Document	Document Title
US08450981B2	Power conversion apparatus In order to widen an operational input voltage range of a power conversion apparatus and obtain a maximum efficiency value comparable to that in a case where the operational input voltage range is not widened by changing software but not hardware, provided is a power conversion apparatus, in which a control section (5) controls a current input to an inverter circuit (14) to cause a DC output voltage from an AC/DC converter section (10) which is a voltage across a smoothing capacitor (22) to follow a target voltage and to cause an input power factor from an AC power supply (1) to approach one, to thereby maintain a DC voltage from a single-phase inverter (14a), and adjusts the target voltage for the DC output voltage from the AC/DC converter section (10) in accordance with a voltage of the AC power supply (1).
US08450979B2	Power adapter with internal battery An adapter including an associated battery capable of powering an electronic device. The power adapter typically includes the battery as an integral component that is connected to a plug or other interface capable of mating with a power source, such as a wall socket. Thus, the adapter battery may provide power either to operate the device or charge a battery within (or otherwise associated with) the device even if the adapter is not connected to a power source.
US08450973B2	Lithium battery module A lithium battery module with multiple-cells connected in parallel is disclosed. The lithium battery module comprises a battery management unit, a power converter (optional) and each cell with an individual charging control switch and a discharging control switch in series connected with the cell and is independent controlled by the battery management unit so that a charger is capable of charging the designate cell or more or disable one among them.
US08450966B2	Method of operating a recharging system utilizing a voltage dividing heater A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.
US08450953B2	Controller assemblies for electric drive utility vehicles Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
US08450946B1	Zone addressing circuit for an electronic ballast A zone addressing circuit is provided for an electronic ballast having a boost inductor with an auxiliary winding. The zone addressing circuit includes a first circuit branch coupled to a first addressing input terminal, a second circuit branch coupled to a second addressing input terminal, and a third (common) branch coupled on a first end to a third addressing input terminal and on a second end to the auxiliary winding of the boost inductor for providing a high frequency input pulse signal to excite the first and second branches. The first branch generates a first digital output for the zone addressing circuit when coupled to the common branch, and the second branch generates a second digital output for the zone addressing circuit when coupled to the common branch. A controller adjusts a dimming level of the ballast based on the first and second digital outputs from the zone addressing circuit.
US08450937B2	High-pressure discharge lamp lighting device, high-pressure discharge lamp utilizing the same, projector utilizing said high-pressure discharge lamp, and high-pressure discharge lamp lighting method A first waveform (a rectangular waveform, for example) is applied as the waveform of the alternating current supplied to a high-pressure discharge lamp for a predetermined time from the beginning of lighting of the lamp and a second waveform (a staircase waveform, for example) is applied as the waveform of the alternating current after the elapse of a predetermined time (100 [s], for example). The alternating current with the first waveform has a lower absolute instantaneous value in a final section of each half-cycle period thereof than in the other sections and the alternating current with the second waveform has a higher absolute instantaneous value in a final section of each half-cycle period thereof than in the other sections.
US08450929B2	Light emitting device, backlight unit, liquid crystal display apparatus, and lighting apparatus Provided is a light-emitting device which can reduce grainy texture, suppress color unevenness and luminance unevenness. A light-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a board; a plurality of light-emitting parts each of which includes (i) a LED chip mounted on the board and (ii) a phosphor-containing resin including a light wavelength converter and covering the LED chip. Further, the light-emitting device includes a light-guiding member provided on the board, between the light-emitting parts which are adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the light-guiding member is formed to cover part of the phosphor-containing resin.
US08450928B2	Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same Provided is an organic light emitting device, which is flexible and is capable of effectively preventing permeation of oxygen or moisture. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate; a metal sheet that faces the substrate; an organic light emitting unit that is interposed between the substrate and the metal sheet; an adhesive unit that is interposed between the substrate and the metal sheet to adhere the substrate and the metal sheet to each other and that is located around at least the organic light emitting unit; and an adhesive layer that is formed at a location on the metal sheet where the metal sheet contacts the adhesive unit and that is formed of a metal oxide or a metal nitride.
US08450917B2	High-definition cathode ray tube and electron gun A high-definition CRT is provided having an electron gun to produce high beam current without increasing spot size and to provide lower electrical power requirements at high beam-modulation frequencies. The electron gun includes beam-forming electrodes and a lens. Each beam-forming electrode has several aperture clusters operable to form several collimated beams of electrons. In addition, the lens is operable to focus the several collimated beams of electrons onto a display screen.
US08450914B2	Electro-optical device including a heat release member An electro-optical device includes: a supporting unit that includes a first heat release member; a second heat release member that is provided at both of two sides with respect to the supporting unit, at least a part of the second heat release member being in contact with the first heat release member; an electro-optical panel that is provided at both of the two sides with respect to the supporting unit in such a manner that at least a part of a surface of the electro-optical panel opposite to a surface thereof from which light is emitted is in contact with a surface of the second heat release member; and a transparent film sheet that covers the surface of the electro-optical panel from which light is emitted.
US08450910B2	Ultrasound transducer element and method for providing an ultrasound transducer element An ultrasound transducer element includes a piezoelectric layer, a front end body, and a backing layer assembly. The piezoelectric layer extends between opposite front and back sides and is configured to transmit acoustic waves from the front side. The front end is body disposed proximate to the front side of the piezoelectric layer and is configured to emit the acoustic waves out of a housing. The backing layer assembly is disposed proximate to the back side of the piezoelectric layer. The backing layer assembly includes a first thermally conductive mesh disposed in a matrix enclosure. The first thermally conductive mesh is positioned to conduct thermal energy away from the piezoelectric layer. In one aspect, the first thermally conductive mesh is a grid of elongated strands of a metal or metal alloy material oriented in at least one of transverse or oblique directions.
US08450908B2	Multi-layer piezoelectric element with metal parts or ceramic parts bonded to only one piezoelectric material layer A multi-layer piezoelectric element having high durability of which amount of displacement is suppressed from varying even when operated continuously over a long period of time with a higher electric field under a high pressure is provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of metal layers are stacked alternately one on another, wherein the plurality of metal layers comprises internal electrodes and low-rigidity metal layer that has rigidity lower than those of the piezoelectric material layer and the internal electrode, wherein the low-rigidity metal layer comprises a plurality of metal parts that are separated from each other, and wherein at least one of the metal parts is bonded with only one piezoelectric material layer among the two piezoelectric material layers that adjoin in the stacking direction.
US08450897B2	Rotor for motor and motor A rotor for motor may include a rotation shaft, a permanent magnet structured in a tube-like shape and fixed to an outer peripheral side of the rotation shaft, and a sleeve which is structured in a tube-like shape, disposed between an outer peripheral face of the rotation shaft and an inner peripheral face of the permanent magnet, and press-fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral face of the rotation shaft. The sleeve is retreated from an end part of the permanent magnet on one side in an axial direction to the other side in the axial direction so that a first ring-shaped recessed part is formed between the rotation shaft and the permanent magnet and the rotation shaft and the permanent magnet are fixed to each other with a first adhesive in the first ring-shaped recessed part. The rotor may be applied to a motor, preferably to a stepping motor.
US08450890B2	Rotating directional coolant spray for electric machine Disclosed is a rotor for a fluid cooled electric machine including a rotor shaft rotably located at a central axis and a plurality of rotating coolant passages extending outwardly from the rotor shaft to direct a flow of coolant to a desired impingement location on the electric machine thereby removing thermal energy from the impingement location. Further disclosed is a fluid cooled electric machine including a plurality of coolant passages each including at least one coolant passage inlet and at least one coolant passage outlet, the plurality of coolant passages configured to rotate about the central axis and direct a flow of coolant therethrough to a desired impingement location thereby removing thermal energy from the impingement location.
US08450887B2	Vertical vibrator There is provided a vertical vibrator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The vertical vibrator may include: a casing having an inner space of a predetermined size formed therein and a step portion protruded to be stepped from an upper edge thereof; a magnetic unit including a yoke disposed in the inner space of the casing and a magnet fixed by being magnetized on a closed inner surface of the yoke in a vertical direction; an elastic member including an outer ground portion fixed to the step portion and an inner ground portion fixed to the magnetic unit; and a coil for generating vibrations disposed on the lower portion of the magnetic unit and generating electromagnetic force by interaction with the magnetic unit when power is applied thereto.
US08450886B2	Linear vibrator There is provided a linear vibrator including: a housing having an internal space formed therein; a magnetic field unit including a yoke disposed in the internal space and having a magnet and a magnet insertion part formed therein, and interacting with a coil to which power is applied to linearly move in the internal space, the magnet insertion part determining an insertion position of the magnet; and an elastic member disposed in a space between the housing and the magnetic field unit and elastically supporting linear movement of the magnetic field unit.
US08450882B2	Energization control apparatus An energization control apparatus includes a control portion, a disconnection detecting portion, and a prohibiting portion. The control portion controls energization to a plurality of loads coupled in parallel. The disconnection detecting portion repeatedly or continuously determines whether a supply current to the plurality of loads is less than a threshold value when the control portion energizes the plurality of loads, and the disconnection detecting portion detects a disconnection of a part of the plurality of loads when the supply current is less than the threshold value. The prohibiting portion prohibits a disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion for a predetermined period since the control portion starts to energize the plurality of loads, and the prohibiting portion enables the disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion after the predetermined period elapses.
US08450877B2	Communication across an inductive link with a dynamic load The present invention provides a load used for communication in a remote device having a dynamic communication load configuration. In one embodiment, the dynamic communication load configuration vanes as a function of a characteristic of power in the remote device. The remote device toggles between load configurations to communicate with the inductive power supply. A sensor in the remote device detects a characteristic of power in the remote device and configures the communication load based on the sensor output. In another embodiment, the remote device adjusts the dynamic communication load configuration in the remote device in response to a failure to receive a response from the inductive power supply.
US08450874B2	User managed power system with security The present invention is related to user managed power systems with security. The invention encompasses a method and system of managing a power system wherein a data center user determines whether there is a desire to control remote power supply socket assigned to the user's data module. The data center user is able to sign into the remote power supply through a security protocol. Then the data center user can gain control over the remote power supply socket assigned to the user's data module. Finally, this allows the data center user to remotely control the power supply socket assigned to the user's data module.
US08450865B2	Wind turbine device A wind turbine device, in which the rotor of the wind turbine is connected to a rotor shaft, and in which a torque is transmitted from the rotor to a power machine, and in which the torque is transmitted between the rotor and power machine via a harmonic gear.
US08450863B2	Outlet box for power generator aggregate mounted on a frame to attenuate vibration and oscillation A vibration dampened power generation aggregate including an internal combustion engine, generator and outlet box mounted upon a frame having vibration dampening mounts for the power generation aggregates. The outlet box as an interior space divided into compartments for the placement of accessories, switches and generator governors. The frame has a first side and a second side and the power generation aggregate is mounted on the frame such that the mass of the power generation aggregate is evenly distributed on the first and second sides to reduce harmonic vibration and sound transmission of the power generation aggregate on the frame during aggregate operation.
US08450841B2	Bonded wire semiconductor device A bonded wire semiconductor device includes a sub-assembly including a semiconductor die having an active face with a set of internal electrical contact elements and an externally exposed set of electrical contact elements. A set of bond wires make respective electrical connections between the internal electrical contact elements and the externally exposed set of electrical contact elements. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die with the active face embedded in the molding compound. The bond wires have the same length. The bond wires are bonded to the internal electrical contact elements and to the externally exposed electrical contact elements at first and second curved arrays and of bond positions respectively. The first and second curved arrays and of bond positions have corresponding concentric shapes.
US08450820B2	Radiation detector The invention discloses a process for manufacturing a radiation detector for detecting e.g. 200 eV electrons. This makes the detector suited for e.g. use in an Scanning Electron Microscope. The detector is a PIN photodiode with a thin layer of pure boron connected to the p+-diffusion layer. The boron layer is connected to an electrode with an aluminium grid to form a path of low electrical resistance between each given point of the boron layer and the electrode. The invention addresses forming the aluminium grid on the boron layer without damaging the boron layer. To that end the grid of aluminium is formed by covering the boron layer completely with a layer of aluminium and then removing part of the layer of aluminium by etching, the etching comprising a first step (304) of dry etching, the step of dry etching defining the grid but leaving a thin layer of aluminium on the part of the boron layer to be exposed, followed by a second step (308) of wet etching, the step of wet etching completely removing the aluminium from the part of the boron layer to be exposed.
US08450807B2	MOSFETs with reduced contact resistance A method and structure for forming a field effect transistor with reduced contact resistance are provided. The reduced contact resistance is manifested by a reduced metal semiconductor alloy contact resistance and a reduced conductively filled via contact-to-metal semiconductor alloy contact resistance. The reduced contact resistance is achieved in this disclosure by texturing the surface of the transistor's source region and/or the transistor's drain region. Typically, both the source region and the drain region are textured in the present disclosure. The textured source region and/or the textured drain region have an increased area as compared to a conventional transistor that includes a flat source region and/or a flat drain region. A metal semiconductor alloy, e.g., a silicide, is formed on the textured surface of the source region and/or the textured surface of the drain region. A conductively filled via contact is formed atop the metal semiconductor alloy.
US08450803B2	Semiconductor device and DC-to-DC converter In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a device main body, a semiconductor substrate. The device main body includes a semiconductor substrate mounting part and a first conductor provided around the semiconductor substrate mounting part. The semiconductor substrate includes a DC-to-DC converter control circuit having a detector to detect at least one of a current flowing through the first conductor and a voltage supplied to the first conductor. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate mounting part so that the detector comes close to the first conductor.
US08450800B2	Semiconductor device In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a transistor element including a parallel structure of a first-conductivity-type drift region and a second-conductivity-type column region, and a second-conductivity-type base region, the transistor element being formed on the semiconductor substrate. An outer peripheral region located outside an element forming region has a parallel structure of a first-conductivity-type drift region and a second-conductivity-type column region, and a second-conductivity-type annular diffusion region which is formed at a side of the base region and which is spaced apart from the base region. An innermost end and a neighboring portion thereof of the annular diffusion region are located on the column region, and an outermost end of the annular diffusion region is located outside an outermost peripheral column region. A field insulating film that covers the annular diffusion region is stacked on the semiconductor layer in the outer peripheral region.
US08450796B2	Power semiconductor device A gate electrode is provided for controlling a current flowing through a semiconductor layer. A gate insulating film electrically insulates the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode from each other. A conductor portion is provided on the semiconductor layer, and electrically connected with the semiconductor layer. An interlayer insulating film is provided on the gate electrode such that the conductor portion is electrically insulated from the gate electrode. A buffer insulating film covers a partial region on the conductor portion and the interlayer insulating film, and is made of an insulator. An electrode layer has a wiring portion located on a region from which the conductor portion is exposed, and a pad portion located on the buffer insulating film. Thereby, damage to an IGBT caused when a wire is connected to the pad portion can be suppressed. Further, larger electric power can be handled, while preventing occurrence of breakage due to current concentration.
US08450795B2	Technique for forming the deep doped columns in superjunction A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed and starts with a semiconductor substrate having a heavily doped N region at the bottom main surface and having a lightly doped N region at the top main surface. There are a plurality of trenches in the substrate, with each trench having a first extending portion extending from the top main surface towards the heavily doped region. Each trench has two sidewall surfaces in parallel alignment with each other. A blocking layer is formed on the sidewalls and the bottom of each trench. Then a P type dopant is obliquely implanted into the sidewall surfaces to form P type doped regions. The blocking layer is then removed. The bottom of the trenches is then etched to remove any implanted P type dopants. The implants are diffused and the trenches are filled.
US08450788B2	Three-dimensional microelectronic devices including horizontal and vertical patterns A vertical NAND flash memory device includes a substrate having a face and a string of serially connected flash memory cells on the substrate. A first flash memory cell is adjacent the face, and a last flash memory cell is remote from the face. The flash memory cells include repeating layer patterns that are stacked on the face, and a pillar that extends through the series of repeating layer patterns. The pillar includes at least one oblique wall. At least two of the series of repeating layer patterns in the string are of different thicknesses. Other vertical microelectronic devices and related fabrication methods are also described.
US08450775B2	Method to control source/drain stressor profiles for stress engineering An example embodiment of a strained channel transistor structure comprises the following: a strained channel region comprising a first semiconductor material with a first natural lattice constant; a gate dielectric layer overlying the strained channel region; a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric layer; and a source region and drain region oppositely adjacent to the strained channel region, one or both of the source region and drain region are comprised of a stressor region comprised of a second semiconductor material with a second natural lattice constant different from the first natural lattice constant; the stressor region has a graded concentration of a dopant impurity and/or of a stress inducing molecule. Another example embodiment is a process to form the graded impurity or stress inducing molecule stressor embedded S/D region, whereby the location/profile of the S/D stressor is not defined by the recess depth/profile.
US08450768B2	Semiconductor light-emitting element and process for production thereof The present invention provides a semiconductor light-emitting element comprising an electrode part excellent in ohmic contact and capable of emitting light from the whole surface. An electrode layer placed on the light-extraction side comprises a metal part and plural openings. The metal part is so continuous that any pair of point-positions in the part is continuously connected without breaks, and the metal part in 95% or more of the whole area continues linearly without breaks by the openings in a straight distance of not more than ⅓ of the wavelength of light emitted from an active layer. The average opening diameter is of 10 nm to ⅓ of the wavelength of emitted light. The electrode layer has a thickness of 10 nm to 200 nm, and is in good ohmic contact with a semiconductor layer.
US08450766B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device (10) of the present invention includes: a back electrode (2) as a first electrode and a transparent electrode (3) as a second electrode facing each other, at least one of the back electrode and the transparent electrode having transparency to light; and luminescent particles (4) provided between the back electrode (2) and the transparent electrode (3) and connected electrically to the back electrode (2) and the transparent electrode (3). The back electrode (2) as the first electrode has recesses in a surface thereof facing the transparent electrode (3).
US08450763B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device includes an active layer; at least a portion of the active layer constitutes a gain region. The gain region is continuous from a first end surface and a second end surface. The gain region includes a first portion extending from the first end surface to a first reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first side surface as viewed two-dimensionally; a second portion extending from the second end surface to the second reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first side surface as viewed two-dimensionally; and a third portion extending from the first reflective surface to the second reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first reflective surface as viewed two-dimensionally.
US08450758B2	Light emitting diode device A high-brightness vertical light emitting diode (LED) device having an outwardly located metal electrode. The LED device is formed by: forming the metal electrode on an edge of a surface of a LED epitaxy structure using a deposition method, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), evaporation, electro-plating, or any combination thereof; and then performing a packaging process. The composition of the LED may be a nitride, a phosphide or an arsenide. The LED of the invention has the following advantages: improving current spreading performance, reducing light-absorption of the metal electrode, increasing brightness, increasing efficiency, and thereby improving energy efficiency. The metal electrode is located on the edge of the device and on the light emitting side. The metal electrode has two side walls, among which one side wall can receive more emission light from the device in comparison with the other one.
US08450755B2	Light emitting device Light-emitting elements have a problem that their light-extraction efficiency is low due to scattered light or reflected light inside the light-emitting elements. The light-extraction efficiency of the light-emitting elements needs to be enhanced by a new method. According to the present invention, a light-emitting element includes a first layer generating holes, a second layer including a light-emitting layer for each emission color and a third layer generating electrons between an anode and a cathode, and the thickness of the first layer is different depending on each layer including the light-emitting layer for each emission color. A layer in which an organic compound and a metal oxide are mixed is used as the first layer, and thus, the driving voltage is not increased even when the thickness is increased, which is preferable.
US08450749B2	Light emitting element and manufacturing method thereof A light emitting element includes a substrate, a GaN layer formed on the substrate, a first low refractive index semiconductor layer formed on the GaN layer, and a lighting structure having a high refractive index formed on the first low refractive index semiconductor layer. A second low refractive index semiconductor layer is embedded in the first low refractive index semiconductor layer. The first low refractive index semiconductor layer and the GaN layer exhibit a lattice mismatch therebetween.
US08450746B2	Pixel array substrate and detecting module A pixel array substrate including a substrate and a plurality of pixel structures is provided. Each pixel structure includes a patterned metal layer, an insulating layer, a patterned semiconductor layer and a data line layer. The patterned metal layer includes a gate line and a common electrode line. The patterned semiconductor layer includes a channel layer and a photosensitive resistance layer. The channel layer is disposed above and overlaps a part of the gate line. The data line layer includes a patterned first data line, a second data line and a third data line. The first and the second data lines are coupled to the channel layer and combine with the channel layer and the gate line to compose an active component. The second and the third data lines are coupled to the photosensitive resistance layer and combine with the photosensitive resistance layer to compose a light detecting component.
US08450744B2	High light transmittance in-plane switching liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same The present disclosure relates to a high light transmittance in-plan switching liquid crystal display device and a method for manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a gate line disposed in horizontal direction on the substrate; a gate insulating layer covering the gate line; a data line disposed in vertical direction on the gate insulating layer; an additional insulating layer on the data line having same size and shape with the data line; a passivation layer covering the additional insulating layer; and a common electrode overlapping with the data line on the passivation layer. According to the present disclosure, the failure due to the parasitic capacitance and the load for driving the display panel are reduced and it is possible to make large and high definition display panel.
US08450731B2	Organic electronic circuit A multi-layer film body comprises a plastic substrate strip conveyed in a first direction in a roll-to-roll process for printing electronic organic components on the substrate. A first electrically conducting layer is on the substrate, a semiconductor layer is on the first layer, an insulator layer is on the semiconductor layer and a second electrically conducting layer is on the insulator layer, the layers comprising a first interconnection assembly portion and a second electronic assembly portion successively positioned in the first direction, each portion comprising a central zone and a respective conductor tract input zone and conductor tract output zone bordering the respective central zones, the input, central and output zones of each portion each comprising parallel conductor tracts in the first conducting layer. Electrical connectors in the second conducting layer interconnect selected ones of the conductor tracts in the two portions. Regions of the semiconductor and insulating layers in the second portion are juxtaposed with electrodes formed from the first and second conducting layers in the central zone, forming organic electronic components comprising one or more of transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors. The conductive tracts of the input zone of the first portion and the conductive tracts of the output zone of the second portion form the component inputs and outputs.
US08450726B2	Articles containing coatings of amic acid salts An article includes a flexible or rigid substrate and dry layer comprising an aromatic, non-polymeric amic acid salt that can be thermally converted to a corresponding arylene diimide. Upon conversion of the aromatic, non-polymeric amic acid salt, the dry layer has semiconductive properties and can be used in various devices including thin-film transistor devices.
US08450719B2	Nitride-based light emitting device A nitride-based light emitting device capable of achieving an enhancement in light emission efficiency and an enhancement in reliability is disclosed. The nitride-based light emitting device includes a light emitting layer including a quantum well layer and a quantum barrier layer, and a stress accommodating layer arranged on at least one surface of the quantum well layer of the light emitting layer.
US08450714B2	Semiconductor memory device including variable resistance element or phase-change element According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive line, a second conductive line, a cell unit, a silicon nitride film, and an insulating film. The first conductive line extends in a first direction. The second conductive line extends in a second direction crossing the first direction. The cell unit includes a phase-change film and a diode including a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer. The cell unit is connected in series between the first conductive line and the second conductive line. The silicon nitride film is formed on a side surface of the phase-change film. The insulating film is formed on a side surface of the diode and has a smaller amount of charge trapping than the silicon nitride film.
US08450706B2	Extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus in which only particles having a high transmittance for EUV light adhere to an EUV collector mirror even if fast ions emitted from plasma collide with a structural member in a vacuum chamber, and thereby, the reflectance thereof is not easily degraded. The apparatus includes: a vacuum chamber; a target supply unit for supplying a target to a predetermined position in the vacuum chamber; a driver laser for applying a laser beam to the target to generate the plasma; a collector mirror for collecting and outputting extreme ultraviolet light emitted from the plasma; a collector mirror holder for supporting the collector mirror; and a shielding member formed of a material having a high transmittance for the extreme ultraviolet light, for shielding the structural member such as the collector mirror holder from the ions generated from the plasma.
US08450701B2	Vacuum system cold trap filter A cold trap filter and method is provided for filtering chemical species from a vacuum system of an ion implantation system. A canister is in fluid communication with an exhaust of a high vacuum pump and an intake of a roughing pump used for evacuating an ion source chamber. One or more paddles are positioned within the canister, wherein each paddle has a cooling line in fluid communication with a coolant source. The coolant source passes a coolant through the cooling line, thus cooling the one or more paddles to a predetermined temperature associated with a condensation or deposition point of the chemical species, therein condensing or depositing the chemical species on the paddles while not interfering with a vacuum capacity of the high vacuum and roughing pumps. The paddles can also be electrically biased to electrostatically attract the chemical species to the paddles in one or more biasing steps.
US08450698B2	Multi-stage ion airflow generating device An ion airflow generating device includes a number of generator stages, each of which includes a number of generators. Each generator includes a needle-shaped emitter and a ring-shaped receiver. The receivers in the same stage are arranged in an array. Each receiver defines a groove in an outer circumferential surface thereof along a direction parallel to the central axis thereof. Each two adjacent receivers in a former generator stage connect with each other, and the grooves thereof cooperatively define a hole for holding an emitter in a next generator stage. The receivers in the next generator stage symmetrically offset from the receivers in the former generator stage such that each emitter aligns to the center of a corresponding receiver.
US08450694B2	Stand-alone mini gamma camera including a localization system for intrasurgical use The invention relates to a portable mini gamma camera for intrasurgical use. The inventive camera is based on scintillation crystals and comprises a stand-alone device, i.e. all of the necessary systems have been integrated next to the sensor head and no other system is required. The camera can be hot-swapped to any computer using different types of interface, such as to meet medical grade specifications. The camera can be self-powered, can save energy and enables software and firmware to be updated from the Internet and images to be formed in real time. Any gamma ray detector based on continuous scintillation crystals can be provided with a system for focusing the scintillation light emitted by the gamma ray in order to improve spatial resolution. The invention also relates to novel methods for locating radiation-emitting objects and for measuring physical variables, based on radioactive and laser emission pointers.
US08450693B2	Method and system for fault-tolerant reconstruction of images A method and system for reconstructing an image of an object. The method includes acquiring an image dataset of an object of interest, identifying valid data and invalid data in the image dataset, determining a time period that includes the valid data, weighting the valid data based on the determined time period, and reconstructing an image of the object using the weighted valid data.
US08450690B2	Thermal imager using metamaterials An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting terahertz radiation at room temperature. A detecting pixel includes a sub-wavelength split-ring resonator, and is mechanically coupled to (but thermally decoupled from) a substrate via a cantilever formed from two materials that have a significant mismatch in their thermal expansion coefficients. Incident radiation causes the split-ring resonator to resonate, thereby generating heat that is transferred to the cantilever, causing the cantilever to flex. An optical readout system includes a secondary light source, such as a laser, that shines on a reflective surface on the pixel, whereby a photodiode detects the reflected light and permits calculation of a relative deflection of the pixel in the nanometer range. An exemplary detector has a noise equivalent power rating of approximately 60 pW/√Hz.
US08450689B2	Device and method for measuring thickness of paint film in non-contacting manner A non-contacting type paint film thickness measuring device includes a generating portion for generating a terahertz pulse light, a detecting portion for detecting the terahertz pulse light, a measured wave form in time-series obtaining portion for obtaining a measured wave form indicating an electric field intensity of a terahertz echo pulse light, and an intrinsic wave form in time-series obtaining portion, having an intrinsic electric field spectrum calculating portion and an intrinsic wave form in time-series calculating portion, for calculating an intrinsic wave form in time-series of an object.
US08450680B2	Apparatus and method for processing substrate using neutralized beams including applying a voltage to a substrate support An apparatus and method for processing a substrate using neutralized beams are provided. A substrate processing apparatus includes an ion source generating device configured to form an ion source. An ion extraction device is configured to extract and accelerate ions from the ion source. An ion neutralizing device is configured to convert the ions extracted and accelerated from the ion extraction device into neutralized beams. A remaining portion of the ions extracted and accelerated from the ion extraction device is not converted into the neutralized beams. A substrate support is configured to support a substrate such that the neutralized beams are directed towards the substrate support. A substrate power supply is configured to apply a voltage to the substrate support such that the remaining portion of the ions that is not converted into the neutralized beams is directed away from the substrate support by the applied voltage of the substrate.
US08450679B2	Sensing device using proximity sensor and mobile terminal having the same A mobile terminal includes a sensing device that uses a proximity sensor. The sensing device includes: a proximity sensor sensing approach of an external object; and a lens unit installed on top of the proximity sensor. The lens unit includes: a lens body having a first through-opening through which light emitted from a light emitting unit of the proximity sensor passes and a second through-opening through which light, reflected from the external object and entering into a light receiving unit of the proximity sensor, passes; and a reflective film formed in the lens body to surround edges of the first through-opening and the second through-opening. The lens body and the reflective film are integrated with each other by double injection molding. The lens body and the reflecting film are manufactured in a single body by double injection molding.
US08450678B2	Sensor for use with automatic door having a setting unit for setting whether or not each light emiter should emit light An automatic door sensor includes light-emitters that cyclically emit and project light, and lenses that deflect emitted light in the direction perpendicular to a door opening. Light-receivers receive the projected light through segmented lenses. For each of the light-emitters, a setting unit sets therein whether each light-emitter should emit light. A control unit judges whether a human or an object is present in a surveillance area based on how the light-receivers receive light.
US08450674B2	Acoustic assisted phase conjugate optical tomography A light microscope for imaging a sample containing one or more fluorescent agents, comprising a source for generating acoustic waves that are focused at a focus in the sample, wherein the acoustic waves frequency shift a frequency of light passing through the focus, thereby creating a frequency shifted light beam; at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) positioned to illuminate the sample with an output beam that is an optical phase conjugate of the frequency shifted light beam, wherein the output beam is a reflection of a first reference beam off one or more pixels of the SLM, and the pixels are for modulating the first reference beam to create the output beam; and a detector positioned to detect fluorescence generated by the output beam exciting the fluorescent agents at the focus in the sample, thereby imaging the sample.
US08450670B2	Lighting fixture control systems and methods A lighting fixture system for fluorescent lamps includes one or more fluorescent lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the fluorescent lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more fluorescent lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the fluorescent lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.
US08450661B2	Method of manufacturing heat-generating panel, heat-generating panel manufactured by the same, panel-shaped structure, and heat-generating system A method of manufacturing a heat-generating panel 100 having a configuration in which an electrically-conductive thin layer 120 is provided on at least one surface of a translucent plate 110 and the electrically-conductive thin layer 120 is caused to generate heat by supplying electric power to the same. The method comprises fixing a metal strip 132 onto the electrically-conductive thin layer 120 formed on the plate 110 along each of opposing sides of the plate 110; applying an electrically-conductive paste 134 over each of the metal strips 132 to cover the same; contacting a heat-generating portion 220 of the heating device 200 at edges forming the two sides of the plate 110 where the metal strip 132 is fixed in a state in which a temperature of the heat-generating portion 220 is above a predetermined temperature, the heat-generating portion 220 being longer than at least a full length of the metal strip 132, and curing the electrically-conductive paste 134 to form electrodes having the metal strip and the electrically-conductive paste 134; and connecting a conductor wire 140 electrically to each of the electrodes 130.
US08450660B2	Electrical connection to printed circuits on plastic panels A system for effectively defrosting a plastic window includes a transparent plastic panel, a heater grid having a plurality of grid lines that are integrally formed with the plastic panel, and equalizing means for equalizing the electrical current traveling through each of the grid lines.
US08450658B2	Semiconductor processing apparatus An output-history storing unit stores past and present measurement data input to a measurement-data input unit while distinguishing the measurement data for each of output sources. An output-fluctuation monitoring unit monitors, based on the measurement data stored in the output-history storing unit, output fluctuation in each of the output sources. An output control unit separately controls, based on the output fluctuation monitored by the output-fluctuation monitoring unit, outputs from the output sources.
US08450654B2	Method and apparatus for transferring heat to a surface A heating apparatus is disclosed having a first region containing a heat source and a second region that is separate from and thermally coupled with the first region via an interface element. The heating apparatus also includes a convection deflector disposed within the interior of the first region to direct convective heat towards the interface element. The deflector can have a geometric shaped cross-section with a first side oriented towards the heat source and an opposing second side oriented away from the heat source. The first and second sides are adapted to reflect radiant and convective heat.
US08450631B2	Preserving apparatus for welded joint portion and preserving method therefor A preserving apparatus for preserving welded joint portions 7, 8 by deposit welding on the inner surface of the welded joint portions 7, 8, in which a nozzle 4 and a pipe 5 supported under water are joined, the apparatus having: a seal member 9 that is disposed in front and behind the welded joint portions 7, 8 to be deposit welded within the nozzle 4 and pipe 5, and serves to demarcate and form a closed operation area A within the nozzle 4 and pipe 5; water drainage means 12 for draining the inside of the operation area A demarcated and formed by the seal member 9 and obtaining a gas atmosphere therein; and welding means 13 for deposit welding on the inner surface of the welded joint portions 7, 8 within the operation area A in which the gas atmosphere has been created.
US08450626B2	Press key A press key includes: a circuit module; a keycap disposed above the circuit module; and an elastic member disposed between the circuit module and the keycap, and including a bowl portion and a leg portion. The bowl portion has a width larger than that of the leg portion and includes a top open end facing the keycap, a bottom wall opposite to the top open end, a first contact extending upwardly from the bottom wall to contact the keycap when the keycap is pressed, and a second contact extending downwardly from the bottom wall to contact the circuit module when the keycap is pressed. The leg portion extends downwardly from the bottom wall and surrounds the second contact.
US08450624B2	Supporting substrate and method for fabricating the same The invention provides a supporting substrate and method for fabricating the same. The supporting substrate includes: a substrate; a first surface metal layer formed on the substrate, wherein the first surface metal layer has a first opening; a second surface metal layer formed on the substrate and disposed oppositely to the first surface metal layer, wherein the substrate has a through hole, and the through hole is formed along the first opening to expose the second surface metal layer; a protective layer formed on the first surface metal layer and the second surface metal layer, wherein the protective layer has a second opening which exposes the through hole; and a conductive bump formed in the through hole, the first opening and the second opening, wherein the conductive bump is electrically connected to the second surface metal layer.
US08450623B2	Circuit board A circuit board includes a circuit substrate, a dielectric layer, and a patterned circuit structure. The dielectric layer covers a first surface and at least a first circuit of the circuit substrate. The dielectric layer has a second surface, at least a blind via extending from the second surface to the first circuit, a first intaglio pattern, and a second intaglio pattern. The patterned circuit structure includes at least a second circuit and a plurality of third circuits. The second circuit is disposed in the first intaglio pattern. The third circuits are disposed in the second intaglio pattern and the blind via. Each third circuit has a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a barrier layer. The first conductive layer is located between the barrier layer and the second intaglio pattern and between the barrier layer and the blind via. The second conductive layer covers the barrier layer.
US08450622B2	Multilayer wiring substrate and method of manufacturing the same A multilayer wiring substrate includes first principal surface side connection terminals arranged on a first principal surface of a stacked configuration; wherein, the first principal surface side connection terminals include an IC chip connection terminal, and a passive element connection terminal; the IC chip connection terminal is located in an opening formed in a resin insulating layer of an uppermost outer layer; the passive element connection terminal is formed of an upper terminal part formed on the resin insulating layer, and a lower terminal part located in an opening formed at a portion of an inner side of the upper terminal part in the resin insulating layer; and, wherein an upper face of the upper terminal part is higher than a reference surface, and an upper face of the IC chip connection terminal and the lower terminal part are identical in height to or lower in height than the reference surface.
US08450617B2	Multilayer wiring substrate A multilayer wiring substrate has a main face and a back face, and a configuration in which a plurality of resin insulation layers and a plurality of conductor layers are laminated. A plurality of conductor layers provided on the side toward the back face in relation to a resin insulation layer serving as a center layer are formed such that the average of their area ratios becomes greater than the average of area ratios of a plurality of conductor layers provided on the side toward the main face in relation to the center layer. A plurality of resin insulation layers provided on the side toward the back face are formed such that the average of their thicknesses becomes greater than the average of thicknesses of a plurality of resin insulation layers provided on the side toward the main face.
US08450608B2	Electrical junction box An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical junction box having a new structure that can restrain noises from leaking through a support member and can advantageously secure a fixing strength onto the support member in the electrical junction box fixed on a support member by inserting an arm section projecting from a box main body into an attaching aperture in the support member. An arm section is loosely inserted into a support member. The arm section is provided on its extending distal end with an engaging portion that is pushed through an attaching aperture in the support member into an interior of the support member to be engaged with a rear surface of the support member. The arm section is integrally provided with a first wall portion opposed through the support member to the engaging portion. The first wall portion covers the attaching aperture.
US08450603B2	Solar cell concentrator In this presentation, we have shown new methods, devices, and systems, to concentrate the light for the solar cells, using refractive index variations, light funnels, liquid crystals, and other methods and materials. We have shown various methods for enhancing the solar cell efficiency. We have given many variations for each application.
US08450598B2	Method and structure for providing a uniform micron/sub-micron gap separation within micro-gap thermophotovoltaic devices for the generation of electrical power A near-field energy conversion method, utilizing a sub-micrometer “near-field” gap between juxtaposed infrared radiation receiver and emitter surfaces, wherein compliant membrane structures, preferably fluid-filled, are interposed in the structure for maintaining uniform gap separation. Thermally resistant gap spacers are also used to maintain uniform gap separation. Means are provided for cooling a receiver substrate structure and for conducting heat to an emitter substrate structure. The gap may also be evacuated for more effective operation.
US08450593B2	Stringed instrument with active string termination motion control A system for controlling for at least one string of a musical instrument by selectively exciting or damping vibration of the string is provided. The system includes at least one transducer configured to sense a lateral vibration of the string and/or to apply an actuating force to the string. A controller is configured to determine an actuating signal for driving the actuator to apply a longitudinal actuating force to the string at a termination point of the string. The longitudinal actuating force are operable to modulate a tension of the string that increases and/or damps the lateral vibration and/or selected harmonics thereof.
US08450585B2	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV234930 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV234930. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV234930, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV234930 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV234930 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV234930.
US08450583B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH637374 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH637374. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH637374, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH637374 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH637374.
US08450581B2	Inbred corn line PH8BC A novel inbred maize line designated PH8BC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize line PH8BC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH8BC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred line PH8BC or an introgressed trait conversion of PH8BC with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH8BC, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH8BC and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08450576B1	Soybean cultivar 03002101 A soybean cultivar designated 03002101 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 03002101, to the plants of soybean cultivar 03002101, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 03002101, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 03002101. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 03002101. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 03002101, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 03002101 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450570B2	Soybean variety A1023833 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023833. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023833. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023833 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023833 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08450569B2	Soybean variety A1024227 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024227. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024227. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024227 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024227 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08450563B2	Lettuce cultivar jemez A lettuce cultivar, designated Jemez, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Jemez, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Jemez and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Jemez with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Jemez, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Jemez and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Jemez with another lettuce cultivar.
US08450561B2	Corn plant event MON87460 and compositions and methods for detection thereof The present invention provides a transgenic corn even MON87460, and cells, seeds, and plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the corn event. The invention also provides compositions comprising nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for MON87460 in a sample, methods for detecting the presence of MON87460 event polynucliotides in a sample, and probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of MON87460 in a sample. The present invention also provides methods of breeding with MON87460 to produce water deficit tolerance corn plants.
US08450559B2	Nucleic and amino acid sequences for the control of pathogen agents The present invention reveals a nucleic acid sequence from Nicotiana megalosiphon encoding for an anti-pathogenic protein. The invention comprises the use of this nucleic acid molecule in transgenic plants of agricultural interest to confer resistance to pathogens. The invention also includes a bioproduct that comprises this anti-pathogenic protein to control plant pathogen agents.
US08450555B2	Stretchable absorbent article An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.
US08450551B2	Method for producing propylene The present invention provides in a method for producing propylene from a hydrocarbon raw material containing ethylene in an amount exceeding 50% by mass under the co-existence of water, a method for producing propylene stably over a long term from ethylene in a high yield and with the reaction/regeneration repeated. A method for producing propylene includes a step for catalytically converting a hydrocarbon raw material containing ethylene in an amount exceeding 50% by mass with a zeolite-containing catalyst while supplying water, wherein a zeolite contained in the zeolite-containing catalyst satisfies (1) to (3) shown below; (1) the zeolite is an MFI zeolite, (2) a zeolite crystallization index obtained from an X-ray diffraction spectrum is 3.3 or more, and (3) a molar ratio of silica/alumina (SiO2/Al2O3) is 20 to 300.
US08450545B2	Process for converting an oxygenated feed to high octane gasoline A process of modifying a zeolite catalyst to produce a modified zeolite catalyst wherein the modified zeolite catalyst has blocked pore sites. An oxygenated feed is flowed over the modified zeolite catalyst, wherein the oxygenated feed comprises hydrocarbons, methanol and dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof. The hydrocarbons, methanol and dimethyl ether in the oxygenated feed react with the modified zeolite catalyst to produce cyclic hydrocarbons, wherein the cyclic hydrocarbons produced has less than 10% durene and a median carbon number is C8.
US08450538B2	Hydrocarbon composition A hydrocarbon composition is described herein. The hydrocarbon composition has a relatively low viscosity and a relatively low oxygen content while having a relatively high vanadium, nickel, and iron metals content, and a relatively high distillate, residue, and micro-carbon residue content.
US08450528B2	Process for the preparation of 2,2-difluoroethylamine starting from a benzylamine compound Process for the preparation of 2,2-difluoroethylamine of the formula (I) CHF2CH2NH2 (I) comprising the stages (i) and (ii): stage (i): reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-haloethane of the general formula (II) CHF2—CH2Hal (II), with a benzylamine compound of the formula (III) in the presence of an acid scavenger, in which, in formula (II), Hal is chlorine, bromine or iodine, and, in the formulae (III), R1 is hydrogen or C1-C12-alkyl, and R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C12-alkyl or C1-C6-alkoxy; stage (ii): catalytic hydrogenation of the N-benzyl-2,2-difluoroethanamine compound obtained in the stage (i) to give 2,2-difluoroethylamine of the formula (I) or a salt thereof.
US08450522B2	Conformationally constrained carboxylic acid derivatives useful for treating metabolic disorders The present invention provides compounds useful, for example, for treating metabolic disorders in a subject. Such compounds have the general formula I or the general formula III: where the definitions of the variables are provided herein. The present invention also provides compositions that include, and methods for using, the compounds in preparing medicaments and for treating metabolic disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes.
US08450511B1	Anhydrous chromium(III) halide complex preparation This disclosure provides a process for preparing an anhydrous chromium(III) halide complex, comprising contacting a chromium(III) halide hydrate, a water absorption agent, and a coordinating solvent, L, and forming a chromium(III) halide complex having the formula CrX3.mL, wherein X is a halide and m is the number of moles of L per mole of chromium. This process is exemplified in the preparation of the substantially anhydrous or anhydrous CrCl3(THF)3, the process comprising contacting CrCl3.6H2O, tetrahydrofuran, and 3 Å, 4 Å, 5 Å, 10×, or 13× molecular sieves; forming CrCl3(THF)3; and isolating the CrCl3(THF)3 having a water content of less than or equal to 100 ppm.
US08450495B2	11C-labeled benzophenone/benzoxazole analogues as an inflammation imaging agent A method of preparing novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues is provided. The present invention also provides novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues prepared from the GMP synthesis method. Kit claims for preparing novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues and a method of use thereof are also provided.
US08450493B2	Spiro phosphine-oxazoline, preparation method and application thereof The present invention belongs to a spiro phosphine-oxazoline and preparation method and application thereof, particularly, publishes a novel spiro phosphine-oxazoline and the preparation method of its iridium complex. The substituted 7-diaryl phosphino-7′-carboxy-1,1′-Lo-dihydro-indene is used as the starting raw material to synthesize the novel spiro phosphine-oxazoline of the present invention through a two-step reaction. The novel spiro phosphine-oxazoline and the iridium precursor are complexed to become a complex, and then through ion exchange, an iridium/phosphine spiro-oxazoline complex with different anions can be obtained. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the existing technology. The cheap readily available amino alcohol is used as the raw material to synthesize the novel spiro phosphine-oxazoline, on the fourth position of the oxazoline ring of which there is no substitutent. The iridium complex of this novel spiro phosphine-oxazoline can catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of α-substituted acrylic acid, and shows very high activity and enantioselectivity, therefore has a very high research value and an industrialization prospect.
US08450486B2	6-alkenyl and 6-phenylalkyl substituted 2-quinolinones and 2-quinoxalinones as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) and compounds of formula (VII-a) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and their use as PARP inhibitors wherein n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Re, Rd and X have defined meanings.
US08450477B2	Process for the manufacture of bridged monobactam intermediates A process for manufacturing a compound of Formula (I) which has cis-conformation and wherein R1 represents a 1-phenyl-C1-C4alkyl or 1-naphthyl-C1-C4alkyl group, wherein the phenyl or naphthyl moiety of R1 is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C1-C4alkoxy groups and the carbon atoms in 2-, 3-, and/or 4-position of the alkyl part of R1 are, independently of the phenyl or naphthyl moiety of R1 and independently of one another, unsubstituted or substituted with C1-C4alkoxy and/or silyloxy or, preferably, are unsubstituted or substituted with one C1-C4alkoxy group and/or silyloxy group per carbon atom, and R2 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group, in which process a compound of Formula (II) wherein R3 represents a C1-C6alkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group, and R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I); is treated with a base at a temperature of 0° C. or less in a liquid aprotic solvent for a time period sufficient to obtain the compound of formula (I).
US08450475B2	Hyaluronic acid-based gels including lidocaine Disclosed herein are soft tissue fillers, for example, dermal and subdermal fillers, based on hyaluronic acids and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In one aspect, hyaluronic acid-based compositions described herein include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anesthetic agent, for example, lidocaine. The present hyaluronic acid-based compositions including lidocaine have an enhanced stability, relative to conventional compositions including lidocaine, for example when subjected to sterilization techniques or when stored for long periods of time. Methods and processes of preparing such hyaluronic acid-based compositions are also provided.
US08450473B2	Compositions and methods for therapy of macular degeneration Provided are compositions and methods for therapy of macular degeneration including dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD), juvenile macular degenerations (JMDs) where toxic retinoids are known to accumulate as part of the pathogenesis, such as Stargardt disease, and Best disease, and neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration. The method entails administering to an individual in need of therapy for macular degeneration a first polynucleotide that can facilitate a reduction in the amount of rod opsin (RHO) mRNA in the individual; or a second polynucleotide that can facilitate a reduction in the amount of RPE65 mRNA in the individual; or a combination thereof. The polynucleotides of the invention are hammerhead ribozymes or shRNAs. The polynucleotides target a sequence in RHO mRNA or RPE65 mRNA and facilitate reduction in the target mRNA via ribozymatic cleavage of the target, or by hybridization to the target, which leads to RNAi mediated degradation of the target mRNA.
US08450459B2	IL-21 derivatives and variants The invention provides derivatives of IL-21 or variants thereof, methods of producing such variants, new variants of IL-21, and various methods of using such molecules.
US08450453B2	Process for isolation of fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch The invention relates to a process for recovering fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch, said process comprising a) saponifying the tall oil pitch with an alkali to hydrolyse esters included in the pitch to free alcohols and organic acids in salt form, b) acidulating the saponified pitch with a mineral acid to convert the organic acids in salt form into free organic acids and to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, e) evaporation fractionating the distillate to obtain a bottom fraction rich in sterols, and a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, and f) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich bottom fraction to crystallization purification. The invention also relates to an alternative process including steps a) to c) followed by d1) treating the organic phase with an alkali to destroy excess mineral acid used for acidulating the saponified pitch, e1) evaporation fractionating the alkali-treated organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids and a bottom fraction rich in sterols, f1) evaporation fractionating the bottom fraction to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, and g1) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich distillate to crystallization purification.
US08450451B2	Epoxy resin curing agent for enhanced wear resistance and weatherability of cured materials Hardener for curing of epoxy resins which produces materials with high abrasion resistance, photostability and chemical resistance, comprising a sol prepared by controlled hydrolysis and condensation of compounds of the type: (X—B—)nSi(—Y)4-n where n=1 or 2, X═SH, —N═C═O, or NR1R2, R1, R2 being chosen from hydrogen, saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted aryl, formyl, aliphatic or aromatic carbonyl, carbamoyl, sulphonyl, sulphoxyl, phosphonyl, sulphinyl, phosphinyl, while the carbon chains of said compounds may include one or more of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon and boron, and/or may include one or more hydrolysable silane units, or R1, R2 are chosen from condensation products or addition products of one or more types or chemical compounds such as acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes or epoxides; B is a spacing group chosen from saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkylene, substituted or nonsubstituted arylene, while the carbon chains of the stated compounds may optionally include one or more of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon and boron; and Y is chosen from hydrolisable groups such as alkoxy, carboxyl, and halogen.
US08450438B2	High temperature polyethylene solution polymerization process Metal complexes of polyvalent aryloxyethers appropriately substituted with sterically bulky substituents possess enhanced solubility in aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons and/or when employed as catalyst components for the polymerization of ethylene/α-olefin copolymers, produce products having reduced I10/I2 values.
US08450427B2	Living radical polymerization of activated and nonactivated monomers containing electron-withdrawing side groups The invention concerns a method of polymerizing an alkene monomer to produce a polymer using a catalyst that is Cu(O), Cu2Te, CuSe, Cu2S, Cu2O, or a combination thereof, an initiator, and a component comprising a solvent and optional nitrogen-containing ligand, where the combination of the component and monomer is capable of diproportionating Cu(I)X into Cu(O) and Cu(II)X2 where X is Cl, Br, or I.
US08450420B2	Polylactic acid-containing resin compositions A polylactic acid-containing resin composition that include (a) a polylactic acid and (b) a (meth)acrylic copolymer having a molecular weight in excess of 30,000 and that is the reaction product of a monomer mixture including a methyl (meth)acrylate (i) and a (meth)acrylic acid ester (ii) that is different than the methyl (meth)acrylate (i). The (meth)acrylic acid ester (ii) is represented by any one of formula (I): CH2═C(R1)—COO—R2 formula (II): CH2═C(R1)—COO—(CH2CH2O)m—R3, or formula (III): CH2═C(R1)—COO—(CH2CH2O)n-Ph. A method for preparing the (meth)acrylic copolymer is also provided as well as articles formed from polylactic acid-containing resin compositions.
US08450414B2	Glycerol ester-free functionalized vegetable oil derivatives and their latex compounds The present invention is directed to a fatty amide (meth)acrylate monomer, methods of making the monomer, and latex polymers comprising the fatty amide (meth)acrylate monomer. The monomers are derived by reacting unsaturated vegetable oils with ethanolamine or substituted ethanolamine. The vegetable oil derivative is then reacted with either (meth)acryloyl chloride or (meth)acrylic acid to form a fatty amide (meth)acrylate monomer or the product of the reaction of hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate reacted with isophorone diisocyanate to form a urethane fatty amide (meth)acrylate monomer. The increased hydrophilicity of the fatty amide (meth)acrylate monomer facilitates the diffusion through the aqueous phase. The monomer synthesis is designed to be glycerol ester-free to increase long term stability for monomers and polymers.
US08450403B2	Branched polycarbonate resin composition, and branched polycarbonate resin and molded product made using the same Disclosed are a branched polycarbonate resin composition that includes: (A) a polycarbonate resin; (B) a polymer including a reactive group being capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group; and (C) an ionic compound including an alkali metal ion, organic cation, or a combination thereof, and a branched polycarbonate resin and a molded product using the same.
US08450387B2	Biomedical devices containing internal wetting agents This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.
US08450383B2	Extruded polymer foams containing esters of a sugar and a brominated fatty acid as a flame retardant additive An ester of a sugar and a brominated fatty acid is a useful FR additive for combustible polymers. The brominated FR additives unexpectedly are stable at the extrusion temperatures, and provide excellent flame retardancy to the combustible polymers.
US08450378B2	Antiviral method This invention provides a method of inactivating human noroviruses and other acid stable viruses. The method includes the step of contacting the virus with a virucidally-enhanced alcoholic composition that includes an alcohol, and an enhancer selected from cationic oligomers and polymers, chaotropic agents, and mixtures thereof.
US08450375B2	Stabilized compositions of volatile alkylating agents and methods of using thereof A composition and method for treatment of cancer. The composition for treating a skin disorder, comprising: a Nitrogen Mustard or an HX salt of the Nitrogen Mustard, wherein the Nitrogen Mustard or the HX salt of the Nitrogen Mustard is in a non-aqueous vehicle or carrier that does not include petrolatum or ethanol, wherein the non-aqueous vehicle or carrier that does not include petrolatum or ethanol does not include petrolatum or ethanol. The method comprises topically applying the composition of a Nitrogen Mustard or a HX salt of the Nitrogen Mustard to the affected skin, wherein the Nitrogen Mustard or the HX salt of the Nitrogen Mustard is in a non-aqueous vehicle or carrier that does not include petrolatum or ethanol, wherein the non-aqueous vehicle or carrier does not include petrolatum or ethanol.
US08450359B2	Polymer-supported photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen A material comprising at least one polymer and at least one sensitizer wherein the sensitizer is localised at a surface of the material wherein the sensitizer is an agent or compound able to provide improved anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral activity following exposure of the sensitizer to a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
US08450357B2	Compositions comprising an aryl pyrazole and/or a formamidine, methods and uses thereof This invention relates to compositions for combating parasites in animals, comprising 1-arylpyrazole compounds alone or in combination with formamidine compounds. This invention also provides for an improved methods for eradicating, controlling, and preventing parasite infestation in an animal comprising administering the compositions of the invention to the animal in need thereof.
US08450347B2	Composition for relieving discomfort The invention relates to a method of controlling feelings of pain in infants or diseased or elderly persons using a complete nutrition or a nutritional supplement. The method comprises administering increased levels of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 or their functional equivalents.
US08450346B2	Azetidine derivatives as FAAH inhibitors Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, (FAAH), and which are useful in the treatment of diseases or medical conditions which benefit from inhibition of FAAH activity, such as anxiety, depression pain, inflammation, and eating, sleep, neurodegenerative and movement disorders: Formula (I) Wherein Ar1 is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl having 5 or 6 ring atoms; Ar2 is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted monocyclic heteroaryl having 5 or 6 ring atoms or optionally substituted fused bicyclic heteroaryl having 5 or 6 ring atoms in each fused ring; and Ar3 is a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted phenylene and optionally substituted monocyclic heteroarylene radicals having 5 or 6 ring atoms.
US08450344B2	Beta- and gamma-amino-isoquinoline amide compounds and substituted benzamide compounds Disclosed are beta and gamma-amino isoquinoline amide compounds and substituted benzamide compounds. In particular, the invention provides compounds that affect the function of kinases in a cell and that are useful as therapeutic agents or with therapeutic agents. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions including eye diseases such as glaucoma, cardiovascular diseases, and diseases characterized by abnormal growth, such as cancers. The invention further provides compositions containing the beta or gamma-amino isoquinoline amide compounds or substituted benzamide compounds.
US08450337B2	Methods of treating skin disorders with caffeic acid analogs Embodiments of the invention generally relate to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one caffeic acid compound and methods for the topical treatment of proliferative and inflammatory skin disorders such as plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other disorders. In some embodiments, the topical treatment includes applications of the pharmaceutical composition containing at least one caffeic acid compound or a mixture of caffeic acid compounds such as caffeic acid ester compounds, caffeic acid amide compounds, analogues thereof, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. The pharmaceutical composition or topical dosage may contain the caffeic acid compound at a concentration by weight within a range from about 0.01% to about 20%, preferably, from about 0.1% to about 15%, preferably, from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably, from about 3% to about 7%, and more preferably, from about 4% to about 6%.
US08450332B2	LIMK2 inhibitors, compositions comprising them, and methods of their use Inhibitors of LIM kinase 2 are disclosed, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of their use. Particular compounds are of the formula:
US08450315B2	Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor compounds and methods of use Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia and Ib for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08450312B2	Micronized tanaproget, compositions, and methods of preparing the same The present invention provides compositions, desirably pharmaceutical compositions, containing micronized tanaproget. The compositions can also contain microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, micronized edetate calcium disodium hydrous, and micronized sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate. The compositions are useful in contraception and hormone replacement therapy and in the treatment and/or prevention of uterine myometrial fibroids, benign prostatic hypertrophy, benign and malignant neoplastic disease, dysfunctional bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the pituitary, endometrium, kidney, ovary, breast, colon, and prostate and other hormone-dependent tumors, and in the preparation of medicaments useful therefor. Additional uses include stimulation of food intake.
US08450310B2	Isoxazole compounds as inhibitors of heat shock proteins Isoxazoles of formula (A) or (B) wherein R1 is a group of formula (IB) The isoxazoles are inhibitors of HSP90 activity, and useful for the treatment of, for example, cancers.
US08450309B2	Arthroscopic irrigation solution and method for peripheral vasoconstriction and inhibition of pain and inflammation A method and solution for perioperatively inhibiting a variety of pain and inflammation processes during arthroscopic procedures. The solution preferably includes a vasoconstrictor that exhibits alpha-adrenergic activity and one or more additional pain and inflammation inhibitory agents at dilute concentration in a physiologic carrier, such as saline or lactated Ringer's solution. The solution is applied by continuous irrigation of a wound during a surgical procedure for peripheral vasoconstriction and inhibition of pain and/or inflammation while avoiding undesirable side effects associated with systemic application of larger doses of the agents.
US08450301B2	Piperazine compounds with a herbicidal action The invention relates to the use of piperazine compounds of formula (I) or the agriculturally useful salts of piperazine compounds of formula (I) as herbicides, the variables in formula (I) being defined as cited in the claims and the description.
US08450300B2	Fusidic acid dosing regimens for treatment of bacterial infections Novel dosing regimens for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections using fusidic acid are described. The use of a high loading dose of fusidic acid, followed by moderate maintenance doses of the drug, have been found to prevent development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria, to increase the effective spectrum of the drug, and to avoid nausea and vomiting associated with a prolonged course of therapy of high amounts of the drug.
US08450299B2	Methods of hormonal treatment utilizing ascending-dose extended cycle regimens The present invention provides ascending-dose extended cycle regimens in which a female is administered an estrogen and a progestin for a period of greater than 30 or 31 consecutive days, optionally followed by a hormone-free period or by a period of administration of estrogen. The disclosed regimens can be administered to a female to provide contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits.
US08450297B2	Rapid two-step synthesis of anti-coagulants The present invention provides methods for the production of N-deacetylate N-sulfate derivatives of non-sulfated N-acetyl heparosan (HS) polysaccharides, compounds thus obtained and compositions comprising same. This invention also provides applications of N-deacetylate N-sulfate derivatives of non-sulfated N-acetyl heparosan (HS) polysaccharides, and compositions comprising same, for use in controlling coagulation and treating thrombosis.
US08450293B2	Synthesis and characterization of C8 analogs of c-di-GMP The invention provides analogs cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) having different substituents at the guanine C8 position.
US08450290B2	Methods for treating androgen receptor dependent disorders including cancers The invention provides the combination use of antisense oligomers targeting androgen receptor mRNA and androgen receptor binding inhibitors that reduce androgen receptor activity for the treatment of androgen receptor related medical disorders, such as cancers, particularly prostate cancers and breast cancers.
US08450281B2	Non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin for treatment of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy The present invention relates to the use of a nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporin A derivative for reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and the rate of apoptosis of muscle cells of patients diagnosed with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy or Bethlem myopathy.
US08450279B2	Cell permeable Nm23 recombinant proteins, polynucleotides encoding the same, and anti-metastatic composition comprising the same The present invention discloses cell permeable Nm23 recombinant proteins where a macromolecule transduction domain (MTD) is fused to a metastasis suppressor Nm23. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the cell permeable Nm23 recombinant proteins, an expression vector containing the cell permeable Nm23 recombinant protein, and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing metastasis which contains the cell permeable Nm23 recombinant protein as an effective ingredient. The cell permeable Nm23 recombinant proteins of the present invention can induce KSR phosphorylation and inactivation and inhibit Ras-mediated MAPK cascade by efficiently introducing a metastasis suppressor Nm23 into a cell. Therefore, the cell permeable Nm23 recombinant proteins of the present invention can be effectively used as an anti-metastatic agent capable of preventing cancer metastasis by inhibiting the proliferation, differentiation and migration of cancer cells.
US08450270B2	Glucagon analogs exhibiting enhanced solubility and stability in physiological pH buffers Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having improved solubility and/or half-life while retaining glucagon agonist activity. The glycogen peptides have been modified by substitution of native amino acids with, and/or addition of, charged amino acids to the carboxy terminus of the peptide. The modified glucagon agonists can be further modified by pegylation, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 23, or both to further enhance the solubility of the glucagon agonist analogs.
US08450259B2	Benefit agent delivery compositions Benefit agent delivery compositions, compositions, packaged products and displays comprising such benefit agent delivery compositions, and processes for making and using such benefit agent delivery compositions, compositions, packaged products and displays. Such compositions have improved deposition and retention properties that may impart improved benefit characteristics to a composition and/or situs.
US08450240B2	Reversible thermosensitive recording medium and method for producing the same A reversible thermosensitive recording medium including a reversible thermosensitive recording layer, a first sheet-shaped base provided adjacent to the reversible thermosensitive recording layer, an electronic information recording module containing a module substrate, and a convex-shaped electronic information recording element and an antenna circuit both disposed on the module substrate, and a first resin layer for bonding the first sheet-shaped base and the electronic information recording module, wherein the first sheet-shaped base has a concave portion on a surface opposite to a surface on which the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is formed, and the electronic information recording element is inserted into the concave portion of the first sheet-shaped base.
US08450235B2	Supported composite particle material, production process of same and process for producing compounds using supported composite particle material as catalyst for chemical synthesis A supported composite particle material comprises: a composite particle formed of an oxidized nickel and X (wherein X represents at least one of elements selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, gold, silver and copper); and a support on which the composite particle is supported, the supported composite particle material having a supported layer in which the composite particle is localized.
US08450233B2	Process for obtaining catalyst composites comprising MeAPO and their use in conversion of organics to olefins The present invention relates to a mixture comprising 0.01 to 30% by weight of at least one medium or large pore crystalline silicoaluminate, silicoaluminophosphate materials or silicoaluminate mesoporous molecular sieves (co-catalyst) (A) and respectively 99.99 to 70% by weight of at least a MeAPO molecular sieve. The present invention also relates to catalysts consisting of the above mixture or comprising the above mixture. The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “XTO process”) for making an olefin product from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, wherein said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock is contacted with the above catalyst (in the XTO reactor) under conditions effective to convert the oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock to olefin products (the XTO reactor effluent). The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “combined XTO and OCP process”) to make light olefins from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: contacting said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the XTO reactor with the above catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to form an XTO reactor effluent comprising light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; separating said light olefins from said heavy hydrocarbon fraction; and contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction in the OCP reactor at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to light olefins.
US08450225B2	Structural composite material with improved acoustic and vibrational damping properties A composite material comprises a nonwoven layer having a viscoelastic interleaf, which may be positioned mid-ply therein.
US08450212B2	Method of reducing critical dimension process bias differences between narrow and wide damascene wires A method including forming an organic polymer layer (OPL) on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer having a first opening and a second opening over the OPL, the second opening wider than the first opening; performing a first reactive ion etch (RIE) to form a first trench and a second trench in the organic layer, the second trench wider than the first trench, the first trench extending into but not through the organic polymer layer, the second trench extending through the OPL to the substrate, the first RIE forming a first polymer layer on sidewalls of the first trench and a second polymer layer on sidewalls of the second trench, the second polymer layer thicker than the first polymer layer; and performing a second RIE to extend the first trench through the OPL to the substrate, the second RIE removing the second polymer layer from sidewalls of the second trench.
US08450206B2	Method of forming a semiconductor device including a stress buffer material formed above a low-k metallization system A bump structure or pillar structure formed above a metallization system of a complex semiconductor device may include a stress buffer layer, which may efficiently distribute the resulting mechanical stress which may typically occur during the chip package interaction due to a thermal mismatch of these components. The stress buffer layer comprises copper-based buffer regions that cover a significant portion of the overall surface, wherein a thickness of approximately 3-10 μm may also be used. Moreover, the buffer regions may efficiently replace aluminum as a terminal metal active region.
US08450204B2	Structure and process for metallization in high aspect ratio features A high aspect ratio metallization structure is provided in which a noble metal-containing material is present at least within a lower portion of a contact opening located in a dielectric material and is in direct contact with a metal semiconductor alloy located on an upper surface of a material stack of at least one semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the noble metal-containing material is plug located within the lower region of the contact opening and an upper region of the contact opening includes a conductive metal-containing material. The conductive metal-containing material is separated from plug of noble metal-containing material by a bottom walled portion of a U-shaped diffusion barrier. In another embodiment, the noble metal-containing material is present throughout the entire contact opening.
US08450203B2	Bumping process and structure thereof A bumping process comprises steps of forming a metal layer with copper on a substrate, and the metal layer with copper comprises a plurality of first zones and second zones; forming a photoresist layer on the metal layer with copper; patterning the photoresist layer to form a plurality of openings; forming a plurality of copper bumps within the openings, each of the copper bumps covers the first zones and comprises a first top surface; forming a connection layer on the first top surface; removing the photoresist layer; removing the second zones and enabling each of the first zones to form an under bump metallurgy layer, wherein the under bump metallurgy layer, the copper bump, and the connection layer possess their corresponded peripheral walls, and covering sections of a first protective layer formed on the connection layer may cover those peripheral walls to prevent ionization phenomenon.
US08450200B2	Method for stacked contact with low aspect ratio A method for an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a first dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer; forming a second dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer; and forming a contact plug with an upper portion substantially in the second dielectric layer and a lower portion substantially in the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is electrically connected to a metal line in the metallization layer. The contact plug is discontinuous at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion.
US08450196B2	Production of an integrated circuit including electrical contact on SiC Production of an integrated circuit including an electrical contact on SiC is disclosed. One embodiment provides for production of an electrical contact on an SiC substrate, in which a conductive contact is produced on a boundary surface of the SiC substrate by irradiation and absorption of a laser pulse on an SiC substrate.
US08450191B2	Polysilicon films by HDP-CVD Methods of forming polysilicon layers are described. The methods include forming a high-density plasma from a silicon precursor in a substrate processing region containing the deposition substrate. The described methods produce polycrystalline films at reduced substrate temperature (e.g. <500° C.) relative to prior art techniques. The availability of a bias plasma power adjustment further enables adjustment of conformality of the formed polysilicon layer. When dopants are included in the high density plasma, they may be incorporated into the polysilicon layer in such a way that they do not require a separate activation step.
US08450184B2	Thin substrate fabrication using stress-induced spalling Manufacturing a thin film direct bandgap semiconductor active solar cell device comprises providing a source substrate having a surface and disposing on the surface a stress layer having a stress layer surface area in contact with and bonded to the surface of the source substrate. Operatively associating a handle foil with the stress layer and applying force to the handle foil separates the stress layer from the source substrate, and leaves a portion of the source substrate on the stress layer surface substantially corresponding to the area in contact with the surface of the source substrate. The portion is less thick than the source layer. The stress layer thickness is below that which results in spontaneous spalling of the source substrate. The source substrate may comprise an inorganic single crystal or polycrystalline material such as Si, Ge, GaAs, SiC, sapphire, or GaN. The stress layer may comprise a flexible material.
US08450183B2	Power semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a power semiconductor device according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) forming a silicon nitride film on a semiconductor substrate; (b) after the step (a), forming a ring-shaped trench along a peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate 6; (c) forming a first silicon oxide film on an inner surface of the trench; (d) after the step (c), forming a second silicon oxide film on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate to bury the trench; (e) planarizing the second silicon oxide film by using the silicon nitride film as a stopper; and (f) forming a third silicon oxide film in a region in which the silicon nitride film is removed.
US08450178B2	Borderless contacts for semiconductor devices In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method (e.g., to fabricate a semiconductor device having a borderless contact) including: forming a first gate structure on a substrate; depositing an interlevel dielectric over the first gate structure; planarizing the interlevel dielectric to expose a top surface of the first gate structure; removing at least a portion of the first gate structure; forming a second gate structure in place of the first gate structure; forming a contact area for the borderless contact by removing a portion of the interlevel dielectric; and forming the borderless contact by filling the contact area with a metal-containing material.
US08450168B2	Ferro-electric capacitor modules, methods of manufacture and design structures Ferro-electric capacitor modules, methods of manufacture and design structures. The method of manufacturing the ferro-electric capacitor includes forming a barrier layer on an insulator layer of a CMOS structure. The method further includes forming a top plate and a bottom plate over the barrier layer. The method further includes forming a ferro-electric material between the top plate and the bottom plate. The method further includes encapsulating the barrier layer, top plate, bottom plate and ferro-electric material with an encapsulating material. The method further includes forming contacts to the top plate and bottom plate, through the encapsulating material. At least the contact to the top plate and a contact to a diffusion of the CMOS structure are in electrical connection through a common wire.
US08450163B2	Semiconductor device comprising metal gates and semiconductor resistors formed on the basis of a replacement gate approach In a replacement gate approach, the semiconductor material or at least a significant portion thereof in a non-transistor structure, such as a precision resistor, an electronic fuse and the like, may be preserved upon replacing the semiconductor material in the gate electrode structures. To this end, an appropriate dielectric material may be provided at least prior to the removal of the semiconductor material in the gate electrode structures, without requiring significant modifications of established replacement gate approaches.
US08450161B2	Method of fabricating a sealing structure for high-k metal gate The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate and a transistor formed in the substrate. The transistor includes a gate stack having a high-k dielectric and metal gate, a sealing layer formed on sidewalls of the gate stack, the sealing layer having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge interfacing with the sidewall of the gate stack, a spacer formed on the outer edge of the sealing layer, and a source/drain region formed on each side of the gate stack, the source/drain region including a lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region that is aligned with the outer edge of the sealing layer.
US08450157B2	Methods of manufacturing master, pixel array substrate and electro-optical device A master having a substrate including displaying units and an ESD protection structure including an adjacent first region and a second region is provided. The displaying units have a predetermined-cutting region therebetween. Each displaying unit includes a peripheral circuit region and a display region having pixels. The ESD protection structure disposed on the predetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheral circuit region, and connecting the display region includes a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the first region and having an end away from the predetermined-cutting region, a first patterned dielectric layer disposed on the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate and having a first opening exposing a portion of the first patterned conductive layer, a patterned transparent conductive layer disposed corresponding to the predetermined-cutting region and connecting the first patterned conductive layer, and a second patterned dielectric layer covering the patterned transparent conductive layer and the substrate.
US08450154B2	Oxide based memory with a controlled oxygen vacancy conduction path Methods, devices, and systems associated with oxide based memory can include a method of forming an oxide based memory cell. Forming an oxide based memory cell can include forming a first conductive element, forming a substoichiometric oxide over the first conductive element, forming a second conductive element over the substoichiometric oxide, and oxidizing edges of the substoichiometric oxide by subjecting the substoichiometric oxide to an oxidizing environment to define a controlled oxygen vacancy conduction path near a center of the oxide.
US08450146B2	Transistor assembly and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a transistor assembly includes the steps of: (a) forming a transistor; (b) polishing a base substrate; and (c) securing the transistor of which the base substrate is polished to a support substrate. The step (a) is a step of forming a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer on a principle surface of the base substrate. The step (b) is a step of polishing a surface of the base substrate opposite to the principle surface. The step (c) is a step of securing the transistor on the support substrate in the presence of a stress applied on the base substrate in such a direction that a warp of the base substrate is reduced. The base substrate is made of a material different from that of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a tensile stress is applied on the second semiconductor layer.
US08450141B2	Processes for fabricating all-back-contact heterojunction photovoltaic cells Processes for fabricating back contacts for photovoltaic cell devices are disclosed. The processes involve depositing a passivation layer on the back surface of a wafer, depositing an emitter layer on the passivation layer, depositing a metal layer on the emitter layer, laser firing selected areas of the metal layer to form base contacts, laser cutting the metal layer to create at least one isolation region between emitter contacts and base contacts, and applying a stream of reactive gas to form a second passivation layer in the isolation region. The process may further involve inkjetting a resist on the passivation layer in a pattern corresponding to a boundary between the one or more emitter contacts and the one or more base contacts, and laser cutting the metal layer over the resist to create the isolation region.
US08450112B2	Engineering and delivery of therapeutic compositions of freshly isolated cells The present invention relates to the transient modification of cells. In particular embodiments, the cells are immune systems, such as PBMC, PBL, T (CD3+ and/or CD8+) and Natural Killer (NK) cells. The modified cells provide a population of cells that express a genetically engineered chimeric receptor which can be administered to a patient therapeutically. The present invention further relates to methods that deliver mRNA coding for the chimeric receptor to unstimulated resting PBMC, PBL, T (CD3+ and/or CD8+) and NK cells and which delivers the mRNA efficiently to the transfected cells and promotes significant target cell killing.
US08450106B2	Oncolytic virus Malignant tumors that are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies are significant therapeutic challenges. An embodiment of the present invention provides an oncolytic virus capable of killing target cells, such as a tumor cells. In various embodiments presented herein, the oncolytic virus is armed or encodes a therapeutic polypeptide. In at least one embodiment, a recombinant oncolytic virus has been generated that can specifically replicate in cancer cells leading to their destruction and at the same time secrete robust amounts of a therapeutic polypeptide. Compositions and methods disclosed herein have broad therapeutic applicability.
US08450105B2	Mechanically reversible gel A process for making a gel comprising combining a silanol species comprising at least two silanol groups per molecule and a hydrophilic hydroxyl species comprising at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule. The gel is capable of being converted to a liquid by application of a mechanical shear force and the liquid is capable of being converted to the gel in the absence of the mechanical shear force.
US08450089B2	Compounds as L-cystine crystallization inhibitors and uses thereof A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization using the compounds of formula I is disclosed. R1a—O-(-A-L-)m-A-O—R1b I, wherein A, L, R1a, R1b, and m are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.
US08450087B2	Use of triplex structure DNA in transferring nucleotide sequences The invention concerns a recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a polynucleotide comprising a central initiation cis-active region (cPPT) and a termination cis-active region (CTS), the regions being of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, and the vector further comprising a predetermined nucleotide sequence (transgene or nucleotide sequence of interest) and retrotranscription regulating, expressing, and packaging signals of retroviral or retroviral-like origin.
US08450075B2	Protein, an antibody and measurement of the protein Methods for determining the occurrence or level of a mammalian protein in a sample and methods for determining the capability of a compound to transform or to inhibit the transformation of a selected mammalian protein in pro-phospholipase B form to an enzyme active phospholipase B form employ a pro-phospholipase B (PLB-II) mammalian protein which comprises at least one SU2 subunit comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 and having a molecular weight within the range of 30-60 kDa. Methods for determining the capability of a compound to enhance or inhibit the enzymatic activity of a selected protein having phospholipase B enzyme activity employ a protein comprising an activated form of such a pro-phospholipase B (PLB-II) mammalian protein.
US08450065B2	Copy number variation determination, methods and systems The present invention methods and systems for determining copy number variation of a target polynucleotide in a genome of a subject including amplification based techniques. Methods can include pre-amplification of the sample followed by distribution of sample and a plurality of reaction volumes, quantitative detection of a target polynucleotide and a reference polynucleotide, and analysis so as to determine the relative copy number of the target polynucleotide sequence in the genome of the subject.
US08450057B2	Diagnostic tests using gene expression ratios The invention provides methods for diagnosing biological states or conditions based on ratios of gene expression data from cell or tissue samples, such as cancer cell or tissue samples. The invention also provides sets of genes that are expressed differentially in normal and cancer lung cells and tissues. These sets of genes can be used to discriminate between normal and malignant cells or tissues, and between classes of malignant cells or tissues. Accordingly, diagnostic assays for classification of tumors, prediction of tumor outcome, selecting and monitoring treatment regimens and monitoring tumor progression/regression also are provided.
US08450049B2	Process for forming an anti-oxidant metal layer on an electronic device A process for forming an anti-oxidant metal layer on an electronic device comprises the steps of providing a substrate; forming a conductive metal layer on the substrate; forming a first photoresist layer on the conductive metal layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form apertures and first grooves; forming a connecting member having a top surface and a lateral surface in the aperture and the first groove; removing the first photoresist layer to reveal the top surface and the lateral surface; forming a second photoresist layer on the conductive metal layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form apertures and second grooves; forming an anti-oxidant metal layer in aperture and second groove, the anti-oxidant metal layer covers the top surface and the lateral surface of the connecting member; and removing the second photoresist layer to reveal the anti-oxidant metal layer and the conductive metal layer.
US08450047B2	Method of controlling the states and vortex chirality in hexagonal ring structures comprising nanoscale magnetic elements A method is provided for achieving specific magnetic states with a given vortex chirality in artificial kagome spin ice building block structures containing one or more hexagonal rings of ferromagnetic islands created with electron beam lithography, where a subgroup of the ferromagnetic islands have a smaller width and therefore higher switching field than the other normal (wider) islands and are placed at specific positions in each of the rings. The positioning of the islands determines the magnetic state of the building block structure during magnetization reversal, and determines the chirality of the magnetic vortices that occur in each ring.
US08450045B2	Pattern forming method A pattern forming method includes providing and curing a under-layer film containing a radiation-sensitive acid generator which generates an acid upon exposure to radiation on a substrate. The under-layer film is irradiated with radiation through a mask to cause an acid to be selectively generated in an exposed area of the under-layer film. An upper-layer film which does not contain a radiation-sensitive acid generator and which contains a composition capable of polymerizing or crosslinking by an action of an acid is provided. A cured film is provided by polymerization or crosslinking selectively in an area of the upper-layer film corresponding to the exposed area of the under-layer film in which the acid has been generated. An area of the upper-layer film corresponding to an area of the under-layer film in which the acid has not been generated is removed.
US08450043B2	Patterning nano-scale patterns on a film comprising unzipping copolymers The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.
US08450031B2	Determination method, exposure method and storage medium The present invention provides a determination method of determining a light intensity distribution to be formed on a pupil plane of an illumination optical system in an exposure apparatus, the method including a step of setting a cut line used to evaluate an image of a pattern of a mask, which is formed on an image plane of a projection optical system, and a target value of a dimension of the image, and a step of obtaining the dimension of the image of the pattern on the cut line, and determining a weight to be applied to each of a plurality of element light sources such that the obtained dimension comes close to the target value of the dimension, thereby determining, as the light intensity distribution, light sources obtained by combining the plurality of element light sources applied with the weights.
US08450027B2	Fuel cell stack of fuel cell vehicle The present invention provides a method of assembling a fuel cell stack, in which a fixing block and a fixing pin are used to assemble the fuel cell stack instead of a bolt, thereby reducing the time and process required for assembly of the fuel cell stack, enabling an assembly process using an automated device to be realized, and facilitating mass production.
US08450026B2	Solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising an electrocatalyst/electrolyte assembly supported by a nano-structured material A membrane electrode assembly for a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises: an electrode having a layer of nano-structured material on one of its faces, an electrocatalyst deposited on the nano-structured material and an electrolyte deposited on the electrocatalyst/nano-structured material. The nano-structured material can comprise carbon, silicon, graphite, boron, titanium and be in the form of multi-walled nano-tubes (MWNTs), single-walled nano-tubes (SWNTs), nano-fibers, nano-rods or a combination thereof. The nano-structured material can be grown or deposited on one face of an electrode of the cell or on a substrate such as a flexible sheet material of carbon fibers using chemical vapor deposition. The electrocatalyst and electrolyte can be incorporated in the nano structured material using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion beam sputtering or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
US08450023B2	Fuel cell design based on a framed bipolar plate This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof.
US08450022B2	Fuel cell hybrid power generation system and method for gas distribution systems A method for use with a gas distribution system in which a higher pressure gas is transported/distributed and reduced to a lower pressure gas for a gas distribution or transmission line, the method comprising pre-heating the higher pressure gas before it is reduced in pressure, using an energy recovery generator to generate electricity using the pre-heated higher pressure gas while reducing the gas pressure to a lower gas pressure, using a fuel cell power plant to generates electricity while producing heat that is used to pre-heat high pressure gas, and combining the electrical outputs of the energy recovery generator and the fuel cell power plant to generate a combined electrical output. The method also comprises the fuel cell power plant making the waste heat available to the gas pre-heater without using a combustion unit thereby increasing the system's electrical efficiency.
US08450019B2	Three-way diverter assembly for a fuel cell system A three-way diverter assembly with a movable member is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The movable member, disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet, is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and selectively positional therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.
US08450013B2	Material for lithium secondary battery of high performance Provided is a cathode active material containing a Ni-based lithium mixed transition metal oxide. More specifically, the cathode active material comprises the lithium mixed transition metal oxide having a composition represented by Formula I of LixMyO2 wherein M, x and y are as defined in the specification, which is prepared by a solid-state reaction of Li2CO3 with a mixed transition metal precursor under an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and has a Li2CO3 content of less than 0.07% by weight of the cathode active material as determined by pH titration. The cathode active material in accordance with the present invention and substantially free of water-soluble bases such as lithium carbonates and lithium sulfates and therefore has excellent high-temperature and storage stabilities and a stable crystal structure. A secondary battery comprising such a cathode active material exhibits a high capacity and excellent characteristics, and can be produced by an environmentally friendly method with low production costs and high production efficiency.
US08450007B2	Stacked secondary battery A stacked secondary battery includes battery element including a multilayer structure formed by laying alternately flat plate-shaped positive electrodes and flat plate-shaped negative electrodes by way of separators, the number of the positive electrodes being larger by one than that of the negative electrodes or vice versa, and connecting positive electrode draw-out terminals of the positive electrodes to each other and also negative electrode draw-out terminals of the negative electrodes to each other, plate-shaped metal members respectively arranged on and held in contact with the opposite end surfaces of the multilayer structure as viewed in the stacking direction, binding members binding the plate-shaped metal members so as to pinch and hold the multilayer structure from the end surfaces thereof and a film casing containing the battery element pinched by and held between the plate-shaped metal members in a sealed condition.
US08450000B2	Rapidly rechargeable battery Design of a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is constructed of a plurality of high surface area, gas adsorbing electrodes and an electrolyte, wherein, during charging operation, gases are formed and adsorbed at the plurality of electrodes such that they generate an electrochemical potential for discharge of the cell formed by electrodes and electrolyte until the state-of-charge has become negligible (deep discharge). The rapidly rechargeable gas battery is designed such that it can withstand high charging current and a deep discharge without irreversible changes in the electrode materials.
US08449992B2	Surface-coated member and cutting tool Disclosed is a surface coated member having excellent adhesion resistance and fracture resistance. A surface coated member (1) comprises a coating layer (3) on the surface of a base (2). The coating layer (3) is composed of a multilayer body wherein a titanium carbonitride (TiCN) layer (4), a continuously existing intermediate layer (5) containing titanium, aluminum, carbon and oxygen and having an average film thickness of 5-30 nm, and an α-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer (9) composed of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) having an α crystal structure are sequentially formed by deposition.
US08449986B2	Multifunctional biocomposite additive compositions and methods Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.
US08449984B2	Breathable packaging film having enhanced thermoformability The present invention describes thermoformable coextruded film suitable for use in packaging applications having at least a first polymeric layer serving as an outermost exterior-film layer and comprising a cycloaliphatic polyester, an aromatic polyester or blends thereof; a second polymeric layer serving as a thermoforming-assist layer and comprising a polyolefin; and a third polymeric layer serving as an innermost exterior-film layer and comprising a heat-sealing polyolefin material. The films of the present invention are oxygen-permeable in that they exhibit an oxygen transmission rate of between 32-1000 cm3/100 in2/24 h. atm.
US08449982B2	Gas barrier film The present invention relates to a gas barrier film where a polyurethane resin layer and an inorganic layer are disposed in this order from a polyester resin film side on at least one surface of a polyester resin film, wherein the polyurethane resin constituting said polyurethane resin layer is a resin containing a skeleton represented by the following formula (1) and/or the following formula (2). The present invention provides a gas barrier film having excellent oxygen insulation and water vapor insulation.
US08449963B1	Integrated form including label and concealed document An improved integrated multi-use label and concealed document form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one multi-use label and concealed document label are cut into the joined together sheet materials.
US08449962B2	Adhesive assembly tapes The invention relates to double-sided adhesive tape comprising a viscoelastic, first polymer layer, a second polymer layer on the top face and a third polymer layer on the bottom face of the viscoelastic, first polymer layer, where the viscoelastic, first polymer layer is based on a polymer which is obtainable by polymerization of a monomer composition of 65% to 97% by weight of ethylhexyl acrylate and/or butyl acrylate, 0% to 30% by weight of methyl acrylate, 3% to 15% by weight of acrylic acid, the viscoelastic interlayer being crosslinked, the second polymer layer is based on a polymer which is obtainable by polymerization of a monomer composition of 85% to 95% by weight of ethylhexyl acrylate and/or butyl acrylate, 5% to 15% by weight of acrylic acid, this second polymer layer being thermally crosslinked using at least one epoxycyclohexyl derivative in the absence of accelerators.
US08449941B2	Method for forming thermal barrier coating on hot-gas-path components of gas turbine during operation Disclosed is a method for formation of a thermal bather coating on a gas turbine during operation thereof, which includes addition of an organic compound containing silicon to a fuel under a first condition in order to form a base layer on the surface of a part coming into contact with a combustion gas of the fuel in the gas turbine during operation thereof, as well as addition of the organic compound containing silicon to the fuel under a second condition in order to form a porous layer having more pores than the base layer above the base layer.
US08449927B2	Stabilized anthocyanin compositions The invention describes stabile anthocyanin compositions, methods to prepare such compositions and also methods of use of such compositions to treat various afflictions. The present invention describes unique compositions of an anthocyanin and a stabilizing compound such that the combination of the two components provides that the anthocyanin does not readily undergo degradation, such as oxidation, pH instability, etc.
US08449925B2	Method and use of cold-pressed botanic seed oils for lowering blood pressure and LDL cholesterol A method of lowering diastolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in a human subject. The method consists of the steps of: (a) administering to the human subject a mixture of cold-pressed botanic seed oils; (b) administering to the human subject the mixture of cold-pressed botanic seed oils and a mixture of botanic seed flours; and (c) lowering the human subject's diastolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.A method of measurement of the synergistic effect of cold-pressed botanic seed oils and botanic seed flours in lowering diastolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in a human subject. The method consists of the steps of: a) administering to the human subject a mixture of cold-pressed botanic seed oils; b) administering to the human subject a mixture of botanic seed flours; and c) measuring the human subject's diastolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.A composition of matter exhibiting diastolic blood pressure lowering activity and LDL cholesterol lowering activity in a human subject. The composition of matter consists of a mixture of cold-pressed botanic seed oils and a mixture of botanic seed flours.
US08449922B1	Method of treating a chemically sensitive individual A method for treating a chemically sensitive individual is provided. The method includes the steps of: collecting a blood sample from the individual; isolating normal mixed T and B lymphocytes from the blood sample; propagating the isolated mixed T and B lymphocytes to obtain propagated lymphocytes; lysing the propagated lymphocytes to obtain a lysate; and administering the lysate to the individual. A therapeutic dose of the lysate can be determined by skin testing, and the dose can be administered subcutaneously. The effects of the treatment on the individual can be reflected by clinical tests such as hematological immunological profiles and symptom and signs scores.
US08449911B2	Drug composition having active ingredient adhered at high concentration to spherical core Granule, fine particle or tablet of excellent leaching property, comprising a drug active ingredient in high content realized by forming a layer containing drug active ingredient on core particles through a combination of a method of dispersing and adhering an active ingredient while spraying or adding a binder with a method of spraying or adding a solution or suspension wherein an active ingredient and a binder are contained so as to effect adhesion. Further, there are provided a drug composition containing such a granule, fine particle or tablet and a process for producing the same.
US08449903B2	Crosslinked bioabsorbable medical devices The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable medical devices which are introduced into the body of a subject in a first configuration and deformed in the subject's body to a second configuration. The devices generally include at least one bioabsorbable expandable device component that comprises at least one type of biodegradable polymer. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the expandable device component is crosslinked while in an expanded configuration. The crosslinked device component is then heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material forming the device component. Upon heating to this temperature, the device component is compressed into a contracted configuration and cooled to below the Tg of the material to maintain the contracted configuration.
US08449899B2	Non-aqueous generation of chlorine dioxide Disclosed is a method of making a non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution by combining a chlorite salt and a non-aqueous carboxylic acid and the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution made by this method. Also disclosed are methods of disinfecting an object by applying the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution to the object and methods of disinfecting a liquid by adding the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution to the liquid.
US08449896B2	Pharmaceutical composition having improved solubility It is desired to provide a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof, which exhibits an inhibitory effect on activated blood coagulation factor X (FXa), and is useful as an agent for preventing and/or treating thrombosis, wherein the pharmaceutical composition exhibits favorable dissolution properties. The present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition containing a compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof, wherein the content of the compound represented by formula (I) is 0.5% by weight or more and less than 15% by weight with respect to the total weight of the pharmaceutical composition.
US08449887B2	Anti-chikungunya monoclonal antibodies and uses thereof The present invention relates to the field of arbovirosis caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIK). The present invention specifically concerns anti-CHIK monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and more specifically anti-CHIK.E2 MAbs and their use as diagnostic products in methods for detecting the presence or absence of a CHIK strain.
US08449882B2	Anti-EPHA2 antibody Problem to Be SolvedIt is intended to provide an antibody having an inhibitory activity against cell malignant transformation and/or tumor cell growth, etc.SolutionThe present invention provides an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by a hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836) or a hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837), an antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, an antibody obtained by humanizing the antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, a pharmaceutical agent comprising the antibody as an active ingredient, etc.
US08449860B2	Method and system for recovering sulfur in the thermal stage of a Claus reactor Method and system are presented for the combustion of hydrogen sulfide mixed with other gases for simultaneous recovery of sulfur and energy from hydrogen sulfide at higher efficiency. The amounts and velocity of the hydrogen sulfide into the reactor is selected in such a way that it is not possible to burn the hydrogen sulfide in a normal thin reaction zone during its combustion. The injected hydrogen sulfide gas is mixed in a thermal reactor with fresh air and hot active combustion gases in the reactor on account of internal jet pump effect and self-induced entrainment. The reaction is exothermic so that the chemical energy present in hydrogen sulfide is recovered together with the sulfur. Various reactors are shown capable of controlling the formation of a thermal distribution flow pattern based on the position, and position and direction (and other factors) regarding fluid introduction within a combustion chamber of the reactors.
US08449858B2	Continuous extraction technique for the purification of carbon nanomaterials Systems and methods for the purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous liquid extraction are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are introduced to a flow of liquid that enables the separation of CNTs from impurities due to differences in the dispersibility of the CNTs and the impurities within the liquid. Examples of such impurities may include amorphous carbon, graphitic nanoparticles, and metal containing nanoparticles. The continuous extraction process may be performed in one or more stages, where one or more of extraction parameters may be varied between the stages of the continuous extraction process in order to effect removal of selected impurities from the CNTs. The extraction parameters may include, but are not limited to, the extraction liquid, the flow rate of the extraction liquid, the agitation of the liquid, and the pH of the liquid, and may be varied, depending on the impurity to be removed from the CNTs.
US08449857B2	Method for saturating and re-saturating ammonia storage material in containers A method for saturating or re-saturating ammonia storage material (1) capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing ammonia in one or more storage containers (2), wherein said material is partly or fully depleted of ammonia, with ammonia to a predetermined saturation degree comprises a. placing the storage container(s) (2) in direct or indirect contact with a thermostatting medium (4) at a temperature level TT≦ about 65° C.; and b. connecting the storage container(s) (2) to a source of gaseous ammonia wherein at least during a part of the method the gaseous ammonia during saturating or re-saturation of the ammonia storage material (1) is at a pressure PS≦ about PT, wherein PS is the ammonia pressure during saturating or re-saturating of the ammonia storage material (1) and PT is the equilibrium vapor pressure of liquid ammonia at the temperature level TT.
US08449842B2	Molecular reader Systems and methods disclosed include: a support apparatus configured to detachably receive a chip; movable pins extendible from a first position to a second position, where, in the first position, the movable pins do not contact a chip positioned on the support apparatus, and in the second position, the movable pins contact electrical terminals of a heating element within a chip positioned on the support apparatus; a radiation source configured to direct radiation to be incident on a chip positioned on the support apparatus; a detector; and an electronic processor, the electronic processor being configured to detect molecules in a sample positioned within the chip, and to determine a temperature of the chip by measuring an electrical resistance between two of the multiple pins connected to the electrical terminals.
US08449830B2	Microfluidic extraction and reaction device A microfluidic arrangement for extracting and optionally processing an extract from a sample and for transferring the extract in flowable form to a microfluidic chip using an extractor with a compressible extraction chamber and at least one opening thereof, a reactor that has a reaction chamber, an inlet opening that communicates with the at least one opening of the extractor, wherein the two openings define a flow path between the chambers, an outlet opening for fluidically connecting to the microfluidic chip and a ventilation opening of the reaction chamber, and having a filter arrangement installed in the flow path between the extractor and the reactor. A lab-on-a-chip system with such a microfluidic arrangement and a microfluidic chip that is rigidly connected to the reactor.
US08449824B2	Sensor instrument system including method for detecting analytes in fluids A sensor instrument system for detecting and identifying analytes in fluids of a region contains a local sensor instrument and remote central station. The instrument includes a core technology employing a single sensor having two electrodes operated by an electrical frequency sweeping to generate two sets of patterned electrical information from a single measurement, a data transmission module and a GPS receiver module. The central station connects to a network means connected to a plurality of local receiving sites equipped with including the respective transceivers, so that the local analyte electrical information and geographic position information transmitted by the instrument can be wirelessly and remotely received and processed by the central station. The core technology further includes a reference sensor for eliminating background influence, a temperature programming to control adsorption and desorption of analytes, and usage of all kinds of adsorbent materials having chemical selectivities including the hydrogen selectivity to enhance detection and identification of analytes in fluids.
US08449823B2	Diagnostic tape unit The invention concerns a diagnostic tape unit with a test tape that can be wound onto a spool which comprises a transport tape and a plurality of test elements mounted thereon, where the test elements have an analytical reagent layer, a carrier foil supporting the reagent layer and a piece of adhesive tape connecting the carrier foil with the transport tape, and where the front side of the reagent layer facing away from the carrier foil is designed for the application of a sample substance. According to the invention it is proposed that the test elements in combination with the light transmitting transport tape in each case form an optical multi-layer system for a rear-side reflection-photometric measurement of the reagent layer.
US08449819B2	Apparatus for disinfecting container closures The invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting container closures, comprising a housing and comprising a transport path which is arranged inside the housing and along which the closures are transported, wherein the transport path has at least partially a spiral configuration. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a supply device for supplying to the housing a gaseous medium for disinfecting the container closures, and at least one displacement device is provided which can move with respect to the housing and which transports the container closures along the spiral transport path.
US08449818B2	Molybdenum containing targets The invention is directed at sputter targets including 50 atomic % or more molybdenum, a second metal element of titanium, and a third metal element of chromium or tantalum, and deposited films prepared by the sputter targets. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the sputter target includes a phase that is rich in molybdenum, a phase that is rich in titanium, and a phase that is rich in the third metal element.
US08449816B2	Composition and methods of preparation of target material for producing radionuclides A composition suitable for use as a target containing antimony to be irradiated by accelerated charged particles (e.g., by protons to produce tin-117m) comprises an intermetallic compound of antimony and titanium which is synthesized at high-temperature, for example, in an arc furnace. The formed material is powdered and melted in an induction furnace, or heated at high gas pressure in gas static camera. The obtained product has a density, temperature stability, and heat conductivity sufficient to provide an appropriate target material.
US08449813B1	Deoxidation apparatus for preparing titanium powder with low oxygen concentration Disclosed is a deoxidation apparatus for preparing low-oxygen titanium powders. The deoxidation apparatus includes a lower container having an open upper portion and storing an deoxidizer representing an oxygen degree higher than an oxygen degree of titanium and a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of titanium, and an upper container coupled with the lower container on the lower container and storing titanium base powders. The upper container is provided at a lower surface thereof with a sieve, and allows the deoxidizer, which is evaporated due to heating, to make contact with the titanium base powders so that the titanium base powders are deoxidized.
US08449804B2	Evacuation process for use in a method for producing a composite structure The present invention relates to a method for producing a composite structure comprising fiber reinforced material by means of vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, where fiber material is impregnated with liquid resin. The method comprises an evacuation process of a mold cavity by initially providing an under-pressure in a part of the mold cavity in order to provide a first vacuum front having a first pressure gradient oriented towards a first side of the forming structure, and a second vacuum front with a second pressure gradient oriented towards a second side of the forming structure, and controlling the first vacuum front and the second front to move towards the first side and the second side of the forming structure, respectively.
US08449801B2	Composition and process for preparing NIR shielding masterbatch and NIR shielding masterbatch and application thereof Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a near infrared shielding masterbatch. The method includes the steps of preparing and compounding a composition, and then pelletizing the compounded composition. The composition includes at least one metallic ionic compound powder in an amount of about 1-25 wt %, a cross-linking agent in an amount of about 0.1-5 wt %, a thermoplastic polymer in an amount of about 67-98.7 wt %, an initiator in an amount of about 0.1-1 wt %, and a dispersing agent in an amount of about 0.1-2 wt %.
US08449800B2	Method of strengthening the connection between pipe sections in high pressure pipelines A preventative maintenance method of strengthening the connection between high pressure, in situ piping. An encapsulation mold is installed over a properly functioning, non-leaking coupling or joint interconnecting pipe sections carrying gas in excess of 60 psi. A resin sealant having tensile strength in excess of 3000 psi fills the mold, so that it circumscribes the coupling and adjacent portions of the pipe sections extending from the coupling, forming a permanent bond to the coupling and pipe sections. The method prevents high pressure pipe connection pullout, which otherwise could lead to catastrophic failure.
US08449788B2	Leather finishing compositions comprising dioxolane derivatives Uses of dioxolane derivatives in the finishing of leather are described. Also described, are leather finishing compositions comprising dioxolane derivatives and methods for treating leather.
US08449787B2	Method for wet etching while forming interconnect trench in insulating film A wet etching method that includes forming an insulating film on a substrate, and irradiating laser light to the insulating film during wet etching of the insulating film using an etching solution.
US08449786B2	Film adhesive for semiconductor vacuum processing apparatus A bonded assembly to reduce particle contamination in a semiconductor vacuum chamber such as a plasma processing apparatus is provided, including an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of a component and a support member to accommodate thermal stresses. The elastomeric sheet comprises a silicone adhesive to withstand a high shear strain of ≧800% at a temperature range between room temperature and 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with optional fillers. The sheet form has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces. The sheet adhesive may be cut into pre-form shapes to conform to regularly or irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating parts, and can be installed into cavities. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar.
US08449765B2	Filter with data storage provided with an antenna for transmitting signals A filter element (1) for filtering fluids, such as hydraulic fluids or gases, is in a filter housing (12) having an inlet (18) for the fluid to be filtered, an outlet (20) for the filtered fluid. The filter element has a data storage (52). Data stored in the data storage (52) is electronically readable from the data storage (52) by a read and/or write device (70). An antenna (60) extends outside the data storage (52) and provides the signal coupling between the data storage (52) and the read and/or write device (70). The antenna (60) extends at least in sections about a longitudinal axis (44) of the filter element (1) such that independently from the angular position of the filter element (1) and the attached data storage (52) a signal coupling between the data storage (52) and the read and/or write device (70) is ensured.
US08449763B2	Nozzle reactor and method of use Embodiments of a nozzle reactor of the type useable to inject a first material feed stock and a second material feed stock to cause interaction between the first material feed stock and second material feed stock are described herein. According to some embodiments, the nozzle reactor may crack residual oil produced by other processing units in a refinery process. Furthermore, nozzle reactors may replace traditional processing units of a refinery process, such as cokers, hydrocrackers and deasphalting units.
US08449761B2	Synthesis of a crystalline silicoaluminophosphate The present invention is a method for synthesizing non-zeolitic molecular sieves which have a three dimensional microporous framework comprising [AlO2] and [PO2] units. In preparing the reaction mixture, a surfactant is used, coupled with non-aqueous impregnation to prevent acid sites from being destroyed by water during Pt impregnation. The superior SAPO exhibits higher activity and selectivity especially in catalytic hydroisomerization of waxy feeds, due to the presence of medium-sized silica islands distributed throughout the SAPO.
US08449759B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a gas sensor A gas sensor control apparatus including internal resistance detection means for detecting an internal resistance value of one of cells of a gas sensor, concentration detection means for detecting a concentration value of a specific gas component in a gas to be measured and outputting the detected concentration value, heater current supply control means for controlling a current to be supplied to a heater of the gas sensor such that the detected internal resistance value becomes a target value, determination means for determining whether or not the detected internal resistance value is within a permissible range including the target value, nullification information generation means for generating nullification information to nullify the detected concentration value, when it is determined that the target value is out of the permissible range, and nullification information output means for outputting the nullification information to an external device connected to the gas sensor control apparatus.
US08449747B2	Method and device for selective cation extraction by electrochemical transfer in solution and applications of said method In order to carry out a selective extraction of cations (Mn+) by an electrochemical transfer in a solution from a first electrolyte (E1) to a second electrolyte (E2), the method includes using as an electrolyte separation wall a transfer wall (2) made of chalcogenide with molybdenum clusters (MonXn+2 or MxMonXn+2) and ensuring the cation transfer through the transfer wall by generating a potential difference (ΔE) between the electrode A1 in the first electrolyte (E1) and the electrode C2 in the second electrolyte (E1) or the transfer wall (2) in order to induce an intercalation of the cations in the transfer wall on the side of the first electrolyte, a scattering of the cations therein, and the de-intercalation thereof in the second electrolyte.
US08449743B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor, that represses a manufacturing cost, obtains high responsiveness and can effectively reduce adhesion of water to a sensor element and intrusion of water into the sensor element, is provided. In the gas sensor that has the sensor element mainly containing a solid electrolyte with oxygen ion conductivity and a protective cover arranged to surround the sensor element and detects a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas, the protective cover includes an inner protective cover that is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, has a plurality of inner gas distributing holes formed in two rows on its side surface in a longitudinal direction of the sensor element and surrounds one front end of the sensor element, and an outer protective cover that is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, has a plurality of outer gas distributing holes on its side surface and surrounds the inner protective cover.
US08449742B2	Gas sensor and method of manufacturing same The gas sensor includes a sensor element having electrode pads formed in its electrode forming surfaces at the proximal end portion thereof, an insert-holding insulator insert-holding the sensor element, a housing insert-holding the insert-holding insulator, and a terminal unit. The proximal end portion of the sensor element is held by the terminal unit which includes a pair of proximal end insulators formed with metal terminals at their inner surfaces, and a spring member pressing the proximal end insulators in a direction that they approach each other. Each of the proximal end insulators includes an insulator contact portion in contact with one of the electrode forming surfaces. The insulator contact portion is located closer to the proximal end of the sensor element than a terminal contact portion at which the metal terminal contacts a corresponding one of the electrode pads.
US08449737B2	Hydrogen and oxygen generator having semi-isolated series cell construction An electrolyzer assembly includes an electrolysis unit having: a hermetically-sealed case made at least partially from a durable dielectric polymer material, the case having a gas outlet and an electrolyte inlet; at least one set of series-coupled, equally-spaced, rectangular, vertically-oriented metal plates installed within the case, each set having first and second end plates, each plate having each side edge sealed to a case wall panel and a bottom edge sealed to the bottom panel; a ground connection to each first end plate; and a voltage connection to each second end plate that is non-zero with respect to the ground connection, thereby providing at least a 1.5 voltage differential between each pair of adjacent plates when gaps between each adjacent pair of plates are filled with electrolyte.
US08449729B2	Selective dehydrohalogenation of tertiary halogenated hydrocarbons and removal of tertiary halogenated hydrocarbon impurities from a halogenated hydrocarbon product A process for converting a tertiary halogenated hydrocarbons in a tertiary halogenated hydrocarbon-containing stream to a corresponding unhalogenated or less-halogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon product with the release of hydrogen halide involves contacting the tertiary halogenated hydrocarbon with a sorbent-type dehydrohalogenation catalyst in a reaction zone and optionally passing a stripping gas through the reaction zone to remove vapor phase reaction products from the reaction zone. A process for removing a tertiary chlorinated hydrocarbon impurity from 1,3-dichloro-1-propene involves contacting a mixture containing the 1,3-dichloro-1-propene and the tertiary chlorinated hydrocarbon impurity with a dehydrochlorination catalyst effective to catalyze a conversion of the tertiary chlorinated hydrocarbon impurity to a corresponding unchlorinated or less-chlorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon and hydrogen chloride and distilling the 1,3-dichloro-1-propene to produce a purified cis-1,3-dichloro-1-propene fraction and a purified trans-1,3-dichloro-1-propene fraction.
US08449724B2	Method and system for the torrefaction of lignocellulosic material Systems and methods for producing torrefied lignocellulosic material in a commercially suitable process.
US08449722B2	Used paper recycling apparatus and its constitutent devices A used paper recycling apparatus being installed in a room of a small shop or the like, friendly to the environment, low in running cost, and capable of maintaining a high confidentiality. The apparatus includes, in an apparatus case of furniture size, a pulp making section for manufacturing used paper pulp by macerating and mashing used paper, a paper making section for manufacturing recycled paper by making the used paper pulp manufactured in the pulp making section, and a control section for driving and controlling the pulp making section and paper making section, in which the pulp making section comprises a macerating unit for macerating the used paper by agitating and tearing, and a mashing unit for mashing the used paper macerated in the macerating unit, and the mashing machine of the mashing unit has mashing members rotating relatively being disposed oppositely across a slight mashing clearance, and the opposing faces of these mashing members cooperate to form a mashing action surface, and the used paper passing the mashing clearance is pressurized and mashed by the mashing action surface, and the inks forming characters and patterns on the used paper are pulverized.
US08449721B2	Aqueous suspensions of fine-particulate fillers, method for the manufacture thereof and use thereof for the manufacture of fluid-containing papers Aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers which are at least partly covered by anionic latices, the slurries being obtainable by treating aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers with at least one anionic latex which comprises, incorporated in the form of polymerized units, at least one monomer comprising phosphonic and/or phosphoric acid groups, preparation of the aqueous slurries and their use as an additive to the paper stock in the production of filler-containing paper, filler-containing cardboard or filler-containing board by draining the paper stock.
US08449718B2	Bulky paper with concavo-convex pattern and process for producing thereof A process for producing a bulky paper with a concavo-convex pattern includes the steps of producing a wet mixed sheet comprising high-basis-weight regions and low-basis-weight regions from a paper-making material prepared by dispersing a fiber starting material and heat-expanding particles in water, the heat-expanding particles being evenly dispersed in the fiber in the high basis-weight and low basis-weight regions; and then heating the wet mixed sheet to cause expansion of the heat-expanding particles and form a concavo-convex pattern. This allows the free designing of concavo-convex sections on bulky papers.
US08449714B2	Biocompatible surgical compositions Biocompatible macromer compositions are provided including an isocyanate-functional polyalkylene oxide combined with at least one multi-functional isocyanate as a first component, and a multi-amino functional compound possessing multiple primary amines as a second component. The isocyanate-functional polyalkylene oxide has pendant polyalkylene oxide groups. The resulting biocompatible macromer composition can be employed as an adhesive or sealant for medical/surgical uses.
US08449710B2	Sheet peeling machine and method for manufacturing display device A sheet peeling machine includes a movable table for moving a substrate in a moving direction, a planar member, a holder for holding the planar member; an elevating unit for supporting the holder and moving the holder in an elevating direction, a forwarding unit for contacting an end of the planar member with an edge of a sheet member on the substrate, a tape roller for affixing a peeling tape from the planar member and the sheet member, and a tape wind-up unit for peeling off the sheet member together with the peeling tape. According to the sheet peeling machine, the peeling tape is affixed onto the sheet member and then the sheet member is peeled off together with the peeling tape with a support by the planar member.
US08449707B2	Method of manufacturing a structural polymer core assembly A composite structure, and method of manufacturing it, having a specified width, length, and height defining a top and bottom the composite structure. The composite structure includes a three dimensional structural core constructed of a polymer with a first series of a geometric pattern repeated along its length. The structural core also has a second series of the geometric pattern repeated along the width thereof. The geometric patter may be a sinusoidal curve or a substantially pyramidal shape. The composite structure also includes a first reinforcement layer made of a polymer positioned above the structural core and bonded thereto. It also includes a second reinforcement layer made of a polymer that is positioned below the structural core and bonded thereto. The composite structure may also include a decorative layer above the first reinforcement layer, an acoustical batting layer positioned between the first reinforcement layer and the structural core, and may include fire retardant chemicals.
US08449699B2	Cold-rolled steel sheet, method for manufacturing the same, and backlight chassis A cold-rolled steel sheet includes, on a percent by mass basis: C: 0.0010% to 0.0030%, Si: 0.05% or less, Mn: 0.1% to 0.3%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.02% to 0.10%, N: 0.005% or less, and Nb: 0.010% to 0.030% and the remainder composed of Fe and incidental impurities, wherein values in a rolling direction and a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction are within a range of 1.0 to 1.6, and a mean value Elm of elongations in the rolling direction, a direction at 45° with respect to the rolling direction, and the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction is 40% or more, where Elm=(ElL+2×ElD+ElC)/4 and ElL: elongation in the rolling direction, ElD: elongation in the direction at 45° with respect to the rolling direction, and ElC: elongation in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction.
US08449687B2	Wash ring assembly and method of use Devices, including a wash ring assembly, and methods are provided for the removal of excess fluid or solids from the exterior or interior of a probe used to transfer fluids, for instance, in an automated assay device. Typically, a probe is used to aspirate and dispense a sample fluid material such as whole blood or a reagent. The devices and methods provided herein are useful for removing excess fluid from the exterior or interior of the probe so as to prevent dripping and cross-contamination between samples or reagents. It is also contemplated that, utilizing the devices and methods provided herein, washing and/or drying can be performed simultaneously as the probe is in motion, aspirating a sample and/or dispensing a sample.
US08449680B2	Method and apparatus for treating a cellulosic feedstock A method and apparatus for pre-treating a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise conveying the cellulosic feedstock through an enclosed volume, adding moisture to the cellulosic feedstock simultaneously at multiple spaced-apart moisture injection points as the cellulosic feedstock travels through the volume, and heating the cellulosic feedstock as it travels through the volume to obtain a heated moistened feedstock. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a shell defining a treatment chamber having a lower inner surface. The treatment chamber has an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally apart from the inlet to define an axial length. A conveyance member is housed within the shell and is configured to sweep the lower inner surface. A plurality of injection ports are provided in at least one of the shell and the conveyance member.
US08449675B2	Semiconductor wafer with an epitaxially deposited layer, and process for producing the semiconductor wafer A semiconductor wafer is formed of a substrate wafer of single crystal silicon doped with dopant atoms of the n type or p type, with a front surface and a back surface, contains a layer deposited epitaxially on the front surface of the substrate wafer. The substrate wafer additionally includes an n++ or p++ doped layer, which extends from the front surface of the substrate wafer into the substrate wafer and has a defined thickness. The semiconductor wafer is produced by a process in which dopant atoms of the n type or p type are introduced into the substrate wafer through the front surface of the substrate wafer, the dopant concentration in a layer which extends from the front surface of the substrate wafer into the substrate wafer being increased from the level n+ or p+ to the level n++ or p++, and an epitaxial layer is then deposited on this layer.
US08449669B2	Gloss-enhancing coating for ink-jet media The present invention is drawn to a composition for cast-coating on ink-jet media. The composition includes a liquid vehicle, silica particulates, and an internal release agent. The composition is substantially free of polymeric binder and can improve the glossiness of a porous particulate-coated ink-receiving media by at least 2 gloss units at 20 degrees. The silica particulates can be suspended in the liquid vehicle at about 1-35 wt %, and can have a particle size of less than about 150 nm. The internal release agent can be present at about 0.5-10 wt %.
US08449667B2	Sealing reagent for aluminum alloy A nickel-free sealing reagent comprises an alkyl sodium sulfonate compound, a dispersing agent, and a siloxane defoaming agent. A method of sealing an alloy comprises applying a nickel-free sealing reagent to the alloy, wherein the sealing agent comprises an alkyl sodium sulfonate compound, a dispersing agent, and a siloxane defoaming agent.
US08449664B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording apparatus A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent includes the following a dye (1) and a dye (2). dye (1): a dye represented by the general formula (1) dye (2): at least one dye selected from the group consisting of dyes represented by the general formula (2a), dyes represented by the general formula (2b), C. I. Acid Red 1, and C. I. Acid Red 254.
US08449661B2	Filter arrangement To connect and disconnect a filter in a gas flow system, a filter unit has a filter housing wherein an adsorption/absorption filter is movably arranged. The filter housing has two tube connectors for connecting the filter unit in a gas conducting passage. The filter unit also has a shifting element which is movable from a first to at least a second position. The first position allows the filter to substantially fill the gas conducting passage in a way that forces the gas in the gas flow system to pass through the filter, whereas the second position substantially removes the filter from the gas conducting passage, allowing the gas to pass through the filter unit without passing the filter.
US08449640B2	Auxiliary O-ring gland Disclosed are sealing apparatuses having a sealing gland for an O-ring, the sealing gland comprising a primary gland and an auxiliary gland located below the primary gland. The apparatuses may be utilized for filter cartridges in filter systems.
US08449638B2	Filter element, air cleaner, and methods A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
US08449634B2	Hydrogen generating apparatus, method of operating hydrogen generating apparatus, and fuel cell system A hydrogen generating apparatus of the present invention includes a controller (20) configured to, during a stop period, control a material gas feeding device (10) to feed a material gas to a gas passage which is located between the material gas feeding device (10) and a valve (16) to perform a maintaining process for maintaining a pressure in an interior of the gas passage at value which is not smaller than a first threshold which is an atmospheric pressure or larger. When the controller (20) detects there is an abnormality in the maintaining process, the controller (20) controls the material gas feeding device (10) and an ignition device (5A) to feed the material gas with an amount which is larger than an amount in a case where the controller detects there is no abnormality in the maintaining process, during a period which lapses from when the controller detects the abnormality until the ignition device starts an ignition operation in a start-up process.
US08449629B2	Production of biodiesel fuels which are low in glycerin and sulfur The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of carboxylic acid esters and/or biodiesel fuel from feedstocks containing fatty acids, glycerated fatty acids, and glycerin by reactive distillation. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of biodiesel fuels having low glycerin, water, and sulfur content on an industrial scale.
US08449624B2	Arm prosthetic device A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
US08449623B2	Self-aligning prosthesis with hydraulic actuators A hydraulic device includes a first plate that pivots in a first direction, a second plate that pivots in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first hydraulic system comprising a first cylinder and piston, a second cylinder and piston and, channels connecting the first cylinder to the second cylinder, the first hydraulic system filled with hydraulic fluid, wherein the transfer of fluid between the first cylinder and second cylinder pivots the first plate, and a second hydraulic system comprising a third cylinder and piston, a fourth cylinder and piston and, channels connecting the third cylinder to the fourth cylinder, the second hydraulic system filled with hydraulic fluid, wherein the transfer of fluid between the third cylinder and fourth cylinder pivots the second plate.
US08449614B2	Sutures for use in the repair of defects in the anulus fibrosus Methods and devices for fixing a defect in a vertebral disc of a patient. One method includes providing first, second, third, and fourth sutures. The first and second sutures are fastened to a vertebra cranial to the vertebral disc at first and second locations, respectively. The third and fourth sutures are fastened to a vertebra caudal to the vertebral disc at third and fourth locations, respectively. A device, such as a mesh device, is positioned adjacent the defect. The first, second, third, and fourth sutures are then positioned against the device, on the side of the device opposite of the defect. Tension is then applied to the first, second, third, and fourth sutures. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth sutures are then attached to at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sutures, thereby holding the device adjacent the defect.
US08449610B2	High refractive index, acrylic ophthalmic device materials with reduced glistenings High refractive index copolymers with reduced glistenings are disclosed. The copolymers, which are particularly suitable for use as ophthalmic device materials, comprise a high molecular weight, reactive, linear polyethylene glycol component.
US08449600B2	Iliac extension with flared cuff A leg extension (10) for a stent grafting system to connect between an aortic graft and an iliac graft. The leg extension is a tubular body (12) of a biocompatible graft material with self-expanding stents connected along the length of the tubular body and the tubular body having a distal end with a connection region. The connection region has a flared stent defining an external frusto-conical surface to provide a connection arrangement to engage within an internally flared portion of an iliac graft.
US08449599B2	Prosthetic valve for replacing mitral valve Embodiments of prosthetic valves for implantation within a native mitral valve are provided. A preferred embodiment of a prosthetic valve includes a radially compressible main body and a one-way valve portion. The prosthetic valve further comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body. A space is provided between an outer surface of the main body and the ventricular anchor for receiving a native mitral valve leaflet. The prosthetic valve preferably includes an atrial sealing member adapted for placement above the annulus of the mitral valve. Methods and devices for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.
US08449597B2	Longitudinally flexible expandable stent Segmented articulatable stent of open structure comprised of end-connected struts of first and second lengths making up first and second segments with angular interconnects between adjacent first and second segments.
US08449594B2	Method and apparatus for caged stent delivery In combination a device for delivering a stent within an intraluminal cavity and a stent including an elongated member configured to receive a stent thereon, a stent mounted on the elongated member and movable between a smaller diameter delivery position and an expanded placement position and a tubular portion attached to the elongated member. First and second stent engaging arms and a pusher arm extend distally of the tubular portion. The first and second engaging arms configured to constrain the stent in an area between the arms and the pusher arm configured to contact the proximal portion of the stent. The engaging arms are movable between a closed stent constraining position and an open stent release position. The delivery system can also be used to deliver other vascular implants.
US08449592B2	Stent with expandable foam A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.
US08449590B2	Apparatus and method for preventing brain damage during cardiac arrest, CPR, or severe shock Apparatuses and methods for the cooling of the cranial and extracranial portions of a patient in need thereof. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention preferably employ a head cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration. In certain preferred embodiments, the apparatuses of the present invention are collapsible and possess a reduced profile. In some presently preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a hammock that supports the head. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a shroud that lies behind the head with optional portions that may be drawn over the patient's neck and cranial area. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention also provide an improved mechanism for cooling the cranial and extracranial areas through the use of a novel distribution of endothermic solids (e.g. ammonium nitrate). The present invention provides a novel distribution of ammonium nitrate pellets that preferably includes multiple populations solid ammonium nitrate, preferably including small diameter (e.g., powdered) and larger diameter (e.g., 7 millimeter) ammonium nitrate to allow water initially to be cooled very quickly, thereby facilitating the rapid cooling of the cranial and extracranial areas, while at the same time producing extended hypothermia.
US08449587B2	Skin wound treatment system, dressing and biochemical activation device for the use of such a system The present invention relates to a system for treatment of skin wounds, comprising an energy source for activation of a biochemical healing effect, and at least one dressing intended to be placed on the wound before the step of activation by said energy source, characterized in that said dressing comprises an identification means interacting in a contactless manner with a sensor that triggers the function of the energy source only when the distance between the sensor and said identification means is below a threshold value.
US08449584B2	Absorbable bone anchor A bone anchor is provided that can toggle in two planes for secure anchorage within a bone cavity. The bone anchor includes an oblique suture channel configured such that a suture strand extending through the bone anchor can be tensioned to toggle the bone anchor inside the bone cavity. The suture strand can be located on the same side of the anchor body to maximize the area of the anchor surface which engages bone, resulting in increased engagement into bone and resistance to tensile forces.
US08449583B2	Fastener assembly An improved fastener apparatus includes an outer sleeve which is moved into a patient's body tissue. A distal end portion of the outer sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. An inner sleeve is moved axially through the outer sleeve and a distal end of the inner sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. The fastener apparatus may be provided with an external thread convolution on either or both of the inner and outer sleeves. During expansion of the distal end portion of either the inner or outer sleeve, a proximal end portion of the outer sleeve may be gripped and pulled to offset forces applied to the distal end portion of one of the sleeves. Although inner and outer sleeves may advantageously be utilized, the fastener apparatus may be constructed with only a single sleeve or three or more sleeves if desired. A secondary fastener assembly may be moved through a main fastener assembly.
US08449574B2	Elastic element for the use in a stabilization device for bones and vertebrae and method for the manufacture of such elastic element A stabilization device for bones or vertebrae comprises a substantially cylindrical elastic element. The elastic element has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. An elastic section extends between the first end and the second end. The elastic section includes at least first and second helical coils. The first and second helical coils are arranged coaxially so that the first helical coil extends at least in a portion between the second helical coil. The elastic element may form, for example, a portion of a rod, bone anchoring element, or plate.
US08449565B2	Approaches to venous occlusion for embolus management The invention provides a method and system for transiently occluding a vein that is downstream of an organ such as the brain, where the occlusion increases blood pressure within the vein, and where the increased pressure stimulates a reflex that reduces entry of emboli into that organ.
US08449563B2	Fragmentable device for the anastomosis of hollow organs Fragmentable compression device for the anastomosis of hollow organs consisting of a pot-shaped body composed of two elements (1, 2), inserted one into the other and consisting of a plurality of composable sectors (5, 6), a third ring-shaped or hollow cylinder-shaped element (3) intended to be inserted into said pot-shaped body to clamp the edges of the organs to be anastomized, and a fourth element (4) also ring-shaped or hollow cylinder-shaped which is pressure-inserted into element (3) to compress said edges. Also elements (3, 4) consist of a plurality of composable sectors (7, 8). The axial dimension of the device is notably short so that, when it is applied in the vicinity of the anal canal of the patient, tenesmus is considerably reduced.
US08449559B2	Method for suturing A suture insertion device (120) includes a shaft (124), which is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity (154). First and second needles (160) hold respective first and second ends of a suture thread (122). First and second needle guides (130) are attached to the shaft and respectively hold the first and second needles. The needle guides have a first operative configuration in which the needle guides are held parallel to the axis of the shaft for insertion of the shaft into the body cavity and a second operative configuration in which the needle guides are deployed outward from the shaft within the body cavity so as to point the needles in a proximal direction. An ejector (164) is operative to eject the needles from the needle guides in the second operative configuration so as to cause the needles to penetrate tissue (156) adjoining the body cavity.
US08449555B1	Pedicle probe A bone probe and method of use, for probing a hole formed in a bone. The bone probe includes a head having a peripheral edge, a tail member, and a shaft coupled therebetween. The peripheral edge of the head engages the sides defining a hole in the bone and transmits vibrations along the shaft to the tail member.
US08449548B2	Broach handle with flexure spring An instrument for holding a surgical tool or bone implant includes a handle with a bearing surface formed in one end for engaging the surgical tool. An elastically deformable plate is mounted on the handle body the plate having a catch element formed on a leading end thereof adapted to engage a coupling element formed on the surgical tool. The elastically deformable plate includes a cam follower formed in a recess thereon and includes a deformable spring section intermediate the can elements and the plate end with the catch element. An elongated pivotable loading member is rotatably mounted on the handle body. The loading member includes a cam surface for engaging the cam follower surface on the deformable plate. The cam surface on the loading member is shaped to elastically deform the elastically deformable plate section in a direction away from the plate catch element to thereby load and maintain a connecting force between the plate and the surgical tool or bone implant.
US08449543B2	Bone growth device and method An intramedullary lengthening device includes a housing and a distraction shaft. The intramedullary lengthening device is placed within a cavity of two bone sections (either already separated or purposely separated for insertion of the device). The distraction shaft of the intramedullary lengthening device is attached to the one of the bone sections using, for example, one or more attachment screws. The housing of the intramedullary lengthening device is attached to the second bone section using, for instance, one or more attachment screws. Over the treatment period, the bone is continually distracted, creating a new separation into which osteogenesis can occur. In one embodiment, the intramedullary lengthening device includes an actuator and an extension rod, which can be attached to one other.
US08449539B2	Ablation electrode assembly and methods for improved control of temperature The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.
US08449538B2	Electroporation ablation apparatus, system, and method A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate relatively flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible member includes at least a first working channel. A first and second electrode extends from a working channel at the distal end of the flexible member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first and second electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located between the first and second electrodes. The waveform parameters of the irreversible electroporation electrical waveform are determined based on image information received from the tissue treatment region.
US08449535B2	System and method for assessing coupling between an electrode and tissue A system and method for assessing a degree of coupling between an electrode and tissue in a body is provided. Values for first and second components of a complex impedance (e.g., resistance and reactance or impedance magnitude and phase angle) between the electrode and the tissue are obtained. From these values, a coupling index is calculated that is indicative of a degree of coupling between the electrode and the tissue. The coupling index may be displayed to a clinician in a variety of ways to indicate the degree of coupling to the clinician. The system and method find particular application in ablation of tissue by permitting a clinician to create lesions in the tissue more effectively and safely.
US08449519B2	Seam joining together at least two web materials A seam joining together at least two web materials in an overlapped manner by ultrasonic welding, heat bonding or the like, in a bonding pattern, which includes comprising a first bonding pattern and at least one second bonding pattern extending in a longitudinal direction along and adjacent at least one side edge of the overlapped portion. The bonded area of the second bonding pattern occupies more than 30% of the combined bonded area of the first and second bonding patterns. The bonding elements of the first bonding pattern have a mean area that is at least 2 times the mean area of the bonding elements of the second bonding pattern. The contact area of the bonding pattern, as seen in transverse direction of the seam, is between 10 and 30% of the width of the bonding pattern at any given point along the length of the bonding pattern.
US08449517B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article includes a rear waist region provided with a waist region elastic member attached thereto under tension. The waist region elastic member is formed with a plurality of slits each extending in a longitudinal direction and extending through the elastic member in a thickness direction thereof. The waist region elastic member is stretched in a transverse direction as the diaper is put on the wearer's body and thereupon the slits are opened up to form respective through-holes. A first graphics display region formed in combination with the slits includes note stems and note tails. Each of these note stems is contiguous to the associated through-holes. In the area nearer a crotch region than the first graphics display region, a second graphics display region is formed. The first and second graphics display regions cooperate to each other.
US08449513B2	Ostomy barrier seal An ostomy barrier seal comprising an open-ended conical base 1; and a flange portion 2 extending radially from the base; wherein the conical base 1 has a top opening 3 and a bottom opening 5 for receiving a stoma of a user and the top opening diameter 9 is smaller than the bottom opening diameter 11; such that the stoma of the user fits through the bottom opening and the top opening expands to snuggly fit around and seal along the stoma wall; a related ostomy appliance incorporating the barrier seal; and a related method using the barrier seal to reduce the incidence of waste leakage in an ostomy patients.
US08449512B2	Stoma stabilitating device and method A method and device may be used to avoid surgically re-opening a stoma or the like in an animal, including human beings. The stoma stabilitating device comprises an anchoring portion, preferably flat, that includes an opening configured to surround a stoma. The anchoring portion preferably includes an inner tension ring attached to an inner edge to define the opening and a tension ring attached to an outer edge. The anchoring portion may include additional structural rings. The device may be of a mesh construction and used to maintain, for example, a stoma, a fistula, a tracheotomy and any other pathway from outside the body to the inner part of the body. The device may be used to maintain an open pathway for air and to maneuver devices within a cavity. The device may also be used internally.
US08449511B2	Activity ostomy bag The ostomy receiving bag comprises a front wall (2) and a rear wall and has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the rear wall is provided with an inlet to receive a stoma, and one wall is provided with at least one first half of a fixation pair (A), and the same effective wall after closure of the bag, if available, is provided with at least one second half of a fixation pair (B), such that when the first half and the second half of the fixation pair are attached, the volume of the receiving bag is reduced.
US08449507B2	Disposable analgesic and local anesthetic undergarment A method for delivering a local anesthetic to a body part includes applying the local anesthetic to an inner portion of a disposable undergarment having a corrugated region in front of the disposable undergarment, wherein the local anesthetic fills at least one pocket of the corrugated region. The method includes covering the body part with the disposable undergarment such that the local anesthetic is subsequently released from the corrugated region and is absorbed percutaneously into the body part to allow numbing of the body part.
US08449506B2	Automatic feeding/phlegm extractor device An automatic feeding/sputum suction device, which mainly comprises a feeding syringe or sputum suction device, an air pump, a liquid food replenishing drum or oxygen/water supply device, three-way control valve, feeding duct or sputum suction duct, controller and detector strap, wherein the three-way control valve is connected with liquid food replenishing drum (oxygen/water supply device), feeding syringe (sputum suction device) and feeding duct (sputum suction duct).
US08449503B2	Neural injection system and related methods A novel neural injection system and related methods are herein disclosed. Various embodiments of an embodiment of a neural injection system of the present invention provide for at least one benefit of enhanced injection characteristics, increased operational efficiency, reduced cost per unit, reduced incidence of injury through intraneural/intravascular injection, reduced incidence of injury through pricking/piercing, and/or the like.
US08449500B2	Flow pulsatility dampening devices for closed-loop controlled infusion systems A flow monitoring infusion system that includes an infusion circuit having a fluid with a pulsatile fluid flow flowing therethrough. The infusion circuit includes a dampening element having a dampening chamber that absorbs the pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to transform the pulsatile fluid flow to a more smooth fluid flow. A fluid flow sensor that measures the flowrate of the more smooth fluid flow is disposed along the infusion circuit downstream of the dampening element.
US08449494B2	Apparatus and method for preparing foam A device and a method for preparing foam are provided. The device includes a first housing having a first chamber therein and a first movable member positioned at least partially within the first housing. The device also includes a second housing having a second chamber therein, the second chamber being selectively and operably connectable to the first chamber. The second housing further includes a biasing member and a second movable member therein, the biasing member biasing the movable member toward a first end portion of the second housing. The device includes a valve operably connected to the first chamber and the second chamber and movably positionable to selectively control the connection between the first chamber and the second chamber and a handle operably connected to the first movable member and movable to bias the first movable member toward a first end portion of the first housing.
US08449489B2	Method and means for treating inflammatory bowel disease A method of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises providing an intestinal biopsy sample obtained from inflamed tissue of a patient; mechanically treating the sample to obtain a cell suspension; identifying cell surface markers of activated leukocytes selected from T lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes, and eosinophil granulocytes in the suspension; raising antibodies against one of more of the activated cells and immobilizing them on a support; providing a column loaded with the support; diverting a portion of the patient's peripheral blood to make it pass through the column before re-infusing it to the patient to make the activated leukocytes couple with antibodies on the support, thereby eliminating them from the blood stream. Also disclosed are corresponding columns and supports, and their use in the method.
US08449488B2	Blood component collection apparatus and method A blood component collection apparatus comprises a blood component collecting circuit which includes an anticoagulant line for feeding an anticoagulant and a line for collecting an initial flow of collected blood. In the blood component collection apparatus, air is intermediately present between the anticoagulant and the blood in the passage of a blood collection needle side line, after a priming operation is performed in which anticoagulant is supplied from the anticoagulant line toward the side of a centrifugal separator in the blood collection needle side line through a branch connector and after an initial flow collecting operation is performed in which the initial flow of blood is collected.
US08449487B2	Blood treatment apparatus A blood treatment apparatus (1) comprising a degassing unit (15) receiving gas-containing fluid and supplying degassed fluid to a fluid chamber (3) of a blood treatment unit (2). The degassing unit has a gas separator (16), a degassing pump (18) to circulate fluid in a degassing line (12), a flow restrictor (17) for reducing the pressure in the degassing line (12), an absolute pressure sensor (19), and a control unit (20) designed to control the speed of said degassing pump from the absolute pressure signal emitted by the pressure sensor. The apparatus comprises a dialysis machine provided with a device for preparing on-line a dialysis liquid from water and concentrates. The apparatus achieves an accurate and reliable regulation of a desired concentration of gas in the dialysis liquid.
US08449484B2	Conformable back brace A conformable brace used for supporting both the abdomen and lower back of a wearer in preventative and treatment applications. The brace includes an abdominal support panel (110) substantially enclosed within a support envelope (120), a lumbar support panel (210) having a dome-shaped protrusion (240) that complements the lumbar contour of the user's back, and a belt (320) that places the abdominal support panel (110) and the lumbar support panel (210) in opposed biasing arrangement against the torso of a user. The belt (320) is associated with the support envelope (120) and is also inserted though vertical slots (220) in the lumbar support panel (210). The belt (320) is used for infinitely adjustably selection of the biasing force needed by each user, the support envelope (120) evenly distributes the tension provided by the belt (320) across the abdominal support panel (110) for enhanced user comfort, and a Y-shaped end tab (400) comprising easily-releasable material helps the belt to remain secure during its use.
US08449482B2	Vibrating anesthesia device The hand-held vibration anesthesia tool of the present invention includes a housing in which a battery, vibratory motor, switch and light source are enclosed. A switch turns the motor and light on and off. A tip extends from the housing for touching a patient's skin. When the motor is actuated, vibrations are transmitted through the tip to the skin to create an anesthetized zone. The light defines a target for the needle or other treatment adjacent the tip.
US08449481B2	Methods and devices for assisting birth Devices and methods for assisting birth are disclosed. The device is constructed from an elastic material with an elongated center and handles at both ends. A patient grasps the device at one end, while the other end is secured. When the patient experiences a contraction, the patient pulls on the device at a downward angle. The device elastically stretches and causes the patient to utilize correct abdominal muscles for pushing a fetus down a birth canal, thus reducing second stage of labor.
US08449474B2	Self-actuated cylinder and oscillation spirometer A self-actuated cylinder comprising a cylinder housing comprising electro-magnetic force generating means to generate electro-magnetic forces, and a piston within the cylinder housing, wherein the electro-magnetic forces act directly on the piston to displace the piston within the cylinder housing. The self-actuated cylinder can be used as an oscillation spirometer to determine air flow, an input impedance or Forced Oscillation pulmonary mechanics.
US08449473B2	Gas sensor A method of determining the respiratory function of a subject is disclosed, the method comprising measuring the concentration of water vapor in the gas stream exhaled by the subject, and from the measured water vapor concentration determining the respiratory function of the subject. Mathematical techniques for analyzing the data obtained from the measurement of concentrations of gaseous components in an exhaled gas stream are also disclosed and their use in determining the lung function of a subject.
US08449465B2	System and method for characterizing vascular tissue A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter and/or substantially synchronizing the acquisition of blood-vessel data to an identifiable portion of heartbeat data. In one embodiment, a computing device and catheter acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. The backscattered ultrasound data is then used to estimate at least one transfer function. The transfer function(s) can then be used to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. Another embodiment includes an IVUS console connected to a catheter and a computing device that acquires RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. Based on the backscattered data, the computing device estimates the catheter's transfer function and to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. The response data and histology data are then used to characterize at least a portion of the vascular tissue.
US08449459B2	Access portal including silicone foam three layer seal A surgical access portal includes a seal housing, a sleeve mountable to the seal housing, and a seal disposed within the seal housing. The seal includes a first layer having an opening for the reception and passage of a surgical instrument, a second continuous layer for providing a fluid tight seal in the seal housing in the presence and/or in the absence of a surgical instrument, and a third layer having an opening for the passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. The first and third layers have a higher density than the second layer for maintaining the second layer in an axially compressed state therebetween.
US08449452B2	In-vivo sensing system An in-vivo sensing system incorporating a sensing device movably disposed within a housing such that the orientation of the sensing device may be moved or changed in response to substantially small forces. The in-vivo sensing device may be ingested and may naturally traverse a lumen such as the GI tract or may be anchored at a surgical site. In a preferred embodiment, the in vivo sensing system is an imaging system (100) incorporating a sensing device such as an imaging device (112) suspended in a liquid (114) encapsulated in an covering or housing (110).
US08449440B2	Apparatus for automatic tracking and identification of device components Embodiments of an apparatus and method to track and identify radioactive sources are described. In one embodiment, a device includes first housing for a radioactive source having a first electronic tag, a second housing for the radioactive source having a second electronic tag, and a guide tube that couples the first housing with the second housing. The guide tube includes a third electronic tag. The first, second, and third electronic tags communicate with each other to confirm automatically a delivery path for the radioactive source. In one embodiment, the electronic tags may be a radio frequency identification device (RFID).
US08449433B2	Clutch device A clutch device, which has at least one clutch, which can assume an open operating state and a closed operating state, in which a torque can be transmitted by the clutch, an actuator device for activating the clutch, and a sensor device, which has a motion sensor. In order to simplify the actuation strategy of the clutch device, the sensor device has an additional sensor, which detects whether the actuator device is in or near an actuator end position in which the clutch is in the open operating state thereof.
US08449423B2	Selectable one-way clutch with breakaway feature A selectable overrunning clutch and breakaway, i.e., energy absorbing, cone clutch is disposed in series between two elements of a planetary gear automatic transmission. An annular piston is received within a complementary cylinder and includes a male cone clutch member that mates with a stationary female cone clutch member. Also carried by the annular piston is an annular drive ring which engages a planetary gear assembly element such as a ring gear. Disposed between the drive ring and the piston is a selection ring having a plurality of circumferential apertures or ports that receive a like plurality of struts. The face of the annular piston includes pockets or recesses that receive the struts and the face of the drive ring includes notches or surfaces against which the struts engage. Tangentially disposed in the annular piston is a small selection piston which rotates the selection ring between two positions to either allow overrunning in one direction between the annular piston and the annular drive ring or lock the two components together.
US08449421B2	Transmission for motor and controlling device thereof A transmission is adapted to have a deceleration structure while generating an output in the same direction as when a motive power is rotated forwardly when the motive power is rotated reversely. The transmission includes a motor, an output cover, fixed shafts, and a transmission. The transmission is selectively connected according to the rotational direction of the driving shaft. The transmission provides a constant speed output in the forward direction since the driving shaft and the output cover are directly connected to each other when the driving shaft is rotated forwardly, but provides a decelerated output in the forward direction since a reduction planetary gear is geared between the driving shaft and the output cover when the driving shaft is rotated reversely.
US08449413B1	Non-lethal arrow A non-lethal arrow is disclosed that includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. A nock is located on a first end of the shaft and a flight is positioned at approximately the first end of the shaft. A tip connector is included that has a foam tip connection end and a shaft connection end. The shaft connection end is connected with a second end of the shaft. The foam tip connection end includes a plurality of securing ribs extending circumferentially about the foam tip connection end. The securing ribs taper upwardly toward a back surface thereby allowing the securing ribs to grip a foam tip connected with the foam tip connection end. The shaft connection end includes an elongate cylindrical portion defining a hollow tube that is sized and configured to receive the second end of the shaft.
US08449408B2	Iron-type golf clubs The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club that may be included in a set. In particular, the inventive golf club includes an adjustable hosel coupling and a mechanism for altering the sole configuration. The golf club may be included in a set having a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set.
US08449403B2	Support for golf club Provided is a golf club support on which a wooden club, etc. can be suspended in a desired direction while being prevented from falling or tumbling. The golf club support for supporting a golf club of which head portion has an R shape on a base end side has a columnar shape, has an opening 10 in the circumferential surface thereof, and has a guide portion 12 which is formed from the opening toward the inside. A first support member 16, a second support member 18, and a third support member 20 are formed on at least the top surface of the golf club support. When a golf club is positioned at an innermost portion 12A of the guide portion with a sole surface of its head portion turned upward, the first support member 16 supports a face surface 32A of the head portion of the golf club, the second support member 18 supports a surface 32B facing obliquely outward and upward in the base-end-side side surface of the head portion of the golf club, and the third support member 20 supports a top surface 32D of the head portion of the golf club on its top end. The positions of the top portions of the first support member and the second support member are higher than the top portion of the third support member.
US08449402B2	Device and method for monitoring the striking accuracy and the swing movement of a golf club The device is used for monitoring the drive movement and the accuracy with which the striking surface (16) of a golf club hits a golf ball. It comprises a plate-shaped sensor (18), which can be fastened to the striking surface (16) and by which the point of impact can be located. The sensor (18) is connected by way of signal lines (26) to a measurement and computation circuit (30), which can be detachably fastened to the shaft (12) or the back of the head of the golf club, and which together with a yaw rate sensor (65) and an electrical voltage source is mounted in a housing (28) and during each strike carries out a measurement operation in order to determine coordinates of the point of impact relative to the position of a predetermined reference point (22). A radio module (34) connected to the measurement and computation circuit (30) transmits the measurement results of both sensors (18, 65) to an evaluation unit (36) in the form of a mobile phone or the like for the program-controlled evaluation and display of the measurement results on the screen (40) thereof.
US08449399B2	Joint assembly with centering flange A joint assembly for coupling a first rotating part and a second rotating part includes a first rotating part comprising a first mounting flange having a first shoulder and a first axis and a second rotating part comprising a second mounting flange having a second shoulder and a second axis, the first flange and the second flange configured to secure the joint assembly. It also includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed in the second shoulder. It further includes a centering flange disposed on the first shoulder, the centering flange having a first length and disposed about the first axis; the centering flange having an axially extending non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section that is disposed within and extends radially outwardly from the noncontact section, the contact section having an annular convexly curved outer surface disposed about the first axis and a second length substantially smaller than the first length.
US08449397B2	Secure, parallel, and independent script execution In examples presented herein, a game server and a client device may perform parallel execution of scripts for a computer-implemented virtual game. In one example, in response to determining that a user of a virtual game has performed an in-game action, an update notification is sent to a server computer. The update notification indicates the in-game action and client-side state information. After the sending of the update notification, a first event script to execute is determined based on the in-game action. The first event script is executed to present an in-game effect to the user. An update response is received from the server computer based on execution of a second event script responsive to the in-game action.
US08449390B2	Gaming device having a multi-trigger bonus A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
US08449387B2	Progressive game eligibility and winning A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee.
US08449380B2	Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
US08449376B2	Gaming device for determining a re-drawing group for following games To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
US08449375B2	Gaming machine and method providing a multi-play high-low game A gaming machine and method having a high-low game including a plurality of ranked symbols. The gaming machine enables the player to select a number of ranked symbols to play in the game and to make a wager. The gaming machine displays the number of ranked symbols. For each of the displayed ranked symbols, the gaming machine associates another one of the ranked symbols, a comparison symbol, with the displayed ranked symbol and enables the player to make an input to indicate whether the comparison symbol will be of a higher rank or a lower rank than the displayed ranked symbol. After the player makes the input, the gaming machine generates the comparison symbol and determines if the player's input was correct. The gaming machine provides an award to the player if the player makes a predetermined number of correct inputs.
US08449374B2	Multiplier for lottery game An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.
US08449362B2	Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games A video poker-type wagering game in which a wager is made to play an underlying draw poker game consisting of at least a single hand of poker. An additional bet is required to utilize a wild card play option. A predetermined amount of initial cards are randomly dealt from a standard deck of 52 cards to form the initial player's hand. If the player has made a side bet wager, at least one up to the predetermined amount of player's hand cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to a house hand. Any cards in the player's hand that match any cards in the house hand by rank, suit and/or position are automatically changed to be wild cards. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the player's hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the player's hand deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player.
US08449353B2	Hard finish machine for hard finishing of a workpiece The invention relates to a hard finish machine (1) for hard finishing of a workpiece (2), comprising at least two different hard finish tools (3, 4) which are arranged on a tool spindle (5), wherein the tool spindle (5) is arranged movable in the direction (Y) of its axis (6) on a tool carrier (7), wherein the tool carrier (7) is translational movable relatively to a machine bed (8) and wherein the hard finish machine furthermore comprises cooling lubricant supplying means (9) for the supply of cooling lubricant to the machining region between the workpiece (2) and the hard finish tool (2, 3). To work in all possible tool and method combinations with optimized cooling lubricant supply conditions the invention proposes that the cooling lubricant supplying means (9) comprise at least a first cooling lubricant nozzle (9′) having at least one opening for a stream of cooling lubricant and at least a second cooling lubricant nozzle (9″) having at least one opening for a stream of cooling lubricant, wherein the two cooling lubricant nozzles (9′, 9″) are arranged movable relatively to another in the direction (Y) of the axis (6) of the tool spindle (5).
US08449351B2	Lower unit for glass polishing system and glass polishing method using the same A lower unit for a glass polishing system includes a support installed to a rotatable turntable, and a carrier having a supporting part for supporting a glass to be polished, and a placing part formed in a surface opposite to the supporting part and fixed and placed to the support.
US08449347B2	Orthopaedic component manufacturing method and equipment A system for use in preparing an articulating surface of a component of an orthopaedic implant is provided. The system includes a magnetorheological polishing fluid including a carrier fluid and a plurality of particles suspendable in said carrier fluid. The system also includes a vessel for containing the Magnetorheological polishing fluid. The system also includes a mechanism for delivering the fluid to form a polishing zone and a holder for securing the component and for moveably positioning the articulating surface of the component relative to the polishing zone. The system further includes a controller for determining the rate of material removal from the object, for determining the direction and velocity of movement of the polishing zone relative to the object and for determining the number of cycles of polishing required.
US08449341B2	Floating support comprising a drum equipped with two buoys to which to fasten tethers and pipes connecting between the sea bed and the surface An oil production floating support having a mooring device for mooring anchor lines anchoring to the bottom of the sea and bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The device has two mooring buoys having the anchor lines and the bottom-to-surface connection pipes moored respectively thereto. The said two mooring buoys being connectable and disconnectable to a turret under which they are fastened, independently of each other.
US08449335B2	Electrical connectors and receptacle assemblies having retention inserts An electrical connector including a connector housing having opposite mating and loading faces and a mating axis extending therebetween. The connector housing has interior walls that oppose each other with a contact cavity therebetween. The electrical connector also includes a retention insert that is sized and shaped to be advanced through the loading face and positioned within the contact cavity. The retention insert has an outer engagement surface. The electrical connector also includes first and second rows of mating contacts that are separated by the retention insert. The contact cavity has a component-receiving region that exists between the first and second rows of mating contacts and is accessible through the mating face. The mating contacts of the first and second rows are oriented to extend lengthwise along the mating axis and are held between the engagement surface of the retention insert and respective interior walls.
US08449324B2	Coaxial connector having detachable locking sleeve A connector is provided for terminating coaxial cable. The connector includes a connector body having a cable receiving end and an opposed connection end. A locking sleeve is provided in detachable, re-attachable snap engagement with the insertion end of the connector body for securing the cable in the connector body. The cable may be terminated to the connector by inserting the cable into the locking sleeve or the locking sleeve may be detachably removed from the connector body and the cable inserted directly into the cable body with the locking sleeve detached subsequently.
US08449320B2	Jumper apparatus Apparatus is disclosed for use in electrically connecting common terminals are adjacent duplex plugs of a double duplex wall plug to one another. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a generally U-shaped jumper element which is fabricated from a sheet of flexible conductive material and which has a base portion and two leg portions which extend away from the base portion and which have slotted terminal lugs at their ends for connection to common terminals on adjacent duplex plugs. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises two of the aforedescribed jumper elements which are in inverted relationship to one another and where the terminal lugs of the two jumper elements are aligned along a common axis. Flexible insulating material encloses the second embodiment and may be used to enclose the first embodiment.
US08449305B2	Mechanical and electric connection device for a coaxial cable conveying a high-frequency signal The present invention concerns a device for the mechanical and electric connection between a multilayer line, including a conductive track and at least one ground plane, and a coaxial cable conveying a high-frequency signal, including an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the mechanical and electric connection device comprising: means for electrically connecting the coaxial cable to the ground plane of the multilayer line, including a conductive surface arranged opposite the ground plane of the multilayer line from which it is separated by a layer of a dielectric material so as to establish a capacitive electric link between the conductive surface and the ground plane; and a mechanical attachment means including at least one raised pattern that is made of a dielectric material and that can be inserted into a suitable opening formed in the ground plane.
US08449302B1	Game piece with a selectively viewable hidden image A game piece with a hidden image that is visible through a decoder filter, with a first visible layer having an image gradient mapped to a first electromagnetic wavelength range and a second visible layer with a disguising mask and the image gradient mapped to a second electromagnetic wavelength range, the electromagnetic wavelength ranges selected based on a color hue for the decoder filter and the disguising mask having an electromagnetic wavelength within the second electromagnetic wavelength range. A method of making a game piece with a hidden image that is visible upon viewing through a decoder filter is disclosed.
US08449297B2	Dental implant for insertion into a jawbone and for fastening a tooth replacement A dental implant inserted into a jawbone in order to fasten a tooth replacement is characterized by a shape corresponding to two partially overlapping cylinder-like members (29, 30) that have significantly different diameters. The axis of symmetry (14) of the first member (29) having the larger diameter extends perpendicular to the cortical bone (4) of the jawbone, while the axis of symmetry (15) of the second member (30) having the smaller diameter is tilted by an acute angle relative to the axis of symmetry (14) of the first member (29). The point of intersection (2) between the axes of symmetry (14, 15) lies on the axis of symmetry of the first member (29), within or outside said member (29).
US08449295B2	Oral irrigation and/or brushing devices and/or methods An oral hygiene device having, in one implementation, a unique, peristaltic pump water streaming or jet action; and in another implementation, a multi-headed toothbrush may also be disposed on the end of a handle on which the jet nozzle or nozzles are disposed.
US08449294B2	Dental impression tray A dental impression tray is provided having a wall including at least one retaining element. The retaining element at least partially overhangs an associated passageway, wherein the passageway extends between first and second wall surfaces that face in different directions Further, methods and molds to form a dental impression tray according to the invention are provided and a kit including a plurality of such dental impression tray.
US08449289B2	Multi-gas appliance Cooking appliance having an external control panel equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ is equipped with various peripheral openings for supplying a flow Q. For the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob or a bezel disk in the external panel are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ or the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix in the control knob guided in a slide groove on the control panel of the appliance, or a tongue on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
US08449283B2	Dies for forming extrusions with thick and thin walls A die for forming an extrusion includes a die body, a body feed section and an extrusion forming section. The die body may include an inlet and an outlet defining an extrudate flow path through the die body. The body feed section may be positioned between the inlet and outlet and includes an arrangement of body feed channels. The extrusion forming section may be positioned between the body feed section and the outlet and includes a thin-wall forming portion fluidly coupled to at least one thick-wall forming portion. The thin-wall forming portion may include an array of pins extending from the body feed section towards the outlet and the thick-wall forming portion may include at least one baffle section positioned in the extrudate flow path through the thick-wall forming portion. The area of the thick-wall forming portion may be greater than an interstitial area between the pins.
US08449268B2	Fan and method for manufacturing the same A fan includes a shaft, a hollow, approximately cylindrical rotor yoke that rotates around the shaft as a rotation axis and is open toward one of its axial ends, a rotor magnet secured to an inner circumference of the rotor yoke, and an impeller secured to an outer circumference of the rotor yoke and arranged to rotate together with the rotor yoke to generate an air flow. One of the impeller and the rotor yoke is provided with an index used for circumferentially positioning the impeller or the rotor yoke.
US08449265B2	Hydraulically actuated reciprocating pump A hydraulically driven reciprocating pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes a housing including a hydraulic chamber, a cylinder coupled to the housing, a piston assembly adapted for reciprocal motion within the housing and the cylinder, the piston assembly separating the hydraulic chamber into three subchambers, and a hydraulic system fluidicly coupled to each of the subchambers. The hydraulic system is actuatable to deliver hydraulic fluid to a first of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly strokes back and a working fluid is drawn into the cylinder, to deliver hydraulic fluid to a second of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly strokes out and the working fluid is exhausted from the cylinder, and to adjust a volume of hydraulic fluid within a third of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly translates to bring a pressure of the working fluid in the cylinder to within a pre-selected range.
US08449262B2	Nickel-based superalloys, turbine blades, and methods of improving or repairing turbine engine components Nickel-based superalloys, turbine blades, and methods of improving or repairing turbine engine components are included. A nickel-based superalloy includes, by weight, about 5% to about 12% cobalt, about 3% to about 10% chromium, about 5.5% to about 6.3% aluminum, about 5% to about 10% tantalum, about 3% to about 10% rhenium, about 2% to about 5% of one or more of elements selected from a group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, and iridium, about 0.1% to about 1.0% hafnium, about 0.01% to about 0.4% yttrium, about 0.01% to about 0.15% silicon, and a balance of nickel.
US08449261B2	Blade for an axial compressor and manufacturing method thereof The disclosure provides blades, and the modification thereof, for stages 18-22 of an axial compressor wherein the blades have reduced susceptibility to tip cracking. The blades and blades manufactured by the provided method have a thickened profile that results in reduced stress in response to multi frequency impulses and can have increased frequency response of the chord wise bending mode.
US08449255B2	Wind turbine blade system with air passageway In this presentation, we study various aspects of the wind turbines or wind mills. We optimize the performances of both a single wind turbine and a wind farm, collectively. We study the nozzles on the blades and all the variations and accessories for the operation of a nozzle. We also explore flow patterns around the blades, the mechanisms to get air or other gasses to the blades, the couplers for the electrical connections and the gas connections, and the gaps, holes, channels, conduits, or openings on the body or structure of a tower. We also present various mathematical models and formulations for optimizations.
US08449254B2	Branched airfoil core cooling arrangement An example airfoil cooling arrangement includes a airfoil wall having a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The airfoil wall establishes a channel that is configured to communicate fluid between an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The channel includes secondary portion that branch from a primary portion. An example airfoil cooling method includes receiving a flow of fluid from a airfoil core cavity and communicating the flow of fluid through channel within a wall of the airfoil. The channel has a secondary portion branching from a primary portion.
US08449244B2	Method for operating a wind energy converter, control device for a wind energy converter, and wind energy converter Some general aspects of the invention provide a method for operating a wind energy converter having a variable-ratio gear system mechanically coupled between a rotor and a generator, wherein the variable-ratio gear system includes a first hydraulic unit coupled to a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit coupled to a second shaft. The method comprises adjusting the variable-ratio gear system to a first gear ratio at which the first shaft substantially does not rotate; determining a wind speed or a related parameter (n, P, p); detecting whether the wind speed or the related parameter (n, P, p) has crossed a first threshold value in a first direction; and adjusting the variable-ratio gear system, when the wind speed or the related parameter (n, P, p) has crossed the first threshold value in the first direction, to a second gear ratio at which the second shaft substantially does not rotate.
US08449239B1	Bracket assembly for vehicle waste tank A bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks having first and second longitudinal frame members. The longitudinal frame members each have proximal ends and lateral edges. In addition, the longitudinal frame members each have sidewalls extending therefrom. The sidewalls extend from their respective proximal ends a predetermined distance. Each proximal end has hinge assemblies that mount onto a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks is mounted onto an underside of the vehicle, so that it is not seen and does not obstruct any functionalities of the vehicle, which may be a recreational vehicle having a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room. The vehicle may also be defined as a caravan, camper, or camper van. The vehicle is intended for everything from brief leisure activities such as vacations and camping, to full-time living, for which they are often parked in special trailer parks.
US08449238B2	In-line furnace conveyors with integrated wafer retainers In one embodiment, an in-line furnace includes a continuous conveyor configured to hold wafers at an angle relative to ground. The conveyor may have fixedly integrated wafer retainers configured to hold the wafers in slots. The conveyor may be formed by several segments that are joined together. Each of the segments may include a base and a set of wafer retainers formed thereon. The conveyor may be driven to move the wafers through a chamber of the furnace, where the wafers are thermally processed.
US08449237B2	Knurled pin fastener and method of forming a knurled pin fastener A pin fastener includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a first substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first end toward the second end, a first tapered section that extends from the first substantially constant diameter section, a second substantially constant diameter section that extends from the first tapered section, and a second tapered section that extends from the second substantially constant diameter portion to the second end. The pin fastener further includes a knurled section formed in the second substantially constant diameter portion.
US08449209B2	Image recording apparatus including cutting unit and supporting member with friction member The image recording apparatus includes conveying unit configured to convey a roll-shaped recording medium, a recording head adapted to record an image on the recording medium, a guide member configured for guiding the recording medium, and a cutting unit configured to cut the recording medium, wherein the guide member is provided with at least one friction member on a surface of the guide member, the at least one friction member configured to come into contact with the recording medium.
US08449205B2	Optical connector with protecting mechanism to prevent damage to fiber optic lens An optical connector (100) defining a receiving space (101) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) and an optical fiber module (3) retained in the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) has a base (12) and a tongue (13) extending forwardly from the base (12). The base (12) has a front wall (121) and a cavity (125) extending therethrough. The optical fiber module (3) is received in the cavity (125) and has at least a position post (32) extending forwardly beyond the front wall (121). A protecting mechanism (126) extends into the receiving space (101). The protecting mechanism (126) has a front end (1260) arranged at front of the position post (32) to make the receiving space (101) having a first insertion length (X) and a second insertion length (Y). The second insertion length (Y) is larger than the first insertion length (X).
US08449189B2	Motor with aerodynamic pressure bearing mechanism In a gas dynamic pressure bearing mechanism (1) for smoothing rotary motion of a shaft (10) by feeding gas to the bearing clearance between the shaft (10) and a fixed sleeve (20) for supporting the shaft (10) through a herring bone groove (10a), the herring bone groove (10a) is provided in the shaft (10) such that pressure distribution generated in the bearing clearance moves at a high speed. The herring bone groove (10a) consists of N grooves such that N minimal pressure values appearing alternately with maximal pressure values at the positions where the maximal pressure values of dynamic pressure variation appear in the bearing clearance when the shaft (10) rotates have such an interval as it becomes lower than the condensation pressure value.
US08449182B2	Temperature sensing module A temperature sensing module includes a thermal sensor and an auxiliary fixture member. The thermal sensor includes a sensing head and plural pins. The pins and respective wires are connected with each other to form plural connecting regions. The auxiliary fixture member includes a fixing part, an extension part, a receiving part and a covering part. The extension part includes plural grooves for partially accommodating the pins of the thermal sensor, the wires and the connecting regions. The receiving part is arranged between the fixing part and the extension part for accommodating the sensing head of the thermal sensor. The covering part is disposed over the extension part for covering the extension part so that the pins, the wires and the connecting regions accommodated within the grooves of the extension part are fixed between the extension part and the covering part.
US08449181B2	Process fluid temperature measurement An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a process fluid includes a resistance based temperature sensor (RTD) sensor configured to thermally couple to the process fluid. First and second electrical connections are configured to apply a current through the RTD. Measurement circuitry is configured to measure a voltage across the RTD and identify a degraded connection to the RTD and responsively measure a temperature of the process fluid using the electrical connections.
US08449177B2	Vacuum sensor A micro mechanical vacuum sensor for determining the pressure within a cavity of a micro mechanical device is provided. The sensor comprises a substrate, at least one electrically conductive support member connected to the substrate, and a thermally resistive layer supported by the at least one support member and spaced from the substrate by the support member to provide a space between the thermally resistive layer and the substrate. The sensor is arranged such that the thermally resistive layer is substantially thermally insulated from the substrate. The sensor is further arranged to be driven such that the pressure within the cavity is determined by a temperature value sensed by the sensor.
US08449169B2	LED replacement bulb for use in low EM room An LED replacement light bulb for use in a standard AC light bulb socket is provided. The light bulb includes a body, a heat sink portion and an end cap arranged to receive DC electrical current from the AC light bulb socket where the AC electrical system has been converted to a DC electrical system. The LED replacement bulb includes a base and wires connecting the base to a plurality of LEDs or to an LED board. A quick disconnect is disposed between the base and the plurality of LEDS or the LED board to allow for easy removal and replacement of the LEDs or of the LED board. In one preferred embodiment, a lens cover is provided with stand-off legs to avoid metal to metal contact between the bulb and its surrounding lighting fixture.
US08449167B2	Backlight unit A backlight unit includes a lower frame comprising an opening; a light source arranged in the opening; a light guide plate arranged in the opening; and an upper frame arranged above the lower frame. The unit is so arranged that if one side of a projection (e.g., in the upper frame) is made in contact with one side of a hole (e.g. in the lower frame), then the first side end portion on the first overall end of the side surface of the upper frame is located approximately in the same plane with a first side end portion on the first overall end of the side surface of the lower frame, and the second side end portion on the second overall end of the side surface of the upper frame extends beyond the second side end portion on the second overall end of the side surface of the lower frame.
US08449164B2	Backlight module having a composite optical film disposed in a novel location to prevent improper color mixing A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a plurality of light emitting devices, and a composite optical film. The light guide plate has a light incident surface, a light exit surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the light exit surface is opposite to the bottom surface, and the light incident surface is connected with the light exit surface and the bottom surface. The light emitting devices are disposed beside the light incident surface of the light guide plate. Each of the light emitting devices has a light emitting surface facing to the light incident surface, wherein the light emitting surface provides a light beam. The composite optical film is disposed between the light emitting surface and the light incident surface and includes a diffusion layer and a partially transmissive and partially reflective layer.
US08449163B2	Backlight module A backlight module includes at least one light emitting device capable of emitting a light beam, a light guide plate, and a thermal insulation light guide element. The light guide plate has two surfaces opposite to each other and a side surface connecting the two surfaces. The light emitting device is disposed beside the side surface. The light beam enters the light guide plate through the side surface. The thermal insulation light guide element has a light incident surface and a light emitting surface. The light incident surface having at least one first recess is located in a transmission path of the light beam and between the light emitting device and the side surface. The light emitting surface is disposed between the light incident surface and the side surface. The glass transition temperature of the thermal insulation light guide element is higher than that of the light guide plate.
US08449158B2	Vehicle exterior mirror system A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a signal light disposed in the exterior mirror assembly. The signal light includes at least one light emitting diode. The signal light is configured to emit a light pattern and the light pattern is defined at least between a forward leading edge and a rearward leading edge. The forward leading edge of the light pattern forms a forward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the side of a vehicle equipped with the lighted exterior mirror system, and the rearward leading edge of the light pattern forms a rearward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 15 degrees relative to the side of the equipped vehicle.
US08449156B2	Automotive interior hidden switching A vehicle interior panel having a substrate with a receiving slot. A support lens is disposed in the receiving slot and includes a light source. A sensor is operably connected to the light source and disposed proximate the support lens. A connector operably links the sensor to the light source through the support lens. A decorative layer extends over the support lens and the sensor.
US08449155B2	Illuminating magnifying lens capable of focusing its light on objects An illuminating magnifying lens capable of focusing its light on objects in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame connected to a handle, and in a part of the handle jointing to the frame is defined an assembling groove in which being assembled a lamp, a battery and a light guiding member. When the magnifying lens is used to magnify the object, the projecting light of the lamp is restricted by the light guiding member and can only be emitted out from the open end of the guiding hole, plus there is projecting angle between the guiding hole and the lens element, therefore, the light of the lamp will be directed toward the object without projecting onto the lens element, thus preventing dazzling reflection.
US08449148B2	Lighting device for forming pattern The present invention is capable of irradiating a desired figure, a character and the like onto an object with a simple configuration and further capable of easily changing the figure, the character and the like, and includes an LED light source, a first refractive element adapted to refract light emitted from the LED light source to form an image of a light emitting shape when viewed in an optical axis direction of the LED light source at a predetermined position and a casing accommodating the LED light source and the first refractive element and having a light outgoing aperture for emitting the light applied from the first refractive element to the outside.
US08449147B2	Ophthalmic endoillumination with thermally isolated phosphor An illuminator configured to deliver white light into an optical fiber includes a pump light source and a white phosphor. The pump light source configured to emit short-wavelength light. The white phosphor is disposed to receive the short-wavelength light from the pump light source and to output white light in response to the pumping light. The white phosphor is thermally isolated from the pump light source.
US08449142B1	Reinforced housing structure for a lighted sign or lighting fixture A lighted sign or lighting fixture includes a housing that contains a series of LEDs. The housing has a pair of side walls and a series of spaced apart reinforcing members that extend between and interconnect the side walls. The reinforcing members may be formed integrally with the side walls, or may be in the form of separate members that are securely attached to the side walls. An LED mounting structure, such as a PCB, may be attached to the reinforcing members, or alternatively a separate bottom wall may be secured to the reinforcing members.
US08449140B2	Lighting arrangement using LEDs A lighting arrangement using LEDs that has an elongated translucent diffuser having a flat upper surface along the length of the diffuser. The transverse cross-section of the elongate translucent diffuser may have various shapes, all having substantially flat tops, including but not limited to quadrangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, and non-isosceles variations of these shapes. The elongated translucent diffuser is mounted on an elongated housing of substantially the same length to support the diffuser. The elongated housing may be solid or hollow and may contain the LEDs and circuit board, or the LEDs and circuit board may be contained within the elongated translucent diffuser. The LEDs are configured to transmit light through the diffuser so that the emitted light simulates light from a traditional neon tube.
US08449131B2	Optical sight An optical sight of the present invention may aim at an object via a cross. The optical sight has a focusing adjuster for focusing and a brightness adjuster for adjusting luminance on a cross. The focusing adjuster and the brightness adjuster are made at the same position that user may operate the optical sight more conveniently.
US08449130B2	Solid state lighting panels with limited color gamut and methods of limiting color gamut in solid state lighting panels Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.
US08449114B2	Fundus imaging apparatus Provided is a fundus imaging apparatus which achieves reduction of a load on an examiner by facilitating understanding of an operation of switching from a fundus imaging mode to an anterior ocular segment imaging mode, comprising: an imaging unit for taking an image of an eye to be inspected; a focusing unit for achieving a substantially conjugate relationship between the eye to be inspected and the imaging unit; a diopter adjustment unit for adjusting a diopter when the eye to be inspected is myopic or hyperopic; an imaging selecting unit capable of selecting the fundus imaging mode or the anterior ocular segment imaging mode; a diopter adjustment switching unit for switching the diopter adjustment unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode; and a drive unit for driving the focusing unit in accordance with the selected imaging mode.
US08449109B2	Type of lens for eyeglasses and method for obtaining same A new type of lens for eyeglasses and a method for obtaining the same. The lens is composed of a transparent substrate; a composite layer disposed between the substrate and a layer of precious metal, such as gold, the composite layer is composed of at least two layers. A combination for the composite layer is an anti-reflective layer applied directly to the substrate and made of a metal such as chromium; the anti-reflective layer is advantageously made of silicon oxide.
US08449099B2	Recording apparatus Provided is a recording apparatus including: a recording unit for performing recording on a recordable medium; a transportation unit for transporting the recordable medium; and a drier for accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting gas to the recordable medium, wherein the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable.
US08449094B2	Liquid ejection head unit and liquid ejection apparatus Ink solvent having reached a buffer chamber through a manifold and a flexible portion is discharged in a direction different from the direction in which a holder opening is provided. Accordingly, the ink solvent is less likely to reach a connecting portion of a lead electrode and a COF substrate through the holder opening, a through-hole, and a support hole, through which the COF substrate extends. Thus, it is possible to make the solvent take a long time to reach the connecting portion, achieving an ink jet recording head in which the time taken to cause poor contact between the lead electrode and the COF substrate occurs is longer than that in the case where the solvent is discharged in the same direction as the direction in which the holder opening is provided.
US08449092B1	Air extraction momentum method A method of printing using a carriage with an ink container and an ejector die mounted thereon, the ink container includes a vent hole for removing air from the ink container. Air is extracted from the ink container by moving a mass within the ink container toward the vent hole, wherein said movement of the mass toward the vent hole is generated by momentum forces arising in the mass from the back and forth movement of the carriage.
US08449076B2	Ink jet printer and an ink jet printing process The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapor in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.
US08449072B2	Method for ejecting ink droplets onto a substrate An ink mixed with spacer members is ejected onto one or both of a TFT substrate and a CF substrate while an ink jet head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles is moved. The excursions of a predetermined number of ink jet nozzles from an end of the ink jet head overlap those of a next excursion of the ink jet head without causing overlapping of ejected ink within the overlapping area. An abrupt stepwise change in the amount of ejected ink is suppressed whereby an uneven gap is suppressed.
US08449071B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a common array base member; and plural head modules each formed of a module base member and plural heads configured to discharge droplets arranged in an array on the module base member. The plural head modules are attached on the common array base member. The heads of at least two of the head modules discharge liquid droplets of the same color. The at least two of the head modules are positioned relative to a same reference point provided by a reference member on the common array base member.
US08449052B2	Drawer assembly A drawer construction having a floor element surmounted by a plurality of upstanding sidewalls forming a frame includes one or more reinforced connections between the floor element and one or more of the sidewalls. The reinforced connection may include one or more outwardly extending tabs associated with the floor element which are received within appropriately sized and oriented slots defined within a selected sidewall. The sidewall may further include a laterally extending shelf positioned proximate the lower edge of the sidewall and oriented to extend below the floor element such that the floor element rests on the upper surface of the shelf. Mounting supports, positioned on the opposing ends of the sidewall may be secured to adjacently positioned sidewalls to further strengthen the association of the sidewall with the drawer structure.
US08449051B2	Drawer assembly A drawer assembly having a drawer and a sliding guide rail system for slidably opening and closing the drawer within an article of furniture is disclosed. A contact piece is provided on a drawer element. A damping device and a channel guide are provided within the guide rail system. The channel guide has a sliding member that includes an inner portion and an outer portion that extends from the guide so as to be contactable by the contact piece. The sliding member inner portion locates an end of the damping device. During a closing action, the drawer is caused to slide in a closing direction. When the contact piece reaches and contacts the sliding member outer portion, the sliding member travels within the channel guide against the resilience of the damping device and causes deceleration of the closing motion.
US08449049B2	Redundant hardware architecture for the power stage of the braking system of a vehicle in which each of the wheels are connected to at least one rotary electrical machine An electric braking system for a vehicle includes first and second sub-systems connected to each other by an electric line. The first sub-system, which includes a first dissipation device, controls braking in a first wheel set. The second sub-system, which includes a second dissipation device, controls braking in a second wheel set different from the first wheel set. The electric line is arranged such that: if the first dissipation device becomes inoperative, electrical power produced by the first sub-system is channeled towards the second dissipation device, and if the second dissipation device becomes inoperative, electrical power produced by the second sub-system is channeled towards the first dissipation device.
US08449046B2	Two-stage master brake cylinder A two stage master brake cylinder uses a primary and secondary piston to displace an initial large volume of hydraulic fluid during a first stage and a second stage that continues brake actuation by displacing a reduced volume of hydraulic fluid determined by the secondary piston. A by-pass control valve is adjustable to vary transition from the first stage to the second stage.
US08449043B2	Multi-piece vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same A method for producing a multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a wheel having a wheel disc defining and axis and an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange; (b) providing a first outer wheel cover formed from a first material, the first outer wheel cover covering at least a portion of outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel disc; (c) providing a second inner wheel cover formed from a second material, the second inner wheel cover covering at least a substantial portion of the outboard facing wheel surface of the wheel disc, the second wheel cover including an outboard surface and an inboard surface; (d) securing the first outer wheel cover and the second inner wheel cover together by at least an interference fit therewith; and (e) non-permanently securing the assembled wheel covers of step (d) and the wheel to one another by a non-permanent mechanical attachment feature to produce the multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system.
US08449041B2	Grading pick with extended fins A tool pick including a head portion, a larger diameter shoulder positioned rearwardly adjacent to the head portion and joined to the head portion at a junction, and a shank extending rearwardly with respect to the shoulder. Two or more fins extend generally radially outward from the head portion and the shoulder, each fin having an outer surface sloping outwardly and rearwardly from the head portion and a pair of side surfaces, a rear end of each fin being located rearward of the junction between the head portion and the shoulder, the fins defining a maximum diameter of at least about 105% of the diameter of the shoulder such that the outer surface of the fin at an axial position aligned with the junction is located radially outward with respect to the junction.
US08449039B2	Pick assembly with integrated piston In one embodiment a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The at least one block comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. A pick comprises a working end and an opposing base end wherein the base end is disposed within the cavity and comprises a piston that is slidably retained within the cylinder. In a second embodiment a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The rotatable drum comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. The at least one block comprises a first end and an opposing second end wherein the second end is disposed within the cavity. A pick comprising a working end is rigidly secured to the first end of the at least one block and the second end comprises a piston slidably retained within the cylinder.
US08449035B2	Chair A chair, in particular an office chair, comprises a pedestal for supporting relative to the floor, a seat support connected to the pedestal, a seat arranged on the seat support, and a backrest support supporting a backrest, which is detachably connected to the seat support.
US08449032B2	Wheelchair having an adjustable seat A wheelchair having an adjustable seat includes a seat frame including first and second side support members. The side support members are extendable between a first position defining a first length and a second position defining a second length greater than the first length. A seat member is coupled at a first side thereof to the first side support member and at a second side thereof to the second side support member. The seat member extends between the first and second side support members to define a seat area having an initial depth corresponding to the first length of the side support members and a width corresponding to a distance between the side support members. The seat member includes an auxiliary portion for extending the seat member to an extended depth corresponding to the second length of the side support members.
US08449028B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
US08449016B2	Sealing arrangement for fixed vehicle panes, method for the production and use thereof A sealing arrangement for vehicle panes is presented. The sealing arrangement has a mounting rail, a pane, and a cover connected by a connection point to a latching rail.
US08449012B2	Collapsible seat A collapsible seat assembly providing a compact size in the stowed position. The seat assembly has a reduced overall height in the stowed position, and an articulated bolster and lumbar supports which provides a reduced compact size of the seat in the stowed position. A cover may extend over the seat in the stowed position.
US08449010B2	System and method for vehicle insulation According to one or more embodiments, an insulated liner structure for a vehicle includes a number of lightweight, potentially reusable insulated panels that may be attached to form an insulated enclosure, chamber, shell or other similar interior space. In some embodiments, the panels may be constructed with a lightweight single-layer or multi-layer core covered or surrounded by a flexible fabric skin. The panels may be shaped to substantially conform to the interior cargo area of a vehicle, and may include a floor panel, a roof panel, right and left wall panels, and a rear door panel, each of which may include multiple panels or structures.
US08449009B1	Adapter for attachment of a display unit to a console of a vehicle A device includes an adapter having a number of holes and a number of threaded studs. The holes are arranged in a spaced apart pattern corresponding to a bolt pattern of a legacy cockpit display unit. The threaded studs are arranged in a spaced apart pattern similar to a bolt pattern of a display unit.
US08449007B2	Waste collection device Methods and apparatus are provided for a hand held device for collecting waste material deposits. In one exemplary embodiment the device comprises a frame with a grip portion, and a waste receptacle with an open end for receiving a waste material deposit. The exemplary device may further comprise a pivoting scoop adapted to swing between a loading position in which the scoop extends generally away from the grip end of the frame, and a dispensing position in which the scoop is generally juxtaposed with the open end of the waste receptacle.
US08448988B2	Vehicle system including a structure in which exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed An exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed below a floor supported by both side members of a vehicle to recover heat from exhaust gas passing through an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. Assistance members, which extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, are provided between the both side members of the vehicle. The exhaust heat recovery apparatus is installed close to one of the assistance members.
US08448980B1	Active bolster with unsymmetric pleated inflation An active bolster for protecting an occupant during a crash event of a motor vehicle includes a back wall and a front wall forming an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes a stationary central mounting section and a pleated section with generally-circumferential pleats that unfold during bladder inflation. The pleats provide a transverse curve length that is radially variable with a greatest transverse curve length toward a first end of the wall and a smallest transverse curve length toward an opposite end of the wall so that expansion of the wall is biased toward the to first end.
US08448975B2	Step-in telemark ski binding A step-in binding for reversibly securing a boot to sports equipment comprises a toe portion (a toe iron or toe box) that engages the toe of the boot and a cable having both ends connected to the front portion. The cable extends from the front portion around the heel of the boot. The cable includes a heel lever that engages both the heel of the boot and a heel block such that the boot heel remains free to be lifted vertically relative to the ski and binding. The heel of the boot is reversibly secured to the sports equipment by frictional forces between a camming surface of the heel lever and an anterior surface of the heel block. The heel lever can be tipped between an open position and a closed position.
US08448965B2	Transverse link for a wheel suspension A transverse link for a wheel suspension, which can be connected to a suspension point of a car body or of a chassis and a holding point of a wheel mount. The transverse link has a connecting rod on the wheel mount side and a connecting rod on the vehicle side, which are connected to one another in a rotating manner. The connecting rod on the vehicle side can be fastened on the suspension point of the auto body or of the chassis and the connecting rod on the wheel mount side can be fastened to the holding point of the wheel mount. Such a transverse link can be used both on the front and rear axles. The plurality of variable parameters permits fine coordination with regard to kinematic travel properties. Also, a low number of additional components are required.
US08448963B2	Displacement measurement system and method for a suspension system in a vehicle A vehicle includes a chassis, an axle, a suspension strut and a sensor assembly. The suspension strut includes a barrel having a lower end and an upper end, and a rod having a lower end and an upper end. The rod lower end is slidably received within the barrel upper end. The barrel lower end is coupled with the axle and the rod upper end is coupled with the chassis. A sensor assembly is coupled between the chassis and the barrel for sensing relative movement between the chassis and the barrel.
US08448937B2	Medium supplying apparatus A medium supplying apparatus includes a separation mechanism that separates one medium at a time from a plurality of sheet-shaped media stacked in a loading rack and transports the medium, an irradiation unit that emits light onto a surface of the medium, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light that is acquired by allowing the light emitted by the irradiation unit to be reflected from the surface and detects a reflected light intensity that is an intensity of the reflected light. The separating force of the separation mechanism that is used for separating a next medium is controlled based on the reflected light intensity detected by the light receiving unit.
US08448926B2	Liquid distributor for a rotating packed bed Provided is a method for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow. Liquid is removed from the interior region through a liquid outlet, and gas is removed through the gas outlet in the liquid distributor.
US08448920B2	Methods and apparatuses for a small vehicle jack apparatus An apparatus with a wheel engagement mechanism for operation with a jack assembly for engaging and elevating two wheels of a multi-wheeled vehicle relative to the ground is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a support member connected to the base, and a wheel support assembly. The wheel support assembly includes wheel supports connected at the ends of the wheel support that extend outward from the wheel support assembly for supporting two wheels of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes an actuation mechanism for selectively raising and selectively lowering the wheel support assembly to raise and lower the vehicle. A method of assembling the apparatus is also provided.
US08448918B2	Gate valve for a vacuum chamber and vacuum chamber A gate valve for a vacuum chamber comprises two carriers (5a) each connected to a frame structure providing an essentially plane front by two parallel links (6) and to an actuating rod (12a) by parallel levers (14). Upward motion of the actuating rods (12a) by a piston (17) causes, via the levers (14), upward motion of the carriers (5a) which is transformed into a circular motion by the links (6) where the carriers (5a) at the same time approach the front while remaining parallel to it, moving sealing plates (9) which are fixed to the carriers (5a) to an active position where they press against the front and seal openings (3) therein. Retraction of the piston (17) effects an inverse motion, whereby the sealing plates (9) are completely removed from the openings (3) and the latter made easily accessible.
US08448915B2	Increased shear power for subsea BOP shear rams The method of providing a desired motive force for one or more rams of a subsea blowout preventer as a function of a desired pressure differential across one or more pistons on the subsea blowout preventer when the desired pressure differential is higher than the gauge pressure of the accumulators supplying the pressure, comprising providing one or more pistons connected to the one or more rams, the pistons having a distal side and a proximate side with respect to the rams, providing a first pressure from the accumulators to the distal side of the pistons, providing a tank to contain a second pressure less than the ambient pressure of seawater at the location of the subsea blowout preventer, providing a pressure reducing valve which exhausts into the tank and reduces the pressure on the proximate side of the one or more pistons to proximately the difference between the desired pressure differential and the first pressure further comprising that the pressure differential across the one or more pistons is proximately equal to the maximum working pressure of the one or more cylinders plus an amount to provide a force towards the bore of the blowout preventer stack to offset the force of the pressure in the bore acting on the exposed end of rods of the one or more piston.
US08448910B2	Wall mountable holder system A substrate-mountable holder system, comprising: a first portion comprising a base having first and second front surfaces, a rear surface, a top and a bottom, a hook extending from proximate the bottom, a lobe extending rearwardly from a rear surface proximate the top, a pad extending rearwardly from the rear surface, an opening for receiving an anchor extending through the base, the opening between the lobe and the pad; and a second portion for operatively engaging the first portion; wherein the first and second portions each include at least one, and preferably a plurality of, interfacing protrusions and indentations for engaging the second portion with the first portion. Each of the protrusions and indentations on the first and second portions may be proximate the bottom of their respective portions. The system further may include a self-drilling drywall anchor having a bore, and a fastener for operatively engaging the first portion and the bore.
US08448898B1	Autonomous solar aircraft Methods and apparatus for unmanned long endurance flights are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lightweight solar wing for unmanned aircraft may include at least one airfoil profile, a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, wing tips, and at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the surfaces and edges follow an arched bow shape across a span of the wing. In some embodiments, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft may include at least one lightweight solar wing as described above, at least one fuselage, and at least one propeller, wherein the fuselage is placed below the solar wing and contains an electric motor, battery, and electronics.
US08448897B2	Rear part of an aircraft comprising a structure for supporting engines, connected to the fuselage by at least one blocking element under compression loading A rear part of an aircraft including a support structure for supporting engines, passing through the fuselage, through first and second openings. The rear part includes a connection structure connecting the support structure to the fuselage, including a first connection mechanism connecting the support structure to a first casing forming the first opening and a second connection mechanism connecting the support structure to a second casing forming the second opening. The first and second connection mechanisms each include at least one blocking element of the support structure, under compression loading by being applied to the casing and to the support structure.
US08448890B2	Paper dispenser A paper dispenser dispenses paper from a dispenser roll lying in a dispensing position. The paper dispenser contains two transport rollers for the web of paper, the rollers defining a gap, and a mobile sensor element for identifying the end of the web of paper. The sensor element being arranged between the two transport rollers downstream of the gap in the direction of transport of the paper.
US08448879B2	Apparatus for discharging sprays or mists, comprising an oscillating fire burner, and mist pipe for such an apparatus Such apparatuses are used for discharging active substances along with various carrier media, water often being used as a carrier medium. In order to ensure that the water perfectly nebulizes together with the active substance, the mist pipe (10) comprises at least three additional pipes (3 to 6) which partly surround each other to form annular chambers (31 to 33). Such a mist pipe (10) allows the size distribution of the drops to be kept within narrow limits even when water is used as a carrier medium. The nebulizer and the mist pipe (10) are mainly used in the health sector, in agriculture, plantations and greenhouses, for protecting supplies and for disinfection purposes on humans, in animal husbandry, and in food production.
US08448876B2	Semiconductor application installation adapted with a temperature equalization system The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an fluid circulating installation adapted with a temperature equalization system and fluid transmission duct disposed in a heat carrier existing in solid or liquid state in the nature where presents comparatively larger and more reliable heat carrying capacity. The fluid passes through the solid or gas state semiconductor application installation to regulate the semiconductor application installation for temperature equalization, and flows back to the heat equalization installation disposed in the natural heat carrier of heat for the heat equalization installation providing good heat conduction in the natural heat carrier to provide the operation of temperature equalization regulating function on the backflow of the fluid.
US08448873B2	Systems and methods for parsing prescription information for a wirelessly programmable prescription bottle cap Embodiments of the present invention enable parsing of prescription information for a wirelessly programmable prescription bottle cap. In an embodiment, scanned information from a prescription label is received, and an identifier from the scanned information is extracted. A request for a prescription message is sent, and timing information from the prescription message is parsed and wirelessly transmitted to a prescription bottle cap using, for example, a Hall Effect data transfer method.
US08448872B2	Card with digital display The invention relates to a card (38) including a digital display (10) arranged in a node (4) defining the central portion of the card. It further comprises a plastic layer (40) the major portion (42) of which is opaque, and a transparent display portion (44). A pattern (14) is printed on the upper face of the plastic layer (40), in particular by an offset printing technique. The plastic layer (40) is covered with a transparent film (12) attached thereto by a thin glue layer (34) defining an adhesion interface. The electronic display (10) is fully integrated in the card (38) and the printed pattern (14) exhibits a good contrast on the opaque portion of said plastic layer. Furthermore, a good adhesion is obtained between all the layers of the card.
US08448867B2	Illumination apparatus for an imaging-based bar code system An imaging-based barcode system including a scanning arrangement and an illumination apparatus is shown. The scanning arrangement includes a sensor assembly for capturing an image from a target object, the sensor assembly having a field-of-view focused by an optical arrangement onto a sensor array located within the sensor assembly. The illumination system includes a first illumination assembly and a second illumination assembly, each of the first and second assemblies including an illumination source directing illumination through a light pipe and a focusing lens to generate an illumination pattern directed towards a target object, wherein the light pipe includes an input surface and an output surface, the light pipe is configured to change the light intensity distribution at its output surface.
US08448862B2	Graphical code readers that are configured for glare reduction A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The method may include illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources. The method may also include capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor that operates in accordance with a rolling shutter technique. The method may also include determining that glare is present in at least one captured image. The method may also include determining which of the light sources are responsible for the glare. The method may further include taking corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images based on which of the light sources are responsible for the glare.
US08448859B2	System and method for preventing cashier and customer fraud at retail checkout Systems and methods for preventing fraud during retail checkout are described. A system includes: item identifier acquisition devices to acquire identifiers (e.g., barcodes) of items to be transacted; cameras or imagers to acquire images of the items to be transacted; an object recognition component to perform visual recognition of the acquired items through comparison of the acquired images of the items with a database and obtain identifiers of items represented in the database that correspond to an acquired image according to a correspondence criterion; a comparison component to compare a set of identifiers acquired through the item identifier acquisition devices with a set of identifiers obtained through the object recognition component; and an alerting component to provide an alert in case of discrepancies between the two sets.
US08448857B2	Radio frequency identification system for inventory handling, tracking, and checkout One embodiment provides a method of handling for-sale items while shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, including inventorying, tracking, and scanning the for-sale items at checkout. Customers select and bag items while they shop. Each item includes an RFID tag uniquely identifying the item or category of item. The customer brings the shopping cart to an unloading zone of a checkout station. Another, empty shopping cart is positioned in an unloading zone. The customer may receive electronic guidance in positioning the shopping carts. As the customer moves the bags from the shopping cart in the unloading zone to the shopping cart in the loading zone, the bags are scanned by the RFID scanner without removing the items from the bags. Redundant RFID scanners may be provided to increase reliability, and a UPC scanner may be provided as a backup. The shopping carts at the loading zone and unloading zone may be weighed and the weights compared, to guard against possible theft of goods.
US08448855B1	Method and apparatus for funding an electronic purse Techniques for funding an electronic purse (e-purse) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a mechanism is provided to enable a portable device to conduct transactions over an open network with a payment server without compromising security. In one embodiment, a device is loaded with an e-purse manager. The e-purse manager is configured to manage various transactions and functions as a mechanism to access an e-purse therein. The e-purse is funded by interactions among the e-purse manager, a payment server and a financial institution (its server) that maintains an account therefor.
US08448835B2	Device for welding A welding crane (1) for welding large structures is described. The welding crane (1) comprises a base part (2) which is arranged to be positioned on a ground (3), a mast (4) with a longitudinal axis (5). The mast (4) can be arranged in at least a first position in which the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4) extends substantially vertically from the base part (2). A boom (6) with a longitudinal axis (7) is arranged on the mast. The boom (6) can be arranged in at least a first position in which the longitudinal axis (7) of the boom (6) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4). The boom (6) is arranged for receiving a welding head (13). The boom (6) is rotatable in relation to the mast (4) such that the boom (6) can be arranged in a second position in which the longitudinal axis (7) of the boom (6) is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis (5) of the mast (4).
US08448834B2	Board printing system A board printing system is provided with a printing apparatus for printing solder paste on each board, a printing inspection apparatus for inspecting a printed state of solder paste on each board, a transfer device for transferring each board in a forward direction from an unloading portion of the printing apparatus to a loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus, a reversible feed holding device configured to be able to hold a failure board which was taken out from the loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus as a result of being judged by the printing inspection apparatus to be rejected, after feeding the failure board in a reverse direction and then, to load the failure board to the loading portion of the printing inspection apparatus by feeding the failure board in the forward direction, and a selection device for enabling the transfer device and the reversible feed holding device to be used selectively.
US08448833B2	Stapling apparatus for performing anastomosis on hollow organs A stapling apparatus for performing anastomosis on hollow organs which includes an adjacent aligned pair of stapling jaws for respectively retaining hollow organ ends together in aligned registration for stapling the ends together to form an anastomosis. Each of the stapling jaws has opposing hinged hemostat jaws operable for clamping respective hollow organ ends therebetween prior to stapling. The hemostat jaws include a stapling mechanism for stapling the retained hollow organ ends together.
US08448832B2	Variable compression surgical fastener cartridge A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.
US08448815B2	Product dispenser with low product indicator A product dispenser including a frame configured to support a plurality of products and flag element connected to the frame, the flag element being moveable relative to the frame from a first, un-deployed configuration when the flag element is engaged with at least one of the products, to a second, deployed configuration when the flag element is not engaged with the products.
US08448805B2	Attached lid container with bag retention features A container includes a base wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from side edges of the base wall. A first end wall and a second end wall extend upward from end edges of the base wall. A lid is hingeably connected to each of the side walls. A first protrusion protrudes from an upper edge of the first end wall for hooking onto a bag in the container.
US08448797B2	Bottle containing two kinds of materials separately in two spaces The present invention relates to a bottle, which contains two kinds of materials separately in two spaces in a bottle body and communicates the separated spaces with each other as necessary so that the two materials can be mixed together. This bottle has a bottle body having a mouth; an additive storage container including an insertion part inserted into the mouth, an exposed part exposed outside the mouth; an additive storage container including an insertion part inserted into the mouth, an exposed part exposed outside the mouth and an additive storage space defined therein; an opening unit tightened to the mouth; and separation means for separating the additive storage container from the bottle body.
US08448790B2	Surface charge enabled nanoporous semi-permeable membrane for desalination A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. A first surface charge material is deposited on an end portion of the nanochannels. The first surface charge material includes a surface charge to electrostatically influence ions in an electrolytic solution such that the nanochannels reflect ions back into the electrolytic solution while passing a fluid of the electrolytic solution. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.
US08448786B2	Catheter tray, packaging system, instruction insert, and associated methods A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).
US08448785B2	Syringe disposal device The present invention discloses a syringe disposal device (10) for a single syringe (1) having an elongate body (2) with a needle (3) at one end and a finger engageable flange (4) at its other end. The device (10) comprises an elongate enclosed sheath (12) having a closed tip (14) at one end and a cuff (16) at the other end. A syringe detention device (26) is located adjacent the cuff (16) and has at least one inclined sloping surface (28) each of which has a frangible portion (31) rupturable by the syringe flange (4) passing the surface (28) to convert the sloping surface (28) into a cantilevered strip (28A).
US08448784B2	Cigarette package A cigarette package includes a box (2) having an opening (4) at an upper end thereof, a lid (8) joined to one side edge of the opening (4) by means of a hinge (6), and a pull flipper (18) capable of being pulled out from inside the box (2). When the lid (8) is opened, the pull flipper (18) forms a pop-up wall (20) extending from the lid (8) to the opening (4) of the box (2).
US08448782B2	Drink caddy A drink caddy has an assembled mode and a deployed mode and includes a lower bucket, a sealed beverage held within the lower bucket, a liner having a liner upper edge and a liner lower edge, a lid connected to the liner upper edge and a lid handle disposed on the lid. The liner is held to the lower bucket at a liner lower edge. The liner separates from the bucket when a user deploys the product in a deployed mode. An intermediate separator can be fitted inside the liner and a pair of glassware retained on the intermediate separator. The sealed beverage can be a bottle of alcoholic beverage. The lower bucket is preferably made of a clear transparent plastic to allow viewing of the bottle.
US08448781B2	Conveyor chain for mining machinery A conveyor chain includes a plurality of chain links connected together in a chain, each including a pair of forward arms having a space therebetween and a rearward arm extending in a rearward direction. The forward arms of one link are configured to receive the rearward arm of an adjacent link to form a continuous chain. The rearward arm of each link extends a distance from the forward arms so that when adjacent links are coupled together, an engagement space is created between the forward arms of the links. The engagement space is configured to receive portions of sprockets that would engage the forward arms of the link for driving the chain.
US08448779B2	Elevating conveyor In one aspect, an elevating conveyor includes a vertical elevating member having a helical flight and a tubular barrel surrounding the elevating member. The tubular barrel is rotatable relative to the elevating member and is directed toward a centered position with respect to the elevating member by a centering assembly. In one embodiment, the centering assembly includes a plurality of rollers spaced circumferentially around the barrel and being movable in directions toward or away from the barrel. In another aspect, the conveyor has a modular construction that facilitates storage, transportation, and assembly of the conveyor in various heights. The elevating conveyor may further include a dust tube surrounding the barrel and defining a chamber therebetween. An end cap extends over and is spaced from the second end of the dust tube to define a gap through which dust generated by operation of the conveyor is drawn into the chamber.
US08448771B2	Dog clutch gear A dog clutch gear is provided that can prevent stress concentration due to a machined edge from occurring in the dog clutch gear and that can prevent a cutting load from being intermittently applied to a cutting tool to lengthen the lifetime of the cutting tool. The dog clutch gear includes a rim portion formed with power transmission teeth on the outer circumference; a boss portion fitted to a rotating shaft; an annular connecting portion connecting the rim portion with the boss portion; and a dog member formed on a lateral surface of the annular connecting portion. A machined surface is formed on an axial end surface of the boss portion. A runout groove axially continuing from the dog member toward the axial end surface of the boss portion is formed at a joint portion between the boss portion and the dog member.
US08448769B2	Drive engagement apparatus Drive engagement apparatus for engaging a driven gear with a shaft connected to a load by engaging an axially movable sleeve with a dog. One of the sleeve or dog is drivably connected to the gear and the other to the shaft. Compressed air acts to effect axial movement of the sleeve. Axial movement is delayed by a friction drive, which prevents engagement between the sleeve and dog until their rotational speeds equalise. The friction drive comprises a plurality of friction plates pushed together by the compressed air. The dog comprises an engagement unit that engages the sleeve and a base unit that is axially movable to activate and deactivate the friction drive. The base unit and engagement unit are rotatable relative to one another within a predetermined angle to adjust for misalignment between the sleeve and dog during engagement.
US08448768B2	Clutch tooth index and step for multiple cast clutches in one housing A housing for a multi-stage clutch assembly is formed to include a shoulder upon which a backing plate of a first stage clutch pack may be positioned to transfer a load from the first stage clutch pack to the housing.
US08448765B2	Bi-directional coupling with axial disengagement Example aspects of the present invention comprise two concentric rings, the rings movable relative to each other and defining a clearance between them for receiving at least one ball. The first ring is a coupling member, the second ring is a tubular slipper with a friction surface on the far side of the clearance, and the ball contacts the coupling member to the tubular slipper. At least one ring has a first recess with side walls for receiving the least one ball, and the friction surface is configured to displace in a radial direction when the at least one ball is axially aligned with the first recess and forced to run up the side walls by rotating the rings relative to one another. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first recess is a calotte.
US08448756B2	Procedure for actuating a hydraulic parking brake A procedure for actuating a parking brake is described, the parking brake comprising a brake piston which is received in a hydraulic chamber and is displaceable within the hydraulic chamber by means of a hydraulic actuator on the one hand and a mechanical actuator on the other. During operation of the parking brake the mechanical actuator is activated in a first step in order to displace the brake piston in the hydraulic chamber in such a way that a volume of a hydraulic fluid contained in the hydraulic chamber is increased. At a subsequent time the hydraulic actuator is activated in order to build up or increase a clamping force of the parking brake. The hydraulically generated or increased clamping force is then maintained by means of the mechanical actuator.
US08448743B2	Tire noise reduction device and pneumatic tire provided therewith Provided are a tire noise reduction device allowing rapid and reliable puncture-repair of a pneumatic tire provided with an annular sound absorbing member on the inner surface of a tread portion of the tire, and a pneumatic tire provided with the tire noise reduction device. The tire noise reduction device includes: the annular sound absorbing member made of a porous material; and a repair liquid permeable layer stacked on an outer peripheral surface of the sound absorbing member. The repair liquid permeable layer has many continuous pores and has a flow resistance lower than that of the porous material. The tire noise reduction device is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a tread portion of the pneumatic tire.
US08448742B2	Electric power steering system An electric power steering system (1) includes a tubular sensor housing (34) which accommodates a torque sensor (20), a gear housing (32) which accommodates a speed reduction mechanism (24), and an upper bearing (40) and a lower bearing (41) which rotatably support a steering shaft (3) on opposite sides of the speed reduction mechanism (24). The gear housing (32) includes a tubular lower housing (37) supporting the lower bearing (41), and an upper housing (36). The upper housing (36) includes an inner tube (67), an outer tube (68), and an annular connection wall (69) connecting the inner tube (67) and the outer tube (68). The outer tube (68) is press-fitted in the lower housing (37). The inner tube (67) is press-fitted to an inner periphery (72) of a lower portion (71) of the sensor housing (34), whereby the inner tube (67) has a reduced diameter. As a result, an outer ring (44) of the upper bearing (40) is tightly fitted and supported in the inner tube (67).
US08448737B2	Saddle-ride type vehicle A saddle-ride type vehicle is provided which arranges a canister therein, taking heat from an engine into consideration. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a storage box which has a bulging portion; an engine; a fuel tank; and a canister, the engine is arranged behind the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the fuel tank and the canister are arranged in front of the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The fuel tank and the canister are arranged with respect to the engine such that the bulging portion of the storage box is sandwiched between the fuel tank canister and the engine. It is possible to arrange the canister away from the engine by a distance corresponding to the bulging portion and hence, it is possible to reduce influence of heat from the engine exerted on the canister.
US08448728B2	Wheelchair safety, power and shade device and method The Safety, Power and Shade Device is a system usable with wheelchairs providing an upright and horizontal frame attachable by brackets to a wheelchair seat back. The frame allows for the installation of safety and illumination lights, a solar panel for supplemental recharging of an electric wheelchair battery and a means of shelter or shade. The frame assembly is constructed to allow the horizontal frame to fold over and behind the wheelchair for a vertical relationship with the frame upright.
US08448727B1	Rotary drill bit employing polycrystalline diamond cutting elements Embodiments of the present invention relate to superabrasive materials, superabrasive compacts employing such superabrasive materials, and methods of fabricating such superabrasive materials and compacts. In one embodiment, a superabrasive material includes a matrix comprising a plurality of coarse-sized superabrasive grains, with the coarse-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a coarse-sized average grain size. The superabrasive material further includes a plurality of superabrasive regions dispersed within the matrix, with each superabrasive region including a plurality of fine-sized superabrasive grains exhibiting a fine-sized average grain size less than the coarse-sized average grain size. In another embodiment, the superabrasive materials may be employed in a superabrasive compact. The superabrasive compact comprises a substrate including a superabrasive table comprising any of the disclosed superabrasive materials. Further embodiments are directed to applications utilizing the disclosed superabrasive articles in applications, such as rotary drill bits.
US08448726B2	Drill bits with bearing elements for reducing exposure of cutters A bearing element for a rotary, earth boring drag bit effectively reduces an exposure of at least one adjacent cutting element by a readily predictable amount, as well as a depth-of-cut (DOC) of the cutter. The bearing element has a substantially uniform thickness across substantially an entire area thereof. The bearing element also limits the amount of unit force applied to a formation so that the formation does not fail. The bearing element may prevent damage to cutters associated therewith, as well as possibly limit problems associated with bit balling, motor stalling and related drilling difficulties. Bits including the bearing elements, molds for forming the bearing elements and portions of bodies of bits that carry the bearing elements, methods for designing and fabricating the bearing elements and bits including the same, and methods for drilling subterranean formations are also disclosed.
US08448724B2	Hole opener with hybrid reaming section A hole opener having a hybrid reaming section for downhole earth boring operations may include a reamer body having an axis of rotation, an outer periphery, and upper and lower ends, a plurality of rolling cutters coupled to the outer periphery, the rolling cutters defining a rolling cutter cutting profile having a cutting diameter, a plurality of fixed blade cutters coupled to the outer periphery and defining a fixed blade cutter cutting profile having a cutting diameter, each fixed blade cutter being coupled between adjacent rolling cutters. At least one fixed blade cutter may be asymmetrically coupled about the axis. The cutting diameter of the fixed blade cutter cutting profile and the cutting diameter of the rolling cutter cutting profile may collectively define a gage diameter. At least a portion of the fixed blade cutter cutting profile may be deeper than the rolling cutter cutting profile.
US08448723B2	Seal assembly for drill bit A drill bit includes a floating journal bushing, a seal, a cutter having a seal gland for the seal and a cutter bearing surface proximate to the journal bearing, wherein the cutter bearing surface has a first inner diameter, and a journal, wherein the cutter is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal bearing is rotatably coupled about the journal, wherein the journal has a seal boss having a first diameter, and a journal bearing surface having a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is less than the first inner diameter.
US08448712B2	Re-latch mechanism for wellbore liner system A tool for releasably coupling a first tubing to a second tubing in a wellbore has a tubular mandrel configured to couple to and be carried into the wellbore by the first tubing. A collet ring is in an interior of the mandrel and has a plurality of collets to engage the second tubing. A releasing piston is carried in the interior of the mandrel to change between supporting the collet ring such that the collets can release from the profile and allowing the collet ring to lock such that the collets are locked in the profile.
US08448708B2	Method and apparatus for freeze-thaw well stimulation using orificed refrigeration tubing A method and apparatus for introducing refrigerant into a wellbore, for freeze-fracturing a selected region of a subsurface formation, uses refrigerant diffuser pipe having multiple orifices in a selected pattern along a designated section of its length. The orificed supply tubing is disposed within a refrigerant return conduit, thereby forming a tubing annulus. A flow of liquid refrigerant is introduced into the diffuser pipe and flows through the orifices into the tubing annulus, with the orifices acting as expander means creating a pressure drop and causing vaporization of the refrigerant as it passes into the annulus. To facilitate use of the same diffuser pipe in different wells having different requirements, a helical orifice-isolation wrap may be disposed around the diffuser pipe, with the orifice-isolation wrap having orifice-plugging elements arrayed to effectively block fluid flow through selected orifices, while leaving other orifices open as required. In this way, it is possible to design diffuser pipes with particular orifice arrangements that will accommodate two or more different isolation wraps, with each different wrap plugging different patterns of orifices.
US08448704B2	Method and system for monitoring the incursion of particulate material into a well casing within hydrocarbon bearing formations including gas hydrates A method and system for monitoring any incursion of particulate matter from a gas hydrate formation into a well casing used for the production of the gas hydrate and determining the degree of incursion of particulate material within the distal end of the well casing.
US08448702B2	Methods of enhancing biogenic production of methane from hydrocarbon-bearing formations The present invention describes methods of identifying stimulants for the biogenic production of methane in hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Methods involve the use of microbial nucleic acid sequence information for the determination of gene products that are enzymes in a variety of pathways involved in the conversion of hydrocarbons to methane. Enzymes and stimulants identified by invention methods can be used in processes for enhancing biogenic methane production, for example, by addition to coal seams and coalbed methane wells.
US08448701B1	Wellhead protection tool A wellhead protection tool for simultaneously fitting within a lower portion of a tubing head and extending into a gate valve can have four portions with different diameters. A plurality of sealing grooves with seals can provide for sealing of the wellhead protection tool. A locking ring can engage the tubing head and injection portions thereof, allowing for continuous monitoring of seals between the tubing head and the gate valve using a client device at a remote location.
US08448698B2	Tube for heat exchanger A tube for a heat exchanger includes a first and a second plate portions disposed opposite each other. At least the first plate portion includes a base plate portion bonded to the second plate portion by brazing and multiple protruding portions, which protrude from the base plate portion toward an opposite side from the second plate portion, having a first and a second protruding portions. A protruding dimension of the first protruding portion is larger than that of the second protruding portion. The base plate portion and the protruding portions extend straightly in a tube longitudinal direction. The second plate portion and the protruding portions have a clearance therebetween defining an internal fluid passage. The second protruding portion and the base plate portion are configured to define an external fluid passage extending in a tube width direction.
US08448695B2	Heat dissipating apparatus A heat dissipating apparatus includes a heat sink, a fan, and an airflow guide. The heat sink includes a conducting base board and a number of parallel fins vertically extending from the conducting base board. An air intake and an air outlet are defined in opposite ends of the heat sink. The airflow guide includes a mounting cover accommodating the heat sink, and a guiding element connected to the mounting cover. The fan is mounted to the mounting cover and at the air intake of the heat sink. The guiding element is arranged at the air outlet of the heat sink. The guiding element includes a guiding board. An angle between the guiding board and the fins at the air outlet is less than 90 degrees and more than 0 degrees.
US08448694B2	Heat dissipation assembly A heat dissipation assembly includes a fixing board defining a fixing groove, a heat sink device fixed to the fixing board, a fan housing assembly fixed to the heat sink device, and a heat dissipation pipe. The heat sink device defines a first receiving groove aligning with the fixing groove, and a second receiving groove opposite to the first receiving groove. The fan housing assembly includes a frame defining a slot aligning with the second receiving groove, and a fan received in the frame. The dissipation pipe includes a first pipe portion, a second pipe portion, and an arc-shaped connecting portion connecting the first and second pipe portions. The first pipe portion is accommodated in the fixing groove and the first receiving groove. The second pipe portion is accommodated in the second receiving groove and the slot.
US08448690B1	Method for producing ingot with variable composition using planar solidification Molten metal of a first composition flows out of a first chamber via an open first control apparatus into a mold cavity. The first control apparatus is closed. A second control apparatus is opened. Molten metal of a second composition, different from the first composition, flows out of a second feed chamber via the second control apparatus into the mold cavity. At least a portion of the first composition metal in the mold cavity is sufficiently molten that an initial feed of the second composition molten metal mixes with the first composition molten metal in the mold cavity. An ingot is removed from the mold cavity, the ingot having top, middle, and bottom sections, the bottom section composed of metal of the first composition, the top section composed of metal of the second composition, and the middle section composed of a mixture of metal of the first and second compositions.
US08448684B2	Tire with component containing polybenzobisoxazole short fiber and epoxidized polyisoprene The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.
US08448683B2	Heavy duty pneumatic tire A heavy duty pneumatic tire comprises a carcass ply of steel cords turned up around a bead core in each bead portion so as to form a pair of turned up portions and a main portion therebetween. The steel cords of the carcass ply are rubberized with a topping rubber having a hardness Ht1 of from 68 to 90 degrees. The bead core is composed of: a bead core main made of windings of a steel wire; a rubber coating penetrating into the bead core main and having a hardness Hb of from 78 to 90 degrees; and a bead core wrapping layer surrounding the bead core main and composed of at least one ply of parallel organic fiber cords rubberized with a topping rubber having a hardness Ht2 of from 70 to 90 degrees. The fineness of each of the organic fiber cords of the bead core wrapping layer is in a range of from 940 to 4200 dtex. The distances between the organic fiber cords of the bead core wrapping layer is in a range of from 0.3 to 1.4 mm. The organic fiber cords of the bead core wrapping layer are inclined at an angle α1 in a range of from 20 to 70 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction. A minimum distance between the carcass cords and the axially innermost winding of the steel wire of the bead core main is in a range of from 0.8 to 3.0 mm.
US08448681B2	Pneumatic tire A pneumatic tire 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of turbulence generation ridges 13 which extend on a surface of a tire side portion 7 in a tire-radial direction and which are arranged at a pitch in a tire-circumferential direction. A protrusion 15 rising from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7 is formed in the tire side portion 7. Either an inner end portion 13A of the turbulence generation ridge 13 or an outer end portion 13B of turbulence generation ridge 13 is smoothly continuous to a surface of the protrusion 15. An inner end height (H1), which is a height of the inner end portion 13A from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7, is larger than an outer end height (H2), which is a height of the outer end portion 13B from the surface 7a of the tire side portion 7.
US08448676B2	Multiple sump fuel sampler with catch can A multiple sump fuel sampler with catch can that includes an upper fuel sampling and testing reservoir with integral lower catch can reservoir arranged such that a self-closing valve is placed between the upper sampling reservoir and the lower catch can. This self-closing valve can be easily opened and closed by a user to allow fuel in the upper sampling reservoir to drain down into the lower catch can reservoir. Embodiments of the invention include a means of spill-free dumping of fuel accumulated in the lower catch can reservoir via an integral no-drip pour spout.
US08448671B2	Light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle [Problem] To provide a light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle that is light in weight and excellent in mechanical strength.[Solution] The present invention is directed to a light-weight air conditioning duct for vehicle 1 for letting conditioned air supplied from an air conditioning unit pass through to a desired location, the duct being obtained by blow-molding a mixed resin including a polypropylene-based resin for foaming and a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and the duct having an Izod impact strength equal to or larger than 10 J/m at −20 degrees Celsius.
US08448668B2	Device for damping pressure variations in a sealed chamber The present invention relates to a device (1) for damping pressure variations in a sealed chamber, including: a flat element (4) held stationary in the sealed chamber and perforated with at least one opening (10); at least one flat mobile element (3) arranged, in normal operation, in the same shared plane as the element held stationary in the chamber so as to cover the opening of the element which is held stationary, said mobile flat element being suitable for separating from the opening in the direction of the top or the bottom of the chamber, the dimensions of said element which is held stationary being at least equal to those of the opening for the element which is held stationary, preferably equal to those of said opening; at least one joining member (7) rigidly connecting the mobile element to the element which is held stationary and enabling the flat mobile element to be held, separated or returned relative to the opening of the element which is held stationary, in particular said joining member comprising a rod (8) surrounded by at least one torsion or compression spring (9), as well as use of the device.
US08448660B2	Gas fuel supply apparatus A gas fuel supply apparatus includes: first and second mouthpiece attachment sections capable of detachably attaching thereto mouthpieces of first and second gas containers and provided in communication with each other; and first and second check valves provided in a communication passage, communicating between the mouthpiece attachment sections, in corresponding relation to the first and second gas containers. The first and second check valves prevent a gas fuel, let out from any one of the first and second gas containers, from flowing into the other of the gas containers.
US08448657B2	Passive-cycle skipping valve A passive cycle skipping valve comprising a pawl and a wheel comprising a first plurality of pins, wherein a distal end of the pawl is configured to engage any of the first plurality of pins where when the second pin is separated from the first pin by at least a threshold pin separation distance, the valve opens and when the second pin is not separated from the first pin by at least the threshold pin separation distance, the valve does not open.
US08448653B2	Spray-type car wash system with breakaway spray arms A car wash system comprising at least one rotatable spray arm depending from an overhead carriage. The arm is equipped with a detent-type compound breakaway knuckle which permits the arm to be displaced upwardly from a lowest potential energy orientation by disengaging the detent but thereafter permitting a smooth essentially unresisted movement whereby when the force tending to cause angular displacement and the arm is removed, the arm returns to the normal operating, low potential energy position. A shaker function or a high pressure spray burst may be used to complement the gravitational resetting function as needed.
US08448639B2	Nose cannula heated/humidified gas delivery system A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient.
US08448632B2	Toy gun compressed air firing shell A compressed air firing shell for a toy gun includes a firing chamber for receiving a soft projectile and a pressure chamber to store a high-pressure charge of air. A release port delimits the pressure chamber from the firing chamber. A piston within the pressure chamber seals the release port and unseals the release port upon triggered activation of the activation member to allow the charge to pass from the pressure chamber to the firing chamber to effect firing of the soft projectile.
US08448626B2	Exhaust system for engine braking An engine braking system includes a turbocharger having a turbine and a compressor. An exhaust manifold includes a first pipe for channeling a first portion of the engine exhaust and a second pipe for channeling a second portion of the engine exhaust. The first and second pipes are connected to an inlet of the turbine. A cross pipe, as part of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit, is open between the first and second pipes and at one end to the remaining portion of the EGR conduit. A valve can be arranged within the cross pipe and ca be operable in a first mode of operation to block flow between the first and second pipes and allow flow between the first pipe and the remaining portion of the EGR conduit and to allow flow between the first and second pipes and the inlet of the turbine. The valve is operable in a second mode of operation to allow flow between the first and second pipes, and to reduce or block flow between the second pipe and the turbine inlet.
US08448625B2	Method of pilot injection control and system thereof A method of pilot injection control which avoids a change in the number of pilot injections in a transient response of an engine to improve driving and handling feeling. When pilot injection is performed, it is determined whether fuel injection amount Q immediately before the pilot injection is more than a maximum value Qmax and, if so, number of pilot injections is fixed to a predetermined value. When fuel injection amount Q is determined to be not more than the maximum value Qmax, it is determined whether fuel injection amount Q is lower than a minimum value Qmin, and, if so, the number-fixed control of the pilot injections is released and map control is started where the pilot injection number is determined based on a map.
US08448620B2	Ignition device attachment structure for internal combustion engine An ignition device attachment structure for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition plug tube inserted between a cylinder head cover and an ignition device insertion hole formed in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The ignition plug tube bulges from an upper end of the ignition plug tube to an intermediate portion of the ignition plug tube on a lateral surface of the ignition plug tube.
US08448605B2	Small animal entertainment, exercise and interaction structure A small animal structure includes several modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze and at least one end cap secured to at least one modular unit. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small animal structure. A combination of a small-animal structure and a small-animal cage includes modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small-animal structure. The small-animal structure is mounted on a floor of the small animal cage.
US08448602B2	Pet actuated dry food feeder device A dry animal food feeder device that is adapted to provide a quantity of food based on input from a domestic animal. The device comprises a dry food hopper, which funnels downward to a smaller opening having a flapper-type trap door, operably connected to a series of linkages and a slide gate. A paw pedal is provided, which when depressed, operates the linkages to open the hopper trap door and release the slide gate, providing a quantity of food without dispensing the entire hopper upon depression of the pedal. The linkages are spring assisted to return to a first, closed state upon release of the paw pedal. The dispensing end of the device includes a chute or slide to flow food products therefrom and onto a ground surface for consumption. The entire assembly is housed in a waterproof container to prevent spoilage of the dry food products within the funnel.
US08448594B2	Vehicle height restrictor and alerting device Disclosed is a device for providing a preliminary alert to the driver of a vehicle approaching an overhead obstacle. The inventive concept consists of a vertical mounting post to which is attached a non-marring horizontal height restrictor arm. The position of the height restrictor arm on the vertical post is at the same vertical distance from the roadway surface as is the vertical distance of the specific overhead obstacle for which an alert is provided. The height restrictor arm is affixed to the vertical post by means of a multi-directional pivotal connector comprising a hollow sphere, spring, and chain assembly. The pivotal connector allows the height restrictor arm to move, after contact by a vehicle, in a multitude of directions, fore and aft, up or down.
US08448589B2	Process to manufacture tufted backing materials A process to manufacture tufted backing materials comprises the steps of a) providing a roll bearing a backing material which backing material comprises a first side exhibiting a first colour and a second side exhibiting a second colour, wherein the first colour is different from the second colour, the first side is the front side and the second side is the rear side, b) unwinding the backing material from the roll, c) tufting the backing material, d) cutting the backing material at a position between the roll bearing the backing material and the tufting device, e) rotating the roll bearing the backing material by an angle of 180°, f) unwinding the backing material from the roll in a second unwinding direction which is opposite to the first unwinding direction and guiding the backing material into the tufting device, and g) tufting the backing material. A backing material for tufted carpets or filters comprising a first woven or non-woven layer having a second colour different from the first one is also described.
US08448587B2	Row unit bounce monitoring system An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a row unit configured to deposit seeds within soil. The agricultural implement system also includes a bounce sensor rigidly coupled to the row unit and configured to output a signal indicative of a bounce magnitude, a bounce direction, or a combination thereof, of the row unit.
US08448584B2	Pallet assembly A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.
US08448582B2	Plastic pallet structure A plastic pallet structure, includes a plurality of bases. Each base includes a basic portion, the basic portion includes an opening clamping portion, an arch bridge, an extension portion, an arch bridge portion, first and second supporting portions, the complete base is formed by means of plastic pre-casting and by coupling a mesh-typed sheet body to every section. The opening clamping portion is disposed with a slide-in slot. To increase the bearing capacity thereof a space for accepting a metal bar may be disposed above each opening clamping portion. The combination plastic pallet with a backbone is formed after the bases are coupled together as such. Furthermore, since the bases are combined, one single base can be replaced if damaged.
US08448571B2	Method for screen printing printed circuit board substrate A method for screen printing a printed circuit board substrate comprises the following steps. A printed circuit board substrate including a copper foil layer is provided. Pluralities of marks are formed on the copper foil layer. A plurality of printing screens are provided, each includes an screen pattern and an opening corresponding to a respective mark. Printing material is applied on the ith screen Si to form an ith printing pattern and cover the ith mark at the ith opening, the ith printing pattern conforms to the ith screen pattern; checking whether the ith mark is covered by the printing material when i is less than N. Printing material is applied on the (i+1)th screen Si+1 so as to form an (i+1)th printing pattern on the copper foil layer and covers the (i+1)th Mark Mi+1 at the (i+1)th opening, if the ith mark is covered by the printing material.
US08448561B2	Weapon mount A mount system including a tray mountable to a port and a table translatable with respect to the tray. A mounting station is positioned on the table. There is a telescoping support for the tray. A drive mechanism translates the table to alternately conceal the mounting station within the port and to deploy the mounting station through the port.
US08448559B2	Vehicle hull including apparatus for inhibiting effects of an explosive blast A vehicle hull includes a personnel compartment and an apparatus for inhibiting effects of an explosive blast operably associated with the personnel compartment. The apparatus is configured to redirect at least a portion of a blast wave resulting from an explosive blast. The apparatus defines a cavity in which a blast attenuator is disposed. The blast attenuator comprises a core defining a plurality of interconnecting pores defining a pore volume of the core, a shear thickening fluid disposed in the pore volume of the core, and an enclosure in which the core and the shear thickening fluid are disposed.
US08448552B2	Cutting guide board A cutting guide, and a method for slicing a solid, cuttable workpiece such as vegetables, meat and other items in said cutting guide, comprising a plurality of flights of a coiled material defining an end, a midsection and an opposite end, having an overall length determined by the number and gauge of said flights longitudinally to the major axis of said plurality of flights and any gap there between, that is held in a polymer base having mortises in said polymer base surface, that defines an interior region into which a workpiece may be placed, and an exterior affording access to said interior and any workpiece disposed therein for a knife or other cutting tool, via said gaps between said flights, to enable said workpiece to be cut into or cut through by said knife or cutting tool, transverse to said length or major axis.
US08448547B2	Extractor tool and extractor tool kit An extractor tool for Torx brand and other fluted fasteners comprising an end section for engaging a fastener opening comprising six equally spaced, uniformly sized, pitched flutes separated by uniform depth grooves located at the end of a shank with a cylindrical connecting section joined thereto, in turn, joined to an impact drive end of the shank. The fluted end section has a frusto-conical configuration with the narrow dimension of the fluted end section at the distal end of the tool and wherein the distal end has a flat surface transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shank.
US08448546B2	Customizable light bulb changer A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.
US08448545B1	Bender bar speedwrench 4-in-1 multi-tool A collapsible, multi-use tool for use in changing a flat tire includes a tool body having a first end including a curved chisel surface and a second end including a ratchet drive head. A central portion of the tool connects the two end portions, the ends of which are hingedly connected to the adjacent first and second ends. Sliding sleeves are disposed over the first and second ends and can be slid towards one another so as to cover the central portion of the tool and the hinged connections to keep the tool in a linear configuration that provides excellent leverage for breaking lug nuts loose. One of the sliding sleeves may be flared at one end so as to receive an end of the other sliding sleeve when coupled together.
US08448541B2	Hybrid drive speed change device To provide a hybrid drive speed change device in which a rotation sensor can be disposed appropriately from the viewpoint of reducing the axial dimension of the device. A rotary electric machine MG is disposed coaxially with an input shaft M, and includes a stator St and a rotor Ro provided radially inwardly of the stator St. An oil pump 18 includes a pump case 90, 91 in which a pump chamber 18a is formed, and a pump rotor 18b rotatably housed in the pump chamber 18a. The pump rotor 18b is disposed coaxially with the input shaft M. A rotation sensor 19 is disposed radially outwardly of the pump chamber 18a and radially inwardly of the stator St of the rotary electric machine MG, and disposed to overlap the oil pump 18 as seen from the radial direction of the input shaft M.
US08448540B2	Assembling mechanism of a self-locking linear actuator An assembling mechanism of a self-locking linear actuator includes a gearbox, a one-piece rear retainer seat and a casing. The gearbox is composed of two half pieces, which are mated with each other for accommodating and locating a transmission mechanism of the actuator. The rear retainer seat is fixedly held in the gearbox for supporting a bearing of a threaded rod of the transmission mechanism and bearing the stress from the threaded rod. The contact faces of the rear retainer seat and the gearbox are regular polygonal to facilitate adjustment of fixing angle of the rear retainer seat. The casing is composed of two half casings, which are mated with each other to accommodate the transmission mechanism, the gearbox and the rear retainer seat. The mating faces of the half casings are parallel to the axis of the output shaft of a motor to facilitate connection operation of the casing.
US08448533B2	Baseplate for use in particle analysis A test baseplate is configured to support and expose at least one storage device component to particle evacuation and particle analysis. The test baseplate includes a base having an upper surface that extends between an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall and having a lower surface defined by the inner peripheral wall. The test baseplate also includes a top clamp configured to be fastened to the upper surface of the base to secure the at least one storage device component to the base.
US08448521B2	Anti-entrapment system An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device such as a vehicle window includes a capacitance sensor and a controller. The sensor has a jacket with a cavity, a dielectric element within the cavity, and first and second electrical conductors. The conductors are within the cavity on opposite sides of the dielectric element such that the conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance. The capacitance of the sensor changes in response to an electrically conductive object moving in proximity to at least one of the conductors. The controller is configured to control a translating device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor. The jacket is attachable to a seal configured to receive the translating device.
US08448508B2	Hot film air mass meter and method for its manufacture A device for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium, in particular an intake air mass of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a sensor chip for measuring the parameter and a control and evaluation electronics having a circuit carrier. The sensor chip is situated on a chip carrier capable of being introduced into the fluid medium. The chip carrier comprises a projection of the circuit carrier developed in one piece with circuit carrier, the sensor chip being fixed in place on the projection.
US08448496B2	Piezoelectric coagulation sensors This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor.
US08448492B2	Method for in-situ determining the compactness of grainy material layers and device for performing the process The object of the invention is a device for in-situ determining the compactness of grainy material layers, especially determining the compactness of material layers containing equally solid part, liquid and gaseous phases e.g. soils, that consists of a guide body, a loading disc connected with the guide body and a dropping-weight movable relating the loading disc along the guide body. The characteric feature of the device is that an indicator figure (20) is adjusted to a dropping weight (13), the indicator figure (20) has a guide organ (21), wherein one of the guide organs (21) and the guide body (11) are at least periodically in a connection with each other restricting the direction of movement and the guide body (11) is complemented with a length measuring unit (30).
US08448488B2	Flat wire manufacturing method of manufacturing flat wire for ring gear A round steel rod having a carbon content between 0.30 and 0.60% is processed by a cold working process to form a flat wire for forming a ring gear. The cold working process forms a semifinished flat wire by at least one cold rolling or cold roller drawing step and at least one two-way or four-way rolling step. The semifinished flat wire is processed by die drawing using a drawing die to obtain a finished flat wire in a last stage of the cold working process. The cold working process reduces the round steel rod at a total area reduction of 65% or below.
US08448486B2	Apparatus for forming curls in reinforcing material-attached profile strip, method for producing spiral pipe, and apparatus for producing spiral pipe In an embodiment, a long reinforcing material-attached profile strip (100) in which joint portions are formed at both side edge portions and to which a reinforcing material continuously formed in the longitudinal direction is attached is supplied, and mutually adjacent joint portions are joined to each other, thereby producing a spiral pipe (S). A curl-forming apparatus (3) includes a sending roller for the reinforcing material-attached profile strip (100) and a curl guide. Using the curl-forming apparatus (3), adjacent parts of the reinforcing material-attached profile strip (100) are subjected to plastic deformation to form spirals by being provided with arc-like curls having a radius of curvature substantially similar to or not greater than the radius of curvature of the spiral pipe (S). Accordingly, the spiral pipe (S) can be produced while suppressing the action of a restoring force that restores the reinforcing material-attached profile strip (100) to its original radius of curvature.
US08448485B1	Lock and key combination with rotatable locking tumblers A lock and key combination wherein at least one locking tumbler includes a key sensing portion, a body portion and a locking portion. A cavity, accommodating an associated locking tumbler, is larger than the contour of the body portion so as to permit a translatory as well as a rotary movement of the locking tumbler in a movement plane within the cavity. A code pattern on the key blade includes at least one wave-like guiding surface. When the key blade is inserted into the key slot, the locking tumbler is controlled by two mutually spaced formations, which engage with the wave-like guiding surface of the key blade, and is guided at opposite side surfaces by two associates walls of the cavity, to be retained precisely in the movement plane. The locking portion of the locking tumbler is movable to enable the locking mechanism to be released.
US08448481B2	Pulsator unit for washing machine and washing machine having the same In the washing machine, which has a tub installed in a main body, a spin basket rotatably installed in the tub, and a pulsator unit installed in the spin basket to generate a washing water current, the pulsator unit includes a first pulsator connected to a washing shaft of a driving device, a rod member installed on the upper surface of the first pulsator such that the rod member is tilted toward a central axis of the first pulsator at a designated angle, and a second pulsator coupled with the rod member such that the second pulsator is relatively rotated against the rod member. The pulsator unit generates a combined water current in the spin basket, and thus prevents the twisting and entanglement of laundry or reduces the amount of consumed washing water.
US08448479B2	Ion eluting unit and device loaded with same In an ion elution unit, a drive circuit applies a voltage between electrodes to elute metal ions from the electrodes. Polarities of the electrodes are reversed cyclically with a voltage application halt period placed in-between. A current detection circuit detects the current flowing between the electrodes. A check of operation of the current detection circuit is carried out before the application of a voltage to the electrodes is started. The operation of the current detection circuit is started when a predetermined period of time passes after the application of a voltage to the electrodes is started.
US08448475B2	Skin material for interior material The skin material for an interior material, formed of a three-dimensional warp knitted fabric includes: front and back ground parts, each of which is formed with knitting yarns guided by at least two guide bars and has at least two knitting patterns, and connecting yarns that connect the front and back ground parts, wherein: the front ground part has a cord stitch pattern and another knitting pattern; a sum of a number of loops of the cord stitch pattern and a number of loops of the another knitting pattern is smaller than a sum of numbers of loops of the at least two knitting pattern forming the back ground part; and a ratio of the number of loops of the another knitting pattern with respect to the number of loops of the cord stitch pattern is from 20 to 80%.
US08448466B2	Process and plant for the treatment of the glass sheets of an asymmetric glass-sheet pair The glass sheets (2) of an asymmetric glass-sheet pair, which is intended for the production of laminated glass, are preheated in a preheating furnace (1) and then undergo a press-bending process in a press-bending station (4). By means of a temperature measuring point (11) arranged at the exit of the press-bending station, it is ensured that the glass sheets exhibit a uniform bending behavior, in order to guarantee identical restoring forces during cooling. The temperature measuring point (11) is connected to a control device (16), which causes an intermediate cooling of the glass sheet heating more rapidly by means of an intermediate cooling installation (12, 13) in the pre-heating furnace and/or lengthens its dwell time in the press-bending station (4) by means of a timing control element (15).
US08448465B2	Multifaceted gemstones with connecting link A gemstone and link assembly for forming a piece of jewelry. The gemstone is cut to provide enhanced brilliance and radiance. The gemstone is securely maintained within the link. The link is fabricated of reduced metal thus providing an aesthetically pleasing assembly.
US08448463B2	Cryogenic rectification method The present invention provides a method of rectifying an oxygen, nitrogen and argon containing feed stream that employs high and low pressure columns and an argon column. Refrigeration is imparted through turboexpansion of a nitrogen-rich vapor stream withdrawn from the high pressure column. The nitrogen-rich vapor stream has a sufficiently high flow rate that the flow of both vapor and liquid within the low pressure column is decreased to such an extent that the diameter of the low pressure column can be made substantially equal to or less than that of the high pressure column. The use of the argon column allows recovery of the oxygen to be increased over that which would otherwise be obtained given the draw of the nitrogen-rich vapor. The argon column can be an argon rejection column in which the separated argon is discarded as waste.
US08448449B2	Fuel injector mounting system A system is provided for mounting fuel injectors to a gas turbine engine. The system comprises an engine casing having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The system further comprises a plurality of first and second fuel injectors. Each fuel injector has a respective flange for mounting the fuel injector to the casing at a respective aperture so that the fuel injector extends into the engine. The first fuel injectors have flanges which are dismountably sealed to an inner side of the casing. The second fuel injectors have flanges which are dismountably sealed to an outer side of the casing. The flanges of the first fuel injectors are configured to allow them to pass through the apertures of the second fuel injectors. A first fuel injector can be dismounted from the casing and withdrawn therefrom through the aperture of a dismounted second fuel injector.
US08448440B2	Method and apparatus for achieving higher thermal efficiency in a steam engine or steam expander A high order of thermal efficiency is achieved in a steam engine or steam expander having a piston clearance that approximates zero together with a negligible amount of compression, such that pressure in the clearance volume approximates ambient pressure, i.e. atmospheric or condenser pressure as the case may be at the end of the piston return stroke when the clearance is essentially zero and constitutes a new engine apparatus and Rankine operating cycle that can be referred to as “zero clearance with zero compression”. The steam admission valve assembly can be operated either automatically responsive to piston contact or by means of a cam shaft or electrically by means of a solenoid. A normally open exhaust valve permits residual steam to be exhausted through the piston return stroke, closed by the piston or cam then held closed by a fresh charge of steam.
US08448433B2	Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using gas expansion and compression In various embodiments, energy-storage systems are based upon an open-air arrangement in which pressurized gas is expanded in small batches from a high pressure of, e.g., several hundred atmospheres to atmospheric pressure. The systems may be sized and operated at a rate that allows for near isothermal expansion and compression of the gas.
US08448432B2	Actuators Actuators suited for use with, for example, vehicular suspension systems. In some embodiments, the present actuators include a reversible hydraulic pump configured to produce variable hydraulic pressure; a hydraulic cylinder assembly having a cylinder bore, and a piston positioned within the cylinder bore that is axially movable relative to the cylinder bore; and a hydraulic circuit hydraulically coupling the reversible hydraulic pump to the hydraulic cylinder assembly. In these embodiments, actuated axial motion of the piston relative to the cylinder bore is accomplished without the use of check valves, pressure regulating valves, or actively controlled valves.
US08448430B2	Thrust roller bearing and torque converter A thrust roller bearing includes a plurality of rollers, a retainer, an annular first track ring having a track surface, an outer periphery flange part, and a first claw part, and an annular second track ring having a track surface, an inner periphery flange part, and a second claw part. Bearing internal gaps to allow the eccentric rotation of the first track ring and the second track ring are provided between the outer periphery flange part and an outer edge part of the retainer, and between the inner periphery flange part and an inner edge part of the retainer. In addition, at least one of the first and second claw parts is a projection part formed by a bending process. Furthermore, an edge part of the retainer opposed to the projection part has a first slope part formed at a corner part on the side opposed to the track surface, and a second slope part having a radial length relatively shorter than that of the first slope part, and formed at a corner part on the opposite side in a thickness direction.
US08448426B2	Method for heating an SCR system using resistive heating elements Method for heating a urea SCR system using at least two resistive heating elements (R1, R2), one of which (R1) is intended for heating one or some (part(s) of) component(s) always in contact with a substantial amount of urea and the other (R2) is intended for heating one or some (part(s) of) component(s) which are sometimes not in contact with a substantial amount of urea, and according to which, when starting the system in freezing conditions, the resistive element R1 is activated but the resistive element R2 is activated only when its component is actually in contact with a substantial amount of urea.
US08448418B2	Method for controlling a flowrate of a recirculated exhaust gas A method for controlling a turbomachine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may allow for the removal and sequestration of at least one constituent within the exhaust before the recirculation occurs.
US08448407B1	Roof mounting assembly An apparatus for securing a roof-mounted structure to a roof is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a shaft extending along a longitudinal shaft axis and including a first end opposing a second end; the first end including a roof fastening portion; the second end including a drive part and an anchor portion for securing the roof-mounted structure to the shaft; and the shaft including a radially projecting shoulder surface disposed between the first and second ends and oriented toward the first end.
US08448400B2	Flooring system having complementary sub-panels Laminated flooring panels include decorative motifs, mechanically embossed-in-registration surface textures, recessed perimeters, and locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms facilitate the alignment of adjacent flooring panels. Adjacent flooring panels substantially aligned allow embossed-in-registration patterns to be substantially continuous across adjacent flooring panels. The recessed perimeter prevents the edges of the flooring panel from prematurely wearing. Individual flooring panels within the flooring system may comprise at least one partial sub-panel having a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture that is complementary with a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture of a neighboring partial sub-panel.
US08448393B2	Large-area skylight system A large-area skylight system adapted to be located within a field of roofing sheets. A cross member stiffened at two extremities is secured perpendicularly across a curb. A base frame is configured to rest over the curb. A cap frame is disposed over the base frame. A glazing material is then adapted to be secured between the base frame and the cap frame over the cross member along an entire length of the base frame and the cap frame to form an entire length and width of the skylight as a single panel. To ease installation, a downward leg forms a fulcrum at a contact point between the base frame and the cap frame, and to help exhaust water from the system, a dam is disposed within the base frame uphill from each joint, and a weep hole is defined within the base frame uphill of the dam.
US08448385B2	Vehicular container lid-latching system A vehicular container, lid-latching system and method is practiced by outfitting a vehicular container and container lid with an automatic uniquely configured latch mechanism and a latch-engaging structure uniquely configured to cooperably engage the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is automatically operable by way of engagement with structure directed thereagainst and preferably outfitted upon the container at one end thereof. The latch-engaging structure, preferably outfitted upon the lid, engages the latching mechanism under a directed load and for automatic and selective latching securement or latching release of the lid relative to the container.
US08448384B2	Doorway with DP enhanced sill A doorway with a sill attachment that increases a sill DP rating includes spaced vertical jambs, a head jamb, and a sill, all of which form a door frame, and a door panel mounted in the frame. The sill is a substantially hollow contain-and-drain type sill with a nosing provided with drainage openings. a substantially hollow sill attachment is mounted to and extends along the nosing and the attachment projects downwardly to a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The drainage openings communicate with the interior of the extension. Weep holes that communicate with the environment are located in the sill attachment at a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The sill and sill attachment may be formed as a single component, or as separate components assembled either in the factory or the field. The attachment increases a column height of water that can be accommodated by the sill before leakage occurs, and thus enhances the DP rating of the sill.
US08448373B2	Gun sight Various gun sights for firearms and related methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the sight includes an apparatus adapted to be mounted at a rear end of a firearm and arranged to occlude one eye of a user of the firearm and to generate an illuminated dot that is disposed such that it is generally centered on the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm. The gun sight produces a collimated beam of light that creates an image of an illuminated dot by either a refractive method or a reflective method. In use, a dominant eye of the user is occluded by the sight and the other eye of the user is focused on the target. The user then adjusts the position of the gun relative to the target such that the user perceives the illuminated dot of the sight to be positioned on the target.
US08448371B1	Shotgun magazine weight A weight for the tubular magazine of Remington model 870, 1100, and 11-87 shotguns. The main body has two longitudinal channels which prevent the weight from turning. The collar has a rim which fits against the end of a magazine tube. The collar has 24 teeth which intermesh with teeth in a magazine cap, which prevents the cap from coming loose when shooting. The collar has a recess in the center, to accept the inside part of a magazine cap sling swivel. The smallest diameter section holds the magazine spring in place. The magazine weight is compatable with Remington shotguns manufactured prior to the use of the magazine spring retainer and cap detent system. The invention adds weight to a shotgun to reduce felt or perceived recoil.
US08448362B2	Curved display arrangement A display arrangement comprises a banner, one edge of which is secured to a hollow, flexible rod. A spring arrangement is located within the rod. The spring arrangement comprises a spring that extends along a predetermined length of the rod and an elastic band that is looped through the length of the rod down the interior of the spring and around the exterior of the rod. The banner may be curved and posed by flexing the rod at the location of the spring. This curve is then retained in the banner by a balancing tension in the exterior portion of the elastic band between the ends of the rod. In some embodiments, the display arrangement is connected to one or more similar arrangements so that their banners form a continuous display.
US08448347B2	Length measuring device A length measuring device for measuring a relative position of two objects, the length measuring device including a scale in a housing and a scanning unit displaceable in a measuring direction X relative to the scale and the housing, wherein the scanning unit is disposed inside the housing and including a heat-generating electrical component. The length measuring device further including a thermal conduction path designed for transferring heat generated at the heat-generating electrical component to the housing.
US08448345B2	Hair measuring assembly and single use cartridge A hair measuring assembly capable of being operated by a single hand of a user and including a collection assembly, including a hair retaining and measuring portion movably mounted on a body and selectively disposable between a collecting position and a retaining and measuring position. The single handed manipulation of a hand grip, concurrently disposes a plurality of two grip segments into either an open or a closed orientation, thereby forcing the hair retaining and measuring portion between the collecting and hair retaining and measuring positions. A “single use” cartridge for carrying out the collection, retention and measurement of hair and also hair breakage is presented. The “single use” cartridge includes suitable structure for mounting and operable attachment to the hair measuring assembly by a person, without regard to whether he or she is left-handed or right-handed.
US08448344B2	Digital lens gauge A handheld digital lens clock device is disclosed for measuring front and back dioptric power of eyeglass lenses based on curvature and refractive index. The device includes a reference probe, a measuring probe for measuring a sagittal depth of a lens relative to the reference probe and a digital display to show the measurement information. The device can further include a refractive index input button that allows the device to measure the optical power of lens composed of materials having different refractive indices. The device can further include a calibration button that is used to set a reference or zero reading by placing the reference probes and measuring probe on a flat surface. A tube level can also be included on the device to assist orienting the device when taking measurements.
US08448342B2	Unit of at least two target arrangements for optically measuring an axle and device for optically measuring an axle A set according of target assemblages for optical chassis measurement encompasses at least two target assemblages that are each provided for mounting on a wheel of a motor vehicle, as well as a respective target and a target holder having a target receptacle on which the target is mounted. Each of the target holders is mountable on a wheel of a motor vehicle in such a way that the target is oriented at an angle to the wheel center plane. A significant mark and at least two further undetermined marks are disposed on the target, and the spacing of the significant mark from a reference plane of the respective target assemblage is unknown, but the same in each case for all target assemblages.
US08448340B2	Large diameter notched blade and blade housing for power operated rotary knife A power operated rotary knife having a large diameter, annular rotary knife blade and interfitting blade housing wherein the rotary knife blade includes notched bearing race providing for an enhanced or enlarged area of bearing contact between the blade bearing race and the corresponding blade housing bearing structure. The enhanced area of bearing contact is offset radially inwardly of and axially from a radial outer surface of a drive gear region of the blade thereby reducing wear on the radial outer surface of the blade drive gear region.
US08448339B2	Shaving cartridge with supressed blade geometry A shaving cartridge with a housing, a cap, and a guard. The guard has an upper surface. The cap has a top surface, a front edge, and an arcuate surface connecting the top surface and the front edge. A first blade between the cap and the guard has a cutting edge nearest the cap. A second blade between the cap and the guard has a cutting edge nearest the guard. The first and second blades define a blade plane tangent to the cutting edges. The blade plane is positioned below both (i) the surface of the guard and (ii) an intersection point of the front edge and the top surface of the cap.
US08448331B2	Component mounting apparatus A component mounting apparatus includes: two heads equipped with plural nozzles for suctioning and mounting a component; a memory holding at least one of information on maximum speed and maximum acceleration; an operation determining unit determining whether an operation after a suctioning operation of any one of heads is a suctioning operation or not; a speed/acceleration calculating unit calculating at least one of speed and acceleration at the time of axial movement by using at least one of the maximum speed and the maximum acceleration for the suction, if it is determined that the operation after the suctioning operation is the suctioning operation; a control signal generating unit generating a control signal; and a driving unit performing movement from the suction operation to a component suction position of the subsequent nozzle in accordance with the control signal when the suctioning operation by the subsequent nozzle is performed.
US08448328B2	Methods of making aluminum based composite squirrel cage for induction rotor A method of making a rotor is provided. The method includes mixing aluminum and carbon nanotubes; forming the mixture into an aluminum-carbon nanotube composite conductor bar; providing a laminated steel stack having a plurality of longitudinal slots; placing a plurality of the conductor bars in the longitudinal slots, first and second ends of the plurality of conductor bars extending out of the longitudinal slots; placing the laminated steel stack with the plurality of conductor bars in a casting mold having cavities for a pair of end rings wherein the first and second ends of the plurality of conductor bars extend into the cavities; and filling the cavities with aluminum, aluminum alloys, an aluminum composite, or combinations thereof. Rotors made from aluminum-carbon nanotube composite are also described.
US08448321B2	Press-fit device A press-fit device includes a base plate, a jig base and a robot mounted on the base plate, a press-fit unit mounted at a portion of the robot, a supporting plate mounted on the jig base, and a supporting block mounted to a side portion of the connecting frame. The supporting plate and block can support repulsive force that can be generated when the press-fit component is press-fitted to the press-fit object.
US08448314B2	Sofa sleeper installation and system Improved methods and apparatuses relating to installation of a sleeper mechanism into a frame of a sofa sleeper are disclosed. In one embodiment, initially the frame is aligned such that an open bottom portion of the frame is upright and facing outwardly. The sleeper mechanism is then advanced towards the open bottom portion and hook apertures on the brackets are engaged with upper fasteners on the frame. The sleeper mechanism is then swung inwardly towards the top portion of the frame until notches on the bracket are passed lower fasteners on the frame and then swung back towards the open bottom portion to engage the notches with the lower fasteners.
US08448313B2	Method for producing ceramic body Provided is a method for producing a ceramic body, which is capable of preventing the ingress of moisture into a void between a conductor and the ceramic body more effectively in the ceramic body including the conductor therein. Ingress of a supercritical fluid containing an oxide sol precursor is achieved into a void between an internal electrode layer and a ceramic laminate. After that, the oxide sol is turned into a gel, and subjected to a heat treatment, thereby filling the void between the internal electrode layer and the ceramic laminate with an oxide.
US08448308B2	Buckle A buckle includes a buckle body, two first retainers, and two second retainers connected respectively and detachably to the first retainers. The buckle body includes an insert groove having two upwardly facing openings, two stop portions, and a resilient pressing arm. The first retainers are inserted into the insert groove via the openings, respectively. Each of the first retainers includes a resilient retaining plate biased to a retaining position to prevent removal of the corresponding first retainer from the buckle body. Each of the resilient retaining plates is removable from the retaining position. When the resilient pressing arm is pressed, each of the resilient retaining plates is removed from the retaining position by the resilient pressing arm.
US08448307B2	Hook with magnetic closure A hook is presented that includes a hook formed into a body formed into a hook shape and having a neck and fabricated from nonferromagnetic material with the body having a first end and a second end. The neck is proximate to the first end. The hook also includes a closure that is fabricated from ferromagnetic material and has a first closure end and a second closure end, the closure being pivotally attached to the body and positioned to span a gap between the second end of the hook and the body. There is at least one magnet fixedly attached to the neck, so the at least one magnet holds the closure in a closed position that spans the gap such that the hook encloses a defined space in the closed position.
US08448303B1	Belt adjustment mechanism A belt adjustment mechanism incorporated into a belt that allows an individual to adjust the overall length of the belt, which includes a primary component and an adjustable component that slides within the primary component. Both the primary component and the adjustable component have a pair of tracks and number of holes A hook on each side of the belt adjustment mechanism is placed through tracks of both components and a hole on each of the components to temporarily place the adjustable component into a fixed position in relation to the primary component. A belt is attached to both the primary component and the adjustable component, allowing the actual waist size of the belt to be varied slightly.
US08448294B2	Cleaner head A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator and an agitator chamber housing the agitator. The agitator includes a drive shaft, a flexible body connected to the drive shaft and surface engaging members mounted on the flexible body. The agitator chamber includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the surface engaging members enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane relative to which the flexible body is inclined so that, with rotation of the agitator, the surface engaging members protrude through the opening, preferably towards the front of the opening.
US08448292B2	Cyclone-like separator for a vacuum cleaner A cyclone separator for a vacuum cleaner. The separator has a cyclone chamber, an air entrance device having a flow passage arrangement therethrough for introducing an air stream into the cyclone chamber in a manner that causes the air stream to swirl in the cyclone chamber to remove dust from the air stream, and an air outlet for emitting the air stream from the cyclone chamber. The entrance device has a control member that is operable to alter the flow passage arrangement such that one or more properties of the air stream in the cyclone chamber are affected by the alteration. The flow passage arrangement has a first path and a second path, and the control member is operable to alter the flow passage arrangement by redirecting the air stream from the first path to the second path.
US08448288B2	Semiconductor equipment Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned.
US08448283B2	Toothbrush with dual rotary brushing system The invention relates to a mechanical toothbrush with a dual rotary brushing system having a handle and a head fixed on the handle. The head is provided with adjacent contrarotating brushes that are of cylindrical shape and have substantially parallel axes, each of them being supported at least at their distal end by a bearing and each being driven by a shaft. The shafts are flexible and supported by the two bearings to allow the two brushes to move away from and towards each other. The support includes four flexible branches around a central component serving to fix the support on the head composed of a single arm. The support and/or the head of the toothbrush are designed such that the support is fixed on the head while allowing the support to pivot about its point of fixation to the head.
US08448281B2	Domestic appliance A domestic appliance includes a head divided into a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, and a drive mechanism for rotating the head about a first axis while simultaneously rotating the first rotatable member about a second axis and the second rotatable member about a third axis. Each of the second axis and the third axis is angled to and preferably intersects the first axis. When viewed in a direction extending along the second axis towards the first axis, the drive mechanism rotates the first rotatable member about the second axis in a first angular direction and the second rotatable member about the third axis in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction.
US08448277B2	Method for treating laundry in a washing machine, and washing machine A method of treating laundry in a washing machine having a substantially rotatable drum disposed in a suds container. The method includes heating the drum wall with a heater during a laundry smoothing cycle and rotating the drum during the smoothing cycle at a first speed so as to lift the laundry in the drum to a height at which the laundry slides down the drum wall.
US08448274B2	Leg support instrument and supporting method A leg support instrument is designed to be fastened, in a table fastening condition, to a longitudinal side of an operating table. The instrument comprises a first frame part provided with fastening means having a table engaging portion. The instrument also comprises a second frame part with adjustable support means fastened thereto for supporting a lower leg of a person. A first hinge having a first axis of rotation connects the first frame part to the second frame part. In the table fastening condition, different distances can be set between the table engaging portion and the first axis of rotation. The instrument comprises aligning means for aligning a position of the first axis of rotation depending on a position of a person lying on the operating table. The aligning means are designed for projecting a light beam extending in line with the first axis of rotation on the lying person.
US08448272B2	Table and slide assemblies for patient transfer device A table assembly for a patient transfer device has an upper table with side plates that are differentially extended at the ends, and valve control for pneumatic tubing integrated with refraction of the side plates. During patient delivery only the delivery side plate is raised, to avoid catching linens in the nip formed between upper and lower belts. A slide assembly supporting the table assembly includes a fixed plate, an intermediate plate, and a full-motion plate which extend by means of rack-and-pinion drives. Each plate is symmetrical, and pinions are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the fixed or intermediate plate to allow hyperextension to either the left or right. Improved steerage for the device is provided by two centerline wheels which counter-rotate from a straight position to a turning position and further to a lateral position wherein the wheels are orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline of the device.
US08448270B2	Movable support seat for a shower head A movable support seat for a shower head includes a holding member to receive a removable shower head; a moving member moving vertically along a post and being used to receive the holding member; the moving member having a body disposed to the post, at least one movable retaining paw axially fixed to the body, a resilient element installed to a predetermined position of the retaining paw to actuate the paw portion to elastically engage with a peripheral outer surface of the post and to position the moving member to the post such that when a pressing portion of the retaining paw is pressed, first or second abutting wall of the retaining paw disengages from the post so that the moving member is adjusted freely on the post.
US08453259B2	Authentication apparatus, authentication system, authentication method, and authentication program using biometric information for authentication In order to enable multiple logins by a same user, the authentication server includes a registration portion to store a user record including a fingerprint image for authentication of identity of a user and owner authentication information stored in a IC card issued to the user; an identity authentication portion to compare a fingerprint image received from one of MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; a first permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated fingerprint image to the MFP that transmitted the fingerprint image; an owner authentication portion to compare owner authentication information received from one of the MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; and a second permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated owner authentication information to the MFP that transmitted the owner authentication information.
US08453247B2	Apparatus, system and method for providing security service in home network Provided are apparatuses, systems and methods for providing security services. The apparatus includes a network interface unit for transceiving data between a control device and a management device, a controller for controlling provision of services requested from the control device through the network interface unit when a permit time, during which a target of security service is allowed to be given services, is longer than a used time, during which predetermined services are provided to the target of security service, and a used time processing unit for updating the used time by reflecting time during which the services are provided. When security services are performed, services of a controlled device can be provided during the permitted time according to a user or a control device.
US08453245B2	Automatic vulnerability detection and response Various embodiments detect security vulnerabilities and, responsively, can modify an affected program so that even if an exploit runs, the program's integrity can be maintained. In at least some embodiments, a local automatic vulnerability detection and response (AVD/R) component executes on a user's local machine to detect and mitigate potential vulnerabilities through the use of a shield; and, a remote automatic vulnerability detection and response (AVD/R) component executes to report perceived vulnerabilities so that one or more shields can be delivered and applied locally to mitigate perceived vulnerabilities.
US08453239B2	Secure third party scripting environment An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented method for securing a third party scripting environment receives a document to form a source input, defines a schema with functionality of an underlying target script language, applies the schema to the source input to generate clean language definitions and translates the clean language definitions into a translated script of the target script language.
US08453234B2	Centralized security management system A centralized security management system (CSMS) is provided to monitor a network to detect and mitigate attacks in or to the network. The CSMS includes a variety of devices located throughout the network to collect and synthesize data collected or obtained from devices operating in the network. The collected data is analyzed using behavioral engines or other software algorithms to develop trends for a normal and abnormal operating condition. The abnormal operating conditions are analyzed further to determine attacks to the devices or the network. Based on the attacks, a mitigation scheme is implemented to remove or reduce the attacks.

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