A radio sensor module for detecting material containers in a storage or transport system includes a transmission device for the wireless transmission of signals. The radio sensor module has a holder and a rocker pivotably mounted therein. A sensor for detecting a position of the rocker and the transmission device are arranged in the rocker.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a radio sensor module for detecting material containers in a storage or transport system, having a transmission device for wireless signal transmission.
In modern production plants as well as in logistics, storage or transport systems are used for material containers in which a material transport or material stock is recorded and monitored as automatically as possible. Such storage or transport systems include rack arrangements, as well as conveyor belts that are used to feed or remove material containers, for example to dispatch, process or store material. In the context of the registration, a "material container" means boxes for holding piece goods or bulk goods as well as trays, pallets or the like.
A radio sensor module for the detection of material containers in a storage or transport system is known for example from the printed publication EP 2 930 487 A1. The disclosed sensor module has a force transducer that measures the presence or magnitude of a weight force of a material container and transmits a signal representing the measured weight force via a transmission device to a central control unit. The transmission of information via radio instead of a cable connection simplifies installation or retrofitting or reconfiguration of existing systems. The measurement of the weight force makes it possible not only to detect the presence of a material container but also to make statements about the loading condition of the container. However, an arrangement of the radio sensor module in the storage or transport system, which makes it possible to measure the weight force, is complex and cannot be implemented or is not required in all storage and transport systems.
In addition to measuring the weight force, sensors designed as switches are also known. The printed publication DE 20 2007 012 926 U1 describes a switch arrangement in which a rocker mounted in a holder is arranged in such a way that it is pivoted by an appropriately positioned material container. The rocker is mechanically coupled to an actuating element of a switch mounted on the holder, which is actuated when the rocker pivots. The rocker thus represents a probe head of the arrangement.
In order to achieve a long service life with many actuation cycles with such a mechanically actuated switch, a mechanically solid design of the switch is required, which makes such a sensor module complex and costly in production. In addition, the coupling of the rocker with the switch can prove to be a weak point that limits the maximum number of actuation cycles. Due to the coupling with the switch, the arrangement usually also has a fixed switching point, i.e., at a certain angular position of the rocker it is switched relative to its holder. In certain mounting positions of the holder, however, other angular positions may be required for the switching points, which in the known system can only be achieved by individual adaptations of the holder or the mechanical coupling between rocker and switch.
Alternatively, sensor modules are known that detect material containers without contact, for example inductively or optically. Inductive detection requires metallic material containers. Optical detection is sensitive to ambient light. By using modulated light, the sensitivity to ambient light can be reduced, but this is complex. In addition, optical systems are susceptible to contamination.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mechanically simple and cost-effective radio sensor module of the type mentioned above, which works reliably and interference-free and which is able to detect material containers as simply as possible and without a complex setting of the switching point.
A radio sensor module of the type mentioned above and in accordance with the invention is characterized in that it has a holder and a rocker pivotably mounted therein, wherein a sensor for detecting a position of the rocker and the transmission device is arranged in the rocker.
In this way, all the mechanical, electromechanical, electrical and/or electronic components used to detect the movement of the rocker and to transmit the information on the movement of the rocker are located in or on the rocker itself. In this way a very simple system is created in which—apart from the rocker being mounted in the holder—no mechanical connection between the rocker and the holder is necessary.
In an advantageous embodiment of the radio sensor module, the sensor is an acceleration sensor, in particular a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) sensor. With the help of the acceleration sensor, a position and/or change in position of the rocker can be detected without any mechanical coupling of the rocker with the environment. In its embodiment as a MEMS sensor, the acceleration sensor is space-saving and also available at a reasonable price. Such MEMS acceleration sensors are widely installed in mobile devices such as smartphones or tablet computers and are cost-effective due to the large number of such devices.
The transmission device of the radio sensor module is preferably set up to transmit acceleration values measured by the acceleration sensor in at least one spatial direction. The measured values of the acceleration sensor are then evaluated, for example, in the area of the receiver of the transmitted signals and thus at a central location. This is particularly advantageous when a large number of radio sensor modules are coupled to a central evaluation unit. The large number of wireless sensors does not require their own evaluation logic, which reduces their construction and manufacturing costs.
Alternatively, or additionally, an evaluation unit can be arranged in the rocker, which is set up to evaluate the acceleration values measured by the acceleration sensor. In this way, the radio sensor module can immediately transmit a switching position of the rocker, ensuring compatibility with existing systems. For this purpose, for example, the evaluation unit is connected to the transmission unit and transmits information about a position and/or a change in position of the rocker to the transmission device.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the radio sensor module, the rocker has a weight distribution through which it takes up a rest position within the holder due to gravity. This eliminates the need for a return spring between the holder and the rocker, further simplifying assembly and increasing operational reliability.
This weight distribution can be achieved, for example, in that the rocker includes a battery holder which is positioned accordingly inside the rocker.
In order to safely sense the passage or presence of a material container, the rocker preferably comprises a section with a curved sensing surface, wherein this section protrudes at least partially beyond the holder and thus comes into contact with the material container.
As an alternative to the embodiment with the acceleration sensor, a mechanical switch can be provided on or in the rocker as a sensor for detecting the position, which depending on the angular position of the rocker is actuated by striking an element of the holder. It is also possible to arrange a reed contact inside the rocker as a sensor, which interacts in a contactless manner with a magnet arranged on the holder.

Radio sensor module for detecting material containers


A method for determining frequency components of a discrete time signal, comprising steps as follows: transforming the discrete time signal into the frequency domain by means of a fast Fourier transformation, wherein a frequency spectrum is obtained as a sequence of frequency sample values, detecting peaks in the frequency spectrum, introducing at least one additional frequency support point in the vicinity of a detected peak, determining a frequency amplitude at the at least one additional frequency support point by means of the Goertzel algorithm, and determining the position of the peak maximum of the detected peak by applying both the frequency sample values delivered by the fast Fourier transformation as well as also the frequency amplitude at the at least one additional frequency support point.

Often applied in process automation technology are field devices, which serve for registering and/or influencing process variables. Examples of such field devices are fill level measuring devices, mass flow measuring devices, pressure- and temperature measuring devices, etc., which as sensors register the corresponding process variables, fill level, flow, pressure and temperature, respectively.
Referred to as field devices are, in principle, all devices, which are applied near to the process and deliver, or process, process relevant information.
A large number of such field devices are produced and sold by the firm, Endress+Hauser.
In the case of many measurement applications, a goal is to convert a time signal into a corresponding frequency spectrum, in order to be able to determine the frequency components contained in the frequency spectrum.
For example, for determining the fill level in a container or tank, a fill-level measuring device can be used, which works according to the FMCW radar principle. In such case, a frequency modulated radar transmission signal is transmitted and reflected on the surface of the liquid or the bulk good back to the fill-level measuring device. As a result of the measuring, one obtains a discrete time signal, which contains one or more frequency components. Based on the frequency components contained in the discrete time signal, the fill level in the container or tank can be derived. In such case, the accuracy, with which the fill level can be determined, depends on the accuracy, with which the frequency components contained in the time signal can be ascertained

Fill level measurement with improved distance determination


A panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel. The panel is a sheet of material that is rectangular-shaped, slightly compressible, thermally insulating, and has a pair of pre-printed channel flange fold lines that extend the entire length thereof and which form a pair of channel flanges when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly upwardly thereon, and a trio of pre-printed soffit vent baffle panel fold lines that extend the entire width thereof and have a selected one thereof forming a soffit vent baffle panel when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly downwardly thereon. When the pair of channel flanges are intimately abutted against a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members, the sheet of material compresses enough to provide an outward force sufficient to allow the multi-function channel to be self-restraining between, and by, the pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a panel for forming on-site a channel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel that is self-retaining between, and by, a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In winter, normal household activities like doing laundry, running dishwashers, and taking showers generate moisture that can damage insulation, rafters, wood decking, underlayment, and shingles. In summer, heat buildup can cause premature aging and cracking of wood and roofing materials. The most common way to address these problems is with passive and balanced ventilation.
When a ventilation system is balanced, wind blowing over the roof ridge creates a negative pressure that draws the warm, moist air out of the attic. Replacement air enters the attic through the undereave (soffit) vents, bathing the underside of the roof, and exiting at the ridge cap. Even in the absence of wind, the natural convection action of rising warm air still maintains continuous airflow along the underside of the roof between the low intake vents and the high exhaust vents. In addition, during the winter months, by continually bathing the undersides of a roof with cold fresh air melting snow is prevented from forming ice dams over the cold eaves causing structural damage to the roof, walls, and gutters. It is a simple system that works year round with no moving parts or energy consumption consisting of two critical components, the intake vents and the exhaust vents.
Soffit or undereave vents and ridge vents for the ingress and egress of fresh ventilating air have been produced for some time and there have been a number of products that have attempted to provide an assured connection between the two.
The need for a connecting channel between soffit and ridge vents comes as a result of some common construction techniques, such as cathedral ceilings or flat roofs (roof/ceiling structures).
Typically, the roof sheathing is attached to the sloping roof rafters, an underlayment is attached to the sheathing""s exterior surface, and then the roof shingles are attached to the sheathing. The roofing installers typically use nails that penetrate the roof sheathing by at least xc2xd inch.
When the insulation contractors follow up they press the insulation batts up into the bay formed by the roof rafters and the roof sheathing where the batts tend to hang up on the roofing nails. When the insulation batts are pulled back down to staple the insulation flanges to the underside of the rafters, the insulation snags on the roofing nails and blocks the critical flow of fresh air from the soffit vents, up under the roof sheathing, to the ridge vents. This lack of critical ventilation causes roof damage in all climates and leads to ice damming in northern climates. In an effort to prevent this situation contractors have tried a number of cures.
Among them, driving nails on the inside of each roof rafter bay, at approximately one foot intervals and around one inch from the roof sheathing, and then connecting theses nails with string to prevent the insulation from reaching the roof sheathing. Unfortunately, this is very labor intensive, not particularly effective, and provides no protection for the upper layer of insulation. This exposed upper surface of insulation will inevitably be damaged by the infiltration of moisture thereby significantly decreasing its thermal effectiveness.
The current state of the art in the area of vent channeling is a readily available product sold under the trade name RAFT-R-MATE by Owens Corning and patented as U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,928 to Hess et al. Hess et al. teach an extruded foam polystyrene sheet formed into a roof vent panel for a sloping roof at the eaves. The panel has flanges, an offset wall, and is formed into through troughs end-to-end which are divided by truncated triangular ridges extending from the offset wall. The ridge is reinforced by gussets and saddles which are formed as sets along the ridges. The gussets extend from the offset wall to the ridge side walls and the saddles connect the ridge side walls below the truncated apex of the ridge. The gussets on each side wall are spaced and paired with one of each pair at the end of a saddle.
Simply, the roof vent panel of Hess et al. consists of a very thin extruded foam polystyrene panel which is attached by perimeter staples to the underside of the roof sheathing between the roof rafters and thus creating a vent channel from the soffit vent area to the attic or ridge vents. Unfortunately, the roof vent panel of Hess et al. has the following drawbacks that are fortunately overcome by the present invention, as will be discussed infra:
First, in order to create a crush resistant ventilation channel out of the very thin foam sheet materials of Hess et al., it is necessary to incorporate molded longitudinal reinforcing channels. The size of these reinforcing channels limits the available volume of air by reducing the actual ventilation channel area and the increase in exposed surface area of the reinforcing channels also reduces the free flow of ventilating air by virtue of increased air friction or drag.
In contradistinction, the present invention""s integral strength requires no air restricting, reinforcing channel(s) and thus facilitates a larger volume of ventilation air. The present invention""s single, smooth surfaced ventilation cavity also improves ventilation performance by reducing frictional losses.
Simply, the present invention being constructed of a semi-rigid, compressible, smooth faced insulating panel facilitates a single full bay channel for increased volumes of airflow and decreased surface resistance to laminar airflow.
Second, Hess et al. as a single-use, channel application, cannot prevent attic insulation from intruding and blocking off the soffit cavity intake vents nor can it protect the open ends of the attic insulation nearest the soffit cavity and vents from direct or indirect moisture infiltration. Such damp or wet conditions significantly decrease the insulating values of the insulation.
In contradistinction, the present invention incorporates an integral vent baffle and insulation dam to prevent attic insulation from intruding and blocking off the soffit cavity intake vents while protecting the open ends of the attic insulation nearest the soffit cavity and vents from direct or indirect moisture infiltration. Eliminating such damp or wet conditions prevents any significant decrease in the insulating values of the insulation.
Simply, the present invention integrates the required vent baffle which prevents the insulation installer from forcing insulation into the soffit venting cavity and also provides an insulated barrier to prevent the exposed end of the attic insulation nearest the soffit vent from wind driven water.
Third, the extruded polystyrene foam roof vent panel of Hess et al. is very thin and provides no significant insulating properties.
In contradistinction, the present invention""s material can attain a thermal resistance to heat loss or heat gain as high as an R-value of 5. This substantially higher insulating value of the present invention significantly augments the existing attic insulation by further reducing heat loss and heat gain from the attic, which reduces the initial size of heating and cooling equipment and also reduces expensive heating and cooling energy operating costs.
Simply, the insulating board of the present invention provides an added insulation benefit of R-3.3 or greater.
Fourth, to properly install the roof vent panel of Hess et al., the installer, while on a ladder, must press the foam roof vent panel against the underside of the roof sheathing with one hand and with the other hand staple or nail it in position at the same time. This time consuming process exposes the installer to a substantial risk of injury from falling off the ladder.
In contradistinction, the present invention being self-supporting does not require any nails, staples, or fasteners to hold it in its proper position. This significantly reduces the possibility of injury to the installer by reducing the time for installation and exposure to falling.
Simply, due to the compressive properties of the present invention""s material when deformed, there are no fasteners required thus leading to a significantly faster and safer installation. The present invention is merely folded on the pre-formed flanges, slipped into the bay space between the roof rafters until the flanges meet the roof sheathing, and the compressed flanges hold it in place. Once the insulation is installed the vent channel never moves or degrades.
Fifth, the roof vent panel of Hess et al. is narrower than the rafter bay thus failing to provide an edge-to-edge space. As a result, some of the attic insulation is in physical contact with the roof sheathing thereby allowing greater heat transference to the roof surface and no fresh air ventilation to this area of sheathing.
In contradistinction, the present invention provides an edge-to-edge barrier to prevent my contact between the attic insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing thus maintaining insulation and ventilating integrity.
Simply, the present invention provides full bay, rafter to rafter venting thereby providing significantly more available ventilating air than the current state of the art.
In toto, the improved venting and insulating characteristics of the present invention provides years of savings for the homeowner while the improved speed and safety of the installation process provides significant cost savings to contractors and installers.
Numerous other innovations for building structure related devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described infra. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel that is self-retaining between, and by, a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners.
FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,374 to Allen teaches sill leakage preventing apparatus comprising a draft stop unit capable of installation when the framework is being erected or at any convenient time after erection has been completed. The unit is prefabricated and embodies a vertical draft blocking panel equal in being to the depth of the space between joists. The panel has a top and two end marginal flanges providing attaching flaps. The flaps are flexibly joined to the edges of the panel. The entire outside surface is covered with insulation material. The flaps extend in a direction inwardly from the outside surface and are secured to the bottom surface of the floor and adjacent cooperating surfaces of the outer ends of the joists so as to secure the insulation material between the panel and a header. The lower edge of the panel is flexibly joined to a generally horizontal apron-like extension which extends between the joists and over an inner portion of a sill. Upwardly extending flaps are connected to the sides of the extension and secured to adjacent joists. The underneath side of the extension is also covered with insulation material which extends over the sill. The free lengthwise forward edge of the extension has rigidly connected thereto a downwardly extending reinforced flange abutting an upper vertical surface portion of a foundation wall. The sill leakage preventing apparatus substantially reduces the convection of heat through the spaces between the header and sill and the conduction of heat through the header and sill and the conduction through the header and the upper portion of the masonry wall.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,987 to Pinkley teaches an insulation dam for positioning adjacent a vent in eaves of a building. The dam includes a generally rectangularly shaped flat sheet. An end tab is bent angularly relative to the flat sheet, lies in abutting sealing relation to the top of a wall plate, and spans the space between adjacent spaced roof rafters and ceiling joists. The flat sheet is inclined upwardly from the end tab and positioned between adjacent rafters and spaced below the tops thereof. Side tabs are bent angularly relative to the flat sheet. Apparatus secures the side tabs in abutting and sealing relation with the roof rafters and ceiling joists whereby the dam between the side tabs spans the space between the roof rafters and the ceiling joists.
STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,785 to Grange teaches a roof construction designed to provide air flow along the underside of the roof deck from the facia to the ridge to thereby prevent the formation of ice dams on the roof in the winter as well as removing accumulated attic heat for summer comfort. The facia is attached to the ends of the rafters and is a dual-wall member including a front facia board and a backing member which are spaced apart to provide a series of vertically extending passages therebetween. The upper end of the backing member terminates short of the upper end of the facie board so that air flowing upwardly within the passages is directed along the underside of the roof deck and flows upwardly along the roof deck to an outlet at the ridge of the roof. Baffles are located within the spaces between adjacent rafters to insure that air flow along the underside of the roof deck is unobstructed. The baffles extend from the area of the facie to a location inwardly of the top plate on the exterior wall of the building.
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,553 to Koontz teaches a combination ventilation baffle and insulation stop (referred to as xe2x80x9carticlexe2x80x9d) for use in building structures to provide air passage to the space between the roof and ceiling. The article may be further utilized to prevent insulation from clogging the passage or otherwise prevent free circulation of air therethrough. The article comprises a flat rectangular body having foldable side sections to facilitate mounting between roof rafters or joist members at a location adjacent the bearing plate of an outside wall. When installed, the apparatus defines an air passage between its central section and the structure roof. The passage may be selectively sealed through use of a pivotable tab during application of insulation then subsequently reopened thereby insuring proper ventilation.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,429 to Perry teaches a roof air vent having rails mountable about an opening in a roof for forming a support bracket for one or more perforated panels. A pair of the rails are parallel to one another for forming tracks in which the panels are inserted.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,628 to Kreimer teaches an eave thermal baffle for insulation adapted to be fastened on the exterior building wall and between adjacent roof framing members or other framing as may be appropriate. The baffle comprises a flat portion called the plate section adapted to lie on the top plate of the exterior wall and to be fastened thereto or placed against the exterior face of the exterior wall and to be fastened thereto. Extending vertically from this flat portion is a wall portion adapted to be fastened to the inner faces of appropriate framing members. Extending from this wall portion is a main baffle section which extends inwardly of the building and upwardly from the vertical wall. The main baffle section may also be fastened to the inner faces of a pair of appropriate framing members. Upstanding ribs extending along the sides of the main baffle section and the main baffle section serve to form a trough or channel for movement of ventilating air. The baffle prevents air and moisture from going in through the eave-soffit area or the eave construction and penetrating the insulation. The baffle assures the free movement of ventilating air into the structural cavity to assist in the removal of any moisture laden air which migrates up through the ceiling construction and to assist also in the removal of the hot air in the structural cavity caused by the xe2x80x9csun effectxe2x80x9d whereby the ambient attic temperature is reduced, thereby reducing the air conditioning energy cost.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,092 to Ward teaches a venting device providing an air vent passage between the soffit space and attic space of a structure and a baffle for retaining insulation material in the attic. The venting device has a generally V-shaped body forming with the roof an air vent passage leading from the soffit space to the attic space. The V-shaped body is located between adjacent roof rafters with an air vent passage leading from the soffit space to the attic space. The V-shaped body is located between adjacent roof rafters with flanges on opposite sides of the body that engage the roof boards and the adjacent roof rafters. The forward end of the body has foldable baffles that close the space between the sill plate and the roof boards leaving the passage formed by the V-shaped body open so that the insulation material in the attic does not block the soffit and passage between soffit space and attic space.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,971 to Ward teaches a vent and baffle used to provide an air passage between the soffit and the attic of a house to insure the flow of air through the attic. The vent is an elongated arcuate member having outwardly directed flanges adapted to be secured to the roof boards of a structure with suitable fasteners. The baffle is a block having a semi-circular recess to accommodate and support the one end of the vent against the end of the roof boards. The baffle is located in a tight fit or wedged relationship with the roof boards and top plate of the structure to block the passage between the attic and the soffit and insulate the area above the top plate of the side wall of the structure. The vent and baffle are made from a foamed plastic having flame resistant additives.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,433 to Cantrell teaches a baffle board for use in house construction to prevent loss of blown-in insulation through the eaves and yet to provide clearance ventilation space between the baffle board and the sheathing. The baffle board is a standard construction adapted for use in truss roofs and offset roofs, and with framing members of different standard widths. A generally rectangular piece of stiff material having a plurality of both longitudinal and transverse score lines and slits for folding, forming a baffle board which is quickly shapeable for use in most standard roof constructions.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,878 to Fitzgerald teaches an insulation vent provided in spaced relation to the roofing boards to allow for free flow of ventilating air between the soffit and the interior of the attic above the insulating material and along the roof boards. This insulation vent is sold flat. To be installed it is folded on pre-scored crease lines, first to form an elongated trough consisting of a rectangular roof clearing sheet and two upwardly extending roof contacting spacer flanges. A lower end portion of the roof clearing sheet is folded down to become a wall sheathing contact sheet, and the flanges which fold down with it are stapled to the roof rafters to hold the roof clearing sheet and sheathing contact sheet in place. The upper end of the roof clearing sheet is folded down also on a pre-scored crease line to form a stiffener tab for the upper end portion of thereof clearing sheet and the two flanges folding down with it are stapled into the roof rafters to permanently position the stiffener tab under the upper end of the roof clearing sheet and to hold the upper end of the roof clearing sheet in position with the roof clearing sheet spacer flanges held against the roof boards.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,510 to Ward teaches a vent and baffle unit locatable between adjacent roof rafters of a structure to provide a passage for the flow of air from the soffit to the attic and block the normal opening between the soffit and attic. The vent and baffle unit has a vent section having a triangular base and triangular side walls. Flanges are articulately joined to the outer edges of the side walls. The vent section can be folded into a generally V-shaped configuration. The inlet to the vent section has a generally rectangular cross sectional area. The outlet has a triangular cross sectional area. The baffle is articulately connected to the front of the vent section. The baffle is folded in a downward direction to block the normal opening between the attic and the soffit. The vent and baffle unit can be folded in an inward direction to provide a narrow configuration allowing it to be used with 16xe2x80x3 on center roof rafters. Alternatively, the vent and baffle unit can be folded in an outward direction which allows the vent and baffle unit to be used with 24xe2x80x3 on center roof rafters.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,060 to Woodhams teaches temperature equalizing means for roofs. Means are provided for containing and controlling ceiling insulation so as to provide adequate air-flow communication between a first zone defined between the ceiling and the roof of a building and a second zone defined between projecting eaves of the building and soffits immediately thereunder. Such communication maintains the roof at a more nearly uniform temperature across the entire width of the roof so that during cold weather melting of snow on the roof is minimized and thereby the build-up of a ridge of ice along the eaves caused by freezing of melted snow is minimized and, consequently, leakage of melted ice under the shingles and through the roof is prevented. The device comprises a channel-shaped member positionable between the rafters of the building and spaced from the inside surface of the roof boards whereby communication between the first and second zones is not blocked by the installation of insulation on the ceiling.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,007 to Ward teaches a vent and baffle used to provide an air passage between the soffit and the attic of a house to insure the flow of air through the attic. The vent is an elongated arcuate member having outwardly directed flanges adapted to be secured to the roof boards of a structure with suitable fasteners. A first baffle is a block having a semi-circular recess to accommodate and support the one end of the vent against the roof boards. The baffle is located in a tight fit or wedged relationship with the roof boards, adjacent roof rafters, and the top plate of the structure to block the passage below the vent between the attic and the soffit and insulate the area above the top plate of the side wall of the structure. A second baffle is used without the vent to block the entire space above the top plate between adjacent roof rafters. The vent and baffles are made from a foamed plastic having flame resistant additives.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,661 to Jonsson et al. teaches a sheet formed as a spacer means for creating air gaps, e.g. between roofing insulation and a roof. The sheet is corrugated and is resiliently compressible transverse to the longitudinal direction of the corrugations.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,861 to Eury teaches a baffle board for being mounted between the roof and ceiling of a room to provide ventilation along the underside of the roof and to prevent insulation between the ceiling and the roof from being disturbed by air currents. The baffle includes a sheet of stiff, relatively thin material having outwardly and longitudinally extending side tabs defined by respective perforated lines. Side tabs are adapted to be folded at substantially right angles to the sheet and fastened to the inner facing surfaces of adjacent roof rafters. The sheet also defines on one end thereof an end tab defined by score lines. An end tab is adapted to be folded back under the sheet and fastened to the top plate of the exterior wall.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,249 to Bennett Jr. teaches a ventilated roof construction for flat roof installations that substantially decreases damage caused by roof leaks that allow water to settle into the roofing substratum and insulation. A grid or perforated plate is supported in spaced arrangement above the underlying roofing support deck and immediately beneath the exterior roofing surface to define an air passageway or air duct therein. The grid allows evaporation of moisture from the insulation layer therethrough as air circulates thereunder. A plurality of conduits leading from the grid to the exterior roofing surface provide means for vacuuming accumulated water from the interior roofing structure to avoid damage thereto, or to pump water into the interior roofing structure to extinguish fires.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,262 to Curran teaches a filtered insulation baffle that serves as a barrier against insects and other pests entering an attic space of a building, while allowing free air to flow into the attic through the baffle. A housing is formed with closed sides and open ends and sized to fit into the area between adjacent rafters of the building. A filter is formed from a porous filter material that is sized larger than the open end of the housing and positioned in one end of the housing to allow the filter material to protrude from the housing. The baffle is positioned between the rafters with the filter material protruding into an opening between the roof deck and the plate structure of the building. The protruding filter material is then wedged into the opening such that a portion of the filter material will roll back on the end of the housing to seal the opening while allowing free air to pass through the baffle and into the attic space of the building.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,714 to Gregory Jr. teaches a roof ventilation baffle comprising a pleated or corrugated membrane forming a plurality of air passages. The baffle is installed between the underside of the roof sheathing and the upper surface of fiberglass insulation batts, with the pleats parallel to the rafters or roof joists to provide ventilation along the underside of the roof sheathing. The ventilation baffle is also applicable to outside walls and floors over unheated or uncooled spaces. The baffle may be perforated to provide air flow between the air passages formed by the pleats and to permit any moisture trapped in the insulation to evaporate into, and be removed by, the air flow through the channels.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,054 to Arends teaches a method and apparatus for venting building structures in the roof and floor areas, wherein a screened pan construction is secured to the underside of the roof so as to allow the filling of insulation material and the like without obstructing the flow of outside air into, and out of, the attic space between the ceiling and roof. The same screened pan is secured in the area between the subfloor and foundation of the building structure allowing air flow between the outside of the building and the area beneath the floor structure.
YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE. U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,612 to Robbins teaches a baffle vent for positioning against the underside of a roof to direct air from the soffit area of the roof upwardly over the interior surface of the roof. The baffle vent is an elongated unitary structure of sheet-like material having a generally channel-shaped cross-section defining longitudinal side walls joined by a bottom wall. Attachment flanges project from the top edges of the side walls for facilitating attaching the baffle vent to the underside of the roof. An integral longitudinal reinforcing rib is provided in the bottom wall, running along a substantial length of the baffle vent and generally parallel to the side walls, to resist collapsing of the baffle vent if subjected to external forces such as from roof insulation, handling, shipping and the like. A structure is contemplated with a plurality of the reinforcing ribs spaced in an in-line orientation longitudinally of the bottom wall whereby the structure can be cut to length between adjacent ends of a pair of spaced in-line ribs.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,847 to Stephenson teaches a baffle vent for positioning between the underside of a roof and the top edges of the roof rafters and defining a duct between the rafters and between the vent and the interior surface of the roof for directing air over the interior surface of the roof. The vent is formed by an elongated self-supporting structure of sheet-like material having a plurality of longitudinal ribs adapted for positioning onto the top edges of the roof rafters. A plurality of longitudinal troughs are formed between the ribs and define the duct between the rafters. The ribs are on eight inch centers, spacing the ribs transversely of the structure. The troughs include bottom walls spaced below the interior surface of the roof with transverse rigidifying means formed integrally with the bottom walls.
It is apparent that numerous other innovations for building structure related devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described and as tabulated in FIGS. 1A-1G, which are tables comparing significant characteristics of the present invention to that of the prior art.
ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a panel for forming on-site a channel that is self-retaining between, and by, a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a panel for forming on-site a channel that is self-retaining between, and by, a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel. The panel is a sheet of material that is rectangular-shaped, slightly compressible, thermally insulating, and has a pair of pre-printed channel flange fold lines that extend the entire length thereof and which form a pair of channel flanges when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly upwardly thereon, and a trio of pre-printed soffit vent baffle panel fold lines that extend the entire width thereof and have a selected one thereof forming a soffit vent baffle panel when the sheet of material is folded perpendicularly downwardly thereon. When the pair of channel flanges are intimately abutted against a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members the sheet of material compresses enough to provide an outward force sufficient to allow the multi-function channel to be self-restraining between, and by, the pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners.

Panel for forming on-site a multi-function channel for being self-retaining between, and by, a pair of parallel, adjacent, and spaced-apart framing members without a need for fasteners


In a method and device for determination of a position shift, first image data of a body region of a treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired. A focal area in the body region is determined, and the focus of a hyperthermia applicator can be aligned on the focal area. Second image data of the body region of the treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired, and a position shift of the focal area is determined by a comparison of the second image data with the first image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a method to determine a position shift of a focal area as well as a corresponding device. The invention in particular concerns such a method and device in the field of hyperthermia application.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hyperthermic treatment of tumor tissue has attracted increasing interest in medical cancer treatment. In such a hyperthermic treatment of tumor tissue (also called hyperthermia) the tumor tissue is heated to temperatures of over 42.5° C. Hyperthermia in cancer treatment is frequently used as a measure supporting radiation and/or chemotherapy. Hyperthermic treatment of tumor cells in which these cells are heated to temperatures of, for example, above 60° C., is often referred to as heat therapy; such treatment generally leads to a heat-induced destruction of the tumor cells.
In hyperthermia, differentiation is made between whole-body hyperthermia and local hyperthermia. Whole-body hyperthermia can occasionally lead to severe stress on the cardiovascular system of the patient.
By contrast, local hyperthermia is intended to overheat only a narrowly defined region, for example only the tumor tissue. Ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, microwaves or laser beams which are normally focused on the area to be heated (thus the tumor tissue, for example) using a corresponding hyperthermia applicator in order to achieve an overheating (in particular a local overheating), whereby the tumor tissue is damaged or entirely destroyed by the overheating. This is also referred to as thermal ablation or thermoablation.
In order to guarantee the effectiveness of such a local treatment, and in order to avoid the destruction of healthy tissue, it is necessary to know the position of the tumor precisely in order to ensure the precise alignment of the focus of the hyperthermia applicator relative to the focal area to be heated in a subsequent treatment.
For this purpose, in DE 694 28 146 T2 an ultrasound device is disclosed in which a patient is placed on a treatment table of the device during a hyperthermia treatment so that the tumor to be heated is localized over a treatment opening located in the treatment table. An ultrasonic wave applicator is rigidly attached below the treatment opening, so the position of the ultrasonic wave applicator is fixed relative to the area to be heated. A shift of the ultrasonic wave focus relative to the area to be heated can nevertheless occur, for example as a result of a movement of the patient (for example a breathing movement), and therefore the risk of damage to healthy tissue cannot be entirely precluded.

Method and device to determine a position shift of a focal area


There is provided a mesh routing method in beacon-enabled wireless AD-HOC networks that includes: broadcasting, by nodes constituting a wireless AD-HOC network, a beacon message loading neighbor node information on a beacon payload; managing, by a node receiving the broadcasted beacon message, its own neighbor node table by extracting the neighbor node information loaded on the beacon payload; and performing, by a source node attempting to transmit data or commands, mesh routing on the basis of its own neighbor node table.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mesh routing method and a mesh routing apparatus in beacon enabled wireless AD-HOC networks, and more particularly, to a technology for enabling mesh routing having reliability and extensibility while minimizing the generation of additional control traffic for setting a route at the time of setting the route for transmitting data and commands between nodes in beacon enabled wireless AD-HOC networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are provided various routing techniques for transmitting data and commands between nodes under a wireless sensor network environment represented as a low-power wireless AD-HOC network. In particular, in recent years, mesh routing has needed to be supported by considering reliability and extensibility, and representative prior art may include a low-rate WPAN mesh of IEEE 802.15.5 and a mesh routing technique based on an Ad hoc On demand Distance Vector (AODV) proposed by the ZigBee alliance.
The low-rate WPAN mesh of IEEE 802.15.5 operates based on IEEE 802.15.4 PHY/MAC, performs block addressing around a mesh coordinator, collects information regarding neighbor nodes within the number of hops designated by nodes by periodically broadcasting a "hello" command within the designated number of hops, and manages the neighbor node information as a neighbor node table so as to enable mesh routing. However, in this case, since the "hello" command needs to be periodically broadcasted for mesh routing, the load is exponentially increased when the density of nodes constituting a network increases.
Meanwhile, in the mesh routing technique proposed by the ZigBee alliance, a source node broadcasts a route request (RREQ) message in order to retrieve a route for reaching a destination node and the destination node receiving the RREQ message transfers a route reply (RREP) message up to the source node to establish a route between a source and a destination by employing an AODV scheme proposed in the prior MANET. However, since this method also is based on the broadcasting of the RREQ message, the load of control traffic for setting the route is very large.

Mesh routing method and mesh routing apparatus in beacon enabled wireless AD-HOC networks

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A ball screw device includes a ball nut having an inner thread formed by a number of helical groove portions and helical ridges, and an opening and a depression communicating with each other, and a channel communicating with the depression of the ball nut, a radially inserted deflecting member has a block engaged into the opening of the ball nut and an extension extended from the block and engaged into the depression of the ball nut for anchoring the deflecting member to the ball nut. A fastener may be engaged through the deflecting member and engaged with the ball nut for securing the deflecting member to the ball nut.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ball screw device, and more particularly to a ball screw device having a radially inserted and secured deflecting member for effectively and smoothly receiving and guiding the balls or the bearing members to move relative to the ball nut and the screw shaft, and for facilitating the rotational movement of the ball nut and the screw shaft relative to each other in great rotational speeds.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical ball screw devices comprise a ball nut rotatably and/or moveably engaged onto a screw shaft, and normally arranged to allow the ball nut to be rotated and/or moved relative to the screw shaft in great rotational speeds. For allowing the ball nut to be smoothly rotated and moved relative to the screw shaft, a suitable bearing device or lubricating structure is further required to be provided and engaged between the ball nut and the screw shaft, for facilitating the rotational movement between the ball nut and the screw shaft.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,838 to Blaurock et al. discloses one of the typical ball screw devices including a deflecting member provided or engaged into the ball nut for forming a ball return passage or an endless ball train guiding passage and for receiving a number of balls or a ball train therein, and for allowing the balls or the ball train to be engaged between the ball nut and the screw shaft to facilitate the rotational movement between the ball nut and the screw shaft.
In Blaurock et al., the deflecting member includes a prismatic recess formed into an inner surface of a nut body and extends axially inwardly from an end face of the nut body. However, the prismatic recess may not be used to receive and to guide the balls or ball train into any inner and radially extended channels in the nut body, such that the balls or the ball train may not be effectively guided to move into the corresponding axial return passages of the ball nut.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,302 to Greubel discloses another typical ball screw device including two deflecting members attached to or engaged into the ball nut and having a curved deflecting passage formed therein for guiding or deflecting the balls or the ball train, and two fastening pins are required to secure each of the deflecting members to the ball nut.
However, the fastening pins may only be used to anchor the deflecting members to the ball nut, but may not solidly secure and position the deflecting members to the ball nut. For allowing the deflecting members to be solidly secured and positioned the ball nut, the cutouts for receiving the deflecting members and the blind bores for receiving the fastening pins are required to be precisely machined and formed in the ball nut, otherwise, the deflecting members may be loosened relative to the ball nut and may not be used to suitably guide the balls or ball train through the endless ball train guiding passage of the ball nut.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional ball screw devices for such as machine tools or the like.

Ball screw device having deflecting member background of the invention


One or more sets of routing information are maintained. A network topology change indication of a progressive series of network changes is received, with at least one more associated network topology change indication of the progressive series of network changes expected to be received in the future. An updated set of routing information is computed based on the network topology change indication, and a determination is made as to whether or not the updated set of routing information changes nexthop information for one or more routes. In response to determining that the new set of routing information does not change nexthop information for said one or more routes and given the expectation of at least one more associated network topology change indication of the progressive series of network changes is expected to be received in the future, the routing information is not updated based on the updated set of routing information.

The communications industry is rapidly changing to adjust to emerging technologies and ever increasing customer demand. This customer demand for new applications and increased performance of existing applications is driving communications network and system providers to employ networks and systems having greater speed and capacity (e.g., greater bandwidth). In trying to achieve these goals, a common approach taken by many communications providers is to use packet switching technology. Increasingly, public and private communications networks are being built and expanded using various packet technologies, such as Internet Protocol (IP). Note, nothing described or referenced in this document is admitted as prior art to this application unless explicitly so stated.
In computer networks such as the Internet, packets of data are sent from a source to a destination via a network of links (communication paths such as telephone or optical lines) and nodes (usually routers directing the packet along one or more of a multiple links connected to it) according to one of various routing protocols.
De-activation of a network component (e.g., a link or a node) either by component failure or by planned downtime needs to be managed in order to avoid the risk of packet loss. In known systems, such de-activations cause routing transitions to take place, during which distributed routing algorithms may open up an alternative route. However, such transitions can be relatively very slow (e.g., several seconds) before convergence, and in the interim, data can be lost. Although packet loss is commonly dealt with by higher-level protocols that re-send packets, the inherent delays can adversely affect time critical functions such as voice and pseudo-wire traffic. Desired are new ways to efficiently reroute traffic to avoid failures in a network and to transition back to a desired network configuration once such failures have been fixed.

Identifying and suppressing transient routing updates


Provided are an apparatus and method of estimating a motion using block coupling and block division. In the apparatus, a block having a motion estimation error greater than a predetermined value may be coupled with a neighbor block, and motion estimation is performed through the coupled block to improve a frame rate, thereby reducing an artifact phenomenon in an interpolated image.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments relate to a technique that may improve a frame rate based on motion estimation using division or coupling of a hierarchical block.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a motion estimation technique between image blocks in a video sequence may be imperatively performed for image processing, such as a Frame Rate up Conversion (FRC), an Interlaced to Progressive Conversion (IPC), etc. in digital signal processing. This motion estimation technique may compare, using a block matching algorithm, a previous frame and a current frame, that is, two consecutively inputted frames, by a block unit, to thereby estimate a single moving vector per block. In this instance, the moving vector may be estimated using a motion predictive error value, and motion compensation may be performed using the estimated moving vector estimated in a motion compensation process.
In a conventional motion estimation method, motion estimation is applied by a fixed type-block unit, and thus the moving vector may not be accurately estimated due to a boundary or a closed area where a motion different from a previous motion is generated in a corresponding block, whereby the motion estimation error may be increased.

Apparatus and method of estimating motion using block division and coupling


An upper surface of a substrate is etched using a first single-particle film as a mask. The first single-particle film is constituted of first particles having a first particle diameter. The upper surface of the substrate is etched using a second single-particle film as a mask. The second single-particle film is constituted of second particles having a second particle diameter. The second particle diameter is different from the first particle diameter.

The development of semiconductor light emitting elements used in light-emitting diodes, for example, has been progressing recently. As described in Patent Document 1, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element includes a substrate and a light emitting structure layered upon the substrate. The substrate is formed from sapphire, silicon carbide, or the like, for example, and the light emitting structure is a group III-V semiconductor thin film multilayer body, for example. When a current is supplied to the light emitting structure, the light emitting structure emits light. The emitted light traverses the substrate and exits to the exterior of the semiconductor light emitting element.

Method for producing substrate for semiconductor light emitting elements, method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting element, substrate for semiconductor light emitting elements, and semiconductor light emitting element


An intermediate network node is configured to drop or reject new client sessions when its available resources are below a predetermined level. In this manner, the intermediate node can efficiently process a large number of new session attempts at substantially the same time. The intermediate node monitors the availability of its resources by calculating a load metric. The load metric is based on one or more partial load metrics, each corresponding to a different system resource. The load metric is compared with a predetermined value to determine whether the node has enough available resources to continue establishing new client sessions. Alternatively, the intermediate node rejects new client sessions when a total number of allocated “abstract resource units” rises above a predetermined level. That is, client sessions are assigned a predetermined number of abstract resource units on a per-protocol basis and a resource counter stores the number of abstract resource units allocated by the intermediate node. Each protocol is assigned a different time interval for a timing wheel, after which time the number of abstract resource units assigned for the protocol is subtracted from the resource counter. The intermediate node actively or passively rejects new client sessions until the timing wheel sufficiently decreases the counter below the predetermined level.

A computer network is a geographically distributed collection of interconnected subnetworks for transporting data between nodes, such as computers. A local area network (LAN) is an example of such a subnetwork; a plurality of LANs may be further interconnected by an intermediate network node, such as a router or switch, to extend the effective "size" of the computer network and increase the number of communicating nodes. The nodes typically communicate by exchanging discrete frames or packets of data according to predefined protocols. In this context, a protocol consists of a set of rules defining how the nodes interact with each other.
A communication session may be established between a source node and a destination node, each interconnected to an intermediate node by, e.g., a point-to-point link, shared LAN, wide area network (WAN) or virtual private network (VPN) implemented over a public network such as the Internet. Broadly stated, the session undergoes three distinct phases: session establishment, data transfer and session termination. During session establishment, the source node generally contacts a protocol-specific interface of the intermediate node, and the intermediate node establishes a protocol-specific path or "virtual circuit" between the source and destination nodes. For example, a source node connected to the intermediate node by a point-to-point link may initiate a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) session with a destination node. Once the connection has been established, data is transferred sequentially over the established path. When the session is no longer needed, the path is terminated.
One or more authentication processes are often implemented at session establishment time. For instance, an intermediate node may not permit the creation of a new PPP session unless a third party authentication service, such as a Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS), authenticates the source and/or destination nodes using, e.g., a Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP). The intermediate node may also rely on other authentication, authorization and accounting services of the RADIUS server when determining whether to accept or reject a new session. The operations of a RADIUS server are more fully described in RFC 2865 entitled Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS), which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
In general, to initiate a new session, a source node first sends one or more protocol data units (PDU) to an interface of the intermediate node. The PDUs may include, inter alia, control parameters for the session, such as a network address of a destination node, a frame encapsulation format, the source node's authentication information, etc. The intermediate node then configures the communication session in accordance with these control parameters. More specifically, depending on the type of session protocol, i.e., Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) or Layer-2 Tunnel Protocol (L2TP), the intermediate node may process different PDU formats and contact one or more third party services, such as RADIUS.
For example, a source node attempting to establish a PPPoE session first sends an intermediate node an "initiation" PDU, commonly known as a PPPoE Active Discovery Initiation (PADI). Upon receiving the PADI, the intermediate node sets up the PPPoE session by participating in a multi-step PDU exchange that may involve receiving an additional PPPoE Active Discovery Request (PADR) packet from the source node, as described more fully in RFC 2516 entitled A Method for Transmitting PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE), which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. In contrast, a source node establishing an L2TP session initially sends the intermediate node a PDU having a different format, conventionally known as an Incoming Call Request (ICRQ). In this case, the intermediate node is engaged in a different PDU message exchange process, as described in more detail in RFC 2661 entitled Layer Two Tunneling Protocol "L2TP, " which is also hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
An intermediate node, i.e., a switch or router, may service tens of thousands of communication sessions at once. Typically, in "steady-state" operation, not every session is actively exchanging information at the same time, so the node's resources, such as central processing unit (CPU) bandwidth and available memory, are not overly consumed by the sessions. However, in the event of a temporary network outage to the intermediate node, such as a power outage or "line flap," the tens of thousands of sessions will typically be simultaneously disconnected. Consequently, the intermediate node may not have the available resources to re-establish all the disconnected sessions at substantially the same time.
For example, to reestablish sessions requiring RADIUS authentication, the intermediate node may have to buffer one or more PDUs, i.e., RADIUS, PADI, PADR and ICRQ packets, until the RADIUS server confirms or rejects authentication of a source and/or destination node. Thus, when the intermediate node is "flooded" by new session establishment attempts, the node may not have sufficient memory resources to store all the received PDUs while waiting for corresponding RADIUS server responses. Furthermore, in this situation, the CPU bandwidth of the intermediate node may not be sufficient to simultaneously process the thousands of received PDUs.
Previously, when an intermediate node receives more session establishment requests than its resources can manage, the node still attempts to establish a session for each received PDU. Clearly, this can result in excessive session establishment latencies if not outright session count oscillation. Further, additional delays may be created by a third party authentication service, such as RADIUS, that participates in the session establishment procedure. That is, even if the intermediate node has the resources to establish all the new sessions, the third party service may not. Thus, because an intermediate node or third party service may experience excessive delays while setting up a plurality of sessions, source nodes may "timeout" while waiting for a response to its initial PDU, i.e., a PADI or ICRQ packet, and may subsequently reattempt to establish the session after a predetermined time interval. In this manner, some source nodes timeout and send new PDUs even while the intermediate node continues to consume resources processing their previously sent PDUs.
The present invention is directed toward implementing call admission control (CAC) at a network node, such as an intermediate node. As used herein, call admission is the process of establishing communication sessions between network nodes. Accordingly, while previous CAC techniques allowed a plurality of new session establishment attempts to rate-limit themselves, i.e., by allowing source nodes to continually timeout and retry until their session is established, the invention implements a call admission technique that more efficiently utilizes a network node's resources, thereby decreasing its latency of establishing a large number of new communication sessions.

Flexible WAN protocol call admission control algorithm


A method for sorting hard metal including the steps of subjecting one or more bodies of hard metal to a heat treatment at a temperature of 500° C. or higher in an atmosphere including at least one reactive gas component prone to form a reaction product with an element that may or may not be present in the one or more bodies. A sorting operation of the one or more bodies is performed based on a presence or absence of the reaction product in a surface portion of the heat treated one or more bodies.

Hard metal is widely used in a broad application range including cutting tools, mining tools and wear parts.
Hard metal products, such as cemented carbides and cermets, contain relatively expensive elements, and there is a strong need to recover scrap by recycling spent and unused hard metal products, both for environmental and cost reasons. There are several processes currently used to recycle hard metal products including, e.g., the zinc process and the cold stream process.
However, the hard metal often contains elements that make the recycled material unsuitable as raw material base for the manufacture of certain hard metal grades. Such elements may be for example titanium, tantalum and chromium. These elements are commonly used as property enhancing additions in a variety of cemented carbide grades. These elements are, however, for other grades unwanted or even detrimental to the properties. There exist methods for purifying the raw material, mostly of chemical nature, but these are time-consuming and costly, and often involve environmentally unfriendly process steps or chemicals.
EP 233 162 discloses a method for separating cemented carbide bodies making use of the driving force for re-distribution of a binder metal melt between hard metal bodies, in contact with or close to each other, having different mean grain size, grain size distribution, relative proportions and compositions of the hard constituent phases. There is however still a need to sort hard metal bodies with regards to the presence or absence of different elements in the hard metal.


A system and method for unfolding/replicating logic paths to facilitate propagation delay modeling are provided. With the system and method, nets of an integrated circuit design are unfolded and logic of these nets is replicated such that each leg of a fanout can be driven independently from the signal source. In order to unfold the nets, the nets and logic are replicated in the netlist and connected to replicated source and endpoints. These new nets in the netlist may then be driven separately such that a different propagation delay along different nets from the same source may be simulated. In this way, a level of propagation delay may be abstracted into the modeling by driving or delaying each path separately. The transitioning value will then appear to have differing arrival times from the perspective of the sinks.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and method. More specifically, the present invention provides a system and method for unfolding/replicating logic paths to facilitate propagation delay modeling.
2. Description of Related Art
Logic simulation is often utilized during integrated circuit design in order to simulate the operation of the integrated circuit to perform logic verification. For example, logic simulation may be used to identify the expected operation of the integrated circuit when fabricated, identify potential problems in the integrated circuit design, areas where the integrated circuit design may be optimized, and the like. Typically in logic simulation, when a signal originates from a single source and fans out to multiple sinks (or the same sink following an initial fanout), the value of this signal is uniform for each fanout. That is, every leg out of the source of the signal is considered to be identical thereby resulting in the same signal value. However, this is often not the case in the actual circuit.
Propagation delay because of different wire lengths or combinational gates through which the signal value must traverse, and other factors, all combine to make the propagation rate of a transitioning signal variable for each leg in which the signal fans out. This represents a real problem, especially in asynchronous logic verification. With asynchronous logic, two or more different clock domains are utilized. The asynchronous logic results in variations in propagation delay along different nets of the integrated circuit design. Thus, using a uniform approach to fanouts of logic in an integrated circuit design does not provide an adequate representation of the actual operation of the integrated circuit nets.
In view of the above, it would be beneficial to have a system and method for modeling fanouts of an integrated circuit design such that propagation delay along each net may be modeled.

System and method for unfolding/replicating logic paths to facilitate propagation delay modeling

International Business Machines Corporation


A dental curable composition includes: a radically polymerizable monomer; a polymerization initiator; and a hyperbranched polymer, in which the hyperbranched polymer includes a unit structure represented by the general formula (I) and unit structures represented by the general formula (IIA) and/or the general formula (IIB) (in the general formula (I), A represents a single bond for bonding C and R1, >C═O, —O—, or —COO—, R1 represents a divalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and in the general formula (IIA) and the general formula (IIB), R3, R4, and R5 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, or a cyano group, and R6 represents an alkylene group).

A photocurable filling restoration material called a composite resin is generally widely used for restoration of a tooth damaged by caries from an aesthetic viewpoint. Such composite resin (dental curable composition) is a material containing a polymerizable monomer (monomer), a filling material (filler), and a photopolymerization initiator as main components and having further added thereto a pigment, an additive, and the like as necessary. In this case, a radically polymerizable monomer having radical polymerizability is generally used as the polymerizable monomer. Therefore, polymerization shrinkage inevitably occurs upon curing of the dental curable composition, that is, a polymerization reaction of the radically polymerizable monomer.
Hence, when the dental curable composition is filled into a cavity of a tooth that requires restoration and then subjected to polymerization curing, a gap is liable to be formed between the cured dental curable composition and an inner wall of the cavity. When such gap is formed, plaque is liable to be accumulated in the gap, and hence secondary caries is liable to develop. Further, the cured dental curable composition is liable to be detached out of the cavity. Accordingly, it is preferred that the polymerization shrinkage of the composite resin upon curing be as small as possible.
As a method of suppressing the polymerization shrinkage of the dental curable composition upon curing, there are given: a method involving using a radically polymerizable monomer having a high molecular weight; and a method involving using a cationically polymerizable monomer having a smaller polymerization shrinkage than that of the radically polymerizable monomer and subjecting the polymerizable monomer to polymerization curing through cationic ring-opening polymerization. Further, in addition to the foregoing, there are also proposals concerning methods involving using dendritic polymers having dendritically branched molecular chains, such as a hyperbranched polymer and dendrimer (see Patent Literatures 1 to 3).
The dendritic polymers are broadly divided into, for example, a hyperbranched polymer and dendrimer. A conventional polymer generally has a linear shape, while such dendritic polymer has actively introduced branches. Therefore, as compared to the conventional polymer having a linear shape, the dendritic polymer has, for example, the following features: 1) having a unique molecular structure; 2) having a size on a nanometer order; 3) being capable of forming a surface retaining a large number of functional groups; 4) being capable of being reduced in viscosity as compared to the linear polymer; 5) exhibiting a fine particle-like behavior because of less entanglement of molecules; and 6) having voids in the molecule. In this case, the hyperbranched polymer has an advantage in terms of its ease of synthesis as compared to the dendrimer, and thus is particularly advantageous in industrial production. In general, the dendrimer is synthesized by repeating protection and deprotection, while the hyperbranched polymer can be synthesized in one stage and can be synthesized simply.
For example, in Patent Literature 1, there is a proposal of a technology involving using a (meth)acryloyl terminated hyperbranched polyester having at least one ethylenically unsaturated moiety as a polymerizable resin for forming a dental material for the purpose of, for example, reducing a polymerization shrinkage of the dental material. Further, in Patent Literature 2, there is a proposal of a technology involving using a dendritic polymer as a polymerizable composition that may be utilized as a dental material and is low in shrinkage. For example, in Patent Literature 2, there is a disclosure of an example using a hyperbranched polyesteramide as a hyperbranched polymer. In addition, in Patent Literature 3, there is a proposal of a technology involving using, as a dental material, a dendritic compound in which a core, first shell, and second shell for forming a molecule are bonded via a polyurethane group and the second shell is modified by a reaction with a (meth)acrylate. According to the patent literature, undesired polymerization shrinkage is advantageously affected by this technology.
Further, in addition to Patent Literatures 1 to 3, there is a proposal of a technology involving using, as a crystal component for forming a dental material, one having a dendritic, hyperbranched, or star-shaped structure (Patent Literature 4). According to the patent literature, the crystal component to be used for the dental material preferably has a hydroxyl group at the end.


A closed vapor system includes a boiler arranged to store a vapor and a heating source configured to heat the vapor to a predetermined temperature. A source of pressure maintains the pressure of the vapor in a range of about 100 pounds per square inch to 150 pounds per square inch. Pressurized vapor is drawn from the boiler at a pressure in the range of about 100 pounds per square inch. A motor is responsive to the torque of the pressurized vapor drawn from the boiler and is configured to rotate a shaft. A compressor pump is responsive to rotation of the motor shaft and is arranged to receive effluent vapor from the motor to repressurize the effluent vapor and return it to the boiler. The closed vapor system may function as a battery, vehicle engine and a stationary power source.

Steam has been considered for use as a power source for motors or engines because of the torque that may be developed, and there have been many attempts to use a steam engine as a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine as the power plant for vehicle propulsion or the driving source for electrical power generation. One of the most widely recognized steam propelled vehicles is the Stanley Steamer. Various short comings and disadvantages of the steam engines developed over the years such as the size of a boiler to produce steam, the heat source to create steam from the water, onboard water storage, water usage and replenishment due to leakage and evaporation, inability to mechanically couple the steam engine to a transmission to drive the wheels of the vehicle or rotate the shaft of an electrical generator are but a few of the reasons the steam engine has not become a viable alternative to internal combustion engines. The reader is referred to an article entitled "A Fresh View Of The Steam Car For Today" authored by James D. Crank and forming a part hereof as attachment A, which is incorporated herein by reference for additional commentary as to why the steam engine has not become a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine.
Another general drawback of steam or vapor systems is the inefficiency that results in the cycle due to heat losses as the vapor condenses such as for example in the Rankine steam cycle and is returned to the boiler as liquid to be reheated to vapor to complete the cycle. It has been proposed to increase the thermal efficiency of such systems by recirculating, repressurizing and reheating effluent steam for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,185 in which extraction steam is taken at various pressures and sequentially charged into closed path conveyor compartments to progressively increase the pressure of the steam within the compartments. The highest pressure stage displaces the steam from the compartments through a reheater and back to an injection station at the turbine. Although thermal efficiency is improved somewhat in that more heat is extracted in a cycle the steam torque is sequentially diminished. Accordingly, the proposed method and apparatus disclosed n U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,185 does not provide a satisfactory solution to overcome the limitations and shortcomings of known steam engines.
What is needed, therefore, is a system that provides the torque of steam and overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of known steam engines and systems.


A zoom lens barrel assembly includes: a first zoom ring that supports a first lens group; a first guide ring, of which the first zoom ring is disposed on an inner side, is cam-connected to the first zoom ring to cause the first lens group to move linearly along an optical axis direction by rotation; a second zoom ring that supports a second lens group and is cam-connected to the first guide ring to move linearly along the optical axis direction; a second guide ring cam-connected to the first guide ring and configured to move linearly along the optical axis direction to rotate the first guide ring; a second cylinder configured to move linearly along the optical axis direction together with the second zoom ring while being rotated; and an external cylinder including a third lens group and is cam-connected to the second cylinder to cause the second cylinder to rotate.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a zoom lens barrel assembly, and more particularly, to a zoom lens barrel assembly capable of reducing a full storage length of a barrel while satisfying a stroke length of a zoom ring, reducing an operating load, and ensuring operating reliability during a zoom operation of the barrel.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a zoom lens barrel assembly employs a structure in which a cam projection of a zoom ring is deviated from a cam curve of a guide ring, and the zoom ring is stored to reduce a full storage length of a barrel.
In this case, as the cam projection is deviated from the cam curve, a marginal gap may form between the parts. To prevent the deviation of the cam projection, a predetermined guide structure is formed to protrude from an outer side of the guide ring to support the zoom ring, to simultaneously guide one surface of the cam projection of the zoom ring, and to store and fix the zoom ring. Thus, when the guide ring is rotated and an inclined plane of the projection meets with an inclined plane of the zoom ring during a zoom operation of the barrel, the zoom ring is pushed to enter into a main orbit of the cam curve formed in an outer circumference of the guide ring so that the zoom ring can operate.
The above-described barrel assembly in the related art has a structure in which the guide structure, which protrudes from the outer side of the guide ring, comes in contact with a supporting plane protruding from a bottom end of the zoom ring and an opposite plane. The guide structure is supported and fixed to the cam projection and a bottom groove portion formed in a bottom end of the guide ring. Since the two supporting portions (two supporting planes) are different from each other, jamming and loosening occur due to part assembly tolerance and machining deviation. Since one side surface of the cam projection and the guide ring have to be assembled together, a position of the cam projection is difficult to extend further downward. Therefore, it is difficult to expand the stroke length of the zoom ring, which limits the depth of a storage position of the zoom ring.
During a zoom operation of the barrel assembly, large load is instantaneously applied at a point where an inclined plane of the guide structure on the outer side of the guide ring meets with an inclined plane formed on the bottom end of the zoom ring, causing simultaneous jamming. In this case, since the two supporting portions are respectively formed in different members, it is difficult to machine the parts to modify the inclined plane of the zoom ring and still have an optimal operation position, and it is difficult to ensure operation reliability due to serious wear and tear of the parts of the inclined plane caused by repeated endurance work.

Zoom lens barrel assembly and capturing apparatus including the same


A socket and wedge assembly that securely holds wire rope and is easy to release includes a collapsible wedge. The wedge collapses at the front, narrowed end to utilize the high pressures at the front end of the wedge in effecting the collapse and releasing the rope. The wedge includes a movable element that pivots and/or translates to facilitate a quick and reliable collapse of the wedge and release of the wire rope. The wedge includes a cavity to at least partially exhaust the fumes created from cutting the support with a torch for release of the wire rope.

Wire ropes are used in certain excavating machines and other machines where heavy lifting or pulling is required. In excavating machines (such as dragline excavating systems and cable shovels), wedge and socket assemblies are commonly used to secure an end of a wire rope. The socket in these assemblies includes a tapered passage or cavity that is adapted to receive the wedge. A wire rope is passed through the tapered passage in the socket, looped about the larger end of a wedge, and then fed back into the passage with the wedge. As the wire rope is tightened, the wedge is firmly fit into the passage so as to securely hold the wire rope against the sidewalls of the tapered passage in the socket. The socket also includes a clevis or other fastening arrangement that is coupled to a component of the machine, chain, etc. While such assemblies are effective in securing the wire rope, they can be difficult to release.


The floor system comprises spaced parallel horizontal planks, each including a metal inverted channel comprising a deck member having two spaced depending structural flanges and two laterally projecting edge channels thereon, each having a depending leg and an in-turned lower leg with a slot between each lower leg and the adjacent structural flange. U-shaped connectors extend between the planks and have upturned flanges with in-turned hook members received in the slots and interlocking with the edge channels. Soft rubber-like cylindrical stops are tightly fitted into the slots adjacent opposite ends of the connectors to prevent sliding movement thereof. Each inverted channel has a heat insulating resinous plastic cushioning cover with a top wall over the deck member, side walls enclosing the depending legs, and in-turned horizontal flanges clamped to the lower legs. Depending drip lips extend along the lower edges of the side walls of the cover. The top wall of the cover includes a soft resilient rubber-like cushioning tread member laminated to the top wall and having interspersed first and second mutually perpendicular traction ridges, each having an inverted V-shaped cross section and end portions tapering to points. The cover feels warm and soft to the animals. The ridges prevent the animals' feet from slipping.

In certain aspects, this invention may be regarded as an improvement upon the floor system disclosed and claimed in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,319, patented Sep. 24, 1974, and entitled SLATTED FLOOR SYSTEM. The floor system of such patent comprises an array of spaced planks in the form of metal inverted channels which are spaced apart by a multiplicity of generally channel-shaped connectors, extending between the planks at longitudinally spaced intervals. The connectors interlock with edge channels formed along the longitudinal edges of the planks. Each of the connectors is generally in the form of a U-shaped channel having a generally horizontal member with a pair of upturned flanges formed with in-turned hook members for slidable reception in edge channels on the planks. In addition to maintaining the desired spacing between the planks, the connectors are effective to transfer loading between the adjacent planks. Unless some special means are provided to maintain the connectors in their desired positions, spaced at intervals along the planks, the connectors tend to slide along the planks due to the shifting loads and the resulting deflections and vibration of the planks.
The planks disclosed in the applicant's patent, identified above, are made of a corrosion resistant metal, such as electrochemically coated or anodized aluminum or an anodized aluminum alloy. The metal material has the disadvantage that it feels cold to the animals, particularly when they lie down on the metal planks. Moreover, the metal planks tend to be slippery, particularly when wet or coated with animal wastes. The slippery conditions may sometimes cause the animals to fall or stumble, with the resulting possibility of injuries to the animals. The metal planks are also noisy, due to the footfalls of the animals on the planks.
Although the anodized aluminum or anodized aluminum alloy planks are resistant to corrosion, they are eventually subject to corrosion and deterioration due to the combined corrosive action of atmospheric oxygen, the animal wastes which are deposited on the planks, and the gases, such as amonia, evolved from such wastes. Of course, the spaced planks of the floor system are frequently washed to cause the animal wastes to flow through the slots or spaces between the planks, into a pit beneath the floor system. The pit is generally made of concrete and is provided with a flushing or pumping system whereby the animal wastes can be flushed out of the pit with an abundance of water. Even so, corrosion and deterioration of the metal planks can become a problem.

Spaced-plank floor system for animal enclosures


An apparatus for the sterilization of lumen devices. The apparatus for sterilizing lumen devices is comprised of a chamber defining a region for sterilization, an expansion tank assembly, and a mixing member. The chamber is adapted to receive the expansion tank. The expansion tank is adapted to fluidly connect to at least one lumen device. The mixing member is disposed within the expansion tank to mix gaseous sterilant within residual gas that may include contaminants.

Various systems and apparatus have been developed to sterilize lumen devices, such as endoscopes and other devices having a lumen. Methods of sterilizing lumen devices may utilize a sterilization chamber and one or more gaseous sterilants, such as ozone or vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP). In order to achieve effective sterilization, all contaminants within the lumen device must be exposed to the gaseous sterilant, including contaminants suspended in the air within the lumen device and contaminants on interior and exterior surfaces of the lumen device. However, the length of a lumen is many times greater than its diameter and such geometry can make it difficult to penetrate the lumen (i.e., interior passageway) with a gaseous sterilant.
Known methods for sterilizing a lumen cause a gaseous sterilant to flow through the lumen by creating a difference in pressure across the length of the lumen (i.e., pressure drop). Existing apparatus and methods used to create adequate pressure drop across the length of a lumen have various drawbacks. Such drawbacks include complexity, limitations on the types of devices that can be sterilized, and possible recontamination of the lumen when the gaseous sterilant is withdrawn from the lumen.
One prior art method for creating a pressure drop to sterilize lumen devices utilizes an expansion tank disposed within a sterilization chamber. A first end of a lumen is fluidly connected to the expansion tank, and a second end of the lumen is open to the sterilization chamber. In this respect, the lumen fluidly connects the expansion tank with the sterilization chamber. The volume of the expansion tank is such that all of the unsterile air contained within the lumen can be forced into the expansion tank during the sterilization cycle. The purpose of the expansion tank is to provide a chamber that will be at a lower pressure than the sterilization chamber, and thus "draw" gaseous sterilant through the lumen.
An expansion tank is used in a sterilization process in the following manner. First, a vacuum is drawn on the sterilization chamber, and the pressures within the sterilization chamber and the expansion tank are allowed to equalize. Next, a gaseous sterilant is introduced into the sterilization chamber. Thereafter, the pressure of the sterilization chamber is allowed to rise above the pressure in the expansion tank. The resulting difference in pressures between the sterilization chamber and the expansion tank causes the gaseous sterilant to flow through the lumen and into the expansion tank. The gaseous sterilant will continue to flow into the expansion tank until the pressure in the sterilization chamber and the pressure in the expansion tank have equalized, and the concentration of the sterilant is at a desired level. After a suitable period, a vacuum is again drawn on the sterilization chamber, thereby removing the gaseous sterilant from the sterilization chamber. As the pressure decreases within the sterilization chamber, the gaseous sterilant is drawn out of the expansion tank through the lumen and into the sterilization chamber. After the pressure drops to a desired level, a second gas (e.g., air) is introduced into the sterilization chamber to purge the remaining gaseous sterilant using an analogous series of steps.
Various problems may be encountered when using prior art expansion tanks to sterilize lumen devices. One problem is inadequate sterilization caused by the presence of unsterile air within the expansion tank and the lumen. In this regard, some unsterile air may remain within the lumen after a vacuum has been drawn on the sterilization chamber. When a gaseous sterilant is introduced into the lumen, the remaining unsterile air may be pushed ahead of the gaseous sterilant through the lumen and into the expansion tank. The unsterile air poses a problem because it does not actively mix with the gaseous sterilant, due to nonturbulent flow (i.e., plug flow). It is possible for the sterilant to penetrate unsterile air without active mixing by gas diffusion. However, gas diffusion is a slow process, and does not insure that all contaminates are adequately exposed to the gaseous sterilant. Accordingly, the unsterile air can contain viable organisms that survive the sterilization process. The surviving viable organisms may be subsequently drawn back into the lumen as gas is withdrawn from the sterilization chamber. The surviving viable organisms can then compromise sterility of the lumen device by re-depositing in the lumen.
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and others associated with prior art systems for sterilization of lumen devices.

Sterilization device for sterilization of lumen devices