An airflow concentrator for electric hairdryer includes a airflow divider connected with the electric hairdryer, an airflow generated by the electric hairdryer is divided and deflected in the airflow divider, and then flowed out of the airflow divider, two connecters connected with the airflow divider respectively, and two airflow nozzles connected with the two connecters respectively, wherein the airflow flowed out from the airflow divider is deflected in the airflow nozzles, and then flowed out of the airflow nozzles.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an electric hairdryer, and particularly relates to an airflow concentrator for the electric hairdryer.
Description of Related Arts
An electric hairdryer is a common hair-care tool for drying and styling hair. Usually, the electric hairdryer is used to provide cool or hot airflow over wet or damp hair in order to dry hair after hair wash rapidly. The common electric hairdryer generally provide several types of airflow to control the temperature and speed of the airflow, such as hot-fast airflow, hot-slow airflow, cool-fast airflow and cool-slow airflow. To dry the hair in the shortest time, the hot fast airflow is a preferable choice and, moreover, the nozzle of the electric hairdryer is preferably closed to the scalp so that the electric hairdryer can blow the hot-fast airflow to dry the root of the hair. However, at the same time, the user may feel uncomfortable because of the strong and hot airflow directly blew towards the scalp. Although it may dry the hair faster, the nozzle of the electric hairdryer is so closed to the scalp that the hot air may cause scalded to the scalp. If the scalp is scalded, it may not only cause uncomfortable to the user, but also, in the worst situation, may result in hair-loss and stopping hair-grow. Accordingly, people install an airflow concentrator to the nozzle of the hair. The function of the airflow concentrator is to concentrate, collect and speed up the airflow. It is a type of drying method that provides a faster speed of the airflow instead of the higher temperature of the conventional type, so as to reduce the possibility of hurting the scalp. However, if the airflow blew directly towards the scalp, it will still cause uncomfortable feeling.
With the development of the living standard of people, more and more people like to own a pet. The common choice is cats or dogs but it is not a easy task in cleaning, especially to dry their hair after bath. Generally, an electric hairdryer will be used. As mentioned above, the conventional electric hairdryer blows airflow directly towards the scalp, and thus when a conventional electric hairdryer is used for the pets, such as cats or dogs, the pet will feel uncomfortable if the speed of the airflow is too fast that may require more effort to get dry. On the other hand, if a weak airflow is used, it may require more time to deal with.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Airflow concentrator for electric hairdryer


Two slidable carriages of identical construction are slidably mounted in a welding device side by side and move alternately 180 degrees out of phase with each other in a linear reciprocating movement. Pivotal gripping plates are mounted on the slidable carriages which alternately clamp on selected gaps between flux coating sections of the welding electrode to advance it continuously towards the work piece. Crank shafts are incorporated in the welding device to produce the linear reciprocating movement of the two slidable carriages, and cam wheels and pivotal bars are provided to locate alternately one group of gripping plates in the closed position to carry the welding electrode forward while the other group of gripping plates are in the opened position to facilitate the welding electrode to advance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a driving system of a welding device for a continuous welding electrode having open gaps formed in its flux coating. The welding device is operative for carrying out continuous welding operation.
2. Background Art
Continuous welding operation is required to obtain a high quality welding continuously without any intermission. The weld has a strong bond to the work piece and it has a high quality and a desirable smooth surface. Continuous welding operation is carried out by a welding device which advances a continuous welding electrode towards the work piece as well as supplying a high welding current for the operation. The high welding current is supplied to the welding core through open gaps formed in the flux coating on the continuous welding electrode. The welding device also drives the continuous welding electrode towards the work piece in cooperation with these open gaps. Commonly, a complex chain driven mechanism or a series of circulating drive members are provided in the welding device for the above purposes. In the chain drive mechanism a plurality of fingers are provided in evenly spaced positions on a circulating continuous chain. The fingers engage with the same evenly spaced open gaps of the welding electrode to drive it forward towards the work piece. While in the latter system, a series of drive members are circulated continuous through a continuous circulation channel formed adjacent to the welding electrode feeding channel. The drive members have fingers engaging with the open gaps of the welding electrode to drive it towards the work piece. However, both such continuous welding electrode advancing systems are problematic in that the chain in the chain drive system often become slacken due to wear while the series of circulating drive members in the latter case cause rapid wear of the circulation channel as well as the drive members themselves. Therefore, both such known continuous welding electrode driving systems are prone to jamming. Furthermore, such known systems are relatively slow in their operation despite of their complex construction.


An improved method for accessing data is disclosed, which is capable of increasing the efficiency of data access by reducing the time consumed by registering data in the system memory while transferring data between computer peripherals.

Up until now, most data transferring between computer peripherals are completed through the communication between host bridges and host controllers, which are initialized and controlled by central processing units (CPUs) or micro controller units (MCUs). However, the conventional means adopted for transferring data not only causes the CPU/MCU to have a comparatively higher loading, but also might slow down the performance of the data accessing between computer peripherals.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a conceptual system view of prior arts. As seen in FIG. 1, both the host controllers 110, 120 are capable of directly memory access (DMA), that is, if there are data must be transfer from one external bus A to another external bus B, the host controller 110 will first move data from the corresponding external buses A to a local system memory 130 by way of a memory controller 125, and then the host controller 120 will be able to access the data registered in the local system memory 130 and transferring the same to the external bus B.
From the above description, since a host controller with DMA can move data between external bus and local system memory by itself, the CPU 140 only need to initialize host controllers 110, 120 and prepares some instructions for the same, and then the host controllers 110, 120 can starts to transfer data. When either the host controller 110 or the host controller 120 finishes all its scheduled jobs, it can inform the CPU 140 and wait for next jobs. By virtue of this, the loading of the CPU 140 can be reduced since the host controllers 110, 120 with DMA capability are able to access the local system memory 130 directly and by its own.
However, while there are data to be transfer from the external bus A to the external bus B using the system seen in FIG. 1, the CPU 140 must employ the host bridge 150 to prepare schedule for the host controller 110 of bus A to move data from bus A to a space in the local system memory 130 by way of the memory controller 125, and then the CPU 140 must also employ the host bridge 150 to prepare another schedule for the host controller 120 of bus B to move data from such space in the local system memory 130 to the bus B also by way of the memory controller 125.
Hence, it is noted that the above means of data transferring will waste some time to transfer data to and from the local system memory 130. Moreover, if the local system memory 130 is very busy, then the performance of the system including the CPU 140, the host bridge 150, the host controllers 110, 120, the memory 130, and the memory controller 125 as well as the peripherals coupled to the same will be slow down.
In view of the above description, an improved method for accessing data is disclosed, which is capable of increasing the efficiency of data access by reducing the time consumed by registering data in the system memory while transferring data between computer peripherals.

Method of transferring data between computer peripherals


Network information-distribution method and device for transmitting information utilizing information-exchange relationships among users. Information is transmitted from user 1 to all or a portion of user 1's buddies, e.g., users 12 and 13. Next, having received the information, users 12 and 13 then forward the information to their respective buddies. The information is forwarded, for example, to users 211 and 212 registered on user 12's buddy list 21. Likewise, the information is also transmitted to the user group registered on user 13's buddy list 22. By repeating this, buddy lists expressing information-exchange relationships among users are utilized to distribute the information to great numbers of persons.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to technology by which fellow users on a network transmit and receive messages.
2. Description of Related Art
Instant messaging systems are offered as systems that let users converse on networks in real time, or that let information flow among users. The buddy-list system may be cited as one example of an instant messaging system. The buddy-list system is composed of a buddy server that administrates user status information, and a plurality of buddy clients, connected via a network.
Using a buddy client a, a user A registers on a buddy server information pertaining to his or her status. A disclosure level for the registered status information can be combined in making this configuration. Furthermore, user A registers other users or another user group whose status information he or she would like to look up. The users here are called "buddies"; the user group, a "buddy list."
The buddy server stores user A status information and disclosure level that has been reported from buddy client a, assigning them correspondences to user A. Likewise, based on a buddy list that has been reported from buddy client a, that user A would like status information on users B, C, D . . . registered on the buddy list to be broadcast is stored. When status information on user A is received, the buddy server stores it in a correspondence assigned to user A. In addition, the buddy server reports, in accordance with the disclosure level set by user A, updated status information to broadcast destinations for status information on user A.
Meanwhile, buddy client a updates display of status information on users B, C, D. . . If buddy client a is not in running, the moment it is launched it acquires from the buddy server and displays the most recent status information on users B, C, D . . .
In short, with a buddy-list system, by registering one's status, and, as buddies, users in whom one is interested, the buddy client displays buddy status in a list on a user terminal. Furthermore, if buddy status information that is looked up has changed, the status information displayed on the user terminal is automatically updated. Connecting to a buddy server and registering a buddy list enables a user readily to look up the status of users about whom he or she is concerned.
User status is expressed by means of objects such as status icons or text messages are provided through buddy-list system providers and are downloaded to each user's terminal to suit needs.
Buddy lists and disclosure levels configured by the users in buddy list systems as just described indicate, as it were, information-exchange relationships among users, or in other words, connections in human relationships. If information-exchange relationships among users were effectively utilized, it would be possible to realize new information-distribution methods that cannot be realized with existing buddy list systems. Information-exchange relationships are set up even in instant messaging systems other than buddy list systems. Nevertheless, an information distribution method for instant messaging systems that takes advantage of information-exchange relationships as yet has not been offered.

Information distribution method and device


A system and method backs up computer files to backup drives connected to multiple computer systems. Each file in a backup set is allocated to one or more backup subsets for each of the multiple computer systems. The files can be allocated in an even number across each subset, allocated to evenly spread the number of bytes to each subset, or, using the capacity of each of the multiple computer systems, allocated so that each computer system can complete backing up the files allocated to it in approximately the same amount of time. The system can restrict the number of bytes continuously required from a single disk by one of the backup machines from exceeding a threshold limit. Each of the multiple computer systems is then directed to, and the computer systems do, back up files in one or more subsets, which may be allocated to that computer system.

Computer files store information to be used by a computer and are sometimes stored on one or more nonvolatile storage devices, such as hard disks. Because the devices that store computer files are subject to failure, many computer files are backed up by copying the files to a different device, such as a different hard disk or a tape in a tape drive.
A computer program known as a backup program is used to perform the backup process. The operator performing the backup identifies the files to be backed up by including the file names, which may include path identifiers, in a backup set. The operator then runs the backup program against the backup set, and the backup program copies the files in the backup set onto one or more devices identified to the backup program.
Conventional backup programs require that devices such as the tape drives the backup program will use be assigned to the exclusive use of that backup program. In a conventional arrangement, the backup drives assigned to a backup program are connected to the computer running the backup program. For example, in a network of two computers, with three drives connected to each computer, and a copy of a backup program on each of the two computers, the backup program running on the first computer will control the three drives connected to the first computer. Similarly, the backup program running on the second computer will control the three drives connected to that computer.
This arrangement can cause several problems. First, the operator must attend to and run multiple backup programs on each computer to which backup drives are connected. The operator must monitor the operation of these various backup programs, which may provide instructions to mount new tapes as other mounted tapes are filled up. In a network of many computer systems, such monitoring can become extremely burdensome. In addition, it is prone to inefficiencies. A program on one computer may request the mounting of a new tape while the operator is monitoring another program on another computer, causing the first program to sit idle until the operator elects to monitor its operation.
In addition, each backup program requires its own backup set. As used herein, "backup set" is a list of file identifiers such as filename and path to be backed up. If the number of files to be backed up is not evenly distributed among the different backup sets, one backup program may finish and sit idle while another backup program continues working, an inefficient use of the backup drives.
Another problem with conventional backup programs relates to the operation of the tape drive, and the impact this operation may have on the other components of the system. Tape drives are most efficient when the drive "streams". A drive streams when information is supplied to the drive as fast as it is written to the tape, avoiding stopping the tape while waiting for additional information. Stopping a tape and then restarting it when information is available is a relatively lengthy process that inefficiently uses the drive. However, if multiple files are being backed up from a single disk drive, streaming the tape can overwhelm the disk such that performance of the disk for other uses is adversely impacted. Furthermore, because the backup set may describe files stored on disks attached to multiple computers in the network, streaming the tape can cause an increase in network traffic sufficient to slow the performance of the network.
A system and method is therefore needed that is easy to monitor and will efficiently use the backup drives without impacting beyond an acceptable level either the performance of the disks storing the files to be backed up or the performance the network.

Method and apparatus for efficiently backing up files using multiple computer systems


A process cartridge, adapted for use in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a guide member to guide the recording medium in the conveying direction thereof and which can assume either a guide position or a retracted position, includes a cartridge frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process device for acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cartridge contact portion to impinge on a main body contact portion provided on the guide member if the guide member is in the retracted position in mounting the process cartridge in the main body of the apparatus to shift the guide member to the guide position. The cartridge contact portion is provided on the cartridge frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a copying apparatus, and a process cartridge for use in such electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus based on the electrophotographic image forming process executes selective exposure according to image information on an electrophotographic photosensitive member uniformly charged with charging means to form a latent image. Then it develops the latent image with toner in developing means to form a toner image, and transfers the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto a recording sheet by transfer means to execute image formation.
For facilitating maintenance in such electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is widely practiced to integrate the charging means, developing means or cleaning means with the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a process cartridge which is detachably mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus.
In such image forming apparatus, image formation is achieved by conveying the recording sheet by paired rollers. For example, the recording sheet is pinched and conveyed by a convey roller driven by a motor through gears and an idler roller rotated in pressure contact with such convey roller, and the image is formed on such recording sheet by image forming means. A guide member is provided in the conveying direction of the above-mentioned paired rollers, in order to achieve exact conveyance of the recording sheet. In such recording sheet conveying means, there has been already known a guide member that can be retracted in case of sheet jamming, in order to facilitate removal of the jammed recording sheet.
The present invention is designed to further extend the prior technology.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and process cartridge detachably mountable thereon having first and second cartridge contact portions


A method for conversion of digital assets to fiat currency using a secondary blockchain and mirrored accounting includes: receiving transaction data corresponding to a first blockchain transaction processed using a first blockchain, the transaction data including a payer identifier, recipient identifier, and blockchain currency amount; validating an entity as an authorized entity associated with the payer identifier; determining a fiat currency amount based on the blockchain currency amount; generating a second blockchain transaction, the second blockchain transaction including an unspent transaction output, destination address associated with the authorized entity, and the blockchain currency amount and/or the fiat currency amount; confirming addition of the second blockchain transaction to a second blockchain; and initiating a transfer for the fiat currency amount from a first transaction account to a second transaction account, the second transaction account being associated with the authorized entity.

Blockchain was initially created as a storage mechanism for use in conducting payment transactions with a cryptographic currency. Using a blockchain provides a number of benefits, such as decentralization, distributed computing, transparency regarding transactions, and yet also providing anonymity as to the individuals or entities involved in a transaction. One of the more popular aspects of a blockchain is that it is an immutable record: every transaction ever that is part of the chain is stored therein and cannot be changed due to the computational requirements and bandwidth limitations, particularly as a chain gets longer and a blockchain network adds more nodes.
Transactions conducted using a blockchain are made via an exchange of a digital asset associated with that blockchain, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. Many merchants may be willing to cater to consumers by offering to accept payment via such a digital asset. However, with current methods it is significantly more difficult for a merchant to exchange their digital assets for a fiat currency than it is for exchanging different fiat currencies. Most often, conversion of digital assets is performed using an exchange. A merchant or other interested party will transfer their digital assets to a wallet as directed by the exchange using a new blockchain transaction. The exchange will then pay a corresponding amount in fiat currency to an account provided by the merchant or other interested party, minus a fee collected by the exchange.
Unfortunately, due to the technologies involved such processes can be significantly time consuming, particularly due to the constraints of many public blockchains where the transfer of digital assets often takes place. Additionally, exchanges are not regulated institutions and do not have to provide any transparency or accountability, which can result in merchants being taken advantage of or being apprehensive to accept digital asset payments due to the difficulties and dangers in converting their assets to fiat currency. Thus, there is a need for a more efficient, secure, and trustworthy conversion of digital assets to fiat currency.

Method and system for conversion of digital assets to fiat currency


A tablet dispensing apparatus that allows easy cleaning of the inner surfaces of temporary storage structures. A simultaneous driving mechanism and a plurality of open-close mechanisms of a plurality of temporary storage structure are coupled to each other by a plurality of coupling structures. The coupling structures are each configured to release the coupling when the entire temporary storage structure or a portion, which includes the open-close mechanism, of the temporary storage structure is drawn out of a housing, and to establish the coupling when the entire temporary storage structure or the portion, which includes the open-close mechanism, of the temporary storage structure is pushed into the housing.

The structure etc. of a tablet dispensing apparatus as a typical example of a medicine dispensing apparatus according to the related art will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10a is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tablet dispensing apparatus 10 according to the related art as seen from the left front. FIG. 10b is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the tablet dispensing apparatus 10. FIG. 10c is a perspective view showing the appearance of the tablet dispensing apparatus 10 as seen from the left front. FIG. 10d is a left side view of another tablet dispensing apparatus 20 according to the related art including a manual medicine dispenser (21, 22).
The tablet dispensing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 10a to 10c are not provided with a manual medicine dispenser. This type of tablet dispensing apparatus is disclosed in JP 2005-192702 A (Patent Document 1) and JP 2006-109860 A (Patent Document 2), for example. The tablet dispensing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 10d is obtained by integrating the tablet dispensing apparatus 10 with the manual medicine dispenser (21, 22). This type of tablet dispensing apparatus is disclosed in JP 2007-209600 A (Patent Document 3), for example.
The tablet dispensing apparatus 10 with no manual medicine dispenser includes a plurality of medicine feeders 13, a medicine collecting structure (14, 15), a packing device 17, and a controller 18 (control device). The plurality of medicine feeders 13 store various types of medicines 1 such as tablets such as pills and capsules separately according to their types. The medicine collecting structure (14, 15) collects the plurality of medicines 1 discharged from the medicine feeders 13. The packing device 17 packs the plurality of medicines 1 received from the medicine collecting structure (14, 15). The controller 18 (control device) constituted from a microprocessor system etc. outputs a control command to the plurality of medicine feeders 13 and the packing device 17. The controller 18 receives prescription data, pharmaceutical indication data, or the like and provides a control command to a medicine feeder 13 storing the medicines indicated by the received data to cause the medicine feeder 13 to discharge a necessary number of medicines 1. The medicines 1 discharged from the medicine feeder 13 are collected by the medicine collecting structure (14, 15), and fed into a medicine entry port 16 (collected medicine entry port) located therebelow. The controller 18 provided a control command to the packing device 17 to cause the packing device 17 to separate the medicines fed into the medicine entry port 16 by the dosing unit or the administering unit. The packing device 17 charges the medicines separated by the dosing unit or the administering unit into pockets separately formed between two packing strips 2 (dispensing paper), and thereafter tightly seals an opening portion of the pockets.
More particularly, a medicine storage 11 is provided in the upper space in a housing 10A of the tablet dispensing apparatus 10, and the packing device 17 is provided in the lower space therein the housing 10A. Medicine guide assemblies 14 and a medicine collecting assembly 15 serving as the medicine collecting structure are disposed in the housing between the medicine storage 11 and the packing device 17. The medicine storage 11 includes a plurality of individually slidable medicine feeder storing units 12 (medicine storage spaces) disposed side by side with each other. The medicine feeder storing units 12 each include a medicine feeder storing case 12A, and several to several tens of removable medicine feeders 13 stored inside the medicine feeder storing case 12A and arranged vertically and horizontally.
The medicine feeders 13 each include a medicine cassette and a base portion. The medicine cassette houses a large number of medicines 1 to discharge the medicines. The base portion removably supports the medicine cassette, and performs driving operation for discharging the medicines from the medicine cassette. The medicine feeders 13 are each configured to discharge a number of medicines 1, the number being specified by the controller 18, to feed the medicines 1 into the medicine guide assembly 14.
The medicine guide assemblies 14 known in the art each include a guide tube such as a duct disposed vertically, and a plurality of extended tubes configured to communicate with respective discharge ports of the plurality of medicine feeders 13. The medicine guide assembly 14 is provided for each medicine feeder storing unit 12, and drawn out of the housing 10A together with the medicine feeder storing unit 12. In FIG. 10b, in order to simplify the illustration, a common medicine guide assembly 14 is depicted to be provided for two medicine feeder storing units 12. In FIG. 10c, the medicine guide assemblies 14 are not shown.
The medicine feeder storing units 12 are each configured such that the medicine guide assembly 14 and the medicine feeders 13 can be drawn forward together with the medicine feeder storing case 12A by horizontally sliding the medicine feeder storing unit 12 forward of the housing 10A.
The medicine collecting assembly 15 is constituted from a relatively large hopper-shaped member or funnel-shaped member. The medicine collecting assembly 15 is installed in a space in the housing 10A below the medicine storage 11 to be positioned above the packing device 17. The upper opening of the medicine collecting assembly 15 opens to be wide enough to face the respective lower ends of all the medicine guide assemblies 14. The lower opening of the medicine collecting assembly 15 is tapered toward the medicine entry port 16 of the packing device 17. As a result, all the medicines 1 guided by any medicine guide assembly 14 are collected by the lower opening of the medicine collecting assembly 15 to be fed into the packing device 17. Thus, the medicine collecting assembly 15 forms a common guide passage leading from all the medicine guide assemblies 14 to the packing device 17.
A pharmaceutical indication based on specifications in a prescription or the like indicating the dose, directions for use, etc. is input by operating an operation panel 19 or from an appropriate input device or prescription ordering system (not shown). The tablet dispensing apparatus 10 discharges the medicines 1 from one or more medicine feeders 13 specified by a command from the controller 18 which has received the input pharmaceutical indication. The discharged medicines 1 are dropped into the medicine collecting assembly 15 via the medicine guide assemblies 14 and gathered by the medicine collecting assembly 15 to be put into the medicine entry port 16 of the packing device 17 from the lower exit port of the medicine collecting assembly 15. The medicines 1 fed by way of such a medicine collecting path are packed between two packing strips 2 by the packing device 17. The packing device 17 feeds the two packing strips 2, by a predetermined length at a time, and partially heat-seals the two packing strips 2 to form a medicine storing pocket. After putting the medicines into the medicine storing pocket, the packing device 17 closes the rear opening portion of the medicine storing pocket by heat sealing to separately pack the medicines. In thus automatically separately packing the medicines, the medicines 1 are supplied from appropriate medicine feeders 13 to the packing device 17 by way of the medicine collecting structure (14, 15), one or a plurality of the medicines 1 at a time.
FIG. 10d shows a schematic configuration of the tablet dispensing apparatus 20 with a manual medicine dispenser described in JP 2007-209600 A (Patent Document 3). As discussed above, the tablet dispensing apparatus 20 is obtained by integrating the tablet dispensing apparatus 10 with the manual medicine dispenser (21, 22). The manual medicine dispenser (21, 22) includes a preliminary dispersing portion 21 of a cassette type, for example, and an operating portion 22 of a conveyor type, for example. A large number of sectioned chambers are formed in the preliminary dispersing portion 21 in a vertical and horizontal arrangement. The upper side of each sectioned chamber is open to allow input of the medicines. The lower surface or the bottom surface of each sectioned chamber is formed from a shutter or the like to open and close to allow discharge of the medicines. The preliminary dispersing portion 21 can be drawn out of the housing of the tablet dispensing apparatus 20 to allow manually dispersion of the medicines into the sectioned chambers. While the medicines are manually put into the preliminary dispersing portion 21, the operating portion 22 automatically discharges the medicines. Specifically, the operating portion 22 is provided in the housing of the medicine dispensing apparatus 20 below the preliminary dispersing portion 21 pushed into the housing. The operating portion 22 is configured to receive the medicines 1 discharged from the sectioned chambers of the preliminary dispersing portion 21, and to feed the received medicines 1 into the packing device 17 via the medicine collecting assembly 15, by an amount corresponding to one sectioned chamber at a time.
Finally, the structure of a tablet dispensing apparatus 30 described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-049924 (currently not published) filed by the applicant will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In the tablet dispensing apparatus 30, not only a manual tablet dispenser 21+22 but also a temporary storage structure 31 is integrated in the housing. FIG. 11a is a perspective view showing the appearance of the tablet dispensing apparatus 30 as seen from the left front with all the tablet feeder storing units 12 and the temporary storage structure 31 pushed into the housing 10A. FIG. 11b is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the tablet dispensing apparatus 30. FIG. 11c is a perspective view showing the appearance of the tablet dispensing apparatus 30 as seen from the left front with one of the tablet feeder storing units 12 and the temporary storage structure 31 drawn out of the housing.
The temporary storage structure 31 is provided as an intermediate layer between the medicine guide assemblies 14 and the manual tablet dispenser 21+22 provided thereabove and the medicine collecting assembly 15 provided therebelow. The temporary storage structure 31 temporarily retains the medicines (tablets) 1 discharged from the tablet feeders 13 and dropped as guided by the medicine collecting structure 14 provided thereabove, and releases the medicines 1 at an appropriate timing to drop the medicines 1 into the medicine collecting assembly 15. Temporarily storing the medicines resolves the difference in discharge timing among the tablet feeders 13 and hence variations in fall start timing, and resolves the difference in fall path length among the medicine guide assemblies 14 and hence variations in timing when the medicines (tablets) 1 are collected due to variations in fall duration. Consequently, the medicines 1 corresponding to one pack are collectively dropped at a time into the medicine collecting assembly 15, thereby reducing the time for which the packing device 17 waits for input and contributing to speeding up of tablet packing.
The temporary storage device 31 includes as its main members a tubular member and an open-close member. The tubular member has a hollow space extending in the up-down direction or the vertical direction. The open-close member opens and closes the hollow space. In a type of temporary storage device 31, the tubular members and the open-close members are disposed in a planar matrix to correspond to the medicine guide assemblies 14 disposed in a planar matrix. In another type of temporary storage device 31, one temporary storage structure 32 is disposed for one column of the medicine guide assemblies 14. In the temporary storage device 31 of the tablet dispensing apparatus 30 shown, a plurality of the latter temporary storage structures 32 are arranged in columns. In order to open and close the open-close mechanisms for the plurality of temporary storage structures 32 at the same time, the temporary storage device 31 is also provided with a simultaneous driving mechanism 33 coupled to the temporary storage structures 32 from one end side to drive operation of the open-close mechanisms.
In the medicine dispensing apparatus according to the related art, it is occasionally necessary to remove and prevent contamination due to scattering or adhesion of the medicines. Thus, some medicine dispensing apparatuses according to the related art include a dust remover or a suction discharge device installed at an appropriate location. Providing such a dust remover or suction discharge purifying device is common to powder medicine dispensing apparatuses. As described in JP 2004-148036 A (Patent Document 4), a tablet cutting mechanism is integrated in some tablet dispensing apparatuses (see Patent Document 4, for example).


A system and method for optimal distribution of light on a plant ensures much of the plant receives uniform light during growth, including shadow regions of the plant. Multiple light sources position along the length of the plant. The lumen output of the light sources is incrementally varied. The position of the plant relative to the light sources horizontally and rotatably incrementally adjusts as the plant grows. A platform moves the plant horizontally relative to the plant. The platform rotates to orient the plant toward the light. Principles of inverse square law are used to adjust the distance and orientation of the plant relative to the light sources. Energy savings occur since lumen output is adjustable to match plant growth. Environmental sensors monitor environmental condition proximal to the plant, length of the plant, and distance between plant and light source to dictate operation of the light sources and platform.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known that an artificial light source for plants is generally an electric light, designed to stimulate plant growth by emitting an electromagnetic spectrum appropriate for photosynthesis. Grow lights are used in applications where there is either no naturally occurring light, or where supplemental light is required. For example, in the winter months when the available hours of daylight may be insufficient for the desired plant growth, lights are used to extend the time the plants receive light. If plants do not receive enough light, they will grow long and spindly.
Grow lights either attempt to provide a light spectrum similar to that of the sun, or to provide a spectrum that is more tailored to the needs of the plants being cultivated. Outdoor conditions are mimicked with varying color, temperatures and spectral outputs from the grow light, as well as varying the lumen output (intensity) of the lamps. Depending on the type of plant being cultivated, the stage of cultivation (e.g., the germination/vegetative phase or the flowering/fruiting phase), and the photoperiod required by the plants, specific ranges of spectrum, luminous efficacy and color temperature are desirable for use with specific plants and time periods.
Typically, indoor growing requires that you simply place your required light source above your plant, and adjust its height as needed as the plant matures. However, problems can arise as the plant's height increases, so too does its overall distance from this light source, creating insufficient light intensities below the top of the plant's shadows. To compensate for this, the intensity of the wattage light source must be factored in. With this common set-up, the light output and the plant remained fixed, while the height of the light source is adjusted.
It is known that there are at least two factors which reduce artificial light to much of a plant. First, the upper portions of a plant often block light coming from above, preventing it from reaching lower portions of the plant. Second, light intensity greatly diminishes with increased distance as described by the inverse-square law. It is known that the inverse-square law states that as the distance from the light source is increased, the light intensity is diminished relative to the square of the distance. Therefore, a growing structure which alleviates these problems will greatly enhance the yield of a plant.
Other proposals have involved systems for artificial growth lights. The problem with these is that they do not automatically adjust to compensate for the incrementally increasing height of a plant. Even though the above cited artificial lighting systems meets some of the needs of the market, a plant lighting system that adjusts the light intensity and position of the plant based on readings from an infrared sensing device and a sound propagation device is still desired.

System and method for optimal distribution of light on a plant


An advancing/retracting mechanism includes a first arm, a second arm, a first coupling part that couples the first arm and the second arm, and a second coupling part that couples a supporting body and the first arm. A transfer device is configured to move the supporting body back and forth with the first coupling part located on a first side relative to the second coupling part, by rotating the first arm and the second arm. In a first region, which is a region in the depth direction and includes an end on the front side of the rack body, a distance from the width directional center to the first supporting portion is longer than a distance from the width directional center to the second supporting portion.

One example of an article storage facility as described above is disclosed in JP 2008-174335A (Patent Document 1). A stocker (1) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a storage rack (2) on which storage articles (9) are placed, and a stacker device (4) that transfers a storage article (9) to the storage rack (2) from the front side of the storage rack (2). As shown in FIG. 4 and the like of Patent Document 1, the stacker device (4) includes a hand (47) that supports the storage article (9) from below, and a link mechanism (46) that moves the hand (47) back and forth in a depth direction of the storage rack (2). The link mechanism (46) is constituted by a plurality of arms (46a to 46c). The storage article (9) is transferred between the hand (47) and the storage rack (2), as a result of the hand (47) being projected to the back side of the storage rack (2) by the link mechanism (46), and in this state, the hand (47) passing through a notch (2a) formed in the storage rack (2) in a vertical direction.


A pressure sensitive touch pad and an overlay depicting a pattern, e.g., a typewriter keyboard, for providing specific data characteristics of the pattern to a host computer and to a specific application program of any one of a number of application programs resident in the host computer, which specific application program includes software programmed to accept configured touch pad output signals from the touch pad corresponding to the pattern, which output signals are a function of originally generated touch signals achieved by actuation, normally by touch, of the pressure sensitive overlay surface at any particular point on the pattern, which pattern on the overlay on the touch pad corresponds to and is coordinated with a specific application program in the host computer including a multitude of application programs.

The use of a touch input device disposed over the viewing surface of a computer display to provide a "user friendly" means for the control of a data processing system is well known in the art. These devices are designed to allow an unsophisticated user to perform desired tasks on a computer system without extensive training. Human factor studies have shown that an input device which allows the user to input data directly on a computer display, generally known in the art as a touch input device, achieves the greatest immediacy and accuracy between a human and a machine. Most computer system software providing for user interaction is designed primarily for user input in the form of keystroke data. A growing body of software, especially that designed for desktop systems, accepts input from input devices which are typically actuated by touch to a tablet. These devices are particularly well suited for character input.
One such touch input device uses a frame which fits around the display screen having a number of infrared or visible light transmitters and receptors arranged in parallel horizontal and vertical directions. When the users finger blocks the light beams, the horizontal and vertical receptors note the absence of the signals, thereby locating the position of the action desired by the user.
Another class of known touch input devices use transparent overlays placed over the display screen. These touch overlays use a variety of means of detecting the presence and location of either a stylus or finger on or near the display surface.
Some such touch overlays use capacitive or resistive means in the transparent overlay and associated electronics, to detect the input of a user by finger touch. This type of input device can detect the location of a finger touch by the change in capacitance or impedance of the overlay. Yet other touch overlays use a stylus for user input, either to change the capacitance or impedance at the touched location on the touch screen or to return the electromagnetic or electrostatic signals generated by the overlay to a microprocessor to determine the stylus position. Digitizing apparatus is often used for achieving these functions.
It would be advantageous to the user, and simplify the apparatus, if any one of a multiplicity of overlays, each depicting or emulating a different but a familiar user touch pad interface or pattern, could be coded for specific use with any one of a myriad of programs and routines accessible to the programs

Touch pad overlay driven computer system

International Business Machines Corporation


A light projector has a light emitting device having a light emitting surface, an optical fiber having an incident end-face to which light emitted from the light emitting surface enters, and a lens arranged between the light emitting surface of the light emitting device and the incident end-face of the optical fiber. The light emitting device, the optical fiber and the lens are arranged on one optical axis. The optical fiber includes a core region as a region including a single core of uniform refractive index or a region collectively encompassing a plurality of cores having uniform refractive index. The lens converts diffused light emitted from the light emitting surface to diffused light that widens more moderately.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a light projector and a sensor. More specifically, it relates to a light projector configured to couple light from a light source to an optical fiber, as well as to a sensor provided with the light projector.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, a light projector including a light source and an optical fiber and configured to couple light from the light source to an end surface of the optical fiber has been known. If light emission from the light source spreads over a wide angle, only a part of the light from the light source enters the optical fiber, resulting in low coupling efficiency. Various techniques have been proposed to improve coupling efficiency.
By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-24617 (Patent Document 1) discloses an optical transmitter capable of reducing fluctuation in transmission efficiency. In the optical transmitter, light emitted from a light emitting device is converted to collimated light beams by a lens and coupled to an optical fiber. Further, positional relation among the light emitting device, the lens and the optical fiber is set such that a light spot generated by the collimated light beams on an end surface of the optical fiber is larger than the area of core portion on that end surface. Because of such a configuration, even if the positions of light emitting device, lens and optical fiber should be deviated from designed positions, optical coupling efficiency between the light emitting device and the optical fiber is kept unchanged. Therefore, fluctuation in transmission efficiency can be reduced. Thus, worst value of transmission efficiency is improved and, as a result, transmission efficiency can be made higher.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-24617


The present invention provides a dental paste, a dental article, methods of making and using the dental paste, and compositions prepared therefrom. In one embodiment, the dental paste includes (a) a filler including porous, non-pyrogenic silica having a silane treated surface and being substantially free of heavy metals and (b) a filler including non-aggregated primary silica particles, with the fillers being dispersed in a hardenable resin.

Dental materials have special requirements. For health reasons, dental materials should be suitable for use in the oral environment. In certain applications, strength and durability of a dental material is important to ensure satisfactory performance. For example, for dental work at locations where mastication forces are generally great, high strength and durability is desirable. In other applications, an aesthetic character (e.g., luster and translucency) is desired. This is often the case where dental work is performed at locations where a tooth repair or restoration can be seen from a relatively short distance.
Strength in a dental material is typically achieved by adding fillers. Generally, a dental material has greater mechanical strength when it contains fillers having an average particle size greater than about 0.6 micrometers. A disadvantage of composites with such average particle size is that with repeated toothbrushing (a requirement for oral hygiene), the hardened resin can wear away leaving a dull, unaesthetic surface. The worn surface can be a site for subsequent plaque accumulation.
The use of fillers having an average particle size greater than about 0.6 micrometers also tends to result in dental materials that lack luster and aesthetic character. The matching of refractive indices of the components has been suggested as an approach to improve the visual opacity, and hence the aesthetic character, of such dental materials. However, such an approach restricts the latitude in formulating dental materials by limiting the selection of materials that may be used in the dental materials to those with matching refractive indices.
The use of smaller particles to improve the aesthetic qualities of dental materials is known in the dental arts. For example, dental pastes including non-aggregated silica particles having an average particle size of less than about 200 nanometers have been reported. However, when the loading levels of such fillers are increased to provide the desired mechanical strength upon hardening (e.g., at least about 70% by weight filler in the paste), the resulting pastes are generally sticky. The resulting stickiness of such dental pastes is undesirable for dental practice.
The use of a combination of different average particle size fillers in dental materials has also been disclosed. However, such combinations generally result in dental materials that are lacking in one or more desirable properties. For example, some combinations of different average particle size fillers cannot be loaded into a hardenable resin at high enough concentration to provide dental pastes that have desirable properties, such as mechanical strength upon curing. Other combinations of different average particle size fillers may provide adequate mechanical strength upon curing, but lack desirable aesthetic qualities.
Thus, there is a need in the art for dental pastes that provide a balance of desirable properties.

Dental pastes, dental articles, and methods


A downhole tool (100) including an open loop cooling system (110) having a pressurized container (120) disposed within a tool string, and has a refrigerant (122). The cooling system further includes a tank (150) in fluid communication with the pressurized container (120), and a heat exchanger (160) associated with tank (150), where the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant (122) and a downhole payload (164). The cooling system further includes a low pressure apparatus that creates a low pressure region proximate the pressurized container. The low pressure apparatus can include a venturi (180). The venturi has a drilling mud passage (188) therethrough, and drilling mud flowing through a convergence (186) creates a low pressure adjacent the tank (150).

In order to obtain measurements and information from the downhole environment while drilling, the tool includes electronic devices. Downhole tools must be able to operate near the surface of the earth as well as many thousands of feet below the surface. Environmental temperatures tend to increase with depth during the drilling of the well. As the depth increases, the tools are subjected to a severe operating environment. For instance, downhole temperatures are generally high and may even exceed 200 degrees C. In addition, pressures may exceed 20,000 psi. In addition to the high temperature and pressure, there is also vibration and shock stress associated with operating in the downhole environment, particularly during drilling operations.
The electronic components in the downhole tools also internally generate heat. For example, a typical wireline tool may dissipate over 100 watts of power, and a typical downhole tool on a drill string may dissipate over 10 watts of power. Although there is electrical power dissipated by a drill string tool, the heat from the drilling environment itself still makes internal heat dissipation a problem. The internally dissipated heat must be removed from the electronic components or thermal failure will occur.

Open loop cooling system and method for downhole tools


In accordance with the invention, a light source for display and/or illumination is provided, the light source comprising a heterostructure including semiconductor layers, the heterostructure forming a waveguide between a first end and a second end, the heterostructure comprising a plurality of layers and comprising an optically active zone formed by the plurality of layers, the optically active zone capable of emitting light guided by said waveguide, at least two different radiative transitions being excitable in the optically active an electrical current between a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode, transition energies of said at least two different radiative transitions corresponding to wavelengths in the visible part of the optical spectrum, the light source further comprising means for preventing reflections of light from the waveguide by at least one of said first and second end back into the waveguide, thereby causing the light source to comprise a superluminescent light emitting diode.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of light sources providing visible light for display and/or illumination purposes and more particularly relates to a semiconductor light source.
2. Description of Related Art
Semiconductor light sources offer a much longer lifetime compared to conventional lamps, smaller form factor and better energy conversion efficiency, suggesting lower power bills. Among semiconductor sources of visible light, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Laser Diodes (LDs) are well-known and popular. All state of the art semiconductor-based light sources on the market can be classified in these two main categories:
light emitting diodes (LEDs), produce an incoherent light with a relatively broad spectrum.
light amplifiers by means of stimulated emission of radiation (lasers), produce a narrow spectrum and highly coherent light beam; a narrow waveguide confines the electromagnetic radiation resulting in good in-fiber coupling of the light, i.e. high spatial coherence.
LEDs are popular for illumination as well as for traffic lights, low power displays etc. LEDs however, offer a comparably small optical output power only. To overcome this problem, the emitting area is usually enlarged, increasing the surface of the device. However, for applications requiring a collimation of the light beam, this is disadvantageous. The large emitting area results in problems with collimating the emitted light beam, and the beam quality deteriorates with the die size. Therefore, light cannot be efficiently coupled to an optical element such as a waveguide or a light modulator etc. Optical output power is another concern. The current state-of-the-art of high brightness LED suggests that a device pushing 1,000 lumens out at the lens is not foreseeable for the next 4-5 years. This means that especially high output power projection devices will not be realizeable using LED light sources.
Laser diodes (LDs), however, offer high power, compact design, good energy conversion into light and good coupling efficiency to external optical systems, i.e. high spatial coherence. LDs have a well-defined emission wavelength and can be designed for different wavelengths of the optical spectrum. As every color (including white) the human can perceive may be represented by a superposition of light contributions in three main wavelengths (446 nm, 532 nm and 629 nm), LDs seem an ideal candidate to generate color displays by just combining three laser sources. With this technique, it is ideally possible to complete the whole color gamut.
However, in practice it has been found that the color impression from laser displays is not perceived to be ideal by humans. For this reason, energy consuming broadband light sources such as Xenon lamps still prevail on the market of display light sources. A further problem of laser light for displays is speckle formation. Speckles are due to an interference effect caused by the high coherence of light sources and cause distortions of the resulting displayed image. State of the art laser display systems for this reason include laborious and costly means for reducing light coherence such as light tunnels. Yet another disadvantage of laser displays is the polarization of the output light that for many display applications is undesired. Therefore, laser displays often include depolarizers.
As semiconductor materials for blue and green LEDs and LDs, GaN based compounds have been proposed. As an example, US patent application publication 2005/0127394 discloses nitride semiconductor devices with an active layer and super lattice cladding layers. In the publication, the structure is mentioned to be suitable for both, LEDs and LDs as well as superluminescent light emitting diodes, which as such are known for the generation of infrared radiation with a high linewidth or as (less ideal) replacement of lasers at wavelengths, where no suitable mirrors are available.


A hard material insert (1) for a drill (2, 2′) includes an axially central reinforcement (3) provided in the insert, and two diametrically opposite, radial arms (4) each having a cross-section tapering radially outwardly, opposite free side (8) and connection side (7), with the free and connection sides (8, 7) of one of the radial arms (4) being arranged alternatively to the free and connection sides of another of the radial arms (4), and a concave recess (6) provided on the connection side (7).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hard material insert for a drill and, in particular, a drill for drilling in a reinforced concrete, and to a drill with such an insert.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The problem with the drills of the type discussed above consists in that they should meet contradictory requirements. On one hand, the drills should be formed sufficiently hard for removal of a brittle stone material. On the other hand, the drills should be formed sufficiently ductile to insure their robustness upon encounter with concrete reinforcement. Together with the selection of a corresponding material, the shape of the hard material insert assumes a particular importance in this regard, with at least one aspect consisting in the optimization of the manufacturing process during which a material-locking connection of the hard material insert with a drilling head of a drill should be effected at narrowly limited optimal conditions in order, e.g., to minimize temperature-induced latent stresses and unbalances.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,937 or European Publication EP 790387 discloses a mirror-symmetrical, plate-shaped hard material insert with two opposite radial arms on which cutting edges are formed, and with a central reinforcement in form of a segment of a cylinder. The insert is self-adjustable upon being brazed in the drill head.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,616 discloses a plate-shaped hard material insert with a central reinforcement in form of a segment of a cylinder and that does not extend over the entire axial length.
German Publications DE 196 50 487 and DE 197 24 373 disclose a compact prismatic hard material insert with an X-shaped cross-section.
U.S. Design Patent No. 515,116 S discloses a hard material insert for a drill having in its cross-section extending transverse to a rotational axis of the drill, an axially central reinforcement, and two diametrically opposite, radial arms each having a cross-section tapering radially outwardly, opposite free side and connection side, with the free and connection sides of one of the radial arms being arranged alternatively with respect to the free and connection sides of another of the radial arms.
An object of the present invention is to provide a hard material insert for a drill and suitable for mass production.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hard material insert optimal for drilling in a reinforced concrete.

Hard material insert for a drill and a drill with the hard material insert


A novel combination drug therapy is disclosed for the treatment of a patient affected with Gaucher""s disease or other such glycolipid storage diseases. The method comprises administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of both a N-alkyl derivative of deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and a glucocerebrosidase enzyme to alleviate or inhibit the glycolipid storage disease. The alkyl group has from about two to about 20 carbon atoms and preferably is butyl, nonyl or decyl.

The present invention relates to combination drug therapy for the treatment of Gaucher""s disease and other glycolipid storage diseases.
Gaucher""s disease is a glycolytic storage disease caused by a genetic deficiency in activity of the catabolic enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase. Beutler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 5384-5390 (1993). Manifestations of this disease are impaired hematopoiesis, bone fractures, a thinning of the bone cortex and massive enlargement of the spleen and liver.
In recent years, several therapies have been proposed for the treatment of Gaucher""s disease. An early therapeutic approach involved replacement of the deficient enzyme. See, for example, Dale and Beutler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73, 4672-4674 (1976); Beutler et al., Blood 78, 1183-1189 (1991); and Beutler, Science 256, 794-799 (1992).
Leading commercial products for enzyme replacement are CEREDASE (glucocerebrosidase), which is derived from human placental tissues, and CEREZYME (recombinant human glucocerebrosidase), both of which are produced by Genzyme Corp. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,910,822; 5,236,838; and 5,549,892. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,680 and 6,074,684 on cloned DNA for synthesizing human glucocerebrosidase.
Conjugates of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme with polyethylene glycol (PEG) have also been advanced by Enzon Inc. for treatment of Gaucher""s disease. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,705,153 and 5,620,884.
Still another approach for treatment of the disease is gene therapy, which involves an ex vivo gene transfer protocol. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,983.
Another recent approach involves administration of the totally synthetic drugs, N-butyldeoxynojirimycin and N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin, as described, respectively, by Platt et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8362-8365 (1994); Id. 269, 27108-27114 (1994). See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,472,969; 5,786,368; 5,798,366; and 5,801,185.
N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (N-butyl-DNJ) and related N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ are known inhibitors of the N-linked oligosaccharide processing enzymes, xcex1-glucosidase I and II. Saunier et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14155-14161 (1982); Elbein, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 56, 497-534 (1987). As glucose analogs, they also have potential to inhibit glycosyltransferases. Newbrun et al., Arch. Oral Biol. 28, 516-536 (1983); Wang et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 34, 403-406 (1993). Their inhibitory activity against the glycosidases has led to the development of these compounds as antihyperglycemic agents and as antiviral agents. See, e.g., PCT Int""l. Appln. WO 87/030903 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,065,562; 4,182,767; 4,533,668; 4,639,436; 5,011,829; 5,030,638; and 5,264,356.
In particular, N-butyl-DNJ has been developed as an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as described by Fleet et al., FEBS Lett. 237, 128-132 (1988), and by Karpas et al., Proc. Nat""l. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 9229-9233 (1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,430; and as an inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) as described by Block et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 2235-2239 (1994), PCT Int""l. Appln. WO 95/19172 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,351.
In accordance with the present invention, a novel method and composition is provided for the treatment of a patient affected with Gaucher""s disease or other such glycolipid storage diseases. The method of the invention comprises administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of both a N-alkyl derivative of 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol having from about two to about 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain and a glucocerebrosidase enzyme. The N-alkyl substituent can be a short-chain alkyl group such as, e.g., ethyl, butyl or hexyl, or a long-chain alkyl group such as, e.g, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl and eicosyl.
A therapeutically effective amount is meant an amount effective in alleviating or inhibiting Gaucher""s disease or other such glycolipid storage diseases in said patient. The glucocerebrosidase provides enzyme replacement for non-breakdown of glucocerebroside and the N-alkyl-DNJ jointly provides glycolipid inhibitory action. By use of the combination drug therapy of the invention, the medical benefits of both types of drugs should accrue to the patient with reduced amounts of either or both drugs than otherwise necessary to obtain equivalent or enhanced therapeutic results. That is, an additive or synergistic effect can reduce the frequency of the administration of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme and lower the dose of the long-chain N-alkyl-DNJ otherwise required for monotherapy of the disease.
The alkyl group in the short-chain N-alkyl-DNJ compounds preferably contains four to six carbon atoms (e.g., butyl or hexyl). A most preferred compound is N-butyl-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol, also known as the N-butyl derivative of deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which also is abbreviated herein as N-butyl-DNJ.
The alkyl group in the long-chain N-alkyl-DNJ compounds preferably contains nine to ten carbon atoms (i.e., nonyl and decyl). A most preferred compound is N-nonyl-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol, also known as the N-nonyl derivative of deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which also is abbreviated herein as N-nonyl-DNJ.
In the field of general organic chemistry, the long-chain alkyl groups are known to provide more hydrophobic properties to compounds than are the short-chain alkyl groups. That is, solubility with water decreases with increase in chain length and decrease in temperature. For example, at 46xc2x0 C., caproic acid (short-chain hexyl group) dissolves 10% by weight of water, whereas stearic acid (long-chain octadecyl group) dissolves only 0.92% even at the higher temperature of 69xc2x0 C. Bailey""s Industrial Oil and Fat Products, ed. Daniel Swern, 3d ed. 1964, p. 126.
The long-chain N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ are known amino-sugar compounds. They were originally described as members of a group of short-chain and long-chain N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ having both glucosidase I inhibitory activity and antiviral activity, although no data on the long-chain N-alkyl derivatives was disclosed. See, e.g., DE 3,737,523, EP 315,017 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,260,622; 4,639,436; and 5,051,407.
In another early study, although N-alkylation of the base DNJ reduced the concentration required for 50% inhibition of glucosidase I, the inhibitory activity was reduced as the length of the N-alkyl chain was increased from N-methyl to N-decyl according to Schweden et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 248, 335-340, at 338 (1986).
As far as the antiviral activity of the amino-sugar compounds against any particular virus is concerned, the activity of any specific analog cannot be predicted in advance. For example, in biologic tests for inhibitory activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), slight changes in the structure of the N-substituent were shown to have pronounced effects upon the antiviral profile as reported by Fleet et al., FEBS Lett. 237, 128-132 (1988). As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,430, the N-butyl derivative of DNJ was unexpectedly found to be more than two log orders more effective as an inhibitor of HIV than the N-methyl analog and three log orders more effective than the N-ethyl analog.
In another study of N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ for activity against glycolipid biosynthesis, the N-hexyl derivative of DNJ required a dose of 0.2 mg/ml, whereas the corresponding N-butyl analog required a dose of only 0.01-0.1. On the other hand, the N-methyl analog was inactive. Thus, it was believed that effective carbon chain length of the N-alkyl group for this activity ranged from 2 to 8 according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,969. No disclosure was made therein concerning the N-nonyl or other long-chain N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ.
N-nonyl-DNJ has been reported to be effective as an inhibitor of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) based on inhibition of alpha-glucosidases in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) according to Block et al., Nature Medicine 4(5) 610-614 (1998).
The effectiveness of the long-chain N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ in the method of the invention for treatment of Gaucher""s disease and other such glycolipid storage diseases is illustratively demonstrated herein by inhibitory activity of N-nonyl and N-decyl DNJs against glycolipid biosynthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and human myeloid (HL-60) cells.
CHO cells are well-known glycoprotein-secreting mammalian cells. A typical CHO cell line is CHO-K1 which is available to the public from the American Type Culture Collection, Bethesda, Md., under accession number ATCC CCL 61.
HL-60 cells are human promyelocytic cells described by Collins et al., Nature 270, 347-349 (1977). They are also readily available from the American Type Culture Collection under accession number ATCC CCL 240.
Effective activity of N-nonyl-DNJ also is further illustratively demonstrated herein in conventional bovine kidney cells (e.g., MDBK, ATCC CCL 22) and hepatoma cells (e.g., HepG2, ATCC HB 8065).
The unpredictability of the N-nonyl-DNJ against glycolipid biosynthesis is demonstrated herein by its inhibitory activity in the foregoing two cell lines. The N-nonyl-DNJ was unexpectedly found to be from about ten- to about twenty-fold better in the CHO cells and about four hundred times better in the HL-60 cells than N-butyl-DNJ at equivalent concentrations. The N-decyl-DNJ was demonstrated to be an effective inhibitor in HL-60 cells at 50 times lower concentrations than N-butyl-DNJ. These results were further unexpected in view of the increased hydrophobic nature of the long-chain N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ.
The N-nonyl-DNJ also exhibits a more dramatic difference than N-butyl-DNJ in uptake which permits its use at a substantially lower level. In tests of organ distribution, the N-nonyl-DNJ was taken up five times better into the brain than N-butyl-DNJ. Thus, the N-nonyl-DNJ is believed to be a substantially better compound than N-butyl-DNJ for treating glycolipid storage disorders which involve the non-systemic side.
N-nonyl-DNJ and N-decyl-DNJ can be conveniently prepared by the N-nonylation or N-decylation, respectively, of 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol (DNJ) by methods analogous to the N-butylation of DNJ as described in Example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,436 by substituting an equivalent amount of n-nonylaldehyde or n-decylaldehyde for n-butylaldehyde. The starting materials are readily available from many commercial sources. For example, DNJ is available from Sigma, St. Louis, Mo., whereas n-nonylaldehyde, also known as 1-nonanal or pelargonaldehyde, and n-decylaldehyde, also known as decanal, are commercially available from Aldrich, Milwaukee, Wis. It will be appreciated, however, that the N-alkyl-DNJ used in this combination drug therapy is not limited to any particular method of synthesis of the N-butyl-DNJ, N-nonyl-DNJ, N-decyl-DNJ, or other N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ.
The glucocerebrosidase used in the combination drug therapy also is a known drug as described above. For example, it can be derived from human placental tissue by conventional isolation and purification techniques or prepared by recombinant DNA procedures. Conventional methods of isolation and purification from human placental tissue are described By Dale and Beutler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73, 4672-4674 (1976) and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,822. Suitable methods of production by recombinant DNA are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,236,838, 5,549,892 and 5,879,680. The glucocerebrosidase can also be conjugated with carrier molecules such as, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as described in U.S. Pat. Nos 5,705,153 and 5,620,884. It will be appreciated, however, that the glucocerebrosidase used in the combination drug therapy is not limited to any particular method of production.
The N-butyl-DNJ, N-nonyl-DNJ, N-decyl-DNJ, and other N-alkyl derivatives of DNJ, can be used for treatment of patients afflicted with Gaucher""s disease and other glycolipid storage diseases by conventional methods of administering therapeutic drugs. Thus, the active compound is preferably formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents and carriers. The active drug can be used in the free amine form or the salt form. Pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms are illustrated, e.g., by the HCl salt. The amount of the active drug to be administered must be an effective amount, that is, an amount which is medically beneficial against Gaucher""s disease or other glycolipid storage disease but does not present adverse toxic effects which overweigh the advantages that accompany its use. It would be expected that the adult human daily dosage would normally range from about 0.1 to about 1000 milligrams of the active compound. The preferable route of administration is orally in the form of capsules, tablets, syrups, elixirs, gels and the like, although parenteral administration also can be used.
The glucocerebrosidase enzyme likewise can be administered by conventional means, preferably by intravenous infusion, e.g. administration of the active enzyme in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as physiological saline. Initially, a dose of about 60 U per kilogram of body weight every two weeks was recommended. See, e.g., Beutler, Science 256, 794-799 (1992). After 6 to 12 months of therapy, doses of 7.5 to 15 U per kilogram every two weeks were suggested according to Moscicki et al., New Engl. J. Med. 328, 1564 (1993).
Illustratively, the two combination drug components can be administered together or separately, e.g., administration of the enzyme by periodic administration (e.g., weekly or bimonthly) and oral administration of the N-alkyl-DNJ daily.
By use of the combination drug therapy described herein, an additive or synergistic effect can be obtained to reduce the aforesaid frequency of the intravenous injection of the glucocerebrosidase and lower the dose of the N-alkyl-DNJ otherwise required for monotherapy of Gaucher""s disease.
Suitable formulations of the active components in pharmaceutically acceptable diluents and carriers in therapeutic dosage form can be prepared by the person skilled in the art by reference to general texts and treatises in the pharmaceutical field such as, for example, Remington""s Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ed. Arthur Osol, 16 ed., 1980, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., and 18th ed., 1990.
Other glycolipid storage diseases to which the method of the invention is directed are, e.g., Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff disease, Fabry disease, GM1 gangliosidosis and fucosidosis.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Combination drug therapy for glycolipid storage diseases


A redox flow battery is provided having a double-membrane (one cation exchange membrane and one anion exchange membrane), triple-electrolyte (one electrolyte in contact with the negative electrode, one electrolyte in contact with the positive electrode, and one electrolyte positioned between and in contact with the two membranes). The cation exchange membrane is used to separate the negative or positive electrolyte and the middle electrolyte, and the anion exchange membrane is used to separate the middle electrolyte and the positive or negative electrolyte. This design physically isolates, but ionically connects, the negative electrolyte and positive electrolyte. The physical isolation offers great freedom in choosing redox pairs in the negative electrolyte and positive electrolyte, making high voltage of redox flow batteries possible. The ionic conduction drastically reduces the overall ionic crossover between negative electrolyte and positive one, leading to high columbic efficiency.

As an electrochemical cell, a redox flow battery (RFB) is a type of rechargeable battery that stores electrical energy, typically in two soluble redox pairs contained in external electrolyte tanks. An ion-selective membrane (either cation exchange membrane, CEM, or anion exchange membrane, AEM) is used to physically separate, but ionically connect, the two electrolytes that dissolve the two redox pairs. The scale of external electrolyte stored can be sized in accordance with application requirements. When needed, liquid electrolytes are pumped from storage tanks to flow-through electrodes where chemical energy is converted to electrical energy (discharge) or vice versa (charge). Different from other conventional battery systems, RFBs store electrical energy in the flowing electrolytes. Therefore, the energy capacity and the power rating are fundamentally decoupled: The energy capacity is determined by concentration and volume of electrolytes, while the power rating is determined by the size and number of cells in stack. This unique feature, combined with its long cycle-life, low capital-cost, scalability, and independence from geographical/geological limitations that are faced by pumped hydro and compressed air technologies, makes RFB one of the most intrinsically attractive technologies in electrical energy storage, especially in the field of renewable (e.g., wind or solar) electricity generation where the intrinsic intermittency has to be dealt with.
Since the first concept of RFB was put forward about 40 years ago (in 1974), significant progress has been made and some RFB systems, e.g., the all vanadium RFB (AV-RFB), have already been commercialized. However, RFBs have not reached broad market penetration yet because many challenging problems remain unsolved. For example, the generally low energy and power density of RFB have been identified to be main drawbacks when compared with other battery systems, which means more electrolyte/electrode materials are needed when certain energy capacity/power rating is required, negatively impacting their cost-effectiveness. Attempts have been made to increase the solubility of active species by choosing alternative redox pairs or using different electrolytes, which can theoretically increase the energy density, but these efforts do not improve the power density. On the other hand, efforts have been made to improve electrode performance by using better electrode designs or utilizing more active catalysts, which can increase the power density, but not the energy density. The ideal and simple solution would be the increase of RFB's cell voltage, which could increase the energy density and power density simultaneously.
A prior art RFB system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. Negative electrolyte 30 flows through negative electrode (anode) 31 from negative electrolyte source 20 via pump 15. Positive electrolyte 40 flows through positive electrode (cathode) 41 from positive electrolyte source 25 via pump 16. Positive electrode 40 and negative electrode 30 are separated by a single ion selective membrane 28. The RFB 100 may be connected to a grid input/output processor 10.
The cell voltage is simply determined by the two redox pairs used, and often the cation-based redox pairs (e.g., Co3+/Co2+ redox pair with +1.953 V standard electrode potential and Ce4+/Ce3+ one with +1.743 V, all the quoted potential values here and hereinafter calculated based on standard thermodynamic conditions) have more positive electrode potentials (ideally for the positive electrode of RFB) and the anion-based ones (e.g., Al(OH)4−/Al with −2.337 V and Zn(OH)42−/Zn with −1.216 V) have more negative electrode potentials (ideally for the negative electrode). The use of a single ion-selective membrane, either a cation exchange membrane (CEM) or anion exchange membrane (AEM), in current RFB systems theoretically requires the same ionic type of redox pairs in both positive and negative sides: either all cation-based redox pairs (when AEM used) or all anion-based ones (when CEM used), fundamentally limiting their cell voltages. For example, the earliest RFB system, i.e., the iron-chromium RFB system (Fe/Cr-RFB, [(Fe3+/Fe2+)/(Cr3+/Cr2+)] with +1.18 V standard cell voltage) and the currently most popular RFB, i.e., the AV-RFB system ([(VO2+/VO2+)/(V3+/V2+)] with +1.26 V) both belong to the all-cation-based RFB systems. The polysulphide-bromine RFB system (S/Br-RFB, [(S42−/S22−)/(Br3−/Br−)] with +1.36 V) is a typical all-anion-based RFB. Besides, the single ion-selective membrane also requires the same or similar (e.g., having the same cation but different anions when an AEM used, or having the same anion but different cations when a CEM used) supporting (or background) electrolyte in positive side and negative one, which sometimes limits the choices of redox pairs and further narrows the available range of cell voltages. For example, although the zinc-cerium RFB system (Zn/Ce-RFB, [(Zn2+/Zn)/(Ce4+/Ce3+)]) can offer as high as 2.50 V standard cell voltage (the highest number reported among all known aqueous RFB systems), it suffers a great hydrogen evolution problem in negative side (Zn2+/Zn). The reason is that the acidic supporting electrolyte used (in both sides) creates a huge over-potential (760 mV) for hydrogen evolution reaction (0 V standard electrode potential of H+/H2 at pH 0 vs. and −0.760 V standard electrode potential of Zn2+/Zn).
In addition, the use of single ion-selective membrane makes the RFB systems suffer from an irreversible counter-ion crossover that is another challenging problem, because all ion-selective membranes are not perfect. They allow a very low, but measurable, rate of permeation of counter-ions through them (typically, 1% anion crossover for CEMs and 1%-5% cation crossover for AEMs). When the counter-ions cross over the membrane, they will immediately react with the redox pairs in the other side of electrolyte (so-called self-discharging) and never come back, resulting a loss in Coulombic efficiency, permanently reduction of energy capacity, and contamination of two electrolytes which will greatly influence the performance of either side.
Thus, a suitable alternative to a single ion-selective membrane RFB system is needed.

Double-membrane triple-electrolyte redox flow battery design


A liquid-air cooling system (1) has at least one fan device (2) including at least one variable-speed fan motor (3) driving a fan impeller (4) to create a cooling power for a fluid (5) in a fluid cycle (6). To regulate the speed of the fan motor (3) by a control and/or regulation device (24), at least one actual value (Ta) downstream of a segmented heat exchanger (19) is compared to a predefined desired value (Tb). The control and/or regulation device (24) adjusts the cooling power according to the current power values of the respective machine unit (9).

EP 0 968 371 81 discloses and describes a fluid cooling device comprising a motor that powers a fan impeller and a fluid pump. The fluid pump takes fluid from an oil reservoir and conveys it into a hydraulic operating cycle. In the hydraulic operating cycle, the fluid (hydraulic medium) is heated and routed to a heat exchanger. From the heat exchanger, the cooled fluid is recirculated to the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir of the fluid cooling system is configured in the shape of a basin with particularly high-reaching basin edges that are suitable to form a housing part for receiving the fan impeller and an air-routing chute for a heat exchanger of the fluid cooling device. With the fluid cooling device, an oil reservoir can be provided in an especially compact assembly for storing and circulating large fluid volumes.
A control system and a method for controlling the speed of a plurality of fans for cooling a plurality of flow media of a machine unit are disclosed in DE 100 62 534 A1. The speed of each of the plurality of fans is controlled specifically according to an individual heat dissipation requirement of heat transfer cores. For one temperature sensor, respectively, of each of the plurality of flow media, current temperatures are monitored. Each sensor can be operated to generate a signal that displays the temperature of the respective flow medium, while transferring the signal to an electronic control device to control the respectively singular speed of each of the fans.
Using the previously described solution, temperature-control, especially cooling, tasks for a fluid of a hydraulic circuit can be basically implemented. However, particularly the temperature of the fluid that has passed through the fan device is, seen in absolute terms, dependent on the respective and varying ambient temperature of the hydraulic power pack. The output temperature of the fluid therefore fluctuates in the known hydraulic power packs and fluid cooling devices after it passes through the fan device.


Data packets of a packet-switching network for which transmission of a requested quality is to be assured, are routed via an alternate network. In a source node, such data packets are respectively identified by a bit pattern known to an access node, which is connected to the source node, either directly or indirectly, via at least one intermediate node. The bit pattern is recognized upon arrival in the access node, and as a result of identifying the data packets with the known bit pattern, the data packets are re-routed onto the alternate network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to telecommunication networks. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods for re-routing data packets on a data switching network.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In a packet-switching network, such as for example the Internet, which is usually composed of a plurality of sub-networks, data packets from a source node are potentially transmitted to a destination node via a plurality of intermediate and/or access nodes of the individual sub-networks. In addition to containing information, the data packets particularly contain a destination address. The intermediate and/or access nodes contain what is referred to as a routing table for determining a traffic path in which each destination address of a data packet has a destination address of that node such as an intermediate node or an access node, to which the data packet is forwarded allocated to it. Thus, when a data packet arrives at such a node, the data packet is forwarded to the node corresponding to its destination address entry in the routing table.
The data transmission in such a packet-switching network is normally connectionless, i.e. the data packets with identical source and destination address are transported independently of one another, so that neither the sequence nor a delivery of the data packets at the destination node is guaranteed, such as under OSI Layer 3 Protocol. However, a quality of the transmission of data packets between source and destination node such as certain bandwidth, delay times and a specific throughput, can not be promised.
Video transmission services, such as video on demand and various telephone services, such as voice over IP in the Internet, require a dependable and fast data transmission with an assured quality.
An "Internet Draft" document authored by K. Nichols and S. Blake that was published by the Internet Engineering Task Force in February 1998 (Internet site: http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-nichols-dsopdef-00.txt) proposes a method that enables an accelerated transmission of data packets from a source node to a destination node.
For data packets to be forwarded especially fast, specific bits of what is referred to as the TOS (type of service) byte in the header part of such a data packet are set. Such data packets can be divided into various classes on the basis of the bits that are set in the TOS byte. According to their class, the data packets identified with the set bits are given privileged handling in the intermediate nodes via which such data packets are transmitted from the source node to the destination node, as a result an accelerated forwarding to the next node, intermediate or destination node is achieved.
A critical disadvantage of this method is that the privileged handling in the forwarding of the data packets identified with the set bits leads to considerable delays in the forwarding of the data packets to be transmitted normally.
Moreover, it is not only the destination addresses but also the respective TOS bytes that must be taken into consideration in every intermediate node when forwarding the data packets.
Another "Internet Draft" document authored by Y. Bernet, R. Yavatkar, P. Ford, F. Baker and L. Zhang that was published by the Internet Engineering Task Force in March 1998 (Internet site: http://ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-bernet-intdiff-00.txt) presents a method that, with the assistance of the above-explained method, combines a plurality of demands made of the Internet for a guaranteed quality for the transmission of data packets into classes. A corresponding quality for the transmission of data packets is assured according to such a class.
Since a required quality for the transmission of data packets with a privileged handling thereof on the basis of the aforementioned, set bits in the TOS byte is assured, this method can be reduced to the initially explained approach. However, this method too suffers from the disadvantages mentioned above.
Another approach to offering the user of a video transmission service of a bandwidth suitable for the transmission of data packets is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,078.
That patent discloses an arrangement of an access node to the Internet that assures a bandwidth requested by the user for the transmission of data packets by re-routing data packets onto an alternate network. The re-routing of the data packets requires a user to request a specific bandwidth for the transmission of data packets from his user terminal device to a destination node. Then, the access node to which the user terminal device is connected sets up a point-to-point connection to the access node to which the destination node is connected via the alternate network offering the requested bandwidth.
To re-route the data packets for whose transmission the user requests an assured bandwidth onto the alternate network, an existing routing table in the access node to which the user terminal device is connected is finally modified such that, in addition to containing the respective destination addresses of the nodes to which data packets are respectively forwarded, it also contains the source addresses of the data packets to be re-routed due to a quality requested by the user. According to a modification of the method presented in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,078 mentioned above, a connection-individual or a transmission-individual particular, also know as an application port number, is entered into the routing table.
On the basis of the additionally stored source address and the connection-Individual or transmission-individual particular in the routing table, the data packets arriving at such an access node can be selected according to whether they are routed over the ordinary Internet or via the alternate network.
This method is very involved since a separate connection via the alternate network must be set up for every transmission of data packets with a requested bandwidth that is initiated by a user.
Additionally, the routing table must be modified in every access node to which user terminal devices are connected, namely after every transmission of data packets with a specific bandwidth initiated by a user.
Also to be considered is that all data packets arriving at such an access node are examined for their source address in order for the connection-individual or transmission-individual particular, with reference to the source address, to be re-routing onto the alternate network.
In their Master Thesis, "Support Qos in IP over ATM", June 1997 (1997–06), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, (available online), Gung-Chou Lai and Ruay-Shiung Chang state that it is possible in a switching system to use the field TOS (Type of Service) in the header part of data packets which are to be switched or transmitted to determine whether an existing Virtual Channel is used or a new Virtual Channel has to be initiated.

Method for re-routing data packets onto an alternative network


An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

With environmental and other concerns, there has been a recent trend to convert vehicles powered by fossil fuels to other forms of energy such as electricity. Significant developments of electric motor technology have occurred mainly in the consumer passenger car field. However, commercial heavy duty vehicles have been slower to transition from fossil fuels to electricity due to a number of factors including the high torque requirements for such vehicles and vehicle range concerns. The greater torques required to drive such commercial vehicles require larger and heavier electric motors which can tend to increase energy consumption. Retrofitting these electric powertrains to preexisting vehicle designs can also be challenging.
Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

Multiple motor multiple speed continuous power transmission