Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of a substantially reversible catalytic hydrogenation of extended pi-conjugated substrates which include large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with nitrogen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkyl, alkoxy, ketone, ether or polyether substituents, pi-conjugated molecules comprising 5 membered rings, pi-conjugated molecules comprising six and five membered rings with nitrogen or oxygen hetero atoms, and extended pi-conjugated organic polymers. The hydrogen, contained in the at least partially hydrogenated form of the extended pi-conjugated system, can be facilely released for use by a catalytic dehydrogenation of the latter in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst which can be effected by lowering the hydrogen gas pressure, generally to pressures greater than 0.1 bar or raising the temperature to less than 250° C. or less, or by a combination of these two process parameters.

This invention relates to processes for the reversible hydrogenation of pi-conjugated substrates to provide for the storage and release of hydrogen at practical operating temperatures and pressures, particularly for supplying hydrogen to fuel cells. Hydrogen is a widely used chemical commodity in the chemical and petroleum processing industries, but with the relatively recent development of fuel cells it is increasingly also being considered as a viable "clean" energy source. Stationary fuel cells can be supplied with hydrogen from on-site natural gas reformers or via existing hydrogen pipeline sources. However, for mobile vehicular systems, a practical and effective method for storing hydrogen to power an on-board fuel cell is required. The transport of hydrogen as a cryogenic liquid, although technologically well established, is an energy-intensive process which results in a significantly higher cost of the delivered gas. Hydrogen is also conventionally transported as a compressed gas in steel cylinders, but the storage capacity is relatively low. Higher gravimetric storage amounts, but at relatively low volumetric densities, can now be achieved with hydrogen gas at very high pressures up to 10,000 psi (690 bar) in light-weight containers made of very high strength composite materials. There are considerable energy costs in thus compressing the gas as well as potential issues regarding consumers' acceptance of systems that contain hydrogen at such elevated pressures.
It is thus necessary and highly desirable to devise a means of storing hydrogen safely, at an adequate gravimetric and volumetric storage density and with a minimal consumption of energy. This may be accomplished by "containing" the hydrogen in a suitable solid, or potentially even in liquid sorbent media, compositions which have a substantial but reversible affinity for the gas. The gas is contacted with the sorbent at modest temperatures and hydrogen pressures and is released for use as required, by lowering the system's hydrogen partial pressure at the same or a higher temperature. Hydrogen uptake by the sorbent is usually an exothermic process, while the release of hydrogen for use requires at least the corresponding input of thermal energy which can be met from the fuel cell's waste heat. Thus, in contrast to compressed hydrogen-based storage systems, the necessary energy needed for containing the hydrogen (i.e. its heat of adsorption) can thus largely be met without significant consumption of higher grade electrical energy for compression. Also, there is a considerably increased safety factor in a sorbed hydrogen. Since any desorption process is endothermic, it will be naturally self-retarding and the hydrogen will not spontaneously totally desorb without an external input of heat.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hydrogen storage by reversible hydrogenation of pi-conjugated substrates


The invention provides a cyclobutanetetracarboxylate compound of general formula (I) and a preparation method thereof:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cyclobutanetetracarboxylate compound and a preparation method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydrides are important monomer materials for the preparation of an alignment film useful for flat panel displays. Japanese Laid-open Hei 2003-192685 discloses a process for producing cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride comprising irradiating maleic anhydride to synthesize the cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride. This process, however, suffers from the shortcomings of a low yield in the production of the butane structure.
To overcome the above shortcomings, the inventors of the subject application developed a new synthesis route comprising synthesizing a cyclobutanetetracarboxylate, hydrolyzing the cyclobutanetetracarboxylate, and dehydrating the hydrolyzed product to obtain the corresponding cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride. The new route according to the present invention achieves an improved yield of the desired compounds.

Cyclobutanetetracarboxylate compound and preparation method thereof

Abstract: in which R and R1 are as defined in the specification.


A medical system includes: a medical device to be inserted into the body cavity; a rotating device for the medical device for rotating the medical device around the insertion axis; an image pickup device provided to the medical device; and an image capturing timing detection device for detecting a signal regarding image capturing timing performed by the image pickup device. Furthermore, the medical system includes: a rotating angle acquisition device for acquiring the rotating angle of the rotating device for the medical device regarding the image capturing timing in response to the output of the image capturing timing detection device; and an image acquisition device for performing rotation processing for the image captured by the image pickup device based upon the information regarding the rotating angle acquired by the rotating angle acquisition device, thereby acquiring the image subjected to a rotation processing.

Various types of medical devices have been proposed, each of which is inserted into the body cavity, and has a function for generating propelling force and so forth by rotation thereof, thereby allowing examination of the body cavity.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-299612 discloses a capsule endoscope system having a function for guiding a capsule endoscope within the lumen by applying a rotational magnetic field so as to rotate the capsule endoscope.
In the prior art disclosed in the above Patent document, the image data acquired by the capsule endoscope is transmitted to an image processing device outside of the body. The image processing device stores the received image data and the data of the rotational magnetic field in memory or the like in a correlated form.
Furthermore, in the prior art disclosed in the above Patent document, the image processing device performs image processing to correct for the rotation of the image using the data of the rotational magnetic field, thereby displaying an image which does not rotate.
However, the aforementioned prior art has a configuration in which the image data is stored by the image processing device outside of the body in a form correlated with the information regarding the rotational magnetic field at the time of the image data acquisition, thereby leaving a problem from the perspective of higher-precision rotation correction.
That is to say, although an arrangement in which the rotational state is detected at the time of image capturing would provide higher-precision rotation correction, such an arrangement is not disclosed in conventional techniques.
The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems, and accordingly, it is an object thereof to provide a medical system for capturing an image using a rotating medical device with higher-precision rotation correction, thereby providing an image which allows more effective observation.


The invention relates to a polymeric mesh implant for use in reconstruction of tissue defects, which mesh implant comprises a first set of fibers arranged in a first pattern comprising apertures, wherein each aperture, or a subset thereof, comprises an elastic fiber arranged in a first direction of the mesh implant such that when the mesh implant is stretched in this first direction, the elastic fibers are elongated and also exert a restoring force on the first pattern.

Resorbable polymeric mesh implants are known. European Patent No. 1 674 048, which is assigned to the present assignee, describes a resorbable polymeric mesh implant comprising at least two materials, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material following the time of implantation. The mesh implant is adapted to have a predetermined modulus of elasticity that gradually decreases until the implant is completely degraded and subsequently absorbed.
European Patent No. 2 002 800, which is assigned to the present assignee, also describes a resorbable polymeric mesh implant comprising at least two materials having different degradation times. The first material, which has the shorter degradation time, is in the form of a first set of polymer fibers which are arranged in a first knit pattern, and the second material, which has the longer degradation time, is in the form of a second set of polymer fibers which are arranged in a second knit pattern, wherein the fibers of the first knit pattern lock movement of the second knit pattern by traversing apertures of the second knit pattern. When the first set of fibers has degraded, the second knit pattern can move more freely, which results in a more compliant mesh implant. A mesh fabricated according to the specifications of EP 1 674 048 and EP 2 0028 00 is by the present assignee marketed under the trademark TIGR®. This mesh can in its initial, undegraded state be characterized as inelastic, and is in its semi-degraded state, when the polymer fibers of the first set have degraded, be characterized as not reversible deformable. The entire contents of both of these European patents are incorporated herein by reference for the materials, compositions, devices, implants, processes and techniques relating to mesh implants discussed therein.
Although mesh products produced according to the specifications of the patents listed above fulfill their intended purpose very well, the mechanical characteristics of these meshes are for some medical applications not ideal. In particular, the meshes do not exhibit a true elastic behavior, i.e. they are not reversibly deformable.

Elastically deformable and resorbable medical mesh implant


A cooling system for cooling an ambient to be cooled, a cooler and a method of controlling a cooling control system are described. The cooling control system comprises a variable capacity compressor and a controller, the controller measuring the load of the compressor by means of the measurement of the electric current and verifying the temperature condition in the cooler ambient and actuating on the cooling capacity of the compressor, the compressor being controlled to actuate in cycles, the cooling capacity being altered in function of an evolution of the load of the compressor along the cooling cycles in combination with an evolution of the temperature condition in the cooled ambient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling-control system for an ambient to be cooled, a method of controlling a cooling system, as well as a cooler, particularly making use or a compressor with variable capacity applied to cooling systems in general, this system and method enabling one to use conventional thermostats of the type that alter the conduction condition of a contact depending upon the minimum and maximum limits of temperature of the compartment or ambient to be cooled, permitting adjustment of the rotation or characteristics of the compressor, so as to maximize the performance of the cooling system.
The basic objective of a cooling system is to maintain a low temperature inside one (or more) compartment(s) or ambient(s) to be cooled, making use of devices that convey heat out of the latter to the external ambient, by resorting to measurements of temperature inside said compartment(s) or ambient(s) to control the devices responsible for conveying heat, trying to maintain the temperature within pre-established limits for the type of cooling system in question.
Depending upon the complexity of the cooling system and of the type of application, the temperature limits to be maintained are more restrict or not.
A usual way of conveying heat out of a cooling system to the external ambient is to use a hermitic compressor connected to a cooling closed circuit (or cooling circuit), through which a cooling fluid or gas circulates, this compressor having the function of causing the cooling gas to flow inside the cooling closed circuit, and is capable of imposing a determined difference in pressure between the points where evaporation and condensation of the cooling gas occurs, enabling the processes of conveying heat and creating a low temperature to take place.
Compressors are dimensioned to supply a cooling capacity higher than that required in a situation of normal operation, and critical situations are foreseen. Then some kind of modulation of the cooling capacity of this compressor is necessary to maintain the temperature inside the cabinet within acceptable limits.
2. Description of Related Art
The most common way of modulating the cooling capacity of a compressor is to turn it on and off, according to the evolution of the temperature inside the ambient to be cooled. In this case, one resorts to a thermostat that turns the compressor on when the temperature in the ambient to be cooled exceeds the pre-established limit, and turns it off when the temperature inside this ambient has reached a lower limit, also pre-established.
A known solution for this control device for controlling the cooling system is the combination of a bulb containing a fluid that expands with the temperature, installed so as to be exposed to the temperature inside the ambient to be cooled and mechanically connected to an electromechanical switch that is sensitive to that expansion and contraction of the fluid existing inside the bulb. It is capable of turning on and off the switch at predefined temperatures, according to its application. This switch interrupts the current supplied to the compressor, controlling its operation, maintaining the internal ambient of the cooling system within pre-established temperature limits.
This is further the most widely used type of thermostat, since it is simple, but it has the limitation of not permitting adjustment of the speed of a compressor of variable capacity, because it generates the command of opening and closing a contact responsible for interrupting the power fed to the compressor.
Another solution for controlling the cooling system is to use an electronic circuit capable of reading the temperature value inside the cooled ambient by means of a PTC-TYPE (Positive Temperature Coefficient) electronic temperature sensor, for example; or another one, comparing this temperature value read with predetermined references, generating a command signal to the circuit that manages the energy fed to the compressor, providing the correct modulation of the cooling capacity, so as to maintain the desired temperature inside the cooled ambient, be it by turning the compressor on or off, or by varying the supplied cooling capacity, in the case in which the compressor if of the variable capacity type. A limitation of this type of thermostat is the fact that it incorporates an additional cost for promoting the adjustment of speed of the compressor, requiring its correct adaptation for this function, by means of some capacity of logic processing and control algorithms that define the correct operation speed of the compressor, implemented in the thermostat circuit, separately from the control over the compressor.
Another solution for controlling the temperature in a cooled ambient is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,198, which discloses a cooling system comprising compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporators, in addition to a control over the energization of the compressor. This control is effected by means of a microprocessor according to a readout of temperature from a thermostat determining energization or no energization of the compressor on the basis of predetermined maximum and minimum temperature limits. According to this system, control over the operation time of the compressor depending upon the temperature measured in the cooled ambient is foreseen.
One also knows from the prior art the solution presented in document WO 98/15790, in which the speed of the axle and, consequently, the cooling capacity of the compressor is adjusted by the controller, resorting to the information on opening and closing the contacts of a simple thermostat, of the type that promotes the opening and closing of the thermostats of a switch depending upon two temperature limits. This technique adjusts the compressor speed to each operation cycle, reducing the compressor speed ii each cycle, in predefined steps.
The limitation of this solution is that the most adequate operation condition for the compressor is sought step by step in each cycle, which makes the system slower and limits its benefits. It also has a limitation in the reaction time, when a substantial increment in cooling capacity is required along a cooling cycle, limiting the capacity of stabilizing the temperatures and limiting the response to the addition of thermal loads to the cooler.
Another solution known from the prior art is described in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,230, in which one proposes a control, by which the operation speed of the compressor is adjusted in response to the temperature and a determined point of the cooling system, requiring a temperature measurement circuit, with the consequent cost disadvantages.

Cooling control system for an ambient to be cooled, a method of controlling a cooling system, and a cooler

Empresa Brasileira de Compressores S.A. - Embraco


An inhalation device includes a mouthpiece and a heater having a rigid planar substrate which supports at least one resistive element portion applied over a first region of at least one surface of the substrate, and a pair of contacts each connected to the at least one resistive element portion at one end of the contacts and applied over a second region of the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate supports an aerosolizable composition deposited on the substrate above the resistive element portion of the heater. The mouthpiece has at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate rear and front ends thereof respectively. The heater is disposed within the mouthpiece with at least portions of the contacts being both exposed and accessible so that an electrical connection can be readily achieved when the rear end of the mouthpiece is connected to the inhalation device.

Nicotine replacement therapies are aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine. One form of nicotine replacement therapy is an inhaler or inhalator, one example of which is sold by Johnson & Johnson Limited under the brand name Nicorette®. These generally have the appearance of a plastic cigarette and are used by people who crave the behavior associated with consumption of combustible tobacco—the so-called hand-to-mouth aspect—of smoking tobacco. An inhalator comprises a replaceable nicotine cartridge. When a user inhales through the device, nicotine is atomized from the cartridge and is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, rather than travelling into the lungs. Nicotine replacement therapies are generally classified as medicinal products and are regulated under the Human Medicines Regulations in the United Kingdom.
In addition to passive nicotine delivery devices such as the Inhalator, active nicotine delivery devices exist in the form of electronic cigarette which generally use heat and/or ultrasonic agitation to vaporize/aerosolize a formulation comprising nicotine and/or other flavoring, propylene glycol and/or glycerol into an aerosol, mist, or vapor for inhalation. The inhaled aerosol mist or vapor typically bears nicotine and/or flavorings without the odor and health risks associated with combustible tobacco products, and in use, the user experiences a similar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from combustible tobacco products, particularly as regards exhalation because aerosol mist or vapor is of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when smoking a conventional combustible tobacco product.
The skilled reader should appreciate that the term "smoking-substitute device" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping cigarettes, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, vaporizers and devices of a similar nature that function to produce an aerosol mist or vapor that is inhaled by a user. Some substitute devices are disposable; others are reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts. The present invention is primarily concerned with the latter, and particularly with "active" devices which require or possess a source of power in order to effect the aerosolization.
Smoking-substitute devices typically resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end through which the user can draw the aerosol, mist or vapor for inhalation. These devices usually share several common components: a power source such as a battery, a reservoir for holding the liquid to be vaporized (often termed an e-liquid), a vaporization component such as a heater for atomizing and/or vaporizing the liquid and to thereby produce an aerosol, mist or vapor, and control circuitry operable to actuate the vaporization component responsive to an actuation signal from a switch operative by a user or configured to detect when the user draws air through the mouthpiece by inhaling.
The most common form of active smoking substitute device is known as a wick-and-coil device, an example of which is schematically depicted in FIG. 1. The vaporization component comprises a wick (3), which may be solid or flexible, saturated in e-liquid with a heating coil (5) wrapped around it. The wick-and-coil arrangement is usually disposed inside a fluid-containing reservoir in order that liquid therein can be absorbed by the wick. The complete assembly is often termed a "cartomizer" (being a conflation of the words cartridge and atomizer). In use, an electric current is passed through the coil (5) resistively heating it, such heat being transferred to the e-liquid in the wick (3) causing it to evaporate. The usually soaked wick (3) generally contains more e-liquid than would be vaporized during a single inhalation. This increases the thermal mass of the wick (3) and means that the heat generated by the coil (5) is unnecessarily expended in heating all of the e-liquid rather than the amount that actually needs to be vaporized. Heating surplus liquid reduces the energy efficiency of the device. Furthermore, the coil (5) is spaced apart from the wick (3) to prevent the coil (5) from burning the wick (3). This reduces heat transfer to the wick and means that the coil (5) has to be excessively powered to compensate for the radiative dissipation of heat from the coil and inefficiencies of heating a large substrate and volume of liquid. This again reduces the energy efficiency of the device. Moreover, surplus e-liquid and repeated heating to a higher temperature increases the risk that a user will receive a larger dose of nicotine than intended and increases the potential for degradation of both nicotine and excipients.
Another problem with known e-cigarette heaters is that their design does not lend itself to automation.
A further problem with known e-cigarettes is that a user can refill their device with e-liquids which are not intended for that device and consequently may have higher levels of nicotine or additives which undergo an adverse reaction upon heating. As a result, a user may be exposed to excessive levels of nicotine or potentially harmful by-products.
The popularity and use of smoking-substitute devices has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit combustible tobacco, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. Furthermore the change in regulatory paradigm to that of a tobacco harm reduction one has further boosted consumer uptake of these products. This has caused concern that smoking-substitute devices may be becoming attractive to children, young adults and those currently not engaged in consumption of combustible tobacco products. Furthermore, there is on-going scientific debate about the long-terms effects on health from the prolonged use of smoking-substitute devices and concerns, particularly from healthcare professions, regarding the lack of information available to consumers regarding the use of smoking-substitute devices and associated liquids that prevent them from making informed decisions regarding their use. One area of particular concern is the quality and provenance of many e-liquids currently available on the market.
In response to safety and quality concerns, the European Union has agreed on a revised Tobacco Products Directive (Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016). The TPD has introduced regulations applicable to smoking-substitute devices that will:                limit the risks of inadvertent exposure to nicotine by setting maximum sizes for refill reservoirs, containers, tanks, and cartridges (Article 20.3(a));        limit the concentration of nicotine in the liquid to 20 mg/ml (Article 20.3(b));        prohibit the use of certain additives in the liquid (Article 20.3(c));        require that only high-purity ingredients are used in the manufacture of liquids (Article 20.3(d));        require that all ingredients (except nicotine) do not pose a risk to human health in heated or unheated form (Article 20.3(e));        require that all smoking-substitute devices deliver doses of nicotine at consistent levels under normal conditions of use (Article 20.3(f));        require that all products include child and tamper-proof labelling, fasteners and opening mechanisms (Article 20.3(g)); and        require that all products meet certain safety and quality standards and to ensure that products do no break or leak during use or refill (penultimate and final sentences, paragraph 41 of the recitals).
However, even despite the introduction of such nicotine dosing control measures on manufacturers and suppliers of nicotine-containing formulations intended for use in electronic cigarettes, wick-and-coil devices are inherently rudimentary and as a result will always suffer significant variability in dose between inhalations. Furthermore, because such devices require refilling by end users over which legal frameworks such as the TPD above inevitably have little or no control, such end users will always be capable of using their own, possibly adulterated liquid formulations, possibly to the detriment of their own health and that of others.
Aspects and embodiments of the invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.

Mouthpiece and heater assembly for an inhalation device


A switching power converter provides regulated voltage to a load. The switching power converter comprises a transformer including a first primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a second primary winding, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the switching power converter, and an auxiliary winding, a first switch coupled to the first primary winding, and a second switch coupled to the secondary primary winding. A controller generates a first control signal to turn the first switch on or off at a first switching frequency, and a second control signal to turn the second switch on or off at a second switching frequency that is higher than the first frequency. During off cycles of the switches, feedback voltage representing the output voltage of the power converter is generated across the auxiliary winding. The controller controls switching of the first switch to regulate the output voltage based on the feedback.

This invention relates generally to a switching power supply and more particularly to dynamic load detection with primary-side sensing and feedback.
Conventional flyback power converters include a power stage for delivering electrical power from a power source to a load. A switch in the power stage electrically couples or decouples the load to the power source, and a switch controller coupled to the switch controls the on-time and off-time of the switch. The on-time and off-time of the switch may be modified by the controller based upon a feedback signal representing the output power, output voltage or output current to regulate the same. The energy is stored in the gap of a transformer when a switch is on and is transferred to the load when the switch is off. Regulation can be accomplished by, among other things, measuring the output current (or output voltage) and feeding that back to a primary side controller, which can be used to modify the on-time and off-time of the switch accordingly.
In order to improve cost performance and reduce over-all size, many commercially available isolated power supplies employ primary-only feedback and control. By sensing primary side signals during each ON and OFF cycle, the secondary output and load condition can be detected and thus be controlled and regulated. This includes both constant voltage and constant current modes of operation.
Many electronic devices require the power supply to provide a controlled and regulated power source over wide operating conditions, adding to the difficulty of primary-side sensing and control. Portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet computers are examples of such devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates an operating curve of an example switching power converter used to provide a controlled and regulated output to a load. Operating conditions presented to the switching power supply may occur while a load such as an electronic device is connected to the power supply or when a load is not connected. For example, in a Constant Voltage Mode (CVM) 101, the switching power supply supplies a regulated DC output of a fixed voltage within a certain tolerance range indicated by CVM range 104. CVM 101 generally indicates that the internal battery of the electronic device is fully charged and the fixed voltage output of the power supply provides the operating power for the electronic device to be operated normally.
In a Constant Current Mode (CCM) 102, the power supply provides a fixed current output. CCM 102 generally indicates that the internal battery of the electronic device is not fully charged and the constant current output of the power supply allows for the efficient charging of the internal battery of the electronic device.
Lastly, in a no-load condition 103, the electronic device is disconnected from the power supply. Under the no-load condition 103, the switching power supply may maintain a regulated voltage output within the CVM range 104 in anticipation of the electronic device being reconnected to the power supply.
For convenience, end users often leave the power supply connected to the AC mains at times where no load is connected to the power supply output. Because the power supply maintains a regulated output voltage even in no-load conditions, a dual-mode control methodology is commonly employed. During periods when there is a nominal load, pulse width modulation is employed. However, when the load approaches no load, it is difficult to maintain a duty-cycle low enough to maintain output regulation. Accordingly, a pre-load, or dummy load can be added, however, operational efficiency and no-load power consumption are negatively impacted. Furthermore, because power supplies are oftentimes connected to the AC-mains for long periods of time when they are not connected to the electronic device, government and environmental agencies have placed maximum limits on the no-load power consumption.
In such situations, one technique is for the controller to change its regulation mode under low load or no-load conditions. Under no-load conditions, the rate of the pulses that turn on or turn off the power switch of the switching power converter is decreased significantly in order to maintain output voltage regulation, resulting in long periods of time between ON and OFF cycles of the switching power converter. This presents a significant challenge to primary-side sensing control schemes that rely on the ON and OFF cycles of the power switch to obtain a feedback signal. During the periods between ON cycles of the switch, the status of the output voltage is unknown by the controller as no feedback signal is generated. If the electronic device is reconnected to the power supply, representing a dynamic load change, during one of the long OFF cycles of the switch, the primary-side controller does not receive feedback about the change in the secondary side output voltage until the next ON cycle of the switch. In the interim, the output voltage may therefore drop significantly, exceeding the allowable voltage drop specified by the regulation specifications.

Switching power converter with primary-side dynamic load detection and primary-side feedback and control


A vehicle lamp including a projector headlight using an LED light source for a low beam can include a shade, an LED light source, an ellipsoidal reflector and a projector lens. Both a focus of the projector lens and a top edge of the shade can be located near a second focus of the reflector. The LED light source can be located near a first focus located below the second focus of the reflector. Therefore, light emitted from the LED light source can be effectively gathered near the focus of the projector lens via the reflector and can be projected via the projector lens with high light use-efficiency. The projector lens can include light dispersing portions or structures on an upside and downside thereof for reducing chromatic aberration. Thus, the lamp can project a favorable light distribution that can conform to light distribution standards for vehicle headlights and the like.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a vehicle lamp including a projector headlight using an LED light source for a low beam, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp including a projector headlight having a favorable light distribution pattern that can conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight.
2. Description of the Related Art
A projector headlight for a low beam and/or a high beam is frequently incorporated into vehicle lamps, such as a headlamp, a position lamp, a turn-signal lamp, brake lamp, traffic lamp, etc. The projector headlight may allow a light-emitting area thereof to be reduced and therefore allows the vehicle lamp including the projector headlight to be minimized in comparison with other type headlights.
FIG. 7(A) is a schematic side cross-section view depicting basic structure in a conventional projector headlight, and FIG. 7(B) is a schematic diagram showing a fundamental light distribution pattern for driving on the left side of a roadway as formed by the headlight of FIG. 7(A).
According to the basic structure of the conventional projection headlight shown in FIG. 7(A), the projector headlight 80 includes: a light source 82; an elliptical reflector 83 in which a first focus thereof is located near the light source 82; a projector lens 85 which has a focus thereof located near a second focus of the elliptical reflector 83; and a shade 84 having a top edge located near the focus of the projector lens 85. Thus, an optical axis Z80 intersects substantially with an optical axis of the light source 82, both the first and second focuses of the elliptical reflector 83, the top edge of the shade 84 and the focus of the projector lens 85, respectively.
In the conventional projector headlight 80, a part of the light emitted from the light source 82 directly passes through the projector lens 85 and another part of the light indirectly passes through the projector lens 85 by reflecting on the elliptical reflector 83. In this case, because the shade 84 can shield an upward portion of the emitted light, the projector headlight 80 can form light distribution pattern P50 for a low beam as shown in FIG. 7(B). Marks VL, HL and CL80 are a vertical line, a horizontal line and a cut-off line formed by the shade 84, respectively.
In the above-described structure, the projector lens 85 is composed of a convex lens including an aspheric surface. Therefore, the light L50 that is refracted at an edge portion of the projector lens 85 may cause larger chromatic aberration than at a middle position of the projector lens 85. The chromatic aberration tends to occur near the cut-off line CL80 shown in FIG. 7(B) because the light that passes near the top edge of the shade after being reflected from the elliptical reflector 83 may be more easily gathered at the edge portion of the projector lens 85.
Thus, the above-described structure may include a problem in that the chromatic aberration causes an unclear cut-off line CL80 in the light distribution pattern P50 shown in FIG. 7(B). To help solve this problem, a projector lens has been disclosed in patent document No. 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open S60-62001 which is in the same patent family as U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,519). The projector lens provides an upper and lower portion thereof with a refracting member. Therefore, the negative effect caused by the chromatic aberration may be reduced.
A shade is disclosed in patent document No. 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2005-044574 which is in the same patent family as U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,056). The shade is formed with relatively large thickness and extends downward in a direction towards the projector lens. Thus, the negative effect of the chromatic aberration may decrease because mixture light located at the edge portion of the projector lens can be increased.
However, LED light sources have been used as a light source for a vehicle lamp for several reasons, including because an LED chip has recently been able to provide high-power with low power consumption. In addition, LED light sources can emit various color lights including a white light that can be used for a vehicle headlight. Therefore, the LED light sources have been also used as a light source for a vehicle headlight.
When an LED light source for emitting white light is designed, the white LED light source may generally be composed of a blue LED chip and a yellow phosphor (or other wavelength conversion material). In this case, because the LED light source may include more light emission points (i.e., blue light LEDs with wavelength conversion layer(s)) as compared with a normal incandescent or other single light source bulb, the LED light source may cause a problem such as projecting blue light near the cut-off line CL80 while widely refracting light at the edge portion of the projector lens.
Therefore, a projector lens for the LED light source is disclosed in patent document No. 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2008-226542). The projector lens is made by integrally casting both a high refracting and dispersing resin and a low refracting and dispersing resin. Thus, the negative effect of the chromatic aberration may be decreased via the projector lens that is composed of two layer lens.
In a vehicle headlight using the LED light source, it is important for the headlight to effectively emit the light emitted from the LED light source via the projector lens with respect to light use efficiency. Consequently, the projector lens disclosed in patent document No. 1 and the shade disclosed in patent document No. 2 may not adequately solve the above-described problems in the vehicle headlight using the LED light source. The above-described conventional structure may shield many of the light emitted from the light source 82 with the shade 84 and cannot emit them forwards via the projector lens 85.
The projector lens disclosed in patent document No. 3 may be difficult to integrally cast while maintaining the accuracy thereof so as to conform a light distribution standard for a headlight. In addition, the projector lens may cause problems such that a shape thereof becomes thick, and therefore the projector may cause the projector headlight to become high cost and a decrease of the brightness.
The above-referenced Patent Documents are listed below and are hereby incorporated with their English abstracts in their entireties.                1. Patent document No. 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open S60-62001 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,519.        2. Patent document No. 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2005-044574 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,056        3. Patent document No. 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2008-226542
The disclosed subject matter has been devised to consider the above and other problems, characteristics and features. Thus, an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can include a vehicle lamp including a projector headlight using an LED light source for a low beam that can conform to a light distribution standard for headlights with respect to white chromaticity. In this case, if the LED light source for the projector headlight is composed of a blue LED and a yellow phosphor, the projector headlight can conform to a light distribution standard while reducing a negative effect of the chromatic aberration. The light source can also be configured with the relatively simple structure.


The present invention is in the field of autoimmunity. More specifically, the present invention relates to the detection of autoantibodies to domain 4 of beta 2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) as an indicator for atherosclerosis.

IgA class autoantibodies to beta 2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) have recently been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction and also in patients with ischemic stroke (Ranzolin A, et al., Arg Bras Cardiol. 83(2):141-4; 137-40 (2004); Kahles T, et al., Rheumatology 44(9):1161-5 (2005); Staub H L, et al., Arg Neuropsiquiat 61(3B):757-63 (2003)). A striking observation from two of these studies was that the IgA β2-GPI autoantibodies were usually detected in patients that were negative for IgA anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) (Ranzolin A, et al., Arg Bras Cardiol. 83(2):141-4; 137-40 (2004); Staub H L, Arg Neuropsiquiat 61(3B):757-63 (2003)). This finding is in sharp contrast to that observed in patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), where both anti-β2-GPI and anti-cardiolipin antibodies are usually positive.
β2-GPI is a serum protein composed of five homologous domains numbered 1-5 from the N terminus. Domains 1-4 are composed of ˜60 amino acids that contain a motif characterized by a framework of four conserved cysteine residues, which form two internal disulfide bridges (Lozier, J. et al., PNAS 81:3640-3644 (1984)). The fifth domain differs from domains 1-4 in that it contains 82 amino acid residues with six cysteines. The fifth domain contains the phospholipid binding site (Hunt, J., et al., PNAS 90:2141-2145 (1993)).
Conflicting findings have been published concerning the domain specificity of anti-β2-GPI autoantibodies. For example, in one study, it was shown that using recombinant-β2-GPI and β2-GPI domain-deleted mutants (Dms) expressed in insect cells, that anti-β2-GPI autoantibodies found in serum samples from patients with APS recognize domain 1 of β2-GPI (Iverson, G M, et al., PNAS 95:15542-15546 (1998).
There are also reports that IgG anti-β2-GPI autoantibodies in patients with APS recognize epitopes on domains 3, 4 and 5 of β2-GPI (Blank, M, et al., PNAS 96:5164-8 (1999); Blank, M, et al., PNAS 96:5164-8 (1999); Koike T, et al., J. Autoimmun 15: 97-100 (2000); Yang C D, et al., APLAR J Rheumatol 1:96-100 (1997); Iverson, G M, et al., J. of Autoimmunity 18:289-297 (2002); and McNeeley P A, et al., Thromb Haemost 86:590-5 (2001)).
Accordingly, there is a need for an enhanced understanding of the antibody profiles exhibited by APS patients (cardiolipin IgG positive/β2-GPI IgG/IgA positive), and the differences between these profiles and the profiles exhibited by cardiovascular patients with acute ischemic disease (cardiolipin IgG/IgA negative/β2-GPI IgA positive), which is based on differing domain-specificity of the APS and cardiovascular patient's antibodies. The present invention provides such an enhanced understanding, and relates to the finding that IgA anti-β2-GPI autoantibodies that bind to domain 4 are found in a high percentage of patients with acute atherosclerotic syndrome (ASS).

Compositions and methods for diagnosing patients with acute atherosclerotic syndrome


The invention relates to a system for checking a suspension of solid particles, having a test tube for taking up and sedimentation of the suspension, having--an illuminating radiation source (L),--a test tube (P) is transparent to the illuminating radiation and the radiation emerging thereof, in which test medium is allowed to sediment and which can be located in the radiation path of the system,--optionally, a further test tube (PE), that is transparent to the illuminating radiation and the radiation emerging thereof, in which a reference or calibration liquid is allowed to sediment and which can be located in the radiation path of the system,--a sensor device to detect the illuminating radiation (S.sub.L)--a sensor device for detecting radiation emerging by transmission (S.sub.T) from the test tube(s) (P.sub.E, P)--a sensor device for detecting the radiation (S.sub.F) emerging from the test tube(s) at an angle other than 180.degree.--a timer device (U) and--a computer (R) for processing the measured values obtained and outputting at least one output signal to the processing unit.

Suspensions of solid particles in liquids are frequently used in technical fields--for example, suspensions of barium sulphate in liquid as contrast medium for X-ray examination equipment, magnetizable, fluorescent particles in liquids for crack testing; lubricating oils, which as time goes on acquire an increased solid content of metallic fines, abrasive suspensions, etc.
Many of these suspensions are circulated in systems--for example, as lubricants or even the fluorescent fluid in crack testing equipment. The ability of the test equipment to make a statement depends, amongst other things, on these suspensions being intact--if there are too few solid particles or if they have been damaged by mechanical stress, the test results obtained with them are often poor or no longer usable. The opposite case also exists where, for example, an increased input of solids into a liquid and therefore the formation of an ever increasingly concentrated suspension has to be checked, so that a statement can be made regarding the continued suitability of the medium--for example, a lubricating oil--in order to prevent damage to an engine. On the other hand it is desirable, both from the environmental and cost points of view, to use the suspension for as long as possible, in order to avoid unnecessary disposal.
Actually most engine oils and also most crack detecting agents are changed after a pre-determined "service interval", as a preventive measure--although for many applications this should not be necessary. On the other hand increased stress on the suspension--for example, from the action of particularly high shearing forces on the liquid and also when working at high temperature--the suspension may degrade more quickly or be "used up".
Hitherto such suspensions, in the case of conductive materials, were often tested by way of conductivity tests (for retarding agents), pH value measurements or even by sedimentation and visual observation thereof in a so-called ASTM bulb. The conductivity test had the disadvantage that even a slight change in the electrolyte or water content of oil, for example, led to completely incorrect measurements--the ASTM bulb had the serious drawback of up to now delivering values that were not automatically acquirable and could therefore only be measured subjectively.
From EP-A-O 427 996 discloses a process for measuring aromatic hydrocarbons, where fluorescence spectroscopy is used to measure the concentration of fluorescent, i.e. liquid-dissolved hydrocarbons. In other words, in this case, clear liquids and not suspensions are being measured.
DE-A-43 11 543 relates to a device for determining the concentration of a test liquid, which only measures the luminescence, i.e. the light emitted by the test liquid but not whether this lunescence may possibly change in time and therefore does not permit any statement to be made as to whether the luminescence occurs as a result of abraded fluorescent material or as a result of the particles themselves, to which the fluorescrible material is bound. This document also does not enable any measurements to be made of the solid density of the suspension, since the emission of fluorescent light does not enable any such statements to be made.
JP-A-62-255851 in turn, relates to the measurement of the rate of sedimentation of a material, as required for coagulation measuring devices, for example for the solvent coagulation of plastics. In other words, the increase in size of the suspended particles is measured over time. The area of the invention on the other hand, relates to the measurement of fluorescent material, which over a period of time, also decreases in size.

System for checking a suspension of fluorescent material


A process is described in which a solution of milk whey protein is reacted with a transglutaminase, heated, and then dried. The resulting milk whey protein composition, and food products containing the resulting milk whey protein composition are also described. The milk whey protein composition has an excellent taste and imparts a smooth and pleasant feel on the palate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a milk whey protein-containing powder obtained by reacting a solution containing a milk whey protein with transglutaminase, heating the reaction solution at a high temperature, then drying the resulting product. The invention also relates to an animal meat paste food, a fish meat paste food and emulsified foods obtained by using the milk-whey protein-containing powder.
2. Discussion of the Background
Milk whey protein is found in whey, a by-product from the production of cheese or casein from milk or a skim milk powder. In countries where cheese and so forth are produced, attempts have been made to recover milk whey protein and use it as a food material with the aim of environmental conservation and to more effectively use natural resources.
The production of milk whey protein concentrate via ultrafiltration has been reported in which the protein content of the concentrate is between approximately 50 and 70%. Further, a separate whey protein having a protein content of approximately 90% or more has been produced to improve the gelation, emulsifying capacity and foaming capacity of the protein.
Meanwhile, in recent years, studies on milk whey protein-containing products having lower protein content (approximately 30%) than that of conventional products as a food material have been actively conducted at a global level in order to effectively utilize the active ingredients of whey, such as protein, sugar, mineral and the like in the diet with a minimum of whey processing.
When the milk whey protein-containing product discharged as a by-product is used in various foods, the foods have a rough feel as well as a bad taste upon passage through the throat owing to the milk whey protein, and is therefore undesirable. The rough feeling and the bad taste upon passage through the throat do not apply to the overall milk protein. This is because these problems do not apply to caseins that are a main component of a milk protein.
To solve the problems of the rough feeling and the bad feeling upon passage through the throat which are found in the milk whey protein, a technique to lower the molecular weight of this protein using an enzyme has been generally employed. However, when the molecular weight of a protein using an enzyme, the desired gelation properties of the milk whey protein are decreased.
Accordingly, a milk whey protein-containing powder (1) which retains the desirable characteristic properties of milk whey protein, such as gelation, emulsifying capacity and the like and (2) which is excellent in throat feel and taste upon eating has been in demand. To cope with such problems, the following attempts have been already made.
The retention of gelatinization ability and the decrease in number of bacteria have been attempted by bringing a non-denatured whey protein powder in contact with superheated steam of 110 to 130.degree. C. for 10 to 20 seconds (refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 108, 191/1995). This method is effective for retaining the gelatinization ability and decreasing the number of bacteria. However, the problems such as the rough feeling and the bad taste upon passage through the throat which are caused by the heating even for a short period of time still remain.
A technique has also been studied in which protein particles having an average particle diameter of from approximately 40 to 50 .mu.m are prepared by partially denaturing a milk whey protein (degree of denaturation between 55 and 80%), and added to foods such as mayonnaise, salad sauce, ice cream and the like (U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,696). However, the above-described problems relating to the rough feeling and the bad taste upon passage through the throat have not completely been eliminated.
Accordingly, the above-mentioned problem of providing a milk whey protein-containing powder that both (1) retains the desirable characteristic properties of milk whey protein, such as gelation, emulsifying capacity, and the like, and (2) is excellent in throat feel and taste has not yet been realized.
Other researchers, Shin-Ya Tanimoto and John E. Kinsel (J. Agric. Food Chem., 1988, 36, 281-285) have reported the thermal stability of a polymer mixture obtained by treating .beta.-lactoglobulin with transglutaminase at 99.degree. C. or less and the effect on protein solubility. Their experiments revealed that the insolubilization of a protein is inhibited. However, the properties of the thus-treated protein, for example, gelation, water holding capacity, emulsifying and foaming capacity, were not examined at all. Moreover, feeling upon eating, such as a feeling upon passage through the throat or the like, has not been referred to at all. Further, this report has described experimental results in a pure system of .beta.-lactoglobulin which is a only minor component of milk protein. However, there is nothing in this report to suggest the treatment of the overall milk whey protein-containing product that contains various substances other than B-lactoglobulin.
In a modified milk protein-containing material (Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 160,957/1991) and a pickle for processed edible meat (Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 255,426/1995), a milk protein is reacted with a transglutaminase. Casein, a major component of a milk protein, is imagined as this milk protein. However, these documents do not suggest the elimination of the problems of the milk whey protein solved by the present invention, such as the rough throat feel that nevertheless do not apply to casein.

Milk whey protein-containing powder and process food obtained by using the same


A system and method are disclosed for the detection of water vapor in a natural gas background. The system includes a light source operating in a wavelength range such as, 1.877–1.901 μm, 2.711–2.786 μm, or 920–960 nm, passes through the natural gas to be detected by a detector. In one embodiment, the light source is a tunable diode laser and the moisture level is determined by harmonic spectroscopy. In other embodiments, a VCSEL laser is utilized.

The present invention relates to a system and method for the detection of moisture in natural gas. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for determining the level of water vapor present within an industrial natural gas pipeline.
Natural gas has long been used as an energy source because of its low cost and widespread availability. After natural gas is mined, it is purified through several sequential processes, and distributed via networks of underground pipelines that typically transport the gas at a pipe pressure of several hundred pounds per square inch (PSI). Natural gas is sold to the customer as an energy product, and the energy content is generally expressed in British Thermal Units (BTU). The rate that gaseous product is pumped to the customer is measured in standard million cubic feet (SMCF), which is based on the gas volume at a standard pressure and temperature (typically 1 atmosphere pressure/14.73 PSI, and 70 degrees F.).
Contaminants in natural gas, such as water, reduce the BTU capacity of the gas, thereby resulting in a less efficient energy product. Contaminants also corrode delivery pipelines over time potentially resulting in serious safety hazards while also necessitating the costly replacement of segments of the pipeline (downtime for the pipelines can cost upwards of several thousand dollars per second). Accordingly, companies engaged in the mining, purification, and distribution of natural gas continuously monitor the quality of the gas at various stages of production and distribution to prevent such occurrences. One contaminant of particular interest is water vapor (H2O). Excessive buildup of water vapor is a primary cause of pipeline corrosion, and it acts to dilute the natural gas thereby reducing its BTU capacity (thereby making the gas a less efficient energy source).
Distributors of natural gas typically have set maximum allowable levels of H2O within natural gas for various stages of natural gas production and distribution. The final product that is delivered to the customer (usually a large consumer supplier such as Southern California Gas, or Pacific Gas and Electric), is termed "mainline gas." The typical maximum allowable level of H2O in mainline gas is 7 lbs of H2O per measured million standard cubic feet of CH4 (MMscf); 1 lb/MMscf is approximately 21.1 parts per million by volume, ppmv). This level is termed the "tariff". When H2O levels exceed tariff levels, plant operation can be suspended resulting in substantial loss of revenue and associated customer lawsuits.
Conventional techniques for measuring water vapor in natural gas rely primarily on the use of chemical sensors. These sensors operate by monitoring the capacitance or dielectric constant of a sensor element (made from compounds such as phosphorous pentoxide (P205) and aluminum oxide) subjected to a sample from the mainline gas. The electrical properties of the sensors change in a quantitative measurable manner as a function of the amount of water vapor present in the sample gas and such changes are translated into water concentration measurements. In such chemical sensors, a low pressure sample of pipeline gas is delivered to the sensor element via a regulation (pressure reduction) system. The gas sample measured by the pipeline is at a much lower pressure than the pipeline itself (typically 10–30 PSI, compared to 800 PSI in the pipeline). Such sensors are typically housed in sampling shelters that also house the accompanying regulation system.
As the sensing elements in chemical sensors are necessarily exposed to gas samples, contaminants in the gas stream such as glycols, amines, and oils directly contact the sensors. While chemical sensors can provide reliable measurements for short periods of time after calibration, the exposure to the contaminants (glycols and amines in particular) soil the sensor, thereby causing drifts in the calibration. This condition results in erroneous readings and can lead to eventual failure if the contaminants build up. Various filters (coalescing, adsorbents, and particle filters) have been employed to minimize the effects of glycol and amine contamination, but historically these filtration schemes are only temporary solutions. This is due in part because the filters are easily saturated with contaminants or they leak and require replacement at irregular intervals.
It should therefore be appreciated that there remains a need for a reliable and durable system and method for detection of water levels in natural gas.

System and method for detecting water vapor within natural gas


Immunogenic combinations that include a) an immunogenic component containing a peptide or polypeptide antigen of a respiratory pathogen; and b) an immunogenic component containing a nucleic acid encoding an antigen of the same respiratory pathogen, wherein the immunogenic components are formulated for concurrent administration are provided, as well as methods for making and for administering such immunogenic combinations to elicit an immune response specific for the respiratory pathogen.

This disclosure concerns the field of immunology. More particularly this disclosure relates to a method for eliciting an immune response to protect against respiratory pathogens.
Because the respiratory tract is in direct contact with the environment and is exposed to numerous airborne organisms, the respiratory tract is the most frequent site of infection by pathogenic organisms. Such infections can result in symptoms and disease ranging from the common cold, to bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, as well as severe and chronic conditions. Common causal agents of respiratory infection include both viruses, such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus and other paramyxoviruses, adenovirus, and bacteria, such as Streptococcus sp., Corynebacterium diptheriae, Bordatella pertussis, Haemophilus influenza, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Effective vaccines have been produced to protect children and adults from many of these respiratory pathogens. However, developing vaccines that are effective against other respiratory pathogens has proven challenging. Accordingly, new strategies for safe and effective vaccines that are effective against respiratory pathogens are necessary, especially to protect the very young, the elderly and other vulnerable individuals.


Curable compositions comprising a substance that produces a base when exposed to radiation and a polymer molecule that contains silicon-hydrogen bonds which react with hydroxyl groups under the action of the base to form silicon-oxygen bonds (Si--O) and hydrogen molecules. These compositions cure when exposed to radiation. A pattern can be formed by placing a mask between a coating of the composition and the radiation source during this exposure episode and thereafter dissolving the uncured composition. The compositions have little weight loss during their cure, they can be cured by low intensity radiation, and they yield heat-resistant cured products.

This invention relates to radiation-curable, silicon-containing resin compositions that can be used to fabricate films. These films can be used, for example, as dielectric films in semiconductor devices. The invention also relates to methods for curing these compositions and for using these compositions for forming patterns.
It is well known in silicon chemistry and the silicone industry that the hydroxyl group (e.g., water, alcohol, silanol, etc.) will react with a hydrogen atom bonded directly to silicon to produce a hydrogen molecule and the silicon-oxygen bond, i.e., Si--O (refer to Chemistry and Technology of Silicones, 2nd Edition, p. 90, Walter Noll, Academic Press, Inc. (London) Ltd., 1968; Organosilicon Compounds, p. 200, C. Eaborn, Butterworths Scientific Publications (London), 1960). Although the uncatalyzed reaction will run at elevated temperatures, it is widely known that this reaction will run more readily in the presence of a transition metal catalyst such as platinum, palladium, etc., or in the presence of a basic catalyst such as an alkali metal hydroxide, amine, etc., or in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst such as a tin compound, etc. Moreover, the reaction between Si-H and SiOH has been proposed as a room-temperature curing mechanism for silicones (Chemistry and Technology of Silicones, p. 205, p. 397).
Radiation-mediated resin curing reactions are also known in the art. Refer, for example, to Tsugio Yamaoka and Hiroshi Morita, Photosensitive Resins, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, 1988; Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 9, pp. 97-138; Lithographic Resists, Wiley-Interscience (New York), 1985; and Saburo Nonogaki, Microprocessing and Resists, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, 1987, and so forth.
Radiation-mediated resin curing can proceed, for example, through a crosslinking reaction or through a polymerization reaction. The crosslinking reaction is exemplified by the photodimerization of cinnamic acid compounds; the reaction between the mercapto group and an olefin; and reactions based on photosensitive groups such as the diazo group or azide group.
The polymerization reaction approach is exemplified by the combination of a functional group such as the acryloyl or methacryloyl group with a polymerization initiator that generates radicals upon irradiation and cationic polymerization of the epoxy group, lactone, active vinyl group, etc., based on the radiation-induced generation of a cationic polymerization initiator.
Curing methods are also available in which the crosslinking or polymerization reaction is induced through the catalytic activity of an acid which is generated by a substance upon exposure to radiation (hereinafter abbreviated as an acid generator). The acid generators used in these methods include aryldiazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, triarylselenonium salts, dialkylphenacylsulfonium salts, dialkyl-4-hydroxyphenylsulfonium salts, sulfonate esters, iron-arene compounds, silanol-aluminum complexes, and so forth.
Specific examples of curing using acid generators include the curing of epoxy resins through the radiation-induced generation of a Lewis acid such as boron trifluoride (S. I. Schlesinger, Polym. Eng. Sci., 14, 513 (1974); G. Smets, A. Aerts, and J. Van Erum, Polym. J., 12, 539 (1980)); the fabrication of silicic acid glass thin films from the combination of a special siloxane and an acid generator (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Hei 6-80879 80,879/1994!; Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Volume 32(1993), pp. 6052-6058); and photocuring technologies for epoxy resins that use aluminum compounds and ortho-nitrobenzoyloxy silicon compounds (S. Hayase, T. Ito, S. Suzuki, and M. Wada, J. Polym. Chem. Ed., 20, 3155 (1982); ibid, 19, 2185 (1981); S. Hayase, Y. Onishi, S. Suzuki, and M. Wada, Macromolecules, 18, 1799 (1985); and Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Sho 58-174418 174,418/1983!).
Curing reactions that use a substance which evolves base upon exposure to radiation (hereinafter abbreviated as a base generator) are also being investigated. The base generators used in this technology include organic and inorganic nitrogenous compounds that, upon irradiation, produce organic amine, ammonia, or quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Examples of such compounds include ortho-nitrobenzyl benzylcarbamate compounds (M. R. Winkle and K. A. Graziano, J. Photopolym. Sci. Technol., 1990, 3, 419; J. F. Cameron and J. M. Frechet, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1991, 113, 4303; J. M. Frechet and J. F. Cameron, Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng., 64, 55(1991)); metal-ammine complexes (for example, S. K. Weit, C. Kutal, and R. D. Allen, Chem. Mater., 4, 453-457 (1992)); and 4-(ortho-nitrophenyl)dihydropyridines (DE Patentschrift 1,923,990). Curing using base generators is specifically exemplified by the radiogenerated base-catalyzed cure of compositions comprising phenolic resin plus epoxy crosslinker plus melamine curing agent (EP 0555749 A1; J. M. Frechet and J. F. Cameron, Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng., 64, 55 (1991); C. Kutal and C. G. Wilson, J. Electrochem. Soc., 134, 2280-2285 (1987)) and the radiogenerated base-catalyzed cure of poly(silsesquioxane) alone or in combination with tetraphenoxysilane (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Hei 6-148887 148,887/1994!).
The cured regions produced by crosslinking in these methods are generally much less solvent-soluble than the uncured regions. This property can be utilized for imaging and patterning applications.
The above curing systems have several deficiencies. For instance, curing systems that use the photodimerization of cinnamic acid compounds, curing systems in which the photosensitive group is the diazo or azide group, curing systems that utilize the addition of mercaptan across olefin, and curing systems based on the polymerization of such functional groups as the acryloyl group, methacryloyl group are generally not thermally stable. As such, these types of systems do not yield a cured product that can withstand use or processing at high temperatures.
Likewise, curing reactions using the dimerization of cinnamic acid compounds and the reactions mediated by radicals generated from the diazo or azide group are equivalent reactions with regard to the photoreaction, i.e., no amplification effect is present. These systems are, therefore, not suited for curing with low-intensity (i.e., low numbers of photons) radiation.
Similarly, curing systems based on the addition of mercaptan across olefin result in an undesirable odor and corrosivity. Additionally, curing systems based on the radical polymerization of functional groups such as acryloyl, methacryloyl, etc. can be inhibited by air (oxygen).
Curing systems that utilize photogenerated acid offer a number of advantages such as (1) an amplification effect even with low-intensity radiation because the generated acid functions as a catalyst of the crosslinking reaction, and (2) the cure systems are not inhibited by oxygen. However, this curing system also has drawbacks such as (1) the tendency of the acid to corrode base materials and (2) problems with the electrical properties of the cured material due to the presence of ionic residues.
Curing systems that utilize photogenerated acid are also limited to materials capable of acid-catalyzed polymerization, i.e., generally to the epoxy group, acrylic group, and the like. One exception, however, is the report of the fabrication of silicic acid glass thin films through the combination of a special siloxane and an acid generator (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Hei 6-80879; Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Volume 32(1993), pp. 6052-6058). The method described in this reference, however, requires an extremely specialized polysiloxane. Moreover, the reaction results in a large weight loss causing pinholing, cracking, etc. which are fatal for application such as protective coatings, dielectric coatings, or planarizing coatings.
Base generator curing technology offers the same advantages as acid generator curing technology, i.e., (1) it provides an amplification effect for the crosslinking reaction, even with low-intensity radiation, because the generated base again functions as a catalyst of the crosslinking reaction, (2) oxygen does not inhibit the cure and (3) substrate corrosion is a less significant problem than with acid generator technology.
The present invention is directed to solving the problems described above. It introduces (a) radiation-curable compositions that undergo very little cure-associated weight loss, can be cured by low-intensity radiation, and provide a heat-resistant cured product; (b) methods for curing the aforesaid radiation-curable compositions; and (c) a method of forming patterns that utilizes the aforesaid compositions and curing methods.


An electrical power generation system for generating controlled AC output including a generator for converting mechanical input into variable frequency AC, a rectifier for rectifying the AC into DC having a variable magnitude, an inverter for inverting the DC into controlled AC output, a feedforward sensor for sensing the rate of change of the DC, a feedback AC sensor for sensing the controlled output AC, and an inverter controller responsive to the rate of change of the DC and to the controlled AC output for regulating the magnitude of the controlled AC output.

The present invention relates to an electrical power generation system of the type having an electrical generator for generating DC and wherein a variable parameter relating to the generated DC is sensed in a feedforward approach in order to control the output of an inverter which inverts the DC into controlled AC.
Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/911,549 filed on Jul. 9, 1992 disclosed an inverter control system which senses both a variable parameter relating to the DC input supplied to an inverter and the output of the inverter in order to control that output. That system is particularly useful in electrical power generation systems such as those employing permanent magnet generators driven by variable speed devices for supplying variable frequency electrical power to a variable speed, constant frequency (VSCF) system. As the variable speed device varies its speed, the frequency of the output from the generator varies. In a VSCF system, the variable frequency output from the generator is rectified to produce DC. If the frequency of the input to the rectifier varies, the voltage level of the DC output of the rectifier will vary. The DC voltage supplied by the rectifier in such an electrical power generation system can vary by 2:1 or more. Because a normal inverter system for inverting such DC into AC output has time delays associated with the inverter, with the inverter controller and with any filters used in the inverter system, the control of the output AC by a VSCF system in response to changes in the input DC is delayed.
Copending patent application, having Ser. No. 454,434 filed on Dec. 20, 1989 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, discloses an inverter system for providing a stepped output utilizing plural inverters. The system shown therein responds to the AC output for controlling the phase between the inverter outputs in order to control the AC output. A stepped inverter is also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,662. Such a stepped-waveform inverter generates an output having a stepped shape that generally approximates a sine wave. The purpose of approximating a sine wave is to reduce the size of the filters provided at the output of the inverter that are used to remove unwanted harmonics. Such systems use feedback to control the inverter output, but often there is a generator control loop as well in order to regulate the input DC supplied to the inverter.
Systems of the type shown in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 454,434 filed on Dec. 20, 1989 can be used with the present invention, although the present invention can be used with other inverters as well. If the DC supplied to the inverter can be sensed and used as a control input, the response time for controlling the AC supplied by the inverter can be made much faster and control of the output AC does not have to be delayed as a result of the time delays inherent in such systems. Moreover, sensing the input DC in a feedforward approach also permits omission of the generator loop.


A surgical end effector may comprise first and second jaw members. The second jaw member may comprise an offset proximal supply electrode that is positioned to contact an opposing member of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. The second jaw member may also comprise a distal supply electrode that is positioned distal of the offset proximal electrode and is aligned with a conductive surface of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. When the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, the proximal supply electrode may be in contact with the opposing member and the distal supply electrode is not in contact with the conductive surface of the first jaw member.

Over the years a variety of minimally invasive robotic (or "telesurgical") systems have been developed to increase surgical dexterity as well as to permit a surgeon to operate on a patient in an intuitive manner. Many of such systems are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,135, entitled ARTICULATED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR PERFORMING MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY WITH ENHANCED DEXTERITY AND SENSITIVITY, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,565, entitled ROBOTIC ARM DLUS FOR PERFORMING SURGICAL TASKS, U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,524, entitled ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOL WITH ULTRASOUND CAUTERIZING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT, U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,888, entitled ALIGNMENT OF MASTER AND SLAVE IN A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL APPARATUS, U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,320, entitled MECHANICAL ACTUATOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOLS, U.S. Pat. No. 7,691,098, entitled PLATFORM LINK WRIST MECHANISM, U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,891, entitled REPOSITIONING AND REORIENTATION OF MASTER/SLAVE RELATIONSHIP IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE TELESURGERY, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,401, entitled ROBOTIC TOOL WITH WRISTED MONOPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL END EFFECTORS. Many of such systems, however, have in the past been unable to generate the magnitude of forces required to effectively cut and fasten tissue. In addition, existing robotic surgical systems are limited in the number of different types of surgical devices that they may operate.

Surgical end effector jaw and electrode configurations


A magnetic field sensing device and a fabrication method of the same featuring an easy planarization process for a substrate and a simplified procedure by the benefit of a slim planarizing substance. The magnetic field sensing device includes a substrate with a well of a predetermined depth and a plurality of grooves being formed thereon and a magnetic substance formed on an inner surface of the well to be located on an upper portion of the grooves. A first coil is formed in the grooves, a second coil is formed on an upper portion of the magnetic substance and is electrically connected to the first coil and insulating films are interposed between the first and the second coil and the magnetic substance for insulating the first and the second coil from the magnetic substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a micro magnetic field sensing device and a fabrication method of the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic sensor composed of a magnetic substance and coils is highly sensitive to very small applied magnetic fields. In general, a magnetic sensor is fabricated by winding coils around a soft magnetic core, and requires an electronic circuit for generating a magnetic field proportional to a magnetic field measurement. A magnetic field sensing device for the magnetic sensor can be realized by a thin-film soft magnetic core and planar thin film coils.
FIGS. 1A to 1H are diagrams for explaining a related art magnetic field sensing element integrated with a substrate, and a fabrication method of the same. Referring to the drawings, the structure of the magnetic field sensing device and its fabrication method will now be described.
As shown in FIG. 1H, the magnetic field sensing device includes a substrate 1, a magnetic substance 2, a first and a second insulating film 3 and 4, and a first and a second coil 5, 6 formed of a plurality of wires for encompassing the magnetic substance 2. Here, the first coil 5 is disposed at the lower portion of the magnetic substance, whereas the second coil 6 is disposed at the upper portion of the magnetic substance. These first and second coils 5 and 6 are connected through holes 9 and 9′ (please refer to FIG. 1F), for example, from both sides.
The fabrication procedure of the conventional magnetic field sensing device is largely divided into four steps: (1) preparing a substrate 1; (2) forming a first coil 5; (3) forming a magnetic substance 2; and (4) forming a second coil 6. More details on each step will now be provided.
First, as shown in FIG. 1A, a photoresist (layer) is applied to the prepared substrate 1 by a predetermined thickness, and first plating frames 7 have a plurality of grooves 7a formed through an exposing and a developing process. Then, by using an electroplating method, the grooves 7a of the plating frames 7 are filled with metals to form wires, and the plating frames 7 are removed. Here, before coating the substrate 1 with the photoresist, a seed film for plating is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first coil 5 is formed on the substrate 1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 1C, the first insulating film 3 is formed on the substrate 1 having the first coil 5 formed thereon. And, a soft magnetic film is layered on the first insulating film 3, and the magnetic substance 2 is formed, as shown in FIG. 1D, through the patterning and etching processes.
Later, the second insulating film 4 is formed on the magnetic substance 2 (please refer to FIG. 1E), and second plating frames 8 for forming the second coil 6 are formed on the second insulating film 4 as shown in FIGS. 1F and 1G. In detail, the through-holes 9 and 9′ communicate with both ends of the first coil and are formed on the second insulating film 4, and a seed layer (not shown) is formed thereon. Then, a photoresist (layer) is applied, and the second plating frames 8 are formed on the second insulating film 4, as shown in FIG. 1F, through the exposing and developing processes.
Once the second plating frames 8 are formed, metals are injected to the grooves 8a of the second plating frames 8 using the electroplating process, thereby forming a plurality of wires. Finally, the plating frames 8 are removed and the second coil 6 is formed.
A thusly fabricated magnetic field sensing device is illustrated in FIG. 1H.
Among others, the thickness of a layer formed during each fabrication process helps determine the small size of the magnetic field sensing device and the difficulty of the fabrication process. Also, it has a great impact on the degree of planarization of a substrate in every process, difficulty of the fabrication process, defective proportion, and performance of the magnetic field sensing device. However, in case of the conventional magnetic field sensing device, since the first coil 5 is protruded over the substrate 1, the insulating films 3 and 4 for use in insulation and planarization get thicker. This consequently puts impediments in the way of fabricating small-sized magnetic field sensing devices. Especially, since the magnetic substance 2 has a fixed thickness, a stepped portion should occur on the second insulating film 4. To prevent the stepped portion, manufacturers make the insulating films 3 and 4 even thicker.
However, if the thickness of the insulating films 3 and 4 is increased, not only the entire thickness of the device is also increased, but also the process (i.e., etching) for forming the through holes 9 and 9′ connecting the first coil 5 and the second coil 6 becomes very difficult, often resulting in a high inferiority rate.
Also, no matter how thick the second insulating film 4 may be coated, the upper surface of the second insulating film 4 cannot be planarized perfectly. The stepped portion causes a non-uniform distribution of exposure over the photoresist being deposited on the upper surface of the second insulating film 4. Ultimately, this increases the proportion of the second coil 6 that is defective.

Magnetic field sensing device and a fabricating method of the same


The present invention discloses a method for preparing tooth structure, such as dentin and enamel, for bonding with a composite material. The method includes the steps of creating a fluid stream laden with an abrasive material, such as aluminum oxide. The fluid stream is directed towards the tooth structure so that the abrasive material laden fluid stream impinges upon the tooth structure and roughens it for enhanced bonding with composite material.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental procedures and, more particularly, to a dental procedure for preparing tooth structure for bonding with composite material.
II. Description of the Prior Art
When decay is removed from tooth structure, such as dentin and enamel, the resulting cavity caused by the removal of the tooth decay must be filled in order to protect the tooth from further decay, infection and the like. Both amalgam and composites have been used to fill the cavity preparation performed by the dentist.
When amalgam is used to fill the cavity preparation performed by the dentist, the dentist typically undercuts the enamel thus forming a pocket in the tooth having a relatively small opening exposed to the exterior of the enamel . Amalgam is then forced into the pocket and is held in place by a mechanical retention with the tooth structure. Although amalgam has proven adequate in filling cavity preparations, it is cosmetically undesirable due to its silver or dark color.
There are, however, composites and other similar materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as composites or composite materials) which are of the same color as the tooth and are used to fill the cavity preparation performed by the dentist when removing the tooth decay. Since these composites are of the same color as the tooth, they are cosmetically more desirable than amalgam.
In order to prepare the tooth structure, i.e. the enamel and dentin and associated tooth material, an acid is typically used to etch the enamel to enhance the bond between the composite and the enamel. The dentin, however, should not be etched because of problems with pulpal insult from acid which can result in increased pulpal sensitivity and other complications.
Consequently, in order to protect the dentin from the acid etch, the dentin is first covered with a primer which not only protects the dentin from the acid during a subsequent enamel etch, but also removes the smear layer caused by the traditional rotary drill used by dentists.
After the dentin has been coated with the primer, an acid etch is then used to etch the enamel surrounding the opening in the tooth structure. FIG. 1 depicts such an acid etch at approximately 3500 magnification. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the acid etch in the enamel caused large crevices and peaks in the enamel.
After the acid etch, the acid is rinsed away with water and the tooth is dried. After drying, a bonding agent is applied to both the dentin as well as the etched enamel. The composite is then applied to the dentin and etched enamel on top of the bonding agent, cured with a light whereupon the composite restoration is completed.
There are, however, a number of disadvantages with this previously known process for cavity preparation for composites. One disadvantage is that the entire procedure for cavity preparation using a composite is a time consuming and relatively difficult procedure for the dentist.
A still further disadvantage of the previously known procedure is that it is very difficult, if not altogether impossible, for the dentist to apply the primer only to the dentin while leaving the enamel surrounding the cavity preparation exposed for the subsequent acid etch. This is particularly true since the dentin-enamel junction forms only a fine line oftentimes difficult for the dentist to see. Consequently, as a practical matter, the bonding is applied by the dentist not only to the dentin but also to portions of the enamel . Any primer applied to the enamel, however, will prevent the desired acid etch of the enamel and thus degrade the overall integrity of the bonding between the enamel and the composite.
A still further disadvantage of the previously known cavity preparation for composites is that the acid etch creates relatively deep crevices and high peaks in the area of the enamel which is etched as shown in FIG. 1.
While the deep crevices and high peaks of the enamel caused by the acid etch enhance the overall bond between the composite and the enamel, moisture from the rinse following the acid etch can become entrapped in the crevices. Any remaining moisture entrapped within the crevices of the acid etch from insufficient drying weakens the bond between the composite and the enamel.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known cavity preparations for composites is that the polymerization process of the composite places varying magnitudes of stress upon the bond between the dentin and the composite. Such stresses can result in increased sensitivity between the composite and the dentin, especially where gaps exist between the composite and the dentin. Such gaps can result in small movement of the composite when the patient chews or otherwise applies pressure to the composite which also results in increased sensitivity for the tooth.
A still further disadvantage of the previously known cavity preparation using acid etch on the enamel is that gaps frequency result between the composite and the enamel due to the large peaks and valleys in the enamel from the acid etch. These gaps increase the risk of microleakage which allows contaminants to infiltrate the gaps in the enamel and cause additional decay of the tooth from the microleakage.

Method for preparing tooth structure for bonding


A ramp for the physically challenged includes three different types of sectional portions: a slab disposed at the interface of a level surface such as a floor or earth ground; one or more ramp portions, each having a sloping upper surface, disposed adjacent to one another; and a switch platform having a level upper surface. Forms used to fabricate the three different types of sections are provided. A form for fabricating the sloping ramp portion includes a bulkhead, outer panels, and a set of inserts having varying height. The inserts are used to vary the resulting depth of the side panels of the concrete ramp portions. An upper surface of the bulkhead is sloped downwardly in a plane parallel to that of the upper surface of the concrete ramp portion. Apparatus is provided to elevate the front portion of the assembled form so as to place the upper surface of the bulkhead in a horizontal plane that is parallel to the plane of the level surface upon which the form rests.

This invention relates to precast concrete ramps, and more particularly to precast concrete ramps designed to aid the travel of the physically challenged, along with the forms used to fabricate such ramps.
In the prior art of ramps for the physically challenged, it is known to fabricate the ramps from materials such as timber, metal (e.g., aluminum) or poured concrete. These ramps are intended to aid the physically challenged in their travel either into or out of, or within buildings. The ramps remove architectural, physical and transportational barriers that prevent a business or public building from being accessible to, or usable by, individuals with physical disabilities.
The problems with prior-art ramps fabricated from such materials include the relatively high cost of installation of poured concrete ramps, along with the fact that such ramps are permanently installed, thus making their moving or retrofitting, if ever desired, difficult. Also, timber and metal ramps may deteriorate over time, necessitating their replacement. As these materials deteriorate, they may pose a hazard to travelers.
Regarding public buildings, the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") was signed into law on Jul. 26, 1990. Title III of the ADA (42 U.S.C. .sctn.12181 et seq.), regarding Public Accommodations (effective Jan. 26, 1992), requires existing buildings and new buildings to be constructed, to provide ramps for access by the physically challenged to/from or within public buildings. The ADA also specifies certain requirements for features of the ramps. For example, the slope of the ramps must not exceed a one-inch rise for every twelve inches of length. The width of the ramp shall not be less than forty-eight inches as measured at the inside of the railings. Also, each ramp shall have level platforms for turning and resting, which shall be forty-eight inches minimum on a side in clearance, and unobstructed by door swings, entrances, or other projections. Such platforms shall occur at intervals of sloping ramp sections not exceeding thirty-two feet, wherever a ramp changes direction, and at the top and bottom of the ramp.
Many buildings are currently not in compliance with the ADA. In choosing a ramp to meet the requirements of the ADA, factors to be considered include the cost and time of installation, the amount of site excavation required, the amount of disruption to the public and the entities conducting business within the buildings, and the permanence of such ramp structures.
In light of these factors, poured concrete ramps are undesirable. Poured concrete ramps are taken to mean those ramps fabricated by first assembling a form at the exact intended location of the ramp, mixing concrete and pouring it into the form, and then removing the form once the concrete has hardened. Also, timber and metal may be difficult to adapt to existing building designs, and also may be aesthetically unattractive. Further, in order for timber ramps to meet ADA requirements, they need continual maintenance. For example, depending upon the amount of usage, approximately every other year the surface of a timber ramp over which persons traverse must be either painted with a sand paint or the applied non-skid surface must be replaced.
It is known in the art to provide prefabricated concrete ramps. Such ramps are fabricated off-site and transported to the site for assembly. An example of these ramps are those provided by E-Z Ramp of Beverly, Mass. Such ramps have a concrete slab for travel thereupon. The slab is elevated off the ground and supported by vertically-oriented steel pipes which extend above the top surface of the slab to serve also as guardrails. However, the integrity of the interface between the concrete slab and the steel pipes of these ramps may deteriorate over time due to oxidation, thereby posing a hazard. Also, since the steep pipes are each supported by individual steel base plates, the ramp may be prone to instability (i.e., movement) due to, e.g., frost heaves.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved prefabricated (i.e., "precast") concrete ramp and a method and apparatus for making such ramp.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a precast concrete ramp that is easily installable with minimal disturbance to existing buildings and with little or no site excavation required.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a precast concrete ramp that is sectional in form, thereby allowing for easy adaptability to different overall ramp configurations and for removal and reuse, if desired.
It is still another general object of the present invention to provide a precast concrete ramp that is manufactured off-site using novel and efficient manufacturing forms and techniques.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated concrete ramp that provides for cost-effective compliance with the ADA, and is of low cost relative to poured concrete ramps.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a precast concrete ramp that is impervious to weather and will not rot or decay over time.
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Apparatus for fabricating precast concrete ramps


A protective automatic darkening filter (ADF) includes automatic power management capabilities. The ADF includes a power management control unit that controls power to the ADF based on whether or not the ADF is currently in use. In one embodiment, to determine whether the ADF is in use, the power management control unit includes a motion sensor that senses movement of the ADF and controls power to the ADF based on the sensed movement.

Automatic darkening liquid crystal protective shields, also known as automatic darkening filters, or ADFs, are often used for applications like welding where protection from intense levels of incident light is desired. A typical ADF includes electronic control circuitry, powered by a battery, which causes the filter to change from a light (clear or transparent) state when not subjected to the glare of the welding arc to a dark (nearly opaque) state upon exposure to such glare. This enables a welder to perform a welding operation and also perform tasks outside the welding area without removing the protective shield. The ADFs may be constructed from a combination of polarizing filters and layers of liquid crystal elements. Examples of such filters are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,097,451 and 5,825,441, both to Hornell and Palmer.

Automatic darkening filter with automatic power management