A transportation node system orbits a celestial body. The node system includes a truss having two ends, the truss rotating around its center of mass while orbiting the celestial body. The truss stores payloads. The node system also includes tether tips, each attached to one end of the truss via a tether so that each tether tip can extend from the truss and retract to the truss for transfer of payloads. The tether runs through the length of the truss and connects to each tether tip, each tether tip being capable of engaging payloads. The node further includes at least one tether cable reel that reels in and reels out the tether so the tether tips can extend from and retract to the truss.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to space transportation. More specifically, the present invention relates to space transportation nodes including tether systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Resource recovery operations on Earth require an economic feasibility with a financial return on the invested capital. The cost of transporting payloads to and from the moon is a barrier to economic development of the moon.
Rocket propelled space vehicles transporting cargo outside the proximity of the Earth in airless space do not require the same vehicle hardware to push up through the atmosphere or land on the moon, but discarding the vehicle hardware on each mission like Apollo is still expensive. The space exploration initiative announced by President Bush and implemented by NASA has the opportunity to mature the transportation cycles beyond the Earth and the moon. The requirements and cost for each of these six lunar transportation cycles is different and the requirements for manned versus unmanned missions differs greatly.
If one breaks out these different cycle or leg transportation requirements for each portion of a lunar trip, then six distinct transportation cycles emerge. As each cycle matures, it becomes more effective and efficient. Commerce competitive forces help accelerate this maturing process and the evolution into a cost competitive transportation environment.
The transportation cycles emerging are Earth to low Earth orbit or LEO, LEO to Lunar orbit "LO," LO to the lunar surface, the lunar surface back to LO, LO to LEO and the re-entry from LEO to the Earth's surface. Placing a transportation node between each of the separate cycles would accelerate the maturing of the transportation process and facilitate introducing commerce. In a mature transportation cycles on Earth, we find that changing the requirements for a portion of a trip, like from water to land results in the change of a vehicle and results in a harbor emerging.
Why not fly and eliminate the harbor? Well, people fly, eliminate the harbor and pay the extra cost, but most cargo goes a different less expensive route through the harbor. The airport becomes the transportation node for humans and the harbor is for cargo with very different costs related to transportation. Aircraft manufacturers want all humans and cargo to fly, but when paying for the transportation, the cost competitive aspects become important.
In a remote site like the moon, the ratio of humans to cargo is significantly skewed. In looking at similar remote locations on Earth the ratio is less than 1% human and 99% cargo. To combine the manned and unmanned portions as we did in Apollo makes space transportation expensive, in part, because the safety and reliability of manned space flight is expensive. Such manned vehicles may be similar to the Saturn vehicle of the Apollo project, which landed the first man on the moon more than 30 years ago. The next series of exploration trips to the moon might consider separating unmanned cargo from humans in some manner consistent with safety.
Rendezvousing, docking and transferring payloads between space vehicles was performed more than forty years ago in the Apollo program, and more recently between shuttles and the International Space Station. The Apollo program used a form of transportation node, for example, the astronauts had to transfer cargo from the lunar lander to the command module in lunar orbit. The command module in lunar orbit was a node in the transportation system and saved mass from being transported to and from the moon's surface.
Today these transportation node techniques and procedures can be refined and used, for example, between each of the six transportation cycles and two of the nodes already exist, the Spaceports on Earth and the International Space Station. Travel between them has become partly commercial and will become competitive. In such conventional systems, the actual transfer of cargo is performed by people after docking of the vehicles and opening of a hatch. However, the automatic transfer of cargo between two vehicles in space, such as unmanned space vehicles, is a more complex operation, but possible by combining innovation with conventional systems. The enhancement of the transportation process to be more effective and more affordable can also happen.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0079407 to Lounge et al. entitled, "Underway replenishment system for space vehicles" discloses a replenishment system used to deliver payloads and supplies to an orbiting receiving space vehicle using a tether. The 2002/0079407 application does not enhance the payload movement. The 2002/0079407 application discloses a method of transferring payloads between a delivering space vehicle and a receiving space vehicle, but falls short of a transportation node.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,499, to Taylor, et al., describes docking with an orbital object using a tether. Docking with an object at the end of a cable is less likely to damage the orbital facility because both objects can move in rendezvous and docking operation. The '499 patent discloses a passive operations with no mention of active "seeker" tether tip operations.

Space transportation node including tether system


The present invention is directed to a radiographic apparatus, and its method of manufacture, that utilizes a single integral housing for providing an evacuated envelope for an anode and cathode assembly. The integral housing is preferably formed from a substrate material, such as Kovar, that has a radiation shielding layer, which is comprised of a powder metal that is deposited with a plasma spray process. The powder metal includes, for example, tungsten and iron, so that the radiation shield layer provides sufficient radiation blocking and heat transfer characteristics such that an additional external housing is not required. In an alternative embodiment, the integral housing is composed of a solidified integrated mixture of metallic powders that function together as both the integral housing wall and the radiation shielding. The integral housing is air cooled, and thus does not utilize any liquid coolant. In addition, the assembly utilizes a dielectric gel polymer material to electrically insulate electrical connections on the housing.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to x-ray generating devices and their method of manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to an x-ray tube having an evacuated housing assembly that provides enhanced thermal stability and improved x-ray shielding characteristics. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the improved housing assembly.
2. The Prior State of the Art
X-ray generating devices are extremely valuable tools for use in a variety of medical and industrial applications. For example, such equipment is commonly used in areas such as medical diagnostic and therapeutic radiology.
Regardless of the particular application involved, the basic operation of x-ray devices is similar. In general, an x-ray generating device is formed with a vacuum housing that encloses an anode assembly and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly includes an electron emitting filament that is capable of emitting electrons. The anode assembly provides an anode target that is axially spaced apart from the cathode and oriented so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. In operation, electrons emitted by the cathode filament are accelerated towards a focal spot on the anode target by placing a high voltage potential between the cathode and the anode target. These accelerating electrons impinge on the focal spot area of the anode target. The anode target is constructed of a high refractory metal so that when the electrons strike, at least a portion of the resultant kinetic energy generates x-radiation, or x-rays. The x-rays then pass through a window that is formed within a wall of the vacuum enclosure, and are collimated towards a target area, such as a patient. As is well known, the x-rays that pass through the target area can be detected and analyzed so as to be used in any one of a number of applications, such as a medical diagnostic examination.
In general, only a very small portionxe2x80x94approximately one percent in some casesxe2x80x94of an x-ray tube""s input energy results in the production of x-rays. In fact, the majority of the input energy resulting from the high speed electron collisions at the target surface is converted into heat of extremely high temperatures. In addition, a percentage of the electrons that strike the anode will rebound from the target surface and strike other areas within the x-ray tube assembly. The collisions of these secondary electrons (sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cback-scattered electrons) also create heat and/or result in the production of errant x-rays. This excess heat is absorbed by the anode assembly and is conducted to other portions of the anode assembly, and to the other components that are disposed within the vacuum housing. Over time, this heat can damage the anode, the anode assembly, and/or other tube components, and can reduce the operating life of the x-ray tube and/or the performance and operating efficiency of the tube.
Several approaches have been used to help alleviate problems arising from the presence of the high operating temperatures in the x-ray tube. For example, in some x-ray devices the x-ray target, or focal track, is positioned on an annular portion of a rotatable anode disk. The anode disk (also referred to as the rotary target or the rotary anode) is then mounted on a supporting shaft and rotor assembly, that can then be rotated by some type of motor. During operation of the x-ray tube, the anode disk is rotated at high speeds, which causes the focal track to continuously rotate into and out of the path of the electron beam. In this way, the electron beam is in contact with any given point along the focal track for only short periods of time. This allows the remaining portion of the track to cool during the time that it takes to rotate back into the path of the electron beam, thereby reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the anode.
While the rotating nature of the anode reduces the amount of heat present at the focal spot on the focal track, a large amount of heat is still present within the anode, the anode drive assembly, and other components within the evacuated housing. This heat must be continuously removed to prevent damage to the tube (and any other adjacent electrical components) and to increase the x-ray tube""s efficiency and overall service life.
One approach has been to place the housing that forms the evacuated envelope within a second outer metal housing, which is sometimes referred to as a xe2x80x9ccan.xe2x80x9d This outer housing must serve several functions. First, it must act as a radiation shield to prevent radiation leakage, such as that which results from back-scattered electrons previously discussed. To do so, the can must include a radiation shield, which must be constructed from some type of dense, x-ray absorbing metal, such as lead. Second, the outer housing serves as a container for a cooling medium, such as a dielectric oil, which can be continuously circulated by a pump over the outer surface of the inner evacuated housing. As heat is emitted from the x-ray tube components (anode, anode drive assembly, etc.), it is radiated to the outer surface of the evacuated housing, and then at least partially absorbed by the coolant fluid. The heated fluid is then passed to some form of heat exchange device, such as a radiative surface, and then cooled. The fluid is then recirculated by the pump back through the outer housing and the process repeated.
The dielectric oil (or similar fluid) may also provide additional functions. For example, the oil serves as an electrical insulator between the high voltage potential that exists at the anode and cathode assemblies and the inner evacuated housing, and the outer housing, which is typically comprised of a conductive metal material that is at a different potential, typically ground.
While useful as a heat removal medium and/or as an electrical insulator, the use of oil and similar liquid coolants/dielectrics can be problematic in several respects. For example, use of a fluid adds complexity to the construction and operation of the x-ray generating device. Use of fluid requires that there be a second outer housing or can structure to retain the fluid. This outer housing must be constructed of a material that is capable of blocking x-rays, and it must be large enough to be completely disposed about the inner evacuated housing to retain the coolant fluid. This increases the cost and manufacturing complexity of the overall device. Also, the outer housing requires a large amount of physical space, resulting in the need for an overall larger x-ray generating device. Similarly, the space required for the outer housing reduces the amount of space that can be utilized by the inner evacuated housing, which in turn limits the amount of space that can be used by other components within the x-ray tube. For example, the size of the rotating anode is limited; a larger diameter anode is desirable because it is better able to dissipate heat as it rotates.
Moreover, construction of the outer housing adds expense and manufacturing complexity to the overall device in other respects. If the liquid is used as a coolant, the device may also be equipped with a pump and a radiator or the like, that in turn must be interconnected within a closed circulation system via a system of tubes and fluid conduits. Also, since the fluid expands when it is heated, the closed system must provide a facility to expand, such as a diaphragm or similar structure. Again, these additional components add complexity and expense to the x-ray device""s construction. Moreover, the tube is more subject to fluid leakage and related catastrophic failures attributable to the fluid system.
The presence of a liquid coolant/dielectric is also detrimental because it does not function as an efficient noise insulator. In fact, the presence of a liquid may tend to increase the mechanical vibration and resultant noise that is emitted by the operating x-ray tube. This noise can be distressing to the patient and/or the operator. The presence of liquid also limits the ability to utilize other, more efficient materials for dampening the noises emitted by the x-ray tube due to space restrictions and the need for effective electrical insulation.
Finally, use of a dielectric oil type of material is also undesirable from an environmental standpoint. In particular, the oil can be toxic, and must be disposed of properly.
Some prior art x-ray tubes have eliminated the use of an outer housing and fluid as a coolant/dielectric medium, and instead use only a single evacuated housing to enclose the x-ray tube components. Use of a single evacuated housing is advantageous in several respects. For example, eliminating the outer housing reduces the number of components required for the device. This results in a x-ray generating device that is more compact, that is lower in overall cost, that is less complex and easier to manufacture, and that is more reliable. In particular, elimination of the fluid coolant/dielectric reduces complexity and reduces the potential failure points noted above.
However, notwithstanding the recognized advantages of an x-ray generating device having a single evacuated housing, there are a number of problems that have limited its practicability. For example, to prevent excessive radiation from leaking from the x-ray tube, especially in high voltage applications, the housing must be equipped with a layer of x-ray absorbing material, such as a lead liner. However, this adds cost and manufacturing complexity to the device, because the lead shielding must be attached to the housing walls. Similarly, attachment of such a shield creates additional potential failure points that can reduce the reliability of the tube. For example, the shield layer should possess a thermal expansion rate that matches closely that of the underlying substrate material of the housing, or the materials can easily separate in the presence of the extreme temperature fluctuations of the operating x-ray tube.
Moreover, especially in high voltage applications, the use of some x-ray shields or liners substantially adds to the thickness of the housing walls, which takes up physical space and results in an overall larger x-ray tube. Again, this limits the amount of space that could otherwise be used by other x-ray tube components, such as a larger diameter anode.
Moreover, use of lead, or similar materials such as beryllium, as a liner material may again be undesirable due to environmental and health concerns relating to the toxicity of the substance. However, other suitable materials can be extremely expensive, can be difficult to manipulate during manufacturing, and/or may not possess satisfactory thermal characteristics for use in an x-ray tube.
To summarize, prior art x-ray generating devices typically rely upon the use of a second outer housing to provide a variety of functions, including cooling of the x-ray tube with a coolant, and preventing excessive radiation emissions. This outer housing adds cost and complexity to the x-ray generating device, and can reduce its long term reliability. While use of a single integral housing would thus be preferable, that approach also has drawbacks. In particular, the approach requires the use of a layer of x-ray shielding material, such as lead, on the housing walls to prevent unwanted radiation emissions. This adds cost and manufacturing complexity to the device, increases its overall size, and may not be desirable from environmental and safety standpoint.
Thus, what is needed in the art, is a radiographic device, and a method for manufacturing the device, that does not require the use of an outer housing for containing oils or similar fluids for the removal of heat and/or for providing electrical insulation. Moreover, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a radiation generating device that uses a single evacuated housing that is capable of maintaining safe levels of radiation containment without using lead shields and the like.
Given the existence of the above problems and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an x-ray generating device, and method of manufacturing the device, which utilizes a single housing for containing the anode and cathode assemblies of the x-ray tube, thereby eliminating the need for an additional external housing for containing coolant and for blocking x-rays. This reduces component count and weight, resulting in a lower cost and easier to manufacture device. Moreover, it eliminates the need for an environmentally hazardous and difficult to recycle dielectric oil, or similar type fluid, previously used as a coolant and/or dielectric. Another objective is to provide a single evacuated housing that is formed as an integral element that provides sufficient levels of radiation shielding and thereby limits the amount of radiation leakage from the housing to acceptable levels. A related objective is to provide a method for manufacturing the evacuated housing so that this radiation shielding is provided without requiring a separate layer of x-ray blocking material on the housing, such as a lead, or the like. Again, this reduces manufacturing complexity, reduces the overall size of the integral housing, and eliminates the need for bulk materials that are potentially toxic. Yet another objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an integral housing that can be manufactured so as to provide for the attachment of external cooling surfaces that convect operating heat from the integral housing and thereby maintain the x-ray tube at acceptable operating temperatures.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an x-ray generating apparatus that eliminates the need for multiple housings for enclosing the x-ray tube components. Instead, embodiments of the present invention utilize a single evacuated housing assembly, preferably formed as an integral unit, for providing the vacuum enclosure that contains the cathode and anode assemblies. Moreover, the integral housing includes a radiation blocking layer that blocks the emission of x-rays to predetermined level; for instance, in preferred embodiments radiation emissions are reduced to a level below that which is mandated by applicable FDA requirements. Preferably, the radiation blocking layer is comprised of a powder metal, that is applied to the housing substrate with a plasma spraying process. The powder metal is chosen such that it exhibits sufficient radiation blocking characteristics, and such that it satisfactorily adheres to the housing substrate material, even in the presence of extreme temperature fluctuations. This use of a radiation blocking layer eliminates the need for additional and physically separate radiation shield structures, and therefore reduces the overall size of the integral housing. In addition, the need for undesirable materials commonly used in such structures, such as lead and the like, are eliminated.
In other preferred embodiments, the radiation blocking layer is further treated with a composition, again by way of a plasma spraying technique, that permits for the attachment of external structures to the integral housing, such as cooling fins. Preferably, this bond layer facilitates the attachment of the external structure.
In an alternative embodiment, the powder metal that comprises the radiation blocking layer is integrally incorporated into the single integral housing body substrate itself, thus precluding the need for applying a blocking layer coating to the housing. This embodiment advantageously features a metallic melt component and radiation shield component mixed one with another to form the housing wall, thereby ensuring a cohesive bond between the components. This minimizes the occurrence of flaking or spalling of materials from the housing surface that may occur with prior art plating techniques. Such flaking or spalling within the evacuated tube enclosure can result in contamination of critical tube components and severely shorten the operating life of the x-ray device.
An integral evacuated housing formed in accordance with this alternative embodiment is manufactured using various procedures. Preferred components for forming the radiation shield component include tungsten and other elements with high atomic (xe2x80x9chigh Zxe2x80x9d) numbers. Copper, nickel, and iron are among the preferred elements for forming the metallic melt component.
In preferred embodiments, the single integral housing is formed as a generally cylindrically shaped body that is capable of forming a vacuum enclosure. Disposed within the integral housing is a cathode assembly having an emission source for emitting electrons. In an illustrated embodiment, the cathode assembly is supported so as to be positioned opposite from a focal track formed on a rotating anode, although the integral housing could also be used in x-ray generating devices having a stationary anode. The focal track is positioned on the anode so that x-rays are emitted through a window formed through the side of the integral housing. In one preferred embodiment, an x-ray passageway is positioned between the anode target and the window. The passageway is sized and shaped so as to prevent backscattered or secondary electrons from reaching the window area and generating excessive heat.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize a forced air convection system to remove heat that is transferred to the outer surface of the integral housing, and to remove heat emitted from the stator, or motor assembly that is used to rotate the anode. Again, this eliminates the need for coolant fluids, such as dielectric oil and the like, and therefore eliminates the problems inherent with the use of such fluids. In one embodiment, a fan is used to direct air over the outer surfaces of the integral housing; preferably the air flow is directed with an air flow shell that is disposed about at least a portion of the integral housing. Also, in preferred embodiments, the integral housing includes external air xe2x80x9cfinsxe2x80x9d for facilitating the transfer of heat away from the housing.
Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention also include means for insulating the evacuated housingxe2x80x94both in an electrical sense and in an audible noise sense. In one embodiment, a dielectric polymer material, such as a polymer gel, is disposed at specific regions of the housing. The polymer provides two functions: it electrically insulates the high voltage connection to the anode and cathode assemblies, thereby preventing arcing and charge up of the evacuated integral housing; and it acts as a damping material and absorbs vibration and noise that originates from the anode rotor assembly. Reduced noise emissions are especially important to maintain the comfort of the patient and to help reduce any anxiety that would otherwise result from high noise emissions.


A laser beam scanning apparatus for beam scanning a medium with the laser beam being deflected by a deflector, comprising a first mirror provided for reflecting the laser beam after deflected by the deflector and a second mirror provided for folding a light path between the first mirror and the medium in such a relationship that a first light path between the deflector and the first mirror is not intersected with a second light path between the second mirror and the medium. The first and second mirrors are arranged so as to be movable in parallel respectively for adjusting a length of scanning line on the recording medium, wherein either one of the first and second mirrors is moved when adjusting and said moved mirror has a lesser shift amount of the scanning line on the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the scanning line as compared with the other mirror.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser beam scanning apparatus and, more specifically, to a laser beam scanning aPParatus in which a laser beam from a laser beam generating source is deflected by a deflector, whereby a recording medium is scanned and an image is formed thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, optical apparatuses for printers employing a laser beam for carrying image information such as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. SHO 61-3114 and SHO 58-93026 are well known. In optical apparatuses of the above-mentioned type, a distance between a deflector and a recording medium is determined by the width of an image, said distance being over 200 mm for A4 size in general. An image reflecting mirror is used for making such a long optical path compact. The elements constituting the optical apparatus should preferably be provided as a unit, so as to facilitate the positioning of the apparatus to the main body of the printer, to reduce vibration and to facilitate the care of the apparatus such as exchange of parts.
On the other hand, compared with an electrophotographic copying machine (plane paper copier) utilizing projected images of originals by visible light, higher image quality is required for a laser beam printer. Therefore, the optical apparatus is a critical portion dominating the image quality, and various portions thereof should be adjusted when assembled.
Especially, the adjustments of the length of scanning line, which is a length of a laser beam track on the recording medium as well as of an illuminating position on the recording medium are important. Examples of methods for adjusting the scanning line length include one wherein the entire optical unit is moved relative to the recording medium, and one wherein the image reflecting mirror is moved in the direction of a light axis and the like. Compared with the former method, the latter one facilitates the adjustment as a optical unit and is preferable in view of the structure as a unit.
However, the movement of the image reflecting mirror for adjusting the scanning line length causes a problem in that the illuminating position on the recording medium is interlockingly altered. The change of the illuminating position caused by adjusting the scanning line length becomes a problem in the case of adjusting the scanning line length after the adjustment of the illuminating position or adjusting the scanning line length with the illuminating position fixed.


A rotor nozzle is described whose rotor body is supported in the housing with a pre-settable axial clearance and whose end facing away from the nozzle is made in conical shape, with the conical surface forming a running surface which cooperates in operation with an axial thrust surface and braking surface fixed with respect to the housing.

The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular for high pressure cleaners, having a housing with an interior space which is terminated on the inflow side by an input stopper and which has a pan bearing for a nozzle held in a rotor body on the outflow side.
Rotor nozzles of this kind are known and have proven their value in large numbers in practice. However, in particular in connection with specific applications, problems occur over and over again in pre-setting the optimum speed in the individual case for the respective rotor nozzle and simultaneously ensuring that disturbing tendencies to vibration are eliminated.
A rotor nozzle is known from DE 198 21 919 A in which the stopper serves to switch between conical jet operation, on the one hand, and straight jet operation, on the other hand. As a result of the intermediate axial space between the inner body supported at the pan bearing and the outer sleeve engaging with holding arms into recesses of the pan bearing, no bracing of the inner body between the pan bearing and the stopper takes place at any time. The inner body is freely movable in an axial direction and also freely rotatable as a result of this intermediate space in the outer sleeve. The pivotability of the inner body relative to the outer sleeve is also absolutely necessary since otherwise lateral braking forces would occur which would be too high and which could result in rapid wear of the holding arms of the outer sleeve.
It is the object of the invention to develop a rotor nozzle of the kind initially set forth in a manner such that interruptions to operation due to foreign bodies, in particular due to foreign bodies becoming active at the nozzle start-up, can be avoided, on the one hand, and defined speeds can be pre-set, on the other hand, with furthermore tendencies to vibration being eliminated by construction measures.
This object is substantially satisfied in accordance with the invention by the features of claim 1.
It is ensured by the clearance adopted between the nozzle tip and the pan bearing in the idle state that any soil particles possibly present between the nozzle head and the bearing in the start-up phase can be reliably washed out.
It is achieved by a suitable choice of the angle of the cone for the running surface provided at the end of the rotor body and for the axial thrust surface and braking surface cooperating therewith and fixed with respect to the housing that a defined stroke movement of the rotor body in the direction of the pan bearing takes place in the course of the start-up phase, on the one hand, and a relevant braking power is achieved in operation in the cooperation between the running surface and the braking surface, on the other hand. A bracing between the inclined surfaces, the rotor body and the pan bearing furthermore results in operation due to the cooperating inclined surfaces, whereby disturbing vibrations can be reliably eliminated.
The axial thrust surface and braking surface fixed with respect to the housing can form a radially inner partial running surface and a radially outer partial running surface adjoining it for the rotor body for the purpose of setting different speeds, with the angle of inclination of the radially outer partial running surface preferably being larger than the angle of inclination of the radially inner partial running surface. With this embodiment, the pan bearing can, for example, be axially adjustable in order to be able to set the different speeds.
Further advantageous aspects of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.

Rotor nozzle, in particular for high pressure cleaners


A method for refurbishing a surface of a lamp having surface damage includes the steps of removing the lamp from the motor vehicle. An original clear coat finish is removed from the surface of the lamp. The surface of the lamp is evened. Swirls and scratches are grinded out of the surface. The surface is then buffed and cleaned. A replacement clear coat material is sprayed over the surface of the lamp. The replacement clear coat material is then cured.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the refurbishing of lamp surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for removing surface wear and scratches in the lamp surface to return the lamp surface as near as possible to its original optical quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a motor vehicle is in an accident and a lamp is damaged, it is often times replaced. Lamps are very expensive parts to insure and replace. In many situations, the lamp is not broken; it is scratched severely enough to warrant the replacement thereof. The scratches affect the aesthetic quality of the lamp, as well as its performance. Scratches divert light from the direction in which the lamp is designed to emit light, reducing the performance of the lamp. In addition, some scratches in the lamp surface may misdirect enough light as to cause a distraction to those peripheral to the lamp.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/804,435 published on Sep. 22, 2005 discloses a method for refurbishing a headlamp surface. This method includes multiple steps of grinding the headlamp surface in a constant movement and oscillating motion using a machine designed specifically this purpose. In addition, there is a constant supply of water that is poured over the headlamp surface as the headlamp surface is being refurbished. The water is used to remove debris from the headlamp surface and to cool the headlamp surface as it is being sanded. This method causes two problems. First, the water transmits the debris from the headlamp surface onto the vehicle creating an opportunity for the portion of the motor vehicle below the headlamp to be damaged by subsequently wiping down of the motor vehicle after the sanding is completed. Second, the water required to remove the debris and cool the headlamp surface spills onto the floor creating an adverse work environment. This method creates a messy environment that may increase the probability of workplace injuries due to a wet floor. Third, this method requires the use of a dedicated sanding device that cannot be used for any other purpose. And finally, this method of undesirable because it refurbishes the headlamp surface while the headlamp is still mounted to the motor vehicle. Grinding a headlamp surface while the headlamp is still mounted in the motor vehicle may cause damage to the motor vehicle. In particular, mistakes made by the operator of the method may accidentally grind the motor vehicle should the operator miscalculate forces being applied to the headlamp surface. Slipping while grinding is also a high probability given the amount of water on the floor directly below the headlamp assembly.


An information display method for displaying diverse communication protocol information in order is provided. The communication protocol information display method of a mobile device includes discovering devices connectable through diverse communication protocols, displaying information on the discovered devices, displaying symbols of communication protocols supported by the discovered devices respectively, and displaying image objects associated with applications or functions for use in interoperation with the discovered devices.

A mobile terminal is embedded with advanced features such as document composition, motion picture editing, and Internet access, as well as primary services such as voice telephony and text messaging. The mobile terminal is capable of exchanging data with other devices through various communication schemes.
The mobile terminal supports various communication schemes such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and Near Field Communication (NFC). However, the legacy mobile terminal is designed such that the user has to enter a communication settings menu to enable or disable certain communication protocols. Accordingly, in order to configure multiple communication protocols, the user has to spend a lot of time repeating such a cumbersome manipulation of a user interface.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.


Omni M-VAWT is built upon and modified from Original M-VAWT to be omni directional to wind. Original M-VAWT, or Original Multi Axes-Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, is documented in U.S. Pat. No. 10,473,087 Patent granted on Nov. 12, 2019. Omni M-VAWT has significant improvements on power generation performances by having a new planet airfoil rotation and alignment assembly, a modified airfoil assembly, and the removal of Original M-VAWT mechanisms for orienting and pointing its planet airfoils persistently forward facing toward the wind. The new planet airfoil rotation and alignment assembly rotates planet airfoils fully extended and folded in rotations around their planet rotating shafts, either passively or actively within rotation limits. A modified airfoil assembly has particular modifications to shapes and sizes and rotation centers for paired planet and sun airfoils. Omni M-VAWT remains environmentally friendly to flying birds.

Original M-VAWT, or Original Multiple axes-Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, disclosed and documented in U.S. Pat. No. 10,473,087 granted on Nov. 12, 2019, made important trade-offs for improved wind power generating performances from a traditional Savonius VAWT by significantly adding complexities and costs, including: Having a chain drive assembly with its orientation mechanism and control system as means for orienting its planet airfoils to be persistent facing against wind; and having a wind pointing mechanism and control systems as means for pointing planet airfoils toward wind. Original M-VAWT, incorporated by reference in Omni M-VAWT, has a sun rotor with its sun airfoils similar to a traditional Savonius VAWT, and coupled to a so called Planet VAWT, consisting: multiple planet rotors and paired planet and sun airfoils rotating around a stationary sun rotor, and planet airfoils persistently pointing forward facing wind. Omni M-VAWT of the present invention modifies and significantly simplifies Original M-VAWT at a greatly reduced cost, but has kept and incorporated many features and benefits of Original M-VAWT, including: having multiple planet rotors and paired planet and sun airfoils rotating around a stationary sun rotor for improved wind power generating performances. Omni M-VAWT is simplified at greatly reduced cost, yet is better in power performances than Original M-VAWT. Another important feature and benefit shared by both Omni and Original M-VAWTs is: A planet airfoil and its tip speed is practically limited to wind speed, which is environmentally particularly friendly to flying living things such as birds.

Omni multi axes-vertical axis wind turbine (M-VAWT)


The present invention provides an improved input/output (I/O) circuit that comprises a pair of buffers, a voltage reference circuit that provides first and second reference voltages to the buffers respectively, and a detection circuit. The detection circuit detects whether a supply voltage is below a switching voltage, which is a pre-selected value between operating ranges of two pre-defined supply voltages, e.g., 3.3V and 5V, respectively. If the supply voltage is below the switching voltage, the detection circuit controls the voltage reference circuit to set the first and second reference voltages to first and second predetermined values, e.g., a ground level and the supply voltage, respectively. In this way, the large signal swings of the signals output by the buffers can be substantially maintained. Therefore, high speed operations can be achieved.

The invention relates generally to semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) devices and more particularly, it relates to input/output (I/O) circuits with mixed supply voltage capability.
In the semiconductor industry, power reduction, die size reduction and higher speed have been major driving forces in improving the performance of integrated circuits (ICs). In particular, low power ICs offer numerous advantages. For example, low power ICs allow high density devices to be manufactured, which are particularly suitable for mobile devices. The current trend is to reduce the standard supply voltage Vcc from 5V to 3.3V and even lower. FIG. 1 shows a typical conventional high voltage input/output (I/O) circuit 10 in a low voltage technology. I/O circuit 10 includes a level shifter 4, buffers 18 and 26, a voltage reference circuit 12, and an output stage 36. I/O circuit 10 is powered by Vcc, which may be the standard 5V or a lower supply voltage of 3.3 V, and receives an input voltage Vin switching between 0-3.3V. Voltage reference circuit 12 provides reference voltages VRP and VRN to buffers 18 and 20, respectively. The voltage across buffers 18 and 20 should generally stay within the maximum voltage the process can handle. In other words, the voltage differences between Vcc and VRP and between VRN and ground level should be less than the maximum voltage the process can handle. This usually means that in a 3.3V process VRP is around 1.7V (5.5-3.3V) and VRN is around 3.3V when Vcc is 5V. In the case Vcc is 5V, voltage input Vin of 0-3.3V is level shifted to 1.7-5V by level shifter 14 and is input to buffer 18. Buffer 18, which has a signal swing between VRP and Vcc, i.e., between 1.7 and 5V, outputs signals between 1.7-5V to output stage 36. On the other hand, buffer 26 has a signal swing between a ground level and VRN, i.e., between 0 and 3.3V and outputs signals between 0-3.3V to output stage 36. Output stage 36 then output signals between 0-5V.
I/O circuit 10 works properly when a 5V supply voltage is applied. However, I/O circuit 10 will not operate properly when a 3.3 supply voltage is applied. In the latter case, buffer 18 will have a smaller signal swing between 1.7 to 3.3V. Such a smaller signal swing causes the speed of I/O circuit 10 to become very slow such that it does not meet the high speed requirements of many applications. This is because for optimal operation of a CMOS circuit sufficient xe2x80x9cheadroomxe2x80x9d is required. Headroom is the difference between the supply voltage to buffers 18 and 20 and threshold voltages of their transistors.
Therefore, there is a need for a driver circuit with superior performance.
The present invention provides a solution that addresses the limiting factors of the conventional I/O circuits. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an I/O circuit to be powered by a supply voltage. The I/O circuit comprises a pair of buffers, each of which is responsive to input signals and configured to provide signals of sufficiently large signal swings to allow high speed operations; a voltage reference circuit, operably coupled to the pair of buffers, that is configured to provide first and second reference voltages to the pair of buffers respectively; and a detection circuit, operably coupled to voltage reference circuit, that is configured to detect whether the supply voltage is below a switching voltage. The switching voltage is a pre-selected value between operating ranges of two pre-defined supply voltages, which, for example, may be 3.3V and 5V, respectively. Alternatively, they may be 2.5V and 3.3V, respectively. If the supply voltage is below the switching voltage, the detection circuit controls the voltage reference circuit to set the first and second reference voltages to first and second predetermined values, respectively. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second predetermined values are a ground level and the supply voltage, respectively. In this way, the large signal swings of the signals output by the buffers can be substantially maintained. Therefore, the high speed operations can be achieved.
Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

I/O circuit with mixed supply voltage capability


A tuning circuit uses a VCO with a trimming capacitor bank. The trimming capacitor bank is calibrated by logic to accommodate a desired frequency, fwanted. A search renders an initial control word that is accurate within one LSB. In a first embodiment, comparisons between the desired frequency and the upper and lower frequency bounds of the VCO with the trimming capacitor bank configured by the initial control word. The control word may be increased or decreased based on the comparisons. In a second embodiment, differences between the desired frequency and the actual frequency of the VCO, with the trimming capacitor bank configured by the initial control word, are compared to a threshold. The control word may be increased or decreased based on the comparison.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to electronic circuits and, more particularly, to a digitally controlled VCO (voltage controlled oscillator).
2. Description of the Related Art
Voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) are used in a variety of electronic circuits. One particularly important application using VCOs is in mobile communications, where VCOs are used into the phase-locked loop system to generate the frequency with the desired precision and stability characteristic. VCOs are also used in a variety of other applications.
Typically, the VCO is formed on the circuit board using an LC tank including and inductor and a varactor. In order to ensure that the tuning range of the VCO is wide enough to cover the required bandwidth, and to compensate for the spread of other components, the tank formed on the circuit board is initially fabricated to cover a frequency range in excess of the optimum frequency range. During the manufacturing process, the tank is adjusted to cover an optimum frequency range by trimming the inductance of the tank.
Trimming the tank is a relatively expensive procedure, particularly for mass produced circuits, such as cellular transceivers. Further, trimming procedures require that the tank be formed on the circuit board rather than integrating the VCO on a chipset. This further increases the cost of the circuit using the VCO.
In U.S. Ser. No. 09/815,831, entitled "Electronically Trimmed VCO" to Bisanti et al, filed Mar. 23, 2001, which is incorporated by reference herein, a voltage controlled oscillator is described which uses a bank of switched capacitors coupled to the tank and varactor. This solution provides a number of advantages. First, the need to physically trim the inductor of the LC tank is eliminated. Second, the bank of switched capacitors can be set such that the VCO's free running frequency is close to the desired frequency in order to reduce the tuning range required to the varactor. This provides for fast tuning of a phase lock loop incorporating the voltage controlled oscillator. Third, the capacitor bank can be incorporated on an integrated circuit, reducing the cost of implementing the voltage controlled oscillator. Fourth, the capacitors in the bank can have very small values, providing very precise tuning.
The increase of integration in communication circuits brings the need of designing fully integrated VCOs that are able to cover wide frequency bands despite the high process spread of the on-chip components. Use of the digital trimming allows for a broad effective tuning range of the VCO, while the tuning range attributable to the varactor can remain small. Therefore, a high sensitivity is not required to achieve a broad tuning range. With a lower VCO sensitivity, better noise performances can be achieved and it is easier to integrate the varactor of the tank on an integrated circuit.
However, it is important to perform the digital trimming (calibration) accurately, otherwise, it is possible that the chosen calibration setting will not include the desired frequency within the frequency range of the VCO, which would render the circuit inoperable. Further, if settling time is important, it is desirable to calibrate the VCO such that a minimal change in control voltage is needed to obtain the desired frequency.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a fast, accurate trimming technique.

High-speed, accurate trimming for electronically trimmed VCO


A combustor includes an end cap, a combustion chamber downstream from the end cap, and a plurality of tubes that extends through the end cap to provide fluid communication through the end cap to the combustion chamber. A casing surrounds the end cap, and a conduit extends from the casing to the end cap. A duct extends around the conduit and inside the end cap to provide fluid communication to the end cap. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a plurality of tubes that extends axially through an end cap, supplying a first fluid through a conduit into the end cap, and supplying a second fluid through a duct spiraling around the conduit into the end cap.

Combustors are commonly used in industrial and power generation operations to ignite fuel to produce combustion gases having a high temperature and pressure. Various competing considerations influence the design and operation of combustors. For example, higher combustion gas temperatures generally improve the thermodynamic efficiency of the combustor. However, higher combustion gas temperatures also promote flashback or flame holding conditions in which the combustion flame migrates towards the fuel being supplied by nozzles, possibly causing severe damage to the nozzles in a relatively short amount of time. In addition, higher combustion gas temperatures generally increase the disassociation rate of diatomic nitrogen, increasing the production of nitrogen oxides (NOX). Conversely, lower combustion gas temperatures associated with reduced fuel flow and/or part load operation (turndown) generally reduce the chemical reaction rates of the combustion gases, increasing the production of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons.
In a particular combustor design, a plurality of tubes may be radially arranged in an end cap to provide fluid communication for a working fluid to flow through the end cap and into a combustion chamber. A fuel may be supplied to a plenum inside the end cap to flow over the outside of the tubes to provide convective cooling to the tubes before flowing into the tubes to mix with the working fluid. The enhanced mixing between the fuel and working fluid in the tubes allows leaner combustion at higher operating temperatures while protecting against flashback or flame holding and controlling undesirable emissions. However, the convective cooling provided by the fuel before entering the tubes may result in uneven heating of the fuel. As a result, temperature and density variations in the fuel flowing through the tubes may produce thermal stress in the tubes and/or uneven fuel-working fluid ratios that adversely affect flame stability, combustor performance, and/or undesirable emissions. Therefore, an improved combustor and method for supplying fuel to the combustor that reduces thermal stress in the tubes and/or temperature and density variations in the fuel flowing through the tubes would be useful.

Combustor and method for supplying fuel to a combustor


An apparatus and method of controlling freezing in a liquid system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger having a initial zone characterized by a surface area to volume ratio. The apparatus also includes means for initiating freezing of a fluid from the initial zone to facilitate volume expansion during freezing in the direction of a final zone characterized by a final zone surface area to volume ratio. The apparatus can further include a plurality of zones located between the initial zone and the final zone, wherein a zone surface area to volume ratio is calculated for each zone. Preferably, the zone surface area to volume ratio of each zone progressively decreases from the initial zone in the direction of the final zone. Preferably, the final freezing zone has the lowest surface area to volume ratio and has sufficient elasticity to accommodate the volume expansion of all the fluid that has frozen from the initial zone.

Freezing is a transient non-equilibrium process, during which phase change occurs with release of latent heat as liquid or fluid cools below freezing temperature due to ambient cooling conditions. When water or some water based-mixtures are cooled below freezing, the material changes from a liquid state to a solid state, and undergoes a significant expansion in volume, which is as much as 10% or more for water or water-based mixtures. When water freezes in a pipe or other confined spaces, its volume expands. Water that has frozen in confined spaces does more than simply clog the pipes and block flow. When freezing occurs in a confined space like a steel pipe, the ice will expand and exert extreme pressure which often leads to bursting of the pipe or separation of a joint and cause serious damage. This phenomenon is a common failure mode in hot-water heating systems and automotive cooling systems.
Ice forming in a confined space does not always cause cracking where ice blockage occurs. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a confined space, continued freezing and expansion inside the confined space can cause water pressure to increase downstream, which could lead to pipe failure and/or cracking in these areas. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can retreat back towards its inlet source, and there is little pressure buildup to cause cracking. Relative to other liquids, water-based mixtures are preferred for use in liquid cooling systems due to advantages in thermal properties and health and safety concerns.
Liquid cooling systems for electronic devices are occasionally subjected to sub-freezing environments during shipping, storage, or in use. If the liquid freezes, the system must be designed to tolerate any volume expansion that would occur. Additives used to lower the freezing point, such as antifreeze, are potentially poisonous and flammable and can damage mechanical components, sensitive sensors, and electronics.
Therefore, to use pure water or substantially pure water in such a system, an apparatus for and method of controlling freezing nucleation and propagation is needed, such that the system can tolerate the volume expansion caused by freezing of the aforementioned fluid without damaging electronic components or affecting system performance.

Method and apparatus for controlling freezing nucleation and propagation


Subject positioning systems and methods are provided. A method may include obtaining first information of at least part of a subject when the subject is located at a preset position, and determining, based on the first information, a first position of each of one or more feature points located on the at least part of the subject. The method may include obtaining, using an imaging device, second information of the at least part of the subject when the subject is located at a candidate position. The method may further include determining, based on the second information, a second position of each of the one or more feature points, a first distance between the first position and the second position for each feature point of the one or more feature points, and a target position of the subject based at least in part on the one or more first distances.

Radiotherapy is widely used in treatment for cancer and other conditions. Conventionally, in radiotherapy localization, a position of a subject with a region to be irradiated by radiation beam may be determined by using a radiotherapy positioning device (e.g., a radiotherapy simulator), and one or more markers (e.g., a cross) may be labeled on the surface of the subject to assist in recording the position of the subject. At this position, the region coincides with the isocenter of a radiotherapy device. During the radiotherapy treatment, the markers and laser lamps may be used to positioning the subject to ensure the region coincides with the isocenter again. However, a change (e.g., a loss of one or more markers, a position change of one or more markers caused by a morphological change of the subject, etc.) may lead to a misalignment between the region of the subject and the isocenter of the radiotherapy device. Thus, it may be desirable to develop effective systems and methods for positioning a subject in a medical device.

SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.


A simulation method is performed by a computer by using an agent disposed in a virtual space. The method includes: controlling the agent so that the agent behaves in the virtual space under influence of each of a plurality of signs disposed in the virtual space; and determining the influence of each of the plurality of signs on the agent in accordance with an attribute relating to a display mode of the sign and an attribute of the agent.

To date, a people flow simulation has been used for the study of a sign system plan involved in the disposition of a mark (sign) that exhibits various kinds of guidance, a guide, and the like (hereinafter referred to as a sign as a whole) in a shopping mall, an airport, and the like.
In the people flow simulation, a sign in accordance with a sign system plan and pedestrian agents (hereinafter referred to as agents) that simulate pedestrians are disposed in a virtual space corresponding to a shopping mall, an airport, and the like. The behaviors of the agents are simulated based on the information obtained (recognized) by the sign disposed in the virtual space so that flows of pedestrians are simulated in the sign system plan. The related-art techniques are disclosed in International Publication Pamphlet No. WO 2017/29698 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-224201.
However, the related art described above is simply for the purpose of evaluating the disposition of a sign in a virtual space, and the influence of an individual sign on an agent is regarded as uniform regardless of the fact that there is a difference for each agent. Accordingly, there is a problem in that it is difficult to evaluate the influence of different display modes of an individual sign on an agent.
According to an aspect, it is desirable to provide a simulation program, a simulation method, and a simulation apparatus that enable the evaluation of the display modes of a sign.

Simulation program, simulation method, and simulation apparatus


A user agent is provided. The user agent is configured to perform a random access procedure and to perform radio measurements. The random access procedure comprises deciding when to send a random access preamble based on a possible occurrence of a measurement gap, transmitting a random access preamble on an uplink, and monitoring a physical downlink control channel for a random access response.

As used herein, the terms "user agent" and "UA" can refer to mobile devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, handheld or laptop computers, and similar devices that have telecommunications capabilities. Such a UA might consist of a wireless device and its associated Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) application, a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) application, or a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) application or might consist of the device itself without such a card. The term "UA" may also refer to devices that have similar capabilities but that are not transportable, such as desktop computers, set-top boxes, or network nodes. A UA might communicate with a second UA, some other element in a telecommunications network, an automated computing device such as a server computer, or some other device. A communications connection between a UA and another component might promote a voice call, a file transfer, or some other type of data exchange, any of which can be referred to as a call or a session.
In traditional wireless telecommunications systems, transmission equipment in a base station transmits signals throughout a geographical region known as a cell. As technology has evolved, more advanced equipment has been introduced that can provide services that were not possible previously. This advanced equipment might include, for example, an evolved node B (ENB) rather than a base station or other systems and devices that are more highly evolved than the equivalent equipment in a traditional wireless telecommunications system. Such advanced or next generation equipment may be referred to herein as long-term evolution (LTE) equipment, and a packet-based network that uses such equipment can be referred to as an evolved packet system (EPS). As used herein, the term "access device" will refer to any component, such as a traditional base station or an LTE ENB that can provide a UA with access to other components in a telecommunications system. In the EPS system, a user agent is referred to as user equipment.
Some UAs have the capability to communicate in a packet switched mode, wherein a data stream representing a portion of a call or session is divided into packets that are given unique identifiers. The packets might then be transmitted from a source to a destination along different paths and might arrive at the destination at different times. Upon reaching the destination, the packets are reassembled into their original sequence based on the identifiers. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a well-known system for packet switched-based voice communication over the Internet. The term "VoIP" will refer herein to any packet switched voice call connected via the Internet, regardless of the specific technology that might be used to make the call.
For a wireless VoIP call, the signal that carries data between a UA and an access device can have a specific set of frequency, code, and time parameters and other characteristics that might be specified by the access device. A connection between a UA and an access device that has a specific set of such characteristics can be referred to as a resource. An access device typically establishes a different resource for each UA with which it is communicating at any particular time.

Arbitration of measurement gap coincidence with random access


Passive temperature control is provided to vessels too tall to be stored in a shallow, temperature-controlled tray or basin by a vertically oriented thermally-conductive tube. In one embodiment, an insulative collar covers the tray and insulates portions of the tube that extend above the top of the tray. Optional heat sinking fins and air convection holes increase heat transfer between the tube and the tray.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art food service counter 10 for food storage trays 12 that can keep foods hot or cold. The foods kept in such trays 12 include meats and condiments used to make sandwiches or other food products. FIG. 1 also shows a food condiment dispenser 20 in the trays 12 that is intended to control the temperature of foods kept in the tray.
FIG. 2 is a cross section of a prior art food storage tray 12. In the case of refrigerated trays 12, refrigeration lines 14 absorb heat from the side walls and/or bottom of the tray 12 in order to keep the air inside the tray 12 cold. A vessel 20 embodied as a condiment dispenser is shown in FIG. 2 to be standing upright inside the tray 12. The vessel 20 has a lower portion 24 below the open top 16 of the tray and an upper portion 22 above the open top 16.
It is well known that temperature gradients exist within food-serving trays 12. Room air currents mix with air in the tray 12, which tend to warm the top of a refrigerated tray and cool the top of a heated tray. The air temperature inside and near the top 16 of the tray 12 will almost always be different than the air temperature inside and at the bottom of the tray 12. Food storage trays 12 are therefore less than ideal for storing perishable foods for long periods of time, especially when ambient room air temperatures are high and/or when room air currents are relatively brisk. Upper portions 22 of tall vessels 20 are not refrigerated at all.
Some restaurants, sandwich shops and food services prepare foods that include made-to-order sandwiches, ice cream and pizza. Many such establishments add condiments to their products, examples of which can include but are not limited to, whipped cream, salad dressing, cheeses and mayonnaise. They usually add such condiments using well-known, hand-held dispenser squeeze bottles.
Many condiments need to be kept refrigerated in order to preserve their freshness. Dispensers from which such condiments are dispensed therefore also need to be refrigerated.
While restaurants and food service providers that add perishable condiments to food products know that some condiments need to be kept refrigerated, capital equipment costs, operating expenses and food product preparation time constraints can force many restaurants and food service providers to forego properly refrigerating condiment dispensers 20. Some restaurants and food services have taken to storing hand-held condiment dispensers in a refrigerated tray 12 when the condiment dispensers 20 are not being used in order to keep the dispensers somewhat chilled but nevertheless accessible.
Refrigerated food storage trays 12 used in prior art food service counters 10 are too shallow to properly refrigerate tall, hand-held condiment dispensers 20. Even if the trays 12 were as deep as a condiment dispenser is tall, the temperature gradient inside the tray is nevertheless inadequate to properly chill the top, upper-most part 22 of a tall condiment dispenser 20 because of the temperature gradient that exists in the trays 12. Lowering the nominal tray temperature so that the top portion 22 is kept at or below a proper condiment storage temperature might mean that the bottom portion of a tray goes below 32° F., which would freeze contents at the bottom portion 24 of a dispenser 20. An apparatus and method for assisting the refrigeration of a elongated, upright, hand-held dispensers in a food storage tray 12 would be an improvement over the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Drop-in passive thermal insert for food service counters


A face mask is provided that is configured to reduce or eliminate fogging that may occur on eye wear or an eyeshield worn by a user of the face mask. The face mask includes a body portion that has a layer with an inner surface configured for facing the face of the user. The layer has at least one fold that extends in a horizontal direction across at least a portion of the layer. The fold has a fold forming portion located between and attached to two primary portions of the layer. The inner surface of the fold forming portion is in facing relationship with the inner surface of the vertically disposed lower primary portion.

Face masks find utility in a variety of medical, industrial and household applications by protecting the wearer from inhaling dust and other harmful airborne contaminates through their mouth or nose. The use of face masks is a recommended practice in the healthcare industry to help prevent the spread of disease. Face masks worn by healthcare providers help reduce infections in patients by filtering the air exhaled from the wearer thus reducing the number of harmful organisms or other contaminants released into the environment. Additionally, face masks protect the healthcare worker by filtering airborne contaminants and microorganisms from the inhaled air.
The section of the face mask that covers the nose and mouth is typically known as the body portion. The body portion of the mask may be comprised of several layers of material. At least one layer is composed of a filtration material that prevents the passage of germs and other contaminants therethrough but allows for the passage of air so that the user may comfortably breathe. The porosity of the mask refers to how easily air is drawn through the mask. A more porous mask is easier to breathe through. The body portion may also contain multiple layers to provide additional functionality or attributes to the face mask. For example, many face masks include one or more layers of material on either side of the filtration media layer. Further components may be attached to the mask to provide additional functionality. A clear plastic face shield intended to protect the user's face from splashed fluid is one example.
When using a properly donned face mask, the heat and moisture of the user's exhaled breath tends to concentrate inside. As this humidified air escapes the face mask, it can condense on the user's eye wear or face shield causing fogging which may hamper the sight of the healthcare worker.
The body portion of face masks are typically provided with one or more folds that extend in the horizontal direction across the length of the body portion. The folds allow the face mask to be adjusted vertically or otherwise so as to allow the face mask to conform to the face of the user and create a breathing chamber for the respirated air. The folds on the inner surface of the face mask are folded down and towards the face and eyes of the user. This folding arrangement may be problematic in that moisture in airflow in the face mask may be directed upwards towards the eye wear or face shield of the user resulting in fogging.
A prior face mask 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The face mask 10 includes a body portion 12 made of at least one layer 16 of material that includes a series of folds 20 so as to allow for the aforementioned adjustment of the face mask 10. Layer 16 includes an inner surface 18 that generally faces towards the face of a user when the face mask 10 is worn. The layer 16 is made of a plurality of primary portions 32, 34, 36 and 38 that are spaced from one another by a series of fold forming portions 26, 28 and 30. The face mask 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is arranged so as to have the inner surface 18 of the fold forming portion 26 be in opposing relationship to the inner surface 18 of the primary portion 32 that is vertically disposed below the fold forming portion 26. Likewise, the inner surface 18 of the fold forming portion 28 is in opposing relationship to the inner surface 18 of the primary portion 34 that is disposed vertically below the fold forming portion 28. Still further, the inner surface 18 of the fold forming portion 30 is in opposing relationship to the inner surface 18 of the primary portion 36 that is vertically disposed below the fold forming portion 30. The inner surface 18 of the fold forming portions 26, 28 and 30 are in facing relationship with the primary portions 34, 36 and 38 that are vertically disposed above each of the respected fold forming portions 26, 28 and 30. The orientation of the folds 20 in layer 16 is problematic in that moisture in air flow in the face mask 10 is directed upwards towards the eye wear or face shield of the user of the face mask 10 thus resulting in fogging of their surfaces.


The invention relates to a chimney lining device which includes a shell member which telescopically embraces the exterior of a bell member. A shell member of desired dimensions may be used in conjunction with a standard sized bell member for the lining of various sized chimneys. Both the bell member and the selected shell member are formed of one-piece construction enhancing the durability and performance of the chimney lining device. During use, the invention is generally lowered to the bottom of a chimney whereon a masonry mortar compound is deposited within the chimney covering the chimney lining device. The chimney lining device is then activated causing the vibration of the bell member and the shell member. The chimney lining device is then slowly raised within the chimney, which causes a uniform and compacted thickness of masonry mortar compound to be deposited to the interior walls of the chimney.

During the construction of buildings, chimneys have been erected having flues of varying internal dimensions. Frequently, due to the material selected for the chimney, the age of the chimney, and/or the exposure of the chimney to adverse weather or use conditions, a necessity arises for the lining of a chimney with a masonry mortar compound. In the past, the chimney lining devices used during the application of masonry mortar compounds have not been adjustable in size for use with varying sized chimneys. Chimney lining devices as known generally were enlarged by the inclusion of expansion slats. The incorporation of expansion slats into a chimney lining device is a time consuming process. In addition, the inclusion of expandable members or slats significantly reduced the structural integrity of the device, especially when exposed to the vibrational forces required for compaction of a masonry mortar compound to the interior walls of the chimney. As such, an expandable chimney lining device frequently fractured, bent or failed following prolonged use. In the past, the cleaning and removal of expansion members or slats from a chimney lining device was difficult and time consuming. The present invention eliminates these described problems while simultaneously enhancing the structural strength, durability, and useful life of a chimney lining device.


The invention relates to methods and arrangements for an event triggered DRX cycle adjustment. A user equipment located in a serving cell of a mobile communications network monitors downlink communication at predetermined time intervals when operating in discontinuous reception mode. The user equipment also performs communication parameter measurements regarding at least one of the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells. After the occurrence of a first event, the user equipment sends at least one of measurement data and a first event report to the network. The sending is triggered by the occurrence of the first event. The monitoring is caused to be performed at shortened time intervals after the occurrence of a second event, wherein the second event is defined to indicate a higher probability of receiving a handover command than the first event.

Among others the following definitions and abbreviations will be used in the description below.
ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
CPICH Ec/No The received energy per chip divided by the power density in the band
CPICH RSCP Common Pilot Channel Received Signal Code
Power
DRX Discontinuous Reception
DTX Discontinuous Transmission
eNB E-UTRAN NodeB
E-UTRA Evolved UTRA
E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN
FDD Frequency Division Duplex
LTE Long Term Evolution
MAC Medium Access Control
RRC Radio Resource Control
RRM Radio Resource Management
RSRP Reference Signal Received Power
RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality
SINR Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio
UE User Equipment
UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
TTI Transmission Time Interval
WCDMA Wide band Code Division Multiple Access
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is a conceptual term that identifies that part of the network which consists of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) and Node Bs. This Communications network is commonly referred to as 3G. Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) is an evolution of the 3G radio access network towards a high-data rate, low-latency and packet-optimised radio access network.
The document 3GPP TS 36.300, V 0.3.1 (2006-11) provides an overview and overall description of the E-UTRAN radio interface protocol architecture.
The E-UTRAN is fundamentally a packet oriented system. This means that users transmit and receive data in non-continuous fashion. One important implication is that at a given time not all the users are active (i.e. not all the active users communicate simultaneously). This inherent characteristic of packet transmission is intended to be fully exploited in E-UTRAN system.
One important aspect of packet transmission is discontinuous transmission (DTX) and discontinuous reception (DRX). The E-UTRAN is primarily a packet-oriented system without any circuit switched transmission. This means that E-UTRAN can easily be optimized for packet transmission. One important feature introduced in E-UTRAN is the possibility of UE entering into DRX mode. In E-UTRAN there are three UE states with their context stored in the core network:                LTE_ _DETACHED        LTE_IDLE        LTE ACTIVE
However, only the last two states also have RRC context. Therefore, from radio resource allocation and usage perspective the last two states are the most interesting ones and are therefore further described below:
In the LTE_IDLE state the UE listens to the network (e.g. by means of paging information) only at DRX instant and performs downlink measurements according to the assigned DRX cycle length and autonomous cell reselection. In order to receive data the UE needs to enter into LTE_ACTIVE state, which is an essential feature in all cellular systems to allow UE battery saving.
In the LTE_ACTIVE state the UE is able to receive data and transmit data at any time. This implies that the network maintains the full RRC context on cell level in order to be able to schedule the user whenever required. (For this reason this state is also called RRC connected state on RRC level). The LTE_ACTIVE state has a sub-state called the DTX/DRX mode for the purpose of saving UE battery consumption in case of low activity. After a certain period of inactivity the UE enters into this sub-state and starts monitoring the downlink transmitted information only at a regular interval according to the network assigned DRX cycle. The DRX cycle in this case can vary typically between 5 ms up to 1-5 seconds. However, in case of much longer inactivity of packets the UE should preferably enter into idle mode.
The advantages of the type of DRX/DTX mode described above are that, on the one hand, it allows efficient UE battery savings while, on the other hand, the network can quickly schedule a UE without unnecessary delays caused by the formalities of the call setup procedure. The concept of the DRX/DTX sub-state in RRC connected state is also used in UTRA in continuous packet connectivity, which comprises purely packet oriented transmission.
Downlink scheduling information is used to inform the UE how to process the downlink data transmission. The scheduling information may include the UE identity, resource assignment, duration of assignment, modulation scheme, etc. and may be sent on a shared control channel, which comprises of mainly layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (MAC layer) contents. Generally, this information is sent in every sub-frame (0.5 ms) or at least every TTI (e.g. 1 ms). Therefore, a UE in LTE_ACTIVE mode may have to monitor this information in every sub-frame or TTI depending upon the periodicity of the transmission of scheduling information.
The handover in LTE-ACTIVE state is network-controlled. This means that the UE reports measurements to the network in response to an event. An event occurs when one or more parameters take on a certain value or certain values. En event can for instance be configured to occur when one parameter reaches a certain value individually, or when one parameter reaches one value and another parameter reaches another value, i.e. as a combination of different parameter values. The event and/or measurement reporting either triggers idle gaps for more measurement (e.g. on other carrier frequency or other technologies) or leads to handover. During an idle gap the UE tunes its receiver to another E-UTRA carrier frequency or to a carrier frequency of another access technology (e.g. UTRA or GERAN) for performing the measurements. While performing such measurements the UE does not receive or transmit any data or signaling information on the serving E-UTRA carrier frequency. In the case of handover the UE receives a handover command from the network. In DRX mode in LTE-ACTIVE state the UE can receive any network information (e.g. scheduling of handover command) only at the DRX instant, i.e. when the UE becomes active. In case of long DRX cycle (e.g. 2 or 3 seconds) the handover command reception can be delayed. But to ensure good system performance (low handover latency) both the UE measurement reporting and handover command reception should not be delayed. At the same time the characteristics of DRX mode should be retained to ensure efficient UE battery consumption.
In E-UTRAN the UE reports in the LTE-ACTIVE state the configured events and the corresponding downlink measurements when the network configured event criteria or conditions are fulfilled. As indicated above, the UE can also, in an LTE_ACTIVE state, operate in DRX mode in which the UE monitors the downlink scheduling channel only at DRX instances. In order to prevent handover delay, it has been agreed that at the occurrence of an event the UE shall report both the measurement quantity and the event as quickly as possible without waiting for the next active period.
Another important aspect is the delivery of the handover command in response to the event triggered measurement reporting. Since the UE listens periodically only at DRX instances, this can unnecessarily delay the handover command reception especially in case of long DRX cycle. But in order to ensure low handover latency the handover command, whenever required, should be delivered to the UE as soon as possible. It has therefore also been agreed that the UE shall interrupt its DRX activity after each and every event triggered measurement report and start monitoring the scheduling control channel either continuously or according to a pre-configured shorter DRX cycle. This will allow the network to schedule the UE immediately for the purpose of sending a handover command. One major drawback with this approach is that in case the network does not send handover command the UE battery will be inefficiently utilized.
There are several reasons why the network may not send a handover command in response to an event-triggered measurement report: • The network may set lower threshold to get more frequent events for monitoring network performance (e.g. operational and maintenance issues).                Another reason is that event triggered report may not directly lead to a handover; rather this may trigger gap-assisted measurements {e.g. measurements on another frequency or on another access technology).        A particular UE measurement report may also be utilized for RRM functions other than handovers such as congestion control etc.        Depending upon the implementation not all measurements may trigger handover or at least some measurements may not directly trigger the handover. As an example in WCDMA the UE transmitted power reporting (and corresponding event) is used in the network to trigger the compressed mode. UTRAN can command that the UE enters into compressed mode depending on UE capabilities, which define whether the UE requires compressed mode in order to monitor cells on other FDD frequencies and on other modes and radio access technologies.        Depending upon a particular implementation the network may perform handover according to combination of measurements, e.g. based on UE transmitted power and downlink received SINR.
Thus, there are a number of cases in which the network does not send a handover command in response to an event triggered measurement report, whereby the following control channel monitoring leads to excess battery consumption in the prior art solution.

Method and arrangements for an event triggered DRX cycle adjustment


An external “Air Core” Flux Measurement System for a production magnetizing system/devices which is a an application of magnetic energies and the respective energies of a magnetizing coil and measurement system for the efficient production of coils for automotive and other industries and a system for evaluating the quality of the cores and magnetic charge after magnetization. This is an air core meter with gauges driven by a dedicated circuit. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the testing of coils with an air core separate from the magnetization step to eliminate errors and other distracting signals inherent to the measurement device when combined with the core magnetizing step.

As far as known, there are no other external "Air Core" Flux Measurement System for a production magnetizing system. It is believed that this system/product is unique in its design and technologies. The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to electrical machines, particularly to electrical machines having permanent magnet type rotors. Specific embodiments relate to an assembly and method for magnetization of permanent magnet segments in such rotors.

External air core flux measurement system for a production magnetizing system


A lens drive mechanism, enabled to move lens holding member in a stable state, is disclosed. The lens drive mechanism comprises: first and second guide members, each extending in a predetermined direction; a first lens holding member holding a first lens and including a first cam follower portion and a first sleeve portion which engages with the first guide member and is guided in the predetermined direction; a second lens holding member holding a second lens and including a second cam follower portion and a second sleeve portion, which engages with the second guide member and is guided in the predetermined direction; and a cam member engaging with the first and second cam follower portions and driving the first and second lens holding members.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lens drive mechanism used in an image-taking optical system or a viewfinder optical system of an image-taking apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A viewfinder optical system of an image-taking apparatus is disposed so that an optical axis of the viewfinder optical system will be substantially parallel to an optical axis of an image-taking optical system. In the driving of lens elements in the viewfinder optical system in the optical axis direction, cam follower portions, which are provided on lens holding members that hold the lens elements in the viewfinder optical system, are made to contact cam groove portions of a cam ring provided in the image-taking optical system, and by converting the rotation of the cam ring to movement in the optical axis direction of the lens holding members in the viewfinder optical system, the field angle of the viewfinder optical system is changed according to a variation of the focal length of the image-taking optical system.
FIG. 4 shows diagrams of a viewfinder drive mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1.
FIG. 4A is a front view of the viewfinder drive mechanism, FIG. 4B is a side view of the viewfinder drive mechanism, and FIG. 4C is a rear view of the viewfinder drive mechanism.
In FIG. 4, Reference Numeral 101 denotes a first lens, Reference Numeral 102 denotes a first holding frame (lens holding member) that holds the first lens 101, and Reference Numeral 103 denotes a cam follower portion that is provided on the first holding frame 102.
Reference Numeral 107 denotes a second lens, Reference Numeral 108 denotes a second holding frame that holds the second lens 107, and Reference Numeral 109 denotes a cam follower portion that is provided on the second holding frame 108.
Reference Numeral 104 denotes a cam ring that rotates in the direction of the arrow C about an optical axis (image-taking optical axis) L1 of the image-taking optical system. Reference Numeral 104a denotes a first cam groove portion and Reference Numeral 104b denotes a second cam groove portion that are formed on the cam ring 104.
The cam follower portions 103 and 109 are engaged with the first cam groove portion 104a and the second cam groove portion 104b, respectively.
Reference Numeral 105 denotes a guide bar, which guides the holding frames 102 and 108 in the direction of an optical axis (viewfinder optical axis) L2, and Reference Numeral 106 denotes a rotation stopping bar, which prevents the rotation of the holding frames 102 and 108 about the guide bar 105.
On the first holding frame 102, a sleeve portion 102a, which engages with the guide bar 105 in a manner enabling movement in the optical axis L2 direction, and a U-shaped groove portion 102b, which engages with the guide bar 106 and blocks the rotation of the first holding frame 102, are formed.
Likewise, on the second holding frame 108, a sleeve portion 108a, which engages with the guide bar 105 in a manner enabling movement in the optical axis L2 direction, and a U-shaped groove portion 108b, which engages with the guide bar 106 and blocks the rotation of the second holding frame 108, are formed.
Reference Numeral 110 denotes an extension coil spring. The extension coil spring 110 is spanned across the first holding frame 102 and the second holding frame 108 in a state in which it forms a predetermined angle with respect to the guide bar 105.
The first holding frame 102 is thereby energized in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 4B, the second holding frame 108 is energized in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 4B, the cam follower 103 is pressed against a side wall of the cam groove portion 104a, and the cam follower 109 is pressed against a side wall of the cam groove portion 104b.
Also, since the extension coil spring 110 is positioned in a state in which it forms a predetermined angle with respect to the guide bar 105, component forces F1 and F2 (see FIG. 4A and FIG. 4C) are generated in directions substantially orthogonal to the optical axis L2 direction, and by these component forces, the sleeve portions 102a and 108a of the lens holding frames 102 and 108 are pressed against the guide bar 105 and eliminated of play. Vibrations of the lenses 101 and 107 during movement are thereby lessened to restrain vibrations of an image.
When in this state, the cam ring 104 rotates in the direction of the arrow C in the FIG. 4, the cam follower portions 103 and 109 are made, by the energizing force of the extension coil spring 110, to move without play along the cam groove portions 104a and 104b and the holding frames 102 and 108 moves in the optical axis L2 direction.
FIG. 5 shows diagrams of a viewfinder drive mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 2.
FIG. 5A is a sectional view resulting from sectioning the viewfinder drive mechanism along a plane containing an optical axis L2 of a viewfinder optical system, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view resulting from sectioning the viewfinder drive mechanism along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L2.
A first movable lens unit 210 and a second movable lens unit 211 are lens units (each including lens and a lens holding member), which move when the zoom setting is changed in a variable zoom viewfinder optical system. Lenses 209 and 212 are fixed to a viewfinder block 208. Lens units 210 and 211 are engaged, in a manner enabling movement in the direction of the optical axis L2, to a rectilinear guide shaft 213, which is fixed to the viewfinder block 208.
The first movable lens unit 210 and the second movable lens unit 211 have rotation stopping bosses 210a and 211a, respectively. The rotation stopping bosses 210a and 211a engage with groove portions, which are formed on the viewfinder block 208 and extend in the optical axis L2 direction, to prevent the rotation of the lens units 210 and 211 about the axis of the rectilinear guide shaft 213.
The first movable lens unit 210 and the second movable lens unit 211 have cam follower bosses 210b and 211b as follower pins and respectively have spring latch bosses 211c (the spring latch boss of the first movable lens unit 210 is unillustrated). The cam follower bosses 210b and 211b are put in contact with cam groove portions 214a and 214b of a cylindrical cam 214 by the energizing force of a movable lens energizing spring 219 that is latched onto the spring latch bosses 211C formed on the lens units 210 and 211.
The cylindrical cam 214 is a part of a viewfinder zooming mechanism that rotates via a rotation shaft 215 and is held by the viewfinder block 208. The cylindrical cam 214 is set in the position in the optical axis L2 direction by receiving the energizing force of a cylindrical cam energizing spring 216.
The cylindrical cam 214 also has a second gear 214c as a follower gear, which engages with a first gear 217b, provided on an arcuate cam 217, and rotates by receiving the driving force from the arcuate cam 217.
Furthermore, the cylindrical cam 214 has, as viewfinder lens drive cams, cam groove portions 214a and 214b, which are provided in spiral form. By the rotation of cylindrical cam 214, the first movable lens unit 210 and second movable lens unit 211 are driven in the optical axis L2 direction via the cam follower bosses 210b and 211b that are in contact with the cam groove portions 214a and 214b.
The arcuate cam 217 is a principal portion of a coupling mechanism that couples the cylindrical cam 214, which is the part the viewfinder zooming mechanism of the variable zoom viewfinder optical system, according to the changing of the image-taking magnification of the image-taking lens barrel. The arcuate cam 217 is disposed to be movable within a predetermined range along an outer circumference of a fixed barrel 201 and is set in position in the optical axis L1 direction by flange portions 201b and 201c that are provided on the fixed barrel 201.
Also, the arcuate cam 217 has a cam groove portion 217a, a drive pin 218 serving as a drive portion is engaged with the cam groove portion 217a, and the cam groove portion 217a serving as a follower portion receives a driving force from the drive pin 218. The arcuate cam 217 is furthermore equipped with the first gear 217b serving as a drive gear portion that engages with the second gear 214c provided on the cylindrical cam 214. And when the image-taking lens barrel performs a zooming operation and the drive pin 218 moves in the optical axis L1 direction, the cam groove portion 217a is pushed and the arcuate cam 217 is thereby moved along the outer circumference of the fixed barrel 201. By this operation of the arcuate cam 217, driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical cam 214.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-75187    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-242507
However, with each of the above-described conventional viewfinder drive mechanisms, since two lens units are engaged to a single guard bar, the length of a sleeve portion that is formed integral to each lens unit cannot be made adequately long. There is thus play, etc., between the lens units and the guide bar and the lens units cannot be moved in a stable manner in the optical axis direction.

Lens drive mechanism and image-taking apparatus