causes the microbubble to disappear.
US08349190B2	Method and device for cleaning circulation water The object of the invention is to provide a method for cleaning circulation water, which reduces the cost of operation and maintenance as much as possible, without a cumbersome cleaning operation such as by detaching electrode plates from an electrolysis cleaning tank and removing scale from inside the tank, and to provide a device used in this method. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for cleaning circulation water, comprising the steps of flowing circulation water to be cleaned between electrode plates placed in a face-to-face manner between one another; and applying DC voltage between the electrode plates, allowing one or more metal ions contained in the circulation water to be precipitated onto the negative electrode plates by electrolysis, to clean the circulation water, wherein the electrode plates used are made of titanium plates, and wherein a desired amount of current flows, while an anodized oxide coating formed on the surface of the positive electrode plates is compulsively subject to dielectric breakdown by increasing the voltage applied to the anodized oxide coating. FIG. 1 is a representative drawing.
US08349188B2	Systems and methods for removing finely dispersed particulate matter from a fluid stream Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.
US08349187B2	Method to remove antimony from copper electrolytes A method and solution for eluting one of antimony(V) and a mixture of antimony(III) and antimony(V) from an ion exchange resin, comprises contacting the resin with an eluting solution comprising thiourea having a concentration of at least 0.002 M and hydrochloric acid having a concentration of at least 3 M. The method can be used for electrolytes in an industrial electrorefining process, by the further steps of contacting the electrolyte with an ion exchange resin to adsorb the antimony from the electrolyte and separating the resin from the electrolyte, before contacting the resin with the eluting solution comprising thiourea and hydrochloric acid. The method and solution address the difficulties of removing antimony(V), and allow for increased reuse of the resins.
US08349186B2	Process for extracting constituents from organic material The present invention relates to a process for extracting constituents from organic material, comprising the step of extracting with a monophasic mixture of 50% by volume to 90% by volume of methanol and 50 to 10% by volume of water and optionally 0% by volume to 40% by volume of a further solvent or solvent mixture.
US08349180B2	Filter elements and assemblies Fluid filter elements and assemblies are used to separate contaminants from a fluid, such as oil or fuel, prior to reaching an engine. Fluid filter assemblies may comprise a housing, a filter element, and a filter head. The filter element may be disposed within the filter housing and enclosed by the filter head. Fluid enters the housing and passes through the filter element. The fluid may then exit the assembly. A connector may be used to connect the filter element to the filter head to ensure proper installation and simplify removal of a fouled filter element. The connector permits removable coupling of the filter element to the filter head and resists unintentional disengagement to securely couple the filter element to the filter head.
US08349179B2	System for conditioning fluids utilizing a magnetic fluid processor The invention is a system and method for conditioning fluids utilizing a magnetic fluid processor or device that includes an elongated housing comprising a core enclosed by a magnetic component in combination with an electrical return path. The process utilizes said device to affect and electron configuration within fluids by generating a magnetic field, thereby separating, for example, metals and organic or inorganic materials from fluids, in order to achieve desired fluid composition and properties.
US08349172B2	Filter and pump unit, filter and pump apparatus having such a unit and also method for filtering out A filter and pump unit is proposed for the filtering out of particles from a fluid, there being a filter housing (2) which bounds a filter space (3) and has an inlet (21) and also an outlet (22) for the fluid to be filtered as well as a filter element (4) provided in the filter space (3), the filter element demarcating an inlet region (31) from an outlet region (32) of the filter space (3), with the inlet region (31) communicating with the inlet (21) and the outlet region (32) communicating with the outlet (22), there also being an impeller (5) which, as part of a rotary pump, can pump the fluid from the inlet region (31) through the filter element (4) into the outlet region (32), characterized in that a flow connection (6) is provided between the outlet region (32) and the impeller (5) so that at least a part of the fluid can flow back from the outlet region (32) to the impeller (5). Furthermore, a method for the filtering out of the particles from a fluid is proposed.
US08349166B2	Treatment process for concrete A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete. The anode system comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal (1) to the steel (10) using a power source (5) for converting oxygen and water (14) into hydroxyl ions (15) on the steel and drawing chloride ions (16) into the porous material (2) around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably a sacrificial cathodic prevention which is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
US08349164B2	Conductive diamond electrode structure and method for electrolytic synthesis of fluorine-containing material The present invention provides a conductive diamond electrode structure for use in electrolytic synthesis of a fluorine-containing material with a fluoride ion-containing molten salt electrolytic bath, which comprises: a conductive electrode feeder; and a conductive diamond catalyst carrier comprising a conductive substrate and a conductive diamond film carried on a surface thereof, wherein the conductive diamond catalyst carrier is detachably attached to the conductive electrode feeder at a portion to be immersed in the electrolytic bath. Also disclosed is an electrolytic synthesis of a fluorine-containing material using the conductive diamond electrode structure.
US08349161B2	Electrophoresis device and pump Bubbles can be removed regardless of an individual difference of a pump to fill an electrophoresis medium into a capillary. Of flow passages formed between an inner side surface of a container for accommodating the electrophoresis medium and a side surface of a plunger, one of the flow passages causing an electrophoresis medium to be easily stagnant is formed to have the cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the other flow passage on the opposite side. In other words, the flow passage portion causing the electrophoresis medium to be easily stagnant is formed in such a manner as to increase a flow amount of the electrophoresis medium. This can eliminate a region having an extremely small amount of electrophoresis medium flow in the pump.
US08349146B2	Method for manufacturing nickel silicide nano-wires A method for making nickel silicide nano-wire, the method includes the following steps. Firstly, providing a silicon substrate and a growing device, and the growing device including a reacting room. Secondly, forming a silicon dioxide layer on a surface of the silicon substrate. Thirdly, forming a titanium layer on the silicon dioxide layer. Fourthly, placing the silicon substrate into the reacting room, and heating the reacting room to a temperature of 500˜1000° C. Finally, forming a plurality of nickel cluster onto the surface of the silicon substrate.
US08349132B2	Dewatering screen and method for the production thereof The present invention relates to a dewatering screen for manufacturing paper having multi-level watermarks, having a carrier mold (54) that exhibits, in a fractional region, a multi-level relief (30) in the form of the watermark to be produced. According to the present invention, it is provided that the multi-level relief is formed by an injection-molded, perforated (40) watermark insert (30).
US08349130B2	Process for treating pulp mill condenstates using a hollow fiber contactor A method and apparatus for the treatment of pulp mill condensates is described. A hollow fiber contactor, incorporating a hydrophobic membrane, was used to remove several undesirable compounds from pulp mill condensates. For example, TRS compounds and SO2 were efficiently stripped from kraft and sulphite mill evaporator condensates, respectively. Methanol was also removed from kraft mill condensates but at a lower efficiency than TRS. Furthermore, other undesirable compounds found in condensates of pulp mills that contribute to the BOD and COD loading to effluent treatment systems were also removed. These contactors are cost effective since air, vacuum or a suitable solvent or scrubbing solution can be used as the stripping medium to drive off through the membrane several undesirable compounds from the feed solution. The undesirable compounds removed can thus be burned in the recovery boiler, lime kiln or a dedicated boiler.
US08349125B2	Cleaning device for transmission electron microscopes An apparatus for cleaning the specimen and interior specimen chamber of Transmission Electron Microscopes, and similar electron- or charged-particle-beam instruments consisting of a plasma cleaning device mounted on a hollow rod that replaces the stage through the air lock of the instrument by being the same shape and size as the stage support rod. The plasma cleaning device is a small hollow cathode that is excited by RF power. Air or other oxygen containing mixtures is admitted to the plasma through the hollow rod at a pressure below 1 Torr. The plasma creates oxygen radicals from the oxygen containing gas. The oxygen radicals oxidize the hydrocarbons contamination and convert them to easily pumped gases. The apparatus can be attached to the electron microscope whenever cleaning is needed, and then is easily removed to return the instrument to its analytical function.
US08349114B2	Mug wrap A strelchable wrap for holding a sheet with sublimable ink against an object, such as a mug, for transferring an image from the sheet to the mug. The wrap has two layers of elastomeric, rubber material glued together. The inner layer has a greater sponginess to conform the sheet to the mug, while the outer layer has greater strength to stretch and hold the web over the sheet. Flexible rods, held at the ends of the rubber sheet by the outer layer glued to itself, attach the web with the sheet to the mug. The rods connect together above and below the mug and hold the rubber web in a stretched condition with the inked sheet in contact with the mug. The rods also extend above and below the rubber web which, in turn, is wider than the mug. Connecting together the ends of the connector rods permits their joinder.
US08349107B2	Method for energy-efficient sealing of tubular bags The embodiments of the invention relate to a method for creating a force for a welding jaw of a vertical tubular bag machine. The welding jaw is moved back and forth along a path to strike a second welding jaw moving in the opposite direction. A tubular film is compressed between the second jaw and at least one sealing surface of the welding jaws, to weld the tubular film by ultrasonic vibrations applied thereto via the sealing surface at an applied pressure under a sealing force (Fs) within a sealing time (ts). The sealing force (Fs) is predetermined by a control unit such that the sealing force (Fs) runs along a sealing force curve within the sealing time (ts). The sealing force curve has a first relative sealing force maximum (Fs1) and at least one second relative sealing force maximum (Fs2), wherein (Fs1) is lower than (Fs2).
US08349106B2	Adhesive tape joining method and adhesive tape joining apparatus A joint detector detects a joint in an adhesive tape supplied from a tape supply section, and a computing unit determines a suitable cutting position of the adhesive tape for removing the joint in accordance with the detected results. A controller controls each mechanism to operate so as to satisfy the determined results by the computing unit. Thereafter, the adhesive tape including the joint is cut and removed.
US08349100B2	Method for press-molding embossed steel plate A method for press-molding an embossed steel plate is able to cool even an embossed steel plate under conditions adequate for quenching.After a plate body with convex portions formed thereon is placed between an upper pressing die and a lower pressing die and the dies are closed, first and second circulation pumps are run to circulate cooling water.
US08349097B2	Dezincification-resistant copper alloy and method for producing product comprising the same A dezincification-resistant copper alloy and a method for producing a product containing the same are proposed by the present invention. The dezincification-resistant alloy of the present invention contains 59.5 to 64 wt % of copper (Cu); 0.1 to 0.5 wt % of bismuth (Bi); 0.08 to 0.16 wt % of arsenic (As); 5 to 15 ppm of boron (B); 0.3 to 1.5 wt % of tin (Sn); 0.1 to 0.7 wt % of zirconium (Zr); less than 0.05 wt % of lead (Pb); and zinc (Zn) in balance. The dezincification-resistant copper alloy of the present invention has excellent casting properties, good toughness and machinability, and can be corrosion-resistant. Thus, the alloy can reduce dezincification on the surfaces.
US08349083B2	Vapor-phase process apparatus, vapor-phase process method, and substrate A vapor-phase process apparatus and a vapor-phase process method capable of satisfactorily maintaining quality of processes even when different types of processes are performed are obtained. A vapor-phase process apparatus includes a process chamber, gas supply ports serving as a plurality of gas introduction portions, and a gas supply portion (a gas supply member, a pipe, a flow rate control device, a pipe, and a buffer chamber). The process chamber allows flow of a reaction gas therein. The plurality of gas supply ports are formed in a wall surface (upper wall) of the process chamber along a direction of flow of the reaction gas. The gas supply portion can supply a gas into the process chamber at a different flow rate from each of one gas supply port and another gas supply port different from that one gas supply port among the plurality of gas supply ports.
US08349079B2	Apparatus for manufacturing group III nitride semiconductor An apparatus for manufacturing a Group III nitride semiconductor is composed of a pressure vessel, a reaction vessel disposed within the pressure vessel, a heating device disposed within the pressure vessel so as to heat the reaction vessel, and a glove box filled with argon gas. The pressure vessel and the glove box are connected to each other via a gate valve. By virtue of this configuration, a large-sized reusable reaction vessel can be disposed within the pressure vessel without causing oxidation of Na.
US08349077B2	Large aluminum nitride crystals with reduced defects and methods of making them Reducing the microvoid (MV) density in AlN ameliorates numerous problems related to cracking during crystal growth, etch pit generation during the polishing, reduction of the optical transparency in an AlN wafer, and, possibly, growth pit formation during epitaxial growth of AlN and/or AlGaN. This facilitates practical crystal production strategies and the formation of large, bulk AlN crystals with low defect densities—e.g., a dislocation density below 104 cm−2 and an inclusion density below 104 cm−3 and/or a MV density below 104 cm−3.
US08349075B2	2-dimensional line-defects controlled silicon ingot, wafer and epitaxial wafer, and manufacturing process and apparatus therefor The present invention reports a defect that has not been reported, and discloses a defect-controlled silicon ingot, a defect-controlled wafer, and a process and apparatus for manufacturing the same. The new defect is a crystal defect generated when a screw dislocation caused by a HMCZ (Horizontal Magnetic Czochralski) method applying a strong horizontal magnetic field develops into a jogged screw dislocation and propagates to form a cross slip during thermal process wherein a crystal is cooled. The present invention changes the shape and structure of an upper heat shield structure arranged between a heater and an ingot above a silicon melt, and controls initial conditions or operation conditions of a silicon single crystalline ingot growth process to reduce a screw dislocation caused by a strong horizontal magnetic field and prevent the screw dislocation from propagating into a cross slip.
US08349070B2	Pyroprocessed aggregates comprising IBA and low calcium silicoaluminous materials and methods for producing such aggregates In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing an aggregate is disclosed comprising mixing IBA and a second, silicoaluminous material having a calcium content less than the IBA. The method further comprises agglomerating the mixture, such as by pelletizing, and pyroprocessing the agglomerates, such as by sintering or vitrification, to form the aggregate. The second material may be a clay, such as bentonite or kaolin, a mining waste, such as granite sawing residues, waste glass, or furnace bottom ash, for example. The addition of the second material has been found to facilitate production of lightweight and normal weight aggregates. Preferably, the IBA or the mixture of IBA and the second material are wet milled prior to agglomeration. Methods for producing expanded aggregates are also disclosed.
US08349064B2	Water-based ink for ink jet recording A water-based ink for ink jet recording, containing: a coloring agent; water; and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent contains a phosphate group-modified self-dispersing pigment. The water-based ink further contains at least one of a reducing sugar and a sugar alcohol and a calcium ion.
US08349053B2	High efficiency gas concentrating apparatus and method of controlling high efficiency gas concentrating apparatus A high efficiency gas concentrating apparatus includes an air compressor for supplying high pressure air, first and second adsorption towers that are disposed above the air compressor and communicating with the air compressor to adsorb nitrogen and concentrate oxygen as the high pressure air is alternately supplied thereto, first and second concentrating passages that are disposed above the respective first and second adsorption towers to discharge the concentrated oxygen, and a cleaning tank that is disposed between the first and second concentrating passages to receive a portion of the concentrated oxygen from one of the first and second adsorption towers, temporarily store the received concentrated oxygen therein, and alternately remove adsorbed nitrogen by supplying the temporarily concentrated oxygen to the other of the first and second adsorption towers.
US08349012B2	Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. Intervertebral disc treatment apparatuses are also described that include such a disc treatment device in combination with a delivery apparatus for retaining and selectively releasing the device into the disc cavity. Methods for treatment include providing a disc treatment device as described above and inserting the device into an opening in an annulus fibrous and into the disc cavity. The methods further include stimulating tissue growth within the disc cavity of the intervertebral disc.
US08349011B2	Systems and techniques for restoring and maintaining intervertebral anatomy Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.
US08349006B2	Glare reducing rough surfaces An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag in order to focus incoming light toward a retina and process for manufacturing thereof along with concomitant reduced glare and improved vision provides for a center lens portion of a lens for focusing incoming light toward the retina and the surrounding lens portion for mounting the lens within the capsular bag. A surface roughness disposed on the surrounding lens portion is provided for reducing the glare due to non-focused light directed toward the retina from the intraocular lens with the roughness having a roughness level of between about Ra 45 and about Ra 350.
US08349002B2	Adjustable annuloplasty rings Adjustable annuloplasty rings for repair of a mitral or tricuspid valve which incorporate at least two separate parts that are adjustably interconnectable to create a ring the circumference of which can be changed in dimension. Rings having interconnections at spaced-apart lateral locations, which interconnections allow bidirectional movement to either shorten or lengthen the ring at either such location, afford a surgeon opportunity to make further adjustments to the dimensions of the annuloplasty ring after its initial partial securing to the heart valve tissue and thereby adjust the AP diameter of the valve being repaired. The mating interconnections at two lateral locations on the ring can be constructed so as to allow hinged movement about an axis defined by the interconnections to permit hinged movement between the two separate parts.
US08348994B2	Vascular prosthesis with alternating helical sections An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.
US08348992B2	Longitudinally flexible expandable stent A stent is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state. At least one connecting member connects adjacent annular elements to form a plurality of cells with each cell having an area. The stent has a first segment and a second segment, with the first segment having a plurality of combined adjacent cells that impart greater flexibility to the first segment than the second segment.
US08348984B2	Method and apparatus for surgical clamping The invention concerns a clamp, especially a surgical clamp, with a left clamp half to receive a left half of a breastbone during a surgical procedure, a right clamp half to receive a right half of the breastbone, as well as a first toothed rod and a detent mechanism engaging in the first toothed rod to secure the left clamp half at a distance from the right clamp half, wherein the detent mechanism engaging in the first toothed rod has a detent region extending at least from the left clamp half to the right clamp half.
US08348979B2	Cervical distraction method A device and method for a minimally invasive surgical implantation to reduce radicular symptoms by inserting an expandable cervical distraction implant in the facet joint and distracting the adjacent cervical vertebrae to increase the foraminal dimension. The implant, when positioned in the cervical facet joint, expands to via delivery of an inflation medium to increase the space between the vertebrae, thereby increasing the foraminal area or dimension, and reducing pressure on the nerves and blood vessels of the cervical spine.
US08348971B2	Apparatus and methods for facilitating hemostasis within a vascular puncture Apparatus for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable sealing member secured to one end of a filament or other retaining member. The sealing member is delivered through the puncture into the vessel, and retracted against the wall of the vessel to provide temporary hemostasis. The sealing member is rapidly absorbed after exposure within the vessel, e.g., to an aqueous or heated physiological environment (e.g., exposure to blood or body temperature), immediately or shortly after completing a medical procedure via the puncture, e.g., within the time period that the patient is ambulatory. Optionally, extravascular sealing material is delivered into the puncture proximal to the sealing member. The retaining member and/or extravascular material may be bioabsorbable, being absorbed at a slower rate than the sealing member. Alternatively, the filament is removed from the puncture after hemostasis is established.
US08348969B2	Device for remodeling the uncinate process A method of remodeling the uncinate process associated with a paranasal sinus includes positioning at least one shim member in the infundibulum, the shim member deforming the uncinate process and widening at least a portion of the infundibulum. The infundibulum space may be dilated with a dilating member. Dilation may occur prior to delivery of the at least one shim. The dilation member may be delivered into the sinus cavity via an access passageway formed in the canine fossa.
US08348968B2	Obturator tips A trocar assembly for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a cannula subassembly and an obturator subassembly. The obturator assembly includes an obturator shaft member defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator tip configured to be removable from the obturator shaft member or, alternatively, constructed with the obturator member as a single unit. Various designs of the obturator tip are contemplated.
US08348963B2	Leaflet reinforcement for regurgitant valves A support, and a method for attaching said support, for providing additional strength to existing regurgitant or prolapsed valve leaflets. The support restores an otherwise non-functioning, or poorly functioning, native valve to a functioning condition, obviating the need for a complete valve removal or replacement. The support may also be applied to a functioning valve leaflet as a prophylactic measure against future failure. The delivery method includes a delivery mechanism for attaching the support to the native valve leaflet.
US08348957B2	Pin centering guide with goniometer An instrument assembly for placing a guide pin in a femoral neck of a patient with reference to a medullary guide wire for use in resurfacing a femoral head. The assembly comprises a femoral neck clamp configured to define a femoral neck center. A pin guide attaches to the femoral neck clamp. A pin guide portion of the pin guide is configured to define a pin guide path passing through the neck center. The pin guide portion is linked to pin guide engagement portion of an adjustable goniometer. The goniometer maintains a specific angle between the pin guide engagement portion and the medullary guide wire, and in turn maintains the pin guide path at the specific angle.
US08348955B2	Bone treatment systems and methods The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the flow of bone cement into the interior of a vertebra and the application of forces causes by the cement flow. An exemplary system utilizes Rf energy in combination a conductive bone cement for selectively polymerizing the inflow plume to increase the viscosity of the cement. In one aspect of the invention, the system utilizes a controller to control bone cement flow parameters to either, allow or disallow cement interdigitation into cancellous bone. A method of the invention includes pulsing the flows of bone cement wherein high acceleration of the flow pulses can apply expansion forces across the surface of the cement plume to reduce a vertebral fracture.
US08348952B2	System and method for cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material for corrective spinal surgery A device and method of correcting a spinal defect in a patient employs the use of shape memory material in a spinal correction device. The shape memory material may be transitioned between a flexible martensitic state to allow shaping of the spinal correction device and a rigid austenitic state to apply corrective forces to the spine. The shape memory material may be transitioned to the flexible martensitic by applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the shape memory material to transfer heat away from the material. The cooling device and method may allow for in-vivo shaping of the spinal correction device while inserted in the body and attached to bone anchors by cooling the spinal correction device after insertion.
US08348949B2	Single-sided dynamic spine plates A dynamic spine plate is formed with only a single row of bone screw bores that extend along a generally superior/inferior axis of the spine plate, providing a single-sided dynamic spine plate. The single-sided dynamic spine plate is formed from a plurality of spine plate components that are coupled dynamically to one another. This provides a modular, single-sided dynamic spine plate. The spine plate components are coupled dynamically to one another via socket and projection interfaces, the socket and projections interfaces incorporating resilient coupling and retention structures that allow limited movement of the spine plate components relative to one another. This provides for dynamic extension of the spine plate components relative to one another. The resilient coupling structure connects the spine plate components, providing a self-biased, snap fit coupling of spine plate components. Rotation stabilizers may be provide on the present single-sided dynamic spine plate that provide rotational stability to the spine plate in addition to the bone screws that will attach the spine plate to the vertebrae.
US08348944B2	Electrosurgical device having floating-potential electrode and bubble trap Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrosurgical device that include one or more floating electrodes and are specifically adapted to remove, cut, resect, ablate, vaporize, denaturize, drill, coagulate and form lesions in soft tissues, with or without externally supplied liquids, preferably in combination with a resectoscope, particularly in the context of urological, gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and ENT procedures. Specific adaptations for urological and gynecological applications, for example kidney stone removal and BPH treatment, are also described.
US08348941B2	Demand-based system for treating breathing disorders A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and/or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.
US08348932B2	System and method for treating connective tissue A method and system of treating connective tissue to increase flexibility of the connective tissue or decrease tension in the connective tissue includes forming perforations in the connective tissue to at least 90% of the depth or thickness of the connective tissue and maintaining the perforations in the connective tissue. The method alters the tissue to enhance the fundamental mechanisms involved the immunology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics of the metabolism of the connective tissue.
US08348928B2	Flow component for medical infusion/transfusion lines A flow component for medical infusion/transfusion lines includes a tubular body having a side inlet connector, housed in a fluid-tight way in which is an elastic sealing element that can be traversed by a fluid introducer. The elastic sealing element has at least one axial cavity, which defines, for traversal by the fluid introducer, a diaphragm of small thickness.
US08348924B2	Composite ophthalmic microcannula Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip.
US08348923B2	Apparatus and method for controlling insulin infusion with state variable feedback An infusion system, which may be a closed loop, or “semi-closed-loop”, infusion system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate at which fluid is infused into a user's body. The closed loop system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user and produces a sensor signal which is representative of the user's condition. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, e.g., subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused with a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.
US08348922B2	Method and apparatus for oscillatory iontophoretic transdermal delivery of a therapeutic agent Embodiments of the invention provide a device, system and method for the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of therapeutic agents. One embodiment provides a method comprising applying first and second patches to the skin. The first patch comprises a delivery electrode, a therapeutic agent and two lateral electrodes. The second patch comprises at least a delivery electrode. A first current is delivered to the skin and create a first driving force to transport the agent into the skin. A second current is delivered to the skin and creates a second driving force to oscillate the agent in a direction substantially parallel to the skin. The agent is transported across the skin using the first driving force to propel the agent into the skin, and the second driving force to oscillate the agent substantially parallel to the skin surface so that it is sieved through pathways of least diffusional resistance in the skin.
US08348917B2	Stretched, necked, unitary garment and a method of manufacturing same An absorbent article can utilize a chassis design comprising a unitary inner layer and an expandable absorbent assembly attached to the inner layer, with the inner layer including elasticized portions so that the absorbent article conforms to the body of a person wearing the article. The expandable absorbent assembly can be minimally attached to the garment side of the inner layer and, in some embodiments at an aperture or opening in the inner layer that allows exudates to pass into the absorbent assembly. The article can further comprise an extensible outer layer attached to the garment side of the inner layer so that the outer layer covers the absorbent assembly and elastics, with the outer layer attached at the perimeter of at least portions of the article.
US08348912B2	Eye dropper alignment apparatus and method for using same The present application discloses a new and novel system and apparatus for improving the accuracy with which a person may apply eye drops to their own eye. The apparatus holds a bottle of eye drops at a fixed and certain distance above the eye, beside the nose, and below the forehead brow such that the user may easily apply eye drops consistently to one particular portion of their own eye. The apparatus sits on the nasion of the nose using a nasal bridge device and also rests on two pillars that are placed on the user's forehead. Used in such a manner, the apparatus facilitates one-handed eye drop application, facilitates both non-visual alignment and oblique alignment, and reduces reflective blinking.
US08348909B2	Implantable therapeutic substance delivery device with septum guide and method of use An implantable delivery device including a housing, a port assembly, and a plurality of grooves. The housing includes an outer wall defining an exterior face. The port assembly includes a septum and a port opening that is exteriorly open relative to the housing face. The plurality of grooves are formed in the exterior face proximate the port opening, and are sized to receive a needle tip to guide the needle tip toward the port opening. In one embodiment, the port assembly is fluidly connected to a reservoir, such that the port assembly constitutes a reservoir refill port.
US08348904B2	Medical delivery system having container recognition and container for use with the medical delivery system A medical delivery system comprising a container and a dosing assembly where the container is fastenable to the dosing assembly. When the container is secured to the dosing assembly, a recognition feature on the container is adapted to co-operate with a variable resistor disposed in the dosing assembly to thereby facilitate an identification of the specific type of container which is secured to the dosing assembly. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a container and a dosing assembly suitable for use in the medical delivery system according to the present invention.
US08348901B2	Nasal device and method of positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient A nasal device for positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient's nose. The nasal device comprises a nasal adapter having a lumen disposed there through for guiding the nasogastric tubing within the nasal adapter. The device further comprises an adhesive member that removeably surrounds a portion of the patient's nose. The body has a front side and a back side wherein the back side contacts against the patient's nose.
US08348899B2	Methods for inserting a catheter Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in. The catheter body may have a lengthy distal portion vascularly implanted having an appropriate outer diameter for the vessel, and also a lengthy proximal portion with a larger diameter for resistance to kinking at a sharp bend between the vascularly implanted portion and the subcutaneously tunneled lengthy proximal portion.
US08348885B2	Remote monitoring for networked fluid infusion systems A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. Such external communication allows the infusion system to be extended beyond the traditional short-range user environment.
US08348884B2	Delivery of a sympatholytic cardiovascular agent to the central nervous system A sympatholytic cardiovascular agent delivered by a drug delivery pump to a central nervous system site to alleviate symptoms of acute or chronic cardiac insult or impaired cardiac performance. The drug delivery pump can be external or implantable infusion pump (IIP) coupled with a drug infusion catheter extending to the site. A patient activator can command delivery of a dosage and/or an implantable heart monitor (IHM) coupled with a sensor can detect physiologic parameters associated with cardiac insult or impaired cardiac performance and trigger dosage delivery. The IIP and IHM can be combined into a single implantable medical device (IMD) or can constitute separate IMDs that communicate by any of known communication mechanisms. The sympatholytic cardiovascular agent is one of the group consisting of an alpha-adrenergic agonist and an alpha2-adrenergic agonist (e.g., clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, guanabenz, lidamidine, tizanidine, moxonidine, methyldopa, xylazine, guanfacine, detomidine, medetomidine, and dexmedetomidine).
US08348876B2	Strap retainer An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes, according to one embodiment, a first shell body defining first and second surfaces, and a resilient perimeter edge portion surrounding the perimeter of the first shell body. The edge portion has greater flexibility than the first shell body. The perimeter edge portion defines a lip extending over a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces, and the lip is spaced a distance above the first shell body so as to define a clearance between the first shell body and the lip.
US08348872B2	Apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage with fluid spray control device In an apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage comprising a housing structure having a user support surface and a fluid spray arrangement interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to the body of a user thereon, a control device is disposed within the housing structure between the fluid spray arrangement and the user support surface for altering directional flow of the fluid stream relative to a selected portion of the user's body.
US08348871B2	Apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a seated position An apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a seated position includes a housing structure having a user support surface wherein an upper body portion and a lower body portion of a user are supported in relative angular relation, and a fluid spray arrangement interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to the upper body portion and lower body portion of the user. The fluid spray arrangement is movable for travel along the user support surface in a first path of travel generally along the upper body portion of the user and a second path of travel angularly relative to the first path of travel generally along the lower body portion of the user.
US08348867B2	Method for treating subcutaneous tissues An apparatus and method for treating subcutaneous tissues using acoustic waves in the range of low acoustic pressure ultrasound waves is disclosed. The method includes injections of enhancing agents, wherein disruption of subcutaneous tissues and subcutaneous cavitational bioeffects are produced by ultrasound waves having a power that will not produce tissue cavitation in the absence of the enhancing agents. The apparatus and method of use is useful for treatment of subcutaneous abnormalities including cellulite, lipomas, and tumors.
US08348863B2	Radicular spectral attenuation coefficient for use in endodontic foraminal locator The discovery of a new coefficient named “Radicular Spectral Attenuation Coefficient-RSAC”, applicable in electronic foramen locators is described. The novelty is the use of the spectral attenuation of a multifrequency electrical current signal, applied through the endodontic file into the tooth canal (TC), to determine the root length and the foramen position. FIG. (2): (2.1), (2.4), (2.8) and (2.2), (2.5), (2.9) are the amplitude and frequency axes, respectively; (2.3) is the electrical current frequency spectrum applied into the TC; (2.6) shows the spectrum exponential decay (2.7) of the signal measured over the TC. In (2.10) the axes (2.4) and (2.5) were logaritmized to linearize the exponential decay. The RSAC is the average inclination of the line (2.11), which is proportional to the distance between the tip of the endodontic file and the apical foramen. The RSAC changes as the tip of the file gets near the foramen.
US08348861B2	Controlled steering of a flexible needle A robotic system for steering a flexible needle during insertion into soft-tissue using imaging to determine the needle position. The control system calculates a needle tip trajectory that hits the desired target while avoiding potentially dangerous obstacles en route. Using an inverse kinematics algorithm, the maneuvers required of the needle base to cause the tip to follow this trajectory are calculated, such that the robot can perform controlled needle insertion. The insertion of a flexible needle into a deformable tissue is modeled as a linear beam supported by virtual springs, where the stiffness coefficients of the springs varies along the needle. The forward and inverse kinematics of the needle are solved analytically, enabling both path planning and correction in real-time. The needle shape is detected by image processing performed on fluoroscopic images. The stiffness properties of the tissue are calculated from the measured shape of the needle.
US08348853B2	System, method and device for aiding in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction A system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction is described. More particularly, a system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of one or more pulmonary embolisms is described. The system and method described herein include a plurality of sensors, a thermal control system, and a controller means coupled to the plurality of sensors and the thermal control system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction.
US08348850B2	Method of monitoring dislodgement of venous needles in dialysis patients A method of detecting a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure includes measuring venous drip pressure of the dialysis machine of a patient undergoing hemodialysis, analyzing the venous drip pressure and deriving intravascular blood pressure at a location of venous needle insertion into the patient, comparing the derived intravascular blood pressure to a standard, repeating the measuring, analyzing and deriving, and comparing steps and, if the intravascular blood pressure is within a specified range of the standard, determining that a needle has been dislodged in the hemodialysis procedure. A method of alerting the patient and medical personnel of a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure includes detecting a drop in intravascular pressure derived from measured venous drip pressure, determining that a needle is dislodged, and alerting medical personnel of the dislodged needle.
US08348842B1	Method and system for implantable glucose monitoring and control of a glycemic state of a subject A method and system for monitoring and/or controlling a glycemic state of a subject, comprising a housing device having one or more chambers, extendable and retractable sensors, extendable and retractable catheters, insulin reservoir, neuroprotective agent reservoir, release mechanism for releasing insulin and neuroprotective agent into the subject, and a control mechanism with a processor for receiving and analyzing outputs from the sensors and for controlling the release mechanism, a clock mechanism for providing logging and/or circadian information to the processor.
US08348836B2	Scanning endoscope, scanning endoscope processor, and scanning endoscope apparatus A scanning endoscope, comprising a first transmitter, an actuator, and a mirror, is provided. The first transmitter emits a beam of radiant light from an emission end. The actuator moves the emission end in a direction perpendicular to an emission direction. The mirror is arranged from the emission end in the emission direction when the emission end is on a predetermined standard point. The mirror comprises a reflection surface around a first straight line. The distance between a first position on the first straight line to any second position on the reflection surface increases as the first position is moved in the first direction. The reflection surface reflects the radiant light emitted from the first transmitter toward the observation area around the first straight line.
US08348829B2	Scanning endoscope apparatus, scanning endoscope, and scanning endoscope processor A scanning endoscope apparatus, comprising a first transmitter, an actuator, a first optical filter, a second optical filter, a second transmitter, a first photo-detection unit, and a position determiner, is provided. The first transmitter transmits light to a first emission end. The actuator moves the first emission end. The first optical filter reflects the light of the first band. The second optical filter transmits the light of the first band at a transmittance that varies according to the position. The second transmitter transmits the light of the first band from a second incident end to a second emission end. The first photo-detection unit detects an amount of the light of the first band. The position determiner determines a position of the first emission end on the basis of the amount of the light of the first band.
US08348816B2	Storable exercise apparatus for professional and home use A storable exercise apparatus for home use. The apparatus includes an upright tower, a base structure, a bench frame, and a bench attached to the bench frame. A set of flexible pull lines coupled to a resilient spring system are carried within the tower structure. The user exercises by pulling the pull lines against the bias of the spring system. The grips for the pull lines are mounted at the top of the tower and generate significant tipping force on the tower when the apparatus is in use. To prevent tipping, the bench frame has pivotal and load-transmitting connections with the tower structure; the tower is stabilized by the weight of the user on the bench. The bench may be placed in either a raised or lowered position, and can be stored by collapsing and pivoting it so that it abuts the tower vertically.
US08348815B2	Interactive boxing training device An interactive boxing training device is made up of an inner tube, an outer tube and a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand. A retraction system returns the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke. The inner tube is mounted in a housing at a pivot point which allows 360 degrees of freedom of movement. The housing is itself mounted on an upright rail which allows the housing to have a vertically adjustable height. The retraction system is made up of one or more elastomeric elements which are stretched as the outer tube moves to the extended position and which are relaxed as the outer tube moves back to the retracted position. The housing is also removable from the upright rail so that the device can be pointed at a boxing trainee in order to simulate punches thrown at the boxing trainee.
US08348811B2	Orthopedic therapy system and device and a method of use Provided is a novel physical therapy system and device that can be manually operated by a post-operative patient without the need of professional on site assistance, wherein the degree of movement of the limb or joint of interest is measured and recorded so as to provide a record of the progress of the prescribed post-operative therapy for immediate feedback to the patient as well as for long term data recordation for the therapist or physician.
US08348807B2	Methods and systems for heating transmission fluid Systems and methods are provided for heating transmission fluid in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and a transmission, the engine including a heat exchanger. One example method comprises, during a first engine running condition, operating an auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger, and during a second condition where the engine is not running, operating the auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger.
US08348794B2	Device for activating a cogged flexible transmission organ A drive transmission system for activating a cogged flexible transmission organ includes a support pulley borne idle on a drive shaft which contacts tops of the organ cogs at a calibrated circumference thereof which defines a predetermined winding radius of the flexible transmission organ. A cogged drawing pulley is mounted on the drive shaft and has cogs for enmeshing with recesses in the cogged flexible transmission organ for advancing the flexible transmission organ. The drawing pulley has cogs sized for enmeshing with the recesses of the cogged flexible transmission organ, such that tops of the drawing pulley cogs are displaced from bottoms of the drawing pulley recesses. The drawing pulley therefore cannot drag on the flexible transmission organ when the support pulley is not subject to drive torque.
US08348782B2	Golf club head At least two golf clubs of a set, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may include a strike face and a perimeter weighting element disposed behind the strike face. The perimeter weighting element may include an inner peripheral wall having a sole surface, a top surface, a heel surface, and a toe surface. A cavity, having a base surface, may be delimited by the inner peripheral wall and may include an insert disposed therein. The insert may comprise a primary element passively flexurally associated with one or more secondary elements and may be substantially identical for each head within the set. The primary element may be associated with the base surface and the at least one secondary element may be associated with at least one of the sole surface, the top surface, the toe surface, and the heel surface.
US08348772B2	Plunging type constant velocity universal joint A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes an inner joint member having an outer peripheral surface in which a plurality of linear track grooves are formed in an axial direction and inclined with respect to an axial line, an outer joint member having an inner peripheral surface in which a plurality of linear track grooves are formed in the axial direction and inclined with respect to the axial line in a direction opposite to that of the track grooves of the inner joint member, and having an inside filled with a lubricant, balls incorporated in respective crossing portions between the track grooves of the inner and outer joint members, and a cage arranged between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface for retaining the balls in the same plane, in which a large number of minute recesses are formed at random in surfaces of the balls.
US08348768B2	Game-based incentives for location-based actions Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.
US08348762B2	Method and system for enhancing video games and video game systems A system making use of video games and data communications external to video games is used to provide advertisements, prizes and other benefits to gamers. The prizes relate to either of real world products and services as well as content for use within the video game environment. During a video game session an advertisement is provided to the gamer. When the gamer interacts with the advertisement the video game software acts to facilitate a transaction between the gamer and the advertiser.
US08348755B2	Power winners processing system A system and method is disclosed for a multi-site casino or resort wide promotional winners selection. The system selects a winner based on playing with a card at a table game or slot machine, or just being at an active slot machine, opened table game, or other activity within a resort.
US08348754B2	Slot machine having multiple progressive jackpots A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In one preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts.
US08348743B2	Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.
US08348742B2	System and method for operating governmental lottery games with television-based user terminals A method for facilitating governmental lottery play over television includes receiving a lottery ticket purchase request from a player terminal including a television over a television service provider communication network. Personal information pertaining to a player is retrieved from a subscriber database of the television service provider. It is then verified that the player satisfies predetermined criteria based on the retrieved personal information. The purchase of a lottery ticket is processed based on the received lottery ticket purchase request when it is verified that the player satisfies the predetermined criteria.
US08348740B2	Electronic gaming device and method Among other things, a gaming system device comprises a memory for storing an executable program and a processor for executing the executable program, causing the electronic gaming system to: provide electronic card values to a participant of the electronic gaming system representing a participant player hand and a participant bank hand, while also providing opposing player and bank hands to a house entity. In accordance with the rules of Baccarat, the processor determines whether any of the electronic hands receives an additional electronic card value. The processor further determines a final result of the participant player hand vs. the house entity bank hand and a final result between the house entity player hand the participant bank hand, in accordance with the rules of Baccarat.
US08348728B2	Grinding wheel A grinding wheel having a grindstone portion formed on a core includes slippery fluoroplastic coating films that prevent attachment of foreign matter, the coating films being provided on the portions of the core, with which portions the foreign matter can be brought into contact.
US08348727B2	Airflow arrangement for a power tool The present invention is directed to an airflow generation and particle dispersion arrangement for a power tool (e.g., an angle grinder). The arrangement includes a motor, an airflow generation assembly, and a particle dispersion assembly. The airflow generation assembly includes a fan driven by the motor. When engaged, the driven fan generates an airstream that is drawn through the power tool. The particle dispersion assembly includes a passive fan that is not driven by the motor, but instead is driven by the airstream. In operation, the passive fan generates centrifugal and mechanical forces sufficient to remove particles from intake air passing through the particle dispersion assembly.
US08348717B2	Polishing wheel A polishing wheel (10) arranged to polish an article. The polishing wheel comprises a hub (12) provided with an axial cavity (18) coaxial with an axis (26). The polishing wheel further comprises a substrate layer (14) being made of an elastomer material affixed to the hub (12) and coaxial with the axis (26). The substrate layer (14) has an outer surface (20) having a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the axis (26). The polishing wheel (10) further comprises a continuous cover layer (16) affixed to the outer surface (20) and coaxial with the axis (26). The continuous cover layer (16) is made of an elastomer material covering substantially entirely the outer surface (20).
US08348714B2	Toy flying aircraft A toy flying aircraft has a fuselage defining a central vertical longitudinal plane, with an upper front portion and a lower rear portion. The upper front and lower rear portions are coupled by a vertical support angling forward and upward from a front upper side of the rear portion to a lower rear side of the front portion. The aircraft has an at least generally circular and horizontally planar wing intersecting the front portion of the fuselage. A forward half of the wing defines an upper horizontal plane generally perpendicular to the central vertical longitudinal plane, and a rear half of the wing is downwardly offset from the upper horizontal plane to define a lift surface. A generally V-shaped planar rear stabilizer is bisected and supported by the rear portion of the fuselage so as to be located vertically entirely below the wing.
US08348713B2	Knotted filament flying disc A flying disc is formed entirely of a knotted filament, such as knotted, stitched, or crocheted filament, which may comprise yarn, rope, or the like. A generally flat, generally circular web, defining a plane, is formed by pulling loops of the filament through other loops to form successive interconnected rows of knots using, e.g., crochet stitches. In one embodiment, the knotting proceeds in a helical pattern from a central portion of the circular web to a peripheral portion, with stitches added to an otherwise uniform stitching pattern as necessary to maintain a generally flat shape to the web. The center of the circular web may comprise knotted filament, or may include a void or hole. A circumferential lip connected to the periphery of the circular web and extending out of the plane of the circular web, at least during flight, is formed by dropping stitches from a uniform stitching pattern as necessary to create the desired shape.
US08348709B1	Method of making a spark plug A method of making a spark plug includes providing a metal shell, an insulator at least partially disposed in the metal shell, a ground electrode coupled to the metal shell, and a center electrode disposed within the insulator. The method also includes depositing a tip substance on the spark plug to form an electrode tip.
US08348707B2	Terminal fitting A terminal fitting (10) has a rectangular tubular box (11) with an open rear end. A tab (12) extends forward from the box (11) and a crimping portion (14) is behind the box (11) for connection to a wire (30). The box (11) includes a base plate (15), two side plates (16) extending from opposite left and right sides of the base plate (15), and a supporting plate (17) extending from the side plates (16) substantially parallel to the base plate (15). The rear end of the supporting plate (17) defines a locking portion (18) to engage a locking lance (49). Only one restricting plate (22) extends from an extending end edge of a supporting plate (17) toward the base plate (15) substantially parallel to the side plates (16). A rear end (22R) of the restricting plate (22) is in the box (11) forward of the locking portion (18).
US08348704B2	Reduced size multi-pin female receptacle connector Receptacle connectors and male plug connectors having a reduced size in at least one direction can be provided. One example reduces height by not including a center contact tab or tongue, but instead places contacts on an insulator that is adjacent to a bottom portion of the receptacle. Another example may reduce width by reducing contact pitch, and may use a particular shape of contact to achieve good signal quality. Receptacle connectors and male plug connectors can also provide support for one or more new high-speed communication standards, such as USB 3.0 and DisplayPort. Methods can provide one or more standardized connector components to speed connector design and manufacture of new electronic devices such as media players, thus reducing their time to market.
US08348693B2	Electrical connector interface with latch operated by threaded drive shaft An interface having a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has a body and a latch post connected to the body. The latch post has a body, a neck, and a tip with the tip being larger than the neck. The test adapter has a frame and an engagement assembly. The engagement assembly has a drive shaft having first and second ends, a drive knob connected to the first end of the drive shaft, a drive nut connected to the drift shaft near the second end of the drive shaft. The drive nut has a threaded interior portion. The drive assembly further has a drive screw and a drive screw housing. The drive screw has a threaded exterior portion such that the threaded exterior portion of the drive screw engages with the threaded interior portions of the drive nut. A spring extends from the drive screw longitudinally away from the threaded portion of the drive screw. The spring has an enlarged portion at its distal end for gripping the neck of the latch post. Rotation of the drive shaft draws the springs and latch post into a position in which the springs are held in closed position firmly gripping the latch post.
US08348691B2	Digital multimedia connectors that secure to corresponding digital multimedia receptacles A multimedia cable may include a grip at a first end of the multimedia cable, where the grip includes a first release. An insertable connector at the first end of the multimedia cable may include a first retainer and at least one electrical connection contact. Pushing the first release inwardly toward a central axis of the multimedia cable may cause the first retainer to move inwardly toward the central axis of the multimedia cable via a first retainer arm.
US08348685B2	USB connector A USB connector is disclosed, which includes a first insulating body, a second insulating body, a plurality of first and second terminals, a first cover, and a second cover. A first module is defined by the first insulating body, the first terminals, and the first cover. A second module is defined the by second insulating body, the second terminals, and the second cover. The first and second modules are movably coupled relative to each other, for using independently or jointly.
US08348682B1	Method for electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles A method, apparatus and means to address the problem of utilizing two large power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs simultaneously with one duplex power receptacle. The duplex power receptacle has a ground-up and ground-down configuration, such that two conventional large three prong power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs can be used simultaneously. This configuration can be utilized while still maintaining many characteristics of conventional duplex power receptacles such as left and right orientation of neutral and hot conducting busses. By maintaining characteristics of the conventional duplex power receptacle one knowledgeable in the art can install this invention without having to be retrained in a method of installation and a conventional wall outlet box and cover plate will accommodate this invention. Additionally, by maintaining these characteristics users of this invention will not have to learn any new method of using the device.
US08348679B2	Junction box for a vehicle A junction box has a PCB, on which fuses, relays, and a control and communication unit are mounted. The PCB is provided with upper and lower surfaces, on which a first connector and a second connector are respectively positioned. Further, the junction box includes a cover covering the PCB in such a way as to expose the fuses, the first connector, and the second connector. Since the fuses, the relays, and the control and communication unit are mounted on a single board, the junction box reduces manufacturing costs of the board, reduces size and weight of the board, and effectively performs communication with external electronic modules.
US08348674B2	Test discrimination and test construction for cognitive diagnosis A method, system and computer-readable carrier for using a discrimination index to select test items from an item bank for a test are disclosed. At least one parameter may be identified for each of a plurality of test items in an item bank. A first test item may be selected from the item bank based on at least the parameter for the test item. Each unselected test item may be evaluated to determine whether one or more constraints would be satisfied if the test item were selected. A next test item may be selected from the unselected test items that satisfy the one or more first constraints based on at least the parameter for each test item. The Evaluation and test item selection processes may be repeated until one or more second constraints are satisfied.
US08348654B2	Molding apparatus having counter Disclosed is a molding having a counter, comprising a fixed half, a moving half, a counter, a locator and a counting operator. The fixed half is opened with a through hole. The moving half is functioned in accordance with the fixed half. The locator is positioned at the moving half. The counting operator is slidably set at the moving half and comprises a sliding main body, a locator and a contacting bump. The sliding main body comprises two locating slots positioned at one end thereof. The locator extends into the locating slots to locate the counting operator. The contacting bump is positioned on the sliding main body and can press the contacting part of the counter. With the locator and the counting operator of the present invention, wrong records of non productive molding can be avoided and the counter does not have to be removed during the mold-repair.
US08348650B2	Root pump A housing of a Roots pump is configured by joining a lower housing member and an upper housing member that are separable from each other. With the upper and lower housing members joined together, an upper accommodating portion and a lower accommodating portion form a front bearing accommodating portion and a rear bearing accommodating portion, which accommodate whole bearings, respectively. The Roots pump further includes bearing holders attached to the bearings and fixed to the lower housing member so that the bearings are received in the lower accommodating portion in a positioned state.
US08348644B2	High pressure fuel injector supply pump A pump includes a cylinder and a plunger. The cylinder defines an outlet-side passage therein. The plunger is reciprocably received within the cylinder. An inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and an end surface of the plunger define a pump chamber. The outlet-side passage is communicated with the pump chamber. When the plunger reciprocates within the cylinder, fluid inside the pump chamber is pressurized such that fluid is discharged to an exterior through the outlet-side passage. The inner peripheral surface includes a spherical surface part that surrounds the pump chamber. The spherical surface part is defined by a curved surface having a predetermined curvature such that the pump chamber defines a spherical space. The spherical surface part is provided with an opening of the outlet-side passage, which has a circular shape when observed from a spherical center of the pump chamber.
US08348638B2	Compressor A compressor has a hermetic container filled with a lubricant and accommodates an electric element provided with a stator and a rotor and a compressing element, wherein the compressing element includes a shaft, a cylinder block, a piston, a connection mechanism, a bearing, and a thrust ball bearing provided between the rotor and a bearing end surface as an end surface of the bearing, and wherein the thrust ball bearing includes a plurality of balls, a holder portion for holding the balls, upper and lower races disposed on and beneath the balls, a rotation regulation portion for regulating a rotation of the lower race, and a thrust surface provided at the bearing end surface so as to contact with a lower surface of the lower race.
US08348635B2	Variable displacement gear pump The variable displacement gear pump for a loading system in an industrial vehicle has main and sub gear pump portions, suction, discharge and bypass passages, and check and opening valves. The main gear pump portion has main drive and driven gears, and has suction and discharge side spaces. The sub gear pump portion has sub drive and driven gears, and has suction and discharge side spaces. The bypass passage returns hydraulic fluid in the discharge-side space of the sub gear pump portion to the suction passage. The check valve prevents hydraulic fluid in the discharge-side space of the main gear pump portion from flowing to that of the sub gear pump portion. The opening valve is used for opening and closing the bypass passage, and closes the bypass passage due to a pressure in a discharge conduit of the loading system increased by the load applied to the loading system.
US08348634B2	Device for the processing of compressed air, and method for the operation thereof A device for processing compressed air for a commercial vehicle is provided. The device includes an inlet connection for connecting a compressor, an air dryer unit, a first solenoid valve for pneumatically shutting off the compressor and blocking a pipe that is connected to the compressor, and a second solenoid valve for controlling a backflow of air to regenerate the air filter unit. Loss of compressed air during regeneration in the pressure in a pipe located between the compressor and a stop valve upstream of the air filter unit is minimized by exciting the first solenoid valve. Different methods for operating the compressed air processing device are also provided.
US08348628B2	System and method for monitoring a reciprocating compressor A system and method enable monitoring of a mechanical condition of a reciprocating compressor. The compressor includes a compressor frame, a pressure chamber, and a pressure head. A plurality of tie bolts are secured between the compressor frame and the pressure chamber head. A sensor assembly is secured to one of the plurality of tie bolts. The sensor assembly includes an elongation member positioned to extend in concert with extension of one of the tie bolts. A sensor measures extension of the elongation member to thereby monitor cylinder pressure.
US08348623B2	Apparatus and a method for regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline The present invention describes an apparatus (1) and a method for use in regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) including two impellers (2), either one including a rotatable shaft (6) which is provided with a plurality of vanes or plate-shaped blades (8), the impellers (2) being disposed in a housing (4) which constitutes a portion of the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) communicating with a load (19, 21) and/or an energy source, so that the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1) are arranged to influence the movement of the fluid column within the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) being arranged to receive the fluid column between the shafts (6) of the impellers (2), the centre axis of said shafts (6) being substantially in the same plane as wall portions of the housing (4) upstream and downstream of the vanes, whereby the rate of the fluid column through the apparatus substantially corresponds to the rate of the fluid column immediately upstream and/or downstream of the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1).
US08348615B2	Turbine engine rotor disc with cooling passage Disclosed is a gas turbine engine rotor disc with a plurality of cooling passages having an essentially radial orientation relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor disc, each cooling passage having an inlet and an outlet and being included relative to a rotor disc surface and a cut-out arranged at the passage at an outlet end of the passage. Each cooling passage terminating in a slot is arranged in the periphery of the rotor disc. Each slot is sized and configured to receive a glade root.
US08348604B2	Airfoil assembly and method of forming same An airfoil or vane for a combustive power plant includes an inner core formed from a first composite material having discontinuous fibers. An outer sleeve is formed from a second composite material having continuous fibers. The first composite material is different from the second composite material. The outer sleeve generally surrounds and is bonded or otherwise connected to the inner core. A method of fabrication includes injecting or otherwise introducing thermoplastic fiber composite material including chopped or otherwise discontinuous fibers into a mold to form the core and platforms of an airfoil assembly. The injected thermoplastic fiber composite material is then cured in the mold. The cured thermoplastic fiber composite material is then removed from the mold. A layup including one or more surface plies of a thermoset continuous fiber composite material is then applied to the core material. The surface plies are then compressed and cured in a mold.
US08348602B2	Turbomachine turbine ring sector A turbine ring sector is disclosed. The turbine ring sector includes a wall bounding an aerodynamic flowpath in which gases flow from the upstream region toward the downstream region, and a multiperforated plate, situated on the opposite side of the aerodynamic flowpath with respect to the wall. The multiperforated plate includes a bottom and side walls. The distance between the wall of the ring sector and the bottom of the multiperforated plate defines a gap which is progressive in an axial direction, from the upstream region toward the downstream region. The value of the gap situated at the upstream region is below the value of the gap situated at the downstream region.
US08348598B2	Wind turbine generator and rolling bearing for wind turbine generator In order to provide a rolling bearing for a wind turbine and a wind turbine which can prevent the deterioration of the lubrication condition even when the rolling bearing receives high load while the inner ring and the outer ring are kept still relative to each other, the wind turbine generator of the present invention for supporting a first member and a second member which rotates relative to the first member, comprises an inner ring to which the first member is fixed; an outer ring to which the second member is fixed; a center ring which is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring and can rotate independently of the inner ring and the outer ring; rolling elements which are provided between the bearing rings in such a manner that the rolling elements can freely roll; and a center ring drive unit for rotating the center ring.
US08348594B2	Centrifugal fan A centrifugal fan includes an impeller and a housing receiving the impeller therein. The impeller includes a hub and blades extending radially from the hub. The housing includes a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a bracket for supporting the impeller thereon. The bottom wall defines an air inlet therein. A plurality of protruding posts extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the bottom wall around the air inlet. Each of the protruding posts defines a screw hole therein. The bracket is located in the air inlet. The bracket defines a plurality of through holes corresponding to the protruding posts respectively. The protruding posts of the bottom wall are respectively inserted into the through holes of the bracket. A plurality of bolts are respectively screwed into the screw holes of the protruding posts to connect the bracket and the bottom wall together.
US08348593B2	Serial axial fan A serial axial fan includes first and second axial fans. The first axial fan preferably includes a first motor portion, a first impeller, and a first housing. The second axial fan preferably includes a second motor portion, a second impeller, and a second housing. In the first impeller, an angle defined by a rotational plane of the first impeller with a chord of each blade of the first impeller on an imaginary cylindrical surface centered about a central axis increases as the radius of the imaginary cylindrical surface increases.
US08348592B2	Instability mitigation system using rotor plasma actuators An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a rotor having a row of blades arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on a blade that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed.
US08348587B2	Vehicle storage/loading system for sheets A motor vehicle having an assembly for loading sheet material includes a cargo area having a loading opening and a bulkhead located at an opposite end of the cargo area from the loading opening. Also included is a passenger compartment located at a forward region of the vehicle. Further included is at least one fixed end stop located proximate a rear area of the cargo area. Yet further included is at least one load assist strip, where a first end of the strip is mounted to the bulkhead, wherein the strip extends rearward to a second end of the strip that is mounted to the end stop.
US08348579B2	Pushpin retaining device and method of retaining without object puncture In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a pushpin retaining device is disclosed. An exemplary pushpin retaining device can include a resilient, elongated pin that can have a first end portion for puncturing and a second end portion. A grip foot can be operatively associated with the second end portion of the pin. Alternatively, a cut edge can be on the second end portion of the pin. A method of retaining objects without object puncture can include providing a pushpin retaining device. The method can also include puncturing a support surface with an end of the pin of the pushpin device and pressing a portion of an object against the support surface with the grip foot or cut edge, respectively.
US08348576B1	Fastener and fastener assembly with discontinuous threadform The disclosure provides in one embodiment for a fastener comprising a cylindrical shaft, a head attached to the shaft, and two or more external longitudinal threadforms, where each threadform comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions forming a separate helical path around the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into a corresponding mating receptacle, a combination of the shaft and the mating receptacle provides two or more pitches. The disclosure further provides for a fastener assembly.
US08348571B2	Screw A screw has a screw head and a shank. The screw head has a square cavity, a hexagonal cavity or a hexagonal boss to be wedged by a screw driver for wrenching. The shank has a first asymmetrical thread at the taper to facilitate drilling holes, asymmetrical saw-type threads behind the first asymmetrical thread, and a second asymmetrical thread behind the asymmetrical saw-type threads. The shank further has a carved V-shaped tail between the first asymmetrical thread and the asymmetrical saw-type threads to facilitate cutting and debris dispelling. The screw thus formed can rapidly perform thread tapping and debris dispelling, and reduce friction and expand drilling holes and achieve fast fastening.
US08348567B2	Plastic rivet and assembly tool A molded plastic rivet for affixing two parts to each other when the rivet is inserted through two mutually aligned apertures in the parts. The rivet includes a pin having a pin head, a pin shank and first and second pin latching offsets at the distal end of the pin shank. The latching elements include at least first latching offsets. The rivet also includes a rivet body having a rivet body head, and a rivet body shank that is insertable in the apertures and comprises several legs running away from the head of the rivet body, these legs being joined to each other distally into a nose tapering toward the longitudinal axis of the rivet body, a passage being formed between the legs and passing through the head of the rivet body, each leg being fitted at a distal end thereof with a first locking surface element facing the passage for engaging the first latching offsets of the pin once the pin has been driven completely into the rivet body, where, in a pre-assembled state, the pin shank is partly insertable into said passage, the legs running radially outward to the rivet body's longitudinal axis, each leg being fitted at a proximal end thereof with a second locking surface element engageable with the first latching offsets of the pin in the pre-assembled state, wherein approximately diametrically opposite protrusions are configured on the side of the head of the rivet body at regions opposite the shank of the rivet body and are fitted with recesses or apertures for receiving respective arms of a fork-shaped assembly tool.
US08348560B1	Tool head for a machine tool A tool head suitable for use in a machine tool for shaping the edge of a plastic sheet, which holds and shapes the edge of plastic sheet while a vacuum on the machine tool holds the center of the plastic sheet. Having such a desired edge renders the plastic sheet suitable for further manufacturing treatment.
US08348559B1	Centering adaptor for flat-bladed drill bits The centering adaptor is configured to receive a spade type drill bit. The body of the adaptor has three centering arms to engage in a previously drilled smaller hole so that the spade type drill bit is guided along the same centerline to re-drill the hole to a larger diameter.
US08348556B2	Solids distributor for injection plants, blast furnaces and the like A solids distributor for injection plants includes a collecting chamber having a plurality of lance lines leading away from the chamber. The chamber has a supply connection for a solid to be distributed and is surrounded by a common wall in which a plurality of ports is formed. The lance lines are connected to the ports, and an annular gap is formed in front of the ports and along the common wall. A pressure vessel is arranged geodetically above the collecting chamber, the lower part of the pressure vessel being designed as a bunker, having an outlet providing a direct and continuous junction to the supply connection and an upper part designed as a gas space. The collecting chamber may include a central displacement body which forms the annular gap with the common wall and which may be an upwardly tapering cone which projects out of the collecting chamber.
US08348552B2	Floating support comprising a device for the retention and securing of a subsea pipe A floating support including a retaining and holding device for retaining and holding a pipe suspended from a floating support of the type comprising a ship for laying a bottom-to-surface connection pipe. The retaining and holding device comprises at least a first collar releasably locked around an end forging of a pipe element together with a support part at the floating support, said support part including load transfer and a rotary joint enabling the inclination of the pipe to be guided and having an effect of automatically centering the pipe.
US08348548B2	Methods and systems to maintain accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings Disclosed herein are methods, devices and systems to maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings. The methods, devices and systems and methods of the present invention maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings by providing at least one barrier that prevents burrowing animals from off-loading displaced ground dirt or other debris into the space created by the underground housing.
US08348547B2	Waterproof roadbed construction A process for hardening and rendering a roadbed water resistant by measuring and ensuring the clay content of the roadbed soil is a minimum of 12%, amending the soil to bring the clay content within this range. Treating the top six inches of the roadbed soil with an enzyme formulation and removing and setting aside the treated roadbed soil. Applying two mixtures of organo-silane solution to soil remaining in the roadbed in two separate steps, allowing the treated soil to cure between applications. Adding the enzyme treated soil back onto the roadbed, compacting and crowning the soil, then spraying the surface of the treated roadbed and its associated shoulders with the organo-silane mixture. Once again, the organo-silane mixture is applied in a two step process with two different dilutions of the organo-silane formulation to form a hardened and water resistant envelope of soil within the roadbed.
US08348546B2	Method for transferring a barrier A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.
US08348541B2	Joint arrangement for a vehicle Joint arrangement for a vehicle, with a joint (7), which has a joint housing (8) and a pivot pin (9) mounted movably in relation thereto; a rod (4), which has a cavity (6) and which is connected to the joint (7); a ring element arranged between the joint and the rod; a sealing bellows (10), which defines the interior space (11) and in which the joint (7) is arranged at least partially; and a gas-permeable connection (13), which connects the cavity (6) of the rod (4) to the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10), wherein at least part of the gas-permeable connection (13) is formed by at least one groove, which is formed on the ring element and opens into the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10).
US08348535B2	Stick-shaped material propelling container In a stick-shaped material propelling container capable of propelling and retracting a stick-shaped material, the influence of variation of the dimension of the stick-shaped material can be made small. An inner barrel is slidably inserted in an outer barrel, an elastic body which urges the inner barrel rearward is provided between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, a chuck piece which holds a stick-shaped material is provided at a tip end portion of the inner barrel, and a chuck ring is inserted between the chuck piece and the outer barrel. A cross section of the stick-shaped material forms a triangular shape, the frictional force applying part which is in contact with the stick-shaped material to apply a frictional force is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer barrel, and the frictional force applying part abuts on a side in the vicinity of a vertex of the stick-shaped material in a cross section of the stick-shaped material.
US08348531B2	Media treatment web flow path Various embodiments and methods relating to moving a printed upon web along bowed segments of a web path through at least three consecutive turns in a same direction are disclosed.
US08348530B2	Keyboard with multi-angle support A keyboard includes a main body and a support in the main body. The main body includes a bottom defining two slots and two opposite sidewalls each defining a receiving hole. The slots communicate with the receiving holes, respectively. The support includes a rotation member, two driving members and two connecting members received in the two slots, respectively. Each connecting member includes a first arm and a second arm, wherein two ends of the first arm are rotatably connected to the rotation member and the second arm, respectively, the second arm is further rotatably connected to one of the driving members, and the second arm moves together with the one of the two driving members, causing the connecting ends of the first arm and the second arm to extend out of one of the two slots.
US08348518B2	Optical connector An optical connector in which a seal member is difficult to be damaged during assembly. A seal member-accommodating portion that accommodates the seal member in a compressed state is formed as an intermediate portion of a through hole of a housing. When an insertion member is inserted into the through hole, an insertion portion of the insertion member presses the seal member into the seal member-accommodating portion.
US08348515B2	Axial bearing with an axial angle disk with a securing tab producing a secured mounting and carrier with such an axial bearing An axial bearing having an axial angle disk and a cage with rolling bodies. The rolling bodies are supported so that they can roll on a rolling surface of a radial section of the axial angle disk, and the axial angle disk has a securing tab projecting outward in a radial direction and within a plane. The securing tab extends in a radial direction past a nominal diameter of the axial angle disk, and the securing tab is used for a secured mounting and extends in the radial direction past a nominal diameter by less than the sheet thickness (d) of the axial angle disk.
US08348513B2	Device for axially preloading a machine element A device for axially preloading a machine element that is arranged in a housing, with an annular steel spring that has an open hollow profile in cross-section, on which at least on one side is molded an annular collar that rests on the machine element and that has an axial contact surface, the steel spring being preloaded via a safety element against the machine element with a force that exceeds the operating force that occurs. A structurally simple device that ensures high preloading forces with advantageous tolerance compensation is achieved by the steel spring with an axisymmetrical, semi-circular section with an essentially uniform radius R1 undergoing transition indirectly or directly via a smaller radius R2 into the annular collar.
US08348508B2	Wave ramp test method and apparatus Method and apparatus are provided for use with a tomographic imaging device. A test object comprising a plurality of angled ramps may be provided to facilitate evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device. A method for evaluating performance of a tomographic imaging device includes scanning the test object to produce a tomographic slice image and performing analysis on a waveform profile extracted from the image, to determine spatial performance of the tomographic imaging device. A tomographic imaging device may be provided comprising a scanning device and a data processing unit for performing a method of evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device.
US08348506B2	Extremity imaging apparatus for cone beam computed tomography An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.
US08348504B2	Wireless temperature measurement system and methods of making and using same A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from a transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided.
US08348503B2	System for active array temperature sensing and cooling A system and method for providing an active array of temperature sensing and cooling elements, including an active heatsink which further includes an active temperature sensing layer, a thermoelectric cooling layer, and a heatsink, which further includes a plurality of cooling channels. The temperature sensing element within the active temperature sensing layer includes a plurality of switching transistors, a linear transistor, a current sense resistor, a thermistor, a voltage sensing bus, a voltage setting bus, a current measurement bus, a measurement switching bus, a sense control bus, a storage capacitor, and a supply voltage, all under the control of a process control computer. The method of using an active array of temperature sensing and cooling elements includes the steps of aligning the shadow mask, depositing the material, detecting a thermal gradient, and controlling the thermoelectric cooling.
US08348499B2	Method of testing spiral wound modules by thermal imaging Various methods for testing spiral wound modules by thermal imaging are described. In a preferred embodiment, the method(s) includes flowing a gas between a scroll face and permeate collection tube of a spiral wound module and detecting temperature differences on the scroll face. Temperature differentials on the scroll face may be captured as a thermal image. The location(s) of temperature differentials on the scroll face can be correlated to defects in the module. In preferred embodiments, the subject test methods are non-destructive and can be applied to spiral wound modules in either a dry or wet condition.
US08348497B2	Flat balance spring for horological balance and balance wheel/balance spring assembly This flat balance spring for a horological balance comprises a wound strip shaped to ensure an approximately concentric development of the balance spring and almost zero force on the pivots and on the fixing point, during a rotation of less than 360° of its inner end relative to its outer end in both directions from its rest position. The stiffness of its strip decreases gradually and through more than 360° from each of its two ends, the lowest stiffness being situated in the median part of the strip.
US08348494B2	Vertebroplasty cement mixer injector device A system and apparatus for mixing and dispensing a composition, such as a vertebroplasty composition, is disclosed.
US08348490B2	Planar light source device and method of manufacturing divided prism mold A planar light source device capable of increasing light use efficiency and preventing color breakup without using any reflection polarizing plate nor performing multiple reflection. The planar light source device includes a planar light guide plate, light sources arranged as to be opposed to end surfaces of the light guide plate on its both sides, and a divided prism formed in a back surface inside the light guide plate and that reflects light incident upon the light guide plate from the light sources toward a front surface side of the light guide plate. The divided prism includes a prism portion and a dividing portion both of which have a width equal to or less than the wavelength of light from the light sources and is formed with the prism portion and the dividing portion alternately repeated along a direction parallel to the end surfaces of the light guide plate which are opposed to the light sources.
US08348481B2	Ceiling lamp with a housing lockable to a frame A ceiling lamp includes a housing, a light source received in the housing, a transparent/translucent cover fixed to a bottom of the housing and a frame connected to the housing and located over the housing. The housing includes a top plate, a pair of wings extending downwardly from the top plate and two lids fixed to the top plate and the wings. The frame includes a top wall and two side walls and two arms extending downwardly from the top wall. Each lid forms a slot therein, and each arm forms a protrusion to engage in the slot to thereby secure the housing to the frame.
US08348465B2	Safety glow stick with flashlight A glow stick includes a housing, a lighting assembly mounted within the housing, having at least two light sources, at least one power source, at least one switch and circuitry for controlling the at least two light sources. An elongated body is mounted to the housing and is formed from a material that is transparent or translucent to light transmission. One of the light sources is mounted within the housing to provide a flashlight that is mounted to the housing at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees and the other light source is directed into the elongated body to illuminate the elongated body so that light is visible therefrom. The light source for the flashlight is switchable between a constant on and a constant off state and the light source illuminating the body is switchable among a constant on state, a constant off state and an intermittent state. The flashlight light source and the body light source are operable independently of one another.
US08348463B2	Illumination device and producing method thereof An illumination device has a board, a plurality of light emitting elements that are mounted on the board, the plurality of light emitting elements being disposed such that a light irradiation direction of each light emitting element becomes substantially perpendicular to the board, and a plurality of lenses. Each of the plurality of lens is paired with one of the plurality of light emitting elements. A relative positional relationship between the light emitting element and the lens in each pair varies according to a position on the board in which the corresponding light emitting element is disposed.
US08348462B2	Lighting system and assembling method of the same Optic group for a lighting system including a plurality of solid state light sources, includes a plurality of optics each positionable in proximity of at least a correspondent solid state light source, a planar housing matrix of the plurality of optics for facilitating assembly of the lighting system. The assembling method includes sequentially: a) rotating at least a first asymmetric optic with respect to a third axis, parallel to a longitudinal axis of at least a correspondent solid state light source, at a first predetermined angle measured with respect to an axis orthogonal to the third axis, so as to lead the first asymmetric optic in a first configuration which is rotated with respect to the third axis and centered over the correspondent housing; b) coupling the first asymmetric optic to a correspondent housing of the planar housing matrix, and maintaining the same in the first rotated configuration.
US08348460B2	Lighting apparatus with several light units arranged in a heatsink In a lighting apparatus, comprising a heatsink having at one side thereof a recess with at least one groove extending over the length of the heatsink, a plurality of lighting units are arranged in the groove or grooves oriented toward the opening of the recess for the emission of light therefrom and the frame is provided at the side opposite the opening with heatsink ribs, the lighting units in the groove or grooves being encapsulated by an encapsulating material added into the groove or grooves and being cured therein so as to be in direct contact with the groove walls and enclosing the lighting units at least up to the light emitting lenses thereof.
US08348444B2	Backlight module A backlight module includes a back plate, a plurality of lamps, a lamp fixing base, and a diffusion plate. The back plate has a cavity. The lamps are disposed on or above the back plate. The lamp fixing base is disposed on the back plate for fixing the lamps. The lamp fixing base has a supporting portion extending along a direction away from the back plate. An orthogonal projection of the supporting portion on the back plate is within a boundary of the cavity. The diffusion plate is disposed above or over the back plate, and the supporting portion is suitable for supporting the diffusion plate.
US08348437B2	Discharge lamp lighting device and image display device that controls electric power converter output on a historical basis A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a power converting circuit including a step-down chopper circuit and a polarity inversion circuit configured to convert an output from the step-down chopper circuit to a rectangular-wave alternating-current voltage, and thus to apply the rectangular-wave alternating-current voltage to a discharge lamp; and a memory configured to store a history of an output from the power converting circuit in a previous stable lighting mode. A control circuit controls on and off of each of switching elements in the step-down chopper circuit and the polarity inversion circuit, and thereby changes the output from the power converting circuit in a predetermined time period after the lamp starts lighting until reaching a stable lighting state on the basis of the history stored in the memory, so that a rise of a lamp voltage is suppressed. This enables extension of the lifespan of the lamp and suppression of the occurrence of arc jump.
US08348423B2	Curved disc for modifying a power of an optical component Disc designed to be attached to a concave curved surface of an optical component to modify an optical power of said component, the disc comprising a Fresnel lens made up of a series of Fresnel regions of spherical general shape, in which the changes of height between successive Fresnel regions are located on a concave face of the disc, and in which said Fresnel regions are made out in a special distribution. A disc of this kind maintains the dioptric quality without introducing distortions.
US08348412B2	Reactive dyes, their preparation and their use Reactive dyes of formula wherein R1 is hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted C1-C4alkyl, (R2)s denotes s identical or different substituents from the group halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, Me is chromium, cobalt or iron, E is a bivalent radical of formula wherein X denotes chlorine or fluorine, T is a fiber-reactive radical of formula —NH—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2a), —NH—(CH2)2-3—O—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2b), (R3)0-2 denotes from 0 to 2 identical or different substituents from the group halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy and sulfo, Z is vinyl or a —CH2—CH2—U radical and U is a group that is removable under alkaline conditions, Q is a —CH(Hal)-CH2-Hal or —C(Hal)=CH2 group, s is the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, q is the number 0 or 1, A denotes a bivalent radical of formula wherein R1, R2, X, T, m, n, q and s are as defined above, R4 and R7 denote hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, R5 and R6 represent, each independently of the other, identical or different substituents from the group hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, and t and u are each independently of the other the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, are especially suitable for dyeing synthetic polyamide fiber materials and yield dyeings or prints having good wet-fastness properties.
US08348411B2	Pigment based inks for reliable high speed inkjet printing An aqueous ink composition having at least one of dispersed pigments and anionic charged polymer, and further including a lower level, relative to the concentration of pigment and anionic charged polymer, of a polyvalent metal oxide particle dispersion, wherein the ink composition has a pH of greater than 4 and the polyvalent metal oxide particles have a negative zeta potential at the pH of the ink composition. These ink compositions are effective in reducing the damage and failure of silicon-based inkjet print heads caused by ink-induced dissolution and stress cracking of the silicon-based materials found in the print heads.
US08348407B2	Liquid ejection head, liquid-droplet ejection device, and image forming apparatus A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, separate chambers, a common chamber, inlet portions, a filter unit, and ribs. Droplets of liquid are ejected from the nozzles. The separate chambers are communicated with the nozzles. The inlet portions are communicated with the corresponding separate chambers. Liquid is supplied from the common chamber to the separate chambers through the inlet portions. The filter unit is disposed between the inlet portions and the common chamber to filter liquid in an area across the separate chambers in a first direction in which the nozzles are arrayed. The ribs are disposed in the filter unit at intervals corresponding in size to at least two of the separate chambers in the first direction to partition the filter unit. The inlet portions are communicated in the first direction with each other in at least one portion of each of the inlet portions facing the filter unit.
US08348396B2	Fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device includes a flexible membrane and an adhesive layer on the flexible membrane. The adhesive layer includes a first region and a second region extending from the first region. The fluid ejection device includes a piezoelectric material layer including an edge region and a central region. A surface of the edge region of the piezoelectric material layer is substantially coplanar with a surface of the second region of the adhesive layer. The surface of the edge region and the surface of the second region are substantially parallel with the flexible membrane.
US08348388B2	Printhead integrated circuit with printable zone longer than nozzle row A printhead integrated circuit (IC) for a stationary pagewidth printhead, includes nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A length of a printable zone corresponding to the nozzle row is longer than a length of the nozzle row.
US08348382B2	Inkjet recording apparatus In a cap mode where a cap member covers a nozzle surface, a controller controls a second movement mechanism so that the cap member is disposed opposite to the nozzle surface. In an ejection recovery mode where ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles and the ink adhered to the nozzle surface is wiped off by a wiping member, the controller controls a first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism so that the nozzle surface, a wiping tray and the cap member are arranged downward in this order.
US08348367B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid and a pressure chamber in communication with the nozzle. A pressure generator causes pressure fluctuation in the liquid retained in the pressure chamber. The liquid ejecting head is capable of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle as a result of operation of the pressure generator. A driving signal generating section generates a driving signal having an ejection pulse for driving the pressure generator to eject the liquid from the nozzle. The ejection pulse is a voltage waveform four waveform portions having, respectively, voltage levels V1, V2, V3 and V4 that satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B). 0≦V3≦0.4×V2 (A) 0.2×V2≦V4≦V2 (B)
US08348362B2	Pivoting lid for refrigerator door A storage assembly includes a first storage compartment mounted within an interior chamber, a cover, and a slot. The first storage compartment is configured to move in a first direction between a first and a second position. The cover is secured to the first storage compartment and configured to pivot about an axis between a closed and an open position. The slot is located on one of a sidewall within the interior chamber or the cover, where the other one of the sidewall or the cover is configured to engage the slot. The cover moves in a second direction corresponding to a shape of the slot as the first storage compartment is moved between the first position and the second position. A second storage compartment can be provided above the first. The second storage compartment can move in the first direction despite the cover being in an open position.
US08348359B2	Resistant sink base cabinet A cabinet for use in an environment in which water may be present has a structural base and a face front. The structural base has a pair of structural plastic side pieces for bearing a load of the cabinet, the side pieces each have a pair of legs, a front edge, a back edge and a pair of mounting portions, a plastic floor the floor tilting downwardly from a back of the cabinet towards the face front, the plastic floor having a first portion attaching to one of the side pieces and a second portion for attaching to another of the side pieces, a pair of cross supports for connecting the structural sides above the plastic floor, the cross supports mounting within the mounting portions. The face front is made from wood or a wood byproduct and attaches to each side piece at the front edges thereof.
US08348357B2	Drawer assembly locking mechanism A cabinet is fitted with a locking assembly suited for simultaneously locking or unlocking all of the drawers retained within the cabinet assembly. The locking assembly includes a primary actuation assembly, accessible from the exterior of the cabinet which engages a secondary actuation assembly. The secondary actuation assembly defines a plurality of lip elements which are displaceable intermediate the glide assembly which is associated with each drawer of the cabinet. In a closed, locked condition the lip elements are displaced in front of the glide elements thereby forming an obstacle to the lateral displacement of the glide assembly thereby precluding the outward withdrawal of the drawer from its retained position within the cabinet. In an open position, the lip elements are displaced to a position outside of the travel path of the glide assembly whereby they do not impede the operation of those glide assemblies.
US08348355B2	Arrangement for switching valves in axle modules of a utility vehicle A circuit arrangement for switching two backup valves in a rear axle module of an electronic brake system of a utility vehicle is provided, in which the circuit arrangement includes a switch at which pulse width modulation for controlling magnetic fields of inductors of the two backup valves is applied, and a diode for a slow discharge of the two backup valves in correlation with a predetermined operating state of the two backup valves, in which the diode is connected in parallel with two branches, each containing an inductor of the two backup valves, of the circuit arrangement, and in which the diode switches the two backup valves simultaneously in correlation with the predetermined operating state.
US08348351B2	Brake control device A brake control device is provided, which is capable of providing a precise diagnosis on a trouble on a hydraulic pressure valve etc., so as to provide an appropriate output hydraulic pressure corresponding to a stroke amount of a brake pedal. In this device, an electromagnetic valve is provided on a hydraulic pressure passage allowing an auxiliary hydraulic pressure chamber to communicate with an accumulator, and is controlled to open when such a trouble occurs that output hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure valve becomes lower than a predetermined range; and an electromagnetic valve is also provided on a hydraulic pressure passage allowing the auxiliary hydraulic pressure chamber to communicate with a reservoir, and is controlled to open when such a trouble occurs that the output hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure valve becomes insufficiently reduced.
US08348348B2	Headrest for a vehicle seat A headrest for a vehicle. A supporting body is mounted on a backrest of the seat, and a head support is adjustable and arrestable relative to the supporting body along a horizontal axis. The headrest includes a first arresting mechanism and second arresting mechanism that is disposed parallel to the horizontal axis and is provided with arresting stages. For an arresting of the head support on the supporting body, the first arresting mechanism is configured to engage into the second arresting mechanism under the effect of a biasing force. The first arresting mechanism is further configured such that it can travel over an angle of rotation about the horizontal axis counter to the biasing force.
US08348344B2	Adjustment mechanism for vehicle seat An adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat comprising a support including an annular inner surface, an output member mounted to pivot and including an outer surface, first and second rolling bearing members interposed respectively in first wedge-shaped areas, a driving member having driving fingers designed to push the first and second rolling bearing members, the outer surface including driving portions designed to be pushed by said first and second rolling bearing members respectively in the second and first directions of rotation, the outer surface not having direct contact with the annular inner surface.
US08348339B2	Seat that detects pelvis and chest displacement A seat for reducing looseness of a seated posture in the entirety of the body. In connection with a load peak position of the pelvis of a seated occupant as detected by a pelvis displacement sensor disposed in the seat cushion of a seat, a control device compares an initial peak position and a peak position after displacement. At the same time, the control device detects a shoulder blade position from load distribution of the chest of the seated occupant, detected by a chest displacement detecting sensor disposed in the upper portion of a seat back, and compares an initial position detected in advance and an after-displacement position. Next, the control device moves the seating position of a seat cushion in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial peak position and the after-displacement peak position, and moves the upper portion of the seat back in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial position and the after-displacement position of the shoulder blade of the seated occupant.
US08348338B2	Electrical connection protection unit A vehicle seat having a seat with an upper seatback and a headrest including various electronic components. A connector sleeve is configured to fit within a guide sleeve on the seat to allow an electrical connector extending from the headrest to be easily and efficiently connected to an opposing electrical connector extending from the seat during assembly. The connector may be configured to maintain electrical connection between the connected electrical connectors when a removal force is applied.
US08348337B2	Child safety seat with energy absorbing apparatus A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity.
US08348323B2	Rear vehicle body structure A rear vehicle body structure includes a rectangular frame, a box-shaped section, a spare-tire storage section, a peripheral flange, and a reinforcing member. The rectangular frame has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and includes left and right rear frames and front and rear cross members so as to contain a spare tire. The box-shaped section has a substantially rectangular bottom so as to be placed in the rectangular frame. The spare-tire storage section is provided in the box-shaped section and has an opening at an upper part of the box-shaped section to receive the spare tire. The peripheral flange projects outward from the upper part so as to be attached to the rectangular frame. The reinforcing member extends along the bottom in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body and is laid between the front and rear cross members.
US08348318B2	Woven strap with a variable width A woven strap comprises at least two continuous parts having different widths, wherein the change in width results from a modification of the respective weave of said parts. The strap can thus be used to create a loop or a ring in order to attach or bear a load. The two ends of the strap are joined to each other by stitching. Only the stitching areas of each of the two ends are tubular. The rest of the ring is flat and the stitching areas are placed on top of each other. The loop or ring can include an integrated wear and tear and/or overload indicator.
US08348314B2	Gibbs' bumper guard There is disclosed a bumper guard device for a vehicle having a hitch mount, the device includes—a bumper guard bar, —a support member having a first and second ends, the first end is fixedly attached to the bumper guard bar, —a housing including a rear movable wall and a front wall attached to the hitch mount, —a plurality of bolts attached to the front wall, and—a plurality of springs. Each spring has an immovable end, put on the corresponding bolt, and a movable end, attached to the rear wall, while the rear wall is fixedly attached to the second end of the support member. The rear wall can preferably move within 1 inch. The plurality of bolts and springs preferably constitutes four elements. The bumper guard device efficiently cushions the external impacts caused by other vehicles or obstacles.
US08348303B1	Airbag cover hinge with force-absorbing system An airbag cover hinge has load-absorption capabilities that provide a controlled release of the airbag cover during airbag deployment. The hinge has a textile base structure formed of longitudinal and cross threads. High strength, load-bearing stop threads are integrated into the textile base structure. When the airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads eventually tear, while the stop threads extend in length and function as a hinge that holds the torn parts of the textile base structure together.
US08348299B2	Multiple direct lock positions for touring ski mounting plate A binding device for retaining footwear securely to a snowshoe, ski, snowboard, and other apparatuses for traversing mainly over snow and ice covered terrain. The mounting plate includes multiple direct locking features on the mounting plate surface which interact with mating interfaces on a ski device. At least one strap coupled to the mounting plate is disclosed for securing a boot to the mounting plate foot bed. A positional releasable axle pivot pin that may selectively articulate the mounting plate and selectively aid in a locked heel mode directly on the mounting plate is disclosed. A first position wherein the binding may articulate in a walking motion on the axle pivot pin when connected to a ski device and a second position wherein the axle pivot pin and secondary locking feature in the mounting plate may be engaged wherein articulation and the walking motion of the mounting plate is prevented.
US08348294B1	Drive-and-chassis mechanisms used in the design of compact, carry-on vehicles The teachings provided herein are generally directed to compact vehicle drive mechanisms that can be used in the design of a foldable, carry-on vehicle. The compact drive mechanisms presented herein, for example, have contributed to the advent of the compact, carry-on bicycles set-forth in the teachings which include drive-and-steering units and drive-and-chassis units.
US08348292B2	Methods and apparatus for the protection of vehicle tires Methods and apparatus may allow for the protection of vehicle tires from ground debris. A swing arm configuration may be used to displace ground debris from the path of a vehicle tire. The length of the swing arm may be established to maximize the vehicle's angle of approach. The motion of the swing arm may be arrested with a swing motion arrest substantially collocated with a swing axis pivot point. A ground debris displacement system may be capable of unpowered operation from a single position on a vehicle.
US08348288B1	Knee scooter A knee scooter having pivotable handle bars, a U-shaped frame with a wide rear axle and an adjustable knee support for use by injured or disabled users. The wide rear axle of the U-shaped frame can be laterally moved to accommodate either an injury to a right or left leg. The scooter is steered by turning a pair of front wheels and hand brakes are positioned on the handle bars to manually stop the scooter as needed. The steering or turning of the front wheels is limited to about 60° rotation for safety purposes. The method of use includes securing the handle bars in an upright position, adjusting the steering column height, adjusting the knee support height and moving the rear axle laterally to accommodate supporting either a right or left leg as needed as the other leg is used to propel the scooter.
US08348284B2	Roller skate A roller skate having enhanced durability and stability is disclosed. Furthermore, the roller skate is particularly adapted for affixing to a person's footwear, such as sneakers, boots or the like. The skate includes a platform for supporting a skater's foot. The platform includes a toe plate and heel plate connected by an adjustable connecting assembly. A front truck is affixed to the underside of the toe plate, while a rear truck is affixed to the underside of the heel plate. The front truck includes simple bracket arms for affixing a single front wheel which is capable of rotating, but not capable of tilting about the platform's longitudinal axis. Meanwhile, the rear wheel truck is mounted to the underside of the heel plate so as to permit both tilting movement about an inclined longitudinal axis, and also rotation about a transverse axis relative to the roller skate's platform. Preferably, the roller skate includes three wheels rotatably mounted to the rear wheel truck. A button projects upwardly from the roller skate's heel plate so as to engage a skater's heel when it is placed upon the roller skate's platform. The button is connected to the roller skate's connecting assembly so that depression of the button causes the platform to unlock from an extending condition to allow the skate to automatically contract to capture a skater's foot. Preferably, the skate's toe plates and heel plates include prongs for projecting into and affixing to a skater's shoe.
US08348272B2	Sheets counting device A paper sheet counting apparatus includes a hopper; a transport mechanism that feeds the paper sheets to a transport path one by one, and transports the paper sheets along the transport path; a sensing unit including a counting sensor for counting the paper sheets; and a stacker. The transport mechanism includes a drive roller constituting an inside of a turn portion for changing a direction of the transport path; pinch rollers that biases the paper sheet against the drive roller; and a turn guide plate arranged between the pinch rollers to guide the paper sheet along an outer periphery of the drive roller. The turn guide plate is formed such that a front edge of the paper sheet transported to the turn portion is guided to a contact portion between a pinch roller arranged on a downstream side and the drive roller.
US08348271B2	Printer with sheet sending mechanism A supply roller for sending a piece of sheet from pieces of sheets stacked within a cassette towards a sheet guide and a pair of feed-in rollers for sending the piece of sheet supplied from the sheet guide towards a printing region are provided within a printer. The pair of feed-in rollers has a feed-in drive roller driven by a motor and a feed-in driven roller driven by the feed-in drive roller. A sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers is faster than a sending speed of the supply roller, and a sending force of the pair of feed-in rollers is stronger than a sending force of the supply roller. A controller of the printer controls the rotation of the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers according to a procedure that does not rely on a position of the sheet sent by the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers during the continuous feeding mode.
US08348270B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a sheet conveyance apparatus, and a control unit. The main body includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet. The sheet conveyance apparatus and the main body are detachable from each other and the sheet conveyance apparatus may convey the sheet to the image forming unit. The sheet conveyance apparatus includes a sheet conveyance path through which the sheet passes and a detection unit. The detection unit includes light emitting and receiving units that transmit light across the sheet conveyance path therebetween. The detection unit detects a reference and an edge position of the conveyed sheet in a width direction of the sheet orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction. The control unit determines a position of the sheet based on detections of the reference and the edge position of the conveyed sheet by the detection unit.
US08348268B2	Apparatus for transitioning media sheets in a printer A new media path includes a flexible member that cooperates with a control point for smooth transitions of media sheets along the path. The media path includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a cross-member axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the elongated member having a first surface that is non-linear in at least one of the longitudinal and cross-member axes, and a bevel on a second surface of the elongated member, the bevel being proximate to the first end of the elongated member at a predetermined distance from the first end.
US08348264B2	Two-point registration device control A control system and method for a sheet registration device including a general unit which determines desired contact point velocities for moving a sheet along a reference trajectory. The contact point velocity determination is independent of the sheet registration device. A specific unit is operably connected to the general unit. The specific unit determines registration device specific operating parameters for controlling registration device actuators to move the sheet along the reference trajectory.
US08348258B2	Driving force transmitting device and driving force transmitting mechanism A driving force transmitting device comprising: an output shaft which can output a rotating force, and a casing which supports the output shaft so that a leading tip part of the output shaft can expose the outside, wherein the output shaft is provided on the casing so that the tip end surface thereof is flash with or substantially flash with an outer surface of the casing or the tip end surface thereof is recessed interior of the outer surface, and wherein the tip end surface thereof is provided with an engaging part which is insertable/removable to/from an engaged part provided on a driven member.
US08348251B2	Sewing clip A sewing clip is provided. In one embodiment, the sewing clip securely clamps fabrics of various thicknesses, sizes, elasticity, and textures in assistance of a sewing operation. The sewing clip includes two rigid members and an elastic assembly. The two rigid members each have a first surface with a clamping and handling end and a hinge extension coupled to the first surface. When employed in a sewing operation, the clamping end of each rigid member has a tapering-width adapted to slide in a direction away from a stitching point. An elastic assembly couples the hinge extensions of each rigid member and biases the two rigid members so as to secure overlapping fabric between the clamping ends while avoiding unnecessary alteration or damage to the fabric. A recessed divot is also provided in the clamping end that allows for retention of surplus fabric.
US08348250B2	Pneumatically damping mount A pneumatically damping mount, in particular an engine mount for motor vehicles, includes a bearing spring of elastomeric material for supporting a mount core and delimiting a working chamber. The working chamber is filled with a gas, in particular air, and communicates with the ambient atmosphere through a nozzle opening. A progression element of elastomeric material is disposed opposite the bearing spring and delimits the working chamber together with the bearing spring, to enable further deformation of the mount after closing of the working chamber.
US08348244B2	Carburetor valve adjustment limiter A carburetor valve and limiter cap assembly for limiting adjustment of fuel flow in a carburetor may include a needle valve and a limiter cap. The needle valve may have a tip, a threaded portion, a head having a flange with an outer diameter greater than the rest of the head, and one or more serrations formed on the head. The limiter cap may have a sidewall, a tab extending outwardly from the sidewall, a first cavity having an inner diameter sized for an interference fit with the flange, and at least one driving feature to engage at least one serration so that rotation of the limiter cap causes rotation of the needle valve. The interference fit between the flange and the limiter cap inhibits removal of the limiter cap from the needle valve to prevent undesired adjustment of the needle valves by an end user.
US08348224B2	Tie system for forming poured concrete walls over concrete footings A tie system and method for forming a wall from a hardenable pourable building material. In one embodiment, the tie system includes multiple ties configured to be directly interconnected into a vertically extending tie stack such that multiple tie stacks can be positioned over a footing in a spaced apart arrangement. The multiple tie stacks are configured to extend substantially perpendicular between substantially parallel panel structures. Each tie stack includes a base tie and one or more wall ties, each of which directly attach to each other in a vertically stacked arrangement.
US08348223B2	Flexible mold for a smoking device A flexible mold for a smoking device having a cup-shaped outer wall, a cup-shaped inner wall, and a third cup-shaped wall. The outer wall has a continuous sidewall connected to a bottom wall containing a central opening. The sidewall of the outer wall extends from the bottom wall of the outer wall to an open end and contains an opening in the sidewall spaced between the bottom end and the open end. The inner wall has a continuous sidewall, a cover closing one end. The sidewall of the inner wall is attached to the bottom wall of the outer wall surrounding the central opening. The third wall has a continuous sidewall and a closed end. The sidewall of the third wall is connected to the sidewall of the outer wall surrounding the opening in the outer wall. The closed end abuts a surface of the inner wall.
US08348221B2	Formwork system for constructing a structural concrete floor with projecting floor beams A formwork system is provided for constructing a structural concrete floor, said formwork systems constitutes a main frame (100) forming a concrete slab structure, a plurality of side frames (110) each movably mounted at the edge of the main frame (100) for forming a concrete beam formwork structure, and a plurality of retainers mounted at the edge of the main frame (100) for supporting below the side frames (110) and jacking means for raising and lowering the formwork system. The side frame (110) being movable enables the formwork system to be effectively detached from a casted structural floor having concrete beams extended therefrom. The formwork system is also extricable on site after fabrication of the concrete ceiling slab floor and concrete beam.
US08348218B2	Compressor mounting structure and assembly method A compressor assembly may include a hermetic shell, a base and a mounting assembly. The hermetic shell may include a lower cover defining a first aperture. The base may define a second aperture. The mounting assembly may include a first isolation member and a fastener. The first isolation member may define a third aperture and may be located on a first side of the base. The third aperture may have a first portion defining a first inner diameter. The fastener may extend through the first, second and third apertures. The fastener may include a shank having a first radial protrusion defining a first outer diameter greater than the first inner diameter.
US08348214B2	Mounting arrangement for optical devices The invention relates to a mounting arrangement for optical devices having a mounting plate forming an undercut guide for receiving a clamping plate, the mounting plate comprising a side bar in which an undercut profile groove is formed, and having a strip located opposite the bar movably connected to the mounting plate via a clamping mechanism and a second undercut profile groove forming the undercut guide together with the first undercut profile groove, the strip being able to be tightened against the mounting plate by the clamping mechanism to fix the clamping plate, whereby the spacing distance between the undercut profile grooves is reduced. A second undercut guide is formed by additional undercut profile grooves in the same side bar of the mounting plate and the same strip, wherein the guides are both disposed on one side of the plane (X) spanned by the mounting plate.
US08348210B1	Positioning device for shelves A positioning device for shelves includes a support and a sleeve, the support has a first end and a second end. A tail board extends from the first end and a notch is defined in the tail board. The sleeve has a passage defined axially therethrough and at least one stop extends inward from the inner periphery of the passage. The tail board is inserted into the passage and the stop is engaged with the notch so as to secure the support to the passage. An engaging portion is located in the notch and located corresponding to the stop.
US08348202B2	Railroad switch machine A switch machine that includes a first relay having first normally open contacts and first normally closed contacts provided in the normal motor connection path and a second relay having second normally open contacts and second normally closed contacts provided in the reverse motor connection path. The normally open and closed contacts of each relay are associated in pairs and the first relays are structured such that each normally closed contact and the corresponding normally open contact cannot be simultaneously closed. Also, a method of protecting a motor of a switch machine that includes integrating a current being drawn by the motor and opening a motor circuit that includes the motor if the integrated current exceeds a threshold.
US08348198B2	Sail wing with high span efficiency and controlled pitching moment An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a sail wing appended to the fuselage, the sail wing having a sail wing root chord length, and wherein the sail wing includes a sail wing leading edge spar, a sail wing membrane attached to the sail wing leading edge spar, and a sail wing trailing edge wire located at a trailing edge of the sail wing membrane, the aircraft further comprising a wing surface extension, located aft and at an inboard area of the sail wing trailing edge wire, the wing surface extension having a wing surface extension root chord length, and wherein the wing surface extension includes a wing surface extension membrane attached to the sail wing trailing edge wire, and a wing surface extension trailing edge, and wherein the wing surface extension trailing edge is reflexed such that the wing surface extension trailing edge is positioned upwards at a first angle with respect to a plane formed along a centerline of the aircraft and along the lower surfaces of the sail wing. The wing surface extension is further configured to affect a reduced nose-up pitching moment, and to produce a more even coefficient of lift along the wing of the aircraft.
US08348191B2	Fail-safe aircraft engine mounting apparatus A mounting apparatus for an aircraft engine that provides load path redundancy includes a forward mount that attaches the aircraft engine to a pylon at a forward position of the aircraft engine, an aft mount that attaches the aircraft engine to the pylon at an aft position of the aircraft engine and a thrust assembly connected to the forward mount, and the aft mount. The forward mount includes an aircraft engine attachment assembly and a fail-safe assembly. The aft mount includes an aircraft engine attachment assembly and a fail-safe assembly.
US08348179B2	Gear typed sprinkler assembly A sprinkler assembly has a body, a base assembly, a wheel, a gear assembly, a discharging valve, a spraying head and a cover. The wheel is rotatably mounted in a wheel chamber in the base assembly and has a driving gear. The gear assembly has gear sets engaging each other. Each gear set has a driving gear and a driven gear coaxially mounted on the driving gear. The driving gear has a number of teeth different from that of the driving gear. The driving gear of one of the gear set engages the driving gear on the wheel. The discharging valve has at least one discharging hole. The spraying head is coaxially connected rotatably to the discharging valve and has at least one aligning hole selectively aligns respectively with the at least one discharging hole in the discharging valve.
US08348177B2	Liquid dispensing apparatus using a passive liquid metering method A liquid dispensing device using a piezoelectric member in connection with an atomizing head and a passive metering method to supply liquid to the atomizing head. Preferably, the device is used to but not limited to dispensing of fragrances, insecticides or other aromatic solutions. The piezoelectric member does not vibrate the nozzle plate through which the liquid is dispensed. The passive metering method relies only on surface tension forces within the supply passageway. The device can work with a wider range of liquid properties than existing piezoelectric devices of this type. The passive metering method is robust and consistent, enabling larger and more varied liquid reservoirs because the reservoir height is not a factor in determining the performance of the device. The atomizing head functions with a wider range of liquids than atomizers whose nozzle plates are directly excited.

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