A ventilation panel for an enclosure of an industrial machine is disclosed herein. In embodiments, the ventilation panel includes a panel silencer and a fire damper assembly. The panel silencer includes a number of panels joined together to form an internal cavity and a front panel opening that provides access into the internal cavity. The fire damper assembly partially inserts into the panel silencer. The fire damper assembly includes a plurality of isolation louvers and an actuation assembly. The plurality of isolation louvers are rotatably affixed within the fire damper assembly. The actuation assembly rotates the plurality of isolation louvers into a closed position when activated.

Ventilation arrangements for enclosures of gas turbine engine packages can protrude significantly from one or more sides of the enclosure, which may significantly increase the footprint of the enclosures and may restrict access to the enclosure.
The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems discovered by the inventors or that is known in the art.

Ventilation panel with panel silencer for a turbine package enclosure


A method, system, and computer program product for human-machine interface devices. Embodiments commence upon receiving a set of dimensions then generating a first interactive user interface comprising a series of concentric rings corresponding to the set of dimensions. The concentric rings comprise a series of wedges representing dimension values. A second interactive user interface is displayed, wherein the second interactive user interface comprises at least some of the set of dimensions, and wherein a user interaction upon the first interactive user interface causes a change in the second interactive user interface. Embodiments can include a selector to select a wedge and/or a slice, and the second interactive user interface can be presented as a table. User interaction upon the second interactive user interface is reflected simultaneously on the first user interface and user interaction upon the first user interface is reflected simultaneously on the table.

Modern computer users have access to many sources of information that can be collected and correlated together. Any suitable source may be used to acquire information that may be of interest to a user. In a business context, the information source will often include data from one or more business applications and, in some cases, suites of business applications. These applications are used to provide visibility and control over various aspects of the business. Such business applications (or, as they are sometimes called, "enterprise applications") can include, without limitation, customer relations management (CRM) applications, enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications, supply chain management applications, and other applications dealing with various finance, accounting, manufacturing, and/or distribution functions, to name but a few examples. Exemplary enterprise application suites include, without limitation, Oracle Fusion, Oracle eBusiness Suite, and JD Edwards Enterprise One, all of which are available from Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif.
In recent years, business intelligence (BI) software has become increasingly important to large business enterprises and other organizations to review and access business information maintained by the organization. Business intelligence provides current and historical views of business operations by analyzing internal, structured data and business processes of the organization. It is often used to create future models and predictions in order to support better business decision making. As such, business intelligence tools can lead to decreased costs and increased efficiency, productivity and profit margins for many companies.
Business intelligence is usually implemented as enterprise tools that are used to collect and analyze data and to transform the raw data into meaningful and useful information used to enable more effective strategic, tactical, and operational insights and decision-making. As such, a typical business intelligence server relies on data that may reside in a variety of places, including but not limited to relational databases, online analytical processing (OLAP) tools, repositories and content management systems, application servers, as well as a number of other sources.
In a typical business intelligence (BI) server, data is collected from all (or some) of these data sources and placed into a (virtual or physical) data warehouse or data mart, where it can then be modeled and analyzed before being presented to the user. For example, one approach is to implement a physical layer within the business intelligence server, where data is modeled as a consolidated table that mirrors objects in the data source layer. An application developer can assemble these compound objects by hand using a subset of the entities relevant to the domain; the synthesized objects can subsequently be imported into the business intelligence server's metadata and decomposed into dimensions and facts.
Various interfaces have been employed to view the multidimensional data that exist in business application systems such as BI systems, data marts, data warehouses, and enterprise applications, and some of such interfaces include multidimensional sunburst graphical interface widgets, however legacy sunburst widgets fail in at least the following aspects:                Legacy sunbursts are not optimized for use on small, touch-sensitive devices (e.g., tablet screens).        Sunbursts need to be interactive so as to facilitate human-machine interaction (e.g., by touch).        Some dimensions might comprise many hundreds (or thousands, or more) discrete values, making legacy sunbursts difficult to control and difficult to read.        Legacy sunbursts do not make it easy to directly add, remove, reorder, or filter the display without changing context or dealing with some other representation of the data structure.        Legacy sunbursts are shown in their entirety on the screen without conveniences to temporarily enlarge a given section of interest        Legacy sunbursts do not have a facility to label very small wedges.        Legacy sunbursts are used only to visualize a certain view of data, not as an input mechanism to easily control and change other data displays.
What is needed is a technique or techniques for implementing an interactive, touch-friendly sunburst interface element that operates in tandem with adjacent tabular interface elements and serves not only as a way to visualize a fixed view of data but to easily change views and access related information for each view.

Configuring and displaying multidimensional data using two or more correlated interactive screen interfaces


The present invention relates to carbamoyl phenylalaninol compounds and methods of using the same to treat disorders.

(R)-2-amino-3-phenylpropyl carbamate (APC) is a phenylalanine analog that has been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, narcolepsy, fatigue, depression, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, and others. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,232,315; 8,440,715; 8,552,060; 8,623,913; 8,729,120; 8,741,950; 8,895,609; 8,927,602; 9,226,910; and 9,359,290; and U.S. Publication Nos. 2012/0004300 and 2015/0018414. Methods for producing APC (which also has other names) and related compounds can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,955,499; 5,705,640; 6,140,532 and 5,756,817. All of the above patents and applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
The present invention overcomes shortcomings in the art by providing analogs of APC and a method of using the same to treat disorders.

Carbamoyl phenylalaninol compounds and uses thereof


A modular electrical system (10) supplies power to and controls a plurality of electric motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) associated with a plurality of drive units folding or extending rows in a telescopic seating system, comprising the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4), a control panel (12) removably communicating with the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) directing incoming current to drive the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) in a predetermined direction, a dual receptacle (18) communicating with the control panel (12), and a switch (26) terminating in a plug (30) removably communicating with the dual receptacle (18).

This invention relates to an electrical system for transmitting power to a plurality of drive units which fold or extend rows of seats or benches arranged in a telescopic seating system.
Various devices are known in the art for extending or retracting bleachers, such as may be found in an indoor athletic facility. U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,172 to Quigley teaches a powered drive apparatus which folds and unfolds rows of bleachers and which is adapted to fit almost entirely beneath a deck of the lowermost row. However, no electrical system for driving more than one apparatus at a time is disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,929 to Busse discloses a power actuated bleacher assemblage and suggests using multiple motor units which are simultaneously operated by a single reversing switch; however, the connections between the switch and the units are not specified.
Typically, components of a motor driven bleacher assemblage, tested individually but not as a system, are shipped to the installation site, requiring personnel to both erect the structure of the bleachers and to perform all wiring associated with connections to the motor units. This often requires installation personnel to manually strip ends of wires and establish electrical connections according to a set of instructions. This has proven time consuming, resulting in significant costs borne by the owner of the installation site. Furthermore, such an owner must rely on the expertise of the installation personnel, who may not be a registered electrician, thereby raising a question as to whether quality of the electrical connections may be assured. Moreover, lack of testing components of the motor driven units of the bleacher assemblage as a system presents the risk that the components, although tested and approved individually, may not perform as desired when comprising a part of an overall system.

Modular electrical system for drive units


According to an embodiment, an information provision device has a plurality of cameras and a processor. The processor identifies a person included in an image acquired by the camera from the image. The processor identifies a place photographed by the camera from the image obtained by the camera. The processor identifies an information terminal used by the person from the image obtained by the camera. The processor provides information according to the identified place to the identified information terminal.

A system for providing information regarding a product sales floor to customers on the product sales floor and supporting the purchasing behaviors of these customers is proposed. These types of many conventional systems track the customers moving through the sales floor in real time. Further, if the customers come to a predetermined sales floor, the conventional system provides information related to the sales floor to terminals used by the customers. Here, as a method of tracking the customers, a method using wireless positioning technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) and beacons is known.
However, when the GPS is adopted, an indoor application is difficult, and even if the indoor application is enabled, positioning accuracy is poor. Further, even when the beacon system is adopted, in order to increase the positioning accuracy, it is necessary to arrange communication devices for the beacons at a high density in a store. As described above, tracking the behavior of the person causes various problems that should be solved.

Information provision device and information provision method therefor


An implantable device includes an outer tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen. The outer tubular member includes: an outer wall portion having a plurality of first strands defining a plurality of first openings therebetween, the outer wall portion having a first porosity; and an inner baffle portion disposed within the lumen, the inner baffle portion including a plurality of second strands defining a plurality of second openings therebetween, the inner baffle portion having a second porosity that is lower than the first porosity of the outer wall portion.

Tinnitus is an auditory perception of sound in the absence of an external source. Tinnitus affects more than 50 million Americans. The impact of tinnitus is high, due to the cost of diagnosing and treating tinnitus as well as the high levels of comorbid debilitating psychiatric illnesses associated with tinnitus. Lives of patients suffering from tinnitus can be severely impacted, and it is not uncommon for patients to suffer from insomnia, depression, or even have suicidal ideations.
Tinnitus may be pulsatile and non-pulsatile. Although difficult to treat, non-pulsatile tinnitus may be treated using deep brain stimulation ("DBS") and transcranial magnetic stimulation ("TMS"). Pulsatile tinnitus is rhythmic and accounts for about 10% of tinnitus patients. Pulsatile tinnitus may be just as debilitating as non-pulsatile tinnitus. There are many causes of pulsatile tinnitus, but the common mechanism of sound generation is attributed to flow patterns in blood vessels near the cochlea, the sound sensing cavity of the inner ear. In particular, pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by abnormal pulse-synchronous blood flow in vascular structures disposed near the cochlea, such as, transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein ("SSIJ"). The vascular structures with abnormal flow may be either venous or arterial. Approximately 40% of pulsatile tinnitus etiologies are due to abnormal venous flow, approximately 35% are due to arterial abnormalities, with the remainder of the cases being unidentified.
Unfortunately, not all cases of pulsatile tinnitus are treatable. In addition, the risks of conventional pulsatile tinnitus treatments may be greater than the risks of the underlying disease. Conventional pulsatile tinnitus treatments include endovascular or open surgical occlusion of a laterally-projecting out-pouching from the sigmoid sinus, termed a diverticulum. Other treatment options include open surgical resurfacing of the sinus, which has a risk of postoperative complications as high as 23% and may result in venous sinus thrombosis, which could lead to intracranial hemorrhage, facial swelling, and wound dehiscence. Thus, therapeutic options may be more dangerous than the underlying disease, especially when the disease carries essentially no risk of stroke or hemorrhage. Accordingly, there is a need for improved treatment methods and devices for treating pulsatile tinnitus.

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A system and method for self-learning operation of gate paddles is disclosed. Opening and closing of the gate paddles requires timing and other settings to avoid injury and fare evasion. Self-learning allows a machine learning model to adapt to new data dynamically. The new data captured at a fare gate improves the machine learning model, which can be shared the other similar fare gates within a transit system so that learning disseminates.

This disclosure relates in general to transportation fare gates and, but not by way of limitation, to updating operation of the paddles/gates/barriers that impedes transit users who have not complied with fare requirements.
Transportation fare gates are used in mass transit systems. Such fare gate systems provide for the entry and exit for riders to control access and regulate fare compliance. A fare gate consists of one or more gate paddle each driven by a motor and controlled by electronics and software. The gate paddles configuration could be alone or in pairs that could swing toward/away or up/down to impede passenger traffic. Paddles are operated by the fare gate with each paddle having a wing or flap mechanism allowing for opening and closing in order to allow riders to either enter or exit the transit system. Paddles open and close allowing a time duration for riders to pass through the fare gate.
The speed that the paddles open and close are general programmable along with torque values that resist any obstruction as the paddles move. Typically, there is a service technician that manually adjusts the torque values that can affect speed of the paddles and their resistance to movement. The age of the mechanism or weight of the paddles can change the speed of movement for a given torque setting for the motor. Different firmware, different components and their age and other configuration can also affect the operation. A given transit system may have thousands of gates having many different configurations or profiles.

Self-learning gate paddles for safe operation


When the relation of battery temperature Tb1>battery temperature Tb2 is satisfied, a temperature increase request for a power storage unit becomes relatively large. Therefore, a target power value P2* for the power storage unit is determined with priority. The target power value P2* is calculated by multiplying the required power value Ps* by a distribution ratio Pr2 (0.5≦distribution ratio Pr2≦1.0) determined in accordance with temperature deviation between battery temperature Tb1 and battery temperature Tb2. The target power value P1* is determined by subtracting the target power value P2* from the required power value Ps*.

Recently, in consideration of environmental issues, vehicles using electric motors as driving sources, such as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles are attracting attention. Such a vehicle is provided with a rechargeable power storage unit for supplying power to the electric motor and for converting kinetic energy to electric energy and storing the same at the time of regenerative braking.
In the vehicle having an electric motor as the driving source as described above, power supply of larger capacity is desirable in order to improve running performance such as acceleration characteristic and mileage per charge. As a method of increasing power supply capacity, provision of a plurality of power storage units has been proposed.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,396 discloses an electrical motor power management system providing a desired high DC voltage level in a high-voltage vehicle traction system. The electrical motor power managements system includes: a plurality of power stages for providing DC power to at least one inverter, each stage including a battery and boost/buck DC-DC converter, and wired in parallel; and a controller controlling the plurality of power stages such that the batteries of the plurality of power stages are uniformly charged/discharged whereby the battery voltage to the at least one inverter is maintained by the plurality of power stages.
On the other hand, the power storage unit implemented, for example, by a chemical battery stores electric energy utilizing electro-chemical reaction and, therefore, its charge/discharge characteristic is much susceptible to the influence of temperature. Generally, the charge/discharge characteristic tends to lower at a lower temperature, while deterioration proceeds faster at a higher temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to control temperature of the power storage unit mounted on a vehicle such that it is kept within a prescribed temperature range. Therefore, a power storage unit mounted on a vehicle is often prepared as a package including a cooling fan.
When a plurality of power storage units are to be mounted on a vehicle, however, the package structure may lead to variation in cooling performance among the power storage units. As a result, even if the power storage units are made to have the same rated value and charge/discharge power with each other, temperature may still vary among the power storage units. Specifically, cooling of one electric storage unit may be relatively too much and the unit temperature may decrease, or cooling of one electric storage unit may be relatively insufficient and the unit temperature may increase.
The electrical motor power management system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,396 does not at all consider the temperature of batteries (power storage units) and, therefore, temperature variation among the plurality of power storage units cannot be avoided.

Power supply, system having a plurality of power storage units, vehicle using the same, and its control method


A process for removing nitroaromatic and nitrophenolic compounds from an alkaline wastewater stream generated in a process for the nitration of aromatic compounds by the mixed acid technique, which comprises. (a) adjusting the pH of the aqueous alkaline waste stream containing nitroaromatic and nitrophenolic compounds to a range from about 2 to 4.5, PA1 (b) contacting the acidic aqueous stream with sufficient hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion under conditions to effect oxidation of the nitrophenolic compounds, PA1 (c) adjusting the acidic, oxidized aqueous waste stream having a reduced nitrophenolic content to about pH .gtoreq.4, and PA1 (d) contacting the aqueous waste stream with a carbon adsorbent.

Production of nitroaromatic compounds from the mixed acid nitration of benzene or toluene is accompanied by the production of nitrophenolic by-products. It is common industrial practice to remove these nitrophenolic by-products from the nitroaromatic hydrocarbon reaction product by an aqueous alkaline washing step. This alkaline aqueous waste stream containing the nitrophenolic by-products is also saturated with nitroaromatic hydrocarbons.
Reduction of the concentration of priority pollutant nitrophenolics and nitroaromatic hydrocarbons to less than one part per million (sub-ppm) in aqueous waste streams discharged to the environment is a very recent requirement in most industrialized nations. The specific priority pollutants addressed are 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene and nitrobenzene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,214 discloses a process for removing trinitrocresols and picric acid contaminants from a wastewater stream generated in the production of nitroaromatics. The process involves contacting the crude dinitrotoluene generated by the mixed acid technique with an alkaline medium to generate an alkaline wash water containing water soluble nitrocresols and picric acid. The wash water is treated with aqueous acid in sufficient amounts to reduce the pH to 3-4. After pH adjustment the aqueous medium is contacted with hydrogen peroxide and a ferrous ion under conditions to effect oxidation of a substantial portion of the trinitrocresol to carboxylic acid, nitric acid and carbon dioxide.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,480 discloses a process for destroying polynitrophenols or their salts in an aqueous waste by treating with at least 2 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of polynitrophenol in the presence of from 0.002 to 0.7 moles of an iron salt per mole of polynitrophenol. The destruction takes place at a pH lower than 4 and a temperature greater than 65.degree. C.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,565 discloses a process for the reprocessing of nitrophenolic by-products, which are contained in the wastewater from a nitration, through solvent extraction, distillative recovery of the solvent and recovery of a nitrophenolic residue and incineration of the nitrophenolic residue.
Incineration or wet air oxidation are processes which are not economically viable for aqueous streams that are relatively low in organic content (about 1 wt %). Most other treatment methods involve chemical reaction, e.g. ozonolysis or Fenton's reagent (hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion). The chemical reaction rate drops precipitously as the concentration of the priority pollutant begins to approach the low levels required. In order to achieve the low, allowable concentrations of priority pollutants, large excesses of the chemical reactant must be added.
For example, the oxidative destruction of the bulk of the nitrophenols with Fenton's reagent is cost effective when the target range is 10-100 ppm. The oxidation of the nitroaromatic hydrocarbons is, however, much less efficient. Efforts to achieve sub-ppm concentrations on all priority pollutant nitrobodies present using Fenton's reagent alone requires so much hydrogen peroxide that other stand-alone treatments such as carbon treatment are more cost effective.
Thus, carbon adsorption is the most obvious treatment technology; however, as a stand alone technology it suffers certain drawbacks. One such drawback is the volume of carbon required to treat an industrial alkaline waste stream containing both nitroaromatics and nitrophenols. Carbon treatment alone allows for a certain loading of the nitrobody species to be adsorbed on the carbon bed before the nitrophenols are displaced from the carbon by the nitroaromatic hydrocarbons (the chromatographic effect), i.e. the nitrophenolics are less strongly adsorbed.
Since the regulated nitroaromatic hydrocarbons displace the nitrophenols, only four of which are presently regulated, from the carbon bed, an obvious approach is to remove the nitroaromatic hydrocarbons from the alkaline waste stream before passing it through the carbon bed. Such pretreatment removal of the nitroaromatics would involve biodegradation of the waste stream with suitable microorganisms or precipitation of the nitroaromatic hydrocarbon by chilling the waste stream.

Tandem waste stream treatment for the removal of nitroaromatics and nitrophenolics


A method of estimating one or more conditional probabilities may be provided. A method may include determining one or more states based on user input, and determining a similarity measurement between at least one state pair of one or more state pairs. The method may further include determining a likelihood of probability for the at least one state pair of the one or more state pairs. Moreover, the method may include estimating a conditional probability for the at least one state pair of the one or more state pairs based on the determined likelihood of probability and the determined one or more states.

Online coaching websites have gained popularity in recent times. Users can get help from dedicated life coaches regarding various matters of concern, such as emotional wellness, physical health, etc.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for establishing a point-to-point connection using Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). The point-to-point connection is established as part of the FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP). A first computing device sends a FIP discovery solicitation to a predefined address such as ALL-FCF-MACs. The first computing device also listens to the local ALL-FCF-MACs address and determines whether or not there are any switches in the fabric connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If there are no switches, the first computing device sends a second FIP discovery solicitation with a point-to-point indicator. If the first computing device receives a similar FIP discovery solicitation from the second computing device, it sends a FIP discovery advertisement with the point-to-point indicator. The first computing device and second computing device then perform fabric login and establish a point to point connection.

1. Field
This invention relates to initializing and maintaining a point-to-point connection in Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE).
2. Description of the Related Art
Fibre Channel is a high reliability, high speed network technology that is often used in storage networking, particularly in storage area network (SAN) environments. Many data centers use Fibre Channel (FC) for storage networking, and, in conjunction, use Ethernet for TCP/IP networks. As a result, the data center has two separate networks to maintain. FCoE is a network protocol that encapsulates Fibre Channel frames in Ethernet frames in order to allow Fibre Channel to be used over an Ethernet infrastructure. FCoE thus allows storage traffic generated according to the FC protocol to share infrastructure with network traffic generated according to Ethernet protocols such as TCP/IP.
One connection type that FC supports is point-to-point. In point-to-point, the connected devices are directly attached. For example, a server may be attached to a storage device via a point-to-point connection in FC. Point-to-point allows the connected devices to use the full bandwidth of the connection, allows more consistent performance, and provides a high level of security. Technical Committee T11 of the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS), which is the committee responsible for FC interfaces, and has produced the Fibre Channel-Link Services (FC-LS) (INCITS 433:2007) standard. That document, at 18.104.22.168, identifies the process for performing a point to point login in FC.
However, point-to-point connections are currently unsupported in FCoE. Those administrators who might otherwise wish to use FCoE are not able to do so if they need point-to-point connections in their network. As a result, FCoE is not yet as flexible a solution as FC. This may deter administrators otherwise interested in the standard from implementing FCoE.

Apparatus, system, and method for establishing point to point connections in FCOE

International Business Machines Corporation


An adjustable trampoline pad system is for a trampoline. The adjustable trampoline pad system has a main trampoline pad section having a plastic foam core enveloped inside an exterior cover. The main trampoline pad section has an arc shape roughly following the circumference of a trampoline frame. A main trampoline pad outside flap connects to the main trampoline pad section at an external periphery of the main trampoline pad section. A first extension pad section removably connects to the main trampoline pad section. The first extension pad section has an arc shape roughly following the curvature of the main trampoline pad section. A first extension pad outside flap connects to the first extension pad section at an external periphery of the first extension pad section. A second extension pad section is removably connected to the main trampoline pad section and the movably connected to the first extension pad section.

Trampolines typically have a rigid frame that is often made of a metal such as steel. The rigid frame typically has a tubular construction and is pieced together on site. A trampoline purchaser purchases a trampoline with a frame, a bed and a number of trampoline springs. The trampoline springs connect to the bed to support the trampoline bed in an outstretched suspended position. The trampoline spring is typically a helical spring having a coil portion between a pair of outstretched hook ends. The trampoline spring is connected between the trampoline bed and the trampoline frame. A trampoline pad also fits over the springs and also covers the trampoline frame at the trampoline frame periphery to protect a user against accidental injury when falling on the trampoline frame.
The trampolines also come in a variety of sizes and diameters so that different users having different sizing needs can have a trampoline that fits well in the backyard. Typically, a single trampoline pad covers the periphery of the trampoline bed. Unfortunately, there is still no single trampoline pad that can be adjusted in size to cover different trampoline sizes and configurations.
The call out list of elements denotes the elements shown in the figures.    34 Squares of hook portions    35 Loop strip portion    38 Straps    39 Main section straps    47 Pocket opening    52 Cushion portion    65 Outside perimeter flap    68 Pair of frame straps    80 Main trampoline pad section    88 Pad sections    110 Trampoline bed    120 Trampoline frame    130 Trampoline springs    140 Trampoline pad    150 Outside flap pad    151 Fabric flap joint    160 Middle portion pad    170 Inside flap pad    171 Riser pad    180 First extension section    280 Second extension section    288 Hook strips


A speech analysis and synthesis system operates to determine a sound source signal for the entire interval of each speech unit which is to be used for speech synthesis, according to a spectrum parameter obtained from each speech unit based on cepstrum. The sound source signal and the spectrum parameter are stored for each speech unit. Speech is synthesized according to the spectrum parameter while controlling prosody of the sound source signal. The spectrum of the synthesized speech is compensated through filtering based on cepstrum.

The present invention relates to speech analysis and synthesis system and apparatuses thereof in which spectrum parameter analyzed based on cepstrum and sound source signal obtained according thereto are analyzed for each of a plurality of speech units (for example, several hundred numbers of CV and VC etc.) used for synthesis, the sound source signal is controlled with respect to its prosody (pitch, amplitude and time duration etc.), and a synthesizing filter is driven with the sound source signal to synthesize speech.
There is known system of synthesizing arbitrary words in which linear predictive coefficient according to linear predictive analysis etc. is used as spectrum parameter for speech unit, the spectrum parameter is applied to speech unit to effect analysis to obtain predictive residual signal so that a part thereof is used as sound source signal, and a synthesizing filter constituted according to the linear predictive coefficient is driven by this sound source signal to thereby synthesize speech. Such method is, for example, disclosed in detail in the paper authored by Sato and entitled "Speech Synthesis based on CVC and Sound Source Element (SYMPLE)", Transaction of the Committee on Speech Research, The Acoustic Society of Japan, S83-69, 1984 (hereinafter, referred to as "reference 1"). According to the method of the reference 1, LSP coefficient is used as the linear predictive coefficient, predictive residual signal obtained through linear predictive analysis of original speech unit is used as sound source signal in un-voiced period, and predictive residual signal sliced from a representative one pitch period interval of vowel interval is used as sound source signal in a voiced period to drive the synthesizing filter to thereby synthesize speech. This method has improved speech quality as compared to another method in which a train of impulses is used in the voiced period and noise signal is used in the un-voiced signal.
A plurality of speech units are concatenated to synthesize speech in the speech synthesis, particularly in arbitrary word synthesis. In order to intonate the synthesized speech as natural speech of human speaker, it is necessary to change pitch period of speech signal or sound source signal according to prosodic information or prosodic rule. However, in the method of reference 1, when changing the pitch period of residual signal which is sound source in the voiced period, since the pitch period of original speech unit used in the analysis of coefficient of the synthesizing filter is different from that of speech to be synthesized, mismatching is generated between the changed pitch of residual signal and the spectrum envelope of synthesizing filter. Consequently, the spectrum of synthesized speech is considerably distorted and causes serious drawbacks such as the synthesized speech is greatly distorted, noise is superimposed, and the clearity is greatly reduced. Further, these drawbacks cause a first problem that these drawbacks are particularly noticeable when changing greatly pitch period in case of female speaker who has short pitch period.
Further, conventionally as in the case of reference 1, LPC analysis has been frequently used in the analysis of spectrum parameter representative of spectrum envelope of speech signal. However, in principle, the LPC analysis method has a drawback that the predicted spectrum envelope is easily affected by pitch structure of speech signal to be analyzed. This drawback is particularly remarkable to vowels ("i", "u" and "o" etc.) and nasal consonants in which the first Formant frequency and pitch frequency are close to each other as in the case of female speaker who has high pitch frequency. In the LPC analysis, prediction of Formant is affected by the pitch frequency to thereby cause shift of the Formant frequency and underestimation of band width. Accordingly, there is a second problem that great degradation in speech quality is generated when changing pitch to effect synthesis particularly in case of female speaker.
Moreover, in the foregoing method of reference 1, since the predictive residual signal of the representative one pitch interval of the same vowel interval is repeatedly used in general for vowel intervals, change with the passage of time in spectrum and phase of the residual signal cannot be fully represented for vowel intervals. Consequently, there has been a third problem that the speech quality is degraded in the vowel intervals.
With regard to the first problem, there is known a method to somewhat solve the problem in which peak Formant in lower range of the spectrum envelope is shifted to coincide with a position of the pitch frequency when effecting synthesis. For example, such method is disclosed in a paper authored by Sagisaka et al. and entitled "Synthesizing Method of Spectrum Envelope in Taking Account of Pitch Structure", The Acoustic Society of Japan, lecture Gazette pages 501-502, October 1979 (hereinafter, referred to as "reference 2"). However, in the foregoing method of reference 2, since the Formant peak position is shifted to that of the changed pitch frequency, this is not the fundamental modification, thereby causing another problem that the clearity and speech quality are degraded due to the shift of Formant position.
With regard to the second problem, in order to reduce the affect of pitch structure, there have been proposed various analysis methods such as Cepstrum method, LPC Cepstrum analysis method which is an intermediate analysis method between the foregoing LPC analysis and the Cepstrum method and the modified Cepstrum method which is a modification of the Cepstrum method. Further, there has been proposed a method to directly constitute a synthesizing filter by using these Cepstrum coefficients. The Cepstrum method is disclosed, for example, in a paper authored by Oppenheim et al. and entitled "Homomorphic analysis of speech", IEEE Trans. Audio & Electroacoustics, AU-16, p. 221, 1968 (hereinafter, referred to as "reference 3"). With regard to the LPC Cepstrum method, there is known a method to effect conversion from the linear predictive coefficient obtained by the LPC analysis into the Cepstrum. Such method is disclosed in, for example, a paper authored by Atal et al. and entitled "Effectiveness of Linear Prediction Characteristics of the Speech Wave for Automatic Speaker Identification and Verification", J. Acoustical Soc. America, pp. 1304-1312, 1974 (hereinafter, referred to as reference 4). Further, the modified Cepstrum method is disclosed in, for example, a paper authored by Imai et al. and entitled "Extraction of Spectrum Envelope According to Modified Cepstrum Method", Journal of Electro Communication Society, J62-A, pp. 217-223, 1979 (hereinafter, referred to as "reference 5"). The constructing method of a synthesizing filter using directly Cepstrum coefficient is disclosed in, for example, a paper authored by Imai et al. and entitled "Direct Approximation of Logarithmic Transmission Characteristic in Digital Filter", Journal of Electro Communication Society, J59-A, pp. 157-164, 1976 (hereinafter, referred to as "reference 6"). Therefore, detailed explanation may be omitted. However, though the Cepstrum analysis method and the modified Cepstrum analysis method can solve the forementioned problem of the LPC analysis, the structure of synthesizing filter using directly these coefficients is considerably complicated and requires a great amount of calculation and causes delay, thereby causing another problem that the construction of device is not easy.


A multi-function parts washer for removing contaminants from parts either by hand or automatically using an aqueous cleaning fluid includes a base cabinet having sides, a floor and an open top defining a compartment. A parts receptacle is mounted in the compartment for receiving parts to be washed. The receptacle is mounted for reciprocating, vertical movement in the compartment. An agitator assembly includes one or more compressed gas bladders mounted to the parts receptacle. The bladder has an inlet for introducing compressed gas into the bladder and an outlet for discharge of the compressed gas from the bladder. As compressed gas is introduced into the bladder, the bladder inflates and the parts receptacle is raised, and as compressed gas is discharged from the bladder, the parts receptacle is lowered to provide an agitating motion of the parts receptacle and the parts thereon in the cleaning fluid. The agitator can include a hydraulic cylinder to effect movement of the parts receptacle.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles and more particularly relates to a combination agitating, vat-type and sink washer for washing articles such as automotive parts to remove grease, oil and other contaminants, preferably using a washing fluid which consists of a non-solvent based, non-flammable, biodegradable and environmentally acceptable washing solution.
Various types of parts washers are commonly used in machine shops, garages, automotive shops and the like for removing the grime, oil and contamination from parts. In the past, most parts washers of the sink type utilized toxic cleaning fluids such as petroleum-based solvents and non-biodegradable detergents. The use of such toxic cleaning solutions is environmentally objectionable and, as a result, both state and federal authorities have restricted or severely limited the uses of these types of solutions and solvents.
Accordingly, there developed a need for an environmentally acceptable parts washer which utilizes safe, biodegradable, preferably aqueous cleaning solutions and which are effective to remove accumulated grime, particularly hydrocarbon-based contaminants such as oil and grease.
One type of parts washer is the standard sink-type washer which uses a recirculated solvent which dispenses a cleaning solution at a nozzle or brush. The user will simply scrub the part with the brush and the solvent will assist in removing contaminants. Sink-type parts washers, since they are manual, may be messy and time-consuming in use.
Various sink-type washers can be found in the prior art, such as the ATEC Trans-Tool T-6010-AQ Aqueous Manual Sink Style Parts Washer. Cuda also has a portable, solvent-free manual parts washer.
These devices generally have a sink mounted on a housing which has a reservoir with an accessory such as a flow-through brush, spigot and drain strainer for catching parts. The parts are washed and the solvent flows through the drain into a fluid tank below the sink.
Automatic jet washers are another type of parts washers found in the industry. Generally these type of devices have a cabinet in which is located a spray system connected to a pump for delivering pressurized cleaning solution. A standard jet washer usually includes the cabinet, a basket or turntable on which the parts are to be cleaned and one or more spray manifolds.
Cabinet washers are larger parts washers that have a cabinet with a large load capacity into which the parts are placed for cleaning Parts such as transmission cases, engine blocks, and the like are cleaned in these units. The washers are designed to use a non-flammable, water-based cleaning solution that is sprayed into the cabinet from a manifold.
Also known in the industry are agitating vat-type washers. These washers are designed to allow a larger part to be placed on a tray that sits above a volume of petroleum-based solvent or water-based cleaning solution. The tray can be lowered so that the part soaks in the solution to remove accumulated grime, oil and grease. Some of these vat-type units are also equipped with mechanisms that raise and lower the tray, promoting additional cleaning efficacy through the agitation of the part through the solution as the tray and part rises and lowers.
Other types of parts washers are shown in the prior art. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,299 which shows a recirculating parts washer which provides both automatic jet washing and manual sink-type brush washing for automotive parts and the like. The parts washer uses a water-based detergent cleaning solution. The housing provides an enclosed wash area, jet wash means providing automatic jet washing, a brush wash means allowing manual cleaning and a pump for delivering a flow of cleaning solution to the wash and brush means.
Thus, while the prior art suggests various types of parts washers including automatic parts washers, sink-type parts washers, jet washers, cabinet-style washers and vat-type washers, there exists the need for a versatile, economical parts washer that can provide multiple washing options, including a parts washing sink, a jet washer and an agitating vat-type washer.

Combination agitating parts washer and sink washer


A system for chlorination of a fluid to be treated, which includes a container containing trichlorocyanuric acid in a solid and compact form, a first pipe for supplying the container with dissolving fluid, an evacuation pipe in which the chlorinated fluid circulates, connecting the container to a pipe which contains the fluid to be treated, a chlorine analyzer connected to the pipe and which includes a mechanism for continuously measuring the amount of active chlorine in the treated fluid and released constantly by direct contact of the fluid to be treated with a surface of the trichlorocyanuric acid; and a flow rate regulation mechanism connected to a supply and including a mechanism to for constantly varying a continuous flow rate of the dissolving fluid passing into the container as a function of the amount of active chlorine present in the treated fluid and measured by the chlorine analyzer.

Generally, sterilization of water is essentially performed by chlorination obtained either by an electrochlorination or by an addition of Javelle water or of liquid chlorine.
Actually, surface water such as that found in seas and lagoons contains various organic elements which can proliferate and thus cause fouling of the water circulation pipes, leading to very considerable head losses, a considerable increase in the rate of clogging of the filters, or further, a clogging of the safety filters by growth of Copepoda whose eggs pass through filtering media such as prelayers. Thus, it has been found that sterilization of water can be as important as the filtration or the anticorrosion treatment to prevent deposits and, in the case of the petroleum industry, to prevent clogging of the formation into which water is injected.
Javelle water, whose concentration is expressed in chlorometric degree, exhibits drawbacks in industry for sterilization of water because it is susceptible to aging and unstable in high concentration, loss of activity being able to reach 6 to 10 chlorometric degrees during the first 24 hours after production. Because of this, it is necessary to provide fresh Javelle water several times per week.
Liquid chlorine is still more difficult to handle because of injection systems that are relatively complex to put in place, not taking into account the safety problems which necessitate taking great precautions. Also, the shipping, handling and storing of empty bottles that have contained liquid chlorine require the same type of precautions.
Another chlorination method is the one called electrochlorination which uses electrolysis. Electrochlorination is widely used for treating sea water despite the drawbacks due to the considerable maintenance required; however, when the salinity of the water to be treated is less than that of the sea water, the production of chlorine by the electrolysis cell lowers. For example, for saline concentrations less than 4 g/l, the faradic output is low and the dimensioning of the chlorination unit becomes important for productions of chlorine necessary for the treatment.
In a closed-loop recycling system, for example in the treatment of swimming pool water, most generally chlorocyanuric compounds are used which exhibit the advantage of having a slow solubility in water and of containing more than 88% by weight of active chlorine, as is the case for trichlorocyanuric acid. However, the treatment of water in a closed-loop recycling system, for example in a swimming pool, requires only an adjustment of the amount of chlorine contained in the volume of water in the system. This is obtained by periodic addition and "all or nothing" operation of the chlorination cell. The amount of chlorine contained in the treated water can vary rather considerably but without exhibiting a drawback, the chlorine keeping a sufficiently long time and without significantly increasing the consumption of active products.
Trichlorocyanuric acid mixed with boric acid and with calcium stearate is also used for the treatment of municipal waste water, as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,518. In this patent, the compound described is in the form of tablets, placed vertically in a pipe in which the water to be treated circulates. Although it involves a single pass system and the surface of the tablets of compound exposed to the water is a function of the flow rate of the water in the pipe, it does not comprise any means for intervening constantly and in real time on the amount of active chlorine released by the tablets. Actually, the relation which exists between the tablets and the water flow rate comes from the sole surface of the tablets in contact with the water. The higher the layer of water is in the pipe, the more immersed are the tablets.

Chlorination system for a water to be treated

Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production)


Human clinical use of a chimeric poliovirus construct has demonstrated excellent anti-tumor effect. Sequential treatment with the virus construct followed by chemotherapy drugs increases the anti-tumor effect. Tumors of different types are susceptible to the combination treatment, including but not limited to melanoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, medulloblastoma, and colorectal cancer.

PVS-RIPO is an oncolytic poliovirus (PV) recombinant. It consists of the live attenuated type 1 (Sabin) PV vaccine containing a foreign internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV2). The IRES is a cis-acting genetic element located in the 5′ untranslated region of the PV genome, mediating viral, m7G-cap-independent translation. The virus has shown exciting signs of efficacy in humans Nonetheless there is a continuing need in the art to identify and develop anti-cancer treatments that are more effective and that are effective for more humans, particularly for patients with brain tumors.


An air pollution control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a stack that discharges flue gas discharged from a boiler outside; a blower that is provided downstream of the stack and draws in the flue gas; and a CO2 recovering apparatus that recovers CO2 in the flue gas drawn in by the blower. The stack includes a controlling unit that suppresses release of the flue gas outside from the stack and suppresses inflow of atmosphere to the stack, and the controlling unit is a channel forming unit that forms a serpentine channel through which the flue gas and the atmosphere in the stack flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air pollution control apparatus and an air pollution control method that suppress discharge, to the atmosphere, of flue gas discharged from a boiler and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the greenhouse effect of CO2 has been pointed out as a cause of global warming, and a countermeasure against it has become an international urgent task for protecting the global environment. The source of CO2 ranges over every kind of human activities involving burning of fossil fuels, and the trend is toward further demand for the suppression of CO2 discharge. Along with the trend, a method of bringing burnt flue gas from a boiler into contact with amine CO2 absorbing solution and reducing and recovering CO2 in the burnt flue gas, and a method of preserving recovered CO2 without releasing it to the atmosphere have been strenuously studied for use at a power generating facility such as a thermal power plant that uses a large amount of fossil fuels (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-62165).
However, no conventional techniques draw the total amount of flue gas from a boiler, a gas turbine, or the like to be discharged from a stack to the atmosphere into a CO2 recovering apparatus. In recovering CO2, it have been demanded to maximize an amount of flue gas drawn in, and not to draw in the atmosphere.
For example, while a fuel gas desulfurization apparatus is generally provided downstream of a boiler for reducing sulfur oxide in flue gas discharged from the boiler, it is proposed to provide a damper or the like that can be opened and closed as a blocking unit in a stack provided upstream of the fuel gas desulfurization apparatus. A schematic of a configuration of a conventional fuel gas treatment facility is shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, in this conventional fuel gas treatment facility 100 in which a desulfurization apparatus is installed as an air pollution control apparatus together with a boiler, the total amount of flue gas 12 discharged from a boiler 11 that is a burning device in, for example, a thermal power plant, is drawn by a blower 13, and Sox in the flue gas 12 is reduced for example by a fuel gas desulfurization apparatus 14. A discharge opening is blocked by providing a damper 16 or the like that can be opened and closed as a blocking unit in a stack 15 so that sulfur oxide is not discharged to the atmosphere. The damper 16 is closed when the fuel gas desulfurization apparatus 14 is operated, and the damper 16 is opened when a flue gas source is running, while the operation performed by the fuel gas desulfurization apparatus 14 is stopped.
However, as shown in FIG. 9, when a blocking unit such as the damper 16 that can be opened and closed is provided in the stack 15, an industrial facility (a gas turbine or the like) provided upstream such as the boiler 11 and a turbine is adversely influenced when the damper 16 is closed while the facility provided upstream such as the boiler 11 and a gas turbine is being operated.
Furthermore, when a blocking unit such as the damper 16 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 10, when the operation performed by the CO2 recovering apparatus, the fuel gas desulfurization apparatus 14, or the like is stopped for example, and the flow rate of flue gas in the stack 15 becomes low, the flue gas 12 having high temperature flows out from a central portion of the inside of the stack 15, and the atmosphere 17 flows in along the inner wall of the stack 15. Thus, the atmosphere 17 flows into the stack 15.
In the case of the stack 15 having a short height, and the stack 15 having a large inner diameter, the flue gas 12 is more prone to flow out from the stack 15, and the atmosphere 17 is more prone to flow into the stack 15.
Accordingly, an appearance of an apparatus has been desired that draws the almost total amount of a large amount of flue gas into a CO2 recovering apparatus, and does not discharge the flue gas to the atmosphere safely and stably even when the operation performed by the CO2 recovering apparatus, the fuel gas desulfurization apparatus, or the like is stopped for example, with a simple structure without providing a blocking unit such as a damper in the stack.
In view of the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an air pollution control apparatus and an air pollution controls method that can draw, into a CO2 recovering apparatus, almost all amount of flue gas discharged from a stack to the atmosphere stably and safely, and minimizes draw-in of the atmosphere with a simple structure.

Air pollution control apparatus and air pollution control method


A method is provided for manufacturing an electrooptic cell, which includes two plates of optically transparent material and at least one thickness of a composite gel based on a smectic liquid crystal and on a polymer provided between the plates, wherein the gel is in a smectic phase at ambient temperature. The method includes injecting a mixture of a ferroelectric and/or anti-ferroelectric smectic liquid and a monomer between the plates, wherein the monomer content of the mixture is between 5 and 25% by weight. The mixture is heated to above its smectic phase/nematic phase transmission temperature so that the mixture is in the nematic phase. The mixture is irradiated, by ultraviolet radiation, so as to polymerize the monomer and thus obtain the gel. During the irradiation step, an electric or magnetic field is applied to the mixture.

It has been proposed in the prior art to provide arc welding helmets with shutters using liquid crystal-based materials fitted in the part of the helmet that is folded down onto the face. In particular, WO0122906 describes welding protection devices using standard liquid crystal (a nematic liquid crystal).
Such liquid crystal-based materials are materials wherein the optical properties can be modified, in particular the birefringence by applying an electrical field thereon. By inserting such liquid crystal-based materials into one or a plurality of cells, positioned between crossed polarizers and/or analyzers, shutters controllable with a voltage are obtained.
These helmets are switchable, i.e. the shuttering thereof is activated by an external optical signal (for example by activating the arc).
Such liquid crystal-based optical shutters may observe at least two states, i.e. at least one on-state, whereby they allow light to pass and a shuttered or off-state, wherein they do not allow light to pass or whereby they only allow a small portion thereof to pass.
In order to fulfill the function thereof correctly, the liquid crystal-based material contained therein must have a number of features.
Firstly, this material must have a satisfactory extinction in the visible range in question. For example, for the production of welding helmets, this extinction should be greater than or equal to 30 dB, in the visible band in question, i.e. 450 to 750 nm.
On the other hand, in the on-state(s), it should not induce excessive extinction. Again in the example of the production of welding helmets, this extinction in the on-state(s) must not be greater than 3 dB in the visible band in question.
Furthermore, such a material must, for numerous applications, be suitable to be provided on a relatively large surface. In the example of the production of arc welding helmets, this optical pupil should be at least equal to 1 cm2 in the case of a square pupil, or have a diameter of at least 1.5 cm in the case of a circular pupil.
It should also be noted that such materials should advantageously have rapid shuttering response times (also referred to as switching times) preferably less than one millisecond for operation in stroboscopic mode on the target temperature range.
Such optical shutters should also have a satisfactory shock resistance, as they will be used under relatively difficult conditions and, for this very reason, have an operating range on relatively wide temperature ranges. For example, in the case of the production of welding helmets, the optical shutter should at least operate within a temperature range between −5 and 55° C.
Various optical shuttering devices are found in the prior art. Besides purely mechanical shutters, which enable complete shuttering but are slow, costly and frequently bulky, shutters using the electro-optic or magneto-optic effect are known. The majority using the electro-optic effect make use of liquid crystal-based materials, for example, which are the least costly. The contrast quality is linked with the features of the liquid crystal-based material, the polarizers and the number of cascaded liquid crystal-based material cells.
In this way, optical shutters using nematic liquid crystal-based materials and other shutters using smectic liquid crystal-based materials are known.
Smectic or nematic PDLC (Polymer dispersed liquid crystal)-based shutters are also known. Such PDLCs consist of the association of at least one liquid crystal (nematic or smectic) and polymer(s). The effect used is a diffusion effect (selective attenuation by means of varying degrees of diffusion). Therefore, it is not necessary to have crossed polarizers and/or analyzers in this case.
However, the optical shutters using liquid crystal-based materials known in the prior art have a number of drawbacks reducing their benefits for some applications such as the production of arc welding helmets in particular.
Nematic liquid crystals and nematic liquid crystal-based PDLCs have mediocre relaxation times of the order of a few dozen milliseconds, incompatible with operation in stroboscopic mode, associated with the use of some electric arc modes.
Smectic liquid crystals (ferroelectric FLC or antiferroelectric AFLC) are more rapid than nematics but have specific defects on large pupils and are more fragile. In addition, they can only be used with small thicknesses.
A manner to prevent defect formation consists of using polymer gel stabilization (PSLC for "Polymer Stabilized Liquid Crystal" or PSAFLC for "Polymer Stabilized Anti-ferroelectric Liquid Crystal") without adversely affecting the rapid response (or switching) times of smectics (PSFLC or PSAFLC).
PSFLCs or PSAFLCs consist, like PDLCs, of the association of liquid crystal and polymer but differ therefrom in that the polymer is not encapsulated therein in droplet form. In PSFLCs (or PSAFLCs), the liquid crystal and polymer form a composite gel wherein the liquid crystal phase is interconnected.
PSFLC (or PSAFLC) structures have different features according to the polymer content of the mixture. For high concentrations (greater than 10% by weight of polymer), the polymer network structure predominantly affects the features of the liquid crystal.
With reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C, diagrams illustrating a conventional method for manufacturing a cell 100 based on a thickness of PSFLC material 101 between a first 102 and a second 103 optically transparent plate (for example glass) is shown. This cell is for example manufactured to produce a shutter.
In a first step (illustrated in FIG. 1A), the mixture 1010 of smectic liquid crystals and monomer (wherein the monomer content is such that a gel can be formed) is heated to a temperature Tnematic above which the mixture changes from the smectic phase C* (wherein it is at ambient temperature) to the nematic phase whereby, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the monomer molecules 1011 and the liquid crystal molecules 1012 are substantially oriented in the planes of the first and second optically transparent plates 102, 103.
In a second step (illustrated in FIG. 1B) conventional irradiation is performed, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, on said mixture 1010 so as to polymerize the monomer and thus obtain a thickness of PSFLC 101 in the nematic phase.
In a third step (illustrated in FIG. 1C), the cell 100 is cooled from Tnematic to ambient temperature and the PSFLC 101 thus changes from the nematic phase to the smectic phase whereby it is organized in the form of smectic layers 1013. So as to finalize the shutter, the cell is placed between crossed polarizers and/or analyzers (not shown in FIG. 1A to 1C).
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D, in the smectic phase (for example after the cell 100 has returned to ambient temperature following said third step), the appearance of an angle between the directional line n (direction of all the liquid crystal molecules) and the normal line A to the smectic layers 1013 (FIG. 2A) of the cell 100 (the layers 1013 adopting, on entering the smectic phase, an arrangement whereby they are parallel with the normal line to the plane of the first 102 and second 103 plates) obtained causes compression of the layers 1013. In a confined geometry, this compression of the smectic layers 1013 is expressed by a double inclination of said smectic layers which form a herringbone (FIGS. 2B-2C) and/or stripe (FIG. 2D) structure.
This structure is modified when an electric field 120 is applied thereto to switch the PSFLC 101. This modification is characterized by a rectification of the smectic layers 1013 in the thickness of the cell 100 accompanied by an inclination in the other direction (FIG. 2D). This inclination is equivalent to undulation of layers in the plane of the first 102 and second 103 plates.
This structural change induces the formation of a diffraction network 130 diffracting in the plane of the first 102 and second 103 plates of the cell 100 accompanied by parasitic diffusion which may be detrimental or redhibitory for numerous applications, particularly wherein strong illuminations of the cell 100 are applied, for example in the case of the production of a shutter for arc welding helmets (or for an intense laser).
Indeed, this diffraction network 130 (diffracting in the plane of the plates of the cell 100) generates, from the primary incident light beam on the first plate 102 of the cell 100 supplied by the intense light source (welding arc or intense laser), a secondary beam from the second plate 103 which, for example, blinds the user of the arc welding helmet.
In this way, in the case of the arc welding helmet, the presence of specific defects of the use of liquid crystals in the smectic phase (C*) and the existence of regular diffracting and diffusing structures (particularly due to alignment layers, polymer chains, defects) may impair the visual comfort of the user.

Method for manufacturing a PSFLC-based and/or PSAFLC-based electrooptic cell and corresponding electrooptic cell, device and helmet


A linear motion assembly includes a screw having a helical external groove extending over a plurality of turns with a radially outwardly extending helical land formed between adjacent turns and a ball nut having a through bore configured for receipt of the screw. The ball nut has a helical internal groove extending over a plurality of turns with a radially inwardly extending helical land formed between adjacent turns. The helical land of the ball nut is radially aligned with the external groove of the screw and the helical land of the screw is radially aligned with the internal groove of the ball nut. At least one helical recirculation insert having a circuitous recirculation groove is configured in radial alignment with the radially inwardly extending helical land of the ball nut and the external groove of the screw, wherein a plurality of balls are received in the circuitous recirculation groove.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to linear motion assemblies, and more particularly to linear motion assemblies having load bearing ball recirculation mechanisms.
2. Related Art
Linear motion assemblies, such as ball screw assemblies, for example, are used to effect linear actuation in various industries, such as machine tool, automotive, aircraft and aerospace, for example. Typically, a commercial ball screw assembly includes a screw with a continuous external helical ball groove and a ball nut with a continuous internal helical ball groove. The external helical ball groove of the ball screw and the internal helical ball groove of the ball nut are configured with substantially identical uninterrupted leads. With the ball nut received coaxially about the ball screw, the respective internal and external helical ball grooves are arranged opposite one another in radially aligned relation and a plurality of balls are disposed in a single continuous helical ball raceway formed between the opposed, continuously aligned internal and external helical ball grooves.
Typically, a ball return mechanism is incorporated in the ball nut to maintain the balls within the ball nut and within the ball raceway as the ball nut and screw move axially relative to one another. The ball return mechanism typically includes a pair of tubes or inserts disposed adjacent axially opposite ends of the ball nut, wherein the tubes or inserts are configured to recirculate the balls from the raceway adjacent one end of the nut to the opposite end of the raceway adjacent the opposite end of the ball nut. Accordingly, during recirculation, the balls traverse generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the assembly over a plurality of turns of the ball screw and ball nut helical grooves. Though the known tube and insert ball return mechanisms are generally effective in use, difficulties can arise from time to time. One such problem is when the balls become jammed within the raceway, particularly at the location of the ball return mechanism. In addition, manufacture and assembly of the tubes or inserts can prove challenging due to the need to having precisely configured and oriented structural features, particularly at the ends of the return mechanisms. The ends must be precisely configured so that they can pick or scoop up the balls from the raceway in the desired fashion.
Accordingly, the mechanisms used for recirculation of balls within linear motion assemblies along with the cost associated with their manufacture and the overall cost associated with the manufacture and assembly of linear motion assemblies can be improved.

Linear motion assembly with recirculation insert


A method for generating a bigram database may include receiving domain names, tokenizing the domain names, generating token bigrams from the tokenized domain names, filtering the token bigrams, ranking the token bigrams, and storing the filtered and ranked token bigrams in a bigram database. A method for suggesting alternative domain names may include receiving a requested domain name, tokenizing the requested domain name to divide the requested domain name into a series of tokens, retrieving token bigrams for tokens of the requested domain name, generating alternative domain name suggestions based on the token bigrams and the requested domain name, ranking the alternative domain name suggestions, and outputting at least one of the alternative domain name suggestions.

A good domain name is an important part of a web presence for individuals and businesses. Unfortunately, when attempting to register a domain name, the first choice for the domain name is not always available to the individual or business. When the first choice is not available, alternative domain names based on the initially requested domain name may be suggested.
However, many programs for suggesting alternative domain names do not suggest particularly relevant domain name alternatives, or, even if the suggestions are relevant, the most relevant alternative domain names may not be suggested towards the top of the list. Further, if the number of alternatives is limited, the most relevant alternative domain names may not actually even be suggested.
Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the disclosure to improve the relevance and quality of alternative domain name suggestions. Embodiments of the disclosure may achieve this object by using bigrams in the suggestion of alternative domain names.
Traditionally, a bigram database may be created using books, articles, or other literature, some of which may be available on the web. However, this source data may not be ideal for bigram suggestion for domain names, because domain names may be typically short and marketing oriented.
Thus, it is another object of embodiments of the disclosure to create a database of bigrams from a set of existing domain names and previously registered domain names. Other objects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be apparent in view the description of exemplary embodiments below.


An image forming apparatus acquires and stores pieces of information indicating respective profiles, selects one profile based on the stored pieces of information, and transmits, to an information processing apparatus, an image reading setting corresponding to the selected profile and identification information for identifying the selected profile. The information processing apparatus changes an image reading setting included in a profile identified based on the transmitted identification information of the image forming apparatus to the transmitted image reading setting, and transmits an image reading instruction based on the changed profile to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus receives the image reading instruction from the information processing apparatus, and reads the image to generate image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming system, image forming apparatus, and image forming method for reading an image to acquire image data, and a storage medium storing a program thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, cooperative performance of processing by an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus such as a PC has been used widely. The overall function cannot be achieved by a single image forming apparatus.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-186677 discloses an image forming apparatus using a pseudo push scan function. This function can simplify the arrangement of the image forming apparatus, providing the apparatus at low cost. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-186677, the user selects a host PC name and PC-side scan parameter set (to be referred to as a profile) he wants from choices representing host PC names and profiles displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus. The user then transmits scanned image data to the host PC. The host PC performs image processing for the received image data based on an image processing method designated by a pull scan driver, and stores the resultant image data in a predetermined storage destination.
In addition to this pseudo push scan function, even an extended copy function is implemented by cooperation between an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus such as a host PC, similar to the pseudo push scan function.
For the pseudo push scan function, a profile displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus is selected by pressing an OK key. The image forming apparatus transmits a profile number corresponding to the selected profile to the external apparatus using a dedicated protocol. The external apparatus transmits a scan execution instruction to the image forming apparatus based on profile settings corresponding to the received profile number. This method allows the user to select a profile while checking a mode setting (color/monochrome (black and white)) displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus, and execute scanning in the mode setting of his choice.
However, although the panel displays mode settings to the user, information transmitted to the external apparatus after pressing the OK key is only a profile number. The mode setting is therefore determined by the external apparatus. The user has to make a selection based on only mode settings displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus. A dedicated driver capable of setting a profile has been installed in the external apparatus. If the external apparatus changes the mode setting when not intended by the user, the output result that the user wants cannot be obtained. Even for the extended copy function, when a driver similar to that for the pseudo push scan function is used, the same problem arises because execution of a job starts with the same operation procedures.
For example, in some configurations, a plurality of parameters set in the driver of the external apparatus are assigned as a parameter set to a key on the image forming apparatus, and image reading or facsimile transmission is done in response to pressing the key. The parameter set includes the document size, resolution, color/black and white/gray scale, scan region, luminance, contrast, and destination. By pressing the key, scanning is executed with the desired settings. However, even if a parameter set can be registered to a key on the image forming apparatus, the setting of the parameter set cannot be changed on the image forming apparatus side, so the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved.

Image forming system, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium storing program thereof


A collet connection insulation apparatus has a frame having a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion such that the first and second portions are movable between an open position and a closed position, a first insulation section affixed to the first portion of the frame, a second insulation section affixed to the second portion of the frame, and a latch for locking the first and second portions of the frame in the closed position. The interior volume of the insulation sections is suitable for receiving the collet connection therein. The latch is slidably mounted on one portion of the frame so as to engage a sloted flange on another portion of the frame. The latch can be manipulated by a remotely-operated vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to subsea manifolds, connectors, and pipeline end terminations (PLETS). More particularly, the present invention the relates to insulation assemblies suitable for application around the collet connection associated with such subsea apparatus. More particularly, the present invention the relates to latching mechanisms for allowing the insulation apparatus to be affixed around the collet connection.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Technology advances related to subsea petroleum exploration have resulted in the development of various conduit and wellhead connector mechanisms which may be remotely controlled for the purpose of achieving connection between mechanical and hydraulic apparatus of wellheads, conduits, and the like. A popular type of connector assembly is a hydraulically-actuated collet connector which utilizes a series of segment clamps which are biased by various other mechanical apparatus to releasably secure a pair of abutting flanges into sealed assembly. Collet connectors and other acceptable connector mechanisms are generally utilized for connection of the wellhead valve system or the production system of the wellhead to lower wellhead structures so that the wellhead valve assembly may be disconnected and removed in the event that replacement or repair is necessary.
A multi-well subsea assembly can include subsea structures such as subsea trees, manifolds, and/or pipeline end terminations (PLETs). These subsea structures can be interconnected by jumpers. The jumpers mate up with the subsea structures using connectors that mate with hubs on the subsea structures. Production is often routed from the trees into gathering manifolds, and from the gathering manifolds to pipeline end terminations and pipelines to the platform.
As fluids flow from the subsea development toward the platform, the temperature of the fluids decreases, sometimes significantly, as heat is lost to the surrounding water. Measures are often taken to minimize heat lost and to keep fluid temperatures as warm as possible in order to maintain low viscosity and a proper flow of fluids within the pipelines. It is important to maintain the flow temperatures for the fluids in the event that production is shut down for any reason. In the absence of insulation, oil can slowly form hydrates at the various collet connections.
Typically, the pipeline and the piping in the PLETs, manifolds, trees, and jumpers are insulated so as to reduce heat loss to the surrounding seawater. Typically, the insulation is pre-installed on the piping before the structures are placed into the water.
The connectors on the ends of the jumpers, however, cannot be insulated prior to subsea installation. These connectors often have moving parts and mating surfaces which will require tools for installation. These features inhibit placing any sort of insulation upon the connectors. Insulation is often placed on the connectors after the connectors have been installed.
Current connector insulation systems use insulation that has been molded into a shape that conforms to the outer contours of a connector. The molded insulation may split into parts so that the insulation can be assembled upon the connector. This molded insulation can be in the form of pre-molded and/or rigid blocks. ROV's are often used to install this molded insulation upon the connector after the jumper is installed.
In the past, various patents have related to insulation systems for installation upon subsea structures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,547, issued on Aug. 31, 2010 to S. K. Reddy, provides a subsea connector insulation device. This device has a frame coupled to and at least partially enclosing a subsea component. A bag is at least partially enclosed in the frame. The bag may substantially seal against at least one surface of the subsea component when the bag is at least partially inflated. A port is attached to the bag. The port allows the bag to be coupled to a fluid provider connector so that fluid can be provided into the bag to inflate the bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,643, issued on Nov. 2, 2010 to Wong et al., provides an insulation shroud with internal support structure. The insulation shroud includes a body adapted to be positioned around a subsea component. The body has an insulating material having an internal support structure positioned thereon, along with a door.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,763, issued on Aug. 30, 2011 to Bath et al., teaches a method and system for installing subsea insulation. This subsea insulation is installed on flowlines, connectors and other subsea equipment by a remotely operated vehicle. This system provides a mold designed and built to suit the parameters of the subsea item to be insulated. The mold is installed around the subsea item to be insulated and then injected with a liquid solution of insulation material. The liquid solution is then allowed to solidify so as to form a gel-molded insulation.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0266523, published on Nov. 30, 2006 to J. D. Lower, shows a subsea insulating shroud. This shroud is used to insulated a connector that connects a first tubular member having a first flange with a second tubular member that has a second flange. The apparatus has a generally tubular body forming a generally tubular cavity therein adapted to enclose the connector. The body has a longitudinal opening adapted to receive the first tubular member and a closure member for closing the opening. The body and the closure member are lined with insulation and include first and second seals for sealing with the first and second flanges so as to seal around the connector.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a collet connection insulation apparatus that provides insulation to the collet connection of a manifold or a PLET.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a collet connection insulation apparatus that maintains the temperature of the fluids flowing through the collet connection and avoids hydrate formations at the collet connection.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a collet connection insulation apparatus that is relatively inexpensive.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collet connection insulation apparatus that can be installed through the use of a remotely-operated vehicle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collet connection insulation apparatus that can be effectively locked around the collet connection.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.


A replaceable cornea contactor for an eye examining instrument is made to be discarded after each use. A bendable tab molded on the cornea contactor is deformed by a strain gauge as the cornea contactor is inserted into a cornea contactor holder, and a signal from the strain gauge is used to verify that a previously unused cornea contactor has been inserted into the holder. A microprocessor is programmed to recognize the signal produced by initial deformation of the cornea contactor tab so as to proceed with an eye examination only after receiving the strain gauge signal verifying that a previously unused cornea contactor has been inserted.

For eye examining instruments that contact a cornea, it is desirable to discard and replace a cornea contactor after it has become wetted with tears of a pair of eyes being examined. Discarding used cornea contactors can prevent transfer of bacteria, viruses or prions from one patient to another. For this purpose, our previous U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,070,875, 6,179,779, and 6,471,647 and our pending application Ser. Nos. 09/811,709 and 10/178,987 have suggested a few ways of making tonometer prisms readily replaceable. The desirability of replacing cornea contactors is not limited to tonometers or prisms, though. As revealed in our application Ser. No. 10/178,987, eye contacting cornea contactors are also useable in opthalmologic instruments examining eyes for purposes other than tonometry. Also, corneal contactors are not limited to prisms, and can be formed as windows or other light transmitting elements that contact a cornea for examination purposes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ophthalmologic applanation cornea contactor replacement system for eye examining instrument


Various embodiments herein disclose improving battery life while determining a location of a Bluetooth device. A corresponding method comprises receiving an identifier for a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device to locate in an environment comprising a plurality of access points (APs). The method further comprises identifying a first AP of the plurality of APs communicating with the BLE device at a first power level. The method also comprises instructing, using the first AP, the BLE device to increase a transmission power level of the BLE device until a threshold number of APs of the plurality of APs, including the first AP, receive communications from the BLE device. The method additionally comprises receiving an RSSI value from each of the threshold number of APs based on the communications from the BLE device. The method also comprises computing a location of the BLE device in the environment based on the RSSI values.

Many mobile electronic devices, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, are battery-powered wireless devices. Such devices may often be used as beacons to identify locations of items. For example, a BLE device can be embedded in or be part of an item (such as a crate, pallet, or the like) or be used to track the location of the item during transportation between facilities, storage within a facility, and so forth. To enable such location identification and tracking capabilities, the BLE device transmits periodic advertisements indicating its location at the time the advertisement is transmitted at a specified period and power level to receiving devices, such as other BLE devices, access points (APs), or the like. In some embodiments, to enable triangulation, trilateration, or the like, to identify the location of the BLE device when the BLE device transmitted the advertisement, the advertisement should be received by multiple APs. Such periodic advertisement transmissions at power levels sufficient to enable multiple APs to receive the periodic advertisements from the BLE device may utilize a large amount of power relative to the power capabilities of the battery-powered BLE device. For example, transmitting advertisements at a sufficient power level to enable multiple APs to receive the advertisements can expend the battery of the BLE device too quickly and create interference in an environment, which is generally undesirable.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially used in other embodiments without specific recitation.

Conserving battery life during Bluetooth device localization


An embodiment provides an apparatus, including: an input device having one or more keys; and a controller receiving input from the one or more keys; one or more of the one or more keys having a recessed surface relative to a bezel surface of the input device; the recessed surface responding to user input in the absence of mechanical displacement. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Information handling devices ("devices") come in a variety of forms, for example laptop computing devices, tablet computing devices, smart phones, e-readers, MP3 players, and the like. Many such devices include or are used in combination with keyboards.
With the multiplicity of form factors available, many different keyboard and user input designs are utilized. For example, more traditional keyboards are often omitted in certain devices such as smart phones and tablet computers in favor of "soft keys", i.e., keys areas implemented on a touch or gesture interactive surface such as a touch screen. Moreover, other devices are designed to include a keyboard interface on a touch screen as well as a physical keyboard. In some cases the physical keyboards are detachable from the device.
The available keyboards include those having conventional mechanical keys areas (i.e., keys that are mechanically displaceable on depression by a user providing a key stroke) and keyboards including non-mechanical keys, i.e., not mechanically displaceable but accepting input using non-mechanically sensed input, e.g., touch detection. Non-mechanical keyboards have become popular. Non-mechanical keyboards include touch based keyboards such as implemented on a touch screen as well as membrane keyboards.
Thin, non-mechanical keyboards are popular due to their low weight and thinness. As an example, the MICROSOFT SURFACE tablet computer is optionally outfitted with a membrane keyboard. Instead of using mechanical keys that displace (i.e., travel and engage an underlying switch), the membrane keyboards leverage technologies such as capacitive and resistive sensors to determine when a user is pushing on a key. The result is a thin, mostly flat, one piece keyboard.


Preforms for molding processes such as resin transfer molding processes are prepared by melting a solid, non-sintering, thermoplastic-like resinous compound on the surface of a substrate material; after cooling, assembling one or more plies of the coated substrate material into the desired shape; heating the thus shaped substrate material to a temperature above the melting temperature of resinous compound and subsequently cooling to a temperature below the melting point of the resinous compound.

Various molding processes such as resin transfer molding (RTM) processes involve loading dry reinforcement layers into a mold, closing the mold, injecting a thermosetting resin composition into the mold and curing the resin via the application of heat. One of the bottlenecks in such a process is loading the reinforcement into the mold. The individual layers of fabrics must be cut and shaped to conform to the various curvatures in the mold. This can be very time consuming, especially for layups (preforms) involving foam cores. It would be desirable to assemble the reinforcement outside of the mold and load only that structure (or preform) into the mold at one time.
Two common approaches in assembling the preform are (1) to tie layers together with reinforcement strands or (2) to use a viscous liquid or solid resin as an adhesive to hold the layers together. Either method is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of ease or economy of operation.
Tying the layers together is economically unsound since the labor costs associated with this method are too high. Gluing the layers together with a resin is a better approach but resins systems such as Spray 77 available from 3M Corporation which are currently employed adversely affect the mechanical properties of subsequent molded composites at elevated temperatures in the presence of moisture. The solid resins have been previously applied by solvent techniques which are energy intensive, and affect fiber sizing. The liquid resins have been applied using messy painting techniques and require solvent recovery systems.
It would be desirable to have available a method for assembling preforms for molding processes which did not involve tying, gluing or solvent recovery.
The present invention provides a method for preparing preforms for use in molding processes which avoids the use of tying, gluing or solvent recovery.

Method for preparing preforms for molding processes