An enclosure for electronic components with a base and a capping forming a room for receiving at least one circuit board at least one circuit board support positioned on the base for the support of the at least one circuit board. At least one fastening element attaches the at least one circuit board to the circuit board support through an engagement with the circuit board support, wherein the capping is formed and/or attached to the base in such a manner that room is formed between the fastening element and the capping in such a manner that a detachment of the fastening element from the circuit board support is prevented.

Circuit boards on which electronic components are installed are typically connected by way of screws. There is a problem, however, that due to vibrations and/or material creepage and/or thermal load changes and the resulting expansions and contractions of the material, for instance, the screws may come loose. This is not only disadvantageous in terms of the deteriorating attachment of the circuit board, but loose screws in such an enclosure may damage the electronic components and/or lead to short circuits, causing the failure of the respective electronics.
From DE 10 2014 211 024 A1, a screw locking device is known, which requires additional components and is therefore comparatively complex.
Alternatively, it is known that such screws can be glued in their respective screw openings by means of a suitable adhesive, which also involves an increased expenditure in terms of the production of such an enclosure with electronic components in it.


A method and apparatus for a chip to monitor its own activity and enter and exit a state of reduced power consumption. The present invention includes defining a predetermined state in which the chip could power down cleanly and monitoring the chip to determine when the chip is in that predetermined state. The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for putting the chip in a state of reduced power consumption state when the chip is in the predetermined state. The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for either turning off the clock generation circuitry or leaving it on during the power down state.

With the emergence of the laptop computer market, there has been a desire for a new Personal Computer (PC) that operates at a very low power. Although recently the PC market has been attempting to move to power supply voltages of 3 volts, instead of the 5 volts, the focus of reducing power consumption has been in the area of when the chip is in a state of little or no activity. Ideally, when a chip is not active currently, it would be beneficial to reduce the power consumption, thereby operating at a lower power than if the chip was constantly drawing power. One method of achieving low power consumption in chips is to employ power management circuits. Power management circuits put the chip into a state that draws little or no current, even though the supply voltage remains coupled to the chip. This state is known as power down. Power management circuits are particularly advantageous to utilize when a chip is not currently active.
One type of prior art power management circuit utilizes external counters to detect activity in the chip. These counters are usually timers keyed to the last access of the chip. These timers act as retriggerable one-shots, such that when no activity occurs for a predetermined period of time, the chip is allowed to power down. One problem with such a power management scheme is that external control (i.e., via the counter) of the power management circuit is required. When the external counters signal that the chip may be put into power down mode, an external switch switches off the power. Hence, actually entering the power down mode is externally controlled. Furthermore, these power management circuits are not transparent to software controlling the chip. Once the power is turned off and the power down state has been entered, all internal status is lost. Upon powering up the chip, all lost status must be restored.
Another problem with prior art power management circuits is that any form of reset, software or hardware (e.g., a pin), usually resets the power down mode. Since the software resets occur in most application software and in the disk operating system (DOS), the power down mode is soon lost and is again dependent on the intervention of basic input/output system (BIOS), DOS or the application software to maintain the mode. Furthermore, resetting a chip results in losing the status. Therefore, resetting initializes the chip to a default state, different from the internal state (i.e., status) of the chip before the reset. Those different status bits must be restored after the reset.
Other prior art power management circuits, such as National Semiconductors PC8477, have a power down mode which requires that the mode be restored when waking the chip back up again. Moreover, prior art power management circuits do not allow the user to program whether on-chip crystal oscillators are on or off when the rest of the chip is powered down. Typically, all prior art power management circuits turn the oscillator off and, thus, have problems with recovery time and start-up when powering up.
Another type of prior art power management circuit, such as those employed by Intel's 82077AA reduces the power to very low levels, but requires the BIOS, DOS or application software to control when the chip is placed in the power down. Further, these power management circuits require considerable software and time to restore the state of the internal machine to its pre-power down condition. Lastly, the crystal oscillator is powered down with the rest of the chip. When the crystal oscillator is powered down, the recovery is not well controlled and the time to recover could be very long.
As will be seen, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for a chip to monitor its own activity and enter and exit the power down state in a manner that is transparent to the software running the chip. Moreover, the present invention allows the oscillator to run making recovery time effectively instantaneous.

Method and apparatus for placing an integrated circuit chip in a reduced power consumption state


A system and method for releasing baulking of a transmission gear of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The method includes comparing a stroke of a gear actuator with a first target value while increasing the stroke of the gear actuator when gear shifting is requested. Additionally, the method includes detecting whether the vehicle is in a stop state, in response to determining that the stroke of the gear actuator is less than a first target value. A motor torque is then increased in response to determining that the vehicle is in a stop state and the stroke of the clutch actuator is increased to be a second target value.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for releasing baulking of a transmission gear when a hybrid vehicle is in a stop state, and more particularly to a method and system for releasing baulking of a transmission gear of a hybrid vehicle by increasing a motor torque and controlling a stroke of a actuator clutch when the hybrid vehicle is in a stop state.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a transmission is installed between a clutch and a propeller shaft to increase or decrease an engine torque in response to a change in a driving condition of a vehicle. A manual transmission (MT) causes a baulking phenomenon between gear trains in association with transmission timing upon a transmission of each stage. Much of the baulking phenomenon occurs due to a flick between the gear trains when timing of a clutch manipulation and timing of a shift manipulation by a driver mismatch (e.g., do not correspond to) each other.
In the existing gasoline vehicle in which an engine is mounted, the foregoing baulking may be released by controlling a stroke of a clutch actuator based on idle rotation speed of the engine independent of whether the vehicle is driving or stopping. However, as an interest in environment is increasing, a hybrid vehicle that may be driven by power of an engine and a motor has been actively developed.
However, in the hybrid vehicle to which an automatic manual transmission, i.e., a dual clutch transmission (DCT) is applied, when a gear baulking phenomenon occurs in a stop state, the engine stops and therefore a speed of an input shaft of a transmission becomes 0. As a result, a gear is misaligned even though the stroke of the clutch actuator is controlled, and therefore there is the problem in that the baulking phenomenon is not released. Therefore, in the existing DCT hybrid vehicle, when the baulking phenomenon occurs while the vehicle is stopping, limp-home driving is made only by one of an even stage and an odd stage, and thus drivability of the vehicle deteriorates.
The contents described as the related art have been provided merely for assisting in the understanding for the background of the present invention and should not be considered as corresponding to the related art known to those skilled in the art.

Method and system for releasing baulking of transmission gear in hybrid vehicle


EphB3-specific antibodies are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing such antibody, kits containing a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of preventing and treating cancer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Although "cancer" is used to describe many different types of cancer, i.e. breast, prostate, lung, colon, pancreas, each type of cancer differs both at the phenotypic level and the genetic level. The unregulated growth characteristic of cancer occurs when the expression of one or more genes becomes dysregulated due to mutations or epigenetic changes, and cell growth can no longer be controlled.
Growth control genes are often classified in two classes, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes are genes whose normal function is to promote cell growth, but only under specific conditions. When an oncogene gains a mutation and loses that specificity control, it promotes growth under a much wider variety of conditions. However, it has been found that for cancer to be truly successful the cancer cell must also acquire mutations in tumor suppressor genes. The normal function of tumor suppressor genes is to stop cellular growth. Examples of tumor suppressors include p53, p16, p21, and APC, all of which, when acting normally, stop a cell from dividing and growing uncontrollably. When a tumor suppressor is mutated or lost, that brake on cellular growth is also lost, allowing cells to now grow without the normal restraints.
EphB3 is a receptor in the ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase family. Presently there are 14 Eph receptors and 9 ephrin ligands known in humans. Ephrin receptors (Ephs) and their ligands, the ephrins, mediate numerous developmental processes, particularly in the nervous system and vascular systems. Ephrins are also known to play a role in tumor development, angiogenesis, metastatic growth and cell survival. Based on their structures and sequence relationships, ephrins are divided into the ephrin-A (EFNA) class, which are anchored to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage, and the ephrin-B (EFNB) class, which are transmembrane proteins. The Eph family of receptors is divided into 2 groups based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and their affinities for binding ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. Eph receptors make up the largest subgroup of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family.
Eph receptors have been implicated in cancer. NIH3T3 cells transfected with EphA1 and transplanted into nude mice produce 10 mm3 tumors in 5-6 weeks, while vector controls did not produce any tumors during the same time period (Maru et al., Oncogene. 1990 March; 5(3):445-7). EphB2 is expressed at higher levels in cancers of the stomach (12/16), colon (3/11), esophagus (3/6), ovarian (1/7), kidney (1/2) and lung (1/1) when compared to normal tissues (Kiyokawa et al., Cancer Res 1994 Jul. 15; 54(14):3645-50). EphB6 expression correlates with low grade neuroblastomas. The kinase domain of EphB6 is not active, therefore this receptor has been proposed to act as a naturally occurring dominant negative (Tang et al., Clin Cancer Res 1999a Jun; 5(6):1491-6).
There is an increasing volume of evidence that implicates the involvement of Ephs and ephrins in angiogenesis. EphrinA1, ephrinB1, ephrinB2, EphB2, EphB3 and EphB4 have been reported to be expressed in blood vessels. EphrinA1 can induce angiogenesis in the rat cornea model and antibodies to ephrinA1 can inhibit TNF-α induced angiogenesis in this same model (Pandey et al., Science 1995 Apr. 28; 268(5210):567-9). Clustered ephrinB1 induces cell attachment and capillary-like assembly in P19, a teratocarcinoma-derived murine cell line, and in human renal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) (Stein et al., Genes Dev 1998 Mar. 1; 12(5):667-78). Clustered ephrinB1 and ephrinB2 can also induce sprouting of adrenal-cortex derived microvascular endothelial cells (ACE) (Adams et al., Genes Dev 1999 Feb. 1; 13(3):295-306). Injection of a dominant negative EphB4 receptor RNA in Xenopus embryos causes intersomitic veins to project abnormally into adjacent somites (Helbling et al., Development 2000 January; 127(2):269-78). EphB2/EphB3 double knockout, EphB4 and ephrinB2 knockout mice all have vascular remodeling defects (Adams et al., 1999; Wang et al., Cell 1998 May 29; 93(5):741-53; PCT WO 00/30673).
Ephs may also play a role in metastasis. 293T human epithelial kidney cells transfected with either EphB3 or EphB2 exhibit reduced cell adhesion to fibronectin or collagen coated surfaces in vitro. Failure of 293 cells to adhere was mediated by EphB2 phosphorylation of R-ras followed by integrin de-activation (Zou et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1999 Nov. 23; 96(24):13813-8).
Ephs appear to function by signaling upon activation. Ephrin binding induces Eph receptor oligomerization causing phosphorylation of juxtamembrane residues of Ephs. Activated Ephs have multiple phosphorylated tyrosines that act as docking sites for signaling proteins (e.g. RasGAP, Src, LMW-PTP, PLCg, PI3-kinase, Grb2, and PDZ containing proteins).
Overexpression of Eph receptors (EphA1, EphA2, EphB2) causes transformation in the absence of receptor hyper-phosphorylation. Phosphorylated EphB receptors negatively regulate the Ras-MAP-kinase pathway and FAK signaling, impairing cell growth.
EphB3 (also known as Hek2, Sek4, Mdk5, Tyro6, Cek10 and Qek10) is a receptor for ephrin B family members (ephrin B1, ephrin B2 and ephrin B3), and is known to be expressed in normal tissue and in certain tumors and cancer cell lines. To date, however, the role of EphB3 in cancer has not been elucidated. Thus, there is a need to identify compositions and methods that modulate EphB3 and its role in such cancers. The present invention is directed to these, as well as other, important needs.

EPHB3-specific antibody and uses thereof


The invention relates to a device for isolating an electric circuit, especially for high current intensities, with a housing (1) in which is provided at least one electrical conductor element (3) which presents an isolating area (9) and which can be wired in such manner into the severable electric circuit that the isolating current path passes over the conductor element (3) and with activatable means(13, 7; 3, 9, 7), provided in or at housing (1) for generating a trigger pressure which acts directly upon the isolating area (9) and/or via a driving surface (17, 23, 39, 41), in its original position, impinging upon the isolating area (9), wherein the isolating area (9) and/or the driving surface (17, 23, 39, 41) is designed in such manner that after activation of the means (13, 7; 3, 9, 7) the isolating area (9) is totally isolated or broken out, or the cross-section of the isolating area (9) is reduced.

The invention relates to a device for isolating an electric circuit, especially for high current intensities.
Switches, or in the most general of meanings, devices are needed for the most diverse applications, which will quickly and safely, in irreversible manner, isolate an electrical circuit, especially in case of injury or other emergencies, in order to prevent damage to technical equipment or endangerment of human beings. Such devices are especially required when high current intensities are present in technical equipment,.for example in energy distribution networks or in automotive engineering. Such devices for isolating an electric circuit must meet high safety requirements; in particular, the electric circuit must be isolated sufficiently quickly and securely, in irreversible fashion, without possibility of causing injury to technical equipment or human beings by the switching process itself In addition, such devices must be highly maintenance free, and be able to function reliably, even after long periods of inactivity, for example, even after up to 20 years.
In automotive engineering, it is necessary or desirable, in case of accident, to definitely and irreversibly separate, in the shortest possible time, the battery from the wiring of the vehicle. In this fashion it is possible to avoid sources of ignition formed by sparks and plasma, which are created when cable isolations are scraped off during an accident due to sheet metal penetration from the car or loose cable ends hitting against each other or against sheet metal parts, and which may ignite escaping gasoline or cause an explosion of ignitable gasoline-air mixtures developing after an accident.
An electric safety switch is known from DE 297 00 594 U1 to realize a device for isolation of an electric circuit in which high intensity current flows, in regard to which a conductor, located in a housing, is isolated by means of a pyrotechnically accelerated, electrically isolating separation body.
In its original position, the separation body is located at a certain distance from the conductor element to be severed and is accelerated in the direction toward the conductor element, following the triggering of a propellant charge provided in a combustion chamber, for example due to a signal which also serves for triggering an air bag.
As a result of an indentation in the otherwise relatively large cross-section of the conductor element, the conductor element or this separation area breaks very quickly. Underneath the conductor element to be severed, space is provided into which are bent the conductor ends to be severed, and which also accepts the separation body. Thus, with this device, the conductor ends are not torn off or ejected in uncontrolled fashion. However, if with this type of a device, a high intensity current flows within the conductor element, an electric arc is formed as soon as a cut-off occurs in the conductor element, so that initially the flow of current continues at practically full intensity.
The electric arc is then, however, extinguished extremely quickly via the electrically isolating separation element. While this results in achieving a quick, irreversible shut-off of the current flowing from the battery to the consumers or of a short-circuit current, very high tension peaks are created by self-induction, due to the always existing inductivities in the load of the circuit, as a result of which there is the risk of causing irreversible damage to connected instruments and isolations.
In addition, a pyro-technical separation device is known from DE 44 38 157 C1, which likewise operates according to the same principle. Here also, an isolating separation element is accelerated by means of a propellant charge and cuts-off an element to be severed. Toward that end, the separation element is preferably provided with a frontally formed concave recess, so that a circumferential cutting edge is formed in the marginal region. This device is to ensure safe and very quick separation of also heavier conductor elements with a relatively low force propellant charge. If such a separation device is employed as electrical switch, there again results the problem of high induction voltages due to the very rapid interruption of the flow of current.
Moreover, the known devices require, for adequate acceleration of the separation element, propellant charges which constitute a certain risk potential, despite a correspondingly designed massive housing. The known device must pass costly approval tests, which involves considerable expenditure in terms of time and finances.
Differently constructed devices for the isolation of power currents, as they are known from power engineering, are not being considered here, since they are constructed in relay fashion. and thus do not begin to achieve the specified reliability (to also function reliably after 20 years without single switching and without maintenance) given the mechanical and thermal/climatic environmental conditions which occur in a motor vehicle. Moreover, such devices are still too expensive by far and/or too heavy or too large for application in automotive engineering, even with corresponding simple design.
Starting from the initially mentioned state of the art, the invention is based on the object of creating a device for isolating an electric circuit, especially for high current intensities, which, on the one side, irreversibly isolates the circuit to be severed, safely and with sufficient speed, and which, on the other side, avoids damage to structural components located within the electric circuit by induced voltage peaks.
The invention solves said object with the characteristics of Patent Claim 1.
The invention initially proceeds from the knowledge that an acceptable compromise must found with respect to the speed of the process with which an interruption takes place of the current flowing in the electric circuit, which, on the one hand, assures quick enough interruption of the current in order to avoid danger to equipment and persons from the (perhaps unduly high) current, and, on the other hand, does not interrupt the current so quickly that there may be danger to equipment and persons from induced voltage peaks; in other words, quantity-wise, the changes in electricity di(t)/dt must not become too significant.
According to the invention, in contrast to the known devices, no separation element is employed which has already been accelerated to high speeds of 150 to 200 m/s for example prior to impact on the conductor element or the isolating area of the conductor element, which isolates the conductor element extremely rapidly and extinguishes the potentially developing electric arc. Instead, the isolating area is directly acted upon by a triggering pressure or via a driving surface impinging already in the original position on the isolating area. Needless to say, the driving surface in its original position can also be located at such short distance from the isolating area that upon impact, the latter has only a relatively low speed of several meters or several tenth of meters per second.
As a result, following the generation of the triggering pressure, the separating area is isolated with sufficient speed, but not so quickly that unacceptably high induction voltages develop. Since no acceleration path is needed for an isolation element that is to be accelerated, it is possible to realize extremely small construction sizes. Such devices can be attached, for example, directly to the battery clamp of a car battery.
According to the invention, in an alternative [solution] the entire conductor cross-section can be isolated in the isolating area by actuation of pressure on the isolating area.
In another alternative, it is possible to isolate only a portion of the conductor cross-section in the isolating area, with ability for the remaining portion to still maintain, for a predetermined period of time, consumer emergency functions, especially in automotive vehicles. To that end, the remaining conductor cross-section is dimensioned in such fashion that the current which flows over the conductor cross-section is sufficient in order to heat a cross-sectionally reduced isolating area according to a safety fuse and to then fully isolate. The conductor cross-section over the length of the isolating area, and the length of the isolating area, can be dimensioned in such manner that the resistance of the reduced isolating area suffices in order to reduce the current over the conductor element to such a low value that there is no possibility of endangering equipment and persons, and that, nevertheless, emergency supply of consumers with electricity can be maintained for the pre-determined period of time until melting of the isolating area takes place. Additionally, the material of the reduced isolating area can be selected in such manner that it takes on a pre-determined resistance value.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention a chamber is provided in the housing which is filled, after activation, at least in part with an activatable, thermal energy emitting and/or gas producing medium, preferably a pyrotechnical material or a gas with internal or chemical energy, whereby via activation of the medium the triggering pressure can be generated which acts directly or via the driving surface on the isolating area.
The isolating process, by selecting the appropriate pyrotechnical mixture, and the bum-up and/or the behaviorxe2x80x94supported by the appropriate design of the cross-section of the isolating areaxe2x80x94can thus be controlled in such manner that the cut-off of the current, including extinction of the developing (plasma) electric arc, which develops with high current intensities, takes place with such rapidity so that it is possible to xe2x80x9cuse upxe2x80x9d the otherwise destructively acting induction energy.
In another specific embodiment of the invention, an ignition- or igniter-piece may be provided for activation of the medium. As with known devices, this has the result that the medium is very quickly activated and the medium, in turn, very quickly develops the triggering pressure.
In another specific embodiment, a conductor is provided for activation of the medium which is heatable by electrical current or a conductor that can be brought to explosion by very high current intensity. In particular, with employment of only one heatable conductor, for example a glowing filament, one obtains the benefit of extremely simple construction and medium activation.
According to another specific embodiment of the invention, the activatable medium can be activated by means of a hot gas, which can be transmitted to the chamber, whereby the hot gas can preferably be transmitted from another device for isolating an electric circuit. In particular, this achieves that with an activation of a first device for isolating a first electric circuit, there inevitably also occurs activation of a second or of several additional devices for isolating a second or several additional electric circuits. It should be noted here that, of course, there may also be provided, in one common housing, several isolatable conductor elements with associated activatable means for isolating the respective conductor element.
According to the preferred specific embodiment of the invention, the activatable medium can be activated by thermal energy, which is emitted by the conductor element, in particular the isolating area, in the event that the temperature of the conductor element or the isolating area surpasses a pre-determined value, whereby the medium preferably maintains good thermal contact with the conductor element and/or the isolating area. Consequently, an activation of the device is also then assured if no activation device is provided that can be acted upon by means of a signal, for example in form of a glowing filament or an ignition- or igniter piece, or if an existing. actuatable activation device is non-functional or an actuating signal can no longer be generated.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, a pot-shaped driving surface is provided or a driving surface presenting a pot-shaped area, whereby the driving surface acts with the frontal surface of the outer wall upon the isolating area. The driving surface acts hereby as a punch. The isolating area is preferably designed in such manner that outside the area in which the driving surface acts with its frontal surface of the outer wall upon the isolating area, there is provided a weakening of the isolating area vis-a-vis the cross-section of the conductor element adjacent to the isolating area.
The punch-like driving surface presses or breaks out after an activation of the device either a partial piece of the isolating area which isolates the entire cross section of the isolating area or only an appropriate part. In case of the latter, the weakening of the isolating area preferably extends in form of a closed curve or a curve open only toward one side of the isolating area, so that either a perforation of the isolating area is xe2x80x9cpunched outxe2x80x9d or a recess which is open toward one side of the isolating area.
Of course, the breaking out of partial pieces of thusly shaped isolating areas cannot only be done with the utilization of a driving surface but also with direct pressure actuation on the isolating area.
In other instances, the isolating area can also be designed in such manner that an entire piece or several partial pieces are not broken out but that the isolating area is broken up in one or several specific areas, whereby in each case there is at least a reduction of the conductor crosssection. For breaking up, the isolating area can be designed so that it breaks along weaker lines in one area and that the partial areas are bent over like flaps.
In a further specific embodiment of the invention, the interior of the pot-shaped driving surface or the pot-shaped area is filled, at least in part, with a heat activatable medium which emits thermal energy and/or generates gas after its activation, said medium preferably constituting a pyrotechnical material or a gas with interior or chemical energy, whereby the medium is in good thermal contact with the conductor element and/or the isolating area.
In another specific embodiment, the isolating area consists, at least in part, of a material having in comparison with the other conductor element, poorer conductive properties. It is possible to thus achieve, on the one hand, that this area heats up more intensively compared with the other conductor. With respect to the specific embodiments in which automatic activation of the thermal energy and/or gas producing medium is desired, with unduly high flow, by means of the thermal energy generated in the conductor element and/or in the isolating area, it is possible to achieve same in that a medium can be employed having a relatively high activation temperature, but that nevertheless triggering of the device is desired with relatively low flow and/or low conductor temperatures. Furthermore, by using a material with poorer conducting qualities in the isolating area, it is possible to obtain the function of a safety fuse, in particular with respect to specific embodiments in which the conductor element is not totally interrupted after an activation.
In such cases the conductor cross-section which is still effective after an activation can consist, at least in part, of the material having poorer conductive qualities.
In another specific embodiment there is provided, at the pressure-actuatable surface of the isolating area, a flexible membrane which seals off the chamber or the interior of the pot-shaped driving surface. As is the case with a driving surface, this ensures that upon actuation of the isolating area by pressure, there is initially no development of minor perforations in the isolating area and reduction in pressure via these perforations, without producing the desired complete or partial isolation of the isolating area.
In another specific embodiment, the driving surface can consist of memorious material, whereby the driving surface, upon surpassing a threshold temperature (activation) moves to a latent shape which, in transverse direction relative to the conductor element, presents a larger expansion than the shape of the driving surface in the original position at a temperature which is lower than the threshold temperature, whereby the driving surface supports itself, relative to the housing, with one end on a stationary stop and thus, upon activation, acts upon the isolating area with pressure, isolating same, at least partially.
In the specific embodiments of the invention where at least a partial area of the isolating area can be broken out by pressure actuation, there is preferably provided in the housing a collecting space for accepting the broken out partial area. The collecting space ensures that after an activation of the device, equipment and persons are not put at risk from fragments of the isolating area.
The collecting space may be designed geometricallyxe2x80x94or means may be provided in the collecting spacexe2x80x94so that after the pressure-actuated break-out and push-in of the partial area into the collecting space, the partial area is fixed in a position remote from the remaining partial area or the isolated conductor element. This prevents another unintentional closing of the severed electric circuit by broken-out conductor pieces which are located loosely in the collecting space.
In the preferred specific embodiment, following the activation of the medium in the chamber of the housing or in the interior of the pot-shaped driving surface and after the breaking-out of at least a partial area of the isolating area, a gas flow is generated over the at least partially isolated isolating area. The gas flow, which is generated by the triggering pressure exercised on the isolating area, can cool, after the break-out of a partial piece or the isolation of the isolating area, a plasma which may be generated, in case of high flows, immediately after the isolation, whereby, it is possible to additionally attain a relatively slow current decrease during the xe2x80x9cswitch-offxe2x80x9d process and thus low induction voltages. On the other hand, the gas flow also serves for safely xe2x80x9cblowing outxe2x80x9d the plasma, if no isolating driving surface is employed.
In a specific embodiment according to the invention, the collecting space may have openings for the escape of the gas volume which is to be displaced from the collecting space and/or for the gas volume which is generated by the triggering pressure. Based on the dimensioning of the openings, it is possible to adjust the force of the gas flow over the isolating area in the desired fashion.

TRW Automotive Electronics and Components GmbH and Co. KG


An automatic extruding machine includes a base member, a molding device mounted on a middle portion of the base member, an input extruding device mounted on the base member and connected to the molding device, a feeding device mounted on the base member below the input extruding device, an output extruding device mounted on the base member and corresponding to the input extruding device, an exporting device mounted on the base member below the output extruding device and a cutting device mounted on the top of the molding device toward the input extruding device. The automatic extruding machine in accordance with the present invention further comprises a control unit provided to control the above devices to automatically finish the extruding process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extruding machine, and more particularly to an automatic extruding machine.
2. Description of Related Art
With reference to FIG. 13, a conventional reciprocating extrusion machine in accordance with the prior art comprises an extruding mold (80) and an extruding device (90). The extruding mold (80) includes a first block (81) and a second block (82) abutting each other. A first passage (811) is defined in and extends through the first block (81), and a first recess (812) is defined in one end of the first block (81). The first recess (812) in the first block (81) communicates with the first passage (811) in the first block (81). A second passage (821) is defined in and extends through the second block (82). The second passage (821) aligns with the first passage (811) in the first block (81). A second recess (822) is defined in the second block (82) and communicates with the second passage (821). The second recess (822) and the first recess (811) form a chamber (800) between the two blocks (81, 82). A third block (83) is received in the chamber (800) between the first block (81) and the second block (82). At least one through hole (831) is longitudinally defined in the third block (83) to communicate between the first passage (811) in the first block (81) and the second passage (821) in the second block (82) and allow the original alloy material to extrude from one block to the other.
The extruding device (90) includes two cylinders (not numbered) each having a piston (91, 92) movably and reciprocally mounted in a corresponding one of the passages (811, 821) to extrude the original alloy material in the extruding mold.
The conventional extruding machine can improve the physical property of an alloy. However, the conventional extruding machine does not include a feeding device and an exporting device. The alloy must be heated above the recrystallization temperature and the temperature of the extruded alloy is still very high as it exits the extruding mold. Workers may be injured by the high temperature of the alloy. Actions and apparatus to prevent injuries associated with the conventional extruding equipment will reduce the manufacturing productivity.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional extruding machine.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic extruding machine.
To achieve the objective, the automatic extruding machine in accordance with the present invention includes a base member, a molding device, an input extruding device, a feeding device, an output extruding device, an exporting device and a cutting device. The molding device is mounted on a middle portion of the base member. The input extruding device is mounted on the base member and is connected to the molding device. The feeding device is mounted on the base member below the input extruding device. The output extruding device is mounted on the base member and corresponds to the input extruding device. The exporting device is mounted on the base member below the output extruding device. The cutting device is mounted on the top of the molding device toward the input extruding device. The automatic extruding machine in accordance with the present invention further comprises a control unit provided to control the foregoing devices to automatically finish the extruding process.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.


An instructional game-like kit is provided including a tray of rectangular contour bounded by two long sidewalls and two short sidewalls, and a lid hingedly and removably joined to one long sidewall. The tray contains two storage regions adjacent the short sidewall, and a centrally disposed work region bounded by the two long sidewalls and the two storage regions. Upright parallel rails positioned in the storage regions define rows that slidably accommodate cubic blocks that contain indicia on each surface. The centrally disposed work region contains upraised ridges defining channels adapted to receive the block in a manner to form work or mathematical expressions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to educational games, and more particularly concerns a segmented storage box having a plurality of components with which words, sentences, and mathematical expressions may be constructed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous educational block and tile alphabet games have been disclosed in the prior art. Various boxes have been employed which provide convenient storage and transport as well as a playing surface for game pieces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,789 to Pellerin discloses a board game having twenty-six segmented spaces, each adapted to contain a block inscribed with numbers or one each of the twenty-six characters in the English alphabet. The Pellerin game is played by matching tiles and blocks having corresponding characters, then removing the blocks from the segmented game board. U.S. Pat. No 5,139,271 to Bez discloses a word game played upon a segmented game board. The Bez game is played upon a color coded board upon which color blocks depicting alphabetic characters are withdrawn from a sectioned storage tray and placed upon the board to make words. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,777 to Crowe discloses a set of blocks having alphabetic characters and indicia identifying succeeding and preceding characters. The Crowe game is played with a set of twenty six playing cards having alphabetic characters and point value indicia which are used to control play and tally a score.
Although the aforesaid games contain pieces having alphabetic and numeric indicia, they are not adapted to allow the construction of words, sentences and mathematical expressions. The Pellerin apparatus emphasizes the learning and recognition of alphabetic and numeric characters by simple matching. The Bez game emphasizes the spelling of words and vocabulary expansion by allowing the player to spell words, but does not teach mathematical expressions or sentence construction. The Crowe apparatus does not employ a segmented box which may be used for construction of sentences and mathematical expressions.
Other apparatus have been disclosed in the prior art which are not used in conjunction with tiles or blocks, but have segmented or folding cases which are used for storage and play. U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,954 to Hemmann discloses a portable game board assembly comprised of a pair of elongated tray elements hinged along one elongated side and open along that side between the hinge elements. The tray elements may be pivoted into a closed position to define a container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,048 to Watson et al. discloses a game carrying and playing device including a case having a top, bottom, front, back, and sides. The top includes a surface for supporting one or more game cards. The game box also includes a compartmentalized tray for holding game pieces and cards. None of the aforesaid patents disclose the use of segmented compartments which are used to organize blocks which display letters and numbers, or perform mathematical operations, or build words and sequences of words.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an instructional kit of a game-like nature having a compartmentalized box containing play areas and storage areas for components of the kit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a kit of the aforesaid nature having a plurality of cubic blocks having different alphabetic or numeric indicia on each side.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a kit of the aforesaid nature having segments of board area adapted to arrange said blocks in order to construct words, sentences and mathematical expressions.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a kit of the aforesaid nature which is simple to use, durable in construction and amenable to low cost manufacture.
These and other beneficial objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

Instructional kit having storage/work tray and indicia bearing blocks


An alarm apparatus immediately alerts mail recipients of postal deliveries made through a mail slot opening. The device is mounted adjacent the mail slot and has an activation lever, the distal end of which is in contact with the hinged, swinging door of the mail slot, and the proximal end of which has a contact switch retention means. As the door is opened, the activation lever rotates causing the retention means to release the contact switch resulting in the completion of a circuit and the sounding of an alarm. The alarm may be a buzzer, beeper, radio or other suitable means of producing an audible alert which can be immediately detected. In another embodiment of the invention, completion of the circuit can activate a light for the hearing impaired. In still another embodiment of the invention, the subject device can be further adapted to trigger the activation of alarms at remote locations.

The subject invention is directed to an alarm apparatus for alerting mail recipients of postal deliveries through mail slot openings such as those found in or around front doors and entry-ways. The advantages associated with such a device will be readily apparent to those who use it.
Specifically, installation of such a device will obviate the necessity for repetitive visual inspection of the receptacle, a task that is commonly performed in an effort to determine whether daily mail has arrived. Such inspections are considered burdensome by many, particularly to those who must travel up and down stairs to see if an important letter or package has been delivered. More often than not, disappointment and frustration are experienced when a mail carrier fails to arrive on schedule resulting in unnecessary trips to the mail slot receptacle.
Furthermore, the subject device may be installed for residential or commercial use and, with regard to the latter, is particularly useful for businesses in the practice of responding to correspondence in a prompt manner. Occasionally, mail delivered through receptacles of this sort may go undetected for hours when an employee inadvertently neglects to check it. Delivered mail will then remain on the floor, uncollected, and often until it is too late to open and review in time for preparation of a same-day response.
An additional problem associated with owning or using a door-mounted mail receptacle is that unwanted deposits through the slot cannot be avoided without locking the swinging door which would also prevent legitimate deliveries. Moreover, mail slots provide an easy access to those who would invade an inhabitant's privacy by peering through the opening. These home security problems are greatly reduced by the subject invention by frightening off intruders when the alarm is activated and the inhabitant warned of potential improprieties.
Clearly, a significant need exists for a solution that addresses the shortcomings associated with mail slot receptacles. The subject invention completely eliminates these shortcomings by providing a means of immediately alerting the mail recipient each time the mail slot door is opened, thus providing home security and notice that a delivery has taken place.


The subject invention discloses a liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber (IBR) which is particularly valuable for use in making treads for high performance automobile tires, including race tires, that exhibit superior dry traction characteristics and durability. The isoprene-butadiene rubber of this invention is a liquid at room temperature and is comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent isoprene and from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order. The IBR of this invention also has a low number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000 and has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C. This invention more specifically discloses a tire tread compound which is comprised of (a) a rubbery elastomer, (b) about 20 phr to about 80 phr of an aromatic process oil, (c) about 35 phr to about 130 phr of a filler and (d) about 4 phr to about 40 phr of a liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000, a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C., and wherein the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer exhibits only one glass transition temperature.

It is important for high performance tires and race tires to have excellent traction characteristics. In fact, race drivers frequently attribute winning or losing automobile races to their tires. For instance, superior dry traction characteristics allow drivers to go faster, giving them an edge over other drivers having tires that exhibit inferior traction characteristics. Durability can also be important in racing. For example, it is highly advantageous for a set of tires to be durable enough to finish a race without being replaced which, of course, eliminates the need for changing tires during a pit stop. It is, of course, always advantageous for high performance automobile tires to have good durability for increased tire life.
Tire tread compounds for race tires and high performance tires are formulated to attain the best possible combination of traction characteristics and durability. The traditional problem associated with this approach is that traction characteristics and skid resistance characteristics are generally compromised to attain better durability. In order to balance these two inconsistent properties, mixtures of various types of synthetic and natural rubber are normally utilized in high performance tire treads. For instance, various mixtures of styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene rubber are commonly used as a rubbery material for high performance automobile tire treads. High levels of aromatic processing oils are also normally included in high performance tire tread formulations to increase dry traction characteristics (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,131). However, high levels of aromatic oils in tread compounds typically reduce the durability of the tire. Thus, the ability to improve the traction characteristics of a tire tread without sacrificing durability is often elusive.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,120 discloses that tires having improved performance characteristics can be prepared by utilizing rubbery polymers having multiple glass transition temperatures as the tread rubber. These rubbery polymers having multiple glass transition temperatures exhibit a first glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x92110xc2x0 C. to xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C. and exhibit a second glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to 0xc2x0 C. According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,120, these polymers are made by polymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer in a first reaction zone at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to produce a first polymeric segment having a glass transition temperature which is between xe2x88x92110xc2x0 C. and xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C. and subsequently continuing said polymerization in a second reaction zone at a temperature and under conditions sufficient to produce a second polymeric segment having a glass transition temperature which is between xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C. and 20xc2x0 C. Such polymerizations are normally catalyzed with an organolithium catalyst and are normally carried out in an inert organic solvent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,998 discloses a process for preparing a rubbery terpolymer of styrene, isoprene and butadiene having multiple glass transition temperatures and having an excellent combination of properties for use in making tire treads which comprises: terpolymerizing styrene, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene in an organic solvent at a temperature of no more than about 40xc2x0 C. in the presence of (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of tripiperidino phosphine oxide and alkali metal alkoxides and (b) an organolithium compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,483 discloses a pneumatic tire having an outer circumferential tread where said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of, based on 100 parts by weight rubber (phr), (A) about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of a styrene, isoprene, butadiene terpolymer rubber (SIBR) and (B) about 70 to about 30 weight percent of at least one of cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber and cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber wherein said SIBR rubber is comprised of (1) about 10 to about 35 weight percent bound styrene, (2) about 30 to about 50 weight percent bound isoprene and (3) about 30 to about 40 weight percent bound butadiene and is characterized by having a single glass transition temperature (Tg) which is in the range of about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. to about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. and, further, the said bound butadiene structure contains about 30 to about 40 percent 1,2-vinyl units, the said bound isoprene structure contains about 10 to about 30 percent 3,4-units, and the sum of the percent 1,2-vinyl units of the bound butadiene and the percent 3,4-units of the bound isoprene is in the range of about 40 to about 70 percent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,220 discloses a styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber which is particularly valuable for use in making truck tire treads which exhibit improved rolling resistance and tread wear characteristics, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent styrene, from about 7 weight percent to about 35 weight percent isoprene and from about 55 weight percent to about 88 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from styrene, isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 25 percent to about 40 percent of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the cis-microstructure, wherein from about 40 percent to about 60 percent of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the trans-microstructure, wherein from about 5 percent to about 25 percent of the repeat units derived from the 1,3-butadiene are of the vinyl-microstructure, wherein from about 75 percent to about 90 percent of the repeat units derived from the isoprene are of the 1,4-microstructure, wherein from about 10 percent to about 25 percent of the repeat units derived from the isoprene are of the 3,4-microstructure, wherein the rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9290xc2x0 C. to about xe2x88x9270xc2x0 C., wherein the rubber has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 150,000 to about 400,000, wherein the rubber has a weight average molecular weight of about 300,000 to about 800,000 and wherein the rubber has an inhomogeneity which is within the range of about 0.5 to about 1.5.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,927 discloses a pneumatic truck tire having an outer circumferential tread wherein said tread is a sulfur-cured rubber composition comprised of, based on 100 parts by weight of rubber, (a) from about 25 to about 75 parts of an isoprene-butadiene rubber, said rubber being comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 20 weight percent to about 50 weight percent isoprene and from about 50 weight percent to about 80 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein from about 3 percent to about 10 percent of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,2-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 50 percent to about 70 percent of the repeat units in said rubber are 1,4-polybutadiene units, wherein from about 1 percent to about 4 percent of the repeat units in said rubber are 3,4-polyisoprene units, wherein from about 25 percent to about 40 percent of the repeat units in the polymer are 1,4-polyisoprene units, wherein the rubber has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9290xc2x0 C. to about xe2x88x9275xc2x0 C. and wherein the rubber has a Mooney viscosity which is within the range of about 55 to about 140; and (b) from about 25 to about 75 parts of natural rubber.
The traction characteristics of high performance tires and race tires can be improved without compromising durability by utilizing the technique of this invention. This approach involves substituting about 4 phr (parts per hundred parts by weight of rubber) to about 40 phr of liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber for a portion of the aromatic oil included in the tread rubber formulation. The liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber employed in the tread rubber formulations of this invention typically has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000 and a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C. The tire tread rubber compounds of this invention will also normally contain about 20 phr to about 80 phr of an aromatic process oil and about 35 phr to about 130 phr of a filler.
This invention more specifically discloses a liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent isoprene and from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent 1,3-butadiene, wherein the repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene are in essentially random order, wherein the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer has a low number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000 and wherein the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C.
The subject invention further reveals a tire tread compound which is comprised of (a) a rubbery elastomer, (b) about 20 phr to about 80 phr of an aromatic process oil, (c) about 35 phr to about 130 phr of a filler and (d) about 4 phr to about 40 phr of a liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000 and a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C.
The subject invention further reveals a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of (a) a rubbery elastomer, (b) about 20 phr to about 80 phr of an aromatic process oil, (c) about 35 phr to about 130 phr of a filler and (d) about 4 phr to about 40 phr of a liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000 and a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to about 20xc2x0 C.
The IBR of this invention is synthesized by solution polymerization. Such solution polymerizations will normally be carried out in a hydrocarbon solvent which can be one or more aromatic, paraffinic or cycloparaffinic compounds. These solvents will normally contain from 4 to 10 carbon atoms per molecule and will be liquids under the conditions of the polymerization. Some representative examples of suitable organic solvents include pentane, isooctane, cyclohexane, normal hexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and the like, alone or in admixture.
In the solution polymerizations of this invention, there will normally be from about 5 to about 35 weight percent monomers in the polymerization medium. Such polymerization media are, of course, comprised of the organic solvent, 1,3-butadiene monomer and isoprene monomer. In most cases, it will be preferred for the polymerization medium to contain from 10 to 30 weight percent monomers. It is generally more preferred for the polymerization medium to contain 20 to 25 weight percent monomer.
The monomer charge compositions utilized in the polymerizations of this invention will typically contain from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent isoprene and from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent 1,3-butadiene monomer. It is more typical for the monomer charge composition to contain from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent isoprene and from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent 1,3-butadiene. In most cases, the monomer charge composition will contain from about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent isoprene and from about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent 1,3-butadiene.
Since the copolymerization of the 1,3-butadiene monomer and isoprene monomer is normally carried out to a high conversion, the ratio of repeat units in the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer that are derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene will be about the same as was employed in the monomer charge composition. Thus, the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer will normally contain from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent bound isoprene and from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent bound 1,3-butadiene monomer. The liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer will typically contain from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent bound isoprene and from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent bound 1,3-butadiene monomer. In most cases, the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer will contain from about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent bound isoprene and from about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent bound 1,3-butadiene monomer.
The liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer of this invention can be made by a batch process or continuously. It will normally be advantageous to synthesize the isoprene-butadiene polymer on a continuous basis. In such a continuous process, the monomers and an organolithium initiator are continuously fed into a reaction vessel or series of reaction vessels. The pressure in the reaction vessel is typically sufficient to maintain a substantially liquid phase under the conditions of the polymerization reaction. The reaction medium will generally be maintained at a temperature which is within the range of about 20xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C. throughout the copolymerization. The reaction temperature will preferably be within the range of about 40xc2x0 C. to about 100xc2x0 C. during the course of the copolymerization. It is generally most preferred for the reaction medium to be maintained at a temperature which is within the range of about 60xc2x0 C. to 80xc2x0 C. throughout the copolymerization.
The organolithium compounds which can be utilized as initiators in the copolymerizations of this invention include organomonolithium compounds and organo multifunctional lithium compounds. The organo multifunctional lithium compounds will typically be organodilithium compounds or organotrilithium compounds. Some representative examples of suitable multifunctional organolithium compounds include 1,4-dilithiobutane, 1,10-dilithiodecane, 1,20-dilithioeicosane, 1,4-dilithiobenzene, 1,4-dilithionaphthalene, 9,10-dilithioanthracene, 1,2-dilithio-1,2-diphenylethane, 1,3,5-trilithiopentane, 1,5,15-trilithioeicosane, 1,3,5-trilithiocyclohexane, 1,3,5,8-tetralithiodecane, 1,5,10,20-tetralithioeicosane, 1,2,4,6-tetralithiocyclohexane, 4,4N-dilithiobiphenyl, and the like.
The organolithium compounds which can be utilized are normally organomonolithium compounds. The organolithium compounds which are preferred can be represented by the formula Rxe2x80x94Li, wherein R represents a hydrocarbyl radical containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Generally, such monofunctional organolithium compounds will contain from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Some representative examples of organolithium compounds which can be employed include methyllithium, ethyllithium, isopropyllithium, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, n-octyllithium, tert-octyllithium, n-decyllithium, phenyllithium, 1-napthyllithium, 4-butylphenyllithium, p-tolyllithium, 1-naphthyllithium, 4-butylphenyllithium, p-tolyllithium, 4-phenylbutyllithium, cyclohexyllithium, 4-butylcyclohexyllithium and 4-cyclohexylbutyllithium. The organolithium initiator will typically be an alkyl lithium compound; such as, n-butyl lithium.
The amount of organolithium initiator employed will be dependent upon the molecular weight which is desired for the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer being synthesized. As a general rule in all anionic polymerizations, the molecular weight of the polymer produced is inversely proportional to the amount of initiator utilized. Since liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer having a relatively low molecular weight is being synthesized, the amount of initiator employed will be relatively large. As a general rule, from about 0.1 to about 2 phm (parts per hundred parts of monomer by weight) of the organolithium compound will be employed. In most cases, it will be preferred to utilize from about 0.2 to about 1 phm of the organolithium compound with it being most preferred to utilize from about 0.4 phm to 0.6 phm of the organolithium compound. In any case, an amount of organolithium initiator will be selected to result in the production of liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 3,000 to about 50,000. The amount of organolithium initiator will preferably be selected to result in the production of liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 5,000 to about 30,000. The amount of organolithium initiator will most preferably be selected to result in the production of liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer having a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 8,000 to about 18,000.
It is critical to carry out the copolymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene in the presence of a polar modifier, such as N,N,Nxe2x80x2,Nxe2x80x2-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), to attain a high glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to 20xc2x0 C. It is preferred for the isoprene-butadiene polymer to have a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 10xc2x0 C. It is generally most preferred for the liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber to have a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. to about 0xc2x0 C. Normally, a molar ratio of the polar modified to lithium initiator of at least about 0.5:1 will be utilized to attain the desired glass transition temperature. In most cases, a molar ratio of the polar modified to lithium initiator which is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 20:1 will be utilized. It is normally preferred to use a molar ratio of the polar modified to lithium initiator which is within the range of about 1:1 to about 10:1. It is typically preferred to employ a molar ratio of the polar modified to lithium initiator which is within the range of about 1.4:1 to about 4:1. It is normally more preferred to employ a molar ratio of the polar modified to lithium initiator which is within the range of about 1.6:1 to about 2:1.
Ethers and tertiary amines which act as Lewis bases are representative examples of polar modifiers that can be utilized. Some specific examples of typical polar modifiers include diethyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, diisopropyl ether, di-n-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, trimethylamine, triethylamine, N,N,Nxe2x80x2,Nxe2x80x2-tetramethylethylenediamine, N-methyl morpholine, N-ethyl morpholine, N-phenyl morpholine and the like. Dipiperidinoethane, dipyrrolidinoethane, tetramethylethylene diamine, diethylene glycol, dimethyl ether, TMEDA and tetrahydrofuran are representative of highly preferred modifiers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,959 describes the use of ethers and tertiary amines as polar modifiers in greater detail.
The isoprene-butadiene polymer produced by the copolymerization is recovered from the organic solvent after the desired monomer conversion has been attained. The isoprene-butadiene polymer can be recovered from the organic solvent by standard techniques. It is normally desirable to precipitate the isoprene-butadiene polymer from the organic solvent by the addition of lower alcohols containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms to the polymer solution. Suitable lower alcohols for precipitation of the isoprene-butadiene rubber from the polymer cement include methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol and t-butyl alcohol. The utilization of lower alcohols to precipitate the liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber from the polymer cement also xe2x80x9ckillsxe2x80x9d the living polymer chains by inactivating lithium end groups. After the isoprene-butadiene polymer is recovered from the organic solvent, steam-stripping can be employed to reduce the level of volatile organic compounds in the polymer.
The repeat units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene that are in the liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber are in an essentially random order. The term xe2x80x9crandomxe2x80x9d as used herein means that the repeat units which are derived from isoprene are well dispersed throughout the polymer and are mixed in with repeat units which are derived from 1,3-butadiene. For purposes of this patent, xe2x80x9crandomxe2x80x9d means that over 60 percent of the isoprene in the IBR is present in blocks of three or less repeat units.
The liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber will exhibit only one glass transition temperature that will be within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to 20xc2x0 C. It is preferred for the isoprene-butadiene polymer to have its glass transition temperature at a temperature that is within the range of about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 10xc2x0 C. It is generally most preferred for the liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber to have its glass transition temperature which is within the range of about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. to about 0xc2x0 C. In any case, the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer of this invention does not exhibit multiple glass transition temperatures. The liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber has a single glass transition temperature that occurs within the range of about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to 20xc2x0 C.
For purposes of this patent application, polymer microstructures are determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). Glass transition temperatures are determined by differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 10xc2x0 C. per minute and molecular weights are determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
The liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber of this invention is particularly valuable for use in making treads for high performance automobile tires. Such high performance tires will normally include a generally toroidal-shaped carcass-with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads. The tread of such tires is, of course, adapted to be ground-contacting. The treads of this invention are comprised of (a) a rubbery elastomer, (b) about 20 phr (parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubbery elastomer) to about 80 phr of an aromatic process oil, (c) about 35 phr to about 130 phr of a filler and (d) about 4 phr to about 40 phr of a liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer of this invention. Such treads provide tires with significantly improved dry traction without sacrificing durability.
In the tire tread formulations of this invention, the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer is essentially substituted for a portion of the aromatic processing oil normally included in the tread compound. The liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer will be added to the tread formulation in an amount that is within the range of about 4 phr to about 40 phr. In most cases, it is preferred for the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer to be present in the tread compound in an amount which is within the range of about 5 phr to about 25 phr. The amount of aromatic process oil added to the tread compound will typically be within the range of about 20 phr to about 80 phr. In high performance passenger tire applications, the oil will typically be added in an amount that is within the range of about 20 phr to about 50 phr. In high performance passenger tire applications, the oil will more typically be added in an amount that is within the range of about 30 phr to about 45 phr. In race tire applications, the oil will typically be added in an amount that is within the range of about 50 phr to about 80 phr. In race tire applications, the oil will more typically be added in an amount that is within the range of about 55 phr to about 70 phr.
The rubbery elastomer employed in the tread compound can be any rubber or blend of rubbers that can be used in manufacturing high performance tire treads. For instance, the rubbery elastomer can be natural rubber, emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber, solution styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber or a mixture thereof Such blends can also contain 3,4-polyisoprene, trans-1,4-polybutadiene or cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber. In cases where 3,4-polyisoprene, trans-1,4-polybutadiene or cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber are included in the tread compound, they will generally be employed at a level of less than about 40 phr. For instance, the 3,4-polyisoprene, trans-1,4-polybutadiene or the cis-1,4-polybutadiene can be employed in an amount which is within the range of about 5 phr to about 35 phr. The 3,4-polyisoprene which can be utilized will normally have a 3,4-microstructure content of 55 percent to 80 percent as determined by NMR spectroscopy. The 3,4-polyisoprene will, accordingly, have a cis-1,4-microstructure content which is within the range of 20 percent to 45 percent. The 3,4-polyisoprene will also normally have a glass transition temperature from xe2x88x9225xc2x0 C. to 10xc2x0 C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 10xc2x0 C./minute. The cis-1,4-polybutadiene that can be employed in the tread compound will typically have a cis-1,4-microstructure content of at least about 96 percent as determined by NMR spectroscopy.
In many cases, it is preferred for the rubbery elastomer in the tread compound to be styrene-butadiene rubber. For instance, the tread compound can be made using only styrene-butadiene rubber as the rubbery elastomer. However, the rubbery elastomer can also be a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber with natural rubber, 3,4-polyisoprene, cis-1,4-polybutadiene, trans-1,4-polybutadiene or styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber. In cases where the styrene-butadiene rubber is blended with another rubbery polymer, the other rubbery polymer will normally be added in an amount that is within the range of about 5 phr to about 40 phr.
The tread compound will also contain at least one filler, such as carbon black and/or silica. Clays and/or talc can be included in the filler to reduce cost. The filler will normally be present in an amount which is within the range of about 35 phr to about 130 phr. In high performance passenger tire applications, the filler will normally be present in an amount which is within the range of about 35 phr to about 70 phr. In race tire applications, the filler will normally be present in an amount that is within the range of about 70 phr to about 130 phr. The tread compound can also contain one or more resins, such as, coumarone-indene resin. The resin will normally be added in an amount that is within the range of about 5 phr to about 60 phr in race tire applications. In passenger tire applications, the resin will typically be added in an amount that is within the range of 0 phr to about 20 phr. In passenger tire applications, it is typically preferred for the tread compound not to contain any resin.
The liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer containing blends of this invention can be compounded utilizing conventional ingredients and standard techniques. For instance, the liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer containing rubber compound will typically also include sulfur, accelerators, waxes, scorch inhibiting agents and processing aids. In most cases, the tread rubber formulation will be compounded with sulfur and/or a sulfur containing compound, at least one accelerator, at least one antidegradant, at least one processing oil, zinc oxide, optionally a tackifier resin, optionally a reinforcing resin, optionally one or more fatty acids, optionally a peptizer and optionally one or more scorch inhibiting agents. Such blends will normally contain from about 0.5 to 5 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber by weight) of sulfur and/or a sulfur containing compound with 1 phr to 2.5 phr being preferred. It may be desirable to utilize insoluble sulfur in cases where bloom is a problem.
The blend will also normally include from 0.1 to 2.5 phr of at least one accelerator with 0.2 to 1.5 phr being preferred. Antidegradants, such as antioxidants and antiozonants, will generally be included in the blend in amounts ranging from 0.25 to 10 phr with amounts in the range of 1 to 5 phr being preferred. The liquid isoprene-butadiene polymer containing blends of this invention will also normally contain from 0.5 to 10 phr of zinc oxide with 1 to 5 phr being preferred. These blends can optionally contain from 0 to 30 phr of tackifier resins, 0 to 10 phr of reinforcing resins, 1 to 10 phr of fatty acids, 0 to 2.5 phr of peptizers and 0 to 1 phr of scorch inhibiting agents.
The liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber containing tread rubber compounds of this invention can be used in tire treads in conjunction with ordinary tire manufacturing techniques. In other words, tires can be built utilizing standard procedures with the liquid isoprene-butadiene rubber simply being substituted for a portion of the aromatic oil normally included in the tread rubber compound. After the tire has been built, it can be vulcanized using a normal tire cure cycle. Tires made in accordance with this invention can be cured over a wide temperature range. However, it is generally preferred for the tires of this invention to be cured at a temperature ranging from about 132xc2x0 C. (270xc2x0 F.) to about 166xc2x0 C. (330xc2x0 F.).


An electromechanical phase shifter for a microstrip microwave transmission line includes a conductive base plate and a pair of microstrip transmission line segments supported parallel to each other and parallel to and spaced from the base plate. A movable microstrip transmission line bridges the pair of transmission line segments and is movable therealong to provide a short circuit therebetween. A movable ground element is coupled to the bridging transmission line for movement therewith and is in contact with the pair of transmission line segments and the base plate. The spacing between the movable bridging transmission line and the ground element is maintained at one quarter wavelength of the center frequency of the signal frequency band.

This invention relates to microstrip microwave transmission lines and, more particularly, to a transmission line phase shifter which is effective, inexpensive and easy to fabricate.
There are numerous applications where a microstrip microwave transmission line is required to have a phase shifter inserted therein. For example, phase shifters are commonly used in phased array antenna systems. At the present time, electromechanical phase shifters exist which require a quadrature hybrid circuit so that a signal passes through the quadrature hybrid circuit and bounces off a variable length delay line. The bounced signal then returns through the isolated port of the quadrature hybrid circuit. Such a device operates in a reflective mode, which limits the operating bandwidth and adds complexity and cost to the design. Line stretchers are also known to exist which allow for a continuously variable phase shift using transmission, rather than reflection. However, line stretchers require more expensive hardware since they are typically telescoping coaxial structures. Accordingly, a need exists for a less expensive phase shifter.

Electromechanical phase shifter for a microstrip microwave transmission line


The invention relates to a method to efficiently transmit a digital message over a unidirectional optical link, such as the link between a computer screen and a security token equipped with photosensitive elements. It is an object of this invention to provide a source coding scheme that is optimized for transmissions of alphanumerical data containing frequent occurrences of numerals and less frequent occurrences of non-numerical data. This is achieved by using a modified Huffman code for source coding, consisting of a nibble-based prefix-free binary code. The output of the coder is efficiently mapped onto a 6B4T channel code, wherein unused ternary codewords can be used to signal data-link layer events. This efficient signalling of data-link layer events, in turn, allows for a synchronization scheme based on repeated transmissions of a finite-length message, combined with an out-of-band clock signal.

The present invention deals with unidirectional communication over a link which includes the path from a display, typically a PC screen, to a handheld device equipped with photosensitive elements. When viewed as data communication elements, PC screens can be characterized as having a very low symbol rate (the refresh rate of the screen, typically in the order of 60 Hz) and a very large symbol space (each configuration of pixels on the screen can be considered as a single symbol, leading to a symbol space in the order of 600×800×24=11,520,000 bits, or 211,520,000 different pixel configurations). This corresponds to an uncompressed data rate of 691.2 Megabit per second. The PC screen is clearly intended for communication towards the human visual system, which registers and analyzes the impression given by the entire screen, without having to be able to follow the changes in every individual pixel.
When using the PC screen as an output device for digital communication towards an automated receiver, such as a handheld electronic device, the screen would have to be resampled at least the same resolution and refresh rate in order to reconstruct the full underlying digital information. This would require a built-in high-definition digital video camera, which is not economically feasible for receivers that have no other use for such a camera. The alternative is to use only a small portion of the PC screen as a digital transmitter, and use selected sets of pixels as individual digital communication channels. Relatively cheap photosensitive elements can then be used at the receiver side to detect the transmission from these respective digital communication channels.
The result is a system for digital communication that can be analyzed in a way that is very similar to a free-space optical link. General free-space optical links have many applications in today's highly connected world. One class of such applications uses unfocused and incoherent light, typically in the visual or infrared part of the spectrum, to provide a simple wireless digital communications medium between consumer electronic or data devices (e.g. infrared remote controls for TVs and VCRs; IRDA data links between computers and PDAs or mobile telephones). The fact that unfocused light is used, implies that the light intensity at the receiver decreases as the square of the distance from the transmitter, limiting the use of this technology to short-range applications.
PC-screen based optical communication is also known in the art, in the form of CCD barcode readers that read barcodes displayed on a PC screen. One class of devices in which PC-screen based optical communication has been introduced, is comprised of unconnected strong authentication tokens, which generate client credentials for use in client-server interactions. Strong authentication tokens electronically generate one-time passwords (OTPs) on the basis of a shared secret, an internal counter and/or a clock, and optionally a challenge provided by a server. Such a challenge may consist of a randomly generated nonce, or data derived from a transaction to be digitally "signed" by the token's owner. As these tokens are by definition not electronically connected to the client PC that is used for the client-server interaction, they must include a mechanism for entering the server challenge.
A typical mechanism to provide data to a strong authentication token is by letting the user enter the data manually on the token's keypad. This process of manual entering of data on a token's keypad is often perceived as inconvenient or cumbersome by users. To relieve the user, solutions have been devised whereby the input of data doesn't require the manual entry of data by the user on the token's keypad. One example is a token which receives data over an out-of-band channel such as for example a radio network or mobile telephony network (U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,876 Sep. 16, 1997, EP 1802155 Jun. 27, 2007). The disadvantage of such out-of-band solutions is the extra complexity and cost associated with supporting the technology of the out-of-band channel, and the dependence on the availability of the out-of-band channel.
Another solution consists of tokens that allow for data input by means of an optical interface, whereby the user holds the token close to a computer screen. Examples of such optical tokens are Digipass® 700 and Digipass® 300 offered by Vasco Data Security, and the tokens described in EP 1211841 Jun. 5, 2002, EP 1788509 May 23, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,644 Aug. 4, 1992. This is, inter alia, a type of communication that the present invention addresses.
The refresh rate of the PC screen limits the data rate that can practically be achieved in screen-to-receiver transmissions. Even when efficient data encoding is being used, the actual transmission of the data may still take an unacceptable amount of time if the data is source-coded into bytes and is optically represented in a binary form. End users cannot be expected to hold their strong authentication tokens still in front of their computer screens for more than a few seconds.
Furthermore, transmit-receive synchronization for strong authentication tokens is radically different from the equivalent consumer electronics applications of digital free-space optical communication, such as changing TV channels with an infrared remote control. To change TV channels with an infrared remote control, the user would first point the transmitter towards the receiver and then start transmission by pushing the appropriate button, knowing that the TV set is already in a mode where it is ready to accept such transmission. In transmissions from a PC screen to a strong authentication token, the end user is responsible for positioning the receiver, but not necessarily for initiating the transfer or for ensuring that the authentication token is ready to start taking in data. It should also be noted that due to the unidirectional nature of these transmission channels, the transmitter cannot rely on a signal from the receiver to know when transmission may start.

Method for transmission of a digital message from a display to a handheld receiver


An insufflation pump is provided for single handed actuation for inflation of dilatation balloons or other inflatable devices employed during medical procedures. The insufflation pump includes a pump body having a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a syringe mechanism and the second end is provided with an actuation mechanism. The syringe mechanism and the actuation mechanism are linked by a pivoting mechanical linkage member facilitating the transfer of power from the actuation mechanism to the syringe mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes an actuator pivotally secured adjacent the second end of the pump body. The linkage member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of which is pivotally connected to the second end of the actuator, the second end of the linkage member is pivotally secured to the plunger of the syringe mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an insufflation pump.
2. Description of the Related Art
Insufflators are devices employed by certain medical specialties, such as Interventional Radiology and Cardiology, for expanding specialized catheters containing inflatable balloons. These balloons containing vascular catheters are typically utilized for a specific purpose, that is, for the performance of angioplasty. Angioplasty is performed to dilate arteries, veins and other closed, tubular structures within the body. These additional structures may include the biliary tree, ureters, kidneys, as well as other tissue which needs to be expanded radially. Most recently, with the advent of Kyphoplasty for the repair of vertebral compression fractures of the spine, balloon catheters have been used to expand compressed bone.
Currently, available insufflators are filled with a mixture of radiopaque contrast material and sterile saline during a procedure. This mixture allows the angioplasty balloon to be observed under fluroroscopy by the operating physician, and its precise location can be directly observed in real time. In addition, the response of the vessel to angioplasty can be monitored indirectly by viewing the form of the angioplasty balloon using fluroroscopy: a narrow balloon suggests a poorly dilated vessel while a fully expanded balloon suggests a successfully dilated vessel.
All available insufflators require two hands for operation: one to hold the body of the insufflator, while the other either activates a screw down device or a plunging type device. Pressure developed, often in atmospheres, may be read by a pressure gauge on the device. A second physician, or technician, is needed to hold the angioplasty catheter in the proper position during the angioplasty procedure and inflation of the balloon. If the angioplasty catheter is not firmly held in position, it can leap forward or backward off the vascular plaque. This results in, as a best-case scenario, inadequate angioplasty due to improper balloon placement, or in the worse scenario, vessel dissection and possible death.
The practice of modern medicine often employs the placement of catheters into the body for various purposes. These might include vascular, peripherally inserted central catheters for short and long term venous access, tunneled catheters for hemodialysis, subcutaneous port-catheters for chemotherapy, and central venous catheters. Catheters are also placed for drainage purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, catheters placed for abscess drainage, catheters placed to drain obstructed kidneys, urinary bladders, gallbladder and biliary systems. Catheters are also placed in the gastrointestinal tract for feeding purposes.
A catheter is simply a hollow plastic tube, or conduit, through which the aforementioned body fluid may pass. The various catheters, as described above, lie in various body locations and drain body fluids, such as blood, bile, urine, and abscess fluid. The outer end of the catheter may be connected to tubing, capped, or connected to various drainage devices. Regardless of the medium into which the catheter is placed or its intended usage, all temporary or permanent catheters must be periodically flushed or drained to ensure proper function and flow; that is, to prevent catheter occlusion from clotted blood and other bodily fluid both in and around the catheter. Certain vascular catheters must be properly flushed to prevent blood clot formation around the catheter which may become life threatening and necessitate the removal and subsequent replacement of the catheter.
The current solution to this problem is to perform scheduled flushing of the catheter, usually with sterile saline. This is accomplished by a nurse partially filling a syringe with saline, then screwing it onto the catheter and then "pulling back" on the syringe to observe flow from the catheter, then flushing it with several cc of sterile saline. With certain catheters, this may need to be performed 3 to 4 times per day. This can become quite labor intensive for hospitalized as well as nursing home patients. In the outpatient setting, it can become quite a time consuming task since a visiting nurse is often needed to tend to daily catheter care.


A beverage holding device attachable to the windshield of a vehicle; the device comprises a semi-circular beverage holder ting having an open region and affixed to a linearly and axially adjusting armature. The armature is accepted in the tongue-in-groove channel of an adjusting retainer that is molded around a rubber suction cup for means of installation. On installation, the beverage holder ring rests horizontally with and slightly above the dashboard surface. The device, in conjunction with a vehicle's windshield and its dashboard surface, comprises the means for retaining a beverage when a beverage is placed on a vehicle's dashboard surface and within the circumference of the beverage holder ring.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the secure retention and stabilization of beverage containers especially for use in stationary or moving vehicles.
2. Background Art
Beverage holders, primarily for use in vehicles, exist in a plurality of forms and functions. Such beverage holders contain a beverage in its entirety utilizing a base and retainer walls or legs. The present beverage holder merely stabilizes a beverage container while utilizing a vehicle's dashboard as the beverage holder base.
There have been prior art teachings of beverage holders with a plurality of stabilizing means. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,032 to Jones et al. dated Sep. 22, 1992, attaches to a vehicle interior by means of a stabilizing leg which is wedged between the seat and back cushions of said vehicle. This method does not contemplate passengers riding in said vehicle or various shapes of vehicle seats. U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,096 to Hartman et al. dated Dec. 10, 1991, contemplates a stabilizing device for a drink container using a broad base housing which rests on a surface such as the dashboard or seat of a vehicle interior. This method fails to contemplate the conditions in a moving vehicle such as swift acceleration and deceleration which may cause the stabilizing device to slide or tip from its location.
Other prior art devices contemplate a plurality of attachment methods including attachment to a vehicle's cigarette lighter, hangar type attachment to a vehicle door and adhesive backed attachment to a vehicle dashboard or other surface.

Beverage holder device for use in vehicles