Techniques are provided for designing a mashup. In an example embodiment, a user input is detected. The user input relates a first GUI object, which represents a first widget, to a second GUI object that represents a second widget. The first widget conforms to a first widget specification and the second widget conforms to a second widget specification that is different than the first widget specification. In response to the user input, a variable is defined, where, at run-time, a value of an output parameter of the first widget is assigned to the variable and the variable is used as an input parameter of the second widget. An event definition that defines an event is generated based on the user input, where the event, when detected at run-time, causes contents of at least one of the first widget and the second widget to be refreshed. A binding definition is stored, where the binding definition associates with each other the event definition, the variable, the output parameter of the first widget, and the input parameter of the second widget. A definition of the mashup, which includes the binding definition, is then generated.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
In some aspects of software development, widgets may be used for building user interfaces, web pages, and other software products such as mashups. A widget is a self-contained and reusable software element. For example, a widget may be inserted within a web page to provide a particular functionality or content either directly (by virtue of a direct rendering by a web browser) or by accessing and retrieving information over a network. In another example, a widget may be used in building mashups. A mashup is a composite application that is operable to integrate and present data and functionalities that are provided by various different sources.
While mashups may allow for using data and functionalities of widgets, designing and developing mashups that integrate different types of widgets has proved to be very difficult. This is because the existing approaches for rendering widgets at run-time require widgets to comply with certain standards (e.g., input/output specifications, interfaces, methods, data definition formats, etc.) in order to ensure widget interoperability. In practice, however, there is no one commonly accepted standard to which widgets are written to conform, and one can find in various repositories a large number of widgets that conform to numerous specifications and an even larger number of widgets that do not conform to any standard, specification, or definition at all. For example, various widget sources, such as Google, Silverlight, and Adobe, all have their own standard or specification for widget rendering. Because widgets are relatively easy to develop, it is practically impossible to impose one common standard for widget rendering. As a result, the existing approaches for widget rendering are very limited in the level of widget interoperability they can achieve.
The above shortcomings of the existing approaches for widget rendering have a direct limiting effect on the existing approaches for developing mashups. One disadvantage of these approaches for developing mashups is that they require technically sophisticated users, such as software developers, to design and develop mashups that include widgets conforming to different standards and/or specifications. Because widgets that conform to different standards and/or specifications typically have different types of input/output interfaces, data formats, etc., only software developers are able to negotiate the intricate technical details necessary to achieve interoperability between such disparate widgets in a mashup. However, while fairly unsophisticated software users (e.g., business users) are generally well-suited to design and develop mashups by using drag-and-drop development tools, such unsophisticated software users are unlikely to have the technical knowledge required by the existing mashup development approaches in order to successfully integrate into a mashup disparate widgets that conform to different standards and/or specifications.

System for dynamic discovery, configuration, and development of process-bound widgets


A method and apparatus for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding of hollow metal parts. A forming assembly is prepared by surrounding a hollow tool (typically having a frusto-conical exterior) with a part blank having a corresponding shape, attaching parts, such as rings, to the exterior of the blank, then surrounding those parts with a skin blank. The forming assembly is placed in a pressure chamber, a heater is placed within the assembly and the chamber is sealed. The assembly of parts is heated to the diffusion bonding temperature of the parts while subjecting them to high gas pressure. The skin blank is deformed into intimate contact with the adjacent surfaces of the other parts and all of the parts are diffusion bonded together at all interfaces to form a unitary product. Gas pressure is released and the product is cooled and removed from the chamber and hollow tool. Any desired finish machining is accomplished and the productive is complete.

This invention involves the superplastic shaping and diffusion bonding of metal parts and, in particular, the shaping and bonding of hollow parts.
Superplastic forming and diffusion bonding have been found to have a number of advantages in the manufacture of parts, particularly for high strength, light weight, aerospace applications. A number of high performance alloys, such as titanium alloys, exhibit superplasticity; that is, the capability of developing unusually high tensile elongation with little tendency toward local necking during deformation. Many of these alloys can be bonded together by diffusion bonding; that is, the solid-state, metallurgical joining of metal surfaces by applying appropriate temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to permit co-mingling of atoms at the joint interface. In combination, these two techniques promise greater manufacturing efficiency, lower labor costs and great material savings through much reduced machining.
Superplastic forming and diffusing bonding are often accomplished through hot isostatic pressing in which a uniform pressure is applied while the components are maintained at a suitably high temperature.
Hot isostatic pressing of flat or nearly flat parts has long been used to form metal, plastic and composite parts to precise dimensions. Typically, a die having a forming surface is placed with the forming surface uppermost. The material to be formed is placed on the forming surface and a blanket or bag is placed over the assembly. The enclosed space is evacuated or flushed with an inert gas. The assembly is placed in an autoclave and subjected to high temperatures and pressures for an appropriate period. While this process is very effective for producing flat or nearly flat structures, problems are encountered with more three-dimensional structures, especially with hollow structures.
Attempts have been made to design complex, removable molds for hot isostatic pressing of complex or hollow shapes. Typical of these is the mold system disclosed by Borchert et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,327. These molding systems require a large number of parts, sliding together at angles which will permit removal after molding. The molds are expensive, difficult to design, and produce imprecise, out-of-tolerance parts with flash or other surface irregularities unless very carefully assembled.
In some cases, particulate material has been used to apply approximately isostatic pressure for hot isostatic pressing of complex parts. Such an arrangement is described, for example, by Rigby et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,710. Precise shaping is difficult with such materials and interaction between particles may prevent true isostatic pressure application.
In some cases, superplastic forming and diffusion bonding are combined in a two step process. For example, as disclosed by Cogan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,183, two parts can be formed by superplastic forming, then reinforcing pieces can be placed between the parts and diffusion bonded thereto. This complex method has difficulty in obtaining proper alignment of parts and obtaining uniform diffusion bonding.
Simultaneous superplastic forming and diffusion bonding is possible with simple structures, such as is shown by Elrod in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,375. Here, a simple rib at the bottom of a rectangular cavity is diffusion bonded to a sheet which is pressed down into the cavity and into contact with the rib by gas pressure. This method is effective with simple structures but cannot accommodate hollow structures or those with significant undercuts.
Thus, there remains an unmet need for a method and apparatus for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding of hollow structures.

Method and apparatus for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding of hollow parts


The present invention provides a mobile communications terminal that may comprise: a transceiver to send and receive signals with a serving cell and one or more neighboring cells; a memory to store characteristic parameter values related to the signals; and a controller cooperating with the transceiver and the memory to perform the steps of, obtaining a difference value between a measured reception power quality value of the serving cell and a minimum reception power quality value of the serving cell; measuring an error rate of a reception quality of one or more messages received through a common channel during a certain time period; and performing further processing to determine cell section by using the measured error rate, if the obtained difference value is at or below a reference value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a cell selecting apparatus for a mobile communication terminal capable of performing a cell selection by using a message transmitted through a channel, and a method thereof
2. Description of the Background Art
Generally, a wireless communication system provides various communication services comprising audio data and video data to a user by using a modulating technique such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), or the like. The CDMA system provides at least one CDMA technique such as a TIA/EIA-95-B Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System, the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard or the like. A service area defined by one base station of the CDMA system is referred to as a cell. Since the cell can provide service to mobile communication terminals inside the cell area, a provider can provide service to a user anytime anywhere by overlapping a plurality of cells.
When the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter, referred to as 'mobile terminal') moves to another cell area, the mobile terminal and the system have to continuously provide service to the user. Accordingly, when the mobile terminal is in an idle state, a cell selection is performed, and when the mobile terminal is in a connected state, a handover is performed.
When the mobile terminal in an idle state moves between cells, the mobile terminal releases a connection to a current cell for service (a serving cell). Then, the mobile terminal performs a connection to a neighboring cell.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a cell selecting method in a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the related cell selecting method is performed by the following formulas.Squal=Qqualmeas−Qqualmin   formula (1)Squal<=Sreference   formula (2)
In the formulas (1) and (2), the Qqualmeas denotes a reception power quality of a serving cell measured by the mobile terminal. As one example, the Qqualmeas includes an Ec/lo for denoting a ratio between a reception power of the serving cell and an interference signal. The Qqualmin denotes a minimum reception power quality of the serving cell for enabling the mobile terminal to continuously perform service. The Sreference denotes a reference value used for connecting the mobile terminal to the neighboring cell, and is stored in the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal that has calculated the reception power quality of the serving cell by the formulas (1) and (2), calculates a ranking of the serving cell, RANKs and a ranking of the neighboring cell, RANKn.RANKs=Qmeas,s+Qhyst,s   formula (3)RANKn.=Qmeas,n+Qoffsets,n   formula (4)
In the formulas (3) and (4), the Qmeas,s denotes a reception power quality of a serving cell measured by the mobile terminal, and the Qmeas,n denotes a reception power quality of a neighboring cell measured by the mobile terminal. The Qmeas can denote an Ec/lo measured by the mobile terminal or a received signal code power (RSCP) for indicating a power of a common pilot channel. The Qhyst,s denotes an offset value of a serving cell, and the Qoffsets,n denotes an offset value of a serving cell versus a neighboring cell.
In the related art cell selecting method, Squal is calculated and then is compared with Sreference. If the Squal is less than the Sreference, a ranking of a neighboring cell, RANKn and a ranking of a serving cell, RANKs are calculated and then are compared with each other. If the RANKn is greater than the RANKs for a certain time, the mobile terminal performs a cell selection from the serving cell to the neighboring cell.
However, the related art cell selecting method has the following disadvantages. First, in case that the neighboring cell has an excellent reception power quality, the mobile terminal performs unnecessary cell selection even if the mobile terminal is in a serviceable state. As the number of times that the mobile terminal performs unnecessary cell selection is increased, the battery consumption amount of the mobile terminal is increased undesirably.
In order to solve such problem, a method for comparing a pilot power of the serving cell with a preset reference value in a cell selecting process is disclosed in the U.S. patent application publication 2004/0043769. However, the method performs a cell selection only based on a received pilot power of the serving cell without considering substantial channel environments, thereby not allowing a precise cell selection to be performed.

Cell selecting apparatus in mobile communication terminal and method thereof

Abstract: The controller can perform the further processing by, calculating a ranking value of the serving cell and a ranking value of one or more neighboring cells using reception power quality values of the serving cell and of the neighboring cells; comparing the measured error rate with a threshold value, if the ranking value of a neighboring cell is found to be greater than the ranking value of the serving cell during the duration of a timer; and performing cell selection if the measured error rate is greater than the threshold value.


A virtual network virtual machine may be implemented on a cloud computing facility to control communication among virtual machines executing applications and virtual machines executing middlebox functions. This virtual network virtual machine may provide for automatic scaling of middleboxes according to a heuristic algorithm that monitors the effectiveness of each middlebox on the network performance as application virtual machines are scaled. The virtual machine virtual network may also locate virtual machines in actual hardware to further optimize performance.

The present invention relates to cloud-based computing in which computer resources are provided in a scalable fashion as virtual machines and in particular to a method of implementing "middlebox" functionality in such cloud-based systems in a manner consistent with cloud-based computing.
"Middleboxes" are important components of large computer installations (e.g. data centers) having multiple computers executing applications such as Web servers, application servers, file servers or databases or the like (application computers). In this environment, middleboxes provide for network related functions such as the management of security (e.g., intrusion detection systems (IDS) and firewalls) and the enhancement of network efficiency (e.g., load balancers, WAN optimizers, and the like). Most simply, middleboxes may be directly wired in the path of data to the application computers with which they are associated. Middleboxes may be similarly installed by programming network switches used to control interconnections on the network joining the middleboxes and application computers.
Cloud computing presents an alternative to a private data center in which computing resources are flexibly provided on demand in the form of virtual machines that may, for example, implement the application computers of conventional computer installations. A cloud application manages the virtual machines so that users of the cloud can buy additional virtual machines at periods of high demand and return those virtual machines when the demand drops. By aggregating many users, significant economy of scale may be realized in terms of maintenance of the hardware, provision of physical resources such as power and cooling, and smoothing of peak demands.
It is known how to implement middlebox functions on virtual machines implemented in a cloud computing system. Installing such middlebox functions in the cloud, however, can be difficult because of the fluidity in the relationship between physical hardware and virtual machines, which may not be revealed or easily modified by the user. When additional virtual machines are purchased from the cloud application to meet peak demands, there is no simple mechanism for scaling middlebox virtual machines appropriately.


A chamber having therein a V-belt type continuously variable transmission is separated from another chamber having therein a differential mechanism. These chambers, however, are in fluid communication with an oil pan via generally vertical holes.

The present invention relates to a continuously variable transmission, and more particularly to a continuously variable transmission using a V-belt as a power transmission belt.
A so-called V-belt type continuously variable transmission is known and one example is disclosed in JP No. 58-174754. This known transmission comprises an electromagnetic clutch, a V-belt power transmission mechanism, a forward/reverse selector mechanism, and a differential mechanism. Torque from an engine is transmitted to the forward/reverse selector mechanism, V-belt power transmission mechanism, and differential mechanism in this order. The component parts other than the electromagnetic clutch are arranged within a single chamber defined by a casing. The V-belt type continuously variable transmission uses a V-belt. The V-belt is composed of a number of blocks, each having a frictional surface, assembled on the endless belt.
However, the V-belt type continuously variable transmission mentioned as above has a potential problem that the blocks separated from the V-belt might come into engagement with the differential mechanism should the V-belt be broken. If the differential mechanism locks owing to the blocks, the road wheels drivingly connected thereto will lock. The V-belt may be broken owing to inconvenience caused during its production or an excessively large stress which it is subject to although it is designed to possess a sufficiently long endurability. When the endless band of the V-belt is broken, the blocks are thrown away from the band. If the blocks separated from the band come into engagement with the differential mechanism, the differential mechanism locks. This causes the wheels to lock, causing the vehicle to spin. Therefore, if the V-belt is broken, not only can the vehicle not continue running, but also the vehicle becomes out of control.
An object of the present invention is to solve these problems.
More particularly, an object of the present invention is to improve the V-belt type continuously variable transmission such that even if the V-belt is broken, the differential mechanism will not lock.


Method and device for PWM dimming of an LED lamp. The LED lamp comprises one or more LEDs and an LED lamp driver for operating the LEDs. The method comprises: generating a PWM signal; and supplying the PWM signal to the LED lamp driver; wherein the PWM signal comprises a mixture of two or more different frequencies.

With the advent of LED lamps (LED being the abbreviation for light-emitting diode), efficient, safe and long-lived lighting means are available. Similar to other light sources the brightness of LEDs can be adjusted by dimming. For this purpose different technologies for dimming a lamp have been developed, including analog or linear dimming and PWM dimming (PWM being the abbreviation for pulse-width-modulation). Compared to methods of linear dimming, PWM dimming has advantages such as high efficiency and accuracy as well as no CCT shift (CCT being the abbreviation for correlated color temperature).
However, PWM dimming may cause audible noise originating from the inductor and capacitor of the LED lamp driver operated at the PWM frequency. The inductor and capacitor of the LED lamp driver resonate at the PWM frequency which, in turn, may cause vibrations of other components such as a printed circuit board of the LED lamp driver.
In order to reduce noise during PWM dimming, the LED lamp driver may be insulated against sound and/or vibration (potting). Alternatively, components of low noise may be used. However, these solutions incur additional costs and space in order to be effective.


A system, method, and apparatus are presented for custom media size detection in a printing device. A user places standard or custom sized media in a media tray associated with a printing device. The media tray contains a media tray sensor which determines whether the media tray is closed and a media size sensor which determines whether the media tray is loaded with custom size media. If so, a computer processing device connected to the sensors and a visual display displays to the user the opportunity to select a media platen and image scanning device to scan an example media item with the same dimensions as the custom size media located in the media tray. The scanning device selected then scans an example media item a user has placed on the selected media platen, and data on the determined dimensions is presented to the user for confirmation or modification.

Since modern multi-function printing devices have numerous capabilities it is possible to utilize these capabilities in creative ways to perform functions which might have been performed manually in an older printing device. For an example, in the case of alignment of color printing heads, an image scanning device associated with the printing device which is typically used for scanning of photos and documents can also be utilized to scan a special color printout made by the printing device needing calibration in order to determine whether the printer's color printing heads or jets needs to be calibrated, and if so by how much.
In a modern printing device presenting the ability to print on various types of media, as users change the size of media (such as changing between sizes of paper, transparencies, cardboard, labels, envelopes, posters, or even between traditional media types and non-traditional media types such as, for example, t-shirts etc.) to be printed on, users are confronted with the necessity of manually changing size settings located on the printing device itself or by changing size settings in a computer software application managing the printing device. While this this is not a particularly time-consuming task if performed only once in a while, if it is performed many times over the course of a day it becomes tedious and frustrating. Accordingly, a need exists for a fast and simple method of communicating to a printing device the size of media loaded, allowing fast and accurate printing on custom as well as standard media sizes without manually changing media size settings every time a change is made in media.
A need presents itself for an automated method of changing media size settings as a user changes media sizes or even types in a printing device, granting the greatest time-savings to the user particularly in situations where a number of different custom-sized media are to be printed on a daily basis.

Media platen used to scan and measure media size in a tray


A method and system of managing resource lease duration for on-demand computing is provided. The system can include one or more resources having a metric capturing tool; and a provisioning manager in communication with the one or more resources. The provisioning manager can receive a request for at least one resource from the requester. The provisioning manager can provision the at least one resource from the one or more resources. The metric capturing tool can communicate one or more metrics associated with performance of the at least one resource to the provisioning manager. The provisioning manager can determine a lease modifier based at least in part on the one or more metrics. The provisioning manager can adjust a lease duration for the at least one resource based at least in part on the lease modifier.

Computer technology requirements typically vary, especially over extended periods of time. Hard drive capacities, bus speeds, and processor speeds can double every few years. A user can require 10 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity at the start of a business, which soon increases to a requirement of 1000 GB of storage when the business becomes successful. These varying demands have led in part to the use of on-demand computing.
On-demand or utility computing is a computing system or model that allocates computing resources or assets to an organization and its individual users on an as-needed basis to allow the organization to efficiently meet dynamic computing demands. For example, if a group of users is working with applications that demand a large amount of bandwidth, the on-demand computing system can allocate additional bandwidth specifically to this group, such as from a pool of resources that are not currently utilizing the bandwidth.
On-demand computing can provide for the packaging of the computing resources, such as computation and storage, as a metered service similar to a physical public utility. On-demand computing has the advantage of low initial cost to acquire hardware. Customers requiring very large computations or having a sudden peak in demand can also avoid the delays that would result from physically acquiring, assembling and/or implementing a large number of computer resources. For example, Internet hosting services have the capability to quickly arrange for the leasing of individual servers, such as to provision a bank of web servers to accommodate a sudden surge in traffic to a web site.
When resources are provisioned for use by an end-user, they are provided to the end-user for a length of time dictated by a lease duration. Typically, the lease duration requested is longer than the resource is actually required. This drives up inefficiencies in the use of the asset.
A need exists for efficient use of resources in an on-demand computing system. A need further exists for managing the lease duration associated with the resources based at least in part on metrics or parameters associated with the resources. A need yet further exists for managing the lease duration so that under-utilized assets are returned from lease faster and/or highly-utilized assets are provided with a longer lease.

Managing resource lease duration using a lease modifier as a function of resource utilization metric and initial decay rate value for on-demand computing

International Business Machines Corporation


A disc brake assembly having a carrier having a first formation on an inboard surface thereof and a caliper slideably mounted to the carrier having a second formation that is proximate to the first formation in use. The relative positions of the first formation and the second formation may be indicative of an amount of wear of a brake friction element and/or a rotor.

Over time, with repeated braking operations, the friction elements, and to a lesser extent the brake rotor, of disc brakes will wear down and need to be replaced in order for the disc brake assembly to continue to provide adequate braking. Many air actuated disc brakes, for use on heavy vehicles, have an adjuster mechanism to set the position of the friction elements relative to the brake rotor to account for the wear of the friction material thereof, whilst maintaining a suitable running clearance to the rotor.
When the friction elements (commonly known as brake pads) are fully worn, these can be replaced with new thicker elements. If the friction elements are replaced too early when a substantial thickness of friction material remains, the operating costs of the vehicle are increased. Whereas, if replacement of the friction elements occurs too late, after the elements have become excessively worn and the friction material is no longer remaining, the resulting braking effect may be insufficient and/or may result in damage to the disc brake assembly.
Due to this, the operator needs to be able to monitor the amount of wear that has occurred to the friction elements. Typically, a visual wear indicator is provided on the disc brake assembly to enable the operator to visually check the wear of the elements. In some installations, air actuated disc brakes are fitted with electrical continuous wear sensors which monitor the wear of the friction elements. However, a visual indicator is still desirable in such systems.
Typically, the visual wear indicator is provided in the form a spring loaded pin which extends through, and protrudes from an inboard face of the caliper and abuts an inboard face of the brake carrier. As the friction elements are worn down, the pin moves outboard and the amount protruding from the caliper reduces.
Such systems require machining of the caliper so as to accommodate the pin, and also require these additional pin and spring components, adding to expense. Furthermore, depending upon the particular brake installation, the pin may be difficult to view with a wheel fitted to the brake. This makes visual inspection of the wear inconvenient.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate some or all of the problems associated with the prior art.

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited


The present invention relates to a method of discretization of the continuous current solution of a gradient coil design that allows satisfaction of the target field quality characteristics as well as other characteristics such as minimization of the energy/inductance, minimization of the residual eddy current effect, minimization of the thrust forces on the coil and cold shields, coil resistance thus the power dissipated by the coil, etc. The method of optimized gradient coil design can be applied to the design of axial or transverse gradient coils. The method of this invention includes the steps of defining at least one, and more commonly numerous performance characteristics of the desired gradient coil, concurrently varying discretization parameters to develop numerous possible hypothetical gradient coil designs, evaluating the designs to determine whether the defined performance characteristics are met by each design and selecting one design.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical diagnostic imaging technique used to diagnose many types of medical conditions. An MRI system includes a main magnet for generating a main magnetic field through an examination region. The main magnet is arranged such that its geometry defines the examination region. The main magnetic field causes the magnetic moments of a small majority of the various nuclei within the body to be aligned in a parallel or anti-parallel arrangement. The aligned magnetic moments rotate around the equilibrium axis with a frequency that is characteristic for the nuclei to be imaged. An external radiofrequency (RF) field applied by other hardware within the MRI system perturbs the magnetization from its equilibrium state. Upon termination of the application of the RF pulse, the magnetization relaxes to its initial state. During relaxation the time varying magnetic moment induces a detectable time varying voltage in the receive coil. The time varying voltage can be detected by the receive mode of the transmit coil itself, or by an independent receive only coil.
MRI systems are made of many hardware components that work in conjunction with specialized software to produce the final images FIG. 1 illustrates an MRI system with the front cover removed so the main hardware components can be seen. Magnet 12 is the main hardware component of MRI system 10 and is responsible for producing the uniform main magnetic field, B0. Magnets used in MRI systems can produce either a horizontal or a vertical magnetic field.
Within the volume defined by main magnet 12 there is at least one gradient coil 14. Gradient coils 14 produces substantially linear spatially varying magnetic fields within the imaging volume that are coincidental with the direction of the main magnetic field but vary along the three orthogonal directions (x, y, z) of the Cartesian coordinate system. Initially, gradient coils included only single primary gradient coil unit 18, however, the presence of spurious and spatially dependent eddy currents on the magnet's Dewar structure necessitated the need to shield the gradient magnetic field at the magnet's vicinity. Secondary shielding gradient coil 20 is added to the primary gradient coil's structure with a required minimum gap between the primary and secondary gradient coil structures.
Self-shielded gradient coils of prior art are usually designed using the following general steps:                1. The shield coil is assumed to be much longer than the primary coil;        2. The continuous current densities on both the primary and shield coil are derived to deliver the desired field quality characteristics of the gradient coil;        3. The continuous current density on the shield coil is truncated to match the desired length of the system;        4. The continuous current densities are discretized using the standard techniques, described below; and        5. The discretized solution is verified to ensure the solution satisfies the required characteristics.
One of the problems in past methods of gradient coil design is the discretization procedure that approximates the continuous current densities by a number of current carrying conductors (step 4 of the above method). The shape of the current carrying conductors determines the electromagnetic properties of the gradient coil. These include the gradient field strength, field quality characteristics inside the Field-of-View (FoV), linearity and uniformity along the principal axis and orthogonal axes respectively, leakage of the magnetic field into the region where eddy currents might be induced, coil resistance, slew rate, etc. The output of the discretization procedure determines the positions of the current carrying conductors and their minimum widths, which govern the coil resistance, thus the power dissipated by the coil and the possible slew rate. For a self-shielded gradient coil the level of the eddy currents is sensitive to discretization procedure When designing the gradient coil it is also important to be able to minimize the net thrust Lorentz force exerted on the coil due to the presence of the main magnet field. This force is sensitive to the position of the current carrying conductors, especially near the end of the coil.
The common practice of previous gradient coil designs is to derive the continuous current densities that provide the desired characteristics of the gradient coil. It is sometimes difficult to find a continuous solution that satisfies the field quality characteristics within the FoV and where the net thrust force is nullified by constraint. Depending on the magnet configuration the nullification of the thrust force can lead to an energy penalty or even to reversed current patterns on either the primary coil or the shield coil, which in fact leads to the energy/inductance penalty.
Another problem that arises in previous methods of gradient coil design is that eddy currents are induced in the worm bore or the cold shield of the magnet. Eddy currents in the cold shield result in distortions of the images. Because of the proximity of the cold shield to the magnet's coils the forces on the cold shield could be significant. These significant forces on the cold shield may lead to the vibration of the cold shield and even quenching of the magnet.
In previous gradient coil design methods the continuous current solution that satisfies the field quality characteristics within the FoV is obtained using either minimum inductance or target field method of Turner. In the design of an axial gradient coil, the continuous current densities and available power supply determine the minimum number of turns on both the primary and shield coil according to the method of Turner:
                                                        ∫              0                              L                P                                                                                f                  φ                                      (                    P                    )                                                                                (                  z                  )                                                                                ⅆ                z                                              =                                    N              P                                                  I              P                                      ,                                            ∫              0                              L                S                                                                                f                  φ                                      (                    S                    )                                                                                (                  z                  )                                                                                ⅆ                z                                              =                                    -                              N                S                                                                I              S                                                          (                  Equation                                                              1                )            In this two-part equation, where the first portion of the Equation deals with the primary coil and the second portion deals with the shield coil, fφ(P,S)(z) is the φ-components of the continuous current density on primary coil (P) and shield coil (S), LP,S is the half-length of the primary/shield coil, NP,S, IP,S are the number of turns and the current on half of the primary/shield coil and the current in the primary/shield, respectively. Ideally the currents on the primary and the shield coil should be equal to each other. In practice the latter is difficult to achieve (IP≠IS) because of the free parameters in the problem: the geometry of the coil is determined by the space available and usually is at premium.
The positions of the current centroids (commonly called hoops) Zn,m(P,S) are usually determined by the integrated current density according to the following equation
                                                                        ∫                0                                  Z                  n                                      (                    P                    )                                                                                f                    φ                                          (                      P                      )                                                                                (                    z                    )                                                                                ⅆ                  z                                                      -                                          (                                  n                  -                  0.5                                )                                                          I                P                                              =          0                ,                                                                                ∫                0                                  Z                  m                                      (                    S                    )                                                                                f                    φ                                          (                      S                      )                                                                                (                    z                    )                                                                                ⅆ                  z                                                      +                                          (                                  m                  -                  0.5                                )                                                          I                S                                              =          0                                    (                  Equation                                                              2                )            Within Equation 2, n is an integer between 1 and the number of turns on the primary coil, and m is an integer between 1 and the number of turns on the secondary coil (1≦n≦NP, 1≦m≦NS).
In designing a transverse gradient using previous methods, the current paths on the primary/shield coil are defined by the following equation:
                                                        φ              =                                                Φ                  n                                                                  (                  z                  )                                                                                Φ                  n                                                                  (                  z                  )                                            =                              arc                                                                                cos                                                        (                                                                  S                        n                                            /                                                                        f                          z                                                                                (                          z                          )                                                                                )                                                                                S                n                            =                                                                    n                    -                    0.5                                    N                                                                                f                    z                                                                          (                                          z                      eye                                        )                                                                                (                  Equation                                                              3                )            Here fz(z) is the z-component of the continuous current density, Zeye is the so called eye-position of the coil where the φ-component of the continuous current density is equal zero:
                    f        φ                          (                  z          eye                )              =                  0        :                              f            z                                          (                          z              eye                        )                              =                        max                      z            ∈                          [                              0                ,                L                            ]                                                        {                                    f              z                                                  (              z              )                                }                      ,N is the number of loops in one quadrant of the coil, and n is an integer: 1≦n≦N.
At φ=0 Eq. (3) determines the positions of Z-intercepts: the positions where the current paths intercept the cardinal axis as it is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 N-initial and N-final Z-intercepts are shown. Information about a transverse gradient can be expressed through the Z-intercepts and the current paths.

Method of optimized gradient coil design


A computer input device is disclosed, including a base element arranged for resting on a surface, detecting device for detecting movement of the base element relative to the surface, communication device for communicating information about the movement to a computer, and a grip element connected to the base element in the direction of a connection axis. The base element is provided with a recess, and the grip element extends into the recess, where it is pivotably arranged relative to the base element and where it is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round its connection axis. There is also disclosed a base element, arranged for resting on a surface and connectable to a grip element to form a computer input device in conjunction therewith. The base element is provided with a recess adapted for receiving the grip element pivotably therein such that the grip element is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round a connection axis thereof.

There exist several different kinds of computer input devices. One kind is a conventional computer mouse. A computer mouse is placed on a support pad. When the mouse is moved over the support pad, the relative movement is detected and transmitted to the computer. Such a mouse is also often equipped with click buttons and a scroll wheel. A problem with this type of input device is that long-time use causes static stress on the fore arm muscles which may lead to stress injuries.
Another kind of computer input devices are so called joysticks. Instead of detecting the relative movement between the computer device and the support pad as with a computer mouse, with a joystick the inclination of a handle is detected and transmitted to the computer. Also a joystick may include buttons or the like for additional functions. One drawback with such a device is that most people experience difficulties to manoeuvre a joystick an high precision applications.
Another known input device, which functions in the same way as a conventional computer mouse and has, relative a joystick, improved precision properties, is a pen-shaped computer mouse. Drawbacks with pen mice are that they are only operable under a limited range of inclinations, which has proven difficult for a normal user to maintain. Consequently, there may be gaps in the stream of information transmitted to the computer. Furthermore, a pen mouse must be moved without rotating it in order to maintain the reference directions. If, for example the pen mouse is rotated 90°, an original longitudinal direction will be interpreted as lateral. Furthermore, a pen mouse has to be repeatedly put down and picked up during normal computer work including operating a keyboard. If the pen mouse is of a wireless type, it may in addition easily get lost on a desk.
A solution to these problems has been presented in WO 01/01233. In the document a computer input device of the kind mentioned in the first paragraph is known. This known device is arranged for wireless transmittal of information regarding the movement of a support element relative to a support pad to a receiving unit. A protrusion is provided on the support element comprising a torsionally rigid, elastic joint. A pen shaped arrangement is connectable to the joint. The support element is designed to be controlled by the pen shaped arrangement. A problem with this known device is that the user experiences insufficient precision. Further, although the known input device constitutes an improvement over conventional input devices, the device is not ergonomically optimal.


Compounds containing carbodiimide units and carboxyl or carboxylate groups (compounds V), derived from

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to compounds containing carbodiimide units and carboxyl or carboxylate groups (compounds V), derived from
a) aliphatic or araliphatic C4 to C20 polyisocyanates (component a)
b) amino carboxylic acids or amino carboxylic salts (component b) and
c) if desired, further compounds which carry groups able to react with isocyanate groups in an addition reaction (component c)
d) if desired, other isocyanates (component d),
the carbodiimide units deriving essentially exclusively from the isocyanate groups of component (a).
2. Description of the Background
Organic carbodiimides and their use as additives to aqueous polymer dispersions are known. It is also known that these polymer dispersions, for example, are added in order to increase the molecular weight of the polymers. To permit the carbodiimides to be dispersed simply and homogeneously in the dispersion, they are provided with hydrophilic groups.
EP-A-198 343 describes carbodiimides which carry sulfonate groups and, if desired, polyethylene oxide units as well.
EP-A-686 626, furthermore, discloses carbodiimides in which the hydrophilicity is brought about by means of ammonium groups, which are introduced by way of dialkylamino alcohols, by means of sulfonate groups which are introduced by way of salts of hydroxy-functional alkylsulfonic acids, or by means of polyethylene oxide radicals.
The abovementioned products, however, have the following disadvantages:
Cationic products such as carbodiimides hydrophilicized by ammonium groups are not compatible with the anionically stabilized dispersions commonly used.
The carbodiimides hydrophilicized with sulfonate groups are difficult to prepare. Because of the highly lipophobic character of the salts used as starting compounds, the reaction with the hydrophobic isocyanato-containing precursors is extremely difficult, since the mutual solubility is very low.
The dispersions cured with carbodiimides hydrophilicized with polyalkylene oxide radicals possess a permanent hydrophilicity which is unwanted.
DE-A-19821668, unpublished at the priority date of the present specification, discloses carbodiimides based on 1,3-bis(1-methyl-1-isocyanatoethyl)benzene in which the hydrophilicization is brought about with amino sulfonic acids.
It is an object of the present invention to provide carbodiimides which are compatible with the customary, anionically stabilized polymer dispersions, are easy to prepare, and do not impart any additional, permanent hydrophilicity to the dispersion films cured with them.
The compounds (V) contain preferably from 200 to 2000 mmol/kg, with particular preference from 500 to 1800 mmol/kg, of carboxyl or carboxylate groups, based on the weight of the carbodiimides.
The proportion of carbodiimide groups is generally from 0.05 to 8, preferably from 0.10 to 5, mol/kg based on the weight of the carbodiimides.
The carbodiimide units in the carbodiimides of the invention are formed essentially by the combination of pairs of NCO groups of component (a) with elimination of carbon dioxide, so forming a carbodiimide.
The compounds (V) contain preferably at least one carbodiimide structure, preferably more than one carbodiimide structure; with particular preference, the (number-)average degree of condensation, i.e., the average number of carbodiimide structures in the carbodiimides of the invention, is from 1 to 20, in particular from 2 to 15.
Suitable monomers (a) are the aliphatic or araliphatic isocyanates having 4 to 20 carbon atoms that are commonly used in polyurethane chemistry.
Mention may be made in particular of diisocyanates X(NCO)2, where X is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, or an araliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 7 to 15 carbon atoms. Examples of diisocyanates of this kind are tetramethylenediisocyanate, hexamethylenediisocyanate, dodecamethylenediisocyanate, 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-3,5,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (IPDI), 2,2-bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)propane, trimethylhexane diisocyanate, 1,4-diisocyanatobenzene, 1,3-bis(1-methyl-1-isocyanatoethyl)benzene (TMXDI), the isomers of bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane (HMDI) such as the trans/trans, the cis/cis and the cis/trans isomer, and mixtures of these compounds.
The carbodiimides of the invention therefore preferably comprise units of the formula I
xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90Cxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94[xe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90Cxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94]nxe2x80x94xe2x80x83xe2x80x83I
where
X is as defined above, and
n is an integer from 0 to 10, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3.
With particular preference, X is derived from TMXDI or hexamethylenediisocyanate.
Suitable amino carboxylic acids and salts thereof (component B) are, for example, the alpha-amino carboxylic acids specified in Fieser and Fieser, Organische Chemie, 2nd, improved edition, 1982, on p. 1260 ff.; preferably: beta-amino carboxylic acids such as xcex2-alanine or the Michael adducts of diprimary diamines with xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acids. Where the amino carboxylic acids are used in the form of their salts, particularly suitable salts are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or ammonium salts.
Such compounds conform, for example, to the formula (II)
H2Nxe2x80x94R4xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x94R5xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
where
xe2x80x94R4 and R5, independently of one another, are a C1 to C6 alkanediyl unit, preferably ethylene,
and X is COOH or a carboxylate group.
Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (II) are N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethanecarboxylic acid and the corresponding alkali metal salts, Na being the particularly preferred counterion.
Preferred compounds (V) are those of the formula III
R1xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90Cxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94[xe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90Cxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94]nxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94R2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83III
where n and X are as defined for formula I and R1 and R2 are radicals derived from component (b) by abstracting therefrom a hydrogen atom attached to an amino group.
The compounds (V) may, if desired, further comprise, in addition to the structural units derived from components (a) and (b), further structural units which are derived from components (c) and (d) and which comprise primarily urethane units or urea units. These units are formed by reacting the isocyanate groups of the component (d) with the isocyanate-reactive groups of component (c) or with the amino groups of component (b) or by reacting isocyanate-reactive groups of component (c) with the isocyanate groups of component (a). By means of the structural units derived from components (c) and (d), therefore, the structural units of the formula I are interrupted or terminated or are located between a structural unit formed from component (a) and (b). Components (c) and (d) thus serve primarily to regulate the molecular weight, since components (c) and (d) act primarily as chain extenders or chain terminators.
Components (c) carry groups which are able to react with isocyanate groups in an addition reaction. For example, standard substances may be used which by virtue of their reaction with isocyantes produce urethane groups or urea groups. For example, aromatic, aliphatic or araliphatic compounds having 1 to 20 carbon atoms may be used whose isocyanate-reactive groups comprise hydroxyl and/or amino groups. Preferred compounds having at least two isocyanate-reactive groups are organic compounds having at least two hydroxyl groups, having at least two amino groups and/or having at least one hydroxyl group and at least one amino group. Examples which may be used include the following: aromatic, araliphatic and/or aliphatic polyols having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably those having primary hydroxyl groups. Examples that may be mentioned include: 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,4-butanediol and/or 2,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,10-decanediol, neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2- and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, preferably having 2 hydroxyl groups, the isomers of bis(hydroxymethyl- or -ethyl)benzene, hydroxyalkyl ethers of dihydroxybenzenes, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, or sugars having, for example, 4, 5 or 6 hydroxyl groups.
If isocyanate-reactive compounds having ethylene oxide units are used, the proportion of ethylene oxide units in the carbodiimides of the invention should be preferably from 1 to 15% by weight, based on the weight of the carbodiimides. Preferably, no such compounds are used.
Amines suitable for use are amines having at least two primary and/or secondary amino groups. By way of example, the following may be mentioned: amines of the molecular weight range from 32 to 500 g/mol, preferably from 60 to 300 g/mol, which contain at least two primary, at least two secondary, or one primary and one secondary amino group. Examples thereof are diamines such as diaminoethane, diaminopropane, diaminobutane, diaminopentane, diaminohexane, piperazine, 2,5-dimethylpiperazine, 1-amino-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-aminomethylcyclohexane (isophoronediamine, IPDA), 4,4xe2x80x2-diaminodicyclohexylmethane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, aminoethylethanolamine, hydrazine, hydrazine hydrate, or triamines such as diethylenetriamine or 1,8-diamino-4-aminomethyloctane.
It is further possible to use amines derived from the abovementioned amines by the substitution or one or more primary amino groups by further substituents, such as alkyl groups, for example, to form secondary amino groups. It is further possible to use compounds which have both at least one hydroxyl group and at least one amino group, examples being ethanolamine, propanolamine, isopropanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, and N-alkyl amines derived therefrom.
Preference is given to the use of linear alcohols, amines or amino alcohols, with particular preference being given to those having an even number of carbon atoms. Preference extends to alcohols, amines or amino alcohols containing cyclic structural elements.
If desired, it may be judicious, in addition to the above-described isocyanate-reactive compounds having at least two functional groups, to use monofunctional compounds as well in order to regulate the molecular weight of the carbodiimides of the invention, especially if the diisocyanates are reacted to the carbodiimides in a first step and then the isocyanato-containing carbodiimides are reacted with the isocyanate-reactive compounds. Examples of monofunctional isocyanate-reactive compounds that may be used include amines and, preferably, alcohols. Suitable amines, examples being primary or preferably secondary amines, advantageously possess 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples that may be mentioned include methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, hexyl-, 2-ethylhexyl-, octyl-, decyl-, diethyl-, dipropyl-, dibutyl-, methylbutyl-, ethylbutyl- and ethylhexylamine and also cyclohexylamine and benzylamine. To neutralize the isocyanate groups it is preferred, however, to use alcohols, e.g., primary or secondary alcohols having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of primary or secondary alcohols that may be mentioned include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, n-pentanol, technical-grade pentanol mixtures, n-hexanol, technical-grade hexanol mixtures, 2-ethylhexanol, octanol, 2-ethyloctanol, decanol and dodecanol, and also cyclohexanol and benzyl alcohol.
Component (b) is preferably used with monofunctional compounds, with particular preference with monoamines.
In general, the molecular weight of components (c) is less than 400; in particular, the carbodiimides of the invention are free from units derived from macropolyols such as polyether polyols or polyester polyols having a molecular weight of more than 400.
As component (d), aromatic isocyanates are primarily suitable, examples being 1,4-diisocyanatobenzene, 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene, 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene, 4,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 2,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane.
In general, the amount of components (c) and (d) as a proportion of all components (a) to (d) used to prepare the compounds V is not more than from 0 to 40%, preferably from 0 to 30% by weight.
The carbodimides of the invention are prepared essentially by two reaction steps, comprising
I. preparing carbodiimides having terminal isocyanate groups by carbodiimidizing some of the isocyanate groups of component (a), and
II. reacting the isocyanato-terminal compounds prepared in step I with component (b) and, if desired, with components (c) and (d).
In step I, carbodiimide structures are produced by the familiar reaction of the isocyanate groups with one another, with elimination of carbon dioxide, in the presence of customary catalysts known for this reaction. In step II, isocyanate groups are reacted with isocyanate reactive compounds, in a known manner, to prepare urethane and/urea structures.
The molar ratio of the NCO groups of the isocyanate-containing carbodiimide to the sum of the isocyanate-reactive groups of component (c) and the amino groups of component (a) is usually from 10:1 to 0.2:1, preferably from 5:1 to 0.5:1.
Alternatively, the carbodiimides of the invention may be obtained by first reacting component (a) with components (b) and, if desired, (c), the ratio of isocyanate groups used to the sum of the isocyanate-reactive groups of component (c) and the amino groups-of component (b) being at least 2:1, and then reacting the isocyanato-containing reaction product in the presence of catalysts, with release of carbon dioxide, to give carbodiimides. In accordance with this process variant, up to 50% by weight, preferably up to 23% by weight, of the isocyanate groups of component (a) are first reacted with the isocyanate-reactive compounds and then some or all of the free isbcyanate groups are reacted in the presence of catalysts, with release of carbon dioxide, to give carbodlimide groups.
The reactions may preferably be conducted in the presence of a solvent and, if desired, a solubilizing auxiliary solvent, with particular preference in the presence of a solvent and a solubilizing auxiliary solvent. A suitable solvent is preferably water. Suitable solubilizing auxiliary solvents are, in particular, those compounds which readily dissolve the product of the reaction of step I and are also miscible with water, examples being methanol, ethanol, n- and/or isopropanol, propanone, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and/or propylenecarbonate. It is preferred to use auxiliary solvents having a boiling point at 1013 mbar of  less than 100xc2x0 C. The weight ratio of solvent to auxiliary solvent is usually from 50:1 to 0.02:1.
The reaction of the water and also of the alcoholic auxiliary solvents with the isocyanate groups is relatively slow compared with that of the amino group of component (b). Free amino carboxylic acids are betaines and are preferably soluble in water. Following protonation of the nitrogen, they do not react with the isocyanate groups, so that the amino group can be freed preferably with an auxiliary base, examples being alkali(ne) earth) metal hydroxides or carbonates, tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, preferably alkali metal hydroxides or tertiary amines, with particular preference NaOH, KOH, triethylamine or dimethylethanolamine.
The process step in which the carbodiimide groups are formed may be conducted at elevated temperatures, for example at temperatures from 50 to 200xc2x0 C., preferably from 150 to 185xc2x0 C., judiciously in the presence of catalysts. Processes suitable for this purpose are described, for example, in GB-A-1 083 410, DE-B-1 130 594 (GB-A-851 936) and DE-A-11 56 401 (US-A-3 502 722). Catalysts which have proven preeminently suitable are, for example, phosphorus compounds, selected preferably from the group consisting of phospholenes, phospholene oxides, phospholidines and phospholine oxides. When the reaction mixture has the desired NCO group content, polycarbodiimide formation is normally ended. For this purpose the catalysts may be distilled off under reduced pressure or deactivated by adding a deactivator, such as phosphorus trichloride, for example. Polycarbodiimide preparation may further be conducted in the absence or presence of solvents that are inert under the reaction conditions.
The temperature during the step in which predominantly urethane groups and urea groups are formed is usually from 10 to 100xc2x0 C.
If component (a) is reacted first to give an isocyanato-containing carbodiimide (step I) and then to give the compound (V), the intermediate formed in step I preferably has an NCO content of from 1 to 18% by weight.
Through a suitable choice of the reaction conditions, such as the reaction temperature, type and amount of catalyst, and the reaction time, for example, the skilled worker is able to adjust the degree of condensation in the customary manner. The course of the reaction can be monitored most easily by determining the NCO content. Other parameters as well, such as viscosity increase, deepening in color, or CO2 evolution, for example, may be used in order to monitor the course of, and control, the reaction.
The compound (V) of the invention is suitable in particular for increasing the molecular weight of the polymers (P) which are present in the form of an aqueous dispersion.
Suitable polymers (P) are virtually all film-forming addition polymers.
The polymers (P) preferably carry carboxyl groups, generally in amounts of from 0.01 to 2 mmol/kg.
Mixtures of compounds (V) and aqueous dispersions comprising polymer (P) contain compounds (V) and polymer (P) preferably in a ratio of from 0.005:1 to 1:1.
The mixing operation is not critical and may be performed, for example, by stirring compound (V) into the aqueous-dispersions comprising polymer (P). The mixing operation may take place at any desired point in time prior to use of said dispersions.
Examples of suitable polymers (P) are water-dispersible polyurethanes (polymers PII). Polyurethanes of this kind and the dispersions comprising them are general knowledge (cf. Ullmann""s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th Edition, Volume A 21, pages 677 f.).
Dispersions of this kind are preferably synthesized from
IIa) diisocyanates having 4 to 30 carbon atoms,
IIb) diols of which
IIb1) from 10 to 100 mol %, based on the total amount of the diols (IIb), have a molecular weight of from 500 to 5000, and
IIb2) from 0 to 90 mol % based on the total amount of the diols (IIb), have a molecular weight of from 60 to 500 g/mol,
IIc) monomers different than the monomers (IIa) and (IIb) and containing at least one isocyanate group or at least one isocyanate-reactive group, and further carrying at least one hydrophilic group or potentially hydrophilic group, thereby rendering the polyurethanes dispersible in water,
IId) if desired, further polyfunctional compounds different than the monomers (IIa) to (IIc) and having reactive groups which comprise alcoholic hydroxyl groups, primary or secondary amino groups or isocyanate groups, and
IIe) if desired, monofunctional compounds different than the monomers (IIa) to (IId) and having a reactive group which comprises an alcoholic hydroxyl group, a primary or secondary amino group or an isocyanate group.
Suitable monomers (IIa) are the aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanates commonly used in polyurethane chemistry. Preference is given to the monomers (IIa), or mixtures thereof, which are also mentioned as monomers (IIa) in DE-A-19521500.
Suitable monomers (IIb) and (IId) are preferably the monomers (IIb) and (IId) mentioned in DE-A-19521500.
Monomers. II1 are, for example, polyesterdiols or polyether diols.
Monomers IIb2 are, for example, aliphatic diols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g., 1,4-butanediol or 1,6-hexanediol.
Suitable monomers (IId) are, for example, aliphatic amines having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and 2 to 4 primary and/or secondary amino groups. Examples are ethylenediamine, isophorone diamine, and diethylenetriamine.
In order to ensure that the polyurethanes are dispersible in water, the polyurethanes are synthesized not only from components (IIa), (IIb) and (IId) but also from monomers (IIc), which are different than components (IIa), (IIb) and (IId), carry at least one isocyanate group or at least one isocyanate-reactive group, and also carry at least one hydrophilic group or group convertible to a hydrophilic group. In the text below, the term hydrophilic groups or potentially hydrophilic groups is abbreviated to xe2x80x9c(potentially) hydrophilic groupsxe2x80x9d. The (potentially) hydrophilic groups react with isocyanates substantially more slowly than do the functional groups of the monomers used to synthesize the polymer main chain.
Preferred monomers (IIc) are likewise the monomers referred to as monomers (IIc) in DE-A-19521500.
The amount of components having (potentially).hydrophilic groups as a proportion of the total amount of components (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), (IId) and (IIe) is generally such that the molar amount of the (potentially) hydrophilic groups, based on the amount by weight of all monomers (a) to (e), is from 80 to 1200, preferably from 140 to 1000, and with particular preference from 200 to 800, mmol/kg.
The (potentially) hydrophilic groups may comprise nonionic groups, e.g., polyethylene oxide groups, or, preferably, (potentially) ionic hydrophilic groups, e.g., carboxylate groups or sulfonate-groups. It is preferred to operate without effective amounts of nonionic groups.
The proportion of nonionic hydrophilic groups, if such are incorporated, is in general up to 5, preferably up to 3, with particular preference up to 1% by weight, based on the amount by eight of all monomers (IIa) to (IIe).
Monomers (IIe), which are used if desired, are monoisocyanates, monoalcohols, and mono-primary and mono-secondary amines. In general their proportion is not more than 10 mol %, based on the total molar amount of the monomers. These monofunctional compounds usually carry further functional groups such as carbonyl groups and are used to introduce into the polyurethane functional groups which permit the dispersing and/or crosslinking or further polymer-analogous reaction of the polyurethane.
In the field of polyurethane chemistry it is general knowledge as to how the molecular weight of the polyurethanes may be adjusted by choosing the proportions of the co-reactive monomers and also the arithmetic mean of the number of reactive functional groups per molecule.
Normally, the components (IIa) to (IIe) and their respective molar amounts are chosen such that the ratio A:B, where
A) is the molar amount of isocyanate groups, and
B) is the sum of the molar amount of the hydroxyl groups and the molar amount of the functional groups which are able to react with isocyanates in an addition reaction,
is from 0.5:1 to 2:1, preferably from 0.8:1 to 1.5, with particular preference from 0.9:1 to 1.2:1. With very particular preference, the ratio A:B is as close as possible to 1:1.
Furthermore, the proportion of the monomers (a) is preferably chosen such that the amount of the monomers (IIa) as a proportion of the monomers (IIa) to (II) is from 20 to 70% by weight.
Th monomers (IIa) to (IIe) that are used carry on average usually from 1.5 to 2.5, preferably from 1.9 to 2.1, with particular preference from 2.0, isocyanate groups and/or functional groups which are able to react with isocyanates in an addition reaction.
The various preparation methods of the polymers PII are general knowledge and are described in more detail, for example, in DE-A-19807754.
Furthermore, the polymers (P) may comprise customary emulsion addition polymers (polymers PIII).
These are generally synthesized from
IIIa) from 30 to 99.9% by weight of principal monomers selected from C1 to C20 alkyl(meth)acrylates, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids containing up to 20 carbon atoms, vinylaromatic compounds having up to 20 carbon atoms, ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, vinyl halides, and aliphatic hydrocarbons having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and 1 or 2 double bonds,
IIIb) from 0 to 20, preferably from 0.01 to 20, % by weight of a carboxylic acid having one olefinic double bond, and
IIIc) from 0 to 20% by weight of free-radically polymerizable monomers different than (IIIa) and (IIIb).
Examples of monomers (IIIa) are (meth)acrylic acid alkyl esters having a C1-C10 alkyl radical, such as methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.
In particular, mixtures of the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl esters are also suitable.
Vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 1 to 20 carbon atoms are, for example, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, vinyl propionate, and vinyl acetate.
Suitable vinyl aromatic compounds are vinyl toluene, alpha- and p-methylstyrene, alpha-butyl styrene, 4-n-butyl styrene, 4-n-decylstyrene, and, preferably, styrene.
Examples of nitriles are acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile.
The vinyl halides are chlorine-, fluorine- or bromine-substituted, ethylenically unsaturated compounds, preferably vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride.
Nonaromatic hydrocarbons that may be mentioned having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and one or two olefinic double bonds are butadiene, isoprene and chloroprene, and also ethylene, propylene and isobutylene.
The principal monomers (IIIa) are also used preferably in a mixture.
Vinylaromatic compounds such as styrene are frequently used, for example, in a mixture with C1-C20-alkyl (meth)acrylates, in particular with C1-C8-alkyl (meth)acrylates, or with nonaromatic hydrocarbons such as isoprene,-or, preferably, butadiene.
Suitable monomers (IIIb) are preferably (meth)acrylic acid or maleic acid.
Examples of suitable monomers (IIIc) are the following: esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid with alcohols having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which in addition to the oxygen atom in the alcohol group contain a least one further heteroatom and/or contain an aliphatic or aromatic ring, such as 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-butoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic aryl, alkaryl or cycloalkyl esters, such as cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, phenyl ethyl (meth)acrylate, phenylpropyl (meth)acrylate, or acrylic esters of heterocyclic alcohols such as furyl (meth)acrylate.
Furthermore, suitable monomers (IIIc) are also monomers having amino groups or amide groups, such as (meth)acrylamide, and also the derivatives thereof substituted on the nitrogen by C1-C4 alkyl.
Of particular importance as monomers (IIIc) are hydroxy-functional monomers, examples being (meth)acrylic acid C1-C15 alkyl esters substituted by one or two hydroxyl groups. Particularly significant hydroxy-functional comonomers are (meth)acrylic acid C2-C8 hydroxyalkyl esters, such as n-hydroxyethyl, n-hydroxypropyl, or n-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate.
The polymer (PIII) is prepared by free-radical addition polymerization. Appropriate polymerization methods, such as bulk, solution, suspension or emulsion polymerization, are known to the skilled worker.
The copolymer is preferably prepared by solution polymerization with subsequent dispersion in water or, with particular preference, by emulsion polymerization.
In the case of the emulsion polymerization, the comonomers can be polymerized in a customary manner in the presence of water-soluble initiator and an emulsifier at preferably from 30 to 95xc2x0 C.
Examples of suitable initiators are sodium, potassium and ammonium persulfate, tert-butyl hydroperoxides, water-soluble azo compounds, or redox initiators.
Examples of emulsifiers used are alkali metal salts of relatively long-chain fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylated arylsulfonates, or alkylated biphenyl ether sulfonates. Further suitable emulsifiers are reaction products of alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids or phenols, and/or alkyl phenols.
In the case of aqueous secondary dispersions, the copolymer is prepared first by solution polymerization in an organic solvent and is subsequently dispersed in water without the use of an emulsifier or dispersing auxiliary but with the addition to copolymers containing carboxylic acid groups of salt formers, e.g., ammonia. The organic solvent may be removed by distillation. The preparation of aqueous secondary dispersions is known to the skilled worker and is described, for example, in DE-A-37 20 860.
In order to adjust the molecular weight, regulators may be used. Appropriate examples are -SH-containing compounds such as mercaptoethanol, mercaptopropanol, thiophenol, thioglycerol, ethyl thioglycolate, methyl thioglycolate, and tert-dodecyl mercaptan, which may be used additionally in amounts, for example, of from 0 to 0.5% by weight, based on the copolymer.
The nature and amount of the comonomers is preferably chosen such that the resulting copolymer has a glass transition temperature of from xe2x88x9260 to +140xc2x0 C., preferably from xe2x88x9260 to +100xc2x0 C. The glass transition temperature of the copolymer is determined by means of differential thermoanalysis or differential scanning calorimetry in accordance with ASTh 3418/82.
The number-average molecular weight Mn is preferably from 103 to 5xc2x7106, with particular preference from 105 to 2xc2x7106 g/mol (determined by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene as the standard).
The polymers (P) may further comprise (polymers PIV) a water-dispersible polyester which carries carboxyl groups.
The water-dispersible polyesters which carry carboxyl groups (polymer IV) are known, for example, from Encyclopedia of polymer science and engineering, John Wiley and Sons, second edition, volume 12, pages 300 to 313.
The aqueous dispersions comprising the polymer (P) usually have a solids content of from 10 to 70% by weight.
The mixtures of the invention comprising compound (V) and polymer (P) may comprise commercially customary auxiliaries and additives such as wetting agents, defoamers, flatting agents, emulsifiers, thickeners and thixotropic agents, and colorants such as dyes and pigments.
They are suitable, for example, for the adhesive bonding or coating of different substrates such as wood, metal, plastics, paper, leather or textile, for the impregnation of textiles, and for the production of moldings and printing inks.
The polyurethane dispersions of the invention may be processed by the processes widespread in the adhesives, leather or coatings industry; i.e., by spraying, rolling or knife-coating the dispersions onto the substrate and then drying them.
Where the dispersions are processed as adhesives, the coated workpieces are joined to another workpiece, preferably with application of pressure, either before the dispersion film has dried or after drying.
Particularly firm adhesive bonds are obtained if workpieces that have been provided with a dried adhesive film are heated to a temperature of from about 50 to 100xc2x0 C. directly before, during or after joining.
The adhesive bonds produced by these methods are particularly notable for the fact that they are stable on storage and possess high thermal stability.
110 g of an NCO-terminated carbodilmide made from TMXDI and having an NCO content of 7.8% by weight were introduced with stirring into a solution of 8 g of NaOH pellets and 17.8 g of beta-alanine in 80 g of water and 150 g of acetone. After 120 minutes of stirring at 50xc2x0 C., the acetone was stripped off under reduced pressure and the mixture was diluted with 170 g of water. A colloidal, aqueous solution of a carbodiimide having a solids content of 34% and an LT of 100 is obtained.

Carbodiimides with carboxyl or carboxylate groups


A lawn irrigation sprinkler head that internally incorporates an alert and retrieval device which indicates the position of the head if damaged, and facilitates in-situ repair of the damaged head. The sprinkler head has a hollow body containing a pop-up riser connected to a nozzle. The alert and retrieval device is positioned between the base of the riser and the nozzle. Should the nozzle become damaged or dislodged, the alert device telescopically extends from the riser and signals the location of the damaged sprinkler head. The device facilitates the repair of the head by lifting the riser from within the sprinkler head so that a replacement nozzle can be attached. In an alternative embodiment the alert device has an integral shut-off valve which prevents the discharge of water in the event that a subsequent irrigation cycle occurs before the damaged head is repaired. The alert and retrieval device is suitable for retrofit application in existing pop-up style in-ground sprinkler heads, or may be incorporated in the process of the head""s original manufacture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to irrigation sprinkler heads and, more particularly, to a pop-up style sprinkler head having an integral device for indicating the position and facilitating the repair of the sprinkler head if it is damaged.
2. Description of the Background
Underground lawn irrigation systems commonly comprise a network of buried pipes connected at regular intervals to sprinkler heads. The RAINBIRD(trademark) SP40 series pop-up spray head manufactured by Rain Bird Mfg. Corp., 145 N. Grand Ave., Glenboro, Calif., 91741 is an exemplary pop-up style sprinkler head representative of the prior art.
FIG. 1 illustrates a pop-up style sprinkler head connected to an underground irrigation system. The sprinkler head 102 extends upwardly from an elbow or xe2x80x9cTxe2x80x9d joint 104, and only the uppermost portion of head 102 is exposed beyond the surface of the ground. Sprinkler head 102 typically comprises a cylindrical housing 107 containing an internal pop-up riser 112 capped by a nozzle 108. Nozzle 108 emits a spray when actuated by water pressure, and the spray pattern is fixed as determined by the type of nozzle 108 attached to riser 112.
At the end of an irrigation cycle, the water pressure shuts off, and an internal spring mechanism retracts the riser 112 back into housing 107 of the sprinkler head. The retracted nozzle lies flush at ground level and is protected from damage by lawn mowers, power trimmers, foot traffic or other ground level hazards which could dislodge the nozzle 108 from riser 112. It is not uncommon for grass or foliage to overgrow the sprinkler head thereby obscuring it from view in the retracted position.
During the course of normal use it is also not uncommon for grit or debris to fall into the sprinkler head 102. An accumulation of this foreign matter prevents the riser from fully retracting, leaving riser 112 extended from housing 107, and exposing nozzle 108 above the surface of the ground. A pass with a lawn mower can easily dislodge the exposed nozzle 108 from riser 112, thereby damaging the sprinkler head 102. The damaged riser thereafter will not be affected by the application or removal of water pressure.
Alternatively, nozzle 108 may simply become dislodged due to pedestrian traffic or unscrewed from riser 112 rendering sprinkler head 102 defective. Damaged or defective sprinkler heads are difficult to locate, either because they become entirely submerged in large pools of water, or because grass obscures the location of sprinkler head 102 when the riser is in the complete or partially retracted position.
If nozzle 108 is dislodged from sprinkler head 102, an uncontrolled geyser gushes from the sprinkler head during subsequent irrigation cycles. This has several adverse consequences. First, it results in flooding of one area of the lawn, which damages turf and promotes disease. Second, under-watering of adjacent areas of the lawn usually occurs as a result of decreased water pressure to the downstream sprinkler heads. Also, the geyser unnecessarily wastes water during the irrigation cycle, and depending on the location and time of day, geysers may go undetected for extended periods of time.
Replacing the defective sprinkler head with an entirely new sprinkler head remedies the geyser problem. However, even after the geyser is observed locating the damaged sprinkler head once the sprinkler shuts-off is difficult because of the flooding or natural overgrowth problems discussed above. Moreover, once the defective sprinkler head is found, making the a repair entails digging-up the damaged sprinkler head. This requires undue expense and effort and damages the lawn in the area of the repair.
Alternatively, the defective sprinkler head can be repaired by replacing the missing nozzle. However, this simple remedy is complicated by the fact that, in its retracted position, the riser 112 is not easily accessible inside the narrow body of sprinkler head 102. The force from a retracting spring (not shown) must be overcome to lift riser 112 from housing 107, and the narrow cylinder of sprinkler head 102 does not easily permit one to grasp riser 112. Without a device to withdraw the retracted riser 112, the threads on the riser remain inaccessible, and a new nozzle cannot be attached without disassembling the complete sprinkler head which in turn usually requires excavating around the unit.
Few devices in the prior art have addressed the problem of signaling the position of a damaged sprinkler head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,824 to Frimmer teaches a shut-off valve for use in a sprinkler head. The shut-off valve is positioned in the riser of the sprinkler head. A short perforated tube extends from the valve, and is spring biased against the underside of the sprinkler head nozzle. If the nozzle is dislodged, the shut-off valve is immediately forced upwardly where it engages a valve seat and prevents the flow of water from the head. The tube extending through the top of the sprinkler head also immediately signals that the sprinkler head is damaged.
Unfortunately, the Frimmer ""824 signaling device is a short fixed tube which becomes susceptible to damage from the same causal sources (rotary mowers, foot traffic or other ground hazards) because it deploys an instant after the nozzle is dislodged. It is highly likely in the case of the lawn mower inflicted damage that the mower would immediately truncate the signaling device negating its intended purpose. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a sprinkler head with an integral apparatus for indicating the location of the damaged or defective sprinkler head (and facilitating its repair) that would deploy only when the nozzle is dislodged and water pressure is applied.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a lawn irrigation sprinkler head incorporating a signaling device to indicate the position of the lawn sprinkler head if/when damaged.
It is another object of the present invention to enable the signaling device to facilitate the repair of the damaged head by providing a means to extract the riser from the inside of the damaged sprinkler head in order to replace a missing nozzle.
It is still further an object of the present invention to provide an integral shut-off valve on the alert and retrieval device to prevent the uncontrolled flow of water from a damaged sprinkler head during an irrigation cycle.
According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by providing a pop-up style lawn sprinkler head comprising an internal signaling and riser retrieval apparatus. The sprinkler head comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical housing threaded on the lower end for attachment to an elbow or xe2x80x9cTxe2x80x9d fitting on an irrigation pipe. The housing comprises an internal central channel occupied by a riser. A nozzle seals the top of the sprinkler head assembly when the riser is fully retracted in the housing.
The signaling and retrieval mechanism is a brightly colored, multi-stage telescoping element which resides in the central cavity of the riser. Under normal operating conditions, the device accompanies the riser as it is forced upwardly from the sprinkler head body by water pressure during a normal irrigation cycle. Water flows through the riser around the device and out the nozzle. In an undamaged sprinkler head, the upward telescoping movement of the device is limited by the nozzle. However, if the nozzle is dislodged, the water pressure causes the telescoping elements of the device to extend upwardly. When the irrigation cycle is complete, the self-latching device remains visible projecting from the top of the damaged sprinkler head.
Projecting from the sprinkler head, the brightly colored device signals the location of the damaged head, and is used to facilitate the replacement of the missing nozzle. Pulling upwardly on the device lifts the riser from the sprinkler head housing. This exposes the threads on the top of the riser, and enables a repair to be made by simply (1) holding the riser with one hand and pushing the telescoping device down within the riser and (2) screwing a replacement nozzle onto the riser. The riser retrieval feature of the signaling apparatus simplifies the repair process, and eliminates the labor intensive and aesthetically unpleasing task of digging up the entire sprinkler head.
In an alternative embodiment, the signaling and retrieval mechanism is a multi-stage telescoping element whose base, near the bottom of the riser also acts as a shut off valve. The base, which is spoked to allow the free flow of water when in the xe2x80x9cdownxe2x80x9d position, is spring biased to the xe2x80x9cupxe2x80x9d position. The shut off valve is prevented from closing during normal irrigation cycles by the top of the telescoping device which is held down by the nozzle (and filter basket). Again, during normal operation, the device rides up and down with the riser and due to its flow-through characteristics does not affect normal sprinkling.
In a scenario that is all too familiar, the riser, following an irrigation cycle, fails to retract into the sprinkler (due to grit or debris). Subsequent to this a lawn mower (logically being used when the irrigation system is not operating) passes over the riser and in so doing dislodges the nozzle. Due to being hit, the riser may or may not retract within the sprinkler head.
Immediately, the spring loaded shut off valve moves up within the riser to a valve seat located within the riser. The telescoping device does not extend because water pressure is not present. By not extending at this time the telescoping device does not expose itself to the same causal factors that precipitated the removal of the nozzle. During the next irrigation cycle, water pressure is applied and due to the position of the shut off valve no geyser appears and no water is wasted. However, the water pressure acts on the telescoping device extending it to its self latching position. At the end of the cycle the brightly colored telescoping device remains in the xe2x80x9cupxe2x80x9d position facilitating observation by concerned individuals. The retrieval/repair function of the telescoping device may then be used as described in the first embodiment.

Apparatus and method for locating and repairing a damaged lawn sprinkler head


An electroluminescent device in which water is an essential component. Water is incorporated into the encapsulated phosphor-binder and the dielectric binder to provide a device in which brightness and longevity are enhanced.

Electroluminescent devices contain phosphor and dielectric films interposed between conductive layers or electrodes at least one of which is transparent. When alternating current is applied the phosphor is activated and light is emitted. The degree of emitted light or brightness depends generally upon the voltage and the frequency of the applied current.
One difficulty with electroluminescent devices is their vulnerability to moisture. Phosphor presents a particular problem because it has a tendency to react with water, including moisture in the atmosphere so that within a relatively short period of time the phosphor degrades and loses its light-emitting capabilities. Traditional approaches to this problem include the coating of the phosphor layer with an impermeable polymer as, for example, a film of chlorotrifluoroethylene or the like; however, the results have not been rewarding.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,776 Allinikov describes a method for producing an electroluminescent cell by coating the phosphor with a liquid crystal to form a water barrier. The phosphor particles are first added to a solution of liquid crystals to form a slurry and the resulting mixture is then stored at temperatures above the liquid crystal melting point. Upon removing the solvent the phosphor particles were found to be encapsulated within the liquid crystal where they are presumably insulated from moisture. However, when added to conventional binders as, for example, binders in which polyvinylbutyral is a principal component the liquid crystals deteriorate and lose their protective ability so that the resulting device fails in relatively short order.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,023 Wary directs attention to the inherent hygroscopicity and sensitivity to moisture of the phosphor component and his understanding of this problem led him to encapsulate the phosphors within a polymeric binder. Specifically, Wary utilizes curable polymeric matrixes as binders and once the phosphor and polymer have been combined the polymer is treated with ultraviolet (uv) light in an inert atmosphere. The difficulty with this system is the tendency of uv-cured resins to degrade within relatively short operating periods.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,902 Kardon discloses an adhesive-type binder for protecting the phosphor particles from moisture. This binder system is an epoxy type polymer derived from epihalohydrins, bisphenols and urethane resins.
Although the Kardon system represents an advance in the art it too has been found wanting because over a period of time the presence of moisture results in impairment of the phosphor and decomposition of the electrodes.
Accordingly, there remains a need for electroluminescent lamps which possess improved resistance to moisture and which exhibit an improved brightness and longevity when compared to conventional devices.