Systems and methods are provided to collect biometrically-verified actigraphy data, comprising: obtaining and processing a subject's measured biometric input from a biometric sensor to generate a current biometric signature of the subject; verifying the subject's identity by comparing the current biometric signature to one previously obtained from a database and evaluating a proximity metric of the current biometric signature of the subject to the previously obtained biometric signature from the database; if the subject passes identity verification, obtaining actigraphy data from an actigraphy sensor worn by the subject; at one or more times while obtaining the actigraphy data, repeating the steps of obtaining and processing a subject's measured biometric input from a biometric sensor to generate a current biometric signature of the subject, and verifying the identity of the subject to ensure that the identity of the subject passes the identity verification at the one or more times.

Actigraphy devices measure gross motor activity of a body by deploying motion sensors that may be worn in a variety of places and that may include a wrist (in a watch-like device), leg, shoulder, chest, or some other part of the body. Actigraphy data may be analyzed to determine rest and activity patterns of a person (in this description, the "subject") wearing, or otherwise being sensed by, the device. For example, actigraphy data can be analyzed to evaluate insomnia, to identify restless legs syndrome, to determine levels of daytime physical activity, to assess treatments for sleep disorders, and for other purposes. The determination of sleep timing obtained from actigraphy data may be useful for additional purposes such as assessing whether a subject is receiving enough sleep and estimating at which times the subject is most likely to be subject to the highest risk for fatigue-related incidents.
In certain industries, or for clinical purposes, there may be a desire to collect actigraphy data for a specific subject. By way of non-limiting example, in the trucking industry, actigraphy data may be used to ensure that truck drivers are receiving an adequate amount of sleep. One potential problem with collecting data without oversight of a laboratory environment is that the people on whom such data is being collected may transfer the device, whether mistakenly or intentionally, to another individual thereby corrupting the process of accurate data collection. For example, if a truck driver anticipates receiving less sleep than is necessary for demonstrating readiness for work, he may ask another person that maintains a normal sleep schedule to wear the data-collection device. If the only data collected is actigraphy data, it may be difficult to determine whether the subject that wore the device during a data-collection period was the intended subject.
There is a general desire to collect sleep history information that is accurate and can be reliably associated with a specific subject in a manner that is more robust that using only self-reported subject identity.

Systems and methods for collecting biometrically verified actigraphy data


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory has active regions that form parallel strips extending in a first direction in a semiconductor substrate. Each active region has source areas, drain areas, and channel areas for a series of memory cells. Floating gates are formed over the channel areas, and control gates over the floating gates. The upper surfaces of the control gates and the sides of the control gates and floating gates are covered by insulating films. Source interconnecting lines made of a conductive material are formed as parallel strips extending in a second direction different from the first direction on the semiconductor substrate, interconnecting the source areas of the memory cells.

This invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, more particularly to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory having uniform program and erase characteristics and capable of high-density integration.
Nonvolatile reprogrammable semiconductor memories such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and a flash memory are ideal for storing data that only occasionally need to be modified, because they can retain the data while power is off. Memories of this type are used in many computing devices and systems.
FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the memory cell structure of a conventional reprogrammable nonvolatile memory. The semiconductor substrate 11 comprises crystalline silicon. A floating gate 13 disposed above the substrate 11, a control gate 15 disposed above the floating gate 13, and a source area 17 and drain area 19, which are formed by doping the substrate 11 on either side of the gates 13 and 15 with impurities, are the principal elements of a memory cell 21. These elements form a field-effect transistor with an active region comprising the source area 17, the drain area 19, and a channel 22 disposed in the substrate 11 between the source and drain areas. These elements are covered by an insulating film 23, in which a contact hole 25 is opened to permit a metal interconnecting line 27 (a bit line) to make contact with the drain area 19. The source and drain areas 17 and 19 of the memory cell 21 are shared with other memory cells adjacent in a first direction, which will be marked as the y-direction in the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of several memory cells in a conventional nonvolatile memory, using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 corresponds to a section through the line I--I. The y-direction is vertical in FIG. 2; the perpendicular direction (now horizontal) is denoted the x-direction. It can be seen that the source areas 17 extend in the x-direction so as to interconnect all memory cells disposed in the same horizontal row. The control gates 15 are also interconnected in the x-direction, forming word lines. The floating gates 13 (hatched) are not interconnected.
FIG. 3 is a simplified plan view from which the gates, word lines, and bit lines have been removed to show the shape of the active region 31. Due to the sharing of source and drain areas between adjacent memory cells in the y-direction, and the extensions of the source areas in the x-direction, the active region 31 has the general form of a rectilinear grid. In areas not occupied by the active region 31, the surface of the substrate is oxidized to create insulating field areas 33.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the source areas 17 are held at a constant electrical potential by means of metal source lines 35 that run parallel to the bit lines 27 in the y-direction. Each metal source line 35 makes contact with the source areas 17 in the substrate through contact holes 37 which are opened in the insulating layer 23 shown in FIG. 1. One metal source line 35 is provided for every m bit lines 27, where m is a positive integer. For example, one metal source line 35 may be provided per sixteen bit lines 27.
One problem with the conventional memory structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is that the source resistance of a memory cell varies depending on its distance from the metal source lines 35. If there is one metal source line 35 for every sixteen bit lines 27, for example, the eighth memory cell from a metal source line 35 has a higher source resistance than a memory cell disposed adjacent to a metal source line 35.
The source resistance can become quite substantial. For example, if the x-pitch of the memory cells is 2.0 .mu.m (indicated by the capital letter X in FIG. 2), the width (in the y-direction) of the source areas 17 is 0.5 .mu.m, and the sheet resistivity of the source areas is 50 .OMEGA., then the source resistance of the eighth memory cell, disposed midway between two metal source lines, is (50.times.2.0.times.8/0.5)/2=800 .OMEGA.. The final division by two in this formula takes account of the parallel electrical paths to two metal source lines 35.
A high source resistance degrades programming and erasing characteristics, i.e. it takes longer to program and erase the memory cells. The large variation in source resistance from one cell to another furthermore makes it difficult to program and erase the cells accurately, increasing the risk of overprogramming and overerasing.
Another problem is that providing metal source lines 35 every m bit lines increases the effective x-pitch of the memory cells by a factor of (m+1)/m, which is a disadvantage from the standpoint of integration density.
Impediments to dense integration also exist in the y-direction. The y-pitch of the memory cells, indicated by the capital letter Y in FIG. 2, is the sum of five quantities: Y.sub.1 (one-half the y-dimension of the source area 17); Y.sub.2 (the gap between the gates 13 and 15 and the active region 31); Y.sub.3 (the gate length); Y.sub.4 (the gap between the gates 13 and 15 and the contact hole 25); and Y.sub.5 (one-half the y-dimension of the contact hole 25). The gap Y.sub.2 is needed to ensure that the floating gates 13 and control gates 15 cross the active regions 31 only in the channel areas of the memory cells, and do not overlap the extensions of the source areas 17 in the x-direction. The need for the gap Y.sub.4 is apparent from FIG. 1; it keeps the gates from being short-circuited to the bit lines. Both gaps Y.sub.2 and Y.sub.4 must be big enough to allow a mask overlay tolerance during the memory fabrication process; this restricts the achievable integration density.
On the basis of 0.6 -.mu.m design rules, the above quantities can be estimated as follows: Y.sub.1 =0.25 .mu.m, Y.sub.2 =0.25 .mu.m, Y.sub.3 =0.7 .mu.m, Y.sub.4 =0.3 .mu.m, and Y.sub.5 =0.3 .mu.m. The y-pitch Y is accordingly 1.8 .mu.m. Details will be omitted, but the x-pitch with the same 0.6-.mu.m design rules is 2 .mu.m.
Another problem occurring in the conventional memory is that, due to mask misregistration, in some cases the floating gates 13 may be disposed quite close to the edges of the field areas 33, where the field oxide is relatively thin, while in other cases they are disposed farther from the edges, where the field oxide is relatively thick. This leads to variation in the potential of the floating gates 13, which is a source of further nonuniformity in programming and erasing characteristics.

High-density nonvolatile semiconductor memory


A system for governing entry of data into a database commonly accessible by a plurality of entities, each of which has requirements for its data that differ from the requirements of other entities, comprised one or more rules base servers for storing a rules base data structure. The data structure is a collection of documents which are either a rule applicable to an entity or a rules interface which provides a navigation route to an applicable rule. The system includes a rules engine which executes an algorithm that recursively searches the documents in the rules base, evaluating each document until a rule is found, executing the rule, and storing the result returned by the executed rule, until all applicable rules for the entity submitting the set of data are executed.

1. Field
The system and method relates generally to management of a single database accessible over a network by multiple unique entities and particularly to data entry into a single database accessible a unique entity, and each unique entity defines unique database data criteria.
2. Description of the Problem and Related Art
Databases for storing vast amounts of information are ubiquitous, and are created, populated, and modified constantly, typically through a network of computer-based devices. Databases typically providing information in response to a user query and compiled from data entered into the database.
One example is a web-accessible Multiple Listing Service ("MLS") that comprises a database of real property for sale in a given geographic area and may be queried by real estate brokers, agents, buyers or sellers, to find information relating to such property. Such information includes, the type of property, whether commercial, residential, unimproved land, rental, condominium, or detached house, etc., the approximate area of the property or within any structure on the property (e.g, the approximate square footage with the living spaces of a house or condo), the number of rooms in a house, the number of bedrooms/bathrooms, the types of rooms (e.g., den, kitchen, living room, etc.), room dimensions, asking price, amenities, seller conditions, school/political district, and even photographic images of the property. Typically, an MLS listing properties for sale in a given geographic region is proprietary to a real estate professional organization, or realtor association, associated with that geographic region. For example, the MLS covering properties for sale in Charlotte, N.C., is controlled by the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, and San Diego Association of Realtors controls the MLS for San Diego, Calif.
Conventionally, each MLS is maintained in a self-contained, stand alone database and data corresponding to property listings is entered by real estate brokers, real estate agents, or other users acting on their behalf, with association-sanctioned authority to enter such data. MLS databases are conventionally created by companies that provide MLS database programming and maintenance services. However, usually such companies have to create, and manage an individual, stand-alone database for each realty association. The population of data into each database must be constructed individually.
Efforts to unite MLS databases have been underway by such database service companies to create a single master database comprising the multiple individual MLS databases, in order to reduce the time, cost and complexity of multiple database management. However, a major obstacle to this effort has been, until now, that each realty association has differing criteria for the data that may be entered into its respective MLS. Such criteria may be defined by the association itself, or may be required by municipal, state statute or regulation, or required by other governing bodies. Such criteria may include the type of data that may entered into an MLS listing, or the values that may be entered. In other words, individual associations have myriad different rules, making the creation or maintenance of a single database of multiple MLS's tedious, if not infeasible.
Rules engines, or expert systems, have evolved to construe requests for information and to provide information stored in a knowledge according to a set of rules that determine what information is relevant to the request. Typically, rules engines access a data structure comprised of rules that consist of data or information, and, in response to a query from a user, the rules engine calls and executes the relevant rule, or rules, which are essentially computer programs containing logical syllogisms that govern the retrieval and return of information in response to the query. One obvious example of such a rules engine is an internet search engine. Another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,250, by Trefler, teaches a rules database for retrieving data in response to a query where the database is configured with separate records with fields for a data objective, e.g., "loan rate", one or more circumstances in which to apply a rule and one or more rules applicable to a given circumstance that meets the data objective. In this situation, rules may differ depending on circumstance, e.g., by geographic area. The record includes a field that indicates whether the rule is valid for the circumstance in which the record is called, or whether a record is "inherited" or whether there is another record that defines a rule that also applies. Accordingly, for a rules engine to navigate this database, it must parse a record and if another record is indicated it must then search for the "ancestral" or superior record. While this database may comprise different rules associated with different "circumstances", it suffers from the obvious shortcoming that each record must be coded and maintained not only to apply the correct rule, but to insure that the required hierarchy of circumstances is maintained. In a case in which different entities define different rules, this becomes so cumbersome as to be infeasible. Moreover, such a database design requires a large amount of memory, and accordingly lacks scalability to encompass multiple sets of circumstances.
Other rules engines have been developed to validate access rights to a network application or database, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,844, to Duncan, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,513, to Kyne, et al. Another system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,103,607, to Schneider, uses a rules engine to choose and execute auxiliary programming functions that apply to one or more core functions of an executed application.
None of these solutions, however, address the problem of entering into and maintaining data in a common database where criteria governing acceptable data types and values vary depending on the entity accessing the database. Data entry for single databases for a single entity is currently validated according to a rules engine, typified by the familiar instance of registering for some account online wherein the user is warned and prevented from registration if the user fails to enter data into a required field. Again, however, these instances apply to a single entity governing a single database. Governing data entry into a single database where the data is entered by users associated with different entities whose data requirements are varied has heretofore been too complex to render a feasible solution.

System and method for governing data entry into a network database by multiple entities having varying data requirements


A multiple frequency oscillator responds to a control signal to selectively produce an output signal having a first frequency or a second frequency. The oscillator includes a plurality of inverter stages (48.sub.1 -48.sub.5) with the input of each inverter stage coupled to the output of another inverter stage. At least one of the inverter stages includes first and second transistors (50,51) having current paths connected in parallel, a third transistor (52) having a current path connected in series with the current paths of the first and second transistors (50, 51) between a first voltage source (Vdd) and the inverter stage output, and a fourth transistor (53) having a current path connected between the inverter stage output and a second voltage source (Vss). The control electrodes of the first, third, and fourth transistors (50, 52, 53) are connected to the input of the inverter stage. A control signal controls the conductivity of the second transistor (51) to select the frequency of output signal of the oscillator (44).

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with substrate bias voltage generators for dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) and other semiconductor devices, as an example.
DRAMs, as well as other types of semiconductor devices, are often provided with both an active mode and a standby mode of operation. Power consumption in the standby mode is reduced with respect to that in the active mode to increase efficiency during periods of time in which the device is powered up but idle.
One method to reduce power consumption in the standby mode is to reduce the frequency of operation of various circuits, such as substrate bias voltage generators, that must continually operate while the device is powered up. This method requires dual oscillator frequencies: a higher frequency to drive the circuits at full speed during operation in the active mode, and a lower frequency to drive the circuits at a slower speed, thereby reducing the power consumed by the circuits, during operation in the standby mode.
FIG. 1 shows a substrate bias voltage generator 10 according to the prior art that operates at dual frequencies. As is well known, substrate bias voltage generators are used to bias the substrates of DRAMs and other semiconductor devices to a negative voltage in order to improve performance of the semiconductor device. Substrate bias voltage generator 10 includes a first oscillator 14 and a first charge pump 16 for biasing substrate node 11 when the semiconductor device is operating in the active mode. Substrate bias voltage generator 10 also includes a second oscillator 18 and a second charge pump 20 for biasing substrate node 11 when the semiconductor device is operating in the standby mode.
Oscillator 18 has an input for receiving a SELECT signal while oscillator 14 has an input for receiving an inverted SELECT signal via inverter 12. In the standby mode, the SELECT signal has a high state to activate oscillator 18 and inactivate oscillator 14. Oscillator 18, when activated, supplies an output signal having a first frequency f1 to charge pump 20. Charge pump 20 biases substrate node 11 in response to the output signal from oscillator 18.
In the active mode, the SELECT signal has a low state to inactivate oscillator 18 and activate oscillator 14. Oscillator 14, when activated, supplies an output signal having a second frequency f2, that is greater than f1, to charge pump 16. Charge pump 16 biases substrate node 11 in response to the output signal from oscillator 14.
While substrate bias voltage generator 10 is capable of operating at dual frequencies to reduce standby power consumption, the cost is a relatively large amount of silicon area since two separate oscillators and two separate charge pumps are required.
FIG. 2 shows a second substrate bias voltage generator 22 according to the prior art that operates at dual frequencies. Substrate bias voltage generator 22 includes a first oscillator 24 that supplies an output signal having a first frequency f1 to select circuit 28 and a second oscillator 26 that supplies an output signal having a second frequency f2, that is greater than f1, to select circuit 28. Select circuit 28 selectively couples the output signal of oscillator 24 or the output signal of oscillator 26 to charge pump 30 in response to a SELECT signal. Charge pump 30 generate a bias voltage in response to the signal received from select circuit 28.
In the standby mode, the SELECT signal has a first state causing select circuit 28 to couple the output of oscillator 24 to charge pump 30. Charge pump 30 biases substrate node 21 in response to the output signal from oscillator 24.
In the active mode, the SELECT signal has a second state causing select circuit 28 to couple the output of oscillator 26 to charge pump 30. Charge pump 30 biases substrate node 21 in response to the output signal from oscillator 26.
While substrate bias voltage generator 22 is capable of operating at dual frequencies to reduce standby power consumption, the cost is a relatively large amount of silicon area since two separate oscillators and a select circuit are required.
FIG. 3 shows a third substrate bias voltage generator 32 according to the prior art that operates at dual frequencies. Substrate bias voltage generator 32 includes an oscillator 34 that supplies an output signal having a first frequency f2 to select circuit 38 and to frequency divider 36. Frequency divider 36 supplies an output signal having a second frequency f1, that is less than f2, to select circuit 38. Select circuit 38 selectively couples the output signal of oscillator 34 or the output signal of frequency divider 36 to charge pump 40 in response to a SELECT signal. Charge pump 40 generate a bias voltage in response to the signal received from select circuit 38.
In the standby mode, the SELECT signal has a first state causing select circuit 38 to couple the output of frequency divider 36 to charge pump 40. Charge pump 40 biases substrate node 31 in response to the output signal from frequency divider 36.
In the active mode, the SELECT signal has a second state causing select circuit 38 to couple the output of oscillator 34 to charge pump 40. Charge pump 40 biases substrate node 31 in response to the output signal from oscillator 34.
While substrate bias voltage generator 32 is capable of operating at dual frequencies to reduce standby power consumption, the cost is a relatively large amount of silicon area since a frequency divider and select circuit are required. In addition, the reduction in power consumption is compromised to some extent by the power required to operate frequency divider 36.


A spindle which may be connected to machine tools, taking power from a rotating power shaft of the machine for advancing and retracting a rotating tool at right angles to the power shaft of the machine. The spindle has a rearward uniform diameter screw which projects through a feed nut and into a hollow headstock. The feed nut has threads engaging the threads of the screw, together with an adjacent hollow section which seats an annular thrust bearing, as well as a rear collar of the headstock which constrains the headstock to move with the feed nut. Power is transferred to the headstock by means of a rotating quill, coaxial with the screw, but axially constrained within a housing. The quill is provided with a lengthwise keyway which is colinear with a similar, but much longer keyway in the headstock. The headstock is able to axially slide back and forth through the quill as the headstock is pushed and pulled by the feed nut moving on the screw. Rotary motion is provided to the quill by means of an annular beveled gear surrounding the quill, meshing with another beveled gear, at right angles, connected to a power shaft communicating with the power shaft of the machine tool.

Previously, others have recognized the need for a right angle attachment for a machine tool, including a feed means for attachment of the tool. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,989,007 to G. Gorton and U.S. Pat. No. 1,976,107 to Archea are illustrative of the prior art. One of the problems experienced in the prior art is in maintaining tension against a rotating tool, while working. In particular, it is difficult to achieve very small incremental advances and retractions of a rotating machine tool in right angle drives. While such incremental motions are readily available for vertical tool motion, it is difficult to achieve such motions at right angles to the main power shaft of a machine tool, while the machine is working.


A bending frame extends the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. The bending frame includes a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and an application of force enacted by the actuator long the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, wherein a first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit force to the component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof. The longitudinal struts and the cross struts interact with one another such that bending of the longitudinal struts causes the second ends of the cross struts to be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis, thereby extending the travel for mechanically actuating the component.

The invention relates to a bending frame for extending the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component, and in particular for a proportional valve for fuel supply in an orbital propulsion system.
In order to mechanically actuate components, such as valves, it is common to use actuators that convert electrical signals into mechanical motion and actuate the component with this motion. Often, piezoelectric actuators or magnetostrictive actuators are used for this purpose. These have a disadvantage in often not having sufficient travel to actuate a large number of components.
Devices for extending the travel of an actuator are known from the prior art. DE 196 43 180 A1 describes a piezoactive actuation device having a mechanical motion amplifier. The piezoactive elements of the actuation device are surrounded by a shell having semi-elliptical arms. Expansion of the piezoactive elements in the longitudinal direction displaces the semi-elliptical arms perpendicularly to this longitudinal direction.
With the device for amplifying motion according to DE 196 43 180 A1, it proves to be a disadvantage that the direction in which the travel is increased is different from the travel of the actuator, resulting in large dimensions for the device.
The invention therefore addresses the problem of increasing the travel of an actuator in a simple and efficient manner through a compact device.
The problem is solved by a bending frame according to embodiments of the invention.
The bending frame according to an embodiment of the invention serves to extend the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. Generally, the actuator is a part of the component. An "actuator" is understood here and, henceforth, to be a converter that converts electrical signals into mechanical motion. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator, or optionally even a magnetostrictive actuator. The bending frame can, in principle, be used for any mechanically actuated components, but is preferably used for a valve. The valve is, in particular, a proportional valve and/or a fuel valve. In one variant, the valve is a proportional valve for fuel supply, and in particular a proportional valve for fuel supply in an orbital propulsion system, i.e. in a rocket propulsion.
The bending frame comprises a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein an application of force enacted by the actuator along the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, i.e., a cross strut is provided for each of the longitudinal struts and each cross strut extends from the respective longitudinal strut. A first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut, and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit a force to the mechanically actuated component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof. In the bending frame according to an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal struts and the cross struts interact with one another such that bending of the longitudinal struts causes the second ends of the cross struts to vary in the direction of the longitudinal axis due to the articulation of the first ends of the cross struts at the longitudinal struts, whereby the travel for mechanically actuating the component is extended.
The bending frame has an advantage in that a dual leverage redirection is achieved via the bendable longitudinal struts and the cross struts articulated thereto, so that the travel of the actuator in the direction of the longitudinal axis is increased and a compact device for motion amplification is provided by the bending frame.
In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal struts of the bending frame each comprise two sub-struts, which are articulated at a connection point to one another. A particularly simple articulation is achieved in one variant of the invention by articulating the two sub-struts to one another the connection point via a film hinge. Preferably, the two sub-struts are of equal length. In particular when pressure is exerted on the bending frame by the actuator, the sub-struts are reinforced in a preferred variant, in order to prevent buckling thereof.
In another preferred embodiment, the cross struts extending out from each of the longitudinal struts are articulated with the first end thereof to the respective longitudinal strut via a film hinge, or to the position of the connection point. The film hinge is preferably the film hinge via which optionally also the two sub-struts of the respective longitudinal strut are interconnected.
In another preferred embodiment, the cross struts are interconnected at the second ends thereof, via a shared holding section, wherein the component is mechanically actuated via displacement of the holding section. This provides favorable force transmission for the mechanically actuated component.
In another preferred variant of the bending frame according to the invention, as seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis, all of the longitudinal struts have the same distance from the longitudinal axis, and the angles between adjacent longitudinal struts as measured from the longitudinal axis are of equal magnitude. Due to the design of the bending frame, these angles correspond to the angles between adjacent cross struts. The bending frame is thus endowed with a rotationally symmetrical structure. Such a bending frame is particularly suitable for adjusting cylindrical mechanically actuated components.
In another variant, the longitudinal struts are connected to one another at one of the ends thereof via a cross member running substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal struts preferably are also connected to one another at the other ends thereof via a (different) cross member running substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to very favorably apply force to the bending frame via these cross members. Preferably, each of the cross members is a ring that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and encircles the longitudinal axis, wherein the center point of the ring preferably lies on the longitudinal axis.
Depending on the configuration of the bending frame, the number of the longitudinal struts may be variously selected. However, at least two longitudinal struts must be provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bending frame comprises four or more longitudinal struts.
In another variant, the bending frame is configured such that that the longitudinal struts bend towards the longitudinal axis along the actuation path when force is applied by the actuator. Optionally, there is also the possibility that the bending takes place away from the longitudinal axis.
The bending frame according to the invention is, in a preferred variant, an integrally-formed component that can be manufactured in a simple manner with a suitable production method. Preferably, the bending frame is made of metal or plastic.
In another variant, the bending frame is configured so that the travel is extended via application of pressure by the actuator onto the bending frame. Nonetheless, the bending frame may also be configured so that the travel is extended via application of traction by the actuator onto the bending frame.
As already mentioned above, the bending frame may be provided for a variety of types of actuators in order to extend the travel. Preferably, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator, and in particular a piezoelectric ring actuator or a magnetostrictive actuator.
In addition to the bending frame described above, the invention further relates to a mechanically actuated component that comprises an actuator and the bending frame according to the invention or one or more preferred variants of the bending frame according to the invention. The bending frame then extends the travel of the actuator in order to actuate the mechanically actuated component.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Bending frame for extending travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component


Even when a large number of guest OSs exist, a failover method meeting high availability needed by the guest OSs is provided for the each guest OS. In the event of a physical or logical change of a system, or change of operation states, a smooth failover method can be realized by preventing the consumption of resource amounts due to excessive failover methods, and the occurrence of systemdown due to an inadequate failover method. In a server virtualization environment, in a cluster configuration having a failover method due to hot standby and cold standby, by selecting a failover method meeting high availability requirements specifying performance during failover of applications on the guest OSs, a suitable cluster configuration is realized. Failure monitoring is realized by quantitative heartbeat.

The virtualization of a server computer (hereinafter referred to as server virtualization) is technology for allowing plural operating systems (hereinafter referred to as OS) to operate at the same time on a single physical computer. Logical partitioning, which is performed through a management program (server virtualization program) that splits resources of a physical computer into plural logical partitions (LPAR), is technology for allowing one OS (guest OS) to operate on each LPAR. The server virtualization program is a program that operates in a server virtualization layer (hereinafter referred to as a host OS), such as hypervisor and an OS different from the guest OS on the physical computer.
In the physical computer (server virtualization environment) that uses such logical partitioning, since any LPAR can be brought into use as an equivalent logical computer by the server virtualization program, the user can, on any LPAR, run a guest OS and applications on the guest OS. Thereby, the user can freely decide a position to execute a guest OS according to the load.
On the other hand, in the physical computer (server virtualization environment) that uses logical partitioning, since resources of the physical computer are shared by plural LPARs, a failure in resources of the physical computer could cause plural LPARs to fail.
Therefore, when a computer system having high availability is built in a server virtualization environment, a computer system is used which takes over (failover) an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) having been operating on a guest OS to a guest OS of a different standby system when a failure occurs.
In "VMware (registered trademark) R Server Integrated Solution Using CLUSTERPRO (registered trademark)", [online], issued by NEC Corporation, retrieved on Oct. 31, 2006, Internet <URL:http://www.ace.comp.nec.co.jp/CLUSTERPRO/clp/doc/pp_lin/CLUSTERPRO_VMware.pdf>, as cluster configuration methods in server virtualization environments, two methods are realized. As a first method, with a cluster program running on a guest OS on each LPAR, each cluster program on the guest OS monitors failures of the guest OS and AP on the other, and performs failover of AP. As a second method, with a cluster program running on a host OS, each cluster program on the host Os monitors failures of the host OS and the guest OSs on the other, and performs a failover of the guest OS.
With the first method, the cluster programs on the guest OSs monitor failures of the guest OSs and APs by communication (heartbeat) to perform failover to a standby system when a failure occurs in an active system in which the APs are operating. This failover method realizes hot standby that guest OSs and APs are previously activated in a standby system.
On the other hand, with the second method, the cluster program on the host OS monitors failures of the host OS and the guest OS by heartbeat so that, when a failure occurs in an active system, a standby system as a failover destination is booted by a guest OS on an identical computer or a different computer to perform failover. This failover method realizes cold standby that begins with the activation of a guest OS.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,937, technology for dynamically guaranteeing the performance of applications on guest OSs in a server virtualization environment is described. According to the technology, the load on the guest OSs is monitored, and during overload, resources of a required guest OS are dynamically changed. Moreover, another technology is also described. According to the technology, during the resource change, when there are no allocatable resources in a physical computer in which a guest OS is run, by migrating the guest OS to a different physical computer having allocatable resources, resources of the guest OS are dynamically changed.

Cluster system and failover method for cluster system


A method and an apparatus for controlling a flash are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a statistical gray value of a preview image. If the statistical gray value of the preview image is less than a preset threshold, a corresponding fill light parameter is searched for in a preset dynamic fill light table according to the statistical gray value of the preview image and the fill light drive current is set according to the fill light parameter. The fill light drive current is configured to drive a flash lamp to fire a pre-flash. A corresponding exposure drive current in the preset exposure parameter table is configured according to the fill light parameter and the exposure drive current is configured to drive the flash lamp to flash.

With the development of mobile phone technologies and the improvement of people's material life, people have demanding requirements on multimedia experience of a mobile phone, and a camera has become a mandatory function for a mid-to-high end mobile phone, in which the multimedia refers to that the technology enables a mobile phone user to obtain, process, edit, store, and display two or more than two different types of information media. In the photographic function of the mobile phone, to improve the photograph experience, a flash lamp function is integrated in the camera. This enables the mobile phone user to take a picture with better quality by increasing the exposure by using the flash lamp when ambient light is comparatively dim.
The work procedure of a camera's flash lamp in the prior art includes two steps: fire a pre-flash and a flash. Firing a pre-flash refers to that a dim light is sent out for a photographed person to adjust pupils to the light before the flash lamp is enabled. Then, the camera flashes to reduce influence of darkness and backlight on automatic focusing of the camera and to enable the photographed person to adjust the pupils to prevent a residual phenomenon due to the flashes entering the pupils of the photographed person when the surrounding is relatively dark, which prevents a red-eye problem.
However, during the process of controlling the flash where the prior art is used, flash intensity of the flash lamp when it flashes is fixed, which inevitably leads to a result that the picture that is taken is underexposed because the surrounding is too dark or the picture that is taken is overexposed because the surrounding is not so dark. As a result, the picture that is taken is of poor quality and unsatisfying effect.

Method and apparatus for controlling flash


An intermediate target value calculating unit calculates an intermediate target value xcfx86midtg(i) on the basis of an output xcfx86(ixe2x88x921) of an A/F ratio sensor in computation of last time and a final target value xcfx86tg(i). By the computation, the intermediate target value xcfx86midtg(i) is set between the output xcfx86(ixe2x88x921) of the A/F ratio sensor in computation of last time and the final target value xcfx86tg(i). A correction amount calculating unit calculates a correction amount AFcomp(i) of the target A/F ratio on the basis of a deviation xcex94xcfx86(i) between the intermediate target value xcfx86midtg(i) and the output xcfx86(i) of the A/F ratio sensor. Consequently, the control is hard to be influenced by variations in waste time of the subject to be controlled and an error in modeling. While maintaining the stability of the A/F ratio feedback control, higher gain can be achieved and robustness can be also increased.

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-126281 filed on Apr. 21, 2000, 2000-179359 file on Jun. 9, 2000, 2000-404671 filed on Dec. 28, 2000, 2000-404672 filed on Dec. 28, 2000, and 2000-404694 filed on Dec. 28, 2000.
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, for feedback controlling an input of a subject to be controlled in an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
In a vehicle under advanced electronic control in recent years, various controls are performed by feedback controls. For example, the feedback control is used for A/F ratio control (fuel injection control), variable valve timing control, electronic throttle control, fuel pump control, boost pressure control of a turbo charger, idle speed control, cruise control, and the like.
A conventional feedback control is carried out in such a manner that an output (controlled variable) of a subject to be controlled is detected by a sensor or the like, a correction amount of an input (operation amount) of the control subject is calculated in accordance with a deviation between the output of the control subject and a target value so that the output of the control subject coincides with the target value, and the input of the control subject is corrected by the correction amount to make the output of the control subject follow the target value.
In many cases, a system as a subject of the feedback control in a vehicle has a long waste time (a large delay element) and, moreover, the waste time varies according to the engine operating conditions, deterioration with time in a control system, and the like. Consequently, the conventional feedback control is easily influenced by the variations in waste time. When a higher gain is set to increase the response, the feedback control becomes unstable, and there is the possibility that hunting occurs. In the conventional feedback control, it is therefore difficult to realize both higher gain (higher response) and stability. Moreover, there is a drawback such that the stability is apt to deteriorate due to an influence of an error in modeling of the control subject, and robustness is low.
A vehicle has a three-way catalyst in its exhaust pipe to treat exhaust gases. In order to increase catalytic conversion efficiency, it is necessary to control the concentration of an exhaust gas to be within a catalytic conversion window (about target A/F ratio). An exhaust gas sensor (A/F ratio sensor or oxygen sensor) is disposed on each of the upstream and downstream sides of a catalyst, a fuel injection amount is feedback controlled so that the A/F ratio of an exhaust gas detected by the exhaust gas sensor on the upstream side is equal to an upstream-side target A/F ratio, and a sub-feedback control is performed to correct the upstream-side target A/F ratio so that the A/F ratio of the exhaust gas detected by the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor is equal to a downstream-side target A/F ratio.
The conventional sub-feedback control is performed by PID control. Recently, in order to increase control accuracy, as shown by the publication of JP-A-9-273439, a technique of using sliding mode control has been proposed. The sliding mode control relates to a feedback control method of a variable structure type of preliminarily building a hyperplane expressed by a linear function using a plurality of state variables of a subject to be controlled as variables, allowing a state variable to converge on the hyperplane by high gain control at high speed, and allowing the state variable to converge on a required equilibrium point on the hyperplane by an equivalent control input while restricting the state variable on the hyperplane.
Generally, the sliding mode control has an advantage that once the state variable of the control subject converges on the hyperplane, the state variable can stably converge on an equilibrium point on the hyperplane without almost no influence of disturbance or the like. However, only a mode of a subject to be controlled in the case where a state variable converges on a hyperplane is considered. Consequently, when the sliding mode control is applied to control the A/F ratio of exhaust gas as in the publication, generally, at a high gain, hunting occurs due to disturbances and waste time around the hyperplane, and a state such that the state variable does not converge on the hyperplane occurs. As shown in FIG. 25, an inconvenience such that an output of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor (A/F ratio of the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the catalyst) does not converge on a target value (target A/F ratio on the downstream side) may occur depending on the initial states. On the other hand, at a low gain, there is a drawback such that an input is insufficient for an error in modeling, so that response deteriorates and, as shown in FIG. 26, the speed of convergence of an output of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor (concentration of the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the catalyst) becomes conspicuously slow.
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,518,247, it is proposed to increase an update amount of an exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control constant (for example, a skip amount) as the deviation between an A/F ratio detected by the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor and the downstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio becomes larger.
Here, dynamic characteristics of a catalyst vary according to the degree of deterioration of the catalyst, catalytic conversion state, and engine operating conditions. However, it cannot be the that the response of sub feedback control of the conventional main/sub feedback system to a change in dynamic characteristics of a catalyst is sufficient. Consequently, there is the possibility that a delay occurs in the response of the sub feedback control to a change in dynamic characteristics of the catalyst, concentration of exhaust gas on the downstream side of the catalyst (output of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor) becomes unstable, and hunting occurs.
A conventional feedback control is carried out in such a manner that an output (controlled variable) of a subject to be controlled is detected by a sensor or the like, a correction amount of an input (operation amount) of the control subject is calculated by proportional integral and derivative control (PID control) in accordance with a deviation between the output of the control subject and a target value so that the output of the control subject coincides with the target value, and the input of the control subject is corrected by the correction amount to make the output of the control subject follow the target value.
A correction amount calculated by a conventional feedback control using the PID control is derived by adding a proportional term, an integral term, and a differential term. Generally, in order to improve a start-up characteristic in the case where an output of a subject to be controlled follows a target value, it is effective to increase the gain of the differential term. It is presumed that, when the gain of the differential term is set to be too high, an influence of noise becomes large, overshoot occurs, and the performance of following the target value deteriorates. In the conventional feedback control, therefore, the gain of the differential term is set to be low and the gain of the proportional term is set to be high, thereby improving the performance of following the target value.
In various feedback controls regarding the engine control of a vehicle, however, a relatively large waste time and a phase delay exist in a subject to be controlled, and disturbance is large. Consequently, when the gain is increased to make response faster, the feedback control becomes unstable, and there is the possibility that hunting occurs. In the conventional feedback control, it is therefore difficult to realize both higher gain (higher response) and stability. Moreover, there is a drawback such that the stability is apt to deteriorate due to an influence of an error in modeling of the control subject, and robustness is low.
As an engine control system of a vehicle, in order to improve exhaust gas conversion efficiency of a three-way catalyst by increasing control accuracy of exhaust gas A/F ratio, there is what is called a two-sensor type exhaust gas A/F ratio control system in which a sensor for detecting A/F ratio of an exhaust gas (oxygen sensor or broad-range exhaust gas A/F ratio sensor) is disposed on each of the upstream and downstream sides of a catalyst, and which performs feedback control to make an actual exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst coincide with a target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the basis of an output of the upstream-side sensor while carrying out sub feedback control for correcting a target exhaust gas A/F ratio of A/F ratio feedback control on the upstream side of the catalyst on the basis of an output of the downstream side sensor.
In such a two-sensor type exhaust gas A/F ratio control system, it is known that in a state where the target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is deviated from a theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio range, when the sub feedback control based on the output of the downstream side sensor is continued under conditions similar to those of the state where the target exhaust gas A/F ratio is in the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio range, the exhaust gas A/F ratio cannot be controlled accurately (refer to JP-A-10-30478). Specifically, when the state where the target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is deviated from the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio continues for a while, there is a case that a harmful component adsorbing state of the catalyst becomes almost saturated. In such a state, when the sub feedback control based on the output of the downstream side sensor is continued under conditions similar to those in the state where the target exhaust gas A/F ratio is in the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio range (the state where the catalyst is not saturated), the target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is excessively corrected. Even when the exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is returned to the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio range, a delay in the exhaust gas A/F ratio downstream of the catalyst becomes large by a substance adsorbed by the catalyst, and a return from the excessive correcting state to a normal state is delayed.
JP-A-10-30478 therefore discloses a technique of inhibiting the sub feedback control based on the output of the downstream side sensor when the target exhaust gas A/F ratio at the upstream of the catalyst is deviated from the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio.
When the sub feedback control based on the output of the downstream side sensor is inhibited and the exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control is performed by using only the output of the upstream side sensor in the case where the target exhaust gas A/F ratio at the upstream of the catalyst is deviated from the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio, a converting state of the exhaust gas passing through the catalyst (A/F ratio of the exhaust gas downstream of the catalyst) cannot be reflected in the exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control at all. Consequently, there is a case that the catalytic conversion efficiency deteriorates.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, capable of realizing both higher gain (higher response) and stability of a feedback control and also increased robustness.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the invention sets an intermediate target value on the basis of an output of a subject to be controlled and a final target value by intermediate target value setting means, and calculates a correction amount of an input of the subject to be controlled on the basis of the output of the subject to be controlled and the intermediate target value. By setting not only the final target value but also the intermediate target value as described above, the control is not easily influenced by variations in waste time (lag element) of the subject to be controlled and an error in modeling. While maintaining the stability of the feedback control, higher gain (higher response) can be achieved. Thus, both higher gain and stability of the feedback control can be realized, and robustness can be also increased.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas A/F ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having improved transient characteristics during a period in which exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by a downstream-side exhaust gas sensor (A/F ratio of exhaust gas on the downstream side of a catalyst) converges to target A/F ratio and capable of realizing both prevention of hunting and improved response.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, an exhaust gas A/F ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine calculates a correction amount of an upstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the basis of a state variable derived from an exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by a downstream-side exhaust gas sensor by using a back stepping method. In the back stepping method, an almost ideal convergence locus of the state variable (target convergence locus) is set by a virtual input term. While converging the deviation between the state variable and the virtual input term, a control is performed in consideration of the deviation between the state variable and the target value as well. Consequently, even under the conditions that the deviation between the state variable and the virtual input term is not equal to zero, the state variable can be stably converged. Therefore, even under the conditions that an influence of disturbance and waste time is exerted and the state variable is not easily converged by the conventional sliding mode control, the state variable can be smoothly converged, and the A/F ratio of the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the catalyst can be converted to the target A/F ratio with high response.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas A/F ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, capable of performing stable exhaust gas A/F ratio control with improved response of sub feedback control to a change in dynamic characteristics of a catalyst.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an exhaust gas A/F ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the invention, exhaust gas sensors are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of a catalyst, a fuel injection amount is feedback-controlled by exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control means so that the exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by the upstream-side exhaust gas sensor becomes an upstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio, and the upstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio is corrected by sub feedback control means so that the exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor becomes the downstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio. In the apparatus, intermediate target value setting means sets an intermediate target value of the sub feedback control on the basis of the exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor and a final downstream-side target exhaust gas A/F ratio, and a correction amount of the upstream side target exhaust gas A/F ratio is calculated on the basis of the exhaust gas A/F ratio detected by the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor and the intermediate target value. In such a manner, the response of the sub feedback control to a change in dynamic characteristics of the catalyst is improved. The exhaust gas A/F ratio on the downstream side of the catalyst (output of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor) becomes stable, no hunting due to a change in dynamic characteristics of the catalyst occurs, and stable control on the exhaust gas A/F ratio can be performed.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, capable of realizing both higher gain (higher response) and stability of a feedback control and also increased robustness.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the invention calculates a correction amount of an input of a subject to be controlled by proportional derivative control (PD control) in which the gain of a differential term is higher than the gain of a proportional term by proportional derivative means, and regulates the correction amount within a predetermined range by regulating means. Specifically, the invention is characterized in that (i) the correction amount is calculated by the proportional derivative control, (ii) by setting the gain of the differential term to be higher than the gain of the proportional term, the characteristic of start-up of following the target value, of an output of the subject to be controlled is improved, and (iii) the correction amount calculated by the proportional derivative control is regulated within the predetermined range, thereby solving the inconveniences caused by setting the high gain in the differential term (problems of the influence of noise and deterioration in following the target value). Consequently, even to a subject to be controlled having long waste time or a large phase delay and a subject to be controlled having large disturbance, while maintaining the stability of the feedback control, the gain (response) can be increased. Both higher gain and stability in the feedback control can be realized. The control apparatus is not easily influenced by an error in modeling, and robustness can be also enhanced.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas concentration control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, capable of properly reflecting a converting state of an exhaust gas passing through a catalyst (A/F ratio of the exhaust gas at the downstream of the catalyst) into exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control even when the target exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is deviated from the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio range, and having improved catalytic conversion efficiency.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in an exhaust gas A/F ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the invention, when a sensor for detecting A/F ratio of exhaust gas is provided on each of the upstream and downstream sides of a catalyst, exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control on the upstream side of the catalyst is performed by exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control means on the basis of an output of the upstream side sensor, and sub feedback control for reflecting an output of the downstream side sensor into the feedback control on the exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst is performed by sub feedback control means, at least one of parameters of the sub feedback control is variably set by parameter varying means in accordance with a deviation between the exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst and a theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio. Consequently, also in the case where the deviation between the exhaust gas A/F ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst and the theoretical exhaust gas A/F ratio is large (in a region where the sub feedback control is inhibited in a conventional system), the sub feedback control is executed so as not to excessively correct the deviation. The conversion state of the exhaust gas passing the catalyst (exhaust gas A/F ratio on the downstream side of the catalyst) can be properly reflected in the exhaust gas A/F ratio feedback control on the upstream side of the catalyst. Thus, the catalytic conversion efficiency can be improved as compared with the conventional system.

Control apparatus for internal combustion engine


An axle driving apparatus which houses a hydraulic non-stage transmission in a casing comprised of at least two casing members and coupled by a substantially flat coupling surface formed therebetween. The casing also houses an output shaft of the hydraulic non-stage transmission which is offset in parallel to the coupling surface. This construction allows for simple manufacture and maintenance of the hydraulic non-stage transmission and axles, provides for a smaller downward projection of the casing thereby reducing interference with obstacles on the ground, improves sealing capability of the casing when a braking unit is attached to one axial end of the output shaft, and reliably bears the thrust of the hydraulic motor.

An axle driving apparatus which houses a hydraulic non-stage transmission and axles in a common casing is well known in the art as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. Hei 4-92726; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,949; 5,078,659; 4,986,073; 4,914,907; 4,932,209; 4,903,545; 5,010,733; 4,953,426; and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. Hei 3-153951.
To simplify construction of the hydraulic non-stage transmission and the axles in the casing, the above-referenced patent documents describe the use of two separate casing members which are coupled along a flat surface to form a single casing. The axis of an output shaft of the hydraulic non-stage transmission and of the axles is contained in tile plane of the coupling surface.
This arrangement has the following disadvantages:
First, when the casing parts are separated for maintenance, all of the interior parts must be disassembled and separated from the casing, and later reassembled following the maintenance.
Second, where the axle driving apparatus is equipped with a braking device, it is usually attached at an output shaft of a hydraulic motor in order to minimize the size of the braking device. The output shaft projects outwardly from the casing, and a brake disc is fixed to the projection. Left and right axles project outwardly from the casing for mounting wheels.
Operating oil used for the hydraulic non-stage transmission or lubricating oil used for the various power transmitting gears is housed in the casing. An oil seal placed on the portion of the output shaft or axle projecting from the casing prevents the oil frown leaking therefrom.
However, because the oil seal spans the two casing members, when there is a tolerance error in manufacturing either the casing or the seal, oil leaks through the coupling surface. As a result, additional means for sealing, such as liquid packing applied to the entire outer periphery of the oil seal, is used to prevent the oil from leaking. This procedure increases the time required to assemble the seal, thus decreasing productivity. Also, this type of seal is expensive to produce.
The third disadvantage is that in hydraulic non-stage transmissions which have an axial piston hydraulic motor, the slanted portion does not reliably bear the thrust of the pistons. This slanted portion, which is subject to the thrust of the pistons, crosses the coupling surface of the casing members. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,426 discloses additional support for the slanted portion by using integral fingers in the casing which extend from one casing member to the other member across the coupling surface. However, these integral fingers may not be strong enough to bear the thrust of the pistons.

Axle driving apparatus having offset output shaft


In a fiber splicing device, an adjustment apparatus for moving a first fiber-section perpendicular to its end face is designed such that it is composed of at least one piezo-actuator and a drive. After the splicing of the two fiber ends, the piezo-actuator is charged to a preset electrical voltage and the electrical voltage at the piezo-actuator is subsequently measured while the first carriage is moved away perpendicular to the fiber end face and is compared to the preset values. As a result thereof, the tensile stress acting on the fiber can be identified dependent on the movement of the first carriage, so that the drive can be arrested after a preset tensile testing stress has been reached.

The invention is directed to a method and to an apparatus for tensile testing of spliced fibers in fiber splicing devices which clamps the fibers on each side of the splice in fastening means.
Two methods are known for connecting the optical fibers being increasingly utilized in optical communications technology: first, gluing fiber end faces into pre-fabricated and standardized plugs and, second, splicing fibers with prepared fiber end faces to form a single fiber. When splicing the fibers in fiber splicing devices, two fibers with prepared end face are secured on two carriages that can then be moved with adjustment devices so that the fiber end faces can be aligned well relative to one another. After the adjustment, the two fiber ends are then generally thermally welded. For quality control of a splice, both the additional attenuation caused by the splice as well as the tensile stress withstood by the splice are checked.
The publication xe2x80x9cThermische LWL-Spleixcex2technik setzt such durchxe2x80x9d (V. Riech, Telcom Report 18, (1995), No. 3, pages 136 through 139) discloses a splicing device wherein a finished splice can be tested for tensile strength while it is still in the device (page 138, third column, second paragraph). The splice is thereby loaded with an integrated restoring spring of a carriage having a fixed tensile testing stress dependent on the restoring force of the restoring spring. The tensile testing stress is permanently set when assembling the fiber splicing device and can no longer be subsequently modified, this being disadvantageous when splicing different fiber types (single-wave or multi-wave fibers, stepped index over gradient fibers) for different applications. Moreover, the tensile stress acting on the splice depends on the insertion of the fiber, is thus dependent on the user and is not suitable for checking for standardized tensile testing stresses.
The present invention is based on the object of developing a method for tensile testing in fiber splicing devices, whereby the user himself preselects the tensile testing stress dependent on the fiber type to be spliced, and whereby the tensile testing stress is independent of the insertion of the fiber.
The object is inventively achieved by a method comprising the steps of clamping a fiber on one side of the splice in a first fastening means on a carriage and clamping the other fiber in a second fastening means, moving the carriage by an adjustment means opposite to a spring, controlling the operation of the adjustment means, measuring the tensile stress applied to the splice as the carriage moves away from said second fastening means, and moving the carriage until the tensile stress reaches a predetermined value.
As a result of the inventive method, the user of a fiber splicing device is provided with the possibility of setting the tensile testing stress as he deems fit and potentially according to different standards for different fiber types, this being advantageous particularly when splicing different fiber types with the same fiber splicing device.
Further, the inventive method is distinguished by higher position compared to the method known from the prior art with the restoring spring. Over and above this, it is no longer necessary to manually set the restoring force of the spring when a fiber splicing device is placed into operation.
For example, strain gauges or piezo-actuators secured to the carriage can be utilized for measuring the tensile stress acting on the fiber splice. In a preferred embodiment, a piezo-actuator is co-employed for measurement that is already present in the fiber splicing device for adjusting the fiber sub-sections before splicing.
The invention is explained in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

Method and apparatus for tensile testing a spliced connection of fibers in a fiber splicing device


There is disclosed suture manipulating instrumentation having measuring structure to determine the length of suture during a given point in a surgery. The instrument is preferably a surgical suturing instrument capable of manipulating a suture carrying needle at the distal end. The measuring structure in the form of a scale is provided on the suturing instrument at a location remote from the distal end. The length of suture can easily be determined with the use of the scale at any point during a surgery. There is also disclosed a kit for providing the suture measuring structure on other suture manipulating instruments, as well as, methods of using suture manipulating instrumentation having the disclosed measuring structure.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to surgical instrumentation and, more particularly, to surgical instrumentation having measuring apparatus for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedures.
2. Description of Related Art
Endoscopic procedures are typically performed through an elongated cannula structure having a relatively small diameter with a proximal and distal end. In laparoscopic surgery an incision is made in the abdominal wall and the distal end of the cannula is passed through the tissue into the body cavity wherein the surgical procedure or examination is to be effected, thus providing a conduit for the insertion of surgical instrumentation. A plurality of cannula structures may be used to allow operation of a variety of instruments simultaneously during a given procedure. For example, one cannula may provide a conduit for an endoscope for vision and illumination within the operative cavity while the other cannulas may provide conduits for control of specialized surgical instruments designed for performing specific procedural functions.
Many surgical procedures call for suturing tissue, a procedure traditionally accomplished by hand, or by passing a needle between forceps. Laparoscopic suturing presents a particularly challenging task, because it must be accomplished using instrumentation extended through a port that typically has an internal diameter that averages between five and twelve millimeters. Instruments for facilitating laparoscopic suturing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,344, issued Dec. 26, 1995, to Stone et al., which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The Stone et al. patent discloses in certain embodiments, a surgical suturing apparatus capable of passing control of a surgical needle, having a length of suture attached thereto, back and forth between its jaws to repeatedly pass the surgical needle and suture through tissue to suture tissue. In addition, it discloses methods of using the apparatus to suture tissue.
Other laparoscopic suturing instruments are also available in the marketplace. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,653, issued Nov. 25, 1997, to Richardson et al. discloses in certain embodiments a suturing device that includes an elongated tubular shaft having a needle disposed at the distal end. The needle is attached to a suture and is passed between one or more relatively movable jaws, as well as a method of using the device.
However, while the above-mentioned devices are valuable for laparoscopic suturing, none of the above-mentioned devices includes structure or discloses a method that facilitates measurement of the length of suture material while the device is in the body cavity. Therefore, a need exists for a suturing apparatus that maintains the advantages of laparoscopic suturing and incorporates a suture material measurement structure.

Surgical suturing apparatus with measurement structure


A photographic element comprises a polyester support bearing a light-sensitive silver halide photographic emulsion layer, the support having adjacent thereto a polymer-containing subbing layer, the subbing layer having adjacent thereto a layer comprising a hydrophilic binder containing dispersed droplets of a high boiling organic liquid, the liquid being selected form the group consisting of oleyl alcohol and esters of organic or inorganic acids which have a value for the logarithm of their octanol/water partition coefficient (Log P) of from 2.6 to 6.7.

It is well known to coat silver halide photographic materials on cellulose acetate supports. In certain instances, it has been found advantageous to coat these materials on polyester supports when increased dimensional stability or mechanical strength of the photographic element is desired, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,336. In particular, it has been found that a polyethylene naphthalate ("PEN") support has excellent mechanical strength and curl relaxation characteristics compared to other supports. However, it is more difficult to obtain the required adhesion characteristics when coating aqueous-based photographic compositions on these polyester films, in contrast to the conventionally employed cellulose acetate based support, as noted in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,628 and 4,116,696 and European Patent Publication EP 035,614.
It is well-known to apply to a support one or more subbing layers followed by the direct coating of a photographic layer in order to improve the adhesion of a subsequent layer.
It is also well-known to improve the adhesive strength between a layer adjacent to a support and the surface of the support by way of a surface treatment. Examples of these surface activation treatments include, but are not limited to: a chemical treatment, a mechanical treatment, a corona discharge, a flame treatment, a UV irradiation, a radio-frequency treatment, a glow discharge, an active plasma treatment, a laser treatment, a mixed acid treatment or ozone-oxidation. Such treatment may be employed with or without the application of a subbing layer. With a polyester based support, even the additional application of a polymer subbing layer has failed to provide the desired degree of adhesion.
If the adhesion between the photographic layers and the support is insufficient, several practical problems arise. If the photographic material is brought into contact with a sticky material, such as splicing tape, the photographic layers may be peeled from the support resulting in a loss of image-forming capability. In the manufacturing process, the photographic material is subjected to slitting or cutting operations and in many cases perforated holes are punched into the material for film advancement in cameras and processors. Poor adhesion can result in a delamination of the photographic layers from the support at the cut edges of the photographic material which can generate many small fragments of chipped-off emulsion layers which then cause spot defects in the imaging areas of the photographic material.
The foregoing property may be referred to as "dry adhesion". This property may be distinguished from "wet adhesion" which refers to the tendency of a photographic element to delaminate during wet processing of exposed film. The element may undergo spot delamination or blistering due to processing at elevated temperatures or may be damaged by transport rollers during processing or subsequent thereto.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,696, improved dry adhesive strength between a polyethylene terephthalate support and a photographic layer was obtained using a subbing layer containing a hydrophilic resin and droplets of a nonvolatile or low volatile hydrophobic liquid, which is not completely miscible with the subbing layer composition, having a boiling point above about 120.degree. C. and a solubility in water of about 10 g/100 g water or less at 25.degree. C. Thus, this improvement was obtained by altering the composition of the subbing layer which is coated directly on the polyester support, as opposed to the present invention, which involves the composition of the bottom-most photographic layer, coated above the subbing layer.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,696 discloses hydrophobic liquids having a solubility in water of about 10 g/100 g water or less. This encompasses a vast number of hydrophobic liquids which vary widely in terms of their chemical properties. There is no differentiation among solvents in this patent, and thus it is not apparent from this reference that different solvents can have vastly different effects on the adhesion to the support. In the present invention, we have found that only a limited number of high boiling organic solvents are effective at promoting wet adhesion of polyester supports and the use of these materials to improve "wet" as opposed to "dry" adhesion has not been suggested.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,628 teaches that improved wet adhesion of photographic layers to a polyester film base is provided with a layer containing an oil-in-water emulsion consisting of oil-formers, colloidal silicon dioxide, and gelatin. Again, the solution to the adhesion problem involves improved subbing layer technology, as opposed to formulation of the bottom-most photographic layer over a subbing layer as described in the present invention. The patentee notes that "both the high oil-former content and the presence of colloidal silicic acid is a condition for adhesion improvement." In addition, the high-boiling organic solvents employed cover a very wide range of materials including many solvents ineffective in accordance with the invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,273 describes a color photographic element coated on cellulose triacetate support with improved mechanical properties. Dry adhesion between the photographic layers and the support is increased using a combination of droplets of a water-immiscible high boiling organic solvent and an adhesion promoting quantity of a vinyl addition polymer latex in the antihalation layer of the photographic element. The acetate support is a wholly different class from polyester. Again, the solvents are taught without regard to the recognition that most of the solvents are not useful for improving wet adhesion. Further, the patentee also requires the presence of a vinyl addition polymer latex which is not essential in the present invention.
Methods of improving adhesion to polyester supports include altering the subbing layer, which is usually a very thin layer containing very low levels of gelatin, making it difficult to incorporate effective quantities of an adhesion promoting solvent. Also, substantial additions to this layer cause its thickness to be increased, which can result in the subbing layer being less effective at promoting adhesion of subsequently applied photographic emulsion layers. Increased thickness is also not desirable due to other system constraints such as providing a maximum number of exposures in a cartridge.
The problem to be solved is to provide a photographic element having a polyester support which has improved wet adhesion of the hydrophilic photographic layers to the polyester support so that the film layers will remain in tact during the wet processing of the film.

Photographic silver halide element having polyester support and exhibiting improved wet adhesion


A disk memory drive includes a brushless drive outer rotor motor having an internal space and a stator with windings. The outer rotor coaxially encircles the stator and a substantially cylindrical air gap is defined between the stator and the rotor. The rotor includes permanent magnets and a hub fixedly connected with the magnet. A disk mounting section is provided on the hub for accommodating at least one storage disk positioned in a clear space, the mounting section being adapted to extend through a central aperture of the storage disk. The windings and the magnets interacting with the windings are disposed for at least half of the axial longitudinal dimension thereof within a space surrounded by the disk mounting section of the hub. Bearings rotatably mount the rotor and the hub.

The invention relates to a disk storage drive for receiving at least one storage disk having a central opening, with an outer rotor type driving motor having a rotor casing mounted by means of a shaft in a bearing system so as to rotate relative to a stator and on which can be placed the storage disk for driving by the rotor casing, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 353,584, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,542, issued Mar. 27, 1984.
The content of this patent is incorporated herein by reference to avoid unnecessary repetition. It relates to a storage drive for receiving at least one storage disk having a central opening. The driving motor extends coaxially at least partly through the central opening of the storage disk, and means are provided for connecting the storage disk and the driving motor rotor.
One problem of the present invention is to further simplify the construction of a disk storage described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,542, while improving its operation. For example, the storage disk is to be reliably protected against undesired influencing by the magnetically active parts of the driving motor. In addition, a particularly space-saving and robust construction of the driving motor are to be achieved.
According to the invention, this first problem is solved in that at least the part of the rotor casing receiving the storage disk is made from a non-ferromagnetic material and carries the shaft directly or by means of a hub and in that a magnetic shield made from a ferromagnetic material in the form of a drawn can projects into the storage disk receiving part of the rotor casing and is connected thereto. The shielding surrounds the periphery of the magnetically active parts of the driving motor and also envelops the parts at one end. The shield has a central opening whose edge is directly radially adjacent the shaft or parts of the driving motor carrying or supporting the shaft. A rotor casing constructed in this way can be easily manufactured, and it effectively protects the magnetically sensitive storage disks, particularly magnetic hard storage disks, against magnetic stray flux emanating from the magnetically active parts of the driving motor. The shield is preferably in the form of a deep-drawn can, and the part of the rotor casing receiving the storage disk can be made from a lightweight metal by die casting.
If, in the manner described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,542, the driving motor is constructed as a brushless direct current motor with a permanent magnet rotor, then in accordance with a further development of the invention a printed circuit board with at least one rotary position detector and perhaps other electronic components for the control and regulation of the driving motor are mounted on the side of the stator remote from the closed end of the shielding can. This ensures that the rotary position detector and any further circuit components of the magnetic shielding arrangement do not interfere with the rotating parts.
Further advantageous developments of the invention also are disclosed, including features that contribute to a compact construction of the disk storage drive. In connection with disk storage drives of the present type, high demands are made on the concentricity of the storage disks. It is therefore generally necessary to machine the storage disk receiving part or to work it in some other way so that it is dimensionally true. As a result of other features of the invention, the necessary machining is reduced to a relatively small part of the circumferential surface of the storage disk receiving part and a trouble-free engagement of a storage disk on the shoulder of the storage disk receiving part is permitted.
Other features of the invention provide a robust precision mounting support for utilizing the available axial overall length for maximizing the distance between the bearings; and permit particularly large distances between the bearings where the axial installation area between a mounting or assembly flange and the end of the storage disk receiving part is limited. Installation space is available on the other side of this flange. Still other features provide for alternative solutions leading to particularly small radial runouts of the rotor; ensure a space-saving housing of the circuit board; and for solutions where importance is attached to a particularly shallow construction.
In a further development of the invention, a disk storage drive of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,165, issued Oct. 18, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,412, issued Oct. 19, 1993, is considered. Some such disk storage drives have stationary shafts and a sealed off internal space within the motor.
In the construction of such data storage disk drives with stationary shafts, problems also have arisen in the following areas:
a) Achieving extremely high level of precision required for repeatable shaft runout;
b) Improving the sealing of the clean chamber; and
c) Achieving a and b within acceptable costs.
Yet another purpose of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a further development of the data storage disk drive of the above type having a stationary shaft by providing viable solutions for various combinations of the above problems, such as a and c; b and c; and a, b and c.
If the rotational position sensor device has several rotational position sensors, preferably of the type sensitive to magnetic fields, it is advantageous for these sensors to be supported on a common molded piece, especially if it is made by injection molding. The construction of the molded piece for the accommodation of several rotational position sensors in accordance with the invention simply ensures the precise mutual alignment of these sensors.
If required, the rotary position sensing arrangement can be mounted on a printed circuit board, together with any known type of commutation electronics. This printed circuit board can be supported on a fixed flange or bracket which is, in turn, connected to the shaft through which the connecting leads to the rotary position sensors may be brought out.
The control arrangement, which preferably takes the form of a control magnet can be mounted on the outside of a cover which seals off the space inside the motor. This cover may preferably serve as a bearing bracket as well. The control arrangement, however, also can be mounted on a part of the hub at a distance from the disk carrier stage outside the sealed internal space of the motor. A flange which serves to support the data storage disk or disks, may be connected to the remaining hub parts as one piece, or alternatively, this flange may form part of the cover which seals off the internal space of the motor.
In accordance with one variant of the present invention, at least the electric supply leads to the stator windings are brought out of the sealed internal space of the motor over a bearing support ring. This arrangement obviates the need to provide passages in the shaft to accommodate the winding connections. In yet another alternative arrangement, the rotary position sensing arrangement, together with the commutation electronics, if necessary, can both be housed in the sealed internal space of the motor with their leads and connections being brought out over the bearing support ring. In any event, none of the above arrangements requires the provision of passages formed through the stationary shaft, thus avoiding the need to weaken the shaft or to perform additional machining operations in the manufacturing thereof.
The bearing support ring can be a prefabricated component provided with recesses for the passage of the electric leads and connections. Alternatively, the aforesaid connections can be potted inside the bearing support ring.

Disk storage device having a three-phase brushless DC underhub configured spindle motor


One embodiment provides a personal watercraft, wherein the personal watercraft includes a cockpit configured to accommodate a user, a first item of outfitting coupled to the watercraft at least partially within the cockpit, wherein the first item of outfitting includes a first fluid-holding bladder inflatable by the user to increase the snugness of fit of the first item of outfitting on the user, a second item of outfitting coupled to the watercraft at least partially within the cockpit, wherein the second item of outfitting includes a second fluid-holding bladder inflatable by the user to increase the snugness of fit of the second item of outfitting on the user, a pump for inflating the first bladder and the second bladder, a fluid supply line connecting the first bladder and the second bladder to the pump, and a valve disposed along the fluid supply line, wherein the valve is configured to allow fluid flow from the pump to be selectively directed into at least one of the first bladder and the second bladder.

Many types of personal watercraft, for example, whitewater, sea, and recreational flat-water kayaks, may include various items of outfitting configured to improve the comfort and fit of the watercraft. For example, a kayak may include a contoured seat to position and support the user within the cockpit, a back support to support the lower back of the user, and various types of thigh braces, foot braces and hip braces against which the user may exert force to control the boat, and which may help to hold the user in the boat.
To improve the performance of a kayak, a user may modify factory-installed outfitting to fit the user's body more precisely. For example, customized hip pads may be attached to the hip braces. These hip pads may help to hold the user's hips more snugly in the cockpit so that movements of the user's hips are transferred to the kayak more precisely and efficiently. Hip pads are typically formed from closed-cell foam, and are attached to the hip braces with a strong adhesive, such as contact cement, to prevent the pads from shifting or detaching during use. Additionally, extra padding may be added the seat, back support, thigh braces, etc. to likewise improve the fit of the boat.
Where a user anticipates running difficult whitewater or performing advanced freestyle moves, the user may install very snug outfitting for improved boat control. However, a great deal of time may be spent paddling easier water between difficult stretches, or sitting in the kayak in the relative calm of an eddy between freestyle sessions. In these situations, the outfitting may cause discomfort. However, because the outfitting may be glued into the cockpit and have a fixed shape, it may be difficult or impossible to loosen the outfitting between rapids or freestyle sessions. Likewise, where a looser, more comfortable fit in a kayak is desired, it may be difficult to increase the snugness of the outfitting for periods when more boat control is desired. Furthermore, user-installed outfitting is typically configured to fit just a single user optimally, thus making it difficult for multiple users to use a single watercraft.

Outfitting system for a personal watercraft