sem Assemblies, systems and methods for the transportation and display of plants and flowers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for efficient transportation and display of plants or flowers has been designed that contains two or more trays and a container. The first tray and alternative tray house the plants or flowers. The second tray, in which the first tray and alternative tray nest, allows for easy movement of the first tray, the alternative tray and the supply of water or nutrients. The container is designed to serve two functions, shipping and displaying. Full Article
sem Plant container assembly and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plant container assembly, method, and kit include a plant container with a sidewall having first and second sidewall portions, an open top, and an open bottom. A hinge member is on the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom and pivotally connects the first and second sidewall portions for movement between an open position of the plant container, and a closed position of the plant container forming an interior space capable of containing plant growing medium. A closure portion extends along the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom. A plant support cooperatively engages the closure portion and selectively holds the plant container in the closed position. A planar member is configured to be selectively placed within the plant container and supported on a ledge member on each of the first and second sidewall portions to selectively form a bottom closure for the plant container. Full Article
sem AIR CAP AND NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR A SPRAY GUN, AND SPRAY GUN By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An air cap for a spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun, having at least one central opening, which is delimited by a mouth, and two horns, each having at least one inner and one outer horn air duct and one inner and one outer horn air opening. The spacing between the front end of the central opening and an axis which perpendicularly intersects the central axis of the central opening and runs through the centre of an inner horn air opening is between 0.6 mm and 2.6 mm. The spray pattern generated by the air cap has a longer core region and a steeper transition of the layer thickness between the external region and the core region, compared to conventional air caps leading to improvement in coating quality. A nozzle assembly and a spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun, can have an air cap having the above properties. Full Article
sem Punch down tool with reversible punch down blade assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A hand tool with a handle with an inner cavity, a tool bit holder removably secured within the inner cavity and having a first end adapted for receiving a first reversible tool bit and a second end adapted for receiving a second reversible tool bit, wherein a first reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the first end of the tool bit holder using a circular spring clip extending around an outer surface of the first end of the tool bit holder, wherein a second reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the second end of the tool bit holder, wherein the first reversible tool bit has a first punch down blade and a second punch down blade, and wherein the outer diameter of the first end of the tool bit holder is 0.532 inches or less. Full Article
sem GAME ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A game assembly includes a plurality of cards. Each of the cards has a first side and a second side. The first side has indicia being printed thereon. The indicia comprise an image of biblical characters. A box is provided and the cards are stored within the box. The box has a top side and the top side is open to access an interior of the box. The box has an outer surface and the outer surface has indicia printed thereon. The indicia corresponding to the box comprise words. A lid is removably positioned on the top side such that the lid closes the box. Full Article
sem CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED ASSEMBLIES AND COMPONENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area. Full Article
sem Game Assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A game assembly includes a cube that may be manipulated thereby facilitating the cube to be selectively launched at a goal during game play. The cube has a plurality of intersecting sides. The cube may travel in an unpredictable direction when the cube is struck during game play thereby enhancing difficulty of the game play. The cube comprises an inner core and an outer surface. The inner core is comprised of a resiliently compressible material such that the cube may bounce. The outer surface is comprised of a deformable material. Full Article
sem MOTOR INTERFACE ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD OF USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A motor interface assembly configured to be operably coupled to a blower assembly, wherein the motor interface assembly is configured to measure a discharge air temperature, determine a difference between the discharge air temperature and a predetermined temperature, and operate the blower assembly based in part on the difference between the discharge air temperature and a predetermined temperature. Full Article
sem INSTALLING ASSEMBLY AND HEAT SINK USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat sink includes a cooling module and an installing assembly for fixing the heat sink on a housing. The installing assembly includes a case, a handle rotatablely fixed in the case and a support including a fixing board with blocks and two brackets. The handle is actively connected with the support. The fixing board is fixed on a bottom plate of the case. The handle includes two bulges. The brackets include two slide openings for receiving the bulges. When the heat sink is installed, the handle is rotated to be vertical, the bulges are out of the slide openings, and the blocks are stuck on the housing. When the heat sink is dismantled, the handle is rotated to be horizontal and the bulges are stuck into the slide openings to resist the brackets, thereof the fixing board being uplifted and the blocks being pushed away from the housing. Full Article
sem SEMI-EXHAUSTIVE RECURSIVE BLOCK DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention provides a decoder for decoding a signal received through a transmission channel in a communication system, said signal carrying information symbols selected from a given alphabet and being associated with a signal vector, said transmission channel being represented by a channel matrix, wherein said decoder comprises: a sub-block division unit (301) configured to divide the received signal vector into a set of sub-vectors in correspondence with a division of a matrix related to said channel matrix;a candidate set estimation unit (305) for recursively determining candidate estimates of sub-blocks of the transmitted signal corresponding to said sub-vectors, each estimate of a given sub-block being determined from at least one candidate estimate of the previously processed sub-blocks,wherein said candidate set estimation unit is configured to determine a set of candidate estimates for at least one sub-block of the transmitted signal by applying at least one iteration of a decoding algorithm using the estimates determined for the previously processed sub-blocks, the number of candidate estimates determined for said sub-block being strictly inferior to the cardinal of the alphabet and superior or equal to two, the decoder further comprising a signal estimation unit (306) for calculating an estimate of the transmitted signal from said candidate estimates determined for said sub-blocks. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device configured to perform an A/D conversion of a wide range of signals is provided. A semiconductor device includes: an input voltage detection unit configured to detect an analog input voltage; a reference voltage setting unit configured to set a reference voltage based on the detected input voltage; an amplifier configured to amplify a difference between the input voltage and the reference voltage; an ADC configured to perform an A/D conversion of an amplified signal; and an arithmetic processing unit configured to calculate a digital voltage corresponding to the input voltage based on a result of the A/D conversion and the reference voltage. Full Article
sem Semiconductor Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device having an analog/digital conversion circuit converting an analog signal to a digital signal, includes a holding circuit outputting an analog signal having a value according to a value of an analog signal supplied in a first period; and a prediction circuit generating a first digital signal based on bit position information from a prediction table corresponding to the supplied analog signal. Full Article
sem Electric Motor Assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electric motor assembly includes an axle having a first end and a second end. A plurality of rotor stages is attached to the axle. The rotor stages each include a set of rotor magnets. Each set has a greater potential magnetic field as the sets are located further from the first end. A plurality of stators is positioned around the rotor stages so that each of the rotor stages is adjacent to and covered by one of the stators to define a plurality of mated pairs. The stators each include a plurality of stator magnets. A stator control, for controlling individual ones of the pairs, is electrically coupled to each of the stators and magnetizes the stator magnets in a controlled fashion with respect to the rotor magnets to urge the rotor magnets in a same direction and rotate the axle. Full Article
sem Auto darkening filter adapter frame assembly for a welding helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adapter frame assembly is provided to receive and support an extra-large 110 mm×110 mm ADF, safety lens and diopter within the viewing window of an existing welding helmet. The adapter frame assembly provides for replacement of the safety lens without removing the ADF and installation or removal of a diopter without removing the safety lens or diopter. The ADF, safety lens and diopter are all easy to install and change. Full Article
sem SNARE ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL DRUM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A musical drum having a hollow shell with at least one opening defined by a circumferential bearing edge, a drumhead, which includes an upper surface consisting of the batter head and a bottom surface, a snare assembly with a plurality of individual wires having opposite end portions, a mounting member affixed to at least one end portion, and means for releasably attaching the snare assembly to the circumferential bearing edge comprising a flexible U-shaped clip in engagement with the circumferential bearing edge in pressure-contact relation. The individual snare wires are disposed in abutment against the bottom surface of the drumhead to cause the wires to vibrate upon the striking of the batter head. Full Article
sem ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, AND ENSEMBLE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SUCH AN ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration. Full Article
sem TREMOLO ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is directed to a tremolo assembly for a guitar that returns the tremolo to the neutral position after use irrespective of the tension between the strings and the balancing spring and reduces the problems associated with string stretch and maintaining tune and string breakage. The tremolo assembly includes a bridge tension arrangement, a controller arm and controller arm stop, and a controller arm tension arrangement. Full Article
sem DRUM ASSEMBLY HAVING INTERNAL LIGHTNING DISCHARGE CAPABILITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A drum assembly includes a drum, a stimulus processor assembly and a Tesla coil. The stimulus processor assembly receives a stimulus, generates an input signal, and converts the input signal to an output signal. The Tesla coil receives the output signal from the stimulus processor assembly. The Tesla coil emits an electrical discharge in response to the output signal. The electrical discharge occurs at least partially within the drum interior. The stimulus processor assembly uses a conversion algorithm to convert the input signal to an output signal. The Tesla coil can be positioned inside or outside of a drum interior of the drum. A discharge router can send the electrical discharge from the Tesla coil to the drum interior. The electrical discharge can have an intensity that is correlative to the decibel level of the stimulus. The stimulus can be generated by the drum or by a source remote from the drum. Full Article
sem Sandwich board assembly having thermoplastic joining element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly including a joining element and an object, the object having a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a middle layer between the first and second outer layers. The object has an opening that extends through the first outer layer and the middle layer, and the joining element is anchored in the opening. The joining element includes a proximal end, a distal end, a contact face in the area of the proximal end, a wall anchoring portion, and a tubular portion. The contact face is engaged by a vibrating tool that applies mechanical vibration and axial force to the joining element. The joining element includes a thermoplastic material at least at the circumferential surface of the wall anchoring portion and at the distal end to anchor the joining element to the first and second outer layers, respectively. Full Article
sem Window assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The window assembly uses a releasable press fit frame connection. The window assembly includes a window pane sandwiched between a pair of frame halves that are press fit together by the engagement of a plurality of corresponding male and female connectors integrally formed into the frame halves. The corresponding male and female connectors are spaced apart around the perimeter of frame halves and hold the window assembly within the window openings cut in the wall or door panels. The window assembly of this invention also includes a release key that allows the frame halves to be taken apart. The release key is manually inserted through thin slots formed in the frame halves to disengage the connection between corresponding male connectors and female connectors. Full Article
sem Narrow lined modular flooring assemblies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This specification describes a tray substrate for tile flooring that can be used in narrow grout line modular floating tile assemblies. The tray is preferably made of plastic and has vertical tray edges around the top of the tray substrate with upward and downward tabs protruding from the sides of the tray substrate wherein some of the tabs are at least partially recessed under the surface of the tray. Full Article
sem Lattice tower assembly for a wind turbine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports, a plurality of inner cross-support members, and a plurality of outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower covering includes one or more panel elements. Each of the panel elements are retained in position between the supports and cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. Further, the lattice tower covering has a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements. Full Article
sem Fixture assembly for forming prototype parts on an incremental forming machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An incremental forming machine binder is provided that has a blank holding opening that may be subdivided into smaller blank holding openings. The opening is subdivided by one or more clamping modules that are connected by connecting modules to each other and the frame. Clamps are attached to the clamping modules to clamp blanks in the blank holding openings. Multiple blanks may be secured to the binder for incremental forming. Full Article
sem TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE ASSEMBLIES, INNER CANNULAE AND METHODS OF MAKING INNER CANNULAE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80. Full Article
sem PATIENT INTERFACE ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-ADJUSTING ANCHOR POINTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A patient interface assembly having an improved support for use in securing a patient interface device to the head of a patient overcomes the shortcomings of conventional headgear. The improved support provides a self-adjusting anchor point situated anterior to the ear of the patient that provides enhanced stability in mounting the patient interface device to the patient. Full Article
sem ASSEMBLY FOR A COUNTER MECHANISM FOR A DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE AND DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for a counter mechanism for a drug delivery device is described comprising a drive member, wherein the drive member is adapted and arranged to be rotated in a first rotational direction and to be prevented from rotation in a second rotational direction which direction is opposite to the first rotational direction, an advancing member adapted and arranged to be axially moved and rotated with respect to the drive member, wherein the advancing member is adapted and arranged to mechanically cooperate with the drive member such that the drive member is rotated in the first rotational direction, and a display member which is configured to count a number of doses and to display the counted number of doses, wherein the assembly is adapted and arranged such that rotation of the drive member in the first rotational direction is converted into a counting movement of the display member. Furthermore, a drug delivery device comprising the assembly is described. Full Article
sem ANTENNA ASSEMBLY AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVINIG THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An antenna assembly includes a looped but open metallic antenna and a flat ceramic antenna within the loop of the metallic antenna. The metallic antenna includes a first end portion and a second end portion at two ends. The ceramic antenna is surrounded by the metallic antenna. The first end portion is connected to the ceramic antenna and the second end is a free end, and the output power of wireless signals thusly radiated is increased at given frequencies. Full Article
sem DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A MODULAR ANTENNA ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques and mechanisms to provide satellite communication functionality with an antenna assembly. In an embodiment, a communication device includes an antenna panel (comprising one or more holographic antenna elements), a housing and hardware interfaces which facilitate operation of the communication device has a module of the antenna display. A cross-sectional profile of the housing may conform to a polygon other than any rectangle. A configuration of the housing and hardware interfaces may facilitate the formation of an antenna assembly arrangement other than that of any rectilinear array. In another embodiment, communication devices of the antenna assembly each conform to a triangle or a hexagon. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first thin film transistor supported on the substrate and having a first active layer that primarily contains a first oxide semiconductor, and second thin film transistor supported on the substrate and having a second active layer that primarily contains a second oxide semiconductor with a higher mobility than the first oxide semiconductor. The first active layer and the second active layer are positioned on the same insulating layer and contact the same insulating layer. Full Article
sem Circuit Board, Circuit Board Assembly and Liquid Crystal Display Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A circuit board is provided and the circuit board is used for being attached to a matching board. The circuit board includes a first circuit pattern and an attaching state inspection area, and the attaching state inspection area further includes a third circuit pattern. A liquid crystal display device is further provided, including the circuit board and the matching board, the matching board includes a second circuit pattern matching the circuit board. It is more accurate to judge the attaching state between the circuit board and the matching board by detecting the deformation state of the conductive particles in vacant areas at different locations after the circuit board is attached to the matching board. Full Article
sem ELECTRODE, MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY, ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL, AND STACK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electrode of an embodiment includes a base material, and a catalyst layer provided on the base material and having a porous structure. When a sum of heights of all peaks belonging to Ir oxide is I0, the height of a peak of IrO2 (110) is T1, and the height of a peak of IrO2 (211) is I2, a ratio of (I1+I2)/I0, which is a ratio of spectra obtained by X-ray diffraction measurements using Kα rays of Cu in the catalyst layer, is 50% or more and 100% or less in a range of a diffraction angle of 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less. Full Article
sem Assembly for a Drug Delivery Device and Drug Delivery Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for a drug delivery device (1) is proposed, comprising a housing (13) having a proximal end and a distal end, a dose member (23) which is displaceable in the proximal direction with respect to the housing for setting of a dose of a drug, a clutch member (28) which is displaced in the proximal direction with respect to the housing when setting the dose, and a stop member (30) configured to define a clutch stop position for the proximal displacement of the clutch member with respect to the housing, with the clutch member, when in the clutch stop position, being prevented from further displacement in the proximal direction with respect to the housing, wherein the clutch member and the dose member are configured to mechanically cooperate with one another when the clutch member is in the clutch stop position, thereby preventing further displacement of the dose member in the proximal direction with respect to the housing during setting of the dose. Furthermore, a drug delivery device (1) is proposed. Full Article
sem MEDICAL BALLOON AND BALLOON CATHETER ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A medical balloon of a balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon wall formed of at least two layers. The first layer is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer, which is integral with the first layer is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer. It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging. Full Article
sem FLUID INFUSION DEVICE AND RELATED SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR A NEEDLELESS FLUID RESERVOIR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir. Full Article
sem FORCE BIASED SPRING PROBE PIN ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the plunger member and the second end of the internal cavity. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the plunger member with a movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the plunger and the wall of the barrel member. A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first plunger member and the second plunger member. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the first plunger member with a first movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the first plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the first plunger member and the wall of the barrel member and at least one rectangular cavity formed in the second plunger member with a second movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the second plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the second plunger member and the wall of the barrel member Full Article
sem FORCE BIASED SPRING PROBE PIN ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a split plunger member comprised of an upper split plunger part separated from a lower split plunger part separated by a diagonal cut reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the upper split plunger part and the second end of the internal cavity. A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. The first and second split plunger members are each comprised of two parts: a first upper plunger part separated from a first lower plunger part by a diagonal cut. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first and second upper split plunger parts. In each split plunger the diagonal surface of the upper split plunger part exerts a transverse force to the diagonal surface of the lower split plunger part ensuring good electrical contact between the lower split plunger member part and the barrel wall. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND VEHICLE APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor chips mounted on one package. In the first semiconductor chip, a current generation circuit generates a sense current in accordance with a load current and a fault current indicating that an abnormality detection circuit has detected an abnormality, and allows either one of the currents to flow through a current detecting resistor in accordance with presence or absence of detection of the abnormality. In the second semiconductor chip, a storage circuit stores a current value of the fault current obtained in an inspection process of the semiconductor device as a determination reference value. An arithmetic processing circuit sets a standard range based on the determination reference value, and determines presence or absence of detection of the abnormality based on whether or not a current value indicated by a digital signal of an analog-digital conversion circuit is included within the standard range. Full Article
sem QUALITY EVALUATION METHOD FOR LAMINATE HAVING PROTECTIVE LAYER ON SURFACE OF OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR THIN FILM AND QUALITY CONTROL METHOD FOR OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR THIN FILM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for simply evaluating defects caused in interface states in oxide semiconductor thin films and protective films in TFTs having protective films formed on the surface of oxide semiconductor thin films without actually measuring the characteristics of the same. This evaluation method evaluates defects caused in the interface states by measuring electron states in the oxide semiconductor thin film by a contact method or noncontact method. The defects caused in the interface states are any of the following (1)-(3). (1) Threshold value voltage (Vth,) when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor(2) Difference in threshold value voltage (ΔVth) before and after applying the positive bias to the thin-film transistor(3) Threshold value during the first measurement when a plurality of measurements is made of the threshold value voltage when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE DIAGNOSING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a power supply input section to which a first voltage from a battery cell is input; a boosting section including one end to which the first voltage from the power supply input section is input, and another end that, based on a control signal from a controller, outputs the first voltage or a second voltage boosted from the first voltage from as a power supply voltage; and a comparison section including an output section, a first input section connected to the power supply input section and the one end of the boosting section, and a second input section connected to the another end of the boosting section, the comparison section outputting a voltage from the output section that corresponds to a difference between voltages input to the first input section and the second input section. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM, AND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device for measuring a voltage of a battery cell, including first and second nodes, and first and second battery voltage measurement units. The first node is configured to receive a first voltage, the first voltage being a voltage of a capacitor that accumulates an electric charge based on the voltage of the battery cell. The first battery voltage measurement unit measures the first voltage through a first path. The second node is configured to receive a second voltage based on the voltage of the battery cell, the second node being different from the first node. The second battery voltage measurement unit measures the second voltage through a second path that is different from the first path. Full Article
sem METHOD OF OPERATING A SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID TANK OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND CORRESPONDING SENSOR ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a method of operating a sensor assembly for a fluid tank of a motor vehicle, plural sensor elements of the sensor assembly are electrically connected to a sensor controller. The sensor controller determines measuring data from the sensor elements, and transmits the measuring data from at least some of the sensor elements separately and at least in part sequentially to a reprogrammable control unit. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTOR, RADIATION DETECTOR AND RADIATION DETECTION APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor detector includes a plate-shaped semiconductor part, a signal output electrode for outputting a signal provided at one surface of the semiconductor part, a plurality of curved electrodes provided at the one surface of the semiconductor part and which have distances from the signal output electrode that are different from each other, and an arc-shaped collection electrode for collecting an electric charge generated at the semiconductor part. The plurality of curved electrodes are applied with voltage to generate in the semiconductor part a potential gradient in which a potential varies toward the signal output electrode. The collection electrode is located at a part of the semiconductor part between an adjacent pair of curved electrodes. The collection electrode is connected to a curved electrode located a distance from the signal output electrode shorter than a distance between the collection electrode and the signal output electrode among the curved electrodes. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTOR, RADIATION DETECTOR AND RADIATION DETECTION APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor detector for detecting radiation comprises a first semiconductor part in which an electron and a hole are generated by incident radiation; a signal output electrode outputting a signal base on the electron or the hole; and a gettering part gettering impurities in the first semiconductor part. In addition, the semiconductor detector further comprises a second semiconductor part doped with a type of dopant impurities and having dopant impurity concentration higher than that of the first semiconductor part. The second semiconductor part is in contact with the first semiconductor part. The gettering part is in contact with the second semiconductor part and not in contact with the first semiconductor part. Full Article
sem INTANK FILTER BOWL DE-AERATION OUTLET SHROUD AND FILTER BOWL AND FILTER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An in-tank filter bowl de-aeration shroud for a hydraulic or oil reservoir includes an outlet shroud surrounding the filter bowl outlet at a proximal end thereof and having a shroud fluid outlet at a distal end thereof with a larger opening than an opening of the filter bowl outlet. The outlet shroud may be formed as or include a diverging member surrounding the filter bowl outlet at a proximal end thereof and having a diverging member fluid outlet at a distal end thereof, wherein the member diverges from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. The outlet shroud may further include a central deflector positioned within the diverging member and combining with the diverging member to form an annular passage to the diverging member fluid outlet. Full Article
sem FILTER PLATE ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A novel embodiment of a Free Flow Filtration Unit ensuring unimpeded flow of media to be filtered and unimpeded flow of permeated media in a leakage proof fully fused rigid unit. A Filtration Unit fused into a singular element, formed by a fused stack of internally channeled flat filter plates (1) each plate formed by fusing of two molded flat half filter plates (2, 3), the filter effect formed by perforation slits or holes (10) in the surface of the plates, said perforations connecting to channels (9) in the plates for free flow of permeate (filtered media) leading to one or more exit (4) perpendicular to the plate, the filter plate exits forming exit channels for permeate from the Filtration Unit as the filter plates (1) are fused into a stack at the exit (4) and at bonding points (8) securing that the filter plates are spaced and rigidly fixed at specific distance in the stack, offering slit like gaps at least at 2 sides for free access and exit flow of media to be filtered. The filter area surface (6) can be covered by fusing a fine filter (7), typically an organic flat sheet membrane, to the filter area surface, whereby very fine micro or ultra-filtration or even molecular filtration can be achieved. Full Article
sem METHOD TO IDENTIFY AN APPROACH FOR ACHIEVING MAMMALIAN FERTILIZATION AND TIME PERIOD FOR INSEMINATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The diagnosis of male infertility is based predominantly on the results of standard semen analysis for concentration, total motility, progressive motility, volume, pH, viscosity and/or morphology. When sperm enter the female reproductive tract, they must undergo a series of physiological changes, known as capacitation, in order to fertilize an egg. This process involves plasma membrane changes that occur in response to stimuli within the female tract. These changes include removal of sterols and redistribution of the ganglioside GM1. Semen analysis identifies only half the cases of male infertility due to standard semen analysis providing little information on sperm functional competence. Previous data demonstrated that localization of the ganglioside, GM1, identifies sub-populations of sperm capable of undergoing the functional maturation process known as capacitation and tracks strongly with fertility. Full Article
sem Stretchable electronic assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A stretchable electronic assembly comprising a stretchable body, a plurality of electronic components encapsulated in the stretchable body, at least one meandering conductor connected to at least one electronic component of the plurality of electronic components, at least one hollow pocket formed in the stretchable body, the at least one meandering conductor encapsulated in the stretchable body and the at least one meandering conductor located within the at least one hollow pocket formed in the stretchable body. Full Article
sem FAN ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRIC POWER EQUIPMENT HAVING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fan assembly includes a first guide, a second guide disposed in a direction vertical to the first guide such that the height of the first guide is adjustable, a slider disposed to move in a horizontal direction along the second guide, and a plurality of fan modules fastened to the slider, wherein each of the plurality of fan modules is fastened to the slider such that the height of the fan module is adjustable. Accordingly, the heights of the plurality of fan modules can be simultaneously adjusted, and the heights of some of the plurality of fan modules can be adjusted different from those of the other fan modules, so that the plurality of fan modules can be optimally installed. Full Article
sem MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTION ENCAPSULATION USING HYDROGENATED AMORPHOUS SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments are directed to an electromagnetic memory device having a memory cell and an encapsulation layer formed over the memory cell. The memory cell may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and the encapsulation layer may be formed from a layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Amorphous silicon improves the coercivity of the MTJ but by itself is conductive. Adding hydrogen to amorphous silicon passivates dangling bonds of the amorphous silicon, thereby reducing the ability of the resulting hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer to provide a parasitic current path to the MTJ. The hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer may be formed using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, which can be tuned to enable a hydrogen level of approximately 10 to approximately 20 percent. By keeping subsequent processing operations at or below about 400 Celsius, the resulting layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon can maintain its hydrogen level of approximately 10 to 20 percent. Full Article
sem SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The semiconductor device according to the present invention has an upper electrode, a first lower layer wiring that also functions as a lower electrode, an electrical resistance-changing film interposed between the upper electrode and the first lower layer wiring, a second lower layer wiring, and a contact plug, the contact plug connecting to the upper electrode and to the second lower layer wiring. The present invention yields a semiconductor device with which it is possible to dispose elements in high density while maintaining the reliability and manufacturing yield of the electrical resistance-changing element. Full Article