It is the object of the present invention to provide an industrially useful process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids having degrees of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination. Alginate salts of organic bases are quite soluble in aqueous solution, and remain soluble in aqueous solution throughout a hydrolysis reaction in the range of pH values at which the acidic hydrolysis is effected at a reasonably fast rate. Based on this finding, a solution containing 5 wt. % or more of alginic acid prepared by dissolving alginic acid in water by neutralization with an organic base is provided and then hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, followed by selective precipitation of polyguluronic acids under acidic conditions.

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids having degrees of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination.
Polyguluronic acids, because of their high affinity for calcium ions, are expected to have utility as scale inhibitors and scale deposit removers. The biodegradability of polyguluronic acids makes them particularly valuable with respect to environmental acceptability and waste disposal. Additionally, polyguluronic acid derivatives, in which a hydrophobic polymer is covalently attached to the reducing terminus of the polyguluronic acid, are useful as dispersants in pigment dispersed aqueous ink compositions for use in ink jet printing. Furthermore, polyguluronic acids, having low degrees of polymerization, have been shown to exhibit root-growth promoting activity in barley (M. Natsume et al., xe2x80x9cIsolation and Characterization of Alginate-derived Oligosaccharides with Root-Growth Promoting Activities,xe2x80x9d Carbohydrate Research, 258, 187-197 (1994)). They have also been shown to exhibit germination and shoot-elongation promoting activity in unhulled rice and tobacco callus (Y. Yonemoto et al., xe2x80x9cPromotion of Germination and Shoot Elongation of Some Plants by Alginate Oligomers Prepared with Bacterial Alginate Lyase,xe2x80x9d Journal of Fermentation and Bioengineering, 75, 68-70 (1993)). Based on studies of other polyuronic acids, low molecular weight polyguluronic acids might also be expected to exhibit antiviral, antitumoral, and plant-defense stimulating activities.
Alginic acids, from which polyguluronic acids can be obtained, are unbranched polymers of 1xe2x86x924 linked xcex1-L-guluronic acid (G) and xcex2-D-mannuronic acid (M) of varying proportions and sequence. A typical structure of an alginic acid molecule may be represented schematically as follows:
As can be seen from the above structure, the distribution of monomers in alginic acid is not random and there is no regular repeat unit. Alginic acids are best described as block copolymers in which there are polyguluronic acid sequences (G-blocks), polymannuronic acid sequences (M-blocks), and sequences containing random arrangements of both guluronic acid and mannuronic acid (MG-blocks).
It is well known that alginates, which are salts of alginic acid, can be hydrolyzed and that the hydrolysis products can be separated to give two predominantly homopolymeric fractions, polyguluronic acid and polymannuronic acid. The most often cited procedure for the preparation of the sodium salt of polyguluronic acid is a heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis method disclosed in A. Haug et al., xe2x80x9cStudies on the Sequence of Uronic Acid Residues in Alginic Acid,xe2x80x9d Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 21, 691-704(1967). The acidic hydrolysis described therein requires that one part of sodium alginate be suspended in twenty parts of 0.3 M hydrochloric acid solution. Because alginic acid is insoluble in the strongly acidic solution, the hydrolysis is a heterogeneous reaction. The heterogeneous mixture is heated for 10+ hours at 100xc2x0 C. and then the solid is separated from the acidic solution by centrifugation or filtration. After the collected solid is dissolved in water by neutralizing with dilute sodium hydroxide solution, twenty parts of 0.3 M hydrochloric acid solution are added to the solution resulting in reprecipitation of the partially hydrolyzed alginic acid. The resulting heterogeneous mixture is heated for an additional 10+ hours at 100xc2x0 C. and the solid product is again separated from the acidic solution by centrifugation or filtration. The collected solid is dissolved in water by neutralizing with dilute sodium hydroxide solution and then sodium chloride and water are added to yield a solution which is 0.5 wt. % alginic acid and 0.1 M sodium chloride. An approximately equal volume of 0.025 M hydrochloric acid solution is added to the alginic acid salt solution until a pH value of 2.85 is obtained. The precipitated solid is separated from the acidic solution by centrifugation or filtration. The isolated solid is dissolved in water by neutralizing with dilute sodium hydroxide solution and then precipitated with excess ethanol. The precipitated solid is washed with ethanol, washed with ether, and dried. The sodium salt of the polyguluronic acid prepared by this heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis method has an average degree of polymerization between 15 and 20. The mannuronic acid content is between 5 and 15%, and the yield of product is between 15 and 20%.
During the course of the first step of the heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis, approximately 30% of the alginate goes into solution. An additional 15% of the original alginate goes into solution during the course of the second step. The insoluble fraction which is isolated after both steps contains both polyguluronic acid and polymannuronic acid. In the acidification of the dilute solution containing sodium salts of both polyguluronic acid and polymannuronic acid, polyguluronic acid is selectively precipitated.
Although the heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis method of A. Haug et al. is useful for laboratory scale preparations of polyguluronic acid, it would be difficult to implement on a larger scale, such as that which would be used in industrial production. This is because in the separation step of that method, the concentration of alginic acid is only a very dilute 0.25 wt. %. Additionally, the method has multiple steps and is complicated.
In the same reference as that describing the heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis method, a homogeneous acidic hydrolysis procedure is also reported. In that procedure, a 1 wt. % sodium alginate solution is mixed with an equal volume of a 0.025 M citrate buffer solution such that a combined solution having a pH value of 3.6 is obtained. The solution is boiled at reflux for 5+ hours. Although a method for isolating polyguluronic acids is not reported, presumably a method similar to that used in the heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis method can be used.
Although the homogeneous acidic hydrolysis method of A. Haug et al. may be useful for laboratory scale preparations of polyguluronic acid, it also would be difficult to implement on a larger scale. In that method, the concentration of sodium alginate in the hydrolysis step is only a very dilute 0.5 wt. %. Although one can easily conceive of increasing the concentration of sodium alginate, in practice this cannot be done. At concentrations slightly greater than 0.5 wt. %, sodium alginate does not remain soluble throughout the hydrolysis reaction in the range of pH values at which the acidic hydrolysis is effected. The species which precipitate in the course of the hydrolysis are incompletely hydrolyzed and, although rich in guluronic acid, they contain significant amounts of mannuronic acid. Furthermore, the incompletely hydrolyzed species have degrees of polymerization greater than 20. Because the homogeneous acidic hydrolysis conditions are milder than those described above in the heterogeneous acidic hydrolysis procedure, the incompletely hydrolyzed species are not further hydrolyzed after precipitating from solution.
Thus, there remains a need for a method of manufacturing polyguluronic acids which can be carried out on an industrial scale. Specifically, there remains a need for a hydrolysis process in which the concentration of alginic acid or alginate salt is greater than 5 wt. % throughout the process.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a practical process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids having a degree of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination.
The present inventor has found that alginate salts of organic bases are quite soluble in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the present inventor has found that these salts remain soluble in aqueous solution throughout a hydrolysis reaction in the range of pH values at which the hydrolysis is effected at a reasonably fast rate. The present invention has been made based on such findings.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids, having degrees of polymerization less than 20 and substantially free of mannuronic acid contamination, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a solution containing 5 wt. % or more of alginic acid prepared by dissolving alginic acid by neutralization with an organic base;
(b) hydrolyzing the alginic acid to lower molecular weight components including polyguluronic acids while maintaining the pH of the solution on the acid side of neutrality;
(c) further acidifying the solution to selectively precipitate polyguluronic acids; and
(d) separating the polyguluronic acids from the acidified solution.

Process for the manufacture of polyguluronic acids


A working machine includes an undercarriage supported by first and second ground engaging units powered by first and second drive units, a main frame supported by the undercarriage, a first sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame with respect to the undercarriage, a second sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame in an external reference frame independent of the undercarriage, and a controller functionally linked to the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to receive commands corresponding to an intended movement of the first and second ground engaging units, and generate control signals to the first and second drive units to achieve or maintain the intended movement taking into account a detected orientation of the main frame relative to the undercarriage and a detected orientation of the main frame in the external reference frame.

Working machines as discussed herein may for example include excavator machines, loaders, and other equipment which modify the terrain or equivalent working environment in some way. These machines may have tracked or wheeled ground engaging units supporting the undercarriage from the ground surface. Various situations arise with such machines where the human operator needs to precisely control the movements of the machine position using the machine's left-side and right-side crawler tracks.
For example, in the case of a tracked excavator machine, it is possible for one of the crawler tracks to move faster or slower than the other when the human operator is attempting to drive the machine in a straight line. Accordingly, while the machine may be receiving a straight-line input, it is ever so slightly turning left or right due to a mismatch between the track systems of the left-side and right-side crawler tracks.
Conventional solutions are generally inadequate for quickly adjusting and synchronizing the speed of the two tracks (i.e., their electro-hydraulic control). In order to address the problem, the machine would have to be removed from working service for adjustments to be made in order to address the problem, thus costing the machine owner time and money. Accordingly, when such a hydro-mechanical mismatch occurs on a job site, the human operator must be cognizant enough to recognize the mismatch and skilled enough to adjust his or her control inputs to counteract the mismatch.


An air pulser is provided which can intermittently form pulse air by continuously supplying compressed air. The interior of the body is partitioned into an air supply chamber and an air exhaust chamber by a diaphragm. An air blast cylinder opened and closed by the diaphragm is provided in the air supply chamber. In the air exhaust chamber, a valve plate having a valve hole and comprising a magnetic member is provided to partition it into a first chamber and a second chamber. A valve body with a permanent magnet is movably mounted in the second chamber. Compressed air can be continuously fed into the air supply chamber to open the valve body due to an increase in pressure in the first chamber, thereby exhausting compressed air in the air exhaust chamber through an air exhaust port, and to deform the diaphragm toward the air exhaust chamber due to a drop in pressure in the air exhaust chamber, thereby discharging compressed air in the air supply chamber through the air blast cylinder.

This invention relates to an air pulser for blasting pulse air, and a powder transporting nozzle, a powder supply device, an air knocker and a bridge breaker using the air pulser.
Heretofore, it is ordinarily done to carry powder and granular material by air or destroy bridges of powder and granular material filled in a hopper by intermittently blasted compressed air or so-called pulse air.
For example, in a transporting device for powder and granular material described in JP patent publication 5-330652, a compressed air supply source comprising a compressor and a pressurized tank are brought into communication with each other through a first passage, and a transporting pipe for powder and granular material connected to a lower outlet of the pressurized tank and the compressed air supply source are brought into communication with each other through a second passage. An electromagnetic valve is connected to each of the first and second passages to control the opening and closing of the respective electromagnetic valves to alternately supply pulse air into the pressurized tank and the transporting pipe, thereby fluidizing the powder and granular material by pulse air supplied into the pressurized tank to suppress the formation of bridges. Also, by pulse air supplied into the transporting pipe, the powder and granular material discharged from the pressurizing tank into the transporting pipe is air-carried.
Also, in the air vibrator described in JP patent publication 6-30735, a valve chamber is provided above a cylinder, a diaphragm having a small hole is stretched in the valve chamber to partition the valve chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber into which compressed air is supplied, and an electromagnetic valve is connected to an air exhaust port formed in the peripheral wall of the upper chamber. Opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve is controlled to exhaust compressed air in the upper chamber by opening the electromagnetic valve, and open the top end of the cylinder by deflecting the diaphragm toward the upper chamber as the pressure in the upper chamber lowers, thereby lowering a piston mounted in the cylinder by pulse air supplied from the lower chamber into the cylinder to strike a striking plate with the piston.
In such a powder transporting device or an air vibrator, there are problems that an electromagnetic valve is required to form pulse air. Thus the device tends to be large, and the cost is high since it is necessary to control the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve with a control device.
An object of this invention is to provide an air pulser which can blast pulse air only by continuously supplying compressed air without using an electromagnetic valve. Another object is to provide a powder transporting nozzle and a powder supply device which use the air pulser, and an air knocker and a bridge breaker capable of intermittently imparting striking force.
According to this invention, there is provided an air pulser comprising a body having an inner space, a diaphragm having a small hole and stretched in the inner space of the body to partition the inner space into an air supply chamber and an air exhaust chamber, the diaphragm being imparted with an elastic force so as to be normally deformed toward the air supply chamber, an air blast cylinder provided in the air supply chamber and closed by the diaphragm and communicating with the air supply chamber when in its open state, a valve plate provided in the air exhaust chamber to partition the air exhaust chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, the valve plate being formed with a valve hole, a valve body provided in the second chamber to control the opening of the valve hole, and a permanent magnet provided in the second chamber to support the valve body so as to be movable relative to the valve plate and hold the valve body in a closed state by attracting the valve plate to the valve body by a magnetic force, the body being formed with an air supply port for supplying compressed air into the air supply chamber and an air exhaust port for exhausting air in the second chamber to outside.
In the air pulser having such a structure, when compressed air is supplied into the air supply chamber through the air supply port, it flows through the small hole formed in the diaphragm into the first chamber of the air exhaust chamber. When the pressure in the first chamber overcomes the attracting force of the permanent magnet, the valve body retreats to open the valve hole, so that compressed air in the first chamber flows through the valve hole into the second chamber and is discharged to outside. The pressure in the air exhaust chamber will drop below the pressure in the air supply chamber, so that the diaphragm is deformed toward the air exhaust chamber, thus opening the air inlet of the air blast cylinder. Thus, compressed air in the air supply chamber flows into the air blast cylinder and is blasted therefrom.
Also, when the pressure in the air exhaust chamber is kept substantially at the atmospheric pressure, the attracting force acting between the permanent magnet and the valve plate returns the valve body to a state in which it closes the valve hole. After the valve body has been closed, the diaphragm is deformed toward the air supply chamber to close the air inlet of the air blast cylinder and shut off flow of compressed air from the air supply chamber to the air blast cylinder.
The valve body opens every time the pressure in the first chamber increases. Every time the valve body opens, the diaphragm is deformed toward the air exhaust chamber to open the air inlet of the air blast cylinder. Thus it is possible to intermittently blast pulse air.
The powder transporting nozzle according to this invention comprises a nozzle body formed with a suction passage and a discharge passage communicating with the suction passage, and an air pulse generating unit for blasting pulse air toward the discharge passage. The air pulse generating unit has the same structure as the air pulser according to the present invention. The air blast cylinder is arranged to oppose the air inlet end of the discharge passage.
With this arrangement, pulse air is intermittently blasted into the discharge passage from the air pulse generating unit, and every time air is blasted, a negative pressure is produced in the suction passage.
Thus, by connecting a hose to an end of the suction passage and inserting the tip of the hose into powder and granular material in the open-topped container, it is possible to suck up powder and granular material in the container into the suction passage and discharge it through the discharge passage.
The powder supply device according to this invention comprises a diffuser for discharging powder and granular material, an air pulser for blasting pulse air toward the inlet of the diffuser, and a hopper for storing powder and granular material. The hopper has its outlet at its bottom protruding into a mixing space formed between the air pulser and the diffuser. The air pulser has the same structure as the air pulser of the first invention. The air pulser has its air blast cylinder arranged so as to oppose the material inlet of the diffuser.
With this arrangement, pulse air is intermittently blasted from the air pulser into the diffuser, and every time air is blasted, it is possible to feed powder and granular material from the hopper into the diffuser, and intermittently discharge powder and granular material through the diffuser.
The air knocker according to this invention comprises a cylinder, a piston and a return spring mounted in the cylinder, the return spring biasing the piston in a direction away from a striking plate mounted to the tip of a cylinder. An air pulser for blasting pulse air into the cylinder is provided at the rear end of the cylinder. The air pulser has the same structure as the air pulser according to the first invention. The air pulser has its air blast cylinder integral with one end of the cylinder.
With this arrangement, since pulse air is intermittently blasted into the cylinder from the air pulser, every time air is blasted, it is possible to advance the piston and intermittently strike the striking plate with the piston.
Thus, by mounting the striking plate to the hopper, it is possible to intermittently impart vibrations to the hopper. Thus it is possible to suppress formation of bridges in powder and granular material filling the hopper. Also, if bridges should be formed, it is possible to destroy the bridges.
The bridge breaker according to the present invention comprises a storage tank, an air nozzle mounted so as to extend through a peripheral wall of the storage tank for storing powder and granular material, an umbrella-like elastic member mounted to a tip of the air nozzle disposed in the storage tank and having its outer peripheral edge in elastic contact with the inner surface of the storage tank to form a space inside the elastic member. The air nozzle is formed with an air passage communicating with the space, and an air pulser connected to the rear end of the air nozzle for blasting pulse air into the air passage. The air pulser has the same structure as the air nozzle according to the first invention. The air nozzle is connected to the air blast cylinder of the air pulser.
With this arrangement, pulse air is intermittently blasted from the air pulser into the air nozzle, and through the nozzle into a space formed between the elastic member and the inner surface of the storage tank. Every time air is blasted, the pressure in the space rises so that the elastic member is elastically deformed in such a way as to be flattened. Due to such deformation, a gap is formed between the elastic member and the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the storage tank, so that air in the space is blasted through the gap into the storage tank. Thus, the powder and granular material filling the storage tank fluidizes, so that if bridges are formed, they are destroyed.
The bridge breaker according to this invention comprises a storage tank, an elastically deformable elastic sheet provided on the inner surface of the storage tank to form a sealed gap inside of the elastic sheet, and an air pulser connected to the rear end of a nozzle cylinder extending through the storage tank and having its tip positioned in the sealed gap for blasting pulse air into the nozzle cylinder. The air pulser has the same structure as the air pulser according to the first invention. The nozzle cylinder is connected to the air blast cylinder of the air pulser.
With this arrangement, when pulse air is intermittently blasted into the nozzle cylinder from the air pulser, the pulse air is fed into the sealed space, so that the elastic sheet inflates in the storage tank, thereby pressing the powder and granular material filling the storage tank. Thus, if bridges are formed, they will be destroyed.


A grinding device and a grinding method for grinding at least one knife. The grinding device includes a frame with a knife holder and a grinding unit comprising a grinding head, a grinding head holder, and a grinding head drive assembly. The grinding unit can selectively be connected with the frame or can be disconnected from the frame and can be placed on a cutting assembly with knives to be ground. In both operating modes the grinding head drive assembly rotates the grinding head and moves the rotating grinding head with respect to the grinding head holder.

The task of grinding a set of knives often occurs in the domain of agriculture. A modern harvester, e.g. a baler or a loader wagon or a field chopper, comprises a cutting assembly with a sequence of knives. The harvester picks up or otherwise receives crop material from the ground and conveys the picked-up or otherwise received crop material through a feeding channel towards a processing or loading chamber. The knives engage into the feeding channel and cut the conveyed crop material.
From time to time it is necessary to grind the knives, i.e. to sharpen their cutting edges. Different approaches how to do so have been published.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,121 discloses a disc sharpening apparatus which can selectively be used as a portable or as a stationary disc sharpener. Rollers 138 and 140 are mounted on shafts 134 and 136 and can sharpen a disc D. The shafts 134, 136 are mounted on a support 72 which is supported by a subframe 56. The subframe 56 is mounted on a main frame 10. When the disc sharpener is used as a stationary device a disc D to be sharpened is mounted on a shaft 198 which is kept by the subframe 56, cf. FIG. 16. When being used as a portable device, the main frame 10 is moved by means of rollers 206 and rails 208 placed on the ground, cf. FIG. 4. By means of a lever 158 the rollers 138,140 can be moved up to the discs D to be sharpened, cf. FIG. 1. The screw 106 applies pressure on the rollers 138, 140.
DE 10352328 A1 discloses a device for grinding a knife (Messerschleifmaschine 1). A grinding disc (Schleifscheibe 20) of a grinding tool (Scheibenschleifer 19) contacts and grinds a knife (Messer 4) which is kept in a vertical position in a knife holder (Einspannvorrichtung 12). A drive (Schleifantrieb 21) rotates the grinding disc 20. The grinding tool 19 is mounted on the free end of a pivoting arm (Schwenkarm 23). For adjusting the grinding disc 20 the grinding tool 19 can be pivoted with respect to the pivoting arm 23 around an axis 24. The pivoting arm 23 can rotate around an axis 27 being perpendicular to the pivoting arm axis, cf. FIG. 4.A drive (Schwenkarmantrieb 35) can oscillate the arm 23 around the axis 27. Thanks to a carrier (Schwenkarm-Tragstück 28) the distance between the grinding tool 19 and the axis 27 and therefore the lever arm length (effective Pendellänge des Schwenkarms 23) can be adjusted. In addition the axis 27 can be adjusted in a vertical as well as in a horizontal direction. On the one hand a bearing (Lagerbock 30) carries the axis 27 and can be shifted horizontally on a carrying arm (Tragarm 31). On the other hand the carrying arm 31 can be shifted vertically along a stationary guiding element (Führung 32).
US 20120052776 A1 discloses a blade sharpening system for an agricultural implement, e.g. a vertical tilling implement 10 with a gang 40 of concave-shaped blades 22, cf. FIG. 1. A blade sharpening system 38 can be mounted on the gang 40, cf. FIG. 2. A sharpening assembly 50 sharpens the edge 54 of a blade 22. A sharpener 60 engages the blade 22 currently to be sharpened. A drive unit 52 rotates the blade 22 to be sharpened. The sharpening assembly 50 can move along a rail 56 in two opposite directions 66 and 68. For moving the sharpening assembly 50 from one blade 22 to a further blade, an operator lifts a handle 76 upwards. A screw 80 can lock the movement of the sharpening assembly 50 along the rail 56.
The portable automated sharpening apparatus 10 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,553 B1 sharpens a blade by means of a sharpening assembly 12 with at least one sharpening element 14, cf. FIG. 2. A sharpening motor 16 can rotate the sharpening element 14 around the axis 17, cf. FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The axis 17 can be parallel to the reel blade axis RBA, cf. FIG. 1. A drive assembly 30 with a drive motor 32 can move the sharpening element 14 along a drive path 36. The sharpening apparatus 10 can removably be interconnected to a reel blade mechanism by means of a support assembly 20.
EP 2810738 A1 discloses a device for grinding at least one knife 26. A motor 3 drives a grinding stone (Schleifstein 2). The grinding member (Schleifeinheit 1) with the grinding stone 2 and the motor 3 is mounted on a carrying arm 5. A guiding element 4 for the grinding member 1 engages into apertures (Aussparungen 8) of a template (Schablone 7). This template 7 determines the trajectory or contour along which the grinding member 1 is moved. The knife 26 to be ground rests on a supporting plane (Auflagefläche 12) and contacts a movement limiting element (Messeranlage 11). The cutting edge of a knife 26 to be ground contacts the movement limiting element 11. The knife 26 is kept in a position by the limiting element 11 and by a lateral limiting element 14. Every knife 26 is clamped between the supporting plane 12 and an opposing element (Gegenstück 16).
EP 1621065 B2 discloses a loader wagon (Ladewagen 1) which picks up loose crop material from the ground and conveys the picked-up crop material through a feeding channel (Förderkanal 6) to a loading chamber. Conveying tines (Förderzinken 7) engage from above into the feeding channel 6 and correspond with cutting knives (Schneidmesser 8, 9), cf. FIG. 1. The knives 8 can be pivoted from an engaging cutting position (FIG. 1) into a non-engaging maintenance position (FIG. 2). When the knives 8 are in the maintenance position, a sharpening device (Schärfeinrichtung 10) mounted on board of the loader wagon 1 can grind the knives 8 by means of several sharpening bodies (Schärfkörper 14). A drive (Antriebseinrichtung 18) with a positioning member (Stellglied 19) oscillates the sharpening body 14 along the cutting edges (Schneidkanten 12) of the knives 8.
EP 2272318 B1 discloses an agricultural harvester (Erntemaschine) which picks up crop material (Erntegut) from the ground and conveys the picked-up crop material through a feeding channel (Förderkanal 9). A cutting assembly (Schneidvorrichtung 10) with several knives (Messer 12) cuts the crop material while it is conveyed through a feeding channel 9. The harvester further comprises a grinding device (Schleifvorrichtung 13) for grinding the knives 12. A positioning motor (Stellantrieb) and a guiding device (SchleiferfOhrung 15) guides the grinding body (Schleifer 14) along the cutting edge of a knife 12. On the one hand the grinding body 14 is mounted at a traversal slide (Querschlitten 17) and can be moved perpendicular to the conveying direction of the crop material. On the other hand the grinding body 14 is mounted at a parallel slide (Längsschlitten 18) such that the grinding body 14 can be moved along the cutting edge of a knife to be ground.
DE 202004009498 U1 discloses a grinding device with a magazine (Werkstückmagazin 2). The knives (Schneidmesser 3) to be ground are kept by this magazine 2. Several knives 3 can be kept one above the other in the magazine 2, cf. FIG. 1. A grinding unit (Schleifeinheit 13) can be moved up and down with respect to the magazine and comprises a grinding head (Schleifkopf 17) and a drive (Schwenkantrieb 18) for the grinding head 17.
U.S. Pat. No. 939,115 discloses a portable grinding device for grinding disc-shaped knives. FIG. 1 shows a shaft 4 with three discs 2 of a harrow. Three grinding bodies each 35 having the shape of a disc and a conical extension are mounted on a driven shaft 25. A chain drive transfers a rotation of the knives shaft 4 onto the grinding shaft 25.
GB 2144030 A discloses a loader wagon with a pivotal cutting assembly and a grinding device. FIG. 1 shows two cutting blades 7 and 8. FIG. 2 shows a grinding device 23 for these blades 7, 8. The grinding device 23 comprises a grinding disc 28 mounted on a pivotal bar 26. This bar 26 is mounted on a traversal bearing 25 which is mounted on a transversal tube 24. A motor 27 drives the grinding disc 21 and is also mounted on the pivotal bar 26. The top view of FIG. 3 shows the inclined position of the grinding device 23 with respect to the blades 7 to be ground.

Grinding device and grinding method wherein a grinding unit can operate on-board as well as off-board


The invention provides a diorganopolysiloxane having a hydroxy- and amino-functional reactive group bonded only to one of the terminal silicon atoms of the linear molecular chain ends. The diorganopolysiloxane compound, which is useful as a modifying agent of various kinds of synthetic resins, is represented by the general formula EQU R.sub.3 Si--O--SiR.sub.2 --O.sub.n SiR.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.2 NR.sup.1 R.sup.2,. in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group selected from the class consisting of alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and aryl groups having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being not a hydrogen atom, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a divalent group jointly forming a morpholino group together with the nitgoren atom and the subscript n is zero or a positive integer not exceeding 1000.

The present invention relates to a novel organopolysiloxane compound having a reactive group bonded to the silicon atom only at one of the molecular chain ends. More particularly, the invention relates to such a novel organopolysiloxane compound useful as a modifying agent of various kinds of synthetic resins by utilizing the reaction with the reactive group at the molecular chain end of the organopolysiloxane. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of such a novel organopolysiloxane compound.
There are known various organopolysiloxane compounds having a hydroxy-functional or amino-functional substituent group bonded to the silicon atom in the molecule. In the organopolysiloxane compounds of this type known in the prior art, the hydroxy- or amino-functional reactive groups are bonded to both of the terminal silicon atoms in the molecular chain or to the silicon atoms at random positions in the molecular chain excepting the terminal ones.
Such a reactive organopolysiloxane compound is reactive at the amino- or hydroxy-functional reactive groups with various kinds of monomeric compounds having an acid anhydride structure, carboxyl group, isocyanato group, epoxy group and the like in the molecule, from which polyimide resins, polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins and the like are prepared, and is widely used as a modifying agent of these synthetic resins which introduces the organopolysiloxane structure into the synthetic resin thereby to improve the characteristics of the resin such as thermal properties, interfacial properties, gas permeability and the like inherently characteristic in organopolysiloxanes.
The attempt of modification of a synthetic resin by using the above mentioned reactive organopolysiloxane compound sometimes encounters a serious problem as a consequence of the fact that the organopolysiloxane compound has a plural number of the reactive groups bonded to the silicon atoms in a molecule, especially, when the organopolysiloxane has three or more of the reactive groups in a molecule since such a compound acts as a crosslinking agent to cause gelation of the polymer to be modified therewith in addition to the relatively low effect of modification of synthetic resins even by setting aside the problem that this technique of modification is applicable to limited kinds of synthetic resins. Therefore, it is eagerly desired to develop a novel reactive organopolysiloxane compound which can be used in the modification reaction of synthetic resins without the above described problems and disadvantages in the reactive organopolysiloxane compounds in the prior art.

One end-reactive organopolysiloxane compound


A lighting control system provides variable arc current to one or more fluorescent gas discharge lamps and provides a heating voltage to the lamp electrodes. The system includes a start-up circuit which includes circuitry for providing a starting voltage to an output power conditioning circuit. The latter drives a switching unit to control the application of DC power to the fluorescent gas discharge lamps and to provide an operating voltage to an input power factor correction circuit. The input power factor correction circuit boosts the converted DC power and the operating voltage. The start-up circuit includes a plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits and a plurality of zener diodes which receive the operating voltage and are electrically connected to the input power factor correction circuit and the output power conditioning unit so as to provide a regulated bias voltage supply to the output power conditioning unit and to the input power factor correction circuit.

The present invention relates to lighting control systems and, more particularly, relates to a control system for providing variable arc current to one or more fluorescent lamps, including an improved start-up circuit for providing a bias voltage supply to various system components.
Fluorescent lamps are gas discharge lamps that are based on Hg vapor which, when excited, provides a low intensity spectral line of visible light and several high intensity lines of ultra-violet light, that are converted to visible light by the phosphor coating on the interior surface of the lamps. Fluorescent lamps were perfected as an alternative to incandescent lamps, and have since replaced the incandescent lamps in most commercial and industrial applications. The fluorescent lamp has a substantially longer life than the incandescent lamp which results in reduced maintenance costs. The fluorescent lamp also provides a more distributive light source which is two to six times more efficient than incandescent lighting in terms of luminous flux per unit of electric power consumed.
Since the fluorescent lamp has no inherent current limiting mechanism when operated by a voltage source, the fluorescent lamp requires an auxiliary device to first ignite the lamp arc and then, after ignition has occurred, to control the amplitude of the arc current. Without an auxiliary device to stabilize or limit the arc current, the lamp arc would exceed its current rating and thus, the fluorescent lamp would be damaged. In conventional systems the auxiliary device has been combined into a single device called a ballast. The ballast provides a means for igniting the lamp arc and also provides a fixed value of arc current to the lamps. A shortcoming of the fixed value of arc current lighting is that it wastes energy. Underlighted conditions are often due to light absorbing dust on the lamp and the deterioration of the phosphor coating on the inside wall of the fluorescent tube. To reduce the effect of the underlighted conditions, designers overlight the area when the lamps are new and lumina are clean so there is still sufficient light remaining when lamp light output reaches depreciated states. Therefore, much of the electric energy that can be saved by using fluorescent lighting is lost due to the industrial practices of maintaining the use of fixed value arc current lamp operation.
One prior art technique used to reduce wasteful overlighting and promote energy savings is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,127 to Widmayer et al. The Widmayer et al. patent discloses a fluorescent lighting control system which automatically adjusts the arc current to a fluorescent gas discharge lamp. The variable arc current lighting system includes a sensor that senses ambient light and the output light of the lamp and provides a corresponding electrical signal to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit controls the frequency of repetition of alternating on-off periods of electronic switches. As the frequency of switching the electronic switches is increased or decreased, the effective impedance value of the current limiting inductances that are connected in series with each lamp is controlled. Thus, the current amplitude is increased or decreased by controlling the switching frequency of the electronic switches. By reducing the arc current supplied to a fluorescent lamp, the lamp operates at less than rated wattage thereby reducing electrical consumption. The variable-arc lighting system also includes a start-up circuit which provides a voltage supply to the internal electronic circuits. However, this lighting control system is complex, expensive to produce and difficult to troubleshoot and repair.
Another prior art variable-arc lighting system is the Mark VII system made by Precision Lighting, Inc., of Rockville, Md. The Mark VII system operates on the same principle as the Widmayer et al. patent, but has been simplified to reduce cost and size. The Mark VII system includes electronic circuits that control the switching frequency of electronic switches in order to control the arc current in a fluorescent lamp. The Mark VII system also includes a start-up circuit which provides a voltage supply to various internal electronic circuits.
One disadvantage of the start-up circuits in the Widmayer et al. patent and in the Mark VII system is that the start-up circuits are generally unreliable. The start-up circuit includes a power transistor that is driven on and off to provide a voltage supply to the internal electronic circuits. When the start-up circuit has completed its operation, and the ballast is in normal operation, there is a continuous high voltage present on the power transistor. The high voltage exceeds the rating of the power transistor and over a period of time the power transistor can be damaged. Replacing the power transistor with a different type of transistor having higher voltage ratings would require a different control circuit, thus increasing the need for circuit components and, as a result, increasing costs.
Another disadvantage of the start-up circuits in the Widmayer et al. patent and in the Mark VII system is that the power transistor is not always capable of being turned off when the main input voltage source is abnormally low. If the power transistor remains on or in a conducting state for a considerable time period, the electronic elements and circuits which are electrically connected to the power transistors will receive continuous current. These electronic elements and circuits, and the transistor itself, can be damaged as a result of overheating due to the continuous current flow.
A further disadvantage of the start-up circuits in the Widmayer et al patent and in the Mark VII system is that the start-up circuit includes a single rectifier bridge in order to provide a bias voltage to multiple electronic circuits and as a consequence, the multiple electronic circuits are not electrically isolated from each other, so that the unequal voltage requirements of the different circuits is not easily provided for.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a control system for providing variable arc current control of a lighting system, said control system comprising: an input power factor correction means including means for converting AC power from an AC power source into converted DC power, said input power factor correction means boosting said converted DC power so as to provide boosted converted DC power; a lamp unit comprising at least one fluorescent gas discharge lamp; switching means for controlling application of said boosted converted DC power to said lamp unit; an output power conditioning means, connected to said input power factor correction means and to said switching means, for controlling operation of said switching means so as to control application of said converted DC power to said lamp unit; and
a start-up circuit including a starting means for providing a starting voltage to said output power conditioning means, said start-up circuit further comprising a plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits for providing a bias voltage supply to said output power conditioning means and to said input power factor correction means.
Advantageously, one of the plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits of the start-up circuit is electrically connected to the input power factor correction means and a further one of the plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits of the start-up circuit is electrically connected to the output power conditioning means.
Preferably, one of the plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits comprises a first pair of diodes and a further one of said plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits comprises a second pair of diodes.
Preferably, the starting means includes a resistor electrically connected in series with a capacitor for providing a starting voltage to the output power conditioning means.
Advantageously, the start-up circuit includes a first zener diode electrically connected to the input power factor correction means so as to limit and regulate said bias voltage supply and the start-up circuit also includes a second zener diode electrically connected to the output power conditioning means so as to limit and regulate said bias voltage supply.
Advantageously, at least one fluorescent gas discharge lamp includes electrodes and the output power conditioning means supplies a heating voltage for said electrodes of said at least one arc discharge lamp.
Preferably, the output power conditioning means supplies arc current for said lamp unit and the input power factor correction means and the output power conditioning means comprise integrated circuits.
Advantageously, the switching means provides alternate application of positive and negative DC voltages to the lamp unit.
Preferably, the input power factor correction means includes an analog multiplier connected to a switching transistor for driving said switching transistor with a variable frequency pulse in order to control boosting of said converted DC power.
Advantageously, the output power conditioning means further comprises a feedback means for sensing light of said lamp unit and automatically adjusting the current level supplied to said lamp unit in accordance with the sensed light of said lamp unit.
Preferably, said feedback means includes at least one photoresistor electrically connected to at least one capacitor in order to form an RC time constant circuit.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for providing variable arc current control of a lighting system, said control system comprising: an input power factor correction means including a means for converting AC power from an AC power source into converted DC power, said input power factor correction means boosting said converted DC power so as to provide boosted converted DC power; at least one lamp unit comprising at least one fluorescent gas discharge lamp including electrodes; a main output transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, said primary winding being connected to said input power factor correction means and said at least one secondary winding being connected to said electrodes and to said at least one lamp unit; a switching means connected to said primary winding of said main output transformer; output power conditioning means, connected to said input power factor correction means, and to said switching means, for controlling said switching means to provide voltage to said primary winding of said main output transformer so as to produce a resultant voltage on said at least one secondary winding of said main output transformer and thus provide a heating voltage to said electrodes and variable arc current to said at least one lamp unit; and
a start-up circuit including a starting means for providing a starting voltage to said output power conditioning means, said start-up circuit further comprising a plurality of voltage doubling rectifier circuits for providing a bias voltage supply to said output power conditioning means and to said input power factor correction means.
Preferably, the starting means includes a resistor electrically connected in series with a capacitor for providing a starting voltage to the output power conditioning means.
Advantageously, the start-up circuit includes a first zener diode electrically connected to the input power factor correction means so as to limit and regulate said bias voltage supply and the start-up circuit includes a second zener diode electrically connected to said output power conditioning means so as to limit and regulate said bias voltage supply.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for providing variable arc control of a lighting system including at least one lamp unit, said control system comprising: converting means for converting AC power from an AC power source into converted DC power, said converting means including an input power factor correction means for boosting said converted DC power to produce boosted DC power; switching means for controlling application of said converted DC power to the at least one lamp unit;
output power conditioning means connected to said switching means for controlling operation of said switching means; and
a start-up circuit connected to said input power factor correction means and to said output power conditioning means, said start-up circuit including:
a starting means for providing a starting voltage to said output power conditioning means so as to control said switching means to provide an operating voltage to said input power factor correction means to produce a boosted operating voltage;
a first voltage doubling rectifier circuit and a first zener diode electrically connected to said input power factor correction means for receiving said boosted operating voltage and for providing a regulated bias voltage supply to said input power factor correction means; and
a second voltage doubling rectifier circuit and a second zener diode electrically connected to said output power conditioning means for receiving said boosted operating voltage and for providing a regulated bias voltage supply to said output power conditioning means.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which follows.

Lighting control system with variable arc control including start-up circuit for providing a bias voltage supply


The present invention provides a method for specifying actions that a receiver takes upon receiving an AM or UM PDU with an error indication. Currently, for RLC acknowledged mode (AM) and unacknowledged mode (UM), upon receiving an AM or UM PDU with an error indication, actions that the receiver takes are not specified. Inappropriate actions that the receiver takes can cause serious problems. For example, unnecessary reset procedures are initiated, unnecessary retransmissions are made, data is lost, or synchronization between the sender and receiver can be lost. In an embodiment of the present invention, for RLC AM, upon receiving an AM PDU with an error indication, the receiver discards this PDU. In another embodiment of the present invention, for RLC UM, upon receiving an UM PDU with an error indication, the receiver discards this PDU. In another embodiment, MAC discards a MAC SDU that is to be delivered to an AM or a UM RLC entity, if an error indication for this SDU has been received from the lower layer. As a result, radio resources are not wasted, unnecessary retransmissions are avoided, synchronization is maintained, and data loss is prevented. Therefore, by utilizing the present invention, wireless communication system performance is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communications protocol. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method for specifying actions that the receiver takes upon receiving an acknowledge mode (AM) or unacknowledged mode (UM) protocol data unit (PDU) with an error indication.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wireless communication is becoming an increasingly common method of communicating. As the demand for wireless service continues to grow, improved wireless communication system performance is increasingly demanded and required.
However, conventional communication systems are limited by the frequency bands allowed for operation. These frequencies are limited by government regulation or by the practical limits of the technology that is available. In order to increase the capacity of the wireless communication systems, more bandwidth must be allocated for the system or the communication system must be used more efficiently. Since the frequency spectrum that can be used is limited by practical and physical limits, an increasing amount of research is being expended to develop means and methods to increase the efficiency of the wireless communication systems.
One way to improve the efficiency of the wireless communication system is to reduce the number of errors or unneccessary retransmissions that waste system resources. Therefore, there is a need for a method that improves wireless communication system performace by reducing errors in the system.

Scheme to discard an erroneous PDU received in a wireless communication system


Methods are provided for controlling a turbocharged engine having an additional throttle located between an intake manifold of the engine and an outlet of a compressor. In one example approach a method comprises, during a cold start condition, diverting a portion of compressed air from downstream a compressor to a heat exchanger, and heating vehicle components with the heat exchanger.

Engines may include turbochargers and may use active control of the turbocharger, such as via a wastegate, intake throttle, a compressor bypass, etc., to increase efficiency of engine performance and thus vehicle driveability. In some vehicle applications, excess heat from the engine, e.g., in the form of hot air, may be used to heat various vehicle components, e.g., to heat the cabin of the vehicle, assist in throttle de-icing, and provide heat to humidity management systems, deliver heat to a window defroster, assist in accelerated engine warm-up, and provide heat to other vehicle and engine components.
However, during cold engine conditions when a temperature of the engine is less than a threshold temperature, e.g., during cold start conditions before the engine is sufficiently warmed up, excess engine heat may not be available to provide heated air to vehicle and engine components. In some approaches, heating elements, e.g., electric heaters, may be employed to assist in providing heat while the engine warms up. However, such approaches may reduce engine efficiency, e.g., may reduce fuel economy, since such heating elements consume additional energy during operation.
Further, during certain boosted engine operating conditions, pressure/flow in a turbocharger system may cause the turbocharger to surge potentially degrading turbocharger components and reducing vehicle performance. For example, a compressor may surge due to low air flow conditions with high pressure, e.g., when an intake throttle is closed or partially open. For example, such a surge event may occur after a driver tip-out event where a reduced amount of boost is requested for engine operation.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-described issues and, in one example approach, a method for a vehicle with a turbocharged engine is provided. The method comprises during a cold start condition, e.g., when an engine temperature is less than a threshold temperature or within a threshold of ambient temperature, diverting a portion of compressed air from downstream a compressor to a heat exchanger, and heating vehicle components via the heat exchanger. The method may further comprise, in response to a surge condition when the engine temperature is greater than the threshold temperature, diverting a portion of compressed air from downstream the compressor to the heat exchanger.
For example, an additional throttle and take-off conduit may be included between an intake manifold and a compressor in a turbocharged engine so that high pressure heated air can be delivered to a heat exchanger to provide heat to heat consuming vehicle and engine components, even during cold engine conditions. Further, such an additional throttle may be used to divert a portion of compressed air away from the intake manifold of the engine so that the compressor can flow additional air without the air being inducted by the engine in order to reduce surge.
In this way, heated air may be provided to various engine and vehicle components even during cold start conditions, e.g., while the engine temperature is less than a threshold engine temperature, without relying on an additional heating elements, e.g., electric heaters, which consume additional energy. In this way, engine efficiency may be increased while providing a faster source of excess heat during cold conditions. Further, this additional throttle may be used to provide greater control over turbocharger operation, e.g., to reduce surge events and to meet boost requests during engine operation.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Methods and systems for turbocharger control


The present invention relates to an automated web ranking system which enables advertisers to dynamically adjust pay-per-click bids to control advertising costs. The system tracks search terms which are used to market an advertiser's product or services in on line marketing media (“OMM”). The system determines the search term's effectiveness by collecting and analyzing data relating to the number of impressions, the number of clicks, and the number of resulting sales generated by a search term at a given time period. Based on the data collected and parameters which the advertiser provides relating to the advertiser's economic factors, the system calculates a maximum acceptable bid for each search term. The system monitors the web for competitor's bids on an advertiser's search term and places bids which fall below the maximum acceptable bid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to software for evaluating and controlling an online advertising campaign, and more particularly to an automated web ranking bid management system for subscriber control of the advertising bidding process associated therewith.
2. Description of the Related Art
Web sites providing search services have offered advertisers significant reach into the Internet audience and have given advertisers the opportunity to target consumer interests based on keyword or topical search requests. In a web-based search on an Internet search engine, a user enters a search term comprising one or more keywords, which the search engine then uses to generate a listing of web pages in real time that the user may access via a hyperlink. While some search engines rely upon algorithms that select and organize the listing of web pages based on multiple criteria such as keyword density and keyword location, others allow advertisers themselves to influence their placement in search result listings so that their listings are prominent in searches that are relevant to the content of their website. These search engines, referred to as pay-per-click search engines, require advertisers to pay for each click through referral generated through the search result lists from the search engine. Thus, advertisers have an incentive to select and bid on those search keywords that are most relevant to their web site offerings. The higher an advertiser's position on a search result list, the higher likelihood of a referral.
Advertisers may also choose banner advertising to promote and increase their web exposure. In the banner advertising model, advertisers purchase space on the pages of popular commercial web sites. The advertisers usually fill this space with a colorful graphic, known as a banner, advertising their own web site. The banner may act as a hyperlink that a visitor may click on to access the site. Banner advertising on the Internet is typically priced on an impression basis, with advertisers paying for any exposure of the banner ad to potential customers, i.e., each time the web page with the banner is viewed. While banners may be displayed at every page access, on search engines they may be targeted to search terms. Banner advertising may also be sold on a fixed fee basis.
Online advertising may also be done through simple links on another site's web page, whether a search engine or not, and through affiliate programs in which the advertiser pays the host featuring the advertiser's link either a click through rate or a commission based upon sales resulting from a click through from the host's page.
Pay-per-click search engines, portals, or any web site that is paid to display a listing, referred to herein as Online Marketing Media ("OMM"), typically report back data on the effect of that advertising. Most OMM's have a monitoring interface, such as a URL Position Manager™, which allows an advertiser to constantly monitor, update, and/or reposition a listing. However, advertisers typically make several bids per day on a large number of search terms. Consequently, monitoring a particular listing to determine when and where advertising is effective and which search terms are producing the most results can become burdensome. In addition, manually raising and lowering bids generally takes a substantial amount of time, and the positioning resulting from these bids is not guaranteed for any period. Furthermore, with manual manipulation of bids, bid gaps are difficult to recognize and control. A bid gap occurs when advertisers are bidding more than they must for a certain position or search result ranking. In these cases, advertisers often pay more per click than is necessary to maintain optimal ranking or premium placement in the directory search engines. The result is that many sites do not draw nearly the amount of traffic that they could with continually optimized bid positioning management. Therefore, an automated bid monitor becomes essential.
Some Web-based tools profess to help the advertiser protect their ranking and positioning problems through bid monitoring and bid management. These bid monitors help identify bid gaps, but do nothing to automatically correct bid gaps or to determine the if and when search terms are effective in directing internet traffic to an advertiser's web site. Consequently human attention and input is required.
Prior patents relating to Internet advertising do not disclose an automated bid monitoring system. Exemplary patents include U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0051911, published Dec. 13, 2001 (a bidding method used to prioritize advertising and search result listings delivered to users of the Internet); U.S. Patent Publication No.2001/0051940, published Dec. 13, 2001(a system for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine in which a predetermined number of search listings are selected according to bid amount for display to the searcher); U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,866, issued Jun. 20, 2000to Buck et al. (an Internet site searching and listing service based on monetary ranking of site listings); U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,361, issued Jul. 31, 2001 to Davis et al. (a system and method for influencing a position on a search result list through a continuous online bidding process).
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus an automated web ranking bid management account system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

Automated web ranking bid management account system


A method includes conveying a washover whipstock coupled to an orienting latch anchor into a parent wellbore lined with casing and securing the orienting latch anchor to the casing. A washover tool couples to and removes the washover whipstock from the parent wellbore, and thereby exposes a releasable orienting coupling of the orienting latch anchor. A workover whipstock coupled to a junction isolation tool is then conveyed into the parent wellbore and the workover whipstock is coupled to the orienting latch anchor at the releasable orienting coupling. The junction isolation tool is separated from the workover whipstock and advanced into the lateral wellbore, following which the junction isolation tool is retracted back into the parent wellbore to be re-attached to the workover whipstock to remove the workover whipstock from the parent wellbore.

Multilateral technologies allow an operator to drill a parent wellbore and subsequently drill a lateral wellbore extending from the parent wellbore at a desired orientation and to a chosen depth.
To drill a multilateral well, the parent wellbore is first drilled and then at least partially lined with a string of casing or another type of wellbore liner. The casing is cemented into the wellbore to strengthen the parent wellbore and facilitate the isolation of certain areas of the formation behind the casing for the extraction and production of hydrocarbons. To drill a lateral wellbore from the parent wellbore, a casing exit (alternately referred to as a "window") is created in the casing of the parent wellbore. The casing exit can be formed, for example, by positioning a whipstock at a predetermined location in the parent wellbore to deflect one or more mills off the whipstock and into engagement with the casing to mill through the casing. A drill bit can be subsequently deflected through the casing exit to drill the lateral wellbore, which can then be completed as desired.
Once the lateral wellbore is drilled and completed, stimulation operations may be undertaken in the lateral wellbore by installing a lateral junction isolation tool at the junction between the parent and lateral wellbores. To install the lateral junction isolation tool, a workover whipstock is commonly first installed at the junction to deflect the lateral junction isolation tool partially into the lateral wellbore so that it can be set and provide a transition between the parent and lateral wellbores. Upon completing the stimulation operation in the lateral wellbore, the lateral junction isolation tool is pulled out of the well and a subsequent trip downhole is made to retrieve the workover whipstock, and thereby providing full access to the parent wellbore. A mainbore junction isolation tool is then installed at the junction between the parent and lateral wellbores to undertake stimulation operations in lower portions of the parent wellbore.
This process of stimulating both the parent and lateral wellbores in a multilateral wellbore can be trip intensive; i.e., meaning that it can require several downhole trips into the well. Reducing the number of trips into the well while being able to perform the same functions can save a significant amount of time and expense in multilateral operations.

Reduced trip well system for multilateral wells


A method for directing inquiries to available subject matter experts includes storing an expert database in memory and defining presence states to describe present attributes of each subject matter expert with respect to a number of resource elements. Inquiries are directed to the experts, and response histograms are populated based on whether a response was obtained in a given presence state. The response histograms describe or define a response probability for each subject matter expert, as a function of the corresponding present attributes for each of the resource elements.

In many businesses there are workflows in which subject matter experts (SMEs) are consulted as an essential part of a given process. For example, many businesses have call centers that receive calls from clients or customers who present a transaction or a problem that is not always resolvable in the incoming call. Other businesses have email or online points of entry for taking in such transactions or problems.
Often these transactions and problems are recorded in a ticket, which initiates a workflow process leading to completion or resolution. The initiated process may be handled wholly or partly by a person who will need to consult with one or more subject matter experts.
In other cases, the process can be handled largely by a business application (or software-based system) that will at some point call on a subject matter expert to review a portion of a file, and/or respond to a request and provide necessary input. In such cases, the expert will receive a communication from the system, requesting some action in a workflow. When a workflow cannot progress without the expert's input, and particularly when it is time sensitive, it is important that the expert receiving a communication request is available to provide input.
In many cases, the subject matter expert response is needed within a very short time frame. This means that the expert must be available to address the request, or the organization's response will be too slow. Unlike a person assigned a call center, whose job is to take the next call, subject matter experts may have other tasks, some with higher priority than a particular expert response function that may be part of workflow. Thus, the response depends on the availability of the expert, at the time the communication request is issued.

Intelligent presence server systems and methods


An optical position assessment apparatus and method has an illumination system that supplies an alignment beam of radiation, and positional data is derived from reflections of the alignment beam. A substrate is supported on a substrate table and a projection system is used to project the alignment beam onto a target portion of the substrate. A positioning system causes relative movement between the substrate and the projection system. An array of lenses is arranged such that each lens in the array focuses a respective portion of the alignment beam onto a respective part of the target portion. An array of detectors is arranged such that each detector in the array detects light reflected from the substrate through a respective lens in the array and provides an output representative of the intensity of light reflected to it from the substrate through the respective lens. A processor is connected to the outputs of the detectors for deriving data representing the position of the lens array relative to the substrate from the outputs of the detectors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical position assessment apparatus and method which may be used in lithographic apparatus.
2. Background Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), flat panel displays, and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional lithographic apparatus, a patterning means, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC (or other device), and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of, one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer or glass plate) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (e.g., resist). Instead of a mask, the patterning means may comprise an array of individually controllable elements which serve to generate the circuit pattern.
In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one pass, and scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the projection beam in a given direction (the "scanning" direction), while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
It will be appreciated that, whether or not a lithographic apparatus operates in stepping or scanning mode, it is vital that the patterned beam is directed onto the appropriate target portion of the substrate surface. In many circumstances multi-layer structures are built up on the surface of the substrate as a result of a sequence of lithographic processing steps. It is of course vital that the successive layers formed in the substrate are correctly in register with each other. Thus, great care is taken to ensure that the position of the substrate relative to the beam projection system is accurately known.
Various techniques are used to determine the position of a substrate relative to the beam projection system. Generally, the substrate has formed upon it alignment marks that are arranged around the periphery of areas of the substrate onto which active circuit components or the like are to be formed. These marks are located to provide reference points relative to which the position of target portions on the substrate are determined. Ideally, the alignment marks are detected optically using the beam projection system, which is also used to project patterns onto the substrate. Such a "through the lens" or TTL approach to the problem of locating alignment marks has the advantage that the position measurement location is the same as the image formation location. Thus errors are minimized.
Position determining accuracy, which term is used to include x, y offset, rotation, and magnifications etc., is a function of the spacing between alignment marks. The smaller that spacing the better, as it reduces the extent to which accuracy depends upon the accuracy of control of movements of the substrate relative to the beam projection system. There are circumstances, however, where it is difficult to avoid large spacings between alignment marks. For example, large liquid crystal display (LCD) panels are now envisaged with diagonal sizes (generally quoted in inches, e.g., 32, 42, 60 inches etc.) resulting in edge dimensions of the order of one meter. All of the surface of such a device is occupied by active components and therefore there is no space available for alignment marks except around the periphery of the panels. This means that the spacing between the alignment marks is of the same order as the edge dimension of the panel. This makes it very difficult to maintain positional accuracy across the whole of the area of the panel.
Conventionally, a lithographic apparatus delivers a projection beam to the substrate through a lens assembly in which each of the lenses is arranged in series along the beam projection direction. The lens component closest to the substrate is a single lens through which all of the projection beam passes. It has been proposed, however, to use an alternative design approach in which again a series of lenses are arranged along the projection beam path, but the lens component closest to the substrate is in the form of a two dimensional array of small lenses. Each of those small lenses focuses a respective part of the projection beam onto a respective part of the substrate. Systems in accordance with this alternative design are generally referred to as microlens array imaging systems or MLA systems. In MLA systems, it has not been possible to use conventional "through the lens" approaches to the detection of alignment marks on a substrate to be exposed. As a result, it has been considered necessary to provide separate metrology systems for alignment purposes.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved position assessment (measuring) apparatus and method which can be used in a microlens array imaging system.

Optical position assessment apparatus and method


An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.

With increasing government demands on emission control systems and fuel mileage concerns, the power plant of a vehicle has become a high tech engineering marvel. This, in turn, means that the automotive technician is faced with increasing difficulties of diagnosing and repairing complicated systems. Repairs must be completed in a timely manner which has become a problem for many automotive repair shops.
The modern vehicle (1996 and later models) has a number of microprocessors including one programmed to control the running parameters of the power plant (i.e., the powertrain control module). The data from this microprocessor provides the skilled technician with information that is needed in order to make diagnostic decisions about the power plant. However, as the power plant systems become more complicated, more data and a better understanding of such data is needed in order to make accurate diagnostic decisions, thus making it more difficult for technicians to see a problem when it occurs. Even if available data is saved, a technician may overlook important information and can misdiagnose the system.
Definitions
Unless otherwise indicated (e.g., Volumetric efficiency tests which would work on diesel engines) Power Plant includes:                a gasoline engine (including engines which also run on alternate fuels, such as ethanol, either alone or mixed with gasoline);        powertrain control module (sometimes referred to by the acronym PCM or ECM (for engine control module));        engine control system (sensors, such as an O2 sensor, that feed data to the PCM and activators that carry out PCM commands, such as fuel injectors, exhaust gas recirculator, and purge control);        starting system, including starter motor and "key";        charging system;        air induction system (e.g., air filter, MAS (mass airflow sensor; sometimes referred to by the acronym MAF);        fuel delivery system (e.g., fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pressure sensor, fuel damper, injectors);        cooling system (e.g., radiator, water pump, thermostat); and        exhaust system.
The foregoing are intended to be illustrative. As those skilled in the art will appreciate the above are not necessarily mutually exclusive or exhaustive categories. For instance, the air induction system includes the intake manifold which is generally considered part of the engine. Similarly, the fluid passages on the engine are part of the cooling system. Further, engines, depending on size, year of manufacture and manufacturer, have different control systems (e.g., different numbers and locations of O2 sensors). While all fuel delivery systems include a pump, fuel filter and injectors, not all include a fuel pressure sensor or a fuel damper. The term key, as used herein, includes any type of starting device, whether a traditional key and tumbler system, or a laser based or a frequency based device. Finally, unless otherwise indicated, the term vehicle is intended to cover gasoline engine powered vehicles, such as automobiles and light trucks. Other definitions (e.g., PID/PIDS; Paragraph [0011]) are set forth elsewhere in the specification.
Objects of the Invention
What was needed is a way in which the automotive technician can easily connect to the automobile's power train control module with a device that could help diagnose the power plant systems quickly and accurately.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an analysis tool that will interface with the power train control module and alert the technician to problems with, for instance, the engine control system as they occur, to permit the technician to zero in on such problems as they occur.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an analysis tool with alert lights, whereby failures are brought to the attention of the technician as they occur.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated analysis tool to help a technician that does not have the technical skill level needed to make correct diagnostic decisions.

Vehicle diagnostic tool-utilizing volumetric efficiency


A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, and a secondary game, wherein a play provides a gaming element for the secondary game. The gaming element of the secondary game is provided by playing the primary game regardless of any event or outcome in the primary game. The secondary game can achieve a winning outcome with the gaming elements provided by playing the primary game.

Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Providing a secondary or bonus game in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits in addition to awards associated with the primary or base game of the gaming device is one known method for enhancing player enjoyment and excitement.
Gaming devices having secondary or bonus games generally employ a triggering event that occurs during the operation of the base game of the gaming device. As the result of reaching a predetermined outcome in the base game, the triggering event temporarily stalls or halts the play of the base game and enables a player to enter a second, different game (i.e., a secondary or bonus game). For example, in slot machines with reels, the triggering event usually occurs when the player reaches a predetermined combination of symbols on the reels. The player plays the secondary game, likely receives an award, and returns to the base game.
Moreover, known gaming devices have a bonus or secondary game that is played over the course of a number of plays of the primary or base game. These gaming devices award the player for their persistence in playing the gaming device for a prolonged number of plays or period of time. In these games, each time the base game advances to the bonus game, a portion of the bonus game is played or at least one bonus game element is provided to the player and then the player returns to the base game. After the player has advanced to the bonus game a number of times (i.e., obtained a number of bonus game elements), an award is provided to the player. The bonus game outcome is awarded to the player based on a plurality of plays of the bonus game which occur based on triggering events in the primary game.
The player's enjoyment increases by playing the secondary game in addition to the primary game. However, reaching the predetermined outcome in the base game to advance to the secondary game often occurs intermittently and infrequently. Thus, it is desirable to have a gaming device that provides an opportunity for the player to play the secondary game simultaneous with the play of the primary game regardless of the outcome of the primary game.

Gaming device having secondary game played in parallel with primary game


A fluid dynamic bearing includes a shaft and a sleeve which are supported for relative rotation by fluid in the gap therebetween. A capillary seal at one end of the bearing prevents fluid from leaking out. The seal is defined between the hub and the sleeve, which are in relative rotation, and diverge from one another in the region where the capillary seal is established. The gap which is incorporated in the capillary seal is in airway communication with the gap between the shaft and the sleeve; but the capillary seal is defined by an outer surface of the sleeve and is substantially parallel to the gap between the shaft and the sleeve. The capillary seal is radially spaced from the region where one of two journal bearing groove sets is defined. The grooves sets may be located so that they are balanced about the center of gravity of the system.

The present invention relates to the field of fluid dynamic bearing assemblies, and more specifically to improved apparatus for sealing the improved fluid dynamic bearing from the outside atmosphere.
Disc drive memory systems have been used in computers for many years for storage of digital information. Information is recorded on concentric memory tracks of a magnetic disc medium, the actual information being stored in the form of magnetic transitions within the medium. The discs themselves are rotatably mounted on a spindle, the information being accessed by means of transducers located on a pivoting arm which moves radially over the surface of the disc. The read/write heads or transducers must be accurately aligned with the storage tracks on the disc to ensure proper reading and writing of information; thus the discs must be rotationally stable.
During operation, the discs are rotated at very high speeds within an enclosed housing by means of an electric motor which is generally located inside the hub or below the discs. One type of motor in common use is known as a spindle motor. Such motors typically have a spindle mounted by means of two ball bearing systems to a motor shaft disposed in the hub. One of the bearings is typically located near the top of the spindle, and the other near the bottom. These bearings allow for rotational movement between the shaft and hub, while maintaining accurate alignment of the spindle to the shaft. The bearings themselves are normally lubricated by grease or oil.
The conventional bearing system described above, however, is prone to several shortcomings. First is the problem of vibration generated by the balls rolling on the raceways. Ball bearings used in hard disc drive spindles run under conditions that generally result in physical contact between raceway and ball, in spite of the lubrication layer provided by the bearing oil or raceway and ball, in spite of the lubrication layer, in spite of the lubrication layer provided by bearing oil or grease. Hence, bearing balls running on the generally smooth but microscopically uneven and rough raceways transmit this surface structure as well as their imperfections in sphericity in the form of vibration to the rotating disc. This vibration results in misalignment between the data tracks and the read/write transducer, limiting the data track density and the overall performance of the disc drive system.
Another problem is related to the application of hard disc drives in portable computer equipment and resulting requirements in shock resistance. Shocks create relative acceleration between the discs and the drive casting which in turn show up as a force across the bearing system. Since the contact surfaces in ball bearings are very small, the resulting contact pressures may exceed the yield strength of the bearing material, and leave long term deformation and damage to the raceway and the balls of the ball bearing.
Moreover, mechanical bearings are not easily scaleable to smaller dimensions. This is a significant drawback since the tendency in the disc drive industry has been to continually shrink the physical dimensions of the disc drive unit.
As an alternative to conventional ball bearing spindle systems, hydrodynamic bearings are being adopted. In these types of systems, lubricating fluidxe2x80x94either gas or liquidxe2x80x94functions as the actual bearing surface between a stationary base or housing and the rotating spindle or rotating hub of the motor. For example, liquid lubricants comprising oil, more complex ferro-magnetic fluids or even air have been utilized in hydrodynamic bearing systems. The reason for the popularity of the use of air is the importance of avoiding the outgassing of contaminants into the sealed area of the head/disc housing. However, air does not provide the lubricating qualities of oil. The relatively high viscosity of oil allows for larger bearing gaps and therefore greater tolerances to achieve similar dynamic performance.
An essential feature of such fluid dynamic bearings is to seal the bearing from the surrounding atmosphere, especially when the bearing or the motor in which the bearing is incorporated is to be used in a disc drive. In the most common form of hydrodynamic bearing, a shaft is provided, supported for relative rotation relative to a surrounding sleeve and for radial stiffness by a journal bearing. Such a bearing typically includes two sets of grooves defined on either the external surface of the shaft or the internal surface of the sleeve. Fluid in the gap between shaft and sleeve supports the relative rotation. Typically, a capillary seal is defined by a gradual divergence of one of the walls of the gap away from the other wall is used at an end of the journal bearing to prevent loss of any fluid. This seal design, located at an end of the journal bearing along the sleeve bore, is designed to prevent fluid leakage outwardly during operation, and also to prevent the intake of ambient air when the system operates at vacuum or under low internal pressure. However, the use of this design limits the journal bearing span from being enlarged; and when the shaft is shortened for a small form factor bearing or motor design, it makes balancing the bearing more difficult.
Therefore, an alternative design which allows for enlargement of the journal bearing span, as well as balancing the bearings closer about the center of the rotating shaft or closer to the overall center of gravity of the design is highly desirable.
The present invention is intended to provide advantages over and solve many of the problems of the prior art.
In one embodiment, the invention allows more room for the journal bearing to be extended along the bore between the shaft and the sleeve.
The present invention further is intended to increase bearing stiffness, by allowing for extension of the journal bearing along the shaft and the sleeve.
The present invention further has the objective of allowing modified placement of the journal bearing grooves along the shaft and sleeve to allow improved balancing of the bearing locations relative to the center of gravity of the motor and/or disc drive in which the bearing is included, as well as improved balance of the bearing system in which the seal is included.
These and other objectives and advantages are achieved in an unvented design comprising a fluid dynamic bearing including a shaft rotating within a sleeve. The shaft and sleeve are supported for relative rotation by fluid in the gap between the shaft and sleeve. To prevent fluid from leaking out of the fluid dynamic bearing into the surrounding atmosphere, one end of the fluid is defined by a capillary seal.
According to the present invention, rather than have the capillary seal defined between the shaft and sleeve, the seal is defined between the hub which rotates to establish rotation of the discs, and a facing surface of the sleeve. The surface of the hub and surface of the sleeve are in relative rotation, and diverge from one another in the region where the capillary seal is to be established. The gap which is incorporated in the capillary seal is in airway communication with the gap between the shaft and the sleeve. But the capillary seal is now defined by a radially outer surface of the sleeve and is substantially parallel to the gap between the shaft and the sleeve.
In a preferred embodiment, the capillary seal is substantially parallel to but radially spaced from the region where one of the dual journal bearing groove sets is defined.
In a further preferable approach, the grooves on the sleeve that define the dual journal bearings are located so that they are distributed as well as possible on either side of the center of gravity of the system in which the journal bearing and capillary seal combination is located. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to a person of skill in this field who studies the description of the following preferred embodiment given with respect to the following drawings.

Parallel capillary seal for a disk drive