Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8689688
    Abstract: A pattern transcription apparatus comprises a cliché including a concave portion, a convex portion and a printing stopper, the printing stopper formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion; and a blanket, on which a resist material layer is coated, rotatable on the cliché, wherein a surface energy density of the blanket is greater than a surface energy density of the printing stopper and is smaller than a surface energy of the cliché.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hee Nam, Nam-Kook Kim, Soon-Sung Yoo, Youn-Gyong Chang
  • Patent number: 8689689
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a marking to an elongated sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a processing machine through which an elongated length of the sheet material is passed. A marking system is arranged to apply a marking to the elongated length of sheet material passing through the processing machine. The marking system comprises at least one spray gun and a pump for supplying marking fluid to the spray gun. The pump is operable at selectively variable speeds. A controller controls the speed of the pump based upon a speed at which the sheet material is passed through the processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: James Cesak, Arun Ramabadran
  • Patent number: 8689690
    Abstract: A micro-machined or micro-engraved safety and arming device for a projectile pyrotechnic train, said device comprising a substrate onto which a shutter is positioned to ensure the blocking of a channel, said shutter being mobile in translation on said substrate, said shutter being held immobile in the safety position by at least one acceleration lock that is released further to the application of the axial acceleration imparted to said projectile during firing, wherein said acceleration lock is constituted by at least one breakable tongue linking said shutter to said substrate, said tongue being oriented and dimensioned such that the axial inertial stresses developed during firing and exerted on said shutter cause said tongue to break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Christian Pisella, Christophe Kergueris, Laurent Reynard, Renaud Lafont, Pierre-Marie Visse
  • Patent number: 8689691
    Abstract: A Safe-and-Arm system for the prevention of unintentional operation of an explosive device by interrupting a detonation train, the system employing an interruptive transfer assembly made of silicon and suitable for implementing in a MEMS device, the assembly including a silicon based transfer charge carrier on a porous explosive passageway made by etching, the passageway extending between at least two ports on the circumference of the transfer assembly, and a drive means that can mechanically bring about at least one armed state of a detonation train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Shai Rahimi, Evgenia Golda Fradkin
  • Patent number: 8689692
    Abstract: A method for operating a guided munition with a switchable fuze arrangement includes launching the guided munition towards a target. During flight of the guided munition, images are provided to a remote operator, who supplies a switching input. Responsive to said switching input, the fuze arrangement is switched to either of at least two of the following states: a delayed detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is delayed by a time delay after impact of the guided munition, an impact detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge occurs on impact of the guided munition, a proximity detonation state in which detonation of the explosive charge is triggered by a proximity sensing arrangement, and a disabled state in which the guided munition functions as a guided kinetic shell without detonation of the explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Yariv Brill, Ohad Hanan Nuriel
  • Patent number: 8689693
    Abstract: An active body (1) includes flares (2, 6, 7) arranged adjacent, above, or behind each other, wherein at least one hydrophobic separating layer (3, 5) is integrated between the flares, or flare disks (2, 6, 7), thereby preventing the flares (2, 6, 7) from attaching or sticking. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic separating layer (3) is applied to at least one side of the flares (2), preferably as a powder preferably consisting of microspheres, or the like. In another embodiment, a separating disk is disposed between the flares (6, 7) as the separating layer (5), which in addition is anti-cohesive and anti-adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Nenad Prelic, Heribert Eglauer
  • Patent number: 8689694
    Abstract: A flying bomb includes a standardized bomb casing formed of steel and having a nose opening and a tail opening. A thin penetrator is disposed in the bomb casing in order to achieve high effectiveness with little collateral damage when the flying bomb strikes a target. A distance between the tip of the penetrator and the nose opening is greater than 100 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Haumann, Martin Clifford Bucksch
  • Patent number: 8689695
    Abstract: A propelled lance provides a wounding non-lethal anti-insurgent action when stepped on by piercing an enemy insurgent's foot with a lance penetrator. The lance penetrator lodges in the foot and further penetration is impeded by a stop plate. The lance penetrator may insert an RFID or other identifiable device or other payload into the insurgent. The lance penetrator provides anti-personnel, anti-vehicle and anti-robot action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Van Burdine, Dorothy Devine Burdine
  • Patent number: 8689696
    Abstract: A projectile includes: (a) a cured, toughened polymer resin; and (b) a particulate filler distributed through the resin, the filler having a density greater than a density of the resin, wherein the projectile has average density less than the density of lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caneel Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Jonathan Seeman, Dewey Privette
  • Patent number: 8689697
    Abstract: Provided is a cartridge for an electrically-ignited simulated firearm and a simulated firearm using the cartridge remarkably similar to a real firearm and a cartridge used in a real firearm, wherein the simulated firearm emits a discharge sound similar to a real firearm, generates muzzle flash and smoke from a muzzle and is capable of loading and ejecting the cartridge, and the cartridge is safe and reusable. An inner member 120 that is slidable inside an outer case 110 of a cartridge 100 and loaded with powder is formed into a stepped cylindrical shape with a small diameter section capable of partially projecting from an opening 112 of the outer case 110, and has a front powder chamber 122 and a rear powder chamber 123 that communicate with each other via a fuse hole 124, a base member 130 is formed to fit in the outer case 110 via an insulating member 131, and an ignition member 140 is configured to be installed between the inner member 120 and the base member 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Big Shot Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kikuo Notomi
  • Patent number: 8689698
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a fixed primary anchoring element, a beam mount movably connected to the primary anchoring element, a beam connected to the beam mount, a vessel mount movably connected to the beam, a vessel connected to the vessel mount, the vessel being movable along at least a vertical axis, and a control unit within the vessel. The control unit is configured to accept control input from a passenger within the vessel and transmit at least one control signal to cause the beam to move relative to the primary anchoring element, the vessel mount to move relative to the beam, and the vessel to move relative to the vessel mount independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis Shasha, Michael John Whittaker
  • Patent number: 8689699
    Abstract: An elevated bicycle-based transportation system comprises a bicycle, a front suspension member, connected to a front portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, a rear suspension member, connected to a rear portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, and an overhead track, which is a supporting member substantially horizontal in orientation, on which the rolling, sliding or gliding members of the suspension members rest. When suspended in this way, the bicycle can be ridden along the overhead track. When the suspension members are not suspended from the overhead track, the bicycle can be used in the normal manner, and at least one of the suspension members can be retracted, collapsed, folded, pivoted, detached, or otherwise modified by a simple operation, to be made less prominent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth Laux
  • Patent number: 8689700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling banknotes comprising an input and output unit, a control unit, at least one money cassette, a reject cassette and a transport unit to transport the banknotes. In addition, a stock counter is provided that indicates the current quantity of banknotes in the money cassette. When an incorrect withdrawal occurs after at least one banknote is removed from the money cassette, the banknotes from this incorrect withdrawal are transported to the reject cassette. A reject counter is assigned to the money cassette that indicates the total number of banknotes removed from said money cassette and taken to the reject cassette, wherein the value of said reject counter is increased by the value of the banknotes transported to the reject cassette when the incorrect withdrawal occurs. A virtual auxiliary cassette is set up in the software of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Hoeschen
  • Patent number: 8689701
    Abstract: A wheel truck, including: a front wheel pair assembly and a rear wheel pair assembly, two side frame assemblies, two spring suspension devices, and a bolster assembly. The spring suspension devices include a bearing spring unit, a damping spring, and a wedge. The wedge includes a primary friction surface and a secondary friction surface. The primary friction surface is attached to a column surface of the side frame assembly. The secondary friction surface is attached to an inclined surface of the bolster assembly. The wedge has the following structure parameters: ?=16-30°, and ?<tg?<?+?1, in which a represents an included angle between the secondary friction surface and a vertical plane, ? represents a friction coefficient of the primary friction surface, and ?1 represents a friction coefficient of the secondary friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CSR Yangtze Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingdao Sun, Yong Xu, Baolei Wang, Yongjiang Li
  • Patent number: 8689702
    Abstract: Provided is a railway vehicle having a configuration which can sufficiently protect the cabin even when large external force is applied to the side structures and the end structures thereof. The vehicle body of the railway vehicle is formed by joining an underframe 20, side structures 30, end structures 50, and a roof structure 60 together. The lower inner face of the side post 31 of the side structure is joined to the outer face portion of a side beam 21 of the underframe. The lower inner faces of the post reinforcement members (an end post reinforcement member 57 and a corner post reinforcement member 58) for reinforcing the post members (an end post 53 and a corner post 54) of the end structure are joined to the outer face portion of an end beam 26 of the underframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ishizuka, Masaru Kuroda, Koji Nakao, Takamitsu Sassa
  • Patent number: 8689703
    Abstract: A weld-joining structure between an outer panel and an attachment is achieved, which is advantageous in terms of appearance, workability, and cost. To weld-join the outer panel and the attachments including, such as frame members and opening frames and opening frame members, which is a reinforcement or an interior or exterior member for use in the outer panel, the outer panel and the attachment placed on the outer panel are weld-joined by laser welding at overlapping portions of the outer panel and the attachment. The laser welding is performed along a polishing mark formed in one direction on an externally exposed-side surface of the outer panel and the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Harada, Yoshinori Kono, Tomonori Sumikawa, Hiroshi Yonetani, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Eiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8689704
    Abstract: A sterilizable surgical accessory table includes a pair of independently movable tabletops supported by a base. The front tabletop is supported by a carriage which allows the position of the front tabletop to be adjusted fore and aft, while maintaining it in a horizontal plane. The rear tabletop cannot move fore and aft, but it can be tilted about a transverse horizontal axis. The rear tabletop is at all times well above the horizontal plane of the front tabletop. Both tabletops are normally locked in position, but the setting of each can be adjusted by depressing one of two pedals at the bottom of the base. The tabletops can be removed easily for cleaning and sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Scott D. Hodges, S. Craig Humphreys, Ira B. Young, Christopher B. Young
  • Patent number: 8689705
    Abstract: A furniture kit including first and second spaced apart leg members including front and rear end portions and a frame space between facing surfaces, a first furniture assembly including a first rigid furniture component having first and second ends and having front and rear portions, wherein (i) a first furniture configuration is configurable that includes the first furniture assembly supported between the leg members and generally within the frame space with the front and rear portions of the first furniture assembly adjacent the front and rear end portions of the leg members, respectively, and (ii) a second furniture configuration is configurable that includes the first furniture assembly supported between the leg members and generally within the frame space with the front and rear portions of the first furniture assembly adjacent the rear and front end portions of the leg members, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirt Martin, David C Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8689706
    Abstract: The leg socket has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs extending along an interior wall. Each rib has a concavely curved surface extending longitudinally and disposed on a common radius of the wall to provide contact with a cylindrical table leg over a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Component Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brion Gompper
  • Patent number: 8689707
    Abstract: A replacement burner system which facilitates reduction of nitrous oxide produced during combustion of a fuel. The replacement burner system comprising a fuel supply duct having an inlet and an outlet with a fuel deflector located within the fuel supply duct to facilitate redistribution of a flow of the fuel. An adjustable coal nozzle is located within the fuel supply duct between the fuel deflector and the outlet. An exterior surface of the fuel supply duct supports an air swirling device, and the air swirling device obstructs between 65% and 75% of the transverse flow area, located between an exterior surface of the fuel supply duct and the inwardly facing surface of the venturi register, after the replacement burner system is accommodated within the windbox of a combustion boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Marx, Robert W. Pickering, Charles E. Trippel
  • Patent number: 8689708
    Abstract: Method and device for combusting a solid phase fuel, where the fuel is caused, by the help of a non-pneumatic feeding element (11), to be fed to an inlet opening (11a) in a burner device (10), where the burner device (10) includes a first inlet (13a) for the oxidant through which an oxidant is caused to flow via a first supply conduit (13). The first inlet (13a) for oxidant is arranged in the form of a first opening arranged by the inlet opening, through which the oxidant is caused to flow out, through a burner pipe (16) and out through a burner orifice (17) to a combustion space (18), so that the oxidant by ejector action causes the fuel to be conveyed through the burner pipe and out through the burner orifice (17), and water vapour is added to the oxidant before the oxidant reacts with the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventors: Tomas Ekman, Anders Lugnet
  • Patent number: 8689709
    Abstract: A pressurized transport oxy-combustor with different configurations is disclosed. Substantially pure oxygen is fed to the transport oxy-combustor under pressure to combust fossil fuels, generating steam for power generation. The end product is the flue gas containing substantially pure CO2 after moisture condensation. The low excess oxygen necessary to achieve complete combustion in the combustor is scavenged by adding another fuel so that substantially all oxygen fed to the combustor is completely consumed. The capability to operate the transport oxy-combustor as a circulating fluidized bed combustor at very high solids circulation rates makes it unnecessary to use recycled CO2 or flue gas as a means to moderate and control the combustion temperature. The temperature in the combustor is effectively controlled by relatively cooler circulating solids that enter the combustion zone. A small amount of CO2 is recycled for aeration and to convey solids fuel to the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Company
    Inventors: Pannalal Vimalchand, Guohai Liu, WanWang Peng
  • Patent number: 8689710
    Abstract: A precombustor having a chamber having a first end and a second end, and an inlet configured to deliver a substantially parallel flow of solid fuel surrounded by oxygen at the first end. The first end further includes a recirculation step and the second end fluidly communicates with a furnace. The inlet and the recirculation step are arranged to form a recirculation zone of at least a portion of the solid fuel and the oxygen. A combustion system and method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Georgi Slavejkov, Xiaoyi He, Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Reed Jacob Hendershot
  • Patent number: 8689711
    Abstract: This method of producing quilts, or quilt components, uses a patterned quilt foundation to assist in the creation of reversible quilts, and reversible quilt components. The method uses a batting, layered between and affixed to patterned web material wherein the pattern lines match the front layer to the back layer for various patterns. This allows the quilter to create quilt block designs on the front as well as the back of a block using the pattern lines for the accurate placement of material on each of the two faces. The method is applicable to strip, square, triangle, rectangle and diamond shapes as well as any combination of those shapes. To maintain registration from one face to the other, the quilting of the piece is accomplished at the same time as the front and back pieces of material are sewn to the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Mary V. Grover
  • Patent number: 8689712
    Abstract: A method including: providing a portion of double cloth including a first layer joined to a second layer, the layers being joined by a two-dimensional distribution of joining threads obtained by weaving; detaching the first layer from the second layer along an edge zone of the double cloth, to define on the first layer a band in which the first layer is separated from the second layer; cutting the band of the first layer, so that the second layer exhibits a projecting strip which projects with respect to a free edge of the first layer; arranging a further portion of fabric in contact with the second layer; joining the further portion of fabric to the second layer by a joining line arranged along the projecting strip; after the step of joining, turning the further portion of fabric, to move the further portion of fabric away from the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Max Mara S.R.L. Societa' Unipersonale
    Inventor: Lulgi Maramotti
  • Patent number: 8689713
    Abstract: A watercraft has a hull with a first end and a second end and is equipped at its second end with a propulsion arrangement that includes at least three propulsion devices each provided with a propeller. A majority of the propulsion devices are rudder propeller devices, and the propeller of at least one of the propulsion devices is at a first distance from the second end of the hull and the propeller of at least another one of the propulsion devices is at a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the hull. In ice conditions the watercraft is operated with the second end ahead, so that at least one propeller at the first distance from the second end of the hull breaks ice and at least one propeller at the second distance from the second end of the hull moves disintegrated ice or ice chunks away from the ice build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Arctic Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Reko-Antti Suojanen, Tom-Christian Mattsson
  • Patent number: 8689714
    Abstract: An electrochemical engine for buoyancy is provided with the engine having a water-tight and gas-tight chamber containing a volume of seawater. The electrochemical buoyancy engine contributes electrons for reduction of hydrogen protons in the seawater using a sufficient voltage applied to an anode and a cathode disposed in the seawater. The generated hydrogen gas is held in the chamber to provide the desired buoyancy and can be vented to adjust the buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas S. Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 8689715
    Abstract: An actuator (10) for use in controlling movement of a component (22) of a seagoing vessel comprises a cylinder (12) for coupling to a vessel hull (14) and an actuator shaft (18). A distal end (20) of the shaft (18) is coupled to the component whose movement is to be controlled and, in use, a control force (Fc) is applied to the shaft (18) to control movement of the shaft (18) from a first position, retracted, position to a second, extended, position. The actuator (10) is compliant in response to an opposing force exceeding a selected force to prevent or mitigate damage to the component (22) and/or the actuator 10 which may otherwise result from the opposing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MacTaggart, Scott (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Alistair Plowman, Niall Skinner
  • Patent number: 8689716
    Abstract: A servo-assisted steering device for vehicles includes a manual control member connected to a shaft driving a pressurized control fluid supplying and conveying unit, which has at least two fluid conveying lines connected to one of two chambers of one or more steering actuators. A hydraulic power unit is connected to the supplying and conveying unit and includes a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid and powered pumping means, which are driven by an electric motor and which are connected to the fluid supplying/conveying circuit to supply the pressurized fluid alternately to either one or the other of the two chambers of the actuator (or actuators) depending on the rotational direction of the control member. The electric motor is energized and/or de-energized upon operation of the control member, causing the pumping means to increase the amount of pumped fluid and reduce resistance upon steering the manual control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcella Gai, Enrico Pagani
  • Patent number: 8689717
    Abstract: An emergency repair plug for sealing an opening in a boat hull, comprises a conical body made of a solid foam, spongy cellular material that is compressible by hand and able to return to its original shape. The conical body is compressible by hand to a smaller dimension so that a portion of the conical body larger than an opening to be plugged can be inserted into the opening. The conical body is able to return to its larger size after compression, thereby to be wedged in the opening to slow down water inflow through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Artelier Studio LLC
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Benveniste, Henry Goldman, Joseph Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8689718
    Abstract: A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jerome Cichoski
  • Patent number: 8689719
    Abstract: BOATBABY, a portable, auto retractable marine line (rope) reel, attachable, spring loaded receptacle for marine line (rope) used in docking, trailering and launching a boat is disclosed. No current device exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Crawford Roberts
  • Patent number: 8689720
    Abstract: A mono hull vessel for retrieving and deploying equipments in offshore region comprising a deck box with an upper deck (2) at its top said upper deck having a lifting and lowering device (3,3?), a hull/pontoon (1) at the base of said vessel, the vessel is characterized in that said hull/pontoon (1) is connected to the deck box by a plurality of columns (4) and said hull/pontoon (1) is made in one piece and is continuous to form the platform for a lower deck (5), the upper and lower deck being configured to allow lifting and lowering of equipment therefrom and thereon respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eide Marine Services AS
    Inventor: Georg Eide
  • Patent number: 8689721
    Abstract: A vertically installed Spar-type floater for offshore wind turbine and related construction method are provided. The floating system is a gravity stabilized deep-draft floater including a plurality of vertically extending columns, each column containing a ballast material; a ballast tank coupled to the lower end of each of the columns; a top deck having a plurality of through-bores approximate its periphery coupled to the upper end of each of the columns; a wind turbine assembly supported by the top deck at the center; a plurality of mooring lines linking the floating system to the sea floor. The floating system has a temporary vertically towing configuration which allows the entire floating wind turbine system to be assembled at a quayside and towed vertically to an offshore site, and self-installed into operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jin Wang
  • Patent number: 8689722
    Abstract: A net holster holds fishing nets outside a boat and out of the way of anglers inside the boat. The net holster of the present invention has over 100 adjustable positions to keep the net out of the way. The net holster can keep a net in place outside the boat of speeds of at least 30 miles per hour. The net holster of the present invention is designed to hold most nets. A universal clamp and a tie down clamp enable the net holster to fasten to a variety of marine vessels with very little effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: John William Mccallum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8689723
    Abstract: Discloses is a disk for a horn of a vehicle. The disk of the horn has a shape in which the whole region of the disk is divided into a plurality of regions having different vibration characteristics and has a structure in which the plurality of regions are disposed along a circumferential direction of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ki Sang Chae, Jong Suh Park
  • Patent number: 8689724
    Abstract: A transfer roll rotates to have a coating liquid in a coating liquid tank filled in recesses formed on a roll surface thereof and to have a surplus coating liquid scraped off by a doctor blade, and rotates contacting with a coating roll. Thereby, the coating liquid in the recesses of the transfer roll is transferred to the coating roll. Thereafter, while the transfer roll is moved upward, an arm is rotated counterclockwise whereby the coating roll is separated from the transfer roll. The arm is further rotated whereby the coating roll is moved along an inner surface of a half bearing fixed to a jig and the coating roll applies the coating liquid to the inner surface of the half bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Tanaka, Masahito Fujita
  • Patent number: 8689725
    Abstract: A process device for coating particles in which, on the inside wall (1), there are one or more units installed. Each unit includes a swirl flow generator (4) around which a straight or curved perforated plate (3) and draft tube (5) are located in cross-section. A single or multi-phase spraying nozzle (6) is installed centrally through the swirl flow generator (4) with a conduit (7) for dispersion for coating and a conduit (8) of compressed air. The swirl flow generator (4) has at an angle from the vertical adjacent grooves (18) that open outwards, with the angle of grooves (18) to the vertical line are between 10 and 45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Matjaz Perpar, Slavislav Savic, Matija Gregorka, Rok Dreu, Stanko Srcic, Rok Sibanc, Matevz Lustrik, Iztok Zun
  • Patent number: 8689726
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an automated apparatus capable of spray depositing polyelectrolytes via the LbL mechanism with minimal or no human interaction. In certain embodiments, the apparatus sprays atomized polyelectrolytes onto a vertically oriented substrate. To counteract the effects of irregular spray patterns, the substrate is preferably slowly rotated about a central axis. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes a forced pathway for the droplets, such as a pathway created by using a vacuum. In this way, a thicker or three-dimensional substrate can be coated. In certain embodiments, the apparatus is designed so as to be scalable. Thus, through the use of multiple instantiations of the apparatus, a large or irregularly shaped substrate can be coated. Rolls of textile can therefore be coated using the apparatus. Additionally, the present invention includes a method to uniformly coat a substrate, such as a hydrophobic textile material, using aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
    Inventors: Kevin C. Krogman, Paula T. Hammond, Nicole S. Zacharia
  • Patent number: 8689727
    Abstract: The examples described herein provide methods and equipment for an anti-oxidation spraying on a steel billet. In some examples, when the billet at the temperature of 400° C.-1000° C. enters the predetermined spraying region, a plurality of anti-oxidation spraying devices are used to perform an anti-oxidation spray on the billet in two or more directions, thereby forming directly an anti-oxidation coating on the steel billet at 400° C.-1000° C. By using the example method and equipment described herein, on-line spraying of anti-oxidation coating on the steel billet can be performed under high-temperature condition, thereby reducing an oxidation burning loss rate of the steel billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dalian RINO Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianping Qiu, Dejun Zou, Zhihai Wei, Mingzhi Zhu, Meng Xu, Zhiqian Jia, Shufeng Ye, Lianqi Wei
  • Patent number: 8689728
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the holding of medical devices during manufacture to enable the application of therapeutic and/or protective coatings. More specifically, the present invention provides medical device holders that securely retain stents and other medical devices during the application of a coating while minimizing compressive and tensile forces applied to the stents. The invention avoids disruptions to coating quality due to holder blockage during coating deposition. The invention discloses an improved device containing a mandrel and frame that may improve coating uniformity by eliminating shadowing from the frame of the medical device holder when applying coatings to stents and other medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Menendez Adolfo, Paul W Schmokel, Eilaz P Babaev, Scott R Banaszewski, Michael R Afremov
  • Patent number: 8689729
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming coatings on stents. The apparatus includes a temperature adjusting element that can increase or decrease the temperature of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Esbeck, Andrew McNiven, Boyd Knott, Todd Thessen, Kara Carter, Joycelyn Amick
  • Patent number: 8689730
    Abstract: A robotic painting system includes an applicator, a first paint metering device in fluid communication with the applicator, a second paint metering device in fluid communication with the paint applicator, and a paint supply in fluid communication with each the paint metering devices to fill at least one of the paint metering devices with a desired amount of paint, wherein each of the paint metering devices is electrostatically isolated from the paint supply, and wherein a color change time and a paint waste are minimized and a cleaning operation of the system is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Clifford
  • Patent number: 8689731
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for coating a component with aligning device. Alignments or checking of the spray cone take place within the coating apparatus via an optically transparent reference plate which is optically evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Falk Stadelmaier
  • Patent number: 8689732
    Abstract: A system for creating a wood like appearance on a synthetic component including a sales client device, a network, computer instructions for creating a work order, a tray with scannable tray identifier to hold a synthetic component, a production client device connected to the network with computer instructions for applying a base coat, a glaze, and a top coat to the synthetic component as it automatically moves on a conveyer system a portion of which is connected to the production client device. A scannable tray identifier with a plurality of sensors link the tray identifier to the work order for authenticating and validating the location of the tray on the conveyor system, or initiating an alerting device. The system has a plurality of temperature control environments to simultaneously control heating of the synthetic component while spraying, drying and UV curing with spray treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Glasscraft Door Company
    Inventors: John B. Plummer, Matthew James O'Shea, Joseph Gene Denley
  • Patent number: 8689733
    Abstract: This invention includes a first filter (27) connected between a susceptor (21) and ground and having a variable impedance, a sensor (28) for detecting an electrical signal based on the state of a plasma (P) generated in a process chamber (11), and a control means (36) for controlling the impedance of the first filter (27) on the basis of a detection result output from the sensor (28). Thus, a preferable plasma distribution to match the object of the plasma process can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Chishio Koshimizu, Yohei Yamazawa
  • Patent number: 8689734
    Abstract: A plasma reactor (1) for treating a substrate (40), comprises at least two electrodes (20, 30) arranged within the reactor (1) defining an internal process space (13) there between, whereas the two electrodes (20, 30) are located opposed to each other and parallel with respect to a first surface (20a) of the electrodes (20, 30). Further it comprises a gas inlet (11) and a gas outlet (12) for transporting gas in and out of the plasma reactor (1), a radiofrequency generator (21) connected to at least one of the electrodes (20, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tel Solar AG
    Inventors: Christoph Ellert, Werner Wieland, Daniele Zorzi, Abed al hay Taha
  • Patent number: 8689735
    Abstract: Teat cups are fetched from a teat cup magazine by a gripper carried on a robotic arm. The gripper grips and removes teat cups from the teat cup magazine. The gripper also holds at least one teat cup during transport thereof towards an udder where an animal's teats are located. A positioning element determines position estimates representing at least one spatial characteristic of the udder. Based on the position estimates, the robotic arm and the gripper are controlled to attach the teat cups to the teats where the position estimates constitutes a basis for controlling the robotic arm and the gripper to remove teat cups from the teat cup magazine in such a manner that a teat-receiving end of the teat cup attains a horizontal level in the gripper, which horizontal level is adapted to the at least one spatial characteristic of the udder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Anders Hallstrom
  • Patent number: 8689736
    Abstract: An indicating system for use in a milking system including an automated milking machine with a method for detecting mastitis of a milking animal in an automated milking machine, includes a first device for automatically obtaining and determining a first indicator of mastitis; a second device for automatically obtaining and determining a second indicator of mastitis; a processor operatively connected to the first and second devices and configured for automatically i) evaluating the first and second indicators of mastitis, and ii) identifying, based on the result the evaluation of the first and second indicators of mastitis, the need for a third indicator of mastitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Epke Bosma
  • Patent number: 8689737
    Abstract: A wildlife feeder having a hopper, a manifold, and a removed head at a removed end of the manifold. The hopper is designed to enclose particulate feed, such as corn, for dispensing through the manifold and head to wildlife. The head has a multiplicity of feed troughs and each feed trough has an angled top wall and an angled bottom wall, angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the manifold and a plane of a tabular floor of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: All Seasons Feeders, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell Gates