A bleacher system has a support structure that includes multiple cross members at spaced intervals, but includes no longitudinal rails. The support structure further includes an axle carrier sub-frame mounted between two of the cross members. One or more tiers are mounted on the support structure. Each tier includes multiple girders at spaced intervals, each girder supporting a plurality of seat supports and a plurality of foot board supports, with seat planks or seats then secured to the seat supports and foot planks secured to the foot board supports in each tier. The bleacher system may be provided with front and/or rear jacks for use when the bleacher system is in a deployed position. The bleacher system may also include a hitch tube to facilitate attachment to a vehicle when the bleacher system is in a transport position.

Bleachers (or grandstands) provide seating for an audience for various sporting events, theatrical performances, and other similar events. Permanent bleachers are installed in gymnasiums or other locations where such events are frequent. However, for events that occur on a less frequent basis, temporary bleacher systems may be used. Such temporary bleacher systems are often mounted on some form of mobile framework for ready transport to the location of the event. Once at the appropriate location, the bleacher system can be transitioned from the transport position to a deployed position. Thus, such mobile bleacher systems provide short-term and special event seating without the time and labor required to set up conventional bleachers.
In prior art mobile bleacher systems, hydraulic actuators (or similar mechanical or electromechanical actuators) are often used to transition the bleacher system from the transport position to the deployed position, and vice versa. However, such hydraulic actuators are usually extended during transport and storage, and then retracted to transition the bleacher system to the deployed position. Because the hydraulic actuators are extended, the rods are susceptible to corrosion during transport from exposure to road salt and also susceptible to corrosion from environmental conditions during long periods of storage. Thus, expensive and maintenance-prone rod covers have often been used to address and minimize this problem.
Furthermore, in prior art mobile bleacher systems, complex actuating systems and multiple-step procedures are often required to transition the bleacher system from a transport position to a deployed position, and vice versa.
Furthermore, in prior art mobile bleacher systems, the number of rows in the bleacher system or leg room (pitch) from one seat row to the next is often sacrificed in order to make the bleacher system sufficiently compact for transport.
To address some of these deficiencies of prior art mobile bleacher systems, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,296,999, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a bleacher system (or grandstand) that is comprised of multiple tiers which are mounted on a support structure. The tiers are pivotally mounted to the support structure so that the bleacher system can be readily transitioned from a transport position to a deployed position. In this regard, such transition of the bleacher system from the transport position to the deployed position is achieved through the use of one or more hydraulic actuators (or similar mechanical or electromechanical actuators) that are retracted during transport and storage, and then extended to transition the bleacher system to the deployed position. Thus, the rods are protected from exposure to road salt and environmental conditions during transport and storage. Furthermore, as a result of the configuration of the tiers and their connection to the underlying support structure and each other, deployment requires only a single actuating action. At the same time, there is no sacrifice in the number of rows in the bleacher system or leg room (pitch) from one seat row to the next.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,296,999, in one embodiment, an exemplary bleacher system includes three tiers that are mounted to an underlying support structure, which includes two parallel I-beams (or longitudinal rails) that are spaced from one another and extend the length of the bleacher system, effectively creating a complete trailer frame. Multiple cross members extend between and connect the longitudinal rails along the length of the bleacher system. Wheels and an associated suspension system are mounted to the longitudinal rails to facilitate transport of the bleacher system.
Each tier is then generally constructed of multiple girders at spaced intervals that are operably connected to the underlying support structure. Each girder in each tier supports multiple seat supports and foot board supports, with respective seat planks and foot planks then being secured to the respective seat supports and foot board supports and extending along the length of the bleacher system over such seat supports and foot board supports.
Each girder of the upper tier is connected to a rear strut by a pin connection defining a pivot point. The pivot points defined by the respective pin connections are aligned and effectively define an axis of rotation along the length of the bleacher system. Each rear strut is also connected to the underlying support structure by a pin connection defining another pivot point.
The upper tier is connected to the middle tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point. Again, there are actually multiple such pin connections and associated pivot points that are aligned along the length of the bleacher system that effectively define an axis of rotation along the length of the bleacher system. Furthermore, each girder of the middle tier includes a generally triangular-shaped strut. The pivot point is at a rear corner of this strut, and a lower corner of this strut is mounted to the underlying support structure for rotation about a main pivot point, such that the middle tier can effectively rotate about the main pivot point.
The lower tier is connected to the middle tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point. Again, there are actually multiple such pin connections and associated pivot points that are aligned along the length of the bleacher system that effectively define an axis of rotation along the length of the bleacher system.
With respect to the transition of the bleacher system from the transport position to the deployed position, and vice versa, there is a deployment link support structure that is secured to or integral with the underlying support structure for each hydraulic actuator. Each hydraulic actuator is connected to a respective deployment link support structure at a first end by a pin connection defining a pivot point. The rod of the hydraulic actuator is then connected to the middle tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point.
Furthermore, for each hydraulic actuator, a deployment link is connected to the deployment link support structure by a pin connection defining a pivot point. Each such deployment link extends toward the lower tier with its distal end being connected to a second, shorter deployment link by a pin connection defining a pivot point. The opposite end of this second, shorter deployment link is then connected to the girder of the lower tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point.
In operation, when transitioning from the deployed position to the transport position, each hydraulic actuator is activated in unison, and the respective rods of the hydraulic actuators begin to retract. As the rods retract, the middle tier begins rotating backward about the main pivot point. As a result, the respective pivot points at the pin connections between the middle tier and the lower tier are moved upward, and thus, the lower tier begins rotating toward the middle tier. At the opposite end of the middle tier, the respective pivot points at the pin connections between the middle tier and the upper tier are moved downward. The upper tier thus begins rotating forward. Such simultaneous rotation of the three tiers continues as the rods of the hydraulic actuators retract. Furthermore, once tension is released in the connection between the deployment link and the second, shorter deployment link, these two components begin to rotate and "fold" relative to one another. Rotation of the three tiers ceases when the rods of the hydraulic actuators are fully retracted, at which time the rear struts are each in an upright orientation substantially perpendicular to the underlying support structure, and the bleacher system is in the transport position.
To transition the bleacher system from the transport position back to the deployed position, the respective rods of the hydraulic actuators are extended. The rods effectively push against the middle tier, causing the middle tier to rotate forward about the main pivot point. As a result, the respective pivot points at the pin connections between the middle tier and the lower tier are moved downward, and at the same time, the lower tier begins rotating away from the middle tier. As the lower tier rotates away from the middle tier, the deployment link and the second, shorter deployment link rotate into an aligned position, pushing the lower tier into the deployed position. At the opposite end of the middle tier, the respective pivot points at the pin connections between the middle tier and the upper tier are moved upward. The upper tier thus begins rotating backward. Rotation of the three tiers continues until the rods of the hydraulic actuators are fully extended, and the bleacher system is in the deployed position.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,296,999, in another embodiment, an exemplary bleacher system includes two tiers that are mounted to an underlying support structure, which again includes two parallel I-beams (or longitudinal rails) that are spaced from one another and extend the length of the bleacher system, effectively creating a complete trailer frame. Multiple cross members extend between and connect the longitudinal rails along the length of the bleacher system. Wheels and an associated suspension system are mounted to the longitudinal rails to facilitate transport of the bleacher system.
Each tier is again constructed of multiple girders at spaced intervals that are operably connected to the underlying support structure. Each girder in each tier supports multiple seat supports and foot board supports, with respective seat planks and foot planks then being secured to the respective seat supports and foot board supports and extending along the length of the bleacher system over such seat supports and foot board supports.
Each girder of the upper tier is connected to a rear strut by a pin connection defining a pivot point. The pivot points defined by the respective pin connections are aligned and effectively define an axis of rotation along the length of the bleacher system. Each rear strut is also connected to the underlying support structure by a pin connection defining another pivot point.
The upper tier is connected to the lower tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point. Again, there are actually multiple such pin connections and associated pivot points that are aligned along the length of the bleacher system that effectively define an axis of rotation along the length of the bleacher system. Specifically, each girder of lower tier includes a vertical extension. The pin connection defining the pivot point between the upper tier and the lower tier at each girder is at a first end of this vertical extension, while the opposite end of the vertical extension is connected by a pin connection defining a pivot point to the underlying support structure.
With respect to the transition of the bleacher system from the transport position to the deployed position, and vice versa, a hydraulic actuator is connected to a plate (which is secured to and extends from the support structure) at a first end by a pin connection defining a pivot point. The rod of the hydraulic actuator is then connected to the lower tier by a pin connection defining a pivot point.
In operation, when transitioning from the deployed position to the transport position, when each hydraulic actuator is activated, the respective rods of the hydraulic actuators begin to retract. As the rods begin to retract, the lower tier begins rotating backward. As a result, the respective pivot points at the pin connections between the upper tier and the lower tier are moved downward, and thus, the upper tier begins rotating toward the lower tier. At the same time, the rear struts also begin rotating backward. Such simultaneous rotation of the upper tier and the lower tier continues as the rods of the hydraulic actuators retract. Rotation of the upper tier and the lower tier ceases when the rods of the hydraulic actuators are fully retracted, and the bleacher system is in the transport position.
However, it remains desirable to further simplify the operation of a mobile bleacher system and to incorporate refinements that facilitate the transport and deployment of a mobile bleacher system. Furthermore, some such refinements have applicability to other forms of bleacher systems, including those bleacher systems in which one or more tiers are fixed to the underlying support structure.


To reduce the electro-magnetic interference (EMI) of a digital computer, the EMI contact of this invention is snapped into place in the chassis of the computer and the cover for the computer is then placed over the chassis with the contact surfaces of the EMI contact firmly engaging the cover to provide grounding between the cover and the chassis, thereby reducing EMI.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a compliant grounding contact between the cover and the chassis of a digital computer. More particularly, it relates to a compliant grounding contact that may be easily snapped into position and which does not interfere with the installation of the cover.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, grounding contacts have been mounted around an edge (of a chassis) leaving a free edge which could be caught by the cover when the cover is installed.
Other grounding contacts have been attached by a fastening device (spot weld, adhesive, rivet, screw, etc.). Often the grounding contact is made between a cover and a chassis by drilling holes in the cover and chassis and fastening with screws.
Still other solutions have been to use springs for providing the ground contact, such springs being welded to the chassis. Welding is costly and often can anneal the spring material making plastic deformation of the spring during normal use a problem.
This invention eliminates the problems noted above.

Snap-in EMI contact associated with a digital computer


Generating an audio signal with a configurable distance cue includes the following: receiving an input audio signal that has at least one signal characteristic that contributes to a listener's auditory distance perception; receiving a distance control signal; and changing at least one characteristic in accordance with a distance control signal that is representative of the perceived distance.

The perception of distance is distinct from intelligibility. Sounds perceived as further away can be perfectly intelligible, but can be easily ignored. This circumstance is particularly important for all kinds of alarm tones and announcement signals that vitally require adequate attention. This is particularly true for announcement signals such as parking sensors and navigation signals in vehicles. Parking sensors are proximity sensors for road vehicles designed to alert the driver to obstacles while parking. These systems, which use either electromagnetic or ultrasonic sensors, are variously marketed by vehicle manufacturers under proprietary brand names such as Park Distance Control (PDC), Park Assist or Parktronic. In some applications, it is desirable to change the perceived distance of alarm signals.


Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of defects and disease involving the functional attachment of connective tissue, such as tendon or ligament, to bone. Preferred methods comprise administering a composition containing a bone morphogenetic protein and a suitable carrier. The method results in the regeneration of functional attachment between the connective tissue and bone, such that minimal fibrous or granulation tissue is formed at the interface between the regenerated bone and connective tissue. The method and composition are useful for augmenting tissue grafts in reconstructive surgery. The method and compositions result in closer apposition of bone to the connective tissue at earlier time points and increased strength of fixation at earlier time points.

Background of the incidence and etiology of need:
Although several of reconstructive surgical procedures rely on the firm healing or attachment of connective tissue, particularly tendon or ligament, to bone, little is known about the healing process at the tendon-to-bone interface. Since the site of graft fixation to bone represents the weakest area in the early post-transplant period, methods to improve early graft fixation strength have significant clinical application. This is of particular importance in operations on the knee, shoulder, hip, hand, ankle and elbow.
The development of tendon or ligament insertion into bone is poorly understood. The insertion site is mediated by collagen fibers, known as "Sharpey's fibers," which are continuous from tendon into bone. Sharpey's fibers are thought to form in the developing skeleton by progressive mineralization of ligament or periosteal collagen fibers by advancing bone during growth. Studies have indicated that bone heals to tendon by bone ingrowth into the fibrovascular interface tissue which initially forms between the tendon and bone. There is progressive mineralization of the interface tissue with subsequent bone ingrowth into the outer tendon. Despite the evidence that bone grows into collagenous tissue, the mechanism of such bone ingrowth, and the effectiveness and strength of the attachment, remains uncertain. A previous study of tendon-to-bone healing demonstrated the formation of a fibrous tissue interface between the tendon and bone. Rodeo et al., J. Bone and Joint Surgery, 75-A: 1795-1803 (1993).
Accordingly, despite substantial endeavors in this field, there remains a need for an effective method of repair of a functional attachment between connective tissue, such as tendon or ligament, and bone.

Method for healing and repair of connective tissue attachment


A lighting device includes a body portion, a collar having a first end coupled to the body portion, a plate coupled to a second end of the collar, a light source disposed at the second end of the collar, and a shade including a sidewall and a cap defining a plurality of interfaces. The plurality of interfaces and the plate cooperate to releasably secure the shade in a storage orientation and an extended orientation. The light source includes one or more LEDs.

The present application relates to a lighting device. Particularly, the present application relates to a portable lighting device.
Lighting devices traditionally include one or more light bulbs, which may be LED light bulbs or incandescent light bulbs. The one or more light bulbs are traditionally turned on and off to provide a single "on" light profile in addition to an "off" configuration. Such an "on" light profile may produce an excessive light output relative to the user's particular needs. Strings of such lighting devices are traditionally turned on and off together (e.g., by plugging the string in or unplugging the string, etc.). Surrounding areas devoid of users may thereby also be unnecessarily illuminated. The lighting devices may include shades disposed over the one or more light bulbs. The shades are fixed to body portions of the lighting devices, thereby protecting the one or more light bulbs (e.g., during use, during transport, etc.). Such lighting devices may be difficult to pack and transport due to the size and shape of the shades.


Power shift motor vehicle gearbox with an input shaft (1), two counter-shafts (2, 3) and a central synchronizer (30). The input shaft has a gear wheel (5) in engagement with a gear wheel (6) freely rotatably mounted on one counter-shaft (2) and lockable by a friction clutch (7) to the shaft. The gear wheels form a pair for driving the counter-shaft. The input shaft also has a freely rotatably mounted gear wheel (8) which can be locked by a friction clutch (10) to the shaft. The gear wheel (8) engages a gear wheel (9) on the other counter-shaft (3) for driving the same when the clutch is engaged.

Double counter-shafts are used, on the one hand, in gearboxes in which it is desired, with a given length of gearbox, to obtain more gear ratios than what is practically possible in a conventional gearbox design with one counter-shaft, and, on the other hand, in so-called powershift gearboxes, i.e. gearboxes with double clutches, each cooperating with an individual counter-shaft. In such gearboxes the gear speeds are preselected and shifting is thereafter effected by disengaging one clutch and engaging the other clutch.
Various solutions are known for achieving a compact gearbox design of the powershift type with a large number of gear ratios. In one type which is known by SE 8700583-1 (corresponding to US-A-4,876,907) two concentric input shafts are used driving individual counter-shafts which can be engaged alternately with the aid of a pair of multiple disc clutches arranged in series outside the gearbox. Synchronization is achieved with the aid of a central synchronizing clutch on one of the counter-shafts. In another gearbox type with double counter-shafts, which is known by e.g. GB-A-2,110,324, a single input shaft drives simultaneously two gear wheels which, via individual clutches arranged inside the housing on the respective counter-shafts, can be locked to its shaft and establish a drive train between the input shaft and the output shaft via either counter-shaft. The synchronization is achieved with the aid of a two-part synchronizing device, which in this version is formed by a synchronizing clutch on either counter-shaft. In this gearbox, the torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft in all gear ratios Via a counter-shaft. The gearbox thus has no direct drive gear ratio.


A display system for a vehicle which is able to maintain display quality and to be mounted on a vehicle of various types. A display system for a vehicle has an indicator, a backlight arranged on a back side of the indicator, a light ray controller and a direction adjusting member. The backlight emits a light passing through the indicator. The light ray controller is arranged between the indicator and the backlight, and controls a direction of light going from the backlight to the indicator. The direction adjusting member holds the light ray controller, and adjusts a direction of a light ray passed through the indicator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display system for a vehicle to be mounted on the vehicle, and a virtual image projected on a projection area of the vehicle, onto which area light outgoing from the backlight passed through the indicator is projected, and a front view of the vehicle to be seen from an eye point of the vehicle through the projection area are seen in a superimposed manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, with increase and diversification of information required by a driver during a drive, a projection-type display unit called a head-up display (HUD) device has been adopted so that information, which cannot be displayed in a meter unit due to the lack of the space, is displayed on a windshield as a virtual image, thereby a driver can see the foreground of the vehicle through the windshield together with the virtual image, which is superposed upon the foreground. As shown in a patent document 1, in the HUD device, it is known to use a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a natural light device of a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) as an indicator (display device), which displays a virtual image on a windshield.
A backlight of an indicator which is used in a HUD device has two major types, an edge-light type and a direct-light type. In the edge-light type, a ray from illuminant (CCT, LED, etc.) arranged on an end part of a light guide plate is transmitted on a specific area by using the light guide plate and is reflected. That is, a backlight of the edge-light type is a surface illuminant. The edge-light type can give uniform surface brightness through a diffuser plate which is arranged between the surface light source and the indicator. In the direct-light type, a light source of LED is arranged behind an indicator, and light which is diffused by a diffuser plate is transmitted. Thereby, the direct-light type has high brightness compared to the edge-light type.
Patent Document 1:                Japan published patent application 2002-293162


Sealing system for a sliding wedge type breech block of a barrel weapon, particularly one which employs cartridge free ammunition. An actuating member having a rear end adapted to be driven is disposed in the breech block, and an axially movable pressure bolt having an impacting surface is engaged and driven by the actuating member. A sealing means including a sealing member is provided between the actuating member and the breech block for separating the pressure bolt area from the actuating member. The sealing member is generally of disc shape, having a circular cylinder flange attached to its rim and a central support hub with an end surface functioning as a stop for the impacting surface of the pressure bolt. The circular cylindrical flange of the sealing member is disposed against the inside of a circular cylindrical recess in the forward end of the breech block, and the disc has an outer annular end surface for pressing against a transverse sealing surface at the rear end of the barrel. A mechanical guide means is provided between the actuating means and the pressure bolt, such guide means transforming rotary motion of the actuating means into an axial linear motion of the pressure bolt. An ignition or firing pin is attached to the forward end of the pressure bolt.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sealing system for a wedge type breech block of a barrel weapon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A sealing arrangement for the breech block of a barrel weapon is disclosed in German Pat. No. 25 54 728. The arrangement is adapted for use with weapons of large caliber such as 150 mm, and employs parts which are expensive due to their large number and the required accuracy of their machining. The parts must be made of sufficient strength to contain the propellent gas pressures. Such requirements are also encountered in automatic weapons, which are built only in relatively smaller calibers.


A sealing beam comprises a longitudinal succession of elements disposed between two grate layers made up of a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and mobile (in longitudinal reciprocation) bars. Each element comprises an I-shaped armature with a web between a lower flange forming a baseplate and an upper flange forming a roof and two U-shaped profile rubbing members with a base bearing on the edge of the corresponding grate layer. Springs passing through holes in the web of the armature urge the rubbing members against the layer edges to compensate for their thermal expansion. The armature and the rubbing members are manufactured by welding to achieve adequate sealing between the rubbing members and the armature.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a beam designed to compensate thermal expansion of and to seal a gap between two side-by-side grate layers each made up of a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and mobile (reciprocating) bars, said beam being made up of a longitudinal succession of elongate members with an armature fixed to a grate support frame and with two lateral rubbing members carried by said armature and urged by springs to bear against a respective grate layer edge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hearth grates for combustible solids, and in particular for incinerating urban waste, usually comprise a longitudinal succession of bars formed by side-by-side elements which rest with a front surface in front of a back surface of a preceding bar element within the longitudinal succession. The bars are alternately fixed and mobile (in longitudinal reciprocation) to produce a poking effect and to break up the combustible material. These structures are referred to as grates because they incorporate passages for the pressurized combustion-supporting air from underneath the grate to the combustible material. In some types of grate these orifices are formed between two side-by-side elements; in other types cf grate they are formed in the back surface of the elements.
The orifices are designed to procure a regular distribution of the combustion-supporting air over all of the grate layer, for protection against clogging by ash or unburnt material, and in some instances to orient the angle of incidence of the combustion-supporting air into the burning layer with the aim of reducing the emission of flying ash. These combustion-supporting air orifices are executed in extremely diverse ways.
Nevertheless, they all have the common feature of suffering from significant leakage of air between bar elements, which shunts the design air paths and is likely to result in an uneven distribution of the combustion-supporting air and irregular burning. The temperatures to which the grates are exposed cause them to expand and contract; it is therefore necessary to design in clearances when cold sufficient to prevent excessive loading of the hearth walls at high temperature and the risk of parts in relative movement binding.
It must be emphasized that it is not necessary to obtain a total seal, but only to limit accidental leakage to a flowrate that is low in comparison with the normal flowrate through the designed air passages, so that the grate permeability ratio, which is the ratio of the airflow cross-section to the total surface area of the grate, does not fluctuate significantly between different areas of the grate.
It is a simple matter to provide an adequate seal between bar elements in the same transverse row, as they do not move relative to each other. As a result, these elements are frequently fastened together when the grate is assembled to reduce the risk of any element being lifted by the combustible material or a foreign body introduced with the combustible material.
It is therefore at the edges of the grate layer that the risks of creating unwanted leaks are the most serious, all the more so if the clearances between side-by-side elements have been reduced, with the result that displacements due to thermal expansion accumulate at the edges. Expansion compensator seals are therefore required at the edges.
Note that a compensator seal at one edge of a layer is sufficient if the layer is not of excessive width, in which case the compensator seal at the other edge is replaced with a simple abutment surface.
It will be understood that mounting a compensator seal capable of absorbing lateral expansion clearances on a hearth wall lined with refractory bricks raises problems of fixing and of sealing, the steel or cast iron from which the compensator seal is made having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the bricks.
In large hearths in particular, it is therefore necessary to divide the grate widthwise into layers, with compensator seals between side-by-side layers. This seal, formed by a longitudinal sequence of elongate elements, resembles a beam.
The patent FR-A-1 532 280 describes a beam of this kind, or elastically compressible separator partitions, made up of shell elements urged apart by springs or counterweights which form rubbing members bearing on the grate layer edges. In a particularly simple embodiment, the shells have a U-shaped profile and nest inside each other, sliding on a structure which is joined to the grate layer support structure.
In more complex embodiments the compensator beam includes an armature element fixed to a support structure and two shells which overlap at the top, urged apart by two crossed levers with a common central axis urged downwards by a spring or a counterweight. The effect of the crossover is, in response to a downward load on the axis, to tend to open the levers scissors-fashion and push the shells in parallel motion against edges of the layer.
The patent FR-A-2 352 250 relates to substantially the same embodiment. However, instead of sliding on the armature, the two half-shells are suspended from the ends of almost vertical interior links. This latter embodiment is directed to enabling independent movement of the two half-shells and to reducing the risk of the half-shells binding on the armature. Also, an elongate armature supports several pairs of half-shells, to enable damaged half-shells to be replaced by manipulating only parts of limited weight.
Compensator seals or beams of the prior art as described above have the disadvantage of using cast parts of relatively complicated shape and of comprising relatively complicated mechanisms which are difficult to assemble and which may not be strong enough to resist damage when foreign bodies are introduced into the hearth with the combustible material, which is not a rare occurrence in the incineration of urban waste.
Also, the stated advantages are seen to be relative in the sense that they relate to successive improvements of a common basic design.
An object of the invention is to provide a compensator seal beam as defined above which is simple in design and simple to install, having the minimum of mobile parts or articulations, and which is protected against impact from materials in the layer of combustible material.

Beam forming an expansion seal between two side-by-side grate layers with alternately fixed and mobile bars

Traitement Industriel des Residus Urbains (T.I.R.U.)


Vehicle data may be analyzed to predict potential component failures, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), or other mechanical failures relating to the vehicle. In one implementation the vehicle data may be received from a number of vehicles, the vehicle data including DTCs generated by on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems of the vehicles. The vehicle data may be evaluated using a predictive model to output predictions of DTCs that are likely to occur for a particular vehicle.

The term "On-Board Diagnostics" (OBD) refers to a computer-based monitoring system built into vehicles. For example, in the United States, model year 1996 and newer light-duty cars and trucks include OBD systems. The OBD system may monitor the performance of some of a vehicle's components. For example, an OBD system may provide vehicle owners with an early warning of malfunctions by way of a dashboard "Check Engine" light.
Vehicle telematics may broadly refer to monitoring of the location, movement, status, diagnostic information, and/or behavior of a vehicle. Some vehicle telematics devices are designed to be inserted into the OBD port of a vehicle. For these telematics devices, power and vehicle diagnostic information may be obtained from the OBD port. The telematics device may additionally include sensors (e.g., a GPS sensor, accelerometer, microphone, or other sensors) to obtain data relating to the operation of the vehicle. The telematics device may additionally include a mechanism to transmit data that is obtained by the telematics device to a remote location, such as a remote analytics or monitoring server.

Analysis of vehicle data to predict component failure


A filter insert for a filter for filtering a fluid having] an inflow surface, and outflow surface, and a main throughflow direction. A filter body of the insert has a filter medium with pleats forming a pleated bellows, are arranged perpendicular to the main throughflow direction. A first number of the pleat edges form the outflow surface and a second number of the pleat edges on a pre-filtration side of the filtration body form the outflow surface. A first seal prevents the fluid from overflowing from the pre-filtration side to the post-filtration on a surface formed by a first number of of end face of the pleats. A second seal prevents the fluid from overflowing from the pre-filtration side to the post-filtration side on a surface formed by a second number of end faces of the pleats.

The design of internal combustion engines seeks to make optimal use of the available installation space with a constant size. Accordingly, there is a requirement to design existing components with the smallest size possible, without including the functionality thereof.
In particular, in the field of transmission oil filters, a design has been developed with which the surface through which the transmission oil is to flow is as large as possible, while, at the same time, the depth to be penetrated is relatively small. Usually, furthermore, the transmission oil flows out perpendicular to the inflow direction. In practice, this leads to very high differential pressure.

Filter insert for a fluid, in particular transmission oil


The present invention discloses modified Hdm2 proteins that are soluble. In addition, the present invention discloses nucleic acids that encode the modified Hdm2 proteins of the present invention. The invention also provides crystals of modified Hdm2 proteins that are suitable for X-ray crystallization analysis. The present invention also discloses methods of using the modified Hdm2 proteins and crystals thereof to identify, select and/or design compounds that may be used as anticancer agents. The present invention further discloses compounds that bind to modified Hdm2 proteins in protein-ligand complexes.

The most commonly inactivated tumor suppressor gene in human cancer encodes the p53 protein, a transcription factor that is intimately involved in maintaining the integrity of the genome in a cell [Hall and Peters, Adv. Cancer Res., 68:67-108 (1996); Hainaut et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 25:151-157 (1997); Sherr, Cancer Res., 60:3689-95 (2000)]. In response to oncogenic stress signals, the cell triggers the p53 transcription factor to initiate either apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. Apoptosis facilitates the elimination of damaged cells from the organism, while cell cycle arrest enables damaged cells to repair genetic damage [reviewed in Ko et al., Genes & Devel. 10:1054-1072 (1996); Levine, Cell 88:323-331 (1997)]. The loss of the safeguard functions of p53 predisposes damaged cells to progress to a cancerous state. Inactivating p53 in mice consistently leads to an unusually high rate of tumors [Donehower et al., Nature, 356:215-221 (1992)].
The p53 transcription factor promotes the expression of a number of cell cycle regulatory genes, including the gene encoding the Mouse Double Minute (Mdm2) protein [see, Chene, Nature Reviews Cancer 3:102-109 (2003)]. The Mdm2 protein (designated Hdm2 in humans and Mdm2 in mice) acts to down-regulate p53 activity in an auto-regulatory manner [Wu et al, Genes Dev., 7:1126-1132 (1993); Bairak et al., EMBO J, 12:461-468 (1993)]. In the absence of oncogenic stress signals, i.e., under normal cellular conditions, the Mdm2 protein serves to maintain p53 activity at low levels [Wu et al, Genes Dev., 7:1126-1132 (1993); Barak et al., EMBO J, 12:461-468 (1993)].
Interestingly, whereas Mdm2 negative (Mdm2−/−) mice are not viable [Jones et al, Nature, 378:206-208 (1995); Montes de Oca Luna et al., Nature, 378:203-206 (1995)], additional inactivation of the p53 gene rescues Mdm2−/− mice [Jones et al, Nature, 378:206-208 (1995); Montes de Oca Luna et al., Nature, 378:203-206 (1995)]. These results indicate that the misregulation of the p53 transcription factor in the Mdm2 negative mice is the root cause of the observed lethality of the Mdm2−/− genotype, and that the regulation of p53 function relies on an appropriate balance between the two components of this p53-Mdm2 auto-regulatory system. Indeed, this balance appears to be essential for cell survival.
There are at least three ways that Mdm2 acts to downregulate p53 activity. First, Mdm2 can bind to the N-terminal transcriptional activation domain of p53 to block expression of p53-responsive genes [Kussie et al., Science, 274:948-953 (1996); Oliner et al., Nature, 362:857-860 (1993); Momand et al, Cell, 69:1237-1245 (1992)]. Second, Mdm2 shuttles p53 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm to facilitate the proteolytic degradation of p53 [Roth et al, EMBO J, 17:554-564 (1998); Freedman et al., Mol Cell Biol, 18:7288-7293 (1998); Tao and Levine, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 96:3077-3080 (1999)]. Finally, Mdm2 possesses an intrinsic E3 ligase activity for conjugating ubiquitin to p53 within the ubiquitin-dependent 26S proteosome pathway [Honda et al., FEBS Lett, 420:25-27 (1997); Yasuda, Oncogene 19:1473-1476 (2000)]. Thus, Mdm2 impedes the ability of the p53 transcription factor to promote the expression of its target genes through binding p53 in the nucleus.
Attenuating the p53-Mdm2 auto-regulatory system can have a critical effect on cell homeostasis. Consistently, a correlation between the overexpression of Mdm2 and tumor formation has been reported [Chene, Nature 3:102-109 (2003)]. Since Mdm2 acts as a post-translational regulatory effector of the p53 transcription factor, compounds that hinder the ability of Hdm2/Mdm2, to interact with p53 would be anticipated to cause an immediate increase in p53 activity, and thereby rapidly promote either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in damaged cells. Not surprisingly then, there is currently a substantial effort being made to identify new anticancer agents that hinder the ability of Hdm2 to interact with p53 [Chene, Nature 3:102-109 (2003)]. However, to date, no suitable anticancer agent has been found.
Structure-based drug design is one way to optimize the success of identifying useful antagonists of Hdm2, but use of this powerful methodology requires the three-dimensional structure of the target protein. So far, little information has been provided regarding the three-dimensional structure of Hdm2. Indeed, the only structures of Mdm2 currently available are those of Hdm2 and Xenopus Mdm2 (XMdm2), complexed with a p53 peptide, but neither crystalline form is suitable for structure-based drug design [Kussie, et al. Science, 274(5289): 948-953 (1996)]. Moreover, most of the protein-protein contacts in these crystal lattices are formed through the interaction of the exposed residues in the bound p53 peptide (D21, K24, and L25), making the p53 peptide difficult to displace, which makes it inaccessible to potential inhibitors.
In direct contrast, a successful structure-based drug design program focusing on Hdm2 requires a form of the Hdm2 protein that is amenable to crystallization in the absence of any particular binding partner. Further, the crystal form of the p53-binding pocket of the Hdm2 protein should be accessible to potential inhibitors used for testing binding or for co-structural determination. However, up until now, the solubility and stability of the free Hdm2 protein has been significantly less than that of the Hdm2-p53 peptide complex.
Thus, there is a need to obtain nucleic acids that encode an Hdm2 protein that is soluble and stable at high protein concentrations even when the protein is free of p53 or fragments thereof. In addition, there is a need to design purification procedures that lead to the preparation of an isolated active Hdm2 protein that is soluble and stable when independent of p53 or fragments thereof. In addition, there is a need to obtain reproducible crystals of Hdm2 that are of sufficient quality for X-ray crystallization analyses and structural determinations. There is also a need to provide methods for identifying inhibitors of Hdm2 through structure-based drug design and for combining potential inhibitors with the crystals of Hdm2 and analyzing their binding. Further, there is a need to obtain Hdm2 protein samples that, when combined with potential inhibitors, are amenable to forming homogenous crystals.

Soluble, stable form of HDM2, crystalline forms thereof and methods of use thereof


Financial transactions are performed rapidly by creating a commercial document, delivering an image of the document to the payee via facsimile, delivering an image of the document to the drawee via facsimile and processing the image of the document using a computer which responds to software commands for retrieving electronically encrypted information on the commercial paper document.

Conventional commercial paper transactions such as bank checking accounts are typically associated with high overhead costs for time and labor. For example, check drafts generally require hand processing wherein the check is received by the drawer's bank (sometimes referred to hereinafter as "drawee") through conventional mail systems and information displayed on the check then manually entered into a computer or records database. Finally, the check must be physically retained for future record needs or be retained for return to the payor.
With the advance of computer and communications technology, the processing of commercial paper has aided in record keeping as well as a reduction in the physical flow of actual cash. For example, improved computer systems have evolved to the state where physical money need not be used. Instead, "value exchange" is achieved through electronic funds transfer. Typically, the evolving technologies are a true digital cash format. For example, some digital cash systems implement a "cybercash" account. Cybercash accounts are typically manipulated or handled by software operating on a computer with some computer user involvement. Such accounts aid in minimizing human error when processing accounts. Cybercash systems require a new operational transaction level in addition to the current commercial paper system. For example, a standard commercial paper system involves drafting a check by a payor to a payee. The payee then presents the check to his bank for payment. The payee's bank presents the check to the drawer's bank for payment. Upon presentment, funds are transferred from the payor's bank to the payee's bank, typically through an automated clearinghouse (ACH) or the Federal Reserve system.
A cybercash account system requires a drawer to establish a cybercash account in addition to his banking account. To use the cybercash account, the drawer is required to transfer funds from his conventional checking account into the cybercash account. Only then can the drawer withdraw the cybercash and use it to make purchases over the internet (a computer communications network having a purchasing or shopping network). Furthermore, to use such a system requires the user to have a sound knowledge of computers and computer software and of the internet-a skill or capacity not available to a large number of people.
Other variations on commercial paper systems merge computer technology with the electronic funds transfer system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,981 (which relates generally to electronic funds transfer systems) shows a paper voucher which is customized and preprinted for an individual account. Facsimile machines are used to transfer voucher images in transactions between sellers and buyers.
Electronic financial transaction systems thus far generally require the involvement of a third party to generate the checks. That is, a drawer must order preprinted checks from a supplier for use in the financial transactions. Furthermore, such systems do not generate legal drafts which conform to the legal definition of commercial paper and, therefore, do not enjoy the status of "commercial paper." Such systems typically require verbal confirmation and exchange of information between the parties involved in the financial transaction, thereby increasing the involvement, time and expense of the parties to the transaction. Therefore, a commercial transaction system which would reduce the amount of physical paper generated; expedite the funds transfer process; and be readily implemented and accepted in the present commercial paper system which can be readily understandable by the public at large is highly desired.

Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions via facsimile


A rocker box for furniture and the like, comprising: a rockable top plate having two pairs of parallel laterally-spaced outer-depending side and inner-depending supplementary flanges containing perforations cooperatively providing four pivot-receiving openings on a common transverse axis, one outer side and one inner supplementary flange being located at each of the opposite sides of the box, each inner supplementary flange being spaced inwardly from the corresponding outer side flange so as to cooperate therewith in delimiting an interposed upper flange space; a non-rockable bottom plate having one pair of parallel laterally-spaced outer upright side flanges, one for each upper flange space, each upright side flange projecting upwardly from the bottom plate into the corresponding upper flange space where it is parallel to the corresponding depending side and supplementary flanges, said pair of upright flanges cooperatively providing two more pivot-receiving openings on said common transverse axis; and a pair of laterally-spaced flange-interconnecting pivotal structures mounting the top plate upon the bottom plate for rocking movement out of a neutral position between extreme forward and rearward rocking positions, one pivotal structure at each side of the box, each structure including a bushing mounted on the upright flange and a top plate pivot pin within the bore of each bushing; and front and rear rubber blocks between plates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to swiveled rocker boxes which are widely used for rotationally and rockably supporting a chair seat upon a chair base.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
In the prior practical art, the top and bottom plates of the rocker box are each provided with a single side flange at each side and pivotally connected for top plate rocking movement by a pair of pivot pins, one extending through each pair of adjacent top and bottom side flanges. Nylon bushings are sometimes used to provide frictionless bearings at the pivot points and to promote quiet operation by preventing metal-to-metal contact. Such rocker boxes are universally swiveled on an underlying base plate. So far as I know, all such structures in wide use are subject to plate breakage due to flexure and such breakage occurs with sufficient frequency to present a serious long standing problem.
The Hunt et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,263,955, Gordon 3,547,393, Joyce 3,881,713 and Goff 4,025,020 all show rocker boxes in which the top and bottom plates are flanged at the sides but not the ends. Craig U.S. Pat. No. b 3,938,857 shows a rocker box flanged at the front and rear ends adjacent its corners. The Engstrom U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,528,949, Matthews 2,779,642 and Battochio 3,491,978 show rocker-boxes on a base swivel plate, the periphery of which is continuously flanged for bottom bearing-race-forming purposes. The Wing U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,193,335 and the Hunt et al 3,263,955 show rocker box structures using a Nylon bushing to prevent metal-to-metal contact in the pivotal structure, which was subject to wear and resultant looseness. The Asmanes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,418,027 and the Rehrig 3,837,039 use a Teflon bushing for bearing purposes in rotary structures. The Doremus U.S. Pat. Nos. 135,974 and Collier et al 2,184,988 show rubber blocks for cushioning the rocking movement of an oscillatable chair. The U.S. Pat. Nos. to McIlhenny 412,199, Shanahan 755,713, Rosenthal 1,690,754, Schermerhorn 2,103,095, O'Connor 2,543,592 and Kahn 2,699,814 all show rubber blocks and like devices secured to the bottom ends of the legs of ladders, and chairs for anti-slip purposes.


A polarization separator or diplexer for ultra-high frequencies utilizing waveguide sections of rectangular and/or round cross-section in which the signals passing through are phase synchronized over a particular frequency range and which can be manufactured very inexpensively and is operable over a broad frequency band and wherein the arms of the series branching waveguides and the E and H offset portions have a ratio of the narrow to wide sides of at least 1:4 and the first portion of the double branching for providing a connection and transition to the coaxial waveguide comprises an impedance level transformer which has variations in the cross-section of the inner conductor and the outer conductor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to polarization separators or diplexers for ultra-high frequency waveguides of rectangular and/or round cross-section which are symmetrically constructed with five arms which contain a first arm lying in the longitudinal axis of the arrangement and is adapted to connect the device to continuing waveguides of round or four sided cross-section and wherein four waveguides of rectangular sections designed similarly which are arranged and respectively rotated by 90.degree. with respect to one another and where the four waveguides of rectangular cross-section extend in the direction opposite to that of the first connecting waveguide portion and wherein the two pairs of waveguides opposite each other are connected with separator waveguide arms sections which are identical to each other by two identical series branch waveguide structures. Two of the respective separator waveguide sections which lie between the partial arms of the double branching waveguides which are opposite each other and the partial arms of the series branching waveguides are formed as E-offset members and as H-offset members. The E-offset members are respectively designed as rectangular waveguide members which are provided with waveguide bends on both sides and are respectively bent across the broadside of the waveguide in opposite directions. Both E-offset members are aligned with respect to their narrow sides obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the structure and extend parallel to each other. The H-offset members are designed as rectangular waveguide portions which have waveguide bends on both sides and are bent across the narrow side of the waveguide in opposite directions and one of the E-offset members is mounted between the two H-offset members such that the series branching connected to the E-offset members and the H-offset members do not penetrate each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
German Patent Application P 27 08 271.9 which was published Aug. 31, 1978 discloses a polarization separator and diplexer upon both of the waveguide paths provide almost complete phase synchronization and the rectangular waveguide openings are arranged parallel relative to the longitudinal axis so that the flange connections of the rectangular waveguide can be mounted in a single plane.


The invention relates to a method of preparing an aliphatic polyisocyanate by conversion of an aliphatic diisocyanate to a polyisocyanates in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst contains a saline compound having 5 to 97.1 wt. % of a 1,2,3- and/or a 1,2,4-triazolate (calculated as C2N3, molecular weight 66) in the anion, the isocyanates thus prepared and the polyurethane paints and coatings containing them.

The invention relates to a method of preparing aliphatic polyisocyanates with uretdione, isocyanurate or iminooxadiazindione structures, the isocyanates thus prepared and polyurethane paints and coatings containing them.
Oligomerization of isocyanates is a long-known, generally accepted method of modifying low molecular weight isocyanates, which are usually difunctional, in order to obtain products with advantageous application properties for example in the paint and coating sector. These oligomeric isocyanates will be referred to generally as polyisocyanates in this specification (J. Prakt. Chem./Chem. Ztg 1994, 336, 185-200). Polyisocyanates based on aliphatic diisocyanates are normally used for light-resistant, non-yellowing paints and coatings. The term xe2x80x9caliphaticxe2x80x9d refers to the carbon atoms to which the NCO groups of the monomer are bonded, i.e. the compound molecule may perfectly well contain aromatic rings, which do not carry NCO groups.
One can distinguish between different products and processes according to the type of structure mainly formed from the previously free NCO groups in the respective oligomerization reaction.
Particularly important procedures are so-called dimerization to form uretdione structures of formula 1, described for example in DE-A 16 709 720 and so-called trimerization to form isocyanate structures of formula 2, described for example in EP-A 0 010 589. In addition to the last-mentioned trimers isomeric (i.e. also trimeric) products with an iminooxadiazindione structure of formula 3 can be obtained for example according to the teaching of EP-A 0 798 299. If this specification refers to both isomeric trimers, isocyanurates and iminooxadiazindiones, it will generally be speaking of trimers or trimerized compounds, otherwise the exact term will be used.
R=difunctional substituent
Complete conversion of all monomeric diisocyanate molecules OCN-R-NCO in one reaction step would in practice lead to high molecular weight, extremely high-viscosity or gel-like products which would be useless in the paint and coatings sector, owing to further reaction of the NCO groups in ideal structures 1 to 3. In catalyzed preparation of polyisocyanates for paint the industrial procedure is therefore to convert only part of the monomer, to stop any further reaction by adding a catalyst poison (a xe2x80x9cstopperxe2x80x9d) then to separate the non-converted monomer. The aim is to have to separate the smallest possible proportion of non-converted monomer at the lowest possible viscosity of the low-monomer polyisocyanate paint resin, i.e. to obtain high conversion in the reaction accompanied by a high resin yield at the following processing stage with high-level properties of the polyisocyanate resins.
Dimers based on aliphatic diisocyanates have a far lower viscosity than trimers. However they have a strictly linear, i.e. NCO-difunctional structure regardless of the degree of conversion or the resin yield. Trimers on the other hand have the higher functionality required for a high crosslink-density in the polymer and consequent good stability properties thereof. Their viscosity increases very rapidly though with increasing conversion in the reaction. Compared with isomeric isocyanurates iminooxadiazindiones have far lower viscosity with the same NCO-functionality of the polyisocyanate resin (cf. Proc. of the XXIVth Fatipec Conference, Jun. 8-11, 1998, Interlaken, CH, vol. D, pp. D-136-137), though they do not reach the viscosity level of uretdiones.
In practice the products formed are not only those which give their names to the reaction (dimers in dimerization, trimers in trimerization) but nearly always the other reaction products simultaneously (trimers in dimerization, uretdiones in trimerization). However the content of these is low.
Thus trimers are always contained in the polyisocyanates accessible from the teaching of DE-A 16 70 720 (trialkylphosphine-catalyzed dimerization, cf. also comparative example 1). Their content can be increased somewhat with higher conversion (conversion-dependent selectivity) and by raising the temperature. However carbodiimides and secondary products thereof, particularly uretone imines are also formed increasingly in the latter case. The negative role of such products in the technology of aliphatic polyisocyanates and poor monomer stability in particular have been described elsewhere (cf. EP-A 798 299, p.4, line 42 to p.5, line 15). Their formation is thus undesirable in all cases and stands in the way of wide, hazard-free use of such polyisocyanates. The molar uretdione content of carbodiimide-free and uretone imine-free products prepared according to DE-A 16 70 720 is generally over 60%. In this specification the term xe2x80x9cmol %xe2x80x9d will, unless otherwise stated, always refer to the sum of structure-types formed by the modifying reaction (oligomerization) from the previously free NCO groups of the respective monomer. The molar content can be determined for example by NMR spectroscopic methods (cf. Examples).
Oligomerization of aliphatic diisocyanates with N-silyl compounds, described for example in EP-A 57 653, EP-A 89 297, EP-A 187 105, EP-A 197 864 and WO 99/07765 (cf. also comparative Example 2), is to a certain extent the counterpart of phosphine catalysis with the content of trimers and uretdiones reversed. One drawback here is that the selectivity of catalysis is highly dependent on conversionxe2x80x94the uretdione content of the polyisocyanates drops sharply as conversion increasesxe2x80x94another is that the iminooxadiazindione content of the resins is very low, always well below 5 mol %. According to the teaching of WO 99/07765 step-by-step modification is possible through thermally induced, i.e. non-catalyzed or rather self-catalyzed uretdione formation preceding the silylamine-catalyzed trimerization. Apart from the above-mentioned general drawbacks of silylamine catalysis this procedure however has the disadvantage that thermally induced uretdione formation is a slow process, leading to long, industrially unacceptable overall reaction times, particularly if there is an attempt to obtain a higher uretdione content. The molar uretdione content of the products of WO 99/07765 is not more than 30%.
In products accessible from the teaching of EP-A 798 299, i.e. trimerized compounds with a high content of iminooxadiazindione structures, the uretdione content is similarly low ( less than  less than 20 mol %) relative to the sum of isocyanurate and iminooxadiazindione structures. The selectivity of the reaction is also dependent on conversion and temperature.
Good methods for obtaining polyisocyanates for paints with the lowest possible viscosity and the highest possible NCO-functionality can be characterized as follows:
1. The trimerization reaction is interrupted at very low conversion rates as the higher-molecular type of compound with more than one isocyanurate ring per molecule, which is responsible for the increase in viscosity, is not yet very advanced then, or
2. polyisocyanates of the uretdione type are mixed with trimerized compound resins; here the uretdione component is so to speak the reactive diluent.
Yet both methods have specific disadvantages. Thus in the first method the resin yield is very small, giving rise not only to technical problems (separating a large quantity of monomer) but also to economic ones (space-time yield) and ecological drawbacks (energy consumption). When different paint resins are mixed, apart from the general drawback of having an additional step in the process it must be realized that viscosity will be increased by the build-up of molecular weight through the consecutive addition of further monomer molecules to the NCO groups of ideal structure 1 (polymer chain formation), even in the preparation of dimerized compounds with higher conversion; this is so even if the increase in viscosity is not as marked as with trimerized compounds (star-shaped progress of oligomer build-up). Hence dimerized resins which are suitable as reactive diluents are similarly produced with a relatively low resin yield.
It was an object of the invention to provide a method of preparing polyisocyanates based on aliphatic diisocyanates, which have a high content of uretdione structures in addition to trimer structures. They have to be prepared in one reaction stage, i.e. without stages preceding or following the catalyzed reaction such as physical mixing of different resins, pre-reaction tempering and others. The structural composition of the polyisocyanates, i.e., the molar ratio of uretdione, isocyanurate and iminooxadiazindione structures to each other, must be relatively independent of the conversion and be distinguished by low product viscosity with high NCO-functionality and high resin yield.
It has been found that the object is achieved according to the invention by the use of saline compounds from the range of de-protonized 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles as catalysts for oligomerizing monomeric aliphatic isocyanate.
The invention is based on the surprising observation that the effect of saline compounds from the range of 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles (triazolates) on aliphatic isocyanates, apart from producing isocyanurate structures, simultaneously leads firstly, to a considerable extent, to the formation of iminooxadiazindione structures isomeric to the latter, but secondly can form a high uretdione content in the products. What is particularly surprising is that the selectivity of the reaction, i.e. the molar ratio of the different types of structure to each other, is hardly dependent on the extent of monomer conversion.
Products with such a combination of different types of oligomer structure cannot be obtained by any single-stage state of the art isocyanate oligomerizing process. It is also novel to obtain a molar ratio of the different types of structure which is almost independent of conversion when the polyisocyanate has a high uretdione content.
Generally speaking it is hardly possible to predict the selectivity of isocyanate-oligomerizing catalysts. Here empirical tests are still required. Although neutral heterocycles carrying N13 Hxe2x80x94 or N-alkyl groups have already been introduced in polyisocyanate chemistry they are used almost exclusively in applications as blocking agents for NCO-groups (derivatives containing NH-groups, cf. EP-A 0 741 157) or as stabilisers to prevent UV-induced decomposition of paint films made from polyisocyanates, for example substituted benzotriazoles containing other OH groups in the molecule, for example DE-A 198 28 935, WO 99/67226 and literature quoted therein.
What is attempted here is not oligomerization of isocyanate groups but their thermally reversible deactivation to allow single-component processing or stabilisation respectively of the polyurethane plastic or paint. Oligomerization of isocyanate groups would even be a disadvantage in either case.
The invention relates to a method of preparing an aliphatic polyisocyanate by conversion of an aliphatic diisocyanate to a polyisocyanates in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst contains a saline compound having 5 to 97.1 wt. % of a 1,2,3- and/or a 1,2,4-triazolate (calculated as C2N3, molecular weight 66) in the anion. The invention also relates to polyisocyanates obtained by this method and the polyurethane plastics and coatings containing them.
Suitable aliphatic isocyanates include any regio and stereo-isomers of the following isocyanates: bis(isocyanate alkyl)ether, bis- and tris-(isocyanate alkyl)-benzenes, -toluenes and -xylenes, propane diisocyanates, butane diisocyanates, pentane diisocyanates, hexane diisocyanates (for example hexamethylene diisocyanate, HDI), heptane diisocyanates, octane diisocyanates, nonane diisocyanates (for example trimethyl-HDI, generally as a mixture of 2,4,4- and 2,2,4-isomers, TMDI) and triisocyanates (for example 4-isocyanate methyl-1,8-octane diisocyanate), decane di- and triisocyanates, undecane di- and triisocyanates, dodecane di- and triisocyanates, 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanate methyl)cyclehaxane (H6XDI), 3-isocyanate methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI), bis-(4-isocyanate cyclohexyl)methane (H12MDI) and bis(isocyanate methyl)norbornane (NBDI).
The starting materials for preparing the polyisocyanates obtainable by the method of the invention are in particular aliphatic diisocyanates which have 4 to 20 carbon atoms in the carbon network apart from the NCO groups, the NCO groups being bonded to primary aliphatic carbon atoms.
Preferred aliphatic diisocyanates include HDI, TMDI, 2-methylpentane-1,5-diisocyanate (MPDI), 1,3-and 1,4-bis(isocyanate methyl)cyclohexane (H6XDI, optionally as an isomeric mixture) and/or bis(isocyanate methyl)norbornane (NBDI optionally as an isomeric mixture).
Part-use of monofunctional isocyanates is also possible in special cases but is not preferred.
The production process for the initial isocyanates to be used in the method of the invention is not critical to carrying out the method, thus the initial isocyanates may be produced with or without using phosgene. Some of the catalysts used in the method of the invention are commercially available, for example as sodium salts. On the other hand they can be produced very easily, for example if counter-ions other than Na+ are to be used for the catalytically active anion. Details can be found in the examples.
The catalysts used are saline compounds containing in the anion triazolate structures of formulae (I) and/or (II)
where
R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or araliphatic radical having up to 20 carbon atoms and optionally up to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen and which may optionally be substituted by halogen atoms or nitro groups,
and where
R3 and R4, combined and together with the carbon atoms of the 1,2,3-triazolate five-ring compound and optionally a further nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, can form annellated rings with 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
The catalysts used are preferably saline compounds which contain in the anion triazolate structures of formula (I), where
R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom from the fluorine, chlorine or bromine range or a nitro group, a saturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical, a optionally substituted aromatic or araliphatic radical which contains up to 12 carbon atoms and optionally up to 3 heteroatoms from the oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen range and which may optionally be substituted by halogen atoms or nitro groups, and
saline compounds which contain in the anion triazolate structures of formula (II), where
R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom from the fluorine, chlorine or bromine range or a nitro group, a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical, a optionally substituted aromatic or araliphatic radical which contains up to 12 carbon atoms and optionally up to 3 heteroatoms from the oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen range and which may optionally be substituted by halogen atoms or nitro groups and, combined and together with the carbon atoms of the 1,2,3-triazolate five-ring compound and optionally a further nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, can form annellated rings with 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
The optimum xe2x80x9cdesignxe2x80x9d of the anion in respect of catalytic activity, thermal stability and the selectivity of the reaction for the problem posed above may further be adapted to the isocyanate to the oligomerized or to the desired reaction conditions by appropriate substitution in the heterocyclic five-ring compound. Saline catalysts with a triazolate anion are generally suitable for preparing the polyisocyanates according to the invention, and in the neutral form of triazole at least one Zerewittinoff-active hydrogen atom bonded to a cyclic nitrogen atom has to be present. Some examples of these triazoles with NH groups on which the catalysts include 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazole and substituted derivatives, derived by replacing one or both C-bonded H atoms with optionally substituted (O, N, S, halogen) alkyl or aryl groups, for example 4-chloro-5-carbomethoxy-1,2,3-triazole, 4-chloro-5-cyano-1,2,3-triazole or 3,5-dibromotriazole. In the 1,2,3-triazoles finally the two adjacent C atoms may themselves again be part of an annellated ring system optionally containing further heteroatoms (O, N, S). Some examples of these are 1,2,3-benzotriazole and substituted 1,2,3-benzotriazoles such as 5-fluoro-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-nitro-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-methoxy-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-chloro-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-tetrafluoroethoxy-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-trifluorothio-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 4,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3-benzotriazole, 4-trifluoromethoxy-5-chloro-1,2,3-benzotriazole and heteroaromatically annellated 1,2,3-triazoles such as isomeric pyridine triazoles for example 1H-1,2,3-triazol[4,5-b]pyridinexe2x80x94hereinafter referred to briefly as pyridine triazole- and azapurin. Salts of 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,3-benzotriazole and/or pyridine triazole are preferred as catalysts in the method of the invention.
The above-mentioned compounds are predominantly substances which are known from the literature. The synthesis of the fluorine-containing derivatives is described for example in DE-A 43 02 461. The cation for the catalysts used in the method of the invention may vary widely. If the catalyst or its secondary products formed in the course of deactivation are to be separated from the product after the oligomerization reaction, it may be advantageous to employ polar, highly charged counter-ions such as alkaline or alkaline earth cations. If the catalyst has to be distributed as homogeneously as possible in the isocyanate (mixture) used for the reaction and the polyisocyanate resin, lipophilic ones such as ammonium or phosphonium types can be chosen. The latter can for example be prepared without any problems simply by combining a sodium triazolate and an ammonium or phosphonium chloride, preferably in solvents which do not readily dissolve the sodium chloride formed, and bringing the mixture to the desired concentration and purity by filtration and subsequent reduction. During the last processing stage residues of initially dissolved sodium chloride are generally also precipitated and can be filtered off. Some examples of suitable ammonium or phosphonium chlorides are tetra-methyl, -ethyl, -propyl, -butyl, -hexyl and -octyl ammonium chloride but also ammonium salts which are substituted mixed, such as benzyl-trimethylammonium chloride or methyl-trialkylammonium chlorides where alkyl stands for straight-chain or branched C8 to C10 radicals (brand name for example Aliquat or Adogen) and tetra-ethyl, -propyl, -butyl, -hexyl and -octyl-phosphonium chloride, but also phosphonium salts which are substituted mixed, such as alkyl-triethyl, tributyl, trihexyl, trioctyl and/or tridodecylphosphonium chloride, where alkyl stands for straight-chain or branched C4 to C20 radicals (brand name for example Cyphos, such as Cyphos443, Cyphos3453, Cyphos3653 and others).
The catalyst concentrations employed when carrying out the method of the invention are between 5 ppm and 5%, preferably between 10 ppm and 1 wt. %, relative to the mass of the initial (di)isocyanate or (di)isocyanate mixture used and the mass of catalyst used.
The catalysts employed in the method of the invention may be used without solvent or in solution. The solvents may basically be any substances in which the catalyst can dissolve without decomposition and which do not react with isocyanates or react with them only to form secondary products that are common in polyurethane chemistry such as ureas, biurets, urethanes and allophanates. If catalyst solvents are employed they are preferably reactive compounds which react with the diisocyanates used as starting components to form secondary products that are common in polyurethane chemistry; hence these compounds need not be separated after the reaction. They include straight-chain or branched alcohols, optionally containing more than one OH group, with 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally other heteroatoms, preferably oxygen, in the molecule. Some examples are methanol, ethanol, 1- and 2-propanol, isomeric butanols, 2-ethylhexanol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, 1,3- and 1,4-butanediol and 1-methoxy-2-propanol. It is particularly advantageous that the above catalysts may be used even in very concentrated solution yet hardly cause any spontaneous over-curing in the starting material.
There are known methods of inhibiting further reaction when the desired stage has been reached (xe2x80x9cstoppingxe2x80x9d the reaction), such as removing the catalyst by extraction or filtrationxe2x80x94the latter optionally after adsorptive bonding to inert carrier materialsxe2x80x94making the catalyst system inactive by thermal deactivation and/or by adding (sub)stoichiometric quantities of acids or acid derivatives including for example benzoyl chloride, phthaloyl chloride, phosphinous, phosphonous and/or phosphorous acid, phosphinic, phosphonic and/or phosphoric acid, acid esters of the 6 last-mentioned acid types, sulphuric acid and its acid esters and/or sulphonic acids.
In a special embodiment of the method the polyisocyanates may be prepared in a continuous operation, i.e. in a pipe reactor.
The method of the invention can be carried out without any modifying stages preceding or following the catalyzed oligomerization reaction, such as thermal activation of the initial (di)isocyanate(s) before the catalyst is added or subsequent mixing of different resins.
Catalytic conversion according to the invention may take place within a very wide temperature range. Reaction temperatures above 0xc2x0 C. are normal; the preferred operating range is from 20 to 100xc2x0 C. and the more preferred one from 40 to 90xc2x0 C.
The products of the method according to the invention may be separated and purified by known processes such as thin-layer distillation, extraction, crystallization and/or molecular distillation. They are then in the form of colorless or only slightly colored liquids or solids.
Solid polyisocyanates are generally formed when cycloaliphatic diisocyanates are used as starting materials in the method of the invention. These solids are normally dissolved in one of the paint solvents listed below. The solutionsxe2x80x94at the same concentrationxe2x80x94have a lower viscosity than corresponding solutions of polyisocyanates of cycloaliphatic diisocyanates which predominantly contain isocyanurate groups.
The products prepared according to the invention are versatile starting materials for the production of polymers such as plastics, optionally foamed ones, and paints, coating materials, adhesives and additives.
These products, optionally in NCO-blocked form, are particularly appropriate for making single and dual-component polyurethane paints, since they have lower viscosity than polyisocyanates of the trimer type but otherwise equally good or improved properties. They may be used for this purpose either pure or combined with other known isocyanate derivatives such as uretdione, biuret, allophanate, isocyanurate, urethane or carbodiimide polyisocyanates in which the free NCO groups may optionally have been blocked.
The resultant plastics and coatings are extremely high-grade products with properties typical of prior art systems.
When used for example as cross-linking components in 2 component coatings the products according to the invention are generally combined with known OH and/or NH components from 2 component polyurethane systems, for example hydroxy-functional polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyurethanes and polyfunctional amines. However they may equally be used as single components for example for making moisture-curing plastics and coatings.
Apart from the products according to the invention and any other binder components and paint solvents or paint solvent mixtures which may also be used, such as toluene, xylene, cyclohexane, chlorobenzene, butylacetate, ethylacetate, ethylglycolacetate, methoxypropylacetate, acetone, white spirit or higher substituted aromatics (trade names Solventnaphtha, Solvesso, Shellsol, Isopar, Nappar, Diasol), the coatings may contain further additives, for example wetting agents, flow control agents, anti-skinning agents, anti-foam agents, flatting agents, viscosity regulators, pigments, dyes, UV absorbers, catalysts and stabilizers to prevent thermal effects and oxidation.
The isocyanates prepared according to the invention may preferably be in the production of polyurethane plastics and coatings or as additives for inclusion in many different materials such as wood, plastic, leather, metal, paper, concrete, masonry, ceramics and textiles.

Method of preparing aliphatic polyisocyanates with uretdione, isocyanurate and iminooxadiazindione structures


A structural panel assembly has a bi-directional core structure sandwiched between and secured to a pair of outer side wall members. The core structure is formed from first and second perpendicular series of elongated strip members having crenelated configurations. The strip members in the first series thereof are transversely interwoven with the strip members in the second series thereof in a manner such that crest portions of the strip members in the first series overlie and oppose trough portions of the strip members in the second series, and trough portions of the strip members in the first series underlie and oppose crest portions of the strip members in the second series. The crest portions of all of the strip members lie generally in a first plane and are secured to the inner side of one of the panel assembly outer side walls, and the trough portions of all of the strip members lie generally in a second plane and are secured to the inner side of the other panel assembly outer side wall.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to structural panel members, and more particularly relates to sandwiched core type structural panel assemblies.
2. Description of Related Art
Structural panels are often formed in a sandwich configuration in which a core structure is sandwiched between and secured to a pair of outer side wall or face sheet members. Previous core structures include (1) honeycombed cores made from metal, cardboard or reinforced plastic, (2) corrugated cores such as those used in cardboard and similar panels made of metal, and (3) solid cores made of low density material such as styrofoam or balsa wood.
In addition to being relatively expensive to fabricate, conventional honeycombed cores have the primary disadvantage of meeting the opposing face sheets with only the thin side edges of the core. These thin side edges are difficult to bond to the face sheets, and it is normally difficult to verify the quality and uniformity of the resulting thin bond lines.
Corrugated cores are cheaper to manufacture, but can resist shear loads only along their corrugations. This makes the panel in which they are incorporated relatively weak in the transverse direction.
Solid cores can absorb water and other substances that can add undesirable weight to the overall panel assembly and/or damage it. Additionally, solid cores are often prone to cracking due to stresses generated by thermal strain differences with their associated face sheets.
In view of the foregoing it can be seen that a need exists for an improved core structure for use in a sandwiched core type structural panel. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such an improved core structure.

Sandwiched structural panel having a bi-directional core structure

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A super-resolution algorithm that explicitly and exactly models the detector pixel shape, size, location, and gaps for periodic and aperiodic tilings. The algorithm projects the low-resolution input image into high-resolution space to model the actual shapes and/or gaps of the detector pixels. By using an aperiodic pixel layout such as a Penrose tiling significant improvements in super-resolution results can be obtained. An error back-projection super-resolution algorithm makes use of the exact detector model in its back projection operator for better accuracy. Theoretically, the aperiodic detector can be based on CCD (charge-coupled device) technology, and/or more practically, CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) technology, for example.

Enormous resources continue to be expended toward advances in image capture and processing to find better ways of increasing image resolution. However, there remains a significant technological gap between theoretical optical resolution limits and current sensor resolutions, particularly for short wavelengths (e.g., 380-400 nm). This is due in part to the need in device fabrication technology to increase the number of devices in a given space and then route signals to and from these devices using lead lines, both of which are becoming increasingly problematic. Thus, digital sensor resolution is limited by the physical size of the photosensing elements (or pixels) that can be manufactured.
A computational technique called super-resolution can be used to increase the resolution beyond the physical limit. Super-resolution can produce images of a higher resolution than the resolution of the originally captured image. One category of super-resolution algorithms includes reconstruction-based algorithms (RBAs) which are the most commonly-used algorithms for super-resolution. RBAs model the process of image formation to build a relation between a low-resolution image (LRI) and a high-resolution image (HRI). RBAs rely on the relationship between the LRIs and the HRI, and assume various kinds of prior conditions on the HRI in order to regularize the framework in preparation for the complex and ill-posed inverse problem.
The RBA usually first forms a linear systemL=PH+E, where L is the column vector of the irradiance of all low-resolution pixels (LRPs) considered, H is the vector of the irradiance of the HRI, P gives the weights of the high-resolution pixels (HRPs) in order to obtain the irradiance of the corresponding LRPs, and E is the noise. In all previous work, the LRPs appear on the left-hand side of the equation and the LRIs are all rectangular regular grids with square pixels, the regular layout. Based on such a configuration, both practice and theoretical analysis have shown that the magnification factor is limited to a relatively small number.
Moreover, conventional research in super-resolution has raised significant doubts regarding the usability of RBAs in super-resolution in the real world for the regular layout. For example, when the magnification factor becomes large, performance of the RBA deteriorates. Accordingly, different approaches to resolution enhancement should be taken in order to overcome these limitations.

Super-resolution in periodic and aperiodic pixel imaging


The present invention provides greater capacity in a dynamic allocation of power. First, the invention requires the reduction, not the increase, of signal power in low traffic areas. Because this signal power reduction reduces interference in surrounding high traffic cell site areas, those high traffic cell site areas can re-direct some of this surplus power to support a greater voice and data traffic load. Accordingly, the invention increases capacity of voice and data communications in high traffic areas, where it is needed most, by lowering (and dynamically regulating) the signal power in low traffic cell site areas.

This invention relates generally to code division multiple access (xe2x80x9cCDMAxe2x80x9d) cellular telephone systems and, more particularly, to a method of optimally managing forward link power in a CDMA system.
A typical cellular communication system is comprised of multiple cell sites covering a geographic region. Each cell site supports radiotelephone communication with a mobile unit within a service area through at least one antenna and a base station transceiver substation (xe2x80x9cBTSxe2x80x9d). The mobile unit is sometimes called a subscriber unit, and the mobile unit supports the voice and data communication from a subscriber or mobile unit user in the cell site service area. The BTS, sometimes called the base station, provides wireless communications coverage within the cell site service area by performing base station processing to support the CDMA common air interface to the mobile units. Mobile units in the cell site area will communicate through the antenna thereby supporting the radio communication to the BTS.
Multiple BTS units for cell site areas are coupled to a base station controller (xe2x80x9cBSCxe2x80x9d) that will support coded voice communications and allow for the continuity of calls as mobile units travel through the cellular network. The BSC communicates with the mobile switching center (xe2x80x9cMSCxe2x80x9d) which routes calls handled by the BSC and BTS units associated with the MSC to the public switched telephone network (xe2x80x9cPSTNxe2x80x9d). The cellular system may have multiple MSCs, each controlling communication traffic on a number of cell site areas. Third Generation wireless networks, which have focused on Internet applications, may adopt a more distributed architecture with network interconnection directly to the BSC.
If the cell site has a limited traffic load, a single omnidirectional antenna will be assigned to cover the entire cell site area. If traffic load in a cell site area is heavier, the cell site area can be divided into a number of sectors wherein each sector has an antenna assigned to a particular section of the cell site area. For example, a cell site area divided into three sectors may have three antennas assigned to cover 120xc2x0 areas of the cell site area. In this manner, the number of communication links from the BTS to the mobile unit, called forward links, can be increased through the use of cell site sectors. The communications from the mobile unit to the base station BTS are called the reverse link.
Power Allocation on Forward Link
The forward link power is the power allocated to the communication channel from the BTS to the mobile unit. The BTS determines how much power to dedicate to each mobile unit in the cell site area so as to maintain sufficient signal quality. The BTS controls the amount of power allocated to each mobile unit on the system based on the distance of the mobile unit from the antenna assigned to the cell or sector, as well as other factors such as shadow fading (buildings, terrain obstacles) and small scale fading (relay losses, multipath fading, local scattering losses). The BTS can also adjust the overall power of the signal transmitted to the mobile unit.
The number of simultaneous users allowed to use the cellular communication system in a particular cell site area is restricted by the amount of forward link power available to support communications with the mobile units. More specifically, the maximum number of users, or capacity on the cell site, is limited by the number of forward links that can be supported at any given time and the amount of power available to the BTS to transmit the forward link signals. As such, the allocation of forward link power is one of the most important resources in the cellular communication system.
Increasing Power Allocations and Interference
In order to support more users per cell site area and increase capacity on the cellular system, it would make sense for the cell site to increase the power allocated to the forward link communications to be shared among more users. Increasing this forward link power allocation, however, has a significant negative effect on surrounding cell site areas because of signal interference created by the increased radiated power. This interference in surrounding cell site areas can be overcome by a corresponding increase in the amount of forward link signal power in these surrounding cells. The increase in signal power in the surrounding cell site areas, however, increases the total amount of interference in the system, as well as the interference level in the first cell site.
Accordingly, increasing the forward link power signal is not the solution to increasing capacity on the system. In fact, increasing the forward link power leads to a redundant cycle of the greater interference, and then, the need for greater signal power to overcome that interference. To avoid this outcome, the BTS in each cell site area have been known to maintain the signal power in a manner that is less than the ratio of forward link signal power to power creating interference, also called Pdesired signal/Pinterference. This ratio is maintained in order to maintain an acceptable level of interference while transmitting the desired signal at an acceptable power level for signal quality.
The present invention provides greater capacity in a dynamic allocation of power. First, the invention requires the reduction, not the increase, of signal power in low traffic areas. Because this signal power reduction reduces interference in surrounding high traffic cell site areas, those high traffic cell site areas can re-direct some of this surplus power to support a greater voice and data traffic load. Accordingly, the invention increases capacity of voice and data communications in high traffic areas, where it is needed most, by lowering (and dynamically regulating) the signal power in low traffic cell site areas.
In the CDMA system, there are traffic channels and overhead channels. The traffic channels carry voice and data communications, while the overhead channels supervise and control the communications traffic on the cellular system. The overhead channels include a pilot signal, paging channel, synchronization channel, and a control channel. The system must always allocate some of the available forward link power for the support of these overhead channels.
When a mobile unit moves from one cell site area to another cell site area, the continuity of the call is maintained by a xe2x80x9csoft hand-offxe2x80x9d routine. In the xe2x80x9csoft hand-off routine,xe2x80x9d the antenna assigned to handle the communication between the mobile units will be switched to the new antenna in the second cell site area. When a mobile unit moves from one cell site sector to another sector (but within the same cell site area), the continuity of the call must be maintained by a xe2x80x9csofter hand-off routine.xe2x80x9d
New users entering a new sector or cell site area via these xe2x80x9csoft hand-offxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9csofter hand-offxe2x80x9d routines have an extremely high priority in the allocation of available power and communication channels because the continuity of existing calls in the cellular system is extremely important. The system must always allocate a portion of the available forward link power to handle mobile units entering the sector or cell site area via a hand-off routine. After the forward link power has been allocated for overhead channel support and hand-off reserves, the remaining forward link power is used to support voice and data traffic channels.
The present invention reduces signal power requirements in the system by reducing, and dynamically regulating, the power in low traffic cell site areas. The reduced signal power used in these low traffic cell site areas will reduce the interference in surrounding the cell site areas. With reduced interference in the surrounding cell site areas, the surrounding cell sites can redirect some of the power formerly used to overcome higher levels of interference. This redirected surplus power can be used to support more traffic channels thereby increasing the capacity of the surrounding cell site area. The call capacity is increased in the system without increasing the overall power level at the cell sites and with a decrease in the overall signal interference on the cellular network.

Adaptive forward power management algorithm for traffic hotspots


An approach is provided for performing fault recovery using composite transport groups (CTGs). A first logical channel is established within a composite transport group, wherein the first logical channel is established over a first link associated with a first service provider to a customer premise equipment (CPE) node configured to transport packets. A second logical channel is established within the composite transport group, wherein the second logical channel is established over a second link associated with a second service provider to an optical node. Packets are received over the first logical channel. Packets are received over the second logical channel if the first logical channel experiences a fault condition, wherein switching to the second logical channel is transparent to the CPE node.

Telecommunications networks have developed from connection-oriented, circuit-switched (CO-CS) systems, e.g., such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), utilizing constant bit-rate, predefined point-to-point connections to connectionless, packet-switched (CNLS) systems, such as the Internet, utilizing dynamically configured routes characterized by one or more communication channels divided into arbitrary numbers of variable bit-rate channels. With the increase in demand for broadband communications and services, telecommunications service providers are beginning to integrate long-distance, large-capacity optical communication networks with these traditional CO-CS and CNLS systems. Typically, these optical communication networks utilize multiplexing transport techniques, such as time-division multiplexing (TDM), wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), and the like, for transmitting information over optical fibers. However, an increase in demand for more flexible, resilient transport is driving optical communication networks toward high-speed, large-capacity packet-switching transmission techniques, wherein switching and transport functions occur in completely optical states via one or more packets. Accordingly, as these optical communication networks continue to grow, there is an increasing need for telecommunication service providers to develop fast failure recovery techniques to protect working optical communication paths from experiencing downtime as a result of link and/or equipment failure.
Therefore, there is a need for an approach that provides packet-switched optical networks with efficient fault recovery techniques.

Method and system for providing fault recovery using composite transport groups