An image or other sample processor has a resampling filter adapted to provide output samples at an output sampling frequency which can be selected to be higher or lower than the input sampling frequency. The width of the resampling filter aperture is scaled according to either the input sampling frequency or the output sampling frequency so as to obtain the wider of the two possible filter apertures.

Interpolation and decimation of sampled data is frequently necessary. A very common example is the 're-scaling' of all or part of digitally-represented television images in a digital video effects (DVE) processor forming part of a vision mixer (or 'production switcher').
In a DVE it is highly advantageous to vary the portrayed size (and/or shape) of all or part of an image smoothly from an enlarged representation to a shrunken representation, or vice versa. This is achieved by increasing the number of spatial image samples by interpolation when enlargement is needed, and reducing the number of samples by decimation when shrinking is needed. The degree of interpolation or decimation depending, of course, on the degree of enlargement or shrinking required.
Patent GB 2 418 092 describes a convenient decimation architecture in which an input to be decimated is connected in parallel to a fixed number of coefficient multipliers whose outputs are respectively connected to members of a serially-connected, fixed-length chain of accumulators. Accumulated values are passed along the chain at the required, decimated output rate, and the decimation factor can be varied by changing the number of times that weighted input samples from the multipliers are accumulated. However, this architecture does not permit interpolation and so a process that is required to either interpolate or decimate at will (and smoothly change from interpolation to decimation) requires an additional interpolator, having its output co-timed with the decimator output, and means to take the output from either the interpolator or the decimator. The present invention provides an effective solution to this problem.
The invention is applicable to any type of sampled data. Typically it is applied to spatially or temporally sampled data. In this specification the terms sample (or sampling) frequency, sample pitch and sample phase will be used. Sampling frequency, or sampling rate, is the number of samples that represent some fixed quantity of data. Where spatial sampling is used the frequency will be a spatial frequency, for example samples per active picture width. Where temporal sampling is used the frequency will be samples per second. Sample pitch is the distance between adjacent samples; this is the reciprocal of the sampling frequency. In the case of spatial sampling the pitch is a distance, for example a fraction of the length of an active television line. In the case of temporal sampling the sample pitch is the time period between successive sampling instants. A particular sample phase value represents: a particular point, for spatial sampling; or, a particular instant, for temporal sampling. The skilled person will appreciate that, in the description which follows, the terms 'time' and 'frequency' may relate to analogous spatial or temporal processes.
The principle of the invention enables a sequence of sample values that represents some quantity, for example a set of luminance values for pixels of an image, to be processed to obtain a modified sequence having fewer or more sample values.
It is helpful, first, to review briefly the known art of interpolation and decimation. FIG. 1 shows how an arbitrarily-positioned, new output sample (1) is constructed from a sequence of input samples (2) by forming its value from a weighted sum of the values of input samples that fall within a filter aperture centred on the position of the new output sample. In the Figure, the sequence of samples is shown horizontally from left to right; vertically aligned features in the figure have the same sampling phase. The positions of input samples are shown by crosses, individual input samples are identified by upper-case letters and the output sample position is shown by a small circle. The filter aperture centred on the output sample (1) is indicated by the brace (3).
In the illustrated example the filter aperture encompasses input samples A to F inclusive, and the value of the output sample (1) is formed from a weighted sum of the values of these input samples:A·α(φA)+B·α(φB)+C·α(φC)+D·α(φD)+E·α(φE)+F·α(φF)                Where: α(x) is the filter aperture function so that the value of the function is the weight, and the argument x of the function is the phase of the sample to be weighted; and,                    φn is the phase of input sample n with respect to the aperture position.
Note that, as will be explained below, a wider or narrower filter aperture may be chosen as more appropriate for a particular application.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary filter aperture. The horizontal (x) axis represents input sample phase relative to the required output sample position. The vertical (y) axis represents the filter coefficient value at a particular input sample phase. The coefficient value at the output sample position is shown as unity, but, as the skilled person will appreciate, the whole aperture magnitude may be normalised to achieve a required gain for the resampling process. The phase axis is calibrated in units of aperture width relative to the output sample position, where the aperture width is the range of phase values outside which the value of the aperture function is zero. Thus the start position of the aperture, (4) in FIG. 1, has the phase value −½; the finishing position of the aperture, (5) in FIG. 1, has the phase value +½; and, the output sample position, (1) in FIG. 1, has the phase value zero.
As is well-known, the filter aperture function is chosen to avoid aliasing. The required aperture function is the impulse response of a filter that attenuates any alias components to an acceptably low level. According to the well-known principles of FIR filter design, the width of a filter aperture is a compromise between: the number of samples included in the aperture (a larger number requires more contribution weights to be evaluated and summed); and, the maximum rate of cut of the filter with respect to input frequency, and the flatness of the passband (a wider aperture allowing sharper cut and flatter response). The skilled person will thus choose an appropriate aperture width for a particular resampling process according to the respective input and output sampling frequencies and the relative acceptability of aliasing and distortion of the wanted signal frequency spectrum. Usually the aperture width is an integral number of input sample pitches, as this simplifies evaluation of the input sample phase values, and hence the determination of the respective sample weights.


An orthopedic knee brace is provided having a sleeve, a longitudinal support assembly and a strapping system. The sleeve is positionable over a knee with the longitudinal support assembly engaging the sleeve. The longitudinal support assembly includes an upper support member, a lower support member and a hinge positionable in engagement with the knee. The strapping system includes a strap extending in a helical path across a lower point on the upper support member proximal to the hinge to an upper point on the upper support member or in a helical path across an upper point on the lower support member proximal to the hinge to a lower point on the lower support member.

The present invention relates generally to orthopedic braces, and more particularly to an orthopedic knee brace.
Orthopedic braces embody a broad range of apparatuses, each having the common purpose of supporting and/or stabilizing a skeletal joint when worn on the body of a user. The orthopedic brace may serve either a preventative role or a remedial role. In a preventative role, the brace provides added support and stability to a healthy skeletal joint, thereby reducing the risk of injury when the joint is subjected to undue stress. In a remedial role, the brace supports and stabilizes a skeletal joint which has been weakened by injury or other infirmity, thereby reinforcing the joint and reducing the risk of further injury while the joint is rehabilitated.
Conventional orthopedic knee braces may be generally characterized as either frame braces or soft braces. As the name implies, a conventional frame brace has a frame which is secured to the leg by a plurality of straps engaging the frame and circumscribing the leg. The frame typically includes two rotationally-jointed longitudinal supports positioned on opposing sides of the leg. As such, one longitudinal support engages the medial side of the leg at the affected knee to be stabilized as well as the upper and lower leg above and below the affected knee, respectively. The other longitudinal support correspondingly engages the lateral side of the leg.
Each longitudinal support consists of a pair of relatively rigid upper and lower arms and a hinge which rotationally interconnects the upper and lower arms to one another. The upper and lower arms are positioned adjacent to the upper and lower leg, respectively, while the hinge is positioned adjacent to the knee. The frame may also include arcuate-shaped upper and lower cuffs. The upper cuff may be attached to the medial and lateral upper arms and extend therebetween engaging the anterior or posterior face of the upper leg, while the lower cuff may correspondingly be attached to the medial and lateral lower arms and likewise extend therebetween engaging the anterior or posterior face of the lower leg. In a common alternate configuration of the frame, one longitudinal support is omitted from the frame so that only one side of the leg, either the medial or lateral side, is engaged by a longitudinal support. In any case, the frame brace diverts a substantial fraction of the dynamic and static force loads from the knee to the rigid frame, thereby supporting and stabilizing the knee.
A conventional soft brace differs from a frame brace insofar as the soft brace has a compression sleeve which is formed from a pliant material, which wraps around the leg at the knee forming a tube-like structure. The sleeve encloses the knee and a portion of the upper and lower legs adjacent to the knee. The relatively tightly-wrapped sleeve of the soft brace applies radial compression to the knee, thereby supporting and stabilizing the knee. The soft brace may also have one or more straps which engage the sleeve and circumscribe the leg to increase the radially-directed compressive force on the knee. The support and stabilizing function of the soft brace may be further enhanced by incorporating rigid or semi-rigid stays into the sleeve.
One destabilizing condition of the knee joint which can be mitigated by use of a knee brace is osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that results in chronic pain to the subject when the knee is statically or dynamically loaded. Osteoarthritis is commonly the result of aging, joint overuse, or injury. Uni-compartmental osteoarthritic knee pain is caused by an unbalanced loading on the medial or lateral compartment of the knee which closes the clearance space forming the compartment between the condyles of the femur and tibia. When there is contact of the condyles in the afflicted compartment of the knee, abrasion occurs at the contact surface producing pain in the joint.
A number of frame-type knee braces are specifically designed to noninvasively treat osteoarthritis by applying a corrective force to the knee of the user, such as the knee braces disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,698; 5,458,565 and 5,807,294. If a user's osteoarthritis is caused by overloading the medial compartment of the knee, the frame of these exemplary knee braces is provided with a lateral longitudinal support which exerts a linear biasing force on the knee in the medial direction to reduce the load on the medial compartment. Conversely, if a user's osteoarthritis is caused by overloading the lateral compartment of the knee, the frame is provided with a medial longitudinal support which exerts a linear biasing force on the knee in the lateral direction to reduce the load on the lateral compartment.
The present invention recognizes the need for a soft-type knee brace which has an effective osteoarthritic treatment function. Accordingly, it is generally an object of the present invention to provide a soft brace which satisfies the above-recited need. This object and others are accomplished in accordance with the invention described hereafter.

Soft orthopedic knee brace for treatment of osteoarthritis


A reclosable package for packaging an article is provided with a plastic door component and a separate tray that cooperate to form an article containing cavity. The tray may be manufactured from a paper pulp material, such as molded pulp. The door component and tray may be installed between a pair of panels. The door component may include a door portion and a flange portion joined along a hinge. The flange portion may be sandwiched between the panels to hold the door component in place. The door portion may be movable about the hinge to allow the package to be opened and closed. The door portion may interface with the door panel in a way that resists movement of the door portion between the open position and the closed position. The door portion may include snap elements configured to have an interference fit with the door panel.

The present invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to point-of-sale product packages.
A wide variety of products intended for retail sale are packaged in packaging that includes plastic components. One of the most common forms of plastic point-of-sale packages is a blister package. A typical blister package includes a shaped plastic blister that forms the main cavity of the package and a backer panel that closes the cavity. The backer panel is often sealed to the blister, for example, by adhesive to enclose the product within the cavity. The backer panel may be formed from paperboard, plastic, aluminum or other similar materials. Because of the use of a paperboard backer panel, a blister package has the potential to be a relatively low cost packaging solution. The amount of plastic used to contain the product is relatively small and the backer panel can be sized to provide ample space for printed content.
Another common form of plastic point-of-sale package is a clamshell package. A typical clamshell package includes a pair of formed plastic parts (often "halves") that are joined along a hinge. The parts can be closed about the hinge to entrap the product to be packaged. Clamshell packages vary dramatically in design and configuration. For example, some clamshell packages are sealed shut to protect the contents of the package until it is opened, while other clamshell packages are resealable. With sealed clamshell packages, it is often necessary to at least partially destroy the package to gain access to the contents. In a resealable configuration, the clamshell can be formed with contours that permit the two clamshell parts to be friction interfitted in a way that holds the parts together in a closed configuration about the packaged contents. It is not uncommon to incorporate paper or paperboard inserts into clamshell packages. For example, information and other content can be printed on an insert that is enclosed within the clamshell.
In some applications, a hybrid clamshell package is formed by securing paperboard panels or other similar materials around the peripheral edges of the clamshell. The hybrid package provides, among other things, the added advantage of additional space for additional printed content. Although it enjoys some benefits, the presence of the hinge in the clamshell presents a challenge to hybrid package construction. Conventional constructions provide two options for dealing with the hinge. In one type of construction, the hinge is trapped between the paperboard panels. This provides a strong package because the clamshell is joined to the paperboard around its entire periphery. However, because the hinge is positioned between the paperboard panels, opening and closing of the package forces the paperboard apart, which can cause the paperboard to buckle and tear near the hinge. This problem can be exacerbated with repeated opening and closing of the blister. The peeling and tearing of the paperboard can ultimately break the connection between the paperboard and the blister, which can weaken the package and impact its aesthetic appearance. The second type of hybrid construction includes paperboard panels that are shaped so that they do not entrap the hinge. This prevents the issues of buckling and tearing discussed above, but provides a somewhat weaker package because the clamshell and paperboard panels are not laminated along the hinge.
One particularly innovative solution that addresses the foregoing problems is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,148 to Hansen et al for DOUBLE HINGE DISPLAY PACKAGE AND METHOD OF USE, issued Apr. 26, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,148 discloses a hybrid package that includes a reclosable plastic clamshell that is combined with a pair of paperboard panels. The clamshell may include front and rear parts that are joined by two hinges, including a manufacturing hinge and an operating hinge.

Reclosable display package and method of use


Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

The present disclosure relates generally to salts that are useful as cement dispersants, methods for making such salts, cement compositions incorporating such salts, and methods for cementing using cement compositions incorporating such salts. In particular, a disulfonate salt of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making and using such a salt are described.
Cement dispersants are often used in cement compositions utilized in construction for facilitating the mixing of the cement compositions. Also, in the cementing of oil and gas wells and the like, dispersants are extensively used to reduce the apparent viscosities of the cement compositions utilized. The reduction of the apparent viscosity of a cement composition allows the cement composition to be pumped with less friction pressure and less pump horsepower. In addition, the lower apparent viscosity often allows the cement composition to be pumped in turbulent flow. Turbulent flow characteristics are desirable when pumping cement compositions in oil and gas wells to more efficiently remove drilling fluid from surfaces in the well bore as the drilling fluid is displaced by the cement composition being pumped. The inclusion of dispersants in cement compositions is also desirable in that the presence of the dispersants reduces the water required for preparation of the cement compositions. Cement compositions having a reduced water content are characterized by improved compressive strength development.
A number of dispersing agents have been utilized heretofore in cement compositions, particularly in cement compositions used for primary and remedial cementing in oil and gas wells. For example, certain organic acids, such as gluconic acid and citric acid, have been used as cement dispersants. However, such organic acids are also strong set retarding agents. That is, the presence of an organic acid dispersant in a cement composition prevents the cement composition from setting for a relatively long period of time. Such a delayed set is often costly or otherwise detrimental. Other dispersants that are commonly used in hydraulic cement compositions include polynapthalene sulfonate, poly-B-naphthol sulfonate, polymelamine sulfonate, and many others. While such dispersants function very well in cement compositions, they can be environmentally unacceptable, especially in offshore operations where particular ecological properties may be required.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for cementing using compositions containing salts


A microelectromechanical structure and method is disclosed. A ceramic substrate preferably is formed from low temperature co-fired ceramic sheets. A low loss photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer is formed over one surface of the ceramic substrate. This layer can be a sacrificial layer or a subsequent sacrificial layer added. A photodefined conductor is printed over the low loss dielectric planarizing layer and formed with the sacrificial layer into a structural circuit component. In one aspect of the invention, a switch is formed with a biasing actuator and deflectable member formed over the biasing actuator and moveable into open and closed circuit positions.

This invention relates to microelectromechanical structures, and more particularly, this invention relates to microelectromechanical structures using ceramic substrates.
Thick film materials have been used for packaging applications in the microelectronics industry. Their acceptance in the industry, however, has not been widespread because thin film technology using silicon photolithographic processes has been better adapted for high performance requirements, such as microwave and other radio frequency applications. The thick film substrates also have poor geometrical resolution and a very high dielectric constant. Via formation has not been adequate, and typically greater than 200 microns.
In recent microelectronic packaging designs, there has been a greater need for high performance materials and processes that allow finer geometries and circuit layout without sacrificing performance. As a result, for critical applications as in the fabrication of microstrip transmission lines and similar structures, thin film silicon and other related thin film technology has been used instead of thick film processing technology.
Three major approaches for fabricating microstrip transmission lines and similar structures have been thin film, thick film and polymer technology, i.e., soft board. These technologies have some drawbacks with regard to current and future applications. Thin film technology has become established for use with microwave circuit and component technology, but it is expensive because of its typical use of sputter coating, which is also wasteful in material. Additionally, an adhesion layer is required between a sputtered line and a substrate to create an insulator at the interface with the substrate, where current flows in the microstrip line. Because a thin film material follows the surface finish of a substrate, losses increase, which are significant with increasing frequency. Thus, an expensive 99.6% polished alumina has been used for thin film applications, and increases even more the cost of a thin film microwave or radio frequency circuit. Even then, this type of circuit will suffer losses due to the presence of the adhesion layer.
Polymer technology is used increasingly for microwave circuits because it has a lower cost. These lower cost polymer materials, however, are high in dielectric loss and have limited component geometries and some environmental limitations. Some of the more advanced materials overcome these drawbacks, but are even more expensive. Even though geometrical constraints can be overcome by the use of a build-up technology, the costs increase.
Thick film technology, such as the well known green tape technology and other similar materials technology, is little used at the present for microwave circuit applications and similar radio frequency applications, even though it is an inexpensive medium. Thick film circuit technology can resolve many microstrip lines, but it occurs with poor edge definition and a relatively rough conductive surface. For some components, such as an edge coupled filter, it does not produce the fine gaps required for the design. Also, the dielectric materials generally are high in dielectric constant (seven or greater) and have a dielectric loss of 0.01, i.e., about 1%. The low cost of the thick film materials, however, would make them advantageous for use in microelectromechanical structures used with radio frequency applications, if a means could be found to overcome the drawbacks as indicated above.
The present invention is advantageous and now allows the use of thick film materials for use in microelectromechanical structures used in radio frequency and similar microwave applications. A microelectromechanical structure of the present invention includes a ceramic substrate formed preferably as a low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. A low loss photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer is formed over the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate and could be a sacrificial layer. Alternately, a sacrificial layer could be formed over the planarizing layer and could be a material that could be etched. A photodefined conductor is printed over the low loss dielectric planarizing layer or sacrificial layer and formed together with the sacrificial layer into a structural circuit component preferably for use with radio frequency applications. In one aspect of the present invention, the photodefined conductor is formed as a switch. A biasing actuator is formed and a deflectable member is formed over the biasing actuator and movable into open and closed circuit positions. This deflectable member can be formed as a cantilever beam or formed as a suspended beam, depending on the application.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the photodefined conductor can include an input signal line and output signal line that transfers current when the switch is in the closed, circuit position. The photodefined conductor comprises a thick film conductor and the photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer is preferably formed from a borosilicate based, thick film dielectric material. It typically has a dielectric constant of about 3.8 to about 4.2, and on the average is about 3.9. It also has a loss factor of about 0.01%, i.e., 0.0001. The ceramic substrate is preferably formed from ceramic sheets that are stacked and co-fired together. These sheets can have printed circuit connections and vias extending along various surfaces of the layers for interconnection to various circuit components, as required by those skilled in the art.
A radio frequency switch circuit is also disclosed and includes a radio frequency input, control input, radio frequency output and the microelectromechanical switch of the present invention connected to the radio frequency input and output, and the control input. The control input can include a transistor. The radio frequency input can include a coil and capacitor combination as required, and a positive terminal connection. The control input is typically connected to base and the radio frequency output includes a capacitor as required in some instances.
A method of forming a microelectromechanical structure is also disclosed and comprises the step of forming a ceramic substrate and forming a low loss photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer over a surface of the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. A structural circuit component is formed on the photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer from a sacrificial layer and a photodefined conductor preferably for use in radio frequency applications. The ceramic substrate can be formed from ceramic sheets that are stacked and co-fired together. The photodefined conductor is formed with the sacrificial layer as a switch having a biasing actuator and deflectable member formed over the biasing actuator and moveable into open and closed circuit positions.


An electrical outlet box assembly provides for the accommodation of dual voltage fixtures. The outlet box assembly accommodates electrical fixtures and data fixtures along separate mounting axes. The electrical outlet box assembly provides for increased capacity while meeting applicable code requirements.

The present invention relates generally to an electrical outlet box for housing electrical fixtures such as a switch or a receptacle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved electrical outlet box providing for the accommodation of dual voltage fixtures.
It has long been known to house electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles in an electrical outlet box. The outlet box permits the insertion of electrical wires into the box which are terminated to electrical fixtures. The fixtures then may be mounted to the box which provides protection to the fixtures as well as the wires terminated therein. The outlet box is then mounted to a wall stud at a convenient location to provide access. Most outlet boxes accommodate one or more electrical fixtures which terminate standard 110 volt electrical wires.
It has also become necessary to terminate communications wires for such purposes as data, voice and signal transmission. While terminations are not required to be housed in an electrical box, as are electrical terminations such as switch and receptacles, aesthetics and convenient usage has dictated the need to place the communication terminations in close proximity to the electrical terminations.
The art has developed various boxes and housing which provide for both the accommodation of electrical terminations as well as communication terminations. Examples of outlet boxes which house electrical terminations and also support communication terminations are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,953; 5,646,371; and 5,598,998. As seen in these patents, the electrical termination is separated from the communications terminations by a solid wall. Typically, this wall is formed by the outside wall of the box which houses the electrical terminations where the electrical terminations are held inboard of the outlet box and the communications terminations are supported outboard of the outlet box.
Common practices and the need to use standard uniform components to cover the outlet box and provide for the ability to readily interconnect to the terminated wires requires that the distance between the electrical termination and the communications termination be fixed. Also, relevant electrical codes dictate the minimum distance that the receptacle need be spaced from the side walls of the outlet box. In the electrical outlet boxes, the art has seen the need to increase the total interior capacity of the box so as to accommodate larger numbers of wires and terminations. With respect to dual voltage boxes, it has become difficult to simultaneously increase the usable interior space of the electrical outlet box while maintaining proper spacing between the electrical termination and the communications termination. Attempts to adjust the receptacle within outlet box may result in the receptacle being positioned either too close to one of the side walls or outside the required distance from the communications termination.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide electrical outlet box which provides increased capacity meets applicable code requirements and which is capable of accommodating dual voltage terminations.
The present invention relates to a single gang electrical outlet box assembly for accommodating a single electrical fixture such as a switch or receptacle. The outlet box assembly also provides for supporting a communication fixture such as a data plug. The outlet box assembly has a generally rectangular electrical box having a first side wall spaced apart from a second side wall. The pair of spaced apart side walls define a first mounting axis therebetween, the first mounting axis being generally parallel to the first and second side walls and provides for mounting an electrical fixture thereon. A supporting structure for accommodating a communication fixture extends from the first side wall and possesses a second mounting axis which is generally parallel to the first side wall. The first mounting axis for the electrical fixture and the second mounting axis for a communication fixture are substantially equidistant from a center line of the first side wall. The first mounting axis is closer to the first side wall than to the second side wall.
The present invention also provides for a multigang outlet box assembly for accommodating plural electrical fixtures such as switches and/or receptacles and also for supporting a communication fixture such as a data plug. The multigang outlet box assembly has a generally rectangular electrical box having a first side wall spaced apart from a second side wall. The pair of spaced apart side walls supports an electrical fixture therebetween, the fixture being mounted on a first mounting axis adjacent the first sidewall. The rectangular electrical box of the multigang outlet box also provides for a second electrical fixture mounting axis adjacent the second side wall. Both the first and second mounting axes are generally parallel to the first and second side walls. A support structure extends externally from the first side wall of the rectangular electrical box. The support structure is used for accommodating a communication fixture along a third mounting axis, the third mounting axis being generally parallel to the first side wall. The first and third mounting axes are substantially equidistant from a center line of the first side wall. The first mounting access is closer to the first side wall than the second mounting axis is to the second side wall.
The present invention further provides for a single electrical gang outlet box for accommodating an electrical fixture such as a switch, receptacle or the like. The box has a generally rectangular housing having a back wall, a perimetrical side wall extending from said back wall, and an open front face. The back wall, perimetrical side wall, and open front face define a box interior for accommodating a fixture. The perimetrical side wall includes top and bottom walls and opposed side walls. Each of the top and bottom walls includes mounting members for securing a fixture to the housing. The mounting members are aligned along an axis generally parallel to the side walls. This mounting axis is closer to one of the side walls than to the other side wall for off-center mounting of the fixture in the housing interior.
The present invention still further provides for a single gang electrical outlet box assembly for supporting an electrical fixture and a communication fixture. The electrical fixture may be a switch or a receptacle or the like and the communication fixture may be a plug such as a data plug, coaxial connector, or a fiber optic connector. The outlet box has a box interior defined between a first side wall and a second side wall for supporting an electrical fixture within the box interior. A support structure extends from the first side wall for accommodating the communication fixture. The outlet box includes electrical fixture mounting members spaced apart along a first axis between and generally parallel to the first and second side walls. The support structure includes communication fixture mounting members spaced apart along a second axis. The second axis is also parallel to the side walls. The first and second axes are generally equidistant from the first side wall. The first axis, however, is non-centrally located between the first and second side walls.


An aircraft includes a cabin in which at least part of the space is demarcated by trim panels and the cabin is provided with a system for the active control of ambient noise. Each trim panel is either an active panel including actuators powered by the active noise control system or a passive panel without such actuators. In addition, the trim panels of the cabin of the one type, either active or passive, are mechanically interchangeable with a panel of the other type, either passive or active, respectively. Power supply wiring for active panels is installed in the aircraft, this wiring being capable of powering all active panels which could be installed, whether said active panels are actually installed or whether interchangeable passive panels are installed. Finally, a power supply system for the active panels is installed in the aircraft and connected to the power supply wiring of the active panels.

In particular, the invention deals with aircraft for which acoustic comfort, that is to say a level of noise which is as low as possible, is desired in areas where people, namely passengers or members of the crew, are located during the flight. The invention relates more particularly to aircraft for which acoustic comfort which can easily be modified in various areas is desired without compromising the equipment and fittings of the aircraft.
In an aircraft, various sources of noise emission create background noise in the areas occupied by people, namely passenger cabin areas or a crew station, which may, depending on the case, be considered to be a source of discomfort or irritation or even, in extreme cases, a source of tiredness.
Of the noise most frequently identified, noise originating from the engines, external aerodynamic noise and internal noise, in particular linked to air conditioning and equipment ventilation systems, may be mentioned.
In order to reduce the level of noise in a given area, the most common solution consists in employing materials which have what are known as acoustic absorption properties on the walls of the area, that is to say materials which have the effect of reducing the intensity of sound waves by causing accelerated damping of said waves.
Such materials, for example glass wool in the form of a blanket, are generally used in aircraft in the walls of the cabins between the structural lining of the fuselage and the trim panels of the cabin.
In this type of arrangement, the blanket containing glass wool plays a double role of thermal insulator and acoustic absorber and the trim panels protect the blanket and improve the appearance of the cabin.
However, this solution only improves the acoustic comfort to a limited degree because certain frequencies, in particular low frequencies in the audible range, cannot be effectively absorbed without utilizing large quantities of absorbent materials, this being unacceptable on board an aircraft due to weight and volume restrictions which characterize the design of aircraft.
Another known method for reducing the level of noise in spaces in general and in a cabin in particular is known by the expression active noise control.
Active noise control consists in measuring the ambient noise and generating a canceling noise by controlling the amplitude and phase of the canceling noise.
In order to generate the canceling noise, the solution consists in arranging in the space in which the noise level is to be reduced, for example a cabin, loudspeakers which are supplied in phase and intensity in order to generate sound waves which reduce by interference the level of sound energy in chosen areas of the treated space. This solution which consists in adding loudspeakers proves to be disadvantageous because of the weight and volume of the loudspeakers and the constraints of installing them.
The space in which loudspeakers can be installed is very often limited and there are thus problems of mechanical interference with other equipment and with the trim panels.
In particular, when the device for reducing noise is installed in an aircraft cabin, with the trim panels being currently designed initially without providing for the installation of a device for active noise control, mounting loudspeakers very often requires the shape of the existing trim panels to be modified in order to install the loudspeakers of the device for active noise control.
Moreover, noise reduction systems generally utilize numerous loudspeakers which cause problems in terms of cabling and electrical connections for their controls and power supplies and which also require the modification or replacement of existing trim panels and the fitting of new supports for holding the new electrical cables of the system, which cables must also be arranged respecting the severe limitations with respect to existing electrical installations for reasons of safety and good operation of the electrical systems of the aircraft.
Subsequent installation of an active noise reduction system in an existing aircraft proves to be particularly disadvantageous and requires numerous modifications which are difficult to carry out.

Aeroplane with improved acoustic comfort

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS France


An X-ray CT apparatus, wherein a drum type rotation frame is rotatably supported by a fixed circular frame so as to surround an outer surface of the drum type rotation frame through a plurality of bearings provided between an inner surface of the fixing circular frame and an outer surface of the drum type rotation frame, for example in ring-like configuration. When the drum type rotation frame receives a large centrifugal acceleration due to a high speed rotation, outside expansion of the drum type rotation frame can be constrained due to both the rigidity of the fixed frame and the rigidity of the plurality of bearings provided on the outer surface of the rotation frame, thereby to maintain the relative positions of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector and prevent deterioration of reconstructed images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray computer tomography (CT) apparatus, and particularly, to an X-ray CT apparatus that can prevent displacements of an X-ray source and an X-ray detector that are mounted on a rotation frame provided in a gantry of the X-ray CT apparatus when the rotation frame rotates at high speed.
2. Discussion of the Background
Usually, an X-ray CT apparatus includes, as illustrated in FIG. 8, an X-ray tube 20 and an X-ray detector 30 provided on a vertical circle member of a rotation frame 10 in a gantry so as to face each other through a center aperture 10C of the gantry. An object P is inserted into the center aperture 10C of the gantry. A horizontal drum member of the rotation frame 10 is rotatably supported by a fixing base 100 fixed on a floor. Thus, a plurality of bearings 60 is provided between an outer surface of the drum member of the rotation frame 10 and a horizontal drum member of the fixing base 100. Consequently, X-ray tube 20 and X-ray detector 30 provided on the rotation frame 10 face each other through the aperture 10C are continuously rotated around an objected inserted into the center aperture 10C of the gantry while supported on a top plate 70. X-ray beams irradiated from the X-ray tube 20 through a diaphragm mechanism 90 penetrate the object P and are detected by the X-ray detector 30 as a plurality of X-ray projection data. On the rotation frame 10, other devices, such as a high voltage generation apparatus for supplying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 20 and a cooling apparatus for cooling the apparatus, are also mounted.
FIG. 7A is a simplified illustration of the positional relationship between the rotation frame 10 and the bearings 60 illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown in this figure, a plurality of devices, such as, an X-ray tube 20, an X-ray detector 30, a high voltage generation apparatus 40 and a cooling apparatus 50, are mounted on a vertical circle member of the rotation frame 10 in the gantry of the apparatus. The rotation frame 10 is rotatably supported by a fixing base through a plurality of bearing units that are provided between an inner surface of the drum member of the rotation frame 10 and an outer surface of a drum member of the fixing base.
The rotation frame 10 is usually made of an aluminium (Al) casting. Consequently, when a rotation speed of the rotation frame 10 is increased in order to increase observation efficiencies, distortions of the rotation frame 10 occur due to rotation accelerations that are given in accordance with the weight of the rotation frame 10. For instance, rotation distortions may occur along directions as shown by arrows in FIG. 7B due to high speed rotation. FIG. 7B shows a case where X-ray tube 20 and X-ray detector 30 are slightly displaced so as to shorten a predetermined distance between them due to distortions of the rotation frame 10. Of course, in contrast to the arrows shown in FIG. 7B, it may occur that X-ray tube 20 and X-ray detector 30 are displaced so as to expand the predetermined distance between them as may occur case by case. Such displacements of X-ray tube 20 and X-ray detector 30 due to a high speed rotation of the rotation frame 10 generate errors in the acquired image data through the detector and deteriorate the quality of reproduced images based on incorrect data. It may become a serious problem for an image diagnosis apparatus.
To reduce such distortions due to a high speed rotation of the rotation frame, it has been proposed, for example, as suggested in Japanese Patent Application Publication 8-102550, to provide appropriate weight members on the rotation frame in order to prevent displacements of the rotation frame due to rotation and to maintain balance of the rotation frame. However, such a construction adds weight and makes the apparatus complicated and heavy.
Incidentally, in an actually used X-ray CT imaging apparatus of a high speed rotation, a rotation T for acquiring a necessary projection data of an object by rotating an X-ray source one rotation around an object takes about 0.5 second. Thus, a rotation frame in a high speed imaging X-ray CT apparatus needs to rotate in a high speed of two revolutions during one second.
Generally, supposing that a revolution radius is R (cm), a relationship between the rotation time T and a centrifugal acceleration G is represented by the following equation (1).G=0.0402(R/T2)  (1)
For example, in a case the revolution radius is be 75 cm, the centrifugal acceleration due to the frame rotation becomes about 12 G. Accordingly, it will be understood that the rotation frame having an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and various apparatus in a high speed X-ray CT imaging apparatus receives a large acceleration during rotation. When a rotation radius R of X-ray source is 75 cm, centrifugal acceleration to the rotation frame during a rotation becomes about 12 G from the formula (1). Thus, in a high speed imaging X-ray CT apparatus, the rotation frame made of aluminium and various devices mounted on the rotation frame, i.e., an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a high voltage generator and cooling apparatus, also receive a large centrifugal force during the rotation. Nevertheless, to increase observation efficiencies for instance, it is desired to increase one rotation time of X-ray tube and X-ray detector up to 0.25 second, i.e., 4 rotations per one second. In this case, even when a rotation radius R is 75 cm, the centrifugal acceleration during a high speed rotation becomes about 48 G from the formula (1). If a rotation radius also is increased in order to increase observation efficiency, the centrifugal acceleration is further increased.
To prevent such occurrence of distortions of the rotation frame 10 due to a large centrifugal acceleration, it is considered to strengthen a rigidity of the rotation frame 10 itself by making an iron casting and strengthening a rigidity of the bearings by using large size bearing units. However, since rotation inertia of the rotation frame itself also increases in accordance with the increase of the rigidity of the rotation frame during a high speed rotation, it becomes necessary to strengthen a braking force in order to stop the rotating frame. Consequently, an X-ray CT apparatus becomes much larger and heavier as a whole when measures are taken to strengthen the bearing units and the rotation frame.
As explained above, when a rotation speed of a rotation frame in an X-ray CT apparatus is increased, the rotation frame receives a larger centrifugal force. Nevertheless, it is strongly desired to achieve a much higher speed X-ray CT apparatus having a much larger aperture radius of the rotation frame in order to increase observation efficiency of an X-ray CT apparatus.


It is an object of the present invention to provide a syringe which is as cheap to manufacture as the standard plastic disposable syringe but which cannot conveniently be reused after it is filled and used once.. The syringe comprises a cylindrical barrel (2) and inside the barrel (2) a cylindrical plunger (9) with a resilient base (10) in sealing relation with the barrel (2), the plunger (9) having at least one circumferential groove (13a) and the barrel having an inwardly extending circumferential projection (11) around its aperture (8) such that the projection (11) engages the groove (13a) to prevent withdrawal of the plunger (9).

Medical syringes comprise a cylindrical barrel and a plunger with a cylindrical base made of resilient material located in sealing relation within the barrel and a needle mounted at the base of and in communication with the barrel.
Originally the barrel was made of glass and the syringe was designed for multiple use with either the needle or the whole syringe being subjected to sterilisation between uses. However, for convenience and in order to minimize cross infection, the syringes most used in medicine now are plastic disposables.
Although relatively cheap and disposable, these syringes can be reused and usually are by drug users amongst whom the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is on the increase because of the sharing of syringes.
Many prior art syringes have been designed in an attempt to prevent reuse. Some use complicated mechanisms to prevent withdrawal of the plunger; these are difficult to manufacture and greatly increase the cost over the plastic disposable. Others use techniques in which the plunger collapses or the seal between the plunger and the barrel is broken, which prevents suction. None of these have proved to be reliable and affordable and although medically desirable have not been successful.


A disposable two-component safety syringe with retractable injection needle adapted for the separate storage of medicament and medicament solvent and the pre-injection mixing thereof. The cartridge-type syringe is adapted to be used manually or in conjunction with an automatic injection/aspiration device for breaching a temporary seal between chambers for the medicament and medicament solvent immediately prior to injection are also provided. Pre-measured medicament is provided in a form which requires no pre-injection agitation. The cartridge is also provided with an injection needle disposed completely within the cartridge housing for safely and sanitarily withdrawing the injection needle to reside completely within the disposable cartridge after use. In one embodiment of the invention, a pushrod for automatically agitating the mixing components is provided.

The present invention relates to a two-component safety injection syringe for medical and research purposes and more particularly to a device designed to separately store a medicament and a solvent therefor until a time just prior to injection when the two substances are mixed and then injected.
It is well known in the medical field that the shelf life of particular pharmaceutically or medically active substances is increased when the active substance is stored in a dry form or in stable but non-injectable solution form prior to injection. Many drugs now being marketed or being developed for marketing are not stable in their deliverable solutions for a sufficient period of time to allow for commercial distribution or have shelf lives which are unacceptably short. Among these pharmaceuticals are epinephrine, which is used to treat severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions, and cyclophosphamide, an anti-cancer substance. Other pharmaceutically active substances such as urokinase, which is used for dissolving blood clots, and glucagon, which is used for treating hypoglycemia, are stable only in dry powder forms. Papaverine, which is optimally stored in solution at very acidic pH levels (in the range 2.0-2.8) must be mixed with a physiologically acceptable solvent immediately prior to injection to avoid the painful and destructive effects associated with acidic solutions. Other medically active substances which do not store well in forms which can be easily administered are adenosine triphosphate (available from Genentech) and Prostaglandin-E which has a shelf life of only 24 hours when mixed for infusion.
However, storage of a medically active substance in a stable non-injectable form necessitates the pre-injection mixing of the substance with a medically acceptable solvent. Therefore, separate containers for solvent and solute are generally used. However, this method of pre-injection mixing is inconvenient because it requires more than one container. The use of more than one container is also undesirable because judgement on the part of the person mixing the medication is required to use amounts which result in an appropriate dosage and also because of the problems surrounding the difficulties in maintaining sterility when materials from two or more separate containers are mixed.
Thus, it can be seen that a need exists for injection devices which increase the shelf-life of particular pharmaceuticals by separately storing the various components of certain medicaments for a commercially acceptable period of time until a time just prior to injection. A related need is for devices which increase those shelf-lives and which require a minimum of preparation to insure a dependable and correct dosage administration. The fulfillment of such need will permit the commercial availability of many pharmaceuticals which have been heretofore available only directly from professional medical personnel.
In an attempt to solve these problems, a number of wet-dry syringes which incorporate both solvent and medically active solute in the same cartridge to be mixed just prior to injection have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,042 to Sarnoff et al. shows a two-barreled syringe wherein the solid medicament and liquid solvent are stored in separate container portions of the device. Pre-injection mixing and injection in Sarnoff are controlled by a number of biasing springs which sequentially operate by way of releasing mechanisms to propel the solvent from one compartment into a dry medicament-containing compartment via communicating passages. The entire apparatus is then agitated by the operator to mix the medicament and solvent prior to the injection. The operator then places the injection needle into target tissue and actuates an injection mechanism which propels the mixed medicament into the subject. Sarnoff is a complex mechanism employing many components and requiring several discrete operating steps to use.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,169, also to Sarnoff et al. discloses a multi-compartmented stacked syringe-within-a-syringe assembly wherein a biasing spring propels a mixing/injection piston and primary needle to rupture a seal between the respective medicament component compartments of the device. After agitation of the device and insertion of the injection needle into a target site by the operator, the biasing spring is again actuated to drive a second piston which propels the mixed medicament into the subject. Although somewhat simpler than the device of the '042 Sarnoff patent, the invention of the '169 patent is also a complex mechanism employing many components and requiring several discrete operating steps to use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,802 to Curley et al. discloses a wet-dry syringe and connected vial which are separated during use and wherein the piston portion of the syringe, being biased by a spring, is actuated to inject the solvent into the solute vial whereby mixing occurs. Manual aspiration into the syringe is then necessitated to charge the syringe with the mixed medicament/solvent solution. Removal of the syringe portion from the syringe/vial assembly is required prior to injection into the subject.
Other two-chambered syringes are marketed under the tradename Variject, manufactured by Bunder Glas GmbH. The Bunder device is a single cylinder syringe wherein a fluid bypass allows mixing of the medicament solvent and medicament during operation of the device.
The multiple piston assemblies of the aforementioned devices are mechanically complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, none of the aforementioned devices provides for the withdrawal of the used injection needle to reside completely within the device to afford safe disposal and disease prevention characteristics.
Another problem in the medical field is that of the communication of infectious diseases caused by used needles and syringes and fluids therefrom coming into contact with doctors, nurses, or other medical personnel. Needle tips often remain exposed after aspiration of a fluid or blood from a subject, or after injection of a medicine into a subject and medical personnel are sometimes accidentally pricked with such tips. This problem is particularly acute in situations where a syringe and needle have been contaminated with particularly virulent organisms such as the AIDS virus or the hepatitis virus. The risk of puncture with a contaminated needle point is of particular concern after an injection because a finger, hand or other part of the person administering the injection is typically in close physical proximity to the needle during its removal from the subject's tissue, during replacement of a needle or the needle cover or during removal of the needle from a syringe for disposal.
There is also danger of such exposures to personnel, such as maintenance people, other than medical personnel, when a used needle and/or syringe is laid aside or discarded with a needle tip still exposed. This danger continues even when a used needle and/or syringe are placed in a disposal container. For instance, it is a routine medical procedure to use a device which cuts off the tip of an exposed needle so that it may not be re-used. However, this procedure still leaves exposed needle stubs and syringe parts which may be contaminated with infectious agents and with which persons may come into contact and be infected. Thus, it is not uncommon for discarded needle stubs to protrude through plastic garbage bags or other containers and present serious risk of a puncture wound to a person handling or otherwise coming into contact with the container. Similarly, even after used needles are removed from syringes and placed in sealed containers, the exposed syringes must also be placed in sealed containers to reduce the likelihood of infectious contact with personnel. Sanitary disposal of used needles and used syringes is an expensive and time consuming process and entails significant risk of exposure to infectious disease vectors.
A related problem is that of the dangers of exposing a needle to the atmosphere prior to its being used in giving an injection or withdrawing a body fluid. Not only is there danger of wounds to user personnel and patients from the exposed needle tip, but also there is the danger that the exposed needle will become contaminated by airborne or aerosol borne microbial and other contaminants and infect the patient eventually injected. This danger is particularly acute in hospitals and other medical treatment areas where strains of antibiotic resistant microbes endemically contaminate the air and all exposed surfaces. Contact with non-sterile air is a certainty with conventional exposed needle syringe technology because, in this technology, needles are routinely exposed to the air or surfaces for some discrete amount of time during use. Also, in emergency use situations such as military combat, natural disasters, or industrial accidents, the unused needle may be left exposed to such contaminants by untrained, harried or inexperienced personnel.
An additional problem in the field is that of dosage management. For subjects who give themselves injections, either because they require regular doses of injected pharmaceuticals or because medical personnel are not available, it is critical to insure that dosages are correct. Diabetic subjects often find themselves in such situations, particularly diabetics who suffer from the related condition of blindness. Other blind people are similarly in need of a product which insures that both the type of medication and its dosage are correct for their specific needs. Similarly, soldiers in the field, travelers requiring regular injectable medications, and subjects in emergency situations where self-injection is necessary often have difficulty administering the proper dosage of a given drug and often have difficulty in using a conventional syringe. Such problems are also compounded by darkness or poor lighting conditions in battlefield, power failure, and other crisis or emergency situations.
Thus, it can be clearly seen that there is a need for injection devices which contain pre-measured dosages of particular pharmaceutical substances wherein the administration or self-administration of those doses can be easily and dependably achieved by non-professional personnel.

Safety syringe for mixing two-component medicaments


Disclosed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods for establishing wireless communications among a plurality of wireless-enabled components (WECs), and applications thereof. Such a system includes a plurality of WECs, each configured to transmit and receive over a wireless bus. The wireless bus includes (i) a first channel to identify proximally located WECs and (ii) a second channel to support communications among the proximally located WECs. The plurality of WECs may be located on a single chip, on multiple chips of a single device, or on multiple chips across multiple devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communications among integrated circuits (ICs), communications among functional blocks of such ICs, communications among devices that include ICs, and applications thereof.
2. Background Art
A typical IC includes transistors and/or logic that are configured into functional blocks. Example functional blocks may include, but are not limited to, an execution unit (e.g., an arithmetic logic unit), a memory unit (e.g., a cache), and a signal processing block. Functional blocks of a conventional IC are coupled together via Ohmic contacts, which are typically metal. Example Ohmic contacts include wires, traces, and signal lines.
Like functional blocks, groups of ICs may also be coupled together via Ohmic contacts. ICs are typically coupled together on a printed circuit board (PCB). The coupled ICs may be used to form a device—such as, for example, a supercomputer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a video-game console, an embedded device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile telephone, smart phone, MP3 player, a camera, a GPS device), or the like.
Unfortunately, the Ohmic contacts used to couple functional blocks and ICs may limit the performance, the capabilities, and/or the form factors of the functional blocks and ICs.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Generally, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Establishing a wireless communications bus and applications thereof


An apparatus for conveying information about a wiring system where said apparatus is configured for being associated with an “end-point” (such as an electrical box) and/or a device electrically associated with an end-point. The apparatus defines mechanical properties (such as a strain relief) and informational properties (such as an aluminum wiring warning).

Almost all residential wiring was initially made of copper due to its overall performance as a conductor associated with a feasible cost point. That said, aluminum has also been used for residential construction. Aluminum provides a better conductivity to weight ratio compared to copper which makes it a more attractive choice for power wiring in applications where weight is important (e.g. airplanes). Still, copper generally won the aluminum v. copper debate when all issues were considered. However, during the Vietnam War era (1960s through 1970s) the price of copper wiring reached at least triple the price of aluminum wiring tipping the aluminum v. copper choice in the favor of aluminum. Thus, the use of aluminum wiring became popular during such time.
Unfortunately, shortly after aluminum wiring became popular for use in residential homes, some problems started to appear. Such problems included flickering lights, warm cover plates on switches and receptacles, and burned insulation on wiring. Restated, there was an overheating issue which could lead to a fire. The problem was at the connections between the wiring system and the end-point (i.e. a light, receptacle, appliance etc.) where copper was still in use.
For electricity, resistance to current flow causes the generation of heat. Such is generally unwanted but cannot be avoided (only minimized). Notably, the best flow path is a continuous flow path with no interruptions as all interruptions have a higher resistance to current flow compared to a continuous wire. Thus, the ideal electrical path from a power source to a power user is a continuous wire. Obviously, a continuous flow path is not possible at the end-points (e.g. receptacles, switches, light fixtures, appliance connections, and at the power/breaker panel) where the power is made available. The best that can be done is to make the connections as low resistance as possible. Thus, the best connection is a "tight" connection where the wiring is clamped or soldered to (or both) the connection point (end-point).
For the residential wiring system, receptacles, switches, light fixtures, appliance connections, and power/breaker panel "connections" were designed for copper wiring. When aluminum wiring started being used as the wire that connected the breaker panel to a light fixture (for example—or some other end-point), such meant that aluminum wiring was being connected to end-points comprising copper and designed for connecting to copper wiring. A first problem with connecting aluminum wiring to a copper end-point is the use of dissimilar metals at the connections. The problem of connecting two different metals is that different metals have different rates of expansion. As the current in an electrical circuit (and thus, the connection) increases the temperature of the aluminum and copper increased but at different rates. Such had a tendency to make the connection loose over time. A loose connection is a higher resistance connection which caused even more heat generation at the connection which caused more expansion until the connection failed.
A second problem with using dissimilar metals relates to the chemical reaction between the two metals. When aluminum is connected to copper a chemical reaction called "oxidation" occurs. Oxidation causes a high-resistant connection, and as noted above, higher resistance means more heat which causes more oxidation which causes more heat, and so on, until the connection fails.
One solution to the aluminum/copper problems includes special connectors and wiring procedures. While modern technology makes it possible for the do-it-yourself electricians to work with aluminum wiring a necessary first step in such a process is to make the do-it-yourselfer (as well as professional electricians) aware of the issue. A second step is to educate the repair person about the proper process for connecting two different types of electrical wires. Finally, the repair person needs to acquire the proper products for connecting two different types of wire.
Embodiments of the current invention address at least the issues identified above.


A vertical medium-stirring type pulverizer has a wear-preventive structure for preventing wear of its screw blade. The structure includes a plurality of magnets provided on the top surface of the screw blade. At least one of the pulverizing medium and the material to he pulverized which are contained in the pulverizing shell of the pulverizer is a magnetic material. The magnets serve to attract the magnetic medium or material thereto to form a lining on the top surface of the screw blade. A similar wear-preventive structure may be provided on the inner surface of the shell to prevent wear of the inner surface of the shell.

This invention relates to a vertical medium-stirring type pulverizer provided with means for preventing wear of the inner surface of the pulverizing shell and the top surface of a screw blade.
FIG. 1 shows a vertical medium stirring type pulverizer which comprises a vertical pulverizing shell 1 filled with pulverizing medium b such as steel balls and a vertical screw shaft 2 mounted in the shell. With the screw shaft 2 in rotation, the material a to be pulverized is introduced into the shell 1 and is stirred up and down together with the pulverizing medium b. The particles of the material a collide with each other and with the pulverizing medium D, so that the material is pulverized into an end product c having a fine particle size. The end product c thus made is carried on the flow of a fluid d such as air or water and taken out of the shell 1.
Since the material a and the pulverizing medium b are stirred in the shell 1, the inner surface of the shell 1 and the surface of screw blade 5 are subjected to a large frictional force. Thus, it is necessary to provide some wear-preventive means on these portions. Typically, such a wear-preventive means was a wear-resistant liner laminated on these portions.
But liners having high wear resistance are usually expensive. On the other hand, cheap liners are less wear-resistant and thus have to be replaced frequently.
In order to prevent these problems, the present applicant has proposed a wear-preventive structure in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication 4-37541. As shown in FIG. 9, this structure comprises ribs 4 provided on the top surface of the screw blade 3 of the screw shaft 2 and extending diametrically so as to be angularly, spaced apart from each other. This arrangement can reduce the wear of the screw blade 3.
While the material a and medium b are moving in the shell 1, the ribs 4 serve to prevent the movement of the medium and material on the blade 3. In this state, although the medium trapped on the blade 3 may be rubbed against the moving medium, no large frictional force will be produced between the trapped medium and the top surface of the blade 3. Namely, the trapped pulverizing medium performs the function of lining the screw blade. Thus, the moving pulverizing medium b never rubs the top surface of the blade 3, so that the blade 3 is protected against wear and the pulverizer can be operated continuously for a longer period of time.
But, as shown in FIG. 9, since the ribs 4 are erected, like walls, on the blade 3 at a right angle with respect to the direction of rotation (shown by arrow) of the screw shaft 2, they will reduce the force tending to raise the pulverizing medium b, produced by the blade 3, thus lowering the flowability. Also, as shown in the same figure, a cavity 5 tends to be formed behind each rib 4. No medium-raising force is produced in these cavities 5. Thus, the flowability will decrease.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication 44-29838 discloses a conventional means for forming a self-lining layer A (FIG. 10), made up of pulverizing medium similar to the self-lining disclosed in the above prior art, on the inner surface of the pulverizing shell. In this prior art, as shown in FIG. 10, vertical ribs (rods 15) and circumferentially extending ribs (ledges 14) are provided on the inner surface of the shell 1. Pulverizing medium b trapped in tile spaces defined by the ribs 14 and 15 performs the self-lining function.
But, in this arrangement, the pulverizing medium b tends to move downwards by gravity. Thus, the self-lining layer A in each space tends to be thinner at the upper portion than at the lower portion as shown in FIG. 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the self-lining layer A tends to be thinner at the front portion with respect to the direction of rotation of the screw shaft 2. Thus, in order to form a self-lining layer A that covers the entire inner surface of the pulverizing shell 1, it would be necessary to reduce the distances between ribs 15 and 14 (rods and ledges). For this purpose, a greater number of ribs 14 and 15 have to be used and thus it is more troublesome to mount them. Moreover, the use of a greater number of ribs leads to an increased number of damaged ribs and thus more frequent replacement work. These factors will all push up the cost.
On the other hand, in horizontal medium stirring type pulverizers, a horizontal pulverizing shell is rotated by its shaft. A wear-preventive means for preventing wear on the inner surface of this type of pulverizing shell is disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication 58-5706, U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,851, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,616, etc. This wear-preventive means is magnets stuck on the inner surface of the pulverizing shell. The magnets serve to attract magnetic pulverizing medium and the material to be pulverized, thus forming a self-lining layer A on the inner surface of the pulverizing shell.
But, with a horizontal pulverizing machine, the pulverizing medium tends to be repeatedly attracted to and separated from the magnets while the pulverizing shell is rotating. Thus, the self-lining layer A cannot be formed effectively.


A vehicle headlamp including a lamp body that has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover that covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector that is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb that is installed in the reflector, and a cap-shaped shade installed so as to block the light emitted directly from the bulb and direct the light not to be irradiated. The reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on the peripheral edge of a bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp and more particularly to a vehicle headlamp that has a cap-shaped shade covering the light bulb.
2. Prior Art
In a vehicle headlamp, in order to block the light directed forward from the light bulb and the light which is difficult to control and becomes glare light, a cap-shaped shade is employed. The cap-shaped shade is provided so as to cover the front end portion of the light bulb.
As well known, the light bulb used in a vehicle headlamp becomes considerably high temperature when it is lit. The heat generated when the lamp is on is normally released by convection, radiation and the like. However, when the cap-shaped shade is used and the front end portion of the bulb is covered by shade, the heat tends to remain in an area covered by the shade, and the stored heat increases the temperature of the bulb even further. When the temperature of the light bulb becomes too high, the life of the bulb is shortened.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp that secures a ventilation between an area covered by the cap-shaped shade inside the reflector and the outside of the reflector, thus preventing the heat from being trapped in the area covered by the cap-shaped shade.
The above object is accomplished by a unique structure of the present for a vehicle headlamp that comprises: a lamp body which has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover which covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector which is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb which is supported by the reflector, and a cap-shaped shade which blocks the light emitted directly from the bulb so that the bulb light is not directly irradiated at least forward; and in the present invention, the reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on a peripheral edge of a bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.
With this structure, heat inside the cap-shaped shade is released to the outside of the reflector through the air ventilation hole which is formed so as to correspond to the inside area of the cap-shaped shade. Heat is thus not trapped inside the cap-shaped shade, the temperature of the bulb is prevented from becoming too high (or higher than required), and the life of the bulb is not shortened by the heat inside the cap-shaped shade.


A battery-operated equipment comprises a battery; a constant voltage power source that derives a constant voltage from a battery voltage across the battery; and a microcomputer that incorporates an A/D converter(s) and has terminals for the A/D converter and a power input terminal. The microcomputer is connected with the battery via the power input terminal to use the battery voltage as its power source voltage. The converter is connected with the constant voltage power source via a specific terminal of the terminals for the converter to use the constant voltage as a voltage for the converter.

For example, this kind of battery-operated equipment is generally equipped with a micon in order to realize multifunction, when incorporated in an electrical shaver, a portable telephone or the like.
An electronic device described as a prior art in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H07-325633 is constructed with a battery, a regulator (3-terminal regulator) connected with the battery, and a main circuit that includes a micon (CPU) and is connected with the output of the regulator. In the electronic device, the regulator derives a constant voltage from a battery voltage across the battery to supply the main circuit with the constant voltage as an operating power source. Generally, the constant voltage as an output voltage of the regulator is lower than the battery voltage as its input voltage due to operating efficiency (loss on regulating) of the regulator. On account of this, when the battery voltage falls and the difference between the battery voltage and the constant voltage becomes small, there are cases where, even if the battery voltage is higher than a minimum operation voltage of the main circuit, the constant voltage becomes lower than the minimum operation voltage. In such cases, since the main circuit cannot operate in spite of the situation that the battery can, by itself, supply the battery voltage higher than the minimum operation voltage, it is necessary to exchange the battery for a new one or to recharge the battery.
A battery-operated equipment described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H07-325633 includes a battery, a regulator and a main circuit as well as the above-described electronic device, and further includes a detection circuit and a changeover circuit. The detection circuit detects an output voltage of the regulator. The changeover circuit connects an output of the battery or an output of the regulator to the main circuit according to a control signal from the main circuit. The main circuit is provided with a control circuit (micon) that issues the control signal to the changeover circuit based on the output voltage detected by the detection circuit. Namely, when a value of the output voltage is within a specified value range of the main circuit, the control circuit issues a LOW signal (as the control signal) for switching a power source for the main circuit to the output of the regulator. Inversely, when a value of the output voltage is lower than the specified value range, the control circuit issues a HIGH signal (as the control signal) for switching the power source for the main circuit to the output of the battery. According to this configuration, since the power source for the main circuit is switched to the output of the battery if a value of the output voltage detected by the detection circuit is lower than the specified value range, it is possible to extend usable time of the equipment without exchange of the battery or recharge of the battery in comparison with the way that only output of the regulator is used as the power source for the main circuit.
However, since the above conventional battery-operated equipment requires the changeover circuit, its circuit configuration becomes complicated. Also, since the battery-operated equipment stops the operation of the regulator after the power source for the main circuit is switched to the output of the battery, it is unable to use an A/D converter(s) incorporated in the micon. This is because a reference voltage used by the A/D converter cannot be derived from the regulator.

Battery-operated equipment including a microcomputer


A stream computing application may permit one job to connect to a data stream of a different job. As more and more jobs dynamically connect to the data stream, the connections may have a negative impact on the performance of the job that generates the data stream. Accordingly, a variety of metrics and statistics (e.g., CPU utilization or tuple rate) may be monitored to determine if the dynamic connections are harming performance. If so, the stream computing system may be optimized to mitigate the effects of the dynamic connections. For example, particular operators may be unfused from a processing element and moved to a compute node that has available computing resources. Additionally, the stream computing application may clone the data stream in order to distribute the workload of transmitting the data stream to the connected jobs.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to stream computing applications that process streaming data. Specifically, the invention relates to optimizing a stream computing application to mitigate effects on performance from dynamic connections.
2. Description of the Related Art
While computer databases have become extremely sophisticated, the computing demands placed on database systems have also increased at a rapid pace. Database systems are typically configured to separate the process of storing data from accessing, manipulating or using data stored in the database. More specifically, databases use a model where data is first stored, then indexed, and finally queried. However, this model cannot meet the performance requirements of some real-time applications. For example, the rate at which a database system can receive and store incoming data limits how much data can be processed or otherwise evaluated. This, in turn, can limit the ability of database applications to process large amounts of data in real-time.

Operator graph changes in response to dynamic connections in stream computing applications

International Business Machines Corporation


This is directed to a LED light fixture having a shaped light guide array with a CPC reflector for directing light off-axis, and methods for constructing the same. A LED light fixture includes a LED module providing light and an elongated light guide array placed adjacent to the LED module. The elongated light guide array can include a curved outer surface through which light is emitted into an environment. To further control the output of light, and to direct light off-axis, the light guide array can include a CPC reflector disposed around a boundary or periphery of the light guide array. The CPC reflector can be angled such that light is directed at angles above a cut-off angle by which the reflector is rotated about a focus.

Light fixtures provide a source of light to illuminate dark environments. A light fixture can be constructed from a light source placed in contact with a light guide for directing light from the light source into an environment. To improve the efficiency of the light fixture, and to reduce costs associated with illumination, a light emitting diode (LED) module can be used as a light source. A LED module, however, emits light that must be re-directed off an axis of the LED module to provide sufficient uniform illumination for a dark environment, such as a garage.


A communication network keeps track of the locations of mobile units which utilize the network. On powering up, the mobile units determine their current locations using signals broadcast, for example, by overhead satellites. They then send data communication messages to the network describing their locations. The network saves the locations and returns data messages that describe borders which surround the mobile units' locations. The mobile units repetitively determine their current locations on a regular schedule. When their current locations are outside of their prescribed borders, they send other location data messages to the network to update the location data being maintained by the network and to receive a definition of a new border.

Tracking systems occasionally use radio communications to discover the whereabouts of mobile units. One example of such a tracking system is used by a communication network which provides communication services through mobile radio transceivers. Radio communication messages, which are transparent to radio users, keep a central controller informed of the locations of the mobile transceivers receiving communication services through the network.
Location data are extremely valuable to a communication network. Knowledge of mobile unit location allows the network to most advantageously route communications through nodes of the network. In addition, it allows the network to conform to diverse rules and procedures which may be imposed by diverse political entities within whose jurisdictions the network may operate. For example, one jurisdiction may permit network operations only within a first set of frequencies while an adjacent jurisdiction may permit network operations only within a second set of frequencies. In addition, different tariffs or taxes may apply to communication services utilized by mobile units operating in different jurisdictions.
The more accurate the location data, the better. More accurate data allow the network to better ascertain when mobile units cross from one jurisdiction into another. However, costs generally increase in proportion to the accuracy of the location data, and an intense need to keep costs as low as possible and revenues as high as possible exists. One cost, which is of particular concern, is the amount of communication resources which are consumed in maintaining current location data. As more resources are consumed in maintaining current location data, fewer resources are available for use by communication service subscribers and for generating revenues. In addition, mobile units are often battery operated, and an excessive quantity of communications leads to an excessive use of available battery power.


A method and device for displaying the performance of an aircraft when climbing and/or descending. The device includes devices for data capture, calculation and generating images for a display screen. The calculation device is configured to calculate a maximum slope that the aircraft can adopt depending on current data received from a data capture device. A display device presents images of the maximum slope superimposed with altitudes of a projected flight plan.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for displaying the performance of an aircraft when climbing and/or descending, and also to an aircraft comprising this type of display device.
It is known that on present aircraft, when a change of flight level (climb or descent) is necessary during a flight, pilots can initiate the change of altitude manually. To do this, they select the required altitude and set a specific mode in a flight control unit (FCU). There is therefore an open descent mode to cause the aircraft to descend and an open climb mode to cause the aircraft to climb.
When one of these modes is set, the vertical slope taken by the aircraft corresponds to the maximum slope that the aircraft is capable of adopting. This maximum slope depends on the capability of the aircraft at the time the mode is applied. Parameters such as the mass and speed of the aircraft, and the engine thrust are factors that determine its ability to follow a slope.
However, pilots do not know exactly what slope the aircraft will take or the positions through which it will pass to reach the selected altitude. This is because no device exists that has been designed to calculate and provide this information to the crew.

Method and device for displaying the performance of an aircraft when climbing and/or descending


Methods, systems, and computer programs for triggering interaction with a Dynamic Online Community (DOC) are presented. In one embodiment, a method includes an operation for monitoring online activity of a user, which includes tracking user input on a web browser. The method further includes operations for detecting that the user is interested in a subject based on the online activity, and for determining whether there is a DOC topic that is associated with the subject. The DOC has members that have shown an interest in the DOC topic. In another operation, the method assigns the user to be a member of the DOC if the determination indicates that there is a DOC topic associated with the subject. The user is automatically recommended to join the DOC. DOC related information is provided to the user after the user is assigned to the DOC. In one embodiment, the online activity of the user is searching in a search provider's website.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for improving social interaction, and more particularly, methods, systems and computer programs for bringing together web users with common interests.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, Internet online groups provide a communication tool for group members to exchange online group-related information. The online group is a tool which is a hybrid between an electronic mailing list and a threaded Internet forum. In other words, group messages can be read and posted by e-mail or on the group homepage. In addition, members can choose whether to receive individual, daily digest or special delivery e-mails, or simply read group posts on the group's web site. Groups can be created with public or member-only access. Some groups are simply announcement bulletin boards, to which only the group moderators can post, while other groups are discussion forums. One example of an Internet online group service is Yahoo! Groups™.
Typically, a moderator controls membership in the group. Users have to go through a sign-in process to become members of the group, and users continue membership in the group until the group disappears or the user opts to end membership. Users often have multiple interests at a given point in time, and many of these interests can be temporary, such as the soccer world cup, a family wedding, a personal problem, a health issue, etc. It is cumbersome for users to keep joining and separating from groups in order to gather useful online group information.
It is in this context that embodiments of the invention arise.