The invention relates to a water extinguishing system (1) with a fluid supply (20), a pump (30) and a test line (40) with an opening element (2) which is configured to open the test line (40) during a test run of the pump (30). According to the invention, the test line (40) further comprises a closing element (4) which is configured to close the test line (40) if the water extinguishing system (1) is triggered.

Water extinguishing systems of this type are subject to the regulations described in VdS 2212, among others. In particular, paragraph 1.3.4 of VdS 2212 provides for weekly inspections of the water extinguishing system by the system operator. Among other things, the weekly tests include a check of the pump start of the pump which is used to pump the extinguishing fluid. For this, a test run must be carried out, which must continue until the normal operating parameters of the pump are reached.
In such water extinguishing systems the test line is provided for this purpose, enabling a pump test to be carried out while preventing the extinguishing fluid from causing weekly flooding of the areas monitored by the water extinguishing system during the weekly required pump test of the pump.
In this context, fluid supply means a combination of one or more elements which serve to supply the water extinguishing system with extinguishing fluid. For this purpose, the extinguishing fluid supply may in particular comprise a drinking water supply from which drinking water can be supplied to the water extinguishing system as extinguishing fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the extinguishing fluid supply may comprise a reservoir in which the extinguishing fluid can be stored. In some embodiments, the test line is configured in such a way that it conducts the extinguishing fluid flowing through it back into a storage tank and/or an intermediate tank which is configured as part of the fluid supply. This means that the extinguishing fluid passing through the test line during the test run can still be used by the water extinguishing system. In some embodiments, the extinguishing fluid passing through the test line may also be conducted into a waste water tank and/or discharged via a waste water pipe and not stored.
According to the prior art, the weekly test run of the pump is carried out by hand, i.e. manually, by a trained person. For this purpose, the test line is first released by opening the opening element. A starting device is then used to trigger a pump start of the pump. This start may be automatic or performed manually. The starting pressure, which is the pressure at the time the pump is started, is then measured and recorded and the test run is carried out until the normal operating parameters of the pump drive motor are reached. The test line is then closed again by means of the opening element and no further extinguishing fluid can enter the test line.
In the context of this document the usual technical definitions according to, for example, VdS CEA 4001:2014-04 are assumed.
In particular, a test line is understood here to be a water measuring device comprising a flow meter, stilling pipe and regulating valves for testing the water rate. The test line is preferably provided as a branch line from the distribution pipe which is positioned behind the pump and serves to supply the pipe network.
An alarm valve station describes in particular an assembly comprising an alarm valve and all associated valves and accessories for controlling a sprinkler group.
A distribution pipe describes in particular a pipe that either directly feeds a branch pipe or a single sprinkler on a branch pipe that is not a tailpipe and is longer than 300 mm.
The term extinguishing fluid is thus understood to refer to a fluid which is used to extinguish and/or fight fires. This extinguishing fluid may in particular be extinguishing water provided with or without additives. In some embodiments the extinguishing fluid may comprise in particular a foam, an anti-freezing agent or similar. If possible, the additives should be selected so as to be optimal for the respective application of the water extinguishing system. In some embodiments, the extinguishing fluid may also be pure extinguishing water. Other extinguishing fluids are also conceivable.
In this context, an opening element can be understood in particular to be a sliding element within an opening unit, such as a valve, which can be operated manually in accordance with the prior art. Opening is effected by moving the sliding element from a closing to an opening position. Opening the closing element in the test line enables a volume flow through the test line by means of which the test run can be carried out. Closing is then effected by moving the sliding element from the opening position into the closing position. This interrupts the volume flow through the valve again.
When a test run is carried out, there is a risk that during the test run a fire occurs and the water extinguishing system is triggered. In such a case, the available amount of extinguishing fluid delivered by the pump is reduced by the amount of water flowing through the open or unclosed test line. This indifferent state has so far prevented the labor-intensive weekly inspections from being automated and leads to an increased risk of an improper supply of the water extinguishing system with extinguishing fluid, for example due to human error. In particular, the need to close the test line manually increases the risk that the person responsible for servicing the sprinkler will actually close it.
Against this background, one of the objects of the present invention was to reduce the effort required to inspect the water extinguishing system. Furthermore, it was an object to improve the reliability and efficiency of water extinguishing in a water extinguishing system of the type mentioned initially. It is also an object of the invention to reduce the risk of an undersupply of extinguishing fluid to the water extinguishing system.
According to the invention, this object is solved by a water extinguishing system of the type mentioned above, where the test line has a closing element which is configured to close the test line when the water extinguishing system is triggered.
Here, the water extinguishing system may be triggered in particular in response to the detection of a fire. The term "detection" is to be understood broadly and can include determining a fire parameter by means of a sensor, in particular a sensor of a fire detector. Alternatively or additionally, this may also mean a temperature-dependent opening of one or more nozzles, in particular one or more sprinklers.
When a fire parameter is determined by means of a sensor, the detection of the fire is passed on to a central unit, in particular a fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center (FACU—fire alarm control unit) which then triggers the water extinguishing system by means of a corresponding trigger signal. In this case, the FACU may in particular transmit a corresponding control signal that causes the closing element to be activated. Here, the FACU may transmit the control signal directly to the closing element and thus control the closing element directly, or it may transmit the control signal to a control unit, which in turn controls the closing element in response to the control signal. In some embodiments, the control signal that causes the closing element to be activated may also be generated and transmitted directly by the control unit itself, independently of the FACU. Other variants in which the closing element is activated by other units within the system are also conceivable.
Alternatively or additionally, the opening of the nozzles may also be used to activate the closing element, either through triggering of the water extinguishing system by the FACU or directly at the nozzle itself dependent on the temperature. In particular, a trigger switch within the pipe network can be used for this purpose. A trigger switch is any type of switch that is activated—and, in particular, switches—when the water extinguishing system is triggered. This means that the trigger switch is especially configured to trigger, i.e. switch, in response to, for example, a smoke alarm, a pressure drop within the pipe network, a change in the fluid flow within the pipe network and/or due to other fire-related influences within, outside and/or in the surroundings of the water extinguishing system.
In some embodiments, the trigger switch may be designed in particular in the form of a pressure switch or a flow switch. Here, use is made of the fact that if one or more nozzles are opened, the pressure and the fluid flow within the pipe network change abruptly. This can lead to the switching of a pressure switch and/or a flow switch used as a trigger switch. This switching of the trigger switch may then be used to activate the closing element. The closing element is activated automatically as soon as the water extinguishing system is triggered. In this context, activation is understood to mean that the closing element is moved into a position that locks the fluid flow through the test line.
This means that the activation causes an immediate interruption of the volume flow through the test line, such that the entire fluid quantity is available in the pipe network. This ensures that the water extinguishing system is sufficiently supplied with water. This means that in addition to the opening element, which serves to provide and interrupt the volume flow into the test line, a second, redundant element, namely the closing element, is provided to interrupt the fluid supply to the test line.
In this way, it is no longer necessary for trained personnel to be permanently on site in the event of a test run, in order to manually interrupt the test run in the event of a fire, thus allowing for the test run to be automated. If the test run is automated the above-mentioned procedure is thus carried out automatically, i.e. no longer manually by the appropriate personnel. This means that the test run may on one hand be initiated "at the push of a button." In such a case, a user can determine when a test run should be initiated. Alternatively or additionally, the test run may also be automated to the extent that it starts automatically at predetermined time intervals, for example every week. In such a case, the opening element in particular is no longer operated manually, but is automatically opened and—after the test run is complete—closed again. This may be done, for example, by means of an appropriate motorized slide valve. However, other methods of opening and closing the opening element are also conceivable. Alternatively or additionally, it may of course also be provided that the opening element may still be operated manually, for example to carry out unscheduled test runs or simply to continue to leave the initiation of the test run to trained personnel. However, even in this case the personnel does not have to be present for the entire time of the test run to monitor the test run, but can turn to other tasks for the duration of the test run after opening the opening element. This can significantly reduce the effort and security measures involved in carrying out the test run.
According to a preferred embodiment, the closing element is configured to move upon triggering of the water extinguishing system from an unlocking position to a locking position, in which the closing element closes the test line, where the locking position corresponds to an energetically favorable home position of the closing element.
The position in which the closing element locks the fluid flow through the test line is called the locking position. Correspondingly, the position in which the closing element allows fluid flow through the test line is called the unlocking position. The closing element is preferably configured to move from the unlocking position into the locking position when activated. Preferably, the locking position of the closing element corresponds to the energetically advantageous base state of the closing element, since thereby the switching of the trigger switch may be used in a particularly advantageous way for automatic activation of the closing element.
For this purpose, when starting the test run of the pump, a corresponding signal is applied to the closing element, for example by the control unit which also controls the test run, where such signal moves the closing element into the unlocking position in which the fluid flow through the test line is open. The output of this signal keeps the closing element in the unlocking position. If the trigger switch switches, this signal is interrupted by the switching. Thus, the closing element no longer receives a signal that keeps it in the unlocking position and therefore moves immediately back to the locking position in which the closing element locks the fluid flow through the test line. This ensures that the closing can be achieved independently of energy, i.e. also in the event of a power failure, since the closing element moves directly into the locking position in such a case as well.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution pipe comprises a distribution pipe shutter configured to interrupt a fluid flow through the distribution pipe during a test run of the pump, where the distribution pipe shutter is further configured to release the fluid flow through the distribution pipe upon activation of the water extinguishing system.
In some embodiments of the invention it is necessary to interrupt the extinguishing fluid supply to the water extinguishing system through the distribution pipe when carrying out a pump test run, for example to prevent the trigger switches within the pipe network from switching due to pressure surges.
For this purpose, the water extinguishing system may preferably comprise a distribution pipe shutter. The distribution pipe shutter is arranged within the distribution pipe. In its base state, the distribution pipe shutter is in a flow position, thus allowing the extinguishing fluid to flow through the distribution pipe to the extinguishing fluid outlets, such as the nozzles. This means that, if there is no opposing control/trigger, the distribution pipe shutter is in the position in which the extinguishing fluid outlets can be constantly supplied with extinguishing fluid via the distribution pipe.
When the pump test run is started, the distribution pipe shutter is moved accordingly from the flow position into the shut-off position and the fluid flow through the distribution pipe is interrupted. If the pump test run ends as scheduled, the distribution pipe shutter is released after the test run is completed and moves back to the flow position. This ensures that a reliable supply of extinguishing fluid can be provided for water extinguishing systems that would otherwise run dry due to the test runs of the pump.
If the test run of the pump ends unexpectedly, the distribution pipe shutter receives a corresponding signal, preferably an automated signal, which moves the distribution pipe shutter from the shut-off position into the flow position. In this case, as well, a fluid flow of sufficient extinguishing fluid in the direction of the extinguishing fluid outlets is made possible.
In some embodiments, the distribution pipe shutter may be implemented in particular by means of a slide valve which, in the shut-off state, is pushed into the distribution pipe and closes it in such a way that no fluid can pass through the slide valve.
Alternatively, the distribution pipe shutter may be designed in such a way that it does not completely shut off the fluid flow during the test run of the pump, but only absorbs pressure surges occurring during the test run. In this case, the distribution pipe shutter can be designed in particular in the form of a pressure release device. For example, the distribution pipe shutter may comprise a pressure equalization valve or a pressure relief valve. In the event of a pressure surge, these valves then serve to equalize the pressure inside the distribution pipe, thus preventing a pressure surge from activating the trigger switches inside the pipe network while the pump is in operation.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the closing element and the distribution pipe shutter can also be designed as a single closing element. Such an embodiment may be realized in particular in the form of a ⅔-way valve and/or a ⅔-way ball valve, which is arranged within the junction of the test line and the distribution pipe and can be switched between two positions. In this case, the closing element is thus designed to be either in the unlocking/shut-off position, in which the fluid flow through the test line is released and the fluid flow into the distribution pipe is interrupted, or in the locking/flow position, in which the fluid flow through the distribution pipe is released but the fluid flow through the test line is locked.
In particular, the closing element is configured in such a way that, in the energetically more favorable base state, it locks the test line and releases the distribution pipe, i.e. it is in the locking/flow position. In this way, it can be ensured that the supply of the pipe network is guaranteed even in the event of a power failure.
According to another embodiment, the opening element and/or the closing element and/or the distribution pipe shutter can be controlled automatically. In some embodiments, the test run and the corresponding shutdown of the same in the event of fire may be fully or partially automatic by automatically controlling one or more of the opening element, the closing element and/or the distribution pipe shutter. The control can be effected either by a dedicated control unit or by a control unit that controls the test run. Alternatively or additionally, the control can also be performed by the FACU. This means that it is not necessary to provide trained personnel to carry out the test run.
In some embodiments, the elements may also be controlled automatically only in part. For example, the opening element can first be opened manually by a user. In some embodiments, the distribution pipe shutter can also be closed manually. If the water extinguishing system triggers, the activation of the closing element—i.e. the closing of the test line—and the turning-off of the distribution pipe shutter—i.e. the opening of the fluid flow through the distribution pipe—can be effected automatically by an appropriate control and no manual operation is required. In this case, it is not necessary for any trained personnel to remain at the water extinguishing system after the test run has started.
In a preferred embodiment, the water extinguishing system also comprises a first trigger switch, which is configured to close the test line by means of the closing element when the water extinguishing system is triggered.
It is preferred that the closing element is activated by means of a trigger switch. As already mentioned, triggering the water extinguishing system leads to a drop in pressure inside the pipe. This pressure drop then switches the trigger switch, which in turn activates the closing element.
For this purpose, the trigger switch should be connected to the signal line, which communicatively connects the control unit and the closing element. When starting the pump test run, the control unit (among other things) outputs a signal that moves the closing element from the energetically more favorable locking position into the unlocking position. As long as this signal is applied to the closing element, the closing element is held in the unlocking position. If the trigger switch switches, this switching causes an interruption of the signal between the control unit and the closing element and the closing element immediately moves back into the locking position.
The same principle can also be used for the distribution pipe shutter. For this purpose, the distribution pipe shutter must be configured in such a way that, in the energetically more favorable base state, it is arranged in a flow position in which the fluid flow through the distribution pipe is released. By means of a transmission of a signal by the control unit, the distribution pipe shutter is then moved to a shut-off position in which the fluid flow through the distribution pipe is locked. The signal keeps the distribution pipe shutter in the shut-off position. When the water extinguishing system is triggered and the trigger switch is switched accordingly, the signal is interrupted by the switching, thus causing the distribution pipe shutter to move into the flow position.
In another preferred embodiment, the water extinguishing system comprises an alarm valve, where the alarm valve comprises the first trigger switch.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the trigger switch, which is configured to close the closing element when the water extinguishing system is triggered, is arranged on an alarm valve.
Both passive and active alarm valves are understood to be alarm valves according to the invention. The best-known examples of these alarm valves are wet and dry alarm valves and spray water valves.
A passive alarm valve is a valve that opens autonomously when the pressure in the pipe network changes. An active alarm valve is a valve which, after receiving a corresponding signal from external fire detection means, such as the fire detectors mentioned at the beginning, or as a function of external control interventions, actively releases the fluid flow by opening the locking element and triggers an alarm.
An alarm valve is also called an alarm valve station. In water extinguishing systems, alarm valve stations are located between the nozzles, in particular the sprinklers, for the outlet of the extinguishing water and the water supply.
In another embodiment, the trigger switch is arranged on the distribution pipe downstream from the position where the test line branches off.
In some embodiments, the trigger switch, which is configured to close the test line by means of the closing element if the water extinguishing system is triggered, is arranged on the distribution pipe. In this case, the trigger switch is preferably arranged in the fluid direction downstream of the position where the test line branches off from the distribution pipe. Preferably, the trigger switch is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the junction position, i.e. only a small distance away from it.
When the water extinguishing system is triggered, e.g. pressure, flow rate and similar parameters change within the pipe network and thus also within the distribution pipe. This allows the trigger switch to be arranged at this point in the water extinguishing system as well—and not at the alarm valve. This allows the trigger switch to be brought closer to the closing element within the test line. The trigger switch may be arranged in particular downstream of a non-return flap, which may be positioned between the test line and the distribution pipe.
In a preferred embodiment, the water extinguishing system also comprises a fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center, where the fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center is configured to close the test line by means of the closing element if the water extinguishing system is triggered.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center (FACU—fire alarm control unit) may also be used to activate the closing element and thus to interrupt the supply to the test line. For this purpose, it is in particular provided that the closing element will be in communicative connection with the FACU. In particular, there may be a signal connection between the closing element and the FACU, in particular in the form of a signal line, where the FACU transmits an activation signal to the closing element, which causes the closing element to immediately close the supply to the test line in order to make the extinguishing water completely available to the water extinguishing system. This causes a particularly quick interruption of the test run and thus enables as efficient a supply of extinguishing fluid as possible when the water extinguishing system is triggered.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the closing element and/or the distribution pipe shutter are formed with at least one of the following closing devices:                a deluge valve,        a pilot-controlled solenoid valve,        a directly controlled solenoid valve, and        a fail-safe motorized slide valve.
The closing element and/or the valve pipe closing element may be designed in different ways. In some embodiments, the closing element and/or valve pipe closing element may be formed with a deluge valve in particular. Such valves are designed to let large quantities of water through in a short amount of time. They are therefore formed with a predetermined operating pressure (between 10 and 16 bar, depending on the nominal diameter) and corresponding predetermined nominal diameters (in particular DN50, DN80, DN100, DN150, DN 200). After opening, such deluge valves can be reset. The advantage of such deluge valves is that they are already certified for use in fire protection.
In some embodiments, the closing element and/or valve pipe closing element may also be equipped with a solenoid valve. A solenoid valve is a valve which is actuated by an electromagnet and also allows very fast switching and resetting. Solenoid valves comprise a sealing element, such as a diaphragm or a piston, which can be moved from an unlocking position (or flow position) into a locking position (or shut-off position) and back into the unlocking position.
Solenoid valves according to the invention may particularly be configured as pilot-controlled solenoid valves. A pilot-controlled solenoid valve requires a pressure difference of the operating pressure in order to open and close. Here, the sealing element is moved by the existing pressure difference from the unlocking position into the locking position and vice versa. With this type of solenoid valve, the actuation by means of an electromagnet only performs a pilot control function, which merely relieves the sealing element. This makes it possible to control high pressures at large nominal diameters even with small magnets.
Solenoid valves may also be configured as directly-controlled solenoid valves. Such solenoid valves use an actuator with an electromagnet. This means that the actuator is directly connected to the sealing element, usually a piston. As long as the electromagnet is activated, the piston is held in the unlocking position. When the actuator is deactivated, the piston is held in the locking position by a compression spring. Furthermore, the direction of flow of the fluid, in this case of the extinguishing water, is usually determined by the valve in such a way that when the valve is closed, the differential pressure building up between the inlet and outlet of the valve additionally presses the piston against the valve seat.
In addition, other valves may also be used as closing element and/or as distribution pipe shutter, such as pinch valves, fail-safe valves and the like.
In a further embodiment, the closing element and/or the valve closing element may be equipped with a fail-safe motorized slide valve, which can close the test line by means of a locking element. This means that the motorized slide valve is activated when the water extinguishing system is triggered and then pushes the locking element into the locking position, thus interrupting the supply to the test line.
It is particularly preferred that the motorized slide valve is configured to be fail-safe. For this purpose, the motorized slide valve may be connected to the power supply and at the same time have a battery or other energy storage device which ensures that the motorized slide valve continues to operate in the event of a power failure. This can prevent that the closing element no longer functions properly in the event of a power failure.
In some embodiments, the trigger of the closing element and/or the distribution pipe shutter is in particular a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and/or pneumatic-electric trigger.
It is preferred that the closing element, when it is in the energetically most favorable base state, locks the test line. This ensures that the closing element still closes the test line reliably even in the event of a power failure. To cause the closing element to release the fluid flow through the test line, the closing element can be moved out of its energetically favorable state by means of electrical, pneumatic and/or pneumatic-electrical control.
Conversely, it is preferred that the distribution pipe shutter, when it is in the energetically most favorable base state, releases the fluid flow through the distribution pipe. This ensures that the flow of extinguishing fluid to the fluid outlets of the water extinguishing system is guaranteed even in the event of a power outage. The distribution pipe shutter can then be moved out of the energetically favorable state by means of electric, pneumatic or electric-pneumatic control in order to stop the flow of fluid through the distribution pipe.
According to another embodiment, the water extinguishing system also comprises a control unit which is configured to control an automatic test run of the pump.
It is preferred that the test run of the pump can be carried out automatically. For this purpose, the water extinguishing system may according to the invention comprise a control unit which automatically starts and terminates the pump test run and which takes over the control of the pump during the pump test run, i.e. checks when the operating parameters are reached and/or when the test run is to be terminated and/or when the test run of the pump is to be aborted. In this context, termination of the test run by the control unit means that the test run of the pump has been successfully completed and then terminated by closing the opening element and switching off the pump. Aborting the test run of the pump means that a fire event has occurred during the test run and that the test line is being closed during the test run to provide the extinguishing fluid to the water extinguishing system.
In particular, the control unit is configured to automatically start the test run of the pump by first outputting a signal to the opening element, which causes the opening element to release the fluid flow through the test line. The control unit then outputs a signal to the pump starting device of the pump, which ensures that the pressure at the pump starting device is reduced. This lowering of the pressure at the pump starting device starts the pump. The starting pressure, which is the pressure at the time the pump is started, is then measured and recorded and the pump test run is carried out until the normal operating parameters of the pump drive motor are reached. The measured values may be transmitted to the control unit and evaluated and stored by it. The control unit then outputs a signal to the opening element in order to close the test line again. The pump is then switched off by a corresponding signal from the control unit. The control unit is thus configured to perform the test run of the pump automatically. For this purpose, the control unit is preferably set to automatically perform the test run of the pump at regular time intervals, in particular every week. Here, on the one hand, the pump itself is tested, and, on the other hand, the starting device is tested, which serves to start the pump during the test run. This starting device usually comprises one or more, in particular two, pressure switches in the distribution pipe. Here, in particular the pressure at which the pump starts is tested.
The control unit may also be configured to perform the test run of the pump at a time other than the usual interval on account of external circumstances such as error messages, past fire events or similar. The control unit is thus configured to determine when a test run of the pump is appropriate and when it may be omitted. This makes it much easier to check the pump.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to abort the automatic test run of the pump and to close the test line by means of the closing element when the water extinguishing system is triggered.
The control unit is preferably configured to actively and automatically interrupt the test run of the pump if the water extinguishing system is triggered, which is usually due to a fire event. In this embodiment, the control unit itself may also be used directly to activate the closing element and thus interrupt the supply of extinguishing water to the test line.
In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to release the fluid flow through the distribution pipe by means of the distribution pipe shutter when the water extinguishing system is triggered.
As already mentioned, in some water extinguishing systems it may be necessary to interrupt the fluid flow through the distribution pipe by means of a distribution pipe shutter. If this is the case, it is necessary to release this fluid connection again through the distribution pipe as quickly as possible in the event of fire. In particular the control unit can be used for this purpose, which is configured to cause not only the closing element in the test line to shut off the test line, but also to cause the closing element in the distribution pipe to release the distribution pipe.
In a further aspect, the invention relates to a control unit for controlling an automatic test run of the pump of a water extinguishing system, in particular a water extinguishing system as described above, where the control unit is configured:                to start an automatic test run of the pump,        to receive a trigger signal indicative of a triggering of the water extinguishing system, and        to abort the test run of the pump by controlling a closing element of the test line when the trigger signal is received.
The present invention also relates to the above-mentioned control unit, which serves to control—automatically—the test run of the pump for a water extinguishing system. For this purpose, the control unit is in particular configured to initiate the test run of the pump at predetermined intervals and/or upon input from a user. The test run of the pump is initiated by the control unit controlling the opening element which is arranged in the test line. This moves the opening element into the opening position. In the opening position, the extinguishing fluid from the fluid supply can enter the test line and the test run of the pump can be carried out. For this purpose, the pressure at the pump starting device is first reduced to initiate the test run of the pump. This reduction can be effected in particular by the control unit. The pressure drop then causes the pump to start. Subsequently, the operating parameters of the pump can be recorded in a known manner. After successful completion of the test run, the opening element is then closed again and the pump is switched off, in particular by means of a corresponding control command.
The control unit may further be configured to register a triggering of the water extinguishing system. For this purpose, the control unit can in particular receive a trigger signal indicating that the water extinguishing system has been triggered. This signal can be transmitted by the FACU. In response to receiving the trigger signal, the control unit can then control the closing element such that the closing element is moved to the locking position and the test run of the pump is thus terminated.
Alternatively or additionally, the test run may also be aborted by means of the trigger switch, where the trigger switch may be arranged downstream of the junction or at the alarm valve. For this purpose, the control unit is preferably configured to output via a signal line a signal that keeps the closing element in the unlocking position. When the water extinguishing system is triggered, the pressure, flow rate and similar parameters change within the pipe network. The trigger switch is configured to switch in response to this change. This switching causes an interruption of the signal between the control unit and the closing element, thus moving the closing element into the locking position.
In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is further configured:                to control a distribution pipe shutter in a distribution pipe of the water extinguishing system, where the distribution pipe shutter is configured to interrupt a fluid flow through the distribution pipe in response to the control, and        to control the distribution pipe shutter of the pump again, where the distribution pipe shutter is configured to release in response to the renewed control the fluid flow through a distribution pipe of the water extinguishing system again.
In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to also control the distribution pipe shutter, thus moving it from the flow position into the shut-off position and back. For this purpose, the control unit is preferably in signal connection with the distribution pipe shutter and outputs a corresponding signal to the distribution pipe shutter when the test run of the pump is to be activated. In response to this signal, the distribution pipe shutter moves into the shut-off position, such that no more fluid can flow through the distribution pipe.
Furthermore, the control unit is configured to transmit a new signal via the signal connection that causes the distribution pipe shutter to move from the shut-off position into the flow position, thus releasing the fluid flow through the distribution pipe again. On the one hand, this new signal can be transmitted by the control unit if the test run has been successfully completed. On the other hand, the control unit may also be configured to control the distribution pipe shutter in response to the trigger signal—i.e. if the test run is aborted—in order to release the fluid flow accordingly if the water extinguishing system is triggered.
Alternatively or additionally, the distribution pipe shutter can also be deactivated by means of the trigger switch. For this purpose, the control unit is preferably configured to output via a signal connection a signal which keeps the distribution pipe shutter in the shut-off position. When the trigger switch is switched, this signal is interrupted and the distribution pipe shutter moves to the flow position, which enables the fluid flow through the distribution pipe.
In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to store and evaluate measured values of at least one sensor arranged in or at the test line. During the pump test run, various parameters of the pump and the fluid flow within the test line can be determined to check the functionality of the pump. For this purpose, one or more sensors are preferably arranged within or at the inner or outer wall of the test line and/or the pump.
Such a sensor may in particular be a vibration sensor for measuring the state of the pump, a pressure sensor for determining the pressure within the test line and/or a volume flow sensor for determining the volume flow through the test line.
The measured values determined by these sensors and devices can be transmitted to the control unit via corresponding signal connections. The control unit preferably comprises at least one memory and one evaluation unit for this purpose. The measured values can be stored temporarily and/or permanently within the memory. Furthermore, the measured values are transmitted to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit evaluates the individual measured values and outputs the result of this evaluation. The result may be in the form of a graphical output, which allows a user to check the state of the tested pump him- or herself. Alternatively or additionally, the output may also be configured in such a way that the result of the evaluation comprises a simple "Pump State OK"/"Pump State Not OK" and corresponding details are only displayed after the user makes an explicit selection.
In a further aspect, the present invention further relates to a fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center which is configured to control a closing element for closing the test line when a fire is detected, where such closing element is arranged in a test line of the water extinguishing system as described above.
In a further aspect, a fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center (FACU—fire alarm control unit) is provided which is configured to activate the closing element as soon as the water extinguishing system is triggered. For this purpose, the FACU can either communicate directly with the closing element or such communication can take place via the control unit. The communicative connection between the closing element and the FACU can be implemented as a signal line, with the control unit being interposed, if necessary. The FACU is in particular configured to generate an activation signal in addition to the trigger signal for triggering the water extinguishing system and to transmit this activation signal to the closing element. In response to this activation signal, the closing element is activated, thus immediately shutting off the supply to the test line.
In accordance with an extension of this aspect according to the invention, the fire reporting and/or extinguishing control center may also be configured to control a distribution pipe shutter arranged in a distribution pipe of the water extinguishing system to release a fluid flow through the distribution pipe.
In this embodiment, the distribution pipe shutter can also be moved by the FACU from the flow position into the shut-off position and back, if necessary by means of a corresponding control unit.
The invention further relates to a method for controlling a water extinguishing system, in particular a water extinguishing system as described above, comprising carrying out a test run of a pump of the water extinguishing system, where the method comprises the following steps:                starting the test run of the pump,        receiving a trigger signal indicative of a triggering of the water extinguishing system, and        aborting the test run of the pump by controlling a closing element in the test line when the trigger signal is received.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises controlling a distribution pipe shutter in a distribution pipe of the water extinguishing system to interrupt a fluid flow through the distribution pipe, and controlling the distribution pipe shutter again to release the fluid flow through a distribution pipe again. According to another embodiment, starting the test run comprises controlling an opening element of a test line to automatically start the test run of the pump. According to another embodiment, the method further comprises storing and evaluating measured values of at least one sensor arranged in or at the test line.
In some embodiments, this method is carried out in particular by the control unit as described above. Here, the control of the water extinguishing system comprises in particular starting and carrying out the test run for the pump.
Here, the test run of the pump can be started in particular automatically by controlling the opening element arranged in the test line, where such controlling is preferably done by the control unit. This moves the opening element into the opening position. Subsequently, the pressure at the pump starting device is reduced. This reduction can also be effected in particular by the control unit. The pressure drop then causes the pump to start. Subsequently, the operating parameters of the pump can be recorded. After successful completion of the test run, the opening element is then closed again and the pump is switched off by means of a corresponding control command.
The test run of the pump is preferably initiated at predetermined intervals and/or in response to a user input.
The test run of the pump can then be carried out until the nominal operational values are reached. However, if a trigger signal is received during the test run of the pump, which indicates that the water extinguishing system is triggered, the test run of the pump is aborted. This trigger signal may have been generated in particular by a FACU or indicated by the trigger switch, as described above. Here, the test run of the pump is aborted by activating the closing element, thus bringing the closing element into the locking position and thereby preventing extinguishing water from continuing to enter the test line. The extinguishing water is then completely available to the water extinguishing system. In addition, aborting the test run may also comprise deactivating the distribution pipe shutter in the distribution pipe.

Water extinguishing system and associated method for controlling the water extinguishing system

Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH


A crystal device includes a rectangular shaped substrate, a mounting frame which is along an outer circumferential edge of a lower surface of the substrate on its short-side sides and configures a recessed part, electrode pads on an upper surface of the substrate, connection pads on the lower surface of the substrate in the mounting frame, a crystal element mounted on the electrode pads, a temperature sensing element mounted on the connection pads, and a lid air-tightly sealing the crystal element. The electrode pads and the recessed part do not overlap in a plane perspective view.

A crystal device utilizes a piezoelectric effect of a crystal element to generate a specific frequency. For example, a crystal device provided with a package having a substrate, a first frame provided on an upper surface of the substrate in order to provide a first recessed part, and a second frame provided on a lower surface of the substrate in order to provide a second recessed part, a crystal element mounted on electrode pads provided on the upper surface of the substrate, and a temperature sensing element mounted on connection pads provided on the lower surface of the substrate has been proposed (see for example Patent Literature 1).

Crystal device and electronic apparatus using this crystal device


The disclosure relates to a cell electrochemical sensor based on a 3D printing technology and application thereof and belongs to the technical field of electrochemical sensors and toxin detection. The cell electrochemical sensor of the disclosure is constructed based on a 3D printing technology, and the construction method comprises the following steps: precisely depositing a cell/carbon nanofiber/GelMA composite hydrogel on a working electrode of a screen-printed carbon electrode through 3D printing, and carrying out curing to obtain the cell electrochemical sensor. The disclosure constructs a cell electrochemical sensor with a three-dimensional cell growth environment and rapid and sensitive response. The cell electrochemical sensor constructed by the disclosure can be used for quickly and effectively determining the combined effect type and effect degree of deoxynivalenol family toxins by combining an electrochemical impedance method and a combination index method.

3D printing technology is a computer-aided technology which produces engineering tissue in a mechanized, organized and optimized way, can assemble tissue by precisely positioning biological materials and living cells layer by layer, and has spatial control capabilities. 3D printing can be used not only to make basic arrays, but also to develop more complex arrays by setting different stay times or repeating specific G codes without making special molds or masks, which enables bioprinting of three-dimensional tumor array chips meeting a series of specific drug screening requirements for rapid on-demand drug screening.
For a long time, the pollution problem of mycotoxins in food and feed has always been serious, the global food and feed loss caused by fungal pollution accounts for 20%-30% of the total output, the deoxynivalenol-family mycotoxins are the mycotoxins with the highest detection rate in the northern hemisphere, the most serious one is deoxynivalenol (DON), and the main polluted crops comprise wheat, corn and the like. DON is heat-resistant, acid-resistant and storage-resistant. The structure of DON cannot be destroyed by general heat treatment processing methods, and after humans and animals eat food containing DON, different degrees of toxic reactions, such as vomiting and loss of appetite can be caused. In addition to DON, acetylated derivatives (such as 3-ADON, 15-ADON) of DON are often detected in grains such as wheat and corn. Both 3-ADON and 15-ADON belong to the deoxynivalenol-family mycotoxins. It is shown through in-vivo experiments in pigs that 3-ADON can be quickly converted into DON in blood; data shows that acetylated DON can be absorbed by intestinal tissue faster and is considered to be more toxic. Based on the high toxicity and high detection rate of DON, countries and regions have established clear limit standards for DON. The EU defines the limit standard of DON in different foods to be 200-1750 μg/kg. China defines in the national standard G2762-2017 that DON in grains and products thereof shall not exceed 1000 μg/kg. Current researches on the toxicity of toxins often focus on a single toxin, and there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the types and mechanisms of combined effects of mycotoxins.
Current toxicity evaluation methods mainly rely on two-dimensional cell experiments and animal experiments. Two-dimensional cell experiment methods have a low cost, a short cycle and certain homology with the body, but two-dimensional cell culture environments have greater differences from human body environments. Although results of animal toxicology experiments can truly, comprehensively and systematically reflect the effects of drugs on the body, there are disadvantages of high cost, long cycle, unsatisfactory repeatability, etc.
With the development and progress of science and technology, a variety of new technologies and methods combining traditional cell and sensor technologies provide more new methods for the study of toxicity mechanisms. In the construction of cell sensors, cells serving as receptors are immobilized to the interface. When the cells are stimulated by external drugs, changes in cell physiological activity can be caused. These changes can be converted into photoelectric signals. The magnitude of the signal changes can be used in qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug stimulation of cells. Currently, the patent (CN 107219274 B) discloses a preparation method of a cell electrochemical sensor for analyzing the combined toxicity of mycotoxins. The method specifically comprises the steps of immobilizing laminin to the surface of an electrode, then inoculating the electrode surface with cells, and dropwise adding rat tail collagen to form a 3D complex to immobilize the cells to obtain the cell sensor. The sensor prepared in this way may have problems of uneven distribution and low detection precision.

Cell electrochemical sensor based on 3D printing technology and application thereof


A method of migrating across link technologies on an IP-based subnet while maintaining on-going communication comprises selecting a link, and notifying interested hosts of the address of the selected link. A mobile computing devices migrates across link technologies on a subnet while maintaining on-going communication and comprises a link migration module selecting a link, and notifying interested hosts of the address of the selected link, and a dynamic MAC to IP binding module binding a MAC address to an IP address based upon the selected link. A computer-readable medium storing a program which when executed by a computer causes the computer to execute the functions of migrating across link technologies on a subnet while maintaining on-going communication, comprising selecting a link, and notifying interested hosts of the address of the selected link. The migration is executed within the mobile computing device and does not entail modification to the other components of the network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to wireless communications, and, more particularly, to maintaining wireless connections between senders and receivers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In wireless communication, data is transmitted between a sender and a receiver without having a physical connection established between the sender and the receiver. One example of wireless communication is data transmission between a computer program being executed by a sender (such as a mobile computing device, or MCD) and a computer program being executed by a receiver (such as a host computer). To accomplish such data communication, protocols and standards are implemented between the sender and receiver. One model of such protocols and standards is the Open System Interconnect (OSI) model set forth by the International Standards Organization (ISO). The OSI model organizes communication protocols into layers such as the application layer, presentation layer, session layer, transport layer, network layer, link layer, and physical layer.
An example of a networking protocol used in conjunction with the OSI model for both wired and wireless data communication is Transport Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP).
There are currently multiple network link technologies, including the Ethernet, wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, infrared, and others. A network interface card (NIC) implements a network link technology. Characteristics of concurrent network links are that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, computing devices likely have multiple interfaces installed, multiple network link options improve user connectivity (by providing different network connection environments and redundant connections), and they are an important feature for mobile computing devices.
Different wireless communication technologies are typically developed for different purposes. For instance, the Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15) and the Infrared technologies are aimed at short-range personal communication (<10 m) while the Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a) is for providing mid-range communication services (<1km). Other wireless communication technologies such as 3-G wireless, wireless routers (i.e., Flash-OFDM Radio Router by Flarion, etc.), and satellite wireless access, are for serving rather large service areas (cells). Due to cost, performance, and many other issues, it is likely that multiple technologies will co-exist in the world of mobile computing because there is simply no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Thus, connectivity-enthusiastic users will be likely to have multiple interface cards installed in their computing device at the same time. Even for small PDA devices there can be multiple network interfaces such as an Infra Red (IR) port or a NIC through PCMCIA, USB, or Compact Flash interfaces. Throughout, the "service area" of each wireless communication technology is referred to as the geographic region in which the link will function under normal operating conditions. Sometimes the same term is used on a wired link technology. In this case it means the region where the user can plug the wired network medium (cable) into his/her computer.
FIG. 1 shows an example broadcast domain 100, which includes a mobile computing device (MCD) 110 coupled to the Ethernet 120. The MCD 110 is coupled, wirelessly, through a Bluetooth network interface card (NIC) to Bluetooth access point 130, which, in turn, is coupled to the wired Ethernet backbone 120. MCD 110 is also coupled, wirelessly, through 802.11b network interface card (NIC) to 802.11b access point 140, which is also coupled to the wired Ethernet 120. MCD 110 is also coupled, wirelessly, through 802.11a network interface card (NIC) to 802.11a access point 170, which is also coupled to the wired Ethernet 120. Moreover, the MCD 110 is coupled through 1000 baseT NIC to fiber channel 150, which is coupled to bridge 160, which in turn, is coupled to Ethernet 120. Thus, the broadcast domain 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile computing device 110 with multiple link interfaces on the same subnet.
Networks in the Internet are frequently organized into broadcast domains to facilitate routing and other administrative functions. A broadcast domain is the subset of a network within which broadcast ARP messages are distributed to all member host computers. Structurally, this domain may include multiple segments of broadcast mediums, possibly of different underlying link technologies. Over each single broadcast segment, any data frames carried by the network medium can be received by all hosts attached to the segment. These segments can be connected together via devices such as repeaters, hubs (multi-port repeaters), and switches to form larger broadcast segments. These bigger broadcast segments can then be connected using various bridging mechanisms (including any variations of the IEEE 802.1 standard, such as the MAC bridges defined by IEEE 802.1D and the Virtual LANs or VLANs as defined by IEEE 802.1Q) to form a "broadcast domain". Since bridging devices typically perform filtering at the Medium Access Control (MAC) level and not all MAC broadcast frames are distributed over all bridged broadcast segments, some common usage of the term "broadcast domain" excludes bridged broadcast segments. In the above-mentioned definition, as long as broadcast ARP messages can pass through these bridging devices, the bridged broadcast segments are considered to belong to the same broadcast domain. For simplicity the terms "subnet:, "Local Area Network" or "LAN" and "broadcast domain" are used interchangeably. Also, in the following context, the terms "node", "host", and "MCD" are used interchangeably. Sometimes an MCD may be referred to using one of these terms as well when it is not particularly important to emphasize mobility.
The configuration of MCD 110 shown in FIG. 1 is not very common for end hosts on the wired Internet, which usually have only one network interface. Computers with multiple network interfaces are traditionally called "multi-homed" and are set up for data packet forwarding purposes such acting as a router, gateway, or performing firewall functions. Different interface cards on a "multi-homed" computer are typically assigned addresses on different subnets. Because Internet routing is interface-oriented, how a packet is routed into interface A of the destination computer is independent of how a packet is routed into interface B of the same computer. Moreover, the network will treat the routing to interface B as if it is routing for a totally different destination host.
Although there are no rules against a computer having multiple interface cards obtain IP addresses on the same subnet, such configurations are rarely seen in traditional networks. This is because traditional LANs typically use a single link technology, i.e. Ethernet. On such a LAN, multiple interfaces of the same computer inject and absorb data to/from the same physical medium and are served by the same type of link technology. These interfaces are also typically served by the same set of servers on the LAN. There is little benefit for having such a configuration.
On the other hand, in a LAN using wireless technologies the situation is different. The LAN comprises multiple link technologies, as shown in FIG. 1. A typical LAN using wireless technology includes wired segments and wireless segments, which employ different link technologies (i.e., Ethernet 120 for the wired segment and IEEE 802.11 140 for the wireless segment). More complicated LANs may even include multiple wireless segments of different wireless link technologies 130, 140. To utilize these different link technologies, a MCD 110 needs to have multiple interfaces cards for these link technologies 130, 140. Because these NICs are connected to the same LAN 120, the NICs will have addresses on the same subnet. Since service areas of different link technologies may overlap, it is possible for a MCD 110 to have multiple available links connecting to the same subnet. User mobility further complicates the connectivity situation. Due to the service area of different link technologies, a MCD may have different sets of link technologies available at different locations.
Because the set of link technologies available to a MCD changes when it is moving, the MCD often needs to switch the underlying link technology accordingly for ongoing communication sessions. However, such a switching cannot be handled in current systems without affecting the ongoing session. The problem occurs at the transport layer. Communications between applications are established over transport layer connections, which are virtual connections (states) maintained by communicating parties. When the underlying link technology changes, transport layer connections cannot remain intact. Thus, the switch cannot be performed seamlessly. To illustrate the problem of maintaining the transport connection across a link technology switch, a brief review is presented of how transport layer connections are currently established and why a naive switch between link technologies will cause termination of the transport connection.
There are generally two types of transport layer connections existing in TCP/IP networks, the TCP connection and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) connection. The former is connection-oriented, while the latter is connectionless.
When an application program (or application) needs to set up a peer-to-peer TCP connection with a remote host, the application opens a stream socket and attempts to connect to a specific port of the remote host. Each end of a socket is identified by an IP address and a port number. The port number is an internal parameter to the transport layer used by the network kernel and is typically not modified during the lifetime of the socket. The connection is defined by the 4-tuple (Source IP, Source Port, Destination IP, Destination Port). The local end of the socket is bound to a particular local interface (identified by the interface's IP address) and a port. The local bindings can be either specified by the application or assigned by the IP kernel. The integrity of a connection depends on both ends (IP address and port number) of the connection remaining fixed during the lifetime of the connection. Not only are both ends of the connection used to identify the other party by the end points, various states of the connection are bound to these end points as well. One assumption that is made is that the port number is not affected by any lower layer changes but that the IP address is potentially affected by link layer switching.
To open a UDP connection, an application opens a datagram socket. Although there is no connection state information bound to the end points for a datagram socket, the restriction of fixing connection end points may still exist. Firstly in an IP-layer kernel implementation, if the association of a socket and its locally bound address (local interface) is static, changing the link technology serving a socket while a socket is still active may result in connection termination since the IP kernel can not deliver incoming packets (from the new link technology interface) to the correct socket (which is still bound to the old link technology interface). Outgoing data traffic from the socket cannot use the new link technology either for the same reason. Secondly in the application layer, since datagram sockets have the same Application Programming Interface (API) as stream sockets, although not required, some applications may still bind datagram sockets to the local IP address and port number at the beginning of socket invocation and thus fix the binding. Some other applications, while only using the connectionless part of the API system calls, may internally remember the IP address and port number of the remote end (either by reading from the first packet coming from that end or by user input). These applications then read from their own memory to obtain the destination socket identity when the application sends a packet to the other end. If so, the connection end points must remain unchanged during a socket's lifetime.
Thus, in the related art, to maintain the integrity of a transport layer connection, the IP addresses of both ends of the connection need to remain unchanged during the whole lifetime of the connection. Any change of end point identity may result in connection termination.
While a receiver (i.e., a user) is stationary with respect to a sender, the above constraint is usually not a problem because the available link technology will usually remain unchanged during a socket's lifetime. However, if either the receiver or the sender moves (such as in the case of a mobile user), such restrictions will prevent transparent handoff across link technologies, as explained in the following scenario.
Consider the scenario that a user has a MCD 110 comprising a laptop equipped with one 802.11 card and one Ethernet card. When the user having an MCD 110 is at location A, which is served by both Ethernet 130 and 802.11 140 access points, a transport connection is established over the Ethernet 130 interface card. Then, the user (that is, MCD 110) unplugs the Ethernet cable. Even though the laptop (or MCD 110) is still in the service area of an 802.11 access point 140 and remains connected to the rest of the network 120, the previously established transport connection cannot continue because the link layer connection for the transport connection (over Ethernet) is gone.
FIG. 2 shows a transport connection 200 established between applications 202 and 280. As shown in the transport connection 200, an application 202 is coupled to a network kernel 204 through a socket 206. The socket 206 experiences binding to a Network Link Device Representation (NLDR) 208, which interfaces to a device driver (MAC) 210. The NLDR, as used herein, is the network layer software representation of a device. The MAC 210 in turn, interfaces to a network interface card, such as Ethernet network interface card 220, which interfaces to a network 240. The network 240 then interfaces to a network interface card, such as Ethernet NIC 250, which interfaces to device driver 260. A device driver 260 then interfaces to the network kernel 270 (the internals of the network kernel 270 have the same structure as the network kernel 204, which has a NLDR 274 and a socket 272), which interfaces to application 280. On the sender 296, in addition to the stack for Ethernet (208, 210, and 220), there is another similar stack for the wireless LAN network interface card 290, interfacing to MAC 292, interfacing to NLDR 294. Since the transport connection is established via the Ethernet, this wireless LAN stack is currently not bound to any socket used by application 202.
There are problems associated with switching to an alternative network link in the related art. In order to properly use a specific socket or transport connection, the proper sequence of modules needs to be invoked with the correct address and data parameters. This relationship is called binding. In current systems, the binding between 210 and 220 is static. It is created when the NIC is initialized and released when the NIC is stopped or removed. The binding between 208 and 210, also called MAC to IP binding, is semi-static. Semi-static means there are ways to change this binding (typically through manually inputted commands) but the change should not happen during normal operation. Thus the binding from NLDR 208 to the physical network interface 220 is static or semi-static. Further, the association between an IP address, which serves as the tag for NLDR, and the NIC is also static or semi-static. As discussed before, a socket or a transport layer connection, is defined by a 4-tuple (Source IP, Source Port, Destination IP, Destination Port) and this 4-tuple should remain unchanged during the lifetime of the socket. Therefore, the association between a socket and the link technology it uses becomes static or semi-static as well. Within such a framework, an alternative link technology and its associated stack (290, 292, and 294) cannot be used by the existing transport connection established over the original link technology and its associated stack (220, 210, and 208) due to the static or semi-static bindings.
Also known in the art are various multi-link devices such as fiber optic cards that have multiple connections to a fiber switch for fault tolerance (that is, path protection in the telecommunication field), and cellular phones that switch between cellular mode and cordless mode. In addition, known in the art is the use of multiple links for load balancing and to increase bandwidth. Moreover, multiple links have been used concurrently for obtaining large files and to decrease file access times. Fault tolerance is known in the art and is generally used on the same link technology. However, conventional fault tolerance typically disrupts on-going communication if not used on the same link technology or same interface card, is not generally used for mobile communication, and is invoked when there is a failure.
To roam across link technology service areas, a mobile computing device must be able to determine link availability and quality, and select which link technology to use. If there is only one technology available, a mobile computing device needs to detect it and use it. If there are multiple technologies available, a mobile computing device should be able to find out which is the best one to use. Recently, some link selection capability is supported in several software packages (e.g., Windows XP or Intel ProSet II) that allow a user to provide a prioritized list of preferred links. Then, the highest priority link that is available is selected as the preferred link and the outgoing routes may be updated. These existing methods choose a link based solely on availability and do not address the problem of switching links while maintaining transport connection. In addition, the desirability of a particular link technology may depend on many factors, such as signal to noise ratio (SNR), cost for use, quality of service or traffic load. These factors can be dynamically determined and used, in addition to availability, for link selection.

Method, apparatus, and medium for migration across link technologies


A method for driving a hybrid vehicle during a load reversal includes: the application of a first torque on a first hybrid vehicle axle during an acceleration reversal; and the application of a second torque on a second hybrid vehicle axle during the acceleration reversal, a direction of action of the second torque being opposite to a direction of action of the first torque.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hybrid drives, in particular axle hybrids.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern hybrid vehicles such as so-called axle hybrids are equipped with hybrid drives, which may include an electric motor and a combustion engine. Axle hybrids are characterized by the fact that one of the vehicle axles is driven by one drive source, for example a combustion engine, and the other vehicle axle is driven by another drive source, for example an electric motor. In this context, the electric motor may operate as a generator, in the event of a braking operation for example, in order to recuperate the braking energy and to store it in a vehicle battery. Furthermore, the electric motor may be used to drive a switchable drive axle in the event of an increased slip of the wheels, as disclosed in the printed document published German patent document DE 3542059 C1.
To drive the vehicle, a propulsive torque is normally generated as a function of a gas or accelerator pedal position, which in an axle hybrid is always composed of a sum of the torques applied on the respective vehicle axles. Thus, at an accelerator pedal position of 0%, for example, a slight deceleration sets in, which is connected with a negative propulsive torque, a so-called overrun state of −20 Nm for example, a propulsive torque of 0 Nm sets in at an accelerator pedal position of approximately 10%, and a positive propulsive torque, a so-called traction state, sets in at an accelerator pedal position of above 10%.
When the sign of the propulsive torque changes, which is connected for example with a change of the propulsive torque from an overrun to a traction state, or in an acceleration reversal of the vehicle, in which a sign of the accelerating force is changed, a load reversal occurs, which may result in a torque zero crossing. The torque zero crossing may cause oscillations in the affected drive train, which may impact the operating behavior of the vehicle negatively or may be disagreeably noticeable to the driver. One possibility of reducing the load reversal oscillations is to slow down the zero crossing artificially, which has the consequence, however, that the vehicle following an accelerator pedal position at less than 10% is only able to accelerate again after a delay.

Method for driving a hybrid vehicle in a load reversal


A reciprocating compressor. A hollow cylinder tube contains a piston assembly having two pistons connected by a piston rod. At each end of the cylinder tube is an outer chamber between an end plate and an outer end of the proximate piston. These two outer chambers and the outer ends of the pistons define a power cylinder at each end of the cylinder tube. In the mid-portion of the cylinder tube, a center divider is situated between the pistons and has an aperture that allows the piston rod to reciprocate through it. The two inner chambers formed thereby and the inner ends of the pistons define two compression cylinders in the mid-portion of the cylinder tube. The two compression chambers share a suction manifold and a discharge manifold, but have independently operating suction and discharge valves.

A reciprocating compressor is a type of positive-displacement compressor, and uses the movement of a piston within a cylinder to move gas from one pressure level to a higher pressure level. Intake gas enters a suction manifold, then flows into a compressor cylinder where it is compressed by a piston driven in a reciprocating motion via a crankshaft. The gas is then discharged via a discharge manifold.
Examples of applications of reciprocating compressors are for oil refineries, gas pipelines, chemical plants, natural gas processing plants and refrigeration plants. For these large compressors, groups of cylinders are operated in parallel.
Conventional reciprocating compressors, especially the large compressors used for natural gas pipelines, have a number of limitations in regard to emissions, efficiency and reliability. These conventional reciprocating compressor fall into two general types: integrated and separable.
"Integrated compressors" are those in which the compressor cylinders and power cylinders are combined in a single integral machine. Both sets of pistons are connected to a single crankshaft via a piston rod. These integral machines run at relatively slow speeds in order to optimize the system efficiency of the combined compressor and power cylinders.
"Separable compressors" are those in which the compressor unit is separated from a power-producing unit, which may be an engine or electric motor. The two units are connected by a set of drive shafts and couplings. The purpose of this configuration is to take advantage of modern emissions control technology for the engine power cylinders. These units run at higher speeds, and the power cylinders run at a little higher efficiency. However, the higher speeds create higher gas velocities in the compressor cylinders, which results in lower compressor cylinder efficiencies.

Reciprocating integral linear engine compressor


A combination padlock includes: a plurality of magnifying lenses juxtapositionally mounted on a lock body of the padlock with each lens projectively corresponding to each numeral formed on each dial so that the numeral formed on each dial can be magnified by each magnifying lens for a clear reading by a user's eyes; and a hasp pivotally mounted in a side portion of the lock body of the combination padlock having an arcuate hook member operatively lockable with a hasp socket recessed in a projecting portion extending upwardly sidewardly from the lock body in an opposite direction of the arcuate hook member of the hasp for locking an object or a staple within the hasp with a wider angular movement of the hasp. The lock can be conveniently operated with one hand to not only rotate the dials and lock and unlock the hasp, but also to move the hasp into its fully open or locked positions. The magnifying lenses are integrally formed with a transparent cover assembly which is locked around the lock body by a portion of the hasp.

A conventional combination padlock includes a plurality of dials rotatably mounted in a housing of the padlock having arabic numbers annularly formed on each dial to be visually observed for unlocking or locking the lock. However, a small combination padlock such as for travel purposes may have a small volume or tiny space on the lock body to show the combination numerals on the dials, thereby causing a difficult or unclear observation for reading the small numbers printed on the dials and increasing the inconvenience for unlocking or locking the combination lock.
Also, conventional padlocks, whether operated by a combination mechanism or key typically include a "U" shaped hasp which is released from the lock body by the locking mechanism at one end of the "U" permitting the "U" shaped hasp to rotate about the fixed end so that the user can place the hasp through the article to be locked. The "U" shaped hasp is then rotated back into alignment with the lock body and the hasp is pushed home to lock it in place. These operations can be clumsy or cumbersome, sometimes requiring both hands to hold the lock, the hasp, and perhaps the articles to be locked to permit this locking and unlocking operation.
The lock in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,959 shows a "U" shaped shackle 61 which moves linearly away from the lock body to expose a relatively narrow throat between the fixed shackle portion 11 and the opening end 611 of the movable shackle. While this simplified movement may enhance unlocking and locking the shackle 61, the relatively small space between the open ends of the fixed and movable shackle limit the size of the items which can be locked by the lock.
Also, conventional padlocks have a body portion that comprises an assembly of two or more parts to form a generally opaque and hopefully sturdy body to contain the combination or key operated tumbler mechanisms. Such lock bodies do not lend themselves to include written information, such as ownership information, as would normally be included on a "luggage tag" or the like. Hence, such a conventional combination lock, while it may work on a luggage piece, for example, would still require the user to identify the luggage with a separate luggage tag. It would be desirable for a luggage lock to also hold ownership information. It would be further desirable to have the luggage lock secure such ownership information so that only persons having the combination to open the lock can access or otherwise alter the information contained on the lock body.

Combination padlock with magnifiable combinations


Large-scale, time-sensitive secure distributed control systems and methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes detecting an anomaly at a module among a plurality of modules in a network. The method also includes adjusting a reputation level of the module associated with the detected anomaly. Further, the method includes controlling interaction of the module associated with the detected anomaly within the network based on the adjusted reputation level.

Distributed Networked Control Systems (D-NCS) have been at the core of national critical infrastructures and industrial control systems for many decades (e.g., electrical power systems and transportation systems). While most D-NCS have been safe in the past, a few confirmed cases of cyber attacks have occurred. The recent presence of the infamous industrial control system malwares "Stuxnet" and "Flame" have brought significant attention to making industrial control systems safe from such malicious cyber attacks. Many D-NCS applications are time-sensitive, data-sensitive, and safety-critical. The potential consequences of compromising D-NCS can be devastating to public health and safety, national security, and the economy. Therefore, it is important to implement D-NCS with secure controls that make reliable, safe, and flexible performance possible.
D-NCS are increasingly more vulnerable to cyber attacks with the rapid advancements and uses of networking, embedded systems, wireless communication technologies, and novel control strategies. In particular, more and more distributed control algorithms are being used in D-NCS because of their flexibility, robustness, computation, and communication features. These algorithms, however, increase the vulnerability of D-NCS to malicious cyber attacks. In the absence of a centralized supervisory node that monitors the activities of the nodes in the network, distributed control strategies are prone to cyber attacks and component failures. Thus, it is increasingly important to guarantee that computations are secure and trustworthy even in the presence of misbehaving devices. Also, most of the current efforts for protecting D-NCS have been accomplished by prevention and are limited to communication security. There is an urgent growing need to protect control algorithms from malicious cyber attack.
One typical task in the NCS is to agree upon a certain performance measure for a group of agents, such as the work load on a network of parallel computers, the clock speed for wireless sensor networks, or the velocity or formation pattern for a group of autonomous vehicles. Several distributed control algorithms, such as consensus algorithms and gossip algorithms, have been proposed and studied in D-NCS to accomplish such tasks (e.g., formation control of multi-robot systems, time synchronization of wireless sensor networks). However, there is a need for improvements on reaching agreement in the presence of misbehaving agents.
In view of the foregoing, there is a continuing need for improved systems and techniques for securing D-NCS and other systems.


A method and system is provided for the distribution of outbound telephone calls. This method and system includes dialing devices receiving call records and providing telephone calls to one or more agents. Interfaced with the dialing device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the call records into the pools and transfers less than all of the call records to the queues to allow for calling by the dialing devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the dialing devices so that the dialing device can place telephone calls. The distribution module monitors the queues to determine when to send additional call records to the queues. In addition, distribution module monitors the results of the call records and updates the call records in the pools so that call records with unsuccessful outcomes can be safely called again later in the day.

Telephone call centers represent the front line for customer service, marketing operations, and debt collection for many businesses. Typical call centers receive or make hundreds of telephone calls per day with the aid of automated telephony equipment. For instance, predictive dialers such as the MOSAIX Predictive Dialing System ("PDS") manufactured by Avaya Incorporated automatically dial outbound telephone calls to contact individuals and then transfer the contacted individuals to agents so the agent can talk with the individual.
Dialing devices such as predictive dialers save time for the agent placing the call because the dialing device and not the agent dials the telephone number and agents' time is not wasted with unanswered calls or answering machines. Predictive dialers also spread the outbound telephone calls evenly among all the agents working from the dialing device so that the agents share the workload equally and no agents sit idle while others have too many telephone calls to place.
Many businesses are increasing their marketing efforts, customer service programs, and bad debt collection efforts by having multiple telephone call centers or multiple dialing devices located at a single call center to serve more customers. Typically, when businesses have multiple call centers, the call centers are located in different geographic locations which makes coordination of dialing strategies difficult.
Thus businesses generally manage call centers individually, with separate staffing, calling strategies, goals, and functions. Generally, a calling list is divided into as many parts as there are call centers or dialers with each call center receiving its own section of the calling list. Although this segmentation distributes work, coordination of strategy for outbound calling is difficult since each call center is responsible for its own section of the calling list and has no knowledge of the other call centers' progression with their own calling lists. For instance, if a call center goes down and cannot make outbound telephone calls, the other call centers cannot typically address the downed call center's calling list goals and priorities because the other call centers do not have access to the calling list including the telephone numbers actually called.
A similar problem occurs with a single call center having multiple dialers. Calling list segmentation typically occurs at a host level, where each dialing device is assigned a portion of the calling list. A host downloads the segmented calling list to the individual dialing devices. If one dialing device fails, the other dialing devices do not know the status of telephone numbers in the failed dialing device's segment.
Another difficulty associated with multiple call centers or single call centers with multiple dialing devices is inefficient use of dialing devices due to small lists of call records. Dialing devices function most efficiently when processing large volumes of accounts in call records and utilizing a certain number of agents. However, accounts are often logically grouped into smaller groups so that the dialing devices are not at an optimal performance level.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for distributing outbound telephone calls


This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for authenticating an electronic device may comprise a server configured to transmit an encrypted object, the encrypted object having an image file format, to the electronic device, the encrypted object being encrypted based on a certificate, the electronic device operatively coupled to the server and comprising a processor registered with the server to create a secured communication link between the processor and the server, wherein the certificate corresponds to the processor, the processor having a cryptographic engine configured to decrypt the encrypted object to result in a decrypted graphic, and a user interface operatively coupled to the processor. The user interface may be configured to display the decrypted graphic and receive a user input responsive to the decrypted graphic. The server may authenticate the electronic device based, at least in part, on the user input.

Graphics have been utilized on websites to verify that a request to access information on the website is as a result of direct human interaction with the client device. So-called user presence detection may come in a variety of forms that involve presenting a graphic that may be readily discerned by a human user but not readily discerned by an automated system. Challenge-response tests such as Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computer and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) are commonly utilized for user presence detection. Such challenge-response tests pose a question or other task and evaluate success or failure based on the response to the challenge.

Secure user presence detection and authentication


A support is coupled to an appliance to decrease warpage. The support may comprise a plurality of extensions coupled to the appliance to decrease warpage. The extensions can be coupled to the appliance at one or more of many locations, such as on an occlusal surface, a wall, an edge or an interior of the appliance. In some embodiments, the extensions are coupled to walls of the appliance such as a buccal wall and a lingual wall, and the extensions can be coupled to the walls of the appliance near edges of the walls, such as gingivally facing edges of the walls that are oriented toward the gingiva when the appliance is worn.

Dental appliances can be worn by people for many reasons, such as for safety or to treat a condition of a patient. For example, dental appliances such as mouth pieces can be worn by athletes. There a several conditions that can be treated with dental appliances. For example, a series of aligners can be worn to move teeth from an initial position to a desired position. Appliances may also be worn for expanding the patient's palate, advancing the mandibular jaw, treating sleep apnea, and retracting cheeks of the patient.
Although deposition processes such as 3D printing have been proposed for the direct manufacture of these appliances, at least some of the prior approaches to deposition manufacturing can be less than ideal. Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests that with at least some of the prior approaches to direct fabrication of dental appliances, there may be locations on the appliance that contain artifacts related to the direct fabrication process. These artifacts can result in rough or uneven surfaces on at least a portion of the appliance in some instances. Although these rough or uneven surfaces can be processed to smooth the dental appliance, this can increase the amount of time to manufacture an appliance and can result in non-uniformity of the appliance in at least some instances. Also, because teeth can have uneven surfaces, the prior methods and apparatus for deposition manufacturing may result in uneven or incomplete formation of the appliance in some instances. For example, teeth may have complex surfaces and at least some of the prior approaches to additive manufacturing may result in the formation of unsupported islands during deposition, which can result in defects in at least some instances.
With some approaches to additive manufacturing, an appliance may not be fully cured when removed from the additive manufacturing machine, and at least some of the prior approaches are less than ideally suited for removing the appliance from the additive manufacturing machine and for handling the appliance when removed. Also, because the appliance may not be fully cured when removed from the additive manufacturing machine, work in relation to the present disclosure suggests that some warpage may occur after the appliance has been removed from the additive manufacturing machine in at least some instances.
In light of the above, there is a need for improved methods of manufacturing dental appliances that overcome at least some of the above-mentioned limitations of the prior approaches.

Various structured supports for 3D printed aligners/mouth pieces


A merchandise security system includes a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise, a video imaging device and an actuator operably coupled to the video imaging device for actuating the video imaging device to collect video data in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise relative to the display stand. In exemplary embodiments, the actuator includes a first activation element disposed on a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise and a second activation element disposed on the display stand. The first activation element and the second activation element actuate the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state to collect the video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. The video imaging device may be a video camera housed within, positioned adjacent to, or integrated with the display stand.

The present invention relates generally to merchandise security systems, and more particularly, to a merchandise security system including a display stand for displaying an article of merchandise, while both physically securing the article and collecting video data at a display area.
Conventional merchandise security systems physically restrain an article of merchandise from theft and unauthorized or accidental removal from a retail sales location, such as a merchandise display area. Many merchandise security systems further include an alarm that operates in conjunction with the physical restraint to activate an audible alarm signal and/or a visual (i.e. silent) alarm signal in the event the restraint is removed from the protected article of merchandise, or is otherwise damaged or defeated. Such conventional measures are typically sufficient to prevent theft and accidental losses.
Unfortunately, a calculating thief can at times forcibly remove a physical restraint from a protected article of merchandise and then quickly distance himself and the merchandise from the location of the alarm signal. Due to public safety concerns and in an effort to foster a congenial shopping and working environment, a merchant may prefer to not immediately secure a retail display area or an entire store upon detection of a theft or loss of a single article of merchandise. Some retailers view theft and accidental losses merely as a cost of doing business. Others are unwilling to install audible alarm systems out of concern for the safety and comfort of customers. Others instruct and train their employees to refrain from pursuing and stopping suspected thieves out of concern for the safety of the employee and to avoid liabilities that might occur with honest customers. Such retailers are vulnerable to exploitation by thieves who familiarize themselves with state-of-the-art merchandise security systems and with the security measures, procedures and policies adopted by the retailer.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved merchandise security system that remains effective for deterring theft when a retailer elects to not draw attention to the theft within the display area or store, or to pursue the thief at the time of the theft. There exists a further and more specific need for an improved merchandise security system having the capability to collect video data at a merchandise display area. There exists a particular need for a merchandise security system including a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise that cooperates with a video imaging device (e.g. video camera) for collecting video data at a merchandise display area, for example when the protected article of merchandise is removed from the display stand.

Merchandise security system including display stand having video camera