A sewing machine having a wireless controller is disclosed, wherein the sewing machine substantially comprising a drive motor for driving the sewing machine, a separate controller adjustably operated to produce a variable set voltage for controlling the rotation speed of the drive motor, a converter for converting the set voltage to a corresponding digital value and producing a series of data on the basis of the digital value, a device for producing carrier waves, modulator for modulating the series of data by way of the carrier waves and producing modulated waves, transmitter means responsive to the modulated waves to produce a corresponding light signal, means for receiving the light signal, demodulator for demodulating the received light signal, and a device responsive to the demodulated light to control the rotation speed of said drive motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sewing machine, and more particularly to speed control of a sewing machine by a wireless controller.
2. Description of the Known Art
As is generally known, a sewing machine has a drive shaft which is rotated by a drive motor to reciprocate a needle carrying an upper thread vertically, and to rotate in synchronism with the needle a loop taker having a lower thread located therein to form stitches. The rotation speed of the drive shaft may be varied by a foot pedal controller or a hand-operated controller which is operative by a variable resistor and connected to the sewing machine by an electric transmission cord or wire. Namely, the rotation speed of the drive shaft is varied by the controller through a speed control circuit which is generally provided in the sewing machine and is operated with a voltage optionally set by the controller to control the rotation speed of the drive motor.
As a result, in case that the sewing machine has the foot-operated controller employed in connection therewith, it becomes necessary to use the electric transmission cord or wire to be connected between the foot-operated controller and the sewing machine having the drive motor provided therein. In this case, the machine user is required to deal with the transmission wire at the beginning and end of machine sewing work, that is, to connect and disconnect the controller wire to and from the sewing machine. The disconnected wire has to be put into order so as not to stand in the way. Moreover, the connected wire will often catch the user's foot by accident. In the case where the conventional hand-operated controller switch is used in connection with the sewing machine, the user is required to use one hand to operate the controller which is connected to the sewing machine by the cord or wire. This requirement is in any event distracting from the handling of the work to be stitched on the sewing machine.
In order to solve the problems inherent in the conventional controller operated sewing machine, a wireless controller of the radio wave type has been proposed for the sewing machine. However, the wireless controller of this type often suffers from radio interference. When the radio wave interference occurs during sewing operation, it may happen that the rotation speed of the sewing machine is out of control to thereby create a danger to the user.

Sewing machine of a sewing machine by wireless controller


The invention concerns an electric circuit and a method for pulse modulation of a carrier signal (10). The circuit comprises a pulse generator for generating a current pulse and at least one diode switch (12) which can be controlled by the current pulse. To modulate the carrier signal (10) with a particularly short pulse with a clear, square envelope (21), using as simple and inexpensive a circuit as possible, the invention proposes that the circuit comprises at least one chargeable capacitive element (C) whose discharge current controls the at least one diode switch (12). The capacitive element (C) is formed e.g. as a capacitor. The capacitive element (C) is charged with a charging voltage (UL) via a charging resistance (R). Switching of a transistor (18) initiates the discharging process and a current pulse is generated for controlling the diode switch (12).

This application claims Paris Convention priority of DE 100 59 585.5 filed Nov. 30, 2000 the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention concerns an electrical circuit for pulse modulation of a carrier signal. The circuit comprises a pulse generator for generating a current pulse and at least one diode switch which can be controlled by the current pulse. The invention also concerns a method for pulse modulation of a carrier signal by means of at least one diode switch. A current pulse is thereby generated which is used to control the at least one diode switch.
Circuits of the above-mentioned type are used e.g. for pulse modulation of a radio-frequency carrier signal which are used e.g. for distance radar systems in motor vehicles. The diode switch is triggered by the current pulse generated by the pulse generator and switches a radio-frequency (RF) signal for a very short time period (0.1 to 10 ns).
The function of a diode switch is explained in more detail below with reference to a conventional electric circuit shown in FIG. 2. A typical diode switch 9 comprises a signal line 1 and a lambda/4 stub lead which branches off therefrom. An oscillator 3, which provides a radio-frequency carrier signal 4, is disposed at the input of the signal line 1. A control voltage source U is connected to the stub lead 2 and the control voltage U is applied to and removed from the stub lead 2 by closing and opening a switch 7. Repeated opening and closing of the switch 7 pulse-modulates the carrier signal 4 and the pulse-modulated radio-frequency carrier signal 6 is available at an output 5 of the signal line 1.
When a diode 8, disposed at the end of the stub lead 2, is conducting (switch 7 is closed), a signal can pass from the oscillator 3 to the output 5 of the diode switch 9. When the diode blocks (switch 7 is open) no signal can pass from the oscillator 3 to the output 5. The lambda/4 stub lead 2, which is connected to the diode 8, xe2x80x9cinvertsxe2x80x9d the behavior of the diode 8. During open-circuit operation (diode 8 blocks) and in case of a short-circuit (diode 8 is conducting), the signal in the stub lead 2 is reflected. This produces destructive overlapping during open-circuit operation (incoming and reflected signal are phase-shifted relative to one another by half a period) after the lambda/4 stub lead 2. In case of a short-circuit, the signals overlap constructively after the lambda/4 stub lead 2 (incoming and reflected signal are not phase-shifted relative to one another).
Diode 8 is usually a PIN diode. A PIN diode permits switching times (shortest pulse which can be generated at the output 5) of longer than 10 ns. The very small PIN diode resistance in the switched state is advantageous. To achieve considerably faster switching times, a Schottky diode can be used instead of the PIN diode. This permits switching times in the sub-ns range.
The considerably higher dynamic resistance of the Schottky diode has, however, disturbing effects. The dynamic resistance of the diode determines the insertion attenuation of the diode switch (i.e. the losses). The parasitic or stray quantities, in particular the capacitance, determined the maximum achievable isolation of the diode switch 9. The minimum achievable performance loss of the diode switch 9, i.e. with conducting diode 8, is determined by the dynamic resistance of the diode 8. The capacitance also permits small current flow to ground in the blocking state of the diode 8. The isolation of the diode switch 9 can be doubled by using a second diode connected in parallel to the first diode 8. However, this also doubles the minimum achievable power loss for the switched diode switch 9.
The circuit shown in FIG. 2 has the additional disadvantage that the envelope 6a of the pulse-modulated radio-frequency carrier signal 6 present at the output 5 of the diode switch 9 does not have a clean, square behavior. Rather, the dependence of the envelope is exponential (exe2x88x92t). When using the known circuit e.g. in a distance radar system, the position resolution obtained can be higher the shorter the emitted pulses. The shorter pulses, however, also contain reduced signal energy which renders the signal particularly susceptible to disturbances. For this reason, it is important, in particular with very short pulses, that the emitted signal, i.e. the pulse-modulated signal 6 present at the output 5 of the diode switch 9 has a clean, preferably square envelope 6a.
In view of these considerations, it is the object of the present invention to provide a circuit and a method for modulating a carrier signal with as short pulses as possible having a clean, square envelope.
To solve this object, the invention proposes, on the basis of the electrical circuit of the above-mentioned type, that the circuit has at least one chargeable capacitive element whose discharge current controls the at least one diode switch.
The capacitive element is formed e.g. as a capacitor. It can be one individual capacitor or a series connection, a parallel connection or a combination of series and parallel connections of several capacitors. The inventive electric circuit permits modulation of a carrier signal with very short pulses having a particularly clean, square envelope. Moreover, the inventive circuit can be realized at particularly low costs.
The at least one capacitive element is initially charged through a charging resistance. Thereafter, the at least one capacitive element can be discharged at any desired point in time. The discharge current thereby controls the at least one diode switch of the electric circuit. Rapid discharge of the capacitive element produces very short current pulses. A discharge current thereby flows only until the at least one capacitive element has been discharged. The charging resistance is thereby dimensioned such that after discharging, the or each capacitive element can nearly completely recharge prior to the next current pulse.
An advantageous further development of the present invention proposes that the circuit has several diode switches with stub leads connected in parallel. Each stub lead branch has one diode, to ensure that the discharge current flows in one direction only. The maximum achievable isolation of the diode switch can be considerably increased through parallel connection of several diodes.
In another advantageous further development of the present invention, the circuit comprises at least one semiconductor switch connected in series with the/each diode switch, wherein the charged capacitive element can be discharged by a control pulse via the/each semiconductor switch and the/each diode switch after controlling the at least one semiconductor switch. The at least one capacitive element is thus discharged by controlling a semiconductor switch with a control pulse. The control pulse merely serves for triggering the discharge process. It may even last longer than the current pulse. As soon as the capacitive element is discharged, the current pulse also terminates, irrespective of whether or not the control pulse is still present on the semiconductor switch.
The/each semiconductor switch is preferably formed from a transistor and, advantageously, from a field effect transistor (FET). An FET has nearly ohmic behavior in the switched state.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit comprises two semiconductors, wherein the control pulse can be applied to a control contact of one semiconductor switch and a variable direct voltage is applied to a control contact of the other semiconductor switch. Application of the control pulse to the one semiconductor switch initiates the discharging process of the capacitive element. The minimum resistance in the conducting state of the one semiconductor switch can be adjusted through the variable direct voltage which is applied to the other semiconductor switch. The larger the resistance of the semiconductor switch in the conducting state, the longer it takes until the at least one capacitive element has been completely discharged to prolong the generated current pulse and the pulses which are modulated on the carrier signal by the inventive circuit.
The variable direct voltage permits adjustment of the spatial resolution or signal energy of emitted pulses e.g. in distance radar systems. Longer pulses of higher energy can be emitted for scanning remote regions. For scanning closer regions, shorter pulses can be emitted. The short pulses have a higher spatial resolution to permit safe and reliable detection of even small obstacles.
The two semiconductor switches are preferably formed as a field effect transistor (FET) comprising two gates. Such FETs are also called Dual-Gate-FETs. The variable direct voltage permits variation of the maximum drain current of the Dual-Gate-FET and hence of the discharge time of the capacitive element and the pulse duration of the pulse-modulated carrier signal. The drain current must have a minimum magnitude which permits control of all diodes of the diode switch.
In another advantageous further development of the present invention, a semiconductor unit is disposed in a branch of the circuit through which the capacitive element is charged and is switched through during the charging process. The semiconductor unit is preferably a diode. The at least one capacitive element can be charged during the charging process in the usual manner via a semiconductor unit switched in this fashion. During the discharging process, the semiconductor unit blocks and causes the entire discharge current to flow through the diode switch and not through the charging resistance.
In another advantageous further development of the present invention, the circuit comprises means for interrupting the charging process of the at least one capacitive element for at least as long as the control pulse is applied to at least one semiconductor switch. The charging signal for the at least one capacitive element and the control signal for the semiconductor switch are therefore never simultaneously HIGH. This further development prevents residual current from flowing through the charging resistance after the discharging process. If the charging signal is at LOW, discharge of the at least one capacitive element via the charging resistance can be prevented by the semiconductor unit disposed in the branch of the circuit via which the at least one capacitive element is charged.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interrupting means comprise delaying members for delaying the rising side of the control pulse and the rising side of the charging signal. The charging signal is usually at HIGH. The control signal is usually at LOW except during the control pulses. During the control pulses, the control signal is at HIGH. In a first step, the inverted control signal is used as the charging signal. The delaying members take into account inclined signal sides to ensure that, during the control pulse, the charging signal is at LOW. A first delaying member delays the rising side of the control signal, while the charging signal is changed from HIGH to LOW using the rising side of the undelayed control signal. A second delaying member delays the rising side of the charging signal which then changes from LOW to HIGH with a temporal shift relative to the falling side of the control signal. The charging signal of this embodiment is safely at LOW as long as the control signal is at HIGH.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an increase in isolation of the diode switch is achieved by disposing at least one semiconductor unit, switched through during the discharge process, in series with the/each stub lead of the at least one diode switch. The semiconductor unit is preferably a diode.
In another preferred further development of the present invention, the circuit comprises an inverting branch connected in parallel with the at least one branch connected to the/each diode switch. The output of the at least one diode switch is terminated by a resistance which corresponds to the system resistance. This prevents reflection of the signal present at the output. When the at least one diode switch is switched, the applied power is terminated by the output. If the diode switch is open, no power is terminated by the output, rather, in this further development, the power is terminated by the inverting branch. The power terminated by the inverting branch is not utilized. However, termination of the power prevents the unused power from being reflected at the output of the at least one diode switch to prevent negative effects on the oscillator producing the carrier signal. The reflected power could cause fluctuations in the oscillator frequency. For use of the circuit in distance radar systems, the spatial resolution and reliability could thereby be impaired. Termination of the unused power curtails the disturbances in the at least one diode switch.
The inverting branch preferably comprises a length which is larger by lambda/4 compared to the branches with the at least one diode switch. When using a diode switch with a lambda/4 stub lead, the inverting branch is approximately designed as a lambda/2 line. To provide useful cooperation between the two branches, i.e. such that the oscillator always sees the system resistance at the input, the two branches must be mutually adjusted. Towards this end, the two branches are operated separately. Both branches are designed such that they have as low a reflection factor as possible when switched.
In another preferred further development of the present invention, a series connection of an inverting unit with a wavelength-selective reflecting unit (so-called stub) is disposed in a branch of the circuit via which the capacitive element is discharged. The inverting unit is disposed between the wavelength-selective reflecting unit and the/each diode switch. The wavelength-selective reflecting unit is reflecting for a frequency range comprising the frequency of the carrier signal, and is conducting for all other frequencies. The inverting unit is formed e.g. as a lambda/4 line. The inverting unit and the wavelength-selective reflecting unit cooperate as a short-circuit for a certain RF frequency range. The frequency range comprises the frequency of the carrier signal and other frequencies in the region between 5xc2x710xe2x88x921 to 2 times the frequency of the carrier signal.
A further solution of the object of the present invention is based on a method for pulse modulation of a carrier signal of the above-mentioned type, wherein at least one capacitive element is charged and the discharge current of the at least one capacitive element is used for controlling the at least one diode switch.
Further features, possible applications and advantages of the invention can be extracted from the following description of embodiments of the invention which are shown in the drawing. All features described or shown define, individually or collectively in any arbitrary combination, the object of the invention independent of their concise articulation in the claims or their dependencies and independent of their formulation or representation in the description or in the drawing.

Electrical circuit and method for pulse modulation of a carrier signal


A valve for controlling flow of a fluid includes a valve body defining at least in part an inlet, an outlet, at least one chamber, and an orifice in communication with the chamber. A valve member is received at least in part in one chamber for reciprocation or rotation between an open position permitting fluid flow through the inlet and into the outlet, and a closed position at least substantially restricting fluid flow through the outlet. In the reciprocating version the movement of the spool toward its open position causes fluid in the chamber to be displaced out of the cavity through the at least one orifice. In one exemplary embodiment, a fuel system includes a valve between a primary fuel pump and a secondary fuel pump driven by a portion of the output of pressurized fuel from the primary fuel pump.

In delivering fuel from a fuel tank to an engine, it is known to use an electric motor fuel pump to deliver fuel under pressure from the fuel tank through a fuel line to a fuel rail and fuel injectors of the engine. It is also known to incorporate a jet pump driven by a portion of the output of the fuel pump to transfer fuel from one location to another. For example, in a two fuel tank system, a jet pump may be used to transfer fuel from one fuel tank to the other. Since the jet pump uses a portion of the fuel pump output, less fuel is available for delivery to the engine. This can pose a problem in some operating conditions, such as during a cold start. During a cold start, the fuel pump may deliver fuel at a less than normal flow rate which can make it difficult to start the engine. This can be particularly troublesome where more than one jet pump or other auxiliary feed stems from the fuel line supplying the engine.


A method and apparatus for laying a pipeline. Working and receiving pits are dug out. An active working member is dropped into the working pit at a preselected depth. The active working member is fixed to a vertical knife of a power mechanism. Polyethylene pipeline is secured to an end part of the active working member. Then the power mechanism is energized and simultaneously horizontal pulling forces of the power mechanism are applied to the vertical knife. The active working member may be a drill head with different nozzles (bits) connected with a mud supply unit by a hose passing through a hollow portion of the vertical knife. On a non-working end of the active member the pipeline is fixed by an adapter.

The method of laying pipeline in the soil is known, where the well is made by the boom with simultaneous laying out of the protective inflated sheath and supply of the binder to the exterior wall of this sheath. The braid is put between the exterior surface of the inside protective sheath and the well wall. The binder is supplied to the braid cavity, and the protective inflated sheath is supplied to the braid cavity through the binder layer, in this case the additional exterior inflated sheath is put to the well before the sheath and the interior protective inflated sheath. (See Author' Certificate of the USSR No 1310481, MPK E02F 5/10, F16L 1/01, published on May 15, 1987).
The disadvantages of the known method are its high cost and low efficiency. Besides this method is not ecologically pure.
These advantages are due to the limited pipeline length, expensive technological equipment, frequent breaks of the inflated sheath, as well as by low pipelaying rate and formation of dead zones in the well bottom because of the preparation and leaking of the binder. The method of pipelaying in the soil, taken as a prototype, is known, which consists in excavation of the working and reception pits, forcing the pipes through by applying to their tail end the effort of a power mechanism with successive extending and joining of pipes. Soil is forced into the pipes and subsequently removed. In this case the excavation pipes are used as front pipes, having a total length not less than the distance between pits, and the soil is removed from excavator pipes as a measure of their reaching the reception pit. The separation flange is installed between the front and tail sections, besides the effort of passing through is created by the drawing power mechanism, or by the joint action of the beating mechanism and the drawing or forcing through power mechanism. The joining excavator pipes are carried by an interior cone on their tail part, which at the forcing through is formed by the beating mechanism. The effort of the passing through is created by drawing a rope connected to the front of the tail pipe which is pulled through, and putting the drawing rope on the line of the underground passage, and passing the pulling rope through a hole in the separation flange. (See Patent No 2070302 of the Russian Federation, MPK F16L 1/028, published on Dec. 10, 1996). The defect of the known method taken as prototype is its low efficiency and high cost of the pipelaying.
This defect is due to high pulling requirements, applied by a pulling power mechanism, limited pipeline length, which entails frequent installations of separation flanges, and, consequently, preparation of new working and reception pits. Besides, it violates the soil ecology because of frequent application to excavator pipes and large number of pits.
A device for trenchless pipelaying in the soil is known, which includes a sheath made as central front and expanded tail parts connected between them, a pneumatic beater, put inside the front part of the sheath and fixed to it by fixers, flexible links fixed in the sheath and a pressing flange to press the laid pipes. The tail part of the sheath is made as mutually crossing tube elements, which axes are parallel to the sheath axis, and connections of the face and front parts are made as ellipsoidal surfaces of crossing of tube elements inclined by its planes towards these elements; the fixers are made as two shoulder levers and are fixed by hinges, besides, the device has removable covers to ensure access to the fixers and fixtures of the flexible links, located in connection places of the front and face parts of the sheath (See Author's Certificate of the USSR No 1548361, MPK E02F 5/18, F16L 1/00, published on Mar. 7, 1990).
The defect of the known device is low output and missing long-time orientation. The abovementioned defects are due to limited pipeline length, design particularities of the device, namely application of only pneumatic loads.
A device for trenchless pipelaying is known as well, which contains the pipe-sheath, cylindric pump, located in it, which has the function to take the soil and the tail part, stop wall, expulsor of the soil, located in the part to tail soil, fixing mechanism and the pump moving mechanism, power block. The pump part to take soil and the tail part are formed by rigid partition installed in the pump body. With this the power block is located telescopically in the tail part and located in the body, rigidly connected to the stop partition, power cylinders block, which bodies are connected by hinges to the stop partition, and the rods with the partition. With this the fixing mechanism is located on the stop wall, power block has additional power cylinders, which rods by its holes, made in the rigid partition, are connected with the soil expulsor, and the pump is made with wheels, preceded by folding back disposal knifes (See Author's Certificate No 1452899 of the USSR, MPK EO2F 5/18, F16L1/00, published on Jan. 23, 1989).
The defect of the known device is its low output.
This defect is due to limited pipeline length, construction particularities of the device, not allowing to increase the passing rate.
The closet background art is the machine for laying out of the trunklines, taken as a prototype, having the basic machine with knife boom, a device to support soil and two supports for pipes. This basic machine has two mated tractors, connected between them by the coupling frame, connected to tractor undercarriages by ball joints. It has a pulling boom, connected to the coupling frame and the tractor brackets by hinges. The knife boom is fixed at the pulling boom, one of the supports for the pipe is located at the upper part of the knife boom, and the other at the front part of the basic machine, besides, the supports for the pipe are made adjustable by height, and the two disposals excavating boom is fixed at the pulling boom (See Author's Certificate No 1361411 of the USSR, MPK F16L 1/100, published on Dec. 23, 1987).
The defect of the known aggregate is low output and the high cost of pipelaying. This defect is due to limited pipe of the line and construction particularities of the aggregate.

Method and apparatus for laying out a pipeline


To provide a microporous film having excellent permeability and mechanical strength as well as excellent SD function at low temperatures and film-breaking resistance at high temperatures. A microporous film made of a resin composition at least comprising 1 to 50% by weight of a ring-opening polymer of an unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound, and 1 to 50% by weight of one or more resin components selected from the group consisting of polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of 500000 or less, thermoplastic elastomers and graft copolymers.

The present invention relates to a microporous film. More particularly, the present invention relates to a microporous film which is used for separators for batteries.
Non-aqueous electrolytic batteries in which a light metal such as lithium is used as an electrode have high energy density and little self-discharge. Therefore, the application range of these batteries has broadened and has played a part in the trend towards high performance and miniaturization in electronic devices. As electrodes for the non-aqueous electrolytic batteries described above, there have been used spirally wound group in which the battery is constituted by laminating and winding a cathode, an anode and a separator in ribbon-shapes, whereby a wide effective electrode area is secured. In the separator, the short-circuiting of both electrodes is basically prevented, and at the same time the battery reaction can be carried out by transmitting ions owing to its microporous structure. However, those having a so-called xe2x80x9cshut-downxe2x80x9d function (SD function), wherein a resin is thermally deformed with an increase in the internal temperature of the battery when abnormal electric current is generated due to an improper connection at the external of the battery or the like, so that the resin is prevented from having microporous structure, thereby stopping the battery reaction, have been employed, from the viewpoint of improving the safety.
As the separators having the SD function described above, there have been known, for instance, microporous films made of polyethylenes, and microporous films having a multi-layered structure made of polyethylenes and polypropylenes.
However, with the recent progress in the lithium ion secondary batteries and the like, it is desired not only that the separator has the SD function described above, but also that the separator has heat resistance even at higher temperatures, because when the temperature is further raised after being shut-down, the separator itself is subjected to film-breaking upon melting (melt-down), or plasticization to be in a breakable state, so that there arise some risks of ignition and explosion. Especially, as the developments in the battery having high capacity and the reduction of the internal resistance of the battery progress, factors such as increasing heat generation arise, thereby making it increasingly important.
In view of the problems mentioned above, there have been known a separator for a battery in which the greater the difference between the shut-down temperature (SD temperature) and the film-breaking temperature, and the higher the film-breaking temperature, the better the high-temperature properties and the higher the safety. For instance, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-308866 discloses a microporous film having high strength and excellent high-temperature property by laminating a single film made of a low-melting point polyethylene and a high-melting point polypropylene. However, the internal resistance of the separator becomes high by the lamination, so that it is inappropriate as a separator for high-performance batteries with the applications requiring high-outputs. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-298325 discloses a microporous film made of a high-molecular weight polyethylene composition comprising a polyethylene and a polypropylene each having a low molecular weight. However, when the composition is subjected to a drastic temperature increase, the polyethylene material constituting a majority of the microporous film easily melts and becomes easily breakable, so that its risk is greater. In addition, in the future high-performance battery for such applications requiring high-outputs, there has been desired to have a heat resistance surpassing those of separators comprising polypropylene, which are conventional high heat resistance types.
An object of the present invention is to provide a microporous film having excellent permeability and mechanical strength, and also having excellent SD function at low temperatures and film-breaking resistance at high temperatures.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a separator for a battery comprising the microporous film of the present invention.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a battery comprising the separator for a battery of the present invention.
As a result of intensive studies in view of accomplishing the above objects, the present inventors have found that a microporous film, which is made of at least a ring-opening polymer of an unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound, and a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 500,000 or less, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a graft copolymer, has the excellent features of a low SD temperature and a high film-breaking temperature. The present invention has been accomplished thereby.
Specifically, the present invention relates to:
(1) a microporous film made of a resin composition at least comprising 1 to 50% by weight of a ring-opening polymer of an unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound and 1 to 50% by weight of one or more resin components selected from the group consisting of polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of 500000 or less, thermoplastic elastomers and graft copolymers;
(2) a separator for a battery comprising the microporous film of item (1) above; and
(3) a battery comprising the separator for a battery of item (2) above.
The ring-opening polymer of the unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound usable in the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as xe2x80x9cfirst resin componentxe2x80x9d) has an aliphatic ring and a double bond derived from its monomer units as the main component. In addition, a part of the double bond may be hydrogenated in the ring-opening polymer.
The above-mentioned unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds are roughly classified into the following three series of compounds. A first series of compounds include, among those classified as the condensed alicyclic compounds in a narrow sense, unsaturated compounds one of which rings has a double bond incorporated into the main chain after the ring opening polymerization. In addition, derivatives in which some of hydrogen atoms of these unsaturated compounds are substituted with other substituents can be also used as unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds. Concrete examples thereof include bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-7-ene, and derivatives thereof, and the like.
A second series of compounds include, among those classified as the bridge-ring cyclic compounds, unsaturated compounds one of which rings has a double bond incorporated into the main chain after the ring opening polymerization. In addition, derivatives in which some of hydrogen atoms of these unsaturated compounds are substituted with other substituents can be also used as unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds. Concrete examples thereof include bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene (also referred in the present specification as norbornene); norbornene derivatives such as bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxymethyl esters; bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene and derivatives thereof, and the like.
A third series of compounds include, compounds having bridge ring and condensed aliphatic ring, each of which compounds has an aliphatic ring and a double bond in its main chain after the ring opening polymerization. Concrete examples thereof include tricyclo[5.2.1.02.6]deca-3,8-diene (dicyclopentadiene), tetracyclododecene, and derivatives thereof, and the like.
Among these unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds, norbornene and norbornene derivatives are preferable, from the viewpoints of feeding raw materials and the like. In addition, these unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds can be used alone, or in admixture of two or more kinds, or they can be sequentially subjected to ring opening polymerization.
As the ring-opening polymer of the unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound mentioned above, polynorbornenes and the like are preferably used. Among them, the polynorbornene rubbers having a high average molecular weight are more preferably used, from the viewpoint of the dispersibility.
In addition, in the microporous film of the present invention, there are employed one or more resin components selected from the group consisting of polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of 500000 or less, thermoplastic elastomers and graft copolymers (hereinafter also referred to as xe2x80x9csecond resin componentxe2x80x9d).
The polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of 500000 or less are preferably polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 500000, more preferably those having a weight-average molecular weight of 300000 or less, from the viewpoint of lowering the SD temperature. The polyolefins include polyolefin resins such as polyethylenes and polypropylenes; and modified polyolefin resins such as ethylene-acrylic monomer copolymers and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Especially preferable are those polyethylene resins having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 500000, more especially preferably a weight-average molecular weight of 300000 or less.
The thermoplastic elastomers include thermoplastic elastomers such as polystyrene-based, polyolefin-based, polydiene-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, and polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers.
The graft copolymers include a graft copolymer in which a main chain comprises a polyolefin, and a vinyl polymer having a non-compatible group is grafted thereon as a side chain, and the vinyl polymer is preferably polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, and polyoxyalkylenes. Here, the non-compatible group means a group which is incompatible to the polyolefin, and includes, for instance, groups derived from the vinyl polymer.
These resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
Among them, the polyolefin resins having a weight-average molecular weight of 500000 or less, especially low-melting point polyethylenes having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 500000, polyolefin elastomers having crystallinity, graft copolymers having a low-melting point polymethacrylate as a side chain, and the like are preferable, from the viewpoint of giving low SD temperatures. Concretely, the polyolefins having a weight-average molecular weight of less than 500000 and/or the thermoplastic elastomers, of which low-temperature side observed by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) corresponds to a part of peaks at 100xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C. are preferable.
In addition, in order to enhance the strength of the microporous film, it is preferable that an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin resin such as an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight exceeding 500000 is further formulated.
The microporous film of the present invention is made of a resin composition which comprises the first resin component and the second resin component mentioned above, and further comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin resin having a weight-average molecular weight exceeding 500000 as occasion demands.
In the present invention, the amount of the first resin component formulated is in the range of from 1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 1 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 35% by weight, of the resin composition. The lower limit of the amount formulated is 1% by weight or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining a microporous film having a sufficient heat resistance, and its upper limit is 50% by weight or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining the properties of the microporous film as a separator for a battery.
In addition, the amount of the second resin component formulated is in the range of from 1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 5 to 45% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 40% by weight, of the resin composition. The lower limit of the amount formulated is 1% by weight or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining a sufficient SD temperature, and its upper limit is 50% by weight or less, from the viewpoints of having a sufficient porosity and maintaining the properties of the microporous film as a separator for a battery.
In addition, the amount of the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin resin having a weight-average molecular weight exceeding 500000 formulated is preferably from 5 to 98% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 90% by weight, of the resin composition.
Next, the process for producing a microporous film according to the present invention will be described.
In the production of the microporous film according to the present invention, there can be utilized known processes such as dry-type film-forming processes and wet-type film-forming processes. The microporous film can be produced by, for instance, mixing the above-mentioned resin composition with a solvent; molding the mixture into a sheet-like form, with kneading and melting with heating the mixture; thereafter pressing the molded mixture and stretching it to uniaxial or multiaxial directions; and removing the solvent by extraction.
The solvent includes, for instance, aliphatic or cyclic hydrocarbons such as nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, decalin, and liquid paraffins; mineral oil distillates of which boiling points correspond to these hydrocarbons and the like. Non-volatile solvents containing large amounts of alicyclic hydrocarbons such as liquid paraffins are preferable. In addition, it is preferable that the amount of the solvent used is from 60 to 95% by weight of the mixture of the resin composition and the solvent. The process of kneading the mixture of the resin composition and the solvent to mold the mixture into a sheet-like form can be carried out by a known process. A sheet-like molded product may be obtained by kneading the mixture in a batch process using a Banbury mixer, a kneader, or the like, and thereafter interposing the mixture between chilled metal plates to rapidly cool the mixture, thereby crystallizing the molded product by rapid cooling. Alternatively, a sheet-like molded product may be obtained by using an extruder equipped with a T die or the like. Here, kneading may be carried out under appropriate temperature conditions, which are not particularly limited. Kneading is preferably carried out at 100xc2x0 to 200xc2x0 C.
The thickness of the sheet-like molded product obtained in the manner described above is not particularly limited. The thickness is preferably from 3 to 20 mm, and it may be reduced to from 0.5 to 2 mm by pressing treatment such as heat press. In addition, the temperature of the pressing treatment is preferably from 100xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C.
The method of stretching treatment of the sheet-like molded product mentioned above is not particularly limited. The method may be usual tenter method, rolling method, inflation method or a combination of these methods. In addition, any of the uniaxial stretching, biaxial stretching and the like can be applied. Also, in the case of the biaxial stretching, it may be either vertical and horizontal, simultaneous stretching or sequential stretching. It is preferable that the temperature for the stretching treatment is from 100xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C.
The treatment of removing a solvent is a process of removing a solvent from a sheet-like molded product, thereby forming a microporous structure. For instance, the treatment can be carried out by washing the sheet-like molded product with a dissolving solvent to remove the solvent remaining in the molded product. The dissolving solvent includes easily volatile dissolving solvents including hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane and decane; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride; fluorinated hydrocarbons such as trifluoroethane; and ethers such as diethyl ether and dioxane. These dissolving solvents can be used alone or in admixture of two or more kinds. The washing method using the above dissolving solvent is not particularly limited. The washing method includes, for instance, a method of immersing a sheet-like molded product in a dissolving solvent to extract away the solvent; a method of showering a dissolving solvent to a sheet-like molded product, and the like.
After the microporous film is obtained by forming the above-mentioned resin composition into a film by these known methods, it is preferable that the resin composition constituting the microporous film is cross-linked. In the cross-linking, there can be employed one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of heat, ultraviolet rays, and electron beams. By this cross-linking, all or a part of the double bonds of the ring-opening polymer of the unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound disappear. Among them, the cross-linking treatment employing heat or ultraviolet rays is desired, from the viewpoint of the structural stability of the microporous film. The heat resistance of the above-mentioned microporous film (film-breaking resistance at high temperatures) is greatly improved by subjecting the microporous film to these cross-linking treatments.
Although the reasons for improving the heat resistance are not necessarily clear, it is thought that the reasons are due to the facts that the polymer radical caused by each treatment is added to the double bond, and during the course of addition, the cross-linking reaction takes place among the ring-opening polymers of the unsaturated condensed alicyclic compounds themselves or between the ring-opening polymer and other resin components, and that the glass transition temperature of the polymer chain itself is greatly raised by the disappearance of the double bond in the main chain. The proportion of disappeared double bonds is properly selected in consideration of the desired heat resistance. It is preferable that the disappearance ratio is from 80 to 100% (calculated on the basis of the size of the peaks of IR chart). Therefore, the heat resistance is thought to be greatly improved by these reasons.
When heat is employed as a means for the above-mentioned cross-linking treatment, the method may be a one-step heat treatment method in which the heat treatment is carried out once, or the method may be a multi-step heat treatment in which the heat treatment is firstly carried out at a lower temperature, and thereafter the heat treatment is further carried out at a higher temperature. Alternatively, the method may be a temperature-raising heat treatment method in which the heat treatment is carried out with raising the temperature. It is desired that the treatment is carried out without impairing various original properties of the microporous film such as air permeability. In the case of the one-step heat treatment, although it may depend upon the composition of the microporous film, it is preferable that the treatment is carried out at 40xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C. In addition, when starting the heat treatment from a lower temperature, and thereafter raising the treatment temperature, the heat resistance gradually improves along with the curing of the microporous film, whereby the microporous film can be exposed to high temperatures without impairing its various original properties such as air permeability by heating. Therefore, in order to complete the heat treatment in a short period of time without impairing the various properties, a multi-step or temperature-raising heat treatment method is preferable.
Although the first heat treatment temperature of the multi-step heat treatment method may depend upon the composition of the microporous film, the first heat treatment temperature is preferably from 40xc2x0 to 90xc2x0 C. Although the second heat treatment temperature may depend upon the composition of the microporous film, the second heat treatment temperature is preferably from 90xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C. In addition, a heat treatment of a third or further steps may be additionally carried out at a further higher temperature in a short period of time as occasion demands. Although the treatment time may depend upon the composition of the microporous film, it is preferable that the first heat treatment is carried out for 3 to 48 hours or so, and that the second heat treatment at a higher temperature is carried out for 0.5 to 6 hours or so. In the case of the temperature-raising heat treatment method, the method may be carried out under conditions which are similar to those in the multi-step heat treatment method mentioned above. The atmosphere during the heat treatment may be the air, or it may be an atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen gas or argon gas from the viewpoint of controlling the cross-linking state.
When the ultraviolet rays are employed, the cross-linking treatment can be carried out by, for instance, irradiating ultraviolet rays directly to a microporous film after film formation in the air with a mercury lamp, or immersing the microporous film after film formation in a methanol solution containing a polymerization initiator, drying the solvent, and irradiating the resulting microporous film in the same manner. In addition, in order to attain heat control during irradiation, the ultraviolet ray irradiation may be carried out in water.
When the electron beams are employed, the cross-linking treatment is carried out by, for instance, subjecting a microporous film after film formation to irradiation in an amount of the radiation rays of from 0.1 to 10 Mrad. The atmosphere during the irradiation may be the air, or it may be an atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen gas or argon gas, from the viewpoint of controlling the cross-linking state, which may be the same as in the heat treatment method.
In addition, subsequent to the above-mentioned cross-linking treatment step, there may be some cases where the microporous film is generally subjected to heat setting (thermal fixing) in order to prevent the heat shrinkage. Especially in the present invention, it is possible that the microporous film is substantially subjected to heat setting depending upon the treatment conditions by carrying out the heat treatment for the cross-linking treatment as mentioned above. When the heat setting is insufficient, the microporous film may be subjected to heat setting by further heating the microporous film after the above-mentioned cross-linking treatment, in order to further prevent the heat shrinkage. The heat setting may be carried out at a temperature of, for instance, 110xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C. for 0.5 to 2 hours or so.
The thickness of the microporous film obtained in the manner as described above is preferably from 1 to 60 xcexcm, more preferably from 5 to 45 xcexcm. Its porosity is preferably from 20 to 80%, more preferably from 25 to 75%. As the permeability, for instance, the air permeability determined in accordance with JIS P8117 is preferably from 100 to 1000 seconds/100 cc, more preferably from 200 to 900 sec/100 cc. As its mechanical strength, for instance, the puncture strength is preferably 200 gf/25 xcexcm or more, more preferably 300 gf/25 xcexcm or more. Here, the method for determining the puncture strength includes the one described in Examples described below.
The SD temperature of the microporous film is preferably from 120xc2x0 to 150xc2x0 C., more preferably from 120xc2x0 to 140xc2x0 C. Its film-breaking temperature is preferably 150xc2x0 C. or more, more preferably 200xc2x0 C. or more.
Since the microporous film of the present invention is used as a separator for a battery having excellent permeability and mechanical strength as well as having excellent low-temperature SD effect and film-breaking resistance at high temperatures as described above, there can be expected to further improve the safety for various sizes and applications of the batteries.
It is preferable that the separator for a battery of the present invention is used as a separator for a non-aqueous electrolytic battery, and it is preferable that the battery of the present invention is used as a non-aqueous electrolytic battery. The non-aqueous electrolytic battery may be any of those in which the above-mentioned microporous film is used as a separator, and its structure, constituents, and the production process are not particularly limited, so long as those employed in a usual non-aqueous electrolytic battery and its production process are used. Since the non-aqueous electrolytic battery of the present invention uses the microporous film of the present invention, it is excellent in the safety.


The invention provides methods and compositions relating to semaphorin K1 (sema K1) polypeptides which regulate cellular guidance and physiology, and related nucleic acids. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed sema K1 encoding nucleic acids or purified from human cells. The invention provides isolated sema K1 hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed sema K1 genes, sema K1-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The field of this invention is polypeptides involved in cell guidance.
The semaphorins constitute a large family of evolutionally conserved glycoproteins that are defined by a characteristic semaphorin domain of approximately 500 amino acids (1-3). The first vertebrate semaphorin, collapsin-1 in chick, was identified by its ability to induce growth cone collapse (4). Consistent with this function, its mammalian homologue, sema III, has been shown to repel specific subsets of sensory axons (5). As a result of these and other studies, Coll-1/sema III/D has been implicated in the patterning of sensory axon projections into the ventral spinal cord and cranial nerve projections into the periphery (6-11).
Several other semaphorins have also been implicated as repulsive and/or attractive cues in axon guidance, axon fasciculation, and synapse formation (1, 12-17). In addition, members of semaphorin family have been implicated in functions outside the nervous system, including bone skeleton and heart formation (9), immune function (18, 19), tumor suppression (20-22), and conferring drug resistance to cells (23).
Recent studies have identified the first semaphorin receptor as a member of the neuropilin family. Neuropilin-1 is a high affinity receptor for sema III, E and IV, whereas neuropilin-2 binds differentially to the subfamily of secreted semaphorins (24-27).
The vertebrate semaphorin family can be classified into several phylogenetically distinct subfamilies (15). Each subfamily has a unique structural arrangement of protein domains. The secreted members of the semaphorin family contain a characteristic semaphorin domain at the N-terminus, followed by an immunoglobulin (Ig) domain and a stretch of basic amino acids in the carboxyl-terminal region. Between the N-terminal semaphorin domain and the transmembrane spanning region, the transmembrane semaphorins contain several alternative structural motifs including either an Ig domain, a stretch of thrombospondin repeats, or a sequence with no obvious domain homology. Interestingly, semaphorin-like sequences have been identified in the genomes of poxviruses (1) and alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (28), occupying unique branches of the semaphorin phylogenetic tree. Here we report the identification of a GPI-linked human semaphorinxe2x80x94semaphorin K1xe2x80x94which is homologous to the semaphorin encoded by alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 and show that semaphrin K1 polypeptides and nucleic acids are bioactive in modulating nervous and immune system function.
The invention provides methods and compositions relating to semaphorin K1 (sema K1) polypeptides, related nucleic acids, polypeptide domains thereof having sema K1-specific structure and activity and modulators of sema K1 function. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the subject sema K1 polypeptide encoding nucleic acids or purified from mammalian cells. The invention provides isolated sema K1 gene hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed sema K1-encoding genes, sema K1-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis (e.g. nucleic acid hybridization screens for sema K1 transcripts), modulating cellular physiology (e.g. by contacting with exogenous sema K1) and in the biopharmaceutical industry (e.g. as immunogens, reagents for isolating other semaphorins, reagents for screening chemical libraries for lead pharmacological agents, etc.).
The nucleotide sequence of a natural cDNA encoding a human sema K1 polypeptide is shown as SEQ ID NO:1, and the full conceptual translate is shown as SEQ ID NO:2. The sema K1 polypeptides of the invention include one or more functional domains of SEQ ID NO:2, which domains comprise at least one of (a) SEQ ID NO:2, (b) at least 100 contiguous residues of SEQ ID NO:2, (c) at least 60 contiguous residues of SEQ ID NO:2, residues 340-634, and (d) at least 12 contiguous residues of SEQ ID NO:2, residues 481-634. A cDNA encoding an alcelaphine herpesvirus semaphorin having sequence similarity to the subject sema K1 polypeptides, and its translate are shown as SEQ ID NO:3 and 4, respectively. Sema K1 specific polynucleotides and polypeptides having human sema K1-specific sequences are readily discernable from alignments of the sequences. Preferred sema K1 polypeptides have one or more human sema K1-specific activities, such as cell surface receptor binding and/or binding inhibitory activity and sema K1-specific immunogenicity and/or antigenicity.
Sema K1-specific activity or function may be determined by convenient in vitro, cell-based, or in vivo assays: e.g. in vitro binding assays, cell culture assays, in animals (e.g. gene therapy, transgenics, etc.), etc. Binding assays encompass any assay where the molecular interaction of an sema K1 polypeptide with a binding, target is evaluated. The binding target may be a natural extracellular binding target such as a nerve or immune cell surface protein; or non-natural binding target such a specific immune protein such as an antibody, or an sema K1 specific agent such as those identified in screening assays such as described below. Sema K1-binding specificity may be assayed by binding equilibrium constants (usually at least about 107 Mxe2x88x921, preferably at least about 108 Mxe2x88x921, more preferably at least about 109 Mxe2x88x921), by growth cone collapse assays, by the ability to elicit sema K1 specific antibody in a heterologous host (e.g. a rodent or rabbit), etc.
For example, deletion mutagenesis is used to define functional sema K1 domains which specifically bind nerve or immune cell surface proteins in cell-based assays described below.
In a particular embodiment, the subject domains provide sema K1-specific antigens and/or immunogens, especially when coupled to carrier proteins. For example, peptides corresponding to sema K1-and human sema K1-specific domains are covalently coupled to keyhole limpet antigen (KLH) and the conjugate is emulsified in Freunds complete adjuvant. Laboratory rabbits are immunized according to conventional protocol and bled. The presence of sema K1-specific antibodies is assayed by solid phase immunosorbant assays using immobilized sema K1 polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS2, see, e.g. Table 2.
The claimed sema K1 polypeptides are isolated or pure: an xe2x80x9cisolatedxe2x80x9d polypeptide is unaccompanied by at least some of the material with which it is associated in its natural state, preferably constituting at least about 0.5%, and more preferably at least about 5% by weight of the total polypeptide in a given sample and a pure polypeptide constitutes at least about 90%, and preferably at least about 99% by weight of the total polypeptide in a given sample. The sema K1 polypeptides and polypeptide domains ma! be synthesized, produced by recombinant technology, or purified from mammalian, preferably human cells. A wide variety of molecular and biochemical methods are available for biochemical synthesis, molecular expression and purification of the subject compositions, see e.g. Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (Sambrook, et al. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Eds. Ausubel, et al., Greene Publ. Assoc., Wiley-Interscience, NY) or that are otherwise known in the art.
The invention provides binding agents specific to sema K1 polypeptides, preferably the claimed sema K1 polypeptides, including agonists, antagonists, natural cell surface receptor binding targets, etc., methods of identifying and making such agents, and their use in diagnosis, therapy and pharmaceutical development. For example, specific binding agents are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, especially where disease or disease prognosis is associated with improper utilization of a pathway involving the subject proteins. Novel sema K1-specific binding agents include sema K1-specific receptors, such as somatically recombined polypeptide receptors like specific antibodies or T-cell antigen receptors (see, e.g. Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) and other natural binding agents such as Sema K1 cell surface receptors, non-natural intracellular binding agents identified in screens of chemical libraries such as described below etc. Agents of particular interest modulate sema K1 function, e.g. sema K1-modulatable cellular physiology, e.g. guidance.
Accordingly, the invention provides methods for modulating cell function comprising the step of modulating sema K1 activity, e.g. by contacting the cell with a sema K1 polypeptide, a sema K1 inhibitor, e.g. inhibitory sema K1 deletion mutants, sema K1-specific antibodies, etc. (supra). The target cell may reside in culture or in situ, i.e. within the natural host. The modulator may be provided in any convenient way, including by (i) intracellular expression from a recombinant nucleic acid or (ii) exogenous contacting of the cell. For many in situ applications, the compositions are added to a retained physiological fluid such as blood or synovial fluid. For CNS administration, a variety of techniques are available for promoting transfer of the therapeutic across the blood brain barrier including disruption by surgery or injection, drugs which transiently open adhesion contact between CNS vasculature endothelial cells, and compounds which facilitate translocation through such cells. Sema K1 polypeptides or polypeptide modulators may also be amenable to direct injection or infusion, topical, intratracheal/nasal administration e.g. through aerosol, intraocularly, or within/on implants e.g. fibers e.g. collagen, osmotic pumps, grafts comprising appropriately transformed cells, etc. A particular method of administration involves coating, embedding or derivatizing fibers, such as collagen fibers, protein polymers, etc. with therapeutic proteins. Other useful approaches are described in Otto et al. (1989) J Neuroscience Research 22, 83-91 and Otto and Unsicker (1990) J Neuroscience 10, 1912-1921. Generally, the amount administered will be empirically determined, typically in the range of about 10 to 1000 xcexcg/kg of the recipient and the concentration will generally be in the range of about 50 to 500 xcexcg/ml in the dose administered. Other additives may be included, such as stabilizers, bactericides, etc. will be present in conventional amounts. For diagnostic uses, the modulators or other sema K1 binding agents are frequently labeled, such as with fluorescent, radioactive, chemiluminescent, or other easily detectable molecules, either conjugated directly to the binding agent or conjugated to a probe specific for the binding agent.
The amino acid sequences of the disclosed sema K1 polypeptides are used to back-translate sema K1 polypeptide-encoding nucleic acids optimized for selected expression systems (Holler et al. (1993) Gene 136, 323-328; Martin et al. (1995) Gene 154, 150-166) or used to generate degenerate oligonucleotide primers and probes for use in the isolation of natural sema K1-encoding nucleic acid sequences (xe2x80x9cGCGxe2x80x9d software, Genetics Computer Group, Inc, Madison Wis). Sema K1-encoding nucleic acids used in sema K1-expression vectors and incorporated into recombinant host cells, e. for expression and screening, transgenic animals, e.g. for functional studies such as the efficacy of candidate drugs for disease associated with sema K1-modulated cell function, etc.
The invention also provides nucleic acid hybridization probes and replication/amplification primers having a sema K1 cDNA specific sequence comprising a strand of least one of: (a) SEQ ID NO:1, (b) at least 300 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1, (c) at least 102 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1, nucleotides 1017-2498, and (d) at least 36 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1, nucleotides 1441-2498, and sufficient to specifically hybridize with a second nucleic acid comprising the complementary strand of SEQ ID NO:1. Demonstrating specific hybridization generally requires stringent conditions, for example, hybridizing in a buffer comprising 30% formamide in 5xc3x97SSPE (0.18 M NaCl, 0.01 M NaPO4, pH7.7, 0.001 M EDTA) buffer at a temperature of 42xc2x0 C. and remaining bound when subject to washing at 42xc2x0 C. with 0.2xc3x97SSPE; preferably hybridizing in a buffer comprising 50% formamide in 5xc3x97SSPE buffer at a temperature of 42xc2x0 C. and remaining bound when subject to washing at 42xc2x0 C. with 0.2xc3x97SSPE buffer at 42xc2x0 C.
The subject nucleic acids are of synthetic/non-natural sequences and/or are isolated, i.e. unaccompanied by at least some of the material with which it is associated in its natural state, preferably constituting at least about 0.5%, preferably at least about 5% by weight of total nucleic acid present in a given fraction, and usually recombinant, meaning they comprise a non-natural sequence or a natural sequence joined to nucleotide(s) other than that which it is joined to on a natural chromosome. Recombinant nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or requisite fragments thereof, contain such sequence or fragment at a terminus, immediately flanked by (i.e. contiguous with) a sequence other than that which it is joined to on a natural chromosome, or flanked by a native flanking region fewer than 10 kb, preferably fewer than 2 kb, which is at a terminus or is immediately flanked by a sequence other than that which it is joined to on a natural chromosome. While the nucleic acids are usually RNA or DNA, it is often advantageous to use nucleic acids comprising other bases or nucleotide analogs to provide modified stability, etc.
The subject nucleic acids find a wide variety of applications including use as translatable transcripts, hybridization probes, PCR primers, diagnostic nucleic acids, etc.; use in detecting the presence of sema K1 genes and gene transcripts and in detecting or amplifying nucleic acids encoding additional sema K1 homologs and structural analogs. In diagnosis, sema K1 hybridization probes find use in identifying wild-type and mutant sema K1 alleles in clinical and laboratory samples. Mutant alleles are used to generate allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes for high-throughput clinical diagnoses. In therapy, therapeutic sema K1 nucleic acids are used to modulate cellular expression, concentration or availability of active sema K1.
The invention provides efficient methods of identifying agents, compounds or lead compounds for agents active at the level of a sema K1 modulatable cellular function. Generally, these screening methods involve assaying for compounds which modulate sema K1 interaction with a natural sema K1 binding target. A wide variety of assays for binding agents are provided including labeled in vitro protein-protein binding assays, immunoassays, cell based assays, etc. The methods are amenable to automated, cost-effective high throughput screening of chemical libraries for lead compounds. Identified reagents find use in the pharmaceutical industries for animal and human trials; for example, the reagents may be derivatized and rescreened in vitro and in vivo assays to optimize activity and minimize toxicity for pharmaceutical development.
The following experimental sections/examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.


The invention provides a chaperone/usher family polymer comprising at least one chaperone/usher family polypeptide monomer, wherein said at least one chaperone/usher family polypeptide monomer comprises an exogenous bioactive sequence.

In vivo proteins and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components form an interlinking mesh in which cells integrate and interact. One way to mimic this natural architecture is through crosslinking artificial polymers to create 3 dimensional cell culture systems.
The cell culture and tissue engineering fields are well developed and a variety of ECM equivalents have been developed. These equivalents vary in the material that is used for a scaffold and consequently in the type cells that are capable of propagating therein.
Fibronectin (FN) is a predominant ECM protein that mediates cell attachment and growth. FN contains several ligands, including the tripeptide RGD and the peptide PHSRN (SEQ ID NO:40), which mediate cell adhesion. Naturally derived proteins such as fibronectin can be useful as scaffolds for in vitro cell attachment. However, a potential problem with any animal derived protein is the possibility of disease transmission.
Accordingly a range of engineered 3 dimensional scaffolds, which recreate the native 3 dimensional tissue, have been suggested. Current 3 dimensional scaffolds are not ideal (7). For instance, it is difficult to produce a scaffold which is specific for a particular cell line or tissue type; there is also among these scaffolds a high batch-to-batch variability; it is complicated to change a single property of these scaffolds without interfering with others. For example, if one would like to alter the viscosity of a particular scaffold one can eventually modify simultaneously the adhesion ligand density and mode of presentation or the porosity of the scaffold which could influence the diffusion properties of nutrients through the scaffold (11).
Accordingly, there remains the need for the provision of an improved cell culture environment.


Described is a mount for a telescopic sight. The mount has two pairs of spaced engaging elements which can be locked to each other. A spring-biased bolt mounted in a carrier element is displaced by means of an elbow or toggle lever and braces one pair of the spaced engaging elements against the other pair.

The invention relates to a mounting for an aiming telescope, in particular for small arms, with a supporting mechanism which can be mounted on a weapon, and with a carrying mechanism which can be mounted on the aiming telescope and which can be attached to the supporting mechanism, wherein the supporting and the carrying mechanisms exhibit one pair each of engaging elements that are spaced apart.
Such an aiming telescope mounting can be inferred, for example, from the DE-Gbm 70 38 599 or DE-Gbm 83 12 673. Both of these aiming telescope mountings exhibit one holding mechanism that can be rotated on the front and one holding mechanism that can be locked on the rear. Each of the holding mechanisms comprises two engaging elements that are individually mounted.
To mount the aiming telescope on the weapon, the front engaging element of the aiming telescope is slid on the front engaging element of the weapon and rotated into the working position, whereby the rear engaging element of the aiming telescope is swung into the undercut groove of the rear engaging element of the weapon. A rotatable bolt provided in the holding mechanism fixes the working position. For the mounting according to the DE-Gbm 70 38 599 there is also a second rotatable bolt, which serves to adjust the engaging element in the groove and thus adjust the aiming telescope.
The engaging elements of these mountings represent single elements which are mounted on the weapon or on the aiming telescope, whereby the telescope and/or the weapon make the connection between the engaging elements of each pair. Therefore the space between the engaging elements can vary widely, due to temperature influences, so that the adjustment suffers.

VOERE Kufsteiner Geratebau-und Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H.


A solid state imager includes an arrangement for converting analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. An N-bit counter supplies an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp output providing a ramp signal with a level that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. Latches or equivalent digital storage elements are each associated with a respective column. A counter bus connects the counter to latch inputs of said latches, and comparators associated the columns gate the latches when the analog ramp equals the pixel value for that column. The contents of the latch elements are transferred sequentially to a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. There can be additionally black-level readout latch elements, for storing a digital value that corresponds to the dark or black video level, and a subtraction element subtracts the black level value from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. An additional array of buffer latches can be employed.

This invention relates to solid state imaging devices, and is more specifically directed to an imager that converts analog pixel values to corresponding digital values on an arrayed basis, with significantly reduced circuitry. The invention is also concerned with compensation of errors that may be present in conversion, as well as correction for offset errors attributable to the pixel photo sensor areas or to the pixel amplifiers.


Methods and systems are provided for call center screening that enable a network service provider to dynamically control service request traffic directed to selected service centers. An Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) service is configured to intercept calls originating from calling parties and directed to trigger numbers designated for processing predetermined service requests. Depending upon the trigger number, the AIN may play an announcement asking a calling party to designate the service requested. Following a calling party's valid response, a second announcement is played asking the calling party to select the type of service associated with the first response. Depending upon the calling party's responses and calling party's location, the AIN may route the call to selected service centers, in order to control the traffic to overloaded service centers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunication networks and, more particularly, to a method and system for intercepting calls for selected network services and routing the calls to predetermined call centers.
2. Background of the Art
In present network service environments, customers may order Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) service simply by calling designated telephone numbers associated with a service provider, and requesting the desired service. Generally, separate telephone numbers were designated for specific types of customers requesting ADSL service. Residential ADSL service was associated with one telephone number, while business ADSL service was associated with another number.
As the popularity and demand for ADSL service increased, the business number associated with ADSL service became widely distributed. Eventually, customers requesting residential ADSL service were calling the business ADSL numbers more frequently than the residential ADSL telephone number. As a result, the Business Service Centers (BSCs) handling these service requests were receiving excess traffic, which affected the processing speed of the requests. At the same time while the BSCs were overloaded, residential sales centers associated with handling residential ADSL service calls were being underutilized.
Although conventional techniques for handling service requests enable customers to differentiate between the types of service they would like to receive, the methods in which the service requests are handled have drastic affects on the systems implementing these methods. The mis-management of service requests affect not only the traffic load of specific areas of the provider's network, but have business repercussions as well. Delays in service request processing have a tendency to frustrate potential customers because of the extended time taken to process service requests routed to overloaded service centers. Frustrated customers have tendencies to look for services elsewhere when the process for obtaining an available service from a provider is deemed tedious or lengthy.

Method and system for call center screening


A resistive liquid detection and shut-off system is used to protect a floor area from water damage. An elongated sensor comprising a flexible plastic tape with an adhesive backing and a pair of conductive metal strips detects liquid drips, flows and trickles, but not liquid beads. A detection circuit measures resistivity changes in the sensor, and an output circuit activates a solenoid-operated water shut-off valve in response to predetermined resistivity changes in the sensor. A connector comprising a body of electrically insulating material with electrical terminals thereon connects portions of the elongated sensor together so that they can have any length and relative position. A battery may provide the power for the entire system, with a battery voltage monitoring circuit also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water detection and alert system for detecting the presence of water and leaks from appliances in homes or apartments by employing an extended sensing device that may be conveniently disposed in the form of strips in areas of a home or apartment where water would be expected to accumulate in the event of a leak from an appliance or from cracks or faults in walls which could be expected to seep water. More particularly, the invention pertains to a water detection device employing a resistive sensing system for detecting water in low, shallow pools which as a result of the slowness of the water leak in conjunction to the absorbency of the substrate has the potential of creating serious property damage. The invention employs a sensor system capable of customized disposition and electronic detection and alarm circuit that is compatible with existing fire alarm circuits and a cabinet housing which is mountable at a source removed from the extended sensor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes a variety of patents pertaining to water leak detection devices which are designed to detect water and automatically shut-off an appliance or provide an alarm in the event water is detected in the vicinity of a water using appliance. A significant amount of this prior art utilizes sensing devices of various types and configurations which are not extended or in other words, are confined to a particular area or locality where water will be assumed to collect in the event of a leak. Representative of this prior art are patents such as Hatfield, U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,478, Jui-Cheng Hsu, U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,731, Uhlig, U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,388, and Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,002.
In such prior art water detection devices, the efficiency of the detection device is severly limited by the fact that if the water does not reach the water sensor, the alarm will not be sounded even though a slow leak may cause substantial damage since the rate at which the water enters a room may be compensated by the absorption of the water into rugs, cracks between the boards in the wooded floor, and as a result, cause substantial damage to the foundation of a house or to the ceiling and floors below in the case of an apartment.
The prior art primarily utilizes capacitive sensing systems to detect water from leaking appliances or other sources. Illustrative of prior art patents utilizing capacitive circuits for water detection systems are Ferrigno, U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,317, Brown, U.S. Pat No. 3,770,002, and Gustafson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,460. The utilization of capacitive water detection systems requires an oscillator in order to detect capacitive changes, these oscillators generate by their nature, radiated emissions which may effect surrounding equipment if not shielded. Furthermore, the capacitive system of sensing water or leaks is cumbersome in comparison with the present invention and therefore electrical radiation is not generated nor is a shield required for the present invention and the present system utilizing resistive sensor which allows the present system to interface with existing fire alarm detection integrated circuits.
Gustafson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,460 employs a capacitive sensing system which utilizes a sensor that may be disposed in an area or room in a configuration which like the present invention does not require the disposition of the sensor at one particular location. The prior art patent Gustafson however, represents a capacitive sensing system which requires water to cover specific areas of the sensing wire in order to detect water and furthermore does not detect small amounts of water that may travel along the sides of the water sensing device, see for example FIG. 2. Furthermore, the capacitive sensing system of the prior art does not interface with existing fire alarm detection integrated circuits and requires an adjustment of the detection device upon the addition of additional lengths of the sensor strip. The sensor strip, furthermore, cannot be used to bend around corners without losing its capacity to detect water.
The present invention may be distinguished from such prior art water detection devices in a number of significant respects. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the present invention over the prior art resides in the utilization of a resistive sensing system along with a sensor strip that can be utilized to bend around corners and encircle appliances while being quickly and easily installed to provide a sensitive leak detection system having an improved capacity for the detection of water. Unlike the prior art patents utilizing a single sensor and prior art patents using an extended sensor, the extended sensor of the present invention can be designed to bend around corners without losing its capability of detecting water.
The present sensor can be formed on an ultra-thin plastic tape with an adhesive backing which can be installed on the floor, wall areas and other places which are susceptible to the leakage of water. The thickness of the sensor which may be a thin mylar strip, and may be only a few thousandths of an inch thick, allows small streams of water to be detected by the sensor device and as a result, provides a means for correcting the leakage of water by the sounding of an alarm or in an alternative embodiment, the shutting off of the water supply system or the appliance.
Further, unlike the prior art, the present invention provides an efficient and economically manufactured water detection system that does not require adjustment and recalibration of the capacitive sensing circuitry upon the addition of additional strips or lengths of sensor tape. In addition, the prior art capacitive sensing systems may lose much of their effectiveness in the calibration of the system or the failure to recalibrate upon the addition of subsequent lengths of sensor. Since the present invention is based upon a resistive system, calibration is not required in order to provide an accurate and efficient water alert and detection system. Furthermore, the integration of the present resistor sensor to existing fire alarm detection equipment and burglar alarm detection equipment provides a means for the integration of one or more existing systems to a single alarm system. These advantages of the present invention are inherent in the present combination of elements utilized to provide a superior yet economically produced water leak detection system.


A built-in self-test apparatus for a memory cell array having a micro-code sequencer to receive and utilize micro-instruction from a read only memory. The micro-code sequencer applies test algorithms to each cell of the memory cell array and detects the responses to determine the operational status of the memory cell array.

The present invention relates broadly to a memory test apparatus, and in particular to a micro-coded built-in self-test apparatus for a memory cell array.
In the prior art, a variety of techniques have been utilized to provide built-in self-test (BIST) of memory devices employed random logic to define the type of memory test to be performed on cells in the array. A disadvantage of the random logic approach is that it allows only a specific test to be run on a memory device unless a complete redesign of the random logic is performed. Limitations on memory test algorithm complexity becomes significant for complex memory test algorithms. In addition, random logic devices are poor performers for data retention tests from the perspective of chip area for BIST.
While the prior art approaches to providing built-in self-test circuits have been functional, it is quite clear that there remains a need to provide a built-in self-test apparatus for random access memory arrays. The present invention is intended to satisfy that need.

Micro-coded built-in self-test apparatus for a memory array

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


A wheelchair lift having a foldable platform including a first platform portion foldably coupled to a second platform portion, a lifting frame, at least one lifting arm with one end pivotally coupled to the lifting frame and the other end connected to the second platform portion and adapted to pivot the lifting arm between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A post extends from the lifting arm and a locking assembly is pivotably coupled to the lifting frame. The locking assembly includes a lever arm pivotably coupled to the lifting frame, a gas spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which operates to resist pivoting of the lever arm, and a mechanical spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which exerts a biasing force operating to pivot the lever arm to engage the post. Pivoting the lifting arm to the deployed position actuates unfolding the platform, while pivoting the lifting arm to the stowed position actuates folding the platform and engages the post with the lever arm.

The present invention generally relates to passenger or wheelchair lifts and, more particularly, to an apparatus for locking a wheelchair lift in the stowed position.
As is known in the art, various types of lifting devices are used to move passengers between a lowered level, such as a ground level, and an elevated level, such as the floor level of a vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,488 to Saucier et al., the specification and drawings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, illustrates therein a typical dual parallel arm hydraulic lift, which is reproduced herein as FIG. 1.
The lift L includes a platform 12 that may be used to lift passengers, such as those in wheelchairs, from a ground level to a floor level F of the vehicle V by actuation of hydraulic cylinders 38. When the platform 12 reaches the floor level F, a bridge plate 34, which is pivotally coupled to the platform 12, operates to bridge any gap between the platform 12 and the floor F, thereby allowing smooth transfer of the wheelchair between the platform 12 and an interior of the vehicle V.
When not in use, the platform 12 is folded to a vertical position (the stowed position) such that the entire lift L is disposed within the vehicle V, allowing the doorway D of the vehicle V to be closed. A known problem with such an arrangement is that the hydraulic cylinders 38 will typically drift over time, possibly allowing the platform 12 to come to rest against the inside of the vehicle door. Not only can this produce an annoying rattling during movement of the vehicle, but it can also impede operation of the door.
A solution to this problem is proposed in the ""488 patent by locking a protrusion on the bottom of the bridge plate 34 into a cavity 41 in the vehicle floor F. Interference between the bridge plate 34 (which is attached to the platform 12) and the cavity 41 prevents the stowed platform 12 from drifting outward. This solution is undesirable for a number of reasons, chief among them being the relatively large number of parts required to releasably latch the bridge plate 34.
There is therefore a need for an apparatus that prevents drift of a stowed lift platform, without requiring a large number of parts or a complex interconnection of those parts. The present invention is directed toward meeting this need.
The present invention relates to a wheelchair-lifting platform for transporting a passenger seated in a wheelchair back and forth between a passenger door of a vehicle and the ground, such that the platform can be automatically folded, retracted, secured and stored in the vehicle when not in use and that can be automatically released, unfolded and deployed when in use. One embodiment of the present invention is an automatically folding and unfolding platform having a spring-loaded and dampened latching hook that automatically latches the platform when it is retracted and automatically releases the platform at the start of its deployment cycle. The platform is folded and stored within the vehicle when not in use.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheelchair-lifting platform. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

Apparatus for locking a wheelchair lift in the stowed position


A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

This disclosure is related to application Ser. No. 12/356,713, having the same filing date as this disclosure, titled, "Spinal Nucleus Replacement Implants".
The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for relieving disc degeneration or injury, and more particularly, to devices and methods for augmenting or replacing a nucleus pulposus. Within the spine, the intervertebral disc functions to stabilize and distribute forces between vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc comprises a nucleus pulposus which is surrounded and confined by the annulus fibrosis.
Intervertebral discs are prone to injury and degeneration. For example, herniated discs typically occur when normal wear, or exceptional strain, causes a disc to rupture. Degenerative disc disease typically results from the normal aging process, in which the tissue gradually loses its natural water and elasticity, causing the degenerated disc to shrink and possibly rupture.
Intervertebral disc injuries and degeneration may be treated by fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies or by replacing the intervertebral disc with a prosthetic. To maintain as much of the natural tissue as possible, the nucleus pulposus may be supplemented or replaced while maintaining all or a portion of the annulus.
It would be advantageous to keep any incision into the annulus minimal, in order to avoid injuring healthy tissue. As such, it would be an addition to the field of art to provide a multi-piece device that may be assembled within the annulus.