The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing disease or disorders caused by or associated with certain bacterial infection, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. One exemplary compound of the present invention has the following formula I:

The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases or disorders caused by or associated with certain bacterial infection, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
Ever since antibiotics became commercially available in the 1940s, they were regarded as magic bullets in eliminating bacteria without doing many harms to the patients. However, with each passing decade, an increasing number of antibiotics are no longer effective against a rising number of antibiotic resistant strains. Infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia are becoming untreatable as they were before the discovery of antibiotics. We are now confronted with a serious worldwide public health crisis (Neu, Science, 257:1064-1073, (1992))
Since the discovery of penicillin in 1929, we now have over 150 antibiotics. They belong to several classes of antibiotics and have different mechanism of actions (Lyon and Skurray, Microbiol. Rev., 51:88-134, (1987)). In general, these compounds are made by living organisms that inhibit growth and proliferation of bacteria. For example, vancomycin and xcex2-lactam can block cell wall synthesis (Chopra et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 41:497-503, (1997); and Nicolaou et al., Scientific American, 48-52 May (2001)). Erythromycin and tetracycline can disrupt protein synthesis. Sulfonamide interferes with folic acid metabolism, rifampin can block RNA synthesis, and quinolone inhibits DNA replication.
To combat the bacterial resistance, new approaches of treating bacteria infections are under research and development. These new approaches involve giving new life to existing antibiotics such as molecular alteration. Recently, a new class of antibiotics xe2x80x9cself-assembling peptide nanotubesxe2x80x9d generated interests (Associated Press New, Jul. 25, 2001). This compound uses rings of microscopic amino acids that form tubes to push through the surface of bacterium. There are also many new developments in the genomic areas. They entail interfering with bacterial RNA (rRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). A new technique called in vivo expression technology (IVET) that can tag bacteria genes is also under research. In addition, a promising approach is the antisense therapy for treating bacterial infections (Jasny et al., Science, 286:443-491, (1999)).
A class of antibacterial which seems to target a specific protease involved in DNA synthesis has been identified (Kato et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 16:120-124 (1998); Irisawa et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 16:621-626 (1993); Irisawa et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 16:1211-1215 (1993); Kato et al., J. Enzyme Inhibition, 8:25-37 (1994); Kato et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 210:1007-1014 (1992); and (Kato et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 16:552-557 (1993)). This class of compounds, which acts as competitive trypsin inhibitors in vitro, is made up of various aromatic esters of trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (GMCHA) (See the following formula I):
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gram-negative spiral bacterium, was first isolated from a patient with chronic gastritis by Warren and Marshall in 1983 (Warren et al., Lancet, 1:1273-1275 (1983)). A lot of evidence has showed close relationship between gastroduodenal disease and H. pylori. Thus, it is assumed that H. pylori is an important bacterial pathogen which induces chronic gastritis and is associated with gastroduodenal ulcer, adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach, and gastric lymphoma in humans. Recently, the World Health Organization classified H. pylori as a group 1 carcinogen responsible for its leading role in the development of gastric cancer (International Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organization, Lyon, France, Monograph on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk to humans. 61:177-240,1994).
In 1994, National Institute of Health (NIH) recommended a regimen with simultaneous administration of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and antibacterial agent to eradicate H. pylori (Helicobacter Pylori in peptic ulcer disease: NIH consensus development panel on Helicobacter Pylori in peptic ulcer disease. (JAMA, 272:65-69 (1994)). Since then, oral administration of metronidazole, PPI, and clarithromycin and amoxicillin is put to practice, being able to cure the infection in up to 80-90% of the cases. However, the application of antibacterial agents causes a serious problem which induces the resistant strain of H. pylori to the reagent. Actually, the resistant strains to methonidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin have already been reported (Zwet et al., Lancet, 352:1595 (1998)). Other severe problems caused by the administration of PPI and antibacterial agent are that PPI induces indigestion and large amounts of antibacterial agent result severe in destruction of the bacterial flora in digestive tract.
Therefore, it is very important to find out a new type of active anti-bacteria compound. The present invention addresses this and other related needs in the art.
The present invention adds to the repertoire of anti-bacteria agents by providing drugs which would inhibit DNA replication initiation in certain bacteria. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the following formula II:
wherein n is an integer from 0-1, and R is elected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 aryl and
Preferably, the compound has the following formula III (NE-2001):
Also preferably, the compound, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is provided in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Kits comprising the above compounds for treating or preventing a disease or disorder caused by or associated with bacterial infection, e.g., E. coli or H. pylori infection, are also provided.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for treating or preventing a disease or disorder caused by or associated with bacterial infection, which method comprises administering, to a subject to which such treatment or prevention is needed or desirable, an effective amount of an agent that selectively inhibits bacterial DNA replication initiation, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby said disease or disorder is treated or prevented. Preferably, the disease or disorder is caused by or associated with E. coli or H. pylori infection. Also preferably, the disease or disorder caused by or associated with the bacterial, especially, E. coli or H. pylori infection, is treated or prevented by administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the following formula II:
wherein n is an integer from 0-1, and R is elected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 aryl and
Preferably, the compound to be administered has the following formula III (NE-2001):
In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a combination, which combination comprises an agent that selectively inhibits bacterial DNA replication initiation in E. coli or H. pylori, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an anti-H. pylori or anti-E. coli agent. Preferably, the combination comprises a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the following formula II:
wherein n is an integer from 0-1, and R is elected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C10 alkyl, C1-10 aryl and
and an anti-H. pylori agent. More preferably, the compound to be included in the combination has the following formula III (NE-2001):
Kits comprising the above combinations are also provided. Methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder caused by or associated with bacterial infection, e.g., E. coli or H. pylori infection, using the above combinations and kits are further provided.

Methods and compositions for treating or preventing bacterial infection

Abstract: wherein n is 0 or 1, and R is selected from the group consisting of C1-10 alkyl, C6-10 aryl and

Abstract: and wherein when n is 0, R is not C6-10 aryl.


An adjustable height automotive seat (10) is provided, including a backrest portion (12) and a seat portion (14), the seat portion (14) capable of being vertically displaced in relation to the backrest portion (12) and thereby accommodating shorter passengers.

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable height automotive seat and more particularly to an adjustable height automotive seat with improved characteristics for accommodating variably-sized occupants.
Automotive designers have discovered that the xe2x80x9cone size fits allxe2x80x9d mentality of traditional automotive design is no longer acceptable to many consumers. Design considerations, once dictated by a fictitious average-sized male, now must be flexible to accommodate a wider variety of body shapes and sizes. Although safety issues such as airbags, and other restraints, may have helped bring the issue of varied occupant size to the forefront, occupant comfort and convenience have helped drive improvements as well.
One aspect of automotive design that is ripe for improvement is an automotive seat design to accommodate varying occupant size. Automotive seats are often designed to accommodate an average-sized male occupant. In reality, however, the occupants using such a seat may be non-average males, women, and children. Often, such alternate occupants do not approach the height and size of an average male. When such an alternate occupant is seated in an automotive seat designed for an average adult male, several disadvantages may be realized.
One known disadvantage occurs primarily in automotive seats positioned within the rear of the vehicle. Often, occupants of smaller stature, when positioned in these seats, do not have clear lines of sight out of the vehicle""s windows or to other vehicle passengers. This can serve to isolate these smaller statured occupants, reduce their enjoyment, and may even reduce family and communal experiences by hampering communication. Rather than placating children with personal entertainment devices such as video games, it would be more desirable to allow them to participate in the world passing by just outside the vehicle and to encourage their communication with other vehicle occupants.
In addition to the disadvantages stemming from reduced line of sight, smaller statured occupants can also be disadvantaged with regards to safety and comfort. Typical automotive seat design often does not allow such occupants proper leg and foot support. Often a smaller occupant cannot bend his or her legs and rest their feet on the floor. This can lead to discomfort during trips within the automobile. Of even more importance, current automotive seat design and corresponding safety belt design can result in submarining of smaller occupants during collisions. This can potentially result in a greater risk for physical injury during collision which is highly undesirable.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have an automotive seat with improved characteristics for accommodating alternate sized occupants. It would be highly desirable for such a seat to improve the travel experience of smaller statured occupants, increase their comfort, and improve their safety.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable height automotive seat that improves the travel experience of smaller occupants within the automobile. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable height automotive seat with improved comfort and safety features for smaller occupants.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, an adjustable height automotive seat is provided. The adjustable height automotive seat includes a backrest portion and a seat portion. The seat portion is vertically adjustable in relation to the backrest portion such that smaller occupants may sit at eye level with larger occupants within the vehicle.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims.


A chip-size wavelength detector includes a film with laterally varying transmission properties and a position-sensitive detector. The film transmits a different wavelength as a function of lateral position across the film. The position of a spot of light transmitted through the film will shift, depending on the wavelength of the light. The shift is measured by the position-sensitive detector.

1. Field of Invention
This invention is directed to techniques that use position-sensitive detectors, such as in measuring wavelength of light, in measuring wavelength shift of light, or in producing a chip-size wavelength detector.
2. Description of Related Art
Spectrometers and wavelength shift detectors are widely used in scientific, academic and industrial applications to measure the various wavelengths of multi-colored light. Known spectrometers use a wavelength dispersive means, such as a prism or grating, to separate components of the multi-colored light according to the wavelengths of the components. The intensity of the wavelength components is then measured by a photodetector.
Wavelength shift detectors may also use wavelength dispersive means. However, instead of measuring intensity as a function of wavelength, they generally measure a shift in wavelength of a single frequency source away from a nominal value. Often spectrometers are used to measure the wavelength shift, however the wavelength resolution is typically poor, on the order 10−2 nm. For applications where high wavelength resolution is needed, a Mach-Zehnder type wavelength meter is sometimes used.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary view of a known embodiment of a spectrometer apparatus disposed to measure the intensity of light 11 produced by a source 10. Source 10 outputs a beam of multi-colored light which is imaged by an imaging lens 20 onto entrance slits 30 of a spectrometer 40. The slits 30 are used to define the input trajectory of the light upon the optical elements of the spectrometer 40. The intensity of the light is measured by a photosensitive detector 50, for example, at an exit aperture of the spectrometer 40.
FIG. 2 shows the internal and external components of the spectrometer apparatus of FIG. 1 in further detail. The slits 30 admit the beam of light 11 containing at least two wavelength components, λ1 and λ2. For clarity, only the central ray of the beam of light 11 and no optical components within the spectrometer are shown in FIG. 2. The beam of light 11 is incident upon a wavelength dispersive means 35, shown in FIG. 2 as a grating, which reflects the light with a different phase angle, according to the portion of the grating that reflects the light. The light having a wavelength and phase angle such that the wavefronts constructively interfere at the detector, are measured by the detector 50 as having a given intensity. Therefore, the detector 50 may record the intensity as a function of wavelength, thereby producing the spectrum of the source 10.
According to FIG. 2, the photosensitive detector 50 may have a plurality of discrete photosensitive elements, such as a detector array or charge-coupled device (CCD) array. Each photosensitive element may be independently accessible by a data collection apparatus, such as a computer.
While FIG. 2 shows the wavelength dispersive means as being a reflective grating, one skilled in the art will understand that other wavelength dispersive means may also be used in the spectrometer to separate the components of light according to wavelength. For example, a prism will refract the various components at a different angle depending on the wavelengths of the components. However, regardless of the means used to disperse the wavelength components of the multi-colored light, it will be appreciated that all spectrometers must have some significant distance between the wavelength dispersive means 35 and the optical detector 50, in order to give the components a measurable separation.
Another device which can separate wavelength components from a multi-colored light is a Fabry-Perot etalon. An exemplary Fabry-Perot etalon is shown in FIG. 3. The Fabry-Perot etalon 70 is composed of two reflective films 72 and 76, which are applied to the front and rear surfaces of a transmissive cavity 74. Light incident on the Fabry-Perot etalon 70 will be transmitted if its wavelength is such that an integer number of half-wavelengths can be fit inside the thickness d of the transmissive cavity 74. In this case, light having this wavelength will be transmitted, whereas light of other wavelengths will be reflected. The reflectivity spectrum of the Fabry-Perot etalon 70 is shown in FIG. 4. A dip 78 in the reflectivity spectrum occurs at the transmission wavelength of the Fabry-Perot etalon 70. Fabry-Perot etalons are not, in general, used in spectrometers or wavelength shift detectors, because they are not tunable, and thus cannot produce a spectrum, or measure different wavelengths.
The requirement for a distance between the wavelength dispersive means 35 and the optical detector 50 requires a spectrometer to be a relatively large, bulky device. The distance then also requires the spectrometer to undergo frequent alignment and calibration to adjust the angle of the grating or prism relative to the slits and detector, in order to optimize performance. Furthermore, the distance between the optical elements and the detector in a conventional spectrometer makes the spectrometer sensitive to vibrations, so that it must be used in a stable, well-controlled environment.
One approach to making a spectrometer which does not need to be aligned, and is compact and robust, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,755 to Gat. Gat describes a spectrum resolving sensor containing an opto-electronic monolithic array of photosensitive elements, and a linearly variable optical filter that is permanently aligned with the array. The linear variable filter is a substrate covered with variable thickness coatings formed into a wedge shape.

Using position-sensitive detectors for wavelength determination


A two-piece belt-attached fishing rod holder comprising a flap upper portion to serve as a belt-attaching means and receptacle through which to thread the lower rod support flap. The areas of the upper portion and lower rod support flap that intersect on the rear side of the upper portion contain Velcro or any hook and barb fastener strips which are used as a means to secure the two pieces together while affording the full range of adjustability contained within.

a) Field of Invention
This invention relates to fishing equipment and accessories, but more specifically deals with fishing rod holders.
b) Description of Prior Art
In the process of researching prior patents regarding similar subject matter, it was discovered that any currently patented fishing rod holder was very inflexible to the needs of the user. Any of the other belt-attached holders which were discovered were designed to be used in a rather passive fashion instead of while actively fighting a fish or retrieving a lure. The use of this holder will also prevent any unnecessary wear on the waders or other clothing worn by the fisherman which might be caused by the butt end of the fishing rod during its normal use. Any other prior art was also found to be very inflexible in fit for the user. One size was designed to fit all but the adjustability of this belt-attached rod holder makes it comfortable and easy to use for all.

Adjustable belt-attached fishing rod holder


A control data transmission method and a network device are provided. The method comprises: a first core network device sending first delay information to a first access network device (S11), wherein the first delay information represents delay in transmitting data on a first path, and the first path is a user plane data path between a second core network device and the first access network device.

Quality of service (QoS) parameters include a packet delay budget (PDB), which represents a transmission delay between a user plane function (UPF) and a user equipment (UE). For air interface scheduling, when a base station receives the QoS parameters, the base station subtracts a default value representing a core network transmission delay (the core network transmission delay is a transmission delay between the UPF and the base station) from a PDB value in the QoS parameters, and uses a time obtained through the subtraction as an air interface transmission delay. However, the default value representing the core network transmission delay usually cannot represent an actual transmission delay. For example, a transmission path is sometimes congested while sometimes idle, or distances between the base station and different UPFs are different. Therefore, an accurate air interface transmission delay cannot be obtained in this manner.

Control data transmission method and network device and storage medium

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


There is disclosed a still image storage and retrieval apparatus that is capable of storing and retrieving a large number of images from a magnetic disk storage medium. The apparatus uses a color under recording format, and the disk speed is synchronized to the video sync signal. The recording and playback signals are time base compensated to offset the effects of jitter in the disk speed by using reference frequencies from the disk drive to down-convert and up-convert the color signal. In another embodiment a reference signal from the disk is used to modulate the color signals. In another embodiment a digital "walk along" memory stores time base error information during recording for time base error correction during playback. A one image memory is also provided to allow for transition between images during playback.

This invention relates generally to an image storage and retrieval apparatus and more particularly relates to an apparatus for storing more than 2000 still color video images on a storage medium, such as a magnetic disk, and retrieving the images for display and processing.
Current digital recording with its attendant cost has prevented high density storage of still color video images and high speed random access with erasability. The problem with storage of color images in digital form is the tremendous amount of storage capacity required, typically 500+ kilobytes of storage per image. Optical discs, while providing high density storage, are not erasable at reasonable costs.
In video recording, the luminance and color components of a video signal are either recorded together on a single magnetic track or are recorded separately on two or more tracks. Predictably, there are advantages and drawbacks to each approach. Single track recording requires less recording media space and thereby increases the number of images that can be placed on a given magnetic media. Recording the video signal components on two or more tracks usually improves the image quality, but severely complicates the apparatus and reduces the storage capacity of a given media by one half or more.
Early video disk recorders for replays were pioneered by Ampex and others in the 1960's and used both rigid and floppy disk magnetic media for storage of images. These systems typically used a narrow band FM recording of the modulated analog signal and stored a single video frame with each rotation of the disk. Although providing the user with some excellent advantages, such as a high image storage density and quick access times, these units were sufficiently expensive to limit their use to high priced systems in broadcasting and medical imaging. Further, these early units were limited by the irregularities in and on the surface of the recording media. This led researchers at that time to discover that frequency modulation, versus amplitude modulation, was a more effective way to encode the video signal. These systems also required a high head-to-media relative velocity of 1,000 to 2,000 inches per second, due to head gap lengths, short video wave lengths required, and high signal-to-noise requirements. In the floppy disk versions of these systems where the heads were in constant contact with the media, the useful life was limited, usually less than 1,000 hours. In the rigid disk versions, useful life might approach 2,500 hours--prolonged by the air space between the heads and media, but limited due to manufacturing imperfections, wear from occasional head-to-media contact, and other factors.
Image storage technology today is characterized by the movement from film and slides to videotape and video disk to digitized images in digital mass storage. This recent technology has taken two directions: the first is a trend toward digital video disk or CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory); the second, a trend toward WORM (Write Once, Read Many) storage. Both of these technologies have significant drawbacks in that they are not erasable and suffer from high media storage capacity requirements. The market today has seen the introduction of lower cost, high quality digitized storage of images. However, the problem as previously noted with storage of color images in digital form is that it takes a tremendous amount of information storage capacity, typically 500+ kilobytes of storage per image.
The need for a compact, inexpensive, totally self-contained image recorder, storage unit, playback and monitoring device for storing large numbers of high quality still color images is apparent in several fields: security and surveillance, entry access systems, computer peripherals, training devices, and picture archiving systems, and as a replacement for color slide projectors, to name only a few.


An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a noninvasive optical sensor or probe including disposable and reusable components. The assembly of the disposable and reusable components is straightforward, along with the disassembly thereof. During application to a measurement site, the assembled sensor is advantageously secured together while the componentry is advantageously properly positioned.

Early detection of low blood oxygen is important in a wide range of applications, including patient monitoring, the fitness industry, home care and the like. Noninvasive oximetry was developed to study and to measure, among other things, the oxygen status of blood. Pulse oximetry—a noninvasive, widely accepted form of oximetry—relies on a sensor attached externally to a patient to output signals indicative of various physiological parameters, such as a patient's blood oxygen saturation.
A pulse oximeter sensor generally includes one or more energy emission devices, such as specific wavelength emitting LEDs, and one or more energy detection devices. The sensor is generally attached to a measurement site such as a patient's finger, ear, ankle, or the like, using an attachment mechanism such as a disposable tape, reusable housing, a plastic or hook-and-loop fastening strap, or the like. The attachment mechanism positions the emitters and detector proximal to the measurement site such that the emitters project energy into the blood vessels and capillaries of the measurement site, which in turn attenuate the energy. The detector then detects that attenuated energy. The detector communicates at least one signal indicative of the detected attenuated energy to a signal processing device such as an oximeter. The oximeter generally calculates, among other things, one or more physiological parameters of the measurement site.
High fidelity pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028, 6,658,276, 6,157,850, 6,002,952 5,769,785, and 5,758,644, which are assigned to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo") and are incorporated by reference herein. Advanced physiological monitoring systems may incorporate pulse oximetry in addition to advanced features for the calculation and display of other blood parameters, such as carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), methemoglobin (HbMet) and total hemoglobin (Hbt), total Hematocrit (Hct), oxygen concentrations and glucose concentrations, as a few examples. Advanced physiological monitors and corresponding multiple wavelength optical sensors capable of measuring parameters in addition to SpO2, such as HbCO, HbMet and Hbt are described in at least U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,013, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/366,208, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, assigned to Masimo Laboratories, Inc. and incorporated by reference herein. Further, noninvasive blood parameter monitors and corresponding multiple wavelength optical sensors, such as Rainbow™ adhesive and reusable sensors and RAD-57™ and Radical-7™ monitors for measuring SpO2, pulse rate, perfusion index (PI), signal quality (SiQ), pulse variability index (PVI), HbCO and HbMet, among other parameters, are also available from Masimo.
Noninvasive oximetry sensors can be disposable, reusable, or some combination thereof. Reusable sensors offer advantages of superior cost savings. However, reusable sensors are often available in a limited number of sizes even though patient measurement sites, such as fingers or toes, can have a much larger size distribution. Therefore, sometimes reusable sensors do not readily conform to each patient's attachment site. Disposable sensors on the other hand offer superior conformance to the measurement area. However, disposable sensors are generally more costly due to limited use of the relatively expensive sensor components which could otherwise last for repeated uses.
Faced with the drawbacks of reusable and disposable sensors, manufacturers began designing a number of middle-ground sensors. For example, some manufacturers offer a reusable detector portion that couples to a disposable emitter portion. After a single use, the disposable emitter portion is detached from the reusable detector portion and discarded. While this design reuses some of the expensive electronic components, others are still discarded.
Another example of a middle-ground sensor includes a reusable "Y" type sensor, where a reusable emitter portion connects to one branch of the "Y" while a reusable detector portion connects to the other branch. A disposable tape positions the two branches on a measurement site. In this design, the electronics are reusable; however, the multiple wires tend to be somewhat difficult to properly attach, especially with a moving patient.
Other examples of middle-ground sensors include a disposable tape sandwich where a reusable flexible circuit housing an emitter portion and a detector portion, are "sandwiched" between adhesive layers. Separation of such disposable tape sandwiches can be cumbersome. In yet another example of a middle-ground sensor, the Assignee of the present application disclosed a reusable flexible circuit is snapped into a disposable tape. In an embodiment of that disclosure, small pegs on the flexible circuit snap into mechanically mating elements on the disposable tape. Grooves allow some longitudinal travel between the reusable portion and the disposable portion, thereby allowing for some self adjustment between components to account for differences in radial attachment requirements.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optical sensor including disposable and reusable elements


A dynamic single-mode laser transmitter which is formed with a multi-mode semiconductor laser (1) and an external resonator in the form of a mirror (21) mounted adjacent an exit face (12) of the laser (1) which emits laser light (20) which can be manufactured in a simple manner and is compact and particularly temperature stable and wherein the mirror (21) is formed on the end face (22) of a metal member (2) which is fixed to a common carrier member (3) that also carries the semiconductor laser (1). The laser transmitter of the invention can be used in optical communication and in broadband systems for example.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a dynamic single-mode laser transmitter wherein an external resonator in the form of a mirror is mounted a fixed distance from an exit face of a laser which emits laser light and the mirror reflects the laser light thus emitted back to the laser and where both the mirror and the laser are mounted on a common carrier member.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Laser transmitters which are dynamically single-mode, in other words, only oscillate in a longitudinal mode with modulation are required for optical communication transmission systems which have large band widths and wherein the wavelength lies outside of the dispersion minimum of the optical fiber. Such dynamically single-mode laser transmitters are referred to as DSM laser transmitters.
DSM laser transmitters can be constructed using DFB lasers as is discussed in the Electron. Lett. 17 (1981) at pages 961-963. DSM laser transmitters can be constructed with DBR lasers as discussed in Electron. Lett. 18 (1982) Pages 410-411. DSM laser transmitters can be constructed with C.sup.3 -lasers as is discussed in Electron. Lett. 19 (1983) at pages 415-417. DSM laser transmitters can be formed from coupled laser arrays as discussed in SFEB 14 (1985) at pages 289-294. Such DSM laser transmitters can also be constructed by coupling a short external resonator to a multi-mode laser diode. When using a DSM laser transmitter which comprises a short external resonator, an additional mirror that reflects the light back into the laser is mounted in front of one of the two exit faces of the laser diodes. The external resonator is then formed by this mirror and the one exit face. Since the laser beam emitted by the laser diode is generally highly divergent, the back reflection into the laser mode is relatively slight with a planar mirror. So as to increase the quality, a spherical mirror (as discussed in Opt. Commun. 13 (1975) Pages 130-132, the Eleventh European Conference on Opt. Comm. 1985 Venice or Collimation Optics as described in Opt. Fiber Comm. of January 1985, New Orleans is usually employed.
DSM laser transmitters comprising an external resonator have the advantage as compared to DFB lasers they are relatively simple and thus inexpensive multi-mode lasers as, for example, MCRW lasers which are easy to obtain can be employed.
Difficulties arise in using a hybrid arrangement of the semiconductor laser with the coupled resonator because they must be mechanically stable relative to each other with the tolerance of about 0.1 micrometer.


A service for storing time series data provides a data pipe for receiving time series data, a query pipe for making requests to the service, and a result pipe for receiving output from the service. Data sent to the query pipe is processed by an ingester that prepares metadata indices associated with blocks of incoming time series data and stores the blocks of data in a time series database and the indices in a separate index database. A query layer receives queries from the query pipe and uses the index database to determine which data blocks are needed to process the query, and then requests only those data blocks from the time series database. Processing of the query is performed within the time series database only on those data nodes that contain relevant data, and partial results are passed to an output layer for formation into a final query result which is sent out by the results pipe.

As the ability to connect devices together via electronic networks has increased, it has become more desirable to collect, transmit and store operational data for various systems so that such data can be used for analysis and optimization. For instance, industrial equipment often contains a variety of sensors that can monitor multiple parameters related to the operation and performance of the equipment many times per second. Such sensors rapidly produce a large volume of time series historical data points associated with the equipment.
Although such data can be very useful for determining how to better use the equipment, the volume of data produced often requires storage that is not located on, or even near, the equipment itself. When data from multiple related sources is stored (for instance, data related to each windmill in a wind farm), the volume of data produced over time grows even more quickly.
Although raw storage of such data merely requires a fast enough connection to a large enough storage array, raw storage of such time series data does not provide a structure that is amenable to easy retrieval of specific data. Furthermore, when the entire body of data needs to be searched in order to find data meeting specific criteria, brute force search methods will be too slow and resource intensive to provide effective results.
Therefore, in order to allow for effective storage and retrieval of such time series data, it may be desirable to provide services that allow users to send such data rapidly for storage and to execute search and retrieval of data from the service at a later time. It may also be desirable to enable analysis as part of the capabilities of the service that alleviates the need to move large bodies of data to and from the service in order to generate useful results.

System and method for storage, querying, and analysis service for time series data


A method for determining the direction of the earth field, the north direction and the travelling direction of a vehicle by way of a magnetometer mounted in the vehicle is based on dynamic compensation or updating of interfering field changes. For this purpose, a resultant vector (v.sub.K) is formed from the magnetic field vector (V.sub.M) effective at the magnetometer, the previous hard-magnetic interfering field vector (H.sub.H) and the nominal vector (V.sub.P) determined from the circle diagram (O) of the magnetic field, as interfering field change in accordance with the equation v.sub.K =V.sub.M -v.sub.B -H.sub.H and this vector is weighted with a factor (k<1). The weighted resultant vector (K.times.v.sub.K) is then added to the previous interfering field vector (H.sub.H). Using the new hard-magnetic interfering field vector (H.sub.H'), thus determined, the direction of the earth field is then calculated in known manner and evaluated for navigation.

The invention is based on a method for determining the direction of the earth magnetic field, the north direction and the travelling direction of a vehicle by means of a magnetometer fixedly mounted on the vehicle to measure components of a magnetic field effective at the magnetometer and by means of an evaluating circuit which cyclically evaluates and stores the measured components as electric measurement values defining parameters of an aliphatic locus diagram of the magnetic field inclusive of the magnitude and direction of hard-magnetic and soft-magnetic interfering fields, and calculates the direction of the earth magnetic field with respect to the travelling direction.
From DE No. 3,509,548 corresponding to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,031, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a method for determining the travelling direction of a vehicle having an electronic compass is known in which, by means of a magnetometer mounted in the vehicle, the magnetic field effective in the vehicle is measured and stored in the form of an elliptical locus diagram in an evaluating circuit and is processed for calculating the earth field direction with reference to the driving direction. A calibration travel is used to determine as parameters of the elliptical locus diagram of the magnetic field the displacement of the locus diagram from the origin of the coordinates, the rotation and the minor and the major semi-axis of the elliptical locus diagram. Furthermore, it is there known to perform, if the cyclically measured magnetic field deviates from the elliptical locus diagram by a predeterminable amount, a recalibration of the locus diagram immediately or if the deviation is repeated several times.
However, such a dynamic recalibration for compensating interfering field changes in the motor vehicle must be conducted in such a manner that interfering fields or interfering field changes occurring for a short time are suppressed, if necessary, whereas longer-duration or slow interfering field changes in the vehicle must be compensated. In this connection, it must be taken into consideration that the interfering fields existing in the vehicle can change in dependence on time and that the field strength of the earth magnetic field is subject to strong fluctuations which are essentially location-dependent. In the case of the interfering fields, this results in a direction-independent interfering field vector as a hard-magnetic component which is changed, in particular, by electric currents flowing in the vehicle. The connecting and disconnecting of individual loads produces abrupt magnetic field disturbances. These can cause remagnetizations in the vehicle steel which result in relatively slow changes of the direction-independent interfering field vector after days or weeks. The direction-dependent interfering field vector, as a soft-magnetic component of the interfering field in the vehicle, changes both due to the change in intensity of the earth field with drives in the north-south direction and also with a remagnetization in the vehicle steel. These, too, are relatively slow interfering field changes.
The present invention has the object of including these interfering field changes with long-term effect step-by-step in the recalibration.

Navigation method for vehicles with electronic compass


A single-unit air conditioner has a housing and a cooler/heater unit housed in it. The cooler/heater unit can be put into and taken out of the housing with the housing kept connected to an air conditioning duct. Of the four panels forming the four side faces of the housing, three other than the one facing a wall can be removed individually from the housing. The cooler/heater unit has an indoor heat exchanger unit including an indoor blower, which is housed in a fan casing having an outflow opening that can be widened by removing a member so that the outflow opening can be used as an opening through which to maintain a fan. The indoor heat exchanger unit includes heating means for heating, which can be fitted and removed through either of the left-hand and right-hand side faces of the housing. Inside the housing are provided an indoor air passage and an outdoor air passage, of which at least part is partitioned by a partitioning member. The partitioning member has a portion thereof formed into a curved-surface portion, which guides the wind passing through one of the indoor and outdoor air passages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a single-package air conditioner having an indoor heat exchanger unit and an outdoor heat exchanger unit housed in a single housing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many types of air conditioner. For example, some air conditioners are of a xe2x80x9cseparate typexe2x80x9d having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit built in separate packages. This type of air conditioner is inconvenient to use in a building that does not permit the outdoor unit to be readily installed outside it, such as a hotel or a building located in a heavily inhabited area. In such buildings, it is customary to use single-package air conditioners having an indoor heat exchanger unit and an outdoor heat exchanger unit housed in a single housing.
Among single-package air conditioners as described above, smaller models designed to cool and heat one room are typically installed by being fitted directly in a window or in an opening formed in a wall. By contrast, larger models of single-package air conditioners designed to cool and heat a plurality of rooms are generally installed by being placed on a deck formed so as to protrude into a room from a wall facing outdoors or on a stand placed by a window in a room. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,296 discloses an example in which a single-package air conditioner is placed on a deck formed so as to protrude from a vent provided in a wall.
A problem with single-package air conditioners like the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,296 is that they are considerably heavy and require much labor to lift them up, making their installation difficult. Another problem is that it is not easy to connect air conditioning ducts and drain hoses to single-package air conditioners.
In larger models of single-package air conditioners as described above, the housing is commonly built by joining together panels of sheet metal. Joining panels together produces rectangular corners. Air passages are no exception. As air flows through an air passage, eddies of wind are produced in the rectangular corners of the air passage. Thus, another problem is that such eddies of wind increase the draft resistance of air passages and increase blowing noise.
An object of the present invention is to facilitate the installation of a single-package air conditioner having an indoor heat exchanger unit and an outdoor heat exchanger unit housed in a single housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a single-package air conditioner that permits easy recovery from failure and easy regular maintenance. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a single-package air conditioner that operates with reduced draft resistance of outdoor and/or indoor air passages and with reduced blowing noise.
To achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, a single-package air conditioner having an indoor heat exchanger unit and an outdoor heat exchanger unit housed in a single housing is structured in the following manner. The indoor heat exchanger unit and the outdoor heat exchanger unit together constitute a single cooler/heater unit. Moreover, the housing is connected to an air conditioning duct suspended from above. Furthermore, the cooler/heater unit can be put into and taken out of the housing with the housing kept connected to the air duct. With this structure, it is possible to install only the housing first, and then insert the cooler/heater unit in the housing to complete the installation. This helps reduce the weight to lift up as compared with when handling a single-unit air conditioner in a fully assembled state, and thus makes installation easier.
According to the present invention, the housing has its four side faces formed of four panels, of which three other than the one facing a wall are individually removable from the housing. With this structure, the cooler/heater unit can be put in and taken out of the housing through whichever of the front, left-hand side, and right-hand side faces thereof is most convenient. This makes installation and checking easy.
According to the present invention, in the housing is provided a duct that connects to the air conditioning duct and whose height is variable inside the housing. With this structure, the duct is raised when the cooler/heater unit is put in and taken out and, once the cooler/heater unit is placed in position, the duct is lowered and connected to the cooler/heater unit. This permits easy connection between the cooler/heater unit and the duct.
According to the present invention, the cooler/heater unit is provided with a drain pan for collecting the drain water produced in the cooler/heater unit, and the housing is provided with a water collecting sink for collecting and discharging the drain water from the drain pan of the cooler/heater unit. With this structure, it is possible to reliably collect drain water and discharge it out of the air conditioner. Moreover, the cooler/heater unit can be built as a unit including a drain pan so that it can be put into and taken out of the housing together with the drain pan.
According to the present invention, the housing can be connected to the air conditioning duct without the cooler/heater unit housed in the housing. With this structure, the housing can be connected to the air conditioning duct easily. Moreover, when the cooler/heater unit is checked, it can be taken out and put into the housing with the housing kept connected to the air conditioning duct. This makes checking easy.
According to the present invention, the housing can be connected to a drain hose without the cooler/heater unit housed in the housing. With this structure, the housing can be connected to the drain hose easily. Moreover, when the cooler/heater unit is checked, it can be taken out and put into the housing with the housing kept connected to the drain hose. This makes checking easy.
According to the present invention, in a single-package air conditioner having a cooler/heater unit housed in a housing, when a component forming part of a blower fan casing included in the cooler/heater unit is removed, an opening appears through which to maintain a fan provided inside the blower fan casing. With this structure, the fan can be maintained without touching the components arranged in front of the blower, and thus the fan can be maintained easily.
According to the present invention, in a single-package air conditioner having a cooler/heater unit housed in a housing, heating means for heating is arranged inside the housing, and the heating means can be fitted and removed through either of the left-hand and right-hand side faces of the housing. With this structure, the heating means can be fitted and removed through either of the left-hand and right-hand side faces of the housing. Even when the single-package air conditioner is installed in a corner of a room, the heating means can be fitted and removed through either of the left-hand and right-hand side faces. This makes checking and repair of the heating means easy.
According to the present invention, the heating means is fixed in position with one end thereof engaged with an engagement recess inside the housing and with the other end thereof fastened with a screw to a member provided inside the housing. With this structure, the heating means can be fixed in position with a few screws, which helps reduce the costs of components and assembly.
According to the present invention, temperature sensing means for controlling the energization of the heating means is arranged above the heating means, and the temperature sensing means has the temperature sensing portion thereof housed in a container having a vent through which to allow a flow of hot air in from the heating means. With this structure, the flow of hot air has sufficiently uniform temperature to permit stable temperature sensing.
According to the present invention, in a single-package air conditioner having a cooler/heater unit housed in a housing, when the cooler/heater unit is inserted in the housing, a hermetic connection portion is formed between a vent opening formed in the housing and the cooler/heater unit. With this structure, it is possible to minimize leakage of wind and thereby make efficient use of energy.
According to the present invention, a single-package air conditioner has a housing in which are housed an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air inside a room, an indoor blower for blowing air into the room, an indoor air passage through which wind produced by the indoor heat exchanger is passed, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air outside the room, an outdoor blower for blowing air out of the room, an outdoor air passage through which wind produced by the outdoor heat exchanger is passed, and a partitioning member for partitioning at least part of the indoor and outdoor air passages. Here, the partitioning member has a portion thereof formed into a curved-surface portion for guiding the wind passing through one of the indoor and outdoor air passages. With this structure, the wind passing through one of the indoor and outdoor air passages is guided by the partitioning member having the curved-surface portion. Thus, it is possible to guide wind with a comparatively inexpensive, simple structure without providing additional components and thereby prevent development of eddies of wind that cause blowing noise. In this way, it is possible to reduce blowing noise.
According to the present invention, the curved-surface portion serves also as a diffuser portion for diffusing the wind passing through the other of the indoor and outdoor air passages. With this structure, the direction of wind is changed smoothly by one surface of the curved-surface portion of the partitioning member, and a diffusing effect is exerted by the other surface thereof This helps reduce the draft resistance of both the indoor and outdoor air passages, and in addition reduce the blowing noise of both the indoor and outdoor air passages. All this is achieved with an inexpensive structure.
According to the present invention, the curved-surface portion faces an outdoor inflow opening, and has an arc-shaped section whose radius R satisfies min(Ra, Rb)xe2x89xa7R, where Ra represents the dimension of the portion of the outdoor inflow opening facing the partitioning member and Rb represents the dimension of the outdoor air passage. With this structure, it is possible to reduce draft resistance and blowing noise more effectively.
In addition, the dimensions mentioned above satisfy Rbxe2x89xa7Ra and R≈Ra as well. With this structure, it is possible to reduce draft resistance and blowing noise even more effectively.


A disc drive system includes a base with sidewalls, a spindle attached to the base, and at least one disc attached to the spindle. A cover is also included for attaching to the base. The cover and the base form a disc enclosure which encloses the at least one disc, a portion of the spindle, and the actuator assembly. The disc drive system also includes a cover that is the prime acoustical radiator from the disc drive. The cover includes at least one dampening member attached by the adhesive. The dampening member is provided with a cut or slit therein to shift the resonant frequency of the cover. The cut increases area with high value of shear deformation in the adhesive and increases the loss factor.

The present invention relates to the field of data-storage devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing acoustic noise radiated by a disc drive.
Devices that store data are key components of any computer system. Computer systems have many different devices where data can be stored. One common device for storing massive amounts of computer data is a disc drive. The basic parts of a disc drive are a disc assembly having at least one disc that is rotated, an actuator that moves a transducer to various locations over the rotating disc, and circuitry that is used to write and/or read data to and from the disc via the transducer. The disc drive also includes circuitry for encoding data so that it can be successfully retrieved from and written to the disc surface. A microprocessor controls most of the operations of the disc drive, in addition to passing the data back to the requesting computer and taking data from a requesting computer for storing to the disc.
The disc drive includes a transducer head for writing data onto circular or spiral tracks in a magnetic layer the disc surfaces and for reading the data from the magnetic layer. In some drives, the transducer includes an electrically driven coil (or xe2x80x9cwrite headxe2x80x9d) that provides a magnetic field for writing data, and a magneto-resistive (MR) element (or xe2x80x9cread headxe2x80x9d) that detects changes in the magnetic field along the tracks for reading data.
The transducer is typically placed on a small ceramic block, also referred to as a slider, that is aerodynamically designed so that it flies over the disc. The slider is passed over the disc in a transducing relationship with the disc. Most sliders have an air-bearing surface (xe2x80x9cABSxe2x80x9d) which includes rails and a cavity between the rails. When the disc rotates, air is dragged between the rails and the disc surface causing pressure, which forces the head away from the disc. At the same time, the air rushing past the cavity or depression in the air bearing surface produces a negative pressure area. The negative pressure or suction counteracts the pressure produced at the rails. The slider is also attached to a load spring which produces a force on the slider directed toward the disc surface. The various forces equilibrate so the slider flies over the surface of the disc at a particular desired fly height. The fly height is the distance between the disc surface and the transducing head, which is typically the thickness of the air lubrication film. This film eliminates the friction and resulting wear that would occur if the transducing head and disc were in mechanical contact during disc rotation. In some disc drives, the slider passes through a layer of lubricant rather than flying over the surface of the disc.
Information representative of data is stored on the surface of the storage disc. Disc-drive systems read and write information stored on tracks on storage discs. Transducers, in the form of read/write heads attached to the sliders, located on both sides of the storage disc, read and write information on the storage discs when the transducers are accurately positioned over one of the designated tracks on the surface of the storage disc. The transducer is also said to be moved to a target track. As the storage disc spins and the read/write head is accurately positioned above a target track, the read/write head can store data onto a track by writing information representative of data onto the storage disc. Similarly, reading data on a storage disc is accomplished by positioning the read/write head above a target track and reading the stored material on the storage disc. To write on or read from different tracks, the read/write head is moved radially across the tracks to a selected target track. The data is divided or grouped together on the tracks. In some disc drives, the tracks are a multiplicity of concentric circular tracks. In other disc drives, a continuous spiral is one track on one side of a disc. Servo feedback information is used to accurately locate the transducer. The actuator assembly is moved to the required position and held very accurately during a read or write operation using the servo information.
An operating disc drive can emit relatively large amounts of acoustic noise generated by vibrations of the disc drive enclosure caused by the pressure from inside air, disturbed by the rotating discs. The spindle and actuator movements create forces that act on the structure of the disc drive. When the forces are applied to the device enclosure, the forces are converted into displacements which in turn create pressure waves in the surrounding air which are perceived as acoustic noise to the human ear.
The actuator assembly moves in response to energizing a voice coil motor to move the actuator assembly around a pivot axis, thereby swinging each of the arms associated with the actuator assembly, the load springs, and associated read/write head over the associated disc surface. When moved in this manner during normal operation, the assembled load springs and associated read/write head tend to vibrate at some frequencies. The spindle motor rapidly spinning the discs contributes additional vibration. Vibration from the spindle motor and movement of the actuator assembly may be transmitted to the disc drive housing through the pivot and spindle journals. The resulting vibration in the housing causes radiation of acoustic noise, especially from the cover. Such acoustic noise may be annoying and may suggest poor quality to the user. There are also standards for acoustic noise that are required by many manufacturers.
The device enclosure actually acts like a radiating surface for the internal forces created by the spindle and actuator movement. The dynamics of the device enclosure, such as the natural modes of vibration, can amplify for the forces generated inside the drive. A frequency chart of disc drive sound power indicates that the highest level of drive noise emission is in the frequency band resulting from the first cover resonance. In this frequency band, the cover loses its efficiency to provide transmission losses to counter act the noise produced by the rotating discs. Moreover, the cover response to forces produced by the voice coil motor (VCM), the actuators, and the spindle motor at the first cover resonance is maximal which results in additional increase in the cover vibration and sound radiation in the above referenced frequency band.
In practice, the first cover resonance takes place in the frequency range of 1000-1500 Hz and its width is about 50-100 Hz depending on the specific design of a particular disc drive. The existing VCM actuators have the first acoustically significant resonance (resonance of arms, coils and yokes) in the vicinity of the first cover resonance. More importantly, if actuator resonant frequencies coincide with the cover resonant frequencies, the additive effect will increase cover vibration and the noise radiated from the disc drive.
As a result, acoustic noise emanating from a disc drive is a critical performance factor that is usually tightly specified to be below a maximum level. As part of the quality assurances practices when manufacturing disc drives, the drives are tested in an acoustic chamber to determine the amount of noise emanating from the device. Drives that emit noise above a maximum threshold need to be reworked to be in compliance with the requirements.
Government agencies throughout the world are now requiring that the decibel level of average sound energy emanating from office equipment be substantially reduced. Computer manufacturers are also placing acoustic emission standards on disc drive manufacturers. Manufacturers of disc drives have also long recognized that certain improvements for data storage performance in disc drives, namely, to increase disc rotation velocity, contribute to unwanted acoustic noise. There is a marked decrease in human sensitivity to acoustic noise below about 200 Hz and above about 6000 Hz. Thus, it is clearly advantageous to attenuate acoustic noise radiated from disc drives in the frequency range from about 200 Hz to about 4000 Hz.
Several methods to reduce the intensity of unwanted acoustic noise have been attempted. Among the several methods are the use of external dampening techniques for the entire disc drive. Some designers have made strides in addressing the acoustic frequencies that escape from the top cover. The designers use cover dampeners and adhesives with inherent dampening properties on the cover. Other designers have attempted to completely surround the exterior of the disc drive with sound absorbing material. Still other designers have attempted to completely isolate the spindle from the base in order to reduce the unwanted acoustic emissions at multiple frequencies. Such spindle isolation conventionally includes indirect attachment of the spindle to the base.
Disc drives are now being contemplated for use in home entertainment applications such as video and television. One application of disc drives includes adding disc drives to home set top boxes. Users in the home entertainment area are especially sensitive to acoustic noise, since noises seem more pronounced during quiet scenes of a movie or when background music is softly played.
Therefore, it is desirable to reduce such acoustic noise. What is also needed is a simple solution that is not prohibitively costly and which introduces few, if any, new parts to the disc drive. Also needed is an inexpensive method and apparatus which only slightly increases the complexity of the manufacturing processes needed to manufacture the drive. The solution also must not increase the size of the disc drive system. What is also needed is a disc drive with fine tuned cover has a first resonance frequency which is separated from the resonant frequency of the actuator. resonances to provide better acoustical performance.
A disc drive system includes a cover that is the prime source of acoustical radiation from the disc drive. The cover includes at least one dampening member provided with a cut or slit therein to shift the resonant frequency of the cover away from other resonant frequencies associated with the disc drive. The cut or slit in the dampening member increases the area with a high value of shear deformation in the adhesive and increases the loss factor to shift the resonant frequency when compared to a cover not having a slit dampening member.
A disc drive includes a base plate and a spindle attached to the base plate. In addition, at least one disc is attached to the spindle and the spindle is adapted to rotate with respect to the base plate. The disc drive also includes a cover for attaching to the base plate. The cover and the base plate form a disc enclosure which encloses the at least one disc and a portion of the spindle. An apparatus for reducing noise produced by the disc-drive system includes a cover having a reduced cover stiffness.
In one embodiment, the cover of the disc drive includes at lease one dampening ring. The dampening ring is cut into at least two portions to reduce the cover stiffness while maintaining approximately the same mass. By cutting the dampening ring, the first resonance frequency of the cover is lowered. As a result of cutting the dampening ring, the first resonance of the cover does not coincide with a resonant frequency of the actuator. As a result, excitation of the cover by the actuator will be less. Cutting the dampening ring will not affect the transmission losses of the cover because the cover mass is the same. It will also affect the damping properties of the cover. It increases the loss factor because of increased area with high value of shear deformation in the adhesive that takes place near the edges (because of the additional inner boundaries as a result of splitting).
In some embodiments the dampening ring is cut more than once. The number of cuts is balanced with the number of pieces produced and adding to the complexity of assembling the disc drive. In other embodiments, other portions of the cover may be cut to reduce the cover stiffness and maintain approximately the same mass.

Method and apparatus for fine tuning disc drive cover to improve acoustical performance


An earbud (100) includes an acoustic duct (201) and a driver sub-housing (202). The acoustic duct and driver sub-housing can be integrally manufactured via a two-shot injection molding process. The acoustic duct can be rigid while the driver sub-housing is flexible and/or pliant to flex when the acoustic duct pivots relative to the driver sub-housing.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to earbud acoustic devices.
2. Background Art
Wired and wireless headsets are commonly used with many portable electronic devices. For example, wired headsets can be used with a multimedia player, such as an MPEG-3 music player, to listen to music. Modern headsets take many forms, including over the ear clip on devices and over the head headphones. The most compact headsets are manufactured as in the ear or in the ear canal earbuds. Earbuds generally include small speakers and fit into either the folds of the human ear or into the ear canal itself.
For an earbud to provide the best sound, it is desirable for it to properly fit the user. Additionally, earbuds that do not fit properly can be very uncomfortable to wear after only a short period of use. At the same time, as people have vastly different shapes and sizes of ears, it is quite difficult for any one earbud to properly fit all users. Earbuds that do not properly fit frequently hold within the ear quite tenuously and tend to dislodge when the person moves vigorously. It would be advantageous to have an improved earbud that fit more users.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device provided with an input terminal and a resistor circuit is presented. The resistor circuit is provided with first and second transistors, a first resistor, a capacitor and a capacitor. A drain of the first transistor is connected to the input terminal. One end of the first resistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor. A drain of the second transistor is connected to a source of the first transistor. A gate of the second transistor is connected to the other end of the first resistor. A source of the second transistor is connected to a power supply of a source side. The capacitor is connected between the drain and the gate of the first transistor. The voltage supply circuit is connected to the other end of the first resistor and the gate of the second transistor.

An electret condenser microphone (hereinafter referred to as "ECM") is widely used in a mobile telephone, a digital recorder such as an IC recorder, a personal computer, etc. The ECM has a low output frequency and extremely high output impedance. Accordingly, a signal to be inputted to an amplification circuit connected to the ECM is biased by a high resistance of a resistor.
A bias resistor of high resistance is formed in a semiconductor device so as to match manufacturing steps of a MOSFET to be formed in the semiconductor device. For example, a resistor circuit using a drain-source resistance of a MOSFET is often used as the bias resistor of high resistance. In this case, the gate voltage of the MOSFET is a voltage in a range lower than the threshold voltage.
The bias voltage generated by the resistor circuit changes, when a signal having a large signal amplitude is inputted into the bias resistor circuit which is connected to an input end of an amplification circuit. This change of the bias voltage causes change of the bias resistance value, which deteriorates the distortion characteristic of the amplification circuit and may increase a total harmonic distortion.

Semiconductor device having a bias resistor circuit


A reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame includes a reinforcing component (2), a connecting component and an eccentric locking component, the vehicle frame comprises a beam (1) and a seat tube (3). The beam (1) can be folded into at least two segments (11, 12). A hinge axle (81), through which various segments of the vehicle beam (1) are hinged with each other, is provided vertically. The reinforcing component (2) is connected to the beam (1) and the seat tube (3). The seat tube (3) is provided with a connecting component. A front end of the reinforcing component (2) is hinged with a front segment (11) of the beam (1), and a rear end of the reinforcing component (2) is connected with the seat tube (3) through the connecting component. The reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame has good stability, simple structure and low cost.

Folding bicycles are becoming more and more popular. Nowadays, most folding bicycles are provided with a folding joint on the beam, such that the beam can be folded into two segments when not in use. When in use, the front segment and the rear segment of the beam are locked through a locking device on the folding joint. The folding joints, which are disclosed in Chinese patents CN200420093887.5 and CN01255435.9, are common ones widely used in bicycles. Chinese patent CN00260163.X, whose applicant is the same as the present invention, discloses a reinforced mechanism of folding joint of single beam folding bicycle; and in the second embodiment of the patent, a reinforcing arm, which is connected with the beam and the seat tube, is provided, but only to reinforce the beam, while the original folding joint and the locking device for the folding bicycle are still necessary, and an additional fixing seat should be provided on the seat tube; when the folding bicycle is in normal use, following steps are necessary: locking the folding joint of the beam, locking the clamping ring for the seat tube, and buckling the reinforced mechanism to the fixing seat of the seat tube, as a result, too many steps are needed, it is inconvenient for use and the bicycle can't be unfolded or folded quickly.
Moreover, the Chinese patent application No. 200510025883.2 discloses a folding bicycle, as shown FIG. 1, the folding bicycle can be folded in a direction parallel to the plane of the front hub and the rear hub. The hinge axle is provided horizontally, and the opening of the folding joint faces upward. The folding joint is provided with a pivot 211, which is provided with a connecting bar 2. The connecting bar is connected to the C-shaped ring 22 and is locked horizontally. After the connecting bar 2 and the hook 213 are locked, there are no horizontal displacements relative to their original position. The defects of this scheme are as follows: no pre-tightening force is exerted on the connecting bar 2 in the direction along which the folding joint is buckled, as a result, when the connecting bar 2 moves upwards due to the rough road or other impacts in cycling, the beam will break, which will bring great potential safety risks. When the connecting bar 2 moves upwards, the resistant force exerted on the connecting bar is only the frictional force generated by locking horizontally, which makes the margin of safety extremely thin. Moreover, the pivot 211 is provided on the contacting surfaces on the front frame, so the effect of locking on the contacting surfaces on the front frame is rather limited. Moreover, when in cycling, the C-shaped ring 22 is loose and apt to slide along the seat tube, which will cause the connecting bar 2 loose and will bring unsafe factor.
How to improve the strength of the beam and unfold or fold the bicycle with fewer steps has become an urgent problem to be solved.

Reinforcing and locking device for vehicle frame


An object is to provide a display device which operates stably with use of a transistor having stable electric characteristics. In manufacture of a display device using transistors in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, a gate electrode is further provided over at least a transistor which is applied to a driver circuit. In manufacture of a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to heat treatment so as to be dehydrated or dehydrogenated; thus, impurities such as moisture existing in an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer provided below and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device including a circuit formed with a transistor, and a method for manufacturing the display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various metal oxides exist and are used for a variety of applications. Indium oxide is a well-known material as a metal oxide and is used as a light-transmitting conductive material which is necessary for liquid crystal displays and the like.
Some metal oxides have semiconductor characteristics. As metal oxides having semiconductor characteristics, for example, there are tungsten oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, and the like, and a transistor in which a channel formation region is formed using such a metal oxide having semiconductor characteristics has been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4 and Non-Patent Document 1).
As metal oxides, multi-component oxides as well as single-component oxides are known. For example, InGaO3(ZnO)m (m is a natural number) having a homologous series is known as a multi-component oxide semiconductor including In, Ga, and Zn (see Non-Patent Documents 2 to 4).
In addition, it has been confirmed that an oxide semiconductor layer including such an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide can be used as a channel layer of a transistor (see Patent Document 5, and Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6).

Semiconductor device including oxide semiconductor

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The present invention is a method for preparing stable HBOC solutions. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of deoxygenating a PEG-Hb conjugate and adding one or more antioxidants during or following the deoxygenating step to form a stabilized PEG-Hb conjugate. The Hb in the PEG-Hb conjugate is not crosslinked and the stabilized PEG-Hb conjugate has a p50 less than that of native SFH from the same animal source when measured under the same conditions. Specifically, the p50 is 6±2 mmHg or less than 10 mmHg.

Oxygen carriers that are useful as oxygen therapeutics (sometimes referred to as "oxygen-carrying plasma expanders") can be grouped into three categories: i) perfluorocarbon-based emulsions; ii) liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin ("Hb"); and iii) modified Hb. As discussed below, none of these therapeutics have been entirely successful. However, products comprising modified cell-free Hb are thought to be the most promising. Perfluorochemical-based emulsions must be emulsified with a lipid, typically egg-yolk phospholipid, before they can be used in biological systems. Unlike Hb, these emulsions dissolve molecular oxygen rather than binding the oxygen as a ligand. Though the perfluorocarbon emulsions are inexpensive to manufacture, they do not carry sufficient oxygen at clinically tolerated doses to be effective. Conversely, while liposome-encapsulated Hb has been shown to be effective, it is too costly for widespread use. (See generally, Winslow, R. M., "Hemoglobin-based Red Cell Substitutes," Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (1992)).
Initial attempts to use free Hb from erythrocyte hemolysates as a red cell substitute were unsuccessful. The stromal components were found to be toxic, resulting in coagulopathy associated with acute renal failure. In 1967, the first stroma-free Hb ("SFH") solutions had been prepared for use as plasma expanders (Rabiner, S. F. et al., 1967, J. Exp. Med. 126:1127-1142). However, these solutions had a limited transfusion half-life of about 100 minutes.
The reason for the short circulation half-life of SFH is due to the ability of the tetrameric protein to dissociate into dimers, which are rapidly filtered from the circulation by the kidneys. Accordingly, a multitude of methods for cross-linking Hb to retain its tetrameric structure were devised. U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,465 describes intramolecular cross-linking to prevent dimer formation. Cross-linking Hb may be achieved with diaspirin (diesters of bis-3,5-dibromosaliocylate, U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,719) or 2-N-2-formyl-pyridoxal-5′-phosphate and borohydride (Benesch, R. E. et al., 1975, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 62:1123-1129). In addition, Simon, S. R. and Konigsberg, W. H. (1966, PNAS 56:749-56) disclosed the use of bis-(N-maleimidomethyl)ether ("BME") to generate intramolecularly cross-linked Hb that was reported to have a four-fold increase in half-life when infused into rats and dogs (Bunn, H. F. et al., 1969, J. Exp. Med. 129:909-24). However, the cross-linking of Hb with BME resulted in the concomitant increase in the oxygen affinity of Hb, which at the time was thought to prevent its use as a potential HBOC.
In addition, methods for conjugating Hb to macromolecules were developed to increase hydrodynamic size and limit or prevent extravasation. Cross-linking SFH to form poly-Hb is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,001,200 and 4,001,401. SFH was also linked to other macromolecules such as dextran (Chang, J. E. et al., 1977, Can. J. Biochem. 55:398-403), hydroxyethyl starch (DE 2,161,086), gelatin (DE 2,449,885), albumin (DE 2,449,885) and PEG (DE 3,026,398 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,670,417, 4,412,989 and 4,301,144).
Some of the physiological effects of these oxygen-carrying solutions are not fully understood. Perhaps the most controversial effect is the propensity to cause vasoconstriction, which can manifest as hypertension in animals and man (Amberson, W., 1947, Science 106:117-117 and Keipert, P. et al., 1993, Transfusion 33:701-708). One of the first red cell substitutes developed by the U.S. Army was human Hb cross-linked between α-chains with bis-dibromosalicyl-fumarate ("ααHb"). However, ααHb was abandoned after it showed severe increases in pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance (Hess, J. et al., 1991, Blood 78:356A). A commercial version of this cross-linked Hb was also abandoned after a disappointing Phase III clinical trial (Winslow, R. M., 2000, Vox Sang 79:1-20).
The most commonly advanced explanation for the vasoconstriction produced by cell-free Hb is that it readily binds the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, nitric oxide ("NO"). Two molecular approaches have been advanced in attempting to overcome the NO binding activity of Hb. The first approach attempted to reduce the NO binding by modifying the distal heme pocket through site-specific mutagenesis (Eich, R. F. et al., 1996, Biochem. 35:6976-83). The second approach attempted to reduce or inhibit extravasation of Hb by increasing its molecular size (Hess, J. R. et al., 1978, J. Appl. Physiol. 74:1769-78, Muldoon, S. M. et al., 1996, J. Lab. Clin. Med. 128:579-83, Macdonal, V. W. et al., 1994, Biotechnology 22:565-75, Furchgott, R., 1984, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. 24:175-97 and Kilbourne, R. et al., 1994, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 199:155-62).
Recombinant Hbs with reduced NO affinity have been produced that are less hypertensive in top-load rat experiments (Doherty, D. H. et al., 1998, Nature Biotechnology 16:672-676 and Lemon, D. D. et al., 1996, Biotech 24:378). However, studies suggest that NO binding is not the only explanation for the vasoactivity of Hb. Specifically, certain large Hb molecules, such as those modified with PEG, were virtually free of the hypertensive effect, even though their NO binding rates were identical to those of ααHb (Rohlfs, R. J. et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:12128-12134). In addition, PEG modified Hb was extraordinarily effective in preventing the consequences of hemorrhage when given as an exchange transfusion prior to hemorrhage (Winslow, R. M. et al., 1998, J. Appl. Physiol. 85:993-1003).
The conjugation of PEG to Hb reduces antigenicity and extends circulation half-life of the Hb. However, the PEG-conjugation reaction has been reported to result in dissociation of Hb tetramers into monomer subunits. These low molecular weight monomeric PEG-Hb conjugates caused gross hemoglobinuria when transfused into rats (Iwashita and Ajisaka, Organ-Directed Toxicity Chem. Indices Mech., Proc. Symp., Brown et al., 1981, Eds. Pergamon, Oxford, England pgs 97-101). A polyalkylene oxide ("PAO") conjugated Hb, having a molecular weight greater than 84,000 Da, was prepared by Enzon, Inc. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,388). The conjugate contained ten PEG-5,000 chains linked to Hb at its α- and ε-amino groups. This degree of substitution was described as avoiding hemoglobinuria and associated nephrotoxicity in mammals. However, the conjugation reaction resulted in a heterogeneous conjugate population and contained other undesirable reactants that had to be removed by column chromatography.
PEG conjugation is typically performed by reacting activated PEG with functional groups on the surface of biomolecules. The most common functional groups in a biomolecule are: the amino groups of lysine and histidine residues, thiol groups of cysteine residues, and the hydroxyl groups of serine, threonine and tyrosine residues. The N- and C-termini of the biomolecule may also act as active functional groups. PEG is usually activated by converting the hydroxyl terminus to a moiety capable of reacting with these functional groups in a mild aqueous environment. One of the most common PEGs used for conjugation of therapeutic biopharmaceuticals is methoxy-PEG ("mPEG"). Methoxy-PEG has only one functional group (i.e. hydroxyl), which minimizes cross-linking and aggregation problems that are associated with bifunctional PEG. However, mPEG is often contaminated with high molecular weight PEG (i.e. "PEG diol"). The contamination problem is the result of the production process and is further aggravated as the molecular weight of the PEG increases. In mPEG the amount of contaminant can range as high as 10 to 15% (Dust, J. M. et al., 1990, Macromolecule 23:3742-3746) due to its production process. The purity of mPEG is especially critical for the production of PEG conjugated biotherapeutics because the FDA requires a high level of reproducibility in the production processes and quality of the final product.
A variety of linkers and methods have been developed for conjugating macromolecules to Hb. Phenyl linkers, such as 4-phenylmaleimido or 3-phenylmaleimido (U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,725) and isothiocyanophenylcarbamate (U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,989) have been used to conjugate PEG-5,000 to Hb. However, the use of phenyl groups in a blood substitute is believed by some to be undesirable. To avoid the use of phenyl linkers, succinimidyl activated PEG was prepared for binding free ε-amines available on the surface of Hb (Larwood, D. J. and Szoka, F. C., 1984, J. Labeled Compounds Radiopharm. 21:603-14). However, the ester bond formed between PEG and the succinimidyl group is easily hydrolyzed in the body. To address this issue, activated PAOs having reactive moieties that produce urethane linkages with ε-amino groups of Hb were developed. The urethane linkages are less susceptible to hydrolytic degradation in the circulatory system (U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,903). Other methods have been utilized that employ thiolation of the ε-amines of Hb for binding maleimide activated PAOs (U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,317). The thioester bonds formed under these methods are less susceptible to degradation (U.S. Pat. App. No. 2006/0135753).
Conjugation of Hb to PAOs has been performed in both the oxygenated and deoxygenated states. U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,317 describes conjugating Hb in the oxygenated, or "R" state, to enhance the oxygen affinity of the resultant PEG-Hb conjugate. This is accomplished by equilibrating Hb with the atmosphere before conjugation. Others describe a deoxygenation step prior to conjugation to diminish the oxygen affinity and increase structural stability. The increased stability enables the Hb to withstand the physical stresses of chemical modification, diafiltration and/or sterile filtration and sterilization (U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,903). Deoxygenating Hb prior to modification has also been suggested for efficient intramolecular cross-linking. U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,903 discloses that deoxygenation is required to expose lysine 99 of the α-chain for intramolecular cross-linking.
Stability of HBOCs for storage is currently under investigation. Susceptibility to autoxidation and the formation of MetHb may hinder the clinical use of HBOCs. Formation of MetHb in the circulation can be deleterious for a number of reasons. MetHb does not bind oxygen. Consequently, its formation decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. The presence of MetHb in the blood gives rise to reactive oxygen species "ROS", which may play a role in the development of oxidative damage in vivo (Reeder, B. J. et al., 2004, Antioxid. Redox Signal 6:941-943). In addition, the chemical bond that stabilizes the heme in native Hb is weakened in MetHb. This destabilization allows the heme to be released more quickly, thereby giving rise to a cascade of effects, including induction of heme oxygenase-1 (Balla, G. et al., 1993, PNAS 90:9280-9284 and Motterlini, R. et al., 1995, Am. J. Physiol. 269:H648). In whole blood, oxidation is made reversible by an effective redox system catalyzed by NADPH-dependent MetHb reductase. Unfortunately, isolated Hb does not benefit from this defense mechanism. It has been shown, however, that red blood cells in vitro and in the presence of ascorbate have reduced the formation of extracellular MetHb (McGown, E. L. et al., 1990, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1036:202-206).
In contrast, it was recently found that the antioxidant ascorbate rapidly oxidized PEG-Hb (Vandegriff, K. D. et al., 2006, Biochem. J. 399:463-471). Other investigations have used antioxidants to stabilize polymerized Hb compositions under deoxygenated conditions (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,895,810 and 7,435,795). However, to date, antioxidants have not been successful in reducing or preventing auto-oxidation of HBOC's.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method of preparing deoxygenated PEG-Hb conjugates having reduced autoxidation rates when stored at low or ambient temperatures.

Methods for preparing stable deoxygenated PEG-hemoglobin conjugate solutions comprising an antioxidant


An image forming apparatus includes a discharge rollers pair, a sheet pressing member and a discharge tray. The sheet pressing member includes a first rotational shaft, a detection piece and a corrugation piece. The corrugation piece protrudes in a radial direction different from a protruding direction of the detection piece from the first rotational shaft. When the detection piece is turned at a first angle into a first posture, the corrugation piece is changed into a contact posture where the corrugation piece comes into contact with the sheet to apply stiffness on the sheet. When the detection piece is turned at a second angle into a second posture, the corrugation piece is changed into a retracting posture where the corrugation piece separates from the sheet.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including a sheet discharging device configured to discharge a sheet on which an image is formed.
A sheet discharging device of an image forming apparatus is frequently provided with a corrugation piece which applies stiffness on a sheet during the sheet discharging in order to prevent the discharged sheet from being displaced. On the other hand, in a case where the sheet is switched back for duplex printing, if the sheet is applied with stiffness by the corrugation piece, an abnormal sound sometimes occurs when the sheet is conveyed along an inversion path.
Then, the corrugation piece is sometimes configured to be switchable into a corrugation applicable state and a corrugation non-applicable state. Alternatively, a sheet detecting device for detecting a height of sheets stacked on a discharge tray is sometimes provided with a corrugation part (the corrugation piece).
However, the former case requires a drive source (for example, a solenoid) for switching the corrugation piece into the corrugation applicable state and the corrugation non-applicable state. The later case has no measure for the abnormal sound when the sheet is switched back.


Systems and methods for drone air traffic control management include, in an air traffic control system configured to manage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight in a geographic region, communicating to one or more UAVs over one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or more UAVs are configured to constrain flight based on coverage of the one or more wireless networks; receiving weather information related to the geographic region; analyzing the weather information with respect to a flight plan of the one or more UAVs; and providing changes to the flight plan based on the analyzing the weather information, wherein the changes include one or more of course corrections and route optimization based on the weather information.

Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or "drones") is proliferating. UAVs are used for a variety of applications such as search and rescue, inspections, security, surveillance, scientific research, aerial photography and video, surveying, cargo delivery, and the like. With the proliferation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providing regulations associated with the use of UAVs. Existing air traffic control in the United States is performed through a dedicated air traffic control network, i.e., the National Airspace System (NAS). However, it is impractical to use the existing air traffic control network for UAVs because of the sheer quantity of UAVs. Also, it is expected that UAVs will be autonomous, requiring communication for flight control as well. There will be a need for systems and methods to provide air traffic control and communication to UAVs.
There is a great deal of discussion and anticipation for using drones for applications such as package delivery. For example, online stores, brick & mortar stores, restaurants, etc. can use drones to provide delivery to end consumers. As the number of applications increases and the number of UAVs concurrently in flight also increases, there are various issues that have to be addressed relative to air traffic control.

Drone air traffic control incorporating weather updates


The present invention relates to a device for distributing tablet blanks to the dies of a tablet press. The present invention moreover relates to a system consisting of the device according to the invention and a tablet press and to a method for forming tablets from tablet blanks.

The present invention relates to a device for distributing tablet blanks to the dies of a tablet press. The present invention moreover relates to a system consisting of the device according to the invention and a tablet press and to a method for forming tablets from tablet blanks.
It is known to form tablets at least in part from blanks. This proceeds, for example, in a tablet press. For this purpose, the tablet blanks must be supplied to the tablet press.
The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a device for distributing tablet blanks to the dies of a tablet press.


An electronics component for use downhole includes a body having an outer surface. The outer surface includes a recess and a protrusion. A first shock absorber is positioned in the recess and compresses in a first direction with respect to the body. A second shock absorber is positioned adjacent to the protrusion and compresses in a second direction with respect to the body.

The reliability of sensitive electronics in tools run downhole with a perforating string is a long-standing issue in the oilfield industry. For example, pressure sensors may be damaged by perforating shocks due to the fragile nature of the sensors and their internal connections. Such sensors may be protected from perforating shocks by placing a shock-absorbing sub between the sensors and the perforating guns. These shock-absorbing subs increase the length of the string in the wellbore, reduce the reliability of the string due to extra joints and seals that may flood, and increase cost.

Perforating shock protection for sensors