Transmission capacity from a first node to a second node through a communication network is measured. First and second probe message from the first node to the second node, a first and second amount of data in the first and second probe message respectively being mutually different, at least one of the first and second amount exceeding a fragmentation threshold of the communication network. First and second round trip time durations are measured between transmission of the first and second probe message from the first node and reception back at the first node of a first and second response message from the second node to the first and second probe message respectively. The capacity is computed from a difference between the first and second round trip time duration.

Available transmission capacity is an important parameter for controlling use of a communication network. For example, when a device has received a request to transmit a stream of video data, information about available transmission capacity can be used to control the quality level and resulting bandwidth of the stream or to generate an error message if the available transmission capacity is insufficient.
Information about available transmission capacity is not always directly available in every device that uses the network. The network may comprise many layers of software and hardware that make the underlying transmission capacity invisible to devices that operate in higher layers.
US 2007/0115814 describes various techniques for measuring network capacity. One technique involves transmission at increasing data rate until it is detected that the limits of available capacity have been reached, e.g. when packet losses increase. Another technique involves measurement of round trip delay time (RTT) as a function of data rate. In this technique packets are transmitted from a sender to a receiver and the receiver transmits back acknowledgements. The ratio between the amount of data sent and time duration between acknowledgements is used as a measure of capacity.
A further technique involves measurement of "packet pair dispersion". In this technique a first and second packet are transmitted at time points separated by a first (minimal) time interval and the duration of a second time interval between the time points of arrival of the packets is measured. The packet pair dispersion, i.e. the difference between the durations of the first and second time intervals can be used as a measure of capacity. US 2007/0115814 describes a technique, called "Capprobe" wherein a plurality of such pairs are transmitted and the dispersion is used to select pairs that have been transmitted unhindered by other traffic, using the transmission delays of the packets in the selected pairs as a measure of capacity.
EP 522211 describes a method of determining network bandwidth from a slope of a graph of mean transmission delay versus packet size, which is a straight line. The document notes that the line mage be fragmented when the length of the packet exceeds an internal size of of one or more network links. The document notes that the location of the discontinuity can be used to determine the internal packet size. The document shows the slope disregarding the discontinuity, using successive line fragments with the same slope. The bandwidth is determined from the slope. EP 522211 contains no suggestion that the ratio of mean transmission delay difference and packet size difference between points on mutually opposite sides of the discontinuity has any significance.
Many of the known techniques have the disadvantage that they involve software or hardware that is specifically adapted to implement the technique on both the sender and receiver side. This may not be feasible when the sender and the receiver are controlled by different parties. In that case a technique must be used that involves specific adaptations on one side only, typically on the sender side, using round trip. However, in that case it may be become uncertain how much of the delay must be attributed to transmission

Network transmission capacity measurement

Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk ondezoek TNO


The present invention relates to a radiation image converting panel with a structure to realize an improvement in moisture resistance in the periphery of the panel. The radiation image converting panel comprises a support body and a radiation converting film formed on the support body. The radiation converting film is formed on a film forming region which exists within a first main surface of the support body and includes at least a gravity center position of the first main surface. An average crystal diameter of columnar crystals located on a peripheral measuring area of the film forming region is controlled to be 1.3 times or more larger than an average crystal diameter of columnar crystals located on a central measuring area corresponding to a gravity center position of the film forming region, whereby moisture resistance in the periphery of the panel is improved, so that a sufficient fluorescence lifetime of the panel as a whole is maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation image converting panel comprising a radiation converting film having a columnar crystal structure, which converts an incident radiation ray to a visible light.
2. Related Background Art
Radiation images typified by X-ray images have conventionally been widely used for purposes such as disease diagnosis. As a technique for obtaining such a radiation image, for example, a radiation image recording and reproducing technique using a radiation converting film that accumulates and records irradiated radiation energy, and also emits a visible light according to radiation energy accumulated and recorded as a result of irradiating an excitation light has been widely put into practical use.
A radiation image converting panel to be applied to such a radiation image recording and reproducing technique as this includes a support body and a radiation converting film provided on the support body. As the radiation converting film, a photostimulable phosphor layer having a columnar crystal structure formed by vapor-phase growth (deposition) has been known. When the photostimulable phosphor layer has a columnar crystal structure, since a photostimulable excitation light or photostimulable emission is effectively suppressed from diffusing in the horizontal direction (reaches the support body surface while repeating reflection at crack (columnar crystal) interfaces), this allows remarkably increasing the sharpness of an image by photostimulable emission.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H02-58000 has proposed a radiation image converting panel having a photostimulable phosphor layer for which formed by a vapor-phase deposition method on a support body are slender columnar crystals with a constant tilt with respect to a normal direction of the support body. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-98717 has proposed a technique for realizing a uniform crystal diameter distribution further excellent in impact resistance by distributing the columnar crystal diameters in a photostimulable phosphor layer isotropically from the center of the photostimulable phosphor layer toward the periphery and suppressing variation of those.


A locking mechanism at an electrical connection assembly, comprising a first locking portion 3 which is attached to an elastically deformable locking arm 2 which forms part of a first element 1 of the connection assembly; a second locking portion which is connected to a second element of the connection assembly and which can be made to engage or to be disengaged from the first locking portion 3; a securing slide 12 which is linearly adjustably guided in a guide, which is urged by a spring element 18 into a first position in which is prevents the locking arm 2 from being elastically deformed and which comprises a control face which is loadable by the second element in such a way that the securing slide 12 can be transferred into a second position in which it permits the locking arm 2 to be elastically deformed, wherein the guide 8 is associated with the first element 1, wherein the locking arm 2, in a deforming direction 5, is elastically deformed towards the guide 8 from an untensioned position and wherein the securing sleeve 12 is adjustably guided in a setting direction 6 between the locking arm 2 and the guide 8 transversely to the deforming direction 5.

The invention relates to a locking mechanism at an electrical connection assembly wherein a first locking portion is attached to an elastically deformable locking arm which forms part of a first element of the connection assembly and can be made to engage or to be disengaged from a second locking portion at a second element of the connection assembly.
More particularly, the invention relates to securing the elastically deformable locking arm against being displaced in the connected condition in order to prevent unintentional disengagement of the two elements from one another. The locking mechanism can be used for locking a connector with a fixed component, for example the body part of a motor vehicle, which fixed component is associated with a second connector to which the first connector is to be connected, or it can be used for achieving a direct locking effect between two connectors which are to be connected to one another or for locking an actuating lever at multi-pole connectors, which actuating lever is to facilitate the connection of the connectors in such a way that it cannot be actuated unintentionally.
For locking connectors to one another, it forms part of the state of the art to confirm the connected condition by additionally providing a slide which, for example in the course of connecting the connectors, initially remains in a first position and which, during the relative movement of the two connectors relative to one another, is subjected to a pretension so that, as soon as the final connected position between the two connectors has been achieved and as soon as the locking arm locking said connectors has been transferred into its final position, the slide is automatically moved forward under the spring force, so that it positions itself above the locking arm and additionally secures same against being moved into the open position. If the final position between the connectors is not achieved, the securing slide is not released, so that the spring force becomes effective due to pretension and presses apart the two connectors.
It is the object of the present invention to propose a locking mechanism which can be used for different functions which have to be realized at a connection assembly and does not permit an unintentional release of the locking arm.

Locking mechanism at an electrical connection assembly


A ceramic and method of producing the same are disclosed, the ceramic having as principal ingredients natural zeolite and shells, wherein silver nitrate, magnesium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide selenium oxide and ferric oxide are added thereto, and the resultant mixture fired to produce a granular ceramic. The granular ceramic enables the production of deoxidized water having an appropriately low oxidation reduction potential, for use as drinking water and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a granular ceramic for water deoxidization, by which water having an oxidation reduction potential can be desirably deoxidized without requiring use of electrical or other energy sources, as well as to a method of producing such a ceramic.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with worsening environmental conditions, pollution caused by foreign substances and the like is progressing, while the natural forms of tap water, as well as waters in lakes and marshes, are undergoing mutation. Various methods exist for measuring and evaluating the quality of such waters, one of which is a method for evaluating the quality of water by measurement of its oxidation reduction potential.
In theory, the oxidation reduction potential of water is variable between -420 and +820 mV, however well water and fresh river waters, which formerly have been used as consumable drinking (i.e. potable) water, have an oxidation reduction potential on the degree of +250 to +300 mV. In contrast to this fact, recently measured values of tap water and the like are on the order of +450 to +550 mV, and in especially high cases, are even on the order of +750 mV. The oxidation reduction potential has grown higher in this manner, and as so-called oxidized waters are used as drinking water, naturally this produces a bad effect not only for humans, but on animals and vegetables in general. Such waters also result in a cause of corrosion of iron and other metals, and furthermore bring forth bad effects upon the global environmental overall.
Formerly, in order to lessen the oxidation reduction potential of, or in other words to deoxidize, these types of oxidized waters, a method of electrical deoxidization processing has generally been employed.
However, when such a method is used on an industrial scale for producing deoxidized water in large quantities and in reasonably short periods of time, costs for equipment and modifications become high, so that the method is not cost-effective. Also, the cost of the resultant product becomes undesirably high. Furthermore, if such a method is to be used in ordinary households, one must install a specialized deoxidized water production device, resulting in the problem that operation and maintenance of such a unit is troublesome for the ordinary consumer.

Granular ceramic for water deoxidization and method of producing the same

Tohoku Bankin Toso Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


In a radio communication system, during radio connection between a base station 100 and a terminal 200, the base station 100 transmits a reception status notification request to the terminal 200. The terminal 200 receives the reception status notification request from the base station 100, then measures reception electric field intensity and error rate in the communication with the base station 100 and transmits these values as reception status information to the base station 100. The base station 100 stores the reception status information notified from the terminal 200, with linkage to a terminal number. When call origination to all the terminals has been completed, the base station 100 displays all the reception status information stored in a storage device 104, with linkage with terminal numbers, on an external display device.

Conventionally, in a radio communication system for digital data communication, a known method of displaying reception statuses of base station and terminal is displaying the terminal's radio reception status at the terminal, as in the case of cellular phones.
Further, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No.09-046293 discloses displaying the reception status of base station on a cable-connected terminal having a display function.
Further, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No.10-242899 discloses radio status check, in which, upon occurrence of fault in a system having plural base stations, the base stations communicate with each other and perform an operation test.
In the above-described conventional art, the reception status of the terminal is displayed on the terminal or the reception status of base station is displayed on the terminal. In a system where one base station can communicate with plural terminals, to obtain reception statuses of all the terminals, the respective terminals observe the reception statuses in their respective locations, at much expense in time and effort. Especially, in a system where terminals are fixed and data transmission/reception is performed with a base station by radio communication, first, a candidate position is set for installation of the base station, then the base station is temporarily installed in this position, and reception statuses are checked by all the terminals. This requires further time and effort.
If a satisfactory reception status cannot be obtained at all the terminals, the current position of the base station must be changed, and the terminals check the reception status again. This is repeated until the base station is positioned such that all the terminals can obtain a satisfactory reception status. It takes enormous time and effort to install the base station such that all the terminals can obtain a satisfactory reception status.

Radio communication system and reception status display method


An electrical connector has male and female housings 10, 30 having terminal retainers 20, 40 and retainer insertion holes 16, 36. To prevent creep of moisture by surface tension effects through the clearance between the terminal retainers 20, 40 and the retainer fitting holes 16, 36, the retainer is formed with a C-shaped recess 23, 43, and the retainer and hole are formed with matching cranked portions 19, 24, 39, 44. A central drain channel 15, 35 runs through the center of each housing 10, 30 and is sealed by means of mutually fitting tapered faces 26A, 46A. Overhanging hoods 14a, 14d shield the mating faces and rear ends of the connector housings. Mating terminal chambers 11, 31 also have tapered sealing faces 28, 48. A peripheral rib 45 on one housing 30 fits into a groove 25 on the housing with a long narrow clearance to prevent moisture creep. Drain channels 15, 35 engage one another at tapered mating faces 26A, 36A. The terminal retainer 20, 40 moisture creep prevention features are designed to direct the moisture into the drain channels 15, 35. A rear hood is also used to shield the open rear ends of the terminal apertures.

In electrical connectors which have removable or mating parts it is difficult to eliminate the necessary assembly clearance to an extent sufficient to prevent moisture migrating into the clearance due to surface tension or capillary effects. Separate flexible seals may be required, and these can increase costs significantly. A reduction of the clearance makes assembly more difficult, and may in any event lead to passage of moisture due to capillary effects.
Among connectors are those, as described for example in JP-A-3-29276, wherein a retainer is used as a means for preventing removal of a terminal fitting housed in a terminal fitting housing chamber. Such a connector has a configuration whereby in its connector housing a retainer insertion hole is formed so as to open out to an outer face thereof, a retainer being attached by being inserted into the retainer insertion hole to retain a terminal fitting.
In the connector described above, since the configuration is such that the retainer insertion hole opens out to the outer face of the connector housing, a small space inevitably occurs between the retainer insertion hole and the retainer. If moisture passes into this space, it tends to be sucked in due to surface tension effects. As a result, this kind of connector is unsuitable in an environment where water is present. Other connectors are used in which a water-proofing means, such as a seal member or the like, is employed, but although such a connector has a high degree of water-proofing, the cost is also substantially increased.
Similar clearances may exist around the periphery of mating connectors, for example in the region of an overlapping hood, and also between mating internal faces of connector housings.
The present invention has been developed after taking these problems into account and aims to prevent movement of moisture in the clearance spaces formed between removable or mating parts of an electrical connector, while maintaining low cost.


Compounds having the formula I or II wherein R1, R2, B, and V are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.

In recent years there has been much interest in identifying nucleoside inhibitors of the NS5B polymerase for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. While initial reports from researchers in this area described modest efficacy, the tremendous potential of this class of agents became clear when Merck presented the results of evaluation of MK-0608 in the chimpanzee. (Olsen, D. B.; Carroll, S. S.; Davies, M. E.; Handt, L.; Koeplinger, K.; Zhang, R.; Ludmerer, S.; MacCoss, M.; Hazuda, D. J. Robust suppression of viral replication in HCV infected chimpanzees by a nucleoside inhibitor of the NS5B polymerase. Antivir. Ther. 2006, 11 (5, Suppl.): S7. (15th International HIV Drug Resistance Workshop, Jun. 13-17, 2006; Sitges, Spain.)) In this study, a >5 log10 reduction in viral titer was achieved in 7 days at an intravenous dose of 2 mg/kg/day.
Other agents advanced into development have not achieved such dramatic efficacy. For example, NM283 (Idenix, recently discontinued) achieved only a 1.15 log10 reduction in viral titer in the chimpanzee (7 days, 16.6 mg/kg/day). (Standring D. N.; Lanford R.; Wright T.; Chung R. T.; Bichko V.; Cretton-Scott E.; Pan-Zhou X.; Bergelson S.; Qu L.; Tausek M.; Bridges E.; Moussa A.; Storer R.; Pierra C.; Benzaria S.; Gosselin G.; La Colla P.; Sommadossi J. P. NM 283 has potent antiviral activity against genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV-1) infection in the chimpanzee. J. Hepatology, 2003, 38, (Supp 2), 3.) In a phase 2 study, R1626 (Roche) at 1500 mg BID for 14 days achieved a mean reduction in serum viral titer of 1.2 log10. (Roberts, S.; Cooksley, G.; Shaw, D.; Berns, H. K.; Brandl, M. T.; Fettner, S. H.; Hill, G.; Ipe, D.; Klumpp, K.; Mannino, M.; O'Mara, E.; Tu, Y.; Washington, C. B., Interim results of a multiple ascending dose study of R1626, a novel nucleoside analog targeting HCV polymerase in chronic HCV patients. 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver, Vienna, Apr. 26-30, 2006.)

The difference in efficacy between these agents, all of which display good plasma levels of the nucleoside, is likely due to differences in rates of phosphorylation and resulting levels of triphosphate in the liver. One method of circumventing a slow rate of initial nucleoside phorphorylation is to utilize a prodrug of the nucleoside monophosphate (kinase bypass). A number of prodrugs have been explored for this purpose, although few have been shown to achieve oral bioavailability and intracellular delivery of the monophosphate in vivo.
One such class of prodrugs is the aryl amidate (McGuigan) type. While these prodrugs have shown impressive intracellular delivery of monophosphates in vitro, there are few reports of in vivo application. (By contrast, their track record with phosphonates has been better.) One notable report by McGuigan details pharmacokinetic evaluation in the cynomolgus monkey of an aryl amidate prodrug of abacavir. (McGuigan, C.; Harris, S. A.; Daluge, S. M.; Gudmundsson, K. S.; McLean, E. W.; Burnette, T. C.; Marr, H.; Hazen, R.; Condreay, L. D.; Johnson, L.; De Clercq, E.; Balzarini, J. Application of phosphoramidate pronucleotide technology to abacavir leads to a significant enhancement of antiviral potency. J. Med. Chem. 2005, 48, 3504-3515) This article reports extremely rapid clearance of the prodrug from plasma when administered i.v. The dearth of other literature reports of in vivo characterization of aryl amidate prodrugs, despite numerous applications citing in vitro characterization, suggests that these prodrugs are not sufficiently stable for successful in vivo application.
An alternative class of monophosphate prodrugs that target the liver are the cyclic 1-aryl-1,3-propanyl ester (HepDirect) prodrugs. (Erion, M. D.; Reddy, K. R.; Boyer, S. H.; Matelich, M. C.; Gomez-Galeno, J.; Lemus, R. H.; Ugarkar, B. G.; Colby, T. J.; Schanzer, J.; Van Poelje, P. D. Design, synthesis, and characterization of a series of cytochrome P(450) 3A-activated prodrugs (HepDirect prodrugs) useful for targeting phosph(on)ate-based drugs to the liver. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 5154-5163; Erion, M. D.; van Poelje, P. D.; Mackenna, D. A.; Colby, T. J.; Montag, A. C.; Fujitaki, J. M.; Linemeyer, D. L.; Bullough, D. A. Liver-targeted drug delivery using HepDirect prodrugs. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2005, 312, 554-560) One HepDirect phosphate prodrug, MB07133, has been advanced to human clinical trials. (Boyer, S. H.; Sun, Z.; Jiang, H.; Esterbrook, J.; Gomez-Galeno, J. E.; Craigo, W.; Reddy, K. R.; Ugarkar, B. G.; MacKenna, D. A.; Erion, M. D. Synthesis and characterization of a novel liver-targeted prodrug of cytosine-1-β-D-arabinofuranoside monophosphate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 7711-7720). MB07133 is a prodrug of cytarabine 5′-O-monophosphate (araCMP).

Scientists at Roche, in collaboration with McGuigan at Cardiff University, recently reported the synthesis and evaluation of aryl amidate monophosphate prodrugs of 4′-azidouridine. (Perrone, P.; Luoni, G. M.; Kelleher, M. R.; Daverio, F.; Angell, A.; Mulready, S.; Congiatu, C.; Rajyaguru, S.; Martin, J. A.; Leveque, V.; Le Pogam, S.; Najera, I.; Klumpp, K.; Smith, D. B.; McGuigan, C. Application of the phosphoramidate ProTide approach to 4′-azidouridine confers sub-micromolar potency versus hepatitis C virus on an inactive nucleoside. J. Med. Chem. 2007, 50, 1840-1849) Whereas R1479 (the nucleoside parent of R1626) achieves reasonable potency in the cell-based replicon assay, 4′-azidouridine is inactive despite similar potency of its triphosphate as an inhibitor of RdRp. (Smith, D. B.; Martin, J. A.; Klumpp, K.; Baker, S. J.; Blomgren, P. A.; Devos, R.; Granycome, C.; Hang, J.; Hobbs, C. J.; Jiang, W.-R.; Laxton, C.; Le Pogam, S.; Leveque, V.; Ma, H.; Maile, G.; Merrett, J. H.; Pichota, A.; Sarma, K.; Smith, M.; Swallow, S.; Symons, J.; Vesey, D.; Najera, I.; Cammack, N. Design, synthesis and antiviral properties of 4′-substituted ribonucleosides as inhibityors of hepatitis C virus replication: the discovery of R1479. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2007 17:2570.) Certain aryl amidate monophosphate prodrugs of 4′-azidouridine display replicon activity (EC50 as low as 0.22 μM), indicating that the first phosphorylation step is the problematic one. In vivo evaluation of these prodrugs was not reported.
R1479 (4′-AC) 4′-azidouridine (4′-AU) R0142 NS5b IC50 of NTP (μM)Replicon EC50 (μM)R14790.291.284′-AU0.30>100R0142—0.22


Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for transporting data from a sender to a receiver with low delay for interactive real-time media applications are described.

Networked applications rely on transport layer protocols to deliver data across the network. Different types of applications place different requirements on the transport layer. Delay is an issue that presents a challenge in the context of network communications.
End to end delay has several components. Some of these delay components are introduced by elements of a sender, such as a send buffer and congestion control elements. Other delay components are introduced by elements of a receiver such as a receive buffer. Still other delays are introduced by network path elements such as network path buffers and by physical propagation along network links. More particularly, end to end delay can include: 1) Queueing delay in a send buffer, which is the time that data stays in a send buffer until sending starts. This delay occurs when the rate of sending data is lower than the data rate. A large send buffer introduces large queueing delay. 2) Sending delay, which is the time that it takes for data to be sent. This delay can be influenced by the operation of congestion control elements at the sender, which under some conditions acts to reduce the sending rate in order to relieve congestion. 3) Propagation delay, which is the time it takes for a packet to get across the network path under no congestion (including delay due to the finite speed of light in transmission media). 4) Queueing delay in network buffers. This delay occurs when the offered traffic exceeds the network capacity. 5) Retransmission delay, which is the time that it takes for lost packets to be recovered. 6) Head-of-line (HOL) blocking delay, which is introduced by the requirement of in-order delivery and is the time that new data is blocked by old data.
The delay components are determined by two modules in transport protocols. The first is congestion control, which regulates the rate at which data is sent into the network. Congestion control affects the queueing delay in the send buffer, the sending delay, and queueing delay in the network. The second is error control, which provides reliability. Error control affects the retransmission delay and head-of-line blocking delay.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) are standard transport protocols in wide use in the Internet. UDP does not provide congestion control. Data is sent immediately. TCP is the most widely used transport protocol. It provides congestion control that responds to the change of available bandwidth. TCP also provides reliability (recovery of lost packets).

Transport protocol for interactive real-time media


This disclosure relates to weldability of steel alloys that provide weld joints which retain hardness values in a heat affected zone adjacent to a fusion zone and which also have improved resistance to liquid metal embrittlement due to the presence of zinc coatings.

Production of steel continues to increase, with a current US production around 100 million tons per year with an estimated value of $75 billion. Steel utilization in vehicles is also high, with advanced high strength steels (AHSS) currently at 17% and forecast to grow by 300% in the coming years [American Iron and Steel Institute, Profile 2013, Washington, D.C.]. With current market trends and governmental regulations pushing towards higher efficiency in vehicles, AHSS are increasingly being pursued for their ability to provide high strength to mass ratio. The high strength of AHSS allows for a designer to reduce the thickness of a finished part while still maintaining comparable or improved mechanical properties. In reducing the thickness of a part, less mass is needed to attain the same or better mechanical properties for the vehicle thereby improving vehicle fuel efficiency. This allows the designer to improve the fuel efficiency of a vehicle while not compromising on safety.
The joining and bonding of steel is an important consideration for manufacturing processes. Materials are commonly joined self-to-self, to metallic materials, and to non-metallic materials through a variety of methods in manufacturing settings. These joining and bonding methods include but are not limited to the use of structural adhesives, soldering, brazing, and various types of welding. Each of these joining and bonding techniques possess a myriad of sub-types, each with its own applications. For steel in particular, welding techniques are commonly used due to low cycle times, cost, and complexity which is enabling for usage in high volume production settings. In particular, resistance spot welding (RSW) is utilized extensively in the manufacturing process for automobile production with the average American mid-sized car estimated to contain greater than 5000 resistance spot welds. The number of resistance spot welds in automobiles is expected to remain constant or increase in the coming years.
Resistance spot welding is typically performed on sheet material and functions by running a current pulse or pulses between two electrodes and through the materials to be welded after clamping pressure is applied. With current passing through the material, the materials' bulk and surface electrical resistance cause the sheet to undergo resistive heating, rapidly melting the sheet at the point of contact between the sheets. The pool of molten metal grows outward from the sheet surface interface and into both sheet materials until the current pulse or pulses are complete. At this time, the liquid melt pool undergoes rapid cooling and solidification. The weld fusion zone forms between the two sheets from metal that was previously the melt pool, providing a metallurgical bond. Schematic illustration of the typical weld is shown in FIG. 1.
During the current pulse, heat is generated in and around the pool of molten metal that will become the weld fusion zone. In the area that surrounds the weld fusion zone, the metal was exposed to heat although not sufficient heat to melt. Metal directly adjacent to the weld fusion zone is exposed to temperatures that are greater than 90% of the alloy's melting temperature in many cases. Material that is further from the weld fusion zone has decreasing amounts of thermal exposure as a function of its distance from the weld fusion zone. Often, this heat exposure at the temperature range from 400° C. up to the melting point (Tm) results in a change in the microstructure of the metal, and the area in which the change has occurred is known as the heat affected zone (HAZ). In the HAZ, the microstructure changes are often detrimental to the weld. The HAZ is commonly associated with embrittlement effects, grain growth, martensite formation and other microstructure related effects that degrade the mechanical performance of the metal. For instance, commercial dual phase (DP) steels [i.e. steels which consist mainly of ferrite and martensite phases) exhibit a range of HAZ effects where HAZ hardening is often observed near the weld fusion zone. Commercial Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels are also known for a marked increase in the hardness of the HAZ as compared to the base metal. The mechanical properties of the weld are also affected by the nature of the HAZ in any given steel correspondingly. The HAZ may affect the maximum tensile strength, bendability, and fatigue lifetime of a weld. The HAZ will affect steels differently, and different welding configurations will result in different HAZ conditions. HAZ has been observed in steel materials welded by various arc welding methods (GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, etc.), gas welding (oxy-fuel welding), various resistance welding methods (spot welding, laser welding, seam welding, etc.).
The HAZ formed as a consequence of the welding process adds another variable to consider during materials selection for automobile parts designers. If the steel cannot be resistance spot welded without the creation of a detrimental HAZ, the steel will likely only have limited uses in automobile markets. As such, steels with smaller heat affected zones or with heat affected zones that exhibit minimal effects on mechanical properties are desirable.
For many applications, there is a requirement for the steel sheet material to be coated to prevent oxidation and rusting of the material. Zinc is not used as an alloying addition to steel but is used to coat the surface of steel since it is anodic to steel and provides effective corrosion protection in a wide variety of environments. Zinc is applied to a steel surface by several techniques including hot dip galvanization, galvanneal, and electrogalvanization. Coated materials present a unique complication to resistance spot welding in the form of liquid metal embrittlement (LME). The basic mechanism of LME in steel involves the presence of one or more galvanized coatings at the weld joint interface. LME is prevalent during welding and first involves the formation of molten zinc. During welding, in the weld fusion zone, the steel is melted, which typically may occur from 1425 to 1540° C. Pure zinc melts at 420° C. and depending on the amount of alloying which occurs during the galvanization process and the specific chemistry of steel which is being coated, the resulting zinc coating has a melting point from 420 to 650° C. Thus, molten zinc will form during the welding process. The second step to LME is zinc penetration into the base steel. This occurs through diffusion and is assisted through high diffusion rate pathways such as grain boundaries, with much higher diffusivity and penetration occurring in larger grained microstructures. The third step of LME is thermal expansion and contraction during cooling which results in initial crack formation, often along the zinc coated grain boundaries and resulting propagation. The presence of the LME cracks causes an embrittlement of the weld leading to early weld failure in service.

Weldability improvements in advanced high strength steel


A linear displacement control valve comprising a valve body having a valve bonnet cooperatively engage thereto. The body and the bonnet collectively accommodate a valve trim which comprises a flow control element and a complementary spindle. The spindle is preferably attached to a reciprocally movable valve stem of the control valve via a stem adaptor. The stem adaptor is adapted to allow for some measure of “float” between the spindle and the flow control element as may be needed to accommodate any misalignment therebetween. The spindle is uniquely configured such that when used in conjunction with the flow control element, the trim is capable of providing low end flow control at a higher level of accuracy and/or wider rangeability.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flow control devices and, more particularly, to a linear displacement control valve including a valve trim outfitted with a uniquely configured spindle which is adapted to provide low end flow control at a higher level of accuracy and/or wider rangeability.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, one currently know control valve includes a plug or spindle that is linearly displaced during normal operation of the valve. Within these valves, which are often referred to as linear displacement valves, the plug is disposed and moveable within a disc stack or valve cage which defines a multiplicity of tortuous and/or non-tortuous fluid passageways. The valve trim of these valves comprises the combination of the plug and the valve cage. Certain linear displacement valves are configured for "over plug flow" wherein fluid flows radially inward into the interior of the valve cage from the exterior thereof, with the fluid undergoing a pressure drop as a result of the flow through the passageways of the valve cage. In this arrangement, the valve is opened by lifting the plug off a seat ring which thus allows the fluid to flow from the interior of the valve cage and out of the valve via the unblocked seat ring. Conversely, movement of the seating surface of the plug into sealed engagement with the complimentary seating surface of the seat ring facilitates a closed or shut-off condition for the valve.
As an alternative to over plug flow, other linear displacement valves are configured for "under plug flow" wherein fluid flows axially upwardly into the interior of the valve cage to the exterior thereof, with the fluid undergoing a pressure drop as a result of the flow of the fluid radially outwardly through the fluid passageways of the valve cage. In this arrangement, the valve is opened by lifting the plug off of the aforementioned seat ring, which thus allows the fluid to flow into the interior of the valve cage and thereafter radially outwardly through the fluid passageways of the valve cage. Conversely, the movement of the seating surface of the plug into sealed engagement with the complimentary seating surface of the seat ring facilitates a closed or shut-off condition for the valve.
Linear displacement control valves are often used to control flow and pressure in a process. However, such control valves possess certain deficiencies which detract from their overall utility. More particularly, in those applications where controllable low flow is a requirement, the valve trim is typically incapable of controlling flow accurately due, in large measure, to shortcomings in the existing designs of the plug or spindle integrated therein. In addition, in certain applications, the pressure drop in the control valve is severe enough to cause high velocity flow between the spindle and the inner diameter of the valve cage or disc stack. The high velocity flow eventually erodes the tip of the spindle, thus creating further problems in relation to low flow control using the valve. Thus, there exists a need in the art for a linear displacement control valve which is capable of providing low end flow control at a higher level of accuracy and/or wider rangeability. The present invention addresses this particular need, with the various features and advantages thereof being described in more detail below.

Liner displacement control valve including valve trim with spindle and flow control element for improved low flow control


An optical source capable of enhanced scaling of pulse energy and brightness utilizes an ensemble of single-aperture fiber lasers as pump sources, with each such fiber laser operating at acceptable pulse energy levels. Beam combining involves stimulated Raman scattering using a Stokes' shifted seed beam, the latter of which is optimized in terms of its temporal and spectral properties. Beams from fiber lasers can thus be combined to attain pulses with peak energies in excess of the fiber laser self-focusing limit of 4 MW while retaining the advantages of a fiber laser system of high average power with good beam quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical sources, and more specifically, it relates to enhanced scaling of the pulse energy and brightness of optical sources.
2. Description of Related Art
The need for, and, scalability of, high-energy, high-average power optical sources continues to grow with increasing demands in such diverse fields, including materials processing, precision drilling and machining, homeland security, energy needs, defense, oil-well exploration, remote sensors, medical technology, 3-D lithography and nanotechnology.
Practical and fundamental issues necessitate the need for novel approaches to the design and realization of next-generation optical sources. Practical issues include efficiency, size, weight and volume constraints, whereas fundamental issues include optical damage limitations and thermal and nonlinear optical effects, to name a few. Some of these constraints limit the design of the laser itself, whereas other constraints present engineering challenges to the realization of methods to, in effect, combine the outputs of lasers and optical amplifiers, which are otherwise limited as stand-alone devices.
Typically, in addition to high-power and high-energy, lasers with high-quality output beams are in demand to meet the expectations for precision processing, high-brightness applications and overall system efficiency. As an example, in many applications, a laser system that includes a coherent summation of high-quality lasers and/or laser amplifiers can provide a viable solution, yet, in general, is fraught with its own unique limitations.
The last decade has seen a tremendous advance in the pulse energy output of double-clad 1 μm fiber amplifiers. As these devices reach their single aperture damage-limited pulse energy, there is renewed interest in beam combination as a means of scaling the energy further. Note that prior art that employs an optical fiber for Raman amplification is not applicable to solving the issue of attaining >4 MW through beam combination, as the 4 MW limit is imposed by the fiber itself.
Maintaining good beam quality remains a challenge in fiber laser systems that are designed to generate millijoule class, 1 ns pulses at high repetition rates. In the prior art, the optimal approach involves design rules that conflict with one another. As an example, to achieve high-pulse-energy output from fibers, the core diameter needs to be increased to stay below the damage fluence, while the numerical aperture (NA) is reduced to ensure that only a few transverse modes are guided. On the other hand, to achieve a compact geometry, the fibers need to be bent, leading to increased radiative losses for the higher-order modes and reduction in the mode field diameter and, therefore, the extractable pulse energy. Pulse energy scaling of a single-aperture fiber laser or amplifier with good beam quality is also difficult, because long fiber lengths combined with tightly confined modes and high peak powers can trigger the onset of undesirable nonlinear effects including stimulated Brillouin scattering and stimulated Raman scattering, thereby limiting the energy scaling.
Experimental results showing significant brightness enhancement and 60-70% conversion efficiency were demonstrated by the LNL group led by Goldhar and by other groups as well. With the rapid development of bulk diode-pumped 1 μm solid state lasers and UV conversion nonlinear crystals since the late 1980's, some of the interest in Raman beam combining waned, with relatively fewer papers being published since the 1990's [Heuvel1992, Heuvel1993, Heuvel1995, Murray1999, Chulkov2006].
Beam combining approaches discussed in the literature fall into two broad categories: incoherent and coherent. In the case of incoherent beam combining, multiple free-running, uncoupled and independent input lasers are utilized. Each laser operates at nominally the same or slightly different wavelengths, with the ensemble positioned side-by-side and allowed to combine in the far field. Given that the relative phases or spectra of the laser elements are not controlled, the resultant radiance or brightness (B=P/(λ2(M2)2)) of the combined beam is therefore not any greater than that of a single laser. If the wavelengths of the individual laser elements are different and carefully chosen, it is then possible to use a dispersive element, such as a grating, to combine the individual laser elements in the far field. This incoherent approach is called "wavelength beam combining" (WBC) and has been pursued by the Lincoln Lab group which has achieved 35 W with M2=1.35 in both dimensions from 100 laser diode elements [Chann2005]. With WBC, the individual elements overlap both in the near and far field, and, consequently, the spatial brightness therefore scales as a function of the number of individual elements, N. Since the power spectra of individual elements in the WBC approach are not allowed to overlap, spatial brightness is enhanced at the expense of spectral brightness. In a key end-user application of interest, this approach is difficult to practically implement, because the required output line-width, in this case, must be less than 50 GHz.
The other major approach to beam combining is referred to as coherent beam combining (CBC). In the simplest configuration, the multiple lasers are, as before, positioned side-by-side, but, in this case, fabricated to operate at the same center wavelength and spectrum. In addition, the ensemble of laser sources are phase locked so that their fields add coherently in the far field. If the phases are controlled to within a small fraction of the wavelength, the total power and brightness scale proportionally to the number of individual laser elements. Over the past three decades, several different implementations of CBC have evolved. In one case, referred to as the "common-resonator" approach, typically, individual laser diode elements are placed inside a common optical resonator. Coherent beam combination takes place due to feedback from the resonator [Leger1987, Leger1988, Corcoran1991, Kono2000, Fan2005]. In another case, referred to as the "evanescent-wave" or "leaky-wave" coupling approach [Welch1994, Fan2005], semiconductor laser elements are placed, in close proximity to each other, so that their field distributions overlap. If the neighboring elements are in phase, then it is possible to achieve high on-axis far field intensity. This approach, however, is difficult to achieve in practice with large arrays because the some of the elements tend to combine π out of phase.
Yet another CBC approach, [Ishaaya2004, Minden2004, Fan2005, Corcoran2008, Bochove2009] which has been specifically applied to combining fiber elements is referred to as the "self-organizing" or "supermode" approach. In this approach, multiple fiber lasers are placed in a common resonator. The spectrum of each individual fiber laser self-adjusts, as the elements of the ensemble injection lock to each other and minimize the loss of the array. Approximately 10 fiber lasers have been combined with this approach, though further scaling has been difficult to achieve.
Still another major CBC implementation approach uses active feedback to control the phase of each individual element. This approach has been mainly used recently in the context of an array of fiber amplifiers (as opposed to laser oscillators) configured in a master-oscillator, power-amplifier (MOPA) arrangement, which is seeded by a common (i.e., master) oscillator. The wavelength-scale (modulo 2π) path-length differences amongst the fiber array amplifier elements are detected by heterodyne mixing of the output with a reference laser. The generated feedback is used to drive modulators that add the appropriate amount of phase to each individual laser amplifier to phase-lock the ensemble. As a result of these parallel, servo-controlled amplifier legs, the resultant path-length differences are nulled out, with the result that the waves from each element constructively interfere to produce an enhanced brightness output in the far field. [Anderegg2003, Augst2004, Fan2005, Shay2006].
In addition to the linear approaches described above, the prior art also includes nonlinear optical approaches to coherently combine laser elements. This technique is referred to as "optical phase conjugation." and uses a nonlinear optical interaction in a given medium to realize phase coherency amongst an ensemble of laser amplifiers. Examples of such optical interactions for coherent beam combining include stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) [Moyer1988, Rockwell1993, Sumida1994, Fan2005] and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). In a key end-user application, the optical pumping laser elements are necessarily broadband spectrally. Given the constraints of SBS, the use of broadband pump sources precludes the use of this nonlinear optical interaction for efficient beam combining. Hence, phase conjugation via SBS is therefore not an option.
Stimulated Raman Scattering has been studied over the last three decades. Much of the early work in the late 1970s and 1980s has been in the context of improving the brightness of UV generating excimer lasers [Goldhar1982, Chang1983, Goldhar1984, Chang1985, George1985, Eggleston1986JOSAB, Eggleston1986JQE, Korff1986, Komine1986, Reintjes1986, Fulghum1986, Partanen1986, Shaw1986, Flusberg1987, White1990]. These papers elucidate the theory of Raman amplification systems with either single or multiple coherent and incoherent pump sources, narrow or broad bandwidth pumps sources, and collinear or non-collinear interaction between the pump and signal waves. These papers also model the beam-quality of the amplified Stokes wave with moderate to severe input pump wave aberration. Experimental results showing significant brightness enhancement and 60-70% conversion efficiency were demonstrated by the LLNL group led by Goldhar and by other groups as well.
As noted above, with the rapid development of bulk diode-pumped 1 μm solid state lasers and UV conversion nonlinear crystals since the late 1980's, some of the interest in Raman beam combining waned, with relatively fewer papers being published since the 1990's [Heuvel1992, Heuvel1993, Heuvel1995, Murray1999, Chulkov2006]. The last decade has seen a tremendous advance in the pulse energy output of double-clad 1 μm fiber amplifiers. As these devices reach their single-aperture damage-limited pulse energy, there is renewed interest in beam combination as a means of scaling the energy further. Since these pulsed fiber amplifiers possess relatively high peak powers, it makes sense to re-employ the Raman effect, which is peak-power dependent, to enhance the brightness and peak power available from a single aperture.

Raman beam combining for laser brightness enhancement

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC


A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is provided. The VCO may include a first ring oscillation circuit that may have a plurality of delay cells and may output first differential oscillation signals, and a second ring oscillation circuit that may have a plurality of delay cells and may output second differential oscillation signals. The delay cells of the first ring oscillation circuit may be respectively cross-coupled to the corresponding delay cells of the second ring oscillation circuit. Each of the delay cells may include a differential amplification circuit that may output a first differential signal based on a first control signal, and a negative resistance circuit that may be connected in parallel to a pair of output terminals of the differential amplification circuit, may receive a second differential signal, may adjust the phase of the first differential signal based on a second control signal, and may then output the first differential signal.

1. Field
Example embodiments may relate to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and more particularly, to a VCO for generating quadrature-phase clock signals.
2. Description of Related Art
A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is a circuit that may output a signal having a frequency that may be proportional or disproportional to a voltage applied from the outside. The VCO may be used in analog circuits or digital circuits, and particularly, in a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, which may be employed in a radio data communication.
Examples of the VCO may include a ring oscillator and a LC oscillator, which may be selectively used according to their circuit characteristics. Recently, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) ring oscillator, which may be a highly integrated and low-cost circuit, has been widely used.
The CMOS ring oscillator may include an odd number of delay cells, and may have a ring structure in which a signal output from a delay cell of a last stage may be fed back to a delay cell of a first stage.
The total number of the delay cells of the ring oscillator may be inversely proportional to an output oscillation frequency. Thus, a 3-stage ring oscillator with three delay cells may be used in order to establish a high-speed data communication.
Two signals from among signals output from the 3-stage ring oscillator may be respectively phase-shifted by 120 degrees and 240 degrees with respect to the other signal.
However, quadrature-phase (4-phase) clock signals may be needed in order to reproduce data received or transmitted during a high-speed data communication. The 4-phase clock signals may also be needed in order to serialize or parallelize a data signal received or transmitted in a data pipeline stage of a semiconductor memory device, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
Thus, the ring oscillator with three delay cells may be suitable for transmission of data at high speeds but may not be suitable for a data communication requiring the 4-phase signals.
Either a ring oscillator with four delay cells or an additional circuit may be needed in order to generate the 4-phase clock signals that are phase shifted by 90 degrees with respect to one another.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional PLL circuit 10 for generating 4-phase frequencies. Referring to FIG. 1, the PLL circuit 10 may have a phase/frequency detector 11, a charge pump 12, a loop filter 13, a VCO 14, a duty correction circuit 15, and a frequency divider 16. In the PLL circuit 10, in order to generate 4-phase clock signals I, IB, Q, and QB having a desired frequency, e.g., 2.5 GHz, the VCO 14 may generate a clock signal having a frequency, e.g., 5.0 GHz, which may be twice the value of a desired frequency. The clock signal may pass through the frequency divider 16, which may be embodied as a flip-flop, thus generating the 4-phase clock signals I, IB, Q, and QB having the desired frequency.
Therefore, in order to generate the 4-phase clock signals, an additional frequency divider may be needed, which may complicate the construction of a circuit.

Quadrature-phase voltage controlled oscillator


In a wireless frequency and time division multiple access (FD/TDMA) communications system having time-slotted communications channels, there is provided a method of and apparatus for hopping wireless communications. It comprises sequencing slot assignments and sequencing frequency assignments, such that a multiplicity of frequencies are thereby usable at each site of a cellular FD/TDMA system without regard to local partitioning among surrounding uses thereof. The effect would be to probablistically reduce the interference, not only by the number of hopping frequencies, but by a factor of the number of time slots per frame.

Traditionally, the cellular radio spectrum was partitioned by frequency as a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system. The set of available cellular carrier frequencies was distributed among the various sites that make up the repeating reuse pattern that is characteristic of the stereotypical cellular honeycomb pattern. The frequencies were distributed in such a way so as to minimize interference from adjacent channels, and from co-channel uses of the same frequency at the reuse distance. This process of minimizing adjacent and co-channel interference is called cellular frequency planning. A variety of techniques have been developed for avoiding this frequency planning and improving capacity and trunking efficiency by striving for a "one-site repeat"--namely, that all frequencies are capable of being used non-interferingly at each and every cell site. For them to be used non-interferingly, various techniques must be employed, involving intra-cell space/time/frequency coordination and probabilistic reduction of intercellular interference.
As higher capacities were demanded of cellular systems, each FDMA radio carrier was subdivided into Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) "time slots" in a repeating frame of slots where several different subscribers use the same carrier frequency time-multiplexed to carry their compressed, digitized speech. Ordinarily, a subscriber is allocated a certain repetitive time slot on a single carrier frequency for the duration of his call.
Since these TDMA systems are so well organized in the time domain, they provided opportunities for coordination of the frequency and space domains such that "single site repetition" can be realized. Certain of these TDMA system designs contemplate frequency hopping, but for purposes of noise and interference reduction, not necessarily for achieving one-site repetition and avoidance of frequency planning. Rather than the subscriber being allocated a designated time slot per frame on a single carrier frequency, he is allocated a designated time slot and a frequency hopping sequence. The allocation of these sequences constitutes a "code", thus comprising a subset of the field of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems. To ease the burden on frequency synthesizers in subscriber equipment, these sequences typically "walk" the synthesizer sequentially through the available radio spectrum. All subscribers typically have a staggered start on this walk through the frequencies so as to be non-interfering or "orthogonal"--such that no two transmissions are on the same frequency at the same time in the same cell. If these hopping sequences are co-ordinated (spatially) with surrounding cells, the necessary coordination will have been realized in space, time, and frequency. Thus, all of the frequencies can theoretically be used in every cell, achieving a "single site repeat".
However, a problem arises from the phased introduction of these FD/TD/CDMA systems. Typically, there is initially very limited radio spectrum available for any new systems; and that meager spectrum that is allocated is typically apportioned among various competing operators in one locale. Thus, the opportunities for managing interference in either frequency, time, or space is severely limited.
This invention takes as its object to overcome these shortcomings and to realize certain advantages presented below.


A versatile distress beacon system for an aircraft, a ship or other vehicles, including a beacon and a mounting to provide the function of an automatic beacon or a survival beacon. The automatic distress beacon system includes a mounting rigidly attached to the structure of the aircraft and a beacon removably mounted on the mounting. The mounting includes an electronic management unit having a first connector to connect to the data bus and to control the aircraft to receive data from the data bus and orders to activate the beacon, and a second connector to connect to the beacon to transmit data and activation orders to same. The beacon having a memory module to store the transmitted data and a radio transmission module connected to a transmission antenna. The mounting has a detector to detect abnormal events connected to the electronic management unit, with a view to activating the beacon.

Beacons are known from the prior art which are designed to equip airborne machines or other vehicles. These beacons are activated either automatically when an aircraft accident occurs, or manually in a situation considered as critical in order to inform remote rescue means of the identification data and the geographical position of the aircraft in distress.
The national regulations fix the number and the location of the distress beacons which must be carried within each vehicle. Generally speaking, aircraft are equipped with two beacons, namely a beacon referred to as automatic and a portable survival beacon. When they are active, these beacons transmit radio distress signals designed to be received by a constellation of satellites forming for example part of the COSPAS-SARSAT system.
The automatic beacon is a distress beacon integrated into the equipment of the aircraft and connected to an external transmission antenna of the aircraft. It is generally fixed to the primary structure of the aircraft, for example under a false-ceiling. It is equipped with various functional modules, notably for triggering its activation and ensuring its identification. The electronic modules are enclosed within its housing, whereas an integrated impact detector is mounted onto the latter. It can be activated by remote control by a voluntary action of the pilot from the cockpit, or else it is triggered automatically in the case of a violent impact by means of the integrated impact detector.
The survival beacon is on the other hand removable. It is usually kept in the aircraft main cabin and is readily accessible to the members of the crew. It is designed to be taken away and/or actuated in the case of a situation considered to be critical by the members of the crew, or even by survivors in the case of an accident. It is equipped with functional modules enclosed within its housing for triggering its activation, ensuring its identification and its localization. It may also be triggered by a sensor sensitive to the presence of water.

Distress beacon system for an aircraft or another vehicle


A laparoscopic elevator to simultaneously lift the four quadrants of an abdominal cavity for laparoscopic surgery, comprising al least a lifting member for each quadrant, each of which is individually introduced into the abdominal cavity of a patient and including; a horizontal lifting portion in order to lift the abdominal wall of a the abdominal cavity of the patient; a vertical flat holding portion, at approximately 90.degree. regarding the horizontal portion; and an elbow portion which has an angular torsion to place the horizontal portion oriented towards one of the quadrants regarding the vertical portion of the first lifting member; and a holding handle which receives and holds each of the vertical portions of the lifting members.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laparoscopic elevator to lift the abdominal cavity of a patient during laparoscopic surgery without gas, and more particularly, to a laparoscopic elevator to simultaneously lift the four quadrants of an abdominal cavity to perform laparoscopic surgery.
B. Description of the Related Art
Laparoscopic surgery has been greatly developed during the last decade mainly due to the fact that surgery is performed through minimal incisions, so that pain suffered by the patient and the postoperative recovery period considerably reduced, with the subsequent saving in disability time and suffering.
To perform this type of surgery it is required to make a space in the abdominal cavity of the patient in order to introduce both the optical catheter and the surgical instruments, in such a manner that it allows the separation of the organs and optical instruments from the visceral area to be treated and, at the same time, make the surgical tasks easier.
In the conventional laparoscopic surgery, the above referred abdominal space is achieved by inflating the abdominal cavity with gas under pressure, normally carbon dioxide, using very sophisticated and expensive apparatuses.
Such a technique presents anesthetic and physiological risks which may be mortal in nature. Serious and mortal damages have also been reported with the blind introduction of needles and surgical instruments, since they may cause an injury of the intestines and large pelvic vessels.
Laparoscopic surgery aided with the inflating gas also presents some inconveniences and important technical surgical difficulties, such as the fact that requires specialized instruments which are very expensive and difficult to handle since they have to be introduced through sleeves or tubular handles with valves including elements to maintain hermetic conditions in order to prevent the escape of the gas, and the instruments have to be adapted to the gauge of said sleeves. Furthermore, it is required that the sewing needles be straight to be introduced through the sleeves or handles, making their use difficult and defective.
Additionally, because of the characteristics of the instruments which are used, these are usually of the disposable type since they cannot be sterilized to be used in other patients.
Other instruments proposed to be used in laparoscopic surgery are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,245,967, 5,390,644, and 5,271,385. Such instruments include straight flexible blades, held into a sleeve, normally for performing laparoscopic surgery with the aid of gas, whose unique function is to aid in the separation and holding of the intestines or organs, in order to "move them aside" during the surgery, but they are not suitable to lift the abdominal cavity.
A solution proposed to substitute the use of gas for making a space in the abdominal cavity for laparosocopic surgery, is to provide a hook, known as the "Maher Elevator" which is introduced through two small incisions made on the abdominal cavity, which is simply retained with a chain or string which goes to a pulley fixed onto the roof or onto an elevated position, in order to lift the abdomen, thus forming the needed interior space, such as is mentioned in the Article "Gasless Laparoscopy Useless or Useful?" published by David J. Hill, Peter J. Maher, and E. Carl Wood in the magazine The Journal of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, Volume 1, No. 3, dated May 3, 1994.
This hook provides an insufficient distention, since it is only introduced into a small length of the hemi-abdomen to be operated, and thus produces a limited space with a "utent-like" effect, insufficient for intestinal manipulation, instead of an ample space that is necessary to obtain a good visualization of the area to be operated.
Lastly, the most important advance to make a space enough in the abdominal cavity for performing laparoscopic surgery is represented by the apparatus developed by the company Origin Medsystems of Menlo Park, Calif., USA, named "Laparolift", cited in the previously mentioned publication and published in its pamphlet, that consists of two blades of diverse forms that are fixed to a holding element of an electro-mechanical elevating apparatus, and which are introduced into the abdominal cavity to lift one of the quadrants corresponding to that pair of blades, i.e., there is a pair of adapted blades to lift only one of the four quadrants.
Although such apparatus can be used to provide a space for laparoscopic surgery instead of using gas, it still has the disadvantage that requires a pair of blades to lift only one quadrant of the abdominal cavity, at the same time, providing again the "tent-like" effect which has as a result that the intestines and internal organs move filling the cavity made, thus making the surgery difficult. In addition, the blades of said apparatus are made of disposable materials and they cannot be sterilized. And last but not least, the arm that holds said apparatus cannot be sterilized because of its characteristics and for that reason it has to be covered with sleeves or plastic bags which are very poor regarding to their "sterile" requirements.
Concluding, for the laparoscopic surgery, it is absolutely necessary to provide an ample and enough space or cavity so that it is not invaded or filled with the patient's intestines or organs.
The laparoscopic elevator herein described provides such an ample abdominal space, cavity or distention, in a mechanical way, enough to perform the laparoscopic surgery with great efficiency and economy, allowing the use of the surgical instruments used in a conventional open abdominal surgery such as pliers, scissors, needle holders, sutures, etc., which provide great firmness and safety, eliminating the use of gas under pressure with all of the previously described inherent dangers, and avoiding the use of special and expensive surgical instruments and sleeves with valves to avoid deflation and preventing dangerous blind abdominal punctures.
The inventive concept of the present invention resides in providing a laparoscopic elevator to simultaneously lift the four quadrants of an abdominal cavity for laparoscopic surgery, having a cupola effect which provides an adequate visual space and room for intestinal mobilization and contention, which includes at least one lifting member for each quadrant, each of which is individually introduced in the abdominal cavity of a patient, and including: a horizontal lifting portion to lift the abdominal wall of a patient; a vertical flat holding portion at approximately 90 regarding the horizontal portion; and an elbow portion having an angular torsion to place the horizontal portion oriented towards one of the quadrants in respect to the horizontal portion of the first lifting member; and a holding handle that receives and holds each of the vertical portions of the lifting members and that is adapted to be coupled to an independent transmission arm that in turn is coupled to an electro-mechanical lifting apparatus. Such lifting apparatus is held to a suitable side of the operating table for lifting or lowering the abdominal cavity of a patient.
In addition to the advantages above described, this laparoscopic elevator has the additional advantage that, when the lifting members are introduced, one by one into the abdominal cavity of a patient, the optical catheter can be introduced with the first one, in order to observe the location of the first and subsequent introduced lifting members within the abdominal cavity, taking care that none internal organ whatsoever be squeezed, strangled or damaged, and simultaneously lift the four quadrants without having the "tent-like" effect, thus providing a sufficient and adequate space for performing surgery.
Also, because of the structure of the lifting members, of the handle and of the retaining arm, these can be manufactured from materials that can be sterilized (for example, stainless steel), and also those components which will be introduced into the patient, and everything that is used in the operative field, can be sterilized with gas, liquid or in an autoclave, without the need of using sleeves or plastic bags.
The contact surface of the five lifting members and their shape, increase the contact area with the abdominal peritoneum, which reduces the possibilities of a lesion by compression.
Due to the reduced gauge of the apparatus which is introduced into the patient, the sub-umbilical microlaparotomy can be of a reduced size.

Laparoscopic elevator to simultaneously lift the four quadrants of an abdominal cavity for laparoscopic surgery

Av. Ricardo Margain Zozaya 333, Col. Sta Engracia


A turntable and a top-pushing rod, wherein said turntable is provided pivotally at equal interval along its peripheral direction with a plurality of rod bodies, and wherein said rod bodies are provided at their ends near the periphery of the turntable with heavy blocks, while said rod bodies are engaged at their front ends near the center of the turntable with a spring that has its other end engaged on the turntable, thereby the swinging of said rod bodies would drive springs to stretch or contract; wherein, said top-pushing rod is driven by a motor such that said top-pushing rod can move reciprocally along a linear direction in which it can push the heavy block on a rod body above said turntable so as to bring said heavy block returning to the highest position of the turntable.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a power device that has a simple structure, can be operated conveniently and has low cost, characterized in that it takes advantage of a difference between left and right moments of force of a turntable to produce energy during its rotation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, as the risk of energy exhaustion on the earth is approaching, new electric power energy such as those produced by using wind, solar energy, hydraulic, or terrestrial heat has been developed constantly and actively throughout the whole world for the purpose of alleviating the combustion of the traditional energy sources.
However, any of those approaches by using wind, solar energy, hydraulic, or terrestrial heat described above has been restricted by regionalism in that, for example, those regions having lack of strong wind force throughout the year would be incapable to produce energy by means of wind force. Similarly, those regions having a plenty of rain throughout the year could not utilize naturally the solar energy. While those means using hydraulic force and terrestrial heat would mostly be occurred in exceptionally gifted areas. Accordingly, neither of those energy-producing means could be used in any regions in the whole world.
In view of the disadvantage that energy production by using natural forces is always limited to local regions, the inventor had study intensively in order to improve it, and develop, finally, a mechanical power device.


A multiwell test apparatus comprising a multiwell filter plate and having wells that fit within the wells of a single or multiwell receiver plate is provided. The multiwell filter plate also is provided with posts which fit into holes of the receiver plate. The posts and holes are shaped to fix the position of the wells of the multiwell filter plate within the well(s) of the receiver plate and to permit controlled lateral movement of the multiwell filter plate when it is partially removed from the receiver plate so that excess liquid on the wells of the multiwell filter plate can be directed into the well(s) of the receiver plate.

This invention relates to a multiwell test apparatus suitable for promoting fluid interactions such as by monitoring cell metabolism within wells of the test apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to such a multiwell test apparatus comprising a multiwell filter plate and a receiver plate which permits adding or removing liquid from the receiver plate without disturbing a material such as cells within the wells of the multiwell filter plate.
At the present time, multiwell test apparatus for testing samples include a multiwell filter plate, a feeding tray, a multiwell receiver plate and a lid. The wells of the multiwell filter plate are formed of a hollow, typically tubular, member with an open end to which is attached a membrane such as a microporous membrane. The tubular members can be inserted into a feeding tray containing a nutrient medium so that cells in the wells can be attached to the membrane and grown thereon. The cells are fed as nutrients pass from the nutrient medium through the membrane and to the cells at a rate controlled by the concentration gradient of nutrients from the medium to the cells. The nutrient medium in the feed tray is periodically replenished to maintain cell growth.
After the desired level of cell growth on the membranes of the wells has been attained, the multiwell filter plate can be utilized in conventional assay methods. These assay methods generally are effected by positioning the membranes and cells on the multiwell filter plate into the wells of the multiwell receiver plate, such as a 96 well receiver plate positioned below the multiwell filter plate or it just has to have the same number of wells in register with the cell/filter plate. The wells of the multiwell receiver plate contain a liquid composition to be assayed. The composition to be assayed diffuses into and then through the membrane. The resultant liquid products within the wells of the multiwell filter plate or in the wells of the multiwell receiver plate then are assayed to determine the capability of the composition being assayed to permeate the cell barrier.
An important component in the drug discovery and development process is the determination of the oral absorption and bioavailability of new compounds. In order to perform this evaluation in a cost effective, high throughput and sensitive assay, it is ideal to use an in vitro device with a multitude of wells containing cells, a small amount of assay material and automation. Classically, the determination of in vitro oral absorption characteristics is performed using a defined epithelium cell line and measuring the apparent transport rate of the drug across a monolayer of the cells. More recently it is possible to rank/order the passive transport rate of potential drug candidates using an artificial membrane barrier. The values generated from these in vitro experiments are valuable methods for screening the most likely successful drug candidates long before the oral absorption rate are validated by in vivo measurements. A typical experiment for determining the drug absorption characteristics of a known or unknown chemical compound is performed as follows. The multiwell device is seeded with epithelium cells on top of the filter in a defined nutrients medium. The same medium is also added to the single well feeding tray located below and in fluid contact with the device containing the cells. The cells are allowed to proliferate and differentiate over a number of days. The nutrient medium is periodically replaced with fresh medium to replenish exhausted nutrients and remove waste and dead cells. At the end of a growing time, the cells and multiwell device are gently washed with an isotonic buffer to remove protein and residual nutrient medium. At this time, the multiwell filter plate is transferred to the multiwell receiver plate and the chemicals to be assayed are introduced to either the compartment above the cell layer or below the cells and filter support in the multiwell receiver tray. The opposing chamber is filled with drug free buffer and the multiwell device is incubated for some period of time, typically at 37 degrees Centigrade with shaking. If multiple time points are desired, sampling from either compartment can be achieved without separating the device. The amount of drug/chemical that is transported across the cell barrier can be determined by a variety of analytical methods, but typically is determined using LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry).
In prior art design, cross-talk between wells occur between the multiwell filter plate and a multiwell receiver plate due to capillary forces between the outside walls of the filter plate wells and the inside walls of the receiver plate wells. These forces result in liquid in the multiwell receiver plate moving up the wall of the well to the top of the multiwell receiver plate resulting in spill-over into an adjacent well and contamination. This contamination is unacceptable.
In addition, the multiwell filter plate and the receiver plate, be it a single well feeding tray or a multiwell receiver plate must be easily separated from each other, particularly when the multiwell test plate is processed in an automated environment.
It is also desirable to remove any droplets of liquid retained on the lower surfaces of the membranes during removal of the multiwell filter plate from the liquid in the wells of the receiver plate albeit a single well feeding tray or a multiwell receiving plate.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a multiwell test apparatus comprising a receiver plate and a multiwell filter plate which facilitates removal of excess liquid from the wells of the multiwell filter plate. In addition, it would be desirable to provide such a multiwell test apparatus which prevents liquid transfer from well to well when the multiwell filter plate and the multiwell receiver plate are positioned together.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Positioning pins for multiwell test apparatus


A balloon structure includes a proximal balloon portion having a first internal volume, a distal balloon portion having a second internal volume, and a central balloon portion disposed between and joined with the proximal and distal balloon portions. The central balloon portion has a third internal volume isolated from the first and second internal volumes. A first lumen is associated with the third internal volume to direct pressure to the third internal volume for inflation of the central balloon portion. At least one second lumen is associated with the first and second internal volumes to direct pressure to the first and second internal volumes for inflation of the proximal balloon portion and the distal balloon portion. Whereby, upon inflation, the central balloon portion dilates, or delivers other treatments to tissue in the passage, with the proximal and distal balloon portions limiting movement of the balloon structure in the passage.

Current endoscopic dilation balloons come in various sizes and are generally only of cylindrical shape. The conventional balloons are made of various materials and sizes can be either one specific size or balloons can be of a range of sizes (10-12-14 mm) depending on the pressure in the balloon. Balloons are either TTS (through the endoscope) or wire guided (over a wire and outside the endoscope).
A problem with current dilation balloons is that they require the operator to hold the balloon in place. This can be difficult if the operator is dilating or positioning across a narrowed area like a sphincter or stenotic or strictured area. This difficulty is due to a few factors such as: 1) the peristalsis of the organ is constantly moving the device down the tract, displacing the balloon, or 2) the narrowed area makes it difficult to wedge in place and maintain position (balloon is annular, environment is slippery, pressure at the narrowed area exerts force to push balloon up or down.
Thus, there is a need to provide a balloon structure with anchoring portions to self-anchor the balloon structure during treatment.

Balloon structure with anchoring portions for anchoring in a bodily passage


A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analytical device includes a substrate having a porous structure, and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles embedding in the porous structure and forming a sensing region. A method of detecting a target analyte in a sample includes contacting the sample with the substrate, whereby the target analyte, if present in the sample, is concentrated in the sensing matrix. The substrate may then be analyzed using SERS detection equipment.

Detection of trace chemicals in solid and liquid samples may be achieved by methods that combine chromatography techniques with mass spectrometry. While sensitive, such methods are labor intensive, time consuming, and costly. They also require expensive and bulky equipment, and hence are not portable.
Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) offers an attractive alternative for chemical analysis. SERS is a powerful technique for chemical and biomolecular identification. Typically, a SERS analysis involves spotting a μL-volume of sample onto a nanofabricated SERS substrate, allowing it to dry, and then detecting the Raman scattering. Due to the optical and chemical enhancement of nanostructures, single molecule identification has been demonstrated with SERS.
Unfortunately, the high cost and complications associated with the fabrication of conventional SERS-active substrates have prevented the wide use of SERS. Furthermore, these substrates exhibit limited shelf life, with progressive reduction in SERS activity due to oxidation of the nanostructures (see Erol M. et al. (2009), "SERS Not To Be Taken for Granted in the Presence of Oxygen," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131:7480-1).
To make SERS more applicable, attempts have been made to combine microfluidic techniques with SERS (see Huh Y. S. et al. (2009), supra, Microfluid. Nanofluid. 6:285-297; Lim C. et al. (2010) "Optofluidic platforms based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering," J. Analyst 135:837-844; Yin Y. et al. (2011) J. Mater. Res. 26:170-185; Huh Y. S. et al. (2009) "Enhanced on-chip SERS based biomolecular detection using electrokinetically active microwells," Lab Chip 9:433-439; Measor P. et al. (2007) Appl. Phys. Lett. 90:211107; Yang X. et al. (2010) J. Opt. Soc. Am. A. 27:977; Choi I. et al. (2011) "Size-selective concentration and label-free characterization of protein aggregates using a Raman active nanofluidic device," Lab Chip. 11:632-8; Cho H. et al. (2009) "Label-free and highly sensitive biomolecular detection using SERS and electrokinetic preconcentration," Lab Chip 9:3360-3363; Han B. et al. (2011) "Application of silver-coated magnetic microspheres to a SERS-based optofluidic sensor," J. of Phys. Chem. C 115:6290-6296; Park S-M et al. (2009) "A method for nanofluidic device prototyping using elastomeric collapse," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 106:15549-15554). However, such microfluidic SERS devices introduce additional complexity to their fabrication, and may decrease sensitivity due to difficulties in the optical coupling, decreased sample volume, and the inability to concentrate the analyte by drying.
Various attempts have been made to translate the capabilities of SERS to a practical microsystem that can be utilized for routine analysis of samples in the lab or in the field (Liu G. L. and Lee L. P. (2005) Appl. Phys. Lett. 87:074101; Measor P. et al. (2007), supra, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90:211107; Strehle K. R. et al. (2007) "A Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Approach. Online SERS Measurements in a Segmented Microfluidic System," J. Anal. Chem. 79:1542-1547; White I. M. et al. (2007) "SERS-based detection in an optofluidic ring resonator platform," Optics Express 15(25):17433-17442; Quang L. X. et al. (2008) "A portable surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor integrated with a lab-on-a-chip for field analysis," Lab Chip 8:2214-2219; Choi D. et al. (2009) "Additional amplifications of SERS via an optofluidic CD-based platform," Lab Chip 9:239-243; Gamby J. et al. (2009) "Polycarbonate microchannel network with carpet of Gold NanoWires as SERS-active device," Lab Chip 9:1806-1808; Huh Y. S. et al. (2009), supra, Lab Chip 9:433-439; Wang G. et al. (2009) "Surface-enhanced Raman scattering in nanoliter droplets: towards high-sensitivity detection of mercury (II) ions," J. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 394:1827-1832; Wang M. et al. (2009) 6:411-417; Lim C. et al. (2010), supra, J. Analyst 135:837-844). In general, such SERS systems require microfabrication, and in some cases require nanofabrication to produce a surface with a metal nanostructure. As a result, chemical and biomolecular detection using SERS has been costly on a per-sample basis. Furthermore, SERS-active substrates produced through such conventional techniques have a short shelf life and must be used quickly. SERS activity of silver nanostructures has been shown to decrease drastically as a result of oxidation within a week (e.g., see Erol et al (2009), supra, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131:7480-7481; Qi H. et al. (2010) "The effect of size and size distribution on the oxidation kinetics and plasmonics of nanoscale Ag particles," Nanotechnology 21:215706). Thus, such conventional SERS systems have not been found practical for routine laboratory analysis of chemicals and biomolecules, and are not an option for field-based applications. Conventional SERS methodologies are therefore limited to laboratory settings due to their high cost and short shelf life.
Thus, there is a need for a relatively simple and low-cost SERS analytical system which overcomes some or all of the above-noted problems.

Porous SERS analytical devices and methods of detecting a target analyte


A combined handle and friction connector for a container in which a handle assembly can either be integral with a container or attachable thereto. The handle is spaced from the container by an opening for receiving the hand of the user, and has a snap-on groove for detachably connecting the handle and the associated container to a tubular support having a range of varying diameters, such as, a bicycle frame, a boat railing, a lawn mower, a broom handle, or the like. The handle assembly performs the dual function of a snap-on connector, and as a handle to facilitate the carrying of the container after being removed from the tubular support.

Various snap-on friction connectors have been provided for attachably connecting a container to a tubular member, such as a bicycle frame. Such connectors can either be integral with the container as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 596,998; 3,920,140; and 5,024,358; or as a separate connector as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,642.
While these connectors have been satisfactory for their intended purpose, their only function was to connect the container to the bicycle frame.
After considerable research and experimentation, the snap-on friction connector of the present invention has been devised, wherein the connector is an integral part of a handle assembly by which the container may be carried when not mounted on a tubular member.

Combined handle and friction connector for containers and the like


An adjustable sheave including at least one pair of annular belt grooves defining annular discoidal flange members relatively movable on an end threaded hub support through an annular adjusting ring threadedly mounted on the threaded hub support end, the adjusting ring including locking means cooperable with one of the pair of flange members to tighten and bind the threads of the adjusting ring to the engaged threads of the hub support end.

The present invention relates to sheaves and more particularly to single or multiple groove sheaves having adjustable or variable pitch diameters and including adjustment and locking ring means.
Variable pitch sheaves of the type in which adjustment of relatively movable annular discoidal flanges are accomplished through an adjusting device coaxially located on a flange support hub are generally well known in the sheave art, attention being directed to the structural arrangement of an externally threaded nut threadedly disposed within an internally threaded nut which, in turn, is threaded to the end of a discoidal flange support hub, such arrangement being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,400,294, issued to D. Firth et al on May 14, 1946. Further attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 3,043,151, issued to H. R. Keepers on July 10, 1962, which teaches a variable pitch sheave which includes an adjustment ring and a locking ring with cap screws connecting the rings for joint rotary movement of the rings and to draw the rings together to effect a wedging and locking action between the ring threads and the threads on the hub. Finally, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 2,633,031, issued to J. N. Browning on Mar. 31, 1953, which teaches a flattened hub and key arrangement; to U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,592, issued to H. R. Keepers on Jun. 16, 1959, which teaches aligning flanges, locking rings and hub keyways to receive keys and tightening screws passing through the locking rings and threaded in the flanges to cause the rings and flanges to clamp hub threads therebetween; and to U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,133, issued to M. S. Hanke on Oct. 7, 1980, which teaches a comparatively complex, cooperatively adjustable inner and outer hub means to support axially adjustable discoidal flanges with set screw means passing through aligned radial opening and slot means of the outer and inner hub means to engage a shaft extending through the inner hub means.
The present invention recognizing the comparatively large number of assembly parts required in these past arrangements and the comparative complexity in manufacturing and assembling such parts, provides a unique and novel adjustable sheave arrangement which is straightforward and economical to manufacture, assemble and maintain and which requires a minimum of parts both in single and multiple belt groove sheave arrangements. Further, the novel structure of the present invention permits for ready and easy adjustment of the sheave discoidal flanges and the enhanced locking of such discoidal flanges in a preselected position on a flange support hub to maintain a precise flange adjustment without the comparatively complex parts and tooling which has been required in the past.
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth herein.


A stabilizer is provided for a motor vehicle with two shafts (2, 3), which extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle, can be coupled with one another via a mechanical coupling (40) and are in functional connection with wheels of the motor vehicle with their ends facing away from the coupling (40). A first shaft is connected to a first coupling portion designed as a locking disk and a second shaft is connected to a second coupling portion, which cooperates with the locking disk (7) and is designed as a locking device (8). The locking device (8) has a ratchet element (12A, 12B), which can be actuated by a cam disk (11) that can be rotatingly driven by a drive source (15) against a spring means, and a blocking member (13A, 13B) connected thereto, via which the shafts are connected in such a way that they rotate in unison in a first end position of the cam disk (11) because of a positive connection between the locking disk and the blocking member (12A, 12B), and the positive connection is abolished in a second end position of the cam disk (11). The ratchet element (12A, 12B) is designed according to the present invention with two lever arms (12A—1, 12A—2, 12B-1, 12B—2), which are rigidly connected to one another and are designed with a contact area (12A—1A, 12A—2A, 12B—1A, 12B—2A) each, via which the lever arms (12A—1, 12A—2, 12B—1, 12B—2) are in contact with the cam disk (11).

A stabilizer of the type mentioned in the introduction, which stabilizer has a torsion spring rod split into two shafts, which can be connected to one another via a mechanical coupling, is known from DE 101 26 928 A1. The coupling is provided with a locking disk, which is connected to a first shaft in such a way that they rotate in unison, and on the circumference of which at least one locking area is formed. Furthermore, a housing connected to the second shaft in such a way that they rotate in unison is provided. At least one locking means, which has a design complementary to the locking area of the locking disk and meshes with the locking area in the coupled state of the coupling such that the coupling is closed and the two shafts are connected to one another in such a way that they rotate in unison, is mounted movably at the housing.
Furthermore, a spring, by which the locking means is pretensioned in the direction of the locking disk, is connected to the housing and to the locking means. A release means with a drive source, which is connected to the housing and by means of which the locking means is kept disengaged from the locking area in the uncoupled state against the force applied by the spring, is provided for switching over between the coupled state and the uncoupled state of the coupling.
However, the stabilizer known from the state of the art has the drawback that the locking means, which is guided out of engagement with the locking disk during the uncoupling operation of the coupling against the force of the spring and against an additional holding force resulting from the friction between the locking means and the locking disk, is accelerated, after the frictional force or the additional holding force has been overcome, in such a way that the locking means is abruptly disengaged from the locking disk and comes into contact with the housing of the stabilizer at a high velocity, which leads to blows that are undesired and felt as uncomfortable by a driver.