Abstract: An ac/ac converter for accepting a pulsating dc input with encoded sinusoidal modulation and providing a multiphase modulated output. The converter comprises a bridge including a plurality of switches having switch legs for modulating the pulsating dc input at a carrier frequency over a plurality of phases. The bridge is coupled at one end to a pulsating dc source and coupled at another end to a modulated signal output. A controller is provided for the plurality of switches for causing, for each of the plurality of phases, under unity power factor, one of the switch legs to modulate the pulsating dc input at the carrier frequency while the other switch legs do not modulate the pulsating dc input at the carrier frequency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 12, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
Abstract: The present invention is an overvoltage protection and automatic re-strike circuit for an electronic ballast. The electronic ballast has an inverter, a shut-down circuit, a safety circuit, a monitoring circuit, and an overvoltage protection circuit. The inverter provides an appropriate alternating current power supply to operate the lamp. The shut-down, safety, monitoring, and overvoltage protection circuits are coupled to the inverter and provide the overvoltage protection and automatic re-striking functions. During an overvoltage condition, the overvoltage protection circuit will temporarily disable the inverter. Subsequent to the overvoltage condition, the overvoltage protection circuit permits the inverter to attempt to re-ignite the lamp. After a predetermined number of unsuccessful re-ignition attempts, the safety circuit will permanently disable the inverter to avoid damage to the ballast.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Wei Xiong, Danny Pugh, Christopher Radzinski
Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for predicting bone fracture risk in an osteoporotic patient. The apparatus comprises a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scanner for scanning a body area of the patient and producing a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image of the body area, and image analysis means for analyzing pre-determined aspects of the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image. The apparatus further comprises data comparison means comprising a database of comparative data sets from Dual X-ray Absorptiometry images of control subjects to predict the risk of bone fracture in the patient. The image analysis means preferably analyses the shape of a body past using an Achieve Shape Model or analyses the texture of a body past using Fourier Transforms and Principal Component Analysis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 2004
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
Aberdeen University Research and Innovation
Inventors:
Jennifer Susan Gregory, Richard Malcolm Aspden, David Macaulay Reid
Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methodologies for the treatment quenching preconditioning and communication between the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and an electrical stimulus. In particular, the present invention utilizes spinal cord stimulation to alter and/or affect the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and thereby protect the myocytes, stabilize myocardial electrical instability and/or alleviate or diminish cardiac pathologies.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 3, 2005
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
Inventors:
Robert D. Foreman, Jeffrey L. Ardell, John A. Armour, Michael J. L. DeJongste, Bengt G. S. Linderoth
Abstract: A system to increase the brightness of, and control gaps in, the light from an external cavity, spectrally narrowed, stack of diode laser bars employing a stepped mirror and transparent plates in the external cavity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
University of New Hampshire
Inventors:
F. William Hersman, Jan Distelbrink, Hongguo Zhu
Abstract: In a reaction where a lower hydrocarbon is subjected to direct decomposition by using a catalyst to produce a functional nanocarbon and hydrogen, the lower hydrocarbon is subjected to the reaction in an coexistent gas comprising low concentration of oxidizing gas, reducing gas or a mixture thereof. The precursor of functional nanocarbon produced on the catalyst and amorphous carbon secondarily produced on the catalyst react with the coexistent gas so that being removed from the catalyst, making it possible to prevent the drop of conversion with time on stream due to the inhibition of the reaction by the precursor and by-product. In the case where the raw material of lower hydrocarbon is biogas, the coexistent gas can be easily contained in methane by lowering purification degree of methane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignees:
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd., National University Corporation Kitami Institute of Technology, Kajima Corporation
Abstract: A number of cationic gold(I) and neutral gold(III) complexes have been synthesized and found to be stabilized by the use of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. These species are often employed as in situ-generated reactive intermediates in gold catalyzed organic transformations. An isolated, well-defined cationic species was tested in gold mediated carbene transfer reactions from ethyl diazoacetate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 7, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation, Inc.
Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia stem cells (AMLSC) are identified. The cells can be prospectively isolated or identified from patient samples, and are shown to possess the unique properties of cancer stem cells in functional assays for cancer stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, and in cancer diagnosis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 7, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing 2,2?,6,6?-tetraoxazolinyl biphenyl ligand in chemical industry field. In the present invention, compound (III) is reacted with an activator that can activate the hydroxyl group selected from the group consisting of alkyl halosulfonium compound, aryl halosulfonium compound, phosphoryl chloride, phosphorus pentachloride, thionyl chloride and triphenyl phosphine, in the presence of alkali(s), to give the target product (IV), 2,2?,6,6?-tetraoxazolinyl biphenyl ligand. The ligand of the present invention can be used in various asymmetric reactions catalyzed by metals, with high reactivity and stereoselectivity, and thus represents a good application outlook.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2010
Assignee:
Shanghai Jiaotong University
Inventors:
Wanbin Zhang, Yongjian Zhang, Feijun Wang
Abstract: The invention generally concerns inhibition of a molecule that has a role in post-translational modification of a receptor for antiproliferative factor (APF) of bladder epithelial cells, thereby modulating the APF. In particular, inhibition of DHHC2 activity and/or ZDHHC2 expression results in modulation of APF receptor activity, and in specific aspects such modulation is therapeutic and/or preventative for a bladder condition, such as interstitial cystitis. In addition, inhibition of CKAP4 palmitoylation in certain cases also decreases its activity as a tPA receptor on smooth muscle cells or surfactant A on type II pneumocytes, and/or generally inhibits its function as a cell membrane receptor, cell chaperone molecule, and/or membrane trafficking agent.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 16, 2008
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicant:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore
Inventors:
Susan K. Keay, David Zacharias, Sonia L. Planey
Abstract: This invention relates to the use of pterosin compounds of formula I for treating diabetes including type I and type II. Also disclosed is the use of the pterosin compounds for treating obesity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 26, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicants:
Taipei Medical University, National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, DCB-USA, LLC
Inventors:
Feng-Lin Hsu, Shing-Hwa Liu, Biing-Jiun Uang
Abstract: Subcortical neural structures are classified during a microelectrode recording (MER) procedure. As the electrode traverses subcortical structures toward a target neural structure, neural activity is analyzed. The neural activity is converted to electrical signals. Features pertaining to characteristics of the neural activity are extracted from the electrical signals. The features are synergistically combined using fuzzy clustering logic, for example. In an example embodiment, the combined results are provided in a form of a color coded map indicating the different structural regions traversed. Observation of the map provides an objective indication of the demarcations of the various structural regions traversed and an objective technique for classifying the structural regions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2007
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicant:
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Inventors:
Shabbar F. Danish, Stephen Wong, Gordon H. Baltuch, Jurg L. Jaggi
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source includes the following steps: (a) providing a pair of conductive bases (32, 42) each having a top (322, 422), the tops being spaced apart from and opposite to each other, the tops being immersed in a solution (50) having carbon nanotubes dispersed therein; (b) applying an alternating voltage (60) between the two conductive bases thereby causing at least one carbon nanotube to become assembled between the tops of the conductive bases; (c) shutting off the alternating voltage between the conductive bases and removing the solution between the tops of the two conductive bases; (d) detaching one of the two conductive bases in a matter such that the carbon nanotube remains connected with one of the tops of the conductive bases; and (e) modifying the carbon nanotube to create a low work function coating on a least a tip/free end thereof
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 1, 2006
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicants:
Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
Abstract: A device for detecting diaphragm movements includes an accelerometric sensor with a fixture for attachment to the user's chest and a conductor connected to the control module. The device is useful for detecting diaphragm movements during invasive curative procedures on the human heart, in particular during operations of atrial fibrillation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 25, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicants:
University
Inventors:
Jiri BRADA, Pavel SMRCKA, Karel HANA, Jan KASPAR, Radek FIALA, Martin VITEZNIK, Jozef ROSINA, Peter KNEPPO, Jan MUZIK
Abstract: Parameters related to use of a prosthesis by a patient with a limb amputation are monitored using a tool that includes one or more piezoelectric force sensors. The resulting data are processed for use both in short and long term management of amputee patients. The sensor is a small modular unit that fits within or between traditional prosthetic components, e.g., below a prosthesis socket. The data produced by the tool are collected, processed, and stored. Optionally, the data are periodically communicated to a remote site via a network, e.g., over the Internet. The device and associated software used to process the data can be used to characterize activities conducted by a prosthesis user, to determine pistoning or threatening interface stress distributions between the limb and socket, mal-alignment of the socket, use of improper components, and other possibly undesired conditions that the amputee patient using the prosthesis may be experiencing.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 27, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicant:
University of Washington
Inventors:
Joan Sanders, Timothy Myers, Brian Hafner
Abstract: The invention provides processes for preparing soy-based oligomeric polyols or substituted oligomeric polyols, as well as urethane bioelasteromers comprising the oligomeric polyols or substituted oligomeric polyols.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 2, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Galen Suppes, Zuleica Lozada, Arnold Lubguban
Abstract: A multi-wire electron discharge machine includes a first wire electrode for creating an electrical discharge between the first electrode wire and a semiconductor ingot, a second wire electrode for creating an electrical discharge between the second electrode wire and the semiconductor ingot, and a wire guide for maintaining the first wire electrode in a spaced apart and generally parallel orientation with respect to the second wire electrode across a semiconductor ingot slicing area.
Abstract: Transgenic animals containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding TCL1 operably linked to transcriptional control sequences directing expression to B cells are described. Such transgenic animals provide a useful animal model system for human B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Abstract: A laser pulse synthesis system is provided. A further aspect of the present system uses a phase-only modulator to measure ultrashort laser pulses. An additional aspect achieves interferences between split subpulses even though the subpulses have different frequencies. Yet another aspect of a laser system employs multi-comb phase shaping of a laser pulse. In another aspect, a laser system includes pulse characterization and arbitrary or variable waveform generation through spectral phase comb shaping.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 22, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
Abstract: An elastomeric stamp is used to deposit material on a non-planar substrate. A vacuum mold is used to deform the elastomeric stamp and pressure is applied to transfer material from the stamp to the substrate. By decreasing the vacuum applied by the vacuum mold, the elasticity of the stamp may be used to apply this pressure. Pressure also may be applied by applying a force to the substrate and/or the stamp. The use of an elastomeric stamp allows for patterned layers to be deposited on a non-planar substrate with reduced chance of damage to the patterned layer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 1, 2010
Publication date:
July 29, 2010
Applicants:
The Regents of the University of Michigan, The Trustees of Princeton University
Inventors:
Stephen Forrest, Xin Xu, Xiangfei Qi, Marcelo Davanco