The present invention is related to a method for cancer treatment comprising a step of administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising ferrous amino acid chelate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. By means of amino acid chelating to ferrous and maintaining chelating state through the stomach, the pharmaceutical composition in accordance with the present invention would not cause any weight variation, and is suitable for inhibiting or treating cancer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising ferrous amino acid chelate, and more particularly the pharmaceutical composition comprising ferrous amino acid chelate relates to a method for cancer treatment.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
One of the main causes of death in world population is cancer or malignant tumor, wherein the mortality rates rank order is lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer. According to World Health Organization statistics (WHO), lung cancer mortality develops the fastest growing in the past two decades. Based on characteristics and clinical manifestations, lung cancers are classified into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The occurrence of small cell lung cancer is higher in men, and is associated with smoking for 25%. Small cell lung cancer grows fast and spread easily via lymph or blood to other organs. NSCLC includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma and accounts for 75% lung cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma is also called epidermoid carcinoma, common in male smokers, and mostly extends from local to outward at early spreads via blood trail at later stage. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer currently, clinical symptoms of adenocarcinoma often occur after metastasis distinctly, and lung cancers suffered by non-smokers are often adenocarcinoma. Large cell carcinoma has slower growth rate, but also spreads through the blood trail and lymphoid.
Small cell lung cancer is quite sensitive to chemical and radiation therapy, but most patients will relapse within two years and generate resistance after relieving treatment. Although NSCLC grows slowly, only a quarter of the cases can receive surgical treatment at early stage, and most cases are not sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Based on the above reasons, lung cancer patients often have poor prognosis. In addition, since studies have shown that chemotherapy drugs tend to be an injury to the patient, and long-term use can cause lowered immunity, apoptosis of normal cell and lowered rate of survival. Therefore, a drug that is non-toxic to normal cells and can suppress lung cancer cell growth or apoptosis is currently in need.
In addition, liver cancer is of top ranked fatality. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy often causes unbearable pain and side effects to patients. By means of inhibiting the mechanism of the progress of mutation, proliferation or spread, inhibiting hepatoma cells angiogenesis, promoting of hepatoma cells death or preventing hepatoma cell spread, target therapeutic agents are conventionally used to anti-liver cancer treatment. Moreover, since liver cancer expresses no obvious symptom at early stage, liver cancer prevention should get more attentions.
Singh et, al. (Life Science, 70 49-56, 2001) disclose that after incubation with holotransferrin, which increases the concentration of ferrous iron in cancer cells, dihydroartemisinin, an analog of artemisinin, effectively killed a type of radiation-resistant human breast cancer cell in vitro. Green et, al. (Clin Cancer Res 7:3574-3579, 2001) disclose that iron chelator (2-hydroxy-1-naphthylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) inhibited R2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase to inhibit the growth of breast, bladder, and head and neck cancer cell lines. EP2306187 A1 discloses ferric iron composition comprising Fe (II) or Fe (III) can be used against breast cancer.
However, Kato et, al. (Int. J. Cancer: 80, 693-698, 1999) disclose increased body iron stores may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, possibly via catalyzing oxidation reactions. Simonart et, al. (Gynecologic Oncology 85, 95-102, 2002) disclose Desferrioxamine and deferiprone, two chemically unrelated iron chelators, induce a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cervical carcinoma SiHa and HeLa cell growth, block certain cell types in the G0/G1 phase, and induce the apoptosis of these cells.
In summary, the prior art does not confirm whether iron or iron compounds have cancer inhibition or therapeutic efficacy. However, chemical drugs used to treat cancer, such as lung cancer or liver cancer, often have side effects and cause patient discomfort and lead to abandonment of the treatment. Therefore, pharmaceutical products for cancer treatment that have no side effects and can be absorbed by subject are a priority.


Compounds and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of breast tumor antigen. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of breast cancer comprising such polypeptides, or polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, are provided, together with polynucleotides for preparing the inventive polypeptides. The inventive polypeptides may be used to generate antibodies useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer.

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the treatment of breast cancer. The invention is more particularly related to polypeptides comprising at least a portion of a protein that is p referentially expressed in breast tumor tissue and to polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides. Such polypeptides and polynucleotides may be used in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a significant health problem for women in the United States and throughout the world. Although advances have been made in detection and treatment of the disease, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, affecting more than 180,000 women in the United States each year. For women in North America, the life-time odds of getting breast cancer are one in eight.
No vaccine or other universally successful method for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer is currently available. Management of the disease currently relies on a combination of early diagnosis (through routine breast screening procedures) and aggressive treatment, which may include one or more of a variety of treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The course of treatment for a particular breast cancer is often selected based on a variety of prognostic parameters, including an analysis of specific tumor markers. See, e.g., Porter-Jordan and Lippman, Breast Cancer 8:73-100 (1994). However, the use of established markers often leads to a result that is difficult to interpret, and the high mortality observed in breast cancer patients indicates that improvements are needed in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of the disease.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved methods for the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer. The present invention fulfills these needs and further provides other related advantages.
The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer. In one aspect, isolated polypeptides are provided comprising at least an immunogenic portion of a breast tumor antigen or a variant thereof, wherein the antigen comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) nucleotide sequences recited in SEQ ID NO: 1-61, 63-175, 178, 180 and 182-313; (b) complements of said nucleotide sequences; and (c) sequences that hybridize to a sequence of (a) or (b) under moderately stringent conditions. In specific embodiments, the inventive polypeptides comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 62, 176, 179 and 181.
In related aspects, isolated polynucleotides encoding the above polypeptides are provided. In specific embodiments, such polynucleotides comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences provided in SEQ ID NO: 1-61, 63-175, 178, 180 and 182-313. The present invention further provides expression vectors comprising the above polynucleotides, together with host cells transformed or transfected with such expression vectors. In preferred embodiments, the host cells are selected from the group consisting of E. coli, yeast and mammalian cells.
In another aspect, the present invention provides fusion proteins comprising a first and a second inventive polypeptide or, alternatively, an inventive polypeptide and a known breast tumor antigen.
The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of the above polypeptides, or a polynucleotide encoding such a polypeptide, and a physiologically acceptable carrier, together with vaccines comprising at least one such polypeptide or polynucleotide in combination with a non-specific immune response enhancer. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising one or more of the above fusion proteins are also provided.
In yet another aspect, methods are provided for inhibiting the development of breast cancer in a patient, comprising administering an effective amount of at least one of the above pharmaceutical compositions and/or vaccines.
The polypeptides disclosed herein may be usefully employed in the diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer. In one aspect of the present invention, methods are provided for detecting breast cancer in a patient, comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample obtained from a patient with a binding agent that is capable of binding to one of the above polypeptides; and (b) detecting in the sample a protein or polypeptide that binds to the binding agent. In preferred embodiments, the binding agent is an antibody, most preferably a monoclonal antibody.
In related aspects, methods are provided for monitoring the progression of breast cancer in a patient, comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample obtained from a patient with a binding agent that is capable of binding to one of the above polypeptides; (b) determining in the sample an amount of a protein or polypeptide that binds to the binding agent; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b); and comparing the amounts of polypeptide detected in steps (b) and (c).
Within related aspects, the present invention provides antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies, that bind to the inventive polypeptides, as well as diagnostic kits comprising such antibodies, and methods of using such antibodies to inhibit the development of breast cancer.
The present invention further provides methods for detecting breast cancer comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from a patient; (b) contacting the sample with a first and a second oligonucleotide primer in a polymerase chain reaction, at least one of the oligonucleotide primers being specific for a polynucleotide that encodes one of the above polypeptides; and (c) detecting in the sample a DNA sequence that amplifies in the presence of the first and second oligonucleotide primers. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the oligonucleotide primers comprises at least about 10 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-61, 63-175, 178, 180 and 182-313.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting breast cancer in a patient comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from the patient; (b) contacting the sample with an oligonucleotide probe specific for a polynucleotide that encodes one of the above polypeptides; and (c) detecting in the sample a DNA sequence that hybridizes to the oligonucleotide probe. Preferably, the oligonucleotide probe comprises at least about 15 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-61, 63-175, 178, 180 and 182-313.
In related aspects, diagnostic kits comprising the above oligonucleotide probes or primers are provided.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description. All references disclosed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each was incorporated individually.

Compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer and methods for their use


Human parathyroid hormone is provided in an ultrapure form characterized by the absence of protein contaminants detectable by capillary electrophoresis analysis. A method for obtaining such ultrapure human parathyroid hormone is also described.

Human parathyroid hormone, or hPTH, is a protein product of the parathyroid glands that exerts various physiological effects. Of particular clinical significance is its anabolic effect on bone tissue, and the possibility that PTH therapy can slow or reverse the progression of osteoporosis, and be of benefit in the treatment of related bone disorders.
As a prelude to using hPTH as a pharmaceutical product, it is necessary for many reasons to provide the protein in essentially pure form. For instance, the use in clinical trials of PTH that is essentially pure will permit observed effects to be attributed solely to PTH and not to some structurally related contaminant. Also, obtaining hPTH in essentially pure form will provide for greater specific activity i.e. highest potency per unit amount of hPTH, and permit administration of the smallest possible dosage size to treat a given indication. Furthermore, removal of contaminants will effectively reduce the possibility of side effects, which is especially important when PTH is used to treat chronic ailments such as osteoporosis.
One method currently used to purify proteins, and to analyze protein purity, is reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Like other HPLC techniques, the reversed phase approach exploits variability in the rates at which specific proteins migrate through a bed of silica microspheres. In the reversed phase HPLC technique, however, alkylated silica microspheres are used, and migrating proteins are subjected to a two phase solvent system which exploits protein charge and accents separation. Most typically, the solvent system consists of a water phase and an organic phase typically containing acetonitrile and an ion-pairing agent (also known as a charge modifier) such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the relative proportions of which are altered gradiently by automated blending as the protein sample migrates through the column. When analyzed by this technique, a protein preparation which elicits but a single detectable protein species (measured by UV absorbance either at 214 nm or at 280 nm) is deemed to consist of one protein species, and is thus characterized as an essentially pure protein. Proteins exhibiting this degree of purity are sometimes characterized as being of "HPLC-grade".

Essentially pure human parathyroid hormone


For implementation typically as an IC, a semiconductor decoding device comprises an additional MOS FET (26) of a first conductivity type between ground and output terminals, each (12) of which is connected to a power supply terminal (19) through a load MOS FET (18) of a second conductivity type and to a parallel circuit (13) of a plurality of MOS FET's (14-1etc) of the first conductivity type. Connected to the additional MOS FET and such load MOS FET's and supplied with a control input signal, a charge control section (27) puts the additional MOS FET in a conductive and a non-conductive state while putting each load MOS FET in an off and an on state. Preferably, a current limiting MOS FET (28) of the second conductivity type is connected between the supply terminal and the load MOS FET's and to a current limiting circuit (31-33) for limiting a load current which flows through the current limiting MOS FET and each load MOS FET put in the on state. Alternatively, the current limiting MOS FET is connected between each output terminal and the supply terminal. In this event, a current control circuit is supplied with the control input signal to put the additional MOS FET in the conductive and the non-conductive state while putting and isolating the current limiting MOS FET in an off state and from the control input signal. Another control circuit is supplied with another control input signal to put in an on state the current limiting MOS FET isolated from the first-mentioned control input signal.

This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) operable as a semiconductor decoding device which comprises a plurality of MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) field-effect transistors (FETS). Such a semiconductor decoding device is used, for example, as an address decoder for use in combination with a memory device.
In the manner known in the art, a semiconductor decoding device has a first plurality of device input terminals and a second plurality of device output terminals. When the first plurality is equal to three, the second plurality is equal to eight or less.
The device input terminals are supplied with a plurality of binary device input signals, equal in number to the first plurality. From time to time, the device input signals are variable between first and second input levels, such as binary one and binary zero input levels, independently of one another. The device input signals therefore have an input level combination of the first and the second input levels at any given time. It should be noted in this connection that the combination may be given either by the device input signals having the first input level alone in common or by the device input signals having the second input level alone in common.
In a specific case, the semiconductor decoding device may have a predetermined plurality of device input terminals and only one device output terminal. In this event, the input level combination should become a predetermined combination of the first and the second input levels during a certain time interval. The semiconductor decoding device decodes the first and the second input levels of the predetermined combination into a decoded level for supply to the device output terminal with a decoded signal having the decoded level as a device output signal during the time interval under consideration.
In the manner which will later be described in detail, a conventional semiconductor decoding device comprises a parallel circuit of a plurality of MOS field effect transistors of a predetermined conductivity type, such as an n-channel type, equal in number to the predetermined plurality. The parallel circuit is connected to the output terminal. A signal supply section is connected to the parallel circuit for supplying the device input signals to the respective (MOS) field effect transistors. A load circuit is connected to the output terminal and consequently to the parallel circuit. A power supply section is connected to the load circuit for supplying electric power to the load circuit.
In such a semiconductor decoding device, the load circuit has an active and an inactive state. When put in the active state during a first time interval, the load circuit supplies the electric power to the parallel circuit and to the device output terminal. When put in the inactive state during a second time interval, the load circuit inhibits supply of the electric power to each of the parallel circuit and the device output terminal. The device output signal of the decoded level is produced when the load circuit is put in the active state in the time interval in which the device input signals have the predetermined combination of the first and the second input levels.
In the semiconductor decoding device of this kind, the output terminal is charged by the electric power through the load circuit put in the active state. This makes the device output signal have a binary one output level, which may serve as the decoded level. When it is desired to give a binary zero output level to the device output signal, the device output terminal must be discharged.
In order to discharge the device output terminal, the conventional semiconductor decoding device comprises a plurality of NOR gates, equal in number to twice the above-mentioned first plurality even when the second plurality is equal to a half of a three-term algebraic sum of the first plurality square minus the first plurality plus two. As a result, the conventional semiconductor device has a degraded degree of integration. In addition, charge/discharge must be repeated at a cycle composed of the first and the second time intervals. This results in an objectionably great current consumption.

Semiconductor decoding device comprising an MOS FET for discharging an output terminal


A seatback frame structure includes a reclining mechanism, a joining member that is joined to the reclining mechanism, a fastening member, a seatback frame, and a restricting member. The seatback frame forms a frame of a seatback that can support a back of a seated occupant. The seatback frame is fastened to the joining member by the fastening member. The restricting member includes a restricting portion. The restricting portion is fastened, together with the seatback frame, to the joining member by the fastening member. The restricting portion is configured to restrict relative movement of the seatback frame with respect to the joining member when a vehicle is involved in a rear collision. The seatback frame is made of resin, and the seatback frame is fixed in a state sandwiched by the restricting member and the joining member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a seatback frame structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, some seatback frames are being made with resin material (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-161237 (JP 2007-161237 A), for example). With a seatback frame made with such resin material as well, when a reclining mechanism is provided on the seatback frame, the seatback frame is fixed by a fastening member such as a bolt to a bracket (a joining member) that is joined to the reclining mechanism.
When a vehicle is involved in a rear collision, a seated occupant moves toward a seat rear side due to inertia force, such that a load toward the seat rear side is input to the seatback frame from the seated occupant. If the load input to the seatback frame is greater than the fastening force by the fastening member between the bracket (i.e., the joining member) and the seatback frame, the seatback frame will move relative to the fastening member. As a result, an inner peripheral portion of a hole in the seatback frame through which the fastening member is inserted may abut against the fastening member, and the load input to the seatback frame may end up concentrating at the inner peripheral portion of this hole, for example. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the concentration of the load at the fastening portion of the seatback frame.


Article comprising an ultraviolet screening screen layer and a color layer containing a defined daylight fluorescent dye dissolved in a defined polymeric matrix. The article exhibits durable fluorescence and resistance to degradation from exposure to sunlight. If desired, the article is retroreflective.

Retroreflective signs have achieved widespread use for safety and informational signs along roads because of the high nighttime visibility they provide. In order to enhance the daytime visibility of such signs, it has been suggested to make the signs fluorescent as well as retroreflective. U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,682 (Rowland) discloses cube-corner type retroreflective sheetings which incorporate fluorescent dyes, e.g., rhodamine and fluorescein dyes. The resultant signs provide fluorescent ambient appearance and bright, colored retroreflection.
A problem with fluorescent retroreflective sheetings is that upon, in some cases relatively moderate, exposure to solar radiation, such as is encountered in sunlit outdoor applications, the fluorescent properties of the sheetings degrade. Many fluorescent dyes tend to fade or become colorless. This loss in fluorescent performance causes the ambient color of the subject sheeting to fade as well as changing the retroreflective appearance of the sign, thereby impairing the effectiveness of the sign and reducing the potential safety benefits thereof. In some instances, such degradation can occur over as short a time as six months.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,682 (Rowland) discloses retroreflective articles comprising synthetic plastic resins and fluorescent dyes such as rhodamine and fluoroscein dyes.
Japan Kokai No. 2-16042, Application No. 63-165914 (Koshiji et al.) discloses fluorescent articles comprising a screen layer and a layer containing a fluorescent coloring agent wherein the screen layer permits a defined range of transmission of light. According to the reference, the screen layer must have a transmittance of more than 30 percent at 370 nanometers and less than 20 percent at 340 nanometers. The reference further teaches that the coloring agent may be any fluorescent coloring agent and that the binder or matrix of the colored layer is subject to no critical limitation.

Articles exhibiting durable fluorescence with an ultraviolet screening layer

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


An aircraft de-icing system is disclosed in which a laser beam generator is positioned on an aircraft, a beam of radiant energy is generated and directed toward the critical surfaces of the aircraft to create a footprint upon the surface of the aircraft, and the beam is manipulated so that the footprint is moved about the aircraft surface for removing ice, snow or water from the critical aircraft surfaces. One or more laser beam generators are preferably disposed remotely from the area to be de-iced, and the beams are preferably reflected from one or more mirrors so that the mirrors may be adjusted to enable the beams to illuminate the critical surfaces of the aircraft. The laser beams preferably have a wavelength that is preferentially reflected by the aircraft surface and absorbed by ice, snow and water, so that the beam heats and removes ice, snow and water from the aircraft surface as the beam's footprint is moved thereabouts.

This invention relates to aircraft de-icing and, more particularly, to a system and method of onboard de-icing.
Ice formation on aircraft surfaces, particularly wing surfaces, during cold weather is a problem that can have catastrophic consequences. Ice increases aircraft weight and can reduce lift and interfere with the functioning of moving parts. A number of systems are available and in use for preventing icing or for de-icing an aircraft surface while an aircraft is in flight. These include de-icing devices which remove ice by scraping or cracking, devices which melt the ice with microwave heating and devices which employ electrothermal heating within the structure to be de-iced. These devices are typically slow and inefficient. They must also typically be positioned in or adjacent the area to be de-iced and lack the flexibility to de-ice different surfaces and moving parts of the airfoil.
It has also been proposed to use ground based laser light systems to de-ice aircraft. Such systems typically use complex, bulky and cumbersome booms to hold laser light generators in close proximity to an aircraft surface and to manipulate the laser light generators about the aircraft surface to be de-iced. In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/706,598, filed by the present inventor, a laser de-icing method and system are disclosed which overcome many of the problems of earlier laser de-icing systems. The entire content of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/706,598 is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth fully herein. While laser de-icing offers a relatively fast and efficient way of removing ice from an aircraft and reduces or eliminates the need to spray outer surfaces with glycol solutions for de-icing on the ground, earlier approaches of others to laser de-icing are not without problems. For example, ground based systems proposed by others do not permit in flight de-icing and significantly limit the flexibility of the system to de-ice the aircraft when and where needed. Furthermore, glycol based de-icing systems must use additional glycol mixtures and compounds to enable the aircraft to travel from the de-icing station to the runway and to preserve the ice free condition during take-off. The anti-icing glycol mixtures and compounds provide several minutes of ice free conditions. If the aircraft exceeds the specified "safe" period, the aircraft must return to the de-icing station.


A pitcher or carafe housing is provided that has a raw water reservoir. A high performance filter receives raw water from a lower portion of the reservoir. The water is preferably received at or travels through a water entry tube to the back and bottom of the filter. In about 1-3 minutes the water percolates through the filter element, until it reaches a water exit port. A pouring chamber may be provided at the side of the pitcher for receiving the water from the water exit port, so that the water will continue to be treated and flow up into the pouring chamber until the water level equalizes in height in the reservoir and the pouring chamber. The filter and its housing may be placed into and removed from the inside of the raw water reservoir, or the filer housing may be side loaded. The filter media may be a polyester non-woven mat with a weight of 4-7 oz./yd.2 impregnated with carbon or zeolite and subject to compression between about 25-75% (e.g. about 50%).

As the quality of municipally supplied water has declined the consumer has maintained a desire for xe2x80x9cgood tastingxe2x80x9d water. The public has also become aware of the negative health effects associated with chlorination, used to disinfect tap water. Consumers seeking an alternative to tap water for better quality and taste have driven commercial xe2x80x9cBottled Waterxe2x80x9d sales to more than three billion dollars a year. A variety of filtration products have been introduced to compete with Bottled Water in providing these benefits, plus convenience and economy. The most popular of the filtration products has been the variety known as pour through carafes, or pitchers. While popular, the products presently marketed possess several drawbacks, that have kept the filters (treatment elements are all covered by the descriptor xe2x80x9cfilter(s)xe2x80x9d) from achieving greater favor. Major inadequacies have included the time element required to operate a pour through carafe. These devices must be cycled through filling a water chamber, generally comprising about half the volume of the overall container, and waiting until the water has trickled through the filtering element into a second, lower compartment occupying the second half of the container. The time required for filtration is typically 15-30 minutes for two to three liters of water. In addition, as only one-half of the container volume is usable, the containers are typically larger than fit conveniently within the refrigerator. Further, the quantity of treated water available is frequently less than needed, yet the time required to replenish (filter) the water is too long for the filter to be of practical value (i.e. fill a coffee pot etc.) if water had previously been withdrawn and not immediately refilled.
The drawbacks of filtration pitchers and carafes have been overcome by the invention herein disclosed, without diminishing the performance or economy. In addition, greater utility and convenience is achieved by the subject invention.
The product and technology disclosed comprises or consists of a novel new media and a water treatment product specifically designed to utilize and take advantages of the characteristics inherent with the media further described in this disclosure. The product described achieves high levels of water treatment efficiently, fills rapidly, and permits the total volume of the container to be filled and utilized. Clean, fresh tasting water may be delivered within sixty seconds of filling. Typically within five minutes after filling, water is delivered with =90% of lead, chlorine, and certain other contaminants removed. This is accomplished with the development of a new treatment concept combining static treatment with a water feed reservoir. To operate at optimum efficiency it is desirable to use a configuration design that basically controls the length of time the water is in contact with the treatment media. While there are several ways to accomplish this the configurations disclosed use a water in-feed orifice, or tube, which under the available head pressure allows the amount of water entering the treatment unit, or filter, to equal the void volume contained therein. By directing the in-feed water to the point furthest from the out feed, or pouring port, maximum treatment is achieved within the residence time limit designed into the product.
To achieve static treatment, activated carbon, as well as other media, are affixed to randomly oriented fibers, or other highly porous and compressible substrates. Examples of static treatment media are disclosed in my prior European Patent Application Publication number 0 402 661, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. In accordance with the invention, the resulting matrix is compressed to form a treatment zone whereby the contaminant molecules contained within the treatment zone are within 1.5 millimeters, or less of a carbon, or other media element. Such a configuration provides for the movement of contaminant molecules to an active site on the media within a practical amount of time, without requiring convective flow. Diffusivities of common water contaminants are on the order of 5xc3x9710xe2x88x926 cm2/s, allowing treatment of the water within a time span of seconds to minutes, even without water flowing through the filter. Diffusion and equilibrium within a body of fluid are well known phenomena, which form the basics of the mechanism by which static treatment functions. Static treatment requires the body of water being filtered to be placed within the treatment media and left in contact for a specific period of time. The time element for contact is generally from 30 seconds to 10 minutes depending upon the contamination and removal percentage required. As an indicator of the validity of the concept, one may model the diffusion of a well-mixed solution poured into a static treatment device as a plane source of contaminant between two planes of adsorbent. If the diffusivity is assumed to remain constant, the amount of contaminant which has traveled the distance to the adsorbent planes can be readily calculated. While an actual estimation of the degree of removal with time depends on the concentration profiles employed, these calculations illustrate the general nature of solute migration within the low-density medium.
The equation for diffusion in one dimension when the diffusivity (D) is constant is written             ∂      C              ∂      t        =      D              xe2x80x83                                    ∂          2                        C                    ∂                  x          2
Differentiation of this diffusion equation results in a solution for the concentration profile   C  =            A              t        2                        xe2x80x83                  exp                    (                                            -                              x                2                                      /            4                                          xe2x80x83                              Dt                )
where A is an arbitrary constant. This solution is symmetrical with respect to x=0 and approaches zero as x approaches positive or negative infinity for time greater than 0. For a reference cylinder of infinite length and unit cross sectional area, the total amount of substance diffusing (M) is given by   M              ∫              -        ∞            ∞                  C                    xe2x80x83                          ⅆ        x
If we rewrite the equation for the concentration distribution given above so that
x2/4Dt="xgr"2, dx=2(Dt)0.5d"xgr"
we see that the amount of substance diffusing remains constant and equal to the amount originally deposited on the plane at t=0 and x=0.  M  =            2                    AD        0.5                                    ∫                      -            ∞                    ∞                                              exp                                      (                              -                                  ξ                  2                                            )                                                      ⅆ            ξ                                =          2                              A                                (                          π                                            xe2x80x83                                          D                        )                          0.5
Substituting for A in the equation for the concentration distribution yields   C  =            M              2                                      (                          π                                            xe2x80x83                                          Dt                        )                    0.5                                xe2x80x83                  exp                    (                                            -                              x                2                                      /            4                                          xe2x80x83                              Dt                )
or alternatively       C    M    =            1              2                                      (                          π                                            xe2x80x83                                          Dt                        )                    0.5                                xe2x80x83                  exp                    (                                            -                              x                2                                      /            4                                          xe2x80x83                              Dt                )
The following table describes the relationship between the percentage of starting material which has diffused to the adsorptive sites (C/M), the distance between adjacent adsorptive particles (assuming the plane of initial contamination was equidistant between them), and the time required for this diffusion to take place.
Generally speaking, with static treatment, no water flow takes place during the treatment process. In contrast dynamic filtration, which is used in all current consumer products, has the water flowing through the filtration media. This provides a shortened time in contact unless the water is trickled through slowly, thus requiring an inordinate period of time to deliver water in a non-pressurized system, or an impracticably large filter.
The rate of contaminant removal in porous materials is controlled by two principle mechanisms: mass transfer resistances and the kinetics of adsorption/desorption. In filtration using activated carbon (and most other adsorbents), the kinetics of adsorption/desorption are very rapid compared to the rate of mass transfer between the bulk fluid and the solid. Hence the overall rate of contaminant removal is determined primarily by the mass transfer resistances of the system. These resistances are normally characterized as resulting from external film mass transfer resistance and intraparticle diffusion within the pores of the solid. A discussion of the intricacies of intraparticle diffusion is not germane to the teachings of this invention, in that they apply to all methods of water filtration using porous adsorbents. External film resistance to mass transfer describes a laminar sublayer of solvent (water as described in this example) through which mass transfer only takes place by molecular diffusion. The inner surface of the boundary layer is occluded by the surface of the adsorbent particles, allowing access to the inner adsorptive sites at only the pore openings. In traditional filtration the thickness of this layer is very small, and controlled by the velocity of fluid flowing past the adsorbent surface. In flow systems the principle mass transfer resistance is generally intraparticle diffusion, since the boundary layer is small as is the area accessible to molecular diffusion.
In contrast, for a static system, the boundary layer is very pronounced. At its limiting case, the boundary layer extends all the way between adjacent adsorbent particles. As the effects of bulk molecular diffusion on mass transfer are enhanced by the thickness of the boundary layer, the role of this resistance (rather than on intraparticle diffusion) on controlling the overall rate of contaminant removal becomes more predominant. Thus in a static treatment system, the control of operational performance shifts from the physical nature of the adsorbent to the manner in which the adsorbent is deployed.
There are several important implications to transferring control in this manner. The distance between adsorbent particles may now be expanded up to a point, where the rate of contaminant removal is optimized with regard to the size of the treatment device and its capacity to contain a fluid to be treated. The restriction of maintaining an adsorbent bed density at a certain level to promote effective hydrodynamic operation is no longer a concern. The device is no longer designed to provide flow under conditions where the depth of the boundary layer is minimized, eliminating criteria which make it difficult to design a small device which performs at a high level as defined by consumer demands. Summarizing the mechanism of static treatment, contaminant molecules contained within an extended boundary layer of solvent surrounding the treatment media, are adsorbed and removed from primarily the water contained within the pores of the adsorbent particles. As molecular contaminants are removed from the local environment of the adsorbent-pores, other molecules enter this environment through diffusion at a rate that is dependent upon their diffusivity and concentration. Thus, the process is a continuing one where contaminants are continuously being stripped from the localized water within the micropores of the treatment media and replaced by a constantly reduced contaminant level, until the contaminant level in the bulk fluid approaches the local equilibrium concentration within the micropores. Should the carafe or water container be left with the water undisturbed, thermodynamic forces will allow contaminant molecules to reach and bind to the adsorbent. If disturbed convection currents will enhance the action.
The extraparticle/extrafiber porosity of the treatment matrix may be closely controlled to optimize the functions of (1) Filling or replenishing, (2) Time in contact required to achieve contaminant results and, (3) Rate of pouring, or flow of treated water from the treatment media. Functions (1) and (3) are most easily achieved with a more open, less restrictive filter density. Function (2), contact time required is reduced as the density is increased.
The BET surface area (Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 60, p309, 1938) of a particular adsorbent is often used to reflect the number of binding sites available for contaminant removal per unit mass, and the ratio of pore volume to this surface area as an indicator of adsorption preferences based on molecular size of the contaminant. The porosity (pore volume per unit mass) of an adsorbent has also been used to provide an indication of adsorptive capacity. However, fluid contained within the pore structure of the adsorbent media is not generally accessible for removal from the filter, as capillary forces tend to hold it in place. Thus the overall porosity of the medium is not a useful descriptor of the treatment capacity of an adsorbent bed used in static treatment.
The only fluid (in particular water) which is available for use from any filtration device is that which is contained in the extra-particular or xe2x80x98bulkxe2x80x99 volume surrounding the adsorbent. In static treatment, this bulk volume must be sufficient to deliver a useful amount of fluid from the filter when drained, yet the distance between adsorbent particles must be small enough for the bulk fluid to approach equilibrium within a practical time.
A useful term to describe a filter medium, which can be operated in a static manner, is the ratio of xe2x80x9creadily deliverable fluid volumexe2x80x9d (RDV) to bed volume (BV). Readily deliverable fluid volume is defined here as the volume of fluid, which will drain from a decanted filter bed without the application of any external force (other than gravity). Static filters typically have an RDV from about 30 to 60 percent of the BV.
Traditional filtration devices cannot be operated effectively in a static manner, because the extra-particular bulk volume in a packed bed is very small relative to the bed volume. The RDV of a granular activated carbon bed packed with 12xc3x9740-mesh carbon is typically 5 percent of the BV when measured with a bed diameter/depth ratio greater than one. The utilizable volume is even smaller under conditions of actual use. The argument cannot be made that a packed bed overlaid with a column of fluid constitutes static treatment, as the mean distance between a fluid molecule and an adsorptive site is too large to allow for treatment within a reasonable amount of time. In addition, in such a system the tortuocity of the fluid path between the particles of the packed bed would hinder diffusion to the point of making the majority of the bed inaccessible to adsorption.
Density is achieved by compressing an open matrix to reduce the average distance between adsorbent particles, or individual void which holds the water, to be approximately 65 nL (or 65xc3x9710xe2x88x928 liters) in volume. This equates to a RDV/BV ratio in the neighborhood of 0.4. Larger voids are tolerated if residence time between use is not a priority.
Total effective treatment area is a function of the mass of the adsorbent contained in the treatment matrix. The composition of the static treatment media must be optimized to provide for a matrix with sufficient structural stability so as not to migrate during use, as well as containing enough adsorbent to effect a useful capacity for chemical removal. A preferred embodiment of media is disclosed in Appendix A hereto. A matrix of sufficient rigidity to be compressible, yet not pack when wet is created by using a 480 oz./cubic yd. non-woven polyester substrate coated with a mixture of activated carbon (and/or ion-exchange, zeolite compounds or other treatment media) and binder at a level of 50-200% by weight. Other substrate densities which are known to be effective include non-woven polyesters with densities ranging from 480 to 720 oz./cubic yd., however much lower densities are applicable if steps are taken to support the media during hydrodynamic conditions. The substrate used is not restricted to polyesters, only to materials which are appropriate to the desired end-use. For filters designed for use in treating potable water, a substrate which is listed under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 177.2260 (21 CFR xc2xa7177.2260, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and a copy of Appendix B hereto) is appropriate. Certain types of cellulose pulp, cotton, nylon, rayon and polyethylene terephthalate are described in 21 CFR xc2xa7177.2260. For other applications, such as decontamination of a non-potable liquid waste stream, a substrate with different properties may be more appropriate. The adsorbent material used to coat the substrate is typically ground to a powder in order to facilitate the coating process and improve the kinetics of adsorption, but static treatment media can be produced using particles of essentially any size so long as the RDV/BV requirements are not violated. An alternative but less flexible media form is to produce a porous monolithic element comprising or consisting of one or more treatment medias typically bound together with a polymer. Such a treatment element differs from treatment elements typically known as xe2x80x9cCarbon Blockxe2x80x9d filters as a result of the greater porosity required. The porosity allows the volume of water treated to be useful and function as a static filter as previously disclosed. Such porosity greatly limits the ability of the element to function in a dynamic treatment mode.
When a substrate is used to support the carbon or other treatment media, the media must be bound to the substrate. While there are a number of methods that may be employed, dipping, spraying, and vacuum deposition for example, an important element is the chemical-bonding agent used. Not only must the largest number of contact sites be left available for contaminant removal, but the bonding chemical must also be appropriate to the intended end-use conditions. For example, media which is intended for use in treating potable water should contain binders which are listed in 21 CFR xc2xa7177.2260. Research has indicated that certain acrylics are one of a few bonding agents which meet all of the physical as well as toxicological requirements for this application. A wider variety of binders, including vinyl chloride polymers, may be appropriate to other applications.
To be attractive to the consumer, the filtration pitcher or carafe of the invention must fill rapidly, be able to filter a prescribed volume of water within 30 seconds for taste, and 2-10 minutes for optimal removal of the targeted contaminants, generally lead and chlorine. The filtration element should be easily replaceable and, to the degree possible unobtrusive. The filter must be sized and configured to treat water efficiently yet not to retain an excessive quantity of water. In a product design employing static filtration a filtration element positioned at the base of the pitcher, or container, best serves this criteria. A container filled with the media would retain too much water as a result of surface adhesion. To gain residence time in a static mode not only is the filter positioned at the base of the container, but the water path, or entry, into the filter element is through ports positioned at the back, or handle, end. Thus, when poured, the water within the filter is retained and precluded from going back into the reservoir during the pouring cycle, yet free to exit for pouring from the container. The rear entry of the water into the filter delivered to the base also provides the longest water path through the filter to the forward exit opining in the filter at the pouring end of the pitcher.
The second element in this product design is the unique carafe or pitcher, which facilitates embodiment of a static treatment filter. The pitcher comprises or consists of a compartmentalized container, which is essentially made up of a main body, which is separated into a raw water containing section and a pouring section. The containing section is integrated with the pouring section substantially only at the base of the pitcher, at the points of engagement with the treatment element. The treatment element occupies the base area of the pitcher and extends some 1.5 inches to 3 inches up from the base, but may be more or less. The treatment element has a water access opening to the rear of the pitcher and the second opening at the front end of the treatment or filter housing. Water from the filter element enters the pouring chamber of the pitcher through the chamber access hole. A seal is formed between the raw water containing component and the filter. Some designs may also require a seal with the pouring chamber. The treatment element is replaceable. The pitcher container has another unique feature, a closed top in the form of a horizontal baffle, or sealing top. An access port is built into the top for filling the container with water, or the entire top cover may be removed.
The advantage of placing the treatment element at the base of the pitcher is that standing in the up-right position water enters the filter and remains within the treatment element until poured out. The filter is sized to accommodate typically 2-3 eight ounces of water per pour. When the contents of the filter element have been poured out, the filter rapidly refills through the fill port positioned at the back, or handle, side of the pitcher. Fill of the treatment element is rapid from the water remaining within the raw water reservoir. The pitcher may be poured immediately, delivering good tasting water, or more highly treated water by waiting 2-5 minutes.
According to one aspect of the present invention a water filtration assembly is provided comprising the following components: A first housing defining a raw water reservoir and having upper and lower end portions. A raw water inlet opening defined in the upper end portion of the first housing to allow raw water to flow therethrough into the raw water reservoir. A closure structure operatively connected to the upper end portion for selectively closing the inlet opening of the first housing. A filter housing having a raw water inlet port in operative communication with the raw water reservoir for receiving raw water from the lower portion of the first housing, and an outlet port for filtered water. And a treatment media disposed in the filter housing for treating water flowing from the raw water reservoir into the filter housing through the inlet port.
Typically, the assembly further comprises a conduit for conducting raw water from the inlet port of the filter housing to a portion of the filter housing remote from the inlet port. In one embodiment of the invention the first housing comprises an inner, substantially liquid impermeable housing, the inner housing being disposed in an outer, substantially liquid impermeable housing having upper and lower end portions, a radial gap being defined between at least a portion of the inner and outer housings so as to define a pour chamber, the pour chamber being in sole communication with the outlet port of the filter housing for receiving filtered water therefrom. For example, the closure structure comprises a semi-fixed portion, a hinged portion for being moved between open and closed positions selectively providing access to the raw water inlet opening, and a pour A chamber cover hingedly coupled to the semi-fixed portion for movement between open and closed positions selectively permitting dispensing of filtered/treated water from the pour chamber. The filter housing may be disposed in said lower end portion of said inner housing and an outlet port is defined in a side wall of said inner housing for being aligned with said outlet port of said filter housing.
The inner container may be selectively removable from the outer container, and the filter housing may be seated in the lower end portion of the outer housing. The filter housing may be laterally displaceable relative to the first housing, and a pour spout may be provided for selective flow communication with the outlet port of the filter housing.
The assembly may further comprise first and second ribs provided on an inner wall of the first housing for defining a pour spout section for receiving the pour spout housing, the pour spout housing having a bottom inlet opening and a top outlet opening.
In another embodiment, the first housing comprises a substantially liquid impermeable housing having bottom and side walls, a filter housing receiving section being defined in the first housing, adjacent the raw water reservoir, the filter housing being selectively axially displaceable into and out of the filter housing receiving region. The assembly may further comprise first and second rib elements in the first housing for defining the filter housing receiving region. The inlet port of the filter housing may be defined in a bottom end wall thereof and the outlet defined at an upper end thereof. A check valve may be provided for selectively closing the inlet port of the filter housing, and a spacer component may be provided for spacing the bottom end wall of the filter housing from the bottom wall of the first housing. The spacer may comprise a spring element which urges the filter housing upwardly relative to the bottom wall of the first housing.
The closure structure may comprise a semi-fixed portion and a hinge portion movable between open and closed positions selectively providing access to the raw water inlet opening.
The treatment media may comprise a composite structure of carbon and a polyester substrate carrier in one of sponge and fiber form, compressed to form a treatment zone whereby contaminate molecules suspended in water contained in the treatment zone are within about 1.5 mm of the carbon. The filter housing may occupy about 20% of the volume of the first housing. The treatment media may further comprise a static treatment media, the filter housing holds between about 16 and 24 ounces of water, and the treatment media removes at least about 70 to 90% of chlorine and at least about 90% of lead present in the raw water within about 1 to 5 minutes of filling of the filter housing. Typically, the chlorine and lead are removed within about 1-2 minutes of initial filling.
According to another aspect of the present invention a filtration medium is provided comprising randomly oriented inert fibers in mat form with a bulk density of about 200-600 grams per cubic yard of a nominal {fraction (1/16)} to xc2xd inch thickness, one of bonded and coated with a treatment media comprising at least one of activated carbon, zeolite compounds, ion-exchange resins, iodinated resins, and contaminate specific polymers, the treatment media ranging from about 100 grams per square yard to 300 grams per square yard, and compressed to obtain a certain void size distribution, as discussed in Appendix A.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention a method of purifying the water using a water filtration assembly including a first housing having upper and lower end portions and defining a reservoir for water to be purified, and a filter housing having a treatment media disposed therewithin, an inlet port for receiving water from a lower end portion of the reservoir, and an outlet for purified water. The method comprises: (a) Flowing water to be purified into the reservoir through an opening defined in the upper end portion of the first housing, at least some of the water to be purified flowing from the lower end portion of the reservoir through the inlet port into the filter housing. (b) Maintaining the water to be purified in the filter housing for at least about 30 seconds in contact with the filter media disposed therewithin, to effect removal of contaminants therefrom. And (c) dispensing through the outlet port water that has been purified in and exited the filter housing.
Typically (b) is practiced to fully treat the water to be purified to remove at least about 70% of the chlorine and at least about 90% of the lead in the water to be purified, to produce purified water, in about 1-2 minutes.
The method may further comprise placing the filter housing in the first housing, so that the filter housing is seated adjacent a bottom wall thereof. The method may also further comprise moving the filter housing laterally relative to the first housing and into operative communication with the lower end portion of the raw water reservoir. The method may still further comprise inserting the housing into the filter housing receiving compartment, and/or inserting a pour housing into the first housing and placing the pour housing in flow communication with the outlet port of the filter housing.
The above and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims.


A method of preventing microbial growth in oil-water metalworking fluid in a machine wherein lubricating oil or hydraulic or tapping fluid can contaminate the metalworking fluid, comprises adding a partitionable anti-microbial agent, active against micro-organisms present in the metalworking fluid, to the lubricating oil or hydraulic or tapping fluid whereby an effective quantity of anti-microbial agent can migrate into the metalworking fluid to reduce micro-organism activity.

In many mechanical environments, there will be present both oil based and water based compounds. Many machines use hydraulic power incorporating a high pressure hydraulic fluid, an oil, in a sealed environment. However, seals age and leakage of hydraulic fluid can occur to contaminate metalworking fluid.
Mechanical processes often need a lubricating compound to prevent friction between moving parts. An example of such a system is industrial metal-working machine tools wherein the work piece and tooling are positioned and moved on flat bearings generally referred to as slideways. These surfaces require a lubricant—the slideway lubricant—to reduce the metal/metal contact therefore eliminating friction and 'stick-slip' motion, and prevent wear on the slideways. This is essential to maintain the potentially very expensive machine tool in good condition and to ensure machining accuracy. As most machining processes also utilise a flood applied, water-oil emulsion based metalworking fluid to cool and lubricate the working zone the slideway lubricant is constantly washed off the surfaces of the slides. To combat this most machine tools automatically dispense oil onto the slides on a continuous or metered basis. Given the very low cost of the slideway lubricant this total loss system is the most cost effective method of ensuring that the performance of the machine is not compromised. The lost lubricant, tramp oil, is washed with the metalworking fluid into a sump, from which the metalworking fluid is recycled.
Whilst such methods ensure that the machine stays in good condition it has the opposite effect on the metalworking fluids. Being oil-water emulsions, metalworking fluids provide an ideal environment for microbial growth. Although great efforts are made when formulating metalworking fluids to exclude obvious sources of nutrients and to ensure that the fluids are as resistant as possible to microbial growth this is largely negated if contaminated by the slideway lubricant. Since slideway lubricants are generally based on refined mineral oils and contain elements such as sulphur and phosphorus (as anti-wear and anti-corrosion agents), these provide ideal nutrients for micro-organisms. It is accepted throughout the metalworking industry that one of the main causes of failure for metalworking fluids is microbial growth promoted by excessive contamination with slideway lubricants. In systems with low agitation the slideway oil can separate from the emulsion, sealing it from the air. In such anaerobic conditions microbial growth in fluids produces by-products of respiration, such as Hydrogen Sulphide which causes an unpleasant odour and makes the system unpleasant to work with.
Hand applied tapping fluids, may be used for tapping, reaming and drilling operations, and when used on machine tools with water mix, flood applied cutting fluids can also contaminate the cutting fluid.
Several attempts have been made to overcome this problem, which include:                i) Use of synthetic, biologically-hard base fluids instead of mineral oil as the base for slideway lubricants. While this may reduce the overall level of nutrient for the microbes the key sulphur and phosphorus agent agents are still present. Synthetic base fluids are also prohibitively expensive for 'total loss' systems.        ii) Use of the metalworking fluid concentrate as the slideway lubricant. Although this overcomes the contamination problem the primary function as a slideway lubricant is compromised. The ease with which these products can be washed away can leave slideways 'dry' resulting in high friction and poor control of the tooling/work piece. The emulsification of this additional concentrate can also lead to the cutting fluid strength increasing to excessive levels.        iii) Use of oil skimmers/separators. These can vary in both price and performance. The simplest and cheapest types are either belt or disc skimmers that are immersed directly into machine sumps and pick up free oil from the surface of metalworking fluids. These are limited in their performance due to the fact that the oil will only separate from the fluid when there is no agitation (i.e. in 'dead' areas of the sump) or when the fluid is saturated with oil. At the other end of the scale are stand alone machines that extract fluid from machine sumps and remove any oil contamination. These can either be static, dedicated to a single machine, or mobile to service multiple machines on a rota basis. Although they are effective at removing the contamination from the fluids the cost of these units can be tens of thousands of pounds each. This can mean a significant capital investment even for moderately sized engineering shops.        iv) use of an anti-microbial agent in the cutting fluid, anti-nicrobials are dangerous chemicals, especially in concentrated form as an agent, and the anti-microbial needs to be added in correct dosages to maintain function.

Prevention of microbial growth in metal working fluids

Abstract: A machine tool lubricating oil or hydraulic or tapping fluid composition comprises in a mineral oil or other lubricant base and an oil-water partitionable anti-microbial, active against micro-organisms present in oil-water metalworking fluids.


A selective four-wheel drive transmission system includes a dog clutch (48) to be engaged and to be disengaged to set the selective four-wheel drive transmission system for a four-wheel drive mode and a two-wheel drive mode, respectively. The dog clutch (48) has a moving sleeve (52) provided with projections (51), and a coupling member (50) provided with recesses (57). An electric motor (53) internally provided with a potentiometer (54) shifts the moving sleeve (52) between a disengaging position (A0) and an engaging position (A2) to engage and disengage the dog clutch (48). A controller controls the electric motor (53) on the basis of a signal provided by the potentiometer (54) and indicating the position of the moving sleeve (52) to move the moving sleeve (52). If the projections (51) are unable to engage in the recesses (57) for a time exceeding a predetermined time, the moving sleeve (52) is returned to the disengaging position (A0), and, after the passage of a predetermined time, the moving sleeve (52) is moved again toward the engaging position (A2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of selectively setting a selective four-wheel drive transmission system for an all-terrain vehicle, including a front power transmission line, a rear power transmission line, and a dog clutch included in either the front or the rear power transmission line for a two-wheel drive mode or a four-wheel drive mode by controlling the dog clutch.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most conventional all-terrain vehicles are provided with a full-time four-wheel drive transmission system, and some conventional all-terrain vehicles are provided with a selective four-wheel drive a part-time four-wheel drive transmission system. Generally, the selective four-wheel drive transmission system has a front reduction gear for driving front wheels, provided with a dog clutch, and the dog clutch is operated by manual operation or by an electric actuator, such as an electric motor.
An electric dog clutch has a moving member provided with teeth, and a stationary member provided with teeth. The moving member is moved axially between an engaging position where the teeth of the moving and the stationary member are engaged and a disengaging position where the teeth of the moving and the stationary member are disengaged by an electric actuator to select either the two-wheel drive mode or the four-wheel drive mode. Manual control of a dog clutch requires heavy work. Electric control of an electric dog clutch using an electric actuator for shifting the moving member only controls the electric actuator, such as an electric motor, which involves the following problems.
(1) When changing the selective four-wheel drive transmission system from the two-wheel drive mode to the four-wheel drive mode by engaging the dog clutch, the moving member is shifted from the disengaging position to the engaging position. Sometimes, the teeth of the moving and the stationary member interfere with each other and the selective four-wheel drive transmission system cannot be smoothly changed from the two-wheel drive mode to the four-wheel drive mode.
(2) In a state where the dog clutch is engaged and the selective four-wheel drive transmission system is set for the four-wheel drive mode, sometimes, the moving member is forced away from the stationary member. If the selective four-wheel drive transmission system is operated in the four-wheel drive mode with the teeth of the dog clutch engaged incompletely, the teeth are liable to be abraded quickly or irregularly because the effective torque transmitting area of the teeth is reduced.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling a selective four-wheel drive transmission system provided with a dog clutch for an all-terrain vehicle, capable of smoothly changing the selective four-wheel drive transmission from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode and of constantly maintaining the dog clutch in a normally engaged state in the four-wheel drive mode.
According to the present invention, a method of controlling a selective four-wheel drive transmission system for an all-terrain vehicle, said selective four-wheel drive transmission system including a front transmission system for transmitting driving power to front wheels, a rear transmission system for transmitting driving power to rear wheels, a dog clutch including a stationary member provided with teeth and a moving member provided with teeth, and included in either the front transmission system or the rear transmission system so as to be engaged or disengaged to set the selective four-wheel drive transmission system selectively for a four-wheel drive mode or a two-wheel drive mode, an electric actuator for moving the moving member of the dog clutch between an engaging position and a disengaging position, a position sensor incorporated into the electric actuator and capable of determining a position where the moving member is situated, and a controller for controlling the electric actuator, comprises the steps of: determining a position of the moving member of the dog clutch by the position sensor; sending a position signal representing the position of the moving member of the dog clutch and provided by the position sensor to the controller; and controlling the position of the moving member of the dog clutch on the basis of the position signal by the controller.
Thus, the moving member of the dog clutch can be held correctly at the engaging position or the disengaging position, the selective four-wheel drive transmission system can be set properly for the four-wheel drive mode or the two-wheel drive mode, and torque can be properly transmitted.
It is preferable that, the electric actuator is controlled such that the moving member of the dog clutch is returned temporarily to the disengaging position and is moved again toward the engaging position when the dog clutch cannot be properly engaged when changing the selective four-wheel drive transmission system from the two-wheel drive mode to the four-wheel drive mode.
Thus, it is possible to change smoothly the selective four wheel drive transmission from the two wheel drive mode to the four wheeled mode.
It is preferable that, the electric actuator is controlled so as to force the moving member of the dog clutch to the engaging position when a position sensor detects movement of the moving member toward the disengaging position by a distance exceeding a predetermined distance in a state where the selective four-wheel drive transmission system is set for the four-wheel drive mode.
Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the rapid abrasion of the teeth of the dog clutch due to reduction in the area of the torque transmitting surface of the teeth of the dog clutch.
It is preferable that, the electric actuator is controlled by a duty factor control system, and the duty factor of power supplied to the electric actuator during movement of the moving member of the dog clutch from a start position to a contact position is smaller than that of power supplied during movement of the moving member of the dog clutch from the contact position to a engaging position.
Thus, shocks on the dog clutch when the teeth of the moving and the stationary member strike against each other can be reduced, and the drive mode can be smoothly changed because the electric actuator is operated at a high duty factor after the teeth of the moving member and stationary member are engaged.

Method of controlling selective four-wheel drive transmission system for all-terrain vehicle


A fish bite indicator in combination with a fishing rod and reel is provided to give an audible and/or a visual signal when the fishing line is under sufficient state of tension. An oscillating arm of the indicator extends below the rod. The fishing line is threaded in a loop at the end of the oscillating arm below the rod in such a way to cause the arm to move upward toward the rod when the line has sufficient tension to indicate a fish strike. The other operative elements of the indicator include an on/off switch, a switch activating cam that is attached to a portion of the oscillating arm for activating the on/off switch, an alarm means electrically connected to the switch for, and a battery power source for the alarm means.

Numerous fish bite indicators have been developed over the years, but they have failed to become popular because of their tendency to be either ineffective or so elaborate that they are too costly to the average sports fisherman. Examples of prior art bite indicators are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,006,550; 4,573,281; 4,660,316; 5,010,678; 5,088,223; 5,157,857; 5,182,873; and 5,228,228.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,550 has the desired simplicity. However, with the line fed through a loop at the end of the indicator above the reel, the indicator lacks sufficient sensitivity control for distinguishing fish strikes from wave action on the line and other environmental conditions. Furthermore, the indicator would be ineffective for the visually impaired.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,010,678 and 5,088,223 disclose fish bite indicators for the visually impaired. However, these indicators are examples of those that lack the simplicity of the indicator of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,228 also discloses an indicator for the visually impaired. However, this indicator operates when there is significant movement of the tip of the reel. Such an indicator would be ineffective in high winds, heavy surf, high swells and other similar environmental conditions.
The other prior art patents listed above are of general interest to show the state of the art of various indicators having alarms for alerting a fisherman to the presence of a hooked fish on the line of a fishing rig.


An improved transceiver circuit particularly useful in an inductively coupled wireless communication system such as an implantable medical device system is disclosed. The improved transceiver circuit is switchable to assume a serial L-C configuration in the transmit mode and a parallel L-C configuration in the receive mode, but does not require high voltage switches. A low-drive transmitter and a high-input-impedance receiver are used, which reduces power consumption in receive mode, while still maintaining good transmitter performance.

Implantable stimulation devices are devices that generate and deliver electrical stimuli to body nerves and tissues for the therapy of various biological disorders, such as pacemakers to treat cardiac arrhythmia, defibrillators to treat cardiac fibrillation, cochlear stimulators to treat deafness, retinal stimulators to treat blindness, muscle stimulators to produce coordinated limb movement, spinal cord stimulators to treat chronic pain, cortical and deep brain stimulators to treat motor and psychological disorders, and other neural stimulators to treat urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, shoulder sublaxation, etc. The present invention may find applicability in all such applications, although the description that follows will generally focus on the use of the invention within a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,227, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Spinal cord stimulation is a well-accepted clinical method for reducing pain in certain populations of patients. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a SCS system typically includes an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) 100, which includes a biocompatible case 30 formed of titanium for example. The case 30 typically holds the circuitry and power source or battery necessary for the IPG to function, although IPGs can also be powered via external RF energy and without a battery. The IPG 100 is coupled to electrodes 106 via one or more electrode leads (two such leads 102 and 104 are shown), such that the electrodes 106 form an electrode array 110. The electrodes 106 are carried on a flexible body 108, which also houses the individual signal wires 112 and 114 coupled to each electrode. In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight electrodes on lead 102, labeled E1-E8, and eight electrodes on lead 104, labeled E9-E16, although the number of leads and electrodes is application specific and therefore can vary.
As shown in FIG. 2, the IPG 100 typically includes an electronic substrate assembly 14 including a printed circuit board (PCB) 16, along with various electronic components 20, such as microprocessors, integrated circuits, and capacitors mounted to the PCB 16. Two coils are generally present in the IPG 100: a telemetry coil 13 used to transmit/receive data to/from an external controller 12 as explained further below; and a charging coil 18 for charging or recharging the IPG's power source or battery 26 using an external charger (not shown). The telemetry coil 13 can be mounted within the header connector 36 as shown.
As just noted, an external controller 12, such as a hand-held programmer or a clinician's programmer, is used to send data to and receive data from the IPG 100. For example, the external controller 12 can send programming data to the IPG 100 to dictate the therapy the IPG 100 will provide to the patient. Also, the external controller 12 can act as a receiver of data from the IPG 100, such as various data reporting on the IPG's status. The external controller 12, like the IPG 100, also contains a PCB 70 on which electronic components 72 are placed to control operation of the external controller 12. A user interface 74 similar to that used for a computer, cell phone, or other hand held electronic device, and including touchable buttons and a display for example, allows a patient or clinician to operate the external controller 12.
Wireless data transfer between the IPG 100 and the external controller 12 takes place via inductive coupling. To implement such functionality, both the IPG 100 and the external controller 12 have coils 13 and 17 respectively. Either coil can act as the transmitter or the receiver, thus allowing for two-way communication between the two devices. When data is to be sent from the external controller 12 to the IPG 100 for example, coil 17 is energized with alternating current (AC), which generates a magnetic field 29, which in turn induces a voltage in the IPG's telemetry coil 13. The power used to energize the coil 17 can come from a battery 76, which like the IPG's battery 26 is preferably rechargeable, but power may also come from plugging the external controller 12 into a wall outlet plug (not shown), etc. The induced voltage in coil 13 can then be transformed at the IPG 100 back into the telemetered data signals. To improve the magnetic flux density, and hence the efficiency of the data transfer, the IPG's telemetry coil 13 may be wrapped around a ferrite core 13′.
As is well known, inductive transmission of data from coil 17 to coil 13 can occur transcutaneously, i.e., through the patient's tissue 25, making it particular useful in a medical implantable device system. During the transmission of data, the coils 13 and 17 lie in planes that are preferably parallel. Such an orientation between the coils 13 and 17 will generally improve the coupling between them, but deviation from ideal orientations can still result in suitably reliable data transfer.
To communicate a serial stream of digital data bits via inductive coupling, some form of modulation is generally employed. In a preferred embodiment, Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) can be employed, in which the logic state of a bit (either a logic '0' or a logic '1') corresponds to the frequency of the induced magnetic field 29 at a given point in time. Typically, this field has a center frequency (e.g., fc=125 kHz), and logic '0' and '1' signals comprise offsets from that center frequency (e.g., f0=121 kHz and f1=129 kHz respectively). Once the data is modulated in this manner at the transmitting device (e.g., the external controller 12), it is then demodulated at the receiving device (e.g., the IPG 100) to recover the original data. While FSK modulation may be preferred for a given application, one skilled in the art will recognize that other forms of data modulation (e.g., amplitude modulation, On-Off-Keying (OOK), etc.) can be used as well. These modulation schemes as used in a medical implantable device system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,698, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and because they are well known, they are not further discussed.
Typical transceiver circuits 150 and 151 for effecting the transmission and reception of data in the manners just described are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the example shown, it is assumed that the transceiver circuits 150 and 151 are within the IPG 100, although it should be remembered that such circuitry may also be present in the external controller 12. Each circuit comprises a transmitter (TX), an L-C resonant circuit (or as it is sometimes known in the art, a "tank circuit"), and a receiver (RX). In both cases, the inductor (L) in the tank circuit comprises the IPG's data communication coil 13 discussed previously. In circuit 150 (FIG. 3A), the inductor L and capacitor C are connected in series; in circuit 151 (FIG. 3B), the inductor L and capacitor C are in parallel.
In either case, transmission and reception is effected in essentially the same way. As shown in the example of FIG. 3A, the transmitter TX modulates a digital input, D_tx, to produce two complementary drive signals (drive and drive′), which are applied across the resonant circuit. The digital input is referenced to the basic digital power supply operating in the IPG, Vdd, which may be about 2.8V. The magnitude of the drive signals, by contrast, are referenced to Vbat, i.e., the voltage of the battery 26 in the IPG 100, which may be about 3.0 to 4.2V. (Usually the power supply voltage, Vdd, is derived by a regulator from the battery voltage, Vbat, but this is not strictly necessary, and these voltages can be one and the same, and either can power either the transmitter or the receiver. For the purpose of this disclosure, either Vdd or Vbat may be considered as a power supply voltage). Because the drive signals are complimentary, +Vbat and ground are alternatively applied across the resonant circuit, causing the desired resonance to produce the magnetic field 29. When receiving, the receiver RX receives differential inputs caused by the resonance of the resonance circuit, which is then demodulated to form the digital output D_rx, which is again referenced to Vdd (or Vbat, again, either of these voltages can be considered the power supply voltage that powers the receiver). The circuitry for transmitters TX and receivers RX are well known, and hence are not further discussed.
Each of these series and parallel tank circuits has advantages and disadvantages. For example, the series-connected L-C tank 150 is capable of forming large voltages across the inductor, L during transmission. In other words, the voltage produced at the node between the inductor and the capacitor, VA, is amplified by the Q (quality factor) of the tank which can equal about +/−50V or so. This improves the magnitude of the magnetic field 29 which is produced, and thus ultimately improves the transmitter performance. As a result, a low voltage drive transmitter 160 can be used that drives the resonant circuit with smaller voltage signals compatible with standard CMOS integrated circuit technology. By contrast, the receiver RX in the series configuration is generally desired to have a relatively low input impedance 164 (e.g., <10 ohms) to enhance detection of the voltage induced in the resonant circuit by the received magnetic field 29. Unfortunately, the simultaneous desires for a high transmit field and low receiver input impedance increases the power consumption in the receiver RX. Increased receiver power consumption in the IPG 100 is especially problematic due when one considers that IPG batteries 26 (FIG. 2) are relatively small and therefore of limited capacity.
By contrast, the transmit field in the parallel-connected transceiver circuit 151 is not as high, because the voltages across the inductor are limited to the magnitude of the drive signals. As a result, a high drive transmitter 162 is required, which requires drive signals of greater magnitude (+/−50V or so), and which is not compatible with standard CMOS integrated circuit technology. However, the benefit to the parallel configuration occurs on the receiver side. Specifically, the receiver can have a relatively high input impedance 166 (e.g., >10 k ohms) compared to the low impedance receiver 164 used in the series configuration, resulting in lower power consumption and increased detection sensitivity in the receiver.

Transceiver for an implantable medical device having switchable series-to-parallel tank circuit

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation


A method and system for electronically recording and authorizing a transaction utilizes an electronic reading device for generating an electronic reproduction of written information by detecting positions of the electronic reading device relative to a particular address pattern in a data entry field of a formatted surface. The electronic reproduction of the written information is sent to a server that stores or processes the electronic reproduction. For example, the server can determine whether the electronic reading device is authorized to use the particular address pattern or whether the electronic reproduction correlates with stored data. In addition, to enable the electronic reading device, detection of a correct user personal identification number (PIN) or user fingerprint may be required.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the communications field, and in particular to an interaction of an electronic reading device with an address pattern.
2. Description of Related Art
Numerous devices exist for accepting user input and controlling user interaction with desktop and portable computers, personal digital assistance (PDAs), mobile phones, and other types of electronic devices. For example, a keyboard can be used to accept typed input and other types of commands, a mouse or a track-ball can be used to provide relative motion input as well as various types of point-and-click selections, a keypad can be used to provide input of numerical data and functional commands, navigational keys can be used for scrolling lists or otherwise repositioning a cursor, and various types of touchpads or touchscreens can be used to provide absolute positional coordinate inputs. Each type of mechanism for accepting input and for supporting user interaction has benefits and disadvantages in terms of size, convenience, flexibility, responsiveness, and easy of use. Generally, the selection of a particular type of input mechanism is dependent upon the function of the application and the degree and type of interaction required.
With the ever expanding capabilities and availability of applications both on the Internet and the area of wireless technology, there continues to be a need to develop and provide new mechanisms for accepting input and interacting with users. In particular, some of the existing technologies suffer from drawbacks or limitations, such as size and flexibility, that make them impractical and/or inconvenient to use in some situations. By expanding the range of mechanisms for supporting user interaction, application developers and end-users can have greater flexibility in the selection of input devices. Preferably, any such new mechanisms will provide increased flexibility and will maximize user convenience. In addition, the development of new mechanisms for interacting with users can expand the realm of potential applications.
For example, while a keyboard typically provides a great deal of flexibility, particularly when it is used in connection with a mouse, a touchscreen, or other navigational device, its size makes it inconvenient in many cases, especially in the wireless context.

Method and system for electronically recording transactions and performing security function