A method of handover and route diversity in a mobile radio communication which is less time consuming and capable of improving the frequency spectrum utilization efficiency and securing the high quality of service regardless of the moving speed of the mobile station. In the method, a loop transmission line by which each base station is connected with neighboring base stations is provided; a handover information is transmitted through the loop transmission line, where the handover information is relayed by each base station from one of the neighboring base stations to another one of the neighboring base station; and the handover of a communication of a mobile station from one traffic channel of one base station to an idle traffic channel of another base station is carried out by using the handover information transmitted through the loop transmission line. The method can also be applied to a route diversity reception.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of handover and route diversity operations in a mobile radio communication system such as an automobile telephone system.
2. Description of the Background Art
In a mobile radio communication system, the efficient utilization of limited frequency spectrum is one of the major technical problems. For this reason, a so called cellular system is adopted in general. In this cellular system, the efficient frequency spectrum utilization is achieved by providing a plurality of mutually distanced base stations within a service area of the system so as to enable a so called co-channel reuse which is a repetitive use of the same frequency at different base stations, where the base stations are sufficiently distanced from each other to avoid a co-channel interference. In such a cellular system, an area covered by each base station is called a cell.
In this cellular system, a higher frequency spectrum utilization efficiency can be achieved by making a radius of each cell smaller, because it becomes possible for the same frequency to be repetitively used at shorter distances. Such a use of smaller size cells is effective in increasing a system capacity regarding a number of subscribers that can be handled by the system.
However, as a consequence of an increased number of cells required for covering the entire service area, such a use of smaller size cells also necessitates an increased number of so called handover operations required to be performed when a mobile station moves from one cell to another during a single continuous communication. As a result, the capacities and sizes of each base station and a central control station controlling the base stations will be increased considerably and configurations of the base stations and the central control station will inevitably become quite complicated.
Namely, in the cellular system, as a mobile station which is communicating through one particular base station of one particular cell moves from that particular cell to a neighboring cell, the receiving level at that particular base station will gradually decreases, so that in order to continue this communication it is necessary to switch the base station through which the mobile station communicates from that particular base station of that particular cell to the base station of the neighboring cell. Here, in switching the base station, an active land transmission line connecting the central control station with the base station needs to be switched, while the frequency used for the communication by that mobile station needs to be switched from the traffic channel used in an original cell from which the mobile station is moving out to that of an idle traffic channel available in the base station of a destination cell to which the mobile station is moving in. Such an operation is known as the handover operation (which is sometimes also referred to as a handoff operation).
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a conventional cellular system comprises a central control station 1, and a plurality (four in FIG. 1) of base stations 2 to 5 controlled by the central control station 1 through land transmission lines 11 to 14, respectively, where a mobile station 10 moves through a plurality (four in FIG. 1) of cells 6 to 9 associated with the base stations 2 to 5, respectively. In this cellular system, the central control station 1 is connected to an ordinary telephone network (not shown), such that a communication to and from the mobile station 10 can be transmitted through one of the base stations 2 to 5, the central control station 1, and the ordinary telephone network.
Now, assuming that the mobile station 10 is located in a cell 8 and communicating through the base station 4, as the mobile station 10 moves to the neighboring cell 7, the handover operation will proceed as follows.
(1) As a distance between the base station 4 and the mobile station 10 becomes greater than the cell radius, the receiving level at the base station 4 decreases below the specific level. When this decrease of the receiving level is detected by the base station 4, the base station 4 requests the handover of the communication of the mobile station 10 to the central control station I through the land transmission line 13.
(2) In response to this request for the handover from the base station 4, the central control station 1 commands the neighboring base stations 2, 3, and 5 to monitor the transmitted radio waves from the mobile station 10 through the land transmission lines 11, 12, and 14, respectively.
(3) In response to this command from the central control station 1, each of the base stations 2, 3, and 5 receives the transmitted radio waves of the traffic channel used for the communication of the mobile station 10 specified by the command from the central control station 1, measures the receiving level for this traffic channel, and reports the measured receiving level to the central control station 1.
(4) Then, the central control station 10 selects the base station for which the reported receiving level is the highest among the base stations 2, 3, and 5. In this exemplary case, the base station 3 will have the highest receiving level as the mobile station 10 is moving into the cell 7.
Next, the central control station 10 commands the selected base station 3 to report its idle traffic channel #N which is available for the handover of the communication of the mobile station 10.
(6) In response to this command from the central control station 1, the base station 3 reports the idle traffic channel #N to the central control station 1.
(7) Then, the central control station I commands the base station 4 to send a command signal for the handover to the traffic channel #N to the mobile station 10. Meanwhile, the central control station 1 also commands the base station 3 to activate the transmitter-receiver for the traffic channel #N, while switching the active land transmission line from that connected to the base station 4 to that connected to the base station 3.
(8) In response to the command from the central control station 1, the base station 4 sends the command signal for the handover to the mobile station 10.
(9) In response to the command signal from the base station 4, the mobile station 10 switches its traffic channel to the traffic channel #N specified by the command signal, so as to establish the communication through the base station 3.
Now, in addition to the increase of capacities and sizes of each base station and the central control station and the complication of configurations of the base stations and the central control station already mentioned above, such a conventional method of handover in the cellular system has a drawback that it is quite time consuming as it requires several signal exchanges between the central control station 1 and the base stations after the lowering of the receiving level is detected at the base station 4 in order to complete the handover operation.
As a consequence, in a case the cell radius is made smaller, it becomes possible for the mobile station to move further onto the next neighboring cell before the handover operation from one cell to its neighboring cell is completed, such that the highly undesirable failure of the handover of the communication could occur in the cellular system. To eliminate such a possibility for the failure of the handover, the cell radius cannot be made smaller than a certain limit value, and this limitation on the cell radius in turn creates an upper limit to the efficient frequency spectrum utilization.
Moreover, when the mobile stations with higher moving capability such automobile telephones and the mobile stations with lower moving capability such as portable telephones are involved in such a conventional cellular system together, the cell radius must be determined in accordance with the automobile telephones which can move faster, in order to prevent the occurrence of the failure of the handover, even though the cell radius so determined is not capable of achieving the highest frequency spectrum utilization efficiency for the portable telephones. Consequently, the base station such as that located in a heavily populated area where a number of portable telephone subscribers is large needs to have a large number of traffic channels assigned, but this in turn lowers the frequency spectrum utilization efficiency further.
On the other hand, when the cell radius is determined in accordance with the portable telephones, it becomes difficult for the system to handle the frequent handover operations required by the communication of the portable telephone used on a fast moving object such as an automobile.
In addition, as the cell radius becomes smaller, an area between neighboring cells which is not well served by any cell may appear, and also the quality of service will be lowered drastically as soon as the mobile station moves out of the area covered by the cells, such that there is a great possibility for the subscribed portable telephone user to suffer from the poor quality of service.
Now, in a mobile radio communication, the radio transmission characteristic is quite adverse because of the large receiving level fluctuation and other causes, such that the occurrence of errors in the transmission signals is unavoidable. For this reason, the mobile radio communication system utilizes various error correction mechanisms. However, these error correction mechanisms are effective only with respect to the instantaneous fluctuation of the receiving level, and not very effective with respect to the relatively gradual variation of the receiving level caused by the shadowing of the transmission path due to the terrain and environmental features.
To such a relatively gradual variation of the receiving level, a so called route diversity reception in which the transmitted radio waves received by a plurality of base stations are utilized is known to be effective. For instance, the automobile telephone of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone) Corporation utilizes the base station route diversity reception for the control channel.
More specifically, a conventional route diversity reception is achieved as follows.
Namely, a conventional mobile radio communication system utilizing the route diversity reception has a configuration shown in FIG. 2, where the system includes a central control station 21 and a plurality of base stations 22 to 28 each of which is connected with the central control station 21 through land transmission lines 29 to 35, respectively.
In this mobile radio communication system, a signal transmitted from each of the base stations 22 to 28 to the central control station 21 has a format shown in FIG. 3 which includes a transmission signal 36 from a mobile station and an encoded receiving level information 37 indicating the receiving level at each base station. In other words, each base station relays the transmission signal 36 from the mobile station to the central control station 21 by attaching the receiving level information 37 to the transmission signal 36.
The central control station 21 then selects the base station for which the receiving level is the highest among all the base stations 22 to 28, and uses the transmission signal 36 transmitted from this selected base station as the transmission signal 36 received from the mobile station.
Such a conventional mobile radio communication system has drawbacks that the expensive land transmission line must be provided between the central control station 21 and each one of a plurality of the base stations and that the control function of the central control station 21 inevitably becomes complicated as a consequence of utilizing the route diversity reception.

Method of handover and route diversity in mobile radio communication

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A hard palate supporting device for pushing apart or anchoring of upper teeth, such as molars and/or premolars, includes a hard palate supporting element and/or carrier therefor, a hinge by means of which the supporting element or carrier is rotatable relative to an axis of rotation extending in the transverse direction of the teeth, and a spring which on rotation of the supporting element or carrier in a direction away from the position resting against the hard palate exerts on the supporting element or carrier a force counter-acting such rotation. The supporting device can also include a stopper which limits rotation in the direction of the position resting against the hard palate, preferably to the contact position.

The present invention relates to a hard palate supporting device for distalizing or anchoring of upper teeth, such as molars and/or premolars, comprising a hard palate supporting element and/or carrier therefor.
Such a hard palate supporting device is known in orthodontics, where it is often referred to as a Nance appliance. The supporting element is also sometimes referred to as a Nance button.
In the case of the hard palate supporting devices known until now the supporting element is generally permanently fixed by cementing or is removably fixed to be removable by the orthodontist. Such a removable fixing by the orthodontist is described in, for example, The Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Volume XXX, No. 8, of August 1996 by Paul Barwart and M. Richter. According to the article, this removable fixing is unsuitable for removal by the patient.
Supporting elements, also known as Nance buttons, both those permanently fixed and those fixed removably for the orthodontist, have the disadvantage that a dirt trap is formed underneath the supporting element, providing a place where bacteria can grow, and thus a place where the mucous membranes of the hard palate can become inflamed.

Hard palate supporting device and method of making it ready for fitting


A temperature detecting device for a power conversion device is provided in which the number of components can be reduced. An exemplary embodiment of the temperature detecting device includes: a plurality of temperature detecting elements that are provided in correspondence with a plurality of temperature detection objects, each temperature detecting element outputting a signal having a correlation with the temperature of the temperature detection object by being supplied power by a common power source; and a temperature detector that detects the temperatures of the temperature detection objects based on the signals having correlation with the temperatures of the temperature detection objects outputted from the temperature detecting elements. The temperature detector detects an average temperature of at least two temperature detection objects among the plurality of temperature detection objects or respective temperatures of the plurality of temperature detection objects based on the output signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature detecting device that detects the temperature of a temperature detection object based on an output signal from a temperature detecting element. The temperature detecting device is used, for example, to detect the temperature of a switching element in a power conversion device (inverter or converter) of a motor generator.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, as shown in JP-A-2009-171312, a temperature detecting device is conventionally known that detects the temperature of an inverter by a thermo-sensitive diode. In this device, one end of the two ends of the thermo-sensitive diode is connected to a constant current power source. The other end is grounded. The temperature of the inverter is detected based on a potential difference between the two ends of the thermo-sensitive diode.
Here, when a plurality of temperature detection areas are present within the inverter, the number of thermo-sensitive diodes required adheres to the number of temperature detection areas. Should a constant current power source be provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of thermo-sensitive diodes, the number of components configuring the temperature detecting device increases. As a result, the configuration of the temperature detecting device becomes complex, and cost increases.
Therefore, a new temperature detecting device is desired in which the number of components configuring the temperature detecting device can be reduced.


A clamp assembly for bringing an RF sensor into electrical contact with an RF current carrier is provided herein. The clamp assembly (101) comprises a first wedge-shaped element (103), and a second wedge-shaped element (105) which is slidingly engaged with said first wedge-shaped element. Preferably, the clamp assembly also comprises a collar (113) within which the first and second wedge-shaped elements are disposed. The clamp assembly preferably further comprises a fastener (111), such as a screw, which adjoins the first and second elements, in which case the clamp assembly is adapted such that, as the screw is rotated in a first direction, at least one of the first and second elements expands against the collar and/or the RF current carrier.

Plasma etch and deposition processes have become the dominant pattern transfer means used in semiconductor manufacturing over the past 20 years. Most plasma based processes employ the fundamental principle of disassociation of a feed gas by the application of radio frequency (RF) power.
As with all plasma loads, one of the dominant characteristics of the plasma load is its non-linearity. The non-linearity of the load affects the voltage and current sine waves of the delivered RF power by creating prevalent harmonic distortion. The exact amount of harmonic distortion, as represented by the amplitude of the harmonic frequencies and the associated phase angle of the current harmonic relative to the corresponding voltage harmonic, is unique to the plasma creating them. To be more precise, the plasma parameters, including ion and electron densities and energies, collision frequencies, neutral constituents, and their respective densities all contribute in a unique way to the amplitude of specific harmonic components of the fundamental frequency applied by a power delivery source to achieve the desired disassociation and subsequent process results.
It is thus apparent that, by monitoring the harmonic components of the fundamental frequency in the delivered RF power, enhanced process control of plasma deposition and etch processes may be obtained. Consequently, various sensors have been developed in the art for this purpose.
Conventional RF sensors require that the current carrier be physically disrupted and reconnected at the terminals of the sensor. This has the effect of adding physical and electrical length to the current carrier due to the addition of the internal conductor of the sensor to the current path. Moreover, the addition of conventional RF sensors to a system frequently requires the addition of even further current carrier to allow the system components to be rearranged so as to avoid interference between the RF sensors and other system components, and to allow for proper grounding of all of the components.
While the addition of current carrier may be tolerable in some lower frequency applications, many plasma reactors today are designed to operate at fundamental frequencies that are in the megahertz region (and at harmonics of these frequencies that are often up to 300 megahertz). At these frequencies, the addition of even a few centimeters of current carrier, and the associated increase in electrical length, is significant in terms of the added capacitance and the shift in phase angle that it induces. Indeed, it is often necessary, after these RF sensors have been installed, to add additional capacitance to the RF current carrier so that the phase angle will be rotated around the Smith chart, thereby compensating for this effect. The need for such adjustments unduly complicates the installation of the sensor and can require recalibration of system parameters, since the calibration coefficients determined for the sensor at the point of manufacture may no longer be accurate.
There is thus a need in the art for an RF sensor, suitable for use with plasma reactors, which does not add to the electrical length of the RF current carrier. There is further a need in the art for a method and device for incorporating an RF sensor into the RF current carrier that does not require the current carrier to be broken, and that does not necessitate the addition of electrical length to the current carrier. There is also a need in the art for a method for measuring RF frequencies that does not significantly modify the attributes of the RF current. These and other needs are met by the devices and methodologies disclosed herein.


Ligand-modified poly oxo-hydroxy metal ion materials and their uses are disclosed, in particular for nutritional, medical, cosmetic or biologically related applications for example for the treatment of a deficiency related to a component of the material or for the removal of an endogenous substance capable of binding to the material. The present invention further relates to processes for preparing the materials and optimising their physico-chemical properties and their medical uses.

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world today, affecting more than 4 billion people globally. It is estimated that 2 billion people—over 30% of the world's population—are anaemic (WHO, http://www.who.int/nut/ida.htm, accessed 20 Dec. 2005). Iron deficiency is not a problem solely confined to the developing world. Epidemiological surveys performed in European countries show that iron deficiency concerns 10-30% of menstruating women and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) 1.5 to 14% (Hercberg et al., 2001; Goddard et al., 2005). Iron deficiency anaemia can result in decreased intellectual performance, decreased physical capacity, alterations in temperature regulation, alterations in the development of gestation, and compromised immune and metabolic functions, all of which impact upon quality of life and health economics (Edgerton et al, 1979; Hercberg et al, 2001; Scholz et al, 1997). The standard first line treatment for simple mild IDA is, commonly, supplementation with oral ferrous sulphate. More complex or severe iron deficiencies may be treated with intravenous iron or blood transfusions, but subsequent management is with oral iron preparations. In spite of the widespread use of oral iron preparations their effectiveness is poor. This is due to: (i) variable absorption characteristics and (ii) side effects resulting in poor compliance. Strategies for the prevention of iron deficiency include the use of iron-fortified foods. Commonly used fortificants include ferrous sulphate, ferric chloride, ferric sodium EDTA and ferric pyrophosphates. However, despite fortification strategies, iron deficiency remains a common global problem and, thus, cheap and effective supplements are required.
WO 2005/000210 describes the synthesis of high molecular weight iron saccharidic complexes formed when freshly precipitated iron hydroxides are subsequently aggregated with sugar molecules to form secondary complexes. These complexes are acknowledged to be agglomerated mixtures.
WO 03/031635 relates to an enzymatic method to prepare calcium gluconate where the crystals are high purity and high solubility.
US 2005/0209322 describes a process for making sodium ferric gluconate complexes for i.v. iron administration that requires the initial step of preparing ferric hydroxide with a subsequent step of reacting with the ligand, sodium gluconate. US 2005/0209187 relates to a similar process for making iron sucrose complexes rather than iron gluconate complexes.
US 2003/0049284 describes a method for increasing the solubility of salts of alpha hydroxy carboxylic acids, by reaction with an alpha amino acid, such that the material would have improved nutritional supplementation properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,377 relates to the provision of an agronomically effective source of iron in a plant nutrient solution as a soluble ferric sulfato-hydroxyl complex anion. The materials produced are conventional ligand-metal ion complexes.
DE 20 2005 014332 U1 discloses metal-organic nanopowders for use in materials engineering such as the formation of polymeric composites through injection spraying or coating of the nanopowders into or onto an existing material.
Jugdaohsingh et al. (2004) describes a critical precipitation assay that utilises a solution phase reaction in which, at peri-neutral pH, organic acids compete with the formation of the oxo-bridges between aluminium atoms in the polymerisation process, limiting the growth and decreasing the branching of the polyhydroxy aluminium species (Jugdaohsingh et al. (2004); Powell et al. (2004)). The assay is usable because the efficiency of the ligand in interrupting this process is related to its affinity for aluminium. It was also noted in this work that during solution-phase growth of polyhydroxy aluminium species, the 'competing ligand' becomes incorporated within the polymer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ligand modified poly oxo-hydroxy metal ion materials, their uses and processes for their preparation


An osteoporosis diagnosis yapparatus provided with a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array (3) comprising a number of cells (1.sub.1, 1.sub.2, . . . ). The ultrasonic transducer array (3) is applied to the skin covering a predetermined bone of a subject, and the individual cells sequentially emit a predetermined number of ultrasonic pulses through the skin while receiving echoes from the bone. The received echo data are processed so that they can be handled in a planewave problem, from which the information on the reflection from the bone is determined. This information is processed to obtain the acoustic impedance of a cortical bone and a cancellous bone, so as to check for the presence of osteoporosis. The information on the reflection from the bone can also be handled as an eigen-value problem, and, when the information is handled in such a manner, the shape determination of a bone becomes un necessary.

With the emergence of a more aged society in recent years, the bone disease termed osteoporosis has been becoming a problem. In this disease the calcium is withdrawn from the bones leaving them friable and prone to fracture at the slightest impact; and it is one motive for concern in old people. Physical diagnosis is performed mainly by determining the density of bone precisely by means of diagnostic apparatus employing X-rays, typified by DXA and DCT; however, physical diagnosis by means of X-rays is beset by various problems such as the fact that the apparatus is large, and that its use is restricted by the need to prevent harmful radiation exposure.
Accordingly, diagnostic apparatus employing ultrasound has started to become popular because the equipment is simple and does not cause such problems. Diagnostic apparatus employing ultrasound measures the speed and attenuation of ultrasound waves propagated inside bony tissues, and uses this to estimate the density and elastic modulus (elastic strength) of the bone. If a low estimated value is obtained it can be deduced that this is because of withdrawal of calcium from the bone, and hence osteoporosis is diagnosed.
For example, in the diagnostic apparatus recorded in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H2-104337 (U.S patent application No. 193,295) the speed of sound in bony tissue is measured by placing two ultrasonic transducers facing each other on either side of the bony tissue of an examinee chosen as the measurement site, emitting ultrasonic pulses towards the bony tissue from an ultrasound transducer on one side and receiving the ultrasonic pulses transmitted by the bone tissue at the ultrasound transducer on the other side, in order to determine the speed of sound within the bone; and progress in osteoporosis is diagnosed when the speed of sound inside the bony tissue is slow. This is because the data processing algorithm of this diagnostic apparatus is based on the working premise that the speed of sound in bony tissue is proportional to bone density.
However, there is no firmly established theoretical basis for linking bone density and the speed of sound: strictly speaking the speed of sound in bony tissue is not proportional to bone density, but is given by the square root of "the elastic modulus of the bone/bone density". And since the elastic modulus of bone rises as bone density increases, and therefore the modulus of elasticity of bone and bone density contribute to the speed of sound in such a way that they cancel one another out, the speed of sound in bony tissue cannot respond sensitively to an increase in bone density, and the coefficient of correlation between the speed of sound in bony tissue on the one hand and bone density on the other is not at all high. There is also no established theoretical basis for linking bone density and attenuation of ultrasound waves.
Therefore, it is unreasonable to expect highly reliable diagnoses from prior diagnostic apparatus which estimate bone density and the elastic modulus of bone on the basis if results of determination of attenuation of ultrasound waves, or determination of the speed of sound in bony tissue.
As means of overcoming these inadequacies, Japanese Patent Applications No. H6-310445, No. H7-140730 and No. H7-140734, applied for by the present applicant, propose ultrasonic pulse-echo type apparatus for diagnosing osteoporosis in which a single ultrasonic transducer is used; ultrasonic pulses are emitted repeatedly towards smooth-surfaced bony tissue; the echoes returned from the bony tissue are received; the maximum echo (which can be regarded to be the echo due to perpendicular reflection) is extracted from the echoes received; the reflection coefficient and acoustic impedance, etc., of the bone are calculated from the maximum echo extracted, and the calculated values are used as the basis for diagnosing osteoporosis.
However, although it is possible, with the ultrasonic pulse-echo type apparatus for diagnosing osteoporosis claimed in the applications mentioned above, to emit adequate planewave ultrasonic pulses towards smooth-surfaced bony tissue and to receive back perpendicularly reflected echoes when the transducer is in contact with the skin of the examinee, there is the problem that the procedure is complex, because the direction of the transducer has to be altered in order to locate the maximum echo, and this requires skill and effort on the part of the person carrying out the procedure.
This invention is a response to the situation above, and its object is to offer an apparatus for diagnosing osteoporosis and a method for diagnosing osteoporosis which can give highly reliable diagnoses, by using a simple procedure which does not involve exposure to radiation.

Method and apparatus for osteoporosis diagnosis


The method according to the invention comprise the following steps, dynamic measurement of the current geographical position of the aircraft, and its current ground speed, calculation of a first length representative of a flight phase of the aircraft, and calculation of a second length representative of a ground phase of the aircraft, calculation of the position of the stop point based on the first length, the second length and the current geographical position. The calculation of the first length comprises a phase for dynamically estimating a distance traveled by the aircraft during at least part of a flare phase of the aircraft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for dynamically determining the position of the stop point of an aircraft on a terrain, comprising the following steps:
dynamic measurement of the current geographical position of the aircraft, and its current ground speed;
calculation of a first length representative of a flight phase of the aircraft, and calculation of a second length representative of a ground phase of the aircraft;
calculation of the position of the stop point based on the first length, the second length and the current geographical position.
Such a method is intended to be implemented during the approach of the aircraft toward a terrain (for example, a landing strip) and during landing on that terrain.
The landing phase of an aircraft is a critical flight phase. In fact, during that phase, the pilot must manage to stop the aircraft on the runway, or must undertake a specific emergency procedure if he feels he will not be able to stop the aircraft before the end of the runway. The specific procedure is for example a go-around procedure if the speed of the airplane and the remaining length of the runway allow it.
2. Description of the Related Art
In this respect, statistical studies on aerial accidents having occurred in the last decade on commercial flights show that a majority of accidents take place during landing, and that the primary cause of approximately 18% of accidents is an exit of runway.
A significant share of these accidents are due, during the landing phase, to exit the length of runways. Several causes have been isolated for this type of accident, but in the majority of cases, the crew incorrectly estimated the ability to land the aircraft on the runway.
To offset this problem, systems and methods have been developed for allowing the pilot, during flight and/or on the ground, to estimate whether he will be able to land the aircraft in complete safety, and to estimate the braking capacities of the aircraft on the considered runway.
The estimate of the stop position of the airplane, presented to the crew during the approach and until the aircraft has come to a complete stop, is therefore information of great interest in terms of safety. This interest is even greater if the estimate accounts for the evolution of the system in real time.
In one known method, a minimal landing distance along the runway, until the aircraft is stopped, is calculated from the current position of the aircraft, from a standard descent plane toward the determined landing strip, and a performance model of the aircraft.
The calculation of the minimum landing distance comprises estimating a distance traveled above the runway during flight, based on the average flight time above the runway, and the estimate of a travel distance on the runway.
This method only considers the constant descent plane of the aircraft.
One aim of the invention is therefore to obtain a method for determining the stop point of an aircraft on the ground, which can be implemented during an approach phase and during rolling, and with improved precision.
To that end, the invention relates to a method of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the calculation of the first length comprises a phase for dynamically estimating a distance traveled by the aircraft during at least part of a flare phase of the aircraft.

Method for dynamically determining the position of the stop point of an aircraft on a terrain, and associated system


An air guide element is installed between air supply vent and the inside of he door of the heating appliance which consists of an adjustable damper for regulating the supply of secondary combustion air and ballast air in the appliance and in which at least one heat sensitive element is connected between said damper and one of the components of the heating appliance which serves to adjust said damper, which element reacts to the prevailing temperature in the combustion chamber of the appliance.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is for a device which makes it possible to regulate automatically the strength of the flue draught of a heating appliance connected to a flue. Such a heating appliance may consist of a furnace for burning solid fuels, a stove, a built-in appliance, a central heating boiler or a baker's oven.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
A device is known from E.P. Patent no. 94455 of applicant which is applied in a heating appliance with a glazed door in which a secondary air supply vent is provided between the door and the fuel grille for the supply of secondary combustion air and inside the appliance an air guide element is fastened between the air supply vent and the inside of the glass door for directing the supply of secondary combustion air against the inside of the door and towards the top of the combustion chamber.
It is, however, not possible with this device to regulate the flue draught in the appliance automatically with the aim of always supplying the required volume of secondary and ballast air with the occurrence of every negative influence in the appliance, and in this way correcting the draught in the flue.

Device for regulating the strength of the flue draught in heating appliances

V.F.M. Verkoop en Fabrikatie van Metaalprodukten Naamloze Vennootschap


A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating life of the power source. This could allow, for example, a power source replacement schedule to be generated for the device. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message could also be sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the device and thus provide real-time data. The data may also be stored in memory, collected over time, and analyzed or used in various ways. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of power source performance and any associated operational and replacement costs.

Processing facilities are often managed using process control systems. Example processing facilities include chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, and petrochemical production plants. Among other operations, process control systems typically interact with and control industrial equipment in the processing facilities, such as equipment used to produce chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, or petrochemical products.
Process control systems routinely include wireless components, such as wireless sensor networks that provide measurement data to process controllers. A typical wireless sensor network often includes battery-powered sensor devices and other battery-powered devices.
A significant obstacle to the adoption of wireless devices in process control systems and other systems is the potential failure of the wireless devices due to loss of battery power. This is often a result of maintenance personnel failing to service the wireless devices properly, where proper maintenance includes timely battery replacement. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that battery power in wireless devices is often not consumed at the same rate by all wireless devices in a system. This could be due to different usage patterns of the devices or other factors. For example, wireless devices requiring frequent communication typically also require more-frequent battery replacement. However, the proper battery replacement schedule for a wireless device often cannot be determined when the wireless device is installed.
A number of techniques have been used to attempt to determine the proper battery replacement schedule for wireless devices after installation. Some techniques have used formulas based on an average expected transmitter behavior of a wireless device and an average shelf life of a battery. Other techniques have relied on indicators showing low battery power based on the output voltage of the battery. Each of these techniques has its shortcomings, however, which can result in premature or overdue replacement of batteries in wireless devices.

Model-based determination of power source replacement in wireless and other devices


A method of patterning a porous dielectric material that includes an ash process to treat the porous dielectric material. The treated porous dielectric material allows for the formation of a substantially continuous barrier layer, which can inhibit diffusion of, for example, a conductive material into to the dielectric material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

An integrated circuit (IC) device typically comprises a semiconductor die in which circuitry has been formed, this circuitry including a collection of circuit elements such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, etc. To provide electrical connections between the die and a next-level component (e.g., a package substrate), an interconnect structure is formed over a surface of the die. The interconnect structure may comprises a number of levels of metallization, each layer of metallization separated from adjacent levels by a layer of dielectric material and interconnected with the adjacent levels by vias. The dielectric layers of the interconnect structure are often each referred to as an "interlayer dielectric" (or "ILD"). The metallization on each layer comprises a number of conductors (e.g., traces) that may route signal, power, and ground lines to and from the circuitry formed on the die.
For some IC device applications, it may be desirable to increase the I/O (input/output) density of a semiconductor die while also reducing the size of the die. To achieve such a result, it may be necessary to decrease the spacing between conductive traces in the interconnect structure formed on the die. Space reductions include reducing the spacing between traces in the same level of metallization, as well as reducing the spacing between traces in adjacent metallization levels. As the spacing between conductors of an interconnect structure decreases, the potential for coupling capacitance between closely spaced traces and propagation delays may significantly increase. The coupling capacitance and propagation delays may be minimized by reducing the dielectric constant of the material—or, more generally, the "effective" dielectric constant of the space or volume—that separates the conductive traces of the interconnect structure.
One way to reduce the coupling capacitance and propagation delays is to utilize new materials having a low dielectric constant (k) to construct the ILD layers of the interconnect structure. Another solution for lowering the dielectric constant of the ILD layers of an interconnect structure is to introduce air gaps (k=1) proximate to the conductive traces, thereby reducing the effective dielectric constant of the space between adjacent traces. A further solution to lower the dielectric constant of an ILD material is to introduce porosity into the ILD material, wherein the air-filled pores lower the effective dielectric constant of the material. The porosity may be an inherent characteristic of a dielectric material or, alternatively, porosity may be introduced into a dielectric material through processing.

Method of patterning a porous dielectric material


There is provided a fixation device (100) and an assembly structure 10 comprising light emitting diode module, LED module, (200) and at least one fixation device (100) for in a mounted position fixating the LED module to a mounting surface (300). The fixation device comprises a main body (103), a first fixation means (102) for securing LED module to the mounting surface, a second fixation means (106, 506) for securing the fixation device to the LED module and at least one resilient portion (107, 108) arranged to extend from the main body and to, in a mounted position, at least partly bear against a predetermined bearing surface (201, 202) of the LED module such that a controlled force which is independent of the first fixation means is applied the bearing surface of the LED module by means of the resilient portion.

An increasing number of LED driven luminaires are on the market today. Many of these systems are equipped with LED modules, which typically comprise a plurality of LEDs which are arranged on a base plate. In many applications the LED modules are fixed against a metal mounting surface of the luminaire. The performance and lifetime of these LED modules depend, for an important piece, on the interfaces between LED modules and luminaires because the luminaire casing will function as a heat sink.
A very common mechanical assembly structure for these LED modules utilizes screw connections which are screwed directly into the mounting surface via the housing of the LED-module, which is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. In FIG. 1a and 1b a LED module 1 is illustrated in a mounted position on a mounting surface 2, i.e. the luminaire casing. The LED module 1 comprises a base plate 4, e.g. a printed card board, PCB, onto which a plurality of LEDs 3 are arranged. A plastic housing 5 covers the LED module 1. The LED module 1 further comprises a power connector (not shown). Here six screws 8 fixate the LED module 1 to the mounting surface 2 via the LED module housing 5. Different possible disadvantages and risks are connected with these kinds of screw connections. Firstly, the screws 8 have to be mounted with a defined torque because of the risk of stress cracking of the plastic parts in the housing 5. These torques differ from case to case and depend on many aspects like the type of screws, the hole dimensions for receiving screw holes in the mounting surface 2 of the luminaire when thread-forming screws are being used, the type of material of the mounting surface 2 etc. Another risk is that screws come loose in vibrating applications, e.g. street lighting applications, because of creepage effects in the plastic parts of the housing 5 and/or the low required initial screw torque. In this case LED modules will come loose, get overheated and break down. To overcome these risks customers have to take measures like using locking agent to lock the screws.
Further, a good thermal connection between the LED module 1 and the mounting surface 2 of the luminaire requires a well defined attachment between those two. Typically, a thermal interface material 7 is applied between the base plate 4 and the mounting surface 2 to avoid any air-gaps between the mounting surface and the LED module in order to get a lower and better defined thermal resistance. The performance of some thermal interface materials (e.g. thermal gap-pad materials) is very sensitive to how a LED module 1 is fixed at the mounting surface 2 in terms of the value of the pressing force F from the screws and the equability of the distribution of different pressing forces FR at the thermal interface, as illustrated in FIG. 1b. By using screws, very high peak forces are easily introduced. This can result in an unwanted bended bottom surface, as illustrated with arrows B in FIG. 1a, and also unwanted air gaps 9 in the critical thermal interface. This will have a negative impact on the thermal reliability and therefore the lifetime of the LED module 1.
To continue with reference to the prior art assembly of FIG. 1, by heating up (LED module 1 is switched on) and cooling down (LED module 1 is switched off) the different parts of the LED module 1 will move compared to each other because of their different thermal expansion behavior. By using screws 8 which apply locally high peak forces to the LED module 1, as described above, the different materials of the base plate 4 and the housing 5 cannot or can only move very little compared to each other. This can result in exceeding the maximum allowed stress level in the plastic housing 5 or that unwanted bending effects occur in these parts, as illustrated with the arrows indicated with B in FIG. 1a.
LED modules are being sold with a long lifetime guarantee so they must withstand many thermal cycles meaning that the risk of material failures over time could be big especially in outdoor applications.

Fixation device and an assembly structure


Biologically active reagents are prepared from particles of copolymers having highly active succinimid groups. The reagents are prepared by covalently attaching biologically active substances, for example antibodies, to the particles, directly or indirectly through amide groups by displacement of highly active succinimid groups on the particle surface. These reagents are used to advantage in analytical elements, methods for the detection of specific binding ligands (such as immunological species) and immunoassays, and in purification methods such as affinity chromatography.

There is a continuing need in medical practice and research, and in analytical and diagnostic procedures for rapid and accurate determinations of chemical and biological substances which are present in various fluids, such as biological fluids. For example, the presence of drugs, narcotics, hormones, steroids, polypeptides, metabolites, toxins, viruses, microorganisms or nucleic acids in human or animal body fluids or tissues must be determined rapidly and accurately for effective research, diagnosis or treatment.
A wide variety of analytical methods have been developed to detect the substances noted above. Generally, the state of the art has advanced to such a degree that analytical and diagnostic methods have become highly reliable and suitable for automation or for use with test kits which can be readily used in doctors' offices or at home. Most of such methods rely on what are known in the art as "specific binding" reactions in which an unknown substance to be detected (known as a "ligand") reacts specifically and preferentially with a corresponding "receptor" molecule. Most well known specific binding reactions occur between immunoreactants, such as antibodies and antigens (foreign substances which produce immunological responses), but other specific binding reactions (such as between avidin and biotin and a sugar with a lectin) are well known.
Methods in the art using specific binding reactions generally require that one or more or both of the reactants be immobilized on a solid substrate of some type, so that unreacted (and generally water-soluble) materials can then be separated from the water-insoluble reaction product (often called a "complex"). In addition, such immobilized reactants can be used in affinity chromatography to remove a desired biologically active material from a mixture of such materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,651 (issued Jul. 14, 1981 to Hales) relates to a supported receptor for use in an assay for a ligand in which the solid support contains a water insoluble polymer having available at least one active functional group which is either carboxyl, isothiocyanate, N-hydroxysuccinimid, imidazolide, bromoacetyl, maleimide or diazomethylene. The receptor having been covalently linked to the support through the active functional group. Generally, the support is a large core-shell particle having an outer porous coating as the shell which also has the necessary functional groups. The core of the particle provides structural integrity for the porous shell materials.
It would be expected that porous particles would provide greater surface area over non-porous particles. This, in practice, is not the case. Depending on the size of the pores, porous particles are relatively inefficient for use with large molecules of biological interest. For example, a useful ligand may be attached to a porous bead in one of the pores. The biological species which it is desired to eliminate or separate from the liquid stream may be so large as not to be able to get down into the pores and reach the ligand. Conversely, immobilization of a large affinity ligand can only take advantage of a small portion of the total surface area since the ligand itself cannot penetrate the porous well. Thus, the efficiency of binding is diminished and the apparent surface area advantage of such porous particles becomes illusory.
Acrylic acid-based photopolymerizable compositions have been prepared which are capable of binding bioactive substances after being photopolymerized, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,569 (issued May 29, 1984 to Schneider et al). These compositions may be applied as a coating on a carrier substrate, photopolymerized and a bioactive substance fixed thereto. The composition contains acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a photopolymerization activator and adhesion promoter, and a copolymerizable olefinic monomer which contains a active functional group capable of binding bioactive substances. The olefinic monomer is preferably N-hydroxysuccinimidacrylate, N-hydroxysuccinimid amidocaproate, epoxypropyl acrylate or 2-isocyanato-ethyl acrylate.
Also, biologically active substances have thus been immobilized to advantage on particulate substrates such as polymeric particles, animal and human erythrocytes, bacterial cells and other materials known in the art. In some cases, the particulate substrates are fashioned or chemically treated to provide active groups on their outer surfaces for appropriate reaction with the biological substance. If the particulate substrate is a polymeric material, it often can be prepared from monomers having the appropriate active groups.
For example, carboxylated latex particles have been used to prepare diagnostic reagents, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,636 (issued Jan. 1, 1980 to Fischer). The described particles are prepared using a carboxyl-containing monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid or maleic acid. Similar particles are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,931 (issued Dec. 31, 1974 to Hager), U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,383 (issued Feb. 6, 1979 to Rembaum et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,766 (issued Apr. 28, 1981 to Fischer).
For example. U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,525 (issued Dec. 1, 1987 to Kraemer) relates to certain polymer particles dispersible to form a latex, to latices of such polymer particles, and to methods for immobilizing (i.e., bonding or fixing) a biologically active substance on such particles. These particles have a core-shell construction and comprise groups in the shell region which are suitable for covalent fixation thereto of a biologically active substance. The shell construction is also hydrophilic and crosslinked. The crosslinking is necessary to prevent dissolution of the very hydrophilic shell polymer. The crosslinked hydrophilic matrix of Kraemer has the disadvantage of being nonabsorptive towards antibodies and other proteins to be adsorbed or immobilized on the surface of the antibody or protein. A material that adsorbs to a hydrophilic surface can be more easily displaced than if it were adsorbed to a more hydrophobic surface.
Two known monomers, N-acryloyloxysuccinimid and N-(6-methacrylamidohexanoyloxy)succinimid, have been polymerized to form polymers. These monomers are generally water-insoluble, but are difficult to copolymerize with oleophilic monomers by emulsion polymerization in water and are not readily polymerized to form monodisperse particles.
Notwithstanding the current status of the arts of medical practice and analytical and diagnostic procedures, there is a need in the industry for a method of preparing biologically active reagents having water-insoluble, non-porous particles of a non-crosslinked copolymer useful in this invention.

Method of preparing biologically active reagents from succinimide-containing polymers, analytical element and methods of use


An electrical outlet extender with a male plug at one end to be connected into a wall outlet and a female electrical outlet at an opposite end and with one or more tubular members connected between the male plug and the female outlet. The tubular member are connected to each other through a slidable, rotatable or both slidable and rotatable means, thereby permitting the extender to be easily adjusted and adapted to fit the widest variety of electrical extension requirements, while maintaining a desired length and position and while avoiding the drawbacks of coils of standard extension cords

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices to extend the effectiveness of electrical wall outlets. It is particularly concerned with rigid extension devices that effectively move an outlet from a difficult to reach and use location to a convenient location for the coupling of extension cords and electrical devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Extension cords are widely used as devices to effectively extend electrical outlets from a fixed location in a wall to a remote location where an electrically powered device can be attached and used. Such cords are flexible and have a plug on one end to be plugged into a wall outlet and an outlet on the other end of the cord into which a male electrical plug can be inserted. While they may work reasonably well in situations where the cords are allowed to fall as they may, after insertion of the male plug end into a wall outlet and movement of the female receptacle end to a desired location, they are unsightly and in some instances may constitute traffic hazards.
Various special configurations of extension cords have been proposed in the past. Some are intended to prevent the sprawling flexible cord and the hazards associated therewith and others recognize a need to have a flat cord that will extend an electrical wall outlet to a remote location. U.S. Design Pat. No. 324,669, for example, discloses an extension cord with a reel in a housing that will rest against a wall when the cord is plugged into a wall receptacle. A similar retractable extension cord unit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,078. U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,094 discloses an extension cord of undercarpet flat cable with a flexible extension and male plug extending from one end of one member of a flat telescoping, conductive assembly, the other telescoping member of which has a female outlet fixed thereto.
There remains a need for a device that will plug into a wall outlet and transmit power from such outlet to a desired location, with the device hugging the wall so as not to be unsightly and constructed to be readily rotated with respect to the wall outlet so that female outlet on the end remote from the male plug can be located directly above or below the wall outlet, to either side of the wall outlet or at any desired angle with respect to the wall plug.
For general background the reader is directed to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,815,078, 4,875,871, 5,041,002, 5,052,937, 5,067,906 and U.S. Design Pat. No. 324,669, each of with is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material disclosed therein.


This disclosure relates to detergent compositions containing pyridinol-N-oxide compounds and being substantially free of bleach. Methods for treating a stained fabric using such detergent compositions are also disclosed.

Laundry detergent compositions that comprise chelating agents are known. For example, the chelating agent tiron, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid, is known in the art of detergent compositions as a cleaning agent. Tiron delivers hydrophilic cleaning benefits, particularly on bleachable stains, and may also drive particulate cleaning via clay peptization, suspension, and/or synergy with polymeric dispersing systems. However, tiron and other related chelants are known to bind to ions of certain transition metals, which may be present as contaminants in detergent compositions, and form colored metal/chelant complexes. For example, tiron binds to ferric iron to form a burgundy red metal/tiron complex that can be detected at metal ion concentrations of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) or even lower. Many detergent compositions contain concentrations of soluble iron, such as ferric iron, as an impurity, and the concentration of ferric iron in these detergents is enough to form sufficient metal/chelant complexes to give the detergent a reddish color. Consumers may disfavor reddish-colored detergents, as a reddish color may be associated with, for example, rust. Furthermore, such color formation may make it difficult to create a consistently-colored finished product.
Laundry detergent compositions comprising bleach and a chelating agent are also known. It is believed that the chelant may bind to metal ions present in the composition or on the target fabric, resulting in, for example, a reduced rate of peroxygen bleach decomposition. Examples of such chelants include: phosphonate chelants, such as ethydronic acid and hydroxy-ethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP); polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelants, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene (tiron); succinate chelants, such as ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS); amino carboxylate chelants, such as diethylene triamine pentoacetate (DTPA) and propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA); polycarboxylic acids of pyridine, such as dipicolinic acid; and others, including malonic acid and hydroxy-pyridine-N-oxides, e.g., 2-hydroxy-pyridine-1-oxide.
It would be desirable to produce a detergent composition—which is substantially free of bleach—that comprises a chelating agent and provides hydrophilic cleaning benefits, particularly on bleachable stains, without undesirable color formation. It has been discovered that such a detergent composition may be produced by specifically selecting and including certain derivatives of pyridine-N-oxide as the chelating agent in the detergent composition.

Detergent compositions containing pyridinol-N-oxide compositions


A negative-working, imageable element comprises a substrate and an IR-sensitive imageable layer comprising a dispersion of nanofibers of a preformed IR-sensitive polymer. The nanofibers can be composed of polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. The IR-sensitive imageable layer containing the nanofibers can be imaged using infrared radiation and used for printing without further processing. Thus, both imaging and printing can be carried out on-press.

Lithography and offset printing methods have long been combined in a compatible arrangement of great convenience for the printing industry to provide economical, high speed, and high quality image duplication in various run sizes. Known lithographic methods have generally required the imaging of a photosensitive film followed by exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor using the film as a masking element, and development of the resulting printing plate image with various aqueous developers and rinsing solutions.
In conventional or "wet" lithographic printing, ink receptive regions, known as image areas, are generated on a hydrophilic surface. When the surface is moistened with water and ink is applied, the hydrophilic regions retain the water and repel the ink, and the ink receptive regions accept the ink and repel the water. The ink is transferred to the surface of a material upon which the image is to be reproduced. Alternatively, the ink can be first transferred to an intermediate blanket that in turn is used to transfer the ink to the surface of the material upon which the image is to be reproduced.
Imageable elements useful to prepare lithographic printing plates typically comprise an imageable layer applied over the hydrophilic surface of a substrate. The imageable layer usually includes one or more radiation-sensitive components that can be dispersed or dissolved in a suitable binder. Alternatively, the radiation-sensitive component can also be the binder material. Following imaging, either the imaged regions or the non-imaged regions of the imageable layer are removed by a suitable developer, revealing the underlying hydrophilic surface of the substrate. If the imaged regions are removed, the element is considered as positive-working. Conversely, if the non-imaged regions are removed, the element is considered as negative-working. In each instance, the regions of the imageable layer (that is, the image areas) that remain are ink-receptive, and the regions of the hydrophilic surface revealed by the developing process accept water and aqueous solutions, typically a fountain solution, and repel ink.
Imaging of the imageable element with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation is typically carried out through a mask that has clear and opaque regions. Imaging takes place in the regions under the clear regions of the mask but does not occur in the regions under the opaque mask regions. If corrections are needed in the final image, a new mask must be made. This is a time-consuming process. In addition, dimensions of the mask may change slightly due to changes in temperature and humidity. Thus, the same mask, when used at different times or in different environments, may give different results and could cause registration problems.
While this process has been used for many years to provide high-quality images, the process is relatively inefficient and laborious. More recently, advances in the industry have provided image formation by digital computer aided design of graphical material or text. This manner of "computer-to-plate" (CTP) imaging is extremely advantageous because images can be easily edited or converted prior to imaging. This imaging method is particularly useful for the lower run printing jobs.
Thus, direct digital imaging has obviated the need for imaging through a mask and is becoming increasingly important in the printing industry. Imageable elements for the preparation of lithographic printing plates have been developed for use with infrared lasers. Thermally imageable, multi-layer elements are described, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,311 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,812 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,055 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,811 (Patel et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,669 (Savariar-Hauck et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,228 (Savariar-Hauck et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0067432 A1 (Kitson et al.).
Other digital imaging methods have been achieved using lasers as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,737 (Lewis et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,705 (Lewis et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,617 (Williams et al.) wherein the laser output ablates one or more layers of the imageable element, resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the element. Producing images by ablation has its disadvantages including unwanted debris and vapors from the imaging process and images that may lack desired sharpness because imaged areas are incompletely removed. Ablated matter requires appropriate removal from the imaging layer and disposal.
Digital imaging can also be achieved by laser exposure of a heat-sensitive layer in an imageable element whereby imaged areas are selectively changed in affinity for aqueous solutions or oleophilic inks, depending upon the composition of the heat-sensitive layer. Examples of this type of imaging are provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,514 (Zheng et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,657 (Fleming et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,830 (Leon et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,831 (Leon et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,268 (Fleming et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,202 (Fleming et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,978 (Leon et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,500 (Leon et al.).
Positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors containing an IR-sensitive polythiophene, polypyrrole, or polyaniline in a single imaging layer are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,705 (Nguyen et al.). These imaging layers are designed to provide a positive-working image by removal of the imaged areas of the IR-sensitive polymer by ablation. The IR-sensitive polymers are formed either by solution polymerization prior to coating or by in-situ polymerization on the substrate after the appropriate monomers are deposited on the substrate by vapor deposition or coating and contacted with a suitable catalyst. If solution polymerization is used, it is preferred to crosslink the IR-sensitive polymer with a polymeric binder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,705 specifically discourages the use of solid "preformed" polypyrroles or other IR-sensitive polymers because it results in non-uniform distribution of the polymer throughout the coating, and hence, non-uniform ablation.
Huang and Kaner in Nature Materials, Vol. 31 (November), 2004, Nature Publishing Group, describe nanofibers of polyaniline that are welded into a composite using flash irradiation. Various speculative uses of the nanofibers are proposed but none is demonstrated.

Imaging members with IR-sensitive polymer imageable layer


A differential pressure transducer which incorporates a Fabry-Perot sensor for direct quantitative measurements of the distance displaced by a piston abutting two pressure boundaries is described. The apparatus includes a piston with an annular protrusion which is fitted into a transducer housing having a peripheral groove that serves as a stop to prevent damage to the in overpressure situations. A method of measuring differential pressure using a Fabry-Perot sensor is also contemplated.

The present invention relates in general to differential pressure transducers and in particular to a new and useful differential pressure transducer that relies upon a Fabry-Perot fiber optic sensor to measure displacements and calculate differential pressure on the basis of such measurements.
Differential pressure (dP) transducers now known in the art usually contain a displacement sensor coupled between two thin diaphragms. It is well known in the art that the coupling between the two diaphragms can be accomplished with a mechanical linkage or through hydraulic coupling or both together. The two coupled diaphragms perform a mechanical subtraction of the pressures on them and the sensor measures their net motion relative to the transducer body to determine differential pressure. It has been the practice to fill the volume between the diaphragms with a hydraulic fluid in order to prevent rupture of the thin diaphragms due to the high static pressures while maintaining sensitivity to differential pressure. When the static pressure in the process line is presented to one side of each diaphragm, the fill fluid is pressurized to the line pressure. Deflection stops are incorporated to prevent rupture of the diaphragms in the event only one side of the transducer is subjected to high static pressure.
If the boundary of the volume between the diaphragms, including the diaphragms, electrical feedthroughs and fill/bleed ports, is not totally sealed small leaks of fill fluid will occur and will cause unacceptable increases in response time, sensor output drift and transducer non-linearity with pressure. In some cases, these changes may not be readily detected when the transducer is in service because the transducer output may remain stable at constant dP. The leaking of fill fluid from these known dP transducers is a problem that is well known and documented.
FIG. 1 depicts a first configuration for the known differential pressure transducer described above. Differential pressure cell 110 includes two spaced diaphragms 122 connected to a housing by seals 114. The diaphragms 122 are mechanically coupled to one another by way of the sensor. Fill fluid 116 and a sensor 120 are contained between the diaphragms 122 as well as a sensor lead wire 112. Diaphragm stops 124 are employed outside of the diaphragms 122. The pressure across the diaphragms 122 is measured as described herein.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second configuration. Here, the fluid-filled differential pressure transducer has a welded assembly 210 including isolation diaphragms 231, sensing diaphragm 233, fill fluid 216, and lead wires, which are also the high- and low-pressure fill tubes 225. In this configuration, the mechanical linkage between the two pressure isolation diaphragms is a third diaphragm called a sensing diaphragm. The measured change in capacitance between the sensing diaphragm 233 and high and low pressure metallized surfaces 237 is directly proportional to the pressure difference across the transducer 210. The cell further comprises process chambers 229 spaced away from convoluted pressure plates 235. Electrical insulator 221 is also provided as well as ceramic inserts 228.
The fill tube penetrations 225 in FIG. 2 are the locations most likely to leak fill fluid over time. In process plant pipeline application for example, the pressure on the fill fluid 216 is nominally 3000 psi at operating pressure. If the fill tube diameters 225 are kept small, the force acting on the fluid 216 to push it out of the fill tube penetrations 225 will also be small. Nevertheless, a good seal is difficult to maintain. Fill fluid leaks are also possible between the outside diameter of the fill tube 225 and the glass insulating material 221, and along the boundaries between the insulating material 221 and metal housing 211. Thus, it is very difficult to make a totally leak-tight seal, since penetrations through the high pressure boundary must be made. Similar leakage problems can occur with respect to the design of FIG. 1.
Another inadequacy of fluid-filled dP transducers is the static pressure effect. A dP transducer as described should output a value of zero when the same process pressure is applied to both diaphragms. However, the static pressure causes the fill fluid to be pressurized resulting in distortions of the transducer body. These distortions cause relative motions between the diaphragms and body resulting in static pressure effect on zero, and also produce radial forces on the diaphragms, which change their effective stiffness and cause static pressure effects on span. In addition, the displacement sensor is exposed to the fill-fluid pressure environment adding to the static pressure effects on both zero and span. In applications involving static pressures of about one thousand psig or greater, the requirement for a stable zero and span over the allowable range of static pressure is difficult to achieve in practice.
Yet another inadequacy of fluid-filled dP transducers is the effect of hydrogen. When dP transducers are operated in a hydrogen-rich environment, for example, in a hydrocarbon processing facility, the hydrogen gas easily diffuses through thin diaphragms and into the fill fluid. If the dP transducer is used to measure pressure differences such as may exist in a high pressure pipeline, then the fill fluid will experience the large static pipeline pressure. If hydrogen has diffused into the fill fluid, then when the pipeline pressure is reduced such as during a scheduled shutdown, the hydrogen gas boils out of the fill fluid and forms a bubble. Since the enclosed volume of fill fluid is constant, a bubble of hydrogen within the closed volume deforms the diaphragms, which results in a calibration shift, zero offset or in the worst case, diaphragm rupture. Such failures are normally undetected until the system is brought back on line resulting in safety issues and delays in production.
The use of a fill fluid also contributes to degraded performance of a dP transducer when it is operated over a range of temperatures, as is normal in service. The volumetric expansion of liquids with temperature is significantly greater than that of the metals used in construction of the transducer body. Thus, when the temperature of the transducer changes, the volume of the fill fluid changes more than the volume of the body. This results in motion of both the thin diaphragms away from their rest positions, distorting their shape and causing degraded linearity and accuracy. The normal method for limiting this effect is to keep the volume of the fill fluid at an absolute minimum; this method aggravates the effect of leakage because a leak of a given volume is a more significant part of the total fluid volume.
Rather than perform a mechanical subtraction of two large pressures as described above, an alternative approach would be to measure each pressure with a separate gage pressure transducers that do not require fill fluids. The differential pressure can be determined by subtracting the signals electronically. If the full-scale differential pressure range to be measured is 400 in H2O(15 psi) and the desired accuracy is 0.1% of Full Scale Range (0.015 psi), then for application at 3000 psig line pressure, a gage pressure transducer is required which has an accuracy of 0.015/3000=0.0005% (1:200,000). Such devices are not commercially available, and not yet achieved with any known technology. Thus, mechanical subtraction of two large pressures is the only alternative measurement approach available with present day technology.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,729 discloses a differential pressure transducer that does not require any fill fluid and uses a microbend fiber optic sensor which must be mounted to both the beam and the transducer housing. A microbend fiber optic sensor produces changes in light intensity that are detected by a detector to sense movement of a beam, e.g. a mechanical linkage, positioned between two pressure sensitive diaphragms. Backing stops are provided to prevent unwanted rupture of the diaphragms. Because the sensor relies upon intensity measurements which are themselves affected by movement of the beam or the transducer housing, the sensor can be affected by vibrations in either of the items to which it is mounted.
While this approach eliminates the need for fill-fluid, the reliance on intensity measurement by the fiber optic sensor leads to potential errors in light attenuation measurement by causes other than beam motion, e.g. drift in light source output, changes in losses in the optical fiber, couplers and connectors may all change the light intensity as well. Additionally, the beam and diaphragm must provide enough force to move the microbend sensor plates which are attached to the beam. This requires that the beam and diaphragms be relatively massive, which in turn means the overall assembly must be large and massive. Consequently, a dP cell with microbend sensors is subject to vibration sensitivity, as mentioned above, as well as thermal sensitivity and the costs associated with manufacturing such a dense and massive item. All of the shortcomings with microbend sensors are alleviated with an optical non-contact displacement sensor such as the Fabry-Perot fiber optic sensor which does not have to be positioned on the beam to measure the absolute position of the beam and is not sensitive to light intensity changes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,290 and related U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,174 also contemplate differential pressure transducers that require the use of a capacitive sensors or diffraction gratings and interference patterns. Moreover, these differential pressure transducers do not contemplate the use of interferometric fiber optic Fabry-Perot sensors, nor do these sensors suggest a means of integrating a structural support and stopping mechanism directly into the sensor design.
Differential pressure transducers find utility in the measure of flow and level in applications where fluids are present and/or being transported, in addition to a myriad of other uses known to those skilled in the art. On occasion, such pressure transducers may be used in conjunction with orifice plates and venturi tubes for flow measurement in pipes. For the sake of simplicity, as used throughout this application and the appended claims, it should be understood the inventors use the terms orifice plates and venturi tubes interchangeably based upon their sumilar functionality.
Basically, the orifice plate is a round plate with a hole in the center. The plate serves as an obstruction to the flow. Capillary lines (i.e. tube) or impulse lines are connected to pressure taps in the pipe or on the flange at the location of the orifice plate. These lines are then connected to the differential pressure transducer and used to measure the pressure on each side of the orifice plate. Since the inner diameter of the pipe is much larger than the hole in the orifice plate, gas or liquid flowing in the pipe is forced through the smaller diameter orifice and the pressure on the upstream side is always greater than the pressure on the downstream side. The measured pressure difference across the orifice is proportional to the square of the mass flow rate and is normally measured in inches of water of differential pressure.
Presently, there is no known system or method for providing a differential pressure transducer which avoids the aforementioned problems by incorporating a Fabry-Perot interferometric fiber optic sensor. A differential pressure transducer which is relatively lightweight, easy to manufacture, immune to leakage of fill fluid, tolerant to very high temperatures, insensitive to thermal variations or vibrations, and immune to hydrogen migration would be welcomed by industry. A transducer that can be directly integrated with an orifice plate or venturi tube would also be welcomed.

Differential pressure transducer with Fabry-Perot fiber optic displacement sensor


A miniature back-up overvoltage protection apparatus for use on an overvoltage protection device includes a housing adapted to be removably mounted on the first and second terminals of an overvoltage protection device. A dielectric is disposed within the housing and is sandwiched between two electrically conducting members done of which is in contact with one end terminal of the overvoltage protection device. A unitary clip is adapted to removable retain the overvoltage protection device and to urge a pair of back-up overvoltage protection apparatuses against the distal terminals of the overvoltage protection device with the clip making electrically conducting contact with the third terminal of the overvoltage protection device, the second conducting member and to the ground terminal of the telephone line system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to overvoltage surge arrestor assemblies for protecting telephone communication lines from overvoltage occurring thereon, and more particularly, to enhance surge voltage arrestor assemblies having back-up surge features in order to protect the communication lines.
2. Discussion of the Relevant Art
The most pertinent patent appears to be that to Huvet, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,087, issued Feb. 26, 1985, which discloses a surge voltage assembly that includes a threaded tubular housing member coupled to a circuit ground and includes therein an axially aligned compression spring, metallic cage with extending resilient fingers, a solder pellet and a gas-filled tube having a primary arc gap and an insulator with secondary arc gap holes separating a pair of electrically conductive members which contacts one terminal of the gas-filled tube and a metallic cage to hold these items. A two terminal gas tube is used herein and thus it would require two of these assemblies to provide the same function as the instant invention and an entirely different mechanical construction.
The patent to Pagliuca, U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,414, issued Apr. 17, 1979, discloses a short circuit clip with legs for resiliently engaging a line and ground electrode of a gas tube arrestor and includes an air gap device at one set of legs. The device also uses a non-metallic fusible element interposed between the clip legs and associate arrestor electrode.
The patent to Masghati, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,302, issued on Jul. 2, 1991, discloses a fail-safe arrestor for electrical circuits that uses a gas filled tube to conduct an over-voltage and provides a clip to couple the circuit to a ground lead at the melting from continuous current flow of an insulator interposed between an electrode and the ground lead. The insulator is a mesh with a plurality of passages allowing arcing between the electrode and clip at or above a predetermined voltage, thus the ground lead is supplied for a vented gas-filled tube. A pair of these units would be required to accomplish protection for both the ring and tip circuits connected to telephone communication lines and a different mechanical arrangement.
The patent to Baumbach, U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,304, issued on Feb. 2, 1982, discloses a gas-tube surge arrestor and utilizes a secondary or back-up protector should the gas tube fail. The secondary air gap is established by perforated plastic sheets which are interposed between a line terminal and a ground contact both of which are supported on an insulated base. The means for holding the gas tube and the back-up overvoltage protection device require a plurality of brackets which is different than that shown in the instant invention.
The instant invention overcomes the shortcomings found in the prior art by providing an assembly which is suitable for use with a gas-filled tube or a solid state semiconductor overvoltage protection device having a configuration similar to the tube.


A device for mounting an edge trimmer to a lawnmower, comprising a front clamp mounted to the lawnmower, and a rear clamp mounted to the lawnmower, wherein the front and rear clamps receive and support a shaft of the edge trimmer, and are adjustable to different angles with respect to a first axis substantially parallel to a surface on which the lawnmower rests.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an attachment device used for mounting an edge trimmer to a lawnmower, and more particularly, to an attachment device used to mount an edge trimmer to a push or self-propelled type lawnmower.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Lawnmowers are widely used by homeowners and by commercial services. Traditional lawnmowers include, for example, push and self-propelled types. When cutting grass, it is also desirable to cut the edges of the lawn along sidewalks, fences, and around trees and shrubs. Edges may be cut using an edge trimmer that allows a user to get closer than the lawnmower to a structure around which the grass needs to be trimmed.
Conventional edge trimmers may have a string or cable type line or plastic blades, and can be powered by a gasoline engine, or by electric power. The edge trimmer, for example, sold under the WEEDWACKER trademark, is sold separately, and used separately from a lawmnower.
Maintaining the aesthetics of one's property can be labor intensive, especially when faced with physical ailments, such as back problems. Carrying the weight of an edge trimmer and performing the edge trimming operation separately from mowing with a lawnmower, can cause fatigue and is time consuming.
Known attempts to combine a lawnmower with an edge trimmer have resulted in expensive and cumbersome machines that take up large amounts of space. In addition, consumers would rather use and modify their existing equipment at less cost, rather than buy more expensive or cumbersome units.
Therefore, a need exists for an attachment device that can be added to an existing lawnmower to mount a standard edge trimmer thereto.

Lawnmower attachment device for mounting an edge trimmer thereto and method of mounting same


An electronic device is detachably mounted on a DIN rail. The DIN rail includes a first protruding edge and a second protruding edge. The electronic device includes a main body and two clips. The two clips are movably disposed on the main body. Each clip includes a base and an extension part. The base includes a notch. The notch is selectively engaged with or disengaged from the first protruding edge or the second protruding edge. The extension part is connected with the base and extended from the base. The extension part includes a double-bevel bulge and an elastic extension arm. The elastic extension arm is located beside the double-bevel bulge. A free end of the elastic extension arm has an engaging part. The notches of the two clips are engaged with or disengaged from the first protruding edge and the second protruding edge, respectively.

DIN rails are widely applied to various systematic apparatuses or various computer cases. For allowing an electronic device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) to be detachably mounted on the DIN rail, the electronic device is equipped with one or more clips. Through the clips, the electronic device can be mounted on the DIN rail.
Conventionally, the electronic device comprises a fixed clip and a movable clip. The fixed clip is installed on a main body of the electronic device. The movable clip is installed on a main body of the electronic device and at the position corresponding to the fixed clip. The movable clip is movable in response to an external force. When the external force is released, the movable clip is restored to the original shape. For mounting the electronic device on the DIN rail, the fixed clip of the main body of the electronic device is firstly engaged with a first lateral side of the DIN rail, and then the main body of the electronic device is pressed into the DIN rail. In response to the pressing force, the movable clip is subjected to deformation. After the movable clip is engaged with a second lateral side of the DIN rail, the movable clip is restored to the original shape. Under this circumstance, the electronic device is fixed on the DIN rail.
As mentioned above, the conventional electronic device comprises two different types of clips (i.e., the fixed clip and the movable clip). For mounting the electronic device on the DIN rail, the main body of the electronic device has to be inclined relative to the DIN rail at an angle. After the fixed clip is engaged with the first lateral side of the DIN rail and the main body of the electronic device is pressed into the DIN rail, the movable clip is engaged with the second lateral side of the DIN rail, so that the electronic device is fixed on the DIN rail. However, the applications of the electronic device are restricted. For example, the electronic device cannot be detached from or coupled with the DIN rail along the direction perpendicular to the DIN rail.
In accordance with another approach, the electronic device comprises two movable clips. The two movable clips are separately disposed on the main body of the electronic device and located at the corresponding positions of the main body. For mounting the electronic device on the DIN rail, the two movable clips are pushed externally toward two opposite sides, and then the main body of the electronic device is pressed into the DIN rail. After the two movable clips are restored, the two movable clips are engaged with two opposite sides of the DIN rail. Under this circumstance, the electronic device is fixed on the DIN rail. As mentioned above, it is necessary to externally push the two movable clips in order to mount the electronic device on the DIN rail. In other words, the process of mounting the electronic device on the DIN rail is time-consuming and inconvenient.
In accordance with a further approach, the electronic device comprises two movable clips and a pull lever. The two movable clips are separately disposed on the main body of the electronic device and located at the corresponding positions of the main body. Through the pull lever, the two movable clips can be pushed externally toward two opposite sides, so that the electronic device can be detached from or coupled with the DIN rail. However, since the movable clips and the pull lever are different structures, the movable clips and the pull lever are produced through different molds. Moreover, the process of assembling the movable clips and the pull lever with the main body is very complicated, the assembling cost is high.


A device (1) for detachably connecting two abutting structural parts (2, 3) comprises a tie member (4), adapted to be at least partially inserted in a recess (5) formed in a first (2) of the structural parts (2, 3), and a locking element (6) operable to be disposed in a second (3) of the structural parts (2, 3) and to cooperate with an engagement surface (14, 45) of a rod member (10), slidably housed in a body (8) of the tie member (4), to pull the same towards the second structural part (3). The body (8) is provided with a first, expandable, portion (9) adapted to frictionally engage the recess (5) and with an engaging zone (13) cooperating with an expander region (12) of the rod member (10) operable to expand the first, expandable, portion (9) of the body (8) upon displacement of the rod member (10) relative to the same. The rod member (10) is provided with a traction portion (15) radially outwardly extending therefrom and adapted to cooperate with abutment means (16) radially formed in the body (8) of the tie member (4) at a predetermined axial distance from the engaging zone (13) to effect a substantially simultaneous displacement towards the second structural part (3) of the first, expandable, portion (9) of the body (8) of the tie member (4) and of the first structural part (2) in frictional engagement therewith.

The present invention generally relates to a connecting device and method for detachably connecting two abutting structural parts.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a connecting device and method for detachably connecting flat structural parts, such as panels and the like, used to manufacture pieces of furniture, as well as to a tie member for use in forming such a device and to mounting kits for knock-down furniture parts comprising said connecting device and tie member.

Device and method for detachably connecting abutting structural parts and tie member for use to form said device