ut Control device for automatic transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control device of an automatic transmission comprises a torque converter and a lock-up clutch which are arranged between an engine and an automatic transmission; and an up-shift control means that, when an up-shift is required with an accelerator pedal kept depressed by a driver, lowers an engaging capacity of releasing side engaging elements engaged at a speed stage before a gear shifting and then increases an engaging capacity of engaging side engaging elements engaged at a speed stage after the gear shifting thereby to establish a power-on up-shift, wherein the up-shift control means is configured in that when the acceleration pedal is released from the driver during the time when the power-on up-shift is being carried out, the power-on up-shift is continued while lowering the engaging capacity of the lock-up clutch. Full Article
ut Device for controlling automatic transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for controlling an automatic transmission including a lock-up clutch control portion and a zero slip control portion for bringing a lock-up clutch into a zero slip state immediately before slippage occurs in accordance with a zero slip request outputted during a non-gear shift, wherein in a case where a target slip amount is equal to or smaller than a slip amount threshold value upon transition to the zero slip state, the zero slip control portion fixes the target slip amount to the slip amount threshold value and retains the fixed target slip amount for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, gradually decreases the target slip amount from the slip amount threshold value to a zero slip amount with a predetermined gradient with time. Full Article
ut Method for controlling an automated transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling an automated transmission for motor vehicles with one or several pressure activated positioning cylinders (6, 8, 20), via the assigned shift valves (10, 12), at least one main cut-off valve (4) which is positioned prior to the shift valves, and a control device for controlling the shift and main cut-off valves. The pressure requests, for the shifting, are determined and the respective main cut-off valves are triggered depending on the determined pressure requests. To enable a variable match of the supply pressure during transmission shifts, respective optimized pressures or pressure patterns are determined for certain shift scenarios which, for instance, consider a mass to be synchronized, the existence of a tooth-on-tooth position, or the like. Through this method, for instance, the load on shift elements, the shift timing, and the shift noise can be positively influenced. Full Article
ut Methods and systems for adjusting driveline disconnect clutch operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque transferred via a driveline disconnect clutch is estimated based on characteristics of a torque converter to improve driveline operation. Full Article
ut Dog clutch control apparatus for automated transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a rotary shaft, plural dog clutch mechanisms, each of the dog clutch mechanisms including a clutch ring, a clutch hub arranged next to the clutch ring, a sleeve fitted with the clutch hub, a dog clutch portion which is provided at the clutch ring and selectively meshes with a spline formed at the sleeve, an axial driving device for moving the sleeve, the dog clutch control apparatus includes a disengagement detecting portion for detecting disengagement before the sleeve reaches a neutral position and a control apparatus for controlling operation of the axial driving device, wherein in a case where the disengagement is detected at a time of shifting operation, the control apparatus starts a shift-related control. Full Article
ut Method for the treatment of automimmune diseases comprising administering rapamycin and IL-10 By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST The invention discloses a combined preparation containing IL-10 and rapamycin, able to induce immunosuppression and antigen-specific immune tolerance, and the use thereof in the treatment of diseases involving an excessive, dysfunctional or uncontrolled immune responses mediated by T cells. Full Article
ut Use of the peptide RFMWMR as a therapeutic agent By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Trp-Met-Arg-NH2 as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilisate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Trp-Met-Arg-NH2 optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent. Full Article
ut Use of Gonadorelin as a therapeutic agent By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound Pyr-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilizate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide Pyr-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent. Full Article
ut Recombinant chimeric protein of neutrophil inhibitory factor and hirugen, and pharmaceutical composition thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST A chimeric protein containing neutrophil inhibitory factor and hirugen, the chimeric protein having an amino acid sequence that includes FPRPGSGG (SEQ ID NO:21) Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the chimeric protein, which can be used for treating or preventing cerebral injury and cerebral edema, or for inhibiting platelet aggregation. Full Article
ut Immobilized tumor necrosis factor-α muteins for enhancing immune response in mammals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a method for enhancing an immune response in a mammal to facilitate the elimination of a chronic pathology. The method involves the removal of immune system inhibitors such as soluble TNF receptor from the circulation of the mammal, thus, enabling a more vigorous immune response to the pathogenic agent. The removal of immune system inhibitors is accomplished by contacting biological fluids of a mammal with one or more binding partner(s) such as TNFα muteins capable of binding to and, thus, depleting the targeted immune system inhibitor(s) from the biological fluids. Particularly useful in the invention is an absorbent matrix composed of an inert, biocompatible substrate joined covalently to a binding partner, such as a TNFα mutein, capable of specifically binding to a targeted immune system inhibitor such as soluble TNF receptor. Full Article
ut DNA replicon system for high-level rapid production of vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapeutics in plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT Plant viral vectors have great potential in rapid production of proteins, but no simple. Here a geminivirus-based system for high-yield and rapid production of oligomeric protein complexes, including virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is described. In particular, a single vector that contains two non-competing replicons for transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is described. The correct assembly of these subunit proteins into functional oligomeric structures (VLPs or full-size mAb) is also described. This system advances plant transient expression technology by eliminating the need for non-competing viruses, and thus, enhances the realistic commercial application of this technology for producing multiple-subunit protein complexes. Full Article
ut Therapeutic agent for fibromyalgia containing etanercept By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a drug effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Basically, the disclosed therapeutic agent was created on the basis of experiments showing improvement in symptoms when etanercept was administered to patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Etanercept is known as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and the JFIQ score of patients not suffering from fibromyalgia improved considerably in the preferred embodiment. In other words, a therapeutic agent for fibromyalgia is disclosed that contains etanercept as an active ingredient in an effective amount. Full Article
ut Rotary element assembly structure with rotary element capable of rotating about hollow shaft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A rotary element assembly structure in which a rotary element 53 is assembled to a tip side of a hollow shaft B1 provided upright on a pedestal 60. A cylindrical portion 53c for fitting with the hollow shaft is provided to a rotation center portion of the rotary element. In the cylindrical portion, a hook strut portion 53s that has a hook portion 53f overhanging in the radial direction at its tip side and that extends substantially in the fitting direction is arranged. A base end portion of the hook strut portion and a base end portion of the cylindrical portion are coupled with each other by a resin-made thin plate portion 53p. A small diameter portion B1s which is smaller in diameter than a hollow portion B1d of the hollow shaft is provided on the tip side of the hollow shaft. The radius of the overhang tip portion of the hook portion is set to be greater than the radius of the small diameter portion of the hollow shaft, and to be smaller than the radius of the hollow portion. By fitting the hollow shaft with the cylindrical portion of the rotary element, the hook portion on the tip side of the hook strut portion is pushed into the hollow portion via the small diameter portion on the tip side of the hollow shaft. Thereby, the hook portion engages with a stepped portion formed by the hollow portion and the small diameter portion. Full Article
ut Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. Full Article
ut Wobble determining apparatus and method, optical disk device, and computer program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A wobble determining apparatus is provided with: a calculating device for calculating (i) a first time required until reaching a number of revolutions of a motor which allows a predetermined linear velocity, and (ii) a second time required to move an optical head to a position which allows the predetermined linear velocity, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the motor and the position of the optical head; a judging device for judging whether to keep the optical head in accordance with the calculated first time and the calculated second time; and a controlling device for controlling a moving device not to move the optical head if it is judged to keep the optical head, and for controlling the moving device to move the optical head to the position which allows the predetermined linear velocity if it is judged not to keep the optical head. Full Article
ut Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Full Article
ut Auger drive coupler assembly having a friction clutch for a combine harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An unload auger assembly for a combine harvester includes a drive coupler configured between adjacent first and second auger segments. The coupler includes a driver component and associated driver cog coupled to the first auger segment. A driven component and associated driven cog is coupled to the second auger segment. The driven cog is rotationally engaged by the driver cog to transmit rotational drive from the first auger segment to the second auger segment. A friction clutch is configured in-line between the driver component and driven component and rotationally couples the driver component to the driven up to a release torque value wherein the friction clutch disengages the driver component from the driven component. Full Article
ut Flow distribution system for controlling application width of residual crop material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field. Full Article
ut Combine sieve assembly with an auger trough clean-out assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT An auger assembly for a combine harvester includes an auger trough having side walls with a length so as to extend laterally between opposed side sheets. Guide tracks are configured along bottom edges of the side walls. A flexible bottom cover member is slidably engaged within the guide tracks. The cover member is removably attached to the side walls by being slid into and out of the guide tracks from a longitudinal end of the side walls outboard of the side sheets for an auger clean-out procedure. Full Article
ut Harvested crop residue chopper and distribution arrangement for a combine with an impeller blower whose shape conforms to the contour of the straw chopper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns a harvested crop residue chopper and distribution arrangement for a combine (10) with a straw chopper (60) with a rotor (74) that can be brought into rotation about a horizontal axis (98) with chopper blades (76) fastened thereto that define an outer envelope (96), and with at least one impeller blower (82) arranged downstream of the straw chopper (60) with impeller blades (84) that can rotate about an axis of rotation (88) that extends vertically, in which the impeller blades (84) are provided with outer edges (94) that conform to the envelope (96) of the chopper knives (76) and follow it very closely and are not in contact with it. Full Article
ut Forage harvester with an arrangement for measuring the harvested material throughput By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A forage harvester has an engine which is drivingly connected to a chopper cylinder via first drive belt, and to a first end of a drive shaft of a discharge accelerator. A second end of the drive shaft of the discharge accelerator is drivingly connected to a kernel processor via a second drive belt, is arranged, in the direction of harvested material flow, between the chopper cylinder and the discharge accelerator. The discharge accelerator comprises support disks which extend radially, and paddles. The support disks are attached to a hollow shaft enclosing the drive shaft, and, a sensor is arranged between the drive shaft and the discharge accelerator for the determination of the force transmitted by the drive shaft to the discharge accelerator. Full Article
ut Biomass conveying and distributing system for a harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A biomass conveying and distributing system for separating and distributing lighter biomass residue from heavier or denser biomass, utilizing available air flow from the cleaning system of the harvester. The harvester will discharge a flow of heavier or denser biomass with an airborne flow of lighter biomass residue. The system includes a conveyor for receiving and conveying the heavier or denser biomass, and residue distributing apparatus disposed above the conveyor in a path of at least a portion of the airborne flow of lighter residue, including at least one deflector configured and operable for redirecting the airborne flow sidewardly away from the conveyor, above a passage through which the conveyor passes carrying the heavier biomass away from the harvester. Full Article
ut System and method for controlling spreader output from a harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A system and method for controlling spreader output from a harvester includes a distribution chamber for receiving an agricultural material removed from a field. The harvester includes a spreader system configured to distribute the agricultural material onto the field, and an opening configured to receive the agricultural material from the distribution chamber. Moreover, the distribution chamber includes a first panel rotatably coupled to a first side of the distribution chamber, and a second panel rotatably coupled to a second side of the distribution chamber. The first and second panels are configured to direct the agricultural material toward the opening of the spreader system. An angle of the first panel is independently adjustable to control a first amount of agricultural material directed toward a first inlet portion. An angle of the second panel is independently adjustable to control a second amount of agricultural material directed toward a second inlet portion. Full Article
ut Biomass feed system using an air blanket for improved distribution within a collection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A biomass feed system includes a device to propel an airborne flow of the biomass along a trajectory within a collection device. At least one air flow port is disposed and operable in cooperation with at least one fan for discharging a flow of air for creating a blanket of pressurized air within the interior cavity beneath the trajectory for supporting and extending a distance of travel of the biomass within the collection device. The collection device can include an air flow outlet adjacent to a terminal end of the trajectory, to and through which the pressurized air will flow, in a manner for lifting and carrying at least some of the airborne biomass farther into the interior cavity. And, vanes or other elements can be provided to used to achieve better sideward distribution. Full Article
ut Method and apparatus for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Method and apparatus are provided for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device or processing line, which organ or organs form part of an organ package and wherein the organ or organs are separated from the organ package. The organ package is spatially oriented by the processing device without notably breaking tissue connections in the package, and in a preselected order so as to cause the harvesting of organs from the package to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the location of the organ package in the processing device or processing line. Full Article
ut Poultry euthanasia device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method and apparatus for euthanizing poultry by rapidly impacting the spinal column of the bird. Full Article
ut Paw cutter system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A paw cutting system for removing a poultry paw from a shackle conveyed along a shackle conveyor line and then cutting the leg of the paw to remove the knuckle is provided. The paw cutter has a guide bar substantially aligned with the shackle conveyor line that urges the paw to a central cavity of the shackle. The paw is discharged from the central cavity into a lateral notch formed in two opposed discs positioned adjacent to an end of the guide bar. The two opposed discs are rotatable and move the paw from the guide bar to a blade. As the paw is moved to the blade, the two discs stretch the paw so that the blade can cleanly cut the paw. The cut paw product can be placed onto a belt or other device in an ordered manner. Full Article
ut Selective tendon cutter and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method is disclosed for cutting tendons within the drumstick of a poultry leg while leaving the fibula of the drumstick intact. The drumstick has first and second opposing sides where no fibula extends and opposing third and fourth sides along one of which the fibula extends. The method includes suspending the drumstick from its ankle joint, moving the suspended drumstick in a downstream processing direction, cutting the meat and tendons extending along the first side of the drumstick, cutting the meat and tendons extending along the second side of the drumstick, pushing and stretching the meat and tendons of the drumstick to form a bulge projecting in the direction of the third side of the drumstick, cutting through the meat and tendons within the bulge while insuring that the cut is not made completely to the tibia, orienting the suspended drumstick so that its fourth side faces in the direction of a knife blade, pushing and stretching the meat and tendons of the drumstick to form a bulge projecting in the direction of the fourth side of the drumstick, and cutting through the meat and tendons within the bulge while insuring that the cut is not made completely to the tibia. An apparatus for carrying out the method also is disclosed. Full Article
ut Automated poultry hanging system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized. Full Article
ut Meat cutting cabinet using laser beams By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The meat cutting cabinet provides an apparatus for automatically cutting and slicing meat using laser beams. The cabinet includes a motor disposed in the interior top thereof. The motor is connected to a winch or spool that pays out or reels in a steel cable. A steel hanger adapted for holding meat is suspended from the steel cable. Interior sidewalls of the cabinet have elongate standards extending from the upper portion to a lower portion proximate the cutting area of the cabinet. The steel hanger is slidably attached to the elongate members via channels formed in the standards. A laser carrier is disposed along an interior periphery of the cabinet and holds laser heads that can move via translation inside the carrier. This laser arrangement forms the cutting area through which the suspended meat can travel under control of a control panel connected to the spool motor. Full Article
ut Method and an apparatus for removing fat from meat cuts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for removing fat from one face of a meat cut, where a knife tool cuts a layer of fat and possibly skin from the face. The knife tool is adapted to cut across the entire width of said meat cut along a desired trimming interface. The knife tool includes at least two controllable blade parts, each having a cutting edge, the blade parts extending between the first face and a fat-to-lean interface without intersecting said first face. The position of said cutting edges and the angle of the blade parts are continuously adapted, by controlling the at least two controllable blade parts, to cut following the desired trimming interface, whereby the fat and possible skin is trimmed from the lean in one single piece of fat. Full Article
ut Method and apparatus for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and apparatus are provided for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device or processing line, which organ or organs form part of an organ package and wherein said organ or organs are separated from the organ package. The organ package is spatially oriented by the processing device without notably breaking tissue connections in the package, and in a preselected order so as to cause harvesting of organs from the package to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the location of the organ package in the processing device or processing line. Full Article
ut Device for securing animal carcass for butchering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for use in suspending an animal carcass in an elevated condition includes a device body having an upper section which is integral with a lower section by way of a compound bend. The upper section is formed with a protrusion and the lower section includes a plurality of arms. The animal carcass includes a pelvic bone and the device is constructed and arranged to be positionable within the animal carcass such that the protrusion engages the pelvic bone in order to suspend the animal carcass in the elevated condition. Full Article
ut Fish transporting device for automatically feeding fish to a fish processing machine and device for aligning fish in a head/tail orientation having such a fish transporting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns a fish transporting apparatus for automatically feeding fish to a fish processing machine. The fish transporting apparatus can include a transport device with a bottom element for receiving the fish and lateral boundary elements for guiding the fish as well as a vibrating member for vibratory driving of the transport device, which is distinguished in that the bottom element is constructed as a grid plate with rectangular apertures. Furthermore, the invention concerns a device for aligning fish in a head/tail orientation with such a fish transporting apparatus. Full Article
ut Diluter and discharge valve arrangement for a fuel cell system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is fuel cell system capable of eliminating any failure caused by freezing of a discharge valve during a low temperature while preventing an increase in size of the system. A fuel cell system is provided, the system including: a fuel cell; a diluter that dilutes a fuel-off gas discharged from the fuel cell with an oxidant-off gas discharged from the fuel cell to discharge the resulting gas to the outside; a fuel-off gas flow path that connects the fuel cell and the diluter; and a discharge valve that is provided to the fuel-off gas flow path to discharge a fuel-off gas flowing through the fuel-off gas flow path to the outside during a valve opening operation. In the fuel cell system, the discharge valve is integrally attached to the diluter. Full Article
ut Casting solution and method for making a polymer electrolyte membrane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising bound anionic functional groups and polyvalent cations, such as Mn or Ru cations, which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are also provided. Full Article
ut Method and device to measure temperature of a prismatic cell of automotive battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses and methods of use are provided that include a battery cell comprising a flexible resistive thermal device. The resistive thermal device includes a flexible conductive circuit that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the battery cell. Resistance measured in the conductive circuit is correlated with a temperature of the battery cell thereby allowing control of a cooling system and/or the charging/discharging rates of the battery cell to be adjusted in response to temperature. Flexibility of the resistive thermal device also accommodates dimensional changes in the battery cell. Full Article
ut Indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell and method for shutting down the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which a hydrocarbon-based fuel is reliably reformed, and the oxidative degradation of the anode can be prevented by a reformed gas. A method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC including a reformer; an SOFC; a combustion region for combusting the anode off-gas of the SOFC; and an enclosure for housing the reformer, the SOFC, and the combustion region, wherein the method includes causing the flow rate of a fuel supplied to the reformer to become FE from FS; and stopping the supply of the fuel to the reformer when an anode temperature becomes lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, where FE represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer in a state in which the anode temperature is steady and lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, in which in the reformer the fuel is reformed and a reformed gas with a composition suitable to be supplied to an anode is produced, and in which an amount of the reformed gas produced is equal to or more than the requisite minimum flow rate for preventing the oxidative degradation of the anode when the anode temperature is a temperature equal to or higher than the oxidative degradation temperature, and FS represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer at the start of the shutdown method. Also provided is an indirect internal reforming SOFC appropriate for this method. Full Article
ut Business form with imaging compatible punch-out card and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 08:00:00 EDT A business form with laser compatible punch-out card and the methods of making the combination. The card is permanently adhered to a perforated backer sheet, the periphery of which extends beyond the card and is coated with adhesive for application to the bottom surface of a form containing a hole such that the card is disposed within the hole. The card and attached portion of the backer sheet can then be removed from the card-in-form combination by breaking the perforations. The card is die cut from card stock laminated to the backer layer and is prepared for application to the form by stripping a waste matrix of card material from the laminate through the use of patterned release material. Full Article
ut Document security method utilizing microdrop combinatorics, ink set and ink composition used therein, and product formed By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are sets of ink components, and ink compositions, useful for printing markings, on security documents, that are relatively resistant to counterfeiting. Also disclosed are the security documents formed, a method of printing and a method of authenticating the printed material. The markings, formed of the ink compositions have a spectral response that deviates from a predicted spectral response when linearly additively combining spectral responses of components of the ink composition, so that it becomes difficult to reverse-engineer the ink composition from the markings. Use of plural different markings, with each marking being a microdot, increases difficulty in counterfeiting. By forming a template of spectral responses of the original pattern, spectral responses of a pattern on an unknown document can be compared to the spectral responses on the template for determining whether the unknown document is authentic. Formation of the markings is facilitated using an inkjet printer. Full Article
ut Automatic shuffling machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EDT An automatic shuffling machine has a shuffling wheel and a card input mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel for conveying and inserting cards into slots formed in the shuffling wheel. An insertion panel is mounted securely between the card input and the shuffling wheel, may be a curved shape corresponding to the shuffling wheel and has a tangent surface opposite to the shuffling wheel and an abutting portion disposed between an inlet passage of the card input and one corresponding card slot of the shuffling wheel. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the shuffling wheel, the automatic shuffling machine input the cards in a simple and efficient manner. Full Article
ut Image forming apparatus including tab sheet reversing function, computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus, and its control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EDT A printer, as an image forming apparatus, reverses the front and back sides of tab sheets that became no longer necessary and discharges when a reverse discharge is specified. Full Article
ut Computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus having a tab sheet insertion function, image forming apparatus and method executed in the image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides the user a first insertion page position setting part that allows a user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which first tab sheets are to be inserted, and a second insertion page position setting part that allows the user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which second tab sheets are to be inserted, when a request for initiating the setting concerning the tab sheets is received. Further, the tab positions in the second tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said second insertion page position setting part, are set up in accordance with the tab positions in the first tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said first insertion page position setting part. Full Article
ut Methods and systems for betting with pari-mutuel payouts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices. Full Article
ut Method, apparatus, computer program, and computer readable storage media for controlling the insertion of tab sheets into a print job By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling within a printer driver the insertion of tab sheets into a print job. According to one embodiment, sheets of multiple levels are insertable. The printer driver provides at least input fields for entry and display of parameters for the definition of at least one tab sheet, and an interactive area for visualizing the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet corresponding to the level of the tab sheet in the print job. Depending on changes of a tab sheet defined by entered parameters, the visualization of the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet in the print job is updated in the interactive area. Full Article
ut Printable automatic paper belt-rolling reader (PB reader) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT The PB Reader solves the problem that the e-reader presents: the e-reader has a non-paper screen and printed documents need assembly, binding, and page turning via hands. This is an electronic, mechanical device that can quickly search, review and print documents and that has text-to-speech and remote control functionality. The unit is rectangular in shape similar as a traditional book, including a viewing window for reading and printing. The unit is fed by two paper-belt rollers, across which images and printed text are displayed. The two paper-belt rolls, which are held by two square axles that are driven by the stepping motor through multiple reduction gears. A pattern of round dots is printed on the bottom side of the paper belt, which can be decoded by a photoelectric sensor to take action of reeling pages. The signals control the stepper motor, allowing the reader to reel the page forward or backward, or jump directly to a specific position.The second component of this invention is the designated printer. Its body shape is rectangular. The said printer can print any text files and photos from a computer directly onto the blank paper belt in the PB Reader by means of sensing the code on the paper belt. This way, electronic files are transformed into physical paper files that are readable by the invention to ensure quick search, review and as well as safe storage.The invention also has a wireless remote control function, which will allow people who are disabled (or users who for whatever reasons do not have free use of their hands) to make use of the reader. Full Article
ut Video processing and signal routing apparatus for providing picture in a picture capabilities on an electronic gaming machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A gaming system used in a wager-based electronic gaming machine is described. The gaming system is configured to provide picture in a picture capabilities on the electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming system can include a first gaming device and a second gaming device where the first gaming device controls the second gaming device. The first gaming device can be configured to receive data and/or communicate with an electronic gaming machine controller, a value input device and value output device. The second gaming device can be configured to receive touchscreen data from a touchscreen display and first video data from the first gaming device and second video data from the EGM controller. Under control of the first gaming device, the first video data and second video data can be output in various sizes and locations on the touchscreen display. Full Article
ut System and method for printing a pharmaceutical label By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses. Full Article
ut Variable clutch mechanism and correction tape dispenser with variable clutch mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A clutch mechanism for a tape dispenser, for example, includes a first reel, a second reel, a biasing element, and a friction element. The first and second reels are rotatably disposed on first and second shafts. The biasing element is disposed between the second reel and second shaft such that the second reel is movable in a radial direction between first and second positions relative to the second shaft and the biasing element biases the second reel into the first position. The friction element extends around the first and second reels and arranged to generate a first normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a first position, relative to the second shaft, and a second normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a second position, relative to the second shaft. Full Article
ut Fast valve actuation system for an automatic transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve. Full Article