An improved hair curler that provides for a plurality of stages of hair curling with increasing wave lengths along the length of the hairs of the head. The improved hair curler may be used on short hair or very long hair. The multi-stages provide for a selectivity of lengths for short hair. The improved curler consists of a plurality of removably insertable curler components that nest one within the other in a manner similar to a telescoping mechanism. An elastic tie provides a means for securing the plurality of removably insertable components together and, at the same time, holds the hair in place on the curler. A port hole in one end provides a means for applying wave solution to the hair rolled on the interior of the roller, with communicating slots to permit the solution to seep through to the hair at the periphery of the spiraling rolls of hair.

The invention relates to hair styling or coiffure forming devices and in particular to hair curlers. Specifically, the invention relates to spool-type curlers, but in this case to a plurality of stages of hair curlers that nest one within the other, and having means for introducing a wave solution to the curled hair from the inside of the curl to the outside while on the curler.
Hair curlers of the spool-type are in general use, with numerous means for securing the hair to the curler. The most common types come in a plurality of lengths and sizes, all of which each make only one type or style of wave, either a very tight wave, or a loose-type wave. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.
When the small diameter spools are used there is a resulting kinky wave over the entire coiffure, and on long hair only the end has a wave with the major portion of the hair straight and no wave. When large diameter spools are used the ends of long hair are loose and without any curl. As a result, in order to obtain a satisfactory combination of end curl and a wave in the balance of the hair requires considerable effort that is time consuming.
The hair curler of U.S. Pat. No. 3,080,873, which was invented by one of the present coinventors, was an improvement over the prior art in that it provided for curls at the ends of the hair and simultaneously provided a wave adjacent to the curled ends. This curler, however, had two drawbacks, it was not suitable for providing a wave in long hair and there was no way of introducing wave solution to the interior of the rolled hair on the curler.
In the present invention, a plurality of successive rollers that telescope over each succeeding roller are used to provide a wave to long hair. A port hole in one end of the innermost roller provides a means for introducing a wave solution to the innermost rolls of hair around the roller. Communicating slots in the other rollers permits the wave solution to penetrate outwardly through the succeeding rolls of hair.
"End papers", or "end wrappers" which are normally lapped across the ends of the hair before rolling the hair on the rollers, are used in a different manner in the present invention that facilitates the rolling of the hair in the roller and makes the operation easier. It is also to be noted that "end gauze" may be used as the "end wrapper" with the present invention.
The present invention may be used for styling the hair in a permanent wave process or for styling the hair in a hair setting process.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a hair curler that will provide a plurality of different wave lengths in the curled hair of a coiffure.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a hair curler that is capable of providing a wave for long hair.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hair curler that facilitates introducing a wave solution to the interior rolls of hair on the roller.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a hair curler that facilitates the seepage of a wave solution throughout the successive rolls of hair on the roller.
It is also another object of the invention to provide a hair curler that facilitates an improved method of using end wrappers on hair during a hair styling process.


The disclosed system empowers technical and non technical users to author logical business objects, author intelligent business forms, and create automated workflows. The logical business objects include data definitions and methods from existing and new data sources. An object broker interprets the business object definition and brokers data/information and method calls to the data sources. The intelligent business forms are created by an information worker in a rich web-based tooling environment. Each form is intelligent enough to recognize other forms that it might co-exist with on a single page, as well as how to react based on events that occur on these related forms. The automated workflow tools include process discovery features that assist users during the process identification phase. The tools assist both technical and non technical users to identify processes within the organization, including supporting solution artifacts such as forms, rules, actions, outcomes and business objects involved. Process modeling features include the ability to combine defined artifacts into a process model that can be published into a runtime environment where it can be executed and used by business users in the organization.

As the number of information sources in organizations are growing, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers of the information to access it in a logical and structured way that relates to the traditional business objects they find familiar within their organizations (e.g., customers, assets, vendors, staff, etc). Data from existing systems is typically made available in a very technical way that requires significant technical and development skills to surface it to non technical users in the organization. No workable mechanism exists for non technical users to add information within a logical business object definition without involving technical or development skills. Similar, no workable solution exists today that allows both technical and non technical users of data to access their information from multiple data/information sources in a structured business object like way, while still maintaining the flexibility to add additional information definitions to the existing business objects or to create new business objects from existing or new data sources without the need for complex solution development.
Existing Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) systems combined with development tools can be used to custom develop solutions which make data and information more accessible, but these solutions are typically hard-coded and require significant technical and development skill to maintain and change over time. There is no workable way for non technical users to change the definition of the structured data (business objects) or to add additional information sources or fields within existing business object definitions that might already exist within their organizations. As an example, customer information might exist in a CRM system, ERP system and a custom issue tracking system. Existing EAI solutions assist in integrating data between these systems, but do not provide a mechanism to see a single definition of a customer as a logical business object regardless of where the information is being sourced from.
In addition, information workers are limited by the static business forms and information presented to them by the solution applications or custom developed applications they use on a day to day basis. Regardless of whether these forms are thin client (web or browser) based or thick/smart client (windows forms) based, the information worker's ability to add additional information on-demand to existing forms based on its current state and context, is extremely limited. Existing form technologies depend on a developer's involvement to bind the form to a data source (web service, database, etc) which populates the form with information based on a user event (click of a button, etc). Should the end user require additional information to be displayed on the form, he needs to rely on application specific pre-developed functionality that might allow him to see additional information or data fields on the forms. This implementation however depends on the logic encapsulated in the application or custom developed solution. The challenge remains to empower knowledge users to add additional information to a specific form, on demand, regardless of data source, without the need for technical or development involvement. Once these forms have been customized the underlying platform needs to store each users settings in a personalization system which will allow it to recognize the user the next time he access the form. The result being that each user has the ability to see his personalized view of a form.
Still further, existing process automation tools do not provide the necessary level of modeling tools and concepts to allow both technical and non technical users to author a completed business process solution in a single modeling/automation tooling environment. It is extremely difficult for business analysts, business/process owner's technical people to use a single solution which allows for all roles to work seamlessly together to rapidly discover, model and automate business processes within organizations. Existing workflow and business process automation tools are disconnected and do not allow for a single environment which brings technical and non technical business users together with a set of tools that deeply integrate the necessary building blocks.

Methods and apparatus for storing data associated with an electronic form


An electronic device includes an integrated circuit linked to a coil antenna forming at least a spiral having opposite ends connected to the integrated circuit, and a plate support for supporting the integrated circuit and the coil antenna. The plate support is conductive and open ring shaped, wherein the internal circumference of the ring is concentric to the spiral. The opening of the ring is obtained by a cut through the plate support. The coil antenna is fastened to and isolated from the plate support through an insulating material. The cut and the plate support are filled by the same insulating material.

An integrated circuit (IC) is an electronic component designed to perform processing of digital data and memory functions. The IC is generally mounted over a frame, which is a physical support for the IC, formed in a non-conductive material, like PVC or plastic.
In particular, the IC is defined to be contactless when driven by an external read-write device, and without a direct path between the external read-write device and the IC. More particularly, this kind of IC is provided with a coil antenna forming at least a spiral, also mounted over the frame. The coil antenna is generally a wire-wound of copper, and is obtained by printing or electroplating a conductive film having opposite ends linked to the IC.
This kind of IC, known and hereinafter referred to as a contactless IC, is not powered through a connection with galvanic elements but by inductive coupling with an external read-write device. The read-write device produces an energizing RF field which couples to the coil antenna linked to the IC, thus powering the IC, and which is modulated for communication, as explained in the following description in more detail.
The contactless IC is activated by the RF operating field of the read-write device. The contactless IC waits silently for a command from the read-write device. The read-write device transmits a command to the contactless IC. The contactless IC transmits a response to the read-write device.
The contactless IC is located in the proximity of the external read-write device, and is powered by a process of electromagnetic induction from the read-write device. The information is transmitted from the contactless IC to the read-write device by use of electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves.
The RF field generated by the read-write device strictly complies with the standards specified by International Standard Organization in ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/IEC 14443A or ISO/IEC 15693. These standards specify physical characteristics of contactless ICs, their transmission protocol and rules for applications and data elements. In particular, the contactless IC must operate between a minimum unmodulated operating field Hmin and a maximum unmodulated operating field Hmax.
Even if this type of contactless IC has advantages from various points of view, it also has known drawbacks that are particularly evident when it is necessary to use it in proximity of a conductive material. As a matter of fact, the RF field generated by the read-write device and directed to the IC is disturbed by the presence of the conductive material.
For some applications it is necessary to mount the frame in close proximity to a conductive plate support, like mounting it on an aluminum substrate, such as a license plate for instance. Due to Lentz's law, the magnetic flux through the plate induces eddy currents within the metal that oppose the field responsible for their creation, thus damping the magnetic field in the surface of the metallic or conductive plate to such a degree that communication is no longer possible.
FIG. 2a is a schematic representation showing the coupling of a conventional contactless IC 1 comprising a coil antenna 3 and an IC 2 to a generic conductive plate support 4 on which the contactless IC 1 is mounted. The area of the conductive plate support 4, located underneath the coil antenna 3, creates a parasitic coil 14.
The parasitic coil 14 is tightly coupled to the coil antenna 3 to create a coupled inductance circuit that can be assimilated to a pseudo transformer, as shown in FIG. 2b. More particularly, FIG. 2b is a schematic representation of the contactless IC 1 and the parasitic coil 14 shown in FIG. 2a, rotated left-side 90 degrees around a vertical c-axis and enlarged in proximity of the IC 2. The pseudo transformer, generated by coupling the parasitic coil 14 and the coil antenna 3, is indicated with numeral reference 15.
The inductance circuit of the pseudo transformer 15 is formed by the parasitic coil 14 and is shorted for causing all the energy transferred from the read-write device 20 by magnetic flux variation to be dissipated as heat in the conductive plate support 4. As a consequence, no energy is available to power the contactless IC 1 that does not operate in this configuration.
The effect obtained by coupling the parasitic coil 14 and the coil antenna 3 is clearly described in "Fundamentals & Applications in Contactless Smart Cards and Identification, 2nd ed", RFID Handbook, ISBN: 0-470-84402-7, written by J. Wiley and states application of RFID tags directly onto a metallic surface.
To decouple magnetically the coil antenna 3 and the conductive plate support 4 it is possible to insert magnetic shielding materials, usually ferrite or Mumetal (copper and nickel alloy), between the coil antenna 3 and the conductive plate support 4. These materials have a very high permeability μ on the order of 10,000 and a very effective shielding, even with a thickness of 100μ.
Nevertheless, ferrite is usually a fragile material, and the Mumetal alloy is a very expensive and very delicate material. Its use is typically not contemplated for a wide range of applications, particularly when the frame is subject to solicitations or breaks, especially when the cost of the Mumetal is very expensive compared to the cost of the entire contactless IC device. Furthermore, the presence of the magnetic shielding material changes the center frequency tuning of the antenna 13 and internal tuning capacitance. To use this approach, the contactless IC 1 must be specially manufactured, taking into account the final mounting configuration. This renders the contactless IC device unusable for a wide range of applications, not only for technical toughness but also because the standards ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/TEC 14443A or ISO/IEC 15693 cannot be duly respected.


An intra-LSI clock distribution circuit which includes a main distribution circuit, a plurality of intra-block clock distribution circuitries, feedback wires provided in association with each of blocks and each connected to one of plural block-based clock signal wires within the associated block and the intra-block distribution circuitry of the associated block for feeding back the intra-block clock signal distributed to a given one of circuit elements connected to the intra-block clock signal wires to the intra-block clock distribution circuitry of that block. The intra-block clock distribution circuitry in each of the blocks responds to the block-destined clock signal supplied to the associated block via one of the block-based clock signal wires connected thereto and the intra-block clock signals fed back via the feedback wires in the associated block to thereby generate a plurality of intra-block clock signals having respective phases which depend on differences in phase between the block-destined clock signal and the fed-back intra-block clock signals.

The present invention relates to a clock distribution circuit for supplying a clock signal to a plurality of parts or circuitries incorporated in a large scale integrated circuit or LSI chip.
In conjunction with supply of clock signals to a number of circuitries incorporated in a LSI chip used in electronic computers and the like, there have heretofore been proposed a variety of approaches for making it possible to supply the clock signals to a number of internal circuitries while maintaining same phase among the clock signals. As a typical one of such approaches, there may be mentioned a technique disclosed in, for example, "1992 Symposium on VLSI Circuits Digest of Technical Papers", pp. 50-53, and ISSCC 92 SESSION 6/MICROPROCESSORS/PAPER TA6.2, PAPER TA6.3 and PAPER TA6.1. A clock signal supply system is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,027 issued on Feb. 2, 1993.
As the most popular intra-LSI clock distribution circuit, a distribution circuit of tree-like structure may be mentioned, which is comprised of a main distribution circuit disposed at an appropriate position within the LSI chip, e.g. at a center thereof, and a plurality of intra-block distribution circuitries disposed within a plurality of regions or blocks of a same size which result from division of the chip. The main distribution circuit receives a clock signal supplied externally of the chip and distributes the clock signal to a plurality of intra-block distribution circuitries via a plurality of wires having respective capacitances equal to one another. Each of the intra-block distribution circuitries in turn distributes again the received clock signal to a plurality of flip-flops, respectively, which are incorporated in the associated block via a plurality of wires having substantially same capacitance. In an LSI chip where a large number of flip-flops are provided in each block, a plurality of drivers are connected to the output of the intra-block clock distribution circuitries in a tree-like configuration, wherein the clock signal is supplied to associated one or plural flip-flops from the drivers of the final stage.
The intra-block distribution circuitry or the clock driver is implemented in a same structure common to all the blocks. By virtue of this arrangement, the delays which the clock signals experience in the course of traveling along the wires from the intra-block distribution circuitry to the individual flip-flops provided in each block can be equalized to one another, whereby clock skew is suppressed.
As another typical clock distribution circuit, there may be mentioned a net-like distribution circuit, which is comprised of wires provided over the whole chip in a mesh-like pattern and a group of drivers for supplying the clock signal to the wires, wherein the drivers are connected in a tree-like array having a multiplicity of stages, and the outputs of plural drivers belonging to a same stage are connected to one another, as is shown in FIG. 1 of the reference literature cited above. By decreasing sufficiently the resistance of the mesh-like wiring, difference in the timing of voltage changes brought about at various circuit points in the mesh by the clock signal can be suppressed to a negligible minimum. Thus, the flip-flops in the LSI to which the clock signal is to be supplied can be connected to the mesh at the appropriate positions located in the vicinity of the flip-flops.
Parenthetically, an inter-chip block distribution circuit for distributing clocks to a plurality of chips is also described in the aforementioned literature as well.
As another technique known heretofore, there may be mentioned one disclosed in JP-A-4-76610 filed in the name of the assignee of this application, according to which clocks are supplied in parallel to a plurality of blocks in an LSI chip, wherein a clock signal supplied to a representative one of the blocks is selected for phase-matching with the clock signals supplied to the blocks located in the periphery of the representative block. Besides, the clock signals for the peripheral blocks can also be utilized for the phase-matching of the clock signals supplied to the blocks located around the peripheral blocks.
In the clock distribution circuit of the tree configuration, it is necessary to equalize mutually the load capacitances of plural wires leading to the flip-flops from the clock distribution circuitry so that the delays which the clock signals undergo during traveling from the intra-block distribution circuitry to the plural flip-flops can be equalized. To this end, the wires are formed of a same material and so designed as to have respective lengths equal to one another.
In practical applications, however, very complicated design and troublesome manufacturing process are required in order to cancel out variance in the delay time among the clock signals. It is naturally expected that the problem becomes more serious as the scale of LSI increases further in the future.
By way of example, in the case of an LSI known as the gate array, a large number of elements having a same structure and referred to as the basic cells are incorporated, wherein interconnections of the cells can be changed in dependence on applications which the LSI chip can find. Thus, the LSI capable of performing various functions can be implemented by using one and the same LSI chip. In the case of this gate array, a great number of basic cells mentioned above are periodically disposed and divided into a plurality of blocks of a same size independent of intended applications of the LSI, wherein the intra-block clock distribution circuitry is previously included in each of the blocks. Thus, in the LSI of this type, the blocks have respective sizes which are equal to one another.
However, even with the LSI of the structure mentioned above, it is expected that attempt for equalization of clock delay times among the blocks will encounter difficulty which becomes more serious in the not far distant future.
More specifically, the delay times involved in the clock transfers from the intra-block distribution circuitry to the individual flip-flops depend on the driving capability of the distribution circuitry and capacitances of the interconnecting wires. Besides, in the case where the clock drivers are interposed between the distribution circuitry and the flip-flops, the delay depends on the driving capability of the drivers as well.
When the size of the LSI chip increases in the future, variance in the delay in the clock transfer will become more remarkable in dependence on the locations of the intra-block clock distribution circuitries, the drivers and the wires in the LSI even for the same driving capabilities of the distribution circuits and the drivers as well as the same width and thickness of the wires. Among others, variance in the driving capabilities of the intra-block distribution circuitries and the drivers will play important roles in bringing about variance in the delay involved in the clock transfer, which may also result in that the delay in clock transfer differs from one to another block.
Besides, when the integrated density of the LSI increases, the same problem as elucidated above will arise for other reasons.
In an LSI chip of high integration density, there exist many other wires than those for the clock signal, wherein the former are formed in the vicinity of or in superposition to the clock transfer wires. As a result of this, stray capacitances between the clock wires and the other wires can no more be neglected. Such stray capacitances assume different values in dependence on the positions assumed by the individual wires within the LSI chip. As a consequence, the clock transfer time becomes different in dependence on the positions of the clock wires within the LSI chip even when the length and the thickness are designed to be same among the clock signal wires. Ultimately, the clock signal transfer time will differ from one to another block.
The influence of clock skew among the blocks due to the various causes or factors mentioned above will become more adverse as the period of the clock signal is further shortened or clock frequency further increases in the future.
Besides, the known techniques suffer from additional problem that great difficulty is encountered in designing the clock transfer wires in the LSI chip where the blocks have different sizes.
By way of example, there is such an LSI chip in which a variety of circuitries having different functions are included. Let's suppose, for example, an LSI chip which includes memory circuitries and various logic circuitries. In this type LSI, it is desirable from the standpoint of circuit design to make the sizes of the blocks serving as the units for supplying clocks differ in dependence on the sizes (extents) of the circuitries mentioned above. Nevertheless, according to the prior art techniques, the clock transfer wires are so designed that the lengths of the wires extending from the intra-block clock distribution circuitries to the flip-flops in the individual blocks are equal to one another even in the case of the LSI chip where the blocks have different sizes.
However, in view of easiness of design, it is desirable that the clock transfer wires having lengths differing on a block-by-block basis can be used so far as the block size differs from one to another block.
At this juncture, it should be mentioned that the influence of variance in the driving capability among the drivers can be mitigated in the case of the prior art LSI in which the mesh-like clock wiring is adopted, as described hereinbefore, because the outputs of the clock drivers arrayed in a multiplicity of stages are mutually connected. Besides, because the clock transfer wires of net-like pattern are provided over the whole chip, accurate control or adjustment of the wire length is not necessarily required.
However, because the clock transfer wiring is of mesh-like pattern, the overall length of the wire is much longer than that of the wire used in the tree-like wiring pattern. For this reason, the prior art technique mentioned above suffers a problem of large power consumption due to the wire. It goes without saying that the power consumption will further increase as the scale of the LSI becomes larger.
When compared with the prior art techniques mentioned above, it is expected that the approach disclosed in JP-A-4-76610 can ensure more effective reduction of the clock skew in the LSI. However, in reality, it is doubtful that the effect is to be satisfactory. More specifically, according to the approach as proposed, phase comparisons within the blocks and between the adjacent blocks are performed sequentially to thereby realize the phase matching of the clock for the whole chip. Consequently, errors in the sequential phase matchings will be accumulated, to thereby prevent the effect as intended from being attained.


There is disclosed a current control apparatus comprising first controllers adapted for detecting an overall or total load current to calculate distribution values for distributing a current margin with respect to an overall or total current limit value to respective air-conditioners; and second controllers adapted for respectively controlling air-conditioners so as not to exceed individual current limit values, and for carrying out an incremental correction of individual current limit values in accordance with distribution values calculated by the first controllers.

In recent years, it has not been rare that a plurality of air-conditioners are installed in home and an electric cooking appliance or appliances of a large capacity are installed in addition thereto or in conjunction therewith. In such a case, an attempt is generally made to increase the allowed current capacity of a power supply line drawn into a house. However, in actual circumstances a measure to increase the allowed current capacity does not match up with an actual total current consumption of electric loads. Namely, there actually results circumstances where a molded-case circuit-breaker may be frequently tripped, leading to service interruption. Although a motor for driving a compressor included in an air-conditioner of these electric loads has a "large capacity load" in which the current consumption is relatively large, there are many instances where such a motor is considered as an "unimportant load" for which an emergency is not so required among home electric loads.
In an apparatus disclosed in the Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A) No. 201393/1984 publication, a technique is employed to detect a current flowing through a circuit-breaker, i.e., a total current to stop the operation of the air-conditioner so that this total current is not above a trip current value, or to successively stop one by one, when a plurality of air-conditioners are installed, these air-conditioners accordingly as the total current becomes equal to a trip current value of the circuit-breaker. However, once the air-conditioner is stopped, even if such a stop is a temporary stop, it would take much time for restarting, and even if the air-conditioner is restarted, it cannot immediately exhibit air-conditioning capability or ability. For this reason, there are problems from both viewpoints of the air-conditioning effect and energy conservation or saving.
On the other hand, in an apparatus disclosed in the Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A) No. 211659/1986 publication, a technique is employed to effect a control such that when a total current becomes equal to the trip current value of a circuit-breaker, a drive frequency of a compressor of a specific air-conditioner is lowered, and to further effect a control to detect that the total current is lowered to a predetermined value by the above control to increase the drive frequency so that it becomes in correspondence with the original frequency for a second time. Accordingly, since the compressor is not easy to be stopped, the problems of the air-conditioning effect and the energy conservation or saving are difficult to take place. However, in the case where a plurality of such air-conditioners are installed and are operated at the same time, unless current detection levels of all the air-conditioners are in correspondence with each other, the capability or ability of only an air-conditioner having the highest current detection level is lowered. As a result, that air-conditioner would be eventually stopped. In this case, similarly to the technology described in the above referenced Japanese Laid Open Application (JP-A) No. 201393/1984, the air-conditioner is once stopped. This is a problem from the viewpoints of the air-conditioning effect and the energy conservation or saving.
Further, in the case where current detection levels of all plural air-conditioners installed are assumed to be the same although this is not realistic, when a total current becomes close to a trip current of the circuit-breaker, the capabilities or abilities of all the air-conditioners being operated are caused to be lowered. As a result, the total current is lowered to a great degree as compared to the trip current of the circuit-breaker. At this time, the capabilities of respective air-conditioners are increased or enhanced. In this case, since the capabilities of a plurality of air-conditioners are increased or enhanced at the same time, the total current increases for a second time. As a result, the capabilities of all the air-conditioners being operated are caused to be lowered for a second time, resulting in a state where the above operation is repeatedly conducted. This state is an entirely unstable state. This constitutes a cause to hasten consumption of equipments and to shorten the life time.

Current control apparatus for air-conditioning system


Disclosed is a method and system for providing an energy gathering sheet to harness and provide energy to homes, businesses, and/or a utility grid. The energy gathering sheet is configured to receive solar or wind energy gathering devices or any combination thereof. The very small energy gathering devices (micrometer to nanometer range) are mounted onto a single installation sheet for the purposes of creating efficient and complimentary clean energy power to meet both small and large power demands. The single sheet of installable solar panels and/or wind turbines may be loosely rolled or stacked in sheets to protect the integrity of the solar panels and wind turbines. The single sheet is capable of being rolled out for efficient installations.

It is well known that wind power turbines can generate power that can be delivered via interconnection to existing grid systems or can be used to power individual homes, businesses and utilities. Most, if not all, wind power systems that are used to gather large amounts, in the Megawatt range of power, are large structure wind turbines many of which are at least 100 feet high. In the past, small wind powered turbines have also been placed high up from the ground usually at least 15 feet high. Also, most small wind power turbine systems are utilized to power a single home, business, or elements of that home or business.
Currently, large wind installations in order of 100 foot or greater sized turbines dot the landscape of the planet. These turbines are often positioned in remote fields, out to sea, or on private property away from public infrastructure. Small wind installations of turbines and other gathering devices in the 5 to 30 foot range are typically utilized in three deployments. The first deployment features clusters of small to mid sized turbines set up in remote windy areas such as the desert environment near Palm Desert, Calif. The second deployment features isolated powering of small homes and businesses, such as those in remote arctic or other extremely cold climates where heating and cooling infrastructure do not exist, or is augmented at the micro use level for one home or business by small wind turbine implementation. The third deployment model features isolated powering of entities for government utilities, such as the isolated powering of single light stands at the Hanauma Bay National Park public parking lot in Oahu, Hi.
Conventional models address power plant and isolated use models for the generation and distribution of wind power. Large turbines generate Megawatt volumes of power to be utilized locally or interconnected back to the grid system. Small wind generation systems are typically used to solve local power issues, such as street lights or home or business power needs. Small wind generation systems can also be interconnected to a grid system for the purpose of selling the power generated.
Unfortunately, the existing conventional uses have certain limitations in distribution and deployment. Large turbines have faced environmental and Defense Department concerns. Environmentalists fear that the noise and size of turbines will disrupt both scenic and habitat conditions in addition to threatening the well being of birds that may be caught in the large turbine blades. Department of Defense concerns have been raised over the large turbines interfering with radar signals and tracking. Large turbine systems that are placed far away from existing infrastructure also incur a large expense in the transportation or building of infrastructure to carry the power generated by the turbine system. Finally, the large turbine system represents a major, volatile investment for a single turbine; if the wind is not present or wind currents change then the turbine would be viewed as a poor investment because it will not generate enough power to be profitable. Also, if the turbine breaks for any reason it will produce zero power as it is a large and single entity. Large turbines also require labor intensive maintenance and monitoring. The life cycle for large wind turbines is 20 years and decommissioning the large wind turbine is another environmental issue to contend with.
Small wind power utilized in isolated areas and for private homes, businesses and individual use is a great way to introduce clean energy on a unit by unit grass roots level.
The issue with isolated uses which the present invention addresses is that isolated uses are isolated by definition. Isolated uses do not have the ability to directly power businesses or residential sites over a long stretch of land covering tens, hundreds, thousands or hundreds of thousands of miles providing easy access to direct powering of entities as well as multiple grid interconnection points. Small turbines would be an efficient use of space and cost to gather clean energy. The problem is that individual implementation would be tedious and extremely challenging as the turbines get smaller, especially for turbines that are under one inch in either horizontal or vertical measurement. Another limitation is that the sheeting itself would not promote any energy gathering activity on its surface.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Wind turbine and solar gathering hybrid sheets


A phase shifter and an antenna, in the field of communications technologies. The phase shifter includes a cavity, and a fixed component, a sliding component, a control rod configured to control sliding of the sliding component, and a dielectric portion in the cavity. A first strip group is disposed in the fixed component, where the first strip group includes two strips. The sliding component is located above the fixed component, and a second strip group is disposed in the sliding component. The second strip group includes two strips, and the two strips of the second strip group are electrically coupled to the two strips of the first strip group respectively.

A phase shifter is an apparatus that can adjust a phase of a wave. It is a key part of an antenna. The phase shifter changes a directivity pattern of the antenna by changing a phase of a signal arriving at the antenna, thereby achieving a purpose of remotely controlling a network coverage area.
An existing phase shifter generally includes a fixed printed circuit board (PCB) and a sliding metal. A fixed circuit is disposed in the fixed PCB, and the sliding metal is in a U shape. When the sliding metal slides relative to the fixed circuit, a phase of a current passing through the fixed circuit changes.
During implementation of the present application, the inventor finds that the prior art has at least the following problem: When a required phase shift amount is relatively large, lengths of a sliding metal and a fixed circuit need to be increased correspondingly, and a phase shifter becomes larger in size.


A predictive failure system for a cooling apparatus having sensors measuring operational components of a cooling apparatus to determine performance data and means to analyze the data to determine a performance profile, wherein anomalies in the performance profile are determined and the operator of the cooling apparatus is warned prior to failure of the operational components.

Traditionally, the method for diagnosing a malfunctioning cooling device is to follow a series of steps in diagnosis. Failures would be categorized, then organized into a list where the end user would find the specific symptom that the unit exhibits. Then the user would reference the symptom to the corresponding list of checks and possible problems. For example, if the freezer is not operating at an optimal temperature, the user may be instructed to check the condenser coils, the door seals, test the temperature control, and check for a refrigerant leak, etc.
The problem with this method is twofold. First, the user is limited to diagnosing failures that have already occurred rather than proactively addressing mechanical issues before they manifest symptoms. This diagnosis is generally limited to determining a mechanical issue by a change in cooling temperature. Second, diagnosis is dependent on the user having broad knowledge of the unit's operating components. While diagnosis may be a time-consuming effort if the user has broad knowledge, it will be particularly difficult for a user who is uninformed.
As the end user has additional cooling needs the addition of new units becomes necessary. This increases the likelihood that additional model types or brands may be used. This multiplies the amount of necessary information the user must know to successfully diagnose and repair issues and substantially increases the difficulty of diagnosis.
What is needed is a device that can intelligently record the performance characteristics of a cooling device and allow for the diagnosis of performance degradation or failure based on this data. Proactively addressing these issues is likely to save repair costs, prevent loss of service to the customer thereby allowing the user uninterrupted business, and finally to prevent spoilage.

Methods and apparatus for predictive failure analysis of a cooling device


A process and device in which (a) data transmission is done so that coded data specific to ISDN is converted into binary code on both a network side and a receiver side using a code converter, (b) the entering data of B channels being prepared in segments of equal length for B1 and B2 channel data in a memory unit and subsequently fed to a transmission device and sent to the receiver side. The data leaving a storage device are checked for consistency and compressed; (c) blocks are formed out of entering data of the D channel blocks and fed into the transmission device for transmission to the receiver side; (d) the ISDN-specific clock pulses are regained out of the temporal sequence of the transferred data bits on the receiver side or net side, respectively, by meant of clock pulse recovery elements; and (e) the received data bits are analyzed. Detected D channel blocks are disassembled and fed directly into a code converter, and detected B channel data is decompressed and the binary-coded data converted into coded data specific to ISDN.

The ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), which allows, in addition to speech transmission, the rapid transmission of data, texts, and pictures also enables NT and TE apparatus as well as other distribution nets to be connected at its interfaces. Irrespective of a net-side interconnection of ISDN terminal equipment (TE) or network terminations (NT), the enlargement of the range of the transmission channel between functional groups of the ISDN-user interface with reference to an ISDN interface is of advantage for the transmission of the information of the net over a longer distance. However, the range achievable with traditional means is significantly limited due to the electrical features of the ISDN interfaces and connection ways.
From DE 44 07 214 C1, a technical solution is known which in spite of the restrictions of the physical state existing at the interface of an ISDN-user interface, allows to enlarge the range of the transmission channel between functional groups of the ISDN-user interface. In this solution, the ISDN-specific coded data incoming or, respectively, being required at the ISDN interfaces are converted into binary-coded data on the net (or network; as used herein, net refers to network) side as well as on the terminal side. The binary-coded data are grouped into blocks and directed to a transmission means to be corresponded on the net- or terminal-side, respectively. Due to the standardized structure of, for example, an ISDN basic terminal with 2.times.64 kbit/s of the B-channels or 1.times.16 kbit/s of the D-channel and the necessary signaling and control information the transmission means transmits, according to DE 44 07 214 C1, information with a bandwidth of 160 kbit/s, which is a considerable and expensive bandwidth of the data transmission via, for example, a satellite channel. Data transmission, particularly via satellite channels, considerably demands reduced bandwidths or, respectively, exactly defined bandwidths of, for example, 64 or 128 kbit/s. A number of satellite services run terminals with 64 kbit/s channels.
Therefore, it is the object of the invention to create a method and apparatus which allow the range of the transmission channel between functional groups of the ISDN-user interface in relation to an ISDN interface to be extended under the condition of a minimized bandwidth. This is achieved maintaining all ISDN-specific features, such as
maintenance of the network timing PA1 multiple access to the interface bus PA1 activation and deactivation of the interface.

Method and apparatus for the enlargement of the range of the transmission channel between functional groups of the ISDN-user interface with a minimized bandwidth


The present invention relates to a method for artificial illumination of a plant, wherein the illumination of the plant is controlled based on the amount of light being reflected from the plant. The invention also relates to a corresponding illumination system, use of the illumination system and a computer program product.

Artificial and supplemental lighting in e.g. a greenhouse typically involves use of an illumination system for stimulating plant growth, the illumination system comprising a plurality of high power light sources. Different types of light sources, having different light spectrums and providing different effects on growth stimulation, may be included, such as light sources based on metal halide (MH) or high intensity discharge (HID) which includes high pressure sodium (HPS). Using metal halide based lighting typically promotes shorter, bushy growth; whereas high pressure sodium based lighting in comparison typically tend to produce taller and stretched plants.
Recently, much progress has been made in increasing the brightness of light emitting diodes (LEDs). As a result, LEDs have become sufficiently bright and inexpensive to serve also for artificial lighting in e.g. a greenhouse environment, additionally providing the possibility of emitting light with adjustable color (light spectrum). By mixing differently colored LEDs any number of colors can be generated. An adjustable color lighting system typically comprises a number of primary colors, for one example the three primaries red, green and blue. The color of the generated light is determined by the LEDs that are used, as well as by the mixing ratios. By using LEDs it is possible to decrease the energy consumption, a requirement that is well in line with the current environmental trend. Additionally, using LED based illumination system minimizes the amount of light source generated heat which is specifically suitable in an environment where temperature control is desirable.
An example of an LED based illumination system is disclosed in WO2008118080, comprising a light sensor communicatively coupled to a processor, where the processor implements a control algorithm for modulating and improving plant growth and attributes by adjusting the light emitted by the LEDs.
WO2008118080 shows a promising approach in relation to artificial lighting in a greenhouse environment, however, it would still be desirable to further optimize the artificial and/or supplemental light emitted by an illumination system, to be able to improve the growth process of a plant.

Spectrum optimization for artificial illumination


An air injection device for attachment to the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine is described. A one-way or check valve permits air to be drawn into the air injector to the exhaust manifold when the pressure inside is less than atmospheric to allow more complete burn of unconsumed fuel. On the pressure stroke, the valve closes and prevents untreated exhaust gases from exiting the injector. The valve is designed with mechanisms, such as small protrusions, on the valve and/or on the seat or circumferences that the valve contacts to reduce or prevent sticking of the valve. In one embodiment, the valve may be spherical, and in another embodiment, the air injector may be provided with a mechanism to manually adjust the air flow through the injector.

During the operation of internal combustion engines, including diesel engines, gases resulting from an explosion in the cylinders of the engine are expelled from the cylinder in an initial high pressure pulse or wave. It has been determined that the initial high pressure wave or pulse has a relatively long duration, and is followed by a series of alternating low and high pressure waves of shorter duration. A series of alternating high and low pressure waves is formed in the exhaust manifold each time an exhaust valve for any one of a plurality of engine cylinders is opened. During the high pressure pulses, combustion products or exhaust gases are expelled from the cylinders of the engine. These exhaust gases often contain appreciable amounts of unburned fuel. However, during the low pressure pulses, the pressure inside the exhaust manifold falls below atmospheric and a vacuum is created.
The quantity of unburned fuel in the exhaust gases which are introduced into the exhaust manifold during a high pressure pulse or wave can be substantially reduced by inducting air into the exhaust manifold during the low pressure pulse. The induced air promotes more complete fuel combustion in the manner of an afterburner. Such an air injector thus serves as a mechanical emission control device. Experience has even shown that the inducted or injected air actually helps clean up the carbon deposits in an internal combustion engine.
In other words, the oxygen induced or injected into the hot gases of the exhaust manifold produces a more complete burn of the unoxidized gasoline or diesel fuel in the exhaust manifold. The injection of fresh air, including oxygen, into the exhaust manifold produces a more complete burn and reaction of exhaust gases and fuel within the exhaust manifold itself. In a diesel engine, this produces a better burn of the sulfur contained in the diesel fuel oil and a reduction of particulates which are conventionally vented out the exhaust stack. In a gasoline engine, the injection of air at this point results in a substantial reduction of the carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons found in the the exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine.
A number of devices have been developed to use the principle described above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,345,569 teaches an atmospheric air vent in the exhaust manifold adjacent the cylinders, which vent has a check valve without substantial inertia in the vent which valve is responsive to alternating vacuum and pressure within the manifold. The valve is a very thin, light metal plate that is not permitted to rotate about its axis. It has been found that a problem with many of these prior devices is that if the valve has its motion limited in some way, as here, that the valve may be subject to sticking in an open or closed or even intermediate position thereby voiding its effectiveness.
An air intake check valve connected to the exhaust system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,816. The check valve has a movable, dome-shaped valve element for opening and closing the valve in step and in phase with the negative and positive half-cycles of the sonic pressure wave in the exhaust system, so as to cause intake of air during the negative half-cycles and resulting reduction in the amplitude of the negative half-cycles, thereby superimposing on the sonic pressure wave a second harmonic, yielding a complex resultant wave characterized by peaked positive pressure half-cycles and flattened negative pressure half-cycles. The movable valve element is frequency responsive to the complex resultant wave to open and close during and by virture of the flattened negative pressure half-cycle and to remain closed during the peaked positive pressure half-cycle. Air charges admitted during the negative pressure half-cycles of the sonic wave react with unburned fuel in the exhaust system during and by virtue of the peaked positive pressure half-cycles of the sonic wave.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,401 to Carter Wells discusses an air injector for an internal combustion engine exhaust manifold consisting of a tube with threaded opposite ends in combination with a series of baffle plates disposed in spaced relation in the tube. Each of the baffle plates are in a plane extending substantially diametrically of the tube and each of the plates have an aperture disposed on a side of the axis of the tube opposite the aperture in an adjacent baffle plate. Each baffle plate is spaced from an adjacent baffle plate to provide an air turbulating space. The baffles are to rarefy the exhaust gases as they progress toward the more remote or outer end of the tube. The flutter valve of this device is spring biased closed.
An exhaust manifold afterburner having an elongated reed valve with relatively stationary ends is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,230. The air injection device of this patent has a body containing an air passage with an air discharge terminal adapted for connection to the exhaust manifold and an air inlet spaced from the terminal. A control mechanism including the valve is carried by the body to control air flow through the body passage to the exhaust manifold in response to exhaust pressure fluctuations communicable to the valve. The reed valve is carried at the downstream side of a seat in such overlying relation thereto to flex away from and toward the seat to control air flow therethrough in response to exhaust pressure fluctuations. The seat projects downstream within the body to pass air therethrough and the body passage extends at the outer side of the seat to receive air flowing laterally between the reed valve and the seat when the reed is flexed away from the seat. The body is also flanged to closely support opposite end portions of the reed valve transversely outwardly of the seat, and in such a manner that the reed valve is free to rotate about an axis defined by the passage during valve flexing. Although this reed valve can rotate about its axis, sticking of the valve against the seat and the flange may still occur, further frustrating the purpose of the device. Valve sticking to the seat and flange surfaces is most likely to occur after the engine is idle for some time and the deposits on the surfaces adhere to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,260 mentions an exhaust gas recirculating mechanism for reducing the pollutants discharged from an internal combustion engine by regulating the flow of a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold by the use of a plate valve mechanism that meters the flow of exhaust gases and/or ambient air in response to atmospheric pressure, intake manifold pressure and exhaust manifold pressure. In one form, a single plate valve is provided in the exhaust gas recirculating valve, and in a second form, dual plate valves are used. Included with the ambient air and exhaust gas recirculating mechanism is a velocity nozzle for introducing the gases into the intake manifold and for helping to scavenge the PCV system's crank case emissions. This rather complicated system may give good results if functioning properly, but the use of two plate valves instead of one doubles the possibility that the plates will encounter sticking problems in prolonged operation.
An internal combustion engine having, in communication with the exhaust system at a position where changes in exhaust gas pressure occur during running of the engine a valve constructed and arranged so that when the pressure in the exhaust system is subatmospheric the valve takes up an open condition to admit air into the exhaust system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,322. Further, when the pressure in the exhaust system is super-atmospheric, the valve takes up an at least partially closed condition so that at least some of the air admitted to the exhaust system through the valve will be drawn back into the engine cylinders. The valve is a free-floating metal disc valve having a plurality of various sized holes therein, but which may still be subject to the sticking problems described earlier.
Finally, there is known the assembly for mounting on an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine to induct air into the exhaust manifold during the low pressure portion of the exhaust pulses of the engine discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,284. The assembly includes a stem section adapted to be connected to the exhaust manifold which includes a stem passage. A hollow cylindrical member is connected to the stem section to form a valve chamber which houses an improved valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a coiled spring which extends into the valve chamber, a valve seat, and a valve member disc disposed between the coiled spring and the valve seat. The disc is supported by the coiled spring which urges the disc against the valve seat for closing the valve in the absence of manifold pressure. During the negative pressure portions of the exhaust pulse waves, the disc is displaced away from the valve seat for opening the valve and inducting air into the manifold. During the positive pressure portions of the exhaust pulse waves, the disc is displaced toward and seats against the valve seat for closing the valve. The assembly further includes a pump mechanism extending over the valve chamber for pumping air into the opened valve during the negative pressure portions of the exhaust pulse waves. In one embodiment of this device, three valve members are used, which triples the conventional risk of sticking. Sticking is also aggravated by the spring biasing of this structure which increases the likelihood that the valve plates will adhere to their seats and to each other with the aid of deposits, instead of dropping away from the seats when the pressure is reduced.
It would thus be desirable for an air injector to be devised which eliminates or substantially reduces the possibility of the valve mechanism sticking in one position or the other during operation.


A lapping control system for accurately obtaining a desired throat height of each of a plurality of batch fabricated thin film magnetic transducers, comprises a row of thin film transducers formed on a substrate, the row comprising a height defining edge and at least four spaced sensing devices, a first two of the sensing devices comprising switch devices each offset a predetermined amount from the height defining edge, and a second two of the sensing devices comprising resistive devices each offset a predetermined amount from the height defining edge, a support of mounting the row of thin film magnetic transducers in a position to lap the height defining edge of each of the thin film magnetic transducers and the sensing devices, a measuring device for measuring the resistance of the resistive devices during lapping of the height defining edge, apparatus responsive to the measured resistance and to a selected state of at least one of the two switch devices for calibrating resistance versus throat height characteristics for each of the thin film magnetic transducers in the row, and for terminating the lapping process when a predetermined throat height is reached for each of the thin film magnetic transducers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the manufacture of inductive thin film magnetic recording heads and pertains particularly to an improved lapping control system for obtaining improved inductive heads.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In high speed data processing systems, magnetic disks have been employed for large memory capacity requirements. Data is read from and written onto disks through magnetic transducers commonly called "magnetic heads" which are positioned over the disks during the storage and retrieval of data on tracks of the disks. The requirements for higher data density on the magnetic disks have imposed a requirement to read and write more data on narrower tracks located on the disk. In order to achieve maximum efficiency from a head, its pole pieces must have a pole tip height dimension, commonly called "throat height", which must be maintained within a certain limited tolerance for generating a maximum amount of electrical signals for a given head.
The conventional method for producing a required throat height includes a lapping system in which an abrasive grinding surface accurately grinds the pole tips to a desired length. Suitable techniques for controlling the throat height during the lapping operation are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,877. In this patent, a technique is employed for measuring the resistance of electrical lapping guide (ELG) structures formed on each side of a row of transducers being lapped to a final throat height. These structures are lapped along one dimension to the same extent as the transducer pole tips. The resistance of an ELG structure at any given time indicates the amount of material that has been removed and hence the resistance is an indication of the final throat height of the transducers being lapped.
Another improved system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,868 which discloses a lapping system which is particularly designed for lapping magnetoresistive (MR) transducers. The system measures the changing resistance of an MR element as the MR element is lapped as a means to determine when the desired MR element height is reached.
Various techniques for calibrating ELG structures to provide for tracking to the throat height have been published. However, the basic problem that the structures do not match the structure of the magnetic head, remains. For this reason, these techniques may not work to the precision required.
There have been suggestions that the magnetic head characteristics can be evaluated from a signal which is generated by the head itself. In the publication "Substrate Testing of Film Heads" by Jones et al, IEEE Trans. Magn., Vol. 17, No. 6, p. 2896-8 (1981), a description is given of a test by which a measured inductance versus d.c. current through the head can be used to characterize saturation of the heads pole tips. Published Unexamined Japanese patent Application No. 62-287408 utilizes a high frequency signal in addition to a d.c. bias current to periodically magnetically saturate a magnetic head and then senses the reduction of head impedance due to the saturation to determine the write characteristic of the head. The Kawakami et al publication, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 61, No. 6, p. 4163-6 (1987) describes the use of a special magnetic head, in which the pole tips are closed, to determine the end point in a lapping operation by sensing the change in inductance when the pole tips are opened.
Improvements and refinements in these approaches are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,883. In this patent, it is disclosed that the write current which first saturates a magnetic head (ISAT) can be related to the throat height and head magnetic performance parameters, provided that the saturation takes place in the front region of the head.
These prior art techniques are useful so long as throat height is the controlling parameter. However, as the magnetic heads have become progressively smaller, the throat height, pole tip thickness, and gap thickness have all decreased. This has contributed to the fact that throat height is no longer the only important influence on ISAT characteristics. Now, wafer to wafer variations can cause significant departures from a pre-established ISAT correlation.
Many methods for fabricating inductive thin film magnetic heads have led to numerous electronic lapping guide designs, calibration techniques and bow compensation systems. While many of these proposals have resulted in tighter control of throat heights, none have ultimately provided a system for satisfying extremely tight throat height requirements when operating in a small slider, high wafer density, low cost environment. In this environment, throat height must be controlled to less than .+-.0.5 microns.
In order to meet these stringent requirements, the most precise electronic lapping guide (ELG) design calibration system and active bow compensation must be employed. In order to keep cost down, the wafer densities must be as high as possible which necessitates a small slider format with as many sliders per row and rows per wafer as possible. This eliminates dedicated ELG sites since they would compete with valuable areas designated for sliders.
To meet these objectives, ELGs must be placed in row parting kerfs for maximum population of head rows and the parting kerfs must be as narrow as parting methods will permit to further maximize head densities per row. Current requirements provide for slider widths of 1.7 mm with a height of 0.425 mm leaving a total parting kerf of 0.30 mm. After parting tolerances are considered, an area of only 0.20 mm.times.0.425 mm can be allocated for ELG designs. It should be noted that even smaller sliders with even smaller kerfs are in demand.
None of the prior art systems are capable of meeting these requirements. Moreover, none of the prior art systems can be adapted to this application without major alterations. For example, conventional ELG designs with conventional resistive calibration systems of the prior art will not fit in a 0.2 mm kerf.
Calibrated ISAT approaches also fail to meet the objectives outlined above. The ISAT systems do not have the effective response range to provide a means for active bow compensation feedback, where response kerfs must be active from around 10 microns from final throat height. The ISAT responses typically began at 2.5 microns from final throat height. The short response curve does not provide enough working distance to adequately straighten the bow before the final throat height target is reached, resulting in wider throat height range and lower yield. In addition, calibrated ISAT, like calibrated resistive lapping has an ELG size limitation. The best implementation of calibrated ISAT regarding throat height controls requires offset element and switching components that far exceed the 0.2 mm kerf area allotted for ELGs.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved inductive head lapping system.

Ultimate inductive head integrated lapping system

International Business Machines Corporation


A constant current switch for controlling a generally constant switchable load current with fluctuating voltage comprises a first transistor connected in to the current branch of the load circuit and having a voltage divider in parallel to its control path for measuring its control voltage and a second transistor connected to the control input of the switch and to the voltage divider.

The invention relates to a constant current switch for controlling a largely constant switchable load current in the case of a fluctuating supply voltage.
For example a constant and relatively high current is required to modulate high-output infra-red diodes. Thus it is required that a constant transmission power of the infra-red diodes should be guaranteed over as large as possible a voltage range even with a fluctuating and falling supply voltage, these infra-red diodes being used in many cases for data transmission paths.


Pesticide polymers comprising a polymer with a macromolecular backbone and pendant groups having pesticidal groups chemically linked thereto are prepared by reacting a pesticide having a replaceable hydrogen with a multifunctional isocyanate to form a pesticide-isocyanate adduct and then reacting the adduct with the polymer substrate in a mutual solvent to form the pesticide polymers. The chemical linkages connecting the pesticide-adduct to the pendant groups are cleaved under environmental conditions of use to controllably release an effective amount of the active pesticide.

The present invention relates to controlled release pesticides and to a method of preparing such pesticides.
In the past there have been numerous efforts made to develop controlled release or sustained release pesticides. One approach has been to entrap the pesticide in a protective polymeric coating such as, for example, the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,900. Another approach has been to chemically couple the pesticide directly to a natural organic polymeric substrate such as lignin as described in Canadian Pat. No. 863,310 and still another approach has been to use a bridging compound to connect the pesticide to the natural polymeric substrate such as that described in Canadian Pat. No. 855,181. In addition, pesticides have been dissolved in waxes, incorporated in emulsions and combined with large amounts of inert carriers all in an effort to obtain sustained released pesticide compositions.
None of the above described approaches is completely without disadvantages. For example, entrapping the pesticide in a polymer is relatively expensive; the use of a natural substrate may result in a product which is not only of nonuniform consistency from batch to batch but which is also bulky to transport and handle and the incorporation of pesticides in emulsions, waxes, and compositions including inert carriers may result in nonrelease or uneven release of the active ingredient.

Controlled release pesticides and method of preparation


Novel 4-heteroarylimidazole-2-thione tyrosinase inhibiting compounds corresponding to the following general formula (I):

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel 4-heteroarylimidazole-2-thione compounds as industrial and useful products. It also relates to their process of preparation and to their formulation, as tyrosinase inhibitors, into pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions useful for the treatment or prevention of pigmentary disorders.
2. Description of Background and/or Related and/or Prior Art
The pigmentation of the skin, in particular human skin, results from the synthesis of melanin by the dendritic cells, the melanocytes. The melanocytes comprise organelles, known as melanosomes, which transfer the melanin into the upper layers of keratinocytes, which are then transported to the surface of the skin via the differentiation of the epidermis.
Among the enzymes of melanogenesis, tyrosinase is a key enzyme which catalyzes the first two stages of the synthesis of melanin. Homozygous tyrosinase mutations result in oculocutaneous albinism type I characterized by a complete absence of the synthesis of melanin.
It is proving to be important to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat disorders of pigmentation resulting from an increase in the production of melanin, for which there exists no treatment meeting all the expectations of patients and dermatologists.
The majority of skin-lightening compounds already known are phenols/catechols. These compounds inhibit tyrosinase but the majority of them are cytotoxic for the melanocytes as a result of oxidation phenomenon resulting in the formation of quinones responsible for this toxicity. This toxic effect risks bringing about permanent depigmentation of the skin.

4-heteroarylimidazole-2-thione tyrosinase inhibitors and pharmaceutical/cosmetic applications thereof

Abstract: formulated into pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are useful for the treatment or prevention of pigmentary disorders, or for preventing and/or treating signs of skin aging, and/or for body or hair hygiene.


A pin according to the present disclosure is configured to connect at least two component parts by engaging, in an engaging direction, in superposed apertures of the component parts. The pin comprises a body having a drilled portion with a borehole extending in the engaging direction, the borehole configured to be at least partially traversed by a securing element, and at least one fixation element for fixing the securing element at the bored portion.

Field
The present disclosure concerns a hinge pin for connecting at least two component parts.
Description of the Related Art
Composite assemblies are often attached to each other by pins traversing two or more components of a respective assembly. To this end, the components may each include at least one aperture, and they may be connected by positioning the apertures superposed to one another, and by inserting a pin so as to traverse both bores, thereby joining the components. This technique is used, in particular, for assembling hinges.
As a consequence, the pin has to resist divergent forces acting on the different components. In a case of a failure, when the pin breaks, it may slide out of the apertures of the components, thereby dissolving the connection of the components. One or both of the components may thus fall down from a designated position within the assembly, and it may be a laborious task to reinstall the component, if possible at all. Indeed, in many cases, a component may be destroyed or damaged when falling down, so that it has to be replaced. The same may be necessary when the falling component cannot be recovered, e.g. when the component has fallen in the sea, in a well centre or in a mining shaft.
The present disclosure is directed to the problem of providing a technique for obviating these disadvantages.


A process or acylating or sulfenylating 1-amino-2-phenyl-1-butene-3-ones to prepare the corresponding 4-acyl or 4-substituted-thio compounds provides intermediates useful for preparing herbicides.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention belongs to the field of synthetic organic chemistry and provides a novel method of acylating or sulfenylating an enaminone.
2. State of the Art
Enaminones similar to the products of the process of this invention were used as intermediates by Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,136. The same patent shows, at its column 19, a conventional enamine acylation process. It will be understood that the acylation of enamines is old in the organic chemical art and is distinct from the process of this invention, which accomplishes the acylation or sulfenylation of an enaminone.
Organic chemists have known that an enaminone can be alkylated on the carbon .gamma. to the carbonyl group. See, for example, Bryson and Gammill, Tetrahedron Letters 45, 3963-66 (1974). The process of this invention, however, is the first to enable chemists to acylate or sulfenylate an enaminone on the carbon .alpha. to the carbonyl group.


A pillbox for a cellular phone having a port or socket is disclosed which includes a body portion for one or more pills, a closure portion for closing the body portion, and an attachment portion for insertion into the port or socket of the cellular phone.

A pillbox is a special container for storing scheduled doses of a patient's medications during the course of a certain time interval. In one form, a pillbox may take the form of an organizer which may typically have square shaped compartments for each day of the week, although other discreet forms have come to market in recent times, including cylindrical and pen-shaped cases. Pillboxes including those in the form of an organizer are viewed as a way to prevent or reduce medication errors on the part of the patient.
Pill organizers are useful for many patients including the elderly or those with memory deficiencies as well as those taking multiple medications as an aid in remembering to take proper timely doses of their medications. They allow a patient to know whether they have taken a particular dose of their medication since a pill remaining in its compartment visually indicates that it has not been taken whereas a missing pill likely has been taken.
Pill organizers often have various features that make them easier to use for those with special needs such as color-coding, braille for the blind, or a locking mechanism to prevent double dosing.
While there are many different types of pill organizers available to suit a variety of requirements, they tend to be relatively large in size making them less than ideal for busy patients who enjoy normal mobility. For such patients, it is not at all uncommon for them to be attending a doctor's appointment, going shopping, working out of the home, etc., where it is not practical to carry a large pill organizer in order to have medication available.
For busy, mobile patients who find it impractical to carry any of the available types of pill organizers with them at all times as they go through their normal daily routines, it is nonetheless important to have their medication available even during those times when they are out of the home in order to ensure strict compliance with a prescribed medication regimen.

Pillbox for a cellular phone having a port


A method and apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit, particularly for an engine of a motor vehicle, uses at least one directly or indirectly recorded operating variable which represents the qualitative condition of the operating fluid. An evaluation of the at least operating variable and a continuous calculation of the change interval therefrom is performed by a computing and control unit. The calculated change interval is related to a specified unit service interval and, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal for the removal of a certain quantity of the spent operating fluid and the replacement of the quantity with a fresh operating fluid is produced as a function of the difference therebetween.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit, comprising the steps of evaluating at least one operating variable representing a qualitative condition of the operating fluid, and continuously calculating therefrom the change interval.
DE 40 38 972 C1 describes a device for calculating a motor-vehicle service interval in which it is possible to precisely calculate a service interval and indicate the necessity of a vehicle inspection to the driver. This known device also makes it possible to extend the service interval thus calculated once by a defined time period or a defined vehicle mileage, i.e. to postpone the next time of inspection as long as an engine-oil addition process has taken place beforehand.
This conventional approach is obviously based on the realization that, although partial replacement of the spent engine oil does not bring about an optimum condition, it does nevertheless guarantee sufficiently reliable engine operation. Particularly in the transportation of goods over long distances by truck or lorry, it is thus still possible to make one or more urgent deliveries reliably before finally bringing the lorry concerned in for inspection. In other words, this automatic one-off extension of the normal service interval means that there is no need for the driver on a freight-hauling trip, for example one which takes him abroad, to feel obliged to carry out the necessary servicing work there and then, on illumination of the relevant warning light. On the contrary, the addition of engine oil or the partial replacement of the spent oil is sufficient to allow him or her to reach home base without difficulty. The step of adding engine oil thus evidently extends the expired service interval on a one-off basis by a defined period of time or a defined mileage, with the calculation of the service interval being based on the qualitative condition of the engine oil.
No account, however, is taken in the known device of the fact that the time at which the change interval determined for the operating fluid (e.g., engine oil) falls due does not in general coincide with the time at which other unit service intervals fall due, for example those service interval times for such units as the brakes, the gearbox, the steering, the suspension etc. As a result, service work in, for example, a vehicle is undertaken at different times, resulting in a plurality of out-of-service periods.
An object on which the present invention is based is therefore to provide a method in which the out-of-service period of the unit does not result from the qualitative condition of the operating fluid.
This object has been achieved in accordance with the present invention by a method and apparatus which operate such that the continuously calculated change interval is related to a specified unit service interval and, if the change interval expires before the service interval, a regeneration signal for removal of a quantity of the spent operating fluid and the replacement of said quantity with a fresh operating fluid is produced as a function of the difference therebetween.
The present invention is based primarily on the discovery that it is possible, by controlled quantitative removal of the regenerable operating fluid in dependence on its qualitative condition and its regeneration by replacing the quantity removed with fresh operating fluid, to extend the change interval thereby, on one hand, allowing the change interval for the operating fluid to be adapted to the service interval of the unit in order to minimize the out-of-service periods and, on the other hand, eliminating the need, in the case of disposal of used operating fluid in a manner contained within the unit, to change the operating fluid during the life of the unit.

Method and apparatus for determining and extending a change interval for an operating fluid of a unit


A solid-state (IC) regulated voltage supply compensated for effects of changes in temperature comprising first and second transistors operated at different current densities. Associated circuitry develops a voltage proportional to the .DELTA.V.sub.BE of the two transistors and having a positive temperature coefficient. This voltage is connected in series with the V.sub.BE voltage of one of the two transistors, having a negative temperature coefficient, to produce a resultant voltage with nearly zero temperature coefficient. A feedback circuit responsive to current flow through the two transistors automatically adjusts the base voltages to maintain a predetermined ratio of current density for the two transistors. Other embodiments provide higher-level DC outputs and compensation for base current flow.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to regulated DC voltage supplies. More particularly, this invention relates to solid-state (IC) regulators capable of maintaining a substantially constant DC output voltage in the face of temperature variations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional prior-art regulated voltage supplies commonly have included an internal reference source and an error amplifier arranged to compare the reference voltage with a pre-set fraction of the regulated DC output voltage. The output of the error amplifier is directed to a control element, such as a controllable impedance or the like, arranged to adjust the output DC voltage so as to maintain the two compared voltages equal. Fluctuations in the DC output voltage are thereby reduced.
In transistorized voltage-regulator circuits, the reference source typically has been a Zener diode. However, as is known in the art, Zener diodes have certain inherent characteristics which undesirably restrict the capability of a voltage regulator. An alternative type of solid-state regulator has been developed which does not use a Zener diode reference, relying instead on certain temperature-dependent characteristics of the base-to-emitter voltage (V.sub.BE) of a transistor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,859 discloses a circuit of the latter type which includes a diode-connected transistor operated at one current density, and a second transistor operated at a different current density. These two transistors are interconnected with associated circuitry so as to develop a voltage proportional to the difference in the respective base-to-emitter voltages (.DELTA.V.sub.BE). This difference voltage has a positive temperature-coefficient (TC), and is connected in series with the V.sub.BE voltage of a third transistor, having a negative TC, to produce a composite resultant voltage which serves as the output of the regulator. Since the temperature coefficients of the two individual voltages are of opposite sign, the output voltage can be made relatively insensitive to temperature variations by proper choice of certain parameters.
Although such regulators based on the V.sub.BE characteristic of transistors have significant advantages, the circuit arrangements proposed and used heretofore suffer from serious limitations. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a solid-state voltage regulator which avoids or significantly minimizes such limitations of prior art regulators.


Disclosed is an adsorber module, preferably of rectangular shape, for housing particulate adsorbent material. The module basically comprises an outer shell surrounding an inner shell, each made of a rigid, rectangular frame which retains foraminous sheets therebetween. Opposing walls of the outside and inside shells are spaced apart sufficiently for housing the particulant adsorbent material. One end of each shell is attached to a common end plate having an opening therein for effluent gas or vapor. The other end of the outer shell and the corresponding end of the inner shell are spaced-apart an appreciable distance to also accommodate particulate adsorbent material. The adsorber module can be adapted to form a sampler module containing independent sub-compartments which are not in mutual communication. The adsorbent in the independent sub-compartments can be removed separately to assay the extent of sorbable component adsorbed thereby to adjudge the useful life of the adsorbent material housed in said module and in an array of adsorber modules containing the sampler module.

The present invention relates to adsorption apparati and more specifically to a modular adsorber cell for housing particulate adsorbent material therein which prevents by-pass of gas or vapor flowing therethrough.
The removal of a sorbable component from a gas or vapor stream by flowing such stream through a body of adsorbent material is a fundamental engineering practice. In the removal of a gaseous radioactive material from the atmosphere of nuclear reactor installations or other facilities which handle gaseous streams containing radioactive materials, conventional commercial adsorber cells typically are of two distinct forms. The first form is known as a dual-pleated form which utilizes continuous perforated plates for containing the particulate adsorbent material. The second form consists of individual slab-shaped units which typically are constructed from two solid sidewalls attached to a top and a bottom perforated metal plate. Within this structure a pair of parallel, spaced-apart inner perforated plates are disposed by attachment to the two solid sidewalls which also support such inner perforated plates. Adsorbent material is packed in the two outer-defined compartments and is retained therein by suitably designed end plates. The gas or vapor stream containing the sorbable radioactive component to be removed is flowed from the exterior of the cell through the beds of particulate material and thence into the empty chamber formed by the two inner perforated plates which empty chamber is connected to an outlet header for removal of the cleaned stream.
The slab-shaped units suffer many disadvantages. Because the two inner plates extend completely to, and are joined to, the supportive solid sidewalls, there is by-passing or short circuiting of the contaminated gas stream along the surface of such sidewalls directly to the interior outlet chamber of the unit. Thus, some of the incoming stream is not sufficiently contacted by the adsorbent medium for removal of the sorbable component therefrom. Such by-passing or channeling of the gas stream results because the packing density of the particulate adsorbent material is much less against the smooth flat metal surface of the supportive sidewalls than the packing density of the particulate medium against itself. Accordingly, the gas flow path along the solid supportive sidewalls provides less resistance to the stream to be cleaned (a lower pressure drop) resulting in a significant portion of the gas stream following such path and by-passing the adsorbent material. A disadvantage from which both the slab-like and the dual-pleated units suffer is the necessity for all structural members of these units to be joined by seam welds to further reduce by-passing of the gas stream through the units. The use of seam welds to construct these units is an expensive manufacturing technique, especially when compared to use of other joining techniques such as, for example, spot welding, pop-riveting, and the like.
These and many other disadvantages inherent in prior adsorber units or cells are overcome by the specific design of the modular adsorber cell of the present invention.