A method for operating an automation arrangement, having a manipulator and an input/output module for automated production and also a computer apparatus uses the computer apparatus to execute a PLC computer program for providing a programmable logic controller for the input/output module, which PLC computer program is communitively connected to the input/output module via a module bus for the purpose of actuating said input/output module. The method is characterized in that the computer apparatus is used to execute a cell control computer program for actuating the PLC computer program via a PLC interface of the PLC computer program, in that the cell control computer program provides an NC controller for the manipulator and in that the cell-control computer program is communicatively connected to the manipulator via a network bus for the purpose of actuating said manipulator.

The prior art discloses programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that can be used in automation engineering to program and automatically actuate actuators, particularly end effectors and provision systems, and also sensors and other functional units of a machine or installation. A functional element of this kind, which is actuatable by a programmable logic controller, in principle, is generally referred to both individually and in a combination, here and subsequently, as an input/output module. Conventionally, these programmable logic controllers have been provided by devices and electronic arrangements provided specifically for this purpose. Habitually, such programmable logic controllers communicate with the input/output module that they are configured to actuate via a bus, such as e.g. a field bus.
In the meantime, programmable logic controllers whose functionality is provided by a computer program executed on a computer are also known. Such a computer program can be referred to as a PLC computer program, the system operated using such a PLC computer program being able in turn to be referred to as a soft PLC as a whole. There is thus no further provision for special hardware for the programmable logic controller, but rather its functionality is formed by a computer program that runs on a conventional computer or on an industrial PC or embedded PC tailored to the automation environment. For the purpose of actuating the input/output modules, such a computer may accordingly likewise be connected to a field bus.
The prior art and specifically EP 1 586 967 A2, on which the present invention is based, also disclose expansions through software for such a PLC computer program. One such known expansion can e.g. be used to allow communication with a specific device by a driver or the like. However, the expansions presented in this prior art are expansion modules such as e.g. dynamic program libraries or
DLLs (dynamic-link libraries) that can be addressed or incorporated by the PLC computer program. They are thus ultimately under the software control of the PLC computer program in this case. There is no provision for control of the programmable logic controller for software purposes by this expansion.
When automation cells are part of an automation system, it is habitually the case that an input/output module actuated by a programmable logic controller is arranged on a manipulator, which is e.g. a multi-axis robot. Specifically, the input/output module may be arranged at the tool center point (TCP) of the manipulator.
Such a manipulator habitually has its movements actuated by a numerical controller, here and subsequently referred to as an NC controller. This NC controller can also, in principle, be provided by a computer program executed on a computer. The provision of the input/output module on the manipulator closely relates the activities performed by the input/output module—which are prescribed e.g. by the PLC computer program—and the movements of the manipulator—which are in turn controlled by the NC controller.

Method for operating an automation arrangement


A clamping assembly may include a split-ring device and bearing for coupling to a driveshaft. The split-ring device may comprise split-ring shells having protrusions on an interior radial surface for positioning in grooves adjacent to radial protrusions on the driveshaft. In some aspects, the split-ring shells may include tabs corresponding to cavities on a first bearing for coupling the split-ring shell to the first bearing. In other aspects, the split-ring shells may be sized to create one or more gaps when positioned on the driveshaft. The first bearing may include one or more corresponding tabs for positioning in the one or more gaps created by the split-ring shells. A second bearing may be threadably coupled to the first bearing to suppress the axial and rotational movement of the clamping assembly separate from the driveshaft.

A mud motor or rotary steerable drilling tool may be used in directional drilling to control the curvature of a wellbore. The torque transmitted through a power section of the mud motor may drive a shaft of the mud motor having a drill bit at one end. Axial and lateral forces generated during a drilling operation of the mud motor may be resisted using a bearing assembly surrounding the driveshaft. The bearing assembly may include rotating components attached to the driveshaft.
A taper lock mechanism may be used to couple the bearings to the driveshaft. The taper lock mechanism may use a wedged insert to lock the axial and rotation movement of the rotating parts to the driveshaft. But, this mechanism may not be reliable during drilling operations as the axial loads generated during drilling may reach around 100,000 pounds. Similarly, a threaded connection may be used to mount the bearing assembly to the driveshaft. But, threads on the driveshaft may have several disadvantages, making them undesirable for mounting a bearing assembly to the driveshaft. For example, threadably coupling the bearings to the driveshaft may generate high stress concentrations to the driveshaft, increasing the likelihood of failure. Since the threads on the driveshaft may be prone to damage, they may require additional time and cost to extend the service life of the bearing assembly components and the driveshaft. In some instances, significant thread damage may require replacement of an expensive driveshaft. Further, threading on the driveshaft may require increased third-party inspection, which may result in lost time and money due to additional cleaning done prior to inspection and the downtime of the drilling operations during the inspections.


A variable diameter mounting attachment joins an accessory, such as a matte box, to a lens of a camera, such as a video camera, digital camera or broadcast camera, while blocking undesired light from reaching the lens. The attachment incorporates two synchronized mechanisms activated together by rotation of an outer gear ring: (1) a series of jaws to clench an outer edge of the lens housing, and (2) a multiple blade iris diaphragm to block undesired light from entering the lens. A lock lever clamps the outer gear ring in fixed position.

The present invention is generally directed to an attachment incorporating two synchronized mechanisms: one to securely clamp the device to the exterior of a camera lens and one to block unwanted light from traveling through the device to impact the lens.
Camera lenses are available with different diameters. When a matte box or other camera accessory is mounted to the front of a lens, it is necessary to use a lens-specific adapter clamp to make the mounting connection. Due to the large number of different lenses with differing diameters, photographers and videographers often have multiple matte boxes or multiple other accessories with fixed diameters to mate to each lens uniquely.
One existing solution to this problem is to maintain a collection of adapter rings or plates of different internal diameters that are adapted to fit to lenses of different outer diameters. An oversized clamp is used in combination with a selected adapter ring or plate. With these multiple connection elements, it is inconvenient and time-consuming to change from one lens to another. Moreover, the photographer or videographer must keep a collection of differently sized adapter rings and plates, and still may not have the appropriate sized adapter ring or plate for a desired lens. As a result, the accessory is not securely mounted to the lens and stray light may pass through the accessory at the connection location of the adapter ring or plate, impacting the photographic or video image, such as by glare or lens flare.
Therefore, improvements to means for mounting accessories onto a variety of lenses for still photography, video, broadcast, movie and security cameras continue to be sought. In particular, the industry seeks a universal adapter mechanism that would provide a quick and tool-less way to attach accessories to a variety of lenses that are not necessarily the same type or size.


A sulfonamide derivative represented by the Formula: ##STR1## wherein A, B, X, Y, R, m and n are as defined in the specification, and a salt thereof have thromboxane A.sub.2 antagonism, therefore they are useful, for example, as blood platelet aggregation inhibiting agents.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives, and more particularly to novel sulfonamide derivatives having thromboxane A.sub.2 antagonism and intermediates for the preparation thereof.
(2) Prior Art
Some sulfonamide derivatives having thromboxane antagonism have been known in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,058, but the action is insufficient.
As a result of the earnest research, the present inventors have found novel sulfonamide derivatives having thromboxane A.sub.2 antagonism, and have accomplished the present invention.


A device for preparing hot beverages such as coffee by extraction having an extraction cup (5) movable from an outset position to an extraction position along a control track (2) in a mounting plate (1) by a movable holder (4). The extraction cup (5) is detachably secured to the movable holder (4). The extraction cup (5) is filled from a coffee grinding unit (3) and is then displaced along the horizontal portion (2') of the control track (2) laterally until it is located vertically below an extraction piston (11), whereupon it moves vertically upward. In this manner, the ground coffee is compressed. Simultaneously, through a hot water inlet neck (8), communication with a hot water heater (10) is established. After the extraction, a stop (15) is displaced beneath a tappet (7) supported in the extraction cup (5) and keeps the tappet at the top of the extraction cup (5) during the downward motion of the extraction cup (5). In the ensuing return motion of the extraction cup (5) to the outset position, the cup moves beneath a scraper (16) that cleans the filter (6) and scrapes off the filter cake.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for the preparation of hot beverages by extraction, in particular for preparing coffee, having a beverage powder processing and metering unit, a hot water heater with a metering pump, and expulsion means for removing the used beverage powder from an extraction cup. Devices of this type are known in many forms, particularly for commercial use, and have proven excellent. The same type of devices for domestic use, however, with the same kind of ease of use have been available on the market only within the last few years. The previously known so-called espresso machines required an extraordinary amount of maintenance, which is an extreme disadvantage particularly for a consumer appliance. To guarantee satisfactory operation, two conditions are absolutely necessary, first, as few moving parts as possible, and second, simple cleaning of those parts that tend to become dirty.
These considerations were already taken into account in a device for making espresso coffee in accordance with German Published, Unexamined Patent Application DE-A-2912841. In this device, an extraction cup is used that is mounted stationary in the machine, while the powdered beverage processing and metering unit and the water heater are pivoted above the permanently mounted extraction cup. The filter cake is expelled by way of the low filter, which is guided into the extraction cup and is movable by a tappet. The expulsion of the filter cake from the lower filter is done passively, by a scraper on the pivotable brewing chamber. Besides the large mass that must be moved, there are also two components, which are active components, that must be moved, the control and actuation of which must accordingly be done at different positions. This kind of design is extremely complex and likely to need repairs.
By comparison, the device defining this generic type, in accordance with European Patent Application EP-A0,184,561, is considerably simpler in design and consequently less vulnerable to malfunction. In this device, the beverage powder processing and metering unit is permanently disposed in a housing, and the hot water heater and a metering pump are permanently mounted at different locations in the housing. The extraction cup moves only in a horizontal plane back and forth between the two units and to a third position, where expulsion means for removing the used beverage powder from the extraction cup are present. Although this device has already been considerably simplified over the previous one, nevertheless a large number of moving elements are still needed. The extraction cup must be pushed away from the powdered beverage processing and metering unit to the brewing station, and then moved by translation onward to the station in which the filter cake can be expelled by expulsion means, which additionally requires that the extraction cup be rotated; then, it must be rotated back again and moved back from the expulsion station to the metering unit. Other moving devices are needed for the upward and downward motion of the upper filter, which is conveyed into the extraction cup. A movable filter cake expeller is also needed. This latter provision can be achieved by a simple, passively actuated lever. However, removal of the extraction cup from the device to enable it to be cleaned is not readily possible. The complex guidance of the extraction cup does not allow simple removal thereof.
The device of European Patent Application EP-A-0,154,206 acknowledges that such devices require intensive maintenance. Correspondingly, it is proposed here that at least virtually all the parts of the device that are exposed to action by powdered beverage be combined into a structural unit that is detachably inserted into the housing of the device. Although this removable structural unit makes maintenance easier, it is still not suitable for the housewife performing the intermittently necessary cleaning of the filters. The parts combined into a structural unit must thus be replaced as a unit and sent to the factory for overhaul and cleaning. In this last version, the extraction cup is embodied by a piston/cylinder unit, which is movable up and down in its entirety, and is also pivotable.

Device for the preparation of hot beverages by extraction


Systems for cooling the inner duct walls in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator. The inner face components, adjacent the plasma, are formed of a porous material known as a transpiration material. Selected cooling gases are transpired through the duct walls, including electrically insulating and electrode segments, and into the plasma. A wide variety of structural materials and coolant gases at selected temperatures and pressures can be utilized and the gases can be drawn from the generation system compressor, the surrounding environment, and combustion and seed treatment products otherwise discharged, among many other sources. The conduits conducting the cooling gas are electrically insulated through low pressure bushings and connectors so as to electrically isolate the generator duct from the ground.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to MHD generation systems and more particularly to method and apparatus for cooling and protecting the inner duct electrode and insulation wall surfaces utilizing transpiration cooling.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The environment created within a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator duct can be described as hostile. Materials, typically including a fuel such as particulate coal, an oxidant such as air and an ionizing conductor or seed such as potassium are reacted in a combustor to create high temperature reaction products, referred to herein as a plasma. The plasma, typically including excess fuel, coal slag and sulfur at a temperature in the rane of 2500.degree. K., is passed over the inner wall surfaces of the generator duct at a velocity in the range of 1000 meters per second.
The duct wall surfaces, which can include electrodes, electrically conducting wall segments and electrically insulating wall segments, when exposed to these hostile conditions, tend to erode, corrode, evaporate or otherwide deteriorate. One prior art response to the deterioration has typically been to utilize high pressure water cooled metal structures to cool the wall surfaces. Ceramic spacers used as electrical insulation are cooled by conduction through intimate contact with the water-cooled metal. Ceramic coatings have also been provided to buffer the metal surfaces from the plasma.
It appears further to have been universally accepted that, in order to avoid excessive erosion of the inner wall surfaces, particularly the electrode walls, the water-cooled wall surface temperatures should be maintained below the freezing point of the seed/slag mixture so that some of this material will freeze onto the surfaces as a protective layer. However, while prior teachings have claimed that this layer protects the metal or ceramic wall surfaces from the hostile plasma, it appears to react with the surfaces by a process which is at least partially electrochemical. To deal with these reactions there is a tendency to further reduce the surface temperatures, through water cooling, which results in severe material limitations, high electrical resistance of the slag layer, and apparently such high electrical resistance at the slag layer-electrode inner face that detrimental arcing and hot spots result. Additionally, this slag layer provides an undesirable path for current leakage across ceramic insulators which results in lower system efficiency and breakdown of the insulators.
If a slag layer is desired as a protective surface, the combustor must provide some slag carryover into the duct to a degree higher than otherwise would be necessary. This excess slag increases the stack gas cleanup requirements to maintain acceptably low seed material loss and particulate emission from the plant and combines with the seed, making seed separation from collected material difficult. The seed-slag combination also forms very hard and tenacious deposits on component surfaces downstream of the duct, such as heat exchanger tubes, thereby decreasing system efficiency and increasing maintenance concerns.
Conductive water cooling provides additional concerns. The material for conducting heat to the water is severely limited, and copper appears to be the only material with adequate thermal diffusivity to prevent localized electrical arcs. Copper, however, dissolves into demineralized water at the operating temperatures. With or without deionization of the water, it is difficult to maintain the water as an electrical non-conductor, which must be maintained to avoid efficiency losses, and it is further difficult to design and fabricate structures and conduit paths for the water, typically at high pressures, which themselves are insulating and thus not a drain on overall system efficiency.
It is therefore desirable to provide an MHD system which overcomes the difficulties associated with water cooling. It is further desirable to alleviate the concerns associated with excessive slag carryover and buildup.

Transpiration cooled electrodes and insulators for MHD generators


A graph display apparatus includes a display unit and a processor. The display unit includes a touch panel. The processor performs the following processes: controlling the display unit to display a graph on a graph display area in a coordinate range, the graph corresponding to an expression; acquiring a position designated by a touch of a user on the graph display area; and when a drag operation is detected after the touch of the user ends, changing the coordinate range with the designated position fixed in response to the drag operation, thereby reducing or enlarging the graph, and controlling the display unit to display the reduced or enlarged graph.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a graph display apparatus and a graph display method and a storage medium for displaying graphs corresponding to function expressions.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, there are information devices such as portable terminals and portable phones and interfaces on display areas having touch panels are common. Therefore, it is possible to freely move contents of a display area according to a position and a movement of a user' touch on a corresponding touch panel.
Also, small-sized electronic computers (calculators) having a function of calculating function expressions are improved so as to be able to display graphs and figures, and, touch panels are provided in their display areas.
Technologies for enlarging or reducing or scrolling contents of a display area in such a display with a touch panel are considered as follow.
There is a technology for enlarging or reducing a graph in a calculator for displaying graphs corresponding to function expressions on a coordinate system having a predetermined coordinate range (for example, JP-A-562-186347). According to this technology, coordinate data on a range designated on a display area by user are stored, and if an enlargement key or a reduction key is pressed, a new coordinate range is generated based on the stored coordinate data, and a graph is enlarged or reduced to be displayed.
Also, there is a figure display control device having a function of scrolling graphs and coordinate axes (for example, JP-A-2004-126759). According to this technology, in a case where a graph, coordinate axes, and a trace pointer are displayed on a display area such that the trace pointer is on the graph, if a touch operation for moving the trace pointer toward the outside of the display area is performed on an end of a coordinate axis, the graph and the corresponding coordinate axis are scrolled such that the trace pointer is displayed inside the display area.
With respect to display control devices with touch panels according to the related art, some technologies for enlarging or reducing or scrolling contents of a display area in response to touch operations are considered; however, it is desirable to implement a more convenient display control technology.
The present invention was made in view of this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a more convenient graph display apparatus capable of controlling the state of display of a graph in response to a user's operation such that it becomes easier to see the graph.

Graph display apparatus, graph display method and storage medium


Caller name (CNAM) query results obtained from a traditional CNAM service are sent during call processing on a carrier network to the subscriber's mobile handset over a Short Message Service (SMS) channel on a mobile carrier network. A call page is received at a network carrier associated with a recipient of the received call page. A caller name (CNAM) query is performed, and the result of the performed CNAM query is sent to the recipient device before sending the call page to the recipient device. The CNAM query result is displayed on a display of the recipient device.

On wireless networks, certain mobile devices are not enabled to receive CNAM (CNAM is an online information service providing caller name ID to telecommunications providers) caller ID display text information, and certain carrier network mobile switching centers (MSCs) are not CNAM transport-capable. Thus, CNAM query results from the carrier cannot be provided to the mobile device in the call page.
Other handset initiated communication facilities, such as SDB (Short Data Burst)/DOS (Data Over Signaling) on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks may be unavailable after the call page has been sent. Certain Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks have similar limitations.

Delivery of caller identification data to a mobile device using application directed short messaging service


A solar panel has a face which can be directed towards the sun for generating heat or electricity. The solar panel face is protected by a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer made by reacting at least one acid monomer with at least one diamine monomer to form the polyimide polymer backbone. The monomers are selected such that the polyimide backbone includes at least one non-terminal attachment point. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is attached to the polyimide backbone by reacting a functional group to the attachment point, where the functional group is connected to the oligomeric silsesquioxane compound. The polymeric compound can provide a relatively lightweight protective layer for the solar panel, which can reduce the total weight of the solar panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to solar panels. In particular, this invention relates to solar panels protected with a polymeric covering.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polyimides are an important class of polymeric materials and are known for their superior performance characteristics. These characteristics include high glass transition temperatures, good mechanical strength, high Young's modulus, good UV durability, and excellent thermal stability. Most polyimides are comprised of relatively rigid molecular structures such as aromatic/cyclic moieties.
As a result of their favorable characteristics, polyimide compositions have become widely used in many industries, including the aerospace industry, the electronics industry and the telecommunications industry. In the electronics industry, polyimide compositions are used in applications such as forming protective and stress buffer coatings for semiconductors, dielectric layers for multilayer integrated circuits and multi-chip modules, high temperature solder masks, bonding layers for multilayer circuits, final passivating coatings on electronic devices, and the like. In addition, polyimide compositions may form dielectric films in electrical and electronic devices such as motors, capacitors, semiconductors, printed circuit boards and other structures. Polyimide compositions may also serve as an interlayer dielectric in both semiconductors and thin film multichip modules. The low dielectric constant, low stress, high modulus, and inherent ductility of polyimide compositions make them well suited for these multiple layer applications. Other uses for polyimide compositions include alignment and/or dielectric layers for displays, and as a structural layer in micromachining applications.
In the aerospace industry, polyimide compositions have been used for optical applications as membrane reflectors. In application, a polyimide composition is secured by a metal (often aluminum, copper, or stainless steel) or composite (often graphite/epoxy or fiberglass) mounting ring that secures the border of the polyimide compositions. Such optical applications may be used in space, where the polyimide compositions and the mounting ring are subject to repeated and drastic heating and cooling cycles in orbit as the structure is exposed to alternating periods of sunlight and shade. Satellites can remain in orbit for extended periods, so the materials used should survive as long as the satellite remains functional.
Polyimide polymers are subject to rapid degradation in a highly oxidizing environment, such as an oxygen plasma or atomic oxygen [AO], as are most hydrocarbon- and halocarbon-based polymers. AO is present in low earth orbit [LEO], so many spacecraft experience this highly oxidizing environment. The interactions between the oxidizing environment and the polymer material can erode and reduce the thickness of the polymer material. To protect from erosion, protective coatings including metals, metal oxides, ceramics, glasses, and other inorganic materials can be applied as surface treatments to polyimides subjected to the oxidizing environment.
While these coatings are effective at minimizing the oxidative degradation of the underlying material, they often experience cracking from thermal and mechanical stresses, mechanical abrasion, and debris impact. After cracking, the protective surface is compromised and the underlying polymeric material can be degraded from additional exposure to the oxidizing environment. Therefore, the availability of polymers which are able to resist AO degradation is very desirable.
Oligomeric silsesquioxanes [OS] can be incorporated into a polyimide matrix to improve the durability of polyimides in these environments. Polyimides with incorporated OS demonstrate excellent resistance to AO degradation prevalent in LEO environments. Polyimides with incorporated OS provide additional benefits as well. Polyhedral OS are referred to by the trademark POSS™, and are a common form of OS.
Solar panels are often used to generate electrical power for an aircraft, airship, spacecraft, or satellite. Many solar panels use a semiconductor, such as silicon, in a photovoltaic (PV) structure to convert light from the sun or from other light sources into electricity. These solar panels are often protected with a glass cover on the face directed towards the sun. The glass cover provides a protective barrier for the PV components. This glass cover protects the PV components from degrading upon exposure to many things, including atmospheric moisture, oxygen, atomic oxygen, sulfur, contaminants, and many other sources of degradation. The PV components can be exposed and degraded during assembly, ground handling, integration, and flight. The glass cover exhibits high optical clarity which allows the transmission of light to the underlying components, where the light is converted to electrical energy. A glass cover can be significantly thicker than a polymeric coating, and greater thickness tends to result in greater weight.
Glass covers are relatively heavy compared to polymeric materials where glass can have densities greater than 2.0 grams per cubic centimeters and often greater than 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter. There are many different types of glass, and the selection process for the type of glass used can involve many considerations. The cost per unit weight of delivering a vehicle, cargo, and payload into service is high. Reducing the cargo weight prior to launching into service can save costs, or allow for additional components to be included with the launch. Glass protective covers for solar panels are rigid and brittle, and they can break or crack from movement during ground handling, assembly, launch, the unfurling of a solar array, contact with debris or micro-meteorites, or from a wide variety of other causes. A glass cover may provide reduced protection once broken or cracked, and may also reduce the amount of light striking the PV components.


A compact and highly flexible spring wire prosthestic device is provided for ossicular reconstruction. This prosthesis provides a solution not only to probelms associated with lateral retraction of the Tympanic graft and slippage of the prosthesis but to some other ossiculoplasty problems as well. The device has an oval shaped spring member locatable between the tympanic membrane and the footplate of the stapes with the major axis or diameter substantially parallel to the tympanic membrane making the device easily mountable. Obliquely extending from the oval spring member is an arm terminating in an ampersand shaped member for connecting the device to the tympanic membrane when the handle of the malleus is still present. Where there is no malleus handle, the prosthesis is provided with a freely mobile biocompatible disc equally distributing the tension pressure to the undersurface of the tympanic membrane. The spring also acts as a shock absorber. The wire of the device is formed from a plurality of wire strands twisted together into a cable of high tensile strength and great flexibility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to otic wire spring prosthesis in general and in particular to a middle ear prosthesis used in ossicular reconstruction
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is presently known to repair the sound conducting mechanism of the middle ear by surgical implantation of various types of prosthesis. Such repair may involve either total reconstruction where all three ossicles between the tympanic membrance and the oval window of the inner ear are replaced by a prosthesis, partial reconstruction wherein only the malleus and the incus or only the incus is replaced.
Known prior art prosthesis for reconstruction procedures have been made from various natural materials such as cartilage and bone, and from various man-made materials such as stainless steel and plastics like Teflon, Polyethelene, and Bio-compatible materials like Proplast and Plastipore New ceramics are also being developed such as Ceravital and Hydroxapatite.
Irrespective of the material most of the prosthetic devices known are usually one piece straight shaft devices having a head portion resting against the tympanic membrane with the opposite end pressing against the footplate of the stapes for complete reconstruction procedures or the stapes capitulum-superstructure for partial reconstruction procedures.
For a discussion of prior art prosthetic devices and the implanting techniques of same, the reader is referred to the following articles which discuss such devices in greater detail. These articles are (1) "BIOCOMPATIBLE OSSICULAR IMPLANTS" by John J. Shea, M.D. and John R. Emmett, M.D. appearing in Volume 104, April 1978, Issue of Arch. Otolaryngol; (2) "A DECADE OF TYMPANOPLASTY: PROGRESS OR REGRESS?" by David F. Austin, M.D. appearing in the May 1982 Issue of Larynogoscope 92; (3) "OSSICULAR CHAIN RECONSTRUCTION: THE TORP AND PORP AND CHRONIC EAR DISEASE" by C. Gary Jackson, M.D. et al appearing in the Aug. 1983 Issue of Larynogoscope; (4) BIOACTINE GLASS - CERAMIC IN EAR SURGERY: AUINIAL STUDIES AND CLINICAL RESULTS by Reck, R. appearing in February, 1984 Issue of Larynogoscope (Suppl. 33); and (5) RECONSTRUCTION OF THE OSSICULAR CHAIN WITH HYDROXAPATITE INPLANTS by J. Grote appearing in Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology (Suppl. 123), Volume 95, March - April 1986.
Wire prosthetic devices are also known. Some such devices consist of a straight shaft stainless steel wire with a transverse bar located at one end of the wire shaft. The bar or any other transverse section is intended to limit the insertion of the device into any base material such as cartilage located under the tympanic membrane. All straight shaft prosthetic devices give rise to certain problems due to their lack of flexibility. Slight outward retraction and/or shift of the tympanic membrane which may occur during the post-operative healing process causes the tip of the prosthetic device to lift off or slip from either the footplate or stapes head, depending upon the type of reconstruction, resulting in a loss of the tension pressure between the tympanic membrane and the footplate initially set by the surgeon implanting the prosthetic device. As a result, the patient does not hear as well after healing from the operation as he did when the operation was just performed. When the ear is subjected to a loud noise, the extreme deflection of the tympanic membrane caused by the noise may damage the inner ear--the cochlea. Also, with a straight shaft prosthesis there is no protection for inner ear damage from external physical trauma to the ear.
Coil spring wire prosthesis such as may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,672 issued to the present Applicant Edmundas Lenkauskas M.D., provides flexibility to absorb shocks induced by loud noises or other external trauma to the ear. They also have sufficient flexibility to compensate for any displacement change between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear due to outward retraction occurring during the post operative healing process to maintain sufficient pressure between them to insure adequate hearing restoration over an extended period of time. However, such prosthesis have relatively large central coil to provide such flexibility. This requires an accurate installation technique into the middle ear space to prevent the touching of the coil to the walls of the middle ear or promontory which may cause a short circuiting of the sound energy. Also such prostheses did not have the ability in the prosthesis head to adjust to positional variances of the tympanicmembrane. Thus equal distribution of pressure to the undersuface of the tympanic membrane was not provided.

Wire spring prosthesis for ossicular reconstruction


Disclosed herein is a method for producing hydrogel particles including the steps of: solidifying an aqueous solution in which a gel agent forming a non-crosslinked hydrogel is dissolved and which has a gel point of 30° C. or more by putting the aqueous solution into a liquid phase having a temperature of equal to or lower than the gel point; and crushing a solidified product obtained by solidifying the aqueous solution in which the gel agent is dissolved.

It has been known that hydrogel particles, in which dispersed particles including various kinds of functional materials are distributed, are applicable to cosmetic products, drugs, quasi drugs, and other products.
Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a method for producing such hydrogel particles in which a dispersion, containing an oil component dispersed in an aqueous component solution of dissolved gel agent forming a non-crosslinked hydrogel, is prepared and sprayed into a gas phase to form droplets, which are then cooled and allowed to solidify.
Patent Document 2 discloses preparing an O/W/O emulsion by dispersing, in an external oil phase, an O/W emulsion produced from an internal oil phase and an aqueous phase including a hydrophilic polymer gel agent, and then cooling the O/W/O emulsion to solidify the aqueous phase.
Meanwhile, Patent Document 3 discloses a method of making a thickener including the step of preparing an aqueous solution in which a hydrophilic compound with a gelling capability is dissolved in either water or an aqueous component, leaving it to stand still and cool to form a gel, and then pulverizing the gel.


A radiopaque marking system for a device meant to be inserted into a body, such as a medical device inserted into a human body, and imaged with an x-ray source includes a tube having a distal end and an outer periphery which can be divided into four quadrants. A first radiopaque marker section is located only in a first quadrant of the body adjacent the distal end thereof. A second radiopaque marker section is located only in a second quadrant of the body adjacent the distal end portion. If desired, the two marker sections can contact each other along at least one corner of the two sections.

This invention relates generally to a tubular device meant to be inserted into an object and imaged with an X-ray source. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a device having an X-ray contrast medium function.
The present invention is especially suited for use in a medical environment such as use in a catheter, an angioscope, a directional atherectomy device, a cannula or the like. It should, however, be appreciated that the subject invention is capable of broader applications and could be used, e.g. in an industrial setting or in any other environment where a tubular device is inserted into an object and needs to be localized by means of X-ray radiation or the like.
Medical radiography is performed using essentially a point source of X-rays whose beams expand, pass through living tissue being investigated and expose an X-ray sensitive emulsion coated on film or expose a fluorescent screen in accordance with the attenuation intensity of the X-rays. A fluoroscope is an instrument for visual observation of the deep structures of a body by means of X-ray. A patient is put into a position such that the portion of the body to be viewed is placed between an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen. X-rays from the tube pass through the body and project the bones and organs as shadowy images on the screen. A radiopaque medium aids in this process of examination of the body, which is called fluoroscopy.
Various types of catheters such as an angiographic catheter, a urethral catheter, a bronchographic tube or a thoracic catheter have been conventionally used in medicine for indwelling in body cavities. Often, an X-ray contrast medium is mixed partially or entirely in these catheters or employed to circumferentially form a ring mark on the outer surface of the catheters. A doctor inserts the catheter having an X-ray contrast medium into a body cavity while observing an X-ray fluoroscopic image. Fluoroscopically visible tip markers on such catheters permit the longitudinal positioning of the catheters to be monitored as they are inserted into the vascular system of the patient. Such markers typically consist of one or more bands of radiopaque material mounted on the distal end portion of the catheter.
It is also a common practice in the medical field for a physician to insert a cannula through a natural opening in a patient's body, such as the nasal or oral opening or through an incised opening and to advance the cannula to a particular location within the body. In order to properly place these cannulas, and especially their distal tips, within the body so that they will accomplish their intended purpose without injuring the patient's internal tissue, a physician or radiologist typically uses an X-ray photograph or a fluoroscope to examine the location of the cannula within the body. Often a fluoroscope is used to visually monitor the location of the cannula as it is being inserted. Therefore, it is necessary that some portion of the cannula be radiopaque.
However, the X-ray fluoroscopic image of the medical device, such as a catheter or a cannula, is a two dimensional image so that even if a distal end portion of the medical device is rotated along its longitudinal axis, or if the device itself is deviated toward or away from the plane of the fluoroscopic screen, the resultant X-ray fluoroscopic image is substantially the same as that obtained along the intended, i.e. correct, direction. The doctor may then mistakenly believe that the device is correctly directed.
With the advent of intravascular imaging devices such as angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound, it becomes important to know the orientation of the medical device within the vascular lumen. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an arterial vascular lumen 10 having an interior periphery 12 on which is located a plaque 14. A medical device 20 having a distal end 22 is inserted into the vascular lumen. If one were to visualize the abnormal structure or plaque 14 as being located at the twelve o'clock position 24 of the medical device, one has no sure way of knowing where the 12 o'clock position is in relation to the planar radiograph shown in FIG. 1B. That is, the fluoroscope 30 has a flat screen 32. Therefore, the abnormal structure 14 may be at position A or at position B as seen by the planar radiograph or outside of the plane represented by the X-Y coordinate, i.e. at position C.
This becomes an important issue when one wants to direct specific therapy at the structure which therapy frequently requires a different device, for example, a directional atherectomy device or directed laser beams. The operator, therefore, has to guide this device to the position on the fluoroscopic image and then rotationally orient the device so that the twelve o'clock position of the device is pointed at the location C of the vessel. This task is complicated by the size of the devices in question. The total diameter of the medical device may be no more than 1 or 2 millimeters and the fluoroscopic resolution of most radiographic equipment is at best 1/2 to 1 millimeter. Therefore, it is very difficult for a surgeon to correctly orient a medical device with the radiopaque markers available at present.
Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved tubular device meant to be inserted into an object and imaged with an X-ray source which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

Radiopaque marker system for a tubular device


Methods and systems for encoding position markings are provided. A plurality of markings are identified, and are encoded by a processor. Each of the plurality of markings corresponds to one of a sequence of positions. The plurality of markings are encoded via the processor using a first digit representing a current position of the sequence of positions, and a plurality of additional digits, each of the plurality of additional digits representing a previous one of the positions of the sequence, such that the current position can be determined based on the first digit in combination with the additional digits.

Certain systems today utilize techniques for estimating a particular position, for example a geographic location of a vehicle on a roadway. For example, certain vehicles have systems that can utilize lane markings of roadways in order to estimate a position of the vehicle. However, such techniques could require lengthy data strings, for example typically requiring the same number of binary digits as the number of possible positions.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide techniques for encoding data for position markings, for example that can facilitate position determination with potentially less lengthy data strings. It is also desirable to provide methods, systems, and vehicles utilizing such techniques. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.


A friction bolt including an elongated metal tube and a plurality of friction members. The metal tube includes interior and exterior surfaces, a tapered distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a slit extending along a length of the elongated metal tube. The plurality of friction members extend outward from the exterior surface, and at least some of the friction members have an exposed planar portion to frictionally engage an inner surface of a bore within which the friction bolt is inserted.

There are many types of rock bolt devices commercially available for installation within bore holes that are drilled into earthen formations. Rock bolts provide reinforcement in various settings, such as underground mining sites throughout the world. Rock bolts may also be referred to as rock stabilizers and ground stabilizers.
Rock bolts can be grouped into classes including, for example, friction rock bolts, expansion rock bolts, and cement/resin rock bolts. Rock bolts are typically inserted into a drilled bore in an earthen formation such as a rock formation. The drilled bore is most often formed in a ceiling surface of an underground tunnel. The rock bolt is held in the bore with a friction or adhesive interface with an inner surface of the bore. The rock bolt may be used to attach a wire mesh or other retention structure against the ceiling of the underground tunnel. The type of rock bolt and the interaction between the rock bolt and the drilled bore determine an amount of pull strength or load that the rock bolt provides. Friction rock bolts usually provide the lowest amount of pull strength, but are typically easier to install and are the least expensive rock bolt option. Expansion rock bolts and cement/resin rock bolts usually provide greater pull strength, but are often more expensive and complex to install.
Friction rock bolts generally comprise an elongate tube of a substantially circular cross-section and a channel or groove extending longitudinally along the entire length of the tube. Friction rock bolts are usually installed in a bore that has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the friction rock bolt. The friction rock bolt is driven into the hole and held in place within the bore with an interference fit. The tube is subject to radial compression forces as a result of being driven into the bore, which causes the channel or groove to be reduced thereby reducing the diameter of the tube to conform to the diameter of the bore. The resulting frictional engagement between the friction rock bolt and the earthen formation is sufficient to provide a load carrying capacity (e.g., pull strength) for the friction rock bolt.
Expansion rock bolts usually have a smaller outer diameter than the diameter of the bore into which the rock bolt is inserted. A radially outward directed force is applied internally within the rock bolt to expand the rock bolt radially outward to create a friction interface with the bore inner surface. In one example, the expanding mechanism is a wedge that is forced internally within the tube, and the wedge creates the radially outward directed force that expands the diameter of the rock bolt into contact with the bore inner surface. In another example, a fluid such as water is forced into the interior of the tube thereby creating a radially outward expansion force. The applied radial expansion force alters a shape of the tube, thereby causing permanent deformation that maintains a frictional interface with the bore.
Cement/resin rock bolts use injection of a cement or resin composition between an outer surface of the inserted tube and the inner bore surface to create a connection therebetween. The cement/resin is allowed to cure thereby providing a bond between the outer surface of the tube and the bore surface. This bond provides the desired frictional interface between the rock bolt and the bore.
The processes involved in handling fluids used in expansion rock bolts as well as the cements and resins used with cement/resin rock bolts may add significant time, cost, and complexity to installation of such rock bolts, which may, in at least some circumstances, outweigh their potential added benefits of increased load-carrying capacity.
Therefore, there is a need for improvements in rock bolt designs and related methods of installing rock bolts.


Flashing light module for a traffic safety cone has multiple stacked arrays of LED lights providing 360-degree visibility around the cone. The LED arrays are mounted onto a battery container, and a transparent or translucent housing covers the arrays and mounts onto the battery container to provide a water-tight seal for the enclosed electronics. The battery container fits into the upper opening in a truncated traffic safety cone. The LED light arrays have a variable flash rate. Optionally, an ambient light sensor is used to control the intensity of the light produced by the LED lights.

Marker cones have long been used as a substitute for paint-marked lanes in the temporary direction of traffic and for delineating areas with pedestrian traffic, such as crosswalks. Traffic cones are typically low-cost, brightly-colored, hollow, light-weight, stackable markers made of an elastomeric material so as to minimize damage to vehicles and the markers, themselves, when vehicles inadvertently collide with them. Their conical shape, with a base larger than the top of the cone, provides stability and helps prevent the cone from being knocked over by wind, traffic, or other causes.
To enhance visibility of marker cones, especially at night, numerous attempts have been made to equip the cones with various illumination devices. For example, various types of lights have been mounted onto the tops of the safety cones, with power sources either on top of the cones adjacent the light or with the power source positioned below the light inside the cone, with an electrical line connecting the light to the power source. One example of such an illuminated cone is described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/423,871, filed by Lewis A. Nielson in April, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Illuminated bases have also been proposed for use with traffic safety cones.
Some of the disadvantages of existing lighted cones include:                limited angles of visibility;        a pre-set light intensity that isn't variable depending on ambient light conditions, such as bright sunshine, overcast daylight, and darkness;        constant illumination or invariable flash rates;        a water-proof seal to protect electronics from moisture due to rain, snow, sleet, etc. as well as water splashed or sprayed onto the cone;        a relatively high center of gravity for units mounted above or adjacent the top of the cone, making the cone and light assembly prone to tipping over; and        high energy requirements for conventional light bulbs.


A hot beverage vendor having a hot water tank for supplying hot water for hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, soup and chocolate. On entering the tank, water is directed by baffles to a heater in the tank adjacent the bottom of the tank where it is heated. The heated water gradually rises in the tank for flow into the open top of a relatively small collecting tank mounted inside the hot water tank above the heater. The vendor further includes apparatus operable on a vend cycle for dispensing hot water from the collecting tank for the vending of a drink, with the dispensed water being relatively rapidly replaced by heated water flowing into the collecting tank from the main part of the hot water tank.

This invention relates to hot water tanks particularly adapted for use in vendors which dispense hot drinks such as coffee, tea, soup and hot chocolate.
It will be understood that in such vendors water is supplied to a hot water tank in the vendor where it is heated for making hot drinks to be vended. Certain problems have arisen in the past in that in "quick-draw" situations, i.e., situations in which numerous hot drink vends are made in rapid succession, the water in the tank has not been heated fast enough to meet the hot water demand. As a result, lukewarm or even cool water has been delivered for making a vend, giving rise to customer complaints.
Moreover, in conventional hot water tanks for hot drink vendors, hot water is often drawn from the tank before the solid particulate matter (e.g., calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, iron carbonate) in the water has precipitated out of solution with the water. As hot water is drawn from the tank, this solid matter fouls the valving which must be maintenanced periodically at the owner's expense.
Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,565,045 and 1,047,389 relating to hot water tanks.


Provided is a lid device which is compact, and can be installed in an efficient manner. The lid device (20) releasably locks a lid (10) provided with a hinge (12) in a closed position. The lid device is provided with a push lifter (32) that alternates between an extended state and a retracted state each time the lid is pushed, a motor (46) placed next to the push lifter, a lock member (18) and a transmission mechanism (64) for transmitting the output of the motor. The push lifter and the motor are arranged such that a lengthwise direction of the push lifter and a lengthwise direction of the motor are parallel to each other.

A fuel lid (fuel door) is hinged to a vehicle body, and when closed, conceals the fuel filler opening and conforms to the outer profile of the vehicle body. The fuel filler opening is normally closed by a fuel cap. The fuel lid may be locked in order to avoid the fuel lid from opening inadvertently.
For instance, in a certain type of fuel lid device, the fuel lid is automatically locked when closed, and a lever provided in the cockpit of the vehicle enables the driver to release the lock and pop open the fuel lid by pulling the lever. In addition to the types of fuel lid devices that can releasably lock the fuel lid, the lid devices that can be opened and closed by pushing the lid toward the vehicle body are also known. Such fuel lids are known to be convenient for motorists who use self-service gas stations. One such example is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The disclosed device is provided with a push lifter for opening and closing the fuel lid by alternately taking the retracted position and the extended position each time the fuel lid is pushed. Additionally, an electric motor is provided such that the motor shaft extends perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the push lifter. The motor shaft is coaxially provided with a screw which threads into a plunger coaxially disposed with the motor shaft so that the rotation of the electric motor causes the plunger to be moved in the axial direction away from the electric motor until the free end of the plunger is received in a lock hole of the fuel lid to lock the fuel lid. When the rotation of the motor is reversed, the plunger moves in the axial direction toward the motor until the free end of the plunger is disengaged from the lock hole of the fuel lid, and the lock of the fuel lid is released.


An electrically controllable variable capacitor includes the interelectrode capacitance of at least one power MOSFET, a capacitance connected in series with the MOSFET and having one terminal connected to the drain or source thereof (the series capacitance), and bias control circuitry for controlling the bias voltage applied to the MOSFET. The voltage rating of the MOSFET, the peak amplitude of the applied ac signal, and the value of the series capacitance determine the range of dc bias voltages over which the MOSFET can be operated, and hence the capacitance range of the variable capacitor. Such a variable capacitance is useful as a tuning capacitor in an electrodeless HID lamp ballast.

Variable capacitors may be used for automatic circuit tuning. In low power circuits, for example, a varactor, which is a semiconductor device having a junction capacitance that varies with bias voltage, is often used for automatic tuning. For high power, high cost applications, mechanical actuators, e.g., stepper motors, with feedback may be used to control capacitance. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches is suitable for electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp ballasts, which are typically high power, low cost applications.
In an electrodeless HID lamp, an arc discharge is generated by establishing a solenoidal electric field in a gas contained within an arc tube. The solenoidal electric field is created by the time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil which is disposed about the arc tube. To maximize efficiency of an HID lamp, the degree of coil coupling between the magnetic field and the arc discharge must be maximized. Since the degree of coupling increases with frequency, electronic ballasts used to drive HID lamps operate at high frequencies in the range from 0.1 to 30 MHz, exemplary operating frequencies being 13.56 and 6.78 MHz. These exemplary frequencies are within the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of the electromagnetic spectrum in which moderate amounts of electromagnetic radiation are permissible; and such radiation is generally emitted by an electrodeless HID lamp system.
Operation of an HID lamp ballast at the series resonant frequency of the load circuit maximizes power output. However, operation at a frequency slightly higher than the series resonant frequency of the load circuit maximizes ballast efficiency. Hence, for maximum efficiency, operation is slightly "off" resonance, and a specific ballast load resistance and phase angle are required. To this end, the impedance of the ballast load, including that of the arc discharge as reflected into the ballast load, must be matched to the required ballast load resistance and phase angle. As described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,692 of J. C. Borowiec and S-A El-Hamamsy, issued Sept. 10, 1991, which is incorporated by reference herein, a capacitance connected in parallel with the excitation coil is needed to match the resistive component of the ballast load impedance, and a capacitance connected in series with the excitation coil is needed to obtain the proper phase angle. However, the ballast load impedance, and thus the matching conditions, for running and starting the lamp are different. In addition, the circuit is very sensitive to component variations because its quality factor (Q), when the lamp is running, is very high, e.g., 20-40.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an automatically variable capacitor useful for tuning an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp ballast as the output impedance thereof changes between starting and running conditions. In addition, it is desirable that such a variable capacitor be automatically tunable for matching the ballast impedance as it changes due to impedance variations in circuit components.

Electronically controllable capacitors using power MOSFET's


A brake system arranged for the control both of the brake slip and of the traction slip is presented. In order that during a traction slip control action the brake circuits are rapidly supplied with the required volume of hydraulic pressure fluid at a sufficiently high pressure level, a medium-pressure accumulator is provided which is connected to the suction side of the pump and whose pressure supplied upstream of the pump is higher than the resistances in the brake circuit, in particular higher than the sum of the opening pressures of the suction-side and delivery-side valves of the pump plus the resistance of the wheel brake.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic brake system arranged to control both the brake slip and the traction slip.
A prior art device is disclosed in German patent application published without examination, No. 3,800,854.
The technical background on which the invention is based can be described as follows:
Basically, it is state of the art to prevent an excessive traction slip (i.e. racing of the wheels) by exerting a brake force onto the driven wheels. In this context, the brake torque counteracts the driving torque and reduces it to such an extent that the residual torque is transmitted by the frictional forces between the tires and the roadway.
The brake torque must be variable in order to be able to adjust an optimum traction slip. For this reason, it is proposed to transform those brake systems which provide a brake slip control in such a manner that they permit a traction slip control as well. A basic problem in this transformation is that, at the start of a traction slip control action, the hydraulic pressure fluid must be conducted into the brake circuits in order to build up a brake pressure which will subsequently be varied.
In the event of a brake slip control action, this hydraulic pressure fluid is displaced from the master cylinder into the brake circuits by actuating the master cylinder.
It is known from the prior art to connect the pump, which is provided in the device for the brake slip control, to a reservoir, so that, for the traction slip control, the pump will suck hydraulic pressure fluid from the reservoir and conduct it into the brake circuits. In the event of a traction slip control action at high vehicle speed, however, a sudden pressure build-up will be required which cannot be brought about by such systems without a pressure accumulator. In addition, the brake fluid will be highly viscous during cold weather, so that the pump cannot deliver its full capacity quickly enough.
It has, therefore, been proposed in German patent application published without examination, No. 3,803,363 to provide a high-pressure accumulator on the delivery side of the pump. As a rule, the high-pressure accumulator is dimensioned such that it puts at disposal a volume which is sufficient to fill the wheel brakes of the driven wheels and to generate a pressure in the wheel brakes which safely leads to the wheels failing to race. Depending on the specific brake system, this pressure amounts to approximately 100 bar or more. These prerequisites lead to the accumulator being very large and causing additional cost.
In contrast, it is proposed in the already mentioned German patent application published without examination, No. 3,800,854 to provide an accumulator on the suction side of the pump. This accumulator is actuated by a vacuum receptacle and can be considered a low-pressure accumulator because it brings hydraulic pressure fluid to the suction side of the pump at a comparatively low pressure level, which is then delivered by the latter into the brake circuit. The accumulator, therefore, does not put at disposal the required volume of pressure fluid. The pressure build-up is brought about by the pump. In this set-up, the speed of the pressure build-up depends again on the efficiency of the pump.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a relatively inexpensive, space-saving brake system which will ensure a sufficiently rapid filling of the wheel cylinders for the traction slip control at high speeds.

Hydraulic brake system with brake slip and traction slip control


Method for testing a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch, which is pneumatically associated with a primary pressure chamber and comprises a secondary pressure chamber for temperature compensation, wherein, by using at least one temperature-control apparatus between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber, a temperature gradient is set which is sufficiently great to produce a pressure gradient between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber that corresponds at least to the triggering pressure gradient of the pressure switch.

The prior art, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,175 A, discloses a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch. Pressure switches of this type are used in pressurised containers in order to keep the triggering pressure or switching pressure as close as possible to the current operating pressure. If pressurised containers are exposed to large temperature variations, which may be the case for example in fire extinguishers on an aircraft, the operating pressure changes considerably depending on how full it is.
In a pressure switch of this type, it always has to be ensured that it is not triggered unintentionally. In order to ensure this in non-temperature-compensated pressure switches, they are usually designed such that a relatively large ratio is provided between operating pressure and triggering pressure; in non-temperature-compensated pressure switches, this pressure ratio is usually between 2 and 4. If, therefore, the operating pressure is 8 bar, at a pressure ratio of 4 the pressure switch only switches in the event of a drop in pressure to 2 bar.
The pressure switch having temperature compensation known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,175 A comprises a secondary pressure chamber, which is filled with the same contents and mass ratios as the primary pressure chamber, such that the thermodynamic behaviour of the primary pressure chamber is identical to that of the secondary pressure chamber, with the exception of the lower volume and the thus lower thermal capacity. The secondary pressure chamber is hermetically separated from the primary pressure chamber by a flexible dividing element. A pressure difference between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber can thus be converted into a translational movement by the flexible dividing element. This movement is then transferred to a carriage, which is provided with a magnet. Owing to the movement of the magnet, a switching mechanism, in this case a Reed switch, can be then actuated.
Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,175 A the secondary pressure chamber is thermally coupled to the primary pressure chamber so as to ensure that a temperature variation in the primary pressure chamber brings about an approximately identical pressure change in the primary and secondary chamber. The flexible dividing element thus remains substantially in its starting position, such that the carriage is slightly moved thereby in any case. The switching mechanism actuatable by the magnet is not triggered in this state, however.
Reference can thus be made to a virtually temperature-independent pressure switch, which is why the pressure ratio between the operating pressure and the triggering pressure is usually between 1.3 and 1.6. The switching mechanism is therefore actuated even in the event of small drops in pressure if a drop in pressure is caused by a leak in the primary pressurised container, for example. A drop in pressure in the primary pressure chamber due to a drop in temperature in the surroundings does not trigger the switching mechanism, however.
Temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switches of this type are used in fire extinguishers in aircraft, for example. In this case, it has to be ensured at regular intervals that the installed pressure switch is still functional.
In the test methods previously known from the prior art, it was necessary to completely empty the primary pressurised container in order to test the pressure switch. However, opening, emptying and refilling the primary pressurised container is complex and expensive. In addition, in this method climate-damaging gases may be emitted, which are released by the filling and emptying process and by the recycling of the contents.
Lastly, a test method of this type has the drawback that the primary pressurised container can be damaged by being taken apart and then welded; a test method of this type cannot be repeated an unlimited number of times either; see BEATTIE, A. G. An Acoustic Emission Test for Aircraft Halon 1301 Fire Extinguisher Bottles, Federal Aviation Administration, Report No. DOT/FAA/AR-97/9, 1998.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,175 A discloses a test method in which a switching mechanism, which in this case is formed by the Reed switch, is triggered by a strong external magnetic field. However, only the electronic circuit can be tested using this method. Statements therefore cannot be made on the triggering pressure and the mechanical switching capability of the pressure switch, i.e. on the error-free freedom of movement of the carriage, for example.
The problem addressed by the invention is to provide a method and a corresponding device for more reliably testing the mechanical and electronic functionality of a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch.
The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims.
According to the basic concept of the invention, a method for testing a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch, which is pneumatically associated with a primary pressure chamber and comprises a secondary pressure chamber for temperature compensation, is proposed, wherein, by using at least one temperature-control apparatus between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber, a temperature gradient is set which is sufficiently great to produce a pressure gradient between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber that corresponds at least to the triggering pressure gradient of the pressure switch.
According to the invention, selectively heating and/or cooling the primary and/or secondary pressure chamber means that it is made possible for the pressure switch to be triggered due to a temperature gradient being produced. The invention has recognised that temperature gradients of approx. 30 K are usually sufficient to bring about a triggering pressure in common temperature-compensated pressure switches. Depending on the contents, however, the triggering pressure may be reached at smaller or also at greater pressure gradients. Here, the triggering pressure gradient is the relative pressure between the primary pressurised container and an operating pressure at which the switching mechanism in the pressure switch changes the switching state.
Furthermore, the required temperature gradient can be reached within a relatively short time of approx. 30 minutes by the method according to the invention, and the switch can be triggered entirely without any intervention in the system, i.e. without the primary pressure chamber being emptied and refilled.
In addition, the method can carry out both an electronic and a mechanical test of the pressure switch. Preferably, a control apparatus is also provided, which automatically stops the temperature gradient from increasing further when the triggering pressure is reached, so that unnecessary cooling and/or heating can be prevented. The method thus allows efficient, effective and environmentally friendly testing of temperature-compensated pressure switches.
It is proposed that the secondary pressure chamber is heated or cooled by the first temperature-control apparatus. Preferably, the temperature of the primary pressure chamber, i.e. of the chamber filled with a filling medium, is kept constant. The required temperature gradient is therefore preferably reached solely by cooling or heating the secondary pressure chamber. Preferably, the secondary pressure chamber is heated such that the filling medium in the primary pressure chamber is heated considerably more slowly and thus in a delayed manner due to the heating of the secondary pressure chamber, in particular because of the greater mass. The desired temperature gradient thus arises automatically between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber after a certain length of time owing to heating of the secondary pressure chamber.
Preferably, an active cooling or heating element is thermally connected to the primary pressure chamber such that the thermal effects of the first temperature-control apparatus on the primary pressure chamber are compensated for at least in part. Preferably, the active cooling or heating element is arranged to be in direct contact with a surrounding wall forming the primary pressure chamber. Preferably, the active cooling or heating element is also arranged in the spatial proximity of the first temperature-control apparatus, i.e. preferably less than half the distance of the pressure switch from the furthest point on the primary pressure chamber, more preferably less than a third of this distance and particularly preferably less than a tenth of this distance.
An active cooling or heating element is advantageous in particular if sufficient compensation of the temperature effect of the temperature-control apparatus on the primary pressure chamber by the thermal insulation apparatus is not possible.
Also preferably, the primary pressure chamber is cooled or heated by the second temperature-control apparatus. Preferably, cooling is carried out by the second temperature-control apparatus when heating of the secondary pressure chamber is carried out by the first temperature-control apparatus, and vice versa. Owing to the heating, for example of the secondary pressure chamber, and to the cooling of the primary pressure chamber, the required temperature gradient can be reached more rapidly. Preferably, the secondary pressure chamber is heated by the first temperature-control apparatus at the same time as the primary pressure chamber is cooled by the second temperature-control apparatus.
Preferably, the primary pressure chamber is oriented such that a liquid phase of a filling medium contained therein, which phase is formed by CBrF3 for example, has as small as possible a contact surface with the pressure switch, and more preferably there is no contact surface at all. This may for example be achieved by the pressure switch being brought into the highest possible position while the method is being carried out. The invention has recognised that, due to this orientation, the gas phase which preferably largely or completely surrounds the pressure switch assumes the function of an insulating medium. The heat transfer from the pressure switch to the primary pressure chamber can thus be reduced, and therefore the temperature gradient becomes greater overall.
According to the invention, a test device for testing a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch is proposed, which is pneumatically associated with a primary pressure chamber and comprises a secondary pressure chamber for temperature compensation, wherein a temperature-control apparatus is provided by means of which a temperature gradient between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber can be set, and the pressure switch can be actuated by a pressure gradient caused by the temperature gradient. According to the invention, the test device provides the advantage that the triggering pressure can be generated in a simple manner by producing a temperature gradient between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber.
Preferably, the test device is designed to set a temperature difference of at least 10 K between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber, more preferably of at least 20 K and particularly preferably of greater than 30 K. These temperature gradients are required for building up a sufficient pressure gradient that corresponds to the triggering pressure of the pressure switch.
Also preferably, a first temperature-control apparatus is designed to cool or heat a surrounding wall of the secondary pressure chamber in a targeted manner. Preferably, the temperature-control apparatus is flexibly and adaptably designed, so that there is as large as possible a contact surface between the first temperature-control apparatus and the pressure switch. Within the meaning of this invention, targeted heating is understood to mean that greater than 50% of the thermal energy output by the temperature-control apparatus can be transferred to the pressure switch, more preferably greater than 70% and particularly preferably greater than 90%. Preferably, targeted heating is also understood to mean geometric adaptation of the temperature-control apparatus to the geometry of the object to be heated. The same applies to the term targeted cooling, where at least 50% of the thermal energy absorbed by the temperature-control apparatus is absorbed by the object to be cooled, more preferably greater than 70% and particularly preferably greater than 90%.
Preferably, the first temperature-control apparatus is formed by a silicone heating mat, which preferably has a power of between 10 and 30 W, more preferably of less than 20 W. Owing to the flexible design of the temperature-control apparatus, the best possible heat transfer from the first temperature-control apparatus, via the surrounding wall forming the secondary pressure chamber into the secondary pressure chamber itself, is made possible. Because the pressure switch usually projects largely into the primary pressure chamber, said switch is only accessible to a limited extent. Preferably, the first temperature-control apparatus is therefore designed to be attached to the part of the pressure switch positioned on the outside of the primary pressure chamber. Preferably, the temperature-control apparatus is attached to the pressure switch by an attachment element, for example by a tensioning element, a clamp or a screw clamp.
It is also proposed that a second temperature-control apparatus is designed to cool or heat a surrounding wall of the primary pressure chamber in a targeted manner. Since the first temperature-control apparatus is preferably designed to heat the secondary pressure chamber, the second temperature-control apparatus is preferably designed to cool the primary pressure chamber. In this case, it has proven advantageous for the second temperature-control apparatus to form a contact surface with the surrounding wall of the primary pressure chamber. Advantageously, the contact surface is arranged on the side of the primary pressure chamber opposite the first temperature-control apparatus. The first, heating temperature-control apparatus is therefore arranged as far away as possible from the second, cooling temperature-control apparatus. More preferably, the second temperature-control apparatus is arranged such that the liquid phase of a filling medium within the primary pressure chamber covers the surface on the inside of the surrounding wall, which is directly opposite the second temperature-control apparatus. It is thus ensured that heat is transferred from the second temperature-control apparatus through the surrounding wall to the liquid phase of the filling medium, as a result of which the primary pressure chamber can be cooled more efficiently.
In addition, a thermal insulation apparatus is proposed which surrounds the outer surface of the surrounding wall. This is particularly advantageous if a second temperature-control apparatus only surrounds part of the surrounding wall and therefore the rest of the surrounding wall is heated by ambient heat. This negative effect can be prevented by the insulation effect.
Lastly, a first sensor apparatus is provided to determine the temperature of a surrounding wall of the secondary pressure chamber and/or a second sensor apparatus is provided to determine the temperature of a surrounding wall of the primary pressure chamber. The temperature sensors can be used to produce input data for a control apparatus. Therefore, for example, the cooling and/or heating power can be reduced if an excessively high or excessively low temperature is detected.
It is advantageous for a detection apparatus to be provided to determine the fill level of the primary pressure chamber. Preferably, the detection apparatus may be formed by an ultrasonic measuring appliance or by a mass determination apparatus. Knowledge of the fill level within the primary pressure chamber together with the temperature data at various points in the primary pressurised container makes it possible to calculate the temperature distribution within the primary pressurised container on the basis of a thermodynamic fluid model. On the basis of this temperature distribution, a pressure ratio can in turn be calculated that makes it possible to draw a conclusion on the precise triggering pressure gradient of the pressure switch.
It is also advantageous for a continuity tester to be provided to determine the switching state of the pressure switch. A multimeter that is connected to the actual switching mechanism of the pressure switch by an electronic line may be used as continuity tester, for example. If said switch is opened or closed, this can be detected by the continuity tester. Preferably, the continuity tester is connected to the control apparatus by means of signals, so that the test process can be influenced depending on the switch position. Therefore, for example, the secondary pressure chamber can only be heated until the continuity tester detects that the switching state has changed. Unnecessary thermal loading is thus prevented.

Method and device for testing a temperature-compensated, pressure-gradient-controlled pressure switch


With a turbine of the present invention, a preferably spiral partition is formed upright on the outer periphery of a rotor carried rotatably in a casing. A large number of blades are mounted between turns of the partition at a predetermined interval on the outer periphery of the rotor, and a channel for the working fluid is formed in the space between the blades and the partition on the outer periphery of the rotor. Therefore, the turbine of the present invention is a highly efficient turbine capable of efficiently utilizing even a low pressure low speed low flow rate working fluid, while being capable of efficiently converting the kinetic energy of the working fluid into the rotational force of the rotor and realizing a low speed high torque rotation. A turbocharger making use of the turbine is capable of performing sufficient supercharging not only during high speed rotation but during low speed rotation of the engine, while being preferably capable of cleaning emission gases.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a turbine and a turbocharger using the same and, more particularly, to a turbine provided with a rotor which is driven into rotation by a working fluid ejected from a nozzle and which may be used as a small-sized steam turbine, gas turbine or a turbocharger.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A turbine is constructed in general by a casing and a rotor rotatably carried in the casing and provided with a large number of blades on the circumference thereof, and is adapted for driving the rotor into a high-speed rotation by laterally discharging a gas at a high speed towards the blades from a nozzle provided on the casing. Each blade of the turbine ia constituted by a concave surface generating a positive torque and a surface generating a negative torque so that a torque is produced which is the result so counterbalancing of the two torques.
Hence, with such conventional turbine, for producing a low-speed high-torque output, a rotor fitted with blades each having as large an outside radius as possible is set into a high-speed rotation and decelerated by a speed-reducing unit for producing a large rotational force, despite the fact that the problem is raised in connection with strength. Such conventional turbine is larger in size, while requiring a number of auxiliary devices, so that it tends to be expensive.
Thus a sufficiently high rotational force cannot be developed with the above described conventional turbine by simply reducing the size of the turbine and thereby reducing the costs. Besides, the space between the casing and the blades unavoidably leads to leakage of the unused working fluid and renders it difficult to raise the rotational force.
For improving the above described conventional turbine, a turbine has been proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,818 in which a spiral flow of the working fluid is generated by a casing having a spirally extending groove on its inner periphery and a rotor having a spirally extending groove on its outer periphery, and in which blades are provided at a predetermined interval within the spiral groove of the rotor.
With this improved type of the turbine, a low-speed high-torque output may be developed despite its small size. However, since the groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface within the casing, the working fluid, such as the steam, tends to leak through the spiral groove without contributing to the rotor revolutions, thus lowering the operating efficiency. In addition, the higher the number of revolutions of the rotor, the more the amount of the working fluid flowing through the spiral groove, due to the effect of a centrifugal force, thus lowering the turbine efficiency. Moreover, when the working fluid flows in the groove on the inner periphery of the casing, especially when it flows as it is forced towards the groove bottom under the effect of a centrifugal force, frictional losses are increased, thus further lowering the turbine efficiency.


A catalytic cracking process operates with a getter additive present where hot catalyst meets heavy metals laden crude. The getter additive is a material which is selective for metals, and has a particle size/density such that the getter additive remains in the FCC unit for no more than 24 hours, and preferably is removed within one hour or less. Addition of 1-5 weight percent alumina having an average particle size of 10-40 microns will remove much of the metal content from the feed, and the metals laden additive will itself be rapidly removed from the FCC unit preventing migration of metal or degradation of the cracking operation due to the presence of metal. Preferably the additive is fine particles which are mixed with the hydrocarbon feed to the unit.

The present invention relates to the catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbons in general and more specifically to a method for efficiently cracking heavy hydrocarbon feed stocks, such as resids, which contain high levels of metals such as nickel and/or vanadium.
Catalytic cracking has been used for more than forty years to convert heavy charge stocks to lighter more valuable materials. There are two general types of catalytic cracking processes--fluidized bed and moving bed processes.
Fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) is by far the most popular process. In it a charge stock contacts a stream of hot, regenerated catalyst. The charge stock cracks and in so doing it deposits coke on the catalyst. The catalyst is stripped of strippable hydrocarbons (usually with steam) and then regenerated with an oxygen containing gas (usually air).
In moving bed catalytic cracking or Thermofor catalytic cracking (TCC) the process flow is much the same in that catalyst contacts oil and cracks it and becomes deactivated with coke. The main distinction between the two processes is that the FCC process uses fine particles of catalyst, usually in the 10-80 micron range while the TCC or moving bed process uses beads or extrudates typically of 1/8-1/16 inch diameter.
There has been increasing interest in cracking heavier charge stocks. Many refiners now add resid or residual fractions to the FCC feed. These materials heretofore had been fed to a coker or visbreaker or used to make asphalt for roads. As gasoline, diesel and similar distillable products are more valuable than resid, there is much economic incentive to convert the residual fraction of the crude oil into lighter products. Unfortunately there are several problems with cracking resids. One of the major ones is that the metals content of the crude oil tends to be high in the residual fractions. These metals are poisons on the FCC or TCC catalyst. Any nickel present in the feed is deposited on the FCC catalyst and adds a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation function to the catalyst. Hydrogenation/dehydrogenation components are essential in many refinery processes (such as hydrotreating, and hydrocracking) but cannot be tolerated in catalytic cracking. The downstream processing steps cannot accomodate the huge volumes of hydrogen, methane and other light gases produced during cracking when a hydrogentation/dehydrogenation component is present on the catalyst.
Vanadium is undesirable as a catalytic component, but causes an additional problem. The vanadium seems to attack the zeolite based FCC or TCC catalyst. Vanadium may act as a cancer to destroy the zeolite structure. The problems of vanadium attack on FCC catalyst are not completely understood, however it is understood that vanadium is a severe problem and that it should be removed from the feed or removed from the catalyst.
A discussion of the mechanism of vanadium poisoning is reported in Vanadium Posioning of Cracking Catalysts, Wormsbecher et al, Journal of Catalysis 100, 130-137 (1986). This reference suggests that the high temperature, steam laden atmosphere of FCC regenerators converts V.sub.2 O.sub.5 into 1-10 ppm, of H.sub.3 VO.sub.4. Addition of a basic alkaline earth solid, such as MgO or CaO, is proposed to neutralize this vanadic acid.
Some attempts have been made at adjusting FCC (or TCC) operation to accomodate higher metals levels. The Phillip's metals passivation process is a popular way of passivating the metal contaminants, particularly Ni present in the feed. Typically, antimony and tin compounds are added to the feed to passivate the nickel and vanadium, respectively. In practicing metals passivation the metals still accumulate on the catalyst, however their bad effects are moderated by the addition of antimony or other materials.
Another approach has been to remove some of the catalyst from the catalytic cracking unit and send it to a metals recovery unit, and perhaps recycle the catalyst back to the FCC unit.
Plank in U.S. Pat. No. 2,668,798, was one of the first to address the problem of catalyst deactivation. He studied the poisioning of an amorphous cracking catalyst with nickel. The examples used steam and acid treatment of spent catalyst to remove nickel. This treatment was thought to be suitable for removal of other metal contaminants such as copper, iron, vandium, and the like.
The DEMET process provides a multistage procedure for treating catalytic cracking catalyst to remove much of the metals content and restore much of the original activity of the catalyst. A catalyst demetallization process is discussed more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,197, and EP No. 0 252 659 Al.
Another approach has been to modify the FCC catalyst, or provide an additive catalyst, which can trap the nickel/vanadium components in the feed. This material, sometimes referred to as a "getter", or "scavenger" is one which preferentially adsorbs metals from the feed, so that they do not remain in the feed to be adsorbed by the FCC catalyst. Such a scavenger was disclosed by Wormsbecher et al, in a paper presented at the Ninth North American Catalyst Society Meeting, Houston Tex., Mar. 18-21 ,1985.
Most refiners also practice careful cracking catalyst inventory control when cracking heavy feeds. Catalyst removal rates of 1-2 weight percent a day are typical in FCC processing to maintain catalyst activity. When heavy, metals laden feed is used catalyst addition rates may double, quadruple or go even higher to maintain the level of metals in the FCC catalyst inventory.
Unfortunately, all of these solutions to the problems of too much metal in the feed have their drawbacks. In general they allow the problem to be created and then try to cope with it later. Thus, most of the solutions allow the catalyst to be poisoned and then try to cope with it by metals passivation, dumping catalyst and replacing it more frequently, or removing a slip stream of the circulating catalyst and cleaning it up and returning it to the unit.
Addition of "getter" materials, which have an affinity for Ni, V and other impurities (including coke precursors) to the catalyst is helpful, but the getters do not function as efficiently as desired. These greater additives have a size similar to that of FCC catalyst (to remain in the unit) so their surface area is similar to that of the FCC catalyst. The FCC catalyst is always present in excess, and the FCC catalyst competes with the additives for the metal in the feed. Unless large concentrations of getter additive are present (which dilute the cracking catalyst) a lot of metal is till deposited on the cracking catalyst. The metal captured by the getter additive remains in the unit, and may form vanadic acid. The metals that accumulate on the greater may transfer metal to the FCC catalyst. The metals on the getters do as much harm as that on the FCC catalyst.
We realized that the most efficient way to deal with the problem of too much metals in the feed was to attack the problem at its source, i.e., to intercept the metals before they could be deposited on the catalyst. We found existing feed demetallation technology inadequate--the low cost approaches such as guard beds did not work well and more effective processes (expanded be hydrotreaters) cost too much. Both guard bed and expanded bed technology will be briefly reviewed.
Guard bed treating the feed upstream of the FCC or TCC process has not been too successful because at the relatively low temperatures of the hydrocarbon feed it is difficult to remove all of the metals from the FCC feed. The metals can be removed to some extent by treatment with ion exchange resins, or acids or bases, but none of these treatments are able to remove enough metal to be completely satisfactory. All allow a significant amount of metal to escape through the feed pretreatment step to then contaminate the catalytic cracking catalyst.
Expanded bed, high pressure hydrotreating processes such as H-Oil and LC Fining will remove metals and upgrade heavy oil feeds, but the high pressures (1000-2000 psig) and high hydrogen consumptions associated with such units make them impractical for use upstream of a catalytic cracking unit.
We have now discovered a way to efficiently remove metals from the feed, by using an extremely fine additive which is dispersed with the feed. The extremely fine additive will, in the presence of hot regenerated catalyst, be an extremely efficient getter material for recovering metals from the feed because the getter has a high surface area and is almost perfectly distributed with the feed. The getter material will be quickly removed from the FCC or TCC unit via these mechanisms because its small particle size will allow it to be blown out the unit as "fines" either with the hydrocarbon product or with the flue gas.