A dual analyzer system comprising at least two analyzers where samples to be tested are partitioned into three groups in accord with the frequency the test assays are requested. One analyzer performs a portion of the most frequently menu assays and all of a first subgroup of less frequently requested assays. The second analyzer performs a similar portion of the most frequently menu assays and all of a second subgroup of less frequently requested assays. The first of the analyzers is not equipped to perform any of the second subgroup of assays and the second analyzer is not be equipped to perform any of the second subgroup of assays.

Various types of tests related to patient diagnosis and therapy can be performed by analysis assays of a sample of a patient's infections, bodily fluids or abscesses. Such patient samples are typically placed in sample vials, extracted from the vials, combined with various reagents in special reaction vessels or tubes, incubated, and analyzed to aid in treatment of the patient. In typical clinical chemical analyses, one or two assay reagents are added at separate times to a liquid sample having a known concentration, the sample-reagent combination is mixed and incubated. Interrogating measurements, turbidimetric or fluorometric or absorption readings or the like are made to ascertain end-point or rate values from which an amount of analyte may be determined using well-known calibration techniques.
Although various known clinical analyzers for chemical, immunochemical and biological testing of samples are available, analytical clinical technology is challenged by increasing needs for improved levels of analysis. Due to increasing demands on clinical laboratories regarding assay throughput, there continues to be a need for improvements in the overall performance of automated clinical analyzers. In particular, sample analysis continuously needs to be more cost effective in terms of reduced testing turnaround time which has previously addressed by increasing analyzer throughput, and, more recently, by linking together a number of analyzers and shuttling samples between the analyzers.
An important contributor to maintaining a high throughput of automatic analyzers is the ability to quickly process a plurality of samples through a variety of different assay process and signal measurement steps. One method to achieve this feature is to link together analyzers of different types, each adapted to perform a certain catalog of assays. Another is to link together two or more analyzers of the same type and to allocate incoming samples to whichever analyzer has the smallest backlog of samples to process. Alternately, incoming samples may be allocated between analyzers according to the number and availability of assay resources (reaction vessels, reagents, etc) required by the assay and duplicated on each analyzer. What has been overlooked, however, in such multi-analyzer systems, is that the frequencies at which various assays are requested of analyzer may be greatly different from one another and how this might play a key role in increasing throughput and/or reliability of multi-analyzer systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,521 discloses a sample analysis system having a plurality of analysis units placed along a main conveyor line prior to its analysis operation. The system setup includes setup of analysis units in combination with different types of reagent supply units, setup of analysis routes as to whether it is a stationary type or an automatic type, and setup of analysis items for each analysis unit as to which analysis item should be assigned to which analysis unit having which reagent supply type.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,392 discloses an automatic analyzing apparatus having a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, an analyzing unit for testing a sample sampled from a sample container contained in the sample rack, a transfer line for transferring a sample rack supplied from the rack supply unit to a position corresponding to the analyzing unit and transferring the sample rack after being sampled to an exit of the transfer line, a standby unit for keeping sample racks having a probability of being reexamined standing-by, a returning line for returning the sample rack after being sampled to an entrance side of the transfer line, and a rack collecting unit for containing sample racks not required to be reexamined.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,746 discloses a method for operating a multi-analyzer system by generating a list of tests to be performed by the system within a given reaction vessel. The list of tests is sorted according to the number of reaction vessels used in performing each test to be performed by the system in a given time period. A duplication percentage for the tests is determined and is compared with the sorted list of tests. Resources associated with the tests are duplicated across at least two analyzers based on the comparison of the duplication percentage with the sorted list of tests in a matter that at least one of the tests is performed by at least two of the analyzers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,945 discloses a transfer mechanism for transferring a sample container holder between a conveyor line and a sampling area formed in each of several analyzers, the transfer mechanism being connectable to each one of the plurality of analyzers. At least two analyzers units are different from one other in either the types of reagent supply means, the number of analysis items that can be analyzed, the number of tests that can be processed in a unit time, or the species of samples to be processed, and wherein the at least two analysis units described above have the same attachment mechanism or the same shape thereof with respect to the conveyor line.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,295 discloses an automatic analyzers comprising a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, an analyzing unit for testing an instructed analysis item to a sample sampled from a sample container contained in the sample rack, a transfer line for transferring a sample rack supplied from the rack supply unit to a position corresponding to the analyzing unit and transferring the sample rack after being sampled to an exit of the transfer line, a standby unit for keeping sample racks having a probability of being reexamined stand-by, a returning line for returning the sample rack after being sampled to an entrance side of the transfer line, and a rack collecting unit for containing sample racks not required to be reexamined.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,309 discloses an automated apparatus for subjecting samples to one or more selected test procedures at one or more test stations comprising a conveyor line for transporting samples contained in uniquely labeled containers, said line having at least two lanes for routing said containers to one or more selectable test stations, at least one of said lanes being a transport lane and at least one of said lanes being a queue line, and having a container interface device for transferring containers to said testing device from the queue lane and back again onto said queue lane.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,549 discloses a plurality of analyzer units for serum, a plurality of analyzer units for blood plasma, and a plurality of analyzer units for urine are arranged along a main transfer line for transferring a sample rack from a rack providing portion to a rack storage portion. A reagent bottle for inspecting liver function is contained in each reagent delivery mechanism of two analyzer units among the plurality of analyzer units for serum. When the reagent for inspecting liver function in one of the two analyzer units is to be short, analysis for the liver function analysis item in the samples can be continued by transferring a sample rack from the rack providing portion to the other analyzer unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,488 discloses a container feeding system which includes a feed stocker for stocking racks holding containers, one or more sampling feeders connected to the downstream side of the feed stocker, and one or more analyzers for withdrawing samples from containers which are moved to sampling positions in an interlocked relation to the sampling feeder or feeders. One or more coupling feeders are connected to the respective downstream sides of the sampling feeder or feeders, and a treated container stocker is connected to the most downstream side of the coupling feeder or feeders. The individual components are provided as respective units. The number of sampling feeders and coupling feeders connected thereto can be increased or reduced, and in correspondence therewith so can the number of analyzers disposed along a rack feeding line. The rack feeding path can thus be readily increased and reduced, as desired, to meet the scale of the delivery side. Likewise, the control mechanism for controlling the feeding of containers with selective priority is also greatly simplified.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,423 discloses a plurality of analyzing modules, a plurality of analyzing routes and at least one bypass route bypassing at least one analyzing module are arranged. Each analyzing module is capable of analyzing samples with respect to one or more items, and samples successively supplied from the introduction sides of the modules are selectively delivered into each module in accordance with the possible analyzing items of each module and the analyzing items of the samples to be analyzed. The sample cup can pass the module via a bypass or can be returned to the introduction side of the module via a bypass, in accordance with the items to be analyzed, the effective distribution of the sample cups can be performed.
From this discussion of the art state in automated clinical analyzers, it may be seen that while has been considerable progress has been made toward increasing processing efficiency, there remains an unmet need for a system and apparatus that provides a high volume throughput for different type assays, in particular for those combinations of different type assays when a smaller percentage of different assay types are requested to be performed a larger percentage of the total assays requested, and when conversely, when a larger percentage of different assays are requested to be performed a smaller percentage of the total assays requested. In addition, little progress has been made toward increasing the reliability of operation of a dual analyzer system comprising at least two analyzers by providing back-up operational capability for instances covering the larger percentage of the total assays requested.

Increasing throughput of an automatic clinical analyzer system by partitioning assays according to frequency of requested performance


A torque generator steering device (11) including a gerotor gear set (17) disposed adjacent an end cap (15) and having the input shaft (21) extending through the end cap and through the orbiting and rotating star member (31). The valving of the device, including a spool valve (37) and a sleeve valve (39), is disposed on the side of the gerotor gear set (17) toward an output shaft (23). Preferably, the input shaft (21) is integral with the spool valve (37), and the sleeve valve (39) is integral with the output shaft (23). A coupling arrangement (77) is provided to translate orbital and rotational movement of the star (31) into rotational follow-up movement of the sleeve valve (39). The result is a very short, compact torque generator having substantially reduced backlash between the input shaft (21) and the output shaft (23).

The present invention relates to torque generator steering devices, and more particularly, to such devices in which a relatively low torque steering input is translated into a relatively high torque steering output, with the assistance of a source of pressurized fluid.
Torque generators of the type to which the present invention relates have been in commercial use for many years, have been commercially quite successful, and are illustrated and described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 25,291 and 4,936,094, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference.
In the typical prior art torque generator of the type illustrated and described in the above-incorporated patents, there are three sections: (1) an input section including an input shaft; (2) a fluid displacement mechanism (typically a gerotor gear set); and (3) a valving section, including an output shaft. In the commercially available torque generators, these three sections have always been arranged "serially", i.e., one section after another, axially, starting with the input section and ending with the output section. As a result, the commercial torque generators have been fairly large (i.e., long in the axial direction).
Although the prior art torque generator has been commercially successful, and its design has remained basically unchanged for many years, its market penetration has been somewhat hindered by the overall size of the device. For example, there are many small tractors in use on which torque generator steering devices could be applied on an "after-market" basis, but the overall length of the prior art torque generator prevents it from physically fitting within the available length of the steering column on a number of tractors.
The torque generator currently commercially available from the assignee of the present invention includes two sets of internal splines, and two dogbone shafts which together include three sets of crowned, external splines. The result can be an undesirable amount of looseness or backlash in the mechanical connection between the input shaft and the output shaft, thus hindering the use of the prior art torque generator in certain vehicle applications.


A part to be centered during an assembly process includes an effective portion which performs a function and is shaped for insertion into a hole, a reference portion extended from the effective portion and formed substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the effective portion, and an aligning portion extended from the effective portion and formed around the effective portion. When the effective portion of the part is inserted into the hole, a center of the effective portion is automatically aligned with a centerline of the hole.

1. Field of the Invention
Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention provide a part which requires centering during an assembly process and a method of centering the part, and more particularly, to producing a part having a shape that allows a plurality of the parts to be formed as a wafer level parts assembly, and apparatuses and methods to manufacture the wafer level parts assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, products requiring an assembly process in which a plurality of small parts is stacked up may use a plurality of interim assemblies when the products are assembled. In other words, the interim assembly is formed so that the plurality of small parts is arranged integrally on the same plane, and a plurality of interim assemblies is stacked up to assemble. After that, the assembled interim assemblies are cut so a plurality of separate products is completed.
For example, when manufacturing a lens module for use with a cellular phone having a camera function, a lens barrel is formed, and then a plurality of optical lens is stacked up inside the lens barrel. However, when the plurality of optical lenses is stacked up one by one within the lens barrel, each of the plurality of optical lenses needs to be centered with the center of the lens barrel. Therefore, much time is required to manufacture the lens module, and there is a high potential for errors to occur. In general, a centering error of approximately 2 μm (micrometers) or less is required during the assembly process of the lens module.
For reducing assembly time and minimizing centering error, forming a plurality of optical lenses as a wafer level lens assembly in which the plurality of optical lenses is formed integrally on the same plane is desirable.
A plurality of wafer level lens assemblies is stacked up to form a lens module array constituted of a plurality of lens modules. After that, the lens module array is cut to at once form the plurality of separated lens modules.
When parts to be centered during assembly process are assembled to make an end product, forming the parts as a wafer level parts assembly and assembling a plurality of wafer level parts assemblies to make an end product may increase productivity.
Therefore, it is required to develop parts shapes which allow the parts to be efficiently and precisely formed as a wafer level parts assembly, and an apparatus and a method to manufacture the wafer level parts assembly.

Part being centered during assembly process, wafer level parts assembly, and apparatus and method to manufacture wafer level parts assembly


The invention relates to a lock system for locking theft attractive property to fixed, preferably immovable objects (3), such as buildings, posts, etc., with the aid of an anchoring member (2) and a user-carried separate lock (6). The anchoring member (2) includes a first end (2a) which may be connected fixedly to the fixed object or the property. The anchoring member (2) also includes a second end (2b) which with the aid of the lock (6) may be locked either directly to a part of the property or to the fixed object subsequent to having passed an intermediate part (2c) of the anchoring member around a part of the property.

The general background of the invention is the fact that the theft of theft attractive property of the aforesaid kind is steadily increasing. The theft of bicycles represents the worst problem in most aspects, and the following description will therefore concentrate on just this problem. It will be understood, however, that the problem is fundamental to the theft of skiing equipment and golf equipment, and so on.
The bicycle has become an increasingly popular alternative mode of transportation in keeping with people's awareness of the need to protect the environment and also in keeping with the physical exercise that cycling affords. This has led to the sale of more bicycles and more well equipped bicycles at much higher prices than was earlier the case. Consequently, bicycles are often stolen with the purpose of selling the bicycles for cash either within the country where the theft took place or abroad. Persons who perpetrate such thefts are more or less organized bodies. In earlier times a bicycle was often stolen as a means of transportation, i.e. "borrowed" late at night on weekends in order to travel home from a public house, night club or some like establishment and were later recovered to a greater extent than at the present time, sometimes in a relatively undamaged state.
This change in the nature of bicycle thefts has resulted in greater demands on the security of bicycle locking devices, wherein present day bicycle locks shall not only prevent the immediate use of a bicycle but shall also prevent the bicycle from being carried away, or at least make it difficult to carry away. As beforementioned, present day bicycles are so expensive as to render the purchase of a bicycle of certain designs a large and noticeable investment to the purchaser and also to render the bicycle worthy of the best protection possible.
With regard to Swedish circumstances, an insured bicycle carries a self-risk against theft of at least SEK 1000 and in order to give time for the bicycle to be found and recovered there is a minimum waiting period of one month before the insured person is recompensed for his/her loss. The theft of a bicycle is therefore very burdensome to the owner, particularly when the owner is dependent daily on the bicycle, for instance to travel to and from his place of employment. In order to file a valid claim against bicycle insurance, it is, of course, necessary to prove that the bicycle was locked at the time of the theft. In addition to requiring the bicycle to be locked with a fixed built-in lock, which is a general requirement, some insurance companies also require the bicycle to be locked firmly to some other object, for instance in a bicycle rack, to a post or to some form of building structure, or that the bicycle is secured with at least one additional lock that includes a wire strop, or a stirrup-like lock.
A number of different types of bicycle locks are available commercially, of which some can be readily forced in a relatively short time while others are more stable and so constructed as to resist an attempt to force the lock for at least so many minutes as to deter a presumptive thief from stealing a bicycle that is secured with such a lock. Most lock alternatives available to cyclists at the present time are reasonably priced.
In recent years, different site-bound locking systems have been developed where the cyclist is able to firmly lock his/her bicycle, often without charge. These systems presumably have a deterring effect on the majority of thieves.
When seen against this background, it is surprising that the theft of bicycles increases steadily, despite the number of bicycle lock alternatives now available to the person wishing to keep his/her bicycle. The reason may lie in the fact that many bicycles, perhaps the majority of bicycles, are still poorly locked, and when studying the lock systems available hitherto it will be seen that this is mainly due to the known systems being encumbered with drawbacks of such a kind and of such seriousness that the lock systems are considered too complicated by the cyclist.
Wire-strop locks and stirrup locks are bulky when carried on a bicycle during a journey, normally hanging from some part of the bicycle. These locks are in the way, take up room on luggage carriers and may also constitute a safety risk if hung from the handlebars. They can be awkward in the lock mechanism and are always difficult to fit correctly when locking the bicycle, as they often need to be threaded through the rear wheel of the bicycle in one way or another. The cyclist is required to stoop, drop everything and leave both hands free before he or she is able to lock his/her bicycle. There is a serious risk of the clothes of the cyclist being dirtied and possibly torn in conjunction with this procedure, since the person concerned needs to move in the immediate vicinity of dirty and outwardly projecting parts of the bicycle.
In the best of cases there will be found a permanently fixed object, such as a post or the like, around which the wire strop lock or stirrup lock can be passed and therewith require the use of a bolt clipper at least in order to release the bicycle. In other cases, it is still possible to simply carry away a bicycle with locks and all, so that these locks can be removed later on in peace and quiet.
Chains and padlocks have all the aforesaid drawbacks besides being much more bulky to carry along.
Those site-bound bicycle racks that have locking facilities and which are now commercially available are also encumbered with obvious drawbacks which has meant that these racks have not found use in practice to any great extent. With some of these racks it is necessary to bend down to pedal level in order to padlock the bicycle. Other racks have more comfortable maneuvering heights, although they still require the cyclist to carry his/her own padlock, stirrup lock or wire strop lock. It is necessary to use both hands when securing all of these locks.
Finally, site-bound bicycle locks are also available in which the cyclist is not required to provide his/her own lock. These locking systems, however, require space, with the result that many cyclists are denied the possibility of parking their bicycles securely, and are often relatively complicated and require different installation measurements in streets and in parking facilities in order to function satisfactorily. This renders such systems less attractive to those who wish to hire out such systems, because they are expensive and difficult to make cost effective. Permanent cycle racks are also mostly inflexible and difficult to move or to combine with different locking systems.
Cycle garages that are located in or in the close proximity of an apartment building or tenement building are often difficult to reach. The cyclist is often forced to carry his/her bicycle down a flight of steps, through a number of self-closing locked doors, past parked cars, etc., before finally reaching a confined room which is filled with bicycles, often tangled together. The bicycle must also be reliably locked in such rooms in order for an insurance claim to be valid, even though the door is always locked.
In summary it can be maintained that with present day locking systems the cyclist is constantly faced with the difficulty of locking his/her bicycle in a reliable fashion wherever he/she may be found. This is the reason why so many bicycles are left standing outdoors unlocked or locked solely by the permanent built-in bicycle lock. The cyclist does not have the time or the energy to lock the bicycle reliably, or does not wish to risk becoming dirty or to be adversely affected by the locking procedure. The cyclist simply trusts in luck and hopes that he/she will be able to return to the bicycle before any one has had time to steal it. It is these unlocked or poorly locked bicycles that are stolen. There is every indication that the number of bicycles that are stolen will decrease dramatically when the cyclist is able to lock his/her bicycle quickly, simply and comfortably at a reasonable cost.


A method of updating background components of an echo signal for radar includes: transforming M sets of N pieces of time domain data to frequency domain to generate M sets of P magnitudes corresponding to P frequency bins, wherein the M sets of N pieces of time domain data include spatial information of an object; and updating P background components corresponding to the P frequency bins according to the M sets of P magnitudes corresponding to the P frequency bins.

Radar can compute the direction, location, and velocity of a target object by receiving a signal reflected from the target object, and therefore, the radar has found growing applications in the fields of military, industrial, automotive, automation and other applications. However, there is always background noise from the radio environment present in the reflected signal, degrading performance of the radar. The background noise may be different for different frequency bands, and may be affected by the radio environment to vary with time and space.

Radar and method of updating background components of echo signal of radar


In a multi-focus camera apparatus that photographs the same region with cameras having different focal lengths, detection means for detecting a specified target in images obtained by the cameras, region acquisition means for obtaining in the images regions comprising pixels having substantially the same relationships between blurriness degrees as relationships between blurriness degrees of the specified target having been detected in the respective images, and image processing means for carrying out image processing to display the obtained regions differently from other regions are included.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-focus camera apparatus that photographs the same region by a plurality of cameras having different focal lengths, and to an image processing method and an image processing program used therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
In images photographed for broadcasting or monitoring, methods for protecting personal information by mosaic processing on target objects such as people, pets like dogs and cats, and vehicles have been used. In addition, techniques using image data encryption to prevent image viewing by a third person have been known.
In methods using such mosaic processing or the like, detection of regions representing target objects in photographed images is especially necessary.
As a method of detecting a target object in an image, various kinds of known methods have been used. For example, International Patent Publication No. WO02/073535 describes a method of detecting a region of a target object representing visual information for car navigation such as a road sign and an address in images photographed by a plurality of cameras having different focal lengths installed in a vehicle, through pattern recognition according to an artificial intelligence algorithm.
However, in the above-described method according to pattern recognition, the detection performance unfortunately tends to deteriorate due to a change in a photography condition and a movement of a subject, for example. Consequently, a protection target object may happen to be displayed without mosaic processing thereon, due to failure of detection of a portion or even a whole of the target object. Therefore, appropriate protection of personal information is not achieved in some cases.

Multi-focus camera apparatus and image processing method and program used therein


A tool for shifting a sleeve into at least one intermediate position between stops has a shifting key that only can move the sleeve a finite amount before it is forced out of contact with the sleeve. An overpull key is released for engagement with the sleeve before the shifting key is forced out. The overpull key resists movement until a noticeable predetermined force is applied at which point the overpull key is freed from the sliding sleeve for a normal release. If any key fails to release, an emergency release is provided that independently displaces the key so that the tool can be removed. The tool can be operated in either an uphole or a downhole direction to shift the sleeve depending on the orientation of the keys. Embodiments using a single key type are contemplated.

Sliding sleeves are used as downhole valves. They are frequently disposed in a recess in a tubular that defines opposed travel stops that coincide with two positions for the valve. The sleeve typically has a recess at opposed ends so that a known shifting tool can grab it and move the sleeve between stops. The surrounding tubular can have a port and the sleeve can have a second port. When the sleeve is against one stop the port in the tubular can be obstructed. When the sleeve is at the opposite stop, the sleeve port aligns with the tubular port for the open position.
Recently, designs have developed that require a valve member like a sleeve to be in more than two positions defined by its travel stops. In one such application a tubular port needs to be closed in one position, fully open in another and in a third position for alignment of a filter media with the port. In the open position a surrounding formation can be fractured with minimal flow resistance at the wide open port. In the third position, the formation fluids can be produced through the same tubing port with a sand control material in the flow path. In one such design, the sliding sleeve has two ports with one port containing the screen material. A design of this type is shown in PCT/US2005/011869. The problem arises in how the surface personnel can know when the sleeve has obtained an interim position between its travel stops.
One way this has been addressed in the past is to mount the sleeve on a j-slot and move it mechanically or hydraulically through the pattern in the j-slot to define any number of desired positions. This design adds complexity and cost in that in the hydraulic version a ball has to catch on a seat and pressure is cycled a given number of times to get the right position. After that the ball and seat need to get blown out so other procedures further downhole can take place. The drift diameter through the tool is reduced to make room for the pin in slot arrangement.
Another way to do this is using a control line to move a piston that is linked to the sleeve. A finite amount of hydraulic fluid is pumped that corresponds to a given displacement of the piston. However this method has uncertainties relating to the amount of fluid pumped being a small quantity through a long control line which can be subject to thermal effects or even a compressible gas bubble that can through off the amount of the intended movement. Additionally, the drag force of seals or the momentum of the hydraulic piston can also result in a different amount of movement than intended.
The present invention provides a tool and a method for shifting a sleeve to an interim position or positions between travel stops and giving feedback to the surface that the required amount of movement has taken place. In the event of a failure to release an emergency release option is available. The tool resets after a normal release and can be re-engaged if desired. The tool is operable in either direction depending on how its component parts are oriented. These and other details of the present invention will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art from a review of the description of the preferred embodiment and the associated drawings that appear below with the understanding that the appended claims represent the full scope of the invention.

Method and apparatus for multi-positioning a sleeve


A process and computer program product for adjusting a price derived from a benchmark computer service model to a price of a computer service contract, or vice versa. Differences in service between the benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract are determined. Then, a price adjustment due to the differences is determined. The price adjustment may be based on incremental cost of labor and tools to account for the differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract. Then, the price of the benchmark computer service model is compared to the price of the computer service contract with the price adjustment. The benchmark computer service model and the computer service contract can both include computer program support services, computer hardware support services, a help desk call center service and/or network maintenance services. The differences between the benchmark computer service and the computer service contract may comprise a difference in type of a computer service, a quantity of a computer service, quality of a computer service, and/or complexity of a computer service. The differences may comprise support for a customer's computer hardware or computer programs which is more difficult to support than computer hardware or computer programs specified in the benchmark service model. The differences may comprise a service constraint in the service contract which is not present in the benchmark service model.

The invention relates generally to techniques to benchmark the price of computer related services, and deals more particularly with a technique to accurately benchmark the market price of computer hardware and program support services, network hardware and program support services, and other computer related services.
Many service providers today provide computer hardware and program support services and network hardware and program support services to other, customer companies. This can be part of a complete or partial outsourcing of these support services. These support services include support for desk top computers, work stations, laptop computers, servers and networks, management of servers and networks, and development and maintenance of software applications. These support services encompass a wide range of activities. For example, the support of programs may include installation of newer versions of software, and fixing problems relating to use of the programs. The support of the hardware may include installation of additional memory or other hardware components, or replacement of antiquated systems. The management of the servers may include server monitoring, performance and capacity management, security services, web hosting services, etc. The service provider may also provide the network circuits used by the customer, update the network hardware and software as needed, and manage availability and operation of the network. Typically, support for computer hardware and programs and network hardware and programs includes a help desk call center.
Often, there is a long term service contract between the customer company and the service provider. The contract will specify the services to be provided to the customer company, and specify the yearly price of the services or provide a price formula to dynamically determine a price based on service volume and other factors. However, it is difficult to estimate a fair market price or devise an accurate formula for the services prices in future years because of market dynamics. While inflation tends to increase the price of services, new efficiencies emerge every year from new automated support tools and techniques. Also, the hardware and programs which are being supported may require less support over time, as they become more and more "autonomic" and reliable. So, the customer company may expect that the price of the services will be periodically reevaluated, and this may be written into the service contract. Thus, the contact may include a "benchmarking" provision, whereby the price of each service provided under the contract is compared to a "benchmark". In fact, benchmarking companies have sprung up to provide these comparisons. Some benchmarking companies have developed benchmark service models which include specified types and volumes of computer and network support services, and a corresponding cost versus a price for each service silo. The benchmarking company then compares its closest cost-based match to the service contract being benchmarked, to determine if the service contract price is fair. Other benchmarking companies identify other providers of similar services as those specified in the service contract, and ask these other providers to reveal their charge for providing these services. These charges from the other service providers are then compared to the prices specified in the service contract for the customer company to determine if the service contract price is fair. Problems have arisen because the benchmark comparators were not equivalent to the services provided under the service contract. This has resulted in discrepancies between the different benchmark methodologies, and a wide range between benchmark results depnding on the methodology employed (cost-based or price-based) and also the normalization applied.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the process of benchmarking the price of computer hardware and program support services, network hardware and program support services, and other, computer related services.

Benchmarking of computer and network support services

International Business Machines Corporation


Silyl (meth)acrylate compounds each having attached to a silicon atom one very bulky tertiary hydrocarbon group and two branched hydrocarbon groups each having a hydrocarbon group at xcex1- or xcex2-position or two cyclic hydrocarbon groups are very stable to hydrolysis and are useful raw materials from which hydrolyzable, self-erodible polymers for ship bottom paints are prepared.

This invention relates to novel silyl (meth)acrylate compounds having a bulky substituent group and a method for preparing the same. These novel compounds are useful raw materials for hydrolyzable, self-erodible polymers for use in ship bottom paints.
Ship bottom paints are generally based on hydrolyzable, self-erodible polymers which are usually copolymers of tributyltin methacrylate with methyl methacrylate or the like. These copolymers are hydrolyzed in water to release bis(tributyltin) oxide while the hydrolyzed polymer moiety becomes a water-soluble carboxylic acid and thus dissolved in water so that the coating always presents an active surface. However, the bis(tributyltin) oxide released upon hydrolysis of the copolymers is strongly toxic and imposes concern for water pollution and ecological damages.
There is a need for tin-free polymers. Typical tin-free polymers are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3,053,081 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,055. Trialkylsilyl (meth)acrylates such as tributylsilyl methacrylate and triisopropylsilyl acrylate are used instead of tributyltin methacrylate and copolymerized with alkyl methacrylates.
However, the trialkylsilyl (meth)acrylates described in these patents fail to give satisfactory results. Even when truisopropylsilyl acrylate which is most bulky and most stable to hydrolysis among them is used, its copolymers still have such a hydrolysis rate that the copolymers are rapidly dissolved away. Thus a demand exists for silyl (meth)acrylate compounds which are more stable to hydrolysis.
An object of the invention is to provide silyl (meth)acrylate compounds which are more stable to hydrolysis and a method for preparing the same.
The inventor has found that a silyl (meth)acrylate compound having attached to a silicon atom one very bulky tertiary hydrocarbon group and two branched hydrocarbon groups each having a hydrocarbon group at xcex1- or xcex2-position or two cyclic hydrocarbon groups is more stable to hydrolysis than the prior art silyl (meth)acrylate compounds.
According to the invention, there is provided a silyl (meth)acrylate compound having a bulky substituent group, represented by the following general formula (1).
Herein R1 and R2 each are independently a monovalent branched hydrocarbon group having a hydrocarbon group at xcex1- or xcex2-position and having 3 to 10 carbon atoms or a monovalent cyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, R3 is a tertiary hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and R4 is hydrogen or methyl.
According to the method of the invention, the silyl (meth)acrylate compound having a bulky substituent group of the formula (1) is prepared by reacting a chlorosilane compound having the following general formula (2):
R1R2R3SiClxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above with acrylic or methacrylic acid in the presence of a basic compound.

Silyl (meth)acrylates having bulky substituent group and preparation thereof


A device and method for easily filling a syringe with one hand is disclosed. The device includes a flat hand for holding a medicine bottle, a syringe holder with a curved finger for holding a syringe, a mounted post for securing the device and a swivel arm mounted to the post which holds the flat hand, wherein the swivel arm allows the user to invert the flat hand and the medicine bottle secured therein, and easily draw medicine from the medicine bottle into the syringe with one hand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for filling a syringe or hypodermic needle. More specifically, the invention allows for the filling of a syringe with one hand.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many people receive liquid medicine by injection from a syringe or hypodermic needle. Use of a syringe or hypodermic needle to inject liquid medicine is well known in the medical arts. In many cases, people have to inject themselves, and some people have to inject themselves frequently, even multiple times per day. This is particularly true of diabetics, who have to give themselves frequent shots of insulin to maintain proper blood sugar levels. But it is also true of other people with other medical needs.
Use of syringes to inject medicine is well known in the art and is described here only to explain the use of the invention. Standard medicine bottles holding liquid medicine have a rubber membrane or Elastomeric seal at the top of the bottle, and medicine is removed from the bottle to inject into the patient by means of a syringe or hypodermic needle that is inserted into the medicine bottle through the Elastomeric seal. A syringe is made up of three parts: the barrel, the plunger and the needle. To remove liquid medicine with a syringe from a standard medicine bottle, the user will hold the bottle of medicine in one hand and the syringe in the other hand. The needle of the syringe will be stabbed into the top of the bottle through the Elastomeric seal, then the bottle and syringe are inverted, with the user holding the bottle in the palm of the hand while securing the syringe with the fingers of the same hand. The medicine is removed by pulling down on the plunger, away from the medicine bottle, with the other hand, which creates a vacuum inside the barrel of the syringe that pulls the medicine into the syringe.
Typically, the syringe is filled with more than the desired amount of medicine and the excess is squirted back into the medicine bottle by pushing the plunger. With the bottle inverted and the syringe held upright, any air will go to the top of the barrel of the syringe. This air is removed from the syringe by pressing the plunger. The process of filling a syringe can be easily mastered with two hands, but as can be appreciated, this process will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to do with only one hand.
In many cases, the elderly and people with medical needs have limited mobility, limited dexterity, and limited use of hands or arms. This is particularly true of diabetics, who often have problems with manual dexterity as well as vision loss due to the effects of the disease, and occasionally lose use of an appendage due to the ravages of the disease. In some extreme cases arms and legs are amputated. But there are a variety of medical conditions, as well as birth defects and accidents that can limit the use of a hand or an arm. It is particularly difficult for a person with the use of only one hand or arm to prepare a hypodermic needle to inject themselves.
There is a need, therefore, for a device that allows a person to prepare and fill a syringe or prepare a hypodermic needle with the use of one hand.


2-Heteroaromatic alkanoate esters which are useful as inhibitors of human leukocyate or neutrophil elastase.

There has been considerable research effort in recent years toward the development of HLE or HNE inhibitors because it appears that HLE or HNE may be responsible for a variety of human diseases. Tests have shown that there is an apparent association between HLE and emphysema. See, for example, in Sandberg et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 304:566 (1981). Other diseases and medical problems, such as arthritis and related inflammatory conditions, dermatitis and ischemia/reperfusion injury have also been associated with HLE. See, Dinerman et al., JACC, Vol. 15, No. 7, June 1990:1559-63. Accordingly, there is a need for compounds which are effective to inhibit HLE or HNE.
Typical prior efforts to deal with elastase inhibition are disclosed in the patent literature, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,241 and 4,801,610.


A recip blade has a cutting edge defining a cutting direction and a repeating pattern of cutting teeth. Each repeating pattern includes (i) a leading tooth with respect to the cutting direction that includes a rake face defining a first rake angle that is negative, and (ii) a trailing tooth following the leading tooth with respect to the cutting direction that includes a rake face defining a second rake angle that is less negative than the first rake angle.

A reciprocating saw machine is a hand-held power saw that includes a chuck for releasably engaging the saw blade and driving the saw blade in a reciprocating motion through a work piece. The reciprocating motion can be an orbital cutting action, a straight or linear cutting action, or an angled cutting action. Reciprocating saws are sometimes referred to as recip saws, or jig saws, and reciprocating saw blades likewise are sometimes referred to as recip blades or jig saw blades. Unless indicated otherwise, the term recip blade is used herein synonymously with the terms reciprocating saw blade and jig saw blade. Reciprocating saws are typically driven by electric motors (e.g., cord or cordless saws), or are pneumatically driven.
A typical reciprocating saw blade includes a blade portion having a cutting edge defined by a plurality of teeth axially spaced relative to each other along one side of the blade, and a non-working edge formed on an opposite side of the blade relative to the cutting edge. A tang for releasably connecting the blade to the chuck of a reciprocating saw extends from an inner end of the blade. The teeth of a reciprocating saw blade typically include a cutting tip, a rake face formed on one side of the tip, and a clearance surface extending from the tip and formed on an opposite side of the tip relative to the rake face. The rake face forms a rake angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a reference plane, which may be defined by the plane extending between the tips of successive teeth having substantially the same height, such as successive unset teeth. A zero degree (0°) rake angle is aligned with the perpendicular axis, a negative rake angle extends forwardly relative to the perpendicular axis with respect to the cutting direction of the blade, and a positive rake angle extends rearwardly relative to the perpendicular axis with respect to the cutting direction of the blade. The clearance surface forms a clearance angle relative to the reference plane.
One of the drawbacks of certain prior art recip or jig saw blades is that they do not provide as long a blade life as desired. In order to overcome this drawback, certain prior art recip or jig saw blades employ negative rake angles on the cutting teeth in order to make the blade robust and improve blade life. However, one of the drawbacks of such prior art recip or jig saw blades is that they can generate excessive burrs or burrs of excessive size when cutting metal work pieces. Generation of excessive burrs or burrs of excessive size can be undesirable because electrical codes generally require that cuts in a conduit be completely burr-free. Creation of excessive burrs or burrs of excessive size can thus require additional effort and expense in deburring the metal work pieces prior to use.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art.


In shared-memory multiprocessor systems, cache interventions from different sourcing caches can result in different cache intervention costs. With location-aware cache coherence, when a cache receives a data request, the cache can determine whether sourcing the data from the cache will result in less cache intervention cost than sourcing the data from another cache. The decision can be made based on appropriate information maintained in the cache or collected from snoop responses from other caches. If the requested data is found in more than one cache, the cache that has or likely has the lowest cache intervention cost is generally responsible for supplying the data. The intervention cost can be measured by performance metrics that include, but are not limited to, communication latency, bandwidth consumption, load balance, and power consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer-based memory systems, and, more particularly, location-aware cache-to-cache transfers.
2. Description of the Related Art
A symmetric multiprocessor ("SMP") system generally employs a snoopy mechanism to ensure cache coherence. When a cache miss occurs, the requesting cache may send a cache request to the memory and all its peer caches. When a peer cache receives the cache request, it snoops its cache directory and produces a cache snoop response indicating whether the requested data is found and the state of the corresponding cache line. If the requested data is found in a peer cache, the peer cache can source the data to the requesting cache via a cache-to-cache transfer. The memory is responsible for supplying the requested data if the data cannot be supplied by any peer cache.
For purposes of this disclosure, a cache-to-cache transfer is referred to as a cache intervention. In a cache intervention, the cache that requests data is referred to as the requesting cache, and the cache that supplies data is referred to as the supplying cache or the sourcing cache. A cache is said to have intervention responsibility for a memory address to a peer cache, if the cache is responsible for supplying requested data of the memory address to the peer cache.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary SMP system 100 is shown that includes multiple processing units 105 interconnected via an interconnect network 110. Each processing unit 105 includes a processor core 115 and a cache 120. Also connected to the interconnect network 110 are a memory 125 and some I/O devices 130. The memory 125 can be physically distributed into multiple memory portions, wherein each memory portion is operatively associated with a processing unit 105. The interconnect network 110 serves at least two purposes: (1) sending cache coherence requests to the caches 120 and the memory 125; and (2) transferring data among the caches 120 and the memory 125. The interconnect network 110 can employ different physical networks for different purposes. For example, an SMP system can broadcast a cache request via direct point-to-point communication channels, and transfer data via a message-passing network such as a mesh or torus network.
There are many techniques for achieving cache coherence that are known to those skilled in the art. A number of snoopy cache coherence protocols have been proposed. The MESI coherence protocol and its variations have been widely used in SMP systems. As the name suggests, MESI has four cache states, modified (M), exclusive (E), shared (S) and invalid (I).                I (invalid): The data is not valid. This is the initial state or the state after a snoop invalidate hit.        S (shared): The data is valid, and can also be valid in other caches. This state is entered when the data is sourced from the memory or another cache in the modified state, and the corresponding snoop response shows that the data is valid in at least one of the other caches.        E (exclusive): The data is valid, and has not been modified. The data is exclusively owned, and cannot be valid in another cache. This state is entered when the data is sourced from the memory or another cache in the modified state, and the corresponding snoop response shows that the data is not valid in another cache.        M (modified): The data is valid and has been modified. The data is exclusively owned, and cannot be valid in another cache. This state is entered when a store operation is performed on the cache line.
With the MESI protocol, when a cache miss occurs, if the requested data is found in another cache and the cache line is in the modified state, the cache with the modified data supplies the data via a cache intervention, and writes the most up-to-date data back to the memory. However, if the requested data is found in another cache and the cache line is in the shared state, the cache with the shared data does not supply the requested data. In this case, the memory needs to supply the data to the requesting cache.
In modern SMP systems, when a cache miss occurs, if the requested data is found in both the memory and a cache, supplying the requested data to the requesting cache via a cache intervention is often preferred over supplying the requested data to the requesting cache from the memory, because cache-to-cache transfer latency is usually smaller than memory access latency. Furthermore, when caches are on the same die or in the same package module, there is usually more bandwidth available for cache-to-cache transfers, compared with the bandwidth available for off-chip DRAM accesses.
The IBM® Power 4 system, for example, enhances the MESI coherence protocol to allow more cache interventions. Compared with MESI, an enhanced coherence protocol allows data of a shared cache line to be sourced via a cache intervention. In addition, if data of a modified cache line is sourced from one cache to another, the modified data does not have to be written back to the memory immediately. Instead, a cache with the most up-to-date data can be held responsible for memory update when it becomes necessary to do so. An exemplary enhanced MESI protocol employing seven cache states is as follows.                I (invalid): The data is invalid. This is the initial state or the state after a snoop invalidate hit.        SL (shared, can be sourced): The data is valid, and may also be valid in other caches. The data can be sourced to another cache in the same module via a cache intervention. This state is entered when the data is sourced from another cache or from the memory.        S (shared): The data is valid, and may also be valid in other caches. The data cannot be sourced to another cache. This state is entered when a snoop read hit occurs on a cache line in the SL state.        M (modified): The data is valid, and has been modified. The data is exclusively owned, and cannot be valid in another cache. The data can be sourced to another cache. This state is entered when a store operation is performed on the cache line.        Me (exclusive): The data is valid, and has not been modified. The data is exclusively owned, and cannot be valid in another cache.        Mu (unsolicited modified): The data is valid, and is considered to have been modified. The data is exclusively owned, and cannot be valid in another cache.        T (tagged): The data is valid, and has been modified. The modified data has been sourced to another cache. This state is entered when a snoop read hit occurs on a cache line in the M state.
When data of a memory address is shared in multiple caches in a single module, the module can include at most one cache in the SL state. The cache in the SL state is responsible for supplying the shared data via a cache intervention when a cache miss occurs in another cache in the same module. At any time, the particular cache that can source the requested data is fixed, regardless of which cache has issued the cache request. When data of a memory address is shared in more than one module, each module can include a cache in the SL state. A cache in the SL state can source the data to another cache in the same module, but cannot source the data to a cache in a different module.
In systems in which a cache-to-cache transfer can take multiple message-passing hops, sourcing data from different caches can result in different communication latency and bandwidth consumption. When a cache miss occurs in a requesting cache, if requested data is found in more than one peer cache, a peer cache that is closest to the requesting cache is preferred to supply the requested data to reduce communication latency and bandwidth consumption of cache intervention.
Thus, it is generally desirable to enhance cache coherence mechanisms with cost-conscious cache-to-cache transfers to improve overall performance in SMP systems.


Novel carbon-plus-nitrogen corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys, apparatus incorporating an inventive alloy, and methods of making and using the apparatus are described. The corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys comprise no greater than about 4 wt. % nickel, are characterized by a strength greater than about 700 MPa (100 ksi), and, when being essentially free of molybdenum (<0.3 wt. %), have minimum Pitting Resistance Equivalence (PRE) numbers of 20 and minimum Measure of Alloying for Corrosion Resistance numbers (MARC) of 30 because of the use of both carbon and nitrogen. The ferrous and austenitic alloys are particularly formulated for use in oilfield operations, especially sour oil and gas wells and reservoirs. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to ferrous alloys that possess high-strength, good corrosion resistance in environments such as oilfield exploration, production, and testing, and more specifically to carbon-plus-nitrogen austenitic alloys that are interstitially strengthened, apparatus comprising these novel alloys, and methods of making and using same.
2. Related Art
The art of fabricating corrosion resistant ferrous alloys (including stainless steels and the so-called "high-nitrogen steels") is well-documented (see Kamachi Mudali, U., Baldel Raj, "High Nitrogen Steels and Stainless Steels-Manufacturing, Properties and Applications", Narosa Publishing House, ASM International, New Delhi (2004), hereinafter referred to as "Kamachi"). The use of nitrogen (N) as an alloying element is also well reported; however nitrogen (N) in high contents (or concentrations; in this document the two words are used interchangeably with no distinctions) is still not common, and when utilized nitrogen (N) has been restricted to alloys with low carbon contents. Nitrogen (N) yet continues to be of interest because of its abundance and low price (nitrogen gas, N2, constitutes about 80% of our atmosphere) and the fact that it serves as partial substitute to metallic alloying elements such as nickel (Ni) or chromium (Cr). Indeed, like nickel (Ni), nitrogen (N) is an austenite (γ) stabilizer (i.e. it stabilizes the austenite, the γ and FCC phase of iron), and like chromium (Cr), nitrogen (N) improves corrosion resistance immensely regardless of the fact that chromium (Cr) is a ferrite stabilizer (i.e. it promotes ferrite, the BCC α and δ phases of iron). In contrast with numerous grades of stainless steels, the high-nitrogen steels are essentially commercially unavailable. Of the various types of ferrous alloys, this invention relates exclusively to austenitic alloys (i.e. alloys that contains austenite, γ, as the predominant phase), and does thus not include either ferritic or martensitic alloys; two types of ferrous microstructures that are inherently limited by their cracking susceptibility in hydrogen-containing environments, including the sour environments of many oilfields. Specifically, included in this invention are alloys that are made fully austenitic largely due to interstitial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and alloys wherein other phases may coexist with the austenite phase but only in minor proportions (e.g. less than 5 wt. %). These minor phases may include other ferrous phases such as ferrite (α), martensite (with no restrictions to the various types of martensite), intermetallic phases or compounds of metals and nitrogen (N), carbon (C), or other non-metallic element, even though these phases will generally reduce the overall performance of the alloy in corrosive environments; that is its corrosion resistance. In this document, an alloy will be considered corrosion resistant when it resist the formation of pits and crevices, as well as the formation of cracks, as assisted by the presence of tensile stresses and a aggressive environment, in particular a sour, or H2S-containing environment, and/or a halide containing environment (as in brine or seawater).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,755 B1, (Biancaniello, et al.), discloses that a "high-nitrogen stainless steel" may be defined as a stainless steel having a nitrogen (N) content of at least 0.3 wt. %. In the presence of such or higher contents of nitrogen (N), the "high-nitrogen steels" have little or no carbon (C) because carbon (C), chromium (Cr), and other alloying elements commonly interact with carbon (C) to form in coexistence with the ferrous phases a variety of new phases, commonly lowering alloy corrosion resistance. Biancaniello, et al., after mentioning that certain patents (such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,609 by Dupoiron, et al.) teach to avoid nitrogen (N) over 0.8 wt. %, describe a high-nitrogen stainless steel having 0.8 to 0.97 wt. % nitrogen (N) with absolutely no carbon (C). U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,046 (Rhodes, et al.) describes a high-nitrogen stainless steel having between 0.8 and 1.1 wt. % nitrogen (N), and also clearly specifies that the new alloy requires solution annealing and water quenching in order to avoid chromium nitride precipitation as well as sigma (σ) phase; i.e. two phases that accelerate corrosion. EP 16261001A1 (Daido) discloses a high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel having 0.8 wt. % to 1.5 wt. % nitrogen (N), but is restricted to 0.2 wt. % carbon (C), also to prevent the formation of harmful phases in corrosive environments.
Clearly prior art has been to restrict carbon (C) content to avoid or carefully control carbides, nitrides, carbo-nitrides, sigma (σ), Chi (χ) phases, or other intermetallic and deleterious phases, especially (but not restrictively) along grain boundaries. The tight control in the contents of these phases is crucial for the alloys to exhibit adequate corrosion resistance as well as good ductility and toughness in service conditions. Table 1 presents a summary list including a great many commercial austenitic stainless steels, among which many have found oilfield applications. In addition to being non-magnetic (paramagnetic), these alloys are all to some extents corrosion resistant, including resistant to environmentally-assisted cracking; i.e. hydrogen and sulfide stress cracking, stress-corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, etc (elsewhere, such alloys are often referred as CRAs or corrosion-resistant alloys). Paramagnetism and resistance to embrittlement by hydrogen (H), as promoted by dissolved hydrogen sulfides (H2S) in oil and gas fields, are largely promoted by the fact that alloys of this invention are austenitic, as opposed to ferritic or martensitic. Also shown in Table 1 for these alloys are UNS numbers (designations), chemical compositions, Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) numbers (an index characterizing resistance to pitting corrosion; the higher the PRE is the more corrosion resistant is the alloy), and key mechanical properties. It may be seen for all these alloys that carbon (C) content is tightly controlled to never exceed 0.03 wt %. Likewise, content in nitrogen (N) is frequently less than 0.3 wt. %, as opposed to the high-nitrogen steels for which nitrogen content exceeds 0.3 wt. %. Except with rare exceptions, note that chromium (Cr) is consistently between 16 wt. % and 28 wt. %, nickel (Ni) ranges between 10 wt. % and 46 wt. %, molybdenum (Mo) is always present with a minimum of 0.5 wt. % increased up to 4.0 wt %, whereas manganese (Mn)—a strong austenite (γ) stabilizer—is not utilized. It is also seen that the chromium-rich and molybdenum-rich austenitic alloys have greater PRE (up to 54) and are thus more corrosion resistant, but also pricier, as shown by the last column of Table 1, and largely explained by the presence of nickel (Mo) and molybdenum (Mo). In stark contrast with the alloys of this invention is also the fact that the minimum yield strength is consistently lesser than 90 MPa (˜12 ksi) for most alloys; the exceptions being alloys that falls under the "high-nitrogen steel" category. Differently, the tensile elongation that measures ductility and thus indirectly toughness is relatively high and between 30 and 40 percent regardless of the alloys; a characteristic that makes austenitic alloys advantageous for countless applications, including artic usage where for instance brittle fracture would likely occur in ferritic or martensitic steels. Of all the properties of the commercial alloys of Table 1, their strength is often insufficient for downhole applications and thus constitutes a major disadvantage that prevents them from rivaling the nickel alloys used today in downhole applications, and, when their strength is adequate, these alloys are considerably pricy, thus establishing another limit to their use. However, in part related to their excellent toughness, the austenitic alloys are promising for use in oil and gas applications, especially in sour environments, whereas the martensitic steels are inherently limited by their poor resistance against hydrogen embrittlement (including sulfide stress cracking). FIG. 1 is a histogram chart for the major alloys currently used in oilfield subsurface applications (including completion equipment) showing price estimates per pounds (normalized to that of carbon steels) along with the alloy recommended tensile strengths. While all these alloys may exist in higher strength grades through cold working (work hardening), heat-treatments, or both, note that alloy strength is limited as shown in FIG. 1, largely to comply with NACE MR0175/ISO15153 standards and thus be acceptable by the industry.
In ferrous alloys, the simultaneous use of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) has been reported in published articles by Rawers and Gavriljuk (Rawers) on iron (Fe) and on Fe-15 wt. % Cr-15 wt. % Mn alloys. As part of this invention, a similar contribution from carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) is proposed for different and more complex alloys that have the advantages of having low-raw material costs, high resistance in corrosive environments—including resistant to sulfide stress cracking (SSC)—, high strengths (>700 MPa; ˜100 ksi), and high toughness values (>40J; ˜30 ft. lb). Today, there are no carbon-plus-nitrogen commercial alloys available, whether they are stainless or not, and only one patent (to best of our knowledge) on the subject has been found, but for different alloy compositions and entirely-different applications, in stark contrast with the countless patents that have been granted for steels and stainless steels for instance. When compared to the commercial alloys of Table 1, the novel carbon-plus-nitrogen alloys of this invention simply offer new and improved properties, nearly all superior to those listed in Table 1; properties that bring new oilfield applications for these relatively-low cost inventive alloys. Of great interest to downhole applications is the use of these novel alloys in sour conditions, as well as their use at greater depths (e.g. HPHT wells), where today conventional austenitic steels would not be employed.
A number of scientific publications (e.g. journal articles, patents, standards) will serve as references to this document. They will be usually referred in this document by the first author's name or owning company: e.g. Rawers, J. C., "Characterizing alloy additions to carbon high-nitrogen steel", Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Journal of Materials: Design and Applications, Vol. 218, No. 13, pp. 239-246 (August 2004) (Rawers); Gavriljuk, et al., "Nitrogen and carbon in austenitic and martensitic steels: atomic interactions and structural stability", Materials Science Forum, Vol. 426-432, Part 2, pp. 943950 (2003) (Gavriljuk, et al.); Balanyuk, et al., "Mössbauer study and thermodynamic modeling of Fe—C—N alloy", Acta Materialia, Vol. 48, No. 15, pp. 3813-3821 (September 2000) (Balanyuk, et al.); Saller, et al., US20050145308 A1 (Saller, et al.); Hamano, et al., US20060034724 A1 (Hamano, et al.); ALLVAC Ltd., et al., EP1051529 B1 (ALLVAC); Radon, US 2004/0258554 A1 (Radon), Jargelius-Pettersson, R. F., "Application of the pitting resistance equivalent concept to some highly alloyed austenitic stainless steels", Corrosion (USA), Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 162-168. (February 1998) (Jargelius-Pettersson); "Petroleum and natural gas industries—Materials for use in H2S-containing Environments in oil and gas production", NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 International Standard; Kovach, C. W., "High-Performance Stainless Steels", Technical report to the Nickel Development Institute.
Published U.S. patent application no. 20050145308 (Saller, et al.) discloses steels comprising, among other ingredients, from 0 wt. % to about 0.35 wt. % carbon (C), and from about 0.35 wt. % to about 1.05 wt. % nitrogen (N). The authors note that hot working a cast piece in one or more steps, an optional subsequent solution annealing of the semi-finished product, and forming at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature (preferably below about 600° C. or 1140° F.) produces a steel essentially free of nitrides, carbides, carbo-nitrides, apparently affording a high fatigue strength under reversed stresses of the same. Being substantially free of nitrogenous and carbide precipitations, parts made of steels may be produced (according to this publication) with both superior mechanical properties and greater stress-corrosion cracking and pitting corrosion resistances. The austenitic alloys of this publication may be employed in principle for drilling string components, such as drill rods for oilfield technology.
Articles made of hot-worked and cold-worked austenitic alloys with up to 0.12 wt. % carbon (C), 0.20 wt. % to 1.00 wt. % silicon (Si), 17.5 wt. % to 20.0 wt. % manganese (Mn), up to 0.05 wt. % phosphorus (P), up to 0.015 wt. % sulfur (S), 17.0 wt. % to 20.0 wt. % chromium (Cr), up to 5 wt. % molybdenum (Mo), up to 3.0 wt. % nickel (Ni), and from 0.8 wt. % to 1.2 wt. % nitrogen (N) are known from DE 39 40 438 C1. However, as noted by some of the same inventors in DE 196 07 828 A1, these articles have modest fatigue strength—at best 375 MPa (55 ksi)—and this fatigue strength is significantly lower in an aggressive environment such as saline environments.
Another austenitic alloy is known from DE 196 07 828 A1, mentioned above. According to this document, articles are proposed for the offshore industry which are made of an austenitic alloy with 0.1 wt. % carbon (C), 8 wt. % to 15 wt. % manganese (Mn), 13 wt. % to 28 wt. % chromium (Cr), 2.5 wt. % to 6 wt. % molybdenum (Mo), 0 wt. % to 5 wt. % nickel (Ni) and 0.55 wt. % to 1.1 wt. % nitrogen (N). Such articles are reported to have high mechanical properties, particularly a higher fatigue strength under reversed stresses than articles according to DE 39 40 438 C1. However, one disadvantage thereof is a low nitrogen (N) solubility that is attributable to the alloy composition, which is why melting and solidification have to be carried out under pressure, or still more burdensome powder metallurgical production methods must be utilized.
An austenitic alloy which results in articles with low magnetic permeability and good mechanical properties with melting at atmospheric pressure is described in AT 407 882 B. Such an alloy has in particular relatively high yield strength, a high tensile strength, and high fatigue strength under reversed stresses. Alloys according to AT 407 882 B are expediently hot worked and subjected to a second forming at temperatures of 350° C. to approximately 600° C. The alloys are said to be suitable for the production of drill rods which also adequately take into account the high demands with respect to static and dynamic loading capacity over long operating periods within the scope of drill use in oilfield technology.
Published U.S. Pat. App. No. 20050047952 (ALLVAC LTD.) discloses an alloy claimed to be non-magnetic, corrosion resistant, galling resistant, and high strength and suitable for use as non-magnetic components in directional drilling of oil and gas wells whose composition by weight includes: carbon (C) up to 0.2 wt. %; silicon (Si) up to 1.0 wt. %; manganese (Mn) from 10.0 to 20.0 wt. %; chromium (Cr) from 13.5 to 18.0 wt. %; nickel (Ni) from 1.0 to 7.0 wt. %; molybdenum (Mo) from 1.5 to 4.0 wt. %; and nitrogen (N) from 0.2 to 0.4 wt. %, the composition satisfying the formulae: nickel equivalence (Nieq)+chromium equivalence (Creq) greater than 35; a formula of questionable meaning since nickel and chromium have widely different effects, in particular chromium (Cr) is ferrite stabilizer while nickel (Ni) is an austenite (γ) stabilizer.
The first report of the benefits carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) could bring if used in combination may probably be found in articles co-authored by Gavriljuk et al., in particular the article referred in this patent as Balanyuk, et al. In the referred article, Mössbauer spectroscopy and Monte Carlo computer simulation were combined to understand the reason for the solid-solution stability of iron (Fe) alloyed with 0.93 wt. % carbon (C) and 0.91 wt. % nitrogen (N). Interstitial concentrations in austenite (γ) and ferrite (α) were determined on the basis of X-ray diffraction measurements of the lattice dilatation. The hyperfine structure of Mössbauer spectra was analyzed to identify different atomic configurations in solid solutions and determine their fractions. Thereafter Monte Carlo simulation of the interstitial distribution in ferritic and austenitic solid solutions was performed, and values of the interstitial-interstitial interaction energies were obtained for the first and second coordination spheres in austenite (γ) and the first to the fourth coordination spheres in ferrite (α). Simulations showed that in both austenitic and ferritic phases the interaction of interstitial atoms is characterized by a strong repulsion within the first two coordination spheres. Experimental data and simulated interstitial distributions are consistent and complementary, and Balanyuk, et al. concluded that the absence of interstitial clusters prevents carbide and nitride precipitates and causes the higher thermodynamic stability of Fe—C—N solid solutions as compared with Fe—C and Fe—N ones.
Of all patents, only one (US published patent application no. 20040258554 A1 by Radon)—discloses alloys closer to the austenitic alloys of this invention, but the authors did not appear to have recognized the critical role played by the combination of carbon-plus-nitrogen in solid solution. Furthermore, unlike the austenitic alloys of the present invention, 31 wt. % to about 48 wt. % chromium (Cr) were used by Radon, while nitrogen (N) and carbon (N) contents were slightly more restricted; carbon (C) was between 0.3 wt. % to 2.5 wt. % (thus higher than in this invention) while nitrogen (N) was between 0.01 wt. % to 0.7 wt. %. Though the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents were occasionally similar to those found in this patent, the author always uses more chromium (Cr) than in the alloys of the present invention, and the problem to be solved and the foreseen applications were extremely different.
As described in this document, corrosion is a complex type of damage and the exact behavior of various alloys cannot be precisely predicted in different oilfield environments. The important criteria with respect to corrosion in oil and gas environments are temperature, and concentrations of sulfides (H2S), carbon dioxides (CO2) and halides (e.g. chlorides). The presence of water and its chemical composition also plays an important role. In either designing or selecting alloys for oil and gas applications, primary consideration are given to cracking; including sulfide stress cracking at low temperatures as well as stress-corrosion cracking generally at higher temperatures. All cracking and weight loss, pitting and crevice corrosion are reduced with austenitic alloys of high PRE and MARC numbers. In addition to providing strengths, the carbon-plus-nitrogen austenitic alloys of the present invention, thanks to their high PRE and MARC numbers, are predicted to outperform many currently known alloys and at lower cost estimates. Tables 1 and 2 show the PRE (Pitting Resistance Equivalent) and MARC (Measure of Alloying for Corrosion Resistance) numbers of commercial austenitic alloys. PRE number ranges between 22 and 54, with corresponding MARC numbers as high as 23. These values are in stark contrast with the inventive alloys described in this document. PRE and MARC numbers are defined later in this document.
For oil and gas applications, ferrous and austenitic alloys which simultaneously use carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in interstitial solid solution, are of great interest, in particular if they have also a high corrosion resistance in a multitude of aggressive environments and possess good mechanical properties, in particular a high 0.2% yield strength (YS) and a high tensile strength (TS). In addition, if these alloys can be melted at atmospheric pressure (and if not, with manageable over pressuring; e.g. 2-3 atmospheres), as it is indented for most of the disclosed compositions, their manufacturing-ability and cost would further guarantee their future industrial acceptance.
TABLE 1Chemical compositions, PRE numbers (corrosion resistance), mechanical properties and price estimate for anumber of commercial stainless steels (Kovach).UNSNameNumberCNCrNiMoCuOtherType 316LS316030.030.1016.0-18.010.0-14.02.0-3.0——Type 317LS317030.030.1018.0-20.011.0-15.03.0-4.0——Alloy 20N080200.07—19.0-21.032.0-38.02.0-3.03.00-4.00(Cb + Ta): 8 × C − 1.00Alloy 825N088250.05—19.5-23.538.0-46.02.5-3.51.50-3.50Al: 0.2 max, Tl: 0.6-1.2317LNS317530.030.10-0.2218.0-20.011.0-15.03.0-4.0——2600.030.16-0.2418.5-21.513.5-16.52.5-3.51.00-2.00—317LMS317250.030.1018.0-20.013.2-17.54.0-5.0——317LMNS317260.030.10-0.2017.0-20.013.5-17.54.0-5.0——NAS 204X0.04—25.025.02.75—Nb: 10 × C310MoLNS310500.030.10-0.1624.0-26.021.0-23.02.0-3.0—Sl: 0.50 max700N087000.04—19.0-23.024.0-26.04.3-5.0—Nb: 8 × C − 0.40904LN089040.02—19.0-23.023.0-28.04.0-5.01.00-2.00—904LN0.020.04-0.1519.9-21.024.0-26.04.0-5.01.00-2.0020Mo-4N080240.03—22.5-25.035.0-40.03.5-5.00.50-1.50—20 ModN083200.05—21.0-23.025.0-27.04.0-6.0—Tl: 4 × C minAlloy 28N080280.02—26.0-28.029.5-32.53.0-4.00.60-1.40—20Mo-6N080260.030.10-0.1622.0-26.033.0-37.05.0-6.72.00-4.00—25-6M0N089250.020.10-0.2019.0-21.024.0-26.06.0-7.50.8-1.5—1925hMo254N0.030.2023.025.05.50——25-6M0N089260.020.15-0.2519.0-21.024.0-26.06.0-7.00.50-1.50—1925hMoSB8N089320.020.17-0.2524.0-26.024.0-26.04.7-5.71.0-2.0—254 SM0S312540.020.18-0.2219.5-20.517.5-18.56.0-6.50.50-1.00—AL-6XNN083670.030.18-0.2520.0-22.023.5-25.56.0-7.00.75—YUS 1700.030.25-0.4023.0-26.012.0-16.00.50-1.20——2419 MoN0.030.30-0.5023.0-25.016.0-18.03.5-4.50.30-1.00Mn: 5.5-6.54565SS345650.030.40-0.6023.0-25.016.0-18.03.5-5.0—Mn: 3.5-6.5B66S312660.0300.35-0.6023.0-25.021.0-24.05.0-7.00.50-3.00W: 1.0-3.0Mn: 2.00-4.003127 hMoN080310.020.15-0.2526.0-28.030.0-32.06.0-7.01.00-1.40—654 SM0S326540.020.45-0.5524.0-26.021.0-23.07.0-8.00.30-0.60Mn: 2.0-4.0Cu: 0.3-0.6TensileYieldRaw metalStrengthStrengthHardnessprice*(minimum)(minimum)(maximum)(2005NamePREksiMPaksiMPaElongation %BrinellHRB$/lb)Type 316L23704852517040217962.1Type 317L28755153020540217962.5Alloy 2026805513524130217963.7Alloy 82528855863524130——4.3317LN30805503524040217962.526029805504027535217—2.5317LM31755153020540217963.0317LMN32805503524040223973.0NAS 204X34735003021035187903.2310MoLN32805503524030217962.970033805503524030—903.7904L32714903122035——3.7904LN343.720Mo-434805513524130217964.520 Mod34755172819335—953.9Alloy 2836735003121440——3.920Mo-640805513525130217964.925-6M0—946504329535——4.41925hMo254N41946504330035217964.025-6M0414.31925hMoSB842795503725035——4.0254 SM042946504430035223973.8AL-6XN431006904531030240—4.3YUS 170291006904330035217971.92419 MoN391208206746030——3.14565S411158006142035——3.1B66454.13127 hMo48946504027640——4.9654 SM0541097406242535250—4.5*Raw material prices were estimated using 2005 average metal prices and a lever rule; i.e. from the percent of each alloying elements. Processing costs are not included in the estimated prices. Prices are subject to the laws of demand and supply and may be very different from those shown in this table.
TABLE 2Representative corrosion characteristics and applications for high-performance stainless steels (Kovach).PREMARCDESCRIPTIONAPPLICATIONS (OUTSIDE OILFIELDS)AUSTENITIC ALLOYS22-288 maxResistance to mid-concentration sulphuric and other strong, mildlyProcess equipment handling sulphuric acid solutions; condensersreducing or oxidizing acids. Resistance to stress corrosion andand coolers handling acid-chloride condensates where stresspitting (at high PRE number)corrosion is a problem30-32Good resistance to mildly acidic, moderate chloridePiping operating under mild conditions, equipment requiringaqueous environments while providing a moderateimproved performance compared to Type 316strength advantage32-3613-15Good general and stress corrosion resistance in strong acidsGeneral process equipmentat moderate temperatures and in organic acids at high temperatures40-4314-21Very good chloride pitting and stress corrosion resistance;Process equipment for all but strong reducing and hot sulphuricresists seawater and many saline acidic waters, and many acids andacids; piping and heat exchangers handling ambient seawatercaustics; provides a substantial strength advantage29-41Very high strength and good general corrosion and pittingWhere high strength is importantresistance45-5413-23Very high strength with excellent chloride pitting and stressProcess equipment for all but strong reducing and hot sulphuriccorrosion resistance, resists warm seawater and high chloride,acids; piping and heat exchangers/evaporators handling hotacidic and oxidizing waters and brines; excellent resistance to aseawater and brineswide variety of acids and causticsFERRITIC ALLOYS278Excellent chloride stress corrosion cracking resistance, goodHeat exchanger tubing handling fresh water, organic acidresistance to pitting; excellent resistance to hot organiccondensers, caustic evaporator tubingacids and caustics34-40 4-14Resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion in ambient temperatureSeawater-cooled condenser tubing; heat exchanger tubingseawater; good stress corrosion resistance in high temperaturehandling fresh and brackish water and organic acidswater; good strengthDUPLEX ALLOYS228 maxGood stress corrosion resistance in cooling waters and underEquipment handling water, foods, and pharmaceuticals whereevaporative conditions; high strengthbetter strength or stress corrosion resistance is needed comparedto Type 30430-34 5-12Good pitting and stress corrosion resistance; good resistance toPressure vessels, piping, pumps and valves where strength andoxidizing acids and caustics; high strengthweight are factors along with resistance to stress corrosion andfatigue32-39 7-15Very good pitting and stress corrosion resistance, goodWhere better pitting and crevice corrosion resistance is neededresistance to mildly reducing and oxidizing acids andcompared to the D-2 alloyscaustics; high strength36-3810-14Resistance to seawater pitting and crevice corrosion; very goodPumps, valves, and high pressure piping and pressure tubingstress corrosion resistance; good resistance to mildly reducinghandling seawater or chloride containing watersacids and oxidizing acids and caustics; high strength

Interstitially strengthened high carbon and high nitrogen austenitic alloys, oilfield apparatus comprising same, and methods of making and using same


A tool for removing leaf lard from a carcass includes a head for mechanically engaging the lard, a reversible driver for rotating the head in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, a trigger connected to operate the reversible driver and begin rotation of the head in the forward direction to wind lard onto the head, and a controller connected to the trigger, the controller automatically reversing the driver and rotating the head in the reverse direction to unwind lard from the head after the trigger is released. The head preferably includes multiple hooks arranged to engage the lard and positioned on the head to an avoid damage to adjacent meat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to tools for removing lard from carcasses during meat processing.
2. Description of Related Art
One step required in the processing of hog carcasses is the removal of lard or fat which is found in two strips along the inner surfaces of the carcass halves. These strips are often referred to as the "leaf lard" due to their leaf-like shape in which the lard starts with a relatively narrow width near the lower end of a carcass suspended by its hind legs.
The leaf lard is typically removed by loosening the lower edge of the lard, then pulling it upwards--which causes it to peel away from the inner side of the carcass. A tool for use with this method is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,856 which describes a tool that grips the lard, coupled with a vertical piston assembly that provides an upward force to peel the lard away from the carcass.
One difficulty with this process is that it becomes progressively more difficult to pull the leaf lard away from the carcass as the width of the leaf lard increases. This will occasionally cause the relatively narrow starting end of the leaf lard to rupture as the force required to peel the leaf lard increases.
A solution to this problem is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,588 which uses an automatically positioned lard remover with a rotary driven head to wind the lard onto the head. The winding action prevents the lard from being torn at the starting point and provides a progressively better grip as the lard is wound onto the head. A problem with this tool, however, is that the lard must be removed from the tool by sliding or pulling it off the end of the winding head, or by manually unwinding it from the head.
Removal of the wound up lard from the end of the tool by pulling it off the head causes several problems. A particular difficulty is that this removal method limits the shape of the head. The head must be relatively smooth and shaped to allow the lard to slide off. This conflicts with the requirement that the head adhere to the lard in order to wind it onto the head. The tool described in this patent uses vacuum to adhere the lard to a relatively smooth head. This requires a separate vacuum system and a vacuum line running to the head which increases the cost and complexity of the tool and which limits its maneuverability in a non-automated setting.
In automatic processing, pulling the lard off requires that the tool be repositioned to elements that grab the lard to pull it from the end of the head. This takes time which can slow the processing operation. Manually unwinding the lard from the head after it has stopped takes even longer and is not suitable for modern processing operations.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a leaf lard remover tool that winds the lard onto a head, then automatically removes the lard by unwinding.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a leaf lard remover tool that can be positioned by hand to accommodate different size carcasses.
A further object of the invention is to provide a leaf lard remover tool that does not require a vacuum system to adhere the lard to the head.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a leaf lard remover tool that does not damage the carcass or backbone area when the tool is used.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.


An attachably/detachably sheet feeding unit includes a main body part, a pair of side cursors, a pair of cursor racks, a pinion and a holding member. On the main body part having a bottom plate, a sheet is placed. The side cursors are supported by the bottom plate to slide in a width direction of the sheet to restrict a position of the sheet in the width direction. The cursor racks respectively extend from the side cursors in opposing directions in the width direction. The pinion is engaged with the cursor racks. The holding member has a shaft support part rotatably supporting the pinion, is attachable/detachable to/from the bottom plate, and then, is supported to the bottom plate to move in the width direction while the pinion is engaged with the cursor racks, and is fixed to the bottom plate in an optional position in the width direction.

The present disclosure relates to a sheet feeding unit for storing sheets fed to an image forming apparatus or the like and an image forming apparatus including the sheet feeding unit.
In an image forming apparatus, such as a multifunction peripheral and a printer, sheets are fed from a sheet feeding unit, such as an attachably/detachably supported sheet feeding cartridge and a manual feeding tray, to an image forming part. In the sheet feeding cartridge, a pair of cursors slidably provided restrict a position of a sheet in a width direction. A mechanism for sliding the pair of cursors is generally configured to synchronously slide the pair of cursors in approaching and separating directions in the width direction of the sheets by a rack and pinion mechanism including racks respectively provided in the pair of cursors and a pinion engaged with the pair of racks.
In the sheet feeding cartridge including such a slide mechanism, it is necessary to coincide a center position of the sheet restricted by the pair of cursors (a center position between the pair of cursors) with a center position of an image formed in the image forming part. When the center position of the sheet is not coincided with the center position of the image in the width direction of the sheet, for example, in a case where a post-treatment such as opening a punch hole is performed, the punch hole interferes with the image, or in a case where multi-staged cartridges are used, the position of the punch hole is displaced in every sheet fed from each cartridge.
In order to position the center of the pair of cursors in the width direction, there is an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding cartridge configured to support the pair of cursors and a slide mechanism and to move a support member together with the pair of cursors in the width direction.
However, in the sheet feeding cartridge as mentioned above, there is a problem that a size of the support member is enlarged and does not match a sheet feeding cartridge having a low height in recent years. In addition, there is a problem that points where the support member is fixed to the sheet feeding cartridge are increased, thereby deteriorating in workability.
On the other hand, in a sheet feeding cartridge including the pair of cursors, there is also a problem that in a case where a user inserts the sheet feeding cartridge by strong force when the user installs the sheet feeding cartridge, the force is applied from the sheets stored in the sheet feeding cartridge to the cursor and the slide mechanism, thereby resulting in displacement of the center position of the pair of cursors in the width direction.

Sheet feeding unit and image forming apparatus


A tensioner for a chain, includes a tensioner piston bearing upon a chain and guided by a cylinder for movement in the direction of the chain. The cylinder and the piston define a pressure chamber for receiving hydraulic fluid, wherein hydraulic fluid is able to escape from the pressure chamber via a leakage gap. A control member is provided to at least reduce the leakage gap in size, when a pressure in the pressure chamber increases.

The present invention relates, in general, to a tensioner, and more particularly to a chain tensioner as used in chain drives of internal combustion engines for tensioning the chain during operation.
German Pat. No. DE 40 35 823 C1 describes a hydraulic tensioner for traction drives, in particular chain drives in internal combustion engines. A tensioner piston is pressed against the chain and received in a cylinder for longitudinal displacement. The piston and the cylinder together define a pressure chamber for hydraulic fluid. As the piston moves in the direction of the chain to tension it, the pressure chamber expands, thereby creating a negative pressure. As a consequence, a check valve opens and motor oil is able to flow into the pressure chamber. A tensioning of the chain moves the piston inwards away from the chain, so that the pressure chamber is reduced in size. During inward movement of the piston, motor oil migrates from the pressure chamber through a leakage gap. This conventional chain tensioner is further provided with a pressure restrictor valve which opens, when the pressure in the pressure chamber is excessive. Thus, the characteristic damping curve of the chain tensioner becomes softer, once the pressure restrictor valve opens.
The configuration of the leakage gap is essential as far as damping behavior of the chain tensioner is concerned. When dimensioning the leakage gap for a great leakage rate, the chain tensioner acts softer to dampen, e.g., chain knocks, as the piston is deflected to a greater degree. On the other hand, when the leakage rate is small, such chain knocks are damped under fairly small deflections of the piston, whereby greater forces are effective as a consequence of the smaller deflection. Therefore, a hard damping action of the chain tensioner is effected, when the leakage rate is only small.
Damping behavior of the chain tensioner is normally suited in optimum manner to an operating point. A soft damping action may be desired to avoid loud noises generated by the chain drive in the low speed range. The motor exhibits, however, a different operating behavior in the higher speed range, as more motor oil issues out of the pressure chamber through the leakage gap. Since hard chain knocks cannot be precluded, the piston is pushed further inwardly, when dimensioned for soft damping action, so that intake of motor oil into the pressure chamber will be insufficient. As a result, faulty operation of the chain tensioner can be experienced, in particular at higher speeds.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved chain tensioner to obviate prior art shortcomings and to ensure a reliable operation.