A colorgraphics recorder has a cathode ray tube with three parallel strips of light emitting phosphor, each emitting in one of the primary colors, with the light emitted from the phosphors focused on a film frame held in a film carrier. Each of the parallel strips of phosphor on the CRT can have a number of individually illumable pixels, forming a column of pixels. The light from each pixel at the same row level in each of the three strips of phosphor may be focused onto the same spot on the film frame so that all three of the primary colors are exposed at the same time at each pixel in the column of pixels exposed on the film frame. The film frame may then be indexed over one pixel width and the process repeated to expose another column of pixels in each of the three primary colors. Continued repetition of the process across the entire width of the film frame completes the exposure of the frame. Alternatively, the pixels on each of the three strips of phosphor on the CRT may be focused separately onto the film frame, forming three separate columns on pixels exposed in the three different primary colors. The intensity of the pixels exposed for each of the three colors is appropriate for the particular position on the film frame of the column of pixels that is exposed. The film frame is then indexed over one pixel width and the process repeated, with the tracing of the pixels on the CRT selected such that, for example, a column of blue pixels previously exposed on the film frame has a subsequent exposure by a column of green pixels, and another subsequent exposure by a column of red pixels, so that all of the three primary colors for all of the pixels in that column are exposed. This process is repeated, indexing the film frame one pixel width at a time until the entire frame of film is exposed.

Various devices are used to obtain hard copy readout of graphic information produced by computers. If the graphics (pictures) are in color, a popular device for obtaining the hard copy is a colorgraphics film recorder, which in its simplest form is merely an ordinary camera used to photograph the cathode ray tube (CRT) screen of a computer monitor. This is often inadequate because monitor CRTs have limited resolution and usually have a limited ability to show a wide range of colors.
Colorgraphics film recorders of more sophisticated design utilize a high resolution CRT within a recorder cabinet and a camera which photographs the display on the CRT. Since the generation of the graphics display on the screen may be done more leisurely than when displays are to be viewed directly, the color fidelity and the range of colors produced by these internal CRTs can be greater than that provided by monitor CRTs. The improved resolution is achieved by utilizing monochrome CRTs in combination with color filters. Monochrome CRTs are less expensive and have substantially higher resolution. The graphics computer provides numerical information to the recorder indicating the amounts of red, green, and blue to be displayed for each of a million or more dots or pixels comprising the picture. The recorder displays the red, green, and blue components of the complete pictures on the CRT screen in sequence by interposing red, green, and blue filters between the CRT and the color film on which the picture is being recorded. In this manner, full color photographs are obtained from a CRT that provides white light.
The manner of displaying the picture on the screen employed by colorgraphics film recorders is relatively slow and, because of the way the image is formed, does not have the maximum possible resolution. The picture display is produced as a sequence of vertical columns of pixels or of horizontal rows of pixels. Typically, one column of pixels is energized on the screen, a pixel at a time, with the brightness of each controlled according to a sequence of data bits provided by the external graphics computer. The column of pixels at the left-hand side of the screen is illuminated first. This may be done while, for example, a blue filter is interposed in front of the camera lens. A first sequence of data bits represents the amount of blue color to be imaged in the first column of the photograph. Then the same column position on the screen is again addressed, pixel by pixel, while a green filter is interposed in front of the lens, with the brightness of each pixel controlled according to a second series of data bits representing the amount of green light to be imaged on each individual pixel. The same column on the screen is then again addressed while a red filter is interposed in front of the lens, this time with the brightness of each pixel in the column controlled in accordance with a third series of data bits received from the computer, representing the amount of red light to be imaged for each pixel in the columns. Following this, the CRT beam is horizontally deflected one column, and the process is repeated, with the intensity or duration of illumination of each pixel dependent on the magnitude of a continuing stream of bits representing the intensity of each color needed for each pixel in the second column. The process continues in this way until the complete picture has been illuminated in three colors and the photographic film is completely exposed. In these conventional graphic recorders, the horizontal position of each column of pixels on the film is determined by the horizontal deflection of the CRT beam, which is indexed horizontally one pixel width following each exposure of a picture column in the three colors.
Typically a color wheel composed of three pie slice shaped filters is used which is rotated at a constant speed. The speed is slow enough that in the worst case (when all pixels in a column need full illumination) the exposure can be completed before the filter color changes. No overall time savings can be realized by speeding up the exposure of individual pixels because the filter is spinning at a constant speed. Picture regions needing little or no exposure will take the same length of time to illuminate as regions needing full exposure because it is necessary to wait until the next filter color is in place before proceeding with the exposure of the next color.
Resolution is limited in these conventional systems because the column on the CRT face having the least number of pixels limits the number of pixels per column, since each column must have the same number of pixels. Thus, the number of pixels in each column is equal to the number of pixels in the columns near the edge of the CRT. This number is substantially smaller than the number of pixels in a column near the center of a round CRT screen, which is the type typically used. On a picture having a length to width aspect ratio of 5:4, the number of pixels near the edge is 66% of the number of pixels in the center column. Thus the resolution of the image is reduced from what could be obtained if all of the pixels at the center of the screen were available.
Large non-linearities in the vertical displacement of pixels occurs when the CRT beam must undergo a large horizontal deflection. Thus, in the regions near the edge of the CRT, the vertical displacement must be corrected to prevent inaccuracies in pixel positioning. However, due to the non-linearities, it is often difficult to provide precise correction, particularly if the correction is based solely on a calculated (not measured) value.

Computer graphics color film recording method and apparatus


The present disclosure provides a system and method for correcting an input number, the system comprising a memory having instructions stored thereon and at least one processor to execute the instructions to cause: obtaining and displaying an input number; detecting a user's error correction operation and expanding display areas of digits of the input number after the error correction operation is detected; receiving correction on the input number; wherein the receiving correction on the input number comprises: receiving a user's correction on the input number by a digit correction control, wherein the digit correction control is disposed at a position corresponding to the expanded display area of the respective digit; and the digit correction control is a digit-rolling control or a digit-increasing/decreasing control.

It is a common operation to input a phone number on a communication device. As a new-generation mobile communication device develops, currently most of communication devices such as mobile phones stop using a mechanical keypad and turn to a touch screen as an input device.
When a user inputs a phone number to be dialed or number for other operations in various manners, particularly when he inputs the number by using speech recognition or image recognition, input errors might occurs. Hence, after the number is input, the user needs to correct the number which has already been input. A common manner in the prior art is to delete the current input number and to input number again; or the user operates on the screen, locates an input cursor to a desired correction position, and activates a device input method to adjust.
However, there exist the following problems with the above methods of correcting already-input number: cancelling the operation and inputting number again cannot ensure correctness of newly-input number and causes repeated operations; regarding the method of locating a correction position and activating the device, accurate locating is difficult to accomplish when the device screen is smaller or when the device is used in a special environment such as a shaky transport vehicle, and furthermore, the locating, deleting and re-inputting procedure is complicated, the operation is frequent, and inconvenient use might be caused to the user.

Apparatus and method for correcting an input number

BEIJING QIHOO TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED


Based on map information acquired from a map DB, a viewpoint for viewing a ground surface on a map of a set region at a time of displaying the map is set. Altitude information that indicates an altitude of a landform present in at least a partial region of the set region is stored. In a case where the altitude information is present in the map DB at a position on the map, which is set in response to a position indicated by inputted position information, a sight direction of the viewpoint is changed, and the viewpoint is thereby set at a position higher than the altitude of the landform, which is indicated by altitude information of the position on the map. A display data for displaying, on a display device, a map in a case of viewing the ground surface from the viewpoint set is generated.

On a map drawn three-dimensionally, symbols which represent landforms such as mountains, vehicles and the like are drawn with polygonal map constituents such as polygons. A navigation device uses a display method of displaying a polygon (hereinafter, referred to as an "own-vehicle polygon" in some case), which represents a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as an "own vehicle" in some case) on which the same device is mounted, in a mode of looking down from a viewpoint located at a high position rear of the own-vehicle polygon.
In this display method, there is a problem that the own-vehicle polygon is hidden by a polygon (hereinafter, referred to as a "landform polygon" in some case), which represents a landform higher than the position of the viewpoint, for example, a mountain, when the own vehicle passes through a tunnel or the like, which is formed in the mountain.
Technologies for avoiding the problem in the prior art are disclosed, for example, in Patent Documents 1 to 5. For example, in a technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the problem in the prior art is avoided by using means for setting an altitude of the viewpoint to a place higher than an altitude of such a constituent of the map.

Map display system and map display method


A connector seal is provided for the interposition between an access well, or hole, in a wall of a fluid containment apparatus and the other surface of a conduit, or pipe, passing through that hole to transport fluid to the container without leaking. The connector seal has as a main element a spring ring made from a resilient material such as carbon steel, alloy steel, or plastic, for delivering a radial static load to the connector seal upon its being exposed to compressive forces.

The present invention relates to connector seals of the type which are used to connect sections of pipe to holes in concrete walls such as those used in manholes and dike walls. The connector seals are designed to attach to such a hole in a concrete wall and receive a pipe penetrating through that hole to position its open end in the manhole or other fluid well. The connector seals are used to ensure that any liquid contained within the pipe and emptying into the well is tightly sealed from escaping out of the well.
Several characteristics are important when considering connector seal design. First of all, the seal should assure a watertight connection between the pipe and the concrete access well. The connector seal should also be flexible so that it can compensate for pipe loads as well as for the misalignment or deflection of either the pipe or the concrete access well. Finally, it is important for the connector seal to have a low installation cost, offer a long service life, and allow easy routine maintenance.
There are basically two known connector seals which are designed to seal directly against a hole in a concrete wall. The first such seal is the cast-in-place type which is sealed directly into the hole at the same time that the concrete wall itself is being cast. The other type of seal, which is designed to seal against the hole in the concrete wall, is forced into position in an existing hole.
The cast in-place connector seal requires that the manufacturer of manholes position the connector seal into the cast mold wall with a connector seal holding device prior to casting of the wall. This step insures that the connector seal's major diameter profile is cast in place and becomes an integral part of the concrete wall. There are several disadvantages, however, with this type of connector seal. First of all, the cast-in-place installation process is very time-consuming, since mechanical or pneumatic installation tools must be used on every connector seal cast in place. Secondly, the connector seal is dependent upon the casting process' concrete load pressure to insure that concrete flows all around the connector seal's major diameter profile, thereby creating a seal when dry.
Another disadvantage with this type of design is that by the seal becoming an integral part of the concrete wall, if the connector seal is damaged or defective, it cannot be removed, because with this cast concept the seal is not designed to be removable. This type of cast-in-place connector seal design is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,061.
As previously mentioned, the other type of connector seal which has traditionally been used in this field is designed to be forced into place into an existing hole. This type of seal utilizes a expansion split-ring with a major diameter arc length sized so that when the split-ring is mechanically expanded and clamped at a lock joint, it will form into a circle the circumference of which will compress the major diameter outer profile of the connector seal's elastomeric body against a concrete wall's receptacle hole surface. The disadvantage with this type of design is that the expansion rings require hydraulic or mechanical devices, as well as a significant amount of time and labor, to expand and lock the expansion ring in place. One example of such a connector seal/expansion ring is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,437.
A problem with known connector seals made of elastomeric material is the phenomenon of stress relaxation. That is, as mechanical forces deform the connector seal, the elastomeric body is exposed to stress. Eventually, the elastomeric material begins to relax under that stress and assume the deformed shape. This deformation results in a less efficient seal.
It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved connector seal which can be inexpensively manufactured and easily installed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of compensating for the stress relaxation property of the elastomeric material use in the manufacture of connector seals.
A further object of the present invention is to eliminate the time consumed by the cast-in-place process as well as the need for special installation equipment associated with known connector seals.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an innovative new means of compressing a connector seal's major diameter outer sealing contact surface profile against a concrete wall's receptacle hole surface.


A method of consolidating particulate materials or combinations of such materials into shaped products of very low porosity. High compaction pressures are applied at temperatures in the range of sintering temperature of the materials being consolidated to achieve essentially complete densification at extremely rapid processing rates. Electrothermal heating is utilized to accomplish these results. Difficult materials such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and other very high melting point materials may be densified by these techniques.

The present invention is directed to a method of consolidating particulate metals, ceramic materials, or combinations of such materials into shaped products of very low porosity. More specifically, this invention provides a means to apply high compaction pressures at temperatures in the range of sintering temperature of the materials being consolidated to achieve essentially complete densification at extremely rapid processing rates as compared with prior art technologies. Moreover, because this invention employs a method of electrothermal heating generally referred to as "charge-resistor" heating, the temperatures that can be obtained by the process of this invention are well above the requirements for even the most refractory and heretofore difficult to densify materials, such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and other very high melting point materials.
Processes for making dense metallic and/or ceramic articles from their powders are well established in industrial practice of the prior art. It is possible, for example, by the method known as "hot pressing," to place the powder between two cylindrical pistons contained within a cylindrical chamber having only a slightly greater diameter than the pistons, and by application of heat and pressure directly to the powder, the powder can be formed into a highly dense cylindrical billet. Because the method applies an external pressure directly to the material at or near its sintering temperature, hot pressing will yield consolidated product of higher density than if the powder material is densified by pressureless sintering. Hot pressing is a relatively simple prior art method to achieve essentially complete densification and is widely used to make many articles in present commercial use. However, because high temperatures are needed to consolidate high melting point metal alloy powders and the recently developed high performance ceramic materials, the dies and plungers used for hot pressing must be made of a material capable of withstanding the required temperature. Graphite is the most practical material and is commonly used in commercial hot pressing of ceramics. To avoid oxidation of graphite tooling, the hot processing apparatus must be enclosed within a controlled atmosphere chamber, and shielded therein by inert gases. Often, a vacuum is also pulled on the chamber containing the hot pressing apparatus to allow for the removal of reactive gases that may evolve during heating of the material.
A major disadvantage of this method of consolidation is that the cycle time or hot pressing increases with temperature, making the process slow at very high temperature. It is a further disadvantage that in order to utilize effectively the space available in a hot pressing furnace, it is necessary to assemble a series of parts into a "stack". This procedure can be intricate and not readily adapted to automated production.
Even more disadvantageous from the standpoint of commercial production of high performance structural ceramics is that it is impossible to use simple uniaxial hot pressing to make parts of complex shape. For example, turbine rotors that have intricate curved shapes and substantial variation in the thickness cannot be hot pressed.
To make an article of complex shape the processing that is generally used involves "preforming" the powder into a partially densified article having the desired shape of the finished part, then further consolidating the pre-form in a second step. Methods commonly used to make the pre-form include die pressing, slip casting, injection molding and extrusion. Pre-forms can then be further consolidated by one or a combination of operations that include cold isostatic pressing, hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing (HIPING), cold and hot forging, hot extrusion and pressureless sintering.
Hot isostatic pressing or HIPING involves sealing a pre-form in an evacuated flexible container and inserting the cladded part into a pressure vessel, then applying pressure while heating to the sintering temperature. The container can be a thin metal sheath that can be welded, evacuated and sealed. If the metal cladding material is properly selected, it will deform to the shape of the preform and transmit pressure uniformly and isostatically to the part being consolidated. Pressure is applied by compression of the gas in the surrounding chamber. For ceramic components that require very high temperatures to achieve consolidation, for example silicon carbide parts, a metal sheath may be impractical and means to encapsulate the part in a glass composition has been developed.
Hot isostatic pressing does provide a means to consolidate metal and ceramic preforms into dense articles of complex shape and there is a growing use of HIPING in commercial production of powdered metal parts and ceramic components. However, the major use of HIP has been to densify cast metals and to consolidate powder metal parts. HIP technology can be applied to ceramic materials including the high temperature non-oxide ceramics, such as silicon carbide; but the costs are very high. Temperatures in excess of 2000.degree. C. are needed at pressures of 30,000 psi or higher. As in hot pressing, HIPING entails long cycle times. Because the cost of high pressure equipment and systems are higher than for hot pressing, HIPING is more expensive. There has therefore been increasing interest in other methods that would allow production of ceramic components of complex shape at lower cost.
Yet further, one method receiving extensive study by ceramicists is pressureless sintering. Pressureless sintering involves making preforms of the part from ultra-fine, sinter-active ceramic powder, for example by injection molding or cold isostatic pressing, then heating the preform to a temperature approaching the melting point of the material(s) to be sintered, causing a shrinkage and consolidation to the desired final size and shape. Pressureless sintering not only can consolidate complex and intricately shaped parts but it offers the obvious advantage of adaptation to continuous and easily automated production with inherently lower cost of mass production.
Despite already noted advantages of the pressureless sintering method, technical factors may limit the ability to utilize this process to make certain high performance structural ceramic components from certain powdered ceramic materials. This is particularly true in the case of the high melting temperature non-oxide ceramic materials such as the nitrides, carbides, and borides. For example, to achieve a near theoretical density part by pressureless sintering of silicon carbide powders, it is mandatory to use a silicon carbide powder that is all substantially below 1-2 micron particle size, and meeting close chemical specifications with regard to contained oxygen, carbon and trace elements.
Deviation from these specifications will lead to failure to obtain an essentially pore-free and homogeneous flaw-free structure absolutely necessary to obtain the high strength characteristics required in aircraft or automotive engine turbine rotors. Thus, the production of suitably qualified powders meeting the rigorous demands for pressureless sintering involves intricate and careful control that results in relatively high cost starting raw material powders. Furthermore, even with the most careful control during production of powders, pressureless sintering at high temperature requires a finite time during which the preformed powder compact must remain at the sintering temperature to allow for full shrinkage and densification. Inherent with the sintering process is the tendency for growth of the grains causing departure from the idealized ultra-fine, equi-axed microstructure that offers the highest material strength. Powders that undergo crystal phase transformation at or near the sintering temperature are particularly susceptible to grain growth and a resulting decrease in strength properties. This effect made more pronounced with increased residence time at the sintering temperature.
It can be noted that very high temperatures are needed to sinter materials that are candidates for high performance engine components. As stated, silicon carbide requires temperatures above 2000.degree. C. to achieve a high degree of densification by pressureless sintering. Although it would be highly desirable from the standpoint of minimizing grain growth to rapidly heat a preform to the sintering temperature and limit the time at temperature to no longer than several minutes, and, possibly to residence times of no more than several seconds, there are a number of practical limitations to doing this by a pressureless sintering process. First, sintering furnaces of conventional design are simply not suited to a quick entry or withdrawal of the material being sintered. More important, however, is the fact that gases are likely to evolve from the preform during heat-up due to a combination of desorption, decomposition and chemical reaction. Too rapid a heat-up rate and associated gas evacuation rate can cause mechanical stresses that would fracture the part. And thirdly, too rapid a heating and/or cooling could also cause fracture due to differential expansion or contraction, referred to as "thermal shock". The limits of temperature rise rate and cooling rate during pressureless sintering are different for different materials and are dictated by the specific material being processed and the size and shape of the part.
However, it should be noted in regard to the limits of temperature rise rate and the speed of the sintering cycle that substantially higher cycle rates are possible when the material is being subjected to pressure, for example as in hot pressing. Pressure minimizes cracking due to gas evolution and, if maintained during the densification cycle it allows a substantially closer approach to achieving theoretical density then by pressureless sintering.
Thus, the present state of the art can be summarized, as follows: the pressureless sintering method for the manufacture of advanced materials by consolidation from powders, and particularly for making high performance ceramics, represents the most attractive method from the standpoint of high volume-low cost production. However, the mechanical properties obtained in pressureless sintered materials are generally not as good as in materials made by application of pressure during sintering, as is the case for hot pressed and/or HIPED products. But these latter methods are either unsuited for making parts of complex shape and/or are very slow and unable to be easily or fully automated; thus, they are very expensive.
It is therefore one material object of the present invention to overcome many of the difficulties of the prior art methods, and more particularly to provide a means for extremely rapid sintering under pressure to achieve consolidated parts of low porosity and having a flaw-free and ultra-fine grain structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to be able to accomplish these basic objectives even with materials that require temperatures well above 2100.degree. C.
It is still further the purpose of the present invention to accomplish the above objectives within seconds using temperature rise rates in excess of 50.degree. C./sec.
Moreover, it is the purpose of this invention to consolidate preformed materials of complex shape under compaction pressures approaching isostatic compaction conditions. It is still further the purpose of this invention to accomplish these objectives using relatively inexpensive apparatus that is simple in construction and operation and that can be readily adapted to automated and continuous high volume production.
It is recognized that the above objectives of the present invention have been addressed by previous workers. In that regard, descriptions of processes intended as improvements in manufacture of parts by consolidation of powders have been described in the technical literature and in previously issued patents. Most pertinent are the patents issued to Lichti and Hofstatter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,539,175 and 4,640,711). These workers have demonstrated that simple tooling similar to that used in hot pressing can in fact be used to consolidate articles of complex shape by first surrounding the article by a spherically shaped particulate medium which has sufficient resiliency to be deformed under high compaction pressures without excessive breakage and thereby transmit the compaction pressure in a nearly isostatic manner to the part being consolidated. The Lichti-Hoffstatter patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,539,175 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,711) note the advantages provided by using Superior Graphite Co. spherical graphitic carbon product (9400 Series) as the preferred pressure transmitting particulate medium.
Although the consolidation methods of Lichti and Hofstatter theoretically may offer significant advantages in consolidation of preformed articles, it has in actual practice been found to be difficult to apply the described procedure for materials requiring very high temperatures for consolidation; for example, for materials that must be heated to above 1500.degree. C. (2732.degree. F.) to achieve densification. U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,175 to Lichti et. al. notes that the consolidation process takes place after the heated preform is placed in a bed of previously heated carbonaceous particles (Col. 4, lines 35 et seq.). It is further stated that although the graphite particles can be heated inductively to 4000.degree. F. (2204.degree. C.), oxidation is significant above 800.degree. F. Hence, it follows that the operation step at temperatures approaching 4000.degree. F. (2204.degree. C.) would become extremely difficult. U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,175 specifically notes that heating to the necessary temperature is done before compaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,711 describes again the consolidation process of their invention and notes the use of a non-graphitic spherical carbon and mixtures of graphitic and non-graphitic spherical carbon and mixtures of spherical carbon and/or carbon and ceramic particles as the pressure transmitting medium. U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,711 is again specific in noting that the preform and the bed of particles are to be at elevated temperature before pressurization. Thus, the patented processes of Lichti and Hofstatter require that both the particulate medium and the pre-form be preheated independently and then individually transported to the compaction apparatus in sequence to allow the pre-form to be immersed within the medium prior to compaction. Such transfer of materials after heating becomes extremely difficult at temperatures needed to consolidate non-oxide ceramics, such as silicon carbide (1900.degree. -2150.degree. C.), and apparatus to accomplish the transfer is complex, expensive and wasteful of energy.
It is further recognized that a process has been reported by Eliezer and co-workers at the University of Texas referred to as High-Energy, High-Rate Consolidation which utilizes a very high energy electrical discharge, not through a bed, but rather directly to the pre-form while applying compaction pressure to the preform. In this process, electrical energy is transmitted directly through the material being consolidated, and thus can be used only to consolidate those materials having sufficient electrical conductivity. By using a suitably electrically conductive particulate medium, the present invention is not so restricted and materials with no electrical conductivity can be consolidated by the process hereof. Yet further, since the process described by Eliezer et al. is conducted in a manner similar to hot pressing, it is no more suited than hot pressing for making components of complex shape.
In view of Lichti and Hofstatter and Eliezer et al., it is still another objective of the present invention to utilize the principle of consolidation by compacting a free flowing solid particulate medium as a near isostatic pressure transmitter, but to accomplish heating and compaction essentially simultaneously by a rapid, convenient and energy efficient means.
It is a further object of the present invention to include embodiments utilizing a bed material which is not confined to the narrowly specific bed material of the prior art.

Method for electroconsolidation of a preformed particulate workpiece


A method for removing an acidic component such as sulfite gas (SO2) contained in an exhaust gas comprising by using a system comprising (a) a gas-liquid contact apparatus composed of an absorption column provided internally with at least one perforated plate at the top, bottom, or both top and bottom of the absorption column packed with at least one type of fillers, (b) an apparatus for introducing raw seawater to the absorption column, (c) an apparatus for oxidizing the seawater after gas-liquid contact, and (d) an apparatus for mixing raw seawater with the contact seawater after oxidation, whereby the exhaust gas containing an acidic component is brought into gas-liquid contact with the seawater.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of wet removal of an acidic component in an exhaust gas with seawater, in particular an acidic component exhausted from a boiler or various furnaces, and an acidic component from an exhaust gas containing sulfite gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, for example, when heavy oil, coal, etc. are burned in combustion equipments such as a boiler or various types of furnaces and since the fuels contain a sulfur component, the sulfur component is combined with the oxygen in the air at the time of combustion to form sulfur oxides which end up included in the combustion exhaust gas. Such sulfur oxides travel with the gas from the source of generation to regions as much as several thousand kilometers away to cause phenomena such as acid rain or acid fog, polluting the air, water, soil, etc. over a vast region and having detrimental effects on human health.
However, along with the increased international interest in global environmental issues, global scale measures have been sought. In Japan, along with advances made in exhaust gas desulfurization or denitrogenation technologies etc., efficient boiler combustion technology has been accomplished. Substantially 100% antipolution measures are now taken at the source of generation. For example, as a method of wet removal of the acidic component such as the sulfur oxides contained in the gas, a packed column, spray column, bubble cap column, perforated or grid plate column without weir and downcomer etc. have been used to bring the gas to be treated and an alkali treatment solution countercurrently into contact. That is, it can be said that the desulfurization treatment technology for environmental protection has reached the almost perfected stage. For example, a desulfurization efficiency of 90 to 99% has been obtained and commercialized. However, since calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, etc. are used as the alkali treatment solution, there occur problem that, in addition to higher cost, the waste solutions have to be treated, the solid substances have to be treated, etc. Thus, there are problems of complication of the process and high construction and running costs. Therefore, as a method of treatment of exhaust gas using seawater, the present inventors developed a method of wet treatment of exhaust gas by using a perforated or grid plate column without weir and downcomer in JP-A-11-290643 (method of treatment of acidic component in an exhaust gas with seawater). Nevertheless, this method was insufficient in the low Ug region.
As explained above, even a process for removing an acidic component from an exhaust gas, developments of new technologies for simplification of the process, making the equipment more compact, and sharply reducing the construction and running costs are sought not only in the industrialized countries, but in the developing countries as well. In particular, a reliable process is sought for cases where advanced treatment of all regions, including the low Ug region, is frequently required.
Accordingly, objects of the present invention are to develop new technologies capable of highly removing an acidic component such as a sulfate gas contained in an exhaust gas with a simplified process in a more compact equipment, and at a remarkably reducted the construction and running costs, in view of the international needs, at a wide region including a low Ug and low L/G region.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for removing an acidic component contained in an exhaust gas comprising by using a system comprising (a) a gas-liquid contact apparatus composed of an absorption column provided internally with at least one perforated plate at the top, bottom, or both top and bottom of the absorption column packed with at least one type of fillers, (b) an apparatus for introducing seawater to the absorption column, (c) an apparatus for oxidizing the seawater after gas-liquid contact, and (d) an apparatus for mixing a noncontact seawater with the seawater after subjected to the mixing and oxidation, whereby the exhaust gas containing an acidic component is brought into gas-liquid contact with the seawater.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a wet method for removing an acidic component contained in an exhaust gas, in a gas-liquid contact apparatus including an absorption column having a column diameter of at least 500 mm and provided with at least one perforated plate having an free-space ratio Fc of 0.25 to 0.5 and provided with at least one type of packing material with a packing height of 0.5 m to 4 m, comprising
supplying seawater in such an amount that a ratio L/G of the flow rate L (kg/m2xc2x7hr) of the seawater to the flow rate G (kg/m2xc2x7hr) of the gas to be treated from the top of the column is at least 3.6 and a flow rate L of the seawater is 1xc3x97104 to 25xc3x97104 kg/m2xc2x7hr and introducing a treated gas in such an amount that a range of a superficial gas velocity Ug in the apparatus from the bottom of the gas-liquid contact apparatus is 0 to 2xc2x7Ugm (m/sec):
in the case of using a perforated or grid plate column without weir and downcomer composed of at least one perforated plate and the ratio xcfx81G/xcfx81L of the density xcfx81G (kg/m3) of the treated gas to the density xcfx81L (kg/m3) of seawater of 1030 is at least 0.838xc3x9710xe2x88x923,
Ugm=49.14 Fc0.7 (xcfx81G/xcfx81Lxc3x9710xe2x88x923)xe2x88x920.5xc2x7(L/G)xe2x88x921/3xc2x7{square root over (gxc2x7L)}
wherein L is a capillary constant {square root over (2"sgr"/xcfx81Lxc2x7g)},
g is a gravitational acceleration (m/sec2) and
"sgr" is a surface tension of seawater (kg/sec2)
whereby the gas to be treated and seawater are countercurrently brought into gas-liquid contact.

Process for desulfurization of exhaust gas with seawater


A real-life target is hit with a virtual bullet or projectile using GPS-enabled or otherwise location aware devices which report their location. Real world information is taken into account, such as the terrain, elevation, weather, and line of sight, to determine if the virtual bullet hits the real-life target. Virtual information is also taken into account, such as which weapon is selected and what its distance and accuracy are. Further, information about the shooter is taken into account, such as his/her accuracy, how tired he/she is (based on recent travel distance and velocity), and how steady the GPS-enabled device is being held. Thus, a simulation which mirrors reality is made, allowing people to play a more realistic type of a virtual action with each other.

Back in the 1980s, children played laser tag types of games by wearing an infrared receiver and holding an infrared gun. One person would shoot at another, and if your gun's infrared signal hit your opponent's infrared receiver, you scored a hit.
More recently, this type of shooting and being hit has been updated, using augmented reality. One can shoot digital versions of others displayed on a screen, which partially includes real video. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,342, assigned to Sulon Technologies Inc., discloses a screen and sensors on a person who carries a toy gun. Players then try and shoot each other, using this GPS-enabled system. Others, such as WO 2016/02060, assigned to SmartLab PTE Ltd., disclose a more direction combination of laser tag and GPS positioning. Infrared beams are used to transmit and receive shots, and hits are displayed.
Still, further improvements are needed to make the games more realistic and take them from the level of a game to a more sophisticated simulation that can be used for real-world training, minus the actual guns and weapons.

Shooting simulator with GPS and augmented reality


The invention discloses an aqueous granulating solution containing sodium, potassium or mixed sodium potassium salt of an edible organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric, malic, tartaric and fumaric acid and optionally containing sodium or potassium bicarbonate. The granulating solution is especially useful for granulating finely divided solids including acetaminophen, ketoprofen or calcium carbonate. The resulting granulate may be used to prepare a swallow tablet or mixed with an edible organic acid and the mixture tableted to provide an effervescent tablet without resorting to controlled reaction or special handling techniques.

Wet granulation techniques have been used for many years by the pharmaceutical industry. Traditional granulating agents such as starch, gelatin, sucrose, acacia, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone have been used to provide a freely flowing granulation mixture, tabletability, aqueous solubility or dispersibility of the medically effective ingredient, and so forth. Alkali metal salts of edible organic acids such as trisodium citrate, tripotassium citrate, dipotassium fumarate and sodium potassium tartrate have not been used in aqueous solutions as granulating agents previously. Trisodium citrate has been used in powder form as a stabilizer for dichloraphenazone (GB 882567) which mixture is then granulated to form tablets for pharmaceutical use.
Gusman et al disclose the use of granulating powder mixtures (which may contain potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate) with alcoholic solutions of polymeric binding agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol.
Special problems have been found with the granulation and tableting of effervescent compositions because the compounds required for the effervescent couple react during granulation. Methods have been developed which involve the controlled reaction of the effervescent couple to produce a dry granulation mixture of the couple. This mixture must be carefully handled in a humidity controlled environment. The medically effective ingredient, often an analgesic, is granulated separately and the two granulation mixtures combined for tableting. A commonly used reactant in effervescent mixtures, sodium bicarbonate, is not wet granulated as such or in mixtures in the preparation of stable effervescent systems, except in carefully controlled reaction systems containing the acidic components of the effervescent couple and using very small amounts of water or water-solvent mixtures. Even then, the granulation is sometimes aided by heat to liberate water from the sodium bicarbonate by decomposition. Sodium citrate may be formed as the reaction product between the components of effervescent couples such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid when granulated together. However, special precautions, by drying or controlling the reaction, have been required.
It has now been found that by using an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of an alkali metal salt of an edible organic acid as a granulating agent, traditional wet granulating techniques may be used. These granulating agents allow all of the nonacid components of the desired final formulation to be granulated together without special handling techniques.

Aqueous granulation solution and a method of tablet granulation


A call processing system includes a call processing server. The call processing server processes calls for an internal network that employs SIP features and functions. The call processing server can receive calls from or send calls to one or more external communication endpoints that are not part of the internal network. However, the call processing server can associate a floating user agent with the communication from the external communication endpoint and lock the floating user agent to a gateway. After locking onto a gateway and initiating the call, the floating user agent can then publish call event status and receive SIP primitives similar to other SIP-enabled devices.

Many organizations and business are installing or using communication systems that use the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP communication systems provide many features that are not provided with other phone systems. Some of the features allow the communication system to interact with other computer-based applications. Thus, an application can trigger a phone call over the SIP communication system or execute other functions involving the SIP communication system.
Generally, these advanced features only function with SIP communication endpoints, that is, SIP phones connected to the SIP communication system. Thus, when a user receives a phone call from a communication endpoint, an "external device," that is outside the internal network, the external device are not represented the same and require a wholly separate interface to provide the same features as the SIP-enabled phones. The additional interfaces are difficult and expensive to create. Because external devices are not treated similarly as the SIP-enabled, internal phones, SIP communication systems may not provide the most effective communication system.


A laser projection insert including a laser module disposable in the chamber of a simulative training firearm. An activation cap includes a printed circuit board and a photo sensor disposed on the printed circuit board. The photo sensor is configured to receive an optical signal from the simulative training firearm. The activation cap is configured to control the laser module to emit light. A power source is disposed between the activation cap and the laser module. A first part of the power source is positioned on the activation cap and a second part of the power source is positioned on the laser module.

Simulated firearm training may include repeated firing without ammunition, such as by firing a laser beam or a light signal at a target such as a light detection system. Simulative fire allows individuals to improve shooting techniques without employing bullets. It may be desirable to have a device and method in which a single or multiple users, or trainers and trainees can readily practice using a firearm without placing themselves or others at risk of accidental discharge of a bullet while still maintaining the ability to recognize whether a firearm has been fired accurately at a target. Simulated firearm training, such as using a training pistol or a simulative training gun firing a laser beam at a target, may limit the financial burden related to the wear and tear on a traditional firearm, including the cost of ammunition and use of adequate facilities brought about by live fire training. For example, simulated firearm training may be employed to develop and improve muscle memory of a shooter without the safety issues and costs associated with life fire training exercises.
Simulated firearm training may be useful to law-enforcement member, military personnel and recreational firearm users who desire a relatively high degree of firearm practice and proficiency. Live fire training may pose a heightened risk to users, such as when the muzzle of a firearm points toward other users, increasing the likelihood of accidental and potentially fatal discharge. Training Officers (TOs) may be injured or fatally wounded during live fire exercises or during loading/unloading procedures of a live fire weapon or firearm. For example, a live round may reach the chamber of a firearm without an officer being aware that he or she is facing a loaded weapon.
Detecting the accuracy of a shooter in a live fire training exercise may be less accurate than detecting accuracy using a laser detection/simulation scenario. For example, when multiple shooters participate in a live fire training exercise using substantially identical bullets fired at a same target, it may be difficult to determine which of the multiple shooters contacted the target. Additionally, when a single shooter hits substantially a same point on a target multiple times during a live fire training exercise it may be difficult to detect which location on the target the shooter contacted, or how many times each particular location on the target was hit. Thus, a simulative fire training device may be used to more reliably detect the shooting accuracy of multiple shooters using a single target.
A simulative fire training device may be inserted into a barrel of a training firearm and may be activated upon receiving a signal from the simulative training firearm. The simulative fire training device may emit light, such as infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV) or visible light to a target upon receiving the signal. Thus, it may be desirable to have a modular, self-contained laser projection system removably disposed in a barrel of a simulative fire training firearm without being physically wired or electrically connected to the simulative fire training firearm.

Device, system and method for simulated firearm training


A kit for producing a foamed biocompatible material includes a container configured to sustain a high pressure, and a tissue-repair composition placed in the container. The composition contains a biocompatible material, a liquid carrier, and a gas. The container has an internal pressure of greater than 1 atm and less than 250 atm, and includes a valve and a nozzle for releasing from the nozzle a foam formed of the composition upon opening the valve. Methods of producing and applying the biocompatible material are also disclosed.

Biocompatible materials, including natural and synthetic polymers, have been frequently used for tissue repair in various forms, e.g., bone cement, dural substitute, wound dressing, anti-postoperative adhesion membrane, and joint injection fluid. There is still a need for producing new biocompatible materials or new forms of biocompatible materials that are more convenient to use.

Foamy biomaterial for biological tissue repair

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A collapsible shelter or tent commonly known as an umbrella tent, that includes an integral frame and cover, the frame including tent poles formed of interconnected tent pole sections whose ends are telescoped together and are urged in their telescoped coupling by an elastic cord that is maintained, under tension, within each tent pole. Each tent pole is pivotally connected at a top end to extend radially from a crown, with the opposite tent pole end maintained to a web strap that extends from a base of which cover, with a number of slides mounted to slide along each tent pole that individually connect to and extend from loops secured at vertical intervals to extend outwardly from which cover. Both the crown and an erecting ring each receive a center pole fitted to slide axially therethrough, and the erecting ring pivotally mounts a rib end thereto that pivotally couples at its opposite end to the tent pole at an intermediate point therealong. When the crown and erecting ring are slid together along the center pole, each rib pivots outwardly urging the connected tent pole into a bowed attitude, providing an umbrella type opening of the shelter, that can then be collapsed by pulling the erecting ring away from which crown slide, collapsing the frame. Whereafter the individual tent poles can be disconnected by pulling them apart and folding them together into a bundle for rolling in the tent material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to portable collapsible tent type shelters and more particularly to umbrella type tents that do not require a central support pole.
2. Prior Art
Tent type structures involving flexible material formed into a cover and supported over a rigid frame have, of course, long been in use as portable tent type structures. In recent times, separately erected frame structures that receive, after erection, a flexible material formed into a cover and fitted and secured thereover have been replaced by integral tent frame and covering arrangements. One such arrangement is an umbrella tent that comprises a tent covering that is mounted to a center tent pole and is held in an extended attitude by poles that are pivoted outwardly from pivot points that are at or near the top of the center pole. With such tents, the center tent pole has the disadvantage of reducing the useable floor area within the erected tent, and the erection of such tent has generally required an appreciable amount of time.
Recently, a number of single unit tent arrangements have been developed that are more readily erected and collapsed, and including tent poles formed from telescoping sections for arrangement in sleeves that are formed in the tent material itself. Nevertheless such tents have required a considerable amount of time for assembling the tent poles and the erection of the tent. A single unit umbrella tent by Watts, U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,054, is an attempt to incorporate the advantages of an umbrella tent without the hindrance of a ground engaging center pole. The Watts tent also includes telescoping tent poles that extend from around a pole hub. The tent unit of the Watts patent is further capable of being broken down by disconnecting the individual poles into sections to form a small compact bundle for transport and is conveniently erectable as a unit at a site. The Watts tent, however, suffers from a number of deficiencies that the present invention improves upon including: a failure of the tent poles and rib of the Watts tent to regularly travel in a straight vertical line during tent erection often resulting in a collapse of tent poles toward one another during their outward bowing; a failure of tent material loops to slide properly along the tent poles during erection, causing tent material bunching and tearing; and a failure to reliably mount tent pole foot ends to the tent bottom, resulting in the bowed tent pole foot end tearing away from the tent material bottom portion. Like the Watts tent, the present invention employs a short inverted center pole or erecting rod that extends upwardly from the tent apex and is arranged to slide in a pole hub or crown sleeve to a top end of which rod, the hub or crown pivotally connecting to tent poles. The pivot connection of the tent poles of the invention, however, is a ball with shoulders or a cylinder with seat arrangement that stabilizes the tent pole path of travel to an extended attitude. Also distinct to the invention is a clevis type pivot coupling for joining each rib end to a point along a tent pole, the clevis type coupling for preventing a canting of the rib to the tent pole during erection. The unique pivot coupling and clevis connection of the invention prohibiting tent frame collapse that is prevalent utilizing the tent of the Watts patent. Further unique to the invention over the Watts tent are tent covering material pole slide arrangements that are each for mounting to a loop that extends from spaced point along the surface of the tent material, aligning with a tent pole the individual slides of the invention are arranged to slide freely along a tent pole during tent erection to allow the tent covering material to reposition itself as it is stretch from a loose to taut state across the tent frame. The above features along with an improved arrangement of collapsing tent poles and their mounts to web strap extensions from the tent floor provide an improved inverse umbrella tent of the invention that is both easy to erect and can be easily broken down to a compact bundle for storage and transport.


A tissue wall of a biological lumen may be reinforced by embedding a material or structure into the tissue wall. The reinforcement material or structure may embed by application of outwardly directed force along an interior side of the tissue wall, threading, or injection. The reinforcement material or structure may act as an embedded scaffold that limits expansion or contraction of the tissue wall to pushing or pulling forces. An anchor device, such as a medical device, may anchor to the reinforced portion of the tissue wall.

Medical devices may be implanted in biological lumens. Current surgical procedures for anchoring such devices include utilizing hooks to puncture through the wall of the lumen or otherwise internally anchoring the device via interaction external to the lumen. Such procedures, however, tend to be more complicated and present higher risk of negative outcomes and trauma to the patient. Implanted medical devices may also be subject to pushing or pulling forces due to normal function of the lumen or the device. These forces may result in anchored hooks tearing the tissue wall, causing further trauma and migration of the device from a target site. Improved techniques for anchoring an implanted medical device are needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Lumen reinforcement and anchoring system


The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition at the pH of the skin. Particularly, it relates to an antimicrobial composition comprising water soluble vinyl polymer, a carboxylic acid having pKa greater than 4.5; and an anionic surfactant, wherein the composition has pH in the range 4.5 to 6.5. The compositions provides synergistic antimicrobial effect in relatively shorter contact time. The invention further relates to a method of disinfecting a surface using the composition.

People try to take good care of the external surfaces of their body as well as those of their pets to enable overall good health. Specific skin related issues that people care about include, good skin health free of infections, good skin tone and adequate moisturization. Oral cavity is another external surface that people try to take active care to maintain. They prefer their oral cavity including the gums and teeth to be free of problems like cavities, tartar, gingivitis, caries, bad breath also known as halitosis and plaque. Typically, people are also concerned with hair and scalp care. They generally prefer to have thick and long hair with minimum hair fall. Dandruff is a commonly occurring scalp problem for which a fungal microorganism has been implicated.
A good health for external surfaces including skin, oral cavity and scalp care are typically achieved by keeping them free of infections. One way to tackle infections is to treat it using antimicrobials after the infection has set in. Another approach is to leave a minimal amount of antimicrobial composition on the surface like e.g. skin of the hands, so that any invading microorganisms like e.g. bacteria are killed or inactivated so as to minimize spread of disease. Some bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are commonly found on the human skin. These bacteria per se do not trigger a pathogenic effect whilst commonly present on the skin. However, when they enter the human body through cuts on the skin and through acts like ingestion, these bacteria become pathogenic. Therefore, keeping the external surface of the body like e.g. hand and scalp, free of bacteria helps in preventing them from entering the human body thereby achieving the desired hygiene.
Various germicidal compositions are disclosed that may be applied on to the skin of humans or warm-blooded animals. Some of these also discloses antimicrobial composition with polymers and carboxylic acids.
WO 00/13506 A2 (Alcide Corp.) discloses a freeze-resistance topical germicide for application to skin, such as the teats of a dairy cow. The germicide may be a one-part composition or a two-part system. The one-part disinfecting composition comprises an organic acid germicide and a non-esterifying antifreeze. The two-part system comprises a first part and a second part adapted to be mixed to yield the disinfecting composition. The first part comprises a metal chloride and a chlorite-stable antifreeze, and the second part comprises an organic acid germicide and a non-esterifying antifreeze, or an inorganic acid and either an alcohol or a non-esterifying antifreeze.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,444 (Ecolab Inc) discloses a mastitis control composition which comprises an aliphatic carboxylic acid having a chain length C6 to C12, an organic film forming agent e.g. PVA and polyvinyl acetate, rheology modifying material, an emollient, a surfactant and a buffer, and a chloride dioxide generating chemical such as sodium chlorite dissolved in an aqueous carrier. The base formulation in examples of U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,444 comprises carboxylic acid, such as nonanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, a mixture of octanoic acid and decanoic aid and heptanoic acid, and PVA. To said base formulation an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite is added and pH of some of the compositions exemplified therein is less than 3.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,241 (Ecolab, Inc.) discloses an antimicrobial composition that can be used as a teat dip for milk producing animals. At least some embodiments of invention disclosed therein provide superior antimicrobial protection against mastitis causing organisms. The composition comprises a fatty acid containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms like e.g. heptanoic acid and a carrier medium including a freezing point depressant component. The compositions may further include rheology modifiers like e.g. hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), to enhance viscosity or thicken the composition.
US2010/0234328 (Delaval Holdings) discloses an antimicrobial composition comprising an organic acid and an anionic surfactant. It relates to topical application of the composition on an animal. It also relates to a method of using an antimicrobial composition comprising organic acid and an anionic surfactant to reduce microbial concentrations that may relate to treatment or prevention of mastitis. Several examples of organic acids like e.g. lactic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, hexanoic acid and octanoic acid, are disclosed. The composition may further comprise additives like barrier forming agents like e.g. hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVP.
US2013/224125 (Kolazi et al.) discloses a non-alcoholic or slightly alcoholic antibacterial mouthwash composition with improved antimicrobial efficacy wherein the composition comprises a water soluble matrix composite made of a water soluble polymer like PVP and a water soluble surfactant, at least one water immiscible or water insoluble antibacterial agent and optionally a weak carboxylic acid like e.g. citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid and combinations thereof.
Various routes for improving the biocidal activity of soap based cleansing compositions have been suggested.
US2008014247A (Lu et al., 2008) discloses a composition having metal containing material, stearic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to treat conditions caused by gram-positive, gram-negative, fungal pathogens and/or antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It further provides a method for inhibiting biofilm proliferation. The metal containing material can be silver.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,467 B1 (Horowitz et al. 1962) discloses an antimicrobial cleansing composition consisting essentially of a mixture of a water-soluble soap and a silver salt of partially depolymerized alginic acid. The composition provides synergestic antimicrobial activity.
However, addition of soap invariably increases the pH of the composition. High pH composition is harsh on the skin. Consumer also has a preference to use a formulation with pH close to that of human skin. Another problem is, most of the soap based antimicrobial compositions has to be applied for sufficiently long time to get the antimicrobial benefit. However most of the people especially kids do not wash their hand/skin for long enough.
Carboxylic acids are one of the known compounds used as antimicrobials. One of the preferred ways consumers make use of antimicrobial compositions is through personal washing and cleansing compositions that provide antimicrobial benefit. Consumers tend to prefer such personal washing and cleansing compositions which tend to provide high amount of foam as they tend to associate the amount of foam generated with efficacy of such compositions. For the above reasons surfactants, especially anionic surfactant, is often included in such compositions. We have found that antimicrobial efficacy of carboxylic acids substantially reduced in presence of anionic surfactants.
Thus, on one hand, desired amount of foam is obtained because of presence of surfactant but on the other hand antimicrobial benefit of carboxylic acid gets affected at least partially, which is not preferred.
Hence, there is a need to provide an antimicrobial composition that provides improved antimicrobial effect in presence of anionic surfactant and provides such effect at skin pH (pH 4.5 to 6.5) at relatively short contact time.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an antimicrobial composition.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an antimicrobial composition at the pH close to that of human skin.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an antimicrobial composition with the ability to provide the antimicrobial benefit at relatively short contact time.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an antimicrobial composition comprising carboxylic acids that provides improved antimicrobial effect in presence of anionic surfactant, and at the pH close to that of human skin.
The present inventors have surprisingly found that addition of low amount of a water soluble vinyl polymer comprising polyvinyl alcohol with a carboxylic acid having pKa greater than 4.5 provides synergistic antimicrobial activity in presence of an anionic surfactant, at relatively short contact time, thereby stratifying one or more of the above mentioned object.

Antimicrobial composition comprising a fatty acid/soap/polyvinyl alcohol mixture


Circuitry includes a first RF power amplifier, a second RF power amplifier, a third RF power amplifier, a first bias signal generator, and a second bias signal generator. The first RF power amplifier and the second RF power amplifier are each configured to amplify RF signals for transmission in a first carrier network. The third RF power amplifier is configured to amplify RF signals for transmission in a second carrier network. In a first mode, the first bias signal generator provides a bias signal to the first RF power amplifier and the second bias signal generator provides a bias signal to the second RF power amplifier. In a second mode, the first bias signal generator and the second bias signal generator each provide a portion of a bias signal to the third RF power amplifier.

Modern wireless communications devices are expected to work across several different carrier networks, many of which may employ different radio frequency (RF) communications technologies. For example, it may be desirable for a wireless communications device to be capable of interfacing second generation (2G), third generation (3G), and fourth generation (4G) carrier networks. The circuitry used for transmission and reception of RF signals in these different carrier networks may be subject to vastly different operational criteria that have thus far necessitated separate hardware. For example, transmission chains for 3G and 4G carrier networks often utilize average power tracking (APT) circuitry or a combination of APT and envelope tracking (ET) circuitry configured to maximize the efficiency of RF transmission. The circuitry used for transmitting RF signals in 3G and 4G carrier networks is generally not capable of providing adequate power for amplification of RF signals in a 2G carrier network. Accordingly, the hardware support for 3G and 4G carrier networks has thus far been implemented separately from that for 2G carrier networks. The size of the separate hardware has often been a prohibitive factor in providing support for all the desired carrier networks, thereby limiting the ability of a wireless communications device to function in some areas.
Accordingly, there is a need for RF circuitry capable of supporting 2G, 3G, and 4G carrier networks while maximizing the efficiency of the RF circuitry.


A safety belt apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a safety belt and a deflecting device for the safety belt which is connected to a holder which can be fastened to the vehicle via an absorption unit. The deflecting device being movable in an absorption direction by forces occurring relative to the holder with a pulling movement of the safety belt caused by an accident while overcoming an opposing absorption resistance of the absorption unit. The deflecting device being hindered from making a movement in the absorption direction with forces occurring in normal operation. The absorption unit being changeable in shape by the deflecting device moving in the absorption direction in order to overcome the absorption resistance.

The invention relates to a safety belt apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a safety belt and a deflecting device for the safety belt.
Such safety apparatuses are generally known. In the event of an accident, the safety belt apparatus must take up the energy of a vehicle occupant held by the safety belt. It is known for this purpose to integrate a torsion rod or bar into a reel which is deformed by a pulling movement of the belt induced by an accident when the reel is blocked. This kind of energy absorption requires a belt reel especially designed for this.
It is an underlying object of the invention to provide a safety belt apparatus which ensures an optimum absorption of the energy generated by the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident with the simplest possible design and a secure and reliable functioning, and in particular without impairing the function of other components of the safety belt apparatus.
According to the present invention, a safety belt apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a safety belt and a deflecting device. The deflecting device being connected via an absorption unit to a holder which can be fastened to the vehicle, with the deflecting device being movable in an absorption direction by forces occurring relative to the holder with a pulling movement of the safety belt caused by an accident while overcoming an apposing absorption resistance of the absorption unit, but being hindered from making a movement in the absorption direction with forces occurring in normal operation, and with the absorption unit being changeable in shape by the deflecting device moving in the absorption direction in order to overcome the absorption resistance.
In accordance with the invention, a movement of the deflecting device is used for the energy absorption. For this purpose, an absorption unit is provided between the holder fixed to the vehicle and the deflecting device cooperating with the safety belt which is formed such that it prevents a movement of the deflecting device in normal operation, while allowing a movement of the deflecting device in the absorption direction with forces such as occur in an accident and which act on the deflecting device via the safety belt. The absorption unit in accordance with the invention allows the kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident to be absorbed by a change in shape of the absorption unit during the movement of the deflecting device. This change in shape can generally take place in any manner, for example by material deformation, material removal, material destruction or another kind of material processing. Combinations of different material processing kinds are also possible in accordance with the invention.
The absorption device is preferably directed vertically downwardly. The deflecting device can move parallel to the vehicle side panel and parallel to a belt section extending between a belt reel and the deflecting device during the absorption of energy. It is furthermore preferably provided that the change in shape of the absorption unit is irreversible. Furthermore, the absorption unit can be deformable at least sectionally, in particular plastically, for the change in shape. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the absorption unit comprises at least a part of the holder.
It is proposed in a practical embodiment of the invention that the absorption unit comprises at least one bending element, in particular a strip-like or rod-like bending element, which preferably extends approximately parallel to the absorption direction between the deflecting device and the holder.
The upper end of the bending element can be fastened to the deflecting device and the lower end to the holder so that the upper end is moved in the direction of the lower end by the movement of the deflecting device and deformation work is carried out at the bending element in this way. It is preferred if two bending elements are provided which extend parallel to one another and which are arranged at opposite sides of the safety belt.
An alternative or additional possibility for the energy absorption consists, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, of a connection between at least two part sections of the absorption unit which is present during normal operation being separable for the change in shape of the absorption unit. One of the part sections may be formed by a base part which can be a component of the holder.
The separation of the connection, which prevents a movement of the deflecting device in the absorption direction in normal operation, can be made in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention by an absorption section of the absorption unit being able to be torn off or out of a base part or the holder.
It is furthermore possible in accordance with the invention for an absorption section of the absorption unit to be simultaneously deformable and separable from a base part or the holder.
A further embodiment of the invention proposes that the change in shape of the absorption unit is effected by material removal. The material removal can take place, for example, by chip forming machining.
A preferred embodiment of the invention consists of the absorption unit comprising at least one recess which can be expanded for the change in shape of the absorption unit. The recess can be formed in a slit-like manner and extend parallel to the absorption direction. In accordance with the invention, the expansion of the recess can be carried out in that material bounding the recess is deformed and/or removed. An engaging section of the deflecting device or a carrier of the deflecting device serving to hold a deflection roller can engage into the recess, with said engaging section consisting of a material whose hardness is greater than that of the material bounding the recess.
The preferred material for the (s) of the absorption unit changeable in shape is steel.
The deflecting device is preferably guided at the holder, in particular parallel to the absorption direction. A defined movement of the deflecting unit is ensured in this manner despite the forces to be overcome.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deflecting device comprises at least one deflection roller. The deflection roller can be supported at a carrier cooperating with the absorption unit.
A preferred embodiment of the invention further proposes providing a deflecting means which cooperates with the safety belt between the deflecting device and a vehicle occupant such that the safety belt extends at least approximately parallel to the absorption direction between the deflecting device and the deflecting means. The deflecting means hereby provides an optimal guiding of the forces occurring in the event of an accident into the deflecting unit via the safety belt.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH


Sub-diffraction endoscopic modal imaging systems and methods are disclosed herein. A single multi-mode fiber endoscope incorporated into a modal imaging system can facilitate the imaging of inner portions of a patient's body at a quantum-limited resolution. One method of sub-diffraction endoscopic modal imaging includes collecting incoming radiation with a multi-mode fiber, separating the output into multiple modes, and measuring an energy level of each mode to construct an image of the received incoming radiation.

Endoscopy is a medical imaging technique that enables the examination of organs and cavities inside the body. The method involves inserting a tubular instrument called an endoscope into the desired organ or cavity. Such devices are useful because they allow a medical practitioner to view an inside portion of a patient's body without making incisions or through minimally invasive surgeries that require only small incisions.
The traditional endoscope has been comprised of a bundle of multiple single-mode fibers, wherein each of the fibers forms a pixel on a reconstructed image. Therefore, a high quantity of fibers have been required to feasibly reconstruct the image. However, using a high quantity of fibers corresponds to a large bundle diameter. Hence, an endoscope comprised of a bundle of single-mode fibers by necessity has a large diameter on the order of millimeters, which is problematic in some types of operations. Endoscopes with smaller diameters are ideal, because they are easier to insert into a patient's body and, therefore can be less damaging to the body and can be used in more areas.
Recently, efforts have been made to transition from a bundle of single mode fibers to a single, multi-mode fiber to achieve higher image resolution and smaller device diameter. Current methods of endoscopic imaging using a single multi-mode fiber involve passing light from a source down into the desired imaging subject, reflecting the light into a fiber of the endoscope, and sending the radiation toward detectors to reconstruct the image. In other words, current methods of single multi-mode fiber endoscopic imaging have utilized direct imaging.
However, passing an image through a single multi-mode fiber using this method causes distortion, called mode mixing and the output of the fiber takes the form of a speckle pattern. Methods of eliminating mode mixing have been developed, but still suffer from limited resolution owing to the Rayleigh Criterion.


A tiltable trailer that can assume a high, or road, position, and a low loading position in which the trailer is tilted with respect to the ground. The trailer includes wheels; a chassis mounted on an axle that pivots with respect to the wheels; an actuator for actuating the pivoting of the axle relative to the wheels to vary the position of the chassis with respect to the ground, the actuator including a flexible element secured to the axle and a tensioner attached to the chassis for adjusting tension of the flexible element; and a lock for locking the trailer in the high position, which is separate from the actuator. The lock includes a sliding locking bar, a first end of which is secured to the axle and a second end of which cooperates with a locking mechanism, mounted on the chassis, when the trailer is in the high position.

Different types of trailers are known in the prior art, allowing a single person to load and unload bulky and heavy objects using a hand truck.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,828 proposes such a trailer comprising a drawbar mounted such that it is rigidly connected to the chassis of the trailer, in addition to a chassis tipping system.
Such a tipping system comprises a single cable attached to the centre of an axle, controlling the tipping or lifting of the chassis as a function of the tension exerted on the cable.
Another drawback of this known solution is that, since the cable is mounted at the centre of the axle, it tends to become deformed when the cable is tensioned and when a heavy load is positioned on the trailer.
Yet another drawback of this known solution is that the tension in the cable is managed by an electronic device which requires a power supply.
Yet another drawback of this known solution is that the tension in the cable must be regularly checked to prevent unwanted tipping of the chassis, in particular when driving.
Yet another drawback of this known solution is that braking means must be used to slow the speed at which the chassis is lowered.
Other techniques presented in the patent documents US2006/0045693, US2012/0020762, US 2005/0067799, and IE 2006/0467 have been developed.
However, these techniques also suffer from drawbacks similar to those described hereinabove.
Moreover, these techniques are relatively complex to implement and require numerous modifications to be made to a conventional trailer.
Furthermore, some of these techniques implement a cylinder controlling the displacement of the chassis relative to the ground, which increases the trailer production costs.

Tiltable trailer comprising mechanical actuation means and high-position locking means


In accordance with the present invention is provided, a method to assure node connectivity in an ad hoc wireless network comprising a wireless main controller, a plurality of wireless nodes having a plurality of neighboring nodes and a plurality of wireless links connecting the wireless main controller, the plurality of wireless nodes and the plurality of neighboring nodes. The proposed method includes, computing a composite threshold for each of a plurality of neighboring nodes of a plurality of nodes, assigning a mobility to each of the plurality of nodes based on the composite threshold for each of the plurality of neighboring node and using the mobility assigned to each of the plurality of nodes to assure node connectivity in the ad hoc network.

The world has witnessed a tremendous growth in the deployment of wireless network technology driven by the need for ubiquitous service and rapid developments in telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile hosts such as notebook computers, featuring powerful CPUs and gigabytes of disk space are now easily affordable and becoming quite common in everyday life. At the same time, huge improvements have been made in wireless network hardware, and efforts are being made to integrate the two into a meaningful resource such as the Internet. We are witness to large scale proliferation of mobile computing and wireless technology in our day-to-day lives in the form of various hardware interfaces and technology devices, running numerous applications catering specifically to wireless technology. The use of cell phones and PDA's for mobile video conferencing, GPS based tracking systems and remote wireless sensor surveillance gives us an indication of the growth and proliferation of wireless technology in today's world.
The increased demand and usage of mobile devices, directly correlates to the inflated demand for mobile data and Internet services. The number of subscribers to wireless data services is predicted to reach 1.3 billion by end of 2004, and the number of wireless messages is sent per month is predicted to reach 244 billion by December 2004. But these devices and technology use the standard wireless network model of a base station, repeaters, access points, and wireless nodes. Oftentimes however mobile users will want to communicate in situations in which no fixed wired infrastructure is available, because it may not be possible to provide the necessary infrastructure or because the expediency of the situation does not permit this installation. The term, "ad hoc network" refers to such a collection of wireless mobile hosts forming a temporary network without the aid of any established infrastructure or centralized administration.
The history of ad hoc networks dates back to the DARPA radio packet network in 1972, which was primarily inspired by the efficiency of the packet switching technology, such as bandwidth sharing and store and forward routing, and its possible application in mobile wireless environment. But, it was not until the early 90's when research in the area of ad hoc networks gained significant momentum and widespread attention. This could be attributed to the surge in cheap availability of network hardware, the micro computer revolution, and the increasing number of applications that required an ad hoc network kind of setup. Some of the common applications for ad hoc networks include: conference halls, classrooms, search and rescue operations, vehicular communication, wireless surveillance and military operations. In an ad hoc network, every node acts as a router, and forwards packets towards the destination. It is a self-organized network where every node cooperates to provide connectivity and services.
MANET's or Mobile Ad hoc Networks have gained significant momentum as they are the solution for providing network services to mobile users at places where there is no infrastructure or an existing infrastructure needs wireless extensions. Wireless Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are very well suited to substitute current 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks in practical implementations of semi-autonomous ground robots in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations. MANETs are infrastructureless, self-configurable and self-forming networks with multi-hop capabilities, all very important features for USAR applications. However, node mobility may still cause partitions in the network topology, isolating robots from the network or even losing them, hindering the mission's success.
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) focuses on locating life and resources in collapsed buildings or disaster sites affected by artificial or natural calamities. These disaster sites pose several situational hazards that drastically affect the efficiency of human rescue teams. Disaster sites are inherently unsafe, and movement inside these sites is extremely restricted due to the availability of only small or no entry voids to explore the rubble. Vibrations might further affect the foundation of the collapsed construction and could trigger a secondary collapse. Disaster sites are usually contaminated by water/sewage distribution systems, toxic gas spills, body fluids and other hazardous materials and gases. All of the above mentioned factors make it imperative to look for other effective means to carry out rescue operations. The use of mobile robots provides an effective alternative for improved efficiency in USAR operations. Due to smaller sizes and robust design, robots can explore disaster sites that pose numerous hazard threats and are not conducive for exploration by relief workers.
In USAR operations, and in general, in Safety, Security and Rescue (SSR) operations, a group of semi-autonomous ground vehicles is sent out to perform a determined mission under the guidance of the main controller, such as surveying a disaster site for life and resources. The success of the mission highly depends on the quality of the communication among the robots and the robots and the main controller. If communication is lost, the robots will lose contact with the main controller and the mission will likely fail. On the other hand, effective communication could actually enhance and increase the mission's success if it provided for a wider range of coverage, supported coordinated rescue operations and tele-operation, and guaranteed permanent connectivity despite network conditions and signal propagation effects. Communication among mobile robots and the main controller is currently known in the prior art to be achieved by using wireless local area networks (WLANs) based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.
The idea of using a WLAN of mobile robots in USAR operations has several drawbacks. First, WLANs require networking (access point) and energy (power outlet for access point) infrastructures, which are not readily available at disaster sites. Second, WLANs must be set up and configured, taking away precious search and rescue time. Third, communication performance is heavily affected by interferences, signal propagation effects, and the distance of the mobile nodes from the access point. 802.11 WLANs have an automatic fallback mechanism that reduces the transmission rate according to the quality of the transmission media. This feature makes the exploration of distant areas from the access point really difficult and risky. Finally, WLANs can't guarantee permanent connectivity. In USAR operations, mobile robots maneuvering the disaster site would need to maintain constant communication with a stationary controller, transmitting search findings and location information. The main controller is usually stationary and provides scope for tele-operation and analyzes findings of the robots to provide meaningful information to the relief workers. To ensure this constant communication with the main controller, the mobile robots and the main controller need to stay within the transmission range of the access point. Nodes moving beyond the transmission range of the access point are considered lost unless they use inherent position awareness protocols to trace route back to the main controller or work on an autonomous manner. Loss of robots not only produces financial loss but also jeopardize the mission's final success.
Most of the above mentioned issues could be resolved by forming a wireless mobile ad hoc network (MANET) of robots, where every node cooperates to provide connectivity and services. MANETs are self-organized and self-configured networks with multi-hop routing capabilities that operate without the need of any fixed infrastructure. Therefore, MANETs can be deployed and used rapidly, can drastically increase the area of coverage compared to WLANs, and can maintain communication with the main controller at all times in an easier manner, either by direct links or through intermediate nodes. MANETs may also reduce network congestion as routing remains distributed and the use of multi-hop routing may provide alternate routes for communication with the main controller.
Associated with these advantages and application possibilities are some inherent drawbacks that hold MANETs from being used as the communication platform of choice for semi-autonomous robots in USAR applications. For example, the nodes in an ad hoc network can move arbitrarily in a random direction and speed, which results in a very dynamic topology with frequent link breakages, disrupting communication among nodes and the main controller. Signal propagation effects in those harsh environments also cause communication problems. Nodes operating in ad hoc networks usually rely on batteries for energy, thus for these nodes energy-efficient protocols become a critical design criterion. Also, bandwidth utilization is another significant factor of concern, thus necessitating reduced routing overhead and good congestion control mechanisms.
By providing a constant communication link between the mobile robots and the main controller, it is ensured that the robots do not get lost. The term "node connectivity" is introduced here to denote the same. Node connectivity is defined as the ability of a node to continue or stop its mobility without breaking away from the network of nodes, while remaining in constant communication with the main controller. Forming an ad hoc network of the mobile robots and the main controller effectively addresses the issue of maximized area of coverage. By forming an ad hoc network, intermediate nodes act as a router forwarding packets towards the destination. By this method, robots continue their mobility beyond the transmission range of the main controller if an intermediate node exists through which it can establish a connection with the main controller. However, forming an ad hoc network of mobile robots does not address the issue of node connectivity. It is essential to ensure node connectivity in applications where loss of a node mobile robot in the case of urban and search and rescue operations could be detrimental to the performance of the system.
The vast majority of the research work done in the area of ad hoc networks has been focused on designing and developing routing protocols to address the issues of node mobility, overhead and energy efficiency. There has been an increased attention in developing routing protocols that consider the issue of link stability and the design of link stability based routing protocols, where routes to the destination are selected based on the strength of signals received from neighboring nodes or the duration for which the link has been active. It is well-known that there is no unique routing protocol that satisfies the requirements of all types of applications and rather, routing protocols are designed to optimize the performance of the application under consideration. For example, while an ad hoc network of laptops in a classroom presents low or no mobility and infrequent topology changes, the topology of an ad hoc network of nodes with random mobility in a military environment is highly dynamic. Similarly, the requirements for an ad hoc network of robots operating in urban search and rescue environments is different as robots have low but random mobility and work in unfriendly environments for signal propagation. The idea of applying ad hoc networking to a team of mobile robots is known in the art. The protocols known in the art include, Topology Broadcast based on Reverse-Path Forwarding (TBRPF), Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), Associativity Based Routing (ABR), Temporally Ordered Routing Algorithm (TORA) and Zone Routing Protocol (ZRP). However, none of the prior art solutions are capable of guarantying node connectivity considering the energy available in the robots and the signal strength, a quite important characteristic for USAR applications where the final goal is to extend the area of coverage, avoid network partitions and loss of robots, and also extend the length of the mission under harsh signal propagation environments.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a stationary main controller, and 6 mobile nodes (robots) are connected to form an ad hoc network. Robots 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the transmission range of the main controller (denoted by a circle), while robots 5and 6 are outside its transmission range. This doesn't necessarily mean that robots 5 and 6 have lost their communication with main controller. For example, robot 6 can still communicate with the main controller through robot 2. Here robot 2 acts as a router, transmitting packets to and from robot 6. Similarly robot 5 can transmit its packets to the main controller through robot 3 or 4. But as it can be seen, robot 2 is moving outside the transmission range of the main controller. This not only breaks the communication link between robot 2 and the main controller, but also the link between robot 6 and the main controller, as robot 2 was serving as the link between these two nodes. None of the existing routing protocols current known in the art address this issue as illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 1. None of the prior art routing protocols is able to ensure that in addition to the existing demands of ad hoc networks such as node mobility, link stability, energy efficiency and reduced routing overhead, that the requirement for node connectivity is satisfied.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a system and method that is effective in assuring node connectivity in an ad hoc network.
However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified need could be fulfilled.

System and method to assure node connectivity in an ad hoc network