A surgical stapling apparatus includes an end effector and an electronics assembly, the end effector having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil and cartridge assemblies are positionable between an open position and a closed position to selectively grasp tissue therebetween. The electronics assembly is supported in the end effector and configured to determine a condition of the grasped tissue based on an amount of current in an electrical circuit defined by the anvil and cartridge assemblies.

Fasteners have traditionally been used to replace suturing when joining various body structures such as, for example, the bowel or bronchus. Surgical stapling apparatus employed to apply these fasteners are generally designed to simultaneously cut and seal tissue to reduce the time and risks involved with anastomosis procedures.
Circular surgical stapling apparatus are employed by surgeons to apply one or more surgical fasteners, e.g., staples or two-part fasteners, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together and/or for the creation of anastomoses. Circular surgical stapling apparatus generally include an annular fastener cartridge assembly that supports a plurality of annular rows of fasteners, an annular anvil assembly operatively associated with the fastener cartridge assembly which provides a surface against which the fasteners are formed upon a firing of the circular stapling apparatus, and an annular blade for cutting tissue.

Electrically-determining tissue cut with surgical stapling apparatus


A supercharged diesel engine is comprised an intake pipe, a diesel engine which is including an air cleaner and a cylinder which are installed both end of the intake pipe, respectively, a supercharger provided in the intake pipe and set to be driven by the diesel engine via clutch device, a bypass passage which is installed in the intake pipe in parallel with the supercharger, a bypass valve and a throttle device which are arranged on the bypass passage in series and the supercharger being supplied air in the case of that the bypass valve is opened and being rotated by the air.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a supercharged diesel engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a diesel engine is equipped with a turbocharger for improving the output power or torque of the diesel engine. In the turbocharger, since a compressor is of the centrifugal type, a pressure to be supplied to the engine will not increase while an output pressure of a turbine remains low. Thus, while the engine is in a low speed region, the power efficiency of the turbocharger is not good because it is difficult to increase output power or torque of the engine. Moreover the turbocharger has a characteristic turbo-lag so that it takes a long time for power to build up after depressing the accelerator if the car is equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine.
On the other hand, a supercharger is often equipped to a gasoline engine in order to increase its output power or torque instead of the turbocharger. The supercharger does not have the above problems.
In light of this, when the diesel engine is equipped with the supercharger, it is necessary to make the rotational speed amplification between an output shaft of the diesel engine and the supercharger larger than that between an output shaft of the gasoline engine and the supercharger.
In general, the output shaft of the diesel engine is connected to the supercharger via belt means and clutch means. The clutch means is held at its disengaged condition and engaged condition while the supercharger is in its rest condition and operation condition, respectively.
As the clutch means changes from the engaged condition to the disengaed condition, the differential rotational number across the clutch or the rotational number of the diesel engine relative to that of the supercharger becomes large. Therefore the load to the clutch means upon its engagement becomes so big that opposed friction surfaces of the clutch wear rapidly and a danger may occur that the supercharging of the engine becomes impossible.


A method and apparatus for controlling a machine. The method includes providing a control panel having a plurality of control switches and respectively associated illumination means, identifying by illumination which of the control switches are selectable for control at any given moment; and choosing an operation by selecting one of the control switches whose associated illumination means is illuminated. The apparatus includes a controller and software for controlling a machine. Control switches and associated illumination means are operatively connected to the controller. Selectable switches are identified by illumination of the illumination means associated with the selectable switches.

It is known to have control panels for the purpose of controlling machines, for example inserting devices. Generally, the size and complexity of a control panel for a particular machine depends on the number of functions performed by the machine and the level of sophistication of the control software.
For inserting machines, at one end of the spectrum is a so-called "console" inserter system which is a large inserter system usually customized to meet the needs of each customer and which requires sophisticated computer control. An example of this type of inserter system is the 8300 Series Inserter made by Pitney Bowes of Stamford, Conn. These inserters have a touch screen control panel for providing interactive control by an operator. Through the touch screen the control software provides the operator with status information and prompts which facilitate the set up and operation of such large inserters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,856 assigned to the assignee of the present invention describes such a sophisticated console inserter system.
At the other end of the spectrum are inserters having only basic mechanical control operated through switches or push buttons on a control panel. Generally, inserters having such a basic control panel are small in comparison to the console inserters described above. An example of these inserters are the 3340 Table Top Series Inserters made by Pitney Bowes of Stamford, Conn. These inserters do not include sophisticated control panels because the features and functions provided with these inserters have not required more than a few basic switches for controlling, for example, start, stop and pause functions.
Inserter technology has progressed to the point that computer controlled features and functions normally provided with console inserters will be included in the next generation of the smaller inserters, such as table top inserters. The addition of such features and functions to the smaller inserters requires more control switches on the control panel to operate the machine. This also means that the operator must be trained to handle such additional features and functions, such as knowing which switches to push and when to push them.
As the new generation inserters become more sophisticated, the operation, setup and control becomes more complex. Although control software in the inserter provides the automated control and operation, proper operator interaction with the inserter software through the control panel is critical to the operation of the inserter. In addition, proper operator control is essential when the inserter operation is interrupted for various reasons, such as to correct problems which occur in the machine.
Some control switches may be used infrequently, such as set up switches, which may be used to set up the machine for a job that may run the entire day. Typically, an operator will resort to using an operation manual in performing set up of the inserter and other modes of operation requiring operator interaction.
Thus a problem has developed on how to make sophisticated small inserters more user friendly to the operator. Replacing the control switches with a touch screen control panel, such as found in the console inserters, is not a viable solution for the small inserters in a competitive market because it would be too costly.


Described herein are exemplary storage network architectures and methods for diagnosing a path in a storage network. Devices and nodes in the storage network have ports. Port metrics for the ports may be ascertained and used to detect link problems in paths. In an exemplary described implementation, the following actions are effectuated in a storage network: ascertaining one or more port metrics for at least one device at a first time; ascertaining the one or more port metrics for the at least one device at a second time; analyzing the one or more port metrics from the first and second times; and determining if the analysis indicates a link problem in a path of the storage network.

Effective collection, management, and control of information have become a central component of modern business processes. To this end, many businesses, both large and small, now implement computer-based information management systems.
Data management is an important component of computer-based information management systems. Many users now implement storage networks to manage data operations in computer-based information management systems. Storage networks have evolved in computing power and complexity to provide highly reliable, managed storage solutions that may be distributed across a wide geographic area.
As the size and complexity of storage networks increase, it becomes desirable to provide management tools that enable an administrator or other personnel to manage the operations of the storage network. One aspect of managing a storage network includes the monitoring and diagnosis of the health of communication paths in the storage network.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Hierarchies are navigated easily through a user interface that is continuous in its presentation of node information and may be implemented using a small display space.

This invention relates to a user interface for navigating a set of information arranged hierarchically, even a very large set.
In a typical hierarchy or xe2x80x9ctreexe2x80x9d of nodes, each xe2x80x9cnodexe2x80x9d is connected to zero or more xe2x80x9cchildxe2x80x9d nodes and to one xe2x80x9cparentxe2x80x9d node, except for one xe2x80x9crootxe2x80x9d node which has no parent.
Hierarchies are common in data processing. Often a hierarchy provides a clear way to organize a large amount of information so that a user can find a particular piece of information. Generally, a user xe2x80x9cnavigatesxe2x80x9d a tree by iteratively viewing descriptions of a selected node""s neighboring nodes and selecting one of the neighbors until the sought information is found.
A user navigates the Windows file system hierarchy, for example, by iteratively viewing a directoryxe2x80x94the file names and subdirectory names are these neighbors"" xe2x80x9cdescriptionsxe2x80x9dxe2x80x94then selecting a neighboring directory to view, until the sought file is found. Windows offers multiple user interfaces for the viewing/selection process: a file-selection dialog in applications; successive directory views starting with xe2x80x9cMy Computerxe2x80x9d; a xe2x80x9ctree viewxe2x80x9d in Windows Explorer; and even a command line shell which permits displaying and changing the xe2x80x9ccurrentxe2x80x9d directory.
Other, richer user interfaces for presenting and navigating hierarchies have been proposed. Some, such as xe2x80x9ccone treesxe2x80x9d, attempt to represent much of a hierarchy using 3D effects to convey relationships on a crowded display. Several use xe2x80x9cfocus+contextxe2x80x9d techniques; that is, the portion of the hierarchy upon which the user is currently focused, such as a current directory, is presented in full, and portions further from this focus are presented with progressively less detail. This can be achieved by wrapping a 2D representation of the tree about a curved surface and shading parts of the view away from the focus (these two techniques create a xe2x80x9cfish-eye lensxe2x80x9d effect), by fractal techniques, or by nesting boxes so that rectangles representing child nodes fill the rectangle representing the parent (xe2x80x9ctree-mapsxe2x80x9d). Some techniques depict the nodes as objects in a 3D landscape, with more distant nodes appearing smaller.
As for navigation, a theme which is common from xe2x80x9ctree viewxe2x80x9d to xe2x80x9ctree-mapsxe2x80x9d is to detect user input selecting a node (as by a mouse click xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d the node) and redraw the view of the hierarchy with the selected node as the new xe2x80x9cfocusxe2x80x9d. A few user interfaces portray the change in views with an animated sequence of intermediate views to suggest an object-like persistence. Some user interfaces, e.g. the 3D landscapes, allow a mode of navigation where the hierarchy view changes continuously, suggesting flight over the landscape.
Hierarchically organized information is ubiquitous. Computer file systems, dictionaries, indexes, tables of contents, and XML documents are hierarchical. The functions available in some applications are organized hierarchically in menus. On the web, many portals and retail sites are organized hierarchically. Web sites are not constrained to be hierarchical, but, again, hierarchy is a clear way to organize large amounts of information.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features identifying a hierarchy position in a space defined by a hierarchy of nodes. The space has at least two dimensions. Each node is uniquely identifiable within the space by values in the respective dimensions, including a node level identifying the node""s hierarchy level and a node-in-level identifying the node uniquely among nodes in that level. The hierarchy position is identified by position values in the same dimensions. Position values need not correspond to actual node level or node-in-level values.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features.
The position values may include depth value and position-within-level values both in the form of non-integral numbers. The position-within-level value may include a node-in-level value identifying one node plus a floating-point number representing an offset of the position from that node. The hierarchy position may be used to identify a focus of a user""s view of the hierarchy.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features displaying representations of nodes of a hierarchy in a space on a display, each node representation fully occupying a subspace within the space, and allocating the space entirely to the subspaces.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The nodes are organized in levels in the hierarchy and the space is allocated among the levels so that one level is fully represented in a dimension of the display that corresponds to changing levels. The levels of the hierarchy above and below the one level are at least partially represented. Each of the levels is represented as a band in the space. Nodes represented in one band have a parent-child relationship with nodes represented in an adjacent band. Within a band, space is allocated so that the subspace of a parent has the same dimension along the band as the sum of the dimensions of its children along the adjacent band.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features rendering a container associated with the node and a representation of information associated with the node. The container has dimensions that change with an amount of space dynamically allocated to the node based on a changing focus in the hierarchy. The representation has unchanging dimensions. The container and the representation are drawn on a display. When the focus changes, the container is re-rendered with updated dimensions and drawn on the display. Without re-rendering, the rendered representation is recopied to a new location.
In implementations of the invention, the drawn container indicates the node""s position in the hierarchy and its relationship to nearby nodes, and the representation includes graphics or text or both.
In general, in another aspect, information is received indicating a displacement of a user input device within a two-dimensional frame of reference. Displacement in at least one of the dimensions is translated to a rate of change of a hierarchy position used to identify a focus of a user""s view of the hierarchy.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features displaying a representation of a portion of a hierarchy of nodes to a user. Each node may have associated an action to be performed by an application, the action being other than navigation of the hierarchy. A user navigates in the displayed representation of the portion of the hierarchy by using a first type of action. The user triggers the action associated with a displayed node of the hierarchy by invoking the node using a second type of action.
In implementations of the invention, the first type of action may be dragging and the second type of action may be clicking.
In general, in another aspect of the invention an emulation of a return-to-center input device enables a user to navigate the hierarchy. The user manipulates a non-return-to-center input device to indicate an intended manipulation of the emulation for purposes of navigating the hierarchy. The user""s manipulation is treated as a manipulation of the return-to-center input device.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The non-return-to-center input device is a computer mouse, trackball, or pad. The return-to-center input device is a joystick. The emulation includes rendering the device on a display. The response to the user manipulation is to change a focus position in the hierarchy. The focus position is changed by periodically adding a focus increment vector to a focus position, the focus increment vector being a function of the vector by which the emulated controller is displaced from its center or rest position. The user manipulates the non-return-to-center controller in a single dragging action to view an arbitrarily large hierarchy of nodes. The function is nonlinear to permit the user to vary navigation velocity over a wide two-dimensional range.
In another aspect, the invention features displaying information at a client about a portion of a hierarchy of nodes including a node at the top of a sub-hierarchy of the hierarchy. As a user""s navigation causes sub-hierarchies to approach view in the displayed information, information about the sub-hierarchy that is approaching view is fetched from a server.
In another aspect, a request is received at a server from a client for a hierarchy definition. In response, the client is provided a portion but not all of the hierarchy definition, the portion referencing other portions of the hierarchy.
In implementations of the invention, the size of the portion to be provided to the client may be determined adaptively based on parameters for optimizing communication between the server and the client. The server may automatically build a hierarchy definition portion that is as near as possible in size to a given minimum portion size. The server may generate references to sub-hierarchies and include them with definitions of nodes of the portion provided.
In another aspect, a web page includes an area that provides a navigational interface to permit continuous navigation of a hierarchy of nodes of, e.g., links to other web pages.
In another aspect, a user interface includes a device that permits continuous navigation for selecting from a hierarchy.
In implementations, the hierarchy may include a function menu, a file system, an XML document, an index constructed from a document, list, or table, an encoded hierarchy, the Dewey Decimal System, categorized products, postal addresses or other location by geographic region, a character set to be selected for text entry, or a corpus which is not hierarchical in its native form and upon which hierarchy has been imposed using a similarity-seeking technology.
Among the advantages of the invention may be one or more of the following.
An indefinitely large hierarchy may be navigated. The interface permits fast navigation of the hierarchy.
The interface reduces the cognitive load to the user in at least the following ways.
The user is offered a simple metaphor of the hierarchy as a continuous plane, the view of which can only change smoothly as the user navigates. The user is spared abrupt, jarring (to novices, frightening) changes in view by allowing direct control over rate of change of focus, so that the view of the hierarchy changes smoothly over time. Any effects of such discontinuities in the view as are necessary are minimized by being split into smaller discontinuities distributed over time. The nodes in a level do not appear full blown all at once, but appear first as small outlines, with detail arriving at different times for different nodes.
The user is not burdened with separate controls for scrolling, for rotation, or for zoomingxe2x80x94all navigation is done with one intuitive control with a simple physical metaphor. The single control functionally replaces, for instance, the four scroll buttons, two sliders, and numerous buttons labeled xe2x80x9c+xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cxe2x88x92xe2x80x9d in Windows xe2x80x9cTreeViewxe2x80x9d. The interface in this way reduces repetitive hand and eye movements as well as cognitive demands.
The relationship between parent and child nodes is made apparent to first-time users by depicting parent nodes as containing the children instead of by drawing ambiguous connecting lines.
The interface is frugal with respect to available computer display xe2x80x9creal estatexe2x80x9d. Space is allocated extremely efficiently, freeing most of a typical computer display for other tasks.
The interface requires only a small implementation size. The algorithms for hierarchy rendering can be realized in compact code for low memory use and fast delivery over a network.
The interface is frugal with respect to hierarchy-loading bandwidth. Hierarchy informationxe2x80x94which can be of indefinite sizexe2x80x94is transferred in small portions on demand as the user xe2x80x9capproachesxe2x80x9d them. A user can navigate all levels of a huge hierarchy, acquiring a sense of its size, having caused only a small fraction of the hierarchy information to be loaded.
The interface is especially useful in xe2x80x9cWorld-Wide Webxe2x80x9d applications. Novice users distracted by advertisements have a lower capacity for new metaphors and surprising changes of view. The interface accommodates the user""s expectation that web navigation is to be effected with a small xe2x80x9cnavigation framexe2x80x9d on the left. The code implementing the user-interface for the web is compact enough to be downloaded with a page (as an applet) which accommodates the user""s resistance to installing xe2x80x9cplug-insxe2x80x9d. The web surfer need not wait for the information describing a huge hierarchy to be loaded over a slow network.
Each node can have a distinct text and/or graphical representation. Associated with each node can be an apparent way to execute a distinct action apart from navigation when the node is selected.
The hierarchical structure, text and/or graphical representation of each node, and action associated with each node, are defined in human readable formats. This hierarchy definition may be requested and delivered incrementally and on demand. The delivery is a special case of xe2x80x9cstreamingxe2x80x9d data in which the data are dispersed in two dimensions and the order in which the data are required cannot be predicted with confidence.
Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.

Navigating heirarchically organized information


The invention relates to a fastening element (1) with a cylindrical casing (2) comprising an internal thread (20), which at one of its outside ends has at least one support element (4) projecting over the casing (2) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis (3), and at an end region (23) of the casing (2) opposite the support element (4) at least two expanding elements (29) which project over the latter in longitudinal direction and are deformable in radial direction are arranged, and the support element (4) and the casing (2) with the expanding elements (29) are made of a one-piece metal component, whereby at least one securing extension (7) is arranged on the support element (4) and the expanding elements (29) converge in the direction of a length and outside faces (28) of the expanding elements (29) opposite the support element (4) are arranged at an angle to one another.

A fastening element with a cylindrical casing comprising an internal thread and provided with expanding elements is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,245. Said fastening element which is insertable into the bore of a component also comprises flange-like extensions at its end opposite the expanding elements, which provide support in axial direction. In order to secure the fastening element by means of the expanding elements which are deformable in radial direction by turning a screw, an expensive bore is required which is countersunk from the rear of the component receiving the fastening element. Because of this the use of the fastening element in a so-called blind bore is not possible.
In addition, an expanding plug is known from DE-OS-30 05 437 which is cylindrical in form and has expanding elements at the end insertable into a bore, which are deformed in the direction of the longitudinal middle axis and expanded on inserting a specially formed expanding element and pressed against the bore walls in the prepared bore and thus secure the expanding sleeve. The disadvantage here is that for use as a fastening element an expanding element coordinating with the expanding plug that can be driven into the latter is required, and for adequate securing very high axial impact forces are necessary.
Furthermore, the expanding plug does not have any cutting extensions penetrating into the surrounding material, which means that sufficiently high holding forces cannot be obtained in the bore. As in addition there is no thread on the inner wall of the expanding plug and the expanding element has a smooth surface, it is possible that the expanding element will detach itself from the expanding plug in adverse conditions, and in this way the fastening cannot be maintained.
Furthermore, a fastening element or bolt anchor is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,396,569 A which describes a metal blank or formed metal part comprising expanding elements. The expanding elements are connected by a strip-like flange, which has the same alignment as the expanding elements, whereby the said strip-like flange permits the rolling up of the metal section and thus an approximately cylindrical component is produced. The bolt anchor or the fastening element comprises thread-like elevations projecting over the outer casing, by means of which a securing of the bolt anchor is permitted in a bore surrounding the latter. The disadvantage of this design of fastening element is that it is not formed as a self-contained component and the fastening element can thus expand undesirably on inserting a bolt, or the inside diameter can increase unintentionally. Because of this undesired expansion of the fastening element the securing of a bolt inserted into the fastening element is influenced negatively and in an extreme case the connection of the bolt in the fastening element can become detached. Furthermore, the elevations arranged on the exterior of the expanding elements are not formed as cutting edges so that penetration into the material surrounding the fastening element is prevented, and thus there cannot be a form-closed fastening of the fastening element into the bore hole.


A multiprocessor system in which a single operating system is controlled by a number of central processing units. The system allows the expansion of its virtual memory without major modifications the operating system. The system utilizes two virtual memories, one with a larger memory capacity than the other. Each memory is controlled by a space control section, which, in turn, is connected to an associated central processing unit. A first program is executed by both space control sections, while a second program is operated by only one of the space control sections. The second program is stored in the second virtual memory, in an area of the second virtual memory not overlapping the area of the first virtual memory.

The present invention relates to a multiprocessor system controlled by a single operating system (OS) and having a plurality of central processor units (CPU's) and, more particularly, to a multiprocessor system permitting expansion of the virtual memory capacity of the system without significantly affecting the OS thereof.
Generally, irrespective of which one of plural CPU's executes the OS, it is necessary for the OS to be able to refer to every area in itself and in the user program.
Because of this need, in this kind of prior art multiprocessor system, every CPU has a virtual memory of the same capacity. Thus, every CPU has a common number of bits indicating an address, and the address section of a command and the area in which to store the address are as large as that number of bits.
Such a technique has been described in a manual entitled "OS/VS2 System Logic Library, Volumes 2 and 4" pp. 2-255 to 2-280 and 4-115 to 4-117.6, published in October 1979 by International Business Machines Corporation, and the gazette of the U.K. Patent No. 1509393.
Meanwhile, the size of an executable program is limited by that of the virtual memory. Therefore, to execute a larger program, the virtual memory capacity has to be expanded.
To expand the virtual memory capacity to satisfy this requirement, the number of bits for an address can be increased sufficiently for the OS to be able to refer to the whole expanded virtual memory. However, addresses in the address sections of commands and the address storage area would have to be revised to reflect the increased number of bits. Therefore, there is the disadvantage that, if this method is used, the hardware structure of each CPU will have to be altered so that the expanded virtual memory can be processed. Moreover, there is another disadvantage that the OS itself has to be modified to a major extent because the address section of the command and the address storing area are expanded to the same number of bits.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, to obviate the aforementioned disadvantages and provide a multiprocessor system whose virtual memory capacity can be expanded without entailing major modification of the OS.

Multiprocessor system sharing expandable virtual memory and common operating system


A computer implemented method and system for preparing a description of an electromagnetic scattering net approximating an actual scattering net for analyzing effect on sensor imagery is comprised of: (1) inputting a basic tent configuration comprising a number of tent poles, spacing of tent poles, a covering net, an amount of net sag, and plurality of locations of ground anchor points, representing the design variables selected by an operator from which a net can be modeled; (2) dividing the overall net shape into a plurality of large facets that describe the overall shape conforming to the basic net configuration; (3) subdividing each large facet into a plurality of small facets in accordance with the input number of small facets per large facets chosen so that the small facets correspond in wavelength to the scattering of an actual scattering net; (5) rotating each small facet to achieve an approximation of the signature reduction of an actual scattering net; and (6) outputting a description of rotated small facets. The invention supports the application of CAD and sensor/seeker simulation methods and tools to the evaluation of the effectiveness of a variety of radar scattering net design and employment practices. It supports the capability to produce radar imagery or signal predictions which include the effects of radar scattering net treatment. The resulting predicted imagery or signals may be used to support mission planning and rehearsal, imagery analyst training, weapon system operator training, weapon seeker algorithm development, and automatic target cueing and recognition algorithm development.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of testing via simulation an electromagnetic radiation (including radar) scattering design of passive netting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Radar scattering nets are used as a signature denial/reduction treatment to reduce the detectability/observability of high value assets to exploitation by reconnaissance, target acquisition, and weapon guidance seekers employing imaging and non-imaging radar wavelength sensor technologies. This class of treatment is used by friendly forces to protect vehicles, activities, and structures from enemy threat systems and by enemy forces as a countermeasure to sensors and weapons. This invention supports the application of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and sensor/seeker simulation methods and tools to the evaluation of the effectiveness of a variety of radar scattering net design and employment practices. It supports the capability to produce radar imagery or signal predictions which include the effects of radar scattering net treatment. The resulting predicted imagery or signals may be used to support mission planning and rehearsal, imagery analyst training, weapon system operator training, weapon seeker algorithm development, and automatic target cueing and recognition algorithm development.
Radar scattering nets typically include a netting of strong weather-resistant fiber, such as nylon. This netting provides strength and a substrate onto which the signature denial/reduction treatments can be added. Examples of such treatment include infrared reflection/emission, colors chosen to match the surroundings, radar absorbing materials, and radar reflecting/scattering materials. With respect to the radar reflecting materials, the radar scattering nets are generally configured to reflect the energy in a uniform direction. Passive devices such as radar scattering nets may be approached by a mobile radar from any aspect. Consequently, the objective is to scatter the energy in a more random fashion to both mimic terrain and to disguise the radar returns characteristic of vehicles or other targets stored beneath the nets.
Prior to this invention, when designing radar scattering nets actual radar scattering nets had to be deployed over actual (or surrogate) vehicles or other items during field trials. Actual sensors and/or seekers would have to be employed to gather representative imagery or signals. Different types of nets would have to be procured and employed to include the effects of different nets designs. Sensor employment geometry's would have to varied over a very large range of angles and in very fine increments to ensure accurately capturing the sensitivity of target signature to small changes in sensor paintings. Prior practice is very expensive, time consuming, and cumbersome.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


A refractory composition including refractory aggregate, one or more matrix components, and silicate-coated set accelerator particles. The silicate-coated set accelerator particles can include one more of silicate-coated calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and calcium sulfate. Suitable silicate coatings include sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate and mixtures thereof. A method of recovering an aged refractory composition, a settable composition and a method of manufacturing silicate-coated calcium hydroxide particles are also provided.

Monolithic refractory compositions are used for a variety of purposes such as lining or repairing furnaces and kilns, as well as for casting various shapes. In some cases, a monolithic refractory composition is manufactured in a dry state and then mixed with water and/or other liquids or solvents to produce a mixture similar in consistency to concrete. This aqueous or non-aqueous mixture can then be delivered to a structure, surface, or mold form via methods including, but not limited to, pumping, casting, or shotcreting. In another example, the monolithic refractory material can be pneumatically conveyed to a location adjacent to a structure, mixed with water or other liquid, and be delivered to the surface of a structure via a nozzle system. After mixing with water and/or other liquids or solvents the monolithic refractory mixture will set, or harden, after a period of time.
A known issue with refractory compositions is the change in hardening characteristics as they age. A fresh composition performs differently than one that is several weeks or months old. Typically, the reactivity of the composition will decrease with age, causing initial set times to become long and unpredictable. Even when stored under ideal conditions, moisture will react with fine components in the composition (e.g., fume silica, calcium aluminate cements, dispersant systems, etc.), resulting in delayed hardening times. The effects of aging are also difficult to predict. While the initial set times of two identical refractory compositions will be very similar at the time of manufacture, their set times can vary considerably as the compositions age.
In some instances a refractory composition only a few months old may not set (i.e., harden) within an acceptable period of time. While the addition of a set accelerator such as sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphates, lithium carbonate or sodium aluminate may allow the aged composition to harden, the effect of adding a set accelerator to an aged refractory composition is difficult to predict. Even the addition of a small amount of a set accelerator such as calcium hydroxide can cause the composition to begin set too quickly, resulting in a working time (the amount of time the hydrated composition can be moved into place before it gels or thickens too much) that is unacceptably short.
While a variety of devices and techniques may exist for providing refractory compositions that have adequate and consistent set times, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors have made or used an invention as described herein.


A truck with one or more storage compartments in the bed adjacent the side panels and in which a hinged panel in the side panel or fender allows access to a storage compartment. The side panels maintain the appearance of a conventional pickup truck without storage compartments.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/803,420, filed Mar. 9 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,795, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/426,981, filed Oct. 26, 1999 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/896,392, filed Jul. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,973, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/685,678, filed Jul. 24, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/506,893, filed Jul. 26, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,000.
Pickup trucks have long been a means for transporting and/or storing tools, materials, etc. for various trades, such as plumbing, electrical, construction, repair, etc. While conventional tool boxes, which generally extend across the pickup bed, are a convenient tool storage approach, such take up a great deal of space and thus reduce the carrying capacity. Also, the conventional pickup beds have been removed and replaced with utility type beds of various types, such as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,773 issued Dec. 7, 1993 to G. Kalis, Jr. et al. In addition, the pickup truck body and/or beds have been modified to provide storage/utility space, such as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,430 issued Apr. 17, 1990 to M. A. Lawrence.
While these prior storage/utility arrangements have been satisfactory for their intended purpose, such are an attraction for theft as well as having an appearance of a utility bed. Thus, there has been a need for a storage/utility system for pickup truck beds which does not alter the bed's external appearance or significantly reduce the interior size of the bed, thereby reducing the tool theft problem while providing space for hidden storage without significant reduction of the bed's carrying capacity.
This need has been filled by the present invention which involves the conversion of a conventional pickup truck bed into a storage/utility bed without altering the external appearance of the bed and without significant reduction in the carrying capacity thereof. This is accomplished by providing storage adjacent the wheel well area, and along the length of the bed, and providing the fender/side panel of the bed with a hinge and latch arrangement whereby the fender/side panel can be raised to expose the storage area, or closed and latched to conceal the storage area. Thus, the pickup can be used for pleasure or work without the appearance of its storage/utility capability, and can be parked in areas where theft would likely occur from conventional tool boxes or utility


A method for assessing muscle damage in a biological sample obtained from a subject is disclosed. The method involves obtaining a biological sample from a subject being assessed for muscle damage, and evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of a myofilament protein modification product. The method can also be used to assess the extent and/or type of muscle damage in a subject by studying the profile of myofilament protein modification products detected in the sample taken from the subject. The invention further provides a method for screening for an agent which modulates the level of a myofilament protein modification product present in a biological sample or for a calcium sensitizing agent. The invention is applicable to cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle.

When circulation of blood, and therefore oxygen, to muscle is interrupted (ischemia), the ability of the muscle to contract is impaired. Even if circulation is restored (e.g., by reperfusion), muscle function can remain depressed. In certain types of muscle, such as cardiac muscle, the effects of ischemia can have severe consequences, and inadequate circulation of blood to the heart is one of the most important causes of morbidity in developed countries. Clinically, ischemia and reperfusion injury manifest as a spectrum. In its mildest form, ischemia is transient, reperfusion is established quickly and the reduced contractility of the muscle tissue is temporary and reversible. However, longer and more severe ischemia produces irreversible damage and cellular necrosis.
The functions of myofilament specific proteins, such as troponin I and troponin T (members of the regulatory complex), myosin light chain 1 (MLC1), and α-actinin are affected during hypoxemia (i.e., reduced delivery of oxygen due to a reduced partial pressure and/or arterial content of oxygen), ischemia, and/or ischemia/reperfusion injury. These changes affect contraction of muscle by apparently altering the interaction of troponin I, troponin T, myosin light chain 1, and α-actinin with other proteins critical for normal muscle contraction.
Troponin I is a key component of the troponin regulatory complex which directly controls striated (cardiac and skeletal) muscle contraction and relaxation. Troponin T is also part of the troponin complex and is involved in assembly of troponin-tropomyosin on the actin filament. α-actinin is a cytoskeletal protein, the main component of the Z lines. Traditionally α-actinin was believed to keep the actin filaments aligned. However, the large changes in conformation of Z lines during the cross bridge cycle suggest that α-actinin has a dynamic role during muscle contraction. Myosin light chain 1 is an integral part of the myosin myofibril. Myosin light chain 1 is found in slow and fast skeletal and atrial and ventricular cardiac muscles.
To date, the underlying molecular changes responsible for the reduced contractility of injured muscles resulting from hypoxemia, hypoxemia, ischemia, and reperfusion are not known. As a result, early diagnosis of the above-mentioned states and assessment of the extent of muscle damage in a subject, particularly the difference between reversible and irreversible muscle damage, has not been possible. The current serum diagnostic indicators used in diagnosing myocardial infarction (e.g., anti-troponin I, anti-troponin T and anti-creatine kinase MB antibodies by Spectral Diagnostics Inc., Toronto, Canada; anti-troponin T, anti-MLC1 antibodies by Baxter Inc., Chicago, Ill.; and anti-troponin I antibody by Baxter Inc.) are indicators of myocardial necrosis (irreversible damage) since they detect proteins which are released from the heart myocyte following the loss of cellular membrane integrity. These indicators provide no information as to the extent or type of myocardial damage, or the molecular nature of which would clearly benefit the art. To date there are no commercially-available serum or urine markers for skeletal muscle damage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A trans-apical implant includes a spacer defining spacer cavity configured to be expanded from a retracted position, a shaft extending from the spacer, the shaft defining an inflation lumen fluidly coupled to the spacer cavity and configured to be fluidly coupled to an expansion medium source, and a spacer valve assembly disposed within at least one of the spacer or shaft, the spacer valve assembly configured to allow selectively allow an expansion medium to flow into the spacer cavity to be selectively expand the spacer from a retracted position to an expanded position.

A human heart has four chambers, the left and right atrium and the left and right ventricles. The chambers of the heart alternately expand and contract to pump blood through the vessels of the body. The cycle of the heart includes the simultaneous contraction of the left and right atria, passing blood from the atria to the left and right ventricles. The left and right ventricles then simultaneously contract forcing blood from the heart and through the vessels of the body. In addition to the four chambers, the heart also includes a check valve at the upstream end of each chamber to ensure that blood flows in the correct direction through the body as the heart chambers expand and contract. These valves may become damaged, or otherwise fail to function properly, resulting in their inability to properly close when the downstream chamber contracts. Failure of the valves to properly close may allow blood to flow backward through the valve resulting in decreased blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Mitral regurgitation is a common variety of heart valve dysfunction or insufficiency. Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve separating the left coronary atrium and the left ventricle fails to properly close. As a result, upon contraction of the left ventricle blood may leak or flow from the left ventricle back into the left atrium, rather than being forced through the aorta. Any disorder that weakens or damages the mitral valve can prevent it from closing properly, thereby causing leakage or regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation is considered to be chronic when the condition persists rather than occurring for only a short period of time.
Regardless of the cause, mitral regurgitation may result in a decrease in blood flow through the body (cardiac output). Correction of mitral regurgitation typically requires surgical intervention. Surgical valve repair or replacement is carried out as an open heart procedure. The repair or replacement surgery may last in the range of about three to five hours, and is carried out with the patient under general anesthesia. The nature of the surgical procedure requires the patient to be placed on a heart-lung machine. Because of the severity/complexity/danger associated with open heart surgical procedures, corrective surgery for mitral regurgitation is typically not recommended until the patient's ejection fraction drops below 60% and/or the left ventricle is larger than 45 mm at rest.
In some instances, patients who are suffering from mitral regurgitation are also in need of an aortic valve replacement. Studies have shown, for example, that about 30% of patients who are in need of an aortic valve replacement also have moderate to sever mitral regurgitation. Typically, these patients only receive an aortic valve replacement, and the mitral regurgitation is not treated. One method of aortic valve replacement includes trans-apical aortic valve. A trans-apical aortic valve replacement may be delivered via a trans-apical approach which utilizes a short incision (e.g., 3-4 inch long) between two ribs to gain access to the apex of the left ventricle. This is sometimes referred to as a "mini-thoracotomy," and is much less invasive than the traditional method of getting access to the heart; a median sternotomy which involves cracking the sternal bone in the middle and spreading the chest wide open.
Another common heart condition includes coronary artery disease which may be treated by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery via a mini-thorcotomy. Sometimes such patients can also benefit from concomitant mitral repair. In fact, sometimes the patient has mitral regurgitation because of the coronary blockage, and CABG alone is not enough to treat the mitral regurgitation.
Accordingly, there exists a need to treat mitral regurgitation, particularly using a trans-apical approach.

Trans-apical implant systems, implants and methods


A system for tracking elements employing fixed tags that are permanently attached internally or externally to elements. The tags include radio-frequency (RF) communication units that have wireless communication with RF communicators. The wireless communications between the RF tags and the RF communicators operate with a tag communication protocol that defines the operations and sequences for storing information into and retrieval of information from tags. Each communicator has a processor for controlling a security routine with the tag. Each tag has a tag memory having storage locations for storing security information, a controller for accessing the tag memory to access security information in response to the security routine and an I/O unit for electronic communication with the controller and for RF communication with the communicator.

Management systems are well known for managing supply chains. Such management systems track elements from an initial stage, through intermediate stages (work-in-process stages), to a final stage. In manufacturing supply chain processes, the initial stage can be raw material, work-in-process can be assembly and the final stage can be finished goods. Warehouses to store raw material, semi-finished goods and/or finally finished goods are required at each stage of the process. Typically one or more suppliers provide manufacturing, warehouse and/or other services for processing and storing materials, semi-finished goods or other elements in a manufacturing processing chain from the initial stage, through the work-in-process stages to the final stage.
In a semiconductor industry example, the processing chain commences with wafers as initial elements and continues the processing over multiple work-in-process stages where the elements become dies that are assembled, tested and packaged to form devices at the final stage. In this example, the finished goods are tested chips that are packaged in single or multi-chip packages as the semiconductor devices. There can be one or more outside suppliers involved in this processing chain ("Out-sourcing") or only internal departments providing all functions ("In-sourcing") or a mixed use of the In-sourcing and the Out-sourcing. The completed semiconductor devices are ready to function as components in electronic equipment such as computers, cell phones or consumer electronic products. The semiconductor devices will enter another down-stream manufacturing chain where the components (initial stage) are sold to one or more buyers such as distributors, electronic equipment manufacturing service (EMS) companies or directly to the electronic equipment companies for assembly (work-in-process stage) and the final equipment will be produced (final stage). Frequently though, after an initial processing chain, one or more additional processing chains are required. For the same example, in the manufacturing of electronic equipment, semiconductor devices from a first processing chain are further processed in an electronic circuit board chain for forming circuit boards. Still again, after a second chain, third and additional processing chains may occur. For example, one or more electronic circuit boards are processed to form final electronic equipment such as a cell phone, computer or television.
Complex supply chain environments, such as in the semiconductor industry, present a number of difficulties. One difficulty results when multiple suppliers and buyers are participants in the processing chain (s), and each participant, whether buyer or supplier, tends to use different parameters, terminology, terms, conditions, formats, protocols and other information unique to the particular participant. These differences among participants result in information accuracy and exchange problems. Other problems occur when data is manually entered or otherwise processed by people. Human operations frequently cause data errors. Reports based upon human operations invariably have errors. Also, when information is stored and retrieved using remote data bases, the retrieval of data is often troublesome, inaccurate or not timely.
The information accuracy and exchange problems are aggravated when materials, goods, services and other elements from one stage are processed at downstream stages. Both upstream and downstream stages may be In-sourcing stages at one company or Out-sourcing stages existing with relationships among multiple buyers and suppliers. Regardless of whether In-sourcing or Out-sourcing occurs; visibility across the supply chain is required for efficient and economical supply chain management. For visibility to occur, the interrelationship among upstream and down stream stages requires an exchange of accurate, consistent and timely information.
The problems associated with the proliferation of different terminology, specifications, information exchange formats and protocols by participants in supply chains are well known. While a dominating buyer or a dominating supplier can demand conformance for its own business, the semiconductor manufacturing industry as a whole remains widely fragmented without much progress toward standardization. Although semiconductor industry efforts at standardization have occurred, for example Rosettanet, fragmentation is likely to exist for many years to come. Fragmentation exists, of course, in many other industries.
Management of the supply chain at the highest level relies upon, among other information, identity information for elements in all the stages of the supply chain. This identity information is used by companies including buyers and suppliers participating in the supply chain. In semiconductor manufacturing, the identity information has, in general, been limited to a wafer identifier (Wafer ID) for an individual wafer and a lot identifier (Lot ID) for an individual lot (a plurality of wafers). The identity information during work-in-process stages, as a result of manufacturing steps, often gets lost once a lot is split into sub-lots, after a wafer is cut into dies and/or after dies are packaged into semiconductor devices. When multiple dies are packaged together in a multi-chip packaged device, the identity information for the individual dies is typically lost.
Efforts have been made to track lots (and the related dies and devices) at each manufacturing step through the work-in-process stages. In the semiconductor industry, for example, wafers have been tracked with a Wafer ID using a static optical barcode. At the finished-goods stage, packaged devices are usually marked with new product identity information (typically loosing the Wafer bar code, any Lot ID, any Wafer ID and any individual device identity) before transfer to a subsequent processing chain or shipment to a buyer. The tracking of information is particularly difficult when tracking involves hierarchical elements.
Hierarchical elements are elements that have a hierarchical relationship to other elements in multistage and multistep processing. When a first element (for example, a semiconductor wafer) at one stage is divided into plural second elements in another stage (for example, semiconductor dies), the first element (wafer) is defined to be at a higher level in the hierarchy and the second elements (semiconductor dies) are defined to be at a lower level in the hierarchy. When a single element or plural second elements (semiconductor dies) are packaged to form a third element (a packaged part), the second elements (dies) are defined to be at a higher level in the hierarchy and the third element (package parts) is defined to be at a lower level in the hierarchy. Likewise, when plural third elements (semiconductor package parts) are combined to form a fourth element (a board with packaged dies), the third elements (package parts) are defined to be at a (higher) level in the hierarchy and the fourth element (board) is defined to be at a (lower) level in the hierarchy. All of the first, second, third and fourth elements have a hierarchical relationship to each other because the quality and other parameters affecting and characterizing the elements are correlated because the elements are subject to common processing, treatment or aggregation at different steps or stages. For the packaged-part elements described, tags are typically fixed to the packaged parts irrespective of where on or in the packaged element the tag is located.
Such correlated elements in this specification are defined to be hierarchical elements. For quality control, efficiency and other reasons, it is important to keep track of the hierarchy of elements undergoing multistage and multistep processing. Hierarchical tags are tags associated with hierarchical elements. In the semiconductor example, wafer tags are defined to be at a higher level than die tags and similarly die tags are at a higher level than package part tags (tags associated with packaged parts). The hierarchical history of a particular element is the history of the particular element and the history of the hierarchical elements with which the particular element is associated.
While tracking systems can attempt to track elements at an elemental level from the initial stage to the final stage of a chain, in actual practice, missing, incompatible and inaccurate information frequently results particularly when hierarchical elements are involved.
In systems in which a Wafer ID barcode is provided on each wafer, the Wafer ID is read with an optical reader at a wafer station. To read the Wafer ID, the optical reader causes an incident laser beam to impinge on the bar code and the incident beam causes a reflected beam which includes the bar code data. The incident laser beam, through human or machine control, must be aligned to accurately impinge on the Wafer barcode to cause a reflected beam to include the barcode information. The data coded in the barcode is processed by an optical reader to extract the barcode data. Such optical readers are directional and require careful alignment of the incident and reflected light beams. The alignment is frequently troublesome and misalignment results in unidentified wafers or other errors. Since the reflected light beam is typically weak, the distance between the barcode and the reader must be small to permit the barcode to be read. The distance generally required is in the range of from about 0.1 cm to about 50 cm. Barcode systems are adversely affected by dirt, dampness and other environmental conditions that are difficult to control and hence the identification accuracy is vulnerable to unfavorable environmental conditions.
Another problem associated with barcode identification systems is that only a Wafer ID is available from the barcode and any further detailed information is not available. When further information is wanted, the information is stored in a remote data base of the management system. To retrieve the local information of an element at any stage, the Wafer ID is provided to the data management system and a data base inquiry is made to obtain the local information. The local information is not attached physically to the element in the work-in-process stages and hence may not be readily accessible, may not be properly stored and may have been corrupted.
Where ID's are present at some stages of some chains, often the ID's are lost for subsequent chains so that no consistent linking of information is present for subsequent chains such as further processing and distribution chains.
In light of the foregoing problems, there is a need for improved systems for tracking elements from step to step, from stage to stage and from chain to chain and for accurately tracking elements commencing with an element start level using ID's that do not get lost.

Secure system for tracking elements using tags


An electric rotating machine has a wire connector to external wires. The wire connector has a connection box formed in the housing of the electric rotating machine and including an opening used to pour a filler into the connection box; a plurality of terminal fittings each connected at one end to the internal circuit of the electric rotating machine, the other end of each of the terminal fittings extending into the connection box through the wall thereof and being connected to the respective one of the external wires; and a waterproofing and insulating filler poured into and solidified in the connection box through the opening, each of the terminal fittings having wider side faces parallel to the direction of flow of the poured filler.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to an electric rotating machinery and particularly to such a machinery having a wire connector to external wires.
2. Description of the Related Art:
The electric rotating machinery including electric motors and generators are required to have sufficiently insulated and waterproofed connectors to external wires. Particularly, various types of motors used in automobiles for power-steering, power-windows, door locks and so on are expected to be used under various severe conditions. Therefore, the wire connectors used therein must be waterproofed and insulated sufficiently to withstand moisture, rainwater and so on.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a power supply wire connector of DC motors for automobiles that is constructed in accordance with the prior art.
The power supply wire connector of the DC motor includes a connection box 12 formed in part of a motor housing 10. The connection box 12 has an open top. Inner wall of the connection box 12 has a pair of apertures 14 formed through the motor housing 10 to communicate with the interior thereof. The connection box 12 also includes a pair of terminal fittings 16 which extend into the interior of the connection box 12 through the respective apertures 14. The other end of each of the terminal fittings 16 is connected to the brush of a motor. The pair of terminal fittings 16 extend parallel to each other within the connection box 12 and have a top wider side face 16a directed to the open top. The end of each of the terminal fittings 16 that is placed within the connection box 12 is formed with a caulking pawl 18.
Within the connection box 12, the terminal fittings 16 are connected to a pair of external power supply wires 20 in the following manner.
The power supply wires 20 extend from the outside into the connection box 12. The inner end of each of the power supply wires 20 is caulked by the caulking pawl 18 of the corresponding terminal fitting 16 and soldered to provide a firm connection between the terminal fitting 16 and the power supply wire 20.
After provision of such a firm connection, a hot-melt adhesive 24 functioning as a waterproofing and insulating filler is poured through a nozzle 22 and solidified in the connection box 12. In such a manner, not only the connection between the terminal fittings 16 and the power supply wires 20 is electrically insulated from the surroundings, but also the apertures 14 for the terminal fittings are completely waterproofed to prevent any water from penetrating into the motor housing.
In the aforementioned power supply connection of the prior art, the terminal fittings 16 extend in the connection box 12 so that the top wider side faces 16a thereof are directed upwardly to the open top. Therefore, the wider side faces 16a of the terminal fittings 16 will be perpendicular to the direction of flow of the poured hot-melt adhesive 24 shown by arrow 200 in FIG. 5. As a result, the flow of the hot-melt adhesive 24 will be more resisted by the terminal fittings 16. It is thus difficult for the hot-melt adhesive 24 to flow into the backsides (bottom sides) of the terminal fittings 16.
This tends to create spacings 26 in the backsides of the terminal fittings 16 which have no hot-melt adhesive 24. Such spacings 26 deteriorate the insulating and waterproofing properties in the connection box 12. In addition, the water may undesirably enter the motor housing 10 through the gaps between the terminal fittings 16 and the apertures 14 via the spacings 26.
Further, the soldering material between the terminal fittings 16 and the power supply wires 20 may be undesirably formed into such a configuration as obstructing the down-flow of the hot-melt adhesive 24. This also tends to form the spacings 26 below the terminal fittings 16 to reduce the insulating and waterproofing properties in the connection box 12.

Wire connection structure of electric rotating machinery


A turbocharger rotor includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, a shaft extending between the turbine and compressor wheels for rotation together about an axis, and connecting means including two pairs of non-locking cones. In a preferred embodiment, the cones include external cones on the turbine and compressor wheels and internal cones on the ends of the shaft. The non-locking cones are centered on the axis with the external and internal cones drivingly engaging one another to align and connect the wheels with the shaft. A long bolt fastener extends through the compressor wheel and the shaft to engage the turbine wheel and hold the rotor components in assembly. An alternative embodiment includes engaging radial surfaces outward of the cones. The radial surfaces share the transmission of torque through the connecting means and assist in stabilizing the joints between the shaft and the connected wheels. Additional features are disclosed.

This invention relates to engine exhaust driven turbochargers and more particularly to a conically jointed rotor for a turbocharger.
It is known in the art relating to exhaust driven engine turbochargers to provide a rotor including a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel connected by a shaft for rotation together about an axis. Various types of connecting means have been provided for aligning and connecting the wheels and the shaft for axial rotation. The connecting means for the compressor impeller wheel and the turbine wheel relative to the shaft are important because the rotor must be disassembled after balancing in order to assemble the rotor into the turbocharger. Upon reassembly of the rotor, the repeat balance must preserve the original balance as far as possible without actually rebalancing the rotor in the turbocharger assembly. Connecting means that allow separation and reassembly of the components without changing the balance are therefore desired.
The present invention provides novel connecting means for aligning or centering the compressor and turbine wheels on the axis of the connecting shaft with the capability of simple and repeatable reassembly. The connecting means include two pairs of non-locking cones, one pair connecting each of the wheels with the shaft. Each of the cone pairs has an external cone and an internal cone, both centered on the axis and drivingly engaging one another. In preferred embodiments, the external cones are connected with the wheels and the internal cones are formed in the connecting shaft. The external cones may be integral with an adapter fixed, for example, to the aluminum compressor wheel, or they may be formed integral with the wheel, as is the case with the high temperature turbine wheel. The adapter or a separate sleeve may provide an oil sealing surface. The shaft includes spaced bearing journals for supporting the rotor and at least one thrust reaction surface for axially positioning the rotor. The rotor elements are held in assembly by a threaded bolt that extends through the compressor wheel and the shaft and engages threads in the turbine wheel cone portion. Alternative securing arrangements may be provided if desired.
Alternative embodiments of connecting means combine the non-locking cones with radially engaging shoulders and abutments that share the torque transmitting loads with the non-locking cones and provide additional rotational stability.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.


A switch assembly provides a pressing plate on a pivot contact lever to minimize heat generation at the point between the pivot contact lever and the contact point by providing an additional parallel connection contact plate which is in parallel connection to the pivot contact lever. The switch assembly provides convex contact portions on the internal output ports of the forward/reverse switch mechanism. A supplementary elastic metal plate to the pivot contact lever is provided to solve the problem of loose contact at the pivot connection site where the pivot contact lever and the support unit meet, and provides a supplementary contact unit to the movable contact device at the forward/reverse switch mechanism.

The present invention relates to an electrical switch, particularly to a high power DC switch, more particularly to a trigger switch used for trigger control of a power tool.
It is publicly known in the art that there is a Marquardt (trademark) 2711.5507 high rating DC switch powered with electricity of 18V DC 25 A. U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,080 discloses a trigger switch assembly used for an electric power tool having an electric motor. U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,051 discloses a trigger controller used for an electric power tool including an electric motor. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,105 discloses an electrical switch for switching on and off a tool having an electric motor.
A pivot contact lever mechanism is used in all of the above-mentioned switches to switch on and switch off the electric connection. Typically, one end of the pivot contact lever is pivotably attached to a support which is connected to an input terminal for electric current. An output terminal of the electric circuit is attached with a fixed contact. The other end of the pivot contact lever can be pivoted to contact the fixed contact so as to be electrically connected. In these switches, when the pivot contact lever connects the electric circuit, electric current flows through the pivot point between the pivot contact lever and the support, and the pivot contact lever and the fixed contact. However, contact between the pivot contact lever and the support on the pivot point may be not very desirable because it generates a high contact resistance and causes the heating generation and "INT" problem. The INT problem refers to the sparkle that is generated at the contact point due to unstable contact at the contact point under the normal working condition and/or environment. The sparkle, in return, may burn or melt the pivot contact plate, which becomes a more serious problem on a high rating switch.
In addition, the above-mentioned conventional switches have the following deficiency. As a by-pass switch, namely, a second pivot contact lever is provided, when the trigger (a button) is pressed to the innermost position, the second pivot contact lever connects the input and the output. For a high rating switch, the normal operating current is around 25 A. However, the current can be up to 100 A at the very moment when the motor starts or stalls. Thus, even though contact loss is very small for the second pivot contact lever, heat is generated in such a high current situation.
A conventional switch has further deficiency in that a conventional switch is normally provided with a forward/reverse switch mechanism that is able to alternate the pole of the output voltage. Two switch contact plates are provided for the switch mechanism to connect simultaneously two internal outputs to two external outputs, thereby to control the pole of the output. There is only one single convex portion on each internal output that provides a line contact between the switch contact plate and the internal output so as to decrease contact loss. However, such a structure does not effectively minimize heat generation.


A color photographic element which comprises a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a non-light sensitive interlayer containing a ballasted 5-carbamoyl-1,3-dihydroxybenzene compound. The element exhibits an improved ability to prevent oxidized developer from diffusing away from the imaging layer in which it formed and into other color records where it can form the wrong color dye.

It is known in the art to add a scavenger to a photographic element in order to prevent oxidized developing agent from diffusing from one light sensitive layer to the next and then reacting an undesired location or at an undesired point in time. In particular, it is undesirable for oxidized developer to diffuse away from the imaging layer in which it formed and into other color records where it can form the wrong color dye. In some formats, it can also be undesirable for tone scale and fog considerations to have oxidized developer form dye at early stages of development. Typically, scavengers reduce or eliminate oxidized developers without forming any permanent dyes and do not cause stains nor release fragments that have photographic activity. Scavengers are typically rendered nondiffusible in the element by incorporation of an anti-diffusion group (a ballast) or by attachment of the scavenger to a polymer backbone. Mobility of an oxidized developer scavenger within a film element is undesirable because of reaction and elimination of oxidized developer where it is needed; i.e. in an imaging layer. Ideally, the scavenger should be restricted only to those parts of the film element where the presence of oxidized developer is detrimental.
Known scavengers for oxidized developers include ballasted para-hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene) compounds such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,453 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,845; ballasted gallic acid (1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene) compounds as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,874; ballasted sulfonamidophenols such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,987; ballasted hydrazides such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,787 and ballasted pyrocatechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) compounds as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,968 and German Patent No. 766,135.
Such known materials are insufficient in their activity and require high material usage, thus increasing cost, storage and handling concerns as well as requiring thicker layers which degrade sharpness through increased scatter path length. In addition, because these known materials are sensitive to oxidative conditions, they are often insufficiently stable upon long term storage. Finally, many of these materials form stains or colored residues during processing. Therefore, it would be desirable to find scavengers for oxidized developers that do not have these shortcomings.
The use of 5-substituted ballasted resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) compounds as scavengers for oxidized developer are generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,431. However, the disclosed scavengers (5-alkyl and 5-carbonamido substituted) are insufficient in activity. U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,014 describes polymeric resorcinols as useful scavengers, but the disclosed scavengers (5-carbonamido substituted) are insufficient in activity. Published Japanese Patent Application 61-129640 discloses some 2-substituted resorcinols in combination with selected sensitizing dyes. Published Japanese Patent Application 58-140739 discloses 2-substituted resorcinols in photographic systems.
EP 0 071 570 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,035 describe resorcinols as useful `black` couplers; that is, they form a neutral dye image In particular, the latter patent describes resorcinols substituted in the 5 position (among other variations with the 2-position being most preferred) with a carbonyl group attached to a group preventing diffusion in a photographic element. The anti-diffusion group attached to the carbonyl is described as being an alkyl or aromatic group
A problem to be solved is to provide a photographic element containing an interlayer scavenger of oxidized developer that is active to prevent wandering of oxidized developer.

Photographic element containing 5-carbamoyl resorcinol interlayer scavenger


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate including a diffusion layer; forming an insulating layer having an opening on the first metal layer; forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the opening of the insulating layer; removing the insulating layer; covering an exposed surface of the second metal layer with a third metal layer, the third metal layer including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than that of the second metal layer; and forming an electrode interconnect including the first metal layer, the second metal layer, and the third metal layer by removing the first metal layer using the third metal layer as a mask.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor device including a thick film electrode and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Background Art
Electrode films are being thickened to accompany the increased currents and the increased operation speeds of semiconductor devices. The electrode portions of such semiconductor devices are formed in stacked structures by sputtering. In the case where film thickening of the electrode portions is performed, the electrode portions are formed using rerouting technology after chip formation (for example, refer to JP-A 2003-23236 (Kokai)).
Therefore, a rerouting process is necessary after completion of the manufacturing processes of the semiconductor chip, which leads to an increase of the manufacturing processes. Moreover, such rerouting technology makes openings by patterning an insulating film provided on the semiconductor, and continuous interconnects are formed in the openings. Because the insulating film is subsequently removed, unstable (easily reacting activation) metal is exposed at the side wall portions of the rerouting portion, is susceptible to corrosion due to moisture and the like in air; and there is a risk of reduced reliability. Further, in the case where the foundation is patterned in this state, the unstable (easily reacting activation) metal of the side faces corrodes.
Therefore, it has also been proposed to form a thick film of copper (Cu) and form a covering film of gold (Au) by surface plating around the copper (Cu) (for example, refer to JP-A 2000-150518 (Kokai)).

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing of same


A cover support mechanism regulates an opening angle of an openable cover with respect to a chassis of an electronic device. The cover constitutes a portion of the chassis. The mechanism has a cord shaped or tape shaped stopper, and a support unit. The stopper has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being fixed to the cover. The support unit supports the second end portion of the stopper. The support unit is provided to the electronic device. The support unit has a receiving portion, a biasing member, and a braking unit. The receiving portion has a space for pulling in the second end portion of the stopper. The biasing member applies force to the stopper for pulling in the stopper into the receiving portion. The braking unit applies frictional force to the stopper when the cover is opened.

The present invention relates to a cover support mechanism which is provided to a portion of a chassis of an electronic device, and to an image forming apparatus which incorporates the cover support mechanism.
Almost every electronic device such as an image forming apparatus and the like has a chassis for covering its internal components. Since an openable cover is normally provided to such a chassis, it becomes possible to access the interior of the electronic device by opening the cover. Often such a cover is provided near a location where maintenance may be needed, or near a location where an operational irregularities may easily occur.
Among electronic devices which have covers of the type described above, there are some which are provided with mechanisms for regulating the opening angle of the cover, as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Heisei 9-188034. In this Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Heisei 9-188034, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus which is made so that the opening angle of the cover is regulated by linking the image forming apparatus main body and the cover with a stopper shaped in the form of a tape.
However, with a structure in which the electronic device and the cover are linked together with a stopper in the form of a tape, there is a possibility that inconveniences of the following type may occur.
First, when the cover is closed, there is a possibility that the stopper may stick out from the chassis. The reason is that, if a stopper in the form of a cord or a tape is used, the stopper becomes slack when the cover is closed. The external appearance of the electronic devices suffers if the stopper sticks out from the chassis.
Next, when a stopper in the form of a cord or a tape is slack, there is a possibility that the point at which it is slack may become rolled upon on a rotating member internal to the electronic device, such as a gear or a roller or the like.
The inconveniences described above may occur particularly easily if the stopper becomes elongated due to repeated use. For this reason, it is necessary to eliminate the slack from the stopper in an adequate manner, in order to use such a stopper over the long term.
The object of the present invention is to provide a cover support mechanism which, with a simple structure, eliminates slack in a stopper which regulates an opening angle of an openable cover with respect to a chassis of an electronic device, the cover constituting a portion of the chassis.

Cover support mechanism and image forming apparatus incorporating the same


A CAD system and method for designing sheet metal parts. A proposed design is automatically tested against a set of design rules. Available tools are selected according to criteria computed with reference to the part to the fabricated and then are tested to determine whether they can be used to make desired bends. A fabrication sequence is computed.

The present invention relates to computer aided design systems and, more particularly, to a system which utilizes parameter checking for designing mechanical parts and which is particularly well suited for designing parts that are to be fabricated from sheet metal and the like.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems are well known in certain fabrication arts. Typically, a CAD system comprises a graphic work station and computer software. Such a CAD system enables a designer to draw a part, view the part from various perspectives, and compute various data related to the part, such as the material needed to construct the part. In addition, a CAD system which is specifically designed for a known manufacturing process such as a semiconductor fabrication process may test the design by applying a predetermined set of design rules to find out whether the design satisfies the rules.
CAD systems in the mechanical fabrication arts are less sophisticated than those in such arts as the semiconductor fabrication arts in terms of their ability to test part designs. For example, currently available systems for designing mechanical parts to be fabricated of sheet metal require the designer to be knowledgeable in a set of design rules governing such matters as minimum permissible radii of curvature of bends and minimum spacings between a hole in a surface and edge of that surface. Testing a complicated mechanical design against such a set of rules can be a tedious, time-consuming process for a designer.
In addition to knowing these design rules, the designer must be thoroughly familiar with the tooling and fabrication methods of the shop in which the part is to be fabricated. A sheet metal part generally is fabricated by bending various portions of a flat sheet of metal. Any given shop has various machines and tools that are used to make such bends. The tools which are available, and the capabilities of those tools, vary from shop to shop. Requiring the designer to know the capabilities and limitations of a given shop places an undue burden on the designer and limits the efficiency of the design process.
Moreover, there usually are many different sequences in which a set of bends can be made. Different tools may be needed according to which sequence is selected. A sequence of fabrication steps specified by the designer may not be an optimum method for fabricating the part because the order in which various portions of an initially-flat sheet of material are bent can dramatically affect the yield and fabrication time. In fact, limitations of the available tooling sometimes make it impossible to make a part according to a sequence of bends specified by the designer. Requiring the designer to check a plurality of bending sequences against the available bending tools and processes to find an efficient order of bending to fabricate a complicated mechanical part is not practical.
CAD systems which provide a designer with design rules on an interactive basis have been proposed but have not adequately met the need for a system for designing mechanical parts, especially parts to be fabricated from sheet metal.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that there is a need for a CAD system that can automatically test a proposed design of a desired mechanical part against a set of parameters and that can determine an efficient process plan for making the part, including specifying a set of fabrication tools and a sequence of fabrication steps.

Method of computer-aided prediction of collisions between objects including fabrication tools and parts to be fabricated


For a text message received by a mobile terminal, some or all of the message is converted to voice-based content, depending upon the user's preference or upon the capability of the wireless device's display. When the display of the mobile terminal is too small to accommodate a large text-based message, a software module converts the text-based content to voice-based content. The voice-based content is then output to a speaker in the wireless device. For received messages of more than one type of content, only the portions of the message that are within the capabilities of the receiver are outputted, or converted to another type of content if possible.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to configuring a mobile receiver device, such as a cell phone, to output to a user the maximum amount of a received message.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication devices are fast becoming the communications media of choice for transmitting and communicating data between users of the devices. Many types of wireless devices are currently being used, such as cellular phones, wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers and other devices with small displays for displaying text and icons to the users of the devices. The strong push in current wireless technology development is for increasingly smaller devices with greater computing power so that businessmen, students, and other users can always be in contact with the important people in their lives while maintaining adequate communication power to receive and transmit all of the data and information which has an impact on them.
Current standards and specifications in the wireless environment require that wireless markup language (WML) be used for browsing. The well-known wireless application protocol (WAP) specifies that WML be used for communication and browsing for all mobile devices. This is analogous to the use of hypertext markup language (HTML) in Internet applications where HTML is used to create the web pages through which web browsers "surf" the Internet. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, HTML is particularly well-suited for web browsers presented on a typical computer screen, usually a 15″, 17″ or 19″ color monitor. This provides nearly unlimited space for text messages and content. In contrast, WML is designed for wireless devices with very small screens or displays, and so there is much less room for displaying data, messages, text and other content on a wireless device. This lack of display space creates problems when displaying sizable content on wireless devices since when the content becomes larger than the small screen can display, it must be "wrapped around" the screen or otherwise segmented, and the entire content cannot be seen at one time on the display.
There thus is a need for a method for converting content, such as text-based content, which relies on other markup language protocols than HTML for display of content that cannot be fully displayed on a small screen to a user.
In addition, since not all wireless devices have the same ability to handle messages, it is possible that an incoming message may have more components than the receiver device can output. There is therefore also a need for a method for outputting only the portions or components of an incoming message that are compatible with the receiver device.

Systems and methods for presenting and/or converting messages


A supercharged engine has a charge air intake and an engine exhaust outlet, a positive displacement supercharger connected to the air intake, a charge air and bypass control valve comprising a rotary body throttle valve including a rotary valve body, a primary air passage and a separate bypass air passage each extending through the rotary body. The primary air passage is fully open in a first rotary position of the rotary body wherein the bypass air passage is closed, and the bypass air passage is fully open in a second rotary position wherein the primary air passage is closed. Airflow through the passages varies in an inverse manner as the rotary body is rotated between the first and second positions, whereby airflow through the control valve is controlled with a single actuator movable through the full range of positions and airflow through the primary and bypass passages is inversely varied.

It is known in the art relating to inlet throttled supercharged engines to provide two variable flow orifices or throttles to control the load of the engine. Control electronics and calibrations are required for each orifice. Referring to FIG. 1, a typical prior art arrangement is represented by an engine 10 including a cylinder block 11 mounting an intake manifold having an air inlet 12 and an exhaust manifold having an exhaust outlet 13. The engine 11 drives a positive displacement charge compressor or supercharger 14 which delivers charge air through a charge cooler 15 to the inlet 12 of the intake manifold. The supercharger 14 receives charge airflow from a primary inlet throttle 16, typically a blade (or butterfly) type inlet throttle (recently Electronic Throttle Control or ETC). A smaller secondary blade type bypass throttle 17, controlled, for example, by a solenoid with a spring-over-diaphragm actuator, not shown, is connected between the outlet 18 of the charge cooler 15 and the inlet of the supercharger 14. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve 19 controls exhaust gas flow for emission reduction from the engine 11 exhaust outlet 13 to the charge compressor 14, downstream of the inlet throttle 16.
The bypass function is the inverse of the inlet throttle such that, as the inlet throttle 16 is opening, the bypass throttle 17 is closing. The bypass actuator typically relies on vacuum generated by the inlet throttle 16 to open the bypass throttle 17 and as such is nearly a binary control (either open or closed). As the bypass 17 closes, the pressure ratio across the supercharger rises rapidly with a rapid change in crankshaft torque with no change in inlet throttle area, making hardware and software calibration difficult to achieve a desirable sensitivity to driver pedal position. A simplified and easier to control throttle arrangement is desired.

Integrated inlet and bypass throttle for positive-displacement supercharged engines