A gases delivery conduit for the supply of humidified medical gases as formed from an extruded plastic tube. The extruded plastic tube includes at least one heating element embedded within the wall of the tube. The heating element includes a pair of electrical conductors separated by a positive temperature coefficient material wherein the localised resistance of the material is positively related to the localised temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to conduits for the delivery of gases, and in particular to conduits for the delivery of gases to patients in a medical environment.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
Many methods are known in the art for supplying humidified gases to a patient requiring breathing assistance. It is known in the art to provide a heater to minimise condensation on the internal surfaces of the conduit. In that regard it is known to provide a plain or coiled heater wire within the lumen of the conduit, such an embodiment being illustrated in for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,730. In this case the heater wire is disposed within the gases flow and maintain the temperature of the gases flow to reduce condensation. It is also known to provide a heater wire on the conduit, for example disposed helically on the outer wall of the conduit as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,061. This heats the conduit wall, to in turn heat the gases flowing through the lumen of the conduit.
While these heated wall conduits are reasonably effective there is still room for improvement. Furthermore, the forming method involves winding the conduit from a thin narrow tape applied to a mandrel with adjacent turns overlapping. This forming method is comparatively slow, making these conduits expensive to manufacture.


An MRI apparatus having a calibration pulse sequence, wherein a group of pulse sequences for applying test gradient magnetic fields are established from a basic pulse sequence by a gradient echo method of short TR, a group of pulse sequences not applying test gradient fields are established from the basic pulse sequence, a set of three- or four-dimensional data including a time variable is created by using echo signals collected by at least one of the groups, two data sets are created as a whole by inverting the polarity of the test gradient magnetic field, the difference between phase images thereof is determined, the magnitude and time constant of eddy current induced at the fall or rise of the gradient magnetic field are determined from the phase difference image, and the variation of the magnetic field due to eddy current induced at the rise and/or fall of the gradient magnetic field can be measured in a relatively short time with a desired time resolution even if the magnetic field variation is of a very long time constant.

An MRI apparatus utilizes a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon to measure various parameters of atomic nuclei (usually proton) in any desired regions of a subject. Typically, a high frequency magnetic field is applied to the subject placed in homogeneous static magnetic field to obtain a tomographic image of the region from nuclear magnetic resonance signals (echo signals) induced thereby. In order to select a specific region, a gradient magnetic field is applied together with the high frequency magnetic field and further, in order to provide correct positional information for the echo signals measured, it is necessary to correctly control the application time and intensity of the gradient magnetic field.
However, actually due to the gradient magnetic field application, currents with damping property are induced in a variety of structural bodies around gradient magnetic coils. Such current induced with damping property is called as eddy current, which shows a different time constant component depending on types of magnets used for static magnetic field generation. For example, a time constant of a permanent magnet type apparatus is about 1 sec. and a time constant of a superconductive magnet type apparatus reaches up to about 2 sec. These eddy currents generate magnetic field varying spatially and temporally and cause to deviate the gradient magnetic field sensed by nuclear spins in the subject from an ideal condition. Thereby, reduction of image quality such as image distortion, signal intensity reduction and ghosting is induced.
In order to prevent such image quality reduction due to eddy currents, a method has been developed, in which the spatially and temporally varying magnetic field is measured and the magnetic field variation is compensated. For example, JP-A-10-272120 discloses a technology in which a phantom is disposed in a static magnetic field space, after applying a test gradient magnetic field a high frequency pulse is applied, NMR signals caused thereby are measured, magnetic field variation due to eddy currents caused by the application of the test gradient field is measured along with discrete time lapse, compensation currents for compensating the magnetic field variation are respectively determined and an influence affected to the magnetic field by the gradient field applied at the time when taking an image of a subject is avoided.
In the above method, after applying the test gradient magnetic field, nuclear spins in the phantom are excited by high frequency (RF) pulses and phase encoded free induction decay signals (FID signals) are sampled in a predetermined period. The measurement of the FID signals is repeated by varying the phase encode amount and a set of data of two dimensions or three dimensions is obtained. The FID signals contain, other than the eddy currents induced by the test gradient magnetic field, influences of inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field and eddy current due to the phase encoding gradient magnetic field. Thus, by changing the polarity of the test gradient magnetic field, a similar measurement is performed to obtain another set of data, through taking difference of the two sets of data obtained in the two measurements, the influences of inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field and eddy current due to the phase encoding gradient magnetic field are avoided. Thus, a phase difference image, which only contains the influence of eddy currents induced by the test gradient magnetic field, is obtained. Based on the phase difference image, magnitudes of the eddy currents are resolved spatially and temporally and their time constants are calculated and compensation currents to be flown in the gradient magnetic field coils and shim coils are calculated.
As has been explained above, in the conventional method, the following operation is repeated, in that after applying the test gradient magnetic field, the RF pulses of non-selectivity are applied, the phase encoding is performed in three axial directions, the FID signals are sampled along time lapse and four dimensional data containing time axis are obtained.
However, since the FID signals measured with the conventional art decay according to lapse of time, a level of NMR signals for measuring an eddy current having a long time constant reduces according to time, namely, since S/N reduces according to lapse of time, it is afraid that the measurement accuracy of eddy currents having a long time constant will be reduced.
Further, the eddy currents induced by the application of the gradient magnetic field are caused when the gradient magnetic field rises and falls and differences in the induced currents at the time when rising and falling of the gradient magnetic field application is sometimes caused due to such as vibration of structural bodies of magnet disposed around the gradient magnetic field coils. However, the measurement object in the above conventional art is limited only to the eddy current components induced at the time when the gradient magnetic field falls, and the conventional art does not disclose to measure the influence to the magnetic field due to the eddy current component induced when the gradient magnetic field rises and to compensate the same.
An object of the present invention is to provide an MRI apparatus which measures the eddy current components having a long time constant induced when the gradient magnetic field rises and/or falls and permits to compensate with a high accuracy the influence to the magnetic field caused thereby.


A sensor mounting structure superior in durability for supporting by a frame member 17 on one side of a transport path a sensor body 22, including at least one of a light emitter 18 and a light detector 19, for detecting an object being transported along the transport path 12, the mounting structure comprising a pair of rising portions 23 spaced apart from each other and rising from the frame member 17 along both sides of the sensor body 22, each rising portion having a lock portion 24; and a pair of hook portions 25 releasably engaging the lock portions 24, wherein each hook portion 25 is capable of being deformed elastically in the direction in which both hook portions 25 come closer to each other in order to engage or disengage the corresponding lock portions 24.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a sensor structure, and more particularly to a structure for mounting a sensor suitable for mounting in a cash handling machine, such as an automatic vending machine.
2. Prior Art
An automatic cash handling machine has a sensor for detecting cash being transported, which is installed on the cash transport path to confirm the cash which is thrown into the machine.
The sensor includes a sensor body incorporating a light emitter for emitting light to a transport path, and a light detector for detecting reflected light from a coin or a bill which passes through the transport path. The sensor body has a pair of projections rigidly structured and protruding outwardly from both sides thereof. A base frame member provided on one side of the transport path includes a pair of rising portions spaced apart from each other, each rising portion having engagement holes for accepting the above-mentioned projections.
When the projections provided on both sides of the sensor body are inserted between the rising portions by spreading out both rising portions, the pair of projections engage into the engagement holes of both rising portions. Consequently, the sensor body is supported by the base frame member in a predetermined position.
The sensor body can be removed from the base frame member by spreading out the pair of projections to disengage them from the engagement holes.
However, in the conventional sensor mounting structure mentioned above, when mounting or removing the sensor body on the frame member, the projections, formed rigidly on the sensor body, are made to engage into the engagement holes provided in the rising portions. Therefore to disengage the projections from the engagement holes, the rising portions need to be deformed to a relatively large extent in the direction in which the rising portions are moved away from each other. For this reason, the pair of rising portions are conventionally formed of members having adequate elasticity, such as a synthetic resin material, for example, but no means for preventing the rising portions from being excessively deformed is provided.
Accordingly, when mounting or removing the sensor body, there is a possibility that the pair of rising portions are excessively deformed. Hence, it has been required to improve the durability of the mounting structure, including the rising portions, by preventing excessive deformation of the rising portions.
In the conventional sensor mounting structure relying on the elasticity of the pair of rising portions, a space in which each rising portion deflects needs to be secured outside of the pair of rising portions. Therefore, the conventional structure is disadvantageous in terms of the available space when sensors are to be arranged with high density.


An electrical card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a set of first contacts (21), and a metal shell (4) covering the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a receiving space (15) for receiving a first card and a bottom wall (11) under the receiving space. The bottom wall has a set of slots (111) extending along the first card insertion direction. The slots include a special slot (110) having a protrusion (1101) extending thereinto. The contacts have first retaining portions (214) retained in the insulative housing, first contacting portions (212) received in the slots (111) and bending upwardly into the receiving space (15) for mating with the first card, and first tail portions (215) extending from the first retaining portions for being mounted to a PCB. The first contacts include a special contact (210) having a connecting portion (216) extending along the special slot (110) and located between the first contacting portion (212) and the first retaining portion (214). The connecting portion (216) is sustained upwardly by the protrusion (1101).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical card connector, and more particularly to an electrical card connector having an extra elastic contacting portion for mating with a card.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrical card connectors present as a medium being widely used in computers and other electronic devices for electrically mating with electrical cards. A conventional electrical card connector usually includes an insulative housing, a set of contacts retained in the insulative housing for mating with the card, and a metal shell covering the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a receiving space for receiving the card, and a bottom wall under the receiving space and having a set of slots extending along the card insertion direction. The contact has a retaining portion retained in the insulative housing, a tail portion extending from the retaining portion for being mounted to a PCB, a contacting portion bending upwardly into the receiving space for mating with the card, and a connecting portion extending along the slot and located between the contacting portion and the retaining portion.
The connecting portion extends cantileveredly along the slot and has a rear end supported by the bottom wall and a front end connecting to the contacting portion. Therefore, the connecting portion may be deformed easily by the card or other components, and the contacting portion has a weak elastic force to mate with the card.
Hence, an improved electrical card connector over the prior art is required to overcome the problems thereof.


In a powertrain that includes wheels for driving a vehicle, an engine including a crankshaft, a machine driveably connected to the crankshaft and able to operate alternately as an electric motor and electric generator, a transmission including an input clutch driveably connected to the crankshaft and an output driveably connected to at least two of the wheels, and an electric storage battery having a variable state of charge and electrically connected to the machine, a method for controlling vehicle creep including adjusting a torque capacity of the input clutch to a desired magnitude of input clutch torque transmitted to the wheels, determining a desired change in torque produced by the machine such that a speed of the crankshaft is controlled to a desired idle speed, using the magnitude of input clutch torque capacity and the desired change in torque produced by the machine to determine a desired magnitude machine torque, and using the machine to produce said desired magnitude of machine torque.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for controlling vehicle creep in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).
2. Description of the Prior Art
A powershift transmission is a geared mechanism that includes no torque converter, but instead employs two input clutches driveably connected to an engine crankshaft. The transmission produces multiple gear ratios in forward and reverse drive and transmits power continuously using synchronized clutch-to-clutch shifts.
The transmission incorporates gearing arranged in a dual layshaft configuration between the transmission input and its output. One input clutch transmits torque between the input and a first layshaft associated with even-numbered gears; the other input clutch transmits torque between the transmission input and a second layshaft associated with odd-numbered gears. The transmission produces gear ratio changes by alternately engaging a first input clutch and running in a current gear, disengaging the second input clutch, preparing a power path in the transmission for operation in the target gear, disengaging the first clutch, engaging the second clutch and preparing another power path in the transmission for operation in the next gear.
In a vehicle powertrain that provides a continuous drive connection between a power source and the vehicle wheels, creep is the tendency for a vehicle, when at a stand-still or relatively low speed, to move slowly in either a forward or reverse direction, depending on the position of the gear selector, when neither the accelerator pedal nor brake pedal is depressed. Generally, a vehicle operator expects the vehicle to creep (1) from a standstill as the driver releases the brake pedal with no accelerator pedal input, and (2) from a coast down condition as the vehicle decelerates to a lower speed with little or no wheel brake or accelerator pedal input.
The vehicle will creep to a unique terminal speed, i.e., a relatively low speed, for a given road load and vehicle load. The creep speed declines with increasing road grade until it reaches zero and vehicle roll-back becomes imminent. The engine should never stall during a vehicle creep condition. The vehicle creep speed is a defined and specified vehicle requirement.
For a vehicle with a conventional automatic transmission, vehicle creep is automatically provided as a result of the torque transfer provided through the torque converter's fluid coupling. In a vehicle having a powershift transmission, the vehicle creep torque is provided by controlling the clutch torque capacity while slipping the clutch in order to prevent engine stall.
During a vehicle creep condition, the transmission clutch torque capacity is further increased as the driver releases the brake pedal. The increase in clutch torque capacity disturbs the control of the engine idle speed because the increase in clutch torque capacity loads the engine. Therefore, engine idle speed control must be coordinated with any increase in the clutch torque capacity in order to avoid poor engine idle speed control due to delayed engine torque response due to manifold filling as clutch torque capacity is increased, and potential engine stall if too much clutch torque capacity is provided while the engine torque has not increased accordingly.
Unlike a conventional vehicle powertrain having a powershift transmission, a hybrid electric vehicle with a powershift transmission includes multiple propulsion paths and "active" torque actuators, i.e., an engine and electric machines, which can be used during a vehicle creep condition. Therefore, a more sophisticated vehicle creep control system is needed to deal with the complexities and added powertrain operating modes of a HEV.

Vehicle creep control in a hybrid electric vehicle


A copying apparatus is configured to repeat a first operation to scan an image on an original sheet along a first direction with changing a position of the first operation along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and generate pixel data of pixels of the image on the original sheet. Compressed image data is generated by compressing the pixel data within each of multiple sections divided in the first direction having boundaries extend in the second direction. The compressed image data is decompressed. A 90-degree rotation processing is applied to the decompressed image data in the unit of a band, which has a particular number of pixels in the first direction and extends along the second direction, to generate decompressed image data, Then, with use of the decompressed image data after rotation processing has been executed, the image is recorded on a recording sheet.

Technical Field
The present disclosures relate to a copying apparatus.
Related Art
Conventionally, there has been known a so-called serial type recording apparatus, which is configured to form an image on a recording sheet such that a recording head is reciprocally conveyed in one direction and the recording sheet is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording head. There has also been known a scanning apparatus, which is configured to scan an image on an original sheet such that a relative position between a line sensor extending in one direction and the original sheet is conveyed in a direction different from (e.g., perpendicular to) the extending direction of the line sensor. Further, a copying apparatus having functions of both the above-described recording apparatus and the scanning apparatus has also been known.
In the copying apparatus of this type, the scanning direction of the original sheet and the recording direction (i.e., the conveying direction of the recording head) may be different from each other. In such a case, in order to form the scanned image on the recording sheet, the image data may be modified so that the image is rotated by 90 degrees (i.e., an arrangement of pixel data should be converted).
In one conventional copying apparatus, image data generated by a scanning device is divided into four sections in the scanning direction, and each of the four sections is divided into four subsections in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. Then, image data corresponding to each of the subsections is generated.
Such a conventional copying apparatus is configured to convert the image data for each of the subsections into compressed image data, and store the compressed image data in a memory. When the 90-degree rotation process is executed, pieces of compressed image data corresponding to the subsections aligned in a line in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction are decompressed, and each piece of pixel data is arranged in a memory in accordance with positions of the pixels, thereby converted image data being generated.


A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a stacked body, a second insulating film, a third insulating film and a plurality of contacts. The stacked body includes alternatively stacked electrode films and first insulating films, and has an end portion in which a terrace is formed for each pair of the electrode film and the first insulating film. The second insulating film covers the upper faces and the lower faces of the electrode films in the end portion of the stacked body. The second insulating film has a composition different from the composition of the first insulating film. The third insulating film is provided on the end portion of the stacked body. The third insulating film has a composition different from the composition of the second insulating film. The contact passes through the third insulating film and the second insulating film, and contacts the electrode film.

Conventionally, a stacked-type memory device is proposed in which a semiconductor pillar passes through a stacked body in which electrode films and insulating films are alternately stacked, and a charge storage layer is provided between the semiconductor pillar and the electrode films. In this type of memory device, the end portion of the stacked body is processed in a stairs form, the end portion is covered with an interlayer insulating film, and then a contact is dropped from above the interlayer insulating film toward the electrode film at each step in order to enable wiring to be taken out from the electrode films. However, the height of the contact required varies depending on the position of the electrode film, so it is difficult to form the contact holes through the interlayer insulating film at the same time.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same


A tourniquet device is arranged for securement about a limb of an individual in cooperation with a major cardiovascular pressure point, wherein an elastomeric strap is securable at its ends having a semi-spherical projection mounted to a top surface of the strap for projection against the aforenoted pressure point. A modification of the invention includes adjustment structure for the projection to include an accessory projection, or alternatively an adjustable projection, mounted to the strap structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to tourniquet apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved pressure wrap device wherein the same is arranged for securement about an individual's limb to limit bleeding during and subsequent to injury.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tourniquet devices of various types have been utilized throughout the prior art and exemplified in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,911,162; 4,640,821; 4,637,394; 4,297,996; and 3,628,536.
Heretofore, however, the prior art has failed to provide for a tourniquet structure accommodating ease of manipulation of the strap structure to position a projection relative to an individual to limit hemorrhaging subsequent to injury and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A data server may support segment identification based on a selected user profile. For example, a user may select a user profile as the basis for identifying a segment of additional user profiles. The server may identify attributes associated with the selected user identifier and generate an expression based on the identified subset. The expression may include a normalization function corresponding to at least one attribute. The normalization function may identify correlated attribute values for an attribute associated with the selected user profile. The data server may query a data storage system to identify the additional user profiles based on the expression. The data server may also support user defined Boolean expressions such that the expression is used to identify user identifiers associated with a first attribute and a second attribute.

A cloud platform (i.e., a computing platform for cloud computing) may be employed by many users to store, manage, and process data using a shared network of remote servers. Users may develop applications on the cloud platform to handle the storage, management, and processing of data. In some cases, the cloud platform may utilize a multi-tenant database system. Users may access the cloud platform using various user devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, or other computing systems, etc.).
In one example, the cloud platform may support customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. This may include support for sales, service, marketing, community, analytics, applications, and the Internet of Things. A user may utilize the cloud platform to help manage contacts of the user. For example, managing contacts of the user may include analyzing data, storing and preparing communications, and tracking opportunities and sales.
A cloud platform application may aggregate and analyze attributes or other data of an individual and display this information in a user interface of the application. However, the application may be limited in its functionality with respect to leveraging the individual's collected information thereby limiting the utility of the application. Moreover, the application may be limited in the types of queries it can support, by for example having a limited functionality of searching for records by a single attribute at a time.

Generalizing a segment from user data attributes


A method and a system for detecting radar objects with the aid of an angle-resolving radar sensor of a motor vehicle in the presence of an object which extends in the driving direction laterally next to the motor vehicle's own lane and reflects radar waves, a measured position distribution which corresponds to a distribution of azimuth angles of received radar signals of the radar sensor reflected off a radar object being compared to a model of a position distribution which is expected taking into account the presence of the object extending in the driving direction next to the vehicle's own lane, and is a function of a distance from the radar object and a position of a radar object being determined based on the result of the comparison.

Radar sensors are, for example, employed in ACC (adaptive cruise control) systems for motor vehicles and are used to determine the positions and relative speeds of radar objects, so that, as part of an adaptive cruise control, the speed of one's own vehicle may be subsequently adjusted to the speed of a preceding vehicle and the distance to the preceding vehicle may be controlled to an appropriate value.
Such a radar sensor has, for example, multiple channels which are each assigned at least one antenna element having a particular directional characteristic and an evaluation device. The high-frequency signal received in the different channels are converted by being mixed with a reference frequency, by maintaining the phase and amplitude relations, into low-frequency signals, which are evaluated in an electronic evaluation unit. For example, the low-frequency signals may be digitized using analog/digital converters and then further processed digitally. By evaluating the phase relations and/or by evaluating the amplitude relations between the different channels, it is possible to determine the azimuth angle of a located radar object.
Each radar object is plotted in the frequency spectrum of a channel in the form of a peak whose position is a function of the Doppler shift and thus of the relative speed of the radar object. If the transmission frequency of the radar system is modulated, as it is the case in an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar, for example, then the position of the peaks is also a function of the propagation time of the radar signals. If the transmitted signal has different, appropriately selected frequency ramps within one measuring cycle, it is possible to compute the relative speed of the object and the distance of the object from the frequencies of the obtained peaks.
German Published Patent Application No. 10 2004 036 580 describes a method and a device for detecting an object in a vehicle which is equipped with an object sensor system which emits electromagnetic waves and receives the waves reflected off the objects within the detection range. A moving object in the form of a preceding vehicle is measured with the aid of a direct object reflection in which the microwave radiation emitted by the object sensor system is reflected off the object and is immediately received again by the object sensor system. In a situation in which an object, e.g., a guardrail, extending along the roadway is present on which another reflection of the measuring radiation takes place, the measuring radiation emitted by the object sensor system may be reflected off the preceding vehicle and then again off the guardrail, and received by the object sensor system as an indirect object reflection. This indirect object reflection is recognized by the object sensor system as a phantom target, since the roadway edge is estimated or measured and it is recognized that the phantom target is beyond the roadway edge. A seemingly real object location which is computable with the aid of the location of the phantom target and with the aid of a computed reflection point on the guardrail is used to check the directly measured object reflections for plausibility.

Detection of radar objects with the aid of a radar sensor of a motor vehicle


A high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp of the present invention has a discharge tube made of a ceramic material having a transparent or translucent property, and the discharge tube has a main tube, and a first and a second disks for sealing the main tube. The first disk is disposed at one opening of said main tube, and the second disk disposed at the other opening of said main tube. Further, the first and the second disks have a cylindrical narrow tube. A lead-through-part for disposing either of a first and a second main electrodes and an auxiliary electrode in the main tube and a sealing member integrated with the lead-through-wire are inserted in the cylindrical narrow tube, and the sealing member is fixed to the cylindrical narrow tube so that the cylindrical narrow tube is sealed airtightly.

The present invention relates to a high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge tube made of a ceramic material having a transparent or translucent property.
A typical conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.
FIG. 12 is a partially cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp.
As shown in FIG. 12, a conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprises a discharge tube 51 contained in an outer tube 50, a pair of main electrodes 52a, 52b disposed inside the discharge tube 51, and an auxiliary electrode 53 disposed in the vicinity of the main electrode 52b. An external surface of the outer tube 50 is coated with a fluorocarbon resin film 50a. A mixture of Ne-gas and N.sub.2 -gas is filled in the outer tube 50. The main electrodes 52a, 52b comprises electrode rods 58a, 58b and electrode coils 61a, 61b, respectively.
The discharge tube 51 is made of quartz glass having a transparent or translucent property, and consists of a discharge part 54 for a discharge space and sealed parts 55a, 55b disposed at the both end parts of the discharge part 54, respectively. A metal halide as a luminescent material and a mixture of Ne-gas and Ar-gas or the like for a start of a lighting operation are filled into the discharge tube 51.
The sealed part 55a is mounted to one end part of the discharge part 54 together with a main electrode current supply conductor 56a for supplying a current to the electrode coil 61a by a pinch seal method. Similarly, the sealed part 55b is mounted to the other end part of the discharge part 54 together with a main electrode current supply conductor 56b and an auxiliary electrode current supply conductor 57 for supplying a current to the electrode coil 61b and the auxiliary electrode 53, respectively, by the pinch seal method.
The main electrode current supply conductor 56a is configured by integrating the electrode rod 58a which holds the main electrode 52a at one end, a molybdenum foil 59a connected to the other end of the electrode rod 58a, and an external lead wire 60a connected at one end of the molybdenum foil 59a. Similarly, the main electrode current supply conductor 56b is configured by integrating the electrode rod 58b which holds the main electrode 52b at one end, a molybdenum foil 59b connected to the other end of the electrode rod 58b, and an external lead wire 60b connected at one end of the molybdenum foil 59b. The auxiliary electrode-current supply conductor 57 is configured by integrating an electrode rod 58c which holds the auxiliary electrode 53 at one end, a molybdenum foil 59c connected to the other end of the electrode rod 58c, and an external lead wire 60c connected at one end of the molybdenum foil 59c.
In the lighting operation for the conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, at first, an auxiliary discharge is generated between the main electrode 52b and the auxiliary electrode 53, and thereafter the auxiliary discharge is induced to a main discharge generated between the main electrodes 52a and 52b.
Particularly, a metal halide lamp, which is one of the conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamps having the above-mentioned configuration, is widely used. This is because a conventional stabilizer using in a mercury lamp is available as a power source of the metal halide lamp without modification.
However, in the conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, as explained above, the sealed parts 55a, 55b are mounted to the both end parts of the discharge part 54 by the pinch seal method, respectively. Therefore, a shape of the discharge tube 51 is not always formed into uniform size and shape, i.e., it is difficult to make the discharge tube 51 into a constant shape in mass production. Furthermore, there occurs a problem that characteristics of the lamp are varied according to different shapes of the discharge tube 51.
Moreover, in the conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, if the shapes of the sealed parts 55a, 55b are large, a heat loss from the discharge space of the discharge tube 51 is increased. This makes it difficult to achieve a sufficient efficiency and to obtain an excellent color rendering index. Furthermore, it is necessary to seal the molybdenum foil 59b for the main electrode 52b and the molybdenum foil 59c for the auxiliary electrode 53 into the sealed part 55b in such a manner that the molybdenum foils 59b, 59c are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap. Therefore, it is difficult to form the sealed part 55b into a small shape.
Furthermore, in the conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, the Ne-gas filled in the discharge tube 51 permeates through the quartz glass of the discharge tube 51. Therefore, for the purpose of preventing permeation of the Ne-gas, it is necessary to fill the mixed gas containing the Ne-gas inside the outer tube 50. However, when the mixed gas containing the Ne-gas is filled inside the outer tube 50, temperature of an external wall of the discharge tube 51 is reduced by the mixed gas. Therefore, in order to obtain and maintain a desired temperature of the external wall of the discharge tube 51 in a steady state operating condition, it is necessary to increase discharge intensity of the main discharge inside the discharge tube 51 while suppressing deterioration of a lifetime characteristic as much as possible. Further, since the deterioration of the lifetime characteristic is caused by a chemical reaction between the quartz glass of an inner wall of the discharge tube 51 and the filled metal halide therein, it is strongly desired to suppress the chemical reaction between the filled metal halide and the quartz glass which is a material of the discharge tube 51.
Any conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamps attempting to reduce scattering, deviations or dispersion in the shape of the discharge tube 51, there is a high-pressure sodium lamp as disclosed in unexamined and published Japanese patent application TOKKAI (SHO) No. 51-55179, for example. In this conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, the discharge tube is made of a ceramic material, and a metal rod equipped with the main electrode is airtightly filled with a (glass) frit to a disk-shaped ceramic disk member which is disposed instead of the sealed parts. In this manner, this conventional lamp suppresses deviations in the shape of the discharge tube and attempts to improve quality of the lamp by means of a use of the ceramic material for the discharge tube.
However, in this conventional high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp, the metal rod equipped with the main electrode is airtightly bonded to the disk-shaped ceramic disk member by the frit. Since coefficient of expansion of the metal rod is different from that of the ceramic disk member, there occurs a problem that the filled metal and the like leak from the discharge tube through gaps generated between the metal rod and the ceramic disk member during the lighting operation. Furthermore, a chemical reaction is generated between the frit and the filled metal. In the case of the metal halide lamp which uses the metal halide as the luminescent material in particular, when the frit is used at portions where temperature becomes high during the lighting operation (e.g., contact sections between the metal rod and the ceramic disk member inside the discharge tube), undesirable chemical reaction is generated intensively. As a result, the characteristics of the lamp are deteriorated, and further the lifetime of the lamp is shortened.

High-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp


A method and apparatus are disclosed for accurately removing preselected lengths and thicknesses of insulation from an electrical cable. This is accomplished by making a circumferential cut of preselected depth and distance from the end of the electrical cable, through the use of a guide tool in combination with a first cutting tool. Following the circumferential cut in the insulation, the end portion of the electrical cable is secured in a substantially stationary position through the use of one or more clamping devices in combination with a fixturing body. The insulation layer is then removed through the use of a cylindrical cutting tool guided by a guide body into the end of the electrical cable. This second cutting tool is forced axially along the length of the electrical cable and rotated with respect to the cable so as to perform a circular cutting of the cable insulation in an axial direction from the end of the electrical cable to the location of the previous circumferential cut.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to cutting devices and particularly concerns a device for accurately removing preselected lengths and thicknesses of insulation from electrical wires and the like.
2. Discussion
Many industrial electrical wiring applications utilize long lengths of electrical conducting wire or cable. These wires or cables typically have a center conductor wire, often composed of some conductive metal or alloy such as copper or aluminum. The center conductor wire is typically enshrouded by a thin layer of nylon or similar protective coating, which aids in electrical insulation of the center conductor wire, as well as protection from the elements exterior to the cable. The center conductor and nylon coating are typically enshrouded by at least one layer of insulation. This insulation is often a flexible material, such as silicone rubber, so as to facilitate bending of the wire as well as adaptation of the wire ends to suit the particular need. The adaptation of the wire ends to suit a particular need often requires that certain lengths and thicknesses of the insulation surrounding the center conductor wire be removed for subsequent connection of the center conductor wire or the attachment of an external connector to the center conductor wire.
It is often necessary for safety reasons that insulation be removed to a specific length along a particular end of the cable. By ensuring that only the required length of the center conductor wire is exposed for connection or attachment purposes, the potential for unwanted contact between the center conductor wire and the external environment is avoided. Contact between the center conductor wire and the external environment is undesirable because of the possibility of transfer of electrical energy from the center conductor wire to an external object or human being, and also because of the possibility of the introduction of moisture or foreign material to the center conductor, which can cause premature degradation, corrosion or interference with an electrical connection.
Different applications may require different thicknesses of insulation to be removed from the ends of an electrical cable, such as for alternate connector selections. In addition, some applications of electrical cable may require a stepwise removal of progressively smaller thicknesses of insulation from ends of certain cables. It is important in these applications that the proper thicknesses and lengths be removed for proper fitting and attachment of connectors and other accessories near or at the cable ends, to prevent degradation or destruction of the insulation by stretching or overtightening to compensate for a poor fitting or attachment connection.
Therefore, the proper removal of insulation from electrical wire requires not only a proper length to be removed according to the particular need, but also requires that the one or more layers of insulation present be cut to the proper depth. The depth for cutting insulation from an electrical wire is especially critical because while it is essential to achieve a cut deep enough to pierce through the insulation material entirely, or through a particular insulation layer entirely, it is necessary that the center conductor wire or the thin nylon or other layer surrounding it not be nicked or damaged in any way. Damage to the center conductor wire or the thin nylon or other layer surrounding it causes a danger of improper electrical connections and/or electrical arcing, as well as resistance heating within the wire. These conditions can pose a fire hazard and as such, should be avoided.
Similarly, many types of electrical wire have more than one layer of insulation which must be cut successively at different locations along the length of the wire for certain applications. It is necessary in these situations to cut each successive layer of insulation to a specific desired depth, for removing an outer layer of insulation, while leaving the next inward layer of insulation intact, without any damage to its external surface.
Previous methods for removing insulation from electrical wire have involved the use of hand cutting tools such as Exacto knives. The use of these cutting tools has presented several disadvantages. Cutting insulation by hand has resulted in inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the dimensions of the cuttings made, including improper depth of cutting, which causes either an incomplete cut or a damaging of the center conductor or the nylon or other layer surrounding it. Additional inaccuracies and inconsistencies involve failures in the location of the cut along the length of the wire, as well as the failure to achieve a substantially accurate circumferential cut of insulation around the cable. Overall, the cutting of electrical wire insulation by hand tends to be time consuming as well as laden with errors which must be corrected by repeating the cutting sequence on a new section of wire and involves a waste of materials.
The need therefore exists for an improved method and apparatus for trimming one or more layers of insulation in varying thicknesses and lengths from coaxial and other types of electrical wires and cables.


In a method of starting rotation of a magnetic disk medium of a large-capacity flexible disk by a spindle motor for use in a high-density type flexible disk drive for carrying out data recording and reproducing operation to and from the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity flexible disk which requires to rotate at a high rotation speed on recording and reproducing, the method includes: a first step of rotating the spindle motor at a low rotation speed lower than the high rotation speed on rotation starting of the magnetic disk medium; a second step of rotating the spindle motor at the high rotation speed subsequently to rotating of the spindle motor at the low rotation speed; a third step of rotating the spindle motor at the low rotation speed subsequently to rotating of the spindle motor at the high rotation speed; and a fourth step of rotating the spindle motor at the high rotation speed subsequently to rotating of the spindle motor at the low rotation speed at the third step. The second and the fourth steps are carried out to ensure that the spindle motor chucks a disk hub of the large-capacity flexible disk. Each of the second and the fourth steps includes the steps of increasing the rotation speed of the spindle motor from the low rotation speed up to the high rotation speed by a predetermined abrupt acceleration; and rotating the spindle motor at a constant speed equal to the high rotation speed.

This invention relates to a high-density type flexible disk drive and, in particular, to a control method of a spindle motor for use in the high-density type flexible disk drive.
As is well known in the art, a flexible or floppy disk drive (which may be abbreviated to "FDD") of the type described is a device for carrying out data recording and reproducing operation to and from a magnetic disk medium of a flexible or floppy disk (which may be abbreviated to "FD") inserted therein. In recent years, the FDs are more and more improved to have a greater capacity. Specifically, development is made of the FDs having the storage capacity of 128 Mbytes (which may be called large-capacity FDs) in contrast with the FDs having storage capacity of 1 Mbyte or 2 Mbytes (which may be called small-capacity FDs). Following such development, the FDDs have also improved to accept the large-capacity FDs for data recording and reproducing operations to and from the magnetic disk media of the large-capacity FDs.
Throughout the present specification, FDDs capable of recording/reproducing data for magnetic disk media of the large-capacity FDs alone will be referred to high-density exclusive type FDDs. On the other hand, FDDs capable of recording/reproducing data for magnetic disk media of the small-capacity FDs alone will be called low-density exclusive type FDDs. Furthermore, FDDs capable of recording/reproducing data for magnetic disk media of both the large-capacity and the small-capacity FDs will be called high-density/low-density compatible type FDDs. In addition, the high-density exclusive type FDDs and the high-density/low-density compatible type FDDs will collectively be called high-density type FDDs.
The low-density exclusive type FDD and the high-density type FDD are different in mechanism from each other in several respects, one of which will be presently be described. In either FDD, a magnetic head is supported by a carriage which is driven by a drive arrangement to move in a predetermined radial direction with respect to the magnetic disk medium of the FD inserted in the FDD. The difference resides in the structure of the drive arrangement. More specifically, the low-density exclusive type FDD uses a stepping motor as the drive arrangement. On the other hand, the high-density type FDD uses a linear motor such as a voice coil motor (which may be abbreviated to "VCM") as the drive arrangement.
Now, description will be made in slightly detail as regards the voice coil motor used as the drive arrangement in the high-density type FDD. The voice coil motor comprises a voice coil and a magnetic circuit. The voice coil is disposed on the carriage at a rear side and is wound around a drive axis extending in parallel to the predetermined radial direction. The magnetic circuit generates a magnetic field in a direction intersecting that of an electric current flowing through the voice coil. With this structure, by causing the electric current to flow through the voice coil in a direction intersecting that of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic circuit, a drive force occurs in a direction extending to the drive axis on the basis of interaction of the electric current with the magnetic field. The drive force causes the voice coil motor to move the carriage in the predetermined radial direction.
Another difference between the low-density exclusive type FDD and the high-density type FDD resides in the number of revolution of a spindle motor for rotating the magnetic disk medium of the FD inserted therein. More specifically, the low-density exclusive type FDD can admit the small-capacity FD alone as the FD to be inserted thereinto. As a result, the spindle motor for the low-density exclusive type FDD may rotate the magnetic disk medium of the small-capacity FD inserted therein at a low rotation speed having the number of revolution of either 300 rpm or 360 rpm. On the other hand, the high-density type FDD can admit, as the FD to be inserted thereinto, either the large-capacity FD alone or both of the large-capacity FD and the small-capacity FD. As a result, when the large-capacity FD is inserted in the high-density type FDD, the spindle motor for the high-density type FDD must rotate the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity FD inserted therein at a high rotation speed having the number of revolution of 3600 rpm which is equal to ten or twelve times as large as that of the small-capacity FD.
As a result, it is necessary for the high-density/low-density compatible type FDD to identify and detect whether the FD inserted therein is the large-capacity FD or the small-capacity FD.
In addition, the small-capacity FD and the large-capacity FD are different in structure from each other in several respects, one of which will presently be described. Both of the large-capacity and the small-capacity FDs have a flat rectangular shape of a width of 90 mm, a length of 94 mm, and a thickness of 3.3 mm in case of a 3.5-inch type. In either FD, a magnetic disk medium of disk-shaped is covered with a case which is called a shell. The case consists of an upper case and a lower case with the magnetic disk medium sandwiched therebetween. The lower case of the small-capacity FD is provided with a thin sheet-shaped board having a spring force for applying load to the magnetic disk medium in order to surely carry out chucking of the magnetic disk medium. Such a thin sheet-shaped board is called a lifter. On the other hand, the large-capacity FD is not provided with such a lifter. This is because it is unfavorable for the large-capacity FD to apply the load to the magnetic disk medium because the high-density type FDD must make the magnetic disk medium rotate at the high rotation speed of 3600 rpm as described above.
In prior art, in a case where the high-density type FDD carries out data recording and reproducing operation to and from the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity FD inserted therein, the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity FD is immediately rotated by the spindle motor at the high rotation speed on rotation starting.
In order to rotate the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity FD by the spindle motor, it is necessary to surely chuck a disk hub of the large-capacity FD on rotation starting of the magnetic disk medium thereof.
More specifically, the disk hub is a disk-shaped metal which is freely received in a circular aperture formed in the lower case of the large-capacity FD at a center portion thereof. The disk hub has a disk center hole at a center portion and a chucking hole (a disk driving oval hole) at a position eccentric with the center portion. The disk hub holds the magnetic disk medium sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case. Accordingly, to rotate the magnetic disk medium may rotate the disk hub by the spindle motor. On the other hand, the spindle motor includes a rotor which comprises a disk holder table, a spindle shaft, and a chucking pin (a drive roller). The disk holder table is for holding the disk hub and is mechanically in contact with the disk hub on rotating of the magnetic disk medium. The spindle shaft is integrally coupled with the disk holder table with the spindle shaft perpendicularly raised from the disk holder table and is freely received in the disk center hole of the disk hub. The chucking pin is upwardly protruded from the disk holder table to move up and down and should be freely received in the chucking hole. That is, to surely chuck the disk hub with respect to the disk holder table is to make the chucking pin engage with a corner portion of the chucking hole in the disk hub in a radial direction outwardly with the chucking pin freely received in the chucking hole.
While the spindle motor rotates at the high rotation speed immediately on rotation starting in the manner of a conventional starting method for the spindle motor, the disk holder table also rotates at the high rotation speed. In this even, the chucking pin is put into a state buried in the disk holder table without the chucking pin received in the chucking hole. In the very worst case, although the chucking pin is instantaneously received in the chucking hole, there is a possibility of breaking of the chucking pin due to the impact of the chucking pin on the disk hub because the disk holder table rotates at the high rotation speed.
In order to solve such problems, the assignee of this application already filed a patent application (U.S. Ser. No. 08/859676). According to this patent application, there is provided a method for starting rotation of a magnetic disk medium of a large-capacity FD by a spindle motor for use in a high-density type FDD for carrying out data recording and reproducing operation to and from the magnetic disk medium of the large-capacity FD which requires to rotate at a high rotation speed (for example, 3600 rpm) on recording and reproducing. The method comprises a first step of rotating the spindle motor at a low rotation speed (for example, 300 rpm) lower than the high rotation speed on rotation starting of the magnetic disk medium and a second step of rotating the spindle motor at the high rotation speed subsequently to rotating of the spindle motor at the low rotation speed. The second step is carried out in order to make the spindle motor surely chuck the disk hub of the large-capacity FD.
However, even in accordance with the method, there is a case where the spindle motor does not chuck the disk hub of the large-capacity FD.

Method capable of surely chucking a FD inserted in a high-density type FDD


A method and an apparatus for encoding and decoding a position interpolator including key data and key value data are provided. The method for encoding a position interpolator includes (b) generating key data and key value data to be encoded by extracting, from a first animation path constituted by the position interpolator, a minimum number of break points, which can bring about an error of no greater than a predetermined allowable error limit between the first animation path and a second animation to be generated by the extracted break points, (d) encoding the key data generated in step (b), and (e) encoding the key value data generated in step (b).

1. Field of the Invention
The present embodiment relates to a method for encoding and decoding three-dimensional animation data, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for encoding and decoding a position interpolator representing the location of an object in an animation path.
2. Description of the Related Art
Three-dimensional (3D) animation techniques have been widely adopted in 3D computer games or virtual reality computer applications. Virtual reality modeling language (VRML) is a representative example of such 3D animation techniques.
International multimedia standards, such as MPEG-4 binary format for scene (BIFS) and virtual reality modeling language (VRML), support a keyframe-based 3D animation using an interpolator node. In MPEG-4 BIFS and VRML, there are various kinds of interpolators including a scalar interpolator, a position interpolator, a coordinate interpolator, an orientation interpolator, a normal line interpolator, and a color interpolator, and these interpolators and their functions and characteristics are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1InterpolatorCharacteristicsFunctionScalarLinear interpolation ofCapable of representinginterpolatorscalar variationsarea, diameter, andintensityPositionLinear interpolation on 3DParallel movement in 3DinterpolatorcoordinatesspaceOrientationLinear interpolation of 3DRotation in 3D spaceinterpolatorcoordinate axis andamount of rotationCoordinateLinear interpolation of3D morphinginterpolatorvariations in 3DcoordinatesNormalLinear interpolation of 3DCapable of representinginterpolatorcoordinates of normalvariations in 3D vector ofnormalColorLinear interpolation ofCapable of representinginterpolatorcolor informationvariations in color
Among the interpolators shown in Table 1, the position interpolator is used to represent information on the location of an animation path and consists of keys and key value fields. Key fields represent the position of each keyframe on a temporal axis using discontinuous numbers in a range between −∞ and ∞. Each of the Key value fields specifies information on the position of an object at a certain moment represented by each of the keys and consists of three components x, y, and z. Each of the key value fields includes as many key values as each of the key fields has.
Examples of the position interpolator are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating key data, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating key value data. MPEG-4 BIFS provides a method for encoding and decoding interpolator node, which is called predictive MF coding (PMFC).
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional PMFC encoder and a conventional PMFC decoder. In PMFC, key data and key value data of a position interpolator are encoded using a quantizer, a differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) operator, and an entropy encoder, as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the quantizer and the DPCM operator removes redundancy in the key data and the key value data, and the DPCM operator outputs the results of its operation to the entropy encoder. However, PMFC is not sufficiently effective in encoding key data and key value data because it entropy-encodes only differential data obtained from a general DPCM operation. In addition, due to the limitations the entropy-encoder has, it is almost impossible to provide high-quality animation.

Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding position interpolator


A novelty vessel accessory may include an external surface having an upper external portion and a lower external portion, a lower opening situated at the bottom of the external surface, and an engaging internal surface substantially concentric to the lower external portion and defining an annulus between the lower external portion and the engaging internal surface. The novelty vessel accessory may include an upper opening situated at the top of the external surface and a conduit internal surface substantially concentric to the upper external portion and defining an annulus between the upper external portion and the conduit internal surface. The novelty vessel accessory may have its external surface formed into an advantageous shape or have an advantageous color. The novelty vessel accessory may include a vessel insertion lip connected to the top of its engaging internal surface and extending down substantially concentric to the engaging internal surface such that the vessel insertion lip and engaging internal surface sandwich the upper portion of the open mouth of the inserted cylindrical vessel. The novelty vessel accessory may also include a flow-control member connected to the top of its engaging internal surface such that fluid exiting the mouth an inserted cylindrical vessel pass through the flow-control member and the top opening. The novelty vessel accessory may also include a removable stopper member engaged with its upper opening, wherein fluids are prevented from exiting the upper opening until the removable stopper member is removed.

Individuals consume large amounts of fluids that are marketed and sold in vessels that conform to certain size and shape standards. As a non-limiting example, beer is marketed and sold in "longneck" bottles. Many longneck bottles are sold and consumed in social settings. In many of those social settings it would be advantageous for users to have an accessory to adorn their drinking vessel.
Similarly, many potable beverages are sold and consumed in quantities that are far less than the volume the vessel in which such beverages are packaged. As a further non-limiting example, liquor is often sold in 1-to-4-ounce quantities—e.g., mixed with other ingredients in a drink sold at a bar—but is typically packaged and stored in much larger vessels on the order of 1-to-2 liters. In some situations, these larger vessels are stored at great distances from the consuming public, usually so that a server can work in between the customer and the storage vessel, as in a bar or pub environment.
Depending on the distance between the customer and the vessel at the point of sale, it may be difficult for the customer to discern which beverage choices are available, especially in the case where a particular beverage comes in many flavors. Often times, such beverages are stored in vessels that are virtually identical, except for maybe a label that is difficult to read from a distance. An advantageous accessory would permit greater visibility of individual beverage choices in such situations.


The invention relates to a mobile crane with a two-part jib and to a method for aligning the boom system of such a mobile crane. The invention relates to a mobile crane with a multi-part flight boom, wherein a first jib part is hinged to the main boom in a rockable manner, and at least one second jib part is secured to the first jib part in an articulated manner. A bracing which is guided from the upper chassis to the jib is provided for aligning the jib, said bracing running over at least one intermediate bracing support mounted on the first jib part to the at least one second jib part.

There are already systems having fly booms that can be split to set up a mobile crane having a fly boom in tight space conditions. Substantial space can be saved due to the splitting capability or folding capability of the fly boom. In addition, the foldability of the fly boom makes it possible to carry out all the required manual assembly work from the ground.
FIG. 1 shows such a mobile crane having a foldable fly boom. The mobile crane comprises a main boom in the form of a telescopic boom 1 that is luffable by means of luffing rams. A fly boom 2 is luffably installed at the tip of the main boom 1. This fly boom 2 consists of two fly boom parts 2a, 2b that are as a rule connected to one another via a joint 3a and a closure element 3b. A guying 4 is guided from the superstructure of the mobile crane along the main boom 1 over raising frames 6 up to the free end of the first fly boom part 2a and is fastened there.
The raising of the fly boom 2 is implemented via the guying 4 in that the length of the guying 4 between the superstructure and the raising frames is regulated by means of a winch. The front part 2b of the fly boom 2, also called a cantilever boom, is drawn downward by gravity on raising, whereby the total fly boom 2 closes and a loadable connection is thus produced at the separation point. Since the second fly boom part 2b should pivot into the required position by gravity, it is not possible to guide the guying 4 over the total length of the fly boom 2 up to the head of the second fly boom part 2b and to fasten it there. If the guying 4 were actually fastened to the outer end of the fly boom 2, the fly boom 2b would fold through the center pivot point 3a instead of extending.
However, this would equally have the consequence that the front part 2b of the fly boom 2 is not guyed during normal load work and is thereby loaded very much to bend under load. Due to this kind of loading, considerably less payload can be achieved in comparison than with a system having guying that would reach up to the head of the fly boom 2.
A new possibility is therefore sought for the guying of a fly boom that knows how to overcome the previously described problems.
This object is achieved by a mobile crane in accordance with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the mobile crane are the subject of the dependent claims.
Starting from the mobile crane of the category, it is proposed to guide the guying not only up to the outer end of the first fly boom part, but rather instead up to at least a second fly boom part, ideally up to the head of the total fly boom. This is made possible by at least one intermediate guying frame which is installed at the first fly boom part and by which the force of the guying can be applied to at least a large part to the first fly boom part during the raising of the fly boom part. It is thereby further ensured that the at least one second fly boom part can pivot into the required closure position to connect the boom parts due to gravity during the raising process.
After the raising process, a complete guying of the fly boom is theoretically possible, whereby the maximum payload of the boom system can be increased. The intermediate guying frame can comprise at least one compressively rigid bar. The fly boom can be a lattice boom.
In operation, the intermediate guying frame is ideally perpendicular to the boom axis; the intermediate guying frame in particular projects perpendicular upwardly in a horizontal position of the fly boom; the guying then extends up to the free tip of the intermediate guying frame. The intermediate guying frame can, however, also project from the fly boom at a different angle than 90°. At 90°, the largest lever arm can be achieved with the mass used; however, sufficient lever arms can also be achieved with smaller angles. Angles in the range between 80° or 85° or even lower are conceivable.
Care must be taken under certain circumstances during the raising process of the fly boom that the intermediate guying frame has torque rigidity to be able to apply sufficient force to the first fly boom part. Torque rigidity in this connection in particular means that the intermediate guying frame may not be moved or pivoted to the rear in the direction of the main boom relative to the first fly boom part by the force of the guying during the raising procedure. This can be done either by a fixed or torque-rigid direct attachment of the guying frame to the fly boom or can, alternatively, be ensured by additional auxiliary means that fix the guying frame in the desired position. The last variant makes an articulated attachment of the guying frame to the fly boom part possible to be able to move it into a space saving position for transport purposes. A releasable fastening of the guying frame to be able to dismantle it completely for transport is naturally also conceivable. The aforesaid torque-rigid alignment of the intermediate guying frame can be achieved by at least one additional intermediate frame guying that so-to-say counteracts the guying force. Such a separate frame guying is ideally installed at the free end of the intermediate guying frame and is, on the other hand, connected to the first fly boom part, with this connection point naturally being closer to the free end of the first fly boom part than the assembly point of the intermediate guying frame. In accordance with a possible solution, the frame guying and the intermediate guying frame form a so-called double crank whose geometrical shape effects the desired torque rigidity of the intermediate guying frame. Alternatively, the work of the frame guying could equally be taken over by a support at the oppositely disposed side of the intermediate guying frame at the first fly boom part, i.e. it is arranged closer to the main boom than the intermediate guying frame. The important thing is only the achieving of a torque-rigid position of the intermediate guying frame.
The assembly of the intermediate guying frame at the first fly boom part is not necessarily restricted to a specific installation location. However, an installation of the intermediate guying frame at or close to the end of the first fly boom part, i.e. in the region of the join for the at least one fly boom part, is ideal. An assembly of the intermediate guying frame at the top flange of the first fly boom part is preferred.
In mobile cranes of the category, such a fly boom is preferably composed of lattice pieces. To be able to provide a universal intermediate guying frame for different fly boom types, it is particularly advantageous for the intermediate guying frame to be variable in size, which can preferably be implemented by suitable adjustment means. The length of the intermediate guying frame, i.e. the achievable distance of the guying with respect to the longitudinal boom axis, is of particular importance. Ideally, use is made of a suitable telescopic mechanism as the adjustment means that permits a simple and inexpensive length variation of the intermediate guying frame. The intermediate guying frame can specifically be formed by one or more pipes supported in one another and displaceable relative to one another. They can be bolted together at different points to implement a flexible length adjustment.
It is sensible and necessary for an embodiment having a separate frame guying likewise to equip it with suitable adjustment means to be able to adapt them to different length settings of the intermediate guying frame.
The fastening of the guying to the intermediate guying frame can, for example, take place by bolting. The guying can be implemented by individual stay poles that are fixedly bolted at the end side to the raising frames and/or to the intermediate guying frame. A rope guying or similar would equally be conceivable.
At least one latching device is provided in the region of the join between the first fly boom part and the at least one second fly boom part, said latching device providing a sufficient locking or latching of the join on a closure of the join of the bottom flange caused by gravity. The join is ideally automatically latched as soon as the connection points of the fly boom part engage into one another. The additional latching additionally secures the join against an engaging tension such as can occur on an unforeseen load failure.
The latching device is preferably seated in the region of the join between both fly boom parts, ideally at the second fly boom part, and comprises, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, at least one latch that automatically engages around a bolt of the complementary fly boom part on a connection closure and thus effects a sufficient latching of the two boom parts.
In addition to the mobile crane in accordance with the invention, the present invention also relates to a method of raising the boom system in a mobile crane of the present invention. In accordance with the invention, this method is characterized by the following steps:                a) Assembly of the first fly boom part, including the raising frames at the main boom, the guying, and the intermediate guying frame at the first fly boom part;        b) luffing up of the main boom and assembly of the additional guying or stay poles;        c) minimal luffing up of the fly boom and assembly of the at least one second fly boom part and fastening of the additional guying to the head part of the fly boom; and        d) luffing the fly boom up to the geometrical closing of the latch connection between the fly boom parts.
The aforesaid worksteps only require manual assembly processes that can take place with a luffed down boom system close to the ground. No additional safety measures are accordingly required for assembly work at a great height. A complete guying of the two-part fly boom can furthermore be provided by the integration of the intermediate guying frame in later crane operation.
The head of the fly boom, i.e. the free end of the at least one second fly boom part, is pulled over the ground in the direction of the main boom during the raising procedure. It is sensible for this purpose for the head of the fly boom to be placed on a roller or on a suitable trolley.
On a use of an intermediate guying frame to be assembled in an articulated form at the fly boom, it additionally has to be fixed in a torque-rigid manner by a separate frame guying prior to the minimal luffing up of the fly boom. This can be implemented, for example, by forming a double crank.

Mobile crane with two-part jib, and method for aligning the boom system of such a mobile crane


A power steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel actuated by the driver of the vehicle, at least one steered wheel, an actuator motor that is activated to assist the steering movement initiated by the driver and a locking device for locking the steering wheel in at least one predetermined position. The steering wheel is moved to the predetermined position by activation of the actuator motor upon detection of a predetermined preset operating condition. Using the actuator motor to move the steering wheel to the predetermined position frees the driver from having to manually turn the steering wheel to the locking position upon shutdown of the vehicle. This has the advantage of increasing the comfort of such a steering system since the driver is freed from having to turn the steering wheel after shutdown of the vehicle and of increasing protection against theft since the driver does not have to remember to engage the steering lock upon shutdown of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle.
2. Related Art
Motor vehicle steering systems can be produced in large series as power steering systems. They comprise a steering wheel actuated by the driver of the vehicle, at least one steered wheel and an actuator for boosting the steering movement initiated by the driver. Additionally such steering systems may include a steering lock which locks the steering wheel in order to avoid or impede theft of the vehicle. The steering lock engages only in specific steering wheel positions. Hence, the driver must turn the steering wheel to this locking position in order to engage the steering lock when shutting the vehicle down.
Known, moreover, are steering systems, for instance from DE-OS 40 31 316 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,371) or DE-OS 42 43 267, where a movement of an actuator, generally an electric motor, is superimposed by means of an actuator on the turning movements of the steering wheel actuated by the driver. The steered wheels are then activated depending on the overall movement thus obtained.
The objective of the present invention is to improve the safety and comfort of a power steering system as regards protection from theft.


A method of decompressing data words of an instruction set includes:                A. filling a primary dictionary with at least one primary data word of the instruction set, each of the at least one primary data word being stored in the primary dictionary in a location associated with a distinct primary dictionary index;        B. filling at least one secondary dictionary with at least one difference bit stream, each of the at least one difference bit stream being stored in one of the at least one secondary dictionary in a location associated with a distinct secondary dictionary index;        C. receiving a code word, the code word comprising:                    a. a header which identifies the primary dictionary and a specific one of the at least one secondary dictionary;            b. a first bit stream; and            c. a second bit stream;            wherein the first bit stream comprises the distinct primary dictionary index and the second bit stream comprises the distinct secondary dictionary index;                        D. retrieving the primary data word stored at the location in the primary dictionary location associated with the distinct primary dictionary index;        E. retrieving the difference bit stream stored at the location in the at least one secondary dictionary location associated with the distinct secondary dictionary index; and        F. performing a logic operation on the primary data word and the difference bit stream to obtain a resultant data word that is not stored in either the at least one primary dictionary or the at least one secondary dictionary.

In order to reduce the amount of memory needed to store data processing instructions in on-chip SRAM memory, the instructions are typically compressed to reduce the amount of memory that must be stored. Typical compression algorithms involve storing data words used in an instruction set in a look-up table and accessing the data words through the use of code words that identify the address at which the desired data word is stored. While this type of compression reduces the amount of memory needed compared to storing all of the necessary data words, it still requires a great amount of memory to operate properly.

Method of and system for performing differential lossless compression


A plasma display apparatus is provided having an improved glass filter. The plasma display includes a panel assembly, and a glass filter provided in front of the panel assembly. The glass filter includes a plurality of a dot parts disposed in front of a glass plate to adjust light transmissivity from the panel assembly and external light reflxibility. Thus, the glass filter may be produced simply, thereby lowering the production cost of the glass filter.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus having an improved glass filter disposed in front of a panel assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a plasma display apparatus displays a picture using a plasma display panel (PDP). The plasma display panel is capable of being produced in a large size without difficulty, as well as being relatively thin. Demands for such plasma display panels have been continuously increasing.
A conventional plasma display apparatus includes a panel assembly, a glass filter provided in front of the panel assembly, and a driver provided behind the panel assembly. Particularly, the glass filter, illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a glass 2 plate, a color film 4 provided in front of the glass 2 plate, an anti-reflection (AR) film 6 provided in front of the color film 4, and a mesh film 8 provided behind the glass plate 2.
The color film 4 adjusts light transmissivity from the panel assembly and embodies external colors. The AR film 6 adjusts external light reflexibility.
However, the process for making the glass filter 10 is relatively complex in the plasma display apparatus with the above-described construction. The color film 4 and the AR film 6 are attached in front of the glass panel 2 to adjust light transmissivity from the panel assembly and external light reflexibility.
Additionally, optical film, such as the color film 4 and the AR film 6, has a relatively high production cost, thereby causing high production costs to manufacture the glass filter 10.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved glass filter for a plasma display apparatus that is simply and inexpensively manufactured.

Plasma display apparatus with glass filter having plurality of dot parts


Between a central processing unit for sequence control of a camera and a plurality of controlled systems is connected an interface serving as a predriver, which is formed of a monolithic integrated circuit. The controlled systems are transistors forming bridge circuits of drivers for controlling motors acting as driving sources of the camera. Between the central processing unit and the interface is a serial communication line system which comprises at least one serial data line and at least one serial clock line. The interface includes a serial-to-parallel conversion circuit for converting serial data transmitted over the serial data communication line system to parallel data, a latch circuit for latching the parallel data output from the serial-to-parallel conversion circuit and an output buffer circuit responsive to output signals of the latch circuit for providing drive signals to the controlled systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving circuit for a camera, and more particularly to a driving circuit for the so-called electrically operated camera using drive motors for winding and rewinding a film, charging the shutter and so on.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a driving circuit for an electrically operated camera generally comprises a central processing unit (CPU) for sequence control and drivers for driving motors. The driver is generally composed of bridge circuits comprising bipolar transistors. In this case a predriver needs to be connected between the CPU and the driver for the following reasons. A battery is commonly used for the power source of the camera and thus there is a need for a CPU of a low current dissipation type. In general, therefore, a CMOS type of CPU is used. With the CMOS type of CPU, its design rule has become increasingly small. Hence it is small in output driving capability, low in output withstand voltage and small in current supply capability at its I/O ports, thereby failing to directly drive the bipolar transistors of the bridge circuits.
A prior art of such a camera driving circuit is shown in FIG. 1. CPU 1 is used for controlling a sequence of overall operations. First and second motors (driving sources of a camera) 2 and 3 are controlled by bridge circuits 4 and 5, respectively. The bridge circuits are each composed of bipolar transistors as shown. Between CPU 1 and bridge circuits 4 and 5 is connected a predriver circuit 6 which is composed of discrete components such as bipolar transistors, resistors, etc. If the predriver is formed of discrete components as described above, when the number of the motors to be controlled increases, the component count will increase accordingly. This will increase the space occupied by a circuit board, the number of steps for assembly and manufacturing cost.
Another prior art is shown in FIG. 2 according to which the component count does not increase even if the motors increase in number. This prior art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,908. CPU 1 and bridge circuits 4, 5 are the same as those in FIG. 1. Pre-driver 7 is composed of a monolithic IC in place of discrete components. The monolithic IC is of a bipolar type and incorporates a decode circuit for decoding digital signals from CPU 1 and a driver circuit for driving bridge circuits 4 and 5. With the monolithic IC pre-driver incorporating the decode circuit and the driver circuit, the component count does not increase even if the motors to be controlled increases in number. However, a problem with the prior art is that the number of signal lines connected between CPU 1 and pre-driver 7 increases.


A control box mounting bracket is attached to a vehicle body frame. The control box mounting bracket mounts an engine control box on the vehicle body frame and in the periphery of the control box mounting bracket. The control box mounting bracket includes an attaching portion to which the control box is attached and a coupler support portion which supports a plurality of couplers.

An engine control box, which controls an ignition system of an engine, a fuel system, or an electric system of a transmission and the like in a concentrated manner, is mounted on a motorcycle or an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). The engine control box and the objects to be controlled at respective portions of the vehicle are electrically connected with each other by way of harnesses and couplers which are divided in accordance with respective systems also as disclosed in JP-A-2002-70610


An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.

Physicians make use of catheters today in medical procedures to gain access into interior regions of the body to ablate tissue areas. It is important for the physician to be able to accurately steer the catheter to the ablation site. Once at the site, it is important for the physician to control the emission of energy within the body used to ablate the tissue.
The need for accurate steering and precise control over the catheter is especially critical during procedures that ablate tissue within the heart. These procedures, called electrophysiology therapy, are becoming increasingly more widespread for treating cardiac rhythm disturbances, called arrhythmias.
During these procedures, a physician steers a catheter through a main vein or artery (which is typically the femoral artery) into the interior region of the heart that is to be treated. The physician then further manipulates a steering mechanism to place the electrode carried on the distal tip of the catheter into direct contact with the tissue that is to be ablated. The physician directs radio frequency (RF) energy from the electrode tip through the tissue to an indifferent electrode to ablate the tissue and form a lesion.
Some clinicians have suggested the use of microwave energy for cardiac ablation. For example, Langberg U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,915 proposes the use of a helical microwave antenna fed by a coaxial line to thermally ablate cardiac tissue. The radiation heating patterns that microwave energy propagate can, in theory at least, form lesions that are deeper than the lesions formed by the conductive heating patterns generated by conventional RF energy.
The ability of microwave energy to form deeper lesions also raises challenges in antenna system design. To gain all the benefits of using microwave energy, the clinician must be able to control the type and the distribution of heating patterns propagated at the intended lesion site. If a microwave antenna system also propagates unintended conductive heating patterns, the temperature of the ablation site can be quickly elevated above a critical isotherm (thought to be in the range of 53 to 55 degrees C.) before the desired lesion depth is achieved. Irreversible tissue damage can result. The same unintended conductive heating patterns can also quickly heat the blood pool around the ablation site, causing undesired coagulation.
Ablation systems and processes using microwave energy will not find widespread clinical use, if they cannot be made and controlled to minimize the propagation of conductive heating patterns. They will also fail to find widespread use, if the microwave antenna cannot be conveniently steered and positioned to the desired ablation site within the heart.