Methods of culturing and detecting a biomarker which may be associated with autoimmune diseases, in particular inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease; also a screening method for substances suitable for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's disease; the method including culturing a biomarker in a culture media which includes a culture broth, OADC, PANTA and Mycobactin J.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is not an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
Crohn's disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affecting the gastrointestinal tract, and causing inter alia abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and weight loss. Current diagnosis techniques for CD include colonoscopy, radiologic tests, and blood tests; these tests are often invasive, unreliable, and a combination of tests is often required. As such, CD can be difficult to diagnose.
Uncovering the cause of inflammatory bowel disease appears to have become the holy grail of gastroenterology. For CD the most popular hypothesis is that the disease results from loss of immunological tolerance to bacteria or other microorganisms that are normally present in the bowel lumen. However, several other hypotheses exist including a role for infectious agents such as atypical mycobacteria, Chlamydia species, Listeria monocytogenes, cell wall deficient Pseudomonas species, Mycoplasma species and a number of viruses including measles virus. The debate on the cause of CD remains unresolved.
Johne's disease (JD), a disease that primarily affects the small intestine of ruminants, is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Due to similarities between JD and CD a link between MAP and CD has been posited in recent years.
Culturing MAP from ruminants suffering from JD is a standard procedure, but a method of culturing and identifying MAP from humans suffering from CD in such a way that is replicatable and reliable has been elusive. Researchers have relied upon identification of MAP in CD patients by detecting the MAP-specific insertion element IS900 by PCR. However, several researchers now believe that the IS900 insertion element is not a reliable marker for either MAP in humans or for reliable diagnosis of CD.
In 2000, Schwartz et al. described a short-term culture for identification of MAP from tissue of human CD patients. The culture medium was a standard Mycobacterial growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) and 12B* Bactec bottle (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lake, N.J., USA): 7H9-broth base supplemented with OADC, mycobactin J, and PANTA antibiotics mixture, the MGIT tube also supplemented with L-asparagine, pyroxidine, trace elements, biotin, and glycerol. Staining of a sample of the cultured sample was carried out with Kinyoun acid-fast stain as previously published (Nyka W. Method for staining both acid-fast and chromophobic tubercle bacilli with carbolfuchsin. J Bacteriol 1967; 93:1458-60). Two forms of MAP were visualised using this method: a prespheroplast form with a partial cell wall compartment, and a bacillus intact cell form.
In a 2004 study, Naser et al. described culture of MAP in the same culture media as the Schwartz et al. study from peripheral blood samples from human CD patients. Again, acid-fast bacilli and prespheroplasts were observed after 12 weeks of incubation in cultures identified as being MAP-positive by IS900-nested PCR analysis. No organisms were detectable by acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining in the early weeks of culture. Furthermore, viable MAP was only cultured from 50% of CD patients.
Neither Schwartz's nor Naser's methods have proven reliably replicatable so as to be relied upon for diagnosis of CD or inflammatory bowel disease.
In 2005 the Applicant attempted to replicate the findings from the Naser et al. study. Using a modified technique, the Applicant identified round "inclusions" within the cytoplasm of macrophages of patients with active CD (Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2005) 20, 1943). ZN staining (using alcohol-free de-colouriser) showed these "inclusions" as "red spots."
At the time the Applicant believed the "red spots" to be spheroplastic phase forms of MAP (i.e. cell wall-deficient), due to the presence of the IS900 marker in the CD patient samples. However, IS900 as a marker for MAP now has a number of detractors, and IS900 is now not considered to be a reliable marker for the presence of the macrophage inclusions in CD patients. The number of copies of IS900 is lower in the macrophage inclusions than in bovine strains, and a positive PCR result for IS900 does not indicate a viable strain, or active growth, of MAP, as dead bacilli of DNA remnants thereof will also generate a positive PCR result. Published data shows positive results for IS900 in only 40-70% of CD patients, as well as positive results in controls. Thus, the presence or absence of IS900 is not a reliable diagnostic test for CD. It is possible the "inclusions" were MAP-like organisms, not MAP.
Spheroplastic forms of the identified organism have proven difficult to cultivate. Accordingly, the Applicant has conducted subsequent research directed at the application of bacteriological methodologies for reliable subculture and identification of the macrophage 'inclusions'.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least some of the difficulties identified above. Another object of the present invention is to provide a more reliable method of culture and identification of the previously identified 'inclusions', and a further object of the invention is to provide a method of diagnosis of IBD or CD on the basis of identification of said inclusions.
The Applicant does not assert that the biomarker cultured and detected by the method of the present invention is the cause of any autoimmune disease, but simply that the presence of the biomarker can be used as a reliable indication of the presence of an autoimmune disease, in particular inflammatory bowel disease and especially Crohn's Disease.
It is thought that the biomarker cultured and detected by the method of the present invention may be a Mycobacterium species (as yet unidentified) which has been found to be strongly associated with the occurrence of CD; it is not yet established whether this biomarker is in fact a causative agent of CD.
However, it is possible, but not yet proved, that the biomarker detected by the method of the present invention is in fact Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) or a MAP-like organism; it is also possible that this organism is actually the cause of inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease rather than simply a biomarker.


A gear shift device is provided which changes speed by transmitting rotation of a shift spindle by gear shift operation input to rotation of a shift drum through an intermittent feed mechanism and a lost motion mechanism. An upstream rotation holding mechanism is provided to hold in a required rotational position an upstream rotating member of the lost motion mechanism which is rotated by gear shift operation input through the intermittent feed mechanism. When a required level of gear shift operation is done, the gear shift device changes speed adequately, without continuing gear shift operation, and thus improves operability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gear shift device for shifting the gear stage in a transmission mechanism.
2. Description of Background Art
At the time of gear shift when a state where a pair of gear trains in a gear transmission mechanism is transmitting power effectively is changed to a state where another gear train is transmitting power effectively, usually a clutch is disengaged to stop power transmission to permit gear shift because resistance is large during power transmission.
Also, when gear shift operation input by a shift pedal directly rotates a shift drum, gear shift operation may not be smooth in such a case as dog engagement trouble; for this reason, a lost motion mechanism is provided between a shift spindle and the shift drum in order to get a good gear shift operation feeling.
A gear shift device with such a lost motion mechanism, which is a constitution for automatically controlling clutch engagement/disengagement, is disclosed in JP-A No. 2008-221410 which was previously filed as a patent application by the same applicant.
In JP-A No. 2008-221410, since the amount of lost motion in the lost motion mechanism varies, a shift regulating mechanism for regulating rotation of the shift drum is provided downstream of the lost motion mechanism.
The shift regulating mechanism restricts rotation downstream of the lost motion mechanism to accumulate the operation force of gear shift operation, and when a sufficient force is accumulated, it removes the restriction to rotate the shift drum by the accumulated force to shift the gear stage, so gear shift operation can be done at a prescribed timing regardless of variation in the amount of lost motion.
Specifically, in the gear shift device described in JP-A No. 2008-221410, a sufficient operation force is accumulated in the lost motion mechanism by pressing the shift pedal forcefully enough and consequently the restriction by the shift regulating mechanism is removed and the shift drum is rotated by the accumulated force so that the shift fork moves the shifter in the gear transmission mechanism and changes the dog clutch connection to perform gear shift or change the speed.
Since gear shift is performed by an accumulated force in the lost motion mechanism as mentioned above, the force accumulated in the lost motion mechanism must be maintained until dog clutch connection change is finished in the gear transmission mechanism; therefore the rider must keep pressing the shift pedal until dog clutch connection change is finished.
Even when the shift pedal is pressed forcefully enough, if the shift pedal is released before completion of dog clutch connection change, the accumulated force in the lost motion mechanism will be lost and no gear shift will be performed.
In JP-A No. 2008-221410, since the lost amount in the lost motion mechanism varies, a shift regulating mechanism for regulating rotation of the shift drum is provided downstream of the lost motion mechanism.
Also, a positioning mechanism (detent mechanism) for determining the position of the shift drum for each gear stage is provided downstream of the lost motion mechanism.
Since this positioning mechanism (detent mechanism) is provided only downstream of the lost motion mechanism or there is no such mechanism upstream of it, as the rider presses the shift pedal, he/she merely feels some resistance produced by compression of a spring but does not feel a click from the detent mechanism and cannot know from a feeling of gear shift operation whether gear shift has been performed or not.
Furthermore, since the gear shift operation force accumulated in the lost motion mechanism varies, the torque of the shift drum cannot be kept optimum.
In addition, in the gear shift device described in JP-A No. 2008-221410, a sufficient operation force is accumulated in the lost motion mechanism by pressing the shift pedal forcefully enough and consequently the restriction by the shift regulating mechanism is removed and the shift drum is rotated by the accumulated force so that the shift fork moves the shifter in the gear transmission mechanism and changes the dog clutch connection to perform gear shift or change the speed.
Since gear shift is performed by an accumulated force in the lost motion mechanism as mentioned above, the force accumulated in the lost motion mechanism must be maintained until dog clutch connection change is finished in the gear transmission mechanism; therefore the rider must keep pressing the shift pedal until dog clutch connection change is finished.
Even when the shift pedal is pressed forcefully enough, if the shift pedal is released before completion of dog clutch connection change, the accumulated force in the lost motion mechanism will be lost and no gear shift will be performed.
Also, in JP-A No. 2008-221410, the rotation angle of the shift spindle is detected and disengagement of the clutch is controlled based on the detected rotation angle.
For the shift spindle on which the rider's gear shift operation works directly, its rotation speed varies depending on the rider and the way of gear shift operation and is not constant.
Therefore, disengagement of the clutch which is based on the rotation angle of the shift spindle and gear shift motion by rotation of the shift drum downstream of the lost motion mechanism do not always take place timely.
If a regulating mechanism for regulating rotation is also provided upstream of the lost motion mechanism for the above reason, means for activating the regulating mechanisms on the upstream and downstream of the lost motion mechanism must be provided and the device may be more complicated because it may be difficult to synchronize both the regulating mechanisms.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.
One object thereof is to provide a gear shift device which ensures that gear shift is adequately performed through input of a required level of gear shift operation without continuing the input of gear shift operation, thereby improving operability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gear shift device which determines the position of a shift drum for each gear stage and enables the rider to feel a click upon gear shift operation input and know whether or not gear shift has been performed, and also keeps the torque of the shift drum optimum.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gear shift device which, when a required level of gear shift operation is done, changes speed adequately without continuing gear shift operation input and thus improves operability and assures easy synchronization between the upstream and downstream sides of the lost motion mechanism through a simple structure.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a gear shift device which ensures smooth gear shift by disengaging the clutch timely for gear shift motion by rotation of the shift drum at any time.


A hemispherical resonator includes a bell fastened to a base. The base carries a main electrode extending facing an annular edge of the bell, and at least one guard electrode adjacent to the main electrodes. An electrically conductive layer covers at least part of the inside surface, the annular edge of the bell, and covers a portion of an outside surface of the bell adjacent to the annular edge thereof.

Document FR-A-2 851 040 discloses a hemispherical resonator having a vibrating member in the form of a bell fastened by a stem to a base that has main electrodes facing the edge of the bell, and a guard electrode adjacent to the main electrodes.
The main electrodes serve firstly to cause the bell to be set into vibration by applying at least one alternating voltage to the main electrodes while maintaining the bell at a constant potential, and secondly to detect vibration of the bell by picking up a detection signal from the main electrodes.
The guard electrode may be used either for its usual function by connecting it to ground, thereby serving to reduce crosstalk between the electrodes, or it may be used as a control and/or detection electrode by applying appropriate signals to each of the portions of the guard electrode.
In such embodiments, the bell is made of silica, which acts as an electrical insulator. The inside surface and the edge of the bell, and the stem are covered in a layer of metal.
Document US-A-2003/0019296 discloses a resonator in form of a bell of silica having an inside surface and an outside surface both fully covered by a conductive metal coating.
Since the metal plating close to the edge of the bell tends to damp its vibration, thereby worsening drift, proposals have been made to leave the silica bare on the outside surface of the bell.
It is known for example from document U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,161 a hemispherical resonator comprising a vibrating member in the form of a bell of silica partially covered by a conductive metal coating. The conductive metal coating covers a plane annular edge of the bell and forms conductive tracks extending on an inside surface of the bell between a pole of the resonator and said edge. The outside surface of the bell is left completely uncovered.
It is also know from document US-A-2004/0154396 such a resonator in which the inside surface of the bell is fully covered by the conductive metal coating.
Nevertheless, it has been found that leaving the silica bare on the outside surface of the bell adjacent to the edge thereof gives rise to a modification in the looked-for electrical image and thus gives rise to an error in angle measurement. This modification comes from field lines that move between the electrodes and the metal-plated and biased zones of the resonator by passing through the silica, thereby causing charge to migrate very slowly in the silica which is not infinitely insulating, and until potential equilibrium is reached. Consequently, the field lines and thus the electrostatic efficiency are transformed over time. Such variation over time is very difficult to correct by calculation.

Resonator with a partial metal-plated layer


Described is a method for assembling multi-fiber array connectors. V-grooved silicon chips are placed in a holder which allows the chips to "float" with respect to each other and adjust to varying fiber diameters. Once the fibers are inserted, the chips are clamped and cemented together with the fibers fixed in the grooves.

This invention relates to optical fiber connection, and, in particular, to a method of assembling connectors with fibers inserted therein.
Connectors for multi-fiber arrays typically include top and bottom silicon chips with V-shaped grooves formed in the facing major surfaces so that the fibers are position in the grooves. (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,120 issued to Parzygnat.) The usual method of assembling the connectors involves a stacking technique whereby the fibers are first inserted in the grooves of the bottom chip and then the top chip is positioned over the bottom chip and fibers by means of a special fixture. The chips are then clamped and removed from the fixture to a position where an epoxy and heat are applied to bond the chips together. (See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,771 issued to Snyder.)
While such a technique is adequate, it would be desirable to simplify the assembly by eliminating the need for a special fixture and thereby permit easier installation of connectors in the field.
An alternative approach to assembling multi-fiber connectors involves inserting the fibers after the top and bottom chips are bonded together. A clamp member is typically provided around the chips, and an area of the bottom chip is exposed to permit insertion of the fibers. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,059 issued to Kakii, et al.) One of the drawbacks of such a technique is the fact that the chips are bonded together prior to fiber insertion. Consequently, even if a partially cured adhesive is used, it is difficult for the assembly to adjust to varying sizes of optical fibers within a ribbon or from ribbon-to-ribbon.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a simplified assembly technique for multi-fiber array connectors which adjusts to varying sizes of optical fiber.

Method of assembling multi-grooved silicon chip fiber optic terminations


An internal combustion engine operates on a four-stroke cycle and includes a housing defining: one or more generally wedge-shaped combustion chambers, and an internal cavity in which a wheel is mounted for rotation on a crankshaft. Arranged inside each combustion chamber is a gate, with each gate having a corresponding gate control assembly including a control shaft. Each control shaft is supported by bearings that engage and ride in a generally elliptical cam-cutout defined in the surface of the wheel. Movement of the gate control assemblies within and with respect to the elliptical cam-cutout controls the movement and operation of the gates, such that, as the wheel rotates, a fuel/air mixture is drawn into a combustion chamber; compressed by the rotating movement of a gate; and ignited, imparting a force on the gate, with the gate then rotating to expel combustion gases through an exhaust port.

The present invention relates to internal combustion engines. In an internal combustion engine, the basic functionality includes: (1) the intake of a fuel-air mixture into a combustion chamber; (2) the compression of the fuel-air mixture; (3) the ignition of the fuel-air mixture; and (4) the expansion of the ignited mixture and exhausting of the combustion gases. The resultant release of energy in the form of expanding gas is used to power various mechanical devices, including vehicles.
A reciprocating internal combustion engine is perhaps the most common form of internal combustion engine. In a reciprocating internal combustion engine, the reciprocating motion of a piston in a cylinder results in the compression of the fuel-air mixture and the expansion of combustion gases. The energy is transformed from linear motion into rotational motion through connection of the piston to a crankshaft.
Most modern vehicle engines currently use a piston-cylinder arrangement in what is referred to as a four-stroke combustion cycle, comprised of (1) an intake stroke, (2) a compression stroke, (3) a combustion stroke, and (4) an exhaust stroke. In a four-stroke combustion cycle using a typical piston-cylinder arrangement, the piston starts at the top of the combustion chamber (i.e., the cylinder), and an intake valve opens. The piston moves downwardly within the cylinder, and the fuel-air mixture is drawn into the cylinder through the intake valve, completing the intake stroke. The piston then moves back upwardly to compress the fuel-air mixture until reaching the top of the stroke, completing the compression stroke. When the piston reaches the top of the stroke, the spark plug ignites the compressed fuel-air mixture, resulting in a controlled explosion that drives the piston downwardly, completing the combustion stroke. Finally, once the piston reaches the bottom of its stroke, an exhaust valve opens, and combustion gases are forced out of the cylinder by the upward movement of the piston back to the top of its stroke, completing the exhaust stroke and readying the piston for a subsequent combustion cycle.
Although common in vehicles, a reciprocating internal combustion engine using a four-stroke combustion cycle does have some disadvantages. As a result, other engines have been developed that use the same basic combustion principles with some variation. For example, in an internal combustion engine using a two-stroke combustion cycle, the intake and exhaust valves are eliminated. Instead, intake and exhaust ports are located on opposite sides of the cylinder. After each expansion stroke, combustion gases under pressure exit the cylinder through the exhaust port, and a fuel-air mixture is drawn in through the intake port. Although there is only one expansion cycle per crankshaft revolution, a two-cycle engine is must less efficient than a four-cycle engine.
Another reciprocating internal combustion engine is a diesel engine, which can have a four-stroke or a two-stroke combustion cycle. Unlike the above-described engines, however, a diesel engine draws in and compresses only air in the cylinder. This air is compressed by the piston to more than 450 psi, resulting in an air temperature of about 900-1100° F. At the bottom of the compression stroke, diesel fuel is injected into the cylinder, and the temperature of the air within the cylinder is sufficient to cause ignition of the fuel-air mixture without the need for a spark plug.
In any event, a reciprocating internal combustion engine has its disadvantages. The piston has a significant mass and thus inertia, which can cause vibration during motion and limits the maximum rotational speed of the crank shaft. Furthermore, such engines have relatively low mechanical and fuel efficiencies.
As a result of such disadvantages, some attempts have been made to propose alternate combustion engine designs. Perhaps the most well-known and commercially successful of these alternate designs is the Wankel or rotary piston engine. The Wankel engine has a quasi-triangular rotating piston that moves along an eccentric path to rotate the crankshaft. Rather than using inlet and exhaust valves, the edges of the rotating piston open and close ports in the wall of the combustion chamber. In other words, intake and exhaust timing are controlled solely by the motion of the rotor.
As the piston of the Wankel engine rotates, seals mounted at its three corners continuously sweep along the wall of the combustion chamber. The enclosed volumes formed between the piston and the wall increase and decrease through each revolution of the piston. A fuel-air mixture is drawn into an enclosed volume, compressed by the rotation of the piston that decreases the enclosed volume, and then ignited with the combustion gases being accommodated by and expelled through the expansion of the enclosed volume. In short, a complete four-stroke combustion cycle is achieved, but since there is no reciprocating motion, higher rotational speeds are possible.
The most pronounced disadvantage of a Wankel or rotary piston engine is the difficulty in adequately sealing the enclosed spaces between the piston and the wall of the combustion chamber that increase and decrease through each revolution of the piston. If these enclosed spaces are allowed to communicate with another, the engine cannot properly function.
Since development of the Wankel engine, some attempts have been made to address such shortcomings of a Wankel or rotary piston engine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,141 describes and claims an engine that has a central rotor and a plurality of radially sliding vanes. The vanes rotate clockwise with the rotor to form enclosed volumes between the vanes, the side walls of the combustion chamber, and the rotor. These enclosed volumes decrease and increase in volume throughout the combustion cycle, with the fuel-air mixture being drawn into an enclosed volume, compressed by the rotation of the rotor and associated vane, and then ignited with the combustion gases being accommodated by and expelled through the expansion of the enclosed volume. Nevertheless, as with a Wankel engine, such a design still suffers from the problem of adequate sealing of the enclosed volumes from one another. Furthermore, the drag of the vanes along the wall of the combustion chamber reduces power and fuel efficiency.
As another alternative, U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,285 describes and claims an internal combustion engine that has a torque wheel mounted for rotation within the central cavity defined by a housing and driving a crankshaft. The torque wheel includes a plurality of separate arms in a spaced arrangement about the center of the torque wheel, thereby defining corresponding volumes between the respective arms. Positioned within these volumes are substantially identical combustion gates. As the torque wheel rotates, the combustion gates are moved through an elliptical path. Air is drawn into the central cavity of the housing, and fuel is introduced into the central cavity of the housing to create a fuel/air mixture in one of the volumes between the respective arms of said torque wheel and adjacent one of the combustion gates. This fuel/air mixture is then compressed during the continuing rotation of the torque wheel by the pivoting and outward movement of the combustion gate. The fuel/air mixture is then ignited, causing a rapid expansion of combustion gases and imparting a torque that causes continued rotation of the torque wheel. The combustion gate then pivots and moves inwardly toward the center of the torque wheel, allowing the combustion gases to expand, and then pivots and move outwardly again, forcing the combustion gases through an exhaust outlet.
Nevertheless, there remains a need for a durable, fuel-efficient internal combustion engine that can rotate faster than common gas-powered engines, while maintaining a constant rotational speed with a high power output to weight ratio.


A fiber optic faceplate for protecting photosensitive material from high light levels which comprises an optical structure which optically acts like a solid window at low light levels, but which at least one of attenuates or diffuses light incident on the photocathode as a function of light amplitude. A method of operation and of manufacturing the faceplate, and devices incorporating the faceplate are also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for protecting photosensitive material against damage from high light levels, as may be caused by lasers.
Photosensitive material is vulnerable to damage from high light levels. In some instances, the high light levels, particularly from lasers, may be intentionally produced by an adversary to damage equipment which utilizes photosensitive material.
There are many uses for photosensitive material, which for example include a photocathode for an image intensifier which may be used in a night vision device, an array of photodetectors in a video camera or other imaging device, and film in a photographic camera. While such use and others for photosensitive material are encompassed by the present invention, it finds particular application for the protection of a photocathode in an image intensifier device.
Image intensifiers are used for amplifying low light images and are employed, for example, in night vision goggles, security cameras, and medical instruments.
An image intensifier tube is typically comprised of a photocathode which is attached to a glass input faceplate or window, an electron amplifier, which is typically a microchannel plate, and a converter for converting amplified electrons to light, which is typically a phosphor screen. In the operation of the device, light including infrared (IR) is fed through the window to the photocathode. The photocathode converts the light including IR to electrons, and the electrons are amplified by the microchannel plate. Finally, the amplified electrons are incident on the phosphor screen where they create a visible image.
Image intensifiers can be very sensitive to laser damage, which arises from the laser energy being focused on the photocathode or microchannel plate. A prior art approach to protection of image intensifiers was to use a faceplate comprised of a fiber optic bundle. That is, if a solid glass faceplate is used, the objective lens focuses a small spot on the faceplate having concentrated energy which can damage the photocathode. However, when fiber optics are used in place of solid glass, the energy is distributed over a larger spot on the photocathode, and is not as damaging. This is because the small spot which is focused by the objective on the input end of the fiber faceplate is somewhat larger than the diameter of one fiber, and typically covers parts of several fibers. Even if the spot covers only a small portion of a fiber at the input end, it is emitted from the entire diameter of the fiber at the output end, so the light spot is enlarged over the photocathode.
Even though fiber optic faceplates have found use in protecting photocathodes, there are performance, integration and manufacturing disadvantages associated with their use. As to performance, the resolution and modulation transfer function (MTF) of a fiber optic tube is less than a glass tube. This is because the fibers are discrete sampling devices, and inherently have lower resolution than non-sampling devices. When several sampling devices are overlapped together, the resolution drops.
The integration disadvantages stem from the fact that the customer""s desire is to have a tube which is laser hardened, but which is form fit and functionally identical to the tubes presently fielded in night vision equipment. However, such equipment was designed around glass faceplate tubes. Thus, fiber optic tubes require that the equipment housing be replaced to allow for the longer optical length of a fiber optic tube, and the objective lenses need to be replaced, as these were designed to function properly with a glass faceplate. When the glass faceplate is replaced with a fiber optic faceplate the lens has poorer MTF and thereby the device resolution and contrast are reduced. Thus, a fiber optic faceplate tube is not form fit and function for most night vision device applications.
The manufacturing problems are due to the glass characteristics. Fiber optics are usually made of glasses of two different coefficient of expansion. Due to this, a gallium arsenide photocathode layer can give a visual appearance in the tube as though a bad paint brush had been used to deposit the layer, giving streaks, which in common parlance are called xe2x80x9cbrush linesxe2x80x9d.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved faceplate for photosensitive material, as well improved devices which incorporate such faceplate.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method for protecting photosensitive material.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide an improved method of manufacturing.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a pseudo fiber optic faceplate is provided for protecting photosensitive material from high light levels which comprises an optical structure which optically acts like a solid window at normal light levels, but which at least one of attenuates or diffuses the light incident on the photocathode as a function of inputted light amplitude.
Thus, operational and integration advantages of a fiber faceplate can be achieved, while protection of the photosensitive material is afforded.
Other aspects of the invention will become evident by referring to the following description and claims.

Method and apparatus for laser protection of photosensitive material


Systems for a cascaded multiple feedback generator controller are provided. Aspects include a direct current (DC) power supply comprising a generator and a rectifier circuit connected to a load, a first voltage sensing device coupled to a first point of regulation, a second voltage sensing device coupled to a second point of regulation, a generator controller configured to receive a first voltage signal from the first voltage sensing device, receive a second voltage signal from the second voltage sensing device, determine an adjustment for the generator, the adjustment comprising a transient performance response and a voltage droop response, wherein the transient performance response is determined based on the first voltage signal, and wherein the voltage droop response is determined based on the second voltage signal, and operate the generator based on the adjustment for the generator.

The present invention generally relates to electrical power generation systems, and more specifically, to cascaded multiple feedback controllers in electrical power generation systems.
Aircraft require electrical power to operate many parts of the aircraft system, including on-board flight control systems, lighting, air conditioning etc. The current and future generations of aircraft use more and more electrical control in place of conventional hydraulic, pneumatic etc. control. Such more electric aircraft (MEA) have advantages in terms of the size and weight of the controls and power systems as well as in terms of maintenance and reliability.
Most current large commercial aircraft use electricity, on-board, in the form of an AC fixed frequency and/or variable frequency network. Steps have been made to move from 115 V ac to 230 V ac and more recent developments have allowed power supplies to supply high voltage dc (HVDC) e.g. 270 V dc and higher, providing improvements in terms of additional functionality, power supply simplification, weight savings and thus fuel efficiency.
Generally, voltage is provided on board an aircraft in one of two (or more) ways. When the aircraft is on the ground, power comes from an external ground generator supplying, say 115 V ac at 400 Hz. When the aircraft is in the air the power comes from a multi-phase ac generator which is mounted on the aircraft engine or auxiliary power unit (APU) that could then be rectified. The produced AC voltage is then rectified using passive or active rectification techniques. The rectified power is provided to a so-called DC bus.


A method for creating personalized lesson recommendations for a user is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes assigning a skill profile to the user, where the skill profile includes a skill vector associated with one or more fine-grained skills of the user. The method also includes assigning a difficulty profile to a task to be practiced by the user, where the difficulty profile includes a task difficulty vector associated with one or more fine-grained skills of the task. Further, the method include prioritizing the task within a list of recommended tasks offered to the user based on a comparison between the skill profile of the user and the difficulty profile of the task.

In language learning applications, a user is often offered lesson recommendations based on behavior-based and/or skill-based approaches. In behavior-based approaches, the recommendations are obtained by tracking the behavior of the user in the language learning application and comparing it to similar users that express similar behavior—for example, by computing user similarity and behavior similarity. Once the user is placed within a certain similarity group, content that is appealing to the group is expected to also appeal to the user. In skill-based approaches, the recommendations are driven by matching the estimated skill of the user with an "estimated" difficulty of the lessons.

Methods for producing personalized lesson recommendations in language learning applications


This invention relates to a formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition containing a polyacid, a polyol and a phosphorous-containing accelerator. The composition may be used as a binder for heat resistant nonwovens such as nonwovens composed of fiberglass.

Nonwoven fabrics are composed of fibers which may be consolidated by purely mechanical means such as, for example, by entanglement caused by needle-punching, by an air-laid process, and by a wet-laid process; by chemical means such as, for example, treatment with a polymeric binder; or by a combination of mechanical and chemical means before, during, or after nonwoven fabric formation. Some nonwoven fabrics are used at temperatures substantially higher than ambient temperature such as, for example, glass fiber-containing nonwoven fabrics which are impregnated with a hot asphaltic composition pursuant to making roofing shingles or roll roofing material. When a nonwoven fabric is contacted with a hot asphaltic composition at temperatures of 150-250.degree. C., the nonwoven fabric may sag, shrink, or otherwise become distorted. Therefore, nonwoven fabrics which incorporate a curable aqueous composition should substantially retain the properties contributed by the cured aqueous composition such as, for example, tensile strength. In addition, the cured composition should not substantially detract from essential nonwoven fabric characteristics, as would be the case, for example, if the cured composition were too rigid or brittle or became sticky under processing conditions.
There is a need for a method for making a heat-resistant nonwoven fabric by using heat-resistant fibers and a heat-resistant curable aqueous composition which is free of formaldehyde, because of existing and proposed legislation directed to the lowering or elimination of formaldehyde

Curable aqueous composition and use as fiberglass nonwoven binder


A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device includes forming a p-channel transistor on a silicon substrate by forming a poly gate structure over the substrate and forming a lightly doped source/drain region in the substrate. An oxide liner and nitride spacer are formed adjacent to opposing side walls of the poly gate structure and a recess is etched in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the oxide liner. Raised SiGe source/drain regions are formed on either side of the oxide liner and slim spacers are formed over the oxide liner. A hard mask over the poly gate structure is used to protect the poly gate structure during the formation of the raised SiGe source/drain regions. A source/drain dopant is then implanted into the substrate including the SiGe regions.

An integrated circuit (IC) is formed by creating one or more devices (e.g., circuit components) on a semiconductor substrate using a fabrication process. As fabrication processes and materials improve, semiconductor device geometries continue to decrease in size since such devices were first introduced several decades ago. For example, current fabrication processes are producing devices having feature geometry sizes (e.g., the smallest component (or line) that may be created using the process) of less than 90 nm. However, the reduction in size of device geometries frequently introduces new challenges that need to be overcome.
As microelectronic device geometries are scaled below 65 nm, the electrical efficiency becomes an issue that impacts device performance. Microelectronic device performance such as current gain can be significantly affected by the configuration and materials comprising incorporated into microelectronic devices. Therefore, there is an inherent conflict with the configuration and/or the materials used in many of today's microelectronic devices.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a microelectronic device and method of manufacture thereof that addresses the above discussed issues.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Processes for determining predicted prices of social media actions from disparate social media types are disclosed. In one example process, campaign attribute data associated with an advertising campaign on a social media service may be received. The campaign attribute data and historical campaign attribute data associated with previously performed advertising campaigns may be used to generate a plurality of predicted prices for the social media action. A weighted sum of the plurality of predicted prices may be calculated to generate a final predicted price for the social media action. Predicted prices for other social media actions performed on other social media services may similarly be generated. Systems and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing these processes are also provided.

1. Field
The present application relates generally to social media and, more specifically, to analyzing advertising campaigns on various social media types.
2. Related Art
Due to the increasing popularity of social media, companies have directed their marketing efforts toward various social media services, such as Facebook™, Twitter™, Linkedin™, YouTube™, Pinterest™, and the like. Typically, advertising agencies are hired to run advertising campaigns for one or more of these services. For example, the advertising agency may run an advertising campaign on Twitter™ involving the creation of a corporate Twitter account that can be used by a company to "Tweet" about product updates, special offers, etc. The advertising agency may charge the company based on the number of followers, "re-Tweets," or the like, generated by the corporate account. In another example, the advertising agency may run an advertising campaign on Facebook™ involving the creation of a corporate Facebook™ account/page to post company information, pictures, messages, updates, etc. The advertising agency may charge the company based on the number of friends, "likes," comments, shares, or the like, generated by the corporate account.
While the number of social media actions (e.g., "likes," comments, "Tweets," etc.) directly generated by the advertising campaign on each social media service can easily be tracked, it is difficult to compare the performance of advertising campaigns from disparate social media services. For example, it is difficult to compare the value of a Facebook™ campaign, which may include friends, "likes," comments, shares, etc., with a Twitter™ campaign, which may include "Tweets," "re-Tweets," follows, and the like.


An automatic flame-out detector and reignition system for a fuel burning apparatus comprises at least one spark generator. The spark generator comprises a spark gap and a transformer. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The spark gap is connected across the secondary winding of the transformer. A switch is in electrical communication with the primary winding such that when the switch is in a first state, electrical current may flow through the primary winding and when the switch is in a second state, electrical current may not flow through the primary winding. The system comprises at least one flame detector having an output indicating the presence of a flame. A programmable circuit having an input for receiving the output of the flame detector and an output for triggering the spark generator is provided. A method of ignition is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an ignition system for a pilotless burner. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic flame-out detector and reignition system and method of ignition.
2. Background
Automatic pilotless ignition systems are well known in the art. A typical ignition system will provide primary ignition and, while fuel is flowing to the burner, monitor the flame. In the event of a flame-out condition, the ignition system will reactivate the ignition source to reignite the flame. While such devices have been in wide use in home appliances, their use in recreational devices has been limited.
Automatic ignition systems for home appliances have historically employed one of two ignition methods. Spark gap igniters have been the most prevalent. Generally, a spark gap igniter provides a spark gap at a point where, during an ignition operation, there will simultaneously be fuel and air. During an ignition sequence, the igniter receives electrical power from a power source and transforms the voltage to a level sufficient to overcome the dielectric strength of the air between the electrodes of the spark gap, thereby resulting in an electrical arc across the gap. Typically, the electrical energy for the arc is stored in a capacitor to provide a spark of sufficient energy without placing an instantaneous, unrealistic demand on the power source.
The other common ignition method employs the use of a hot surface igniter. Generally, a small heater element, placed in a position where fuel and air will be present during an ignition sequence, is heated to a temperature above the flash point of the burner""s fuel. As fuel comes into contact with the hot surface, it is ignited. Advantages of this system include a constant ignition source during the ignition operation, unlike a spark gap igniter wherein the spark is of relatively short duration, and less complex circuitry is required to activate the ignition source. The disadvantage of the hot surface igniter is the relatively large amount of electrical power required to heat the hot surface element. For battery operated devices, the spark gap igniter is more practical since it potentially requires less electrical power and thus will provide a system with longer battery life.
Recreational appliances are small, light weight devices intended for camping, hiking, picnics, or similar activities. In a typical recreational appliance, an automatic ignition system would ideally be battery operated, totally self-contained and relatively impervious to the elements, such as wind and rain. A camp stove is an example of a recreational appliance well suited for an automatic ignition system.
Typically, a camp stove provides one or two burners and a valve associated with each burner for adjusting the flow of fuel. Some stoves provide a manual ignition system which uses a piezo crystal to convert mechanical energy supplied by the operator to electrical energy for producing an electrical spark to ignite the fuel.
Since camp stoves are intended for outdoor use, it is not uncommon for the flame to become extinguished due to wind. In this event, the user must recognize the flame-out condition and manually re-light the burner, either with a match or, if the stove is so equipped, by operating the igniter mechanism.
In prior art automatic ignition systems designed for home appliances, the size and weight of the ignition system have not been of great concern. Thus, prior art ignition systems have been drawn to an ignition system per burner, resulting in unnecessarily replicated circuitry. In addition, since these devices tend to operate from household power, efficiency of the ignition system has likewise not been of great concern. In an ignition system for a camp stove, however, size, weight, and battery life are important factors and therefore replicating circuitry is undesirable.
Another limitation of prior art automatic ignition systems has been nuisance ignition cycles. Flame-out detection, as employed in home appliances, has been susceptible to false flame-out indications, particularly under windy conditions. Nuisance ignition cycles result in unnecessary sparking which produces a periodic ticking sound. The outdoor environment where a camp stove is generally used, subjects the stove to a far greater range of environmental factors than those of an indoor appliance and thus, aggravates the problems associated with nuisance sparking. Nuisance sparking in a camp stove not only results in an annoying ticking sound, it also results in reduced battery life.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic flame-out detector and reignition system and method for ignition. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus can be implemented as follows. An automatic flame-out detector and reignition system for a fuel burning apparatus comprises at least one spark generator. The spark generator comprises a spark gap and a transformer. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The spark gap is connected across the secondary winding of the transformer. A switch is in electrical communication with the primary winding such that when the switch is in a first state, electrical current may flow through the primary winding and when the switch is in a second state, electrical current may not flow through the primary winding. The system comprises at least one flame detector having an output indicating the presence of a flame. A programmable circuit having an input for receiving the output of the flame detector and an output for triggering the spark generator is provided.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention can also be viewed as providing methods of igniting a cooking apparatus. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: (a) monitoring a fuel valve position to determine the position of a fuel valve having an open position and a closed position; (b) triggering a spark generator upon determining the position of the fuel valve being disposed in the open position; (c) monitoring a flame detector to determine a flameout condition; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (d).
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Automatic flame-out detector and reignition system and method of ignition


The invention provides a method of adjusting a principal communication direction of a steerable directional antenna for communicating with a terrestrial electromagnetic signal source, the method comprising: providing location specific steering data comprising one or more steering data portions, each of the steering data portions being specific to a respective location; determining a location of the steerable directional antenna; selecting a steering data portion from the location specific steering data taking into account the determined location of the antenna; determining an adjusted principal communication direction of the steerable directional antenna taking into account the said selected steering data portion; and adjusting the principal communication direction of the steerable directional antenna in accordance with the said adjusted principal communication direction.

Mobile communications devices use antennas for radio frequency wireless communication with terrestrial electromagnetic signal sources, such as cellular network base stations, Wi-fi access points and Bluetooth beacons. The strengths of signals received by the antennas from such electromagnetic signal sources vary greatly in dependence on the spatial relationship between the mobile device and the signal source. The received signal strength is typically a function of distance and direction of the mobile device from the electromagnetic signal source, but the function can be more complex when obstructions are provided in the line of sight between the mobile device and the electromagnetic signal source, and when multi-path propagation occurs, for example due to signal reflections.
In order to reduce interference, and therefore improve transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals by the antennas, it is known to provide a directional antenna and to steer the antenna in the direction of the electromagnetic signal source. However, when mobile devices move, the antenna often needs to be steered back towards the electromagnetic signal source to maintain a wireless communications link of the required quality. This can require the antenna to perform a scan by (electronically or mechanically) steering the principal communication direction of the antenna across a range of directions in order to determine an optimum principal communication direction along which to communicate with the electromagnetic signal source, particularly when the antenna is not initially in communication with the electromagnetic signal source (which may require the scan to be performed over a larger range). This scanning process typically takes time and uses a significant quantity of battery power.
Accordingly a new way of steering steerable directional antennas, which reduces the battery power consumption, is required.


A tubular component with an end section has a profile, wherein the profile comprises a plurality of holding elements axially offset in longitudinal direction of the end section. The holding elements comprise at least one first azimuthal contour region and at least one second azimuthal contour region, wherein the outer contour of a holding element in the first contour region at least in sections is lowered or raised relative to the second contour region and wherein the first contour regions of at least two holding elements are offset relative to each other in azimuthal direction.

In the prior art, tubular components are preferably employed as pipe connectors for joining pipes by crimping. There, a pipe is pushed over the end section of a tubular component and then crimped to said end section preferably utilizing a crimping sleeve. The holding elements axially offset in longitudinal direction of the end section in the crimped state prevent axial relative movement between the pipe and the tubular component. In addition, these holding elements ensure a reliably tight joint. During the installation of such tubular components it can happen that the tubular component with the pipe pushed on to said component already seals so well in the uncrimped state that on checking the installation, during which liquid is piped through the pipe system, no liquid leaks from the uncrimped joint of pipe and tubular component, so that the installer does not notice the uncrimped state. Since pipe connectors as well as pipes are subject to certain size tolerances, such premature sealing can especially occur with a pipe connector that happens to be too large and a pipe that happens to be too small. An undiscovered, uncrimped joint can cause major damages and repair costs since it only loses its sealing property during the running operation of the installation and thus results in a possible liquid leakage and a pressure drop in the pipe system.
To prevent this problem, a tubular component was proposed in DE 201 09 548 U1, wherein the holding elements comprise clearances so that in the uncrimped state a continuous flow channel is ensured between the tubular component and the pipe. Through these continuous clearances on one side of the end section the connection between a pipe and a tubular component is weakened however, so that the tightness of the entire joint is reduced.


The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. The tensioner is of the type having a track, a carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement, a pulley rotatably mounted upon the carrier and for engaging the power transmission belt, a spring biasing the carrier in longitudinal relation to the track, and a damping mechanism that modifies the biasing of the spring based upon movement of the carrier in relation to the track. It is improved by the damping mechanism having a shoe placed in asymmetrical damping relation to the carrier and the track. Further, the shoe includes a first friction bearing surface in mating relationship with a second friction bearing surface of the track.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a tensioner for tensioning a belt of a belt drive system. More particularly, it relates to a tensioner having a linear pulley movement. Specifically, this invention relates to a linear movement tensioner having a mechanical damping mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Power transmission belt tensioners used in conjunction with accessory belt drive systems for internal combustion engines are known with pulley movements that are both arcuate and linear. Certain applications benefit from linear movement tensioners (i.e., those where the idler pulley contacting the power transmission belt moves in a substantially straight path). An example of a linear movement tensioner can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,408 to Foster. The ""408 Patent discloses the construction of a relatively complex tensioner that incorporates a plurality of springs about a hydraulic damping mechanism. Further, the carrier, upon which the tensioning pulley is mounted, engages the track, that defines the carriers two degrees of freedom of movement, with a ball and track bearing structure. The inclusion of hydraulics creates the concern of leaking hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic mechanism disclosed is apparently not compact. Thus, the tensioner appears to be relatively large. The relatively large number of parts adds to cost and complexity of construction. Further, there is no provision for compensating for the parasitic torque across the carrier that supports the idler pulley, that tends to twist that carrier, other than the effectiveness of the ball and track bearing structure.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a linear movement tensioner that is simple, compact, durable and devoid of hydraulics.
The present invention has as an object the provision of a linear movement tensioner that is simple and compact.
The present invention has as a further object the provision of a linear movement tensioner with a mechanical damping mechanism having asymmetrical damping properties.
The present invention has as a further object the provision of a linear movement tensioner with a mechanical damping mechanism having parasitic torque compensating properties to enhance tensioner durability and operation.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an accessory drive system is disclosed herein. The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. The tensioner is of the type having a track, a carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement, a pulley rotatably mounted upon the carrier and for engaging the power transmission belt, a spring biasing the carrier in longitudinal relation to the track, and a damping mechanism that modifies the biasing of the spring based upon movement of the carrier in relation to the track. It is improved by the damping mechanism having a shoe placed in asymmetrical damping relation to the carrier and the track. Further, the shoe includes a first friction bearing surface in mating relationship with a second friction bearing surface of the track.


A downhole local solid particles counting probe (1) for counting solid particles (101) in a fluid (100) present in a hydrocarbon well in production comprising:                an elongated and flexible protective tube (2) defining an internal cavity (5) terminating by a membrane wall (3) defining a tip (4), the protective tube (2) and the membrane wall (3) isolating the internal cavity (5) from the fluid (100) of the hydrocarbon well, the protective tube (2) and membrane wall (3) are made of metal or metal alloy and have a thickness (ei) such as to resist to the downhole hydrocarbon well pressure;        a passive acoustic sensor (6) mounted inside the internal cavity (5), the passive acoustic sensor (6) having a front side (7) mechanically coupled on the membrane wall (3) of the tip (4);        a characteristic dimension of the passive acoustic sensor (6) is similar to solid particles (101) average characteristic dimension, ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and a characteristic dimension of the membrane wall (3) defining the tip (4) ranges from 1 mm to 2 mm; and        the passive acoustic sensor (6) is arranged to detect acoustic waves (30) generated by solid particles (101) impacting the membrane wall (3) defining the tip (4) so as to resolve an individual impact from a single solid particle and to produce a signal representative of a count of solid particles.

During the production of gas and/or oil by a hydrocarbon well, the multiphase fluid mixture stream that flows through the perforations of the casing made facing a hydrocarbon bearing zone is often laden with solid particles. Such solid particles include sand grains, silts, clays and other subterranean formation materials. The solid particles are dragged from the formation layers by the fluid flow and carried by the fluid flow into the well towards the surface. These solid particles may damage the production equipments, either by their erosive actions, or by settling down in parts of the production equipment, thus causing well plugging, pipes erosion, and severe contamination of the production equipments. These may require regular cleaning of the production equipment during which hydrocarbon production is stopped. All these detrimental effects of the solid particles onto the production are costly. Thus, there is a need to monitor the fluid flow and to identify the zones responsible of solid particles entries into the well in order to allow operators to take the necessary steps when excessive amounts of solid particles are found to be present in the fluid flow. Implementing corrective actions may include the installation of sand screens or even closing the responsible zones with patches.
Various methods of investigating a hydrocarbon well to determine solid particles, in particular sand entry from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation into the well are known in the art.
The documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,509,764, 3,563,311, and 4,315,428 describe standalone well tools performing acoustic measurements.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,764 describes a method of investigating a cased well including a tubing string extending through a producing zone. The method consists in positioning a sound detector inside the tubing string adjacent the zone and monitoring the sound created by the impingement of the well production stream from the producing zone on the exterior of the tubing string. The possible clogging of perforations, resulting in excessive flow velocity of the well stream through unclogged perforations and consequent abrasion of the tubing string, can be detected. The method is only sensitive to indirect impacts on the tubing.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,311 describes a method of investigating a well penetrating a fluid-bearing formation with a sound detector. The well is produced at a plurality of flow rates under conditions such that fluid flowing from the formation impinges against an interface within the well. The sound produced by the impingement of this fluid is monitored by the sound detector at each flow rate. From the information thus obtained, the flow rate and location at which sand is produced from the formation may be determined. The detector is only sensitive to indirect impacts on the tubing.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,428 describes a sensor for detecting sand grains in a fluid flow. The sensor comprises a ring-shaped member carrying an acoustic transducer. The ring-shaped member is supported on a rod by clamping means, and material having elastic properties is arranged on the surfaces of the ring-shaped member that contact the rod or the clamping means. The sensor is disposed in the well and only exposed to transversal impacts.
The documents US 2007/047867 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,287 describe other techniques relying on sensors positioned outside or across the pipe in which the fluid flows.
The document US 2007/047867 describes a downhole fiber optic acoustic sand detector. An array of fiber optic acoustic sensors (Bragg gratings) is formed within an optical fiber. The array of acoustic sensors may be deployed to a well bore for detecting acoustic signals occurring within the production area of the well bore, such as acoustic signals resulting from sand invading the well bore. A plurality of acoustic sensors may be formed by forming a plurality of periodic refractive index perturbations at selected intervals within the acoustic sensing section of the optical fiber. The fiber optic acoustic sensor may be deployed in the well or may be unobtrusively mounted on the exterior of a well casing.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,287 describes a method and apparatus for detecting sand particles in a flowing fluid, e.g. the production from a gas or oil well. An acoustic transducer is used to detect the sand particles and the resulting signal is filtered to pass a frequency band of 50 to 500 kilohertz. A pulse height discriminating means and pulse counter is provided for counting the number of pulses that exceed a pre-set amplitude.
The drawbacks of such conventional solutions are that an accurate quantitative evaluation of sand production/entry requires complex data treatment and relies on transducer sensitivity calibration that may not be accurate, and/or may drift, and/or may be dependent on temperature variation.

Downhole local solid particles counting probe, production logging tool comprising the same and sand entry investigation method for hydrocarbon wells


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to prevent a user from using the top step of a ladder. The apparatus comprises a substantially solid front face on which a first side flap and second side flap are disposed. The first and second side flaps are disposed at an angle to the front face in order to create a spring force when inserted in a “C” shaped cross section of a ladder. The apparatus is held to a ladder through the spring force and by securing the side flaps and front face to the ladder legs.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ladder step prevention and more particularly relates to preventing a ladder user from standing on the first step of the ladder below the top of the ladder.
2. Description of the Related Art
Each year many people are injured from falls and other accidents associated with ladders. Ladder accidents constitute a large portion of on-the-job deaths and accidents. Because of these accidents, injuries and deaths, several government regulatory agencies have written stringent regulations concerning ladder construction and safety. These agencies include the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In addition to these national regulatory agencies, many state and local government regulations have been set. Labor unions and individual companies have also set their own particular rules and regulations in addition to government regulations. Ladder regulations include maximum load regulations, grip construction for ladder steps, maximum and minimum distance for ladder step placement, maximum measurements for the distance between side rails, slip resistant coatings requirements, and many other requirements.
A regulation that is seen in almost all ladder regulations is that a ladder user may not stand on the top of a ladder or stand on the first step below the top of a ladder ("first step"). Many ladder manufacturers place warning stickers on their ladders to deter users from using the top of the ladder or the first step of a ladder as a step. Even in these cases, users continue to use these areas as steps and accidents resulting from the use of the top of the ladder and the top step continue to occur.
In addition to warning stickers, government regulations, and company policies, attempts have been made to insure that user's do not step on the top step of a ladder or the first step of a ladder. These attempts involve cumbersome attachments, bulky apparatuses, a multiplicity of parts, weak connections, and other problems. These attempts are often ignored by ladder user's and do not prevent user's from endangering themselves by using the top of the ladder and the first step of the ladder as a step.
A simple apparatus that prevents a user from standing on the first step of a ladder is needed.

Apparatus, system, and method for ladder step prevention device


A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a game is described herein. The gaming machine includes a display device and a game controller for displaying a game on the display device. The game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol positions in a predetermined order. The game controller allows a player to make a wager on the game and responsively displays the game on the display device. The game controller randomly determines an outcome of the game, responsively spins and stops the reels to display the outcome including at least two reels having the same symbols being displayed in the same symbol positions, and awards an award to the player as a function of the outcome.

Conventionally, there are known pachinko-type gaming machines comprising slot machine and reel units that carry out re-drawing. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine disclosed in Publication of Japanese Patent No. 3330338, when a player operates a hitting handle, pachinko balls are hit into a game region formed in a front surface of a game board one by one. A reel unit that can change display or stop display of a plurality of symbols, and a plurality of starting winning holes are provided on the play surface. In a case where a pachinko ball goes into any of the starting winning holes, the pachinko ball is detected by a starting winning ball detector, and each reel in the reel unit rotates based on a detection signal of the starting winning ball detector, so as to change display the plurality of symbols. After a predetermined time has passed, a second reel (center reel) stops, and in a case where the second reel that stops is a symbol other than a specific symbol, a first reel (left reel) stops thereafter, and finally, a third reel (right reel) stops. When every reel stops, in a case where a combination of pre-set specific symbols are displayed, a situation favorable for the player occurs by for example, opening an opening/closing plate of a variable prize winning ball device in a tulip-shape, and creating a situation where a predetermined game value can be provided to the player.
Each reel can display three symbols in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, symbols displayed by the three reels are in a 3×3 matrix alignment. In this matrix, a total of five lines are formed: three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines.
On the other hand, in a case where a symbol stop displayed is a specified symbol (for example "7") at the time the second reel stops, the change display discussed below is carried out. The first and third reels continue change display of the symbols, but the first and third reels are stopped at the same time, or are stopped in an order of first reel, then the third reel, after slowly rotating the "7" symbol horizontally, downwards, or upwards, in a state where the symbols are matched. By this, a situation where a matching is possible in a win line of a center horizontal direction, a win line of a downward direction, or win line of an upwards direction is possible, while the rotation of the first and third reels.
However, in the conventional re-drawing method, it is difficult to correspond to a slot machine with many reels, or a slot machine that validates a plurality of symbols on one reel. In the conventional method, when a predetermined condition is met, re-drawing is carried out by the entire reels, so as to standardize variation of re-drawing. Because this kind of method is well known, it is becoming insufficient to arouse player interest. Accordingly, there is a need for a new method that increases variation, and the possibility of finding new game functions in order to increase player interest towards the game.
Gaming machines such as slot machines, poker machines, fruit machines, and the like generally attract enormous popularity from players in casinos. Such a gaming machine displays an arrangement of symbols on the front thereof, and randomly changes types of symbols in the arrangement at each round of game. A player places a bet at the start of each round. If a winning combination appears in the arrangement, the player will win an amount of a payout that depends on the amount of the bet and the type of the winning combination.
This type of gaming machine is generally equipped with mechanical reels that are coaxially arranged and allowed to independently spin by respective motors. Symbols are permanently displayed, e.g., printed on the circumferential surfaces on each reel in a predetermined order. Mechanical reels repeat spins and stops, and thereby change visible symbols at random. Alternatively, this type of gaming machine may use an electric display device to display symbols in graphic form on a screen thereof. The symbols are aligned in two or more columns, i.e., video reels. Like mechanical reels repeating spins and stops, video reels repeatedly change in appearance, and thereby symbols repeatedly move and stop in a vertical direction. Such actions of symbols are often referred to as "spins and stops of video reels". There is also a mechanical reel with one or more electric display devices mounted on the circumferential surface of the mechanical reel. Symbols are displayed in graphic form on a screen of the electric display device. Visible symbols move and change, whichever the mechanical reel spins or the electric display device changes images produced thereon.
Most players prefer a gaming machine that can provide a larger amount of payout. The upper limit of payout per round generally depends on a total number of types of symbol arrangements visible on reels. Mechanical reels have a limited number of symbol types mainly because of their sizes. In order to increase the upper limit of payout per round, a gaming machine with mechanical reels randomly provides a player with a right to play a bonus round. A player can win a larger amount of payout, or an amount of payout more frequently at a bonus round than at a normal round. In addition, a player can play a bonus round for free.
On the other hand, video reels have no limited number of symbol types in principle. However, a gaming machine with video reels also provides a player with a right to play a bonus round in order to enhance the variety of game contents and visual effects, and thereby attract a larger number of players.
Recent remarkable progress on game controllers, computer graphics, and display devices enables gaming machines to produce more various types of bonus rounds with more complex rules and visual effects. This facilitates differentiation of a type of gaming machines from others. On the other hand, excessively complex rules and visual effects may prevent gaming machines to raise players' expectations for winning In addition, excessively complex rules and visual effects may place a heavy burden on game designers and developers.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved gaming machine that can produce a bonus round with more simple rules and visual effects, and thereby cause a player to recognize the bonus round more clearly and reduce a burden on game designers and developers. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play gaming machines having synchronized symbols


A system is provided for receiving audio signals from a plurality of microphones and transferring the audio signals via a common composite signal channel to a receiving unit, such as a mixing console. The system has at least two satellite units, each having a microphone signal input, a composite signal channel input and summing means for summing a microphone signal and a composite signal. The system further has a master unit with a composite signal channel input, and signal converting means for converting said composite signal into a master signal, which is provided to the receiving unit via a master signal output. In the system, each satellite unit is connected to the common composite signal channel, such that the microphone signal received at the respective satellite unit, is added to the composite signal, which is fed to the master unit.

At most audio performances today, some sort of amplification system is used in order for the sound to reach its audience, via TV, radio or via a speaker system. Such an amplification system normally delivers a single output signal (or two, if the signal is a stereo signal). However, that single output signal has to be composed of all the audio sources that are to be relayed to the audience. In a limited setting, with only one or a few speakers or singers, a single microphone is enough to receive all sources. At larger settings, such as live concerts of e.g. operas, theatres, musicals, rock or pop concerts, classical music concerts or similar events, a large number of sources, often spread out over a large area, needs to be relayed to the audience. In such a case, a large number of microphones needs to be used, often one microphone per source. The signal from each microphone is assigned its own channel, via a cable or a wireless transmission system, and may be received and recorded individually. However, at some point all channels need to be merged into a single channel (or into two channels in a stereo application), which may be relayed to the audience by e.g. amplification, broadcasting or recording.
A device commonly used for merging the channels is a mixing console 1, which is shown in FIG. 1. Mixing consoles are well known to any one involved with the recording or performance of music. Basically, the mixing console consists of a number of input channels that are added in order to form a single output channel.
Typically, one input channel 11a, 11b and 11c is assigned to each audio source, such as a microphone 10a, 10b and 10c, a CD player or any other audio source. Each channel may have its own equalizer 12a, 12b and 12c for adjusting its audio properties, and a level control 13a, 13b and 13c for controlling its contribution to the output channel 14. The mixing console may further comprise auxiliary blocks for enabling the outputting or listening-in to individual channels. It may also comprise a compressor gate for providing a compressed signal, which is suitable for radio broadcast. Mixing consoles may also be implemented with software user interfaces.
The output channel 14 may be connected to any downstream equipment, such as an amplifier 2 supplying signals to a speaker 3, broadcast equipment 4 for broadcasting signals to receivers 5 or equipment 6 for producing media such as CDs, tapes etc. The output channel typically has its own level control for controlling the output level from the mixing console.
It is easily realized that if each channel has its own equalizer, its own level control as well as its own input connector, the mixing console may become very large, especially since a mixing console may have a very large number of input channels. For example 32 or 48 channels is common, but there are also much larger mixing consoles for managing a large number of audio sources, such as an orchestra. However, in addition to becoming bulky, such mixing consoles have a tendency to become both heavy, expensive and difficult to operate. Needless to say, this could become a problem for any traveling performance group and for other applications where a large number of microphones needs to be repeatedly set up and disassembled, such as rehearsal studios, theatres, TV-studios etc.
It is generally not a very good idea to increase the number of sources that may be connected to a mixing console by connecting them via a splitter, so that two or more microphones become connected in parallel to one input channel. However, the number of microphones that may be connected in this manner is generally limited by the power supplied from the mixing console and by the microphones' characteristics. Typically, not more than two microphones may be connected to an input channel in this manner, and it is not recommended since the interdependence between the microphones may affect the sound quality negatively. Furthermore, this does not enable any control of the microphones' panning or signal levels.
Hence, there is a need for a device which enables a larger number of sources to be connected to a mixing console or an amplifier.

Abstract: A satellite unit and a master unit for use in the system are also disclosed, as well as a method for receiving audio signals from a plurality of microphones and transferring the audio signals to a receiving unit via a common signal channel, such as a mixing console.


An apparatus for providing a walking surface including a particulate material to a user is described. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a primary endless belt that transports a walking surface formed at least in part by a particulate material. The apparatus may further include a return transport system to facilitate recycling of the particulate material to the front of the apparatus. Methods of exercise and methods of treatment using such an apparatus are also described.

Exercise treadmills are common and available in a variety of configurations. They may be used to perform a number of different exercises, such as aerobics, walking, running, and the like, with the user remaining in a relatively stationary position. Treadmills may also be used for therapy and diagnostic purposes such as cardiovascular stress testing, physical therapy, gait analysis, and the like.
Traditional treadmills generally include single endless belt that is extended between and movable about a pair of rollers. The endless belt may be driven in a motorized fashion, for example by using a roller encircled by an endless chain loop that engages a pinion gear mounted to an axle of a motor drive shaft, which in turn engages a drive sprocket mounted to an axle shaft of at least one of the rollers.
The endless belt of a traditional treadmill is often formed by a rubber material that is sturdy and which has sufficient tensile strength to withstand the forces produced by a user exercising on the treadmill. The endless belt is also often supported along its length and width between the rollers so as to enable the belt to bear the weight of a user. For example, a plurality of support pins or a decking system may be placed contiguous with an underside of the endless belt in order to provide appropriate support.
Typically, the walking surface of the endless belt has a smooth and non-textured finish that is designed to simulate certain a flat and relatively hard surface, such as asphalt or the loop of a track and field stadium. As such, traditional treadmills are unable to leverage the advantages of walking on certain natural surfaces (e.g., sand), which have been shown to increase the energetic cost of walking and running at all speeds.
In addition, the walking surface of a traditional treadmill is relatively hard and non-compliant. As a result, the impact forces generated by a user while exercising on such a treadmill may be substantial. Over time, such impact forces can cause wear and tear on the body, particularly the joints of the lower body. This can limit or prevent some users from exercising on a traditional treadmill. For example, individuals who are injured or who have a chronic condition such as lower back pain or diabetic neuropathy may not be able to tolerate the impact forces generated during exercise on a traditional treadmill.
Traditional treadmills may also be of limited usefulness in physical conditioning and/or rehabilitation programs for certain individuals, such as the elderly, the handicapped, and the obese. Such individuals frequently have limited mobility, and may not be able walk or run on a traditional treadmill at a sufficient rate for weight loss, physical therapy, or another purpose. Moreover, such users often suffer from joint problems and other injuries, which can independently limit the usefulness of a traditional treadmill, as described above.


Methods and apparatuses discussed herein provide for localized speed changes of an advancing substrate. Embodiments of a localized speed varying apparatus may include first and second substrate guides positioned upstream and downstream of a processing station, respectively. The substrate guides may utilize orbital motion of guide members to change the length of the substrate within the substrate guides upstream and downstream of the processing station. The changes in substrate length within the substrate guides result in localized speed changes of the substrate between the substrate guides. Coordination between the substrate guides allows for localized speed changes of the substrate passing through the processing station without affecting the speed of the substrate upstream of the first substrate guide and downstream of the second substrate guide.

Along an assembly line, various types of articles, such as for example, diapers and other absorbent articles, may be assembled by adding components to and otherwise modifying an advancing, continuous web of material. For example, in some processes, advancing webs of material are combined with other advancing webs of material. In other examples, individual components created from advancing webs of material are combined with advancing webs of material, which in turn, are then combined with other advancing webs of material. Webs of material and component parts used to manufacture diapers may include: backsheets, topsheet, absorbent cores, front and/or back ears, fastener components, and various types of elastic webs and components such as leg elastics, barrier leg cuff elastics, and waist elastics. Once the desired component parts are assembled, the advancing web(s) and component parts are subjected to a final knife cut to separate the web(s) into discrete diapers or other absorbent articles. The discrete diapers or absorbent articles may also then be folded and packaged.
Various methods and apparatuses may be used for attaching different components to the advancing web. Some production operations are configured to advance substrates in a machine direction at a constant speed. However, when advancing webs have components added thereto or are otherwise subjected to processing operations during production, it may be necessary to slow or stop the advancing web. For example, it may be necessary to slow or stop an advancing web passing through a processing station configured to perform such operations as, for example, gluing, welding, and adding discrete components. In an attempt to avoid having to vary the speed of the entire length of a substrate passing through an assembly line, some devices can be used to vary the speed of a portion of the substrate without affecting the speed of the entire substrate. However, such devices may only be configured to slow or stop the portion of the advancing web passing through a processing station for an instant or a very short duration of time. In turn, the processing stations may not be able to complete their respective functions during the relatively short time period while the web is slowed or stopped. In addition, some speed varying devices are configured to engage both sides an advancing web, which may have a negative impact on other process steps.

Appraratus and method for providing a localized speed variance of an advancing substrate


An optical measurement device and method of use provides non-invasive physiological measurements from a predetermined location on a body part of a user. The optical measurement device provides an illumination and detection assembly configured to generate and detect light of a predetermined wavelength range in the form of a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, as well as a pressure detection assembly configured to detect an amount of pressure applied to the measurement device by the user being measured. A feedback unit, such as a portable display device, provides the user real-time feedback of the detected PPG signal and level of applied pressure so that the user may adjust the amount of applied pressure to improve the quality of the detected PPG signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices and methods for non-invasive optical physiological measurements, including the detection of a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal from a user, and more particularly to a pressure detection assembly of an optical measurement device which detects an amount of pressure applied by the user to the device, and a feedback unit which aids the user in determining an optimal PPG signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical monitoring of physiological characteristics utilizes the detection of light transmitted through a location of a user being measured. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical measurement technique used to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular bed of living tissue, typically by detecting light transmitted through the ear lobe or fingertip. As arterial pulsations enter the capillary bed, changes in the volume of the blood vessels or characteristics of the blood itself modify the optical properties of the capillary bed. The PPG signal is used to measure saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), which is an estimation of the level of oxygen saturation in a fluid, such as blood. The PPG signal can also be used to measure blood pressure.
A device such as a pulse oximeter is an accepted standard in clinical practice, and provides for measuring enhanced optical pulsatile signals emitted by the changes in the volume of blood flowing through a user. The pulse oximeter generally has a pair of small light emitting diodes (LEDs) facing a photodiode, with a translucent part of the user's body, usually a fingertip or an earlobe, positioned there between. The light from the LEDs passes through the tissue and is detected by the photodiode. One LED is red, with wavelength of approximately 660 nanometers (nm), and the other is infrared, with a wavelength of approximately 905, 910 or 940 nm. Absorption at these wavelengths differs significantly between oxyhemoglobin and its deoxygenated form. Therefore, the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin can be calculated from the ratio of the absorption of the red and infrared light, i.e. the ratio of red light to infrared light absorption of pulsating components at the measuring site.
The basic form of PPG technology requires only a few optoelectronic components: a light source to illuminate the tissue (e.g. skin) and a photodetector to measure the small variations in light intensity associated with changes in perfusion in a catchment volume. FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical representation of a PPG signal 100, which can generally be divided into two components: an AC component 102 due to the absorption of light in pulsatile arterial blood volume 106; and a DC component 104 caused by the absorption produced by non-pulsatile arterial blood—i.e. venous blood and capillary blood 108, and tissue absorption 110.
In FIG. 1, this AC component 102 is superimposed onto a large quasi-DC component 104 that relates to the tissues and to the average blood volume. This DC component 104 varies slowly due to respiration, vasomotor activity and vasoconstrictor waves. With suitable electronic filtering and amplification, both the AC component 102 and DC component 104 can be extracted for subsequent pulse wave analysis.
Two important characteristics of the PPG AC pulse waveform 102 have been described and are illustrated in FIG. 2, where the appearance of the pulse waveform was defined as two phases: a first anacrotic phase 112 being the rising edge of the pulse, and a second catacrotic phase 114 being the falling edge of the pulse. The first phase 112 is primarily concerned with systole, while the second phase 114 represents diastole and wave reflections 116 from the periphery. A dicrotic notch 118 is usually seen in the second catacrotic phase 114 of subjects with healthy compliant arteries.
The majority of PPG devices currently available rely on simple thresholding, or peak detection algorithms, to find the principal peaks in a detected signal. However, these methods are unreliable when the detected signal is less than ideal. Particular problems may be encountered when the baseline of the AC signal component becomes noisy or complex, as can occur even with mild movement artifacts.

Devices and methods for non-invasive optical physiological measurements