An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for preventing free flow during enteral or parenteral administration solutions through an infusion line. More particularly, the present invention relates to an occluder/valve and method of use for infusion sets and the like, wherein the occluder/valve prevents undesirable free-flow of solution through the infusion set while allowing controlled flow through the infusion set.
2. State of the Art
The use of infusion sets to administer solutions to patients is well known in the medical arts. Infusion sets are used for both enteral and parenteral applications. Enteral feeding pumps are used to provide patients with nutrition and medication when they are unable, for a variety of reasons, to eat normally. Parenteral (intravenous) solutions are provided to patients to ensure adequate hydration and to provide needed nutrients, minerals and medication. Often, the infusion set is placed in a free standing arrangement in which gravity forces the solution into the patient. The rate at which the solution enters the patient can be roughly controlled by various clamps, such as roller clamps, which are currently available on the market.
In many applications, it is necessary to precisely control the amount of solution which enters the patient. When this is the case, a regulating device, such as an enteral feeding pump, is placed along the infusion set to control the rate at which the solution is fed to the patient. In applications where a pump, etc., is used, the clamps used to regulate flow are typically opened to their fullest extent to prevent the clamp from interfering with the proper functioning of the pump. The clamp is opened with the expectation that the enteral feeding pump will control fluid flow through the infusion set. However, emergencies or other distractions may prevent the medical personnel from properly loading the infusion set in the enteral feeding pump.
When the infusion set is not properly loaded in the pump and the clamp has been opened, a situation known as free-flow often develops. The force of gravity causes the solution to flow freely into the patient unchecked by the pump or other regulating device. Under a free-flow condition, an amount of solution many times the desired dose can be supplied to the patient within a relatively short time period. This can be particularly dangerous if the solution contains potent medicines and the patient""s body is not physically strong enough to adjust to the large inflow of solution.
Numerous devices have been developed in an attempt to prevent free flow conditions. Such devices, however, typically add significantly to the overall cost of the infusion set and some provide only marginal protection against free flow.
Thus, there is a need for a device that prevents a free-flow condition while allowing controlled flow through the infusion set. There is also a need for such a device which prevents free-flow if an infusion set is not properly mounted in a pump or other regulating means.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for occluding infusion sets to prevent an accidental free-flow condition.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an occluder which is simple to make and use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an occluder which is inexpensive and thus disposable.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an occluder which occludes fluid flow through the infusion set unless the infusion set is properly loaded in a flow control mechanism such as an enteral feeding pump.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide such an occluder which allows for a simple manual override of the occluding function.
It is still yet another aspect of the invention to provide an occluder which functions as a valve to effectively control fluid flow through a flexible conduit.
The above and other objects of the invention are realized in an apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion set. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an occluder is disposed within the infusion set. The occluder is configured to prevent free flow of fluids in the infusion set past the occluder. The occluder is also configured, however, selectively to allow solutions to pass by the occluder which are pumped by an enteral feeding pump and the like.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the occluder is formed by a stop placed in the tubing of the infusion set. The stop limits flow around and/or through the stop when the solution is subject to flow due to gravity. However, when greater pressures are placed on the solution, such as those produced by a pump, the solution is able to flow around and/or through the stop, thereby delivering the solution to the patient.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an occluding valve is disposed in the infusion set. The valve prevents free flow through the infusion set due to gravity, while allowing controlled flow of solution through the infusion set.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the occluder is configured to stop fluid flow until the infusion set has been properly loaded into a control mechanism such as a pump. Once properly placed, the interaction between the occluder and the infusion set effectively opens the infusion set to allow solution to flow therethrough.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the occluder can be formed integrally with the infusion set or can be formed of independent piece(s) which are then placed in the infusion set to selectively occlude the flow of solution therethrough.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the invention, the occluder can function as a valve to selectively allow fluid flow therethrough. In one embodiment, a pair of occluders and infusion line can be used in conjunction with a piston or other force applicator to form a linear peristaltic pump which delivers predetermined amounts of fluid to a patient.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the occluder and infusion line can be formed to nest in and be opened by a conventional fluid flow pump.

Apparatus and method for preventing free flow in an infusion line


Disclosed are an image processing device, an imaging device, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of, when recovering a deteriorated image due to a point spread function of an optical system, suppressing the occurrence of artifact and color gradation and achieving reduction in computational costs. The image processing device includes a frequency recovery processing unit which subjects image data acquired from an imaging element by capturing an object image using an optical system to frequency recovery processing using a frequency recovery filter based on a point spread function of the optical system, a gradation correction processing unit which subjects image data subjected to the frequency recovery processing to nonlinear gradation correction, and a phase recovery processing unit which subjects image data subjected to the gradation correction to phase recovery processing using a phase recovery filter based on the point spread function of the optical system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing device, an imaging device, an image processing method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing an image processing program regarding restoration processing based on a point spread function.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an object image captured through an optical system, a point spread phenomenon in which a point object has minute spread due to the influence of diffraction, aberration, or the like caused by the optical system may be observed. A function representing a response to a point light source of an optical system is called a point spread function (PSF), and is known as a characteristic responsible for resolution deterioration (blurring) of a captured image.
The image quality of the captured image with deteriorated image quality due to the point spread phenomenon can be recovered through point image restoration processing based on the PSF. The point image restoration processing is processing in which deterioration characteristics (point image characteristics) caused by aberration or the like of a lens (optical system) are determined in advance, and point spread of the captured image is cancelled or reduced through image processing using a restoration filter (recovery filter) according to the point image characteristics.
The point image restoration processing can be roughly classified into frequency recovery (correction) processing and phase recovery (correction) processing. The frequency recovery processing equalizes, that is, recovers modulation transfer function (MTF) characteristics deteriorated by an optical system, and the phase recovery processing equalizes, that is, recovers phase transfer function (PTF) characteristics deteriorated by an optical system.
Intuitively, the phase recovery processing moves an image in a frequency-dependent manner so as to return an asymmetrical PSF shape to as symmetrical a shape as possible.
While the frequency recovery processing and the phase recovery processing can be applied simultaneously as signal processing, either correction may be performed by changing a design method of a filter coefficient.
Various methods for this kind of point image restoration processing have been suggested.
JP2011-124692A discloses an image processing device which, in order to suppress amplification of noise due to image recovery processing, or the like, performs recovery processing on an amplitude (frequency) component and a phase component of an input image to generate a first image, performs recovery processing only on the phase component of the input image to generate a second image, acquires difference information between the generated first and second images, and synthesizes the difference information with the second image according to an appropriate recovery intensity adjustment coefficient to generate a recovery adjusted image.
JP2011-059813A discloses an image processing device which performs image recovery for an image subjected to nonlinear correction using blind deconvolution. This image processing device comprises a correction unit which performs correction for reducing nonlinear gradation correction for a captured image subjected to nonlinear gradation correction, and an image recovery unit which performs image recovery by applying blind deconvolution to the captured image with reduced gradation correction.
JP2013-020610A discloses an image processing device which reduces over-recovery of image data by image recovery processing. In this image processing device, image recovery processing is performed for color image data in an RGB format before gamma processing, the difference between amplification and attenuation of a pixel signal value by gamma correction is absorbed, and a limit value of a variation is calculated such that the maximum value of the variation of the pixel signal value becomes constant even after gamma correction. With this, the technical problems in that "a situation in which a deterioration state of image data actually obtained does not match a deterioration state of image data to be recovered by an image recovery filter occurs due to a saturated pixel", and "image quality deterioration, such as undershoot or overshoot, occurs in an edge portion, and in particular, undershoot in a low brightness portion is amplified by gamma processing after image recovery processing" have been solved.
The point spread function of the optical system is used in a restoration technique of an image with an extended depth of focus, and JP2012-049759A discloses an imaging module which executes image restoration in a short period of time with excellent accuracy. In this imaging module, restoration processing is applied to a brightness signal after synchronization processing (demosaic processing), whereby it is not necessary to separately provide parameters of the restoration processing for RGB, and it is possible to accelerate the restoration processing. Furthermore, adjacent pixels are put together in a predetermined unit and the common restoration processing parameters are applied to this unit to perform a deconvolution processing, whereby the accuracy of the restoration processing is improved.

Image processing device, imaging device, image processing method, and image processing program


A multi-functional, environmentally-oriented one-piece container closure panel has a peripheral rib adapted to removably engage the lip of a container end. The closure panel is slidably rotatable on the lip such that an opening in the closure panel may be variably positioned in alignment with a push-in opening in the container end to control the dispensing of container contents. When removed, the one-piece container closure may be disposed of separately, allowing recycling of reusable container materials or disposal of biodegradable container materials. Because disposed of separately, the container closure may be of any suitable material appropriate for the application, while different reusable or biodegradable materials may be used for the container.

The present invention relates to adjustable closures used to dispense particulate and powdered materials from containers, and in particular, to a multi-functional, environmentally-oriented, tamper-evident container closure which may be removably attached to a container end.
Containers are known for particulate and powdered products, such as grated cheese products, seasonings, and non-dairy creamers, which include adjustable plastic closures for dispensing the product by pouring or shaking the container. Such closures have a post-mounted, plastic rotor portion fastened to an assembly or plastic container end. See for example, van Kerkhoven, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,572; Weidman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,054; Kacalieff, U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,725; Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,864; Otterson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,979; Weatherhead, III, U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,580; and LaCroce, U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,665.
The '864 patent to Davis also discloses a punch-out closure comprising a one-piece plastic cap with a punch-out tab, and a post-mounted plastic rotor attached to the cap to cover or expose the opening which is formed by the punch-out tab.
Other features are shown in containers for particulate and powdered products. Plastic lids having a peripheral locking rib attached to a container having a separate container and are shown by Kreiseder et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,837 and Hougen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,826,400. In the '837 patent to Kreiseder et al, the plastic lid is also attached to the plastic container end by a post. In the '400 patent to Hougen et al, the plastic lid is removably attached by the peripheral ribs to a metal container end which includes a break-away portion in the form of a pull tab. The plastic lid serves to prevent accidental and premature lifting of the pull tab which would break the seal, and expose the beverage contents to spillage and contamination.
Metal container ends having easy-open push-in portions are also known, and are widely used for dispensing liquids. See for example, Madden et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,823; Debenham et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,480; Gane, U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,186; and Elser, U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,244. However, such push-in metal ends have, heretofore, not been used with plastic lids to produce significant additional function in cooperation therewith.
The use of multi-material containers, and non-biodegradable materials is growing in disfavor as the environmental movement expands, and landfills fill up. Legislation is pending or has obtained passage in a number of states limiting container construction to two biodegradable materials. Such changes promise to impose burdens on manufacturing facilities which currently produce disfavored, multi-material containers. Accordingly, the need exists for improved container designs to meet the needs of consumers for easy access, convenience, and safety, while satisfying the increasing demands for environmentally acceptable disposal.

Multi-functional, environmentally-oriented, tamper-evident container closure


A method for recovering useful metal included in slag generated from steel-making process in a convertor. The method comprises the steps of atomizing the slag in water, screening the atomized slag so as to be classified by sizes, dropping the classified slag of similar sizes into a flow of blowing air to sort it into a high-weight group and a low-weight group, and transferring the high-weight group into a furnace to recovering useful metal therefrom. The useful metal can be recovered at a low cost. In addition, since the inventive method does not accompany with the pulverization, polluting factor such as noise and dust is eliminated and thus, the working conditions become more comfortable. Moreover, the inventive method is advantageous in a view of reuse because the low-weight slag is used as useful materials such as short balls, grits, fluxes and aggregates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a method for recovering metals included in the slag generated from steelmaking process using a convertor, and more particularly to a method for selecting the slag containing high metals content from the relative light slag.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since a considerable quantity of useful metals remain in slag, which is generated from the steel-making process, a method for recovering the useful metal from the slag is required. Conventionally, for the sake of recovering the useful metals included in the slag, the slag is pulverized in large-sized pulverizers to obtain powder which is subsequently conveyed to a furnace on a conveyer mounted with a magnet.
However, the conventional method costs a great deal since a plurality of large-sized pulverizers and magnetic conveyers which are expensive must be installed to recover the useful metal included in slag. Especially, polluting factor such as dust and noise occurs during the pulverization of slag, so that the working conditions for workers become deteriorated.
In the meanwhile, the slag generated in a convertor during making steel is comprised of various constituents, mainly Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CaO. Of the constituents, materials including Fe, such as FeO and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 are extracted from the slag. The slag from which the useful metal is recovered (hereinafter "recovered slag") is then discarded as it is or is used as landfill. However, there occur many problems in the recovered slag since the main constituent, calcium oxide (CaO), is vulnerable to weathering. For example, in case of discarding the recovered slag in the sea, calcium oxide is likely to be changed by seawater and salts into an alkaline compound such as calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH).sub.2) compound, which pollutes the seawater and arrests the growth of fishes and marine plants. In addition, the use of recovered slag as landfill may causes the subsidence of ground. On the other hand, in the case the recovered slag is left as it is on land, the recovered slag is weathered to become powdery, so that alkaline fine powder such as calcium oxide may blow to injure nearby residential streets and forests.
By definition, weathering is the action in that a rock or an ore is broken down and decomposes into earth and sand on the surface on or in the earth. Weathering is largely classified into mechanical weathering (physical weathering) and chemical weathering. Mechanical weathering means that a rock is weathered by mechanical force. For example, as the air is heated and cooled, a rock or the like undergoes repeated expansion and contraction resulting in very small crevices in which freezing, hydrating and salt crystal extracting occurs. The rock ultimately splits due to inner expansion into pieces, loses its crystal lime water finally becomes powder. In addition, a rock is broken down by the mechanical destruction of living things such as microorganisms and plants. On the other hand, chemical weathering, by definition, means that the constituent of a rock, an ore or the like is chemically changed and is discomposed by chemical action of chemical agents or living things, such as hydration, hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, carbonation, ion exchange and dissolution. Chemical weathering process is generally dependent on the properties of the rock or the ore, pH of solvent such as rainwater, the amount of compound dissolved in the solvent, such as oxygen, carbonic acid gas, ammonia, inorganic acid and organic acid, temperature and the like. By way of example, on the surface of an ore or slag exist unsaturated radicals, which are generally reactive points with water, hydrolysis and hydration occurring thereat. Accordingly, metal ion, M.sup.+ in the ore or the slag becomes MOH, while H.sup.+ if it exists in the slag, permits the ion of crystal to be changed into hydroxide ion (OH-) which combines with CaO, MgO and the like to demolish the existing structure thereof. As a result, the slag is broken down into particles such as clay which is then dehydrated into dry, fine powder. In most cases, the two classes of weathering have influence on an object, simultaneously and synergistically. Consequently, the slag is decomposed by these weathering into a powder of CaCo.sub.3, CaO, Ca(OH).sub.2, MgO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe(OH).sub.3 or the mixture thereof, which then blows into the air and causes serious pollution.

Method for recovering metals included in the slag generated from steel making process


A dust mop has a swivel joint for coupling a mop head to an elongated handle. A swivel base on the mop head has a swivel socket with a cylindrical passageway along an axis parallel to the plane of the mop head. The passageway is unrestricted at the rear and restricted at a front by a raised lip for axially locking a rod of a swivel connector arranged to pivot on the base and couple to the handle. The handle receptacle defines an angle relative to the swivel rod, this rod forming a cylindrical bearing member for rotatable reception in the passageway. A planar ramp is formed on an axial front of the front end of the swivel rod, to guide the ramp over the raised lip when the swivel connector is rotated to align the ramp to the lip. A circumferential groove is formed adjacent the end of the swivel rod for receiving the lip. The swivel rod is flattened from the ramp rearwardly, along a transverse chordal surface aligned to the ramp, preferably tapering out to the full radius of the cylinder. A rib spaced axially from the raised lip cooperates with the tapering surface to lift the ramp at the lip. The device is easily assembled provided the ramp is first aligned to the raised lip. The ramp faces the extension of the handle, and thus only faces the lip when the handle is upside down.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to cleaning apparatus, and in particular dust mops with a plurality of dust gathering yarns. More specifically, the invention provides an easily and securely assembled swivel joint assembly for operatively attaching or detaching a dust mop head and a dust mop handle, that when assembled permits the head and the handle to swivel relative to one another for use of the dust mop.
2. Prior Art
Dust mops are well known for cleaning in and about the home and commercial and industrial buildings. Such mops characteristically employ a plurality of individual dust gathering yarns connected to a mop head, to be passed over smooth or rough surfaces in a dry or damp condition, to thereby gather and retain dust in and between the yarns. An elongated handle is conventionally attached to the dust mop head at a pivotal connection, to facilitate ease in operation by permitting the mop head to conform to a surface regardless of the angle between the surface and the handle.
The pivotal connection between the mop head and the mop handle allows the angle of the mop head to conform, for example, to a horizontal lower surface such as a floor or an elevated surface such as a cabinet. The mop head can just as easily conform to a ceiling or to a vertical surface. Whereas the connection swivels, the user can stand at one spot and pass the mop head along a line perpendicular to the swivel axis. The mop head remains on the surface as the relative angle of the handle and head varies between its extremes. The swivel axis can be parallel to the plane of the mop head and in the plane of the handle, typically with a bend in the handle adjacent the mop head providing a comfortable angle of operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,368 (Cotey et al) discloses a dust mop assembly having a swivel joint assembly construction comprising an upper swivel socket means integrally molded or otherwise formed on the top surface of the mop head (i.e., on the side opposite the working face of the mop head). The upper swivel socket means defines a cylindrical passageway with an unrestricted rear opening and a restricted front opening. A swivel connector has a receptacle for the end of the mop handle, and an insertable part that is angularly displaced relative to the axis of the handle. The insertable part is removably inserted into the swivel socket through the unrestricted rear opening of the upper swivel socket means until it snaps into a locked position against the restricted front opening. As thus attached, the swivel connector and socket allow swivelling while retaining the mop head on the handle.
In Cotey, a secure, rotatable interconnection is obtained in that the swivel connector is split at the insertable part, having two connecting ends spaced by a slot. The two ends are urged inwardly as the inserted swivel connector passes axially of the socket, through an inward peripheral lip at the restricted front opening. The two connecting ends snap resiliently outward upon passing the lip, to snap-lock the swivel connector axially relative to the swivel socket means while allowing swivelling. The split connector ends of the swivel connector have radially protruding grasping projections shaped to pass the peripheral lip. Whereas the projections also extend forwardly, insertion can be assisted by squeezing together the projections manually. The projections likewise can be squeezed together to allow retraction of the swivel connector from the socket when disconnecting the swivel joint.
It is also known in swivel joint assemblies for dust mops and the like to provide a base that is detachable from the dust mop head, whereby the head is removable from the base for laundering. The base can comprise the swivel socket means and structures that couple to the mop head, e.g. at pockets therefor.
Another form of known swivel connector for a dust mop head and dust mop handle has a swivel connector in the form of a rod means generally defining a cylindrical bearing member, with a circumferential groove. The groove creates front and rear radially larger portions of the rod, which forms the male connector part and inserts forwardly into the swivel socket means. The swivel socket or female part defines a cylindrical passageway with an unrestricted rear opening. At the front opening a raised lip snap-locks into the groove, axially fixing the rod means to the socket while allowing swivelling.
There are shortcomings in known swivel joint assemblies having a circumferential groove that interacts with a raised lip as described, to axially lock in the cylindrical passageway while allowing pivoting. It is typically difficult and awkward to force the front portion of the circumferentially grooved connector end over the raised lip, particularly because the connector end is rather securely positioned by the socket. It would be possible to use a relatively lower lip and/or shallower circumferential groove to make it easier to pass the connector end over the lip. However, once the connector end is successfully inserted, such a joint would that much more easily become inadvertently detached. Therefore, known swivel joint assemblies that are reasonably easy to assemble typically tend to unlock inadvertently and come apart during dusting operations, especially operations involving swivelling. This is of course frustrating and inconvenient to the user.
It would be desirable to optimize a swivel joint for aspects of assembly, such as ease of insertion and locking, and also to optimize the joint for use, such as smooth rotation and resistance to detachment. Such a joint would also be easy to make and to assemble during manufacture. When assembled, the joint would be freely rotatable but axially secure, especially during dusting actions.
Furthermore, the optimal joint for a dust mop head and dust mop handle should be sufficiently durable to maintain the structural integrity and advantageous aspects of the swivel joint assembly despite continuous use of the dust mop, and multiple changes of the dust mop head.


A pulse or stepping motor with a stator assembly and a rotor assembly has been found. The stator assembly comprises a cylindrical housing of ferromagnetic material, the first, second, third, and fourth ring shaped stators secured in said housing with some gaps between them, a pair of circular windings secured between the first and the third stators and between the second and the fourth stators respectively, the axis of said winding being identical or parallel to the axis of the pulse motor itself, each of said stators having a plurality of magnetic poles on the inner surface of the ring shaped structure, the angular duration of each magnetic pole of each stator being of uniform pitch. The rotor assembly is rotatably inserted in said stator assembly and comprises an axis, the first, second, third and fourth rotors each confronting the corresponding stators in said stator assembly, a cylindrical permanent magnet inserted between the second and third rotors so that the magnetic flux is generated in the axis direction, each rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles on the outer surface of the same, the number of magnetic poles on each rotor being the same as that on each stator, and each rotor being positioned so that the angular relationship of the magnetic poles of each rotor is staggered by 1/4 pitch of the poles.

The present invention relates to a structure of a pulse motor, in particular, relates to a pulse motor in which a permanent magnet is mounted in a magnetic path.
First, a prior pulse motor is described in accordance with FIGS. 1,2A and 2B to facilitate understanding of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior pulse motor, FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view at the line A--A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the stator. In those figures, the reference numeral 1 is a stator assembly, and 2 is a stator. The stator 2 has a plurality of magnetic poles 3a-3h on the internal surface of the stator 2. Each magnetic poles 3a-3h has a winding 4a through 4h.
The reference numeral 12 is a rotor assembly, 13 is a first rotor, and 14 is a second rotor. 15 is a permanent magnet secured between the first rotor 13 and the second rotor 14. On the outer surface of the rotors 13 and 14, a plurality of magnetic poles 16 are provided. Each magnetic pole 16 runs parallel to the axis of the rotor assembly 12, and confronts the magnetic poles 3a through 3h on the stator assembly 2. The magnetic pole 16 of the second rotor 14 is positioned at a different angle from that of the first rotor 13 by half the pitch of the magnetic poles.
The operation of the pulse motor in FIGS. 1,2A and 2B is as follows. As apparent from FIG. 1, the first rotor 13 is magnetized as an N-pole, and the second rotor 14 is magnetized as an S-pole by the permanent magnet 15. Supposing that the stator magnetic poles 3d and 3h are magnetized as N-poles by flowing an electrical current in the windings 4d and 4h, and that the stator magnetic poles 3b and 3f are magnetized as S-poles by the electrical current in the windings 4b and 4f, the magnetic pole 16 on the second rotor 14 is attracted by the N-pole of the stator magnetic poles 3d and 3h, thus, the rotor assembly rotates so that the rotor magnetic poles of the second rotor confront the N-poles of the stator magnetic poles. Next, supposing that the stator magnetic poles 3c and 3g are magnetized as N-poles by the windings 4c and 4g, and that the stator magnetic poles 3a and 3e are magnetized as S-poles by the windings 4a and 4e, then the second rotor 14 has the rotor assembly rotate in the clock-wise direction in FIG. 2A. Further, supposing that the stator magnetic poles 3b and 3f are magnetized as N-poles by the windings 4b and 4f and that the stator magnetic poles 3d and 3h are magnetized as S-poles by the windings 4d and 4h, then the second rotor 14 continues to have the rotor assembly rotate in the clock-wise direction. Similarly, by shifting the N-pole and S-pole on the stator magnetic poles, the second rotor continues to have the rotor assembly rotate.
Similarly, the first rotor 13 has the rotor assembly rotate in the clock-wise direction. That is to say, as the first rotor 13 is magnetized as N-pole by the permanent magnet 15, the first rotor 13 has the rotor assembly rotate when the corresponding stator magnetic poles are magnetized as S-poles. As mentioned before, the rotor magnetic poles 16 of the first rotor 13 are positioned on the axis of the rotor assembly at half pitch angle from these of the second rotor 14, the first rotor and the second rotor apply the rotational power to the rotor assembly alternately.
However, the prior pulse motor disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the disadvantages as follows. First, the prior pulse motor has rectangular stator magnetic poles, and thus, the windings are rectangular. So, the coil-winding operation is very difficult. Further, eight windings are necessary, and it takes a long time to insert each coil in the spaces around the magnetic poles.
Further, since the structure of the stator windings is complicated, some portion of the windings becomes shortcircuited or suffer from a loss of insulation. In some case, each coil has 500 turns, and the diameter of the stator assembly is only 4 mm, so it should be appreciated that the coil-winding work is very difficult.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation


The present invention relates to a deployment handle for a prosthesis delivery device and to a delivery device including such a handle. The handle assembly facilitates the controlled release of a prosthesis from the delivery device, while ensuring that various deployment steps are performed in a particular sequential order. The handle assembly comprises a main handle and a second handle which is rotatably and/or longitudinally moveable relative to the main handle. The second handle has an initial position on the main handle such that it prevents access to, and premature manipulation of, a proximal stent release mechanism, until the stent graft has been at least partially unsheathed.

The use of delivery devices or introducers employing catheters has long been known for a variety of medical procedures, including procedures for establishing, re-establishing or maintaining passages, cavities or lumens in vessels, organs or ducts in human and veterinary patients, occlusion of such vessels, delivering medical treatments, and other interventions. For these procedures, it has also long been known to deliver an implantable medical device by means of a catheter, often intraluminally. For example, a stent, stent-graft, vena cava filter or occlusion device may be delivered intraluminally from the femoral artery for deployment. For procedures in which a prosthesis or other medical device is implanted into a patient, the prosthesis to be implanted is normally held on a carrier catheter or cannula of the introducer in a compressed state and then released from the carrier catheter so as to expand to its normal operating state, prior to withdrawal of the catheter from the patient to leave the prosthesis in position. In many devices, the steps to carry out the implantation my occur, for example, first by retracting a retractable sheath to expand or partially expand the prosthesis, and then performing further steps to, for example, release one or both ends of the prosthesis, deploy an anchoring stent, or the like. In most cases, it is desirable that such deployment steps follow a specific order as instructed by the manufacturer of the device, but the user of the device is often not restricted from performing steps out of order, and often may do so. Thus, it is desirable to provide a delivery device having a handle assembly that permits controlled and sequential release and deployment of a prosthesis from the delivery device.

Deployment handle for a prosthesis delivery device


A sensor includes a plurality of transmitter units, a photodetector, and an optical system coupled to the plurality of transmitter units and the photodetector. Each of the transmitter units simultaneously transmits a light beam having a plurality of wavelengths, the optical system directs the light beam from each of the transmitter units onto a same illuminated spot on a probed surface, and the optical system collects light from the same illuminated spot and directs the light to the photodetector.

Spectrometers are used to measure the properties of light for a variety of applications including environmental or chemical analysis.
An example of a prior art sensor is the LaserSense™ system, described in Reference [13] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference. Reference [1] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of such a system, and in particular a LaserScan™ system for detection of solid residues on a probed surface. Another example is the LaserWarn™ system, described in Reference [14] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference.
These systems contain a laser source of tunable wavelength or wavenumber and a photodetector. Light of only one wavenumber is transmitted at a given time and the single-wavelength light is directed in a collimated beam toward a probed surface. Light from the vicinity of the probed surface is then collected and detected by a photodetector in the system. The laser light for the LaserScan™ system, referenced in Reference [1], can be tuned over a 600 cm−1 span, for example, between 1430 and 830 cm−1 and transmits short pulses of relatively low average power (0.5-10 mW). The pulses are produced at a rate of 200 kHz. This sensor transmits an output beam of approximately 2 mm×4 mm size and a beam divergence of 5 mrad.
An active spectrometer with laser illumination also can be constructed from a combination of a laser source with tunable output wavenumber and a separate photodetector or a separate infrared imager having an array of photodetectors. Examples of such spectrometers are described in References [2], [3] and [4], which are incorporated herein by reference. Tunable laser sources, which typically have one or more quantum cascade lasers, are available such as the LaserTune™ system, described in Reference [15] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other such systems include the MIRcat™ system, described in Reference [16] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference, and the OmniLux™ system described in Reference [17] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference. All of these laser sources output laser light having only one wavenumber or wavelength at a time, so that only one wavenumber or wavelength is transmitted at any one time. The photodetector can be thermoelectrically (TE) cooled to a temperature as low as 195K or cryogenically cooled to liquid nitrogen (LN2) temperatures (˜77-80K).
A disadvantage of the prior laser sources is that the output power can vary by almost one order of magnitude as the wavelength is tuned. Another disadvantage is that it can take one second or more to obtain a spectrum of 600 cm=1 spectral span. These prior spectrometers have external-cavity lasers that mechanically move an optical element such as a grating or a mirror in the laser cavity to accomplish the wavelength tuning. Also, these prior spectrometers do not include a built-in means to spatially move the beam of output light and instead obtain spatially distinguishable spectra over a large area by illuminating the entire area with a fixed beam and then using an infrared imager that has an array of multiple photodetectors to provide the needed spatial discrimination. Thus, since the illuminating light is spread out over the large area, the illumination power at any given portion of the probed surface is low and the acceptable standoff distance is small (typically 0.5 to 2 meters).
Another prior tunable laser source, described in Reference [5] listed below, which is incorporated herein by reference, has an array of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers for which each DFB laser is designed to emit light of a slightly different wavelength. The desired output wavelength for the array is obtained by switching on only one DFB laser at a time. A given laser of the array is switched on by increasing its drive current to a value exceeding the lasing-threshold current of that laser. The threshold current and slope efficiency of output power vs drive current of the different lasers in an array are different. Thus, the output power of the array can change as the wavelength of the light emitted is changed, which is an undesirable characteristic for a spectrometer. The outputs from the various lasers of an array can be combined into a single optical beam, using a cascade to two gratings, so that the same spot on a probed surface continues to be illuminated as the wavelength of the light is changed, as described in References [6] and [7] listed below, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Prior spectrometers having a laser array activate only one laser and wavelength or wave number at a time and produce a time-varying wavelength scan, as described in References [5] and [6] listed below, which are incorporated herein by reference, because in the prior art, the photodetectors do not have any means to distinguish the wavelength of the light it detects.


Centrifugal pumps (10) are disclosed having nonrotatable membranes (21) to rotate fluid in a pumping chamber having at least a first open passage inlet (71) and an open passage outlet (91). Specifically, the membrane (21) is deflected into a nonconcentric shape to the fluid rotation, with the nonconcentric shape being rotated to function as a centrifugal pump impeller by deformers (41, 42, 43) separated from the pumped fluid by the membrane (21). As the membrane (21) does not rotate, rotary shaft seals, bearings, or small gaps between moving, sliding, and/or rubbing pump surfaces and to which the pumped fluid is accessible are not required in the pumps (10). In preferred forms, the deformers (41, 42) can be located inside the membrane (21) and inside the pumping chamber or the deformer (43) can be located outside the membrane (21) and outside the pumping chamber. The membranes (21) are corrugated (102, 103) in the preferred form to direct the fluid flow into a rotary motion and to provide directional stiffness/flexibility characteristics. Secondary membranes (31) can be provided to cover the membrane (21) to prevent leaking and/or for ease of cleaning or sterilization. When the membrane (21) extends inside of the pumping chamber, a tube liner (51) can be provided inside of the membrane (21) and the deformer (41) to act as the primary inlet (81) or as a secondary inlet (81) with the housing inlet (71).

The present invention relates generally to pumps, particularly to pumps which do not force the fluid being pumped into a small gap between moving, sliding and/or rubbing structural pump surfaces inside the pump, and specifically to centrifugal pumps not requiring or using conventional rotating shaft seals or bearings in the pumped fluid.
Virtually all pumps, since the beginning of time, have had a "fundamental flaw", which causes most of the major pump problems. The "fundamental flaw" is that the fluid being pumped has always been forced into the small gap between some moving, sliding, and/or rubbing structural pump surfaces inside the pump, whether the pump is of the centrifugal or positive displacement type. This often causes serious problems for the pump operator.
Specifically, the primary cause of centrifugal pump failures is the failure of the rotating drive shaft seal. The shaft seal is necessary to seal the area where the rotating drive shaft enters the pressurized pump case. All rotating shaft seals operate in the same way, with the same fundamental flaw. All rotating shaft seals try to slide a moving seal surface very tightly against a stationary seal surface, so that fluid can not leak through the small gap between the moving and stationary surfaces. But there is always at least a microscopic gap between the seal surfaces where fluid can leak through. Sometimes the leaks become very large.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the average chemical pump leaks 1000 pounds (375 kilograms) per year through "average" rotating shaft seals. Industrial quality pumps have their mechanical shaft seals fail every 89 days on average. Even the best medical quality centrifugal blood pumps have their shaft seals fail within 30 days.
Magnetic drive pumps were developed to eliminate the leaky, sliding surfaces of the rotating shaft seal. The sliding surfaces in the pumped fluid were not eliminated but were simply moved to a new location as the internal rotor support bearings. Problems with the internal sliding bearing surfaces include an inability to run dry for any length of time, any abrasives in the pumped fluid will wear out the bearings, and attempting to pump a fragile fluid such as blood will cause unacceptable damage because the blood cells will be destroyed by the grinding action of the sliding bearing surfaces. The magnetic drive pump is now the only "sealless" centrifugal pump design which is commercially available, but its high cost and unsatisfactory operating characteristics have limited its usefulness.
Magnetic bearings are sometimes used in place of sliding bearings to support the rotor in pumps including magnetic drive pumps. Magnetic bearing pumps will continue to have the fundamental flaw of all conventional pumps. The magnetic bearings will require a "close moving clearance" within the pumped fluid. Magnetic bearing pumps are inherently complicated, expensive, heavier, and inefficient, with a lower bearing load capacity than other conventional pumps.
Positive displacement pumps operate by mechanically forcing the pumped fluid from the low pressure zone to a high pressure zone and require some kind of sliding and/or moving surface to function as a valve to prevent fluid backflow. The valve can clog or can be damaged by abrasives in the fluid, or the valve can damage fragile fluids such as blood.
It can then be appreciated that previous attempts to correct the fundamental flaw only succeeded in relocating the sliding pump surface to a different place within the pumped fluid, which never really corrected the problem. Pump operators have always wanted to completely eliminate this fundamental flaw that causes so many pump problems, but no one else has ever been able to do so.
Thus, a need exists in the field of fluid pumping for completely eliminating the moving, sliding, and/or rubbing pump surfaces within the pumping chamber to provide many operating benefits. Further, a need exists for pumps which can be manufactured at a lower cost than conventional pumps.

Flexible membrane sealless centrifugal pump


A fastener means for a vehicle occupant restraint system equipped with a gas bag comprises a holder part, a stud non-rotatably connected to the holder part and a nut screwable on the stud. One of the stud and the nut comprises one of a self-tapping and thread-forming thread, the other one of both parts which has no thread defines a counterpart. The thread deforms a thread in the counterpart in one of a tapping, forming and elastically deforming manner so that the nut after being screwed on is locked against turning out of place.

Hitherto gas bags on inflators or gas bag modules were secured to a vehicle by nut-and-bolt fasteners, among other things, whereby stud bolts are also used. These are, for example, formed as part of a frame-like holder part which sealingly forces the gas bag in the region of the gas bag orifice against an inflator, as a result of which the gas bag is secured to the inflator. The nut after being screwed on is firmly bonded in place by microencapsulation to lock it to the stud bolt. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for fastening a vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention also relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system, having gas bag module with a gas bag, a gas generator, a holder part engaging said gas bag, a fastener means for attaching said holder part and said gas bag to said gas generator or said gas generator and said gas bag module to a vehicle, wherein said fastener means comprises a stud non-rotatably connected to said holder part and a nut screwable thereon.
Adhesive remainders rubbed off during the screwing-on action may, however, stick parts of an assembly tool to each other or soil the assembly tool as well as exposed parts of the vehicle. This is why the adhesive needs to be handled very carefully which, however, lengthens the time needed for assembly.

Fastener means for a vehicle occupant restraint system, method for fastening a vehicle occupant restraint system and vehicle occupant restraint system


A method of driving an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device, comprising a pair of substrates, each providing electrodes, insulating films and orientation films in this order thereon, which is arranged so as to be opposed to each other and interposes an antiferroelectric liquid crystal composition between the orientation films, wherein electrode on either one of the substrates comprises a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of signal electrodes in a matrix form and a thin film transistor at each point of intersection of the matrix, which comprises transmitting a signal from the scanning electrode to the thin film transistor to turn on and synchronistically applying a zero or positive selective voltage waveform corresponding to a desired display to the signal electrode of odd-numbered frames and a zero or negative selective voltage waveform corresponding to the desired display to the signal electrode of even-numbered frames.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of driving an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device and, more specifically, to a method of driving an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device by using thin film transistors to implement such driving.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently there has been discovered an antiferroelectric liquid crystal phase that shows switching among three stable states (A. D. L. Chandani, et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 27, L729 (1988)), triggering the discussion on new display systems using this liquid crystal phase. Among several types of antiferroelectric liquid crystals that have been reported, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal phase that corresponds to the smectic C phase may be considered the most practical, and were reported to have been made by most of the latest researches. Its notation differing among researchers, this antiferroelectric liquid crystal is represented as, for example, Sy* phase (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication HEI 1-213390) or SmC.sub.A * (Fukuda, Literature of the 45th Joint Research by the 142nd Committee of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, p. 34 (1989)). It will hereinafter be represented as SmC.sub.A *. Although it is reported that this SmC.sub.A * phase has a spiral structure in bulk state (Fukuda, Literature of the 45th Joint Research by the 142nd Committee of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, p. 34 (1989)), it is also said that the phase will show such a molecular arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 (a) if the spiral is undone, for example by sealing the SmC.sub.A * phase into a liquid crystal cell thinner than the pitch length of the spiral. In more detail, the molecular arrangement is such that dipoles are oppositely directed layer by layer to cancel each other, causing molecules to be tilted in each reversed direction layer by layer. If an electric field is applied to this state, the molecular arrangement results in one in which the dipoles are aligned with the direction of the electric field, as shown in FIG. 1 (b) or (c). The relationship between the applied voltage and the tilt angle is as shown in FIG. 2. Liquid crystals can be in any of three stable states 1 to 3 and will draw the hysteresis curve depending on the relation between tilt angle and applied voltage, thus allowing the display function to be implemented using this relation. Accordingly, for example, display in contrast between light and shade can be done by combining polarizing plates with the display surface of a liquid crystal display device. For instance, by aligning the polarizing axes of a pair of polarizing plates put into the Cross-Nicol state with the layer normal line of the smectic layer of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal phase, such a voltage--transmittance curve can be obtained as shown in FIG. 3 (a).
Lately, compounds that show the SmC.sub.A * phase have been reported including the following compounds (M. Johno et al., Proc. Japan Display '89. p. 22 (1989)): ##STR1##
These compounds will not show the SmC.sub.A * phase at room temperature; however, by providing a liquid crystal composition in which the above compounds are mixed, it is made possible to obtain a material that shows the SmC.sub.A * phase in a wider temperature range around room temperature.
A matrix type liquid crystal device incorporating antiferroelectric liquid crystals has also been reported (M. Yamawaki et al., Japan Display '89, p. 26 (1989); Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication HEI 3-125119; etc.). As one method to provide an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device, electrodes, orientation films, and the like are formed on a pair of substrates, and antiferroelectric liquid crystal material is sandwiched by the substrates, thus constituting an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device. Such an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device has advantages, such as a wide angle of visibility and high-speed response, similar to ferroelectric liquid crystal devices. Also, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal device has further advantages of being free from burning, high resistance to shocks, and the like, as compared to the ferroelectric liquid crystal device. However, when antiferroelectric liquid crystals are used to provide a matrix type liquid crystal display device, sufficient display cannot be expected unless some driving method appropriate to the properties of the antiferroelectric liquid crystals is incorporated. Some reports have been made upon the driving of antiferroelectric liquid crystals (M. Yamawaki et al., Japan Display '89, p. 26 (1989); Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication HEI 3-125119; etc.). However, these driving methods are incapable of attaining sufficiently high contrast, incapable of providing multi-tone display, and have difficulty in such large-capacity display as to have more than 1000 scanning electrodes, disadvantageously.
The reason why the methods cannot attain sufficiently high contrast is that it would be actually quite difficult for the antiferroelectric liquid crystals to attain such an ideal voltage--transmittance curve as shown in FIG. 3 (a); practically, the antiferroelectric liquid crystals allow light to pass therethrough even at a low electric field strength as shown in FIG. 3 (b), making it difficult to attain a sufficient black display.
The reason why the methods cannot provide multi-tone display is that the simple matrix type driving in which antiferroelectric liquid crystals are applied utilizes switching among the three stable states and therefore cannot make use of the intermediate states therebetween.
The reason why the methods have difficulty in fabricating such large-capacity display devices as to have more than 1000 scanning electrodes is as follows: Implementing such driving as will be free from flickers requires the frame cycle to be not less than 60 Hz. For example, in the case of 60 Hz, one frame is allotted 16.7 msec; if the number of scanning electrodes is 1000, the write time per scanning electrode results in 16.7 .mu.sec (=16.7 msec.div.1000). Although the antiferroelectric liquid crystals is required to have a response speed higher than that, the actual response speed of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal phase is slower (M. Johno et al., Proc. Japan Display '89, p. 22 (1989)), so that it is difficult to fabricate such large-capacity display devices as to have more than 1000 scanning electrodes.

Method of driving antiferroelectric liquid crystal device


A system for deploying and retrieving a cover over a swimming pool. The cover is wound onto a motor driven reel. A guide spindle aligns the cover onto the reel during the winding process. A spool, also driven by the motor, has a tow rope wound on it. The tow rope is attached through a pulley system and secured to the cover to align the cover over the pool. Torque-limiting clutches on the reel and spool drive shafts compensate for changes in speed of the winding and unwinding of the tow rope and cover by allowing slippage of the drive shafts. An overriding clutch on the spool allows the spool to spin freely so the tow rope can be easily unwound from the spool by the movement of the cover. A friction brake band provides drag on the spool to prevent slack rope from accumulating. A photoelectric sensor detects full deployment and retrieval of the cover and stops the motor. A heating element is also provided to raise the temperature above the dew point to reduce condensation and corrosion in the system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of automatic covering systems for indoor swimming pools to reduce heat losses.
2. Statement of the Problem
Water within indoor pools evaporates, causing an increase in the humidity in the structure enclosing the pool. Large quantities of energy are required for the pool water to meet evaporation demand and to heat the air required for ventilation and reduction of humidity in uncovered indoor swimming pools.
One solution to this problem has been to cover the pool when not in use. The use of a plastic sheet to cover the pool will substantially prevent evaporation of the pool water, thus saving energy and water and reducing humidity. Relatively large savings can be realized by covering the pool when not in use. The pool covers used in the past have either been manually operated, that is placed on the pool by hand, or by mechanical systems.
The manually operated systems are cumbersome to operate, particularly in larger pools. These tend to be difficult to place on the pool as well as to remove from the pool. Often more than one person may be required in order to manipulate the cover. On many occasions, the cover may be left off of the pool due to the effort needed to cover the pool, thus foregoing any savings of energy.
Mechanical systems have been designed to cover indoor pools using reels and motors. Often, these systems must be installed as the pool is being built or else use heavy portable winches which must be moved to appropriate positions. Typically, these systems require an operator to guide the cover on and off the pool to maintain the slack and prevent problems with the system. The covers often require manual adjustment of position. Also, an operator is necessary to stop and start the system when the cover is being deployed or retrieved.
A need exists for a fully reliable pool covering system that can be operated automatically and can be installed in any existing or new swimming facility.
3. Solution to the Problem
The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a fully automatic swimming pool cover that can be operated by a simple switch or preset timer without the need of intervention by an operator.
The present invention provides an automated swimming pool cover that has automatic shut-off when the pool cover is fully deployed or retrieved.
The present invention provides fail safe control to prevent equipment damage by the motor not being properly stopped at the end of cover travel.
The present invention further provides a single gear drive motor compensating for differing speeds and forces in the covering process.
The present invention also provides cover guidance to allow smooth, regular uniform and aligned winding of the cover on the reel.
The present invention also provides a design to prevent corrosion of the device.
The present invention provides a simple, economical device locating the structure in unused and inconspicuous space to reduce the expense of the device.
These features and others will become evident from the following description of one possible exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawings.

System for automatically covering swimming pools and method therefor


A metal plate sleeve and method of manufacture is obtained by placing the cables (15) on strips of rubber-base putty, then compressing the whole into the corresponding shape, followed by crown molding until the described shape of the anchoring zone (14) is obtained, forming a metal plate sleeve (10) for a bundle of cables (15), configured in accordance with the first lower truncated cone area (10b), extending on top into a cylindrical portion (21), which in turn extends on top into a truncated cone area (10a). A cylindrical portion (21) expands outward in accordance with the respective cover shields (12) and positioning shields (13).

In the automotive sector, and more concretely in components intended for the transport of electric energy, fluids and data, it is usual for the inside of an automobile cabin to be traversed by a number of cables and tubes, which usually are connected to each other by means of corresponding sleeves, where rubber lugs are used to pass through metal areas to which said sleeves conform, which allow such an assembly of cables or cable sleeves, and others, to pass from one compartment to another in the cabin, without said partition having undesirable effects on said cables, or sets of cables.
In practice, the sleeves that are used to protect the cables and permit passage from one part of the cabin to another, usually create a series of inconveniences that affect the quality of the car in general. The main difficulty with the sleeves used normally is that they noticeably alter the leakproof conditions for both liquids and sound, since the points at which parts of the cabin are traversed are the points where moisture, water and noise penetrate, with all the inconveniences this entails for the perfect finish and quality of the cabin in general.
The greater part of the cabin surface is covered by layers of soundproofing materials, which are placed inside the cabin and provide said soundproofing and also cover the metal parts, cable sleeves, small tubing, and others. In other words, when we say that parts or areas of the cabin are traversed, it should be understood that this assumes not only passing through metal parts, but also passing through areas lined with various materials; for that reason, it is extremely important that the fact alone of passing through the metal parts and the covers does not become one of the causes of the entrance of moisture and water, aside from noise, and that said water and moisture remain permanently between the metal parts of the cabin and the covered areas, which is actually one of the greatest problems that occur with respect to corrosion and degradation of materials, in other words, definitely any point of the cabin that must be perforated to permit passage of conductors and similar and, from the beginning, represents a possible focus for oxidation, loss of tightness and loss of soundproofing.
Basically, the sleeves that are presently and habitually used, serve to cover the perimeter of the perforated areas and, on the other hand, as a pressure medium for the perimeter against the conductors passing through the inside of said sleeves; nonetheless, and although the raw materials used to manufacture said sleeves are elastic materials, and therefore have the capacity to absorb by compression, the passage inside said sleeves of various cables which, in the majority of cases, are not perfectly aligned but rather braided, is not perfectly leakproof, while at the same time said sleeves are not a strong point through which the sleeve and cables can be attached to the perimeters or edges of the perforated areas, all of it in conjunction with the above indicated difficulties.

Metal plate sleeve and method of manufacture


The present invention is directed to adhesives suitable for application using a hot melt process at a relatively low temperature in the range of about 110° C. to about 130° C. Such adhesives exhibit desirable viscoelastic properties and are suitable for bonding an elastic attachment in the manufacture of disposable articles, such as disposable diapers.

Hot melt adhesives for elastic attachment application generally contain 20-35% polymer. Such polymer content results in high viscosity, and thus the typical application temperature is 325° F. (160° C.) or greater. To reduce the energy demands and glue burn-through (hot adhesive partially or completely melts the polymeric substrate) as well as the occupational risks associated with applying hot melt adhesives, there is a need to provide adhesives that are suitable for hot melt applications at lower temperatures. Decreasing the application temperature of the adhesives, however, often leads to negative cohesion and creep resistance of the adhesive.
WO 2007/047232 is directed to a low application temperature hot melt adhesive by utilizing a high softening point mid-block tackifier with SIS copolymer that has 14-35 wt % styrene content and molecular weight of about 100,000 to 200,000 or SBS copolymer that has 20-45 wt % styrene content and molecular weight of about 50,000 to 120,000. The use of high softening point mid-block tackifiers leads to higher viscosity, which limits the application temperature greater than 130° C. Lowering the viscosity with lower softening point mid-block tackifiers, however, leads to negative creep resistance of the adhesive.
There continues to be a need in the art for low application temperature hot melt adhesives, with desirable cohesion and creep resistance. Such attributes would make the adhesive particularly well-suited for use in the manufacture of elastic attachment adhesive. The current invention addresses this need.

Low temperature hot melt adhesives for disposable articles with high creep resistance


An electric power storage system for a vehicle includes an electric power storage device, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The vehicle includes an ignition switch. The electric power storage device is mounted on the vehicle. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the electric power storage device. The controller is configured to estimate a rest temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is OFF. The controller is configured to acquire the temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is ON by using the temperature sensor when the ignition switch is turned ON. The controller is configured to estimate the rest temperature by using an average value of at least two of a plurality of the temperatures acquired during a predetermined period. The plurality of temperatures are the temperatures of the electric power storage device which are acquired at a time when the ignition switch is turned ON during the predetermined period.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a technique for estimating a temperature (rest temperature) at a time when an electric power storage device is not charged/discharged.
2. Description of Related Art
Calculation of a degradation rate of an electric power storage unit based on a temporal change in battery temperature is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-035280 (JP 2010-035280 A). In JP 2010-035280 A, the battery temperature for a rest period between external charging completion and ignition switch ON is estimated from a radiation amount of the electric power storage unit.

Electric power storage system for a vehicle and method for controlling electric power storage system for a vehicle


A device and method for detecting digital impairments affecting an upstream pulse code modulation (PCM) channel in a digital communication network, involves; receiving, by a digital PCM modem interconnected to the digital communication network, a random sequence of digital values selected from a constellation of digital values transmitted over the upstream PCM channel of the digital communication network; establishing distributions of the received digital values, each distribution corresponding to one of a plurality of time intervals; and deriving from the distributions the types of robbed bit signaling and digital loss affecting the upstream PCM channel of the digital communication network for each time interval.

Conventional modems, such as V.34 modems, treat the public switched telephone network (PSTN) as a pure analog channel even though the signals are digitized throughout most of the network. In contrast, pulse code modulation (PCM) modems take advantage of the fact that most of the network is digital and that typically central site modems, such as those of internet service providers and on-line services, are connected to the PSTN via digital connections (e.g., T1 in the United States and E1 in Europe). First generation PCM modems transmit data in PCM mode downstream only (i.e., from a central site digital modem to an analog end user modem) and transmit in analog mode, e.g. V.34 mode, upstream (i.e., from the end modem to the central site modem). Second generation PCM modems will also transmit data upstream in PCM mode.
With PCM downstream, the central site PCM modem transmits over a digital network eight bit digital words (octets) corresponding to different central office codec output levels. At the end user's central office, the octets are converted to analog levels which are transmitted over an analog loop. The end user's PCM modem then converts the analog levels into equalized digital levels. The equalized digital levels are ideally mapped back into the originally transmitted octets and the data the octets represent. With PCM upstream, the end user PCM modem transmits analog levels over the analog loop corresponding to the data to be transmitted and the levels are quantized to form octets by a codec in the end user's central office. The codec transmits the octets to the PCM central site modem over the digital network.
However, due to impairments in the digital network, such as digital trunk loss (in the US, typically 0, 3 or 6 dB) caused by digital padding and robbed bit signaling (hereinafter referred to as RBS), caused by the networks in-band signaling, the octets transmitted both in the upstream and downstream directions may be corrupted. If not accounted for, this can cause high data error rates in the modems.
Many modern digital networks which may carry PCM modem data are constructed as T-carrier systems that use robbed bit signaling. The digital data transmitted over these networks is grouped into octets (eight (8) bits) and the octets are grouped into frames (twenty four (24) octets). In FIG. 1 there is shown a frame 10 containing twenty four octets, O.sub.0 -O.sub.23 The frames transmitted over the network are continuous, and the single 24 octet frame 10 is shown for descriptive convenience only. Certain octets are affected by RBS. The network uses the least significant bit (LSB) position of the affected octets to carry data to perform control functions in the network. Thus, for example, the first octet, O.sub.0, may be affected by a type of RBS that forces the LSB of that octet to one, odd RBS, as indicated by the "F" in that octet. (The designation "NC" means "no change"). Depending on the octet of data carried in that interval, RBS may change that octet's data. In particular, if that octet had a zero in its LSB, RBS alters that octet. If, however, that octet had a one in its LSB, RBS would have no affect on the octet from the end-use's perspective.
It has been observed that RBS has deterministic periodicity with periods of six or twenty four octets. In this example, the RBS period is twenty four. Since RBS recurs every twenty four octets, the octets can be viewed as appearing in a basic period 12 of twenty four time slots or intervals, 0-23, which may or may not be affected by RBS. For example, octet O.sub.0 appears in slot "0" which is affected by RBS, while octet O.sub.1, for example, appears in slot "1" and is unaffected by RBS. It should be noted that due to the nature of the networks, it is possible to have more than one RBS affected interval in the basic period of twenty four, as evidenced by affected octet O.sub.6.
Methods for detecting and mitigating downstream digital impairments are known. Examples of these methods are described in the following co-pending applications, assigned to the assignee of the present invention: U.S. application Ser. No. 08/885,710, entitled System, Device and Method for Detecting and Characterizing Impairments in a Communication Network; filed Jun. 30, 1997; U.S. aplication Ser. No. 08/730,433, entitled System And Device For, And Method Of, Detecting, Characterizing. And Mitigating Deterministic Distortion In A Communications Network, filed Oct. 15, 1996; U.S. application Ser. No. 08/979,994, entitled, System. Device and Method for Detecting Impairments in a Communication Network, filed Oct. 26, 1997; and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/979,196, entitled, Apparatus, System And Method For Transmitting And Receiving A Training Sequence Optimized For Detecting Impairments In A Communication Network, filed Oct 26, 1997. These applications are incorporated herein in their entireties.
With downstream transmission, the points transmitted over the digital network are known and this information is used for digital impairment detection according to the above referenced applications. However, with upstream transmission, before determining digital impairments, downstream PCM echo and the characteristics of the analog loop (channel), the points transmitted over the digital channel are unknown and the techniques for detecting digital impairments described in the above applications are not applicable to upstream transmission.
Therefore, a need exists for a device and method for detecting PCM upstream digital impairments to improve PCM upstream transmission. This information can also be used to estimate analog channel characteristics and PCM downstream echo to further improve PCM upstream transmission.

Device and method for detecting PCM upstream digital impairments in a communication network


An atmospheric pressure CVD apparatus includes an upper convey mechanism, a lower convey mechanism, a loader susceptor up mechanism, and a loader susceptor down mechanism. The upper convey mechanism horizontally conveys a susceptor to be mounted with a semiconductor wafer, and has a wafer loader mechanism, an upper rail, an upper susceptor driving portion, a heater, a dispersion head, and a wafer unloader mechanism. The lower convey mechanism is arranged below the upper convey mechanism to horizontally convey the susceptor, and has a first lower rail, a first lower susceptor driving portion, a plasma reaction portion, a second lower rail, and a second lower susceptor driving portion. The loader susceptor up mechanism moves up and conveys the susceptor from the lower convey mechanism to the upper convey mechanism. The loader susceptor down mechanism moves down and conveys the susceptor from the upper convey mechanism to the lower convey mechanism.

The present invention relates to an atmospheric pressure CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) apparatus for cleaning a susceptor for mounting a semiconductor wafer to be processed thereon.
Generally, in an atmospheric pressure CVD apparatus, a heater is set below a susceptor placing a semiconductor wafer thereon. After the semiconductor wafer is heated to a predetermined temperature, a reaction gas blown from a dispersion head set at an upper portion hits the surface of the semiconductor wafer to form a predetermined thin film thereon.
At this time, the thin CVD film is naturally deposited on the exposed surface portion of the upper surface of the susceptor supporting the semiconductor wafer, other than a surface portion mounting the semiconductor wafer thereon. Particles on the film surface become rough with an increase in number of times of CVD processing, and the thin film formed on this susceptor is easily peeled off. The peeled dust attaches to the surface of the semiconductor wafer, producing a defective semiconductor wafer.
When the thin film deposited on the susceptor has a thickness of 20 to 30 .mu.m, this susceptor is exchanged for a cleaned susceptor. However, exchange of the large, high-temperature susceptor must be avoided in consideration of the safety of an operator.
For this reason, this exchange is performed after the heater of the atmospheric pressure CVD apparatus is turned off to cool down the susceptor to almost room temperature. The waiting period for this temperature drop is about 5 to 6 hours, and temperature rise requires a temperature rise period of about 1 hour due to use of the heater. During these waiting periods, the atmospheric pressure CVD apparatus cannot be used. For this reason, the apparatus downtime is about 50 hours per month, decreasing the operating efficiency by about 7%.
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-173133 discloses the prior art of cleaning a susceptor while eliminating wasteful waiting periods for temperature drop and temperature rise, as shown in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIG. 3, an endless belt 45 on which a large number of susceptors 63 are fixed and arrayed at a predetermined interval is reciprocatively, endlessly rotated by a plurality of pulleys 46 rotating in directions indicated by arrows. A semiconductor wafer (not shown) is supplied onto each susceptor 63 at a start point 71 of an upper forward path 41. A reaction gas 43A blown from a dispersion head 43 hits the semiconductor wafer heated by a heater 47 to form a predetermined thin film on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. This semiconductor wafer is removed from the susceptor 63 at an end point 72 of the forward path.
The susceptor 63 from which the semiconductor wafer is removed is cleaned through a lower return path 42, together with the endless belt 45 on which the susceptor 63 is fixed. In this cleaning operation, the susceptor 63 passes through an etching bath 48 coupled with a filter 51 and a pump 52 to remove the thin film grown on the surface of the susceptor 63 with an etching solution 49, such as hydrofluoric acid, filled in the etching bath 48. Then, the susceptor 63 passes through a water-cleaning bath 54 coupled with a pure-water inlet pipe 53 and having an overflow drain port 56 and cleaned with pure water 55 filled in the bath. The susceptor 63 is dried by a hot-air fan 57, then returns to the forward path 41, and is supplied with a new semiconductor wafer at the start point.
According to this method, the waiting periods for temperature drop and temperature rise to exchange a cleaned susceptor can be eliminated.
In the system of rotating the endless belt 45 on which the susceptors 63 are fixed, however, since the endless belt 45 itself serving as a means for moving the susceptors 63 is inevitably etched in etching for cleaning the susceptors 63, the material and the like of the endless belt 45 must be taken into special consideration. In addition, since the endless belt 45 is constituted by physically connecting rigid members so as to form a chain, the exchange operation and the like become difficult.
When one or a plurality of damaged susceptors 63 fixed to the endless belt 45 are to be exchanged, rotation of the endless belt 45 must be stopped, the damaged susceptors 63 must be dismounted from the endless belt 45, and then new susceptors must be attached and fixed, resulting in cumbersome maintenance.
As shown in FIG. 3, use of wet etching requires the etching bath 48, the water-cleaning bath 54, and the hot-air fan 57 serving as a drying means, increasing the size of the whole apparatus. On the other hand, if the apparatus is downsized to avoid this increase in size, the moving speed of the endless belt 45 must be decreased to perform etching, cleaning with water, and drying for a required period, decreasing the operating efficiency by CVD. In wet etching using this endless belt 45, since the etching solution enters the chain mechanism of the endless belt 45 cannot be removed by cleaning with water, this etching solution adversely affects subsequent formation of a thin CVD film.


A control system for internal combustion engines of an agricultural tractor include a memory unit in which is stored engine performance maps. The control system includes a vehicle speed sensor and transmits control signals to an electronically controlled fuel injection system to control the fuel injection quantity as a function of sensed speed, target value inputs and as a function of the engine performance maps. The control system, in response to sensed vehicle speed, limits the maximum engine output as a function of the vehicle speed. In particular, at lower vehicle speeds the engine output is limited to a level which is lower than the rated engine output.

The invention relates to a control system for an internal combustion engines of agricultural or commercial vehicles, in particular for engines of agricultural tractors.
Agricultural tractors are designed with respect to desired values of drawbar force and desired gearbox speeds. A standard tractor for plowing at 6 to 7 kilometers per hour (km/h), for example, is designed for a power output of 100 DIN-kW. In order to apply the necessary drawbar force to the ground, the tractor is equipped with heavy weights and large tires. The lower the operating speed is, the greater the torques that can be transmitted at constant engine power output. At low speeds, for example, below 6 km/h, the components of the driveline are protected against overloads by the slip of the wheels. A standard tractor with an output of 100 DIN-kW can pull a trailer of 20 t on a track that rises 1.5 m in a distance of 100 m (upgrade of 1.5%), at a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
Tractors are increasingly driven longer distances on roads, during which higher speeds are desired. For example, it is desirable for a tractor to pull a trailer of 20 t on an upgrade of 1.5% at a speed of 65 km/h. However, this requires an engine power output of approximately 130 kW. For a speed of 80 km/h approximately 168 kW are required. In order to attain these speeds, the engine, the tractor support structure and all other tractor components must be designed for the stated power output values. For operation in the field, however, the drive system of such a tractor would be over-designed and hence uneconomical. As a point of reference, it can be assumed that an overload of the vehicle components by 10% will reduce their service life by approximately 30%.
With an optimum design differing tractors result for operation on the field and the transport over roads, whose internal combustion engines, drivelines, support structures and other tractor components must be designed for differing power output or load capacity. This is in opposition to the desire to offer tractors at favorable cost for a wide range of applications. Since on the one hand, an efficient and hence low cost manufacturing is possible only with the lowest possible number of models and, on the other hand, the use of over-designed drivelines lead to increased costs.

Control system for internal combustion engines


A planar rotation mechanism of supporting device including a base seat; a supporting rack; a retaining member having a first, a second and a third guiding slots with different curvatures and lengths; and a rotating member respectively provided with a column hole with respect to initial positions of the first, the second and the third guiding slots for allowing a first, a second and a third guiding columns respectively pass through corresponding column holes and corresponding guiding slots. The guiding columns can respectively slide within the corresponding guiding slots. When the rotating member is operated with a planar rotation with an object to be supported provided in front of the rotating member, the plural guiding columns slide within the corresponding guiding slots. The object to be supported is selectively switchable between a horizontal status and a vertical status.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a planar rotation mechanism, more particularly to a planar rotation mechanism of supporting device that can be used in situations that when an object to be supported, e.g. a flat panel monitor, is operated with a planar rotation (switch from horizontal to vertical or vice versa), one corner of the lateral end of the object to be supported is firstly and horizontally moved a small distance alongside the bottom end of the object to be supported then is rotated.
2. Description of Related Art
A flat panel monitor, such as a LCD monitor, a LCD TV or a plasma TV, has advantages of light in weight, thin in thickness and no radiation. Therefore, most of CRT TVs are replaced. In order to let a flat panel monitor being uprightly disposed, a connecting unit is served to connect the flat panel monitor to a base seat, and a hinge is provided between the flat panel monitor and the connecting unit, so the flat panel monitor has a function of adjusting viewing angle.
For providing more viewing fashions of a flat panel monitor, the CHINA patent NO. 1244852C granted on Mar. 3, 2006, corresponding to the U.S. Pat. No. 6,822,857, "Monitor improved in a tilting structure" is taken as an example; the monitor includes a monitor main body, and a monitor supporting rack is provided on the back of the monitor main body, a base seat hinge provided on top of a base seat is pivotally connected to a bottom end of a connecting unit, a main hinge is provided on the top end of the connecting unit, and the main hinge is pivotally connected to a main supporting rack, the monitor supporting rack and the main supporting rack are pivotally connected via a pivotal shaft section, so the monitor main body and the monitor supporting rack can be operated with a planar rotation on the main supporting rack via the pivotal shaft section. Because there is a height between the bottom end of the monitor main body and the base seat, if the height is smaller than the distance between one bottom corner of the bottom end of the monitor main body and the pivotal shaft section, when the planar rotation is operated, the bottom corner of the bottom end of the monitor main body will hit against a surface of a desk, and this may cause damage on the monitor main body. For improving such disadvantage, the connecting unit has be to provided with a height adjusting function, so before the planar rotation is operated, the height between the monitor main body and the base seat has to be adjusted to a value larger than the distance between the bottom corner of the bottom end of the monitor main body and the pivotal shaft section, so the monitor main body can be operated with the planar rotation. A flat panel monitor's size is getting larger or has a different spec for the ratio of length and wide, such as 16:9, thus the distance between the bottom corner of the bottom end of the monitor main body and the pivotal shaft section is significantly increased, so the above mentioned planar rotation mechanism is difficult to be adopted.
The US patent publication serial No. 2006/0223596, "Rotating and sliding type mobile communication device", wherein the communication device is composed by a main body and a sliding member, the main body has a pair of guiding slots, the two guiding slots are respectively provided at two lateral sides of the center of the main body and have different curvatures and lengths. A LCD monitor is provided at the front portion of the sliding member for outputting various video/audio signals, the rear, portion of the sliding member is provided with a pair of coupling convex columns; when the pair of coupling convex columns slides alongside the pair of guiding slots, a vertical status of the sliding member is changed into a horizontal status relative to the main body. In fact, this art is applied on a cell phone, when the planar rotation is operated, the sliding member is upwardly slid along the main body and gradually tilted until the sliding member is positioned, so the sliding member is horizontally disposed on the main body. Because such art is not applied on a monitor, a height between a monitor main body and a base seat can be neglected, and during the rotating and sliding movement, the sliding member is firstly upwardly moved then rotated, there is no horizontal motion involved.
So providing an object to be supported, e.g. a flat panel monitor, with functions that when a planar rotation is operated, a bottom corner of a bottom end thereof will not hit against a surface of a desk, and during the planar rotation the flat panel monitor can be smoothly and stably moved without causing vibration is a task to be overcome.

Planar rotation mechanism of a supporting device


A pressure sensor comprising: a solid metal sensor body, having a front region and a base adjoining thereto, which has an outer edge, which can be clamped by means of a fastening device; a recess, which is provided in the front region and is open towards a front side of the front region that faces away from the base; a metal measuring diaphragm, to which a pressure is applied from outside during measurement operation and which can be deformed elastically depending upon the pressure, is arranged on the front side of the sensor body, closes off the recess from the outside, and is spaced apart from the outer edge of the front region; and an electromechanical transducer for detection, by means of measuring the pressure-dependent deformation of the measuring diaphragm, having at least one measuring element, which is electrically insulated from the measuring diaphragm and the sensor body by means of an insulating element.

Pressure sensors are used in pressure measuring arrangements in almost all areas of industrial measurement technology to metrologically detect pressures to be measured.
For this purpose, so-called semiconductor sensors, such as pressure sensor chips based upon silicon, are often used today. These pressure sensors are, however, mechanically sensitive. For this reason, they cannot be exposed directly to the medium for which the pressure is to be measured. Instead, a diaphragm seal is provided upstream of the pressure sensor and transmits the pressure to be measured to the pressure sensor. Diaphragm seals are filled with a pressure-transmitting fluid, such as oil. Since the pressure-transmitting fluid freezes at low temperatures, these pressure sensors can only be used at temperatures that are far above the freezing point of the fluid used. The use of these pressure sensors is therefore limited to applications in which only temperatures above a minimum temperature dependent upon the selection of the fluid—generally above −70° C.—occur.
Extremely low temperatures below −70° C. occur in special applications, such as in systems for the liquefaction of natural gas, as well as in the transport of liquefied natural gases. In these cases, temperatures of down to −165° C. can occur.
Basically, therefore, for the measurement of pressures at temperatures below −70° C., only pressure sensors—often called dry sensors—that may be operated without the use of pressure-transmitting fluids are considered.
An example of dry pressure sensors are ceramic pressure sensors with a ceramic measuring diaphragm arranged on a cylindrical ceramic base body at a distance from said base body and having the same diameter as said base body. Ceramic pressure sensors offer the advantage that the ceramic measuring diaphragm can be exposed directly to the medium. In this respect, ceramics have particularly advantageous chemical and mechanical properties for application in pressure metrology. Ceramic pressure sensors must be installed at the location of use. To this end, they are regularly inserted into a sensor housing that is equipped with a process connection and in which an outer edge of the measuring diaphragm and base body is clamped in the axial direction, i.e., parallel to a surface normal to the measuring diaphragm. In order to avoid mechanical deformations within the pressure sensor, particularly in the area of the measuring diaphragm, the pressure sensors are clamped into the sensor housing by inserting intermediate elastomers. Elastomers, however, fail at the low temperatures mentioned. Accordingly, the use of these ceramic pressure sensors is also limited to temperatures above −70° C.
Another example of a dry pressure sensor is described in German Patent, DE 10 2006 035 230 A1. This pressure sensor comprises a sapphire carrier with piezoresistive silicon sensors mounted therein and interconnected to form a resistance bridge. The sapphire carrier is mounted on an inner surface of a titanium plate used as measuring diaphragm. During measurement operation, the pressure to be measured is directly applied to the outside of the titanium plate, and the plate's pressure-dependent bending is metrologically detected using the silicon sensors. The titanium plate is flush-mounted in a diaphragm carrier made of titanium, which in turn is inserted into a bracket that is made of a stainless steel and flush-mounted in a process connection made of a stainless steel. The diaphragm carrier is used to absorb stresses that may arise due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of the measuring diaphragm made of titanium and the bracket made of stainless steel, as well as of the process connection made of stainless steel. For this purpose, the diaphragm carrier comprises a circumferential annular recess on the inner surface facing the inside of the pressure sensor. The diaphragm carrier is thus able to protect the measuring diaphragm against deformations even in the case of rapid temperature changes. However, the carrier can do so only as long as it is itself still elastic enough due to the recess to absorb the forces caused by the different thermal expansions. These forces are all the larger, the lower the temperature is. In parallel, the lower the temperature is, the lower is the elasticity of titanium. The diaphragm carrier is thus less and less able to absorb these forces, the lower the temperature is at which it is used.
With dry pressure sensors, the distortion-free as possible mounting of the pressure sensor or the measuring diaphragm at the location of use at low temperatures poses significant problems.


A cotton harvester basket structure includes a closure section connected to a rigid basket by a flexible material such as canvas above and rearwardly of the cotton compacting structure. As the basket is filled, the pressure from the cotton pushes the closure section up to provide only as much volume as necessary to accommodate the added volume of cotton after the basket fills to its normal capacity. Hinged side brackets help guide the lid section during the basket expansion and provide lid section stability, both in the lateral and fore-and-aft directions. After the cotton in the basket is unloaded, the lid automatically returns under the influence of gravity to its lowermost position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to crop harvesters and, more specifically, to an expandable basket for a cotton harvester.
2. Related Art
Harvesters such as cotton pickers and strippers require a relatively large receptacle to receive a sufficient volume of harvested crop to avoid frequent dumps. Harvesting equipment has become more versatile, and some machines are capable of operating with different numbers of row units. A cotton basket may be sized correctly for one row unit configuration, but may be undersized for another configuration. When the basket is undersized and the operator tries to go one more round in the field before dumping, he often ends up with a full load at a location far removed from the dump site. The only alternative to a full load at an inconvenient location is unloading the basket before it is completely full. Such premature dumping wastes time and drastically reduces productivity.
On some older machines, baskets had hinged lids which could be lifted by the force of the cotton so that often the operator could make it to the end of the row. However, newer baskets are rigid on all sides and cannot expand when the basket is full.