text:
White Paper
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway for
Public WLAN SIM Authentication and Authorization
An increasing number of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators are recognizing the need for high-speed wireless data services. Such operators have decided to roll out wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies within their service and access portfolios as a complement to existing 2.5G and future third-generation cellular (3G) access and services.
Because proper user authentication has been and will continue to be a key success factor for access to its services, Cisco Systems has embarked on an effort to enable authentication of WLAN subscribers using the existing and well-proven GSM-based user authentication and existing GSM provisioning facilities.
The authentication process is very important to any user transaction. Whereas WLAN early market entry systems have based their authentication process upon username and password, initially using credential entry via a Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) Web page, these will evolve toward Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP [RFC 2284])or 802.1X-based solutions. EAP or 802.1X adoption will facilitate the migration to authentication schemes that support higher-entropy shared secrets and encryption key exchange, for example, comparable to those techniques currently used within the GSM networks.
Recognizing the need to bridge the native WLAN authentication and authorization mechanisms with the existing proven GSM-based authentication and provisioning model, Cisco Systems has introduced the Cisco IP Transfer Point (ITP) Mobile Application Part (MAP) Gateway function. The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway function enables existing GSM service providers to fully integrate 802.11 technology into their existing GSM network using subscriber-identity-mobile (SIM) cards. In this capacity, the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway is part of the Cisco Public WLAN solution architecture.
In addition to the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway functionality for WLAN SIM authentication and authorization, additional MAP-based features such as "SMS routing" are available. Details regarding this product, the ITP Multi-layer Router (MLR), are covered in a separate whitepaper.
Overview of the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Solution
The Cisco MAP Gateway merges both WLAN EAP or 802.1X and GSM SIM authentication mechanisms transparently, so that the mobile node performs SIM authentication to the GSM Authentication Center (AUC) through a standard EAP Remote Access Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)-based authentication. The benefit is that the GSM operator, when implementing WLAN hot spots into the network, can keep the same subscriber provisioning, authentication, and service authorization that are already in place for GSM services.
Given that the WLAN client is equipped with a SIM card and the appropriate SIM card reader, the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway establishes a bridge between the RADIUS-based authentication used in WLAN networks and the SIM-based authentication used in GSM networks, in a fully transparent manner as shown in Figure 1:
- From the standpoint of the GSM Home Location Register (HLR), the Cisco ITP behaves just like another node in the Signaling System 7 (SS7) network (typically corresponding to a home public land mobile network [HPLMN]-based Visitor Location Register [VLR], as explained later in this document).
- From the RADIUS server standpoint, the Cisco ITP behaves like another RADIUS server.
Figure 1
The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway merges the WLAN and the GSM authentication together.
Benefits of the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway
Assume a concurrent deployment of GSM and WLAN technologies within the same service provider's network, but in complementary geographical areas.
As shown in Figure 2, without a MAP gateway solution, the service provider with both WLAN and GSM networks deployed has to keep the two authentication signaling processes totally separated, leading to separate provisioning expenses, and providing a non-homogeneous quality of service throughout the two authentication services. GSM users still authenticate to the MAP SS7-based HLR and AUC, whereas WLAN users (who are likely to be the same as the GSM users, but roaming into a different coverage area) authenticate through a combined mechanism, likely to be 802.1X or EAP and RADIUS based.
Figure 2
WLAN and GSM authentication signaling processes are natively separated.
The introduction of a MAP gateway function in the cellular network (refer to Figure 3) enables the service provider to integrate the WLAN and GSM technologies into the same security mechanism. Benefits are numerous:
- A homogeneous and more secure authenticationThe Cisco ITP MAP Gateway function enables a WLAN authentication based on the SIM card, where the subscriber identity and high entropy secret is stored in a tamper-resistant memory. SIM-based authentication is more robust to hacking than the typical username-and-password authentication used in traditional WLAN networks. SIM authentication has a very low risk of fraud and cloning because it is the most used mechanism for authentication currently in place in cellular networks.
- The reuse of the existing provisioning system already available in the GSM networkBy using a MAP gateway, the operator can take advantage of its existing GSM HLR AUC for service provisioning and authorizing access, and thus reuse the existing process already in place for access to GSM-based services. Without a SIM-based authentication process enabled by the Cisco MAP Gateway, the right of access to WLAN service would necessitate a new and independent process, forcing the operator to implement, provision, and maintain a dedicated databasein addition to the existing HLR and AUC.
Figure 3
The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway enables the operator to merge both WLAN and GSM access security together.
In order to fully understand the function provided by the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway, it is useful to have a clear understanding of the distinct security mechanisms used respectively for WLAN and GSM authentications. Hereafter are described in more details the current authentication features respectively in place in WLAN- and GSM-based networks, and how the MAP gateway allows both features to merge into a common optimal feature set for both WLAN and GSM networks.
Conventional EAP over 802.11 and RADIUS-Based Authentication
IEEE 802.1x is a standard for port-based network access control. It ensures that only authenticated users are allowed access to the network through the WLAN access point. The IEEE 802.1X standard was initially designed to enable authenticated access to IEEE 802 media, including Ethernet, Token Ring, and 802.11 WLANs. The 802.1X standard provides an authentication framework for WLANs, allowing a user to be authenticated by a central authority, for example, a HPLMN. The specific algorithm that is used to determine whether or not a user is authenticated is left open, and multiple options are possible.
Notably, 802.1X supports the EAP, a general protocol for authentication that supports multiple authentication mechanisms. EAP works on Ethernet, Token Ring, or WLANs. In a WLAN with 802.1X, a user (known as the supplicant) requests access to an access point (known as the authenticator).
The authentication server is likely to use the RADIUS protocol between the server and the authentication peer on the access point. In this case, EAP messages are encapsulated using the RADIUS protocol to allow communication between the EAP supplicant and the back-end authentication server.
As Figure 4 shows, three components are involved in this combined EAP authentication process:
1. The client device that requests access to the WLAN serviceIt must be running 802.1X-compliant client software such as that offered in the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
2. The RADIUS authentication server that performs the actual authentication of the clientThe authentication server validates the identity of the client and notifies the access point whether or not the client is authorized to access WLAN services. Because the access point acts as the proxy, the authentication service is transparent to the client.
3. The access point that controls the physical access to the network based on the authentication status of the clientIt acts as an intermediary (proxy) between the client and the authentication server, requesting identity information from the client, verifying that information with the authentication server, and relaying a response to the client. The access point includes the RADIUS client, which is responsible for encapsulating and decapsulating the EAP frames and interacting with the authentication server.
Figure 4
Combined 802.1x and RADIUS Authentication with EAP.
Limitations of EAP and Other Non SIM-Based Authentication Mechanisms
For WLAN access, a variety of different authentication applications have already been developed and are currently available in the industry. Generally, experts relate the level of security to the nature and the place of storage of the long-term secret key used for authentication between the client and the server. Three kinds of methods are available today:
- The long-term secret key can be an alphanumeric password exchanged between the client and the user. This method is the lowest entropy, meaning it is the most easily attacked, for example, via a dictionary attack.
- The long-term secret key can be a more complex structure, stored in the hard drive of the user's device, whether this device is a PC or a personal digital assistant (PDA), for example. Whatever mechanism is used for actual authentication (EAP or non-EAP), the long-term key is still easily retrievable, because the operating system of the device itself is not tamper proof and allows ways to access information on the hard disk.
- The most secure and robust mechanism consists of keeping the long-term secret key in a closed environment such as a Smartcard. Most banking and commercial organizations are pushing today for the implementation of such mechanisms into their users devices, because this method is tamper resistant and provides application level security. The Smartcard provides a safe place to store valuable information such as private keys, passwords, or personal information such as health maintenance data. It is also a secure place to perform secure processes such as performing a public key or private key encryption.
SIM-Based Authentication in GSM Networks
GSM networks use a Smartcard-based method for user authentication and data encryption. The SIM card is a Smartcard inserted in the user's handset, defining uniquely the user through an identity number named the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).
The SIM authentication is an end-to-end mechanism between the user and the AUC, located inside the user's database, named HLR, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5
GSM SIM Authentication Architecture.
Three components are involved in the GSM authentication process:
1. Mobile stationThe Mobile Station has a SIM card that contains an IMSI and a secret key (Ki) shared with the AUC and authentication and key exchange algorithms, A3 and A8, respectively.
2. Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and VLRThese two components could be different, but they are shown as one for simplification.
3. HLR and AUCThese two components could be different, but they are shown as one for simplification.
The GSM authentication is based on a challenge-response mechanism. The authentication algorithm that runs on the SIM is given a 128-bit random number (RAND) as a challenge. The SIM then runs an operator-specific confidential algorithm, A3, which takes the RAND and a secret key Ki stored on the SIM as input (Ki is allocated with IMSI at subscription time), and produces a 32-bit response secret response (SRES). Another algorithm, A8, is used to compute a 64-bit long key Kc with Ki and RAND. The Kc key is originally intended to be used as an encryption key over the air interface.
SRES values computed by SIM and AUC are compared by the AUC, and authentication is granted if those values match.
Combined EAP SIM Authentication Through Cisco ITP
As described earlier in this document, the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway establishes a bridge between the RADIUS server and the HLR and AUC, such that the user establishes a SIM-like authentication to the GSM HLR and AUC:
Figure 6 shows the high-level data flow between the client, the RADIUS server (here, the Cisco Access Registrar), the Cisco ITP, and the HLR and AUC.
Figure 6
High-Level Data Flow for EAP SIM Authentication Through Cisco ITP.
Note: This is a partial data flow that only shows the portion involving the IMSI.
Differences with the GSM SIM Authentication
EAP and SIM are different from GSM, in the sense that several RAND challenges are used for generating several 64-bit Kc keys, which are combined to constitute a longer session key required for the specific 802.11 cipher suite.
EAP and SIM also enhance the basic GSM authentication mechanism with network authentication. When GSM authentication was defined, the rogue base transceiver station (BTS) was perceived not to be a security threat. Hence, EAP SIM defines a client challenge of the network, whereby the RAND challenge is accompanied with a message authentication code in order to provide mutual authentication.
EAP SIM Process: A Mutual Authentication
Network Authentication
In the first step, the client responds to the EAP or SIM or Start request by transmitting a 16-byte (128-bit) random number generated by the supplicant called Nonce. The RADIUS server uses that random number, together with user's IMSI, Ki, and two or three GSM random numbers RAND[n], to calculate the 20-byte Media Access Control (MAC) of the SIM or EAP challenge packet, MAC_RAND, returned to the client in the second step. The challenge packet also includes the two or three random numbers RAND[n] used for generating the session keys. The client first authenticates the challenge (and, therefore, the network) by calculating a MAC_RAND of its own and comparing it to the one sent by the network. If there is a match, the client knows that it is communicating with an authentication server that has connectivity to the user's AUC, implicitly indicating that there is an established trust relationship between the user's HPLMN and the WLAN access point operator.
Client Authentication
Then, the client uses RAND[n] and the GSM A3 and A8 algorithms to calculate the matching SRES[i] and Kc[n], respectively. IMSI, Ki, and SRES[n] are used to calculate a new MAC, MAC_SRES, which is returned as the response. The network uses MAC_SRES to authenticate the client; note that SRES[n] is never directly returned over the air, and consequently an eavesdropper is unable to use RAND or SRES pairs to attack the secret key, Ki.
Benefits: A More Secured Authentication Mechanism
Overall, the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway enables the network to provide the same level of protection as in the GSM and Universal Telecommunications System (UMTS) cellular networks. The data encryption keys Kc[n], that are used in the calculations for MAC_RAND or MAC_SRES, are never sent over the air. Kc[n], as well as IMSI, Nonce and the version information, are used by the network and the client to independently calculate the cipher key, Kc, which will be used for encrypting data on the air link. SRES is not carried over the air either. There is no known way to obtain complete GSM triplets by mounting an attack against EAP or SIM.
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Protocol Compliance and Interoperability
Compliance with Existing Standards
Figure 7 provides a closer look to the interfaces between the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway, a RADIUS server, and a traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM)-based SS7 HLR. The Cisco MAP Gateway has successfully interoperated in mobile operator networks with the industry-leading HLR and Signaling Transfer Point (STP) suppliers. Interoperability with the RADIUS Cisco Access Registrar has also been successfully achieved.
Figure 7
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Interfacing a Cisco RADIUS Server and a Traditional SS7 HLR.
In addition, the Cisco MAP Gateway can also interoperate with nontraditional SS7 end nodes, such as Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Sigtran M3UA- and Sigtran SCCP User Adaption (SUA)-based HLRs. Sigtran is an IETF-based standard for SS7-over-IP (SS7oIP) applications, such as those designed for UMTS networks.
More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the Cisco ITP can support a variety of implementations to interface the SS7 network:
- Traditional SS7 protocol links over ITU or ANSI message transfer part 1, part 2, and part 3.
- High-speed ATM-based links over ATM Adaption Layer 5 (AAL5), Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol (SCCOP), and Service Specific Coordination Function (SSCF) Node-to-Network Interface (NNI) protocols
- IETF Sigtran M2PA Peer-to-Peer Protocol for MTP3 over IP
- IETF Sigtran Client Server M3UA for SCCP over IP and SUA for MAP over IP protocols, for IP native SS7 HLR applications
Figure 8
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Protocol Stack.
Further Compliance with Standards
The Cisco solution complies with SIM EAP, which specifies an EAP mechanism for authentication and session key distribution using the GSM SIM. SIM EAP is on its way to becoming a full standard in IETF.
Cisco ITP Configurable MAP Gateway Features
EAP SIM-Based Authentication
When an authentication request is sent to the RADIUS server, the RADIUS server forwards the authentication request to the Cisco ITP. The Cisco ITP sends a MAP Send-Authentication_Info request to the AUC to retrieve authentication triplets, and then returns those triplets embedded with the authentication response to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server then performs a standard authentication response to the client.
SIM-Based Authorization
This feature allows the operator to authorize a subscriber only if that subscriber has subscribed to the WLAN service, assuming EAP SIM authentication is already successful (See Figure 9).
Allowed services are usually in the subscriber profile in the HLR. However, most HLRs do not have dedicated fields for WLAN service yet, because it was not part of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) recommendations. Standard bodies are currently working on implementing this feature, but meanwhile, WLAN can use some services fields that are little used. The two types of fields supported by the Cisco ITP are the bearer service (BS) and the teleservice (TS). Any BS or TS existing service in the HLR subscriber profile can be used, and is configurable (though operators are generally going with BS 31).
Figure 9
Data Flow Overview for Authentication and Authorization Process.
Caching of Triplets
The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway can cache a configurable number of triplets from the HLR and perform authentication locally if needed.
The Cisco ITP configuration can also allow the reuse of triplets for several occurrences of the same user's authentication process, if the operator wants to implement such a policy.
In addition, the time period during which the triplets will be stored in the cache memory of the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway is configurable.
Performances and Capacity
Table 1 shows a summary of Cisco IP Transfer Point key features.
Table 1 Cisco IP Transfer Point Features
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Up to 720 SS7 links for Cisco 7513;
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Deployment Topologies
The actual topology is ultimately the choice of the network designer, and it depends highly on the network specifics. However, hereafter are discussed some examples of Cisco ITP-based topologies that enhance redundancy and cost savings by centralizing or decentralizing the Cisco ITP function:
- A decentralized topology means that the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway node resides next to the RADIUS server (collocated in the same data center) in each region. In that case, there are as many MAP gateway nodes as there are local RADIUS servers. All MAP gateways have an SS7 connection with the central HLR or AUC.
- In a centralized architecture, however, the MAP gateway node is unique and typically collocated with the HLR or AUC. It establishes several RADIUS connections with the local RADIUS servers. The long-distance links are IP based, a setup that can, depending on the topology, can take advantage of the existing IP network in place and save some transmission costs. Note that IP Security (IPSec) can be used on the IP links between the Cisco ITP and RADIUS server to protect the sensitive signaling traffic.
- Finally, another type of topology consists of taking advantage of the Sigtran IP-based M2PA backhaul capability of the Cisco ITP, by having both remote MAP gateways in each local data center and a centralized MAP gateway collocated with the HLR cluster. The central MAP gateway communicates with remote MAP gateways via an IETF standardized SS7oIP peer-to-peer protocol named Sigtran M2PA.
Cisco ITP MAP Gateway Reliability and Redundancy
Node and Architecture Redundancy
The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway products are built on the proven Cisco 7500 or Cisco 7200VXR Series Router hardware platforms. Both Cisco 7500 and 7200VXR Series routers are widely deployed in industry segments that require high reliability and availabilitytelecommunications, health care, banking, brokerage, aviation, and military installations. The Cisco Customer Advocacy organization monitors mean time between failure (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR) for Cisco 7500 series hardware and software. From customer results, single Cisco IP Transfer Point availability can achieve "six nines" or 99.9999 percent availability with a calculated downtime of approximately one second per year.
The fully redundant Cisco ITP platform allows switchover mechanisms in case of link, port adapter, or central processor failure, so that the time of unavailability of service remains minimal. If traffic is interrupted during the time of the switchover, packets are lost, triggering resending by the RADIUS server. Upon reestablishment of the link, the packets from the HLR and the RADIUS server are processed again by the MAP gateway.
Finally, the architecture itself can also be redundant and involve several ITPs for load sharing and backup purposes. In particular, the Cisco Access Registrar allows the definition of multiple ITP MAP gateways. Therefore, in case of the failure of a MAP gateway, the traffic can be redirected to the backup ITP. The Cisco RADIUS Server can also be configured to round robin across the ITPs.
The Cisco ITP network management solution combines the Cisco Signaling Gateway Manager (SGM) with existing Cisco and third-party IP network management products. Cisco SGM, along with CiscoWorks, CiscoView, and ecosystem partner products such as Agilent acceSS7 and HP OpenView, can provide end-to-end management suites for the Cisco ITP SS7 networkenabling network administrators to discover, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco ITP networks. In conjunction with leading management vendors of off-the-shelf SS7 network management applications for end-to-end call trace, packet analysis, and long-term trending and analysis, this management solution enables quick integration with existing SS7 network management applications.
Cisco SGM is a software application that enables network administrators to manage the SS7oIP layer of Cisco ITP networks. Cisco SGM is a client /server architecture which supports Windows, Solaris, and Web-based clients Figure 10 illustrates the Cisco SGM topological display of a SS7oIP network.
Figure 10
Cisco SGM Topology Display
By implementing the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway function into their network, mobile service providers will be able to achieve a smooth integration of WLAN technology into their existing GSM architectures, ensuring a high and homogeneous level of security and service access authorization. Various centralized or decentralized options allow a flexible implementation of the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway, whereas the support of a variety of ITU, ANSI, and IETF SS7overIP standards enable the Cisco ITP to interface the GSM operator's HLR in various ways.
Offered on both the Cisco 7200VXR Series and Cisco 7500 Series platforms, the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway offers much flexibility in choosing the link density, performance, and redundancy characteristics required for a given deployment. Deployed on the Cisco 7500 Series, the high processing capacity of the Cisco ITP MAP Gateway enables the network and the traffic to scale on the same platform. The Cisco ITP MAP Gateway opens the door today to new technology deployments for cellular operators.
AUC: GSM authentication center
CAR: Cisco CNS Access Registrar, Cisco implementation of the EAP capable RADIUS functionality.
EAP: Extensible Authentication Protocol (RFC 2284)
GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications, European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) standard for second-generation cellular (2G) networks
HLR: Home Location Register, subscriber database for GSM networks
IMSI: International mobile subscriber identity
HPLMN: Home public land mobile network
ITP: Cisco IP Transfer Point, signaling gateway for SS7 and IP networks
MAP: Mobile Application Part, ETSI GSM standard for mobility management signaling in cellular networks
MS: Mobile station, equivalent to a handset in GSM networks
RADIUS: Remote Access Dial-In User Service
SIM: Subscriber identity mobile, identifies uniquely a GSM subscriber
UMTS: Universal Telecommunications System, 3GPP standard for third generation of cellular systems
VLR: Visitor Location Register, a local GSM database that acts as a HLR proxy for the subscriber
WLAN: Wireless LAN, from IETF 802.11 standard


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Honor? We don't need no steekin' honor!
Research ››› ››› ERIC ALTERMAN
I'm leaving for Bellagio today, where I'll be spending the next 18 days toughing it out (and trying to start writing my history of postwar liberalism) in between bottles of chianti. I've set up the usual stellar bunch of alternate Altercators to keep you entertained and informed, every day, and I will try to file as well, though I'm told that net service there is not what it might be, and I'm experimenting with leaving my BlackBerry at home. I'll be back at the end of August. Everybody try to stay out of both jail and rehab while I'm gone, and so will I ...
P.S.: This is really funny!
Now here's LTC Bob.
This is Lt. Col. Bob Bateman standing in for Eric again today.
West Point, New York, 1999: Summer at West Point is a curious time. It is when the academic side of the United States Military (call that Athens) comes the closest to becoming Sparta. The rising sophomores, known as "Yucks" in West Point slang, return to the Academy after just a few short weeks away from its granite walls. While their peers are back at home, unwinding from their first year of college, the Yucks shoulder their packs and move out to the training areas which stretch out for miles behind the main campus.
Over the course of the next several weeks they learn the rudimentary basics of the tactics of professional soldiers. Their erstwhile professors of English and mathematics and yes, history, will be their instructors in the Art of War, because at this place, those academic professors with their MAs and Ph.D.s are also often Airborne Rangers as well. The whole shebang is coordinated by the Tactics Department. In 1999 the officer most directly responsible for this training was a man I will call "Colonel Hank."
"Warriors! Come over here!" Colonel Hank shouted to get the attention of a passing squad of cadets before he passed on his next nugget. "Warriors! I want you to understand ..." This was normal for Colonel Hank. He believed in the word, in the idea, that we were training these young men and women to be "warriors" for the nation. Hank, I should note, comes from my own sub-sub-culture.
One can generally accept the idea that the military, as a whole, can be seen a something slightly apart from the greater population of the nation. This is particularly true since the end of the draft in 1973, which means that it is an entirely self-selecting group. From there it is not a long leap to see that the culture of each of the services is distinct as a subculture of America as well. If these things are true, then we in the Infantry are generally acknowledged to be in an entirely different class altogether, a sub-subculture. There are a few other groups within the "Combat Arms," such as the tankers of the Armor branch, and the pilots of our helicopters, but generally speaking the Infantry generates the most ardent types. Hank and I were products of competing influences within that subculture, and his use of the word "Warrior" grated on my ears. At the time, however, he outranked me by a wide margin.
The problem is that, to my ears, "Warrior" means an individual combatant, one who is motivated by visions of personal honor, group honor, and national honor. I come at the issue from the opposite extreme, believing that the highest appellation one may bestow is that of "Soldier." A soldier is a part of a collective body, fighting with professional discipline, towards an objective which is greater than himself. His motivation, in combat, stems from the team. ("Enlistment motivation" is an entirely different issue, and comes from the larger society, not the military.) In short, he fights not for himself, but for his buddies.
This dichotomy of motivations is relatively minor in the United States. Yet I am coming to believe that this same issue is really what is at the core of events happening overseas, in and out of combat. It is beginning to appear to me that we are not in a struggle with any of the many version of Islam. The religious beliefs of the followers of Muhammad are, in the end, just the chassis. The engine that is driving the vehicle forward is honor. Or more specifically, an all-encompassing culture of honor, which wraps itself in Islam.
Honor killings are not a part of the Quran. Taking revenge, because your family (or tribe) was "dishonored" in some way, is not part of the Quran. One could even argue that the radical Islamists, in all their many colors, who talk about "cleansing" what they consider to be holy territory, are really talking about honor. They are fighting because they feel dishonored by the presence in the Middle East of all of the following: American troops, German tourists, French and American businesses and products ranging from detergents to oil companies, Hollywood films (which humiliate them because they cannot produce the same -- a phenomena also seen in France, it should be noted), past military defeats by the Israelis, historical events which to their eyes still demand redress (the colonization of the Middle East by France and Great Britain, as well as the adventurism of the Germans), and the list goes on and on.
But none of these things is really about religion; they are about a concept of honor which, in this country and in Europe, mostly died out over the last 300 years. It was destroyed by a combination of Christianity (over the course of 2,000 years), the Enlightenment, the First World War, and modern psychology. Honor, as an actual motivating force, has been almost entirely absent from our societies for almost 40 years, except, as I noted, in very small sub-subcultures such as mine.
The question, of course, is what to do about it? There are, after all, no limits to the demands of honor.
The New York Times has something to say about honor.
Ralph Peters, the previously mentioned provocative former soldier, wrote a book in 1999 titled Fighting for the Future. Ralph, way back then, saw 9-11 coming, and he saw it as a fight between "Warrior Cultures" and "Soldier Cultures."
NASA has taken a beating these past couple of months. Between nut-job astronauts driving cross-country to confront a romantic rival, or stories of astronauts not adhering to the cardinal, "12 hours from bottle to throttle" rule, their stock has been dropping a bit. That does not matter. When you are feeling down ... about our country, or even the human species, watch this. The people who do this, the people who drop through the atmosphere in a massive unpowered glider, a glider that moves at Mach 1.5 when it is going slow -- these people have one, and only one, chance to hit the runway perfectly. They obviously do it, cool, calm, and professionally. So much so that you forget that they just rode a damned meteor through the atmosphere while dropping down from outer space. The people with the courage to do this are members of our species, and products of our country, and that is enough.
A more complete summary of my thoughts on "L'affaire Du Beauchamp" can be found here, along with a picture of my mug, for those who can use a laugh. Though, amazingly, they messed up both my rank, and the fact that I am still on active duty. Oh well.
You can write to LTC Bob at email@example.com.
Name: Beth Harrison
Hometown: Arlington, VA
Eric, who cares if Rupert Murdoch interferes with the WSJ editorial page? Really, how could anyone tell? It would be like the bad old days of Bob Hartley and the various Clinton conspiracies he created out of his fevered imagination. It is the NEWS CONTENT that matters. Is Murdoch going to meddle in that? The WSJ is a respected business publication, and the thought of Murdoch putting his spin on business news scares the crap out of me.
Eric replies: My point exactly, though it's good for a great deal more than just business news ...
Name: David Fuller
Hometown: Peotone, IL
Hi Dr. A.,
On Tuesday you said, "We go on with our lives and our own petty concerns, while our soldiers die (and kill) for nothing save George W. Bush's stubborn ideological and religious obsession, and we destroy our moral authority as a nation. But what can we do? I really have no idea."
We could start by choosing Democratic leaders that understand how to fight a political fight using some emotion instead of simple logic and reason (as we've been doing for the last, oh, 30 or 40 years and getting our asses handed to us most of the time, particularly in Presidential campaigns).
I've been reading the book, "The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation" by Drew Westin, and although I'm only a few chapters into it so far, the light bulbs and bells have been blinking and ringing like crazy in my head. 'Epiphany' would be a good word to describe my reaction to it. I have no ties to the author or any financial interest in it, so I'm not plugging the book for my own benefit in any way.
Take, for example, our latest civil liberties debacle in Congress that just happened recently with the passage of the bill that gives more warrantless wiretapping power to the President. Why -- WHY?!?! -- didn't our leadership in Congress stand up and say, "The bill the President wants is unnecessary because he wants to use it to listen to YOUR phone calls. We can fix FISA with OUR bill" (or something to that effect). Instead, Congress passes a bill -- with the complicity of some Democrats, and a leadership that allowed it to get to the floor -- that gave the President everything he wanted, with no oversight, and for what reason? I believe it is because Democrats don't know how to frame issues effectively, and therefore were afraid of the political repercussions.
There must be people in the Democratic Party that understand how to fight effectively - I mean, just reading this book, all kinds of ways to effectively fight back have come to my mind. So to answer your question, "What can we do?": We could start by insisting on leadership that knows how to fight (or at least hire advisors who can train them to do so effectively), and doesn't back down at the prospect of a minor tussle.
If not, then perhaps it's time for a serious third party to emerge in this country.
Keep up all your good work.
Name: Clinton
Hometown: Indianapolis
Doc, the one with the glasses in the Old 97's is Murry Hammond. He does the vocals on a few of the tunes, such as "Valentine," "Smokers," "Up the Devil's Pay," "W. TX Teardrops," and a cover version of Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried."
Instructions for signing up and claiming your comment history are located here.
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text:
Handgun Control No. 251
Adopted 2001
Handguns have only two important properties: they are easily concealed and their use is to threaten, wound and kill people. A civilized society should not tolerate the possession, sale or manufacture of handguns. Outside the military, the same can be said for rifles designed to kill people, rather than wild game.
ADA proposes that the manufacture of guns be restricted to military weapons, to be tightly controlled by the military, and hunting rifles and shotguns of reasonably limited design. The possession of all other guns should be prohibited. Limited exceptions for the police might also be needed.
ADA also calls for immediate passage of more stringent gun control measures by the U.S. Congress, state legislatures and local governments. Among the measures ADA supports are:
Any attempts to weaken control measures must be defeated.
# # #
No. 251


text:
I found myself in this strange conversation this week….
Interviewer: Do you recommend The Master?
Jeffrey Overstreet: Not yet. I need time to reflect on a film as challenging as this one. I need discussion. I need to see it again.
Reviewing movies is a tricky business. It's like recommending a pair of shoes to an audience. The shoes may be well-made, but people may dislike their style or misunderstand their purpose. Even the best shoes will only fit certain people.
Interviewer: First impressions?
JO: Difficult, but often riveting. Cinematography, music, editing . . . the artistry often reminded me of Kubrick, Malick, even Welles. Joaquin Phoenix was astonishing. The fragmented narrative demanded hard work. Some scenes amazed me. Others… [Read more…]


text:
The Gentrification of Rural America
"There's a human cost to this real estate bubble. Children can't afford to buy homes in the towns they grew up in; they leave the area and even close families get split up. Downtowns become full of art galleries and homemade soap stores instead of shoemakers, fish markets, greengrocers and soda fountains. Our friends and neighbors are forced to leave. We no longer see familiar faces when we walk downtown.
"It used to be the American Dream: buy a home on a 30-year mortgage, make friends, work hard, raise a family, be part of the community, watch the children marry, help them set down nearby roots, finally have a party and burn the mortgage, retire and putter in the garden, die and be buried in the local cemetery.
"This was a great dream, a great promise, and now it's gone."
Thanks to Michael Dudley


text:
On a bootleg to the left side, Robert Griffin III tucked the ball and started running. He dashed out of bounds before linebacker Lorenzo Alexander would have hit him (had it been a real game). Alexander's pursuit on the play was solid: he took the proper angle, leaving Griffin no place to go but out of bounds.
Alexander isn't confident that other teams will handle it the same way.
"I've been out there against Michael Vick at 270 pounds," said Alexander, now 245 pounds. "So after seeing someone like Vick who I think is more shiftier I'm not as nervous. I'm used to it. I've seen it so I understand how to pursue and come up on a guy who can run like him and take good angles and use the other guys around you because he can embarrass you.
"You've gotta be on your ps and qs with taking good angles. It's the same with Vick. You see it and talk about it but until you run with it and see what he's able to do you don't have a clue."
But sometimes even when you think you've slowed him, he's still gained a number of yards. That happened on Griffin's bootleg run in which he still gained around 10 yards just because of his speed. But Alexander was right: had the angles not been taken away inside, he could have cut back and gained a lot more. It'll be interesting to see how other teams play him.
However, as Alexander said Griffin is a different sort of runner than Vick. He's not as explosive (no one is), but if it becomes a footrace Griffin will win often. And it doesn't need to be for 30 yards; sometimes it's a nine-yard gain on a first down bootleg. Those plays add up.
Another play that will cause defenses headaches is the pistol formation, with Griffin reading the defensive end and deciding whether to hand off or keep the ball himself.
"Things happen slower and you have to be a lot more disciplined," Alexander said. "You can't be quick to pursue. You take one step the wrong way and he's on the edge on you or you've got a guy who's athletic like Trent [Williams] who can get up on you. That will help us when we see a guy like Cam.
"[Defenses] will definitely have a harder time if they don't see it all the time. You can't see where he has the ball. … Eventually [the offense's] timing will get a lot better and Robert locating that end and whether to pull or keep he'll get more deceptive like that and make more plays."
1. Now, onto Griffin's day. It was much, much better than his first training camp practice. That's not surprising given the rust that most players would have after being off for a month or so. But Griffin's passes were more accurate; didn't see many hit the ground as they did the previous day.
2. The first time he rolled to his right Friday, Griffin threw a rocket to Leonard Hankerson on the sidelines; good catch and a good throw. But a few plays later he would have been sacked by Stephen Bowen. And one play after that he faked a handoff to Evan Royster out of the pistol and then dropped the ball.
3. There were a couple times Griffin would have been sacked today, including once when he held the ball a little too long. Actually, there were a couple times where he failed to unload the ball. It's tough to always tell if it was on his indecisiveness or if his reads weren't open. But it bears watching. He does best when he's on the run right now… And in some cases he's dropping back, executing a play fake and ducking down. By the time he turns to throw there's pressure.
4. Pierre Garcon helped Griffin out with a leaping one-handed grab across the middle, tucking the ball into his body with his other arm. Perhaps one of Griffin's best throws came on an out pattern to Hankerson (who dropped an earlier throw). With DeAngelo Hall all over Hankerson, Griffin put the ball where only his receiver had a shot. It was not a throw many quarterbacks would be willing to make because he was covered. But he showed trust in his arm and in Hankerson's ability to keep Hall away from the ball. It worked.
5. On another bootleg to the left, Griffin looked for a second like he might run, drawing more defenders up. Then he rifled a pass to Aldrick Robinson… who had the ball skid through his hands.
6. Griffin really didn't have any passes that were close to being intercepted either.
7. The verdict: A good day. Griffin struggled Thursday, but clearly recovered. It's not surprising. Some of the stuff he had problems with Thursday — like rolling out and throwing on the run to his left — were things he had done well in college. He threw it well today.


text:
About the Book
Features & Details
Standard Landscape, 10×8 in, 25×20 cm
24 Pages
- Publish Date Dec 12, 2008
See More
About the Creator
Greg Wellbrock
Bainbridge Island WA
My photography hobby is centered around sports. As a husband, father and coach I am blessed to have 3 athletic kids and a wonderful wife who affords me the many opportunities to photograph young athletes playing the sports they love. It is a passion of mine and I enjoy getting out with my camera anytime I can. I hope you enjoy my book and if you want to create one of your own contact me so we can discuss how to capture your favorite young player in pictures. I can be reached by email at : firstname.lastname@example.com Thank you for stopping by and checking out my book(s).
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text:
September 12th-13th 2013
International Conference on Innovations, Recent Trends and Challenges in Mechatronics, Mechanical engineering and New High-Tech Products Development
Preliminary Agenda (soon)
Paper Presentation Template
Call for Papers
Important Dates
International Programme Committee
International Organizing Committee
Conference materials
Reviewers section
Previous editions of MECAHITECH :
MECAHITECH is organized under the aegis of IEEE Romania
Participants' impressions
It is a pleasure to have a honor to add my name to the "carte de onoare ". I wish to congratulate the Organization of the 1st MECAHITECH International Conference and in particular the Chairman, Professor Ion Gheorghe, for this initiative for promoting the exchange of research experiences and views and ideas, and also for launching seeds for Romanian participation and collaboration in international projects, mainly under the European Union Research Framework.
I am very honored for Professor Gheorghe invitation and to some extent to have contributed as a Programme Committee member and as an author to this successful initiative.
Best wishes all of the INCDMTM and to Romania.
Bucharest, 08.Oct.2009
I appreciate the initiative of promoting and holding the 2nd edition of the MECAHITECH CONFERENCE on 2010.
It is certainly a good way of interchanging ideas and promoting collaboration between the large community interest in Mechatronics products and projects which of interest of scientists and experts from many engineering area.
Congratulations and wishes of good conferences and many cooperation projects.
I am very proud I had been invited to participate the first MECAHITECH conference, perfectly organized by the National Institute of Research and Developments for Mecahatronics and Measurement Techniques in Bucharest, as a member of conference scientific committee. The presented papers show high level of scientific and technical problems.
I expect such conference meeting and presented scientific results will contribute to establish a new international cooperation for your institute.
I will happy participate in other interesting conferences and I congratulate all conference organizers for this good work.
Jan Hosek
Bucharest, Oct. 8, 2009
I am very happy to be present at your conference again. According my last experience and focus of conference I brought my doctoral student Ales Gregor here too. We are very satisfied with this conference performance and care you offer us.
I have to very appreciate the conference organizers' effort to push the conference still to a higher quality level. I enjoyed all conference activities very well and I am looking forward to my next participation.
Bucharest, Oct. 23, 2011
Jan Hosek
I am really delighted that I could spend such a nice time here in Bucharest.
The conference was very well organized and added value for me as I had my first presentation here at the interesting conference.
I have got a lot of new information during both days about recent research in mechatronics and other field that have been presented here.
I am looking forward to be here again in a future. Thank you.
Bucharest, September 23, 2011
This conference was an opportunity for positive exchanges between scientists from complementary fields, a set of high quality papers were presented, and discussions could continue during the breaks.
One must outline the quality of the organization and the warm welcome. Side events were largely appreciated.
Certainly, personal contact will result from this meeting.
Marcel Poulain
Many thanks to Professor Gh. I. Gheorghe and to his team and for the high quality of presented papers.
A special thanks to Andreea Popescu for her big kindness and for her collaboration.
With best regards,
Prof. R. El Abdi
A good organization and a success that has never been used to in previous edition of Mecahitech. Congratulations to the staff and the chairmanship of professor Gh. I. Gheorghe.
Wishes of same success to next Mecahitech events. ***
Congratulations to the organization team!
Each year, the quality of the conference is being improved!
Next year we will meet again!
Jose Machado
It has been an honor to be at the National Institute of Research of Development for Mechatronics & Measurements Technique.
Conferences such as Mecahitech 2009 need to be promoted and supported, not only to show the valuable work undergoing at Romanian Universities and Research Centers, but also to bring together experiences from various countries and to promote the exchange of experiences in order to be able to work together on projects at European level.
These interchanges of ideas, knowledge and people are the basic fundamentals of an integrated Europe for the citizens.
Thank you.
Bucharest, 2009
Mario Lima
This conference has a very high quality of papers that reflect a very quality of the related works developed in the domain of Mechatronics.
My congratulations to the organizers for this wonderful scientific event.
Jose Machado
Congratulation to the organization. This conference is an important space to know the technology used at this moment in your country and the world.
Last year I visited this place and I liked the technology that I saw in your university.
Pedro Torres
Congratulations for this conference. It's the first time that I participated in this conference and I am impressed with the quality of the papers and certainly I looking forward to the next edition wishing that will the same success of this one.
I hope that you will more areas of expertise like telecommunications. I hope too, more cooperation between Portugal and Romania in all areas of knowledge.
Paulo Torres
First of all, many thanks for giving me the chance to be here for the conference & collaborations.
I am glad for the success of the conference, your efforts and helps are highly appreciated.
I would be glad to attend the conference in the coming years.
Hieu Le
It was my great impression to participate in MECAHITECH 2011 and enjoy the city of Bucharest. If I have the chance again, I will be here next time.
Pornporm Boomporn
It's a great pleasure to joining MECAHITECH 2011. If I have a chance, I'll be back again.
Thank you for everything!
22 Sept. 2011
Supakit Roopakun
I like it in here, and this conference is very interesting for my career.
Karolina Celi
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text:
By Sarah Chacko
Killeen Daily Herald
When local librarian Amy Gibson won the New York Times Librarian Award, it was a bittersweet occasion.
Gibson, Children Services Supervisor at the Copper Mountain Branch Library, was overjoyed by the honor, but at the time, was not sure that she would be able to make the trip to receive the award Wednesday.
But a group of mothers who wouldnt take no for an answer made a large effort to make a small miracle happen, and Gibson said she cannot believe everything fell into place.
Everythings moving real fast right now, she said.
For a while, things seemed to be moving very slowly.
While mothers who attended Gibsons programs made donations to send her to New York, city policy made the process difficult.
City policy says that an employee cannot accept a gift over $15 from a citizen or a vendor, Deputy City Attorney Traci Briggs said.
However, certain awards and recognition from non-profit groups, like Friends of the Library, are allowed.
City Manager David Blackburn said the city was proud to see one of its employees receive such a great national acknowledgment, but its policy is common for public servants and entities.
Blackburn said that because the $2,500 cash prize Gibson receives with her award is a personal award and not going to the city or the library, the citys hands were tied in using its own money to pay for her travel expenses.
Killeen Library Director Deanna Frazee said the library was also already tightly budgeted for the next fiscal year.
But the city did find a mechanism through the Friends of the Library to assist Gibson in making the trip.
A ticket donated to the Friends of the Library by a mother who cashed in her frequent-flyer miles was in turn given to Gibson for her trip.
Friends of the Library also gave Gibson a check for $1,200 for her hotel, cab rides and meals.
Gibson said she knew the mothers who supported her and others would come together, but she didnt expect it all to come together the way that it did.
That was really unexpected and very exciting, Gibson said.
Frazee said the library plans to hold a reception in Gibsons honor in January.
Contact Sarah Chacko at email@example.com


text:
Jan 4, 2013 - The Associated PressThe robbers fled the Fairfield Inn with an undisclosed amount of money.
LARAMIE -- Police in Laramie say they're investigating a hotel robbery.
The robbery of the Fairfield Inn happened just after midnight on New Year's.
Police Cmdr. Mitchell Cushman says two men entered the hotel and demanded money from a clerk. One of the men had a handgun.
The robbers then fled the establishment with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police say the suspects are black men in their early 20s.
One was about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and about 150 pounds.
The other is described as approximately 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds.
The men were wearing bandannas over their faces.
Cushman says robbing a hotel is unusual compared to other businesses that typically have more cash on hand.
Cushman said no one was injured in the robbery and the weapon was never fired.
It's an open investigation and authorities are limited about what information they can release.
The police commander could not comment on the amount of money and property taken, caliber of the handgun or the vehicle used.
There are no suspects at this time, though police have sent out information on the robbery to other law enforcement agencies. One question investigators are trying to answer is whether the suspects are local or were passing through town. Cushman said their choice of places to rob was unusual, given other businesses would have likely had more "ready cash."
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text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jul 18, 1995
|Filing date
|Mar 17, 1994
|Priority date
|Oct 1, 1992
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Charles E. Sizer, Terry D. Erickson, Terrence E. Manley
|Original Assignee
|Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (10), Non-Patent Citations (6), Referenced by (33), Classifications (20), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/955,259, filed Oct. 1, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,542.
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for filling and sealing cartons with food products, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for sterilizing the interior of cartons prior to filling.
Milk or juice is typically packaged in cartons that have been sterilized to prolong the shelf life of the contents under refrigeration. When milk or juice is packaged under aseptic packaging conditions, the contents are capable of being stored for a substantial period of time at room temperature without spoilage. Both of these packaging processes require effective sterilization of the interior of the carton before being filled.
Aseptic packages containing milk or juice may be stored at room temperature for substantial periods of time because the bacteria which normally produces spoilage has been killed in the packaging process. Various methods and apparatus have been developed for packaging milk and juice under aseptic conditions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,145, discloses an aseptic packaging machine having a conveyor on which preformed cartons advance under ultraviolet germicidal lamps to expose the interior of the cartons to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In addition, the interior of the cartons may be sprayed with a germicidal solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, before passing under the ultraviolet lamps.
The use of high intensity lamps necessitates incorporating a fast shuttering system for safety reasons and to prevent overheating of the cartons. During normal operation, the UV lamp is enclosed in the filling machine which prevents exposure of the operator to UV light rays. If the filling machine jams or if for some reason the operator must open the doors to the filler, then there must be some mechanism to minimize exposure to the UV light. The UV light can be either turned off or shuttered. Turning off the light requires a lengthy start-up time whereas shuttering provides protection for the operator with no loss of time upon restarting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,728, discloses a method for sterilization of the surfaces of food containers and other materials by applying a hydrogen peroxide solution, followed by ultraviolet radiation. This patent indicates that the peak intensity of ultraviolet radiation occurs at a wavelength of 254 nm. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution is less than 10% by weight, and furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated during or subsequent to irradiation.
Current technology utilizing ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of cartons is limited by the low intensity of the UV lamps that can be used. UV output in the range of 0.1 to 1 W/cm2 has previously been considered to be a "high intensity" source for sterilization of packaging (Maunder, 1977). Low power lamps in the 0.1 to 1.0 W/cm2 can be convection cooled and are effective in sterilizing flat surfaces in close proximity to the lamp.
Recent developments in the area of high output medium pressure mercury UV lamps have increased the light output to 50-250 Watts per inch of bulb length (17-85 Watts/cm2). This type of lamp has a long cylindrical quartz glass tube containing medium pressure mercury vapor with electrodes at the opposite ends of the tube. The high power consumption of these lamps necessitates utilization of an active cooling system to prevent overheating of the lamp and to be able to restart the lamp after it has been temporarily shut down. Cooling systems generally consist of a thimble of quartz surrounding the lamp through which air or water is circulated.
UV sterilization has been shown to be suitable for sterilization of flat films but has limited applicability to preformed, angular containers (Maunder, 1977) due to the geometric and physical constraints associated with UV light. If a simple UV lamp is placed in close proximity above a preformed container, such as a gable top carton, the sterilization effectiveness is severely limited due to several reasons. The total light flux entering the carton is restricted to light that can be directed through the carton opening, which in the case of typical gable top cartons are 55�55 mm, 70�70 mm or 95�95 mm. Light emitted from a line source UV lamp decreases in intensity with the square of the distance from the light source. Thus, as the depth of the carton increases, the light intensity falls off dramatically.
Another problem in sterilizing these cartons with UV light is that the light enters the top of the carton and radiates toward the bottom substantially parallel to the sides of the carton. The germicidal effect of the light that impinges on the sides is very low because of the low angle of incidence. Thus, the sides of the cartons are the most difficult surfaces to sterilize, especially for tall cartons. When the cartons are positioned on the conveyor, two sides of the carton lie in a plane that is parallel to the axis of the lamp, while the other two sides are transverse to the axis of the lamp. Since the lamp is elongated, radiation impinges on the transverse sides of the carton at a higher angle of incidence than it does on the parallel sides of the carton. In the case of a single UV lamp source above the center of a 70�70�250 mm rectangular carton, the effective light intensity at the bottom of the carton would be reduced to 13.9% of the maximum intensity at that distance from the source. The carton sides transverse to the lamp axis receive light from the entire length of the bulb. Light originating from the lamp reflector on the side opposite the parallel carton wall will have a maximum incident angle and thus have an intensity equal to 27.0% of the lamp intensity.
A typical arrangement for a cylindrical UV light system has a single-mirrored lamp in a water-cooled sleeve placed in a shuttered, reflective housing. This arrangement is suitable for sterilization of flat surfaces and some shallow cartons but the intensity of the light falls rapidly with increasing distance from the bulb, so that it is not suitable for sterilizing tall cartons.
Although these prior methods and apparatus produce satisfactory results for flat films, they are neither effective nor efficient when used for sterilizing preformed cartons.
It is an object of this invention to substantially improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes and apparatus for sterilizing the interior of preformed cartons prior to filling.
This object is accomplished in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention by utilizing an ultraviolet lamp which is cooled by radiation of heat to the cooled surface of an elongated semi-parabolic reflector. The shape of the semi-parabolic reflector and the location of the UV lamp in relation to the loci of the two parts of the parabolic reflectors provides UV radiation at the bottom of the carton that is substantially greater than previously achieved by prior methods and apparatus. The position of the UV lamp relative to the reflector and the flow of cooling air over the back of the reflector controls the operating temperature of the lamp, so that more effective surface sterilization is achieved.
An important feature of this invention is the use of double semi-parabolic reflectors to direct the ultraviolet light to the sides of the cartons. Positioning the ultraviolet arc of the lamp at the focus of the semi-parabolic reflectors produces UV light which has a greater angle of incidence on the sides of the carton and a greater intensity of UV light at the sides and bottom of the carton.
The UV lamp is cooled with radiant cooling using the aluminum reflector as the heat sink for the lamp. Circulating air is used for cooling the back of the reflector in order to maintain a uniform reflector temperature which in turn maintains the temperature of the lamp. The aluminum surface efficiently reflects light of the germicidal wavelength and yet effectively absorbs sufficient radiant heat to cool the lamp. The cooling system provides a uniform temperature heat sink to maintain the lamp temperature substantially constant. Maintaining constant lamp temperature is necessary for maximum output of UV light, to minimize the restart-up time after an interruption in production, and to prolong the life of the lamp.
A water-cooled shutter is utilized to restrict the UV light flow from the lamp assembly whenever the conveyor jams or when the operator opens the doors to the filler. The shutter is required for safety reasons to prevent operator exposure to UV light and to prevent overheating of cartons which may be stopped directly under the lamp. Shuttering of the light increases the amount of heat which must be removed by the cooling system to prevent overheating of the lamp.
The excess heat is removed by the air cooling system and the water cooling of the shutter. If the stop is for a long duration, the lamp may be turned to half power to minimize the temperature build-up. From the half power setting, the light can be put back into production without a lengthy start-up period.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a filling machine with the UV sterilizer in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the UV sterilizer;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the UV sterilizer along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the UV sterilizer along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view partially in cross-section of the UV sterilizer;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the UV sterilizer along the line 6--6 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the end plate and reflector assembly; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the lamp and reflector in relation to a carton.
A common form of container for milk and juice is known as the gable-top container. The container has a paperboard substrate with a plastic coating on the inside and outside which enables the top of the carton to be closed and sealed in the shape of a gable top. Referring to FIG. 1, the cartons 2 typically have a square bottom which is heat sealed and placed on a conveyor 4 which advances stepwise to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. The cartons 2 are placed equidistant from each other and the cartons advance two positions during each periodic advancing step of the conveyor. Between each advancing step, the cartons remain stationary for processing.
The cartons first pass under an ultraviolet (I/V) lamp assembly 6 which exposes the sides and bottom of the interior of the cartons 2 to ultraviolet light. At the next station, the cartons are filled by the filling mechanism 8. The cartons then pass through the closing and sealing station 10 where the top of the carton is closed. Heat is applied around the top of the carton, and the top then passes between clamping jaws which cause the top to be heat-sealed. The sealed cartons then pass off of the conveyor 4.
The UV lamp is preferably a medium pressure mercury vapor lamp. The lamp body is in the form of a quartz tube. The electrodes are sealed in the glass at each end of the tube. The tube is filled with an inert gas, such as argon. A small amount of mercury is placed in the tube. The operating pressure of a medium pressure arc tube is preferably between 100 and 10,000 torr. The lamp operates at a temperature of 1100� to 1500� F. When a high electric potential is applied between the electrodes, all of the mercury is vaporized and an arc is formed between the electrodes which produces ultraviolet radiation having wavelengths greater than 220 nanometers and preferably between about 240 nanometers to 370 nanometers. By limiting the radiation from the lamp to wavelengths greater than 220 nanometers, the formation of ozone is avoided. Lamps suitable for use in the apparatus of this invention are available commercially from Aquionics Inc. of Erlanger, Ky.
The lamp assembly 6 includes a housing 12 (FIG. 2) in which the UV lamp is mounted. The housing has an inlet pipe 14 and an outlet pipe 16 which communicate with the interior of the housing 12. An air pump 18 supplies air through a valve 20 to the inlet pipe 14, which causes the air to flow through the housing 12 and out through the outlet pipe 16 and through an exhaust valve 22. A suitable power supply 24 is provided for supplying power to the UV lamp through a cable 26.
Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 12 includes an outer shell 28 with opposite end walls 30 and 32. The outlet pipe 16 is secured in an opening at the center of the shell 28. An inner shell 34 having end walls 36 and 38 is mounted in the interior of the outer shell 28. The inlet pipe 14 passes through an opening in the outer shell 28 and is secured in an opening in the inner shell 34 to allow air to pass directly from the air pump 18 into the interior of the inner shell 34. The inlet pipe 14 also serves as a spacer for the shell 34 to provide the proper spacing between the inner shell 34 and the outer shell 28. A plurality of rib plates 40 are mounted in the inner housing 34 and at each end of the housing. End members 42 and 44 provide a mounting for the UV lamp tube 46 which extends between the two end members. As explained above, the lamp 46 has electrodes at each end which are supplied with electric current from the power supply 24 through insulated wires 48 at each end.
The rib plates 40 and the end members 42 and 44 have a concave recess 50 which supports a reflector 52. The opposite ends of the reflector 52 are received in the end members 42 and 44. As shown in FIG. 4, the rib plates 40 extend outwardly through slots in the sides of the inner shell 34 so that the opposite ends of the rib plates 40 engage the interior walls of the outer shell 28. A baffle plate 54 is secured to the rib plates 40 and to the end members 42 and 44. The baffle plate 54 has a plurality of slots 56 along the center line to allow air from the inlet pipe 14 to flow into the space between the reflector 52 and baffle plate 54.
The lower end of the shell 28 is closed by a mounting plate 58 in which a transparent quartz plate 60 is secured. The plate 60 is transparent to UV light in the range of 220 nanometers and higher. This spectral transmission band prevents ozone formation by the light. The mounting plate 58 has a central opening so that radiation from the UV lamp tube 46 is able to pass through the quartz plate 60 and into the cartons 2 which are positioned below the plate 60 (FIG. 3).
The UV lamp tube 46 is mounted in the end members 42, 44 in a position relative to the reflector 52 to provide optimum concentration of UV light to the interior of the cartons 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the end of the UV lamp tube 46 is mounted in a ceramic grommet 62 which extends through a hole in the end members 42.
The relationship of the reflector 52 and the UV lamp tube 46 comprise an important part of this invention. Semi-parabolic cylindrical reflectors having the light source at the focus reflects the UV energy parallel to the axis of the parabola. For a cylindrical bulb, a parabolic cylinder reflector would focus the light energy parallel to the axis of the parabola. With the reflector, the light intensity will diminish linearly with distance and thus would be much more satisfactory for sterilization at a distance from the bulb. Parabolic cylindrical reflectors must be designed with the lamp at or near the focus of the parabola in order to optimize the light beam. The design of such a reflector must take into account the geometric limitations due to the size of the bulb, the location of the bulb at the focus of the parabola and the shape of gable top cartons. The shape of the parabolic cylindrical reflector is defined by a parabola with the lamp at the focus. The equation of the parabola is y=x2 /4a where "a" is the distance from the apex of the parabola to the focus. Thus, the bulb radius is the minimum value for a. A conventional medium pressure lamp with a cooling thimble of a 50 mm diameter would require at a minimum a parabolic reflector as shown in FIG. 3. The focal distance dictates the size of the parabola and results in a shape that is suboptimal for sterilization since the light is parallel to the sides of the container, most of the light is not focused down the carton and the beam is distorted by passing through the quartz cooling thimble which acts as a lens. To overcome these problems, it is necessary, in accordance with this invention, to decrease the focal distance and eliminate the cooling thimble surrounding the light.
As shown in FIG. 7, the reflector 52 is received in a recess 64 which has a curved edge 66 against which the outer surface of the reflector is seated. FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the relationship between the lamp, the reflector and the carton that is to be sterilized. The UV lamp tube 46, when energized, has an arc that extends between the opposite ends of the UV lamp tube 46. Due to the heat generated by the arc, the center of the arc is displaced approximately 3 millimeters vertically upward relative to the center of the UV lamp tube. In FIG. 8, the center of the arc is represented at 68. The reflector 52 has the shape shown in solid lines in FIG. 8.
In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the apex 70 of the reflector 52 and the center of the arc 68 is 15.5 millimeters. The reflector 52 has a parabolic shape which is defined by the formula y=x2 /4a, where a is the distance between the center of the arc 68 and the apex 70 of the parabola. The reflector 52 actually comprises two parabolic curves which have a common focus at the center of the arc 68. The right side of the reflector 52 which is designated 72 in FIG. 8 would have, if continued beyond the apex 70, the shape 74 shown in dotted lines and a central axis 76. The left side 78 of the reflector 52 has a parabolic shape with a central axis 80. The virtual continuation 82 of the left side 78 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8. The parabolic shape of the reflector 52 is therefore a compound of the two sides 72 and 78 which in the case of an imperial quart carton (70 mm�70 mm�240 mm) are rotated through 13 degrees from the vertical so that the angle α between the axes 76 and 80 is 26 degrees. The angle of rotation for the parabolic reflectors would be determined for each carton size by the maximum angle of incidence allowed by the geometry of the cartons in relation to the lamp. The apex 70 of the reflector 52 is shaped to blend the two sides 72 and 78 in a continuous curve. In rotating the sides 72 and 78, it is important that the focus of both sides remains at the same position 68.
The characteristic of a parabola is that light emitted from the center of the arc 68 that impinges on the parabolic surface is reflected in a direction which is parallel to the central axis. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the lines 84 and 86 represent reflected radiation from the center of the arc 68 which reaches the bottom of the carton 2. The lines 84 and 86 are parallel to the central axes 80 and 76, respectively. The height of the carton that can be used with a particular filling machine may vary according to the volume of the cartons being filled. The taller cartons, such as the 1 quart, 1 liter or 1/2 gallon containers, have a sufficient height that UV light sterilization has been a problem. It is particularly important that the UV light impinge on the side walls of the carton at the maximum angle permitted by the geometry of the carton and the reflector. It has been determined that, for an imperial quart carton (70 mm�70 mm�240 mm), the angle of incidence should be 13 degrees or greater in order to achieve optimum effect from the UV light. For containers having a height-to-width ratio that is equal to or greater than 2.0, the lamp arrangement of this invention achieves significant improvement in sterilization.
An important feature of this invention is the arrangement of the parabolic reflector around the UV lamp tube. In a conventional installation, the tube normally operates at a temperature of 1100 degrees to 1500 degrees F., and in order to protect the tube and the reflector, the UV lamp is enclosed within a protective quartz sleeve and cooling media, such as water or air, is circulated outside the protective sleeve. It has been discovered that if the protective sleeve is removed, the amount of light captured by the parabolic reflector can be increased and scattering of the light by the protective sleeve is eliminated. By removing the sleeve, the parabolic reflector can be designed to collect the largest amount of light from the bulb by placing the focal point closer to the reflector yielding a deep parabola. The deep parabola captures about 270 degrees of the light output and simultaneously directs it into the regions of the carton which are most difficult to sterilize. In accordance with this invention, the UV lamp is cooled by radiant heat transfer utilizing an air-cooled reflector as a heat sink. Furthermore, when hydrogen peroxide is present in the carton, the UV light produces radicals of hydrogen peroxide which enhance the killing effect of the UV. If hydrogen peroxide is not present, then UV light having a wavelength in the region of 220-300 nm produces an effective germicidal action.
Another feature of this invention is the use of radiant heat transfer to maintain the lamp at the proper temperature. The aluminum reflector is used both to reflect the UV wavelength light and simultaneously absorb heat of other wavelengths to maintain the proper lamp temperature. The reflector temperature can be regulated by controlling the amount of air being passed over the reflector and is monitored by a thermocouple at the air outlet. The reflector temperature is kept uniform by introducing the cold air at the hottest position which is the point directly above the lamp. The air then flows over the rest of the reflector which helps maintain a uniform distribution over the entire surface of the reflector. By maintaining a constant temperature of the housing in the range of 50-100 degrees C., the lamp may be run continuously and is prevented from overheating. Furthermore, the sterilization may be interrupted by either shuttering the lamp or by turning off the lamp.
In order to protect the workers and to prevent damage to the cartons in the event it is necessary to stop the sterilization process temporarily, a shutter assembly is provided. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 12 has a transverse slot 88 for receiving a shutter plate 90. The shutter plate 90 is mounted for reciprocating movement by means of a power cylinder 92 which is mounted on the machine frame. By means of suitable controls, the cylinder 92 may be actuated to cause the plate 90 to move toward the left as viewed in FIG. 6 to block radiation from the housing 12. As a further safeguard, panels 94 may be mounted on opposite sides of the housing. The generation of heat may also be reduced by reducing the power to the lamp by about one-half. This will allow the lamp to be put back into production without a lengthy start-up period.
While this invention has been illustrated and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.
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|U.S. Classification
|422/24, 422/22, 422/302, 426/248, 250/494.1, 422/41, 422/40
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Jan 19, 1999
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jan 17, 2003
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Jan 18, 2007
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12