Document Document Title
US08675010B2 Method and apparatus for providing metadata for sensory effect, computer readable record medium on which metadata for sensory effect is recorded, method and apparatus for representating sensory effect
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for providing metadata for a sensory effect, a computer-readable recording medium on which metadata for a sensory effect are recorded, and a method and apparatus for reproducing a sensory effect. A method for providing metadata for a sensory effect includes generating Sensory Effect Metadata (SEM) including sensory effect information on contents using binary representation syntax; and analyzing the SEM and transmitting the SEM to a sensory reproduction apparatus engine unit that generates control information on a sensory reproduction apparatus. In the method, the sensory effect information includes color correction effect information on the contents.
US08675006B2 Apparatus and method for communicating between a central processing unit and a graphics processing unit
A shared memory is provided accessible by a central processing unit and a graphics processing unit. A bus is provided via which the central processing unit, graphics processing unit and shared memory communicate. A first mechanism controls the graphics processing unit and the central processing unit routes control signals via the bus. An interface is provided between the central processing unit and the graphics processing unit, and an additional mechanism controls the graphics processing unit and the central processing unit provides control signals over the interface. This enables the GPU to continue to be used to handle large batches of graphics processing operations loosely coupled with the operations performed by the CPU, and it is also possible to employ the GPU to perform processing operations on behalf of the CPU in situations where those operations are tightly coupled with the operations performed by the CPU.
US08675001B2 Efficient memory management for path determination in memory space limited parallel processing systems
The present invention relates to a method for processing data entities by a data processing system, wherein: a first and a second set of data entities are stored in a main memory and associated with a respective first and second set of points of a domain; the first set of data entities is loaded into a local storage; one or more first calculations are performed using the first set of data entities to generate first calculated data; the second set of data entities is determined according to at least some of the first calculated data; the determined second set of data entities is loaded into the local storage; and one or more second calculations are performed using the second set of data entities resulting in second calculated data.
US08674997B2 Systems and methods for resource planning using animation
A system and method of presenting resource information for an entity includes receiving input data associated with the resource information of the entity, generating, by a computer, an animated representation of the resource information along one or more determined timelines employing a plurality of graphical characters based on the input data and displaying the animated representation. The creation of one simple animated visual language may reduce the mass confusion typically associated with the relation of resources including financial and other concepts, saving time and money and better educating those seeking recommendations and advice regarding resource planning, including financial planning.
US08674992B2 Spotlight graphs
In a computer-displayed graph, indications of multiple attributes or states of an object represented by a node of the graph are displayed using a spotlight, in which attributes of the spotlight correspond to attributes of the object represented by the node. The attributes of the spotlight each correspond to an attribute of the object and may include the color, brightness, and size of the spotlight. The spotlight may be positioned with the node, including overlaying the spotlight on the node and positioning the spotlight relative to the node.
US08674990B1 Methods and systems for fractional level of detail assignment
Methods and systems for fractional level of detail assignment are described herein. A method embodiment for fractional level of detail (LOD) assignment includes obtaining a set of features and image data at a range of LOD values, assigning one or more fractional LOD values to the obtained features and providing the features and the image data at the fractional LOD values. The embodiment also includes hashing an identifier associated with each feature and computing a hash cutoff value by mapping the range of LOD levels onto a range of integers. A system embodiment includes a LOD assigner to assign fractional LOD values to features in image data and to provide the features and the image data at the fractional LOD values. The system embodiment further includes a retrieval engine to return features with a range of LOD values that include the fractional LOD values to the LOD assigner.
US08674980B2 Three-dimensional image interactive system and position-bias compensation method of the same
A position-bias compensation method, applied to a three-dimensional image interactive system, includes steps of: displaying a three-dimensional image and setting a trigger position in a preset interactive coordinate system according to a default position of a user; obtaining a position-bias of a user's position from the default position; and resetting the trigger position according to the position-bias.
US08674975B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method with common voltage control for avoiding flicker and color-shift phenomena
A liquid crystal display includes a first switch for outputting a first electrode voltage according to a first data signal and a first gate signal, a second switch for outputting a second electrode voltage according to a second data signal and the first gate signal, a liquid crystal capacitor for controlling liquid-crystal transmittance according to the difference between the first and second electrode voltages, a first storage capacitor for storing the first electrode voltage, a third switch, a second storage capacitor for storing the second electrode voltage, and a fourth switch. The third switch controls the operation of furnishing a first common voltage to the first storage capacitor according to a second gate signal, for adjusting the first electrode voltage. The fourth switch controls the operation of furnishing a second common voltage to the second storage capacitor according to the second gate signal, for adjusting the second electrode voltage.
US08674974B2 Power supply device, panel driving device and power supply control method for display device
The present invention relates to a display device. There is disclosed a power supply unit and of a display device and a method thereof that can reduce frequency interference by electro-magnetic interference (EMI).A power supply unit of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for supplying power to a signal processor and a lamp of the display device includes: an AC input section receiving and supplying AC power; a converter section converting the AC power into DC power and supplying power to the signal processor; an inverter section converting the DC power into the AC power and supplying power to the lamp; and a mi-com having main ICs and feedback circuits of the converter section, the inverter section, and the signal processor, wherein a DC filter for converting noise frequencies generated by operating the circuits into signals of a pulse type is provided in the converter section and the inverter section and the mi-com differently sets control signals outputted from the converter section and the inverter section by using an analysis result of the pulse signals outputted from the DC filter portion.
US08674966B2 ASIC controller for light-based touch screen
A controller including a chip package coupled with a light-based touch screen, emitter driver circuitry inside the chip package for selectively activating photoemitters that are outside of the chip package, detector driver circuitry inside the chip package for selectively activating photo detectors that are outside of the chip package, detector signal processing circuitry for generating detection signals representing amounts of light detected on the photo detectors, signal conducting pins for connecting the photoemitters to the emitter driver circuitry, signal conducting pins for connecting the photo detectors to the detector driver circuitry and to the detector signal processing circuitry, controller circuitry inside the chip package for controlling the emitter driver circuitry and the detector driver circuitry, and at least one input/output pin for outputting the detection signals to a host processor, for the host processor to identify one or more locations on the touch screen that are being touched.
US08674965B2 Single camera display device detection
Various embodiments related to determining a distance of an object from a surface of an interactive display device are disclosed herein. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method comprising, directing infrared (IR) light to the object above the surface which is reflected by the object back to the interactive display device, and refracting IR light reflected from the object into two rays travelling in different directions based on a polarization state of the reflected IR light. The method further comprises switching a polarization state of an LCD device to allow one of the two refracted rays to pass through the LCD device, and receiving, at a detector, the one of the two refracted ray that passes through the LCD device. Further, the method comprises estimating a distance of the object from the surface based on triangulation.
US08674956B2 In-cell touch sensor touch area enhancing algorithm
A touch detection method includes: scanning the row electrodes or the column electrodes in sequence to obtain touch data of the touch sensor; labeling a plurality of coordinates as a touch image according to the touch data; mirror copying the touch data of the touch image corresponding to at least one column electrode and at least one row electrode which are adjacent to an edge of the pixel active area in the x-direction and the y-direction, respectively, to at least one corresponding location which is outside of the touch sensor active area with respect to the edge of the pixel active area; calculating a location (xave, yave) of the central point of the touch image by a weighted average; and outputting the location (xave, yave) of the central point of the touch image.
US08674950B2 Dual-sensing-mode touch-sensor device
A touch-sensor device is described. The touch sensor-device includes a panel having an array of capacitive sensors arranged to function, in a first direction, as a projected capacitance slider. The array of capacitive sensors is further arranged to function, in a second direction, as a set of independent surface capacitance sensors. A controller is coupled with the panel by an electrical component.
US08674938B2 Scanning technology
Scanning technology, in which one or more electronic communications that designate a scan area of an object are received from an input apparatus. A preview scan area is displayed based on the received one or more electronic communications that designate the scan area of the object.
US08674920B2 Liquid crystal display and method for driving the same
A method for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes receiving image data of each display unit of the LCD in every display period to determine gray levels of the display units, controlling a gate driver of the LCD to scan each of the display units at least twice every display period, controlling a source driver of the LCD to generate a switch signal, controlling the source driver to determine the gray levels of one row of the display units when the switch signal is at a first voltage level, and controlling the source driver to drive one row of the display units to a predetermined gray level status when the switch signal is at a second voltage level.
US08674919B2 Liquid crystal display with first and second sub-picture elements including two storage capacitors
Each picture element includes first and second sub-picture elements, each of which includes a liquid crystal capacitor and at least one storage capacitor. After a display voltage representing a certain grayscale level has been applied to the respective sub-picture element electrodes of the first and second sub-picture elements, a voltage difference ΔVα is produced between voltages to be applied to the respective liquid crystal capacitors of the first and second sub-picture elements by way of their associated storage capacitor(s). By setting the voltage difference ΔVα value of the blue and/or cyan picture element(s) to be smaller than that of the other color picture elements, shift toward the yellow range at an oblique viewing angle can be minimized.
US08674914B2 Display device and method of driving the same
Switching TFTs are controlled to a conducting state and a switching TFT to a non-conducting state, to provide a potential according to a threshold voltage to a gate terminal of a driving TFT. Then, in at least one embodiment, with the TFT maintaining the conducting state, a potential of a data line Sj is changed from a reference potential Vpc to a data potential Vdata to place the TFT in a conducting state. At this time, a current Ia flows and thus the gate terminal potential of the TFT rises. The higher the mobility of the TFT, the larger the amount of change in gate terminal potential and the smaller the current flowing through an organic EL element upon light emission. By this, a current that is not affected by variations in the threshold voltage of the TFT nor by variations in the mobility of the TFT flows through the organic EL element. Thus, in a current-driven type display device, variations in both the threshold voltage and mobility of a drive element are compensated for.
US08674902B2 Method for generating signal to display three-dimensional (3D) image and image display apparatus using the same
A method for generating a signal to display a three-dimensional (3D) image, and an image display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a first synchronization signal, generating a second synchronization signal, and generating an output signal. Therefore, a user may satisfactorily view a 3D image regardless of whether the synchronization signal received from a display device reports errors or whether there is an obstruction between the display device and shutter glasses.
US08674900B2 Portable device and method for controlling the same
A portable device including double-sided displays and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method includes detecting an unlock command for the portable device, which is a command to switch the first display unit to an active state and to switch the second display unit to a ready-to-activate state, switching the first display unit to an active state and switching the second display unit to a ready-to-activate state when the unlock command is the second command, detecting an unlock trigger for the second display unit, which serves to switch a display unit, which is in a ready-to-activate state, to an active state, and switching the second display unit from the ready-to-activate state an active state according to the detected unlock trigger.
US08674899B2 Radome incorporating partition wall for enhancing isolation between transmitted and received radar waves of radar apparatus
A radome covers an antenna substrate of a millimeter-band radar apparatus, with a partition wall formed integrally in the radome separating the internal space of the radome into a first internal space, located in correspondence with a transmitting antenna section, and a second internal space, located in correspondence with a receiving antenna section. Increased isolation between transmission and reception is achieved thereby, by reducing the amount of transmitted radar waves which directly reach the receiving antenna section.
US08674898B2 Bandpass filter, radio communication module and radio communication device using the bandpass filter
Provided is a bandpass filter which can cope with a wide band and has a large degree of freedom in designing a pass band. Provided also are a radio communication module and a radio communication device using the bandpass filter. The bandpass filter includes a first, a second, and a third resonator (10, 20, 30). The first and the third resonator (10, 30) have a resonance frequency f1 while the second resonator (20) has a resonance frequency f2 which is different from f1. If fe is the even-number mode resonance frequency of a resonance system formed by the first and the third resonator (10, 30) and fo is the odd-number mode resonance frequency, f2 is lower or higher than both of fe and fo. The bandpass filter has a pass band including fe, fo, and f2.
US08674896B2 Dipole antenna
A dipole antenna includes a substrate, a first conductive slice and a second conductive slice. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface and a first conductive hole. The second surface is disposed opposite to the first surface, and the first conductive hole passes through the first surface to the second surface. The first conductive slice is disposed on the first surface and has a feeding point. The second conductive slice is disposed on the second surface and has a ground point. The first conductive slice and the second conductive slice are disposed interlacedly and electrically connected to each other via the first conductive hole. The total length of the first conductive slice, the second conductive slice and the first conductive hole has to match the operating frequency of the dipole antenna.
US08674894B2 Antenna design
An antenna core design. An antenna assembly is provided for use in tracking and locating equipment used to track and locate tools with underground drilling systems. The antenna assembly comprises an elongate core, a plurality of metal strips supported on an external surface of the core, an insulating material adapted to insulate each of the plurality of metal strips from the other metal strips and the core, and a wire disposed around the external surface of the strips. Alternatively the antenna assembly comprises an elongate core, an insulating material disposed around a perimeter of the core, and a wire disposed around the insulating material. The core has a plurality of slots cut from one end of the core so that the core defines a plurality of metal strips. A support ring is disposed on the internal surface of the core to support the metal strips.
US08674890B2 Wideband and multiband external antenna for portable transmitters
A communication device is presented that has an antenna structure with a relatively short length and covers multiple resonances including the UHF and the GPS bands. The antenna structure has a conductive base to which a whip antenna is connected through a helical radiating element. A cylindrical sheath capacitively connected to the helical element provides distributed impedance matching for the antenna structure. A monopole or another helical element provides higher resonance than that of the whip antenna or connected helical element. If the higher resonance is provided by a monopole, the monopole is disposed radially adjacent to the helical element and is capacitively connected with the helical element through an opening in the sheath. If the higher resonance is provided by a helical element, the helical element is capacitively or galvanically connected to the end of the whip antenna.
US08674888B2 Integrated circuit with power supply line antenna structure and methods for use therewith
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of circuits including a plurality of millimeter wave interfaces for communicating data between the plurality of circuits via millimeter wave RF signaling. A power supply line supplies at least one power supply signal to the plurality of circuits. The power supply line includes a plurality of antenna elements to facilitate the communicating of first data between the plurality of circuits via the millimeter wave RF signaling.
US08674887B2 Multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device
A multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device includes a common conductor coupled to both a first radiating arm and a second radiating arm. The common conductor includes a feeding port for coupling the antenna to communications circuitry in a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a space-filling curve. In another embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a meandering section extending from the common conductor in a first direction and a contiguous extended section extending from the meandering section in a second direction.
US08674880B2 Method of determining the direction of arrival of a high-frequency electromagnetic wave
A method of measuring the direction of arrival θ of radio signals in the HF band received by a crossed loop antenna includes, in a preparatory calibration phase, acquiring and recording the measurements made by the antenna of a calibration signal which varies in its frequency and bearing angle; and in a measurement phase in which the bearing angle or angles of arrival of signals detected by the antenna is or are determined, acquiring the signals detected in at least one frequency channel, and then, for each frequency channel fi, correlating the acquired signals with the recordings having frequencies close to fi, resulting from the calibration, and determining the direction of arrival of the signals by finding the bearing angle θ for which the maximum correlation is reached.
US08674877B1 Distribution of positioning satellite information
A wireless communication device transmits a position assistance request. A system database receives and processes the position assistance request to determine a time of the request and a location of the wireless communication device and processes the time and the location to determine if the system database stores positioning satellite information for the time and the location. The system database transfers the positioning satellite information to the wireless communication device if the positioning satellite information is for the time and the location. The system database transfers the position assistance request to a position determining entity if the system database does not store the positioning satellite information for the time and the location.
US08674871B2 Method and system for aiding environmental characterization by ultra-wideband radiofrequency signals
The invention relates to environmental characterization on the basis of an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radiofrequency communication network. Pulses are emitted and the waveform received is compared with predicted waveforms corresponding to well determined interactions between the wave and its environment. The comparison is done by searching for maximum temporal correlation. The interactions can be notably reflections of the wave on walls or obstacles. The deformations are very dependent on the nature of the materials and directions in which the pulses are emitted and received. If predicted waveforms are stored for various pairs of direction of emission and of reception, it is possible through these correlation operations to find where a wall which gave rise to a reflection is situated.
US08674853B2 System and method for automatic distress at sea
The embodiments herein provide a system and a method for automatic distress alerting at sea. The method comprises detecting a distress situation by the sensors, sending a distress signal to the processor device, initiating an alarm for a pre-defined time, confirming the detected distress situation by a responsible officer, sending a distress alert package generated by the processor device through a main transmitter device to several satellites and to the terrestrial stations, informing nearest maritime search and rescue coordination centers after receiving the distress alert package and sending one or more rescue teams to a location based on a data provided in the distress alert package. If the alarm is detected to be false by the responsible officer then the distress alert is removed and alarm is activated if the responsible officer neither confirms nor denies the distress situation.
US08674847B2 Wireless monitor voice indication parking indicator
A wireless monitor voice indication parking indicator includes a transmitting part and a receiving part. The transmitting part includes a camera, an ultrasonic transmitting circuit, an ultrasonic receiving circuit, a power circuit, a voice indication circuit, a video superimposed circuit, a wireless transmitting circuit and a Single-chip Microcomputer (SCM) processor. The receiving part includes a power circuit, a wireless receiving circuit, an audio separation circuit, a control magnification output circuit, an alarm and a monitor. The power circuit supplies necessary stable voltage.
US08674840B2 Sanitization compliance monitoring system
A sanitization compliance monitoring system comprises care giver badges, patient bed beacons associated with patient beds, dispenser beacons associated with sanitization dispensers, and a central unit for wirelessly communicating with the badges.
US08674837B2 Multi-display bedside monitoring system
The present specification discloses systems and methods for patient monitoring using a multitude of display regions, at least two of which have the capability to simultaneously display real time patient waveforms and vital statistics as well as provide display for local and remote software applications. In one example, a primary display shows real time patient waveforms and vital statistics while a customizable secondary display shows trends, cumulative data, laboratory and radiology reports, protocols, and similar clinical information. Additionally, the secondary display can launch local and remote applications such as entertainment software, Internet and email programs, patient education software, and video conferencing applications. The dual display allows caregivers to simultaneously view real time patient vitals and aggregated data or therapy protocols, thereby increasing hospital personnel efficiency and improving treatment, while not compromising the display of critical alarms or other data.
US08674833B2 Universal camera sensor having movable mount for retaining power connector
A sensor is provided for displaying an item of merchandise on a display stand. The sensor includes a bottom portion having a recess formed therein and a top portion movably disposed on the bottom portion and adapted for attaching the item of merchandise to the sensor. A power connector is configured to be received within the recess formed in the bottom portion and retained therein when the top portion is aligned with and secured to the bottom portion such that the power connector cannot be removed from the sensor. The sensor may further include an optional anti-rotation bracket for preventing an unauthorized person from rotating the merchandise relative to the sensor and thereby detaching the item of merchandise from the sensor. The display stand may include a base and a cam sleeve rotatably disposed within the base so that the item of merchandise may be positioned in different desired display orientations on the display stand without removing and reorienting the base on a support surface or without reorienting the merchandise on the sensor.
US08674826B2 Location detection system for a device
A location detection system includes a device that is mobile for positioning at a location and has a unique device ID. The device also has circuitry for controlling one or more functions of the device and includes a network interface. A location transmitting device is provided that is spaced from the device for communicating a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the device to the device. The circuitry is operable to send device data, the unique device ID, and the unique location identifier from the device by way of the network interface.
US08674824B1 Sonar sensor array and method of operating same
A sonar sensor array is provided that has reduced power consumption, data bandwidth and data storage requirements. The sensor array may be configured to a sleep mode, low-resolution mode and high-resolution mode. In the sleep mode, all sonar sensors are configured in the sleep mode and no acoustic signals are detected. In the low-resolution mode, a limited number of sonar sensors are powered and acoustic signals received by the sonar sensors are processed with reduced bandwidth and reduced dynamic range, and then stored on a data storage device. In the high-resolution mode, the acoustic signals detected by the sonar sensors are processed with full signal bandwidth and full dynamic range and then stored on the data storage device.
US08674818B2 In-vehicle monitoring system
An in-vehicle monitoring system is configured to determine the presence of an object when the number of continuous generations of an object detection signal obtained in connection with a transmission signal reaches a threshold. The in-vehicle monitoring system comprises an adjustment unit configured to decrease the threshold if the distance obtained from a transmission signal and an object detection signal decreases.
US08674817B1 Electronic sound level control in audible signaling devices
In further development of U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,540 B1, an audible signal device including a microprocessor or microcontroller and a sounder element, or a microprocessor or microcontroller in conjunction with electronic circuitry such as discrete components, inductors, or IC's with a sounder element where the resulting sound pressure level is controlled by changing the drive signal's frequency, size, shape, and/or duty cycle.
US08674810B2 Wearable RFID system
Apparatus and methods are provided for automatically interrogating a tagged object using radio frequency identification (RFID) when the object is moved. In one embodiment, a worker is outfitted with a wearable RFID system including an RF antenna, an RFID reader, and a holder to hold the antenna and reader during operation. The system is worn by the worker while the worker moves objects from one place to another. When the worker moves an object with an attached RFID tag, the antenna automatically begins scanning for signals from the object's RFID tag. When a RF signal is received by the antenna, the RFID reader collects the signal and transmits it to a host system which processes the signal to obtain information related to the object to which the RFID tag is attached.
US08674788B2 Phase shifter having an accelerometer disposed on a movable circuit board
A physical angle of a portion of a variable element, such as a phase shifter, is used to determine a desired antenna beam attribute, such as beam downtilt. In one example, a variable element includes a stationary circuit board and a rotatable circuit board. The stationary circuit board has at least one transmission line having a first output and a second output. The rotatable circuit board includes an input and a coupling section, the coupling section located to capacitively couple an input signal to the at least one transmission line between the first output and the second output, and the accelerometer being oriented such that it provides a signal indicative of a physical angle of the rotatable circuit board with respect to vertical.
US08674787B2 Plural phase shifter assembly having wiper PCBs movable by a pivot arm/throw arm assembly
An improved phase shifter assembly is provided. The phase shifter assembly may comprise first and second sub-assemblies with certain common actuating elements. In one example, a first phase shifter sub-assembly is provided, the first phase shifter sub-assembly including a first phase shifter carrier, a first phase shifter printed circuit board mounted on the first phase shifter carrier, a first wiper printed circuit board coupled to an input of the first phase shifter printed circuit board and having at least a first end coupled to transmission lines on the first phase shifter printed circuit board, and at least one wiper support mechanically coupling the first wiper printed circuit board to the first phase shifter printed circuit board. A second phase shifter is similarly provided. Common actuating elements may include a pivot arm and a throw arm. The pivot arm may be rotatably mounted in the phase shifter assembly and be configured to engage a wiper support of at least one of the first and second phase shifter sub-assemblies. The throw arm may be mounted such that when the throw arm is moved linearly, the pivot arm rotates around a pivot.
US08674783B2 Methods for tuning an adaptive impedance matching network with a look-up table
Methods for generating a look-up table relating a plurality of complex reflection coefficients to a plurality of matched states for a tunable matching network. Typical steps include measuring a plurality of complex reflection coefficients resulting from a plurality of impedance loads while the tunable matching network is in a predetermined state, determining a plurality of matched states for the plurality of impedance loads, with a matched state determined for each of the plurality of impedance loads and providing the determined matched states as a look-up table. A further step is interpolating the measured complex reflection coefficients and the determined matching states into a set of complex reflection coefficients with predetermined step sizes.
US08674782B2 RF impedance detection using two point voltage sampling
An adaptive impedance matching module having an adjustable impedance matching network with an input for receiving an RF power source and an output to be connected to an antenna, and first and second voltage measurement device configured to sense a voltage at respective first and second nodes on the impedance matching network. A network adjuster circuit is provided to switch the impedance matching network between a first state where first and second voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes and a second state where third and fourth voltages are sensed on the respective first and second nodes. Processing circuitry is provided which determines the matched load impedance based upon the first, second, third and fourth sensed voltages and including matching adjustment circuitry configured to adjust the matching impedance in the event the matched load impedance differs from a target load impedance by more that a predetermined amount.
US08674781B2 Printed circuit board comprised of an insulating layer having buried microstrip lines and conductors with widths that narrow into the insulation layer
A printed circuit board having a micro strip line, a printed circuit board having a strip line and a method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The printed circuit board having a micro strip line in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first insulation layer, a signal line buried in one surface of the first insulation layer, a plurality of conductors penetrating through the first insulation layer and being disposed on both sides of the signal line in parallel with the signal line, and a ground layer formed to be electrically connected to the conductor on the other surface of the first insulation layer.
US08674780B2 Oscillator with frequency adjustment
An oscillator includes a nominal frequency output unit, a frequency adjustment amount output unit, a gain output unit, a multiplier, and an adder. The nominal frequency output unit is configured to output a first digital value corresponding to the nominal frequency. The frequency adjustment amount output unit is configured to output a second digital value corresponding to a rate of frequency in order to set a frequency adjustment amount with respect to the nominal frequency using the rate of frequency. The gain output unit is configured to output a third digital value corresponding to a gain to be multiplied by the second digital value. The multiplier is configured to multiply the second digital value by the third digital value, thus outputting a fourth digital value. The adder adds the first digital value and the fourth digital value to output the added result as a setting signal of frequency.
US08674778B2 Method and system for correcting oscillator frequency drift
A method and apparatus for correcting oscillator frequency drift due to crystal aging. Correction signals that reflect a difference between an oscillator timing signal and a reference timing signal over a reference timing signal interval are modeled so that auxiliary correction signals can be generated in the event of loss of the reference timing signal. A temperature curve is generated to model how temperature variation impacts oscillator frequency drift. A rate of frequency drift due to crystal aging is also determined. During loss of a reference timing signal, auxiliary correction signals can be generated to maintain the oscillator at a desired frequency until the reference timing signal becomes available again.
US08674777B1 Jitter compensated numerically controlled oscillator
A method for compensating NCO jitter by changing a step value used to increment an accumulator in the NCO to make up for inaccuracies, or jitters. In one approach, a remainder in the accumulator may be monitored and a compensated clock close to the current edge of an ideal clock may be generated. In another approach, a compensated clock close to the next edge of the ideal clock may be generated after the current edge of the ideal clock is missed. The step value may be stored in a memory, which may be a register. A jitter compensator may include a comparator for monitoring the remainder in the accumulator or a detector for detecting whether an ideal clock has been missed. The jitter compensator may also change the step value to a step value for a faster clock to compensate jitter.
US08674773B2 Phase interpolator with voltage-controlled oscillator injection-lock
In one embodiment, one or more circuits convert an n-bit control code of a phase interpolator to a coupling control signal of k-bit wide. The one or more circuits couple one or more output signals of the phase interpolator to a reference clock of the phase interpolator based on the coupling control signal.
US08674769B2 Power amplifier protection circuit, communication device, and method
Embodiments of the present application disclose a power amplifier protection circuit, communication device, and method, to protect a power amplifier when an abnormal signal, such as a burr or a pulse, occurs in a circuit. The method according to an embodiment of the present application comprises: detecting and comparing, by an input detection circuit, an abnormal signal in an input signal, outputting a protection control signal, and after processing performed by a delay circuit, controlling a power amplifier to be in an off state in a pulse width of the delayed protection control signal, so that the abnormal signal passes through the power amplifier when the power amplifier is in the off state, thereby preventing the power amplifier from burning, and achieving the effect of protecting the power amplifier.
US08674768B2 Signaling system with low-power automatic gain control
An integrated circuit receiver includes a first channel comprising an amplifier responsive to a first gain control value in a first mode to receive an input signal and generate a first amplified signal having a transition rate. Detection circuitry in the first channel detects transitions in the first amplified signal in accordance with a detected transition rate. The detected transition rate is based on the first gain control value. Gain control logic adjusts the first gain control value based on a desired detected transition rate. The gain control logic generates a second gain control value for use during a second mode. The second gain control value being based on the first gain control value.
US08674760B2 Dynamic power control method and circuit thereof
The present invention discloses a dynamic power control method utilized in an amplifier. The dynamic power control method includes detecting an absolute difference between a positive supply voltage of the amplifier and an output voltage of the amplifier, to acquire a positive voltage difference; detecting an absolute difference between a negative supply voltage of the amplifier and the output voltage of the amplifier, to acquire a negative voltage difference; and adjusting the positive supply voltage and the negative supply voltage according to the positive voltage difference, the negative voltage difference and a threshold.
US08674755B2 Differential source follower having 6dB gain with applications to WiGig baseband filters
A differential amplifier comprising a first upper device and a first lower device series coupled between two power supplies and a second upper device and a second lower device series coupled between the two power supplies. A first DC voltage enables the first upper device and the second upper device and a second DC voltage regulates current flow in the first lower device and the second lower device. An AC signal component is coupled to the first upper device and the second lower device while the AC signal complement is coupled to the first lower device and the second upper device. Separate RC networks couple the AC signals to their respective device. A first and second output signal forms between the upper device and the lower device, respectively. All the devices are same channel type.
US08674752B2 Semiconductor device and method for driving the same
A semiconductor device includes an internal voltage generation unit configured to generate an internal voltage in response to an enable signal, an enable setting logic unit configured to define a starting time point for generating the internal voltage in response to the enable signal, a monitoring unit configured to monitor whether or not the internal voltage reaches a target level, and define an ending time point for generating the internal voltage in response to the monitoring result, and a measurement result signal generation unit configured to generate a measurement result signal corresponding to a developing time of the internal voltage in response to an output signal of the enable setting logic unit and an output signal of the monitoring unit.
US08674750B2 Charge pump, a method for controlling the same, and a display driving system comprising the charge pump
Disclosed is a charge pump and a method of controlling the charge pump. The charge pump including a charge pumping unit to boost a first voltage in response to a clock signal, the first voltage being boosted to a second voltage having a voltage level higher than the first voltage by a middle voltage, the middle voltage being generated in response to a first control signal, the first control signal being enabled during a time period in which the clock signal and a second control signal are disabled. The charge pumping unit boosts the second voltage to a third voltage, the third voltage being a voltage level higher than an input voltage by the first voltage, the input voltage being generated in response to the second control signal. The charge pump includes a first transfer unit to output the third voltage in response to the second control signal.
US08674745B2 Level conversion circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit device employing the level conversion circuit
In a level conversion circuit mounted in an integrated circuit device using a plurality of high- and low-voltage power supplies, the input to the differential inputs are provided. In a level-down circuit, MOS transistors that are not supplied with 3.3 V between the gate and drain and between the gate and source use a thin oxide layer. In a level-up circuit, a logic operation function is provided.
US08674743B1 Asymmetric correction circuit with negative resistance
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an amplifier configured to receive an asymmetric signal. A first resistance is coupled between an input node and an output node of the amplifier. A second resistance is coupled to the input node of the amplifier. A first switch is configured to be controlled during a first interval to couple the second resistance to a positive resistance to increase a gain of the amplifier to correct the asymmetric signal. The gain is a function of the first resistance and a combination of the second resistance and the positive resistance. A second switch is configured to be controlled during a second interval to couple the second resistance to a negative resistance to decrease the gain of the amplifier to correct the asymmetric signal. The gain is a function of the first resistance and a combination of the second resistance and the negative resistance.
US08674738B2 Semiconductor device
An object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a latch circuit includes a level shifter and a buffer in which transistors each including a channel region formed in an oxide semiconductor film are connected in series. Thus, data can be held in the latch circuit even when power is not supplied.
US08674734B2 Synchronous semiconductor device having delay locked loop for latency control
A synchronous semiconductor device includes an internal command generation unit configured to generate an internal command corresponding to a source command, a delay locked loop configured to delay a source clock by a first delay time required for delay-locking to generate a delay locked clock, a delay time determination unit configured to determine a second delay time for delay-locking the internal command using the source clock, the second delay time being determined by reflecting a third delay time generated on a command path, and a latency control unit configured to shift the internal command by a shifting period, in which the second delay time is reflected, in response to the delay locked clock.
US08674730B2 Frequency divider arrangement and method for providing a quadrature output signal
A frequency divider arrangement for providing a quadrature output signal with a quadrature output signal frequency, includes a signal source for providing a base signal with a base signal frequency at the output side. Further, the frequency divider arrangement includes a first integer number quadrature divider with a first divider ratio for receiving the base signal on the input side and for providing a first quadrature signal with a first quadrature signal frequency according to the first divider ratio of the first integer number quadrature divider.
US08674727B2 Circuit and method for driving a transistor component based on a load condition
A circuit arrangement includes a transistor component with a gate terminal, a control terminal, and a load path between a source and a drain terminal. A drive circuit is connected to the control terminal and configured to determine a load condition of the transistor component, to provide a drive potential to the control terminal, and to adjust the drive potential dependent on the load condition.
US08674726B2 Multi-level chip input circuit
Aspects of the instant disclosure are directed toward apparatuses that generate a power-related adjustment signal in response to the power signal. Digital-input-signal pads are included to communicate digital signals with a circuit external to the apparatus. Further, digital-input processing circuitry receives the digital signals from the digital-input-signal pad, and processes the received digital signals. Additionally, configuration circuitry applies the power-related adjustment signal to signals received at the digital-input-signal pad and, in response, detects the digital signals received.
US08674723B2 User registers implemented with routing circuits in a configurable IC
Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (“IC”). The configurable IC includes a set of configurable logic circuits for configurably performing a set of functions. The configurable IC also includes a set of configurable routing circuits for routing signals to and from the configurable circuits. During several operational cycles of the configurable IC, a set of data registers are defined by the configurable routing circuits. These data registers may be used wherever a flip-flop can be used.
US08674722B2 Semiconductor programmable device
An ePLX unit includes a logic unit having an SRAM and a MUX, and a switch unit having an SRAM and a TG for establishing wiring connection in the logic unit. When a composite module is set in the first mode, an Add/Flag control unit uses the SRAMs as a data field and a flag field, respectively, to autonomously control the read address of each of the data field and the flag field in accordance with a control flag stored in the flag field. Furthermore, when the composite module is set in the second mode, the Add/Flag control unit writes configuration information into each of the SRAMs to reconfigure a logic circuit. Consequently, the granularity of the circuit configuration can be rendered variable, which allows improvement in flexibility when configuring a function.
US08674721B2 Controllable storage elements for an IC
An integrated circuit (‘IC’) that includes a configurable routing fabric with controllable storage elements is described. The routing fabric provides a communication pathway that routes signals to and from source and destination components. The routing fabric may provide the ability to selectively store the signals passing through the routing fabric within the storage elements of the routing fabric. In this manner, a source or destination component may continually perform operations (e.g., computational or routing) irrespective of whether a previous signal from or to such a component is stored within the routing fabric. The source and destination components include configurable logic circuits, configurable interconnect circuits, and various other circuits that receive or a distribute signals throughout the IC.
US08674715B2 Test apparatus having a probe core with a twist lock mechanism
A probe core includes a frame, a wire guide connected to the frame, a probe tile, and a plurality of probe wires supported by the wire guide and probe tile. Each probe wire includes an end configured to probe a device, such as a semiconductor wafer. Each probe wire includes a signal transmitting portion and a guard portion. The probe core further includes a lock mechanism supported by the frame. The lock mechanism is configured to allow the probe core to be connected and disconnected to another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. As one example, the probe core is configured to connect and disconnect from the test equipment or component in a rotatable lock and unlock operation or twist lock/unlock operation, where the frame is rotated relative to remainder of the core to lock/unlock the probe core.
US08674703B2 Car battery system
The car battery system of the present invention is provided with a battery block 2 that retains a plurality of battery cells 1 in a stacked configuration and has a terminal plane 2A, which is coincident with terminal surfaces 1A established by positive and negative battery cell 1 electrode terminals 13; and with a battery state detection circuit 30 that connects with the electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1. The battery system is provided with a circuit board 7 with surface-mounted electronic components 40 that implement the battery state detection circuit 30. The circuit board 7 is a single-sided board with electronic components 40 mounted on only one side, and the circuit board 7 is attached to the battery block 2 opposite the terminal plane 2A with the side having no electronic components 40 facing the battery block 2. The positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1 are connected with the circuit board 7 for connection to the battery state detection circuit 30.
US08674693B2 Method and apparatus for correcting B1-inhomogeneities in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
A method of performing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a body (B), comprising: immerging said body in a static magnetic field B0 for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis; exposing it to a transverse radio-frequency pulsed field Bi for flipping said nuclear spins by a predetermined angle; and detecting a signal emitted by flipped nuclear spins; the method being characterized in that it comprises the preliminary steps of: (i) determining a statistical distribution of the amplitude of said radio-frequency pulsed field within a volume of said body; and (ii) computing a set of optimal parameters of a composite radio-frequency pulsed field for jointly minimizing the dispersion of the spin flip angles distribution within said volume of the body, due to B1 and possibly B0 inhomogeneities, and the errors between the actual spin flip angles and their predetermined target value, wherein said radio-frequency pulsed field consists of a train of elementary pulses having a constant frequency and amplitude, and a continuous phase, and said parameters comprise: the number of said elementary pulses, as well as the duration, amplitude, frequency and relative initial phase of each of them.
US08674687B2 Angle detection device and method of manufacturing the same
An angle detection device of the present invention includes: a stator which includes a plurality of salient pole portions which are formed on a flat sheet made of a magnetic material and are raised by bending, each salient pole portion constituting a winding magnetic core on which a winding member for excitation and a winding member for detection are mounted; and a rotor which is made of a magnetic material and is provided rotatably relative to the stator such that gap permeance between the rotor and each salient pole portion is changed due to the rotation of the rotor about a rotational axis of the rotor. According to the angle detection device of the present invention, it is possible to provide the angle detection device which can largely reduce the number of parts and can realize the reduction of cost and the enhancement of reliability.
US08674680B2 Method and device for fast measurement of frequency response with scalable short chirp signals
A method and device are provided for fast impedance measurement of a biological object having dynamically varying in time parameters, wherein a titlet shaped pulse is introduced into the object and a voltage response signal is measured and analyzed by a processing unit for estimating the impedance of the object. The titlet pulse has a start frequency substantially in one end of the frequency range of interest and a stop frequency substantially in the other end of the frequency range of interest and a duration of the titlet pulse is one cycle or less.
US08674678B2 Device, system and method for locating a pipe
A device, system and method of locating a target pipe in a pipe system utilizes an electric signal transmitter and an electrical signal detector. A pipe locator signal conductor comprises a spool and a flexible insulated electrical conductor wound around the spool. The exposed end of the conductor is fixed near an entry point in the pipe system, and the spool is fed into the pipe system such that the conductor pays off of the spool and extends at least partially through the target pipe. The signal transmitter is coupled to the exposed end of the conductor, transmitting a signal through the conductor and allowing the pipe to be located by the signal detector.
US08674669B2 Switching regulator with a single inductor in a multiple output power supply configuration
Single inductor based switching regulators are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a switching regulator can include: (i) output switches coupled to a common inductor node and to a corresponding output supply node, where each output supply node has a voltage converted from an input voltage received at an input supply node; (ii) an inductor coupled to the common inductor node and to first and second input switches, where the first input switch is coupled to ground, and the second input switch is coupled to the input supply node, the first and second switches controlling charge through the inductor; and (iii) a control circuit receiving feedback signals indicating output voltages on the output supply nodes, the control circuit controlling the output switches for regulation of the output voltages in response to the feedback signals.
US08674659B2 Charge control device and vehicle equipped with the same
A charge control device (40A, 40B, 50) is provided that controls charging and discharging of a storage battery (10) in which a plurality of storage blocks (12A to 12N), each including a plurality of cells (11), are connected in series. The charge control device includes voltage sensors (40A, 40B) that detect voltage values of the storage blocks (12A, 12B), respectively, wherein a charge and discharge process is performed in which a charge mode, in which the storage battery is charged, and a discharge mode, in which the storage battery is discharged, are alternately selected, and in which one of the charge mode and the discharge mode is switched to the other mode based on the amount of difference between the voltage values detected by the voltage sensors (40A, 40B).
US08674648B2 Single switch controlled switched reluctance machine
An improved single-switch control circuit for use in a multi-phase switched reluctance machine is provided. The control circuit includes at least first and second phase windings, a switch, a capacitor, and a diode. The capacitor may have a polarity opposite that of a power source in the control circuit. The first winding may be connected in series with the switch and connected in parallel with a circuit block comprising the second winding. The second winding may be connected in parallel with the capacitor and in series with the diode. In operation, the switch may be used to redirect current from the first winding to the second winding. The capacitor can become charged by the redirected current until it eventually stores enough energy to essentially discontinue current flow in the first winding. Then, the capacitor can discharge its stored energy as a current through the second winding. In this manner, substantially all of the energy from the first winding can be transferred to the second winding.
US08674646B2 Vehicle display system and motor control device therefor
A step motor and a motor control unit are connected to a battery, so that electrical power is continuously supplied to the step motor and the motor control unit. The motor control unit continuously drives the step motor until a rotor of the step motor reaches at a next excitation stable point, in a case that a display position adjusting switch or an ignition switch is turned off when the rotor of the step motor is on a way to the next excitation stable point.
US08674637B2 Vehicle
A vehicle includes a power storage device, a motor generator, a converter for stepping up an output voltage from the power storage device, an inverter for driving the motor generator, and an ECU. The inverter includes switching elements. The switching elements have a characteristic that the withstand voltage of the switching elements decreases as the temperature of the inverter decreases. The ECU sets the stepped-up voltage, based on a temperature characteristic of the power storage device and a temperature characteristic of the inverter, so that the stepped-up voltage is increased within a range in which the stepped-up voltage does not exceed the withstand voltage. In this way, at low temperatures, deterioration of the power performance can be suppressed while the switching elements are protected.
US08674636B2 Power conversion device
A power conversion device for a vehicle includes: a power module that includes a switching device and, upon operation of the switching device, converts DC power into AC power to be supplied to an electric machine for driving a vehicle; a capacitor module that includes a smoothing capacitor element, an input-side power source terminal for receiving DC power, and an output-side power source terminal for supplying DC power to the power module; and a noise removal capacitor for removing noise, wherein: the noise removal capacitor is built in the capacitor module, and the noise removal capacitor is electrically connected to the input-side power source terminal in a position where a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the input-side power source terminal is less than a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the output-side power source terminal of the capacitor module.
US08674632B2 Motor control device with a correcting unit determining a corrected rotation angle after a predetermined time from a detection time, control program therefor, and method for the control
A motor control device determines a rotation angle and an angular speed of a motor, and has: a correcting unit including N number (N is an positive integer equal to or more than 2) of bit-shift circuits, which divide the angular speed by powers of 2 by bit shift, and a circuit, which subtracts output values of the second to Nth bit-shift circuits from an output value of the first bit-shift circuit to determine a correction amount for the rotation angle and correct the rotation angle by the correction amount; so as to determine two-phase direct voltages to obtain a target torque from the three-phase alternate currents passing through the motor according to the angular speed, and convert the two-phase direct voltages into the three-phase alternate voltages according to the sine, cosine of the corrected rotation angle.
US08674629B2 Managing streetlights
This disclosure describes systems and techniques for managing streetlights. The subject matter included in this document is embodied in a method that includes receiving, at a computing device, information representative of a location and status of a streetlight included in a network of streetlights. The method also includes presenting a representation of the streetlight in a graphical user-interface in accordance with the received location and status information, and receiving information representing a selection of the streetlight for inclusion in a group of streetlights from the network. The method further includes initiating delivery of one or more control signals to the group of streetlights.
US08674625B2 Synchronous light adjustment method and the device for performing the same
A synchronous light adjustment method and the device for performing the same are proposed. Each of plurality of lamps is installed with a light sensor and a control unit. By actuating a single power switch, the control unit will control the illumination of a respective one of the LED lamps independently and automatically based on the environmental illumination detected by a light sensor. Further, by switching the power switch manually to match predetermined operations, the control units will adjust the illuminations and color temperatures of the LED lamps synchronously and gradually. The device is convenient in installation and usage.
US08674623B2 LED device with voltage-limiting unit and shunt current-limiting resistance
The present invention provides a LED device with the voltage-limiting unit and the shunt current-limiting resistance wherein a voltage-limiting unit is connected in series with a current-limiting resistance then connected in parallel with two ends of a LED, so that to constitute the light-emitting unit, thereby when plural of the light-emitting units are connected in series (including connected in series and parallel), the current of LED loaded with higher end voltage passing through the voltage-limiting unit is prevented to be overly high when subject to abnormal high voltage.
US08674614B2 Converter device
A converter for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum level and a minimum level may include: a switch switchable on and off to permit or prevent, respectively, feeding of current towards said inductor; first and second current sensors sensitive to the current flowing through said switch when said switch is on or off, respectively; comparator circuitry to identify if the current intensity detected by said first current sensor and said second current sensor reaches said maximum level and said minimum level, respectively, by generating respective logical signals; and drive circuitry for said switch sensitive to said logical signals and configured to turn off said switch when the current intensity detected by said first sensor reaches said maximum level and turning on said switch when the current intensity detected by said second current sensor reaches said minimum level.
US08674607B2 Plasma processing apparatus and processing gas supply structure thereof
There is provided a plasma processing apparatus for generating inductively coupled plasma in a processing chamber and performing a process on a substrate accommodated in the processing chamber. The plasma processing apparatus includes an upper cover installed to cover a top opening of the processing chamber and having a dielectric window; a high frequency coil installed above the dielectric window at an outer side of the processing chamber; a gas supply mechanism supported by the upper cover and installed under the dielectric window. Here, the gas supply mechanism includes a layered body including plates having through holes. Further, the gas supply mechanism is configured to supply a processing gas into the processing chamber in a horizontal direction via groove-shaped gas channels installed between the plates or between the plate and the dielectric window, and end portions of the groove-shaped gas channels are opened to edges of the through holes.
US08674603B2 Electrodeless lamps with grounded coupling elements
An electrodeless plasma lamp includes a bulb containing a gas-fill and light emitter(s) excited to produce light using radio-frequency (RF) energy. Input and output coupling elements separated from each other by a gap couple RF energy from an RF source to the bulb. One end of the input coupling element is electrically connected to an RF source while the other end is connected to ground. One end of the output coupling element is connected to ground while the other end is connected to the bulb.
US08674602B2 Plasma-generating structures and display devices
Some embodiments include methods of forming plasma-generating microstructures. Aluminum may be anodized to form an aluminum oxide body having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Conductive liners may be formed within the openings, and circuitry may be formed to control current flow through the conductive liners. The conductive liners form a plurality of hollow cathodes, and the current flow is configured to generate and maintain plasmas within the hollow cathodes. The plasmas within various hollow cathodes, or sets of hollow cathodes, may be independently controlled. Such independently controlled plasmas may be utilized to create a pattern in a display, or on a substrate. In some embodiments, the plasmas may be utilized for plasma-assisted etching and/or plasma-assisted deposition. Some embodiments include constructions and assemblies containing multiple plasma-generating structures.
US08674588B2 Electric power generation device, electric power generation method, and electric power generation device manufacturing method
An electric power generation device equipped with an apparatus which vibrates and generates heat includes a thermoelectric power generation module and a piezoelectric power generation module which are formed integrally. The thermoelectric power generation module has a first surface combining thermally and mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and generates electric power from temperature differences between the first surface and the second surface caused by the apparatus's generating heat. The piezoelectric power generation module has a fixed end combining mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a movable end opposite to the fixed end, and generates electric power from displacement of the movable end to the fixed end caused by the apparatus's vibrating.
US08674587B2 Ultrasonic transducer and fabricating the same
An aspect of one embodiment, there is provided an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of oscillators, each of the oscillator having a convex portion, a printed wiring board provided to be opposed to the convex portion, an adhesive material including at least a portion of the convex portion, the adhesive material joining the oscillator and the printed wiring board, and a resin provided between the oscillator and the printed wiring board, the resin covering the convex portion and the adhesive material.
US08674581B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for shorting slip rings of an induction motor
Systems, methods, and apparatus associated for lifting brushes and shorting slip rings are provided. One embodiment may include a shaft in operable communication with a WRIM rotor; multiple slip rings positioned radially around the shaft and in electrical communication with rotor windings of the WRIM; multiple brushes adapted for selective contact with a respective one of the plurality of slip rings. In addition, the system may include multiple selectively activating electrical contacts in electrical communication with respective terminals of the rotor windings of the WRIM; and an actuating mechanism in operable communication with the brushes and the electrical contacts. When the actuating mechanism is actuated, the electrical contacts create electrical shorts between the slip rings and the rotor windings of the WRIM and the plurality of brushes are lifted from contacting the plurality of slip rings.
US08674579B2 Stator core of motor for washing machine
The present invention relates to a stator core of a motor for a washing machine that is formed by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped core pieces to each other, each of the core pieces being formed by stacking core piece steel plates on top of each other and by bending the stacked core piece steel plates in such a manner that core piece teeth are disposed outward in the radial direction of a core piece yoke and the core piece yoke has the same curvature as a yoke of a stator core, the core piece yoke on each core piece steel plate having a plurality of incised portions for bending formed partially incised thereon between the respective neighboring core piece teeth on the opposite side to the side on which the core piece teeth are formed.
US08674576B2 Electropermanent magnet-based motors
An electropermanent magnet-based motor includes a stator having at least one electropermanent magnet, at least one coil around the electropermanent magnet configured to pass current pulses that affect the magnetization of the magnet, and a rotor that is movable with respect to the stator in response to changes in the magnetization of the electropermanent magnet. A wobble motor has a stator with a centrally-located core from which arms radiate outward, an electropermanent magnet and coil on each arm, and a rotor exterior to the stator such that the rotor can rotate around the stator arms. A rotary motor has a centrally-located rotor that rotates about its axis and a stator exterior to the rotor such that the rotor may rotate within the stator arms, the stator including an anteriorly-located stator core from which stator arms radiate inward toward the rotor, and an electropermanent magnet and coil on each stator arm.
US08674569B2 Motor having pin guide for fixing mag mate terminals and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a motor including: a housing formed in such a manner as to locate a stator assembly inside a mold and to perform an insert injection molding, the housing having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof and power terminal pins exposed above the hollow portion; a printed circuit board adapted to mount an integrated circuit device thereon and having a shaft insertion hole formed at the center thereof and power terminal pin holes formed at the corresponding positions to the power terminal pins; and an end cover adapted to be coupled to the housing in such a manner as to be located on the top of the printed circuit board and having a motor shaft coupling portion formed at the center thereof.
US08674563B2 Linear motor system
A linear motor system is provided includes a coil assembly, a magnet assembly, and a bearing assembly disposed between the coil and magnet assemblies to allow movement of one or both of them. The bearing assembly includes a single bearing rail that can be mounted on either side of the magnet assembly. The rail has elongated recesses that receive bearing elements. A stage structure may be attached to the assembly, such at to the magnet assembly, to move a machine component along the rail.
US08674562B2 Linear motor armature and linear motor
A linear motor armature according to an embodiment includes an armature coil and a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket is provided to surround the armature coil and has an internal space into which a refrigerant is supplied. The cooling jacket is formed in a thin plate shape having a structure in which a channel for supplying the refrigerant is provided in a multiple manner in its thickness direction.
US08674554B2 Power off delay circuit and method, and audio system with power off delay
A power off delay circuit includes a switch connected between an external power input terminal and an internal power supply terminal, a capacitor connected to the internal power supply terminal, and a hysteresis comparator to switch the switch according to the voltages of the external power input terminal and the internal power supply terminal. During on-time of the switch, the external power input terminal is connected to the internal power supply terminal and the capacitor can be charged by the external power source. When the switch is off, the capacitor provides electric power for an internal circuit. Application of the power off delay circuit to an audio system may eliminate the turn-off pops of the audio system.
US08674539B1 Powerline communication power supply and modem interface mechanism
Functionality of a powerline communication (PLC) power supply and modem interface can be implemented using a power supply processing unit and a PLC modem unit that can be coupled together using standard, two-wire cabling. The power supply processing unit can generate a DC power signal and a zero cross signal based on an AC powerline signal received via a PLC network. The power supply processing unit can modulate the zero cross signal onto the DC power signal. The power supply processing unit can then generate a composite PLC signal comprising a PLC signal (extracted from the AC powerline signal) and the DC power signal modulated with the zero cross signal. The PLC modem unit can extract the PLC signal, the DC power signal, and the zero cross signal from the composite PLC signal, and then can process the PLC signal based on information associated with the zero cross signal.
US08674534B2 Managed pneumatic turbine power supply
A pneumatic turbine power supply including a pneumatic turbine, a rectifier circuit for converting the AC power output by the pneumatic turbine to DC power, a voltage regulator for maintaining a constant voltage and a battery. The pneumatic turbine further provides a rotor blade containing a disc with magnets that are turned between a plurality of stator windings, the turning caused by a leakage that engages the rotor blades, the leakage from the emergency air brake reservoir found on rolling stock. The pneumatic turbine power supply further provides DC power output to both a device and a battery. The pneumatic turbine may operate despite a loss of pneumatic air pressure found in the brake pipe of the rolling stock.
US08674530B2 Passively cooled lightweight thermoelectric generator system
A portable device for generating electrical power comprises a vessel and a thermoelectric generator module. A gasket having an opening is included, along with a bottom plate that comprises a material having a higher a higher thermal conductivity than a material comprising the gasket. A thermal interface enhancer is adjacent one of the top side of the module and the bottom side of the module. A thermal interface inhibitor is also included. The bottom plate is secured to the bottom portion of the vessel with a fastener such that an area is formed between them. The gasket is secured to the bottom plate within the area, and the spacer is configured around the fastener. The thermal interface inhibitor is configured to aid in the maintenance of a temperature differential between the vessel and the bottom plate when the bottom plate is heated.
US08674520B2 Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, and power supply unit
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes placing a sheet containing a fibrous material having at least one outer surface having a metal on a semiconductor chip-mounting region of a substrate; forming a bonding layer containing a fusible metal on the semiconductor chip-mounting region; placing a semiconductor chip on the semiconductor chip-mounting region; and bonding the semiconductor chip to the semiconductor chip-mounting region with the fusible metal-containing bonding layer by heating.
US08674519B2 Microelectronic package and method of manufacturing same
A microelectronic package includes a substrate (110, 210), an interposer (120, 220) having a first surface (121) and an opposing second surface (122), a microelectronic die (130, 230) attached to the substrate, and a mold compound (140) over the substrate. The interposer is electrically connected to the substrate using a wirebond (150). The first surface of the interposer is physically connected to the substrate with an adhesive (160), and the second surface has an electrically conductive contact (126) formed therein. The mold compound completely encapsulates the wirebond and partially encapsulates the interposer such that the electrically conductive contact in the second surface of the interposer remains uncovered by the mold compound.
US08674518B2 Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a first chip; a second chip disposed on the first chip; a hole extending from a surface of the first chip towards the second chip; a conducting layer disposed on the surface of the first chip and extending into the hole and electrically connected to a conducting region or a doped region in the first chip; and a support bulk disposed between the first chip and the second chip, wherein the support bulk substantially and/or completely covers a bottom of the hole.
US08674516B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with vertical interconnects and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a first substrate; attaching vertical interconnects along a periphery of the first substrate; mounting an integrated circuit over the first substrate, the integrated circuit surrounded by the vertical interconnects; and mounting a second substrate directly on the vertical interconnects and the integrated circuit.
US08674514B2 Wiring board, manufacturing method of the wiring board, and semiconductor package
A wiring board includes a ceramic substrate including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers, an internal wiring, and an electrode, the internal wiring being electrically connected to the electrode, the electrode being exposed from a first surface of the ceramic substrate; and a silicon substrate including a wiring layer, the wiring layer including a wiring pattern and a via-fill, the wiring pattern being formed on a main surface of the silicon substrate, an end of the via-fill being electrically connected to the wiring pattern, another end of the via-fill being exposed from a rear surface of the silicon substrate positioned opposite to the main surface, wherein the rear surface of the silicon substrate is anodically bonded to the first surface of the ceramic substrate; and the via-fill of the silicon substrate is directly connected to the electrode of the ceramic substrate.
US08674506B2 Structures and methods to reduce maximum current density in a solder ball
Structures and methods to reduce maximum current density in a solder ball are disclosed. A method includes forming a contact pad in a last wiring level and forming a plurality of wires of the contact pad extending from side edges of the contact pad to respective ones of a plurality of vias. Each one of the plurality of wires has substantially the same electrical resistance.
US08674505B2 Integrated circuit packaging with ball grid array having differential pitch to enhance thermal performance
A ball grid array (BGA) includes a plurality of metal balls adapted for connection between an electrical circuit and a substrate. A first portion of the BGA contains a first group of the metal balls arranged according to a first pitch. A second portion of the BGA contains a second group of metal the balls arranged according to a second pitch that is less than the first pitch, to provide increased metal contact area and correspondingly enhanced thermal transfer capability.
US08674503B2 Circuit board, fabricating method thereof and package structure
The present invention provides a circuit board including a substrate, at least one lead, at least one bump, and a solder layer. The lead is disposed on the substrate, and the bump is disposed on the lead. The solder layer covers the lead and the bump.
US08674498B2 MEMS package and method for the production thereof
An MEMS package is proposed, wherein a chip having MEMS structures on its top side is connected to a rigid covering plate and a frame structure, which comprises a polymer, to form a sandwich structure in such a way that a closed cavity which receives the MEMS structures is formed. Solderable or bondable electrical contact are arranged on the rear side of the chip or on the outer side of the covering plate which faces away from the chip, and are electrically conductively connected to at least one connection pad by means of an electrical connection structure.
US08674497B2 Stacked half-bridge package with a current carrying layer
According to an exemplary embodiment, a stacked half-bridge package includes a control transistor having a control drain for connection to a high voltage input, a control source coupled to an output terminal, and a control gate for being driven by a driver IC. The stacked half-bridge package also includes a sync transistor having a sync drain for connection to the output terminal, a sync source coupled to a low voltage input, and a sync gate for being driven by the driver IC. A current carrying layer is situated on the sync drain; the control transistor and the sync transistor being stacked on one another, where the current carrying layer provides a high current connection between the sync drain and the control source.
US08674495B2 Package systems having a eutectic bonding material and manufacturing methods thereof
A package system includes a first substrate. A second substrate is electrically coupled with the first substrate. At least one electrical bonding material is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The at least one electrical bonding material includes a eutectic bonding material. The eutectic bonding material includes a metallic material and a semiconductor material. The metallic material is disposed adjacent to a surface of the first substrate. The metallic material includes a first pad and at least one first guard ring around the first pad.
US08674492B2 Power module
A power module according to the present invention is a power module configured such that a power device chip is arranged within an outer casing and an electrode of the power device chip is connected to an external electrode that is integrated with the outer casing. The power module includes: a heat spreader fixed inside the outer casing; the power device chip solder-bonded on the heat spreader; an insulating dam formed on the heat spreader so as to surround the power device chip; and an internal main electrode having one end thereof solder-bonded to the electrode of the power device chip and the other end thereof fixed to an upper surface of the dam. The external electrode and the other end of the internal main electrode are electrically connected to each other by wire bonding.
US08674489B2 Interconnect structure with cavity having one or several contact rises on the wall of the cavity and method for producing same
An interconnect device is disclosed including a support in which at least one hole is formed, the hole having walls forming a closed contour and being formed by a cavity and one or several slots communicating with the cavity. The slots extend in a direction making a non-zero angle with the main plane of the support. Several conducting elements are positioned on at least one wall of the hole and pass through the hole. The conducting elements are each intended to connect conducting areas to each other that are situated on either side of the support. At least one of the slots separates two of the conducting elements from each other.
US08674488B2 Light emitting diode (LED) packages
A method of manufacturing an LED package includes mounting a large panel frame/substrate (LPF/S) having a substantially square shape to a ring. The LPF/S includes a plurality of die pads and a corresponding plurality of leads arranged in a matrix pattern. Each of the die pads includes a planar chip attach surface. An LED chip is attached to the planar chip attach surface of each of the die pads. An encapsulant material is applied overlaying the LED chips and at least a part of the LPF/S. Each die pad and corresponding leads are separated from the LPF/S to form individual LED packages. The steps of attaching the LED chips and applying the encapsulant material are performed while the LPF/S is mounted to the ring.
US08674477B2 Semiconductor package with embedded spiral inductor
In some embodiments, the semiconductor package includes a substrate having multiple layers, from a first layer to a final layer, a die coupled to the first layer, an electrical connector such as a solder ball coupled to the final layer, and a spiral trace disposed and electrically coupled between the die and the electrical connector. Inductance of the spiral trace is selected such that the package has a predetermined impedance. Material, cross-sectional area, number and density of windings, and total overall length of the spiral trace are selected accordingly. In other embodiments, the semiconductor package includes a substrate with multiple layers; a die coupled to the first of the layers; an electrical connector coupled to the final layer; and a spiral trace, in or on the substrate. The spiral trace is near the die, and electrically coupled between the die and the electrical connector.
US08674460B2 Mechanical isolation for MEMS electrical contacts
In accordance with the disclosure, a MEMS substrate is provided that includes: a central planar portion configured to support a MEMS device; and a first electrical pad coplanar with the central planar portion, the first pad being connected to the central planar portion through a first flexure, wherein the first flexure is configured to substantially mechanically isolate the first electrical pad from the central planar portion.
US08674458B2 Transistors with embedded strain-inducing material formed in cavities provided by an oxidizing etch process
When forming sophisticated semiconductor devices including transistors with sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures and a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy, transistor uniformity and performance may be enhanced by providing superior growth conditions during the selective epitaxial growth process. To this end, a semiconductor material may be preserved at the isolation regions in order to avoid the formation of pronounced shoulders. Furthermore, in some illustrative embodiments, additional mechanisms are implemented in order to avoid undue material loss, for instance upon removing a dielectric cap material and the like.
US08674457B2 Methods to reduce gate contact resistance for AC reff reduction
A method (and semiconductor device) of fabricating a semiconductor device provides a field effect transistor (FET) with reduced gate contact resistance (and series resistance) for improved device performance. An impurity is implanted or deposited in the gate stack in an impurity region between the metal gate electrode and the gate contact layer. An anneal process is performed that converts the impurity region into a segregation layer which lowers the schottky barrier height (SBH) of the interface between the metal gate electrode (e.g., silicide) and gate contact layer (e.g., amorphous silicon). This results in lower gate contact resistance and effectively lowers the device's AC Reff.
US08674446B2 Electronic device including electrically conductive body for ESD protection and related methods
An electronic device may include a transistor device including a transistor package and transistor terminals extending outwardly therefrom. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive body removably coupled to and shorting together the transistor terminals for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.
US08674441B2 High voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor device
A high voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor device includes a substrate, a gate formed on the substrate, a source region and a drain region formed in the substrate at respective sides of the gate, and a first isolation structure formed under the gate. The first isolation structure is overlapped by the entire gate.
US08674438B2 Semiconductor devices having stressor regions and related fabrication methods
Apparatus for semiconductor device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device structure involves forming a gate structure overlying a region of semiconductor material, wherein the width of the gate structure is aligned with a <100> crystal direction of the semiconductor material. The method continues by forming recesses about the gate structure and forming a stress-inducing semiconductor material in the recesses.
US08674437B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a gate electrode formed over a first region of a semiconductor substrate of a first conduction type; a source region and a drain region of the first conduction type formed on both sides of the gate electrode; a channel dope layer of a second conduction type formed in at least a region on a side of the source region of a channel region, the channel dope layer having a concentration gradient of a concentration of a dopant impurity of the second conduction type, which decrease toward the drain region; a first well of the second conduction type having a concentration gradient of a concentration of a dopant impurity of the second conduction type, which decrease toward the drain region; and a second well of the second conduction type formed in the first region, connected to the first well and positioned below the first well.
US08674433B2 Semiconductor process
A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. At least a fin-shaped structure is formed on the substrate. An oxide layer is formed on the substrate without the fin-shaped structure being formed thereon. A gate is formed to cover a part of the oxide layer and a part of the fin-shaped structure. An etching process is performed to etch a part of the fin-shaped structure beside the gate, therefore at least a recess is formed in the fin-shaped structure. An epitaxial process is performed to form an epitaxial layer in the recess, wherein the epitaxial layer has a hexagon-shaped profile structure.
US08674414B2 Three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices including interposed floating gates
Provided are three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. The memory devices include semiconductor pillars penetrating interlayer insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate and floating gates selectively interposed between the semiconductor pillars and the conductive layers. The floating gates are formed in recesses in the conductive layers.
US08674412B2 Contacts-first self-aligned carbon nanotube transistor with gate-all-around
A method of fabricating a semiconducting device is disclosed. A carbon nanotube is deposited on a substrate of the semiconducting device. A first contact on the substrate over the carbon nanotube. A second contact on the substrate over the carbon nanotube, wherein the second contact is separated from the first contact by a gap. A portion of the substrate in the gap between the first contact and the second contact is removed.
US08674405B1 Gallium—nitride-on-diamond wafers and devices, and methods of manufacture
Methods for integrating wide-gap semiconductors, and specifically, gallium nitride epilayers with synthetic diamond substrates are disclosed. Diamond substrates are created by depositing synthetic diamond onto a nucleating layer deposited or formed on a layered structure that comprises at least one layer made out of gallium nitride. Methods for manufacturing GaN-on-diamond wafers with low bow and high crystalline quality are disclosed along with preferred choices for manufacturing GaN-on-diamond wafers and chips tailored to specific applications.
US08674403B2 Lateral devices containing permanent charge
A lateral device includes a gate region connected to a drain region by a drift layer. An insulation region adjoins the drift layer between the gate region and the drain region. Permanent charges are embedded in the insulation region, sufficient to cause inversion in the insulation region.
US08674401B2 Deep diffused thin photodiodes
This invention comprises photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, including p+ deep diffused regions or p+ and n+ deep diffused regions. More specifically, the invention permits one to fabricate thin 4 inch and 6 inch wafer using the physical support provided by a n+ deep diffused layer and/or p+ deep diffused layer. Consequently, the present invention delivers high device performances, such as low crosstalk, low radiation damage, high speed, low leakage dark current, and high speed, using a thin active layer.
US08674398B2 Group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device and production method thereof, and lamp
There are provided a group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device which is constituted of a substrate, an intermediate layer formed thereon having a favorable level of orientation properties, and a group III nitride semiconductor formed thereon having a favorable level of crystallinity, and having excellent levels of light emitting properties and productivity; a production method thereof; and a lamp, the group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device configured so that at least an intermediate layer 12 composed of a group III nitride compound is laminated on a substrate 11, and an n-type semiconductor layer 14 having a base layer 14a, a light emitting layer 15 and a p-type semiconductor layer 16 are sequentially laminated on the intermediate layer 12, wherein when components are separated, based on a peak separation technique using an X-ray rocking curve of the intermediate layer 12, into a broad component having the full width at half maximum of 720 arcsec or more and a narrow component, a non-orientating component that corresponds to the broad component is included in a crystal organization of the intermediate layer 12, and a proportion of the non-orientating component within the crystal organization of the intermediate layer 12 is 30% or less in terms of an area ratio of the intermediate layer 12.
US08674395B2 System and method for LED packaging
System and method for LED packaging. The present invention is directed to optical devices. More specifically, embodiments of the presentation provide LED packaging having one or more reflector surfaces. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides LED packages that include thermal pad structures for dissipating heat generated by LED devices. In particular, thermal pad structures with large surface areas are used to allow heat to transfer. In certain embodiments, thick thermally conductive material is used to improve overall thermal conductivity of an LED package, thereby allowing heat generated by LED devices to dissipate quickly. Depending on the application, thermal pad structure, thick thermal conductive layer, and reflective surface may be individually adapted in LED packages or used in combinations. There are other embodiments as well.
US08674390B2 Semiconductor nanoparticle-containing materials and light emitting devices incorporating the same
In various embodiments, the present invention provides a light emitting device cap configured for location on a light emitting device comprising or consisting essentially of a primary light source. The cap defines a well region within which is received a population of semiconductor nanoparticles such that the semiconductor nanoparticles are in optical communication with the primary light source of the light emitting device when the cap is located on the light emitting device. There is further provided a light emitting device comprising or consisting essentially of a primary light source and such a cap, as well as methods for fabricating such a cap and device.
US08674389B2 Light emitting device and light emitting device package having the same
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first and second conductive type semiconductor layers, an electrode on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, a reflective layer under the second conductive type semiconductor layer, a protective layer on an outer portion of the reflective layer, the protective layer including a first portion between the reflective layer and the second conductive layer, and a second portion that extends beyond the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a light extraction structure including a compound semiconductor on the second portion of the protective layer.
US08674387B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device is provided with a base member, an interconnect pattern disposed on an upper surface of the base member, a light reflecting layer comprising a first layer disposed on a part of the interconnect pattern and formed from a metal material, and a second layer made of a dielectric multilayer reflecting film made with stacked layers of dielectric films having different refractive indices and covering an upper surface and side surfaces of the first layer, a light emitting element chip fixed so as to face at least a part of the light reflecting layer, and a light transmissive sealing member sealing the light reflecting layer and the light emitting element chip.
US08674381B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device is provided with a substrate, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, a p-type nitride semiconductor layer, an n-side pad electrode, a translucent electrode and a p-side pad electrode, wherein the translucent electrode is formed from an electrically conductive oxide, the n-side pad electrode adjoins the periphery of the translucent electrode and the p-side pad electrode is disposed so as to satisfy the following relationships: 0.3L≦X≦0.5L and 0.2L≦Y≦0.5L where X is the distance between ends of the p-side pad electrode and the n-side pad electrode, Y is the distance between the end of the p-side pad electrode and the periphery of the translucent electrode, L is the length of the translucent electrode on the line connecting the centroids of the p-side pad electrode and the n-side pad electrode minus the outer diameter d of the p-side pad electrode.
US08674378B1 Light emitting diode
A Light emitting diode (LED) includes a substrate, a LED chip, a wavelength conversion layer, a lens and a reflective layer. The LED chip is mounted on the substrate. The wavelength conversion layer covers the top surface of the LED chip and exposes the lateral surface of the LED chip. The lens is disposed on the substrate and encloses the LED chip and the wavelength conversion layer. The reflective layer is disposed on the lens for reflecting the light emitted from the lateral surface of the LED chip.
US08674371B2 Display device
The protective circuit is formed using a non-linear element which includes a gate insulating film covering a gate electrode; a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer which are over the gate insulating film and whose end portions overlap with the gate electrode; and an oxide semiconductor layer which is over the gate electrode and in contact with the gate insulating film and the end portions of the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. The gate electrode of the non-linear element and a scan line or a signal line is included in a wiring, the first or second wiring layer of the non-linear element is directly connected to the wiring so as to apply the potential of the gate electrode.
US08674370B2 Light emitting panel device wherein a plurality of panels respectively having light emitting sections are connected, and image display device and illuminating device provided with the light emitting panel device
Panel (11) of the present invention includes substrate (12) having flat surface (12a′) having rectangular display section (13), and adjacent surface (12b′) curved from an edge part of surface (12a′) in the vicinity of a long side of surface (12a′). On surface (12b′), terminals, extending from display section (13) (in the vicinity of the long side), are arranged. Edge parts of surfaces (12a′) of substrates (12) of adjacent panels (11) are combined so that longitudinal directions of light-emitting sections (13) are parallel to each other. Surface (12b′) projects on a back surface side of substrate (12). It is thus possible to provide a light-emitting panel device realizing a large light-emitting surface by combining a desired number of panels, an image display device including the light-emitting panel device, an illumination device including the light-emitting panel device, a panel in the light-emitting panel device, and a method of producing the panel.
US08674369B2 Light emitting device, method for manufacturing thereof and electronic appliance
An object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a light emitting device capable of reducing deterioration of elements due to electrostatic charge caused in manufacturing the light emitting device. Another object of the invention is to provide a light emitting device in which defects due to the deterioration of elements caused by the electrostatic charge are reduced. The method for manufacturing the light emitting device includes a step of forming a top-gate type transistor for driving a light emitting element. In the step of forming the top-gate type transistor, when processing a semiconductor layer, a first grid-like semiconductor layer extending in rows and columns is formed over a substrate. The plurality of second island-like semiconductor layers are formed between the first semiconductor layer. The plurality of second island-like second semiconductor layers serve as an active layer of the transistor.
US08674360B2 Semiconductor device having first gate electrode and second gate electrode
A separation layer is formed over a substrate, an insulating film 107 is formed over the separation layer, a bottom gate insulating film 103 is formed over the insulating film 107, an amorphous semiconductor film is formed over the bottom gate insulating film 103, the amorphous semiconductor film is crystallized to form a crystalline semiconductor film over the bottom gate insulating film 103, a top gate insulating film 105 is formed over the crystalline semiconductor film, top gate electrodes 106a and 106b are formed over the top gate insulating film 105, the separation layer is separated from the insulating film 107, the insulating film 107 is processed to expose the bottom gate insulating film 103, and bottom gate electrodes 115a and 115b in contact with exposed the gate insulating film 103 are formed.
US08674359B2 TFT, array substrate for display apparatus including TFT, and methods of manufacturing TFT and array substrate
A thin film transistor (TFT), an array substrate including the TFT, and methods of manufacturing the TFT and the array substrate. The TFT includes an active layer, and a metal member that corresponds to a portion of each of the source region and the drain region of the active layer, and is arranged on the active layer, a portion of the metal member contacts the source and drain regions of the active layer and the source and drain electrodes, and portions of the active layer that corresponds to portions below the metal member of the active layer are not doped.
US08674356B2 Electrically measurable on-chip IC serial identifier and methods for producing the same
An apparatus comprising an integrated circuit, an interconnect layer within said integrated circuit, and one or more connections. The integrated circuit may be configured to provide an electrically measurable interconnect pattern by enabling one or more of a plurality of components. The one or more connections may each configured to enable a respective one of the components. The connections may be programmable while the apparatus is part of a wafer. The interconnect pattern may be configured to identify the apparatus after the apparatus has been manufactured.
US08674347B2 Organic semiconductor material and organic thin-film transistor
An organic thin-film transistor comprising a gate electrode, a gate insulator layer, an organic semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode wherein the organic semiconductor layer consists of the organic semiconductor material having the structure represented by the general formula (1) shown below, and the organic semiconductor layer has crystallinity: wherein L represents a bivalent linker group having the structure consisting of one group or any combination of two or more groups selected from unsubstituted or fluorinated benzene residue, unsubstituted or fluorinated thiophene residue, unsubstituted or fluorinated thienothophene residue; R1 represents carbonyl group, cyano group or C1-C6 fluorinated alkyl group; R2 represents halogen atom, cyano group, carbonyl group or acetyl group.
US08674333B2 Variable-resistance material memories and methods
Variable-resistance memory material cells are contacted by vertical bottom spacer electrodes. Variable-resistance material memory spacer cells are contacted along the edge by electrodes. Processes include the formation of the bottom spacer electrodes as well as the variable-resistance material memory spacer cells. Devices include the variable-resistance memory cells.
US08674325B2 Method and device for the quantitative real time analysis of fluorescent samples
A method for the quantitative real time analysis of fluorescent samples is provided, at which each of the samples is excited to fluoresce by a sample individual light source (12) and the intensity of the light which is emitted by the samples is measured. For a highly precise measurement of even low light intensities for the purpose of reduction of the analysis time, each light source (12) is switched on and off-during a defined interval by a clocked pulse sequence of constant pulse frequency alternately. The measurement of the intensity of the emission light during these intervals is exclusively performed during the switch-on phases of the light, source (12).
US08674319B2 Beam monitor system and particle beam irradiation system
Disclosed is a beam monitor system in which signals outputted from a plurality of wires are divided in a multi-wire type monitor for measuring a beam profile of a charged particle beam, an identical number of the wires are grouped, the signals of the respective groups are taken out one piece by one piece to be connected with each other, and the number of the pieces, corresponding to a number of the wires belonging to the one group, are put together to be connected to a signal processor storing connection information.
US08674317B2 Sample surface inspection apparatus and method
The present invention provides a surface inspection method and apparatus for inspecting a surface of a sample, in which a resistive film is coated on the surface, and a beam is irradiated to the surface having the resistive film coated thereon, to thereby conduct inspection of the surface of the sample. In the surface inspection method of the present invention, a resistive film having an arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is first coated on a surface of a sample. Thereafter, a part of the resistive film having the arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is dissolved in a solvent, to thereby reduce the thickness of the resistive film to a desired level. This enables precise control of a value of resistance of the resistive film and suppresses distortion of an image to be detected.
US08674316B1 Electromagnetic radiation imaging devices and associated methods
Electromagnetic radiation detection systems and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, an electromagnetic radiation detection system includes a semiconductor material operable to detect electromagnetic radiation, the semiconductor material having a responsivity of greater than or equal to 0.3 A/W at an operating voltage of less than or equal to about 50 volts and at a wavelength of from about 0.01 nm to about 100 nm. The system can further include an electromagnetic radiation source positioned to deliver electromagnetic radiation to the semiconductor material.
US08674313B2 X-ray image detection device
An X-ray image detection device includes a scintillator, a data integration processing unit and a plurality of X-ray image sensors. The X-ray image sensors are arranged in a matrix form and located on the back of the scintillator and connected to the data integration processing unit. Each X-ray image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a dual driving pixel structure and includes two thin film transistors and two thin film photodiodes. The source electrodes of the thin film transistors are connected to the cathodes of the thin film photodiodes respectively, and the gate electrodes are connected to an odd row driving line and an even row driving line respectively, and the drain electrodes are connected to a common signal output line. Both anodes of the two thin film photodiodes are connected to a common ground wire of the pixels.
US08674305B2 Opto-electronic module and devices comprising the same
An opto-electronic module includes a detecting channel comprising a detecting member for detecting light and an emission channel comprising an emission member for emitting light generally detectable by said detecting member. Therein, a radiation distribution characteristic for an emission of light from said emission channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a sensitivity distribution characteristic for a detection in said detecting channel of light incident on said detection channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a central or main emission direction for an emission of light from said emission channel and a central or main detection direction for a detection of light incident on said detection channel are aligned not parallel to each other; and/or at least a first one of the channels comprises one or more passive optical components.
US08674298B2 Quadrupole mass spectrometer
A quadrupole mass spectrometer for use in analyzing gas components in a test piece is made in a constitution in which resistance heating of a grid is materialized, and in which a high-accuracy analysis of the gas components is possible at a low cost while preventing the sensitivity from lowering. A quadrupole mass spectrometer is provided with a sensor section which can be detachably fitted to the test piece. Supposing that the direction of fitting the sensor section to the test piece is in an upward direction, the sensor section is provided with: a predetermined shape of supporting body which is provided at a lower end of the sensor section; an ion source which is provided on the supporting body and which has a filament and a grid for ionizing the gas; a quadrupole section which is provided on the ion source and in which four columnar electrodes are disposed at a predetermined circumferential distance from one another; and an ion detection section which is disposed on the quadrupole section and which collects predetermined ions that have passed through the quadrupole section by applying DC and AC voltages between opposite electrodes.
US08674293B2 Multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer
A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
US08674289B2 Isotopic abundance in atom trap trace analysis
A method and system for detecting ratios and amounts of isotopes of noble gases. The method and system is constructed to be able to measure noble gas isotopes in water and ice, which helps reveal the geological age of the samples and understand their movements. The method and system uses a combination of a cooled discharge source, a beam collimator, a beam slower and magneto-optic trap with a laser to apply resonance frequency energy to the noble gas to be quenched and detected.
US08674285B2 Vehicle rearview mirror system
A vehicle interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
US08674283B2 Image sensor with reduced optical crosstalk
A method of fabricating an image sensor includes the steps of: forming at least two photosites in a semiconductor substrate; forming a trench between the photosites; forming a thin liner on at least the sidewalls of the trench; depositing a conductive material having a first refractive index in the trench; and forming a region surrounded by the conductive material and having a second refractive index lower than the first index of refraction within the conductive material in the trench.
US08674277B2 Guidance device
There is disclosed a collar (100) which may be attached to a munition in order to control the trajectory of the munition. The collar (100) has a collar body (10); a surface (12) for capturing the projectile as it leaves the barrel; a sill (14) for supporting the surface (12) at the muzzle of the barrel; and a guidance means (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) for altering the flow of air around the collar (100). The collar (100) supports itself at the muzzle and may attach to the projectile at the surface (12) to integrate with the projectile as the projectile is fired. The collar (100) is particularly suited for attachment to mortar rounds. Such a collar (100) gives a weapon operator the option of increasing the precision of a munition without having to carry a plurality of munition types.
US08674268B2 Heated water bucket
The heated water bucket includes a rubber bodied bucket with an integrated heating unit fitted to the bottom of the bucket. The heating unit covers the entire bottom of the bucket acting as a false “bottom” so that the heating unit does not appear as a foreign object within the bucket. The heating unit is held to the bottom of the bucket by a peripheral flange that extends radially around the inside of the bucket sidewall. The rubber construction of the bucket itself makes the invention more durable, but also improves the bucket's thermal insulation properties, making it more efficient than conventional heated plastic buckets.
US08674267B2 Steam cooker
A steam cooker includes: a heating chamber for an item to be cooked; a removable water tank; a steam generating device with a housing to which water is supplied from the water tank and that heats the water within the housing and supplies steam to the heating chamber. A hardness detection portion includes a plurality of electrodes immersed in water within the water tank that detect the hardness of the water within the water tank by resistance between the electrodes. When the hardness of the water within the water tank is high, the interval of cleaning is shorter than an interval set when the hardness detected is low.
US08674259B2 Manufacturing system for producing reverse-tapered orifice
A manufacturing system for producing a reverse-tapered orifice is disclosed. The manufacturing system may have a mount configured to hold a workpiece, and a laser source configured to generate a laser beam. The manufacturing system may also have a delivery media operatively connected to the laser source. The delivery media may be configured to deliver the laser beam into a hollow portion of the workpiece to create the orifice through a wall of the workpiece having a laser beam entrance opening larger than a laser beam exit opening.
US08674254B2 Flexible seal for high voltage switch
An electrical switch includes a tubular housing that includes an interface positioned intermediate the conductor receiving end and the operating end. An operating rod extends through the housing. A fixed contact is electrically coupled to the operating end. A moveable contact is electrically coupled to the interface and the operating rod, wherein the moveable contact is moveable between a first position contacting the fixed contact and a second position separated from the fixed contact. A diaphragm is positioned in the tubular housing between the interface and the operating end and includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion. Movement of the operating rod from the first position to the second position causes the second tubular portion to move relative to the first tubular portion, thus deforming the shoulder portion.
US08674252B2 Method of optimizing a process for handling and transporting mail in bins using layered sorting
The invention relates to a method of optimizing a process for handling mail, which method comprises the following steps: subjecting mailpieces to a first machine-sorting cycle in which a plurality of first sorting outlets are allocated to respective ones of a plurality of first delivery destinations having high rates of filling and one other sorting outlet is allocated to second delivery destinations having low rates of filling; directing separators to the first sorting outlets; re-circulating the mailpieces coming from the other sorting outlet; and subjecting them to a second sorting cycle in which the first sorting outlets are allocated to the second delivery destinations. If the sorting outlets use storage bins, at the end of the second sorting cycle, the mailpieces of a first destination and the mailpieces of a second destination are sorted in layers in the same bin by being separated by a separator.
US08674235B2 Microelectronic substrate for alternate package functionality
The present disclosure relates to microelectronic substrates, such as interposers, motherboards, test platforms, and the like, that are fabricated to have overlapping connection zones, such that different microelectronic devices, such as microprocessors, chipsets, graphics processing devices, wireless devices, memory devices, application specific integrated circuits, and the like, may be alternately attached to the microelectronic substrates to form functional microelectronic packages.
US08674234B2 Multilayer ceramic capacitor mounting structure and multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor has an element body formed by alternately laminating a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of inner electrodes. On a substrate having a mounting surface provided with at least two lands, the multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted such that the inner electrodes are parallel to the mounting surface. A multilayer ceramic capacitor mounting structure satisfies Tf/T>0.1 and 300≦εr≦2800, where T is the height of the multilayer ceramic capacitor, Tf is the outer covering thickness of the element body, and εr is the relative permittivity of the dielectric layers, and 0.6≦Wp/W≦1.0, where W is the width of the multilayer ceramic capacitor, and Wp is the size of the land in a direction corresponding to the width of the multilayer ceramic capacitor.
US08674233B2 Photosensitive conductive film, method for forming conductive film, method for forming conductive pattern, and conductive film substrate
A photosensitive conductive film 10 according to the invention includes a support film 1, a conductive layer 2 containing conductive fiber formed on the support film 1, and a photosensitive resin layer 3 formed on the conductive layer 2.
US08674227B2 High performance cable splice
A cable repair system having a splicing member. The splicing member includes at least two conductor pairs and an insulation member disposed intermediate to the at least two conductor pairs. The insulation member is configured to shield the conductor pairs from electrical interference from adjacent conductor pairs. The conductor pairs and insulation member are configured to permit splicing of two more cable segments. A method for splicing a data cable and a repaired cable are also disclosed.
US08674225B2 Economical boosted high speed data cable
A high speed video cable carries signals according to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), and includes a raw cable and a boost device. Each of four high speed video signals is carried on the inner conductors of a pair of coaxial lines in the raw cable. Lower speed signals are carried on the galvanically or capacitively coupled shields of a pair of coaxial lines.
US08674222B2 Guiding and protecting device for cable and conduit
The present invention relates to a guiding and protecting device for a cable and conduit, comprising a pair of lateral walls being connected through a bottom plate, wherein the top surface of one of the lateral walls is connected to an end of one of a lateral edges of a restrain plate integrally, the other lateral edge is downwardly extended with a bending part, a buckle mechanism is formed between the bending part and the other lateral wall; an opened top of an accommodation slot formed by the two lateral walls is sealed by the restrain plate, and the two lateral edges of the restrain plate are respectively abutted against an inner edges of a positioning blocks protrudingly formed on the top surfaces of the two lateral walls, thereby overcoming the disadvantage of the two lateral walls being inwardly retracted and deformed, meanwhile increasing the whole structural strength.
US08674214B2 Thin absorber layer of a photovoltaic device
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. In one embodiment of a photovoltaic (PV) device, the PV device generally includes an n-doped layer and a p+-doped layer adjacent to the n-doped layer to form a p-n layer such that electric energy is created when electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the p-n layer. The n-doped layer and the p+-doped layer may compose an absorber layer having a thickness less than 500 nm. Such a thin absorber layer may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
US08674205B2 Portable stand and mount for securing a portable media or audio player to a support
Disclosed is an apparatus for securing a media or audio player to a support and the related methods of use.
US08674204B2 Multi task drumstick
A stick type drumstick is disclosed which includes a drumstick design featuring a hole drilled longitudinally at the striking end and an enlarged solid area positioned at the hole base. The purpose of the hole is to accommodate an insert of rods, nylon tube or a drumstick tip which when played produce different sounds. The purpose of the solid enlarged area is to provide a strong defined optional striking area, it can be struck harder to produce louder focused sounds assuring the stick area around the drilled hole is not struck and damaged which could compromise its ability to hold the insert. Striking with the area of the insert material provides additional sound possibilities. The result; combining these materials and features is a multi task drumstick. The combination of features utilized in this drumstick design cannot be found in the prior art of singular drumstick designs.
US08674201B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH685922
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH685922. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH685922, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH685922 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 CH685922.
US08674194B1 Maize variety hybrid X13A466
A novel maize variety designated X13A466 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A466 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A466 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A466, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A466. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A466.
US08674191B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH027901
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH027901. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH027901, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH027901 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 CH027901.
US08674182B1 Soybean variety XBP55004
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP55004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP55004, cells from soybean variety XBP55004, plants of soybean XBP55004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP55004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP55004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP55004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP55004, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP55004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP55004 are further provided.
US08674179B2 Modifying the DNA recombination potential in eukaryotes
The present invention provides methods of modifying in vivo mutagenesis or homologous and homeologous recombination in a eukaryote. The method of modifying in vivo mutagenesis involves transforming a eukaryote with a nucleotide sequence capable of expressing a wild-type prokaryotic MutS, MutL, MutH, MutU, NLS-MutS, NLS-MutL, NLS-MutH, NLS-MutU protein, or a combination thereof, and expressing the protein. A method of modifying recombination between homologous chromosomes in an allopolyploid eukaryotic organism comprising, expressing a nucleotide sequence encoding prokaryotic NLS-MutS in combination with one or more than one of NLS-MutL, NLS-MutH, or NLS-MutU, within a germ cell of the allopolyploid eukaryotic organism is also disclosed.
US08674165B2 Adhesive injection site
A pad of elastomeric material having a softness of no more than about durometer 30 Shore 00. The pad may carry adhesive for adhering the pad to a surface, either directly or indirectly through an envelope which surrounds the pad and carries the adhesive. Such a pad exhibits hemostatic and leak prevention properties against needle puncture holes in the skin or the wall of a hollow medical device. Particularly, hemostasis may be prevented with low pressure application of the pad to the skin. The pad may be previously applied to the skin of the patient or a wall of a medical device such as tubing or a solution bag, and the needle may then penetrate both the pad and the skin or medical device wall, to make a resealable puncture with leakage reduction and hemostasis when the needle is withdrawn.
US08674154B2 Apparatus and method for conducting thermolysis of plastic waste in continuous manner
The invention provides an apparatus for thermolysis of waste plastics, particularly polyolefins. The apparatus includes a feeding system, an extruder, a main thermolysis reactor, a dual propeller/mixer housed within the reactor, and a discharging system. The height of the thermolysis reactor is at least 1.5 times bigger than the diameter. The apparatus is arranged such that the extruder follows the plastic feeding system, the thermolysis reactor follows the extruder, and the discharge system follows the thermolysis reactor. The invention also provides a method for using the apparatus for thermolysis of waste plastics. In this method, reaction feedstock, reaction residuals, and reaction products are removed continuously.
US08674151B2 Two-step hydrotreatment of a feed derived from a renewable source using a first, metallic, catalyst and a second, sulphurized, catalyst
The invention describes a two-step process for hydrotreatment of a feed derived from a renewable source, comprising: a) a first step, termed a mild pre-hydrogenation step, operating in the presence of a first, metallic, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support; and b) a second step, termed the second treatment step, operating in the presence of a second, sulphurized, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one non-noble metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support.
US08674140B2 Devices and method for continuous distillative separation of a mixture containing one or more alkanolamine(s)
Apparatus and processes for continuous distillative separation of a mixture comprising one or more alkanolamine(s), wherein the separation is performed in one or more dividing wall column(s) and the alkanolamine or the alkanolamines is/are withdrawn as a side draw stream or side draw streams (side fraction(s)).
US08674139B2 Process for making tertiary aminoalcohol compounds
Provided is a process for making a tertiary aminoalcohol compound. The process comprises using an excess amount of a carbonyl compound in a condensation step between the carbonyl compound and a nitroalkane, and conducting a hydrogenation/alkylation step to produce the tertiary aminoalcohol. The process uses fewer steps than conventional processes.
US08674137B2 Compounds for treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders
Provided are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease, using said compounds and compositions.
US08674136B2 Aromatic butan-2-ol compounds and preparation and uses thereof
Aromatic butan-2-ol compounds, preparation methods for making the compounds, and uses of the compounds are provided. Specifically, the compound of Formula I, or an optical isomer, racemate, diastereomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or solvate thereof, is provided, where each of the substituents is defined. In addition, a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound, and the use of the compound in manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease or disorder caused by tubercle bacillus infection, is provided.
US08674125B2 Method for the preparation of phosphine butadiene ligands, complexes thereof with copper and use thereof in catalysis
A method for the creation of a carbon-carbon (C—C) bond or of a carbon-heteroatom (C-HE) bond includes reacting a compound carrying a leaving group with a nucleophilic compound carrying a carbon atom or a heteroatom (HE) capable of replacing the leaving group, thus creating a C—C or C-HE bond, in which process the reaction is carried out in the presence of an effective amount of a catalytic system comprising at least one copper/butadienylphosphine complex.
US08674122B2 Process for preparing divinylarene dioxides
A process for preparing a divinylarene dioxide including reacting (a) at least one divinylarene; (b) at least one peroxycarboximidic acid; (c) at least one solvent; and (d) at least one basic compound, under conditions to form a reaction mixture containing a divinylarene dioxide product; and then separating the divinylarene dioxide product from the other reaction mixture components to obtain a purified divinylarene dioxide product.
US08674115B2 CRTH2 modulators
Modulators of CRTH2, particularly antagonists of CRTH2, that are useful for treating various disorders, including asthma and respiratory disorders are disclosed. The compounds fall within a genus described by formula I:
US08674111B2 Oxazole and thiazole derivatives as ALX receptor agonists
The invention relates to oxazole and thiazole derivatives of formula (I), wherein A, E, X, R1 and R2 are as defined in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds.
US08674110B2 Pyridylacetylenes for use as radiotracers and imaging agents
The present invention relates to novel pyridylacetylene derivatives of formula I their preparation, their use as radio-traces/markers and compositions containing them.
US08674108B2 Solid forms of N-[2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethy)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide
The present invention relates to crystalline solvate forms of N-[2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide (Compound 1) and methods for their preparation. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline solvate forms, as well as methods of treatment therewith.
US08674106B2 Alkynyl derivatives as modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula I wherein W, n, X and W′ are defined in the description; invention compounds are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors—subtype 5 (“mGluR5”) which are useful for the treatment of central nervous system disorders as well as other disorders modulated by mGluR5 receptors.
US08674099B2 Quinoxaline carboxamide derivatives as protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification, in free form or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, N-oxide thereof; processes for the preparation thereof; to pharmaceuticals containing such compounds, in particular for the use in one or more Protein tyrosine kinase mediated diseases.
US08674091B2 1,3,5-triazine derivative, process for producing same, and organic electroluminescent element comprising same as constituent
A 1,3,5-triazine derivative represented by formula (1): wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl group or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; n is an integer of 1-3, Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, provided that Ar is different from two substituted quarterarylenyl groups bonded to the 1,3,5-triazine ring; and V and Y are nitrogen or carbon, provided that a case where both of V and Y are carbon atoms is excluded. The organic electroluminescent device comprising the 1,3,5-triazine derivative as an electron transport material has a long lifetime.
US08674088B2 Antiviral phosphinate compounds
The invention is related to anti-viral phosphinate compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08674082B2 Rationally designed antibodies
Antibodies or fragments thereof having at least two CDR regions replaced or fused with biologically active peptides are described. Compositions containing such antibodies or fragments thereof are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.
US08674079B2 Cancer cell migration and cancer cell invasion inhibitor
Provided are an antibody which binds specifically PAR1 (protease activated receptor 1) or a fragment of the antibody which retains similar characteristics thereto; a composition containing the same for inhibiting the migration activity and invasion activity of cancer cells; and a medicinal composition for treating cancer and the like.
US08674075B2 Chimeric peptides for the regulation of GTPases
Chimeric peptides or fusion proteins are disclosed that include a RhoGAP activity domain and at least one specificity domain that targets a specific Rho protein. The fusion proteins can be used to inhibit any GTPase activity within a cell. The fusion proteins are particularly advantageous for the treatment of cancer. The present invention generally relates to chimeric peptides capable of regulating GTPases, and more particularly, to methods of targeting individual GTPases by using GTPase-activating proteins. Such proteins may be used for the treatment of cancers and other GTPase-related diseases. This invention relates to nucleic acid molecules and the encoded GTPase activating proteins, and variants thereof, and to the use of these molecules in the characterization, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cell signaling, immune, and cell proliferative disorders, particularly cancer. Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for regulating transcription of a selected gene.
US08674072B2 Cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptidic hydrolyzate that can reinforce the barrier function
A peptidic hydrolyzate enriched in bioactive peptide, capable of reinforcing the skin barrier function and stimulating epidermal differentiation is described. Additionally, a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition that includes a physiologically acceptable medium and the peptidic hydrolyzate as active principle are described. The cosmetic composition activates the HMG-CoA reductase in the cutaneous cells and treats the cutaneous signs of aging and photo-aging.
US08674068B2 Peptide capable for binding to gold
The present invention provides a novel peptide capable for binding to gold. The peptide consists of an amino acid sequence represented by SQMMGHMGHGNMNHMNHGGKFDFHH (SEQ ID NO: 01).
US08674067B2 Peptide capable for binding to iridium
The present invention provides a novel peptide capable for binding to iridium. The peptide consists of an amino acid sequence represented by SQMMGHMGHGNMNHMNHGGKFDFHH (SEQ ID NO: 01).
US08674053B2 Process for production of highly polymerized aromatic polycarbonate resin
A method for highly polymerizing an aromatic polycarbonate resin, which enables the increase in molecular weight of the aromatic polycarbonate resin satisfactorily while keeping good quality of the resin. An aromatic polycarbonate is linked to an aliphatic diol compound having a boiling point of 240° C. or higher (preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 1.0 mole per mole of the total amount of the terminal of the aromatic polycarbonate) through a transesterification reaction in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under reduced pressure conditions (preferably at a reduced pressure ranging from 13 kPaA (100 torr) to 0.01 kPaA (0.01 torr)), thereby increasing the molecular weight of the resulting molecule. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the aromatic polycarbonate after the transesterification reaction can be increased preferably by 5,000 or more compared to that of the aromatic polycarbonate before the transesterification reaction.
US08674026B2 Ethylene copolymer having multiple pitch in molecular weight distribution and the method of preparing the same
Disclosed are an ethylene polymerization process, a catalyst for use in the process, a production method employing the catalyst, and a product produced thereby. More specifically, disclosed is a process of producing an ethylene copolymer from ethylene and an alpha-olefin comonomer, in which the produced ethylene copolymer has a multimodal molecular weight distribution and excellent processability and physical properties, and thus can increase the value and productivity of products, including pipes and films. Particularly, the produced ethylene copolymer has a trimodal or higher molecular weight distribution or density distribution, and thus, when it is a linear low-density copolymer, it has an excellent effect of improving the impact strength of films, and when it is a medium-density ethylene copolymer, it can be produced into pipes, which have slow crack growth rate and can be used even at high temperature.
US08674022B2 Polyolefin elastomer composition for artificial leather applications
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer composition in powder form comprising (i) an olefin block copolymer or (ii) a substantially linear ethylene polymer and/or a linear ethylene polymer and propylene polymer blend. Said composition demonstrates good pulverizing and flow characteristics at ambient temperature. In another aspect, this invention relates to a process for preparing said thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer powder and applications for using said powder. In a further aspect, this invention relates to paper transfer molding said thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer composition into artificial leather, particularly for skins for automotive interior applications such as instrument panels.
US08674017B2 (Poly)carbonate polyol and carboxyl group-containing polyurethane obtained from the (poly)carbonate polyol
An object of the invention is to provide carboxyl group-containing polyurethanes that have small curing warpage and can give cured products having excellent electrical insulating properties and flexibility, curable compositions that contain the carboxyl group-containing polyurethane and can give cured products having good electrical insulating properties, cured products obtained from the compositions, flexible circuit boards covered with the cured products, and processes for manufacturing flexible circuit boards. The carboxyl group-containing polyurethane is obtainable from materials including a (poly)carbonate polyol (a), a polyisocyanate (b) and a carboxyl group-containing polyol (c). The (poly) carbonate polyol includes an organic residue derived from a dimer diol and an organic residue derived from a polyol having a C10-20 alicyclic structure.
US08674008B2 Electrical tracking resistance compositions, methods and articles of manufacture
This disclosure relates to polycarbonate compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture that at least meets certain electrical tracking resistance requirements. The compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture that meet these requirements contain at least a polycarbonate; a polysiloxane block co-polycarbonate; and a transition metal oxide, e.g. titanium dioxide.
US08674005B2 Flame retardant resin composition, method for production thereof, and molded article thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a flame retardant resin composition including magnesium hydroxide particles and a cellulose resin and having excellent flame retardance, mechanical characteristics, and moldability. The flame retardant resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin including a cellulose resin and a flame retardant. The flame retardant includes, at 40% by weight to 60% by weight of the total flame retardant, a first type of magnesium hydroxide particles with a particle diameter of 10 nm to 50 nm, having a particulate surface modified by an epoxy silane coupling agent, and, at 60% by weight to 40% by weight of the total flame retardant, a second type of magnesium hydroxide particles with a particle diameter of 100 nm to 1,000 nm, having a particulate surface modified by an amino silane coupling agent.
US08674002B2 Vibration-proof rubber composition and vibration-proof rubber using the same
A vibration-proof rubber composition excellent in both characteristics of durability and compression set characteristic is provided. A vibration-proof rubber composition includes components (A) to (C) below, wherein an amount of reacted silane coupling agent in the component (B) is 6.5% by weight or more, and an amount of unreacted silane coupling agent is in a range of 0.5 to 2.5% by weight: (A) diene rubber; (B) pre-treated silica prepared by surface-treating, with a silane coupling agent, silica having a BET specific surface area in a range of 180 to 230 m2/g; and (C) sulfur.
US08674000B2 Multi-layered paper coating latex having high swelling and contraction property, method for preparing the same, and paper coating composition containing the same
Disclosed are paper coating latex, a method for preparing the same, and paper coating composition containing the same, characterized in that in the paper coating latex having a core-shell structure, the core is formed by the polymerization of monomer mixtures comprising 5 to 10 weight parts of ethylene unsaturated acid based on 100 weight parts of the core, wherein the amount of ethylene unsaturated acid in the shell is less than that in the core, and the shell has glass transition temperature up to room temperature, lower than that of the core. The present invention has an effect of providing a high quality matte coated paper that has excellent printability such as ink drying rate, adhesion, etc., as well as low white paper gloss and improved print gloss by coating paper coating composition containing multi-layered paper coating latex having high swelling and contraction property on paper.
US08673992B2 Polyurethane gel foams
Polyurethane gel foams are proposed as is their use in modern wound treatment. In particular, wound dressings comprise polyurethane gel foams for treating moderately to severely exuding wounds. The polyurethane gel foams are thereby produced from an isocyanate component A having a functionality f of fB≦3, a polymeric polyol component B having a functionality f of fB≦6, and a polysaccharide C, comprising at least one uronic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the ratio of the number of isocyanates groups of the isocyananate component A to the total number of hydroxyl groups, carboxy groups and carboxylate groups in the polymeric polyol component B and the polysaccharide C corresponds to the ratio 1:2 to 1:30.
US08673990B2 Process of making polyester latex with buffer
Methods herein include mixing at least one polyester resin with at least one solvent to form a resin mixture, adding water to cause phase inversion and form a polyester latex, adding at least one buffering agent to the phase inverted mixture to stabilize the phase inverted mixture, and subsequent to the buffering agent addition, substantially removing the at least one solvent from the phase inverted mixture.
US08673989B2 Method of devulcanizing a cross-linked elastomeric material
A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.
US08673988B2 Graft copolymers for ion exchange chromatography
The invention relates to a modified separating material having improved properties, to the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for the separation of charged biopolymers from liquids.
US08673980B2 Closthioamides, compositions, and methods for treating bacterial or fungal infections or cancer
This invention relates to the field of biologically active compounds and specifically to closthioamides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and their use as antibiotic, antifungal, and/or cytotoxic agent.
US08673976B2 Medicament for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
A medicament for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which comprises a polyprenyl compound (e.g., 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2,4,6,10,14-hexadecapentaenoic acid) as an active ingredient.
US08673957B2 Fluorescent probe
A compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 represent amino groups that substitute at adjacent positions on the benzene ring, wherein one of the amino groups may have one alkyl group; R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, or a C1-6 alkoxy group, R5 and R8 independently represent a C1-6 alkyl group, R6 and R9 represent a carboxy-substituted C1-6 alkyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl-substituted C1-6 alkyl group, a sulfo-substituted C1-6 alkyl group, or an alkyl sulfonate-substituted C1-6 alkyl group, and R7 and R10 represent a C1-6 alkyl group, an aryl group, a C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, a vinyl group, a thienyl group, or a pyrrolyl group, and an agent for measurement of nitrogen monoxide containing the compound. Said compound can give a fluorescent substance that is free from change in fluorescence intensity in a wide pH range.
US08673950B2 Dihydrooxazol-2-amine derivatives
The invention relates to compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X, Ar, and are defined herein or to a pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof. Compounds of formula I have a good affinity to the trace amine associated receptors (TAARs), especially for TAAR1. The compounds can be used for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stress-related disorders, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, hypertension, substance abuse and metabolic disorders such as eating disorders, diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity, dyslipidemia, disorders of energy consumption and assimilation, disorders and malfunction of body temperature homeostasis, disorders of sleep and circadian rhythm and cardiovascular disorders.
US08673946B2 4-trimethylammonio-butyrates as CPT2 inhibitors
This invention relates to novel 4-trimethylammoniobutyrates of the formula wherein A1, R1, m and n are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibit carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) activity, in particular CPT2 activity, and can be used as medicaments.
US08673943B2 Fluorinated derivatives of deferiprone
The present invention relates to novel derivatives of deferiprone. In particular, the present invention relates to fluorinated derivatives of deferiprone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, processes for the manufacture thereof and their use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by the presence of free iron or iron accumulation in neural tissues and in diseases wherein excess iron must be removed or redistributed.
US08673940B2 Compounds for the treatment of diseases associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (II) that can be employed in the treatment of a group of disorders and abnormalities associated with amyloid protein, such as Alzheimer's disease, and of diseases or conditions associated with amyloid-like proteins. The compounds of the present invention can also be used in the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and to the use of these compounds for the preparation of medicaments for treating, or preventing diseases or conditions associated with amyloid and/or amyloid-like proteins. A method of treating or preventing diseases or conditions associated with amyloid and/or amyloid-like proteins is also disclosed.
US08673936B2 Indazole inhibitors of the Wnt signal pathway and therapeutic uses thereof
Indazole compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an indazole compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, Alzheimer's disease, lung disease and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases and neurological conditions/disorders/diseases due to mutations or dysregulation of the Wnt pathway and/or of one or more of Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US08673930B2 Pyrimidylaminobenzamide derivatives for systemic mastocytosis
The present invention relates to the use of pyrimidylaminobenzamide derivatives for the preparation of a drug for the treatment of systemic mastocytosis.
US08673924B2 Substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting one or more cyclin dependent kinases in a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compound or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such compound, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with the CDKs using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. An example pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compound useful in the present invention is shown below:
US08673918B2 Compositions comprising sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators
The present invention relates to stable compositions comprising a sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, suitable for use as a dosage form. The S1P receptor modulators are typically sphingosine analogues, such as 2-substituted 2-amino-propane-1,3-diol or 2-amino-propanol derivatives, e.g. a compound comprising a group of formula Y.
US08673905B2 Imidazo pyrazines
Compounds of formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are described, as well as the pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and the use of said compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment, control or amelioration of AML.
US08673900B2 Gamma secretase modulators
In many embodiments, the present invention provides novel heterocyclic compounds which are modulators of gamma secretase, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more disease associated with the central nervous system using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08673896B2 Benzodiazepine and pyridodiazepine derivatives
The present application relates to benzodiazepine and pyridodiazepine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X1, Y1, Y2, and Y3 are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating disease conditions using such compounds and compositions, and methods for identifying such compounds.
US08673894B2 2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-[1,4]oxazepin-3-ylamine or 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-[1,4]oxazepin-5-ylamine compounds
This invention relates to compounds of the formula wherein A, B and R1 to R7 are as described below, or to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitors and can be used as medicaments for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
US08673891B2 Aminopyrazine derivative and medicine
The present invention relates to a compound represented by general formula [1] satisfying the following (I) or (II), or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt of the compound. (I) X is CH or N; R1 is a halogen atom, and R2 is H, a halogen atom, CN, [2], [3], [8], [9], an —O-alkyl, an —O-(saturated ring), etc. [2]: —C(RC)(RD)(RE) (RC to RE each are H, an alkyl, etc.) [3]: —N(RF)(RG) (RF and RG each are H, OH, amino, a (hetero)aryl, etc.) [8]: —C(═O)RL (RL is an alkyl, OH, an alkoxy, amino, etc.) [9]: a (substituted)phenyl; (II) X is >C—C(—O)RB (RB is a (substituted)amino, an alkoxy, OH, etc.); R1 is a halogen atom; R2 is H; R3 is H or OH; and R3 and R4 each are H or an alkyl.
US08673888B2 Depsipeptide for therapy of kidney cancer
The present invention provides a therapeutic agent of kidney cancer, which comprises FK228 of the formula (I) or a salt thereof. FK228 or a salt thereof, which is an active ingredient in the present invention, shows a superior antitumor activity in vivo against kidney cancer.
US08673876B2 Pharmaceutical combinations for treatment of specific cancers
The present invention relates to the field of oncology and provides compositions and methods for treating specific cancers, including non small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, hepatoma and adenocarcinoma. Particularly, compositions and methods involving administration, either simultaneously or sequentially, of pharmaceutical combinations comprising (S)—N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide with other compounds, to patients suffering from cancer are described.
US08673873B1 RNAi-mediated inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 4 for treatment of cAMP-related ocular disorders
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 4 mRNA expression for treating patients with a cAMP-related ocular disorder. Phosphodiesterase type 4 mRNA targets include mRNA for 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D phosphodiesterase isoforms.
US08673868B2 Compositions including triciribine and one or more platinum compounds and methods of use thereof
This application encompasses combination therapies including triciribine and related compounds and one or more platinum compounds and compositions with reduced toxicity for the treatment and prevention of tumors, cancer, and other disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation.
US08673866B2 Stabilized formulation for oral administration of therapeutic agents and related methods
Stable formulations for the oral administration of therapeutic agents, methods for administering therapeutic agents using the formulations, and methods for treating conditions and diseases using the formulations.
US08673857B2 Long term potentiation with cyclic-GluR6 analogs
This invention discloses CN2097-like compositions that facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). In one embodiment the method comprises inducing long-term potentiation in a subject by the method of administering a therapeutically effective dose of a CN2097-like compound.
US08673855B2 Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases activity regulator including the fifth zinc finger domain of FOG2
The present invention relates to a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases activity regulator which include the fifth zinc finger domain of FOG2 and which, more specifically, can induce cancer cells to die due to the inclusion of the fifth zinc finger domain of FOG2. Since the death of cancer cells is induced by suppressing the transfer of PI3K signals, the fifth zinc finger domain of FOG2 according to the present invention can be suitably use as a composition for the prevention and treatment of PI3K-related diseases.
US08673851B2 Synapse-specific proteins in glomeruli
The present invention identifies that glomeruli express many neuron-specific and especially synapse-specific protein similarities. In particular, the present invention identifies Rab3A expression, including the expression of altered forms, as well as expression of other synapse-specific proteins including neurotransmitter receptors. The invention further identifies that modulation of the activity of these synapse-specific proteins results in modulation of podocytes.
US08673844B2 Method of inhibiting progression of type 1 diabetes by administering soluble CD137
A method for treating or preventing a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease is provided herein, the method including administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, the pharmaceutical compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
US08673832B2 Liquid skin cleanser with multiple signals of adequate wash duration with adequate mechanical force
A personal cleansing composition includes a carrier, and a first plurality of beads entrained in the carrier. The beads impart, to a user applying the cleansing composition with hand rubbing force, perceivable tactility for a limited predetermined duration that corresponds to a minimum adequate cleansing time period. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the personal cleansing composition further includes a second plurality of beads entrained in the carrier. The second plurality of beads imparts to the user a perceivable change in color for the cleansing composition for a second limited predetermined duration that is substantially equal to the duration that the tactility imparted by the first plurality of beads is perceivable to the user.
US08673824B2 Encoded self-assembling chemical libraries (ESACHEL)
The invention provides a chemical compound comprising a chemical moiety (p) capable of performing a binding interaction with a target molecule, and an oligonucleotide (b) or functional analogue thereof. The oligonucleotide (b) or functional analogue comprises at least one self-assembly sequence (b1) capable of performing a combination reaction with at least one self-assembly sequence (b1′) of a complementary oligonucleotide or functional analogue bound to another chemical compound comprising a chemical moiety (q). In some embodiments, the chemical compound comprises a coding sequence (b1) coding for the identification of the chemical moiety (p) and further comprises at least one self-assembly moiety (m) capable of performing a combination reaction with at least one self-assembly moiety (m′) of a similar chemical compound comprising a chemical moiety (q). The invention also provides corresponding libraries of chemical compounds as well as methods of biopanning of for target molecules and of identifying such targets.
US08673803B2 Alkaline-earth metal compound-containing zeolite catalyst, method for preparing same, method for regenerating same, and method for producing lower hydrocarbons
An alkaline-earth metal compound-containing zeolite catalyst composed of a composite material comprising at least a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component is composed of at least one of zeolites selected from a group consisting of proton-type zeolites and ammonium type zeolites. The second component is composed of at least one of alkaline-earth metal compounds. The third component is composed of at least one selected from a group consisting of aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, silicon oxides, silicon hydroxides, and clay minerals. The first component has a molar ratio of Si/Al of 10 or more and 300 or less. Content of the second component relative to the first component is 0.3 mass % or more and less than 10 mass % as alkaline-earth metal. Content of the third component relative to the first component is 15 mass % or more and 200 mass % or less.
US08673802B2 Catalyst for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon, which is used in production of light olefin and production method thereof
Disclosed are a molecular sieve catalyst and a preparation method thereof to produce light olefins from cracking naphtha catalytically in severe environments of high temperature and high moisture. In detail, the catalyst is prepared by spray-drying and calcining the mixed slurry, in which 0.01˜5.0 wt % of MnO2 and 1˜15 wt % of P2O5 are simultaneously imbedded in catalyst which consists of zeolite, clay and inorganic complex. According to the present invention, the method that manganese and phosphate are imbedded simultaneously in zeolite and inorganic complex is used to increases thermal-stability of obtained spherical catalyst, and increase olefin yield of cracking hydrocarbon such as naphtha by protecting acid-site of zeolite. To synthesize the required catalyst, the important procedures are mixing ratio and mixing sequence of Mn, P, zeolite, and inorganic complex.
US08673800B2 Hydrolysis of used ionic liquid catalyst for disposal
We provide a process and apparatus for preparing a used catalyst for disposal, comprising: a. hydrolyzing a used ionic liquid catalyst comprising an anhydrous metal halide to produce a hydrolyzed product; and b. separating the hydrolyzed product into a liquid phase and a solid phase; wherein the liquid phase comprises a non-water-reactive aqueous phase and a hydrocarbon phase; and wherein the solid phase comprises a solid portion of the hydrolyzed product, that is not water reactive. A vessel is used for the hydrolyzing and a separator is used for the separating.
US08673799B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and ceramic electronic device
A dielectric ceramic composition comprises barium titanate as a main component, and as subcomponents, 1.00 to 2.50 moles of an oxide of Mg, 0.01 to 0.20 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr, 0.03 to 0.15 mole of an oxide of at least one element selected from a group consisting of V, Mo and W, 0.20 to 1.50 mole of an oxide of R1 where R1 is at least one selected from a group consisting of Y and Ho, 0.20 to 1.50 mole of an oxide of R2 where R2 is at least one selected from a group consisting of Eu, Gd and Tb and 0.30 to 1.50 mole of an oxide of Si and/or B, in terms of each oxide with respect to 100 moles of the barium titanate.
US08673792B2 p-Terphenyl compound mixture and electrophotographic photoreceptors made by using the same
An object of the invention is to provide a method of making a p-terphenyl compound mixture which includes two symmetric p-terphenyl compounds respectively represented by formula (1) and formula (2) and an asymmetric p-terphenyl compound represented by formula (3)
US08673785B2 Gas distribution system having fast gas switching capabilities
A gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The gas distribution system can include a gas supply section, a flow control section and a switching section. The gas supply section provides first and second gases, typically gas mixtures, to the flow control section, which controls the flows of the first and second gases to the chamber. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the flow control section can supply the first and second gases to the multiple zones at desired flow ratios of the gases. The gas distribution system can continuously supply the first and second gases to the switching section and the switching section is operable to switch the flows of the first and second gases, such that one of the first and second process gases is supplied to the chamber while the other of the first and second gases is supplied to a by-pass line, and then to switch the gas flows. The switching section preferably includes fast switching valves operable to quickly open and close to allow fast switching of the first and second gases, preferably without the occurrence of undesirable pressure surges or flow instabilities in the flow of either gas.
US08673783B2 Metal conductor chemical mechanical polish
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device fabricated by such a method, and a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) tool for performing such a method. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) wafer including a metal conductor in a trench of a dielectric layer over a substrate, and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to planarize the metal conductor and the dielectric layer. The method further includes cleaning the planarized metal conductor and dielectric layer to remove residue from the CMP process, rinsing the cleaned metal conductor and dielectric layer with an alcohol, and drying the rinsed metal conductor and dielectric layer in an inert gas environment.
US08673779B1 Interconnect with self-formed barrier
A method of filling of vias and trenches in a dual damascene structure with a filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. An electroless deposition filling of the vias with a via filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. A trench barrier layer is formed over the via filling with a trench barrier layer comprising Mn or Al. The trench barrier layer is annealed at a temperature that causes a component of the trench barrier layer to pass into the via filling. The trenches are filled with a trench filling comprising copper or copper alloy.
US08673778B2 Tungsten film forming method
A tungsten film forming method for forming a tungsten film on a surface of a substrate while heating the substrate in a depressurized atmosphere in a processing chamber includes forming an initial tungsten film for tungsten nucleation on the surface of the substrate by alternately repeating a supply of WF6 gas which is raw material of tungsten and a supply of H2 gas which is a reducing gas in the processing chamber while performing a purge in the processing chamber between the supplies of the WF6 gas and the H2 gas and adsorbing a gas containing a material for nucleation onto a surface of the initial tungsten film. The film forming method further includes depositing a crystallinity blocking tungsten film for blocking crystallinity of the initial tungsten film by supplying the WF6 gas and the H2 gas into the processing chamber.
US08673776B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device having interlayer dielectric layers and a gate contact
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises: providing a substrate having an active area and a gate structure on the active area and formed with a first interlayer dielectric layer thereon, wherein the first interlayer dielectric layer has a first open to expose a portion of a surface of the active area, and an upper surface of the first interlayer dielectric layer is substantially flush with an upper surface of the gate; filling the first open with a first conductive material to form a first portion of contact; forming a second interlayer dielectric layer over the first interlayer dielectric layer, the second interlayer dielectric layer having a second open to substantially expose an upper part of the first portion of the contact in the first open; and filling the second open with a second conductive material to form a second portion of the contact.
US08673765B2 Method and apparatus for back end of line semiconductor device processing
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the back end of line process for fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs). The inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer between two metal layers may comprise an etching stop layer over a metal layer, a low-k dielectric layer over the etching stop layer, a dielectric hard mask layer over the low-k dielectric layer, an nitrogen free anti-reflection layer (NFARL) over the dielectric hard mask layer, and a metal-hard-mask (MHM) layer of a thickness in a range from about 180 Å to about 360 Å over the NFARL. The MHM layer thickness is optimized at the range from about 180 Å to about 360 Å to reduce the Cu pits while avoiding the photo overlay shifting issue.
US08673761B2 Reflow method for lead-free solder
A reflow method for solder includes heating the solder to a first temperature that is above a liquidus temperature of the solder; cooling the solder to a second temperature that is below a solidification temperature of the solder; reheating the solder to a third temperature that is above a solidus temperature of the solder and below the liquidus temperature of the solder; cooling the solder to a fourth temperature that is below the solidification temperature of the solder.
US08673747B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming an epitaxial layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a capping layer having a first thickness on the epitaxial layer; and oxidizing the capping layer in an oxygen atmosphere to form a first gate dielectric layer having a second thickness.
US08673743B2 Wafer dividing method
A wafer is divided by setting the focal point of a laser beam inside the wafer at positions corresponding to division lines, thereby forming modified layers inside the wafer along the division lines. Each modified layer has a thickness ranging from the vicinity of the front side of the wafer to the vicinity of the back side of the wafer. An etching gas or an etching liquid is supplied to the wafer to erode the modified layers, thereby dividing the wafer into individual devices. The modified layers are not crushed, so fine particles are not generated in dividing the wafer. Accordingly, fine particles do not stick to the surface of each device and cause a reduction in quality. Further, since the modified layers are removed by etching, it is possible to prevent a reduction in die strength of each device due to the remainder of the modified layers.
US08673724B2 Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices
Provided are methods of fabricating a semiconductor device that include providing a substrate that includes a first region having a gate pattern and a second region having a first trench and an insulating layer that fills the first trench. A portion of a sidewall of the first trench is exposed by etching part of the insulating layer and a first spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate pattern. A second spacer is formed on the exposed sidewall of the first trench, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are formed simultaneously.
US08673720B2 Structure and fabrication of field-effect transistor having nitrided gate dielectric layer with tailored vertical nitrogen concentration profile
An insulated-gate field-effect transistor (110, 114, or 122) is fabricated so that its gate dielectric layer (500, 566, or 700) contains nitrogen having a vertical concentration profile specially tailored to prevent boron in the overlying gate electrode (502, 568, or 702) from significantly penetrating through the gate dielectric layer into the underlying channel zone (484, 554, or 684) while simultaneously avoiding the movement of nitrogen from the gate dielectric layer into the underlying semiconductor body. Damage which could otherwise result from undesired boron in the channel zone and from undesired nitrogen in the semiconductor body is substantially avoided.
US08673715B2 Memory device and method of fabricating thereof
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a process flow to form a gate structure of a memory device.
US08673695B2 Sapphire wafer dividing method
A sapphire wafer dividing method including a modified layer forming step of forming a plurality of modified layers inside a sapphire wafer along a plurality of crossing division lines formed on the front side where a light emitting layer is formed, and a chamfering and dividing step of forming a plurality of cut grooves on the back side of the sapphire wafer along the division lines, thereby dividing the sapphire wafer into individual light emitting devices along the modified layers as a division start point, wherein the corners of the back side of each light emitting device are chamfered by the formation of the cut grooves in the chamfering and dividing step.
US08673693B2 Methods for forming materials using micro-heaters and electronic devices including such materials
Nano-sized materials and/or polysilicon are formed using heat generated from a micro-heater, the micro-heater may include a substrate, a heating element unit formed on the substrate, and a support structure formed between the substrate and the heating element unit. Two or more of the heating element units may be connected in series.
US08673691B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device has a step of forming a first substrate; a step of facing a first main electrode to the first metal foil, and electrically connecting the first main electrode and the first metal foil; a step of facing a second main electrode to the second metal foil, and electrically connecting the second main electrode and the second metal foil; a step of forming a second substrate; and steps of facing a surface side of the second substrate to a surface side of the first substrate; electrically connecting the third metal foil and a third main electrode provided on a main surface of the first semiconductor element; and electrically connecting the fourth metal foil and a fourth main electrode provided on a main surface of the second semiconductor element.
US08673683B2 Graphene field effect transistor
Manufacturing a semiconductor structure including: forming a seed material on an insulator layer; forming a graphene field effect transistor (FET) on the seed material; and forming an air gap under the graphene FET by removing the seed material.
US08673679B2 Enhanced vision system for screen printing pattern alignment
Embodiments of the invention also generally provide a solar cell formation process that includes the formation of metal contacts over heavily doped regions that are formed in a desired pattern on a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the invention also provide an inspection system and supporting hardware that is used to reliably position a similarly shaped, or patterned, metal contact structure on the patterned heavily doped regions to allow an Ohmic contact to be made. The metal contact structure, such as fingers and busbars, are formed on the heavily doped regions so that a high quality electrical connection can be formed between these two regions.
US08673675B2 Humidity control and method for thin film photovoltaic materials
A method for processing a thin film photovoltaic module. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates, each of the substrates having a first electrode layer and an overlying absorber layer composed of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) or copper indium selenide (CIS) material. The absorber material comprises a plurality of sodium bearing species. The method maintains the plurality of substrates in a controlled environment after formation of at least the absorber layer through one or more processes up to a lamination process. The controlled environment has a relative humidity of less than 10% and a temperature ranging from about 10 degrees Celsius to about 40 degrees Celsius. The method subjects the plurality of substrates to a liquid comprising water at a temperature from about 10 degrees Celsius to about 80 degrees Celsius to process the plurality of substrates after formation of the absorber layer. The plurality of substrates having the absorber layer is subjected to an environment having a relative humidity of greater than about 10% to a time period of less then four hours.
US08673671B2 Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams
Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams are provided. In particular, disclosed are methods and structures that can be used for fabricating multilayer structures through the deposition and patterning of at least an insulation layer, a first metal layer, a beam oxide layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation balance layer.
US08673660B2 Method of producing liquid ejection head
Provided is a method of producing a liquid ejection head substrate, the method including, in sequence; grinding a second surface of a silicon substrate, which is an opposite surface of a first surface on which a function element is formed, polishing the ground second surface, etching the polished second surface by reactive ion etching using ion incident energy, forming an etching mask on the second surface after the reactive ion etching, and forming a liquid supply port by subjecting the silicon substrate to wet etching using the etching mask.
US08673650B2 Optical molecular detection
Optical detection of molecules using a biochip having at least one reagent immobilizing area designed to receive one or more reagents and at least one calibration structure with a predetermined height to provide a height reference for optical measurement is disclosed. When the calibration structure is illuminated by a probe beam of light, a first reflected beam of light is reflected off the calibration structure, and a second reflected beam of light is reflected off the reagent immobilizing area. The first reflected beam and the second reflected beam are compared to determine a height at the reagent immobilizing area.
US08673649B2 Wireless chemical sensor and sensing method for use therewith
A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material separated therefrom by an electric insulator. The electrical conductor is an unconnected open-circuit shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the first electrical conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. The material is positioned at a location lying within at least one of the electric and magnetic field responses so-generated. The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest.
US08673647B2 Stress evaluating apparatus, method, system and program and recording medium therefor
According to the method of evaluating stress of the present invention, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a stress state including at least depressive illness and major depressive illness in the subject is evaluated based on the concentration value of at least one of Lys, His, ABA, Asn, Phe, Leu, Ile, Val, Trp, Tyr and Met contained in the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.
US08673628B2 Methods and apparatus for improving in vitro measurements using boyden chambers
Apparatus and methods to improve the Boyden chamber used in cellular biological measurements, allowing quantitative optical microscopy of biological cells in situ without using fluorescent probes or optical staining. In the preferred embodiment, a thin porous membrane separating top and bottom reservoirs includes an array of precisely positioned micropores pores manufactured using a laser-based photo-machining (ablation) process. The membrane may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other appropriate material. The pores formed in the membrane may have diameters in the range of 1 to 15 microns and spaced apart at a distance ranging from 10 to 200 microns. A plurality of upper and lower reservoirs may be provided to form a multi-well plate. The invention finds application in a wide range of potential biological applications where Boyden chamber geometries are currently used including co-culture studies, tissue remodeling studies, cell polarity determinations, endocrine signaling, cell transport, cell permeability, cell invasion and chemotaxis assays.
US08673627B2 Apparatus and methods for performing electrochemical reactions
The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for delivering multiple reagents to, and monitoring, a plurality of analytical reactions carried out on a large-scale array of electronic sensors underminimal noise conditions. In one aspect, the invention provides method of improving signal-to-noise ratios of output signals from the electronic sensors sensing analytes or reaction byproducts by subtracting an average of output signals measured from neighboring sensors where analyte or reaction byproducts are absent. In other aspects, the invention provides an array of electronic sensors integrated with a microwell array for confining analytes and/or particles for analytical reactions and a method for identifying microwells containing analytes and/or particles by passing a sensor-active reagent over the array and correlating sensor response times to the presence or absence of analytes or particles. Such detection of analyte- or particle-containing microwells may be used as a step in additional noise reduction methods.
US08673616B2 Lactococcus lactis strain with high vitamin K2 production
The present invention relates to a novel wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain with increased vitamin K2 production and mutants and variants thereof and methods for preparation of a fermented food or feed product enriched in vitamin K2 and a vitamin K enriched edible product for amelioration and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency. The present invention also relates to the fermented food or feed product and the edible product obtainable by the methods herein and to the wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain for use in treatment and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency in a mammal, such as a human.
US08673607B2 Ketoreductase polypeptides for the production of a 3-aryl-3-hydroxypropanamine from a 3-aryl-3-ketopropanamine
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds. The engineered ketoreductase polypeptides are optimized for catalyzing the conversion of N,N-dimethyl-3-keto-3-(2-thienyl)-1-ketopropanamine to (S)-N,N-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)-1-propanamine.
US08673605B2 Method for inducing differentiation of adult stem cells and nerve cells using electromagnetic field
The present invention relates to a method for differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells or dental pulp stem cells. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for differentiating stem cells to neural cells by applying mesenchymal stem cells or dental pulp stem cells with a low-frequency electromagnetic field. The differentiation method according to the present invention can induce differentiation even with low-cost mediums rather than induced neural differentiation mediums which are expensive due to addition of growth factors, and the neural cells differentiated according to the present invention may be useful for treatment of neurological brain diseases.
US08673597B2 Method for producing L-amino acid
A bacterium which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, and has an ability to produce L-lysine, L-threonine, L-asparagine, L-aspartic acid, L-methionine, L-alanine, L-isoleucine, and/or L-homoserine. The bacterium has been modified so that expression of the gltP and/or gltS genes is/are increased when cultured in a medium, resulting in the accumulation of the L-amino acid(s) in the medium or bacterial cells.
US08673596B2 Method for production of fermentable sugars from biomass
A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.
US08673591B2 Genetic incorporation of 3-aminotyrosine into reductases
This invention provides reductase proteins that comprise NH2Y unnatural amino acid residues, systems of orthogonal elements for incorporating NH2Y into reductases and methods of using NH2Y amino acid residues in reductases as molecular probes for probing reductases function, structure and activity.
US08673586B2 Compounds that interact with kinases
A method of inhibiting or effecting the activity of protein kinase activity which comprises contacting a protein kinase with a compound of formula (I) being a derivative of a furanose or pyranose form of a monosaccharide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08673585B2 Biochemical serum marker
The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence and/or concentration of the soluble BAG3 protein in an unknown biological sample and the assay is preferably carried by ELISA assay with antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies. The presence of said protein in a soluble form is associated with heart disease or with the presence of pancreatic tumors.
US08673577B2 Method for examining acute renal disorder
Provided is a test method for acute kidney injury, including detecting urinary podocalyxin. According to the test method, a subject to be tested who has a higher value for the urinary podocalyxin than a reference value can be assessed to have acute kidney injury. Further, as compared to a conventional method, the test method allows acute kidney injury to be assessed accurately and non-invasively, which allows a physical burden on a patient to be reduced. Thus, the test method is useful.
US08673573B2 Use of eIF3m for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
Disclosed are a cancer marker-detecting composition comprising an agent for measuring an mRNA or protein expression level of eIF3m, a cancer diagnosis kit comprising the same, a method for detecting an eIF3m polynucleotide or protein by treating a biological specimen with the agent to detect a substance binding specifically to the agent and quantitatively comparing the substance between a subject and a normal control, and a method for the treatment and prevention of cancer comprising an agent for down-regulating the expression of an eIF3m polynucleotide or protein.
US08673570B2 System and methods to quantify and amplify both signaling and probes for cDNA chips and gene expression microarrays
The invention provides a series of reagent compositions and methods for making and amplifying novel cDNA based probe sets from RNA samples to improve analysis with gene expression arrays. The methods globally produce probe sets with common universal linkers at one or both ends, called WRAP-Probes, wherein the linkers do not bind to the target sequences and they can efficiently bind added reporters to the probes. The universal linkers are also designed as primer binding sites for copying and amplifying the probes, either linearly with one linker, or exponentially with double linkers. The capacity to globally and exponentially amplify the probe set by PCR is a primary advantage. Adding reporters by terminal linkers also improves quantification since each probe gets equivalent signaling. The invention allows expression analysis of small research, clinical and forensic samples to enable improved diagnostics, drug discovery, therapeutic monitoring, and medical, agricultural and general research.
US08673569B2 Primers for nucleic acid extension or amplification reactions
Disclosed are methods and compositions for use in nucleic acid amplification or extension reactions.
US08673563B2 Amplification method of methylated or unmethylated nucleic acid
The object of the present invention is to provide a gene amplification method, wherein the method can amplify both methylated and unmethylated nucleic acids present in a biological sample, and further regulate the amplification ratio of the methylated and/or unmethylated nucleic acid as needed. Such objects can be solved by an amplification method using a nonspecific primer which can hybridize both with methylated and unmethylated nucleic acids and a specific primer which specifically hybridizes with either methylated or unmethylated nucleic acid, and further by an amplification method which can change the amplification ratio of methylated or unmethylated nucleic acid by changing the mixing rate of these primers.
US08673561B2 Methods for nucleic acid manipulation
A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.
US08673551B2 Methods, plasmid vectors and primers for assessing HIV viral fitness
The present invention relates to methods and means for the evaluation of HIV replicative capacity in a given environment. In particular, the invention provides a growth competition assay that can determine relative viral fitness using a recombinant tagged HIV-1 virus system. The methods rely on plasmid vectors, amplicons, primers and probes, and the generation of replication-competent viruses therefrom. Said methods and materials may find use in multiple fields including diagnostics, drug screening, pharmacogenetics and drug development.
US08673548B2 Genes and polypeptides relating to breast cancers
The present application provides novel human genes A7322, whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancer. The present application also provides human genes F3374 whose expression is markedly elevated in breast cancer. These genes and polypeptides encoded thereby can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of breast cancer, and as target molecules for developing drugs against breast cancer. The invention features methods of screening for modulators of the kinase activity of PBK/TOPK. The invention further provides methods of screening for agents to prevent or treat cancer, such as breast cancer.
US08673547B2 Method for isolation of afterbirth derived cells
A method for extracting cells from afterbirth tissue, including placing the afterbirth into a perfusion circuit prior to exsanguination, extracting the cells from the afterbirth with digestive enzymes and mechanically recovering cells from the digested afterbirth tissue, and isolating the cells from the perfusate and digestion mix. Also disclosed is a cell line derived from afterbirth using the two-step pulsatile perfusion extraction method.
US08673541B2 Block copolymer assembly methods and patterns formed thereby
Patterned substrates templates are provided, as well as methods comprising a combination of lithography and self-assembly techniques. The patterned substrates may comprise first and second patterns.
US08673538B2 Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, and actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive film and pattern forming method using the composition
Provided is an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a compound (A) which contains at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and at least one group where a hydrogen atom in a phenolic hydroxyl group is substituted by a group represented by the following General Formula (1) (in the formula, each of R11 and R12 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; X11 represents an aryl group; M11 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; and Q11 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an aryl group, wherein the number of carbon atoms which are included in the group represented by -M11-Q11 is 3 or more, and at least two of R11, R12, Q11, and X11 may form a ring by bonding to each other).
US08673533B2 Aqueous dispersions for use as toners
A compound that includes an aqueous dispersion, wherein the dispersion includes a thermoplastic resin and at least one stabilizing agent, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a colorant and a magnetic pigment, wherein the dispersion has an average volume diameter particle size from about 0.05 to about 10 microns is described.
US08673532B2 Method of producing dry toner particles having high circularity
A method for producing dry toner particles that have similar particle size and shape characteristics as chemically produced toners. The method includes melt-mixing a toner resin with a colorant and, optionally, a wax, to form a toner; grinding the toner to form toner particles; classifying the toner particles into particles averaging 4 to 10 microns in size; blending the classified toner particles with additives in a high-speed blender; and then processing the mixture with optional additional surface additives in a conical mixer. The method produces toner particles that have high circularity and sharper particle size distribution. The surface processing of the toner particles does not affect the internal constituents of the toner particles.
US08673525B2 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
There is provided an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising, in this order a substrate; a photosensitive layer; and a protective layer including oxygen and gallium, the protective layer including a first region and a second region that is present closer to the substrate than the first region and has a ratio of the number of atoms of oxygen to the number of atoms of gallium (oxygen/gallium) larger than that in the first region.
US08673522B2 Method for manufacturing photomask and photomask manufactured using the same
A method for manufacturing a photomask includes forming a photoresist film on a substrate, and forming a defect detecting pattern on the photoresist film. The defect detecting pattern has a first pattern elongated in a first direction and a second pattern overlapping one end of the first pattern and elongated in a second direction different from the first direction. The first pattern and the second pattern are formed using electron beams (e-beam) diffracted by a same amplifier.
US08673518B2 Fuel cell power generation system with partition wall for main body package
There is provided a fuel cell power generation system in which power loss in a power line electrically connecting a stack and a power conversion circuit, thereby attaining high power generation efficiency. A reformer and the stack are disposed in a main body package. Stack output terminals 31 are provided in both ends in a stacking direction of the stack. A power conversion circuit is disposed in the main body package and arranged in the proximity to the stack. Power conversion circuit input terminals are provided on the power conversion circuit and arrayed in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the stack. Stack output lines electrically connect the stack output terminals and the power conversion circuit input terminals.
US08673510B2 Systems and methods for maintaining hydrogen-selective membranes during periods of inactivity
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for maintaining hydrogen-selective membranes during periods of inactivity. These systems and methods may include heating and maintaining at least the hydrogen-selective membrane of a hydrogen-producing fuel processing system in a thermally buffered state and/or controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane. Controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane may include maintaining a positive pressure of an inert, blanket, reducing, and/or non-oxidizing gas within the membrane separation assembly and/or periodically supplying a reducing gas stream to the membrane separation assembly. These systems and methods may further include periodically supplying a feed stream to a hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing fuel processing system to produce a mixed gas stream and supplying the mixed gas stream to the membrane separation assembly.
US08673496B2 Electrode composition, electrode for lithium secondary battery, method of manufacturing the electrode and lithium secondary battery including the electrode
An electrode composition containing a first conducting agent and a second conducting agent, an electrode for lithium secondary batteries, a method of manufacturing the electrode, and a lithium secondary battery including the electrode. The second conducting agent is an agglomerate formed of a conducting material and a fluorine-based polymer.
US08673484B2 Electrochemical element with a reduced internal resistance
An electrochemical element has a housing having an inside surface, a first electrode resting adjacent an inside surface of the housing and defining a cavity, the first electrode including at least two individual segments adjacent one another in a 2-dimensional manner via first contact surfaces and rest via further contact surfaces adjacent the inside surface, a second electrode of opposite polarity arranged inside the cavity, a separator arranged between the first and second electrodes, and at least one connector arranged between the first contact surfaces which connects the segments electrically conductively and which is annular or ring-shaped and includes at least one strip-shaped projection formed on an outside portion thereof.
US08673480B2 Support feature for joining of battery cell tabs
A battery assembly including a plurality of battery cells and at least one frame having a support feature formed thereon is disclosed. The support feature supports electrically conductive tabs of the battery cells and militates against damage to the battery assembly during a joining of one of the electrically conductive tabs with another one of the electrically conductive tabs of an adjacent battery cell or during a joining of the electrically conductive tabs of adjacent battery cells with a connector.
US08673479B2 Secondary battery and a secondary battery module
A secondary battery and a secondary battery module, the secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator therebetween; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate for sealing the case; and at least one terminal unit, the at least one terminal unit including a multi-metal electrode rivet electrically connected to one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly, the multi-metal electrode rivet including a first part and a second part, and, a rivet terminal, the rivet terminal being electrically connected to the multi-metal electrode rivet; wherein the rivet terminal and the second part are each formed of a second metallic material, the first part is formed of a first metallic material, and the first metallic material is different from the second metallic material.
US08673478B2 Temperature dependent ionic gate
An electrochemical device having a liquid electrolyte which includes a protic solvent, an anode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte. A membrane which interrupts the transport of ions between the electrodes at a predetermined temperature is disposed in the liquid electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this way, electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, which may overheat during use and cause a fire or explosion, are precluded from overheating.
US08673476B2 Electrode assembly having stable lead-tap joint and electrochemical cell containing them
Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, electrode leads are located at one-side ends of the stacked electrode tabs such that the electrode leads are electrically connected to the electrode tabs, and the electrode leads, joined to the electrode tabs, have rounded ends. An electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly is also disclosed.
US08673475B2 Middle or large-sized battery pack case providing improved distribution uniformity in coolant flux
A middle- or large-sized battery pack case is provided in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells. The battery pack case includes beads formed in a concavo-convex shape for improving the structural stability of the battery pack case against an external force, the beads being constructed in a structure in which the beads do not disturb the flow of the coolant from the coolant inlet port along the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space defined between the coolant inlet port and the battery module.
US08673471B2 Portable electronic device
Provided is a highly safe portable electronic device having a secondary battery as a power source, and including a housing, an electronic device body housed in the housing, and a battery housing portion housed in the housing, in which a surface is inhibited from being locally heated to high temperature. In the portable electronic device, the battery housing portion is a molding with a battery fitting portion for fitting the secondary battery therein, and the battery fitting portion has provided on its surface a heat-insulating layer having a thickness of from 500 to 3000 μm and a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/m·K or lower.
US08673470B2 Secondary cell
A secondary cell includes: an electrode roll in which a positive foil on which a positive-electrode material is coated and a negative foil on which a negative-electrode material is coated are winded through a separator into a flat shape around a winding core; a case in which the electrode roll is housed; a cover which seals the case; a positive terminal and a negative terminal provided on the cover; a positive electrode current collector plate that is electrically connected to the positive foil of the electrode roll and the positive terminal and held by the cover; and a negative electrode current collector plate that is electrically connected to the negative foil of the electrode roll and the negative terminal and held by the cover. The positive electrode current collector plate and the negative electrode current collector plate are each connected to the winding core.
US08673468B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing the case, the cap plate including a vent hole for discharge of gas; and a safety vent at the vent hole, wherein the safety vent includes main groove at a center thereof; and sub groove around the main groove.
US08673461B2 Reinforced glass-ceramic article and enamel suitable for the coating thereof
A process for reinforcing a glass-ceramic article, into which a maximum tension is introduced beneath the surface of the glass-ceramic, advantageously in proximity to said surface. The invention also relates to an enamel that can be used for this reinforcement, this enamel being formed from a glass frit having the following composition, the proportions being expressed as weight percentages: SiO250-66%  MgO3-8% Na2O7-15%  K2O0-3% Li2O0-12%  CaO0-10%  BaO0-15%  Al2O30-3% ZrO20-3% ZnO0-5% B2O30-8% the sum of the alkaline-earth metal oxides CaO+BaO moreover being between 8 and 15%, and the sum of the alkali metal oxides Na2O+K2O+Li2O moreover being between 7 and 20%. The reinforced glass-ceramics obtained by the process.
US08673458B2 Delayed fluorescence OLED
Novel organic compounds comprising a substituted anthracene or acridine ligand are provided. In particular, the compound includes an anthracene ligand substituted at the 9 and 10 positions. The compound may be used in organic light emitting devices to provide devices having improved efficiency and lifetime. In particular, these compounds may be especially beneficial for use in blue-emitting OLEDs.
US08673454B2 System for producing a dental-shaped body
A blank and method for the production of dental shaped bodies in machining equipment having at least two tools located in the machining chamber of the machining equipment, including a corpus of tooth restoration material, from which the shaped body can be carved by means of at least one of at least two tools by material removal. The blank exhibits at least two gages, each of which is in the form of a recess, the geometry of which is such that the tool selected for the cutting operation can be recognized by means of at least one of the gages by reference to its outer contour, the at least two gages being disposed on the blank in such a way that they can be simultaneously engaged by the at least tools when the blank is clamped in the machining equipment for carving purposes.
US08673447B2 Water-soluble substrate with resistance to dissolution prior to being immersed in water
A water-soluble substrate, and more particularly a water-soluble substrate that is resistant to contact with small amounts of water, and methods of making the same are disclosed. The water-soluble substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. At least two coating layers are applied to at least one of said first and second surfaces, wherein said at least two coating layers substantially cover said at least one of said first and second surfaces, and wherein a lubricant is applied between said at least two coating layers. Articles, such as pouches, made from the water-soluble substrate, are also disclosed herein.
US08673446B2 Graphite complex and manufacturing method thereof
A graphite complex has a pyrolytic graphite sheet and a graphite layer. The pyrolytic graphite sheet is made by firing a polymer film. The graphite layer contains graphite powder as the main ingredient and is directly joined to the pyrolytic graphite sheet.
US08673442B2 Label, a method in labelling and use of an adhesive
A label including a substrate having a face side and a rear side, and an adhesive layer arranged on the rear side of the substrate. The adhesive layer is non-tacky but activatable to become tacky. The adhesive layer includes a deactivating agent that is activatable by external energy so that the agent, when activated, begins to transform the adhesive layer to become non-tacky. A method for attaching a label to an item. The use of an adhesive in labelling.
US08673440B2 Porous membrane
A membrane comprises a sheet of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The sheet includes a first extrudate made from a first PTFE fine powder resin mixed with processing lubricant at a first lube rate. A second extrudate is made from the first PTFE fine powder resin mixed with processing lubricant at the first lube rate. The first and second extrudates combined into an integrated tape structure that is stretched in first and second directions. The sheet is porous and has a gas permeability of at least 0.1 CFM according to ASTM D737. The sheet has an average Mullen Hydrostatic Burst pressure in the range of 135 psi to 175 psi according to ASTM D751.
US08673439B2 Article undergoing stimulus-responsive deformation and vehicle part using the same
An article undergoing stimulus-induced deformation, that is capable of being driven rapidly and in large displacement in air, is provided.An article undergoing stimulus-induced deformation comprising, incorporated in a polymer material having a cell, a liquid crystal serving as a deformation source in a skeleton other than the cell.
US08673430B2 Substrates having improved crockfastness
An ink-printed substrate comprising a substrate and water-based ink composition printed on the substrate, wherein the ink-printed substrate has an average crockfastness of at least about 2.5 or greater.
US08673422B2 Process for encapsulating an electro-optical device
A process for protecting the external face of an electro-optical device, the external face comprising at least one optical film adhesively bonded to a transparent substrate and set back therefrom, comprises encapsulating the optical element between the substrate and a transparent cover that is substantially the same size as the substrate. The process comprises adhesive bonding of the cover, the adhesive bonding being achieved by depositing uncured adhesive in two steps, namely a first step that is used first to take up the step difference between the substrate and the optical element, and a second step that is used to adhesively bond the protective cover. Smaller respective thicknesses of adhesive shrink in each step and thus, in the end, the total shrinkage is limited and the quality of the product is improved.
US08673418B2 Composite core densification
A reinforcement tube includes at least one composite ply material strip in a coil configuration. The coil configuration defines a tube rectilinear in cross-section and a helical opening.
US08673415B2 Printable film
The invention relates to printable films comprising a substrate and at least a surface layer, said layer covering at least one face of said substrate and comprising a water-dispersible polymer and an ethylenically unsaturated compound; to a process for the manufacture of such films; to printed films and especially to printed labels obtained from such printable films.
US08673407B2 Three dimensional engineering of planar optical structures
Three dimensional optical structures are described that can have various integrations between optical devices within and between layers of the optical structure. Optical turning elements can provide optical pathways between layers of optical devices. Methods are described that provide for great versatility on contouring optical materials throughout the optical structure. Various new optical devices are enabled by the improved optical processing approaches.
US08673399B2 Bandgap-shifted semiconductor surface and method for making same, and apparatus for using same
Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.2 and greater, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.
US08673384B2 Oral cavity stimulating substance
A novel compound causing an oral cavity stimulus such as acridness, which is expressed by the following structural formula (I):
US08673366B2 Chemotherapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for making the same, which are highly effective against cancer, viruses, amoebae, bacteria (both gram-negative and -positive), fungi, algae, bacterial spores, yeast, and the like. The compounds preferably rely on employing the synergistic effect of organo-metal compounds and the concomitant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the agency of reducing cofactors. The aqueous solution may be condensed and dried using conventional methods available to those skilled in the art to produce gels as well as solids, such as tablets or powders. Solid forms include tablets, capsules, suppositories, and the like or mixtures thereof. In addition, the solid form of the present compositions may be activated upon solubilization in a liquid.
US08673356B2 Stable fixed dose topical formulation
The present invention relates to stable fixed dose topical formulations comprising an antiacne agent and an antibiotic, which exhibit storage stability at a temperature of about 40° C. and relative humidity of about 75% for a period of at least 3 months. Particularly, the present invention relates to stable fixed dose topical formulations comprising therapeutically effective amounts of (a) adapalene-containing microspheres and (b) clindamycin, a process for their preparation thereof and their use for the treatment of acne.
US08673347B2 Polymer conjugates of K-252A and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to novel polymer conjugates of K-252a and derivatives thereof and to their use for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of kinase-associated pathologies. In particular, the present invention relates to the prevention, alleviation and treatment of HMGB1-associated pathologies. The invention relates to the use of the novel polymer conjugates of K-252a and derivatives thereof in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of a) neurological disorders, neuropathies and neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system; b) dermal pathologies, in particular dermal pathologies associated with an excessive keratinocyte proliferation, in particular psoriasis; and c) NGF-related pain. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer conjugate of K-252a and derivatives thereof, wherein the polymer is polyethylene glycol or methoxy-polyethylene glycol formula (I).
US08673343B2 Preparation and administration of jojoba product for reducing weight, fat and blood lipid levels and for the prevention and treatment of cancer
A method of orally administering jojoba for fat reduction, blood lipid reduction, and cancer prevention and treatment in humans is disclosed. The method incorporates a sufficient quantity of jojoba, defatted jojoba meal, jojoba extract, defatted jojoba meal extract, naturally derived or synthesized simmondsin, or any naturally derived or synthesized simmondsin derivative or analogue, including aglycon, or any mixture thereof into an individual's diet in the form of a food, dietary supplement, or drug to provide simmondsin component in an amount greater than 0.01% of one's total daily diet by weight, or 0.05 gram/day. The dosage amount and duration of the administration can vary to achieve and maintain one's desired body composition and blood lipid levels. The dosage and duration of administration are increased for cancer prevention and treatment.
US08673341B2 Intraocular pressure reduction with intracameral bimatoprost implants
The present invention provides a method of treating an ocular condition in an eye of a patient, comprising the step of placing a biodegradable intraocular implant in an eye of the patient, the implant comprising a prostamide and a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases drug at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the prostamide from the implant to provide an amount of the prostamide effective to prevent or reduce a symptom of an ocular condition of the eye, wherein said ocular condition is elevated IOP and said implant is placed in an intracameral location to dilate the outflow channels of the eye emanating from Schlemm's Canal.
US08673338B2 Methods of delivering pharmaceutical agents
Provided are methods of delivering at least one pharmaceutical agent to the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject, methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include forming a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject and administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto the SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of forming a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject, compositions for administration onto a SEM graft in the skull base or into an endonasal reservoir or endonasal reservoir device in a subject, and devices for administering such compositions onto a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject.
US08673337B2 Method of tissue repair using a composite material
A composite biocompatible hydrogel material includes a porous polymer matrix, the polymer matrix including a plurality of pores and providing a Young's modulus of at least 10 GPa. A calcium comprising salt is disposed in at least some of the pores. The porous polymer matrix can comprise cellulose, including bacterial cellulose. The composite can be used as a bone graft material. A method of tissue repair within the body of animals includes the steps of providing a composite biocompatible hydrogel material including a porous polymer matrix, the polymer matrix including a plurality of pores and providing a Young's modulus of at least 10 GPa, and inserting the hydrogel material into cartilage or bone tissue of an animal, wherein the hydrogel material supports cell colonization in vitro for autologous cell seeding.
US08673334B2 Stent coatings comprising hydrophilic additives
A coating for implantable medical devices and a method for fabricating thereof are disclosed. The coating includes a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer and a polymeric hydrophilic additive, wherein the hydrophobic polymer and the hydrophilic additive form a physically entangled or interpenetrating system.
US08673325B1 Cosmetic compositions comprising EPA and salicylic acid and methods of making and using same
The present disclosure is directed generally to cosmetic compositions comprising EPA free acid and salicylic acid. In some embodiments, the cosmetic compositions have a cosmetically acceptable odor.
US08673316B2 Avirulent, immunogenic flavivirus chimeras
Chimeric flaviviruses that are avirulent and immunogenic are provided. The chimeric viruses are constructed to contain amino acid mutations in the nonstructural viral proteins of a flavivirus. Chimeric viruses containing the attenuation-mutated nonstructural genes of the virus are used as a backbone into which the structural genes of a second flavivirus strain are inserted. These chimeric viruses elicit pronounced immunogenicity yet lack the accompanying clinical symptoms of viral disease. The attenuated chimeric viruses are effective as immunogens or vaccines and may be combined in a pharmaceutical composition to confer simultaneous immunity against several strains of pathogenic flaviviruses.
US08673314B2 Monoclonal antibodies against influenza virus generated by cyclical administration and uses thereof
Provided herein are methods of producing neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, by cyclical immunization, that cross-react with strains of Influenza virus of the same subtype or different subtypes. Also provided herein are compositions comprising such antibodies and methods of using such antibodies to diagnose, prevent or treat Influenza virus disease.
US08673308B2 Targeting of CD8+ T-lymphocytes to treat neurodegenerative diseases
Methods and therapeutic agents are disclosed for treating neurodegenerative disorders by depletion of CD8 positive T cells by using antibodies, FAb fragments of antibodies or similar agents that sequester, neutralize or deplete the CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.
US08673296B2 Method and composition for producing a cellular allogeneic vaccine
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a cellular allogeneic vaccine, which is based upon an allogeneic APC, comprising the following steps: isolation of an APC from a subject or providing an APC already established and/or isolated from a myeloid leukemia cell line, and modifying the APC with an antigen using any of the following methods: pulsing, transfection, infection or fusion; treatment using an agent capable of removing sialic acid on cell surfaces; and optionally culturing the APC in a suitable medium, an allogeneic vaccine obtainable by the above method, a composition comprising said vaccine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and therapeutic use of said vaccine or said composition.
US08673289B2 Attenuated uracil auxotroph of an apicomplexan and use thereof
Uracil auxotroph mutants of apicomplexans are provided which lack a functional carbamoyl phosphate synthase II (CPSII) enzyme. Also provided are T. gondii autoxtroph mutants which express exogenous antigens, and methods of protecting an animal against a T. gondii and non-T. gondii disease.
US08673288B2 Compositions and methods for inhibiting entry of a hepatic virus
The present invention embraces Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein antagonists and agents that inhibit hepatic virus infection for use in the prevention and treatment of a hepatic virus infection.
US08673284B2 Cosmetic compositions containing block copolymers, tackifiers and a selective solvent for hard blocks
A cosmetic composition containing at least one block copolymer having at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment, at least one tackifier component, at least one solvent capable of solubilizing the at least one hard segment, and optionally, at least one colorant, and wherein the at least one hard segment has a Tg value of about 50° C. or more and the at least one soft segment has a Tg value of about 20° C. or less.
US08673282B2 Cosmetic compositions containing block copolymers, tackifiers and a selective solvent for soft blocks
A cosmetic composition containing at least one block copolymer having at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment, at least one tackifier component, at least one solvent capable of solubilizing the soft segment, and optionally, at least one colorant, and wherein the at least one hard segment has a Tg of about 50° C. or more and the at least one soft segment has a Tg value of about 20° C. or less.
US08673277B2 Structured acrylate copolymer thickeners
Disclosed are multi-staged acrylic based core-shell polymers comprising a linear core polymer and at least one subsequently polymerized shell polymers is crosslinked. The core-shell polymers surprisingly provide desirable rheological, clarity, and aesthetic properties in aqueous surfactant containing compositions, particularly at low pH.
US08673274B2 Composition comprising pyrithione or a polyvalent metal salt of a pyrithione and furametpyr
The present invention relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of a pyrithione or a polyvalent metal salt of a pyrithione, an effective amount of furametpyr and an effective amount of a surfactant including a surfactant with an anionic functional group.
US08673269B2 Halogenated phenols for diagnostics, antioxidant protection and drug delivery
The present invention relates to a composition and method for the detection of a detectable product formed from a compound of the present invention in the body of an individual. The detectable product may include a halide or a benzenetriol-based or benzenetetrol-based product of a dehalogenation reaction in the presence of FROS. In many embodiments, an indigo-like product formed from an indigogenic compound of the present invention may also be a detectable product for diagnostic purposes. This indigo-like product may have a higher residence time in tissues where it is formed, thus providing a detectable product localized to sites of high FROS. An indigogenic compound containing one or more radioactive isotopes is further provided for therapeutic purposes.
US08673268B2 Molecular targets and compounds, and methods to identify the same, useful in the treatment of joint degenerative and inflammatory diseases
The application discloses methods for identifying and using compounds that inhibit extra-cellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation, using a polypeptide sequence including SEQ ID NO: 17-127 (hereinafter “TARGETS”) and fragments thereof, expression inhibitory agents such as antisense polynucleotide, a ribozyme, and a small interfering RNA (siRNA), comprising a nucleic acid sequence complementary to, or engineered from, a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17-127, useful in pharmaceutical compositions comprising said agent, for the treatment, or prevention, of chronic joint degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
US08673266B2 Polyvinyl alcohol microspheres, injectable solutions and therapeutic uses of the same
The present invention relates to microspheres useful for embolization which comprises polyvinylalcohol. The present invention also relates to an injectable suspension suitable for embolization which comprises the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. The present invention further relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic embolization which comprises administering to a mammal an injectable suspension containing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. Finally, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres.
US08673265B2 Carbonylporphyrins and uses thereof
The present invention is directed to low toxicity boronated compounds and methods for their use in the treatment, visualization, and diagnosis of tumors. More specifically, the present invention is directed to low toxicity carborane-containing porphyrin compounds with halide, amine, or nitro groups and methods for their use particularly in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), X-ray radiation therapy (XRT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of tumors of the brain, head and neck, and surrounding tissue. The invention is also directed to using these carborane-containing porphyrin compounds in methods of tumor imaging and/or diagnosis such as MRI, SPECT, or PET.
US08673261B2 Process for preparing magnetite (Fe3O4) and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to a process for preparing magnetite (Fe3O4) or derivatives thereof, comprising the steps: a) preparing an aqueous solution A of a Fe(III) salt, b) preparing an aqueous solution B of an iodide salt, c) mixing solutions A and B to obtain a first precipitate, d) separating the first precipitate to obtain a filtrate, e) hydrolyzing the filtrate obtained in step d) by adjusting the pH to about 8.5-9 or above, preferably 9, in order to obtain a second precipitate, and f) separating the second precipitate.
US08673254B2 Monocrystalline silicon carbide ingot, monocrystalline silicon carbide wafer and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a monocrystalline silicon carbide ingot containing a dopant element, wherein a maximum concentration of the dopant element is less than 5×1017 atoms/cm3 and the maximum concentration is 50 times or less than that of a minimum concentration of the dopant element. Also provided is a monocrystalline silicon carbide wafer made by cutting and polishing the monocrystalline silicon carbide ingot, wherein a electric resistivity at room temperature of the wafer is 5×103 Ωcm or more. Further provided is a method for manufacturing the monocrystalline silicon carbide including growing the monocrystalline silicon carbide on a seed crystal from a sublimation material by a sublimation method. The sublimation material includes a solid material containing a dopant element, and the specific surface of the solid material containing the dopant element is 0.5 m2/g or less.
US08673252B2 Biomimetic hydroxyapatite synthesis
A method for preparing nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles by combining an amount of a calcium ion source, which includes calcium acetate, and an amount of a phosphate ion source, wherein the amounts are sufficient to produce nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles and the amounts are combined under ambient conditions to produce the hydroxyapatite particles. Nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles are also presented.
US08673242B2 Over-torque resistant vial
An over-torque resistant vial and closure assembly includes a vial having an outwardly projecting rib that cooperates with a stop surface provided on a closure. When the closure is threadably coupled to the vial, the stop surface of the closure engages the outwardly projecting rib of the vial so as to prevent over-torquing of the closure onto the vial.
US08673234B2 Reactor vessel and liner
A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of passages extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. An attachment member extends outwards from the outer wall for securing the liner.
US08673223B1 Fan powered air freshener automobile visor clip
A portable powered air freshener includes an air displacement mechanism carried by a housing including a fan. A scent capsule is carried by the housing and has a chamber containing a fragrant material and a permeable membrane through which a fragrance of the fragrant material can permeate over time.
US08673220B2 Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods
Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator. The controller can be programmed with instructions that direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to focus the solar energy on the reaction zone when the solar energy is above a threshold level, and point to a location in the sky having relatively little radiant energy to cool an object when the solar energy is below the threshold level.
US08673210B2 Method for tracking the use of a medical apparatus
The method of the invention comprises the following steps: during the disinfection (A) of the apparatus, recording (1) with an acquisition and processing system the disinfection date and data relative to the apparatus disinfection type and level together with identification information of said apparatus; during the use (C) of the apparatus on a patient, recording (5) with said system the date and information concerning the apparatus type of use and the patient together with identification information of said apparatus; sequencing with the acquisition and processing system the information on the disinfection and use on a patient together with identification information of said apparatus; before each use, developing using the acquisition and processing system an instruction allowing or forbidding (6) the use of the apparatus based on the sequencing.
US08673209B2 Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt. % Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt. % Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt. % Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt. % Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The invention alloy is useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction. The invention alloy may be aged by 2 or 3 step practices while exceeding the SCC requirements for applications for which the invention alloy is primarily intended. The flexibility of the invention in this regard is useful for its application in multi-alloy or multi-material systems joined by welding or bonding and subsequently aged.
US08673208B2 Process and equipment for the production of direct reduced iron and/or pig iron from iron ores having a high-phosphorus content
A process and apparatus for refining iron from high-phosphorus content iron ores. The process involves mixing a high-phosphorus iron oxide ore and an alkaline solution of pH between about 12.5 and 13.5, screening the mixture by gravity to separate an alkaline-high-phosphorus solution from a low-phosphorus iron ore; and treating the low-phosphorus iron ore with lime and a natural gas.
US08673207B1 Porous ceramic honeycomb articles and methods for making the same
A porous ceramic honeycomb article comprising a honeycomb body formed from cordierite ceramic, wherein the honeycomb body has a porosity P %≧55% and a cell channel density CD≧150 cpsi. The porous channel walls have a wall thickness T, wherein (11+(300−CD)*0.03)≧T≧(8+(300−CD)*0.02), a median pore size ≦20 microns, and a pore size distribution with a d-factor of ≦0.35. The honeycomb body has a specific pore volume of VP≦0.22. The porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits a coated pressure drop increase of ≦8 kPa at a flow rate of 26.5 cubic feet per minute when coated with 100 g/L of a washcoat catalyst and loaded with 5 g/L of soot.
US08673204B2 Large returnable container, method and apparatus for molding the same, and blow mold with separate heating zones
A method of molding a large returnable container includes a heat treatment step for subjecting a thick preform formed of a polyester resin or a primary blow-molded article to intermediate blow molding with heating to obtain an intermediate molded article, and a final blow molding step that includes subjecting the intermediate molded article that has shrunk to final blow molding with heating to obtain a large returnable container. The heat treatment step includes disposing the preform or the primary blow-molded article in a heat treatment mold, and pressurizing the preform or the primary blow-molded article so that a shoulder and a body obtained by blow molding close contact to a cavity surface of the heat treatment mold, and are subjected to a heat treatment, the shoulder being heated at a low temperature as compared with the body.
US08673199B2 Method for producing an orthesis
The invention relates to an orthesis (2) comprising at least one plate-shaped part which is adapted to a body part (3). A deformable plate-shaped support (4) is provided with a curable material (5, 9) and, after adapting the shape of the support (4) by direct deformation onto the body part (3), the curable material (5, 9) present on the support (4) is cured in the shape of the support. The invention allows adaption of the orthesis to the body part (3) without production of a template.
US08673198B2 Method of making improved ballistic products
A method of making a ballistic resistant composite material having improved resistance to high energy rifle bullets and the like. The method comprises providing at least one fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity aramid fibers. The fibrous layer is coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. The coated fibrous layer is molded at a pressure of at least about 1,500 psi (10.3 MPa).Preferably, a plurality of fibrous layers are employed, each of which is formed from unidirectionally oriented aramid fibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane resin matrix. Adjacent fibrous layers are preferably oriented at 90° with respect to each other.
US08673194B2 Method for forming a connector for an implantable medical device
A connector assembly for an implantable medical device with hardware components placed in established physical locations within the polymer of the connector, and a method of making the assembly. One embodiment includes a method that involves forming a first shot, coupling at least one hardware component to the first shot to form a subassembly, placing the subassembly between a set of opposing areas of a mold, moving at least one of the areas of the set of opposed areas of the mold to constrain the subassembly within the mold, and introducing a second shot over at least a portion of the subassembly to form the connector.
US08673172B2 Latex accelerator composition
Accelerator composition for a rubber latex derived from a conjugated diene and optionally a vinyl aromatic comonomer including: (i) a diisopropyl xanthogen polysulphide (DIXP), (ii) an alkyldithiocarbamate wherein the alkyl chain contains from 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and (iii) diphenylguanidine (DPG), a curable aqueous synthetic rubber latex composition including said accelerator composition, a process for the water-based solvent-free manufacture of synthetic shaped synthetic elastomeric articles, prepared by using the accelerator composition.
US08673167B2 Laser processing method
A laser processing method for forming a hole in a sheet-like object to be processed made of silicon comprises a depression forming step of forming a depression in a part corresponding to the hole on a laser light entrance surface side of the object, the depression opening to the laser light entrance surface; a modified region forming step of forming a modified region along a part corresponding to the hole in the object by converging a laser light at the object after the depression forming step; and an etching step of anisotropically etching the object after the modified region forming step so as to advance the etching selectively along the modified region and form the hole in the object; wherein the modified region forming step exposes the modified region or a fracture extending from the modified region to an inner face of the depression.
US08673163B2 Method for fabricating thin sheets of glass
Fabrication of thin sheets of glass or other substrate material for use in devices such as touch sensor panels is disclosed. A pair of thick glass sheets, typically with thicknesses of 0.5 mm or greater each, may each be patterned with thin film on a surface, sealed together to form a sandwich with the patterned surfaces facing each other and spaced apart by removable spacers, either or both thinned on their outside surfaces to thicknesses of less than 0.5 mm each, and separated into two thin glass sheets. A single thick glass sheet, typically with a thickness of 0.5 mm or greater, may be patterned, covered with a protective layer over the pattern, thinned on its outside surface to a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, and the protective layer removed. This thinness of less than 0.5 mm may be accomplished using standard LCD equipment, despite the equipment having a sheet minimum thickness requirement of 0.5 mm.
US08673160B1 Electrical interconnect with improved corrosion resistance for a disk drive head suspension
An electrical interconnect and a method of making an electrical interconnect in which a conductor has been substantially plated with a first protective metal shell, such as nickel, and a second outer metal shell, such as gold, before a covercoat has been applied. Such an electrical interconnect can be characterized as having an even-thickness outer shell on both its terminal pads and underneath the covercoat adjacent to the terminal pads, without overhangs or gaps near the bottom of the covercoat caused by surface etching during production.
US08673159B2 Enhanced in-line rotary separator
Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including a rotatable drum having an inner drum wall and an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall to define a separation passage therebetween. The apparatus also includes radial separator blades that are curved in a circumferential direction and are disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the radial separator blades extending radially at least partially between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall. The apparatus further includes a first circumferential separator blade that is curved in a radial direction and is disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the first circumferential separator blade extending at least partially around the inner drum wall. The apparatus also includes a housing disposed around the drum and configured to receive a higher-density component of the fluid separated in the separation passage.
US08673153B2 Method and device for division of a biological sample by magnetic effect
A method for dividing an analyte present in a solution and that is fixed on magnetic particles, and devices to be used in the method and systems for implementing the method. The method includes sedimentation of the magnetic particles together with separation into a plurality of residues. One implementation: forms at least a residue of magnetic particles in a first receptacle; and displaces the at least the residues towards a plurality of second receptacles, preferably by relative translation of a magnetic system. The second receptacle is connected to the first receptacle through a fluid channel.
US08673146B2 Push filter with floating key lock
A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
US08673138B2 Fuel filter
A fuel filter includes a filter element disposed in a filter housing. The filter element is penetrated by fuel flowing in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end. The fuel filter has a first water separator and a smooth-flow second water separator disposed in series with and connected to the first water separator. Fuel is discharged from the second water separator by a pressure difference generated in the fuel filter.
US08673135B2 Coal liquefaction complex with minimal carbon dioxide emissions
The invention described herein relates to a novel process for reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from a coal and/or biomass liquefaction facility by utilizing a steam methane reformer unit in the complex designed to produce additional hydrogen which can be thereafter utilized in the process, as required for the plant fired heaters (including the SMR furnace), and for the production of plant steam. The plant light ends (C1, C2, etc.), which are normally utilized as fuel gas streams are the primary feeds to the SMR Unit along with the tail gas purge from a gasification complex within the facility.
US08673117B2 Degrading agent compositions for temporary wet strength systems in tissue products
A degrading agent composition for use in manufacturing a tissue product generally includes a degrading agent, a degradation inhibiting carrier, and a non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant stabilizes the viscosity of the composition as a function of time. The degrading agent composition can be used in combination with a temporary wet strength agent to produce a tissue product exhibiting high initial wet tensile strength and desirable decay properties. Processes for forming the tissue product and pumpable fluids containing the degrading agent composition are also disclosed.
US08673111B2 Plasma processing chamber for bevel edge processing
A process chamber includes a wafer support to mount a wafer to be processed in the process chamber, with the wafer having an annular edge exclusion area. A first electrically grounded ring extends in an annular path radially outward of the edge exclusion area and is electrically isolated from the wafer support. A second electrode is configured with a center area opposite to the wafer support. A second electrically grounded ring extends in an annular path radially outward of the second electrode and the edge exclusion area. The second electrically grounded ring is electrically isolated from the center area. An annular mount section has a DC bias ring, and the DC bias ring opposes the edge exclusion area when the wafer is present. A DC control circuit is provided for applying a DC voltage to the DC bias ring.
US08673108B2 Curable epoxy resin-based adhesive compositions
This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of epoxy-based adhesive composition with improved impact resistance and good adhesion to oily metal substrates.
US08673106B1 Methods and apparatus for forming molded thermal plastic polymer components
Apparatus and methods of forming a molded thermoplastic piece are provided. The molded thermoplastic piece can have an outer layer of one or more sheets of reinforced flexible thermoplastic and a porous layer, such as cork. The outer layer can a mechanical bond with the porous layer.
US08673103B2 Method of fabricating an armor panel
A fabricating method for an armor panel uses a template to position tiles on an adhesive surface. The template includes an L-shaped frame and cells having precise wall thickness. Tiles are fitted in the cells against the surface. The template is repeatedly repositioned so new tiles can be fitted into unoccupied cells to form a desired tile array. A border is placed around the array, forming a cavity. Resin is poured into the cavity. A back plate placed over the array presses against the resin. Excess resin exits the cavity through an interface between the border and the adhesive surface and through a gap between the back plate and border. After the resin cures the border is removed.
US08673101B2 Fiber reinforced rebar with shaped sections
A composite reinforcing bar is formed by providing a reinforcing material supply of fiber strands ravings; a resin supply bath, and a puller for pulling the resin-impregnated reinforcing material through the resin bath. The material is wound on a helical holder, while the resin remains unset, rotated about its axis on a drive system so that the material is wrapped the holder which is indexed along it axis and removed when full for curing the resin on the holder while the body remains wrapped thereon. The bar is wrapped with the turns side by side and is then stretched out and held by longitudinal straight bars while the reinforcing structure so formed is embedded in a cast material.
US08673100B2 Strip lined catheters and methods for constructing and processing strip lined catheters
Apparatus and methods are provided for making one or more tubular components of medical catheters or other tubular bodies using a strip of polymer material including a length, a width, and a first surface including a lubricious or other coating or surface modification. The strip is directed adjacent an elongate mandrel, such as beading, such that the length of the strip extends along the mandrel and the coating is disposed towards the mandrel. The strip is rolled at least partially around the mandrel such that the coating or surface modification is disposed inwardly towards the mandrel, and one or more strip-constrainment members are wrapped around the rolled strip. The directing, rolling, and wrapping steps may be substantially continuous to create one or more strip-mandrel-constrainment member subassemblies.
US08673099B2 Compressed inner covering hinged segmented stent-graft
An implantable prosthesis including a longitudinally compressed generally tubular substrate defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of expandable segments disposed over the substrate and spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, and a graft member positioned over the segments. The graft member may include a lattice structure. Adjacent expandable segments may be connected by one or more filaments.
US08673098B2 Method and apparatus for stretching segmented stretchable film and application of the segmented film to a moving web
An elastic material is cut, set to a product pitch, stretched a desired amount and applied to a moving target web to create a product with a desired amount of elasticity over a desired area. A vacuum wheel with an aggressive vacuum pattern is used for securing and stretching the stretchable film, the same type of wheel also capable of being used as a trim removal device.
US08673096B2 Method of fabricating pneumatic tire
A smooth resin film including an ultraviolet ray absorbing agent is pasted to an outer surface of a side portion of an unvulcanized tire, the unvulcanized tire is vulcanized and molded in a state of pasting the resin film, thereby, a pneumatic tire provided with the resin film at the outer surface of the tire side portion to be able to be exfoliated therefrom is fabricated.
US08673095B2 System and method for repairing a screen for use in the paper mill industry
A system and method for repairing a screen for use in the paper mill industry consists in using a small circular-shaped die or rotary cutter to cut through a multilayer wire. A first, small diameter punch die is used to cut through all of the damaged layers and then, each successive punch die is configured with a larger diameter and a flange that makes it go less deeply so that it cuts all but the bottom most damaged layer. The process is repeated for each layer with increasing diameter punch dies so that each hole is larger in diameter. In doing so, it is easy to reach the bottom most layer from the top, put in a patch and micro weld it and then move up to the next layer and still having room for the welding because of a larger hole still on the layer above it.
US08673090B2 Dishwasher
A water flow control device for an appliance includes a sump to collect water from a washtub, a supply passage to supply water from the sump to the washtub, a drain passage, coupled to the sump to discharge water; and a disposer to dispose contaminates in water from the sump. The disposer is in fluid communication with the drain passage but not the supply passage.
US08673087B2 Reducing copper defects during a wet chemical cleaning of exposed copper surfaces in a metallization layer of a semiconductor device
A method for treating a semiconductor device includes dissolving an inert gas species in a wet chemical cleaning solution and treating a material layer of a semiconductor device with the wet chemical cleaning solution in ambient atmosphere. The inert gas species is oversaturated in the wet chemical cleaning solution in the ambient atmosphere.
US08673085B2 Controlling method of dishwasher
A method for controlling a dishwasher including the steps of first determining a steam operation mode for washing dishes and second determining at least one of a motor rotation speed, a number of repetitions of a steam supply step, a steam washing pattern, and an amount of detergent based on the determined steam operation mode.
US08673081B2 High throughput multi-wafer epitaxial reactor
An epitaxial reactor enabling simultaneous deposition of thin films on a multiplicity of wafers is disclosed. During deposition, a number of wafers are contained within a wafer sleeve comprising a number of wafer carrier plates spaced closely apart to minimize the process volume. Process gases flow preferentially into the interior volume of the wafer sleeve, which is heated by one or more lamp modules. Purge gases flow outside the wafer sleeve within a reactor chamber to minimize deposition on the walls of the chamber. In addition, sequencing of the illumination of the individual lamps in the lamp module may further improve the linearity of variation in deposition rates within the wafer sleeve. To improve uniformity, the direction of process gas flow may be varied in a cross-flow configuration. Combining lamp sequencing with cross-flow processing in a multiple reactor system enables high throughput deposition with good film uniformities and efficient use of process gases.
US08673069B2 Processing bituminous mixtures for paving at reduced temperatures
Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55° C. lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives.
US08673065B2 Sintered fiber filter
Sintered fiber filters are provided that can afford high particle capture efficiency and/or low pressure drop during operation, and are useful in applications such as semiconductor processing. The shape of at least a portion of the individual fibers (e.g., metal fibers) used to make the filter have a three-dimensional aspect, which allows for a low packing density and high porosity filtration media. Certain filters have a cylindrical or tube-like shape with tapered ends of higher density. Methods of making such filters, for example, using axial pressing, are also described.
US08673060B2 Composite H2O absorber for sealed medical devices
There are described composite absorbers for sealed medical devices, which comprise an active species dispersed in a polymeric matrix having an H2O transmission comprised between 0.05 g mm −2 d−1 and 5.4 g mm m−2 d−1 at 25° C. and 100% RH, and a method for H2O removal from the sealed medical devices by means of said composite absorbers.
US08673057B2 Zeolite DDR membranes
DDR nanocrystals of uniform size and structure were synthesized using hydrothermal secondary growth and then used to make DDR zeolite membranes and for any other use where uniform, small DDR zeolite crystals are beneficial.
US08673052B2 Process for preparing tantalum powder for capacitors
The present invention provides a process for preparing a tantalum powder with high specific capacity, which process comprising the steps of, in sequence, (1) a first reduction step: mixing tantalum oxide powder and a first reducing agent powder homogenously, and then carrying out reduction reaction in hydrogen and/or inert gas or vacuum atmosphere to obtain a tantalum suboxides powder; (2) a second reduction step: mixing the tantalum suboxides powder obtained from the step (1), in which impurities have been removed, and a second reducing agent powder homogenously, and then carrying out reduction reaction in hydrogen and/or inert gas or vacuum atmosphere to obtain a tantalum powder having high oxygen content; (3) a third reduction step: mixing the tantalum powder having high oxygen content obtained from the step (2), in which impurities have been removed, with a third reducing agent powder homogenously, and then carrying out reduction reaction in hydrogen and/or inert gas or vacuum atmosphere to obtain a tantalum metal powder suitable for capacitors; wherein after each reduction step, the oxidation product of reducing agent and the residual reducing agent are removed from the reaction product.
US08673051B2 Manufacturing and applications of metal powders and alloys
The present invention is directed to a method of manufacture of metal or alloy powders that uses liquid phase reduction of a metal halide, or a mixture of metal halides, to produce a metal particle coated in salts produced as a reaction byproduct. The reaction conditions can be chosen to select a range of metal particle sizes, and the salt coating prevents oxidation (or reaction with other atmospheric gases) and permits a range of applications hitherto difficult to achieve using metal powders.
US08673047B2 Process for producing foamed slag
A process and material for producing foamed slag by which the foaming of a slag with a high chromium oxide content can be achieved. An electric arc furnace is charged with a mixture of metal oxides and carbon and, below the slag at the metal-slag interface, the metal oxide is reduced by carbon and limestone and becomes thermally discordant. The occurring gases cause the slag to foam due to the formation of bubbles.
US08673044B2 Process for producing aluminum titanate-based ceramics body
The invention is to provide a process for producing an aluminum titanate-based ceramics body, wherein, as a regenerated starting material, a fired body recovered in a production process for an aluminum titanate-based ceramics body is used and the aluminum titanate-based ceramics body excellent in a mechanical strength and in a thermal characteristics such as low thermal expansion and heat resistance can be obtained. The invention provides a process for producing an aluminum titanate-based ceramics body using a fired ceramics body recovered in a production process for an aluminum titanate-based ceramics body, comprising the following steps: a step of preparing a pulverized product having a median particle diameter of 100 μm or less from the fired ceramics body; a step of preparing a regenerated clay containing the pulverized product and water; a step of shaping the regenerated clay to form a shaped body; and a step of firing the shaped body.
US08673042B2 Filter element and filter device
A filter element may include an annular filter body and an internal support frame. The filter body may be supported radially on the inside of the internal support frame. At least one end disk may be disposed at the filter body and the internal support frame. The end disk may have a central disk opening and a radial seal arranged coaxially to the disk opening. The internal support frame may have a plurality of radial centering elements distributed in the circumferential direction. The frame may be projected inwardly and extends to a radial end on the inside at an inner wall of the end disk. The inner wall may enclose the disk opening.
US08673038B2 Gas cleaning separator
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08673037B2 Air filter with balanced seal
An air filter and dust collector are provided. In one embodiment, the air filter includes a filter element coupled at a first end to a end cap and at a second end to a first side of a rectangular filter flange assembly. The rectangular filter flange assembly includes a central aperture open to an interior region bounded by the filter element. A rectangular gasket is disposed on the second side of the filter flange assembly and circumscribes the central aperture.
US08673031B2 Pretreated densified biomass products
A product comprising at least one densified biomass particulate of a given mass having no added binder and comprised of a plurality of lignin-coated plant biomass fibers is provided, wherein the at least one densified biomass particulate has an intrinsic density substantially equivalent to a binder-containing densified biomass particulate of the same given mass and h a substantially smooth, non-flakey outer surface. Methods for using and making the product are also described.
US08673028B2 Method of producing biodiesel from a wet biomass
A method of producing a biodiesel from a wet biomass is provided. The method includes providing the wet biomass that includes water and biomass solids. The method also includes heating the wet biomass at a first temperature and a first pressure for a time period ranging from 10 to 480 minutes to form an aqueous solution and a solid agglomerate containing a hydrolyzed lipid component. The method also includes step of transesterifying the hydrolyzed lipid component to form biodiesel.
US08673013B2 Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement
Disclosed are methods and devices for implanting an orthopedic device between skeletal segments, such as vertebrae, using limited surgical dissection. The implanted devices are used to adjust and maintain the spatial relationships of adjacent bones. The implanted device can be, for example, an artificial disc, a fusion cage or any other appropriate device for implantation between skeletal segments.
US08673009B2 Spinal prosthesis and facet joint prosthesis
A lumbar disc prosthesis is provided including a first member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a recessed portion on an opposing surface thereof; a second member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a protruding portion on an opposing surface thereof. The protruding portion of the second member engages with the recessed portion of the first member in use. A facet joint prosthesis is provided, including a first member for attachment to a first posterior lumbar disc in use and a second member for attachment to a second posterior lumbar disc in use, where at least a part of the first member is telescopically mounted in at least a part of the second member in use.
US08673005B1 System and methods for spinal fusion
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites, in particular into the thoracic region of the spine.
US08673002B2 Medical tools for facilitating keratoplasty and related methods
Systems, devices and methods for performing small incision DLEK include providing a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft; then forming the tissue graft into an implantable configuration using the flexible substrate. Related medical kits and tools for forming a compact or rolled donor tissue graft are also described.
US08672996B2 Self-expanding medical device
The invention relates to a helical coil comprising multiple reversing sense helical coil units that are capable of drug elution, come in lengths appropriate for long, diffuse lesions, have the ability to have a step-wise tapering diameter, and provide all the benefits of a small closed cell stent design while maintaining high flexibility, high radial force and crush resistance due to an underlying helical coil.
US08672992B2 Stent and stent-graft having one or more conformance struts
A stent includes a main body having proximal and distal ends, and at least one conformance strut coupled to the proximal end of the main body. A portion of the at least one conformance strut extends proximal to a proximal end of a graft material in a compressed delivery configuration, and further is aligned inside the proximal end of the graft material in an expanded deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the proximal conformance strut may at least partially encircle the graft material just distal to the proximal end of the graft material, which may reduce the likelihood of infolding at the proximal edge of the graft material and potential endoleaks.
US08672980B2 Implant retaining device
There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided.
US08672976B2 Intervertebral implant devices and methods for insertion thereof
An implant device is provided that is configured for implantation at multiple locations between adjacent vertebrae. The implant device comprises an implant body, a first portion of the implant body, and a second portion of the implant body adjustably interconnected with the first portion. The implant body has a compact orientation and an extended orientation to allow the implant body to be shifted from one orientation to the other orientation for being positioned in any one of areas between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, between laminar regions of the adjacent vertebrae, spanning an opening in the annulus between the adjacent vertebrae, and in the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae.
US08672971B2 Chiropractic table apparatus and method of use
A chiropractic table has a base, a table support member connected to the base and extending upward from the base, an axial-lateral-tilt mechanism laterally connected to table support member, a cephalad section connected transversely to and being supported by the table support member above the base, a head section connected to and extending longitudinally from a first cephalad section end of the cephalad section, and a caudal section interconnected with the axial-lateral-tilt mechanism and the table support member and being positioned longitudinally adjacent a second cephalad section end of the cephalad section where the axial-lateral-tilt mechanism has an axial pivot mechanism configured to axially swing the caudal section along a predefined arc, the arc coinciding with a predefined radial distance from a pivot axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chiropractic table and located a predefined distance above a top surface of the chiropractic table.
US08672969B2 Fracture fixation device
Assemblies for securing fractured bone are provided. The assembly includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an adjustable flexible member construct. The first fixation element having a male or a female sleeve is secured within a first portion of the fractured bone. The second fixation element having the other of the male or female sleeve telescopically received within the one of the male or female sleeve is secured within a second portion of the fractured bone. The adjustable flexible member construct extends between the first and second fixation elements and has at least one adjustable loop coupled to the first fixation element and the second fixation element and a pair of adjusting ends extending through an opening in the first fixation element. The pair of adjusting ends can be pulled to reduce a diameter of the adjustable loop and to compress fragments of the fractured bone.
US08672962B2 Permanent magnet lancing device
A lancing device and a method for using the lancing device includes a plunger mechanism having a permanent magnet housed therein. The lancing device includes a movable element having at least one attracting object and at least one repelling object. The attracting object attracts the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a retracted position. The repelling object repels the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a lancing position to pierce the skin of a test subject. The use of the permanent magnet in the plunger mechanism reduces or eliminates multiple punctures due to plunger bounce or oscillation that can occur while a body fluid sample is being drawn.
US08672955B2 Medical suturing device
The present invention provides a medical suturing device structured with a retrieval puncturing needle formed with through-hole; a retrieval member able to be inserted through through-hole; an insertion puncture needle formed with through-hole; a hollow tube that can be inserted through insertion through-hole, and the distal tip of which is formed into a deformable bent portion; and a suture that can be inserted through the inside of hollow tube. The retrieval member is structured with an annular engagement member that can be deformed into a straight shape, a rod member that is connected to annular engagement member, and a grip that is provided with a mark. The mark is furnished on hollow tube, such that when retrieval puncturing needle and insertion puncture needle are in a condition where mark and mark are facing each other, the upper supporter and lower supporter can be detachably attached.
US08672954B2 Piercing implement particularly useful as a medical implement for piercing body tissue, and method of using such implement for applying a suture to the body tissue
An implement, particularly useful as a medical implement for applying a suture to a body tissue, includes a handle and shaft formed with a pair of channels extending from the proximal end of the handle through the distal end of the shaft and through a pair of jaws carried at the distal end of the shaft. The pair of channels converge towards each other to a cross-over point, and then diverging away from each other where existing at the distal end of the shaft. The channels are dimensioned to enable a piercing instrument to be passed first through one of the channels to pierce the body with a first bore, and then through the other of the channels to pierce the body with the second bore, such that the two bores have entry ends precisely spaced a predetermined distance from each other, and exit ends precisely spaced a larger predetermined distance from each other.
US08672952B2 Close-wound coil and medical treatment tool using this coil
A medical treatment tool is provided having: a force transmission member having a distal end and a proximal end; an end effector which is provided on the distal end of the force transmission member in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the force transmission member; a control wire which is inserted into the force transmission member; and a rotatable coupling which is provided between the end effector and the control wire, and is coupled rotatably to the end effector with respect to the control wire.
US08672945B2 Device for positioning a bone cutting guide
A device for positioning a cutting guide with respect to a bone comprising a body forming the cutting guide or intended to be fixed to the cutting guide; a least two contact members intended to freely contact the bone; and adjustment means for individually varying the relative position of the body with respect to each contact member.
US08672939B2 Surgical device for performing an electrosurgical procedure
An electrosurgical forceps includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The handle is selectively movable to actuate a pair of first and second opposable jaw members pivotably connected to each other at a distal end of the shaft. The jaw members are moveable from an open position to a closed position and are each adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A first linkage is disposed at least partially within the shaft and is operably coupled between the first jaw member and a second linkage disposed proximal to the first linkage. Selective movement of the handle rotates the second linkage in a first direction, thereby rotating the first linkage in an opposite second direction to move the jaw members between the open and closed positions. In some embodiments, the jaw members are configured in a releasably locked configuration when in the closed position.
US08672935B2 Ultrasound treatment system
An ultrasound treatment system comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece, a probe, a sheath, a clamping member, an operation unit, an operating member, a suction base, and a perfusion base. The ultrasonic transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The handpiece has the ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein. The probe is connected to the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to a distal member realizing a stationary portion that is a treatment portion for treating a living tissue. The sheath serves as a protecting member for shielding the probe. The clamping member is opposed to the distal member at the distal end of the sheath for clamping a living tissue in cooperation with the distal member. The operation unit is manipulated for clamping a living tissue with the clamping member and distal member or freeing the living tissue therefrom.
US08672928B2 Medical suction device
A medical device for fragmenting objects and aspirating remaining debris enables a physician or other medical personnel quickly and easily remove objects, such as kidney stones, from a patient. The medical device can include a dual-lumen elongated member and a handle coupled to the elongated member. A first one of the lumens provides a suction passageway, and a second one of the lumens receives a laser fiber for delivering laser energy to an object, such as a kidney stone, within the patient. The handle can include a positioning mechanism to enable the physician by manual manipulation to move and hold in place the laser fiber longitudinally within the second lumen.
US08672927B2 Laser applicator
A laser applicator includes an optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding. The cladding contains openings (40) for coupling radiative energy outward. To accomplish an even distribution of energy, the size of the opening increases from the proximal end to the distal end. The openings (40) are combined into groups (45), with the number of openings within a group varying. The openings (40) are of a uniform size so that the area of decoupling (13) can be produced in a simple manner.
US08672923B2 Automated probe placement device
A probe includes a handle and an elongated shaft with proximal and distal ends. The elongated shaft includes a plurality of axial holding tube projections to house a corresponding plurality of measurement probes. The probe further includes an actuation system to operably engage each of the plurality of measurement probes to permit selective actuation thereof. Each of the plurality of measurement probes is capable of being advanced distally relative to the handle in response to the actuation thereof. The plurality of measurement probes measure one or more parameters selected from a group consisting of temperature, physiological pressure, conductivity, aquametry, pH level, and oxygen level.
US08672910B1 Male incontinence aid
An external urinary incontinence aid in the form of a pelvic floor support sling has three components. A belt or girdle encircles the patient at or above the waist. An X-shaped elastic cross strap has hook/loop fastener strips at its ends to attach removably to the outer surface of the girdle, and hook/loop material at the crossing or intersection. A pressure block or pad is attached removably to the crossing portion of the cross strap, and presses against the perineum or pelvic floor, applying pressure to occlude the urethra and prevent or reduce involuntary leakage.
US08672907B2 Drainable ostomy pouch
A drainable ostomy pouch is disclosed having generally parallel sidewalls of flexible sheet material joined along their edges to define a chamber therebetween and having a downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening for draining the contents from the chamber. The neck portion of the pouch has first and second transversely extending curved spring members associated therewith and is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly. The first curved spring member is located nearer the discharge opening than the second curved spring member and each of the curved spring members is curved smoothly and outwardly relative to the neck portion. The curved spring members are located relative to one another so the first curved spring member nearer the discharge opening nests with the second curved spring member when the neck portion has been folded upwardly and can be secured using a two-part fastening system during use of the drainable ostomy pouch.
US08672905B2 Wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids
The subject of the invention is a wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids, comprising at least one first fluid-absorbing structure (1; 10; 36), which is surrounded by a liquid-permeable, first enclosure (2),and a liquid-permeable, second enclosure (3) comprising two enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2). The wound care article is thus characterized in that the first enclosure (2) is covered or supported on at least one of its flat sides (4.1, 4.2) by at least one fluid-absorbing material layer (6.1, 6.2; 6.3), which is arranged (FIG. 1a) between the first enclosure (2) and one of the enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2) of the second enclosure (3).
US08672902B2 Pen needle assembly for preventing under-torquing and over-torquing of pen needle
A pen needle hub and cover for a pen needle assembly that provides tactile and/or audible indicia of proper attachment between the hub of the pen needle and the pen is provided. Such indicia substantially prevent under- and over-torquing of the pen needle. The tactile indicia may include a user sensing a wave of a torque of peak value followed by a torque of lesser value.
US08672897B2 Medical delivery system comprising locking ring with L-shaped grooves
A medical delivery system (100) comprising a container (102) which is adapted to be fastened to a dosing assembly (104). One of the container and the dosing assembly comprises a rotatable element (106) adapted to cooperate with the other one of the container and the dosing assembly, so as to lock/fasten the container to the dosing assembly. Furthermore, the present application relates to a container and a dosing assembly for use in the medical delivery system.
US08672896B2 Inner housing for a drug delivery device
A dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device is disclosed. The mechanism comprises an outer housing and an inner housing having an external groove. The inner housing guides a driver to dispense a set dose. A dial sleeve is disposed between the outer and inner housing and is rotatably engaged with the inner housing. When a dose is set, the dial sleeve is rotated and translates away from both the outer housing and the inner housing.
US08672889B2 Soft tissue tunneling device
A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The handle of the tunneling device can be adapted to receive a syringe or another type of fluid source. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed. The tunneling device can be configured to prevent or reduce relative rotation or other movement between the shaft and the sheath. The shaft may be malleable for custom-shaping the tunneling device prior to and/or during delivery.
US08672884B2 Method and apparatus for peritoneal hypothermia and/or resuscitation
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for introducing fluids into a body cavity for hypothermic, resuscitative, or other treatment. One embodiment provides an apparatus for introducing fluids into a peritoneal cavity comprising an access device for insertion into subcutaneous tissue, an infusion member and an advancement member. The access device includes a lumen, a proximal end, a tissue penetrating distal end and a stop for controlling the depth of the distal end into tissue. The infusion member includes an infusion lumen, a removal lumen and at least one sensor and is advanceable from a lumen of the access device into the peritoneal cavity. The advancement member is removably positionable in an infusion member lumen and has sufficient column strength to advance the infusion member tip through abdominal wall tissue into the peritoneal cavity. When the advancement member is removed, the infusion member tip is substantially atraumatic.
US08672883B2 Fluid delivery device and methods
A fluid delivery device includes a cartridge and a syringe. The cartridge includes a housing and a stopper positioned within a fluid chamber defined by the housing. The syringe includes a needle, and an outer body and an inner core which cooperate to receive at least a portion of the housing. When the fluid delivery device is in a first configuration, at least a portion of the cartridge is positioned within the syringe and the stopper is connected to the inner core. In a second configuration, a lumen defined by the needle is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The inner core and stopper are movable distally relative to the outer body and needle as the fluid delivery device is transitioned from the first to the second configuration. In a third configuration, the cartridge and syringe cooperate to disable the fluid delivery device.
US08672880B2 Remotely controlled catheter insertion system
A remotely controlled insertion system for a medical device is described. The system comprises a robotic device and a remote control mechanism. The robotic device has a handle controller to receive and hold the control handle or proximal end of a medical device. The medical device is capable of moving in up to six ranges of motion. In one embodiment a first motor is connected through a drive screw to a handle controller to move the medical device forward and backward. A second motor is connected to drive wheels effective to rotate the medical device clockwise and counter-clockwise. A third motor drives a series of gears that are connected to one or more control members on the medical device, this being effective to deflect a tip of the medical device so that movement of the third motor causes such deflection. A control unit is connected to all three motors.
US08672874B2 Communication protocol that supports pass-thru communication
A private extension of the IEEE 11073 standard for enabling pass-thru communication between a external computing device and a medical device via a diabetes management device is disclosed herein. Within this context, a diabetes management system for configured to allow pass thru communication is described. The system includes a diabetes management device in communication with a external computing device and the first medical device. A pass-thru module of the diabetes management device uses a set of pass-thru commands for establishing a pass-thru communication path and enabling communication between the external computing device and the first medical device, and wherein the set of pass-through commands is defined in compliance with a communication protocol defined in accordance with IEEE standard 11073-20601.
US08672873B2 Medicine delivery device having detachable pressure sensing unit
A fluid medicament delivery device includes a patient attachment unit and a separate indicator unit. The patient attachment unit includes a housing and a fluid channel located therein, wherein at least a portion of the fluid channel includes a flexible member substantially coterminous with the housing. The separate indicator unit is adapted to be detachably coupled to the housing of the patient attachment unit and includes a first sensing element for contacting the flexible member when the indicator unit is coupled to the housing to sense a flexure of the flexible member.
US08672869B2 Kit, system and method of treating myeloma patients
Circulating free lambda and kappa free light chains in blood play a role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure due to myeloma. Coupled plasma filtration and adsorption allows separation of plasma from blood and treatment of the plasma through a cartridge containing a sorbent or resin material, such as hydrophobic divinylbenzene styrenic resins having an average bead diameter of 75 microns, an average pore diameter of 30 nm, and a surface area of 700 m2/g. Lambda and kappa free light chain concentrations progressively decrease during coupled plasma filtration and adsorption treatment resulting in significant reductions by the end of the treatment.
US08672863B2 Device and method for examining a body lumen
A system and method for indicating transferability of a non-dissolvable target in-vivo device through the GI tract are described. The in vivo system includes a dissolvable in-vivo device which has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured.
US08672859B2 Biopsy forceps assemblies
Embodiments of the invention include devices for obtaining tissue including a proximal actuator and a distal assembly having first and second end effectors. The first and second end effectors include the features of at least one element within the inner surface either of the first and second end effectors for aiding in the capture and retention of a targeted tissue sample.
US08672855B2 Methods and systems that monitor for an impending myocardial infarction
Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring for an impending myocardial infarction. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume is obtained. Such a signal can be a photoplethysmography signal or an impedance plethysmography signal. For each of a plurality of periods of time, a metric indicative of the areas under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal is determined. An impending myocardial infarction is monitored for based on changes in the metric indicative of the area under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal, and an alert and/or therapy is triggered in response to an impending myocardial infarction being predicted.
US08672854B2 System for calibrating a PTT-based blood pressure measurement using arm height
The invention provides a system and method for measuring vital signs (e.g. SYS, DIA, SpO2, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and motion (e.g. activity level, posture, degree of motion, and arm height) from a patient. The system features: (i) first and second sensors configured to independently generate time-dependent waveforms indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; and (ii) at least three motion-detecting sensors positioned on the forearm, upper arm, and a body location other than the forearm or upper arm of the patient. Each motion-detecting sensor generates at least one time-dependent motion waveform indicative of motion of the location on the patient's body to which it is affixed. A processing component, typically worn on the patient's body and featuring a microprocessor, receives the time-dependent waveforms generated by the different sensors and processes them to determine: (i) a pulse transit time calculated using a time difference between features in two separate time-dependent waveforms, (ii) a blood pressure value calculated from the time difference, and (iii) a motion parameter calculated from at least one motion waveform.
US08672851B1 Ocular ultrasound based assessment device and related methods
A three-dimensional ultrasound based assessment device includes a housing having a front end, a back end, and a cavity. An ultrasonic transducer assembly can be mounted to a ball joint which is, in turn, pivotably (pitch, roll, yaw) coupled to a socket proximate the front end. A resilient or elastic sheath retains pieces forming the socket under elastic compression, with the ball pivotally retained therein. A drive assembly positioned proximate a tail or end of a stem that extends from the ball joint may be operated to sweep the ball and ultrasonic transducer. A simple interface provides at least one of a number, text, graphic, color or symbol as a visual indicator indicative of at least one of a measurement of an anatomical structure or a comparison of the measurement of the anatomical structure with a reference, without providing images of the anatomical structure.
US08672850B1 Focusing of a two-dimensional array to perform four-dimensional imaging
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for focusing a two dimensional phased array to perform four dimensional ultrasonic imaging. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide an ultrasonic imaging system comprising: a transducer configured to emit ultrasonic beams and detect reflected ultrasonic beams; a transmitter configured to transmit a first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and transmit a second ultrasonic beam that has a quadrature relationship to the first ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; a receiver configured to acquire a first acoustic line based on a reflected first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and acquire a second acoustic line based on a reflected second ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; and a beamformer configured to combine acoustic lines acquired by a receiver to create a beam pattern.
US08672846B2 Continuous transmit focusing method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging system
In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location.
US08672845B2 Systems and methods for processing analyte sensor data
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for processing sensor data, including calculating a rate of change of sensor data and/or determining an acceptability of sensor or reference data.
US08672844B2 Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08672836B2 Method and apparatus for continuous guidance of endoscopy
Methods and apparatus provide continuous guidance of endoscopy during a live procedure. A data-set based on 3D image data is pre-computed including reference information representative of a predefined route through a body organ to a final destination. A plurality of live real endoscopic (RE) images are displayed as an operator maneuvers an endoscope within the body organ. A registration and tracking algorithm registers the data-set to one or more of the RE images and continuously maintains the registration as the endoscope is locally maneuvered. Additional information related to the final destination is then presented enabling the endoscope operator to decide on a final maneuver for the procedure. The reference information may include 3D organ surfaces, 3D routes through an organ system, or 3D regions of interest (ROIs), as well as a virtual endoscopic (VE) image generated from the precomputed data-set. The preferred method includes the step of superimposing one or both of the 3D routes and ROIs on one or both of the RE and VE images. The 3D organ surfaces and routes may correspond to the surfaces and paths of a tracheobronchial airway tree extracted, for example, from 3D MDCT images of the chest.
US08672833B2 Side looking minimally invasive surgery instrument assembly
Two surgical instruments are inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instruments exit at an intermediate position of the guide tube and are oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as they exit. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.
US08672824B2 Process and equipment for folding a pant type diaper
A method and apparatus for folding and engaging side panels of a training pant are provided. The training pant comprises a leading portion, a trailing portion, a central portion, and a first pair of side panels and a second pair of side panels attached to the central portion. The central portion of the training pant is folded about a transverse axis to form a folded training pant. Portions of the first pair of side panels and second pair of side panels are engaged while the central portion of the folded training pant is received by at least one recessed seat. The at least one recessed seat is located on at least one of a first belt and a second belt of a conveyance system.
US08672822B2 Carton, carton blank and associated methodology
A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer.
US08672816B2 Dumbbells and barbells with improved attachments
A weight lifting system includes a handle bar and two weight plates. The handle bar is made of a first material and is attached to the two weight plates by inserting each of two ends of the handle bar in a hole in each of the two weight plates, wherein at least one of the two weight plates comprises a center portion made of a second material and a peripheral portion made of a third material, wherein the third material is different from both the first material and the second material, wherein the center portion comprises the hole, in which one of the two ends of the handle bar is inserted, and the center portion is welded to the handle bar.
US08672800B2 Carrier
A carrier is implemented which is capable of reducing the number of parts and the number of bonding steps. The carrier includes a pair of holding members that hold from both sides in an axial direction L a pinion shaft supporting a pinion gear. A first holding member as one of the pair of holding members includes a coupling portion extending in the axial direction L toward a second holding member as the other holding member. The second holding member is a disc-like member, and has an external outer peripheral gear integrally formed in its outer peripheral portion. The coupling portion is bonded to a coupling bonding portion provided on a radially inner side R1 of the outer peripheral gear in the second holding member.
US08672799B2 Rotary units, rotary mechanisms, and related applications
The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.
US08672792B2 Speed increasing/decreasing apparatus
A first rotary shaft and a second rotary are rotatable around a rotation axis. The second rotary shaft has a cylindrical supporting part that covers an end section of the first rotary shaft. A case supports the first and second rotary shafts. A first rolling bearing is disposed between the first rotary shaft and the case and rotatably supports the first rotary shaft. A second rolling bearing is disposed between the supporting part and the first rotary shaft and supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that they are rotatable relative to each other. A transmission part of the second rotary shaft transmits to the second rolling bearing a preload force that pushes the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft side. A load-receiving part of the case receives the preload force transmitted from the second rolling bearing to the first rolling bearing.
US08672791B2 Hybrid driving apparatus
The present invention provides a first one-way clutch 23 is disposed to prevent an input shaft 3 from rotating in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of an engine 2, a first oil pump 24 is connected to an input shaft 3, a second oil pump 25 is connected to a motor generator 4 arranged adjacent to the input shaft 3 on a collinear diagram of two motor generators 4 and 5, and between the second oil pump 25 and the motor generator 4 connected to the second oil pump 25, a second one-way clutch 26 is disposed to transmit the rotation of the second oil pump 25 only when the motor generator 4 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the input shaft 3.
US08672786B2 Inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system with reduced meshing impact
An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (σ), the link plate entrance angle Beta (β), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (σ), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (β) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 7.7 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49 P≦ICD≦0.53 P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (σ) is controlled such that σ≦34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (β) is controlled such that β≦9°. For certain alternative chain and/or sprocket configurations, σ≦33° and β≦9°, or σ≦31° and β≦7°.
US08672783B2 Sports ball
Surface panels of a sports ball are arranged to facilitate bending of their outer peripheral edge portions into an arc, without reducing strength of an elastic member, to define a groove at a seam between adjacent panels. Panels are adhered through the elastic members to a body defining a ball core with high adhesion strength. The panels have sheet material backed by an elastic member, each panel having an arched portion formed by bending inwardly an outer peripheral edge portion of each panel with a radius of curvature more than the thickness of the panel, after formation of many apertures in an inner peripheral edge portion of the elastic member. Lower edges of the arched portions of adjacent panels abut each other. A groove is defined at seams between adjacent panels, and the panels are adhered to a ball core body by adhering the elastic members to the body.
US08672769B2 Supporting system for a mast
A supporting system for a mast, for example for a swing carousel, includes stabilizing vehicles which each include a chassis, sets of wheels for moving the stabilizing vehicle, coupling elements near one end of the chassis, and at least one stabilizing arm which is displaceable between an inoperative position in which the stabilizing arm is swung in and a swung-out position in which the stabilizing arm extends outwards with respect to the chassis. At their free ends, the stabilizing arms each have a support for stabilizing the stabilizing vehicle on the ground in the swung-out position of the stabilizing arm. A base is provided for the mast, which base includes complementary coupling elements situated opposite one another, one complementary coupling element of which is coupled to the coupling element of a stabilizing vehicle and the other complementary coupling element of which is coupled to the coupling element of another stabilizing vehicle.
US08672755B2 Sports net with socks
A net or barrier has strategically located pocket(s) attached to the net over holes(s) in the net/barrier in order to catch a ball or projectile that passes through the hole(s). A computer-assisted method displays information, more particularly advertisement, onto a net or barrier. The computer-assisted display is viewable by a TV or video audience.
US08672754B2 System and method for number of players determined using facial recognition
There is provided a system and method for determining a number of players present using facial recognition. There is provided a method comprising capturing an image of the players present, and determining the number of players present based on the image. In this manner, players may more easily configure game settings, whereas spectators may be presented a more engaging experience.
US08672747B2 Method and apparatus for providing a time based award
A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
US08672729B2 Wheel polishing rotary stand
A device for polishing wheels of truck or cars without removing the valve or the tire of the wheel. The device comprises three parts: a rotative assembly fixed to a stand subject to an angular movement and housed upon a pendulum in extension. The rotative assembly includes a motor connected to a primary speed reducer 10:1 linked to a second speed reducer 60:1 fixed to a jaw turning at an average speed of 3 rpm, on which a wheel is positioned. The device is auto lubricating when a relative orientation of one reducer with respect to the other at 15° allows to maintain oil level in a critical reducer to prevent friction of mobile part inside the critical reducer. The pendulum possesses a pair of wheels to permit the displacement of the assembly on the ground while an actuator located on the pendulum causes the angular movement of the stand.
US08672714B2 HDMI audio-video signal switching device
An HDMI audio-video signal switching device comprises two housing bodies and a conductively connecting circuit board. Each of the housing bodies has an assembling end and a plugged end. The conductively connecting circuit board is a circuit board formed, at each end thereof corresponding to a positioning slot of each housing body, with a plugging projection sheet. Each plugging projection sheet has conductively connecting terminals. A portion of the conductively connecting circuit board between the two plugging projection sheets is set in the positioning slot, such that each plugging projection sheet and conductively connecting terminals thereon are allowed to pass through the positioning slot and then extend into a plugged hole, as well as the assembling ends of the two housing bodies are allowed to be butted and assembled together. Thereby, a more simplified structure is introduced for the HDMI audio-video signal switching device.
US08672709B2 High density jack
The present disclosure provides for electrical connectors or jack assemblies/housings for use in voice/data communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member. The present disclosure provides for improved systems/designs for jack assemblies/housings that are easily secured and/or unsecured to or from a jack panel or jack faceplate. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for convenient, low-cost and effective systems and methods for easily securing and/or unsecuring jack assemblies/housings to or from a jack panel/faceplate (e.g., in the field) by utilizing advantageous modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member, and related assemblies.
US08672697B2 Connector
A connector to be detachably fitted with a connecting object such as a flexible printed circuit board or flexible flat cable, includes a plurality of contacts each having a contact portion adapted to contact the connecting object, a housing arranging and holding therein the contacts and having a fitting opening into which the connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member rotatably or pivotally mounted on the housing. According to the invention, an auxiliary member having an engaging unit for engaging the pivoting member is mounted on the pivoting member at its predetermined position. With the aid of the auxiliary member, the pivoting member can be easily rotated or pivotally moved.
US08672683B2 Computer-based abacus training system
A computer-based abacus training system is provided. The system can include a simulated abacus display, means for outputting problems to be solved by a user, means for accepting input from the user, and means for checking the user's solution. Display can be of a simulated abacus, simulated hand movements, or both. Conversion between text-form and abacus-form representations can be included.
US08672677B1 Dental tray
A dental tray for use in taking an impression of a person's teeth is provided. More particularly, the dental tray includes a first section having a longitudinal axis and a second section sized and shaped so as to be mounted at least partially within the first section. The first and second sections are sized and shaped so as to define a trough therebetween for receiving an impression-taking material. The second section is adapted to move relative to the first section in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first section. The second section has at least one member movable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction in response to the movement of the second section in the first direction.
US08672667B2 Electrically insulative structure having holes for feedthroughs
Forming feedthrough device comprising an electrically insulative structure having holes extending there through. The holes have disposed therein conductive members around which the electrically insulative structure is hermetically sealed.
US08672665B2 Vacuum bag with integral fluid transfer conduits and seals for resin transfer and other processes
Disclosed are fluid transfer and evacuation structures formed in a vacuum bag operable for use in vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, debulking, compaction, or similar processes. A reusable vacuum bag can be provided including an elastomeric membrane having a preform-contact surface and at least one textured surface formed in the elastomeric membrane. The textured surface can define a fluid transfer channel. At least one fluid extraction port can be provided in communication with the fluid transfer channel, the fluid extraction port being adapted for engagement to a vacuum pump to remove fluids from the fluid transfer channel. The textured surface defining the fluid transfer channel can be adapted to permit the flow of fluids between the elastomeric membrane and a base mold in communication with the elastomeric membrane when the fluid extraction port is engaged to a vacuum pump.
US08672664B2 Apparatus for molding cooked rice
Provided is a food molding apparatus which performs all steps from forming to conveyance and storage in one housing and which is small in size and inexpensive. A conveyance section 500 which holds a formed cooked rice product (a rice ball 10) by use of holding arms 510 is provided, within a housing, with an X-axis moving unit 570 which moves the formed cooked rice product in an X-axis direction and a Z-axis moving unit 550 which moves the formed cooked rice product in a Z-axis direction. A storage section 600 provided with a tray 610 on which the rice ball 10 is to be placed is further provided, within the housing, a Y-axis moving unit 630 which moves the tray 610 in a Y-axis direction, whereby the rice balls 10 are spread over on the tray 610.
US08672657B2 Double gear pump with improved bearings
In a double gear pump that is provided with a drive gear; two driven gears that are oppositely arranged with the drive gear therebetween, a first bearing that supports a drive shaft of the drive gear; and a second and a third bearings that support rotating shafts of the two driven gears, the bearing length of the first bearing is formed shorter than the bearing lengths of the second and third bearings. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a double gear pump that is capable of easily and reliably reducing the bearing loss of a bearing that support a gear.
US08672656B2 Progressing cavity pump/motor
A progressing cavity pump/motor (10) includes a stator housing (12), a polymeric layer (14), and a rotor (16). A plurality of axially extending grooves (24) are formed in the interior surface of the stator housing for receiving polymeric material therein. At least one seal gland (46) adjacent an end of the polymeric layer maintains sealing between the stator housing and the polymeric layer.
US08672646B2 Scroll compressor
A scroll compressor has an electric motor portion, a compression mechanism portion connected to the electric motor portion, and an oil sump for lubricating oil in a sealed container and compresses a refrigerant in the compression mechanism portion. A used refrigerant is a halogenated hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon having a carbon double bond in the composition or is a mixture containing one of the same. A sliding surface of at least one of two components constituting a sliding portion having a relation of sliding to each other in a sealed container is structured in such a way that an iron metal or an aluminum metal is not directly exposed.
US08672645B2 Separation type pneumatic dual partition membrane pump and external pneumatic control valve thereof
The present invention relates to a separation type pneumatic dual partition membrane pump, which comprises a pump body and an external pneumatic control valve which is separately installed. Through the operation of the external pneumatic control valve, the main shaft of the pump body and the valve rod of the external pneumatic control valve are reciprocally moved, and the two partition membranes respectively generate stretch and compress motions for changing the volume of each liquid room in the pump body so as to perform the pump stroke and the liquid suction stroke to the liquid.
US08672642B2 System and method for starting a compressor
A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.
US08672640B2 Fan rotation speed control system and method
A fan rotation speed control system for controlling rotation speed of a fan is provided. The system has: a fan rotation speed controller, coupled to the fan, for receiving a signal value to produce a driving voltage to the fan and detecting an actual rotation speed of the fan; and a master controller, coupled to the fan rotation speed controller, for providing the signal value and recalculating the signal value by comparing the actual rotation speed with a target rotation speed.
US08672639B2 Bilge pump and method
A vacuum assisted bilge pump small enough for the crowded spaces below decks in the engine and pump room of a boat which can also function as a transfer pump, a crash pump and a fire extinguisher. The pump comprises two chambers and is internally configured to aid in the separation of gas and liquid increasing pump throughput.
US08672637B2 Air turbine starter turbine blade airfoil
A blade profile section for an Air Turbine Starter includes an airfoil which defines an airfoil profile section through a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil profile section is defined by a set of X-coordinates and Y-coordinates defined in any of Table I, Table II, Table III or Table IV scaled by a desired factor. The X-coordinate is the tangential direction, the Y-coordinate is the axial direction, and the Z-coordinate is a radial direction between an airfoil root and an airfoil tip.
US08672632B2 Back-up featherer
A back-up featherer is provided for an engine arrangement having a main hydraulic actuator which angularly displaces propellers of a propeller assembly of the engine arrangement. The back-up featherer has a back-up hydraulic actuator for angular displacement of the propellers, the back-up hydraulic actuator rotating with the propeller assembly. The back-up featherer further has one or more back-up fluid supply lines for transferring hydraulic fluid between a hydraulic pressure power source located on a static structure of the engine arrangement and the back-up hydraulic actuator. The back-up featherer further has a back-up hydraulic rotating coupling, the back-up fluid supply lines fluidly communicating with the back-up hydraulic actuator via the back-up rotating coupling. A static side of the back-up hydraulic rotating coupling is mounted to the static structure of the engine arrangement, and a rotating side of the back-up hydraulic rotating coupling rotates with the propeller assembly.
US08672630B2 Annular turbine ring rotor
A fan-turbine rotor assembly includes one or more turbine ring rotors. Each turbine ring rotor is cast as a single integral annular ring. By forming the turbine as one or more rings, leakage between adjacent blade platforms is minimized which increases engine efficiency. Assembly of the turbine ring rotors to the diffuser ring includes axial installation and radial locking of each turbine ring rotor.
US08672629B2 Cooling of the tip of a blade
A turbine blade including an open cavity at its distal tip, the cavity being defined by a bottom wall and a side wall extending along the perimeter of the distal tip in an extension of the upper and lower walls of the blade, the side wall of the cavity including an opening in a vicinity of the leading edge of the blade opening into the cavity. A deflector extends at least in the middle portion of the cavity between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
US08672627B2 On-blade actuator for helicopter rotor blade control flaps
A helicopter rotor blade having a blade body that defines a confined space and a control flap that is secured to the blade body that moves through a range of motion. An electric machine is secured inside of the rotor blade body that rotates a motor shaft. A transmission device is secured to the motor shaft and the control flap that transfers rotary motion of the motor shaft to the control flap to generate movement of the control flap through its range of motion. The transmission device remains substantially within the confined space throughout the range of motion.
US08672625B2 Wind turbine with monitoring sensors
A vibration-resistant wind turbine and process for operation is provided. The wind turbine has a rotor with at least two blades, each of which includes an inclinometer arrangement with at least two axes, and an evaluating unit. The evaluating unit determines the bending and/or twisting of the blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade on the basis of signals from the inclinometer arrangement for each blade during operation. Each rotor blade further has at least one liquid tank which is capable of receiving or transferring liquid from or to a liquid reservoir via a transfer mechanism in response to the determined bending and/or twisting of the rotor blades to reduce vibration caused by imbalances, thereby extending the service life of the wind turbine.
US08672621B2 Welded structural flats on cases to eliminate nozzles
A casing assembly for a compressor where traditional inlet and discharge nozzles are replaced with a mounting surface created from weld filler or weld material applied to the outside surface of a casing. The weld material and a portion of the outside surface of the casing are cooperatively milled to create a generally planar or flat surface having a casing conduit centrally-disposed therein. A flange may then be coupled to the flat surface for the inlet or discharge of a process gas.
US08672620B2 Air turbine starter turbine nozzle airfoil
A vane profile section for an Air Turbine Starter includes an airfoil which defines an airfoil profile section through a leading edge and a trailing edge, the airfoil profile section defined by a set of X-coordinates and Y-coordinates.
US08672618B2 Multi-vane variable stator unit of a fluid flow machine
A fluid flow machine has a main flow path which is confined by a hub (3) and a casing (2) and in which at least one row of variable stator vanes (1) is arranged. The stator vanes (1) are rotatably borne around a rotary axis 4. On at least one of the hub (3) and the casing (2), at least one arrangement with at least two stator vanes (1) connected to a common rotary base (5) is provided, such that the at least two stator vanes (1) are rotatable around the rotary axis (4) when this multi-vane variable stator unit is varied.
US08672616B2 Guide blade carrier
A stator blade carrier, particularly for a gas turbine, is provided. The stator blade carrier includes a number of axial segments and is intended to attain a particularly high degree of operational reliability and long service life. To this end, two neighboring axial segments are connected to a number of tie rods, each enclosed by a support tube, wherein a spherical disk is arranged on at least one end of the respective support tube and mounted in a conical socket supported on the respective axial segment.
US08672606B2 Gas turbine engine and system for servicing a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having first annular connection structure at a forward end portion of an air inlet housing of the compressor. The gas turbine engine may also include intake ducting having second annular connection structure adjacent a central passage of the intake ducting. The first annular connection structure and the second annular connection structure may form at least part of an interface between the air inlet housing and the intake ducting during operation of the gas turbine engine. The first and second annular connection structures may have shapes allowing the first annular connection structure to be moved through and beyond the second annular connection structure in a forward direction, the forward direction being opposite a direction of compressed air flow in the compressor during operation.
US08672592B2 Milling collet having pull-out preventer for retaining a fluted milling tool
A pull-out preventer and milling collet that includes the pull-out preventer. The pull-out preventer is configured to prevent axial migration of a fluted milling tool out of the milling collet. The milling collet includes a through-hole extending from a rear-end aperture to an opposing cutting-end aperture of a basic body thereof. The pull-out preventer is located at the cutting-end aperture of the basic body.
US08672591B2 Pressure-medium-controlled countersinking tool
A pressure medium controlled countersinking tool with one or more chip-removing knives, which can be activated by feeding in a pressure medium, in which for activation of at least one knife this is flowed in by a control medium.
US08672584B2 Drainage beads
Polystyrene drainage beads having optimized shapes to provide increased specific gravity and void volume at a given bulk density. Expanded forms of such drainage beads may be used as a geosynthetic aggregate in pre-assembled drainage units. Such pre-assembled drainage units may be used as foundation drains, septic drainage fields, or for other applications.
US08672578B2 Luminescent paving stone in the form of an artificial stone or natural stone
The invention relates to a luminescent paving stone in the form of an artificial stone or a natural stone, having at least one self-sufficient luminescent element (22) and a stone body (20). The stone body (20) comprises at least one recess (24) extending from a top side (54) to a bottom side (56) and designed for receiving a luminescent element (22). The luminescent element (22) receives electrical components (36), in particular a photovoltaic cell (38), a charge store (40), a control device (42), and a luminous element (44), and has a length no greater than the depth of the recess (24). The recess (24) has a perforated wall, and a peripheral gap (58) is formed between the perforated wall and the side wall, in which an adhesive mass (26) is present.
US08672576B2 Ball joint
Disclosed is a ball joint, the ball joint capable of preventing damage due to interference between parts even when the ball joint is tilted at a maximum angle and guaranteeing operational reliability, and including a spherical ball stud, a shaft coupled to a side of the ball stud, a holder having a seat portion to surround an outer circumference of the ball stud, and an elastic portion protruding upwards from the holder, having on an inner circumference thereof an inclined surface to limit a tilting angle of a portion of the shaft adjacent to the ball stud, and undergoing elastic deformation when the shaft is tilted at a maximum angle, so that the elastic portion absorbs shock when the ball joint is rotated to the maximum, thus preventing damage or removal of parts.
US08672569B2 Platen roller fixing structure and printer
A platen roller fixing structure includes a platen roller; a spring; a spring supporting part supporting the spring; a print head; a platen roller receiving part configured to receive the platen roller; and a spring receiving part configured to receive the spring. The platen roller, the spring, and the spring supporting part are provided on one of a body part and a movable part of a printer. The movable part is rotatably connected to the body part. The print head, the platen roller receiving part, and the spring receiving part are provided on the other one of the body part and the movable part. When the movable part is closed relative to the body part, the spring receiving part comes into contact with the spring to cause the spring to press the platen roller against the platen roller receiving part.
US08672560B2 Hermaphroditic optical fiber ferrule
The invention pertains to an optical coupling method and apparatus in which the connectors are hermaphroditic and each connector comprises a ferrule that provides (1) the coarse alignment of the fibers, (2) the fine alignment of the fibers, and (3) the releasable latching of two such ferrules to each other. Hence, two such ferrules can be used to connect optical fibers without the need for connector housings. The ferrule of this system includes an alignment protrusion and a complementary alignment hole on the front face of the ferrule for providing the fine alignment. Coarse alignment is provided by longitudinally-directed protrusions extending forwardly of the front face, and recesses in the ferrule that are complementary to the protrusion such that two such ferrules can be mated to each other with the protrusions of one such ferrule fitting snugly within the recesses of the other such ferrule. A releasable latching mechanism is provided on one or more of the protrusions and its complementary recess, such as a bump on one of the protrusion and recess and a mating divot on the other.
US08672551B2 Sliding bearing for internal combustion engines
A sliding bearing supporting a crankshaft journal portion of an internal combustion engine includes a semi-cylindrical bearing half provided with a circumferential oil groove on its inner surface. The circumferential oil groove has an open groove end at least at one of its two circumferential ends, one end being in the rotational direction of the crankshaft. The other cylindrical bearing half has at least one circumferential local groove on its inner circumferential surface with an open groove end at a second circumferential end directed in the opposite direction to the relative rotational direction of the crankshaft. The circumferential oil groove and the local circumferential groove are in fluid communication at a region where groove bottom of the local circumferential groove deviates toward the sliding bearing from another groove bottom of the circumferential groove. An axial groove is formed along a contact interface between the first and second circumferential ends.
US08672539B2 Multiple sensor fiber optic sensing system
A multiple sensor fiber optic sensing system. A method of sensing distributed temperature and at least another property in a well includes the steps of: interconnecting an optical switch to an optical fiber which extends along a wellbore in the well; operating the optical switch to optically connect the optical fiber to an interferometric measurement system; and operating the optical switch to optically connect the optical fiber to a distributed temperature measurement system. Another method includes the steps of: installing an optical fiber along a wellbore in the well, the optical fiber being a first distributed temperature sensor, the installing step including providing a substantial length of the optical fiber proximate a second sensor which senses the well property; and calibrating the second sensor using a temperature sensed by the first sensor in the substantial length of the optical fiber.
US08672518B2 Low profile light and accessory kit for the same
A luminaire includes a heat spreader; a heat sink; an LED light source; a power supply; an electrical supply line having a first end connected to the power supply, and a second end connected to a plug-in connector; and, an optic securely retained relative to the heat spreader or heat sink. An accessory kit includes a first pre-wired jumper including a pair of insulated electrical wires having a first plug-in connector electrically connected at one end and an Edison base electrically connected at the other end; and/or, a second pre-wired jumper including a pair of insulated electrical wires having a second plug-in connector electrically connected at one end and unconnected wire ends at the other end. The plug-in connector of the first pre-wired jumper and the second pre-wired jumper are each configured to electrically engage with the plug-in connector of the electrical supply line.
US08672514B2 Reflective variable spot size lighting devices and systems
In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The inner and outer reflectors are coupled for axial movement relative to one another to change the flood spread of the light exiting the lighting system.
US08672513B2 Method of using light striping for fire rescue navigation
The present invention provides a method of using a laser lighting apparatus for fire rescue navigation in a smoke-filled structure. The laser lighting apparatus is portably carried at a user's body and directly operated by the user to perform the steps of turning the laser lighting apparatus on to output one or more coherent light planes; projecting the one or more coherent light planes on objects in the smoke-filled structure to produce one or more light stripes on surfaces of the objects; and identifying the objects in the smoke-filled structure from the one or more light stripes.
US08672510B1 Method and apparatus for diagnosing and repairing faults in a series-connected lamp string
A method and apparatus for detecting and repairing any number of faulty lamp assemblies in a substantially series-connected lamp string, typically used for holiday decoration. The apparatus comprises a pair of probes fashioned to temporarily penetrate the insulation of lamp connecting wire on either side of a number of lamps thus bridging such lamps either directly or via a current limiting means. The methods of use of such apparatus provide a minimal number of separate tests for determining the faulty lamp assemblies and/or providing a more intuitive method for special circumstances.
US08672509B2 Method, system and apparatus for highly controlled light distribution from light fixture using multiple light sources (LEDs)
An apparatus, method, or system of lighting units comprising a plurality of lighting elements, such as one or more LEDs, each element having an associated optic which is individually positionable. In embodiments of the present invention, one or more optics are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, method, or system of lighting herein makes it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of inventoried optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns, a small set of individual optics would be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas.
US08672506B2 Solar candle light insert module
A decorative lighting device that provides a solar powered light insert module that is adaptable to a wide variety of tubular decorative lightshades. More specifically, the solar powered lighting insert of the present invention provides a solar powered lighting fixture having one or more light emitting diodes, which flicker so as to emulate the light of a candle flame. The housing is designed so as to be slideably coupled with a wide variety of decorative votive candle lightshades.
US08672498B2 Optical assembly, backlight unit and display apparatus thereof
The present invention relates to an optical assembly, a backlight unit, and a display apparatus thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical assembly includes a first layer, a plurality of light sources disposed over the first layer, a second layer that is disposed above the first layer and covering the plurality of light sources, and a pattern layer disposed above or in the second layer, wherein the pattern layer includes a plurality of patterns disposed at positions substantially corresponding to the light sources.
US08672496B2 Socket supported disco mirror ball
A mirror ball adapted to engage the socket of a ceiling mounted electric light fixture in order to be suspended and powered therefrom. A tubular stem having a proximal portion threaded in the manner of an Edision screw is provided extending downward from the fixture to a lower base. A lightweight mirrored sphere or globe having a void through its (vertical) polar axis is rotatably engaged on the stem and retained in place by the lower base which houses power systems, a controller and a motor engaged to an annular gear at the lower pole of the mirrored sphere in order to slowly rotate the globe. A power supply is used to reduce line voltage to 12 v DC to drive the motor and operate one or more LED lighting elements directed at the mirrored surface and mounted at the ends of one or more arms radiating from the lower housing.
US08672493B2 Display device and optical film
A display device and an optical film are disclosed which can protect the moth-eye structure while maintaining low reflectance. A display device is provided, which comprises an anti-reflection film including a moth-eye structure and a peelable protective film, wherein the protective film covers the moth-eye structure and is attached to a flat portion of the display device, the flat portion being flatter than the moth-eye structure. The flat portion suitably corresponds to the substrate and/or a region free of the moth-eye structure on the anti-reflection film, in a display panel.
US08672492B2 Optical film and method for manufacturing the same, antiglare film, polarizer with optical layer, and display apparatus
An optical film includes a base member and an optical layer provided on the base member. The optical layer has an irregular shape on a surface thereof, and the irregular shape is obtained by applying a coating material containing fine particles and a resin onto the base member, distributing the fine particles densely in some regions and sparsely in other regions by convection that occurs in the coating material, and curing the coating material. The resin contains 3% by weight or more and 20% by weight or less of a polymer, the fine particles are organic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less, a ratio ((D/T)×100) of the average particle diameter D of the fine particles to an average film thickness T of the optical layer is 20% or more and 70% or less, and a transmitted image clarity value measured with an optical comb having a width of 0.125 mm is 45 or more.
US08672491B2 Eyeguard with automatic diaphragm
An eyeguard for use on the eye-end of an optical instrument is provided having an instrument-end member adapted for connection to the optical instrument, an eye-end member adapted to interface with the periocular portion of the user's face, a hinge member disposed between the instrument-end and eye-end members having two flexible annular hinges, and a diaphragm comprising a plurality of segments attached to the interior of the hinge member between the annular hinges. The force of the user's eye pressing the eye-end member toward the instrument-end member deforms the annular hinges such that the normally closed diaphragm segments move to an open position, allowing light to pass through the eyeguard.
US08672485B2 Illuminating unit and display apparatus including the same
An illuminating unit and a display apparatus including the illuminating unit are provided. The illuminating unit generates and emits light to a display element of the display apparatus, and includes a light source; a uniformizing unit which uniformizes light from the light source and includes a plurality of uniformizing lenses arranged on an optical path; a condensing unit which condenses light from the uniformizing unit to emit the light to the display element and includes a plurality of condensing lenses sequentially arranged on the optical path, and the uniformizing unit and the condensing unit are arranged based on a width of one of a plurality of cell lenses forming the uniformizing lens and a width of an image displayed in the display element.
US08672483B2 Method for adjusting color
A method for adjusting color, suitable for a three dimension (3D) projector, is provided. In the present invention, a plurality of segment ranges of a color wheel is covered one by one, and it is measured a color temperature corresponding to the color wheel after each of the segment ranges is covered. Then, each of the color temperatures is compared with a standard color temperature for choosing one of the color temperatures closest to the standard color temperature. And the segment range corresponding to the color temperatures closest to the standard color temperature is regarded as a correctional covering segment.
US08672475B2 Silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses, when hydrated, have a plurality of depressions on one or more of the lens surfaces. The depressions have a depth less than 1 micrometer, or less than 100 nanometers. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses have not been subject to treatment with plasma. Methods of manufacturing the silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also disclosed.
US08672472B2 Means for controlling the progression of myopia
A contact lens (10) for use in controlling or retarding the progression of myopia in an eye has a central optical zone (20) approximating the normal diameter of the pupil of the eye (22) that gives clear central vision at distance for the wearer. An annular peripheral optical zone 24 that is substantially outside the diameter of the pupil is formed around the central optical zone (20) with greater refractive power than that of the central zone (22) so that oblique rays entering the eye through the peripheral optical zone (24) will be brought to focus at a focal plane that is substantially on or anterior to the peripheral region of the retina. Preferably, the rear surface (16) of the lens is shaped to conform to the cornea of the eye and the front surface (18) of the lens (10) is shaped to provide—in conjunction with the rear surface (16)—the desired optical properties of the central and peripheral optical zones. The front surface (18) is also preferably contoured to form a smooth transition (30) between the junction of the central optical zone (20) and the peripheral optical zone (24), with or without designed optical properties such as progressive power.
US08672470B2 Method for sensing remaining life in a drum maintenance unit
A method implemented in an imaging device senses the remaining life of a drum maintenance system in the imaging device. The method includes detecting a buoyant member, which is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from an end cap of a reservoir in a reservoir of the DMU, reaching a predetermined position in the reservoir and then updating an estimate of the remaining release agent in the reservoir with reference to a total media area and total inked area.
US08672468B2 Printing apparatus, line printer and method for printing
A printing apparatus includes a head section having a nozzle row being configured to emit photocurable ink onto a target and an irradiating section configured to irradiate the target, a moving section configured to move the head section with respect to the target for printing, and a controller configured to carry out control so as to emit the photocurable ink from the nozzles onto an image forming area of the target and to irradiate the photocurable ink having impacted on the image forming area from the irradiation section. The controller controls irradiation energy of the light that the irradiation section irradiates the image forming area with so that irradiation energy of the light that an edge area of the image forming area is irradiated with is smaller than irradiation energy of the light that an area of the image forming area adjacent to the edge area is irradiated with.
US08672460B2 Systems and methods for transporting particles
Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
US08672454B2 Ink printhead having ceramic nozzle plate defining movable portions
An inkjet printhead includes a ceramic nozzle plate having a plurality of movable portions defined therein and a polymeric material covering the nozzle plate and the plurality of movable portions.
US08672445B2 Capping device
A capping device for an ink jet print head includes a base configured to receive an ink jet print head and a cap assembly attached to the base. The cap assembly is configured for sliding movement with respect to the base to provide a closed position of the cap assembly when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the sliding direction. The cover includes a rigid mating surface configured to engage a surface of the print head adjacent the nozzles.