A method for controlling an electromagnetic drive of a switching device by means of a program, wherein a processor configured by the program executes the following steps: measuring a control voltage applied at an input of the switching device; activating the electromagnetic drive on the basis of the measured control voltage; and setting a rated voltage range on the basis of the measured control voltage.

Switching devices, such as contactors, are manufactured having a rated control supply-voltage. Paragraph 220.127.116.11 of the VDE 0660-100 or IEC/EN/D1N EN 60947-1 standards indicates limit values for operating switching devices having a mechanical drive.
For example, it is specified that a contactor must be switched on at between 85% and 110% of its rated control supply-voltage. This applies to both DC and AC voltages. If a range is given for the rated control supply-voltage, 85% refers to the lower voltage value, and 110% refers to the upper voltage value.
An electronically controlled contactor must be released at between 75% and 20% of the rated control supply-voltage for AC voltage or at between 75% and 10% of the rated control supply-voltage for DC voltage, i.e. said contactor may be released at 75%, but must have been released at 20% and 10%, respectively. If a rated control supply-voltage range is given for operating the contactor, 20% or 10% refers to the upper voltage value, and 75% refers to the lower voltage value.
The rated control supply-voltage range (also referred to herein as the rated voltage range for short) must not be too large as mutually exclusive voltage ranges could otherwise overlap, as is intended to be explained with the following example of a contactor and with reference to the voltage ranges of the contactor shown in FIG. 1. At a rated voltage range 100 of from 24 volts to 240 volts (AC or DC voltage), according to the standards the contactor must be switched on in a voltage range 120 of from 85% of 24 volts, i.e. 20.4 volts, to 110% of 240 volts, i.e. 264 volts. According to the standard, the contactor may be released at 75% of 24 volts, i.e. at 18 volts, but must have been released at 20% of 240 volts, i.e. at 48 volts, for AC voltage (voltage range 140).
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the switch-on and switch-off ranges of the contactor overlap in the voltage range 160 of from 20.4 volts to 48 volts, in which range the contactor cannot be switched on.
In order for the limit values specified by the above standards to be observed and for the above-mentioned voltage range overlaps to be avoided, the voltage range of a switching device specified by a rated control supply-voltage must be selected to be relatively small, and manufacturers must provide a rather extensive range of switching devices that are suitable and designed for various rated voltage ranges.

Method and device for controlling an electromagnetic drive of a switching device


Static attitude (SA) adjustment of a disk drive suspension load beam is conducted before final alignment of a limiter to increase adjustment range, to avoid limiter damage, and to minimize unintended distortion of parts during adjustment. To have the SA adjustment before final alignment of the suspension, the limiter is carried by the load beam beam portion in first position in which the limiter is out of operative association with the flexure tongue during static attitude adjustment. The limiter is shifted into operative association with the tongue only following the static attitude adjustment, typically in a plane being generally parallel with the tongue plane.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disk drive suspensions, and more particularly to improvements in static attitude (SA) adjustment of disk drive suspensions. In the invention the forming of the limiters (which limit flexure tongues from undue travel away from the load beam supporting the flexure) is post-process. That is, the specific adjustments of the suspension to bring its static attitude properties into compliance with specifications are conducted first, before final shaping/positioning of the limiter. This departure from the typical practice of fashioning the limiter and then performing SA adjustments obviates problems found in trying to make final static attitude adjustments with the limiter in its final position and has benefits such as an increase in suspension attitude adjustment range, avoidance of limiter damage, and minimization of unintended distortion of parts during adjustment. To have the SA adjustment before final alignment of the suspension, the limiter is carried by the load beam beam portion in first position in which the limiter is out of operative association with the flexure tongue during static attitude adjustment. The limiter is shifted into operative association with the tongue only following the static attitude adjustment, typically in a plane being generally parallel with the tongue plane.
2. Description of the Related Art
As noted, typically, the suspension limiter is positioned in its final position, operatively associated with the flexure tongue, and static attitude adjustments made with the limiter thus positioned.

Delayed limiter positioning in suspension manufacture


According to exemplary inventive practice, ceramic powder or slurry is selectively deposited at many discrete locations on each of many fiberglass fabric substrates. The sizes and/or shapes of the ceramic deposits vary among the substrates. The substrates are selectively ordered and stacked so that perpendicular through-plane alignments of respective ceramic deposits form selected three-dimensional geometric shapes. The resultant stack of substrates, characterized by many three-dimensional ceramic inclusions, is impregnated with an elastomer or an epoxy that binds the ceramic-deposited substrates together, resulting in a finished composite product. Inventive composite structures can be multifariously designed and embodied to afford selected ballistic and/or structural and/or electromagnetic qualities. Another mode of inventive practice provides for incorporation of the above-described inventive composite product as a layer in a multilayer composite system that also includes a high strain-rate-sensitivity-hardening polymer layer, a hybrid composite fabric layer, a ceramic layer, and a polymeric ballistic fabric layer.

The present invention relates to composite structures, more particularly to composite structures (e.g., composite armor structures) that include ceramic material and non-ceramic material.
Many composite structures are designed to serve primarily a structural purpose. Nevertheless, it may be desirable that a composite structure have one or more attributes beside structural supportability, such as armor protectiveness or electromagnetic effectiveness. The current state of the art is such that the ability to simultaneously achieve double performance or triple performance (e.g., structural and/or ballistic and/or electromagnetic performance) in a composite structure is limited. Fabrication of dual-performance composites or tri-performance composites has been problematical, and difficulties have increased with increasing numbers of different performance objectives. In particular, there is a dearth of information in the literature on how a single composite structure may be imbued with all three characteristics, viz., structural and ballistic and electromagnetic characteristics. Effective integration of both electromagnetic functionality and ballistic functionality within a composite structure remains elusive in the art.
The traditional approach to imparting armor (e.g., ballistic armor) character or electromagnetic character to a structural composite involves use of auxiliary or "parasitic" structure. That is, to enhance structural performance with electromagnetic or armor-protective (e.g., ballistic) performance, electromagnetically or armor-protectively functional materials are added to the exterior of structural composite materials. For instance, ceramic armor plates are bolted to the outer surface of a composite structure. A more integrative approach to lending armor-protective or electromagnetic performance to a composite structure has been considered in the art. In theory, at least, electromagnetic or ballistic materials may be integrated into the stack of a composite structure. However, the integrative approach has apparently seen scant practical success. Integration of disparate materials brings new challenges, such as pertaining to performances of individual materials, and to interactions between plural materials.
Military armor applications include land vehicles, marine vehicles, air vehicles, stationary structures, and personnel. Armor is used typically to protect against impact by a projectile, such as a ballistic body (e.g., small arms fire) or an explosive fragment (e.g., shrapnel from a bomb blast). Various armor constructions and configurations are known that utilize ceramic material. Some armor systems and methods have been disclosed that involve implementation of discrete ceramic elements in combination with non-ceramic material. For instance, Shih et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,857 B1 issued 18 Mar. 2003 entitled "Ceramic Array Armor," incorporated herein by reference, disclose an armor system that includes an elastomeric matrix (e.g., binder) material and, encapsulated therein, plural ceramic tiles arrayed along a common surface and spaced apart from one another.
As broadly defined, a ceramic material is an inorganic nonmetallic material made from a compound of a metal and a nonmetal. According to the broad definition adopted herein, a ceramic material can be crystalline, or can be partly crystalline and partly amorphous (e.g., "glass-ceramic"). Conventional ceramic armor materials include aluminum oxide (commonly called "alumina"), silicon carbide, boron carbide, and titanium carbide. Among other examples of ceramic materials are tungsten carbide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, and porcelain.

Multilayer composite structure having geometrically defined ceramic inclusions

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


In the field of process automation there exists one or more custom solutions which are not scalable and missing essential needs to automate a process. This disclosure addresses the problem of codifying a process to automate by a declarative approach. A method for declarative modeling of process for automation is provided. The method includes receiving, request for automating the process; extracting, at least one feature associated with the process to obtain a declarative model; validating, the declarative model of the process with a process automation code to obtain a process automation package; provisioning, the declarative model to access and obtain specific roles associated with the process; executing, the process automation package in a process automation platform based on the specific roles to obtain a plurality of states; and monitoring, the plurality of states and triggers at least one action associated with the plurality of states in the process automation platform.

Well-defined business processes are typically automated via new system implementations, however there is a large class of well-defined business processes for which existing systems cannot be changed for a multitude of reasons. The field of Business Process Automation addresses this need and provides a way to automate this class of business processes. Automating such processes can deliver huge personnel savings to such businesses. Conventional systems and products implement process automation today using various mechanisms however they do not cover many needs of automation.
Classical approaches to automation follow two paradigms, (i) Imperative, where one describes computation in terms of statements that change a program state. Imperative constructs define sequences of commands for the computer to perform, and (ii) Declarative, where one expresses logic of a computation without describing its control flow. The declarative constructs describe what the automation should accomplish, rather than describing how to go about accomplishing it.
Conventional methods and systems for business process automation do not provide coverage required to address all aspects of process automation, leaving implementation of many capabilities to be provided as system features than being part of the process declaration itself. Having pre-defined system level capabilities to process level configuration makes conventional business process automation systems rigid. Traditional business process automation primarily addresses no-touch end to end automation only.

System and method of declarative modeling of a process for automation


A renal denervation device can include an elongated catheter body extending along a longitudinal axis, and an assembly connected to the catheter body. The assembly includes a plurality of heating elements connected to the catheter body. Each heating element has a conductor and a layer of an RF dissipating material such as a polymer overlying the conductor. During operation of the device, the layer of RF dissipating material is disposed between the conductor and body tissues of a subject. The layer of RF dissipating material is substantially thicker than the Debye length within the material in order to reduce the electric field reaching the tissue and to eliminate direct contact of the electrode with the body tissue.

Hypertension is a major public health concern. An estimated 30-40% of the adult population in the developed world suffers from this condition. Diagnosis and treatment of hypertension remain suboptimal. Despite the availability of numerous safe and effective pharmacological therapies, the percentage of patients achieving adequate blood-pressure control to guide-line target values remains low. Much failure of the pharmacological strategy to attain adequate blood-pressure control is attributed to both physician inertia and patient non-compliance and non-adherence to a lifelong pharmacological therapy. Thus, the development of new approaches for the management of hypertension is a priority. These considerations are especially relevant to patients with so-called resistant hypertension (i.e., those unable to achieve target blood-pressure values despite multiple drug therapies at the highest tolerated dose). Such patients are at high risk of major cardiovascular events.
Renal sympathetic efferent and afferent nerves, which lie within and immediately adjacent to the wall of the renal artery, are crucial for initiation and maintenance of systemic hypertension. Indeed, sympathetic nerve modulation as a therapeutic strategy in hypertension had been considered in the past. Surgical methods for thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic sympathetic denervation had been successful in lowering blood pressure in patients with so-called malignant hypertension. However, these methods were associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality and long-term complications, including bowel, bladder, and erectile dysfunction, in addition to severe postural hypotension. Renal denervation is the application of a chemical agent, or a surgical procedure, or the application of energy to partially or completely damage renal nerves to partially or completely block renal sympathetic nerve activity. Renal denervation reduces or completely blocks renal sympathetic nerve activity, increases renal blood flow, decreases renal plasma norepinephrine content, and reduces the release of renin into the systemic circulation.
The objective of renal denervation is to neutralize the effect of excess renal sympathetic nerve activity which is involved in both arterial hypertension and heart failure. Device-based renal denervation is known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2011/0118726 titled "Assembly of Staggered Ablation Elements," the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, describes a catheter based renal denervation device featuring a catheter with an expandable structure connected to the distal end of the catheter. Once the device is located at the desired position within a renal artery or vein, ablation elements connected to the expandable structure can be energized to ablate the desired renal nerves or to otherwise block nerve activity.
Current devices for renal denervation utilize metallic electrodes to apply a radiofrequency ("RF") electrical field to resistively heat the adjacent arterial endothelium. Subsequent heat transfer across the arterial wall, from endothelium to adventitia, results in denervation of the renal nerve. Procedural damage to the renal artery endothelium during a renal denervation process can be undesirable since the subsequent healing response may result in stenosis. Direct exposure of the endothelium to the RF electric field may also result in irreversible electroporation and surface electrolysis. This is because RF fields can have concentrated effects at the tissue surface which are more concentrated than heat transfer to the tissue surface.
Additionally, partial contact of the electrode may expose the circulating blood flow to the concentrated resistive heating zone resulting in coagulation, charring of the electrode surface, and increasing the potential for thrombus formation.
Thus, further improvement of devices and methods for renal denervation would be desirable.

Non-electric field renal denervation electrode

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.


Disclosed is a taper bolt connection including a taper bolt received in a taper bush, a fastening nut and a washer, the taper bush having a continuous longitudinal slot, and the taper bush being capable of being spread open uniformly in the radial direction by means of a fastening nut screwable onto the taper bolt. Since the taper bolt and/or the taper bush have/has, at least in regions, an at least Teflon-containing coating, tribochemical processes between the taper bush wedge surface and the taper bolt wedge surface are largely avoided, so that the taper bolt connection can be released again without great effort even after a long period of connection. Furthermore disclosed is the use of the taper bolt connection for connecting a rudder unit to a carrying structure of a fuselage cell of an aircraft.

Known embodiments of taper bolt connections partially have, in the wedge surface region, bronze coatings which, if necessary, are additionally greased.
As a result of the relatively soft and thick bronze layer and of the grease layer, however, tribochemical reactions between the contact surfaces are caused under alternating loads. On account of this, often very high forces, which may reach the 400 kN range, are required for demounting connections of this type.

Taper bolt connection and use of a taper bolt connection


A cable connector comprises a first connector and a cable. The first connector comprises a first connector body and a first circuit board. The first circuit board has first and second surfaces, a plurality of first connection points installed on the first surface, and soldering portions of the first conductive terminals correspondingly soldered to the first connection points. The first circuit board has a plurality of second connection points on the first and second surfaces, and the cable's conducting wires are correspondingly soldered to each second connection point. The first connector comprises a first coating partially encasing the first circuit board. The first coating comprises first and second portions. The first portion encases one side of the first surface in order to encase the first connection points. The second portion encases the edge of the first and second surfaces in order to encase the second connection points.

The Present Disclosure relates generally to a cable connector, and in particular, to a cable connector having a reliable connection between the conductive terminals and circuit board.
Chinese Patent No. ZL200810302574.9 reveals a cable connector assembly comprising an insulator body, a number of terminals contained within the insulator body, a number of conducting wires electrically connected to the terminals, and a shell overmolded to the insulator body. The insulator body is elongated, and comprises a base portion and a matching portion extending forward from the base portion. The terminals comprise a set of signal terminals and a set of power terminals. The conducting wires comprise a set of signal wires and a set of power wires. The matching portion comprises a first mating area and second mating area corresponding to the two sets of terminals. The tail portions of the signal terminals and the tail portions of the power terminals are soldered to a circuit board, and the circuit board has corresponding solder holes. These signal terminal tail portions are inserted into the solder holes and soldered to the circuit board. The power wires and signal wires are also soldered to the circuit board and exit in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction.
The power wires and signal wires of this type of existing cable connector structure are soldered to the one-sided solder points of the circuit board. The relatively dense arrangement of solder points is not suited to solder wire. In addition, the shell completely encases the circuit board. Because the terminals are soldered to the circuit board by being inserted into solder holes, when conducting overmolding for this shell, the injected melted plastic material can have a jacking effect, pulling the tail portions of the terminals away from the back of the circuit board. Thus, it could impair the connection between the terminals and circuit board and lead to poor products. Also, this cable connector does not have an external shielding structure. When employed in high speed, high frequency data transmissions, this connector has a difficult time meeting electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. In addition, this type of insulator body involves attaching two backward extending locking arms to the two sides of the circuit board. These locking arms, formed as a part of the insulator body, are fabricated from plastics. They can easily break during assembly and when under stress, and so require improvement.

Cable connector having a circuit board partially encased by a coating and connected to a cable


A trolley wheel assembly for use with an overhead conveyor system. The trolley wheel assembly includes a roller comprising a solid generally cylindrical body with a blind bore opening in the outboard face of the roller; a shaft positioned at one end in the blind bore and having a free end projecting out of the bore for connection to a trolley hanger; a bearing positioned in the blind bore and including an inner race press fit on the shaft and an outer race press fit in the blind bore; and a metallic ring seal sealingly engaging at its outer periphery with the outboard annular face of the outer race and at its inner periphery with the outboard annular face of the inner race to preclude the entry of contaminants into the bearing or the escape of lubricants from the bearing. The ring seal has an axially extending outer periphery which is clamped between the outboard annular face of the outer race and a snap ring positioned in a groove in the blind bore, and an axially extending inner portion having a free annular edge which is preloaded against the outboard annular face of the inner race and which gradually wears an annular groove in the inner race so that the seal therebetween improves with usage. A fluoro chlorated lubricant is provided in the bearing so as to avoid carbonizing of the lubricant when the wheel assembly operates in a hostile environment such as a paint spray booth.

This invention relates to trolley assemblies. In various manufacturing and warehouse facilities, it is common practice to use overhead tracks for moving suspended loads between spaced points within the facility. The loads are typically carried by trolley assemblies which include rollers at their upper ends rollably guiding on the track and further include hangers carried by the rollers and depending downwardly from the rollers to provide a carrier for the suspended loads. Whereas trolley assemblies of this general type provide an effective means of moving loads from point to point within warehousing or manufacturing facilities, the trolley assemblies tend to be rather high maintenance items and tend to have a relatively short product life. Further, when used in facilities where the surrounding environment is hostile or sensitive, such for example as paint spray booths, the trolley assemblies can have the inadvertent effect of contaminating the atmosphere within the spray booth to the detriment of the painting operation being performed within the spray booth and/or contaminates within the spray booth can enter the trolley assemblies to the detriment of the efficient operation of the trolley assemblies.


There is provided a rubber latex for an excellent impact modifier used for a thermoplastic resin. A rubber latex containing water in particles obtained by seed polymerization with seed polymers which are highly hydrophilic and sufficiently swellable into a rubber monomer is used as an impact modifier for a thermoplastic resin.

The present invention relates to a rubber latex containing water in particles, a process for preparing the same and an impact modifier.
In order to improve impact resistance of a thermoplastic resin, it is known to mix a copolymer containing a diene-based rubber or an acrylate-based rubber. For example, there is a process disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 39-19035. Rubber components are resourcefully studied for achieving higher impact resistance. Suggestions are, for example, a method of increasing a particle size of a rubber component (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 42-22541/1967) and a method of lowering Tg of a rubber component (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2-1763/1990 and 8-100095/1996).
In these methods, however, there are problems that it is difficult to meet the demands for significant improvement of impact resistance, and that cost for raw materials increases drastically.
For improving impact resistance of thermoplastic resins such as a vinyl chloride resin, what plays important roles are stress concentration of a molded article and formation and expansion of voids in a rubber by mixing the above copolymers (impact modifier). For obtaining the stress concentration, it is essential to introduce a rubber component having elastic modulus significantly lower than that of a thermoplastic resin. Formation and expansion of voids in a rubber are expected to contribute intensely to growth of shearing yield particularly having large energy absorption in an impact test, and to lead to improvement in impact resistance of a thermoplastic resin which contains a rubber.
Therefore, how to promote formation and expansion of voids in a rubber component is extremely important at impact to a molded article, i.e. under stress. It is considered that formation and expansion of voids in the rubber component is significantly influenced by cross-linking state of the rubber. Also, when a rubber component is previously made hollow, there is possibility that voids are easily propagated under stress.
Then, various investigations were made with respect to a novel process for preparing a rubber latex used for an impact modifier which remarkably improves impact resistance of a thermoplastic resin. As a result, it has been found that a rubber latex having water in particles, obtained by seed polymerization with a small amount of seedpolymers which is highly hydrophilic and swellable to rubber monomers, is the most suitable.
Namely, the present invention relates to a rubber latex containing water in particles, which is obtained by seed polymerization with seed polymers which are hydrophilic and swellable into a rubber monomer.
In the above rubber latex, 0.1 to 25 parts by weight of the seed polymer is preferably used based on 100 parts by weight of a latex rubber.
In the above rubber latex, it is preferable that an extraction ratio of a water-soluble substance to water is 10 to 100% after adding water to dry seed polymers in twentyfold amount and stirring for an hour, and that a swelling volume ratio, measured from the ratio of a latex particle size to an original particle size, is 3 to 20 times, said latex particle size being the value after adding a rubber latex to the seed polymer latex in an amount of 50 times the seed polymer and stirring for an hour.
More preferably, the extraction ratio is 50 to 100% and the swelling volume ratio is 5 to 15 times.
The present invention also relates to a process for preparing a rubber latex containing water in particles, which is obtained by seed polymerization with seed polymers which are hydrophilic and swellable into a rubber monomer.
In the process for preparing a rubber latex, it is preferable that the seed polymerization is performed by adding monomers continuously, an extraction ratio of a water-soluble substance to water is 10 to 100% after adding water to dry seed polymers in twentyfold amount and stirring for an hour, and that a swelling volume ratio, measured from the ratio of a latex particle size to an original particle size, is 3 to 20 times, the latex particle size being the value after adding a rubber latex to the seed polymer latex in an amount of 50 times the seed polymer and stirring for an hour.
More preferably, the extraction ratio is 50 to 100% and the swelling volume ratio is 5 to 15 times.
In the above process for preparing a rubber latex, the seed polymer is preferably synthesized by emulsion polymerization with a water-soluble initiator.
The present invention also relates to an impact modifier for a thermoplastic resin, which is obtained by graft copolymerization with the above rubber latex.
There are various methods for preparing hollow rubber particle in the fields of coating materials and weight saving for plastics. For example, the following methods are well known (xe2x80x9cGosei Latex no Oyo (application of synthetic latex)xe2x80x9d, Takaaki Sugimura et al., p 285):
(a) a method wherein a W/O/W emulsion is prepared, and a monomer in the O layer is polymerized (O: lipophilic, W: hydrophilic);
(b) a method wherein core-shell particles having swellable core is swelled at temperature of at least glass transition temperature of shell layer to make hollow;
(c) a method by using two-step polymerization of polymers having different solubility parameter;
(d) a method wherein a polymerizable monomer containing a cross linkable monomer and a hydrophilic monomer, and an oil substance are finely dispersed in water to make an O/W emulsion, and the monomer is polymerized to remove the oily substance; and
(e) a method by using migration of a carboxylic acid copolymerized into a particle under acidic or alkaline condition in the particle.
The process for preparing a rubber latex containing water in particles of the present invention differs from these methods. It is the process for preparing a latex having voids filled with water through the polymerization progress by seed polymerization with a small amount of seed polymers which are highly hydrophilic and swellable to rubber monomer to be prepared. It is possible to confirm the state that water is contained in rubber particles and voids are present in a latex state by embedding a rubber latex in an epoxy resin and the like, and then according to TEM observation by dying it with ruthenium tetraoxide and the like. Further, the void ratio can be calculated by exactly measuring the particle size of a rubber latex by Microtrac UPA (Ultrafine Particle Analyzer) and the like, and then measuring light scattering strength of the same rubber latex.
High impact resistance can be obtained by preparing a rubber-containing graft copolymer by graft polymerizing a monomer or the like, which generates a polymer compatible with thermoplastic resins, onto the rubber latex containing water in particles obtained in the present invention, and then mixing it with a thermoplastic resin and molding the same.
The seed polymer used in the present invention can be prepared by usual emulsion polymerization, but the method of synthesis is not particularly limited. The seed polymer is not limited to a rubber component such as butyl acrylate rubber or butadiene rubber, but there is no problem when a hard polymer such as a butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer or a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer is used. However, they are required to be highly swellable to the monomer generated in the following step and have strong hydrophilic property for incorporating water into the particles.
As a method for improving swelling property of the seed polymer to a rubber monomer, it is important to make the polarity suitable for the rubber monomer at first. Then it is effective to lower the molecular weight of the seed polymer to a notable degree by using a chain transfer agent, selecting high polymerization temperature and adding a large amount of initiator.
Effective methods for imparting hydrophilic property to the seed polymer include (a) a method for using a hydrophilic monomer for the seed polymer, (b) a method for introducing a highly hydrophilic initiator end group and (c) a method for lowering the molecular weight of the seed polymer by using a chain transfer agent, particularly in a large amount, selecting high polymerization temperature and adding a large amount of initiator.
Examples of the monomer used for the seed polymer of the present invention include the above hydrophilic monomers, alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates and the like. Specifically, there are methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and the like. Monomers having low softening temperature are preferable from the viewpoint of improving swelling property into a rubber monomer.
The initiator for the seed polymer preferably includes, but not particularly limited to, highly hydrophilic water-soluble initiators. Typical examples of the highly hydrophilic water-soluble initiators are potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate. The amount of the initiator is preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.7 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the monomer used for the seed polymer.
It is preferable to synthesize the seed polymer of the present invention according to emulsion polymerization by using the above water-soluble initiator from the viewpoint of imparting hydrophilic property. The polymerization temperature is preferably 40 to 80xc2x0 C., and more preferably 50 to 70xc2x0 C. When the polymerization temperature is higher than 80xc2x0 C., there is a tendency that polymerization heat is intensively generated so that polymerization temperature is difficult to control. When it is lower than 40xc2x0 C., polymerization tends to be difficult. The lower limit of the polymerization temperature is 40xc2x0 C., preferably 50xc2x0 C., while the upper limit of the polymerization temperature 80xc2x0 C., preferably 75xc2x0 C.
Examples of the chain transfer agent include, but are not limited to, mercaptans such as n-dodecyl mercaptan and t-dodecyl mercaptan.
The weight average molecular weight of the seed polymer is preferably 500 to 4,000. When it is less than 500, synthesis tends to be difficult. When it is more than 4,000, swelling property tends to decrease. The lower limit of the weight average molecular weight is 500, preferably 800. The upper limit of the weight average molecular weight is 4,000, preferably 2,000.
The average particle size of the seed polymer is preferably 0.040 to 0.1 xcexcm. When it is smaller than 0.040 xcexcm, synthesis thereof tends to be difficult. When it is larger than 0.1 xcexcm, swelling property tends to decrease. The lower limit of the average particle size is 0.040 xcexcm, preferably 0.045 xcexcm. The upper limit of the average particle size is 0.1 xcexcm, preferably 0.08 xcexcm.
The standard index for the hydrophilic property of the seed polymer of the present invention is the extraction ratio of a water-soluble substance to water after adding water to dry seed polymers in twentyfold amount and stirring for an hour. Preferably, the extraction ratio of a water-soluble substance to water is 10 to 100%. When it is less than 10%, there is a tendency that void ratio of the rubber latex does not increase. The lower limit of the extraction ratio is 10%, and more preferably 50%.
The standard index for the swelling property of the seed polymer to the rubber monomer in the present invention is the swelling volume ratio measured from the ratio of a latex particle size to an original particle size, said latex particle size being the value after adding a rubber latex to the seed polymer latex in an amount of 50 times the seed polymer and stirring for an hour. Preferably, the swelling volume ratio is 3 to 20 times in the present invention. When it is less than 3 times or more than 20 times, there is a tendency that void ratio of the rubber latex does not increase. The upper limit of the swelling volume is 20 times, preferably 15 times, while the lower limit of the swelling volume is 3 times, preferably 5 times.
The amount of the seed polymer in the rubber latex is preferably 0.1 to 25 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the latex rubber. When it is less than 0.1 part by weight, there is a tendency that impact strength of the molded article is not improved due to collapse of the graft copolymer at molding. When it is more than 25 parts by weight, there is a tendency that impact strength of the molded article is not improved because the rubber is cured to lower stress concentration ratio. The upper limit of the seed polymer amount is 25 parts by weight, and more preferably 10 parts by weight, while the lower limit of the seed polymer amount is 0.1 part by weight, and more preferably 1 part by weight.
Seed polymerization process and conditions are shown below.
Any rubber elastomer can be used for the rubber component for the rubber latex of the present invention as long as glass transition temperature thereof is at most 0xc2x0 C. The upper limit of the glass transition temperature is 0xc2x0 C., more preferably xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C., because elastic modulus thereof is required to be significantly lower than that of a matrix resin.
Examples of the rubber satisfying these conditions are a diene rubber, an acrylic rubber, a silicon rubber and an olefin rubber, but the rubber is not limited thereto. Specifically, examples of the diene rubber are a butadiene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and the like. Examples of the acrylic rubber are a butyl acrylate rubber, a butadiene-butyl acrylate rubber, a 2-ethylhexyl acrylate-butyl acrylate rubber and the like. Examples of the silicon rubber are a polydimethyl siloxane rubber and the like. Examples of the olefin rubber are an ethylene-propylene rubber, an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and the like.
The cross-linking agent used for rubber polymerization prevents the rubber particle from collapsing into smaller pieces at molding. When an amount thereof is too much, it does not collapse at all in molding, but voids are not easily expanded at impact (under stress) and there is no remarkable increase of the impact strength of the final molded article. Examples of the cross-linkable monomer are allyl methacrylate, divinylbenzene, diallyl phthalate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of the cross-linking agent is 0 to 5 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber component monomer.
The rubber latex of the present invention is preferably prepared according to seed polymerization in which seed polymers is used and monomers are continuously added, from the viewpoint that polymerization heat can be constant so that polymerization temperature is easily controlled. Herein, the continuous addition refers to adding monomers continuously at a constant flow rate.
The preparation condition of the rubber latex is polymerization temperature of 30 to 60xc2x0 C., preferably 40 to 55xc2x0 C. When the polymerization temperature is lower than 30xc2x0 C., there is a tendency that polymerization conversion ratio does not rise easily. When it is higher than 60xc2x0 C., impact strength of the molded article tends to decrease due to collapse of the rubber at molding.
The average void ratio of the rubber is preferably 3 to 90%. When the average void ratio is less than 3%, improving effect on impact strength tends to be small. When the average void ratio is more than 90%, improving effect on impact strength tends to be small due to collapse of the rubber particles at molding. The lower limit of the average void ratio is 3%, more preferably 20%. The upper limit of the average void ratio is 90%, more preferably 80%.
The average particle size of the seed rubber is preferably 0.1 to 0.3 xcexcm. When it is smaller than 0.1 xcexcm, synthesis tends to be difficult. When it is larger than 0.3 xcexcm, there is a tendency that void ratio of the rubber latex is not increased. The lower limit of the average particle size is 0.1 xcexcm, more preferably 0.12 xcexcm. The upper limit of the average particle size is 0.3 xcexcm, more preferably 0.25 xcexcm.
The graft copolymer which acts as an impact modifier in the present invention can be prepared by polymerization of monomers onto the rubber particles as they are, or a larger graft polymer may be obtained by enhancement methods such as acid enhancement and salt enhancement of a rubber particle.
The graft copolymer which acts as an impact modifier in the present invention is obtained by polymerizing 10 to 70 parts by weight, preferably 12 to 40 parts by weight of a monomer in the presence of 30 to 90 parts by weight, preferably 60 to 88 parts by weight of a rubber latex (solid content). When the rubber component is less than 30 parts by weight, the improving effect for impact resistance is small. When it is more than 90 parts by weight, particles of the impact modifier collapse at molding of the mixed composition, and the improving effect for impact resistance of the molded article becomes small.
As the monomer polymerized in the presence of the rubber particles, it is preferable to use a monomer or a monomer mixture containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a (meth)acrylate, an aromatic vinyl compound, a vinyl cyamide compound and vinyl chloride in an amount of at least 60% by weight.
Examples of the (meth)acrylate are methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl arylate; and the like. Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound are styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, chlorstyrene and the like. Examples of the vinyl cyanide compound are acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and the like.
Examples of the thermoplastic resins for which the impact modifier of the present invention is used include a vinyl chloride resin, an acrylic resin, a styrene resin, a carbonate resin, an amide resin, an ester resin, an olefin resin and the like. Examples of the vinyl chloride resin are poly(vinyl chloride), a copolymer of at least 50% by weight of vinyl chloride with monomers such as vinyl acetate and ethylene which are copolymerizable with vinyl chloride, and a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and the like. Examples of the acrylic resin are poly(methyl methacrylate) and a copolymer of at least 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate with monomers such as methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and styrene which are copolymerizable with methyl acrylate. Examples of the styrene resin are polystyrene, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, an xcex1-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, a styrene-maleimide copolymer, a styrene-xcex1-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, a styrene-xcex1-methylstyrene-maleimide-acrylonitrile copolymer, a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer and the like. Examples of the carbonate resin are bisphenol polycarbonate, aliphatic polycarbonate and the like. Examples of the amide resin are nylon 6, nylon 6.6, nylon 12 and the like. Examples of the ester resin are poly(ethylene terephtharate), poly(butylene terephtharate) and the like. Examples of the olefin resin are polypropylene, polyethylene, cyclic polyolefin and the like.
It is preferable that the amount of the impact modifier of the present invention is usually 1 to 30 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of these thermoplastic resins. When the amount is less than 1 part by weight, there is a tendency that impact strength of the molded article is not improved. When the amount is more than 30 parts by weight, the molded article tends to be impractical because resistance strength for tensile is significantly lowered. The lower limit is 1 part by weight, and more preferably 3 parts by weight, while the upper limit of is 30 parts by weight, and more preferably 20 parts by weight.
The present invention is explained below by way of Examples in detail, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
In Examples xe2x80x9cpartxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9c%xe2x80x9d mean xe2x80x9cpart by weightxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9c% by weightxe2x80x9d, respectively, unless otherwise noted.

Process for producing rubber latex containing water in particle


A system for measuring a parameter of a medium with a vehicle moving in a traveling direction through the medium includes four detecting portions and a calculating portion. The four detecting portions respectively detect first through fourth values of the parameter from first through fourth lines-of-sight in first through fourth directions at first through fourth positions of the vehicle at first through fourth times. The first line-of-sight and the third line-of-sight are in a first plane and intersect at a first intersection, while the second line-of-sight and the fourth line-of-sight are in a second plane and intersect at a second intersection. The calculating portion calculates the parameter based on the first through fourth values and the first and second intersections.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for determining ionic or neutral concentrations within a medium using a passive remote sensing technique.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates different atmospheric layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
As shown in the figure, up to about 14 kilometers (km) directly above the Earth 100 is the troposphere 102. After the troposphere 102 is the tropopause 104, which is only about 4 km thick. The stratosphere 106 is directly above the tropopause 104. Within the stratosphere 106 is the ozone layer 108. Next is the mesosphere 110, which is about 40 km thick. Finally, the ionosphere 112, directly above the mesosphere 110, is hundreds of kilometers thick. The neutral component of the atmosphere above the mesosphere is referred to as the thermosphere. Together, the ionosphere, thermosphere and mesosphere are commonly referred to as the upper atmosphere.
With respect to telecommunications, the ionosphere is particularly important.
The ionosphere is the ionized part of the atmosphere produced primarily by the absorption of solar radiation. The principle component of the upper part of the ionosphere is singly ionized atomic oxygen (O+). The ionosphere has practical importance because, among other functions, it influences radio wave propagation to distant places on the Earth. The influence extends across a wide range of radio frequency bands, well above the high frequency band, considered to be 3-30 megahertz (MHz.) The effects include impacts on radio transmissions in all bands, e.g., amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), shortwave, etc., and radars (including over the horizon radars).
Satellite-borne remote sensing of the ionosphere observe emissions by atomic ions (singly ionized atomic oxygen (O+)) and the neutral components of the upper atmosphere such as atomic oxygen (O), molecular oxygen (O2), molecular nitrogen (N2), nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O3), helium (He), hydrogen (H). FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate such a system.
FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a conventional satellite-based method of measuring ionic concentrations within the Earth's ionosphere. FIG. 2A illustrates measurements taken at a first time t1. FIG. 2B illustrate measurements taken at a second time t2. FIG. 2C illustrate locations of calculated ionic concentrations using the measurements at times t1 and t2.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a satellite 202 and a satellite 204 are located in space 206 above the Earth's ionosphere 208, which is illustrated as having a lower boundary 210 and an upper boundary 212.
At time t1, satellite 202 measures the total emissions of a particular ion along a line-of-sight (LOS) 214, whereas satellite 204 measures the total emissions of the ion along a LOS 216, a LOS 218 and a LOS 220.
In the conventional method of FIG. 2A, satellite 202 is able to detect a total of emissions by a particular ion, for example, atomic oxygen ions (O+), within ionosphere 208 along LOS 214.
What is more valuable for radio wave communications is an altitude profile of the amount of the particular ion, in this example atomic oxygen ions (O+) at each altitude z, or [O+](z). In other words, in addition to the total amount of emission along LOS 214, an altitude function [O+](z) of the O+ number density along LOS 214 would be valuable. A mapping of such altitude functions along the path of a vehicle traveling above the earth would greatly enable high frequency (HF) communication systems to compensate for negative impacts of our otherwise imperfect knowledge of the altitude profile of atomic oxygen ions on HF and radio frequency signals.
The altitude function of the particular ion is formulated by tomographic retrieval. The mathematical basis for tomographic retrieval is applied to obtain cross-sectional images and is based on the notion that a projection of an object at a given angle θ is made up of a set of line integrals. In ionospheric observations, the line integral represents the total emissions along a line-of-sight (LOS) through the ionosphere. It is known that if there are an infinite number of one-dimensional projections of an object taken at an infinite number of angles, the original object can be reconstructed. To accomplish this, a filtered back projection algorithm is used. Accordingly, to find the altitude function of the particular ion, the individual ion concentrations along LOS 214 via satellite 204 are first determined. For example, satellite 204 is able to detect a total of emissions by the same ion as satellite 202, in this example O+, within ionosphere 208 along LOSs 216, 218 and 220.
Here, LOSs 214, 216, 218 and 220 are in the same plane, i.e. the plane of the figure, such that: LOS 214 intersects with LOS 216 at location 222; LOS 214 intersects with LOS 218 at location 224; and LOS 214 intersects with LOS 220 at location 226. Clearly, satellite 204 may detect total emissions within ionosphere 208 along more LOSs, however, for purposes of discussion, a sampling of LOSs 216, 218 and 220 are provided.
In order to tomographically retrieve the ion altitude function of the entire plane of ionosphere 208 (a ribbon in the plane of the figure), satellites 202 and 204 must scan additional areas. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.
As shown in FIG. 2B, satellite 202 and satellite 204 are located at new locations in space 206 above ionosphere 208.
At time t2, satellite 202 measures the total emissions of the particular ion along a LOS 228, whereas satellite 204 measures the total emissions of the ion along a LOS 230, a LOS 232 and a LOS 234.
Here, LOSs 228, 230, 232 and 234 are in the same plane, i.e. the plane of the figure, such that: LOS 228 intersects with LOS 230 at location 236; LOS 228 intersects with LOS 232 at location 238; and LOS 228 intersects with LOS 234 at location 240. Clearly, satellite 204 may detect total emissions within ionosphere 208 along more LOSs, however, for purposes of discussion, a sampling of LOSs 230, 232 and 234 are provided.
The detected total emissions along a LOS includes emission contributions from ions within the LOS in addition to emission contributions from neighboring ions, taking into account secondary emission issues related to resonance, fluorescence, etc. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2C.
As shown in FIG. 2C, locations 222, 224 and 226 are determined from the intersecting LOSs of FIG. 2A, whereas locations 236, 238 and 240 are determined from the intersecting LOSs of FIG. 2B. Here the emission detected by satellite 202 (and 204 for that matter) at location 222 includes secondary emissions related to resonance, fluorescence, etc., as contributed by the ions at locations 224, 226, 236, 238 and 240. Similarly, emission detected by satellite 202 (and 204 for that matter) at location 236 includes secondary emissions related to resonance, fluorescence, etc., as contributed by the ions at locations 222, 224, 226, 238 and 240.
As satellites 202 and 204 scan the remainder of the plane within ionosphere 208, an array of emission values will be determined. If more LOSs are used, then more emission values will be determined, i.e., the larger the array. Once the emission values are determined, any known method may be used to determine the ion altitude function for the entire plane of ionosphere 208.
Once the ion altitude function for the entire plane of ionosphere 208 is known, it may be taken into account when transmitting/receiving signals therethrough.
All conventional systems for measuring ionic concentrations within the Earth's ionosphere are not satellite-based.
FIGS. 3A-C illustrate a conventional system of ground-based detectors used to deduce the properties of the ionosphere. The geometry illustrated in FIG. 3A-C has been applied to radio-based remote sensing of ionospheric properties. FIG. 3A illustrates measurements taken at a first time t1. FIG. 3B illustrate measurements taken at a second time t2. FIG. 3C illustrates locations of calculated ionic concentrations using the measurements at times t1 and t2.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a ground-based detector 302 and a ground-based detector 304 are located below ionosphere 208. The system of FIG. 3A operates in a similar manner to that of the system of FIG. 2A. However, in the system of FIG. 3A, the LOSs are directed from the Earth to ionosphere 208.
At time t1, ground-based detector 302 measures the total emissions of a particular ion along a LOS 314, whereas ground-based detector 304 measures the total emissions of the ion along a LOS 316, a LOS 318 and a LOS 320.
The altitude function of the particular ion is formulated by initially finding individual ion concentrations along LOS 314 via ground-based detector 302. Ground-based detector 304 is able to detect a total of emissions by the same ion ground-based detector 302, in this example O+, within ionosphere 208 along LOSs 316, 318 and 320.
Here, LOSs 314, 316, 318 and 320 are in the same plane, i.e. the plane of the figure, such that: LOS 314 intersects with LOS 316 at location 322; LOS 314 intersects with LOS 318 at location 324; and LOS 314 intersects with LOS 320 at location 326. Clearly, ground-based detector 304 may detect total emissions within ionosphere 208 along more LOSs, however, for purposes of discussion, a sampling of LOSs 316, 318 and 320 are provided.
As shown in FIG. 3B, ground-based detector 302 and ground-based detector 304 are located in the same positions as described above with reference to FIG. 3A. However, in this situation, ground-based detector 302 is detecting along a new LOS and ground-based detector 304 is detecting along new LOSs.
At time t2, ground-based detector 302 measures the total emissions of the particular ion along a LOS 328, whereas ground-based detector 304 measures the total emissions of the ion along LOS 330, a LOS 332 and a LOS 334.
Here, LOSs 328, 330, 332 and 334 are in the same plane, i.e. the plane of the figure, such that: LOS 328 intersects with LOS 330 at location 336; LOS 328 intersects with LOS 332 at location 338; and LOS 328 intersects with LOS 334 at location 340. Clearly, ground-based detector 304 may detect total emissions within ionosphere 208 along more LOSs, however, for purposes of discussion, a sampling of LOSs 330, 332 and 334 are provided.
As mentioned previously, the detected total emission along a LOS includes emission contributions from ions within the LOS in addition to emission contributions from neighboring ions, taking into account secondary emission issues related to resonance, fluorescence, etc. This will be further described with reference to FIG. 3C.
As shown in FIG. 3C, locations 322, 324 and 326 are determined from the intersecting LOSs of FIG. 3A, whereas locations 336, 338 and 340 are determined from the intersecting LOSs of FIG. 3B. Here the emission detected by ground-based detector 302 (and 304 for that matter) at location 322 includes secondary emissions related to resonance, fluorescence, etc., as contributed by the ions at location 324, 326, 336, 338 and 340. Similarly, emission detected by ground-based detector 302 (and 304 for that matter) at location 336 includes secondary emissions related to resonance, fluorescence, etc., as contributed by the ions at location 322, 324, 326, 338 and 340.
As ground-based detectors 302 and 304 scan the remainder of the plane within ionosphere 208, an array of emission values will be determined. If more LOSs are used, then more emission values will be determined, i.e., the larger the array. Once the emission values are determined, any known method may be used to determine the ion altitude function for the entire plane of ionosphere 208.
Once the ion altitude function for the entire plane of ionosphere 208 is known, it may be taken into account when transmitting/receiving signals therethrough.
Of the conventional systems discussed above, they are limited to determining the ion altitude function from above a medium or from below a medium.
What is needed is system and method for determining the ion altitude function of a medium from within the medium.

System and method for tomographic retrieval of parameter profile from traveling path


In a drum washer for washing the pulp for making paper to remove pulping liquors, the method and apparatus for providing the filtrate liquid being drained from the drum and pulp mat during a portion of the rotation cut-off which liquid can be continuously sampled and analyzed to give a more positive indication of washing efficiency.

a. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to one of the steps in the pulping of cellulosic materials to make paper and more particularly to a drum washer for washing of the pulp to remove pulping liquors and the filtrate liquid sampling system of such drum washer to provide a continuous correlatable measurement of the solids content in the mat discharged from the drum washer.
b. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes measurement of drop leg conductivity. Since most of this filtrate is recycled back to the washer vat and includes all filtrate drawn through the drum, it is considered an insensitive measure of discharge mat solids concentration and therefore inadequate for feedback control purposes. In addition there are mat sampling techniques, but these are manual and therefore not applicable to feedback control.
The sampling system of the present invention provides a continuous fed flow of filtrate from the atmospheric port of the vacuum shoe of the drum washer. This drainage from the final displacement zone of the drum can be continuously analyzed for solids content which is a direct indication of the washing efficiency. This is useful for feedback control and optimization of the drum washer.
Such system has not been found in the prior art.

Drum washer having liquid collecting means


A pneumatic radial tire having a low noise and an improved cornering stability has a belt structure of at least two belt layers composed of at least one layer containing cords each obtained by twisting organic fibers and at least one layer containing steel cords, at least one of the organic fiber cord layers being interposed between the steel cord layer and a tread at a state that both transversely outermost end portions are folded inward. This organic fiber cord is a cord obtained by twisting high strength, high modulus polyvinyl alcohol fibers and has particular twisting coefficient and strength. The tire further satisfies a particular relation between a height of a turnup portion of a carcass ply around a bead portion and a tensile stress at 50% elongation of a bead filler rubber reinforcing the bead portion at room temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a so-called low noise radial tire having an improved cornering stability which can largely reduce noise level without damaging the cornering stability of the tire and the braking performance on a wet road surface.
2. Related Art Statement
Recently, noise generated from automobiles has become a great social problem and particularly, automobile noise becomes regulated by a law, so that it is urgently needed to reduce the noise level. On the other hand, it is required to ensure a low noise level inside the automobile from a viewpoint of the enhancement in the automobile riding environment. In any case, the demand on the reduction of noise becomes indispensable.
Heretofore, it has been said that the noise of the radial tire is effectively reduced by the improvement of tread pattern, unharmonization of pattern pitch or the like. However, such a change of the tread pattern largely affects the braking performances on wet road surface and the like, so that the freedom degree of such a change is very small in view of the safety and is greatly restricted.
Therefore, it is desired to establish a technique capable of reducing the noise without changing the tread pattern but effective countermeasures have not yet been found.
The inventors have made various studies in order to obtain low noise tires and considered to require an approach different from the conventional technique because there was observed the conflicting phenomenon that the braking performance on a wet road surface is reduced by changing the tread pattern as previously mentioned. Consequently, the inventors have made various attempts on the design factors of various tires, but the reduction of noise level was about 1 decibel at most by these attempts.
On the other hand, the inventors noticed that the noise is reduced by about 0.3 decibel in the conventional tire of aramid fold belt structure consisting of a combination of steel cord layer and folded aramid fiber cord layer. The inventors made further studies with respect to this belt structure and found that the noise can largely be reduced by interposing an organic fiber cord layer having given properties between steel cord layer and tread rubber, which has been filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 927,016.
In this case, however, the belt layer of organic fiber cord other than aramid fiber cord is used instead of the steel cord belt layer, so that there is no great difference in the feeling of actual running performances, but it is frequently evaluated that the tire rigidity, particularly limit cornering property due to the shortage of belt rigidity, the steering property of handle and the like are still poor. As a result, it is considered that such a tire is necessary to be further improved.

Pneumatic radial tire having a folded belt including a polyvinyl alcohol cords


Disclosed herein are methods for selective control of groups of wireless initiation devices such as wireless electronic boosters at a blast site. Such methods may be applied to a wide variety of blasting techniques that would benefit from the use of wireless control and initiation of explosive charges at the blast site.

The efficient fragmentation and breaking of rock by means of explosive charges demands considerable skill and expertise. In most mining operations explosive charges, including boosters, are placed at predetermined positions near or within the rock, for example within boreholes drilled into the rock. The explosive charges are then actuated via detonators having predetermined time delays, thereby providing a desired pattern of blasting and rock fragmentation. Traditionally, signals are transmitted to the detonators from an associated blasting machine via non-electric systems employing low energy detonating cord (LEDC) or shock tube. Alternatively, electrical wires may be used to transmit more sophisticated signals to and optionally from electronic detonators. For example, such signaling may include ARM, DISARM, and delay time instructions for remote programming of the detonator firing sequence. Moreover, as a security feature, detonators may store firing codes and respond to ARM and FIRE signals only upon receipt of matching firing codes from the blasting machine. Electronic detonators are often programmed with time delays with an accuracy of the order of about 1 ms.
The blasting systems discussed above employ physical connections between the detonators to be fired and a control unit such as a blasting machine. Typically, detonators are placed at the blast site in association with explosive charges, and connected to surface harness wires (e.g. wires, shock tubes, detonating cords or the like). Detonators present at the blast site may be selectively actuated in groups. In this way, a blast may be conducted in two or more stages. Care must be taken to ensure that later-stage detonators, their associated charges, and their connections to harness wires are not disrupted or suffer damage from explosive forces derived from earlier-stage firing. Nonetheless, it is possible to selectively actuate one group of detonators before other groups of detonators are actuated at a blast site. In such blasting systems selective, staged actuation of groups of detonators may be achieved via fairly simple means. For example, those detonators that are required to actuate for a particular stage of a blast may be connected to the harness wire(s) whereas those not required may remain unconnected or be disconnected from the harness wires. Alternatively, where multiple harness wires are present, each group of detonators may be connected to a different harness wire, with a command signal to FIRE each group transmitted via a different harness wire as desired.
Recent years have seen the development of wireless blasting systems for use in blasting rock. Such systems present significant advantages over more traditional wired blasting systems. By avoiding the use of physical connections between detonators, and other components at the blast site (e.g. blasting machines) the possibility of improper set-up of the blasting arrangement, such as improper 'tieing-in' of detonators, is reduced. Wireless blasting systems offer excellent potential for automated establishment at the blast site. For example, robotic systems may be more readily deployed for placement of wireless detonator assemblies and associated explosive charges at a blast site, since the complications of trailing wires (and the need to connect explosive devices to such wires at the blast site) are completely avoided. Wireless blasting systems, and corresponding methods employing such systems, are disclosed for example in international patent publication WO06/047823 published May 11, 2006, WO06/076777 published Jul. 27, 2006, WO06/096920 published Sep. 21, 2006, and WO07/124,539 published Nov. 8, 2007, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Nonetheless, the development of wireless blasting systems, and components thereof, presents a formidable technological challenge. In just one example, selective control and firing of wireless detonators in pre-determined groups (as discussed above in the context of wired blasting systems) is not simple to achieve since there are no harness wires present for selective connection of the detonators. Hence there is a need in the art for methods of blasting that permit selective control of detonators and their corresponding wireless detonator assemblies, in the context of wireless blasting systems for mining.

Selective control of wireless initiation devices at a blast site


A machine for treatment and/or analysis of biological samples is provided. The machine includes a hinged arm to which a clamp for gripping a first biological sample holder is fixed. The clamp includes first and second arms able to move relative to each other along a gripping position between a first position of gripping the first biological sample holder, and a first position of releasing the biological sample holder. Each arm of the clamp includes a groove. When the first and second arms are in the first position of release, the first and second grooves are spaced away from each other along the gripping direction, and when the first and second arms are in the first gripping position, the first and second grooves are brought closer to each other along the gripping direction, so as to be able to receive lateral edges of and grip the first biological sample holder.

The company GRIFOLS markets a biological sample treatment and analysis machine, comprising a clamp suitable for gripping a first biological sample holder comprising a wall provided with two opposite lateral edges, and biological sample receptacles carried by the wall, the wall extending along a direction intended, in normal use of the first biological sample holder, to be vertical with the receptacles opening upwardly, the clamp comprising first and second arms mobile in relation to each other along a gripping direction between a first position of gripping the first biological sample holder, and a first position of releasing the biological sample holder.
More precisely, this known clamp was designed to grip a "gel" type card that also comprises an upper rim, fixed to the upper edge of the main plate and perpendicular thereto. The upper rim extends over the entire length of the upper edge. The first and second arms extend downward from a base of the clamp. The first and second arms are intended to grip the gel card in the width of the upper rim, by the underside of the upper rim. The gripping is done in the middle of the length of the upper edge, with the base of the clamp facing said upper edge. To ensure the stability of the gel card, fingers also emerge from the base, downward, to surround the upper rim of the gel card.
Yet the biological sample receptacles of a gel card may emerge through the upper rim.
Thus, one drawback of the preceding known clamp is that there is a significant risk of contamination of the biological samples by the clamp.

Clamp suitable for gripping a biological sample holder, assembly consisting of a biological sample holder and a suitable clamp, and treatment and/or analysis machine


A bus communication system capable of determining an order of priorities based on IDs of transmitting nodes is provided. A communication unit writes its own node ID as a transmitting node ID into an arbitration field of a message packet that is to be transmitted from the communication unit to a bus, writes a node ID of a destination node into an auxiliary field defined at a predetermined location in the message packet, and transmits the message packet to the bus. A control unit rewrites the message packet transmitted from the communication unit by replacing the node ID written in the arbitration field with the node ID written in the auxiliary field, and transmits the rewritten message packet to the bus. Another communication unit, or the destination node, receives the message packet existing on the bus based on a match between its own node ID and the node ID indicated in the arbitration field rewritten by the control unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication system, and in particular to a communication system having bus-connected nodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some existing related art systems employ a CAN (Controller Area Network) standard as a serial data bus standard. One of the features of the CAN standard is an arbitration method which is invoked when a collision between message packets occurs. A typical arbitration method as used in the CAN standard will be described below.
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary frame structure of a message packet for use in the CAN standard is shown, in which an arbitration field 102 indicates an ID that is uniquely defined for each device. Such an ID as indicated in the arbitration field represents an ID of a destination device to which the message packet is to be sent. Each device determines, based on a comparison between its own ID and the ID indicated in the arbitration field of a message packet flowing along a bus, whether or not the message packet is to be received.
Such IDs indicate priorities of respective devices in a bus system, and are used in an arbitration when a collision between message packets occurs on the bus. The term "arbitration" refers to a decision to select from among colliding message packets a message packet that should remain on the bus. The selected message packet flows through the bus a head of others, while the other message packet(s) not selected in the arbitration will be transmitted again after a predetermined period of time elapses. More specifically, a message packet with the arbitration field indicating an ID with a higher priority wins in the arbitration and flows on the bus ahead of any other message packet.
Such systems and related techniques are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2001-119416 and 2002-176427.
As described above, the ID indicated in the arbitration field of a message packet represents a destination device, and indicates a priority of the message packet flowing on the bus. Thus, in the related art CAN standard, a message packet with a higher priority, which is indicated by the ID of a destination device of the message packet, is allowed to flow through the bus ahead of others. On the other hand, when a collision between message packets occurs on the bus in a system operating under the CAN standard, in some cases, it may be preferable to determine an order of priorities based on IDs of devices from which the message packets are transmitted, and to allow a message packet having an ID of a transmitting device indicating a higher priority to flow through the bus ahead of others. However, under the related art CAN standard, because an order of priorities is determined based on destination IDs indicated in the arbitration fields of message packets, there is a problem in that an order of priorities cannot be determined based on IDs of transmitting devices.

Controller area network (CAN) based communication system with multiple bus connected nodes


A parking meter mechanism is described that may include a front housing, having a display opening for viewing a display through, connected to an internal structure. Additionally or alternatively the parking meter mechanism may include a contactless payment reader located behind the display. The parking meter mechanism may be secured to a lower housing. A back housing may be secured to the lower housing as well. The front or back housing may include a solar panel compartment and solar panel mounted therein.

Parking meters come in many shapes and sizes but are generally divided into two main types or classes: multi-space parking meters which are typically larger devices capable of managing the parking payment and control for typically between six or more, or possibly even hundreds of parking spaces; and, single-space parking meters which are typically small devices capable of managing the parking payment and control of a single parking space, but also sometimes additional spaces, such as two, four, or six spaces which are located in close proximity to the parking meter.
FIG. 19 depicts a single space parking meter 700 installed on a pole 701. Single space parking meter mechanisms are typically installed in a protective housing on a pole 701 near a parking space. The protective housing components, which are directly exposed to the elements and the public, are traditionally separate from the actual parking meter mechanism (not shown). The protective housing components of previous single space parking meters 700 typically comprise a lower housing 702 that receives a removable parking meter mechanism. A cover cap 705 is placed over the parking meter mechanism and secured to the lower housing 702. The cover cap 705 typically comprises a semi-circular opening 709, covered by a transparent material, through which a display 742 is visible through a display opening 740 of the parking meter mechanism. The lower housing 702 is typically secured to a coin vault 708 for storing coins received during operation of the parking meter 700. The coin vault 708 may be secured to the pole 701. The parking meter 700 is operated by inserting payment, either in the form of coins or payment cards such as chip cards or electronic purse cards, into the parking meter 700 which then displays and counts down the purchased amount of parking time.
Single space parking meters are often located in unattended areas, and as such vandalism, tampering and theft are of concern. The protective housing, which typically comprises the lower housing 702 and the cover cap 705, provides protection for the components of the parking meter mechanism from vandalism, tampering and theft, as well as protection from the environment.
Single space parking meters may comprise a parking meter mechanism that provides communication, either wired or wireless, with a remote location. The communication means can enable the single space parking meter to accept credit card payments or other types of payments requiring authorization from a remote computer system.
Although previous parking meters may provide sufficient or acceptable operation, an improved parking meter and parking meter mechanism is desired that provides one or more of a more secure parking meter, a more convenient to use parking meter, an easier to manufacture and assemble parking meter, an easier to remove, replace or service parking meter mechanism, and a more power efficient parking meter mechanism.

Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism


A method for removing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The method includes the following steps: 1) coagulation and sedimentation of waste water; 2) biochemical treatment; 3) disinfection by peracetic acid; 4) sterilization by high pressure CO2; 5) photocatalysis by nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2); and 6) depositing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for removing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from wastewater.
2. Description of the Related Art
Extensive use or abuse of antibiotics has resulted in more and more serious problems of environmental pollution. Selective pressure imposed by the antibiotics is capable of inducing animal microorganisms or environmental microorganisms to produce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which seriously threatens ecological environmental security and human health. ARGs are capable of horizontally transferring among floras of the same or different species via plasmid, integration-gene cassette, transposon, and other mobile genetic elements. Characterized in persistence and replicability in the environment, ARGs have been considered to be a new type of environmental pollutants.
A waste water treatment system is a main way for the antibiotic resistance genes to enter the water environment. The antibiotic resistance genes enter the water environment via medical waste water, pharmaceutical waste water, farm sewage, and domestic sewage. Because a conventional waste water treatment technology has no obvious effect in removing many antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes, the treated water still contains a considerable number of resistance genes.
Outlet water from the waste water treatment plant and sludge applied to soil are considered to be important resources of antibiotic resistance genes distributed in the surface water, soil water, and groundwater. The use of ARGs molecular tags for tracing the source of the antibiotic resistance genes has proved that resistance genes of antibiotics relevant to human diseases are mainly from waste water treatment plants rather than nearby livestock farms or upper rivers. Thus, the removal of the resistance genes or resistant bacteria can be realized by focusing on safe recovery of the waste water; and the sterilization of the waste water is a necessary process for improving the safety and quality of the water.

Method for removing genes encoding antibiotic resistance


A laser processing apparatus comprises a laser source, a substrate-holding unit, a liquid-supplying unit, a support which has a plurality of mask patterns including a specific mask pattern for imparting a cross-sectional shape to the laser beam, and a support-driving mechanism which moves the support. The liquid-supplying unit supplies the liquid to the substrate, forming a liquid film thereon. The support-driving mechanism moves the support, aligning the specific mask pattern with an axis of the laser beam. The laser beam emitted from the laser unit passes through the specific mask pattern, acquiring a specific cross-sectional shape, and is applied to the substrate through the liquid film, illuminating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus and a laser processing method, in which liquid is applied to a surface of a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or a glass substrate for use in liquid crystal displays, and the substrate covered with liquid is scanned with a laser beam and thereby processed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices include steps of processing the surface of a substrate, by using a laser beam. Among these steps are: processing a thin film such as an insulating film, a metal film or a resist film; cutting dicing lines; removing resist films from alignment marks before exposing the substrate to light (i.e., step of exposing the alignment marks). It is desired that a laser beam be used in these steps because it has a high energy density and can accomplish high-precision alignment.
When a laser beam is applied to a substrate to process the surface of the substrate, some substance is removed from the substrate sticks, in the form of vapor. The substance sticks to the surface of the substrate. It is proposed that, to prevent the substance from sticking to the substrate, the surface of the substrate be covered with liquid and then be scanned with a laser beam. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-249427, for example, discloses a laser processing apparatus. As FIG. 1 shows, the apparatus has a cup 11, a drive mechanism 12, and a chuck 13. The drive mechanism 12 can rotates the chuck 13 and move the chuck 13 in the X- and Y-directions, positioning the chuck 13 in the cup 11. The chuck 13 may hold a substrate 10, which has alignment marks and resist films covering the alignment marks. A laser beam 18 is applied to the resist films, removing the resist films from the substrate 10. A transparent plate 15 made of quartz glass is spaced a little from the substrate 10, facing the substrate 10. Pure water is kept flowing through gap between the substrate 10 and the transparent plate 15, supplied through an inlet port and drained from the gap trough an outlet port. After the substrate 10 has undergone the laser processing, the plate 15 is raised and rotated at high speed. By virtue of centrifugal force, the pure water is removed from the substrate 10, thus drying the substrate 10.
In the laser processing method using a liquid film, it is necessary to shape the laser beam 18 so that the beam may have an appropriate cross-sectional shape. Unless the beam is so shaped, a groove of an undesirable shape will be made in the surface of the substrate when the beam is applied to the substrate. As FIG. 2A shows, the pulse laser beams 160 may be sequentially applied, thus scanning a selected region of a substrate, in the direction of arrow 152, along a dicing line 150. In this case, great energy is abruptly applied over the entire width of the dicing line 150 if the pulse laser beams 160 have a rectangular cross section. Consequently, the resultant groove may not have sharp upper edges. When the substrate is cut along such grooves, chips are provided, each having but an undesirable shape.
To prevent this, the cross-sectional shape of the beam must be changed to, for example, a shape shown in FIG. 2B. This shape is defined a first rectangle and a second rectangle. The second rectangle adjoin the middle part of the first rectangle and positioned in front thereof in the scanning director. Thus, the laser beam needs to have a cross-sectional shape selected in accordance with the type of the process in which it is used, such as dicing process or thin-film removing process. An apparatus that changes the cross-sectional shape of a laser beam is described in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-224878, paragraphs [0049] and [0148].
The inventors of this invention know that the cross-sectional shape of a laser beam should better be adjusted in accordance with the width and depth of the groove to be made by applying the laser beam, even if the groove is made in, for example, a thin film. In view of this, it is desirable to select a cross-sectional shape for the laser beam in accordance with the type of the process performed by using the laser beam. It is strongly demanded that an apparatus be provided, in which an appropriate cross-sectional shape can be easily set for the laser beam.
The apparatuses described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publications Nos. 2003-249427 and 2002-224878 has no function of setting an appropriate cross-sectional shape for the laser beam. It is demanded that grooves of different widths be made in, for example, a thin film. To meet this demand, slits (patterns) must be changed to have widths corresponding to the widths of the grooves. This would take much labor and time.

Laser processing apparatus and laser processing method


An apparatus for controllably feeding a particulate material, and particularly silicon material into a crucible, comprises a drum mounted for rotation about an axis tilted at an acute angle with reference to the horizontal. At least one cavity, a portion of which is formed in the inner surface of the bottom wall of the drum, extends from about the outer periphery of the bottom wall at its one end towards the center thereof at its other end. At one of its ends, the cavity communicates with an aperture in the bottom wall. A feeding tube having an outlet port supplies the material into the cavity and is so positioned in relation to the drum that the outlet port directs the material into the cavity only when the cavity is in a rotational position in which its end with the aperture is elevated with respect to a horizontal plane above the other end of the same cavity and pours the material into that portion of the receiving cavity which is remote from the aperture. The flow of the material is interrupted when its level above the cavity reaches a predetermined level. Upon rotation of the drum, the cavity is filled with the material fed from the tube during the rotation of the drum through a first angular portion of its rotation when its aperture is disposed above the already filled portion of the cavity and is emptied to discharge the material by gravity during the rotation of the drum through a second angular portion of its rotation when the aperture is below the filled portion. The feeding rate of the material being discharged is controlled by the rate of rotation of the drum.

Different methods and feeding devices are known in the prior art for conveying particulate material at desired feeding rates into machines for further processing. One type of such feeding device incorporates a feeding belt for conveying particulate material at either a constant or a variable feeding rate. Control of the feeding rate in this kind of feeder is accomplished by controlling the speed of the feeding belt. However, the use of belt feeders in applications requiring uniform and accurate feeding rates presents problems. Various factors affecting performance of such feeders include the influence of wear and temperature in stretching or contracting the belt. Also, flexible materials must be used for belts and this limits the available materials. There are also problems regarding the accuracy of the feed rate since it is greatly dependent on the method used in depositing the material onto the belt. Also particulate material being conveyed may spill.
Other types of known feeders employ rotary feeding drums. One such example is a feeding drum disclosed in Boudwin U.S. Pat. No. 1,221,136 in which the feeding apparatus includes a revolvable feeding drum with a lifting vane located within the drum. Also, a structure of a rotatable feeder for conveying material to machines such as mills is disclosed in Holthoff U.S. Pat. No. 1,553,613. In rotary drum feeders, the material feeding rate is controlled by varying the rotational speed of the drum. Use of rotary drum structures has some advantages over belt feeders, including, inter alia, a greater variety of suitable materials for a rigid drum structure, and reduced criticality of mechanical adjustments than is required with belts.
In rotary drum type feeders, on the other hand, various mechanical parts are required, such as lifting vanes, spiral scopes, helical ribs, etc. for lifting and directing the particulate material from the rotary drum to the outlet means. The lifting vanes, helical ribs and other parts of the drum tend to abrade and wear and require maintenance.
There is thus a need in the art for a feeding apparatus with improved feeding accuracy, and a simpler and easier-to-maintain structure.

Apparatus for controllably feeding a particulate material


A semiconductor component (31) and a method for coupling a semiconductor device (36) to a substrate (81). The semiconductor component (31) includes a saddle (34) and the semiconductor device (36). The saddle (34) has a plurality of sides (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) that form a semiconductor device receiving area (58). The semiconductor device (36) is inserted into the semiconductor device receiving area (58) and secured in the semiconductor device receiving area (58) using tabs (66, 67). The saddle (34) is coupled to the substrate (81) by fasteners (82,83).

Typically, semiconductor devices such as sensors are manufactured by mounting a semiconductor chip to a leadframe, electrically connecting die pads on the semiconductor chip to leadframe leads, and enclosing the semiconductor chip and a portion of the leadframe within a packaging material. The semiconductor device is then mounted to a substrate by soldering the leads to corresponding bond pads on a substrate such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). In the example of a sensor, one or both sides of the semiconductor chip are exposed to an ambient environment via ports that are adhesively coupled to the packaging material.
A drawback with this type of sensor is that the packaging material, the material of the ports, and the adhesive material each have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, when the semiconductor device is thermally stressed, the materials expand or contract at different rates, imparting a mechanical stress on the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die, which contains the sensor transducer, then produces erroneous results. Therefore, the sensor produces erroneous results. Another drawback to this type of sensor is that the step of soldering the leads to the substrate imparts a mechanical stress on the semiconductor die so that the sensor produces erroneous results.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus and method for reducing stress on a semiconductor die. It would be of further advantage for the apparatus to be have a small form factor and be easily and cost effectively integrated into standard manufacturing processes.

Saddle bracket for solid state pressure gauge


An electric acoustic apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies sound-generation information including timing information representing a start of a sound-generation, a storage storing sound control pattern data representing a pattern of over-time change of a parameter defining a behavior of a sound, a reproducer that reproduces the sound control pattern data, and a sound signal generator that generates a sound signal representing a sound according to the sound-generation information and changes the behavior of the sound based on the reproduced sound control pattern data. The reproducer controls a reproduction behavior of the sound control pattern data according to the sound-generation information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric acoustic apparatus for changing a behavior of a sound based on sound control pattern data representing a pattern of over-time change of a parameter defining the behavior of the sound.
2. Description of the Related Art
As described in JP-A-2002-23751 as Patent Literature 1, an electronic musical instrument is known as an electric acoustic apparatus having a musical sound control function of changing a behavior of a musical sound based on musical sound control pattern data representing a pattern of overtime change of a parameter defining the behavior of the musical sound.
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2002-23751


In various implementations, defrost operations may be managed. A change in the temperature of a heat exchanger may be determined. A determination whether to allow a defrost operation may be at least partially based on the determined change in the temperature of the heat exchanger.

Heat pumps may be utilized as part of an air conditioning system that provides heated air and cooled air to a location. During cold ambient temperatures, an outside heat exchanger and/or fan may be subject to icing. The icing may cause energy efficiency drops, reduce fan movement (e.g., including stopping), and/or mechanical failure (e.g., including pre-failure events such as wear on parts).
Defrost cycles may be utilized to reduce ice accumulation on surfaces and/or to inhibit ice formation. The defrost cycle may including reversing the flow of refrigerant such that hot refrigerant is provided to the outside heat exchanger and the temperature of the heat exchanger and/or fan is raised.


Two embodiments of motor vehicles powered by two cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engines having air fuel injectors. The air fuel injectors are mounted in the cylinder head but are disposed in such a position so that the fuel injector portion of the fuel air injector extends toward the high side of the hood to permit accessibility without sacrificing the use of a low hood line.

This invention relates to a fuel injected automotive engine and more particularly to an improved positioning for the fuel injectors of an automotive engine that permits the use of a low hood line and easy accessibility of the fuel injectors.
The advantages of providing fuel injection, particularly direct fuel injection, with engines and particularly two cycle engines is acknowledged. Where direct cylinder fuel injection is employed, the fuel injectors are normally mounted in the cylinder head along with certain other components such as the spark plug for firing the charge. It is also desirable to position the fuel injectors in such a manner that they may be easily accessible for servicing and other purposes. The same is, of course, true with respect to the spark plugs. Certain types of fuel injectors inject not only air, but also fuel into the engine. These injectors are more complicated than injectors which inject only fuel and require additional space because of their greater complexity.
The cylinder head mounting of fuel injectors and particularly air fuel injectors gives rise to certain problems when the injectors are used with automotive engines. It is well known that is desirable to provide a low hood line for a motor vehicle so as to provide good streamlining and better fuel efficiency. However, when the engine is mounted in the engine compartment with the fuel injectors projecting upwardly, this can give rise to the difficulty in providing low hood lines. These problems may be particularly acute in conjunction with transverse front wheel drive engine placements.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved fuel injector arrangement for a motor vehicle that permits access to the fuel injectors and a low hood line.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved injection system for a motor vehicle wherein the injection system is mounted in a cylinder head, but in such a location as to not require a high hood line.