A modular hoarding includes vertical posts secured to the ground. The vertical posts are spaced apart. Detachable, horizontally oriented cross-members are secured to the vertical posts. Detachable wall panels are secured to the horizontally oriented cross-members. The wall panels are secured in abutting positions to form a modular wall structure. The cross-members and wall panels are secured to the posts and cross-members respectively so that the cross-members and panels may be detached after use. The cross-members may be secured at various selected positions along the vertical posts. Similarly, the wall panels may be secured to the cross-members at various selected positions relative to the cross-members.

The invention relates generally to hoarding assembled around construction sites.
Hoarding is used to prevent pedestrians from entering a construction site and to prevent debris from escaping the site. Hoarding may also be used as temporary barriers to control pedestrian traffic during special events and out door activities. Basic hoarding is essentially a fence formed of wood beams or rectangular frames nailed together to serve as structural members, and wood cladding panels nailed to the structural members. Such hoarding often includes a covered walkway that usually consists of more wood beams nailed together to define a roof framework, and wood panels or boards laid on the framework. Such a walkway ensures that passers-by are protected against in jury from materials and debris accidentally dropped from a building.
There are several shortcomings to such prior practices. Assembly of a hoarding requires considerable time and labour and some measure of carpentry skill. Disassembly of the hoarding not only involves considerable time, and the beams and panels of the hoarding are discarded as waste. It would be desirable to provide a hoarding system which is not subject to such waste.
In one aspect, the invention provides a modular hoarding comprising vertical posts and horizontal cross-members, preferably formed of tubular steel. The posts are positioned around the perimeter of a construction site by location in post holes, fastening to concrete surfaces, or other appropriate ways. Mounting features are provided to releasably secure the cross-members to the posts in a generally horizontal orientation. Panel structures are provided, preferably rectangular steel frames in which wood panels are permanently mounted. Mounting features are provided to secure each panel structure to the horizontal cross-members at a selectable height, accommodating variations in the surface on which the hoarding is erected. The mounting features preferably include a mounting structure fixed to each panel structure and formed with a set of vertically spaced openings. A removable mounting member may then be provided which has a key portion shaped to fit and lock into any of the openings, as by rotation between insertion and locking orientations, and which has a body portion shaped to extend rearward and downward about one of the cross-members.
In another aspect, the invention provides a covered walkway structure that can be incorporated into the basic fence structure defined by the modular hoarding. The walkway structure includes a set of uprights, each comprising a vertical support and a transverse bracket which has one end fixed to the support and an opposing free end. The support and bracket are preferably steel members welded or otherwise permanently fixed to one another at a predetermined angle. The free end of each bracket is releasably secured to one of the posts of the basic fence structure. In that regard, each bracket is associated with mounting features, preferably a vertical sleeve fixed to the free end of the bracket, and dimensioned to slide about any of the vertical posts. Panels or boards are placed on the brackets to serve as a roof, protecting the pedestrians from falling debris or construction materials dropped from above. The brackets are preferably angled downward from their respective vertical supports so that falling objects roll back into the construction site. Mesh and releasable cross-members may be fastened between the vertical supports of walkway structure to impart structural rigidity and to confine pedestrians to the covered walkway.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of erecting a modular hoarding is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of vertical posts, securing the posts to the ground, securing a plurality of cross-members to the posts in a substantially horizontal orientation, and securing a plurality of panel members to the horizontally oriented cross-members. The cross-members are secured to the posts in a manner which permits the cross-members to be disassembled for later re-use. Also, the panels are secured to the cross-members in a manner which allows the panels to be disconnected from the cross-members so that the panels may be reused.
The invention permits basic fence-type hoarding and hoarding with covered walkways to be assembled and disassembled quickly by relatively inexperienced workers. It also reduces the risk of damage to hoarding components, allowing repeated use at different construction sites. The term xe2x80x9cmodularxe2x80x9d as used in this specification in respect of hoarding should be understood as meaning a hoarding which is assembled from sets of standard prefabricated components and which can be expanded or reduced in size by adding or eliminating a number of these components.


This is an apparatus and system for integration of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality directly into a wheel. The CTI valve may be attached to the wheel or integrated into the wheel. In addition, the CTI valve may have a valve body or the valve components can be installed directly into the wheel. An air passageway between the vehicle air source and the CTI valve and/or an air passageway from the CTI valve to the tire cavity can also be employed.

This invention pertains to the integration of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality into a wheel. More particularly, it describes means for attachment of the CTI valve to the wheel, cavities in the wheel to accommodate CTI valves, and placing the internal components of a CTI valve directly into a wheel.
There are a number CTI valves already on the market. One example is provided in FIG. 1, which shows a section of a one-piece wheel assembly 1 with a hose fitting 2 mounted to the vehicle hub (not shown). The one-piece wheel assembly 1 consists of a wheel 3 with tire 4. Parts of wheel 3 include rim portion 5, disc portion 6, drop center area 7, airway 8, and hub bore area 9. Fitting 2 connects to an external conduit (air hose 10); the air hose 10 connects to the wheel 3 via another fitting 11. The tire 4 and rim 5 form a tire air chamber 12 that contains a pressured fluid (usually air).
Another example is provided by FIG. 2, which shows a section of a two-piece wheel assembly 13 configured for an externally mounted CTI valve 14 and a quick release valve 15 mounted on the two-piece wheel 16. The two-piece wheel assembly 13 consists of a two-piece wheel 16 with tire 4. Parts of wheel 16 include rim portion 5, disc portion 6, rim flat area 17, and hub bore area 9. The tire 4 and rim 5 form a tire air chamber 12 that contain a pressured fluid (usually air). Two-piece wheels 16 are usually used when a bead lock 18 or run flat device (not shown) are utilized in the two-piece wheel assembly 13. Two-piece wheels 16 consist of two major parts, the inner rim half 19 and outer rim half 20. The two rim halves 19 and 20 are sealed with an o-ring 21 to prevent air from escaping out of tire air chamber 12. Bolts 22 and nuts 23 hold the two rim halves 19 and 20 together.
FIG. 3 shows a section of another two-piece wheel assembly 24 configured for a partially integrated CTI valve 25 attached to the wheel. The configuration shown is the same as in FIG. 2, except the CTI valve 25 uses an airway 26 from the hub (not shown) to the CTI valve 25 and an airway 27 from the CTI valve 25 to the tire cavity 12. These internal passageways 26 and 27 are more fully described and discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,383 and European Patent EP 1 262 340 A2.
Thus, as the foregoing makes clear, current technology may employ any one of several configurations. First, a fitting 2 mounted on the vehicle hub (not shown) can bring air through a hose 10 to a fitting on the wheel 11. The tire cavity 12 can be inflated or deflated from a control system in the vehicle. (See, e.g., FIG. 1). Second, a fitting 28 on the vehicle hub (not shown) can bring air through a CTI hose 29 to a CTI valve 14 mounted on the wheel 16. Another air hose 30 channels air from the CTI valve 14 to the quick release valve 15. Another hose 31 brings air from the quick release valve to a sealed fitting 32 on the wheel 16. The tire cavity 12 can be inflated or deflated from a control system in the vehicle. (See, e.g, FIG. 2). Third, a CTI valve 25 can be mounted on the wheel itself. A passageway in the wheel 26 brings air from a port on the vehicle hub (not shown) to the CTI valve 25. A second passageway in the wheel 27 brings air from the CTI valve 25 to the tire cavity 12. The tire cavity 12 can be inflated or deflated from a control system in the vehicle. These internal passageways 26 and 27 are patented under U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,383 and European Patent EP 1 262 340 A2. (See, e.g, FIG. 3).
However, all of the aforesaid methods and apparatus have disadvantages. Rocks, curbs, or brush can damage external mounted valve configurations with hoses during vehicle operations. Externally mounted CTI valves with hoses and fittings typically contain a high number of components. Externally mounted CTI valves with hoses and fittings are complex and difficult to assemble. Further, the higher number of components result in an increased number of leakage points. Fittings can be striped out during assembly. The higher number of components also result in increased time required to assemble and disassemble. The externally mounted CTI valve is subject to harsh external environments including water, mud, temperature extremes, and impact damage. The externally mounted CTI valve and hoses result in excessive weight, resulting in wheel imbalance and increased weight. The higher number of components result in excessive cost. Externally mounted CTI valves are very "bulky" and take up a lot of space on the wheel face. Some CTI valves require heavy covers 33 for protection. (See, FIG. 4). Finally, externally mounted CTI valves are highly visible and are more susceptible to damage from hostile fire (on military wheels) or sabotage by cutting external tubing.
Thus, as previously noted, the purpose of this invention is to avoid the disadvantages of prior art by integrating Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality directly into a wheel. In our invention, the CTI valve may be attached to the wheel or integrated into the wheel. In addition, the CTI valve may have a valve body or the valve components can be installed directly into the wheel. An air passageway between the vehicle air source and the CTI valve and also an air passageway from the CTI valve to the tire cavity may or may not be employed.
When the CTI valve is partially or totally embedded into the wheel, the following novel features and advantages are created. First, integrated CTI valves are well protected and less susceptible to environmental fluctuations including but not limited to temperature, humidity, harsh chemicals, theft and impact loads. Second, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel are easier to assemble and remove. Third, the CTI valve can be located closer to the wheel hub to reduce centrifugal forces and reduce wheel imbalance. Fourth, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel reduce wheel imbalance because the weight of the CTI valve is compensated by the weight taken out from the cavity in the wheel. Fifth, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel result in fewer components required, also reducing cost. Sixth, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel result in a better attachment to the wheel without excessive components or hardware. Seventh, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel results in less weight, especially when part of the wheel material is removed in order to attach the valve or create an air passageway to the valve. Eighth, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel are less likely to leak air. Ninth, CTI valves partially or completely embedded in the wheel can be smaller due to the fact that there is no need for a valve housing.

Apparatus and system for integration of a central tire inflation valve into a wheel


Ski boot comprising a shell with overlapping flaps and improved watertightness. An elastically deformable tab is in fact provided on the lateral edge of at least one of the flaps and is partially or fully folded toward the other flap. This allows optimum tightness when the shell is secured and equally optimum tightness while walking, once sports activity has ended.

The present invention relates to an improved watertight ski boot comprising a shell with overlapping flaps and in which watertightness is improved.
The problem of reducing the infiltration of water in the ski boots during sports practice is strongly felt: in the ski boot shells, the overlap of the flaps in fact does not eliminate the possibility of water infiltrations inside the boot.
The flaps are in fact made of relatively rigid material, and during use undergo mutual sliding movements that lead to the forming of small openings, especially along the edges of the flaps.
As a partial solution to these drawbacks it is known to apply a rubber or plastic block, especially at the transverse edges of the flaps, which has the purpose of creating a mechanical obstacle against the flow of water from the toe to the flaps during sports practice.
Watertight sealing devices are also known which are constituted by two separate inserts applied separately on different edges of the flaps of the shell; one of the two inserts is arranged at a longitudinal edge of a flap.
The second insert is in turn constituted by two parts: one is inserted at the transverse edges of the flaps of the shell, whereas the other one is associated transversely to the first one toward the toe of the ski boot.
Even this known solution, illustrated in Italian patent no. 1,039,942 filed on 18 July 1975, has drawbacks: first of all there are three components which must be partially assembled to one another and to the shell, and secondly the interaction of all these components with one another and with the flaps still does not ensure optimum watertightness between them.
In any case, all these solutions have the additional drawback of allowing considerable water infiltration once the shell closing levers have been disengaged, for example to allow the skier to walk.
In such conditions, the flaps no longer interact with one another, thus forming wide gaps for water infiltration.


An airfoil launching system having a rod with a structure attached to a first end of the rod. A pusher holds a ring airfoil and has a sufficient coefficient of friction that the ring airfoil will generally rotate with the pusher and is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. Propulsive force is provided by resilient bands connected to the structure outward from the rod and to the pusher outward from the central aperture of the pusher. A string guide is rotatably attached to the rod and has apertures through which generally non-resilient cords, the first ends of which are attached to the pusher outward from the central aperture, pass. The second ends of the generally non-resilient cords are connected to each other, preferably with a pliable grip.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a launcher for a ring airfoil projectile.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a number of devices for launching projectiles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,012 employs a rod within a barrel to facilitate the launching of a grenade.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,663 has a rod containing a helical groove for launching a ball that spins as it moves longitudinally. Lines 63 through 65 in column 3 declare, xe2x80x9c. . . the rod 18 is a hollow cylinder with a long, thin aperture 51 describing a portion of a helical path about its exterior.xe2x80x9d Furthermore, lines 9 through 14 in column 3 explain, xe2x80x9c. . . the trigger operating device 22 presses against the trigger (not shown in FIG. 1) of the launcher 24. This releases the launcher 24 which is spring driven to impel the ball 28 along the length of the rod [member] 18 and cause it to be thrown in a line in the direction of the axis of the rod 18.xe2x80x9d And lines 31 through 35 in column 4 indicate, xe2x80x9cIt should be noted that in the preferred embodiment the launcher 24 travels a helical path described by the aperture 51 so that a spin is imparted to the ball.xe2x80x9d
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,970 and 6,079,398 both cover a launching rod having a fixed helical groove or aperture to launch a ring airfoil with a spin having been imparted to the airfoil through interaction of the launch platform with the groove.
The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,970 also explains, xe2x80x9cPropelling element 62 is associated with ring airfoil support 60 and is configured to move the ring airfoil support along member 58. Such movement may involve acceleration and deceleration. Propelling element 62 is best seen in FIG. 8. In launcher 20, propelling element 62 takes the form of a spring having two ends, where one end is attached to a knob 82 inside the forward end of member 58 and the other end is attached to pin 78 as it passes through member 58.xe2x80x9d
U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,970 further clarifies, xe2x80x9cTrigger 28 . . . holds ring airfoil support 60 in the first, cocked position, in which energy is stored in the launcher, and releases ring airfoil support 60 upon actuation of the trigger to permit the ring airfoil support to move along member 58 to the second, fired position, in which energy is transferred to the ring airfoil.xe2x80x9d
Finally, the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,970 says, xe2x80x9cMember 58 also may have a channel 68 disposed along at least a portion of its length. This channel may take a number of forms. In launcher 20, channel 68 takes the form of two helical slots disposed on opposite sides of member 58 and making about one-quarter turn along the length of the member.xe2x80x9d It does not appear that any other embodiment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,970 for causing the airfoil to rotate.
And U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,398 provides, xe2x80x9cfurther secured over forward end 140 is a launch spring 148 (illustrated as a cylinder and preferably a metal coil spring) and a launch chuck 150. Chuck 150 includes a sleeve portion 152 having an inner diameter 154 in which a pair of tabs (not shown) are formed. The tabs engage slots 138. Slots 138 form a helical twist which causes a rotation of chuck 150 as it moves axially along shaft 100. Launch spring 148 bears between collar 142 and chuck 150, and chuck 150 is retained on forward end 140 by a bumper 156 and a retainer 158 that is secured to forward end 140. Chuck 150 is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms 160, that are adapted to engage inner surface 46 of a ring airfoil 34, and outwardly extending tabs 162 adapted to engage trailing edge 45 of ring airfoil 34.
None of these patents provide for altering the degree of spin.
In the airfoil launching system of the present invention the rotation of the airfoil is adjustable and is accomplished with two or more resilient bands. The degree of axial rotation is determined by the amount which a spin guide is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the launch guide. The two resilient bands are angularly rotated by the spin guide to the same extent as is the spin guide.


The present invention provides an apparatus for producing (meth)acrylic acid and a process for producing (meth)acrylic acid with this apparatus wherein the apparatus enables the production of (meth)acrylic acid stably for a long period of time by effectively inhibiting the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid in its production process (for example, in a reboiler). At least a part of the apparatus is made of a nickel-chromium-iron alloy with a molybdenum content of 3 to 20 mass %, but not including 3 mass %, or with a molybdenum content of 1 to 4 mass % and a copper content of 0.5 to 7 mass %.

A. Technical field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for producing (meth)acrylic acid.
B. Background Art
It is a general industrial practice to produce (meth)acrylic acid by catalytic gas phase oxidation. However, (meth)acrylic acid is very easily polymerizable. Therefore there is a possibility that its polymerization often might occur in its production process and, as a result, it might become impossible to continue the operation.
Usually, polymerization inhibitors such as hydroquinone, phenothiazine, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, diphenylamine, copper dialkyldithiocarbamates, N-oxyl compounds and molecular-oxygen-containing gases are used in order to inhibit the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid in its production process, or the inner wall surface of the apparatus is treated in order to prevent solid materials, such as polymers and deposits, from attaching to the apparatus.
However, even the use of the polymerization inhibitor or the inner wall surface treatment for the apparatus still results in insufficient inhibition of the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid.

Apparatus and process for producing (meth)acrylic acid


Disclosed is an active hydrogen-containing composition suitable for the production of flexible polyurethane foam when reacted with a polyisocyanate, said composition comprising,. (a) a polyol having an average functionality of about 2.0 to about 4.0, and an equivalent weight in the range of from about 500 to about 5000; PA1 (b) from about 0.5 to about 5 parts, per 100 parts by weight of component (a), of a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, methylene bis(o-chloroaniline) and mixtures thereof; and PA1 (c) from about 0.3 to about 15 parts per 100 parts by weight of component (a), of a compound having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, at least two of which are secondary hydroxyl groups; and an equivalent weight of less than about 500;. as well as flexible polyurethane foams prepared therefrom. The active hydrogen-containing composition of the invention has been discovered to be useful in the production of polyurethane foams which pass certain standard laboratory flammability tests.

This invention relates to flexible polyurethane foams, more particularly to flexible polyurethane foams which exhibit excellent flame resistance in small scale burn testing. The terms "combustion-modified," "flame resistant" and similar terms as used herein refer to a material's performance in laboratory flammability tests, and are not meant to describe performance under actual fire conditions.
Flexible polyurethane foams are widely used as cushioning material in, for example, furniture, automobile seating, impact-reducing medias, and the like. One concern regarding the use of these foams is their performance under fire conditions, particularly their ability to resist igniting and to extinguishing themselves when exposed to flame.
Many attempts have been made to reduce the flammability of polyurethane foams. The most common method is to incorporate a halogenated compound or phosphate ester flame retarding agent into the foam formulation. These agents have been somewhat successful in reducing the flammability of the foams. However, the use of these flame retarding agents has several substantial drawbacks. Although they are somewhat successful in suppressing flames, under fire conditions they decompose to form toxic gases, particularly gaseous halogen-containing compounds such as HCl and HBr. Foams containing these agents, although they resist flames, sometimes smolder during fires. In preparing the foams, the halogenated flame retarding agents often discolor the interior of the foam, and/or lead to degradation of the foam properties. In addition, these flame retardants deactivate many of the catalysts used in foam formulations. Moreover, many companies do not like to introduce halogenated compounds into the workplace for fear of worker exposure. In addition, relatively large quantities of these agents must be used in order to obtain satisfactory results, adding significantly to the cost of the foam.
Other types of flame retardant additives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,942, which discloses the use of fire retardant additives comprising hydroxyl-terminated alkanes having a plurality of primary hydroxyl groups and alkylene ethers and polyethers having a plurality of primary hydroxyl groups. However, the primary hydroxyl-containing compounds described above are often incompatible with the high molecular weight polyols used in the preparation of polyurethane foams. In addition, such primary hydroxyl-containing compounds may also restrict cell-opening during the manufacture of the foam.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a polyurethane foam containing a flame retarding additive which does not release halogen-containing gases when burned, which does not present the processing and exposure problems associated with the halogenated and phosphate ester agents, and which is compatible with the high molecular weight polyols used in the preparation of polyurethane foams.

Combustion-modified flexible polyurethane foams


Optimum control is performed in one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. By determining a desirable control operation stage for each cylinder in advance on the basis of engine parameters. Control operation is executed at the timing where the operation stage for each cylinder reaches the determined control operation stage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a controller of an internal combustion engine that controls the quantity of fuel supply or ignition timing of the internal combustion engine.
2. Background Art
For controlling the quantity of fuel supply and ignition timing of an internal combustion engine, the quantity of fuel supply and ignition timing are determined by performing algorithmic calculations at each cycle of the engine with respect to engine parameters such as the engine speed, the intake manifold vacuum, and the engine temperature. A prior art technique for such a control is described in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 61-277845.
Such algorithmic calculation is performed at a predetermined crank angle position where the engine parameters are rather stable. Moreover, the calculation results obtained at one engine cycle are used for controlling the quantity of the fuel supply and the ignition timing within the subsequent cycle.
Such prior art controller for the internal combustion engine allows algorithmic calculations to be performed on the basis of the engine parameters at the predetermined or given crank angle position. Consequently, this creates a problem since it takes a long time for the engine to stabilize in the operational condition because of the occurrence of a hunting phenomena caused by fluctuations in the operational condition of the engine. It was, furthermore, revealed that the engine control based on the engine parameters detected at a fixed crank angle position does not always allow desired operational conditions in case of a multi-cylinder engine.


Flexible interconnects for attaching overlapping strings that can be part of a photovoltaic module. The interconnects can absorb strain caused by non-uniform heating and other loads encountered by the photovoltaic module.

Solar panels typically include one or more strings of solar cells. Adjacent solar cells in a string may overlap one another in a cascading arrangement. For example, continuous strings of solar cells that form a solar panel are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/510,008, filed Oct. 8, 2014, and entitled "Module Fabrication of Solar Cells with Low Resistivity Electrodes," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Producing solar panels with a cascaded cell arrangement can reduce the resistance due to inter-connections between the strips, and can increase the number of solar cells that can fit into a solar panel.
One method of making such a panel includes sequentially connecting the busbars of adjacent cells and combining them. One type of panel (as described in the above-noted patent application) includes a series of cascaded strips created by dividing complete solar cells into strips, and then cascading the strips to form one or more strings.
In some environments, photovoltaic (PV) modules exhibit great strain due to effects of heating, and in particular effects of heating components, such as copper busbars, that have a disparate coefficient of expansion in comparison to other components. This strain can be exacerbated by non-uniform heating of the PV module, often caused by partial sun shading of the PV panel. These heating effects can result in non-uniform cyclical loading onto joints of a strip, resulting in premature failure of joints.


A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in a heel portion of the midsole. A plurality of through holes are formed in the midsole at locations where the midsole contacts the corrugated sheet. In this case, transverse deformation of the heel portion of the midsole can be prevented by the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet and running stability of the shoe can be ensured. Also, the cushioning properties of the shoe can be improved at the portions provided with the holes because vertical deformation thereby becomes easier.

The present invention relates to an athletic shoe midsole design and construction. More particularly, the invention relates to a midsole assembly comprising a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the midsole.
The sole of an athletic shoe used in various sports is generally comprised of a midsole and an outsole. The midsole is typically formed of soft elastic material in order to ensure adequate cushioning properties. The outsole is fitted under the midsole and directly contacts with the ground.
Running stability as well as adequate cushioning properties are required in athletic shoes. Consequently, there is a need to prevent shoes from being deformed excessively in the lateral or transverse direction when contacting the ground.
As shown in Japanese Utility Model Examined Publication No. 61-6804, the assignee of the present invention proposes a midsole assembly having a corrugated sheet therein, which can prevent such an excessive lateral deformation of shoes and particularly shoe soles.
The midsole assembly shown in the above publication incorporates a corrugated sheet in the heel portion of a midsole, thereby producing a resistant force that prevents the heel portion of a midsole from being deformed laterally or transversely when a shoe contacts with the ground. Thus, transverse deformation of the heel portion of a shoe is prevented and running stability can be ensured.
Generally, by inserting a corrugated sheet, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the transverse direction and running stability can be improved. However, when the corrugated sheet is formed especially of high elastic material the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the vertical direction as well. Thus, by using a corrugated sheet, a portion of the sale of where adequate cushioning properties are required on landing may show undesirably diminished cushioning properties.
The object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe that can ensure not only running stability but also cushioning properties.

Athletic shoe midsole design and construction


Catechin compound(s)-containing beverages having reduced bitterness and astringency of catechin compound(s) while maintaining tea-like preferable flavors, methods of production thereof, and the like are provided. The content of catechin compound(s) in a beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, the total content of RebM and RebD in the beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, and the weight ratio of the total content of RebD and RebM to the content of the catechin compound(s) is adjusted to within a certain range.

Physiological effects of polyphenols have recently attracted attention due to the increase in health consciousness and the demand for polyphenol-rich beverages has increased too. For example, catechin compound(s), which are a type of polyphenols, are known to have an inhibitory effect on increase in cholesterol and there are needs for beverages containing catechin compound(s). However, catechin compound(s) have a characteristic bitter taste and astringency and therefore methods for reducing the bitter taste and astringency have been proposed to make such beverages more drinkable. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that astringency characteristic of catechin compound(s) can be suppressed by adjusting the glutamic acid concentration in beverages containing catechin compound(s) within a certain range.

Beverage containing catechin compound(s) and RebD and/or RebM


The present invention relates to allowing control of a monitoring camera, typically outside of what is supported by a video management system, to which the camera is connected. The camera overlays a pattern on the video stream representing a link to an action in a control interface for controlling the camera and an operator uses an operator controlled device, such as a mobile phone, to scan the pattern and perform the action to control the camera.

Video cameras capturing motion imagery are used in monitoring systems, surveillance systems, access control systems, etc. Such cameras are commonly connected to a Video Management. System (VMS), which allows an operator to organize, view and act upon monitoring, surveillance and access data, such as live video streams from the cameras that are connected to the VMS.
The cameras used for these purposes are often equipped with various sophisticated features such as electronic image stabilization (EIS), High Dynamic Range (HDR), automatic alarms for detected motion based on image analysis, as well as mechanical accessories in the form of wipers and similar. By properly utilising and adjusting such features when needed, the video from the camera will have better quality and be more useful to an operator of the VMS.
However, due to the vast number of camera brands and models that are available on the market and to which a VMS needs to be connectable, many such systems do not implement support for all features in all camera models, and, thus, the operator is often unable to properly control the camera through the interface provided by the VMS.
The camera features can sometimes be controlled through another interface, separate from the VMS, such as via a web page provided by a camera where the operator can login with credentials typically provided at the initial installation and configuration of the camera. However, that option is often perceived as cumbersome and is not used by the operator. In some cases, such login credentials might not even be available to a specific VMS operator. Hence, a simple and easily accessible way of controlling advanced features and settings of a monitoring camera is needed.

Method for controlling a monitoring camera


A multiple hydrocyclone device wherein cyclone units are integrally formed in radial relationship in premolded discs which are mounted in stacked concentric and internested relationship one upon the other within a common housing. The hub portions of the discs provide a central chamber to receive the underflow fraction from the cyclones with the overflow discharged from openings in the periphery of the discs to an outer chamber. Sealing rings are arranged between the internested discs to maintain leak proof integrity of the stacked discs with spring urgent thrust plate means disposed at the top of the stack to permit movement or expansion of the discs in operation of the device without disturbing the sealed relationship.

The present invention is directed to cyclone separator devices and more particularly to a multiple hydrocyclone arrangement to treat solids contained in liquid suspensions.
Hydrocyclones are well known and include generally cylindrical bodies having a cylindrical base portion merging into an elongated conical section. A discharge outlet is provided in the apex of the conical section and a vortex finder is located in an opening in the cylindrical base portion arranged adjacent to a tangentially disposed feed inlet formed in the base portion. In operation of the cyclone a solids containing liquid is fed under pressure to the cyclone through the tangential feed inlet whereby a rotation motion is imparted to the feed. As a result a separation of a heavier fraction of solids or underflow from a lighter or overflow fraction is effected. The overflow being discharged through the vortex finder and the underflow being discharged through the apex opening.
Multiple hydrocyclone arrangements using a plurality of such cyclones within a common housing are well known as evidenced by such prior U.S. patents as in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 25,099; 2,671,560; 3,261,467; 3,415,374 and 3,959,123 and provide a compact separation apparatus requiring greatly reduced operating space. These multiple cyclone units comprise a plurality of hydrocyclones grouped in clusters and arranged in horizontal layers within the housing. In certain of these devices such as for example those of the type disclosed in the mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,261,308 and 3,959,123, the cyclones of each layer are arranged in a radial or spoke-like fashion with the spaced discharge outlets of the cyclones opening to spaced underflow and overflow discharge chambers. In such known devices a large number of cyclones are arranged in a cylindrical housing which is comprised of three concentric chambers. The cyclones are mounted on and extend between the outermost and innermost chamber with the apex openings of all the cyclones arranged to discharge the underflow into the innermost chamber. The outermost chamber provides a discharge area for the overflow from the cyclones with the feed to the cyclones transmitted to an intermediate chamber located between the inner and outer chambers.
These multiple hydrocyclone arrangements are particularly adaptable to processes directed to the treatment of starch, paper pulp and mineral ore slurries and are used in the treatment of liquid suspensions for the purposes of thickening the suspension or for classifying the suspended solids into predetermined fractions. Problems are encountered however in replacing worn or defective cyclone bodies without unnecessarily prolonged shutdown procedures in operation of the entire device. In addition the known rigid housing structures in which the cyclones are mounted, involve relatively complex manufacturing procedures and necessitate individual mounting means for the individual hydrocyclones to support the same within the housing structure which results in increased manufacturing costs both in labor and parts. In addition known multiple cyclone arrangements do not allow for the ready addition of hydrocyclone clusters or for otherwise varying the size of the device in accordance with particular needs of the user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel multiple cyclone device wherein the individual cyclone clusters are formed in premolded sectors.
Another object is to provide novel cyclone clusters including novel means for locating vortex finders in cyclone bodies formed therein.
Another object is to provide a novel arrangement of cyclone clusters formed in premolded discs wherein novel means are provided for maintaining the discs in nested and sealed relationship in a common housing.
Another object is to provide novel means for sealing the discharge and feed chambers one from the other to maintain leak proof integrity during operation of the device.
A further object is to provide a novel multiple cyclone assembly comprised of a minimum number of structural elements and having inherent modular capabilities allowing for the addition or deletion of individual cyclone clusters for varying the operational capacity of the assembly.
A still further object is to provide a multiple hydrocyclone apparatus of standardized parts for use in different operational sized equipment to reduce costs in manufacturing and assembly procedures.


Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the dynamic management of the software load at a customer premise equipment device. Software components may be dynamically loaded into volatile memory of a customer premise equipment (CPE) device from a download server or non-volatile memory of the CPE device when an interaction with the CPE device creates a request for the software components. The CPE device may be configured to dynamically unload software components from volatile memory to create space for an incoming software component. The CPE device may identify one or more software components to be removed from volatile memory based upon a calculated probability to unload value for the software components within volatile memory, wherein the probability to unload value for each of the software components is calculated based upon one or more criteria associated with each software component.

Customer premise equipment (CPE) devices such as set top boxes (STBs) and others typically require complex software programs that are increasing in size due to the many features that need to be supported at the devices. These software programs may incorporate the use of open source software which generally increases the amount of software space/memory which the device needs to access. Typically, an entire build image is downloaded and stored in resident memory of a CPE device, which results in increased cost for both volatile and non-volatile memory footprint. This cost is a significant contributing factor to the overall cost of a device. Therefore, a need exists for improving methods and systems for loading and unloading software components to and from volatile memory and non-volatile memory.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Dynamic management of software load at customer premise equipment device


A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced-apart carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is part of a frame positioned above a wellhead. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems comprises gripper chains that can be engaged or disengaged from the coiled tubing extending through the apparatus. A wetting fluid basin is positioned below the gripper chains, and support guides engage the coiled tubing below the gripper chains to prevent buckling of the coiled tubing. The gripper chain drive system includes idler sprockets mounted on an idler sprocket shaft. The position of first and second ends of the idler sprocket shaft are monitored, and may be adjusted to maintain a parallel relationship with a drive sprocket shaft on which are mounted drive sprockets supporting the gripper chain.

After a well has been completed to produce oil or gas, it is necessary to periodically service the well. There are many occasions when the service procedure is carried out using coiled tubing. Such tubing is inserted into the wellhead through a lubricator assembly or stuffing box. Typically, this is necessary because there is a pressure differential at the surface of the well and the atmosphere, which may have been naturally or artificially created, that serves to produce oil or gas or a mixture thereof from the pressurized well. The tubing that is inserted into the well is normally inserted through a lubricator mechanism which provides a seal about the O.D. of the tubing for the retention of any pressure that may be present at or near the surface of the well. The tubing is inserted by a coiled tubing injector apparatus which generally incorporates a multitude of gripper blocks for handling the tubing as it passes through the injector. The tubing is flexible and can therefore be cyclically coiled onto and off of a spool, or reel, by the injector which often acts in concert with a windlass and a power supply which drives the spool, or reel.
The injector utilizes a pair of opposed endless drive chains which are arranged in a common plane. These opposed endless drive chains are often referred to as gripper chains because each chain has a multitude of gripper blocks attached therealong. The gripper chains are driven by respective drive sprockets which are in turn powered by a reversible hydraulic motor. Each gripper chain is also provided with a respective idler sprocket to maintain each gripper chain within the common plane. Both the drive sprockets and idler sprockets are mounted on a common frame wherein the distance between centers of all the sprockets are essentially of a constant distance from each other. That is, the drive sprockets are free to rotate, but are not free to move either vertically or laterally with respect to each other. The idler sprockets are not free to move laterally with respect to each other, but are vertically adjustable within a limited range in order to set the amount of play in each gripper chain. Such vertical adjustment is made by either a mechanical adjusting means or a hydraulic adjusting means. Typically, for injectors having mechanical adjustment means, the adjustment is made when the injector is not in operation.
The opposed gripper chains, preferably via the gripper blocks, sequentially grasp the tubing that is positioned between the opposed gripper chains. When the gripper chains are in motion, each gripper chain has a gripper block that is coming into contact with the tubing as another gripper block on the same gripper chain is breaking contact with the tubing. This continues in an endless fashion as the gripper chains are driven to force the tubing into or out of the wellbore, depending on the direction in which the drive sprockets are rotated. Gripper blocks such as those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,340, issued Mar. 10, 1992, to Avakov, which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.
The gripper chain is provided with a predetermined amount of slack which allows the gripper chain to be biased against the tubing to inject the tubing into and out of the wellbore. This biasing is accomplished with an endless roller chain disposed inside each gripper chain. Each roller chain engages sprockets rotatably mounted on a respective linear bearing beam, referred to herein as a linear beam. A linkage and hydraulic cylinder mechanism allows the linear beams to be moved toward one another so that each roller chain is moved against its corresponding gripper chain such that the tubing facing portion of the gripper chain is moved toward the tubing so that the gripper blocks can engage the tubing and move it through the apparatus. The gripper blocks will engage the tubing along a working length of the linear beam.
Each gripper chain has a gripper block that contacts the tubing at the top of the working length as a gripper block on the same chain is breaking contact at a bottom of the working length of the linear beam.
The fixed distance between each set of drive sprockets and idler sprockets requires some significant lateral movement in the gripper chain when engaged by the roller chain on the corresponding linear beam in order to allow the gripper chains to engage the tubing by way of the gripper blocks. The reason for having the requisite amount of lateral play in the gripper chains is to provide a limited amount of clearance between the gripper chains, upon moving the respective roller chains away from the vertical centerline of the injector, to allow the passage of tubing and tools having larger outside diameters or dimensions. One shortcoming in this design is that the required slack can often cause misalignment problems and even binding problems with the gripper chains due to having to accommodate ever increasing outside nominal dimensions of downhole tools and wellhead equipment.
There are, within the art, injectors that can accommodate a variety of outside diameters of tubing while avoiding: chain misalignment, chain binding tendencies, improper chain tension, gripper block marking or gouging, and other inherent design problems of prior injectors which manifest themselves when working with tubing, tools, and surface equipment having large nominal outside diameters. Examples of such injectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,668, issued Sep. 10, 1996, to Council et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,634, issued Apr. 3, 2001, to Avakov et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
There are, however, other difficulties that are faced when utilizing an injector to inject, suspend, or extract tubing from a wellbore. During operation of an injector, the idler sprockets may move, so that the centerline of the idler sprocket moves relative to the centerline of the drive sprocket, and may no longer be parallel to the centerline of the drive sprocket. There is a need for an apparatus that will allow the distance between the drive sprockets and the idler sprockets to be monitored and verified.
Generally, as provided herein, the wellbore in which the tubing is injected will be pressurized, so that as the tubing is initially inserted through the injector and into the wellbore, the pressure will tend to resist injection of the tubing. The pressure in the well attempts to push the tubing upwardly as the tubing is being injected, which causes buckling forces to be applied to the tubing between the lower end of the working length of the gripper chain and the point at which the tubing is engaged in the stuffing box or lubricator. Further, the tubing should be lubricated prior to entering the stuffing box. Presently, a wetting fluid is manually applied to the tubing after the tubing is spooled off the reel and prior to the time the tubing is engaged by the injector. Manual application of wetting fluid can be hazardous to the environment, due to the nature of the wetting fluids that may be used, and may be dangerous to the workers applying the fluid.
It is also important that as the downward forces are applied to the tubing by the gripper chains and the gripping loads are applied to the tubing, the gripper chains remain parallel to one another, and resist transverse movement. If the gripper chains move sideways relative to one another, the result can be less gripping force, and damage to the tubing and the injector.


Disclosed is a method of reconstructing an image. The method of reconstructing an image includes receiving low dose X-ray computed tomography (CT) data, applying an analytic principle to an optimization approach for low dose imaging to transform the low dose X-ray CT data, and removing a noise included in the low dose X-ray CT data to reconstruct a high-quality image.

The inventive concepts described herein relate to a technology for reconstructing an image, and more particularly, relate to a method that reconstructs a high quality image by removing a noise in the image.
X-ray computed tomography (CT) refers to a technique for obtaining a high-quality image about the inner part of a human body by outputting a X-ray to the human body and detecting the X-ray passing through the human body. The X-ray CT is classified into a method of obtaining a 2-dimensional reconstruction image through a photography system including a radiation emission unit and a 1-dimensional detection unit and a method of obtaining a 3-dimensional reconstruction image through a photography system including a radiation emission unit and a 2-dimensional detection unit. Both of the two methods are used according to purposes and situations of a medical examination. Also, a method in which a trajectory of a radiation emission unit is helical has been developed to diagnose the whole human body.
However, the probability that a human body is exposed to a X-ray increases when X-ray is used, thereby causing cancers. Accordingly, low dose CT for reducing radiation dose in CT and minimizing exposed dose has been developed. An image signal obtained by the low dose CT includes a noise based on Poisson distribution. Because an image reconstructed in a conventional reconstruction method includes a noise, it is difficult to examine an internal state of a human body. An iterative reconstruction method is used to obtain a high-quality reconstruction image in which a noise is removed. A model based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) method is a representative iterative reconstruction method. The MBIR method iteratively reconstructs the high-quality reconstruction image by modeling the CT system.
The low dose X-ray CT may be modeled according to Equation 1.y=Aμ+ω.  [Equation 1]
In the equation 1, "y" means projection data measured from a detection unit. "A" means a projector generating projection data. "μ" is an image to be reconstructed. "ω" means a noise based on Poisson distribution. The following optimization problem may be solved to obtain a reconstruction image "μ" in which a noise is removed.
                                                        min              μ                                                                                                                        y                    -                    A                                                      μ                                                            2                                +                      λ                                                                                R                                            (                μ                )                                                  ↵                                                                                [                  Equation                                                              2                ]
"λ" means an adjustment parameter, and "R(μ)" means a regularization term. To solve the optimization problem, a projector A and a backprojector AT that performs a backprojection process with respect to projection data are repeated in order. The conventional iterative reconstruction method will be described with reference to FIG. 3. However, the above-described manner causes an increase in computation, and thus, it takes a long time to reconstruct an image.

Development of iterative reconstruction framework using analytic principle for low dose X-ray CT

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


In a wireless transmission system, a transmitter sends a plurality of data packets to a receiver. The transmitter identifies channel quality indicators corresponding to properties of a communication channel between the transmitter and the receiver. During operation, the transmitter adjusts one or more parameters that affect the Quality of Service (QoS) of data transmission between the transmitter and receiver to enable data transmission at different quality levels over a range of channel quality levels. In one embodiment, the transmitter sends data packets corresponding to video from a camera to the receiver.

Video monitoring and display systems are used in a wide range of applications including in driver assistance systems for motor vehicles. Some vehicles are equipped with video cameras at various locations in the vehicle to assist a vehicle operator in viewing regions around the vehicle that are otherwise difficult to see. For example, a backup camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle generates a video of the region behind the vehicle and an in-vehicle video display presents the view to the vehicle operator. The video from the in-vehicle camera often shows so-called "blind spots," which are portions of the area behind the vehicle that are not readily seen through conventional windows or mirrors. The camera systems provide additional visibility to the vehicle operator to reduce or eliminate blind spots while the vehicle is in operation.
Some in-vehicle video systems send video data from a camera to a video display device through a wired communication medium in the vehicle. Other video systems transmit video data from a camera using a wireless transceiver that sends the video data to another wireless transceiver that is connected to the video display device. Some wireless video monitoring systems are used as after-market video monitoring systems for vehicles that did not receive a video monitoring system at the time of manufacture. Other wireless video monitoring systems are included in new vehicles to reduce the complexity of running data wires in the vehicle and to enable transmission of video data to portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and other portable electronic devices that are available to the vehicle operator.
Wireless communication systems for transmission of video data in a motor vehicle can provide additional information to a vehicle operator during operation of the motor vehicle, but the environment and operating requirements for a motor vehicle present challenges to the design of wireless video transmission systems. While numerous systems for transmission of video data over wired and wireless networks, including streaming data using H.264 compression or other temporal compression schemes are known to the art, the existing video streaming systems are not always suitable for use in motor vehicle systems that require rapid real time presentation of images that are generated by backup cameras or other cameras in the vehicle. For example, video streaming and compression systems typically generate segments of video in a short duration, such as a few seconds, and then encode each video segment using inter-frame compression techniques. That is to say, the compression process analyzes data from multiple frames of recorded video data that occur over a predetermined period of time and generates compressed data where the decompression process for some frames of video require the prior decompression of previous frames in the video sequence. Video compression and streaming techniques that are known to the art, even so-called "live" video streams such as two-way video communication and camera monitoring systems, commonly compress segments of several video frames and use buffering techniques to provide smooth video playback. Buffering occurs when a receiving device receives multiple frames of video prior to displaying the video frames to ensure that the playback of video remains smooth even if a transient interruption in network service delays transmission for portions of the video.
While buffering is an effective technique for many video streaming systems, existing buffering techniques can be less effective for use with backup cameras or other cameras that show present-time conditions around the vehicle with minimal time delay for display of the images from the in-vehicle cameras. Additionally, motor vehicles often operate in electrically noisy environments with transient electrical noise sources that affect the video data stream in unpredictable ways during operation.
During operation of the motor vehicle, the wireless video transmission system should operate with high reliability to ensure that the vehicle operator can view an accurate depiction of the video from the in-vehicle camera, even in the presence of interference. Consequently, improvements to wireless transmission systems and methods to enable reliable transmission of video data for a wide range of operating conditions in and around the vehicle would be beneficial.

Adaptive methods for wireless camera communication


An apparatus for attaching a lid member of automobile comprising a lid member transferring device which transfers a lid member, in its closed posture, to an opening of car body, a lid member locating means which locates the specified one point part of a lid member being transferred by said lid member transferring device in such a state that said lid member is rotatable with said one point part as the center, a lid member checking device which checks the other part of a lid member rotating with said one point part as the center at the specified position and a lid member pressing device which presses a lid member so that said lid member rotates with said one point part as the center and said other part of said lid member is checked by said checking member.

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for attaching a lid member of automobile, particularly, a method and an apparatus for attaching a lid member, such as a bonnet, a truck lid or the like, to the specified position of a car body.
Generally, a lid member such as a bonnet, a trunk lid or the like, is attached at a metal line process (where metal parts, such as doors, a front fender or the like are attached) to a car body which was assembled at a floor main process and a main body assembling process.
Usually, the lid member mentioned above is attached to the car body in the following way. The lid member is set manually, in its opened state, to the attaching position at an opening of the car body. Then, a hinge member fixed to the specified position of the lid member is located to a hinge attaching part of the car body and is fastened by bolts. However, since a lid member such as a bonnet is comparatively heavy in weight, attaching of it to the car body has been an intricate work.
For the purpose of automating the lid member attaching work, Japanese Utility Model Registration Application Laying Open Gazette No. 56-28826, for example, disclosed a lid member attaching apparatus provided with a stocker which stocks a plurality of lid members, a conveying device which takes out lid members one by one from said stocker and conveys each lid member to the specified position, a transferring and locating device which transfers a lid member carried to the specified position to the attaching position at an opening of the car body and sets it there and a fastening device which fastens a hinge member fixed beforehand to the car body to the located lid member.
Recently, for the purpose of automating the bonnet attaching work, Japanese Patent Application Laying Open Gazette No. 62-99272, for example, has disclosed a robot for attaching a bonnet, whereby the position of a hinge attaching part is detected accurately by measuring a datum point provided in the car body, on the basis of such detected data a bonnet held by an adsorption pad, for example, is transferred, in its opened state, to the specified position of the car body, and a hinge member is located to a hinge attaching part.
In the case of the above-mentioned robot for attaching a bonnet, since a bonnet is transferred, in its opened state, to the specified position of the car body, a hinge member to be fastened to the car body side is also held in an opened state by its own weight, namely, is held in a sitting posture in relation to the hinge attaching part of the car body and therefore the hinge member can easily be seated on the hinge attaching part by moving the bonnet downward, without the necessity of changing the hinge member to a sitting posture.
However, in the above robot for attaching a bonnet, since a bonnet is transferred, in its opened state, to the specified position of the car body, when the bonnet is put in a closed state after the hinge member was fastened by a bolt, the bonnet is not held at the proper position due to manufacturing errors of the hinge member and attaching errors of the hinge member in relation to the bonnet and the car body, namely, clearances between the bonnet and the right/left fender are not uniformed. This spoils external appearance of the automobile and causes such problem that the side of the bonnet interfers with the fender.
On the other hand, it can be taken into consideration to attach a bonnet, in its closed state, to the car body. For example, in the case where each of plural locating pins is inserted in a respective locating hole made in the bonnet for locating the bonnet in relation to the car body, for example, if it is tried to improve positional precision of the locating pin and the locating hole for the purpose of improving the bonnet attaching precision, bad insertion of the locating pin can be caused due to positional errors of the locating pins and positional errors of the locating holes.

Method and apparatus for attaching a lid member of automobile


The electric discharge lamp has a discharge vessel, which is mounted in an outer bulb. A containment shield surrounds the discharge vessel and includes a glass sleeve and a helically coiled wire about the sleeve. Electrically isolated clamping leads extending from the seals axially secure the glass sleeve about the discharge vessel so that it is electrically isolated. The wire is fixed around the sleeve in an electrically floating manner, e.g. by clamping fit and/or by bent end portions secured over the ends of the glass sleeve. The construction of the lamp is simple and effective to protect the outer bulb from being damaged by an explosion of the lamp vessel and to prevent accelerated sodium depletion from the discharge vessel.

The invention relates to an electric discharge lamp having
an outer lamp envelope, PA1 a discharge vessel arranged within the outer envelope, the discharge vessel including a pair of discharge electrodes between which a discharge is maintained during lamp operation, opposing seals sealing the discharge vessel in a gas-tight manner, and a conductive feed-through extending from each discharge electrode through a respective seal to the exterior; PA1 frame means for supporting the discharge vessel within the outer envelope and for electrically connecting the discharge vessel to a source of electric potential outside of the outer envelope; and PA1 a containment shield comprised of a light-transmissive sleeve disposed about the discharge vessel and having opposing ends each adjacent a respective seal of the discharge vessel.
Such a lamp is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,204. The purpose of the containment sleeve is to keep the outer bulb intact if the discharge vessel should explode, which may occur when the lamp reaches the end of its life. The presence of the sleeve, however, complicates lamp construction because it must be supported about the discharge vessel. In the commercially available lamp according to this patent, the sleeve is quartz glass and has a wall thickness of 2 mm. Metal clips are secured on the press seals and include portions which hold the ends of the sleeve. The sleeve and discharge vessel are supported by welding the clips to an elongate metal support rod which is fixed around the lamp stem by a metal strap. The support rod, and consequently the metal clips and the sleeve, are electrically isolated which prevents accelerated sodium depletion from the discharge vessel. (For a detailed description of this sodium loss process, reference may be made to the textbook Electric Discharge Lamps by Dr. John Waymouth, M.I.T. Press 1971 (Chapter 10)). As compared to a non-shielded lamp in which the elongate support rod typically extends from the lamp stem or is welded to a stem conductor to carry current to the discharge vessel, the fixing of the support rod to the stem with a metal strap is more expensive and intricate. The clips further add to the number of lamp parts and increase lamp cost.
It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,876 to surround the glass sleeve by a meshwork of metal wire which is fixed around the sleeve with metal clamping strips. The provision of the meshwork enables a sleeve of smaller wall thickness to be used while still maintaining adequate containment. The clamping strips are also electrically conducting and connected to a current-carrying conductive support rod of the lamp frame which supports the discharge vessel and the glass sleeve. The meshwork as a result is under electrical tension, which causes accelerated sodium depletion from the discharge vessel as discussed above.
The construction of the '876 lamp is complicated. The manufacture of the meshwork, or of a braided assembly, and its manipulation are difficult. With the clamping strips, the sleeve tends to shift when the lamp is jarred during shipping or handling. Furthermore, the securing of the clamping strips about the meshwork and sleeve requires expensive banding equipment and/or hand welding to the lamp frame which increases lamp cost.
It is also known to use outer lamp bulbs which have a larger wall thickness than standard bulbs to protect against failure in the event of a discharge vessel explosion. However, using such non-standard bulbs greatly increases lamp cost.

High pressure discharge lamp having clamped-on containment sleeve

Philips Electronics North America Corporation