A lens control apparatus, which includes a lens drive section for driving a focus adjustment lens group, a lens drive controller for supplying a drive signal to the lens drive section, an automatic focus adjustment circuit for controlling the lens drive controller in an automatic focus adjustment mode, and a manual focus adjustment circuit for controlling the lens drive controller in a manual focus adjustment mode on the basis of a manual focus operation, has a selection circuit for, when a manual focus operation is performed, selecting the manual focus adjustment circuit to execute the drive control of the lens group.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens control apparatus used in, e.g., a video camera and having both an automatic focus adjustment function and a manual focus adjustment function and, more particularly, to a lens control apparatus, which can automatically switchto the manual focus adjustment mode even in a photographing operation in the automatic focus adjustment mode.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 1 is a view showing a lens system of a conventional inner focus type lens control apparatus.
In this lens system, a stationary lens group 101, a zoom lens group 102 for performing a zooming (variable magnification) operation, an aperture 103, a stationary lens group 104, a focus compensation lens group 105 housed inside a lens barrel, and having both a focus adjustment function and a compensator function (a function of correcting movement of a focal plane upon zooming), and an image pickup element 106 are arranged along the optical axis from a direction of an object on the left side in FIG. 1. The image pickup element 106 has an image pickup surface 106a.
In a so-called front-element focus type lens system for performing focus adjustment using a movable lens group in place of the stationary lens group 101, when manual focus adjustment is to be performed, a helicoid or the like fitted on a lens barrel is rotated, and its drive force is mechanically supplied to a lens, thereby moving a focus adjustment lens along the optical axis. However, in the inner focus type lens system shown in FIG. 1, it is difficult to arrange such a mechanical and external drive means for the following reasons.
More specifically, since the lens group for focus adjustment is arranged inside the lens barrel, it is difficult to arrange a helicoid, a knob, and the like on the outer surface of the lens barrel. In addition, holes for the helicoid, knob, and the like must be formed on the outer surface o the product covering the entire lens barrel, and it is not preferable in terms of the outer appearance and cost.
Since the focus compensation lens group 105 has both the compensator function and the focus adjustment function, the in-focus position of the lens group 105 on the image pickup surface 106a varies depending on the object distance and the focal length even if the focal length remains the same. When the object distance is changed at each focal length, the in-focus position of the lens group 105 on the image pickup surface 106a is continuously plotted, as shown in FIG. 2. In a zooming operation, one of paths shown in FIG. 2 is selected according to the object distance, and the lens group 105 is moved along the selected path, thus attaining the zooming operation free from an out-of-focus state. In order to realize tracing of the path, as described above, the position of the zoom lens group 102 and the object distance are detected by certain methods to determine one of the plurality of paths shown in FIG. 2 on which the lens group 105 is present. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, each path according to the zoom lens position and the focus compensation lens position is divided into a plurality of blocks, and tables storing drive speeds capable of tracing the paths corresponding to the positions are formed in units of blocks. Thus, the focus compensation lens group 105 must be moved to the next position, i.e., block using the path tracing drive speed set for the selected block according to the zoom lens position and the focus compensation lens position. In general, the drive control of the lens group 105 is finely performed using a microcomputer and a stepping motor. When a stepping motor is used, the position of the lens group 105 is detected by counting the number of drive steps in place of using a position encoder in the lens group 105.
Therefore, when a drive command or a drive force is applied to the lens group 105 from another system different from the microcomputer, the microcomputer cannot detect the accurate position of the lens group 105, and may erroneously detect an abnormal drive state of the lens.
However, many photographers want to perform manual focus adjustment during a photographing operation. Furthermore, in consideration of the fact that the performance of the automatic focus adjustment (auto focus) function of currently commercially available apparatuses is not perfect depending on the photographing state, the manual focus adjustment (manual focus) function is also indispensable in the inner focus type lens system.
When a manual focus adjustment is performed in the inner focus type lens system, the following two operations are possible. 1 For example, the manual focus adjustment mode is selected using an auto/manual focus selection switch for selecting the automatic or manual focus adjustment function, and then, a drive command switch in a direction of shortest range or in a direction of .infin. is depressed, thus performing a focusing operation through the microcomputer. 2 A rotary ring having an encoder function capable of detecting the rotational direction and the rotational amount per unit time is fitted on the lens barrel, the rotational amount and direction of the ring are read by the microcomputer, and the focus compensation lens group 105 is driven according to the read result.
However, since the focus adjustment lens group can only be driven through the microcomputer, and the focusing operation is performed after the manual mode is selected, the conventional system has the following drawbacks.
1 When the manual focus mode is to be selected during a photographing operation, a photographer must fumble for the auto/manual focus selection switch, resulting in camera-shake since he or she removes his or her eye from the finder, or in a long fumbling time.
2 When an object which cannot be easily focused by the auto focus function cannot be focused in a photographing operation in the auto focus mode, it is not easy to select the manual operation while continuing the photographing operation for the reason 1.
3 Once the manual focus mode is selected, the auto focus mode cannot be automatically resumed unless a reset operation (e.g., a power-OFF operation) is performed. Therefore, a mode selection operation must be performed when a photographing operation using the auto focus mode is to be performed in a shot next to the photographing operation in the manual focus mode, resulting in troublesome operations.
4 When a photographer forgets that the manual focus mode is selected, an in-focus state can no longer be obtained if he or she directs the camera to an object having a different distance.


According to one embodiment, an inspection support system includes a terminal device, a memory device, and a processing device. The terminal device is auxiliary to a worker inspecting an equipment, and is configured to input and output information. The memory device stores a main scenario of inspection work. The main scenario includes a plurality of block scenarios. The plurality of block scenarios each includes preparation procedure content, inspection item content, and restoration procedure content. The processing device refers to the memory device and transmits instruction information to the terminal device. The instruction information corresponds to at least one of the preparation procedure content, the inspection item content, or the restoration procedure content. The terminal device outputs the instruction information transmitted from the processing device and transmits response information to the processing device. The processing device transmits other instruction information to the terminal device.

In the inspection work of equipment, it is desirable to prevent skipped procedures and increase the quality of the work. For example, by improving the quality of the inspection work, it is possible to improve the safety of the equipment, prevent malfunctions of the equipment, or prevent faults of the equipment.


A cylindrical fuel injector (1) has a projecting part (2) projecting in a lateral direction. A cylinder head (5) has a hole (18) for inserting the fuel injector (1). An elastic member (6) is formed in a cylindrical shape with a notch to have a C-shaped cross-section. The elastic member (6) is fitted to the fuel injector (1) on the opposite side from the projecting part (2) to elastically support the fuel injector (1) in a state where a tip (1a) of the fuel injector (1) is inserted into the hole (18). A support member (3) supports the elastic member (6) and a snap ring (16) prevents deformation of the elastic member (6) in a lateral direction with respect to an axis of the fuel injector (1) under a compressive load exerted by the engine member (5) and the support member (3).

The fuel injector of an in-cylinder injection internal combustion engine is generally disposed in a hole formed in a cylinder head such that the tip of the injector faces a combustion chamber. The fuel injector of an in-port injection internal combustion engine is usually disposed in a hole formed in an intake manifold body such that the tip of the injector faces an intake port of the engine. In both cases, the fuel injector is formed in a cylindrical shape and a support member fixed to the cylinder head or the intake manifold by a bolt or the like, pushes the fuel injector in the tip direction via a spring, and restrict the displacement of the fuel injector.
However, if there is non-uniformity in the sizes of the fuel injector parts, the direction of the load acting on the fuel injector will shift away from the main axis of the fuel injector, and the load acting on the fuel injector may be eccentric. This unbalanced load shifts the holding angle of the fuel injector away from the desired angle, and has an undesirable affect on the fuel injection amount and the spray characteristics of the fuel injector.


A method of impregnating an implantable device, such as a vasclar graft or a covering adapted to be disposed over a prosthesis, is provided. The substances may be impregnated within the implantable device as a passive coating or as a delivery matrix for a matrix for a therapeutic substance. Also provided is an implantable device having such substances impregnated therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to implantable devices, such as synthetic vascular grafts and covered stents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of impregnating an implantable device with substances as well as to an implantable device that has been so impregnated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Occlusion of blood vessels reduces or blocks blood flow. During the course of atherosclerosis, for example, growths called plaques develop on the inner walls of the arteries and narrow the bore of the vessels. An embolus, or a moving clot, is more likely to become trapped in a vessel that has been narrowed by plaques. Further, plaques are common sites of thrombus fonnation. Together, these events increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Traditionally, critically stenosed atherosclerotic vessels have been treated with bypass surgery in which veins removed from the legs, or small arteries removed from the thoracic cavity, are implanted in the affected area to provide alternate routes of blood circulation. More recently, implantable devices, such as synthetic vascular grafts and stents, have been used to treat diseased blood vessels.
Synthetic vascular grafts are macro-porous vessel-like configurations typically made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), or an absorbable polymer. Grafts made of ePTFE or PET are very non-wetting materials when introduced into an aqueous environment, causing difficulty in impregnating the materials. In addition, grafts made of ePTFE or PET are permanently implanted in the body, while grafts made of an absorbable polymer bioabsorb over time. A graft may be positioned into the host blood vessel as a replacement for a diseased or occluded segment that has been removed. Alternatively, a graft may be sutured to the host vessel at each end so as to form a bypass conduit around a diseased or occluded segment of the host vessel.
Intravascular stents may be permanently or temporarily implanted in narrowing blood vessels. Typically, a vascular catheter, or similar transluminal device, is utilized to carry the stent to the treatment site. The stent is expanded to support, and if desired expand, the diseased portion of the arterial wall. The insertion of a stent into a vessel in which plaque has become brittle over time, however, may cause complications if the stent causes the brittle plaque to break off from the vessel wall and embolize the lumen. A covered stent, in which a graft-like covering is slip-fit onto the stent, may therefore be employed to isolate the brittle plaque from direct contact with the stent, which is rigid.
To treat such damaged vasculature tissue and to help prevent thrombosis and restenosis, there is a need for administering therapeutic substances to the treatment site. To provide an efficacious concentration to the treatment site, systemic administration of the therapeutic substance often produces adverse or toxic side effects for the patient. Local delivery is a highly suitable method of treatment, in that smaller levels of therapeutic substances, as compared to systemic dosages, are concentrated at a specific site. Local delivery produces fewer side effects and achieves more effective results.
One technique for the local delivery of therapeutic substances is through the use of medicated coatings on implantable devices. In addition to providing local delivery capabilities, such a coating protects vessel tissue from injury and helps prevent excessive foreign body reaction that may occur when such a device is implanted.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Implantable device having substances impregnated therein and a method of impregnating the same


The aqueous resin composition comprises components (A) and (B), wherein (A) is a synthetic resin emulsion prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomer using a surfactant having at least one polymerizable unsaturated bond, and (B) is a polyphosphate salt.

A technique of adding a flame retardant to a synthetic resin emulsion to impart flame retardancy has conventionally been employed for the purpose of imparting flame retardancy to a backing agent of a carpet, an adhesive agent, a coating agent and the like. Halogenated compounds such as brominated compounds having high flame retardant effect, or a mixture of the halogenated compound and antimony oxide are generally adopted as a flame retardant. For example, nuclear bromine-substituted aromatic compounds such as a decabromodiphenyl ether and tetrabromobisphenol A are known as a brominated compound as a flame retardant.
The problem, however, is that these halogenated compounds cause gas harmful to a human body by thermal decomposition, or are harmful to natural environments. Thus, a process for flame-retarding a backing agent and the like without using the halogenated compounds is desired.
Inorganic flame retardants, for example, a polyphosphate salt such as ammonium polyphosphate are studied as a flame retardant in place of such halogen flame retardants (for example, Patent Reference 1 (JP-A-9-310283) and Patent Reference 2 (JP-A-2001-31824)).
However, the addition of polyphosphate salt flame retardants to a synthetic resin emulsion occasionally causes a protective layer of the synthetic resin emulsion to be broken by hydrolysis of polyphosphate salt and thickened with time. In order to avoid such a problem, generally, special dispersant and resin are previously used for para-encapsulating polyphosphate before adding polyphosphate salt to a synthetic resin emulsion or adding polyphosphate salt to a synthetic resin emulsion after encapsulating polyphosphate salt. Thus, the stability of polyphosphate salt can be improved; however, the emulsion to which polyphosphoric acid is added in this manner is occasionally restricted in formulation. By adopting such a technique, the problem of storage stability is not solved, and harmful components are diffused from the encapsulated resin with time. Further, flame retardant performance of a polyphosphate salt may happen to be lowered. In addition, encapsulation leads to a rise in manufacturing costs thereof.
Large amount of dispersants are generally used for stably dispersing polyphosphate salt flame retardants in a synthetic resin emulsion. A surfactant is generally used as a dispersant, and when a surfactant freely exists in the emulsion, a part of the surfactant is decomposed, which may cause a phenomenon such that a decomposed article thereof (such as a nonylphenyl ether) is released into the air with time. Such a phenomenon is called "a fogging phenomenon", and most of the decomposed article released into the air is harmful to a human body and environments. Thus, it is desired that the fogging phenomenon be restrained as much as possible from occurring.    Patent Reference 1: JP-A-9-310283    Patent Reference 2: JP-A-2001-31824

Aqueous flame retardant resin composition

Abstract: To provide an aqueous flame retardant resin composition which is excellent in flame retardancy and storage stability, and is less likely to produce a fogging phenomenon.

The Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.


A first computing device receives one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding one or more components, wherein each component is part of one or more systems and wherein each system includes one or more sub systems. The first computing device determines that a first system has changed based on the first computing device comparing the one or more messages to a hierarchical model, wherein the change to the first system includes a change associated with a first component of the first system. The first computing device determines a position of the first component within the first system and within one or more sub-systems of the first system based on the one or more messages. The first computing device updates the hierarchical model to include the first component in a hierarchical location that corresponds to the determined position of the first component.

Smarter City/Information Hub solutions are designed using the model of the customer's system either explicitly using the Reference Semantic Model, or implicitly in the Intelligent Operation Center. For a water network, the model can consist of water pipers, flow meters, pumps, reservoirs, and valves. For a public surveillance system, the network is CCTVs, lobbies, rooms, and areas. Regardless of the domain, a model is assumed, and the expectation is that the model is static. Once a snapshot of the physical model is taken, it is modeled and then used for all solutions: visualization, analytics, database, and reports. However, real life is not static. Changes are occurring all the time. New flow meters may get installed and positions of old flow meters may be modified to reflect reality on the ground. New CCTV cameras may be installed. Rooms and lobbies get reconfigured. Often changes such as these are critical because the new assets are intended to plug existing deficiencies. Currently, we go through a costly and time consuming upgrade of the domain model to integrate the new assets. The customer has to seek the developers help to upgrade the model and integrate new assets. Customers who are not covered by a necessary statement of work or are beyond the time horizon of the purchase made, need to go through a new purchase order approval, and that can itself be a time consuming process.

Auto incorporation of new components into a hierarchical network

International Business Machines Corporation


An actuator which can be installed in a system for the virtual simulation of aircraft, ships and vehicles to help the system with the controls. More specifically, the invention is an actuator used for a control loading system, which can be installed into a virtual simulation system, receive force delivered by the movement of a control stick laterally while measuring the applied force. It can connect a lever which delivers the control force equivalent to the applied force and reaction force by making use of a direct drive motor, including a potentiometer which senses the angle of rotation while sensing the initial reference position separately from an encoder, limiting the rotation range of the rotating lever, fixing the initial neutral position, and the control loading system for actuators manufactured compactly on the whole.

Virtual simulation system is commonly used for the training of aircraft, ship, vehicle or other heavy equipment control with sufficient reality to ensure that trainees become fully immersed in the training with a similar feel, appearance and movements as in actual operations.
In particular, a control stick (cyclic stick), side stick or footrest-type pedal should give trainees a realistic experience, so that they can feel as if they are actually operating the equipment. Hereafter, the controlling device which the trainee directly operates will be called the control stick.
During the actual piloting of an aircraft, when the control stick is manipulated there is a reaction force that occurs mechanically from each of the connected parts, the reaction force resulting from those moving parts is felt along with the reaction force from the aerodynamic force that is felt in the hand of the pilot. Such a reaction force is called control force. Accordingly, when training with virtual simulation systems, actuators are installed which apply artificial control force to the control sticks to feel the force.
As exiting techniques for actuators, there are Korea Public Patent No. 10-0851232, Korea Public Patent No. 10-2004-0092108, Korea Public Patent No. 10-2009-0061508, Korea Public Patent No. 10-2004-0018465 and others, the above existing techniques are configured to provide control force by mechanically connecting a motor with a control stick and controlling the motor by manipulating the control stick.
However, with a complicated configuration of the mechanical means of linking control sticks with the motor, the said existing techniques are complicated with the installation structure and cannot keep the motors horizontal, which brings about an unwanted force being applied to the motors by the weight of the control sticks or the means of linking. This problem keeps one from accurately adjusting the control force when manipulating the motors to apply the control force.
Moreover, Korea Public Patent No. 10-0851232, Korea Public Patent No. 10-2009-0061508 and Korea Public Patent No. 10-2004-0018465 include a reducer, a pulley or a belt in the means of linking, which generates errors in the transmission of force. Meaning that if one pair of gears engages configuring the reducer, a backlash would occur in between the gaps, and the pulley would around a belt becomes loose after extended use and would spin with no traction. In addition, Korea Public Patent No. 10-2004-0092108 is unaffected from the said problem because it connects the motor directly with the axis of rotation, but the because of the limits to the mounting structure of the motor it can only be applied to the virtual simulation system of limited application.
Also, the above existing techniques use the rotor of the rotation angle by sensing the location sensor or sensing the rotation angle by the built-in encoder, however, in order to set the absolute reference point only with a single position sensor, they should bear start-up time delay and inconvenience in that start-up time needs to be established with software whenever the virtual simulation system is turned on.
And though it is desirable to determine the magnitude of the force applied to an actuator as the control stick is manipulated so as to calculate the control force corresponding to the movement of the control stick, the said preceding arts do not include any force sensors and if one can be accommodated, the installation location is not proper and the magnitude of the force cannot be measured accurately because of their structure.


A high pressure fuel pump boosts the pressure of fuel to discharge a quantity according to the closing period of an electromagnetic spill valve. A fuel distributor pipe receives and delivers to an in-cylinder injector the fuel discharged from the high pressure fuel pump. A fuel pressure sensor measures a fuel pressure Pt in a fuel distributor pipe. The control of open/closure of the electromagnetic spill valve according to the insufficient fuel pressure with respect to the target pressure of fuel pressure Pt is carried out in a manner similar to that of in-cylinder injection execution even during an in-cylinder injection suppressing period in which fuel is not injected from the in-cylinder injector. Accordingly, fuel pressure can be controlled at high accuracy during the in-cylinder injection suppressing period and subsequent in-cylinder injection resuming time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a first fuel injection mechanism for injecting fuel into a cylinder (in-cylinder injector) and a second fuel injection mechanism for injecting fuel towards an intake manifold and/or an intake port (intake manifold injector).
2. Description of the Background Art
There is known a fuel supply apparatus (fuel injection apparatus) including an intake manifold injector for injecting fuel into an intake port and an in-cylinder injector for injecting fuel into a cylinder to inject fuel by a combination of intake manifold injection and in-cylinder direct injection by controlling the intake manifold injector and in-cylinder injector in accordance with the driving state.
Such a fuel supply apparatus must have the fuel injection pressure from the in-cylinder injector increased in order to directly inject fuel into a cylinder. To this end, there is disclosed a configuration of discharging fuel from a fuel pump through a low pressure fuel pump common to a high pressure fuel supply system for in-cylinder injection and a low pressure fuel supply system for intake manifold injection, wherein the fuel from the low pressure fuel pump is further boosted by a high pressure fuel pump at the high pressure fuel supply system to be supplied to the in-cylinder injector (for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-336439; referred to as Patent Document 1 hereinafter).
Patent Document 1 discloses the technique of appropriately setting the fuel injection ratio between the fuel injection quantity towards the cylinder and the fuel injection quantity into the intake manifold, taking into account atomization of the injected fuel in the cylinder in an internal combustion engine including the fuel supply apparatus set forth above.
In the internal combustion engine, the fuel injection ratio between the in-cylinder injector and intake manifold injector changes according to the state of the internal combustion engine. In order to inject fuel properly from the in-cylinder injector according to such a fuel injection ratio, the configuration of controlling the fuel pressure at the target pressure is important in the high pressure fuel supply system. If the fuel pressure is not controlled at the target pressure, burning will be degraded due to change in the atomization state and/or the fuel injection quantity, leading to the possibility of unstable output from the internal combustion engine.
Particularly in the internal combustion engine set forth above, an in-cylinder injection suppressing period during which fuel injection from the in-cylinder injector is suppressed will occur according to the setting of the fuel injection ratio. The controllability of the fuel pressure at the time of the in-cylinder injection suppressing period and at the time of resuming in-cylinder injection will become an issue in order to conduct fuel injection properly at the time of resuming fuel injection from the in-cylinder injector subsequent to the in-cylinder injection suppressing period.

Fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engine


A method and test apparatus for carrying out testing on a variety of samples of polymer bonded to metal wherein the samples are subjected to an accelerated cathodic reaction causing cathodic delamination of the samples. In particular, the method and test apparatus include a closed vessel that is partially filled with synthetic ocean water. An impressed current system is employed to protect the metal component of the samples. The synthetic ocean water is heated with an external band heater raising the temperature of the synthetic ocean water to thermal levels exceeding normal ocean temperatures in order to accelerate the reaction. Pure oxygen is then introduced into the closed vessel at a desired pressure to dissolve the oxygen into the synthetic ocean water to further simulate natural ocean conditions.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the testing of polymer to metal bonds, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for demonstrating the durability of polymer to metal bonds in a cathodic environment by subjecting samples to accelerated cathode reactions that cause cathodic delamination.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Polymer to metal bonds are increasingly used in vessels and devices designed for use in marine environments. It is vital that these bonds maintain their integrity while exposed to saltwater. Of particular concern is the problem of cathodic delamination, which occurs when the metal hull of a marine vehicle is protected from corrosion by using a "sacrificial" anode system. In a situation where the anode is made of zinc, the reaction is 2Zn→2ZN+2+4e−. The cathodic reaction is O2+2H2O+4e−→4(OH)−. Over a period of several months and years, the hydroxide ions (OH)− become highly concentrated at the cathode, creating a high alkalinity water environment destructive to polymer to metal bonds. In fact, cathodic delamination is the most commonly encountered failure for polymer to metal bonds in the marine environment.
In order to anticipate which polymer to metal bonds are most resistant to cathodic delamination, it is necessary to test the bonds in artificially created marine conditions. One prior art testing method and apparatus places the polymer to metal bond samples inside an open container filled with synthetic ocean water, and drill holes in the unbonded portion of the metal in order to suspend the samples from an electrically conductive rod. The water is heated using a stainless steel immersion heater. Any evaporated water is replaced with water of an approximate conductivity to the electrolyte contained in the open vessel. The emphasis on this testing method and apparatus is on water temperature based on the theory that the diffusion of water controls the degradation rate of polymers and adhesives and therefore elevated temperatures will increase the rate of water permeation through the polymer thereby artificially accelerating the "aging" of the polymer to metal bond. There is no attention to dissolved oxygen or conductivity in this testing method.
Water, however, is not the only reactant that can affect the degradation rate of a bond. Cathodic delamination will not proceed if there is no dissolved oxygen in the water or if there are no electrons supplied to the cathode. In light of this, other prior art testing method and apparatus use a bubbling system in an attempt to maintain the dissolved oxygen in water at elevated temperatures. Such a system, however, is limited to maintaining the dissolved oxygen level that is physically allowable at the particular elevated water temperature.
There is currently no method and test apparatus to artificially accelerate the effect of cathodic delamination on polymer to metal bonds that also maintains the levels of dissolved oxygen in water and the levels of electrical current that would be encountered in the normal course by marine vehicles when the metal hull of the marine vehicle is protected from corrosion by using a "sacrificial" anode system. What is needed is a method and test apparatus that subjects different polymer to metal bonds to artificially accelerated cathodic delamination under typical marine conditions.

Method and test chamber for accelerated aging of materials and bonds subject to corrosion related degradation

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A chuck for a laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture comprises a chuck plate having a chuck plate axis of rotation and at least two mount brackets spaced symmetrically radially with respect to one another about the chuck plate axis of rotation. Each mount bracket comprises an inclined contact surface and each mount bracket is rotatably attached to the chuck plate about the mount bracket axis of rotation. The inclined contact surface can be selectively rotated between a first position with the inclined contact surface inclined toward the mount plate axis of rotation and a second position with the inclined contact surface inclined away from the mount plate axis of rotation. An effectively concave contact surface is defined with each of the inclined contact surfaces in the first position. An effectively convex contact surface is defined with each of the mount brackets in the second position for engaging an inner diameter of a work piece.

Laser cutting/engraving machines for cutting and engraving work pieces have been enjoying increased sales as the machines increase in performance and decrease in cost, thus making them available for a wider variety of cutting and engraving applications. Typically, laser cutting/engraving machines operate by directing a laser beam along x and y axes relative to a fixed work surface bearing a work piece. For many applications, the surface to be cut or engraved is substantially planar and the work piece can simply be set upon the work surface and secured thereto while the laser beam is directed along the x and y axis by, for example, a programmable microprocessor. However, where a surface to be engraved is curved, for example cylindrical, it can not be readily engraved in the same manner as a planar surface because the curved surface varies in distance along a z axis from the laser beam source. To address this problem, numerous manufacturers of laser cutting/engraving machines have developed rotary fixtures to rotate work pieces having cylindrical and other curvilinear surfaces (which will be collectively called "substantially cylindrical" herein) about an axis of rotation of the work piece to present the engraving surface at a fixed distance along the z axis from the laser source.
Typically laser cutting/engraving rotary fixtures include a master spindle operatively associated with a motor for rotating the master spindle and a slave spindle spaced from the master spindle along an axis of rotation. A chuck is provided in operative association with each spindle for securing a substantially cylindrical work piece between the master and slave spindles along an axis of rotation of the work piece. The slave spindle is typically movable relative to the master spindle along the axis of rotation so that a work piece can be compressed between the chucks associated with the spindles to secure the work piece for rotation about the axis of rotation by actuation of the master spindle. Known laser cutting/engraving rotary fixtures provide chucks presenting either an effectively concave contact surface for engaging an outer diameter of a substantially cylindrical work piece or an effectively convex contact surface for engaging an inner diameter of a substantially cylindrical work piece. As used herein, "effective concave" and "effectively convex" means a surface or surface segments that function as curved or linear concave or convex surfaces. If a substantially cylindrical work piece having two outer diameters and no inner diameter is provided, two opposing effectively concave chucks must be used on the master and slave spindles. If the work piece presents only two inner diameters suitable for engagement, a convex chuck must be associated with each of the master and slave spindles. Thus, conventional laser cutting/engraving rotary fixtures require up to four chucks (two with effectively concave contacting surfaces and two with effectively convex contacting surfaces). In addition, known laser cutting/engraving rotary fixtures require removal of an effectively concave or convex chuck in order to replace it with the other. Typically, removal of the chucks requires use of tools. Thus, between keeping track of the necessary effectively concave and convex chucks and the tools for changing out the chucks, conventional systems can create a cluttered work space and the opportunity for losing essential items. In addition, the process of changing out the effectively concave or convex chucks can be time consuming and difficult, particularly when a variety of different substantially cylindrical objects are being engraved. Yet another problem with existing laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture chucks is manufacturers must carry at least two SKU's to provide their customers with the necessary chuck options.
The present invention is intended to overcome one or more of the problems discussed above.

Inner and outer diameter chuck for a laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture


A method to charge a personal-protection-device energy store for operating a personal protection device of a vehicle. The method includes a step of reading in a voltage value of a source energy store of the vehicle. In addition, the method includes a step of ascertaining a charging current for charging the personal-protection-device energy store with power from the source energy store, the charging current being ascertained, using the voltage value read in; and using the charging current for charging the personal-protection-device energy store.

As an example of personal protection devices in vehicles, airbag systems store the energy necessary for activating restraining devices in power reserves or energy stores. In the same way, energy for maintaining the airbag system functionality in the case of power supply interruption due to the effects of a crash is held in reserve and stored in advance in a personal-protection-device energy store.

Method and control unit to charge a personal-protection-device energy store for operating a personal-protection-device of a vehicle


There is provided a process for producing a polymer comprising the steps of                (a) adding at least one low-reactivity monomer to a reaction vessel with a decreasing rate of addition,        (b) adding at least one high-reactivity monomer to said reaction vessel,                    (i) wherein less than 1% of all of said high-reactivity monomers, by weight of high reactivity monomers, based on the weight of all said high-reactivity monomers, is added to said reaction vessel before the beginning of said step (a), and            (ii) wherein at least half of all of said high-reactivity-monomers, by weight of high reactivity monomers, based on the weight of all of said high-reactivity monomers, is added to said reaction vessel before the completion of said step (a), and                        (c) adding at least one chain regulator to said reaction vessel prior to the completion of said step (a),wherein said steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed while conditions in said reaction vessel will cause polymerization of said low-reactivity monomer and said high-reactivity monomer.

It is often desired to form copolymers from monomers that have reactivities that differ from each other. Processes that attempt to make such copolymers sometimes result in one or more of the following outcomes: nonuniform polymer composition, nonuniform polymer molecular weight, high level of residual monomer, or any combination thereof. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,883 presents one method of addressing these problems, using a solution polymerization method in which all of the desired diallyl ammonium monomer and a portion of the desired acrylamide monomer are mixed together and initiated; in which the remaining acrylamide monomer is added by continuous stage addition; and in which chain transfer agent is added after the completion of polymerization.
It is desired to provide a copolymerization process for monomers with reactivities that differ from each other. It is desired to provide such a process that does not require placing all of the desired low-reactivity monomer into the reaction vessel prior to beginning the copolymerization process. It is also desired to provide such a process that results in one or more of the following additional benefits: uniform polymer composition, uniform molecular weight, or low levels of residual monomer.

Polymerization of monomers with differing reactivities


A connector device in accordance with the present invention includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion has a power input terminal and an input side ground terminal, and the second connecting portion has a power output terminal and an output side ground terminal. The power input terminal and the power output terminal are connected by a first connecting line, the input side ground terminal and the output side ground terminal are connected by a second connecting line, and the first connecting line and the second connecting line are connected via a rectifier element which passes current only in a direction from the second connecting line to the first connecting line. As a result the connector device can prevent input of power having an inverse direction to an electric load even when the power having the inverse direction is output from the power output device side to the electric load side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector device which connects a power output device and an electric load each other and the present invention also relates to a power detecting apparatus utilizing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a power confirming test has been widely performed as one part of quality control in a production process of a product which corresponds to an electric load such as a direct current (DC) lamp for a projector or the like, for example. The power confirming test is performed for judgment whether quality of the product is good or bad by supplying a prescribed power to the electric load on a trial basis and by confirming a state of power at the same time.
As one example of embodiment of the above described power confirming test, an explanation will be given concretely on the power confirming test which is performed for a DC lamp that is an electric load with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in the diagram a power detecting apparatus 101 to perform the power confirming test includes a power supply 111 and a power meter 112. These are connected to each other via a power line (Ballast +Line) and a ground line (Ballast −Line). Further, the power meter 112 includes a connector 112a for connecting with a measuring object. In addition, a connector 102a to receive DC power is included in the DC lamp 102 being the measuring object.
At this point, respective connectors (102a, 112a) have positive (+) terminal which is the terminal in the power line side and negative (−) terminal which is the terminal in the ground line side. When the connectors 102a and 112a are connected, the positive terminal is connected with the positive terminal and the negative terminal is connected with the negative terminal surely by a locating lug and locating recess alternatively formed on the connectors.
By this kind of structure, it becomes possible to judge whether quality of the DC lamp 102 is good or bad by supplying a power from the power supply 111 with connecting the connector 112a of the power detecting apparatus 101 to the connector 102a of the DC lamp 102 and by confirming a state of power at the time utilizing the power meter 112. To be more concrete, when detected result of the power meter 112 is extraordinary, i.e., the result is not within a normal range, for example, it is recognized that resistance value of the DC lamp is extraordinary, and as a result it is decided that the DC lamp 102 is not a good product. Conversely, when the detected result is normal, it is decided that the DC lamp 102 is a good product. As for the conventional technology, it is recommended to refer to JP-A-2006-011085 and the like.
In the electric load such as the DC lamp, a direction in which the power should be input has been defined. When power having an inverse direction is input, i.e., power having a direction from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, there may be a possibility that problem is caused such that the lamp is broken or the like. At this point it makes to prevent the input of power having the inverse direction to the DC lamp as much as possible by the configuration in which the positive terminal is connected with the positive terminal and the negative terminal is connected with the negative terminal in each connector as above described.
However, by any cause there is a possibility of a situation that the power having the inverse direction is output from the power detecting apparatus side, that is to say, the power is output from the negative terminal side of the above described connector 112a. One example of it is that there is a possibility that the connector 112a deteriorates because it is necessary that the connector 112a is repeated to connect and disconnect with the connector 102a of many DC lamps in the above described power detecting apparatus 101.
At that time when the connector 112a is disconnected at point P which is shown by dotted line in FIG. 4, for example, in order to exchange for new connector 112a to be connected to main body of the power meter for repairing, it is conceivable that the new connector 112a is connected in reversed manner by mistake. If so, the power is output from the negative terminal side of the connector 112a as a result.
When the power confirming test for the DC lamp is performed in such a case, there is a possibility that the DC lamp is broken as above described. Even if the DC lamp is not broken, there is still a possibility that the DC lamp which has been damaged is shipped as a product and it is also conceivable that defective goods occur often at a later time, the damage of it becomes extensive.

Connector device and power detecting apparatus utilizing the same


The modular building is a basically circular building structure formed by assembling pie or wedge shaped modular elements. The modular elements are radially attached around a center column anchored in a column footing. The attachment of the modular elements is by use of collars on the center column which allow rotation about the floor collar and slotted motion about the roof collar. The modular elements are not rigidly attached one to the other. This allows for limited independent movement relative to each other such as during earth movement. The floor sections of the modular elements are mounted on foundation elements assembled radially around the center column. Use of modular elements allows factory manufacture and assembly efficiency and then construction of the modular building at the building site.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to modular construction for buildings. The new structure for buildings allows manufacture of pie or wedge shaped modules in a factory and then movement to the construction site for assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
There are various known techniques for construction of circular or dome shaped structures. These are usually constructed of modular wall and roof elements which are pieced together to form the structure. One such example of this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,803. A more famous version of such construction is the geodesic dome which doesn't require a central column or pole.
A different version of the circular shaped structure is one in which more integrated modular elements are constructed and then assembled into a structure. An example of such a building is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,741. In such structures the wedge shaped modular elements are designed to tightly fit together to form sealed integrated units to which walls, etc. are then added to form the rooms.
The present invention uses pie or wedge shape modules which include the internal wall elements. This provides a completed modular unit which when assembled with multiple modular units forms a complete structure with little structural finishing work required. The pie shape modules are flexibly attached to a central column and are not rigidly attached to each other. This provides for flexibility in movement as for example during an earthquake. The modules have insulation material between adjoining modular structural elements for environmental control.


Minimally processed fruits and vegetables are preserved by use of a flavonoid. Cut and peeled fruits or vegetables are sprayed or dipped in a solution containing a flavonoid and an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid or alpha lipoic acid. Juices are also preserved by the addition of a flavonoid and ascorbic acid if it is not already present.

This invention relates to the preservation of minimally processed fruits and vegetables and flowers, particularly cut and peeled or juiced fruits and vegetables.
Most fruits and vegetables are subject to discolouration and spoilage once they are cut and peeled. This is usually due to enzymatic and bacterial action.
Patent application WO 97/16976 discloses a method of storing cut apple pieces in which whole apples are washed in chlorinated water to inactivate microorganisms, the apples are then cored, peeled and sliced and immersed in an ascorbic acid solution having a pH of 2.2 to 2.7 and are then drained and stored in modified atmosphere containers.
Patent application WO 99/34683 discloses a method of treating cut fresh vegetables by dipping in a solution containing calcium ions and ascorbate or erythorbate ions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,160 treats cut apples with a solution containing L-cysteine, sorbitol, and calcium chloride and then stores them in a modified atmosphere pack.
These treatments provide a shelf life of up to 2 weeks but in practice this is not long enough.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement in shelf life for minimally processed fruit and vegetables.
To this end the present invention provides a process of extending the useful shelf life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables which includes the step of treating the fruits and vegetables with a flavonoid compound.
This invention is partly predicated on the discovery that the presence of flavonoids inhibits the enzymatic and bacterial action that leads to discolouration and spoilage. The flavonoid may be added to a solution sprayed or dipped on to the processed fruits or vegetables or added to the fruit or vegetable juice.
Flavonoids such as proanthocyanidin have been identified as antioxidants and recommended as food additives for nutriceutical use but not to prevent deterioration in minimally processed fruits and vegetables.
It is preferred that an anti oxidant such as ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, lipoic acid including alpha lipoic acid, be present with the flavonoid compound. It is believed that these compounds act synergistically with the flavonoid compounds to inhibit oxidation of the minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables have an adequate content of ascorbic acid and for these addition of a flavonoid is sufficient.
Throughout this specification minimally processed means the steps of processing raw, uncooked fruits, nuts and vegetables for storage and/or transport prior to eating or further processing. This includes peeling, coring, slicing and juicing.
Throughout this specification flavonoid means a polyphenol compound of the type having at least two aromatic rings which occur widely in the plant kingdom and inhibits oxidation. These compounds may also form polymeric compounds with the flavonoid repeating unit. The term flavonoid as used throughout this specification includes individual flavonoids, mixtures and plant extracts having a high flavonoid content.
The fruits to which this invention is applicable include oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, tangerines, tangellos, pomellos, kiwi fruit, mango, pineapple, apricots, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, cherries, blueberries, grapes, figs, peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, nashi, plums, tamarillo, cantaloupe, guavas, lychees, rumbutans, melon, passionfruit, avocado and mangosteen. Nuts such as chestnuts may also be treated.
The vegetables which can be treated according to this invention include broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrot, cabbage, capsicum, chili, chocos, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, garlic, ginger, green beans, shelled peas, asparagus, corn, pumpkin, mushrooms, snow peas, zucchini.
The fruit or vegetables are sprayed or immersed in the solution containing the flavonoid and excess solution is removed from the surfaces and the products are packaged in the usal way for minimally processed fruits and vegetables.
Fruit juice can be preserved by the addition of flavonoids to the juice. Navel oranges are usually not preferred for juicing because the juice acquires a bitter taste. The addition of a flavonoid to navel orange juice inhibits the development of this bitter taste. In preparing the fruit juice the pulp is usually separated from the serum and then recombined to form the juice. The flavonoid may be added to either the pulp or the serum or both but preferably to the pulp.
In another aspect of this invention the present invention provides a preservative composition for use in preserving minimally processed fruits and vegetables which composition includes a flavonoid mixed with a food grade anti oxidant, preferably selected from one or more of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, lipoic acid including alpha lipoic acid and salts thereof such as sodium, potassium and calcium ascorbate. This is preferably a powder but may be a liquid concentrate that can be diluted in water, tea infusion or a fruit juice to form the dipping solution. The ratio of flavonoid to antioxidant is usually from 1:50 to 1:150 by weight. This mixture is then diluted in 30 to 50 times its weight in water or fruit juice. The flavonoid content in the dipping solution or in juiced fruit or vegetable is preferably from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt %. In addition to the flavonoid, alpha lipoic acid may also be added to the dipping solution or fruit or vegetable juice as an additional antioxidant in amounts from 0.0005 wt % to 0.005 wt %.
The flavonoid may be any available compound or extract. The group takes its name from the compounds flavone, flavonol, flavanone but also includes chalcones, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, isoflavonoidsand polymeric forms of these compounds. Flavonoids are available as plant extracts and are an effective source for use in this invention. A preferred flavonoid source is an extract from pinus radiata or pinus pinasta [maritime pine] marketed as Enzogenol(trademark) and Pyncogenol(trademark) respectively. Enzogenol contains about 38% polymeric proanthocyanidins, 25% oligomeric proanthocyanidins and 22% monomer, dimer and trimer proanthocyanidins. Grape seed extract and grape seed oils are another favoured source. Also may be mentioned Quercitin, a flavonoid present in grapes, apples, broccoli and onions, acerola from cherries, hesperidin, rutin and any plant extracts rich in flavonoids such as citrus seed extract, cranberry extract, juniper berry extract, rose hip extract.
The dipping or spraying solutions may contain other ingredients for flavour and to assist the action of the flavonoids. Acid to maintain a low pH for antibacterial effectiveness is a useful ingredient and any food grade acid such as citric acid may be used. Alternatively acidic fruit juices, such as pineapple juice, may be used. Other ingredients may include sugar, water sanitisers such as colloidal silver, or microhydrin.


A postural drainage table for supporting a person at various angular positions for treatment. The table comprises a support frame and a pivotal table support member guidingly supported and connected to the support frame. A table platform is secured to the support member for supporting a patient thereon. A pivot pin connects the support frame and the support member to permit displacement of the support member along a pivotal path. A locking mechanism is also provided to lock the support member in the desired position relative to the support frame to position the platform at a desired angle.

People inflicted with various respiratory disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, are given periodic treatments which consists in imparting clapping and/or vibratory impacts on specific portions of a person's upper body including both back and front, and while the person is disposed at various angular positions to help in the drainage of the respiratory system. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,122 issued on Aug. 24, 1971 describes a postural drainage assister positioning various parts of a person's body at specific angles to assist in the drainage of mucous and fluids from the lungs and through the patient's throat. The device as disclosed in that patent is adapted for individual use so that a person can apply a self-treatment with a maneuverable vibratory percussion tool which is attached to the device. Usually such treatments are given at hospitals or at clinics by trained personnel, but in recent years percussion devices have been developed which greatly facilitates self-treatment. This provides various advantages to the patient as he can treat himself in his own dwelling and does not have to set up appointments and displace himself each time a treatment is necessary. A reduction of considerable time and expenses are therefore achieved by this self-treatment.
Various respiratory diseases also require specialized treatments, and it is important to position the body in a specific way dependent on the treatment. The body may have to be positioned with the upper part of the body inclined upwardly, horizontally, or downwardly.


In accordance with the present invention, there are provided fiber reinforced heat-resistant polyolefin compositions comprising 5-85% by weight of polyphenylene sulfide (A), 15-95% by weight of modified polyolefin (B) having a melting point of above 200.degree. C., which has been graft-modified, either partly or wholly, with 0.01-10% by weight of unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative, 10-60 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of (A)+(B), of reinforcing fiber (C) and, if necessary, 5-30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of (A)+(B), of oxazoline-modified polystyrene (D). The compositions thus provided are excellent in heat resistance, water resistance, moisture resistance and solderability, and that excellent in mechanical strength.

It is known to improve mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength and the like and heat resistance of polyolefins by incorporating thereinto reinforcing materials such as glass fiber and the like. However, such mechanical properties and heat resistance of polyolefins are not sufficiently improved by merely incorporating thereinto glass fiber because there is attained no bonding power therebetween, and hence it is not possible to obtain such effect of improvement as may be obtained in the case where glass fiber is incorporated into unsaturated polyesters having in the molecule polar groups, or into epoxy resins.
On one hand, there are proposed various processes for improving bonding power between polyolefins and glass fiber. For instance, Japanese Patent Publn. No. 41096/1974 discloses a process in which maleic acid or maleic anhydride, polyolefin and glass fiber subjected to surface treatment with aminosilane type compounds are allowed to undergo reaction at a temperature higher than a melting point of the polyolefin in the presence of organic peroxides. Further, Japanese Patent Publn. No. 31895/1977 discloses compositions comprising polyolefins, modified polyolefins having aromatic carboxylic acid anhydride units and glass fiber subjected to surface treatment with aminosilane type compounds. Still further, Japanese Patent Publn. No. 10265/1976 discloses a process for preparing compositions comprising modified polyolefins obtained by melt kneading in an atmosphere of nitrogen polyolefins and maleic anhydride in the presence and glass type reinforcing materials, or compositions comprising above-mentioned components and unmodified polyolefins. The processes and compositions as proposed above have their respective effects in their own ways.
Recently, however, there is a strong and growing demand for so-called engineering plastics, i.e. heat-resistant thermoplastic resins which are more excellent in heat resistance, and that in mechanical strength, and hence it is not desired that a further improvement is made in the above-mentioned compositions which are all found to be still insufficient in heat resistance and mechanical strength. Japanese Patent Publn. No. 9943/1981 discloses, as one example of such improvement as desired above, polyolefin resin compositions comprising (A) polyolefin resins added with unsaturated carboxylic acid or polyolefin resins added with unsaturated carbolylic acid diluted with polyolefin resins, (B) nitrogen containing resins and (C) fillers, and it is alleged that by virtue of incorporating into polyolefin resin compositions of the nitrogen containing resins, the polyolefin resin compositions obtained thereby are found excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance, coatability and the like. However, it has been found that even when ABS or nylon 6 concretely disclosed in the said publication is incorporated into polyolefin having a melting point of above 200.degree. C., for example, poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, which is particularly excellent in heat resistance among other polyolefins, heat resistance of the resulting polyolefin resin composition is not improved at all, or rather, decreases when ABS or the like is incorporated thereinto.
Japanese patent L-O-P Publn. No. 53549/1985 filed by the present applicant discloses that compositions comprising poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, unsaturated carboxylic acid graft modified poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, nylon 66 and inorganic fiber are excellent in heat resistance and mechanical strength in comparison with fiber reinforced polyolefin resin compositions proposed prior to the filing date of said publication. On studying further the compositions disclosed in said publication, however, the present applicant has found that said compositions are relatively high in water absorption properties due to the presence of nylon 66, and there is a fear of decrease in mechanical strength of the resulting compositions by moisture absorption thereof.
The present invention is intended to solve such problems associated with the prior art as mentioned above, and an object of the invention is to provide fiber reinforced polyolefin compositions which are excellent in heat resistance as well as in water resistance, moisture resistance and solderability, and that excellent in mechanical strength.

Fiber reinforced heat-resistant polyolefin compositions


A leak proof/resistant drinking lid (10) is provided for use with beverage container. The lid (10) includes a manually actuated valve stem (16) mounted to a housing (14), a drinking port (18) extending through the housing (14), a drinking valve head (20) carried on the stem (16), a pressure relief port (22) extending through the drinking valve head (20), and a pressure relief valve head (24) mounted to the stem 16. The pressure relief valve head (24) is releasably mounted to the stem (16) by a connector (26). A resilient member (28) is sandwiched between the stem (16) and the drinking valve head (20) to transmit an actuating force from the stem (16) to the drinking valve head (20) and to allow the stem (16) and the pressure relief valve head (24) to translate relative to the drinking valve head (20).

It is known to provide drinking lids for beverage containers such as tumblers and mugs to help maintain the temperature of the beverage within the container and to reduce the spillage of the beverage from the container during use. It is further known to provide such lids with drinking ports that can be selectively opened to allow a user to drink beverage from the container and closed so as to restrict or prevent leakage of the beverage from the container. One known way of providing this function is to provide a stopper or seal for the drinking port that is pivotally mounted to the lid between an open and closed position. Another known solution is to provide a valve on an internal side of the lid that can be selectively actuated by user between an open position and a closed position. One problem with such valves is that they may not have a sufficient amount of open area to provide a desired flow rate of the beverage from the container. One known solution to this problem is to provide a disk-shaped valve head that provides an opening area with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the container adjacent the valve head. However, one problem associated with such disk-shaped valve heads is that a pressure differential can form across the valve head making it difficult to open. In answer to this problem, it is known to provide a pressure relief valve that can be opened so as to equalize the pressure across the valve head.
While known lid constructions may be suitable for their intended purpose, there is always room for improvement.

Leak proof drinking lid with pressure relief


A method for controlling focal spot size changes of an x-ray source in an imaging system includes measuring focal spot sizes as a function of a plurality of x-ray source operating parameters, determining a calibration table or transfer function utilizing the measured focal spot sizes as a function of the plurality of x-ray tube operating parameters, and utilizing the calibration table or transfer function to control focal spot size variations during operation of the imaging system.

This invention relates generally to radiation imaging devices, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for controlling a focal spot of an x-ray tube of an imaging apparatus.
In some known CT imaging system configurations, an x-ray source, such as an x-ray tube, projects a fan-shaped beam which is collimated to lie within an X-Y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system and generally referred to as an "imaging plane". The x-ray beam passes through an object being imaged, such as a patient. The beam, after being attenuated by the object, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated radiation beam received at the detector array is dependent upon the attenuation of an x-ray beam by the object. Each detector element of the array produces a separate electrical signal that is a measurement of the beam intensity at the detector location. The intensity measurements from all the detectors are acquired separately to produce a transmission profile.
In third generation CT systems, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated with a gantry within the imaging plane and around the object to be imaged such that the angle at which the x-ray beam intersects the object constantly changes. A group of x-ray attenuation measurements, i.e., projection data, from the detector array at one gantry angle is referred to as a "view". A "scan" of the object comprises a set of views made at different gantry angles, or view angles, during one revolution of the x-ray source and detector.
In an axial scan, the projection data is processed to construct an image that corresponds to a two-dimensional slice taken through the object. One method for reconstructing an image from a set of projection data is referred to in the art as the filtered backprojection technique. This process converts the attenuation measurements from a scan into integers called "CT numbers" or "Hounsfield units" (HU), which are used to control the brightness of a corresponding pixel on a cathode ray tube display.
To reduce the total scan time, a "helical" scan may be performed. To perform a "helical" scan, the patient is moved while the data for the prescribed number of slices is acquired. Such a system generates a single helix from a fan beam helical scan. The helix mapped out by the fan beam yields projection data from which images in each prescribed slice may be reconstructed.
Reconstruction algorithms for helical scanning typically use helical weighing algorithms that weight the collected data as a function of view angle and detector channel index. Specifically, prior to a filtered backprojection process, the data is weighted according to a helical weighing factor, which is a function of both the gantry angle and detector angle. The weighted data is then processed to generate CT numbers and to construct an image that corresponds to a two-dimensional slice taken through the object.
To further reduce the total acquisition time, multi-slice CT has been introduced. In multi-slice CT, multiple rows of projection data are acquired simultaneously at any time instant. When combined with helical scan mode, the system generates a single helix of cone beam projection data. Similar to the single slice helical, weighting scheme, a method can be derived to multiply the weight with the projection data prior to the filtered backprojection algorithm.
The focal spot size of x-ray tubes used in CT imaging systems can vary substantially as the mA and kV values change over a wide range. X-ray tubes are generally required to produce currents varying from a few mA up to maximum currents near 1 Amp. Due to space charge forces on the electron beam, focal spot size can vary substantial over the entire mA range, as well as the kV range. As a result, artifacts can occur in images produced by a CT imaging system utilizing such tubes. For known prior art CT imaging systems, there is no way to control this variation other than use an an x-ray tube designed to keep the focal spot size within a given range. If the designed range is too wide, image quality, tube performance, or both may be degraded. In particular, as CT imaging systems are being built with increasingly wide detectors and thin slices, variations in spot size with mA is causing increasingly noticeable artifacts in outer rows of volume computed tomographic (VCT) images.
X-ray tubes having dynamic focal spot control have recently become available. These x-ray tubes use sets of control plates near the filament of the tube to shape and deflect the electron beam or a dynamic magnetic field, and thus the x-ray beam. These tubes now make it possible to dial in a given focal spot size by sending appropriate control (bias) voltages to the cathode of the tube or magnetic field controls signals to an magnet.

Method and apparatus to control radiation tube focal spot size


A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Small size is a key requirement for DC-DC power converters which are used in high-end mobile applications, because a small size allows to integrate more features within the same volume. Recently, power conversion solutions based on hybrid topologies have been described, in order to reduce the size of inductors (notably the area and/or the thickness) or, equivalently, in order to increase the efficiency of the power converter solution for the same solution size. Hybrid converters employ flying capacitors to reduce the constraints on the coils which are often limited in thickness and physical dimensions.
In portable applications the battery voltage is typically down-converted with relatively small voltage conversion ratios VOUT/VIN<0.5 to supply different points of load. Hence, there is a need for power efficient power converters with a relatively small voltage conversion ratio (e.g. VOUT/VIN<0.5).
The efficiency of conventional synchronous DC-DC buck converters as shown in FIG. 1 decreases when the voltage applied across the inductor 103 increases, because of the relatively high inductor current ripple (for a given inductor). The converter 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a high side switch 101, a low side switch 102, an inductor 103 (i.e. a coil) and an output capacitor 104. The converter 100 is configured to convert an input voltage VIN at an input port 111 to an output voltage VOUT at an output port 112. For relatively small power conversion ratios VOUT/VIN, the voltage drop across the inductor 103 is relatively high, thereby increasing the inductor current ripple and thereby reducing the power efficiency.

Hybrid DC-DC power converter with small voltage conversion ratio


A multiplex transmission apparatus in accordance with the present invention is interconnected with other multiplex transmission apparatuses via common transmission lines, and it is used for a multiplex transmission system which performs data transmission. The multiplex transmission apparatus comprises voltage converting circuits which detect voltages of the transmission lines, the first comparator which compares the detected voltages, the second comparator which compares one voltage of the detected voltages with a reference voltage, and the third comparator which compares the other detected voltage with a reference voltage. The comparators supply the comparison results to differential circuits, respectively, set the output of the differential circuit linked to a comparator, which is connected to a faulty line, for "L", and determine the logical sum of the outputs of the differential circuits by a logical synthesizing circuit. By applying the determined logical sum to a multiplex transmission control circuit, the apparatus makes it possible to reduce wasteful message transmission and successfully cope with faults in the transmission lines without causing delay in transmission of messages which require quick responses and without increasing the traffic volume of the transmission lines. The multiplex transmission control circuit detects signals on the transmission lines according to the comparison results of the comparators.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission apparatus which is connected to multiplex transmission lines to detect signals transmitted to the multiplex transmission lines.
2. Description of the Related Art
This type of multiplex transmission apparatus is found, for example, in the publication of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H2-20998. In this multiplex transmission apparatus, three comparators are connected to two transmission lines, i.e., the first and second transmission lines, via a filter circuit. These comparators compare voltages received from the two transmission lines, and also compare the voltage received from one of the transmission lines with a present bias voltage. Outputs from these comparators are supplied to a fault detecting means and a multiplexer. The fault detecting means detects faults in the transmission lines in accordance with outputs of these comparators and sends the first and second output signals based on the aforementioned fault to the multiplexer. In the multiplexer, one of the outputs of the comparators is selected, and the selected output is supplied to a multiplex transmission control circuit or the like. This multiplexer determines the above-mentioned output to be selected in accordance with output signals received from the aforementioned fault detecting means.
More specifically, if neither transmission line has a fault, then both output signals of the fault detecting means become "0", and the output of the first comparator, for instance, is selected as the output of the multiplexer. If there is a fault in the first transmission line, then the first output signal from the fault detecting means becomes "0", while the second output signal becomes "1", the output of the second comparator being selected as the selected output of the multiplexer. If the second transmission line has a fault, the first output signal from the fault detecting means becomes "1", and the second output signal "1", the output of the third comparator being selected as the selected output of the multiplexer. Thus, in the multiplex transmission apparatus, signals received from both transmission lines are supplied to three comparators, the fault detecting means detects faults in the transmission lines from the outputs of the comparators, and the multiplexer selects one receivable comparator output in accordance with the detection result.
In this multiplex transmission apparatus, if a fault takes place in a transmission line, comparator outputs are switched by the multiplexer even while signal messages are being received from the transmission line. This disables the multiplex transmission apparatus from receiving the messages and therefore the apparatus has to re-receive the same messages which are re-sent. Thus, in multiplex transmission which requires quick message transmission, this multiplex transmission apparatus is likely to develop delayed operation due to delay in transmission. Further, in this multiplex transmission apparatus, a large traffic volume of the transmission lines results in a further increased traffic volume, possibly leading to significant transmission delay in the whole multiplex transmission system. Further, the multiplex transmission apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese publication uses a special frame, and thus is limited in application.

Multiplex transmission apparatus with transmission line fault detection


The present invention provides a traction control method for a tracked vehicle such as a military tank. The method includes calculating a track proportionality factor and a vehicle proportionality factor based on predefined attributes of the tracked vehicle. A minimum turn radius of the tracked vehicle is calculated based on the velocity of the tracked vehicle, the maximum coefficient of friction between the tracks of the tracked vehicle and the ground (0.7), and gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s2). A sprocket rotational speed is calculated based on the pitch diameter of the tracked vehicle sprockets and the velocity of the tracked vehicle. Based on the preceding calculations, the method of the present invention calculates a required track speed differential configured to turn the tracked vehicle at the minimum turn radius. If a commanded turn radius is less than the minimum turn radius, the track speed differential of the tracked vehicle is limited to the required track speed differential to prevent the tracked vehicle from slipping.

For purposes of the present invention, tracked vehicles are defined as vehicles that ride on tracks instead of or in addition to wheels, such as, for example, military tanks. A tracked vehicle steers by way of differential track speed which is generally imparted by the transmission. It has been observed that the maximum coefficient of friction (COF or μ) that can be achieved between the tracks and the ground is generally approximately 0.7. If the driver intentionally or accidentally turns too sharply for the current vehicle speed such that the 0.7 coefficient of friction is exceeded, the vehicle will slide and may loose control. The coefficient of friction will hereinafter be defined as a value indicating the amount of friction between two surfaces, wherein a 0.0 COF represents no friction and a 1.0 COF represents the maximum friction.

Traction control method for a tracked vehicle


A technique to verify firmware. One embodiment of the invention uses a processor's micro-code to verify a system's firmware, such that the firmware can be included in a trusted chain of code along with the operating system.

Software security in microprocessor systems typically involves verifying the authenticity, accuracy, etc., of several layers of code in a software stack, including the operating system (OS) and applications that run within the operating system. Microprocessors and microprocessor systems, however, typically also include software that is specific to a particular computing system, such as "firmware", which can include software to perform basic input/output system (BIOS) routines. It may be desirable in some computing systems to verify the integrity of the firmware running within the system, since this firmware may be used by other functions within the OS or various applications and is therefore a vital part of the "trust chain" of verifiable software running in the system.
Prior art software security techniques may not verify the integrity of firmware within a computing system, particularly in a server system, because verifying firmware typically requires the system to be reset while system management operations verify the firmware. One prior art technique, in particular, attempts to measure and verify firmware without resetting the system by including the requisite system management operations within software stored in a portion of non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory) that is responsible for booting the system (i.e., "boot block").
One problem with the above-mentioned prior art technique is that the boot block in some non-volatile memories may be accessible by a user and the code stored therein may be modified, thereby compromising the trust chain of software running the system. Another shortcoming of the prior art is that the prior art may require server systems to include a boot block. In a computing system, in which software integrity is at risk by malicious intruders, such as viruses, worms, etc., it is increasingly important to verify the integrity of software running therein, including firmware. Furthermore, in systems in which downtime may be undesirable, or even unacceptable, prior art security techniques are remiss in providing an acceptable software security solution.