System for measuring the distance and the relative speed between objects using electromagnetic waves, having means for emitting electromagnetic waves from a first object and having means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from at least one second object, the frequency of the emitted signal being modulated in such a way that the modulation frequency, during a first time segment, increases approximately linearly from a first to a second modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a second time segment, is approximately constant, that the modulation frequency, during a third time segment, decreases approximately linearly from the second to a third modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a fourth time segment, is approximately constant, and that these time segments recur repeatedly, at least one of the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of at least one time segment being changeable.

The present invention relates to a system for measuring the distance and the relative speed between objects.
Such a system may be used, for example, in connection with adaptive driving speed control. In such a case, the system is used for measuring the distance and the relative speed between vehicles. On the basis of certain distance and relative speed values, the system for adaptive driving speed control influences the driving speed of the motor vehicle. A system of this type may be referred to as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
The German Published Patent Application No. 42 42 700 discusses a method for measuring the distance and speed of objects with the aid of electromagnetic waves. The frequency of an emitted signal is modulated. The signals received during the increase and decrease of the emitted signal""s frequency are mixed with the emitted signal. The intermediate frequency signals created by that mixing are spectrally analyzed. The distance and the speed of at least one object are calculated from the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal""s spectral lines during at least one increase and at least one decrease of the frequency of the emitted signal.
A radar instrument having reduced beam power is referred to in German Patent No. 195 29 173. As characterized, the power radiated by a radar unit, on the average, is controlled as a function of the speed of the vehicle in which the radar unit is installed. At the same time, the time range during which a radar unit transmits radar signals is set proportional to the speed, and the transmission angle at which radar signals are radiated are also controlled as a function of the speed, and the aim of this radar unit is apparently to reduce the average beam power radiated from the radar unit, without impairing the measuring sensitivity. As further characterized, a further development of the radar unit is apparently based on enlarging the time gaps between the time ranges in which power is beamed with decreasing speed of the vehicle. Furthermore, the possibility is discussed of not radiating any radar signals below a predefined speed, above all from a standing vehicle, since no data may be needed in this speed range for an adaptive vehicle speed regulation. It is further discussed how to reduce the radiating load additionally by diminishing the angular range in which the radar is radiated with increasing speed of the vehicle.
The German Patent No. 195 29 173 also apparently discusses the possibility of unsymmetrically aligning the angular ranges of the radar rays with reference to the travel direction of the vehicle. For change in the time range, German Patent No. 195 29 173 apparently starts from the idea that, at low speeds (speed  less than 60 km/h), which may occur predominantly in city traffic, a shorter range of the radar unit is sufficient and no arbitrarily large relative speeds occur, so that the modulation rate at constant modulation amplitude can be selected greater than for greater speeds (speeds  greater than 60 km/h), which may occur primarily on superhighways and country roads. Modulation rate is defined as the quotient of modulation amplitude and modulation duration. By changing the modulation duration, the maximum range of the radar unit for low speeds is set at 70 m. Since modulation amplitude apparently remains constant in German Patent No. 195 29 173, at a greater modulation rate, the modulation amplitude is passed through in a shorter time. As characterized, it follows from this, that, at a shorter range, the modulation duration may be selected correspondingly shorter. The lower the vehicle speed, the shorter the range of the radar unit that is selected by the computer, and the shorter the modulation duration at fixed modulation amplitude, and the shorter the transmission time for the transmitter for sending one modulation amplitude. As a consequence, the time for receiving a modulation amplitude becomes shorter too. And then, the duration of the receiving condition of the radar unit also becomes shorter with decreasing speed of the vehicle.
In German Patent No. 195 29 180 is apparently discussed a circuit arrangement having a radar unit for ascertaining a distance or a relative speed. As characterized, the radar unit continually sends frequency modulated radar signals with variously large modulations rates, as a function of the speed of the vehicle in which the radar unit is mounted. The German Patent No. 195 29 180 discusses the modulation rate as the change of frequency per time unit. A larger modulation rate at constant maximum frequency yields a better distance resolution, which is an advantage especially in the low speed range. As indicated, the aim of the circuit arrangement is apparently to adapt to different speeds of the vehicle. By adapting the modulation rate of the radar unit to the speed of the vehicle, the range and accuracy of the radar unit are adjusted to the speed of the vehicle, and this may put at one""s disposal more accurate information on the distance and the relative speed. As characterized, according to one specific embodiment of German Patent No. 195 29 180, the radar unit consecutively and alternatingly uses a modulation cycle having a large modulation rate and a modulation cycle having a small modulation rate. This purportedly yields an accurate distance value for the near range as well as an accurate distance value for the distant range. At an increase of the modulation rate by a factor of 2, using the circuit arrangement, this purportedly leads to a halving of the range in which the distance from the object can be determined. On the other hand, the resolution of the distance is increased. The resolution of the speed remains constant. Also as characterized, with respect to a further specific embodiment of the circuit arrangement, in place of switching between a small and a large modulation rate, the modulation rate is continually adapted to the speed of the vehicle in such a way, that the modulation rate is increased with decreasing speed. Purportedly, in doing this, the modulation rate is interpolated appropriately to the speed of the vehicle, depending on the predefined speeds and the corresponding modulation rate. Depending on the driving dynamics points of view, the interpolation is carried out, for instance, linearly or hyperbolically. In the xe2x80x9cnormalxe2x80x9d case, the interpolation is apparently linear.
An exemplary embodiment and/or method of the present invention may provide a system and/or method for measuring the distance and relative speed between objects, which can be adapted to varying driving situations as flexibly as possible.
An exemplary embodiment may include a system for measuring the distance and the relative speed between objects using electromagnetic waves, having an apparatus, arrangement or structure for sending electromagnetic waves from a first object and having an apparatus, arrangement or structure for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from at least one second object, the frequency of the emitted signal being modulated in such a way, that the modulation frequency, during a first time segment, increases approximately linearly from a first to a second modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a second time segment, is approximately constant, that the modulation frequency, during a third time segment, decreases approximately linearly from the second to a third modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a fourth time segment, is approximately constant, and that these time segments recur repeatedly, at least one of the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of at least one time segment changeable. It is believed that changing at least one of the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of at least one time segment may provide a maximum possible flexibility of the system.
With respect to another exemplary embodiment, it is believed to be advantageous if the change is dependent on at least the measured distance and/or the measured relative speed between the first object and the second object. On account of this dependence, the quantities distance and relative speed, which may be important in a system for measuring the distance and the relative speed between objects by of electromagnetic waves, are taken into consideration during the change of the at least one modulation frequency value and/or the duration of at least one time segment.
It is believed to be advantageous here, if the change of the modulation frequency value and/or of the time segment are functions, linearly, logarithmically or according to stored value pairs, of the measured distance and/or of the measured relative speed. It is believed that this solution may offer the advantage that the system can be adapted so that the user of the system gets an adaptive adjustment which the user would have selected in the same or similar manner if he had undertaken the change manually.
It is also believed to be advantageous if the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of the time segments are constant for predetermined value ranges of measured distance and/or relative speed, and if, when exceeding the predetermined value ranges, the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of the time segments is/are changed manually. Here, it is also believed to be advantageous when the appropriate steps can also be manually selected.
Furthermore, it is also believed to be advantageous when, the smaller the measured distance is, the larger the difference is selected to be between the second and the first modulation frequency value, and/or the larger the difference is selected to be between the second and the third modulation frequency value, and vice versa. This may provide an optimal adaptation to the boundary conditions to be expected when using the system.
It is also believed to be advantageous when the smaller the measured distance is and/or the larger the absolute value of the relative speed is, the smaller the first time segment and the third time segment are selected to be, and vice versa.
It is, again, also believed to be advantageous if the first and the third modulation frequency value are identical or essentially identical, and the modulation frequency has a trapeze-shaped pattern. In what is believed to be another comparably advantageous manner, it is possible that the first and the third time segment, and the second and the fourth time segment, respectively, have the same duration. Additionally, it is also believed to be advantageous if the duration of the second and the fourth time segment tends to 0, and the modulation frequency has a sawtooth-shaped pattern.
In what is believed to be another advantageous manner, the system is used in a motor vehicle. In this application, in turn, it is believed to be advantageous if the change of the frequency values and/or of the duration of the time segments is dependent on the driving situation. It is believed that this solution may offer the advantage that the change of the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of the time segments is undertaken so as to give the driver of the motor vehicle the feeling of optimal control response.
A variation of the system that is also believed to be advantageous involves the condition when the modulation frequency or the duration of the time segments are constant.
It is believed that one advantageous refinement provides that the modulation frequency values be changed to optimize the distance measurement, and that time segments be changed to optimize the relative speed measurement.

System for measuring the distance and the relative velocity between objects


The Adjustable Pintle Mount Adapter Bracket is a device capable of attaching a pintle and a weight distribution shank at varying heights. The pintle and weight distribution shank are attached on opposite sides of the bracket. The unique adjustability of the design is accomplished through a series of holes and easily removable pins which thread through the holes in the bracket and the weight distribution shank. The invention comprises of a series of components which are combined through welding.

A typical pintle mount is a flat plate mount on which a pintle hitch is positioned and secured. A pintle is a pin or hook on which other parts are able to pivot. A towing hitch is a device used to connect one end of a vehicle to that of another vehicle. By connecting the two ends of two separate vehicles, the vehicle in front is able to tow the vehicle behind. The pintle serves to secure the hitch onto a mounting plate, allowing the hitch to pivot. A typical pintle mount comprises a rigid, welded arm that extends from the receiver hitch of the tow vehicle. The pintle is attached to the pintle mount, which may have more than one set of mounting holes, with bolts. To change the height to match a particular trailer, the mounting bolts must be removed and the pintle must be reattached to the pintle mount at the proper height setting and then the bolts must be properly retightened. Typical pintle mounts lack the ability to adjust the height of the pintle and hitch system without the use of special tools which are not always readily available in the field. The present invention provides an adjustable pintle hitch mount that can accommodate to the difference in height between the ends of two vehicles without tools and in a quick amount of time.


A bone staple for repairing bones and/or correcting bone deficiencies by controlling the growth of the epiphyseal plate, the staple comprising a body comprising a cross bar and at least two legs extending from the cross bar, the legs being designed for introducing into the bone. The body is made of a shape memory alloy and the legs normally diverge from each other defining spring legs tending to move apart from each other under a compression force, whereby a lengthening of the epiphyseal plate is induced. Preferably, the cross bar extends beyond the connection to the legs and forms stop means for abutting the bone and keep the cross bar spaced apart from the epiphyseal plate. Additionally, each leg includes an helical thread designed for anchoring into the bone, for firmly retaining the staple into the bone and for unscrewing the legs once the stable should be removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the medical field and particularly to orthopaedics and traumatology for the correction of limb bone deformities and deficiencies. More particularly, the invention relates to a surgical implant or staple and method for repairing bones and/or correcting limb inequality and most preferably the invention relates to methods and staples for correcting bone deficiencies by suppressing and/or inducing the growth of the epiphyseal plate in the bone. Additionally, the invention relates to staples with enhanced osseous integrating means capable of being easily removed from the bone even once integrated. Furthermore, the invention relates to staples for preventing the perichondrium and the periosteal vascular ring from damage when installing the staple into the bone.
While more specific reference to the control of growth plate or epiphyseal plate will be made in the present disclosure and drawings, the bone implant and methods of the invention are not restricted to this specific application but they may be applied to any other field where a prosthesis, a fixation device, etc. is to be secured into a bone or a broken bone is to be repaired by joining its broken pieces. In addition, the term "patient" is applicable either to animals or human beings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Length discrepancies and angular deformities of the limbs are quite frequent among children and provoked by several causes such as congenital, post-trauma, post-infection, oncologic causes, etc. The need exists for correcting these abnormalities because of function and aesthetic reasons. The treatment of some of these childhood deformities is based on the concept of mechanically suppressing growth.
Bone staples are well known in the orthopaedics and traumatology, such as in techniques for correcting angular deviations of limbs, genu valgum for example, by unilateral restriction of the growth plate.
For correcting angular deviations the mechanical suppression can be obtained by temporary using metal staples across the growth plate, at unilateral locations, at the convex side of the deformity, for example. The staples are removed once the correction has been reached.
For correcting length abnormalities, the lengthening of the bone is obtained by using an external fixator and the shortening of the limb is obtained by arresting or suppressing the growth plate at even locations around the bone.
The technique of mechanical suppression by temporary using an external fixator is carried out by installing the fixator in the limb, on the concave bone side, for producing a slow stretching of the growth plate. This mechanical technique is known as epiphyseal distraction.
More precisely, epiphyseal distraction is a surgical technique that is widely used to lengthen an abnormal bone or correct physeal deviations prior to growth plate closure. This technique, also called "chondrodiatasis", involves slow, gradual, symmetric distraction of the growth plate. The term "hemichondrodiatasis", on the other hand, is used to refer to the technique of asymmetric distraction of the growth plate for correction of epiphyseal-diaphyseal deviations.
Since the use of external fixators for the above described mechanical suppressing techniques has shown to be expensive as well as traumatic and cumbersome for the patient, and the fixator leaves unsightly scars, the use of this device has not widely and intensively imposed. It would be desirable to use staples for these techniques, however, the staples are affected by several disadvantages and drawbacks that caused them to be not widely imposed in the medical field.
As it was stated above, angular deviations or deformities and length discrepancies of the limbs, for example, are often treated with staples. After staples are placed across a growth plate, further growth of this plate increases the pressure on the inner surfaces of the staple legs. This increased pressure, which has been measured about 1 Mpa, slows bone growth within and near the staple, i.e. in the region between the legs, and, simultaneously, forces the staple legs apart. This pressure from the cartilage plate, together with the legs moving away from each other, causes the legs to be extruded and expelled out from the bone thus loosing the grip in the bone.
Another drawback the physicians have found with the use of staples is that the same do not work satisfactorily because the bone growth is not restarted afterwards, thus producing the appearance of opposite deformity due to the constant growth of the cartilage of the side that was not operated upon. An explanation for this effect is that, presumably, a damage is inflicted on the perichondrium or the perichondrial vessels when the staples are inserted into physis. Generally, the staples are provided with reinforcing squares at the inner side thereof, that is at the inner corners formed by the connection between the cross bar and legs. As the staple is hammered up to abutting the external surface of the bone, the reinforcements, as well as the flat bridge or cross bar enter into contact with the growth plate and damage the perochondrium and the perichondrial vessels, this being the cause of the undesired epiphysial arrest.
As indicated above in connection with one of the drawbacks of using staples, the pressure exerted by the growing cartilage plate causes the staple legs to open, extrude and slide out of the bone. Many staples of the prior art has attempted to prevent the staple from sliding out the bone by providing the staple legs with barbs or protrusions to enhance the anchoring of the legs into the bone mass. However, when deformation has been corrected and the temporary staple must be removed from the bone, the anchorage of the legs into the growing bone mass, that is desired at the time the stable is to be retained into the bone, is a bar or obstacle at the time the staple must be removed. In effect, this firm osseous anchorage prevents the staple from being easily removed by normal forces and operations.
It would be therefore desirable and convenient to have a bone staple:
capable of accommodating to the growing force of the cartilage plate,
capable of being firmly retained and anchored into the bone to prevent the sliding out effect but capable of being easily removed when necessary, particularly after osseous anchorage, and
capable of being hammered into the bone without the bridge or cross bar of the staple damaging the perochondrium, the perichondrial vessels, and/or any other part of the bone.

Bone staple and methods for correcting bone deficiencies by controllably suppressing and/or inducing the growth of the epiphyseal plate


A self-reporting, grounded nut-clip is provided. The self-reporting, grounded nut-clip includes a support body. The support body includes first and second bends defining first, second and third support sections interleaved with the first and second bends. The first and third support sections define first and second apertures, respectively, and the second support section is interposed between the first and third support sections. The self-reporting, grounded nut-clip further includes a fastening element receiving member disposed on the first support section at the first aperture, a star washer, and an indicator. The star washer is disposed on the third support section at a location of the second aperture. The indicator is coupled to the third support section and is configured for automatic activation upon complete nut-clip installation.

The present invention generally relates to nut-clips, and more specifically, to a self-reporting, grounded nut-clip.
A rack is a frame or enclosure that is configured for mounting multiple electronic equipment modules inside of an interior. The electronic equipment modules can include servers, telecommunication relays, etc. Equipment designed to be placed in a rack is typically described as rack mounted, a rack mounted instrument, a rack mounted system, a rack mount chassis, a sub-rack, rack mountable or occasionally as simply shelf equipment.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


The housing arrangement for a data processing apparatus has a top shell with an opening in the top thereof, a bottom shell on which the top shell is mounted, an electrical circuit board housed in the opening of the top shell, and a keyboard positioned on the electrical circuit board. A covering member is provided to cover the terminals of the battery unit when it is not installed and to partially block the dock when the battery unit is installed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a housing arrangement for a data processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, word processor, or a similar data processing device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As personal computers, word processors, and similar data processing devices have become thinner and more compact in the last few years, portable computers commonly known as "notebook" computers have become widely available. The strong demand for improved radiation shielding, manufacturability, and serviceability that characterizes the personal computing device market has been made even greater in the notebook computer market by intense competition.
A data processing apparatus according to this prior art is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.
A partially exploded view of this conventional data processing apparatus is shown in FIG. 1, and a cross section of the major connecting components is shown in FIG. 2. This main housing 1 comprises a top shell 2, bottom shell 3, display 4, electrical circuit board (mother board) 5 containing the major electrical circuitry, a keyboard 6, mounting screws 7, keyboard mounting bracket 8, hard disk drive (HDD) unit 9, a floppy disk drive (FDD) unit 10, a conductive reinforcing panel 11 under the keyboard 6, and a radiation shield 12 to block radiation from the mother board 5. Other typical components are not shown to simplify the description.
The assembly of the main housing 1 above is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the HDD unit 9 and FDD unit 10 are mounted on the bottom shell 3. The mother board 5 and keyboard mounting bracket 8 are then positioned with the mounting screws 7, and the keyboard 6 is secured to the keyboard mounting bracket 8 with the mounting screws 7. With the display 4 attached, the top shell 2 is then placed over the bottom assembly and fastened to the bottom shell 3 using screws (not shown in the figures). The radiation shield 12 is then fastened to the top shell 2 sandwiched between the top shell 2 and keyboard 6.
With this construction, however, designing a low profile (thin) main housing 1 is complicated, many screws are used, and assembly is difficult because of the method of assembly, specifically assembling the mother board 5 between the top shell 2 and bottom shell 3, securing the various components with mounting screws 7, and inserting a radiation shield 12 into the assembly. During assembly and disassembly for repair or maintenance, many components must also be installed and removed in order to remove and service the mother board 5 and keyboard 6. These various problems have inhibited the development and manufacture of compact data processing apparatuses with good portability.

Housing arrangement for a data processing apparatus having a removably mounted circuit board above an opening in a top shell

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Apparatus for supporting a sail is provided whereby the sail is hoisted by a halyard, and latched in the fully hoisted position. The halyard is then disconnected from the sail leaving the sail free to rotate, for reefing or furling purposes independently of the halyard. The sail is lowered by unlatching same from the fully hoisted position, the unlatching being accomplished by raising a rotatable tubular member to which the luff of the sail is slidably attached, so as to release the latch.

Recent developments in equipment for roller reefing and furling have included supporting the luff of the sail on a rotatable tubular member in such a way that the tubular member, not the mast, bears the tension of the downhaul and the weight of the sail.
One of the problems, however, with such rotatable tubular members relates to interference with the halyard. Normally, after hoisting the sail, the portion of the halyard used for hoisting the sail is cleated, coiled and hung onto a cleat at the base of the mast. When a rotating tubular member, however, is used for reefing or furling the sail, the halyard must be fitted with a swivel at the peak of the sail or else it must be adapted to rotate with the tubular member. The swivel alternative is undesireable because, in a salt air environment, swivels are difficult to maintain and tend to become jammed. On the other hand, rotating the entire halyard also presents problems because the coil of the part of the halyard used for hoisting the sail cannot be swung around without a serious risk of its becoming uncoiled and tangled. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,036, a solution for the halyard problem is suggested. It provides for disconnecting and stowing the part of the halyard used for hoisting. Once the sail has been hoisted, the halyard is made fast to the base of the rotatable tubular member, and the part of the halyard which was used for hoisting the sail, is removed and stowed. This frees the tubular member for rotation without interference from the halyard. (A similar procedure is also described in co-pending application Ser. No. 898,290). Employing a two-part halyard, however, and having to separate it or reconnect its parts is a nuisance, and exposes the user to the risk of losing the tension part of the halyard up the mast. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to employ a single piece halyard which does not interfere with the rotation of a rotatable tubular furling member and with which there also is no risk of losing the halyard up the mast. A further object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide an endless one-piece halyard which presents no interference with the operation of a rotatable tubular furling or reefing member and which does not need to be cleated.
Rotatable tubular furling arrangements of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,036 have a further disadvantage in that they require the use of a sheave at the top of the rotatable tubular member over which the halyard passes. Such sheaves can cause problems particularly if the halyard slips out of the pulley groove. In addition, with such an arrangement the sheave subjects the rotatable tubular member to twice the force of the weight of the sail and the downhaul. Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable tubular member for furling a sail which does not require the use of a halyard sheave at the top of the rotatable tubular member and in which the thrust on the rotatable tubular member is only once the weight of the sail plus the force of the downhaul.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,460 means are described for supporting the sail on a rotatable tubular member without the use of a halyard sheave and thereby achieves the latter-mentioned object. The arrangement employs a sleeve slidably mounted on the rotatable member and a ratchet and spring-loaded pawl to latch the sleeve at the top of the rotatable member while the sail is in use. When it is desired to lower the sail the sleeve is released from the top of the rotatable member by a cam-release mechanism similar to that used on ordinary extension ladders. The halyard is used to lift the sleeve. This brings into play a cam element which prevents the sleeve from latching as it is lowered. This frees the sleeve from the ratchet and permits the sail to be lowered. Once the sleeve has been lowered below the ratchet, the cam element drops back by gravity to its original position in which the sail can again be hoisted and latched to the top of the rotatable member if desired. Thus, by operation of the halyard, the sleeve which supports the peak of the sail can be latched to the top of the rotatable tubular member so that the latter bears the weight of the sail. Alternatively, the sleeve can be unlatched from the top of the rotatable furling member, so that the halyard bears the weight of the sail.
The arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,460, however, has other problems. For one thing, it requires the halyard to remain secured to the sleeve at the peak of the sail, and this creates serious problems due to the fact that, when the rotatable tubular member is rotated, the halyard becomes wound up on the stay and is difficult to unsnarl. This problem is not cured by the use of a swivel because the halyard and the stay are so nearly parallel that only slight resistance in the swivel causes the undesired wrapping. Conversely, if the tension on the halyard is relieved, the undesired wrapping action takes place without resistance. Further, once the halyard is wrapped around the stay in this manner, the sail cannot be raised or lowered, and can be either embarrassing or dangerous.
Another problem associated with release mechanisms of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,460 is that they do not operate well in the sailboat context. Thus, when a fore-and-aft rigged sailboat "comes about", the sails go through a phase of flapping while the boat passes through the head-to-wind position. The intensity of the flapping, of course, increases with the force of the wind. This flapping action in fact often causes the peak of the sail to oscillate back and forth through an arc of as much as 120.degree. creating substantial centrifugal force which in turn acts on the latching mechanism tending to release the pawl from the ratchet teeth. This tendency to release, of course, is increased as the force of the wind increases, and accordingly, the danger of unintentional release increases at the same time as the undesireability of surprise increases. The centrifugal force also affects the operation of the cam element used to release the sleeve for lowering the sail, and can cause the cam to fail to operate and thereby prevent the lowering of the sail at the critical moment in a gale when the need to lower the sail may be the greatest. An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a latching mechanism which can be operated with certainty from the deck without interference from centrifugal forces due to flapping of the sail during the head-to-wind phase.
Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provision of means for supporting the peak of a sail on a rotatable furling or reefing member independently of the halyard and in such a way as to relieve the mast of the weight of the sail, and the tension of the downhaul. In addition it is an object to relieve the rotatable tubular members of the tension of the halyard, and simultaneously to provide means at the deck level independent of the halyard for releasing the peak of the sail from the rotatable member so as to lower the sail without operation of the halyard. A further object is to provide means for securing the peak of the sail to a weight-supporting rotatable member, the operation of which securing means is relatively immune from the centrifugal forces which flapping at the peak of the sail creates.


Lifting and towing apparatus for attachment to a towing vehicle having a winch thereon and the frame of which includes a pair of spaced apart longitudinal beams at least partially supported on a rear axle of said vehicle. The apparatus includes a support assembly extending transversely between the vehicle beams and opposite outer ends of which are attachable to opposing ones of the beams directly above the rear axle. An arm assembly extends rearwardly from the support assembly and has at least one lifting connection for connection to the winch and by which the distal end of the arm assembly may be lifted. A cradle assembly is connected to the distal end of the arm assembly for securing the front or rear wheels of a towed vehicle thereto for lifting above the ground in response to lifting of the distal end of the arm assembly by the winch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to lifting and towing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention pertains to lifting and towing apparatus attachable to a towing vehicle and to which the front or rear wheels of a towed vehicle may be secured for lifting above the ground.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Because of the design of present day vehicles, lifting and towing apparatus for towing a disabled vehicle typically includes some type of wheel engaging apparatus to which the front or rear wheels of the towed vehicle may be secured for lifting above the ground in response to power manipulation from a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is typically a wrecker truck or a pick-up truck which has been adapted for towing operations. In either case, the lifting and towing apparatus is typically produced by a manufacturer other than the wrecker or pick-up truck manufacturer. The apparatus is retrofitted to the wrecker or pick-up truck. Obviously, some types of lifting and towing apparatus are not suitable for one or the other. For example, many types of lifting and towing apparatus for wrecker trucks are hydraulically operated and require hydraulic components that are not suitable for use with a pick-up truck, mechanical winch devices being the preferred method of operation with pick-up trucks.
There are many types of lifting and towing apparatus and several ways of attaching them to the towing vehicle. As mentioned, some of these devices utilized with wrecker trucks are mounted above the wrecker frame either on or directly below the wrecker bed. Most of these are hydraulic units. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,37; 4,679,978; 4,737,066; 4,797,057; and 4,798,509.
There are other designs such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,951,280; 4,384,817; 4,741,661; and 4,775,285 which are suitable for mounting on the bed or the top of the frame of a pick-up truck. However, most of these are also hydraulic units and are not suitable for mechanical winch and boom construction.
There are a number of other designs which are suitable for mounting on pick-up trucks. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,451,193; 4,557,496; 4,573,857; and 4,632,629. Some of these are hydraulic; others are suitable for winch operation. However, in these designs, the weight of the towed vehicle is supported at the back of the truck, well to the rear of the rear axle. This creates a moment arm which tends to lift the front of the truck off of the ground. This results in instability during towing and limits the weight of the towed vehicle which can be handled therewith.
Not only do many designs have inherent operating limitations, they are also relatively expensive and not easy to attach to a towing vehicle. Most towing operators prefer a relatively inexpensive, uncomplicated and easy to operate lifting and towing apparatus. The fact that there are so many different designs, indicates a continued search for suitable apparatus.


A semiconductor device that can perform voltage monitoring with a small circuit area is provided. The resistive subdivision circuit RDIV performs the resistive subdivision of the input voltage Vin by means of the input ladder resistor (R1-R4), and drives the nMOS transistors MN1-MN3 by the subdivided input voltages Vi1-Vi3 each having different resistive subdivision ratios, respectively. The pMOS transistor MP0 is provided in common for the pMOS transistors MP1-MP3, and configures a current mirror circuit with each of the pMOS transistors MP1-MP3. The bias current generating circuit IBSG supplies a bias current to the pMOS transistor MP1.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and specifically relates to a semiconductor device that monitors various voltages, for example.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a voltage comparator circuit that compares the magnitude of two power supply voltages. Patent Literature 2 discloses an A/D converter that includes multiple comparators to compare an input signal with mutually different reference voltages, and an encoder that encodes the comparison result. Non Patent Literature 1 shows a circuit configuration of a general comparator including seven transistors.
(Patent Literature 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-141113
(Patent Literature 2) Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 07(1995)-326970
(Non-Patent Literature 1) Phillip E. Allen and Douglas R. Holberg; "CMOS Analog Circuit Design", Second Edition, Oxford University Press, p. 445


Disclosed is flow reversal system (100) that comprises a single direction flow device (101) adapted for receiving a fluid and first (120), second (122), third (124) and fourth (126) binary valves. The system is adapted to be configured in a first position wherein the first (120) and fourth (126) binary valves are open and the second (122) and third (124) binary valves are closed and the fluid flows through the single direction flow device (101) in a first direction (103), be configured from the first position to a neutral position by actuating the second (122) and third (124) binary valves from a closed position to an open position wherein, in the neutral position, the first (120), second (122), third (124) and fourth (126) binary valves are open and the fluid flows through the single direction flow device (101) in the first direction (103) and be configured from the neutral position to a second position by actuating the first (120) and fourth (126) binary valves from an open position to a closed position wherein the first (120) and fourth (126) binary valves are closed and the second (122) and third (124) binary valves are opened and the fluid flows through the single direction flow device (101) in the first direction (103).

Production of hydrocarbons (oil and/or gas) from subsea oil/gas wells typically involves positioning several items of production equipment, e.g., Christmas trees, manifolds, pipelines, flowline skids, pipeline end terminations (PLETs), etc. on the sea floor. Flowlines or jumpers are normally coupled to these various items of equipment so as to allow the produced hydrocarbons to flow between and among such production equipment with the ultimate objective being to get the produced hydrocarbon fluids to a desired end-point, e.g., a surface vessel or structure, an on-shore storage facility or pipeline, etc. Jumpers may be used to connect the individual wellheads to a central manifold. In other cases, relatively flexible lines may be employed to connect some of the subsea equipment items to one another. The generic term "flowline" will be used throughout this application to refer to any type of line through which hydrocarbon-containing fluids can be produced from a subsea well.
One challenge facing offshore oil and gas operations involves insuring the flowlines and fluid flow paths within subsea equipment remain open so that production fluid may continue to be produced. The produced hydrocarbon fluids will typically comprise a mixture of crude oil, water, light hydrocarbon gases (such as methane), and other gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. In some instances, solid materials or debris, such as sand, small rocks, pipe scale or rust, etc., may be mixed with the production fluid as it leaves the well. The same challenge applies to other subsea flowlines and fluid flow paths used for activities related to the production of hydrocarbons. These other flowlines and flow paths could be used to, for example, service the subsea production system (service lines), for injecting water, gas or other mixture of fluids into subsea wells (injection lines) or for transporting other fluids, including control fluids (control lines).
One problem that is sometimes encountered in the production of hydrocarbon fluids from subsea wells is that a blockage may form in a subsea flowline or in a piece of subsea equipment. In some cases the blockage can completely block the flowline/equipment while in other cases the blockage may only partially block the flowline/equipment. For example, the solid materials entrained in the produced fluids may be deposited during temporary production shut-downs, and the entrained debris may settle so as to form all or part of a blockage in a flowline or item of production equipment. Another problem that may be encountered is the formation of hydrate blockages in the flowlines and production equipment.
In general, hydrates may form under appropriate high pressure and low temperature conditions. As a general rule of thumb, hydrates may form at a pressure greater than about 0.47 MPa (about 1000 psi) and a temperature of less than about 21° C. (about 70° F.), although these numbers may vary depending upon the particular application and the composition of the production fluid. Subsea oil and gas wells that are located at water depths greater than a few hundred feet or located in cold weather environments, are typically exposed to water that is at a temperature of less than about 21° C. (about 70° F.) and, in some situations, the surrounding water may only be a few degrees above freezing. Although the produced hydrocarbon fluid is relatively hot as it initially leaves the wellhead, as it flows through the subsea production equipment and flowlines, the surrounding water will cool the produced fluid. More specifically, the produced hydrocarbon fluids will cool rapidly when the flow is interrupted for any length of time, such as by a temporary production shut-down. If the production fluid is allowed to cool to below the hydrate formation temperature for the production fluid and the pressure is above the hydrate formation pressure for the production fluid, hydrates may form in the produced fluid which, in turn, may ultimately form a blockage which may block the production fluid flow paths through the production flowlines and/or production equipment. Of course, the precise conditions for the formation of hydrates, e.g., the right combination of low temperature and high pressure is a function of, among other things, the gas-to-water composition in the production fluid which may vary from well to well. When such a blockage forms in a flowline or in a piece of production equipment, either a hydrate blockage or a debris blockage or a combination of both, it must be removed so that normal production activities may be resumed.
FIGS. 1A-1B simplistically depicts one illustrative prior art system 10 and method that has been employed for removing such a blockage from subsea flowlines/equipment. The system 10 comprises a pump module 12, an isolation valve module 12, a subsea flow line 16 and a simplistically depicted blockage 17 positioned in the flow line 16. Also depicted are a downline 18 and a connecting line 20 between the pump module 12 and the isolation valve module 20. Various fluids may be supplied to the system 10 from a surface vessel or platform (not shown) via the downline 18 and, in practice; there may be multiple downlines 18 that are connected to the system 10 as well as multiple lines 20.
Fluid flow in the flow line 16 would normally flow in the direction indicated by the dashed line arrow 19 when the flow line 16 is operational. Once the blockage 17 was detected and its location identified, the system 10 was lowered to the sea floor and coupled to the flow line 16. As depicted, the blockage 17 has an upstream side 17A and a downstream side 17B. To successfully remove blockages and hydrates from pipelines and large volume pressure vessels, the most common methodology is to first inject chemicals to the affected area (in an attempt to chemically dissolve or soften the blockage 17), followed by a repeatedly creating a differential pressure across the blockage 17. Creating the differential pressure across the blockage 17 often involved creating a vacuum or low pressure on one side of the blockage and/or reversing fluid flow in the flow line 16. For example, a first operation would be performed to create a differential pressure across the blockage 17 with the higher pressure being on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17. Then, a second operation would be performed so as to create a differential pressure across the blockage 17 with the higher pressure being on the upstream side 17A of the blockage 17. Such operations were performed so as to generate alternating "push" and "pull" forces on the blockage 17 in an attempt to mechanically dislodge the blockage 17. Such "push-pull" operations were typically repeated several times to create a back-and-forth mechanical cyclic force to help dislodge the blockage 17.
The pump module 12 comprises one or more pumps (not individually shown) that is adapted to receive chemicals and/or fluids from the surface via the downline 18. As shown in FIG. 1A, the pump module 12 is adapted to be configured and controlled so as to inject those chemicals and/or fluids through the isolation valve module 14 and into the flow line 16 on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17 as indicated by the arrow 21. The isolation valve module 14 contains a safety shut-in valve to insure safe operations. As shown in FIG. 1B, the pump module 12 is also adapted to be configured and controlled so as to create a relatively low pressure or vacuum on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17 by pulling fluid from the downstream side 17B of the blockage and pumping the fluid to the surface via the downline 18.
In one particular example, the blockage removal method may involve first injecting chemicals into an area on the upstream side 17A of the blockage 17 in an attempt to chemically dissolve or soften the blockage 17. Thereafter, efforts are undertaken to reduce the pressure on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17. The area of low pressure serves at least two purposes. First, by exposing the blockage 17, in this case a hydrate blockage, to a lower pressure on its downstream side 17B that is less than the hydrate formation pressure, all or a part of the blockage 17 may essentially "melt" away (via sublimation). Second, the pressure on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17 may be reduced in an attempt to create a differential pressure across the blockage 17 (with higher pressure being present on the upstream side 17A of the blockage 17) so as to force the production fluid in the flow line 16, with portions of the removed blockage 17 entrained therein to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 23, i.e., through the pump module 12 and to the surface via the downline 18. As noted above, in performing such operations, the direction of fluid flow to and from the pump module 12 may need to be reversed several times. This is accomplished by various valves positioned in the pump module 12 that are switched from open/close to reverse flow from the isolation valve module 14 to create a vacuum or relatively low pressure on the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17.
On illustrative example of a prior art pump module 12 that may be employed in connection with removing the blockage from a flow line 16 is depicted in FIGS. 1C-1D. As shown therein, the illustrative pump module 12 is comprised of a pump 30, an inlet 40, and outlet 42, an inlet valve 34 and an outlet valve 36. The inlet valve 34 controls the flow of fluid to the suction side 30S of the pump 30 while the outlet valve 36 controls the flow of fluid from the discharge side 30D of the pump 30. Fluid flows through the pump 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow 31. As shown in FIG. 1C, in one illustrative embodiment, in attempting to remove a blockage from the flow line 16, the pump module 12 may be positioned subsea, and the flow line 16 may be initially coupled to the outlet 42 of the pump module 12 while a down line 18 from a vessel may be initially coupled to the inlet 40 of the pump module 12. Fluids, such as a chemical solution, and increased pressure may be supplied to the downstream side 17B of the blockage 17 by injecting a fluid into the flow line 16. As shown in FIG. 1D, to "reverse" the fluid flow through the flow line 16, the flow line 16 may be decoupled from the outlet 42 of the pump module 12 and coupled to the inlet 40 of the pump module 40, while the down line 18 may be disconnected from the inlet 40 of the pump module 12 and coupled to the outlet 42 of the pump module 12. By disconnecting and recoupling the lines 16, 18 to the inlet 42, outlet 44 of the pump module 12, the flow of the fluid to/from the flow line 16 may be reversed. However, the decoupling and coupling of such flow lines 16 and down lines 18 can be time consuming and expensive and may result in other problems such as damaged seal interfaces due to coupling and decoupling various lines to the pump module 12.
With reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, in smaller scale applications flow reversal to a device such as a pump 24 may be accomplished by the use of two three-way valves 20, 22. In FIG. 2A, the valves 20, 22 are in a first position wherein fluid flow enters the system via line 26 flows to the valve 20 via line 30 where it is directed to the suction side 24S of the pump 24. Fluid flow from the discharge side 24D of the pump 24 flows through the valve 22 and enters line 32 where it ultimately exits the system via line 28. In FIG. 2B, the valves 20, 22 are actuated to a second position wherein fluid flow enters the system via line 28 flows to the valve 20 via line 32 where it is directed to the suction side 24S of the pump 24. Fluid flow from the discharge side 24D of the pump 24 flows through the valve 22 and enters line 30 where it ultimately exits the system via line 26.
The present application is directed to various systems, methods and devices useful in reversing fluid flow to and from various single-flow direction devices that may eliminate or at least minimize some of the problems noted above.

Systems for reversing fluid flow to and from a single-direction fluid flow device


New polyquinoline polymers are provided, as well as new methods for preparing the polyquinoline polymers using a novel combination of monomers. The polyquinoline polymers comprise repeat units comprising at least one quinoline nucleus and at least one ether linkage and having as end groups either fluoro groups or hydroxy groups or a combination of fluoro and hydroxy groups. The polymers are formed by providing a monomer comprising two fluoro groups, where each such fluoro group is activated by a quinoline nucleus, a diol monomer provided in the form of its bis-oxide salt, or in the presence of a base capable of deprotonating the diol and reacting the difluoro and diol monomers together in a dipolar solvent to form the polyquinoline polymer. In an alternative embodiment, the polyquinoline polymers of the present invention are formed by reacting a fluoro hydroxy monomer comprising a quinoline nucleus containing one activated fluoro group and one hydroxy group in the presence of a base and a dipolar solvent to form said polymer. In yet another alternative embodiment, the polyquinoline polymer is formed by providing a monomer which comprises a quinoline nucleus containing one activated fluoro group and one hydroxy group and treating the monomer with a base to form an oxide salt and reacting the monomer salt in a dipolar solvent to form said polymer.

Polyquinoline polymers are useful in a broad range of electronics and microelectronics applications, including planarizing dielectric layers in integrated circuit manufacture, passivation layers, as protective coatings and potting compounds, as adhesives, as resins for printed wiring board fabrication, as dielectric materials, as coating applications for liquid crystal displays, flat panel television, solar windows, and the like, as fibers, and as high-strength stable films.
Methods of preparing polyquinolines by the Friedlander condensation reaction are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,187 which issued to J. Stills on Dec. 28, 1976. By means of the Friedlander reaction, polyquinoline polymers are prepared from the reaction of what is called a type AA compound, i.e., an aromatic amino carbonyl which contains two sets of ortho-amino carbonyl functions attached to an aromatic nucleus, with what is called a type BB compound, i.e., a bis-methylene ketone compound. Polyquinoline polymers may also be prepared from type AB compounds, i.e., compounds which incorporate both an ortho-amino carbonyl function and a methylene ketone function on an aromatic nucleus.
In conducting the Friedlander reaction, the AA and BB or AB type compounds are typically reacted in the presence of a phosphate catalyst in m-cresol solvent. Such phosphate/cresol catalyst systems are expensive and cresol is difficult to work with.
It is desired to provide a process for forming polyquinolines which is economical and which does not require cresol as a solvent.


Provided are a novel quinoline derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a hydrate, or a metabolite formed by metabolism in any form thereof, and use thereof in preparing a medicine for preventing and/or treating indications associated with angiogenesis. The quinoline derivative is an ideal and high-efficiency VEGFR inhibitor, and is able to be used to treat or prevent tumour growth and other metastasis growth diseases associated with angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is the growth of new capillary blood vessels in existing capillaries and postcapillary venule, which is a complex process involving multiple molecules of various cells.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a vascular endothelial cell-specific heparin-binding growth factor that induces angiogenesis in vivo. The expression of VEGF is closely related to the density of microvessels in the tissue and the number of new blood vessels. The VEGF receptor (VEGFR) family includes VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR3.
Angiogenesis plays an important role in the development and metastasis of tumors, and inhibition of this process can significantly prevent the development, spread and metastasis of tumor tissue. Inhibition of VEGFR can treat tumor growth, as well as other angiogenesis-related metastatic growth diseases such as psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, restenosis such as stent-induced restenosis, endometriosis, Crohn's disease, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, arthritis, hemangioma, angiofibroma, eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and neovascular glaucoma, nephropathy such as glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome, transplant rejection and glomerulopathy, fibrotic diseases such as cirrhosis, glomerular mesangial cell proliferative diseases, arteriosclerosis, nerve tissue damage, senile keratosis, and the like.


Provided are dental cleaning compositions, methods of using and methods of using such compositions which minimize gum damage in the oral cavity. In one form, the dental cleaning composition includes a substantially stoichiometric ratio of one or more oxidizing agents to one or more reducing agents in one or more one or more orally acceptable carriers; where the substantially stoichiometric ratio of one or more oxidizing agents to one or more reducing agents is sufficient to neutralize the oxidizing agent in a subject oral cavity; and where the one or more oxidizing agents and one or more reducing agents are either co-dispensed or sequentially dispensed in the subject oral cavity.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to the field of dental cleaning. It more particularly relates to novel dental cleaning compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of applying the compositions that do not damage the gums of the oral cavity. In particular, these benefits are achieved by applying compositions comprising a combination of an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent in one or more orally acceptable carriers which are either co-dispensed or sequentially dispensed.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
The formation of dental plaque and calculus is the primary source of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. Dental plaque is a mixed matrix of bacteria, epithelial cells, leukocytes, macrophages and other oral exudate. Bacteria comprise approximately three-quarters of the plaque matrix. Any given sample of dental plaque could contain as many as 400 different varieties of microorganisms. This mix includes both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Viruses have also been found in samples of dental plaque.
This matrix of organisms and oral exudate continues expanding and coalesces with other plaque growths situated nearby. The bacteria synthesize levans and glucans from sucrose found in the oral cavity providing energy for the microorganisms. These glucans, levans, and microorganisms form an adhesive skeleton for the continued proliferation of plaque.
Dental calculus, or tartar, is a deposit which forms on the surfaces of the teeth at the gingival margin. Supragingival calculus appears principally in the areas near the orifices of the salivary ducts; e.g., on the lingual surfaces of the lower anterior teeth and on the buccal surfaces of the upper first and second molars, and on the distal surfaces of the posterior molars. Mature calculus consists of an inorganic portion which is largely calcium phosphate arranged in a hydroxyapatite crystal lattice structure similar to bone, enamel and dentine. An organic portion is also present and consists of desquamated epithelial cells, leukocytes, salivary sediment, food debris and various types of unless stained or discolored by some extraneous agent. In addition to being unsightly and undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint, the mature calculus deposits are constant sources of irritation of the gingiva.
The failure to retard or stop the proliferation of plaque and calculus is detrimental to oral health. Plaque and calculus formation may lead to dental caries, gingival inflammation, periodontal disease, and ultimately tooth loss. Acidified dental preparations (pH lower than 7) have been shown to be good plaque and calculus dissolving agents. However, the potential damage of using regular organic or strong organic acids has kept them from being used in commercial products. Additionally, calculus and plaque along with behavioral and environmental factors lead to formation of dental stains, significantly affecting the aesthetic appearance of teeth. Behavioral and environmental factors that contribute to teeth staining propensity include regular use of coffee, tea, cola or tobacco products, and also the use of stain promoting oral products, such as chlorhexidine.
Conventional dental cleaning compositions typically contain a peroxide-bleaching agent in combination with a stabilizer and other additives. The stabilizer functions to inhibit the breakdown of the peroxide bleaching agent by slowing down the dissociation of the peroxide thereby prolonging its potency over a longer period of storage prior to use. The problem with conventional dental cleaning compositions is that they cause damage the cells of the gums of the oral cavity by reactive oxygen species. An important example of such damage is lipid peroxidation which involves the oxidative degradation of unsaturated lipids. Lipid peroxidation is highly detrimental to membrane structure and function and can cause numerous cytopathological effects. Cells defend against lipid peroxidation by producing radical scavengers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Injured cells have a decreased ability to produce radical scavengers. Excess hydrogen peroxide can react with DNA to cause backbone breakage, produce mutations, and alter and liberate bases. Hydrogen peroxide can also react with pyrimidines to open the 5,6-double bond. This reaction inhibits the ability of pyrimidines to hydrogen bond to complementary bases, Hallaender et al. (1971). Such oxidative biochemical injury can result in the loss of cellular membrane integrity, reduced enzyme activity, changes in transport kinetics, changes in membrane lipid content, and leakage of potassium ions, amino acids, and other cellular material. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen intermediates has been suggested to cause many tissue disorders, such as cytotoxicity, skin inflammation, gum shrinkage, etc.
A need exists for improved dental cleaning compositions that are not only effective in whitening the teeth, but also do not cause damage to the gums, and help remove calculus and tartar without damaging the enamel.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An integrated circuit includes at least one first magnetic field sensing element including at least one first magnetoresistance element configured to provide an output signal of the integrated circuit in response to a detected magnetic field. The integrated circuit also includes at least one second magnetic field sensing element including at least one second magnetoresistance element configured to have a characteristic indicative of a stress condition. A method for detecting a stress condition in an integrated circuit is also provided.

As is known, integrated circuits (circuits in which all components, passive and active, are integrated on one or more substrates) are used in a variety of applications. One example application is in sensing applications in which a circuit including one or more sensing elements (e.g., pressure sensing elements, temperature sensing elements, light sensing elements, acoustic sensing elements, and magnetic field sensing elements) is used to detect one or more parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, light, sound, magnetic field). Magnetic field sensors, for example, are circuits including one or more magnetic field sensing elements, generally in combination with other circuit components (e.g., analog, digital and/or mixed signal components), and are used to detect a magnetic field.
In motion (e.g., rotation) detectors, for example, a magnetic field sensor may be used to detect motion of an object, such as a ferromagnetic object, for example, a gear or ring magnet. A magnetic field associated with the object is typically detected by one or more magnetic field sensing elements, such as Hall effect elements and or magnetoresistance elements, which provide a signal (i.e., a magnetic field signal) proportional to a detected magnetic field. One example motion detector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,624,588 entitled "Apparatus and Method for Providing an Output Signal Indicative of a Speed of Rotation and a Direction of Rotation as a Ferromagnetic Object," which is assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Magnetic field sensing elements and other circuitry typically have associated operational ratings and limits, or ranges of operation, such as those pertaining to temperature and magnetic field exposure. Exposure to certain conditions beyond a component's specified rating (i.e., stress conditions) during shipping, storage, and/or use may, for example, adversely affect operation of the magnetic field sensing elements and or circuitry and, thus, the reliability of a resulting device (e.g., motion detector) in which the magnetic field sensing elements and/or circuitry are provided. Whether exposure to conditions outside of a device's specified operating range damages the device depends on several factors such as the duration and/or extent of the exposure.
In high precision applications such as automobiles, accuracy in magnetic field sensing, such as may be used to detect motion of a target object, can be critical. Engine ignition timing, for example, depends on consistent detection accuracy. As one example, when magnetic field sensing elements and/or other circuitry of a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit (IC) in an engine ignition timing system are damaged due to overstress conditions, detection accuracy by the magnetic field sensor IC, and the resulting accuracy or performance of the engine ignition timing system, can be negatively impacted. Furthermore, in safety critical applications such as automobiles, compliance with standards such as Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) standards, generally requires safety mechanisms to ensure accurate and reliable circuit operation.

Integrated circuit and method for detecting a stress condition in the integrated circuit


A foul gas containing H.sub.2 S is brought into the presence of SO.sub.2 in a first stage to permit the reaction between SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S to form water and elemental sulfur. The SO.sub.2 is solubilized in an absorbent composition which includes a solvent for both SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S so that the H.sub.2 S in the foul gas is first solubilized in the absorbent composition where it is then brought into contact with the solubilized SO.sub.2 for reaction between a major portion of the H.sub.2 S and the solubilized SO.sub.2 to form elemental sulfur. The gas is then passed to a second stage where any remaining H.sub.2 S is removed by aqueous catalytic reaction of the type conventional in the prior art. The apparatus utilized to carry out the present invention preferably includes a two stage column in which the first stage provides the absorbent material containing solubilized SO.sub.2 for reaction with the H.sub.2 S of the foul gas. During the SO.sub.2 extraction stage the major portion of the H.sub.2 S is removed from the foul gas. The gas is then conveyed from the first stage to a second stage which comprises a conventional aqueous catalytic scrubbing operation where the remainder of the H.sub.2 S is removed. The absorbent composition utilized in the process comprises solvents that dissolve SO.sub.2 and/or H.sub.2 S which can be heated to a temperature above the melting point of sulfur without detrimentally affecting the solvent so that it may be recycled through the system.

Gases which contain sulfurous products such as sulfur oxide and hydrogen sulfide, flue gas or foul gas, pose a major environmental problem in that the sulfur containing compounds can form acid rain under proper atmospheric conditions and therefore must be removed from the gases before they can be discharged into the atmosphere. Such gases are produced by the combustion of various fuels and as waste gases from petroleum cracking processes and the like. Substantial research has been conducted in the so-called wet sulfurization technology which is attempting to develop processes suitable for the treatment of large volumes of foul gases and gases which contain high concentrations of sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide. Thus sulfur oxides are removed from flue gases and the like by contacting the sulfur oxide containing gas with a water solution of sodium sulfite to produce acid sodium sulfite. The acid sodium sulfite is then treated with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide to generate calcium sulfite crystals which are subsequently oxidized to gypsum. A similar method involves a slurry of calcium hydroxide which is then contacted with the flue gas to produce calcium sulfite which is subsequently oxidized to gypsum. In yet another method flue gas is contacted with an aqueous slurry of magnesium oxide to form magnesium sulfite which may then be thermally decomposed to regenerate SO.sub.2 and MgO.
Gases containing hydrogen sulfide may be subjected to the well known amine absorption or Klaus process. Another process for the treatment for gases containing H.sub.2 S is the Hiperion process, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,459,495, 3,937,795 and 4,255,400, is a single step liquid redox hydrogen sulfide removal process that uses a naphthoquinone chelate catalyst. Another process for the treatment of gas to remove SO.sub.2 is referred to as the Takahax process and is defined in U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,495. Hydrogen sulfide may also be extracted from a gas stream by absorption in an aqueous solution of a catalytic reagent containing vanadium compound or an iron chelate.
The sulfur oxide removal processes, although effective for the removal of sulfur oxides from a gas, present substantial reaction product disposal problems as well as exhibiting low efficiency which require the use of high quantities of reactants. The processes for H.sub.2 S removal also involve the use of substantial quantities of the catalyst for converting H.sub.2 S to elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur recovered from aqueous catalytic processes contains a sufficient amount of catalyst material to reduce the commercial value of the sulfur thus produced.
The elemental sulfur produced in the foregoing processes for stripping H.sub.2 S can be recovered and purified by heating to a temperature above the melting point of the sulfur but below the boiling point of the catalyst or stripping solvent, or by maintaining a stripping solvent at a relatively high temperature and subsequently cooling the stripping solvent to cause the precipitation of the sulfur therefrom.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,370 there is described an environmentally benign system for recovering elemental sulfur from an aqueous cake by contacting the cake with an organic solvent at an elevated temperature and permitting the mixture to separate into an organic phase in which the sulfur is solubilized while leaving the catalyst residue in the aqueous phase. A number of electrophilic solvents are disclosed as being suitable for solubilizing substantial quantities of sulfur including such water immiscible solvents as xylene, ethyl benzene, tetra hydronaphthalene, petroleum naphtha, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and the like. Other electrophilic compounds include amines, alcohols, glycols, aromatic hydrocarbons which may be used alone or in combination with a base solvent which is water immiscible.
As mentioned above, however, the processes for stripping H.sub.2 S require substantial quantities of catalyst which imposes an economic burden of substantial magnitude on the process. The table illustrates the catalyst consumption in tons per month for typical high volume H.sub.2 S stripping processes over various types of foul gas.
TABLE A ______________________________________ CATALYST USE GAS as napthaquinone VOL- H.sub.2 S t/month TYPE OF UME CON- Takahax Hiperion FOUL GAS Nm.sup.3 /hr TENT Process Process ______________________________________ Coke Oven Gas 100,000 10 g/m.sup.2 5.36 3.22 Petroleum Cracked 100,000 13% 105.85 63.50 Gas Petroleum Hydroge- 100,000 99% 80.61 48.36 nation Gas Methanol Fermenta- 150,000 3% 36.39 21.98 tion Gas ______________________________________
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a process for the desulfurization of sulfur containing gases which can handle large volumes of gas utilizing a minimum of catalyst material thereby to reduce the economic burden of desulfurizing gases.


A clamp for a cylindrical includes a base portion and a clamping portion which define together a common through opening for passage of a cylindrical element. Fasteners are provided to brace the base portion and the clamping portion to thereby hold the cylindrical element in a clamping zone. The base portion and the clamping portion are each provided with an attachment surface, wherein the attachment surface of the clamping portion includes a cutout formed with internal teeth for optional positive engagement of external circumferential teeth of a protrusion of a base portion of a further such base portion or external circumferential teeth of a protrusion of a connection piece, such that the internal and external teeth are constrained against rotation. Thus, a series of clamps can be stacked on top of one another.

This application claims the priority of German Patent Application Serial No. 101 35 033.3, filed Jul. 18, 2001, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a clamp for a cylindrical element, such as an electric cable, tube or hose. The present invention also relates to an assembly kit for making a series of interconnected clamps.
German patent document DE 195 09 997 A1, published Sep. 26, 1996, describes a clamp for a cable, having a base portion and a clamping portion, each including two peripheral flanges. Both, base portion and clamping portion, are arranged in spaced-apart confronting relationship to provide a common through opening for holding the cable. The peripheral flanges are formed with bores for bolting the base portion and the clamping portion together by respective screws inserted through the bores. In this way, the base portion and the clamping portion are mutually braced via the cable. The base portion is provided with a fastening element for attachment of the clamp.
German utility model DE 296 15 463 U1, published Apr. 30, 1997, describes a hose clamp, which can be adjusted in different directions and includes a retention member swingably received in the clamp and intended for passage of a hose.
Conventional clamps suffer shortcomings in conjunction with attaining a simple and stable connection to an attachment surface, especially planar attachment surface.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved clamp which obviates prior art shortcomings and which can be mounted to an attachment surface of an attachment member in a stable and secure manner.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a clamp for a cylindrical element, in particular an electric cable, tube or hose, includes a base portion having an inner side in the form of a trough-like concave first indentation and an outer side provided with a first attachment surface, a clamping portion having an inner side in the form of a trough-like concave second indentation in spaced apart confronting relationship to the first indentation to thereby define a common through opening for passage of a cylindrical element, and an outer side provided with a second attachment surface, wherein the first and second attachment surfaces are configured for force-fitting engagement with a complementary attachment surface, wherein the second attachment surface includes cutout formed with internal teeth for optional positive engagement of external circumferential teeth of a protrusion of a base portion of a further such base portion or external circumferential teeth of a protrusion of a connection piece, such that the internal and external teeth are constrained against rotation; and fasteners for interconnecting the base portion to the clamping portion via the cylindrical element to thereby hold the cylindrical element in a clamping zone.
As the internal and external teeth are constrained against rotation, an assembly in form of a stack of superimposed clamps can be realized in a simple and effective manner whereby a clamping portion of one clamp can be directly connected to a base portion of another superimposed clamp.
Suitably, the complementary attachment surface is formed on an outer side of the connection piece and the protrusion is formed on an inner side of the connection piece.
According to another feature of the present invention, the first and second indentations define a longitudinal axis and are arranged in symmetric relationship with respect to a center plane in which the longitudinal axis extends.
In order to realize a placement of two cylindrical elements of different diameters, the first and second indentations may each be comprised of two part-cylindrical concave inner surfaces. Cylindrical elements of any diameter can be received when the first and second indentations are each comprised of two halves having curved inner surfaces defined by a radius of curvature which decreases from inside to the outside.
According to another feature of the present invention, the first indentation defines a longitudinal axis and together with the longitudinal axis may be curved convexly to the outside. In this way, a better guidance of the cylindrical element is attained.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the first and second attachment surfaces and the complementary attachment surface of the connection piece are planar.

Clamp for a cylindrical element such as an electric cable, tube or hose, and assembly kit for making a series of interconnected clamps


An aqueous composition for rendering masonry and wood surfaces water repellent is provided, comprising an aqueous mixture containing an alkali metal aminoorgano-functional siliconate and at least one alkali metal organosiliconate.

This invention relates to water repellent compositions. More particularly, this invention relates to water repellent compositions containing aqueous solutions of alkali metal organosiliconates for use on construction materials.
The use of aqueous solutions of alkali metal methyl siliconates, alkali metal ethyl siliconates, alkali metal propyl siliconates, or alkali metal phenyl siliconates in water repellent compositions for construction materials is known in the art. Reference is made, for example, to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,955,985 and 3,956,570, both to Bosch et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,985 (sometimes referred to hereinafter as Bosch '985) discloses water repellent compositions for use on building materials, the compositions containing an aqueous solution of alkali metal alkyl and/or phenyl siliconates, an organic aqueous soluble complexing or chelating agent, and an aqueous miscible monovalent alcohol and/or ketone. Examples of the complexing or chelating agents are alkali metal salts of aminopolycarboxylic acids and polyamines such as B,B'-diaminodiethylamine and B,B',B"-triaminotriethylamine. According to Bosch '985, the compositions taught therein will impart water repellency to masonry surfaces containing free lime without having to pretreat the surface prior to application of the water repellent composition. Furthermore, according to Bosch '985, it has been impossible to form stable aqueous solutions of ethyl, propyl, or phenyl siliconates. However, the invention therein was based on the discovery that stable aqueous solutions of such siliconates could be obtained by adding to the siliconates a complexing or chelating agent and an aqueous miscible monovalent alcohol and/or ketone.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,570 (sometimes referred to hereinafter as Bosch '570) discloses a method for imparting water repellency to construction materials which comprises treating the construction materials with a solution containing alkali metal organosiliconates of which at least 10 percent of the alkali metal organosiliconates are alkali metal propylsiliconates. Other organo groups which may be present in the alkali metal organo-siliconates are monovalent organic groups, preferably monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals. The compositions disclosed in Bosch '570 are said to impart water repellency to masonry surfaces containing free lime and having a pH value of at least 8 without having to pretreat the surface prior to application of the water repellent composition. According to Bosch '570, it had been through that there were no differences in the effectiveness of the various hydrocarbon radicals in the alkali metal organosiliconates in regard to imparting water repellency to construction materials. However, according to the patent, it was surprisingly found that alkali metal propylsiliconates imparted substantially better water repellent properties to construction materials having a pH value of at least 8 than alkali metal methyl-, ethyl-, or vinylsiliconates.
Although stable aqueous water repellent compositions containing water-soluble siliconates are known in the art, it is continually desirable to provide alternative aqueous siliconate-containing water repellent compositions, particularly, alternative water repellent compositions which are generally stable and more aesthetically pleasing to consumers, who tend to prefer yellow translucent water repellent compositions over milky-white water repellent compositions.
It is also continually desirable to provide alternative aqueous siliconate-containing water repellent compositions which will impart water repellency to masonry surfaces containing free lime without having to pretreat the surface prior to application of the water repellent composition.
It is further desirable to provide aqueous siliconate-containing water repellent compositions which will impart water repellency to wood surfaces as well as to masonry surfaces.
The present invention is based on the discovery that translucent aqueous siliconate-containing water repellent compositions having the above characteristics can be obtained from mixtures of aminoorgano-functional alkali metal siliconates and certain alkali metal organosiliconates.


An impact modifier obtained by emulsion polymerizing acrylic monomer(s), etc., in the presence of a conjugated diene rubber to give a graft rubber polymer, or obtained by polymerizing acrylic monomer(s) and the like ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the graft rubber polymer, is effective for improving impact resistance and weathering resistance of molded articles obtained from thermoplastic resin compositions containing such an impact modifier.

This invention relates to an impact modifier for thermoplastic resins, a thermoplastic resin composition using the same, and an molded article obtained therefrom.
Heretofore, in order to improve impact resistance of thermoplastic resin compositions, there have been compounded conjugated diene rubber graft copolymers (e.g. MBS resin, ABS resin).
For example, vinyl chloride type resins are widely used for their advantages in flame retardancy, chemical resistance, etc. But the vinyl chloride type resins have a defect in that the resins by themselves are poor in impact resistance. Thus, the vinyl chloride type resins are compounded with impact modifiers. But even if a methyl methacrylate resin, MBS resin or ABS resin is simply mixed with a commercially available vinyl chloride type resin, the resulting molded article is not sufficient in impact resistance due to poor dispersibility of individual components.
In order to overcome this defect, it is proposed to use a graft copolymer of conjugated diene rubber with a methyl methacrylate copolymer obtained by suspension polymerization and having a suitable reduced viscosity (e.g. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 60-161450 and 61-14246). But since such a conjugated diene rubber component has many double bonds which are chemically unstable in the main chain, the graft copolymer is readily deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, which results in making the outdoor practical use impossible due to poor weathering resistance such as lowering in strength, causing discoloration, and the like.
In order to improve the weathering resistance, it is proposed to use a methyl methacrylate series polymer and a graft copolymer obtained by grafting an acrylic acid alkyl ester, a methacrylic acid alkyl ester, an aromatic vinyl compound, a vinyl cyanide compound, and the like in the presence of an acrylic rubber containing almost no double bonds in the main chain (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 59-98153). But according to this proposal, the weathering resistance can be improved to some extent, but there arises a problem of lowering impact resistance.
The methyl methacrylate series polymer used in the above proposal is excellent in weathering resistance but is poor in flame retardancy, impact resistance, chemical resistance and solvent resistance. Thus, when the methyl methacrylate series polymer is mixed with a vinyl chloride series resin, inherent properties of the vinyl chloride series resin are damaged.
As mentioned above, it was impossible to provide thermoplastic resin compositions well balanced in properties such as impact resistance, weathering resistance, etc.

Impact modifier, thermoplastic resin composition using the same and molded article obtained therefrom


A ratchet tool is designed for one-handed manipulation by embodying push-pull biasing of the handle for selecting the direction of rotational drive and twisting or arcuate swinging actuation of the handle for rotationally driving the tool head.

A ratchet tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,617 which embodies dual operating modes of swinging and of twisting the tool handle to drive a tool head, but the tool like other prior art tools requires the use of two hands to change the direction of rotational drive if the tool is not removed from the workpiece. In some situations it may be necessary for the user of a ratchet tool to maintain a grasp on the tool with one hand and on a workpiece with the other hand, making it awkward or impossible for him to conveniently reverse the direction of tool drive rotation.