Abstract: A side outer panel of a vehicle having an outer surface including an outer surface edge. The outer surface edge has a predetermined curved path that provides a styling shape to add an aesthetic element to the side outer panel. The side outer panel further includes a mounting portion integrally formed thereto. The mounting portion provides a structure for attaching the side outer panel to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting portion includes a planar surface spaced apart from the outer surface and a step disposed between the outer surface edge and the planar surface. The planar surface at least one flange extending orthogonally therefrom to define a welding surface for welding the side outer panel to the body thereby providing structural reinforcement to the outer surface edge of the side outer panel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 5, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey Brian Wolbert, David Takeo Nakayama, Nigel Christopher Taylor
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for regulating blood pressure in a subject which include administering a first induction stimulus effective to sensitize brainstem baroreflex neurons of a subject for a period of time in the range of about 10-15 hours thereby producing an enhanced baroreflex in the subject, wherein the enhanced baroreflex is characterized in that a threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration, the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration or both the threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration and the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration. An induction stimulus has diminished effectiveness to sensitize neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the subject in the presence of an NMDA receptor antagonist.
Abstract: A mechanical output generating assembly including housing having a fluid filled interior and defining a passageway through which travels a buoyant article. A reload mechanism is secured to the housing for successively introducing a plurality of buoyant article into a bottom feed location associated with the housing. The buoyant articles exert a lift generating force to drive a power take off component incorporated into the housing. A re-supply mechanism is provided for transferring buoyant articles from an upper exit location of the housing to the reload mechanism for subsequent re-introduction into the housing.
Abstract: An electrode material having carbon and sulfur is provided. The carbon is in the form of a porous matrix having nanoporosity and the sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity of the carbon matrix. The carbon matrix can have a volume of nanoporosity between 10 and 99%. In addition, the sulfur can occupy between 5 to 99% of the nanoporosity. A portion of the carbon structure that is only partially filled with the sulfur remains vacant allowing electrolyte egress. In some instances, the nanoporosity has nanopores and nanochannels with an average diameter between 1 nanometer and 999 nanometers. The sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity using liquid transport or other mechanisms providing a material having intimate contact between the electronically conductive carbon structure and the electroactive sulfur.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 11, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignees:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of Waterloo
Inventors:
Kimber L. Stamm, Monique N. Richard, Linda F. Nazar, Xiulei Ji, Kyu-Tae Lee
Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of RSV disease by modulating RSV infection and immunity. In particular, amino acid sequences in the RSV G glycoprotein, containing the chemokine motif defined as C-X-X-X-C (or CX3C), are identified that are essential in causing RSV infection and disease. The chemokine motif is biologically active and participates in virus binding to and infection of susceptible cells. The prevention or treatment of RSV infection is achieved by interfering with the motif, such as by administering a vaccine in which the motif is altered or by administration or induction of blocking molecules that inhibit the biological activity of the motif.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 26, 2005
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignee:
PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
Inventors:
Ralph A. Tripp, Les Jones, Larry J. Anderson
Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.
Abstract: A multi-position rotary detent assembly operable to selectively retain a first component and a second component in a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position is provided. The detent assembly includes a first biasing assembly urging the first component into the first position. A cam plate is disposed opposite a guide pin assembly and has a cam path having a first detent feature and at least one intermediate detent feature. The guide pin is configured to engage the cam plate and is movable along the cam path. The first component is in the first position when the guide pin engages the first detent feature, is placed in an intermediate position when the guide pin engages a corresponding intermediate detent feature, and is urged into in the second position when disengaged from the cam path.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: Methods of assaying enzyme-mediated oxidative demethylation are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes combining, under reaction conditions, an oxidative demethylation enzyme, a substrate for the oxidative demethylation enzyme and a formaldehyde detection reagent. Detection of fluorescence is indicative of formaldehyde generated by oxidative demethylation of the substrate by the enzyme, the fluorescence resulting from reaction of formaldehyde and the formaldehyde detection reagent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignee:
Arbor Assays, LLC
Inventors:
Russell Hart, Barbara Scheuer, Raymond Trievel
Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method of measuring a grounding current of a photovoltaic power system incorporating a photovoltaic inverter, a measurement current being led through two shunts (Rs1, Rs2) disposed at different points, the measurement current being a current that may flow alternatively at two different points at different electric potentials, the current flowing at a potential that differs by at least 50 V from the potential of the point of evaluation, the shunts (Rs1, Rs2) being inserted in such a manner in a current mirror circuit that the voltage drop caused by the measurement in the shunts generates an asymmetry in the current mirror the magnitude of which is proportional to the measurement current, and the measurement current being the grounding current of the photovoltaic power system with optional positive or negative pole grounding.
Abstract: An assembly and related process for mass producing a resin coated article including an input line transporting a plurality of inserts and an output line removing the resin coated articles. One or more mold supporting and closed loop conveyor lines extend between the input and output lines, the conveyor line including a mold assembly line and an empty mold return line. A first lift and transfer mechanism communicates between the input line and mold assembly line for collecting, in succession, an insert and an upper mold half for installation with a lower mold half supported upon the assembly line. A mixing and dispensing station communicates with each mold in succession to fill an interior thereof with a viscous and curable resin material.
Abstract: A safety device for measuring and indicating the level of a ladder having rungs extending between a pair of elongated ladder rails, the safety device comprising a housing dimensioned to be inserted into one of the rungs of the ladder, an electronic sensor disposed in the housing, a controller disposed in the housing, which is in electronical communication with the sensor, at least one indicator, and a power supply for supplying power to the device. The electronic sensor measures the inclination of the ladder to produce a measured inclination which the controller compares to a stored predetermined level value to produce a comparison signal. The at least one indicator receives the comparison signal and indicates to the user the comparison signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 9, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Inventors:
Peter Simeonov, Hongwei Hsiao, John Powers
Abstract: A trim panel assembly which provides support for the interior panels during a heat staking process, even when the interior panels overlap an outer panel, is provided. The trim panel assembly includes a first support boss extending from an inner surface and an outer surface which is adjacent a weld horn backing plate during the heat staking process. A second panel includes an outwardly extending elongated stud extending from an inner surface, and a support boss extending from an outer surface. An accessory panel having an aperture is aligned with the second panel such that the elongated stud passes through the aperture. During the heat staking process pressure is applied to the stud of the second panel which is supported by the weld horn backing plate through the contact between the support boss of the first panel and the boss of the second panel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 24, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew Frank Parkinson, Robert Charles Steinbrecher
Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprised of a plurality of series connected photovoltaic cells disposed upon a substrate is fabricated utilizing thin film device techniques. A body of photovoltaic stock material comprised of an electrically conductive substrate having at least a bottom electrode layer, a body of photovoltaic material, and a top electrode layer supported thereupon is patterned so as to define a number of individual, electrically isolated photovoltaic cells and a number of electrically isolated connection zones. The connection zones are patterned to each include a portion of the bottom electrode material and are configured so that the bottom electrode material in each segment of the connection zone is exposed, and is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode portion of a particular cell.
Abstract: Prefabricated, steel framed, rectangular building modules are joined in groups to form multi-unit residences, or commercial or institutional buildings. The modules are disposed in rectangular groups abutting one another so as to form a central rectangular core bounded by the units. Utilities are connected to each module through the core. Multiple story buildings are formed by similar groups having cores aligned vertically. Alternating stories are rotated relative to one another about the central core axis to produce cantilevered structures.
Abstract: A process for making a solid component out of recycled paint sludge is provided. The process can include providing a paint sludge and providing a second material. Thereafter, the paint sludge and the second material are mixed to produce a paint sludge-second material mixture. The paint sludge-second material mixture is processed in order to produce a polymer containing precursor. The processing can include granulating or densifying the paint sludge-second material mixture. After the precursor has been produced, it can be placed within a molding machine and a solid component is molded. The molding machine can be an injection molding machine, an extrusion molding machine or a blow molding machine.
Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor of a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a dual actuated lever mechanism operable by movement of a seat back from a seated position to a stowed position or the actuation of a handle. The lever mechanism engages with a locking mechanism such that when the lever mechanism is in a first position a first lock locks the upper rails to the lower rails when the seat assembly is in the seated position. When the lever mechanism is in a second position a second lock locks the upper rails to the lower rails when the seat assembly is in the cargo position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of paper padding has a shaping device and a drive which is provided in a housing to pull a paper web through the shaping device and to form a piece of padding from the paper web. A shaft is provided in the housing and serves as a drive for a drive wheel.