A counter device for use in tracking an elongated medical device. The counter device includes a housing assembly and a tracking and display unit. The housing assembly defines an entrance opening, an exit opening, and a passageway. The passageway is open to and extends between the entrance and exit openings. The tracking and display unit is carried by the housing assembly and is configured to selectively interface with an elongated medical device disposed along the passageway. In a tracking state, the tracking and display unit generates information indicative of a distance of travel of the elongated medical device traveling along the passageway. In some embodiments, the tracking and display unit includes an engagement assembly rotatably coupled to the housing assembly. The engagement assembly can have a toothed engagement face.

The present disclosure is directed to devices for facilitating performance of a medical procedure. More particularly, it relates to devices for tracking a travel distance of an elongated medical device during insertion thereof into a patient, such as an epidural catheter as part of an epidural anesthesia administration procedure.
Many medical procedures involve the insertion of an elongated medical device through the patient's skin. In most instances, the clinician benefits from knowing a location of a distal end of the so-inserted medical device relative to the patient's anatomy. While imaging or other related technology is utilized with certain procedures to visualize features of an inserted device, such equipment can be highly expensive, can significantly increase the overall procedure time, and requires a trained specialist to operate. As such, clinicians are oftentimes asked to rely on their experience to estimate a location of a medical device inserted through the skin.
For example, epidural anesthesia procedures are performed to administer or inject a local anesthetic agent (and perhaps other substances) into the epidural space around the spinal cord. The epidural anesthesia procedure normally includes the insertion of a spinal needle (e.g., a Tuohy needle) at the patient's back, between targeted spinous processes (e.g., midline or paramedian approach), locating the needle tip at the epidural space. Various techniques can be employed to confirm that the needle tip is satisfactorily positioned. An epidural catheter is then advanced through the needle and into the patient until a length of the catheter extends beyond the needle tip and into the epidural space. The needle is then withdrawn over the catheter. Anesthetics are then injected into the epidural space via the catheter. The clinician cannot see the distal end of the catheter as it is being advanced beyond the needle tip, and it can be important to ensure that the distal end has achieved, but not progressed beyond, a desired location/distance from the needle tip. Some epidural catheters have graduated markings along their exterior; by visually monitoring the markings that are otherwise visible proximal the needle, the clinician can attempt to deduce or calculate a distance the catheter has been advanced. This can be a difficult task and may not be reliable. More often, the clinician is left to grossly estimate the length of catheter that is in the epidural space by feel and experience.
Other medical procedures involving the blind insertion of the distal end of an elongated medical device into a patient's body raise similar concerns. For example, absent visualization equipment, it can be difficult at best for a clinician to gauge the extent to which a guidewire has been advanced.

Devices, systems and methods for tracking travel of an elongated medical device


There is provided a semiconductor storage device capable of executing a high-speed read operation without increasing a chip area thereof. The semiconductor storage device includes per-bit sensing circuits 103 each connected to a pair of bit lines (BLT, BLN) and a data output circuit 104 connected to the bit lines BLT from the per-bit sensing circuits, for outputting read data. Each of the per-bit sensing circuits 103 includes a pre-charge circuit for setting the bit line pair to a supply voltage VDD when a bit line pair selection signal YS is inactive, a latch circuit for setting the bit line pair to complementary levels (VDD and GND) according to a read signal when the bit line pair selection signal YS and a sensing circuit activation signal SE are active, and a data write circuit connected to a pair of write data lines (WDT, WDN), for setting one of the bit line pair to a second level (GND) according to write data when the bit line pair selection signal is active. The data output circuit 104 includes a logic circuit and an output transistor. The logic circuit outputs a first value when the bit lines are all at a first level (VDD) and outputs a second value when at least one of the bit lines is at the second level. The output transistor outputs read data to a data output line DL based on an output of the logic circuit.

In custom ICs such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like, improvement in an operating speed is realized by transistor finer geometries. A gate delay time t is formulated as shown in the following expression (1), using a capacitance C, a voltage V, and a current I. That is, the gate delay time is proportional to a value obtained by dividing electric charge accumulated in the capacitance (=the capacitance C×the voltage V) by the current I.t∝C·V/I  (1)
When finer device geometries are achieved (e.g. when a channel length or a gate oxidization film thickness is reduced), each parameter of the capacitance, voltage, or current is reduced to 1/K according to a scaling rule (a proportional reduction rule). Thus, likewise, the gate delay time t can also be reduced to 1/K.
On the other hand, SRAMs (static random access memories) cannot reduce the delay time to 1/K just by achieving the finer device geometries. The following is a description about this.
A bit line delay time tb1, which constitutes a lot in the delay time of the SRAM can be formulated as in the following expression (2) using a bit line capacitance Cb1, a potential difference between a bit line pair ΔVb1, and a cell current Icell.tb1=Cb1·ΔVb1/Icell  (2)
With achievement of the finer geometries, the capacitance Cb1 and the cell current Icell can be reduced to 1/K according to the scaling rule (proportional reduction rule). On contrast therewith, the potential difference between a bit line pair ΔVb1 is a parameter determined by an offset voltage of a sense amplifier, and cannot be reduced with achievement of the finer geometries. Accordingly, the bit line delay time tb1 cannot be reduced to 1/K with achievement of the finer geometries.
As described above, a higher-speed operation of the SRAM cannot be performed just by achieving the transistor finer geometries. For this reason, in the conventional SRAM, by changing a memory configuration, the higher speed is achieved (refer to Non-patent Document 1, for example). When the number of cells per bit line is reduced to a half, the bit line capacitance Cb1 is also almost halved. As a result, according to the above expression (2), the bit line delay time tb1 is also likewise almost halved.
However, this design method increases the number of banks and the number of sensing circuits.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a typical configuration example of a conventional sensing circuit. Referring to FIG. 8, a memory cell array 801 includes memory cells arranged at intersections between a plurality of word lines not shown and a plurality of bit line pairs. A memory cell includes a flip-flop and two pass transistors (also referred to as "access transistors"). The flip-flop is constituted by cross-connecting inputs and outputs of two inverters. The two pass transistors are connected between a connecting node of the inputs and the outputs of the two inverters and respective bit lines of a bit line pair. Gates of the two pass transistors are connected in common to a word line.
Referring to FIG. 8, a bit line pair selection circuit 802 includes a pMOS transistor P101 with a source thereof connected to a power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to a bit line BLT, a PMOS transistor P102 connected between a pair of the bit line BLT and a bit line BLN, and a PMOS transistor P103 with a source thereof connected to the power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to the bit line BLN. Gates of the pMOS transistors P101, P102, and P103 are connected in common to a pre-charge control signal PC.
The bit line pair selection circuit 802 further includes an nMOS transistor N101, an nMOS transistor N102, an NOR circuit 811, a pMOS transistor P104, and a pMOS transistor P105. The nMOS transistor N101 is connected between the bit line BLT and a write data signal line WDT, which is one of a pair of the write data signal line WDT and a write data signal line WDN. The nMOS transistor N102 is connected between the other write data signal line WDN of the write data signal line pair and the bit line BLN. Two input terminals of the NOR circuit 811 are connected to a write control signal (write enable signal)/WE and a bit line pair selection signal /YS (also referred to as a "column selection signal"), and an output terminal of the NOR circuit 811 is connected in common to gates of the nMOS transistors N101 and N102. The pMOS transistor P104 is connected between a node SAT of a sense amplifier 803 and the bit line BLT. The pMOS transistor P105 is connected between a node SAN of the sense amplifier 803 and the bit line BLN. Gates of the pMOS transistors P104 and P105 are connected in common to the bit line pair selection signal /YS. The write control signal /WE and the bit line pair selection signal /YS become active at low levels thereof (of a ground potential GND). The bit line pair selection signal /YS is output from a column decoder not shown (for decoding a column address and selecting a bit line pair corresponding to the address).
Referring to FIG. 8, the sense amplifier 803 includes a pMOS transistor P204 with a source thereof connected to the power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to the node SAT, a pMOS transistor P205 with a source thereof connected to the power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to the node SAN, and a pMOS transistor P203 connected between the nodes SAT and SAN. Gates of the pMOS transistors P203, P204, and P205 are connected in common to a control signal RSE. Before or after read and write operations, the control signal RSE is driven low, and the nodes SAT and SAN are both set to the power supply voltage VDD. The sense amplifier 803 includes a pMOS transistor P201 with a source thereof connected to the power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to the node SAT, a pMOS transistor P202 with a source thereof connected to the power supply VDD and a drain thereof connected to the node SAN, and nMOS transistors N201 and N202 with drains thereof connected to the node SAT and the node SAN, respectively, and sources thereof connected in common. Gates of the pMOS transistor P201 and the nMOS transistor N201 are connected in common to the node SAN. The gates of the pMOS transistor P201 and the nMOS transistor N201 are connected in common to the node SAN.
The sense amplifier 803 further includes an nMOS transistor N203 with a drain thereof connected to a common connecting node between the sources of the nMOS transistors N201 and N202 and an nMOS transistor N204 with a drain thereof connected to a source of the nMOS transistor N203, and a source thereof connected to the potential GND of a substrate. A gate of the nMOS transistor N203 is connected to a sense amplifier activation signal SAE (that is set to the power-supply potential of the power supply VDD when the sense amplifier 803 is activated). A gate of the nMOS transistor N204 is connected to the control signal RSE. The node SAT is connected to an input terminal of an inverter 812. An output terminal of the inverter 812 is connected to a gate of an nMOS transistor N205 with a drain thereof connected to a data output line DL and a source thereof grounded (or set to the substrate potential GND). The node SAN is connected to an input terminal of an inverter 813. When the sense amplifier activation signal SAE is set to the power supply voltage VDD and when the sense amplifier 803 is activated, the pMOS transistors P201 and P202, nMOS transistors N201 and N202 constitute a latch circuit. Then, an amplification operation as follows is performed: through an on-state transistor of the pMOS transistors P201 and 202 (the transistor with a gate thereof connected to one of the nodes SAT and SAN on a lower voltage side), the node on a higher voltage side is charged to the power supply voltage VDD. Through an on-state transistor of the nMOS transistors N201 and N202 (the transistor with a gate thereof connected to one of the nodes SAT and SAN on the higher voltage side), the node on the lower voltage side is discharged to the substrate potential GND.
When a read operation is performed, data stored in a selected memory cell (not shown) in the memory cell array 801 is output to a bit line pair BLT and BLN to which the selected memory cell is connected, and the potential difference ΔVb1 is generated between the bit line pair BLT and BLN after a certain time. In the bit line pair selection circuit 802, the bit line pair selection signal /YS is set to a low level (or the substrate potential GND), the pMOS transistors P104 and P105 are turned on, and the potential difference ΔVb1 between the selected the bit line pair BLT and BLN is transferred to the nodes SAT and SAN in the sense amplifier 803.
When the sense amplifier activation signal SAE is set to a high level (or the power supply voltage VDD), the sense amplifier 803 amplifies the potential difference ΔVb1 between the nodes SAT and SAN and outputs read data to the data output line DL. When the node SAT is at the substrate potential GND, an nMOS transistor N205 that receives an output of the inverter 812 (at the power supply voltage VDD) is turned on. Then, the data output line DL is set to the substrate potential from the power supply voltage VDD. On the other hand, when the node SAT is at the power supply voltage VDD, the output of the inverter 812 is set to the substrate potential VDD. Then, the nMOS transistor N205 is turned off, so that the data output line DL is held at the power supply voltage VDD.
When a write operation is performed, the write control signal /WE is set to the low level (or the substrate potential GND). Then, in the bit line pair selection circuit 802, values of the write data signal lines WDT and WDN are output to the bit line pair BLT and BLN selected by the bit line pair selection signal /YS that is in an active state. That is, when the bit line pair selection signal /YS is at a low level and the write control signal /WE is at a low level, an output of the NOR circuit 811 becomes the high level (or the power supply voltage VDD). The nMOS transistors N101 and N102 that receive the output of the NOR circuit 811 are both turned on. Then, signal levels of a pair of the complementary write data signal lines WDT and WDN are transferred to the bit line pair BLT and BLN, respectively.
When the read operation or the write operation is completed, the pre-charge control signal PC is set to the low level. The pMOS transistors P101 to P103 are then turned on, and the bit line pair BLT and BLN is charged to the power supply voltage VDD.
Non-patent Document 1:
"A 2-GHz cycle, 430-ps access time 34-kb L1 directory SRAM in 1.5 V, 0.18-um CMOS bulk technology", R. V. Joshi, 2000 Symposia on VLSI circuit, pp. 222-225


A continuously variable hydrostatic transmission (10) having torque division for a vehicle comprises a first hydrostatic unit (H1) operating as a pump and a second hydrostatic unit (H2) operating as a motor, and further a planetary drive (12), a first shaft (W1) on the drive side and a summing means (W6). The power present at the first shaft (W1) is divided by way of the planetary drive (12) to a mechanical transmission branch (Z9, W2, Z1, Z2) and a hydraulic transmission branch (Z7, W3, Z4, Z5, Z6, H1, H2) formed by the two hydraulically coupled hydrostatic units (H1, H2) and is combined again at the summing means (W6). In such a transmission, a compact and simplified design and great flexibility in application are achieved in that the power transmission between the first shaft (W1) and summing means (W6) can be controlled exclusively by varying the displacements of the hydrostatic units (H1, H2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the sector of continuously variable hydrostatic transmissions with torque division. It relates to a transmission of this kind in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Torque-split transmissions, especially for use on agricultural or construction vehicles such as tractors, have long been known. In such torque-split transmissions, the power present at an input shaft or drive-input shaft, which is generally output by an internal combustion engine, is divided between a first, mechanical power branch with a fixed transmission ratio and a second power branch with a continuously variable transmission ratio and is then combined again so as to be available at an output shaft or drive-output shaft. The second power branch is generally designed as a hydrostatic branch, in which two hydrostatic axial-piston machines (hydrostatic units) of the oblique-axis or swashplate type, which are hydraulically interconnected, operate optionally as a pump or a motor. Here, the transmission ratio can be varied by changing the pivoting angle of the cylinder block or of the swashplate. Dividing the power between the two power branches and combining the divided powers is generally performed by means of a planetary transmission. Various embodiments of torque-split transmissions of the type described are disclosed in DE-A1-27 58 300, DE-C2-29 04 572, DE-A1-29 50 619, DE-A1-37 07 382, DE-A1-37 26 080, DE-A1-39 12 369, DE-A1-39 12 386, DE-A1-43 43 401, DE-A1-43 43 402, EP-B1-0 249 001 and EP-A2-1 273 828.
In order to be able to use a torque-split transmission successfully in practice, it should in general terms be distinguished by the following characteristics:                The transmission should have a high efficiency over the entire speed range. This should be the case especially at the high speeds of travel that occur over long periods in road traffic.        The transmission should be of compact construction to enable it to be installed in a very wide variety of vehicles, if possible without any design limitations.        The transmission should allow full electronic control in conjunction with the engine management system and should provide emergency running programs that are adequate even if certain control elements fail.        The transmission should allow high powers to be transmitted.        The construction of the transmission should be as simple as possible in order to limit power losses and increase reliability of operation.        The transmission should allow full electronic control in conjunction with the engine management system and should provide emergency running programs that are adequate even if certain control elements fail.
DE-A1-43 43 402, which was mentioned at the outset, has already described a continuously variable hydrostatic torque-split transmission (referred to in German as an SHL-Getriebe (Stufenloses Hydrostatisches Leistungsverzweigungsgetriebe)) which is distinguished by two hydraulically coupled oblique-axis hydrostatic units of the same type which can be coupled in different ways to a planetary differential transmission by way of clutch pairs or selector elements K1/K2 and K3/K4 respectively. The known continuously variable hydrostatic torque-split transmission has been used and tested in city buses under the type designation SHL-Z. The two hydrostatic units employed have a pivoting range of just 0-25°. For forward travel, this gives 3 drive positions or drive ranges: in the first drive range, the hydrostatic component of the power transmitted is 100% at the starting point and then decreases linearly with speed toward zero. In the second drive range, it goes from zero to a maximum of about 27% and then falls back to zero again. In the third drive range, it goes from zero to a maximum value of 13% at the maximum forward speed.
The hydrostatic power transmission branch in such a transmission generally comprises two hydrostatic axial-piston machines, which are connected to one another hydraulically and of which one operates as a pump and the other as a motor. The two machines can swap roles depending on the drive position.
The hydrostatic axial-piston machines form a significant part of the hydrostatic torque-split transmission and have a decisive effect on the characteristics of the transmission, such as efficiency, overall size, complexity, the speed range covered, the type and number of drive positions and the like. Examples of hydrostatic axial-piston machines of this kind are disclosed in DE-A1-198 33 711, DE-A1-100 44 784 or US-A1-2004/0173089. The mode of operation and theory of hydrostatic axial-piston machines and of a torque-split tractor transmission fitted therewith are described in a publication by the Technical University of Munich from the year 2000 by H. Bork et al., entitled "Modellbildung, Simulation and Analyse eines stufenlosen leistungsverzweigten Traktorgetriebes" [Modeling, Simulation and Analysis of a Continuously Variable Torque-split Tractor Transmission].
Finally, WO-A1-2006/042434 has disclosed a continuously variable hydrostatic torque-split transmission which operates with two large-angle hydrostatic units with a pivoting range of up to 50°. The overall speed range of the transmission is divided into two sections, in which the two hydrostatic units swap roles as pump and motor. For the switchover between the two sections, two dual clutches are provided, by means of which the hydrostatic units are connected in different ways to the torque-splitting planetary drive. With this transmission, it is possible to cover a large speed range in a continuously variable manner while achieving high efficiency at the same time. However, it is of relatively large size because space is required for the switchable connections involving the dual clutches.

Continuously variable hydrostatic transmission having torque division


Ripper assemblies are normally utilized for ripping hardened ground, rock, and so forth. Due to the type of ground being ripped, it is many times advantageous to selectively change the pitch angle of the ripper tip during the ripping operation. Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a push block associated with the ripper assembly in order to allow the second vehicle to provide an additional pushing force for ripping of the ground. When a ripper assembly incorporates an adjustable pitch control and has a push block, the visibility of the ripper tip by the operator is many times limited or totally lost. In this subject arrangement, a push block is integral with a frame assembly and a ripper carriage assembly is pivotally secured to the frame assembly. By the push block being integral with the frame assembly, the ripper carriage assembly is simple and compact allowing better visibility by the operator to the rear of the ripper assembly. Furthermore, a slight opening is defined in the frame assembly immediately in front has a clear visibility of the area around the ripper shank and/or the ripper tip when the ripper tip is not engaged in the ground. The better visibility to the rear of the ripper assembly is enhanced by having first and second pitch control cylinders universally secured to the ripper carriage assembly generally adjacent thereto.

Ripper assemblies are normally used to loosen hardened ground, break up rock formations, and so forth. In order to get the additional force which at times are needed to pull the ripper shank through the ground, another vehicle is utilized to push the ripper assembly. The second vehicle pushes the ripper assembly by abutting against a push block that is a portion of the ripper assembly. Furthermore, when ripping, it is desirable for an operator to be able to change the angle of the ripping tip with respect to the ground. In order to accomplish this, the ripper shank must be pivotally connected with the main frame of the ripper assembly. Consequently, in order to have a push block associated with the ripper assembly while also being able to change the pitch angle of the ripper tip, it has been necessary to have a pin connection between the ripper shank and the main frame of the ripper assembly. This is detrimental since the additional force provided by the second vehicle against the push block of the ripper assembly is being transmitted through the pivot connection and increases the wear of the pivot connection.
An article published by Sabine Metal and Machine Company of Cleveland, Tex., which was published in the Pipeline Digest dated Jan. 19, 1981, teaches a ripper assembly having a ripper shank secured directly to the frame of the ripper assembly. In this arrangement, the pitch angle of the ripper shank cannot be changed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,456, which issued Mar. 31, 1970 to D. J. Larson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,970, which issued Mar. 30, 1982, to James L. Thigpen, each teach a ripper assembly having a push block associated therewith and a pitch angle adjustment for the ripper tip. In each of these arrangements, the push block and ripper assembly are pivotally connected to the main frame of the ripper assembly. Consequently, the forces from a vehicle pushing against the push block is transmitted through the pivotal connection.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,797, which issued Jan. 7, 1964, to R. L. Launder et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,239, which issued Aug. 16, 1973, to Leon O. Kelley, each teach a ripper assembly having a push block integrally formed with the main frame of the ripper assembly and a ripper shank that is adjustable relative to the main frame. However, in each of these arrangements, the frame assembly and the integrally formed push block do not allow adequate visibility by the operator of the ripper tip.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Ripper assembly with pitch control and integral frame and push block


In an information processing apparatus, an object recognition process is performed on each image of a multi-viewpoint image group based on focal length information and information about objects. Objects are specified in each image. A target object is determined based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the objects. An image that contains the determined target object is generated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique of calculating arbitrary focal lengths or depths of field or generating images of different viewpoints based on images of an object captured from a large number of viewpoints is conventionally known. For example, Bennett Wilburn, Neel Joshi, Vaibhav Vaish, Eino-Ville Talvala, Emilio Antunez, Adam Barth, Andrew Adams, Mark Horowitz, Marc Levoy, "High Performance Imaging Using Large Camera Arrays," United States of America, Proceedings of ACM SIGGRAPH 2005, pp. 765-776, describes a technique of obtaining a plurality of images of different viewpoints using a plurality of cameras arranged in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane (such a multi-viewpoint image is hereinafter referred to as an image group). If a viewpoint, a focal length and an aperture diameter are given as parameters, an image is generated based on the image group by a calculation process (an image generated based on given parameters is hereinafter referred to as a final image or a combined image). Note that unless parameters are given, an image is generated based on default values. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-22796 describes a technique of automatically setting parameters for generating images that allow the user to subsequently easily search the image group.
However, an image generated based on default values of parameters or parameter values set for search of the image group is not always a final image that has been given parameters appropriate to the way in which the user usually desires to use the image, such as to give the image to somebody else, to view the image together with the user's friends or family, or to record and categorize the image.
Unless an image that has been given parameters appropriate to the way in which the user desires to use the image is available, it is necessary for the user to adjust parameters, such as a viewpoint, a focal length, a depth of field and the like, which requires time and effort. The user may not understand what image will be generated based on specific parameters if the user's skill level is low. Thus, it may be difficult to only specify parameters.

Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium


According to one embodiment an order taking apparatus includes a storage processing section, a display processing section, an enlargement processing section. The storage processing section configured to read information on the order for the menu item the input of which has been accepted by the order taking section, and to store the information in a predetermined order information storage region. The display processing section configured to read an image of the menu item the input of which has been accepted by the order taking section, and to allow a display device to display the image. The enlargement processing section configured such that when the menu item image is enlarged, the enlargement processing section rewrites the information on the order for the menu item which is of the same type as that of the current menu item but has a serving size larger than that of the current menu item.

Self-order systems for restaurants are already known. By way of example, in one self-order system, an order taking terminal is installed on each table in a restaurant, the terminals being connected to an order management computer via a network.
An order taking terminal comprises a display with a touch panel on which a menu of all items provided by the restaurant is displayed. A customer touches desired items in the menu. The terminal accepts the touched menu items and notifies the computer of the menu items.
For some types of menu item in the restaurant, menu items are treated as different when the items are of the same type but are different in serving size; for some drinks, different prices are set for the respective container size, that is, a small container, a medium-sized container, and a large container. If a restaurant dealing with such menu items adopts the above-described self-order system, the restaurant adds, for example, the items "small orange juice", "medium orange juice", and "large orange juice" to the list shown on the display so that customers can select any of the items.
However, simple addition of designations indicating the serving sizes may fail to let customers properly appreciate the differences between the volumes of the menu items. Thus, customers may order menu items with unexpected volumes. There has been a demand for an order taking system capable of taking orders from customers while letting customers intuitively appreciate the differences between the serving sizes of the menu items.


Techniques for correcting for internal resistance losses in the secondary windings of a transformer to reduce errors in output voltage from a high voltage power supply.

All references cited in this specification, and their references, are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features, and/or technical background.
Disclosed in the embodiments herein is a method for correcting for internal resistance losses in the secondary windings of a transformer to reduce errors in output voltage from a high voltage power supply.
Certain devices have components that require a voltage high enough to cause corona discharge, a controlled static discharge. This corona discharge is used to charge or discharge a target member such as a photoreceptor belt in a xerographic copier or printer. This provides the component with sufficient instantaneous current density for proper operation, without exceeding a maximum average current value. In such components, if the required current density is greater than the desired average current, a chopped current at an appropriate duty cycle is required.
Some power supplies employ pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) for this type of use, which produces a high voltage pulse at a fixed duty cycle and varies the voltage to obtain the correct average current value. Other power supplies employ pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse frequency modulation (PFM) all of which are used high voltage applications. In most cases, these switch-mode power conversion schemes are used to improve efficiency and reduce the size of magnetic devices such as transformers.
Among those devices that have such components are "image-on-image" xerographic color printers wherein multiple corotrons must be precision charged and controlled to provide desired print quality. FIG. 1 (prior art) is a simplified "image-on-image" xerographic color printer in which successive primary-color images are accumulated on a photoreceptor belt, and the accumulated superimposed images are in one step directly transferred to an output sheet as a full-color image.
Specifically, the FIG. 1 embodiment includes a belt photoreceptor 10, along which are disposed a series of stations, as is generally familiar in the art of xerography, one set for each primary color to be printed. For instance, to place a cyan color separation image on photoreceptor 10, there is used a charge corotron 12C, an imaging laser 14C, and a development unit 16C. For successive color separations, there are provided equivalent corotron, imaging laser and developer elements 12M, 14M, 16M (for magenta), 12Y, 14Y, 16Y (for yellow), and 12K, 14K, 16K (for black). The successive color separations are built up in a superimposed manner on the surface of photoreceptor 10, and then the combined full-color image is transferred at transfer station 20 to an output sheet. The output sheet is then run through a fuser 30, as is familiar in xerography.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is a set of what can be generally called "monitors," such as 50 and 52, which can feed back to a control device 54. The monitors such as 50 and 52 are devices which can make measurements to images created on the photoreceptor 10 (such as monitor 50) or to images which were transferred to an output sheet (such as monitor 52). These monitors can be in the form of optical densitometers, calorimeters, electrostatic voltmeters, etc.
Control of voltage to a component or load may be by way of one or more transformer(s). Transformers are magnetic devices consisting of two or more multiturn coils wound on a common core, the coil connected to the energy source being referred to as the primary coil or winding and the coil in which current is induced by the primary coil being referred to as the secondary coil or winding. As understood by those skilled in the art, the turns ratio of the primary coil to secondary coil determines the transformer's voltage ratio, an increase in turns of the secondary coil with respect to the primary coil resulting in a boost of voltage at the secondary.
In precision applications the accumulated errors contributing to output voltage variability, including variation in primary winding voltage, transformer turns ratio and various losses make it necessary to measure or infer output voltage and compare that to the desired output voltage in a closed-loop voltage control circuit. In the most simple topologies sensing resistors in conjunction with a potentiometer may be used at the primary coil of the transformer to measure and control voltage input into the transformer and from that the secondary, output, voltage. Sense elements attached to the low side of the secondary winding of a transformer may also be employed to measure output current and to detect output faults or current overloads.
Determination of output voltage at the secondary side of the transformer by inference of the measured voltage at the primary side may be designed and adjusted to properly compensate for the first two of three listed error contributors. Such determination may include inaccuracies due to internal resistance (IR) losses in the secondary windings (which typically comprise many, many windings of small diameter coils) as well as the IR losses associated with other external secondary resistances that may be included to protect the HV power source and load in the event of an arc or other fault condition. Correction of all such errors may be made by additional sense windings or the incorporation of divide down resistors on the secondary side, but these measures significantly add to expense and complexity of design. Errors in output voltage sensing may significantly degrade the accuracy of very sensitive devices. For example, "image-on-image" printing devices require precise control of high voltage sources to achieve outstanding print quality.
It would therefore be useful to permit primary side voltage sensing and regulation without need for secondary side voltage sensing. And to successfully do this, it may necessary to properly compensate for secondary IR loss in the primary side voltage sensing circuitry.


A position-detecting system for a moving vehicle wherein the position of the moving vehicle is detected by scanning the light beam emitted from a light beam-emitting means mounted on the moving vehicle in the circumferential direction centering around the moving body, and receiving the light beam reflected from light-reflecting means disposed at at least three positions by means of a light-receiving means mounted on the moving vehicle, comprising a means for detecting the distance between the source of the reflected light received at the light-receiving means and the moving vehicle, and a means for reducing the rotational speed of the light beam scanning means in response to the operation of the distance detecting means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a position detector for a moving vehicle, and more particularly to a position detector for traveling a moving automobile, an unmanned mobile and carrying device in a factory, or a steering vehicle for use in agriculture, civil engineering machinery and the like along a predetermined traveling course.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, as a system for detecting a present position of a moving body such as the moving vehicles as described above, there has been proposed a system provided with a means for scanning light beam emitted from a moving body in the circumferential direction or every azimuthal directions centering around the moving body, light-reflecting means for reflecting to return the light beam in the direction of incident light and positioned at least three positions apart from the moving body, and a beam receiver means for receiving light reflected from the light-reflecting means (the Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 67476/1984).
In the above mentioned prior art, differential azimuthes between adjoining two of three light-reflecting means centering around the moving body are detected on the basis of received beam output of the light-receiving means, then a position of the moving body is operated based on the detected differential azimuthes and positional information of the light-reflecting means which have been previously set.
Also, the present inventors proposed in U.S. Ser. No. 344,574 a control system which, different from the above described system wherein the positional informations of the light-reflecting means are preset, detects the distances between a moving body or a moving vehicle and the light-reflecting means and, based on the detected distances and the differential azimuthes, operates the positions of the light-reflecting means thereby to detect the position of the moving vehicle.
In that control system, if there are some unexpected light-reflecting objects other than the expected light-reflecting means in the neighborhood of the area in which the moving vehicle travels, the light-receiving means may receive the light reflected from the unexpected light-reflecting objects. For this, the present inventors proposed in U.S. Ser. No. 413,934, an improved control system which predicts the azimuth at which light-reflecting means is to be detected in the next scan, based on the azimuth (the angle formed between the advance direction of the moving vehicle and the direction of the light-reflecting means) at which the light-reflecting means has been detected the current and last scans, and determines that the light incident upon the light-receiving means within the predicted azimuth is the normal reflected light from the expected light-reflecting means. However, in that control system, if the difference between the azimuth of the expected light-reflecting means as viewed from the moving vehicle and the azimurth of other reflecting object is large, both can be discriminated from each other, whereas there are cases that they can not be discriminated and the normal light-reflecting means can not be detected if the azimuthes of the two were close to each other and the both of two are included in a predicted angle range.
That is, since the predicted azimuth has a predetermined detection range there is a problem that if the azimuthes of the expected light-reflecting means and the unexpected reflecting object are close to each other, the reflected lights from the two are naturally detected in the predetermined detection range.
If a plurality of incident lights are received in the detection range as mentioned above, the distance between the source of each incident lights and the moving vehicle is measured, the source which is nearest to the moving vehicle is determined to be the expected light-reflecting means, and based on the azimuth of this light-reflecting means, the position of the moving vehicle can be detected (Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 46407/1989). The above mentioned detection method requires the assumption that obstacles such as unexpected reflecting objects existing in the limited range such as the area in which the moving vehicle travels have been removed before the work is begun, and it has an advantage that, in practice, the above-mentioned problem can be removed by a simple control system.
In the above described prior art, measurement of the distance between the moving vehicle and the light-reflecting means is performed on the basis of the phase difference between the light beam generated in the light beam emitting means mounted on the moving vehicle and the incident light reflected by the light-reflecting means or other light-reflecting object.
In this method, since the light-receiving level varies if the distance between the moving vehicle and the light-reflecting means or other unexpected reflecting object differs, time is required for level matching of the light beam generated at the light beam emitting means and the incident light for detecting the phase difference. Also, time is required for the operation of the distance and the like. Therefore, if the scanning speed of the light-receiving means is made slow so that the time from the reception of one incident light to the reception of the next incident light is set as long as possible, it is convenient for adjustment of the incident light level and distance operation, etc.
On the other hand, however, there is a problem that, if the rotational speeds of the light beam emitting means and light-receiving means for scanning is slow with respect to traveling speed of the moving vehicle, time difference of azimuth detection occurs between each light-reflecting means or objects, whereby the precision of positional detection is reduced. There is requirement to increase the number of revolutions of the light beam emitting means and light-receiving means (the rotational speed of the light beam scanning means) in order to reduce the time difference in the azimuth detection.
As described above, there is a problem that the two requirements incompatible with each other must be fulfilled in order to improve the prior art.


A system and method for locking and unlocking access to a shared memory for atomic operations provides immediate feedback indicating whether or not the lock was successful. Read data is returned to the requestor with the lock status. The lock status may be changed concurrently when locking during a read or unlocking during a write. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the lock status as a separate transaction prior to or during a read-modify-write operation. Additionally, a lock or unlock may be explicitly specified for each atomic memory operation. Therefore, lock operations are not performed for operations that do not modify the contents of a memory location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to reading and writing a shared memory and more specifically to a system and method for locking and unlocking access to the shared memory for atomic updates.
2. Description of the Related Art
Current mechanisms for locking and unlocking memory accesses to shared memory, such as a conventional load link and store-condition instructions that are used by many processors to implement atomic memory operations, check the lock status for each entry being accessed prior to each store (write) operation. Additionally, the requestor typically does not receive feedback on whether or not a lock has been acquired until after the store operation is attempted.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved locking mechanism for accessing shared memory to perform atomic memory operations.

Lock mechanism to enable atomic updates to shared memory


A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.

This invention relates to a surgical irrigation with a built in pulsing pump.
Grulke et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,486, assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, discloses a surgical pulsed irrigation handpiece which produces a pulsed irrigation liquid output capable of loosening and floating debris at a surgical site for subsequent removal (as by suction). This prior pulsed irrigation handpiece has been on the market for several years and has proved generally effective for its intended use and hence has been popular in the surgical community.
However, in a continuing effort to improve on existing devices of this general kind, the present invention has been developed. As compared to the above-mentioned prior device, a pulsed irrigation handpiece embodying the present invention is producible at lower cost, produces sharper liquid pulse transients (particularly the pulse xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d transient), requires no connection to any operating room power source (e.g. compressed air) or to an external pump, and instead is self-contained, requires only external connection to a irrigation liquid source (e.g. conventional irrigation liquid bag), provides better suction (when suction is required), is more compact, and is conveniently shaped to be held either as a pistol or a wand (by the handle or barrel).
Other objects, purposes and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those acquainted with apparatus as general kind upon reading the following description and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises pulsed irrigation liquid outlet means for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, pump means reciprocatingly drivable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through said outlet means, powered drive means for reciprocatingly driving said pump means and housing means containing said pump means and drive means.

Irrigation handpiece with built in pulsing pump


The invention relates to novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the formula (I)

The invention relates to novel substituted benzoyl ketones, to processes for their preparation and to their use as herbicides.
It is already known that certain substituted benzoyl ketones have herbicidal properties. (cf. EP-A-625505, EP-A-625508, U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,532, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,906, WO-A-96/26193). However, the activity of these compounds is not entirely satisfactory.
This invention, accordingly, provides the novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the formula (I),
in which
n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3,
A represents a single bond or represents alkanediyl (alkylene),
R1 represents hydrogen or represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl,
R2 represents hydrogen, cyano, carbamoyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl,
R3 represents hydrogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino or dialkylaminosulphonyl,
R4 represents nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino or dialkylaminosulphonyl, and
Z represents an optionally substituted 4- to 12-membered, saturated or unsaturated, monocyclic or bicyclic, heterocyclic grouping which contains 1 to 4 hetero atoms (up to 4 nitrogen atoms and optionallyxe2x80x94alternatively or additionallyxe2x80x94one oxygen atom or one sulphur atom, or one SO grouping or one SO2 grouping) and which additionally contains one to three oxo groups (Cxe2x95x90O) and/or thioxo groups (Cxe2x95x90S) as components of the heterocycle,
including all possible tautomeric forms of the compounds of the general formula (I) and the possible salts of the compounds of the general formula (I).
In the definitions, the hydrocarbon chains, such as alkyl or alkanediyl, are in each case straight-chain or branchedxe2x80x94including in combination with heteroatoms, such as in alkoxy.
n preferably represents 0, 1 or 2.
A preferably represents a single bond or represents alkanediyl (alkylene) having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
R1 preferably represents hydrogen, represents optionally cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, halogen, C1-C4-alkoxy-, C1-C4-alkylthio-, C1-C4-alkylsulphinyl- or C1-C4-alkylsulphonyl-substituted alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or represents optionally cyano-, carboxyl-, carbamoyl-, halogen-, C1-C4-alkyl- or C1-C4-alkoxy-carbonyl-substituted cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
R2 preferably represents hydrogen, cyano, carbamoyl, halogen, represents in each case optionally cyano-, carbamoyl-, halogen- or C1-C4-alkoxy-substituted alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms, or represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
R3 preferably represents hydrogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, halogen, represents in each case optionally halogen-, C1-C4-alkoxy-, C1-C4-alkylthio-, C1-C4-alkylsulphinyl- or C1-C4-alkylsulphonyl-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents alkylamino, dialkylamino or dialkylaminosulphonyl having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups.
R4 preferably represents nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, halogen, represents in each case optionally halogen-, C1-C4-alkoxy-, C1-C4-alkylthio-, C1-C4-alkylsulphinyl- or C1-C4-alkylsulphonyl-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, or represents alkylamino, dialkylamino or dialkylaminosulphonyl having in each case up to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups.
Z preferably represents one of the heterocyclic groupings below
where the dotted line is in each case a single bond or a double bond, and each heterocyclic grouping preferably only carries two substituents of the definition R5 and/or R6,
Q represents oxygen or sulphur,
R5 represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, halogen, represents in each case optionally cyano-, halogen-, C1-C4-alkoxy-, C1-C4-alkylthio-, C1-C4-alkylsulphinyl- or C1-C4-alkylsulphonyl-substituted alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkylamino or dialkylamino having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkinyl, alkenyloxy, alkenylthio or alkenylamino having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkenyl- or alkinyl groups, represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkylamino, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, cycloalkylalkylthio or cycloalkylalkylamino having in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl groups and optionally up to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or represents in each case optionally halogen-, C1-C4-alkyl- or C1-C4-alkoxy-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy, phenylthio, phenylamino, benzyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio or benzylamino, orxe2x80x94if two adjacent radicals R5 and R5 are located at a double bondxe2x80x94together with the adjacent radical R5 also represents a benzo grouping, and
R6 represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, alkylideneamino having up to 4 carbon atoms, represents in each case optionally halogen- or C1-C4-alkoxy-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino or alkanoylamino having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkinyl or alkenyloxy having in each case up to 6 carbon atoms in the alkenyl- or alkinyl groups, represents in each case optionally halogen-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or cycloalkylamino having in each case 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl groups and optionally up to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or represents in each case optionally halogen-, C1-C4-alkyl- or C1-C4-alkoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl, or together with an adjacent radical R5 or R6 represents optionally halogen- or C1-C4-alkyl-substituted alkanediyl having 3 to 5 carbon atoms,
where the individual radicals R5 and R6xe2x80x94if a plurality of them are attached to the same heterocyclic groupingxe2x80x94can have identical or different meanings within the scope of the above definition.
Q preferably represents oxygen.
R5 preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, represents in each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or i-propylthio-, n-, i-, s- or t-butylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, n- or i-propylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl-, ethylsulphonyl-, n- or i-propylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, n-, i-, s- or t-butylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl, represents methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, n-, i-, s- or t-butylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, di-n-propylamino or di-i-propylamino, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, ethinyl, propinyl, butinyl, propenyloxy, butenyloxy, propenylthio, butenylthio, propenylamino or butenylamino, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, cyclopropylthio, cyclobutylthio, cyclopentylthio, cyclohexylthio, cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino, cyclohexylamino, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy, cyclopropylmethylthio, cyclobutylmethylthio, cyclopentylmethylthio, cyclohexylmethylthio, cyclopropylmethylamino, cyclobutylmethylamino, cyclopentylmethylamino or cyclohexylmethylamino, or represents in each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl-, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-substituted phenyl, phenyloxy, phenylthio, phenylamino, benzyl, benzyloxy, benzylthio or benzylamino, orxe2x80x94if two adjacent radicals R5 and R5 are located at a double bondxe2x80x94together with the adjacent radical R5 also represents a benzo grouping.
R6 preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy- or ethoxy-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i- or s-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methylamino, ethylamino or dimethylamino, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted ethenyl, propenyl, ethinyl, propinyl or propenyloxy, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl or cyclohexylmethyl, or represents in each case optionally fluorine-, chlorine-, methyl-, ethyl-, n- or i-propyl-, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-substituted phenyl or benzyl, or together with an adjacent radical R5 or R6 represents in each case optionally methyl- and/or ethyl-substituted propane-1,3-diyl (trimethylene), butane-1,4-diyl (tetramethylene) or pentane-1,5-diyl (pentamethylene).
n particularly preferably represents 0 or 1.
A particularly preferably represents a single bond, methylene, ethylidene (ethane-1,1-diyl) or dimethylene (ethane-1,2-diyl).
R1 particularly preferably represents hydrogen, represents in each case optionally cyano-, carboxyl-, carbamoyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or i-propylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, n- or i-propylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl-, ethylsulphonyl-, n- or i-propylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, or represents in each case optionally cyano-, carboxyl-, carbamoyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methyl-, ethyl-, methoxycarbonyl- or ethoxycarbonyl-substituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.
R2 particularly preferably represents hydrogen, cyano, carbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, represents in each case optionally cyano-, carbamoyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy- or ethoxy-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- or i-propoxycarbonyl, or represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl.
R3 particularly preferably represents hydrogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or i-propylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl- or ethylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-substituted methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl, or represents methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dimethylaminosulphonyl or diethylaminosulphonyl.
R4 particularly preferably represents nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or i-propylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl- or ethylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-substituted methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl, or represents methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dimethylaminosulphonyl or diethylaminosulphonyl.
R5 particularly preferably represents hydrogen, hydroxyl, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, difluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, fluorodichloromethyl, fluoroethyl, chloroethyl, difluoroethyl, dichloroethyl, fluoro-n-propyl, fluoro-i-propyl, chloro-n-propyl, chloro-i-propyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, n-, i-, s- or t-butoxy, fluoroethoxy, chloroethoxy, difluoroethoxy, dichloroethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, trichloroethoxy, chlorofluoroethoxy, chlorodifluoroethoxy, fluorodichloroethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, fluoroethylthio, chloroethylthio, difluoroethylthio, dichloroethylthio, chlorofluoroethylthio, chlorodifluoroethylthio, fluorodichloroethylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, propenylthio, butenylthio, propinylthio, butinylthio, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylmethoxy, phenyl or phenoxy.
R6 particularly preferably represents amino, methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylamino, dimethylamino, cyclopropyl or cyclopropylmethyl, or together with R5 represents propane-1,3-diyl (trimethylene), butane-1,4-diyl (tetramethylene) or pentane-1,5-diyl (pentamethylene).
Z particularly preferably represents the groupings below
where Q, R5 and R6 are each as defined above.
A very particularly preferably represents a single bond or represents methylene.
R1 very particularly preferably represents in each case optionally cyano-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or o-propylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, n- or i-propylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl-, ethylsulphonyl-, n- or i-propylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, or represents in each case optionally cyano-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methyl- or ethyl-substituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.
R2 very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, cyano, carbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, represents in each case optionally cyano-, carbamoyl-, fluorine-, chlorine-, methoxy- or ethoxy-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, or represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl.
R3 very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-, methylthio-, ethylthio-, n- or i-propylthio-, methylsulphinyl-, ethylsulphinyl-, methylsulphonyl- or ethylsulphonyl-substituted methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl, n-, i-, s- or t-butyl, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-, methoxy-, ethoxy-, n- or i-propoxy-substituted methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, represents in each case optionally fluorine- and/or chlorine-substituted methylthio, ethylthio, n- or i-propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, n- or i-propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, n- or i-propylsulphonyl, or represents methylamino, ethylamino, n- or i-propylamnino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dimethylaminosulphonyl or diethylaminosulphonyl.
R4 very particularly preferably represents methylsulphonyl, chlorine, methoxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl or methyl.
R5 very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, bromine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, cyclopropyl, difluoroethyl, methylthio, ethylthio, methoxy, ethoxy, n- or i-propoxy, trifluoroethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino.
R6 very particularly preferably represents hydrogen, amino, methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, dimethylamino methoxy or ethoxy.
R1 most preferably represents cyclopropyl.
R2 most preferably represents hydrogen or cyano.
R3 most preferably represents hydrogen, nitro, cyano, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy.
R5 most preferably represents bromine, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, methylthio, ethoxy, methylsulfonyl or dimethylamino.
R6 most preferably represents amino, methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, dimethylamino, methoxy or ethoxy.
Preference according to the invention is given to the compounds of the formula (I) which contain a combination of the meanings given above as being preferred.
Particular preference according to the invention is given to the compounds of the formula (I) which contain a combination of the meanings given above as being particularly preferred.
Very particular preference according to the invention is given to the compounds of the formula (I) which contain a combination of the meanings given above as being very particularly preferred.
Most preference according to the invention is given to the compounds of the formula (I) which contain a combination of the meanings given above as being most preferred.
Part of the subject-matter of the present invention are in particular the compounds of the formulae (IA), (IB) and (IC):
in which
Z represents the groupings below
and n, A, Q, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each as defined above.
The abovementioned general or preferred radical definitions apply both to the end products of the formula (I) and, correspondingly, to the starting materials or intermediates required in each case for the preparation. These radical definitions can be combined with one another as desired, i.e. including combinations between the given preferred ranges.
Examples of the compounds of the general formula (I) according to the invention are listed in the groups below.

R3, (R4)n, R5 and R6 have example, the meaning given in the table below:

R3, (R4)n, R5 and R6 have, for example, the meanings given in the table below:

R3, (R4)n, R5 and R6 have, for example, the meanings given above in Group 1.

R3, (R4)n, R5 and R6 have, for example, the meanings given above in Group 2.
The novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the general formula (I) have strong and selective herbicidal activity.
The novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the general formula (I) are obtained when:
(a) ketones of the general formula (II)
xe2x80x83in which
R1 and R2 are each as defined above,
are reacted with substituted benzoic acids of the general formula (III)
xe2x80x83in which
n, A, R3, R4 and Z are each as defined above,
if appropriate in the presence of one or more reaction auxiliaries and if appropriate in the presence of one or more diluents,
or when
(b) benzoylisoxazoles of the general formula (IV)
xe2x80x83in which
n, A, R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are each as defined above,
are isomerized in the presence of one or more reaction auxiliaries and if appropriate in the presence of one or more diluents,
and electrophilic or nucleophilic substitutions and/or oxidations or reductions within the scope of the definition of the substituents are, if appropriate, subsequently, i.e. after the processes (a) or (b) according to the invention have been carried out, carried out in a customary manner on the resulting compounds of the formula (I), or the compounds of the formula (I) are converted in a customary manner into salts.
The compounds of the formula (I) can be converted by customary methods into other compounds of the formula (I) according to the definition above, for example by nucleophilic substitution (for example R5: Clxe2x86x92OC2H5, SCH3) or by oxidation (for example R5: CH2SCH3xe2x86x92CH2S(O)CH3).
In principle, the compounds of the general formula (I) can also be synthesized as outlined below:
Reaction of ketones of the general formula (II)xe2x80x94abovexe2x80x94with reactive derivatives of the substituted benzoic acids of the general formula (I)xe2x80x94abovexe2x80x94, in particular with appropriate carbonyl chlorides, carboxylic anhydrides, carboxylic acid cyanides, methyl carboxylates or ethyl carboxylatesxe2x80x94if appropriate in the presence of reaction auxiliaries, such as, for example, triethylamine (and, if appropriate, additionally zinc chloride), and if appropriate in the presence of a diluent, such as, for example, methylene chloride:
Using, for example, ethyl methylsulfonylmethyl ketone and 2-(3-carboxy-5-fluorobenzyl)-5-ethyl-4-methoxy-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one as starting materials, the course of the reaction in the process (a) according to the invention can be illustrated by the following formula scheme:
Using, for example, (5-cyclopropyl-isoxazol-4-yl)-[2-(4-methyl-3-methylthio-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-methanone as starting material, the course of the reaction in the process (b) according to the invention can be illustrated by the following formula scheme:
The formula (II) provides a general definition of the ketones to be used as starting materials in the process (a) according to the invention for preparing compounds of the general formula (I). In the general formula (II), R1 and R2 each preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned above, in connection with the description of the compounds of the general formula (I) according to the invention, as being preferred, particularly preferred, very particularly preferred or most preferred for R1 and R2.
The starting materials of the general formula (II) are known and/or can be prepared by processes known per se (cf. the Preparation Examples).
The formula (III) provides a general definition of the substituted benzoic acids further to be used as starting materials in the process (a) according to the invention for preparing compounds of the formula (I). In the formula (III), n, A, R3, R4 and Z each preferably have those meanings which have already been mentioned above, in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention, as being preferred, particularly preferred, very particularly preferred or most preferred for n, A, R3, R4 and Z.
The starting materials of the general formula (m), except for 2-(5-carboxy-2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-onexe2x80x94alias 2,4-dichloro-5-(4-difluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid (CAS-Reg.-No. 90208-77-8)xe2x80x94and 2-(5-carboxy-2,4-dichlorophenyl)4,5-dimethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one xe2x80x94alias 2,4-dichloro-5-(4,5-dihydro-3,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid (CAS-Reg.-No. 90208-76-7)xe2x80x94have hitherto not been disclosed in the literature. Except for 2-(5-carboxy-2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one and 2-(5-carboxy-2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4,5-dimethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (cf. JP-A-58225070xe2x80x94cited in Chem. Abstracts 100:209881, JP-A-02015069xe2x80x94cited in Chem. Abstracts 113:23929) they are, however, part of the subject-matter of an earlier but not prior-published application (cf. DE-A-19833360).
The substituted benzoic acids of the general formula (E) are obtained when benzoic acid derivatives of the general formula (V)
in which
n, A, R3 and R4 and Z are each as defined above and
X1 represents cyano, carbamoyl or alkoxycarbonyl,
are reacted with water, if appropriate in the presence of a hydrolysis auxiliary, such as, for example, sulfuric acid, at temperatures between 50xc2x0 C. and 120xc2x0 C. (cf. the Preparation Examples).
The benzoic acid derivatives of the general formula (V) required as precursors are known and/or can be prepared by processes known per se (cf. DE-A-3839480, DE-A-4239296, EP-A-597360, EP-A-609734, DE-A-4303676, EP-A-617026, DE-A-4405614, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,681).
The novel substituted benzoic acids of the general formula (III) are also obtained when halogeno(alkyl)benzoic acids of the general formula (VI)
in which
n, A, R3 and R4 are each as defined above and
X represents halogen (in particular chlorine or bromine)
are reacted with compounds of the general formula (VII),
in which
Z is as defined above,
if appropriate in the presence of a reaction auxiliary, such as, for example, triethylamine or potassium carbonate, and if appropriate in the presence of a diluent, such as, for example, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethyl-formamide or N,N-dimethyl-acetamide, at temperatures between 50xc2x0 C. and 200xc2x0 C. (cf. the Preparation Examples).
In place of the halogeno(alkyl)benzoic acids of the general formula (VI) it is also possible to react the corresponding nitrites, amides and estersxe2x80x94in particular the methyl esters or the ethyl estersxe2x80x94analogously to the method described above with compounds of the general formula (VII). By subsequent hydrolysis according to customary methods, for example by reaction with aqueous/ethanol potassium hydroxide solution, it is then possible to obtain the corresponding substituted benzoic acids.
The halogeno(alkyl)benzoic acids of the formula (VI)xe2x80x94or the corresponding nitriles or estersxe2x80x94required as precursors are known and/or can be prepared by processes known per se (cf. EP-A-90369, EP-A-93488, EP-A-399732, EP-A-480641, EP-A-609798, EP-A-763524, DE-A-2126720, WO-A-93/03722, WO-A-97/38977, U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,127, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,333).
The compounds of the general formula (VII) further required as precursors are known and/or can be prepared by processes known per se.
The process (a) according to the invention for preparing the novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the general formula (I) is, if appropriate, carried out using one or more reaction auxiliaries.
Examples of these which may be mentioned are sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, acetone cyanohydrin, imidazole, triazole, diethyl cyanophosphonate, 2-cyano-2-(trimethylsilyloxy)-propane and trimethylsilyl cyanide.
Particularly suitable reaction auxiliaries which may be mentioned are diethyl cyanophosphonate and trimethylsilyl cyanide.
The processes (a) and (b) according to the invention for preparing the novel substituted benzoyl ketones of the general formula (I) are, if appropriate, carried out using a (further) reaction auxiliary. Suitable (further) reaction auxiliaries for the processes according to the invention are, in general, basic organic nitrogen compounds, such as, for example, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, ethyl-diisopropylamine, N,N-dimethyl-cyclohexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, ethyl-dicyclohexylamine, N,N-dimethyl-aniline, N,N-dimethyl-benzylamine, pyridine, 2-methyl-, 3-methyl-, 4-methyl-, 2,4-dimethyl-, 2,6-dimethyl-, 3,4-dimethyl- and 3,5-dimethyl-pyridine, 5-ethyl-2-methyl-pyridine, 4-dimethylamino-pyridine, N-methyl-piperidine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane (DABCO), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]-non-5-ene (DBN) or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene (DBU).
Suitable diluents for carrying out the processes (a) and (b) according to the invention are especially inert organic solvents. These include, in particular, aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic, optionally halogenated hydrocarbons, such as, for example, benzine, benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or 1,2-dichloroethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether or ethylene glycol diethyl ether; ketones, such as acetone, butanone or methyl isobutyl ketone; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile or butyronitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-formanilide, N-methyl-pyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate; sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide.
When carrying out the processes (a) and (b) according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can be varied within a relatively wide range. In general, the reactions are carried out at temperatures between 0xc2x0 C. and 150xc2x0 C., preferably between 10xc2x0 C. and 120xc2x0 C.
The processes (a) and (b) according to the invention are generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to carry out the processes according to the invention under elevated or reduced pressurexe2x80x94in general between 0.1 bar and 10 bar.
For carrying out the processes (a) and (b) according to the invention, the starting materials are generally employed in approximately equimolar amounts. However, it is also possible to employ a relatively large excess of one of the components. The reaction is generally carried out in a suitable diluent in the presence of a dehydrating agent, and the reaction mixture is generally stirred at the required temperature for several hours. Work-up is carried out by customary methods (cf. the Preparation Examples).
The active compounds according to the invention can be used as defoliants, desiccants, haulm killers and, especially, as weed killers. By weeds in the broadest sense there are to be understood all plants which grow in locations where they are undesired. Whether the substances according to the invention act as total or selective herbicides depends essentially on the amount used.
The active compounds according to the invention can be used, for example, in connection with the following plants:
Dicotyledonous weeds of the genera: Sinapis, Lepidium, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, Abutilon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifolium, Ranunculus, Taraxacum.
Dicotyledonous crops of the genera: Gossypium, Glycine, Beta, Daucus, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanum, Linum, Ipomoea, Vicia, Nicotiana, Lycopersicon, Arachis, Brassica, Lactuca, Cucumis, Cucurbita.
Monocotyledonous weeds of the genera: Echinochloa, Setaria, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleum, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Lolium, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Cynodon, Monochoria, Fimbristylis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Aegilops, Phalaris.
Monocotyledonous crops of the genera: Oryza, Zea, Triticum, Hordeum, Avena, Secale, Sorghum, Panicum, Saccharum, Ananas, Asparagus, Allium.
However, the use of the active compounds according to the invention is in no way restricted to these genera, but also extends in the same manner to other plants.
Depending on the concentration, the active compounds according to the invention are suitable for total weed control, for example on industrial terrain and rail tracks and on paths and areas with or without tree growth. Equally, the active compounds according to the invention can be employed for controlling weeds in perennial crops, for example forests, ornamental tree plantings, orchards, vineyards, citrus groves, nut orchards, banana plantations, coffee plantations, tea plantations, rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, cocoa plantations, soft fruit plantings and hop fields, on lawns and turf and pastures and for selective weed control in annual crops.
The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention have strong herbicidal activity and a broad activity spectrum when used on the soil and on above-ground parts of plants. To a certain extent, they are also suitable for selective control of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops, both by the pre-emergence and by the post-emergence method.
The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusts, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspo-emulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic substances impregnated with active compound, and microencapsulations in polymeric substances.
These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is to say liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surfactants, that is to say emulsifiers and/or dispersants and/or foam formers.
If the extender used is water, it is also possible to use, for example, organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Liquid solvents which are mainly suitable are: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol, and also their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and water.
Suitable solid carriers are: for example ammonium salts and ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as finely divided silica, alumina and silicates; suitable solid carriers for granules are: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite and synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks; suitable emulsifiers and/or foam formers are: for example nonionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates and protein hydrolysates; suitable dispersants are: for example lignosulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.
Tackifiers, such as carboxymethylcellulose, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, and also natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations. Other possible additives are mineral and vegetable oils.
It is possible to use dyestuffs, such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussian blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.
The formulations generally comprise between 0.1 and 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.
For controlling weeds, the active compounds according to the invention, as such or in the form of their formulations, can also be used as mixtures with known herbicides, finished formulations or tank mixes being possible.
Possible components for the mixtures are known herbicides, for example acetochlor, acifluorfen(-sodium), aclonifen, alachlor, alloxydim(-sodium), ametryne, amicarbazone, amidochlor, amidosulfuron, anilofos, asulam, atrazine, azafenidin, azimsulfuron, benazolin(-ethyl), benfuresate, bensulfuron(-methyl), bentazon, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, benzoylprop(-ethyl), bialaphos, bifenox, bispyribac(-sodium), bromobutide, bromofenoxim, bromoxynil, butachlor, butroxydim, butylate, cafenstrole, caloxydim, carbetamide, carfentrazone(-ethyl), chlomethoxyfen, chloramben, chloridazon, chlorimuron(-ethyl), chlornitrofen, chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, cinidon(-ethyl), cinmethylin, cinosulfuron, clethodim, clodinafop(-propargyl), clomazone, clomeprop, clopyralid, clopyrasulfuron(-methyl), cloransulam(-methyl), cumyluron, cyanazine, cybutryne, cycloate, cyclosulfamuron, cycloxydim, cyhalofop(-butyl), 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DP, desmedipham, diallate, dicamba, diclofop(-methyl), diclosulam, diethatyl(-ethyl), difenzoquat, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dimefuron, dimepiperate, dimethachlor, dimethametryn, dimethenamid, dimexyflam, dinitramine, diphenamid, diquat, dithiopyr, diuron, dymron, epoprodan, EPTC, esprocarb, ethalfluralin, ethametsulfuron(-methyl), ethofumesate, ethoxyfen, ethoxysulfuron, etobenzanid, fenoxaprop(-P-ethyl), flamprop(-isopropyl), flamprop(-isopropyl-L), flamprop(-methyl), flazasulfuron, fluazifop(-P-butyl), fluazolate, flucarbazone, flufenacet, flumetsulam, flumiclorac(-pentyl), flumioxazin, flumipropyn, flumetsulam, fluometuron, fluorochloridone, fluoroglycofen(-ethyl), flupoxam, flupropacil, flurpyrsulfuron(-methyl, -sodium), flurenol(-butyl), fluridone, fluroxypyr(-meptyl), flurprimidol, flurtamone, fluthiacet(-methyl), fluthiamide, fomesafen, glufosinate(-ammonium), glyphosate(-isopropylammonium), halosafen, haloxyfop(-ethoxyethyl), haloxyfop(-p-methyl), hexazinone, imazamethabenz(-methyl), imazamethapyr, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, ioxynil, isopropalin, isoproturon, isouron, isoxaben, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole, isoxapyrifop, lactofen, lenacil, linuron, MCPA, MCPP, mefenacet, mesotrione, metamitron, metazachlor, methabenzthiazuron, metobenzuron, metobromuron, (alpha-)metolachlor, metosulam, metoxuron, metribuzin, metsulfuron(-methyl), molinate, monolinuron, naproanilide, napropamide, neburon, nicosulfuron, norflurazon, orbencarb, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxasulfuron, oxaziclomefone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pelargonic acid, pendimethalin, pentoxazone, phenmedipham, picolinafen, piperophos, pretilachlor, primisulfuron(-methyl), prometryn, propachlor, propanil, propaquizafop, propisochlor, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, prosulfuron, pyraflufen(-ethyl), pyrazolate, pyrazosulfuron(-ethyl), pyrazoxyfen, pyribenzoxim, pyributicarb, pyridate, pyriminobac(-methyl), pyrithiobac(-sodium), quinchlorac, quinmerac, quinoclamine, quizalofop(-P-ethyl), quizalofop(-P-tefuryl), rimsulfuron, sethoxydim, simazine, simetryn, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron(-methyl), sulfosate, sulfosulfuron, tebutam, tebuthiuron, tepraloxydim, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, thenylchlor, thiafluamide, thiazopyr, thidiazimin, thifensulfuron(-methyl), thiobencarb, tiocarbazil, tralkoxydim, triallate, triasulfuron, tribenuron(-methyl), triclopyr, tridiphane, trifluralin, triflusulfuron, tritosulfuron.
A mixture with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, bird repellents, plant nutrients and agents which improve soil structure, is also possible.
The active compounds can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or in the use forms prepared therefrom by further dilution, such as ready-to-use solutions, suspensions, emulsions, powders, pastes and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing, scattering.
The active compounds according to the invention can be applied both before and after emergence of the plants. They can also be incorporated into the soil before sowing.
The amount of active compound used can vary within a relatively wide range. It depends essentially on the nature of the desired effect. In general, the amounts used are between 1 g and 10 kg of active compound per hectare of soil surface, preferably between 5 g and 5 kg per ha.

Substituted benzoyl ketones, methods for producing them and their use as herbicides

Abstract: in which

Abstract: n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3,

Abstract: R4 represents nitro, cyano, carboxyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, halogen, or represents in each case optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkyiamino or dialkylaminosulphonyl, and

Abstract: Z represents an optionally substituted 4- to 12-membered, saturated or unsaturated, monocyclic or bicyclic, heterocyclic grouping which, contains 1 to 4 hetero atoms (up to 4 nitrogen atoms and optionallyxe2x80x94alternatively or additionallyxe2x80x94one oxygen atom or one sulphur atom, or one SO grouping or one SO2 grouping) and which additionally contains one to three oxo g of the heterocycle roups (Cxe2x95x90O) and/or thioxo groups (Cxe2x95x90S) as components, of the heterocycle, and to processes for their preparation and to their use as herbicides.


An exemplary embodiment of wire wrap welding system generally includes a headstock; a bed; a bed mounted tailstock linearly moveable in relation to the headstock; a linear induction drive system adapted to move the tailstock; a linear encoder system having a series of position encoders disposed on the bed; a servomotor adapted to rotate a headstock mounted spindle; a welding system positioned on the headstock, a servomotor positioned on the tailstock and adapted to rotate a tailstock mounted spindle; and a control system. An exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling slot openings between wire segments in a wire wrap welding process generally includes controlling movement of a bed mounted tailstock in relation to the rate of rotation of a headstock mounted spindle, utilizing a linear induction drive system, a linear encoder system, and a control system.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to manufacture of wire screens for oil, gas, and water well pipe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for manufacturing wire screens for pipes.
Description of the Related Art
Hydrocarbons are produced by drilling into subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Unconsolidated formation walls can result in sand, rock, or silt accumulating in a wellbore, which can ultimately cause various problems in the drilling operation. Sand control has become increasingly important in the industry.
Well screens (also called filters) used in sand control applications can be of various types, including wire mesh and continuous slot, wire wrapped. Continuous slot, wire wrapped screens are composed of wire helically wrapped around multiple support ribs to form a cylindrical screen with a continuous helical slot there between. It is important that slot size (i.e., width between adjacent segments of the wrapped wire) is maintained within determined tolerances throughout the length of the screen.
Wire wrapped screens are typically manufactured using wire wrapping machines that simultaneously wrap the wire around, and weld the wire to, multiple support ribs, to form a hollow, cylindrical well screen of a desired length. A headstock spindle rotates the ribs causing wire to be wrapped around the set of ribs. Typically, a precision lead screw progresses the work piece laterally by driving the tailstock laterally away from the headstock. Rate of rotation of the headstock spindle in relation to advancement of the lead screw along the linear axis determines the dimensions of slot openings between adjacent wire segments.
Commercially utilized wire wrap screen machines incorporate computer based controls using servomotors for headstock spindle rotation. Typically, a servomotor with a precision ball screw controls linear movement of the driven tailstock. Alternative commercially utilized machines incorporate a helical gear rack for linear drive of the tailstock.
Some of the factors affecting the ability to maintain required slot spacing and tolerance are the relatively long sections of wire wrap screen necessary, and component wear over time. Wire wrap pipe screen sections may be greater than forty feet in length.
Linear induction drive technology has been previously described. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,414 issued to Laithwaite, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,978 issued to Gardella, Jr., et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Linear encoder technology has been previously described. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,896 issued to Bowden, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,518 issued to Cloup, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent herewith.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a wire wrap screen system having a linear induction drive system and a linear encoder system to controllably drive the tailstock, and a method for operating the wire wrap system.

Wire screen manufacturing system and method


A compound semiconductor memory device having a redundancy configuration is disclosed. A fuse element to reject and replace a defective word line series is formed between a load transistor and a power voltage line in the primary decoder, and the word line is connected to the decoder without fuse element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compound semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a compound semiconductor memory device of static random access memory (hereinafter called as SRAM) type having a redundant memory cell section and a redundant decoder.
2. Description of Related Art
Heretofore, in a SRAM device of silicon series, a redundant memory cell section and a redundant decoder of a type in which selected fuses are blown by laser beam have been provided to replace defective memory cells to good ones in the redundant memory cell section thereby enhancing the yield ratio of the device. However, in a conventional compound semiconductor memory device such as of gallium arsenide (GaAs) series, a redundancy configuration is not provided because one suitable for the compound semiconductor memory device has not been developed. Therefore, when one or two defective memory cells are produced in the compound semiconductor memory device of, for example, 4K bits SRAM, the device must be rejected, and therefore, the yield ratio cannot be enhanced.

Compound semiconductor memory device having redundant circuit configuration