A grocery transport container that can be hung, having a bottom (20) includes two pairs of opposing peripheral walls (22), (24) that slope upwardly and outwardly. A top rim horizontal surface (32), and walls (24) having stacking protuberance (26) along the bottom edges and connect to the bottom (20) via the offset shoulder (28). The top rim horizontal surface (32) contains stacking protuberance interlock open cavity (48). The top rim vertical surface (36) contains a plurality of reinforcing ribs (42) that are shaped to accommodate a pair of opposing open through cavities (40) that project out through the top rim vertical surface (36) at both ends thereby enabling hanging. The top rim vertical surfaces (34) contain a plurality of reinforcing ribs (44) and reinforcing ribs with nesting standoff projections (46), the top rim vertical surfaces (34) and side walls (24) contain void spaces.

1. Field of Endeavor
The present application relates generally to containers which are nestable and stackable with one another and, more specifically, to a container system wherein a plurality of like containers are provided with the means for hanging one or more individual or several nested containers from the top edge of a vertical object such as a shopping cart rim, and used for transporting groceries.
2. Description of Prior Art
Nestable and stackable containers come in many shapes and sizes and have various industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. Such containers are generally rectangular have four sides and a bottom, and often have handles positioned near the top of two opposing sides to facilitate carrying. However, nested containers occupying a shopping cart while shopping inhibit the full function and usable space in a cart. Stackable containers that require 180 degree orientation for stacking restrict contents of the lower container from protruding upwardly past the container above at any point, stackable containers that require 90 degree orientation for stacking require the upper container to protrude outwardly past the sides of the lower container consuming space around the containers preventing compact placement of containers side by side. Stacking containers that require lids or bails are more costly, difficult to use, store, clean and are difficult to separate from nested orientation in confined spaces.
Products in use today for transporting groceries from the market checkout counter to your vehicle are the disposable shopping bag made of paper or plastic. Paper and plastic bags tear easily, are usually not recycled, often require double bagging for heavy or jagged shaped items, continue to fill landfills, and continue to be a wind-blown nuisance. Reusable bags are difficult to hold open and fill, don't protect contents from crushing, cannot be stacked, contents spill or roll out, they are cumbersome, difficult to refold, difficult to store, and are difficult to keep clean.
Numerous nestable and stackable containers exist in the prior art. Typical of these that presently appears relevant:                U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,967        Inventor: Jef de Vries        Issued: Aug. 7, 2001        U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,796        Inventor: Sam M. Martin        Issued: Jun. 7, 1977        U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,001        Inventor: Edward L. Stahl        Issued: Jan. 17, 1984
While these containers may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.


An inverter that drives a motor and a noise filter are arranged on a surface of a motor housing, and the inverter and the noise filter are integrated with the motor housing. The noise filter reduces a common-mode current generated by a switching operation of the inverter to flow out to a side of a three-phase power supply through the motor housing.

When a motor is used in a limited installation space such as in a vehicle, an inverter that performs a driving control of the motor is integrated with a motor housing in order to reduce the installation space. In this case, a stray capacitance exists between the motor housing, and a pattern and a wire that are at the same potential as a connection point between upper and lower arms of the inverter. Meanwhile, in the pattern and the wire that are at the same potential as the connection point between the upper and lower arms of the inverter, the potential varies between a DC potential and 0 volt at a high speed. Therefore, when the motor housing is connected to a power-supply ground, a common-mode current flows to a power supply of the inverter and causes noise to occur in other devices connected to the same power system.
To prevent such noise from adversely affecting other devices, there is a common procedure to provide a noise filter on an AC side or a DC side of an inverter, thereby forming a shortcut path for returning a common-mode current to an inverter side to prevent the common-mode current from flowing out to a power supply.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a power switching element and a smoothing capacitor that are fixed to an outer peripheral surface of a peripheral wall of a motor housing and a control circuit mounted on a printed circuit board or the like eventually fixed to the motor housing are wired and connected by a bus-bar built-in plate and outer frame part serving as a wiring part.
In addition, Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique in which a power module includes a wide-bandgap power semiconductor switching element, the power module and a power-module drive circuit are accommodated in separate housings, and the housing having the power module accommodated therein is fixed to a housing of a transmission, an engine, or a motor in order to cool the power module.


A starting method of an internal combustion thermal engine of a vehicle with hybrid propulsion provided with a transmission equipped with a twin-clutch gearbox and a reversible electric machine connected to a first primary shaft; the starting method including the steps of: making the electric machine work as an engine for producing a torque; partially closing a first clutch connected to the first primary shaft in order to make the first clutch itself slip to transmit part of the torque generated by the electric machine to a drive shaft of the thermal engine; engaging a gear coupled to a second primary shaft to mechanically connect the second primary shaft itself to the driving wheels; and closing partially a second clutch connected to the second primary shaft in order to make the second clutch itself slip and transmit part of the torque generated by the electric machine to the driving wheels.

A vehicle with hybrid propulsion comprises an internal combustion thermal engine, which transmits torque to the driving wheels by means of a transmission provided with a gearbox, and at least one electric machine, which is electrically connected to an electric accumulation system and mechanically connected to the driving wheels.
The following modes are possible while traveling: either a thermal operating mode, in which the torque is generated only by the thermal engine, and the electric machine may work as generator for recharging the accumulation system; or an electric operating mode, in which the thermal engine is off and the torque is generated only by the electric machine working as engine; or a combined operating mode, in which the torque is generated by both the thermal engine and by electric machine working as engine. Furthermore, in order to increase total energy efficiency during all steps of decelerating, the electric machine may be used as generator for a regenerative deceleration in which the kinetic energy possessed by the vehicle is partially converted into electricity, which is stored in the accumulation system, instead of being fully dissipated in friction in the brakes.
When the electric machine is disconnectable from the driving wheels, i.e. when the electric machine is mechanically connected to a primary gearbox shaft or is mechanically connected directly to a drive shaft of the thermal engine, the electric machine may be used to start the thermal engine itself, thus also performing the function of starter motor (as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,848A1 and in patent application GB2335404A).
When the thermal engine is "cold", the thermal engine requires the application of a very high torque (indicatively even 2-4 times higher than the starting torque needed to start a "warm" thermal engine) to the drive shaft, because the lubricant oil inside the thermal engine is not very fluid and thus opposes a high mechanical resistance due to the low temperature. A traditional starter motor can apply a very high torque to the drive shaft of the thermal engine by virtue of a very high gear-down ratio (e.g. even 1:10) between the starter motor and the drive shaft; instead, the electric machine of a vehicle with hybrid propulsion is normally mechanically connected to the drive shaft of the thermal engine with a low gear-down ratio (often unitary, i.e. 1:1, and thus without any gear-down). Consequently, the electric machine of a vehicle with hybrid propulsion may not be capable of generating the very high starting torque needed to start the thermal engine when the thermal engine is "cold".
In order to solve the aforesaid problem, in patent application US2002117860A1 it is suggested to mechanically couple the electric machine to the drive shaft of the thermal engine with two different, automatically selectable transmission ratios: a first, more geared-down ratio is selected during a step of starting of the thermal engine, while for the remaining use of the electric machine a second, more direct ratio (i.e. less geared-down ratio) is selected. However, this solution is constructively complex because a servo controlled gearbox must be interposed between electric machine and drive shaft.
In order to solve the drawback described above, in patent applications W02007131838A1, US2005155803A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,974A1 and US2009017988A1 the electric machine is separated from the drive shaft of the thermal engine by a clutch; in order to start the thermal engine, the clutch is opened, the electric machine is rotated with "no load" and the clutch is closed with the electric machine rotating so as to also exploit the inertia (i.e. the kinetic energy) possessed by the electric machine to rotate the thermal engine. However, such "launched" starting methods may not be sufficient to start a sporty, high-performance thermal engine, which has a high displacement and a high number of cylinders. Furthermore, the "launched" starting method allows to apply a high starting torque to the drive shaft needed to start a "cold" thermal engine, but is redundant to start a "warm" thermal engine; consequently, when the thermal engine is "warm", the "launched" starting method may impose unnecessarily high mechanical stress on the transmission components and determine an unnecessary delay in starting the thermal engine related to the time needed to "idle" the electric machine.
It has been further suggested to start the thermal engine with the vehicle moving, i.e. when the driver requires forward vehicle motion the vehicle itself is initially moved only by the electric machine working as engine (thus solely in electric traction) and only later is the clutch which connects the drive shaft of the thermal engine to the electric machine and to the driving wheels closed to better exploit vehicle inertia to rotate, and thus start, the thermal engine.
By virtue of the vehicle inertia, the starting of the thermal engine is guaranteed in relatively rapid times; however, when the clutch which connects the drive shaft of the thermal engine to the driving wheels is closed, a reduction (or a cancellation or even an inversion) of the vehicle acceleration occurs due to the braking effect of the thermal engine; such a reduction of vehicle acceleration is very annoying because it is clearly perceived by the driver. It is worth noting that the driver does not intervene in any manner on the decision to start or stop the thermal engine: the only command decided by the user is to press the accelerator pedal and when the driver presses the accelerator pedal the vehicle is expected to accelerate uniformly and not to "suddenly" brake because an electronic control unit has autonomously decided to start the thermal engine. Furthermore, the braking effect of the thermal engine determines the onset of longitudinal oscillations, which are particularly annoying because they are clearly perceived and very uncomfortable.
Finally, during the starting of the thermal engine vibrations may be generated on the drive shaft, which are transmitted to the driving wheels determining further longitudinal oscillations of the vehicle. As previously mentioned, the longitudinal oscillations are particularly annoying because they are clearly perceived and very uncomfortable.

Starting method of a thermal engine of a vehicle with hybrid propulsion


A precision seeder for sowing seeds to obtain a predetermined number of plants per unit of length includes a seed discharging tube adapted to feed the seed by an excess air pressure from a seed distributing device to a seed outlet, a seed furrow opener including two sowing discs arranged at an angle relative to each other, and a resilient press surface for pressing the seed into the soil. The press surface is configured such that a direction of flow of the seeds at the seed outlet intersects or is substantially tangent to at least a portion of the press surface. The seed outlet is located between the sowing discs and, as seen in the transverse direction, inside or immediately adjacent to the periphery of at least one of the sowing discs.

When sowing crops such as maize, sunflowers and soya beans it is desirable to plant, in each row, single seeds at a predetermined distance from each other. This requires a device for singling out single seeds from a hopper containing many seeds. An example of such a seed distributing device is disclosed in EP-0 216 057 B1. The distributed seeds are fed by means of an excess pressure in the hopper through a tube to a seed knife, which creates a furrow in the ground into which the seeds are dropped.
In many practical applications, a seed knife is not enough to provide optimal conditions for the seed.
A seeder known in the art, which is marketed by Amazonen-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH under the name Amazone EDX and which has a seed distributing device according to EP-0 216 057 B1 mentioned above, uses a pair of sowing discs, which operate at a forwardly oriented acute angle so as to make a furrow, and where the seed knife is located partly between the sowing discs. Arranged after the seed knife is a press wheel, whose function is to apply pressure on the seed to ensure satisfactory contact between the seed and the soil, and a pair of wheels, which operate at a rearwardly oriented acute angle relative to each other to cover the seed with soil.
In seeders where the seeds are fed by means of an excess air pressure the seeds usually travel at a relatively high speed as compared with seeders where the seeds are singled out using a vacuum technique and are then allowed to drop by gravity through a seed discharging tube. Speeds of up to 15 m/s are not uncommon. The seed knife ensures here that the seed lands in the intended spot in the furrow and does not bounce off before the succeeding press wheel is able to press it down.
However, the seed knife is a wearing part, which needs to be replaced a number of times during the life of the seeder. Furthermore, when using a seed knife there is a risk that plant residues get stuck, eventually causing malfunctioning. There is also a risk that the seed knife is damaged by obstacles, such as stones, in the ground, thus causing operating disturbances.
There is therefore a need to provide a seeder that solves the above problems while maintaining its precision.

Row unit for a planter, planter and method for planting


Described herein are techniques for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. Recording conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve.

The prior art includes various devices which may be used to record television programs. Most common may be VCRs, which can record television programs. More recently, devices known as personal video recorders (PVRs) have entered the market. PVRs use a hard drive to record digital data which may include, but is not limited to, a television program. Various optical media and other forms of memory may be used to record television programs or digital representations thereof.
The aforementioned television converter devices may be used to automatically record programs that will occur in the future. For VCRs, one may input the channel, time, and duration of a program to be recorded. This may be referred to as the manual setting of a timer. Newer PVR devices may allow a user to select a television program to be recorded from an electronic program guide (EPG). An EPG is a display of program and schedule information on the television screen. Such information may be broadcast to the television converter device, and may be periodically updated. Advanced EPGs may allow users to highlight particular programs. If selected, by pressing the proper button on a remote control, a highlighted program may be selected for either watching or recording depending on the situation.
Some advanced PVRs allow the user to set several different timers for several different programs. Another feature of some prior art PVRs is to announce conflicts between timers. The user may then resolve the conflict by effectively choosing one of the timers.
Prior art PVRs may announce a timer conflict by presenting the user with a text-based message that describes the timer conflict. The messages may include the titles of the programs, the time the programs were supposed to be recorded, and the channels. The user may need to read this information, determine why there is a conflict, and decide how to resolve the conflict. In essence, the text-based messages may force the user to decipher what caused the timer conflict.
Prior art devices do not provide for a graphical display of the conflict between the timers. Thus, prior art devices do not provide a user-friendly, graphical interface to resolve timer conflicts. These and other deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.
For clarification, the drawings use a nomenclature for reference numerals that has two parts. The first part of the reference numeral is the drawing number, and it is followed by the second part, a two digit identifier (drawing 1 uses 1xx; drawing 3 uses 3xx). For example, two reference numerals in drawing 1 may be "102" and "104." A reference numeral in one drawing may be referred to in subsequent drawings; the same reference numeral in later drawings refers to the same item.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus for resolving recording timer conflicts


A wireless replacement light bulb with one or more accompanying control switches, such as an integrated switch and/or a wireless lamp switch is provided. The bulb comprises a light source, such as an LED element, a controller, a wireless interface, and one or more accompanying control switches, such as an integrated switch and/or a wireless lamp switch. The bulb can be controlled, such as turned on or off, by a user using the integrated switch, the wireless lamp switch, or a combination thereof. The integrated switch and the wireless lamp switch does not remove power from the controller, allowing the controller to control the bulb in response to receiving a wireless control signal from a remote electronic device, such as a remote control, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like.

Technical Field
Aspects of the embodiments relate to wireless bulbs, and more specifically to a wireless replacement LED bulb with one or more accompanying control switches, such as an integrated switch and/or a wireless lamp switch.
Background Art
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs have become popular due to their lifespan and electrical efficiency, which considerably exceeds that of incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. While the upfront cost of LED bulbs is usually higher, they are cheaper to operate over the lifespan of the bulb, and their cost continues to drop. The LED bulbs on the market today are designed to be shaped similar to typical incandescent bulbs in order to fit in existing light fixtures and to appear familiar to consumers. However, LED bulbs can be easily adapted into any desired shape.
The semiconductor nature of the LED bulbs makes them inherently controllable. Today, LED bulbs are sold with built-in controllability enabling many "smart" applications. Replacement LED bulbs with wireless technology have become common in the marketplace. These bulbs generally comprise an LED light source, a remote control, and a Wi-Fi controller. The bulbs can be dimmed and turned on and off wirelessly using the remote control or via a smartphone or tablet through the Wi-Fi controller.
However, there is a fundamental flaw in currently available wirelessly controllable LED bulbs. If power to the LED bulb is removed, it cannot be turned on remotely using a wireless signal. This is particularly problematic with table lamps and floor lamps, where wireless control can be quite convenient, but users are also accustomed to turning the lamp on and off using a switch on the lamp itself. When the lamp switch is turned off by the user, the power is cut off to the LED bulb and the user can no longer control the LED bulb remotely. This situation leads to frustration and confusion.
Accordingly, a need has arisen for a wireless replacement LED bulb with one or more accompanying control switches, such as an integrated switch and/or a wireless lamp switch.

Wireless replacement led bulb with one or more accompanying control switches


A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimic receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the drug is an anti-microbial, such as an anti-fungal agent for treatment of large animals, such as horses.

Delivering medications via contact lenses has been a prevailing practice since the inception of using hydrophilic, crosslinked polymer gels on the surface of the eye. In fact, the first patent in the field from Otto Wichterle in 1965 states that "bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal or otherwise medicinally active substances such as antibiotics may be dissolved in the aqueous constituent of the hydrogels to provide medication over an extended period, via diffusion." However, there is evidence that this notion of a dissolved component in an aqueous constituent has been around for a much longer period of time. Evidence exists that honey soaked linen was used in ancient Rome as an ophthalmic dressing in the treatment of disease.
The biggest obstacle to using the fluid entrained in the aqueous portion of the polymer gel is maintaining a significant concentration of drug within the fluid to have a therapeutically relevant effect, which is ultimately limited by the solubility of the drug. This has been the primary reason why drug release from contact lenses has not become a clinical or commercial success. To an equivalent extent, the control over the drug delivery profile and an extended release profile is also important to therapeutic success and has not been demonstrated using these methods. Drug uptake and release by conventional (i.e., currently available) soft contact lenses can lead to a moderate intraocular concentration of drug for a very short period of time, but does not work very well due to a lack of sufficient drug loading and poor control of release. The use of soft, biomimetic contact lens carriers (i.e., recognitive polymeric hydrogels) described herein has the potential to greatly enhance ocular drug delivery by providing a significant designed and tailorable increase in drug loading within the carrier as well as prolonged and sustained release with increased bioavailability, less irritation to ocular tissue, as well as reduced ocular and systemic side effects.
The ocular bioavailability of drugs applied to the eye is very poor (i.e., typically less than 1-7% of the applied drug is absorbed with the rest entering the systemic circulation). Factors such as ocular protective mechanisms, nasolacrimal drainage, spillage from the eye, lacrimation and tear turnover, metabolic degradation, and non-productive adsorption/absorption, etc., lead to poor drug absorption in the eye. Currently, more efficient ocular delivery rests on enhancing drug bioavailability by extending delivery and/or by increasing drug transport through ocular barriers (e.g., the cornea—a transparent, dome-shaped window covering the front of the eye; the sclera—the tough, opaque, white of the eye; and the conjunctiva—a mucous membrane of the eye with a highly vascularized stroma that covers the visible part of the sclera). A topically applied drug to the eye is dispersed in the tear film and can be removed by several mechanisms such as:                (i) irritation caused by the topical application, delivery vehicle, or drug which induces lacrimation leading to dilution of drug, drainage, and drug loss via the nasolacrimal system into the nasopharynx and systemic circulation (e.g., the rate drainage increases with volume);        (ii) normal lacrimation and lacrimal tear turnover (16% of tear volume per minute in humans under normal conditions);        (iii) metabolic degradation of the drug in the tear film;        (iv) corneal absorption of the drug and transport;        (v) conjunctival absorption of the drug and scleral transport;        (vi) conjunctival "non-productive" absorption via the highly vascularized stroma leading to the systemic circulation; and        (vii) eyelid vessel absorption leading to systemic circulation.Therefore, due to these mechanisms, a relatively low proportion of the drug reaches anterior chamber ocular tissue via productive routes such as mechanisms (iv) and (v).
For posterior eye tissue and back of the eye diseases (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, retinal degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, etc.), the amount of drug delivered can be much less compared to front of the eye disease. To treat back of the eye disease, four approaches have typically been used, topical, oral (systemic delivery), intraocular, and periocular delivery.
Topically applied drugs diffuse through the tear film, cornea/sclera, iris, ciliary body, and vitreous before reaching posterior tissues, but due to the added transport resistances such diffusions do not typically lead to therapeutically relevant drug concentrations. However, researchers have shown that topically applied drugs do permeate through the sclera by blocking corneal absorption and transport. Intravitreal injections (injections into the eye) require repeated injections and have potential side effects (hemorrhage, retinal detachment, cataract, etc.) along with low patient compliance. Extended release devices have been used but require intraocular surgery and often have the same incidence of side effects. Periocular drug delivery is less invasive and also requires injections or implant placement for predominantly transscleral delivery.
To overcome most of these protective mechanisms, topical formulations have remained effective by the administration of very high concentrations of drug multiple times on a daily basis. For a number of drugs high concentrations can lead to negative effects such as burning, itching sensations, gritty feelings, etc., upon exposure of the medication to the surface of the eye as well as increased toxicity and increased ocular and systemic side effects. However, traditional ophthalmic dosage forms such as solutions, suspensions, and ointments account for 90% of commercially available formulations on the market today. Solutions and suspensions (for less water soluble drugs) are most commonly used due to the ease of production and the ability to filter and easily sterilize them. Ointments are used to a much lesser extent due to vision blurring, difficulty in applying to the ocular surface, and greasiness. The term "eye drops" herein refers to all topological medications administered to a surface of the eye, including but not limited to solutions, suspensions, ointments and combinations thereof. In addition to the aforementioned problems, drug delivery through the use of eye drops does not provide for controlled time release of the drug. Eye drop medications typically have a low residence time of the drug on the surface of the eye.
The efficacy of topical solutions has been improved by viscosity enhancers that increase the residence time of drugs on the surface of the eye, which ultimately lead to increased bioavailability as well as more comfortable formulations. Also, inclusion complexes have been used for poorly soluble drugs, which increase solubility without affecting permeation.
Other recent delivery methods have included in situ gel-forming systems, corneal penetration or permeation enhancers, conjunctival muco-adhesive polymers, liposomes, and ocular inserts.
Ocular inserts, in some cases, achieve a relatively stable or constant, extended release of a drug. For example, ocular inserts such as Ocusert® (Alza Corp., FDA approved in 1974) consist of a small wafer that contains a drug reservoir enclosed by two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer membranes. The wafer is placed in the corner of the eye and provides extended release of a therapeutic agent for approximately 7 days (e.g., pilocarpine HCL, for glaucoma treatment, reducing intraocular pressure on the eye by increasing fluid drainage). Lacrisert (Merck) is a cellulose based polymer insert used to treat dry eyes. However, inserts have not found widespread use due to occasional noticed or unnoticed expulsion from the eye, membrane rupture (with a burst of drug being released), increased price over conventional treatments, etc.
Mucoadhesive systems and in-situ forming polymers typically have problems involving the anchorage of the carrier as well as ocular irritation resulting in blinking and tear production. Penetration enhancers can cause transient irritation, or alter normal protection mechanisms of the eye, and some agents can cause irreversible damage to the cornea.

Therapeutic contact lenses with anti-fungal delivery


A bonded drive shaft includes an elongated tube having an internal bore and at least one end fitting for connecting to a drive component. The end fitting includes first and second locating portions that engage the internal bore to precisely and firmly locate the end fitting with respect to the tube. The end fitting also includes an adhesive gap portion positioned between the locating portions to form a generally annular adhesive receiving gap between the first locating portion, the second locating portion, the adhesive gap portion and the internal bore of the elongated tube. Adhesive is injected into the adhesive receiving gap to bond the end fitting to the elongated tube.

Automotive drive shafts are typically constructed by welding a tubular member to end fittings that include universal joints for connection to drive and driven connection devices for the transmission of power. Aluminum materials are presently used for such components for weight reduction and performance advantages, with the tubular members being welded to the end fittings. The welding methods used to connect such components have several disadvantages:
1. Drive shaft strength is limited because only lower strength weldable alloys can be used for the sub-component tubular members and end fittings.
2. The heat treated aluminum tube is annealed by the heat used in the weld zone, diminishing the effect of the heat treatment and the strength of the tube.
3. Distortion and the stress forces created by the heating and cooling of the weld joint are difficult to control.
4. Welding induced mechanical run out can require excessive balancing weight and straightening operations.
5. Welding of Duralcan Metal Matrix Composite Aluminum is difficult and the quality of the welds is inconsistent.
It is also known to adhesively bond end fittings to carbon fiber tubes, but in the past this has been accomplished by brushing adhesive onto the end fitting and/or tube prior to assembling the end fitting onto the tube, then inserting the end fitting into the tube. This has been found to be wasteful of adhesive, as excess adhesive is used to assure proper bonding when the components are assembled. Further, because there is little ability to control flow of the applied adhesive as the components are assembled, there is no certainty that maximum surface contact between the components and the adhesive is achieved to maximize the bond strength. Finally, because there is such little ability to control the flow and positioning of the adhesive, the balance of the drive shaft can be negatively affected by a non-uniform positioning of the adhesive around the drive shaft.


A method and a device for registering three-dimensional data are disclosed. The method for registering three-dimensional data comprises: generating first two-dimensional data by two-dimensionally converting first three-dimensional data indicating a surface of a three-dimensional model of a target, generating second two-dimensional data by two-dimensionally converting second three-dimensional data indicating at least a part of the three-dimensional surface of the target; determining a first matching region in the first two-dimensional data and a second matching region in the second two-dimensional data by matching the second two-dimensional data to the first two-dimensional data; setting, as initial position, a plurality of points of the first three-dimensional data, which correspond to the first matching region and a plurality of points of the second three-dimensional data, which correspond to the second matching region; and registering the first three-dimensional data and the second three-dimensional data using the initial position.

For the purpose of diagnosis and treatment in the medical field, a plurality of three-dimensional data may be acquired by different devices with regard to a target such as a patient's affected part. Each of the plurality of three-dimensional data may have a coordinate system unique to the device that has generated the corresponding data. For example, MRI data generated by modeling a patient's affected part using an MRI device and three-dimensional measurement data generated by imaging the corresponding affected part using a three-dimensional measurement device have different coordinate systems.
When a plurality of three-dimensional data having different coordinate systems are used together for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment, such three-dimensional data may be combined in an appropriate method. For example, when a surgeon operates a patient, for accurately recognizing the structure and shape of the patient's affected part and the outer part surrounding the affected part, MRI data generated by modeling the affected part in advance and three-dimensional measurement data generated by imaging the outer part of the affected part may be used together. In order to combine and use data having different coordinate systems, the coordinate systems related to the data need to be converted or aligned into a single coordinate system. For example, the coordinate system of the MRI data may be converted into the coordinate system of the three-dimensional measurement data, the coordinate system of the three-dimensional measurement data may be converted into the coordinate system of the MRI data, or the coordinate systems of the MRI data and three-dimensional measurement data may be converted into a third coordinate system.
Meanwhile, various registration algorithms are used for registration between data having different coordinate systems. According to an exemplary registration algorithm, the relative position between data may be changed in such a direction that the similarity between the data increases, and the relative position between data having the maximum similarity may be determined. Such a registration algorithm may designate an initial position in connection with data for the purpose of registration. If the initial position is erroneously designated with regard to data to be registered, the similarity between the registered data may not become maximum throughout the entire area of the data, although the similarity between the registered data may become locally maximum in the periphery of the initial position. In other words, if the initial position is erroneously designated with regard to data to be registered, inaccurate registration may be made between the data. There is another problem in that, if the initial position is erroneously designated with regard to the data to be registered in this manner, a long time is necessary to reach the optimal registration.

Device and method for registering three-dimensional data


Two standard waves from a standard waveform generation circuit are output via an output gate while being interchanged by a direction selector. The switching operation of the direction selector is controlled by a direction control signal M/I. 200 cycles of the standard waveforms are counted up by a 200-cycle counter. A drive counter is downcounted every 200 cycles, while the drive counter is upcounted in accordance with the number of drive pulses DRIVE. When the count value of the drive counter becomes zero, output from the output gate is thereby stopped. At the time of startup, outputs from the 200-cycle counter are counted so as to output a drive wave in a predetermined number in a predetermined direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive wave generation circuit which generates two types of drive waves for driving a piezo actuator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Piezo actuators employing elongation and contraction of a piezo element have been proposed, and have gained attention as ultra-small actuators (KONICA MINOLTA TECHNOLOGY REPORT Vol. 1 (2004), p. 23-26). Such piezo actuators are employed in devices such as cameras which include, for example, a mechanism which drives the image capturing element in order to compensate for shaking of the camera when held by hand, or in a focusing mechanism that moves the camera lens.
In a piezo actuator, a voltage is applied to a piezo element (piezoelectric element) so as to cause elongation and contraction of the element, thereby generating a reciprocating movement of a drive shaft. By employing a configuration such that the moving speed of the drive shaft in one direction differs from the moving speed in the opposite direction (i.e., by causing slow elongation and quick contraction, or vice versa), it is possible to cause movement of a movable object placed in frictional contact with the drive shaft. By employing the elongation and contraction of a piezo element as the drive force, linear movement of an object can be achieved without use of coils or the like, facilitating downsizing of the actuators.
In order to change the moving speed of the drive shaft, voltage waveforms applied to the piezo element must be changed. For example, in order to cause slow elongation and quick contraction, it is necessary to perform voltage application in a pattern in which voltage in a first direction is applied slowly and then voltage in the opposite direction is applied abruptly.
When moving an object such as a lens in a manner as described above using a piezo actuator, reciprocating movement of a drive shaft is caused, and the movable object such as a lens is made to slide with respect to the drive shaft. Accordingly, the absolute position of the lens cannot be determined without providing a lens position detector. Meanwhile, for cameras mounted on a cellular phone or the like, any reduction in size or cost is very desirable.


A system and method for externally controlling the charging of a battery powered mobile computing device includes a charging unit configured to be electrically coupled to the mobile computing device to charge a battery therein. The charging unit comprises a charger configured to operate in a first mode to provide a constant charge current to the battery to be charged and to operate in a second mode to provide a constant charge voltage to the battery to be charged and where the switch from the first mode to the second mode occurs when the voltage at the battery a predefined threshold voltage. The charger including an offset compensator configured for applying an offset voltage to the measured output of the charger to maintain the charger in the first mode to compensate for voltage drops between the charger and the battery thereby allowing the battery voltage to reach the threshold voltage.

The availability and widespread adoption of mobile computing devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, mobile data entry terminals etc. has increased significantly recently and this trend appears poised to continue for many more years. Given the proliferation of mobile computing devices, the size and weight of the mobile computing device has become an important factor in enhancing their adoption, usefulness and attractiveness for users. It is generally very desirable to be able to reduce the size and weight of mobile computing devices to increase their appeal to users. In addition to the expected issues of miniaturization, packaging and design necessary to reduce the size and weight of mobile computing devices, a related issue arises in that heat generated within the mobile computing device becomes a serious design issue due to the density of the components within the smaller enclosures for the computing devices and the higher operating speeds of processors within the computing devices, which results in additional heat generation, and the proliferation of radios (WiFi, Bluetooth, WAN, GPS, etc.) and other heat generating components with mobile computing devices.
An additional issue facing the manufacturers of mobile computing devices is the design and provisioning of the rechargeable batteries used by such devices. Again, as size and weight are important design considerations, the selection and design of batteries for mobile computing devices typically focuses on the energy storage density of the battery, with higher densities desired to enable longer operating times for the devices. Presently, the majority of mobile computing devices employ batteries with a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery chemistry as these batteries provide a good energy storage density.
However Li-ion and most, if not all, other battery chemistries suitable for use in mobile computing devices require carefully managed charging regimes to be employed to maximize the battery's energy storage and the potential operating lifetime (number of possible charge cycles, etc) of the battery and to reduce the possibility of dangerous conditions occurring during charging of the battery which could otherwise put the computing device and/or user at risk of harm.
Accordingly, mobile computing devices typically include charging control circuitry and/or mechanisms which operate to control the charging of their batteries and to prevent unsafe charging. While necessary for safe and appropriate operation of the charging functions of mobile computing devices, these control mechanisms add to the weight of the mobile computing device and also generate waste heat within the mobile computing device.

System and method for externally controlling the charging of a battery powered device


A method enables call management on a queue. An incoming call is placed on a queue and may be suspended at a predetermined position for a predetermined period such that the call does not advance on the queue during the predetermined period. The predetermined position may be any desired position on the queue and the predetermined period may be a wait time or a number of calls on the queue, for example. The caller may further receive an estimated wait time or queue length and may request a maximum desired wait time, a change in wait time, or a change in communication method.

The present invention relates to call management and more particularly to managing calls on a queue.
Many business and customer service organizations rely upon call processing centers to service incoming customer telephone calls. As the number of incoming calls increases, however, the quantity of calls may exceed the capacity of the answering system, thus necessitating a call queuing system. In such a system, incoming calls are placed in a queue and typically answered in turn such that the first received call is answered first, for example.
Callers with calls on a queue have been frustrated by long wait times while waiting on queues because they have had to commit large amounts of time in order to have their calls answered. Moreover, during the wait, callers are unable to engage in other activities for fear of missing the opportunity in the event that the call is answered while the caller is momentarily away with the only alternative being losing one""s place in the queue. Therefore, callers who do not wish to risk missing their opportunity to speak with a party on the receiving end of a call must stay on the line or, at the very least, remain close to the phone.
FIG. 1 illustrates the prior art method of call queuing and answering. A caller""s incoming call is received (step 100) and placed on a queue (step 101). As calls are answered and removed from the queue, typically on a first-in-first-out basis, for example, all calls on the queue are sequenced (step 102). In this way, the caller""s incoming call progresses through the queue in turn until his/her incoming call reaches the top of the queue (i.e., the next call to be answered). When the caller""s incoming call reaches the top of the queue (step 103) and a call is to be answered, the caller""s incoming call is answered (step 104).
The prior art method as illustrated in FIG. 1 does not allow the caller to reserve a position on the queue in such a way as to provide the caller with the freedom to leave the queue unattended without risking losing one""s place in the queue. As a result, the caller must remain on the line and in close proximity to the communication device while waiting on the queue.
Thus, a need exists in the art to enable a caller on a queue to suspend a call on the queue such that the caller may leave a communication device unattended for a desired amount of time without losing one""s place in the queue.
In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, a call may be received from a caller, placed in a queue and may advance in the queue. The call may be suspended at a predetermined position such as a present position in the queue determined by the caller or the system such that the call does not advance in the queue, thus permitting the caller to leave the communication device unattended for a desired amount of time without losing one""s place in the queue. Suspension of advancement of the call in the queue may be maintained such that other calls in the queue may bypass the call until a command is received from the caller to resume advancement of the call in the queue, for example. Also, suspension of advancement of the call in the queue may be maintained while other calls on the queue bypass the call until a predetermined number of calls bypass the call at which time advancement of the call in the queue may be resumed. Alternatively, suspension of advancement of the call in the queue may be maintained for a predetermined period of time after which time, advancement of the call in the queue may be automatically resumed.
In another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, a call may be received from a caller, placed in a queue and may advance in the queue. The caller may request information from the system which may include a wait time estimate, including an estimate of the required wait time until the call is answered; a request for queue length such as the number of calls in the queue ahead of the call, which may include a report from the system on the current position in the queue; a request for a change in communication mechanism such that the caller may record a voice mail message, send an e-mail, send a page or send a fax; a request for a change in wait time such that the call may be answered out of turn; or a request for a wait time limit such that the caller may not wait longer than the specified wait time limit.
It is understood that the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. The embodiments shown herein are intended to illustrate rather than to limit the invention, it being appreciated that numerous variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention.


An orderly succession of first tobacco items, each including of a double cigarette portion, is fed along a path, along which the first items are cut into two portions, which are connected by rolling, and by means of an outer band and the interposition of an intermediate double filter, to form an orderly succession of second items, which are cut to form a first and second succession of third items consisting of single, side by side, oppositely-oriented cigarettes; the cigarettes in one of the two successions being turned over 180.degree. in relation to those in the other succession to form at least one stream of equioriented cigarettes for supply to a follow-up machine; and the pitch of the various successions of items undergoing only one change along the entire path.

The present invention relates to a method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes.
As described, for example, in British Patent N. 2,241,866, filter-tipped cigarettes are known to be produced on a filter assembly machine defining, internally, a path along which elongated tobacco items are fed transversely in relation to their axis. The input of the above known filter assembly machine is supplied with a succession of first tobacco items consisting of double cigarette portions, which, as they are fed transversely along said path and through a cutting station, are each cut into two single portions forming a first and second orderly succession side by side and parallel to each other. Inside a rolling station, each portion in one of the two successions is connected to a corresponding portion in the other, to form a second tobacco item hereinafter referred to as a "double cigarette." Each double cigarette consists of two cigarette portions separated by a double filter made integral with the two cigarette portions by a band, the central portion of which encloses the double filter, and each end portion of which encloses one end of a respective cigarette portion.
Still with reference to the above British patent, once formed, the double cigarettes are fed successively through a cutting station where they are cut transversely in half to form two successions of third tobacco items consisting of oppositely-oriented single cigarettes. That is, downstream from the cutting station, the cigarettes in each pair produced by cutting a respective double cigarette are arranged with their filters facing and substantially contacting each other.
According to the above British patent, the two successions of filter-tipped cigarettes are then fed to a turnover station where the cigarettes in one succession are turned over those in the other and into the gaps between respective adjacent pairs of cigarettes in said other succession, so as to produce a single succession of equioriented cigarettes, which are fed to the output of the filter assembly machine and directly or indirectly to the input of a packing machine.
Alternatively, as described in Italian Patent Application N. BO92A 000311, inside the turnover station, the cigarettes in one succession are turned over away from those in the other, so as to produce two separate successions of equioriented cigarettes, which are then fed to respective outputs of the filter assembly machine.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008, the pitch or center distance between the tobacco items traveling along said path through the filter assembly machine undergoes only two successive reductions, following each of which the items are fed forward closer together. In actual fact, the items undergo three pitch reductions, one of which, however, is an inevitable consequence of the rolling operation, and is annulled when the original pitch is restored immediately after rolling.
On modern filter assembly machines, on which the tobacco items are fed transversely at relatively high speed, reductions in the pitch of the items involve not only relatively complex, high-cost handling operations, but also variations in speed resulting in relatively marked inertial forces capable of damaging the items.

Method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes


A surface light source unit includes, in the following order: a light source; a light collecting sheet having light collection portions on at least one side of the light collecting sheet; and a light transmissive substrate having a flat portion and recesses on at least one side of the light transmissive substrate.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have recently enjoyed wide use because of small thickness, light weight, and low power consumption. An LCD includes a liquid crystal cell and a polarizing plate. A polarizing plate is usually composed of a pair of protective films and a polarizing film and obtained by stretching a polyvinyl alcohol film dyed with iodine to make a polarizing film and laminating a protective film to both sides of the polarizing film. A transmissive LCD has a polarizing plate on both sides of a liquid crystal cell and may further have one or more optical compensation films.
As LCDs do not produce light themselves, they need a surface light source. Backlight type LCDs are widely employed, in which a light diffusing member and a light collecting member, such as a diffuser sheet and a prism sheet, are disposed between a liquid crystal cell and a light source to establish a uniform surface light source system. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp or a light emitting diode is used as a light source. Some LCDs employ an edge light system in which a light source is placed along the edge of a light guide film and combined with a diffuser sheet, a prism sheet, and the like to make a surface light source system. As described, a backlight system is generally composed of a linear or point light source the light from which is converted to uniform surface light by use of a diffuser sheet.
A schematic view of a conventional LCD equipped with a backlight system for obtaining a surface light source is illustrated in FIG. 7. The conventional LCD includes, in the order described, a light source 52 having linear light sources 56, a first light diffuser sheet 58, a light collecting sheet 54, a second light diffuser sheet 60, and a liquid crystal panel 72. The liquid crystal panel 72 includes a liquid crystal cell 70 and a pair of polarizing plates 66. Each polarizing plate 66 is composed of a polarizing film 62 and a pair of protective films 64.
Light emitted from the light source 52 is diffused through the first diffuser sheet 58 and enters the light collecting sheet 54, where it is collected toward the front side to provide increased front brightness. The second diffuser sheet 60 in front of the light collecting sheet 54 widens within a predetermined range the viewing angle once narrowed by the light collecting sheet 54.
By disposing the diffuser sheet on both sides of the light collecting sheet 54, unevenness of brightness is reduced, and in-plane uniformity of display qualities is achieved. This configuration is also effective in preventing incident light from interfering with pixels of the liquid crystal cell and in scattering side lobe generated in prisms, thereby to prevent occurrence of an interference fringe such as Moire.
In recent years, reduction in the number of linear light sources 56 used in the light source 52 has been attempted to reduce the number of members making up an LCD as well as power consumption. With a decrease in thickness of LCDs, the distance between the light source 52 and each diffuser sheet 58 or 60 has been reduced. Under these circumstances, it has now become difficult to achieve uniform light diffusion with conventional diffuser sheets. In order to shorten the distance as much as possible, it has been proposed to substitute the diffuser sheet by a light-diffusing protective film on the polarizing film of the backlight side polarizing plate making up the liquid crystal panel.
For example, JP 2000-75134A proposes a diffusing polarizing plate having a diffusing layer containing porous amorphous particles and spherical particles and having prescribed characteristics, which allows for omission of a diffuser sheet.
JP 2007-304553A discloses a light collecting sheet (prism sheet) having a transparent resin layer containing light diffusing particles dispersed therein, which prevents occurrence of moire while retaining high brightness.

Light transmissive substrate, method of making transmissive substrate, surface light source unit, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal device


Disclosed herein is a combustion apparatus which comprises a chamber having a apertured rotatable tubular auger mounted between end walls of the chamber to convey particulate material from the region of the chamber proxi-mate the feed inlet to the combustion gas outlet and a blower connected to the opposite end of the tubular auger and configured to blow gas into the bore of the auger and out through the apertures into the chamber.

The generation of waste is a great burden to society and infrastructure. Governments are being required to manage both domestic and commercial waste on massive scales in a manner that is sustainable over the long term. The task of dealing with the vast variety of materials in an efficient manner is therefore a challenging one.
One of the main problems when handling domestic and commercial waste materials is the generation of toxic and/or hazardous compounds which originate from the materials themselves and/or residual compounds contained within the waste. Initial processing of these materials liberates these compounds and can facilitate secondary reactions which produce further harmful compounds. This problem is exemplified when handling waste construction industry fibre board. During the initial processing the fibre board is broken down into small pieces, thereby exposing the harmful adhesives and preservatives contained within the board products.
The problems associated with burning domestic and commercial waste material are also exacerbated by dampness in the materials. Any moisture reduces the temperature of combustion and therefore changes the mixture of gasses which are liberated. Reducing the temperature also makes the burning process inefficient and increases the ash deposits left at the end.
Conventional management schemes involve deposition within land-fill sites. This is not sustainable in the long term and has environmental consequences. Other schemes involve large scale incineration to generate electricity, but this often leads to large emissions of harmful gases.
A number of devices have previously attempted to address the above problems, but these involve the generation of very high temperatures which can only be obtained by particulating the waste material into small pieces and then blowing it tangentially around a combustion chamber. This provides the combustion process with an excess amount of gas and ensures that all the material is mixed sufficiently. An example of such a device is shown in WO2015033170A1. However for these type of device to work effectively the material is required to be particulated and dried prior to combustion. This makes the whole process expensive and time consuming.
There has now been devised a combustion apparatus which over-comes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and/or other disadvantages associated with the prior art.


An oxidation-sensitive composite has applied thereto a composition comprising a mixture of boride powder constituted for the most part of TiB2, at least one vitreous refractory oxide powder constituted for the most part by a mixture of borosilicate glass, and a binder containing a ceramic-precursor resin. The resin is cured and is subsequently transformed into a ceramic by heat treatment or during first exposure of the coated part to high temperatures.

The invention relates to applying a protective coating against oxidation on thermostructural composite material parts containing carbon or some other material that is sensitive to oxidation at high temperature, such as boron nitride.
Thermostructural composite materials are characterized by their mechanical properties which make them suitable for constituting structural parts, and by their ability to conserve these mechanical properties at high temperature. They are constituted by fiber reinforcement densified with a matrix of refractory material which fills the pores in the fiber reinforcement, at least in part. The materials constituting the fiber reinforcement and the matrix are typically selected from carbon and ceramics. Examples of thermostructural composite materials are carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) such as carbon fiber reinforcement with a silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) or carbon fiber reinforcement with a matrix comprising a mixture of carbon and silicon carbide (C/Cxe2x80x94SiC), or indeed a C/C composite silicided by being caused to react with Si (C/Cxe2x80x94SiCxe2x80x94Si).
Thermostructural composite materials very frequently contain carbon, whether constituting the fibers, constituting at least part of the matrix, or indeed constituting an interphase coat formed on the fibers to provide them with adequate bonding with the matrix. Thus, whenever such parts are used in an oxidizing atmosphere and at a temperature above 350xc2x0 C., protection against oxidation is essential in order to avoid rapid deterioration of parts made out of such composite materials. This also applies when boron nitride (BN) is used as an interphase component between ceramic fibers and matrix.
There exists abundant literature concerning the formation of anti-oxidation protective coatings for parts made at least in part out of carbon or out of graphite.
For thermostructural composite material parts containing carbon, and in C/C composite parts, it is known to form a protective coating at least in part out of a composition containing boron, and more particularly a composition having self-healing properties. A xe2x80x9cself-healingxe2x80x9d composition is a composition which, by passing to a viscous state at the temperature at which parts are used, can serve to plug any cracks which might form in the protective coating. Otherwise, in an oxidizing atmosphere, such cracks give the oxygen of the ambient medium access to reach the composite material and to infiltrate into the residual pores thereof. Self-healing compositions in widespread use are boron glasses, in particular borosilicate glasses. Reference can be made for example to document U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,522.
It is also known from document EP 0 609 160 to form a coating for protection against oxidation by means of a mixture of zirconium diboride ZrB2, colloidal silica SiO2, and silicon carbide SiC. It should be observed that in that document, it is recommended to avoid using titanium diboride TiB2.
The oxide B2O3 is the essential element in boron-containing protective compositions. It has a melting temperature which is relatively low (about 450xc2x0 C.) and it is good at wetting the carbon-containing surface to be protected. Nevertheless, when the temperature becomes higher than 1000xc2x0 C., B2O3 volatilizes and its ability to protect diminishes.
In addition, because its melting temperature is relatively low, the oxide B2O3 can be eliminated from the surfaces of parts by blowing from a flow of gas passing over said surface. Furthermore, B2O3 is hydrophilic and forms boron hydroxides which begin to volatilize at relatively low temperatures (from 150xc2x0 C.).
However, there exists a need to protect parts that are used in a moist environment at high temperature.
This applies in particular to the diverging portions of nozzles for hydrogen-and-oxygen rocket engines where the water vapor produced and ejected through the nozzle creates not only an environment that is moist and oxidizing, but also sweeps the surface of the inside wall of said diverging portion.
This also applies to C/C composite brake disks as used in aviation when landing and taxiing on wet runways.
Document EP 0 550 305 discloses a method of making a coating for protecting composite material parts that contain carbon in order to provide them with resistance against abrasion and against blowing. That method comprises forming a coating on the parts out of a mixture of a non-oxide ceramic powder (such as a carbide, nitride, boride, or silicide powder), a refractory oxide powder having healing properties by forming a glass (such as a powder of a silica-alumina mixture), and a binder constituted by a resin that is a ceramic precursor (e.g. a polycarbosilane, polytitanocarbosilane or similar, polysilazane, polyvinylsilane, or silicone resin), the precursor subsequently being transformed into ceramic. A protective coat is obtained with a non-oxide ceramic phase and a healing phase constituting two interpenetrating lattices, thereby offering the desired resistance both to abrasion and to blowing.
An object of the invention is to provide a method of providing protection against oxidation for a part made of composite material, which method provides a high degree of effectiveness, particularly in a moist environment.
This object is achieved by a method comprising: applying on the part a composition containing a mixture of at least one boride in powder form, at least one vitreous refractory oxide in powder form having healing properties by forming a glass, and a binder comprising a resin that is a precursor for a refractory ceramic; and curing the resin,
in which method, said boride powder is constituted for the most part by titanium diboride TiB2, and said powder of at least one vitreous refractory oxide comprises for the most part a borosilicate mixture.
The term xe2x80x9cborosilicate mixturexe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cborosilicate systemxe2x80x9d is used herein to mean an association of boron oxide and of silicon oxide, i.e. a (B2O3, SiO2) system.
In addition to titanium diboride TiB2, the boride powder may include at least one other metal boride such as aluminum boride, e.g. AlB2 and/or AlB12, and/or silicon boride such as SiB4 and/or SiB6.
Surprisingly, and as can be seen from the examples given in the description below, such a composition provides effective and durable protection against oxidation, including in a moist atmosphere, and in spite of the presence of B2O3.
The binder can be constituted by a polymer that is a precursor for a ceramic selected from: polycarbosilanes, polytitanocarbosilanes, polysilazanes, polyvinylsilanes, and silicone resins. The polymer is preferably cured in air at a temperature below 400xc2x0 C.
Advantageously, a composition is applied to the part so that after curing it presents a thickness lying in the range 200 micrometers (xcexcm) to 700 xcexcm.
Also advantageously, the composition is applied to the part as a plurality of successive coats, with intermediate curing.
The ceramization (transformation) of the refractory ceramic precursor takes place at high temperature, ceramization can be performed after the composition has been applied and before first use of the part by heat treatment at a temperature which is typically higher than 600xc2x0 C., and in an inert atmosphere. Ceramization can also be performed at higher temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere, preferably at a temperature higher than or equal to 800xc2x0 C. Ceramization is then performed over a shorter duration, e.g. by flash oxidation in a furnace containing air, or by flame treatment in air, or by direct inductive coupling with a heating inductor when the nature and the shape of the part make that possible.
In a variant, ceramization can be performed directly during first use of the part when operating at high temperature.
When the part to be protected is made of C/C composite, the composition can be applied to the part directly, or after a refractory undercoat has been formed, e.g. made of SiC. Such an undercoat serves to form an additional barrier providing protection against oxidation, but it is subject to cracking. The undercoat can be formed reactively, e.g. using SiO gas, by chemical vapor deposition or infiltration, or by ceramizing a precursor, or it can be obtained by siliciding the C/C composite with silicon, giving rise to an undercoat of the SiCxe2x80x94Si type.
According to another feature of the method of the invention, it includes a prior step of impregnating the part with a composition containing at least one phosphate, for example aluminum or magnesium phosphate, impregnation being followed by heat treatment at a temperature higher than 600xc2x0 C.
In order to make it easier to apply, and in particular in order to adjust its viscosity, the composition preferably contains a solvent for the ceramic precursor resin. The composition can be applied by coating using a paint brush or a spray gun, and then eliminating the solvent by drying, and then curing the resin.
In order to increase the ability of the protective coating to withstand blowing, the composition can include additional fillers in the form of short fibers or xe2x80x9cwhiskersxe2x80x9d of refractory material, e.g. of ceramic material such as silicon carbide or alumina.
The invention also provides a composite material part containing carbon and provided with a protective coating as obtained by the method defined above. The part can be a C/C composite friction part or a diverging portion of a rocket engine nozzle.

Protecting composite material parts against oxidation


The present invention provides a versatile system for optimizing data fragmentation in a digital communications—particularly OFDM communications—system. A digital transmission system (100) is provided, having a PHY-level constraint. An array (104, 112) of data transmission parameters (106-110, 114-116), relating to the digital transmission system, is provided. A fragmentation construct (102) is provided, and adapted to determine a number of symbols required to transmit a given data transmission payload. The fragmentation construct calculates (118), based on the number symbols required, and on certain parameter information from the array, a number of bytes of data that must be transmitted in the given data transmission payload in order to minimize pad bits added to the data transmission payload.

Increasing demand for more powerful and convenient data and information communication has spawned a number of advancements in communications technologies, particularly in wireless communication technologies. A number of technologies have been developed to provide the convenience of wireless communication in a variety of applications, in various locations. This proliferation of wireless communication has given rise to a number of manufacturing and operational considerations.
Since wireless communications rely on over-the-air (OTA) transmissions, wireless systems and their operation are subjected to a number of regulatory requirements and restrictions. These regulatory influences can vary considerably, and even conflict, across different countries or regions. Wireless device manufacturers and service providers often develop industrial standards to define specific communication schemes, and to help reconcile competing or conflicting approaches thereto.
Among the emerging communication technologies, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is gaining support and acceptance for wireless transmission of video, audio or other high bandwidth data between various devices. Generally, UWB is utilized for short-range radio communications—typically data relay between devices within approximately 30 feet—although longer-range applications may be developed. A conventional UWB transmitter operates a very wide spectrum of frequencies, several GHz in bandwidth. UWB may be defined as radio technology that has either: 1) a spectrum that occupies bandwidth greater than 20% of its center frequency; or, as it is more commonly understood, 2) a bandwidth ≧500 MHz.
UWB systems commonly utilize a modulation scheme, known as Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (OFDM), to organize or allocate data transmissions across extremely wide bandwidths. OFDM schemes are commonly utilized, not only in UWB systems, but also in narrow-bandwidth communications systems and protocols such as 802.11(a).
Often, particularly in UWB systems, OFDM schemes are supplemented by dividing a given frequency range into multiple sub-bands. Systems that utilize these multiple sub-bands in combination with OFDM modulation are commonly known as Multi-band OFDM. Multi-band OFDM (MBOFDM) in a UWB system provides relatively low-power, broad-spectrum communication that enables high bandwidth data transfer.
MBOFDM systems and standards have provided a number of advancements intended to improve the potential communication bandwidth associated with such systems. Operational constructs within such systems are routinely expanded in terms of capacity. Consider, for example, an interleaver function within an OFDM system. Certain MBOFDM systems may comprise interleaver functions that are capable of processing relatively large data packets—as many as six or more OFDM symbols in length, for example. In an MBOFDM system where the interleaver boundary is six OFDM symbols, transmission packet lengths must be a multiple of six OFDM symbols.
Given wide variances in data transmission needs, however, it is entirely possible that the last segment of data to be communicated occupies something substantially less than a full six OFDM symbols. Consider, for example, a case where data to be communicated slightly exceeds a full six OFDM symbols. Data in the full six OFDM symbol packet may be transmitted, but the remainder data must be supplemented to form a full six-symbol packet. In such a situation, nearly six symbols worth of pad bits (i.e., useless "filler" data) may be needed to form a full packet for transmission. OTA transmission of such useless data reduces the efficiency and effective throughput such systems.
As a result, there is a need for a system that provides optimal data fragmentation for OTA transmissions—one that minimizes the volume of pad bits transmitted and maximizes the effective throughput of an OTA transmission channel—in an easy, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Versatile system for optimizing data fragmentation in digital communications


An air fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors supplied with fuel from a common fuel supply and supplied with air for producing a fuel spray pattern immediately upstream of an inlet valve to the combustion bowl of one of the engines cylinders and downstream of the induction air passage which supplies combustion air to the combustion bowl. The injection air supply is provided by an integral motor pump assembly having an electric motor driving a balanced lobe vane pump. The pump motor is electrically driven to charge the fuel injectors with high pressure air before the engine is started and independent of engine operation. The balanced lobe vane pump has an inlet connected to the PVC valve of the engine to provide a oil mist lubrication of the operative wear surfaces of the vane pump and the vane pump has an inlet connected to an air manifold for supplying lower noise and pulse air pressure thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to port fuel injection and induction systems for internal combustion engines and more particularly to such systems wherein air is supplied to a port fuel injector from an air manifold for injecting fuel into the air induction stream from an intake duct supplied from an intake manifold through a throttle body.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,421 discloses an anti-pollution system for an internal combustion engine. The engine has a PVC valve connected to a venting air injector. However, the air injector pump is a scroll pump which is connected to be driven by a fan pulley driven belt. The system does not provide an integral electric motor for driving a pump to supply air to a port fuel injector independently of engine start-up or engine operation. Also, the system of the '421 patent does not provide for mist lubrication of the rotary components of a pump solely in response to air inlet flow to the pump.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,599 discloses an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector system and a secondary air supply system. The secondary air system includes an air pump and air injection manifold for supplying air to the exhaust ports of an engine. There is no suggestion of providing an electric motor driven pump for supplying fuel injection air independently of engine start-up or engine operation. Also there is no suggestion of providing lubrication to such a pump solely in response to air inlet flow to the pump.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,939 discloses an air-fuel supply system wherein a rotary vane pump has both an air inlet and a fuel inlet to supply air/fuel to the pump for mixing therein. The air/fuel mixture produced by the pump is discharged directly into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The system does not include an integral electric motor for driving an air pump to supply injection air to a port fuel injection and induction system independently of engine start-up or engine operation. Furthermore, there is no provision for providing a mist lubrication of the pump solely in response to flow of inlet air to the pump.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,636,148 and 4,804,317 show vane type pumps that have been used in other applications. These patents do not disclose or suggest the use of a electric motor driven balanced vane pump to supply air to the fuel injector of a port fuel injection and induction system independently of engine start-up or engine operation. Furthermore, there is no provision for providing a mist lubrication of the pump solely in response to flow of inlet air to the rotary vane pump.

Port fuel injection and induction system for internal combustion engine


Methods and apparatus to control network access from a user device, are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request from a user device for access to a network, receiving a first password from the user device, determining that the first password is invalid, and sending a second password and a command to the user device to cause the user device to execute an application to store the second password on a network access device associated with the user device.

Network providers (e.g., internet service providers, broadband network providers, etc.) employ security techniques to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. For example, one method for preventing unauthorized users from accessing a digital subscriber line (DSL) connected network is to require that the user's network access equipment (e.g., customer premises equipment, residential gateway, etc.) send authentication credentials to an authentication server on the network. The authentication server verifies the credentials and provides access to the network if the credentials are valid. If the credentials are invalid, the authentication server does not enable access to the network for the equipment.
Some network providers provide webpages that allow users to configure the credentials and/or profile. After making changes to their credentials, a user will then need to manually modify the credentials stored in their user equipment.


It is determined that an entity is registered as having control over the use of at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address for a first set of computer data that is accessible in accordance with Internet protocols. Enhanced search results are acquired that include a second set of computer data. The second set of computer data includes or links to information pertaining to the entity, other than information provided at the Web address.

This application relates to enhancing computer-based searching.
Much of the information available on the World-Wide Web (xe2x80x9cWebxe2x80x9d) is organized into Web pages that can be retrieved and displayed by Web browser software under the direction of a user. Each of the Web pages is identifiable by a respective Uniform Resource Locator text string (xe2x80x9cURLxe2x80x9d), such as xe2x80x9chttp://www.isp321.com/frontpage.htmlxe2x80x9d, that the Web browser software can use to select the page. Each URL includes a domain name, such as xe2x80x9cwww.isp321.comxe2x80x9d, that identifies the Web site where the corresponding Web page is stored for retrieval by Web browser software. Each domain name is registered by an entity that controls the corresponding Web site and Web pages. A domain name registry organization maintains the domain name registration information, which may include name, address, and other information that allows the organization to bill the entity for payment for the maintenance.
An Internet service provider (xe2x80x9cISPxe2x80x9d) is an example of an entity that may have a registered domain name for a Web site. Typically, an ISP has customers such as individuals or businesses for whom the ISP stores Web pages on the Web site for retrieval by Web browser software. For example, the ISP may have a customer Maple Street Plumbing for which the ISP stores a home Web page having a URL that includes a prefix xe2x80x9chttp://www.isp321.com/xcx9cmaplestplumbxe2x80x9d. A home Web page is typically the only or the primary entry point into a Web site or a set of Web pages that are under the control of an entity.
Another example of an entity that may have a registered domain name is a Web portal site that maintains, in pages organized by categories, links to Web sites and home pages that are under the control of other entities. Typically, a Web portal site allows another entity to create a link from the Web portal site to the other entity""s Web site or home page by submitting information to the Web portal site.
A Web search engine site maintains and updates a search engine database, i.e., a Web page record database, that includes a Web page record for every Web page that has been turned up by Web sweeping software that sweeps the World Wide Web for any and all Web pages. A typical Web page record includes a URL for the respective Web page, an excerpt or other subset of the information provided by the Web page, and a date indicating the most recent update of the Web page record When a user directs a Web search engine site to execute a search, the Web page record database is searched and then search engine results are displayed to the user in the form of a list of Web page records.
An on-line yellow pages site maintains and updates a yellow pages database that includes yellow pages entries having information similar to information found in entries in a traditional yellow pages book. When a user directs the yellow pages site to execute a search, the yellow pages database is searched and then yellow pages results are displayed to the user in the form of a list of yellow pages entries.
Some information about an entity may not be available on a Web site that is under the control of the entity. For example, public financial information about a company may be stored in a database that is not linked to the company""s Web site or is not directly accessible by Web browser software, such as a database under the control of a financial services firm.
Methods, systems, and computer software are provided for enhancing computer-based searching. Such enhancements are made possible by a highly effective mapping database that allows different sets of information from different computerized sources to be mapped to each other to indicate that the different sets pertain to the same entity such as a business. In one or more aspects of the invention, it is determined that an entity is registered as having control over the use of at least a portion of a Web address, and computer data pertaining to the entity is acquired or used that includes information other than information provided at the Web address.
Different aspects of the invention allow one or more of the following. Search engine results can be provided that include little or no irrelevant information. A search engine application can serve as a user""s primary entry point into a yellow pages engine application or a yellow pages engine application can serve as a user""s primary entry point into a search engine application. A user can be provided with confirmation that a Web page purporting to be under the control of a particular entity is in fact under the control of that entity. An entity having control over multiple Web sites can allow a user to limit a single search to all of the entity""s Web sites. An entity providing a search engine application or a yellow pages application can enhance the application, thus increasing the amount of attention a user devotes to the application and giving the entity more targeted information on the user""s interests, which can result in increased advertising revenue for the entity.

Method for search engine generating supplemented search not included in conventional search result identifying entity data related to portion of located web page


The present invention relates to a combined reactor settler with the reactor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined reactor settler and reactor in a caustic free kerosene sweetening reactor which reduces equipment costs, operating costs, and plot space requirements.

The invention relates to a hydrocarbon treating process referred to as sweetening. In this process, mercaptans present in a liquid hydrocarbon stream such as naphtha or kerosene are oxidized in the presence of an aqueous alkaline solution to disulfide compounds which remain in the hydrocarbon stream. The aqueous alkaline solution may aqueous or anhydrous ammonia. The sweetening of sour petroleum fractions is a well developed commercial process which is employed in almost all petroleum refineries. Sweetening processes, therefore, do not remove sulfur from the hydrocarbon feed stream but convert it to an acceptable form. The sweetening process involves the admixture of an oxygen supply stream, typically air, to the hydrocarbon stream to supply the required oxygen. The admixture of hydrocarbon and air contact an oxidation catalyst in an aqueous alkaline environment. The oxidation catalyst may be impregnated on a solid composite or may be dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous alkaline solution. Currently there are two stages of water wash and a reactor settler (horizontal vessel) in caustic-free kerosene/jet fuel (Kero/JF) sweetening process to minimize the amount of soluble alkali content in the treated hydrocarbon. Customers have limited plot space for new and revamp projects, so it is often requested to eliminate equipment.

Process and apparatus for a settler and first stage water wash in a caustic free kerosene sweetening reactor


A portable numerically controlled (xe2x80x9cN/Cxe2x80x9d) water-jet driller for drilling a hole through skin and substructure of structures, which includes an agile water-jet driller end effector and a numerically controlled apparatus for placing the water jet driller end effector within a region of the hole to be drilled. The N/C apparatus communicating with the agile water-jet driller end effector.

The present invention relates to a mechanism for drilling holes, specifically aerospace and aircraft structure holes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable numerically controlled (N/C) water-jet driller.
Aerospace and aircraft structures contain numerous pre-drilled holes, specifically fastener holes, which are drilled through the skin and substructure. These holes must be accurately located and have excellent finish quality in order to meet the stringent requirements necessary for structural fastening in aircraft and aerospace applications.
Current hole drilling devices pose several problems and difficulties. These problems include slow drilling rates, mislocated hole position, and high capital and facilities costs. These drilling devices include N/C drill towers, pneumatic feed drill motors and backup-tooled drilling machines.
N/C drill towers are numerically controlled drilling machines that are large, vertical mills on massive tracks that drill fastener holes in airframe structures. Several brands of N/C drill towers are available, such as the Jobes(trademark) driller (known as the precision drill center), which is currently utilized to drill F-22 wing skins. Though highly accurate, these machines have slow drilling rates, while requiring large capital investments and extensive facilities modifications. Drilling rate is typically defined, but without limitation, as the quantity of holes that can be drilled per hour (including time allocated for part fixturing, driller alignment, teardown and maintenance.) The drilling rate with N/C drill towers is further reduced when structural deflection caused by drilling forces acting against the structure being drilled limits the drilling force that the machine can impart to the structure being drilled (thereby limiting drilling rate).
Pneumatic feed drill motors are devices that are hand aligned into drill guides or drill templates that position the drill motor over the intended hole location. Typical models utilized on an aerospace or aircraft production floor are the Spacematic(trademark), Peck(trademark), and Quackenbush(trademark) drill motors. Pneumatic feed drill motors suffer from slow drilling rates, mislocated and poor quality holes.
Backup-tooled drilling machines are numerically controlled and can drill accurate, high quality holes. These machines also have fast drilling rates because the high drilling forces are nullified by a movable backup structure that is repositioned for each hole by the drilling machine. Production backup-tooled drilling machines include the Electro-impact(trademark) (used on the Boeing 737(trademark)) and Flexible Assembly System (used on the Boeing F/A-18E/F). The primary limitations of this type of driller are high capital costs, high maintenance costs, excessive floor space, U and O costs, and long procurement and facilities lead times.
Other types of drilling machines or methods such as high power lasers that remove material with heat or thermal energy, cause mechanical stresses on the cut surface and can emit hazardous materials or vapors.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new portable N/C water-jet driller.
The instant invention is directed to a portable N/C water-jet driller that satisfies the needs enumerated above and below.
The present invention is directed to a portable N/C water-jet driller. The portable N/C water-jet driller includes an agile water-jet driller end effector and a numerically controlled apparatus for placing the water-jet driller end effector within a region of the hole to be drilled. The agile water-jet driller end effector communicates with the numerically controlled apparatus.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that can drill fast, accurate, high quality holes with reduced capital, maintenance and facilities costs.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that does not require excessive floor space.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that improves the assembly process, particularly the assembly process of aircraft, by greatly reducing the drilling forces required to create fastener holes.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that does not require an indexing tool. Indexing tools are typically defined as hard templates or drill guides that guide the location of the hole on the structure being drilled.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that combines the invasive drilling capability of a water-jet cutter with the labor savings of a numerically controlled machine.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that does not utilize or emit any noxious gases or liquids and does not create hazardous materials or vapors. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that removes material using a non-thermal process.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that allows most fixturing tools to be eliminated because the driller imparts virtually no deflecting force during drilling. Fixturing tools are rigid devices that are usually permanently floor mounted that have precisely machined features that captivate or clamp structural components into precise 3-dimensional orientations. Generally, lower drill forces allow for small, lightweight, less expensive fixturing tools.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable N/C water-jet driller that does not leave any heat-affected zones or mechanical stresses on the cut surface.

Portable numerically controlled water-jet driller

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A system for locating a downhole apparatus comprises a wellbore having an interior pressure cavity, wherein the apparatus is disposed in the pressure cavity, a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field in the pressure cavity, and a magnetic field indicator disposed external to the pressure cavity, the magnetic field indicator responsive to the magnetic field in the pressure cavity, wherein the magnetic field is indicative of a position of the apparatus in the pressure cavity.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
The present disclosure relates generally to an indicating system and a method for locating a downhole apparatus, and in particular, to a system and a method for locating a downhole apparatus inside a pressure containing system.
In the process of measuring and working on oil and gas wells, downhole tools and coiled tubing are frequently employed. During the use of the downhole tools, various depth measurement systems are employed to track the location of the tools with respect to the surface pressure containing equipment or to features in the well itself. Such surface pressure containing equipment is commonly referred to as a blow out preventer (BOP) stack, generally incorporating one or more BOPs, some length of riser (simple straight pipe), and one or more mechanisms to provide a seal between the BOP stack's pressure barrier and the conveyance method (e.g. coiled tubing, wireline, slickline, jointed pipe, and the like).
As an example, a key underlying measurement method for jointed pipe includes measuring the length of the pipes before they are put into the wellbore. For continuous conveyance methods, two means are generally employed: 1) measuring a rotation of the spool; and 2) pressing a friction wheel against the conveyance means and measuring a rotation to determine an amount of the conveyance means that has moved in or out of the well. Occasionally point markers are employed to indicate a specific location. Such markers include magnetized area, paint, plated on conductive areas, collars, and modifications to the cross section of the conveyance means (such as rolled in grooves or dents).
When a friction wheel is used as the sole means of locating the downhole tool with respect to an internal feature of the well and/or the BOP stack, it is often supplemented by references to a feature of the well such as the location of the casing collars, gamma ray patterns, nipple locations, or tagging the bottom. Any small errors (or permanent changes in the length of the conveyance, such as the increase in length seen in coiled tubing) may accumulate as a downhole tool is run in and out of the well, leading to uncertainty as to when the tool has been pulled back into the BOP stack for removal. This uncertainty can reach hundreds of feet; it is not unheard of to have operators be pulling out of hole at high speed, thinking they are still at significant depths, and then have their tool pulled into the sealing means. This often results in the failure of the joint between the tool and the conveyance means, leading to the dropping of the tool. This is sufficiently common in the wireline and slickline world that "tool traps" are commonly available that latch onto the tool when it is pulled up into them and prevent it from dropping even if the wire fails.
Another key challenge comes during pressure deployment; the tools must be very precisely located relative to the BOP rams so that the rams may be closed on a part of the tool that is prepared for this (commonly called a deployment bar). Missing the appropriate location by a few inches can mean major damage to the tool, dropping the tool, or a blowout. Reverse deployment (removing the tool) is complicated by the uncertainty in the location after the friction wheel errors have accumulated. This can be compensated by gently tagging the sealing mechanism to re-establish the relationship between the tool and the BOP stack.
It is always desirable to provide an indicating system and a method of locating a downhole apparatus disposed in a pressure cavity of a well.

Indicating system for a downhole apparatus and a method for locating a downhole apparatus