A method for the production of bitumen from a subterranean reservoir having a zone of increased effective permeability therein. In particular, a first well is in fluid communication with the zone of increased effective permeability at a first level in the reservoir. Fluid communication is established between a second well and the zone of increased effective permeability at a second level above the first level in the reservoir. In-situ combustion is initiated in the reservoir proximate the second well. Combustion sustaining fluid is injected through the second well into the zone of increased effective permeability so that bitumens in the reservoir are mobilized by the in-situ combustion and flow downward through the reservoir towards the first well, through which they are recovered. By using this method, a stable in-situ combustion process is established which avoids fingering and channelling and accompanying early oxygen breakthrough, consequently improving the efficiency of bitumen production from the reservoir.

Throughout the world there exist numerous subterranean tar sand formations containing high-density, high-viscosity bitumens which resist recovery by conventional means. The vast Athabasca tar sand field in Alberta Province, Canada represents one of the most notable examples of such formations. The Cold Lake deposits in the same province represent a similar formation.
A variety of methods have been proposed for improving the production of hydrocarbons from these formations by increasing their mobility, including both solvent injection and thermal steam stimulation processes. One currently utilized method is the cyclical steam stimulation ("CSS") process. In this method, an injection-production well is sunk into the bitumen-bearing formation and completed at a given depth, usually by perforation, so as to establish fluid communication between the well and the formation. Steam is injected through the injection-production well into the formation to mobilize the bitumens. The injection pressure is usually maintained above a threshold value corresponding to that required to maintain formation fracturing and parting to sustain practical injection rates. Steam injection is subsequently terminated and, often following some shut-in period, hydrocarbon containing fluids are produced from the same well.
In the course of successive CSS cycles, the reservoir in the vicinity of the injection-production well becomes depleted and a vapor zone forms about the well during the depressurization phase of each cycle. This is because CSS standard operating practice is to flow back or pump off from the formation a greater volume of fluids than the cold water liquid equivalent volume of steam which as been injected; the "voids" thus created fill with steam vapor or solution gas. During subsequent CSS cycles, bitumens which have been mobilized by the steam, which exist mostly in a liquid phase, move back downward through the vapor zone to the completion level of the injection-production well, where they enter the well via the perforations and are produced from the reservoir. Conversely, the injected steam moves through this vapor zone in an upward direction from the completion level of the injection-production well, due to the difference in densities between steam or vapor and formation liquids. The CSS process thus tends to mobilize and recover bitumens from an area of the reservoir which extends upwardly from the completion level of the injection-production well. Accordingly. CSS injection-production wells are typically completed near the lower oil horizon in the reservoir in order to maximize the portion of the reservoir which can be exploited by each well.
As described, the injected steam tends to move in an upward direction through the vapor zone; simultaneously, its thermal energy tends to diffuse outwardly into the reservoir. Due to this combined upward and outward spread of stimulating effects, the CSS process tends to mobilize and drain bitumens from a region of the reservoir which has a progressively greater horizontal cross-section at progressively higher levels in the reservoir. Each such region thus tends to be hemi-ellipsoidal, or bowl-shaped, in form, having a lower boundary (with respect to the portion of the reservoir which has not been mobilized) which slopes generally upward with a substantially positive gradient in an outward direction from the CSS injection-production well. In some reservoirs, the drained region may be lens-shaped or some other form having a lower boundary with a substantially positive gradient outwardly from an injection-production well, depending on formation characteristics and CSS injection techniques. "Substantially positive gradient" as used herein means a generally upward rate of inclination from a particular horizontal direction.
The drained region will have increased effective permeability relative to the non-mobilized portion of the reservoir due to the reduced presence of high-density, high-viscosity bitumens therein. As used herein, "increased effective permeability" refers to increased effective relative permeability to the gas phase. Gas-phase injection fluids, including steam in particular, will consequently flow much more readily through the region of increased effective permeability than through the remainder of the reservoir. As a result, heat penetration and additional bitumen mobilization during subsequent CSS cycles will take effect primarily at the boundaries of the bowl-shaped region.
In order to drain a larger area of a tar sand bed or similar field, a plurality of spaced-apart CSS injection-production wells may be used together in a coordinated pattern. The injection-production wells may be arranged in rows, clusters, or any of a variety of patterns known to those skilled in the art and selected to drain a particular reservoir. Because each of these CSS injection-production wells tends to mobilize and drain bitumens from a bowl-shaped region which has a progressively larger horizontal cross-section at progressively higher levels in the reservoir, the resulting regions of increased effective permeability about the injection-production wells eventually tend to override and intersect each other at upper elevations in the reservoir. Areas of communication are thus formed between the regions of increased effective permeability at upper elevations in the reservoir while non-mobilized regions of the reservoir still exist between the wells in the lower elevations. These non-mobilized regions are known to those skilled in the art as "cold-humps" and represent bodies of unrecovered hydrocarbons remaining in the reservoir. For reasons discussed below in connection with the description of the present invention, these cold humps resist recovery by further conventional cyclical steam stimulation via the injection-production wells, which renders the CSS process less economical in its later stages.
Although the preceding discussion has described the results of a typical CSS process, when applied to recovery of bitumens from a representative tar sand bed, those skilled in the art will recognize that there exist other methods of primary recovery of bitumens, such as conventional steam drive or solvent injection processes, which may result in similar conditions in a reservoir. It will be understood that the method of the present invention will be applicable to the recovery of bitumens from reservoirs having such similar conditions as a result of such other primary recovery methods, as well as to those wherein such conditions are the result of a CSS recovery process.
Still other methods which have been proposed for improving the production of hydrocarbons from tar sand beds and like formations include those which utilize in-situ combustion processes. In a typical in-situ combustion process, combustion is initiated or ignited in the cold reservoir and a combustion-sustaining fluid, typically air, is supplied to the combustion zone so as to expand the combustion front outwardly into the reservoir, thereby mobilizing the heavy bitumens.
One example of an in-situ combustion process is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,083 (Fitzgerald), issued Apr. 29, 1969. Forward steam injection is first performed through the bottom portion of the formation from steam injection wells to spaced-apart production wells. In-situ combustion is then started in the top portions of the reservoir and sustained by air injected downwardly into the formation through injection wells. The heat and pressure created by the in-situ combustion, in combination with the heat and fluid flow provided by the steam injection, gravity, and thermal expansion, are intended to cause the hydrocarbons in the reservoir to flow downwardly in the reservoir, where they are then carried along to the production wells by the forward injection from the steam injection wells.
Although some similar processes utilizing in-situ combustion drive have, to a certain extent, proven workable in the recovery of bitumens from tar sand beds and similar formations, the low injectivity into the cold reservoir regions due to very low effective permeability of the formation results in a natural tendency for the combustion front, or "burn," to channel through the formation between the injection and production wells instead of evenly expanding through the formation. This channelling frequently leads to air or oxygen breakthrough and fingering of the burn, and consequently results in inefficient oxygen utilization and ineffective recovery of bitumens from the reservoir.
Consequently, there is still needed an efficient method for recovering bitumens from reservoirs containing heavy bitumens. Such a method would improve the total percentage recovery of bitumens from tar sand beds and like formations and would make it much more economical to produce hydrocarbons from such formations.

Overburn process for recovery of heavy bitumens


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A coloring composition and a method of coloring keratin-containing fibers are provided. The coloring composition contains a mixture of and/or a reaction product of at least one heteroaromatic aldehyde or ketone and at least one aromatic and/or heteroaromatic nitroamine. In the method of the present invention, the heteroaromatic aldehyde or ketone and the nitroamine may be applied to keratin-containing fibers simultaneously or successively.

This invention relates to a composition for coloring keratin fibers, more particularly human hair, which contains a combination of heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines, to the use of this combination as a coloring component in hair colorants and to a process for coloring keratin-containing fibers, more particularly human hair.
In general, keratin-containing fibers, for example hair, wool or pelts, are dyed either with substantive dyes or with oxidation dyes which are formed by oxidative coupling of one or more primary intermediates with one another or with one or more secondary intermediates. Primary and secondary intermediates are also known as oxidation dye precursors.
The primary intermediates normally used are primary aromatic amines containing another free or substituted hydroxy or amino group in the para or ortho position, diaminopyridine derivatives, heterocyclic hydrazones, 4-aminopyrazolone derivatives and 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine and derivatives thereof.
Special representatives are, for example, p-phenylenediamine, p-toluylenediamine, 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine, p-aminophenol, N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenyl)-ethanol, 2-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)-ethanol, 1-phenyl-3-carboxyamido-4-amino-5-pyrazolone, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 2-aminomethyl-4-aminophenol, 2-hydroxymethyl-4-aminophenol, 2-hydroxy-4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine, 2,4-dihydroxy-5,6-diaminopyrimidine and 2,5,6-triamino-4-hydroxypyrimidine.
The secondary intermediates used are generally m-phenylenediamine derivatives, naphthols, resorcinol and resorcinol derivatives, pyrazolones, m-aminophenols and substituted pyridine derivatives. Particularly suitable secondary intermediates are xcex1-naphthol, 1,5-, 2,7- and 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 5-amino-2-methylphenol, m-aminophenol, resorcinol, resorcinol monomethyl ether, m-phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol, 2-amino-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-anisole (Lehmann""s blue), 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone, 2,4-dichloro-3-aminophenol, 1,3-bis-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-propane, 2-chlororesorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, 2-chloro-6-methyl-3-aminophenol, 2-methyl resorcinol, 5-methyl resorcinol, 3-amino-6-methoxy-2-methylaminopyridine and 3,5-diamino-2,6-dimethoxypyridine.
With regard to other typical dye components, reference is specifically made to the series entitled xe2x80x9cDermatologyxe2x80x9d (Editors: Ch. Culnan and H. Maibach), Marcel Dekker Inc., New York/Basel, 1986, Vol. 7, Ch. Zviak, The Science of Hair Care, Chapter 7 (pages 248-250; Substantive Dyes) and Chapter 8 (pages 264-267; Oxidation Dye Precursors) and to the xe2x80x9cEuropxc3xa4ische Inventar der Kosmetik-Rohstoffexe2x80x9d published by the European Commission and available on floppy disk from the Bundesverband Deutscher Industrie- und Handelsunternehmen fxc3xcr Arzneimittel, Reformwaren und Kxc3x6rperpflegemittel e.V., Mannheim, Germany.
Although intensive colors with good fastness properties can be obtained with oxidation dyes, the color is generally developed under the influence of oxidizing agents, such as H2O2 for example, which in some cases can result in damage to the fibers. In addition, some oxidation dye precursors or certain mixtures of oxidation dye precursors can occasionally have a sensitizing effect in people with sensitive skin. Although substantive dyes are applied under more moderate conditions, their disadvantage is that, in many cases, the colors obtained often have inadequate fastness properties.
The use of the combination of heteroaromatic aldehydes and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines for coloring keratin-containing fibers has not hitherto been known.
The problem addressed by the present invention was to provide colorants for keratin fibers, more especially human hair, which would be at least equivalent in quality to conventional oxidation hair dyes in regard to depth of color, grey coverage and fastness properties, but which would not necessarily have to contain oxidizing agents, such as H2O2 for example. In addition, the colorants according to the invention would have very little, if any, sensitizing potential.
It has surprisingly been found that the combination of the heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones represented in formula I and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II is eminently suitable for coloring keratin-containing fibers, even in the absence of oxidizing agents. They give colors with excellent brilliance and depth of color and lead to a wide variety of shades. In principle, however, oxidizing agents may be present.
The present invention relates to a composition for coloring keratin-containing fibers, more particularly human hair, containing a combination of heteroaromatic aldehydes corresponding to formula I:
in which
R1 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group,
R2 is a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl group,
R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy or C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy group, a hydroxy, nitro or amino group, which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl groups, or a C1-4 acyl group; two of the substituents together may also form a fused aromatic ring or one of the substituents together with R1 or with R2 may form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring which may also carry a fused aromatic ring,
X is a direct bond, an optionally substituted vinylene, phenylene or vinylenephenylene group,
Y is a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, the group CR7R8, where R7 and R8 represent a C1-4 alkyl group, the group NR10, where R10 is a C1-4 alkyl group, or an optionally substituted vinylene group and
Zxe2x88x92 is halide, C1-4 alkyl sulfate, arene sulfate, C1-4 alkanesulfonate, C1-4 perfluoroalkane sulfonate, perhalogenate, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or tetrachlorozincate,
and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II:
in which
AR represents benzene, naphthalene, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrimidine, indole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, indazole, benzoxazole, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, acenaphthene, fluorene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, benzophenone, azobenzene, azonaphthalene, 1-arylazonaphthalene, 2-arylazonaphthalene, diphenylamine, stilbene, benzylidene aminobenzene and
R11, R12, R13 and R14 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 aminoalkyl, C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxy, C1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, sulfo, sulfamoyl, arylazo or amino group which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl groups,
and/or a reaction product of the compounds corresponding to formulae I and II.
In the context of the invention, keratin-containing fibers are understood to include wool, pelts, feathers and, in particular, human hair. In principle, however, the colorants according to the invention may also be used to color other natural fibers such as, for example, cotton, jute, sisal, linen or silk, modified natural fibers such as, for example, regenerated cellulose, nitro, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or acetyl cellulose and synthetic fibers such as, for example, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyurethane and polyester fibers.
Preferred compounds corresponding to formula I are the 4-formyl-1-methylpyridinium, 2-formyl-1-methylpyridinium, 4-formyl-1-ethylpyridinium, 2-formyl-1-ethylpyridinium, 4-formyl-1-benzylpyridinium, 2-formyl-1-benzylpyridinium, 4-formyl-1,2-dimethylpyridinium, 4-formyl-1,3-dimethylpyridinium, 4-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 2-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 5-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 6-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 7-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 8-formyl-1-methylquinolinium, 4-acetyl-1-methylpyridinium, 2-acetyl-1-methylpyridinium, 4-acetyl-1-methylquinolinium, 5-acetyl-1-methylquinolinium, 6-acetyl-1-methylquinolinium, 7-acetyl-1-methylquinolinium, 8-acetyl-1-methylquinolinium, 9-formyl-10-methylacridinium, 4-(2-formylvinyl)-1-methylpyridinium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-(4-formylphenyl)-benzimidazolinium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-(4-formylphenyl)-imidazolinium, 2-(4-formylphenyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(4-acetylphenyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(4-formylphenyl)-3-methylbenzoxazolium, 2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(5-formyl-2-thienyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(3-formylphenyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(4-formyl-1-naphthyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 5-chloro-2-(4-formylphenyl)-3-methylbenzothiazolium, 2-(4-formylphenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzothiazolium, 1-methyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-pyridinium, 1-methyl-4-[2-(4-acetylphenyl)-ethenyl]-pyridinium-, 1-benzyl-4-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-pyridinium-, 1-methyl-4-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-pyridinium-, 1-methyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-pyridinium-, 1-methyl-4-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-quinolinium-, 1-methyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-quinolinium-, 1-methyl-2-[2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)-ethenyl]-quinolinium-, 1-methyl-2-[2-(5-formyl-2-thienyl)-ethenyl]-quinolinium, 1-methyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)ethenyl]-benzothiazolinium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-benzimidazolinium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-[2-(4-formylphenyl)-ethenyl]-imidazolinium, 1-methyl-5-oxo-indeno[1,2-b]pyridinium, 1-ethyl-5-oxo-indeno[1,2-b]pyridinium, 1-benzyl-5-oxo-indeno[1,2-b]pyridinium, (4-ethyl-4-azonio-9-fluorenone), (4-benzyl-4-azonio-9-fluorenone), 2-methyl-5-oxo-indeno[1,2-c]pyridinium, 2-methyl-9-oxo-indeno[2,1-c]pyridinium, 1-methyl-9-oxo-indeno[2,1-b]pyridinium salts, more particularly the benzenesulfonates, p-toluenesulfonates, methanesulfonates, perchlorates, sulfates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, tetrachlorozincates, methyl sulfates, trifluoromethanesulfonates, hexafluorophosphates, tetrafluroborates and mixtures thereof.
Examples of preferred aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II include 4-amino-1-nitrobenzene, 2-amino-1-nitrobenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-nitrobenzene, 1,2-diamino-4-nitrobenzene, 1-amino-2-methyl-6-nitrobenzene, 3-amino-6-methylamino-2-nitropyridine, Picramic acid, 1-(2(3)-nitro-4-amino)-phenylazo-2-hydroxy-7-trimethylammonium naphthalene chloride, 1-hydroxy-2-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzene, 1-amino-2-nitro-4-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene, 1-amino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino-5-nitrobenzene (HC Yellow 5), 1-amino-2-nitro-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene (HC Red 7), 2-chloro-5-nitro-N-hydroxyethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino-2-nitro-4-aminobenzene (HC Red 3), 4-amino-3-nitrophenol, 4-amino-2-nitrophenol, 6-nitro-o-toluidine, 1-amino-3-methyl-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino-6-nitrobenzene (HC Violet 1), 1-amino-2-nitro-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-amino-5-chlorobenzene (HC Red 10), 4-amino-2-nitrodiphenylamino-2xe2x80x2-carboxylic acid (2-(4-amino-2-nitroanilino)-benzoic acid), 6-nitro-2,5-diaminopyridine, 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 1-amino-2-(3-nitrophenylazo)-7-phenylazo-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, disodium salt (Acid Blue 29), 1-amino-2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenylazo)-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, disodium salt (Palatinchrome Green), 1-amino-2-(3-chloro-2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenylazo)-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, disodium salt (Gallion), 4-amino-4xe2x80x2-nitrostilbene-2,2xe2x80x2-disulfonic acid, disodium salt, 2,4-diamino-3xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-dinitro-2xe2x80x2-hydroxy-5-methylazobenzene (Mordant Brown 4), 4xe2x80x2-amino-4-nitrodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, 4xe2x80x2-amino-3xe2x80x2-nitrobenzophenone-2-carboxylic acid, 1-amino-4-nitro-2-(2-nitrobenzylideneamino)-benzene, 2-[2-(diethylamino)-ethylamino]-5-nitroaniline, 3-amino-4-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzenesulfonic acid, (hydrate), 3-amino-3xe2x80x2-nitrobiphenyl, 3-amino-4-nitroacenaphthene, 2-amino-1-nitronaphthalene, 5-amino-6-nitrobenzo-1,3-dioxol and mixtures of the above.
These compounds are largely known from the literature or are commercially obtainable or may be obtained by known syntheses.
The above-mentioned compounds corresponding to formula I and formula II are used in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of preferably 0.03 to 65 mmol and more preferably 1 to 40 mmol, based on 100 g of the colorant as a whole. They may be used as substantive colorants or in the presence of typical oxidation dye precursors.
Colorants which contain the combination according to the invention as sole coloring component are preferably used for colors in the yellow, orange, red and violet range.
In order to obtain further and more intensive colors, the colorants according to the invention may additionally contain color intensifiers. The color intensifiers are preferably selected from the group consisting of piperidine, piperidine-2-carboxylic acid, piperidine-3-carboxylic acid, piperidine4-carboxylic acid, pyridine, 2-hydroxypyridine, 3-hydroxypyridine, 4-hydroxypyridine, imidazole, 1-methyl imidazole, histidine, pyrrolidine, proline, pyrrolidone, pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, pyrazole, 1,2,4-triazole, piperazidine, derivatives and physiologically compatible salts thereof.
The color intensifiers mentioned above may be used in a quantity of 0.03 to 65 and more particularly 1 to 40 mmol, based on 100 g of the colorant as a whole.
Various combinations of the compounds corresponding to formula I and/or II may also be used together in all colorants. Similarly, various color intensifiers may also be used together.
Oxidizing agents, for example H2O2, need not be present. However, it may be desirable in some cases to add hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizing agents to the compositions according to the invention to obtain shades which are lighter than the keratin-containing fibers to be colored. Oxidizing agents are generally used in a quantity of 0.01 to 6% by weight, based on the solution applied. A preferred oxidizing agent for human hair is H2O2.
In one preferred embodiment, the colorants according to the invention contain typical substantive dyes, for example from the group of nitrophenylenediamines, nitroaminophenols, anthraquinones or indophenols, in addition to the compounds present in accordance with the invention in order further to modify the color tones. Examples of suitable substantive dyes are the compounds known under the International names or commercial names of HC Yellow 2, HC Yellow 4, HC Yellow 6, Basic Yellow 57, Disperse Orange 3, HC Red BN, Basic Red 76, HC Blue 2, Disperse Blue 3, Basic Blue 99, Disperse Violet 1, Disperse Violet 4, Disperse Black 9, Basic Brown 16 and Basic Brown 17 and also 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 4-N-ethyl-1,4-bis-(2xe2x80x2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-nitrobenzene hydrochloride and 1-methyl-3-nitro-4-(2xe2x80x2-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene. The compositions according to the invention in this embodiment contain the substantive dyes in a quantity of, preferably, 0.01 to 20% by weight, based on the colorant as a whole.
In addition, the compositions according to the invention may also contain naturally occurring dyes such as, for example, henna red, henna neutral, henna black, camomile blossom, sandalwood, black tea, black alder bark, sage, logwood, madder root, catechu, sedre and alkanet.
Compounds I and II present in accordance with the invention or the color intensifiers and substantive dyes optionally present do not have to be single compounds. Instead, the hair colorants according to the inventionxe2x80x94due to the processes used for producing the individual dyesxe2x80x94may contain small quantities of other components providing they do not adversely affect the coloring result or have to be ruled out for other reasons, for example toxicological reasons.
The colorants according to the invention produce intensive colors even at physiologically compatible temperatures of  less than 45xc2x0 C. Accordingly, they are particularly suitable for coloring human hair. For application to human hair, the colorants are normally incorporated in a water-containing cosmetic carrier. Suitable water-containing cosmetic carriers are, for example, creams, emulsions, gels or even surfactant-containing foaming solutions, for example shampoos or other formulations suitable for application to the keratin-containing fibers. If necessary, the colorants may even be incorporated in water-free carriers.
The colorants according to the invention may also contain any of the known active substances, additives and auxiliaries typical of such formulations. In many cases, the colorants contain at least one surfactant, both anionic and zwitterionic, ampholytic, nonionic and cationic surfactants being suitable in principle. In many cases, however, it has been found to be of advantage to select the surfactants from anionic, zwitterionic or nonionic surfactants.
Suitable anionic surfactants for the compositions according to the invention are any anionic surface-active substances suitable for use on the human body. Such substances are characterized by a water-solubilizing anionic group such as, for example, a carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate or phosphate group and a lipophilic alkyl group containing around 10 to 22 carbon atoms. In addition, glycol or polyglycol ether groups, ester, ether, amide groups and hydroxyl groups may also be present in the molecule. The following are examples of suitable anionic surfactantsxe2x80x94in the form of the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts and the mono-, di- and trialkanolammonium salts containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms in the alkanol group:
linear fatty acids containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms (soaps),
ether carboxylic acids corresponding to the formula Rxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CH2xe2x80x94CH2O)xxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94COOH, in which R is a linear alkyl group containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms and x=0 or 1 to 16,
acyl sarcosides containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the acyl group,
acyl taurides containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the acyl group,
acyl isethionates containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the acyl group,
sulfosuccinic acid mono- and dialkyl esters containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and sulfosuccinic acid monoalkyl polyoxyethyl esters containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6 oxyethyl groups,
linear alkane sulfonates containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms,
linear xcex1-olefin sulfonates containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms,
xcex1-sulfofatty acid methyl esters of fatty acids containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms,
alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates corresponding to the formula Rxe2x80x94O(CH2xe2x80x94CH2O)xxe2x80x94SO3H, in which R is a preferably linear alkyl group containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms and x=0 or 1 to 12,
mixtures of surface-active hydroxysulfonates according to DE-A-37 25 030,
sulfated hydroxyalkyl polyethylene and/or hydroxyalkylene propylene glycol ethers according to DE-A-37 23 354,
sulfonates of unsaturated fatty acids containing 12 to 24 carbon atoms and 1 to 6 double bonds according to DE-A-39 26 344,
esters of tartaric acid and citric acid with alcohols in the form of addition products of around 2 to 15 molecules of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
Preferred anionic surfactants are alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates and ether carboxylic acids containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and up to 12 glycol ether groups in the molecule and, in particular, salts of saturated and, more particularly, unsaturated C8-22 carboxylic acids, such as oleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid and palmitic acid.
In the context of the invention, zwitterionic surfactants are surface-active compounds which contain at least one quaternary ammonium group and at least one xe2x80x94COO(xe2x88x92) or xe2x80x94SO3(xe2x88x92) group in the molecule. Particularly suitable zwitterionic surfactants are the so-called betaines, such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium glycinates, for example coconutalkyl dimethyl ammonium glycinate, N-acylaminopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium glycinates, for example coconutacylaminopropyl dimethyl ammonium glycinate, and 2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethyl imidazolines containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or acyl group and coconutacylaminoethyl hydroxyethyl carboxymethyl glycinate. A preferred zwitterionic surfactant is the fatty acid amide derivative known by the CTFA name of Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Ampholytic surfactants are surface-active compounds which, in addition to a C8-18 alkyl or acyl group, contain at least one free amino group and at least one xe2x80x94COOH or xe2x80x94SO3H group in the molecule and which are capable of forming inner salts. Examples of suitable ampholytic surfactants are N-alkyl glycines, N-alkyl propionic acids, N-alkyl aminobutyric acids, N-alkyl iminodipropionic acids, N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkyl amidopropyl glycines, N-alkyl taurines, N-alkyl sarcosines, 2-alkyl aminopropionic acids and alkyl aminoacetic acids containing around 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. Particularly preferred ampholytic surfactants are N-coconutalkyl aminopropionate, coconutacyl aminoethyl aminopropionate and C12-18 acyl sarcosine.
Nonionic surfactants contain, for example, a polyol group, a polyalkylene glycol ether group or a combination of polyol and polyglycol ether groups as the hydrophilic group. Examples of such compounds are
products of the addition of 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5 moles of propylene oxide onto linear fatty alcohols containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms, onto fatty acids containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and onto alkylphenols containing 8 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group,
C12-22 fatty acid monoesters and diesters of products of the addition of 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide onto glycerol,
C8-22 alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides and ethoxylated analogs thereof,
products of the addition of 5 to 60 moles of ethylene oxide onto castor oil and hydrogenated castor oil,
products of the addition of ethylene oxide onto sorbitan fatty acid esters,
products of the addition of ethylene oxide onto fatty acid alkanolamides.
Examples of cationic surfactants suitable for use in the hair treatment formulations according to the invention are, in particular, quaternary ammonium compounds. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds are ammonium halides, such as alkyl trimethyl ammonium chlorides, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides and trialkyl methyl ammonium chlorides, for example cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and tricetyl methyl ammonium chloride. Other cationic surfactants suitable for use in accordance with the invention are the quaternized protein hydrolyzates.
Also suitable for use in accordance with the invention are cationic silicone oils such as, for example, the commercially available products Q2-7224 (manufacturer: Dow Corning; a stabilized trimethyl silyl amodimethicone), Dow Corning 929 Emulsion (containing a hydroxylamino-modified silicone which is also known as amodimethicone), SM-2059 (manufacturer: General Electric), SLM-55067 (manufacturer: Wacker) and Abil(copyright)-Quat 3270 and 3272 (manufacturer: Th. Goldschmidt; diquaternary polydimethyl siloxanes, quaternium-80).
Alkyl amidoamines, particularly fatty acid amidoamines, such as the stearyl amidopropyl dimethyl amine obtainable as Tego Amid(copyright)S 18, are distinguished not only by their favorable conditioning effect, but also and in particular by their ready biodegradability.
Quaternary ester compounds, so-called xe2x80x9cesterquatsxe2x80x9d, such as the methyl hydroxyalkyl dialkoyloxyalkyl ammonium methosulfates marketed under the trade name of Stepantex(copyright), are also readily biodegradable.
One example of a quaternary sugar derivative suitable for use as a cationic surfactant is the commercially available product Glucquat(copyright)100 (CTFA name: Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyl Dimonium Chloride).
The compounds containing alkyl groups used as surfactants may be single compounds. In general, however, these compounds are produced from native vegetable or animal raw materials so that mixtures with different alkyl chain lengths dependent upon the particular raw material are obtained.
The surfactants representing addition products of ethylene and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols or derivatives of these addition products may be both products with a xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d homolog distribution and products with a narrow homolog distribution. Products with a xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d homolog distribution are mixtures of homologs which are obtained in the reaction of fatty alcohol and alkylene oxide using alkali metals, alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal alcoholates as catalysts. By contrast, narrow homolog distributions are obtained when, for example, hydrotalcites, alkaline earth metal salts of ether carboxylic acids, alkaline earth metal oxides, hydroxides or alcoholates are used as catalysts. The use of products with a narrow homolog distribution can be of advantage.
Other active substances, auxiliaries and additives are, for example,
nonionic polymers such as, for example, vinyl pyrrolidonelvinyl acrylate copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers and polysiloxanes,
cationic polymers, such as quaternized cellulose ethers, polysiloxanes containing quaternary groups, dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride polymers, acrylamide/dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride copolymers, dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers quaternized with diethyl sulfate, vinyl pyrrolidone/imidazolinium methochloride copolymers and quaternized polyvinyl alcohol,
zwitterionic and amphoteric polymers such as, for example, acrylamidopropyl/trimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylate copolymers and octyl acrylamide/methyl methacrylate/tert.butyl aminoethyl methacrylate/2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers,
anionic polymers such as, for example, polyacrylic acids, crosslinked polyacrylic acids, vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl acetate/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymers, methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers and acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert.butyl acrylamide terpolymers,
thickeners, such as agar agar, guar gum, alginates, xanthan gum, gum arabic, karaya gum, locust bean gum, linseed gums, dextrans, cellulose derivatives, for example methyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose, starch fractions and derivatives, such as amylose, amylopectin and dextrins, clays such as, for example, bentonite or fully synthetic hydrocolloids such as, for example, polyvinyl alcohol,
structurants, such as glucose and maleic acid,
hair-conditioning compounds, such as phospholipids, for example soya lecithin, egg lecithin and kephalins, and also silicone oils,
protein hydrolyzates, more particularly elastin, collagen, keratin, milk protein, soya protein and wheat protein hydrolyzates, condensation products thereof with fatty acids and quaternized protein hydrolyzates,
perfume oils, dimethyl isosorbide and cyclodextrins,
solubilizers, such as ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol and diethylene glycol,
antidandruff agents, such as Piroctone Olamine and Zinc Omadine,
other substances for adjusting the pH value,
active substances, such as panthenol, pantothenic acid, allantoin, pyrrolidone carboxylic acids and salts thereof, plant extracts and vitamins,
cholesterol,
UV filters,
consistency factors, such as sugar esters, polyol esters or polyol alkyl ethers,
fats and waxes, such as spermaceti, beeswax, montan wax, paraffins, fatty alcohols and fatty acid esters,
fatty acid alkanolamides,
complexing agents, such as EDTA, NTA and phosphonic acids,
swelling and penetration agents, such as glycerol, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, guanidines, ureas and primary, secondary and tertiary phosphates, imidazoles, tannins, pyrrole,
opacifiers, such as latex,
pearlizers, such as ethylene glycol mono- and distearate,
propellents, such as propane/butane mixtures, N2O, dimethyl ether, CO2 and air and
antioxidants.
To produce the colorants according to the invention, the constituents of the water-containing carrier are used in the usual quantities for this purpose. For example, emulsifiers are used in concentrations of 0.5 to 30% by weight while thickeners are used in concentrations of 0.1 to 25% by weight, based on the colorant as a whole.
It can be of advantage to the coloring result to add ammonium or metal salts to the colorants. Suitable metal salts are, for example, formates, carbonates, halides, sulfates, butyrates, valerates, caproates, acetates, lactates, glycolates, tartrates, citrates, gluconates, propionates, phosphates and phosphonates of alkali metals, such as potassium, sodium or lithium, alkaline earth metals, such as magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium, or of aluminium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper or zinc, sodium acetate, lithium bromide, calcium bromide, calcium gluconate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, ammonium carbonate, chloride and acetate being preferred. These salts are preferably present in a quantity of 0.03 to 65 mmol and more preferably in a quantity of 1 to 40 mmol, based on 100 g of the colorant as a whole.
The pH value of the ready-to-use coloring compositions is normally in the range from 2 to 12 and preferably in the range from 4 to 10.
The present invention also relates to the use of a combination of heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones corresponding to formula I:
in which
R1 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group,
R2 is a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl group,
R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy or C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy group, a hydroxy, nitro or amino group, which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl groups, or a C1-4 acyl group; two of the substituents together may also form a fused aromatic ring or one of the substituents together with with R1 or with R2 may form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring which may also carry a fused aromatic ring,
X is a direct bond, an optionally substituted vinylene, phenylene or vinylenephenylene group,
Y is a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, the group CR7R8, where R7 and R8 represent a C1-4 alkyl group, the group NR10, where R10 is a C1-4 alkyl group, or an optionally substituted vinylene group and
Zxe2x88x92 is halide, C1-4 alkyl sulfate, arene sulfate, C1-4 alkanesulfonate, C1-4 perfluoroalkane sulfonate, perhalogenate, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or tetrachlorozincate,
and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II:
in which
AR represents benzene, naphthalene, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrimidine, indole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, indazole, benzoxazole, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, acenaphthene, fluorene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, benzophenone, azobenzene, azonaphthalene, 1-arylazonaphthalene, 2-arylazonaphthalene, diphenylamine, stilbene, benzylidene aminobenzene and
R11, R12, R13 and R14 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 aminoalkyl, C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxy, C1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, sulfo, sulfamoyl, arylazo or amino group which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl groups,
and/or a reaction product of the compounds corresponding to formulae I and II,
as a coloring component in oxidation hair colorants.
The present invention also relates to a process for coloring keratin-containing fibers, more particularly human hair, in which a colorant containing a combination of heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones corresponding to formula I:
in which
R1 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group,
R2 is a C1-4 alkyl group, an aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl group,
R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy or C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy group, a hydroxy, nitro or amino group, which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl groups, or a C1-4 acyl group; two of the substituents together may also form a fused aromatic ring or one of the substituents together with with R1 or with R2 may form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring which may also carry a fused aromatic ring,
X is a direct bond, an optionally substituted vinylene, phenylene or vinylenephenylene group,
Y is a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, the group CR7R8, where R7 and R8 represent a C1-4 alkyl group, the group NR10, where R10 is a C1-4 alkyl group, or an optionally substituted vinylene group and
Zxe2x88x92 is halide, C1-4 alkyl sulfate, arene sulfate, C1-4 alkanesulfonate, C1-4 perfluoroalkane sulfonate, perhalogenate, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or tetrachlorozincate,
and aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II:
in which
AR represents benzene, naphthalene, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrimidine, indole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, indazole, benzoxazole, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, acenaphthene, fluorene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, benzophenone, azobenzene, azonaphthalene, 1-arylazonaphthalene, 2-arylazonaphthalene, diphenylamine, stilbene, benzylidene aminobenzene and
R11, R12, R13 and R14 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 aminoalkyl, C1-4 hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxy, C1-4 alkoxycarbonyl, sulfo, sulfamoyl, arylazo or amino group which may be substituted by C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl groups,
and/or a reaction product of these compounds and typical cosmetic ingredients is applied to the keratin-containing fibers, left thereon for a while, usually about 30 minutes, and then rinsed out or washed out with a shampoo.
The heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones corresponding to formula I and the aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II may be applied to the hair either simultaneously or successively; in the latter case, it does not matter which of the two components is applied first. The ammonium or metal salts optionally present may be added to the first component or to the second component. A period of up to 30 minutes may elapse between application of the first component and the second component. The fibers may also be pretreated with the salt solution.
The heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones corresponding to formula I and the aromatic or heteroaromatic nitroamines corresponding to formula II may be stored either separately or together either in a liquid or paste-form preparation (water-based or water-free) or as a dry powder. In the event of separate storage, the components are thoroughly mixed together just before application. In the event of dry storage, a certain quantity of warm (30 to 80xc2x0 C.) water is normally added and a homogeneous mixture prepared before application.


A machine dish washing process wherein a detergent is given such a composition and/or is dispersed over the crockery in such a way that with the detergent a cleaning layer with an appearance distinct from water is formed on preferably at least substantially the complete surface of the crockery, which distinction preferably can be discerned by the naked eye.

Typical dish washing machines, e.g. of the conveyor type, wash the crockery with large amounts of water containing a small amount of detergent. The detergent is directly injected into the water tank below the wash section until a concentration of approximately 0.2 wt % active cleaning agents in the solution is obtained, and water with the detergent is continuously drawn from said tank and poored over the crockery, and is then collected again in said tank. Very heavily soiled crockery is prior to the above described machine treatement subjected to a labor intensive cleaning, so called "stripping", wherein the crockery is soaked in water with a relatively high concentration of active cleaning agents for several hours. EP-A-0465454 discloses a machine dish-washing process wherein a minimum amount of concentrated fluid detergent is undiluted mistly like sprayed over the crockery to cover the complete surface of the crockery with the concentrate. EP-A-406628 discloses a machine dish-washing process wherein in a separate circulation a highly concentrated fluid detergent is poured out over the crockery in excess and collected in a separate tank and is drawn therefrom for repeated use. The object of both the above disclosures is to provide maximum cleaning effect with minimum detergent consumption and minimum use of labour and machines by improving the chemical action, such that the environment is saved as good as possible against costs as low as possible. This is also an alternative object of the present invention.


A single forced air furnace (10) may be installed in any of an upflow, downflow, or horizontal airflow orientation, with discharge of flue gases either opposite to or concurrent with the primary airflow path. The combination of design features which provides this versatility includes the following features: an inducer assembly (24) for withdrawing flue gas from the furnace heat exchanger (20), which inducer assembly (24) may be positioned to direct the discharge of flue gas in a selected one of a plurality of directions; an optional internal flue duct (64) for directing the flue gas through the furnace vestibule chamber then through the furnace housing (12); and the fact that the furnace housing (12) is dimensioned and configured so that the furnace may be supported on any one of four different sides (O, I, S.sub.1, S.sub.2) of the furnace housing (12).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to forced air furnaces and in particular to forced air furnaces of the type used in residential installations.
2. Related Art
Conventional hot air furnaces such as those commonly installed to heat one- or two-family homes operate by forcing the air to be heated along a primary airflow path through a heat exchange chamber within which is disposed a heat exchanger. A blower forces the air past the coils of the heat exchanger to heat the air by indirect heat exchange, and thence through outlet ducts into the space to be heated. A system of return ducts serves to conduct return air from the heated space back to the blower for recirculation through the heat exchanger and reheating. The heat exchanger conventionally is heated by combustion product gases which are generated by a burner assembly positioned at the inlet to the heat exchanger coils and introduced into the heat exchanger. Combustion air may be provided to the burners by ambient air, for which purpose inlet ducts may be provided in the basement, attic or other enclosure or area in which the furnace is located. Fuel is supplied to the burners via a suitable fuel conduit, e.g., a pipe to conduct natural gas to the burners. The combustion product gases, after giving up heat to the primary air through the walls of the heat exchanger coils, are typically withdrawn from the heat exchanger outlet by a draft inducer blower and flowed via vent ducts to a chimney for discharge to the atmosphere. Accordingly, such furnaces must be coupled to outlet ducting to direct the heated air to the space (rooms) to be heated, to return ducting to direct air from the heated space back to the furnace for heating, to vent ducting to direct the cooled combustion product gases from the heat exchanger outlet to the chimney, to a fuel supply pipe, and sometimes to a combustion air supply duct.
Conventionally, manufacturers have carried a line of several differently configured furnaces in order to accommodate different types of installations. The space available for a furnace installation is usually limited and this and other considerations may dictate the use of any one of a number of installation configurations. To illustrate, the furnace may be installed as an upflow furnace, in which the primary air blower is below the heat exchanger and the primary airflow is directed upwardly from the furnace, as a down flow furnace, in which the primary air blower is above the heat exchanger and the primary airflow is directed downwardly from the furnace, or as a horizontal flow furnace, in which the primary air blower and heat exchanger are side by side and the primary airflow from the furnace is horizontally directed. Design and space considerations may require the outlet, return and vent ducting to be oriented in a particular direction relative to the furnace. For both upflow and downflow furnaces it is normally desired to direct the vent discharge, that is, the flue gases exiting from the heat exchanger, upwardly from the furnace to vent ducting. For horizontal primary airflow furnaces it may be desired to direct the flue gases either leftwardly or rightwardly from the furnace, thence to upwardly directed vent ducting. These factors have in the past required that different furnace designs be kept in inventory in order to accommodate different installation requirements, i.e., different combinations of horizontal, upwards or downwards primary airflow direction and horizontal and upwards vent discharge flow directions. Such choices may be dictated by the physical installation space within which the furnace is disposed, the design of the ducting which must be attached to the furnace, and other such considerations. For example, the building in which the furnace is to be installed may have pre-existing ducting in place so that the furnace must be configured in a manner which permits utilization of existing duct work, and/or limited space available for the furnace. Available space limitations may be severe, e.g., when the furnace is installed in a low-ceiling basement, in the rafters beneath a low roof attic, or within a small utility closet enclosure, etc.
Some attempts have been made in the prior art to enhance the versatility of furnaces with regard to installation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,726 to Waterman, dated Feb. 13, 1990, discloses an inducer outlet elbow which directs combustion products from the inducer outlet to a flue. As seen in FIG. 2, where the inducer outlet is disposed upwardly, the inducer elbow 22 changes the direction of flow of the combustion products to the right about 90.degree. from the direction of the inducer outlet. As discussed in column 4, lines 6-16, the elbow can be reversed on the inducer outlet to discharge the combustion products to the left.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,746 to Tomlinson, dated Apr. 26, 1988, discloses a heat exchanger for a furnace in which the direction of flow of combustion products through the heat exchanger relative to the flow of heated air in the primary airflow path through the heat exchange chamber may be reversed by inverting the heat exchanger elements. However, as is evident from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the related text of column 4, lines 20-36, the inversion of the heat exchanger elements requires a dismantling and reinstallation of the burner assembly and the inducer assembly. In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inducer outlet is disposed upwardly regardless of which heat exchanger configuration is used.


This invention relates to window and door assemblies, and particularly to a fastening member for fastening a first frame element of the assembly to a second frame element of the assembly. The fastening member can comprise a base, a first retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the first frame element, and a second retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the second frame element. Moreover, at least one of the first and second retaining members is adapted to attach the respective first and second frame element to the fastening member in sliding fit. Further, this invention discloses a method of attaching a first frame element of a window and door assembly to a second frame element of the assembly, particularly where the first frame element and the second frame element have differing rates of expansion and contraction along at least one given direction.

This invention relates to window and door assemblies, and particularly to a fastening member for fastening a first frame element of the assembly to a second frame element of the assembly. This invention also provides a method of fastening the first frame element of a window and door assembly to the second frame element of the assembly.
Window and door assemblies for buildings are generally comprised of a number of frame elements. These frame elements are assembled to form the window and door assembly desired, for example, a casement window. Window and door assemblies are typically constructed from frame elements that are, for example, all wood, or constructed from frame elements that are, for example, all fabricated from an extrusion of resilient plastic material, such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Window and door assemblies that utilize all wood frame elements have the attraction of presenting at least one wood face to an interior room of a building. The exterior surface can be provided with an extruded aluminum cladding or vinyl cladding to protect the exterior surface of the assembly from, for example, the sun""s ultraviolet rays, and to provide an attractive finish to the assembly. Assemblies constructed from all wood frame elements can be expensive to manufacture and install, however.
Window and door assemblies that utilize frame elements that are all fabricated from an extrusion of resilient plastic material are generally cheaper to manufacture and install. For these assemblies the face that is presented to the interior room of a building can be laminated or capstocked to provide a desired finish, such as, for example, imitation wood finishes. However, the visual and tactile attraction of a laminated or capstocked surface on a plastic material is not generally desired by, for example, home purchasers.
It is therefore desirable to construct a window and door assembly using frame elements that are fabricated from a plastic material but using wood frame elements in the assembly construction wherever a wood finish is desired. For example, it would be desirable to use wood frame elements on a window assembly constructed primarily from plastic material frame elements on a facing of the assembly that is presented to an interior room of a building.
One problem with fastening wood frame elements to frame elements formed of a plastic material, however, is that the frame elements expand and contract at different rates when exposed to heat and cold. In particular, a plastic material generally expands and contracts when exposed to heat and cold in length, width, and thickness; wood generally expands and contracts in width and thickness, but not length. Accordingly, if wood frame elements are fastened to frame elements formed of a plastic material the frame elements can be subjected to stress along at least the longitudinal direction of the wood when the frame elements are exposed to heat and cold.
The present invention is directed to a fastening member for fastening a first frame element of a window and door assembly to a second frame element of the assembly. The fastening member can comprise a base, a first retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the first frame element, and a second retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the second frame element. Moreover, at least one of the first and second retaining members is adapted to attach the fastening member to its respective first and second frame element in sliding fit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first frame element and the second frame element have differing rates of expansion and contracting along at least one given direction, for example, where the first frame element is wood and the second frame element is formed from a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. The sliding fit is to be along at least such given direction.
In the preferred embodiment, the fastening member is attached to the first frame element in sliding fit. The first retaining member can comprise at least one extension member extending from the base and adapted to slidingly engage at least a portion of the first frame element. The extension member can comprise at least one substantially planar part adapted to fit in sliding arrangement within a corresponding groove presented by the first frame element.
Moreover, the base and the first retaining member of the fastening member can form a cavity that receives in sliding fit at least a portion of the first frame element. In the embodiment disclosed, the base and the extension can form the cavity, and in particular the base and the substantially planar part form the cavity.
The base can also comprise an engagement member to attach the fastening member to the second frame element. The engagement member can comprise at least one detent for engaging a corresponding abutment surface presented by the second frame element. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement member securely attaches the fastening member to the second frame element.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fastening member presents the first retaining member so that it attaches the first frame element in sliding fit on one side of the fastening member, and presents the second retaining member so that it attaches the second frame element on other side of the fastening member.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the fastening member is comprised of a plastic material or of metal, but is not to be limited to these materials. Moreover, the first frame element can be wood, but could also be formed from a PVC foam, for example.
This invention also provides for a window and door assembly, comprising a first frame element, a second frame element, and a fastening member. The fastening member, as described above, can comprise a base, a first retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the first frame element, and a second retaining member presented by the base to attach the fastening member to the second frame element so that at least one of the first and second retaining members is adapted to attach the fastening member to its respective first and second frame element in sliding fit.
Further, this invention discloses a method of fastening a first frame element of a window and door assembly to a second frame element of the assembly, particularly where the first frame element and the second frame element have differing rates of expansion and contraction along at least one given direction. The method comprises attaching the first frame element to a fastening member, and attaching the fastening member to the second frame element. In particular, the fastening member is adapted to attach to at least one of the first and second frame elements in sliding fit, and the sliding fit is along the said given direction.
In the preferred embodiment of the method the fastening member is attached to the first frame element in sliding fit. Moreover, the fastening member attaches the first frame element in sliding fit to one side thereof, and attaches the second frame element to the other side thereof.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Fastening member for a window and door assembly


An electrical connector having a reduced temperature rise system is described herein. The electrical connector can include a conductor receiver and a conductor mechanically coupled to the conductor receiver. The conductor can include a pin having electrically conductive material and an exposed end. The conductor can also include at least one compression member disposed along a portion of the outer perimeter of the pin at a first distance from the exposed end. When the conductor is coupled to the conductor receiver, the compression member contacts the wall of the conductor receiver to the pin. Alternatively, the conductor receiver can have an electrically conductive first portion and a second portion. Further, the conductor can have a conductive pin and a guide pin. The guide pin can force the first portion to expand and compress around the conductive pin as the conductor is mechanically coupled to the conductor receiver.

Electrical connectors are used in a number of different electrical applications. For example, electrical connectors are used in households, commercial facilities, and industrial sites. Electrical connectors can be used for a number of different applications, including but not limited to lighting, electronics, appliances, motors, fans, and control centers. Each electrical connector is rated for a certain voltage and/or current. As the current and/or voltage rating of a connector increases, the size of the conductors increase. Correspondingly, the size (e.g., length, width) of the pins (also called conductors and/or are electrically and mechanically coupled to conductors) and receivers (also called pin receivers or conductor receivers) of the mating connector components also increases.
When a conductor is not properly connected to a conductor receiver, one or more of a number of electrically-related problems can arise. For example, when voltage is applied to a conductor that is not properly connected to a conductor receiver, overheating (even to the extent of a fire) can result. Historical testing suggests that the increase in temperature can be 20° C. to 35° C., assuming that the conductor and conductor receiver of the electrical connector are properly designed and manufactured. Electrical connectors that are not properly designed and manufactured, or that have undergone a certain amount of mechanical wear, can result in increases in temperature that can exceed 35° C. Also, to compensate for the temperature rise, conductors and a corresponding electrical connector can be sized larger than actually needed so that the proper amount of voltage and/or current, net of losses from an inadequate connection between the conductor and conductor receiver, is delivered. Often times, the operating temperature (driven in some cases by temperature rise caused by an electrical connector) dictates the minimum applicable cable rating used for an application.
In addition, if the components of the electrical connector are mechanically coupled and decoupled on a relatively frequent basis, the parts (e.g., conductor, conductor receiver) may wear more quickly causing inadequate connection between the conductor and the conductor receiver. Such wear can also occur if the electrical connector is subject to vibrations or other types of movement. Wear of an electrical connector results in a loss of surface contact between the components of the electrical connector. The loss of surface contact results in a temperature rise. In severe cases, inadequate surface contact results in arcing and/or welding.

Electrical connectors with force increase features


An embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for the integrated and automated analysis of DNA or protein, including a single-use cartridge, an analysis device comprising a control device, and devices for capturing and processing signals. An embodiment of the present invention relates, in particular, to the control device for carrying out a completely automatic process and evaluation of molecular diagnostic analysis via single-use cartridges (Lab-on-a-Chip). The first devices are provided for controlling an analysis process which occurs in the cartridge, subsequently the displacement and the thermostatisation of liquids, and the second devices are provided for processing the signals which are obtained during the analysis. The first and the second devices are synchronized in such a manner that the analysis process of the sample can be carried out in a totally integrated manner thus producing an immediate result.

The significance of decentralized analysis devices ("point of care", "near patient testing") in molecular diagnostics or general medical technology is increasing. In addition, fast tests are becoming more and more important in the areas of foodstuff monitoring and environmental protection.
The general literature, but also especially the patent literature includes a large number of publications on the aforementioned topic: WO 02/072 262 A1 and WO 02/073 153 A1 disclose systems for application in biomedical technology in which samples taken in a decentralized manner are evaluated in a decentralized manner by means of an optionally mobile read-out device. The samples, in particular, are in this case collected in a single-use cartridge formed like a check card ("card").
Such a cartridge for application in the DNA analysis of whole blood samples is disclosed in detail in WO 2006/042 838 A1, not previously published. In this case, the following features of the cartridge are regarded as essential for automatically carrying out all the measures required for process analysis from individual partial processes in the cartridge:                the cartridge contains a system of microchannels and/or microcavities for a microfluidic process technology,        the microchannels or the microcavities have predetermined geometrical structures for receiving reagents, wherein        the reagents are stored in a storage-stable form at specific locations in the microchannels or the microcavities of the cartridge,        means are present for providing the dry-stored reagents for the respective partial process in a suitable form, in particular as a liquid reagent.Reference is expressly made to the disclosure of these features in the above earlier application.
Furthermore, US 2002/0 179 444 A1 and US 2003/0 148 530 A1 disclose individual solutions for a blood diagnosis method and the associated signal processing. Specific problem solutions for the realization of the system of the type mentioned in the introduction comprising the previously described card and associated suitable means for evaluation are described in earlier applications in the name of the applicant that have not yet been published.

System for the integrated and automated analysis of DNA or protein and method for operating said type of system


An optical communications network incorporating photonic layer security, with secure key exchange without loss of data, and a method of operating the network are disclosed. The network comprises a transmit side and a receive side. The transmit side includes first and second scramblers and a transmit side switch; and the receive side includes first and second descramblers and a receive side switch. The scramblers use encryption keys to encrypt optical signals, and the descramblers use the encryption keys to decrypt the encrypted optical signals. The encryption keys can be updated randomly and at will by installing new encryption keys on the scramblers and descramblers, and the transmit side and receive side switches are synchronized so that all of the optical signals that are encrypted using a new or updated encryption key are decrypted using the same new or updated encryption key.

The present invention generally relates to optical code division multiplexed communication networks incorporating photon layer security. More specifically, the invention relates to the secure distribution of the coding/encoding key used in such networks.
Various communications schemes have been used to increase data throughput and to decrease data error rates as well as to generally improve the performance of communications channels. As an example, frequency division multiple access ("FDMA") employs multiple data streams that are assigned to specific channels disposed at different frequencies of the transmission band. Alternatively, time division multiple access ("TDMA") uses multiple data streams that are assigned to different timeslots in a single frequency of the transmission band.
In many communication architectures, spectral phase encoding code division multiple access (SPE-CDMA) has supplanted FDMA and TDMA. SPE-CDMA is a form of spread spectrum communications that enables multiple data streams or channels to share a single transmission band at the same time. The SPE-CDMA multiplexing approach is well known and is explained in detail, e.g., in the text "CDMA: Principles of Spread Spectrum Communication," by Andrew Viterbi, published in 1995 by Addison-Wesley. Basically, in SPE-CDMA, the bandwidth of the data to be transmitted (user data) is much less than the bandwidth of the transmission band. Unique "pseudonoise" keys are assigned to each channel in a SPE-CDMA transmission band. The pseudonoise keys are selected to mimic Gaussian noise (e.g., "white noise") and are also chosen to maximal length sequences in order to reduce interference from other users/channels. One pseudonoise key is used to modulate the user data for a given channel.
During modulation, the user data is "spread" across the bandwidth of the SPE-CDMA band. That is, all of the channels are transmitted at the same time in the same frequency band. The introduction of noise and interference from other users during transmission is inevitable (collectively referred to as "noise"). Due to the nature of the pseudonoise key, the noise is greatly reduced during demodulation relative to the user's signal because when a receiver demodulates a selected channel, the data in that channel is "despread" while the noise is not "despread". Thus, the data is returned to approximately the size of its original bandwidth, while the noise remains spread over the much larger transmission band. The power control for each user can also help to reduce noise from other users.
SPE-CDMA has been used commercially in wireless telephone ("cellular") and in other communications systems. Such cellular systems typically operate at between 800 MHz and 2 GHz, though the individual frequency bands may be only a few MHz wide. An attractive feature of cellular SPE-CDMA is the absence of any hard limit to the number of users in a given bandwidth, unlike FDMA and TDMA. The increased number of users in the transmission band merely increases the noise to contend with. However, as a practical matter, there is some threshold at which the "signal-to-noise" ratio becomes unacceptable. This signal-to-noise threshold places real constraints in commercial systems on the number of paying customers and/or data rates that can be supported.
Recently, SPE-CDMA has been used in optical communications networks. Such optical SPE-CDMA (SPE-OCDMA) networks generally employ the same general principles as cellular SPE-CDMA. However, unlike cellular SPE-CDMA, optical SPE-CDMA signals are delivered over an optical network. As an example, a plurality of subscriber stations may be interconnected to the hub by a respective bidirectional optical fiber link. Each subscriber station has a transmitter capable of transmitting optical signals, and each station also has a receiver capable of receiving transmitted signals from all of the various transmitters in the network. The optical hub receives optical signals over optical fiber links from each of the transmitters and transmits optical signals over optical fiber links to all of the receivers. An optical pulse is transmitted to a selected one of a plurality of potential receiving stations by coding the pulse in a manner such that it is detectable by the selected receiving station but not by the other receiving stations.
For example, such coding may be accomplished by dividing each pulse into a plurality of intervals known as "time chips". Each time chip may have the logic value "1", as indicated by relatively large radiation intensity, or may have the logic value "0", as indicated by a relatively small radiation intensity. The chips comprising each pulse are coded with a particular pattern of logic "1"'s and logic "0"'s that is characteristic to the receiving station or stations that are intended to detect the transmission. Each receiving station is provided with optical receiving equipment capable of regenerating an optical pulse when it receives a pattern of chips coded in accordance with its own unique sequence but cannot regenerate the pulse if the pulse is coded with a different sequence or code.
Alternatively, as another example, the optical network utilizes SPE-CDMA that is based on optical frequency domain coding and decoding of ultra-short optical pulses. Each of the transmitters includes an optical source for generating the ultra-short optical pulses. The pulses comprise Fourier components whose phases are coherently related to one another. A "signature" is impressed upon the optical pulses by independently phase shifting the individual Fourier components comprising a given pulse in accordance with a particular code whereby the Fourier components comprising the pulse are each phase shifted a different amount in accordance with the particular code. The encoded pulse is then broadcast to all of or a plurality of the receiving systems in the network. Each receiving system is identified by a unique signature template and detects only the pulses provided with a signature that matches the particular receiving system's template.
As optics dominates digital communications, particularly over long distances, high data rate security sensitive applications carried over public fiber optics networks require protection against eavesdropping and//or spoofing, both of which are hard to provide at 40 Gb/s and not practical at 100 Gb/s data rates with today's technology. Currently, for example, the financial sectors are required by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency in the US to encrypt optical communications leaving their secure locations in the near future. With the 100 GbE standard on the horizon, serial datacom rates will eventually outpace the single-channel capabilities of telecom transport interfaces. Systems are needed to manage the transport of terabits of data generated from multitudes of data gathering and processing nodes delivered on demand to users in secure campuses. The cost-effective use of existing public dark fiber and the emerging transparent reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM)-based networks create a compelling case for photonic layer security (PLS) for high bandwidth needs where digital solutions, such as advanced encryption systems (AES), may impose a relatively high end-to-end cost.

Secure key distribution for optical code division multiplexed based optical encryption


A vortex flow meter capable of operating with minimum piping effect is disclosed. A stream-lined protrusion , extending toward the upstream side is disposed at the upstream surface 2 of a vortex generator joined to the inner wall 1 of a flow pipe in order to remove thereat horseshoe vortexes produced in front of the vortex generator. Therefore, the possible affection of horseshoe vortexes, that may considerably depend upon the piping conditions, can be eliminated.

The present invention relates to a vortex flow generator and, more particularly, to a vortex flow generator which is constructed and operated with a minimum amount of error as regards its instrumental function even when there is a change in the velocity of the flow's distribution due to the configuration of the flow's piping.
An inferential type of flow meter is an instrument for determining the quantity of fluid or the velocity of the fluid's flow by measuring the physical quantity of the fluid produced in relation to the fluid's flow. To assure a certain relationship between the fluid's flow and the corresponding physical quantity of the fluid it is necessary to keep a constant state of the fluid's flow to be measured. For this reason, in order to attain the required accuracy of the inferential type of flow meter, it is necessary to provide a flow-rectifying device at the upstream side in the flow pipe wherein the flow meter is installed. Constructions of flow-rectifying devices and piping conditions for orifice and turbine flow meters are defined by the international standard and the national standard.
It is well known that a vortex flow meter is related to an inferential type of flow meter which utilize a number of Karman's vortexes produced by a vortex generator installed in a flow pipe and which is substantially proportional to the flow rate of the fluid within a certain range of Reynolds number. This proportional constant is called the Strouhal number. In an ideal vortex flow meter, the Strouhal number can be kept at a constant value even when the Reynolds number varies. In other words, the ideal vortex flow meter has a constant characteristic (Strouhal number) in a wide range of the fluid's flow and is least affected by the physical properties of a fluid and the conditions of the piping. However, any practical vortex flow meter has a Strouhal number depending on a Reynolds number and its characteristic may be affected by the piping's conditions.
A conventional vortex flow meter has a simple construction where a vortex generator is disposed at a right angle to the axis of the fluid's flow inside a cylindrical body. Many proposals for the shape and quantity of the vortex generators and the internal construction of the vortex flow meter have been made to keep the Strouhal number of the flow meters at a constant value against the Reynolds number. For example, one of the proposals was the improvement of the ratio d/D (width "d" of a vortex generator in perpendicular direction to the fluid's flow and an inside diameter "D" of the body) and a vortex detecting position. Especially, most available vortex flow meters have a ratio d/D being nearly equal to 0.28 in order to aim at obtaining the characteristic satisfying the stable two-dimensional conditions of the ideal Karman's vortex street.
However, any practical vortex flow meter does not detect Karman's vortexes produced by a two-dimensional flow but rather those produced by a three-dimensional flow. Consequently, the characteristic of the vortex flow meter varies depending upon a change in the three-dimensional flow. For example, a bent pipe (including an elbow portion), reducer, diffuser, valve, branch pipe and collector may produce a rotational flow and deflect the flow of the fluid which in turn causes a change in the instrumental error of the vortex flow meter. A flow rectifier is provided to eliminate the above-mentioned irregularity of flow. Components of the rotational flow and the deflected flow may still remain in the flow of the fluid passing through the vortex flow meter, which affects the flow meter's instrumental error.

Vortex generator having a protrusion formed at an upstream surface


A method of communicating between a transponder and an interrogator. The interrogator (10) transmits a wireless RF interrogation which is received by the transponder (12). The transponder (12) then transmits a wireless RF response. The wireless RF response has a first channel response centered at frequency FDX1=RF+SC, a second channel response centered at frequency FDX2=RF-SC, and a third channel response centered at frequency FDX3=SC. The third channel response is a spurious signal resulting from using a non-linear element (32) as the transponder modulator (32,34). The interrogator (10) receives this wireless RF response. The response is received in the three channels with a first circuit (82) operable to receive said first channel response, a second circuit (86) is operable to receive said second channel response, and a third circuit (86,88) is operable to receive said third channel response. A controller (102) then selects the response from one of said first, second, or third circuits (82,86,88) for demodulating. A demodulator (100) may then demodulate one the selected channel responses. Other arrangements, systems, and methods are disclosed.

There is a great need for devices or apparatuses that make it possible to identify or detect regarding their presence at a predetermined location, objects that are provided with such devices or apparatuses in contactless manner and over a certain distance.
It is, for example, desirable to request contactless and over a certain distance, identifications that are uniquely assigned to an object and are stored in the device or apparatus so that, for example, the object may be identified. A determination may also be made whether a particular object exists within a given reading range. An example is also the case in which physical parameters such as the temperature and the pressure are to be interrogated directly at or within the object, without direct access to the object being possible. A device or apparatus of the type desired can, for example, be attached to an animal that can then always be identified at an interrogation point without direct contact. There is also a need for a device, which when carried by a person, permits access checking by which only persons whose responder unit returns certain identification data to the interrogation unit are allowed access to a specific area. A further example of a case in which such a device is needed is the computer controlled industrial production in which, without the intervention of operating personnel, components are taken from a store, transported to a production location and there assembled to give a finished product. In this case a device is required which can be attached to the individual components so that the components can be specifically detected in the spares store and taken therefrom. Yet another example of a case in which such a device is needed is in the field of Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) in which a stationary interrogator unit sends inquiries to a vehicle-born transponder for purposes of toll collection, identification, or other purposes.
It is advantageous to accomplish these applications and others with the least possible number of transmission errors between the interrogator and the transponder. Error correction codes, checksums with acknowledgements and retransmissions, and data transmission power and frequency tradeoffs are all methods that might be used in prior art systems to lessen the possibility of transmission errors.

Frequency diversity transponder arrangement


A method for maximizing intermodulation interference protection during a handoff between radio cell sites (300) includes scanning a plurality of radio channels (302) and measuring the signal power (307, 315) for at least one of the radio channels. One or more receiver attenuators (313) are then set based on the detection of intermodulation (IM) interference of the measured channel. The attenuators are then scaled (311) based on the degree of IM interference. If the attenuators cannot mitigate this interference below some predetermined level, the radio channel is changed (321) and the process begins again to ensure a high quality of communication with a cell site.

Cellular and trunked radio communications systems are well known in the art and work to provide seamless communication as a subscriber unit moves about a geographic area covered by base sites within a predefined network. Most often, the subscriber and base units communicate using various types of linear modulation techniques that typically require a receiver with a substantially high dynamic range. Several types of problems are often associated with using such a receiver such as intermodulation (IM) distortion and blocking. This type of interference can be produced by high-power radio services using public service bands that can cause problems in establishing reliable communications between the base site and subscriber.
As best seen in prior art FIG. 1, a typical cellular network 100 operates with a plurality of target base sites 101-106 which are tied to a source base site 107. As a subscriber radio 109 travels through a site such as target base site 106, the site works to coordinate handoff to adjacent sites through the source base site 107. Problems regarding interference and handoff have been addressed in the prior art, and include such solutions as U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,530 entitled Multi-Cell Communications System and Method for Allocating a Communications Resource and U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,427 entitled Hard Handoff and Radio System which are both herein incorporated by reference.
Generally, there are two methods used in handing off subscriber units between cell sites. One method is the site-assisted method where the cell site measures the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the subscriber's transmitted signal to determine when to handoff a subscriber to an adjacent site. A second handoff strategy is unassisted where a portable subscriber unit typically estimates carrier power on one cell site and moves to another site when the adjacent site carrier power measurement exceeds some threshold condition. There are many different algorithms that are used by either the cell site or the subscriber unit but each is similar in that the algorithm indicates to either the cell site or subscriber unit when the switch is going to occur.
One problem that may occur to the receiver in the subscriber unit is degraded reception due to intermodulation (IM) interference by strong in-band interference signals. This can greatly interfere with the subscriber's ability to receive reliable communications. Although various methods have been employed in order to reduce IM interference with the receiver, these methods often required the receiver to search and select alternative cell sites based on receiver performance for a particular channel. Alternatively, a cell system may depend on multiple transmission attempts where the same message is transmitted from a given cell repeatedly until reception is achieved. Both of these techniques effectively reduce system capacity by increasing redundant messaging or by increasing excess reuse of certain cell sites. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a method for mitigating IM interference without reducing system capabilities or capacity.

Method for mitigating intermodulation interference using channel power estimation and attenuation in a two-way radio communications system