The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of solid cancer. More particularly, the invention comprises a multi-axis and/or multi-field raster beam charged particle cancer therapy system. The system independently controls patient translation position, patient rotation position, two-dimensional beam trajectory, delivered beam energy, delivered beam intensity, beam movement velocity, timing of charged particle delivery, and/or distribution of radiation striking healthy tissue. The system operates in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, patient positioning, imaging, and/or targeting method and apparatus to deliver an effective and uniform dose of radiation to a tumor while distributing radiation striking healthy tissue.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-axis and/or multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Cancer Treatment
Proton therapy works by aiming energetic ionizing particles, such as protons accelerated with a particle accelerator, onto a target tumor. These particles damage the DNA of cells, ultimately causing their death. Cancerous cells, because of their high rate of division and their reduced ability to repair damaged DNA, are particularly vulnerable to attack on their DNA.
Synchrotron
Patents related to the current invention are summarized here.
Proton Beam Therapy System
F. Cole, et. al. of Loma Linda University Medical Center "Multi-Station Proton Beam Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,287 (Sep. 26, 1989) describe a proton beam therapy system for selectively generating and transporting proton beams from a single proton source and accelerator to a selected treatment room of a plurality of patient treatment rooms.
Accelerator/Synchrotron
H. Tanaka, et. al. "Charged Particle Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,529 (Aug. 21, 2007) describe a charged particle accelerator having a two period acceleration process with a fixed magnetic field applied in the first period and a timed second acceleration period to provide compact and high power acceleration of the charged particles.
T. Haberer, et. al. "Ion Beam Therapy System and a Method for Operating the System", U.S. Pat. No. 6,683,318 (Jan. 27, 2004) describe an ion beam therapy system and method for operating the system. The ion beam system uses a gantry that has vertical deflection system and a horizontal deflection system positioned before a last bending magnet that result in a parallel scanning mode resulting from an edge focusing effect.
V. Kulish, et. al. "Inductional Undulative EH-Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,494 (Aug. 13, 2002) describe an inductive undulative EH-accelerator for acceleration of beams of charged particles. The device consists of an electromagnet undulation system, whose driving system for electromagnets is made in the form of a radio-frequency (RF) oscillator operating in the frequency range from about 100 KHz to 10 GHz.
K. Saito, et. al. "Radio-Frequency Accelerating System and Ring Type Accelerator Provided with the Same", U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,293 (Jun. 29, 1999) describe a radio-frequency accelerating system having a loop antenna coupled to a magnetic core group and impedance adjusting means connected to the loop antenna. A relatively low voltage is applied to the impedance adjusting means allowing small construction of the adjusting means.
J. Hirota, et. al. "Ion Beam Accelerating Device Having Separately Excited Magnetic Cores", U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,366 (Aug. 26, 1997) describe an ion beam accelerating device having a plurality of high frequency magnetic field inducing units and magnetic cores.
J. Hirota, et. al. "Acceleration Device for Charged Particles", U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,241 (Dec. 1, 1992) describe an acceleration cavity having a high frequency power source and a looped conductor operating under a control that combine to control a coupling constant and/or de-tuning allowing transmission of power more efficiently to the particles.
Vacuum Chamber
T. Kobari, et. al. "Apparatus For Treating the Inner Surface of Vacuum Chamber", U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,320 (Oct. 13, 1998) and T. Kobari, et. al. "Process and Apparatus for Treating Inner Surface Treatment of Chamber and Vacuum Chamber", U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,682 (May 6, 1997) both describe an apparatus for treating an inner surface of a vacuum chamber including means for supplying an inert gas or nitrogen to a surface of the vacuum chamber with a broach. Alternatively, the broach is used for supplying a lower alcohol to the vacuum chamber for dissolving contaminants on the surface of the vacuum chamber.
Magnet Shape
M. Tadokoro, et. al. "Electromagnetic and Magnetic Field Generating Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,894 (Apr. 2, 2002) and M. Tadokoro, et. al. "Electromagnetic and Magnetic Field Generating Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,043 (May 22, 2001) each describe a pair of magnetic poles, a return yoke, and exciting coils. The interior of the magnetic poles each have a plurality of air gap spacers to increase magnetic field strength.
Extraction
T. Nakanishi, et. al. "Charged-Particle Beam Accelerator, Particle Beam Radiation Therapy System Using the Charged-Particle Beam Accelerator, and Method of Operating the Particle Beam Radiation Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,978 (Oct. 17, 2006) describe a charged particle beam accelerator having an RF-KO unit for increasing amplitude of betatron oscillation of a charged particle beam within a stable region of resonance and an extraction quadrupole electromagnet unit for varying a stable region of resonance. The RF-KO unit is operated within a frequency range in which the circulating beam does not go beyond a boundary of stable region of resonance and the extraction quadrupole electromagnet is operated with timing required for beam extraction.
T. Haberer, et. al. "Method and Device for Controlling a Beam Extraction Raster Scan Irradiation Device for Heavy Ions or Protons", U.S. Pat. No. 7,091,478 (Aug. 15, 2006) describe a method for controlling beam extraction irradiation in terms of beam energy, beam focusing, and beam intensity for every accelerator cycle.
K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Accelerator and Medical System and Operating Method of the Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,834 (Oct. 29, 2002) describe a cyclic type accelerator having a deflection electromagnet and four-pole electromagnets for making a charged particle beam circulate, a multi-pole electromagnet for generating a stability limit of resonance of betatron oscillation, and a high frequency source for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to the beam to move the beam to the outside of the stability limit. The high frequency source generates a sum signal of a plurality of alternating current (AC) signals of which the instantaneous frequencies change with respect to time, and of which the average values of the instantaneous frequencies with respect to time are different. The system applies the sum signal via electrodes to the beam.
K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Synchrotron Type Accelerator and Medical Treatment System Employing the Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,670 (Jul. 11, 2000) and K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Synchrotron Type Accelerator and Medical Treatment System Employing the Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,499 (Dec. 28, 1999) describe a synchrotron accelerator having a high frequency applying unit arranged on a circulating orbit for applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to a charged particle beam circulating and for increasing amplitude of betatron oscillation of the particle beam to a level above a stability limit of resonance. Additionally, for beam ejection, four-pole divergence electromagnets are arranged: (1) downstream with respect to a first deflector; (2) upstream with respect to a deflecting electromagnet; (3) downstream with respect to the deflecting electromagnet; and (4) and upstream with respect to a second deflector. K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Circular Accelerator and Method and Apparatus for Extracting Charged-Particle Beam in Circular Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,008 (Nov. 8, 1994) describe a circular accelerator for extracting a charged-particle beam that is arranged to: (1) increase displacement of a beam by the effect of betatron oscillation resonance; (2) to increase the betatron oscillation amplitude of the particles, which have an initial betatron oscillation within a stability limit for resonance; and (3) to exceed the resonance stability limit thereby extracting the particles exceeding the stability limit of the resonance.
K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Method of Extracting Charged Particles from Accelerator, and Accelerator Capable Carrying Out the Method, by Shifting Particle Orbit", U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,166 (Feb. 8, 1994) describe a method of extracting a charged particle beam. An equilibrium orbit of charged particles maintained by a bending magnet and magnets having multipole components greater than sextuple components is shifted by a constituent element of the accelerator other than these magnets to change the tune of the charged particles.
Beam Energy/Intensity
M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Charged Particle Therapy System, Range Modulation Wheel Device, and Method of Installing Range Modulation Wheel Device", U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,189 (Apr. 8, 2008) and Yanagisawa, et. al. "Charged Particle Therapy System, Range Modulation Wheel Device, and Method of Installing Range Modulation Wheel Device", U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,389 (May 30, 2008) both describe a particle therapy system having a range modulation wheel. The ion beam passes through the range modulation wheel resulting in a plurality of energy levels corresponding to a plurality of stepped thicknesses of the range modulation wheel.
M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Particle Beam Irradiation System and Method of Adjusting Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,967 (Nov. 20, 2007); M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Particle Beam Irradiation System and Method of Adjusting Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,479 (Jul. 4, 2006); M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Particle Beam Irradiation System and Method of Adjusting Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,026,636 (Apr. 11, 2006); and M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Particle Beam Irradiation System and Method of Adjusting Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,700 (Aug. 17, 2004) all describe a scattering device, a range adjustment device, and a peak spreading device. The scattering device and range adjustment device are combined together and are moved along a beam axis. The spreading device is independently moved along the axis to adjust the degree of ion beam scattering. Combined, the devise increases the degree of uniformity of radiation dose distribution to a diseased tissue.
A. Sliski, et. al. "Programmable Particle Scatterer for Radiation Therapy Beam Formation", U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,748 (Apr. 24, 2007) describe a programmable pathlength of a fluid disposed into a particle beam to modulate scattering angle and beam range in a predetermined manner. The charged particle beam scatterer/range modulator comprises a fluid reservoir having opposing walls in a particle beam path and a drive to adjust the distance between the walls of the fluid reservoir under control of a programmable controller to create a predetermined spread out Bragg peak at a predetermined depth in a tissue. The beam scattering and modulation is continuously and dynamically adjusted during treatment of a tumor to deposit a dose in a targeted predetermined three dimensional volume.
M. Tadokoro, et. al. "Particle Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,869 (Jul. 24, 2007) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,154,108 (Dec. 26, 2006) each describe a particle therapy system capable of measuring energy of a charged particle beam during irradiation during use. The system includes a beam passage between a pair of collimators, an energy detector mounted, and a signal processing unit.
G. Kraft, et. al. "Ion Beam Scanner System and Operating Method", U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,177 (May 10, 2005) describe an ion beam scanning system having a mechanical alignment system for the target volume to be scanned and allowing for depth modulation of the ion beam by means of a linear motor and transverse displacement of energy absorption means resulting in depth-staggered scanning of volume elements of a target volume.
G. Hartmann, et. al. "Method for Operating an Ion Beam Therapy System by Monitoring the Distribution of the Radiation Dose", U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,831 (May 18, 2004) describe a method for operation of an ion beam therapy system having a grid scanner and irradiates and scans an area surrounding an isocentre. Both the depth dose distribution and the transverse dose distribution of the grid scanner device at various positions in the region of the isocentre are measured and evaluated.
Y. Jongen "Method for Treating a Target Volume with a Particle Beam and Device Implementing Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,162 (Apr. 6, 2004) describes a method of producing from a particle beam a narrow spot directed towards a target volume, characterized in that the spot sweeping speed and particle beam intensity are simultaneously varied.
G. Kraft, et. al. "Device for Irradiating a Tumor Tissue", U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,362 (Mar. 23, 2004) describe a method and apparatus of irradiating a tumor tissue, where the apparatus has an electromagnetically driven ion-braking device in the proton beam path for depth-wise adaptation of the proton beam that adjusts both the ion beam direction and ion beam range.
K. Matsuda, et. al. "Charged Particle Beam Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,598 (Sep. 9, 2003) describe a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus that increased the width in a depth direction of a Bragg peak by passing the Bragg peak through an enlarging device containing three ion beam components having different energies produced according to the difference between passed positions of each of the filter elements.
H. Stelzer, et. al. "Ionization Chamber for Ion Beams and Method for Monitoring the Intensity of an Ion Beam", U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,513 (Aug. 20, 2002) describe an ionization chamber for ion beams and a method of monitoring the intensity of an ion therapy beam. The ionization chamber includes a chamber housing, a beam inlet window, a beam outlet window, a beam outlet window, and a chamber volume filled with counting gas.
H. Akiyama, et. al. "Charged-Particle Beam Irradiation Method and System", U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,349 (Aug. 13, 2002) and H. Akiyama, et. al. "Charged-Particle Beam Irradiation Method and System", U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,837 (Jul. 24, 2001) both describe a charged particle beam irradiation system that includes a changer for changing energy of the particle and an intensity controller for controlling an intensity of the charged-particle beam.
Y. Pu "Charged Particle Beam Irradiation Apparatus and Method of Irradiation with Charged Particle Beam", U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,377 (Mar. 7, 2000) describes a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus having an energy degrader comprising: (1) a cylindrical member having a length; and (2) a distribution of wall thickness in a circumferential direction around an axis of rotation, where thickness of the wall determines energy degradation of the irradiation beam.
Dosage
K. Matsuda, et. al. "Particle Beam Irradiation System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,053 (Nov. 27, 2007) describe a particle beam irradiation system ensuring a more uniform dose distribution at an irradiation object through use of a stop signal, which stops the output of the ion beam from the irradiation device.
H. Sakamoto, et. al. "Radiation Treatment Plan Making System and Method", U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,801 (May 30, 2006) describe a radiation exposure system that divides an exposure region into a plurality of exposure regions and uses a radiation simulation to plan radiation treatment conditions to obtain flat radiation exposure to the desired region.
G. Hartmann, et. al. "Method For Verifying the Calculated Radiation Dose of an Ion Beam Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,068 (Sep. 28, 2004) describe a method for the verification of the calculated dose of an ion beam therapy system that comprises a phantom and a discrepancy between the calculated radiation dose and the phantom.
H. Brand, et. al. "Method for Monitoring the Irradiation Control of an Ion Beam Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,038 (Sep. 2, 2003) describe a method of checking a calculated irradiation control unit of an ion beam therapy system, where scan data sets, control computer parameters, measuring sensor parameters, and desired current values of scanner magnets are permanently stored.
T. Kan, et. al. "Water Phantom Type Dose Distribution Determining Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,952 (Mar. 27, 2001) describe a water phantom type dose distribution apparatus that includes a closed water tank, filled with water to the brim, having an inserted sensor that is used to determine an actual dose distribution of radiation prior to radiation therapy.
Starting/Stopping Irradiation
K. Hiramoto, et. al. "Charged Particle Beam Apparatus and Method for Operating the Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,776 (Nov. 13, 2001) describe a charged particle beam apparatus where a charged particle beam is positioned, started, stopped, and repositioned repetitively. Residual particles are used in the accelerator without supplying new particles if sufficient charge is available.
K. Matsuda, et. al. "Method and Apparatus for Controlling Circular Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,462,490 (Oct. 8, 2002) describe a control method and apparatus for a circular accelerator for adjusting timing of emitted charged particles. The clock pulse is suspended after delivery of a charged particle stream and is resumed on the basis of state of an object to be irradiated.
Movable Patient
N. Rigney, et. al. "Patient Alignment System with External Measurement and Object Coordination for Radiation Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,382 (Apr. 3, 2007) describe a patient alignment system for a radiation therapy system that includes multiple external measurement devices that obtain position measurements of movable components of the radiation therapy system. The alignment system uses the external measurements to provide corrective positioning feedback to more precisely register the patient to the radiation beam.
Y. Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,396 (Apr. 18, 2006); Y., Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,356 (Jun. 7, 2005); and Y., Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,591 (Oct. 12, 2004) all describe a medical particle irradiation apparatus having a rotating gantry, an annular frame located within the gantry such that is can rotate relative to the rotating gantry, an anti-correlation mechanism to keep the frame from rotating with the gantry, and a flexible moving floor engaged with the frame is such a manner to move freely with a substantially level bottom while the gantry rotates.
H. Nonaka, et. al. "Rotating Radiation Chamber for Radiation Therapy", U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,373 (Nov. 30, 1999) describe a horizontal movable floor composed of a series of multiple plates that are connected in a free and flexible manner, where the movable floor is moved in synchrony with rotation of a radiation beam irradiation section.
Respiration
K. Matsuda "Radioactive Beam Irradiation Method and Apparatus Taking Movement of the Irradiation Area Into Consideration", U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,494 (Jul. 23, 1996) describes a method and apparatus that enables irradiation even in the case of a diseased part changing position due to physical activity, such as breathing and heart beat. Initially, a position change of a diseased body part and physical activity of the patient are measured concurrently and a relationship therebetween is defined as a function. Radiation therapy is performed in accordance to the function.
Patient Positioning
Y. Nagamine, et. al. "Patient Positioning Device and Patient Positioning Method", U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,212,609 and 7,212,608 (May 1, 2007) describe a patient positioning system that compares a comparison area of a reference X-ray image and a current X-ray image of a current patient location using pattern matching.
D. Miller, et. al. "Modular Patient Support System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,265 (Feb. 6, 2007) describe a radiation treatment system having a patient support system that includes a modularly expandable patient pod and at least one immobilization device, such as a moldable foam cradle.
K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,100 (Aug. 16, 2005); K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,045 (Nov. 23, 2004); K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,743 (Nov. 16, 2004); and K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,078 (Sep. 14, 2004) all describe a system of leaf plates used to shorten positioning time of a patient for irradiation therapy. Motor driving force is transmitted to a plurality of leaf plates at the same time through a pinion gear. The system also uses upper and lower air cylinders and upper and lower guides to position a patient.
Problem
There exists in the art of charged particle irradiation therapy a need to accurately and precisely deliver an effective and uniform radiation dose to all positions of a tumor. Still further, there exists a need in the art to control the charged particle cancer therapy system in terms of patient translation position, patient rotation position, specified energy, specified intensity, timing of charged particle delivery, and/or distribution of radiation striking healthy tissue. Preferably, the system would operate in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, patient positioning, imaging, and/or targeting method and apparatus.

Multi-axis/multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus


A method for providing additional descriptive information about a file during a download to a local computer so that functional and descriptive aspects of the file may easily be reviewed without having to open the file. A software application is provided that enhances current browser software. When a user desires to download a file from a remote source, the application causes the browser to link to the web site and retrieve particular descriptive information/data associated with the file, including the URL. Concurrently, a dialog box is opened and displayed on the display device of the local computer. The dialog box includes a text entry area in which the user can enter personalized identifying data/information about the file being downloaded. The downloaded file is saved along with the data retrieved from the web site as well as the user-entered data/information. The additional information is stored as extended attributes linked to the file and are retrieved without opening the file.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to file storage and in particular to file downloads with browser applications. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to storing of descriptive data during a download of a file utilizing a browser application on a computer system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Methods of downloading files from a server of a network (such as the Internet) on to a storage device of a local system (i.e., a network connected computer on which the file download is initiated and the file stored) is well known in the computer arts. Most current examples of file download involve a browser executing on a local system downloading a file from a server on the Internet. Utilizing one of the various browser applications, users download files from the Internet to their local machine. However, other types of file downloads are frequently completed.
There are several types of files that are commonly downloaded, including executable files, compressed version of a group of files (zip, tar, etc.), word documents, and pdf files. Often, files that are retrieved on a server and downloaded to the client system contain non-descriptive names. These names are assigned by the developer/programmer, whose main concern is not providing user-friendly or descriptive filenames for the file/application. Later users of the file thus have no idea and are unable at times to ascertain where the file came from and what the file is used for. For example, an executable file for installing a software/application may be called run.exe. Although, this name identifies the file as a run file that is executable, there is no indication from that name what the actual functionality of the underlying software is. When downloaded to the local system, the file saves to a selected drive and directory as run.exe. If the user later wishes to obtain information about the file, the user has to execute the file in order to determine what descriptive feature is associated with run.exe. As another example, when a user downloads Microsoft's media player, the web page provides a file name of mpfull.exe, which is downloaded from the world wide web (www) site of microsoft.com /windowsmedia/download/default.asp and saved on the user's system. Later access to the mpfull.exe file provides little descriptive or origination information to the user, who would have little problem identifying the file if provided the URL and a proper description such as "Windows Media Player version ######."
With some browser applications, a user is able to select the drive and directory to which the file may be stored. Also, the user may be able to change the name of the file prior to storing the file with the new user entered name. Of course, the filename provides only a limited description of the functionality of the underlying file.
One current improvement on the prior art is described in the Lincoln Beach software article. The Lincoln Beach method, Download Butler 2.0, provides an external application that assigns URL information along with the file being downloaded. The URL information may then be viewed inside the GUI of the extended application when the file is accessed within the external application. While providing URL information is helpful, the URL by itself does not necessarily provide enough information about the file itself, other than the file location on the Internet. Also, without the specific external application, a user browsing through the main file directory of the computer is unable to view the URL information associated with the file.
The present invention recognizes that it would be desirable to provide a method and system for retrieving and associating descriptive attributes of a file during a download of the file on a system. A method and system that enables the user to enter descriptive text about a file besides the name and later view the descriptive text and other descriptive file data without actually opening the file would be a welcomed improvement. These and other benefits are provided by the invention described herein.

Method and apparatus of associating file description during a browser-initiated download

International Business Machines Corporation


There is disclosed a circuit which can provide services of voice (referring to voice data) and data (referring to non-voice data) not only through the existing digital network but also through the integrated service digital network (ISDN), and separates voice, data and signaling information. The improvement includes: a serial/parallel conversion means which shifts and inputs in consecutive order the received data having serial basic access channel structure and outputs it in parallel; a first parallel/serial circuit which inputs in parallel only data from a certain designated output port of said serial/parallel conversion means and transmits it one bit by one bit in consecutive order and transmits it toward said data terminal; a second parallel/serial circuit which inputs a reversed RxSHEN signal and only voice from a certain designated output port of said serial/parallel conversion means by the second transmission clock which is applied from frequency divider and transmits them one bit by one bit in consecutive order toward a combo-codec; and a data collection means which inputs and collects only signaling information from the designated output port of said serial/parallel conversion means during a prescribed number of frame periods.

The present invention relates to a digital telephone which can be provided with services of voice (referring to voice data) and data (referring to non-voice data) at the same time and, in particular, to a circuit which separates received data formed of a basic access frame into voice, data and signaling information.
Generally, the digital telephone is provided with the services of voice and data according to a time compression multiplexing (hereinafter referred to as TCM) transmission method, by being connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) or a key telephone system equipped with a digital network.
The frame structure of basic access is one of the frame structures of integrated service digital network (hereinafter referred to as ISDN) which arose in response to an increase in communication caused by the congestion of information and knowledge. It is formed of two B channels which can provide voice and data at the same time and of one D channel which transmits information for control. In other words, it is of 2B+D channeled structure. The transmission format according to said TCM transmission method becomes like A and B in FIG. 1. The A in FIG. 1 is the transmission format on the private branch exchange or key telephone system and the B in FIG. 1 is the transmission format in the digital telephone. The data format of basic access becomes like C in FIG. 1. The C in FIG. 1 corresponds to the transmission frame Tx or reception frame Rx in A and B of FIG. 1, respectively. The synchronization information SY1, SY2, signaling information SG1, SG2 and null bits in C of FIG. 1 correspond to D channel, while voice and data correspond to B1 channel and B2 channel, respectively.

Circuit for separating voice, data and signaling information


This method consists in supplying at least a first alternating signal, at a determined frequency, to one end of a stator coil and recuperating a measurement signal at a second end of said coil, said measurement signal being provided to electronic processing means, which are arranged to extract data relating to a periodic variation of the effective inductance of the stator coil. This variation is a function of the angular position of the rotor. By alternately carrying out such a measurement on the stator coils, three periodic curves can be extracted (SPCA, SPCB, SPCC) defining a zigzag curve (70) allowing the angular position of the rotor to be determined.

The present invention concerns a method for determining the angular position of the permanent magnet rotor of a multiphase electric motor including at least two stator coils. The exact determination of the angular position of the rotor of an electric motor is desired, or even necessary for several applications, in particular in the field of robotics and for devices with rotating tools such as those used in dental care and micro-surgery.
There is known an arrangement of three Hall sensors, which are offset by 120xc2x0 and which provide substantially three sinusoidal curves offset by 120xc2x0, in order to determine the angular position of a permanent magnet rotor. It is also possible to arrange a position encoder on the shaft of the rotor to obtain a certain precision in determining the rotor""s angular position. These arrangements require the addition of sensors which make the device more bulky, which is a major drawback for devices of small dimensions integrating micro-motors.
There is also known a generator providing induced voltage signals whose amplitude is proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor. Thus, for a three-phase permanent magnet rotor, it is possible to stop the power supply of the motor periodically for short intervals in order to extract induced voltage data allowing the position and/or speed of the rotor to be determined. This latter method for determining the angular position of a rotor has a major drawback given that the data can only be obtained when the rotor rotates at a certain speed, for example approximately 1,000 revolutions per minute. Thus, at low speed or for rotations of a relatively small angle, no data can be deduced on the basis of the induced voltage in the motor coils.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by avoiding an angular position detection device which is bulky and by providing a method for detecting the angular position of a rotor whatever its rotational speed and the angular path travelled.
This object is achieved by a method for determining the angular position of the permanent magnet rotor of a multiphase electric motor including stator coils which are respectively associated with the phases of this motor, each stator coil having a first end and a second end, wherein:
an alternating signal, having a determined frequency, is supplied to the first ends of at least two of said stator coils.
measurement signals in response to said alternating signal are recuperated, via conductor means connected to the second ends of said at least two stator coils, and supplied to electronic processing means, these measurement signals having a periodic amplitude modulation due to a periodic variation in the effective inductance of the corresponding coil as a function of the rotor""s angular position, two measurement signals, coming from two different phases of the motor, thus having envelopes of corresponding amplitude modulations which are phase-shifted.
an extraction from each recuperated measurement signal of said envelope of amplitude modulation is made by said electronic processing means.
at least two of said envelopes which are phase-shifted are use for determining said rotor""s angular position which is a function of said periodic amplitude modulation of each measurement signal.
The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for determining the angular position of a permanent magnet rotor of a multiphase electric motor including stator coils which are respectively associated with the phases of this motor, each stator coil having a first end and a second end, wherein:
a first alternating signal and a second alternating signal, both having a determined frequency, are simultaneously and respectively supplied to the first ends of two of said stator coils, said second alternating signal being phase-shifted relative to said first altemating signal,
a measurement signal, generated by mixing signals received at the second ends of said two stator coils in response to said first alternating signal and said second alternating sianal, is recuperated, via conductor means connected to these second ends, and supplied to electronic processing means,
said measurement signal is processed by said processing means in order to obtain a periodic resulting signal which corresponds to a periodic phase variation of this measurement signal relative to said first alternating signal due to the periodic variation in the effective inductance of said two stator coils as a function of the rotor""s angular position,
the rotor""s angular position is determined from said periodic resulting signal.
Within the developments having led to the present invention, the inventor has observed that this measuring signal includes data relating to a periodic variation in the effective inductance of the coil in which the alternating signal is supplied as a function of the angular position of the permanent magnet rotor, in particular of bipolar permanent magnet rotor.
The invention also concerns the electronic system for implementing the method according to the invention.
Via appropriate processing of the measuring signal, the method according to the invention allows the rotor""s angular position to be determined with a high level of precision whatever its rotational speed and even when it is not moving. As a result of this method, it is possible to control the motor so as to make relatively small paths with a high level of precision.

Method of determining the angular position of a permanent magnet rotor of a polyphase electric motor


This disclosure is directed to an earthquake or shock responsive electric relay, shutting off electric power, or actuating the use of power in lights, motors, alarms or any electric device, which includes any electric device used to stop the flow of water, gas oil or steam. The device utilizes a common relay type design whereby its reacting parts are balanced between a weight and a spring, a relay centered between upper and lower contactors so that upon occurrence of an earthquake or other violent shock, the device cannot remain balanced, thus causing the relay to conduct the contactor. After the shock has subsided, the relay returns to the balanced-position which is equal centered distance between the upper and lower contactors. The sensitivity of the device is controllable.

The present invention relates to unexpected earth movement sensitive devices, particularly earthquake activated electro-mechanical devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that can trip a circuit breaker in an earthquake, utilizing a common electrical relay type design. Briefly, the device comprises a mounting assembly, a horizontal relay bar providing multiple contactors, a weight connectably to the horizontal relay bar, held in centered position by a spring. Upon the occurence of an earthquake, this device will not remain in balance and the weight will uncontrollably cause the relay bar it is attached connectably to vibrate and move up and down and the relay bar will make momentary contact with the top contactors or the lower contactors. The present invention has two distinct modes of operation, and depending on the wiring method in use connectably to the relay, this device can either trip a circuit breaker in an earthquake, or engage as a momentary switch, a motor or the like.
The shock responsive momentary relay of the present invention provides a vibration or shock actuated electric relay which can be used in a variety of products. If the present invention relay is wired to trip a circuit breaker, then all devices engaged to the particular circuit whereby the shock responsive momentary relay is connected to the circuit breaker, will be turned off by the present invention. The present invention relay, in another wiring mode, can turn on any electronic device in an earthquake. An example is a solenoid mounted attachably to a gas, steam or water line. The momentary switching action of the present invention will activate the responsive mechanism to turn on the solenoid in the pipe to block the flow. As a momentary relay, the present invention can turn on or off lights, alarms, garage doors, etc., provided that the compatible electronics which react to momentary switching exist in these devices. In most instances they do or can be added at minimal expense. Additionally, the present invention does not need to be reset after an earthquake, which is the common problem in all responsive devices. The present invention returns to a perfect engineered balance after all earthquake activity stops. In use connectably to a circuit breaker, after the breaker trips, the breaker is the only device that needs to be reset. In use with momentary switching responsive devices, any device activated by the present invention can be turned off at the source location after the earthquake activity stops, as the present invention will not activate a new response until another earthquake has occurred.
The objects and advantages of the present invention are obtained by an engineered balance whereby the relay is held in a centered non continuity state between two sets of two contactors, one set of two above the relay and one set of two below the relay. The centering is achieved by a balance provided by a spring, and a weight attachably connected to the bottom of the relay. Each contactor is provided with adjustment means with a threaded hole through the contactor and a screw whereby the gap between the relay and the contactor can be reduced from a maximum of one quarter inch to any gap lesser than one quarter of one inch.
Upon the occurence of an earthquake, or other shock, the present invention cannot possibly remain in perfect balance, since perfect balance is designed in the relay to contactor spacing. Depending on the sensitivity adjustment which is adjustable, this device relay will vibrate and make momentary contact with either the top or the lower contactors. When contact is made, the present invention will cause a curcuit breaker to trip; if the present invention is electrically connected to a circuit breaker and wired as to create a short. This is accomplished by connecting one neutral terminal from the electrical panel box and connecting it to either the right side or left side of the contactor. In this instance, both top and lower contactors must be connected together at the side that the neutral wire is installed. Next, the hot lead coming out of the circuit breaker is left in place, but a second wire is installed in the breaker connectably to the same breaker and is attached to the opposite side of the present invention contactor, and the top and the lower contactors are connected together.
Since the relay is a solid metal bar, and not a two pole set of contacts, the result of the aforementioned wiring will create an electrical short thereby tripping the circuit breaker when an earthquake causes the present invention relay to vibrate and make momentary contact. In the instance of using the device to turn on power, the neutral wire is not used and a hot lead from any source can be installed on one side of the contactors, and the load wire connected to the opposite side. As long as the device used to be energized has compatible electronics to respond to a momentary switch, that device will be energized in event of an earthquake or other shock.
After the earthquake has subsided, the engineered balance returns to the designed centered balance which is equally spaced distance between the top and lower contactors and does not need to be reset. This device must be mechanically fastened to a building or its related parts to be accurate.


This disclosure relates to a method and resulting apparatus of applying a riblet sheet comprising a riblet film layer and a riblet liner layer on an airfoil surface. The method comprises applying the riblet film layer of the riblet sheet over the airfoil surface, peeling back at least a portion of the riblet liner layer from the riblet film layer to expose a portion of the riblet film layer, applying a attaching hardware or a non-textured surface film over at least a portion the riblet film layer portion; and applying the peeled back portion of the riblet liner layer over a portion of the attaching hardware.

Surfaces of aircraft including the body, wings, nacelle, and engine or other structures with aerodynamic properties can be subject to environmental erosion conditions that can degrade the performance and durability of the structure. These surfaces can be modified to contain microscopic geometric features such as riblet formations for aerodynamic performance enhancement, erosion protection, and other reasons.
Riblet formations can be provided on or applied to an aircraft surface such as an airfoil surface in a variety of manners for improving the aerodynamic properties the surface and for withstanding erosive conditions.

Method of applying riblets to an aerodynamic surface


The present invention relates to an apparatus and method, using the apparatus, for blocking the passage of solid materials into or through a channel while permitting the passage of fluid; automatically releasing the blocked solid materials under predetermined conditions when priority is given to maximizing the passage of fluid; automatically re-closing after the accumulated solid materials have passed downstream, and resuming the blocking of solid materials; and, repeating the process upon recurrence of the predetermined conditions.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for blocking the passage of solid materials into or through a channel while permitting the passage of fluid. More particularly, the present invention relates to such an apparatus that also automatically releases accumulated solid materials under predetermined release conditions in which release is deemed to take priority over continued blocking, and automatically re-close after the accumulated solid materials have been released. The present invention also relates to a method (sometimes referred to herein as process) for controlling the passage of solid material into or through a channel; and more particularly, to such a method that utilizes an apparatus embodying the present invention to block the passage of solid materials, hold the accumulated solid materials until the occurrence of predetermined release conditions, automatically release the solid materials, automatically resume blocking and accumulating solid materials, and automatically repeat the process upon recurrence of the predetermined release conditions.
As used in this specification, "solid material" means any item of natural or man-made solid material, including any comprised of trash, debris, vegetation, one or more sticks, one or more rocks, all or part of an animal, or any combination thereof, that has at least one dimension larger than a predetermined size. Such solid material is also referred to herein singly and plurally simply as "trash." Selection of the predetermined (maximum) size for the solid material that will be permitted to pass through an aperture is often based on use of a hypothetical model of the solid material. The hypothetical model typically is a spherical shape that is rigid (neither elastic nor flexible). Of course, many forms of solid material are not spherical in shape or are not rigid; and those solid materials can sometimes pass through an aperture that is smaller than the solid material's maximum dimension, which may be due to the solid material's orientation upon reaching the aperture or to its compressibility or flexibility. Thus, an aperture that is intended to block solid materials of a predetermined size should not be expected to stop all solid materials with a dimension larger than that size.
As used in this specification, "channel" (whether used alone or directly after "fluid" or "fluid-flow") means any inlet, catch basin, channel, conduit, pipe, culvert, tube or any other man-made or natural confinement, or any system comprising some or all of these elements, through which fluid flows on at least some occasions. Channels, particularly drainage channels, often include a catch basin. The catch basin is typically located near the channel's beginning point; that is, near the point at which fluid first enters the channel system.
As used in this specification "fluid" means any fluid, or combination of fluids, that is normally or reasonably expected to be carried by the channel in which the apparatus is installed.
Solid materials tend to be moved by fluid and thereby enter into channels that collect or direct the flow of the fluid. It is generally desirable to minimize the amount of solid materials in the channel that are too large for the channel to move throughout its length during light or moderate flow periods. It is also desirable to minimize the amount of solid materials that pass through the channel and are large enough to create an environmental, aesthetic, health, or other problem at the discharge end of the channel. On the other hand, it is desirable for channels to be available for receiving and moving large amounts of fluid during heavy flow periods. The need for these desirable features is particularly apparent when considered in the context of a street or highway storm drain system.
Streets and highways frequently have curb inlets leading to catch basins as the initial entry points of drainage systems for collecting and draining water and other fluids that would otherwise accumulate in and ultimately flood the street or highway. It is desirable to minimize the entry of solid materials that are larger than a relatively small size, in order to reduce the frequency needed for cleaning such materials out of the system and the potential for animals or even small children entering through the inlets.
It may be observed that most curb inlets have no effective means for blocking the entry of trash. There have been ideas put forward that involve installation of a trash blocking device at the inlet but typically those devices require manual cleaning or removal to relieve the damming effect of an accumulation of trash during periods of heavy fluid flow. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,693, issued to Salberg et al. on Jan. 22, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,595, issued to Mossberg on Dec. 30, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,166, issued to Mossberg on Jan. 25, 2000; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,942, issued to Cardwell et al. on Jun. 11, 2002.) The accumulation of trash during dry, light, or moderate flow periods is inconsequential because the accumulated materials do not significantly impede the flow of a modest volume of fluid into the drainage system. During such periods, street and highway maintenance personnel have no immediate need to clear the curb inlets and are at liberty to do so according to a predetermined schedule without significant risk of a flood occurring.
However, during periods of heavy flow, due to storms or other events that produce substantial amounts of fluid in the streets and highways, it is imperative that any significant impediment to the flow of such fluid into the drainage system be removed. These heavy flow periods often commence unexpectedly or on very short notice and, in some geographical areas, frequently. Thus, installation of most previously proposed blocking devices into curb inlets would put maintenance personnel under extreme pressure to mount an intensive and expensive effort to remove the blocking devices whenever heavy flow periods occur. Removal of such blocking devices generally requires personnel to expend substantial time and, in some cases, to use expensive equipment in order to access and remove the connecting means and the devices.
Nevertheless, such removal is necessary because the trash accumulated at the face of the blocking devices significantly impedes the large volume of fluid that is flowing into the drain system, thus causing a damming effect. Also, the blocking devices will continue to block and accumulate the additional trash that is being carried with the large volume of fluid, exacerbating the damming effect. Therefore, unless agencies that have responsibility for street and highway maintenance and/or flood control either forgo the benefits of having blocking devices or expend large sums for personnel and equipment to immediately remove the blocking devices every time a heavy flow period threatens or commences, the accumulations at the entrances to their drainage systems are very likely to cause substantial flooding.
It has been suggested that a blocking device made of elastic plastic material is needed to overcome the prohibitive cost, weight, and installation difficulties, found in blocking devices made of metal or other non-plastic material. And, further, that the prior devices made of metal or other non-plastic material are not particularly suitable for installation within a curb inlet and generally do not, without human assistance, clear the accumulated trash during periods of heavy flow. It has also been contended that attaching the heavy components of metal blocking devices with bolts anchored within the inlet or catch basin will weaken and over-stress that structure. (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,489, issued to Allen et al. on Jan. 18, 2000, which discloses a plastic self-relieving curb inlet filter that is secured by adhesive along its top edge within the curb inlet and is sufficiently elastic to flex inward in response to increasing pressure and unflex toward its closed position as the pressure is reduced.) Such a device offers advantages that may be achieved by the use of plastic and adhesive materials. However, the advantages also appear limited because of the use of those materials. The strength, flexibility and elasticity of plastics and adhesives may be adversely affected by repeated flexing and extended exposure to environmental conditions such as sun, air, water, and extreme temperature variations (ranging from above 100 degrees Fahrenheit to well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in some geographical areas). A secure bond may be difficult to achieve or maintain in circumstances where the surface (generally made of concrete) suffers from irregularities, impurities, or mechanical weaknesses; and, if achieved, may be difficult to remove without some damage to the surface or the device. And, the efficacy of the device in opening and closing is dependent on the elasticity of the material used. Thus, if a very elastic material is used, the device may open with little pressure applied, such as during periods of light to medium fluid flow when remaining closed is generally desired. And, if a very inelastic material is used, the device may not open fully even when the initial resistance is overcome by a large pressure (the degree of resistance increasing with the degree of flexure), which is generally when full opening is most desired. Such a device, therefore, provides no effective means of control to assure the blockage is maintained when that is most desirable and released when that is most desirable.
Consequently, it appears that prior efforts at blocking the passage of trash in channels, and particularly in catch-basin curb inlets, were directed primarily at the use of heavy metal or other heavy materials for devices that were expensive and difficult to install and remove. It also appears that those efforts did not address or suggest a practical and economical solution to the problem of trash accumulation and blockage during heavy flow periods when the passage of fluid needs to be maximized. Apparently perceiving that metals and similar materials were unsuitable for solving the problem, a proposal was made in at least one patent (discussed above) to use elastic plastic material for making a device that would open and close in response to the pressure caused by flow/debris accumulation. However, it may be seen that elastic plastic materials do not have many of the advantages afforded by metals and other strong and substantially rigid materials, and that the prior art using such elastic plastic materials has significant deficiencies, including lack of effective control over the release of accumulated trash.
The present invention provides advantages not afforded by the relevant prior art and does so in a manner that appears both unanticipated by and inconsistent with suggestions in the relevant prior art.

Apparatus and method for blocking and controlling the release of solid materials into or through a fluid-flow channel

Abstract: Although the invention relates to street storm-water drainage channels, particularly inlets to catch basins, it can be applied to any fluid-flow channel where blocking the passage of solid materials is important but where there are conditions under which priority should be shifted from blocking the solid materials to releasing them downstream.


The present invention relates to the design of piezoelectric transducer subassemblies and systems primarily intended for medical and dental applications. The invention also provides transducer subassemblies and systems with improved performance and a capability to operate more efficiently in torsional or a combined longitudinal-torsional mode of vibration. The invention enables the size and weight of torsional mode transducers to be reduced. Additionally, the electrical characteristics of these transducer systems are improved, thus enabling the transducer end effector to deliver more power to the operative site.

Torsional mode transducer systems have been described extensively in a book entitled "Sources of High-intensity Ultrasound," Volume 2, and more specifically in Part IV, which is entitled "Torsional Mode Vibration Systems," written by A. M. Mitskevich and edited by Rozenberg in 1969. FIG. 1 illustrates one type of a torsional mode system disclosed therein. The system illustrated in FIG. 1 is normally used for welding, for example, in specialist applications such as the helium tight sealing of cans and containers. Magnetostrictive vibrators with longitudinal waveguides 101 are attached to a rod 102 with an end mass 103, wherein they excite torsional vibrations, which are transmitted to the welded parts 104 situated on the supporting platform 105. Various known modifications to this system include the replacement of the magnetostrictive vibrators with more efficient piezo-electric vibrators and the use of two vibrators in a push-pull mode. Mitskevich concludes that the system illustrated in FIG. 1 is awkward, inconvenient and extremely unsuitable from the energy point of view.
Torsional mode transducer systems that include an end effector for surgical applications, specifically for cutting and coagulating tissue have been described by Young (U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,906). The transducer system disclosed by Young is illustrated in FIG. 2. Young attempted to eliminate longitudinal motion by attaching the longitudinal transducer 202 at right angles to the torsional mode waveguide 204. The motive force for transducer 202 is provided by piezo electric drive elements 203. Young noted that the use of torsional mode vibration for ultrasonic scalpel/coagulation applications is safer because energy is absorbed into the target tissue and not transmitted along the waveguide axis into distant regions. One disadvantage of this design geometry is that it is difficult to incorporate within a slim ergonomic surgical tool that is both compact and light weight.
In addition to torsional mode transducer systems, there are longitudinal-torsional (L-T) mode transducer systems. These L-T mode transducer systems are rod systems, which, when driven in a longitudinal mode, are capable of generating a torsional vibration component by virtue of a certain inhomogeneity in the cross section of the rod. Mitskevich (cited above) has described such systems. One such device consisted of an ultrasonic horn 300, as is shown in FIG. 3. The horn, itself, is marked with gradually deepening grooves 303; these form a helix with a smooth diminishing pitch. Excitation over the frequency range 15 kHz to 21 kHz was accomplished by means of a ferrite or magnetostrictive transducer (not shown) attached by the screwed thread 301 at the proximal end of the horn. The variation in the tangential (x) and longitudinal (y) components of vibration at the distal tip of the horn 302 as a function of driving frequency is shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the longitudinal component (y) at the distal tip of the horn 302 is reduced to zero at a frequency of 16.5 kHz resulting in a single tangential mode of vibration. FIG. 4 also shows that the tangential or torsional mode of vibration is reduced to zero at a frequency of approximately 17.8 kHz resulting in a single longitudinal mode of vibration. Additionally, the tip of the horn 302 vibrates in a combined L-T mode at frequencies other than 16.5 kHz and 17.8 kHz (see FIG. 4). For example, at a frequency of approximately 16.3 kHz the component of longitudinal vibration is similar to the component of tangential vibration. Mitskevich also describes L-T resonators made by creating an inhomogeneous cross section along the length of an otherwise uniform bar and then twisting the bar along its length. The same structure can be obtained by using a conventional twist drill or by machining the grooves into the bar.
Wuchinich (U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,220) disclosed the design of a similar longitudinal-torsional device that operates at a combined L-T resonance and is used to dissect biological tissue. The transducer and L-T resonator system 500 disclosed by Wuchinich is reproduced in FIG. 5. The motive force for transducer 519 can be either magnetostrictive or piezoelectric and is designed to operate as a half-wave resonator. The longitudinal vibrations 523 at the distal tip of the transducer are coupled to resonator section 521 that has an inhomogeneous cross section that converts the single longitudinal motion into a combined L-T motion at the tissue contacting tip 524. The inhomogeneous cross section can be in the form of a helical spiral spring similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3.
Use of the Wuchinich design for ultrasonic handpieces used for surgical procedures such as cataract removal (phacoemulsification) and dental teeth cleaning would result in suboptimal handpiece in terms of length and weight. Typically, these handpieces operate at frequencies>28 kHz and <40 kHz. Operating above 28 kHz reduces the risk of an audible sub-harmonic frequency and operating below 40 kHz optimizes the design for maximum displacement of the end effector at the operative site. The maximum operational frequency for a medical handpiece is about 250 kHz. Designing a 28 kHz piezoelectric transducer/L-T resonator using the teachings of Wuchinich would result in a handpiece design that would have an overall length of about 200 mm (8 inches) if allowance is made for electrical connection at the proximal end of the transducer. This length is significantly longer than existing current designs and would be heavier, thus making it impractical to use for these applications.
Boukhny (U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,285) also described an apparatus for providing both longitudinal and torsional ultrasonic motion for the purpose of enhancing tissue dissection. His device utilizes separate torsional and longitudinal transducers systems to provide this motion. To obtain the desired result requires the simultaneous operation of both transducer systems. To supply the power required the use of two electrical generators, one for each of the different transducer systems. Furthermore, all such devices as described by Boukhny, whether longitudinal, transverse or torsional must be fixed within an enclosure, such as a handpiece, preferably at points where there is no motion, known as motional nodes. However, because the wavelength of torsional and longitudinal vibration is substantially different, the node or nodes for longitudinal vibration and torsional motion will be located at different points on the transducer system and other portions of other resonators attached to the transducer system. Hence, no true motionless point may be found. The result being that either longitudinal or torsional motion will be communicated to the handpiece and thereby to the operator holding the handpiece. Although, vibration isolators can be utilized to prevent the communication of such unintended motion, if they are truly isolating they invariably complicate construction of the device and, if simple, consume power in the form of heat generated by contact with a moving surface. Hence, Boukhny's device is both complicated to operate, needing two separate power sources, and is difficult to construct.
Although the magnetostrictive transducers have been replaced by more efficient piezo-electric transducers, the coupling of energy into the torsional mode is much lower than the coupling of energy into the longitudinal mode. Typical measured values of effective coupling coefficient for torsional mode are between 0.04 and 0.08 whereas the effective coupling of longitudinal mode is typically >0.1. FIG. 4 shows a damped torsional mode characteristic (x) compared with the longitudinal mode (y). This results in significantly higher value of electrical impedance that typically has a large reactive component. This can present a system control problem and the high operating voltage limits the torsional mode power that can be delivered to the operative site.
Therefore, as to these L-T transducer systems, Rozenberg in "Sources of High-intensity Ultrasound," Volume 2 concludes that "despite the number of obvious advantages of Longitudinal-Torsional mode (L-T) systems, they have not been put to use on a sufficient scale. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of at least an approximate method for the calculation of such systems" This problem is compounded because the experimental optimization process is complex and involves the fabrication of a large number of sample L-T waveguides.
For reasons stated above, there is a need for optimized ultrasonic transducers that provide torsional modes of motion and/or L-T modes of motion. In particular, there is a need for small, uniaxial, light weight relatively low power torsional and L-T handpieces for medical applications including phacoemulsification applications and dental applications, such as for example, but not limited to, teeth cleaning and tooth extraction. Additionally, there is a need for higher power L-T transducer systems for industrial applications and also medical orthopedic applications such as bone cutting. The invention described herein addresses these and other needs.

Ultrasonic torsional mode and longitudinal-torsional mode transducer system


Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for an improved minimally invasive surgical tracking system. As disclosed herein, a computer assisted surgical system (CASS) may include an internal tracking device that obtains relative locational data of one or more surgical tools not trackable via a global tracking system. The internal tracking device having an external portion that is trackable global tracking system. Based on the known characteristics and location of the internal tracking device the CASS determines the location of the one or more surgical tools relative to the patient and other objects in the operating room.

The use of computers, robotics, and imaging to aid orthopaedic surgery is known in the art. There has been a great deal of study and development of computer-aided navigation and robotic systems used to guide surgical procedures. For example, computer assisted surgical navigation systems can aid surgeons in locating patient anatomical structures, guiding surgical instruments, and implanting medical devices with a high degree of accuracy. Such surgical navigation systems employ various forms of computing technology to perform a wide variety of standard and minimally invasive surgical procedures and techniques. Moreover, these systems allow surgeons to more accurately plan, track and navigate the placement of instruments and implants relative to the body of a patient, and conduct preoperative and intraoperative body imaging.
Computer assisted surgical systems allow a user to plan a surgical procedure (e.g., an implant procedure) as well as monitor the process as it is carried out. For example, during acetabular cup orientation, malposition of the acetabular cup has been linked to an increased rate of dislocation, an increased rate of linear fracture, and increased wear on the implant and anatomical structure. Thus, tracking systems have been used to potentially monitor the location of devices.
However, in order to properly use the computer assisted tracking, a very invasive process may be required to map and/or track the patient's anatomy. Thus, various improvements to computer assisted surgical systems are needed to enable a more minimally invasive surgical process.

Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited


A loss of heat that can be recovered in a heat recovery steam generator is eliminated, whereby a combined cycle electric power generation plant with high heat recovery efficiency is provided. A combined cycle electric power generation plant is adopted that includes a heat recovery steam generator 30 that generates steam for driving a steam turbine 20 using heat of exhaust gas of a gas turbine 10, a cooling air cooler 71 that causes high-pressure feed water supplied from a low-pressure economizer 37 of the heat recovery steam generator 30 and compressed air for turbine cooling extracted from a compressor 11 of the gas turbine 10 to perform heat exchange to heat the high-pressure feed water to thereby cool the compressed air, and a fuel gas heater 72 that causes the compressed air cooled in the cooling air cooler 71 and a fuel gas of the gas turbine 10 to perform heat exchange to further cool the compressed air to thereby heat the fuel gas.

As a power generation system for a combined cycle electric power generation plant, a so-called exhaust heat recovery system for leading exhaust gas after work in a gas turbine to a heat recovery steam generator (H.R.S.G.), generating steam using the exhaust heat, and driving a steam turbine using the steam is generally used.
In a combined cycle electric power generation plant of such an exhaust heat recovery system, efforts for refinement and improvement are always performed for improvement of efficiency and stability of operation.
For example, in a gas turbine, in order to realize improvement of efficiency by raising of combustion temperature, the temperature of a fuel gas is raised. Specifically, a fuel gas heater for heating the fuel gas of the gas turbine is provided. The fuel gas heater heats the fuel gas with intermediate-pressure feed water supplied to the heat recovery steam generator. The heated fuel gas is supplied to a combustor of the gas turbine and consumed (see Patent Document 1 described below).
As an example of heat balance in the fuel gas heater, as shown in FIG. 7, the temperature of a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas heater 172 is 6.8° C. and the temperature of intermediate-pressure feed water supplied from an intermediate-pressure economizer 139 to the fuel gas heater 172 is 255° C. The temperature of a fuel gas discharged from the fuel gas heater 172 after heat exchange and supplied to a combustor 112 of a gas turbine 100 is 210° C. and the temperature of intermediate-pressure feed water also discharged from the fuel gas heater 172 after heat exchange and supplied to a pre-heater 137 is 65° C.
In order to prevent overheating of the turbine and realize stable operation of the gas turbine, moving blades and stationary blades of the turbine are cooled. For this cooling, compressed air extracted from a compressor of the gas turbine is used. Since the compressed air is heated by compression, a cooling air cooler for cooling this compressed air is provided. The cooling air cooler cools, with high-pressure feed water supplied to the heat recovery steam generator, the compressed air extracted from the compressor of the gas turbine. The cooled air is supplied to the moving blades and the stationary blades of the turbine and cools the moving blades and the stationary blades (see, for example, Patent Document 2 described below).
As an example of heat balance in the cooling air cooler, as shown in FIG. 7, the temperature of high-pressure feed water supplied from the pre-heater 137 to the conventional cooling air cooler 171 is 172° C. and the temperature of compressed air supplied from a compressor 111 of the gas turbine 100 to the cooling air cooler 171 is 456° C. The temperature of high-pressure feed water discharged from the cooling air cooler 171 after heat exchange and supplied to a high-pressure drum 134 is 326° C. and the temperature of compressed air also discharged from the cooling air cooler 171 after heat exchange and supplied for cooling of the turbine 113 is 200° C.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-343283    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H10-169414

Combined cycle electric power generation plant and heat exchanger


An electrical connector assembly is provided for a vehicular suspension system component. The connector assembly includes a male connector which is engageable in the suspension system component. The housing of the male connector includes polarization and anti-rotation lugs which are engageable with corresponding structures on the suspension system component. A female connector is engageable over the end of the suspension system component for electrical connection with the terminals of the male connector. The terminals of both connectors in the assembly are insert molded into the nonconductive housings. The locking engagement of the female connector on the suspension system component can be achieved with a metallic retention lever that biasingly engages an annular groove in the exterior of the suspension system component.

Vehicular suspension system components, such as shock absorbers and struts, include a plurality of members that are in sliding telescoped relationship to one another. The movement of these telescoping members relative to one another dampens shocks encountered as the vehicular wheels traverse a road. More particularly, the telescoping members of the suspension system component may be biased in a first direction relative to one another, and may move in an opposed direction in response to forces generated when the vehicular wheel encounters an irregularity in the roadway surface. The vehicular suspension system component typically will include a gas or liquid disposed therein and a plurality of chambers between which the fluid flows as the members of the suspension system component move in telescoped relationship to one another. The forces required to cause the telescoped movement of the members of the suspension system component are determined in part by the cross-sectional area of the flow control point between chambers of the component. Many suspension system components include adjustable valves to alter the responsiveness of the component to roadway irregularities.
The fairly recent prior art includes shock absorbers and struts with electrically operated valves and sensors disposed internally therein. These internal sensors and controls are operatively connectable to a microprocessor which interprets signals from the sensors and which controls the shock or strut to achieve optimum suspension for the sensed roadway conditions. In other instances, electronic dashboard controls will enable the driver to adjust the suspension from the driver's seat in response to existing or anticipated road surface conditions.
The electrical connections between the vehicular suspension system component and the onboard microprocessor or dashboard control is subjected to extreme environmental conditions. In particular, the electrical connection to the suspension system component is subjected to virtually continuous vibration during operation of the vehicle, wide ranges in temperature and direct exposure to moisture and corrosive materials. Additionally, cables leading to a suspension system component may be abruptly contacted by mechanics attempting to access nearby parts of the vehicle. Furthermore, the suspension system components often must be replaced or repaired or at least temporarily removed to enable repair or replacement of nearby parts of the vehicle. Such replacement of the vehicular suspension system component necessarily will require disconnection and subsequent reconnection of the electrical connector. As a result, in addition to performing well in a hostile environment, the electrical connectors for vehicular suspension system components must be easily connectable and disconnectable.
A prior art electrical connector for a vehicular suspension system component is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,343 which issued to Dougherty et al on Dec. 6, 1988. The connector shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,343 includes a female connector which is engageable within an end of the suspension system component. The inner end of the female connector includes a strain relief component hingedly connected to the remainder of the female connector and rotatable into strain relief connection with the conductors extending longitudinally through the suspension system component. The strain relief member is held tightly against the conductors by the frictional interfit of the female connector within the end of the suspension system component. The terminals of the female connector extend generally longitudinally and are disposed in planes which are angularly aligned to one another. The male conductor includes a compatible array of terminals which are electrically connected to a cable which extends to control means in the vehicle. The male conductor also includes a hingedly connected cap which is rotatable into strain relief connection to the cable. The male connector includes unitarily molded plastic latches for selectively engaging flats on opposed lateral exterior sides of the suspension system component. A moisture boot is then engageable over the top of the male connector to provide the necessary moisture protection. The connector assembly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,343 is very complex and therefore difficult to assemble. Additionally, the formation of the flats on opposed lateral sides of the generally cylindrical suspension system components are difficult to manufacture. Furthermore, the various plastic hinged and locking structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,343 would be difficult to manipulate in the field as part of any repair or replacement to the suspension system component. As a result, there is a significant likelihood that the suspension system component shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,343 could be damaged by automotive mechanics performing routine repair or replacement in the vicinity of the suspension system component.
In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved electrical connector for vehicular suspension system components.
It is another object of the subject invention to provide an electrical connector for suspension system components that is easy to connect and reconnect in the field and that is not readily subject to damage.
It is a further object of the subject invention to provide an electrical connector that can withstand the environmental extremes and vibration necessary for a vehicular environment.
Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an electrical connector for suspension system components that can be blind mated and unmated.

Electrical connector assembly for vehicular suspension system component


A system and related method are described for booting from one of multiple boot images that includes a processor coupled to a main memory, a number of boot devices and a selector. The boot devices are used to store multiple copies of a boot image and are in communication with the processor through a controller. The selector is used to select a different boot device each time the system is turned on or reset. A set of instructions executed by the processor loads the boot image from one of the boot devices selected by the selector into the main memory. In one embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of software instructions incorporated into or linked to a system BIOS program. In another embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of software instructions incorporated into or linked to a SCSI BIOS program. In yet another embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of a selector switch coupled between a controller and the boot devices, wherein when a power switch of the system is actuated, the selector switch connects a different boot device to a port designated as a boot device port.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to computer systems, and in particular, to a method and a corresponding system for bootstrapping from multiple boot images.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term xe2x80x9cbootstrappingxe2x80x9d is used to describe a process in which a computer system, when it is first powered up or initialized, fetches initial program instructions (e.g., basic input/output system (BIOS)) from a predetermined location. The BIOS is a set of software routines stored in a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a read only memory (ROM) that tests hardware at startup, starts the operating system and supports the transfer of data among hardware devices. The BIOS can be configured by a user to statically point to a specified location on a mass storage device (e.g., the xe2x80x9cboot sectorxe2x80x9d of a particular disk drive) to fetch a xe2x80x9cboot image.xe2x80x9d The boot image contains a first portion of bootstrapping instructions that are performed right after control is transferred from the BIOS. In other words, during power up or reset of a computer system, the BIOS is first loaded and the control is passed to the boot image which in turn performs certain operations to load and initialize an operating system.
It is desirable to incorporate multiple copies of the boot image into a computer system so that an operating system can be loaded and initialized even if one of the boot images is corrupted. This is accomplished in many conventional systems by maintaining two or more xe2x80x9cmirrored copiesxe2x80x9d of the boot image on independent disk drives. In such systems, the BIOS is programmed to compare or check sum the boot image copies upon power up and transfer control only to one boot image that is agreed by a majority to be a good (uncorrupted) boot image. Such systems can be very complex if many copies of the boot image are to be maintained. On the other hand, if only a small number of boot images, such as two copies are used (or if more than a majority of the images have been corrupted), the system may make a wrong guess and choose to boot from a corrupted copy, in which case the system may hang half-way through the bootstrapping process when it encounters corrupted code. In these cases, the bootstrapping process generally cannot be completed even if the system is equipped with a watch-dog timer (also commonly called a xe2x80x9cdead man""s switchxe2x80x9d) which forces the machine to reboot itself after a preset period of inactivity/non-response since the system may repeatedly attempt to reboot from the same corrupted image.
According to one aspect of the invention, a system for booting from one of multiple boot images is provided that includes a processor coupled to a main memory, a number of boot devices and a selector. The boot devices are used to store multiple copies of a boot image and are in communication with the processor through a controller. The selector is used to select a different boot device each time the system is turned on or reset. A set of instructions executed by the processor loads the boot image from one of the boot devices selected by the selector into the main memory.
In one embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of software instructions incorporated into or linked to a system BIOS program. In another embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of software instructions incorporated into or linked to a SCSI BIOS program. In yet another embodiment, the selector is embodied in the form of a selector switch coupled between a controller and the boot devices, wherein when a power switch of the system is actuated, the selector switch connects a different boot device to a port designated as a boot device port.

Method and system for bootstrapping from a different boot image when computer system is turned on or reset


A memory device includes 4 memory banks each of which includes first and second arrays of memory cells. A mode register is programmed with a bit that selects a high-power, large-page operating mode or a low-power, small-page operating mode. In the high-power mode, a row decoder is coupled to the row lines in both the first and second arrays. In the low-power mode, the row decoder is coupled to the row lines in only one of the arrays as determined by the state of an array select signal. The array select signal corresponds to the most significant bit of the column address, but it is applied to the memory device at the time the row address is applied to the memory device. Sense amplifiers coupled to the first and second arrays may also be selectively enabled when the row lines for the corresponding array are coupled to the row decoder.

The invention relates memory devices, and more particularly to a dynamic random access memory device that can operate in either a normal or a reduced power mode.
Dynamic random access memory (xe2x80x9cDRAMxe2x80x9d) devices are commonly used in a wide variety of applications. One of the most common use for DRAM devices is as system memory in personal computers. The speed and capacity demands on DRAM devices continues to increase in this and other applications. However, the power consumed by DRAM devices increases with both the capacity and the operating speed of the devices. For many application, it is important to limit the power consumption of DRAM devices. For example, DRAM devices used as system memory in portable personal computers should consume relatively little power to allow a battery to power the computer over an extended period. Thus, the demands for ever increasing memory capacities and speeds are inconsistent with the demands for ever decreasing memory power consumption.
Another challenge encountered in designing DRAM devices is the need to make them usable in a wide variety of applications. It is often more desirable to adapt a single DRAM design to several applications rather than design a different DRAM for each application. This challenge can be particularly difficult when the capacity demands for DRAM devices constantly changes. It is important that a single DRAM device be usable not in state of the art applications, but also that it be xe2x80x9cbackward compatiblexe2x80x9d so it can continue to be used in more conventional applications.
The difficulties in meeting all of these design challenges is exemplified by a conventional DRAM 10, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 1. The DRAM 10 includes 4 memory banks 12a,b,c,d, each of which includes two arrays 16, 18, although some DRAMs use a lesser or greater number of memory banks with a lesser or greater number of arrays or sub-arrays in each memory bank. A single memory bank 12a,b,c,d is selected for a memory access by the output of a bank decoder 14, which receives a 2-bit bank address BA0-BA1. As is well known in the art, each array 16, 18 includes a large number of memory cells (not shown) arranged in rows and columns. An individual row is selected by activating a respective one of several row lines, collectively referred to by reference number 20, and a data bit in a selected column is read from a memory cell in the selected row and the selected column. The row lines 20 are activated by a row decoder 30, which receives a row address, typically from a memory controller (not shown). The column lines are selected by column decoders and sense amplifiers 34, which receive a column address, also typically from a memory controller. However, the row address and/or the column address may be generated from other sources. For example, the row addresses may be generated internally in the DRAM 10 for the purpose of refreshing the memory cells, as is well known in the art. The column addresses may also be generated internally in the DRAM 10 for the purpose of, for example, sequentially accessing columns of memory cells in a xe2x80x9cburstxe2x80x9d access mode.
Regardless of how the row and column addresses are generated, when each row line 20 is activated, it couples bits of data from respective memory cells in respective columns of the row of memory cells corresponding to the activated row line. A sense amplifier 34 for each column then senses the level of the data bit. Whenever a row line is activated, the sense amplifiers 34 sense the level of respective data bits in respective columns in both arrays 16, 18. When the sense amplifiers 34 are sensing data bit levels, they consume a substantial amount of power. The amount of power consumed is proportional to both the number of columns in the arrays 16, 18 and the rate at which the sense amplifiers 34 are sensing data bit levels. Thus, the power consumption of the DRAM 10 tends to increases with both higher capacity, i.e., a larger number of columns, and higher speed.
As the number of columns in the arrays 16, 18 increases, the number of data bits in each row, known as a xe2x80x9cpage,xe2x80x9d can increase beyond the number of data bits needed for a read or a write operation. For example, the DRAM 10 receives 13 row address bits (A0-A12) and 12 column address bits (A0-A9, A11, A12), to access 8K rows and 4K columns. Thus, each time a row is activated, 4K bits of data may be accessed in the xe2x80x9copenxe2x80x9d page, even though respective column addresses may select relatively few bits of data to be read from the arrays 16, 18. In fact, A11, the second highest order column address bit, will generally select either the 2K columns in the array 16 or the 2K columns in the array 18. Thus, a substantial amount of power is consumed by making data bits available from columns that will not be accessed.
In the past, the DRAM 10 has been manufactured for either a high-power application having a full page size or for a low-power application having a smaller page size. This has been done during fabrication by altering the topography of the DRAM 10 using mask options or some other alterable conductive component. For high-power applications having a full page size, each row line 20 is fabricated to extend through both of the arrays 16, 18, and the DRAM 10 is fabricated to receive 12 column address bits, A0-A9, A11, A12 to select each of the 4K columns in both of the arrays. For low-power applications having a reduced page size, one set of row lines is fabricated to extend through one of the arrays 16, and another set of row lines is fabricated to extend through the other of the array 18. One of the two sets of row lines 20 is selected by an additional row address bit, which is actually used at the most significant bit of a column address. However, since the columns in only one of the arrays needs to be selected, one less column address bit is required. Thus, in the high-power, full page size configuration, there are N row address bits and M column address bits. In the low-power, reduced page size configuration, there are N+1 row address bits and Mxe2x88x921 column address bits.
The approach described above provides some design efficiencies for the DRAM manufacturer since virtually the same design can be used for two different products. However, this approach essentially requires the DRAM 10 to be fabricated and sold as two different products, and it prevents a customer purchasing the DRAM 10 from selecting between the competing capabilities of these products after purchase. Moreover, the DRAM 10 configured for high-power and a full page size is not backward compatible in the sense that it can be used in low-power applications. The DRAM 10 configured for high-power and a full page size is not backward compatible for low-power, reduced page size applications because the number of row and column address bits would be incompatible.
There is therefore a need for DRAM and method of using same that allows the DRAM to be configured by a user for either high-power, full page size operation or low-power, reduced page size operation with the need for extra row address bits.
A memory device includes an array selecting system that selectively couples row activate signals to either or both of two memory cell arrays without causing significant time penalties. A mode select circuit is programmed to generate a mode select signal that is indicative of operation in either a first or a second mode. The array selecting system receives the mode select signal and an array select signal, which corresponds to a most significant bit of a column address. However, the array select signal is applied to the memory device before the column address is applied, such as at the same time a row address is applied to the memory device. If the mode select signal indicates operation in the first mode, the array select circuit allows the row activate signal to be applied to a row line in both the first and second arrays. If the mode select signal indicates operation in the second mode, the array select circuit allows the row activate signal to be applied to a row line in only one of the arrays depending upon the state of the array select signal. A column control circuit receiving the mode select signal and the array select signal may also selectively de-power sense amplifiers coupled to one of the arrays that is not receiving a row activate signal.

Memory device operable in either a high-power, full-page size mode or a low-power, reduced-page size mode