During unexpected application shutdowns, application settings states are captured, and displayed application states are restored upon subsequent application restart. User data displayed prior to shutdown may also be restored to pre-shutdown states. Data representing in-use application settings states and in-use user data are stored on a periodic basis, or upon notification of an impending application shutdown. Upon restart, any application deployed prior to shutdown is re-deployed according to the stored application settings states for each application, and any in-use documents or other data may be re-deployed according to the stored user data.

Computer and software users have grown accustomed to performing a variety of tasks using a number of different software applications. Letters, memoranda and other documents are prepared using word processing applications. Presentations and drawings are prepared using slide presentation applications. Financial reports and other data manipulation are prepared and performed using spreadsheet applications. Electronic mail, calendar information, tasks and notes are entered, exchanged and maintained using electronic mail and calendar applications, and a variety of other tasks are performed with other applications.
At any given time, a typical software user may have multiple applications and multiple documents in use, where each application user interface and each launched document is displayed in one or more display frames on the user's computer display screen. In such cases, deployed applications and associated documents are in a given state at any given time. For example, a deployed word processing application may be displaying page 4 of a memorandum. At the same time, a user's electronic mail application may be deployed showing the user's contacts information. A spreadsheet document may be deployed, and the fifth sheet of data may be displayed showing data the user is reviewing while preparing the memorandum currently displayed by her word processing application.
Unfortunately, computers and software applications are often unexpectedly shut down for a variety of reasons. A power outage may cause a computer and any applications presently in use to shut down. An operating system or software application may "crash" where some aspect of data being processed or some aspect of processing sequencing in the operating system or application becomes problematic and causes the operating system or application to shut down. On the other hand, often a computer or software application shutdown is intentional, but still unexpected to the user. For example, while the user is away from her computer, a computer system administrator at her organization may load a software patch (update or other software modification) to one or more applications she is currently using, followed by a restart of her computer for properly integrating the patch with the subject application.
Such intended or unintended shutdowns and restarts often cause a loss of data being entered or edited by a user at the time of the shutdown, and moreover, such shutdowns and restarts often result in a loss of the current application state of the various applications in use at the time of the shutdown and subsequent restart. That is, the number of applications deployed, the locations on the display screen of the various application display frames, the deployment of particular documents or other data, the editing locations in deployed documents, and other application settings states are lost. After the shutdown and subsequent restart, the user must redeploy each application and associated document or other data, reposition and resize the application display frames for each deployed application, and redeploy each document or other data in use to a position in the document or data at which the document or data was being edited prior to the shutdown.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made.

Capturing and restoring application state after unexpected application shutdown


An approach is presented for facilitating communications for browser-based applications. A data communication platform determines to associate a communication identifier with a browser session. The browser session hosts, at least in part, a web application. The communication identifier facilitates addressing of the browser session, the web application, or a combination thereof via a process that is not specific to the browser session, the web application, or a combination thereof.

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. One area of interest has been the development of applications (e.g., web applications developed using standard web technologies) for delivering these services and other functions through web browsers. For example, as the numbers of operating system platforms (e.g., mobile operating systems) proliferate, service providers are making increasing use of web applications as a means for cross-platform development. In many cases, such web applications are used in a mixed environment where the web applications interoperate with native applications. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges to enabling communications (e.g., data exchanges) between web applications and native applications, particularly with respect to addressability of the web applications over a communication network.

Method and apparatus for facilitating communications for browser-based applications


A rotational based actuator configured to impart linear movement. The actuator may be suitable for use in any number of applications where a disk or other feature may be rotated over a wedge to impart linear movement. The forces used to generate the rotation movement may be imparted by the wedge against an element, causing the element to move linearly with the disk.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotational based actuators configured to impart linear movement.
2. Background Art
Actuators used to impart linear movement may apply linear forces to an element in order to actuate or otherwise move the element. Actuators may be characterized as linear actuators if they are configured to move the element linearly along an axis of movement. Actuators may be used in any number of environments and to support any number of applications.

Rotational based actuator configured to impart linear movement


A pressure sensor port having reduced potential for blockage of a sensor by debris in a fluid. The pressure sensor includes a housing forming the sensor port. The sensor port defines an internal passage connecting an exterior aperture to an interior aperture. The exterior aperture communicates the fluid to the internal passage and includes a longitudinal rib. The interior aperture is aligned with a pressure transducer within the housing and the fluid in the internal passage to engage the pressure sensor. The longitudinal rib includes a first end proximal to the exterior aperture. The longitudinal rib is slightly off-center within the exterior aperture, defining at least first and second aperture sections having different cross-sectional areas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an air pressure sensor. More specifically, the invention relates to pressure sensor ports for use in motor vehicle safety systems that minimize the possibility of debris blocking the opening in the port and impairing the performance of the pressure sensor.
2. Description of Related Art
Pressure sensor assemblies used in motor vehicles for side impact detection have an open port to enable sensing of air pressure changes at the sensor. The port has a potential for blockage by foreign objects due to, for example, their location in a vehicle door cavity. These sensors are intended to measure the pressure of a working fluid, most typically air. However, the volume inside a vehicle door cavity can at times get dust and debris remaining from the process of manufacturing the door and through use of the vehicle. This dust and debris have the potential of blocking an exterior aperture of the pressure sensor and reducing the performance of the pressure sensor assembly.
In view of the above, there exists a need for an improved design for a pressure sensor that is less susceptible to blockage by dust and debris.


A method and apparatus for authorizing a host to access a portable storage device and a method and apparatus of providing information for authorizing a host to access a portable storage device. The method includes: verifying integrity of host software requesting to transmit data; determining whether the host is authorized to access the portable storage device; and determining whether the host software is authorized to access the portable storage device. Accordingly, user information may be stored on the portable storage device and moved with security.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable storage device, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for authorizing a host connected to a portable storage device and a method and apparatus for providing information for authorizing a host.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent digital information devices such as a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless terminal, and a digital television set (DTV) adopt portable storage devices such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a compact flash (CF) card, or a secure digital (SD) card.
On the other hand, there is known a virtualization based state migration technology, in which a virtual machine that has been operated in a virtual machine monitor (VMM) environment is suspended, and the suspended virtual machine is stored in a portable storage device, transported to a different host, and loaded on a VMM on the different host to resume its operation.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an existing technology for protecting data stored in a portable storage device 110.
Referring to FIG. 1, a user connects the portable storage device 110 to a digital information device 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a host), such as a PC, a PDA, a wireless terminal, or a DTV. The host 100 encrypts data and stores it in the portable storage device 110 (120). In addition, the host 100 reads the encrypted data from the portable storage device 110 and decrypts it (130).
However, since the existing portable storage device 110 has a weak security infrastructure, a user's important information stored in the portable storage device 110 may be vulnerable to malicious attacks when the portable storage device 110 is stolen, lost, or connected to a host 100 infected by malware.
In addition, when the portable storage device 110 is applied to a virtualization based state migration technology, it is impossible to prevent the virtual machine stored in the portable storage device 110 from being used by an unauthorized host 100.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for authorizing host to access portable storage device


The invention relates to an enhanced mechanism for RFID reader which includes: an antenna for receiving a RFID signal transmitted from an object under test and outputting the RFID signal to the RFID reader; a metal plate disposed on an entrance of a building. The metal plate and the object under test are respectively placed on opposite sides of the antenna. The angle between the first metal plate and the second metal plate is from 30 to 180 degrees; therefore the metal plate, the antenna, and the RFID reader provide an enhanced mechanism of a RFID reader.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader and, more particularly, to an enhanced mechanism for RFID reader.
2. Description of Related Art
RFID is suitable for use of tag and reader, which applies the technique of wireless radio waves to identify objects automatically. The frequency band of RFID includes low frequency (125 k-135 kHz), high frequency (13.56 MHz), ultra high frequency (UHF 860-930 MHz), microwave (2.45 GHz), etc. Characteristics of different frequencies have different applications. For the RFID of electromagnetic induction type, the antenna of the reader continuously emits electromagnetic pulses, and the antenna coil of the RFID tag uses magnetic field to produce electric currents. The drive chip induces a coupling effect to start a certification process, which transfers the stored information to the reader within an operative distance. Then, the reader will transform and transfer the received information to an edge server to be encoded and processed. Therefore, RFID technique can be applied in a tracing device for merchandise management. For example, if the merchandises pass through the effective area of a special scanning device, the RFID reader will be able to locate its exact position.
As shown in FIG. 1, when merchandises pass through the entrance of a building, antenna 15 can receive the RFID signal reflected by the RFID tag 14 on the subject, and then it outputs the received RFID signal to a RFID reader 16. However, the RFID signal reflected by the RFID tag 14 on the object is passive, so the signal is weak. If the transmission distance is too long, or the RFID tag is attached to a dead space, both cases will result in the situation of ineffective RFID signal identification. Therefore, it is desired to provide an effective RFID signal receiver to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Enhanced mechanism for radio frequency identification reader


A seal is provided comprising two parts and is made of synthetic material. An upper part has an internal thread, a continuous surface area and an axial external cylinder section. A valve tube is positioned above the cylinder section and is held in place by means of a conical intermediate piece. A lower part has an external thread, a continuous surface area and an axial internal cylinder section. A sealing bulge faces the external cylinder section and a valve pin held in place above it by means of connecting bars. By turning the upper part in relation to the lower part, the upper part is displaced axially in relation to the lower part. A sealing piece is fitted axially to the upper end of the valve pin. As the seal is screwed down, the sealing piece blocks the upper opening of the upper part. Its upper end is flush with or rising above the upper part, and the valve pin is enclosed by the valve tube. When the seal is screwed down on entirely the valve pin will be located outside the valve tube. A rib at the lower part and a baffle at the upper part cooperate to limit the rotation of the upper part in relation to the lower part to less than a full revolution.

The present invention relates to a two-part seal made of synthetic material for a receptacle containing a free-flowing substance.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a two-part cap device or seal (herein referred to as a cap device or seal) made of synthetic material for a receptacle containing a free-flowing substance, with a lower part that can be slid onto the receptacle and that is in essence rotationally symmetrical around an axis of the cap device, its lower range being equipped with an external thread and an organ for attaching at the receptacle and at a lower and an upper end being provided with one opening each and possessing a non-perforated surface area between these openings, an upper part essentially symmetrical around the axis of the cap device, which in its lower range is provided with an internal thread suited for the external thread and at a lower and an upper end is provided with one opening each and possesses a non-perforated surface area between these openings, a valve pin directed upwards axially at the lower part and held via connecting bars, a valve tube, located axially at the upper part by means of an essentially conical intermediate piece, the internal thread being effectively connected with the external thread in the mounted state of the cap device so that the valve pin may be displaced axially in relation to the valve tube by turning the upper part in relation to the lower part, one cylinder section each located axially at the lower part and at the upper part, and a sealing bulge located at one of the cylinder sections and facing the other cylinder section, the two cylinder sections forming, when the seal is mounted, a tight effective connection by means of the sealing bulge and embracing each other coaxially at least over a part of their lengthwise extension, so that while continuously in a sealing state the two cylinder sections may be displaced axially in relation to each other.
A seal of the kind mentioned at the outset is known from DE-A-3727789 which renders possible a proportioned discharge of the fluid contents of the receptacle. The disadvantage of this seal is the fact that it contains a dead space which is not rinsed by the fluid when it is discharged. Parts of the fluid may remain there for longer periods of time, which cannot be tolerated in particular for fluids of limited storage times, e.g. because of spontaneous solidification or other changes, which may be the case for example with single-package systems, fats, foodstuffs, etc It is a further disadvantage of this seal that it has a pour-out area where after the fluid discharge has been concluded a fluid residue will remain which then will be exposed to the outside air for an extended period of time. This in turn cannot be tolerated with fluids that will solidify when in contact with the outside air or liable to change in any other way, for example single-package systems which solidify when exposed to air, fats which turn rancid, or foodstuffs which will dry out.
From EP-A-0296103 a seal is known that is equipped with a stopping element that stops up the upper opening of the upper part in the closed state of the seal. This is to prevent the existence of an area where a fluid residue will remain after the fluid discharge has been concluded, which in consequence will be exposed to outside air for longer periods of time. The disadvantage of this system is that after the conclusion of the fluid discharge there will still be a drop of fluid bridging the upper opening of the upper part and the stopping element, especially if the fluid is so viscous that even a big drop may not be removed by shaking it down. The seal according to EP-A-0296103 is dirtied and/or pasted up by this drop. Moreover, the seal according to EP-A-0296103 possesses a dead space which is not rinsed when the fluid is discharged. In addition, the seal according to EP-A-0296103 is equipped with rated break points or flexible parts and thus its production is rather costly.
It is an object of the present invention to create a seal of the kind mentioned at the outset having no dead space which is not rinsed by the fluid when it is discharged and no discharge area which might make possible the remaining of a fluid residue exposed to outside air after the conclusion of the fluid discharge, furthermore which does not allow the formation of a drop bridging the upper opening of the upper part, and which also may be produced at low cost.

Two-part captive dispensing cap device for use with a container or the like


Provided is a control apparatus and control method for a capacitive electromechanical transducer with small decrease in transmission/reception efficiency, and with sets of transmission/reception characteristics with different frequency ranges. The apparatus has cells each including first and second electrodes facing each other via a gap; includes a driving/detecting unit and an external stress applying unit. The driving/detecting unit performs at least one of causing the second electrode to vibrate and transmit elastic waves by generating an AC electrostatic attractive force between the electrodes, and detecting a change of capacity between the electrodes, the change being caused by the second electrode vibrating upon receipt of elastic waves. The external stress applying unit changes the external stress applied to the second electrode. The driving/detecting unit adjusts frequency characteristics by changing a parameter defining the frequency domain used in a transmitting/receiving operation, corresponding to the change of the external stress.

As a transducer that performs transmission/reception of ultrasound, a CMUT (Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer), that is a capacitive ultrasound transducer manufactured by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) process to which a semiconductor process is applied, has been proposed. There has been a measurement method by which ultrasound is transmitted to a measuring object, and the ultrasound reflected by the measuring object is received to obtain the information about the measuring object, with the use of an ultrasound transducer. There has been a suggested method by which the transmission/reception transducer used in the above measurement method is a CMUT that characteristically has a relatively wide frequency range (wideband) of ultrasound to be transmitted/received.
It is known that a CMUT has two modes in which the condition of a diaphragm that vibrates upon receipt of ultrasound varies: a conventional mode and a collapse mode (see PTL 1). In the conventional mode, the diaphragm is not in contact with a lower electrode during a transmitting/receiving operation, even if the diaphragm is concaved. In the collapse mode, on the other hand, the diaphragm is brought into contact with a lower electrode when concaved during a transmitting/receiving operation. PTL 1 discloses that ultrasound with large amplitude can be emitted by causing a diaphragm to vibrate between the conventional mode and the collapse mode.
According to a method of measuring ultrasound through transmission and reception, the required frequency range varies with measuring objects. Examples of typical features include a feature centering around 5 MHz (about 1 MHz through 5 MHz, for example) and a feature centering around 10 MHz (about 7 MHz through 12 MHz, for example). As an example of the former feature, there is a method of receiving ultrasound generated from a measuring object after light emission. This is also called photoacoustic tomography (PAT). As an example of the latter feature, there is a method of receiving ultrasound reflected by a measuring object after ultrasound transmission. As such, the frequency range required for a capacitive transducer varies depending on the size of the measuring object, the depth of the measurement, or the measurement method.

Control apparatus for capacitive electromechanical transducer, and method of controlling the capacitive electromechanical transducer


A relatively lightweight cooling device and method utilizing adsorption of perspirated water vapor to permit evaporative cooling of a person wearing a sealed suit for defined time periods. The device can be constructed in the form of a rectangular pad or the like having an open cell foam adjacent the person's skin to permit static transport of perspirated water vapor to an adsorbent layer. The open cell foam or a separate material acts as a thermal insulator to prevent heat flow back toward the skin resulting from the exothermic heat of adsorption produced by the adsorbent layer. In lieu of static movement of the water vapor, a small fan can be operatively associated with the fan for actively moving the water vapor to a single point to enhance the evaporative cooling, particularly where a smaller amount of adsorbent material is used. The vest itself can be the evaporator and filled with working fluid which is vaporized as the evaporator section of the vest absorbs heat from the body; the vapor is transported to a bed which can contain a desiccant, molecular sieve, adsorbent or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wearer's vest can be the adsorbent bed of the system initially completely charged with a working fluid which is driven off the bed as a result of the generation of body heat. The vapor can be transported from the bed to an internal heat exchanger or directly to the environment, e.g. outer space.

The present invention relates to a cooling mechanism and method used in a garment such as a suit or vest, as well in a head covering. More particularly, the present invention is directed to cooling devices such as vests, pads or patches used as a new cooling method in, for example, space suits, moisture-tight sealed hazardous material suits, vests and the like in which interior temperature and perspiration increases with physical exertion such as may be encountered in outer space extra vehicular activities, mining operations, fire departments and hazardous material disposal, or in adsorption-type hazardous material suits that are loose fitting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,294, shows a lightweight cooling vest which uses phase change materials to keep the wearer relatively cool under relatively heavy workload conditions for several hours. The materials act as a thermal diode which draws heat away from the surface of the skin but which also provides an insulating barrier to prevent unwanted cooling of the skin should the skin temperature drop below the phase transition temperature of the material.
Although the cooling vest is quite adequate for use in a vest or similar type of garment, the use of phase-change materials does not provide a sufficient cooling effect in connection with garments used in hostile environments such as may be encountered, for example, with hazardous material suits which must be sealed and therefore moisture-tight or adsorption-type hazardous material suits that are loose fitting but that cannot be opened or removed in a hostile environment. By way of illustration, the phase-change material is capable of handling 200-300 kJ per kilogram of material. Although this is acceptable with open garments such as vests, it is not sufficient with respect to sealed garments such as hazardous materials disposal suits OR SPACE SUITS and the like where moisture cannot escape and there is a significant heat build-up.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a relatively lightweight cooling mechanism and method for use with sealed garments, but not limited to use to use with sealed garments, which will provide an adequate cooling effect for a person wearing such a garment and engaging physical exertion which produces substantial amounts of perspiration.
The foregoing object has been achieved in accordance with the present invention by utilizing the transport of water vapor from the skin or in a closed system to a desiccant bed which adsorbs the water and produces exothermic heat toward the outside of the suit.
In particular, AN EMBODIMENT OF the present invention utilizes a cooling pad which is attached to a desiccant bed for adsorbing evaporated water from the person wearing the suit. The desiccant is located immediately adjacent to the outer surface of the garment and an open cell thermal insulation layer adjacent an opposite surface of the desiccant material to provide a barrier for resistance to heat flow from the exothermic adsorption process from the desiccant back toward the person's skin. This open cell foam between the person's skin and the thermal insulator permits the passive transfer of water vapor from the skin to the desiccant material where it is adsorbed and, when appropriate, itself to act as a thermal insulation barrier to prevent a backwards heat transfer.
As is well known, evaporation of water vapor from a person's skin requires a latent heat of vaporization which provides an overall cooling effect for the person's body. A thermal insulation layer can comprise, for example, a fine mesh nylon open-cell foam polyurethane foam composite so as to decrease by a large factor the heat flow from the absorption layer back to the wearer's skin where heat is created from the exothermic adsorption process. The desiccant bed can be formed, for example, by heat sealing the desiccant material in a plastic bag, which can be opened to initiate the adsorption process, attached by adhesive or the like to the inside of the hazardous materials handling suit. The bag can be then be discarded after use for the intended period, say six hours, or regenerated.
An advantage of the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention is that the cooling mechanism moves the water as vapor through the open cell foam and allows moisture to pass therethrough to the desiccant bed. As previously noted, the open cell foam can act as a thermal insulator depending on the material chosen; or the pad can have a separate material such as a product sold under the trademark "THINSULATE" by the 3M Company, between the open cell foam and the desiccant bed.
Another advantage and feature of the present invention is that the process of evaporation is substantially endothermic so that an adequate cooling capacity may be achieved within practical weight limitations.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that good thermal insulation is provided next to the skin of the person wearing the garment whereas relatively poor thermal insulation is provided at the outside of the suit so that, although the suit is moisture tight, the heat differential existing between the inside of the desiccant bed and the outside of the suit is high enough to cause the heat to flow in only one direction, namely toward the outside of the suit.
According to still another feature of the present invention, the cooling device may be provided in the form of a quilted pad, the quilting being provided so that the desiccant material will not settle to the bottom of the pad but be confined to a smaller space within the pad. The surface of the pad intended to be attached to the suit can have a self-adhesive surface so that the interface between the desiccant bed and the suit material provides a relatively good heat transfer surface. Another surface of the pad adjacent the open-cell foam which can be a polyurethane can be a peelable film such as polyethylene which can be peeled away to initiate the cooling process by permitting the transport of water vapor and prior thereto to provide shelf-life for the pad.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the cooling pad or pads can be adhered to the front and back of the suit, i.e., the chest area and the back areas. If the suit also has a head piece, a cooling pad can be placed in the vicinity of the top of the head where a substantial proportion of perspiration will occur in relation to the body area of the person. Alternatively, if the use of other equipment either on the chest or the back of the person wearing the suit precludes putting cooling pads in those areas, the cooling pads can be adhered to the suit at the sides.
To further minimize the weight of the cooling pad, particularly in a small area such as the head, a small commercial fan can be employed to pull water to a single point. The fan can be battery operated by, for example, a 12-volt battery.
A cooling pad of practical weight, i.e., ten pounds or less, can hold 40% of its weight in water which adsorbs 800 KJ of energy per kilogram of desiccant material with the known cooling vest which has a capacity of 200--300 KJ per kilogram of phase-change material.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device and method may be embodied in a cloth covered open-cell foam, which is backed with a polymer film, so that moisture can enter the foam from the skin side and then be transferred through the foam to the desiccant bed with a battery operated fan. In this embodiment the desiccant bed is located outside the suit. The moisture in the air is removed by the desiccant and the heat generated by the hydration would be transferred through the desiccant bed case to the outside. The desiccant bed is provided with baffles to improve the heat transfer and moisture removal. The dry air can be cooled either by a finned pipe, or returned untreated to the suit and distributed through the cloth covered open-cell foam. This return air maintains a constant pressure in the suit to prevent outside air from entering. The desiccant in the desiccant bed can be any commercially available desiccant.
Another embodiment of the personal cooling device utilizes only one moving part, namely a spring-actuated pressure regulating valve. Working fluid is evaporated from a sealed vest and captured in an absorbent or adsorbent bed which rejects heat to the environment. Rather than use the wearer's perspiration as the working fluid, a self-contained working fluid is used. Although this system requires the additional mass of this working fluid, the rate of adsorption of the working fluid vapor on the bed is increased because no other gases are present in the system to impede this adsorption. Also, this embodiment has the option of using fluids other than water as the working fluid.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, working fluid is desorbed from an adsorption bed, thereby providing the cooling and capture of this working fluid in an external heat exchanger, such as a condenser, which rejects heat to the environment. For space applications, the working fluid can be exhausted to the vacuum of space instead of being captured. This approach is ideal for a space suit cooling system where the working fluid would be desorbed from the adsorption bed to provide the cooling and the desorbed vapor is dumped to the surrounding space environment. The adsorbent bed could be configured to be a vest, or it could be an intermediate heat exchanger between the cooling system and the wearer. This approach is different from the above-described sealed vest with pressure regulating valve in which the vest is the evaporator and the vapor is driven off the evaporator and trapped in the adsorbent bed where heat is rejected. The desorption embodiment uses a recharging scheme similar to the sealed vest embodiment since in the recharge mode thereof, the bed is heated (adsorbing energy) and drives the working fluid off the bed (adsorbing energy or cooling in the process) and back into the vests which acts as a condenser.

Adsorption cooling device and method for hazardous materials suits


Disclosed is an electronic control apparatus which performs various kinds of controls associated with the driving of a vehicle. This electronic control apparatus has two electronic control units (ECUs) that are functionally assigned to associated various kinds of controls including the engine control and that independently execute the associated controls. Each ECU has a main central processing unit (CPU) and a sub CPU. The main CPU and sub CPU monitor the operational states of the other. When the local ECU is normal, the main CPU sends a run pulse signal to the mating ECU via a communication line. When the main CPU and sub CPU are normal, each ECU sends another run pulse signal to the mating ECU via the communication line. Each ECU monitors the two run pulse signals sent from the other ECU to determine an abnormality in the mating ECU.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electronic control apparatus that is adapted for various kinds of controls associated with the driving of a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to an electronic control apparatus equipped with a plurality of computers, which are functionally assigned to associated various kinds of controls including the engine control of a vehicle and which separately execute the associated controls.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are known electronic control apparatuses that perform the general electronic control of devices to be mounted on a vehicle such as the engine, transmission and suspension system. This type of electronic control apparatus comprises an arithmetic operation control circuit, which includes an input signal processing circuit, an arithmetic operation circuit, an output signal processing circuit (driving circuit) and a power circuit. One example of such an electronic control apparatus has a plurality of computers which are functionally assigned to associated various kinds of controls including the engine control and which independently execute the associated controls. The electronic control apparatus having a plurality of computers permits the individual computers to monitor the operational states of the other computers so that the operational state of the entire apparatus can be monitored.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 63-183254 discloses a computer system monitoring apparatus that has two computers (processors). As shown in FIG. 5, first and second processors 60 and 70, which constitute this monitoring apparatus, each have data bus and hand-shake bus ports 61 and 71, which are connected together by a data line and a control line 67. The processors 60 and 70 have exclusive watchdog output terminals 62 and 74 for issuing dynamic monitor signals, i.e., rectangular signals that invert every given period, to the mating processors 70 and 60. The processors 60 and 70 also have exclusive software reset output terminals 63 and 75 for issuing static reset signals, i.e., high-level or low-level signals, to the mating processors 70 and 60. The processors 60 and 70 send the monitor signals from the watchdog output terminals 62 and 74 to associated AND gates 79 and 80 via associated pumping circuits 77 and 78. Likewise, the processors 60 and 70 send the static reset signals from the reset output terminals 63 and 75 to the associated AND gates 79 and 80. The processors 60 and 70 further have watchdog detection terminals 64 and 72, which receive the monitor signals from the associated pumping circuits 78 and 77 via associated lead lines 85 and 89. The processors 60 and 70 have reset terminals 65 and 73, which receive the signals from the associated AND gates 80 and 79 via associated OR gates 82 and 81 and lead lines 86 and 90. Based on the monitor signals and reset signals acquired from the terminals 64, 72, 65 and 73, the processors 60 and 70 monitor the operational states of the other and specify an abnormality when one occurs in the engine or other location.
In the above-described monitoring apparatus disclosed in the Japanese publication, the lead lines 89 and 85 between the pumping circuits 77 and 78 and the associated watchdog detection terminals 72 and 64, and the lead lines 90 and 86 between the AND gates 79 and 80 and the associated reset terminals 73 and 65 carry high-level or low-level static signals. When any of the lead lines 89, 85, 90 and 86 is disconnected or short-circuited, therefore, the apparent signal which should be input from the disconnected or short-circuited lead line 89, 85, 90 or 86 to the associated terminals 72, 64, 73 and 65 is fixed at the low level or the high level. Accordingly, the processors 60 and 70 cannot detect the disconnection or short-circuiting of the lead line 89, 85, 90 or 86 as an abnormality. In addition, the processors 60 and 70 cannot specify the type of the abnormality.
For example, suppose a low-level signal is input to the reset terminal 73 of the second processor 70 via the lead line 90 at the normal time. Suppose that this lead line 90 is short-circuited and the second processor 70 has just failed to perform the proper operation for some reason. In this case, the first processor 60 detects through the detection terminal 64, that the watchdog signal has not been sent from the output terminal 74 of the second processor 70, and thus detects an abnormality in the processor 70. At this time, the first processor 60 sends out the reset signal from the reset output terminal 63 to reset the operation of the second processor 70. As the lead line 90 is short-circuited, however, the first processor 60 cannot supply the high-level reset signal indicative of an abnormality in the second processor 70 to the reset terminal 73 of the second processor 70. As a result, the abnormal operation of the second processor 70 cannot be stopped immediately.

Electronic control apparatus for vehicle


Roof ridge vent system adapted for housing a plurality of fans in a central airflow channel positioned directly over the opening in a ridge portion of a roof for ventilating a plurality of vent chutes or attic space comprising: a hood member engaged with outer edge portions of vent members having air-passageway holes defined therein and inner edge portions preferably being hinged respectively to inner edge portions of base members so as to be adapted for installation on variously-pitched roofs, each base member also having outer edge portions defining a wall adapted for blocking wind from being blown into the vent and for causing airflow over the top of the vent to encourage airflow through the vent system. Vent member sections may be installed end-to-end to define an elongated airflow channel adapted for ventilating with or without assistance from the fans.

The Need For Ventilation of Vent Chutes and Attic Spaces
As an energy saving means, many homes and roofs are well-insulated and built to tighter tolerances to prevent escape of heating, or alternatively cooling, air. A typical pitched roof comprises a base portion of the roof, known as a solid sheath, which is nailed or otherwise joined to an upper portion of structural rafters for providing a solid surface upon which shingles or other roofing materials are installed.
In particular for today's more modern vaulted ceiling and cathedral ceiling roofs (referred to hereinafter as vaulted ceiling roofs), adjacent the underside of the solid sheath of the roof, and between the rafters supporting the roof, insulation is installed between the solid sheath, the rafters and the ceiling sheet rock. In such vaulted-style ceiling roofs, there is a relatively small (about one to two inches) air gap, also known as a vent chute, defined as air space between the insulation material and the underside of the solid sheath.
On the lower ends of and in airflow communication with the vent chutes of such roofs, there are hanging eaves, or side fascia, soffit vent openings with louvered or screen vent covers. At the upper end of the vent chutes, near the ridgeline peak of the roof, there are typically created openings in the solid sheath for single spot vents, or an opening in the solid sheath near the ridge for a passive ridge vent, for passage of air to the exterior, or outside, of the roof. These openings are covered by a hood, otherwise known as a "pot", in the case of a single spot vent, or an elongated member in the case of a passive ridge vent, for allowing passage of air through the soffit vent, through the vent chute, or optionally from the attic air space itself, and outside the roof through the spot vent or at the ridge vent near the peak of the roof.
While there are perhaps some exceptions, pitched roofs for structures including attic space typically have not included vent chutes as described above, but rather the air in the attic space itself has communicated directly between the soffit vents adjacent the lower portion of the structure comprising the attic space and the spot vent openings on the roof or the ridge vent opening near the peak of the roof.
As roofs and structures have been built over the years to higher standards of sealed construction to make the structures more heating, cooling and weather efficient overall, there has developed an increased need for airflow, other than just passive airflow, in the vent chutes between the solid sheath, the insulation and the rafters of vaulted-ceiling structures. Such enhanced airflow needs have also been presented for attic spaces that have not included vent chutes as described above.
In either case, with vent chutes or without them, household activities such as bathing, laundry, dishwashers, etc., as well as weather, including heavy rain, ice accumulation, and internal and external temperature differentials leading to condensation, all have contributed to moisture buildup under the roof. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture has damaged and reduced the useful life of insulation, rafters, and roofing materials.
While sometimes nearly continuous ventilation of a roof and its corresponding structure are very important for cooling and removing moisture during warmer weather, effective ventilation is also very important to alleviate moisture during wet and icy weather conditions. During colder weather conditions, occupants turn on their furnaces to warm the air in the rooms of the structure, and if unvented, this warm air, especially in rooms where water is used such as in a bathroom or a laundry room, picks up moisture, carrying it into the roofing materials and any attic region of the house through unintentionally existing cracks or leaks in the vapor barrier between the occupied area of the structure and the attic. Often times, the area around the door or retractable stairway allowing attic access from inside the home has been a problem area for such leakage, for example after a worker has accessed the attic.
Heat transfer during cold weather periods, or cooling effect during warm weather periods, transfers heat, or cold, into the attic from the occupied portion of the structure, often causing a temperature differential between inside and outside air, leading to condensation in the attic. Accordingly, during such conditions moist air has condensed into droplets or frost in the attic or vent chutes, and the moisture ultimately has ended up damaging the insulation, roofing and other building materials.
Efficient roof ventilation not only allows cooler and drier attic and occupied spaces within a structure, regardless of outside weather conditions, but it also helps prevent moisture from causing mildew or peeling of paint or otherwise damaging roofing, ceiling or drywall materials.
Inadequacy of Passive Spot Vents
Prior art passive spot vents, also known as pot vents since they have an upside down "pot" covering an opening that is in airway communication with the interior space to be ventilated, have been developed primarily for ventilating attic space and alternatively vent chutes. Further, there have been developed roof building structures and methods which have enabled communication of air between the rafters supporting the roof through corrugated ventilation material, or spacer material, installed between the solid sheath and the rafters. Such ventilation materials have aided the process of ventilation of the vent chutes through spot vents, since they have in theory allowed the ventilation of multiple vent chutes with a single passive spot vent. But this solution, often characterized by a uniform row of such spot vents near the peak of a roof that has been considered by some to be unsightly, has not provided ideal, or even adequate, ventilation of the vent chutes in some cases given adverse weather and use conditions.
Passive spot vents have been considered less effective for ventilation of vent chutes since certain prevailing natural exterior wind and weather conditions have not created sufficient pull of air through the passive spot vent to pull the air out of the space with enough force to dry or adequately cool it. This problem has been exacerbated, especially in more humid climates, by attempts to ventilate multiple chutes with a single passive spot vent.
Fan-Powered Ventilation of Attics and Other Rooms of a Structure
Attic Ventilation
Use of a larger fan for ventilating attic space to a spot vent located on the ridge of a roof or a gable vent is known. However, such a system has not been adapted, nor would it be well-suited to ventilating the vent chutes of a vaulted ceiling roof because of the relatively large number of vent chutes to be ventilated and the desirability of sometimes nearly continuous fan operation in such an application. If the larger single fan of such a system were required to run for extended periods of time to ventilate an area, it would not only consume a significant amount of electric power from the structure's main power system, making it financially less desirable to operate in such a situation, but it would also be prone to system downtime during fan failure and repair periods. Further, special consideration has been required to determine the proper placement of the fan for such a system in order to achieve uniform cooling and ventilation given sometimes complex airflow considerations. Some such systems have also required special wiring to the power main of the structure by an electrical contractor.
Room and Appliance Ventilation
Prior conventional room ventilation systems have included an active, fan-powered, spot vent, or vents, typically controlled by a switch but sometimes including an automated control system, for ventilating interior room space such as a bathroom or laundry room. Such systems are characterized by vent and fan designs rated for the number of cubic feet per minute and ventilation requirements of the area to be ventilated. These ventilation systems route ventilated air through a tube to a wall or the roof at the exterior of a structure and typically are not allowed to leak air into the attic or occupied space of the structure. While a fan-powered spot ventilation system has been devised for ventilation of a room through a port installed on the ridge of a roof, it has not been devised for the purpose of ventilating the vent chute space.
An example of a prior ventilation system for ventilating a room and showing a vent hood located at the ridge of a roof includes FIG. 4 and related text of U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,815, to Folsom, for Apparatus For Venting Rooms With Exhaust Fans. Folsom teaches a ridge ventilator system 20 in communication with an apparatus comprising side, bottom and end panels for directing air from a vent hose communicating with a fan at the other end of the hose for a room to be ventilated, such as a bathroom. Folsom does not teach the use of an elongated ridge vent system extending for all or a significant portion of a roof ridge for ventilation of the vent chutes or attic space of a structure.
Solar-Powered Ventilation Fans For Attics and Other Rooms
U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,151, to Parker et al., for High Efficiency Solar Powered Fan, teaches a fan blade configuration that is capable of being solar powered and for exhausting air out from underneath roofs. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,888 to Adkins, II, for Solar Powered Exhaust Fan, discloses a solar powered exhaust fan having a pipe adapter for connection to the interior of portable buildings. Parker acknowledges the limitations of solar power for a large or otherwise inefficient ventilation fan, and Adkins, II is designed for smaller, portable structures. Neither Parker nor Adkins, II, teaches the use of a plurality of solar-powered fans in an elongated ridge vent system designed for ventilating the vent chutes or attic of a structure.
Prior Art Ridge Vent Ventilation Systems
In an attempt to meet the need for enhanced and more uniform ventilation, as well as the need for an aesthetically pleasing exterior system of vents, prior art passive ridge vent systems that simulate the appearance of ridge cap shingles at the peak of a roof have been developed to ventilate attic spaces and roof structure interiors. Though such ridge vent systems have been naturally more efficient than spot ventilation systems, since warm air naturally rises upwardly toward the ridge of the roof and since they have been able to ventilate the attic space or vent chutes all along the ridge of the roof closely adjacent the area where the warm air first rises to the peak of the roof, their effectiveness has been limited where stagnant wind conditions, higher temperatures and higher moisture and humidity have been present.
Prior art roof ridge ventilation systems designed for ventilation of attic space primarily have been passive systems relying on natural airflow currents and wind patterns. An example of such a system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,431, to Villela, for Fan Fold Vent. Villela teaches a fan-fold vent comprising a semi-rigid panel adjustable to the configuration of the roof. A gutter with drain slots to prevent accumulation of rain is also disclosed. Villela does not disclose the use of a ridge vent system adapted for housing a fan array within the ridge vent for actively ventilating the vent chutes of a roof.
Another example of a passive roof ridge vent system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,668, to Morris, for Ridge Cap Vent, which teaches an upper ridge cap member and a lower closure member with corrugated vent material between them and having a multiplicity of transversely extending air passages for allowing ventilation of an interior portion of a roof through the ridge of the rooftop. Morris does not teach the use of a ridge vent system adapted for having a fan array in the ridge vent for actively ventilating vent chute airspace communicating between a ridge vent, soffit vents, insulation and solid sheathing materials.
These prior art systems have not accounted for the fact that certain roof lines facing a certain direction may not be oriented to take advantage of prevailing winds to create adequate passive airflow, have not accounted for the fact that sometimes weather and excess humidity conditions have not been conducive to adequate passive ventilation airflow, and have not generally been adequate for today's larger structures having greater ventilation and cooling needs.
Thus, while passive ridge vents have been developed which take advantage of natural wind and convective air currents to create natural areas of lower pressure outside of the ridgeline of the roof to induce warm air to travel upwardly and outwardly to the exterior at the ridge vents, varying weather, rain, humidity and wind conditions, together with enhanced needs for ventilation in today's modern structures, have created conditions which passive ventilation systems simply cannot adequately ventilate—no matter how well they have been designed.
With increased numbers of vaulted ceiling roof structures comprising vent chute construction, together with tighter-tolerance, higher-efficiency building standards for structures also housing multiple water-oriented activities, there has developed a need for enhanced, sometimes continuous and active ventilation of vent chute space for the purpose of maintaining the structure cool and moisture free during both high-temperature periods and high-humidity periods conducive to a buildup of condensation within the interior space and adjoining areas. Because of such modern sealed construction methods, and because the solid sheath is the most elevated barrier to airflow within the structure, adequate ventilation along the underside of the solid sheath is critical to the long-term well-being of the structure and the roof. This is also why it is along the underside of the solid sheath that ventilation is most effective to reduce heat before it can radiate from the roof to the interior of the structure and is most effective at reducing moisture in the roofing materials.
Accordingly there has long been needed a fan-powered roof ridge ventilation system that is suitable for meeting the needs of appropriately ventilating the vent chutes of a roof, and especially such a system that is energy efficient, is easily retrofitted to existing structures and is preferably able to be solar-powered without the need for employment of an electrical contractor to retrofit or otherwise install the system. Such a system would save energy because the desired area along and underneath the upper portion of the pitched roof and the vent chutes would be better ventilated than a passive prior art system has been able to ventilate, thus saving greatly in terms of heating and cooling costs. Further, the ability readily to use solar power and fan controller devices with such a system would contribute to its overall energy savings, efficiency and fan array longevity over main-powered solutions.
Further, there has developed a need to adequately ventilate roof structures along the entire ridgeline of the roof. And since different roof ridgelines are of different lengths, a ridge vent system should interconnect modular sections or segments of ridge vent materials to accommodate the longer and more complex ridges of today's modern roofs without adversely affecting performance of the system. Further, while it is desirable that a fan-powered ventilation system be designed for long life and functioning of the system, convenience of maintenance demands easy access from the roof top to the fans employed therein for changing the fans when such become worn or fail to operate.
Still further, with the advent of today's more complex and contemporary roof structures, there are a variety of configurations of existing roofs that need to be easily accommodated with a retro-fitted solar-powered, active ridge vent system. Ideally, such a system would be adapted even for roofs part of which cover vaulted ceilings and part of which cover attic space. Since roofs are made with widely varying pitches from one roof to the next, and also involve dissimilar pitched sides of a single roof, there is a need for a ridge vent system that is easily adaptable to a large number of types of roofs with a minimum of need for customization of the ridge vent system to the particular new construction or retro-fitted roof.
Thus, there exists a need for a durable and easy to install ridge vent system that incorporates powered means, such as a fan array integrated into the ridge vent system itself, for enhancing ventilation capability to meet the needs of insulated roof systems.


A method and system for controlling a speed of a vehicle. Acceleration data comprising acceleration samples of the vehicle on a segment of the road is captured. Jerk energy values associated with the vehicle on the segment is computed based upon the acceleration samples. Median jerk energy of the vehicle on the segment may be determined based upon the jerk energy values. Predictive median jerk energy of the vehicle on the segment is computed using a statistical equation. A score associated with the segment is calculated based upon the median jerk energy, the predictive median jerk energy, and a standard deviation (σ). The segment is classified into one of a first set of categories and a second set of categories based upon the score. A feedback signal indicative of controlling the speed of the vehicle is transmitted to a controller based upon the classification.

Autonomous vehicles have been introduced in recent times that facilitate driving of a vehicle without the assistance of a driver present in the vehicle. A controller present in such an autonomous vehicle may be configured to drive the vehicle at a particular speed on a road. However, there are challenges when the conditions on the road are variable and contain patches of segments having roughness conditions. In such scenarios, the speed of the vehicle may be required to be controlled by the controller depending on the variance of the road conditions in the patches of segments.
Efforts have been made in the past in order to sense vibrations caused to the vehicle and accordingly set the speed of the vehicle to a predefined threshold value in order to avoid jerk to the vehicle. However, such configuration of the speed the vehicle may not be useful since not all segments of the road may have roughness conditions or smooth conditions. Further, setting the speed of the vehicle to the predefined threshold value may create a challenge in ensuring safety to passengers inside the vehicle, as roughness of the road may vary from one segment to the other, and hence the speed may have to be reduced in order to avoid havoc or damage to the passengers.

Method and system for controlling a speed of a vehicle


The present invention relates to radiation curable silicone vinyl ethers and methods for preparing silicone vinyl ethers. More particularly, the present invention relates compositions containing vinyl ether functional silicones and to the preparation and use of silicone vinyl ethers which are curable by addition of photocleavable acids and exposure to ultraviolet or electron beam radiation.

The present-invention relates to radiation curable silicone vinyl ethers and methods for preparing silicone vinyl ethers. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions containing vinyl ether functional silicones and to the preparation and use of silicone vinyl ethers which are curable by addition of photocleavable acids and exposure to actinic radiation.
Alkenyl ether functional organosilicon compounds have been described in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,238 to Crivello discloses and claims a photopolymerizable composition comprising (a) an organopolysiloxane having at least one Si-bonded vinyloxy functional group of the formula H.sub.2 C.dbd.CH--O--G--, where G is alkylene (such as propylene) or alkylene interrupted by at least one divalent heteroradical selected from --O--, divalent phenylene, or substituted divalent phenylene, or combination of such heteroradicals, and (b) an onium salt catalyst. The '238 patent also describes a method wherein the vinyl ether group is introduced into the organopolysiloxane by addition (hydrosilylation) of compounds with an allyl and a vinyl ether group to an SiH group of the organopolysiloxane in the presence of a platinum catalyst. In the method of the --238 patent, only the allyl group is added to the SiH group while the vinyl ether group is preserved and thus only one vinyl ether group for each SiH group can be incorporated into the siloxane molecule at any given time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,503 to Itoh et al. discloses unsaturated organopolysiloxanes containing at least two organosiloxane groups represented by the formula ##EQU1## wherein R1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, X is a group --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 S--, and m is a number of 0, 1, or 2.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,549 to Herzig et al. discloses alkenyloxy functional organosilicon compounds which contain at least one Si-bonded Y radical per molecule having the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --R.sup.2 --(A--R.sup.3).sub.z --O--CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --R.sup.4, wherein A denotes --O--, --S--, or --C(O)O--, R.sup.2 denotes a linear or branched alkylene radical having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms per radical or cycloalkylene radical having from 5 to 7 carbon atoms per radical, R.sup.3 denotes a linear or branched alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms per radical, which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, methoxy group, ethoxy group, or trimethylsiloxy group, R.sup.4 denotes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms per radical, and z has a value of 0, 1, or 2. The alkenyloxy-functional organopolysiloxanes can be crosslinked for example with ultraviolet light and can be used for preparing coatings. The '549 patent further discloses that the alkenyloxy functional organosilicon compounds are prepared by reacting compounds of the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--R.sup.2 --(AR.sup.3).sub.z --OCH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--R.sup.4 with an organosilicon compound having at least one Si-bonded hydrogen atom in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, followed by a second step which effects the transfer of the carbon-carbon double bond to the carbon bonds beside the ether oxygen.
European Patent Publication No. 0462389 teaches thermosetting organopolysiloxanes with oxyalkylene vinyl ether groups bonded by SiOC groups and the vinyl groups may be substituted by alkyl radicals. EPO '389 also teaches a method for the preparation of these compounds and their application as photochemically thermosetting polysiloxanes in encapsulating compounds, as non-stick coating compounds for flat carriers or as modified additives in compounds which can be thermoset radically, cationically or by UV or electron radiation.
Another vinyl ether functional silicone is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,716 to Vara et al. which discloses alk-1-enyl ether silicates having the formula X!.sub.4-n SiOR.sup.1 OCH.dbd.CH--R.sup.2 !.sub.n wherein X is a halogen or --OR wherein R is lower alkyl or a mixture of halogen and OR, a mixture of OR and hydrogen or a mixture of halogen and hydrogen, R.sup.1 contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and is alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, optionally alkoxylated with up to 20 units of ##STR1## wherein Y is hydrogen or methyl and R.sup.2 is each hydrogen or lower alkyl and n has a value of 1 to 4. The '716 patent also discloses a process for preparing vinyl ether silicates.
The methods described hereinabove which rely on competition between the vinyl ether group and other alkenyl groups on the same compound do not result in conversion of SiH to vinyl ether. In contrast, the method of the present invention results in the quantitative conversion of siloxanes to vinyl ether, the preferred radiation sensitive group.

Radiation curable siloxane compositions containing vinyl ether functionality and methods for their preparation


A bandpass filter operates with electroacoustically active components. The bandpass filter includes a first transducer segment having a spike in the insertion loss at a first frequency f1 and a second transducer segment having a spike in the insertion loss at a second frequency f2≠f1. The frequencies f1 and f2 are chosen such that the insertion loss is smoothed.

In mobile communication devices, bandpass filters serve for selecting desired frequency ranges for diverse signal paths. The desired frequency ranges can pass through the filter, while undesired frequency ranges are blocked.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0130411 A1 discloses band-stop filters comprising electroacoustically active components.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,588 likewise discloses electroacoustic components, e.g., for improving adjacent channel selectivity.

Electroacoustic bandpass filter having smoothed insertion loss


In a process for delivering pressurized gas from an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, a stream of oxygen-rich liquid or gas having a nominal flow rate is withdrawn from a low-pressure column, an oxygen-rich liquid purge stream is withdrawn as bottoms from the low-pressure column and the oxygen-rich liquid purge stream is sent to a storage tank, in the event of a reduction in the production by the column system or an increase in the demand by a customer, a back-up stream is withdrawn from the storage tank and vaporized in a back-up reboiler and only if the liquid level in the storage tank exceeds a given threshold, a liquid stream is withdrawn from the storage tank constituting at most 2% of the nominal production output of the oxygen-rich stream and is sent to the back-up reboiler.

In these apparatuses, it is necessary to take off a purge stream permanently from the external evaporators used to evaporate the liquid oxygen at low pressure and/or from evaporators within the columns, in order to avoid a potentially dangerous accumulation of impurities. These purge streams are withdrawn substantially permanently, for example, from the bottom of a low-pressure column, which produces only gaseous oxygen withdrawn directly from that column, in order to prevent the accumulation of impurities.
The purge of the cryogenic liquids from the cold box are generally sent to a specific device for evaporating them:                gravel pit, for generators of very small size        atmospheric chamber, which collects the liquids, which will subsequently evaporate slowly        evaporator (using heating and ventilation).
In EP-A-0605262, a purge liquid is sent into a storage facility, and a liquid portion from the storage facility is sent into a heat exchanger to be mixed with gaseous oxygen. The storage facility is also fed by liquid transported by a truck; the system is therefore one of injection of liquid oxygen with an extra contribution of external liquid, thus allowing the purge to be evaporated with the reheated gaseous oxygen.
In EP-A-1202012, a storage facility is fed by a purge stream originating from the bottom of the low-pressure column in the case of a reduction in the production of the column system, a standby stream which is evaporated in a standby evaporator is withdrawn from the storage facility.

Apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation

L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Products Georges Claude


A transmission apparatus includes a first multiplexer configured to multiplex light of wavelengths of a first wavelength band to output first wavelength multiplex light, a first wavelength converter configured to convert the first wavelength multiplex light into wavelengths of a second wavelength band which is different from the first wavelength band, by using first excitation light, a second multiplexer configured to multiplex light of wavelengths of the first wavelength band which are different from the wavelengths of the first wavelength multiplex light to output second wavelength multiplex light, a second wavelength converter configured to convert the second wavelength multiplex light into wavelengths of the second wavelength band, by using second excitation light, a third multiplexer configured to multiplex the first wavelength multiplex light converted into the wavelengths of the second wavelength band, and the second wavelength multiplex light converted into the wavelengths of the second wavelength band.

In recent years, with a growing demand for communications, there has been a demand for expansion of a transmission capacity by way of an increase in the number of cores of optical fibers, an increase in the capacity of optical signal per wavelength, and an increase in the number of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) channels, for example.
However, because of high costs of laying optical fibers, it is desired to expand the transmission capacity by increasing the capacity of the optical signal or increasing the number of WDM channels, without increasing the number of optical fiber cores. A transmission apparatus implements communications using an optical wavelength of a conventional band (C band) of 1530 nm to 1565 nm, for example. However, the expansion of the transmission capacity is limited if only the C band is used.
Hence, the transmission apparatus aims at expanding the transmission capacity using communication bands such as a long band (L band) of 1565 nm to 1625 nm and a short band (S band) of 1460 nm to 1530 nm, in addition to the C band.
As a related art, disclosed are Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication Nos. 2003-188830, 1-149593, 8-256128, 8-97771, and the like.
However, as optical components such as optical transmitters and receivers, wavelength multiplexers and demultiplexers, and optical amplifiers supporting the C band, the S band, and the L band are to be developed individually, the cost is higher than in a case where an optical component only supporting one band is developed. Therefore, if a plurality of bands are used, the transmission apparatus desirably has optical components supporting the respective bands, which thus increases parts cost and operational cost.

Transmission apparatus and transmission method


An environmentally safe and compatible filter and dehydrator apparatus for dehydrating and filtering impurities from fuel materials having a filter housing, a filter element composed of non-metallic, environmentally safe material and a water sensor used to detect the presence of water and generate a signal in response thereto to automatically engage a pump to remove a quantity of separated water from the filter housing, in the absence of allowing air to enter the filter housing. While processing fuel through the filter housing, a natural fuel/water contact forms within a lower portion of the filter housing. As fuel material is filtered and the fuel/water contact rises within the filter housing, the fuel/water contact approaches the water sensor. When the water sensing means detects the presence of water, the water sensor generates a signal to engage a pump to remove a quantity of separated water from a lower opening in the lower portion of the filter housing. The separated water is automatically removed in the absence of allowing air to enter the filter housing and the fuel/water contact is kept at a minimum elevation within the filter housing and away from the filter element.

The filtration of fuels, and the like, to remove water and other impurities is an ongoing concern. The -consumption of fuels which contain water and other impurities result in numerous problems including inefficient fuel consumption such as increased or accelerated consumption, impeded engine performance and even total engine failure. The consumption of hydrated and contaminated fuels is costly in terms of the associated engine repair and decrease in engine performance, the loss of productivity while the engine is being repaired and the backlog of work created while the vehicle is out of service.
The particular industries and activities which are directly affected by fuel consumption in internal combustion engines include trucking companies, bus companies, cab companies, delivery and courier companies, government emergency services and vehicle commuters. These industries and activities are particularly vulnerable to the maladies caused by consumption of hydrated and otherwise contaminated fuels. At this time, no environmentally safe device exists which separates impurities from fuels while also dehydrating the fuel and automatically disposing of the removed water from the filter apparatus.
Of primary concern in the present invention is to harmonize an efficient fuel filtration and dehydration apparatus having a filter element composed of environmentally safe, non-metallic materials and a water sensing means which generates a signal to activate a pump to automatically dispose of the removed water. The inclusion of a filter element made of disposable and environmentally safe materials eliminates the added expense of separating out the non-environmentally safe materials, permitting the expended filter elements to be used for plastics and cogeneration fuel applications. Additionally, the inclusion of a pump to remove the separated water from the filter and dehydrator apparatus generally provides that the water removed from the apparatus is replaced by fuel drawn from the fuel tank, thus generally preventing the entry of air into the apparatus.
It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide a filter and dehydrator apparatus which in normal use dehydrates and separates impurities from fuels, using an environmentally safe filter element, while automatically removing and disposing of the separated water in the absence of allowing air to enter the apparatus.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description or maybe learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention maybe realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Filter and dehydrator apparatus with threaded collar


It is proposed in order to adjust the release quantities of spraying heads (58), by means of which lubricant is sprayed onto surface areas of metal sheets (10), to provide a temperature regulation for the lubricant and to control the lubricant release by the spraying heads (58) via the temperature adjustment. The temperature adjustment of the lubricant is effected by using a heat exchanger (16) circulating hot water.

The invention relates to a method for spraying workpieces with a fluid, and, such as a lubricant, and an associated device for spraying workpieces with a fluid, such as a lubricant.
A method of this type is described in DE 195 44 016 A1.
In this specification, the adjustment of the quantity of operating fluid atomised by the spraying head is effected over a limited range by means of a motor-adjustable nozzle needle.
By way of the present invention, a method of the initially stated type is to be provided, which allows for the adjustment of the quantity per unit of time of operating fluid atomised by the spraying head over a wider range.
This object is attained according to the invention by the features disclosed in claim 1.
In a method according to the invention, use is made of the fact that the operating fluids which are usually to be applied to workpieces are viscous. In the temperature range of interest in this case (room temperature to 80xc2x0 C.), the viscosity of fluids typically varies approximately proportional to the square of the ratio (in C.xc2x0) between the difference between the temperature T (xc2x0 C.) in question and the melting temperature of the water Ts and room temperature Tr (xc2x0 C.) and Ts, i.e. proportional to (Txe2x88x92Ts)2/(Trxe2x88x92Ts)2. At T=80xc2x0 C., the viscosity is therefore 16 times lower than at room temperature.
In practice, application quantities of approximately 0.8 to 10 g/m2 are obtained.
The rate of operating fluid passing through the spraying head can also be adjusted via the pressure at which the operating fluid is supplied to the spraying head. In practice, it is possible to attain a throughput control by a factor of approximately 2 by varying the supply pressure between 5 bar and 10 bar.
If both possibilities of rate control are combined, it is possible to obtain an overall adjustment range of the throughput by a factor of approximately 25. The temperature adjustment and the pressure adjustment can be carried out with precision by using conventional control methods, so that precise application quantities can also be ensured. Now the application quantity and temperature or pressure relate to one another in detail depends upon the physical (and to some degree also the chemical) properties of the respective operating fluid and the respective spraying heads which are used. The method according to the invention is preferably used in such a manner that these dependencies are firstly determined in tests, the test results are deposited in stores and by using these stored test results the temperature and/or pressure is/are adjusted in such a manner that the desired application quantity of operating fluid is obtained.
Typical operating fluids are, more particularly, oils having various physical and chemical properties, as are used for spraying metal sheets prior to pressing or deep drawing operations.
Advantageous developments of the invention are contained in subclaims.
The development of the invention in a preferred embodiment allows for careful heating of the operating fluid by using a heating medium having a higher temperature over a large contact area. In contrast, the introduction of corresponding quantities of heat directly from an electrical heating device could result in losses in quality of the operating fluid.
One embodiment of the invention offers the advantage that a large quantity of heat can be supplied in a compact volume. The use of water as a heating fluid also offers the advantage that it is possible to fall back on the tried and tested technology of water heating devices and water heat exchangers. Furthermore, water also has relatively good thermal conductivity.
The development of the invention in one embodiment allows for a simple continuous and reproducible supply of heat to the heating fluid.
The development of the invention in another embodiment allows for a further increase in the throughput adjustment range.
By way of one embodiment of the invention, an overall fine adjustment of the application quantity is obtained, and it is also possible to ensure a short control constant as compared with a temperature adjustment alone by dividing the overall adjustment between a temperature adjustment, a pressure adjustment and a key time adjustment.
For some applications, it is advantageous if the opposing sides of a workpiece (e.g. metal sheet) can be differently sprayed with operating fluid. In this manner, it is possible to take into account that the mechanical stresses to which both surfaces are subjected during the subsequent treatment of the workpieces (e.g. deep drawing of a metal sheet), can differ. It is also possible, if desired, to spray the two sides of the workpiece with different operating fluid.
The development of the invention as claimed in claim 8 also allows for a local variation in the application quantity when spraying only a single side according to the respective anticipated requirements. Thus, for example, it is possible to coat areas of metal sheets which are to be pressed which undergoes minimal deformation in the pressing mould with a small quantity of operating fluid, whilst spraying areas which are heavily deformed in the pressing mould with a large quantity of operating fluid.
With the present invention, the temperature adjustment is effected in a connecting line leading to the spraying heads, which in practice is a ring conduit. The heating device provided to this end therefore only needs to have a smaller heating capacity than in cases where the temperature of the entire supply of operating fluid in a supply receptacle is adjusted. A further advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the temperature adjustment takes place with a smaller control constant, since the respective volumes which need to be adjusted to the desired temperature are small as compared with the content of a supply receptacle.
The development of the invention in one embodiment is again advantageous with a view towards careful heating of the operating fluid.
In one embodiment of the device, a circulated heating medium is used, in which only the arising heat losses are compensated. This is advantageous with a view towards low energy consumption and with a view towards corrosion protection of the primary circuit of the heat exchanger.
The developments of the invention in certain embodiments are advantageous with a view towards a rapid and precise adjustment of the temperature conditions in the primary circuit and in the secondary circuit of the heat exchanger. Thus, in cases where a temperature increase is desired, it is possible to firstly supply considerably more heat to the primary circuit than is required during stationary operation. As a result of the constant monitoring of the temperatures, overshooting is prevented as well as an excessively slow approach of the temperature to the stationary end value.
The development of the invention in certain embodiments ensure monitoring of the fluid flows in the primary and secondary circuits of the heat exchanger. From the output signal of the flow meter or flow sensor, it is also easily possible to determine if a circulating pump fails or if other disturbances occur during the conveyance of the fluids.
In certain embodiments, a heat exchanger can be manufactured in a very simple manner from finished components which only need to be brought into contact with one another with sufficiently large surface areas.
In one embodiment, the duct of the heat exchanger conveying the operating fluid can simultaneously undertake a supportive function for the spraying heads as well as a distributive function for the latter.
In another embodiment, the entire heat exchanger can be manufactured very simply and economically as an integrally formed part.
The development of the invention in another embodiment is advantageous with a view towards a constant temperature adjustment in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.
The development of the invention in another embodiment is advantageous with a view towards uniform heating of the operating fluid from both sides.
In the device in one embodiment, compressed air, which a spray head possibly required for atomisation or for shaping the generated mist, is heated to the temperature of the operating fluid before it is supplied to the spraying heads.
In this respect, the development of the invention in one such embodiment is again advantageous with a view towards a simple realisation both of the first heat exchanger and of the second heat exchanger by a single extruded multi-chamber profile.
The development of the invention in another embodiment allows for a simple, clear fitting, which is also expedient for maintenance, of the spraying heads to a duct conveying the operating fluid.
In another embodiment, it is possible in a simple manner to maintain the spraying heads per se at the same temperature as the supplied operating fluid.
In this respect, the development of the invention in one such embodiments is advantageous with a view towards a uniform temperature adjustment in the spraying head.
In one embodiment of the device, the compressed air supply of the spraying head is also effected via the adapter element supporting said spraying head. No separate compressed air lines are therefore required. The spraying head can be dismantled and fitted in a particularly simple manner.
In one embodiment of the device, the compressed air control associated with a spraying head is spatially combined in a simple manner with the adapter element, which is in turn advantageous for reasons relating to assembly and facility of inspection.
The development of the invention according to one embodiment means that it is possible to carry out a final fine adjustment of the temperature of the fluid which is to be atomised by the spraying head directly at the spraying head. In this manner, it is possible to account for locally varying ambient temperatures in the case of long spraying head strips. Thus, for example, the spraying heads lying in the centre of a spraying head strip follow the temperature of the adjacent spraying heads, so that their thermal losses are less than those of the peripheral spraying heads. The different spraying heads of a spraying head strip can also lie in different flows of the surrounding atmosphere, partially as a result of the design of a protective housing enclosing the spraying heads or the spraying head strips, partially as a result of the air flows at the installation site (factory hall).
In this respect, the development of the invention in one such embodiment is advantageous with a view towards a simple automatic temperature adjustment at the spraying heads.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the electrical cabling of a spraying head strip can also be fitted in a compact manner allowing for ease of inspection.
The developments of the invention in one preferred embodiment are advantageous with a view towards simple replaceability of the individual spraying heads and the adapter element associated therewith, without major intervention into the overall installation.

Method and device for spraying workpieces


A multi-functional control assembly having a rotary controller with a push-button switches contained therein. The rotary controller has a shaft. A bore is formed through the shaft. A communicator extends through the bore and is configured to communicate information regarding the push-button switch through the bore.

Typically, selector switches and potentiometers are utilized to control an electric guitar. A selector switch, for example, is utilized for selecting a desired combination of pickups. The selector switch allows a desired one or more of multiple pickups to be selected and placed in either a parallel or series configuration. Potentiometers are utilized to control tone and volume for modifying the sound provided by the electric guitar. The volume control allows a guitarist to vary the volume of the instrument while the tone control allows the guitarist to vary the tone of the electric guitar. Typically, the selector switch and potentiometer functions are not combined in a single control mechanism.
While there are practical advantages to combining selector switch and potentiometer functions a single control mechanism, such mechanisms have not found general use in electric guitars. Typical rotary control mechanisms must have sufficient gripping surface for operation which causes the mechanism to extend up from the mounting surface of the guitar. A typical push-button switch must also have sufficient clearance between the switch and the mounting surface of the guitar so as to facilitate inward movement of the switch. Such clearance inherently necessitates that the combined push-button/rotary control mechanism sit higher, i.e., extend further away from the mounting surface on body of the guitar, than would be necessary if the mechanism were not pushed inwardly so as to effect actuation of the push-button switch thereof. As a result, typical push-button/rotary control mechanisms have proved unsatisfactory for use with electric guitars due to significant change in the instrument's profile resulting from the added height of the combined control mechanism. For example, the additional height needed for travel of the push button switch results in the mechanism extending a greater distance than normal from the surface of the guitar. The result is that when a contemporary rotary/push-button switch is used on an electric guitar, it is likely (if not inevitable) that pushing the knob will also result in some undesirable amount of rotation of the knob which in turn undesirably varies the volume or tone of the guitar. Further, added height can result in inadvertently pushing the switch resulting in a dramatic change in the sound of the guitar. The use of such mechanisms may require the musician to strum the guitar differently to allow for the presence of the higher control mechanism. As such conventional push-button/rotary control mechanisms have not found general use in electrical guitars.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a electric control assembly which facilitates selection of a desired combination of pickups (for example), which mitigates the likelihood of inadvertent operation thereof, and which is suitable for use on electric guitars, as well as in various other applications.

Multi-functional control assembly for use in electric guitars


A puffed snack is prepared from chlorophyll-containing plant grains by pulverizing the grains under completely light shielding conditions, storing the resulting pulverized grains under complete light shielding conditions or light shielding conditions applied within 24 hours after pulverization and puffing the grains in a screw extruder having a die wherein the temperature of the die ranges from 90.degree. to 150.degree. C. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content of 9-11%, the temperature of the die ranging from 100.degree. to 210.degree. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content of from 11 to 15%, and the temperature of the die ranging from 160.degree. to 240.degree. C. for the resulting pulverized grains having a water content from 15 to 20%, so that the degree of puffing falls within a range of from 3.0 to 28.0 times the volume of the chlorophyll-containing plant to give a puffed product having a water content of not more than 7% by weight or drying the puffed product until the water content is not more than 7% by weight, applying fat and oil to the resulting puffed product and packing the resulting snack into a container having light shielding properties, the total time for light exposure during the steps of puffing, applying fat and oil and packing being less than 18 hours.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a snack in which chlorophyll-containing plants are employed as ingredients and more specifically to a method for preparing a snack which makes it possible to effectively prevent discoloration of the snack and deterioration of the taste thereof during storage.
There have conventionally been proposed a variety of methods for preparing snack confectioneries in which chlorophyll-containing plants are employed as ingredients. For instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (hereinafter referred to as "J. P. KOKAI") No. Sho 61-58539 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,037) discloses a method which comprises supplying beans, which may be entire grains or whose husk has been removed, to a twin-screw extruder, adjusting the water content thereof with or without addition of water, then subjecting the ingredient to extrusion-cooking, spraying an aqueous salt solution on the extruded product and then drying by passing air therethrough and J. P. KOKAI No. Sho 61-9253 discloses a method which comprises primarily puffing a starch-containing substance in an extruder, pulverizing the primarily puffed substance, mixing heat-sensitive components with the pulverized substance and then extruding the mixture through a die at a low temperature to thus carry out puffing.
However, such snack confectioneries prepared from plants which contain chlorophyll suffer from problems of, for instance, discoloration of the confectioneries and deterioration of the taste thereof (more specifically, the taste peculiar to the plants is reduced while a different taste is given out) during the storage. These problems are conspicuous, in particularly when the chlorophyll-containing plant is the pea or when the snack confectioneries of this kind are prepared through a puffing treatment.

Method for preparing snack from chlorophyll-containing plant tissue