A method and apparatus are provided for the recovery of a heavy oil, contained in an outcropping formation, without any significant adverse environmental impact. Broadly, the invention comprises indirectly heating an oil containing formation to reduce the viscosity of the oil therein and concurrently thermally insulating an upper portion of the well, extending into the formation, to eliminate any increased seepage of oil from the formation to the surface.

In the production of oil from an oil-bearing formation, numerous problems may be encountered. If the formation is of a loosely consolidated nature, the produced fluids can be expected to contain some particulate matter. It is, of course, undesirable to produce such particulate matter with the production fluids because of abrasion of the production tubing, valves, and other equipment used. In such instances, it is necessary to avoid production of such sand and other particulate matter with the fluids. In other instances, the formation may have a low permeability which will result in low production levels. In such instances, it is necessary to take measures to increase the flow of fluid from the formation.
The physical properties of the oil also will vary substantially. For example, some oils have a relatively low viscosity (light oils) and flow freely into the well casing for recovery. Typical of such oils are those found in the Middle East and Eastern United States. In some areas, the oil is more viscous and generally is referred to as a heavy oil. Typically, oils produced in Alaska and California are heavy oils. When a formation is encountered containing a heavy oil, which is too viscous to flow freely into the casing for recovery, it is necessary to either accept a low production rate or take measures to enhance the recovery rate. A typical enhancement measure comprises heating the oil in the formation to reduce its viscosity. The most common heating method utilizes the direct injection of steam into the formation. Typically, one of two methods is utilized. In one method, steam is injected into the formation through one or more injection wells which are located peripherally about a production well. In the other method, steam is injected directly into a production well for a fixed period of time to heat the formation, after which production from the well is resumed.
In addition to subterranean formations, there also are outcropping, oil-bearing formations in which a portion of the formation is close to the surface and which may have a significant portion exposed to the atmosphere at the surface. Over the millenniums, substantially all of the lower boiling point (light ends) constituents of the oil have evaporated. Such oil is essentially non-pumpable having a semi-solid or tar-like consistency. Substantially little effort has been made to recover oil from these formations because of environmental concerns. More particularly, it has been feared that any attempt to recover oil from these formations could cause increased, uncontrolled oil seepage to the surface at surrounding areas with unintended environmental damage. Clearly, it would be beneficial if there was a way to recover oil from such formations, provided such recovery could be accomplished without adversely affecting the environment.


An integrated circuit device with capacitors and methods of forming the integrated circuit device are provided. The methods may include forming a first lower capacitor electrode pattern on an inner surface of a hole in a mold layer. The first lower capacitor electrode pattern may have a hollow cylindrical shape and an opening in an upper surface. The method may further include forming a second lower capacitor electrode pattern plugging the opening and an upper surface of the second lower capacitor electrode pattern may be planar. The first and the second lower capacitor electrode patterns may comprise a lower capacitor electrode including a void. Additionally, the method may include removing the mold layer to expose the lower capacitor electrode, forming a dielectric layer on the lower capacitor electrode, and forming an upper capacitor electrode layer on the dielectric layer.

A pillar shape lower capacitor electrode may be used for high-density integrated circuit devices, such as high-density DRAM.
The pillar shape lower capacitor electrode may include a cavity where the dielectric layer or upper electrode layer may be deposited in the cavity through the subsequent processes. The thickness of the dielectric layer or upper electrode layer may be not uniform and may cause leakage current between the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode.

Integrated circuit devices with capacitor and methods of manufacturing the same


For a directly driven coiler for winding rolled strip into coils, a piston/cylinder unit is proposed which can be supplied with pressure medium through rotary feeds arranged on a shaft extension or on a coiler shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a directly driven coiler for winding rolled strip into coils in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such directly driven coilers have become known, for example, through DE-PS 17 52 185 or DE-OS 39 39 119. In these coilers, the relative axial displacement between the coiler shaft and the plunger connected to the segments is effected through mechanical adjustment drives. These adjustment drives are bent lever drives or spring assemblies and spacer elements which can only be actuated when the coiler stands still. Any retightening during the coiling process is not possible in these adjustment drives.
Piston-cylinder units have become known through DE-OS 35 02 452 by means of which it is possible to tighten and release the spring assemblies which serve as adjustment drives and have the above-described disadvantages.
EP-PS 0 004 854 also discloses a piston-cylinder unit which serves directly as an adjustment drive for spreading and despreading the coiler. However, these two coilers provided with piston/cylinder units are not directly driven coilers of the generic type mentioned above, but indirectly driven coilers in which the drive motor is arranged next to the coiler shaft.
The coiler according to EP-OS 0 004 854 does have central rotary feeds, so that, for example, retightening during the coiling procedure is possible, however, if the drive motor for the coiler were to be flanged directly to the coiler shaft, this would result in difficulties in connection with the pressure medium supply because, as a rule, only solid motor shafts are being used, so that the pressure medium could not be conducted to the piston/cylinder unit from the end of the shaft where the pressure medium is fed in. However, if the pressure medium supply is to be placed through the motor shaft, the magnetic effect in the motor could magnetize metal particles in the pressure medium and could possibly lead to clogging of the supply lines. In addition, complicated flexible pressure medium connections would have to be provided in order to bridge any lateral offsets or axial displacements between the drive unit and the coiler shaft.
Rotary feeds have become known through DE-PS 38 06 931 through which the pressure medium can be conveyed radially into a shaft; these rotary feeds have very narrow manufacturing tolerances for an optimum operation, wherein these very narrow manufacturing tolerances exclude a use in difficult conditions as they prevail in rolling mills. In addition, these rotary feeds can only be used up to structural sizes with a maximum 18 mm diameter at the annular gap. Also for this reason, a use in rolling mill plants, for example, rolling mill coilers, where significantly greater diameters are used, could not take place.


A method of making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of    (1) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer and (ii) a coating provided thereon which comprises hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles;    (2) exposing the precursor to IR-light or heat, thereby inducing coalescence of the thermoplastic polymer particles at exposed areas of the coating;    (3) applying a hydrophilic protective layer on the coating; and then,    (4) while the precursor is mounted on a print cylinder of a printing press, developing the precursor by supplying an aqueous dampening liquid and/or ink to said precursor while rotating said print cylinder whereby the coating and the hydrophilic protective layer are removed from the support on the non-exposed areas.According to the above method, the hydrophilic protective layer can be applied by coating a solution by means a spray nozzle or a jet nozzle and wherein the applied hydrophilic protective layer improves clean-out in an on-press development.

In lithographic printing, a so-called printing master such as a printing plate is mounted on a cylinder of the printing press. The master carries a lithographic image on its surface and a printed copy is obtained by applying ink to said image and then transferring the ink from the master onto a receiver material, which is typically paper. In conventional, so-called "wet" lithographic printing, ink as well as an aqueous fountain solution (also called dampening liquid) are supplied to the lithographic image which consists of oleophilic (or hydrophobic, i.e. ink-accepting, water-repelling) areas as well as hydrophilic (or oleophobic, i.e. water-accepting, ink-repelling) areas. In so-called "driographic" printing, the lithographic image consists of ink-accepting and ink-abhesive (ink-repelling) areas and during driographic printing, only ink is supplied to the master.
Printing masters are generally obtained by the so-called computer-to-film (CtF) method wherein various pre-press steps such as typeface selection, scanning, color separation, screening, trapping, layout and imposition are accomplished digitally and each color selection is transferred to graphic arts film using an image-setter. After processing, the film can be used as a mask for the exposure of an imaging material called plate precursor and after plate processing, a printing plate is obtained which can be used as a master. Since about 1995, the so-called 'computer-to-plate' (CtP) method has gained a lot of interest. This method, also called 'direct-to-plate', bypasses the creation of film because the digital document is transferred directly to a plate precursor by means of a so-called plate-setter.
Different technologies are being used in computer-to-plate. A is number of them are thermal technologies wherein thermal plates, sensitive to heat or infrared light, are widely used in computer-to-plate methods. Such thermal materials may be exposed directly to heat, e.g. by means of a thermal head, but preferably comprise a compound that converts absorbed light into heat and are therefore suitable for exposure by lasers, especially infrared laser diodes. The heat, which is generated on image-wise exposure, triggers a (physico-)chemical process, such as ablation, polymerization, insolubilization by cross-linking of a polymer, decomposition, or particle coagulation of a thermoplastic polymer latex, and after optional processing, a lithographic image is obtained. Many thermal plate materials are based on heat-induced coagulation of thermoplastic polymer particles.
EP-A 1 065 049 discloses a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic printing plates comprising on a lithographic support an image-forming layer comprising a hydrophilic binder, a cross-linking agent for a hydrophilic binder and dispersed hydrophobic thermoplatic polymer particles, and a covering layer comprising an organic compound comprising cationic groups.
EP-A 770 494 discloses a method wherein an imaging material comprising an image-recording layer of a hydrophilic binder, a compound capable of converting light to heat and hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, is image-wise exposed, thereby inducing coalescence of the polymer particles and converting the exposed areas into an hydrophobic phase which defines the printing areas of the printing master. The press run can be started immediately after exposure without any additional treatment because the layer is developed by interaction with the fountain and ink that are supplied to the cylinder during the press run. During the first runs of the press, the non-exposed areas are removed from the support and thereby define the non-printing areas of the plate. This on-press processing method provides only a rapid clean-out (i.e. complete removal of the non-image areas of the coating) if first fountain is supplied to the plate and then also ink. However, it is difficult for the end-user to avoid that the plate surface gets in touch with ink (or with inked parts) before the plate is wetted by the dampening liquid on the press. Plate handlings which are critical for such plate contamination are e.g. plate loading, mounting the plate on the press, etc. It is difficult to develop those parts contaminated by ink in the on-press processing step, i.e. clean-out of the non-image parts is only achieved after a large number of revolutions of the plate cylinder. As a result, the latitude of plate handlings is limited to an unpracticle or even unacceptable level for the end-user.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,595 discloses a lithographic printing plate wherein a photosensitive layer capable of hardening or solubilization upon exposure to actinic radiation and an overcoat with a covarage of from 0.001 to 0.150 g/m2 which is soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution. The image-wise exposed material is on-press developable and the incorporation of this ultrathin overcoat provides excellent white light stability, high contrast, excellent ink receptivity and fast on-press development. However, the presence of such a thin overcoat of a water-soluble polymer, applied on the precursor of the present invention before image-wise exposing, has the drawback of reducing the sensitivity on heat-mode recording.
EP-A 816 070 discloses a heat sensitive imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer including at least hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a compound capable of converting light into heat, and wherein, on the image forming layer, a covering layer is present having a thickness between 0.1 and 3 μm. However, there is no disclosure about a method wherein the covering layer is applied on the image forming layer after the exposure step and before processing the material.
EP-A 1 342 568 discloses a method of making a lithographic printing plate wherein an imaging material comprising an image-recording layer of a hydrophilic binder, a compound capable of converting light to heat and hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, is image-wise exposed, thereby inducing coalescence of the polymer particles. The image-wise exposed material is processed by applying a gum solution to the image-recording layer, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the coating from the support. However, there is no disclosure about on-press processing with ink and fountain solution.

Method of making a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate


A radiant tube burner assembly and method is provided to reduce nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide emissions in the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. The burner assembly comprises a burner section, exhaust section, radiant tube, plenum and a jet pump assembly. A volume of exhaust gas drawn from the stream of exhaust gases into the jet pump assembly by way of a motive gas is flowed into a stream of combustion air so as to vitiate the oxygen content of the combustion mixture. When the combustion mixture is combusted with fuel in the burner section, the production of nitrous oxides and other harmful emission is mitigated.

The present invention relates generally to radiant tube burners, and more specifically, to radiant tube burners which vitiate the oxygen content of combustion air with re-circulated flue gas so as to minimize nitrous oxides (NO.sub.x) sufficiently and to allow the flue gas to be thoroughly mixed with the combustion air to reduce CO emissions. This invention further relates to methods for reducing the formation of nitrous oxides in a radiant tube burner assembly. Specifically, this invention relates to a method of reducing nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emission levels by recirculating flue gases into the combustion air mixture and thoroughly mixing them prior to combustion.
The mechanism of combustion is not fully understood even today, and different burner assemblies have varying degrees of success at lowering nitrous oxides and after harmful emissions. There is a measure of unpredictability to this field which exacerbates the ever present and critical need for new methods or technologies which more efficiently and effectively minimize NO.sub.x emissions and other waste products for a radiant tube burner assembly. This need is critical because much of the energy required by industry comes from the combustion of hydrocarbons, and older methods and devices do not satisfy new government regulations. As political pressure continues to drive acceptable pollution thresholds lower, the ever present need for more efficient and cost-effective methods for reducing NO.sub.x emissions continues to increase.
Because a number of environmental problems, including acid rain, photochemical smog and tropospheric ozone (i.e., the greenhouse effect) have been attributed to the emission of nitrous oxides, governments have imposed ever stricter regulations on NO.sub.x emissions.
A major source of NO.sub.x emissions is the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrocarbon fuels such as gas, oil and liquified coal are known to yield nitrous oxides during combustion. Emissions are especially high where the combustion occurs at higher temperatures and/or there is a large amount of fuel-bound nitrogen.
The components of nitrous oxides, nitrogen and oxygen, are inseparable from the process of fuel combustion. Combustion air comprises oxygen and nitrogen, and nitrogen is commonly found in the hydrocarbon fuel. As it is impractical, if not impossible, to prevent the formation of nitrous oxides by removing nitrogen from the reactants, one of two methods is commonly used to reduce or remove nitrous oxides during or after the reaction. First, nitrous oxides may be removed after the combustion process using selective catalytic or selective non-catalytic reduction. Second, the combustion process may be modified to minimize the formation of nitrous oxides, by employing staged combustion or low-NO.sub.x burners.
In a low-NO.sub.x burner, the formation of nitrous oxides during combustion can be mitigated by reducing the oxygen content in the combustion air (i.e., vitiation) and/or combusting the fuel and air at a lower temperature. By vitiating the oxygen content of the combustion air mixture, less excess oxygen is available in the combustion reaction for NO.sub.x formation. By minimizing the peak flame temperature, and the flame temperature generally, less excess energy is available for breaking stable nitrogen bonds and reforming oxygen-nitrogen bonds, a precursor to the formation of nitrous oxides. Both approaches are used to minimize the formation of NO.sub.x emissions.
The oxygen content of the combustion air can be vitiated, or diluted, with a gas lacking or low in oxygen. It is convenient and economical to re-circulate and mix the products of combustion, termed "flue gas" or "exhaust gas", with the combustion air to yield a combustible air mixture with a reduced oxygen content. The preferred oxygen content is determined on the basis of the fuel used or the desired temperature of the combustion reaction. As used herein, a mixture of combustion air, motive air and exhaust gas is also referred to as "vitiated combustion air" in connection with the present invention.
Many low NO.sub.x burners function by controlling the fuel and air mixture so as to create longer and more branched flames which provide a more consistent combustion temperature (i.e., an "even" burn) and lower minimum peak temperature. Where a vitiated combustible air mixture is employed, it is important that the combustion air and flue gas be mixed thoroughly so the oxygen in the mixture is evenly distributed. A thorough mixture allows the burners to better control the flame profile. As an added advantage, the production of unwanted waste products like carbon monoxide is also mitigated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,483 discloses a regenerative burner which is intended to vitiate preheated combustion air with flue gas directly from a furnace. The lowered oxygen content of the combustion air is disclosed as helping to minimize the formation of nitrous oxides. The heat of the flue gas is used to preheat the combustion air, thus contributing to higher furnace efficiencies. This arrangement is directed, however, to a twin burner pair which draws flue gas directly from a furnace. Furthermore, it is not directed towards the use of a radiant tube burner assembly.
Although not relating to low-NO.sub.x burners, U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,209, describes the use of an air ejector, driven by a fan, to overcome pressure resistance and create a draw so that outside air flows, or are induced, into a plenum and to be mixed with hot flue gases. This mixture of flue gas and outside air is used to heat a recuperator which, in turn, preheats combustion air. In this instance, the combustion air is not vitiated. The problem of reducing nitrous oxides in a radiant tube burner assembly is not addressed.
The radiant tube burner of U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,866, employs a jet pump to provide combustion air and flue gas with a lowered oxygen content to the burners for reduction of NO.sub.x emission. The combustion air is forced into the recuperator by a fan. A stream of the total combustion air is accelerated through a nozzle to create a relatively negative pressure region around the nozzle to draw in flue gas returned to the exhaust leg by a connecting leg between the burner leg outlet and the recuperator inlet. This mixture is directed axially through a plenum towards the burner. The combustion air is preheated and then mixed with flue gases before entering the burner leg. This configuration, however, requires the use of all the forced combustion air to operate the jet pump and directs the forced combustion air and recirculated flue gas directly into the plenum. Such an arrangement does not provide sufficient time for the flue gas to mix throughly with the combustion air before reaching the burner leg, thereby presenting a potential problem of high CO levels. Furthermore this arrangement is only usable with forced combustion air systems.

Method and apparatus for reducing nitrous oxides and CO emissions in a gas-fired recuperated radiant tube burner


A light device is provided that includes a light source and electrical circuitry for supplying electrical power to the light source. The light device also includes a housing having first and second ends and a hollow interior defining a compartment for holding a power source. The housing comprises a woven fiber thermoset composite. The housing is made by applying woven fibers to a mandrel and impregnating the woven fibers with an epoxy and curing the epoxy impregnated woven fibers to form the thermoset composite housing. An electrical interconnect is provided within the housing having first and second resilient contacts for providing an electrical connection between the power source and the light source.

The present invention generally relates to lighting devices and, more particularly relates to a portable handheld light, such as a pen light having a thin elongated housing and electrical interconnect circuitry.
Small, slim handheld flashlights, commonly referring to "pen lights" are generally known in the handheld lighting device industry and are popular with industrial professionals, sportsmen and others. Pen lights are of relatively small diameter and allow users the ability to place the light in a pocket and insert the light into narrow spaces which would otherwise be impractical for larger diameter light devices.
There exist many durable conventional lighting devices, including pen lights, such as the Stylus® lights manufactured by Streamlight Incorporated, that are machined or extruded or drawn from aluminum which offers strength with a relatively thin housing wall. Other conventional lighting devices, including pen lights, are made of a molded polymeric material, such as thermoplastic. Conventional plastic flashlights generally require a relatively thick wall housing in order to achieve sufficient strength and typically requires additional components to provide a conductive circuit path between the battery terminals and the light source. While a number of plastic lighting devices exist which include electrical interconnects, many conductive interconnects are subject to failure due to corrosion, impact damage, and tolerance problems which may cause an intermittent connection and unreliable operation.
It is therefore desirable to provide for a light device that offers thin walls, lightweight and enhanced strength. It is further desirable to provide for such a light device that offers enhanced electrical interconnection.

Light device having thermoset composite housing and electrical interconnect


A simulated reception signal is produced by modulating an AC signal having the same frequency as the reception frequency with a modulating signal produced using two pseudo noise codes delayed by 1/2 or 3 chips. In a calibrating mode, in which the simulated reception signal is chosen, a reference voltage to a comparator for synchronization detection and an output voltage of a differential amplifier for synchronization holding are stored in a CPU. In a receiving mode, in which an actual reception signal is chosen, the CPU controls the comparator and a pseudo noise generator which is included in a delay lock loop on the basis of the stored data.

The present invention relates to a device useful for a direct spectrum spread receiver in which a transmission signal, obtained by modulating a carrier of, e.g., the UHF band including an information signal in accordance with a spreading code to spread its spectrum to a wide band, is subjected to reverse-spreading modulation to restore the original information signal. The reverse-spreading modulation is performed using a code identical to the spreading code such that the modulation is in synchronization with the spreading code in the received transmission signal. The invention particularly relates to a device of this type which can automatically be calibrated so as to compensate for characteristic changes (drifts) in the receiver circuit due to a temperature change or time lapse.
FIG. 2 shows a receiver circuit of the conventional spectrum spread system. A transmission signal received by an antenna 3 is applied to an RF amplifier 1 and then applied to a correlator 2 which is constituted by amplifiers 21, 22 and 23, multipliers 31, 32 and 33, correlating filters 41, 42 and 43, detectors 51, 52 and 53, a differential amplifier 60, and a comparator 61. The circuit of FIG. 2 further includes a loop filter 7, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 8, a pseudo noise generator 9, and a shift register 10. The shift register 10 receives a pseudo noise signal (PN signal) from the generator 9 and produces delayed PN signals delayed by 0, 1/2or 1 chip to be applied to the multipliers 32, 33 and 31, respectively.
When the gain of an amplifier or a DC potential is changed due to a drift, i.e., a characteristic change of circuit elements due to a change in ambient temperature or time lapse, a voltage at the output point C of the detector 53 is changed, causing such erroneous detection that an appropriate correlation detecting signal S.sub.D cannot be obtained, or that a detecting signal S.sub.D is produced when it is not to be produced. Further, even if the correlation detection is performed correctly, there may be the case that an offset voltage or a gain difference appears in the output signals of the detectors 51 and 52, i.e., input signals to the differential amplifier 60, so that a lock point of a delay lock loop is shifted.
FIGS. 3A through 3C are graphs showing the relationship between input signals and an output signal of the differential amplifier 60. FIG. 3A shows the relationship between the output of the differential amplifier 60 and voltages at the correlation detection points a and b in the ideal case in which no drift occurs. On the other hand, in FIG. 3B a gain reduction of an amplifier is reflected in the correlation output at b, and in FIG. 3C a DC level change has occurred in the correlation output at b. As a result, there occurs a phase shift D in the output of the differential amplifier 60, and a tracking point F is shifted to the phase-delaying side in both cases of FIGS. 3B and 3C.

Automatic calibration device for direct spectrum spread receiver


Towing apparatus for towing a wheeled vehicle by another vehicle which includes a member attached to the towed vehicle which is detachably connected to an arm extending from a pivotedly mounted member which is engaged with a fixed member on the towing vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to universal towing apparatus for towing wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and the like, which is of the type that includes members carried by each vehicle which can be easily attached and detached.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Towing apparatus for towing of a wheeled vehicle by another wheeled vehicle is in demand and is particularly desirable by bicyclists.
The use of bicycles for sport, and daily commuting has increased considerably in recent years.
One of the difficulties faced by bicycle owners occurs when a bicycle must be transported for repair or convenience of another. Bicycle carriers as found on automobiles are often unsatisfactory, and the downsizing of automobiles prohibits the carrying of bicycles inside the automobile.
Various other apparatus has been proposed such as that illustrated in the Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 718,322; Mason, U.S. Pat. No. 937,835; Elson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,002,507; Rea, U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,958; French Patent No. 947,103, and United Kingdom Patent No. 464,351.
In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,919, towing apparatus for bicycles is described, which includes members attached to bicycles for towing one by the other. While this apparatus is satisfactory, it is a complicated structure which requires the towed bicycle to be towed in an inverted position, with the front bicycle pivoted and clamped in a rearward position. In addition, my prior structure is restricted to bicycle use while the apparatus of the present invention can be used with a wide variety of wheeled vehicles.


A vehicle window assembly. The window assembly includes a frame having an inner metal edge and a window pane fixed to the frame. The window pane includes an inner glass ply, an outer glass ply, an interlayer between the inner glass ply and the outer glass ply, and an electro-conductive coating located on a surface of the outer glass ply, wherein the electro-conductive coating has an outer peripheral edge spaced from the inner metal edge of the frame to define an antenna slot. The window assembly also includes an antenna feed structure electrically connected to the outer peripheral edge of the electro-conductive coating and a capacitive coupling strip located on the inner glass ply and overlapping the outer peripheral edge of the electro-conductive coating proximate the antenna feed structure, wherein the coupling strip couples a wide bandwidth radio frequency signal into and out of the antenna slot.

As an alternative to standard whip antennas and roof mount mast antennas, automotive vehicle window antennas have been used for many years including embedded wire or silver print antennas in rear windows and windshields. More recently, metal coated infrared ray reflective thin films have been used as antennas for vehicles. Other antenna arrangements incorporate a slot antenna between the metal frame of a vehicle window and a conductive transparent film panel that is bonded to the window and has an outer peripheral edge spaced from the inner edge of the window frame to define the slot antenna. Various such arrangements utilize at least one edge of the conductive coating overlapping the window frame of the vehicle body to form a short to the ground at high frequencies by coupling to improve transmission and reception of radio frequency waves.
With rapid growth in the performance requirements of vehicle electronics, more and more antennas have been integrated into vehicles. At FM and TV frequencies in particular, antenna systems require a number of antennas for diversity operation to overcome multipath and fading effects. In existing systems, separate antennas and antenna feeds are used to meet such requirements. For example, up to 11 antennas with separate feed points and multiple modules have been used to cover AM, FM/TV diversity, weather band, Remote Keyless Entry, and DAB Band III, with most of the antennas being integrated into back window glass. Multiple coaxial cables running from antennas to the receiver can be avoided by combining the separate antenna signals using an electrical network. Such a network, however, involves the added complexity and expense of a separate module. Thus, in order to limit the complexity and expense of an on-glass antenna system, it may be desirable to keep the number of antenna feeds to a minimum.
Thus, there is a need for a single feed antenna, in particular an IR reflective windshield antenna, that provides wide bandwidth characteristics for different applications. There is also a need for an antenna system that reduces the number of antennas on a vehicle and simplifies the antenna and its associated electronics by using antenna matching and frequency tuning methods. It is desirable for such an antenna to meet system performance requirements while retaining the solar benefits of the heat reflective coating of the window while maintaining good aesthetics.


A system, apparatus and method are disclosed for communicating between a short range wireless (WLAN) user device, such as a wearable, phone, or tablet, with a base station. Traditional low power communication (e.g., WLAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular links, etc.) involve an inefficient amplification process of a signal from the WLAN user to the base station, whereby significant power must be expended in the WLAN user device making it unsuitable in many applications. A reflector link paradigm is disclosed in which the user device communicates by modulating the extent of signal reflected back to the base station. An enhanced reflector is also disclosed which overcomes adverse effects of ambient reflections.

1. Technological Field
This technical disclosure pertains generally to wireless data links, and more particularly to a method of eliminating a power amplifier from the transmitter chain in a wireless data link.
2. Background Discussion
Short range (local) communication links such as WLAN and similar data links (e.g., WLAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular links, and so forth) typically require a power amplifier to be incorporated in the transmitter or integrated within what is termed the "WLAN user" (wireless local area network user), which is the device connected to a WiFi or other network, such as cellular phone, tablet, laptop or wearable device.
FIG. 1 depicts a basic block diagram of a typical WLAN uplink showing a WLAN user (e.g., tablet, phone, or wearable) having a baseband data input to an upconverter receiving a local oscillator (LO) input. The output of the mixer (upconverter) is input to a power amplifier whose output drives an antenna to generate transmission to the base station (access point). The access point receives transmissions on its antenna, which is passed through a low noise amplifier, before being downconverted, in response to receipt of a LO input, to generate a baseband data output.
WiFi and WLAN technology (IEEE 802.11 A/B/C/G/N/AC/AD) have been very successful in the mobile market (e.g., phones tablets and portable gaming). However, the high power consumption of existing WiFi transceiver technology is proving to be unsuitable for the emerging wearable device market (e.g., Google Glass, Samsung Galaxy Gear, Apple Watch, and the like). One core reason causing this high power consumption, and limiting applicability of the technology, is because the WLAN transceiver (e.g., currently implemented at either 2.4 or 5.83 GHz) requires a power amplifier device to generate power levels suitable for transmitting a WiFi signal to a base-station or router. Current state-of-the-art power amplifiers remain at about 10% efficiency in typical cases with best reported performance not exceeding about 15%. This lack of efficiency translates to consuming on the order of 1000-2500 mW to generate a typical WiFi signal of 100-250 mW. This high level of power consumption is generally not compatible with wearable products (e.g., such as Google glass) where the battery is typically meager and thus unable to support high power dissipation levels.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method, apparatus and/or system for reducing power consumption in these wireless devices. The present disclosure overcomes these shortcomings and provides additional benefits.

Microwave reflector link, and CDMA-spread spectrum reflector apparatus for reduction of unmodulated ambient blockers in reflected data links

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A method, apparatus, and computer program product maintains the ability of an electronic headset to localize and orient itself in space upon a loss of tracking by a SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) system by switching to an auxiliary tracking mode upon detection of a loss of accurate tracking by the SLAM system. In one example, the auxiliary tracking mode is based upon detection of a fingerprint on a flat surface imaged by one or more cameras in the headset. The fingerprint is defined by a pattern of photographically-identifiable features on the flat surface, such as a pattern of colors and/or textures. In another example, the auxiliary tracking mode is based upon a location of the headset as obtained from an external LPS (local positioning service) and an orientation of the headset as measured by an IMU (inertial measurement unit) provided in the headset.

SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) systems find numerous applications in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) systems, where electronic headsets present three-dimensional synthetic content to users. For example, an AR headset may run a SLAM system to localize and orient itself in space, such that the AR headset can place holograms (synthetic content) in proper apparent locations and in proper orientations relative to a user's visual perspective. For instance, an AR game may place a hologram of a game character on a table in front of a user. As the user moves, one or more cameras in the headset acquire new images of the space. The SLAM system updates the location and orientation of the headset based on changes in the new images. Once the SLAM system has computed a new location and orientation of the headset, the headset can resize, relocate, reorient, and skew the perspective of the character to maintain the character's apparent position on the table from the user's perspective. The overall effect is to give the subjective impression that the synthetic character is a three-dimensional object in the user's natural environment.
SLAM systems generally work by photographically scanning a space and identifying geometry among walls, ceilings, floors, and physical objects. For example, a SLAM system may employ edge detection to identify edges formed among physical three-dimensional objects and features in a room. The SLAM system may then use changes in detected edges to infer a location and orientation of the headset.

Maintaining localization and orientation of electronic headset after loss of slam tracking


A device for converting electrical energy, including at least one switching-type semiconductor component, a cooling path for cooling the semiconductor component, and a device for determining a degradation of the cooling path based on a current having a predetermined current intensity that flows through the component. The device provides that the semiconductor component includes an optically active semiconductor material, which generates light having a brightness that is dependent on a temperature of the semiconductor component when the semiconductor component is traversed by current having a predetermined current intensity, and the device for determining the degradation includes a brightness sensor for recording the brightness of the generated light. The device has the advantage that the device for determining the degradation and the component are inherently galvanically isolated, and the degradation can be determined at a high resolution.

In many power electronic devices, switching-type semiconductor components are used for energy conversion. The components are thereby cooled by a cooling path. The applications of such devices include uses as power control units, as inverters or direct-current converters (DC/DC converters), for example, in electric vehicles, solar installations or wind power stations. Correct functioning of the component thereby requires a properly functioning cooling path. To be able to avoid or prevent component malfunction or failure, it is thereby beneficial or necessary in many applications to determine a degradation of the cooling path.
Exemplary semiconductor components used in such devices include metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), and diodes, which may be realized in silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), or gallium nitride (GaN), for example.
The electronic semiconductor components deployed in the aforementioned devices are used for switching and include a free-wheeling path, which is configured in the non-conducting direction with respect to the switching element and generally corresponds to a diode.
Due to the functional requirements dictated by the configuration layout thereof, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) already include such a free-wheeling path, commonly known as a body diode.
Generally, switching-type semiconductor components which inherently have such a free-wheeling path, in particular insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) are supplemented by a separate free-wheeling diode. To optimize the circuit, a separate free-wheeling diode, mostly in the form of a Schottky diode in this case, can likewise supplement a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).
Photons to be emitted (luminescence) by operating p-n junctions in semiconductor components in the conducting direction and passing a current through the same. The intensity and wavelength of the light varies depending on the semiconductor used and the state of the p-n junction (doping concentration). The intensity of the emitted light is dependent on the current flow through the p-n junction and on the component temperature.

Device for measuring a thermal degradation of the cooling path of power electronic components using luminescence


A computer-implemented method for distributed data deduplication may include (1) identifying a deduplicated data system, the deduplicated data system include a plurality of nodes, wherein each node within the plurality of nodes is configured to deduplicate data stored on the node, (2) identifying a data object to store within the deduplicated data system, (3) generating a similarity hash of the data object, the similarity hash representing a probabilistic dimension-reduction of the data object, (4) selecting, based at least in part on the similarity hash, a target node from the plurality nodes on which to store the data object, and then (5) routing the data object for storage on the target node based on the selection of the target node. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Deduplicated data systems are often able to reduce the amount of space required to store files by recognizing redundant data patterns. For example, a deduplicated data system may reduce the amount of space required to store similar files by dividing the files into data segments and storing only unique data segments. In this example, each deduplicated file may simply consist of a list of data segments that make up the file.
With the advent of cloud storage, some deduplicated data systems may need to scale to store very large collections of data and/or to serve many clients. Accordingly, deduplicated data may be stored across many nodes. Unfortunately, even traditional multi-node deduplication techniques may scale poorly with enormous collections of data and/or large numbers of nodes. For example, traditional multi-node deduplication techniques may maintain a globally accessible index to detect duplicate data segments and keep a consistent view of all references to data segments across all nodes. Accordingly, as data collections increase in size and nodes increase in number, cross-node communications may consume network, memory, and/or storage resources at a disproportionate rate. As such, the instant disclosure identifies and addresses a need for additional and improved systems and methods for distributed data deduplication.

Systems and methods for distributed data deduplication


A fertilizer gradient energy system includes a membrane module. A membrane module may include a first section and a second section. The first and second sections may be separated by a semipermeable membrane. A load may be connected to the membrane module. The first section may be configured to receive a concentrated fertilizer solution. The second section may be configured to receive a freshwater feed solution. In embodiments, a semipermeable membrane may be configured to facilitate pressure retarded osmosis of the freshwater feed solution from the first section to the second section to increase a fluid pressure in the second section. The semipermeable membrane may include an anion exchange membrane. The membrane module may include a third section. A cation exchange membrane may separate the first and third section. Anion and cation exchange membranes may facilitate reverse electrodialysis. Methods of capturing energy via a membrane module are also disclosed.

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.
About 70% of freshwater is used for agricultural purposes, and at least some portion is used for fertigation. Fertigation may, for example, involve the insertion or injection of fertilizers, soil amendments, or other water-soluble products into an irrigation system.
With some designs, concentration gradients may not be used efficiently and/or energy capture/conversion may be limited.
There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of energy systems. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of scope.


The present invention concerns an improved process for biorefinery of brown macroalgae, which comprises: (a) contacting the brown macroalgae with a solvent system comprising at least 30 wt % organic solvent, to obtain extracted macroalgae as solid residue and a liquor; and (b) biorefining the extracted macroalgae. The inventors have found that the contacting of step (a) results in an efficient and cost-effective dewatering of the macroalgae, wherein up to 95 wt % of the internal moisture of the macroalgae could be lost without the need for energy-consuming drying techniques. As such, the downstream biorefinery of the extracted macroalgae is greatly facilitated.

Seaweeds or macroalgae are a promising source of bio-based products, such as fuels and bulk chemical, because of their unique chemical composition and fast growing rates. Seaweeds are cultivated at sea, such that use of land area is minimized and depletion of nutrients in the soil is alleviated, compared to other source of biomass. Harvesting and processing seaweed is extensively discussed by McHugh in A Guide to the Seaweed Industry (FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 441, Rome, FAO, 2003, obtainable from http://www.fao.org/). Cost-effective biorefining of macroalgae is however challenging, because of their seasonal availability and high water content combined with a limited shelf life. To ensure year-round availability of seaweed for a biorefinery, seaweed must be made preservable, for example by (partial) drying or ensiling. Both conservation techniques have a major drawback. The energy demand for drying is high, since brown macroalgae have a moisture content of about 80-85% based on total weight. Ensiling is more energy efficient, but a significant part of the carbohydrates, in particular mannitol, are consumed by the lactic acid producing bacteria, such that the valorizability of the macroalgae is significantly reduced. Also downstream biorefining of the macroalgae is normally accompanied with large waste streams, wherein otherwise valuable components of the macroalgae are discarded as waste because it is economically not viable to isolate those from the waste, for example in view of the diluted nature wherein these components become available. The field of macroalgae biorefinery is gaining momentum over the last years, but complete utilization of the valuable components in seaweed in a cost-effective and sustainable manner is as yet not achieved. US 2007/0218076 describes a process wherein seaweed is extracted with an alcohol and subsequently with water. The alcoholic extract is then dried.
The present invention obviates these drawbacks of prior art macroalgae biorefinery, and provides a cost-efficient pretreatment of macroalgae, such that the pretreated macroalgae are readily available for biorefining all year round. Furthermore, the present invention provides a more cost-efficient and durable biorefining of macroalgae.

Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO


The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a control system for controlling a braking system. The control system includes a parking brake operatively to at least one wheel, a park brake override mechanism operatively associated with the parking brake, an inching pedal operatively coupled to a transmission, a shift lever operatively coupled to the transmission, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the parking brake to detect when the parking brake is engaged, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the inching pedal to detect a depression of the inching pedal, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the shift lever for detecting at least one of a forward or reverse gear selection. The control system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensors to receive corresponding signals and adapted to control the engagement of the parking brake when the inching pedal is depressed and the at least one of the forward or reverse gear selections is desired.

A machine such as a motor grader, wheel loader, backhoe loader, on- or off-highway truck, or the like is normally equipped with a number of wheels. A parking brake is also associated with at least one of the wheels. The parking brakes are controlled by an operator and is generally designed to hold a stopped machine in the stopped position. Often, an operator will attempt to drive the machine while the parking brake is engaged or actuated. If the parking brake is repeatedly engaged in this manner, wear of and damage to the parking brake components and possible brake failure may result. Therefore it is desirable to provide systems and methods for controlling an engagement of the parking brake so as to avoid undue damage to the parking brake.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

System and method for controlling a brake system


A helium leak detector includes a gas analyzer and a secondary pump having at least on its discharge side a Holweck type stage. The pump is of a type enabling the suction pressure to be reduced to a value at least equal to 10.sup.-4 mbar and a discharge pressure which is sufficiently high to be compatible with the suction pressure of a dry primary pump having at least two stages. The secondary pump is connected to the low-pressure output of a sampling unit on an intermediate point of the secondary pump where the flow conditions are molecular. A sniffer probe is connected to the high-pressure side of the sampling unit. This high-pressure side is further connected to the dry primary pump between its at least two stages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a helium leak detector comprising a gas analyzer and a secondary pump comprising at least on its discharge side a Holweck type stage, said pump being of a type enabling the suction pressure to be reduced to a value at least equal to 10.sup.-4 mbar and its discharge pressure being sufficiently high to be compatible with the suction limit pressure of a dry primary pump comprising at least two stages.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A detector of this type is particularly advantageous because it does not comprise any oil seal pump and may be used in applications where the vacuum must be very clean. Also, in "sniffer" mode operation where the pumped flow is low, low-flowrate dry pumps are sufficient and have the advantage of being lighter and less bulky than oil seal vane pumps. Also, these pumps can operate easily in any position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,497 describes a helium leak detector of this type.
In this document, if the monitored container leaks helium enters the detector at the discharge side of a secondary pump where the pressure is approximately 40 mbar for small leaks. This does not provide excellent sensitivity for very small leaks. Also, there is a pipe fitted with a purge valve at the discharge of the secondary pump, and therefore also at 40 mbar, for depolluting the detector for inspection of a subsequent container in the event that a leak is detected during inspection of a previous container.
Effected at this pressure level, the purge does not depollute the detector quickly at the level of the secondary pump.
An object of the present invention is to propose a detector of the type previously defined applicable to sniffer mode operation providing very good sensitivity and most importantly enabling very good and fast recovery of the detector in the event of pollution thereof resulting from a monitored container leaking.


An example electric machine includes a stator disposed about an axis having a plurality of slots. The electric machine also includes a plurality of windings each having a first portion and a second portion. At least two of the plurality of windings are at least partially disposed within each of the plurality of slots. At least one of the first portion or second portion of at least one of the plurality of windings of each slot includes a first exposed end with a surface having a plurality of grooves, the surface in contact with a second exposed end of at least one other winding of the same slot. The first exposed end and second exposed end form a joint between the plurality of windings. A braze material is dispersed in a plurality of grooves disposed between the first exposed end and the second exposed end.

This disclosure relates generally to electric machines, including generators and motors having stators with electrical windings.
Electric machines, such as electric generators, are generally used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Electric machines generally include a stator and a rotor in register therewith. The stator includes electrical windings and movement of the rotor relative to the stator causes an alternating current ("AC") to move through the windings. An electrical connection is provided between the windings and various components, such as a power bus, to allow the AC current to flow between the stator and the various components serving as loads.
In many circumstances multiple windings need to be brazed together using braze alloy between the windings.


This gas-liquid separator is provided with: a tank part which stores and separates a refrigerant; and a pipe connection part forming outlet/inlet ports for the refrigerant from the tank part. The pipe connection part has: a first connection part having a first connection pipe which guides the refrigerant to an expansion valve; a second connection part having a second connection pipe through which the cooled refrigerant returns; a third connection part having a third connection pipe which guides the refrigerant to a compressor; a fourth connection part having a fourth connection pipe which guides the refrigerant into the tank part from an outdoor heat exchanger; and a first flow path switching valve which allows the inside of the tank part to communicate with the third connection pipe during heating operations, and allows the second connection pipe to communicate with the third connection pipe during cooling operations.

In JP 2013-535372 A, an air conditioning loop that can be switched between a cooling mode and a heating mode is disclosed. The air conditioning loop is provided with the gas-liquid separator, that separates the refrigerant guided from an external heat exchanger into a gas phase refrigerant and a liquid phase refrigerant from each other, and that exhausts the refrigerant out of the first outlet or the second outlet in accordance with the operation mode of the air conditioning loop.
In the gas-liquid separator of the JP 2013-535372 A, however, the first outlet and the second outlet are provided in the upper portion and the lower portion, respectively. Therefore, the structure of the container of the gas-liquid separator and the structure of the connection unit of the piping may become complicated.


A litigation discovery document system is provided to help identify documents that might be privileged. In particular, a system is described in which documents within a document set are compared against one or more data sources which store data that indicate whether a particular document is privileged or potentially privileged. Human reviewers can confirm whether such determinations are accurate. Analytic reports can be provided which characterize the underlying methodology used to make such determinations. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Technology has exponentially facilitated the capacity to generate, share and store information, acting as the backbone of our knowledge-based economy. But that same technological capacity that supports our economy is negatively impacting our justice system. It has created enormous problems for trial lawyers and their clients, who are regularly challenged to sift through terabytes of information to find relevant, privileged or confidential material in a way that is accurate, consistent and yet cost-effective.
When one case can require sorting through a terabyte of data, the result can be 75 million pages for review, taking up to 375,000 hours of time. Studies have estimated that document review accounts for 50 to 90 percent of the cost involved in litigation matters, and one report has suggested that 70 percent or more of the cost of discovery is now attributable solely to human review of documents for responsiveness and privilege.
The problem with purely human review of documents is not just a problem of time and money. It is one of consistency and accuracy as well. Dozens of reviewers working on thousands of documents a day are bound to sort and code documents differently based on their subjective judgments, experience levels, fatigue and other factors. Even with sound quality control checks, the risks of making a mistake are substantial, and the results can be devastating: discovery sanctions, loss of trade secrets, loss of attorney-client privilege, or a bad outcome at trial. The mounting costs and exposures associated with human document review can affect even the calculus of whether to sue, defend or settle for any given claim.

Privileged document identification and classification system


A method for converting sample rates includes obtaining coefficients from a sample rate conversion coefficient table. In this method, the table is generated prior to the real-time sample rate conversion using LaGrange Interpolation based on the ratio of the input sample rate to the output sample rate.

This invention relates generally to the field of digital signal processing, and more particularly to converting a digital signal density to a different digital signal density.
In digital systems, the digital signal consists of discrete data samples taken at periodic time intervals from a continuous analog source. These individual data samples make up the digital signal. The number of samples in a set period of time determines the accuracy of the digital signal that represents the original analog source. More samples in a period of time allows for a digital signal to more closely resemble the original analog source. The Sample Rate is the number of samples from a signal taken during a set period of time. For example, a 32,000 Hz sample rate has 32,000 samples per second. In digital systems with multiple components, it is often the case that different components require the signal to be sampled at different rates. For example, sometimes data is sampled at a lower frequency due to storage, processor, or bandwidth restrictions. These restrictions result in a digital signal that has a lower sampling rate than what is desired at the digital to analog conversion part of the system. When the desired signal sample rate is different than the source signal sample rate, the source signal is altered to match the desired sample rate. For this alteration to happen, new samples are added to or subtracted from the original signal. For example, if a 32,000 Hz sample rate is being converted to 44,100 Hz, 12,100 additional samples are created.
One method of sample rate conversion (SRC) is to perform interpolation on the original samples to create new samples. Interpolation is computation of a new value from the existing data. There are several methods of digital sample rate conversion. Some methods use more memory than others do, while others use more processor resources. Usually there is a trade-off between memory and processor resources for each method and application. In applications requiring less memory usage, LaGrange Interpolation is favorable since it does not require a large table to determine a new sample. However, new coefficients are calculated to determine new samples, making LaGrange Interpolation more processor intensive than other sample rate converters.
The system and apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,694 uses the sample rate conversion method of upsampling the input stream by integer value M, convolving with a low pass filter to obtain the new samples, and then downsampling the output by integer N. It uses the least common multiple to upsample before downsampling. The problem with this method is that it uses a great deal of memory and computation.
The sampling frequency converter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,468 oversamples the input stream by a small integer amount, rather than by the least common multiple. It then takes the oversampled data and does polynomial interpolation to get new samples on either side of the desired output sample. It then performs linear interpolation between those two samples to get the output sample. This still requires a great deal of computation because it uses a polynomial interpolator and then linear interpolation, and the result is not as accurate as desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,787 discloses methods for resampling including convolving a given set of samples with the impulse response function of a low pass filter. The invention relates to arbitrary-ratio signal resampling techniques. Arbitrary-ratio resampling techniques can be applied to create a constant sampling rate output stream from a source where a sampling rate, is either not precisely known in advance or which may drift. The invention provides a method for resampling which convolves a given set of samples with the impulse response function of a low pass filter. The values of the impulse response used for the convolution calculation are computed at the time of resampling from a segmented polynomial approximating the impulse response. The segmented polynomial of the invention is represented, for each segment of the polynomial, by a number of coefficients. These coefficients are determined by fitting, in a least means squared sense, the polynomial to the impulse response function at a large number of points. This technique stores a large superset of impulse response samples as discrete coefficients in a memory device. Values of the impulse response used for convolution are calculated by an approximation that uses the stored impulse response. This approximation decreases the accuracy of the digital signal.
Accordingly, a need has arisen in the art for an improved sample rate conversion system. The present invention provides a method that substantially reduces or eliminates problems associated with prior data rate conversion systems.
In accordance with the present invention, a LaGrange Interpolation is used in a finite impulse response filter through which the input is convolved to produce the desired output signal. LaGrange Interpolation uses N+1 samples to achieve an Nth order computation. Each interpolated sample is created from the weighted average of N+1 of the original samples. The weights of the weighted average are obtained by using calculated coefficients based on the position of the new sample. The distance of the new sample from the nearest input sample is used to generate unique coefficients. To determine how much to increment the distance, a ratio is defined. This ratio is the input sample rate divided by the output sample rate. The ratio is used in determining when to retrieve a new input sample, and the determination of the distance of the new sample from the input sample. Whenever a new sample is created, the ratio is added to a xe2x80x9cdistance counter.xe2x80x9d The distance counter stores the decimal portion of the results and whenever the distance counter exceeds 1, then 1 is subtracted and a new input sample is added to the set of N+1 input samples used in the interpolation process, and the oldest input sample is discarded. This distance counter determines when a new input sample is added, and the distance counter is also used to calculate the coefficients.
Calculating the coefficients uses approximately N squared plus N multiplications and N squared plus N additions to update the N+1 coefficients for each new output sample. These calculations can become very processor intensive when working with high orders. The multiplications are necessary for each sample created, and, therefore, high orders are impractical since it would use enormous processor resources.
Once the coefficients are determined, they are multiplied with an existing sample. The summation of the multiplications will yield the new sample. Once a new sample is found, the distance counter is incremented by the ratio and the process of determining the coefficients in obtaining a new sample is repeated.
In order to eliminate the processing requirements associated with the calculation of the coefficients, coefficients can be calculated prior to resampling and stored in a table. To avoid increased memory requirements, coefficients are only calculated for pre-determined values of the distance counter, which, in turn, are determined by the ratios of the known input and output sample rates. For a 16th order LaGrange Interpolation, for example, 17 coefficients will be determined for each value of the distance counter.
Although the methods of this invention are particularly suitable for digital audio signals, in particular, real time processing at different output and input sample rates, the method may be used for any digital processing requirement, such as in cell phones, hard disk drives, voice over Internet devices and other devices.

High order lagrange sample rate conversion using tables for improved efficiency


An aircraft fuselage is constructed of a plurality of cylindrical semi-monocoque fuselage sections that are each constructed with mirrored screw threads on either their interior or exterior surfaces. The screw threads of adjacent fuselage sections are secured together end-to-end by a sleeve having complementary screw threads. The sleeve is positioned between adjacent fuselage sections that are held against rotation, but are free to move in translation towards each other. The sleeve is engaged with the screw threads of the adjacent fuselage sections and is rotated, causing the adjacent fuselage sections to move toward each other and into secure engagement in response to the rotating sleeve.

It can be appreciated that in constructing component parts of an aircraft and in particular in the construction of an aircraft fuselage a substantial number of mechanical fasteners are employed. For example, in assembling a first fuselage section to a second fuselage section, a time tested method of bolting internal metal splices between the fuselage sections is employed. This approach appears very convenient and effective in fuselages built of metal. The joining of the two fuselage sections by the bolted internal splices can occur in the sub assembly stage, or during final assembly.
In the example of a typical aircraft fuselage being constructed of five cylindrical composite fuselage sections, there can be as many as 24 frame segments, 300 splices and 8000 threaded fasteners (bolts) employed in splicing or joining together the fuselage sections. This requires 8000 holes to be drilled (through the fuselage sections and any joining splice), reamed, checked for quality assurance, all bolts to be installed and most of this is taking place during the final assembly of the aircraft prepared to join a moving assembly line.
Because final assembly typically takes place with the fuselage moving along an assembly line, it is advantageous to reduce the workload of the final assembly of the moving fuselage. Additionally, the weight reduction and part count reduction associated with this concept would be desirable.

Aircraft fuselage constructed of aircraft fuselage sections screwed together


Disclosed herein is a game ball, such as a golf ball, having an indicia formed from a UV curable ink containing aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) filler. The ATH improves pad transfer of the ink. An ink composition suitable for pad printing, and a method for applying an indicia to a game ball also are disclosed. The UV curable ink has excellent pad transfer properties, and good durability.

The present invention generally relates to inks, and more particularly to UV curable inks.
UV curable inks are quick-curing inks and therefore are advantageous for use in continuous-type processes in which subsequent treatment of an ink-printed substrate is involved. A number of UV curable inks are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,258 discloses a photopolymerizable ink composition containing acrylate resin, methacrylate monomer or oligomer, acrylate monomer or oligomer, photoinitiator, and a particular type of an epoxy resin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,685 discloses a UV curable ink having an isocyanate compound added thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,685 contends that the ink disclosed therein is particularly well suited for printing on slightly adhesive plastic bases, such as those made of polyoxymethylenes and polypropylenes.
Screen printing on spherical surfaces such as golf balls can be difficult. As a result, pad printing customarily is used for marking golf ball surfaces. However, many of the known UV curable inks are not well suited for pad printing due to difficulties in transferring the ink from a pad to a substrate. Furthermore, UV curable inks that can be pad printed have not been found suitable for use on golf balls. More specifically, when applied to a golf ball, these inks are not sufficiently durable (impact resistant) to withstand multiple blows by a golf club. It would be useful to obtain a highly durable UV curable ink which has favorable pad transfer properties when used for printing indicia on surfaces such as a curved and dimpled surface of a golf ball, and which provides an image having good durability.

UV curable ink containing aluminum trihydroxide for use in pad printing, and method of printing


A ball bearing has an outer race, an inner race and a plurality of balls disposed between the races. The balls are spaced on a pitch diameter to provide a rolling medium between the races to accommodate differential rotation between the races. The ball spacing is maintained by a separator having a pocket for each ball. The pockets are distributed around the pitch diameter in a random manner to reduce vibratory impulses which might be imposed by the surfaces of the races.

Ball bearings are used to support the wheels of vehicles. The ball bearings have an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of balls housed in a separator or cage between the races. Ball race surfaces are machined in the inner and outer races. These surfaces are ground to provide close tolerances of size, surface finish and roundness. This will produce a smooth rolling surface for the balls. The grinding process can produce evenly spaced lobes, on either the inner or outer race, of very small amplitude and continue to be acceptable within the roundness tolerances. This lobing effect induces an impulse each time a ball passes over one of the lobes. This impulse can be significant when a number of lobes are simultaneously aligned with respective ones of the balls. Since the balls are evenly spaced in a separator, the impulse created thereby will be very significant if the number of lobes is a whole number multiple of the number of balls in the bearing.
The frequency of the impulses varies with the rotary speed of the wheel being supported. If the frequency of the impulses approaches the resonant frequency of the suspension system supporting the vehicle on the wheel, the induced vibration will become very noticeable in the form of noise and vibration. With the current technology in suspension design, the elements of the suspension tend to be lighter and stiffer.
One solution that has been proposed and is in use is the imposition of tighter tolerance limits on the roundness specification of the races. This tolerance tightening results in the need for one-hundred percent (100%) inspection on a tracing apparatus. This is an expensive procedure and is not practical in a high volume manufacturing environment. In lieu of this procedure, periodic inspections are performed to insure the process is under control. However, this can miss some bearing races with excess lobing.


A portable electronic device charger and a method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the charger includes a pendulum mounted to a housing and oscillating in response to movement of the housing. The pendulum includes a first trigger piece and a second trigger piece. The first trigger piece causes the rotation of a first gear element in a gear unit in one direction while the second trigger piece causes the rotation of a second gear element in an opposite direction. The charger also includes an electric generator that has an electric generator shaft rotated by the gear unit. The electric generator generates an electrical output. A circuit communicatively connected to the electric generator receives the electrical output and converts it to an output to be routed via an output coupling in the housing to deliver charge to a rechargeable battery in a portable electronic device.

The invention relates generally to charging electronic devices, and more particularly, to a portable electronic device charger.
The proliferation of small portable electronic devices including mobile phones and portable radios in recent years has underlined the need for small rechargeable batteries and battery chargers.
Cell phone users frequently complain of how they are unable to use their cell phone in a critical situation due to low battery levels. Typically, a mobile phone battery lasts about 2 to 5 hours in the talk mode or 2 to 4 days in the standby mode. Currently, rechargeable batteries require an external power source for recharging such as a household electrical outlet.
However, this does not fulfill the demand for re-charging batteries during prolonged outdoor activities or other situations where an external power source is often unavailable. In many situations, like camping, small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones stop functioning due to inadequate battery charge, leaving the user feeling stranded with no means of communication. Furthermore, during emergency situations in remote areas, having a reliable source of power to re-charge or supplement charge and use a mobile phone or a two-way radio for communication is extremely valuable.
Accordingly, what is needed is a charger that is capable of charging a portable electronic device without using chemicals or chemical compounds. The charger would be capable of providing alternate methods for supplementing charge or charging a rechargeable battery often found in portable electronic devices.
A portable electronic device charger and a method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the charger includes a pendulum mounted to a housing and oscillating in response to movement of the housing. The pendulum includes a first trigger piece and a second trigger piece. The first trigger piece causes the rotation of a first gear element in a gear unit in one direction while the second trigger piece causes the rotation of a second gear element in an opposite direction. The charger also includes an electric generator that has an electric generator shaft rotated by the gear unit. The electric generator generates an electrical output. A circuit communicatively connected to the electric generator receives the electrical output and converts it to an output to be routed via an output coupling in the housing to deliver charge to a rechargeable battery in a portable electronic device.

Portable electronic device charger and a method for using the same


Biologically active 1.alpha.-hydroxy-22-iodinated vitamin D.sub.3 compounds and a process for the preparation of 1.alpha.-hydroxy-22-iodinated vitamin D.sub.3 compounds are disclosed. The 22-iodovitamin D.sub.3 compounds show relatively high binding affinity for the vitamin D receptor demonstrating their potential for high in vivo biological activity. Further, these compounds induce relatively high differentiation of malignant cells. Also, these 22-iodo compounds show high in vivo calcium transport activity with little or no bone calcium mobilization activity. These compounds thus show promise in the treatment of osteoporosis.

The 1.alpha.-hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D--most importantly 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 and 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.2 - are known as highly potent regulators of calcium homeostasis in animals and humans, and more recently their activity in cellular differentiation has also been established. V. Ostrem et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (1987), 84, 2610. As a consequence, many structural analogs of these metabolites, such as compounds with different side chain structures, different hydroxylation patterns, or different stereochemistry, have been prepared and tested. Important examples of such analogs are 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.2, various side chain fluorinated derivatives of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, and side chain homologated analogs. Several of these known compounds exhibit highly potent activity in vivo or in vitro, and some of these have been found to exhibit an interesting separation of activities in cell differentiation and calcium regulation. This difference in activity provides these compounds with advantageous therapeutic activity profiles and thus numerous of these compounds are in use, or have been proposed for use, in the treatment of a variety of diseases such as renal osteodystrophy, vitamin D-resistant rickets, osteoporosis, psoriasis, and certain malignancies.
In a continuing effort to explore pharmacologically important vitamin D analogs, several new 22-iodinated vitamin D.sub.3 compounds have now been synthesized. The 22-iodinated compounds show relatively high binding affinity for the vitamin D receptor thus demonstrating their potential for high in vivo biological activity. Further, these compounds induced relatively high differentiation of malignant cells. Also, these 22-iodo compounds showed high in vivo calcium transport activity with little or no bone calcium mobilization activity. Accordingly, the 22-iodo compounds show promise in the treatment of osteoporosis, particularly senile osteoporosis and postmenopausal osteoporosis. The iodo compounds can also be labeled with radio iodine to be used for 1.alpha.,25-(OH).sub.2 -D.sub.3 assays.

Iodo vitamin D.sub.3 compounds and method for preparing same


A process for fixed bed sweetening of petroleum distillates using halogenating metal phthalocyanine as a catalyst comprising impregnating the catalyst on activated charcoal bed by circulating alcoholic alkaline solution of the catalyst through charcoal bed till colorless bed solution is obtained in the effluent, passing the petroleum distillate through the said catalyst loaded charcoal bed along with air or oxygen at a temperature and pressure with liquid hourly space velocity with continuous or intermittent injection of alkali solution such as sodium hydroxide of concentration to obtain the desired low mercaptan level petroleum distillates. The alkaline solution used is selected from methanolic and ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide. The halogenated metal phthalocyanine catalyst used is selected from dichloro cobalt phthalocyanine and dibromo cobalt phthalocyanine. The petroleum fraction used is selected from diesel, kerosene and FCC gasoline.

The present invention relates to a process for the fixed bed sweetening of petroleum distillates using halogenated metal phthalocyanine as a catalyst.
Particularly the invention relates to the development of a process for fixed bed sweetening of petroleum fractions like FCC gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, ATF, heavy naphtha thermal gasoline, diesel and distillate fuel oil using halogenated metal phthalocyanine as catalyst.
It is well known that the presence of mercaptans in the petroleum products like LPG, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, ATF etc. is highly undesirable due to their foul odour and highly corrosive nature. These are also poison for the catalysts and adversely affect the response of TEL (tetraethyl lead) as octane booster. Although there are several processes known for the removal of mercaptans from these petroleum products, the most common practice is to oxidize the mercaptans present to less deleterious disulphides with air in the presence of a catalyst. Commonly lower mercaptans present in LPG, pentanes, LSRN are first extracted in alkali solution and then oxidized with air in the presence of a catalyst. The higher molecular weight mercaptans present in petroleum products like FCC gasoline, natural gas liquid (NGL), LSRN, thermal gasoline and distillate fuel oil are oxidized to disulphides with air in presence of alkali in a fixed bed reactor containing catalyst impregnated on a suitable support (Catal Rev. Sci. Eng. 35(4),571-609(1993).
In the hitherto known processes, phthalocyanines containing metals like cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum and vanadium are used to catalyze the oxidation of mercaptans to disulphides in alkaline medium. Among these cobalt and vanadium (especially cobalt) phthalocyanine and their derivatives are preferred. As these metal phthalocyanines are not soluble in aqueous medium, for improved catalyst activity their derivatives like sulphonated and carboxylated metal phthalocyanines are used as catalysts for sweetening of petroleum fractions. Various catalysts reported are cobalt phthalocyanine monosulphonate (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,371,031; 4,009,120; 4,207,173; 4,028,269; 4,087,378; 4,141,819; 4,121,998; 4,124,494; 4,124,531), cobalt phthalocyanine disulphonate (U.S. Pat. No.4, 250,022), tetrasulphonate (U.S. Pat. No. 2,622,763), mixture of mono- and disulphonate (U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,694), phenoxy-substituted cobalt phthalocynine (Ger. Offen 3,816,952), cobalt and vanadium chelates of 2,9,16,23-tetrakis (3,4-dicarboxybenzoyl) phthalocyanine for both homogeneous and fixed bed mercaptan oxidation (Ger. offen 2,757,476: Fr. Demande 2,375,201) and cobalt and vanadium chelates of tetrapyridinoporphyrazine (Ger. offen 2,441,648).
It is also hitherto known that because of poor solubility of cobalt phthalocyanine in aqueous or other medium it is difficult to impregnate the same on the bed of catalyst support material. The highly sulphonated or other similar derivatives of cobalt phthalocyanine, though are soluble in the impregnating solution, their high solubility makes it difficult to place the required amount of catalyst on the support material. Furthermore, the more highly sulphonated or other similar substituted metal phthalocyanines are susceptible to leaching from the catalyst support when it is made alkaline with sodium or potassium hyroxide solution. The leaching causes loss of catalyst from the bed.
Metal phthalocyanine monosulphonate are thus the preferred compounds for impregnation on the support material in the fixed bed sweetening. The most common method used for their preparation is the reaction of metal phthalocyanine with oleum or sulphuric acid. However this reaction is difficult to control so as to produce metal phthalocyanine monosulfonate, exclusively because in this reaction, along with monosulphonate di- and tri- sulphonated derivatives are also formed. These derivatives of metal phthalocyanines, especially of cobalt phthalocyanine are much more soluble in hydrocarbon and in caustic solution than the former. This solubility characteristic is very important when the catalyst is used for the fixed bed sweetening of petroleum fractions. The catalyst once placed on the carrier must remain attached so that catalytic activity is maintained. The catalyst therefore should be such that it could be easily impregnated on the fixed bed material and yet is not leached out by alkali solution or hydrocarbons during the sweetening process.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a fixed bed process for the sweetening of petroleum fractions like kerosene, ATF, FCC gasoline, heavy naphtha, thermal gasoline; diesel and distillate fuel oil using halogenated metal phthalocyanine, as catalyst impregnated on a suitable support.
In another objective of the present invention the halogenated metal phthalocyanine could be dichloro or dibromo; diodo-, monochloro., mono-bromo; monoiodo- or similar derivatives of metal phthalocyanimies, preferably dichloro- or dibromo- derivatives of cobalt and iron phthalocyanine. These halogenated metal phthalocyanines can be prepared by treating the metal phthalocyanine with any conventional halogenating agent like chlorine, bromine, iodine, thionyl chloride, sulphuryl chloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus pentabromide, phosphorus trichloride or similar halogenating agent, without any solvent or in solvents like dichloro benzene, nitrobenzene.
In another objective of the present invention provides a method for the impregnation of these novel sweetening catalysts on a suitable support material with catalyst dispersion on the support by circulating alcoholic alkaline solution of the catalyst through the bed till colourless solution is obtained in the effluent. The support material can also be impregnated by dipping, soaking, suspending or otherwise immersing the support in the form of spheres, pills, pellets, granules or other particles of uniform or irregular shape in alcoholic alkaline solution of the catalyst. The loading of the catalyst on the support material may vary from 0.01-5% preferably 0.1-1%. For making alcoholic alkaline solution, alcohol like methanol, ethanol etc. and alkalis like sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or any other alkali may be used. The suitable support material includes naturally occurring clays and silicates for example diatomaceous earth, fuller""s earth, Kieselguhr, feldspar, montmorillonite, hallogsite, Kaoline and the like; various charcoals produced by destructive distillation of wood, peat, lignite, nutshells, bones and other carbonaceous matter; naturally occurring or synthetically prepared inorganic oxides such as alumina, silica, zirconia, thoria, boria etc. or combinations thereof like silica-alumina, sillca-zirconia, alumina-zirconia etc. The preferred support material being charcoals with highly porous particle structure of increased adsorbent capacity generally defined as activated charcoal.
Accordingly the present invention provides a process for the fixed bed sweetening of petroleum distillates using halogenated metal phthalocyanine as a catalyst which comprise; impregnating the catalyst on activated charcoal bed by circulating alcoholic alkaline solution of the catalyst through charcoal bed till colourless solution is obtained in the effluent, passing the petroleum distillate through above said catalyst loaded charcoal bed along with air or oxygen at a temperature in the range of 20xc2x0 C. to 100xc2x0 C. and at a pressure in the range of 1kg/cm2 to 15 kg/cm2 with a liquid hourly space velocity in the range of 1 hrxe2x88x921 to 15 hr xe2x88x921 with continuous or intermittent injection of alkali solution such as sodium hydroxide of concentration in the range of 0.5-20%, to obtain the desired low mercaptan level petroleum distillates.
In an embodiment of the present invention the alcoholic alkaline solution used is selected from methanolic and ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention halogenated metal phthalocyanine catalyst used is selected from dichloro cobalt phthalocyanine and dibromo cobalt phthalocyanine.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the concentration of the catalyst used in the fixed bed is in the range of 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % of activated charcoal.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the halogenated metal phthalocyanine used is prepared as described and claimed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/804,985, filed Mar. 13, 2001.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the petroleum fraction used is selected from diesel, kerosene and FCC gasoline.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the temperature is preferably in the range of 20xc2x0 C. to 50xc2x0 C.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the pressure is preferably in the range of 5 kg/cm2-8 kg/cm2.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) is preferably in the range of 1 hrxe2x88x921 to 6 hrxe2x88x921 .
In the sweetening process herein contemplated the undesirable mercaptans contained in a sour petroleum distillate are oxidised to form less deleterious disulphides in the presence of an alkaline reagent with air or oxygen gas. The impregnated support material used is initially saturated with the alkaline reagent, and the alkaline reagent thereafter admixed intermittently or continuously with the sour petroleum distillate passed through the bed. A desired alkalinity of the bed is always maintained during the process. Any suitable alkaline reagent may be employed but aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide is preferred.
The sweetening process with this catalytic system can be effected at ambient to 100xc2x0 C. temperature, but the preferred temperature range is ambient to 50xc2x0 C. The process may be effected at a pressure from atmospheric to as high as 30 kg/cm2 or more with the preferable pressure range 5-8 kg/cm2. The contact time equivalent to liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) in the range 1-15, were found to be effective for the oxidation of mercaptans to disulphides. The optimum range for the LHSV was found to be 1-5 for achieving highest conversion. The petroleum distillate and air/oxygen can be passed upwardly or downwardly along with intermittent or continuous alkali injection through the bed. Also, the air may be passed counter current to the petroleum distillate.
The impregnated catalyst bed prepared according to the method of this invention was found to be active and stable. This bed can be used for treating large volume of sour petroleum distillates. As these halogenated metal phthalocyanines are not soluble in aqueous alkaline solution or hydrocarbon, hence they are not leached out from the bed of support material. After prolonged use, the bed gets deactivated and then attempts are made to revive the catalyst activity by regeneration of bed. When even after regeneration activity is not restored, then additional catalyst is reimpregnated by following standard procedure.
The halogenated metal phthalocyanine catalyst impregnated on the support is particularly suitable for the sweetening of wide range of sour petroleum distillates boiling above 140xc2x0 C. like kerosene, jet fuel, fuel oil, naphtha, FCC gasoline and the like in a fixed bed treating system. These higher boiling distillates generally contain mercaptans, which are difficult to oxidize like tertiary mercaptans and aromaticthiols. The catalyst therefore has been evaluated with the feeds doped with various types of mercaptans in different concentrations as given in the examples. Although the supported catalyst of this invention is particularly applicable to the heavier petroleum distillates, it can also be used for the treatment of lower boiling distillates such as natural straight run and the cracked gasolines.
The following examples are given by way of illustration and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

Process for the fixed bed sweetening of petroleum distillates using halogenated metal phthalocyanine as a catalyst

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research


The present disclosure allows for a wireless device that can include a transceiver that transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal at an RF power level. The RF signal can propagate through an RF environment that is shared by multiple interference-susceptible wireless devices. The wireless device can also include an interference-identifier module that determines if the RF signal decreases a measure of the integrity of another RF signal that is transmitted between two or more interference-susceptible wireless devices. The wireless device can also include a transmit power adjuster that adjusts the transmit power to increase the signal integrity metric when the interference-identifier module has determined that the RF signal has decreased the signal integrity metric. Alternatively, the wireless device may transmit a control message that is indicative of the identified coexistence interference to a remote transmitter. The control message may result in a transmit power adjustment of the remote transmitter.

Wireless devices, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a Bluetooth (BT) interface, a cell phone, a global positioning system (GPS) and other wireless devices, may be active in a same environment, such as a shared radio frequency (RF) environment. The wireless devices may be located on a platform, such as a cell phone, a laptop computer, or other mobile device, or they may be located on different platforms in close proximity. For example, a cell phone platform or mobile handset may contain a cell phone transceiver, a WiFi device, and a BT adapter. In another example, a laptop computer may be in close proximity with a mobile handset. The laptop computer may include a WiFi device and a BT interface. The mobile handset may include a cell phone and a BT interface. Operations of a wireless device may interfere with operations of other wireless devices in the shared RF environment.

Method and apparatus for managing coexistence interference


A signal processing system (10) has a plurality of optical fibers (40, 42, 43) with their one ends (40) mounted in an array board (41) to receive electromagnetic radiation. A coupler (54) interconnects the other ends of the optical fibers (42, 43) in parallel such that electromagnetic radiation is first coupled together and then directed into two or more independent processing channels (45, 47).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electromagnetic signal processing system and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a system of processing an optical signal.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
WO02/29436 teaches that a laser-radar receiver should comprise an array of optical fibres which are connected to at least one radiation detector, each optical fibre having different physical characteristics which result in known delays in the transmission time of pulsed electromagnetic radiation. Such delays are conveniently achieved by using optical fibres of differing lengths so that they operate as delay lines. Arrays of 3×3 optical fibres are taught, each optical fibre connected to single avalanche photo-diode (APD).
In our co-pending UK patent application number 0322564.6, we have taught that an electromagnetic signal processing system may comprise a plurality of optical fibre arrays, each optical fibre array having a cluster of optical fibres with their one ends oriented to receive electromagnetic radiation and arrange to transmit electromagnetic radiation to an array output, the array outputs being connected to transmit electromagnetic radiation in sequence to a signal detector input. In this co-pending application we have also taught various additional features for such signal processing systems.