An apparatus for expanding a tube includes a probe to be introduced into the tube. The probe includes an elastic expansion sleeve that can be acted upon by a pressure medium over at least a portion of its inner surface. The expansion sleeve is provided on its outer periphery with a support ring which is supported on a shoulder of the probe that surrounds the expansion sleeve. The support ring is formed by at least two partial segments that are movable relative to one another. This assures that the support ring can reversibly follow a change in diameter that takes place when the expansion sleeve is expanded, thereby preventing the expansion sleeve from being pinched and caught in a gap located between the tube and the probe.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for expanding a tube.
Published European Patent Application 0 468 076 A1 discloses an apparatus for expanding a tube, which includes a probe that can be introduced into the tube and has a radially expandable expansion sleeve made of an elastically deformable material. The expansion sleeve is braced by each of its ends on one shoulder of a receiving sleeve. The receiving sleeves are joined together by a tie rod and axially fixed in opposed directions. The tie rod is passed through the expansion sleeve and together with recesses in the expansion sleeves it forms annular recesses that each receive one end of the expansion sleeve. The expansion sleeve is acted upon over a portion of its inside surface with a pressure medium passing through bores in the tie rod. The expansion sleeve is provided with an annularly encompassing groove for receiving an O-ring on the outer periphery in the region of the end surface of the receiving sleeves, which end surface annularly surrounds the expansion sleeve. The O-rings are intended to guard the expansion sleeve against damage, should it be pinched into voids that are located between the receiving sleeves and the tube which is to be expanded, when pressure is imposed.
On one hand, the O-ring used in the known device must have adequate elastic properties in order to spring back to its original shape after the imposition of pressure. On the other hand, it must also have adequate mechanical strength in order to absorb axial forces that act upon it when pressure is imposed.
O-rings made of a material that is elastically deformable within the course of deformation until it rests against the inner wall of the tube, such as O-rings of a polymeric material, for example, are unable to absorb those high axial forces, so that when such O-rings are used, the expansion sleeve is pinched in an annular interstice between the tube and the receiving sleeve and can become irreversibly deformed as a result. That not only causes damage to the expansion sleeve but also makes it harder to recover the probe once the expansion has been accomplished.
However, if an O-ring of an inelastic material or a material with a small range of elasticity is used, there is the risk of permanent plastic deformation, which again means that the probe can only be recovered from the tube with very great difficulty, if at all.
It has been found that the contradictory demands for elasticity and strength of such a support ring can only be inadequately met, if at all, by all of the materials that may be considered.
In order to avoid the above-discussed problems, Published European Patent Application 0 314 267 A2, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,796, proposes using two metal support rings that are made of many segments which are displaceable relative to one another. Each of the rings is held together by an elastic ring and the rings are disposed side by side. Those segments can slide against one another on the former end surfaces which are then oriented toward one another, so that once the expansion sleeve has been expanded one of the support rings rests on the tube, while the other support ring rests on a shoulder serving as a boundary. As a result of the two support rings being disposed side by side and partly overlapping one another as seen in an axial plan view, the expansion sleeve is largely prevented from becoming pinched in the axial direction in the interstice between the tube and the expansion apparatus, or between the segments.


Embodiments described herein may be directed to systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, computer program products, computer-executable instructions, and/or applications for providing a remote cloud browsing session. A remote cloud browsing session may receive a request for Internet content from a user device, access the Internet content from an Internet content source, and transmit second Internet content to the user device based on the requested Internet content.

When a user navigates an unsecure network such as the World Wide Web (e.g., the Internet), the user may be exposed to a variety of data security risks. For example, a webpage visited by the user may undesirably identify location and/or identity information of the user, which may be used maliciously by the webpage. Accordingly, a need exists for increased web browsing security.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Secure application for accessing web resources


A method of reallocating memory to a hypervisor in a virtualized computing system, includes: assigning priorities to a plurality of logical partitions configured within the virtualized computing system; determining a memory requirement for the hypervisor, the hypervisor configured to manage the plurality of logical partitions; determining minimum levels of memory required for each of the plurality of logical partitions; determining the amount of available memory in the virtualized computing system; and in the event that the amount of available memory is less than the determined memory requirement of the hypervisor, removing portions of memory from one or more of the plurality of logical partitions based on the assigned priorities until the determined memory requirement for the hypervisor is obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to memory management, and more particularly to a method and system for preferentially reallocating memory to a hypervisor from a plurality of partitions in virtualized environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data communication continues to increase, especially with regard to the Internet where not only voice data but also high bandwidth video is being transmitted. The increasing data rates and volumes of information transmitted in communication systems and computer networks are driving demand for faster and more compact computer servers. Data centers, driven by the force of server consolidation, employ virtualization technologies to increase manageability and resource sharing.
In a virtualized environment, a layer of software called the hypervisor runs between the bare hardware and the operating system (OS), and provides the illusion of multiple "virtual" machines (VM), also called partitions or domains. A virtual machine is a virtual data-processing system that appears to be at the exclusive disposal of a particular user, but whose functions are accomplished by sharing the resources of a physical data-processing system. The VM provides a functional simulation of a computer and its associated devices and is based on an abstract specification for a computing device that can be implemented in different ways in software and hardware.
In the rack mount environment of a data center, hypervisors are employed to increase manageability and resource sharing (server consolidation). A data center typically needs to satisfy the requirements from multiple applications and/or multiple worldoads each spanning multiple VM instances.
FIG. 1 is a schematic of an existing virtualized computing system 100, including hardware 102, which is a collection of resources including CPU, memory and input/output (I/O) devices that are being virtualized; a hypervisor 104 that virtualizes the hardware resources and provides the upper layer with the illusion of multiple independent "virtual" machines; kernels 106 that run on top each "virtual" machine, and applications 108 in partitions 110 that in turn run on top of the kernels 106 and which are completely oblivious of the virtualization. The kernel is the part of an operating system that performs basic functions such as allocating hardware resources.

Method for distributing hypervisor memory requirements across logical partitions

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is an LCD capable of adaptively selecting a gamma curve based on a viewing angle. The LCD includes: a viewing angle detector for detecting the viewing angle of an LCD panel to generate information about the viewing angle, and a gamma curve determiner for selecting a gamma curve corresponding to the information of the viewing angle and controlling the gray level with a gamma voltage value defined by the selected gamma curve. The viewing angle detector has a driving voltage generator and a voltage divider. The driving voltage generator outputs a gate-on/off voltage and an analog driving voltage based on an externally input power, and the voltage divider drops the level of the gate-on voltage to generate a first voltage. A viewing angle generator outputs information about the viewing angle based on the analog driving voltage and the first voltage.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display adaptive to a viewing angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal display capable of adaptively selecting a gamma curve based on the viewing angle.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) has a transparent electrode installed on the inner sides of two substrates in various display modes, e.g., in a twist nematic (TN) display mode in which liquid crystal molecules having a positive (+) dielectric isotropy are arranged in parallel with the substrates and twisted with an angle difference of almost 90 degrees between the substrates, and a super twist nematic (STN) display mode in which the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in a similar way to a TN display mode but twisted with an angle difference of 180 to 240 degrees between the substrates.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a transmissivity depending on an applied voltage in a normally white mode-type TN liquid crystal.
Referring to FIG. 1, the curves graph the transmissivity based on a voltage applied from the front of the LCD (i.e., at an angle of 0 degrees) and at a predetermined angle from the LCD, for example, at a viewing angle of −20 degrees, respectively.
Thin film transistor (TFT) LCD products with such a characteristic of the TN LCD mode have a problem in displaying grays based on the viewing angle. Namely, those grays as normally viewed from the front of the LCD panel are difficult to see at a viewing angle other than zero degrees.
As such, the range of the viewing angle is more significant in a color display relative to a black-and-white one. The movement of the observer varies the display contrast and color, since the viewing angle is not uniform in all directions unless the liquid crystal molecules displaying optical double refraction are in a completely parallel or vertical array.
Besides, the LCD module is designed to apply a constant voltage to the liquid crystals in order to optimize the gray representation from the front side of the LCD, which gives rise to a problem that the gray turns black even with a lowest voltage.
The LCD panel cannot maintain an accurate gray level based on the viewing angle, for example, in a notebook computer in which the user must open the LCD panel wide, in which case the LCD panel has a limitation in the wide-open area during use due to the viewing angle.

Liquid crystal display adaptive to viewing angle


The movable body includes a pivot and a contact portion. The pivot is rotatably supported. The contact portion is disposed at a position contactable with a contact piece. The movable body rotates around the pivot and presses the contact piece via the contact portion to move the second contact close to the first contact. The actuator presses the movable body to rotate the movable body around the pivot. The contact piece has a curved portion located between the second contact and the support. The pivot is located on a side where the support is disposed with respect to the curved portion. The actuator includes a pressing member which presses the movable body. The pressing member moves in an axial direction of the pressing member to press the movable body.

There is known a relay which presses a contact piece by rotation of a movable body to bring contacts into contact with each other. For example, a relay disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a movable block functioning as a movable body. The movable block is disposed between a pair of yokes connected to a coil. The movable block includes a movable iron piece. The movable block rotates when the movable iron piece is attracted by magnetic force generated by the coil. The movable block includes an arm, which is connected to a contact piece via a card. The arm moves the card in accordance with rotation of the movable block. The moved card presses the contact piece to bring a movable contact and a fixed contact into contact with each other.


A hard cover product having an outer liner attached to a pair of sheet members disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap. One of the hard sheet members defines a receiving zone that receives a security tag. An inner liner attaches overlying the pair of hard sheet members and concealing the security tag within the receiving zone. The gap between the pair of sheet members defines a spine for the hard cover product, whereby the opposing hard sheets defining a front cover and back cover that move together foldably. Methods of making a hard cover product and of making an intermediate board for use in a hard cover product are disclosed.

In recent years, tracking of inventory of goods has become of increased importance. Inventory of goods represents a significant investment in capital. In addition to cost factors, other aspects prompting increased interest in tracking inventory include the increase in just-in-time manufacturing in which materials are provided by suppliers shortly prior to the time of use by the manufacturer of goods, as well as theft deterrence and inventory verification and auditing.
Various electronic and mechanical devices have been provided for tracking and monitoring of goods and containers. These devices include acoustic magnetic security strips and radio frequency security tags. These devices often are embodied in tags, pods, labels, or patches, having adhesive surfaces for attaching the device to the goods or their containers. These devices facilitate tracking and monitoring of goods and containers. The security devices are typically attached to the articles particularly susceptible to pilferage and improper removal from a warehouse or retail store. The security devices include a detectable sensor. One known type of security tag has a circuit that resonates at a predetermined detection frequency range. A transmitter provides electromagnetic energy that excites the circuit. A receiver detects the output signal from the resonating circuit. The transmitter and the receiver are located at detection points, often exits from retail facilities. As the article is carried through the detection point, the receiver signals an alert when an activated sensor device is detected. For articles that are permitted to pass (such as purchased articles), a separate device is used to deactivate the detectable sensor prior to passage. Other devices include RFID devices that communicate digital signals. In some known RFID devices, the signal is indicative of unique identifiers for tracking particular containers.
Often large retailers require manufacturers of articles to include tracking and monitoring devices within the containers for the articles. For smaller retailers and smaller inventories of articles, the tracking and monitoring devices may not be included with or attached to containers. In such circumstances, the articles may be provided with after-market tracking and monitoring devices. For example, electronic article surveillance tags are available with adhesive backing to secure the tags to the containers. While the containers are thereby subject to electronic article surveillance, the adhesively attached tags experience problems during use. One significant problem is that the tags, being on the exterior of the container, are susceptible to removal. Removing the security tag facilitates circumventing security and the unauthorized removal of the article from the secured area. However, removal by a purchaser also causes problems. The covering to which the security tag attaches may become torn or ripped, thus damaging the package.
Further, the package with the security tag, or without such by removal, creates an eyesore visible to the consumer. The security tag may also overlie or cover over ornamental graphics or text on the packaging. The security device thereby interferes with the printed graphics and/or with other types of covering material and distracts or covers up the printing/stamping designed to enhance the marketability of a product.
Also, importantly, the attachment of an electronic security tag to an interim assembly of an article during manufacture lead to production and handling problems. These manufacturing problems include mechanical problems when producing a product, and also having to operate manufacturing equipment at reduced production speeds. The security tag projects from the surface to which it attaches. This causes stacked ones of the interim assemblies to gradually angle or tip as the stack height increases with placement of additional interim assemblies. For example, hard cover books assembled using casing machines receive an outer liner that attaches to front cover stock and back cover stock. Such interim assemblies are stacked for a second pass through the casing machine to apply an inner liner. Angled stacks make production and handling more difficult during manufacturing. Further, the protruding security tag may scratch the adjacent assembly, for example, when a feeder device pushes one of the assemblies from a hopper for processing and applying the inner liner.
Accordingly there is a need in the art for providing hard cover products with concealed security tracking and monitoring devices. It is to such that the present invention is directed.

Hard cover product with concealed security device


A portable machine tool, in particular a hand-held planing machine, includes at least one workpiece positioning unit and at least one insert tool unit. The at least one workpiece positioning unit has at least one workpiece positioning surface. The at least one insert tool unit projects at least partially over the at least one workpiece positioning surface in order to permit processing of workpiece. The portable machine tool further includes at least one adjustment unit that is configured, in at least one state, to set at least one orientation of one or more of the insert tool unit and the workpiece positioning surface relative to one another.

Already known from DE 198 53 374 B4 is a portable power tool, in particular a hand-held power planer, which has a workpiece contact unit that has at least one workpiece contact surface, and an insert tool unit that projects partially over the workpiece contact surface in order to enable work to be performed on a workpiece.


According to the present invention, a SOI substrate includes a first silicon substrate having first and second surfaces; a second silicon substrate having first and second surfaces; and a first insulating layer formed between first surface of the first silicon substrate and the first surface of the second silicon substrates. The first surface of the first silicon substrate is partly depressed to form a thin-layer region thereat. The first insulating layer is formed at least in the thin-layer region.

In recent years, a micro structure, which is a small in sized of hundreds micron meters, has been an object of public attention in the semiconductor manufacturing field. Such a micro structure is fabricated using a micro-machine technology, which is an application of semiconductor fine processing technology. A micro structure has been considered to be applied to a high-frequency device, including sensors and optical switches for optical communication. In general, a microstructure based on a micro-machine technology is fabricated using a semiconductor process, so that such a device can be integrated on a semiconductor chip together with a LSI for signal processing. Such a device is called "MEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical System)" in the USA and "MIST (Micro System Technology)" in Europe.
An acceleration sensor can be fabricated using MEMS (MIST) technology. An acceleration sensor has been widely used for an airbag system of vehicle; a subsurface environment observation system for seismic activity; a seismic system for IT products; and so on. Japan Patent Publication No. H07-225240A describes a piezo-type of acceleration sensor using MEMS technology.    [Patent Related Publication 1] JP H07-225240A
An SOI wafer may be used for fabricating a semiconductor acceleration sensor based on MEMS technology. In general, a SOI wafer includes a balance oxide layer (SiO2); a supporting silicon layer (Si) formed on the balance oxide layer; a BOX oxide layer (SiO2) formed on the supporting silicon layer; and an active layer (Si) formed on the BOX oxide layer. When fabricating such a SOI wafer, a wafer state of a supporting substrate is shaped to have a predetermined thickness, and a surface of the wafer is mirror-finished. After that, oxide layers are formed on the both surface of the wafer as a BOX layer and a balance layer. Next, thus fabricated supporting substrate of a wafer state is laminated with a silicon wafer for an active layer. Next, the active layer is polished to have a predetermined thickness by a CMP process.
However, according to a SOI wafer fabricated by the above-described conventional method, an active layer is formed to have a uniform thickness and it is difficult to adjust or control the thickness of the active layer. Since the active layer is adjusted in thickness by processing its surface, the surface may be uneven, and therefore, a resist layer is hardly coated on the uneven surface. As a result, it is difficult to form a fine (micro) resist pattern on the wafer, and it is difficult to miniaturize a semiconductor device fabricated using such a wafer.
In a semiconductor acceleration sensor, fabricated using a SOI wafer, a mass is formed from a supporting substrate (Si) and beams are formed from an active layer (Si). A stopper layer may be formed from the active layer to restrict over movement (excess movement) of the mass. According to the conventional acceleration sensor, a sensitivity of piezo resistance elements, formed on the beams, is low; and protecting performance of the stopper layer is not sufficient.

SOI substrate and semiconductor acceleration sensor using the same


A processor-based system configured for searching in dynamically balanced trees is configured for linking the most often-searched elements of the tree to optimize search performance. Data elements include pointers for a tree-based index ordering and a doubly-linked list based index ordering. A background process links the most often-searched elements according to the linked list ordering and maintains the linked list ordering by first determining those elements having the highest importance values, defined as a number of times an element is successfully searched relative to aging or decay function. The linked list ordering is then arranged based on descending importance values. Each element also includes a go-to-tree flag, indicating to a search engine the point at which it is no longer beneficial to continue searching according to the doubly-linked list ordering. Hence, a search engine that begins searching the elements according to the doubly-linked list ordering will begin searching of the tree structure for the specified key entry in response to detecting an element having a go-to-tree flag set to true. Hence, the doubly-linked list may optimize search performance when the most often-searched elements may be deep within a tree, while insuring that unnecessary overhead is not introduced into the search routine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer-implemented search techniques, more specifically to arrangements for improving search methodologies in dynamically balanced trees.
2. Description of the Related Art
Different computer-based search techniques have been developed in an effort to reduce the time necessary to search for data records within a computerized database. Examples of conventional search techniques include sequential searches of database records in an ordered table, or binary searches of database records based on a key entry that uniquely identifies a database record.
These different computer-based search techniques often use a prescribed index to search for a database record. For example, database records may be indexed according to a tree arrangement to quickly insert and locate data. One limitation of trees is that searching of the tree is optimized on the composition of the xe2x80x9ckeyxe2x80x9d used to identify tree elements. For example the actual data, or an abstraction or subset of the data is used to uniquely identify each element within the tree. Although trees can be built dynamically as a new data entry is added, a disadvantage of trees is that efficiency of a search operation (i.e., minimizing the average number of data records that need to be accessed during a search) is substantially degraded if the data is not evenly distributed within a tree. A reduced efficiency of a search operation can be critical to performance in time-sensitive applications, such as networked switching systems that need to access network address forwarding information in real time.
One aspect of even distribution of data involves whether the tree is balanced structurally. FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a tree having a balanced structure and a tree having an unbalanced structure, respectively. The balanced tree 10, illustrated as a binary tree, has a group of elements 12 that are evenly distributed throughout the tree 10, enabling searches throughout the tree 10 to be performed efficiently relative to the total number of elements 12; in other words, a search through the tree 10 would require at most 4 accesses, based on the depth of the tree 10, where the number of accesses per searche equals log(n), n being equal to the number of elements 12. FIG. 1B is an example of a tree 14 having an unbalanced structure, resulting in possibly a substantial greater number of accesses per search throughout the tree 14. On average, a relatively larger number of access attempts per search are required to find any given element 12 in the unbalanced tree 14.
A possibly more important aspect of even distribution in a tree involves the distribution of data elements within the tree relative to the frequency in which the data elements are accessed. In particular, the use of trees for searching for a data element provides a reasonable level of efficiency when the data elements in the database have an equal probability of being accessed by a search process. Although this assumption may be true for randomly-distributed groups of data entries such as entries for telephone directories and the like, this assumption is not true for relatively ordered groups of data entries. Use of trees for searching of relatively ordered data entries, or data systems having only a very few heavily-accessed data elements, may cause the tree-type index to have a lumpy distribution.
For example, the problem of lumpy distribution is substantial in network switches and/or network routers that rely on computer addresses in directing traffic through a network. The problems associated with lumpy distribution may be especially acute if heavily trafficked network nodes, for example servers or gateways, are located deep within the tree 14 (e.g., elements 12b and 12c), whereas network nodes having little traffic are located at or near the root of the tree (e.g., element 12a).
Tree rotation techniques are known for reconfiguring the unbalanced tree 14 into a more balanced structure similar to the balanced tree 10 of FIG. 1A. Although such techniques can balance the structure of the tree, the rotation techniques cannot account for the relative amount of traffic for particular nodes of the tree. Thus, the rotation techniques will result in a structurally balanced tree that still contains a lumpy distribution of data elements; hence, search operation efficiency is still degraded due to the large number of searches needed to locate a heavily accessed element, for example a server or gateway, that is located deep within the tree. If a highly sought after element is positioned at the bottom of a balanced tree, resulting in a lumpy distribution, then the average number of searches will trend towards the depth of the tree, reducing the efficiency of the search operation during use of the balanced tree.
There is a need for reducing the adverse effects of trees having an lumpy distribution of elements when searching for a given key entry, without sacrificing a search operation for finding or verifying the existence of a key, without the necessity of constant maintenance of the tree.
There is also a need for an arrangement that enables the bypassing of a tree for identification of the most heavily accessed elements with the minimum number of search operations, regardless of the location of the most heavily accessed elements within the tree.
These and other needs are attained by the present invention, where additional pointers for each data element are generated that enable the data elements to be searched as a linked list in an order based on determined importance values of the elements within the tree. The searching of the data elements indexed according to a linked list, as opposed to the existing tree structure, enables the search engine of a computer-based system to identify heavily-trafficked elements of the tree with a minimal number of searches.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in a computer system of searching for a specified key entry. The method includes determining an importance value for each element of a tree structure used for searching for the specified key entry. Each of the elements has a corresponding key entry, and the importance value indicates a first probability that the corresponding element includes the specified entry. The method also includes linking at least a first number of the elements according to an order based on the respective determined importance values, determining an estimated average number of accessed elements per search of at least one of the linked first elements and the tree structure, and searching selected linked first elements for the specified key entry, prior to searching the tree structure. The searching of the selected linked first elements of the tree structure is based on the respective importance values being greater than the estimated average number of accessed elements per search. The linking of the first number of the elements according to an order based on the respective determined importance value enables a search engine to identify the most heavily-searched elements of the tree with a minimum number of searches, based on the determined importance values for each of the linked first elements. In addition, the determination of an estimated average number of accessed elements per search enables the linked first elements to identify a point at which a search process should discontinue searching through the linked first elements and begin searching of the tree structure for the specified key entry.
Hence, the searching for the most heavily-accessed elements can be optimized, without substantially increasing the number of accesses necessary per search for finding an element in the tree structure.
Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Arrangement for enhancing weighted element searches in dynamically balanced trees


A method for improving single photon emission computed tomography by controlling acquisition parameters specific to the imaging goals and specific to the individual case under study. Data acquisition is modulated by scanning to adapt to the particular signal to noise characteristics of each object. A preliminary acquisition quickly scans the object of interest. The preliminary data is analyzed to optimize the secondary scan. The secondary scan is then acquired with optimized sampling of the object based on its own particular image characteristics. The system is able to learn, incorporating site specific data into a triaging set.

Nuclear Medicine's capability to present functional information has made it a valuable tool for clinical diagnosis and for biological research. It is desirable to improve system performance and various methods have been employed. Collimation techniques such as multiple pinholes or converging collimators can improve resolution for certain classes of study. Sensitivity can be improved with larger detector areas or diverging collimation. It is further useful if the imaging system can adapt to the actual source distributions of a specific case to optimize tomographic signal to noise by acquiring data selectively to dwell longer on source areas that contribute more information to the final image.
With some imaging methods gaps may appear in the angular sampling for portions of the object field. This type of reconstruction problem has been previously addressed in nuclear medicine. For example, fanbeam and conebeam collimators tend to produce truncated planar images that do not fully sample the sinogram.
Data acquisition methods for SPECT rely on a preset definition of dwell time, angular step, collimation and range of orbital sampling. These data acquisition protocols are variable as to type of study performed but are not case by case specific to the actual source distribution in a patient or subject of interest. As such they do not optimize the imaging results for a specific patient or subject of interest. Such data acquisition protocols can be non-uniform in their dwell time per step but are not varying due to the specific source distribution in an individual patient.


This invention provides a stereotactic device which is adapted for placement of a medical probe in the performance of percutaneous lumbar discectomy in a human body. The stereotactic device is utilized in conjunction with a fluoroscope for alignment and placement of a trocar type probe into a herniated disc. Bubble gauges are employed to level the x-axis and y-axis of a trocar support, which orients and slidably guides the medical probe into the targeted herniated disc nucleus.

A common problem among sufferers of back pain is a prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc, wherein a portion of the disc between two vertebrae in the lower back prolapses outward and causes pressure on a nerve. One method of treatment is by major surgery. Because of the substantial trauma caused by such surgery, it is common for the patient to experience a recovery period of ten to twelve weeks.
Recently a new technique has been developed wherein nucleus material of the prolapsed disc is excised by percutaneous aspiration. The disc nucleus is soft and jelly-like in consistency, and can be resected and aspirated by use of a specially designed cannula. The aspiration cannula is inserted into the nucleus of the prolapsed disc with the aid of a trocar probe, prior to connection of the cannula to an aspirating machine. A major concern is precise placement of the probe to avoid nerve damage.
Since herniation of a disc most frequently occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, or between the fifth lumbar and sacral vertebrae, the insertion of the probe is very difficult. Particularly in the latter case, the probe must be inserted not only at an angle to the vertical, but also at an angle relative to the sagittal axis, in order to avoid the protective iliac crest of the sacrum. Preferably the probe is inserted at about eight centimeters away from the midline, on the coronal plane of the prolapsed disc level, at an angle of about 45 degrees. In the past, the probe has been inserted by trial and error, while monitoring its placement by fluoroscopic examination.
Devices and means for stereotactic positioning and guiding of a medical probe to a herniated lumbar disc are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,964,480; 4,638,799; 4,750,487; 5,047,036; and 5,080,662. The systems mainly have in common a stereotactic bridge or mounting structure which is attached to an operating or C.T. scan type table. Such structures are mechanically complex, and have limited range of mobility.
There remains a need for new and improved devices to overcome the various difficulties associated with automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy procedures.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a self-contained medical probe guidance device which can be hand-manipulated on the contour surface of a human body.
It is another object of this invention to provide a mobile stereotactic device for fluoroscope-monitored alignment and placement of a medical probe for percutaneous lumbar discectomy in a human body.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the accompanying description and drawings.

Lumbar spinal disc trocar placement device


A modular pet recreational assembly includes at least a frame, which may include a first frame having a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall opposite the first vertical wall. Multifunctional support dowels may connect first vertical wall to second vertical wall. One or more shelves may protrude beyond first vertical wall and second vertical wall. A sheet of flexible material may be incorporated, with a first end secured to the at least a frame and a second end secured to the at least a frame. The sheet of flexible material, shelf, and/or first or second vertical wall may have one or more openings sized to permit passage of a small animal such as a cat.

Domesticated animals such as cats and dogs frequently enjoy play time as part of their day to day routine, for which a number of pet furniture has been developed. However, most pet furniture lacks the ability to hold an animal's attention for long durations of time, due to lack of structures to play and, hide, and climb within. Further, pet furniture can be bulky, often taking up large quantities of space which can be prohibitive for city dwellers living in small spaces. Pet furniture can also frequently be designed to attract smaller cats and dogs but fail to support cats and dogs which can sometimes weigh upwards of 30 pounds. This can all result in messes, boredom, and failure of cats and dogs to be occupied and entertained for long stretches of time.


A process for producing a gene transfer preparation which comprises adding one or more additives selected from among arginine, glutamic acid or its sodium salt, serine, glucose, inositol, lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, trehalose and xylose to a recombinant virus vector followed by freeze-drying.

Owing to the rapid progress in genetic engineering, there have been developed various molecular biological processes. With these developments, techniques for analyzing genetic information and gene functions have been remarkably advanced. As a result, a number of attempts have been made to feed back the results thus achieved into actual clinical treatments. One of the most remarkable advances has been achieved in the field of gene therapy. That is to say, there have been successfully identified and decoded genes causative of various hereditary diseases. On the other hand, techniques have been established for physically or chemically transferring these genes into cells. Accordingly, gene therapy has already completed the stage of fundamental experiments and thus reached the stage of clinical application.
Since the first clinical test on gene therapy was performed in 1989 in the United States, gene therapy has been already applied to clinical tests in Italy, the Netherlands, France, England and China. In the United States, in particular, the Recombinant DNA Committee (RAC) of NIH has approved 54 gene therapy protocols by July 1994 and, therefore, attempts have been made to apply gene therapy to the treatment of hereditary diseases such as congenial immunological deficiency (adenosine deaminase deficiency), familial hypercholesterolemia and cystic fibrosis and various types of cancer such as malignant melanoma and glioma. Moreover, a number of fundamental studies on the gene therapy for AIDS have been made in recent years.
Gene therapy is classified into germline cell gene therapy and somatic cell gene therapy depending on the type of the target cells to which genes are to be transferred. From another point of view, it is classified into augmentation gene therapy wherein a new (normal) gene is added while leaving the abnormal (causative) gene as such and replacement gene therapy wherein the abnormal gene is replaced by the normal one. At the present stage, the augmentation gene therapy on somatic cells is exclusively effected due to ethical and technical restrictions. A gene therapy process performed today comprises taking out the target cells from the body and, after the completion of the gene transfer, putting the cells back into the body again through self-transplantation (i.e., ex vivo gene therapy). Further, it is now under consideration to administer genes directly to patients in future (i.e., in vivo gene therapy).
One of the large problems in the clinical application of gene therapy is how to safely and efficiently introduce a foreign gene into the target cells. Although it was tried to employ physical procedures such as microinjection early in the 1980's , only a poor transfer efficiency could be established and genes could not be transferred in a stable state thereby. Furthermore, the limited techniques for cell incubation on a mass scale in those days made it impossible to put such attempts into practical use. Subsequently, there were developed recombinant viruses (virus vectors) for efficiently transferring foreign genes into target cells, which made it possible for the first time to apply the gene therapy to clinical purposes.
There are several types of virus vectors as will be described hereinbelow. The virus vectors most frequently employed in the gene therapy today are retrovirus vectors originating in moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV). That is to say, genes are transferred by taking advantage in the propagation manner of this virus. A retrovirus is an RNA virus having an envelope which invades into cells through the bond of the envelope protein to the receptor in the host cell side. After the invasion, the single-stranded virus RNA is converted into a double-stranded DNA via a reverse transcriptase and thus integrated into the genomic DNA of the infected cells in a stable state, though at random. However, the integration cannot be completed unless the cells are dividing and proliferating Miller D. G., et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 10 (8), 4239 (1990)!. The retrovirus gene thus integrated is called a provirus. From this provirus, RNA is transcribed and thus viral proteins are synthesized. Then new viral particles are formed from these proteins and the virus RNA. In a retrovirus vector, the retrovirus gene in the above-mentioned case recombines with a foreign gene Miller A. D., Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 158, 1 (1992)!. On the MoMLV vector, a number of studies have been carried out hitherto and many improvements have been achieved on the safety thereof. As a result, no serious trouble has occurred so far. With respect to the MoMLV vector, however, it is known that the gene is integrated into the genomic DNA of the target cells at random and the long terminal repeat (hereinafter referred to simply as LTR) sustains the promotion activity for expressing the gene. Therefore, it cannot be denied that the random integration of the foreign gene might happen to activate an oncogen existing therearound by chance so as to cause carcinogenesis in the target cells, though there has never been reported such a case so far. Thus, it has been urgently required to develop vectors with improved safety. From a practical viewpoint, the most serious problem regarding the MoMLV vector resides in that a gene cannot be transferred thereby into cells which are not under division. This fact makes gene repair in neuroblasts impossible in a number of congenital metabolic errors. Moreover, hematopoietic stem cells, liver cells, muscle cells, etc. to be treated by gene therapy are usually on the stationary stage in most cases and thus a gene can be transferred thereinto only at a low efficiency. Although cells taken off from the body are subjected to treatments for promoting division so as to elevate the gene transfer efficiency, it is seemingly difficult to transfer a gene into the above-mentioned cells in vivo. Therefore, it is required to develop vectors ensuring efficient gene transfer into cells not being under division too in future.
Although herpes virus vectors are expected as being usable in the transfer of a foreign gene into neuroblasts Palella, T. D., et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8, 457, (1988)!, the potent cytotoxicity and large genomic size (150 kb) disturb the development thereof.
HIV vectors have been developed as vectors which enable specific gene transfer into CD4-positive T lymphocytes owing to the host characteristics of the virus per se Shimada, T., et al., J. Clin. Invest., 88, 1043 (1991)!. Since lymphocytes serve as important target cells in gene therapy for congenital immunological deficiency, AIDS, cancer, etc., expections are placed on the usefulness of the HIV vectors. The largest disadvantage of the HIV vectors resides in that they might be contaminated with wild strains. If this problem could be solved, the HIV vectors might be employed in gene therapy in vivo via intravascular administration.
Further, adenovirus vectors have attracted public attention, since they enable gene transfer into cells which are not under division and can be easily concentrated to a level of about 10.sup.10. Recent studies indicate that genes can be transferred in vivo at a high ratio into airway epithelial cells, liver cells, muscular cells, etc. by using these adenovirus vectors Lavrero, L. D., et. al., Hum. Gene Therapy, 1, 241 (1990); Quantin, B., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 89, 2581 (1992)!. On the other hand, such an adenovirus vector essentially has a characteristic that a foreign gene is not integrated into the genomic DNA of the target cells. After treating the target cells with the vector, therefore, the effects of the gene transfer can be sustained only for several weeks or several months at the longest. Accordingly, it is required to repeat the gene transfer, which brings about some problems such as increased physical and mental stress for the patient, a decrease in the gene transfer efficiency due to the appearance of anti-adenovirus antibody, etc. In addition, clinical attempts have been already initiated to administer an adenovirus vector with a bronchoscope for treating cystic fibrosis. However, it is reported that inflammatory responses arise in these cases due to the immunogenicity and cytotoxicity of the adenoviral particles.
In contrast, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are characterized in that a foreign gene is integrated into the genomic DNA of the target cells and the vectors have neither any pathogenicity nor cytotoxicity Muzyczka, N., Currnet Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 158, 97 (1992)!. Moreover, the ITR (inverted terminal repeat) thereof, which is needed in packaging viral particles and gene integration into genomic DNA, has no promoting activity for gene expression. Thus, the gene expression can be arbitrarily switched on/off by setting an appropriate inner promoter or a tissue-specific promoter can be employed. In the case of the AAV vectors, use can be made of hosts over a wide range, which makes these vectors applicable to various target cells/diseases. Owing to these characteristics, the AAV vectors are expected as novel virus vectors, i.e., a substitute for the MoMLV vectors. It is also found that AAV of wild type is integrated into a definite site in the 19th chromosome Suwadogo, M. and Roeder, R. G., Prc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 82, 4394 (1985)!. Thus AAV vectors attract public attention as vectors capable of targeting the gene integration site.
However, any manufacturing pharmaceutical discussion has been made on none of these virus vectors in order to storage them in a stable state and maintain the uniformity thereof. Although virus vectors are stored in a frozen state today, the storage period is limited and it is observed that the virus vectors suffer from a decrease in titer with the passage of time. In practical clinical studies, it is therefore needed to prepare a vector in each test and examine the decrease in the gene transfer efficiency during the storage prior to the treatment. Since such examinations comprise complicated procedures and take a considerably long time, it has been strongly required to establish a method for supplying stabilized virus vectors having improved and uniform performance.
It was attempted to freeze-dry MoMLV vectors by using gelatin as a stabilizer Kotani, H., et al., Human Gene Therapy, 5, 19 (1994)!. Since gelatin usually originates in animals such as swine, it might serve as an immunogen at a high possibility when administered in vivo. Thus, the above method cannot be always referred to as a safe one.
In clinical studies on gene therapy performed today, detailed examinations are made on the type of vectors and the pharmacological effects of genes for therapeutic use. Because they are preparations for gene therapy, virus vectors should be supplied safely so as to ensure a uniform performance. Namely, it is essentially required to establish a process for storing these vectors in a stable state. However, few studies have been made in this field.


A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device including the steps of printing a patterned mask on both sides of a strip of copper foil, shielding one side and plating a pattern of nickel on the other side, removing the shield, securing the foil to a flexible film and etching copper from predesignated areas, creating the thermoelectric device.

It has been known since the early 1800s that when two dissimilar conductors are joined into a loop and a temperature differential is maintained between the two end junctions, an electromotive force is generated causing a current to flow.
Since the time of this discovery, various combinations of material, configurations of units and/or sizes have allowed this principle to be utilized to use heat to generate electricity having a twofold effect, i.e., removing heat from where it is often not wanted and creating an electromotive force which likewise can be used for its obvious benefit. By reversing the process, an electric current can be applied to the thermocouple causing the unit to serve as a cooling device.
The early devices were fabricated of hardware, such as hard wire and other physically large components, but it was determined that the principle likewise should work on a smaller scale. The devices were manufactured using electrodepositing, etching and similar methods producing devices which continued to function as predicted, but of a much smaller size. Obviously the size of the device, the material from which it is manufactured, the number of units, and certainly the difference in temperature between the two junctions will each determine independently the amount of power that is generated. Obviously an optimal combination should exist.
Prior art known by the present inventor include U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,312 granted to Cornish et al, Jan. 3, 1962 which discloses a plurality of materials used for thermoelectrical conductors.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,767 granted to Frederick et al, Aug. 28, 1962 discloses thermoelectric devices and thermoelements.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,940 granted to Fritts Oct. 9, 1962 discloses a thermoelectric generator of a particular structure, such that the expansion or contraction of the elements caused by the temperature changes is minimized.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,206 granted to Anders May 21, 1963 discloses thermoelectric devices and circuits therefor, including specific structure to improve the efficiency thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,954 granted to Cody et al, Oct. 18, 1966 discloses a thermoelectric device, including a silicon germanium alloy element.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,452 granted to Emley Sep. 10, 1968 discloses a method of producing tubular thermoelectric devices reducing the damage to the elements caused by mechanical deformation during fabrication.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,815 granted to Osborn Jan. 12, 1971 discloses a thin thermoelectric device, including a thin flexible nonconductive film having noncontacting bands on opposite sides of a film in conductive electrical association.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,189 granted to Zahn Mar. 27, 1973 discloses a staged thermoelectric device, wherein the segments of each stage are connected thermally in parallel and interconnected thermally in series at the stage level.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,603 granted to Rittmayer et al, Aug. 19, 1975 discloses a method for producing a thermoelectric generator by vapor depositing a semiconductor compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,998 granted to Hanson Jun. 20, 1978 discloses a thermoelectric voltage generator specifically designed to absorb the heat from an automobile exhaust system, generating electricity for use in the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,290 granted to Gomez Feb. 17, 1981 discloses a thermopile formed of conductor elements, wherein the junctions are of a large cross section increasing the efficiency of the unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,822 granted to Gomez Mar. 24, 1981 discloses a continuous thermopile of a repetitive shape manufactured by a plating process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,441 granted to Wilson Jun. 30, 1981 discloses a thermoelectric generator fabricated of printed conductive ink upon a suitable substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,960 granted to Eguchi et al, Aug. 10, 1982 discloses a thermopile fabricated by a photo-etching technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,291 granted to Eichelberger et al, Mar. 20, 1984 discloses a low cost thermocouple fabricated by a screen printing technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,991 granted to Beale on Apr. 24, 1984 discloses a high efficiency thermopile, wherein the junction of dissimilar materials at the higher temperature is of a larger than normal cross section of the elements at the lower temperature. The device is manufactured utilizing a thin film technology.
U.S Pat. No. 4,459,428 granted to Chou on Jul. 10, 1984 discloses a thermoelectric device, wherein thermocouples are disposed between a pair of copper plate segments having a thin film ceramic insulator.

Thermoelectric device and method of manufacturing


The method of fabricating a complex part made of composite material and having a plurality of panels oriented in diverse angular relationship, and utilizing a plurality of conformable cauls upon which the composite material is individually laid up and which cauls cooperate to form one of the molds used in the co-curing of the individually laid-up composite materials.

In the early molding prior art, simple parts could be molded by laying up the prepreg composite material selectively in a female mold, and then positioning the male mold within the female mold to apply pressure to the laid-up composite material, then placing the mold so assembled in an autoclave and curing the composite material under both heat and pressure. This early method produced a single, simple composite part whose outer periphery is defined by the contours of the female mold, and whose inner periphery is defined by the contours of the male mold. The composite material could as well have been laid up on the male mold in this early prior art process.
Eventually, a vacuum bag replaced one of the molds, usually the male mold, and when under vacuum, produced pressure on the prepreg laid-up composite material in the female mold to cause it to closely conform to the shape of the female mold, and, i.e., to debulk the composite material, during the curing process in the autoclave where heat and more pressure are used.
In the prior art, methods have been taught to produce a mold, which is a faithful reproduction of a complex surface. Typical of this prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,949 of N. Forrest and U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,779 of Bower et al.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,949 to N. Forrest, issued Feb. 20, 1968, it was desired to produce a mold which would simulate a complex surface, such as corduroy cloth. This was done by laying the corduroy cloth on a flat horizontal surface, applying a separator to it, and then coating the cloth and separator with an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. Forrest then places a strengthening fabric over the first silicone layer, and a second silicone layer is laid up over the strengthening fabric. The entire assembly is cured to provide a negative mold to simulate the corduroy cloth. If the teaching of Forrest were applied to the problem which our invention addresses, it would be necessary to fabricate the individual panels of our complex part individually and then attach them together mechanically thereafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,779 to Bower et al, issued Dec. 10, 1985, similarly teaches producing a mold to be able to reproduce a textured surface. In Bower et al, the textured surface to be simulated is sealed, a release agent is applied over the sealed surface, and epoxy prepreg sheets are laid up thereon and cured such that, when removed following curing, a mold has been formed capable of reproducing the textured surface. Bower et al, like Forrest, does not attack the problem of producing a complicated product made of composite material and consisting of a series of panels oriented in diverse angular relationship. Forrest or Bower et al teach producing a single panel. To obtain the type of article which is produced following the teachings of our invention, several of these panels would have to be mechanically connected which would result in a very labor intensive, expensive and heavy construction.
As composite parts became more complicated, it was necessary to include additional parts such as strengtheners, called details, to the basic composite part. These details were preformed, but not precured, and then hand positioned against the laid-up prepreg layers as these layers are supported in a female mold. These details were difficult to hand position and experience showed that the application of vacuum by the vacuum bag caused the details to drift out of proper position.
To overcome this problem, an expandable male mold was devised, which had selected contours in it to receive the preformed, but not precured, details and bring them into proper position and contact with the laid-up prepreg layers of the female mold such that, following debulking and co-curing of the part and its details, a composite part with the details forming part thereof was produced. This is the subject matter of pending application Ser. No. 128,134 by Dublinski et al filed Sep. 8, 1987, abandoned in favor of continuing application U.S. Ser. No. 576,176 filed Aug. 30, 1990 which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,338.
As parts which are to be made of composite material, became more complicated by the addition of transverse bulkheads, intermediate decks, "T" attaching blades and return flanges, it was not possible to produce them by these prior art processes, unless the various components were to be made individually and then mechanically fastened together, which would have resulted in a time consuming, expensive and heavy final product.

Method of fabricating a complex part made of composite material


A Doppler shift detector for determining the Doppler shift between a transmit signal and a receive signal uses clocked delay lines. The clocked delay lines count the number of edges in an applied signal thereto (e.g. the receive signal) at various positions in the delay line in accordance with a clock signal. Period detection logic ascertains the mean position of counted edges and thence the period of the applied signal. The Doppler shift is then calculated from the measured periods of the transmit signal and receive signal. The delay line for the receive signal is clocked by either the receive signal itself or the transmit signal.

The Doppler shift is the observed change in frequency of a wave due to the relative velocity between an observer and the object from which the wave emanates. This change in frequency is directly and linearly dependent on the relative velocity. As a result, the Doppler shift is useful in many systems, e.g. a Doppler radar, to detect the speed of target objects.
A typical Doppler radar emits a periodic electromagnetic wave, for example at a frequency of 13.325 GHz, toward a target object. Some portion of the transmit signal is reflected, or "echoed," back to the radar where it is received. The relative velocity between the source and the target results in a Doppler shift in the frequency of the echoed signal. By measuring the frequency shift of the reflected wave, circuitry in a Doppler radar can determine how fast the target is moving relative to radar.
For example, Doppler radar devices used in meteorology can determine how a fast storm front is approaching by measuring the Doppler shift of a signal reflected off condensation in a rain cloud. Another application of Doppler radar includes Doppler navigation for determining the airspeed of a jet, i.e. the relative velocity between the aircraft and a fixed point on the ground.
Doppler shift detectors can also be used in sonar devices, which generate and emit a sound wave that is reflected off a target object. This sound wave too will undergo a frequency shift based on the relative velocity between the sonar device and the target object.
Since the Doppler shift can be a very small fraction of the transmitter frequency, conventional Doppler systems are generally incapable of measuring the frequencies of the transmit signal and the receive signal to a sufficient degree of precision to detect the Doppler shift. Therefore, conventional systems do not measure the frequency of the echoed wave directly, Instead, they measure the beat frequency shift of a signal derived from adding the echo signal to a reference signal generated from the transmitter.
Conventional techniques for detecting Doppler shifts, therefore, use analog circuitry or are otherwise difficult to implement on a monolithic semiconductor substrate of an integrated circuit, e.g., in CMOS technology.


Permanent electromagnetic (EM) monitoring of the regions around and between wells may employ a casing string positioned within a borehole through the subsurface formations of interest. At least two passivated electrodes are mounted on the casing string to sense electric fields in the formation. Though only capacitively coupled to the formation, the passivated electrodes nevertheless provide a potential difference to an electro-optical transducer, which in turn modifies a property of the light passing along an optical fiber attached to the casing string. An interface unit senses the modified property to derive a measure of the electric field between each pair of passivated electrodes. The passivated electrodes have a contact surface that is conductive but for one or more layers of non-reactive (and thus electrically insulating) materials. Illustrative materials include metal oxides, polymers and ceramics, but the layers are preferably kept very thin to maximize the coupling capacitance with the formation.

Oilfield operators are faced with the challenge of maximizing hydrocarbon recovery within a given budget and timeframe. While they perform as much logging and surveying as feasible before and during the drilling and completion of production and, in some cases, injection wells, the information gathering process does not end there. It is desirable for the operators to track the movement of fluids in and around the reservoirs, as this information enables them to adjust the distribution and rates of production among the producing and/or injection wells to avoid premature water breakthroughs and other obstacles to efficient and profitable operation. Moreover, such information gathering further enables the operators to better evaluate treatment and secondary recovery strategies for enhanced hydrocarbon recoveries.
The fluid saturating the formation pore space is often measured in terms of a hydrocarbon fraction and a water fraction. Due to the solubility and mobility of ions in water, the water fraction lends itself to indirect measurement via a determination of formation resistivity. The ability to remotely determine and monitor formation resistivity is of direct relevance to long term reservoir monitoring, particularly for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations with water flooding and/or CO2 injection. Hence, a number of systems have been proposed for performing such remote formation resistivity monitoring.
One such proposed system employs "electrical resistivity tomography" or "ERT". Such systems employ galvanic electrodes which suffer from variable and generally degrading contact resistance with the formation due to electrochemical degradation of the electrode, which is further exacerbated by temperature drift and electrochemical noise. In addition to limiting the useful system lifetime, such effects directly impair data quality and survey repeatability. See, e.g., J. Deceuster, O. Kaufmann, and V. Van Camp, 2013, "Automated identification of changes in electrode contact properties for long-term permanent ERT monitoring experiments" Geophysics, vol. 78 (2), E79-E94. There are difficulties associated with ERT on steel casing. See, e.g., P. Bergmann, C. Schmidt-Hattenberger, D. Kiessling, C. Rucker, T. Labitzke, J. Henninges, G. Baumann, and H. Schutt, 2012, "Surface-downhole electrical resistivity tomography applied to monitoring of CO2 storage at Ketzin, Germany" Geophysics, vol. 77 (6), B253-B267. See also R. Tondel, J. Ingham, D. LaBrecque, H. Schutt, D. McCormick, R. Godfrey, J. A. Rivero, S. Dingwall, and A. Williams, 2011, "Reservoir monitoring in oil sands: Developing a permanent cross-well system" Presented at SEG Annual Meeting, San Antonio. Thus, it has been preferred for ERT systems to be deployed on insulated (e.g., fiberglass) casing. However, insulated casing is generally impractical for routine oilfield applications.
Crosswell electromagnetic (EM) tomography systems have been proposed as a non-permanent solution to reservoir monitoring. See, e.g., M. J. Wilt, D. L. Alumbaugh, H. F. Morrison, A. Becker, K. H. Lee, and M. Deszcz-Pan, 1995, "Crosswell electromagnetic tomography: System design considerations and field results" Geophysics, 60 (3), 871-885. The proposed crosswell EM tomography systems involve the wireline deployment of inductive transmitters and receivers in separate wells. However, the wells in a typical oilfield are cased with carbon steel casing, which is both highly conductive and magnetically permeable. Hence, the magnetic fields external of the casing are greatly reduced. Moreover, the casing is typically inhomogeneous, having variations in casing diameter, thickness, permeability, and conductivity, resulting from manufacturing imperfections or from variations in temperature, stress, or corrosion after emplacement. Without precise knowledge of the casing properties, it is difficult to distinguish the casing-induced magnetic field effects from formation variations. See discussion in E. Nichols, 2003, "Permanently emplaced electromagnetic system and method of measuring formation resistivity adjacent to and between wells" U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,986.
Despite the potential of these and other proposed downhole electric-field-sensing based techniques (e.g., galvanic resistivity monitoring, electrical impedance tomography, induced polarization monitoring, controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM)), their use is restricted by the lack of an adequate solution to the electrochemical degradation issue.
It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and detailed description do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are encompassed together with one or more of the given embodiments in the scope of the appended claims.

Optical electric field sensors having passivated electrodes


A method for controlling the full-beam headlights of automotive vehicles, particularly cars, which headlights are provided with dischargeable light sources. The light source (2) is chosen so that when supplying the light source with its nominal power it will produce a luminous flux which greatly exceeds the luminous flux that is standard for full-beam lighting, supplying the light source (2) with a lower power causes the light source (2) to produce a luminous flux which is normal for full-beam lighting. A power level selection (7; 10, 4) is provided for enabling the light source (2) to be supplied selectively with the lower power or with its nominal power.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for controlling the headlights of automotive vehicles, and in particular car headlights.
2. Description of the Related Art
The design of modern cars in which the front part of the car dips makes it difficult to fit extra lights effectively. Extra lights impair the appearance of the car, constitute a greater accident risk to unprotected road users and make the car more difficult to wash. Extra lights also impair the aerodynamics of the car and have a negative effect on engine cooling, since they are normally fitted in front of the engine radiator.
There is a significant need to improve full-beam lighting for certain categories of drivers who drive in certain regions, and particularly with respect to certain markets, even though conventional headlights will satisfy many users.
It has become progressively more usual for car owners to replace standard bulbs in existing headlamps with bulbs of greater power, in order to obtain more powerful full beam lighting. However, bulbs of greater power damage the reflectors, by changing the reflectance of the reflectors as a result of higher temperature in the headlamp. The higher temperature can even deform the reflectors, resulting in a distorted light image.
Furthermore, a more powerful bulb has the drawback of necessitating that the driver dip the lights earlier when driving in the dark on a typical road with repeated encounters with oncoming traffic interspersed with a clear road ahead, so as not to dazzle the drivers of oncoming traffic, as opposed to the case when using a standard bulb. This means that the driver's eyes must constantly become accustomed to strong light, i.e. when the lights are on full beam, and a much weaker, dipped light, where dipped lighting is used over a longer distance to prevent dazzling of oncoming traffic. This drawback is the reason why drivers do not normally have extra lights, such as long-distance lighting, switched-on when driving along roads on which oncoming vehicles are frequently encountered, therewith requiring the lights to be dipped repeatedly.
This problem is solved in accordance with the present invention by providing weak headlights for certain situations while eliminating the aforesaid drawback and, at the same time, eliminating the need of extra lighting.

Full beam discharge headlight with two power levels


A device for securing multiple cables including a first comb member which has teeth and spaces. The spaces locate different multiple cables. A closure member can also be a comb with teeth and spaces. The two comb members are hinged on one side to open and close, so that the relative spaces are in alignment when closed. There is a securing member for securing the two combs together. Cables can remain in their relative spaces when the combs are opened or closed.

1. Field of the Invention
Having a device for effectively securing cables so that the transmission of electrical signals are subject to a reduced mechanical and/or electrical interference is highly desirable. This invention relates to a cable securing device for locating multiple cables. In particular the device is for securing the cables, whether the device is opened or closed.
2. Description of Related Art
The routing, supporting, and tracing cables used for transmission of electrical signals has become a formidable problem. The cables used in support of high data rates are more complex and larger than those used to support like technology at slower data rates. In many cases the width of the transmitted word has increased. For bandwidth reasons this also increases cable size and complexity. The mass of these cables can contribute to numerous problems. One problem that is easily recognized is the blockage of air flow. Some lesser known problems are sharp bends that can increase the error rate. When these assemblies are made with a foamed dielectric, they are intolerant of external forces impinging on the outer jacket. Service is difficult under a curtain of cables. Customers also complain about the untidy appearance of the cables.
There is, accordingly, a need to provide a device and system for securing cables in a manner which minimizes the current problems.


Systems and methods for adapting cassette guide movement for size detection includes, in exemplary embodiments, a one-piece member that transmits and rotates a movement of a guide member placed on a side of a sheet to a sheet size detector that detects a position of the guide member, wherein a first end of the connector is connected to the guide member and the second end of the connector is connector is connected to the sheet size detector.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to systems and methods for adapting cassette guide movement for size detection.
2. Description of Related Art
Adjustable sheet cassettes supply sheets that are stacked in an reproduction system, for example, copiers, printers, facsimile machines, etc. Typically in these systems, individual sheets of copy paper are separately fed through the reproduction system and are processed one at a time. It is thus convenient to have a supply of sheets from which individual sheets are fed.
A reproduction system must be able to accurately reproduce original documents of various sizes or configurations on various types of copy stock. To facilitate this operational flexibility, it has been customary to provide a supply of cut sheets in a cassette-type or cassette form. These sheet cassettes may be designed for a single fixed size of paper in which case they are only used for storing sheets of that size in the reproduction system. Alternatively, adjustable cassettes may be designed to enable customer adjustment of the cassette for a variety of different sheet sizes.
With the fixed size cassette, if a printing operation is to be performed to obtain prints on a copy sheet size of a size other than that which is in the fixed cassette, the cassette must be removed from the machine and replaced with another cassette of a different fixed size to enable the operation to be completed. Similarly, with an adjustable cassette, if the size of the paper in the cassette is unsuitable for a particular printing operation, the copy sheets should be removed and replaced with the appropriate size copy sheets for that particular printing operation.

Mechanism for adapting cassette guide movement for size detection


A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit capable of attaining high-speed frequency transition with enhanced reliability. To this end, outputs of a reference signal source (1) and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit (3) are frequency-divided by frequency divider circuits (2, 4), respectively. A phase comparator circuit (5) is provided for outputting an error signal indicative of a phase difference between these signals, if any. A window generator circuit (9) is connected for outputting a window signal; where the error signal does not fall within the range of a pulse width of this window signal, a level generator circuit generates a boost voltage having its potential near the control voltage value of the VCO (3) for use in generating of a target frequency. A low-pass filter (LPF) circuit (7) is charged up in responding to receipt of both the output signal of the charge pump circuit (6) and the boost voltage so that the control voltage may rapidly increase in potential at a target value without rising up to any excess values. Whereby, undershoot and overshoot may be eliminated or at least greatly suppressed thus enabling achievement of high-speed frequency transition with increased reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently, in PLL circuits adaptable for use with PLL frequency synthesizers in mobile communications systems or the like, several attempts have been made to shorten the lock-up time in start-up and channel switching events.
One exemplary prior known circuitry is shown in FIG. 12A, wherein two low-pass filters (LPFs) 123 and 124 of different time constants are provided as an LPF known as the "loop filter" which operates to average an output of a charge pump circuit 121 thereby generating a control voltage for use in controlling the frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit 122. This circuit is for shortening the time duration as required for loop stabilization by using only one LPF 123 of less time constant during a frequency transition period and for, after lock-up, switching it to the remaining LPF 124 of greater time constant. Additionally, reference numeral 125 designates a reference signal source; numerals 126 and 127 denote frequency divider circuits for frequency-dividing the outputs of such reference signals source 125 and VCO 122, respectively; and, 128 indicates a phase comparator circuit.
Another prior art circuitry is shown in FIG. 12B, which is designed to reduce the time constant in frequency transition events by use of an LPF 129 of variable time constant.
A still another prior art is known which provides two charge pump circuits as different from each other in ability to supply charge carriers to the loop filter, although such configuration is not illustrated herein. This is configured to cause, when the frequency of an output of the VCO is far from a target frequency also called the "lock frequency," one charge pump circuit of high charge supply ability to effectuate charging and discharging of carriers to and from the loop filter circuit thus allowing the VCO output to rapidly approach the lock frequency or nearby frequencies, and thereafter cause the other charge pump of less charge supply ability to become operative performing precise adjustment of the frequency value.
A further prior art shown in FIG. 12C is such that it includes frequency divider circuits 130, 131 which are provided in addition to the frequency dividers 126, 127 for controlling comparison frequency value to be compared at the phase comparator 128, and a control circuit 132 for controlling the frequency division ratio of them, wherein the comparison frequency value is temporarily higher than the ordinary or standard frequency value when the frequency transition gets started thus shortening the lockup time while attaining a channel switching operations by locking at the standard frequency. Note here that numeral 23 designates an LPF.
However, the scheme switching the aforesaid loop filter circuit or charge pump circuit suffers from difficulty of correct determination as to such switch timing. For this reason, circuitry for generating a signal for the switching increases in scale while at the same time associating the risk of occurrence of fluctuation in frequency due to noises in switching events. Further, the prior art as designed to switch between loop filter circuits should require the use of two different types of loop filter circuits causing its circuit area to increase undesirably. With the prior art that switches to and from the charge pump circuit, the charge supply ability-increased charge pump circuit per se can be sensitive to noises occurring in the PLL system badly behaving to affect the loop filter.
The prior art as designed to temporarily increase the comparison frequency at the beginning of the frequency transition requires use of extra frequency dividers 130, 131 for increasing the comparison frequency. A further problem associated with this prior art is that the PLL system can be disturbed at an instant when the comparison frequency used at the beginning of the transition is switched to standard frequency for the channel switching.


A method for the hydrogenation of aromatic nitrocompounds to aromatic amines, which comprises mixing an aromatic nitrocompound, hydrogen gas and a solvent together under elevated pressure and temperature to form a homogenous mixture in a supercritical or near-critical state and bringing the resulting homogenous mixture into contact with a catalyst to form the aromatic amine product.

Aromatic nitrocompounds are compounds where one or more nitro-groups are bound to a carbon atom in an aromatic ring. Typical aromatic nitrocompounds are e.g. nitrobenzene, nitrotoluene, nitroxylene and dinitrotoluene. Aromatic nitrocompounds can be hydrogenated to correspnding aromatic amines.
It is well known that many of the relatively high boiling aromatic amines can be prepared by liquid-phase hydrogenation of the corresponding aromatic nitrocompound in the presence of a catalyst, either with or without the use of a solvent.sup.1. Early catalytic hydrogenations were performed in stirred batch reactors. In this known method the aromatic nitrocompound is first dissolved into a suitable solvent and pumped into a batch reactor containing the catalyst. The reactor which is equipped with a stirrer is pressurized by hydrogen gas. After the reaction is completed, the product can be separated from the solvent.
More recently batch processes have been replaced by continuous processes. A continuous liquid-phase process is illustrated by the process for diaminotoluene.sup.2,3. According to the process, dinitrotoluene (DNT) is catalytically hydrogenated at 150-200 bar and about 100.degree. C. A solution, which contains about 25 wt-% dinitrotoluene dissolved in methanol, hydrogen and Raney-nickel, is pumped through a series of reactors. Reactors are equipped with internal circulation to make the reaction more complete. After the reaction is completed, the pressure is reduced and the excess hydrogen removed in a gas-liquid separator and recycled to the beginning of the process. Catalyst is then removed and recycled, after which the solvent is distilled and recycled. The water is removed in the dehydration column. The product purity is more than 99-% pure diaminotoluene.
Low molecular weight alcohols, particularly methanol or ethanol, are the most commonly used hydrogenation solvents for hydrogenation of aromatic nitrocompounds. Other solvents, like acetic acid, ammonia, benzene, glycerol ethylene glycol, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or water can be used.
It is well known that the solubility of hydrogen into liquid-like solvents is extremely small. Due to the this low hydrogen solubility and slow transfer to the catalyst surface where the reaction product is formed, the reaction in liquid-phase is relatively slow, and continuous reactors could not always be used effectively. Several mechanical solutions have been introduced. One solution is to use a spray column where the solvent, nitroaromatic compound and catalyst are sprayed with the hydrogen gas.
It is known that aromatic nitrocompounds can be hydrogenated in the vapor phase. In this method a vaporized nitroaromatic compound and hydrogen gas flow through the catalyst bed forming the product. The reaction is usually very fast and high conversions are obtained with a single pass. This method is continuous and in principle simple. A method for producing aniline from nitrobenzene in a trickle-bed reactor is described in the literature.sup.4. Nitrobenzene is first vaporized and mixed with a 200% excess of hydrogen gas. The hot gaseous mixture flows upward into the reduction chamber containing the copper-silica catalyst. The reaction is very fast at 270.degree. C. and 2-3 bar. After leaving the reactor, the reaction mixture containing aniline, hydrogen and water is cooled. Excess hydrogen is first removed after which water and aniline are separated. Finally aniline is purified to a 99% product.
The catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitrocompounds to aromatic amines can be done in the vapor phase, provided that he boiling point of the compound is low enough and the starting material and the product are thermally stabile. These limitations mean that only relatively simple aliphatic and aromatic nitrocompounds, such as nitrobenzene and nitroxylene, can be hydrogenated in the vapor phase.

Hydrogenation of aromatic nitrocompounds to aromatic amines


A pier (10) to be driven into a ground surface includes an auger member (11) having a shaft (12) that is rotated in a first direction to drive the auger member into the ground surface, and a compaction member (16) having a sleeve (17) surrounding a portion of the shaft. The compaction member (16) includes a compaction part (18) attached to and extending laterally outwardly of the sleeve (17). A threaded rod (23) engages the shaft (12) and is rotated to cause the compaction member (16) to move down the shaft (12) and compact the soil around the shaft.

Many applications in the construction and building industries require the use of a pier to support or maintain the position of a building structure, the structure may be permanent, temporary or may be a plant item. There is also the requirement on occasions for the pier to be removable.
Currently known piers are screwed or driven into a ground surface and are not easily retrieved. These previously known piers also suffer from the disadvantage that as the surrounding soil is disturbed they are not well suited to side loading.
The above problem is addressed by forming a hole and constructing a concrete reinforced pier. This solution is reasonably expensive, with removal of the concrete pier being costly and time consuming.
Previously known piers are described in Australian Patent Applications 72562/91, 19930/95, 69340/98, 91466/98, 74750/81, 44922/96 and 14807/97, as well as International Patent Application PCT/AU98/00782 (WO 99/14441).


The invention relates to a device (1, 3, 37) for exerting an external pressure on a human body part. The device, which is designed to surround the body part with comfortable fit, comprises components (15, 19 and 28) of memory material, such as memory metal. By heating the components, e.g. by conducting electric current through them, they will assume a different shape, e.g. a shorter length, the device being adapted to be contracted so as to "squeeze" the body part. When the components are thereafter cooled, they will resume their previous shape and the contraction ceases. The device is intended, inter alia, to prevent pooling of blood in body parts of a pilot when subjected to G-forces, and to increase, by recurring contractions, the blood circulation in the body parts surrounded by the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for exerting an external pressure on parts of a human body, more specifically, the present invention relates to a device designed to surround a body part so as, for example to make it easier for pilots to withstand the high acceleration forces to which they are subjected when making abrupt turns with high-performance aircraft or to improve the blood circulation in people having poor cardiac activity. In the first instance, the device is of the type which prevents blood from being drained from the brain, primarily to the arms, legs and the lower part of the torso, by exerting a pressure on these parts so as to prevent them from swelling and receiving additional blood. In the second instance, the device is of the type which "squeezes" the patient's legs at a certain rhythm to increase the blood flow therein.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Pilots who perform rapid changes of direction when flying at high speeds, are subjected to considerable acceleration forces, so-called G-forces. These cause blood to be driven away from the brain and out into the limbs and the lower part of the torso, which may cause disorders, such as pain, impaired judgment and, in serious cases, even unconsciousness. To counteract this effect, use is made of devices which prevent such body parts from swelling, such that they cannot receive additional blood. These devices originally consisted of laceable garments which surrounded the body parts and were so tightly strapped as to exert such a high external pressure on the body parts that these were unable to swell to any appreciable extent.
Since fighter aircraft have been developed to attain yet higher speeds and smaller turning radii, devices of this type have become out of date. The necessary pressures must then be so high that the devices cause considerable inconvenience if they are tight-fitting even when not required. Therefore, pilots have instead started using suits internally provided with double-walled casings, so-called bladders, which are filled with compressed gas so as to expand when pressure should be exerted on the body parts concerned.
In prior-art devices, the bladders are so designed as to cover the part of the body located below the waist and down to the ankles. To ensure proper function of the devices, one must have access to compressed air or any other gas in the aircraft, various valves and hoses for filling the bladders as well as a control system ensuring that the bladders produce an acceptable pressure on the body parts during flight.
One of the drawbacks inherent in the prior-art devices is that the flying suits become heavy and cumbersome. The use of bladders makes the suits very bulky. This depends, inter alia, on the fact that, in normal position, the bladders must often be maintained partly filled in order that the suit should react rapidly to changes of acceleration. They become rigid during flight, thus impeding the pilot's movement. Moreover, since the suits become very tight and warm, cooling is required.
These drawbacks will all be aggravated when aircraft development has come to the point that pilots should be able to withstand yet higher acceleration forces, which necessitates pressurizing additional parts of the body. The pressure-gas systems used and their mechanical components are already on the verge of reacting too slowly for the necessary rapid pressure increase to be achieved upon sudden changes of direction of the aircraft. In future aircraft generations, the drawbacks of these control systems will be increasingly pronounced.
To improve blood circulation, the known devices are of the same type as those used by pilots. Since the former also employ bladders, they too suffer from the same drawbacks, i.e. are complicated, heavy, rigid, and tight and react too slowly to be, for example, accurately controlled by the patient's cardiac rhythm.

Device for exerting an external pressure on a human body


The problem during overrun fuel cut-off operations, i.e. cut-off of fuel injection during trailing throttle conditions of the vehicle, is that the transition entails an undue torque jump, resulting in the smooth operation of the engine and the driving comfort of the passengers of the vehicle being affected. The aim of the invention is to reduce the torque jump. Said aim is achieved by injecting fuel into a cylinder of the Otto engine in a multiple injection process, at least a partial quantity of the fuel that is to be injected being injected during the compression phase, whereby the quantity of air that is taken in advantageously decreases because no internal cooling takes place while the efficiency is advantageously reduced due to the lesser degree of swirling, resulting in lower torque. Overall, torque (DM) is reduced to a significantly greater extent than by merely adjusting the spark angle (ZW) while smooth operation of the Otto engine is not affected.

When switching over from the normal operation to the overrun fuel cut-off operation, there is inevitably a torque jump which can cause an irregular running of the Otto engine or an unwanted judder of the vehicle. The advantages which per se derive from the overrun fuel cut-off, such as a reduction in the fuel consumption, improved braking effect of the engine and lower noise emissions, for example, must be obtained at the expense of a degradation in driving comfort. The same problem arises when, after the overrun fuel cut-off operation, the normal driving operation of the vehicle must be resumed and the Otto engine must again generate a desired torque and deliver it to the vehicle.
Various measures have already been proposed for reducing this undesirable or acceptable torque jump which is caused by the cut-off of the fuel injection in the overrun operation. The transition was not controlled in older engines, for example, i.e. the fuel injection was simply stopped in the overrun fuel cut-off operation.
A known and relatively effective measure for counteracting the torque jump during the transition to the overrun fuel cut-off is to adjust the ignition angle significantly in the direction of ignition retard, such that the combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder of the Otto engine is still reliably guaranteed. In this case, the fuel continues to be injected during the intake phase until the switchover into the overrun operation. This results in a reduced torque, since the fuel-air mixture can no longer develop its full power in the retarded ignition phase. In many cases, however, this reduction is not sufficient to achieve a gentle transition to the overrun fuel cut-off.

Method and device for controlling the transition between normal operation and overrun fuel cut-off operation of an Otto engine operated with direct fuel injection