The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating graphene structures from graphene oxide by reducing the graphene oxide on a patterned substrate. The invention also relates in part to graphene structures produced using said method and electrodes and capacitors comprising said graphene structures.

Supercapacitors and batteries are fundamental technologies for electrochemical energy storage purposes. Although batteries provide considerably high energy densities (100-243 W·h·kg−1) (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Shao, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3639-3665), they suffer from extremely low power densities (10-100 W·kg−1) (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Shao, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3639-3665; Xiong, et al., Electroanal., 2014, 26, 30-51) that result in several hour recharging times. On the other hand, supercapacitors offer fast recharging times (minutes or even seconds), albeit with lower energy densities compared to batteries. However, coupling batteries with supercapacitors has been accomplished in practical applications, such as electric automobiles, to benefit from the advantages of both products (Wu, et al., Natl Sci Rev., 2014, 1, 277-292; Kim, et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 6899-6905; Lin, et al., Nano Lett., 2012, 13, 72-78; Wang, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 3223-3230; Yan, et al., Carbon, 2019 48, 3825-3833). Therefore, the identification of a material for electrochemical energy storage devices that can handle a high energy density as well as maintaining a high power density would be revolutionary (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). This combination is not achievable unless novel architectures are created at the micro and nano scale to manipulate the common properties of current materials (Wang, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 3223-3230; Li and Shi, Nanoscale, 2012, 4, 5549-5563; Qu, et al., Nano Lett., 2015, 15, 2037-2044; Sun, et al., Science, 2017, 356, 599-604; Xu, et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2012, 3, 2928-2933). In practical applications, several micro grams of active material per unit area of electrode is required to maintain stable charge/discharge cycles and high reliability.
Nevertheless, nano- and microscale engineered materials cannot be simply scaled up to more than one micro gram per unit area due to the drastic decline of charge storage and charge transfer in electrochemical configurations caused by diffusion constraints (Yoon, et al., ACS Nano, 2014, 8, 4580-4590; Huang, et al., Adv. Mater., 2012, 24, 5979-6004). This limitation can be overcome by providing accessibility for the electrolyte throughout the active material, which is ignored in a vast majority of studies and publications (El-Kady, et al., Science, 2012, 335, 1326-1330; Chen, et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 8, 1039-1046; Li and Shi, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2013, 4, 1244-1253). An inability to wet the micro pores within the active material by the electrolyte decreases the likelihood of successful double layer formation in porous materials, which results in a dramatic drop in the double layer capacitance as well as the charge/discharge rate (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473; Luo, et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 1464-1471). Consequently, carbon based materials, such as activated carbon, nanotubes and graphene, demonstrate much lower double layer capacitance compared to their theoretical values (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Xiong, et al., Electroanal., 2014, 26, 30-51; Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). In addition to the unaffordable price of vertically grown carbon nanotubes, the use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in practical applications requires the addition of conductive polymers necessary for the formation of a pseudocapacitance pair (Basnayaka and Ram, Cond. Polymer Hyb., 2017, 165-192; Cote, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 11027-11032). Otherwise, the level of capacitance achieved by CNT supercapacitors is considerably low and ineffective (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Shao, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3639-3665; Xiong, et al., Electroanal., 2014, 26, 30-51). Meanwhile, pseudocapacitance is unfavorable in many applications because of the high rate of capacitance decay (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473; Kyeremateng, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 2017, 12, 7-15). Conversely, a highly porous structure comprising an interconnected graphene network with distinguished electron transfer characteristics is capable of providing an ideal architecture for the manufacture of ultra-high electrical double layer capacitators due to prevailing diffusion limits of ubiquitous carbon-based electrodes (Li and Shi, Nanoscale, 2012, 4, 5549-5563; Qu, et al., Nano lett., 2015, 15, 2037-2044; Lee, et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 9366-9374; Zhang, et al., Sci. Rep., 2013, 3, 1408; Zhu, et al. Nat. Commun., 2012, 3, 1225). The presence of meso and micro porous morphology through an interconnected graphene network increases its capacity for charge storage and maintains the high power density. The electrochemical capacitance for such a structure can even exceed the value for single layer graphene (550 F g−1) which has been known as the most ideal type of graphene for energy storage applications (Goh and Pumera, Electrochem. Commun., 2010, 12, 1375-1377). However, interconnected graphene networks demonstrate their most superior properties when the graphene layers are delaminated and stabilized. The easy accessibility of surfaces and edges by electrolytes on the graphene sheets is considered to be the underlying mechanism behind the superiority of this structure over other types of common carbon based materials. However, the extreme restacking propensity of graphene layers restricts their double layer capacitance (Wu, et al., Natl Sci Rev., 2014, 1, 277-292; Lee, et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 7, 9366-9374; Pham, et al., ACS Nano, 2015, 9, 2018-2027). Thus, the advantages of this material for energy storage are underrealized. The accessibility of graphene edge planes plays a significant role in the electrochemical capacitance of other types of graphitic materials, such as in carbon nanotubes. There is a direct relationship between the number of available graphene edge sites and the double layer capacitance for all types of graphitic nanomaterials (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473; Xie, et al., ACS Nano, 2015, 9, 5636-5645).
The curved structure of graphene sheets provide a vast wettable surface for electrolytes, but the structure must engineered and manipulated for practical energy storage capacitors. Accordingly, the creation of single layer graphene by various chemical and mechanical methods attracted a lot of interest for energy storage devices (Goh and Pumera, Electrochem. Commun., 2010, 12, 1375-1377). The production of good quality single layer graphene extremely expensive and impractical for mass production (Goh and Pumera, Electrochem. Commun., 2010, 12, 1375-1377; Xie, et al., ACS Nano, 2015, 9, 5636-5645). Therefore, much effort has been put into creating delaminated interconnected graphene morphologies. For example, graphene electrodes that were produced by exfoliation of graphene oxide exhibited a specific capacitance of 100-117 F g−1 in 1 M H2SO4 at the scan rates of 1-0.01 V s−1 (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473), suggesting that the capacitance of multi layered graphene can be superior to that of carbon nanotubes and onion-like carbon (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). However, these materials are still inferior to carbide-derived carbon, activated carbon, and zeolite templated carbon (Wu, et al., Nat Sci Rev., 2014, 1, 277-292; Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). Endeavors to reduce the agglomeration of graphene layers, in order to achieve capacitance closer to the theoretical values, have been started in last few years (Shao, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3639-3665). The reduction of graphene oxide in hydrazine gaseous media resulted in a specific capacitance of 205 F g−1 in a 0.3 KOH electrolyte, though the capacitance decreased dramatically after several cycles (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). Another approach sought to positively charge the graphene surface during the reduction procedure by means of pphenylenediamine (PPD) (Xiong, et al., Electroanal., 2014, 26, 30-51; Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424473). However, these methods did not demonstrate favorable results in energy storage applications (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). The preparation of stabilized graphene in aqueous environments also benefits from aromatic interaction mechanisms and increased the suspension stability of graphene layers and the formation of double layer capacitance (˜120 F g−1) (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473). Decreasing the size of graphene segments also reduces the agglomeration of layers and results in increased electrochemical capacitance, from 82 to 132 F g−1, in 1M H2SO4 electrolyte (Gu and Yushin, Wires. Energy Environ., 2014, 3, 424-473; Xiao, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2013, 5, 9656-9662). Curved mesoporous graphene has demonstrated promising specific capacitance in ionic liquids (100-250 F g−1), though with poor stability and reliability (Chee, et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2016, 120, 4153-4172; Shao, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3639-3665). The thermal exfoliation of graphene oxide has been reported to produce electrodes with specific capacitance more than 200 F g−1, although with very poor stability (Xiao, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2013, 5, 9656-9662). Several reports have studied the creation of mesoporous graphene such as holey graphene (Sun, et al., Science 2017, 356, 599-604), GO hydrogels (Zheng, et al., ChemElectroChem 2017, 4, 577-584), nitrogen-doped carbon paper (Zhang, et al., Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 7769), and three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene (Wen, et al., Carbon 2014, 75, 236-243). Such constructs employ functional groups and demonstrate high pseudocapacitance, which is detrimental for many applications mostly due to low volumetric capacitance (Basnayaka and Ram, Cond. Polymer Hyb., 2017, 165-192; Cote, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 11027-11032; Wen, et al., Carbon, 2014, 75, 236-243; Yang and Bock, J. Power Sources, 2017, 337, 73-81; El-Kady and Kaner, Nat. Commun., 2013, 4, 1475; Wu, et al., Nat. Commun., 2013, 4:2487; Wu, et al., Adv. Mater., 2015, 27, 4054-4061; Raccichini, et al., Nat. Mater., 2015, 14, 271-279; Yu, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 2014, 9, 555-562).
Recently, laser and flash reduction of graphene oxide have been employed to prepare carbon based electrodes for electrochemical energy storage applications (El-Kady, et al., Science, 2012, 335, 1326-1330; Cote, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 11027-11032; Kyeremateng, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 2017, 12, 7-15; Yu, et al., Nat. Nanotechnol., 2014, 9, 555-562; Xu, et al., Nat. Commun., 2014, 5, 4554; Han, et al., Adv. Mater., 2014, 26, 849-864; Kuila, et al., Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 52-71; Wang, et al., ACS nano, 2013, 7, 2422-2430; Salunkhe, et al., Chem. Eur. J., 2014, 20, 13838-13852). However, in these studies, the importance of vital parameters like interlayer spacing and the effect of supporting substrate topography on the capacitance were not explored.
There is a need in the art for stable delaminated graphene structures. This invention satisfies this unmet need.

Multilayered graphene and methods of making the same

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE


Aspects of the invention provide for a resistance temperature device (RTD) measurement device. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a RTD measurement device that includes: an input including a plurality of terminals from an RTD sensor; a plurality of burnout switches, each burnout switch connected to a terminal of the RTD sensor; a plurality of resources; and a switch block connecting the plurality of terminals and the plurality of resources to determine a measurement of the RTD sensor.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a resistance temperature device (RTD) measurement device. More particularly, the present disclosure related to a RTD measurement device including a switch block to determine wiring setup and wiring failures.
RTD sensors are temperature-sensing devices; therefore, the resistance of an RTD sensor increases with temperature. As seen in FIG. 1, a typical RTD sensor 10 includes 4 wires that may connect to a RTD measurement device 100. However, not all 4 wires are required to utilize the RTD sensor. A first configuration 1 shows a 4-wire configuration, where terminals A, B, C, and D of RTD measurement device 100 are connected to the RTD sensor 10. In a second configuration 2, an exemplary S-wire configuration is shown. In this second configuration 2, only A, B, and C terminals of RTD measurement device 100 are shown as connected. However, it is understood that a 3-wire configuration may include A, B, and D connected; A, C, and D connected; or B, C, and D connected. In a third configuration 3, an exemplary 2-wire configuration is shown. In this third configuration 3, only A and C terminals of RTD measurement device 100 are shown as connected. However, it is understood that a 2-wire configuration may include A and D connected; B and D connected; or B and C connected. In other words, at least one terminal on either side of the RTD sensor 10 must be connected to the RTD measurement device in order to measure the resistance across RTD sensor 10.
Regardless of the type of wiring configuration, at times, there may be poor connections on any of the terminals wires, which can lead to measurement errors.


A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

1. Field
This disclosure is generally related to content delivery systems. More specifically, this disclosure is related to providing a user-directed, network-hosted content recording system with local playback with minimal latency.
2. Related Art
A number of consumer electronics products allow individuals to capture audiovisual content such as over the air television programming, live cable programming, live satellite programming, and the like for later viewing. These devices are commonly referred to as personal video recorders (PVRs) or digital video recorders (DVRs). In general, the recording and storage of content occurs at the location of the device, typically a consumer's home. More recently, cable companies have begun offering network DVRs (nDVRs) and remote storage DVRs (RS-DVRs). For both offerings, the recording of the content takes place at the cable companies' premises. The difference in nomenclature sometimes refers to the number of distinct recordings made (nDVR: one recording for all requests; RS-DVR: one recording per user request.) Once recorded, the contents are played back over a dedicated channel within the cable network in a manner that is targeted for the original requester's customer premises equipment (CPE). This is sometimes called narrowcasting. The CPE can be a set top box, a cable card, or the like. Thus, in operation it is quite similar to how cable video on demand (VOD) is provided. Furthermore, as with cable VOD, playback and control, including trick play, is implemented on the server side. This, in turn, may lead to high latency in serving initial requests and/or during playback in responding to user controls. Exemplary PVRs, nDVRs and RS-DVRs include: TiVo HD, Comcast DVR, Cablevision RS-DSR, and Echostar ViP 922 DVR.

Method and apparatus for content delivery

OVER-THE-TOP NETOWRKS PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY


A backwater flow detection device for detecting backwater flow between a building and a sewer conduit using air pressure detection in air pockets in the sewer conduit. The backwater flood detection device detects backwater flow events including backflow events from a sewer line as well as wastewater blockage events that can result in wastewater backflow into a building. The water detection sensor allows the homeowner or building manager to be warned when there is an issue with backwater flow in or near the building, and also with the backwater valve.

In a building or other structure serviced via an underground sewer line sewage and drainage lines act as a conduit to direct sewage toward a municipal sewer. Drainage flow is directed from the building to the sewer, however on occasion these sewage and drainage lines back up between the building and the sewer, either at the main sewer line or at the branch line leading from the building to the main sewer line. When the drainage line becomes clogged or blocked with debris, ice, or as a result of build-up inside the pipe, a flooding event can occur in the building if adequate precautions are not taken. Flooding events such as overflow of the sewer lines, reservoirs, or other water conduits can also cause back up in the sewer line, which can result in sewer water backflowing into the building. For example, sudden heavy rainfall can cause the city sewer lines to be overwhelmed and can cause water and/or sewage to flow back towards the building.
A backwater valve is a device that is installed between a municipal drainage or sewer system and the building to prevent backflow of sewer water from the municipal sewer system to the building. A backwater valve sits inside a home's branch or main sanitary sewer line, and its job is to prevent sewage from returning up a sanitary sewer line and entering the building basement. Backwater valves are designed to allow water or sewage to flow only one way, that is, out of the building and toward the municipal drainage system, and generally contain a gate or physical barrier to allow wastewater to exit the building but not enter. In a backflow event, the gate or barrier of the backwater valve is designed to close to prevent water backflow towards the building and into building plumbing system such as sinks, toilets and showers. However, these gates and barriers can accumulate biofilms, crud, debris, and can get blocked themselves, and require cleaning on a regular basis to ensure proper function. Without maintenance and cleaning, improperly functioning backwater valves can lead to exactly the condition that they are meant to solve, namely sewer backflow into the building. Many homeowners and building managers do not realize that their buildings have backwater valves, and over time malfunction can lead to significant basement water damage.
Various types of backwater valves exist for preventing backflow of water from a sewer into a building. In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,725,894 describes a sewer conduit having a moisture sensor for detecting the level of fluid and an inflatable bladder mounted for releasably sealing in fluid tight fashion a section of the sewer conduit inflatable with a compressed air source responsively to conduit fluid level conditions reaching beyond a pre-set threshold value.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,533,312 describes blockage detection using a backwater valve by detecting fluid undulations inside the main body of the backwater valve. A predetermined magnitude of undulations within a predetermined time period, measured by monitoring a buoyant gate and sensor on the gate, triggers an alarm.
Detection of backwater flow can further assist in prevention of sewer backflow. There remains a need for a backwater flood detection device for detecting a backwater flow event into a building including backflow events from a sewer line as well as wastewater blockage events that can result in wastewater backflow into a building.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.


Polyolefins with unique highly branched structures, and which have unusually low Mark-Houwink constants are described. They are useful for instance as elastomers, viscosity index modifiers and lubricating oil bases.

Polyolefins having unique structures can be made by polymerization with certain late transition metal catalysts. The novel polyolefins have large amounts of branching of all lengths, as a result of which many properties such as molecular size in solution and viscosity are different than for xe2x80x9cformalxe2x80x9d polyolefins.
Addition polymerization of olefins can be accomplished by many methods depending on the olefin(s) to be polymerized. Methods such as coordination polymerization and radical polymerization have been employed. For the most part, these yield polymers which are often linear or contain a small amount of short and sometimes long chain branching. It is well known in the art that the presence of branching alters the properties of the polymer produced, for example low density polyethylene, which is made by high pressure free radical polymerization and contains some short and long chain branching, has a lower melting point and density and different processing characteristics than high density polyethylene which is linear and made by coordination polymerization. Both are important commercial products.
It has recently been reported (see for instance World Patent Application 96/23010, equivalent to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 590,650, filed Jan. 24,1996, both of which are hereby included by reference) that certain late transition metal catalysts can produce polyolefins which have short chain branching, sometimes extensive, which is not due simply to branches caused by the alkyl groups on, for instance, xcex1-olefins. Indeed it is reported that these polyolefins often have more or less short branches than one would expect from the typical polymerization with Ziegler-Natta or metallocene type catalysts. While it is stated that this short chain branching leads to many changes in properties for these polyolefins, such as different melting points and densities, there is no mention that it also leads to large changes in the overall polymer structure (polymer topology) which can affect other polymer properties.
It is known in the art that differing branching in polymers leads to property changes, see for instance F. W. Billmeyer, Textbook of Polymer Science, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1984, chap. 8 and 11; P. J. Flory, Principles of Polymer Chemistry, Cornell University Press, 1953, chap. 7; and C. Tanford, Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1961, chap. 6 and 9, all of which are hereby included by reference. For instance, it is well known that long chain branching can affect bulk polyolefin viscosities to the point that some long chain branching is sometimes deliberately introduced into otherwise linear (except perhaps for short chain branching) polyolefins to alter their bulk melt behavior. This is usually done by the introduction of small amounts (larger amounts normally lead to crosslinking) of a difunctional monomer which acts as a branch point in the polyolefin molecule.
Therefore the ability to provide polyolefins with large amounts of branching, especially long chain branching is desired. However one normally wishes to accomplish this without unduly increasing the molecular weight of the polyolefin (as occurs before crosslinking) or actually crosslinking the polyolefin.
This invention concerns a polyolefin, wherein a root mean square radius of a molecule of said polyolefin in tetrahydrofuran solution is:
less than 40 nm at a molecular weight of 1,000,000 Dalton; or
less than 15 nm at a molecular weight of 100,000 Dalton;
and provided that:
said polyolefin is composed of repeat units derived from one or more olefins of the formula H2C=CHR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group.
This invention concerns a polyolefin, wherein an intrinsic viscosity of said polyolefin in tetrahydrofuran solution is:
less than 3.0 dL/g nm at a molecular weight of 1,000,000 Dalton; or
less than 0.80 dL/g at a molecular weight of 100,000 Dalton; or
less than 0.25 dL/g at a molecular weight of 10,000 Dalton;
and provided that:
said polyolefin is composed of repeat units derived from one or more olefins of the formula H2Cxe2x95x90CHR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group.
This invention also concerns a polyolefin, wherein a root mean square radius of a molecule of said polyolefin in tetrahydrofuran solution is described by the equation:
Rg=A(MB)
wherein:
Rg is said root mean square radius in nm;
A is a constant;
M is a molecular weight of said molecule; and
B is a constant whose value is about 0.50 or more;
and provided that:
said polyolefin is composed of repeat units derived from one or more olefins of the formula H2Cxe2x95x90CHR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group.
Also described herein is a polyolefin, wherein Mark-Houwink constants are measured by size exclusion chromatography/viscometry in tetrahydrofuran and calculated according to the equation
[xcex7]=KMxcex1
wherein:
[xcex7] is an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran of said polyolefin of molecular weight M;
M is a molecular weight of said polyolefin;
xcex1 is about 0.60 or less;
and provided that:
said polyolefin is composed of repeat units derived from one or more olefins of the formula H2Cxe2x95x90CHR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or a functional group.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Methods are provided for inhibiting stenosis following vascular trauma or disease in a mammalian host, comprising administering to the host a therapeutically effective dosage of a therapeutic conjugate containing a vascular smooth muscle binding protein that associates in a specific manner with a cell surface of the vascular smooth muscle cell, coupled to a therapeutic agent dosage form that inhibits a cellular activity of the muscle cell. Methods are also provided for the direct and/or targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to vascular smooth muscle cells that cause a dilation and fixation of the vascular lumen by inhibiting smooth muscle cell contraction, thereby constituting a biological stent. Also discussed are mechanisms for in vivo vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation modulation, agents that impact those mechanisms and protocols for the use of those agents.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is widely used as the primary treatment modality in many patients with coronary artery disease. PTCA can relieve myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease by reducing lumen obstruction and improving coronary flow. The use of this surgical procedure has grown rapidly, with 39,000 procedures performed in 1983, nearly 150,000 in 1987, 200,000 in 1988, 250,000 in 1989, and over 500,000 PTCAs per year are estimated by 1994 (1, 2, 3). Stenosis following PTCA remains a significant problem, with from 25% to 35% of the patients developing restenosis within 1 to 3 months. Restenosis results in significant morbidity and mortality and frequently necessitates further interventions such as repeat angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. No surgical intervention or post-surgical treatment (to date) has proven effective in preventing restenosis.
The processes responsible for stenosis after PTCA are not completely understood but may result from a complex interplay among several different biologic agents and pathways. Viewed in histological sections, restenotic lesions may have an overgrowth of smooth muscle cells in the intimal layers of the vessel (3). Several possible mechanisms for smooth muscle cell proliferation after PTCA have been suggested (1, 2, 4, 5).
Compounds that reportedly suppress smooth muscle proliferation in vitro (4, 6, 7) may have undesirable pharmacological side effects when used in vivo. Heparin is an example of one such compound, which reportedly inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro but when used in vivo has the potential adverse side effect of inhibiting coagulation. Heparin peptides, while having reduced anti-coagulant activity, have the undesirable pharmacological property of having a short pharmacological half-life. Attempts have been made to solve such problems by using a double balloon catheter, i.e., for regional delivery of the therapeutic agent at the angioplasty site (e.g., 8; U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,436), and by using biodegradable materials impregnated with a drug, i.e., to compensate for problems of short half-life (e.g., 9; U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,602).
Verrucarins and Roridins are trichothecene drugs produced as secondary metabolites by the soil fungi Myrothecium verrucaria and Myrothecium roridium. Verrucarin is a macrocyclic triester. Roridin is a macrocyclic diester of verrucarol (10). As a group, the trichothecenes are structurally related to sesquiterpenoid mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi and characterized by the 12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene basic structure. Their cytotoxic activity to eukaryotic cells is closely correlated with their ability to bind to the cell, to be internalized, and to inhibit protein and macromolecular synthesis in the cell.
At least five considerations would, on their face, appear to preclude use of inhibitory drugs to prevent stenosis resulting from overgrowth of smooth muscle cells. First, inhibitory agents may have systemic toxicity that could create an unacceptable level of risk for patients with cardiovascular disease. Second, inhibitory agents might interfere with vascular wound healing following surgery and that could either delay healing or weaken the structure or elasticity of the newly healed vessel wall. Third, inhibitory agents killing smooth muscle cells could damage surrounding endothelium and/or other medial smooth muscle cells. Dead and dying cells also release mitogenic agents that might stimulate additional smooth muscle cell proliferation and exacerbate stenosis. Fourth, delivery of therapeutically effective levels of an inhibitory agent may be problematic from several standpoints: namely, a) delivery of a large number of molecules into the intercellular spaces between smooth muscle cells may be necessary, i.e., to establish favorable conditions for allowing a therapeutically effective dose of molecules to cross the cell membrane; b) directing an inhibitory drug into the proper intracellular compartment, i.e., where its action is exerted, may be difficult to control; and, c) optimizing the association of the inhibitory drug with its intracellular target, e.g, a ribosome, while minimizing intercellular redistribution of the drug, e.g. to neighboring cells, may be difficult. Fifth, because smooth muscle cell proliferation takes place over several weeks it would appear a priori that the inhibitory drugs should also be administered over several weeks, perhaps continuously, to produce a beneficial effect.
As is apparent from the foregoing, many problems remain to be solved in the use of inhibitory drugs, including cytotoxic agents, to effectively treat smooth muscle cell proliferation. It would be highly advantageous to develop new methods for inhibiting stenosis due to proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells following traumatic injury to vessels such as occurs during vascular surgery. In addition, delivery of compounds that produce inhibitory effects of extended duration to the vascular smooth muscle cells would be advantageous. Local administration of such sustained release compounds would also be useful in the treatment of other conditions where the target cell population is accessible by such administration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells


A system and method for real-time exchange of customer information between telecommunications companies provides a significant reduction in the time required for completing a preferred inter-exchange carrier (PIC) order. It also provides significant reductions in the time required for other applications of customer information exchange, such as messages from a local exchange carrier (LEC) to an inter-exchange carrier (IEC) and customer inquiries. The present invention is an application of systems, and is referred to as Quick PIC. Quick PIC utilizes a telecommunications gateway that transmits a Customer Account Record Exchange (CARE) record, which format is defined by the ANSI T1.246 standard, using an OSI protocol stack that includes Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) for the application layer. A CARE record can contain a PIC order, customer information inquiry, or customer information.

In the telecommunications industry, a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) is used to originate a customer's telephone call. An Inter-Exchange Carrier (IEC) provides long distance service for customers. The customer selects a Preferred Inter-Exchange Carrier (PIC) when ordering service from the LEC. The LEC enters a code for the selected PIC in its class 5 or class 4/5 switch that serves the customer. The PIC code is assigned to the switch port that supports the customer's access line. When the customer makes a long distance call by dialing 1, the LEC switch automatically routes the call to the PIC.
Obviously, being selected as the PIC for customers is very important to an IEC. When an IEC signs up a new customer for long distance service, it sends a PIC order to that customer's LEC. This is a request for the LEC to change the customer's PIC code assignment in the LEC switch, so that the customer's dial 1 long distance calls are automatically routed to that IEC.
The problem with this PIC order process is that it requires up to three days to complete. In today's competitive environment, this is much too long, resulting in lost revenue for the IEC and customer dissatisfaction. From the time the new customer's order is entered into the Order Entry System, until the time the LEC Switch is updated, every dial 1 long distance call made by the customer is routed to the old IEC, previously designated as the PIC. This represents lost revenue for the new IEC, newly selected by the customer for the PIC. It also presents potential for customer dissatisfaction, since the customer is not able to use their newly selected PIC for their dial 1 long distance calls. A significant improvement in the PIC order process is needed to address these problems.
PIC orders are one example of the type of customer information exchange that occurs among telecommunications companies. Other applications suffer from the delays encountered with prior art methods of customer information exchange. For example, FYI's refer to messages sent by a LEC to an IEC, when the PIC for that IEC's customer has changed to a new IEC. It is important for the old IEC to know this immediately, so that they can follow up with the customer to determine why the customer has selected a new PIC. For another example, it is common for an IEC to send inquiries to a LEC for customer information, such as addresses or selected services. These applications would also benefit from an improvement in the method of customer information exchange among telecommunications companies.

System and method for real-time exchange of customer data between telecommunications companies (quick pic)


A training device for figure skaters and other athletes includes an elongate bungee-type cord, and a clipping mechanism with two normally closed loops secured to one end of the cord. At the other end, the cord is secured to itself to form a loop designed to accommodate the user's wrist. With the loop on the wrist and with the other end of the cord secured to the skate or other footwear by the clipping mechanism, the user practices gliding, spinning, twisting, or jumping maneuvers. The elasticity of the cord is selected to provide a gentle tensile force that guides the relative positioning of the linked hand and foot as the maneuvers are performed, to positively reinforce the correct positioning for the maneuvers.

Advances in the figure skating and other sports have been achieved through improved coaching techniques, better equipment, sports medicine and nutrition. In figure skating, primary emphasis is now placed on the use of training techniques and fixed equipment intended to reinforce the skater's proper upper and lower body position, and the use of the skater's muscle memory. To date, skaters have relied on the ability of a coach to observe their movements and effectively communicate (typically verbally) suggestions for improvement. This after-the-fact feedback from a coach requires frequent and intensive time with the coach. Also, training harnesses have been used to a certain extent.
A variety of exercising devices are known to involve couplings between the hands and feet of users. Examples are seen in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 2,160,722 (Cunningham); U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,474 (Macabet, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,827 (Weider); U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,916 (Bobich); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,113 (Bobich). The exercise device in the '113 patent features clips for convenient attachment to laced athletic shoes of the user. Other devices featuring loops or handles at the opposite ends of an elastic cord or other elongate member, include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,721 (Cronauer); U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,852 (Gury); U.S. Pat. No. 263,613 (Henry); U.S. Pat. No. 368,501 (Woodruff); and U.S. Pat. No. 396,077 (Heine).
The devices described in the foregoing patents typically use resistance cords to strengthen muscles and provide aerobic workouts. The resistance of the cord is a substitute for a physical weight. Although these patents do not specify the tensile strength of their cords, the purpose of muscle strengthening typically requires cord sizes (particularly diameters) greater than ½ inch (12.7 mm), increasing with the desired amount of resistance. The sizes of end members such as handles and wrist straps in these devices are consistent with a relatively high tensile force in the cord or other resilient member.
Other patents show the use of a resilient cord said to teach muscle memory and influence the position of an athlete toward a desired correct position. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,608 (Dougherty et al.) discloses an athletic movement trainer including a belt and ankle straps that hold a resilient, bungee-type cord in place to add resistance for the lower body and leg muscle groups. The Dougherty device is directed to maintaining a bent-knee position with the feet firmly in place on a playing surface (e.g. for tennis). The cord is connected to the waist through a ring, and is then stretched down the back of the legs to the ankle straps. The cord is slack while the user maintains the correct position, but becomes tensioned when the user deviates from that position. The device is connected to both legs, and is confined to lower body training needs. Dougherty does not mention gliding sports such as figure skating, or stretching and twisting sports such as figure skating, dance, gymnastics, or diving.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,221 (Marco) is directed to a device intended to encourage a bent-knee position for gliding sports, such as skating. This device includes a belt and clips to mount bungee-type cords to the belt clips. Similar clips mount the cords to skates or other footwear. The Marco device places the cords in front of the athlete. The bungee-type cord is functionally focused on the lower body, and would interfere with movements and positions used in most figure skating maneuvers such as single foot-straight leg glides, jumps or spins.
Although the foregoing devices may be well suited for their respective purposes, they either involve the high levels of tensile resistance associated with muscular exercise and stress; or, as in the case of Dougherty and Marco, they use cord tension to discourage deviation from a desired position associated with a slack cord. Thus, they fail to provide an alignment or placement of a properly tensioned resilient cord in a manner that affords a high degree of freedom of movement while reinforcing and teaching proper positioning in the performance of jumps, spins, single foot-straight leg glides, and other movements intended to exhibit grace and style.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a training device for reinforcing correct relative positioning of the extremities during maneuvers that emphasize grace and style, and accordingly require considerable freedom of movement.
Another object is to provide an athletic training device that can be attached quickly and conveniently to or close to a user's hand and foot, and that is simple and easy to use in practicing a wide variety of athletic maneuvers involving glides, jumps, twists, or spins.
A further object is to provide a process for practicing athletic maneuvers that affords freedom of movement yet gives the user immediate feedback and encouragement toward correct relative positioning of the extremities for each maneuver being practiced.
Yet another object is to provide a training device that incorporates an elastically extensible component adapted to exert a substantially uniform, low-level tensile force over multiple repetitions of a given maneuver.


Optimizing a circuit by calculating at least one parameter of a circuit based on a first size of at least one sleep transistor, calculating at least one parameter of the logic circuit based on a second size of the at least one sleep transistor. This process may be repeated for different sizes of the at least one sleep transistor to determine an optimum size of the at least one sleep transistor to optimize at least one parameter of the logic circuit.

Great progress has been made over the past decade reducing power in integrated circuits while increasing the amount of signal processing. Historically power reduction has been achieved through voltage scaling, reduced capacitance, and innovative circuits and architectures. Shrinking feature sizes below 90 nm has resulted in proportional reductions in voltage and capacitance, while increasing static power consumption. The static power consumption in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process emanates from several leakage currents in transistors. The lower threshold voltages, thinner gate oxides, narrower field effect transistor (FET) channels, and high die temperatures drive sub threshold currents higher. The following conventional examples show the contribution of leakage power to total power for high performance conventional microprocessors:
For an Intel® 0.18 um technology, leakage power is approximately 10% of total power.
For an Intel® 0.13 um technology, leakage power is approximately 25% of total power.
For an Intel® 0.09 um technology, leakage power is approximately 50% of total power.
The leakage currents increase as a strong function of temperature. The major contributors to FET leakage current include P-N junction leakage, gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL), drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), punch through narrow width effect, weak inversion (sub threshold leakage), gate oxide tunneling, and hot carrier injection. For 65 nm and 45 nm technology nodes, sub threshold leakage is the dominant contributor and hence the primary candidate for design and process technology improvements. As technology nodes go below the 90 nm barrier, the leakage current dominates the power consumption of the integrated circuits (ICs), limiting the applications in mobile products where battery life is critical.
Conventional solutions for leakage control in digital logic design include multi-threshold CMOS (MTCMOS), which utilizes high-threshold voltage (Vt) transistors to disconnect low-Vt transistors from the power supply (e.g., Vdd) and/or ground (Gnd). One sleep transistor can be shared between many gates to create this virtual Vdd/Gnd connection. Alternatively, sleep transistors may be used at gate level. The granularity of the sleep transistor implementation can vary based on several factors. The main advantage of this approach is disconnecting the leakage path from both the supply and ground.
One disadvantage of the conventional solution includes utilization of dual-Vt devices, requiring additional process steps. Another disadvantage of the conventional solution is that one or two very large sleep transistors are used, which impacts both the performance and die area/cost penalty. A further disadvantage of the conventional solution includes reverse conduction through virtual ground and virtual power. Reverse conduction occurs where the drain of the transistor is more positive than the source. In addition, having two sleep transistors (e.g., a PMOS to shut off Vdd, and NMOS to disconnect from ground) degrades speed and reduces overhead voltage. In addition, the PMOS on-resistance (Ron) is usually 2 to 3 times larger than the NMOS on-resistance and, hence, either an asymmetrical rise time (tr) and fall time (tf) of the signal results. In order to compensate for this asymmetry with rise and fall times, a larger PMOS transistor is typically used, thus increasing the overall area of the circuit. Another disadvantage of the conventional solution is that of dependency of sleep transistor sizing to the data pattern loaded on the logic circuit. The data pattern of the logic circuit may include worst case parameters such as activity level or propagation delay of the circuit. As a result simulating the circuit under all possible input values may be an extremely difficult task, especially for large circuits.
There is no specific methodology for device size optimization that takes into account active mode power, propagation delay, turn-on time, turn-off time, activity factor, and sleep mode leakage. There is also no conventional technology to automate such digital logic design.

Method of circuit optimization utilizing programmable sleep transistors


A seat assembly having a linear recliner assembly is disclosed that is operable for permitting selective reclining movement of a seatback relative to a seat bottom from an upright position through a range of reclined positions to a preselected use position. The linear recliner assembly is further operable to permit the seatback to be pivoted from any preselected use position to a forward dumped position. Upon return of the seatback from the forward dumped position, the linear recliner assembly is adapted to re-latch the seatback in its previous use position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a seat assembly for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to a linear recliner assembly having a memory feature which returns the seatback to its previous use position after forward dumping thereof.
2. Description of the Background Art
Virtually all motor vehicles are now equipped with seats having a recliner mechanism that can be selectively actuated for permitting adjustment of the "use" position of the seatback relative to the seat bottom between an upright position and a fully-reclined position. In most two door vehicles, the front seats also include a seatback dump mechanism that can be selectively actuated for permitting forward folding (i.e., "dumping") of the seatback to provide greater access to the area behind the front seats in the vehicle passenger compartment.
In some vehicle seat applications, the recliner mechanism is released when the dump mechanism is actuated to permit movement of the seatback from its use position into its forward dumped position. However, when the seatback is subsequently returned from its dumped position, the recliner mechanism latches the seatback in a preselected position (i.e., the upright position). Thereafter, the seat occupant must again actuate the recliner mechanism to return the seatback to the desired use position. To alleviate this inconvenience, some vehicle seats are also equipped with a memory mechanism which works in conjunction with the recliner mechanism and the dump mechanism to cause the seatback to be relatched in its last or previous use position following return of the seatback from its dumped position.

Linear seat recliner with easy entry memory feature


Method and apparatus for fast decoding of microinstructions are disclosed. An integrated circuit is disclosed wherein microinstructions are queued for execution in an execution unit having multiple pipelines where each pipeline is configured to execute a set of supported microinstructions. The execution unit receives microinstruction data including an operation code (opcode) or a complex opcode. The execution unit executes the microinstruction multiple times wherein the microinstruction is executed at least once to get an address value and at least once to get a result of an operation. The execution unit processes complex opcodes by utilizing both a load/store support and a simple opcode support by splitting the complex opcode into load/store and simple opcode components and creating an internal source/destination between the two components.

Conventionally processors are designed to process operations that are typically identified by operation codes (opcodes). In the design of new processors, it is important to be able to process all of a standard set of operations so that existing computer programs based on the standardized codes will operate without the need for translating operations into an entirely new code base. Processor designs may further incorporate the ability to process new operations, but backwards compatibility to older instruction sets is often desirable.
Dedicated pipeline queues have been used in multi-pipeline execution units of microprocessors in order to achieve faster processing speeds. In particular, dedicated queues have been used for execution units having multiple pipelines that are configured to execute different subsets of a set of supported microinstructions. Dedicated queuing has generated various bottlenecks and problems for the scheduling of microinstructions that require both numeric manipulation and retrieval/storage of data.
Additionally, microprocessors are conventionally designed to process microinstructions that are typically identified by opcodes. In the design of new microprocessors, it is important to process all of a standard set of microinstructions so that existing computer programs based on standardized codes will operate without the need for translating microinstructions into an entirely new code base. Microprocessor designs may further incorporate the ability to process new microinstructions, but backwards compatibility to older instruction sets is often desirable.
Execution of microinstructions/operations is typically performed in an execution unit of a processor core. To increase speed, multi-core processors have been developed. Also to facilitate faster execution throughput, "pipeline" execution of operations within an execution unit of a processor core is used. Cores having multiple execution units for multi-thread processing are also being developed. However, there is a continuing demand for faster throughput for processors.
One type of standardized set of operations is the instruction set compatible with prior "x86" architectures that have enjoyed widespread use in many personal computers. The microinstruction sets, such as the "x86" instruction set, include operations requiring numeric manipulation, operations requiring retrieval and/or storage of data, and operations that require both numeric manipulation and retrieval/storage of data. To execute such operations, execution units within processor cores have included two types of pipelines: arithmetic logic pipelines ("EX pipelines") to execute numeric manipulations and address generation pipelines ("AG pipelines") to facilitate load and store operations.
In order to quickly and efficiently process operations as required by a particular computer program, the program commands are decoded into operations within the supported set of microinstructions and dispatched to the execution unit for processing. Conventionally, an opcode is dispatched that specifies what operation/microinstruction is to be performed along with associated information that may include items such as an address of data to be used for the operation and operand designations.
Dispatched instructions/operations are conventionally queued for a multi-pipeline scheduler of an execution unit. Queuing is conventionally performed with some type of decoding of a microinstruction's opcode in order for the scheduler to appropriately direct the instructions for execution by the pipelines with which it is associated within the execution unit.
In the x86 format instruction, an instruction may have an opcode including one or two opcode bytes, a modify register or memory ("mod r/m") byte, a scale-index-base ("sib") byte, displacement bytes, and immediate data bytes. These opcodes are also known as simple opcodes. The opcode specifies the operation code, and may also contain a register identifier. The mod r/m byte specifies whether an operand is in a register or in memory. If the operand is in memory, fields in the mod r/m byte specify the addressing mode to be used. Certain encodings of the mod r/m byte indicate that a second byte, the sib byte, follows to fully specify the addressing mode. The sib byte includes a 2-bit scale field, a 3-bit index field, and a 3-bit base field. These fields are used in complex memory addressing modes to specify how address computation is done. The displacement byte is used in address computation. The immediate data byte is used for an instruction operand. One or more additional bytes, known as prefix bytes, may appear before the opcode byte. The prefix byte changes the interpretation of the instruction, adding additional complexity. The length of an instruction in the x86 instruction formats is variable. The minimum instruction includes a single opcode byte and is 8 bits long. A long instruction that includes a prefix byte may be 104 bits long. Longer instructions containing more than a single prefix byte may also be possible.
Some of the opcodes passed from Decode (DE) to arithmetic logic (EX) operation stage are Complex Operations (complex opcodes) that comprise a load operation with a simple opcode; a store operation with a simple opcode; or a load-store operation. Processing such complex opcodes in an arithmetic logic pipeline (EX pipeline) design is problematic because one part of the complex opcodes must be completed before the other part is processed. Also the internal complex opcode dependency needs to be properly addressed for aligning internal sources and destination register numbers.
One skilled in the art would recognize that due to the problems associated with processing complex opcodes, there is an increase in chip area and power requirements for a scheduler block in the processor while simultaneously decreasing the processing efficiency of the execution unit since most instructions are uni-cyclical.

Method and apparatus for fast decoding and enhancing execution speed of an instruction


A new and distinct variety of apple tree originated as a whole-tree mutation of "NuRed Jonathan." The fruit of the new variety is of a more strikingly intense red coloration, fruit is of a larger size, and that fruit has a higher sugar content sooner than the parent variety, allowing for advantageous earlier harvest of the fruit.

A popular type of apple tree, the Snyder cultivar of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,650, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and which is sold under the name "Nured Jonathan" had been grown in an orchard of Thome Farms at 2137 Seven Mile Road, in the City of Comstock Park, State of Michigan. In the fall of 1986, at that location, a whole tree mutation of the aforementioned Snyder cultivar (hereinafter, "parent variety") was discovered which has been named TF812. This new variety has a number of unique and desirable characteristics which distinguish it from the parent variety as well as from the Higred cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,406), and the Super Jon cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,086).


A device and method are provided for securely holding a lid on a container. The device includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. An expanding means projects upward from the upper surface of the base. The expanding means contacts both the base and part of the container and can be arranged for applying a downward pressure to the base:for pressing the lid against the container. A method utilizing the device includes the step of placing the lower surface of the base against the lid of a container. A portion of the expander means then engages a portion of the container. The lid is then pressed against the container by forcing the base against the lid using the expander means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to product containers having lids, and more particularly to a device for securing a lid on a container utilizing a handle of the container and to a method for securing a lid on a container.
2. Description of the Related Art
Containers are known in the art that have a lid closing off an opening in the top surface. One common type of lid is held in place only by friction and slight expansion and contraction of the material at the junction between the lid and container. Such containers are commonly known and utilized for holding paint, stains, varnishes and the like. Many of the larger size containers for these types of products also have a separate handle or rail of wire carried on the container. The handle is secured at opposite ends to sides of the container and extends upward and curves over the top of the lid and the container.
It is also common for many of these products to require a vigorous agitation or mixing process prior to use. Because the lids of these containers are typically held on only by friction and lateral pressure between the lid and the container, the mixing process often loosens the lid. Sometimes the lid pops off during the agitation process and sometimes the lid comes off only after the container is removed from the agitator.
Many existing agitators and mixers for paint cans and the like do not include a specific mechanism for holding a lid on the container and if they do, the holder is not intended to press the lid onto the opening of the container during agitation.
Therefore, one problem with these types of containers and the mixing process is that paint or other product will be spilled and lost when the lid pops off the container. Alternatively, the product will splatter within the mixer during the agitation process. Another problem is that if the lid does not pop off during the mixing process, it may come off when the container is removed from the mixer. Again, product will spill resulting in a loss of the product. A spill may further result in damage to objects in the environment surrounding the mixer such as carpeting, painted walls, furniture, clothing and the like.
One object of the present invention is to provide a device that can securely hold the lid on a container that does not require any elaborate fastening or clamping elements. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on the container that is very simple in construction and easy to manufacture. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container that is simple to install on a container utilizing only a top surface of the lid and a handle of the container. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container wherein the container and the device as attached can be placed in a machine that agitates contents held within the container. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that holds a lid on a container via applied pressure to the lid to prevent the lid from popping of the container.: Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container such as paint cans that is sturdy, durable, reliable and requires minimum care and yet is, available for repeated use.
To accomplish these and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, one embodiment of such a device includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. An expander means of the device contacts both the base and part of the container. The expander means can be arranged for applying a downward pressure to the base for pressing the lid against the container.
In one embodiment, the expander means has a base contacting portion for contacting the base and a container engaging portion for connecting to part of the container. In one embodiment, the container engaging portion is a clamp having at least two opposed clamping elements for hooking under and interlocking with a portion of the container. The base contacting portion is an expander disposed between the clamp and the upper surface of the base for adjusting a distance between the base and the clamp.
In one embodiment, the clamping elements are for hooking under a lip of the container. In another embodiment, the clamping elements are for hooking under handle attachment ears of the container.
In one embodiment, the expander is an over-center toggle extending upward from the upper surface of the base. In another embodiment, the expander is a threaded rod extending upward from the upper surface of the base and that is threaded to the clamp.
In one embodiment, a stop section projects upward from the upper surface of the base and has a convex top surface and an apex. At least one handle receiving depression is formed in the top surface of the stop section. The at least one depression is formed generally for receiving and retaining therein a handle of a container.
In one embodiment, the stop section is generally planar and is arranged perpendicular to the base and wherein the top surface is a top edge of the planar stop section. In one embodiment, the at least one depression is a semi-circular groove having an axis arranged transversely to the top edge of the stop section.
In one embodiment, the at least one depression has a contour that compliments a shape of the handle of the container.
In one embodiment, the base and the stop section are each a separate component attached to one another. In one embodiment, the base includes a slot formed through the base and the stop section includes a depending tab received in the slot wherein the stop section is adhered to the base.
In one embodiment, the base and the stop section are each formed of a material selected from at least plastics, thermoplastics, composites, and elastomeric resins.
In one embodiment, the base and stop section are formed as an integral one-piece unitary structure.
In one embodiment, the stop section includes at least two handle receiving depressions formed in the top surface. A first depression is formed near the apex and a second depression is formed spaced from the first depression and disposed further from the apex.
In one embodiment, the top surface of the stop section is a domed surface disposed above the base. In one embodiment, the domed surface has at least a first and a second depression, each an elongate, semi-circular cross section groove formed in the domed surface with each groove having a longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the first groove passes generally over the apex of the domed surface and the second groove passes over the domed surface offset relative to the apex.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the first groove is arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second groove.
In one embodiment, the base is generally circular and has a generally planar lower surface for abutting against a generally flat lid of the container.
In one embodiment, the top surface of the planar stop section is generally semi-circular. In one embodiment, the domed top surface of the stop section is generally semi-spherical.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of securely holding a lid on a container includes first providing a device as described above having a base and an expander means in contact with the base. The lower surface of the base of the device is placed against the lid of the container with the upper surface of the base facing the handle. The expander means then engages a portion of the container to force the base downward against the lid. The expander means is then further forced into contact with the base to securely hold the lid against the container.
In one embodiment of the: method, the container and the attached device are placed in a machine for agitating contents held within the container.

Container lid securing device and method for securing a lid to a container


A tethered autogyro including means for tilting the autogyro rotor to compensate for differences in relative air pressure on rotor blades while minimizing frictional pressures restricting rotor rotation. The autogyro includes a fuselage; a rotor mast having a lower end attached to the fuselage and a rearwardly tilted upper section; upper and lower retainers separated by a given distance on the mast upper section; and a tiltable rotor mounted on the mast between the retainers, the rotor including a hub having a vertical dimension greater than the given distance, and rotor blades attached to the hub. The hub includes a mast receiving bore that increases in diameter from an upper circular edge having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the mast to a lower opening that has a diameter in at least one direction larger than the diameter of the mast.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a model or toy autogyro that is flown from a tether and powered solely by autorotation of the autogyro rotor in response to wind forces, and in particular to a model autogyro of this type in which the rotor is attached in a manner permitting teetering of the rotor in response of changing wind forces, thereby providing lateral stability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tethered model or toy autogyros, are flown much like kites, with the autogyro being connected to the flyer by a string or tether. As used herein, the term "tethered autogyro" is intended to describe an autogyro flown on a line or tether, and not as a limitation requiring the tether to be attached. Like kites, autogyros are lifted into the air by the force of wind against a surface. In the case of autogyros, the wind acts against the lower surface of rotor blades, causing the blades to turn, creating lift on the autogyro.
Basically, autygyros are comprised of a fuselage, a rotor mast or shaft that extends upwardly from the shaft and a rotor that turns at the top of the mast. The tether is normally attached to the front of the fuselage at a point which causes the rotor to tilt rearwardly when the autogyro is airborne so that the wind will impact the underside of the rotor blades.
An autogyro rotor turns in response to the force of the wind against the underside of the rotor blades. On one side of the rotor, the blade approaches the wind, while the blade on the opposite of the rotor moves away from the wind. Lift on the blade moving toward the wind is greater than on the blade moving away from the wind due to the difference in the configuration of the blade leading and trailing edges, and to the greater relative velocity of the wind on the approaching blade. This greater lift tends to lift the approaching side of the autogyro more that the other side, causing the autogyro to turn or roll, instead of maintaining level steady flight.
Various proposals have been made in the prior art to address this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,988 to Kattas describes an autogyro, or autoglider, in which the rotor is connected by a horizontal hinge to the top of a shaft that rotates in a bushing at the top of a vertical mast. In an autogyro described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,521 to Rider et al., the inner end of each rotor blade is hinged to a rotor hub that is mounted on a rotatable shaft. Each blade, as it is on the approach side of its rotation, is raised to compensate for the greater lift.
Model autogyros, to be flown successfully, must be light in weight. Since they often crash, they must also be durable. Since their lift depends upon the free rotation of the blades under, often gentle, wind forces, any friction that must be overcome limits the flying ability of the autogyro. Unfortunately, the above designs, due to their complexity significantly increase the autogyro's weight, and are easily broken. Moreover, the attachment of the rotor to a shaft that must be rotated in a bushing or housing produces frictional forces that restrict the turning freedom of the rotor.
An autogyro design addressing the problem of stability without adversely affecting the flying characteristics of the autogyro, or its durability, would be of considerable value and utility.


This invention relates to the preparation of hydrazide or hydrazine compounds. More particularly, this invention relates to an efficient method for the preparation of substituted hydrazides, hydrazines, and intermediates therefor, from urea starting products. Such hydrazide and hydrazine compounds are useful as insecticides.

Ammonia and its derivatives are highly useful basic compounds which have many known uses. The family of ammonia compounds, for example, amines, amides, ureas, hydrazines, hydrazides, hydrazones, amidrazones, semicarbazides and semicarbazones, are useful in a variety of organic syntheses. The preparation of such basic ammonia compounds and their derivatives, however, is often costly and difficult, requiring many steps (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,366).
Among these ammonia derivatives, hydrazide and hydrazine compounds are particularly useful as reducing agents in organic syntheses. However, the high cost of producing reagent quality hydrazides and hydrazines has reduced their practical utility in organic synthesis, such as in the production of acylated hydrazides or hydrazines. Such compounds have demonstrated useful insecticidal activity (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,461, Japanese patent applications JP-091048 and JP-020216, and German patent application DE 3228631).
Efforts have been made to prepare such useful hydrazides, hydrazines, and substituted derivatives thereof, at low cost and in high yield without much success (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,310,696, 4,435,600 and 4,954,655). The processes referred to in the above-listed patents are expensive, time consuming, and labor intensive.
There remains a need for a simple, low cost method to prepare hydrazide or hydrazine compounds so that their beneficial properties can be made readily available to the public.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a process for the preparation of hydrazide or hydrazine compounds from readily available urea compounds.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a more efficient process for preparation of substituted hydrazide or hydrazine compounds.
Another object of the invention is to provide a controlled method for the monoacylation and diacylation of urea compounds.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the course of the detailed description of the invention which follows.

Method for making hydrazide or hydrazine compounds


A support for the vertical drive shaft of a marine stem drive unit. The support is a generally tubular member of high quality steel or steel alloy which is threaded at its lower end. The upper end carries an external flange. The upper end defines an internal taper which receives a bearing assembly. The flange is secured in the unit by a fastener and the threaded lower end is secured by a retainer such as a spanner nut. The drive shaft extends within the support substantially increasing the horsepower capacity of the unit by several times.

The present invention relates to a power transmission system and more particularly relates to a drive shaft support for the upper case housing of a marine stem drive unit.
Stem drives for boats are well known and are popular with boat enthusiasts. Typical of these are the units manufactured by Mercury Marine and OMC. The stem drive unit generally consists of the upper gear housing which is adapted to mount on the transom of a boat for pivotal movement about a generally vertical steering axis. The unit also pivots about a generally horizontal pivot axis so the unit may be lifted out of the water. A drive shaft is supported by the upper gear housing and is driven by a drive shaft and U-joint assembly connected to the engine which is normally located within the rear of the boat. A lower gear housing is attached to the lower end of the upper gear housing. A propeller shaft is supported in bearings in the lower gear housing is driven by the vertical drive shaft through a lower gear set.
One problem with stern drive units of the general type described above is that the transmission provided by the manufacturers of such units are limited in their power transfer capacity. It the boat owner wishes to modify or replace the marine engine increasing its performance and horsepower, the transmission may be incapable of transmitting the increased horsepower to the propeller shaft without damage to the transmission. Often the damage occurs to the drive shaft as increased load on the drive shaft will cause it to fail. Such a failure can be very expensive to repair and may result in damage to other engine components.
As a result, boat enthusiasts have been seeking ways to modify the transmission of stern drive units so that such units can handle increased power. Generally approaches have been to increase the bearing capacity and other similar modifications which generally have not proven successful and which are expensive and further require substantial modification to the stern drive unit.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for an improved or modified stern drive unit which will accomodate increased engine power and which can be provided both as an original equipment manufactured item or an market unit.
Briefly, the present invention provides a support for the vertical drive shaft of a stern drive unit. The support includes a generally axially extending tubular member having external threads at its lower end. The upper end supports a flange having a bore for a set screw. Additional bores may be provided as an oil transfer location or may also receive a mounting set screw. The tubular member has a taper at its upper end which extends partway into the axial bore. A bearing member, such as a roller or needle bearing, is pressed or otherwise secured within the upper end of the tubular member. The drive shaft support is inserted into a stern drive unit by removing the top cover to provide access to the vertical shaft. The vertical drive shaft is removed and the support is inserted from the top. When inserting the support, the lower threaded end is secured by tightening a retainer, such as a spanner nut, about threads which retainer will engage the housing structure.
The upper end of the support is secured by inserting a fastener, such as a set screw, through one of the bores in the flange with the set screw engaging a component or structure of the upper drive shaft housing. The drive shaft and other components such as the U-joint assembly, top cover and the like can then be attached completing the installation. The drive shaft extends through the support and is coupled to the upper shaft which carries the clutch and gearing. Housing the drive shaft within the drive shaft support will increase the capacity of the drive shaft by a factor of up to three. Preferably the support is fabricated from a high quality stainless steel or chrome moly steel such as 4140 or 4130.

Upper case housing support tower for marine stern drive unit


An animal restraining jacket having openings in the abdominal, neck and arm areas along with a longitudinally extending slit to facilitate placement of the jacket upon a laboratory animal and securement thereon by attaching of a main fastening device which extends along the slit such as a zipper. A flap is positioned on the exterior of the jacket to define a pocket between the jacket and the flap and an access slot is defined in the jacket within the pocket to facilitate communication of a medical device such as a blood catheter from the pocket through the jacket to the interior area for direct access to the laboratory animal. The pocket includes a fastening device such as a zipper which is adapted to close the pocket to prevent infection or tissue damage resulting from an animal scratching or otherwise mishandling of the medical device such as the blood catheter. A cover flap is adapted to extend over the longitudinally extending fastening zipper to prevent tampering thereof by the laboratory animal. Members are included for adjusting the size of the neck aperture and the abdominal aperture and securement members are included for affixing the pocket and main fastening devices in the locked position in such a manner as to allow activities to be performed with respect to the laboratory animals without requiring removal of the animal restraining jacket worn.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention deals with the field of animal restraining devices used for long term and short term research studies. These restraining devices normally should meet high qualities of standard for comfort and stress which are required by the National Institute of Health in their "Guide For The Care And Use Of Laboratory Animals" regardless of the source of funds which support the research.
These devices must also normally meet the practical needs of an investigator in terms of cost efficiency, reasonable control of the animal and the reliability of research data. The animals must be protected from infection and tissue damage as well as the often associated pain. These animals must also be protected from self-inflicted injuries which can result when they attempt to rid themselves of these devices in the normal desire for self preservation. These devices themselves also must be protected from damage inflicted by the animals or the handlers.
It is, however, desired that a means for chronic on-line maintenance of fully instrumented research animals be provided which is completely mobile. It is also necessary to provide restraints which reduce the amount of handling required and thereby reduce stress and thusly have the added advantage in that they provide more reliable research data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art devices for restraint equipment or vests or brackets which are designed to hold equipment have been prevalent in many fields. Examples of such designs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,170,703 patented Aug. 22, 1939 to C. F. Waxman et al on a Garment; U.S. Pat. No. 2,428,477 patented Oct. 7, 1947 to J. H. Thompson on a Concealed Pocket For Garments; U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,076 patented Aug. 31, 1948 to R. I. Bradley on a Bib And Safety Jacket; U.S. Pat. No. 232,058 patented Jul. 16, 1974 to C. Palomares on a Bottle-Holding Infant Jacket; U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,864 patented May 9, 1978 to L. LaBove et al on a Dispensing Vest For Patients Receiving Hyperalimentation; U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,907 patented Oct. 2, 1984 to S. Maillard on a Combined Insulated Enclosure And Bib For Support Of A Nursing Bottle; U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,946 patented Feb. 3, 1987 to L. Koenig on a Restraining Garment With Detachable Bib; U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,270 patented Aug. 25, 1987 to P. Denicola et al and assigned to Children's Hospital Medical Center on a Garment For Shielding Lines Connected To A Patient During Invasive Therapy; U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,846 patented Jan. 9, 1990 to A. Sager et al on a Medical Absorption Garment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,427 patented Apr. 16, 1991 to A. Suzuki et al and assigned to Capintec, Inc. on an Ambulatory Physiological Evaluation System Including Cardiac Monitoring and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,458 patented Dec. 17, 1991 to A. Suzuki and assigned to Capintec, Inc. on a Vest For Use In An Ambulatory Physiological Evaluation System Including Cardiac Monitoring.

Laboratory animal restraining jacket with a sealable medical device holding pocket


The present invention discloses a constant-current charging circuit, energy storage power source and constant-current charging method. The constant-current charging circuit includes a DC-DC converting circuit and a current-feedback circuit. A voltage output of the DC-DC converting circuit is a positive output of the constant-current charging circuit. A negative output of the DC-DC converting circuit is connected to a ground. The DC-DC converting circuit is connected to positive and negative terminals for a direct current voltage power supply. The current-feedback circuit includes first to third resistors and a reference voltage terminal. The reference voltage terminal is connected to the ground via the first to third resistors being connected in series. A connection point between the third resistor and the second resistor is a negative output of the constant-current charging circuit. A connection point between the first and second resistors is connected with a feedback terminal of the DC-DC converting circuit.

Constant-current charging, especially constant-current charging with high current, is used for charging known lithium batteries. However there are no ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) for this kind of charging circuit. For charging lithium batteries, currently there are three methods which include using specific constant-current ICs, using constant-voltage ICs having operational amplifiers and using in series connected sampling resistors of voltage feedback and sampling resistors of current. The three methods have the following defects respectively.
For the solution of using specific constant-current ICs, the circuit cost is high. Generally a price of an IC allowing outputting 2A current is above 3 yuan. And since voltage and current parameters are restricted very few ICs can be used and there is nearly no replacements.
For the solution of using constant-voltage ICs having operational amplifiers, the circuit cost is also high. Generally, an ordinary IC with operation amplifiers needs 0.6 yuan and the cost will be increased to 1 yuan if other peripheral components are considered. Secondly the circuit is complex and the stability of a control loop of the circuit is poor.
For the method of using in series connected sampling resistors of voltage feedback and sampling resistors of current, controllability of the method is poor and output current may not be constant when a load changes in a large range. Secondly the stability is poor and an output current will be changed with changes of an output voltage.
Therefore, it is necessary to design a new constant-current charging circuit and a constant-current charging method.

Constant-current charging circuit, energy storage power source and constant-current charging method


An apparatus for treating body tissue using controlled application of heat includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. Fluid is provided to the fluid reservoir through a fluid supply conduit, and fluid drains from the fluid reservoir via a fluid drainage conduit. The apparatus includes a first pressure control valve that controls the outflow of fluid through the fluid drainage conduit, so that fluid pressure within the fluid reservoir is maintained within a desired range. The apparatus may also include a second pressure control valve that drains the fluid reservoir in case of an overpressure, such as may occur upon failure of the first pressure control valve. The apparatus may also include an electrical heating element disposed at the distal end of the catheter within the fluid reservoir, with current flow through heating element controlled by simple temperature switches that are also disposed at the distal end of the catheter within the fluid reservoir.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature and pressure of fluid within a container used to thermally treat body tissue. More particularly, the present invention relates to an expandable device filled with fluid, with a heating assembly and pressure control valve within the expandable device.
2. Description of Related Art
Application of thermal energy has been used for some time to treat body tissues. One method of controlled application of thermal energy involves the use of a balloon or similar container filled with fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure. The balloon is placed against the tissue to be treated, and the heat from the fluid is conducted through the walls of the balloon and into the tissue.
Application of thermal energy with fluid-filled balloons has been of particular use in treating tissue in body cavities of animals, including humans. For example, balloons filled with heated fluid have been used to effect coagulation and/or cauterization of a uterine endometrium.
A method is known for effecting necrosis of the endometrium by inserting a distensible bladder into the uterus. The distensible bladder is inflated to a predetermined pressure with a fluid so that the distensible bladder is in contact with substantially all of the tissue lining for which necrosis is desired. The fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to coagulate and/or ablate the tissue lining. The temperature and pressure of the fluid is controlled by means connected to the distensible bladder. The bladder is maintained inflated with the fluid at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect necrosis of the endometrium.
Early methods for heated-balloon therapy required the fluid to be preheated outside the body, and then pumped through conduits into the balloon or other bladder. Another method for heated-balloon therapy involves positioning a heating element coil in the balloon, and causing an electrical current to pass through the coil, thereby heating the coil and the surrounding fluid. Such heating systems require accurate temperature monitoring and control. Various temperature monitoring and control systems are known in the art, but many temperature control systems are relatively expensive and of varying reliability.
Controlling the pressure within the balloon is another concern, particularly in gynecological and other endoscopic procedures. Pressure control is of particular concern to prevent overinflation, and possibly bursting, of the balloon. External pressure monitors are known in the art, but can be relatively expensive.
Consequently, there is a need to improve heated, pressurized fluid systems to provide effective control of the fluid temperature and pressure while at the same time allowing for reduced system cost. The present invention satisfies these needs.

Apparatus for controlled thermal treatment of tissue


A program controlled irrigation system (10) operates with two programs. Program A and Program B, for irrigating a plurality of zones. Selected zones are dedicated to the irrigation of grass, for example, under Program A while other zones are dedicated to the irrigation of shrubs, for example, under Program B. A total of six times for starting an irrigation cycle are available for both Programs A and B. Under program control, the six starting times can be allocated in any combination to Programs A and B. Further, starting times can be shifted readily between Programs A and B thereby providing flexibility to meet the changing demands in grass and shrub irrigation. Each zone is constantly monitored for overcurrent conditions wherein zone operation is terminated if the overcurrent of the particular zone is sustained beyond a set period. Also, if the current reaches an excessive level in a very short period, zone operation is terminated. Even though a single zone operation has been terminated as noted above, other zones can continue to operate unless the operation of two successive zones has been terminated whereupon the operation of the entire system 10 is terminated.

This invention relates to a program controlled irrigation system and particularly relates to a multiple program system for controlling the selective operation of irrigation facilities in a plurality of zones of an area to be irrigated periodically.
In the irrigation of large areas such as public parks, estates, golf courses and the like, water is pumped from a supply, through underground conduits and to valves strategically located at stations spaced about the area to be irrigated. A single valve is located at each station and facilitates the control of a sprinkler head to irrigate the area or zone in the vicinity of the particular valve and sprinkler head. Each of the valves are controlled, for example, through an electrical solenoid to facilitate the irrigation process in an orderly fashion.
Control systems have been devised in the past to facilitate the programmed control of irrigation systems under the selective direction of a human operator. Such systems could include, for example, a solid state electronic circuit which permits the operator to select the precise times for the various zones to be irrigated. An example of such a system of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,854 which issued on Mar. 11, 1975. However, the electronic circuit approach is rather elaborate and presents a confusing interface to the operator.
With the advent of low cost microprocessor IC chips, more sophisticated irrigation control systems have evolved as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,395, which issued on Nov. 29, 1979, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,776, which issued on Feb. 19, 1979, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,020 which issued on Feb. 4, 1986. Each of these systems presents a program-controlled process with selective operator interface through switches and/or pushbuttons on a console and provides the operator with flexibility in selecting and directing a sequential timed irrigation program.
In multiple program systems, two programs are used to control separate portions or modes of the irrigation system respectively to water grass, for example, on the one hand and shrubs, for example, on the other hand. Each program is independent of the other program and can be used only for the particular irrigation mode to which it is dedicated. Therefore, if each program had three available start times, then watering grass or shrubs would each be limited to three starting times. At times, it may be desirable to water certain zones of one mode more frequently than it is desired for the other zones. For example, new grass may be planted in one zone and would require more frequent watering than would normally be required for existing older grass in another zone and, in any event, more frequently than would be required for the shrubs. Therefore, it would be desirable to shift one or more start times from the program for the shrubs and use them temporarily to water more frequently the new grass. Such an option has not been available in the dual mode systems heretofore.
Infrequently, components of the irrigation system may become defective which could result in the draw of excessive current from the power source thereby leading to damage to parts of the system. Typically, at start up, the solenoids draw a high current to operate the solenoid and then drop to a lower level which holds the solenoids in the operated state. If an overcurrent condition occurs, for example because of a short circuit, overheating of and damage to switching elements associated with the solenoids could occur. Shutdown of the system then would be required to protect the system.
On occasion, excessive current is drawn during normal operation of the irrigation system but the current level quickly returns to a normal current level draw. Obviously, it would be desirable not to shut the system down on such temporary occasions of excessive current draw. Also, the irrigation system typically operates on the basis of controlling each valve independently of the other valves whereby, it would be desirable that the entire system not be shut down because of the failure of components associated with one zone and valve.
Notwithstanding the sophistication and capabilities of the above-noted patented systems, and the above-mentioned multiple program systems, there is a need for a multiple program system which is flexible to the extent that start times may be shifted readily from one program and applied to the other program to provide versatility in the irrigation system. Further, there is a need for a program system which will permit continued operation of the system despite an occasional draw of excessive current and will shut down only the defective portion of the system when the excessive current draw is sustained for an undesirable period.