A camshaft adjuster (1) having a stator (3) and a rotor (5) located in the stator (3), having vanes (7) that are each located in a chamber (9) formed between the stator (3) and the rotor (5), each of the vanes (7) dividing its respective chamber (9) into two partial chambers, and pressurized oil being adapted to be supplied to each of the partial chambers and conducted out from each of the partial chambers via oil channels (21), so that through the pressurized oil a torque can be exerted on the rotor (5) by which the rotor (5) can be rotated, so that a camshaft adjustment can be set thereby. The rotor (5) is constructed from a metallic base frame (15) that has, axially adjacent, a casing (17) made of plastic in which at least one of the oil channels (21) is formed.

The present invention relates to a camshaft adjuster.
From DE 100 84 408 B4, a camshaft adjuster having a vane-cell design is known whose drive element, in the form of a drive gear, is driven by a crankshaft via a traction mechanism such as a chain or a belt. Connected to the drive wheel so as to co-rotate fixedly therewith is a stator in which a rotor is rotatably located in order to produce a positioning angle. The rotor is connected to a camshaft so as to co-rotate fixedly therewith. A relative angular position between the camshaft and drive wheel, and thus the crankshaft, can be influenced as determined by the positioning angle, accompanied by an adjustment of the control times. In a vane-cell design, the rotor has vanes that are displaceable in the circumferential direction in a manner determined by a hydraulic pressure in control chambers of the stator, in order to produce a positioning angle. On the side facing away from the camshaft, the stator is fashioned with a disk that limits the control chambers in the axial direction. The force relationships between the rotor and the stator, in addition to the hydraulic relationships, in the area of the vanes are influenced by a torsion spring.
A pin referred to in the prior art document as a locking pin is displaceably held in a bore of the rotor parallel to the longitudinal axis of the camshaft adjuster, and the axial position of the pin can be influenced by the force relationships of a pressure spring and/or the hydraulic relationships in the area of end surfaces of the pin. The disk of the stator has a corresponding blind-hole type opening oriented in the axial direction. For an activated position of the pin, in particular a start position, intermediate position, center position, early position, or late position, an end area of the pin exits from the rotor and enters into the opening of the disk of the stator, so that the degree of rotational freedom between the rotor and the stator is limited.
JP 2000161028 A discloses a camshaft adjuster having a vane-cell design in which the rotor is made of aluminum and has a hub made of steel having radially protruding supports for the vanes. The steel hub is radially internally embedded in the aluminum rotor. Through the use of the aluminum rotor, an optimal adjustment of the play between rotor and stator is achieved.


A method for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus including pixels, scanning lines, and data lines, includes the steps of: generating a data signal voltage to be applied to the data lines from a supply voltage; and correcting the supply voltage based on a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a method for driving the same, and more particularly to a display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display apparatus, for example, used for audio visual (AV) equipment, office automation (OA), etc., which uses a voltage generating device forming a part of a driving device and a method for driving the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 23 shows an example of the liquid crystal display apparatus as described above. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a display panel 1001 which performs a display function, a scanning electrode signal driver 1002 for applying a predetermined voltage to scanning electrode lines Y1 to Ym of the display panel 1001 in a line sequence, and a data electrode signal driver 1003 for applying a predetermined voltage to data electrode lines X1 to Xn of the display panel 1001 in accordance with display information. In addition, the apparatus includes a voltage generating section 1006 for generating a voltage applied to the scanning electrode signal driver 1002 and the data electrode signal driver 1003, and a control section 1005 which receives information from an input signal line 1004 to send a control signal to the scanning electrode signal driver 1002, the data electrode signal driver 1003, and the voltage generating section 1006, respectively.
The voltage generating section 1006 includes a data signal voltage generating circuit 1101, a non-selection voltage generating circuit 1102, and a write voltage generating circuit 1103, as shown in FIG. 24.
The voltage generating section 1006 receives a logic circuit power-supply voltage Vcc, a supply voltage Vee, and a control signal Sd. Alternatively, the supply voltage Vee may not be input to the voltage generating section 1006; in such a case, a supply voltage is generated by a booster circuit, etc. in the voltage generating section 1006 based on the logic circuit power-supply voltage Vcc. The voltage generating section 1006 generates a data signal voltage VD, a non-selection voltage VM, a positive electrode side write voltage VH, and a negative electrode side write voltage VL based on input signals such as the logic circuit power-supply voltage Vcc, the supply voltage Vee, and the control signal Sd.
The data signal voltage VD, the non-selection voltage VM, and the write voltages VH and VL satisfy the following Expressions (1) and (2):
VD=2xc3x97VMxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
|VL|=|VH|xe2x88x92|VD|xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
As shown in FIG. 21, the display panel 1101 has a simple matrix type structure in which pixels are arranged in a matrix. Each pixel is composed of one of the scanning electrode lines Y1 to Ym, one of the data electrode lines X1 to Xn, and the liquid crystal 1201 provided between the electrode lines.
Referring back to prior art FIG. 23, the scanning electrode signal driver 1002 is composed of a shift register, an analog switch, etc., and the data electrode signal driver 1003 is composed of a shift register, a latch circuit, an analog switch, etc.
FIG. 25 shows an exemplary operation of the scanning electrode signal driver 1002. It is noted that the scanning electrode signal driver 1002 applies a predetermined voltage to the scanning electrode lines Y1 to Ym in accordance with a latch pulse LP and an alternating signal M.
The scanning electrode signal driver 1002 receives a scanning commencement signal S (not shown), the latch pulse LP, the alternating signal M, and various voltages 1305 (i.e., the write voltages VH and VL, the non-selection voltage VM, and a reference voltage VS) from the control section 1005. The reference voltage VS is generally 0 volt, so that it may be omitted hereinafter. The scanning electrode signal driver 1002 applies the positive electrode side write voltage VH or the negative electrode side write voltage VL supplied from the voltage generating section 1006 to a selected line during a selection period, and the non-selection voltage VM to the selected line during a non-selection period.
Furthermore, FIG. 25 shows waveforms 1306 and 1307 of voltages applied to the scanning electrode lines Yi and Yi+1. As represented by the waveform 1306, during a selection period 1303 in an A frame 1301, the write voltage VH is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi in accordance with the latch pulse LP and the alternating signal M. During a selection period 1304 in a B frame 1302, the write voltage VL is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi in accordance with the latch pulse LP and the alternating signal M, and during a non-selection period, the non-selection voltage VM is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi. On the other hand, as represented by the waveform 1307, during a selection period 1308 in the A frame 1301, the write voltage VL is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi+1 in accordance with the latch pulse LP and the alternating signal M. During a selection period 1309 in the B frame 1302, the write voltage VH is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi+1, and during the non-selection period, the non-selection voltage VM is applied to the scanning electrode line Yi+1 in accordance with the latch pulse LP and the alternating signal M. Herein, the A+B frames each refer to one period of the scanning commencement signal S, and the non-selection period refers to a period obtained by excluding the selection periods from one frame.
FIG. 26 shows signals which are transmitted to the data electrode signal driver 1003. The data electrode signal driver 1003 receives the latch pulse LP, the alternating signal M, a data signal D, and a data transfer clock signal CLK from the control section 1005. Data of each data electrode line Xj is determined based on the data signal D and the data transfer clock signal CLK.
FIG. 27 shows an exemplary operation of the data electrode signal driver 1003. The data electrode signal driver 1003 receives the data signal voltage VD, the non-selection voltage VM, and the reference voltage VS, in addition to the above-mentioned signals, from the voltage generating section 1006.
The data electrode signal driver 1003 applies the latch pulse LP, the alternating signal M, and the data signal transmitted from the control section 1005 and the data signal voltage VD or the reference voltage VS transmitted from the voltage generating section 1006 to a selected line. For example, in the case where data DXj of the data electrode line Xj is at a high level as represented by reference numeral 1509, the data electrode line Xj is supplied with a voltage represented by a waveform 1506 in accordance with the latch pulse LP and the alternating signal M. Reference numeral 1507 shows a waveform of a voltage applied to the scanning electrode line Yi. Thus, a waveform applied to a pixel at a coordinate (Xj, Yi) is as represented by reference numeral 1508.
In a general liquid crystal display apparatus, the data signal voltage VD is constant irrespective of an ambient temperature or the like, as shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 28 shows contrast-supply voltage characteristics at each temperature when the data signal voltage VD is constant.
In FIG. 28, a curve 1603 represents a contrast-supply voltage characteristic at Ta=0xc2x0 C., where Ta is a temperature of a liquid crystal display apparatus; a curve 1602 represents a contrast-supply voltage characteristic at Ta=25xc2x0 C.; and a curve 1601 represents a contrast-supply voltage characteristic at Ta=50xc2x0 C.
As is understood from FIG. 28, if a use temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus is in a range of 0xc2x0 C. to 50xc2x0 C., it is required to vary a supply voltage for the liquid crystal driving circuit between Va1 and Vc1 in order to improve the contrast of the apparatus. Furthermore, in the case where the temperature dependence of the liquid crystal display apparatus is larger than that shown in FIG. 28, the range of variation of the supply voltage which is a power-supply voltage for a liquid crystal driving circuit is required to be made even larger.
FIG. 29 shows a conventional circuit for generating a power-supply voltage for a liquid crystal driving circuit which is capable of varying a voltage. The voltage generating circuit shown in FIG. 29 includes a variable voltage regulator 1701, resistors 1702 and 1703, a capacitor 1704, electrolytic capacitors 1705 and 1706, and diodes 1707 and 1708.
An input voltage Vin is adjusted by the variable voltage regulator 1701, whereby an adjusted supply voltage Vee is obtained. The input voltage Vin is required to be higher than the supply voltage Vee as a power-supply voltage for a liquid crystal driving circuit. In general, the input voltage Vin is constant.
Thus, in the voltage generating circuit shown in FIG. 29, when an optimum voltage Vc1 of the curve 1603 shown in FIG. 28 becomes high, the input voltage Vin is required to be set to a high value. Consequently, the withstanding voltage of the variable voltage regulator 1701 is required to be set to a high value.
As the potential difference between the optimum voltage Va1 of the curve 1601 and the optimum voltage Vc1 of the curve 1603 becomes larger, the potential difference between the input voltage Vin and the optimum voltage Va1 of the curve 1601 also becomes larger. Therefore, in the case where a general liquid crystal display apparatus is used under the condition of the curve 1601, a power loss of the variable voltage regulator 1701 becomes large. This makes it difficult to minimize the power consumption.
A method for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus according to the present invention including pixels, scanning lines, and data lines, includes the steps of: generating a data signal voltage to be applied to the data lines from a supply voltage; and correcting the supply voltage based on a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the supply voltage includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the supply voltage so that the data signal voltage becomes lower than a reference voltage in a case where the temperature is higher than a first reference temperature.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the supply voltage includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the supply voltage so that the data signal voltage becomes higher than a reference voltage in a case where the temperature is lower than a second reference temperature.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the supply voltage further includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the supply voltage to be a first voltage in a case where the temperature is higher than a first reference temperature and correcting the supply voltage to be a second voltage in a case where the temperature is lower than a second reference temperature, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage, and the first reference temperature is higher than the second reference temperature.
A method for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus according to the present invention including pixels, scanning lines, and data lines, includes the steps of: generating a data signal voltage to be applied to the data lines from a power-supply voltage; and correcting the data signal voltage based on a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the data signal voltage includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the data signal voltage to be lower than a reference voltage in a case where the temperature is higher than a first reference temperature.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the data signal voltage includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the data signal voltage to be higher than a reference voltage in a case where the temperature is lower than a second reference temperature.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of correcting the data signal voltage further includes: measuring a temperature of the liquid crystal display apparatus; and correcting the data signal voltage to be a first voltage in a case where the temperature is higher than a first reference temperature and correcting the data signal voltage to be a second voltage in a case where the temperature is lower than a second reference temperature, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage, and the first reference temperature is higher than the second reference temperature.
A display apparatus according to the present invention includes: a display panel including a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines; a scanning line driver for applying a voltage enabling write signal to the scanning lines in a line sequence; a signal line driver for applying a voltage to the signal lines; a pre-voltage generating device for generating a supply voltage from an input voltage based on a temperature of the display apparatus; and a main voltage generating device for generating a data signal voltage from the supply voltage and outputting the data signal voltage to the signal line driver.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-voltage generating device increases the supply voltage with a decrease in the temperature of the display apparatus and decreases the supply voltage with an increase in the temperature of the display apparatus.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the pre-voltage generating device has a temperature detection circuit for measuring the temperature of the display apparatus.
A display apparatus according to the present invention includes: a display panel including a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines; a scanning line driver for applying a voltage enabling write to the scanning lines in line sequence; a signal line driver for applying a voltage to the signal lines; a pre-voltage generating device for generating a supply voltage from a voltage input from outside; and a main voltage generating device for generating a data signal voltage from the supply voltage based on a temperature of the display apparatus and outputting the data signal voltage to the signal line driver.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the main voltage generating apparatus increases the data signal voltage with a decrease in the temperature of the display apparatus and decreases the data signal voltage with an increase in the temperature of the display apparatus.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the main voltage generating device includes a temperature detection circuit for measuring the temperature of the display apparatus.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the main voltage generating device includes a non-selection voltage generating circuit, the non-selection voltage generating circuit has a temperature detection circuit for measuring the temperature of the display apparatus, and the non-selection voltage generating circuit generates a non-selection voltage from the supply voltage as the data signal voltage based on the temperature of the display apparatus.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the non-selection voltage generating circuit increases the non-selection voltage with a decrease in the temperature of the display apparatus and decreases the non-selection voltage with an increase in the temperature of the display apparatus.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel is a simple matrix type display panel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel is a simple matrix type display panel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel is an active matrix type display panel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the display panel is an active matrix type display panel.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantage of providing a display apparatus in which a variable range of a power-supply voltage can be made narrow, and power consumption can be minimized.
This and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures.

Display apparatus and method for driving the same


A gasket of the invention is attached to a fuel cap and is located between a pipe sealing face of an inlet opening and a seal support element of the fuel cap to seal the fuel cap from the inlet opening. The gasket has a gasket main body and multiple sealing projections protruded from the gasket main body. The multiple sealing projections include a first pipe sealing projection and a second pipe sealing projection, which come into contact with the pipe sealing face, and a first body sealing projection and a second body sealing projection, which come into contact with the seal support element. The first pipe sealing projection is formed on a lower end of the gasket main body in its axial direction and is protruded to be pressed against the pipe sealing face in an initial stage of a closing operation. The second pipe sealing projection is protruded to have a greater sealing face pressure than the first pipe sealing projection and to be pressed against the pipe sealing face after the initial stage of the closing operation. The gasket of the invention ensures a sufficiently high sealing face pressure even with a small compressive force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gasket located between a tank opening and a cap, as well as to a tank cap with the gasket.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known tank cap is a fuel cap for an automobile, which includes a closer and a gasket of a C-shaped cross section. The closer with the gasket is rotated twice or three times and is screwed to a thread formed on an inner wall of a tank opening, so as to open and close the tank opening (JP No. 4-297328A). This prior art gasket has a large number of sealing projections on the outer circumference thereof. The sealing projections are in line contact with a seal support element of the closer and with a pipe sealing face formed in the periphery of the tank opening to give a sealing face pressure of or over a preset level against the seal support element and the pipe sealing face.
This prior art C-shaped gasket requires a large compressive force in the bending direction, that is, in the moving direction of the fuel cap in the opening or closing operation, to ensure the sealing face pressure of or over the preset level. A large rotational force is accordingly required to open or close the fuel cap. This leads to the poor operating performance.


A novel device to provide protection from the elements adjacent to a vehicle using a flexible material supported by a pair of arms to create an awning. The flexible material is mounted to a roller and may be wound around the roller. The support arms are mounted to a vehicle on a pivot and will swing according to the length of the unwound flexible material. Two alternate mechanisms are introduced by the present invention for causing said roller to rotate. Also introduced by the present invention is a stabilizer arm that will provide the present invention with sufficient support to withstand strong winds.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device designed to provide an awning that may be retracted to a collapsed unit that will occupy minimal space and be suited for mounting on a vehicle such as a truck or recreation vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Awnings are one of the most common fixtures provided for protection against the elements. The typical design is a frame that extends laterally from a wall. The frame supports a sheet made of materials such as cloth, plastic, or nylon. The framed sheet acts as a barrier protecting any person or thing located below it from rain and direct sunlight. While permanent awning designs are prevalent and are well suited to stationary structures they are not appropriate for vehicles. An awning of this type attached to a vehicle would be quickly torn away due to the force created by wind resistance. Therefore an awning that is to be used with a vehicle must be retractable into a unit that may be stored against the side of the vehicle. There are a number of vehicles that would be greatly enhanced by such a unit. Delivery trucks are one example. Often delivery trucks must be loaded or unloaded while exposed to the elements. The men and women who unload these trucks need protection from the elements while performing this task. A unit that may be erected quickly prior to unloading and just as quickly retracted into a compact unit would greatly improve the conditions for these workers.
Many of the inventions that exist in the prior art to address this need comprise a roller mounted on hinged supports. The present invention combines novel aspects in its design for supports. These improvements make the frame of the awning sturdier. The mechanisms for rotating the roller introduced by the present invention are easier and more reliable then the existing devices. This improvement will make the present invention a much more efficient device then those taught by the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,006 to Donald R. Grant discloses an extension structure for a camper. This structure comprises a support design for the frame of the awning that uses two arms that mount a roller at the top. These arms do not have any additional support provided to hold them in place. This will place unnecessary weight on the cloth awning that will reduce the lifetime of the awning. The added supports provided in this design are vertical drop downs that extend from the end of the supports to the ground. These will create inconvenient obstructions that will interfere with the unloading of trucks. The rollup mechanism of the Grant ""006 patent uses a chain driven axle that is cranked by the installer at the lower end of the support. This will greatly increase the weight of the supports and creates a risk of mechanical failure that may occur if the chain is knocked of track or if the cogwheels fail due to wear and tear.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,145 to Andrew J. Darula is another design for a rollup awning that may be used with a travel trailer. The support arms for this device consist of telescoping rods whose length will adjust according to the position of the awning cover. As with the Grant ""006 patent these arms do not have any additional support provided to hold them in place. This will place unnecessary weight on the cloth awning that will reduce the lifetime of the awning. The rollup mechanism of the Darula ""145 patent incorporates a hexagonal end piece at the end of the roller. A wrench is provided to enable the installer to rotate the roller by engaging the wrench with the end piece. This is awkward since turning the wrench requires a wide circular motion and the wrench can be easily disengaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,571 to John D. Knight describes an awning that may be self-stored. As with the Grant ""006 and Darula ""145 patents, these arms do not have any additional support provided to hold them in place. This will place unnecessary weight on the cloth awning that will reduce the lifetime of the awning. The rollup mechanism of the Knight ""571 patent incorporates a roller that is affixed to the wall. A rope that is wrapped around a cogwheel rotates this roller. This design poses several problems. The rope can become entangled which would block the rolling mechanism. The rope will wear with use and eventually break. Finally the rope is permanently affixed and will not be suited for vehicles since it will vibrate under wind resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,192 to Henry J. Duda is am awning assembly that is designed for travel trailers and mobile homes. Like the earlier described patents the present invention uses a pair of support arms that swing away from the wall of the v vehicle and hold the end of an awning. The only additional support provided in this invention is a pair of supports that extend along the side of the awning and provide attachments to maintain the desired form of the awning. This will not provide the level of support that is introduced in the support system described by the present invention. The rollup mechanism of the Duda ""192 patent is a spring-loaded roller that will automatically retract when released. This design will present greater opportunity for mechanical failure as the spring is used repeatedly. It also does not allow for the flexibility that the manual mechanism of the present invention provides.
U.S. Pat. No. D449,116 to Charles Randall Sullivan is a design patent for awnings that may be mounted adjacent to mobile homes. The disclosure in this patent is for a particular sports logo design on the top of awnings. This is not related to the novelty introduced by the present invention.
Therefore a need exists for a novel and enhanced method for supporting an awning so to that it will be easily retracted in an efficient manner. This need includes a durable rotation mechanism and a sturdy support. In this respect the retractable awning according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing retractable awnings.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of awnings now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved combination of stability and effortless installation, and overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved retractable awning which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a retractable awning which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.
In furtherance of this objective, retractable awning comprises a pair of support arms attached at the bottom end by a hinge to a wall. Mounted on the ends of these support arms is a roller that is held so that it may be moved in a rotational motion. Attached to the roller is a rectangular section of material. One side of the material is attached to the roller while the other side of the material is attached to the wall. Attached to the end of the roller is a chain link. Provided with the present invention is a rotating tool comprising a hooked end and a rectangular indentation in the middle. The hook of the tool may be looped through the link at the end of the roller and used to rotate the roller.
There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
The present invention may in addition comprise an alternate design whereby a roller is attached to the wall and attached to this roller is the rectangular section of material. The opposite end of the material is attached to a rod that connects the ends of the pair of supports. The roller is attached to a chain driven sprocket. The chain that is engaged with this sprocket is driven by a motor to rotate the roller.
In order to ensure that the support arms will drop to the appropriate position as the awning is unrolled, each support arm is attached to a counter weight. The counter weight being mounted at the upper end of the support arm.
An additional aspect of the retractable awning is a stabilizer rod. One end of the rod is attached to the wall by a hinge. The other end of the stabilizer rod comprises a support to be engaged with the midpoint of a support arm.
In order to secure the support arms of the present invention a bracket is mounted on the wall. The bracket defines a retainer space that will accept a support arm. Attached to the bracket is a bracket closure so that a support arm will be held within the bracket when the bracket closure is engaged.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retractable awning that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retractable awning that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved retractable awning that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such improved rail mounted fishing pole holder economically available to the buying public.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new retractable awning that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.


A method of protecting software for embedded applications against unauthorized access is disclosed. Software to be protected is loaded into a protected memory area and access to the protected memory area is controlled by sentinel logic circuitry. The sentinel logic circuitry allows access to the protected memory area only either from within the protected memory area or from outside of the protected memory area but through a dedicated memory location within the protected memory area. The dedicated memory location then points to protected address locations within the protected memory area.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the subject matter described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, not as admissions of prior art.
Embedded applications using programmable devices such as microcontrollers require software to operate. Software (SW) and the intellectual property (IP) behind it is part of the whole solution and collectively represent a monetary value that may need to be protected. The interest to protect this IP may come from the implementer of a device or from a third party software vendor that sells a particular IP.
Conventional solutions rely on "fusing" or laser cutting of circuit traces to protect software IP in particular memory areas from unauthorized access. Other solutions use an authentication process with simple keys or sometimes rolling keys that allows access only after a successful authentication.

Method for protecting memory against unauthorized access


Provided is an electronic key system for a vehicle. The electronic key system for a vehicle includes an in-vehicle device and a portable device and performs a predetermined control process on a vehicle on the basis of verification successfully made between the in-vehicle device and the portable device. When receiving a verification signal, the portable device transmits a response signal in accordance with the verification signal. When an operation detection unit detects a user operation, the portable device transmits an instruction signal for controlling a state of locking of a door of the vehicle. An output level of the response signal from the portable device is lower than an output level of the instruction signal.

Conventionally, an electronic key system for a vehicle has been known in which an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle and a portable device carried by a user perform code verification between each other using wireless communication, and the in-vehicle device performs vehicle control such as locking/unlocking of vehicle doors or starting of an engine on the basis of the code verification being made successfully. In this type of electronic key system for a vehicle, the range reached by a wireless signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device is limited to a short range around a vehicle. This is for the purpose of limiting the situation in which an authentication process based on the code verification is performed between the in-vehicle device and the portable device to the case where the portable device is present in the vicinity of the vehicle.
However, such an electronic key system for a vehicle raises a concern about a relay attack in which a malicious third party uses a relay to indirectly provide communication between a portable device and an in-vehicle device and thus effect successful code verification. The relay attack enables successful code verification unintended by an authorized user and enables vehicle control such as unlocking of vehicle doors or starting of an engine.
On the other hand, various configurations for preventing such a relay attack have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electronic key system for a vehicle in which an in-vehicle device sequentially transmits wireless signals at two types of output levels (i.e., transmission powers) and, only when a portable device detects a level difference between the received signals, a signal is returned from the portable device to the in-vehicle device.
In general, a relay transfers a radio wave in a frequency band to be relayed at a given output level. Accordingly, when the radio wave transmitted from an in-vehicle device is relayed by the relay, a level difference between the received signals, which is to be intrinsically detected, is no longer detected. That is, the configuration in Patent Literature 1 can restrict the portable device from returning a response to the signal from the in-vehicle device that has been relayed by the relay. When no response is returned from the portable device, code verification is unsuccessful (i.e., has failed).

Electronic key system for vehicle, and portable device


A process for adhering a polyethylene liner to the interior of a fabric bulk bag, which would include the steps of providing a source of pressurized air flow; attaching the upper pour spout of the fabric bag to the source of air flow; causing the bag to inflate when the bag becomes filled with air; providing a means for applying adhesive to the interior wall of at least a portion of the interior wall of the fabric bag after the fabric has been inflated; providing a valving means for routing a quantity of the pressurized air through a second air flow chamber; providing a plastic liner in the air flow chamber so that as the secondary air flow makes contact with the liner, the liner is forced into the interior of the fabric bag and inflated against the inner surface of the walls of the fabric bag; and adhering the plastic liner to the wall of the fabric bag when the liner makes contact with the adhesive that has been applied to the wall of the fabric bag.

1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus and process of the present invention relates to bulk material transport bags. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for applying an adhesive in the interior of a bulk material transport bag, and subsequently gluing a plastic liner within the bag, and the apparatus for undertaking this process.
2. General Background
In the current state of the art in the construction of bulk material transport bags, herein referred to as bulk bags, these types of bags are utilized to transport dry or liquid bulk and may contain up to two tons of bulk when the bag is filled with material. Quite often it is required that the material bulk bag, which is constructed of an open weave fabric, includes a plastic or polyethylene liner within the bag, so that fine powdery bulk or liquid bulk, does not seep through the pores in the fabric in the exterior fabric bag, resulting in loss of product or contamination of the product.
Applicant has filed an application for letters patent for a bulk bag containing a glued in liner bearing U.S. Ser. No. 07/251,020, and filed Sept. 27, 1988 entitled "Semi-Bulk Bag With Liner And Method Of Assembly", which is U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,291, and is incorporated hereinto by reference. There is disclosed in that application the manner in which the polyethylene liner is positioned within a bulk bag after glue has been placed along the upper shoulders of the bag and around the lower exit spout of the bag. The bag is then shown to be manually inflated, so that the polyethylene liner likewise inflates against the sidewall of the bulk bag, and the adhesive causes the plastic liner to make permanent contact with the outer fabric bag. Therefore, when the bulk is removed from the bag, the plastic liner will not follow the bulk out of the plastic bag, and perhaps be lost in the bulk, or worse yet cause contamination of the bulk should the plastic have become contaminated on it's exterior surface when it contacted the fabric bag.
However, there is a need for a process and apparatus, for applying the adhesive to the interior of a bulk bag, inserting the plastic liner into the bag, and gluing the liner to the bag, all using a singular apparatus, and a singular process. Such a process and apparatus are disclosed by the present invention.

Process and apparatus for applying an adhesive to the interior surface of a bulk bag and gluing a plastic liner within the bag


An apparatus for preparing food is provided, and includes a food-receiving chamber sized to receive at least one food item, a cutting structure configured to cut the at least one food item when pressed into contact therewith, an impeller for impelling the at least one food item into contact with the cutting structure, an oil chamber for storing oil, a heating system for heating the oil, and an oil introduction system in communication with the oil chamber, the oil introduction system being operable to introduce at least one of an oil mist and an oil spray in the frying chamber.

French fried potatoes is a favorite food in many parts of the world, however making them properly is tedious with varying results. Potatoes must be cut to the correct size and shape and must then be fried in a hot oil bath. Typically, the fries then must either be shaken vigorously in a basket or colander or otherwise wiped with a towel to remove excess oil before seasoning and finally serving.
There are numerous safety concerns that arise when preparing French fried potatoes at home. Cutting the potatoes can be challenging for some people, especially younger people unaccustomed to handling a knife. The even cutting of the potatoes is important as potato portions of different sizes will cook unevenly. Further, the heating of the oil and the frying of the potato portions exposes the cooker to a risk of splashing and burns, as well as cooking fires.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel approach to the preparation of French fries.


A method of processing a continuous tone image includes using a halftone screen to generate a bi-level bitmap; partitioning the contone image into an array of image blocks; halftoning the image blocks; using the bi-level bitmap to select some of the halftone image blocks; and modifying the selected halftone image blocks using code words, such that information contained in the code words is embedded in a halftone image. A method of extracting embedded information in a halftone image includes accessing a bi-level bit map; partitioning the halftone image into a plurality of image blocks; using the bitmap to select at least some of the blocks; identifying a code word sequence in the selected blocks; and extracting the information from the code word sequence.

It is often useful to embed information within an image such that the information is not noticeable to a person viewing the image. There are practical applications for embedding information within the image. Security is one example. Embedding information representing the name of an employee and his or her social security number within the employee's identification photograph can not only add a level of security to the information but also can correlate the embedded information with the visual data. In many applications, it is also useful to reproduce an image with embedded information onto a printed, tangible medium for viewing, archiving, or transmission to others.
Certain embedding techniques feature the ability to store sizable amounts of information. However, these techniques have several requirements, including that the base image used during the embedding process be known, or at least approximated, for optimal information extraction. Thus these techniques are not "blind."
Robust and efficient blind decoding of images with embedded information is desirable.

Halftone screening and bitmap based encoding of information in images

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The described implementations relate to water denitrification. One method obtains nitrate levels in influent and effluent of a moving bed media filter and determines carbon levels in the effluent. The method also doses carbon feedstock into the influent based on both the nitrate levels and the carbon levels.

Water treatment facilities treat waste water to achieve one or more goals. For instance, a first goal may be to remove solids from the waste water. A primary treatment system may be devised to achieve this first goal. A second goal may be to break down organic components in the waste water. A secondary treatment system may be devised to receive effluent from the first system and to achieve the second goal. Accordingly, water treatment facilities tend to be developed serially with additional systems added downstream of one another to address the desired goals. Thus, overall facility cost and complexity grow quickly as additional water treatment goals are addressed. Further, added complexity inadvertently increases the chance of failure.
Nitrogen removal is one water treatment goal that has been increasingly addressed in recent decades. Consistent with the above discussion, nitrogen removal systems have increased facility cost and complexity with only marginal performance gains. The present concepts address cost, complexity, and/or performance for achieving desired water treatment goals.


The present invention is directed to an improved suction catheter that increases the effectiveness of clearing the airway by way of non-limiting example, reducing the need for separate suctioning and foreign body grasping instruments. The embodiments described herein provide medical personnel the ability to use one hand and catheter to selectively grasp an anatomically lodged foreign body while reducing the likelihood of lumen blockage and interruption of suction.

The present invention is in the technical field of airway management. More particularly, in some particular implementations, this invention relates to an improved oropharyngeal device that can be used to suction viscous fluids and selectively grasp and remove foreign bodies.
It is a known practice of emergency and medical personnel to use instruments and suction catheters to clear the mouth and oropharyngeal cavity (airway) of gastric contents and body fluids (viscous fluids). The proximal and distal ends of these devices are connected by a conduit capable of transporting fluids when the proximal end is connected by a vacuum hose to a negative pressure device. It is also a known practice of emergency and medical personnel (medical personnel) to use non-suctioning, anatomically contoured instruments such as Magill forceps to grasp items that cannot be efficiently suctioned or scooped including dental fragments, large food particles, chewing gum, and coins (foreign bodies). When clearing the airway, the primary objective of Magill forceps is to precisely grasp and remove foreign bodies while suction of the oropharyngeal cavity is maintained by use of the suction catheter. Medical personnel prefer expeditious evacuation of the airway to return unobstructed breathing to the patient and prevent aspiration of viscous fluids and foreign bodies (unwanted matter). The precise use of separate suctioning and grasping catheters also restrict the use of one hand of attending medical personnel in an emergency situation. In addition, medical personnel must pay special visual attention to the anatomical structures of the airway since they limit both the size and movement of catheters used for the removal of unwanted matter. This restriction of anatomical space is further exacerbated when additional instruments such as laryngoscopes are used for visualization of anatomy and potential foreign bodies.
Known suction catheters are adapted for insertion into the oropharyngeal cavity of a patient and are inefficient at precisely grasping and removing anatomically lodged foreign bodies while maintaining suction. Often, when low viscous fluids and foreign bodies are encountered, blockage of the suctioning device frequently ensues, and removal of the catheter is necessary. When this occurs, medical personnel must momentarily take their eyes off the patient, use at least one hand to clear the obstruction or obtain a replacement device, and reintroduce a working catheter into the airway. In emergency situations, the additional time needed to restart the process of removing unwanted matter can jeopardize the health or life of the patient. To prevent this situation, larger lumen suctioning catheters have been used to help prevent blockage of the catheter but use of excessive suction to dispel debris in close proximity to delicate tissue may result in additional trauma to the fragile structures of the airway. Moreover, suction devices with spoon shaped tips do not offer sufficient rotational mobility of the catheter without spilling the unwanted matter residing within the scoop portion of the spoon.
There are currently no devices that allow medical personnel to optionally add a grasping and removal feature to existing inexpensive suction instruments or catheters. It is also desirable for suction catheters to grasp and remove unwanted matter in the presence of insufficient, intermittent, or absence of vacuum. While prior apparatuses like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,938,794 and 5,665,080 provide suction and potential for debris removal, there remains a need for suction catheters to be able to provide suction in the presence of blockage of the lumen. The device described herein overcomes one or more deficiencies of the prior art.


A door handle apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes a door handle body that is configured to be disposed at a door of the vehicle. A light source is mounted inside the door handle body. A light-transmitting member is located between the light source and the door handle body. The light-transmitting member is partially exposed to an exterior of the door handle body.

Discussion of Background
It is known to include at least one LED in a door handle. Conventional door handle lighting systems, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0117381, light a back side of a door handle, so as to illuminate a car body side of the door handle. Other conventional door handles, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0282987, include LEDs that are located on a face of the door handle.


A system includes a production server, a backup server, a telemetry analyzer, a memory, and a hardware processor. The telemetry analyzer takes snapshots of various performance metrics of the production server. The memory stores a log of previous disasters that occurred on the production server. The log includes a snapshot of the production server performance metrics from the time each disaster occurred. The memory also stores recovery scripts for each logged disaster. Each script provides instructions for resolving the linked disaster. The hardware processor uses a machine learning architecture to train an autoencoder. The trained autoencoder receives new snapshots from the telemetry analyzer and generates a reconstruction of the new snapshots. The hardware processor then determines a threshold for distinguishing between server disasters and minor anomalies. This distinction is made by comparing the difference between the reconstruction of the new snapshots and the new snapshots with the threshold.

Servers and databases store and use information used by applications. In some instances, the servers and databases encounter events (characterized as disastrous events) that result in the information on the servers and databases being destroyed in some manner. For example, the servers and databases may encounter a crash, an intrusion, and/or an external force that causes the information to be destroyed and/or to become inaccessible.


A protective cover (20) for a communication device (10) comprises a protective layer having a shape closely resembling the shape of said communication device (10) to closely contour to said communication device (10).

Communication devices such as portable radios and pagers are often operated in extremely severe chemical environments. The current radio housings, made from a polymer material, will very quickly undergo chemical material degradation in an environment where highly corrosive chemicals (such as acetone, toluene, MEK, trichloroethane or other combinations of acids and alkalines) are present. In such areas, chemical fumes (vapors and gasses), chemical liquids, sprays, powders and solids cause the polymer to dissolve or induce stress cracks in the polymer housing material. In marine environments, such as on an oil rig, the portable radio is constantly exposed to sea water and salt spray which forms an electrolite and can attack the metal parts of the radio.
Even when the radio is not operated in a harsh environment, the radio may be accidentally immersed in liquids which could cause internal damage to the unit, or be dropped onto a hard concrete floor. Therefore, a need exists to protect the portable radio in such circumstances and environments and allow operation of the radio at the same time.


The use of dianhydrogalactitol provides a novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and medulloblastoma. Dianhydrogalactitol acts as an alkylating agent on DNA that creates N7 methylation. Dianhydrogalactitol is effective in suppressing the growth of cancer stem cells and is active against tumors that are refractory to temozolomide; the drug acts independently of the MGMT repair mechanism.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor occurring in humans. GBM involves glial cells; it accounts for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Its estimated frequency of occurrence is 2-3 cases per 100,000 people in Europe and North America.
GBM has an extremely poor prognosis, despite various treatment methods including open craniotomy with surgical resection of as much of the tumor as possible, followed by sequential or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, antiangiogenic therapy with bevacizumab, gamma knife radiosurgery, and symptomatic management with corticosteroids. The median survival time for GBM is only 14 months.
Common symptoms of GBM include seizures, nausea, vomiting, headache, and hemiparesis. However, the single most prevalent symptom of GBM is progressive memory, personality, or neurological deficit due to involvement of the temporal or frontal lobe of the brain. The kind of symptoms produced by GBM depends highly on the location of the tumor and less on its exact pathology. The tumor can start producing symptoms quickly, but occasionally is asymptomatic until it reaches an extremely large size.
The etiology of GBM is largely unknown. For unknown reasons, GBM occurs more frequently in males. Most glioblastoma tumors appear to be sporadic, without any significant genetic predisposition. No links have been found between GBM, and several known carcinogenic risk factors, including diet, smoking, and exposure to electromagnetic fields. There have been some suggestions of a viral etiology, possibly SV40 or cytomegalovirus. There may also be some association between exposure to ionizing radiation and GBM. Additionally, it has been proposed that there is a link between polyvinyl chloride exposure and GBM; lead exposure in the workplace has also been suggested as a possible cause. There is an association of brain tumor incidence and malaria, suggesting that the anopheles mosquito, the carrier of malaria, might transmit a virus or other causative agent of GBM.
GBM is also relatively more common in people over 50 years of age, in Caucasians or Asians, and in patients that have already developed a low-grade astrocytoma which can develop into a higher grade tumor. Additionally, having one of the following genetic disorders is associated with an increased incidence of GBM: neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or Turcot syndrome.
GBM tumors are typically characterized by the presence of small areas of necrotizing tissue that are surrounded by anaplastic cells. These characteristics, together with the presence of hyperplastic blood vessels, differentiate these malignancies from Grade 3 astrocytomas, which do not have these features.
There are four subtypes of glioblastoma. An extremely large fraction (97%) of tumors in the so-called "classical" subtype carry extra copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and most of these tumors have higher than normal expression of EGFR, whereas the gene TP53, a tumor suppressor gene that has a number of anticancer activities, and which is often mutated in glioblastoma, is rarely mutated in this subtype. In contrast, the proneural subtype often has high rates of alteration in TP53 and in PDGFRA, the gene encoding the α-type platelet-derived growth factor receptor, as well as in IDH1, the gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase-1. The mesenchymal subtype is characterized by high rates of mutations or alterations in NF1, the gene encoding Neurofibromin type 1 and fewer alterations in the EGFR gene and less expression of EGFR than the other subtypes.
GBM usually forms in the cerebral white matter, grows quickly, and can become very large before producing symptoms. Less than 10% of GBMs form more slowly following degeneration of low-grade astrocytoma or anaplastic astrocytoma; such tumors are called secondary GBMs and are relatively more common in younger patients. The tumor may extend into the meninges or the ventricular wall leading to abnormally high protein content in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (>100 mg/dL), as well as an occasional pleocytosis of 10 to 100 cells, mostly lymphocytes. Malignant cells present in the CSF can rarely spread to the spinal cord or cause meningeal gliomatosis; however, metastasis of GBM beyond the central nervous system is extremely unusual. About 50% of GBM tumors occupy more than one lobe of a hemisphere or are bilateral. Tumors of this type usually arise from the cerebrum and may rarely exhibit the classic infiltration across the corpus callosum, producing a bilateral ("butterfly") glioma. The tumor can take on a variety of appearances, depending on the amount of hemorrhage or necrosis present or the age of the tumor. A CT scan of a GBM tumor will usually show an inhomogeneous mass with a hypodense center and a variable ring of enhancement surrounded by edema. The mass effect from the tumor and the surrounding edema may compress the ventricles and cause hydrocephalus.
Cancer cells with stem-cell-like properties have been found in glioblastomas. This may be one cause of their resistance to conventional treatments and their high recurrence rate.
GBM often presents typical features on MRI, but these features are not specific for GBM and may be caused by other conditions. Specifically, when viewed with MRI, GBMs often appear as ring-enhancing lesions. However, other lesions such as abscesses, metastases of malignancies arising outside the central nervous system, tumefactive multiple sclerosis, or other conditions may have a similar appearance. The definitive diagnosis of a suspected GBM on CT or MRI requires a stereotactic biopsy or a craniotomy with tumor resection and pathologic confirmation. Because the grade of the tumor is based on the most malignant portion of the tumor, biopsy or subtotal tumor resection can result in undergrading of the tumor. Imaging of tumor blood flow using perfusion MRI and measuring tumor metabolite concentration with MR spectroscopy may add value to standard MRI, but pathology remains the gold standard for GBM diagnosis.
The treatment of GBM is extremely difficult due to several factors: (1) the tumor cells are very resistant to conventional therapies; (2) the brain is susceptible to damage using conventional therapy; (3) the brain has a very limited capacity for self-repair; and (4) many therapeutic drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to act on the tumor. Symptomatic therapy, including the use of corticosteroids and anticonvulsant agents, focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the patient's neurologic function. However, such symptomatic therapy does nothing to slow the progression of the tumor, and, in the case of administration of phenytoin concurrently with radiation therapy, can result in substantial side effects including erythema multiforme and Steven-Johnson syndrome.
Palliative therapy usually is conducted to improve quality of life and to achieve a longer survival time. Palliative therapy can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. A maximally feasible resection with maximally tumor-free margins is generally performed along with external beam radiation and chemotherapy. Gross total resection of tumor is associated with better prognoses.
Surgery is the first stage of treatment of glioblastoma. An average GBM tumor contains 1011 cells, which is on average reduced to 109 cells after surgery (a reduction of 99%). Surgery is used to take a section for a pathological diagnosis, to remove some of the symptoms of a large mass pressing against the brain, to remove disease before secondary resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and to prolong survival. The greater the extent of tumor removal, the better is the outcome. Removal of 98% or more of the tumor has been associated with a significantly longer and healthier survival time than if less than 98% of the tumor is removed. The chances of near-complete initial removal of the tumor can be greatly increased if the surgery is guided by a fluorescent dye known as 5-aminolevulinic acid. GBM cells are widely infiltrative through the brain at diagnosis, and so despite a "total resection" of all obvious tumor, most people with GBM later develop recurrent tumors either near the original site or at more distant "satellite lesions" within the brain. Other modalities, including radiation, are used after surgery in an effort to suppress and slow recurrent disease.
After surgery, radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for people with glioblastoma. A pivotal clinical trial carried out in the early 1970s showed that among 303 GBM patients randomized to radiation or nonradiation therapy, those who received radiation had a median survival more than double those who did not. Subsequent clinical research has attempted to build on the backbone of surgery followed by radiation. On average, radiotherapy after surgery can reduce the tumor size to 107 cells. Whole brain radiotherapy does not improve the results when compared to the more precise and targeted three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. A total radiation dose of 60-65 Gy has been found to be optimal for treatment.
The use of chemotherapy in GBM in addition to radiation has thus far only resulted in marginal improvements in survival as compared with radiation alone. In the treatment of other malignancies, the addition of chemotherapy to radiation has resulted in substantial improvements in survival, but this has not yet proven to be the case for GBM. One drug that does show results in connection with radiation is temozolomide (TMZ). TMZ plus radiation is now standard for most cases of GBM. TMZ seems to work by sensitizing the tumor cells to radiation.
However, TMZ is often ineffective due to drug resistance as the result of the catalytic activity of the enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which results in repair of the lesion at O6 of the guanine of DNA molecules.
Additionally, cancer stem cells (CSC) are a subpopulation of the tumor that resist therapy and give rise to relapse.
Another therapeutic approach involves the use of the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab. However, unlike some other malignancies in which the use of bevacizumab results in a potentiation of chemotherapy, in GBM, the addition of chemotherapy to bevacizumab did not improve on results from bevacizumab alone. Bevacizumab reduces brain edema and consequent symptoms, and it may be that the benefit from this drug is due to its action against edema rather than any action against the tumor itself. Some patients with brain edema do not actually have any active tumor remaining, but rather develop the edema as a late effect of prior radiation treatment. This type of edema is difficult to distinguish from that due to tumor, and both may coexist. Both respond to bevacizumab.
Another approach that has been proposed is gene transfer. Although gene transfer therapy has the potential to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, this approach has been beset with many difficulties in other diseases, including the possibility for induction of other types of malignancies and interference with the functioning of the immune system.
Still other treatment modalities have been proposed for GBM, including the use of protein therapeutics, including the soluble CD95-Fc fusion protein APG101, immunotherapy with tumor vaccines, alternating electrical fields, and metabolic therapy. The value of these treatment modalities remains to be determined.
In GBM, the median survival time from the time of diagnosis without any treatment is 3 months, but with treatment survival of 1-2 years is common. Increasing age (>60 years of age) carries a worse prognostic risk. Death is usually due to cerebral edema or increased intracranial pressure.
A good initial Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) and methylation of the promoter of the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene are associated with longer survival. A DNA test can be carried out on glioblastomas to determine whether the promoter of the MGMT gene is methylated. Even in patients less than 50 years of age with a KPS of equal to or greater than 90%, the 5-year survival rate is only 14%.
Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant primary brain tumor that originates in the cerebellum or posterior fossa. It is one of the most common malignant brain tumors and is more frequent in people under than 20 years of age than in adults. Medulloblastomas can spread through the CNS and frequently metastasize to different locations in the brain and spine.
It is currently thought that medulloblastoma arises from cerebellar stem cells that have been prevented from dividing and differentiating into their normal cell types. This accounts from the varying histologic variants seen on biopsy. Both perivascular pseudorosette and Homer-Wright rosette pseudorosettes formation are highly characteristic of medulloblastoma and is seen in up to half of the cases. Homer-Wright rosettes are pseudorosettes consisting of tumor cells surrounding a fibrillar area. Also, the classic rosette with tumor cells around a central lumen can be seen. Molecular genetics reveal a loss of genetic information on the distal part of chromosome 17, distal to the p53 gene, possibly accounting for the neoplastic transformation of the undifferentiated cerebellar cells. Medulloblastomas are also seen in Gorlin syndrome and Turcot syndrome. It has been suggested that the JC virus, the cause of multifocal leukoencephalopathy, may be involved in medulloblastoma.
The symptoms of medulloblastoma are mainly due to increased intracranial pressure due to blockage of the fourth ventricle and are predominantly neurological, with other symptoms such as vomiting also occurring.
Treatment begins with maximal resection of the tumor. The addition of radiation to the entire neuraxis and chemotherapy may increase the disease-free survival. This combination may permit a 5 year survival in more than 80% of cases. The presence of desmoplastic features such as connective tissue formation offers a better prognosis. Prognosis is worse if the child is less than 3 years old, there is an inadequate degree of resection, or if there is any CSF, spinal, supratentorial or systemic spread. Dementia post radiotherapy and chemotherapy is a common outcome appearing two to four years following treatment. Increased intracranial pressure may be controlled with corticosteroids or a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Currently, chemotherapy for medulloblastoma involves a combination of lomustine, cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine, or cyclophosphamide. Another chemotherapeutic agent, vismodegib (2-chloro-N-(4-chloro-3-pyridin-2-ylphenyl)-4-methylsulfonylbenzamide) has been proposed for use in medulloblastoma.
The outcome in medulloblastoma varies based on cytogenetic subgroups. A poor prognosis is associated with a gain of 6q or amplification of MYC or MYCN. An intermediate prognosis is associated with gain of 17q or an i(17q) without gain of 6q or amplification of MYC or MYCN. A relatively good prognosis is associated with 6q and 17q balanced or 6q deletion.
Patients diagnosed with a medulloblastoma are 50 times more likely to die than a matched member of the general population. Although 5-year survival rates are about 72% in children, 20-year survival rates are only 51% in children. Long-term sequelae of standard treatment include hypothalamic-pituitary and thyroid dysfunction and intellectual impairment; the hormonal and intellectual deficits created by these therapies caused significant impairment of the survivors.
Therefore, there is a need for improved therapies for both glioblastoma multiforme and medulloblastoma that provide improved survival with reduced side effects and impairment of function in surviving patients.
There is a particular need for therapeutic modalities that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), that can suppress the growth and division of cancer stem cells (CSC), and that can avoid inactivation by O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). There is also a particular need for therapeutic modalities that yield increased response rates and improved quality of life for patients with these malignancies.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Use of substituted hexitols including dianhydrogalactitol and analogs to treat neoplastic disease and cancer stem cells including glioblastoma multiforme and medulloblastoma


A method and apparatus for performing a gap stack-up analysis for a machine gap. The gap is defined by opposing faces of two machine parts. A vector loop is determined beginning at one of the opposing faces, traversing through the machine parts that affect the gap dimension and terminating on the other opposing face. The dimensions and the tolerances associated with each of the parts in the vector loop are combined to yield the gap dimension and the gap tolerance. In one embodiment the gap stack-up is determined by a computer program product for execution by a computer processor.

In operating machines, each part dimension (a dimension is a numerical value that defines the size, shape or location of a feature) and the distance between spatially-opposed parts (i.e., a gap) must be maintained within design tolerances for efficient and reliable machine operation. For example, an aircraft engine includes between about 10,000 and 40,000 parts, each described by one or more two-dimensional drawings illustrating the part geometry, nominal part dimensions, part tolerances and other required part characteristics (e.g., material from which the part is to be constructed and non-observable properties such as tensile strength or hardness). The tolerance values specify an acceptable range of variation from the nominal part dimension.
Each part is manufactured in accordance with the information set forth in the drawings (i.e., each drawing is a two-dimensional representation of the part), including conformance to the part nominal dimensions and the tolerances associated with each dimension. A part having an actual dimension outside the specified tolerance range may not be suitable for use in the machine as it may not properly mate or interface with another part or may physically interfere with the operation of another part. A single part can be governed by a plurality of tolerances, each tolerance related to a different geometric feature of the part. For example, the drawings for an aircraft engine gas turbine blade may include as many as four hundred dimension tolerances.
As the individual parts are assembled to form the machine, gaps (defined generally as a linear distance between two planes or surfaces in the machine) between parts must be maintained within design limits. A nominal gap distance represents the desired gap opening. A gap tolerance indicates a range of acceptable variations from the nominal gap distance. For example, in a gas turbine jet engine combustion gases impinge upon a plurality of blades carried by a spinning rotor enclosed within a stationary stator. Maintaining a specified gap (as defined by the nominal gap distance and a tolerance range associated with the gap distance) between a tip of each rotor blade and the stator is necessary for proper and efficient operation of the engine. Typically, the gap tolerance is measured in ten-thousandths of an inch. A gap outside the tolerance range by one ten-thousandth of an inch can significantly affect several important operational parameters, such as engine fuel efficiency.
Dimension tolerance stack-up analysis is a process of using given machine part dimensions and part tolerances to predict the dimension and tolerance of an assembly dimension between two mating or adjoining parts, e.g., to predict the nominal dimension and tolerance of a machine gap. The gap between the blade tip and the stator is an example of a gap subject to stack-up analysis. Critical gaps are subject to stack-up analysis during the machine design phase to ensure proper machine operation. In a typical steam turbine there are about 130-180 critical gap stack-ups that can affect turbine performance. In a typical aircraft engine there are more than 2000 such stack-ups.
The stack-up analysis is important for improving quality and reducing production costs o the machine. Design engineers favor a tight tolerance on each machine dimension, requiring close dimensional control during the manufacturing process. But the dimensional control adds costs to the manufacturing process. Thus a quantitative analysis of the machine dimensions and the tolerance associated with each dimension provides important insight into design and manufacturing processes, allowing informed trade-offs between their competing interests.
To perform the gap stack-up analysis and thereby determine the nominal gap dimension and the gap tolerance for a given machine gap, it is necessary to first identify the interfacing or mating parts and the dimensions of those parts that create the gap, i.e., a gap vector loop. These part dimensions form a loop beginning at one gap surface, traversing through serial part interfaces until reaching the opposing gap surface. The part dimensions and part dimension tolerances associated with each such loop part are then combined to yield the gap nominal dimension and the gap tolerance.
According to the prior art, the gap stack-up analysis process is performed manually. A gap of interest is identified and the drawing(s) for each part that affects the gap dimension is retrieved. Each part drawing is examined to determine the nominal part dimensions that affect the gap and the tolerance associated with each such dimension. The nominal part dimensions and part dimension tolerances are recorded. Each dimension is further assigned a multiplication factor (typically +1 or −1) based on whether the dimension value increases or decrease the gap dimension.
The manual gap stack-up process is complicated by the necessary reliance on two-dimensional drawings to determine contributions to a three-dimensional gap. The engineer performing the stack-up process must therefore have considerable familiarity with the machine and the spatial relationship of its constituent parts to perform an accurate stack-up measurement. The manual stack-up process is extremely time-consuming, usually requiring between about 10 and 30 hours of analysis for one machine gap. Mistakes are easily made, as the number-intensive nature of the process is prone to errors, such as the transposition of two adjacent digits in a tolerance value. Also, accurate extraction of the vector loop is a difficult process to perform manually. This process is further complicated if multiple vector loops exist. In these circumstances, the engineer may be unaware of the existence of such multiple vector loops and extraction of all vector loops is not performed, which results in inaccurate stack-up results. Once completed, it is desired to validate the vector loop (i.e., the parts and their surfaces that form the vector loop) and the stack-up results. However, there are no known validation techniques, short of having the stack-up analysis repeated by another engineer.
Today, most machines and their constituent parts are designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software that creates three dimensional images or models of each part, including nominal part dimensions, but typically excluding tolerance values for the nominal dimensions. Upon completion of the design, a prototype machine is assembled from prototype parts based on the software-generated design data. Only later, after the two-dimensional drawings are created for each part and the dimension tolerances determined, can an engineer perform a stack-up analysis. However; given the protracted process for creating the two dimensional drawings and conducting a stack-up analysis, the analysis may not be completed until after prototype parts have been assembled into a prototype machine. The lack of a tolerance stack-up analysis during part fabrication and machine assembly may result in a prototype machine that does not perform as expected due to out-of-tolerance part gaps. Upon discovery of an out-of-tolerance gap, the affected part tolerances must be modified, the part refabricated in accordance with the corrected tolerance values and assembled into the machine. Correction of these problems during the design and fabrication cycle adds unwanted costs to the product, and correction costs increase as the design and fabrication cycle nears an end.

Method and apparatus for machine vector loop extraction


A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy from wind using known airfoil principles and transmit the kinetic energy through rotational energy to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.
Modern utility-grade wind turbines generally include redundant braking systems. An aerodynamic braking system slows or stops rotation of the rotor blades by pitching the blades to a feathered position. Such systems may include a stored energy source to enable the rotor blades to be pitched during a power failure. A mechanical braking system, such as a hydraulic brake, is also generally provided in the drive train to hold the rotor in a stopped state (e.g. a "parking brake"), for example in a shutdown condition. A stored energy source, such as a hydraulic accumulator, may enable actuation of the mechanical brake during a power failure.
Extreme loads are generated on various wind turbine components at rotor overspeed conditions, particularly at overspeed fault conditions, and it is thus an important operating consideration to maintain tight control over the rotor speed. The fault loads on the rotor blades, hub, and main shaft are typically the design driving loads for these components. Under traditional braking control methods, aerodynamic braking is utilized at rotor speeds in excess of nominal rotor speed and the mechanical brake is applied after the turbine faults at a defined rotor speed, typically in accordance with a time-dependent braking profile. However, even with this control methodology, the extreme transient loads experienced at the fault speed are not significantly eliminated and the mechanical brake components (as well as other drive train components) can be significantly damaged if the brake is actuated too soon.
CN 202789322U and CN 102817776 both describe a high-speed axle brake safety system for a wind power generator that includes a high-speed shaft rotation speed detecting module and a high-speed shaft brake module. A safety module includes a safety module input unit and a relay output unit connected with the safety module input unit. The output end of the high speed shaft speed detecting module is connected to the safety module input unit, and the relay output unit is connected to the high speed shaft brake module. Because the system is provided with a high-speed shaft rotation speed detecting module, the safety module triggers the high-speed shaft brake module when determining that the high-speed shaft speed is lower than a certain rated value, thereby reducing the risk of wear of the high-speed shaft and avoiding a major accident of the wind power generator set.
The above-cited system and method rely on speed detection of the high speed shaft as the input for the shutdown command as well as the trigger for the safety module. If the speed detection signal is not accurate, then the brake may be activated at shaft speeds that can damage the brake and other drive train components.
The present system and method provide an improved method and system for activation of the high speed shaft brake at safe speeds to minimize possible damage to the brake and other drive train components.

System and method for application of a brake for a wind turbine


A traffic density analysis apparatus includes a video decoder configured to decode encoded video data obtained by encoding a video signal corresponding to an analysis region and to output a decoded video signal, and an analyzer configured to set a specific region in a screen using the decoded video signal output from the video decoder and to analyze a traffic density in the analysis region from information related to a moving object which passes through the specific region.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-054948, filed Feb. 29, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a traffic density analysis apparatus for analyzing the traffic density from a video image.
To detect vehicles from a video image and analyze the traffic density, generally, a change in pixel values in a video screen must be checked. However, such processing related to pixel values requires a large calculation amount. For example, for CIF format often used in ITU-T H.261, H.263, ISO/IEC MPEG-4 or the like, processing must be performed for 352xc3x97288 pixels, i.e., a total of 101,376 pixels. For such processing with a large calculation amount, dedicated hardware must be prepared, resulting in a serious problem of cost.
As described above, the prior art requires a very large calculation amount to analyze the traffic density by detecting vehicles from a video image.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic density analysis apparatus based on an encoded video, which can perform high-speed stable analysis.
According to the present invention, there is provided a traffic density analysis apparatus based on an encoded video, which stably executes analysis at a high speed with a small calculation amount by narrowing down a region to undergo traffic density analysis processing using a video encoding/decoding technique.
According to the present invention, there is provided a traffic density analysis apparatus comprising a video decoder section which decodes video encoded data obtained by encoding a video signal corresponding to an analysis region and outputs a decoded video signal, and an analyzer section which sets a specific region in a screen for the decoded video signal output from the video decoder section and analyzes a traffic density in the analysis region from information related to a moving object which passes through the specific region.
In the analyzer section, for example, it is determined, whether each of predetermined blocks is a moving object, from information contained in the video encoded data and pieces of information of current and previous frames of the decoded video signal. Image analysis is performed for the decoded video signal in a block determined as a moving object, thereby acquiring object information related to setting of the specific region and the moving object.
More specifically, in the analyzer section, for example, the traffic density is estimated using the average velocity and number of moving objects which pass through the specific region as the information related to the moving object which passes through the specific region.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a traffic density analysis apparatus comprising a video encoder section which encodes a video signal corresponding to an analysis region and outputs video encoded data, and an analyzer section which sets a specific region in a screen for a local decoded signal generated by the video encoder section and analyzes a traffic density in the analysis region from information related to a moving object which passes through the specific region.
The analyzer section determines whether each of predetermined blocks is a moving object from information contained in the video encoded data and pieces of information of current and previous frames of the local decoded signal, and performs image analysis for the local decoded signal in a block determined as a moving object, thereby acquiring object information related to setting of the specific region and the moving object.
In this analyzer section as well, for example, the traffic density is estimated using the average velocity and the number of moving objects which pass through the specific region as the information related to the moving object which passes through the specific region.
As described above, in the traffic density analysis apparatus of the present invention, the traffic density can be stably analyzed at a high speed with a small calculation amount by narrowing down a region to undergo actual traffic density analysis processing to a specific region using information generated by the video decoding apparatus or video encoding apparatus.

Traffic density analysis apparatus based on encoded video


A floating cylinder 12 and a rotating shaft fixing cylinder 11 are attached to a flange RB1 at the distal end of a robot arm via an attaching member 17. Attached to the floating cylinder 12 is a rotary tool 10. To mount or demount a bladed tool to or from a collet chuck 13, the rotating shaft fixing cylinder 11 is operated to advance a stopper 15 so that a rotating shaft 14 of the rotary tool is locked. The chuck nut of the collet chuck 13 is inserted and fixed into a collet fixing groove in which the bladed tool is stored. The robot is operated so as to rotate the flange RB1, by which the rotating shaft 14 and the chuck nut of the collet chuck 13 are rotated relatively to tighten or loosen the bladed tool in the collet chuck 13.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic bladed tool changer and, more particularly, to an automatic bladed tool changer for a bladed tool mounted to the distal end of a robot arm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
To automatically change a bladed tool for machining such as deburring mounted to a robot, one rotary tool and one automatic tool changer (ATC) are conventionally installed for each bladed tool to change the bladed tool itself. In this case, it is necessary to provide protection against dust for an ATC mounting/demounting face on a tool table.
Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-57730, a technique has been well known in which a tightening and loosening mechanism such as a nut runner is provided on the side of peripheral equipment other than a robot to automatically change a bladed tool.
Further, when a bladed tool is mounted to or demounted from the rotary tool, in order to align the rotational position of the rotary tool with the phase of the bladed tool, the rotational angle of the rotary tool is detected by using an angle detector or the like, and the rotating shaft of the rotary tool is fixed so as to agree with the phase of the bladed tool. Thereafter, the bladed tool is mounted to or demounted from the rotary tool. Further, by additionally machining the bladed tool itself or by reconstructing it by, for example, mounting an adapter thereon, the mounting and demounting of the bladed tool to and from the rotary tool is performed easily.
Another method is used in which the operator changes a bladed tool by using a special-purpose change jig.
In the above-described conventional bladed tool change, when an ATC is used, rotary tools and ATCs corresponding to the number of kinds of tools are needed. Therefore, the number of bladed tools used increases, which leads to an increase in cost. Also, when an ATC is used, an ATC bed also requires a complicated mechanism such as measures against dust and equipment for mounting and demounting, which also causes an increase in price. Further, the installation space is increased, so that the number of kinds of bladed tools is limited. Besides, in some cases, the work must be distributed to a plurality of processes because of the limitation of the work area of robot.
When peripheral equipment dedicated to bladed tool change is installed, there arises a problem in that the price increases accordingly, and a large installation space is needed.
Further, when an angle detector or the like is used to mount and demount a bladed tool to and from the rotary tool, the price undesirably increases accordingly.
Also, the method in which the mounting and demounting of a bladed tool is made easy by the reconstruction of a commercially sold rotary tool, the additional machining of a bladed tool, the addition of a special-purpose adapter, etc. has a problem in that the price is increased by the reconstruction of equipment.
In a bladed tool changing work performed by the operator, failed or insufficient tightening of bladed tool, variations in bladed tool extension, etc. occur, which causes the occurrence of defective machining due to the bladed tool. In particular, when the bladed tool changing work is performed by the operator, a special-purpose jig for controlling the bladed tool extension is needed, which also increases the cost, and prevents the work from being made automatic.


An apparatus for impact dispersal of a force applied to a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle or other carrier. The apparatus includes a hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with a relief valve and a flow restrictor connected in series. The piston rod of each cylinder receives the force of an impact, which causes the fluid in the cylinder to undergo an increase in pressure, which is relieved by multiple relief valves and serially connected flow restrictors. In one embodiment, the relief valves and the flow restrictors are incorporated into a single valve. The system responds to an amount of force caused by an impact and disperses the force accordingly at a controlled rate. Applications for such an embodiment include connection to vehicle bumpers, to a seat back where the cylinder is double-acting, and to landing feet for air-drop carriers.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to an impact dispersal system. More particularly, this invention pertains to impact dispersal of an external force applied to a vehicle or other object.
2. Description of the Related Art
In today's fast paced society, there are sudden stops and unexpected impacts. When these sudden stops and impacts involve vehicles or other massive objects, injury and/or equipment damage is likely. Various attempts have been made to minimize the damage due to such impacts.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,595, titled "Automobile Bumper," issued on Jul. 18, 1972, discloses a bumper that is hydraulically extended by actuation of an electric switch connected to the brake pedal of a vehicle. The switch connects the power steering system to hydraulic cylinders that extend the bumper away from the vehicle. Upon an impact of the extended bumper, the pressure in the hydraulic cylinders is relieved by a pressure relief valve that allows the hydraulic fluid to return to the power steering system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,061, titled "Extensible vehicle bumper," issued on Mar. 30, 1976, discloses a motor vehicle bumper that is operated by hydraulic slave cylinders connected to the master brake cylinder to extend the bumper upon the application of a predetermined amount of force to the brake to provide the bumper with a greater shock absorbing length of travel under collision conditions. A spring forces the extended bumper to return to a non-extended position. Upon impact, the hydraulic pressure is relieved through a valve returning the hydraulic fluid to the brake system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,242, titled "Shock-absorbing bumper system," issued on Mar. 17, 1992, discloses a brake-actuated shock-absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle. The shock-absorbing bumper system includes a supply subsystem 1 for supplying pressurized working fluid, a pressure-balancing subsystem 2, a switching subsystem 3, front and rear bumper subsystems 4 and 4′, a feedback subsystem 5, a safety-control subsystem 6, and a conduit system having a plurality of oil paths for connecting subsystems 1, 2, 3, 4, 4′, 5, and 6. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the bumper 41, after being subject to an impact, has a working fluid within a second chamber 45 that absorbs a portion of the impact, a spring 47 that absorbs a portion of the impact, and a receiving space 481 that receives the cylinder 40 after a shear pin 43 breaks. U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,027, titled :Shock absorbing system for an automotive vehicle," issued on Nov. 6, 2001, is a later-issued patent by the same inventor that discloses a shock absorbing system for an automotive vehicle with additional features.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,138, titled "Vehicle positioning methods and apparatus with impact damper," issued on Feb. 15, 1994, discloses a pair of hydraulic cylinders 68, 69 having a check valve 108 in parallel with a needle valve 109 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 68, 69. The check valve 108 allows for filling the hydraulic cylinder 68, 69 without subsequent escape of the fluid, and the needle valve 109 allows hydraulic fluid to bleed from the cylinder 68, 69, which results in a slow retraction of the pistons 72, 73.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,429, titled "Bumper system having an extendable bumper for automotive vehicles," issued on Dec. 6, 1994, discloses a hydraulic cylinder connected to a vehicle bumper, with the bumper being extended from the vehicle in response to conditions indicative of an imminent accident. In one embodiment, the cylinder includes a groove with a decreasing opening corresponding to the amount of retraction of the cylinder. The groove with the variable sized opening changes the impact resistance based on the amount of extension of the bumper.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,578, titled "Energy dissipating device for an automobile bumper," issued on Aug. 20, 2002, discloses a hollow rod piston 2, 10 that selectively closes damping holes 6, 14 as the hydraulic cylinder, or energy dissipater, 3, 11 dissipates the energy from an impact.