A method of treating cells having a reduced apical Cl.sup.- conductance, such as that characteristic of cystic fibrosis cells, by contacting cells having a reduced apical Cl.sup.- conductance with a therapeutically effective quantity of a compound that antagonizes the A.sub.1 -adenosine cell receptor and does not antagonize the A.sub.2 -adenosine cell receptor. Suitable compounds include 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX), xanthine amino congener (XAC), and therapeutically effective derivatives thereof.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited multi-system disorder that is characterized by an abnormality in exocrine gland function. More specifically, CF is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. The mutations in the CFTR gene result in an abnormal potential difference across CF epithelia. The abnormality is due to a reduced cellular apical Cl.sup.- conductance. Consequently, chloride and sodium transport across mucous membranes is abnormal. This abnormality is apparently responsible for pathophysiological changes in the respiratory system. Nearly all patients suffering from the disease develop chronic progressive disease of the respiratory system. Also, in the majority of cases, pancreatic dysfunction occurs, and hepatobiliary and genitourinary diseases are also frequent. The incidence of the disease among white Americans is between 1/1600 and 1/2000 live births. Among Afro-Americans, the incidence is much reduced--about 1/17,000 live births. Although survival of cystic fibrosis patients has improved in recent years, the median survival is still only about 20 years despite intensive supportive and prophylactic treatment.
Present efforts to combat the disease have focused on drugs that are capable of either activating the mutant CFTR gene product or causing additional secretion of Cl.sup.- from affected cells, as well as gene therapy, wherein the anion conductance deficit is repaired by the introduction of a recombinant wild-type CFTR gene, i.e., a CFTR gene that lacks a mutation that results in the abnormality.
Encouraging clinical results have been reported recently for the use of aerosols containing either amiloride (Knowles et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 322: 1189-1194. 1990.) or a mixture of ATP and UTP (Knowles et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 325: 533-538. 1991.), which slow the accumulation of Cl.sup.- in the epithelium of the trachea.
Other drugs that are purportedly useful in the treatment of CF have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,072 describes the use of 9-ethyl-6,9-dihydro-4,6-dioxo-10-propyl-4H-pyrano(3,2-g)quinoline2,8-dicar boxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in the treatment of CF. U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,818 describes the use of a 3-alkylxanthine to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,593 describes the use of a 1,3-alkyl substituted 8-phenylxanthine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the treatment of bronchoconstriction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,916 describes the use of an imidazoline .alpha.-adrenergic blocking agent and vasodilator, such as tolazoline, in the treatment of COPD, including cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, or COPD in association with asthma.
Historically, theophylline has been administered to asthmatic and CF patients to enhance lung function. The mechanism of theophylline has been shown to involve both the inhibition of phosphodiesterase and the antagonism of adenosine receptors. Since theophylline acts at more than one site, it lacks specificity. In view of the fact that antagonism of the A.sub.1 adenosine receptor, not inhibition of phosphodiesterase, has been shown to result in chloride efflux, such lack of specificity could result in undesired side effects. In addition, large doses of theophylline must be administered to achieve a beneficial effect, at the same time risking side effects from the high toxicity of the compound.
Other compounds that resemble theophylline in basic structure have been tested but have not been found to be useful in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. For example, IBMX (see FIG. 1A), which is structurally similar to theophylline, is nonspecific in activity and highly toxic and, therefore, lacks utility in the treatment of CF. Also ineffective in the activation of chloride efflux are the compounds 2-thio-CPX, KW-3902, and CPT (see FIG. 1B). Similarly, substitution of the propyl group at position R.sub.1 or R.sub.3 of CPX (see FIG. 1A) with a one-carbon group generates a compound that is ineffective in activating chloride efflux from CF cells. Clearly, minor structural differences have a significant, if not substantial, impact on the effectiveness of the compound in the treatment of CF.
A drug of high potency, low toxicity, and high specificity for the A.sub.1 adenosine receptor, however, would be a highly desirable and promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of cells having a reduced apical Cl.sup.- conductance, such as cystic fibrosis cells. Such a drug would not only find utility in the treatment of cystic fibrosis per se but would be therapeutically useful in the treatment of COPD in general.
It is an object of the present invention to provide such a method of treating cells having a reduced apical Cl.sup.- conductance. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of treating cystic fibrosis cells. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of treating cystic fibrosis cells having a deletion involving phenylalanine at amino acid position 508 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

Method of treating cystic fibrosis using 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine or xanthine amino congeners

The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


An automatic changer for a digital audio cassette tape player is disclosed which comprises holders for holding tape cassettes inserted into insertion openings with lids of the cassettes being located inwardly so that labels on backs of said cassettes can be seen from a front side of said player, a plurality of support members for supporting the holders, respectively, a conveyor for picking up selectively one of the plurality of support members, separating the support member away from the holder, and setting the tape cassette to a tape travelling mechanism with the tape cassette being held by said holder; and a motor for driving the conveyor.

The present invention relates to an automatic changer for a digital audio cassette tape player in which a plurality of digital audio tape cassettes, each of which has a cassette lid for covering a tape running surface and has a cassette slider which covers tape reel holes and keeps the cassette lid from opening, can be loaded so that optional ones of the cassettes can be played.
As for each of conventional automatic changers for analog and digital audio cassette tape players, a plurality of tape cassettes are loaded in a magazine which is set in the tape player so that optional ones of the tape cassettes can be set on the playback mechanism of the tape player and played.
Since the conventional automatic changers function so that the magazine in which the tape cassettes are loaded is set in the tape player, the loaded tape cassettes are invisible unless the magazine is taken out of the tape player. For that reason, only the human memory is dependable for the recognition or the like of the contents of the tape cassettes loaded in the magazine set in the tape player.
Since the magazine needs to be taken out of the tape player when the loaded tape cassette is to be replaced with another one, the playback of the other loaded tape cassette needs to be stopped for the replacement.

Automatic changer for digital audio cassette tape player


A cutting insert has upper and lower faces, and a peripheral surface with two longitudinal insert side surfaces. Two similar through-going transverse insert key recesses open out to the insert side surfaces and to the insert lower surface. Each insert key recess has a similar profile when viewed in transverse cross sections of the cutting insert. Each insert key recess is limited by an insert recess top surface and insert recess side surfaces. The insert recess side surfaces are symmetrical about a plane. A holder blade for holding the cutting insert has upper and lower jaws for clamping the cutting insert therein, and a holder recess. The lower jaw has a leading surface and lower jaw recess. A cutting-tool key has two key members, fitted into the holder recess and an insert key recess, to force the cutting insert to mount it to or extract it from the cutting tool.

Metal cutting tools for parting and grooving have a holder blade for firmly clamping a cutting insert within a tool holder blade. The cutting insert is self-clamped into an insert pocket or slot formed in the holder blade. In some cases the cutting insert is mounted and extracted to the tool holder by employing a key. Elongated cutting inserts are clamped into insert pockets of appropriate size and length, and may be employed in metal cutting, such as in parting and grooving operations. Other cutting inserts have holes or recesses for positioning in a desired location in the cutting tool, or to allow gripping of the cutting insert in the cutting tool. Examples of such cutting tools and cutting inserts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,938,640, 5,836,723, 5,934,843, 7,665,933, 7,896,585, EP1666179, WO04/048020, and JP2007-253299.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cutting insert for parting and grooving and a cutting tool for holding such a cutting insert. The cutting insert has two through-going transverse insert key recesses in a lower surface thereof, for allowing engagement of a cutting tool key for extracting and mounting of the cutting insert from and into the cutting tool. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method for extracting and mounting of such a cutting insert from and into the cutting tool.

Cutting tool and cutting insert having insert key recesses for extracting and mounting therein


A power converter/inverter system for a load comprises a converter circuit for converting an alternating current power input into a direct current power intermediate signal in response to a first PWM voltage. An inverter inverts the DC power intermediate signal into an AC power output in response to a second PWM voltage. A smoothing filter is arranged in series between a converter and the inverter for filtering the DC power intermediate signal. An instantaneous real power calculating circuit calculates an instantaneous real power (IRP) relative to the inverter and is determined by a torque current command value and a load angular speed signal. A converter controller controls the first PWM voltage of the converter in accordance of a combination a predetermined converter amplitude setpoint, a DC voltage present at the DC power intermediate signal, and the instantaneous real power product. An inverter controller controls the second PWM voltage of the inverter in accordance with the inverter amplitude setpoint and amplitude of the AC power output.

This invention relates generally to a voltage type pulse width modulation (PWM) converter/inverter system for converting waveforms of input and output currents to alternating or frequency waveforms, such as sinusodial waveforms, and to a method for controlling such a system. More particularly, this invention relates to control means for maintaining the direct current capacitor voltage constant not only during steady state conditions but also during transient state conditions.
Generally, a converter/inverter system is provided for converting an alternating current, such as in the case of commercial power, to a direct current by a converter. Then the direct current is smoothed by a smoothing circuit comprising a capacitor or the like for conversion back to an alternating current at a variable frequency determined by an inverter. PWM is one of the methods employed for controlling this type of system. In the sinusodial waveform, PWM control method, wherein waveforms of both input and output currents are converted to sinusodial waveforms, a converter and a direct current capacitor for performing the smoothing function generate a direct current of a constant voltage, i.e., a direct current power, from an alternating current of sinusodial waveform which is supplied to an inverter. The inverter converts this constant direct voltage into an alternating current frequency while controlling the pulse width uniformity whereby a power equal to the alternating current power of the sinusodial waveform is obtained.
The so-called feedback method of control has been employed for controlling the direct current capacitor voltage of a voltage PWM converter/inverter system, i.e., the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor. In this method, the direct current capacitor voltage is detected and its detected value is compared with a command or reference value to control the inverter. This control process is described in more detail, for example, in an article entitled, "High Performance AC Motor Speed Control System Using GTO Converters", T. Okuyama et al., Proceedings of IPEC, Tokyo '83, Institute of Electrical Engineers, April, 1983, pp. 720-731.
However, this conventional control process has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to control the direct current capacitor voltage, i.e., the voltage of the smoothing capacitor, to be maintained constant at the so-called transient state or stage, e.g., when the speed command of the motor load is abruptly changed, or there is an abrupt change in the load torque. Specifically, there is the danger that when power is regenerated, or when a load torque abruptly decreases, the direct current capacitor voltage rises, with an adverse result that switching devices employed in the converter and the inverter are damaged.
In the conventional control process, the feedback control is based on detection of only a change occurring relative to the terminal voltage of the direct current capacitor, and, accordingly, a detection delay is a disadvantage. In order to maintain the direct current capacitor voltage constant when there is an abrupt change in the load, it is necessary to set a large proportional gain, K.sub.p, and integral gain, K.sub.i, of the PI (proportional integral) controller employed in the feedback control system. However, large gains, K.sub.p and K.sub.i, often make the control system unstable, and, due to its stability, the gains, K.sub.p and K.sub.i, cannot be made too large.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention is to provide a voltage type PWM converter/inverter system to provide stable control at high speed for a direct current capacitor voltage between the terminals of the smoothing capacitor.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for controlling a voltage PWM converter/inverter system resulting in continuous, controlled stability of the direct current capacitor voltage at high speed.

Power converter/inverter system with instantaneous real power feedback control


Compositions and methods for co-expressing a secretable vaccine protein (such as gp96-Ig) and T-cell co-stimulatory molecules from a single vector, among others, are provided herein. Materials and methods for using gp96-Ig vaccination and T-cell co-stimulation to treat a clinical condition (e.g., cancer) in a subject also are provided.

Cancer is a disease that arises from a prolonged period of genetic instability that extends the lifespan of a normal cell. The triggering event that marks the beginning of this period is variable between cell types, but commonly is the acquisition of a mutation in a tumor suppressor gene such as p53 or Rb, a mutation in a proto-oncogene such as KRAS or myc, or infection of a cell with an oncogenic virus such as HPV16 or EBV. Whatever the origin, cells that acquire mutations in genes that enable them to escape normal growth controls or cell death pathways become more likely to acquire additional mutations. Once a cell has acquired "enough" mutations, typically thought to be at least six, it no longer is responsive to intrinsic or extrinsic signals that would restrain its growth or trigger apoptosis.
Because tumors arise from host cells, the body's immune system is initially tolerant to those cells. The acquisition of tumorigenic mutations may or may not lead to production of a mutated protein containing an epitope that is sufficiently non-self to become immunogenic. If a cell acquires an immunogenic mutation, it can be sought out and destroyed by the host immune system, a process known as immunosurveillance (Smyth et al., Adv Immunol 2006, 90:1-50). Murine studies have provided support for the immune surveillance hypothesis (Dunn et al., Nat Immunol 2002, 3:991-998; Shankaran et al., Nature 2001, 410:1107-1111; and Dunn et al., Annu Rev Immunol 2004, 22:329-360), and also suggested that innate in addition to so-called adaptive immune responses may facilitate rejection of immunogenic tumors (Unni et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2008, 105:1686-1691; Taieb et al., Nat Med 2006, 12:214-219; and Raulet and Guerra, Nat Rev Immunol 2009, 9:568-580). Innate responses can be evoked through induced expression of NK activating signals such as NKG2D ligand expression or following DNA damage incurred as a result of mutagenic or viral processes. Some cells that acquire immunogenic mutations also gain the capacity to engage normal immune regulatory systems that dampen anti-self immune responses (Rabinovich et al., Annu Rev Immunol 2007, 25:267-296). The pathways driving the activation of host regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Still other cells may gain a number of oncogenic mutations without ever producing an immunogenic peptide that leads to activation of the host immune system. Therefore, tumor cells that produce an immunogenic peptide during their transformation must continuously evade anti-tumor immune responses in order to survive, whereas tumors that become transformed without activating the immune system may not rely on such immune regulatory mechanisms for survival.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Vector co-expressing vaccine and costimulatory molecules


A phase lock loop and the control method thereof. The phase lock loop adjusts operating states automatically to generate a feedback clock for tracing a reference clock. The control method generates the first and second clocks corresponding to the highest and lowest frequency oscillating clocks respectively generated by the phase lock loop when operating in one of select states. The frequencies of the first and second clocks are compared to the frequency of the reference clock respectively, thereby holding the select state of the phase lock loop when the first, second, and reference clocks are in a first predetermined condition or changing the select state of the phase lock loop when in a second predetermined condition.

The invention relates to a phase lock loop, and more specifically to a phase lock loop capable of adjusting states automatically and control method thereof.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a conventional phase lock loop (PLL), having a phase/frequency detector (PFD) 90, a charge pump 92, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 94, and a frequency divider 96. The PFD 90 detects the transitional edges of the feedback clock Clkfb and the reference clock Clkref to generate comparative signals UP and DN which, in turn, charge and discharge the charge pump 92 to generate a control voltage Vc. The VCO 94 generates an output clock Clkvco of variable frequency in response to the control voltage Vc. The frequency divider 96 divides the frequency of the clock Clkvco to generate the feedback clock Clkfb.
VCO is generally designed to operate in a single state, having a single voltage frequency transfer curve. There are two types of VCOs in terms of the voltage-frequency transfer curve slope, high gain and low gain VCOs. FIG. 1B shows two voltage-frequency transfer curves A and B, corresponding to high gain and low gain VCOs respectively. As depicted, high gain VCO provides the advantage of broader tuning frequency range. The performance of the output clock stability in high gain VCO, however, is inferior since frequency of the output clock is susceptible to the change in control voltage Vc. Conversely, low gain VCO provides a more stable frequency of the output clock but a narrower tuning frequency range. As a result, selecting a suitable voltage-frequency transfer curve for a VCO has been important for circuit designers.

Phase lock loop and the control method thereof


A cooled multi-component piston is provided in which the hollow annular space in the piston head for the cooling oil is closed off underneath. This is achieved with a sheet-metal ring with a collet which fits in a recess in the piston-ring wall, the sheet metal ring being biased via a retaining clip against the shaft bush.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooled multi-component piston for internal combustion engines.
2. The Prior Art
This type of piston is known, for example, from DD 2 638 A. In this known piston, the annular wall parts for covering an annular cooling duct are slotted rings which are installed under stress on the inside or outside thereof. An axial stressing of the ring is present to some extent as well. To the extent to which the rings are axially stressed either on the inside or outside, the edge of the ring that is in each case radially removed from the clamping point is axially unsupported.

Cooled multi-component piston for internal combustion engines


A method and apparatus for operating a client/server graphics processing system of a type that includes a display and a user input device. A first step, executed at the server entity, renders a plurality views (e.g., six views) of a model of interest and transmits the plurality of views to the client entity. A next step, executed at the client, maps individual ones of the plurality of views onto individual ones of a plurality of faces of a structure (e.g., a cube) and displays the structure on the display. In response to the user manipulating the user input device, a next step, executed at the client, causes a manipulation of the structure displayed on the display for specifying a particular view direction relative to the model. Further in response to user input device, the client sends an indication to the server of the user-specified view direction, whereafter the server renders an image of the model, from the user-specified view direction, and transmits the rendered image back to the client for display to the user.

In a conventional client-server structure or arrangement the server is used to store a 3D model and to deliver it to connected clients. The clients then display the model and support user interaction with the model. For large models containing many polygonal facets, the geometric description of the model (using, for example, vertices, faces and normals) can be larger than a rendered image of the model. The server is thus relied on to render images of the model and to transmit the rendered images to the connected clients.
At the client, an interactive 3D graphics application typically requires a frequent adjustment of viewpoint with respect to the 3D model to be rendered. For example, the user may inspect a 3D model by virtually rotating the model in a manner similar to manually inspecting a physical model that is held in the hand.
Currently, the use of 3D graphics on mobile computing devices is hampered by several factors, including computational power and bandwidth-limited connections to servers. Since 3D models of non-trivial complexity may require a large amount of data to display, the time required to transmit the required data through a bandwidth-limited connection can be objectionable to the user, and/or may make it very difficult or impossible to operate in a real-time, interactive manner. For example, if the user can manipulate a mouse or trackball to change the viewpoint of a displayed model in just a few seconds, but if it requires a server some tens of seconds to transmit an updated image of the model from the new viewpoint to the mobile computing device, then the user's perception of an interactive graphics session is detrimentally affected.
While it is known that server-side rendering has been used in some systems, one significant disadvantage with conventional server-side rendering approaches is that the user is only presented with one particular view of the model. To obtain another view, the user has to request the server to render the model from a new viewpoint. However, choosing that desired viewpoint is often difficult because there is no means to specify the viewpoint by directly manipulating the model.

Methods and apparatus for providing 3D viewpoint selection in a server/client arrangement

International Business Machines Corporation


Bearing or roller bearing with information sensor, of the type comprising a stationary element carrying at least one magnetic field sensor device and one rotating element carrying a multipole magnetized ring coaxial to the rotating element, which rotates in front of the sensor device and in which the ring is mounted in a support carried by the rotating element and is separated from the sensor device by an air gap, characterized in that the ring is provided with circumferentially distributed notches.

The invention pertains to a bearing or roller bearing with an information sensor, of the type comprising a stationary element carrying at least one magnetic field sensor device and one rotating element carrying a multipole magnetized ring coaxial to said rotating element, which moves in front of the sensor device, and in which the ring is mounted in a nonmagnetic support carried by said rotating element and is separated from the sensor device by an air gap. One such bearing has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,494.
More specifically, the invention pertains to a process for producing the magnetized ring with good magnetization precision. Another object of the invention is a sealed roller bearing with information sensor which makes use of the magnetized ring.


A sheet molding apparatus including at least one molding surface with a plurality of perforations, at least one sheet retainer with a plurality of vacuum perforations, and an accompanying vacuum mechanism for controllably drawing reduced pressure through the perforations. The sheet molding apparatus can be used for rapidly and accurately positioning thermoformable thermoplastic sheets to match the molding surfaces in producing molded articles.

Single sheet thermoforming processes typically involve providing a preformed sheet of thermoplastic material (usually on a roll), heating the preformed thermoplastic sheet to a thermoformable temperature, and contacting the heated thermoplastic sheet with a shaped mold surface. The heated thermoplastic sheet is typically drawn into contact with the shaped mold surface by means of a vacuum being drawn through perforations in the mold surface.
Such prior art methods of single sheet thermoforming typically and undesirably involve multiple steps, such as separately forming the thermoplastic sheet, collecting the preformed thermoplastic sheet on a roll, shipping the roll of preformed thermoplastic sheet to a molder (or fabricator), and re-heating the preformed thermoplastic sheet prior to the thermoforming operation. In addition, such prior art methods of single sheet thermoforming also typically do not provide sufficient control of the thermoplastic sheet thickness over contoured (e.g., recessed) mold surfaces. For example, the molded thermoplastic sheet may be too thin (e.g., in deep drawn areas), and/or too thick in other areas. Such variability in molded sheet thickness may result in the final molded article having undesirably variable physical properties, such as crack failure, and aesthetic properties, such as an uneven visual appearance (e.g., irregular color).
Thermoforming processes that involve the continuous extrusion of a thermoplastic sheet, that is thermoformed using residual heat from the extruded thermoplastic sheet are known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,814,905 B1, 6,086,800 and 4,061,706. Such continuous thermoforming methods, while perhaps addressing or eliminating some of the multiple steps involved with the use of preformed thermoplastic sheets, typically and undesirably do not provide sufficient control of the thermoplastic sheet thickness over contoured (e.g., recessed) mold surfaces.
It would be desirable to develop new thermoforming processes, and apparatuses used therewith, that minimize or eliminate the steps typically encountered with prior art methods. In addition, it would be further desirable that such newly developed methods and apparatae also provide improved control of the thickness of the molded thermoplastic sheet as it is formed and molded over contoured mold surfaces.


A process is disclosed for separating and recovering nickel and copper values from a nickel-copper matte which may contain iron and arsenic. Finely divided nickel-copper matte is leached in aqueous sulphuric acid solution under oxidizing conditions at atmospheric pressure and at a minimum temperature of about 80.degree. C. to selectively leach nickel from the matte to produce a nickel sulphate solution having a final pH in the range of about 4.0 to 6.5, preferably about 6.5, and to produce a copper-rich sulphide residue. The copper-rich sulphide residue is separated from the nickel sulphate solution and leached in a closed reaction vessel at a minimum temperature of about 120.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere in a sulphuric acid solution containing an effective amount of copper and sulphuric acid to provide a terminal concentration of at least about 2 g/L Cu.sup.2+ and at least about 20 g/L sulphuric acid to produce a nickel sulphate solution containing any iron and arsenic and to produce a low nickel copper sulphide product essentially free of iron and arsenic.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for treating nickel-copper mattes for the recovery of copper and nickel values. More particularly, this invention pertains to a process for treating arsenic-containing nickel-copper matte to produce an essentially copper-free solution of nickel sulphate, from which metallic nickel can be recovered by electrowinning, and a copper sulphide concentrate containing low levels of both nickel and arsenic, from which copper can be recovered by smelting and refining.
2. Background of the Invention
Copper sulphide concentrates should contain less than about 1% Ni and less than about 1% As to be suitable for treatment in a conventional copper smelter to produce anode copper for electrorefining. Nickel-copper matte, from which low a nickel- and arsenic-content copper sulphide concentrate is to be produced, typically contains 65 to 70% Ni, 20 to 25% Cu, 2% As and 6% S. Currently this material is treated in two stages of atmospheric acid leaching at 80.degree. C. to produce a copper free nickel sulphate solution, and a copper rich residue. The nickel sulphate solution forms the feed to conventional cobalt removal and nickel electrowinning circuits, where the cobalt and nickel are recovered as cobaltic oxide and cathode nickel, respectively. The copper-rich residue typically contains 45 to 55% Cu, 10 to 15% Ni, 2 to 4% As, and 17 to 20% S. Since the nickel and arsenic contents are much too high for treatment of the copper sulphide directly in a copper smelter, the residue is recycled to the nickel smelter which produces the nickel copper matte.
A principal object of this invention is to provide a process for producing a copper sulphide residue containing low levels of nickel and from an arsenic containing nickel-copper matte. More particularly, an object of this invention is to treat a copper rich residue to reduce the nickel and arsenic contents to less than 1%, thus avoiding the need to recycle the residue to the nickel smelter, which is costly, and which increases metal losses to slag. Direct treatment of the copper sulphide in a copper smelter potentially offers increased metal recoveries, reduced costs, and also permits the separate recovery of precious and platimum group metals in a concentrated form.
Prior art leach processes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,541 granted Apr. 6, 1982 to Outokumpu Oy and U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,331 granted Oct. 26, 1971 to International Nickel Company Inc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,541 discloses leaching a finely-ground nickel-copper matte using an acid solution at a minimum temperature of approximately 80.degree. C. and under oxidizing conditions in order to produce a nickel sulphate solution and a nickel-copper sulphide residue, which is separated from the solution. Thereafter the nickel-copper sulphide residue is leached using acid in an autoclave at a minimum temperature of 110.degree. C. and under oxidizing conditions in order to produce an additional quantity of nickel sulphate solution and a copper sulphide precipitate.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,331 shows a two-stage process for the treatment of a nickel-containing copper sulphide material which contains copper and sulphur in ratios of at least 3.5:1, preferably between 4:1 and 10:1, and controlled amounts of iron. This material is leached with an acidic aqueous solution containing copper sulphate in amounts at least stoichiometrically equivalent to the nickel, iron and cobalt contained in the starting material, and sufficient sulphuric acid to maintain a pH below 5- Advantageously, the copper sulphate solution contains a stoichiometric excess of copper sulphate of up to about 20% in order to ensure maximum dissolution of the nickel, iron and cobalt as sulphates. The leaching operation is conducted at a temperature between about 100.degree. C. and 250.degree. C. under the pressure generated at these temperatures. The residue obtained from this leaching operation contains substantially all the copper in the starting material as copper sulphide and cement copper and is substantially free of iron. After filtration, the filtrate is treated to recover nickel, and the residue is treated to recover copper and sulphur in a second pressure leaching step.
Each of the processes described in these prior art patents was tested on a copper rich residue produced in a conventional two-stage atmosphere acid leaching process. The process of U. S. Pat. No. 4,323,541 was tested in a batch leach at 150.degree. C. under an air pressure of 150 kPa, using a solution containing 33 g/L H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and 3 g/L Cu. After a 2 hour leach the final residue containing 59% Cu, 2.3% Ni, 4.5% As and 21% S. Both nickel and arsenic contents were too high for direct feed to a copper smelter.
The first step of the two-stage process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,331 was tested on a similar residue using a leach solution containing 50 to 80 g/L Cu and 3 to 5 g/L. H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 in leach tests at 150.degree. and 200.degree. C. The copper sulphide residue contained 7.9% Ni after a 60 minute leach at 150.degree. C., and 1.6% after a 60 minute leach at 200.degree. C. Even at 200.degree. C. therefore this process did not give the required low level of nickel in the copper sulphide residue, and very little nickel extraction occurred at 150.degree. C.
Neither of the above processes described was satisfactory for treating the specified copper sulphide residue to give a product with sufficiently low nickel and arsenic concentrations for direct smelting to anode copper.

Upgrading copper sulphide residues containing nickel and arsenic


A sound-transmitting membrane (1) is provided that allows passage of sounds and prevents passage of foreign matters, the sound-transmitting membrane (1) including a supporting member (12) and a resin porous membrane (11) layered on the supporting member (12) and containing polytetrafluoroethylene as a main component. The supporting member (12) is a nonwoven fabric containing an elastomer. Since the supporting member (12) is a nonwoven fabric containing an elastomer, the insertion loss of the sound-transmitting membrane can be reduced for sounds of 3000 Hz.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sound-transmitting membrane, and an electronic device equipped with the sound-transmitting membrane.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptop computers, electronic notebooks, digital cameras, and video-game instruments, generally have a sound function. A sound emitter such as a speaker and a buzzer, or a sound receiver such as a microphone, is disposed inside a housing of an electronic device having a sound function. An opening is provided in the housing of the electronic device at a position corresponding to the sound emitter or the sound receiver. Sounds are transmitted via the opening. In addition, in order to prevent foreign matters such as waterdrops from entering into the housing of the electronic device, a sound-transmitting membrane that allows passage of sounds and prevents passage of foreign matters is disposed so as to cover the opening.
As a sound-transmitting membrane, a porous plastic membrane is known which is produced by forming pores in a polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as "PTFE") film or an ultrahigh molecular polyethylene film (see JP 2003-53872 A).
JP 2003-53872 A proposes a sound-transmitting membrane in which a support is bonded to a porous plastic membrane, in view of ease of second processing of the sound-transmitting membrane, such as cutting, stamping, and bonding to a casing. Nets, nonwoven fabrics, and woven fabrics are mentioned as examples of the support. In addition, JP 2003-53872 A proposes a sound-transmitting membrane in which a support is bonded to a porous plastic membrane and of which the surface density is set within a predetermined range in order not to reduce the sound transmissibility of the sound-transmitting membrane.
JP 2004-83811 A proposes a water-proof sound-transmitting membrane that is a layered product composed of a plastic membrane and a support. Porous materials such as nets, foam rubbers, and sponge sheets, nonwoven fabrics, and woven fabrics, are mentioned as examples of the support.
In either JP 2003-53872 A or JP 2004-83811 A mentioned above, the acoustic characteristics of a sound-transmitting membrane using a nonwoven fabric as a support are not specifically discussed. In particular, the acoustic characteristics for a high-frequency range (for example, 3000 Hz) are not discussed at all.

Sound-transmitting membrane and electronic device equipped with sound-transmitting membrane


Third stage turbine buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by the height of the airfoil in inches. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelop of xc2x10.160 inches in directions normal to the surface of the airfoil.

The present invention relates to a turbine bucket for a gas turbine stage and particularly relates to a third stage turbine bucket airfoil profile.
In recent years, advanced gas turbines have trended toward increasing firing temperatures in order to meet system requirements of efficiency and loading. Consequently, the design and construction of turbine buckets require optimized aerodynamic efficiency as well as optimized aerodynamic and mechanical bucket loading.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a unique turbine bucket airfoil profile for the buckets of a turbine stage, preferably the third and final stage of a gas turbine. The bucket airfoil profile is defined by a unique loci of points to achieve the necessary efficiency and loading requirements whereby improved turbine performance is obtained. These unique loci of points define the nominal airfoil profile and are identified by the X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates of Table I which follows. The 3600 points for the coordinate values shown in Table I are for a cold, i.e., room temperature profile at various cross-sections of the bucket airfoil along its length. The X and Y coordinates are given in distance dimensions, e.g., units of inches, and are joined smoothly at each Z location to form a smooth continuous airfoil cross-section. The Z coordinates are given in non-dimensionalized form from 0 to 1. By multiplying the airfoil height dimension, e.g., in inches, by the non-dimensional Z value of Table I, the airfoil shape, i.e., the profile, of the bucket is obtained. Each defined airfoil section in the X, Y plane is joined smoothly with adjacent airfoil sections in the Z direction to form the complete airfoil shape.
It will be appreciated that as each bucket airfoil heats up in use, the profile will change as a result of stress and temperature. Thus, the cold or room temperature profile is given by the X, Y and Z coordinates for manufacturing purposes. Because a manufactured bucket airfoil profile may be different from the nominal airfoil profile given by the following table, a distance of plus or minus 0.160 inches from the nominal profile in a direction normal to any surface location along the nominal profile and which includes any coating process, defines a profile envelope for this bucket airfoil. The airfoil shape is robust to this variation without impairment of the mechanical and aerodynamic functions.
It will also be appreciated that the airfoil can be scaled up or scaled down geometrically for introduction into similar turbine designs. Consequently, the X and Y coordinates in inches and the non-dimensional Z coordinates, when converted to inches, of the nominal airfoil profile given below may be a function of the same constant or number. That is, the X, Y and Z coordinate values in inches may be multiplied or divided by the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down version of the bucket airfoil profile while retaining the airfoil section shape.
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine bucket including an airfoil having an airfoil shape, the airfoil having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by a height of the airfoil, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine bucket including an airfoil having an uncoated nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by a height of the airfoil, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z distance, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape, the X, Y and Z distances being scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine comprising a turbine wheel having a plurality of buckets, each of the buckets including an airfoil having an airfoil shape, said airfoil having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by a height of the airfoil, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define the airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine comprising a turbine wheel having a plurality of buckets, each of the buckets including an airfoil having an uncoated nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by a height of the airfoil, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape, the X, Y and Z distances being scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down bucket airfoil.


A power margin indicator for a rotary-wing aircraft, intended to give information on the power margin available on at least one engine and one gearbox of the aircraft. The indicator includes: (a) input unit (5) for the various control parameters of the engine and of the gearbox, (b) calculation device (6) connected to the input unit (5) which, on the basis of the parameters, formulate the power margin, expressed as a collective-pitch value, and (c) display units (4, 8, 9) showing, on a display screen (7), the power margins represented on a scale (8) which is graduated in collective-pitch equivalents, capable of moving past a pitch index (9) in a window (4) of the screen (7).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power margin indicator for a rotary-wing aircraft, especially a helicopter.
2. Background Art
A helicopter is flown monitoring a great many instruments on the control panel, which instruments for the most part represent the operation of the engine and associated components and the aircraft. For physical reasons, there are many limitations that the pilot has to take into account at every moment during the flight. These various limitations generally depend on the type of flight and on the external conditions.
Most helicopters built these days are equipped with one or two turbine engines, generally with a free turbine. The power is therefore drawn off from a low-pressure stage of the turbine, which stage is mechanically independent of the compressor assembly and of the high-pressure stage of the turbine. As a turbine engine runs at between 30,000 and 50,000 revolutions per minute, a special reduction gearbox--the main gearbox (BTP)--is needed for connecting it to the rotor(s).
The thermal limitations on the engine and on the main gearbox allow three main regimes at which the engine is used to be defined:
the take-off regime that can be used for five to ten minutes and which corresponds to a level of torque on the gearbox and to heating up of the engine turbine which are permissible for a short period of time without causing appreciable damage; this is then known as the maximum take-off power (PMD), PA1 the maximum continuous regime during which, at no time, are either the gearbox capabilities or the capabilities resulting from the maximum admissible heating past the high-pressure blading of the first turbine stage exceeded: this is the maximum continuous power (PMC), PA1 the maximum transient regime, limited to one or two tenths of a second, sometimes protected by a governor stop: this is then known as the maximum transient power (PMT). PA1 the emergency regime during which the capabilities of the gearbox on the input stages and the thermal capabilities of the engine are used to their maximum: this is known as super-emergency power (PSU or OEI30") which can be used for thirty consecutive seconds, at most, and three times during a flight. If OEI30" is used, then the engine has to be taken out and overhauled; PA1 the emergency regime during which the capabilities of the gearbox on the input stages and the capabilities of the engine are extensively used: this is then known as maximum emergency power (PMU or OEI2') which can be used for two minutes after OEI30" or for two minutes and thirty seconds consecutively, at most; PA1 the emergency regime during which the capabilities of the gearbox on the input stages and the thermal capabilities of the engine are used without causing damage: this is known as intermediate emergency power (PIU or OEIcont) which can be used for from thirty minutes to two hours (depending on the engine) continuously for the remainder of the flight following the engine breakdown. PA1 input means for the various control parameters of the engine and of the gearbox, PA1 calculation means connected to said input means which, on the basis of the values of the control parameters and the values of the limits for the various regimes in which the engine is used, formulate the power margin, expressed as a collective-pitch value, and PA1 display means showing, on a display screen, said power margins represented on a scale which is graduated in collective-pitch equivalents, capable of moving past a collective-pitch index in a window of said display screen. PA1 the value of the pitch, PA1 the pitch indications of the first limit for each of the regimes in which the engine is used.
There are also emergency excess-power regimes in multi-engined aircraft, which are used if there is a breakdown of one engine:
The engine test engineer through calculation or testing, establishes the curves of available power of a turbine engine as a function of the altitude and of the temperature, and does this for each of the six regimes defined hereinabove.
The limitations mentioned are generally monitored using three parameters: the speed of the gas generator (Ng), the engine torque (Cm) and the exhaust temperature of gases at the inlet to the free turbine (T4).

Power margin indicator for a rotary-wing aircraft, especially a helicopter


A driving circuit for a vacuum fluorescent display having a filament, a grid electrode and a segment electrode, comprising a grid driving unit for pulse-driving the grid electrode, a segment driving unit for pulse-driving the segment electrode, a first controlling unit for rendering adjustable the duty ratio of the output of the grid driving unit, a second controlling unit for rendering adjustable the duty ratio of the output of the segment driving unit, and a selecting unit for selecting the first controlling unit and/or the second controlling unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving circuit for a vacuum fluorescent display.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vacuum fluorescent display (hereinafter, referred to as "VFD") is a display device of a self-illuminating type for displaying a desired pattern by causing a direct-heating type cathode called a filament to emit thermoelectrons by causing it to generate heat by applying a voltage thereto in a vacuum chamber and by causing the thermoelectrons to collide against fluorescent material on an anode (segment) electrode and causing them to illuminate, by accelerating the thermoelectrons using a grid electrode. VFDs have excellent features in terms of visibility, multi-coloring, a low operating voltage, reliability (environmental resistance) etc. and are used in various applications and fields such as cars, home appliances and consumer products.
For a VFD, as one scheme for applying a voltage to its filament, pulse-driving scheme has been proposed. Pulse-driving scheme is a scheme in which a pulse voltage (hereinafter, referred to as "filament pulse voltage") generated by chopping a DC voltage relatively high compared to the ordinary rated voltage of the filament is applied to the filament, and has features that illuminating state having a small intensity gradient is obtained, etc.
Here, conventional VFD driving circuits intended for driving the VFD are equipped with an arrangement to adjust the VFD brightness so that the VFD can display at a proper brightness according to the surrounding environmental conditions (e.g., ambient illuminance). For example, this arrangement includes methods called grid dimming in which the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the grid electrode (hereinafter referred to as "grid voltage") is adjusted and anode dimming in which the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the segment (anode) electrode (hereinafter referred to as "segment voltage") is adjusted. Grid dimming leads to an inconstant amount of thermoelectrons between the filament and the grid as a result of variations in grid voltage pulse width, allegedly degrading the VFD display integrity. For this reason, anode dimming is drawing more attention lately than grid dimming.
Grid/anode dimming is carried out, for instance, based on a comparison table between dimmer adjustment data and dimmer values as shown in FIG. 7A. It is to be noted that dimmer adjustment data—data brought in correspondence with values that can be set as duty ratio of grid or segment voltage—is specified when grid/anode dimming is externally conducted on a VFD driving circuit. Dimmer adjustment data may also be binary data having the number of bits appropriate to the grid/anode dimming resolution as in the case of 10-bit binary data (DM0 to DM9) shown in FIG. 7A with DM0 being the LSB (Least Significant Bit). Meanwhile, dimmer value—a value that can be set as a duty ratio of grid or segment voltage—can be defined, by using a pulse width TW and a pulse period T indicated in the waveform diagram of FIG. 7B, as "pulse width TW/pulse period T."
Conventional VFD driving circuits have adopted one of the following to implement grid/anode dimming:
Embodiment A: Embodiment for performing grid dimming only (e.g., refer to "OKI Electronic Devices MSC12056 Datasheet (J2C0018-27-Y3)", [online] Prepared January 1998, OKI Electric Industry, [Searched Mar. 27, 2003],
Embodiment B: Embodiment for performing anode dimming only (e.g., refer to "OKI Electronic Devices ML9213 Datasheet (FJDL9213-01)", [online] Prepared September 2000, OKI Electric Industry, [Searched Mar. 27, 2003],
Embodiment C: Embodiment for performing both grid and anode dimming simultaneously (e.g., refer to "OKI Electronic Devices MSC1205-01 Datasheet (FJDL1215-03)", [online] Prepared September 2000, OKI Electric Industry, [Searched Mar. 27, 2003],
Here, a phenomenon called "ghost failure" will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C as an example of display operation of a VFD having a two-digit seven segment display as its display pattern.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the digit corresponding to a grid voltage G1 is scanned (a grid electrode G1 is driven) at period 1T, and concurrently a segment electrode Sm is driven, lighting up a segment Sm (1) shown in FIG. 8B.
Next, the digit corresponding to a grid electrode G2 is scanned (the grid electrode G2 is driven) at period 2T, and concurrently the segment electrode Sm is driven, lighting up a segment Sm (2) shown in FIG. 8B. Here, the grid voltage applied to the grid electrode G1 is supposed to essentially drop to a level that does not drive the grid electrode G1 before the segment Sm (2) lights up, thus causing the segment Sm (1) that was lit at period 1T to go out.
As shown in a dashed line area P in FIG. 8A, however, the waveform of the grid voltage applied to the grid electrode G1 becomes dull due, for example, to resistive and capacitive components in the wiring between the output terminal of the VFD driving circuit and the VFD grid electrode G1. This results in a period during which both the segments Sm (1) and Sm (2) are lit as shown in FIG. 8B.
It is to be noted that such a phenomenon is generally called "ghost failure" and constitutes one of the factors degrading the VFD display integrity. To eliminate such "ghost failure", VFD circuit must adjust the duty ratio of the grid voltage to an appropriate value (grid dimming), taking into consideration the effect of dulling of the waveform of the grid voltage applied to the grid electrode.
Meanwhile, "ghost failure" also takes place as shown in FIG. 8C in a dotted line area Q in FIG. 8A. In this case, the segment voltage applied to the segment electrode Sm is supposed to essentially drop to a level that does not drive the segment electrode Sm at period 4T before a segment Sn (2) shown in FIG. 8C lights up, thus causing the segment Sm (2) shown in FIG. 8C that was lit at period 3T to go out.
Because of the same cause as the dulling of the grid voltage waveform described earlier, however, the segment voltage applied to the segment electrode Sm dulls, resulting in a period during which both the segments Sm (2) and Sn (2) are lit as shown in FIG. 8C. In this case, the VFD circuit must adjust the duty ratio of the segment voltage to an appropriate value (anode dimming), taking S into consideration the effect of dulling of the waveform of the segment voltage applied to the segment electrode.
The above is the description of the phenomenon called "ghost failure." Incidentally, conventional VFD driving circuits are only capable of either grid or anode dimming in the case of the embodiment A or B, thus making it impossible to eliminate the "ghost failure."
On the other hand, the embodiment C of conventional VFD driving circuits performs both grid and anode dimming concurrently to eliminate the "ghost failure." However, grid dimming is performed simultaneously with anode dimming at a time when anode dimming alone is enough (e.g., the dotted line area Q in FIG. 8A). This leads to an unstable amount of thermoelectrons between the filament and grid electrodes, degrading the VFD display integrity.

Driving circuit for vacuum fluorescent display


The invention relates to a power control device for two variable displacement pumps, each with an adjusting device which can be acted upon by adjusting pressure, a power control valve associated therewith, which is acted upon by a first control pressure corresponding with the operating pressure of the variable displacement pump to be adjusted against a pressure difference in the direction of the control position, in which the adjusting pressure loading is controlled in the direction of reduced displacement of the variable displacement pumps along a hyperbolic control curve, whereby the pressure difference results from a spring-arrangement backpressure counteracting the first control pressure and a second control pressure corresponding with the operating pressure of the other variable displacement pump and with increase of the same drops from a maximum value to a minimum value. In order to set the latter value with the device, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the spring arrangement comprises a first and a second pressure spring, the first pressure spring is set to a force corresponding with the minimum value (.DELTA.p.sub.min) and the second pressure spring is set to a force corresponding with the difference (.DELTA.p.sub.max -.DELTA.p.sub.min) between maximum value (.DELTA.p.sub.max) and minimum value (.DELTA.p.sub.min) of the pressure difference, and the first pressure spring with its setting force and the second pressure spring with a force decreasing with increasing second control pressure act upon the power control valve.

Devices of this kind are known in practice and are represented, for example, on page 9 of the technical supplement RD93010/03.87 of the firm Hydromatik GmbH under the title Cross-Sensing. The power control of this known device is a summation power control which distributes the total drive power made available by the drive motor in a manner between the two variable displacement pumps in a demand oriented manner. Like every power control it is based on the principle of adjusting the displacement of the variable displacement pumps in dependence upon the first control pressure along a hyperbolically extending characteristic curve, so that the maximum drive torque or, with constant drive speed, the maximum power take up of the variable displacement pumps remains substantially constant over the entire operating region.
The spring arrangements associated with the power control valves of the known device consist in each case of a pressure spring, the setting value of which determines the backpressure and thus the maximum power take up of the respective variable displacement pump. The backpressure is chosen such that each variable displacement pump is set to 100% total drive power. This power can be transmitted by each variable displacement pump for as long as the pressure difference acting on the associated power control valve equals the set backpressure, i.e. there is no second control pressure, since the respective other variable displacement pump does not require any power.
With increasing power take up of the lastmentioned variable displacement pump, as a consequence of the appropriately rising second control pressure the pressure difference at the power control valve of the first variable displacement pump reduces and thus its power setting reduces.
However, as soon as both variable displacement pumps transmit in each case 50% of the total drive power, their power take up is restricted to this value. For this purpose an appropriate power restriction in the form of throttle and valve devices is provided, which prevents a reduction of the power setting of the respective other variable displacement pump. These devices are comparatively costly in terms of construction and are not a standard delivery component of the known device. They are installed subsequently by the customer during installation of the power control device and the variable displacement pumps in vehicles etc..

Device for the power control of at least two hydrostatic variable displacement pumps


A tire tread includes at least one longitudinal rib limited by grooves. Each rib includes a plurality of incisions each opening into the grooves. Each incision has at least three parts at least two at least of these parts being of essentially transverse orientation and opening into the grooves. At least one other part is oriented essentially in the longitudinal direction. All parts of the incision of essentially longitudinal orientation are devoid any structure for blocking relative movement between the opposing faces of the incision. The parts of essentially transverse orientation include structure for limiting the amplitude of the relative movements of these faces at least in the direction of the thickness of the tread.

In order to impart satisfactory grip performance on wet roads to the tires, it is known to provide each tread with a tread pattern formed of ribs of circumferential or longitudinal general orientation (that is to say, which may zigzag around this direction) and to provide these ribs with a plurality of incisions of low width compared with the width of the grooves (as a general rule, the average width of the incisions is at most 2 mm); these incisions are generally of transverse orientation, that is to say that the direction formed by a straight line passing through the end points of these incisions forms an angle other than 0° with the circumferential direction (generally greater than 40°). Each transverse incision may extend over only part of or over the entire useful thickness of the tread (by definition, the useful thickness of a tread corresponds to the tread thickness which it is possible to wear down while remaining within the legal regulations in force). Of course, the performance obtained is also linked to the nature of the materials selected for a tread: application to tires for heavy vehicles requires in particular materials having a wear performance compatible with the intended traveling distances.
However, conventional treads for tires for heavy vehicles comprising numerous incisions begin more or less quickly to exhibit wear located in the vicinity of the ridges of said incisions when used. "Localized wear" is to be understood here to mean that the wear does not uniformly affect the entire running surface of the tread but that there is more pronounced wear on some of parts of said running surface.
Although such wear is not detrimental from the point of view of performance during travel, it nevertheless remains that the time when it becomes necessary either to change the tire or to renew the tread may be reached more rapidly.
This wear is linked partly to a reduction in rigidity of the tread, this reduction in rigidity being in part linked to the possibility of the facing faces of material defining each incision sliding relative to each other when entering into contact with the roadway.
It has been proposed, in particular in Patent EP 768958 B1 (corresponding to Lagnier U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,002), to provide means for blocking the relative movements of the faces of material defining each incision. One embodiment of such blocking means consists of providing the faces with a plurality of undulations which engage with one another, these undulations extending in at least one direction. In order to limit or even block the relative movements between two faces defining an incision in the direction of the thickness of the tread (that is to say in a substantially radial direction when the tread is fitted on a tire), undulations are produced in the direction perpendicular to said direction.
It has however been noted that the wear performance could be improved further while retaining excellent grip performance.
There is a need for a tread pattern for a tire which is formed essentially of circumferential ribs provided with a plurality of incisions, of an average width of less than 2 mm, creating a large number of ridges and a great length of ridges, these incisions defining a plurality of rubber elements the facing walls of which block each other with virtually instantaneous effectiveness (that is to say with a very substantially reduced or even zero delay) and which do not generate localized wear (termed "irregular wear").

Tread having a tread pattern with incisions

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN


A method for handover is disclosed. The method comprises generation of mobility information that associates with a mobile device attached to a first access node. The mobility information is then communicated to a second access node for use in a handover of the mobile device from the first access node to the second access node.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relates to a communication system, and in particular to handover of a mobile device between at least two access nodes.
2. Description of Related Art
A communication device can be understood as a device provided with appropriate communication and control capabilities for enabling use thereof for communication with others parties. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, data, multimedia and so on. A communication device typically enables a user of the device to receive and transmit communication via a communication system and can thus be used for accessing various applications.
A communication system is a facility which facilitates the communication between two or more entities such as the communication devices, network entities and other nodes. A communication system may be provided by one more interconnect networks. One or more gateway nodes may be provided for interconnecting various networks of the system. For example, a gateway node is typically provided between an access network and other communication networks, for example a core network and/or a data network.
An appropriate access system allows the communication device to access to the wider communication system. An access to the wider communications system may be provided by means of a fixed line or wireless communication interface, or a combination of these. Communication systems providing wireless access typically enable at least some mobility for the users thereof. Examples of these include wireless communications systems where the access is provided by means of an arrangement of cellular access networks. Other examples of wireless access technologies include different wireless local area networks (WLANs) and satellite based communication systems.
A wireless access system typically operates in accordance with a wireless standard and/or with a set of specifications which set out what the various elements of the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. For example, the standard or specification may define if the user, or more precisely user equipment, is provided with a circuit switched bearer or a packet switched bearer, or both. Communication protocols and/or parameters which should be used for the connection are also typically defined. For example, the manner in which communication should be implemented between the user equipment and the elements of the networks and their functions and responsibilities are typically defined by a predefined communication protocol.
In the cellular systems a network entity in the form of a base station provides a node for communication with mobile devices in one or more cells or sectors. It is noted that in certain systems a base station is called 'Node B'. When a mobile device moves from a base station to another base station, handover techniques are used to ensure that the communication is not lost as a consequence of the move. There are many different techniques for processing signals for transmission between the base station and the user equipment, and the precise handover technique which is used depends on the access system.
Typically the operation of a base station apparatus and other apparatus of an access system required for the communication is controlled by a particular control entity. The control entity is typically interconnected with other control entities of the particular communication network. Handover management is typically provided by an appropriate handover control entity of the cellular communication system. The handover controller typically provides a centralised control of handovers in a radio access network so as to appropriately control the handover in different cells of the access network. For example, a radio network controller (RNC) centrally manages handovers in Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (UTRAN) and a base station controller (BSC) manages the handovers in GSM (Global System for Mobile) EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Networks (GERAN).
However, it has been proposed that various control functions that have been typically handled by a centralised controller can also be handled in a distributed manner. This kind of distributed architecture is sometimes referred to as a "flat architecture". In view of handover management this means that there is no central node in a radio access network, but the handover control is distributed to be taken care of by a base station and associated local control functions thereof.
A non-limiting example of such architectures is a concept known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA). An Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) consists of E-UTRAN Node Bs (eNBs) which are configured to provide base station and control functionalities of the radio access network. The eNBs may provide E-UTRA features such as user plane radio link control/medium access control/physical layer protocol (RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane radio resource control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the mobile devices. The eNBs interface to an E-UTRAN access gateway (aGW) via a so called S1 interface, and are inter-connected via a so called X2 interface.
However, a flat architecture provides no central management entity for managing handovers. This means that some information that would be available in a central node such as the UTRAN RNC or GERAN BSC may disappear when the mobile device moves from one E-UTRA access node to another. This may result inefficiencies in the mobility and radio resource management. In extreme cases lack of this information may even result lost data and failed handovers.


A process for the preparation of a magnetic recording medium which comprises the steps of subjecting a magnetic recording layer coated on a nonmagnetic support to surface smoothening treatment, said magnetic recording layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder dispersed in a binder which is composed of a resin component and a curing agent, and then shaving a surface of said magnetic recording layer by means of a shaving device having high hardness.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic support and a magnetic recording layer provided on the support.
2. Description of prior arts
A magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic support and a magnetic recording layer provided thereon is used as an audio tape, a video tape, or a recording medium for a computer system. The magnetic recording layer comprises a binder and a ferromagnetic powder dispersed therein.
The magnetic recording medium is generally prepared by the following process. A binder component containing a resin component and a curing agent and a ferromagnetic powder are dispersed in a solvent to prepare a magnetic paint. The magnetic paint is coated over a nonmagnetic support to form a layer of the magnetic paint on the non-magnetic support. The coated layer of the magnetic paint is then subjected to various treatments such as magnetic orientation, drying treatment and surface smoothening treatment, and then subjected to curing treatment to cure the curing agent contained in the coated layer. Subsequently, the sheet having been subjected to such treatment steps is cut or slit into a desired shape to prepare a magnetic recording medium.
Recently, a demand for a higher density recording system has increased, and hence Co-containing .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or a ferromagnetic metal powder has been employed in place of a conventional iron oxide-type ferromagnetic powder such as .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.
However, the magnetic recording layer containing the above-mentioned Co-containing .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or ferromagnetic metal powder is liable to decrease in the running endurance, although the electromagnetic conversion characteristics increase, as compared with the magnetic recording layer containing the iron oxide-type ferromagnetic powder, because the Co-containing .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or ferromagnetic metal powder has lower hardness than the iron oxide-type ferromagnetic powder.
For increasing physical strength of the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic recording medium, there has been widely employed, for instance, a combination of a vinyl chloride copolymer having high hardness and a polyurethane resin having low hardness as a resin component. Further, a polyisocyanate compound has been employed as a curing agent in combination with the resin component. In the case of using a ferromagnetic powder having low hardness such as a ferromagnetic metal powder, the amount of the polyurethane resin is increased to impart flexibility to the magnetic recording layer, and further a larger amount of polyisocyanate compound is employed for coping with excessive softening of the magnetic recording layer caused by the employment of the polyurethane resin.
The employment of a large amount of the polyurethane resin is followed by increase of the amount of polyisocyanate compound, and recently a binder containing larger amount of the polyisocyanate compound than that of the polyurethane resin has been generally employed.
The polyisocyanate compound serves to form a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure in the reaction with the resin component in the above-mentioned curing process. However, the whole amount of the employed polyisocyanate compound does not react with the resin component through the curing process, and only approx. 50 wt. % (advantageously approx. 80 wt. %) of the whole amount thereof reacts. The residual portion still remains in the magnetic recording layer in the unreacted state, and gradually reacts with lapse of time. According to study of the present inventors, in a magnetic recording medium using a large amount of the polyisocyanate compound, the unreacted polyisocyanate compound still remains on the surface of the magnetic recording layer in a relatively large amount, and hence the unreacted polyisocyanate compound causes deposit of stains (or dust) on the surface of the magnetic recording layer. It has been further confirmed that the unreacted polyisocyanate compound easily adheres to a magnetic head to cause a clogging on the head.

Process for the preparation of magnetic recording medium


Disclosed is a method of making hexametaphosphates by reacting sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, or trisodium phosphate with phosphoric acid, forming a molten glass of said mixture, and chilling said molten glass to form a solid.

This invention relates to a low energy method of making hexametaphosphates from sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), or trisodium phosphate (TSP). In particular, it relates to a method of making sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) from those phosphates when they are off-spec.
STPP is normally made by mixing together soda ash (Na2CO.sub.3) and/or caustic soda (NaOH) with phosphoric acid in a molar ratio of 5 sodium to 3 phosphorus, followed by removal of the free water, then dehydration of the bound water. Dehydration is accomplished by calcining without melting at a temperature of about 410.degree. to about 500.degree. C. In a large commercial facility for producing STPP, large quantities of off-spec STPP can be made.
Material can be "off-spec" for many reasons, but the most common reasons are that it is too finely powdered, too lumpy, does not contain the desired amount of Phase I content, has excessive pyrophosphate, short chain or insoluble metaphosphates, or a carbonaceous impurity content which produces an unacceptable color, or has a density which is too high or too low. This off-spec material cannot be easily sold commercially and must be otherwise disposed of.
At the present time there are a number of ways of disposing of off-spec STPP, none of which are entirely satisfactory. Off-spec STPP can be redissolved, hydrolyzed to orthophosphate, and reprocessed, but this treatment requires a great deal of energy to evaporate the water a second time. Furthermore, filtration and/or adsorption with carbon may be required to reduce high impurity levels. Another way of disposing of the off-spec STPP, when the off-spec STPP is too fine, is to compact the powder into larger flakes using large compacting machines. However, the properties of the compacted powder are not as good as on-spec STPP because the compacted powder particles tend to be too brittle and too dense. Compaction or agglomeration are unacceptable methods for dealing with STPP whose pyrophosphate, metaphosphate, or non-phosphate impurity levels are too high. A third method of disposing of off-spec STPP is to recycle it into the calciner and spray it with water or sodium phosphate to agglomerate it. While in many cases this produces an adequate product, it reduces the capacity of the plant to produce STPP because it reduces the quantity of fresh feed that the calciner can accept.

Production of hexametaphosphates from other phosphates


Apparatus and method are provided for supplying cellulose acetate tow for the manufacture of cigarette filters from the transport jet of a tow opener to a cigarette filter rodmaking garniture. The apparatus is a frustoconical member having a multiplicity of apertures in the wall thereof and is attached directly to the transport jet. The apparatus has an internal diameter the same size as the exit opening of the transport jet. The opposite end of the adapter is inserted into the tow intake of the garniture. Transport gas that is introduced by the transport jet escapes through apertures in the adapter wall as the tow enters the garniture intake. A closely fitting rotatable sleeve having apertures in the wall thereof can be used to reduce the escape of transport gas through the adapter wall for optimizing performance of the adapter with tows of various processing characteristics. Tow yield is improved and pressure drop variability is reduced.

Cigarette filter tow refers to a large strand of crimped, continuous, manufactured filaments, e.g. cellulose acetate filaments, that is collected in a loose, rope-like form and then compacted into bales for use by cigarette filter manufacturers. In processing the tow to form cigarette filters, the compacted and baled tow first is opened, or "bloomed" in a tow opening device. The tow is opened to increase its bulk. This bulking is accomplished by deregistering or misaligning the crimps or folds in the tow and is important to provide more fiber surface area for contact with cigarette smoke so that less fiber weight per filter tip can be used.
The opened tow is transferred to rodmaking machinery. The rodmaker compresses the tow into a continuous rod, wraps the rod in plug wrap paper to which an adhesive previously has been applied, and cuts the rod to form cigarette filter tips. These tips are suitable for use in the cigarette forming machinery.
Explemary methods and apparatus for blooming cigarette filter tow, transferring the bloomed tow to rodmaking machinery, and forming cigarette filter rods therefrom are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,050,430; 3,016,945; 3,099,594; 3,173,188; and 4,522,616; and German Patent Application No. 0 269 915.
FIG. 1, labeled prior art, herein shows a typical, commercially available, rodmaking apparatus, the Hauni KDF-2 brand rodmaker. Rodmaking apparatus generally includes a section referred to as the "garniture," in which the filter rod is formed. The tow is received into the garniture from the tow opener through the relatively narrow opening, or intake, of a tapering body called the "garniture tongue." It is the function of the garniture tongue to compress the tow into a cylinder of the appropriate size for forming filter rods so that the tow can be wrapped by the plug wrap paper. The tow and plug wrap paper are conveyed through the tongue by an endless belt, the "garniture tape," from which the tow and plug wrap are released when the rod is formed, wrapped, and sealed.
The cigarette manufacturer typically desires a cigarette filter that, among other things, has a particular firmness, resistance to draw, and smoke filtration efficiency, all at the lowest possible cost and greatest efficiency of production. If the manufacturer consistently and at high processing speeds can reduce the weight of tow necessary to achieve a desirable firmness, smoke filtration efficiency, and resistance to draw, or pressure drop across the rod, then a cost savings typically is realized. Tow yield is maximized.
A "transport jet" and funnel, for example see FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,616, are used at higher processing speeds to increase efficiency and reduce costs of production. The jet and funnel introduce the opened tow from the tow opening apparatus into the relatively narrow opening of the garniture tongue intake. The transport jet is a pneumatic device that uses a compressed gas, typically air, in a venturi nozzle to assist in delivery of the opened tow into the garniture tongue. The funnel assists in precluding tow filaments from travelling outside the garniture tongue and in dissipating the compressed air exiting the jet, thereby to reduce disruption of the tow in the garniture by the transport gas. FIG. 2 herein shows a longitudinal section through such an arrangement, which is typical of the prior art.
Air holes for dissipating transport gas may be provided on the garniture tongue intake, the annular wall of the funnel to the garniture, or in the venturi nozzle of the transport jet on the tow opening device. Transport gas is also blown back in the direction of the transport jet, opposite the direction of travel of the tow, by the annular wall of the funnel.
European Patent Office Application No. 0 269 915 describes an apparatus that uses a transport jet and garniture funnel for forwarding a cigarette filter tow into the garniture tongue intake. In this device, the garniture intake is also supplied with compressed air through apertures in the intake wall. The compressed air enters the flow path of the tow in the direction of tow travel and at an angle less than 90.degree. with respect to the axis of tow travel. A series of apertures is provided along the tongue so that the compressed air can be radially dissipated. Air is supplied to the garniture intake at a pressure of approximately 5 bar with air consumption of approximately 8 m.sup.3 per hour.
The use of transport jets in combination with funnels typically has been acceptable. However, tow tends to accumulate in the funnel after exiting the transport jet, thereby impeding delivery of the tow to the garniture. It would be desirable to eliminate the funnel and to thereby substantially eliminate accumulation of tow in the region between the transport jet and garniture tongue so as to provide substantially unimpeded transport of opened tow from the tow opening apparatus to the garniture tongue.


In one embodiment, the apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material comprises: a roll of sheet material oriented around a roll axis, and a disposable member disposed around the roll. The disposable member comprises a front wall disposed adjacent an end of the roll, a sidewall adjoining the front wall and disposed at a side of the roll, and a connecting member for engaging a wall bracket. A line of weakness is disposed in the sidewall such that a portion of the sidewall can be removed to form an aperture for dispensing the sheet material.

Commercial and consumer absorbent paper products are distributed and dispensed from rolls. Small, i.e., bathroom tissue rolls employed for residential use (e.g., in homes, is about 3 to about 6 inches in diameter) are dispensed by placing a rod through a core of the tissue roll and attaching the roll to a wall dispenser that connects to both ends of the rod. Large or jumbo sized tissue rolls are dispensed in restrooms of commercial buildings and in other locations where high volumes of rolled paper products are needed. These large size rolls generally include a core in the center of the roll. Usually, the rolls are mounted in a dispenser housing.
These large size rolls may not be largely visible to the consumer, as they are often protected in a locked housing which dispenses the paper to its user at its lower margin or edge. Some large roll dispensers include a housing cover that can be removed only with a key to facilitate reloading the dispenser. Other dispensers employ a hinged housing cover that must be opened or moved laterally to facilitate reloading the dispenser. Reloading dispensers is a time consuming task for maintenance personnel.
Both commercial dispensers and home dispensers can become dusty (e.g., from the environment and/or from particles that dislodge from the tissue roll), and dirty (due to contact with hands, moisture, etc.). Additionally, reloading of the dispenser requires direct handling of the tissue roll, which can cause the roll to become dirty and/or damaged. Accordingly, there remains a need for an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material that hygienically maintains the tissue roll during shipping, storage, reloading and dispensing.


A three-stage liquid metal switch employing electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD), including a common EWOD switch 1310 having an input port 1302, a first shared-EWOD-switch output 1336, and a second shared-EWOD-switch output 1338; a first EWOD switch 1340 having a first-EWOD-switch input 1343, a first output port 1304, and a first-EWOD-switch output 1368; and a second EWOD switch 1370 having a second-EWOD-switch input 1373, a second output port 1306, and a second-EWOD-switch output 1398; wherein the first shared-EWOD-switch output 1336 is operably connected to the first-EWOD-switch input 1343, and the second shared-EWOD-switch output 1338 is operably connected to the second-EWOD-switch input 1373.

Many different technologies have been developed for fabricating switches and relays for low frequency and high frequency switching applications. Many of these technologies rely on solid, mechanical contacts that are alternatively actuated from one position to another to make and break electrical contact. Unfortunately, mechanical switches that rely on solid—solid contact are prone to wear and are subject to a condition known as "fretting." Fretting refers to erosion that occurs at the points of contact on surfaces. Fretting of the contacts is likely to occur under load and in the presence of repeated relative surface motion. Fretting typically manifests as pits or grooves on the contact surfaces and results in the formation of debris that may lead to shorting of the switch or relay.
To minimize mechanical damage imparted to switch and relay contacts, switches and relays have been fabricated using liquid metals to wet the movable mechanical structures to prevent solid to solid contact. Unfortunately, as switches and relays employing movable mechanical structures for actuation are scaled to sub-millimeter sizes, challenges in fabrication, reliability and operation begin to appear. Micromachining fabrication processes exist to build micro-scale liquid metal switches and relays that use the liquid metal to wet the movable mechanical structures, but devices that employ mechanical moving parts can be overly-complicated, thus reducing the yield of devices fabricated using these technologies. Therefore, a switch with no mechanical moving parts may be more desirable.
In some applications, such as high frequency switching, liquid metal switches can provide poor isolation. A signal that is supposed to be isolated by the open contacts of the switch can leak across the open contacts, causing intermittent errors and unintended results. Lack of reliable isolation results in lack of circuit reliability.
It would be desirable to have a three-stage liquid metal switch that would overcome the above disadvantages.


A method of drying hydrolytic lignin is provided. The hydrolytic lignin may be dried using a pre-drying step, followed by an additional drying step in a drying apparatus. The dry hydrolytic lignin powder may have a moisture content of below 30%.

Hydrolytic lignin is a natural high-molecular weight polymer, resistant to degradation. Therefore, the search for new ways of processing and utilizing lignin is an important and environmental challenge. Additionally, there is a need for new methods for cleaning up water and oil pollution, specifically such pollution that is caused by petroleum products and other hydrocarbons.
Lignin has a high moisture content that makes it difficult to transport, dispense and mold. There are currently at least three methods commonly utilized by those of skill in the art to dry lignin that has a high moisture content. These methods include: utilizing mechanical pressure using screw machines, centrifuges, and/or special presses; thermal treatment using heated air or flue gases; and microwave or similar treatment. In some instances, if the hydrolytic lignin is dried utilizing a form of intensive drying, the adhering lignin may create sparks, which may lead to the ignition of lignin particles and explosions of the airborne dust. Additionally, attempts to use batch or continuous centrifuges for the extraction of water from lignin have also failed to produce positive results. Currently hydrolytic lignin may be pre-dried by holding it in the open for an extended period of time. However, such a process is low-tech, provides low-productivity, and is economically impractical.
It would be desirable to identify an improved method for drying hydrolytic lignin. Such an improved method of drying hydrolytic lignin could have an improved drying time and a reduced risk of explosive action. A hydrolytic lignin having a low moisture content could be beneficial in the production of a sorbent material or a solid fuel.

Method for production of dry hydrolytic lignin


Refracted ultrasonic waves are utilized to calculate tool standoff. An ultrasonic transmitter sends a wave toward (and into) the borehole wall at a critical incidence angle for refracted waves. The refracted wave travels along the borehole wall and continuously radiates energy back into the borehole at the critical angle. The refracted wave is detected by a receiver, and the travel time of the refracted acoustic wave from transmitter to receiver is measured and used to calculate standoff. By making repeated measurements at various azimuths (for instance, as the tool rotates), one or more caliper measurements can be made. The caliper measurements can be combined to yield two-dimensional geometry of the borehole. Measurements made at different azimuths and depths yield three-dimensional borehole geometry. Arrays of transmitter-receiver pairs can be used to obviate the need for varying azimuth.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally related to the evaluation of subterranean formations, and more particularly to measuring standoff and borehole geometry.
2. Background of the Invention
Boreholes drilled in subterranean formations such as oilfields often have an irregular shape. In particular, the borehole wall is not perfectly smooth. The magnitude of irregularity may vary along the length of a given borehole, and be particularly great where the borehole traverses weak, highly stressed or fractured rock. Borehole shape (a.k.a., geometry) can provide an indication of the mechanical stability of the borehole, and can affect the reliability of some logging measurements. It is therefore useful to know borehole geometry.
It is known to use caliper measurements to evaluate the geometry of boreholes. On wireline tools, caliper measurements are local diameter measurements made either with mechanical arms or ultrasonic pulse/echoes. On logging-while-drilling tools, ultrasonic pulse/echoes are used. Caliper measurements can be combined to provide an indication of borehole geometry, i.e., two-dimensional or three-dimensional representations.

Measuring standoff and borehole geometry