Techniques are presented herein for computing angle-of-arrival estimates while switching antenna states during a packet unit for the general Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFMDA) case (including a single user). A wireless device computes channel estimates throughout the entire frame and not only during the training symbols. Consequently, the wireless device computes channel estimates for all antennas in its array within a single frame instead of having to wait for multiple frames.

In Angle of Arrival (AoA) or any location technology used to locate wireless device, it is desirable to reduce location error due to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and multipath in order to achieve more accurate location results. In AoA-based location techniques, raw data (from channel state information or raw in-phase/quadrature-phase samples) is converted into phase vectors that are supplied as input to the AoA-based location solution. The manner in which the phase vectors are converted and ultimately input into the AoA-based computation can significantly affect accuracy.
Phase estimates at the antennas of a circular or other geometric antenna array are used to estimate the incident direction of radio waves. In 802.11, it is convenient to use the channel estimate from packet reception in estimating this phase. However, using the channel estimate limits scalability since there is only 1 or 2 long training fields (LTFs) per PPDU. Therefore, in order to capture AoA estimates in a system with a switched antenna array, multiple PPDUs need to be sent to capture every antenna state. In order to decrease the number of PPDUs required, switching can occur during the PPDU, but the LTF cannot be the lone source of the channel estimate.
IEEE 802.11ax introduces Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), where client traffic no longer occupies the entire signal bandwidth. Instead, clients are allocated resource units (RUs) or subsets of the full signal spectrum and transmit or receive at the same time. OFDMA provides a way to vastly increase the scalability of AoA location by capturing the AoA estimate for many clients at the same time. However, obtaining the channel estimate on a per client basis while switching through the states of an antenna array presents challenges.

Channel estimation in OFDMA for switched antenna array based angle-of-arrival location


A remote engine starting apparatus is for installation in a vehicle for bypassing a theft-deterring start control circuit to permit remote starting of a vehicle engine. The theft-deterring start control circuit includes: an ignition switch for receiving a designated key having a preselected resistance, a first connector coupled to the ignition switch, a resistance sensing circuit portion for preventing starting of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed, and a second connector coupled to the resistance sensing circuit portion. The second connector is preferably matable with the first connector. The remote engine starting apparatus includes an interface device which, in turn, includes: a housing, a bypass circuit comprising a bypass resistor and a switching relay for selectively coupling the bypass resistor to the resistance sensing circuit portion to thereby enable starting of the vehicle engine without the designated key being in the ignition switch. Third and fourth connectors are coupled to the bypass circuit and are removably mated with the first and second connectors, respectively, of the theft-deterring start control circuit to facilitate installation and removal of the interface device. A receiver is operatively connected to the bypass circuit for coupling the bypass resistor to the resistor sensing circuit portion to enable engine starting responsive to receiving the remote engine starting signal from the remote transmitter.

Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle theft, prevent theft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and to protect vehicle owners and occupants. A typical automobile security system, for example, includes a central processor or controller connected to a plurality of vehicle sensors. The sensors, for example, may detect opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motion detectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differential pressure sensors, and switches may be used as sensors. In addition, radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.
The controller typically operates to give an alarm indication in the event of triggering of a vehicle sensor. The alarm indication may typically be a flashing of the lights and/or the sounding of the vehicle horn or a siren. In addition, the vehicle fuel supply and/or ignition power may be selectively disabled based upon an alarm condition.
A vehicle security system may be an aftermarket unit installed after manufacture and initial delivery of the vehicle. A vehicle security system may also be installed as original equipment during the manufacture of the vehicle. In addition, hybrid security systems may also be desirable where a user needs one or more additional functions or features that are not available with an original equipment security system alone.
At least one automobile manufacturer includes a theft-deterring circuit based upon use of designated ignition key having a preselected electrical resistance in a portion thereof. For example, the VATS and newer VATS II systems are used in certain General Motors vehicles to deter vehicle theft. The preselected resistance of the ignition key may typically be one of fifteen values, for example. A resistance sensing circuit portion measures the resistance of the key and will not permit starting and/or running of the vehicle engine unless the preselected resistance is sensed.
Unfortunately, the VATS systems may cause compatibility problems with aftermarket security or remote operating units, such as for remote starting of the vehicle engine. For example, one conventional approach to incorporating a remote start capability in a vehicle including a VATS theft-deterring circuit requires cutting the relatively small gauge wires of the ignition circuit and splicing interconnecting wires thereto. The interconnecting wires are coupled to a switching relay which selectively inserts the predetermined resistance into the ignition circuit thereby permitting remote starting of the vehicle, such as based upon a remote start signal received from a remote hand held transmitter. Remote starting may be desirable in warm or cold climates to allow the air conditioner or heater to operate to achieve a comfortable interior temperature. In addition, a remote start feature may be desirable in certain security related applications to remotely check for sabotage or tampering with the vehicle.
Significant disadvantages are presented by conventional cutting and splicing into the original equipment wiring. For example, considerable time and labor may be required, and the cutting and splicing also increases the chance of errors and may create longer term reliability problems. In addition, a vehicle manufacturer may typically discourage cutting of any original equipment wiring, such as to bypass a VATS system, by disclaiming warranty provisions if original equipment wires are severed.
An example of a remote starting aftermarket unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,584 to Cantrell and entitled "Remote Starter for Alarm System Equipped Vehicles". The patent discloses a switching relay and adjustable bypass resistor for interfacing with a VATS-equipped vehicle along the lines described above. The bypass resistance is provided by an adjustable potentiometer that may be difficult to adjust to the desired resistance. Moreover, a potentiometer may drift over time, thereby providing unreliable long term operation.

Vehicle engine start control apparatus including interface device facilitating installation and related method


Systems and methods for detecting a security threat over a network are provided. The system comprises a microphone configured to capture acoustic signals; a hardware interface configured to generate data samples from the acoustic signals; a memory storing a plurality of instructions; and a hardware processor configured to execute the instructions to: determine information indicative of a rate of intensity variation of the acoustic signals; and determine, based on the information, whether to transmit the data samples to a remote server. The hardware processor is also configured to, after determining to transmit the data samples to the remote server, generate data packets that include the data samples, and transmit the data packets to the remote server. The remote server can then reconstruct the data samples from the data packets and, if the data samples indicates a security threat, transmit a warning signal to a monitoring device.

Security systems typically collect data of the environment, analyze the data to detect a security threat, and then perform an action (e.g., generate an alarm) when a security threat is detected. For example, a home security system may include one or more cameras to collect images of different areas of a house (e.g., at the front door, at the windows, etc.). When an intruder breaks into the house, the intruder's action can be captured by the cameras. The images can then be transmitted to a processing center, where the images can be analyzed to determine that an intrusion has taken place. The images can be analyzed by human beings, by computers (e.g., by running a software program that compares the images against certain image patterns that are representative of intrusion), or by a combination of both. After determining that an intrusion has taken place, the processing center can then take certain measures, such as notifying the law enforcement, the home owner, etc., about the intrusion.
Besides image-based detection, security threats can also be detected based on acoustic signals (e.g., sound). For example, a rapid change in the intensity of acoustic signals collected from the interiors of a house may also indicate that an event that poses a security threat (e.g., a home intrusion) has occurred. For example, acoustic signals associated with various actions indicative of security threats, such as screaming, yelling, breaking of things, etc., typically include rapid change in the intensity. Therefore, a home security system may also detect security threats by detecting rapid change in the intensity of the acoustic signals collected from the interior of the house.
Compared with image-based detection, acoustics-based detection provides a number of advantages. For example, in a case where a home security system provides 24-hour non-stop monitoring, the capturing of acoustic signals can be less intrusive to occupants of the home than the capturing of images. Moreover, acoustic signals typically require less network bandwidth and computation resources for transmission and processing than image data. Therefore, acoustics-based detection has become an important component of home security systems, where network bandwidth and computation resources are typically more limited.
However, an acoustic-based detection system can still consume considerable amount of network bandwidth and computation resources, if the system transmits all of the collected sound data, continuously and indiscriminately, to the processing center.

Systems and methods for hierarchical acoustic detection of security threats


An isothermal reactor design uses interleaved layers of plate heat exchange elements to improve heat transfer in a radial flow arrangement that offers a simple and compact design for fluid flow and catalyst transfer.

Chemical reactions are routinely carried out by contacting one or more reactants with a catalyst at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. Ordinary reaction vessels heat or cool reactants before charging the reactants to a reaction zone to provide a suitable temperature for the reaction to occur. The reactions that occur are typically endothermic or exothermic in nature so that in order to achieve a suitable average temperature the reactants usually enter the reaction zone at a temperature above or below an optimal temperature for the reaction and/or leave the reaction zone at a temperature below or above an optimal temperature. The time that the reactants contact the catalyst at excessive or deficient temperatures negatively impacts the reaction. Negative impacts include catalyst activity losses and poor product selectivity.
Many prior art processes ameliorate the adverse temperature effects by dividing a reaction section into several separate zones to adjust the temperature of the reactants between zones by interstage heating or cooling. Interstage heating or cooling of the reactants between multiple reaction zones reduces the magnitude of the temperature variations but still does not completely solve the problems of excessive or deficient temperatures. In addition, some endothermic reactions would benefit from a rising temperature profile while passing through a catalyst bed. Interstage heating cannot provide a rising temperature profile for such endothermic reactions. Thus, chemical reactions can be carried out more effectively by maintaining a constant or increasing temperature profile for the entire time the reactants contact the catalyst.
The use of heat exchange elements within a catalyst bed are known to provide a more constant temperature for reactants in the catalyst bed. These heat exchanger reactors can maintain favorable reaction temperatures throughout a reaction zone. U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,472 depicts a bayonet tube arrangement for externally heating a reformer feed that passes through catalyst on the inside of the bayonet tube. U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,783 illustrates an arrangement for catalytic oxidation using multiple catalyst filled tubes immersed in a cooling fluid to control reaction temperatures. U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,432 discloses a reactor for the production of methanol having catalyst disposed in beds for contact with the reactants and cooling tubes passing through the beds for the removal of heat.
Although tubes are widely proposed to retain catalyst and reactants, or a heat exchange medium in heat exchange reactors, plate type heat exchange elements can provide greater and more effective heat exchange surface. U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,247 shows the use of cylindrical plates to form alternate annuli of heat exchange medium and catalyst in a heat exchanger reactor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,495 depicts a synthesis reactor for ammonia or ether production having adjacent elongate compartments alternately containing a heat carrier fluid and catalyst and reactants.
Similar to the arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,495, a layered construction of substantially parallel plate heat exchange elements provides an effective arrangement of channels. In such arrangements every other channel contains catalyst through which reactants pass while a heat transfer fluid passes through the channels that do not contain catalyst. These channels offer a highly efficient heat transfer arrangement for controlling catalyst and reactant temperatures in catalytic processes. Since most of the catalytic reaction processes operate at elevated pressures, cost effective containment of the reaction process relies on cylindrical pressure vessels to house the catalyst and heat exchange elements. The most productive forming processes for the plate heat exchange elements yield thin, corrugated heat exchange elements in the form of substantially flat plates. Using indirect heat exchange to maintain a temperature that remains constant or opposes the heat effects of the reaction requires narrow reactant channels.
Arranging a large number of thin heat exchange plates to create narrow heat exchange channels poses mechanical and processing problems. The reactant channels must provide enough surface area to compensate for the loss of temperature differential between the reactants and the heat exchange fluid at the heat exchange fluid outlet. In addition the reactants and the heat exchange fluid may have different pressures that impose a differential loading across the plates. The plate elements must withstand differential pressure without excessive distortion. However from a structural standpoint flat plate elements operate inefficiently to withstand the normal loading from pressure differentials. Without adequate support the differential pressure loading can deform the thin plates. Moreover indirectly heating or cooling reactants adds additional distribution and collection conduits that further compound the problems of providing incorporating thin plate heat exchange elements into a reactor.
It is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement of heat exchanger reactor internals having radial fluid flow through narrow channels that is simple to construct and overcomes the problems of plate support and conduit arrangement for the supply and withdrawal of both heat exchange medium and reactants.


A new cultivar of Agapanthus, ‘MDB001’, that is characterized by its white and blue bi-color flowers that are pendulous, its flower umbels that are large in size, and its compact plant habit with short and broad leaves.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus of hybrid origin and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, 'MDB001'. 'MDB001' represents a new perennial grown for landscape use.
The new cultivar was derived from a controlled breeding program by the Inventor in Hartebeespoort, Northwest Province, South Africa. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new cultivar of Agapanthus of medium stature with neat foliage and bi-color flowers. The Inventor made a cross in November of 2008 between unnamed proprietary plants of Agapanthus from the Inventor's breeding program as both the female parent and male parent. The Inventor selected 'MDB001' in November of 2010 as a single unique plant amongst the seedlings that resulted from the above cross.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by division by the Inventor in Hartebeespoort, Northwest Province, South Africa in January of 2012. Asexual propagation by division and tissue culture has determined that the characteristics of the new cultivar are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A system used for generating a transformed representation of a quantity of video data structured as a plurality of frames including arrays of rows and columns of pixels having pixel properties. The system may generate first representations of the video data based on a plurality of the rows; generate second representations of the video data based on a plurality of the columns; generate frame representations corresponding to the frames and based on the first and second representations; and combine the frame representations to form the transformed representation of the video data. The system may also generate frame representations respectively corresponding to the frames; combine the frame representations to form a transformed representation of the video data; analyze the transformed representation; and identify frames of interest based on the analysis.

Video monitoring devices receive streams of video data, or "feeds," from video cameras to monitor premises for various purposes, including, e.g., security monitoring, infant or elderly monitoring, videoconferencing, etc. A video feed may be constantly or periodically monitored by security personnel, and/or recorded for later review. However, content of the video feed may be redundant, especially in security monitoring or video surveillance, where the background remains unchanged. In addition, motion or an activity of interest may occur infrequently or at random and unpredictable times throughout the video. Such characteristics of video feeds may result in undesirably high cost and difficulty of monitoring and surveillance.
Automatic identification of frames of interest in video feed, such as those depicting motion or changes in video background, may decrease monitoring costs and improve the efficiency and sensitivity of monitoring by alerting or otherwise providing notice of significant events. For example, a motion event in the field of a video camera, such as a person entering a secure area, can trigger the monitoring system to begin transmission of a video feed from the camera, to begin recording the video feed, and/or otherwise alert security personnel of the potential intrusion. In another application, movement of a baby being monitored, or entry of a person into the baby's room can trigger the monitoring system to begin transmission of a video feed, begin recording the video feed, and/or alert the parents. The identification of motion or a change in the field of the video camera can also trigger a monitoring system, that is otherwise idle, to transition to an activated status so as to provide an alert or to begin recording.
In another application, automatic identification of frames of interest in recorded video data and generation of a summary representation may allow for improved analysis or editing of the recording. Rather than attempting to manually view the entire recording from start to finish, a summary representation of the recording may permit automatic identification of frames of interest in the recording, and allow a user to directly extract those frames, without the need to view the entire recording. Furthermore, analysis of the summary representation may permit a user to quickly jump to key segments of the recording. Automatic identification of frames of interest in video data may also be applied to virtual reality productions to create better videos, or permit interactive video editing.
Recently, small-sized, lightweight, portable smart video recorders have been developed to incorporate video summary and key frame extraction methods in various types of video analysis. These methods, however, require high computation capacity and complex algorithms. There remains a need for methods and apparatus for summarizing video data and identifying key frames in the data that can be readily implemented in portable video equipment to address the challenges discussed above.

Video fingerprint system and method thereof


A pourer (101) for simultaneously pouring a liquid from a container and mixing air into the liquid. The pourer comprises an elongated annular body (102) which defines an outer surface having a part (103) which is adapted to be fitted into an opening of the container. The annular body defines a longitudinally extending through-going channel (104) and has an air intake opening (106) extending transversely to the channel and penetrating the body, so as to allow air to be sucked into the channel when liquid is flowing from the container through the channel. The channel defines a contraction (105) near the air intake opening, so as to generate a low pressure in the area of the contraction when liquid is flowing through the channel and thereby assist in sucking air into the channel through the air intake opening. A screen (107) with perforations (108) may be provided inside the channel (104).

The present invention relates to a pourer for simultaneously pouring liquid from a container and mixing air into the liquid. In particular, the pourer may be used for simultaneously pouring wine from a bottle and decanting the wine.
Traditionally, wine is decanted by pouring wine from a bottle into a decanter, Typically, the decanter is placed on a table, and the wine is poured from a distance of approximately 10-20 cm above the top of the decanter, so as to oxide the wine on its way from the outlet of the bottle neck to the inlet of the decanter. A funnel comprising a filter arrangement for filtering lees or dregs from the wine is usually fitted on top of the decanter.
In order to facilitate pouring of wine out of the bottle and to prevent droplets of wine from being spilled when stopping or interrupting pouring, various wine pourers have been suggested in the prior art. One such wine pourer is known from Danish patent application No. 169 026.
Devices for controlling or dosing a liquid have also been suggested in the prior art. British patent No. 8229 dated 1894 shows an example of a pouring device for facilitating and controlling the pouring of liquids from bottles and like vessels. The device has a tube adapted to be secured in the mouth of a bottle and having a tapered discharging end to form a nozzle. The device further comprises a branch tube for admitting air to the bottle to which the device is applied, whereby when it is desired to stop the outflow of liquid, the mouth of the branch tube may be stopped by a finger, thereby preventing air from entering the bottle and consequently arresting the outflow of the liquid through the mouth of the tube.
It has been found that the prior art processes of mixing air into a liquid, in particular the above-mentioned process of decanting wine, are associated with difficulties. When pouring wine into the decanter, great attention is required in order not to spill wine when the wine is poured from a distance above the decanter. Moreover, usually the wine splashes when hitting the funnel/filter arrangement, the splashes thereby being likely to cause stains on a table on which the decanter is placed or on a table cloth covering the table. However, so far these drawbacks have been accepted as inevitable.
The inventive concept underlying the present invention is the provision of a pouring device capable of drawing air into the flow of liquid flowing through the device and mixing the air with the liquid within the device itself. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a pourer for simultaneously pouring a liquid from a container and mixing air into the liquid, comprising an elongated annular body defining an outer surface, at least part of which is adapted to be fitted into an opening of the container, the annular body defining a longitudinally extending through-going channel and having an air intake opening extending transversely to the channel and penetrating the body, so as to allow air to be sucked into the channel when liquid is flowing from the container through the channel, the channel defining a contraction near the air intake opening, so as to generate a low pressure in the area of the contraction when liquid is flowing through the channel and thereby assist in sucking air into the channel through the air intake opening.
The channel defining a contraction near the air intake opening is also referred to as a venturi-arrangement, wherein the flow velocity of liquid is increased in area of the contraction, thereby causing a pressure difference which is used for sucking air into the channel. The air intake is preferably arranged at a location in relation to the contraction substantially where the channel has its smallest cross-section. Immediately of the contraction, the channel preferably forms a diffuser-like increase in cross-section area.
When the pourer is used for wine, oxidation of the wine is achieved directly when pouring wine from, e.g., a bottle to a glass. Thereby, it is ensured that the wine keeps its full bouquet which, in a prior art decanting process, may be partly lost due to the fact that the wine is poured from the bottle to a decanter, and from the decanter to the glass. Moreover, the funnel/filter arrangement and the decanter which have been required for prior art decanting processes is no longer needed, thereby facilitating the decanting process and reducing the costs of equipment needed for a decanting process. Typically, the container is a wine bottle, the opening of the container being provided at the end of the bottle neck. The flow of liquid preferably occurs under the action of gravity when pouring liquid out of the container, e.g., when pouring wine out of a bottle.
Preferably, the pourer comprises means for mixing the liquid and the air and which may be defined in the channel downstream of the air intake opening. The means for mixing the liquid and the air may comprise one or more obstacles for the flow of liquid, arranged in the channel. Such obstacles may comprise a perforated screen extending across the channel and/or one or more lamellas. Perforations of varies sizes may be provided in order to obtain an improved mixing of air and liquid. A filter arrangement may further be provided, e.g., in the perforations of the screen.
At least the portion of the outer surface which is adapted to be fitted into the opening of the container may be conical, so that the annular body may be fitted into container openings of various diameters. At least part of the conical portion of the outer surface may be made from or coated with a soft material suitable of making up a seal at the opening of the container. Preferably, the soft material can be deformed to such an extent and/or has a surface friction which is sufficient to ensure that the annular body sticks to the container opening when gravity is acting on the body while pouring. The outer surface may further have a non-conical portion.
In order to prevent wine from being spilled when stopping pouring, the downstream end surface of the annular body may extend at an oblique angle in relation to the outer surface, so as to provide a sharp edge at the outlet end of the annular body. The outlet end of the annular body may be shaped so as to define a diffuser-like outlet of the channel, thereby further improving mixing of air into the liquid.
In a preferred embodiment, the pourer according of the invention has a conical end portion coated with a soft material for ensuring a seal between a wine bottle and the pourer. A contraction may be provided inside a tubular portion of the pourer, the contraction being formed as a venturi-system which causes an increase of the flow velocity, whereby air is sucked into the pourer through a hole in the venturi-pipe, so as to cause oxidation of the wine, a so-called decanting, the wine being divided by passing a strainer before it enters a funnel or diffuser.
The pourer may be a decanting pourer adapted to be arranged in the opening of a wine bottle, e.g., the neck of a wine bottle. The pourer may have a conical part and a tubular part, the outer surface of the conical part being coated with a soft material, so that the pourer may firmly seal at the bottle neck. The inner part of the conical part may have a tubular form, the tube having a contraction. The contraction may be provided with an opening for air-intake. The contraction and the air-intake may be arranged in relation to each other in such a way that, during pouring of wine, air is sucked into the pourer through the opening, when the velocity of the flow is increased due to the contraction. A filter may be provided inside the pourer where the conical part and the tubular part meet, the filter being arranged so as to assist in mixing the sucked air with the wine when the wine passes the filter. Lamellas may be provided inside the tubular part, the lamellas preferably being arranged in such a fashion that the flow direction of wine is forced to change when wine is poured.
In a second independent aspect, the present invention relates to a pourer for simultaneously pouring a liquid from a container and mixing air into the liquid, comprising an elongated annular body defining an outer surface, at least part of which is adapted to be fitted into an opening of the container, the annular body defining a through-going channel and having an air intake opening extending transversely to the channel and penetrating the body, so as to allow air to be sucked into the channel when liquid is flowing from the container through the channel, means for mixing the liquid and the air being defined in the channel downstream of the air intake opening.
The channel preferably defines a contraction near the air intake opening, so as to generate a low pressure in the area of the contraction when liquid is flowing through the channel and thereby assist in sucking air into the channel through the air intake opening.
Embodiments of the invention according to the second aspect may comprise any features described above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.

Pourer for simultaneously pouring liquid from a container and mixing air into the liquid


A solid phase synthesis system is provided by employing a fully automated robot that operates with a novel timing protocol for handling multiple synthetic tasks efficiently. The novel timing protocol is realized by performing steps in the synthesis cycles for different compounds, such as peptides, concurrently rather than on a sequential basis.

Systems for the synthesis of organic compounds, for example peptides, are highly desired for many applications. For example, the synthesis and collection of a large number of peptides would assist in the development of agents that could block, promote or otherwise affect cellular reactions that involve recognition and binding. These agents would be useful in the treatment or diagnosis of a number of diseases. More particularly, synthetic peptides can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
Understandably, peptide synthesis systems have been designed and constructed. Houghten. R. A., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci., 82: 5131-5135 (1985), employs a "tea bag" method using standard Boc amino acid resin in polypropylene mesh packets with standard washing, deprotection, neutralization, and coupling protocols of the original solid phase procedure of Merrifield, R. B., J. Amer. Chem Soc., 85: 2149-2154 (1963).
Although some peptide synthesis systems have been automated for the synthesis of multiple peptides, they generally exhibit poor "respite" time, unable to handle efficiently multiple synthetic tasks. For example, commercial peptide synthesis systems, such as those from Gilson, U.S.A. and Advanced Chem Tech, are capable of synthesizing multiple peptide sequences. However, these automated synthesis systems perform each step in the synthetic cycles for all peptides one by one or sequentially. The timing protocol, more specifically, involves washing all peptides one by one, deprotecting all peptides one by one and then coupling all peptides one by one. For example, coupling is initiated for a first peptide and then when those first initiation coupling steps are completed, coupling is initiated for a second peptide. Such a timing protocol results in an especially long delay or respite time between peptide synthesis steps. Washing all peptides one by one is time consuming. Moreover, during coupling, the system is idle while waiting for coupling to finish. With coupling taking up to 2 hours, the efficiency of prior art automated synthesis systems is severely limited.
Furthermore, prior art automated peptide synthesis systems critically lack flexibility. Once the synthesis of a peptide set has started, any additional peptides, even those urgently required, cannot be started. Furthermore, prior art systems lack the flexibility so as to execute more than one type of coupling reaction, which is typically required for the synthesis of non-peptide compounds.

Apparatus and method for multiple synthesis of organic compounds on polymer support


An electrolyte may be provided. The electrolyte may include at least one additive configured to decompose or evaporate at a temperature above approximately 100° C., and a water soluble metal salt, and the electrolyte may be free from carbon nanotubes. In various embodiments, a method of forming a metal layer may be provided: The method may include depositing a metal layer on a carrier using an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte may include at least one additive configured to decompose or evaporate at a temperature above approximately 100° C. and a water soluble metal salt, wherein the electrolyte is free from carbon nanotubes; and annealing the metal layer to form a metal layer comprising a plurality of pores. In various embodiments, a semiconductor device may be provided. The semiconductor device may include a metal layer including a plurality of pores, wherein the plurality of pores may be formed in the metal layer as remnants of an additive having resided in the plurality of pores and having at least partially decomposed or evaporated. To keep a high elasticity over a wide temperature range (up to 450° C.), an adhesion layer may stabilize the metal grain boundaries and may fix dislocation gliding inside metal grains. In various embodiments, a metal layer is provided. The metal layer may include a plurality of pores having ellipsoidal or spheroidal shape.

An electronic device, e.g. a modern power device, which may for example include a semiconductor chip, for example a silicon chip, may use one or more copper layers, e.g. thick copper layers for achieving a high current carrying capacity and/or for efficiently conducting heat away from the chip, or copper layers in a metallization layer, e.g. in a redistribution layer. A coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) may differ significantly between the semiconductor material, e.g. the silicon (CTE˜3 ppm/K), and the copper (CTE˜16 ppm/K). As a consequence, a change in temperature may lead to mechanical stress in the copper layer and/or in an interface between the copper layer and the semiconductor chip, leading eventually to a degradation of the Cu-layer. In addition, a barrier layer may be required for preventing a diffusion of metal, e.g. Cu, atoms into the semiconductor, for example into a sublayer of transistors. However, such a barrier layer may adhere rather weakly to the Cu layer. This may further aid in the degradation of the Cu layer, for example by increasing a probability for delamination of the Cu layer from the semiconductor (with the barrier layer), or for a cracking of Cu grain boundaries in the Cu layer. For this purpose to improve adhesion an additional adhesion liner is necessary.

Electrolyte, method of forming a copper layer and method of forming a chip


The improved sound absorbing material comprises an aluminum base expanded metal (or an aluminum base metal screen) which is laminated with an aluminum base metal foil (or a thin resin film), or additionally with an aluminum base metal fiber layer. The aluminum base metal foil (or thin resin film) has ruptures, which vibrate in the process of sound absorption to permit the sound absorbing material to exhibit excellent sound-absorbing characteristics over a broad frequency range. The improved sound absorbing material can be produced by a process which comprises the steps of preparing a laminate comprising the members described above and pressing the laminate so that the individual members are compressed together while forming ruptures in a regular pattern in the aluminum base metal foil (or thin resin film).

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to sound absorbing materials having excellent sound-absorbing characteristics.
2. Background Art
A host of sound absorbing materials are used to control noise in various locations such as music halls, gymnasiums, construction sites and tunnels. The sound absorbing materials used for noise control purposes are versatile and include felts such as glass wool, rock wool and sponge, soft porous materials such as foamed resins comprising open cells, membranous materials such as vinyl sheets, porous boards such as soft fibrous boards, porous sintered boards, metal fiber boards and foamed metal boards, and perforated plates such as punched metals. These sound absorbing materials have their own merits and demerits in terms of sound-absorbing characteristics, weatherability, cost and fabrication method and suitable types are used in accordance with the specific use of interest.
In order to attain improved overall performance including sound-absorbing characteristics, composite systems in which two or more of the sound absorbing materials described are combined by lamination or some other suitable methods have been used commercially. Some of these composite sound absorbing materials exhibit satisfactory performance in sound-absorbing characteristics and weatherability in certain applications.
One major disadvantage of the prior art sound absorbing materials is that the frequency bands in which they exhibit satisfactory sound absorbing characteristics are narrow and that the absorption coefficients that are actually achieved are by no means satisfactory.
With the recent demand for improving the living conditions of people, there has been a growing need for reducing the level of noise exposure both indoors and outdoors. Under these circumstances, it is desired to develop sound absorbing materials having excellent sound-absorbing characteristics.


This invention relates to a new process for the preparation of N-polythiodimorpholines wherein morpholine and elemental sulfur in an alcohol mixture are oxidized with an alkali metal hypohalite or an alkaline earth metal hypohalite or N-chloromorpholine to yield N-polythiodimorpholines. The process produces N-polythiodimorpholines without the use of corrosive or toxic chemicals and the product is an economical substitute for conventional rubber curatives.

N-polythiodimorpholines have found utility in the rubber industry as sulfur donors and vulcanization accelerators. Previous methods to prepare N-polythiodimorpholines have included adding sulfur to a solution of morpholine disulfide. The problem with this preparation is that the preparation of morpholine disulfide is expensive and cumbersome. Morpholine disulfide is prepared by the reaction of morpholine and sulfur monochloride in the presence of alkali in an organic solvent. M. C. Throdahl and M. W. Harman, Ind. Eng. Chem., 43, 421 (1951).
Another prior art methodology for the preparation of N-polythiodimorpholines involves the use of halopolysulfides and morpholine. This procedure uses the highly toxic and corrosive halopolysulfides, for example, chlorodisulfide and dichloropolysulfides.
There is a need in the rubber chemical industry for a new process that efficiently and economically produces N-polythiodimorpholines which does not require the use of expensive or dangerous starting materials.

Process for preparing N-polythiodimorpholines


The invention relates to a tandem mass spectrometer and a method for scanning daughter ion spectra which uses a quadrupole mass spectrometer for selection of parent ions and another one for the measurement of the daughter ions.

The invention relates to a tandem mass spectrometer and a method for scanning daughter ion spectra which uses a quadrupole mass spectrometer for selection of parent ions and another one for the measurement of the daughter ions.
The invention consists of not using a conventional third quadrupole filter as a collision cell for fragmentation of the parent ions but an ion guide system with helically coiled wires, especially in the form of a double helix, in which the ions can be completely decelerated and can be actively fed to the outlet aperture.
Quadrupole mass spectrometers can be traced back to Wolfgang Paul. In patent DE 944 900 (U.S. Pat. No. 2,939,952) by Paul and Steinwedel from the priority year 1953 both the quadrupole mass filter and the quadrupole ion trap are described. Knowledge of quadrupole mass spectrometry is assumed here.
Tandem mass spectrometry is the measurement of daughter ions in a second mass spectrometer, whereby the daughter ions are obtained from parent ions which are selected in a first mass spectrometer. Usually the daughter or fragment ions are generated in collisionally induced processes with gas molecules between the first and second mass spectrometer, but other types of fragmentation are also known for the parent ions.
Tandem mass spectrometry with quadrupole filters has been known for about 20 years (U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,791, C. G. Enke, R. A. Yost and J. D. Morrison; U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,582, J. B. French and P. H. Dawson) and normally uses a technique which is based on xe2x80x9ctriple quadrupolesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctriple quadsxe2x80x9d. The first quadrupole serves as a mass spectrometer for selection of the parent ions, the second quadrupole serves as a fragmentation chamber with injection of the selected parent ions into a collision gas, and the third quadrupole serves as a mass analyzer for the resulting daughter or fragment ions.
The first quadrupole mass spectrometer is operated at an RF voltage with superimposed DC voltage, so that a small mass range can be selected (or more precisely: a range for the mass-to-charge ratios which can solely be determined by mass spectrometry). The second quadrupole, on the other hand, is operated only at an RF voltage without any superimposed DC voltage so it only acts as a guidance system for the ions. The ions injected at approx. 20 to 30 electron Volts diffuse very strongly in the collision gas so the guidance system for the ions (also referred to as ion guide system) prevents ion losses. The third quadrupole is again operated with superimposed DC voltage, it filters out ions of a single mass (or rather of a single mass-to-charge ratio). By changing voltages the filtered mass can be altered and in this way an entire spectrum can be scanned across all the masses.
A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer has proved particularly successful for quantitative analysis of mixtures of substances, whereby the mixtures are separated by gas chromatography or liquid chromatography and are fed to the ion source of such a spectrometer. Since the substances are known in principle, it is not necessary to measure the daughter ion spectra entirely. One can leave the mass spectrometer set so that the first quadrupole mass spectrometer admits a characteristic ion of a substance, in the second quadrupole this then produces daughter ions, of which, however, in the third quadrupole again only a characteristic daughter ion is measured. For the measurement of this substance there is therefore no scan by the third quadrupole from mass to mass but both filters remain open constantly. This produces a high transmission for the ions and a high selectivity for the substance sought.
To improve the measuring accuracy from a quantitative aspect one can add a reference substance, preferably an isotope-marked derivative of the test substance; one then measures both substances at the same retention time. By simply switching over the two admission windows of the quadrupole filters for the two substances one can determine their ratio. Here too it is not the entire mass range which is scanned, there is only a switch to and fro between the two admission states.
There are also other highly interesting methods of operation for triple quadrupole mass spectrometers but these will not be discussed individually here.
The triple quadrupole mass spectrometers known nowadays still have, despite many years of development, considerable disadvantages which are to be found in the principle of the equipment. For triple quadrupole mass spectrometers there is a fundamental problem: if one increases the collision yield of daughter ions by increasing the collision gas density in the center quadrupole, one increases the velocity inhomogeneity of the daughter ions at the output from that quadrupole, which leads to inferior transmission when passing to the third quadrupole and to an inferior mass resolution in that quadrupole mass spectrometer. The rods of this analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer must therefore be very long in order to achieve better mass filtering with a long dwell time also for faster ions in that quadrupole field; the inferior transmission on passing to that quadrupole can, however, not be improved. Long quadrupole systems are also difficult and expensive to manufacture.
To solve this fundamental problem a method has become known (Sciex Inc., Thornhill, Canada), which keeps the collision gas density relatively low in the second quadrupole and simultaneously increases the fragmentation through excitation of the ion oscillations in that quadrupole with a resonance dipole alternating field for the parent ions perpendicular to the direction of ion flight. This can be performed with an additional alternating voltage across two opposite poles of the quadrupole. Due to this additional excitation the yield of daughter ions is improved but the fundamental problem of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer is not completely solved.
The six-dimensional space of spatial and pulse coordinates of particles is referred to as the xe2x80x9cphase spacexe2x80x9d. In an ion beam the spatial and pulse coordinates of all the ions fill out a certain part of the phase space and this part is referred to as the xe2x80x9cphase space volumexe2x80x9d. The fundamental problem of any triple quadrupole mass spectrometer is that in the collision quadrupole the phase space volume of the ions is increased and the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer can only efficiently separate ions of a small phase space volume. The mass resolution of a third quadrupole mass spectrometer therefore is quite essentially dependent on the spatial and velocity distribution of the injected ions.
According to the laws of physics a reduction in phase space volume cannot be achieved by ion-optical means but only by cooling the ion plasma of the ion beam, for example by cooling in a damping gas. Such cooling of the ions by a damping gas (at the expense of time) is, for instance, known from RF quadrupole ion traps. Cooling of the ions of the center quadrupole field fails, however, due to the fact that the ions require a residual forward velocity in order to reliably fly out of the field again.
It is the objective of this invention to find a device in which injected ions are not only fragmented but also cooled so that their phase space volume is reduced. It should then be possible to inject the ions as a fine beam with homogenous energy into a quadrupole mass spectrometer acting as an analyzer.
The invention consists of usingxe2x80x94for fragmentation of the parent ionsxe2x80x94an ion guide system with at least one helically coiled wire pair in which the motions of all the ions can be completely damped after their fragmentation due to a high gas density so that they practically come to rest in the gas and collect along the axis of the ion guide system. In such an ion guide system the ions must then be actively guided to the end of the ion guide system by an extra thrust, extracted there and be injected into the analyzing quadrupole mass spectrometer.
An ion guide system which is only comprised of one coiled pair of wires in the form of a double helix is particularly suitable.
Such an ion guide system in the form of a double helix is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,035. It is comprised of two wires coiled helically around the same axis which are connected to the two phases of an RF voltage supply. This double helix can take the form of a cylinder, but also that of a truncated cone or a trumpet, whereby the wall is created by the coils of wire. In that structure a pseudo potential is generated which drives the ions back to the wall when they approach. Along the axis there is a trough of this pseudo potential. The pseudo potential acts on positive and negative ions in the same way. The pseudo potential arises as a time integral over the attracting and repelling forces of the inhomogeneous electrical alternating field of forces on an oscillating particle in the vicinity of the wires. The pseudo potential of a double helix array can be made extremely high, much higher than is possible for ion guide systems made from pole rods.
A reduction in phase space volume particularly depends on matching the length of the ion guide system and the pressure of the damping gas to one another in such a way that the injected ionsxe2x80x94apart from thermal diffusion motionsxe2x80x94come to rest completely in the gas and thereby collect in the trough of the pseudo potential, that is, along the axis of the ion guide system. Since the ions come to rest in the gas it is necessary, by contrast with the previous use of ion guide systems, to actively drive the ions to the end of the ion guide system.
The ions must be injected into the ion guide system with a kinetic energy which is sufficient for collisionally induced fragmentation. The relatively slow guidance (in a few milliseconds) of the ions, which are then practically at rest, to the end of the ion guide system also helps to cool the daughter ions and cause short-lived, highly excited daughter ions to decompose. As a result a largely background noise-free daughter ion spectrum is obtained in the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer which is not contaminated by scattered ions from ion decompositions during flight in the quadrupole mass spectrometer.
Filling with gas can be accomplished by operating the ion guide system in a separate vacuum chamber, which is at a required pressure of between 0.01 and 100 Pascal (preferably between 0.1 and 10 Pascal), or by at least partially providing the ion guide system with an envelope so that only the envelope is filled with gas. The gas can then flow through the envelope and thus longitudinally through the double helix.
The active forward thrust of the damped ions can take place in several different ways: (1) The ions can be most simply driven forward by the admitted gas itself if the gas is admitted at the beginning of an envelope round the ion guide system and flows through the ion guide system to the end. (2) If the ion guide system is made conical the ions can be provided with a gentle forward thrust if the cone opens toward the ion outlet, which is not preferred here though. (3) The ion guide system can be provided with a weak axial DC field which guides the ions to the end of the guide system. For example, if the helical wires are each supplied with a DC voltage across both ends a voltage drop will be created along the axis of the ion guide system. It is expedient to make the wires of the double helix from resistance wire. A very weak field of only approx. 0.01 to 1 volt per centimeter (preferably about 0.1 V/cm) is sufficient to drive the ions forward.
Several forward thrust systems can also act simultaneously. If the ion guide system is, for instance, open in a conical shape toward the ion injection (quite definitely a very favorable case), a pseudo potential is created which weakly drives the ions back to the entrance. However, this effect can be overcompensated by an axial DC voltage field.
The ions which are located at the end of the double helix in a fine current thread can now be injected directly into the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer by keeping the axial potential of the downstream quadrupole mass spectrometer several volts below the axial potential of the double helix. However, this configuration is not particularly advantageous because it is expedient to operate the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer in its own chamber with a much better vacuum.
A drawing lens is an ion-optical lens which also imparts upon the ions an acceleration at the same time as focusing (or defocusing). Both sides of the lens are therefore at different potentials. This is different from a so-called Einzel lens, which only exercises a focusing (or defocusing) effect, but no acceleration; the Einzel lens thus always has the same potential on both sides. Drawing lenses and Einzel lenses are generally comprised of concentric apertured diaphragms at a fixed distance from one another. A drawing lens system is a system comprised of at least one ion-optical lens in which there is at least one drawing lens.
A drawing lens system can extract the ions from the ion guide system very efficiently if the potential of the second apertured diaphragm extends through the hole of the first apertured diaphragm into the ion guide system. The first apertured diaphragm is approximately at the axial potential of the ion guide. The hole in the second apertured diaphragm should favorably have a smaller diameter than the hole of the first apertured diaphragm. It is also favorable to design the last three diaphragms of a drawing lens system as an Einzel lens, which handles the required focusing.
Since in the ion guide system a gas pressure prevails which is intentionally damping the ion motions but a better vacuum has to prevail in the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer, it is useful for the two to be in separate vacuum chambers. Then it is expedient to integrate the apertured diaphragm of the drawing lens system with the smallest hole into the wall between the vacuum chambers with a gastight seal. The hole diameter can be approx. 0.5 millimeters. To maintain a good pressure differential it is helpful if the hole forms a small channel. Two apertured diaphragms of the drawing lens system can also be used to generate a differential pump stage by evacuating separately between those two apertured diaphragms.
In addition it is helpful for maintaining a good pressure in the analytical quadrupole mass spectrometer if in the ion guide system the pressure of the damping gas decreases toward the end. This can be achieved if the gas flows in at the beginning and if a pressure drop is created with openings in the envelope along the ion guide system.
Upstream of the ion guide system for ion fragmentation there is an ion selecting quadrupole mass spectrometer which, in turn, can be positioned in a separate vacuum chamber. Parent ions for generating daughter ions can be selected in various ways. Consequently one can select all isotopic ions of a substance with the same charge or only a single isotopic type (xe2x80x9cmonoisotopicxe2x80x9d ions). It is also possible to connect a drawing lens system, which can be used to accelerate the ions on the one hand and to separate the vacuum chambers on the other, between the selective quadrupole mass spectrometer and the ion guide system.

Tandem mass spectrometer comprising only two quadrupole filters


Disclosed herein are embodiments of compositions comprising polyols and cationic group-functionalized polyphenylene polymers suitable for use in electrochemical systems. The disclosed composition exhibit improved dispersion properties and further provide anion exchange polymer membranes exhibited improved chemical and mechanical properties. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the disclosed compositions.

Ion exchange polymer electrolyte membranes and their dispersions in liquid medium are used for membrane-based electrochemical systems, such as fuel cells and water electrolysis systems. Typically, electrochemical systems are categorized into acidic and alkaline systems based on their operating environments. Acidic electrochemical systems are operated under low pH and typically use a cation (or proton) exchange polymer electrolyte. In cation exchange polymer electrolytes, anionic functional groups (e.g., sulfonic acid group) are tethered in polymer backbones or polymer side chains to conduct protons. Alkaline electrochemical systems are operated under high pH and typically use an anion (or hydroxide) exchange polymer electrolyte. In anion exchange polymer electrolytes, cationic functional groups (e.g., quaternary ammonium groups) typically are tethered in polymer backbones or polymer side chains to conduct hydroxide ions.
Acidic membrane-based electrochemical energy systems are popular, primarily due to the commercial availability of perfluorosulfonic acid. The commercially available perfluorosulfonic acid polymers have good proton conductivity (˜100 mS/cm at 30° C.) as well as good chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability. The perfluorinated polymer electrolytes have significant advantages over hydrocarbon-based polymers due to their higher oxygen permeability, hydrophobicity, low catalyst poisoning, ideal three-phase interface, and ability to create a porous electrode structure. Such acidic systems, however, exhibit low efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction of the electrocatalysts. As a result, expensive platinum-based catalysts typically are required for good cell performance.
For alkaline electrochemical systems, no industrial standard anion exchange membranes and liquid dispersions are available. Cationic group-functionalized polyaromatic anion exchange membranes have potential for use in electrochemical energy systems, particularly alkaline systems, because of their conductivity, film formability and high chemical stability. However, these polyaromatic anion exchange membranes are not readily incorporated into typical solvents used for such systems, particularly alkaline electrochemical systems. There exists a need in the art for compositions that comprise cationic group-functionalized polyaromatic polymers and dispersion media that can be used in electrochemical systems, such as alkaline and acidic electrochemical systems.

Polyol-based compositions comprising cationic group-functionalized polyphenylene polymers


The present disclosure relates to a thermal trip compensation structure including a tripping bar having an ejector pin, a bimetal strip, a compensating component, a support for the compensating component, and an adjustment component. One end of the bimetal strip is connected with the support. The support receives and supports the compensating component. The adjustment component is capable of adjusting a position of the compensating component relative to the support. The compensating component has an inclined slant surface which is set in such a way that a gap between the inclined slant surface and the ejector pin of the tripping bar when the bimetal strip is deflected after the occurrence of short circuit is less than the gap between the inclined slant surface and the ejector pin of the tripping bar when the bimetal strip is not deflected before the occurrence of the short circuit.

The present disclosure relates to a thermal trip compensation structure, and particularly to a thermal trip compensation structure used after a short circuit test.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a bimetal strip 2 is subjected to large thermal deformation in a 15 A short-circuit test, so that it is fixed against a tripping bar 1. This will then cause the bimetal strip 2 to undergo plastic deformation. When returning to a normal temperature, the gap between the bimetal strip 2 and an ejector pin 1-1 of the tripping bar 1 will be larger than that before the test, so the thermal-tripping will have a greater requirement for deformation of the bimetal strip 2, and the tripping will also occur correspondingly late.
In addition, since a certain amount of contamination, such as metal particles, is ejected at the time of a short circuit, the coefficient of friction between the tripping bar 1 and a driving hammer is significantly increased, so that the tripping will also become more difficult.


According to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a colon cleaning system comprising: a working channel, a vacuum source, a separate vacuum pipe provided alongside the working channel, and a sensor positioned at a conduit connected externally to the working channel, the sensor configured for providing an indication related to pressure within at least a segment of the working channel. In some embodiments, the system comprises a controller configured for controlling one or more parameters of a vacuum induced in the separate vacuum pipe, the parameter determined according to the pressure related indication provided by the sensor.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an ancillary module usable with an endoscope and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a vacuum module external to a colonoscope, governed by indications related to pressure within at least a segment of the colonoscope.
Many existing systems for endoscopic exploration and treatment of the lower intestinal tract use an endoscope having working channels used to irrigate the colon and to extract fecal matter which obscures view of and access to the colon tissue. As the working channels of standard endoscopes are often too narrow to provide efficient evacuation of fecal matter, it is not unusual for such channels to become clogged with matter. Such clogging requires the physician or other practitioner to interrupt the procedure, retract the endoscope from its inserted position in the colon, and to purge or otherwise clean the working channel, and then reinsert the endoscope to continue the interrupted procedure.
Several piping systems external to a colonoscope have been disclosed in prior art, for example:
International Patent Publication No. WO2009/143201 A1 to Gordon et al. teaches "A method for enhancing performance of an endoscope (212) for use with a body lumen that has not been sufficiently cleaned for viewing with the endoscope (212), including assembling an endoscopic device (100, 400) to an endoscope (212), the endoscopic device (100, 400) including a washing member (201, 404) that provides a flow of cleaning fluid for cleaning a body lumen, and a suction member (206, 406) for draining material from the body lumen, and causing fluid to exit the washing member (201, 404) into the body lumen to clear debris away from a path of the endoscope (212) so that the endoscope (212) can view the exposed body lumen, and draining at least a portion of the debris through the suction member (206, 406)."
International Patent Publication No. WO2010/138521 A3 to Hirsch et al. teaches "An endoscopic system for use with an endoscope, including an irrigation tube that provides a flow of irrigation fluid for cleaning a body lumen, and a suction tube for sucking material from the body lumen, wherein the suction tube is connected to a branch connector and one branch of the branch connector is connected to a suction source tube which is connected to a suction source and another branch of the branch connector is connected to a vent tube, and wherein the suction source tube and the vent tube pass through a double pinch valve".
U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,795 to Oaki et al. teaches "A cleaning tube apparatus for an endoscope, comprises the endoscope having an observation optical system for observing a subject part at a forward-end portion, a cleaning tube detachable with respect to said endoscope, said cleaning tube being provided with a plurality of fluid jetting openings in a peripheral direction at one end of said cleaning tube, said fluid jetting openings being provided for leading cleaning fluid at least to said observation optical system, and a fluid supply unit connected to said cleaning tube, for supplying the cleaning fluid to said cleaning tube."

Ancillary vacuum module usable with an endoscope


An aircraft includes a cooling compartment and an evaporative chiller configured to cool the cooling compartment. The evaporative chiller includes a compressor, an evaporator having airflow to the cooling compartment, and a condenser. The condenser has an exhaust airflow to cool the condenser. The evaporative chiller has a condensate removal system removing condensate produced by the evaporator using the exhaust airflow of the condenser to discharge the condensate.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods of condensate removal from an aircraft cooling system.
Aircraft can include multiple galleys to store food and beverages on the aircraft. The food and beverages are typically stored in galley carts which are transported to the aircraft and stored in refrigerated compartments or zones in the galleys. A refrigeration system is provided to supply cooled air to the cooling compartments. The refrigeration system includes an evaporator that creates condensate during use. The galleys include a drainage system to drain the condensate from the refrigeration system. For example, the drainage system includes plumbing, such as pipes and valves, for controlling the drainage. Some systems use electrically controlled valves requiring a wire harness and control electronics and circuit breakers.
The various components of the drainage system add to the weight, cost and complexity of the refrigeration system. Additionally, the various components of the drainage system occupy valuable space in the galley, such as for routing the pipes, housing the valves and control electronics, and the like. The space occupied by the components is unavailable for storage of other items, such as stowage bins or standard containers, which may increase the overall footprint of the galley to handle all of the storage needs. Furthermore, the aircraft is limited as to where the refrigeration system may be positioned as the refrigeration system must be located in an area having access to plumbing for the drainage of the condensate.

Condensate removal system of an aircraft cooling system


A system and method for facilitating wireless transactions using a smart card, the system comprising a smart card configured to be coupled to a smart card carrier, the smart card comprising: one or more processors; a biometric sensor configured to capture a biometric image of a user requesting a new transaction involving the smart card; a memory for storing biometric data of an authorized user of the smart card; and a carrier interface configured to be coupled to a card interface of a smart card carrier, the smart card carrier comprising a housing having an opening configured to accept the smart card and a wireless transceiver configured to engage in a wireless communication with a wireless transaction terminal when the smart card is coupled to the smart card carrier.

Electronic transactions, such as credit card transactions, can be conducted using smart cards. A smart card is a card with embedded integrated circuits that include a processor and a memory. Smart cards can provide identification, authentication, data storage, and application processing, as well as serving as credit or ATM debit cards, phone or fuel cards, and high-security access-control cards for granting access to a building or computer. Smart cards can authenticate the identity of a user by employing a public key infrastructure (PKI). This authentication process may be conducted in a variety of ways, including through the use of a pin, password, or biometric authentication, or a combination of methods for added layers of security.
Smart card readers come in many different form factors and operate in many different ways. Some readers require insertion of the entire card into the reader. Others may allow a portion of the card to remain accessible by the user. These differences between smart card readers make it difficult to include additional layers of security, such as biometric authentication, because such features may be physically incompatible with the operation of the smart card reader.
Contactless transactions allow for the completion of transactions using smart cards wirelessly using near field communications (NFC) and RFID technologies. These contactless smart cards are built with compatible antennas inside the card. However, adding contactless capability increases the complexity of the smart card design and manufacture. In addition, such transactions may only be conducted using smart card readers designed for such transactions. Moreover, to provide a smart card with the capability to communicate over different wireless standards, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, would require a more complex and powerful transceiver within the card. This adds to the complexity of the card design through the need to include a greater number of computing components within the form factor of the card, including an on-board power source.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Smart card systems comprising a card and a carrier


An electrical connection element is formed by stamping a plate having a thickness. A contact surface is formed at an edge surface of an end portion of the electrical connection element. The end edge portion is bent toward both lateral sides of the plate to form the contact surface. The lateral edge portions are offset towards opposite sides of the plate, so that the width between the opposite lateral edges is about twice the thickness of the plate. This edge surface is flat and smooth. Therefore, if the round conductor of a ribbon tape contacts any portion of the contact surface, a good electrical contact is obtained. Thus, the electrical connection element for contacting the side surface of the round conductor of the ribbon wire can be produced from a thin plate material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a connector for connecting an electric ribbon wire comprising conductors having a round cross-section. Particularly, this invention is drawn to a connector having a smooth, flat, plate-like end portion, an edge of the end portion forming a contact surface, the end portion being bent toward both lateral sides of the connector.
2. Related Art
Electric tape or ribbon wire, in which conductors are often made very thin and are often arranged at a very small pitch, have been used as the internal wiring in household appliances such as VCRs, video cameras, office automation devices, and the like. This ribbon wire comprises electrical conductors, each comprising twisted wire elements, flat conductors, or single wire conductors having a round cross-section (hereinafter referred to as "round conductors"). A suitable ribbon wire is selected and used in accordance with an intended application.
For example, in the electric ribbon wire 4 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of round conductors 41 each have a diameter d of 0.12 mm. The conductors 41 are arranged in a parallel relation at a pitch D of 0.8 mm. The conductors 41 are covered at their opposite sides by a flexible insulating sheath 42 to provide a ribbon-like, one-piece construction. The insulating sheath 42 is removed from one side of one end of the ribbon wire to expose a portion 43 of the conductors 41. This exposes the side surfaces of the conductors 41. The exposed portion 43 is inserted into a connector which collectively connects the plurality of conductors arranged at the narrow pitch D to a plurality of electrical connection elements arranged within the housing 1.
One conventional electrical connection element (not shown) is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No. 3-46976, in which one end portion of the plate-like element, which has a width corresponding to the pitch of conductors, is bent at an acute angle. The end portion is resilient and acts as a leaf spring. This end portion is urged into contact with the conductor inserted into the housing.
FIG. 8 shows an electrical connection element 51 disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 61-131382. The connection element 51 is formed by stamping a plate material, and has an end edge surface (i.e., the surface in the direction of the thickness of the plate) which acts as a contact surface 56. This electrical connection element 51 includes a pair of generally parallel, opposed arms 52 and 53, which are formed into a U-shape. The exposed front end portion of the ribbon wire 4 is inserted into the space between the two arms 52 and 53. A prong 55 of a retainer 54 is used to force the contact surface 56 of the arm 53 into contact with the exposed portion 43 of the conductor 41.
However, with respect to the first above-mentioned conventional electrical connection elements, the pitch D of the conductors is approximately 0.8 mm. Therefore, it is very difficult to produce the leaf spring corresponding to this narrow pitch. Additionally, this electrical connection element is normally not used with a single round conductor. It is possible that the round conductor may be severed by a distal edge of the electrical connection element. Thus, this first conventional electrical connection element has been limited to twisted wire element applications, and has not been suitable for a ribbon wire having round conductors.
The second above-mentioned electrical connection element can be used with a ribbon wire having round conductors. However, since the narrow contact surface 56 must be brought into contact with the thin conductor along its length, the contact surface 56 must be accurately aligned with the exposed conductor. Therefore, if there is a slight manufacturing or assembling error, or if the exposed conductor is bent to the right or to the left, even slightly, the conductor 41 is offset from the electrical connection element 51, as shown in FIG. 9.
As a result, a stable contact cannot be obtained. In the worst case, a contact failure occurs. This can be avoided by making the electrical connection element from a plate having a greater thickness, as shown in FIG. 9, so that the contact surface 56 has a larger width. With this arrangement, however, each connection element-receiving slot of the housing for receiving the electrical connection element 51 must be increased in width. In other words, partition walls of the housing must be reduced in thickness. This makes molding the housing difficult. This also makes it difficult to manufacture the housing having sufficient strength.

Electrical connection element of connector for electric ribbon wire


The present invention is an RF tag having a non laminated coating for protecting the semiconductor chip, antenna, and chip antenna connections, and methods for applying the non-laminated coating.

RF Tags can be used in a multiplicity of ways for locating and identifying accompanying objects, items, animals, and people, whether these objects, items, animals, and people are stationary or mobile, and transmitting information about the state of the of the objects, items, animals, and people. It has been known since the early 60's in U.S. Pat. No. 3,098,971 by R. M. Richardson, that electronic components on a transponder could be powered by radio frequency (RF) power sent by a "base station" at a carrier frequency and received by an antenna on the tag. The signal picked up by the tag antenna induces an alternating current in the antenna which can be rectified by an RF diode and the rectified current can be used for a power supply for the electronic components. The tag antenna loading is changed by something that was to be measured, for example a microphone resistance in the cited patent. The oscillating current induced in the tag antenna from the incoming RF energy would thus be changed, and the change in the oscillating current led to a change in the RF power radiated from the tag antenna. This change in the radiated power from the tag antenna could be picked up by the base station antenna and thus the microphone would in effect broadcast power without itself having a self contained power supply. In the cited patent, the antenna current also oscillates at a harmonic of the carrier frequency because the diode current contains a doubled frequency component, and this frequency can be picked up and sorted out from the carrier frequency much more easily than if it were merely reflected. Since this type of tag carries no power supply of its own, it is called a "passive" tag to distinguish it from an active tag containing a battery. The battery supplies energy to run the active tag electronics, but not to broadcast the information from the tag antenna. An active tag also changes the loading on the tag antenna for the purpose of transmitting information to the base station.
The "rebroadcast" or "reflection" of the incoming RF energy at the carrier frequency is conventionally called "back scattering", even though the tag broadcasts the energy in a pattern determined solely by the tag antenna and most of the energy may not be directed "back" to the transmitting antenna.
In the 70's, suggestions to use tags with logic and read/write memories were made. In this way, the tag could not only be used to measure some characteristic, for example the temperature of an animal in U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,632 to Baldwin et. al., but could also identify the animal. The antenna load was changed by use of a transistor. A transistor switch also changed the loading of the transponder in U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,907 by A. Koelle.
Prior art tags have used electronic logic and memory circuits and receiver circuits and modulator circuits for receiving information from the base station and for sending information from the tag to the base station.
The continuing march of semiconductor technology to smaller, faster, and less power hungry has allowed enormous increases of function and enormous drop of cost of such tags. Presently available research and development technology will also allow new function and different products in communications technology.
Prior art tags have generally been made from discrete components mounted on printed circuit boards. The antennas have been formed by etching material from the copper of the printed circuit board. Some prior art tags have been formed from mounting the silicon chips and bonded antennas on flexible plastic substrates. The components, antenna wire, and connections must be protected from the environment in all cases. Some prior art tags mounted on flexible substrates are protected by laminating a cover on to the flexible substrate to make a hermetic seal. Such sealing methods are unsatisfactory, as the seal may be broken if the tag is bent or abraded in use. In addition, the extra material for the lamination is expensive.

Non-laminated coating for radio frequency transponder (RF tag)


An image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member; an electrifying unit for electrifying the image bearing member at a contact portion in order to form an electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a voltage, in which a direct-current voltage and an alternating-current voltage are superimposed on each other, being applied to the electrifying unit; and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic image on the image bearing member using toner; where after a toner image on the image bearing member is transferred onto a transferring medium, residual toner residing on the image bearing member is carried to the contact portion in accordance with rotation of the image bearing member, and a peak to peak voltage of the alternating-current voltage applied to the electrifying unit in order to discharge the residual toner adhering to the electrifying unit to the image bearing member during a certain period of non-image forming is set so as to be higher than a peak to peak voltage applied during image forming.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that uses an electrophotographic system, and more particularly relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, that uses an electrophotographic system generally includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) functioning as an image bearing member that is of rotary drum type, an electrifying device that performs electrification processing so that the photosensitive member is uniformly electrified to have a predetermined polarity and potential, an exposing apparatus functioning as an information writing means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member subjected to the electrification processing, a developing apparatus that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member as a developer image (toner image) using toner functioning as developer, a transferring apparatus that transfers the toner image from the surface of the photosensitive member to a recording material such as paper, a cleaning device that cleans the photosensitive member surface by removing toner (residual developer, transfer residual toner) residing on the photosensitive member after a transferring step although the amount of the residing toner is small, and a fixing apparatus that fixes the toner image on the recording material. The photosensitive member is repeatedly subjected to an electrophotographic process (an electrifying step, an exposing step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a cleaning step) and is used to perform image forming.
Toner residing on the photosensitive member after the transferring step is removed from the surface of the photosensitive member by the cleaning device, is accumulated in the cleaning device, and becomes waste toner. However, from the viewpoint of environmental protection and effective use of resources, it is preferred that the generation of such waste toner is prevented.
Accordingly, there is used an image forming apparatus that returns transfer residual toner (so-called waste toner) collected by the cleaning device to the developing apparatus for reuse.
Also, there is used an image forming apparatus using a cleanerless system that, without using any cleaning device, reuses the transfer residual toner residing on the photosensitive member after the transferring step by removing and recovering the toner from the photosensitive member by performing a "cleaning-simultaneous-with-developing" operation at the developing apparatus.
By performing the cleaning-simultaneous-with-developing operation, the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member after the transferring step is recovered at the developing apparatus during the following developing steps. That is, this is a method with which the photosensitive member, onto which the transfer residual toner adheres, is continuously charged and exposed during the formation of an electrostatic latent image. In a step for developing this electrostatic latent image, there is applied a fog removal bias (fog removing potential difference Vback that is a potential difference between a direct-current voltage applied to the developing apparatus and the potential of the surface of the photosensitive member). As a result, residual toner on the photosensitive member surface that exists on each portion (non-image portion) that should not be developed is removed and recovered at the developing apparatus.
With this system, the transfer residual toner is recovered at the developing apparatus and is reused for the developing of an electrostatic latent image in the following steps. Consequently, it becomes possible to prevent the generation of waste toner and also to reduce the burden during maintenance work. Also, there is not used any cleaner, so that this system is advantageous when an image forming apparatus is miniaturized.
In an image forming apparatus that uses the cleanerless system adopting the cleaning-simultaneous-with-developing method described above, in the case where a contact electrifying device that electrifies the surface of the photosensitive member while being abutted against the photosensitive member is used as an electrifying device, there is a case where toner, out of transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member, that has an electrification polarity reversed to a polarity opposite to a normal polarity adheres to the contact electrifying device while the transfer residual toner is passing through a contact nip portion (electrifying portion) between the photosensitive member and the contact electrifying device. As a result, this phenomenon may cause a situation where the contact electrifying device is polluted with toner at a level exceeding a permissible level and becomes a cause of poor electrification.
That is, toner having an electrification polarity that is inherently reversed to a polarity opposite to the normal polarity coexists in toner functioning as developer although the amount of such toner is small. Also, even among toner whose electrification polarity is the normal polarity, there exists toner, whose electrification polarity is reversed as a result of the influence of a transferring bias or separation discharge, or toner whose electric charge amount is reduced as a result of diselectrification.
As a result, the transfer residual toner contains toner whose electrification polarity is the normal polarity, toner whose electrification polarity is reversed to the opposite polarity, and toner whose electric charge amount is small. The reversed toner and toner with a small electric charge amount in the transfer residual toner tend to adhere to the contact electrifying device while passing through the contact nip portion (electrifying portion) between the photosensitive member and the contact electrifying device.
Also, in order to remove and recover the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member through the cleaning-simultaneous-with-developing operation, it is required that the electrification polarity of the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member that passes through the electrifying portion and is carried to the developing portion is the normal polarity and its electric charge amount is the electrification amount of toner that is possible to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by the developing apparatus. It is impossible to remove and recover the reversed toner or the toner having an inappropriate electric charge amount from the photosensitive member into the developing apparatus, so that there is a fear that such toner becomes a cause of faulty images.
Even if transfer residual toner that exists on the photosensitive drum and is carried from the transferring portion to the electrifying portion contains toner having an electrification polarity that is the normal polarity, toner having an opposite polarity, and toner having a small electric charge amount, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the transfer residual toner to the contact electrifying device by aligning the electrification polarities of the toner with the normal polarity through electrification to the normal polarity and unifying the electric charge amounts of the toner using a toner electrification amount control means.
However, the transfer residual toner electrified by the toner electrification amount control means for the sake of preventing the toner adhesion to the contact electrifying device has an electric charge amount that is larger than that of toner that is capable of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, so that it is difficult to remove and recover the transfer residual toner through the cleaning-simultaneous-with-cleaning operation at the developing apparatus. Consequently, there is a fear that faulty images are generated because the toner residing on the photosensitive member is superimposed on the next image.
In view of this problem, conventionally, a toner electrification amount control means for electrifying the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member is provided at a position that is on the upstream side of the contact electrifying device and on the downstream side of the transferring means in a direction in which the photosensitive member moves. In addition, a transfer residual toner unifying means that unifies the transfer residual toner is provided at a position that is on the upstream side of the toner electrification amount control means and on the downstream side of the transferring means. By applying constant direct-current voltages to these toner electrification amount control means and the transfer residual toner unifying means, there is solved the problem described above.
That is, the residual toner residing on the photosensitive member after the transferring is unified by the transfer residual toner unifying means and the unified transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member is electrified to have the normal polarity by the toner electrification amount control means. Following this, simultaneously with the electrification of the surface of the photosensitive member by the contact electrifying device, the transfer residual toner electrified by the toner electrification amount control means is electrified to have an electric charge amount that is proper for the removal and recovery by the cleaning-simultaneous-with-developing operation at the developing apparatus. In this manner, the transfer residual toner is recovered at the developing apparatus.
However, in accordance with the diversification of user's needs in recent years, there occurs a case where a large quantity of transfer residual toner is generated at a time as a result of an operation for successively forming images, such as photographic images, having high printing ratios (image ratios or coverage ratios), a system that performs multiplex developing on a photosensitive member in an image forming apparatus that is capable of forming a color image, and the like.
In this case, there occurs the adhesion of the transfer residual toner to the contact electrifying device and the following rotation of the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member due to the poor removal and recovery in the developing apparatus. As a result, there is a case where faulty images are generated due to poor electrification and the like.

Image forming apparatus with settable peak to peak voltages applied to image bearing member


A paint composition comprises a carrier material, a plurality of ambient light absorbing pigment particles dispersed in the carrier material comprising a component that absorbs predetermined visible wavelengths, and a plurality of fluorescent pigment particles dispersed in the carrier material, wherein the fluorescent pigment particles emit a first color and the paint composition emits a second color different from the first color when illuminated by an ultraviolet light source. The paint composition can act as a video projection surface with usable screen gain.

In many fields, it is desirable to have paint that appears as one color under a first light source and appears as a second color under a second light source. For example, star fields (such as those in planetariums and amusement park rides) ideally use a black background on which the star field can be projected. However, black backgrounds typically provide little to no screen gain, making projected star fields difficult to see. Screen gain measures the reflectivity of a screen or surface, normalized to a standard white (magnesium oxide) board. Screens with a screen gain of 1.0 have the same reflectivity as the standard, screens with a screen gain of less than 1.0 have lower reflectivity than the standard board, and screens with a screen gain of greater than 1.0 have a reflectivity that is greater than the standard board. Non-black backgrounds (such as grey) can be used in order to enhance the brightness of the projected stars by providing surfaces with higher screen gain than typical black backgrounds. However, non-black backgrounds may be perceptible to observers, thus destroying the illusion of a realistic star field with indeterminate depth.
Fluorescent paints have been used to create backgrounds of various colors. Many traditional fluorescent paints require a two-step application process. For example, a base coat having the desired base color is applied to a surface or substrate first. A second coat, comprising a colorless carrier material as well as the fluorescent pigment is then applied on top of the base coat. When the fluorescent pigment is not fluorescing, light merely passes through the colorless carrier material and is reflected outwardly by the base coat. When the fluorescent pigments are fluorescing, the light is absorbed by the fluorescent pigment within the colorless carrier material and then emitted outwardly through the colorless carrier material. Such two-step application processes are time consuming to apply when a relatively large area (e.g. thousands of square feet) must be painted.
Alternative methods of producing star fields include tiling display, such as LED screens, or routing fiber optic cable to holes in a black surface. However, the number of display screens required is typically cost prohibitive, and routing the fiber optic cable is highly labor intensive and results in a completely static star field, thus limiting the display options. Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive way to provide a black background on which a bright, clear star field may be projected.


A vehicle body front structure and an impact absorbing method thereof, in which an impact force applied to front side members is efficiently absorbed by an intended deformation of a reinforcing member. A part of the impact force applied to the front side members (12) is received by supporting forces in axial directions of a dash cross member (20) and a pillar brace (22). A recess (24) is provided in the dash cross member (20) in the portion thereof connected with the front side member (12). A recess (26) is provided in the pillar brace (22) in the portion thereof connected with the front side member (12). Due to the dash cross member (20) and the pillar brace (22) compressively deforming in the axial directions starting at these recesses (24), (26), the dash cross member (20) and the pillar brace (22) absorb impact force which is applied to the front side members (12) from the front of the vehicle.

The structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-15510 is known as an example of a conventional vehicle body front structure at rear portions of front side members.
As illustrated in FIG. 29, in this vehicle body front structure, a cowl 70 of a vehicle body is locally expanded in a truncated pyramid shape to thereby form a base body 72 having a stable configuration and a large supporting capacity. Further, a front side member 74 is bifurcated by a bifurcating beam 76 fitted thereon before contacting the base body 72 having a stable configuration. At this time, a total of three arms 78, 80, 82 are formed. These arms surround at least one portion of the base body 72 having a stable configuration, so as to introduce the generated force proportionally. Further, the arm 78 ends in an inner tunnel wall 86 within the range of a longitudinal central axis 84 of the vehicle, and the arm 80 is supported on a front pillar 88. Further, the other arm 82 is obtained by extending the front side member 74, and is joined to a lower portion floor 92 and extends up to a sill 94 without interrupting transmission of a force.
Consequently, the impact force on the front side member 74 is supported by the inner tunnel wall 86, the front pillar 88 and the sill 94, which serve as frame members, via the three arms 78, 80, 82.
However, in this vehicle body front structure, the front side member 74 is crushed to absorb the impact force at the time of a collision, while the three arms 78, 80, 82 suppress the deformation of the vehicle compartment without having the intended impact-absorbing function.
A technique relating to the present invention is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-170139 which discloses a vehicle body front structure in which, when a vehicle traveling forward collides, deformation proceeds successively from the front portion toward the rear portion of the vehicle body, and as the deformation proceeds toward the rear portion, the amount of impact energy absorbed increases.

Front structure of car body, and method of absorbing impact by means of the front structure