A high manganese duplex stainless steel with excellent hot workability, comprising (in weight %): less than 0.1% of C; 0.05-2.2% of Si; 2.1-7.8% of Mn; 20-29% of Cr; 3.0-9.5% of Ni; 0.08-0.5% of N; less than 5.0% of Mo and 1.2-8% of W, alone or composite; the balance Fe and inevitable impurities; and a method for manufacturing the duplex stainless steel, comprising the steps of: solution heating the duplex stainless steel composition at a temperature of 1,050 to 1,250° C., hot working at a starting temperature of 1,130 to 1,280° C. and then ending at a temperature greater than 1,000° C., and then cooling within the temperature range from 1,000 to 700° C. at a cooling rate of more than 3° C./min. The duplex stainless steel exhibits a reduction in area of more than 50% at 1,050° C., and possesses a yield strength of more than 400 MPa, and a corrosion rate of less than 0.36 mm/year, after solution heating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a duplex stainless steel useful for structural parts requiring strength and corrosion resistance, and more particularly, to a high manganese duplex stainless steel having excellent hot workability and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, duplex stainless steels have widely been used as basic materials in industrial equipment and structural parts requiring oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance. In particular, because 2205 type duplex stainless steels have higher corrosion resistance than austenite type stainless steels and are high in strength, they have been widely used in pipelines for chemical equipment, structural parts for dechlorination and desulfurization in power plants and the petrochemical industry, internal screw conveyors or bleaching reservoirs in the paper manufacturing industry, marine related equipment and the like. Recently, demands for duplex stainless steels have been increasing, because of the increase usages of dechlorination and desulfurization systems which are required in electric power stations or petrochemical equipment according to air pollution prevention policy. In addition to the above, these steels have been used as essential materials for air purification equipment in industrial waste incinerators.
Duplex stainless steels consist of a ferrite phase and an austenite phase, the ferrite phase improving strength and the austenite phase improving corrosion resistance. It is known in duplex stainless steels that pitting corrosion resistance and crevice corrosion resistance increase, resulting from the inclusion of Cr, Mo, W, and N in a basic Fe (R. N. Gunn, "Duplex Stainless Steels", Woodhead Publishing Ltd., (1997)). After duplex stainless steels are subjected to casting or solution heat treatment, if they are not cooled at an appropriate rate, precipitates containing large amounts of Mo or W, including mainly sigma phase, are formed within the temperature range of 700 to 950° C. Furthermore, α′-phase forming zone is within the temperature range of 300 to 350° C. Precipitates formed at high or medium temperature improve the hardness of duplex stainless steels. However, there are problems in that room-temperature ductility and impact toughness drastically deteriorate and corrosion resistance drops.
Typically, commercial Mo-containing duplex stainless steels have a basic chemical composition of Fe-(21-23 wt %)Cr-(4.5-6.5 wt %)Ni-(2.5-3.5 wt %)Mo-(0.08-0.20 wt %)N, and further contain less than 2.0% of Mn and less than 0.03% of C (UNS31803 or SAF 2205). There exist SAF 2507 type duplex stainless steels with superior corrosion resistance, resulting from increasing contents of Cr and Mo in the 2205 type duplex stainless steels. They have a basic chemical composition of Fe-(24-26 wt %)Cr-(6-8 wt %)Ni-(3-5 wt %)Mo-(0.24-0.32 wt %)N and further contain less than 1.2% of Mn and less than 0.03% of C.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,606 discloses duplex stainless steels having a basic chemical composition of Fe-(23-27 wt %) Cr-(4-7 wt %) Ni-(2-4 wt %) Mo-(less than 0.08 wt %) C. It has been reported that if the content of Cu is limited to 1.1-3.0% and the content of Mn increases up to 5-7%, after solution heating and then cooling, the rapid formation of sigma- or α′-phase is inhibited, thereby room-temperature ductility being enhanced. However, these types of steels are poor in hot workability.
Meanwhile, many techniques have attempted to increase the content of Mn, considering the fact that Mn improves room-temperature ductility and increases solid solubility of nitrogen by replacing expensive Ni. U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,305 discloses that the content of N is defined as high as 0.35-0.6% and the content of Mn is increased up to 4-6%, resulting in increasing solid solubility of nitrogen in a duplex stainless steel of Fe-(22-28 wt %) Cr-(3.5-5.5 wt %) Ni-(1-3 wt %) Mo-(less than 0.1 wt %) C. However, this type of steel has a disadvantage in that, due to high content of nitrogen, castability and hot workability deteriorate. And, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,630 discloses that the content of Mn is increased up to 4.25-5.5%, thereby replacing expensive Ni and increasing solid solubility of nitrogen in a duplex stainless steel of Fe-(17-21.5 wt %) Cr-(1-4 wt %) Ni-(less than 2 wt %) Mo-(less than 0.07 wt %) C. However, this sort of steel has a problem in that the lower limit of Ni is low, capable of adversely influencing corrosion resistance. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9-31604 discloses that the content of Si is maintained to be high (2.5-4.0%), and in order to increase solid solubility of nitrogen, the content of Mn is increased to be 3-7% in a Mo—W containing duplex stainless steel. However, this type of steel has a problem in that, due to the excess Si, impact toughness deteriorates. Accordingly, it is difficult for this type of steel to be commercialized.
Meanwhile, there have been some attempts to add Mn to a Fe—Cr—Ni type austenite stainless steel known as 304 or 316 type stainless steel, in order to replace expensive Ni. However, as the added amount of Mn increases, hot workability deteriorates and thus satisfactory results are not obtained. This fact was reported in T.M. Bogdanova et al., Structure and Properties of Nonmagnetic Steels, Moscow, USSR, pp. 185-190, (1982). But, it has been reported that as a result of including Mn and S in 316L, 309S, and 310S type stainless steels, if the content of Mn is lower, a re-precipitation or segregation of S is easier, thereby deteriorating hot workability (S.C. Lee et al., 40th Mechanical Working and Steel Processing Conf., Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, pp. 959-966, (1998)).
Accordingly, in most commercial duplex stainless steels, to ensure hot workability, the content of Mn is limited to less than 2%. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,725 discloses that although hot workability is improved in a Ca/S ratio of greater than 1.5, the upper limit of Mn must be defined, since as addition of Mn increases, hot workability and corrosion resistance deteriorate.
As seen from the above, it is commonly regarded that as the content of Mn increases, hot workability deteriorates in duplex stainless steels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,347 proposes that the content of Mn should be limited to less than 2%, so as to prevent formation of sigma phase in the duplex stainless steel. This is supported by the fact that the content of Mn has been limited to less than 2% both in conventional Mo— or Mo—W containing duplex stainless steels.
Meanwhile, it is known that a Mo—W containing duplex stainless steel has an enhanced corrosion resistance. Therefore, recently, studies have been made on duplex stainless steels in which both Mo and W are added. For example, in a duplex stainless steel which was proposed by B. W. Oh et al., a part of Mo is replaced with W in a steel which contains less than 2.0% of Mn and 20-27% of Cr (Innovation of Stainless Steel, Florence, Italy, p. 359, (1993) or Korean Patent Application No. 94-3757). It is reported that a duplex stainless steel containing 1-4% of W and less than 1% of Mo has an improved corrosion resistance compared with that containing 2.78% of Mo. However, the above steel has an excessively low W and Mo content, and thus, the corrosion resistance is relatively decreased.
For another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,093, filed by Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., proposes that 2-4% of Mo and 1.5-5% of W are contained in a duplex stainless steel in which less than 1.5% of Mn and 23-27% of Cr are added. This steel is known to have high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. However, this steel is liable to crack during a hot rolling, and because it is a high-alloyed steel, the phase stability tends to be lowered, forming sigma phase, thereby deteriorating corrosion resistance and impact toughness. The W—Mo containing duplex stainless steel also has a problem in that hot workability is poor at the time of manufacturing finished product forms, including plate, wire, bar and pipe by hot working, similar to the above Mo-containing duplex stainless steel. As a result, a defective proportion of the products increases.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,387 proposes that 1-2% of Mo and 2-5% of W are contained in a W—Mo containing duplex stainless steel in which less than 2.0% of Mn and 22-27% of Cr are added. However, this stainless steel still has little enhancement in hot workability, relative to the duplex stainless steel of U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,093.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,413 proposes a duplex stainless steel, in which less than 3.5% of Mn, 5.1-8% of Mo and less than 3% of W are contained. This steel is a high-alloyed duplex stainless steel and thus has the worst hot workability among the duplex stainless steels mentioned previously. Therefore, it is of limited utility for casting products. In addition, at the time of manufacturing products by casting, if cooling rate is slow (or if the size of a product is large), due to large quantities of Mo, formation of sigma phase is promoted, thereby deteriorating mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the steel.
A conventional method for improving hot workability in duplex stainless steels involves adding Ce into the duplex stainless steels (J. L. Komi et al., Proc. of Int'l Conf. on Stainless Steel, ISIJ Tokyo, p 807, (1991) or U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,953). According to this method, the S content is lowered to 30 ppm, and Ce is added, so that the segregation of S is prevented, thereby improving the hot workability. However, in the case where hot workability is improved by adding rare earth elements such as Ce in large quantities, use of expensive Ce is unfavorable from an economic point of view. In addition to the above, the use of Ce has a problem in that strong oxidizing power of Ce causes clogging of nozzles upon continuous casting. As a result, the manufacture of billet or slab becomes hard. This duplex stainless steel does not contain W, but Mo.

High manganese duplex stainless steel having superior hot workabilities and method manufacturing thereof

Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology


A fuel injector for internal combustion engines provided with a fuel feeding channel, the feeding channel having an axis and an injection outlet; an injection valve to control the outlet; an injection valve having a shutter arranged inside the feeding channel to define, within the feeding channel, a first fuel introduction section, the shutter being movable from and to a closing position along the feeding channel, which has a second section; and an annular sealing seat arranged on the feeding channel upstream of the outlet; an elastic member for normally keeping the shutter in the closing position; an actuator mechanism connected to the shutter to displace the shutter itself from the closing position and to an opening position of the outlet; and a hydraulic resistance that is provided along the feeding channel upstream of the annular sealing seat to balance the forces acting upon the shutter.

Usually, an electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a tubular supporting body displaying a central channel, which serves the fuel feeding function and ends with an injection nozzle adjusted by an injection valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator. The injection valve is provided with a shutter, usually named "needle", which is firmly connected to a movable anchor of the electromagnetic actuator to be displaced between a closing position and an opening position of the injection nozzle against the bias of a spring which tends to keep the shutter in the closing position.
An example of electromagnetic fuel injector of the above-described type is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,050, which relates to a fuel injector provided with a shutter which, at one end, cooperates with an internal seat of the injection valve and, at the opposite end, is integral with a movable anchor of an electromagnetic actuator; the shutter is guided at the top by the anchor and at the bottom by a guide obtained along the internal seat of the injection valve.
The known electromagnetic injectors of the above-described type are very common because they combine good performances and low costs. However, such injectors with electromagnetic actuation of the shutter are not able to operate at relatively high fuel pressures; for this reason, injectors with hydraulic actuation of the shutter have been proposed, i.e. injectors in which the displacement of the shutter from a closing position to an opening position against the bias of the previously mentioned spring no longer occurs against the direct bias of the electromagnetic actuator, but occurs under the bias of hydraulically originated forces controlled by the electromagnetic actuator, which no longer serves the function of power member, but functions as a control member. An example of injector with hydraulic actuation of the shutter is provided by EP-A-1036932, by EP-A-0921302 and by WO-A-0129395.
Specifically, in an injector with hydraulic actuation of the shutter, the fuel which enters the injector comes from a high-pressure pump; a considerable amount of this fuel, which is aspirated from a tank, is not however involved in the combustion process inside the cylinder, and is returned to the tank itself. Indeed, of all the fuel fed to the injector, a first fraction reaches the injection valve through the central feeding channel, while a second fraction fills a control chamber arranged upstream of the shutter and serving as a chamber of a hydraulic cylinder, a piston of which is directly connected to the shutter. The hydraulic cylinder displays an exhaust connected to the tank by means of a fuel return pipe and controlled by a sealing member controlled by the electromagnetic actuator. When the magnet of the electromagnetic actuator is energized, the sealing member is displaced by connecting the chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to the return pipe so as to determine a pressure drop inside the hydraulic cylinder and to allow the shutter to be displaced to the open position.
An injector with hydraulic actuation of the shutter displays good dynamic performances and is able to operate at relatively high fuel pressures, but is complex and relatively expensive because it requires to make an internal hydraulic circuit controlled by an electromagnetic or, alternatively, a piezoelectric actuator. Furthermore, using an injector with hydraulic actuation of the shutter always provides a return flow of fuel at ambient pressure to the tank. This return flow represents a loss of energy and tends to heat the fuel within the tank. Finally, the high-pressure pump must also be over-dimensioned with respect to the actual fuel consumption by the engine, because part of the pumped fuel is not injected into the cylinders, but is re-introduced at ambient pressure into the tank; i.e. the high-pressure pump must supply both the fuel used by the engine and the fuel required for the operation of the injectors with hydraulic actuation of the shutter.

Fuel injector with direct shutter actuation for internal combustion engines


There is provided a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of one composition, which is excellent in uniformity of the ingredients contained therein, is capable of preventing not only a reaction between sodium bicarbonate and a solid organic acid or between sodium bicarbonate and electrolytes but also a reaction between a solid organic acid and sodium acetate, and does not require further pulverization of the respective ingredients in the dialysis composition. The solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis containing an electrolyte for hemodialysis, a solid organic acid and glucose is characterized by a plurality of layers separated from each other on the surface of a nucleating particle of sodium chloride, wherein the plurality of separated layers include a layer (A) comprising sodium acetate but not containing the solid organic acid, a layer (B) comprising the solid organic acid but not containing sodium acetate, and a layer (C) comprising sodium bicarbonate.

The present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis and, more particularly, to a solid dialysate concentrate for preparing a dialysis solution containing sodium hydrogencarbonate and a process for producing the same.
When hemodialysis is carried out for a patient suffering from weakened hepatic function, the blood of the patient is cleaned in an artificial kidney. Generally, a dialysis solution is perfused in this artificial kidney and contacted via a dialysis membrane with the blood of the patient so that wastes in the blood are transferred to the dialysis solution. As this dialysis solution, an acetate dialysis solution has been used widely but has recently been substituted with a dialysis solution containing sodium hydrogencarbonate (i.e., sodium bicarbonate) drastically reducing unpleasant symptoms during dialysis.
The dialysis solution containing sodium bicarbonate is usually prepared from two kinds of dialysis solution, that is, a pharmaceutical preparation (referred to hereinafter as composition A) containing electrolytes (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and sodium acetate) and a pH adjusting agent (e.g., acetic acid) and a pharmaceutical preparation (referred to hereinafter as composition B) containing sodium bicarbonate. These dialysis solutions may contain sugars such as glucose or may be mixed with another pharmaceutical preparation containing sugars.
Heretofore, compositions A and B were commercialized in the form of a concentrated solution prepared at a predetermined concentration and used by the customer after being diluted with water. However, about 300 L perfusion solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate is necessary for the dialysis of one patient, and thus in conducting dialysis treatment of a large number of patients, a large quantity of the concentrated solution must be used and diluted with water. Accordingly, there are recently many cases where composition B prepared in a powdery form is used to reduce the burden on those who prepare the dialysis solution and to reduce storage space. In this connection, a pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of two pulverized compositions, one of which is a pulverized composition A and the other of which is pulverized composition B, and a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of all ingredients necessary for dialysis as one composition, namely a granulated or powdered solid dialysate concentrate, have also been developed.
As the one composition type of solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis, there are disclosed those obtained by mixing all ingredients necessary for a dialysis solution in the form of granules or powders, or by coating essential ingredients on a nucleating particle (Japanese Patent No. 2846883, Japanese Patent No. 2739898 and JP-A 10-259133). However, these pharmaceutical preparations suffer from the problem that since sodium bicarbonate, calcium salt and magnesium salt are directly contacted with one another, these ingredients react with crystallization water contained in the calcium salt and magnesium salt, or with moisture in the air, to form sparingly soluble salts. In addition, there is another problem that since sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid are directly contacted with each other, these ingredients react with each other to generate carbon dioxide, with the result that the pH of the dialysis solution can not be maintained in a suitable range (Japanese Patent No. 2846883 and Japanese Patent No. 2739898).
On one hand, a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis comprising sodium bicarbonate in an innermost layer and sodium diacetate as an acid in an outermost layer (JP-A 10-259133) may generate carbon dioxide upon decomposition of sodium bicarbonate in the innermost layer by heat or water added in later steps. Further, the water and heat generated from the decomposition of sodium bicarbonate cause decomposition of glucose in the solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis. Moreover, acetic acid which has been bound to sodium acetate in sodium diacetate is easily released therefrom, and this acetic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate to generate carbon dioxide and then the pH of the dialysis solution can not be maintained in a suitable range.
In consideration of these disadvantages, some solid pharmaceutical preparations for dialysis consisting of all ingredients necessary for dialysis as one composition are developed. In one pharmaceutical preparation, sodium bicarbonate and an organic acid, or sodium bicarbonate and calcium salt or magnesium salt are layered such that both of them are not contacted with each other and reaction therebetween is prevented (JP-A 6-335527, JP-A 8-169836, JP-A 8-92071 and JP-A 11-114054). Another solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of all ingredients necessary for dialysis as one composition is produced by granulating calcium salt, magnesium salt and solid organic acid together, but separately granulating sodium bicarbonate, and then mixing the above granulated ingredients and the granulated sodium bicarbonate (JP-A 6-335528 and JP-A 8-92070).
In these solid pharmaceutical preparations for dialysis, however, it is likely that if pH adjusting agents, i.e., a solid organic acid, and sodium acetate are contacted with each other, the solid organic acid reacts with sodium acetate to form free acetic acid, and the vaporized acetic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate to generate carbon dioxide. Further, the respective ingredients to be coated on nucleating particles of electrolytes in the solid pharmaceutical preparations for dialysis must be finely pulverized by a sample mill and as a result, not only the steps but also the time for producing the preparation are increased. Additionally, a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis having an outermost layer, which under drying and by spraying with water or an aqueous solution, has been coated with a fine powder obtained by pulverizing a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and other electrolytes (JP-A 11-114054), contains a large amount of the powder and requires a longer time for coating and drying thereof such that the sodium bicarbonate may be decomposed by prolonged heating.
In addition, there is also known a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of all ingredients prepared by mixing calcium salt, magnesium salt, solid organic acid, sodium bicarbonate and glucose coated respectively with sodium citrate (JP-A 10-87478), or a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of all ingredients prepared by mixing calcium salt, magnesium salt, solid organic acid and sodium bicarbonate coated respectively with sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride (JP-A 10-330270). However, it is difficult to attain uniformity of the ingredients in the solid pharmaceutical preparations for dialysis because the solid organic acid as an ingredient added in a small amount, the calcium salt and magnesium salt are respectively mixed in the form of powder.
Under these circumstances as described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis consisting of all ingredients as one composition, which is excellent in the uniformity of the ingredients therein, is capable of preventing not only a reaction between sodium bicarbonate and a solid organic acid, or sodium bicarbonate and electrolytes, but also a reaction between a solid organic acid and sodium acetate, and does not require further pulverization of the ingredients.
As a result of their eager study for solving the problems described above, the present inventors have found that a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis which comprises a granule or powder with a plurality of layers of sodium acetate, solid organic acid and sodium bicarbonate separated respectively and preferably, which are coated with glucose and sodium bicarbonate in the form of non-pulverized crystals therein, achieves the intended object, thus arriving at the present invention.
That is, the present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis comprising an electrolyte for hemodialysis, a solid organic acid and glucose and is characterized by comprising a plurality of layers which are separated from each other on the surface of a nucleating particle consisting of sodium chloride, wherein the plurality of layers include a layer (A) comprising sodium acetate but not containing the solid organic acid, a layer (B) comprising the solid organic acid but not containing sodium acetate, and a layer (C) comprising sodium bicarbonate.
Further, the present invention relates to a process for producing a pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis, which comprises forming a layer (A) containing sodium acetate but not containing solid organic acid on the surface of a nucleating particle, and forming a layer (B) containing solid organic acid and separated from the layer (A) on the surface of the nucleating particle, and forming a layer (C) containing sodium bicarbonate and separated from the layer (B) on the surface of the nucleating particle in this order.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis comprises a nucleating particle consisting of sodium chloride, a first layer formed on said nucleating particles and containing sodium acetate but not containing a solid organic acid as layer (A), a second layer containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium chloride but not containing sodium acetate or a solid organic acid, a third layer containing a solid organic acid but not containing sodium acetate as layer (B), a fourth layer containing glucose powder and a fifth layer containing sodium bicarbonate powder as layer (C) in this order.
One embodiment of the process in the present invention comprises,
(a) spraying an aqueous solution containing sodium acetate but not containing a solid organic acid on the surface of nucleating particles consisting of sodium chloride, and drying the particles,
(b) spraying the particles obtained in step (a) with an aqueous solution containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium chloride but not containing sodium acetate and not containing a solid organic acid, and drying the particles,
(c) spraying the particles obtained in step (b) with an aqueous solution containing a solid organic acid and not containing sodium acetate and drying the particles,
(d) mixing glucose powder with the particles obtained in step (c), then spraying the particles with an aqueous solution containing glucose and/or sodium chloride and drying the particles,
(e) mixing sodium bicarbonate powder with the particles obtained in step (d), then spraying the particles with an aqueous solution containing glucose and/or sodium chloride and drying the particles.

Solid pharmaceutical preparation for dialysis and a process for producing the same


A wired circuit board includes an insulating layer, and a conductive layer including a wire covered with the insulating layer and a terminal continued to the wire to electrically connect the wire to an electronic element. The insulating layer is formed with an insulating opening exposing the terminal, and the terminal is formed in a pattern which is indented in a thickness direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wired circuit board and a producing method thereof, and particularly to a wired circuit board used appropriately for a suspension board with circuit which is mounted in a hard disk drive and a producing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board, an insulating base layer formed thereon, and a conductive layer formed thereon and having head-side terminals for connecting to a magnetic head. On the suspension board with circuit, the magnetic head is mounted and connected to the head-side terminals. With the metal supporting board being supported on a load beam, the suspension board with circuit is mounted in a hard disk drive.
In recent years, it has been examined to connect such a suspension board with circuit to various electronic elements such as, e.g., a piezo element (piezoelectric element) and accurately and finely adjust the position and angle of a magnetic head. Since such an electronic element has relatively low heat resistance, it is necessary to electrically connect the electronic element to electronic-element-side terminals (terminals formed on a conductive layer and different from head-side terminals) at a relatively low temperature via a conductive adhesive or the like.
Low-temperature connection provided between the electronic element having low heat resistance and the electronic-side terminals via the conductive adhesive is lower in the strength of connection between the conductive adhesive and the electronic-side terminals than high-temperature connection provided therebetween via a molten solder. Accordingly, it has been required to sufficiently improve such connection strength.
To satisfy the requirement, it has been proposed to provide grooves (through grooves) in a circular 1 and along a circumferential direction thereof, which are formed to extend through the circular 1 and in a thickness direction thereof (see, e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent No. 2010-251619). In the wired board described in Japanese Unexamined Patent No. 2010-251619, a conductive paste is in contact with the upper surface of the 1 and, while filling the grooves. Since the upper surface of the land and the inner side surfaces of the grooves are in contact with the conductive paste, the land has an increased contact area with the conductive paste and improved adhesion thereto.

Wired circuit board and producing method thereof


A device, a Micro-Electrical-Mechanical-Switch (MEMS) safety and arming (S&A) device and a method of manufacturing the MEMS S&A. In one embodiment, the device includes a body and a MEMS shuttle movably coupled to the body. In this embodiment, the shuttle is configured to close a switch in response to being accelerated in two directions that are substantially orthogonal.

Today's artillery shells are equipped with a safety and arming ("S&A") device that permits detonation of the carried explosive only after the projectile has experienced a valid progression of physical launch conditions, including a huge initial acceleration. The arming device functions with sequential interlocks to remove a barrier in the fire train, to move out-of-line fire-train components into alignment or to close or open a switch. Once armed, the device can be fused with, e.g., an electrical discharge or a laser pulse. For safety, the S&A is required to be able to withstand a munitions mishandling drop from 40 ft. without damage or arming.
A typical arming device is centimeter-sized and piece-part assembled using screws, pins, springs and tight-tolerance machined components. Shelf life is affected by the use of dissimilar materials and by the need for lubrication. Recent arming device modernizing efforts have been motivated by lower cost, weight and volume. One such arrangement, described by Robinson in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,809, entitled "Ultra-Miniature, Monolithic, Mechanical Safety-and-Arming Device for Projected Munitions," is directed to a monolithic metal (nickel) device fabricated using the well-known LIGA (an acronym from German words for lithography, electroplating and molding) micro machining process.
Most conventional miniature S&A devices respond only to a single environmental condition, namely the initial acceleration at launch. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved device that responds to more than one environmental condition and a manufacturing method capable of yielding such a device.

MEMS safety and arming devices having launch and rotation interlocks and method of manufacturing the same


A method and apparatus are described for managing a mass registration scenario in a two-way radio system. A site controller in a trunked radio system detects a mass registration condition in which registration requests by subscriber units are likely to collide on an inbound control channel. During the mass registration condition, the site controller initiates a restriction period by instructing subscriber units that are members of particular talkgroups to temporarily cease registration requests. Those talkgroup members are permitted to resume their registration requests when a predetermined delay time has passed since the members were instructed to cease registration, or when a particular silence time has passed without registration activity over the control channel.

Trunked radio systems are one solution for permitting two-way radio communications, such as voice and data communications, not only between individual users equipped with subscriber radio units, but also among all active members of particular talkgroups. Conventional two-way radio systems permit group communications among radio users who tune in to a particular communications channel, such as a particular frequency, that has been assigned in advance. Trunked radio systems, on the other hand, do not require members of a talkgroup to select any particular communications channel in advance. Instead, communications channels are assigned only as they are needed. The assignment of communications channels is performed by a site controller. Users of subscriber units remain in wireless communication with a site controller over a duplex control channel, which is comprised of an inbound channel for communications to the site controller and an outbound channel for communications from the site controller to the subscriber units.
When a communications channel is needed for talkgroup or individual communications, a request is made to the site controller over the inbound control channel. Over the outbound control channel, the site controller alerts the relevant subscriber units to the communications channel to be used.
Subscriber units can be turned on or off, or they can enter and leave an area served by a particular site controller, and site controllers themselves can be in and out of service at various times. To keep track of which subscriber units are being served by which site controller, subscriber units engage in a registration process in which subscriber units send registration requests to a site controller and identify the talkgroup or groups with which they are affiliated. In turn, the site controller registers the presence of the subscriber units and confirms the registration by sending registration grants to the respective subscriber units. A site controller may also be affiliated with one or more relays that allow subscriber units to communicate with one another despite being served by different site controllers. Such communications may take place through the intermediary of a backend network.
Trunked radio systems have several advantages over conventional radio systems, such as a more efficient allocation of the radio spectrum and greater flexibility in the assignment of subscriber units to multiple different talkgroups. However, the use of a trunked radio system poses other challenges. For example, it is possible for the control channel, which can be shared by numerous subscriber units, to be overloaded by radio traffic. Such a situation can arise when several subscriber units are attempting to send registration requests at the same time. When two subscriber units attempt to send messages, such as registration requests, on the same channel at the same time, it is often the case that neither message is intelligible. The two subscriber units whose requests have collided then need to make a new attempt to send their messages. It is known in the art for the subscriber units whose messages have collided to employ a random back-off routine and to make a new attempt to send the message after a random delay period has passed. Since both subscriber units are not likely to select the same random delay period, the messages are not likely to collide in the second attempt.
The use of a random back-off routine works well during ordinary radio traffic conditions. However, on occasion, a situation can arise in which the amount of subscriber unit registration traffic is too high to be satisfactorily handled by only a random back-off routine. One such situation is a mass registration event, where some occurrence leads to a large number of registration requests to be sent at substantially the same time. For example, a situation may arise in which one site controller fails, leading many of the subscriber units that were formerly registered with that site controller to inundate neighboring site controllers with new registration requests.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and system for managing a mass registration scenario in a two-way radio system.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method and system for managing mass registration scenario in two-way radio system


A positive resist composition that exhibits a large exposure margin, and excellent levels of resolution and dry etching resistance, as well as a method of forming a resist pattern that uses the positive resist composition. This resist composition includes a resin component (A), which contains acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting groups and displays increased alkali solubility under the action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid on exposure, wherein the resin component (A) contains a structural unit (a1) represented by a general formula (I) shown below, a structural unit (a2) in which a hydroxyl group within the above general formula (I) has been protected by substituting the hydrogen atom thereof with an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (II) represented by a general formula (II) shown below, and a structural unit (a3) in which a hydroxyl group within the above general formula (I) has been protected by substituting the hydrogen atom thereof with an acyclic acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (III).

In recent years, advances in lithography techniques have lead to ongoing, rapid miniaturization of resist patterns. Recently, levels of resolution capable of forming line and space patterns of no more than 100 nm and isolated patterns of no more than 70 nm are being demanded.
In the microprocessing technology used for realizing these high levels of resolution, positive resist compositions that have been proposed as ideal resist materials, particularly for use in methods that include an exposure step using an electron beam, typically employ a polyhydroxystyrene-based resin in which a portion of the hydroxyl groups have been protected with acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting groups as the base resin. Examples of the most commonly used acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting groups include so-called acetal groups, such as chain-like ether groups typified by 1-ethoxyethyl groups, and cyclic ether groups typified by tetrahydropyranyl groups, as well as tertiary alkyl groups typified by tert-butyl groups, and tertiary alkoxycarbonyl groups typified by tert-butoxycarbonyl groups (for example, see patent reference 1).
However, in conventional microprocessing technology, the formation of fine patterns with high aspect ratios, and particularly line and space patterns of no more than 100 nm, has proven very difficult due to problems such as pattern collapse caused by the surface tension of the developing solution.
One possible countermeasure for such pattern collapse involves reducing the thickness of the resist film. However, thin films produced using conventional resist compositions suffer from inadequate dry etching resistance.
In relation to this problem, the inventors of the present invention have reported, in non-patent reference 1, that a resist composition including, as a base resin, a copolymer of hydroxystyrene and styrene that has been protected with adamantoxyethyl groups is capable of forming a thin film, exhibits favorable dry etching resistance, and is ideal as a resist material for a method that includes an exposure step using an electron beam.
[Patent Reference 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2002-341538
[Non-Patent Reference 1]
Hojo et al., Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 455 to 458, published Jun. 24, 2003)

Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern


Ceramic granules for producing sintered products of silicon nitride that can be favorably used as structural materials for various heat engines such as automotive parts, gas turbines and the like, and as abrasion resistant materials and corrosion resistant materials. A process for preparing the ceramic granules and a process for preparing sintered products of silicon nitride by using the ceramic granules. Ceramic granules comprise a mixture of a silicon nitride powder, a silicon powder and an assistant, as well as an organic binder, said ceramic granules having an average particle diameter of from 50 to 300 .mu.m and a relative density of from 18 to 30%.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ceramic granules for producing sintered products of silicon nitride that can be favorably used as structural materials for various heat engines such as automotive parts, gas turbines and the like, and as abrasion resistant materials and corrosion resistant materials like aluminum melt. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the ceramic granules and to a process for producing sintered products of silicon nitride by using the ceramic granules and, particularly, to a process for producing sintered products of silicon nitride that can be favorably used as parts that require high dimensional precision.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Owing to their excellent strength, heat resistance, shock resistance, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance and light weight, sintered products of silicon nitride have been used as engineering ceramics and, particularly, as structural materials for heat engines such as turbo rotors and the like components, and as abrasion resistant members. Since the sintered products of silicon nitride exhibit difficultly sintering property, however, oxides of elements of the Group 3a of periodic table such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3 as well as aluminum oxide have been used as sintering assistants for preparing sintered products having high density and large strength.
In order to produce a sintered product having a high dimensional precision while suppressing contraction due to firing, furthermore, there has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,787 a process in which a mixture powder of a metallic silicon powder and a sintering assistant is formed, the mixture powder is heated in nitrogen at a temperature of not higher than 1300.degree. C. to nitrogenate the metal silicon into the silicon nitride, and is then heated at a temperature of not lower than 1600.degree. C. to increase the density. Japanese Patent Publication No. 24789/1990 discloses a process for nitrogenating and sintering a molded article comprising a metallic silicon powder, a silicon nitride powder, an oxide powder of an element of the Group 3a of periodic table and an aluminum oxide powder.
As the methods of molding the ceramics, furthermore, dry-type pressurized molding methods (inclusive of metal mold press method, rubber press method, rolling method, etc.) have heretofore been employed as convenient mass-production methods.
The dry-type pressurized molding method include a molding method in which the mixed starting materials are directly pressurized and are molded, as well as a method in which the coagulated granules (secondary particles) are prepared from the mixed starting material powder, and the granules are pressurized and smashed to prepare a molded article. In particular, the latter method is much used for the mass production since it features excellent powder filling performance permitting continuous molding. As a method of preparing such granules, a spray-drying method is now most generally used according to which a slurry suspension obtained by dispersing the mixed starting materials in a suitable solvent is spray-dried.
According to the spray-drying method in which the suspension on the slurry is sprayed into a container of a high temperature to form granules by quick drying, however, it is not possible to control the density of particles in the granules arousing a problem in that dispersion takes place among the production lots. Furthermore, the granules prepared by the spray-drying method that are pressurized during the molding under the application of pressure, are less smashed and form space among the granules. Therefore, large voids are formed in the sintered product causing the mechanical properties to be varied.
When a sintered product of silicon nitride is prepared through a step of nitrogenating the metallic silicon powder in nitrogen, the nitrogenation takes place based upon a reaction between the metallic silicon powder in the molded article and the nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. To prepare a sintered product having excellent dimensional precision, high density and large strength, it is essential that the metal silicon powder in the molded article is completely nitrogenated and the molded article after nitrogenated has a high density and homogeneous texture. When the mixed starting materials containing the metallic silicon powder are simply molded under the application of pressure to obtain a molded article, however, the molded article after nitrogenated acquires a low density and exhibits a decreased dimensional precision though the metallic silicon may easily react with the nitrogen gas during the nitrogenation. On the other hand, when the mixed starting materials are granulated to form ceramic granules and are molded, there can be obtained a molded article having a relatively high density. Depending upon the properties of the ceramic granules, however, the voids and density of the molded article undergo a change after it is molded under the application of a pressure, making it difficult to stably obtain a sintered product having excellent properties.

Ceramic granules, process for preparing the same, and process for producing sintered product of silicon nitride


Thermal batteries using molten nitrate electrolytes offer significantly higher cell voltages and improvements in energy and power density. A problem concerning gas-evolution reactions is solved by eliminating chloride ions, sodium ions, and moisture contaminants. One step is to avoid any chlorine-containing substances in any battery component. The decomposition of such substances into chloride ions results in passivating-film breakdown and gas-producing reactions with the electrolyte. Sodium ions also react with the anode and lead to decreased stability. Thus, the use of sodium ions in components of the battery is avoided. The effect of water in the melt relates to both the reactivity and out-gassing problem. Water in the melt will react with, and breach the insoluble and protective oxide film and can produce hydrogen gas. A method to measure water in the nitrate electrolyte melt via cyclic voltammetry, as well as means of eliminate water from the melt is presented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to thermally activated electrochemical cells, and more particularly relates to thermal battery cells and still more particularly to thermally activated battery cells including a novel electrolyte system that is free of chloride ions, sodium ions, and traces of water.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Thermal batteries are used in all types of military devices that require long shelf lives (up to 20 years), and rapid activation (less than one second), and high energy and power densities. Prime application examples are air-to-air missiles such as the Sidewinder missile. Modern technology is placing increasing heavy requirements for electrical power in many weapon applications, thus thermal batteries with higher cell voltages and higher energy and power densities are presently in demand. Because of its strictly military applications, thermal battery technology has evolved much slower than commercial battery technology. Thermal battery development began with the Germans in World War II where Ca/LiCl—KCl/CaCrO4 (2.8 V, 35 Wh/Kg) systems were used in the V-I and V-II rockets. The next major advancement was in 1980 with the introduction of the following thermal battery system: Li—Fe/LiCl—KCl/FeS2 (2.0 V, 55 Wh/Kg). Later variations included the use of Li—Si and Li—Al anodes and the all-lithium electrolyte of LiCl—LiBr—LiF. The Li—Fe anode consist of liquid lithium (mp=181° C.) immobilized by iron powder and is often referred to as the LAN anode (Liquid Anode).
Thermal batteries have mainly focused on the use of LiCl—KCl electrolytes and other halide variations ever since their inception over sixty years ago. The LiCl—KCl eutectic has a high melting point of 352° C., and actual thermal battery operations require temperatures greater than 450° C. These high operating temperatures necessitate large amounts of energetic pyrotechnics such as Fe+KClO4, and the use of insulating materials to maintain the operating temperature over the required lifetime of the activated thermal battery as well as for the protection of nearby electronics from the heat evolved by the thermal battery. Furthermore, the use of LiCl—KCl and related halide electrolytes prevents the use of modern high-voltage metal oxide cathode materials such as V2O5, LiCoO2, and LiMn2O4. The aggressive attack by chloride ions at high temperatures results in the rapid destructions of metal oxide based cathode materials.
Molten nitrate electrolytes offer many advantages over LiCl—KCl and other halide-based electrolytes. For example, the LiNO3—KNO3 eutectic melts at 124° C.—more than 200° C. lower than LiCl—KCl. Therefore less pyrotechnic material is needed to activate the molten nitrate thermal battery and less insulating material is needed to maintain the lower operating temperature of this thermal battery. There would also be much less heat radiation from the molten nitrate thermal battery into any nearby electronic components of the missile or other weapon devices.
The major advantage offered by molten nitrate electrolytes for thermal batteries is that they are compatible with high-voltage metal oxide based cathode materials such as V2O5, PbO2, LiCoO2, and LiMn2O4. In fact, the oxidizing nature of molten nitrates favors the formation of metal oxide materials. The use of metal oxide based cathode materials can yield cell voltages of over 3 volts or higher when used with lithium cathodes, whereas the present thermal batteries such as Li/LiCl—KCl/FeS2 yield only 2.0 volts per cell. This increase in cell voltage alone to 3.0 volts offers more than a 50% increase in the energy density of the thermal battery. For example, a fifteen-cell stack that delivers 30 volts can be replaced by a ten-cell stack if each cell yields 3.0 volts instead of 2.0 volts. Thus, a significant decrease in the battery weight and space requirements can be realized. In addition, less insulation and less pyrotechnic materials are needed in the molten nitrate thermal battery. In addition, the much lower operating temperatures offer longer operating lifetimes for molten nitrate electrolyte-based thermal batteries.
The major problem that must be solved before molten nitrate based thermal batteries become practical is the minimization of unwanted gas-production reactions within the battery. The solution to this problem is the object of this invention. With this invention, a major increase in cell voltages, energy density, and power density is feasible for thermal batteries using molten nitrate electrolytes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Chloride-free, sodium ion-free, and water-free thermal batteries using molten nitrate electrolytes

Millennium Engineering and Integration Company


Disclosed is an orientation state estimation device capable of estimating with high accuracy the orientation state of a jointed body. An orientation state estimation device (100) estimates the orientation state of a body on the basis of image data of the body having multiple parts connected by joints. The device is provided with: a likelihood map generation unit (150) which, from the image data, for at least two parts of the jointed body, generates a likelihood map showing the plausibility distribution of where each part is most plausibly positioned; and an orientation state estimation unit (160) which, when a learning likelihood map, which is associated in advance with an orientation state, and an estimated likelihood map, which is generated on the basis of the image data, coincide to a high degree, estimates that the orientation state associated with said learning likelihood map is the orientation state of the object.

Human posture estimation based on image data from a captured video sequence has been an active area of research in recent years. This is because being able to determine human behavior based on videos through computer analysis would make behavior analysis, which is performed in various fields, possible without requiring human effort. Examples of behavior analysis include abnormal behavior detection on the streets, purchasing behavior analysis in stores, factory streamlining support, and form coaching in sports.
In this respect, NPL 1, for example, discloses a technique for estimating the posture state of a person based on image data captured with a monocular camera. In the technique disclosed in NPL 1 (hereinafter referred to as "related art"), the silhouette (outline) of a person is detected from image data, and a shape context histogram that is one of shape features is extracted from the detected silhouette. In the related art, a classifier is formed for each posture of an operation to be classified, with a variance-covariance matrix of the extracted histogram being as input. With this configuration, the related art can estimate the posture state of the person regardless of the position and orientation of the person.

Orientation state estimation device and orientation state estimation method


A modular boiler system includes a boiler control, a first boiler in operative connection with the boiler control, and a temperature sensor in operative connection with the first boiler. The system also features at least one secondary boiler in operative connection with the master boiler. The boiler control is operatively connected to only the first boiler and it enables the first boiler to control a boiler parameter of the first boiler and the at least one secondary boiler.

Known boiler systems include a boiler connected to an external control such as a thermostat or a building management system. The external control typically senses boiler temperature, controls boiler setpoint, performs outdoor reset functions and controls the boiler firing cycle.
In multiple boiler systems, each boiler is connected to a single centralized external control from which all boiler operations are performed. The centralized control typically performs the above-listed functions for each individual boiler as well as sequencing or staging the firing of all boilers to control heating throughout a structure. To accomplish this, each boiler is separately connected to the external control via wiring that is run within the structure to be heated. Moreover, boiler wiring is generally run through conduits to protect the wiring and ensure the reliability of the system.
As will be appreciated, multiple boiler systems can be costly to purchase and install as they require significant wiring from the external control to each individual boiler. In one known system, for example, control cables between a boiler control module and individual boilers consist of extended runs of 3-wire circuits. As stated, such wiring is typically protected with a conduit of plastic or like material, which requires installation.
Moreover, the addition of a boiler in known multiple boiler systems requires supplemental wiring to connect the new boiler to the external control. The subtraction of a boiler from such systems requires removal of control wiring which can also be costly. Further, the addition or subtraction of a boiler may also necessitate manually resetting or adjusting the external control, such as a building management system, to account for a changed number of total boilers. It is also possible that the existing external control may not have the capacity for an additional boiler and may require modification or replacement.
Additionally, if a boiler is not functioning properly or requires routine maintenance, it must be brought offline. In known systems, bringing an individual boiler offline can necessitate shutting the entire system down creating a no heat situation within a structure. Such system-wide shutdowns can be undesirable particularly when the outside air temperature is low. Further, if a boiler is not functioning properly manual adjustment of the external control may be necessary to adjust the firing of the other boilers to compensate for the faulted unit. Manual adjustment may also be required to bring a previously failed boiler back online if the fault resolves itself. As will be appreciated, manual adjustment of an external control can be time consuming and can result in periods of insufficient heat until adjustment is complete.
Furthermore, in known multiple boiler systems, individual boilers are typically fired in a first on/first off or first on/last off methodology. Neither of these approaches, however, directly assesses which individual boiler has the least runtime. As will be apparent, it is generally desirable to evenly distribute runtime among all boilers in a multiple boiler system. If runtimes are not uniformly distributed, premature maintenance of the more frequently used boilers may be necessary.
Finally, known external controls typically consist of numerous components. These components can include, for example, an outdoor air temperature sensor, an outdoor reset control, a control module and a terminal board. As will be appreciated, it is advantageous to reduce the number of required components to diminish the possibility of failure and reduce purchase and installation costs.
With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a modular boiler control which overcomes the above-described drawbacks and which eliminates the need for a separate connection between individual boilers and a centralized external control in a multiple boiler system.


A method and device for aiding the monitoring of a turbine engine of an aircraft, which displays on one and the same indicator of a of a display indication elements illustrating as a percentage the engine start progression or the current sub-idle state of the turbine engine, a margin to a limit temperature of the turbine engine, a margin to a maximum temperature of the turbine engine and a margin to a possible failure of the start that is generated by a too low speed increase of the turbine engine.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for aiding the monitoring of a turbine engine of an aircraft, in particular of a transport aeroplane, while said turbine engine is in a sub-idle operating phase.
"Sub-idle operation" relates to an operating state of the turbine engine, particularly during the start phase or during recovery after an ill-timed dip below the lowest power ensuring stable operation, for which the turbine engine rotates more slowly than when it is idling.
Generally, to monitor the start or reacceleration towards idle speed of the engines of an aircraft, the aircraft crew is obliged to check several digital and/or analogue parameters simultaneously, which are displayed on various screens or instruments (particularly on a main ECAM page and a secondary engine page). In particular, the crew have to monitor the following in sequence and/or in parallel:                the opening of the start valve;        the establishment of the correct air pressure required for start;        the gradual increase in the speed of the high-pressure (HP) module of the turbine engine, which is monitored using a parameter N2 or N3 which indicates the rotational speed of the HP shaft. For convenience, the speed of the HP module will be denoted generally as N2 hereafter; however, either N2 or N3 is meant indiscriminately, depending on the body number of the turbine engine in question;        the opening of the HP fuel tap when the HP shaft is rotating at the right speed;        the actuation of the igniter plug(s);        the establishment of the correct mass fuel rate of flow for start;        ignition, which is identifiable by the increase in the gas outlet temperature, which is monitored using a parameter EGT (or "exhaust gas temperature") or TGT (or "turbine gas temperature"). For convenience, the gas outlet temperature will be denoted generally as EGT hereafter; however, either EGT or TGT is meant indiscriminately; and        the gradual and steady increase in the gas outlet temperature EGT in line with the simultaneous increase in the rotational speed of the HP module, while ensuring that these parameters, and particularly the gas outlet temperature EGT, remain below maximum values set by the engine manufacturer and that the rotational speed of the HP shaft does not stagnate.
To monitor the gas outlet temperature (EGT), most engine manufacturers take into account only a set limit, generally shown in red, which is published in the operating manuals and thus known to the aircraft crew. However, some engine manufacturers add to this a limit which can vary as a function of the speed N2 of the HP module and is generally shown in amber. As a criterion, this temperature limit depending on the rotational speed is closer to the physical reality of the turbine engine; however, the crew cannot memorise it since it changes (and is therefore not published in the operating manuals). This variable limit is taken into account by the warning logics of the turbine engine control unit, but the crew has no means of easily anticipating the sounding of an overheating warning or a start failure and generally simply has to react if the need arises.
In particular, FR-2 821 452 discloses an electronic centralised aircraft monitoring (or ECAM) device which automatically monitors a plurality of systems, including the engines of an aircraft, and informs the aircraft crew of the state of these systems. In a particular embodiment, this monitoring device displays, among other things, the gas outlet temperature EGT and the rotational speed N2 of the high-pressure module of the engines on different screens or different pages.
Furthermore, when in flight and with conventional display means, the distinction between an engine in standard operation and an engine in sub-idle operation is not immediately obvious, instead requiring the careful reading of a number of other particular parameters (in particular the N2 or N3 parameter).

Method and device for aiding the monitoring of a turbine engine of an aircraft


The present invention relates to methods and systems for temperature correction in thermal melt analysis. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to the correction of the melting temperature (Tm) observed for a sample nucleic acid due to the effect of the nucleic acid concentration.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for temperature correction in thermal melt analysis. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to the correction of the melting temperature observed for a sample nucleic acid due to the effect of the nucleic acid concentration.
Description of Related Art
The detection of nucleic acids is central to medicine, forensic science, industrial processing, crop and animal breeding, and many other fields. The ability to detect disease conditions (e.g., cancer), infectious organisms (e.g., HIV), genetic lineage, genetic markers, and the like, is ubiquitous technology for disease diagnosis and prognosis, marker assisted selection, correct identification of crime scene features, the ability to propagate industrial organisms and many other techniques. Determination of the integrity of a nucleic acid of interest can be relevant to the pathology of an infection or cancer. One of the most powerful and basic technologies to detect small quantities of nucleic acids is to replicate some or all of a nucleic acid sequence many times, and then analyze the amplification products. PCR is perhaps the most well-known of a number of different amplification techniques.
PCR is a powerful technique for amplifying short sections of DNA. With PCR, one can quickly produce millions of copies of DNA starting from a single template DNA molecule. PCR includes a three phase temperature cycle of denaturation of DNA into single strands, annealing of primers to the denatured strands, and extension of the primers by a thermostable DNA polymerase enzyme. This cycle is repeated so that there are enough copies to be detected and analyzed. In principle, each cycle of PCR could double the number of copies. In practice, the multiplication achieved after each cycle is always less than 2. Furthermore, as PCR cycling continues, the buildup of amplified DNA products eventually ceases as the concentrations of required reactants diminish. For general details concerning PCR, see Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual (3rd Ed.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (2000); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (supplemented through 2005) and PCR Protocols A Guide to Methods and Applications, M. A. Innis et al., eds., Academic Press Inc. San Diego, Calif. (1990).
Real-time PCR refers to a growing set of techniques in which one measures the buildup of amplified DNA products as the reaction progresses, typically once per PCR cycle. Monitoring the accumulation of products over time allows one to determine the efficiency of the reaction, as well as to estimate the initial concentration of DNA template molecules. For general details concerning real-time PCR, see Real-Time PCR: An Essential Guide, K. Edwards et al., eds., Horizon Bioscience, Norwich, U.K. (2004).
More recently, a number of high throughput approaches to performing PCR and other amplification reactions have been developed, for example, involving amplification reactions in microfluidic devices, as well as methods for detecting and analyzing amplified nucleic acids in or on the devices. Thermal cycling of the sample for amplification in microfluidic devices is usually accomplished in one of two methods. In the first method, the sample solution is loaded into the device and the temperature is cycled in time, much like a conventional PCR instrument. In the second method, the sample solution is pumped continuously through spatially varying temperature zones. See, e.g., Lagally et al. (Analytical Chemistry 73:565-570 (2001)), Kopp et al. (Science 280:1046-1048 (1998)), Park et al. (Analytical Chemistry 75:6029-6033 (2003)), Hahn et al. (WO 2005/075683), Enzelberger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,437) and Knapp et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0042639).
Once there are a sufficient number of copies of the original DNA molecule, the DNA can be characterized. One method of characterizing the DNA is to examine the DNA's dissociation behavior as the DNA transitions from double stranded DNA (dsDNA) to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) with increasing temperature. The process of causing DNA to transition from dsDNA to ssDNA is sometimes referred to as a "high-resolution temperature (thermal) melt (HRTm)" process, or simply a "high-resolution melt" process.
Melt curve analysis is an important technique for analyzing nucleic acids. In accordance with some methods, a double stranded nucleic acid is denatured in the presence of a dye that indicates whether the two strands are bound or not. Examples of such indicator dyes include non-specific binding dyes such as SYBR® Green I, whose fluorescence efficiency depends strongly on whether it is bound to double stranded DNA. As the temperature of the mixture is raised, a reduction in fluorescence from the dye indicates that the nucleic acid molecule has melted, i.e., unzipped, partially or completely. Thus, by measuring the dye fluorescence as a function of temperature, information is gained regarding the length of the duplex, the GC content or even the exact sequence. See, e.g., Ririe et al. (Anal Biochem 245:154-160, 1997), Wittwer et al. (Clin Chem 49:853-860, 2003), Liew et al. (Clin Chem 50:1156-1164 (2004), Herrmann et al. (Clin Chem 52:494-503, 2006), Knapp et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0197630), Wittwer et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0233335), Wittwer et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0019253), Sundberg et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0026421) and Knight et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0231799).
Some nucleic acid assays require identification of a single nucleotide change where the difference in melting temperature (Tm) between the wild type nucleic acid and the mutant nucleic acid is less than, for example, 0.25° C. This level of temperature resolution is difficult, if not impossible, in standard 96 and 384 well plates. Decreasing the area of thermal analysis may improve the spatial temperature gradient, but there is still significant noise generated from the heating device used to linearly ramp the samples during a thermal melt. In addition, the concentration of the nucleic acid is known to affect the Tm that is determined for sample nucleic acid. Melting temperatures are often determined following amplification of a nucleic acid sample. In order to avoid nucleic acid concentration effects, the amplification reactions are conventionally performed to the plateau phase. However, it has been observed that amplification reactions performed in microfluidic devices do not reach the plateau phase, thus creating differences in nucleic acid concentrations between the microchannels of the device. Accordingly, what are desired are methods and systems for high resolution melt analysis that are capable of more accurately providing a Tm for the sample nucleic acid. Also desired are methods and systems for high resolution melt analysis that more accurately identify Tm that facilitate detection of sequence information for DNA that contain one or more mutations.

Method and system for temperature correction in thermal melt analysis


Interface circuitry is provided to control the flow of data transmitted over a high-speed serial link. The interface circuitry may receive data over a high-speed serial link and store the received data in a receive buffer. The receive buffer may be connected to an additional buffer in an application layer module. The application layer module may produce credits based on the processing capacity of the additional buffer and send those credits to the interface circuitry. The interface circuitry may then send these credits over the high speed link.

This invention relates to input-output interconnects and, more particularly, to integrated circuits with high-speed input-output interconnects.
Integrated circuits communicate with one another via communications pathways such as as input-output (I/O) buses. The Peripheral Component Interconnect Express® (commonly referred to as PCI Express or PCIe) technology is a widely adopted bus standard that provides high-speed serial point-to-point data transfer capabilities between integrated circuits. The PCIe interface is typically implemented using a layered architecture having a predefined protocol stack. The PCIe protocol stack includes a transaction layer, a data link layer, and a physical layer. Data that is being output via the PCIe interface and data that is being received via the PCIe interface are processed using the entire protocol stack.
A flow control module inside the transaction layer regulates the data transmission over a high-speed serial link based on available credits. The number of available credits is dependent on the number of available slots in a receive buffer in the transaction layer. Therefore, the number of available credits depends mostly on the size of the receive buffer and the speed at which data is read from the receive buffer.
Situations frequently arise where data transmission is stalled because fast-paced write operations, sometimes referred to as "posted write storms," cause the receive buffer to fill up with data faster than the rate at which data can be processed by the application layer.

High-speed peripheral component interconnect (PCIe) input-output devices with receive buffer management circuitry


The invention provides embodiments to facilitate cell search. In one embodiment, received samples are split into a plurality of sample sets for processing. Each of the sets is processed and an accumulated result is divided by an estimated noise value. In another embodiment, a code correlator correlates the received signal with a primary synchronization code and an auxiliary code correlator having a same length as the code correlator correlates the received signal with a code having a low cross correlation with the primary synchronization code. In another embodiment, a division of an accumulated result with a noise estimate is performed using indexes of the most significant bits.

Initial cell search algorithms are used to synchronize a WTRU to a base station. The WTRU accomplishes the synchronization procedure via a common channel called the physical synchronization channel (PSCH). In a typical example, the PSCH has a structure wherein the same primary synchronization code (PSC) is transmitted at the beginning of each slot of a frame (which, for example, may have a length of 15 slots), while a different secondary synchronization code (SSC) is transmitted for each slot, resulting in 15 different SSCs. A frame that is 15 slots long can transmit 15 SSCs.
The transmit order of the SSC depends on the primary scrambling code group number. As an example, in a 512 cell system, there are 64 groups. In each group, the patterns of the SSC and its cyclic shifts are different. As a result, there are 512 primary scrambling codes. Each cell of a 512 cell system is assigned a code such that no one code is used by more than one cell in a given reception area.
Therefore, cell search synchronization determines the primary scrambling code of a cell utilizing an initial cell search algorithm. Common initial cell searches implement three (3) major steps:
Step 1 algorithm: detect the PSC and determine a chip offset;
Step 2 algorithm: utilize the information given by the step 1 algorithm and detect the slot offset and code group number; and
Step 3 algorithm: utilize the information provided by the step 2 algorithm and detect the primary scrambling code.
Unfortunately, each of the algorithms in each of the above steps has an inherent error associated with it. The error present in each of the steps is caused by the detection of noise by the WTRU associated with the received common downlink channel, which can result in a high number of false detections.
Because timing is unknown, the initial search must be carried out over the total time uncertainty of one frame. In the aforementioned examples, there are fifteen uplink and downlink timeslots during a frame. Since other WTRUs may be transmitting in the uplink timeslots, it is possible that a nearby WTRU transmission will have a higher detected energy than a distant cell. A low complexity method to reject this stronger, false detection and accept only valid PSC detections is required.
An additional problem with initial cell search algorithms is that they cannot handle a rejection by the upper layers of the wrong public land mobile network (PLMN). Since most algorithms detect the strongest cell in the common downlink channel, it is likely that each time the algorithm locates a cell, the same PLMN will be associated with the cell. This results in a deadlock and ultimately an indication to the WTRU that there is no service.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a system and method that reduces the number of false detections by the initial cell search algorithm and is able to overcome the deadlock associated with a rejection due to the wrong PLMN.

Mitigation of interference in cell search by wireless transmit and receive units


Transaction card comprising a substrate having a front face and a back face, a first magnetic stripe for storing data associated with a credit account, the first magnetic stripe being located along an edge of the back face, a second magnetic stripe for storing data associated with a rewards account, the second magnetic stripe being located along another edge of the back face, and account information located on the front face, the account information being associated with the credit account and the rewards account.

Numerous financial institutions, such as credit card companies and banks, and other entities, such as airline carriers, hotels and retailers, offer membership reward programs. These programs often reward participants with fictitious reward units, such as points or the like, when purchasing merchandise or services from merchants using a qualified account, such as a debit or credit account. A participant may use a transaction card associated with the qualified account to conduct the respective transaction. Reward units typically accrue at a rate of one unit for every dollar spent using the credit or debit account and the accrued units operate as currency. Some entities restrict purchasing to particular merchants to earn reward units, whereas other financial institutions have no such restrictions. The maximum reward units a participant can earn annually are usually unlimited. Additionally, reward units usually do not accumulate on cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, fees or adjustments. When merchandise purchased with the respective account is returned, the account credit will result in a reduction of reward units.
Participants usually seek to accumulate enough reward units to purchase merchandise or services. For instance, a participant may seek to accumulate enough reward units to purchase a particular product from an associated merchant or purchase an airline ticket from another associated merchant. Depending on the program, only certain merchants are considered qualified merchants with whom reward units can be redeemed towards a purchase.
Membership reward programs also often offer participants other rewards, incentives or the like instead of or in addition to the ability to accumulate reward units. For example, some membership reward programs return to a participant a predetermined percentage of a transaction amount or of an amount spent during a predetermined period (referred to as "cash back") either as a credit to an account or by check, offer participants discounts on select merchandise or services, and complimentary merchandise or services.
As described above, a transaction card having a magnetic stripe associated with a debit or credit account can be used by a participant to conduct a transaction and hence earn reward units and/or other rewards, incentives or the like, assuming the participant is entitled to such rewards, incentives or the like, for instance, if the participant is enrolled in a membership reward program. The accumulated rewards, incentives or the like cannot be redeemed with the transaction card, as the transaction card only has one magnetic stripe associated with a credit or debit account. Instead, other known methods for redemption are utilized by participants.
Transaction cards having more than one magnetic stripe are known in the art. However, the magnetic stripes are operable, for example, for access to separate debit accounts having funds deposited therein and accounts having credit lines associated therewith and are operable, for example, to separate transactions at the point-of-sale, such as business expenses and personal expenses.
A need, however, exists for a system and method that enables a cardholder to accumulate rewards, incentives or the like and to redeem at least a portion of those rewards, incentives or the like using a particular dedicated magnetic stripe located on a transaction card having at least one other magnetic stripe.

System and method for redeeming rewards and incentives


Techniques in both still photography and moving picture photography can be enhanced with a lens system that includes a movable or flexible lens body carrying a lens. The lens body and lens can be moved to multiple user selected positions. The system further includes a retention device that is configured to retain the flexible lens body in the various user selected positions. In selected embodiments, the system includes an actuator for tilting the lens relative to a camera and/or for focusing the camera lens system.

Upon photographing a large surface, the entirety of the object to be taken cannot always fit within a field of focus. In such a case, the close and/or distant portion(s) of the object become out of focus. Photographers can expand the area of potential focus with an adapter having a tilt mechanism, typically a tilt/shift lens, that tilts the photographic lens relative to the camera body. Unfortunately, most existing tilt and shift lenses are precision instruments that employ precisely adjusted mechanical controls to focus the lens and to adjust the angle of the lens relative to the image capture plane (which may be film or a digital sensor, depending on the type of camera).
The precise control may be useful for some controlled settings in studios, but can significantly complicate photography in the field. The general perception of tilt/shift lenses is that they are cumbersome to use, slow to operate, demand tripod use, and can require manual, instead of automatic, exposure modes. Conventional tilt/shift lenses are relatively heavy, as well, further limiting their practical use. These lenses are also quite expensive, with most commercial tilt/shift lenses costing well in excess of US$1,000.
Some photographers also use bellows cameras to achieve photographic effects. For example, such cameras may be used to produce artistic effects, such as soft focus images wherein a portion of the image may be in sharp focus but a peripheral region may be out of focus. Many bellows cameras rely on heavy, cumbersome rails that protrude from the bottom of the camera to guide the lens as it moves in and out relative to the camera body. This added weight and mechanical complexity has largely limited bellows cameras to studio photography.
Digital cameras can allow more experimental and spontaneous photos because the photographer does not have to bear the time and expense associated with capturing images. The bulky nature and tedious operation of conventional tilt/shift lenses and bellows lenses can significantly slow down the process of digital photography, and thus in some circumstances, impede the spontaneity that could otherwise be achieved.

Movable lens systems and associated methods


An optical rotating data transmission device for polarization-maintaining transmission of linearly polarized light comprises at least one first collimator for coupling on first light-waveguides, and also a second collimator for coupling on second light-waveguides, the second collimator being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator about a rotation axis. At least two λ/4 plates for converting linear polarization to circular polarization and vice-versa are provided in an optical path between the first collimator and the second collimator.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for polarization-maintaining transmission of optical signals between units that are rotatable relative to each other (rotary coupling). This is intended preferably for simultaneous transmission of a plurality of optical signals along a plurality of channels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Particularly with high bit-rate transmission systems having data rates of 40 Gbit/s and higher, transmission is effected in a polarization-maintaining manner. Here light is transmitted preferably at a defined linear polarization. Polarized light is also employed with various optical sensors. Thus, a change of the polarization of the light can be evaluated by means of measured parameters. Optical signals of this kind must frequently be transmitted between units that are rotatable relative to each other.
Various transmission systems are known for basic transmission of optical signals between units that are rotatable relative to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,578 discloses an optical rotating data transmission device for a plurality of channels, the device comprising a Dove prism. The polarization of coupled-in light changes with a rotation of the two units relative to each other. Furthermore, no transmission of light is possible at constant polarization even with employed components such as light-guiding fibers or collimators.
EP 1476969 discloses a rotating data transmission device in which the light is transmitted by multiple reflections in mirror-coated trench. The polarization of the incident light is changed in an unpredictable manner by the number of reflections which varies according to position.

Polarization-maintaining optical rotary coupling


Methods and systems for providing space tethers for limiting the dynamic response of structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for limiting the dynamic response of a structure having a base member and a substructure projecting outwardly from the base member includes coupling a first end of an elongated flexible tether to the substructure at a first location spaced apart from the base member; and coupling a second end of the elongated flexible tether to the base member at a second location spaced apart from the substructure, the tether being configured to be in a non-taut configuration when the substructure moves within a design volume with respect to the base member, the tether being further configured to be in a taut position when the substructure displaces to a limit of the design volume.

Satellite transport into space has become a commonplace occurrence as reliance in satellite based technology continues to expand. Satellites may be launched into space in cargo holds of spacecraft or on top of rockets. Often, satellites contain large and lightweight structures such as antennas which cannot sustain high loads or high displacement during launch into space or during ground tests prior to launch. Once in orbit, satellites must be able to sustain thermal distortions without adversely affecting the satellite's functionality.
To overcome displacement and high load stresses on satellite structures, designers often add additional reinforcements to the structure, extra material, beams, securing braces, or padding to assure structural integrity of the satellite's structures during launch. However, such additional reinforcements may detrimentally affect the mission performance. For example, heavy reinforcements contribute additional mass to the payload of the spacecraft and thus increases cost. Once in orbit satellites must be capable of operating under exposure to thermal distortions. Additional reinforcement structures may interfere with the satellite's thermal distortions and may adversely affect the lightweight structure's position and operation. Reinforcement structures which are removed in space, such as by pyrotechnic launch locks, are problematic as they often require additional processes, complexity, mass, and cost to the launch mission.
The launch and transport of satellites into space only requires a short period of time in comparison to the entire lifespan of the satellite in orbit. During the launch phase, the satellite's structure must be capable of sustaining high loads without incurring damage, therefore dynamic displacements must be limited. During the remainder of the satellite's mission, while the satellite is in orbit, the satellite's operation may be significantly improved by the absence of redundant load paths (e.g., reinforcement structures) and minimized loads caused by thermal distortions.
Therefore, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for limiting the dynamic response of structures during the launch phase of space transport, while minimizing redundant constraints on lightweight satellite structures that experience thermal distortions while in orbit.

Space tethers for limiting the dynamic response of structures


A system including a footboard and a chock each adapted for secure, yet easily removable attachment at selected locations to the patient support surface of a mattress on an elevating head type bed is provided. The footboard and the chock both include a wedges of resilient material having a substantially planar base surface and a length dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the patient support surface. The footboard wedge also defines a foot support surface normal to its base surface. The chock defines an upwardly extending curved surface between the forward and rear edges of its base surface. The footboard and the chock further respectively include support members extending along the length of the wedges. Attachment means for affixing the footboard and the chock respectively to the patient support surface extend around the mattress portion of the bed between the opposite side edges of the base surfaces.

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention relates to accessory devices and systems for use with beds adapted to support patients in a partial sitting (i.e., head elevated from the horizontal) position. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and systems for maintaining the position and alignment of patients confined to elevated head type beds over long periods of time.
2. Summary Of The Prior Art
Patients confined to bed for long periods of time, whether in a hospital, an extended care facility or at home, usually utilize a bed which is articulatable so as to place the patient in a partial sitting (i.e., head elevated above the horizontal) position. Unless contra-indicated medically, the partial sitting position is generally the most comfortable for the patient and the most convenient for the caregiver. Specifically, the partial sitting position facilitates the conduct of activities by the patient such as reading, eating, watching television and conversing with visitors. It also facilitates caregiver access to the patient for both medical and hygenic reasons. Indeed, in many cases, the patient by choice remains in the partial sitting position both during the day and at night. There are problems, however.
Bedridden patients are subject to a condition known as foot drop wherein the foot tends to assume a more or less permanent pointed toe configuration. This condition is the result of a combination of a lack of support for the patient's feet and the substantially constant pressure exerted by the bed linen covering them. It is particularly evident in extremely ill patients who for one reason or another are not only confined to bed, but also are limited to lying on their backs.
Relatedly, there is a tendency for patients confined to head elevated type beds to slide towards the foot of the bed when the head of the bed is elevated in order to place the patient in a partial sitting position. This is a serious problem because once a seriously ill patient has slid out of his preferred position and alignment in the bed, it is frequently impossible for him to reposition himself. Accordingly, it falls to the caregiver to assist, and in some cases totally accomplish, the required repositioning. This process can be painful for the patient, particularly if large incisions are involved, and the source of strain and stress upon the caregiver. The repositioning of a patient typically requires that the patient be lowered to a horizontal position, pulled toward the head of the bed and then again elevated to the partial sitting position. Hence, it will be understood that the process is physically demanding, and requires the attention of the caregiver for an extended period when that time might be better spent attending to the medical needs of other patients.
In an attempt to alleviate the foot drop problem, various types of footboards have been provided. The simplest of these were plywood constructions which were slipped under the mattress at the foot end of the bed. These devices were crude in construction and heavy. Further, these wooden constructions were often unfinished, thereby leading to cuts and/or to the pick up of splinters by those attempting to position them. Other types of footboards also have been proposed. Typically, these are metallic constructions which hook over the bedframe at the foot end of the bed or ride on specialized rails located along the sides of the bed. These devices had a limited range of adjustment provided by the manipulation of screws and/or levers or by sliding them along the associated rails. Pillows between the patient's feet and the footboard, however, were often required to accurately adjust the bed to fit a particular patient. They also were cumbersome and ineffective. Further, all of these prior footboards tend to interfere with the changing of bed linens.
Another problem encountered in the use of prior art footboards has been that they require the provision of extensive amounts of padding between the patient's feet and the footboard itself. The reason for this is that the foot engaging surface of these boards were hard and unyeilding. Further, gravity tends to pull the patient from the partial sitting position downwardly along the patient supporting surface of the mattress. This motion is resisted by the engagement of the patient's feet with the footboard. The result, however, is that the patient effectively stands on the footboard constantly. Obviously, it does not take too long for the patient's legs and feet to become cramped and uncomfortable. In fact, in some cases actual physical injury to the patient may result from the strain inflicted upon his legs and feet in this manner.
Still further, as alluded to above, it is often preferrable to allow a bedridden patient to reposition himself, if possible. The patient knows where his pain is, and he instinctively knows how to manipulate himself in order to minimize the infliction of additional pain. A caregiver moving a patient, no matter how carefully, cannot duplicate this instinctive knowledge. To facilitate patient self-movement and to minimize caregiver physical strain, therefore, it has been frequently possible for orthopedic patients to grasp frameworks attached to their beds and/or strap devices fastened thereto in order to assist them in changing positions. It is also common for the caregiver to provide a length of stockinette-like material tied at one end to the bedframe at the foot end of the bed such that the free end is available for the patient to grasp to assist him in changing his position in, getting into or getting out of the bed. Obviously, beds with orthopedic appliances attached to them are not common. Further, the stockinette alternative is somewhat makeshift, and is not wholly desirable for safety reasons.

Patient positioning and alignment system