A pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, including a dome-shaped reflector, at least one ring section, a central x-axis, an open end, a flexible diaphragm capping the open end, a fluid medium within the reflector and diaphragm, a pressure-pulse source immersed in the fluid medium and located on the x-axis for generating a primary pressure pulse, and a power supply for the pressure-pulse source. The reflector includes a center section that has a predetermined first curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse. The ring section is substantially concentric with the center section and has a predetermined second curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of the compound pressure pulse.

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for pressure-pulse therapy. The present invention relates in particular to the generation of compound pressure pulses especially for orthopedic therapy.
Pressure-pulse therapy, also known as shock-wave therapy, has many uses. It is used in lithotripsy as a non-invasive technique for pulverizing kidney stones and calculi in the bladder and urethra. It is also used for dissolving lipids in cells close to the skin and in the pelvic region. In particular, it has many uses in orthopedic medicine, for example, as a therapeutic means for any of the following:
i. osteoporosis and the inducement of bone growth;
ii. joining of bone fracture, especially, ununion fractures, i.e., fractures that have failed to unite and heal;
iii. disintegration of calculi and (or) calcification in fibers, joints, and tendinitis; and
iv. pain relief in the cases of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder joint, tennis elbow, golf elbow, and plantar fasciitis (with and without heel spur).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,545 xe2x80x9cNon-Invasive Destruction of Kidney Stonesxe2x80x9d to Shene et al., whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a pressure-pulse therapy apparatus which includes an ellipsoidal reflector, having a first focal point within the reflector""s dome and a second focal point outside the reflector""s dome. A flexible diaphragm caps the reflector, and the region contained by the reflector and the diaphragm is filled with a liquid medium, for pulse propagation. A pressure-pulse source is located at the first focal point, within the medium. This configuration provides that a portion of a pulse originating from the source, at the first focal point, will impinge on the reflector, be reflected by it, and be brought into focus at the second focal point. The reflector is movable and can be positioned so that the second focal point coincides with a concretion within the body that is to be pulverized. Sonic aiming means are used to detect the concretion and to direct the positioning of the reflector.
In general, pressure-pulse therapy is accompanied by an imaging means, such as the sonic aiming means of U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,545. The region for treatment is generally small, between 0.3 and 1.5 cm, and it is desirous to image the location in order for the therapy to be applied effectively. X-ray imaging may be used; however, with x-rays, the patient and the physician are exposed to radiation doses with each treatment.
PCT patent publication PCT WO 93/14720, xe2x80x9cMethod and Apparatus Particularly Useful for Treating Osteoporosis,xe2x80x9d to Spector, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, offers an alternative to the need for an imaging means. It has a generally parabolic reflector, which has a single focal point within the reflector""s dome. A flexible diaphragm caps the reflector and the region contained by the reflector and the diaphragm is filled with a liquid medium, as in the previous patent. A pressure-pulse source is located at the focal point, within the liquid. This configuration provides that a portion of a pulse originating from the source, at the focal point, will impinge on the reflector, and be reflected by it, collimated. In other words, the reflected pulse will be a non-focusing wave, so focusing means are not essential. Pressure pulse therapy can thus be image free.
However, with a collimated beam, some pressure pulse energy is lost, when compared with a beam that is focused at the region for treatment. It would be desirable to direct more of the pressure-pulse energy at the region for treatment, without being dependent on an imaging means.
The present invention seeks to provide a therapeutic pressure pulse formed as a compound pressure pulse of at least two subordinate pulses.
There is thus provided, in accordance with the present invention, a dome-shaped reflector, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said center section is substantially parabolic and has a single focal point.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said at least one ring section is substantially ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide.
Alternatively, said center section and said at least one ring section are substantially ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide.
Alternatively, said center section is generally parabolic and has a single focal zone.
Additionally, said at least one ring section is generally ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide.
Additionally, said at least one ring section includes a plurality of generally ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide, wherein said distal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections are generally adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide.
Alternatively, said center section and said at least one ring section are generally ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.
Additionally, said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are reflected.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:
a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and
a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:
a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and
a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.
Alternatively, said predetermined first curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined first reflective characteristics.
Additionally, said predetermined second curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined second reflective characteristics.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said predetermined curvature and reflective characteristics include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, from said pressure-pulse source, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of the compound pulse, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of the compound pulse include predetermined phase differences between them.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a dome-shaped reflector, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:
a dome-shaped reflector, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;
an x-axis passing through its center;
an open end;
a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;
a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;
a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and
a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at said point P.
Alternatively, said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at a point Pxe2x80x3 on said x-axis.
Additionally, said point P is more proximal to said reflector than said point Pxe2x80x3.
Alternatively, said point P is more distal to said reflector than said point Pxe2x80x3.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus includes a linear extender for varying a distance between said pressure-pulse source and said reflector, along said x-axis.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said pressure-pulse source is selected from a group which consists of substantially and generally point pressure-pulse sources.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said pressure-pulse source is a spark discharge source.
Alternatively, said pressure-pulse source is an electromagnetic pressure-pulse source.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said pressure-pulse is operable to generate primary pressure pulses in the range between 1000 and 6000 bars.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus is operable to generate, from the primary pressure pulse, subordinate pressure pulses in the range between 5 and 600 bars.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus is arranged for traveling along at least one axis, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus is arranged for traveling along a plurality of axes, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus is arranged for tilting along at least one angular direction, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus is arranged for tilting along a plurality of angular directions, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said apparatus includes a support fixture for a portion of a body to be treated.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:
a dome-shaped reflector, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;
an x-axis passing through its center;
an open end;
a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;
a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;
a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and
a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a pressure-pulse therapy method, which includes:
generating a primary pressure pulse;
propagating the primary pressure pulse in a fluid medium;
employing a reflector, having:
a center section, having first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith; and
at least one ring section, having second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith;
reflecting a first portion of the primary pressure pulse by the center section, thus forming a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse by the at least one ring section, thus forming at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation in a substantially collimated manner.
Alternatively, reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation in a generally collimated manner.
Alternatively, reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a substantially focusing propagation.
Alternatively, reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a generally focusing propagation.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, reflecting at least one additional portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a substantially focusing propagation.
Alternatively, reflecting at least one additional portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a generally focusing propagation.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said method includes reflecting the first portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation and reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation with a phase difference between them.
Further in accordance with the present invention, employing a reflector includes employing a reflector formed of a plurality of sections that include:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith; and
a plurality of ring sections, having predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics associated therewith,
wherein reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation includes reflecting a plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation by said plurality of sections, thus forming a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said method includes reflecting the plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation with phase differences between them.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said method includes varying a distance between the reflector and a pressure-pulse source.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said method includes therapeutically applying the compound pressure pulse to a tissue of a body.
Further in accordance with the present invention, the tissue is human tissue.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a disk-like acoustic lens, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.
Further in accordance with the present invention, said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are directed.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:
a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and
a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:
a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and
a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.
Alternatively, said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.
Further, in accordance with the present invention, said at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse include predetermined phase differences between them.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said lens includes a cutout section that allows a portion of the primary pressure pulse to pass through it, undisturbed.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said cutout section is said center section.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a disk-like acoustic lens, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:
a disk-like acoustic lens, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;
proximal and distal sides with respect to a tissue for treatment;
an enclosure with an open end;
a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;
a fluid medium, contained within said enclosure, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;
a pressure-pulse source, which includes a disk-like, electromagnetic pressure-pulse source, immersed in the medium, located at said distal side of said acoustic lens, for generating a collimated primary pressure pulse that propagates in said medium, and impinges on said acoustic lens; and
a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:
a disk-like acoustic lens, having:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;
proximal and distal sides with respect to a tissue for treatment;
an enclosure with an open end;
a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;
a fluid medium, contained within said enclosure, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;
a pressure-pulse source, which includes a disk-like, electromagnetic pressure-pulse source, immersed in the medium, located at said distal side of said acoustic lens, for generating a collimated primary pressure pulse that propagates in said medium, and impinges on said acoustic lens; and
a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.
There is thus also provided, in accordance with the present invention, a pressure-pulse therapy method, which includes:
generating a primary pressure pulse;
propagating the primary pressure pulse in a fluid medium;
employing a disk-like acoustic lens, formed of at least two sections, which include:
a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith; and
at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith;
focusing a first portion of the primary pressure pulse by the center section, thus forming a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and
focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse by the at least one additional ring section, thus forming at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, focusing a first portion of the propagation includes substantially focusing the propagation.
Alternatively, focusing a first portion of the propagation includes generally focusing the propagation.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, focusing at least one additional portion of the propagation includes substantially focusing the propagation.
Alternatively, focusing at least one additional portion of the propagation includes generally focusing the propagation.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, focusing the first portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation and focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation with a phase difference between them.
Further in accordance with the present invention, employing a lens formed of at least two sections includes employing a lens formed of a plurality of sections, having predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics associated therewith, wherein focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation includes focusing a plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation by said plurality of sections, thus forming a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses.
Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses include predetermined phase differences between them.


A head coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device includes a lower part and an upper part that may be positioned above the lower part. The lower part has a lower part base that may be placed on a patient couch for the magnetic resonance tomography device and a lower part resting part that is moveable relative to the lower part base.

The present embodiments relate to a head coil for a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system.
Magnetic resonance tomography devices for examining objects or patients using magnetic resonance tomography (MRT, MRI) are described, for example, in DE 10314215B4.
In MR tomography, images with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) may be recorded with local coils. The local coils are antenna systems that are attached in the immediate vicinity of (anterior) or below (posterior) the patient. During an MR measurement, the excited cores induce a voltage into the individual antennae of the local coil. The induced voltage is amplified with a low noise preamplifier (LNA, preamp) and is forwarded over a cable to receive electronics. In order to improve the SNR in, for example, highly resolved images, high field systems are used (e.g., 1.5 T to 12 T and more). Since more individual antennae may be connected to an MR receiving system than there are receivers present, a switching matrix (e.g., RCCS) is integrated between receiving antennae and receiver. This routes the currently active receiving channels (e.g., the receiving channels lying precisely within the field of view of the magnet) to the existing receiver. More coil elements than there are receivers present may thus be connected, since with a whole body coverage, only the coils that are in the field of view (FoV) and/or in a homogeneity volume of the magnet have to be read out.
For example, an antenna system that may include one or several antenna elements or coil elements (e.g., an array coil) is referred to below as "coil" (e.g., a local coil). The individual antenna elements are, for example, embodied as loop antennae (e.g., loops), butterfly coils or saddle coils. A coil includes the coil elements, a preamplifier, further electronics (e.g., cable traps), cabling, a housing and may include a cable with a plug, by which the coil is connected to the MRT system. The receiver (RX) attached on the system side filters and digitizes the signal received by the local coil and transfers the data to the digital signal processing. The digital signal processing may derive an image or a spectrum from the measurement and provides the image or spectrum to the user for diagnosis.
In order to position patients with abnormal changes to the cervical spine (e.g., Bechterew, torticollis, hyperkyphosis or accident patients in the head coils), the head coil may be raised in the rear head area, since the patient is not in the position to lie his/her head flat in the coil. Contacting systems use a defined assignment between the patient couch and the head coil, for example, with direct contacting of the head coil into the patient couch or with alternative contacting variants, such as capacitive coupling between the patient couch and the head coil. With contacting systems, a movement of the coil relative to the patient couch in an inserted plugged-in state may not be possible. The coil and the patient couch form a fixed plug-in unit.
For coils that are in direct contact with the patient couch (e.g., the Siemens head coil for the Aera and Skyra systems), or for alternative contacting possibilities with a fixed assignment between the patient couch and the coil, a movement of the coil relative to the patient couch may be enabled for Bechterew patients, for example. Higher positioning of the pelvis is, for example, achieved by transferring the patient with suitable positioning materials. Head coils with a correspondingly long external connecting line are rotated about a center of rotation that is located below the neck region of the patient. This results in a tilting movement of the coil. A further alternative solution is the underlaying of wedge-shaped parts below the head coil.

Direct connection head coil having height adjustment


Various fault types occurring at multiple possible locations in the solar panel network are simulated using the network simulation model. The dataset covering multiple fault scenarios and multiple no-fault scenarios is determined for training the CNN model. The fault scenarios include one fault type alone at particular location or multiple locations, as well as multiple fault types at multiple locations. The fault types include a short circuit fault, an open circuit fault, a shading fault, a soiling fault, a hot-spot fault, an arc fault, a degradation fault, and a clipping fault, the short circuit fault comprises a line-line fault, and a line-ground fault The convolutional neural network (CNN) model is trained with fault datasets and no-fault datasets covering various fault sensors and no-fault scenarios to generate the FDDL model. The fault datasets and no-fault datasets are determined based on the network simulation model of the solar panel network.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) segment is growing very rapidly owing to decline in capital costs including technology costs and manufacturing costs. While capital costs are declining, maintenance and operational costs still prohibit solar panel networks or solar plants from achieving optimum profitability. It is estimated that about 19% of the annual energy in the solar panel networks may be lost due to faults occurring in the solar panel networks, from studies conducted for domestic solar generation in United Kingdom. Although many types of faults exist, some of the faults such as a line-line fault, a line-ground fault, an arc fault and a hot spot fault are especially critical, as they not only cause hefty energy loss, but are also hazardous that may cause severe damage to the solar panel networks. Conventional fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) techniques for the solar panel networks are limited and confined to identifying faults either at broader classification level (voltage level or current level) or to studying one specific fault type at a time.

Methods and systems for fault detection, diagnosis and localization in solar panel network


The present invention relates to systems and methods for optimising the usage of laboratory and cell culturing space for cell culture and biomanufacturing. The invention provides a system and method that can be used to provide a plurality of workstations and/or storage bays for bioreactors in cell culturing and/or biomanufacturing facilities.

Cell culture, for example the culture of mammalian, bacterial or fungal cells, may be carried out to harvest the living cells for therapeutic purposes and/or to harvest biomolecules, such as proteins or chemicals (e.g. pharmaceuticals) produced by the cells. The cells are generally grown in bioreactors which are sterilizable vessels designed to provide the necessary nutrients and environmental conditions required for cell growth and expansion. Conventional bioreactors have glass or metal growth chambers which can be sterilized and then inoculated with selected cells for subsequent culture and expansion. Media within the growth chambers are often agitated or stirred by the use of mechanical or magnetic impellers to improve aeration, nutrient dispersal and waste removal.
In recent years, there has been a move towards 'single use' bioreactors which offer greater production flexibility, ease of use, reduced capital cost investment and reduced risk of cross-contamination. These systems can also improve the efficiency of aeration, feeding and waste removal to increase cell densities and product yields. Examples include WAVE™ bags (GE Healthcare) mounted on rocking platforms for mixing, to the introduction of stirred-tank single-use vessels such as those available from Xcellerex (GE Healthcare).
Manufacturing facilities, such as tissue culture laboratories, for the production of cells and biomolecules, have traditionally been custom designed and carried out in clean environments to reduce the risk of contamination. Such facilities are costly to run and maintain and also to modify if priorities or work demands change. Work stations for maintaining or harvesting the cells within the bioreactors require a specific 'footprint' which occupies a significant floorspace in the culture laboratory. As the workstations spend much of their time unattended, while the cells are growing in the bioreactors, the laboratory space is not efficiently or effectively used.
There is therefore a need to optimise the usage of cell culture and laboratory space which grow cells in bioreactors for cell culture and biomanufacturing. The present invention addresses this problem and provides systems and methods that can be used to provide a plurality of workstations and/or storage bays for bioreactors.

Cell culturing and/or biomanufacturing system


An elastic tie down device having a body comprising an elongated, substantially flat, elastic material with a first end and a second end; a first, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body along the axis of the elongated body at one end of the body, the first panel extending beyond the length of the body; and a second, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body opposite the first panel and aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongated body, the second panel secured to the body at a same end of the body as the first panel.

Bungee-type cords are traditionally used to secure loads. Over time, improvements have been introduced to resist abrading, resist rupturing, and the like. However, a typical elastic tie down device terminates at some form of rigid hook. That is, a hook at a first end is secured to a surface and the cord is stretched so that a hook at the second end can be attached to another surface under tension. Basically, the tension in the tie down device is used to secure an item and ensure that the hook(s) remain attached. The tension can cause the cord to break and may lead to the rigid hooks scratching a surface of the item they are being secured to.
In fact, rigid hooks often damage the underlying surface they are attached to. Also, the rigid hook may not be the correct size to secure to a surface. For instance, a round bar (such as in a luggage rack) can have a diameter such that the rigid hook cannot fit around the bar. Moreover, if the hook is not attached correctly, say at an angle, it is possible for the hook to slip off. Rigid hooks also become deformed or bend out of shape. A conventional tie down device does not allow a user to selectively remove or attach hooks to the tie down device.
It is also known that a user, attempting to stretch the tie down device to a sufficient length to reach an anchor point, can pull one of the hooks loose during installation of the tie down device. The hook, under substantial stress and tension via the tie down device, then becomes a projectile moving directly at the user. The loose hook can cause painful and even permanent injuries to the user.
There is a need for a still further new and improved elastic tie-down device. Such a device would prevent damage or marring of the surface to which the tie-down device is being secured. The tie-down device would be suitable with a wide range of connections points. In other words, it would fit around larger anchor points or oddly shaped anchor points that are not operable with traditional tie down hooks. The improved device would not deform over time, and it would prevent or reduce injuries due to premature release of the cord. The improved device might also allow for the selective attachment of a traditional, rigid hook. The tie down device of the subject disclosure solves this and other needs.

Stretchable, elastic tie-down device with fabric fastening means


A current sense circuit that measures current passing through a multi-transistor switch, each transistor in configured in parallel. The current sense circuit mirrors the current in the switch through a mirror current branch that includes a mirror transistor. The current sense circuit obtains an accurate measure of current through the switch by applying voltages at the source and/or drain terminals of the mirror transistor that more closely approximate the average source and drain terminals of the constituent transistors of the switch. Thus, relatively accurate switch current measurements may be obtained.

Electronic circuitry provides complex functionality that is proving ever more useful. Electronic circuitry pervades our modern lives in areas such as communication, entertainment, travel, productivity, and the like. Advancements in electronic circuitry technology often translate to significant advances in quality of life.
One common type of circuit is the current sense circuit that measures the amount of current that flows through a switch. By measuring this current, the current may be regulated to be at an appropriate value given the circumstances, whether those circumstances warrant a relatively static current value, or a dynamic current value that is constantly varying in response to dynamic circumstances. For instance, when a low ohmic switch is connected to an external load, it is often desirable to have over-current protection to prevent circuit damage in case of overload. In addition to over-current protection, it would also often be advantageous to limit and/or measure the current flowing through the switch.
There are many conventional current sense circuits for measuring current flowing through a switch. FIG. 4 illustrates one conventional current sense circuit 400 in which a resistor 401 having resistance RSENSE is inserted in series with the switch 402 whose current is being measured. Neglecting any current leakage due to the operational amplifier 403, the current passing through the switch 402 also passes through the sense resistor 401. Thus, the voltage VSENSE at the positive input terminal of operational amplifier 403 is proportional to the current passing through the switch 402. The operational amplifier 403, transistor 405 and resistor 406 configured as shown cause the voltage at the upper terminal of the resistor 406 to be roughly equal to the voltage VSENSE at the upper terminal of the resistor 401. Thus, the current ISENSE that passes through the switch 405 and resistor 406 is approximately proportional to the current passing through the switch 402, thereby sensing the current passing through the switch 402.
One difficulty with the conventional current sense circuit 400 is that it uses the sense resistor 401. If the sense resistor 401 is large, the sense circuit 400 has high power dissipation, which increases the costs of using the circuit, potentially decreases: its lifetime, and also can contribute to heat dissipation challenges. If the resistance of the sense resistor 401 is too low, the voltage VSENSE will be too low to gain an accurate current measurement.
FIG. 5 illustrates another conventional current sense circuit 500 in which the current Id through a switch 540 (also referred to as "transistor 540") is measured. This current sense circuit 500 permits current sensing without the use of an explicit resistor. Here, a mirror transistor 548 is used to generate a mirror current Im that is approximately proportional to the current Id through the switch 540. Factoring in the size ratio of the transistors 540 and 548, the current Id through the switch 540 may then be calculated based on the mirror current Im. In order to support this mirroring, the voltages at the gate terminals of transistors 540 and 548 should be the same, the voltages at the source terminals of transistors 540 and 548 should be the same, and the voltages at the drain terminals of transistors 540 and 548 should be the same. This is accomplished by tying the gate terminals together, and by tying the source terminals together. The drain terminals are kept at the same voltage using the operational amplifier 556 configured with feedback provided through transistor 552 as shown.
The current sense circuit 500 does not show implicit resistances that are built into the system due to metallization resistance. For instance, the transistor terminals are connected to the rest of the circuitry using a conductive material that will have some finite resistance. Similarly, the voltages provided to the current sense circuit pass through bond wires and internal conductive material as well. Such metallization resistance may be neglected in many cases. For instance, in FIG. 5, the metallization resistance may be neglected if the current is not above certain levels. However, as the currents rise, so do the IR losses due to the implicit metallization resistances. These IR losses may cause the source voltages of transistors 540 and 548 to differ even though they are shown coupled in FIG. 5 due to the presence of perhaps different implicit resistances between the source terminals and the low voltage supply. Similarly, the drain voltages may likewise be different due to different implicit metallization resistance experienced in each current path. At some current levels, the mirroring function may break down, resulting in inaccurate current sense operation.
FIG. 6 illustrates a third conventional current sense circuit 600 in which a low ohmic switch 601 (also referred to as "large transistor 601") is composed from an array of 28 n-type field effect transistors coupled in parallel between two voltage sources labeled "Drain" and "Source". In order to accomplish the parallel configuration, the source terminals of the 28 unit transistors are coupled together, the drain terminals of the 28 unit transistors are coupled together, and the gate terminals of the 28 unit transistors are coupled together. It is known in the art that a large transistor may best be obtained by configuring a number of smaller transistors in parallel. That way, errors in one unit transistor's characteristics may be offset by errors in other unit transistors' characteristics. Furthermore, such an array may permit for certain transistor characteristics to be obtained using a smaller layout area where such characteristics are a function of the aggregated perimeter of the transistors. An extra unit transistor 602 may be used as a current mirror transistor. The gate and source terminals of the transistor 602 are coupled in common with the respect gate and source terminals of the other transistors 601. For proper matching, the transistor 602 may be laid out and fabricated in the same transistor array as the unit transistors 601.
In FIG. 6, some, but not all, of the implicit metallization resistances are illustrated within the array 601 of unit transistors. Each of the unit transistors 601 will likely experience a different source voltage, and a different drain voltage due to the presence of the metallization resistances. Accordingly, the mirror transistor 602 may draw a current ISENSE that is not necessarily proportional to the total current passing through the array of transistors 601.
Thus, conventional current sense circuits may not provide an accurate measure of current through a switch transistor if the currents are high. That is because when the current is high enough that there are significant IR losses due to implicit resistances in the switch, the drain and source terminals of the switch transistor may have different voltages than at the respective drain and source terminals of the mirror transistor. This might be especially true if the switch transistor is composed of an array of unit transistors thereby having significant metallization resistance within the transistor itself.

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC


An apparatus (10a) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a container (16a) which contains inflation fluid. A valve (30a) is located outside the container in an inflation fluid flow path extending from the container to the protection device. An initiator (20a) is actuatable to initiate a flow of the inflation fluid from the container (16a) to the valve (30a) along the flow path. The valve (30a) includes a metering member (70a) and a thermostatic metal element (72a) engaging the metering member to move the metering member in the flow path under the influence of changes in the ambient temperature prior to initiation of the flow. Preferably, the metering member (70a) normally has an initial position defining an initial outlet flow area. The valve (30a) preferably further includes pyrotechnic material (140a) which, when ignited, produces combustion products that develop a thrust that moves the metering member (70a) to a subsequent position defining a subsequent outlet flow area greater than the initial outlet flow area.

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, is inflated upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash. The air bag is part of an apparatus which further includes a crash sensor and an inflator. The crash sensor senses vehicle conditions that indicate the occurrence of a crash. When the crash sensor senses a crash-indicating condition of at least a predetermined threshold level, the inflator is actuated and emits inflation fluid that inflates the air bag into the vehicle occupant compartment. The air bag can then engage a vehicle occupant to help restrain the occupant.
The manner in which the air bag engages the vehicle occupant can be influenced by the inflation fluid pressure in the air bag. The inflation fluid pressure, in turn, can be influenced by the ambient temperature.
The manner in which the air bag engages the vehicle occupant can also be influenced by conditions such as the force with which the occupant moves against the air bag. Those conditions, in turn, can be influenced by vehicle conditions, such as the severity of the crash, and/or by vehicle occupant conditions, such as the size, weight and position of the occupant. Therefore, it may be desirable to regulate the inflation fluid pressure in the air bag in response to one or more of these conditions.

Inflator with temperature responsive valve


The invention relates to a device for heating of preforms formed of plastic with infrared radiation, whereby the preform is struck by cooling air at its neck finish and on its body. Furthermore, the infrared radiators are struck by cooling air at their ends. The invention relates to a heating device in which the three cooling air streams may be controlled or regulated independently from each other.

Such preforms are used in the manufacture of plastic objects in which these objects are manufactured by the molding of preforms. For this purpose, it is necessary to heat the preforms. For example, such devices and methods are used in the manufacture of plastic bottles, which are manufactured by inflating previously heated preforms.
Such devices used for the manufacture of hollow parts such as beverage bottles are sufficiently known from prior art. Thus, for example, WO 0149075 A1 discloses an infrared oven for heating plastic preforms which will later be molded into bottles. In the process, preforms are passed by infrared radiators, and are heated by them. Because very many plastics (e.g., PET) have the property that the external surface gets hot more quickly than the internal surface, it is necessary to ensure temperature equalization during the heating process. As a result, it is necessary to expose the preform to cooling air during the heating process so that the external surface of the preform does not get too hot during the heating process, which would cause crystallization at the surface, rendering the preform unusable. It is further necessary to cool the neck finish of the preform because it must be heated only very little in order later to achieve correct seating of the closure on the neck finish.
WO 0149075 A1 thus discloses a fan through which cooling air is conveyed in the direction of the preform and the infrared lamps. Furthermore, the same cooling air is used to cool the area of the neck finish of the preform.
This device has the disadvantage that cooling of the area of neck finish of the preform cannot be precisely adjusted because it is dependent on the adjusted volumetric flow rate or mass flow rate of the cooling air for the body area of the preform. Because cooling of the surface of the body area of the preform takes priority, adjustment of the volumetric flow rate of the cooling air conforms to the optimal parameters for cooling the body. It may therefore occur that the neck finish is cooled too little, which would lead to unusability of the preform, or that the area of neck finish is cooled too much, which would lead to excessive use of air by the device, which constitutes uneconomical operation of the system.


A method and apparatus for improved digital processing of the analog echo signals in a coherent imaging system is described which simplifies the channel circuitry requirements. The analog echo signals detected with a phased array of transducer elements are first compressed in a non-linear manner then expanded non-linearly with analog-to-digital converter means to provide increased instantaneous dynamic range in the overall system. Representative phased array coherent imaging systems having the improved digital processing means are also disclosed.

This invention relates to coherent imaging systems using vibratory energy, such as ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves, and, more particularly to a novel method and apparatus for digital signal processing of the vibratory energy signals.
Various methods and apparatus are already known for imaging object points with vibratory energy, such as ultrasonic mechanical vibrations, and which generally employ at least one array of transducer elements to produce the desired image. In ultrasonic imaging systems, the transducer elements are excited to transmit ultrasonic waves into the object region while further receiving echo signals produced from impingement of the transmitted energy with at least one object point in the object region. One type of such ultrasonic imaging system using a baseband frequency signal processing technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,260, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, to provide real time imaging that is particularly useful in various analytic arts such as medicine and the like. The disclosed system includes coherent demodulation of the echo signals followed by the time delay and coherent summation of the demodulated signals in a manner dramatically reducing the accuracy necessary for the time delays. In a different imaging system of this general type as disclosed in pending applications Ser. No. 944,482, filed Dec. 19, 1986 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,184, and Ser. No. 056,177, filed June 1, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,652, both assigned to the present assignee, the transducer elements are excited with a radio frequency (RF) signal and generate RF analog echo signals for processing in the operatively associated circuitry. All of the above mentioned commonly assigned inventions are specifically incorporated by reference into the present application since the digital signal processing improvements herein disclosed can not only be employed with both type systems but can further improve those ultrasonic imaging systems wherein electrical signals are demodulated to an intermediate frequency (IF) and further processed with associated digital processing circuitry.
As above indicated, certain general considerations apply in forming a real time image with a linear array of transducer elements as now commonly employed especially with respect to the ultrasonic imaging systems being used for medical examinations. Compensation is required therein since the echo from an object point arrives at the receiving transducer elements at different times due to differences in time of propagation of the echo from the object point to the transducer elements. In the phased array sector scanner (PASS) system disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,260, such compensation is provided with analog signal processing techniques to perform a coherent summation of the echo signals received along the plurality of transducer elements forming the front end of the PASS array. A significant improvement derived with the disclosed ultrasonic imaging system results from signal processing at lower baseband frequencies wherein phase accuracy and time delay accuracy are decoupled from each other and which dramatically reduces the requirements on the circuits used for beam formation. On the other hand, such PASS array remains relatively inflexible, sensitive to minor variations in the operating characteristics of analog circuits, and is relatively expensive (as 2N individual analog demodulation circuits and 2N individual and complete time delay sections are required for an N channel array). Somewhat reduced analog signal processing requirements are involved in the already known ultrasonic imaging system wherein the echo signals are processed at frequencies intermediate between a baseband frequency and RF frequencies. In this type system, a single channel is employed for each individual transducer element wherein the analog echo signal is first demodulated, then band pass filtered, and finally digitally processed for time delay in providing the required coherent summation. The substantial drawbacks encountered with use of analog signal processing techniques in a real time imaging system can be avoided with digital beam formation as disclosed in the above commonly assigned copending patent applications. As therein disclosed, fully digital beam formation is provided in a phased array coherent imaging system, such as an ultrasonic medical imaging system, in a far more accurate, flexible and cost-effective manner. Real-time beam formation is therein achieved with individual channels being provided for the respective transducer elements which convert the analog echo signals to digital data words after preamplification and without converting the RF frequency signals to lower baseband frequencies. As can be further noted in the disclosed digital beam formation, the required coherent summation across individual channels of the array can thereafter be achieved with digital signal processing means to provide a digital representation of the object points detected with the respective transducer elements. Digital baseband processing can be employed to further reduce the complexity of the limited analog circuitry being used in such prior art systems providing a digital beam formation. Understandably, the analog circuit portions of such digital imaging systems must also insure proper signal processing over a wide range of operating conditions.
Still other important considerations apply when any of the aforementioned type imaging systems are used for medical examinations. The dynamic range in such systems should enable detection of all object points in the patient being examined from the scattered echo signals as well as encompass differential losses due to inhomogeneous signal propagation. The largest signals arise from specular reflections which can be illustrated with respect to a human heart organ. Thus, the reflection coefficient for a blood-heart interface is about -30 dB while blood-valve interface can have significantly higher reflection coefficients. Also, the reflection coefficient from the surface of the heart in contact with the thoracic cavity can be nearly 0 dB. Soft tissues echoes arising from volume scattering within the myocardium at the 2 to 5 MHz transducer emission center frequency commonly employed in such type imaging systems can be in the -55 dB range. It follows that dynamic range requirements for the above indicated transmission frequencies to detect the smallest specular echoes as well as the smallest tissue echoes can thereby exexceed 60 dB. A proper medical imaging system should further differentiate between object points exhibiting different echo intensities which reside at a common distance from the transducer array. Such requirement is commonly termed "instantaneous dynamic range" for the particular imaging system and with the requirement relating to object points located on a circular arc having its center at the midpoint of the linear transducer array customarily employed. Such instantaneous dynamic range must account for differential losses due to inhomogeneous signal propagation within the patient or specimen being examined. This problem can be illustrated for a transmitted energy beam traversing soft tissue as compared with traversing a lower loss blood path. The magnitude of such differential loss taking into account the round trip propagation path involved can require a 60 dB instantaneous dynamic range at 3.3 MHz transmission frequency while a 65-70 dB instantaneous dynamic range can be required at a 5.0 MHz frequency operation to ensure that all echo signals of interest will be detected.
All of the aforementioned type imaging systems customarily employ analog-to-digital converter means for the purpose of digitally processing the analog echo signals in order to form the coherent image. For example, such analog-to-digital converter means find use in providing the phase relationship and time delay signals required by the imaging system disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,260 to do so. Similarly, both imaging systems disclosed in the above referenced commonly assigned copending applications convert the analog echo signal into digital data words for processing with analog-to-digital converter (ADC) means while further recognizing that the sampling ratio involved can require relatively high speed and high cost ADC devices to be employed along with a relatively large amount of high speed memory storage means. As more specifically illustrated in the copending applications, an 8-bit 40 MHz ADC device is employed accompanied by at least 400 words of a high speed RAM for required data delay in each channel of the transducer array. It would be understandably desirable to reduce such requirements with use of standard linear ADC devices but to do so in a manner not degrading the dynamic range of the imaging system. Since the number of bits in the ADC device determines its cost for the most part along with the cost of delay lines operatively associated therewith to digitally process the signals in such type imaging systems it thereby becomes advantageous to reduce the ADC bit requirement without significantly reducing the dynamic range of the modified digital processing means.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel coherent imaging system using vibratory energy which digitally processes the analog echo signals in an improved manner.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel coherent imaging system using vibratory energy which includes non-linear processing of the analog echo signals to enable formation of the coherent image with delayed digital data signals.
Still another object of the present invention is to simplify circuit requirements for digitally processing analog echo signals in a coherent imaging system using vibratory energy.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel ultrasonic phased array sector scanner (PASS) to rapidly and accurately sweep a formed ultrasonic beam and which includes non-linear processing of the returned analog echo signals to enable formation of the coherent image with delayed digital data signals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully digital PASS system which digitally processes the analog echo signals in an improved manner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of forming a real-time image with vibratory energy which digitally processes the return echo signals in an improved manner.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings. In so doing, it should be understood that while the present invention will be described in connection with one energy form, e.g. ultrasonic mechanical vibrations, that still other forms of vibratory energy can be used, such as coherent electromagnetic energy in ladar and radar imaging systems as well as other types of acoustic energy systems such as sonar and the like.

Method and apparatus for coherent imaging system


An outer shell for gasless type of self pressurized container and a method of manufacturing it, that is particularly designed for use with the type of self pressurized containers in which the pressure for the discharge of an agent is obtained by using an elastic sleeve that surrounds a plastic liner.

This invention relates to self pressurized containers that are used for dispensing liquids or viscous materials. A container of this general type is described in a U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,833 issued to Frank Vanus, Jr. and it consists of an inner plastic liner to which is attached a dispensing valve. An elastic sleeve surrounds the inner plastic liner and it provides the dispensing pressure. The plastic liner and the elastic sleeve are contained in an outer shell for protection and for providing an outer surface that is usually decorated and printed. The outer shell has a bottom of such shape that the container will stand upright on a flat surface such as a shelf or table.
The container is filled at a factory by pressure flowing an agent thru the valve into and expanding the inner plastic liner and the elastic sleeve. The inner plastic liner is usually pleated to allow for the expansion. Because of the pleating of the inner plastic liner it is necessary that the bottom of the plastic liner have a semi-spherical, ovid or conical shape.
If the inner plastic liner is made of a strong material that has considerable dimensional stability when it is expanded, then the limit of the expansion will be delineated by the dimensions of the expanded plastic liner and the inner surface of the outer shell may not be touched in which case a conventionally designed outer shell having a flat or slightly recessed bottom as shown on the previously mentioned Venus Patent will be satisfactory and the outer shell as described in this invention will not be needed. However, strong plastic materials are usually expensive and also may not have the best barrier properties to be suitable for use in dispensing some kinds of agents
It may be desirable because of cost or other considerations to construct the inner plastic liner of weak materials such as polyethylene or other soft plastics in which case the expansion of the plastic liner when it is being filled must be limited by the inner surface of the outer shell rather than by the strength of the plastic liner, especially if excessive pressure is used in the filling process.
Most soft plastic materials have limited stretch or elongation properties and if pleated, a plastic liner would have to expand to fill the corners of a flat bottom outer shell, the materials in the plastic liner would either be ruptured or excessively thinned. It therefore becomes imperative that the bottom of the outer shell be shaped so as to minimize the amount of stretch or elongation of the plastic liner. This invention accomplishes that purpose.
An outer shell can be devised, that is made of two or more pieces to accomplish the purposes defined here, but it is quite evident that forming the bottom of the outer shell integrally as shown and described in the specification is the less costly process and will perhaps produce the higher quality product.

Container shell and method of producing same


A telecommunications or power transport cable is structurally reinforced by incorporating at least one reinforcing wire or armoring having one or more layers of wires. The cable includes at least one reinforcing wire or armoring wire and/or optionally a tube made out of a composite steel having a steel core of a standard type covered in a layer of stainless steel.

The present invention relates to cables for transporting power and for telecommunications, and that have been structurally reinforced by incorporating at least one reinforcing wire and/or armoring made up of one or more layers of wire.
In conventional manner, numerous power transport cables and telecommunications cables are structurally reinforced in order to enable them better to withstand the physical stresses that might be applied to them in the medium in which they are installed. In overhead cables, this leads to one or more reinforcing wires being associated with the electrically conductive wires and/or with the light-transmitting waveguides in order to improve the performance of such cables in mechanical terms, and in particular in terms of breaking strength. In similar manner, it is conventional to provide mechanical reinforcement for land cables, in particular those which are designed to be buried, and also for underwater cables, by means of armoring made up of one or more layers of wires that are mechanically stronger than the electrically conductive wires and/or the transmission waveguides that the armoring surrounds.
The reinforcing wires and the armoring wires of power transport cables and of telecommunications cables can be made of stainless steel so as to take advantage of the mechanical qualities that can be obtained with such steels and also of their ability to withstand corrosion. A high degree of resistance to corrosion is essential, in particular for undersea cables which are placed in a corrosive medium, and also for underground cables and overhead cables that are subjected to difficult climatic constraints. Thus, document EP-A-710862 describes an undersea optical fiber cable having stainless steel reinforcing wires.
Nevertheless, the use of stainless steel for making reinforcing wires or armoring wires gives rise to a significant increase in the cost of such cables, and less expensive substitute solutions are therefore being sought.
It is known to replace stainless steel wires with other wires, in particular galvanized steel wires or steel wires protected by an aluminum coating, for the purpose of reducing cost. Nevertheless, the resulting resistance to corrosion is considerably less and the way hydrogen can be given off, particularly from galvanized steel wires, means that such wires cannot be used to make the cores of optical fiber cables for telecommunications.
The invention therefore proposes a power transport cable or a telecommunications cable that is structurally reinforced by incorporating at least one reinforcing wire and/or armoring having one or more layers of wires.
According to a characteristic of the invention, the cable has at least one reinforcing or armoring wire made of composite steel having a steel core of standard type, and covered in a layer of stainless steel.
According to a characteristic of a variant of the invention, the cable has at least one layer of armoring constituted by composite steel wires.
According to a characteristic of a variant of the invention, the cable has at least one reinforcing wire or armoring wire constituted by composite steel sold under the registered trademark NUOVINOX.
According to a characteristic of a variant of the invention, the cable has a tube obtained from a sheet constituted by composite steel having a core of a standard type of steel covered in a layer of stainless steel.
According to a characteristic of a variant of the invention, the cable has a tube constituted by a composite steel sold under the registered trademark NUOVINOX.

Structurally-reinforced cable for transporting power and/or for telecommunications


Voice activity is detected by comparing a signal with two thresholds and producing data representing the energy of the signal. The data, in binary form, is compared with thresholds to determine voice activity. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thresholds are adjusted based upon statistical information. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the data can be weighted to provide an indication of the quasi-RMS energy of an input signal.

This invention relates to a voice activity detector and, in particular, to a circuit that provides a stable indication of voice activity for use in communication systems, such as speaker phones and other applications.
The detector described herein is referred to as a voice activity detector but is not so limited in function. As will be apparent from a complete understanding of the invention, the detector can be adjusted to messages of various kinds, e.g. fax signals, not just voice signals. Calling the detector a "message" activity detector or a "communication" activity detector is not more clear than the more familiar term of voice activity detector and, therefore, these terms are not used.
Anyone who has used current models of speaker phones is well aware of the cut off speech and the silent periods during a conversation caused by echo canceling circuitry within the speaker phone. Such phones operate in what is known as half-duplex mode, which means that only one person can speak at a time. While such silent periods assure that the sound from the speaker is not coupled directly into the microphone within a speaker phone, the quality of the call is poor.
Whether or not to receive (listen) or transmit (talk) is not easily resolved in the particular application of telephone communication. Voices may overlap, so-called "double talk," particularly if there are more than two parties to a call. Background noise may cause problems if the noise level is a significant percentage of the voice level. Pauses in a conversation do not necessarily mean that a person is finished speaking and that it is time for someone else to speak. A voice signal is a complex wave that is discontinuous because not all speech sounds use the vocal chords. Analyzing a voice signal in real time and deciding whether or not a person has finished speaking is a complex problem despite the ordinary human experience of doing it unconsciously or subconsciously. A variety of electronic systems have been proposed in the prior art for arbitrating send or receive but the problem remains.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,287 (Reesor et al.) discloses a speaker phone in which a decremented counter provides a delay to channel switching by the remainder of the circuit. The magnitudes of the line signal and the microphone signal are used in determining whether or not to switch channels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,745 (Arbel) discloses a half-duplex speaker phone that controls the selection of either a transmit or a receive audio path based upon a present state of the speaker phone and the magnitudes of three variables associated with each path. The three variables for each path include signal power, noise power, and worst-case echo.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,848 (Armbrüster) discloses a double talk detector wherein an evaluation circuit monitors voice signals upstream and downstream of echo canceling apparatus for detecting double talk. An up-down counter is incremented and decremented at different rates and a predetermined count is required before further signal processing takes place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,466 (Graumann) discloses a voice activity detector including an algorithm for distinguishing voice from background noise based upon an analysis of average peak value of a voice signal compared to the current number of the audio signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,042 (Sacca) discloses a speaker phone including non-linear amplifiers to compress transmitted and received signals, and level detectors to determine the levels of the compressed transmitted and received signals. The compressed signals are compared in a comparator having hysteresis to enable either transmit mode or receive mode.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,753 (McCaslin et al.) discloses a double talk detector that compares the send and receive signals to determine "Return Echo Loss Enhancement," which is stored as a digital value in a register. The digital value is adjusted over time and is used to provide a variable, rather than fixed, parameter to which new data is compared in determining whether to send or receive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,574 (Eryilmaz) discloses a voice activity detection system that uses a voice energy term defined as the sum of the differences between consecutive values of a speech signal. Comparison of the voice energy term with threshold values and comparing the voice energy terms of the transmit and receive channels determines which channel will be active.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,040 (Nicholls et al.) discloses comparing the energy in each "frame" (thirty millisecond interval) of speech with background energy to determine whether or not speech is present in a channel. A timer is disclosed for bridging gaps between voiced portions of speech.
Typically, these systems are implemented in digital form and manipulate large amounts of data in analyzing the input signals. The Sacca patent discloses an analog system using an amplifier with hysteresis to avoid dithering, which, to a large extent, is unavoidable with a simple amplitude comparison. On the other hand, an extensive computational analysis to determine relative power takes too long. The Eryilmaz patent attempts to simplify the amount of computation but still requires manipulation of significant amounts of data. All these systems manipulate amplitude data, or data derived from amplitude, up to the point of making a binary value signal indicating voice.
One can increase the speed of a system by reducing the amount of data being processed. Unfortunately, this typically reduces the resolution of the system. For example, all other parameters being equal, eight bit data is more quickly processed than sixteen bit data. The problem is that resolution is reduced. In an acoustic environment, the quality or fidelity of the audio signal requires a minimum amount of data. Thus, the problem remains of speeding up a system other than by simply increasing the clock frequency.
Some of the prior art systems use historical data, e.g. three occurrences of what is interpreted as a voice signal. Such systems require large amounts of memory to handle the historical data and the current data.
Voice detection is not just used to determine transmit or receive. A reliable voice detection circuit is necessary in order to properly control echo cancelling circuitry, which, if activated at the wrong time, can severely distort a desired voice signal. In the prior art, this problem has not been solved satisfactorily.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved method for analyzing the energy content of an incoming signal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple but effective circuit for detecting voice.
A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit having dynamically adjustable thresholds for analyzing energy content of a speech signal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a voice activity detector that does not require large amounts of data for reliable detection of a voice signal.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for analyzing the envelope of a signal with minimal computation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for analyzing a signal that is less hardware intensive than in the prior art.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for analyzing a signal that is faster than in the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to reduce the amount of data being processed without reducing the resolution of the system.
A further object of the invention is to provide reliable activation of echo cancelling circuitry.


A lighting system for a vehicle including a display panel and vehicle accessory includes a light source disposed within the display panel that illuminates the display panel. The display panel includes at least one aperture that selectively permits light from the light source to pass through the display panel to illuminate the vehicle accessory.

Lighting systems are conventionally used in vehicles to illuminate various areas around and within a vehicle. Exterior lighting systems are used to illuminate an area generally surrounding a vehicle to assist a driver in operating the vehicle in dark conditions while interior lighting systems are used to illuminate interior components of the vehicle to allow occupants within the vehicle to operate and control the vehicle and various subsystems. For example, an instrument panel of a vehicle may include a light source that illuminates a display opposing a driver as well as various controls such as audio system controls and/or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system controls. Illuminating displays and/or controls enhances operation of the vehicle by allowing use of such displays and/or controls in dark conditions.
While conventional lighting systems adequately illuminate interior components of a vehicle such as an instrument panel, conventional lighting systems are typically dedicated to a particular component or vehicle subsystem. Because conventional lighting systems are typically dedicated to a specific component of a vehicle such as an instrument panel or instrument cluster and are not typically shared between vehicle subsystems, such lighting systems increase the overall complexity and cost of the vehicle.


A component and method for forming the component utilizing ultra-high strength steel is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a blank of ultra-high strength steel and forming the blank into an unfinished component. Next, heating the unfinished component and moving an inner tooling member and an outer tooling member relative to one another to sandwich the heated component therebetween. Further, moving a punch member from a withdrawn, unactuated position to an extended, actuated position to contact the component while sandwiched between the inner and outer tooling members to form a feature including at least one of a thickened region having an increased thickness relative to an adjacent region, a recessed annular groove, a recessed pocket, a through hole, a flange, a through hole having a tab extending outwardly therefrom, or spline teeth. Then, quenching the feature.

Ultra-high strength steel is currently used in building construction and static automotive structures (e.g. vehicle bodies and frames). The use of ultra-high strength steel generally allows the weights of these structures to be reduced. Additionally, in automotive structures, the ultra-high strength steel enables the absorption of impact energy and minimizes intrusion into occupant seating areas. Although ultra-high strength steel can be made extremely strong, other properties such as formability, weldability, and impact toughness may be negatively affected, resulting in structures which may be more prone to cracking and fracture.
Power transmission components for automotive vehicles, such as clutch assemblies having clutch plates within a clutch housing and clutch hub are well-known. Such clutch housings have a generally cylindrical or cup-shaped body and an open end. The cylindrical or cup-shaped body is formed from a sheet metal blank and has a plurality of spline teeth formed thereon. The clutch plates fit within the clutch housing and engage the spline teeth. The clutch hub can also be a formed sheet metal component and is typically connected to a transmission shaft.
Powertrain components including clutch housings and hubs are commonly made of aluminum or high strength low alloy steel (HSLA) rather than ultra-high strength steel, such as boron steel. Aluminum or HSLA steel is used primarily because of its formability. Specifically, these types of materials are high strength materials which can achieve a specific geometric dimension or shape and have a specific tolerance required. Consequently, aluminum or HSLA may be used in powertrain components including parts of an automatic transmission easily, efficiently, and at a low-cost.
Typically, components such as reaction shells, clutch housings, and hubs made of aluminum or HSLA are formed using one or a combination of cold-forming or stamping processes and thermal heat treatments to obtain the desired shape, performance, and strength characteristics. Additionally, the structures such as the plurality of spline teeth of the clutch housing may be formed easily by using a series of rollers. Similar processes also may be used to form other powertrain components such as planetary carriers used in differentials and various covers used in a vehicle powertrain.
Ultra-high strength steel lacks formability using the conventional cold-forming technologies discussed above. Use of conventional cold-forming technologies with ultra-high strength steel typically does not result in the formation of required geometric dimensions and tolerances. However, there is a desire by manufacturers and suppliers to utilize ultra-high strength steel in forming automotive components such as power transmission components for similar reasons as those discussed above when used in static applications of automotive structures (e.g. reduced component weight and improved absorption of impact energy).
As such, a need exists for components, such as clutch housings and hubs, to be formed from ultra-high strength steel, such as boron steel. Additionally, there is a need for an improved method for forming the same.

Methods of forming components utilizing ultra-high strength steel and components formed thereby


A hair growth stimulant comprising p-menthane-3,8-diol and at least one substance from the group of a blood circulation promoter, a 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitor, an antihistaminic, a cell activator, an antiphlogistic and an antimicrobial is disclosed. The hair growth stimulant is free from hormonal action, does not cause side effects and has excellent hair growth promoting effects.

As hair growth stimulants, there have been disclosed a hair growth promoting composition (JP-B-2-2852; the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication") comprising at least one substance selected from cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol esters, cinnamic acid and cinnamate compounds; and a hair growth stimulant (JP-B-3-844) which comprises 4,6,6-trimethylbicyclo(3.1.1)-hepten-3-one-2 as an active ingredient and capronium chloride, vitamin E nicotinate, benzyl nicotinate or the like used in combination as a blood circulation promoter (skin peripheral vasodepressor). It has been disclosed that since the latter one has inhibitory action against the formation of testosterone, which is a causative agent of excessive accumulation of androgen which will lead to physiological symptoms such as male pattern baldness and seborrhea, due to a reductase of 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone, it is able to reduce or prevent such symptoms.
It has already been reported that p-menthane-3,8-diol to be used in the present invention is a substantially odorless compound which is contained in full-grown lemon eucalyptus in a small amount (Phytochemistry, 23, 12, 2777(1984)).
It has been reported that p-menthane-3,8-diol heightens odor spreading and odor lasting properties (JP-A-4-337395; the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application) and it is effective as a repellent of noxious organisms (JP-B-3-80138), but there has no report on its effects of accelerating percutaneous absorption, thereby enhancing hair growth.
As a percutaneous absorption promoter containing a terpene, the following have been disclosed: a percutaneous absorption promoter (JP-A-6-48962) comprising a narcotic and/or non-narcotic analgesic and a terpene and/or an essential oil; and a percutaneous absorptive preparation for analgesic use (JP-A-9-143061), which contains, as a terpene, a hydrocarbon-based monoterpene such as limonene, a monoterpene alcohol such as 1-menthol, terpineol or borneol, a monoterpene aldehyde such as citral, a monoterpene ketone such as ionone or another monoterpene such as ceneole and/or, as an essential oil, mentha oil, peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil which is composed mainly of a terpene.
In addition, a percutaneous absorption preparation has been disclosed (JP-A-5-201879) which comprises triethylene glycol; and a terpene, for example, a monoterpene alcohol such as linalool, citronellol, geraniol, nerol, menthol, terpineol, carveol, thujyl alcohol, pinocampheol, cineole, dimethyl octanol, hydroxy citronellol, tetralinalool, muguol (produced by IFF), myrcenol or isopulegol or isomers thereof, a sesquiterpene alcohol such as farnesol, nerolidol, lanceol, santalol or vetivenol or optical or steric isomers thereof, nopol or bornyl methoxycyclohexanol and/or an essential oil, for example, bay oil, peppermint oil, orange oil, turpentine oil, lemon oil, hops oil, basil oil, evodia fruit oil, bitter orange peel oil, sweet orange oil, pine oil, camphor oil, zanthoxylum fruit oil, coriander oil, elemi oil, gingergrass oil, eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, chenopodium oil, Cinnamomum kanahirai oil, fragrant olive oil, savin oil, Chamaecyperis obtusa oil, orange flower oil, cymbopogon georingil oil, Japanese valerian oil, sandal wood oil, myrrh essential oil, ginger oil, turmeric oil, cedar wood oil, hinoki oil, celery seed essential oil, schisandra fruit oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, pepper oil, ylang--ylang oil, Kananga oil, perilla oil, patchouli oil, vetiver oil, spearmint oil or anise oil. As a medicament to be orally administered, dantrolene sodium, ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium or flurbiprofen is also disclosed.
Various compounds and extracts of a crude drug which have been conventionally known as a hair growth composition are employed as a hair growth stimulant. As a matter of fact, however, they do not always exhibit good effects for the hair growth, because conditions of the hair vary from person to person. Even if the hair growth composition is effective to some extent, it involves defects such as difficulty in continuous use because effects of epispastic or the like. The above-described percutaneous absorptive compositions permit the exhibition of hair growth promoting effects by transferring the medicament, which has been percutaneously administered as a liquid formulation, cream or ointment, to the necessary site, but they are not satisfactory.