Computer-based systems, methods, and computer-program products for automatically creating three dimensional geometric models are provided. The geometric models may be used to generate finite element models for computer modeling and loads testing. Automatically creating geometric models includes generating a surface curve based on surface and parameter information at all frame locations. Stringer points are automatically spaced on the first generated surface curve based on the parameter information. The stringer seed points are then propagated to the other frame curves based on parameter information. A stringer curve is automatically generated for each set of corresponding stringer points. The generated stringer curves are automatically projected onto the surface. All points, projected curves, lines and ribbon surfaces are named according to a naming convention established by the user to facilitate the automatic importation of the CAD elements into a FEM preprocessor program.

Computer models for analyzing three-dimensional structures may take a great amount of time and money to produce. For example, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) representation of an airplane typically includes simple lines and curves representing the centerline of each primary structural element of the airplane. Manually creating such a model is slow and often repetitive, tedious work.
When a new airplane or airplane derivative concept is proposed, by engineers in the Configuration engineers, it is presented to the other engineering disciplines (e.g. Structures, Aerodynamics, Loads, Weights) as a Configuration Memo. At the same time the Configuration engineers may release a very simplified CAD model based on the Configuration Memo. This Configuration CAD model consists of two dimensional elements, with the fuselage elements on one plane and the wing elements on another. Whether this Configuration CAD model is supplied or not, the data from the Configuration engineers is generally insufficient for downstream analysis, such as Finite Element Modeling (FEM) of the airplane, and is typically slowly enhanced by addition of structural elements generated in manual CAD layouts. The development of the CAD elements, specifically a 3D "wireframe" model, may take many man-hours using existing CAD systems. The term "wireframe" means three dimensional (i.e. drawn in three dimensional space, not on a single plane) lines, points and curves that represent the centerlines of structural members
Typically the CAD model describing the overall airplane configuration is put together from separate CAD models created piecemeal by engineers who design their portion of the structure after coordination with the engineers designing the adjoining structure. Many times, however, the resultant overall CAD model contains inadvertently non-contiguous or redundant CAD elements. Such elements create problems during computerized analysis such as FEM. To solve these problems, the analyst must coordinate with the many engineers who contributed to the overall CAD model, resulting in a lot of time-consuming work to repair the model. Therefore, there exists an unmet need to quickly and easily create 3D wireframe CAD models.

Systems and methods for automatically generating 3D wireframe CAD models of aircraft


A portable wireless system is described. The portable wireless system has a controller that is operable to selectively configure the portable wireless system as a personal electronic appliance or a third party wireless repeater that is configured to relay wireless signals between a third party electronic appliance and a wireless network. Accordingly, the portable wireless system (e.g., a cellular telephone, a pager or a personal digital assistant) may act as a wireless repeater for third party wireless communications when the portable wireless system otherwise is not in use. In this way, the portable wireless system increases the utilization of existing wireless network infrastructures (e.g., a cellular telephone network) by making one or more unused wireless channels available to other devices. A novel incentives-based business model that encourages owners of portable electronic appliances to fully utilize existing wireless network capacity also is described.

A wide variety of different portable wireless systems, such as cellular telephones, pagers and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), have been developed to enable users to communicate without being tied to a particular physical location. A cellular telephone network may be used by owners of such devices to wirelessly transmit voice and data communications to others connected to the network. Examples of cellular telephone networks include AMPS, D-AMPS, GSM, and IS-95 (CDMA). Such cellular telephone networks typically include a plurality of base stations each serving the cellular telephones within their geographic area, one or more base station controllers, and at least one mobile switching center. In general, a cellular telephone network covers a specific geographic area that typically is divided into cells (or regions). Each cell is allocated one or more voice/data channels or traffic/control channels, or both. A cellular telephone network usually has a broadcast channel on which all cellular telephones may obtain system information from the base stations or measure signal strength or signal quality, or both. A cellular telephone call is handed off from one cell (the serving cell) to a neighboring cell based upon the relative signal strength or quality between the cellular telephone and the base stations of the neighboring cells.
A number of different cellular telephone systems have been proposed. For example, many different multi-mode cellular telephones that switch between different types of telecommunication networks have been proposed. In one such system, a cellular telephone is configured to switch from a cellular telephone system to a wireline cordless telephone system when the cellular telephone is within range of a cordless telephone base station. Other cellular telephone systems allow an electronic appliance, such as a handheld computer or a laptop computer with an appropriate interface card, to transmit data over a wireless cellular telephone communication channel. The electronic appliance may be cellular-enabled or it may be coupled to a cellular telephone through a wired or wireless connection.
Recently, several low-power and low-cost wireless interfaces between electronic appliances have been proposed. For example, Bluetooth is a recently proposed universal wireless interface that operates within the ISM band (2.4-2.48 GHz) and allows portable electronic appliances to connect and communicate over short-range, ad hoc networks. A Bluetooth-enabled electronic appliance may communicate simultaneously with up to seven other similarly enabled electronic appliances to form a small local radio network. Among the applications that have been proposed for Bluetooth and other wireless interfaces are a three-in-one phone, an untethered computer, and a universal remote. A three-in-one could be used as a standard cellular phone, using a wireless carrier service. The phone also could be used as a cordless phone through a Bluetooth access point that is connected to a conventional wired telephone network. Finally, the phone could also be used as an intercom with direct point-to-point communications with similar devices, without involving any wireless carrier service. An untethered computer (e.g., a laptop computer) could be connected to a network such as the Internet via a Bluetooth modem access point. The modem access point would provide connectivity to the network in the normal fashion, such as over cellular telephony channels, telephone lines, cable or ISDN, but the computer would not be connected physically to the modem. A universal remote may be any Bluetooth device (e.g., a PDA or smartphone) that could be used to query and control other Bluetooth devices within communication range of the universal remote. Still other applications for such wireless interfaces have been proposed.

Relaying third party wireless communications through a portable wireless system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The described systems and methods are directed at managing networks using network templates. Each network template is associated with a different network topology and includes parameters for implementing the associated network topology. A user may implement a particular network topology by selecting a corresponding network template. A configurator may be used to configure a network device to implement the network topology associated with the selected network template based, at least in part, on the parameters.

The process of configuring a firewall with information about network topology and security policy is often laborious and error prone. A user typically has to manually configure the firewall to obtain the desired topology and policy. This process requires the user to individually identify each network in the network topology, each relationship between networks, and each policy that is required. Such a labor-intensive process provides many opportunities for errors and does not provide feedback to the user about the level of security provided.
One existing solution attempts to reduce the labor required to manually configure a firewall by limiting the firewall to a single pre-defined network topology that is directly associated with network interface in the firewall device. However, this prior solution fails to allow the firewall to adapt to complex network topologies. The solution also fails to provide an easy and intuitive process for defining security policies.
Thus, there is a need for a reliable method to configure a firewall that is user-friendly and adaptable to complex network topologies.

Systems and methods for managing networks


Disclosed is a model engine starter including a T-shaped starterator having sloping edges on its head coupled to the crank and piston link of a model engine by a spring supported coupling pin, wherein turning the T-shaped starterator by a traction rope through a spiral power spring and flywheel causes the model engine to start working; the turning of the crank by the model engine causes the coupling pin to pass over the sloping edges without causing the T-shaped starterator to rotate.

The present invention relates to a model engine starter for causing the engine of a toy model to start working, which minimizes transmission loss of the engine.
A variety of toy models, from the earlier plastic molded models to the recent engine-operated iron alloy models, are known and widely accepted by people of all ages. The engine determines the performance of an engine-operated model. Therefore, the engine of an engine-operated model should be made lightweight and efficient. In turning the engine of an engine-operated model, an engine starter should be used. FIG. 1 illustrates the arrangement of a prior art engine starter in an engine-operated model, which comprises a hollow swivel block, a T-shaped starterator, an one-way bearing and a turning mechanism. The T-shaped starterator is coupled to the hollow swivel block and inserted in a tube of the turning mechanism supported on the one-way bearing. The hollow swivel block has an eccentric hole, which receives a coupling pin. The coupling pin has an opposite end connected to the transmission shaft of the model engine through a crank. The tube of the turning mechanism is coupled with a flywheel driven by a traction rope and a spiral power spring. Turning the T-shaped starterator by the traction rope through the spiral power spring and the flywheel causes the model engine to start working. Because the coupling pin is received in the eccentric hole on the hollow swivel block, the engine starter is synchronously rotated by the crank and the piston link as the model engine started, and therefore part of the engine power is wasted by the engine starter.

Ching Nan Hsiang, Chuan Ching Li, Taichung


The invention provides a human S-adenosyl-L-methionine methyltransferase (SAM-MT) and polynucleotides which identify and encode SAM-MT. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of SAM-MT.

Covalent modification of cellular substrates with methyl groups has been implicated in the pathology of cancer and other diseases (Gloria, L. et al. (1996) Cancer 78:2300-2306). Cytosine hypermethylation of eukaryotic DNA prevents transcriptional activation (Turker, M. S. and Bestor, T. H. (1997) Mutat. Res. 386:119-130). N.sup.6 -methyladenosine is found at internal positions of mRNA in higher eukaryotes (Bokar, J. A. et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:17697-17704). Hypermethylated viral DNA is transcribed at higher rates than hypo- or hemimethylated DNA in infected cells (Willis, D. B. et al. (1989) Cell. Biophys. 15:97-111).
Many pathways of small molecule degradation, such as those of neurotransmitters, require methyltransferase activity (Kagan, R. M. and Clarke, S. (1994) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 310:417-427). Degradation of catecholamines (epinephrine or norepinephrine) requires phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase. Hydroxyindole methyltransferase converts N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptarnine to melatonin in the pineal gland.
S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is an important source of methyl groups for methylation reactions in the cell (Bottiglieri, T. and Hyland, K. (1994) Acta Neurol. Scand. Suppl.154:19-26). Methyltransferase activity catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups from AdoMet to acceptor molecules such as phosphotidylethanolamine or the polynucleotide 5' cap of viral MRNA (Montgomery, J. A. et al. (1982) J. Med. Chem. 25:626-629).
Members of the S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase family (AdoMet-MT), utilize AdoMet as a substrate or product and harbor three common consensus sequence motifs. Motifs I and II are characteristically spaced between 34 and 90 (mode 52, median52-54) amino acid residues apart; motifs II and III are spaced between 12 and 38 (mode 22, median 20-22) residues apart. Motif I comprises part of the AdoMet binding pocket; motif II may also be involved in binding AdoMet; the role of motif III is uncertain (Kagan, R. M. and Clarke, S. (supra)).
Messenger RNA N.sup.6 -adenosine methyltransferase holoenzyme has been partially purified from HeLa cell nuclear extract to yield three subunits, an 875 kDa ssDNA-agarose binding protein, a 70 kDa AdoMet-binding protein, and an approximately 30 kDa component with unknown function. The three components are absolutely required for RNA m.sup.6 A-methylation activity (Bokar, J. A. (supra)).
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans employs many of the same methyltransferase activities found in higher animals (Kagan, R. M. and Clarke, S. (1995) Biochemistry, 34:10794-10806). A C. elegans C27F2 gene product identified as a member of the methyltransferase family has now been described (Wilson, R. et al. (1994) Nature 368:32-38).
In their roles as a rate-limiting step in methyltransferase reactions, AdoMet-MTs have been identified as a target for psychiatric, antiviral, anticancer and anti-inflammatory drug design (Bottiglieri, T. and Hyland, K. (supra); Gloria, L. et al. (supra)). Sequence-specific methylation inhibits the activity of the Epstein-Barr virus LMP 1 and BCR2 enhancer-promoter regions (Minarovits, J. et al. (1994) Virology 200:661-667). 2'-5'-linked oligo(adenylic acid) nucleoside analogues synthesized by interferon-treated mouse L cells act as antiviral agents (Goswarmi, B. B. et al, (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257:6867-6870). Adenine analogue inhibitors of AdoMet-MT decreased nucleic acid methylation and proliferation of leukemia L1210 cells (Kramer, D. L. et al. (1990) Cancer Res. 50:3838-3842).
The discovery of a new human S-adenosyl-L-methionine methyltransferase and the polynucleotides encoding it satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of neoplastic, immunological, and vesicle trafficking disorders.


Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation. The starch and cellulosic ether form the binding matrix of the sheets with the fibers and optional inorganic filler dispersed throughout the binding matrix. The starch-bound sheets can be cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheets much like paper or paperboard. The sheets are particularly useful in the mass production of containers, such as food and beverage containers.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for manufacturing molded sheets and articles therefrom. More particularly the present invention relates to sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. The molded sheets may be substituted for conventional paper and paperboard products.
2. The Relevant Technology
A. Sheets, Containers, and Other Articles
Thin, flexible sheets made from materials such as paper, paperboard, plastic, polystyrene, and even metals are presently used in enormous quantity as printed materials, labels, mats, and in the manufacture of other articles such as containers, separators, dividers, envelopes, lids, tops, cans, and other packaging materials. Advanced processing and packaging techniques presently allow an enormous variety of liquid and solid goods to be stored, packaged, or shipped while being protected from harmful elements.
Containers and other packaging materials protect goods from environmental influences and distribution damage, particularly from chemical and physical influences. Packaging helps protect an enormous variety of goods from gases, moisture, light, microorganisms, vermin, physical shock, crushing forces, vibration, leaking, or spilling. Some packaging materials also provide a medium for the dissemination of information to the consumer, such as the origin of manufacture, contents, advertising, instructions, brand identification, and pricing.
Typically, most containers and cups (including disposable containers) are made from paper, paperboard, plastic, polystyrene, glass and metal materials. Each year over 100 billion aluminum cans, billions of glass bottles and thousands of tons of paper and plastic are used in storing and dispensing soft drinks, juices, processed foods, grains, beer, etc. Outside of the food and beverage industry, packaging containers (and especially disposable containers) made from such materials are ubiquitous. Paper for printing, writing, and photocopying, as well as magazines, newspapers, books, wrappers, and other flat items made primarily from tree derived paper sheets are also manufactured each year in enormous quantities. In the United States alone, approximately 5 1/2 million tons of paper are consumed each year for packaging purposes, which represents only about 15% of the total annual domestic paper production.
B. The Impact of Paper, Plastic, Glass and Metal
Recently there has been a debate as to which of these materials (e.g., paper, paperboard, plastic, polystyrene, glass, or metal) is most damaging to the environment. Consciousness-raising organizations have convinced many people to substitute one material for another in order to be more environmentally "correct." The debate often misses the point that each of these materials has its own unique environmental weaknesses. One material may appear superior to another when viewed in light of a particular environmental problem, while ignoring different, often larger, problems associated with the supposedly preferred material. In fact, paper, paperboard, plastic, polystyrene, glass, and metal materials each have their own unique environmental weaknesses.
Polystyrene products have more recently attracted the ire of environmental groups, particularly containers and other packaging materials. While polystyrene itself is a relatively inert substance, its manufacture involves the use of a variety of hazardous chemicals and starting materials. Unpolymerized styrene is very reactive and therefore presents a health problem to those who must handle it. Because styrene is manufactured from benzene (a known mutagen and probably a carcinogen), residual quantities of benzene can be found in styrene. Finally, because polymerized styrene is relatively stable under ordinary conditions, containers, packing peanuts, and other articles made therefrom resist breakdown and therefore persist over long periods of time when discarded into the environment.
More potentially damaging has been the use of chloro-fluorocarbons (or "CFCs") in the manufacture of "blown" or "expanded" polystyrene products. This is because CFCs have been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer. In the manufacture of foams, including blown polystyrene, CFCs (which are highly volatile liquids) have been used to "expand" or "blow" the polystyrene into a foamed material, which is then molded into the form of cups, plates, trays, boxes, "clam-shell" containers, spacers, or packaging materials. Even the substitution of less "environmentally damaging" blowing agents (e.g., HCFC, CO.sub.2, and pentanes) is still significantly harmful and their elimination would be beneficial.
As a result, there has been widespread pressure for companies to stop using polystyrene products in favor of more environmentally safe materials. Some environmental groups have favored a temporary return to the use of more "natural" products such as paper or other products made from wood pulp, which are believed to be biodegradable. Nevertheless, other environmental groups have taken the opposite view in order to minimize the cutting of trees and depletion of forests.
Although paper products are ostensibly biodegradable and have not been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer, recent studies have shown that the manufacture of paper probably more strongly impacts the environment than does the manufacture of polystyrene. In fact, the wood pulp and paper industry has been identified as one of the five top polluters in the United States. For instance, products made from paper require ten times as much steam, fourteen to twenty times as much electricity, and twice as much cooling water compared to an equivalent polystyrene product. Various studies have shown that the effluent from paper manufacturing contains ten to one hundred times the amount of contaminants produced in the manufacture of polystyrene foam.
Another drawback of the manufacture of paper and paperboard is the relatively large amount of energy that is required to produce paper. This includes the energy required to process wood pulp to the point that the fibers are sufficiently delignified and frayed such that the fibers are essentially self-binding under the principles of web physics. In addition, a large amount of energy is required in order to remove the water within conventional paper slurries, which contain water in amounts of up to about 99.5% by volume. Because so much water must be removed from the slurry, it is necessary to literally suck water out of the slurry even before heated rollers can be used to dry the sheet. Moreover, much of the water that is sucked out of the sheets during the dewatering process is usually discarded into the environment.
The manufacturing processes of forming metal sheets into containers (particularly cans made of aluminum and tin), blowing glass bottles, and shaping ceramic containers utilize high amounts of energy because of the necessity to melt and then separately work and shape the raw material into an intermediate or final product. These high energy and processing requirements not only utilize valuable energy resources, but they also result in significant air, water, and heat pollution to the environment. While glass can be recycled, that portion that ends up in landfills is essentially non-degradable. Broken glass shards are very dangerous and can persist for years.
Even paper or paperboard, believed by many to be biodegradable, can persist for years, even decades, within landfills shielded from air, light, and water, all of which are required for normal biodegradation activities. There are reports of telephone books and newspapers having been lifted from garbage dumps that had been buried for decades. This longevity of paper is further complicated since it is common to treat, coat, or impregnate paper with various protective materials which further slow or prevent degradation.
Another problem with paper, paperboard, polystyrene, and plastic is that each of these requires relatively expensive organic starting materials, some of which are nonrenewable, such as the use of petroleum in the manufacture of polystyrene and plastic. Although trees used in making paper and paperboard are renewable in the strict sense of the word, their large land requirements and rapid depletion in certain areas of the world undermines this notion. Hence, the use of huge amounts of essentially nonrenewable starting materials in making sheets and articles therefrom cannot be sustained and is not wise from a long term perspective. Furthermore, the processes used to make the packaging stock raw materials (such as paper pulp, styrene, or metal sheets) are very energy intensive, cause major amounts of water and air pollution, and require significant capital requirements.
In light of the foregoing, the debate should not be directed to which of these materials is more or less harmfull to the environment, but rather toward asking whether an alternative material can be developed which will solve most, if not all, of the various environmental problems associated with each of these presently used materials.
C. Starch Binders.
More recently, many have attempted to utilize starches and starch derivatives as the binding agent or sole constituent within molded articles. One method for molding starch is by means of forming what is known in the art as "destructurized starch." In the manufacture of destructurized starch, native starch or starch derivatives are mixed with a plasticizing agent and liquified under high temperature and pressure in order to create a "hot melt" which is solidified by cooling the hot melt to below the "glass transition temperature." In this way, starch is treated like a thermoplastic material. While destructurized or hot melt starch systems sound easy in theory, in practice the manufacturing methods are quite expensive and the articles made therefrom are generally unsatisfactory and of low quality.
Another method for molding starch-based mixtures into articles involves molding an aqueous starch mixture between heated dies. The starch binder is preferably initially in an unmodified, ungelatinized state within the moldable aqueous mixture. Otherwise, the mixture would have to include far more water in order to maintain the same characteristics of moldability due to the gelation of starch and the tremendous viscosity increasing effect of gelatinized starch within water. The starch water mixtures are heated between the molds to a temperature great enough to gelatinize the starch as well as to remove the majority of the water from the moldable mixture. The resulting molded articles can be demolded, but are initially very brittle until they have been "conditioned" by placing them in a high humidity chamber for extended periods of time in order to reabsorb moisture.
Simply demolding the articles to have residual moisture has not proven feasible due to the tendency of the foamed cellular starch matrix to collapse if not sufficiently dried and hardened. However, obtaining a cellular starch matrix having sufficient strength to avoid collapse usually entails overdrying the starch. Such a conditioning is a required after molding process. While the foregoing molding process may have some utility, it does not allow for the continuous manufacture of continuous sheets, such as in conventional paper making processes.
Starch derivatives are also widely used in the paper industry as sizing agents and coatings in order to seal the pores of paper and create a smoother, less porous surface. However, conventional paper manufacturing processes universally rely on the principle of web physics, which is the intertwining of and hydrogen bonding between fibers, in order to form the bonding matrix of the sheet. The starch binders added to the paper slurry or furnish only act as secondary binding agents since most of the starch will pass through the forming wire along with the water as it is drained from the furnish during the paper-making process. Hence, much of the starch added to paper furnish is wasted. It therefore would be highly uneconomical to utilize starch as the sole or primary binder in conventional paper.
Moreover, one of the problems with starch binders is that they are generally very sticky once dissolved or gelatinized in water. While this makes them generally good binding agents, it complicates the manufacturing process since sheets or articles made using large amounts of dissolved or gelated starch binders have a tendency to stick to the mold or sheet-forming apparatus. On the other hand, unmodified starch granules are generally insoluble in water and merely act as passive particulate fillers in wet systems unless the compositions containing starch granules are heated to above the gelation temperature of the starch. However, once gelated, the unmodified starch granules will, of course, become very sticky and tend to adhere to the molding equipment, particularly heated molding equipment.
Based on the foregoing, what is needed are improved compositions and methods for manufacturing low cost, environmentally friendly sheets which had properties similar to paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal sheets.
It would be a significant improvement in the art if such sheets could be formed into a variety of containers or other articles using existing manufacturing equipment and techniques presently used to form articles from paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal sheets.
It would yet be an advancement in sheet-making if the environmentally friendly sheets could be formed from molding compositions which contain only a fraction of the water and/or fibers contained in typical slurries used to make conventional paper and which did not require extensive dewatering during the sheet forming process.
It would be a significant improvement in the art if such sheets, as well as containers or other articles made therefrom, were readily biodegradable and/or degradable into substances commonly found in the earth.
From a practical point of view, it would be a significant improvement to provide compositions and methods which allowed the manufacture of sheets, containers, and other articles therefrom at a cost that was comparable to or even lower than the cost of existing methods of manufacturing paper, plastics, or metal products. Specifically, it would be desirable to reduce the energy requirements and initial capital investment costs for making products having the desirable characteristics of paper, plastics, or metals.
It would be a further advancement in the art to provide compositions and methods which allowed for the inclusion of relatively high amounts of starch within sheets while overcoming the problems associated with the adhesion of starch, particularly gelatinized starch, to the molding or sheet forming apparatus.
It would also be a tremendous advancement in the art to provide compositions and methods which allowed for the optional inclusion of significant quantities of natural inorganic mineral fillers within the aforementioned sheets. In particular, it would be a significant improvement in the art if such inorganically filled sheets had greater flexibility, tensile strength, toughness, moldability, and mass-producibility compared to prior materials having a high content of inorganic filler.
Such compositions and methods for manufacturing the aforementioned sheets are disclosed and claimed herein.

Compositions for manufacturing sheets having a high starch content


For the manual discharge of a pulverulent medium a discharge apparatus (1) has an air pump (9), whose compressed air flow receives the powder medium via an injector (37) and a turbulence chamber (38) from a dosing mechanism (25) automatically refillable from a medium reservoir (4) and is discharged accompanied by acceleration through an outlet channel (21). Thus, with a compact construction and easy handling, the production of an aerosol for inhalation purposes or the like is ensured in simple manner.

The invention relates to a discharge apparatus for media, which is suitable for a single medium and a separately stored, identical or non-identical, flowable media, optionally having a different aggregate state, in which the medium is preferably at least partly liquid pulverulent as powdery. Appropriately, the discharge apparatus is constructed in such a way that the medium is fed or torn out of one or more medium chambers with a gas flow. The medium chamber can be formed by a medium reservoir.
Such dispensers are known as inhalers for pulverulent substances. In the latter, a powder-containing capsule is opened by destruction, and its content is sucked in with the respiratory air of the inhaling person.
Discharge apparatuses are also known in which liquid or pulverulent substances are atomized, dispersed and mixed by means of a compressed gas flow for producing an aerosol. However, the discharge apparatus must be connected to an external compressed gas source, which greatly restricts the usability thereof.
European patent application 309 010 also discloses a discharge apparatus combined with an air pump which has proved very satisfactory. However, the medium with the compressed air flow is not fed out of a chamber, and instead, the compressed air flow is merely supplied separately to a discharge nozzle, where mixing takes place; i.e., initially the medium is conveyed independently of the air flow and via a separate pump to the discharge nozzle.

Media dispenser for dispensing a dosed medium in a gas flow


There is provided a parking guidance method for a vehicle, of displaying a guidance line for guidance of perpendicular, parallel parking in an AVM synthetic image to provide parking guidance. The method includes entering a parking support mode, displaying parking type information in the parking support mode to select a parking type, displaying a parking reference region or a parking reference line with regard to a parking target space in which the vehicle is to be parked depending on the parking type, displaying a parking alignment reference line when the vehicle travels at a relatively low speed and a steering angle thereof is changed by a threshold value or more, and guiding the vehicle to be aligned such that the parking alignment reference line coincides with a parking section line based on the parking reference region or the parking reference line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a parking guidance method, and more particularly, to a method of displaying a guidance line for guidance of perpendicular, parallel parking in an AVM synthetic image to provide parking guidance.
2. Description of the Related Art
An 'around view monitor (AVM)' uses a scheme of providing view images as viewed from above the vehicle to a driver in real time. Such a system includes respective one wide angle camera mounted below the front, back, left and right side-view mirrors of a vehicle such that 360 degrees around a vehicle without a dead angle may be covered and a more stabilized parking operation may be carried out avoiding an obstacle at a dead angle. Further, since the system works both in the cases of traveling forward and traveling backward at a relatively low speed, the parking may be easy even at the time of head-on parking.
Meanwhile, in some cases of parking assistant systems according to the related art, a guidance line is displayed on a screen to support a manipulation of driving. For example, in some cases of parking assistant systems, a guidance line, parallel to a line contacting an expected outer trajectory P1 of a vehicle at the time of reverse turning of a vehicle and simultaneously spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance, is displayed to be superimposed on a screen. In this case, a driver may confirm whether a collision with other vehicles (vehicles parked at a parking space within an outer radius of turning of a vehicle) occurs, or the like, while reverse turning, through a guidance line displayed on a screen. However, in the case of displaying an expected outer trajectory P1 of turning of vehicle on an around view monitor (AVM) screen in the scheme as described above, a guidance line may not be appropriately displayed thereon due to a limitation in a view amount on the AVM screen that displays surrounding information of a vehicle in 360 degrees around the vehicle on a single screen. Further, a problem in which a driver cannot intuitionally and easily determine whether an extent of matching between a guidance line and a parking section line is precise may occur.

Parking guidance method for vehicle using around view monitor


A grain wagon includes a wheel supported frame on which is mounted a hopper or container for receiving grain, and the wagon is pulled by a tow vehicle or tractor. An inclined discharge auger conveyor has an outer section which folds between a stored position and an operating position projecting upwardly and forwardly and laterally outwardly from the container. The outer auger section has a pivotal discharge spout with a pivotal internal baffle, and the spout is actuated by a double acting hydraulic cylinder controllable through hydraulic lines from the cab of the tractor so that the tractor operator may fully load and xe2x80x9ctop offxe2x80x9d the grain within an adjacent semi-trailer as the tractor operator pulls the wagon along the side of the semi-trailer. In one embodiment, the outer section of the auger conveyor has an outer telescopic housing extension which carries the discharge spout and extends and retracts automatically with folding of the outer auger conveyor section.

The present invention is directed to an improved grain wagon of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,265 which issued to the Assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. As generally disclosed in this patent, a grain receiving hopper or container is mounted on a wheel supported frame having a hitch connected to a tow vehicle or tractor. The grain wagon includes an inclined grain discharge auger having an outer section pivotally connected to a lower section and moved by a hydraulic cylinder between a stored position adjacent the front wall of the container and a forwardly and laterally outwardly projecting position for unloading grain from the container. The outer section of the inclined auger has a downwardly projecting discharge spout through which the grain is discharged from the auger into a semi-trailer located adjacent the grain wagon.
It has been known to connect a flexible discharge tube to an auger discharge spout so that the tube depends from the spout. As grain is unloaded from the grain wagon into an adjacent open top semi-trailer, a person standing on the trailer or on the grain within the trailer can move the flexible tube so that the semi-trailer may be fully loaded and xe2x80x9ctopped-offxe2x80x9d by rounding the grain at the top of the semi-trailer. However, the maneuvering of the flexible tube requires an additional person on or within the semi-trailer or the operator of the tractor must step down and climb up on the semi-trailer. Such additional person or operator time adds to the cost of transferring the grain from the wagon to the trailer.
It has been found desirable to provide a grain wagon with a foldable unloading auger such as disclosed in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,265 and wherein the auger has a moveable and power operated discharge spout on its outer or upper end portion. It is also desirable for the spout to have sufficient movement in order to discharge the grain from the auger back and forth across the entire width of the semi-trailer in order for the trailer to be fully loaded with grain and for the grain to be rounded at the top of the semi-trailer. It is also desirable for the discharge spout to have sufficient movement in order to correct for an unloading position due to the tractor operator error in spacing the grain wagon either too close or too far away from the semi-trailer during his approach to the semi-trailer. It has further been found desirable for the power operated moveable or pivotal discharge spout to be controllable by the towing tractor operator so that as the operator moves the tractor and grain wagon along the length of the semi-trailer in incremental steps, the operator may also conveniently and precisely direct the grain back and forth across the width of the semi-trailer.
Such a structure enables the unloading auger to be efficiently operated at maximum speed in order to minimize the time required to transfer the grain from the grain wagon to the semi-trailer and to load the semi-trailer uniformly along its length. While it is known to have pivotable or adjustable discharge spouts or deflectors on grain conveyors, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,798,231, U.S. Pat. No. 1,847,433 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,995, no one has previously recognized the significant advantages of having a grain wagon discharge auger with a power operated moveable discharge spout which is remotely controllable by the operator of the towing tractor.
The present invention is directed to an improved wheel supported grain wagon with an inclined unloading auger having a moveable or pivotal discharge spout which is remotely moveable back and forth by the operator of the towing vehicle or tractor. Thus the present invention enables the operator of the tractor to direct the grain precisely while unloading the grain from the grain wagon into an adjacent semi-trailer as the wagon is pulled along the length of the trailer. As a result, a grain wagon constructed in accordance with the present invention provides for efficiently and quickly unloading the grain wagon into a semi-trailer with only one operator and in a manner that assures that the semi-trailer is fully filled with the grain and the grain is uniformly rounded or xe2x80x9ctopped offxe2x80x9d along the top of the semi-trailer.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a wheel supported grain wagon is connected to a towing vehicle or tractor and includes a hopper or container with an inclined discharge auger having a folding outer section which pivots between a stored position adjacent the container and an extended operable position projecting upwardly and laterally outwardly from the container. The outer end portion of the auger or a telescopic auger housing extension is provided with a fixed discharge spout section which supports a pivotal discharge spout section and a pivotal baffle member within the pivotal spout section. The pivotal spout section has a tapered lower end portion, and a double acting fluid cylinder extends between the fixed spout section and the pivotal spout section. Hydraulic lines extend from the cylinder down the auger and forwardly to the standard hydraulic coupler fittings at the rear of the tractor which tows the grain wagon. Thus the operator of the tractor may positively move the pivotal discharge spout section back and forth as the operator pulls the grain wagon slowly or in incremental steps along the length of the open top semi-trailer which receives the grain from the auger. As a result, the operator of the towing tractor may selectively direct the grain from the auger into the semi-trailer and back and forth across the width of the trailer to assure optimum loading of grain within the trailer. The telescopic auger housing extension is extended and retracted by a double acting hydraulic cylinder connected to operate in unison with the hydraulic cylinder which folds the outer auger section between its extended position and its stored position.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Grain wagon having an unloading conveyor with a moveable discharge spout controlled from a tow vehicle


A storage module includes a plurality of stacked cell units, in which each of the cell units has a storage cell that has a pair of electrode tabs, and a frame body where the electrode tab of the storage cell that is adjacent in a stacking direction of the cell units is fixed, and each of the frame bodies has an elastic portion that presses the electrode tab to the other frame body other than one of the frame bodies.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a storage module where a plurality of storage cells are stacked, and a method for manufacturing a storage module.
Description of the Related Art
In the related art, a storage module where a plurality of laminate type storage cells are stacked and connected in series is known. The laminate type storage cell has a structure in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, which are alternately stacked via a separator, are pinched and sealed by two laminate films. An electrode tab is derived outward through between the two laminate films. The storage cells are mechanically supported when a compressive force in a stacking direction is applied after the storage cells are stacked.

Storage module and method for manufacturing storage module


The present invention relates to a high-density ethylene-based polymer and a pipe using the same, the high-density ethylene-based polymer including: an ethylene homopolymer; or a copolymer of ethylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of an α-olefin, a cyclic olefin and linear, branched and cyclic dienes.

In general, since pipes are buried in the ground and used for a long time, the pipes need to be made of a material having excellent processability and long-term stability from deformation or breakage caused by external pressure. Therefore, high strain hardening properties are required when applying polyethylene that is generally used in pipe manufacture.
Physical properties of polymer materials, such as polyethylene, are sensitive to molding conditions, temperature, time, and environment during storage and transportation, and long-term changes in physical properties of polymer materials are still difficult to accurately predict, thus causing unexpected fracture. In particular, when polymer materials come into contact with chemical solvents, cracking may occur even under extremely low stress or strain conditions. Environmental stress cracking caused by external stimulus is a complex phenomenon including absorption and penetration of solvents, thermodynamics of mixtures, cavitation, partial yielding of materials, and the like. In particular, it has been reported that the rate of environmental stress cracking reaches 15% to 20% among the causes of fractures of products using polymer materials, and environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR) is emerging as an important figure of polymer materials.
Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is a fracture phenomenon caused by loosening of tie-molecules and chain entanglements in an amorphous phase. Environmental stress cracking resistance, which indicates the resistance to environmental stress cracking, is affected by molecular structure parameters such as a molecular weight distribution and a comonomer distribution. As the molecular weight increases, environmental stress cracking resistance increases because tie-molecule concentration and chain entanglement increase. Therefore, environmental stress cracking resistance increases when short chain branch (SCB) is introduced to increase its content or its distribution, and environmental stress cracking resistance increases when the molecular weight distribution is wide or long chain branch (LCB) is included.
Current methods for measuring environmental stress cracking resistance include a bent strip test (BST) and a full notch creep test (FNCT). However, the two methods have disadvantages of long-term evaluation time and inferior reliability of test results due to the characteristics of environmental stress cracking.
In the manufacture of pipes using a high-density polyethylene polymer, there are molding methods such as injection and extrusion, but these methods are common in that the high-density polyethylene polymer is first molten by heating and then molded. Therefore, the behavior of the high-density polyethylene polymer during heating and melting, that is, the melting property, is an extremely important physical property in molding the high-density polyethylene-based polymer.
In molding such as extrusion, compression, injection, or rotational molding, the melt properties, in particular, the melt flowability of the high-density polyethylene-based polymers, are intrinsic properties that influence satisfactory molding processability. In general, as MI, MFI, and MFR increase, the melt flowability become more excellent.
Conventional high-density polyethylene polymers used for extrusion, compression, injection, or rotational molding are generally prepared by using titanium-based Ziegler-Natta catalysts or chromium-based catalysts. The high-density polyethylene polymers prepared by using such catalysts have a wide molecular weight distribution, thereby improving melt flowability. However, since components having a low molecular weight are mixed, mechanical properties such as impact resistance are significantly deteriorated. Also, since a comonomer distribution is concentrated in a low molecular weight material, chemical resistance is deteriorated. For this reason, there is a problem in that speeding up in injection molding cannot be achieved while maintaining good mechanical properties.
In order to solve these problems, much research has been conducted into metallocene catalysts. U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,150 proposes a metallocene catalyst capable of producing a resin having a narrow molecular weight distribution using uniform active sites of metallocene and having a uniform copolymer distribution in the case of copolymer. However, since the molecular weight distribution is narrow, there is a problem that the mechanical strength is excellent but the molding processability is low.
As described above, in the case of single metallocene catalysts, since the molecular weight distribution is narrow due to uniform active sites, the application development of the metallocene catalyst system has not been progressing much in the field of high-density polyethylene polymer in which the balance between mechanical properties and moldability is important. In order to solve these problems, it has been proposed to widen a molecular weight distribution by using a plurality of reactors or by mixing many kinds of metallocene catalysts. However, there is an improvement in moldability when the method of widening the molecular weight distribution is used, but other physical properties are inevitably deteriorated. Therefore, it was impossible to obtain a high-density polyethylene polymer having excellent physical properties such as mechanical strength obtained by narrowing the molecular weight distribution.
In order to solve the problems of the metallocene catalyst, melt flowability of a polymer is improved by using a catalyst introducing a long chain branch (LCB) to a main chain of a polymer as a branch. However, there is a problem that mechanical properties such as impact resistance are significantly lower than in the case of using a conventional metallocene catalyst.
Many methods have been proposed so as to improve mechanical properties and melt flowability of high-density polyethylene polymers produced using metallocene catalysts. However, in most cases, only solutions to linear low-density polyolefins have been proposed. Also, since metallocene has a characteristic that the activity thereof tends to decrease as a concentration of comonomer decreases, metallocene is not economical due to low activity when producing high-density polyolefins.
In order to solve the above-described problems and produce a high-density polyolefin polymer having excellent mechanical strength and melt flowability and high activity, there is a continuous demand for catalysts and there is a need for improvement thereof.

High-density ethylene-based polymer using hybrid supported metallocene catalyst and pipe using same

Abstract: The pipe using the high-density ethylene-based polymer of the present invention has more superior strain hardening than a conventional polyethylene resin pipe, and thus has excellent long-term pressure resistance characteristics and processability.


A motor control circuit for controlling a motor includes a brake circuit and a control circuit. The brake circuit is for making the motor enter a braking state. The control circuit is for detecting a residual energy of the motor in the braking state. When the residual energy conforms to a predetermined criterion, the control circuit makes the motor exit the braking state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control circuit, and more particularly, to a motor control circuit for controlling a motor to stay at/exit a braking state, and an operation method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A motor has many operation states such as states for clockwise rotation, counterclockwise rotation, stationary, and braking operations. A user needs to control and drive the motor through some peripheral circuits if he/she wants to maintain or change the current operation state of the motor. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a prior art motor and a related peripheral circuit. The peripheral circuit of motor MT includes state control circuit 110 for controlling the operation state of the motor MT, a motor driving circuit composed of transistors M1-M4, and driving current detection circuit 120. The motor driving circuit composed of transistors M1-M4 is a well-known H-bridge driving circuit, supplying a driving current to a coil within motor MT so as to rotate motor MT. State control circuit 110 issues four control signals S1-S4 to respectively turn on/off transistors of the H-bridge driving circuit so that motor MT can operate in different states. Taking the clockwise rotation state as an example, state control circuit 110 issues corresponding control signals S1-S4 to turn on transistors M2 and M4 and turn off transistors M1 and M3, so a driving current IA flows into node A of the motor MT and out from node B of motor MT. In another example of the counterclockwise rotation state, transistors M1 and M3 are turned on and transistors M2 and M4 are off, so a driving current IB flows into node B of motor MT and then out from node A of motor MT. Driving current detection circuit 120 generates an error signal SE to state control circuit 110 according to a driving current passing through motor MT and a reference voltage Vref. State control circuit 110 linearly controls the conductance of transistor M3/M4 according to the error signal SE, so as to maintain the driving current passing through the motor MT at a specific value.
When a user desires to change the operation state of the motor MT to a desired state, for example, changing from the clockwise rotation state to the stationary state, the user should first make motor MT enter a braking state for a period and then make motor MT enter the desired operation state. This operation sequence is necessary to avoid damaging motor MT or transistors M1-M4. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing waveforms of control signals S3-S4 and waveforms of voltages VA and VB respectively at nodes A and B of motor MT in FIG. 1. Before time T1, motor MT is in the clockwise rotation state. At time T1, prior to enter motor MT into a stationary state for example, motor MT must enter a braking state such that state control circuit 110 issues corresponding control signals S1-S4 to turn on transistors M3 and M4 and turn off transistors M1 and M2. At this moment, motor MT does not receive any driving current from an external circuit; motor MT and turned-on transistors M3 and M4 form a short-circuit loop instead, gradually consuming residual energy stored in the motor MT. As can be expected, the residual current passing through the motor MT gradually decreases. After a period of time, motor MT is controlled to change from the braking state to the stationary state.

Motor control circuit and operation method thereof


The present invention includes processes and packaging for high voltage integrated circuits (ICs), high voltage electronic devices and high voltage electronic circuits which operate over a wide range of voltages, e.g., from tens of volts to tens of thousands of volts. The inventive processes and packaging are particularly suitable for integrating low or lower voltage circuits or transistors to form high voltage ICs, high voltage electronic devices and high voltage electronic circuits. The inventive processes and packaging are also particularly suitable for isolating high voltage electronics to achieve high breakdown voltages and for supporting high voltage operation. The inventive processes may be used with any suitable semiconductor materials using conventional semiconductor fabrication and related facilities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to processes and packaging for high voltage integrated circuits (ICs), electronic devices and high voltage electronic circuits. More particularly, this invention relates to processes for fabrication and manufacturing of high voltage integrated electronics that are capable of voltage operation in a range of tens of volts to tens of thousands of volts.
2. Description of Related Art
High voltage integrated circuits (ICs), electronic devices and circuits find many applications. High voltage ICs, high voltage electronic devices and circuits may be used to replace bulky discrete electronic components such as individual high voltage transistors, resistors and transformers. Additionally, it is desirable to integrate these generally bulky discrete high voltage components directly on silicon, in a package, or on a printed circuit board (PCB) to achieve greater miniaturization, higher reliability and lower power consumption. Such high voltage ICs, electronic devices and circuits may also reduce the size and cost of current high voltage electronics that employ bulky electronics components by eliminating at least some "pick and place" operations required of a large number of electronic components. Furthermore, there is also the opportunity to use mass production facilities and processes that are commonly used for fabricating integrated circuits.
However, high voltage electronics require careful attention to physical layouts when formed on semiconductor substrates and when mounting on PCBs. This is because the high voltages may cause arcing to nearby components, or circuit traces and thereby cause malfunction and/or damage to the circuits. Breakdown voltage, Vbd, is a common measure of an electronic component's ability to tolerate high voltages. Electronic devices having a high breakdown voltage, Vbd, are more tolerant to device failure. Thus, it is desirable to have a high breakdown voltage, Vbd, in high voltage ICs, high voltage electronic devices and circuits.
Early approaches to integrating high voltage components were focused at the PCB level. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,231 to ElHatem et al. discloses isolating discrete electrical components on a PCB having slots or other cut out shapes to prevent charge migration on the surface of the board between high and low voltage nodes in combination with potting of the surface of the PCB. The slots or other cut out shapes allow the potting material to flow around and through the board and the electronic devices. However, the ElHatem et al. approach only achieves greater densities at the PCB level.
Other approaches have been taken to manufacture high voltage ICs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,826 to Mojaradi et al. discloses the integration of a high voltage transistor by stacking any number of lower voltage transistors. As disclosed in the Mojarradi et al. patent, spiral and star shaped field plates may be used to space out the equipotential field lines to avoid voltage concentrations. Mojarradi et al. further discloses that the voltage range for the circuit may be increased by stacking several devices in series configuration. However, such series stacking configurations generally require high voltage resistors for correctly biasing gate voltages through a voltage divider network and other means. Even in integrated form, high voltage resistors are bulky. Thus, it would be particularly advantageous to have a process that also readily provides high voltage resistors for use in biasing high voltage transistors and other applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,328 to Hu et al. discloses a process for forming an oxide isolated semiconductor wafer which can include the formation of an associated high voltage transistor. The Hu et al. process includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer using oxide, forming a groove through the oxide and back-filling with an epitaxially regrown semiconductor for placement of the high voltage devices. However, Hu et al. does not appear to disclose the formation of individual circuits on a substrate, separating the individual circuits on the substrate, dicing a module from the separated individual circuits, isolating the module, making connections on the module and back-filling to further isolate the individual circuits and to achieve high breakdown voltage, Vbd.
Another approach to packaging high voltage transistors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,617 to Mojarradi et al. More particularly, the '617 patent discloses the use of a lead frame for mounting multiple individual transistors while isolating substrates to achieve electrically stackable high voltage transistors in a single package. The '617 patent also discloses that further isolation may be achieved by using an isolating epoxy to encapsulate the die mounted on the die mount tabs. The encapsulation provides further insulation because the dielectric constant of the encapsulant is greater than that of air.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,582 to ElHatem et al. discloses a method of packaging multiple high voltage devices in a multi-chip module. More particularly, the '582 patent discloses the mounting of any number of high voltage chips in a cavity of a package, electrically connecting the high voltage devices together and to a lead frame. The '582 patent further discloses the use of three coatings to provide further isolation. First, a non-conductive epoxy for mounting the devices to the cavity floor is applied. Second, a thin layer of polyimide or Dupont™ Pyralux™ is applied to the downward side of each of the devices. Finally, a die coating of Q1-6646 Hipec™ Gel die coat material is applied to the upward side of each chip to suppress arcing. However, the '582 patent warns that "it is essential to use all three coating materials, the polyimide 68, the die coating 70, and the non-conductive epoxy 72 to achieve and sustain the high operating voltages. If even one of the coating materials is missing or defective the voltage sustainable by the packaging drops dramatically and reliability of the parts will be severely downgraded." Col. 4, II. 6-11.
Accordingly, there still exists a need in the art for processes and packaging for integrating lower voltage electronic devices to form high voltage integrated circuits, high voltage electronic devices and circuits.

Processes and packaging for high voltage integrated circuits, electronic devices, and circuits


A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28–37) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller (26) that controls a distributed brake pressure to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), and a yaw rate sensor (20). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using brake pressure distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.

Dynamic control systems for automotive vehicles have recently begun to be offered on various products. Dynamic control systems typically control the yaw of the vehicle by controlling the braking effort at the various wheels of the vehicle. Yaw control systems typically compare the desired direction of the vehicle based upon the steering wheel angle and the direction of travel. By regulating the amount of braking at each corner of the vehicle, the desired direction of travel may be maintained. Typically, the dynamic control systems do not address roll of the vehicle. For high profile vehicles in particular, it would be desirable to control the roll over characteristic of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle position with respect to the road. That is, it is desirable to maintain contact of each of the four tires of the vehicle on the road.
Vehicle rollover and tilt control (or body roll) are distinguishable dynamic characteristics. Tilt control maintains the vehicle body on a plane or nearly on a plane parallel to the road surface. Roll over control is maintaining the vehicle wheels on the road surface. One system of tilt control is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,943. The '943 patent uses the combination of yaw control and tilt control to maintain the vehicle body horizontal while turning. The system is used in conjunction with the front outside wheels only. To control tilt, a brake force is applied to the front outside wheels of a turn. One problem with the application of a brake force to only the front wheels is that the cornering ability of the vehicle may be reduced. Another disadvantage of the system is that the yaw control system is used to trigger the tilt control system. During certain vehicle maneuvers, the vehicle may not be in a turning or yawing condition but may be in a rollover condition. Such a system does not address preventing rollover in a vehicle.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a roll stability system that detects a potential rollover condition as well as to provide a system not dependent upon a yaw condition.

Roll over stability control for an automotive vehicle


The present invention relates to novel bacteria and the uses thereof. The invention particularly relates to Deinococcus bacteria and their use in the pharmaceutical or agro-chemical industries, e.g., for degrading biomass and/or producing metabolites or drugs of industrial interest.

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass has been the subject of intense research efforts since the 1970s (Blumer-Schuette et al., 2008, Extremely thermophilic microorganisms for biomass conversion: status and prospects, Curr Opinion Biotechnol 19, pp. 210-217; Perez et al., 2002, Int Microbiol 5, pp 53-63). It is believed, however, that future biofuels or bioenergy products should originate from raw lignocellulosic biomass, instead of from agricultural feedstocks.
WO2009/063079 describes the use of stress-resistant bacteria such as Deinococcus bacteria for the production of bioenergy products and metabolites through degradation and fermentation of biomass. WO2010081899, unpublished at the priority date of the present application, discloses the ability of bacteria such as Deinococcus bacteria to produce valuable drugs, including antibiotics.
By pursuing their research towards the identification of bacteria having improved properties, the inventors have identified and isolated a particular bacterium of the Deinococcus species, termed M1-3H. This bacterium was isolated and selected by the inventors based on its remarkable ability to degrade biomass components and to generate metabolites. By analysing this bacterium in more details, the inventors have surprisingly found that its genome was very large, i.e., above 4 megabases long (Mb), in comparison to the genome size of classical Deinococcus bacterium. Indeed, the average size of the genome of a Deinococcus bacterium is around 3.0 Mb. Furthermore, the inventors have also surprisingly found that the genome of this bacterium contains a substantial degree of genomic diversity, i.e., substantial level of genetic material acquired by genetic transfer from diverse other species.
Several bacteria of the genus Deinococcus have been sequenced: Deinococcus radiodurans (White O et al., Science 1999 Nov. 19; 286(5444):1571-7), Deinococcus geothermalis (Makarova K S et at PLoS One. 2007 Sep. 26; 2(9):c955) and Deinococcus deserti (De Groot A. et al., PLoS Genet. 2009 March; 5(3): c1000434). None of these bacteria exhibit the properties of M1-3H.
The present invention thus describes, for the first time, the existence of bacteria related to Deinococcus having the unexpected properties (1) to display a genome substantially larger than the known Deinococcus species, and (2) to have acquired genetic diversity from diverse other species. The present invention also describes, for the first time, the existence of bacteria related to Deinococcus having the unexpected properties (1) to display a genome substantially smaller than the known Deinococcus species, and (2) to have acquired genetic diversity from diverse other species. These bacteria, as well as their uses, represent the subject matter of the present invention.

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)


In a method of forming a semiconductor structure, different sections of a dielectric layer are etched at different stages during processing to form a first gate sidewall spacer for a first FET (e.g., a NFET) and a second gate sidewall spacer for a second FET (e.g., a PFET) such that the first and second gate sidewall spacers are symmetric. Raised source/drain regions for the first FET are formed immediately following first gate sidewall spacer formation and raised source/drain regions for the second FET are formed immediately following second gate sidewall spacer formation. Since the gate sidewall spacers of the two FETs are symmetric, the source/drain junctions of the two FETs will also be symmetric. Additionally, due to an etch stop layer formed on the raised source/drain regions of the first FET, but not the second FET, different metal silicides on the raised source/drain regions of the different FETs.

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure with N-type and P-type field effect transistors (FETs) having symmetric source/drain junctions and, optionally, dual silicides.
Generally, CMOS structures incorporate FETS having different type conductivities (e.g., a N-type field effect transistor (NFET) and a P-type field effect transistor (PFET)). Because P-type and N-type FETs are different in many respects, oftentimes a first region of a substrate (e.g., a region on which NFET(s) are being formed) undergoes processing, while a second region of the substrate (e.g., a region on which PFET(s) are being formed) is masked (e.g., with a lithographically patterned photoresist mask) and vice versa. For example, during epitaxial deposition of raised source/drain regions on FET(s) in the first region, the second region may be masked, and vice-versa. By using discrete epitaxial deposition processes, different dopants, which are optimal for the specific type conductivity of the FET(s) being formed, can be used to in situ dope the raised source/drain regions. Similarly, during metal silicide formation on the source/drain regions of FET(s) in the first region, the second region can be masked and vice-versa. By using discrete metal silicide formation processes, different metals, which are optimal for the specific type conductivity of the FET(s) being formed, can be used. However, using multiple masks and, particularly, photoresist masks and performing discrete processing on different regions of a substrate increase manufacturing costs and overall processing time. Additionally, performing discrete epitaxial deposition processes to form raised source/drain regions, as described above, inherently results in a CMOS structure wherein the NFET(s) and PFET(s) have gate sidewall spacers that are asymmetric (i.e., wherein the gate sidewall spacers on the NFET(s) have a different width than the gate sidewall spacers on the PFET(s)). Consequently, the NFET(s) and PFET(s) have source/drain junctions that are also asymmetric (i.e., have source/drain junctions with different lengths and, thereby different resistances).

Method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor structure with N-type and P-type field effect transistors having symmetric source/drain junctions and optional dual silicides


Methods for making metal matrix composite articles such as wires and tapes. The metal matrix composites include a plurality of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers in a metal matrix. The fibers are selected from the group of ceramic fibers, boron, carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention pertains to a method for making metal matrix composites reinforced with substantially continuous fibers within a metal matrix.
Metal matrix composite""s (MMC""s) have long been recognized as promising materials due to their combination of high strength and stiffness combined with low weight. MMC""s typically include a metal matrix reinforced with fibers. Examples of metal matrix composites include aluminum matrix composite wires (e.g., silicon carbide, carbon, boron, or polycrystalline alpha alumina fibers in an aluminum matrix), titanium matrix composite wires and tapes (e.g., silicon carbide fibers in a titanium matrix), and copper matrix composite tapes (e.g., silicon carbon fibers in a copper matrix).
The presence of imperfections in the wire such as intermetallic phases, dry (i.e., uncoated) fiber, porosity as a result, for example, of shrinkage or internal gas (e.g., hydrogen or water vapor) voids, etc. are known to decrease properties such as strength the of the wire. These imperfections can result from impurities in constituents (i.e., material of the metal matrix and the fiber), incompatibility of constituents, as well as incomplete infiltration of the matrix material into fibers.
The use of some metal matrix composite wires as a reinforcing member in bare overhead electrical power transmission cables is of particular interest. The need for new materials in such cables is driven by the need to increase the power transfer capacity of existing transmission infrastructure due to load growth and changes in power flow due to deregulation.
The availability of a wider variety of wires, including a variety of different wire diameters, is desirable in providing greater design variation in cable constructions. For example, a wider variety of wires of different diameter can provide cables within a wider range of diameters, as well as a wider range of stiffness or flexibility. A wider range of diameters also allows for a wider range of cable designs, such as larger cable diameter, as well as simplicity of manufacture of cables. Thus, there is a need for a process of making a substantially continuous metal matrix composite wire with relatively large diameter.
Further, there is a continuing need for methods for making metal matrix composite articles such as wires and tapes having desired or enhanced performance characteristics such as high strength.
The present invention relates to continuous methods for making substantially continuous fiber metal matrix composites. Embodiments of the present invention pertain a method for making metal matrix composites (e.g., composite wires) having a plurality of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers contained within a metal matrix. The infiltration in the methods according to the present invention is conducted substantially at atmospheric pressure (about 1 atmosphere), as opposed to pressure infiltration methods for making metal matrix composite materials. Metal aluminum matrix composites made according to the present invention preferably exhibit desirable properties with respect to elastic modulus, density, coefficient of thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, and strength.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for making a continuous, elongated metal matrix composite article (e.g., wires and tapes), the method comprising:
providing a contained volume of molten metallic matrix material; evacuating a plurality of at least one of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned ceramic, boron, or carbon fibers in a vacuum;
immersing the evacuated plurality of substantially continuous fibers into the contained volume of molten metallic matrix material, wherein the evacuated plurality of substantially continuous fibers is introduced under a vacuum into the molten metallic material;
imparting ultrasonic energy to cause vibration of at least a portion of the contained volume of molten metal matrix material to permit at least a portion of the molten metal matrix material to infiltrate into the plurality of fibers such that an infiltrated plurality of fibers is provided; and
withdrawing the infiltrated plurality of fibers from the contained volume of molten metallic matrix material under conditions which permit the molten metallic matrix material to solidify to provide a continuous, elongated metal composite article comprising a plurality of at least one of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned ceramic, boron, or carbon fibers in a metal matrix.
Preferably, the plurality of fibers are in the form of a tow(s).
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for making a continuous, elongated metal composite article (e.g., wires and tapes), the method comprising:
providing a contained volume of molten metallic matrix material (e.g., aluminum);
immersing a plurality of at least one of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned ceramic, boron, or carbon fibers into the contained volume of molten metallic matrix material;
imparting ultrasonic energy to cause vibration of at least a portion of the contained volume of molten metal matrix material to permit at least a portion of the molten metal matrix material to infiltrate into the plurality of fibers such that an infiltrated plurality of fibers is provided, wherein the molten metallic matrix material has a hydrogen content less than 0.2 cm3/100 grams (preferably, less than 0.15 cm3/100 grams, more preferably, less than 0.1 cm3/100 grams) of metal (e.g., aluminum); and
withdrawing the infiltrated plurality of fibers from the contained volume of molten metallic matrix material under conditions which permit the molten metallic matrix material to solidify to provide a continuous, elongated metal composite article comprising a plurality of at least one of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned ceramic, boron, or carbon fibers in a metal matrix.
Preferably, the plurality of fibers are in the form of a tow(s).
In another aspect, articles made by a method according to the present invention preferably has a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more). In another aspect, articles made according to a method of the present invention preferably have a minimum dimension of at least 2.5 mm (more preferably, at least 3 mm or 3.5 mm) over a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more). Certain preferred metal matrix composite articles made by a method according to the present invention have a have a minimum dimension in the range from about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm over a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more).
In another aspect, wire made by a method of the present invention preferably has a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more). In another aspect, wire made by a method according the present invention preferably has a diameter of at least 2.5 mm (more preferably, at least 3 mm or 3.5 mm) over a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more). Certain preferred metal matrix composite wires made by the method of the present invention have a diameter in the range from about 2.5 mm to about 4 mm over a length of at least 10 meters (preferably, at least 25 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 500 meters, 600 meters, 700 meters, 800 meters, 900 meters, 1000 meters, or more).
As used herein, the following terms are defined as:
xe2x80x9cSubstantially continuous fiberxe2x80x9d means a fiber having a length that is relatively infinite when compared to the average fiber diameter. Typically, this means that the fiber has an aspect ratio (i.e., ratio of the length of the fiber to the average diameter of the fiber) of at least about 1xc3x97105, preferably, at least about 1xc3x97106, and more preferably, at least about 1xc3x97107. Typically, such fibers have a length on the order of at least about 50 meters, and may even have lengths on the order of kilometers or more, and for articles less than 50 meters in length, the length of the fibers is typically the length of the composite article.
xe2x80x9cLongitudinally positionedxe2x80x9d means that the fibers are oriented in the same direction as the length of the wire.

Method of making metal matrix composites


A magnetic connection system suitable for use with a wireless ultrasound probe which utilizes a plurality of magnets to facilitate coupling between said probe and a diagnostic or clinical device in a manner which minimizes the effects of stray magnetic fields on the device.

One of the long-time disadvantages of medical diagnostic ultrasound, particularly for sonographers, is the cable that connects the scanning probe to the ultrasound system. These cables are long and often thick due to the need to contain many coaxial lines from the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of transducer elements in the probe. As a consequence, these probe cables can be cumbersome to deal with and can be heavy. Some sonographers try to deal with the cable problem by draping the cable over an arm or shoulder for support while scanning. This can lead to repetitive stress injuries in many cases. Another problem is that the probe cable can contaminate the sterile field of an image-guided surgical procedure. Furthermore, these probe cables are rather expensive, often being the most expensive component of the probe. Thus, there is a long-felt desire to rid diagnostic ultrasound of probe cables.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,946 (Hwang et al.) describes an ultrasound probe and system which do just that. This patent describes a battery-powered array transducer probe with an integral beamformer. A transceiver sends acquired ultrasound data to an ultrasound system serving as its base station. Image processing and display is done on the ultrasound system.
While a wireless ultrasound probe frees the user of the inconvenience of a cable, there are situations where a cable may be needed or desired for a wireless probe. For example, a cable could be used to recharge the battery in the probe. If the battery runs low during a scanning procedure, a cable could provide the means to power the wireless probe while the procedure is completed. In other instances a user may prefer to have a probe tethered to the ultrasound system for various reasons. A cable may enable a procedure to proceed when the wireless link does not seem to be operating properly. Accordingly it is desirable to have a cable for performing these functions should these situations or circumstances arise.
Published Patent Application WO 2008/146205 A1 (U.S. Ser. No. 60/941,427 (the '427 application)), the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein, describes a wireless ultrasound probe which is selectively coupled to a host system by a cable. The host system can be used solely to power the wireless probe or recharge the battery of the probe. The host system can also be the system which processes or displays the image data produced by the wireless probe and the cable can be used to provide the image data to the host system by wire in the event of difficulties with the wireless data link.
In an example described in the '427 application, a wireless probe is selectively coupled to the host system cable using a magnetic, hermetically sealed connector system. This connector system provides for a break-away "quick connect-disconnect" connection between the probe and the host system cable.

Magnetic diagnostic probe connector system


An intermediate transfer media such as a belt that includes a poly(vinylalkoxysilane) surface treated carbon black.

Disclosed are intermediate transfer members, and more specifically, intermediate transfer members useful in transferring a developed image in an electrostatographic, for example xerographic, including digital, image on image, and the like, printers, machines or apparatuses. In embodiments, there are selected intermediate transfer members comprised of surface treated carbon black, which is subsequently dispersed in a polymer solution, such as a polyamic acid solution illustrated in copending applications U.S. application Ser. No. 12/129,995, U.S. Publication No. 20090297232, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/181,354, U.S. Publication No. 20100028700, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. The carbon black can be treated with, for example, a poly(vinyltrialkoxysilane), and more specifically, a poly(vinyltriethoxysilane) (VTES), formed by the free radical polymerization of a vinyltrialkoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and the like.
A number of advantages are associated with the intermediate transfer member and belt (ITB) of the present disclosure, such as excellent primary size and aggregate size for the surface treated carbon black; dimensional stability; acceptable conductivities; a variety of formulation latitudes for the disclosed ITB as compared to an ITB with an untreated carbon black; ITB humidity insensitivity for extended time periods; excellent dispersability in a polymeric solution; low and acceptable surface friction characteristics; and a simplified economic ITB formation.
In a typical electrostatographic reproducing apparatus, a light image of an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member, and the latent image is subsequently rendered visible by the application of electroscopic thermoplastic resin particles and colorant, which are commonly referred to as toner. Generally, the electrostatic latent image is developed by bringing a developer mixture into contact therewith. The developer mixture can comprise a dry developer mixture, which usually comprises carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto, or a liquid developer material, which may include a liquid carrier having toner particles, dispersed therein. The developer material is advanced into contact with the electrostatic latent image and the toner particles are deposited thereon in image configuration. Subsequently, the developed image is transferred to a copy sheet. It can be advantageous in some situations to transfer the developed image to a coated intermediate transfer web, belt or component, and subsequently transfer with high transfer efficiency the developed image from the intermediate transfer member to a permanent substrate, followed by fixing.
In electrostatographic printing machines wherein the toner image is electrostatically transferred by a potential difference between the imaging member and the intermediate transfer member, the transfer of the toner particles to the intermediate transfer member and the retention thereof should be substantially complete so that the image ultimately transferred to the image receiving substrate will have a high resolution. Substantially about 100 percent toner transfer occurs when most or all of the toner particles comprising the image are transferred and little residual toner remains on the surface from which the image was transferred.
Intermediate transfer members permit a number of advantages such as enabling high throughput at modest process speeds, excellent registration of the final color toner image in color systems using synchronous development of one or more component colors using one or more transfer stations, and increasing the range of final substrates that can be used. However, a disadvantage of using an intermediate transfer member is that a plurality of transfer steps occurs allowing for the possibility of charge exchange occurring between toner particles and the transfer member which ultimately can lead to less than complete toner transfer. The result is low resolution images on the image receiving substrate and image deterioration. When the image is in color, the image can additionally suffer from color shifting and color deterioration.
In embodiments, the resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is within a range to allow for sufficient transfer. It is also desired that the intermediate transfer member has a controlled resistivity, wherein the resistivity is substantially unaffected by changes in humidity, temperature, bias field, and operating time. In addition, a controlled resistivity is of value so that a bias field can be established for electrostatic transfer. Also, it is of value that the intermediate transfer member not be too conductive as air breakdown can possibly occur.
Attempts at controlling the resistivity of intermediate transfer members have been accomplished by, for example, adding conductive fillers, such as ionic additives and/or carbon black, to the outer layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,034 discloses the use of a fluorinated carbon filler in a polyimide intermediate transfer member layer. However, there are disadvantages associated with the use of such additives, such as the undissolved particles frequently bloom or migrate to the surface of the polyimide polymer and cause known imperfections in this polymer. This leads to nonuniform resistivity, which can cause poor antistatic properties and poor mechanical strength. More specifically, the ionic additives on the ITB surface may interfere with toner release; bubbles may appear in the conductive polymer, some of which can only be seen with the aid of a microscope, and others of which are large enough to be observed with the naked eye. These bubbles result in poor or nonuniform electrical properties and poor mechanical properties.
In addition, the ionic additives themselves are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and operating time. These sensitivities often limit the ITB resistivity range. For example, the ITB resistivity usually decreases by up to two orders of magnitude or more as the humidity increases from about 20 percent to 80 percent relative humidity. This effect limits the operational or process latitude.
Moreover, ion transfer can also occur in these systems. The transfer of ions leads to charge exchanges and insufficient transfers, which in turn causes low image resolution and image deterioration, thereby adversely affecting the copy quality. In color systems, additional adverse results include color shifting and color deterioration. Ion transfer also increases the resistivity of the polymer member after repetitive use. This can limit the process and operational latitude, and eventually the ion-filled polymer member will be unusable.
Therefore, it is desired to provide a weldable intermediate transfer belt which has excellent transfer capability. It is also desired to provide a weldable intermediate transfer belt that may not have puzzle cut seams, but instead, has a weldable seam, thereby providing a belt or member other than a belt that can be manufactured without such labor intensive steps as manually piecing together the puzzle cut seam with ones fingers, and without the lengthy high temperature and high humidity conditioning steps.

Treated carbon black intermediate transfer components


Described herein is a system which uses a gene therapy particle that includes at least one gene, cDNA, fragment or analogue of at least one neurotropin that binds to the trkB receptor or the trkB receptor itself. The gene therapy particle is capable of being delivered to a subject in need thereof for therapy of a metabolic disorder. In a particular aspect, this invention is directed to an inventive method that demonstrates a remarkable efficacy on lowering body weight.

Obesity and the related condition, syndrome X (or metabolic syndrome) represent two of the most significant causes of morbidity in the western world, and their incidences are growing rapidly. Lifestyle and non-pharmacological approaches have limited efficacy, and particularly in the megaobese (30% or greater of ideal body weight, IBW), pharmacological treatments are being used including stimulants, appetite suppressants and drugs that interfere with fat absorption. Moreover, bariatric surgery has increased dramatically reflecting just how problematic and refractory severe obesity is to alternative less invasive strategies. Bariatric surgery is often effective but comes with significant morbidity in its own right, hence there is a need for a safer and more effective approach.
Gene expression studies have been conducted in the hypothalamus of animals which lived in an optimized enriched environment (where such animals have increased physical and social activity which results in a much healthier and resilient animal). These animals have improved insulin sensitivity, have reduced fat mass and, despite ad libitum food, do not gain weight to obese levels as do control standard housed animals. The inventors' previous gene expression studies showed a consistent elevation in BDNF in the hypothalamus at 2, 4 and 9 weeks of enrichment. Many other genes changed at various timepoints of enrichment but were not consistently upregulated.
There is a need, therefore, for a method to regulate the metabolic and related disorders without the drawbacks associated with the currently recommended treatments.
Considering the above-mentioned, there is also a need for therapeutic strategies to treat such metabolic and related disorders.

Treatment of metabolic-related disorders using hypothalamic gene transfer of BDNF and compositions therefor