ac Surface covering kit comprising panels and an extraneous locking element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surface covering kit is disclosed, comprising a plurality of generally rectangular panels (100). Each panel is provided with grooves (301, 302, 301', 302') forming an insertion channel (303) when two panels (100) are laid next to each other along their transverse sides (105, 105') in a common laying plane (101). An extraneous locking element (210) is received by the insertion channel (303), the extraneous locking element (210) having a longitudinal dimension and a cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension which forms a cross with at least four cross arms. The corresponding cross arms of the insertion channel have two parallel flank surfaces (1603, 1604) each, and each of the cross arms is oriented diagonally in a plane perpendicular to the panel plane (102). Full Article
ac System for manufacturing a reinforcement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A structural element for constructing an auxiliary means for the manufacture of a reinforcement includes at least one coupling point for coupling the structural element to another structural element. The structural element is formed from a basic element. The structural element may further include a holding means for holding a reinforcement rod. A method for constructing an auxiliary means and a method for manufacturing a reinforcement are also provided. Full Article
ac Jacking tower By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of self-erecting a jacking tower includes extending a lift assembly, inserting a first module assembly below the extended lift assembly, lowering the lift assembly around the first module assembly, engaging the lift assembly with the first module assembly, extending the lift assembly with the first module assembly engaged, inserting a second module assembly below the extended lift assembly, lowering the lift assembly, and coupling the first and second module assemblies. Full Article
ac Installation for manufacturing a prefabricated reinforced cement mortar panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Anchor positioning equipment for pre-fabricating panels of reinforced cement mortar (10) that includes a prestressed biaxial reinforcement (9). The panel has some versatile actuator means (6) embedded into the mass of cement mortar (10), that do not project from any of the faces (11) thereof, for handling and/or securing said panel to the structure of a building. The means (6) comprise, on the one hand, means for retaining (13) in the set mortar mass and, panel anchoring means (14). The equipment has a fixed base structure (2) for supporting stable seat elastic arrangements (5), which receive means (6) and, on the other hand, movable frameworks (1) comprising gripping arrangements (3) for gripping means (6). Movable frameworks (1) are responsible for removing means (6) from stable seat elastic arrangements (5). Full Article
ac Portable building facade systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method providing a facade for portable toilets and other structures includes a plurality of panels that mimic or emulate a more aesthetically pleasings structure. The facade may provide the appearance of a house or other structure to disguise the less appealing form of a portable toilet. One, two, three or more panels connect about a portable toilet structure and may partially or completely connect to the portable toilet structure itself. The facade is optionally comprised of lightweight and easily transportable material. Full Article
ac Insulated concrete form wall having a bracket attaching a rim joist thereto By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides in one aspect for a bracket for use with insulated forms for concrete walls. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior of the insulated form to provide for a means of attaching the header or rim joist to the bracket. The bracket is provided an anchoring plate extending from the attaching plate for insertion into the interior of the insulated form. The present invention also provides for a method of attaching a header or rim joist to a concrete wall formed using insulated forms. The method involves cutting a vertical slot in the insulated form and inserting a bracket into the slot. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior surface of the insulated form and an anchoring plate extending from the attachment plate through the slot into the interior of the insulated form. Concrete is poured into the form and allowed to set, after which the header or rim joist is attached to the brackets. Full Article
ac Unitary safety surface tiles and associated structures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A unitary safety surface tile is provided. The tile may interlock with at least one other tile. The tiles may be configured for disposing on a base of loose fill and for receiving a covering of loose fill. The tiles may include a plurality of hollow inverted pyramidal shaped pockets. Each of the pockets may connect to at least two other pockets along a top edge of each pocket. Each of the pockets may engage the base of loose fill and/or receive the covering of loose fill. Each of the pockets may include one or more apertures for allowing passage of fluid through each of the pockets. Each tile may further include a plurality of edges. The edges may border the plurality of pockets. Each of at least two of said plurality of edges may be adapted for engaging at least one edge of at least one other tile. Full Article
ac Keder rail attachment for a fabric/panel building By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An extrudable keder rail and a clamping anchor for the keder rail are cooperative to secure keder fabric to a building support beam. The clamping anchor allows the keder rail to be securely attached to a standard beam without drilling holes or strapping about the beam. A temporary clamp and movable tensioning device allow the keder rails and keder fabric to be applied to the building support beams after the support beams have been assembled and installed. Full Article
ac 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
ac Retractable roof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A retractable roof structure for crop protection includes pitched sections of roof defined by a retractable membrane. The membrane is moved by cables connected to a drive tube with a spring to regulate minimum tension of the cable. The drive system ensures that the membrane adjacent to the drive tube is able to travel the same distance as the second membrane from the drive tube. The rafter contains profiles to allow the stationary end of said membrane to be attached continuously to the rafters to provide a water tight connection. The rafter also contains clips which inhibit vertical, lateral and horizontal movement of the guide wires used to suspend the membrane. The guide wires are supported by flexible cables or nodes. A secondary clear membrane is installed below a white upper retractable membrane. Full Article
ac 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
ac ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE SECURING DEVICE AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a device that can be used to secure an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, the device is a one-time use device that has a flexible construction with an adhesive side. The device is configured to be adhered to the endotracheal tube and subsequently secure unto the patient's face. The device is quick and easy to deploy, it reliably secure the endotracheal tube, is comfortable for the patient, and that minimized the chances of infection. Full Article
ac 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
ac Integrated Umbilical Delivery System for Gas, Data, Communications Acquisition /Documentation, Accessory Power and Safety for Users in Adverse Environments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An umbilical system for sourcing and delivering within a flexible protective covering, a plurality of different breathing gasses, safety tether, a plurality of ancillary lines for remotely distributable, documentable, multidirectional, multi-format data/communications acquisition and delivery, personal/situational awareness and ancillary power sources for tool, accessory or device enervation, to a plurality of Users in an adverse environment. Full Article
ac COMBINED LARYNO-TRACHEAL ANESTHETIC AND STYLET DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A nozzle received by a patient. The nozzle has at least two portions. A first portion that has an upper end and a lower end in which a central aperture extends between the upper and lower ends of the nozzle. The central aperture terminates at the opening of the lower end of the nozzle. A second portion that has two ends, the second end is rounded. There is at least one support arm joining the first and second body portions but holding the second body portion a set distance from the first body portion. Full Article
ac METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ANESTHESIA APPARATUS, ANESTHESIA APPARATUS OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and a control program for operating an anesthesia apparatus, as well as an anesthesia apparatus (12), which operates according to the method are provided. The anesthesia apparatus includes a breathing gas feed unit (22) intended for displacing a breathing gas volume in a breathing circuit (10). A piston (23) brings about the displacement of the breathing gas. Switching over between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the return of the piston (23) allows for a presetting of a corresponding piston return velocity. The piston return velocity depends on a volume flow in an exhalation branch (34) of the breathing circuit (10) in the first mode of operation. The piston return velocity depends on a minimally necessary piston return velocity in the second mode of operation. Full Article
ac DETERMINING PATIENT INTERFACE DEVICE OPTIMAL HARDNESS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system for determining an optimal hardness of a patient interface device includes a fit score determination unit structured to receive a 3-D model of the patient interface device and a 3-D model of a patient's face and to determine a fit score between the patient interface device and the patient's face based on the 3-D model of the patient interface device and the 3-D model of the patient's face, and a hardness determination unit structured to determine a hardness value of the patient interface device based on the determined fit score. Full Article
ac HEADGEAR FOR RESPIRATORY INTERFACES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Several embodiments of straps and headgear assemblies are described. Some of the embodiments provide straps that can had varied elasticity over the length of the straps. Some of the embodiments provide adjustment mechanisms that facilitate customization of headgear to a user. Full Article
ac DISTRIBUTED ON-PACKAGE MILLIMETER-WAVE RADIO By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments described herein generally relate to phased array antenna systems or packages and techniques of making and using the systems and packages. A phased array antenna package may include a distributed phased array antenna comprising (1) a plurality of antenna sub-arrays, which may each include a plurality of antennas, (2) a plurality of Radio Frequency Dies (RFDs), each of the RFDs located proximate and electrically coupled by a trace of a plurality of traces to a corresponding antenna sub-array of the plurality of antenna sub-arrays, and (3) wherein each trace of the plurality of traces configured to electrically couple an antenna of the plurality of antennas to the RFD located proximate the antenna, wherein each trace of the plurality of traces is configured to transmit millimeter wave (mm-wave) radio signals, and wherein the plurality of traces are each of a substantially uniform length. Full Article
ac Antenna for wireless communication device chassis having reduced cutback By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An antenna having a passive antenna element that is integrated in a wireless communication chassis, is naturally in resonance, and is galvanically coupled to ground, and a passive indirect antenna element feed that is non-galvanically coupled to the antenna element. If the chassis is foldable, a parasitic element may be located opposite an antenna element feed when the foldable chassis is in at least one of a closed mode and a tablet mode. Full Article
ac Tracking Antenna System Adaptable For Use In Discrete Radio Frequency Spectrums By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A tracking antenna system for discrete radio frequency spectrums includes a reflector, a pedestal supporting the reflector, a radome assembly enclosing both, a first feed for gathering radio waves within a first of discrete RF spectrums that is removably disposed in front of the reflector at the focal point, a first RF module operably connected to the first feed for converting the first gathered radio waves to first electronic signals, a feed mount for removably supporting the first feed and configured to removably support a second feed for gathering radio waves within a second of discrete RF spectrums, and a module mount for removably supporting the first RF module and configured to removably support a second RF module for converting the second radio waves to second electronic signals. A method of using the tracking antenna system adaptable for discrete radio frequency spectrums is also disclosed. Full Article
ac ANTENNA DEVICE AND SYSTEM HAVING ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MODULES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An antenna device includes: an antenna array configured to radiate or receive an electromagnetic wave signal; a feed network configured to connect the antenna array and a signal multiplexer; at least one signal multiplexer configured to divide one path of a signal from the feed network into at least two paths of a signal, or combine at least two paths of a signal to one path of a signal and transmit the one path of a signal to the feed network; and at least two interface modules connected to an active module and configured to receive a signal sent from the passive module or the active module, or send a signal to the active module. The antenna device can be used for sharing the antenna array and other parts in the active antenna systems. Full Article
ac BROADBAND SURFACE SCATTERING ANTENNAS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A surface scattering antenna with a tightly-coupled or tightly-connected array of radiators provides an adjustable antenna with broadband instantaneous bandwidth. Full Article
ac METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THIN-FILM TRANSISTOR, THIN-FILM TRANSISTOR SUBSTRATE, AND FLAT PANEL DISPLAY APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a thin-film transistor includes forming an oxide semiconductor on a substrate, stacking an insulating layer and a metal layer on the substrate to cover the oxide semiconductor, forming a photosensitive pattern on the metal layer, forming a gate electrode by etching the metal layer using the photosensitive pattern as a mask, where a part of the gate electrode overlaps a first oxide semiconductor region of the oxide semiconductor, forming a gate insulating film by partially etching the insulating layer using the photosensitive pattern as a mask, where the gate insulating film includes a first insulating region with a first thickness under the photosensitive pattern and a second insulating region with a second thickness less than the first thickness, and performing plasma processing on the gate insulating film so that a second oxide semiconductor region of the oxide semiconductor under the second insulating region becomes conductive. Full Article
ac COMPENSATION FILM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A compensation film includes an elongation film having an elongation rate of greater than or equal to about 200% in a uniaxial direction and having a surface energy of about 40 mJ/m2 to about 65 mJ/m2 and a liquid crystal layer disposed on one side of the elongation film and including liquid crystals. Full Article
ac Liquid Crystal Display Panel, Array Substrate And Manufacturing Method Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure provides a liquid crystal display panel, an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. In the method, controllable resistance spacer layers are formed on at least one of a source doped region and a drain doped region of a low temperature polysilicon active layer, wherein when a turn-on signal is not applied to the gate layer, the controllable resistance spacer layers serve as a blocking action for a flowing current, and when the turn-on signal is applied to the gate layer, the controllable resistance spacer layers serve as a conducting action for the flowing current, such that a contact region formed of the controllable resistance spacer layers is connected the corresponding source layer and the corresponding drain through the controllable resistance spacer layers. Therefore, the disclosure is capable of effectively decreasing a leakage of a thin film transistor. Full Article
ac 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
ac DISPLAY APPARATUS AND RELATED MANUFACTURING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A display apparatus may include a display panel, a touch electrode, a connecting pad, a first inorganic insulation layer, and a second inorganic insulation layer. The display panel may display an image according to image data. The touch electrode and the connecting pad may be formed of the same conductive material and may be spaced from each other. The first inorganic insulation layer may be positioned between the display panel and the touch electrode and may directly contact each of the touch electrode and the connecting pad. The second inorganic insulation layer may directly contact each of the first inorganic insulation layer and the touch electrode. The touch electrode may be covered by the second inorganic insulation layer. The connecting pad may be positioned between two portions of the second inorganic insulation layer and have a side not covered by the second inorganic insulation layer. Full Article
ac LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, liquid crystal layer, and first and second spacer sections. The first substrate has a first surface including a light-shielding region in a lattice form and a plurality of opening regions surrounded by the light-shielding region. The light-shielding region includes a plurality of first extended portions extending in a first direction and a plurality of second extended portions extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction. The first substrate has a plurality of transistors formed thereon. The second substrate has a second surface that is opposed to and spaced from the first surface. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first and second surfaces. The first spacer section has long sides oriented in the second direction, and the second spacer section has long sides oriented in the first direction. The spacer sections protrude into the liquid crystal layer. Full Article
ac BACK PLATE AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A back plate of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a first region as an appearance of the entire LCD device, in which a plurality of first and second reinforcing ribs crossing each other are disposed, the plurality of first reinforcing ribs are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction, and an angle α between the first reinforcing rib and a vertical direction ranges from 40° to 50°. The plurality of second reinforcing ribs are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction, and an angle β between the second reinforcing rib and the vertical direction ranges from 40° to 50°. Each of the first reinforcing ribs at least crosses one of the second reinforcing ribs. A liquid crystal display device including the back plate as described above is also disclosed. Full Article
ac DISPLAY DEVICE, ADHESIVE SHEET USED FOR DISPLAY DEVICE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING DISPLAY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a cover panel on a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit opposed to the liquid crystal display panel, a case covering the backlight unit and the liquid crystal display panel, and including at least a part fixed to the cover panel, and an adhesive provided on the cover panel along the liquid crystal display panel. The adhesive includes a surface opposite to the cover panel, a first area on the surface, and a second area on the surface, located on an inner side closer to the liquid crystal display panel than the first area. The part of the case is adhered to the second area. Full Article
ac DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a display device includes a cover panel, a display panel opposed to the cover panel, an adhesive layer provided between the cover panel and the display panel and attaching the display panel to the cover panel, the adhesive layer including a first area to which the display panel is fixed and a second area located further outward than an outer periphery of the display panel, a backlight unit opposed to the display panel, and a case containing the display panel and the backlight unit, at least a part of the case being fixed to the cover panel by the second area of the adhesive layer. Full Article
ac LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid crystal display (LCD) is presented. The LCD includes: a substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors disposed on the substrate; a plurality of liquid crystal (LC) layers disposed within a plurality of microcavities on the substrate; a partition wall disposed between the LC layers adjacent in a first direction; and signal lines disposed between the LC layers and the partition wall and connected to the plurality of thin film transistors. Full Article
ac BACKLIGHT UNIT AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A backlight unit includes a bottom cover; a plurality of light sources on the bottom cover; a first support side at an area directly along a first edge of the bottom cover adjacent to a corner of the bottom cover; and a second support side directly adjacent to the first support side and along the first edge of the bottom cover. The first support side includes a first vertical portion, and a first inclined portion connected to a top of the first vertical portion. The second support side includes a second vertical portion, and a second inclined portion connected to a top of the second vertical portion. Full Article
ac Backlight Module and Display Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A backlight module and a display device are provided. The backlight module includes a light source, a plate-shaped light intensity splitting component and a reflecting sheet, wherein, the plate-shaped light intensity splitting component and the reflecting sheet are oppositely arranged to form an empty light guide space therebetween, and the plate-shaped light intensity splitting component is configured to split incident light from the light source into reflected light facing to the reflecting sheet and transmission light passing through the plate-shaped light intensity splitting component. The backlight module without adopting a light guide plate can save cost for manufacturing the backlight module and is advantageous to improve light utilization efficiency. Full Article
ac LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid crystal display includes a display panel, an opposite display panel, a liquid crystal layer between the display panel and the opposite display panel. The display panel includes a first base substrate, a pretilt alignment stabilization layer including a polymer of a reactive mesogen, a first vertical alignment layer including a decomposition product of a polymerization initiator between the first base substrate and the pretilt alignment stabilization layer, and a pattern electrode between the first base substrate and the first vertical alignment layer. The opposite display panel includes a second base substrate, a patternless electrode on the second base substrate, and a second vertical alignment layer on the patternless electrode, which includes the decomposition product of the polymerization initiator. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal composition having negative dielectric anisotropy. A surface of the LCD that faces a viewer has a concave shaped curve. Full Article
ac ACTIVE LAYER, THIN-FILM TRANSISTOR ARRAY SUBSTRATE COMPRISING THE SAME, AND DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Carbon allotropes, a thin-film transistor array substrate comprising the same, and a display device comprising the same are disclosed. The thin-film transistor array substrate comprising a substrate, a gate electrode on the substrate, a gate insulating film on the gate electrode, an active layer positioned on the gate insulating film and comprising a semiconductor material and a plurality of carbon allotropes, and a source electrode and a drain electrode that make contact with the active layer. Full Article
ac CAMERA MODULE INTEGRATED LIQUID DISPLAY DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid-crystal display (LCD) device includes: an array substrate on which a sub-pixel is disposed; a color filter substrate on which a color filter corresponding to the sub-pixel is disposed; and a liquid-crystal layer between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate comprises a lens hole, the color filter substrate comprises a lens hole guide, and a diameter of the lens hole is smaller than an inner diameter of the lens hole guide. Full Article
ac MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS HAVING AN OPTIMIZED ELECTROWETTING SURFACE AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration and an optimized droplet actuation surface are provided. The devices include a conductive substrate having a dielectric layer, a hydrophobic layer covalently bonded to the dielectric layer, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the dielectric layer and configured to be connected to a voltage source. The microfluidic devices also include a second electrode, optionally included in a cover, configured to be connected to the voltage source. The hydrophobic layer features self-associating molecules covalently bonded to a surface of the dielectric layer in a manner that produces a densely-packed monolayer that resists intercalation and or penetration by polar molecules or species. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an electrowetting configuration that further include a section or module having a dielectrophoresis configuration; systems that include any of the microfluidic devices in combination with an aqueous droplet and a fluidic medium immiscible with the medium of the aqueous droplet; related kits; and methods of manipulating droplets, optionally containing micro-objects such as biological cells, within the microfluidic devices. Full Article
ac Topside Oil Production Equipment System for Reduction in Space and Weight By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for dehydrating crude oil on a floating production storage and offloading installation include a separator vessel to receive an incoming produced water stream, followed by a flash vessel, a treatment block, a crude oil storage tank, and an electrostatic treater. The treatment block includes a low pressure degasser followed by a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater or a compact electrostatic separator pre-treater followed by a low pressure degasser. The flash vessel and/or the low pressure degasser may employ an inlet cyclonic distributor and demisting cyclones, while the electrostatic treater may employ DUAL FREQUENCY® technology. The separator vessel may be a single horizontal two-phase separator/degasser or two vertical two-phase separator/degassers that operate in parallel with each receiving approximately 50 percent of the incoming produced water stream. The final outlet stream preferably contains no more than 0.5 BS&W and 285 milligrams per liter salt. Full Article
ac SPUTTERING SOURCE ARRANGEMENT, SPUTTERING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL-COATED PLATE-SHAPED SUBSTRATES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT For coating substrates (S) having along their surfaces to be coated high aspect ratio vias, a sputtering system has a sputtering source arrangement, which includes a first DC pulse operated magnetron sub-source (1203) and a second frame-shaped magnetron sub-source (1213) which latter is arranged, in the system, between the substrate (S) and the first magnetron sub-source (1203). The second magnetron sub-source (1213) may be operated in DC, pulsed DC, thereby also HIPIMS mode. The first magnetron sub-source (1203) is advantageously also operated in HIPIMS mode. The substrate (S) is biased by an Rf power source (1253). Full Article
ac METHOD OF SPUTTER DEPOSITION OF A FILM ON AN ESSENTIALLY PLANE EXTENDED SURFACE OF A SUBSTRATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A film is sputter-deposited on an essentially plane, extended surface of a substrate which has recesses therein, namely at least one of grooves, of holes, of bores, of vias, of trenches. So as to establish on one hand a homogeneous thickness distribution of the film along the addressed surface of the substrate and, on the other hand, a thick film deposition within the recesses, sputter deposition is performed first at a large distance between a sputter surface of a target and the addressed surface of the substrate and then at a reduced distance between the addressed surfaces. Full Article
ac Cu-Ga ALLOY SPUTTERING TARGET AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A Cu—Ga alloy sputtering target includes, as a component composition, Ga: 0.1 to 40.0 at % and a balance including Cu and inevitable impurities, in which a porosity is 3.0% or lower, an average diameter of circumscribed circles of pores is 150 μm or less, and an average crystal grain size of Cu—Ga alloy particles is 50 μm or less. Full Article
ac FILM FORMATION APPARATUS AND FILM-FORMED WORKPIECE MANUFACTURING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A film formation apparatus and a film-formed workpiece manufacturing method which are capable of forming a film with a uniform thickness on a workpiece like a three-dimensional object that includes a plurality of surfaces by a simple structure are provided. A film formation apparatus includes a target 21 that is a film formation material including a plane SU3, a power supply unit 3 applying power to the target 21, a rotating unit 4 rotating a workpiece W that is a film formation object around a rotation axis AX1, and a revolving unit 5 revolving the rotating unit 4 around a revolution axis AX2 separate from the rotation axis AX1 to repeatedly make the workpiece W to come close to and move apart from the target 21. Full Article
ac 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
ac POTENTIOSTAT/GALVANOSTAT WITH DIGITAL INTERFACE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A potentiostat/galvanostat employs a controller for providing digital control signals to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that generates an analog output signal in response to digital control signals. A high current driver produces a high current output in response to the analog output signal from the DAC. A high current monitor monitors the output from the high current driver to produce a feedback signal for the high current driver to control the current produced by the high current driver and to produce an output dependent on the current supplied from the high current driver for monitoring by the controller. A counter electrode contact for a counter electrode is connected with the output of the high current monitor. A working electrode contact for a working electrode is electrically connected with a fixed stable voltage potential to enable electrochemical analysis of material between the counter electrode and the working electrode. A low current driver produces a low current range output in response to an analog output signal from the DAC. A low current monitor monitors the working electrode contact to detect current at the working electrode contact to supply an output dependent on the current detected for monitoring by the controller and for providing a feedback signal to the low current driver in order to control the output of the low current driver to control current between the counter electrode contact and the working electrode contact. Full Article
ac ISOTACHOPHORETIC DEVICE AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for performing isotachophoretic concentration of analytes using a porous matrix, for example, for use in diagnostic assays such as lateral flow assays. For example, the disclosure provides a method of concentrating an analyte in a sample. The method includes providing a device comprising a porous matrix having a first fluid pathway having a first end and extending to a second end, a first electrode, and a second electrode; introducing to the first pathway a first fluid comprising a trailing electrolyte, a second fluid comprising a leading electrolyte and the analyte; and applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode for a time sufficient to provide an ITP plug. As described herein, the devices and methods described herein can be used in conjunction with lateral flow assay techniques to detect and quantify a variety of biochemical and biological analytes, such as nucleic acids, proteins, cells and metabolites. Full Article
ac CONTINUOUS CELL DETECTION BY ISOTACHOPHORESIS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a system including: a protein having a domain that binds a membranal component; an inlet for sample flow, an Isotachophoresis (ITP) system and a flow generating means connected or coupled to the aqueous parts of the ITP. The invention also provides a method for detecting and or sorting cells with this system. Full Article
ac System and Methods for Treatment of Wounds With Negative Pressure and Peroxy Pyruvic Acid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one example embodiment, a system for treating a tissue site is disclosed comprising a dressing adapted to contact the tissue site and provide a fluid seal between a therapeutic environment and a local external environment, and a solution source fluidly coupled to the dressing and adapted to deliver an antimicrobial solution comprising a peroxy α-keto carboxylic acid, such as peroxy pyruvic acid, to the tissue interface. The system may further comprise a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the dressing and adapted to provide negative pressure to the therapeutic environment after delivery of the antimicrobial fluid to the therapeutic environment. In another example embodiment, a method for treating a tissue site is disclosed comprising positioning a tissue interface to contact the tissue site, covering the tissue interface and the tissue site with a drape to provide a fluid seal between the therapeutic environment and the local external environment, and delivering an antimicrobial solution comprising peroxy α-keto carboxylic acid to the therapeutic environment before providing negative pressure to the therapeutic environment. Full Article
ac Needle Protection Device With Gauge Specific Color Coding and Method for Manufacturing Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly have—the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. The gauge of the needle of a fixed needle syringe could also be ascertained by its color coded needle protective housing. Color coded markings that correspond to the gauge of the needle may also be printed onto the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe. Full Article