Process for controlling the exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine 1 of the type comprising a pipe (4) assuring the connection between the exhaust manifold (3) and the intake manifold (2), said pipe being equipped with an E.G.R. valve (5) controlled from the electronic system (6) for engine control to assure the recirculation of a given rate of exhaust gas, characterized in that said engine control system is equipped with means for calculating the values Tm.sub.-- i of a representative magnitude of the torque produced by each of the combustions of the engine and in that the opening of the E.G.R. valve is controlled, for given operating conditions of the engine, as a function of said values Tm.sub.-- i.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for controlling the system for recirculation of the exhaust gases at the intake of an internal combustion engine that equips in particular a motor vehicle.
2. Discussion of the Background
The standards relating to pollution and the consumption of the internal combustion engines that equip motor vehicles, become more severe each day in all industrialized countries. The automobile industry is therefore today busy finding technical solutions to meet these obligations and this, without restricting too much the performances of the engines or adversely affecting their cost.
A known technique for pollution control of internal combustion engines consists in performing the recirculation of the exhaust gases to reduce the emissions of pollutants and more particularly nitric oxides. This technique, called E.G.R. (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), consists in reinjecting a portion of the exhaust gases into the intake manifold of the engine, which has the effect of reducing the amount of gas to be burned and consequently of lowering the combustion temperature, hence a reduction of the production of NOx's or nitric oxides.
The device most often adopted for use is that of the external recirculation, as opposed to the internal recirculation caused by the crossing of the intake and exhaust pipes. To do this, a connecting duct connects the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold, the exhaust gases are then sucked through this duct by the natural partial vacuum of the engine and reintroduced at the intake into the flow of combustion air. The duct is equipped with a valve that makes it possible to control the amount of exhaust gases reintroduced at the intake depending on the operating conditions of the engine and in particular depending on the level of power required of the engine. To do this, the valve, generally called an E.G.R. valve, is directly controlled by the electronic system for engine control that adjusts the recirculation rates depending on the operating phases of the engine.
This E.G.R. valve, however, exhibits the drawback of being subject to losses of adjustment that can cause malfunctioning of the engine and therefore increased emissions of polluting substances. Actually, the E.G.R. valve is subjected to the attack of the highly corrosive exhaust gases and its gradual fouling tends to change the characteristics of the flow of the exhaust gases for the same instruction issued by the engine control system.
In the context of future antipollution regulations such as the U.S. standard OBD2 (On Board Diagnostic Level 2), it is provided that the electronic systems for engine control that equip the particular vehicles are induced to diagnose and/or correct automatically certain engine faults which have an impact on the emissions of pollutants.
Thus, it is provided to install in future electronic systems for engine control, devices that are capable of detecting, while driving, faults relating in particular to the operation of the E.G.R. system. These faults will cause, when there is a failure of an element acting on the level of pollution, either the activation of degraded modes of operation and/or the lighting of a warning light on the instrument panel informing the driver (not very harsh regulations), or will require that corrective measures be taken or that the vehicle be stopped (strict regulations).
Automobile designers and outfitters have therefore developed a certain number of techniques for controlling the operation of the E.G.R. valve.
By way of example, it is possible to cite the use of Venturi tubes on the pipe coming out of the E.G.R. valve, of means for controlling the movement of the needle of the valve, or further, of temperature probes, etc.
It is also possible to cite the control process described in patent application No. FR-A-2,674,574, characterized in that the gas intake load in the engine is measured upstream and downstream from the outlet of the recycling pipe, before and after the control on opening or on closing of the valve, the load measurements upstream from the outlet are compared first to be assured of a stabilized operation of the engine, then if such is the case, the engine load measurements downstream from the outlet of the recycling pipe are compared before and after controlling the valve, to determine a proper operation of the valve in case of difference between these measurements and a malfunctioning of it in case of equality between these measurements.
This device makes it possible to detect the nonoperation of the E.G.R. valve but not a degraded operation, further this device like all devices proposed in the prior art, exhibits a certain number of drawbacks at the level of the complexity of its structure, its difficult installation in the engine and the reliability itself of the means added to control the operation of the E.G.R. valve.

Societe Anonyme Dite Regie Nationale des Usines Renault


A composition for forming a hard material having good high temperature insulation, reflection and diffusion properties, comprising a mixture of crushed pumice, calcium aluminate cement and glass fibers, which forms the hard material upon the addition of water and after allowing the mixture to cure.

The invention relates generally to the field of curable compositions for forming a refractory material, as well as the refractory material itself, as used for example in ovens or grills. In particular, the invention relates to the field of such compositions where the resulting hardened material is comprised of crushed pumice, calcium aluminate cement and glass fibers.
For ultra-high temperature applications, special materials which can withstand the extreme temperatures without rapid deterioration must be used. Many such materials are known in the industry. For example, it is well known to use refractory blocks or bricks in industrial ovens. These materials have both high temperature resistance and high strength.
Pumice is a volcanic stone which is strong yet lightweight. A cubic foot can weigh as little as 24 to 30 pounds, due to the presence of numerous sealed air chambers and pockets within the individual stones. Crushed pumice can range in size from pieces three-quarter inches in diameter to that of a grain of sand. Pumice will actually float in water. Prior to this invention, the pumice has always been mixed with portland cement and formed into blocks, panels or bricks, usually for structural applications. Portland cement is an hydraulic cement produced by pulverizing clinker consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates, usually containing one or more forms of calcium sulfate as an interground addition. The pumice allows for a block roughly one-third lighter in weight than a block of conventional concrete. The pumice block has good insulation properties due to the entrapped air chambers, but is not suitable for extreme temperature applications because the portland cement will degrade as high temperatures.
It has been discovered that pumice panels or blocks having improved temperature insulation, radiation and diffusion properties can be formed of a new composition not known in the field, where portland cement is replaced by calcium aluminate cement. The pumice panels or blocks are particularly applicable for use as liners in high temperature ovens or grills, such as are used in industry for curing or cooking. The presence of the pumice containing panels or blocks significantly increases the efficiency of the ovens and grills, resulting in savings in fuel consumption and processing time.


Described herein are compositions, kits, and methods for determining whether subjects having cancer(s) positive for ALK mutations are likely to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor and/or whether a patient having such cancer(s) is likely to have a relatively slower disease progression. Further described are methods for prognosing a time course of disease in a subject having such cancer.

Tyrosine kinases are a class of enzymes that catalyze phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of protein substrates via a transfer of the terminal phosphate of adenosine triphosphate. In many contexts, tyrosine kinases play critical roles in signal transduction for a number of cell functions, including cell proliferation, carcinogenesis, and cell differentiation.
EML4-ALK is a fusion-type protein tyrosine kinase that is present in ˜5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and which is generated as a result of a small inversion within the short arm of human chromosome 2 (Soda™, M. et al. (2007) Nature 448:561-566; Mano, H. (2008) Cancer Sci. 99:2349-2355). EML4-ALK undergoes constitutive dimerization as a result of interaction between the coiled-coil domain within the EML4 region of each monomer and thereby acquires pronounced oncogenic activity. Transgenic mice that express EML4-ALK, specifically in lung epithelial cells, develop hundreds of adenocarcinoma nodules in both lungs soon after birth, and oral administration of a specific inhibitor of ALK tyrosine kinase activity rapidly eradicates such nodules from the lungs (Soda, M. et al. (2008) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:19893-19897). These observations reveal the essential role of EML4-ALK in the carcinogenesis of NSCLC harboring this fusion kinase, and they further support the feasibility of molecularly targeted therapy with ALK inhibitors for this cancer. For example, clinical trials of an inhibitor, PF-02341066, of the tyrosine kinase activity of both ALK and MET are under way for the treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC, and their interim results are promising (Kwak, E. L. et al. (2009) J. Clin. Oncol. 27(suppl):15s (abstract 3509)). A subset of EML4-ALK-positive tumors, however, do not respond to the inhibitor, with unknown molecular basis of treatment failure.
In addition to PF-02341066, other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been shown to possess pronounced therapeutic activity in cancer patients. Imatinib mesylate, a TKI for ABL1 and KIT, for instance, markedly improves the outcome of individuals with chronic myeloid leukemia positive for the BCR-ABL1 fusion kinase or with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor positive for activated KIT (Druker, B. J. et al. (2001) N. Engl. J. Med. 344:1031-1037; Heinrich, M. C. et al. (2008) J. Clin. Oncol. 26:5360-5367). Furthermore, gefitinib and erlotinib, both of which are TKIs for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), are effective in the treatment of NSCLC associated with EGFR activation (Mok, T. S. et al. (2009) J. Clin. Oncol. 27:5080-2087; Mok, T. S. et al. (2009) N. Engl. J. Med. 361:947-957). Unfortunately, a subset of target tumors are either refractory to corresponding TKIs from the start of treatment or become resistant after an initial response. Secondary mutations in the target kinases that directly or allosterically affect the shape of the ATP-binding pocket, resulting in hindrance of TKI binding, have been detected in some cases of treatment failure (Deininger, M. et al. (2005) Blood 105:2640-2653; Kobayashi, S. et al. (2005) N. Engl. J. Med. 352:786-792; Pao, W. et al. (2005) PLoS Med. 2:e73; Shah, N. P. et al. (2002) Cancer Cell 2:117-125). Accordingly, there is an immediate need to identify mutations conferring resistance upon tyrosine kinases, such as EML4-ALK, in order to better develop compositions, kits, and methods for identifying, assessing, preventing, and treating disorders related to their aberrant expression and/or activity.

Identification, assessment, and therapy of cancers with innate or acquired resistance to ALK inhibitors


A self-tensioning fencing system includes a mounting batten, made of plastic or metal, which is mounted directly to a structural support such as a fence post using standard nails, screws or bolts as required according to the type of a particular fence post. The mounting batten may be a solid or a thick walled hollow section elastic extrusion or a metal form. The mounting batten is secured to the structural support post so as to space the plastic grid material away from the support post to allow the plastic grid material to be tensioned at a spacing from the structural support posts. A channel batten made of pre-coated cold rolled steel mounts over the plastic batten and serves to clamp plastic grid fencing material between the mounting batten, and the channel batten. The channel batten when drawn tight against the mounting batten serves not only to firmly attach the fencing material to the support post but acts as a tensioning device. The amount of tensioning take-up provided by the channel batten is dependent upon the respective cross-sectional dimensions of the mounting batten and the channel batten. In a typical application, the tensioning capability of the channel batten is in the range of 3/8 of an inch to 7/8 of an inch at each support post, and preferably 5/8 of an inch, dependent upon the plastic grid material used and the size and shape of the mounting batten and the channel batten.

Present fencing systems require erection of structural support posts at some predetermined spacing after which a roll of plastic fencing material is secured at one end to a post and then tensioned from a structural support post at an opposite end so as to stretch the plastic fencing material across the plurality of structural support posts. After stretching, the plastic fencing material is secured to the intermediary structural support posts.


A method for processing a packet comprising an ordered sequence of packet parts is disclosed. The method uses a set of hardware processing modules, and the method comprises the steps of broadcasting, in a step the next header field of a received packet part to the set of processing modules, and processing, in a step the received packet part by a sub-set of the modules dependent upon the broadcast next header field.

FIG. 1 shows a communication packet 100 based on Version 4 of the Internet Protocol (hereinafter referred to as IPv4). The packet 100 has packet parts 101-108. When considering how such packets are processed in hardware, the OPTIONS packet parts 106-107 are of particular importance as will be explained in regard to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 shows an example of how the packet 100 of FIG. 1 can be processed in an IPv4 environment. The process 200 comprises process steps 201-206. A dashed arrow 207 on the right-hand side of the process step 201 indicates that the process step 201 makes use of information in the packet parts 101-105 of the packet 100 of FIG. 1. Similar dashed arrows are associated with the process steps 202 and 204-206 and in each case relate to the packet parts that are required by the corresponding process step.
The first step 201 reads the header of the packet 100. The header comprises the packet parts 101-105. The step 201 checks the DESTINATION ADDRESS at 105, and calculates the header checksum. In order to determine the header checksum all the packet parts 101-105 and 106-107 are required. Accordingly, the checksum is determined over the entire header, including the options. Thereafter, a step 202 processes OPTIONS fields in the packet parts 106-107. In the present packet example 100, the OPTION relates to the IPv4 ROUTING option. The subsequent step 203 discards the packet 100 if the header checksum calculated in the step 201 is incorrect. A following step 204 performs operations concerned with fragment handling. This relates to the situation in which the packet 100 is one of a number of packets associated with a source data packet (not shown) that has been fragmented. The step 204 thus involves consideration of the PACKET IDENTIFICATION field and the FRAGMENT OFFSET field at 102 to check that fragmentation integrity has been maintained. Thereafter, a step 205 adds data from the DATA packet part 108 to a fragment buffer (not shown), provided that the check carried out in the step 204 is valid. A following step 206 establishes whether the data fragment carried in the packet 100 is the final fragment from the source data packet. If this is the case, then the data payload in the packet part 108, plus other information from the packet header is sent to the transport layer for sending to the next destination.
The process 200 can be realized using one or more processing modules implemented as state machines. It is apparent that the process 200 accesses and operates upon the packet parts 101-108 of the packet 100 in a non-linear fashion. Thus, for example, even though the packet parts 101-105 are processed in the step 201, the packet part 102 is again processed by the step 204. Because of the non-linear packet part access that is required for IPv4 processing, practical implementations of processors for IPv4 packets typically include a control module as well as other modules. The control module is generally responsible, among other things, for scheduling the flow of packet data among the other processing modules.
A multiplicity of communication paths are required for the aforementioned non-linear packet part access and processing between the control module and the other processing modules. Processing and communication also takes place between the other processing modules themselves. The arrangement of the communication paths and the data and control flows are dependent upon the type of packets being processed, and in particular, dependent upon the OPTIONS included in the packets. Thus, it is difficult to customise the structure of an IPv4 processing machine to specific circumstances.
FIG. 3 shows a representative prior art process flow for processing an IPv4 packet, using hardware processing modules in the IPv4 environment. FIG. 3 depicts an architecture having a control module 308, an IPv4 module 309, a routing module 310 and a fragmentation module 312.
In a first step 301 the control module 308 receives the packet (such as 100 in FIG. 1) from a data bus that is depicted a "B" in a circle. In a following step 302 the control module 308 sends IP header data onto the data bus "B". The IPv4 module 309 reads the header data from the bus "B" and processes the header data in a step 313. The aforementioned steps 301-302 and 313 correspond to the step 201 in FIG. 2. In a next step 303 the control module 308 checks the OPTION field in the packet 100, and then a step 304 sends routing option data to the routing module 310 over the bus "B". The routing module 310 processes the received routing data in a step 314. The steps 303-304 and 314 correspond to the step 202 in FIG. 2. The next step 305 again checks the OPTION field in the packet 100 after which a step 306 send fragmentation option data to the fragmentation module 312. The fragmentation module 312 processes the fragmentation data in a step 315. The steps 305-306 and 315 correspond to the steps 204-206 in FIG. 2. A re-entrant arrow 311 indicates that the processing of fragmentation data (ie adding data to the fragment buffer referred to in relation to FIG. 2) is associated with a corresponding process step for the next packet if not all fragments have yet been received. A final step 307 sends data to the transport module (not shown).
It is apparent from FIG. 3 that the packet process 300 involves repeated communication between the control module 308 and the other modules 309, 310 and 312. Furthermore, the accesses to the packet parts 101-108 of the packet 100 are non-linear.

Modular approach to the TCP/IPv6 hardware implementation


A one-way, multi-destination and/or multi-postage scheme mailing instrument having multiple addressor, addressee and postage fields which are alternatively covered or exposed individually or as a set through the use of moveable and removable flaps. The mailing instrument enables the user to mail the envelope to different addressees using one of two preprinted addressee information blocks on the mailing instrument and/or to have the envelope show one or another of alternative addressors. Likewise, the user can mail the envelope using preprinted Business Reply Mail postage on the mailing instrument or the envelope can be sealed so that the Business Reply Mail markings are completely covered and a blank field for affixation of a conventional postage stamp is provided thereby avoiding any Business Reply Mail charge to the addressee.

This invention relates to a new and useful mailing instrument that enables the user to select from a multiplicity of addressing schemes and postage schemes provided on a single mailing instrument. More specifically the mailing instrument enables the sender to select one each of the more than one addressee, addressor and postage fields provided on the mailing instrument surfaces. The sender may assemble a mailing instrument having a combination of various pre-printed or blank address and postage fields that allow the same mailing instrument to be used for more than one mailing purpose; i.e. return payment to a vender by selecting the pre-printed addressee field or use for personal mail by selecting the blank addressee field.
Currently, many companies send their customers an empty self-addressed reply envelope for the collection of money owed by the customer. A bill or statement is often sent to the customer with the reply envelope. In many cases the addressee prefers to accept timely payments at one address and late payments at another address. In a second example, a company moving its office has a need for a reply envelope that can be sent to one address before the moving date and to another address after the moving date. For conservation and ecological purposes, it would be desirable for a reply envelope to have a preprinted addressee field showing the mailing address of the company and an alternative blank addressee field. If the end user has no need to use the envelope for sending a response to the company then he/she has available an envelope for personal use. Thus conservation and ecological considerations favor the inventive mailing instrument. There is a need for a single reply envelope that provides alternative address fields for return to one or the other of two addressee address fields and that provides for selection of one or the other of two addressor address fields, which are the usual return address blocks on an envelope.
Along the same lines, some companies and many non-profit organizations also employ reply envelopes that have a printed postage field on a Business Reply Envelope (BRE). A BRE is generally sent by an individual, a company or other organizational entity in order to solicit a response, contribution or order. The BRE is often part of a mass mailing that may include a catalog for material, an order form, a request for contribution, or other correspondence. The specification for an approved BRE is given by the U.S. Postal Service. A company or entity must obtain a permit for the use of Business Reply Mail thus becoming a permit holder; the permit number appears directly under the text "BUSINESS REPLY MAIL" on the envelope. The purpose of the Business Reply Envelope is to provide a postage paid method of response for a respondee through the mail. With Business Reply Mail, the cost of the postage is paid for by the permit holder upon receipt of the mail. Entities using a business reply envelope (BRE) having printed postage thereon pay a per item postage fee substantially above the first class rate that is charged for an identical mail item bearing a conventional stamp. These entities often request that their customers save them postage fees by placing a stamp in the printed postage field. Unfortunately the placement of a stamp in the printed postage field on the BRE only reduces the postage fee charged to the entity rather than eliminating the fee charged to the entity. The BRE bearing a conventional postage stamp is treated by the Post Office as a standard business reply mail item despite the placement of a conventional stamp on the mail item; this is due to the exposure of the BRE printed postage indicia appearing on the face of the mail item which is not completely covered by the postage stamp. After the entity has received the BRE bearing a postage stamp and made full payment of the BRE postage rate, the permit holder can receive a credit for a portion of the postage amount placed on the reply envelope by the respondee; this credit is substantially less than the postage fee charged to the permit holder by the Post Office.
Thus, there is also an additional need for an envelope that could be used either as a conventional non-Business Reply Envelope or as a U.S. Postal Service approved Business Reply Envelope. This would give the sender an option to either reply with or without supplying the necessary conventional postage. In addition, the permit holder would not have to pay any postage fee should the respondee elect to apply sufficient conventional postage to the inventive envelope. Further, the permit holder will save time since he/she will not have to request a postage credit from the Post Office. Prior to the invention of the subject envelope a BRE permit holder would have to provide two envelopes: one BRE and the other a conventionally printed envelope. The respondee could then choose which to send; the other being discarded. Accordingly, there is a strong need for one reply envelope having both an indicia for BRE use and an overlying sheet or face hiding the BRE indicia. The overlying sheet or face provides a second or alternative postage field for receipt of a conventional postage stamp.
There is also a need for a single mailing instrument which fulfills the above multiple needs and enjoys simple manufacture and use. Since many self-addressed reply envelopes are mass mailed by the addressee, the costs related to the envelope's manufacture, structure and printing should be minimized.
The prior art shows no available mailing instrument that solves the above problems faced by parties using standard reply and business reply mailing instruments.
The prior art shows that there has been development of several different styles of envelopes and mailing instruments providing more than one address field and postage field. These envelopes however have been for use as two way envelopes which enable the recipient of the envelope to respond to the sender using the same envelope. The prior art envelopes generally are described as having two addressee or addressor fields; two postage fields; or some combination of the two.
A first example in the prior art shows an envelope that provides two sets of address and postage field combinations. This prior art however does not provide separate address field and postage field schemes which are selectable individually. That is, the address and postage field schemes provided in the prior art must be selected as one of two alternate sets of an addressee, addressor and postage combinations. Additionally the prior art discloses an envelope that has the disadvantage of being a different size depending upon the address and postage scheme selected by the user. Also because this prior art envelope was designed specifically for two-way use the adhesive fields used to seal the envelope for one of the address/postage field combinations is insubstantial and may not provide adequate sealing to keep the envelope from coming open during mailing.
Another example in the prior art shows an envelope that provides multiple address fields and postage fields on one envelope through an unconventional sealing arrangement. This prior art envelope provides a second postage field by tucking the closing flap inside the envelope. This closing scheme is less advantageous than the applicant's two flap scheme in as much as it may prove difficult to activate the adhesive and tuck the closing flap inside of the envelope so that the envelope is sealed properly in the prior art scheme. The tucked in arrangement of the envelope also has an unconventional look which may be unacceptable to some users. In addition the alternate addressee field on the prior art envelope cannot be utilized if the correspondence in the envelope blocks the window opening in the front of the envelope.
Still another example in the prior art shows an envelope having a removable flap for use as an advertising surface. This envelope resembles the applicants invention only in as much that it shows an envelope having a flap attached to each of the two envelope opening edges. This prior art envelope does not show a multiple addressing or postaging scheme. In addition the advertising flap does not have an adhesive surface for sealing the flap to the envelope to close it.
The above noted designs fail to meet the needs of those companies, organizations, individuals and the like who wish to employ a single reply envelope having optional addressee, addressor and postage fields. In sum, prior envelopes exhibit two-way or bi-directional capability as is evident from an examination of the structural features in the above designs. The present invention has emerged as a solution to a different problem, that of a one-way multi-destination or multi-postage scheme instrument having novel structural features.


A torque transmitting device for an automotive transmission includes a clutch housing with a plurality of internal splines, a clutch hub with a plurality of external splines extending radially outwardly from the clutch hub, a plurality of friction plates with internal teeth and a first and a second surface. The first and second surface having a friction material disposed thereon and at least one of the internal teeth has an aperture and the plurality of internal teeth intermesh with the plurality of external splines on the outer surface of the clutch hub, a plurality of reaction plates having a plurality of external teeth and a first and a second surface. The plurality of external teeth intermesh with the plurality of internal splines in the clutch housing, and a spacer member disposed in the aperture separates a first of the friction plates from a second of the friction plates.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.
Clutches are employed for interruptably coupling two rotating components to one another, such as for example, an engine to a transmission. In multiple plate clutches, friction plates on a drive member rotate relative to interposed friction plates on another member when the clutch is disengaged. When the clutch is engaged, the multiple plates of the clutch are brought into physical contact, and the multiple plates frictionally engage with one another. When the clutch is disengaged, to reduce frictional drag between relatively rotating plates clutch plate separation devices, such as annular wave springs, may be disposed between the friction plates to effect plate separation.
While traditional multi-plate clutch separation mechanisms are effective, there is room in the art for an improved multi-plate clutch separation mechanism that ensures rapid clutch plate separation without additional rotating mass or substantial cost. Especially desirable, would be a multi-plate clutch separation mechanism that can be fitted to currently-available transmissions as well as future transmissions.


An objective lens actuator in which an objective lens for focusing a light beam on a recording medium is held in a lens holder, and the objective lens holder is held on a support shaft to be slidable in a direction of the optical axis of the objective lens and pivotal on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction includes a balance weight located on the holder to be substantially axially symmetrical with the objective lens. The balance weight includes a balance weight body having a predetermined mass, and a damper for supporting the balance weight body in the lens holder and for damping a vibration of the lens holder in cooperation with the balance weight body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an objective lens actuator for performing focusing control or tracking control in an optical pickup device used in a compact disk player, an optical video disk player, an optical disk device, and the like.
2. Related Background Art
When a beam emitted from a light source is to be focused in a mode for optically recording information from an optical disk or reproducing it from the disk, the actuator performs so-called focus control so that an in-focus point of a focused beam (to be referred to as a beam spot hereinafter) traces a disk recording surface in accordance with changes in surface level of the disk. At the same time, the actuator performs so-called tracking control so that the beam spot traces recording tracks in accordance with eccentricity of the recording tracks.
When a target track is to be accessed, an optical head is moved by a linear motor to a predetermined position, and an objective lens position is then finely adjusted.
In order to perform the above control operations, the actuator comprises a means for driving an objective lens in a direction of thickness of the optical disk (i.e., an optical axis of the objective lens) and a means for driving the objective lens in a radial direction of the optical disk (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the optical axis) to perform tracking control or fine adjustment for accessing the target track.
A conventional example of an actuator having the above arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. An objective lens 1 is fixed in a lens holder 3. The lens holder 3 is held on a support shaft 6 at the central portion of the lens holder 3 so as to be slidable in the axial direction and pivotal in the direction of rotation. The shaft 6 is mounted on a base (not shown). A balance weight 2 is mounted in the lens holder 3 to be axially symmetrical with the objective lens 1, so that the center of gravity of the lens holder 3 is located at the axial center of the support shaft 6 (see FIG. 2). A focusing coil 4 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder 3. Tracking coils 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are mounted in the peripheral portion of the lens holder 3 at predetermined angular intervals. In order to generate a magnetic field crossing the coils 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d , magnets 7a and 7b are located on both sides of the lens holder 3. The magnets 7a and 7b are supported on outer yokes 8a and 8b. Inner yokes 9a and 9b are continuous with the outer yokes 8a and 8b on their bottom surfaces. The inner yokes 9a and 9b are inserted into through holes 12a and 12b formed in the lens holder 3.
During focusing control, when a current is supplied to the focusing coil 4 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, an electromagnetic force acts in a direction of the support shaft 6 in a gap formed between the left and right magnetic circuits (constituted by the magnets 7a and 7b, the outer yokes 8a and 8b, and the inner yokes 9a and 9b). The objective lens 1 is axially moved in correspondence with a change in surface level of the optical disk, so that the beam spot follows the recording surface of the disk.
During tracking control, when a current is supplied to each of the tracking coils 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d connected in series, in one direction or in the reverse direction thereof, an electromagnetic force acts about the support shaft 6 as rotation couple forces in a gap formed between the left and right magnetic circuits, so that the beam spot traces the recording tracks in accordance with eccentricity of the tracks.
In the above conventional arrangement, however, when the lens holder 3 which holds the objective lens 1 is to be driven in the focusing or tracking direction, these movable actuator components such as the lens holder 3 resonate at a natural resonant frequency thereof, thereby adversely affecting servo control. A sub-resonance occurring at a high frequency range of several hundreds of Hz to several tens of kHz causes degradation in accurate positioning (tracking of the beam spot for the changes in surface level of the disk and eccentricity of tracks) of the objective lens 4 and disables control.

Objective lens actuator using a balance weight therein


An electric power steering device, including an electric motor supplied with power from a power supply device to generate a predetermined steering assistance force for a steered wheel, and an assistance control device the controls the amount of electrical power supplied to the electric motor, according to the steering state of a steering wheel. The assistance control device detects the power supply voltage of the power supply device. The assistance control device controls the electrical current supplied to the electric motor, so as to maintain the power supply voltage greater than or equal to a set voltage which is set in advance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power steering device comprising an electric actuator, such as an electric motor or the like, which imparts steering force to steered wheels according to rotational actuation of a steering wheel.
2. Description of Related Art
It has been known for this sort of electric power steering device to include an electric motor which imparts a steering assistance force upon rotational actuation of the steering wheel, and this steering assistance force is adjusted by controlling the electrical current which is supplied to this electric motor. While the battery which is fitted to the vehicle is used as a power supply for this type of electric power steering device, if the amount of electric power consumption has become quite large and the capability of the battery (i.e. the battery voltage) has decreased, then the supply of electrical power to the electric motor which generates the steering assistance force is stopped in order to prevent decrease of the power supply voltage. In this case, the assistance function is not restored until the power supply voltage rises above a predetermined voltage. Moreover, the power supply voltage which is required for again starting the assistance function is set to be quite high, in order to prevent occurrence of the hunting phenomenon in which, when the power supply voltage is restored and the assistance function starts again, the power supply voltage again decreases. Accordingly, the time period over which assistance is interrupted becomes undesirably long.
Furthermore, a system is known in which it is arranged, during decrease of the power supply voltage, to limit the assistance torque provided by the electric motor. For example, with the electric power steering device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2005-067414, a function is provided of decreasing the assistance torque, when the power supply voltage decreases, by arranging to multiply the assistance torque by an assistance reduction gain, and to change over this assistance reduction gain according to the power supply voltage.
However, because the proportion of assistance reduction is set in advance in the system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2005-067414, if the change of the power supply voltage occurs quickly, it sometimes happens that decrease of voltage cannot be avoided.
In other words, because the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2005-067414 is one in which the assistance torque is simply reduced when the power supply voltage decreases and no control is performed to maintain the power supply voltage greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage, the power supply voltage simply decreases to the level at which operation is stopped, so that the steering assistance function is stopped, which is undesirable.


An improved aromatization apparatus is disclosed in which conversion is increased by recycling a highly purified C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 aliphatic stream. Loss of valuable ethane to fuel gas is substantially eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, a dephlegmator purifies the C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 recycle stream.

Developments in zeolite ctalysis and hydrocarbon conversion processes have created interest in utilizing olefinic feedstocks for producing C.sub.5 + gasoline, diesel fuel, etc. In addition to basic chemical reactions promoted by medium-pore zeolite catalysts, a number of discoveries have contributed to the development of new industrial processes. These are safe, environmentally acceptable processes for utilizing feedstocks that contain olefins. Conversion of C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenes and alkanes to produce aromatics-rich liquid hydrocarbon products were found by Cattanach (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,760,024 and 3,756,942) and Yan et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,150) to be effective processes using medium-pore zeolite catalysts. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,960,978 and 4,021,502, Plank, Rosinski and Givens disclose conversion of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefins, alone or in admixture with paraffinic components, into higher hydrocarbons over crystalline zeolites having controlled acidity. Garwood et al. have also contributed to the understanding of catalytic olefin upgrading techniques and improved processes as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,062; 4,211,640 and 4,227,992. Brinkmeyer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,602 teaches a dehydrocyclization process in which liquid and gas product streams are recycles to increase conversion to aromatics. The above-identified disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
The product stream from a medium-pore zeolite catalyzed aromatization process contains hydrogen, uncoverted aliphatic feed, light aliphatic by-products, and aromatics. The C.sub.2 + aliphatics may be recycled and aromatized. On the other hand, however, hydrogen and methane are not converted in the aromatization reaction and in fact hydrogen has been found to promote undesirable side reactions. Thus it has been discovered that it is highly desirable to remove hydrogen from the recycle stream.
The present invention provides an unexpected improvement in aromatics yield by removing substantially all of the hydrogen and methane from the recycle stream. Further, loss of valuable C.sub.2 + aliphatics to fuel gas is essentially eliminated.
In particular, the invention increases conversion of aliphatics to aromatics by recycling both a C.sub.5 + aliphatic stream and a highly purified C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 aliphatic stream to the aromatization reactor. In a preferred embodiment, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 aliphatics are separated from hydrogen and methane in a dephlegmator process.
Dephlegmators are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,940 to Rowles et al., incorporated herein by reference, teaches a process for the enhanced recovery of ethane and ethylene from demethanizer overhead by subjecting the uncondensed vapor effluent from the main reflux condenser to further condensation and accompanying rectification in a dephlegmator and returning the liquid condensate from the dephlegmator to the demethanizer column.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,825 to Bernhard et al. discloses a process for separating C.sub.4 + hydrocarbons in high recovery and high purity from a light gas feedstream using a dephlegmator cycle. A mathematical model of dephlegmation processes is described in DiCave, Mazzarrotta and Sebastiani, "Mathematical Model for Process Design and Simulation of Dephlegmators (Partial Condensers for Binary Mixtures)", 65 CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 559 (Aug., 1987).
For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "dephlegmation" is defined as a separation process as described above in which a refrigeration cycle is used to control partial condensation in a distillation process with countercurrent flow of rising vapor and falling condensate.

Increased conversion of C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbons using a highly purified recycle stream


A minimally invasive suture insertion device utilizing small gage needles is provided for threading one or more sutures through subcutaneous tissue, both locally and from remote access points, to support, attach, sever, ligate or constrict tissue, vessels, ligaments, nerves or other anatomical features, or for pulling another device into position defined by a suture pathway. A manually operated suture transfer device and method are provided for use in various surgical applications. The suture transfer device operates as an instrument for inserting sutures into and through desired pathways. Tethered cannulas are coupled to the positioned sutures and dock, transversely, with a captured component having a capacity for engaging a single suture or multiple sutures, together or in turn within subcutaneous tissue from local or remote access points.

The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of enabling a practitioner to thread a suture in subcutaneous tissue from a remote access point, to surgical methods facilitated by such an apparatus, and to associated tools useful with the apparatus for performing such surgical methods.
Various surgical methods require the placement of a suture deep inside subcutaneous tissue for the purpose of supporting, severing, ligating, or constricting tissue, vessels, ligaments, nerves or other anatomy or for pulling another device into position defined by the suture pathway. Typically, this necessitates making an incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue in order to gain sufficient access for deploying the suture directly to the desired location, for example, in an open surgical procedure or for feeding a suture passing instrument with an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument to a distal location from the initial point of access.
An example of one such procedure, in the field of plastic surgery, is the mid-face lift. As part of this procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location to conceal the incision and to make scarring less obvious. The facial tissue is then separated to achieve sufficient access and mobility of the tissue to permit one or more sutures to be deployed to reattach and/or reposition the tissue into a more aesthetically desirable result. In addition, it is often desirable to anchor ends of the sutures to a rigid structure, for purposes of support. In practice, however, the selection of an anchoring structure which is suitable for fixation, which is accessible, and which can provide an inconspicuous incision, often complicates the procedure and results in a significant distance between the supported tissue and the fixation structure. The can result in a procedure which requires extensive surgery, which can be expensive, which can create significant trauma to the tissue, and which can take a significant amount of time to heal (e.g., a matter of weeks), and may also create sub-optimal aesthetic results.
Various procedures have been attempted to reduce the resulting trauma to a patient, the corresponding expense of the procedure, and the time required for recovery. For example, one attempted procedure has been to use needles to implant a device having barbed profiles capable of engaging subcutaneous tissue at a location remote from the point of access. In practice, however, such barbs have been found to be prone to release after a relatively short period of time, often on the order of a few months. Release of the barbs then allows the engaged tissue to sag.
Other attempted procedures have made use of endoscopes to reduce the size of the accessing incision. However, endoscope-guided suturing devices are bulky mechanisms, and tend to require considerable separation of the tissue layers and the severing of connective fibers in order to pass the instrument from the incision at the anchor location to the intended base of the suture supporting loop, and to surgically release the naturally occurring connective fibers so that the lift will be effective. Moreover, in the case of an endoscopic-guided mid-face lift, significant care and skill are required to avoid rupturing critical branches of the facial nerve as the device traverses a path from the temporal fascia to the intended location. Furthermore, endoscopic suturing devices are limited in the amount of tissue that can be engaged distally to distribute the lifting force, which can make the sutures prone to pull through the tissue (so-called "cheese-wire effect") over time. Additionally, the endoscopic mid-face lift begins in the temporal fascia in the hairline in order to hide the insertion incision scar and to provide a suitable structure to anchor the sutures. However, this alters the naturally occurring anchor location of the mid-face tissue to a location which is substantially superior and which can result in a lift vector which is long and constrained by other anatomy, which can affect the aesthetics of the lift.
It has therefore remained desirable to provide a minimally invasive technique for redirecting a suture along a desired pathway or to transfer a suture from one internal pathway to another through the use of external manipulation and tactile feel, as well as to achieve an optimum suture deployment vector for a desired procedure, while providing a practitioner with considerable flexibility in the choice of vector and suture configurations and the ability to capture multiple sutures.

Surgical suturing device with transverse engagement


Pointed novel stakes which may be of metal or plastic, adapted to be driven in alignment into the ground or bed upon which a concrete slab is to be poured, are provided with lever arms engaging a lifting wire or rod upon which reinforcing material, such as welded wire mesh is supported. The upper ends of the lever arms are adapted to be moved through an arc of about 45 degrees to a vertical position, and serve to raise the reinforcing material to a predetermined position above the bed of the slab when the lifting wires or rods are moved in a lateral direction.

This invention relates to an innovative means and method for the placement of welded wire mesh normally used in the construction of poured mesh-reinforced concrete slabs. The term "slabs" refers to flat formations of concrete for use in paving, walks, drives, parking areas, and other similar items of concrete slab construction.
Mesh reinforcement, commonly referred to as "temperature" reinforcement, usually is steel woven and welded wire mesh which, when embedded in poured concrete slabs, tends to hold the concrete in place and reduce the tendency of the concrete to crack after it has hardened or "set." Concrete slabs have a tendency to crack unless expansion joints are provided, ordinarily spaced at intervals of twelve to twenty feet, depending upon the thickness of the slab. The reinforcing material distributes expansion and contraction action so that if cracking occurs, many imperceptible "hair-line" cracks are developed rather than one or several visible ones as often happens when reinforcement is improperly located within the slab thickness, or in the case of unreinforced concrete.
The normal or usual method of installing mesh reinforcement is to unroll it onto the area to receive the slab, or if the mesh is supplied in a flat shape, to place the mesh on the area prior to pouring the wet and plastic concrete.
After pouring an area of concrete to the approximate thickness of the slab desired, and while the concrete is in workable condition, the mesh is raised to the desired position, which should be midway of the slab thickness, and in the case of a four inch slab, about two inches above the bottom of the slab.
This manual method of positioning the mesh is usually accomplished by the use of a hooked or bent wire or any type of tool with which it is possible to engage a section or portion of the wire mesh in order to raise it into the wet concrete. This raising or lifting is usually done by workmen who must walk in the wet concrete, as described and shown in an article entitled "Control of Random Cracking in Exterior Residential Flatwork," Part II, appearing at page 511, in the Dec. 1971 issue of Concrete Construction.
The procedure described above is a haphazard and unsatisfactory method of positioning the mesh reinforcing within the slab. It is ineffective and inefficient in that:
(a) Portions of the mesh which remain at the bottom of the slab are wasted since they have no reinforcing value; PA1 (b) Varying heights of the mesh location within the slab may actually have a damaging effect upon the slab due to the different stresses induced, i.e., portions of the mesh near the bottom of the slab may be considered to be in tension, while portions of the mesh near the top of the slab would be in compression.
These conditions occurring one or more times within a given width and/or length of a slab conceivably would induce stresses working against each other and weaken the slab to the extent of causing cracking. In view of this possibility the installation of wire mesh by the usual method may be more harmful than beneficial, as far as reinforcement is concerned.
In view of the above reasons, it follows that by positively and accurately controlling the location of the reinforcing mesh at the approximate center, or within the middle third of the thickness of the slab, a reinforced slab conforming to design requirements will be obtained.
In order to overcome the objections referred to above, it is an object of the present invention to provide means and a method of controlling the uniform and proper location of the reinforcing material, such as wire mesh, in the preparation of concrete slabs and thereby obtain a slab having the desired strength and resistance to cracking.

Means for placement of wire mesh reinforcement in concrete slab construction


A bumper-reinforcing system (1) intended for a motor vehicle includes:                a bumper beam (2) with a single-piece elongated profile with a closed cross section and including a center zone (21) extending at least over part of the entire width of the bumper beam and an end zone (22) at each extremity of the bumper beam,        two bumper fasteners (3) connected to the rear side of the bumper beam (2) at the intersection between the center zone (21) and the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2),        two reinforcing tubes (4) connected by their first end to the rear side of the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2), extending from the bumper beam (2) so as to form an angle α below 45° with the vertical plane of symmetry of the bumper beam and suited to be connected by their other end on the front rail of the vehicle for which the bumper-reinforcing system (1) is provided, and        two covers (5) with a single-piece elongated profile with an open cross section, in contact with the rear side of the end zone (22) of the bumper beam (2) and extending at least from the first end of one of the reinforcing tubes (4) to one of the bumper fasteners (3).

There is a general demand for motor vehicle body structures which provide a high degree of safety for the occupants during collisions and other situations involving very high loads due to impact forces acting on the vehicle.
In order to obtain a high degree of safety for the occupants of a vehicle, the body structure of the vehicle must be designed so as to provide a high strength and resistance to impact forces, by absorbing and distributing the impact forces in an effective manner. This is generally achieved by means of various reinforcement structures and components in the vehicle.
In particular, the front bumper system generally includes a bumper beam and crash boxes arranged at the ends of the bumper beam. The crash boxes, in turn, are fixed on longitudinal members of the motor vehicle. In case of head-on collision, crash energy is diverted via the bumper beam to the crash boxes which undergo a deformation to at least in part absorb the crash energy.
Recently-there was a new crash test introduced in the United States replicating what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole (Small Overlap Rigid Barrier or SORB test).
Small overlap frontal crashes primarily affect a vehicle's outer edges which are not well protected by the front bumper system. Crash forces go directly into the front wheel, suspension system and firewall. It is not uncommon for the wheel to be forced rearward into the footwell, contributing to even more intrusion in the occupant compartment and resulting in serious leg and foot injuries.

Bumper-reinforcing system for motor vehicle


Transmission of relating information of image data such as disparity information or the like is enabled to be performed favorably.

For example, a transmitting method that uses television broadcast waves of stereoscopic image data is proposed in PTL 1. In this case, left eye image data and right eye image data that make up the stereoscopic image are transmitted, and stereoscopic image display using binocular disparity is performed at the television receiving device.
FIG. 64 indicates, in a stereoscopic image display that uses binocular disparity, the relation between the display position of the left and right images of the object (physical item) on a screen and the playing position of the stereoscopic image thereof. For example, regarding an object A displayed so that a left image La is shifted to the right side and a right image Ra is shifted to the left side on the screen as illustrated in the diagram, the left and right lines of sight intersect nearer than the screen face, so the playing position of the stereoscopic image thereof is nearer than the screen face.
Also, for example, regarding an object B displayed so that a left image Lb and right image Rb are displayed on the screen at the same position as illustrated in the diagram, the left and right lines of sight intersect nearer on the screen face, so the playing position of the stereoscopic image thereof is on the screen face. Further, for example, regarding an object C displayed so that a left image Lc is shifted to the left side and a right image Rc is shifted to the right side on the screen as illustrated in the diagram, the left and right lines of sight intersect on the far side of the screen face, whereby the playing position of the stereoscopic image thereof is on the far side of the screen face.

Transmitting apparatus for transmission of related information of image data

Abstract: A data packet made up of a header portion and content portion is generated. Related information of image data, for example disparity information or the like, is inserted into the content portion of the data packet herein. Identification information to identify the type of related information is inserted into the header portion of the data packet herein. The data packet herein is correlated to image data, and transmitted to an external device. The related information of the image data such as disparity information or the like can be efficiently transmitted to an external device.


Diagnostic and therapeutic compositions in the form of complexes for enhancing transmembrane transport of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent and methods for their use. The complexes contain the .alpha., .gamma., or bis isomers of folate receptor-binding analogs of folate, a metal chelated by a ligand, and in one embodiment, a chemotherapeutic agent.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic compositions, methods of their use, and processes of their preparation.
More particularly, the invention relates to:
a) Magnetic resonance diagnostic compositions for visualization of tissues that over-express folate binding protein, comprising ligands chelated to superparamagnetic or paramagnetic metals and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands; PA1 b) Radiodiagnostic compositions for visualization of tissues, comprising ligands chelated to radioactive gamma-emitting metals and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands; PA1 c) Compositions for radiotherapy or for neutron capture therapy, comprising ligands chelated to radioactive alpha or beta-emitting metals or to metals suitable for neutron capture therapy and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands; and PA1 d) Compositions for chemotherapy, comprising certain derivatives of folic acid coupled to a cancer chemotherapy drug through the alpha carboxylate of folic acid or coupled through both the alpha and gamma carboxylates. PA1 macrocyclic and non- macrocyclic ligands chelated to radioactive gamma-emitting metals and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands through either the alpha, or both the alpha and gamma carboxylate of the folate-receptor binding ligand; and PA1 selected macrocyclic and non- macrocyclic ligands chelated to radioactive gamma-emitting metals and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands through the gamma carboxylate of the folate-receptor binding ligand. Both derivatives of folic acid and methotrexate (MIX) are included for use in the composition. PA1 macrocyclic and non-macrocyclic ligands chelated to radioactive alpha or beta-emitting metals that are coupled to folic acid receptor binding ligands through the alpha carboxylate or through both the alpha and gamma carboxylate of the folate-receptor binding ligand, and PA1 selected ligands chelated to radioactive alpha or beta-emitting metals and coupled to folate-receptor binding ligands through the gamma carboxylate of the folate-receptor binding ligand. Both derivatives of folic acid and of methotrexate (MTX) are included for use in the composition.

Metal complexes derivatized with folate for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications


A snow-melting apparatus of an electromagnetic induction heating type, comprises: a high frequency power source; a pair of conductive cables wound in at least one turn around a segment of each rail and through through-holes which are formed through side walls of the rail, the segment of the rail being defined between two through-holes; and a lead wire interconnecting the power source and the conductive cable, for supplying current from the power source to the conductive cable, thereby heating the rail by the flow of electromagnetic ally induced current in the rail segment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic induction heating snow-melting apparatus for induction-heating rails by electromagnetically induced current supplied from a high frequency power source, thereby eliminating such a situation that rail points are covered by ice and/or snow and thus rendered immovable for switching.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rail point (switch) included in a railroad track. The rail points are constructed with a pair of basic rails 1 (1R (right) and 1L (left)), a pair of tongue rails 2 (2R and 2L) laying along the basic rails 1, a number of washers 3, and a number of sleepers 4.
The rail points thus constructed, when covered with ice/snow, are frequently inoperable for switching. To cope with this, many types of heating apparatus have been used. Among those heating apparatus, the snow-melting apparatus using electric heaters has predominantly been used. These heaters are used in a state that the heaters are mounted on sleepers or basic rails. Heat generated by the heaters is transmitted to the sleepers or basic rails, thereby melting ice and snow from the rails. In this construction, a relatively large heat quantity, which should be transferred to the rails, is dissipated to the atmosphere. The snow-melting apparatus thus unsatisfactorily functions in the snow-melting performance. Thus, the conventional snow-melting apparatus is not only inefficient but also consumes much electric power.
To solve the disadvantages of the snow-melting apparatus of the heater type, a snow-melting apparatus based on another principle, i.e., electromagnetic induction, that is, a snow-melting apparatus of the electromagnetic induction heating type, has been proposed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall construction of the snow-melting apparatus of the electromagnetic induction heating type. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the snow-melting apparatus of FIG. 2. In these figures, reference numeral 1 designates a basic rail; 4, a sleeper; 5, a heating coil; 6, a high frequency power source; and 7, paired lead wires. As shown, heating coils 5 are attached to the outer side walls of the basic rail 1 (heating coils 5 attached to the upper rail 1 in FIG. 2 are indicated by dotted lines because those are disposed on the outside of the rail 1). In operation, the high frequency power source 6 feeds a high frequency current to the heating coils 5 thus attached to the rails 1 by way of the lead wires 7 and cables extending therefrom. At this time, magnetic fluxes B are developed from the heating coil 5 as shown in FIG. 4. Eddy current EC is caused by the magnetic fluxes B to flow in the basic rail 1. PG,4 As a consequent, the rails 1 are heated internally by the eddy currents. Heat loss occurs only in the high frequency power source 6 and in the heating coils 5. Therefore, the heating efficiency is good with less power consumption. This fact is actually confirmed.
In designing the snow-melting apparatus of the electromagnetic induction heating type, design requirements such as heat resistance, weather proof, durability, vibration-proof, and the like are very strict. Further, a high frequency power source must be used exclusively for this apparatus. The cost to manufacture this apparatus is high. For this reason, the snow-melting apparatus of the electromagnetic induction heating type has been not practically used, while the snow-melting apparatus of the electric heater type is widely used because of stability and low equipment cost, it is poor in heating efficiency.
As described above, it is confirmed that the heating efficiency of the electromagnetic induction heating type is good since the rails 1, in effect, generate heat. The heating coil 5, as usually manufactured, is packaged in a molded case. The heating coil packages are then attached to the rails 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 or 3. Accordingly, it must endure the vibrations of rails 1, be mechanically reliable, and must withstand every weather condition. Further, it must have low cost. The heating coils 5 must be simply and easily attached to the rails 1 at the side irrespective of rail length. Where a plural number of coils 5 are attached to the rails 1 of different lengths, it is difficult to standardize the coil attaching work.

Rail snow-melting by electromagnetic induction heating


A reference voltage terminal and an input voltage terminal are connected via a first capacitor to a first electrode of a differential amplifier. Also, the reference voltage terminal and the input voltage terminal are connected via a second capacitor to a second electrode of a differential amplifier. The first capacitor samples a difference Vref-Vin in potential between the reference voltage terminal (Vref) and the input voltage terminal (Vin), and the second capacitor samples a difference Vin-Vref in potential between the reference voltage terminal and the input voltage terminal. Thus, the differential amplifier amplifies 2.times.(Vref-Vin).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage comparator circuit that can avoid erroneous operation due to noise or an offset voltage.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art voltage comparator circuit includes a differential amplifier for amplifying a difference in potential between a reference voltage Vref and an input voltage Vin. That is, the differential amplifier directly amplifies a difference in potential Vref-Vin, which will be explained later in detail.
In the prior art voltage amplifier, however, when the difference Vref-Vin is very small and noise is superposed onto the difference, the differential amplifier may be erroneously operated. Also, if an offset voltage generated in the output of the differential amplifier is superposed thereon, the differential amplifier may operate erroneously.

Voltage comparator circuit capable of avoiding erroneous operation


A speech analysis unit and a window locating means are implemented in a speech coding apparatus. The speech coding apparatus encodes input speech per analysis frame defined having a fixed length and is offset at fixed interval. The speech analysis unit extracts frequency spectrum characteristic parameters of the input speech taken within an analysis window. The location of the analysis window is specified by the window locating means. The window locating unit selects the location of the analysis window which is used in extracting the frequency spectrum characteristic parameters at the speech analysis unit. In this case, depending upon the characteristic parameter of the input speech within and near the frame concerned, the window locating unit selects the location of the analysis window within the range which is not to be exceeding the range of the frame concerned.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for speech encoding, speech decoding, speech post processing, which are used when speech is transmitted digitally, stored and synthesized.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional speech coding apparatus, input speech taken within analysis windows are analyzed by taking their frequency spectrum. The analysis windows are either aligned with the analysis frames or at a fixed offset from the analysis frames. The analysis frames are defined as having a fixed length and are offset at fixed interval. In a conventional speech decoding apparatus and a speech post processor, the quantization noise of synthesized speech is perceptually reduced by emphasizing peaks (formant) and suppressing other part of the speech spectrum. The peak is produced by the resonation of the vocal tract in the speech spectrum.
An article on the conventional speech coding/decoding apparatus is "Sine-Wave Amplitude Coding at Low Data Rates", (Advance in Speech Coding, Kluwer Academic Publishers, P203-213) of the article 1 by R. Macaulay, T. Parks, T. Quatieri, M Sabin. This article is hereinafter called "article 1". FIG. 12 shows a configuration of the speech coding/decoding apparatus stated in the article 1. The conventional speech coding/decoding apparatus comprises a speech coding apparatus 1, a speech decoding apparatus 2 and a transmission line 3. Input speech 4 is input into the speech coding apparatus 1. Output speech 5 is output from the speech decoding apparatus 2. A speech analysis means 6, a pitch coding means 7, a harmonics coding means 8 are implemented in the speech coding apparatus 1. A pitch decoding means 9, a harmonics decoding means 10, an amplitude emphasizing means 11 and a speech synthesis means 12 are implemented in the speech decoding apparatus 2. The speech coding apparatus 1 has lines 101, 102, 103. The speech decoding apparatus 2 has lines 104, 105, 106, 107.
FIG. 13 shows speech waveforms resulting from operation of the conventional speech coding and decoding apparatus.
The operation of the conventional speech coding/decoding apparatus is described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The input speech 4 is input into the speech analysis means 6 through the line 101. The speech analysis means 6 analyzes the input speech 4 per analysis frame having a fixed length. The speech analysis means 6 analyzes the input speech 4 within an analysis window. The analysis window, that is, for instance, a Hamming window, has its center at the specific location in the analysis frame. The speech analysis means 6 extracts a power P of the input speech within the analysis window. The speech analysis means 6 also extracts a pitch frequency by using, for instance, an auto correlation analysis. The speech analysis means 6 also extracts an amplitude Am and a phase .theta.m (m is a harmonic number) of a harmonic components on a frequency spectrum at an interval of the pitch frequency by a frequency spectrum analysis. FIG. 13 show an example of calculating the amplitude Am of the harmonic components on the frequency spectrum by picking up input speech within one frame. The pitch frequency (1/T, T stands for the pitch length) extracted by the speech analysis means 6 is output to a pitch coding means 7 through the line 103. The power P, and the amplitude Am and the phase .theta.m of the harmonics are output to a harmonics coding means 8 through the line 102.
The pitch coding means 7 encodes the pitch frequency (1/T) input through the line 103 after quantizing. The quantizing is, for example, done using a scalar quantization. The pitch coding means 7 outputs a coded data to the speech decoding apparatus 2 through a transmission line 3.
The harmonics coding means 8 calculates a quantized power P' by quantizing the power P input through the line 102. The quantizing is done, for example, using the scalar quantization. The harmonics coding means 8 normalizes the amplitude Am of the harmonic component input through the line 102 by using the quantization power P' to get a normalized amplitude ANm. The harmonics coding means 8 quantizes the normalized amplitude ANm to get a quantized amplitude ANm'. The harmonics coding means 8 quantizes, for example using the scalar quantization, the phase .theta.m input through the line 102 to get a quantized phase .theta.m'. Then the harmonics coding means 8 encodes the quantized amplitude and the quantized phase .theta.m' and outputs the coded data to the speech decoding apparatus 2 through the transmission line 3.
The operation of the speech decoding apparatus 2 explained. The pitch decoding means 9 decodes the pitch frequency of the coded data of the pitch frequency input through the transmission line 3. The pitch decoding means 9 outputs the decoded pitch frequency to a speech synthesis means 12 in the speech decoding apparatus 2 through the line 104.
A harmonics decoding means 10 decodes the power P', and the amplitude ANm' and the phase .theta.m' of the harmonic components, within the coded data input through the transmission line 3 from the harmonics coding means 8. The harmonics decoding means 10 calculates a decoded amplitude Am' by multlplying the amplitude ANm' by P'. The harmonics decoding means 10 outputs these decoded amplitude Am' and phase .theta.m' to an amplitude emphasizing means 11 through the line 105.
The decoded amplitude Am' contains the quantization noise generated by quantizing. Generally, the human ear has a characteristic of perceiving less quantization noise at peaks (formant part) of the frequency spectrum than at bottoms. By using this characteristic, the amplitude emphasizing means 11 reduces the quantization noise to the human ear. As shown in FIG. 14, the amplitude emphasizing means 11 emphasizes the peaks of the decoded amplitude Am' and suppresses other part of Am'. Thus, the amplitude emphasizing means 11 reduces the quantization noise to the human ear. The emphasized amplitude AEm' and the phase .theta.m' are output to a speech synthesis means 12 through the line 106.
Depending upon the input pitch frequency, the emphasized amplitude AEm' of the harmonic components and the phase .theta.m' , the speech syntheses means 12 synthesizes a decoded speech S(t) using the following formula (1). The decoded speech S(t) is output as an output speech 5 through the line 107. ##EQU1##
FIG. 13 show an example of how the speech is synthesized from the amplitudes of each harmonics.
An article on a conventional speech post processor (postfilter) is "Unexamined Japanese Pat. Publication 2-82710", which is hereinafter called "article 2". FIG 15 shows a configuration of the conventional speech decoding apparatus with the postfilter stated in article 2. A decoding means 15, a postfilter means 16 and lines 121, 122 are implemented in the speech decoding apparatus.
The operation of the conventional speech post processor is explained with reference to FIG. 15. By some way of decoding, the decoding means 15 decodes a coded data input through the transmission line 3 to get a decoded speech x'n. The decoded speech x'n is output to a postfilter means 16 through the line 121. The postfilter means 16 performs the filtering process with a characteristic H(Z) ( Z stands for Z transform) for the filtered speech x'n. The postfilter means 16 outputs the decoded speech as the output speech 5 after the filter process. The characteristic H(Z) also has a character of emphasizing the formant part and suppressing the other parts except the formant part. Thus, the postfilter means 16 reduces a quantization noise element of the speech spectrum except the formant part perceptually.

Method and apparatus for speech encoding, speech decoding, and speech post processing


Camera-processor apparatus of the type adapted to record and develop a lengthy roll of strip recording medium includes a heat-processing device which is adapted to concurrently heat-develop all images of a multi-image segment of such medium and to concurrently disengage from heating relation with all images of such a segment. A storage device downstream from the apparatus recording station alternately stores and feeds such multi-image segments to the processing device, thus allowing complete and uniform processing of one multi-image segment in a stationary condition while a subsequent multi-image segment is recorded in a moving condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to camera-processor apparatus for recording and developing images, e.g. of documents, and more particularly to such apparatus adapted for use with imaging media in a roll form, such as a long-strip of microfilm stored on a reel or cartridge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The usual procedure for recording and processing document images on roll form recording media (e.g., microfilm rolls containing a film strip many feet in length) has been to first record a complete roll of images in a microfilm camera and then remove the roll and develop it in a separate processor. Besides requiring two separate pieces of equipment, this approach requires the operator to perform two separate operations before the image formation is completed. Operator time amounts to a considerable expense, and it would be desirable to record and develop the entire roll in one feed-through sequence. Also, there are occasions when it is desirable to see certain already-recorded portions of a roll before the entire roll has been recorded.
The development of various kinds of photothermographic films, i.e., ones developable using heat as opposed to processing liquids, has led to the design of various kinds of camera-processor apparatus which can record and develop a roll of film in a single feed-through operation.
In connection with simple step and repeat cameras, e.g., planetary microfilmers, a simple approach is to bring a heated platen into and out of contact with each individual film image just after its recording, during the pause for recording of the next image. Such a solution is not available in connection with continuous-flow cameras, e.g., rotary microfilmers, where the film and documents move continuously during recording.
One, more straightforward, approach for continuous-flow camera-processor is to provide a processing path, downstream from the exposure station, across a heated roller or platen. The processing path is of a sufficient length along the heating zone that adequate processing time is afforded to the film which is fed continuously thereover at the feed rate determined by the image recording operation. However, with this approach a problem exists when delays occur in the recording operation, e.g., if the operator pauses to rest briefly or needs to obtain more documents. When such recording delays occur, already recorded film that is downstream in the processing path also stops its movement, and it would be over-developed or burned if heating were not terminated. This problem has been avoided by retracting the heating means from its operating relation with the film when film feed stops. However, the chemistry of many photothermographic films is not compatible with a partial heat development followed by a pause and then the remainder of the "prescribed" heat processing period. Thus, poor image quality can result with respect to the film portions which reside in the processing section during such pauses.
An alternative approach disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,496 allows uniform, continuous processing by accumulating segments of recorded film, severing them from the remainder of the strip and then feeding them completely through the processing section in a continuous manner. This avoids the problems of film pauses in the heat-processing section, but at the cost of cutting the film strip. Many applications use the entire roll as a continuous strip in storage and retrieval systems, and severing of the film at other than predetermined positions is not a desirable solution for those applications.


The present invention concerns a novel stent and a method for communicating oxygenated blood directly from the left ventricle to the coronary sinus to provide retrograde perfusion to the myocardium. The stent is placed substantially within the coronary sinus with its trailing end protruding into the right atrium and the leading end protruding into the left ventricle. The stent has a smaller passageway at the trailing (right ventricular) end and at the leading (left ventricle) end, and has a covering at the trailing end. The smaller passageway and the cover at the trailing end to promote retrograde flow into the venous system of the heart and specifically the myocardium of the left ventricle and to reduce a significant left-to-right shunt.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a stent for supplying oxygenated blood retrogradely to the myocardium via the coronary sinus. The stent directs blood from the left ventricle to the coronary sinus through a hole punctured through the wall of the coronary sinus and the wall of the left ventricle and by restricting the outflow of the coronary sinus directs that blood retrogradely.
2. Description of Related Technology
Retrograde perfusion using the coronary sinus has long been known for treating end-stage heart disease. Previous methods among others attempted to connect the aorta to the coronary sinus using a jugular vein or an internal mammary artery graft. These methods were invasive in nature and required open heart surgery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,071, issued to Nelson et al. in 1998, discloses an apparatus and method for providing retrograde perfusion directly from the left ventricle to the coronary sinus. Nelson requires a pressure sensitive valve that prevents pressure build-up inside the coronary sinus from rising above 60 mm Hg. Nelson, however, does not teach how such a valve may be constructed, and it is unlikely that such a device may be introduced percutaneously.
In 2000, Patel et al. conducted experiments for percutaneous arterialization of the coronary sinus using a stent. See Patel et al., Percutaneous Transmyocardial Intracardiac Retroperfusion Shunts: Technical Feasibility in a Canine Model, JVIR 2000, 11:382-390. The stent employed by Patel et al., however, results in a significant shunt of oxygenating blood from the left ventricle to the right atrium (hereinafter xe2x80x9cleft-to-right shuntxe2x80x9d). Although Patel recommends using a T or a Y shaped device, technical problems associated with accurately delivering such a device in place render the invention difficult. These factors argue for a simpler device for providing retrograde perfusion to the heart via the coronary sinus.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel stent and a method for providing oxygenated blood retrogradely from the left ventricle to the heart tissue through the coronary sinus without a significant left-to-right shunt.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a stent having a leading end and a trailing end and having a passageway therethrough. After delivery, the body of the stent is expanded to fit securely within the coronary sinus. The leading end of the stent (hereinafter xe2x80x9cleading (LV) end) is positioned in the left ventricle, and the trailing end (hereinafter xe2x80x9ctrailing (RA) endxe2x80x9d) is positioned in the right atrium.
The stent has a reduced cross sectional diameter or a smaller passageway at the leading (LV) end and at the trailing (RA) end as compared to the remainder of the stent. The size of the passageway decreases or tapers toward the leading (LV) end and toward the trailing (RA) end. Accordingly, as blood flows into the small passageway of the leading (LV) end, the passageway broadens in diameter toward the midsection of the stent and decreases again toward the small passageway of the training (RA) end.
The smaller passageways at the leading (LV) end and at the trailing (RA) end of the stent operate to control the amount of blood flowing into and out of the coronary sinus. The size of the passageway at the leading (LV) end controls the amount of inflow into the coronary sinus.
The cover surrounding the stent at the trailing (RA) end directs blood flow through the passageway at the trailing (RA) end, and the size of the passageway at the trailing (RA) end controls the amount of outflow into the right atrium. They also control the retrograde flow of oxygenated blood to the myocardium, specifically that of the left ventricle. The stent forms a friction fit with the lumen of the coronary sinus.
The stent has a variable cross-sectional diameter to allow it to be compressed or expanded cross-sectionally. For example, the stent may be compressed cross sectionally to fit within a catheter. After percutaneous delivery into its desired position, the stent may self expand to form a friction fit within the coronary sinus. If a stent does not self expand, it may be expanded using a balloon as known in the art or other suitable mechanism. The present invention also contemplates a heat-dependent expansion stent made of nitinol. The stent is also made of a flexible material that allows bending without forming a kink.
The present invention also contemplates a percutaneous method for delivering and placing a stent of the present invention to allow blood flow from the left ventricle to the coronary sinus. A hole punctured percutaneously through the wall of the coronary sinus and the wall of the left ventricle creates a passageway for flow between the left ventricle and the coronary sinus. The hole is dilated using a balloon as known in the art. After the stent is delivered and positioned between the left ventricle and the right atrium, the sheath of the catheter is removed to expose the stent. Advantageously, the stent forms a friction fit with the interior wall of the coronary sinus as it expands. The trailing (RA) end protrudes through the coronary ostium and extends into the right atrium. The leading (LV) end protrudes through the hole in the wall of the coronary sinus and the wall of the left ventricle to extend into the left ventricle.
In the present invention, the smaller passageway and the cover of the trailing (RA) end restrict blood flow into the right atrium. Pressure inside the coronary sinus is increased, and the blood flows out through the open interstices of the stent retrogradely to perfuse the myocardium.
Some amount of blood flow into the right atrium through the coronary ostium, however, is necessary to control the pressure in the coronary sinus. The diameter of the passageway at the trailing (RA) end should be large enough to prevent the coronary sinus pressure from rising above a suitable pressure, preferably about 50 mm Hg, while reducing a significant amount of left-to-right shunt. It is believed that a suitable pressure limit is such as to avoid damage to the coronary sinus and the left ventricular venous system while effectively providing retrograde perfusion. An optional covering at the leading (LV) end of the stent will depend on stent design. It will help maintain the diameter of the hole in the left ventricular wall.
Thus, the present invention overcomes the difficulty in the prior art with an elegant and simple stent that retrogradely supplies oxygenated blood to the myocardium while decreasing the shunting of oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the right atrium.

Stent for arterialization of the coronary sinus and retrograde perfusion of the myocardium