A magnetic tape cassette is provided with a pivotal closure lid pivotably secured to both sides of a casing for movement between a closed position, in which the front opening of the casing, through which a magnetic tape is accessible for loading onto a rotary head, is covered, and an open position wherein the closure lid is pivoted away from said opening to expose the tape while the cassette is in use. The magnetic tape cassette is also provided with a sliding closure member slidably mounted on the bottom of the casing and cooperative with the aforementioned pivotal closure lid. The sliding closure member is in a closed position while the pivotal closure lid is in its closed position, in which it covers a bottom clearance through which a device constituting part of a tape holding system is inserted, and in an open position while the pivotal closure lid is in its open position to allow the aforementioned device of the tape handling system to reach into the casing through the bottom clearance. A locking pin holds the sliding closure in the current one of its two positions. The sliding closure holds the pivotal closed while in its own closed position.

The present invention relates generally to a recording and reproducing apparatus for a magnetic tape cassette, such as a tape cassette especially adapted to recording and reproducing pulse code modulated (PCM) signals. More specifically, the invention relates to a cassette holder in a magnetic tape cassette recording and reproducing apparatus, in which the tape cassette is provided with a tape protective closure covering a front opening through which a magnetic tape is extracted and accessed, and a locking mechanism for locking the closure open when the cassette is in use and locking it closed when not in use.
In recent years, various recording and reproducing apparatus have been developed which convert analog signals, such as audio signals and the like into a digital signal, e.g. PCM signal, which is then recorded on and reproduced from magnetic tape serving as a recording medium. Some of these apparatus employ rotary heads in order to achieve a relatively high recording density. Recording and reproducing apparatus specifically designed to record and reproduce PCM signals and employing a rotary head will be referred to as "PCM recorder" throughout the disclosure. A PCM recorder, at first, pulls a loop of a magnetic tape out through a front opening of the cassette and winds the tape around a rotary drum accommodating the rotary head and then the recording and reproducing is performed. In such digital recording and reproducing systems, oily deposits, such as fingerprints or the like, and/or dust adhering to the tape surface may cause dropout of reproduced signals.
Various approach have been tried to protect the magnetic recording medium. For example, the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 678,813, filed on Dec. 6, 1984 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,145 discloses a magnetic tape cassette which has a closure lid for retractably covering the front end opening of the cassette, through which the tape is extracted for access by a rotary head. This closure lid is held closed while the tape is not in use and is moved to an open position when the cassette is inserted into the PCM recorder. In this earlier approach, a drawback may be encountered when the closure lid is unintentionally or accidentally opened, exposing the tape to oily fingerprints, dust and so forth while it is not in use. A locking mechanism which can conveniently lock the closure lid in its open and closed positions could resolve this problem.
The magnetic tape cassette disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 678,813 U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,145 also has a sliding closure for closing a lower openings for accepting entry of loading device and tape reel drive of the recording and reproducing apparatus. The sliding closure may also be movable between open and close positions.
In order to enable a recording and reproducing apparatus for aforementioned type of magnetic tape cassette to handle, there has to be provided a mechanism or device for releasing the locking mechanism from locking position so that the closure may move between open and close positions.

Magnetic tape cassette with tape protective closure and lock mechanism


The present disclosure generally relates to a new process for the preparation of high purity 5-nitro-isophthalamide compounds, which are useful as intermediates for the preparation of imaging agents, such as iodinated x-ray contrast imaging agents like ioversol, iohexyl and iopamidol.

The present disclosure generally relates to a new process for the preparation of high purity 5-nitro-isophthalamide compounds, which are useful as intermediates for the preparation of imaging agents, such as iodinated x-ray contrast imaging agents like ioversol, iohexyl and iopamidol.
5-nitro-isophthalamide compounds (also generally referred to herein as "diamides") of general formula (2) below, where R is a C1 to C18 straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl moiety, are useful synthetic intermediates for the preparation of organoiodine compounds, such as ioversol, iohexyl and iopamidol.
Compounds of formula (2) are typically prepared by contacting a 5-nitro-isophthalate compound of formula (1) below (i.e., a "diester"), where R1 and R2 are independently a C1 to C18 straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl moiety, with a stoichiometric excess of at least 10% of a primary amine of formula RNH2 in a suitable solvent. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,864, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all relevant and consistent purposes.)

Typically, a ratio of primary amine to diester of greater than 2.2:1, on a molar equivalent basis, is required to achieve a commercially acceptable yield of diamide formula (2). Problematically, diamide reaction mixtures prepared by such a process typically contain relatively high amounts of unreacted diester and primary amine, as well as substantial quantities of reaction impurities, that must be removed in subsequent purification steps to generate a diamide of suitable purity. Impurities include the acid amide of formula (3), and amide esters of formulae (4) and (5) below:

In contrast to the process as outlined above, U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,235 B1 (to Parady, et al.) discloses an alternative process for the preparation of diamides of formula (2). In the this process, one molar equivalent of diester of formula (1) is reacted with 2.1 molar equivalents of a primary amine in a solvent system comprising a basic catalyst, at a temperature of between 65° C. and 150° C. and at the boiling point (i.e., reflux temperature) of the solvent system. Problematically, the Parady et al. process is run at relatively dilute concentrations, utilizes a significant stoichiometric excess of primary amine, and high reaction temperature, and thus generates a reaction product mixture having high levels of the acid amide and amide ester impurities.
Accordingly, a need continues to exist for an improved method for preparing 5-nitro-isophthalamide compounds in high yield, purity and throughput.


A read circuit is connected to bit lines of different cell arrays in common, and determines a logical value of data read out onto any bit line of the cell arrays. An error correcting circuit corrects an error in the data read out onto a common read data line, and outputs the data as corrected data. In order to write back the corrected data into a memory cell from which the corrected data has been originally read out, write switches connect a common write data line through which the corrected data is transmitted, to a corresponding bit line. Thus, during a read cycle the corrected data can be written back to the memory cell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory including static memory cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
With a finer semiconductor device structure and an increase in the storage capacity, increase in a soft error rate due to alpha radiation and neutron radiation is a problem for a semiconductor memory such as a static RAM. Error correction using ECC (Error Correcting Code) is known for a technique to reduce an influence from the soft error. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-11688, for example, discloses a technique in which an error correcting circuit is mounted in a dynamic RAM to write back error corrected data during a read operation and a refresh operation.
In a dynamic RAM, data in a memory cell is destroyed every time the data is read out. Thus, it is necessary to write back the data at every read operation. An actual writeback operation is performed while a bit line is driven to a power supply voltage or a ground voltage (i.e., the voltage of the bit line is sufficiently amplified) by a sense amplifier. On the other hand, in a static RAM data held in a memory cell is not destroyed even after the read operation, unlike in the dynamic RAM. Thus, the static RAM requires no writeback operation during the read operation, and includes no circuits for the writeback operation.
Therefore, in order to add data error correcting function to the static RAM, new circuits, not only an error correcting circuit but also a circuit for writing back error-corrected data to a memory cell, are required. In a conventional static RAM, data read in a read cycle is subjected to error correction in the outside of the static RAM, and thereafter the corrected data is written back in a write cycle.

Semiconductor memory including static memory


A miniaturized electronic magnetic compass system, or the like, is mounted in a substantially cylindrical gimbal ring unit of about 0.75 in diameter, and 1.25 in length. Critical to the small size is the pendulum that positions the internal magnetic detector by gravity relative to the earth's surface. Thus, a pendulum formed of tungsten has its curved bottom surface formed of a central spherical surface and two flanking cylindrical surfaces meeting in two planes disposed at an angle intersecting with the pendulum axis of rotation. The mass of the detector is centered by resilient conductive spring plates bearing on gimbal pivot shafts, which also serve as electrical connectors for the detector. Thus, two separated shaft ends journalled in one gimbal ring, which is insulated to electrically isolate the shaft ends serve as two conductors. The gimbal system is damped in a perfluorocarbon oil. An outer cylindrical housing member removably envelops the gimbal system in a shock absorbing mount produced by rubber-like sealing members. an outer roll sensing coil is wrapped about a channel indented in opposite sides of the outer housing member. The housing members are grounded so that only one signal path is extended internally through the conductive spring plates.

It has been difficult in the prior art to miniaturize dynamic position responsive compasses, and the like, which depend upon a pendulum for establishing the horizontal plane of the earth's surface in the presence of dynamic movements of the instrument. The pendulum itself is a limiting factor in the miniaturization because of critical shape, mass, friction, etc. that relate to instrument accuracy and response time when dynamically moving under such conditions as when being towed in rough water behind a vessel.
In magnetic detection instruments, miniaturization itself is otherwise advantageous in that larger size bodies surrounding a magnetic detector provide more possibilities of stray magnetic field patterns that produce noise and limit accuracy. Thus, smaller size eliminates some sources of magnetic noise disturbances that can reduce sensitivity or accuracy, which may be found in surrounding electronic circuit wiring, any movable conductive materials and certain types of materials including some classes of ceramics that react magnetically.
Instrument accuracy and sensitivity is critical, such as for response of electronic magnetic compass systems to very subtle changes in the earth's magnetic fields caused by geological structures or to motion of a streamer cable in rough seas. Dynamically operable magnetic field detectors are essential to precisely measure the local magnetic field, and need to respond quickly, particularly when used in air or sea vessel surveys. One limiting response time deterrent is the necessity to use a pendulum, which may be large enough to have considerable inertia and thus may limit the dynamic response time under quickly changing positions encountered for example in rough seas, etc. Also pendulum movement can cause magnetic noises in various ways.
In any instrument involving a gimbal assembly, there are potential gimbal-related inaccuracies because of friction, inertia, mechanical misalignments, bearing wear, shifting of masses under dynamic conditions, etc. These introduce special problems that are critical to instrument accuracy.
The housing environment of such instruments is also critical, and can introduce dynamic shock-induced inaccuracies as well as magnetic field disturbances and reliability in use under various environmental conditions, such as sea water. The distribution of mass and weight of the instrumentation is also critical in this respect.
One significant problem has been establishing electrical communications or wiring to eliminate noise disturbances and to handle very low level signals under the dynamic signal and environmental working conditions that are encountered. This is particularly difficult to resolve wherever movable parts are involved because of stray currents, impedance changes in contact points with wear, magnetic fields, and different positional performance.
Accordingly, in the prior art there has not been satisfactory reliable and accurate level-seeking magnetic field sensing instrumentation, particularly in miniature, and especially for use in magnetic compass systems. It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide improved instrumentation for overcoming the various aforesaid defects of the prior art.

Miniature gimbal mounted magnetic field detectors


Using a scheduler, communication may be scheduled between an access node and a plurality of wireless devices, wherein the plurality of wireless devices comprise one or more relay wireless devices or device to device (D2D) wireless devices. Using the scheduler, at least one relay wireless device or D2D wireless device may be scheduled using a semi-persistent scheduler comprising an adjusted periodicity, wherein a default periodicity used by the semi-persistent scheduler for end-user wireless devices is different from the adjusted periodicity. Data may be communicated between the access node and the at least one relay wireless device or D2D wireless device using the adjusted periodicity.

As wireless networks evolve and grow, there are ongoing challenges in providing high-quality service to increasing numbers of wireless devices or user equipment (UE) in various coverage areas of a wireless network. One approach to improving service quality and coverage is to designate a wireless device as a relay node or relay wireless device for relaying communication between a base station or access node (donor access node), and an end-user wireless device. Other instances of wireless relay points, such as device to device (D2D) communication, may similarly be used. Relay wireless devices and D2D wireless devices may be implemented at the edge of a coverage area of an access node to improve coverage and/or service, as well as in crowded areas having a high number of other wireless devices to increase the available throughput to the end-user wireless devices being relayed. However, such relays may give rise to latency issues and other delay issues due to the additional step of relaying communication from access node to end-user wireless device. A scheduler that considers service requirements, such as latency, for particular types of data with particular service requirements may enhance the service provided to the end-user of the system.

Systems and methods for configuring a semi-persistent scheduler


A stop collar for pipes or shafts is provided for restricting objects from sliding lengthwise along the length of a pipe or shaft. The stop collar is ring-shaped and includes a leading edge which is angled from perpendicular to the pipe's longitudinal axis. The angled leading edge provides the leading edge with a proximal engagement point and a distal engagement point. Longitudinal force on the distal engagement point, by an object such as a tool or sensor, causes the stop collar to cock relative to the pipe or shaft. This cocking of the stop collar effects a braking function to prevent the stop collar from sliding longitudinally along the pipe.

The invention relates to devices which grip tubular members, such as a drill pipe. More particularly, the invention relates to locking collars for positioning and affixing objects to a drill pipe.
In the field of oil well drilling, various tools and appliances, such as centralizers, scratchers, solidifiers, baskets, and the like, have been developed for centering the casing within the wellbore or for cleaning or otherwise scraping the walls of the bore to facilitate the placing of the cement column around the casing and to assure a satisfactory bonding of the column to the wall of the well. In addition, various tools and sensors must be located downhole in a wellbore which are typically mounted upon the well casing.
Well drilling is a time consuming and expensive operation. Costs and manpower require that every operation be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thus, downhole tools and sensors must be positioned and locked upon a pipe casing as quickly as possible.
"Locking collars", also known as "stop collars", have been used for centuries to hold objects and prevent them from sliding longitudinally upon an elongate object such as a pipe or rod. A wide variety of fasteners have been employed to affix stop collars upon the casing, ranging from welding, or friction fits using bolts, setscrews, or wedging pin arrangements. Additional structures to prevent the stop collar from moving longitudinally upon the casing including the use of knockdown buckles or low friction surfaces such as teeth.
Fasteners are often time consuming to install, and require torque measurement or other methods to assure adequate resistance to longitudinal sliding. For example, each buckle of a knockdown buckle must be hammered against the well casing for proper engagement. Further, aside from welding which is cost and time prohibitive, all fastener constructions risk longitudinal sliding due to vibration or other forces. If forced to slide, setscrews, bolts and wedges can score the casing reducing its integrity which can cause failure burst, leaking or deformation.
Previous stop collars have a perpendicular leading edge so that longitudinal force creates an even sliding force on the stop collar. This sliding force can overcome the friction from set screws, wedges or other tightening means causing stop collars to slide. Further, this sliding can cause set screws or wedges to score or damage a pipe or shaft, thus reducing its integrity. Pipe integrity is critical in many installations such as oil pipelines, hydraulics and other high-performance applications.
Therefore, there remains a need for a stop collar that allows for the positioning of downhole tools, sensors and other objects that may be installed quickly and easily.
There is also a need for a stop collar that is not subject to disengagement due to vibration and other similar forces.
Furthermore, there is a need for a stop collar with a minimum of components to facilitate installation and decrease the probability of failure.


The invention permits determination of the position and/or the configuration of an object by impinging a laser light beam onto the object in a light scattering medium, and detecting the trace of a scattered light beam, by cameras.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the position and/or the configuration of an object under observation.
Conventional methods for determining the configuration of an object use a coaxial method in which a laser light beam is impinged on the object, and a reflected light is detected by the camera and a position and a configuration of the object are determined.
FIG. 10 illustrates the principle of the conventional coaxial method. As shown in the figure, a laser light beam 5 is impinged on an object 2 and is reflected to a light receiving portion of a detector 3 (camera). From the known positions and angles of the laser source 1 and camera 3, a position and a configuration of the object are calculated.
Although the method is suitable for a very accurate measurement, a detector 3 must be set so that its optical axis is coaxial or coincident with the direction of the propagating wave, which is often difficult and is applicable only to those objects having special shapes and materials.
If the object does not reflect the incident light at all, it is difficult to measure the surface of the object since there is no reflected light. And in the case of a complex surface of the object, it is often difficult to measure the surface of the object for the reason that cameras can not be set in the direction of the reflected light.
further difficulty exists in the optical methods, mainly due to the fact that they do resort to information concerning the conditions of the surface of an object and that they neglect all the information concerning the light beam itself.

Method and apparatus for determining the position and the configuration of an object under observation


A biosensor device (100) for detecting biological particles, the biosensor device (100) comprising an electromagnetic radiation transmitting member (102) adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation and a plurality of sensor active structures (104) arranged at the electromagnetic radiation transmitting member (102), wherein each of the plurality of sensor active structures (104) is sensitive to specific biological particles and is adapted to modify electromagnetic radiation transmission properties of the electromagnetic radiation transmitting member (102) in the event of the presence of the respective biological particles, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation transmitting member (102) is adapted for a simultaneous detection of different biological particles at different ones of the plurality of sensor active structures (104).

A biosensor may be denoted as a device that may be used for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological component with a physicochemical or physical detector component.
For instance, a biosensor may be based on the phenomenon that capture molecules immobilized on a surface of a biosensor may selectively hybridize with target molecules in a fluidic sample, for instance when an antibody-binding fragment of an antibody or the sequence of a DNA single strand as a capture molecule fits to a corresponding sequence or structure of a target molecule. When such hybridization or sensor events occur at the sensor surface, this may change the electrical or optical properties of the surface that can be detected as the sensor event.
US 2003/0174923 discloses detecting and/or measuring a substance based on a resonance shift of photons orbiting within a microsphere of a sensor. Since the resonance of the microsphere has a large quality factor, the sensor is sensitive. The sensor includes the microsphere coupled with at least one optical fiber. The surface of the microsphere includes receptors complementary to the substance. The at least one optical fiber can be provided with at least one additional microsphere having a surface free of the receptors. Resonance shifts observed in such an additional microsphere(s) can be attributed to factors unrelated to the presence of the substance. The resonance shift observed in the microsphere with the receptors can be compensated based on the resonance shift of the additional microsphere(s) to remove the influence of these other factors.
Vollmer et al. (2003), "Multiplexed DNA Quantification by Spectroscopic Shift of Two Microsphere Cavities", Biophysical Journal, Volume 85, pp. 1974-1979 discloses a spectroscopic technique for high-sensitivity, label-free DNA quantification. An optical resonance (whispering gallery mode) excited in a micron-sized silica sphere can be used to detect and measure nucleic acids. The surface of the silica sphere is chemically modified with oligonucleotides. Hybridization to the target DNA leads to a red shift of the optical resonance wavelength. Furthermore, each microsphere can be identified by its unique resonance wavelength. DNA detection is demonstrated by using two microspheres. The multiplexed signal from two microspheres allows to discriminate a single nucleotide mismatch in an 11-mer oligonucleotide with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 54. This all-photonic whispering gallery mode biosensor can be integrated on a semiconductor chip that makes it an easy to manufacture, analytic component for a portable, robust lab-on-a-chip device.
Conventional biosensor chips based on whispering gallery modes may require a measurement that takes a comparatively long amount of time.

Biosensor device and method of detecting biological particles


An electrical connector assembly which is adaptive to accommodate variations in the diameters of, and in the spacing between, pins with which it mates. The sockets of the assembly are formed with elongated fingers which deflect for larger diameter pins and are mounted to the connector housing in such a way that they have limited freedom of movement orthogonally to the longitudinal axes of the sockets to accept variations in the pin spacing.

This invention relates to electrical connector assemblies for mating with conductive pins of a complementary connector and, more particularly, to such an assembly which is adaptive to accommodate variations in the spacing between, and in the diameters of, the pins.
It is common in aircraft to provide a "quick disconnect" electrical connector assembly attached to a wiring harness for mating with a complementary receptacle, or connector, secured to the aircraft battery. The quick disconnect feature provides an effective way by which the battery may be disconnected so that it can be removed from the aircraft for maintenance and/or repair and then readily reconnected after such maintenance and/or repair. Typically, the receptacle which is secured to the battery has two conductive pins molded in a plastic housing, with the two pins having a fixed nominal spacing therebetween and being of a specified nominal diameter. These two pins are respectively connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.
The connector assembly which engages the receptacle includes two female sockets which receive the two pins of the receptacle to provide a low resistance electrical connection therewith. When designing such a connector assembly, numerous requirements must be satisfied. Some of these requirements are as follows:
A. the sockets must accommodate, within prescribed limits, variations in the spacing between the mating receptacle pins; PA1 B. the sockets must accommodate, within prescribed limits, variations in the diameters of the mating receptacle pins; PA1 C. the sockets must be able to withstand relative motion of the mating receptacle that may occur during structural or dynamic loading; PA1 D. the pins of the receptacle must enter the sockets with a low insertion force; and PA1 E. the sockets must maintain good electrical contact with the mating receptacle pins after several thousand insertions and throughout the operating life of the parts.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector assembly which satisfies all of the above requirements.

Compliant electrical connector and a socket assembly therefor


A method and apparatus for cathodically protecting basic steel and iron sctures located in an electrolyte without requiring any auxiliary backup power means on a continual basis. The method and impressed current type system use a PV solar panel array to supply dedicated DC operating current after the structure is first initially temporarily provided with preconditioning polarization on a one-time-only basis for a predetermined extended continuous time period, such as from about 3-7 days, by a separate non-solar DC generating means, thereby impressing it with the requisite beneficial relatively high negative potential which completes the initial polarization. The temporary power source is then permanently disconnected and the solar array is promptly connected in circuit to continue to provide the requisite high negative beneficial potentials which were achieved by the preconditioning polarization, and to thereby maintain the cathodic protection. The impressed relatively high negative potential has a slower rate of decay that permits the use of a PV solar array, and provides excess available power without the customary auxiliary backup power means, such as batteries. This unique method enables the system to easily maintain the impressed current cathodic protection system indefinitely even during inclement weather and nighttime conditions. In an alternate form of the invention, an ultracapacitor operating in circuit with a current limiter and at least one blocking diode may replace the temporary power source.

The present invention relates generally to cathodic protection, and more specifically to an impressed current cathodic protection system of the type employing a photovoltaic (PV) solar powered system to protect metallic structures, such as piers made of steel or other iron bearing material, installed in electrolytic media such as sea water or soil, from electrochemical corrosion and deterioration. This system uses an external dedicated direct current (DC) as the power source to develop and maintain a negative potential between one or more of a series of electrodes external to the structure be the protected, and the structure to be protected. The electrodes and the structure to be protected preferably should be within the same area of the galvanic series prior to the application of power because this facilitates polarization and minimizes anode corrosion. By applying the DC current to the electrodes, they become positive anodes from which the applied current flows. This impressed current flows out of the anodes, is conducted through the electrolytic medium, and is received by the surface of the structure to be protected, which structure becomes transformed into the negative electrode or cathode. Thus, polarization of the structure to be protected is considered to have occurred. Because it is well known in this technology that electrochemical corrosion occurs where the current leaves the anode metal surface to enter the ambient electrolyte, the anodes begin to corrode and those nearby surfaces that receive the current will not corrode, provided that a sufficient electrical potential is maintained between anode and cathode. Steel and cast iron structures are considered to become fully cathodically protected when the polarized potential of the structure is about -0.850 volt or more negative, with respect to a copper-copper sulfate reference electrode. Silver-silver chloride electrodes are more frequently used where they are required to be submerged in seawater because unlike the copper-copper sulfate electrode, they are not subject to contamination by seawater.
Anodes commonly used in impressed current systems are high-silicon cast iron with chromium added for improved resistance to the chloride attack of seawater.
In cathodic protection (CP) systems and technology, because it has been determined that by impressing a steel structure with the aforesaid -0.850 v negative potential or slightly more, the structure was considered to be cathodically well protected, then it became the logical and customary practice to maintain the potential at or about -0.850 v to -0.950 v to conserve energy, reduce energy costs and other operating costs such as minimizing the deterioration of the anodes. To obtain valid interpretation, the potential measurements must be corrected for IR drop through the electrolyte and metallic paths, by measuring the polarized potentials, usually -0.100 v to -0.300 v or more negative depending on the electrolyte, type and condition of the structure, temperature and other variables. Because of the usual use of readily available AC-DC rectifier systems to generate and maintain these adequate potentials on a continuous basis, and because of the reported potential for adverse effects, to be described, believed to be caused by the application of greater power to generate negative potentials above the approximate -0.950 v level, there was no impelling reason to explore or experiment with methods or apparatus to use higher negative potentials. This practice was further reinforced due to the possible disadvantages discovered by the limited trials of the higher negative potentials, particularly in laboratory tests, which were (1) causing of possible disbondment of various protective coatings preapplied to the structures and (2) the tendency due to absorption of atomic hydrogen to cause embrittlement, more particularly to high strength steel, or blistering and thereby prematurely weaken the structure's integrity. This phenomenon is seldom observed in the field because high strength steel is not generally used for steel structures in electrolytes such as sea water and pipe lines in soil. This prior art practice continued because it is considered axiomatic in CP systems that under the so-called instant-off conditions, the negative (cathodic) polarization potential will decay or drop within one second according to NACE, by about -0.100 v, to 0.300 v, or more, followed by further decay upon extending the off condition time, thus strengthening the belief that it was not possible to maintain the requisite beneficial negative potential and thus not possible to achieve adequate cathodic protection by any PV solar-powered CP system without an auxiliary backup power means (usually a battery).
While the prior art has many solar power applications, including cathodic protection, none of the systems or related methods are without battery backup systems that provide continuous DC power and have not suggested methods or ways of preconditioning or polarizing the structure or equipment to be protected by the temporary initial one time only use of a DC power generating source to impress the structure with significantly greater negative potentials over a selected extended time period. By my new procedure, the higher level negative polarized potentials developed are longer lived, or decay more slowly during periods of inclement weather and nighttime conditions, until their rebuilding upon receiving the benefit of the renewable solar panel generated DC current. This has been done successfully without any battery backup system for over two years.
As stated above, impressed current cathodic systems have required the use of rectifiers and other related complex circuitry and components to help assure a continuous DC power supply. Alternatively, electric motor or wind or any engine driven DC generator sets, DC welders, batteries, thermoelectric cells, and solar cells accompanied by backup battery systems, have been used to try to provide the requisite continuous DC current. These are not cost effective and many would adversely impact the environment, particularly when attempting such installations in remote areas or where continuous electrical power is not readily available.

Method and apparatus for providing continuous cathodic protection by solar power

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An arrangement of coupled hybrid rings is disclosed which can withstand a failed node or a cut ring in either or both of the hybrid rings, as well as an outage of one of the two serving nodes utilized to interconnect the hybrid rings. The pair of serving nodes are interposed in each of the hybrid rings and serve to transmit signals between the two rings to satisfy the hybrid ring requirement of having equivalent signals propagating in two opposing directions on the unidirectional rings composing an individual hybrid ring.

A ring communications network is made up of nodes that are connected in tandem by a unidirectional communications path. Each node receives transmissions from the adjacent upstream node, and if the communication is destined for a downstream node, the communication is re-transmitted to the adjacent downstream node. Otherwise, each node transmits its own communications to the adjacent downstream node.
A drawback of such a network is that a break in the ring would prevent any node upstream of the break from communicating with any node downstream of the break. Similarly, the complete failure of a node would have the same effect as a break in the ring.
Many designs have been proposed to minimize these difficulties. The most common approach is to provide a second communications ring parallel to the first. In that case, a fault in one ring could be bypassed by transferring communications to the second ring. Alternatively, if the second ring transmitted in the opposite direction as the first, a break in both rings between two adjacent nodes could be remedied by the nodes on either side of the break looping back communications received on one ring onto the other ring. Such a system is described in McNeilly et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,798.
The main problem with such approaches is that the equipment required to detect and locate a fault, and then appropriately reconnect transmitters and receivers with the alternate ring, is complicated and costly.
An approach that alleviates some of these difficulties is described in Lau, U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,763, which is assigned to the same assignee as is the present invention. In Lau, a subrate multiplexed signal is utilized for ring communications. Each node has the capability of demultiplexing the main signal into its constituent subrates (channels), and channels destined for that node (local channels) are sent to receiving equipment within the node, while channels destined for downstream nodes (through channels) are multiplexed with originating local channels, and the resultant high level signal is transmitted to the adjacent downstream node. This process is simultaneously performed using identical equipment in the node for a second ring transmitting in the opposite direction. If a node detects a fault in an incoming line, an error signal is placed on all of the channels following the demultiplexing. The receiving equipment in each node includes a selector which monitors the communications arriving on each local channel from both rings. If an error signal is detected on a local channel, the selector selects the communication from the associated channel of the other ring to send to the receiver.
In this way, a break in both rings between two adjacent nodes will not cause a failure in the system, and no complicated fault locating and switching equipment is required to continue service. Similarly, the complete failure of a node will not destroy communications among the remaining nodes.
It should be noted that unlike prior survivable ring arrangements which maintain their ring characteristics following a fault, the arrangement of Lau ceases functioning as a ring if the ring is broken. However, communications among the nodes is maintained following such a break. For this reason, the arrangement of Lau has been called a hybrid ring, since it normally operates as a ring, but then it does not operate as a ring following a break in the ring or the loss of a node.
In Lau, an arrangement for interconnecting two autonomous but interrelated rings is disclosed. In this arrangement, simultaneous breaks in both rings can be compensated without loss of communications between any two nodes. The arrangement employs a master node from each ring and two unidirectional paths connected between the master nodes to couple the two rings. Even though the rings are protected from breaks in each ring, an outage in either master node or a unidirectional path breaks the communication path from one interrelated ring to the other.

Dual-hubbed arrangement to provide a protected ring interconnection


A fixed capacitor is coupled between a top plate of an attenuation capacitor and a variable voltage reference. The error in the attenuation capacitor may be calibrated out with the variable voltage reference and the fixed correction capacitor. The variable voltage reference varies the charge on the attenuation capacitor and thereby compensates for error(s) therein. A calibration digital-to-analog converter may be used in conjunction with or substituted for the variable voltage reference, and may be programmed for different charge compensation values from the SAR logic during an iterative SAR DAC capacitive switching process.

Successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are frequently the architecture of choice for medium-to-high-resolution applications with medium to high sample rates. Resolutions for SAR ADCs most commonly range from 8 to 16 bits, and they provide low power consumption as well as a small form factor. This combination of features make these ADCs ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as portable/battery-powered instruments, pen digitizers, industrial controls, and data/signal acquisition. As the name implies, the SAR ADC basically implements a binary search algorithm. Therefore, while the internal circuitry may be running at several megahertz (MHz), the ADC sample rate is a fraction of that number due to the successive-approximation algorithm.
An attenuation capacitor (Ca) may be used between two capacitive DACs inside of a SAR ADC to reduce the range of capacitance values required. One side of the attenuation capacitor (Ca) is coupled to the most significant bit (msb) DAC (mDAC) and the other side of the attenuation capacitor (Ca) is coupled to a lower bit DAC (nDAC). The absolute value of the attenuation capacitor (Ca) depends on the values of the unit capacitors in the DACs ratio between the bottom plate parasitic of the unit capacitor and the top-plate parasitic capacitance of the lower bit DAC capacitors. It is critical to have the attenuation capacitor (Ca) capacitance manufactured to a tolerance of better than 0.25 percent accuracy with respect to the mDAC unit capacitor. Since the attenuation capacitor (Ca) depends on parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit silicon die on which it is fabricated, this close accuracy has been achieved with prior technologies in two ways: (1) Silicon iteration based on measurement data to correct the parasitic capacitance value and then re-fabricate the silicon die of the SAR DAC (FIG. 1), and (2) use of a varactor (voltage variable capacitor) (FIG. 2), that introduces its own variable parasitic capacitance with respect to process and temperature variations.
Referring to FIG. 1, depicted is a schematic diagram of a typical prior technology split capacitive SAR DAC having an attenuation capacitor (CA) between an mDAC and an nDAC thereof. A problem exists for fine tuning of the attenuation capacitor (CA) of a SAR DAC using the silicon iteration based process prior technology method (1). The value of CA with no parasitic capacitance present is:
      C    A    =                    2        N                              2          N                -        α                        C      U      Where α is the ratio between unit capacitors of mDAC and nDAC. The value of CA with parasitic capacitance present is:
      C    A    =                              2          N                        λ                                          2            N                              λ                -        α                        C      U      Where λ is a parasitic dependent factor. For example, a 5C-5C-2R implementation of the SAR DAC may have parasitic top-plate routing and a bottom plate of CA, wherein CA is approximately 107.204% of Cu, for Cu=150 femtofarads (fF) and CA=160.8 fF. A one percent (1%) error (1.6 fF) in CA results in about 0.3 DNL or about 3% error of 1 DNL. The total expected routing capacitor=60 fF. CA may be calculated from the parasitic capacitance, but it is impossible to get the correct capacitance needed the first time.
Referring to FIG. 2, depicted is a schematic diagram of a typical prior technology split capacitive DAC having an attenuation capacitor (Ca) between an mDAC and an nDAC thereof and a voltage variable capacitor compensation circuit. The prior technology method (2) using a fixed voltage reference (VREF), a compensation DAC (cDAC) 210 for controlling a voltage variable capacitor (varactor) 212 has a big capacitance variation across a range of process, voltage and temperature (PVT) conditions. The varactor is added to correct the parasitic variations of the attenuation capacitor (Ca) but adds much bigger capacitance variation by itself, e.g., the varactor adds parasitic capacitance to the top-plate of the nDAC. Use of the varactor 212 may result in performance variations and differential nonlinearity (DNL) sensitivity across a range PVT conditions.

Successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) attenuation capacitor calibration method and apparatus


A V-shaped internal combustion engine in which the driving chain for an oil pump is arranged by using a free space which is formed between a crank journal portion and a sprocket for a timing chain, so that there is no need to extend the crank shaft and to place the oil pump at a position in front of the internal combustion engine. The entire length of the internal combustion engine is reduced and its size is minimized. The oil pump is attached to a skirt portion which is provided at the lower portion of the cylinder block and to a bearing beam which supports the engine crank shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mounting and driving structure for an auxiliary apparatus of an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, relates to a mounting and driving structure of an oil pump of a V-shaped internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Among internal combustion engines for vehicles, there are engines in which the cylinders are arranged in series (in-line engines), engines in which the cylinders are arranged so as to face each other (opposed cylinder engines), engines in which banks of cylinders are arranged in a V-shape, and the like.
V-shaped internal combustion engines in which two banks of cylinders are arranged in a V-shape are constructed in a manner such that first and second cylinder heads are mounted on first and second cylinder banks of a V-shaped cylinder block, and a rotatable crank shaft is provided in the cylinder block so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction of the internal combustion engine. In one type of V-shaped engine, the front edge surface of the first cylinder head projects to a position in front of the front edge surface of the second cylinder head in the axial direction of the crank shaft. First and second rotatable cam shafts are provided for the first and second cylinder heads, first and second cam sprockets are provided in the same plane on corresponding end portions of the first and second cam shafts on the front side of the V-shaped internal combustion engine, a sprocket for a timing chain is provided on a crank shaft end portion of the crank shaft on the front side of the V-shaped internal combustion engine in the same plane as the first and second cam sprockets, and a timing chain is wound around the sprocket for the timing chain and the first and second cam sprockets.
In V-shaped internal combustion engines, an oil pump is provided as an auxiliary apparatus in order to circulate oil from an oil pan to the working parts of the engine that require lubrication. The oil pump is directly attached to the end portion of the crank shaft which projects to a position in front of the internal combustion engine so that the oil pump is directly driven by the crank shaft. Alternatively, the oil pump is driven either (1) by a timing belt or chain which is wound around the pulley or sprocket for the timing belt or chain, which pulley or sprocket is fixed to the end portion of the crank shaft, or (2) by gear mechanism coupled to the crank shaft, or (3) by a chain for the oil pump, which chain is wound around the sprocket for driving the oil pump, which sprocket is provided on the side of the end portion of the crank shaft.
Such driving structures for an auxiliary apparatus of an internal combustion engine have been disclosed in, for instance, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 63-174513 (1988) and Japanese Utility Model Registration No 1-148031 (1989). According to the driving structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 63-174513 (1988), an oil pump cover is attached to a chain cover from the side of a chain chamber to thereby form a pump chamber, and an oil pump formed with a saucer-shaped projecting portion, which portion extends to a lower portion of a sprocket which sprocket is attached to a crank shaft and around which a chain is wound, is attached to the oil pump cover. According to the driving structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 1-148031 (1989), a pulley to drive another auxiliary apparatus is provided on the engine side of a motive power side variable speed pulley in which a centrifugal mechanism is arranged on the side remote from the engine, a driven side variable speed pulley in which a centrifugal mechanism is arranged on the engine side is provided at a position which is away from the drive shaft of the auxiliary apparatus, which apparatus is driven through the variable speed pulley, and an intermediate pulley for propagating and coupling to the drive pulley on the drive shaft is provided on the outer periphery of the centrifugal mechanism of the driven side variable speed pulley.
Hitherto, however, in the structure for attaching the oil pump of the V-shaped internal combustion engine, there is the inconvenience that when the oil pump is directly attached to the crank shaft, the oil pump is arranged on the axis of rotation of the crank shaft, so that the entire length of the internal combustion engine is increased and the mechanical loss is large.
In the structure in which the oil pump is driven by the timing belt, on the other hand, there is the inconvenience that the attaching position of the oil pump is high so that it takes a long time until the oil pump completely discharges the oil upon starting at a low temperature, but also it is disadvantageous because of the chain sound.
In the structure in which the oil pump is driven by the gear mechanism, moreover, there is the inconvenience that gear sounds are generated.
In the structure in which the oil pump is driven by the chain for the oil pump, on the other hand, there is the inconvenience that the sprocket for driving the oil pump is provided on the crank shaft end portion formed by extending the crank shaft in the axial direction, so that the crank shaft is substantially long and the entire length of the internal combustion engine is large.
As another structure for attaching an oil pump to an engine, there is the structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 57-114116 (1982). In that structure, a stiffener having at least four legs is fixed to a lower surface of a partition wall of a crank casing by bolts, the oil pump is attached to the stiffener, and the oil pump communicates with the crank casing through an oil discharging conduit formed in the stiffener.
In the conventional attaching structure of an oil pump of an engine, when the oil pump is attached to the cylinder block of the engine, various connecting members, such as reinforcing members, stiffeners, and the like, are used thereby assuring rigidity and strength.
There are, however, the inconveniences that (1) because the number of parts is increased when the oil pump is attached to the engine, the costs are increased, that is, it is economically disadvantageous, and (2) the efficiency of the operation for attaching the oil pump is reduced, that is, it is disadvantageous from a practical point of view. There is also the inconvenience that when the oil pump has been attached, the engine size is increased due to various members, and there is a fear that it will be necessary to change the engine design so as to enlarge the oil pan surrounding the oil pump.

Attaching structure for oil pump of engine


A system of adjustable interlockable panels for assembling a modular unit is provided, which comprises a plurality of rectangular, adjustable interlockable panels. Each panel has four edges: a first edge comprises a male sliding interlock, and a third, opposite edge comprises a female sliding interlock; a second edge comprises one or more adjustment slots; and an opposite, fourth edge, is a straight edge. The adjustment slots in the second edge are: parallel to the first and third edges; of a sufficient width to tightly accommodate any of the other panels in the system; and each slot extends between about 1/4 and 3/4 of the way into the panel. The male sliding interlock on a first panel is complementary to the female sliding interlock on a second panel in the system. The panels in this AIP system have approximately the same width and thickness; and each panel in the system is connectable, one at a time, with each of the other panels by removably sliding a first panel onto the complementary sliding interlock on a second panel so that the panels are connected end to end, or by removably inserting a first panel into an adjustment slot in a second panel such that the first panel is approximately at right angles to the second panel. Lastly, a user can assemble the modular unit or dissemble it without using tools.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system of adjustable interlocking panels and a method for constructing a cargo barrier, shelving unit, box, and other modular systems with a plurality of such panels.
2. Background Information
Modular storage systems, furniture, shelving units, and containers in general are known in the prior art. These include free-standing stackable cubes that come from the manufacturer precut with the necessary hardware to join the parts of the cube. Knock-down and set-up construction is also known, particularly boxes, crates, and containers. Known cargo barriers, e.g. for placement in the load beds of pick-up trucks, include netting, load locks, Working Mats with flip-up panels, and grooves in the load bed that are designed to accept dimensional lumber.
What is needed is a versatile panel system with a sturdy yet quickly detachable interlocking system so that the consumer can quickly erect, modify, and breakdown various configurations without the need for tools. The present adjustable interlocking system can be used to build modifiable cargo barriers, boxes, shelving systems, and various other household constructions. The adjustable interlocking panels in the system have sliding interlocks at each end and adjustment grooves that are spaced apart to provide many compartment variations. The adjustable interlocking panels of the present invention join end-to-end and perpendicular to each other, and are easy to assemble and disassemble. This allows for repeated modification by the consumer. A storage assembly constructed from the adjustable interlocking system can be used lying down (e.g. for cargo barrier, toy, or stool applications) or standing upright (e.g. for organizer or shelving applications).


The invention provides an image forming apparatus and an electrophotographic photoreceptor, comprising: a conductive support; and at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on the conductive support, wherein said charge generation layer contains a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine synthesized using a halogen solvent, said charge transport layer contains a polyester resin having a specific structural unit, and said charge transport layer is formed using a non-halogen solvent.

In association with expansion of general-purpose usage of the electrophotographic technique, an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system is being used not only in office applications but also in the industrial printing field and light printing field, where an offset printing has been conventionally the mainstream. Also, along with an increasing demand for stable and mass printing of an image requiring high image quality, such as photograph, it is more strongly demanded for an electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "photoreceptor") as a core of the electrophotography process, for example, to reduce the environmental change such as moisture or the image abnormality such as image memory, improve the abrasion resistance, and stabilize the electrostatic potential.
In order to meet these demands for the photoreceptor, various improvements have been made on the photoreceptor composition. With respect to the stability against environmental change, use of less humidity-dependent gallium phthalocyanine in place of conventionally employed titanyl phthalocyanine has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also, with respect to stabilization of the electrostatic potential, a charge transport material having a specific structure, among others, a triarylamine-based compound having a fluorenyl group, has been proposed (Patent Document 3). In addition, use of a polyester resin, among others, a polyarylate resin that is a generic term for a full aromatic polyester resin, in place of the conventionally employed polycarbonate resin has been proposed so as to, for example, improve abrasion resistance, improve an image defect such as filming, or improve toner transferability (Patent Document 4).
Out of image memories, as for the memory attributable to the effect of transfer load, in a reverse development system, the charge voltage and the transfer voltage are opposite in polarity and therefore, a so-called transfer memory, that is, a phenomenon where the chargeability becomes different by the effect of transfer, may be produced, giving rise to a defect such as density unevenness on image. With respect to reduction of the transfer memory, it is disclosed that a combination of specific charge transport materials works effectively (Patent Document 5).
Incidentally, the full color image forming method includes mainly a tandem system and a four-cycle system, and the transfer system on a printing medium includes, for example, a direct transfer system, a transfer drum system, an intermediate transfer system, and a multiple development-batch transfer system. Among these, a tandem system, that is, a color image forming apparatus where respective color images are formed by independent image-forming units and sequentially transferred, is an excellent image forming method, because many kinds of recording materials are usable, the full-color quality is high, and a full-color image can be obtained at a high speed.
In the case of a tandem system, high speed printing is available, but on the other hand, a system of forming respective color images by a plurality of image forming units and sequentially transferring the images is employed. Therefore, in the tandem system, the toner image transferred on a transfer medium (an intermediate transfer medium or a recording material) becomes thicker as it progresses toward the later image forming unit, and a larger transfer voltage is applied in many cases to transfer the toner layer formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor. This brings about a tendency that charge injection into the photosensitive layer upon loading of the above-described opposite polarities is more encouraged and a clearer density difference is produced on the image depending on the site, as a result, a so-called transfer memory is liable to occur.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus


A method for joining tissue comprising aligning and abutting edges of the tissue to be joined applying a biodegradable, biological solder or an analogue thereof, across the edges and exposing the solder to an energy source under conditions which provide transfer of energy from the source to the solder to cause the solder to bond to the tissue surface adjacent the edges to provide a weld holding the edges together.

The present invention relates to methods for joining living tissues, including veins, arteries, microvessels, tubes, nerves, organ tissues and biological surfaces, such as peritoneum, omentum, fascia, shin, artificial tissues, and to pharmaceutical products useful in joining these tissues.
Joining tissues such as veins, arteries, microvessels, tubes, nerves, tissues and biological surfaces such as the peritoneum and skin has mainly been carried out clinically to date by suturing and microsuturing.
Microsuturing requires considerable skill and is a time consuming procedure. Frequently, tissues which have been joined by microsuturing form considerable scar tissue. Some of the difficulties encountered with microsuturing can be better understood by considering the example of rejoining damaged peripheral nerve tissue.
Peripheral Nerves
The electrical signals that control the body""s organs and transmit information back and forth to the central nervous system (CNS) travel along peripheral nerves. The structure of these peripheral nerves is analogous to telephone cables. In a telephone cable there is a strong protective outer coating that protects all the inner components. The copper wires are often grouped in separate insulating tubes that lead to different systems. Each of the inner copper wires is a single line that can transmit electricity in either direction and has an insulating coating around it so that it does not interfere with the lines next to it.
A peripheral nerve (FIG. 1) has an outer membrane consisting of connective tissue such as collagen. This membrane (epineurium) protects and holds the separate nerve bundles together. The nerve bundles which lie inside this membrane are called fascicles. These fascicles also have a collagen based surrounding membrane and their task is to group together nerve axons supplying a similar area of the body. Inside the fascicle membrane the axons are surrounded by loose connective tissue. The axons are a long extension from a cell body which is contained within the CNS in the spine or the brain. Sensory axons transmit to the CNS and motor axons transmit from the CNS. Nerve metabolism is sustained by the vascular system from both outside the nerve and along the centre of the nerve.
Peripheral nerves can have very small diameters. For instance, the mature median nerve at the wrist is approximately 1 cm in diameter and contains an average of forty fascicles, each of which can contain up to 4500 axons. When a peripheral nerve is cut all axons distal to the wound change their properties as axon flow is cut off from the cell body. Even when the nerve is reconnected, these axons continue to degenerate distally. The Schwann cells which normally wrap themselves around the axons as insulation guide regenerating axons. Joining nerves as accurately as possible by lining up corresponding fascicles enables the axons to more efficiently regenerate.
Operating upon nerves has been facilitated by using magnification and special microsurgical equipment. Accurate repairs need to be effected at the fascicular level ensuring that regeneration is along the correct bundle leading to the original area those axons supplied. The current technique of peripheral nerve repair uses microsuturing (FIG. 2). This technique requires a dedicated, trained surgeon as microsuturing of just one of the many fascicles with three or more microsutures (using say a 70 micron diameter needle and 30 micron thread) can take very long operating times.
Microsuturing is at present clinically used where the skills are available. Unfortunately, there are relatively few surgeons who have the necessary manipulative skills for operating at high magnification. Even a reasonable microsuturing technique results in long operating times with added damage to the inner axons due to sutures penetrating the thin insulating perineurial sheath. The use of sutures results in some scarring of the repair due to foreign body reaction. There is also evidence which indicates that in the long term scar tissue formation and scar maturation can lead to impairment of the joined nerve.
Work has been performed on the use of lasers alone in effecting nerve joins. One of the problems of laser welding has been the fact that the intact gel-like nerve tissue of the axons is actually under pressure within the fascicle. When the fascicle is cut this material extrudes. This can lead to the direct laser weld being formed on nerve tissue rather than the surrounding membrane of the fascicle, causing nerve damage. To date the welds have typically been made using infrared lasers such as CO2 lasers which rely on water absorption for energy transfer. Tissue preparation before welding relies on overlapping the nerve membranes. This is difficult due to the extruding gel-like axons and so can lead to denaturation of the nerve axon material. The affected tissue tends to scar and the fibrous tissue that proliferates as a result is a poorer electrical conductor than nerve tissue. The bonds formed to date as described in the prior art using laser welding have typically lacked strength. These laser joins alone tend to fail so microsuturing has been used in addition to welding to strengthen these joins.
To deal with at least some of the deficiencies of laser welding, various glues have been used in forming the welds. These low protein concentration, fluid glues tend to run between the ends of the nerve that are being joined which may result in damage to the axoplasm of the nerve fascicle and also hinder regeneration. They are also applied around the join which is then circumferentially welded. These joins later show thick scarring which causes stricture of the nerve. Moreover, the joins tend to be weak.
The welding techniques so far available also tend to lack precision. Factors that influence the precision of this approach adversely include differences in: the consistency of the glue used; the aperture of the needle or other device used to apply the glue; and the pressure exerted in applying the glue.
The present invention provides a method for joining tissue comprising:
aligning and abutting edges of the tissue to be joined;
applying a solder, across the aligned and abutted edges; and
exposing the solder to an energy source under conditions which provide a transfer of energy from the source to the solder to cause the solder to bond to the tissue surface adjacent the edges thus providing a weld holding the edges together.
In addition to causing the solder to bond to the protein of the underlying tissue, the energy transfer can affect the structure of the solder itself leading to bonding within the solder and an enhancement of the strength of the solder and hence the join.
Drops of solder are typically used where the solder is a fluid solder, and are xe2x80x9cpaintedxe2x80x9d across the edges.
The solder can also be provided as a preformed solid strip.
The energy source is typically a laser.
A variety of tissue types can be joined using this method. The method is applicable to anastomoses of biological tubes including veins, arteries, lymphatics, nerves, vasa efferentia, fallopian tubes, bile ducts, tubes of the alimentary canal, the ureter, the urethra, tear ducts, bronchi and any other such bodily tubes as well as to repairs of incisions or tears of biological organs such as kidneys, liver or spleen, or of biological surfaces such as the peritoneum and skin. It will therefore be understood that the method can be used in a variety of join situations including the joining of cylindrical anastomoses and the closure of linear defects such as incisions.
Where the tissue repair is with respect to nerve tissue or other tissue tubes where the tube contents need to be protected from damage, it is especially important that the weld should not be concentrated on the edges being joined as this can damage extruded tissue. Rather, the weld should be distributed across the planar or tubular surface in which the discontinuity lies.
Where the tissue to be repaired is an essentially hollow body tube such as a blood vessel, the repair can additionally comprise the insertion of a thin-walled hollow cylinder of solder inside the tube under repair so that the cylinder spans the severed portions of the tube. Typically, while the severed tube and cylinder assembly is held together, energy from the energy source is directed through the tube wall to bond the cylinder to the tube ends. The cylinder may incorporate a dye, as hereinafter described, to attract energy to the cylinder for more efficient welding. The repair is completed by the application of at least one strip or drop of solder across the edges on the outer surface and treating the applied solder as described above.
Where the repair is with respect to tissue surfaces such as peritoneum, it will be understood that it is less important to avoid concentration of welding on the edges.
The method can also be modified for the repair of other discontinuities in tissue surfaces such as holes, resulting from accident or surgery. In this form of the invention the solder may be spread or pre-cut to conform to the shape of the repair site, and the edges of the repair site may not need to be aligned or abutted for the repair to be effected.
A typical nerve repair using the method of the invention is one in which the edges are ends of a cut peripheral nerve fascicle that are to be joined together or an end of a nerve fascicle and the fascicle of substitute nerve graft material. This latter situation is particularly applicable where nerve repair is required but a section of the nerve under repair has been severely damaged or is unavailable, so that the available ends of the fascicle are too remote from each other to be directly joined. The actual nature of the damage sustained by the nerve and whether the repair is a primary or secondary repair are factors affecting recovery but in any case the edges of nerve fascicles to be joined are cleanly cut at right angles prior to joining.
Application of the solder as a strip or strips, with space between for natural co-aptation of the surfaces themselves permits the nerve under repair to revascularise. Circumferential welding, by comparison, can inhibit the body""s natural healing process and so slow down blood capillary access needed for the area of repair. Laser soldering and suturing techniques ultimately rely on the body regenerating connective tissue to hold the nerve together after either solder or suture connections break down and are replaced by the healing process. The present inventors have shown in vivo experiments that successful regeneration can be achieved by the methods of the present invention without restriction on surrounding tissue movement after the operation. In the case of nerve repair operation on human patients it is routine to initially restrict the movements of the joints of the operated limbs to assist in reducing tension across the repair site.
Typical biodegradable, biological solders useful in the method of the invention include protein solders.
It is envisaged that other naturally occurring biomolecules could be used as alternatives. Further analogues of biological, biodegradable polypeptides could be used. Analogues of biological, biodegradable polypeptides useful in the invention include synthetic polypeptides and other molecules capable of forming a viscous xe2x80x9cgluexe2x80x9d that does not react adversely within the tissue undergoing repair.
The protein solder may be a solid or a fluid solder composition.
Fluid protein solder compositions useful in strip welding typically comprise between 100 and 120 mass % of protein relative to water. Preferably, fluid protein solders comprise between 100 and 110 mass % protein relative to water.
The fluid solder strip is typically 50 to 200 xcexcm in thickness. Its length is selected to suit the join to be formed but typically is of the order of 2 to 3 mm in length. It is typically painted across the join.
Solid protein solder compositions useful in strip welding typically comprise between 120 and 230 mass % protein relative to water. Preferably the strip comprises 170 to 230 mass % protein and more preferably about 210 mass %.
It will be understood that different proteins will have different degrees of solubility in water or appropriate solutions which in turn will affect the optimum concentration of protein in the composition for different protein solders. Appropriate ranges for particular proteins in both solid and fluid solders can be determined based on the known properties of the proteins.
Typically, the solid protein solder composition is provided as a preformed strip. Solid solder strips are easier to manipulate than fluid solders. Under the moist conditions inherent in surgery fluid solders may run making it difficult to laser denature the solder before it has spread. The solid solder strips can have a paste like or more rigid consistency. They are typically placed across the join with microforceps. In one form of the invention, it is envisaged that the solder strips will be substantially rectangular in shape. However, different shape strips may be required in different repair situations. It may also be desirable to provide a plurality of strips joined together for efficient repair of a large or a substantial number of repair sites.
The protein solder may comprise a single protein of which albumin is a typical example or alternatively the solder may comprise more than one protein.
Albumin has desirable qualities for solid solder strip formation since it has a high proportion of xcex2 sheet structure which gives rigidity to the strips. Fibrin is another example of a protein with significant xcex2 sheet structure. Incorporation of xcex1 helical protein in the solder can assist in making the strips more malleable and thus retain a flatter profile which is particularly well suited for joining nerve ends. An example of a suitable proportion of xcex1 helical protein is between 1 and 10% by weight of the protein used. About 5% is a preferred amount. Collagen, tropoelastin and elastin are examples of suitable a helical proteins.
Protein used in the solder is selected to minimise the risk of adverse host reactions and should therefore preferably be an autologous protein for the host or a foreign protein of low antigenicity.
The proteins may be obtained from any suitable source. Recombinantly or synthetically produced proteins as well as purified naturally occurring proteins may be used.
Preferably, when the solder is to be used with a laser which produces energy at a suitable wavelength the composition includes a substance, such as a dye, which absorbs energy at the wavelength produced by the laser with which the solder is to be used. It is preferable to choose the combination such that the dye or other substance absorbs the energy transmitted by the laser efficiently but the underlying tissue to be joined absorbs the transmitted energy poorly. The dye or other substance assists in making the welding specific to the solder used which in turn assists in minimising accidental tissue heating damage to the underlying tissue.
The process of bonding, where protein solders are used, relies on protein molecules being available for cross-linking. This occurs when the protein molecules are unfolded. Upon laser irradiation of, for instance, an albumin and indocyanine green containing solder at a nerve tissue join, albumin molecules are heated through energy transfer from the indocyanine green molecules, allowing them to unfold and bond between themselves and to neighbouring tissue surface such as the fascicle membrane.
Dyes which contrast with the tissues being repaired can also be useful in making the solder easier to see. An example of a dye with this property is indocyanine green.
When the laser used is a CO2 laser, a dye will not assist the energy transfer, as the energy transfer is by water absorption.
The energy provided by the energy source should be sufficient to bond the solder to form the weld while minimising damage to the underlying tissue. The temperature required to denature a protein solder is typically at least 50xc2x0 C. and may exceed 100xc2x0 C. A preferred range is 50xc2x0 to 90xc2x0 C. A particularly preferred range is 80xc2x0 to 90xc2x0 C.
The time of treatment for each join to be effected can vary depending on such factors as ambient conditions, altitude, and of course the nature of the tissue to be joined. The duration of treatment is typically short. A 30 second passage for laser treatment of a 0.4 mg strip is an example of the time involved although it will be understood that shorter or longer treatment times could be required. It will be understood that solid solder takes longer to denature than fluid solder.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a protein solder composition comprising protein and a suitable solvent for the protein. Water is typically used as the solvent for water soluble proteins.
In a third aspect the present invention provides a kit for use in joining tissues comprising, in a preferably sterile pack, a plurality of protein solder strips and/or shapes of the second aspect of the invention. Preferably a plurality of strip lengths and/or shape sizes are included in the pack.
The kit preferably includes means for sterile manipulation of the strips. The kit also preferably includes means for measuring the strips.
The kit may also comprise an energy source such as a fibre coupled laser system.


A microstrip hybrid coupler uses a ground plane having different surfaces, one that is close and coupled to the terminal portions of the microstrip and the others further from and coupled to the coupled microstrip portions. Two shields extend over the coupled microstrip portions; an intermediate shield between the remote ground plane surface and the coupled microstrip portions and an outer shield. The coupled microstrip portions extend over the terminal surface of the ground plane.

This invention relates to microwave coupler devices and particularly to such devices employing microstrip construction.
The microwave coupler known as the hybrid circuit is a four-port device having a certain characteristic impedance at its input and output ports and in which microwave energy supplied at one of its ports is split evenly and produced as output at two of its ports (in a desired in-phase or out-of-phase relation); these two ports are connected to matched load impedances, and no energy is supplied to a matched load at the fourth terminal. Such couplers are components of many more complex devices used widely in microwave systems of various types, especially where a tight or 3-db coupling is achieved. Where such couplers are constructed employing modern microstrip construction in which metallic depositions and etched circuits are used to fabricate extremely small circuit devices, the dimensions and tolerances of the various elements of such couplers become extremely small and close. The difficulty of construction is made that much greater where tight or 3-db coupling is employed.
In designing and fabricating such microstrip couplers for various applications, two overall parameters of concern are that of the overall characteristics impedance of the coupler as seen by a source of microwave energy or a load, to ensure appropriate matching and that of the degree of coupling between the different ports of the coupler device. In determining these parameters, they are generally formulated as functions of two other parameters, namely, the impedances associated respectively with the even-mode and the odd-mode of TEM transmission. The characteristic impedance (input and output) of the coupler is a function of the product of the even-mode and odd-mode impedances. The degree of coupling is a function of the ratio of the even-mode and odd-mode impedances. It is often very difficult to compute these functions and to determine the various dimensions such as the width of the microstrip conductors and the height or spacing between those conductors and the ground plane, as well as the spacing between the conductors themselves. These dimensions may be in terms of mils (thousandths of an inch) or fractions of mils, and correspondingly the tolerances of such small dimensions become extremely tight. It thus becomes extremely difficult both to design and to fabricate such couplers in the modern microstrip technology. Modes of construction of coupler devices dealing with these problems are described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. to Cohn, 3,237,130, Clar, 3,512,110 and Gerst, 3,568,098.
It is among the objects of this invention to provide a new and improved hybrid coupler.
Another object is to provide a new and improved microwave coupler of the microstrip type. Another object is to provide a new and improved microstrip coupler which can be reliably and readily designed. Another object is to provide a new and improved microstrip coupler which can be accurately and reliably fabricated.

Microstrip coupler for microwave signals


A cable reel for installation on the steering apparatus of a vehicle is disclosed. The cable reel includes a stationary member, a rotatable member, a reverse member and a flat cable. The reverse member has a plurality of reverse portions integral with an annular member, the reverse portions being disposed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction around the annular member. The reverse portions may be reverse rings formed by bending and looping arms connected to the annular member. Alternatively the reverse portions may be vacuum-moulded projections. The cable reel winds the flat cable, accommodated by reversal of winding of the flat cable by the reverse member.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to cable reels of reverse type to be installed on a steering apparatus of a vehicle, and to methods of their formation. More particularly, the present invention relates to the improvement of a reverse ring for reversing a flat cable accommodated in an annular hollow space formed by a movable member and a stationary member.
2. Description of Related Art
A cable reel of reverse type to be installed on the steering apparatus of a vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, has been proposed. In the cable reel of FIGS. 8A and 8B, a stationary member 19 serving as an outer cylinder is fixed to a steering column (not shown), and a movable member 12 serving as an inner cylinder is fixed to a steering wheel (not shown). The stationary member 19 and the movable member 12 are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other. An annular rotary ring 17 made of synthetic resin is freely rotatably accommodated in the annular hollow space 18 formed by the stationary member 19 and the movable member 12. Reverse rings 15 and 16 made of synthetic resin are locked to the rotary ring 17.
In the annular hollow space 18, flat cables 13 and 14 each having one end connected to the movable member 12 are wound in a space C5 disposed between the movable member 12 and the reverse rings 15 and 16 and pass through two reverse gaps C6 disposed between the reverse rings 15 and 16. Then the flat cables 13 and 14 are wound in the opposite direction in a space C4 disposed between the stationary member 19 and the reverse rings 15 and 16. The other end of each of the flat cables 13 and 14 is connected to the stationary member 19.
In this cable reel, when the steering handle or steering wheel is rotated in one direction, the flat cables 13 and 14 pass through the reverse gaps C6 of the reverse rings 15 and 16 by sliding around the U-shape bends at the ends of the reverse rings 15 and 16. In this way, the flat cables 13 and 14 move to the inner side of the reverse ring and are wound on the peripheral surface of the movable member 12. On the other hand, when the steering handle or steering wheel is rotated in the opposite direction, the rewound flat cables 13 and 14 pass through the reverse gaps C6 while they are moving back around the U-shaped bends. The flat cables 13 and 14 move to the outer side of the reverse rings 15 and 16 and are wound on the inner peripheral surface of the stationary member 19.
In the cable reel described above, the reverse rings 15 and 16 are required to reverse the direction of winding of the flat cables 13 and 14. To prevent vibrations of the reverse rings 15 and 16 in the annular hollow space 18, the reverse rings 15 and 16 are locked to the rotary ring 17. That is, to construct the member for reversing the flat cable, three parts are required. These are the two reverse rings 15 and 16 and one rotary ring 17.
With an increase of the number of flat cables in such a cable reel, it is necessary to increase the number of reverse rings. This leads to an increase in the number of component parts and makes the manufacturing cost high.
The reverse rings 15 and 16 are fixed to the rotary ring 17 and thus they are incapable of moving in directions other than the rotary direction. Further, because the reverse rings 15 and 16 are not flexible, there is no change in the width of the space C4 between the stationary member 18 and each of the reverse rings 15 and 16 and that of the space C5 between the movable member 12 and each of the reverse rings 15 and 16.
Accordingly, with an increase in the number of flat cables which pass through each space C5 and C6 due to the rotation of the movable member 12, the width of each space is set, for example, during manufacture by adding an allowance thereto, i.e. each space is made wider if the cable reel carries a larger number of bundles of flat cables. This has the defect that the flat cables 13 and 14 may move freely or loosely in a wider portion of the passage when they are moved in each passage by the rotation of the movable member 12. As a result, the flat cables 13 and 14 generate vibrations and abnormal sounds.
The present invention seeks to reduce or avoid the above-described problem. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of component parts in a cable reel of reverse type. A further object is to reduce or prevent generation of vibrations and/or abnormal sounds when a movable member rotates, by improving members for reversing a flat cable which is accommodated in an annular hollow space of a cable reel of reverse type.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a cable reel that includes:
a stationary member;
a rotatable member located with respect to the stationary member so as to define an annular hollow space between the rotatable and stationary members;
a reverse member accommodated in the annular hollow space, the reverse member including a plurality of reverse portions and an annular member, the reverse member being formed in one piece from; and
a flat cable accommodated in the annular hollow space, the flat cable having respective spaced portions fixed with respect to the stationary member and with respect to the rotatable member and an intermediate portion between the spaced portions which is wound on one of the reverse portions.
The reverse member may be made from a resiliently flexible sheet.
Preferably, the reverse portions are radially expansible loops formed so as to press part of the intermediate portion of the flat cable against the stationary member. Typically, each reverse portion is formed by looping an arm projecting from the annular member. Each arm may have a fixed end, fixed to the annular member, and a free end, the free end being slidably movable with respect to the fixed end. Alternatively, each arm may have a fixed end, fixed to the annular member, and a free end., the free end being engageable with the fixed end in order to retain the loop. In that case, the free end of the arm may be engageable with or lockable to the fixed end of the arm via a slot.
The annular member may be disposed centrally of circumferential arm projections which are bent and looped to form the reverse portions.
Preferably, the arm projections are L-shaped.
Each L-shaped arm projection may include a short transverse portion and a long longitudinal portion, the transverse portion connecting the longitudinal portion to the annular member. The slot may be formed on the longitudinal portion, near the fixed end of the arm.
Preferably, to form one of the reverse portions, the transverse portion is bent perpendicularly to the central annular member and the longitudinal portion is looped to form one of the reverse portions. The part of the flat cable wound on each reverse portion may be sandwiched between the outer surface of each reverse ring and the outer wall of the annular hollow portion and, optionally, between the adjacent reverse rings. Thus, when the flat cable moves with the rotation of the movable member, it can be difficult for the flat cable to move freely. This can assist in the suppression of the generation of vibrations and abnormal sounds.
Typically, the central annular member serves as a rotary ring and is disposed on a bottom surface of the annular hollow space. A gap between an inner peripheral surface of each reverse portion and a peripheral surface of the movable member may be identified as an inner peripheral passage for each flat cable to be fixed with respect to the movable member. A gap between the reverse portions adjacent to each other circumferentially may be identified as a reversing passage for each flat cable. A gap between a peripheral surface of each reverse portion and an inner peripheral surface of the stationary member may be identified as an outer peripheral passage for each flat cable.
In use, the rotary ring rotates with the rotation of each reverse ring because the rotary ring is integral with the reverse rings. Thus the rotary ring holds the position of the reverse rings, thus holding the reverse rings in the annular hollow space, with the reverse rings spaced at equal intervals.
In various exemplary embodiments. the reverse member is freely rotatable within the cable reel. That is, the reverse member is not fixed with respect to the rotary member or fixed member. Rotation of the reverse member typically occurs due to tension in the flat cables during winding of the flat cables into the inner peripheral passage. Rotation of the reverse member in the other direction may occur since the flat cables are preferably rigid enough to be capable of pushing the reverse portions during unwinding of the flat cables from the inner peripheral passage.
When the flat cable is wound tightly, the number of turns of the flat cable usually increases. In that case, it may be necessary to increase the width of the inner peripheral passage to accommodate the flat cable. However, in the case where each reverse portion is flexible, the width of the inner peripheral passage is widened according to the number of turns of the flat cable. In this way, it is possible to ensure smooth operation of tight winding of the flat cable.
The flexible sheet is preferably an insulating plastics material sheet. By using an insulating plastics material sheet, it is possible to manufacture a reverse member light in weight and at a low cost which is capable of securely insulating the flat cables in contact with the reverse ring.
Bending of the insulating plastics material sheet may be facilitated by making a bending portion thin. Preferably, the bending applied to the plastics material sheet is not a fully permanent deformation. However, the bending may leave the plastics material with a partial permanent deformation.
It is preferable to provide four reverse portions in the annular hollow space.
Of course, when four reverse portions are disposed in the annular hollow space, they can be used in any case where, for example, one, two, three or four flat cables are used.
When four reverse portions are disposed in the annular hollow portion, it is preferable that each of the four reverse portions (or rings) contacts the flat cable over a sufficient area to ensure that when the movable member rotates, the flat cable has a stable locus.
The number of the reverse portions is not limited to four but one, two or three reverse rings, or more than four reverse rings, may be used.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a cable reel including:
a stationary member;
a rotatable member located with respect to the stationary member so as to define an annular hollow space between the rotatable and stationary members;
a reverse member accommodated in the annular hollow space, the reverse member being formed in one piece from a flexible sheet and including a plurality of reverse portions and an annular member, the annular member being disposed centrally of the reverse portions, each reverse portion being formed by bending and looping an L-shaped arm projection which is disposed at a circumference of said annular member; and
a flat cable accommodated in the annular hollow space, the flat cable having respective spaced portions fixed with respect to the stationary member and with respect to the rotatable member and an intermediate portion between the spaced portions which is wound on one of the reverse portions.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a cable reel including the formation of a reverse member, wherein the reverse member has a plurality of reverse portions and a central annular member, the reverse portions being disposed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction around the central annular member, the reverse member being formed in one piece from a flexible sheet, the method including the step of bending and looping arm projections to form the plurality of reverse portions.
In another exemplary embodiment, the sheet is an annular sheet and the reverse portions are projections from a surface of the central annular member, the projections being formed by moulding of the annular sheet.
Preferably, the moulding operation gives reverse portions of a kidney shape. Preferably, the moulding is vacuum moulding. The reverse portions may be radially resiliently flexible.
Again, preferably the sheet is an insulating plastics material sheet.
As mentioned above, the reverse member including a plurality of the reverse portions may be formed in one piece by vacuum moulding of an annular sheet. Thus, the reverse member, which is accommodated in the annular hollow space, may be a single component. In this way, the number of component parts may be reduced.
The number of the flat cable-reversing portions required in the cable reel increases with the number of flat cables. However, since a plurality of reverse portions may be formed from one flexible sheet, it is possible to form the required number of reverse portions as a single reverse member component. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of component parts in the cable reel.
The formation of the reverse portions may be completed at the time of vacuum moulding. Assembly of the cable reel may be facilitated since the reverse portions are formed on the reverse member prior to assembly, so that it is only necessary simply to insert the reverse member into the annular hollow portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a cable reel including:
a stationary member;
a rotatable member located with respect to the stationary member so as to define an annular hollow space between the rotatable and stationary members;
a reverse member accommodated in the annular hollow space, the reverse member being formed by vacuum moulding from an annular sheet to give an annular member with moulded projections from a surface of the annular member, the projections being disposed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction around the annular member, each moulded projection being a reverse portion; and
a flat cable accommodated in the annular hollow space, the flat cable having respective spaced portions fixed with respect to the stationary member and with respect to the rotatable member and an intermediate portion between the spaced portions which is wound on one of the reverse portions.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a cable reel including the formation of a reverse member, wherein the reverse member has a plurality of reverse portions, and an annular member, the reverse portions being disposed in a circumferential direction around said annular member.
The reverse member is formed in one piece by moulding of an annular sheet to give the reverse portions which project from a surface of the annular member.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle having a steering assembly including a cable reel according to any one of the above aspects.