In a chuck for axially clamping two machine parts which are releasable from each other, on the first machine part (1) are provided a hollow centring attachment (3), a contact face (6) surrounding the attachment, and an annular groove (8) formed on the inside of the attachment (3) and comprising a groove flank (9) tapering conically towards the free end of the attachment. The second machine part (2) comprises a holding bore (4) which is adapted to the attachment (3) and which is surrounded by an end face (7) against which the contact face (6) can be pressed. In the second machine part are provided several clamping jaws (10) which are each supported by a first end (10a) against a groove flank (12) in the second machine part (2). Arranged radially within the clamping jaws (10) and axially movably is a clamping sleeve (15) which comprises in the region of each end (10a, 10b) of the clamping jaws ( 10) a clamping cone (17, 18) by means of which the clamping jaws (10) are movable radially outwards parallel to themselves and their ends (10a, 10b) can be pressed against the associated groove flanks (9, 12). The clamping jaws (10) comprise at both their ends (10a10b) clamping surfaces (11, 14) whose angular position relative to the central axis (A) is adapted to the groove flanks (9, 12), so that during the whole clamping process there is surface contact between the clamping surfaces (b 11,14) and the groove flanks (9, 12).

In a known chuck of this kind (discourse by the firm Gottlieb Guhring KG, 7480 Sigmaringen, on the occasion of a meeting of the "Machine/Tool Interface" working party on 22.5.1987 in Frankfurt, at the Association of German Mechanical Engineering Institutes), the clamping jaws are designed as rockers, which is associated with certain drawbacks. When, during clamping, the second ends of the clamping jaws are forced outwards by the clamping cone, the hooked first ends of the clamping jaws are supported against the annular groove in the second machine part. But as the clamping jaws perform a tilting movement, there is only linear contact between the first ends and the groove flank against which they are supported. Similarly, the second ends abut against the groove flank of the attachment with linear contact. As a result of this linear contact, there is high contact pressure which is associated with correspondingly high wear. Furthermore the axial stroke which the second ends of the clamping jaws perform during their tilting movement is relatively small. Consequently, the cooperating machine parts may have only very low tolerances in an axial direction, in particular the groove flank in the attachment opposite the contact face thereof and the groove flank in the second machine part opposite the end face thereof. Also, the clamping jaws are subject to bending stress during their tilting movement and must accordingly have a correspondingly large cross-section. Consequently, the known chuck has larger structural dimensions in the radial direction and requires a correspondingly large diameter of the attachment on the first machine part.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a chuck for axially clamping two machine parts which are releasable from each other, in particular for clamping a tool portion in a tool holding fixture, of the kind mentioned hereinbefore, in which during the whole clamping process surface contact is constantly ensured between the cooperating surfaces of the clamping jaws and the groove flanks in both machine parts, which has smaller structural dimensions in a radial direction and in which greater tolerances are permissible for the cooperating machine parts in an axial direction.
According to the invention, this is achieved by the fact that in the region of the first ends of the clamping jaws, an additional clamping cone acting on these ends is provided at the clamping sleeve so that during axial movement of the clamping sleeve the clamping jaws are movable radially outwards or inwards parallel to themselves, and the clamping jaws comprise at both their ends clamping surfaces whose angular position relative to the central axis is adapted to the groove flanks, so that during the whole clamping process there is surface contact between the clamping surfaces and the groove flanks.
Due to the surface contact during the whole clamping process, there is a lower contact pressure and hence also less wear between the cooperating surfaces. At the same time, due to the lower contact pressure there is also greater rigidity. During the clamping process, the clamping jaws are displaced radially outwards parallel to themselves and no longer, as before, tilted. In this case, only a tensile stress and no bending stress is produced in the clamping jaws. The clamping jaws may consequently have a smaller cross-section, whereby the whole chuck can be built smaller in diameter. Moreover the cooperating machine parts can have greater tolerances in the axial direction. This is due to the fact that the clamping surfaces at the ends of the clamping jaws and the groove flanks during outward movement of the clamping jaws act as wedge surfaces and cause a correspondingly large axial movement between the machine parts. At the same time, greater axial contact pressures are caused between the contact face and the end face, and hence greater rigidity is obtained between the machine parts clamped together. The angles at which the clamping surfaces and the groove flanks are inclined to the bore axis or shaft axis can be varied, in order thus to change the ratio of the radial force exerted by the clamping jaws, to the axial force, and to adapt it to the respective conditions.
Further advantageous developments of the invention are characterised in the subsidiary claims.

Chuck for axially clamping two machine parts which are releasable from each other


An intake passage has an upstream portion in an upstream side of a supercharger, an intermediate portion between a supercharger and a throttle valve, and a downstream portion in a downstream side of the throttle valve. A first breather passage connects an interior of an engine with the downstream portion. A second breather passage connects the interior of the engine with the upstream portion. Introduction passages communicate the upstream portion with the interior of the engine at a non-supercharging time, and connect at least one of the intermediate portion and the downstream portion with the interior of the engine at a supercharging time. Thus, the interior of the engine is efficiently ventilated.

The present invention relates to a blow-by gas processing apparatus which is applicable to an internal combustion engine provided with a supercharger.
A vehicle internal combustion engine can be provided with, for example, a blow-by gas processing apparatus. The blow-by gas processing apparatus recirculates a combustion gas leaking to a crank chamber from a gap between a cylinder and a piston of the engine, that is, a blow-by gas to an intake passage. Specifically, an intake negative pressure generated in a portion of the intake passage in a downstream side of a throttle valve draws the blow-by gas in an interior of the engine so as to circulate in a breather passage. The blow-by gas is returned to the intake passage from the breather passage, is again fed to the combustion chamber, and is burned. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a discharge amount of a hydrocarbon (HC) to the atmosphere. Further, it is possible to inhibit the blow-by gas from deteriorating oil in the engine. As mentioned above, the blow-by gas processing apparatus ventilates the interior of the engine.
In the case that the supercharger is provided in the internal combustion engine, if the supercharger is operated, the intake negative pressure is lost.
Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 5-87213, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-144686 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-60475 each disclose a blow-by gas processing apparatus which is applicable to an internal combustion engine provided with a supercharger.
As shown in FIG. 12, the blow-by gas processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 5-87213 is provided with an introduction passage 101, a first breather passage 102, and a second breather passage 103. An intake passage 105 is provided with an upstream portion 105a which is provided on an upstream side of a compressor 106a of a supercharger 106, an intermediate portion 105b which is provided between the compressor 106a and a throttle valve 109, and a downstream portion 105c which is provided on a downstream side of the throttle valve 109. The introduction passage 101 connects the upstream portion 105a with an interior of a head cover 104 of the engine 100. The introduction passage 101 is provided with a check valve 107. The first breather passage 102 connects an interior of a crankcase 108 with the downstream portion 105c. The first breather passage 102 is provided with a positive crankcase ventilation valve (a PCV valve) 110. The second breather passage 103 connects the interior of the crankcase 108 with the upstream portion 105a. The second breather passage 103 is provided with a check valve 111.
In the case that the supercharger 106 is not operated, that is, at a non-supercharging time, an intake negative pressure is generated in the downstream portion 105c. Accordingly, as shown by filled-in arrows in FIG. 12, the blow-by gas in the engine 100 flows through the first breather passage 102 and is drawn (recirculated) into the intake passage 105. In the same manner, as shown by the filled-in arrows, an intake air flows through the introduction passage 101 so as to flow into the interior of the engine 100, and makes the interior of the engine 100 close to the atmospheric pressure.
Further, in the case that the supercharger 106 is operated, that is, at a supercharging time, the negative pressure is generated in the upstream portion 105a. As a result, as shown by open arrows in FIG. 12, the blow-by gas in the engine 100 can flow through the second breather passage 103 so as to be drawn into the intake passage 105.
However, in the blow-by gas processing apparatuses in the publications mentioned above, it is practically impossible to introduce the intake air into the interior of the engine at the supercharging time.
As shown in FIG. 13, the blow-by gas processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-144686 is provided with an introduction passage 121, a breather passage 122, and a common passage 123. An intake passage 124 is provided with an upstream portion 124a which is provided on an upstream side of a compressor 125a of a supercharger 125, an intermediate portion 124b which is provided between the compressor 125a and a throttle valve 126, and a downstream portion 124c which is provided on a downstream side of the throttle valve 126. The introduction passage 121 connects the intermediate portion 124b with a chain case 127 of the engine 120. The introduction passage 121 is provided with a check valve 128. The breather passage 122 connects an interior of a crankcase 129 with the downstream portion 124c. The breather passage 122 is provided with a PCV valve 130. The common passage 123 connects an interior of a head cover 131 with the upstream portion 124a.
At the non-supercharging time, an intake air existing within the upstream portion 124a flows through the common passage 123 so as to flow into the engine 120, and makes the interior of the engine 120 close to the atmospheric pressure. An intake negative pressure is generated in the downstream portion 124c. As a result, the blow-by gas in the engine 120 flows through the breather passage 122 so as to be drawn into the intake passage 124.
At the supercharging time, the intake air within the intermediate portion 124b flows through the introduction passage 121 so as to flow into the interior of the engine 120, thereby making the interior of the engine 120 higher pressure than the upstream portion 124a. Accordingly, the blow-by gas in the engine 120 flows through the common passage 123 so as to be drawn into the intake passage 124.
As a result, at both of the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time, the blow-by gas in the engine 120 is recirculated to the intake passage, and the intake air can be introduced to the interior of the engine 120. However, the blow-by gas flow in the engine 120 is different between the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time. Further, the intake air flow in the engine 120 is different between the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time. In other words, filled-in arrows and open arrows shown in FIG. 13 are directed to opposite directions to each other. As a result, the blow-by gas flow and the intake air flow are possibly disturbed in the engine 120 each time there is a switch between the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time. In other words, these flows can stagnate temporarily. Further, the blow-by gas discharged from the interior of the engine 120 can be again returned to the interior of the engine 120. Further, the intake air introduced to the interior of the engine 120 can be again returned to the outer portion. This can prevent an efficient ventilation of the interior of the engine 120. Particularly, in the case that the engine 120 is an in-vehicle internal combustion engine, the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time can be frequently switched in such a manner as to correspond to a change of the operating state of the engine 120. Accordingly, an efficient ventilation of the interior of the engine 120 is desired.
As shown in FIG. 14, the blow-by gas processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-60475 is provided with a first common passage 141 and a second common passage 142. An intake passage 143 is provided with an upstream portion 143a which is provided on an upstream side of a compressor 147a of a supercharger 147, an intermediate portion 143b which is provided between the compressor 147a and the throttle valve 144, and a downstream portion 143c which is provided on a downstream side of the throttle valve 144. The first common passage 141 connects an interior of an engine 140 with the downstream portion 143c. The first common passage 141 is provided with a PCV valve 145, and a bypass passage 146 bypassing the PCV valve 145. The second common passage 142 connects the interior of the engine 140 with the upstream portion 143a.
At the non-supercharging time, the intake negative pressure is generated in the downstream portion 143c. As a result, the blow-by gas in the engine 140 flows through the first common passage 141, and is drawn into the downstream portion 143c. The intake air within the upstream portion 143a flows through the second common passage 142 so as to flow into the interior of the engine 140.
At the supercharging time, the intake air within the downstream portion 143c flows through the first common passage 141 and the bypass passage 146, and flows into the interior of the engine 140. Since the negative pressure is generated by the supercharger 147 in the upstream portion 143a, the blow-by gas in the engine 140 flows through the second common passage 142 so as to be drawn into the intake passage 143.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, filled-in arrows and open arrows are directed to opposite directions to each other. In other words, the blow-by gas flow in the engine 140, and the intake air flow in the engine 140 are inverted between the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time. Accordingly, if the supercharging time and the non-supercharging time are switched frequently, the ventilation efficiency in the engine 140 is lowered.


A liquid dispensing assembly structured to be permanently or removably mounted on a bicycle or variety of other types of vehicles comprising an array of xe2x80x9csquirt gunsxe2x80x9d more specifically defined by selectively operable nozzle assemblies. A control assembly is structured to operate one or more of the aforementioned nozzle assemblies and includes hand operated activating and positioning devices, remotely disposed from the nozzle assemblies and structured to accomplish concurrent or independent activation of the one or more nozzle assemblies and the selective positioning of at least one of the nozzle assemblies, such that streams of water may be directed outwardly from the vehicle in a variety of different directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a liquid dispensing assembly including an array of xe2x80x9csquirtxe2x80x9d guns or nozzle members mounted on a bicycle or other type of recreational vehicle, wherein a plurality of liquid streams may be directed outwardly from the vehicle selectively and in a variety of different directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
The bicycle, as well as other cycle type vehicles have enjoyed exceptional popularity with people of all ages for many years. While initially intended as a primary source of transportation, before the popularity of the motor vehicle, the bicycle, at least in the United States, is now primarily used for recreational purposes. Naturally, over the years the bicycle has improved both structurally and operationally and is available in a variety of different designs and models. Further, customization of the bicycle allowed the development of structural components which serve to specialize or categorize the various bicycle models for specific types of use, such as for racing, operation over rough terrain, general exercise, as well as for use in a variety of competitive sports activities.
Somewhat similarly, devices commonly known as xe2x80x9csquirt gunsxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cwater gunsxe2x80x9d have been known and utilized, primarily by children, for many years. Conventionally, such devices are relatively small, hand held and manually operated by a trigger activated pumping mechanism built into the gun structure itself. Over the years, the squirt gun, like the bicycle has developed both structurally and operationally to the extent that the associated technology has served to increase the range, amount and duration of water being projected, utilizing the more modern squirt gun devices. Still, some limiting problems or disadvantages exist due, at least in part, to the limited water capacity contained within or associated with the modern day squirt gun. It is commonly recognized that water is a relatively heavy commodity especially when a quantity thereof is expected to be carried on or about ones person. Further problems associated with leakage of a storage container for the water and structured to deliver the stored water to the squirt gun, are also sometimes problematic. Therefore, the larger models of water or squirt guns may sometimes restrict the mobility and comfort of the user resulting in fatigue and/or the inability of younger individuals to operate and/or carry such devices.
The popularity of both the bicycle and the water gun and the fact that both of these types of devices are intended for outdoor use, have resulted in numerous attempts to combine their operation. Accordingly, numerous devices have been designed which comprise the mounting of one or more liquid delivering devices on some portion of a bicycle, tricycle or other type of recreational vehicle.
In a more simplistic form, conventional hand carried water guns are affixed to the frame of a bicycle and operated independently of the vehicle in terms of being activated by a trigger controlled pumping mechanism contained within the water gun itself. More sophisticated devices include one or more water or liquid jet issuing structures mounted on various portions of a cycle-type vehicle or alternatively on helmets or other operator supported devices. The fact that problems and disadvantages exist with many of the known attempts to combine water guns and cycle-type vehicles is evidenced by the fact that few if any such devices are commercially available on a wide spread basis.
Therefore, there is a recognized need in the outdoor recreational market for a water dispensing assembly capable of being fixedly and/or removably mounted on a bicycle or other type of vehicle wherein use of the liquid dispensing assembly is effective, efficient and can be accomplished concurrently with the operation of the vehicle without requiring significant repositioning of an operator""s hands or other portions of his or her body. Further, the structural efficiency of the various operative components of such a preferred liquid distribution assembly should be such as to allow the vehicle operator to selectively and repeatedly activate one or more nozzle assemblies in order to create a plurality of liquid streams issuing from the supporting vehicle. An additional benefit may be achieved by allowing the vehicle operator to selectively position the one or more nozzle assemblies in any of a plurality of different and varied, preselected directions.
The present invention is directed to a liquid dispensing assembly primarily, but not exclusively, adapted to be mounted on a cycle-type vehicle, such as a bicycle, tricycle, or other velocipede. More specifically, the liquid dispensing assembly comprises an array of xe2x80x9csquirtxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cwaterxe2x80x9d guns. The array of squirt guns may be more accurately described as at least one, but preferably a plurality of nozzle assemblies, wherein each nozzle assembly may include at least one but preferably two nozzle members. Further, the one or more nozzle members associated with each nozzle assembly is cooperatively structured with other operative components of the liquid dispensing assembly of the present invention, to selectively issue or direct streams of water outwardly from the vehicle, on which the dispensing assembly is mounted, in any of a plurality of different, selectable directions.
While at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the various operative components of the dispensing assembly being removably mounted on a vehicle it is contemplated that the dispensing assembly can be produced and/or assembled as an OEM product, wherein the bicycle or other vehicle comes equipped with the dispensing assembly. However, structural features of at least one preferred embodiment demonstrates an enhanced versatility by allowing the various operative components thereof to be mounted on a variety of different vehicles. As such, the liquid dispensing assembly of the present invention may be made available to consumers as a kit assembly. It is also emphasized that with little or no structural modification, the liquid dispensing assembly of the present invention may be readily adaptable for use on vehicles other than a cycle-type vehicle, of the type set forth above.
Accordingly, the liquid dispensing assembly of the present invention comprises the aforementioned one or more nozzle assemblies. In at least one preferred embodiment, two nozzle assemblies are mounted on the vehicle so as to direct streams of water outwardly therefrom in substantially different directions. As such, one of the aforementioned nozzle assemblies may be mounted on the handle bar or other steering mechanism of the vehicle so as to face outwardly in a substantially forward direction. The one other nozzle assembly may be connected to the frame of the bicycle or other vehicle so as to direct liquid streams outwardly, substantially from the rear of the vehicle.
As also to be explained in greater detail hereinafter at least one of the aforementioned nozzle assemblies may be selectively positioned or oriented relative to the vehicle, such that the liquid streams issuing therefrom may be specifically directed or xe2x80x9caimedxe2x80x9d during their use. Similarly, each of the one or more nozzle assemblies may be selectively and repeatedly activated so as to direct separate liquid streams outwardly therefrom as desired and intended by an operator of the vehicle. The ability to independently activate each of the nozzle assemblies and the enhanced versatility of selectively positioning at least one of the nozzle assemblies significantly enhances the entertainment value of the liquid dispensing assembly. In addition, the ability of the vehicle operator to control the liquid dispensing assembly, in the manner described herein, facilitates participation of the present invention, as well as the vehicle on which it is mounted, in numerous, unique games, competitions, sports activities, etc.
Accordingly, the selective positioning and activation of the one or more nozzle assemblies is quickly and efficiently accomplished through the provision of a control assembly which preferably includes an activating assembly and a positioning assembly. Also, in at least one preferred embodiment both the activating assembly and the positioning assembly are hand operated and disposed and structured to be manipulated by opposite hands of the vehicle operator without requiring the operator to remove his or her hands from the handle bars or other steering mechanism associated with the vehicle. As such, the operator can continue to operate the vehicle safely by maintaining the hand positions in a conventional location such as on the handle bars and/or hand grips associated therewith so as to concurrently steer the vehicle and activate/position the one or more nozzle assemblies.
At least one alternate embodiment of the present invention envisions a positioning assembly comprising an electronic tracking display headset structured to be disposed about the head of the vehicle operator, such as, for example, glasses or goggles. The electronic tracking display headset functions to position one or more nozzle assemblies based upon the positioning of the headset which is controlled by the vehicle operator by repositioning their head.
The liquid dispensing assembly of the present invention further includes a liquid supply also mounted on the vehicle in a convenient location. The liquid supply preferably comprises at least a primary reservoir and, in an additional preferred embodiment, at least a secondary reservoir. These reservoirs may be in the form of containers capable of storing water or other liquid therein in a convenient location on the bicycle or other type of vehicle. Moreover, the one or more reservoirs are disposed, dimensioned and configured to not interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle or come in to conflict with the normal positioning and movement of the operator.
As set forth above water or other liquid issuing from the one or more nozzle assemblies is subjected to an at least minimal amount of driving force or pressure. As a result, the issuing streams are directed outwardly a significant distance from the vehicle on which the dispensing assembly is mounted. Therefore the present invention also comprises a xe2x80x9cdrivexe2x80x9d assembly including a plurality of operative components which are cooperatively structured to force liquid flow from the liquid supply to the one or more nozzle assemblies. The liquid is delivered under sufficient pressure to produce the aforementioned streams of water issuing from the one or more nozzle assemblies.
The drive assembly, in at least one preferred embodiment, includes a pump mechanism connected in fluid communication with the liquid contained on the interior of at least one of the primary or secondary reservoirs structured and disposed to transfer the liquid from at least one or more reservoirs to one or more nozzle assemblies. The pump mechanism is mechanically driven or electrically powered by means of a drive mechanism, which may be structured to operate based on the movement of the vehicle and/or independently thereof. As one of example, the aforementioned drive mechanism may comprise an electro-mechanical type of mechanism, for example, a mechanical/electrical generator structure attached to some movable portion of the bicycle or other vehicle, such as by being connected to the one or more wheels thereof. As such, movement of the bicycle would cause a driving force being directed to the drive mechanism, wherein such mechanical force could be transformed to electrical energy so as to power the aforementioned pump mechanism. Similarly, the aforementioned control assembly, including the activating assembly and the positioning assembly could also be electrically powered by energy derived from the drive mechanism.
It is emphasized that the aforementioned drive assembly could take a variety of different forms other than that described. For example, the aforementioned pump mechanism could be driven from a self contained power source, such as a battery pack or the like, rather than converting the mechanical energy derived from the movement of the vehicle on which the liquid dispensing assembly is mounted. Similarly, the activating assembly and the positioning assembly could include separate independently contained battery packs for operation thereof. Alternately a single self contained electrical source of energy may be mounted on the vehicle so as to provide electrical energy to all of the operative power components.
Therefore it is again emphasized that the drive assembly of the present invention is not limited to any specific type of mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical drive mechanism, etc. Moreover, regardless of the type of drive mechanism utilized to provide adequate driving force to the liquid being dispensed, it may be located at any of a variety of locations on the vehicle. It is also contemplated that the aforementioned drive assembly may take the form of a pressurized fluid, such as air or the like connected to the primary or secondary reservoirs so as to pressurized the interior thereof and thereby force the liquid being dispensed along the proper liquid carrying conduits which serves to interconnect the one or more reservoirs to the one or more nozzle assemblies. Yet another alternative is envisioned wherein the drive mechanism operates to pressurize the liquid supply while the vehicle is in motion, and the liquid supply is structured to retain this pressure to allow the aforementioned streams of water to be issued from the nozzles while the vehicle is at rest, until the retained pressure is released.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid dispensing assembly which can be quickly, efficiently and safely adapted for use in combination with a bicycle or other recreational type vehicle, which serves to enhance the enjoyment and entertainment value of utilizing the vehicle.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

Vehicle mounted liquid dispensing assembly


The present relates generally to a roof safety rail for use on a building for fall prevention. In particular the inventions relates to a roof safety rail system for use on the outer perimeter of a roof that provides an improved safety rail system where permanent installation is accomplished without penetrating the roof membrane or the exterior roofing material that covers the anchoring points of safety rail whereby eliminating the possibility of weather elements entering the building through the rail fasteners.

Federal and state regulations, as well as insurance providers, require the use of roof safety systems to prevent workers from falling from a roof during construction or maintenance repairs. In certain instances if the proper safety procedures are not followed, governmental organizations such as OSHA can levy fines against companies and building owners due to non-compliance.
The safety systems are important from a regulation standpoint and a good business practice. The systems design protects workers from accidental falls and the resulting injuries or death that can occur. Minimizing these types of accidents and the resultant repercussions is important to a company. Currently, there are numerous safety rail systems used in the industry with the systems divided into two categories, a) permanent and b) temporary. Both types of systems ensure the safety of workers and have important distinct features but both have limitations.
Temporary rail safety system designs used in the industry allow a worker to erect the temporary system on the roof of a building, which allows a worker to complete a task and then remove for later use. The erection of a temporary system does not require penetrating the roofing material, which can lead to exposure of the building to weather elements, such as water. But, because of the temporary nature of this type of rail safety system many limitations are readily apparent. First, temporary systems must be put in place before a worker can begin any maintenance work on the roof. Because the safety system is not permanently affixed to the structure it creates additional work before performing the maintenance, which can lead to the potential for non-compliance because the worker does not take the time to erect the temporary safety system or does not erect it correctly. In a worker's rush to accomplish a routine maintenance task on the roof, they may choose to not put in place the safety system. If work is undertaken without the safety system in place the building owner or company could be liable to OSHA or other governmental fines, even if an accident did not occur. Additionally, temporary rail safety systems can also lack in rigidity and may not provide the support or strength that a permanent rail safety system provides. This lack of stability and strength can lead to the failure of the temporary system and injury to a worker who relies on the rail safety system.
Permanent rail safety system designs are a permanent fixture installed on the roof of a building to ensure compliance and safety standards are met. Permanent systems provide a strong and secure system because it is anchored to the building. The numerous permanent rail safety systems available on the market require anchoring to the roof through the penetration of the roof membrane, such as the use of pitch pockets, resulting in the possibility of weather elements, such as rain and snow entering and causing damage to the building. The permanent system designs fixedly attach to the building through known anchoring mechanisms, but the attachment requires penetration through the roof and into the building. To minimize the potential for water leakage because of the roof penetration, application of materials such as caulking, tar, or other water repellant products to where the roof penetration occurs helps, but ultimately the products are known to fail and leave the roof vulnerable to exposure to weather elements. Because of the requirement for creating a break in the exterior roofing membrane, an owner must maintain the penetrations continually to ensure the products used to create a water tight roof system do not fail.
Therefore a need exists for a roof safety system designed for permanent affixation to the building structure ensuring a strong secure attachment, but does not require penetration through the roof membrane, further ensuring the roof is water tight. The roof safety system design should include permanent affixation but allow the reuse of roofing materials such as drip edges, gravel stops, rakes copings and gutters for retrofit construction or standard roofing materials as described above for new construction to create the water tight exterior. The roof safety system will allow the roof membrane to cover all fasteners used to affix or secure the rail safety system to the roof creating a safety system that will not require continual maintenance and supervision to ensure a functional weather tight roof exterior.


This invention involves an artist's working support or panel that is durable, of high quality, and long lasting. The structure has a planar core material usually balsa wood with a stressed-skin layer or sheet adhered to its front and back surface. Specific adhesives are used to enhance the quality of the working support. The panel is completed by adhering a finishing material such as canvas or paper to at least one surface of the panel.

It has been known to provide artist's laminated supports upon which an artist may produce a painting or work of art. A problem encountered with prior art workpieces or supports is that of relatively short longevity. Changes in relative humidity often cause supports to buckle and warp over time. Use of poor quality materials such as laminated cardboard or processed wood fiber supports leads to premature degradation. There is a present need for an artist's support that is durable, of a high quality and relatively strong.
Artist's supports or working surfaces have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,344,997 (Paquette) and 4,720,406 (Dixon). In Paquette the support disclosed has a rigid backing of a curved piece of masonite or wood. The support has a concave surface with sides that flare out from the base portion. A canvas surface is secured directly to the backing by appropriate adhesives. Paquette's worksheet or support has a non-planar contour which allows the artist to produce paintings, portions of which have a different spatial relation. This patent does not improve on the more widely used planar solid supports as described earlier in this invention, nor does it address the most important aspect of any artist's support, physical stability. Instead, it addresses the more specialized situation of attempting to aid the artist in creating a sense of depth by physically providing depth or texture in the support.
Dixon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,406 discloses a canvas for use by an artist including a flexible substrate material having a surface coating of an animal glue. The substrate is an open weave nylon having a specific denier range. The substrate is then mounted on a stretching framework backed by butcher's paper. The canvas of Dixon is prepared by coating a sheet of the substrate with a binding material, drying the resulting sheet and glazing the material with a glazing compound that dries to a translucent layer. The resulting sheet is then dried and is ready for use. In Dixon an open weave canvas comprised of either nylon, polyester or silk is coated with rabbit skin glue and "refined animal glue which forms a translucent glaze as the painting surface". Although the suggestion of nylon or polyester fabrics as supports for artwork may show an improved durability over high quality linen fabric, rigidity may be the same or less. This is because the canvas preparatory coating and/or sizing layers have a strong influence on the overall stiffness of the support. Since the inventor claims that the binding material is flexible, the substrate will not provide a given paint layer with sufficient support over time, even after tensioning on a standard artist's wooden stretcher. Furthermore, the use of hide glue in sufficient quantities to saturate a fabric support as described in the patent, will surely produce large dimensional changes of the support as the ambient relative humidity changes. These large dimensional changes will impose equally large stresses on any paint layer which will inevitably lead to premature failure of the paint.
In all of the known prior art there is not disclosed an artist's support that satisfactorily minimizes warping and distortion of the finished support over a period of time, nor that utilizes high quality and durable materials for increased longevity.


An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.

Medical needles have been used to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to a target site within tissue for treatment or diagnostic purposes. Needles typically have a tubular body for delivering an agent, and a sharp distal tip for puncturing skin and/or other bodily tissues, thereby creating a needle tract through intervening tissues between the skin and the target site.
Before the tip of the needle reaches the target site, i.e., while the needle is advanced through intervening tissue, there is a risk that the agent may leak out of the distal tip of the needle and into the intervening tissue. Since the agent may be sclerotic, necrotic, and/or toxic to living tissue, if the agent leaks or spreads, it may damage the intervening tissue.
After an agent is delivered to the target site, the needle is typically withdrawn, thereby leaving the created tract through the tissues that eventually closes up through normal healing. However, before the tract is healed, the agent(s) delivered to the target site may leak into the tract, possibly spreading the agent(s) to surrounding tissue. As discussed previously, since the agent may be toxic to living tissue, allowing the agent to spread may damage the surrounding tissue. For example, when treating a prostate with Ethanol, significant amounts of the infused Ethanol may leak through the needle tract, possibly damaging unintended tissue.
Furthermore, when a needle is used to deliver an agent to a tumor, tumor cells may be released into surrounding tissue simply by perforating the tumor with the needle. For example, tumor cells may migrate into the needle tract and into surrounding healthy tissue through the needle tract. This phenomenon is known as "tract seeding."
Thus, apparatus and methods for delivering an agent to a site that minimize the agent leaking and/or tumor cells migrating to surrounding tissue would be useful.

Devices and methods for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents


A battery component replacement circuit for use in a model railroad application is disclosed. The circuit according to an embodiment of the invention has a series of capacitors connected between positive and negative terminals which supply power for charging the capacitors and which are connected to a load, namely a sound driver and associated processor. A series of diodes is connected in parallel with the series of capacitors also across the terminals. In an alternate embodiment the series of diodes is replaced with a series of resistors.

Model railroads have a long history of emulating trains and railroad systems throughout the world. Since the earliest model railroad and train systems have been developed, one of the primary goals of model railroaders has been to make the model train experience as realistic as possible for the user. A typical model train has a powered locomotive pulling a series of freight or passenger cars. A locomotive is typically powered by a DC or AC motor which drives one or more axels. The motor is driven by a power supply which applies voltage to the track from a transformer or other variable power source. The power source controls both the amplitude and polarity of voltage so that user may control both speed and direction of the train.
In addition to being able to control the speed and direction of a model train, systems were developed for operating a whistle or a bell located on the train. For example, in AC powered systems, this can be accomplished by applying a DC offset voltage superimposed on the AC voltage applied to the track. In other systems, the train has circuitry that distinguishes between the polarities of DC offset voltage. Thus, for example the whistle or horn would blow when a positive DC offset voltage is applied to the track and a bell would ring when a negative DC offset voltage is applied. These voltages are typically applied by pressing a button located on the power source to affect the desired sound.
More recently, systems have been developed for enhanced sound effects on locomotives in order to give the user a more realistic experience. One such example is marketed by MTH Electric Trains under the trade name Proto-Sound. The original Proto-Sound system offered a wide range of authentic locomotive sounds including: steam chuffing, diesel or electric engine sounds, bell, horn or whistle, locomotive startup and shutdown sounds, cab chatter, passenger station and freight yard sounds, squealing break sounds, air compressor sounds, and steam neutral sounds in addition to maintenance sound effects. This sound system along with lighting controls are typically controlled by a processor, which controls and drives the various component circuits located on the locomotive. The component circuits are located on a printed circuit board and include a light driver circuit, a sound driver circuit, and other driver circuits. Certain sounds for the model train may be stored in a flash memory which is connected to the processor. The processor is capable of retrieving one or more sound files from the flash memory, processing them, and outputting them to the sound system circuit. The sounds may also be stored alternatively on the same integrated circuit as the processor. The processor includes software for operating and processing the sounds. Power is required by the processor and memory in order to maintain, process, and output the sounds. For this purpose, the Proto-Sound system includes a rechargeable battery which provides power to the processor and memory when the track is powered down. Some of these rechargeable batteries take the form of a typical 9-volt battery. Power supply from the track through the power supply circuit during operating intervals serves to recharge the battery.
A problem exists in that these rechargeable batteries, after repeated use and/or long term storage, fail to maintain a proper charge. A low or discharged battery may result in improper shutdown of the sound system and malfunction of the processor. In some instances, improper shutdown may require factory authorized reprogramming to resolve the issues caused by a discharged battery. What is needed is an improved system which would minimize or otherwise alleviate the problems caused by discharged batteries in these locomotive sound systems.


Embodiments of a process including depositing a sacrificial layer on the surface of a substrate over a photosensitive region, over the top surface of a transfer gate, and over at least the sidewall of the transfer gate closest to the photosensitive region, the sacrificial layer having a selected thickness. A layer of photoresist is deposited over the sacrificial layer, which is patterned and etched to expose the surface of the substrate over the photosensitive region and at least part of the transfer gate top surface, leaving a sacrificial spacer on the sidewall of the transfer gate closest to the photosensitive region. The substrate is plasma doped to form a pinning layer between the photosensitive region and the surface of the substrate. The spacing between the pinning layer and the sidewall of the transfer gate substantially corresponds to a thickness of the sacrificial spacer. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Image sensors are widely used in digital still cameras, cellular phones, security cameras, medical, automobile, and other applications. Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor ("CMOS") technology is used to manufacture low-cost image sensors on silicon substrates. In a large number of image sensors, a photodiode structure called a pinned photodiode is used because of its low-noise performance.
In these photodiode structures, a P+ type doped pinning layer is ion-implanted at or just below the silicon surface adjacent to a transfer gate. An N-type photosensitive region is ion-implanted deeper into a P-type doped silicon substrate, also adjacent to the transfer gate. The N-type doped layer is the buried layer that stores charge away from the surface region where defects typically reside. The purpose of the P+ type pinning layer is to passivate the defects on the photodiode surface. The relative location of the edges of the P+ type doped pinning layer, the N-type doped photosensitive region, and the adjacent transfer gate should be carefully engineered to improve photodiode charge transfer through the transfer gate. This becomes increasingly important as CMOS image sensors ("CIS") continue to be miniaturized.
As CIS continue to miniaturize, the area of their pixels and principally their photosensitive regions shrink. This results in less capacity of each pixel to intercept light and hold photo-generated charge. Additionally, as backside illuminated ("BSI") image sensors are introduced their thinned substrates put further constraints on photo-generated charge, especially for longer wavelength light, which can pass through a silicon substrate without being fully absorbed. Although the advance of manufacturing technology facilitates the decrease in minimum allowable CMOS sizes, the reduction of variability of shape placement (i.e., alignment tolerance) has progressed at a slower rate. Image lag often depends on consistent alignment tolerances between the N-type doped photosensitive region, the P+ type pinning layer, and the adjacent transfer gate edge.

Process to eliminate lag in pixels having a plasma-doped pinning layer


A remote presence system includes a robot, a headset, and a computer system. The robot includes a camera mounted on a motorized manipulator and a control system. The headset includes a head position sensor and a display. The computer system configured to perform operations including: receiving head movement data indicative of head movements of a user wearing the headset from the head position sensor; causing, using the head movement data, the control system of the robot to move the motorized manipulator so that the camera mimics the head movements of the user; and establishing a video feed from the camera to the display.

Some conventional telepresence systems use robots that are designed for light to moderate indoor usage such as within workplace settings. User control in those systems can be minimal, e.g., by being confined to fixed camera devices or by using mobile robots "driven" by users on conventional interfaces native to personal computers. Some robotic platforms are designed without regard to social interaction. For example, some systems use a screen mounted on a pole, set on a pair of wheels. While these systems can be effective in achieving remote presence, they do not exploit the human tendency to anthropomorphize inanimate objects and machines, and thus fail to take full advantage of the scenario established by human-robot interaction (HRI). These systems can also fall short in capturing the nuances of human movement and capturing the "essence" of human beings.


An alternating current generator, comprising: a disc shaped rotor and first and second ring shaped stationary cores, coaxially located with the rotor, the rotor further comprising a non-magnetic disc attached to a shaft, with a plurality of low permeability magnetic blocks fastened to the rim of the disc; the first stationary core being an electromagnet shaped so as to present magnetic poles to the rotor blocks; and, the second stationary core being an armature, further comprising: a low permeability magnetic core wound with a conductive coil, shaped so as to present poles which can be magnetically polarized to the rotor blocks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alternating current generator having neither a rotating field nor a rotating armature. The rotating element, or rotor, is comprised of a number of core sections common to the cores of both exciter field and armature. The rotor has no rotating poles and there are no rotating coils.
2. General Background
Rotating electromagnetic alternating current generators depend for their production of electricity on the principal that a coil of conducting wire will have a current induced in its windings when the coil is subjected to a varying magnetic field, and that magnetic substances, such as iron, are capable of concentrating the magnetic flux surrounding the coil. By rotating coils in magnetic fields, or by rotating magnets in proximity to coils, the consequent variance of magnetism relative to the coils can be obtained.
Most alternating current (AC) generators now used for the production and transmission of electrical power for general use have a constant frequency (the rotor turns at a controlled rotational velocity) and a constant output voltage. They are of the type that utilizes a rotating magnetic field, produced by a regulated current through rotating coils to induce the desired current in a group of armature coils. Electromagnets are arranged on a rotor so that the poles facing the cores of the armature are alternately north and south. When the rotor is turned, the poles pass the armature cores, reversing the magnetic flux presented to them with the passing of each north-south pair, and so inducing an alternating electric current in the armature coils. The windings of the rotating exciter are led to a pair of slip rings, allowing a regulated current to enter and exit by means of brush contact with the slip rings. The amount of current through the rotating coils determines the strength of the exciter magnets, which in turn determines the voltage amplitude of the output.
Production of electrical power where neither voltage nor frequency control is important can usually be accomplished economically by a magneto, which uses permanent magnets about the rotor instead of electromagnets. The current is induced in the same manner as above, but the field strength of the permanent magnets is constant so that the voltage control has to be accomplished by varying the output resistance of the load. Its primary use is as a generator of ignition sparks, or for charging batteries after rectification to direct current.
When the output requires a controlled voltage but frequency is not important, another type of generator, similar to a magneto, is used. This type also induces current in an armature by passing alternate magnetic poles in proximity to magnetic cores, but the poles are aligned with the axle, and staggered so as to change the magnetic path through the armature cores. The rotating field magnet has a section concentric with the shaft that turns within a fixed coil so that no brushes are needed. Means of supporting this inner fixed coil presents a problem for resolution of which a multitude of designs have been proposed. Commonly known as an alternator, this type of generator is mainly used on vehicles, where it charges storage batteries after being rectified to direct current.
Several devices relating to alternating current generators have been patented.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,506, by Parker, discloses an axial airgap generator having a plurality of rotor and stator sections spaced from one another and mounted on a central shaft, wherein at least one of the stator sections carries windings for generating a magnetomotive force, and the rotors are surrounded by electrical conductors such as coil windings leading to slip rings.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,180, by Shizuka, et al., discloses a fixed field inductor-type generator wherein a fixed coil is mounted around a pair of pawl-like magnetic poles mounted on a rotary shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,198, by Pinkerton, discloses a brushless generator wherein rotating coils pass through stationary electromagnetic fields to induce AC current in the coils, which is in turn used by a set of rotating electromagnets to induce an AC voltage in a second set of coils.
Other devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,569,804; 3,571,639; 3,610,979; 4,041,340; 4,075,519; and 4,611,139 are representative of the state of the art, however an alternating current generator has not been previously proposed wherein the rotor has no rotating coils and no rotating poles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electromagnetic alternating current generator having neither a rotating field nor a rotating armature, comprised of a shaft mounted non-magnetic disc with blocks made of a suitable magnetic material having low permeability fastened to its rim, and two stationary cores, the first being electromagnetic exciter core, and the second being an armature capable of being magnetized. When the rotor is caused to rotate by a driver engine, the blocks pass in close proximity to the poles of the stationary cores. As the blocks reach a first position, they complete a magnetic circuit between the electromagnet of the exciter core and the armature, thereby producing magnetic flux in the armature core. As the blocks reach a second position, the circuit is broken, dropping the magnetic flux in the armature to zero, which induces a current in a solenoid type wire wound around a section of the core. When the blocks reach a third position, they again complete a magnetic circuit, but with opposite poles of the electromagnet. This reverses the magnetic flux in the armature core, again inducing a current, but with opposite polarity, thus generating alternating current.

Alternating current generator with unpolarized rotor


An integrated mass air flow sensor/broadband silencer assembly comprises a molded body having a plurality of walls formed therein. The molded body is over-wrapped with a layer of acoustic foam that, together with the plurality of walls, define a plurality of chambers within an interior volume of the assembly. A mass air flow sensor can be inserted into one of the chambers. The chambers are sized and spaced to provide a uniform velocity, low turbulence air flow to the sensor, and a minimally-restricted air flow to an internal combustion engine located downstream of the assembly.

The invention relates to an assembly comprising an integrated mass air flow sensor and a broadband silencer that is adapted for use in the air induction system of an internal combustion engine.
In many internal combustion engines, a mass air flow sensor (MAFS) is used to measure the air flow rate entering the engine and, in turn, provide an output signal that is used to maintain a desired air-fuel ratio. Maintaining a desired air-fuel ratio is important to achieve optimal engine performance, fuel economy, and engine emissions.
Because the output signal, and in particular the signal-to-noise ratio of a typical mass air flow sensor can be adversely affected by air turbulence, mass air flow sensors preferably measure air flow having uniform velocity and minimal turbulence over the complete range of engine operating conditions.
The effect of air turbulence on a mass air flow sensor can be particularly problematic under conditions of low flow rate such as during engine idling. Moreover, low flow rate turbulence and its attendant adverse impact on MAFS output can be exacerbated if the MAFS is located in a relatively large diameter flow path.
Many high performance internal combustion engines such as those having turbochargers or superchargers require high intake air flow rates. These high flow rates are usually achieved by providing relatively large diameter flow paths in the air induction system. In addition to requiring high intake air flow rates, such high performance engines preferably project a particular acoustic signature, which can be obtained by incorporating into the air induction system an acoustic device such as a tunable (e.g., broadband) silencer.
The space available for components such as mass air flow sensors and broadband silencers is typically limited due to design and esthetic considerations. Furthermore, the high flow rates required by many high performance engines are at odds with the low turbulence requirements of mass air flow sensors that are included in these engines.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a broadband silencer and a mass air flow sensor that are compatible with both the flow rate and the space requirements of many high performance engines.

Integrated mass air flow sensor and broadband silencer


The present invention relates to a method and a communication system for the current calculation of fees for a user of the telecommunication system. The present system includes a fee calculation station which is adapted to calculation the fees in accordance with a clocking and a fee rate associated with a predetermined service depending upon the period of use of the service.

The present invention relates to a method for the calculation of charges in a telecommunication system over a select period of time The time period may be ongoing or continuous. The present method employs a charge calculation point which is equipped to receive information about a particular and/or current tariff rate. At the calculation point, charges incurred on the basis of the tariff rate along with the period of use of a service to which the tariff rate applies are calculated. The precision of charge accounting, i.e. time unit upon which a charge is based—such as an amount per every 1, 10 or 60 seconds—is determined by the clocking or sampling of the time interval on which the charge calculation is based. This can be predetermined by a service operator setting the tariff. In other words, usage of service is sampled to determine the time it was used and such time is then divided by the precision to arrive at a toll for the usage. The charge calculation point is also equipped to transmit information about the charges incurred to a subscriber at predetermined time intervals.
The invention also relates to a telecommunication system comprising a charge calculation point which is equipped to calculate the charges incurred for the use of a service on the basis of a tariff rate assigned to the service. In addition, the charge calculation point is equipped to calculate the period of use of the service, with the precision of charge accounting being determined by the clocking of the time interval on which the charge calculation is based, the time interval being potentially predetermined by a network/service operator setting the tariff. The charge calculation point is also equipped to transmit information about the charges incurred to a telecommunication terminal of a subscriber at predetermined time intervals.
Herein, the term services refers to the provision of the capabilities and features of a telecommunication system, for example the transfer of voice or data, as well as switching activities along with the provision of a network and the like. Other telecommunication services may be included under the term services as is envisioned by one skilled in the art.
With the introduction of the transfer of payment information for end customers using services, for example a voice service, the tariffs used for charging, which are in the form of price per unit of time, are transmitted by a service operator setting the tariff for the service to a subscriber network operator with the operator calculating the charges according to its accounting and making the calculated charges available to its end customers/subscribers in the form of payment information.
Tariff information determined for example by international—ETSI ES 201 296—and national standards is also specified here in the form of a price per unit of time—generally as a price per second.
Charges can be output on a subscriber's telecommunication terminal according to the prior art depending on the set-up and facilities of the terminal either in currency format or in charge pulses. The charges incurred are hereby determined as a product of elapsed time, for example in seconds, and the tariff rate, for example the price per second.
Accounting by the service operator setting the tariff can only correspond to the display of charges at the telecommunication terminal if the accounting precision of the subscriber network operator is the same as that of the service operator setting the tariff.
If the service operator sets the tariff charges with a precision of 60 seconds, and the subscriber network operator setting the tariff charges with a precision of one second, the display of charges at the subscriber's telecommunication terminal will not correspond to the costs actually resulting for said subscriber. For example, a tariff for a service is assumed to be EUR 0.005/sec, accounting precision of the subscriber network operator one second, and accounting precision of the switching network operator 60 seconds. In the case of a call lasting 20 seconds, a call charge of EUR 0.1 is displayed at the subscriber's telecommunication terminal but the network operator setting the tariff computes EUR 0.3 in post-processing and charges for this, as its accounting precision is based on a time interval which is three times longer than that of the subscriber network operator.
It can be seen from the above that the subscriber has to pay three times more than is displayed. This can of course result in subscriber dissatisfaction. It is therefore in the interests of both the subscriber and the network operator to output the actual or real costs incurred at the subscriber's telecommunication terminal.
Post processing here refers to the fact that charges are calculated after termination of use of the service. Charges should however be shown online, i.e. as synchronously or real time as possible with the use of the service at the subscriber's telecommunication terminal.
The only known means of making the charge display and accounting correspond is to bring the accounting precision of the network operator providing a service and setting the tariff into line with the accounting precision of the subscriber network operator. However this results in a significant restriction on charging options for the network operators providing the telecommunication services.
The calculated charge information is also of significance with regard to cost monitoring for services, for which exceeding a certain cost limit when using the service is automatically prevented.
When the accounting precisions of the subscriber network operators and service providers are different, there is no known possible means of ensuring precise compliance with this cost limit. Accordingly, a need exists to harmonize the accounting.

System and method for calculation of telecommunication charges


An apparatus and method for hybrid rendering. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: identifying left and right views of a user's eyes; generating at least one depth map for the left and right views; calculating depth clamping thresholds including a minimum depth value and a maximum depth value; transforming the depth map in accordance with the minimum depth value and maximum depth value; and performing view synthesis to render left and right views using the transformed depth map.

Virtual reality (VR) refers to data processing technologies that replicate a real or imagined environment by simulating a user's physical presence in that environment and, in some implementations, the user is provided with the ability to interact with the environment. Many current VR environments are displayed either on a computer screen or with a special virtual reality headset. Some simulations include additional sensory information such as sound through speakers or headphones targeted towards VR users.
Light field displays are an emerging class of display technology that deliver images with both spatial and angular (view dependent) resolution. They hold promise for 'near-holographic' visual fidelity. This includes a variety of depth cues such as motion parallax, retinal blur, accommodation, as well as glasses-free stereopsis. While it remains unclear which light field display architectures will succeed, they all require design tradeoffs for spatial resolution, angular resolution, and effective depth-of-field (how 'deep' the 3D image is perceived).
Presently, light field displays are operated using content confined to their depth-of-field (which can be quite shallow today), with content out-of-range being carefully defocused and/or eliminated so as to reduce aliasing artifacts (due to inadequate angular sampling). Displays can be designed for larger depth-of-field but almost always at the expense of spatial resolution and/or viewing region 'sweet spot' size.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hybrid stereo rendering for depth extension in dynamic light field displays


Compositions and methods for reducing stress corrosion cracking in steel vessels used for storing and/or transporting ethanol-containing fluids. Additives including oxygen scavengers and film-forming additives can be employed together in such ethanol-containing fluids (e.g., fuel grade ethanol) to mitigate stress corrosion cracking in steel vessels, such as pipelines, storage tanks, rail cars, and/or tanker trucks.

1. Field
One or more embodiments of the invention relate to methods and compositions for reducing stress corrosion cracking in steel vessels used for storing and/or transporting ethanol-containing fluids.
2. Description of Related Art
Ethanol is becoming an increasingly important resource in the United States and around the world, particularly for use as fuel or a fuel additive. For instance, the United States requires gasoline sold in certain areas of the country to contain a designated percentage of oxygenates, the most common of which being ethanol and methyl-t-butyl ether ("MTBE"). However, MTBE has recently been found to contaminate ground water supplies. Thus, the demand for ethanol in the United States is higher than ever. To cope with this demand, increased supplies of ethanol are being transported using various means from the heartland, where the majority of U.S. ethanol is produced, to coastal regions, where the majority of ethanol is consumed. It has been observed, however, that transportation and storage of ethanol, and particularly fuel grade ethanol, can cause stress corrosion cracking in steel vessels used in transporting and storing ethanol. Accordingly, methods and compositions may be desired to mitigate such stress corrosion cracking.

Methods and compositions for reducing stress corrosion cracking


Organic silicone compounds characterized by the possession of a silacyclo ring, which is expressed by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group and Y is a divalent hydrocarbon group. These organic silicone compounds possess a high reactivity towards compounds having active hydrogens, especially alcohols. Therefore, they are extremely useful as silylation agents, surface treatment agents and adhesion promoters.

Conventionally variously types of organic silicone compounds have been utilized as silylation agents, surface treatment agents, and adhesion promoters on substances in order to improve their physical properties.
The organic silicone compounds utilized for these applications must have a high reactivity towards the substances which are treated to improve their physical properties. The purpose of this invention is to provide novel organic silcone compounds which have a high reactivity and which are also useful as silylation agents, surface treatment agents, and adhesion promoters.

Silacyclo ring compound having alkenoxy groups


A dependency of a characteristic of an optical circuit on an optical signal intensity occurring due to input of a high intensity optical signal is reduced in a waveguide type optical interferometer circuit. The waveguide type optical interferometer circuit is a waveguide type optical interferometer circuit formed in one plane, and includes an input waveguide, an optical branching unit, an optical coupling unit, an output waveguide, and optical waveguides having different lengths from each other and being interposed between the optical branching unit and the optical coupling unit. A light intensity compensating region is formed on an optical path extending from the optical branching unit to the optical coupling unit, and the light intensity compensating region is formed by using a light intensity compensating material having a light intensity coefficient different from a light intensity coefficient of an optical distance relative to an incident light intensity in the optical path.

(Silica-Based Planar Lightwave Circuit)
In the technical field of optical communication, an "optical fiber", a "light emitting element", and a "light receiving element" have heretofore been said to be three fundamental elements of the optical communication. In addition to these three elements, an optical communication system that makes use of excellent transmission characteristics of optical fibers also requires various optical components and associated techniques that encompass optical filters, optical multiplexers, optical demultiplexers, optical switches, optical modulators, and so forth. These optical components have been used for enhancing functions, reliability, and economic efficiency of optical communication networks and have thus contributed to the evolution of optical communication systems.
The aforementioned optical components can realize various functions by using a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) that applies an optical waveguide formed on a substrate plane. Research and development have been conducted on various optical components that construct optical circuits with optical waveguides using various materials including semiconductors such as InP and Si, polymers, and the like. Among them, a silica-based PLC adopting silica-based glass has excellent characteristics in light of mass productivity, low cost, and high reliability. The silica-based PLC can realize an optical interference circuit that brings about various interferences of components of light with one another, and has been widely put into practical use in the field of optical communication.
In the PLC, a device aims at signal light demultiplexing or optical path conversion by means of interference, for example. In particular, a device having excellent wavelength multiplexing-demultiplexing functions by using multiple optical interferences is realized with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG).
(PLC for Visible Light Analysis and PLC for Infrared Spectroscopy)
Meanwhile, in the technical field of optical measurement and analysis, various optical circuits for measurement and analysis such as optical demultiplexers and sensor circuits that can be used in an ultraviolet-visible light range from 200 nm to 780 nm or in an infrared range from about 2.5 μm to about 25 μm other than optical communication wavelength ranges including the 850-nm range, the 1.3-μm range, and a range from 1.5 to 1.7 μm, have been studied as applications of the AWG and the MZI each being an excellent waveguide type optical interferometer.
To be more precise, an application of the AWG to a visible light spectrometer, an application of the MZI to a sensor that utilizes surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the like are being studied as disclosed in NPL 1 and 2 cited below, for example.
(Mach-Zehnder Interferometer)
First, an outline of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) will be described as an example of a conventional waveguide type optical interferometer circuit. FIG. 1 shows a substrate plan view to explain a schematic configuration of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer type optical interferometer circuit.
In FIG. 1, two input waveguides 102, directional couplers 103 and 106, two arm waveguides 104 and 105 having different lengths from each other and being interposed between the two couplers, and two output waveguides 107 are formed on a substrate 101 of a planar lightwave circuit (PLC). Signal light inputted from the input waveguides 102 on the left in FIG. 1 is demultiplexed into the two arm waveguides 104 and 105 by the directional coupler 103. After being passed through the respective arm waveguides, components of the signal light are multiplexed by the directional coupler 106 on the right. The components of the light having passed through the respective arm waveguides interfere with each other and are outputted to the respective output waveguides 107.
Assuming that a wavelength used by the signal light is λ, an effective refractive index of the optical waveguides is n, and a difference in length between the two arm waveguides 104 and 105 having the different lengths is ΔL, a wavelength dependency of transmissivity of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) in FIG. 1 is expressed by the following Formula (1):J(λ)=1/2×{1+cos[2πnΔL/λ]}  Formula (1)
Based on Formula (1), a wavelength λc that maximizes the transmissivity of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer in FIG. 1 is given by the following Formula (2):λc=n×ΔL/k  Formula (2),
where k is a positive integer.
(Arrayed Waveguide Grating)
Next, the arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) will be described as another example of the conventional waveguide type optical interferometer circuit. FIG. 2 shows a substrate plan view to explain a schematic configuration of the arrayed waveguide grating (AWG).
In FIG. 2, an input waveguide 202, an optical branching unit 203, an optical coupler 206, multiple arrayed optical waveguides 207, and multiple output waveguides 208 are formed on a substrate 201 of a planar lightwave circuit (PLC).
As with FIG. 1, in the AWG of FIG. 2, signal light inputted from the input waveguide 202 on the left is demultiplexed into the multiple arrayed optical waveguides 207 by the optical branching unit 203. After having propagated through the arrayed optical waveguides having different lengths from one another, components of the light from the respective arm waveguides are multiplexed and caused to interfere with one another in the optical coupler 206 on the right. The interfering light components are outputted from the multiple output waveguides 208, respectively.
The arrayed waveguide type wavelength multiplexer-demultiplexer described above is characterized by its capability of multiplexing and demultiplexing the wavelength-multiplexed light containing multiple wavelengths in a lump by using the interferences of the multiple components of light propagating on several tens to hundreds of the arrayed optical waveguides 207 being disposed in parallel and having the lengths different from one another by the length ΔL, and is therefore used as a key device for wavelength multiplexing optical communication.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a transmissivity spectrum from a central input port to a central output port of the AWG in FIG. 2. The transmissivity spectrum of FIG. 3 achieves an excellent narrow band characteristic of about 1 nm with the center of peak at 1545.5 nm.
In this transmissivity spectrum, a wavelength λc′ that maximizes the transmissivity is given by the following Formula (3):λc′=n×ΔL/m  Formula (3)
Here, m is the order of diffraction (a positive integer) and n is the effective refractive index of the waveguides. Meanwhile, ΔL is the difference in length between the arrayed optical waveguides adjacent to each other, which is specifically a value in a range from about 10 to 100 μm.

Waveguide type optical interferometer circuit

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION


A Wing Chun dummy including a plurality of transducers associated with the dummy, wherein a physical impact to the dummy activates at least one of the transducers to generate an output signal. In another example a device includes a body; a plurality of appendages; and a plurality of transducers associated with the appendages wherein the plurality of transducers are located such that a physical impact to any of the appendages activates at least one transducer to generate an output signal further wherein, different output signals are generated based on the direction of the impact to each appendage.

The present invention relates to a Wing Chun dummy. More specifically, the present invention relates to a Wing Chun dummy adapted for use as an electronic control device.
The genesis of the martial arts is commonly attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting techniques and military defense. One style of martial arts is Wing Chun. Wing Chun consists of six forms all of which embody the characteristics of balance, structure, stance and flexibility. One form of Wing Chun utilizes a Muk Yan Jong ("Wing Chun dummy"). A Wing Chun dummy is a wooden device used during Wing Chun training. Although various forms of the martial arts use a Muk Yan Jong, the Wing Chun wooden dummy is the most popular form.
The Wing Chun dummy uses an arm and leg configuration which is designed to cultivate fighting skills. Having three arms and one leg, the Wing Chun dummy represents an opponent's body in various positions and the lines of force that the body can exert. The dummy itself and its arms and legs may be secured such that they exhibit a reactionary force which is similar to a human opponent's involuntary reaction when struck. For example, the dummy may be suspended on a rack or bolted to a wall for stability.
Although the martial arts are rooted in physical defense, the martial arts have a significant performance art aspect as well. Many types of performance arts are rooted in the martial arts including the Kabuki theater of Japan and the Brazilian art of capoeira.
Piezoelectric sensors convert forces exerted thereon into electric signals. The electric signals may then be used to control associated electronics, such as, for example sound and/or light modules. The advent of piezoelectric sensors has enabled otherwise non-electrical devices to be adapted to produce an electrical output signal.
Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide a Wing Chun dummy adapted for use as an electronic controller in the performance arts.


A motor vehicle frame includes a pair of longitudinal frame members. A cross member is provided to maintain the frame members in a spaced apart condition. The cross member has a first end configured to mount to a first one of the longitudinal frame members and a second end configured to engage a steering gear housing. The second end sandwiches steering gear housing as the second end is fastened to a second one of the frame members.

In body over frame type vehicles, the frame comprises longitudinal members that are interconnected with a series of cross members. The cross members are welded to the longitudinal members for structural rigidity. Vehicle components are then mounted on the frame.
In certain vehicles as illustrated in FIG. 1, the longitudinal members 12, 14 are interconnected with a forward cross member 100. The steering gear mount portion 16 (schematically illustrated) is mounted on the forward cross member 100, immediately adjacent the left hand side longitudinal member 14. However the position of the steering gear 16 interferes with the mounting arrangement of the cross member 100 and sleeve 102 to the longitudinal member 14. As a result, the cross member 100 cannot be fully welded to the longitudinal member 14. The recirculating ball steering gear is mounted with single shear joints, which joints cause noise, vibration, and harshness problems. Further, dimensional tolerances cannot be met leading to durability issues.

Integral cross member with steering gear joint


A commercial airliner (100) controls and is flown in formation with a drone aircraft (200) that includes missile detection and diversion equipment (215) capable of protecting the airliner from a man portable missile (130).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting commercial airliners from man portable missiles.
2. Background Art
There is a growing concern that terrorists will use shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles to shoot down commercial airliners. Many portable heat-seeking missiles are inexpensive, relatively easy to obtain on the black market and extremely dangerous. Afghan rebels used U.S.-supplied Stinger missiles to destroy Soviet jets and attack helicopters in the 1980s. Terrorists have recently tried to use older, Soviet-made SA-7 shoulder-fired missiles to bring down U.S. military aircraft in Saudi Arabia and an Israeli airliner in Kenya.
Neighborhoods or other areas where terrorists could hide and attack commercial jet airliners as they land or take off surround many of the world's civilian airports. Jets that routinely cruise at 500 mph or faster fly much more slowly near the ground. A Boeing 737 typically flies both take-off climb-out and landing approaches at 150-160 mph, for example. Even slow shoulder-fired missiles can fly almost 1,000 mph, more than fast enough to overtake a jet.
A heat-seeking missile operates much like a point-and-shoot camera. The operator aims at one of a plane's engines, which are heat sources, "locks on" the target for about six seconds, and fires. The missile has an infrared sensor that "sees" the aircraft's heat plume; a computer navigational system guides the weapon to an engine. A commercial pilot would almost never see a missile coming and could generally react only after the missile hit an engine or exploded nearby.
Certain US Air Force aircraft, such as C-17 cargo jets, have equipment to thwart attacks from portable heat-seeking missiles. It is known in the art to protect such aircraft by providing, on the aircraft, missile-detecting sensors coupled to a processor, which determines whether a missile is present, and flare and or chaff dispensers that explode flares or chaff to divert the missile away from the aircraft. However, the cost to install and maintain such equipment on many civilian aircraft would be very expensive, the missile detection algorithms are military sensitive knowledge, and it would be both unwise and unacceptable to install a pyrotechnic on a civilian aircraft.
Kirkpatrick (U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,012 B1) describes a sensor mounted on an airliner where this sensor provides raw data for processing at a ground station.
Zeineh (US Patent Application 20050062638) teaches that an incoming missile can be diverted by a towed retractable IR source.
There are roughly 5,000 commercial aircraft owned by U.S. carriers and 10,000 more in the rest of the world. There is a need to protect these commercial airliners from man portable missiles.

Commercial airliner missile protection using formation drone aircraft


A system and method for managing non-user initiated focus changes in a computing device detects, in one embodiment, an operating system generated message indicating a focus change from a first window to a second window. Once detected, user input is inhibited for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is configurable by the user. After the predetermined time elapses, subsequent user input is permitted to be sent to the second window, which has the focus.

The present invention relates generally to software, and particularly to managing operating system messages sent to an application window upon the invocation of a system-generated focus change.
Most computers have a special software package called an operating system that is responsible for managing many of the computer's normal functions. One such function is the ability to direct keyboard input to an application that may be one of many applications executing simultaneously. Because the user can only work in one window at a time, the operating system automatically sends all keyboard input to the "active window." This ensures that all keystrokes go to the program the user is currently using. This paradigm works well so long as the user is aware of which window has the "input focus." However, it can present a rather bothersome side effect.
For example, consider a user who edits a document in a first application window, and conducts an on-line chat session in a second application window. While the first application window has the input focus, the operating system delivers all keystrokes to that application process. If an instant message arrives for the second application window, however, the operating system may change the input focus from the first window to the second window unbeknownst to the user. In these cases, the user may continue to type believing that he is editing the document in the first window, when in fact, whatever he is typing is actually being entered into (and possibly sent from) the on-line chat application running in the second window. Thus, the user would benefit from knowing when a non-user initiated focus change occurs to prevent text and other user input from being entered unknowingly into another application window.

System and method for handling unexpected focus change messages in a computing device

International Business Machines Corporation


A withdrawal device for blow-molded film has an air turning bar with an air cushioned surface for transporting the film, and the bar surface includes at least in part a sintered material. The sintered material portion of the bar surface provides a region of increased friction for compressed air flow, thus more effectively guiding the withdrawn film in a flat and even form.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a withdrawal device for films manufactured in a blow-molding process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A withdrawal device for films manufactured in the blow-molding process is known, for instance from the patent specification DE 195 22 318 A1. After the film, for instance, a plastic tubular film emerging from an extruder has been laid flat, it is guided by means of air turning bars and deflecting rollers that as a rule reverse against one another and usually rotate around a common axis. After running through the withdrawal device the film is fed to a winding device on which it is wound into a roll for the purpose of collecting it and transporting it away easily.
The air turning bars used in withdrawal devices of such type were frequently executed in a way allowing compressed air to flow through them, which can emerge through drilled holes distributed across the casing of the air turning bars, in order for an insulating air cushion to be formed between the surface of the air turning bar and the plastic tubular film drawn over it enabling the film to be guided in an almost contact-free manner. In particular, in processing films that range from adhesive to sticky, it is particularly desirable to carry the film with large insulating air cushions as this causes the film guided over the air turning bar to float on the entire width of the air turning bar.
One problem in the known air turning bars is the uneven thickness of the air cushion over the axial width of the bar and/or the uneven force acting on the film due to the compressed air. Air can escape from the side regions of the film, thus reducing the amount of compressed air in these areas. The side regions of the film wrap around the turning bar more tightly than the center regions of the film. Consequently, in its center region the film exhibits a certain sag and can no longer be guided in a flat form. The film in this center region is prone to the formation of wrinkles.
Therefore an air turning bar is suggested in the patent specification DE 9418255 U1 that is molded in a convex form and thus provides an even web tension over the entire width of the film. The air turning bar introduced there tapers in the direction of its axial side regions. However, it turns out that the films that are guided in this manner cannot be wound up into a perfect roll.
Therefore the patent specification DE 44 40 647 A1 suggests an air turning bar with a concave shape that accommodates the variable thickness of the air cushion while at the same time enabling the film to guide in a flat manner. In the center portion of the air turning bar the film is guided with a greater distance from the turning bar than in the end portions of the turning bar. Due to the lesser distance from the turning bar in the end portions, the forces that are distributed over the width of the film and that act on the film due to the compressed air exhibit lesser variations.
In practice it has been proven even in case of this embodiment of the air turning bar that the air cushion between the turning bar and the film does not apply a sufficiently even force on the film. Consequently the film cannot be guided with an even web tension across its width. In particular, such an air turning bar can be adjusted only to one film width. However, in present times one blowing head of the extruder is used to manufacture films of differing widths.