An H-bridge driver for a disk drive system includes first and second high side switched legs and first and second low side switched legs. An inductor head for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic media is connected to form a center of the H-bridge. The system includes a voltage regulator circuit that generates a common mode regulated voltage. First and second high side logic circuits, which selectively control operation of the first and second high side switched legs, are coupled between a high reference voltage and the common mode regulated voltage. First and second low side logic circuits, which control the first and second low side switched legs, are coupled between the common mode regulated voltage and ground.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hard disk drive (HDD) systems and, more particularly, to a write driver and associated control logic circuitry for use in such HDD systems.
2. Description of Related Art
The demand for improved data storage techniques and systems continues to rapidly grow. Hard disk drives utilizing magneto resistive (MR) heads to read and write data onto one or more spinning magnetic platters or disks are one of the more important and wide spread devices in the data storage industry. Hard disk drives may be used in many applications, both fixed and mobile, including enterprise computer systems, personal computers, set top boxes, audio, video, or television applications, and many other large and small computer devices. Many applications are still being developed, and the uses for hard disk drives are expected to increase.
Hard disk drives store binary encoded information as regions of magnetic flux on a media having a magnetic surface coating. It is desirable that these magnetic regions be encoded on the disk as densely as practical, so that a maximum amount of information may be stored. Disk drive suppliers continue to increase areal densities, or the number of data bits per square inch, to meet the increasing demand for storage at competitive pricing. However, increasing areal density requires the write mechanism to produce smaller recorded patterns on the disk. Write head design and write driver design are key technologies needed to achieve these capacity increases.
The magnetic regions are created by passing current through a coil of a magnetic write head. Binary data can be encoded by switching the polarity of the current through a coil in the write head. The current in the write head coil is provided by a circuit in a write driver that is connected to the coil through a flexible transmission interconnect. The data rate (i.e., the rate at which bits can be written onto the media) is determined largely by the rate at which the current can be switched in the write head driver circuit. It is desirable to have a write driver circuit that quickly switches current to the desired polarity and magnitude to support high disk rotation speeds with small magnetic regions. Also, the driver circuit must raise the current amplitude to a level sufficient to ensure the flux generated by the write coil is adequate to saturate the magnetic media while limiting the current below levels that will result in "blooming" of the written magnetic region into adjacent regions of the media.
A conventional write driver circuit comprises an H-bridge configuration using four switches. In an H-bridge circuit, one leg of the bridge is always trying to drive current into the inductive load of the write head. In other words, the H-bridge is always coupling the power supply voltage onto one of the inductor nodes and ground to the other inductor node by appropriately activating the bridge switches. There are continuing issues with respect to the power required to operate or drive the write head with the write driver, and specifically, there is an increasing demand for power reduction as the disk drives are utilized in mobile applications.
FIG. 1 illustrates in simplified form a hard disk drive system 300 that utilizes a write head 328 linked via an interconnect 340 to a write driver 330. As shown, disk drive system 300 includes a system processor 313 processing requests and commands from a host computer 301 that directs drive system 300 to perform specific behavior involving the disk drive assembly 320. Examples of such behavior include reading and writing data to disk drive assembly 320, providing state information such as defect tables, error status, and the like. Disk controller unit 303 includes data processing capacity as well as memory in the form of ROM 312 and buffer memory 304 to generate responses to received commands and requests as controlled by memory control 309. The generated responses return data, state information, and/or error codes depending on the particular operation being performed.
Disk drive system 300 implements physical mass storage typically on a plurality of magnetic disks and uses read/write head electronics for transferring data with respect to the disks. As shown, disk drive system 300 includes read channel hardware 305/314 for preprocessing and amplifying data read from the magnetic media as well as a spindle motor 324 for spinning the disks, and voice coil motor (VCM) 322 for positioning the read/write head electronics at specific locations with respect to the disk surface(s). Servo control 308 generates drive signals that control the VCM 322 and/or spindle motor 324. These drive signals are in the form of precision higher power signals that drive the motors directly.
Host 301 typically comprises a data processing device such as a personal computer, server, workstation or the like that requires access to bulk data storage capabilities of disk drive assembly 320. Host 301 sends write commands and data via controller 303 to write data onto the disk(s) 326 as well as read commands to retrieve previously written data from disks within disk drive assembly 320. The read and write commands are provided via the read/write channel 305. On both read and write operations, the data transmitted from the host 301 to the disk controller 303 includes an indication of a specific location or set of locations on the disk drive assembly 320 that contains the data that is to be accessed.
The data that is exchanged through disk controller 303 is typically buffered in buffer memory 304 that is accessible via memory controller 309 and subsequently transmitted to disk assembly 320 or host 301. Buffer memory 304 is used to overcome differences between the speed at which host 301 operates as compared to the speed at which disk assembly 320 operates. In place of or in addition to buffer memory 304, a cache memory may be implemented by appropriate changes (e.g., tag management, hit/miss detection, and the like) to memory controller 309. Servo control 308 regulates the spin speed of spindle motor 324 in response to commands from system processor 313. Although a head position control unit is often provided, the servo control 308 is shown to operate, e.g., through a voltage mode driver (not shown), to deliver controlled voltage signals in response to commands from system processor 313 to voice coil motor 322. These voltage signals cause voice coil motor unit 322 to move read/write head 328 into precision alignment with respect to the surfaces of disk 326.
Read/write channel circuit 305 communicates data and control information with the surface of disk 326. Control information such as servo control data, phase lock oscillator synchronization patterns, and servo bursts are encoded into portions of disk 326. This information is provided through read/write channel circuit 305 to system processor 313. System processor 313 uses this information to compute commands for servo control 308.
The read/write head 328 comprises an MR head that is used to both record user data to and read user data back from the disk 326. Recording data or writing by the head 328 is controlled in part by the write driver 330 that functions to drive a current through a coil in the head. In this regard, the write driver 330 of the system 300 is configured according to the invention to include a voltage boosting circuit 338 that launches an output voltage into the interconnect 340 and a pulsed current is transmitted over a transmission line of interconnect 340 to the head 328. To control propagation of reflected waves from the head 328, the write driver 334 also is shown to include an impedance matching circuit 334 which illustrates the concept of matching the impedance of the write driver 330 to the impedance of the interconnect 340. In practice, the circuit 334 may be one or more components, such as an output resistor of the driver 330, with the important aspect being that the write driver 330 includes one or more components that set the write driver 330 output impedance to the odd characteristic impedance of the interconnect 340.
The voltage boosting circuit 338 and other circuitry of the write driver 330 operate to provide a certain output voltage swing for the driver 330 so as to achieve a desired output step current in the head 328. The output voltage of the driver 330 is supplied to the interconnect 340 for a typical two-directional or switched write driver implementation.
Operation and configuration of the system as illustrated in FIG. 1 is more particularly described in U.S. application for patent, Ser. No. 10/843,823, filed May 12, 2004 and published as United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0254159 on Nov. 17, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 wherein there is shown a block diagram of hard disk drive system write driver and associated control logic in accordance with the prior art. In the past, data writing circuits and/or write drive circuits used to supply write signals to the heads of disk drive systems included preamplifier circuits to drive the current through selected legs of an "H-bridge" circuit, which is capable of allowing relatively fast current reversals for accurate data reproduction.
An example of a typical H-bridge write head drive circuit 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The circuit 10 includes four switched driver circuits 12-15 (Driver_XUP, Driver_XDOWN, Driver_YUP, Driver_YDOWN) in four corresponding legs that are connected between a high reference voltage Vcc5 (5 Volts) and a low reference voltage Vgnd (ground). An MR write (inductor) head 19 includes a coil (inductance) used, for example, to supply data pulses for writing to a disk drive media. The coil of the write head 19 is connected between the center legs of the H-bridge, as shown.
It can been seen that, depending on selective activation of the driver circuits 12-15, the current flows through the coil of the write head 19 in one direction or another. That is, one current flow path includes the leg with the driver circuit Driver_YUP 14, the coil of the write head 19 from right to left, and the leg with the driver circuit Driver_XDOWN 13. The other current flow path includes the leg with the driver circuit Driver_XUP 12, the coil of the write head 19 from left to right, and the leg with the driver circuit Driver_YDOWN 15.
In the H-bridge circuit 10, the (pull up) driver circuits 12 and 14 serve as switching circuits, which are controlled by control signals received on a pair of respective input lines or buses 28 and 29. The (pull down) driver circuits 13 and 15 serve as current controlling circuits, which are controlled by control signals received on a pair of respective input lines of buses 30 and 31. The control signals supplied to the control input lines 28-31 are generated by control logic circuits 32-35 (Logic_XUP, Logic_XDOWN, Logic_YUP, Logic_YDOWN).
Because the write driver circuits 12-15 are differential circuits connected between supply rails (Vcc5 and Vgnd), at any time one side of the write head 19 is driven by positive supply (Vcc5) while the other side of the write head 19 is driven by negative supply (Vgnd). When the write data flips, the sides of the write head 19 driven by positive/negative supply also flip.
In conventional construction the positive supply rail (Vcc5) is set at 5 Volts with the negative supply rail (Vgnd) at 0 Volts. Thus, the driver operates over a voltage range of 0-5 Volts. Such is not, however, the case with respect to the control logic circuits 32-35. Conventionally, the control logic circuits 32-35 are bicmos process circuits supporting a maximum voltage range as allowed by the included pmos and nmos transistors of about 0-3.3 Volts. The difference in operating voltage ranges between the driver circuits 12-15 and the control logic circuits 32-35 presents a supply voltage challenge for the driver system 10 especially with respect to the operation of the control logic circuits 32-35. To address this challenge, the prior art teaches the use of two voltage regulator circuits.
A first voltage regulator circuit 51 (Reg_UP) receives power from the positive supply rail (Vcc5) set at 5 Volts and generates a first regulated voltage Vreg_up at 1.7 Volts. In this case 1.7 Volts is chosen as the first regulated voltage output because 5 Volts minus 3.3 Volts is 1.7 Volts. The first regulated voltage Vreg_up is supplied to the control logic circuits Logic_XUP 32 and Logic_YUP 34, which also receive Vcc5, to ensure that these bicmos circuits operate only over the 3.3 Volt range in generating the control signals applied to the driver circuits Driver_XUP 12 and Driver_YUP 14. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching current Iswitch_up in the control logic circuit Logic_XUP 32 (or Logic_YUP 34 for the flipped operation) is sourced by Vcc5 and sunk to Vgnd through the regulator 51 but flows in the logic circuit only between 5 Volts and 1.7 Volts (i.e., no greater than 3.3 Volts).
A second voltage regulator circuit 52 (Reg_DOWN) receives power from the positive supply rail (Vcc5) set at 5 Volts and generates a second regulated voltage Vreg_down at 3.3 Volts. In this case 3.3 Volts is chosen as the second regulated voltage output because 0 Volts plus 3.3 Volts is 3.3 Volts. The second regulated voltage Vreg_down is supplied to the control logic circuits Logic_XDOWN 33 and Logic_YDOWN 35, which also receive Vgnd, to ensure that these bicmos circuits operate only over the 3.3 Volt range in generating the control signals applied to the driver circuits Driver_XDOWN 13 and Driver_YDOWN 15. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching current Iswitch_down in the control logic circuit Logic_YDOWN 35 (or Logic_XDOWN for the flipped operation) is sunk to Vgnd and sourced by Vcc5 through the regulator 52 but flows in the logic circuit only between 3.3 Volts and 0 Volts (i.e., no greater than 3.3 Volts).
While the foregoing solution provides acceptable performance in most instances, it has been noted that the driver, given that the two currents Iswitch_up and Iswitch_down are both active during write, can consume a significant amount of power and generate significant heat during operation. In a mobile environment, this is unacceptable. A need accordingly exists for a driver and logic circuit configuration having improved operation with respect to power consumed and heat generated without sacrificing circuit performance.

Disk drive write driver and associated control logic circuitry


The present invention relates to sodium carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC), xanthan gum or combinations thereof and uses thereof, particularly as a clumping additive for cat litter.

In the past, much time, effort, and other valuable resources, have been expended in the development of animal litter, particularly for household pets, and especially cats. A material most widely utilized in animal litter is generally clay.
Clay particles provide small animals with dry, sanitary, dustless and relatively odorless litter. Through formational mismatching and distortion between the tetrahedral layers and impurities, diverse morphological and chemical properties are conferred to the clay. The absorption of liquid, particularly water, is one such phenomenon. The irregular series of layers with corresponding interstitial space comprise pores. It is those spaces and pores which give clay its capacity to absorb and store water or liquid waste. Sodium bentonite, a swelling clay, is a clay that naturally forms clumps around wetted litter to permit easy and selective removal. Clumps of wetted litter permit easy and selective removal of odor-producing liquid animal wastes for convenient disposal without having to replace the entire litter bed. Despite this advantage, sodium bentonite brings with it many disadvantages, chief among them that sodium bentonite is not optimal for odor control, the product is heavy, found primarily in Wyoming and thus is geographically undesirable, and can clog pipes if introduced into a typical residential plumbing system.
At least partly to match the convenience of sodium bentonite but to avoid various downsides of the ingredient, clumping agents have been devised which, when added to a bed containing non-swelling particles, cause the particles to clump together into an agglomeration of sufficient size and strength to be removed by a sieving spoon. Some prior art clumping agents include inorganic salts, such as anhydrous sodium sulfate, gypsum and the like, but these materials do not naturally degrade, can form insoluble hard water salts in household waste systems and thus are environmentally unacceptable.
Other clumping agents used in the prior art include water-soluble gums, dry particulate cellulosic ethers and water-absorbent polymers. However, these additives require careful handling during manufacture, multiple processing steps and are costly. Further, in such animal litter, the dry particulate cellulosic ethers or the water-absorbent polymers tend to segregate from the particulate clay during handling and shipping.
There is a need in the art for improved clumping agents.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.

Scoopable cat litter with improved clump strength


A method and system for remotely isolating faults in computer network devices coupled to a computer network. A plurality of first computer units are coupled to the computer network. The plurality of first computer units are located on a user side of the computer network. A plurality of second computer units are coupled to the computer network. The plurality of second computer units are located on a service provider side of the network. One of the plurality of second computer units is designated to provide computing services to one of the plurality of first computer units. One of the plurality of first computer units experiencing a fault communicating with its designated second computer unit uses another of the plurality of first computer units as a proxy computer unit to remotely isolate the fault.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
The present invention relates to desktop blade computer systems and more particularly to a desktop computer blade system and method for identifying and isolating faults that occur within the system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The increasing popularity of consolidating hardware and server application location through server blade technology has led to the development of desktop blade systems. Unlike the consolidation of servers into server blade systems, desktop blade systems by design separate the user and the "desktop" processing unit. For example, a typical desktop blade system includes one or more racks in a computer room or area each having one or more "blades" installed therein, i.e. a "bladecenter". Each blade in the bladecenter is a processing unit which is allocated to a user and provides the same functionality as if the processing unit were located on the user's desk. The user is provided with a small deskside device at the user's desk which provides interfaces for a display unit and interface devices such as a keyboard, mouse and USB ports. The deskside device is typically hardwired to the bladecenter or coupled to the bladecenter using a known networking technology such as Ethernet.
Using Ethernet and the Internet Protocol ("IP") as an example, video and keyboard/mouse information travel across the IP network via routers/switches from the deskside unit to the desktop processor in the bladecenter. The separation of these devices over distance and via the IP network adds a number of points of failure that do not exist in traditional desktop computer installations where the desktop processor is located at the user location and is directly connected to the peripheral devices. More particularly, in a desktop blade environment, points of failure include the network, the deskside unit and the desktop processor blade (and/or the bladecenter). As a result, the user can't readily assist with the identification of the nature of the problem and has no way to communicate with the bladecenter if there is a problem.
As a result of the above-described shortcomings, current desktop blade system implementations require time consuming and expensive visits to the deskside to identify and correct the problem. Also, during this time, the user can not use their computer, thereby impacting productivity. It is therefore desirable to have a desktop blade system and method which can allows the system itself to identify the source of faults problems and take autonomic corrective action. In the case where autonomic corrective action can not be taken, such as may occur when a non-redundant hardware, e.g., the deskside unit, failure requires a visit by a technician, it is desirable to have a system and method which isolates the fault.

Desktop computer blade fault identification system and method

International Business Machines Corporation


A digital information reproducing apparatus includes a reading device to read out digital information recorded on a recording medium; a first clock generator to produce a first clock synchronized with the digital information read out by the reading device; a second clock generator to generate a second clock of a predetermined frequency; a processing circuit to process the digital information read out by the reading device on the basis of the first clock produced by the first clock generator; and a switching circuit for switching from the first clock produced by the first clock generator to the second clock generated by the second clock generator and for outputting the second clock to the processor in a case when the frequency of the first clock produced by the first clock generator deviates from a predetermined range. The first clock generator includes a PLL circuit for inputting the digital information read out by the reading device and producing the first clock. The switching circuit includes a frequency comparison judging circuit which determines that the frequency of the first clock has deviated from the predetermined range when a predetermined number of first clocks are not counted by a first counter until a predetermined number of second clocks are counted by a second counter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing information from a medium such as a disk, tape, or the like on which information was optically or magnetically recorded and, more particularly, to a digital information reproducing apparatus having a PLL circuit to produce a reference clock.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional signal reproducing circuit of a magnetic disk drive apparatus or an optical disk drive apparatus.
That is, a raw reproduction signal reproduced by a signal detector 11 comprising an optical head or a magnetic head is amplified by a preamplifier 12 and is binarized by a binarizing circuit 13 comprising a differentiating circuit, a peak detecting circuit, a comparator, and the like. A PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit 14 outputs a reference clock synchronized with the encoded data on the basis of the binarized signal (encoded data). The encoded data is input to a decoder 15 synchronously with the reference clock. The decoder 15 outputs the decoded data and a read clock synchronized therewith in accordance with the reference clock and the encoded data. The decoded data and the read clock become outputs of the digital information reproducing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of the signal recorded on a recording medium in the above conventional apparatus.
On the recording medium, data is segmented and a segment unit is called a sector. One sector is constructed by a sector mark 1 indicative of the head, an address part 2 in which an address of the sector is recorded, and a data part 3 in which the user data is recorded.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart of each signal in FIG. 6 in the normal operating mode.
In the above conventional apparatus, in a case when the unrecorded sector was reproduced because of an incorrect command from a host computer to control the drive apparatus or an error of the drive apparatus or in a case when the sector of an incorrect recording state was reproduced, no reproduction signal is obtained or the reproduction signal level is low. Thus, no signal is included in the binarized encoded data and a frequency of a reference clock of the PLL circuit becomes low.
In such a case, a frequency of a read clock which is output from the decoder 15 also becomes low in response to the low reference clock frequency and a case exists wherein the number of read clocks in one sector does not reach a predetermined number, although the clocks of a number which is equal to a predetermined number of data in one sector (the number of data which can be recorded in the data part 3) should inherently be output.
FIG. 9 shows a timing chart in the case wherein such an inconvenience occurred.
Referring now to FIG. 9, since the frequency of the read clock is shifted to a low frequency, a predetermined number of read clocks are not output until the next sector mark detection signal is generated, so that its output operation is not finished.
If a predetermined number of read clocks are not generated in one sector as mentioned above, this means that the reproducing operation in one sector is not normally finished when such an operation is seen from the host computer side. Thus, a problem exists that the circuit of the host computer or the like which receives the decoded data causes an erroneous operation.
Even in a case wherein the sector in which no information is recorded was reproduced or in the case wherein the sector of an incorrect recording state was reproduced, there is also a problem that the next sector cannot be continuously reproduced.

Digital information reproducing apparatus including a circuit for detecting frequency deviation of a synchronism clock


A gunwale mounted fishing rod holder comprising an inboard arm to support the butt end of a rod and an outboard arm to support the reel portion thereof. The improvement involves the addition of a latching structure which securely encloses the butt end of the rod while the baited line is in the water but which opens when the user grasps the rod and lifts it in the event of a strike. The continuous upward movement of the rod saves time and allows the user to set the hook more quickly than when it is first necessary to shift the rod in an outboard direction before the rod can be lifted out of the holder.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to holders for sport-fishing rods and, more particularly, to fishing rod holders removably attached to the gunwale of a small boat.
2. Description of Prior Art
A fishing rod holder is a convenient accessory since it enables the user to keep a baited hook in the water while the rod and reel are securely positioned even though not being held by the user. When a fish strikes the bait the tip of the rod is deflected downwardly and, depending upon the reel brake setting and severity of the strike, a short length of the fishing line might be unreeled, with attendant reel whine, or other sound. These visible and audible signals alert the fisherman/fisherwoman who moves quickly to grasp the rod and dislodge it from the holder in order to set the hook and play the fish.
The problem with prior art fishing rod holders known to applicant is that in order to dislodge the rod it is first necessary to translate the rod forwardly far enough so that the butt end clears the inboard cradle of the holder, thereby allowing the rod to be lifted and placed in full control of the user. Critical time is often lost.
The present rod holder overcomes this problem and allows the user to grip the rod and lift it out of the holder in one continuous upward motion. Valuable time is saved; time which allows the hook to be set before the fish disgorges the bait.
A preliminary search of prior patent art turned up the following seven references: Bleggi U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,761; Gutierrez U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,224; Noriega U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,759; Matura U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,321; Gutierrez U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,589; Sizemore et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,610; and Hull et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,028. Copies of these patents will be provided with an Information Disclosure Statement. A review of these seven publications leads applicant to believe that none of them, taken distributively, anticipates applicant's claimed invention, or, taken in combination, renders applicant's claimed invention obvious.


A suitcase includes pivotally attached first and second shells, and latch means for releasably securing the shells when closed. A partition divides the second shell into first and second compartments. Second and third partitions sub-divide the second compartment into first, second, and third sub-compartments adapted to separately store two pairs of shoes, and a blow-dryer. A transparent flap releasably seals the shoe compartments using Velcro, preventing egress of dislodged debris. Fishnet secures the blow-dryer in the third sub-compartment. The first compartment receives a correspondingly shaped case that is partitioned to form a plurality of shaped sub-compartments, to receive correspondingly shaped toiletry items. A pivotal cover seals the case, and alternatively supports it in a selective upright position for hygienic display/use on a vanity countertop of a hotel room. A third shell is pivotally coupled to the second shell to form a tri-fold arrangement for use with a hotel luggage rack.

For many travelers, packing a suitcase is a chore even when necessary for a highly anticipated vacation, and it often seems like there is no effective way to stow all of the personal items needed for the tip, in the suitcase. There are many websites and guides that offer tips for how to efficiently pack a suitcase, but even for a traveler who has sought out and utilized such advice, once the suitcase is packed, subsequent access to particular articles of clothing or other items is thereafter limited, without digging and rifling through what is often a densely and neatly packed piece of luggage.
This is inconvenient if a traveler wishes to double-check, before leaving home, that a particular garment was actually packed. Furthermore, a similar problem is encountered when the traveler arrives at the destination. If the trip will be relatively brief, the traveler may not want to unpack all of the items from the suitcase into the dresser drawers in the hotel room, particularly if the person over-packed, and does not wish to have to repack everything at the time of departure. This situation is similarly encountered when visiting a relative and staying in a spare bedroom that has no dresser, or the dresser in the room is filled with the extra, out-of-season clothing of the homeowner-relative.
All of these issues with respect to packing and unpacking the suitcase are further compounded by the lack of a suitable place for, and ready access to, an extra pair of dress shoes and/or running shoes, and for all of the toiletry items that must be safely stowed and transported on the trip as well (e.g., blow dryer, shampoo, conditioner, mouth wash, shaving cream, tooth paste, etc.). Since there is no dedicated place for these items, there is a tendency for them to be squeezed, if not crushed, during the packing process, and during the subsequent baggage handling that the suitcase undergoes. It is not uncommon for the cap on these liquid and semi-liquid toiletry items to become loosened, leading to soiling of the traveler's clean clothing or just the interior of the suitcase. In addition, there is no adequately organized approach for both transporting of these toiletry items in the suitcase, and for then subsequently transferring them to the vanity in the hotel room, once the suitcase is placed on a luggage rack and opened, Furthermore, there is no suitable means for displaying and/or organizing the toiletry items on the vanity of a hotel room, where they may be protected against handling by housekeeping personal who tend to handle and move things around to clean the vanity, possibly while using unclean hands.
The easy access organizer suitcase of the present invention solves these problems of the prior art.

Hygienic products organizer case/display stand for use with a suitcase


The invention relates to a weatherstrip assembly which is used particularly for sealing a folding hardtop (10) of a motor vehicle and comprises a joint consisting of sealing section (21) and fastening section (22) parts. The sealing section (21) is provided with a sealing lip (23), which is made of elastically deformable material, can be moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) thereof and is provided with at least one restoring element (40). In order to ensure a durable, efficient and reliable restoring response of the sealing lip (23), it is provided with a tensioning element (50) in the form of a hose on the end thereof.

Open top automobiles are now being fitted increasingly with a folding hardtop instead of a convertible soft top. The folding hardtop comprises as a rule a plurality of rigid roof parts each pivotable relative to the other to retract or extend the folding hardtop. Because of the rigid roof parts the folding hardtop when extended offers the vehicle occupants almost the same comfort as a regular hardtop.
Since the roof parts are pivoted relative to each other a seal is needed which in the extended condition of the roof satisfactorily drains off any water having collected on the roof parts when retracting the roof, otherwise there would be a risk of the water gaining access to the vehicle interior when pivoting the roof parts. To achieve a satisfactory seal it may be necessary that a sealing lip of a seal, arranged between the roof parts is squashed in the extended condition of the roof, to automatically right itself to its normal condition when the roof is retracted. This restoring response is influenced by the nature of the material from which the sealing lip is made. Conventional sealing lips are usually made of an elastomeric material which although having a comparatively high elastomeric response, results in a loss of springiness with dynamic loading in the long run, to the detriment of its restoring response.
This is why it is known from prior art to strengthen a sealing lip with a bracing element for satisfactory self-righting of the sealing lip. Thus, EP 0 285 925 B2 describes a seal made of an elastomeric material featuring a sealing lip for contacting a counter surface to be sealed. Embedded in the sealing lip is a bracing element of spring steel provided with recesses which in the transverse direction of the sealing lip produce areas differing in stiffness. In other words the recesses permit defining conformance of the restoring forces so that a defined restoring materializes when the sealing lip is deflected. Disclosed in addition in DT 2 127 097 is a guide for a window pane comprising sealing lips provided with a bent strip of sheet metal made of stainless spring steel for either clamping or vulcanizing in place to the sealing lips. The strips of sheet metal serve to attain both a satisfactory seal and spring tensioning the window pane in place.
The invention is based on the object of sophisticating a weatherstrip assembly of the aforementioned kind for achieving a satisfactory sealing effect of the sealing lip with a durable restoring response.
To achieve this objective a weatherstrip assembly having the features as cited above is provided in accordance with the invention as it reads from claim 1 such that the sealing lip comprises a free end section provided with a strip-shaped tensioning element.
The weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention is characterized by a durable restoring response of the sealing lip. The reason for this is the springy restoring element now achieving a defined restoring force. The restoring force ensures that the sealing lip automatically rights itself from the second position to the first position as soon as the counter-force exerted by a roof part no longer exists, in thus ensuring a satisfactory seal. In addition, the tensioning element provided in the free end section of the sealing lip prevents the sealing lip from deforming to the detriment of the sealing effect exerted by the sealing lip.
Advantageous aspects of the weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention read from the subject matter of claims 2 to 15.
Thus, it is of advantage for good practice in fabrication to extrude the sealing section and/or the fastening section in a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Any loss of springiness detrimenting the restoring response of the sealing lip, which might arise in the course of time because of the material, is prevented by the restoring element.
It is furthermore of advantage to connect the tensioning element materially to the end section to ensure a safe fastening. The tensioning element may be, for example, embedded in the end section when extruding the weatherstrip.
In an alternative aspect of the weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention the end section may comprise an opening in which the tensioning element is arranged. The tensioning element and the weatherstrip can in this case be fabricated separately and assembled as required. Separate fabrication permits an independent selection of material in thus contributing towards configuring the tensioning element in accordance with the stress involved. For this purpose it has been discovered to be of advantage to fabricate the tensioning element of metal or plastics, preferably of polyamide fibers.
Preferably, the restoring element is connected to the sealing lip positively and/or non-positively in ensuring comparatively cost-effective fabrication.
In another preferred aspect of the weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention the sealing lip comprises an outer surface facing a first component and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the restoring element being secured to the inner surface. Such a configuration is associated with the advantage that when the sealing lip is tensioned by the first component on the outer surface the restoring element arranged at the opposite inner surface is protected by the sealing lip.
To ensure facilitated securement of the restoring element it is of advantage when the sealing lip in the region of the inner surface comprises at least one clamping section for securing the restoring element. The clamping section permits facilitated fitting and removal of the restoring element and thus also contributes towards a design in keeping with recycling requirements.
Preferably the restoring element is made of plastics or metal, preferably spring steel to achieve a springy response by simple ways and means. In the latter case it has been discovered to be expedient to coat the restoring element in protecting it, for instance, from corrosion or other ambient effects.
In another further aspect of the weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention the restoring element is configured as a strip extending practically the full length of the sealing lip. Such a configuration allows for a high restoring force whilst ensuring, on the other hand, relatively simple assembly. As an alternative, a plurality of restoring elements may be arranged distributed over the length of the sealing lip. This configuration has the advantage that the restoring force exerted by the restoring elements varies over the length of the sealing lip in thus permitting conforming to the particular application in each case. For this purpose, the restoring elements may be dimensioned, for example, differingly or spaced away from each other differingly. In this case there is the advantage that because of the tensioning element arranged in the end section of the sealing lip deforming of the sealing lip detrimenting a good weatherseal is reliably prevented when the sealing lip is provided with regions of differing restoring force.
To achieve a consistent repetition of the restoring response with simple and cost-effective fabrication, the restoring element is preferably provided with an articulated bend. This articulated bend ensures that the restoring element and thus the sealing lip can be pivoted definedly from the first position into the second position and vice-versa.
In still another preferred aspect of the weatherstrip assembly in accordance with the invention the sealing section comprises an elastomeric hollow chamber which for forming a trough is arranged opposite the inner surface of the sealing lip. The trough formed between the sealing lip and the hollow chamber now makes it possible to satisfactorily drain off any water having collected on the roof parts of the folding hardtop of a motor vehicle when retracting the folding hardtop. The sealing lip and hollow chamber form in the first position of the sealing lip sufficiently high sidewalls ensuring satisfactory guidance of the water flowing through the trough in preventing the water outside of the trough from gaining access to the vehicle interior. To achieve at the same time satisfactory sealing of a component to which the weatherstrip is secured, the hollow chamber is preferably connected to a second sealing lip.

Sealing device especially for sealing the folding roof of a car

Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH


According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid sunflower plant, designated as 63A51, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred sunflower lines. This invention relates to the hybrid seed 63A51, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications of hybrid 63A51.

Plant Breeding
Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different plant.
Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between two different homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not be uniform.
Sunflower (Heliathus annuus L.), can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. The sunflower head (inflorescence) usually is composed of about 1,000 to 2,000 individual disk flowers joined to a common base (receptacle). The flowers around the circumference are ligulate ray flowers with neither stamens nor pistil. The remaining flowers are hermaphroditic and protandrous disk flowers.
Natural pollination of sunflower occurs when flowering starts with the appearance of a tube partly exerted from the sympetalous corolla. The tube is formed by the five syngenesious anthers, and pollen is released on the inner surface of the tube. The style lengthens rapidly and forces the stigma through the tube. The two lobes of the stigma open outward and are receptive to pollen but out of reach of their own pollen initially. Although this largely prevents self-pollination of individual flowers, flowers are exposed to pollen from other flowers on the same head by insects, wind, and gravity.
The development of a hybrid sunflower variety involves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of the selected plants from the breeding crosses for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with unrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F.sub.1). During the inbreeding process in sunflower, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two different inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny (F.sub.1). An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid created by crossing a defined pair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that create a superior hybrid have been identified, a continual supply of the hybrid seed can be produced using these inbred parents and the hybrid corn plants can then be generated from this hybrid seed supply.
Large scale commercial sunflower hybrid production, as it is practiced today, requires the use of some form of male sterility system which controls or inactivates male fertility. A reliable method of controlling male fertility in plants also offers the opportunity for improved plant breeding. This is especially true for development of sunflower hybrids, which relies upon some sort of male sterility system. Two types of male sterility, genetic and cytoplasmic, have been found in sunflower.
Hybrid sunflower seed is typically produced by a male sterility system incorporating genetic or cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting from the cytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, this characteristic is inherited exclusively through the female parent in sunflower plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilized seed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may or may not contribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile.
There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterility available, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations within the genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations as described by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. These and all patents referred to are incorporated by reference. In addition to these methods, Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S. patent application No. 07/848,433, have developed a system of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifying a gene which is critical to male fertility; silencing this native gene which is critical to male fertility; removing the native promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile because the inducible promoter is not "on" resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning "on", the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male fertility to be transcribed.
There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in the art, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use a variety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encoding a cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter or an antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identified and an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see: Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCT application PCT/CA90/000037 published as WO 90/08828)
The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in the production of sunflower hybrids. The development of sunflower hybrids requires, in general, the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Breeding programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more inbred lines or various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which of those have commercial potential.
There are many important factors to be considered in the art of plant breeding, such as the ability to recognize important morphological and physiological characteristics, the ability to design evaluation techniques for genotypic and phenotypic traits of interest, and the ability to search out and exploit the genes for the desired traits in new or improved combinations.
The objective of commercial sunflower hybrid line development programs is to develop new inbred lines to produce hybrids that combine to produce high yields and superior agronomic performance. The primary trait breeders seek is yield. However, many other major agronomic traits are of importance in hybrid combination and have an impact on yield or otherwise provide superior performance in hybrid combinations. Major objectives in sunflower breeding include improved seed yield, earlier maturity, shorter plant height, uniformity of plant type, and disease and insect resistance. In addition, the lines per se must have acceptable performance for parental traits such as seed yields and pollen production, all of which affect ability to provide parental lines in sufficient quantity and quality for hybridization. These traits have been shown to be under genetic control and many if not all of the traits are affected by multiple genes.


Generally rough sphere-shaped work pieces made of fragile material are ground into more uniform spheres. The rough spheres are fed into a holding plate having a channel cut into the bottom side of the plate with a width slightly larger than the largest diameter of the rough spheres. A movable abrasive surface is positioned adjacent to the bottom side of the holding plate. As the rough spheres move through the holding plate which can be vibrated, they move in contact with each other and with the abrasive surface. The finally formed spheres leave the plate where they are collected. It is a further embodiment green spheres which are treated in a sintering process with hydrogen gas have tungsten oxide particles applied to the surface of the spheres prior to and during sintering so that the particles remain separated and apart.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for abrading, shaping and grinding fragile materials prior to sintering or firing in the case of ceramic materials and for sintering spheres by using particles of tungsten oxide as a separating agent.
2. Description of the Previously Published Art
Conventional grinding techniques for producing spheres such as metallic balls of steel, bronze, brass aluminum and the like for use as ball-bearings and similar fabrication, involve operations employing dense, hard materials. Those methods are generally unfit for similar use involving fragile substances such as green ceramics and pressed powder compacts prior to sintering or firing. For those harder substances, the grinding process usually uses two grinding surfaces such as discs and belts, both applied with pressure against the object to be polished or ground. Such a process is used, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,083 to Messerschmidt. However, green ceramics and powder compact substances such as ceramics and various alloys such as iron are brittle by comparison and they are easily fractured or crumbled when pressure is applied during a grinding or finishing or shaping operation.
Green ceramics and powder metallurgical compacts in large numbers can most conveniently be formed into a generally spherical shape by compaction in a multiple cavity die shaped to produce spherical shape. Unfortunately, this produces spherical shapes with parting lines or belts which must be removed either prior to firing or sintering or subsequently. After firing or sintering, the removal process is considerably more difficult where the materials are relatively hard compared to the grinding medium. This makes the grinding operation slow and expensive.
It is known to hold the work pieces in a substantially static position in small numbers for polishing and abrading with pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,770 to Carter discloses a technique for shaping a single crystalline sphere at a time or at best a limited number. This is done by a vertical tube into which is dropped a single work piece at a time and requires pressure to be placed downwardly by a weight to hold the work piece against the grinding surface. It is acknowledged that the machine output is limited, but can be increased somewhat only by increasing the number of holding devices. However, it is still providing each vertical tube with only a single sphere at a time which is extremely limited. Except for limited movement of the sphere against the grinding surface, the sphere is basically stationary in the vertical tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,439 to Hoffman discloses a vertically-oriented tube which also provides for polishing and grinding into a sphere a single rough-shaped object at a time which is held in substantially the same place.
There clearly is a need for a process and apparatus which avoids the use of a pressure device downwardly forcing the work piece against a grinding surface and which provides for a large number of work pieces to be rapidly, safely and efficiently ground and processed at one time in a uniform manner.
There is also a need for an expensive separating agent to keep spheres apart when they are being sintered in a hydrogen containing atmosphere.
3. Objects of the Invention
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved technique for simultaneously grinding and abrading a large number of roughly formed work pieces to form true spherical shaped objects.
It is another object to provide techniques for forming true spherical-shaped objects in large quantities of green ceramic articles and pressed powder metallurgical compacts.
It is another object of this invention to provide a production process for rapidly and economically shaping large numbers of spheres of green ceramics and powdered metals such as iron alloys like Fe and W of varying weight/weight percentages.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new process of utilizing the surfaces of the spheres themselves by their dynamic motion to grind a smooth spherical surface.
It is another object of this invention to provide a process by which a large number of work pieces are simultaneously rapidly, safely and efficiently ground into spherical shapes in a substantially uniform manner.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sphere grinding apparatus where the work pieces progressively move through a channel in a plate while being abraded and moved along the channel by a movable abrasive surface, to thereby continuously form the final smooth spheres.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sphere grinding apparatus where as the work pieces are moved through a channel in a plate to be abraded by a movable abrasive surface, as well as vibration of the channel. The work pieces are not under pressure as they contact the abrasive surface.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a process whereby pressed powdered metal compacts are rendered spherical and subsequently sintered in an atmosphere containing hydrogen, in the presence of powdered or particulate metal oxide or metal oxides or mixtures of metal oxides to produce sintered metal spheres and particulate metal suitable for further use in making the powdered metal compacts or other forms of the metal made from the reduced metal oxides.
It is a further object of the invention to reduce fusion of the separate spheres to adjacent spheres during sintering at high temperatures in a hydrogen atmosphere by applying tungsten oxide particles to the surface of the spheres prior to sintering.
These and further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

Method and apparatus for shaping spheres and process for sintering


A blood pressure information measurement device includes a main body, including an inflation pump and an exhaust valve, and a cuff, including an air bladder for pulse wave measurement and an air bladder for blood pressure value measurement. The air bladder for pulse wave measurement and the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement are wrapped around a proximal side and a distal side of the upper arm, respectively. A first piping portion connects the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement to the inflation pump and the exhaust valve. A second piping portion branching from the first piping portion connects the air bladder for pulse wave measurement to the first piping portion. The second piping portion includes a 2-port valve that switches between connecting and disconnecting the air bladder for pulse wave measurement and the first piping portion, and a pressure sensor for measuring a pulse wave.

Acquiring a test subject's blood pressure information is extremely important in finding out the condition of the test subject's health. In recent years, attempts have been made to capture cardiac load, degree of arteriosclerosis and the like by acquiring the pulse wave of a test subject, rather than only by acquiring systolic blood pressure value (hereinafter, maximum blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure value (hereinafter, minimum blood pressure) and the like whose usefulness as typical indices for health management has been widely recognized heretofore. A blood pressure information measurement device is a device for obtaining these indices for health management based on acquired blood pressure information, and further utilization in areas such as early detection, prevention and treatment of circulatory system diseases is anticipated. Note that blood pressure information includes a wide variety of information on the circulatory system, such as various indices and the like indicating systolic blood pressure value, diastolic blood pressure value, mean blood pressure value, pulse wave, pulse, and degree of arteriosclerosis.
Generally, a cuff is used in the measurement of blood pressure information. Here, a cuff denotes a belt-like or annular structure that contains a fluid bag having an inner cavity, and can be wrapped around a part of the body, and refers to a device that is used in the measurement of blood pressure information by inflating and deflating the fluid bag through injecting a fluid such as a gas or a liquid into the inner cavity. Note that a cuff used by being wrapped around an arm in particular is also called an armband or a manchette.
Conventionally, as blood pressure information measurement devices configured to be capable of acquiring an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis, devices are known that utilize the fact that the transmission velocity of a pulse wave ejected by the heart (hereinafter, pulse wave velocity (PWV)) increases as arteriosclerosis advances, and acquire an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the measured PWV.
One such known blood pressure information measurement device is configured so that a cuff and a sensor are fitted on two or more measurement sites selected from the four limbs, the neck and the like, pulse waves are acquired simultaneously with the fitted cuff and sensor, PWV is measured based on the appearance time lag of the acquired pulse waves and the artery length between the measurement sites, and an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis is acquired based on the measured PWV.
As for the PWV measured in the abovementioned blood pressure information measurement devices, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) are typical. baPWV is the PWV measured as a result of the upper arm and ankle being selected as measurement sites, and a device disclosed in JP 2000-316821A is an example of a blood pressure information measurement device configured to be capable of acquiring an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on baPWV. Also, cfPWV is the PWV measured as a result of the neck and thigh being selected as measurement sites.
However, with a blood pressure information measurement device such as described above that measures baPWV or cfPWV and acquires an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the acquired PWV, because the PWV needs to be measured after fitting the cuff and sensor to a plurality of sites on the body, the device may become comparatively large and the device constitution may be comparatively complex. Thus, even if these blood pressure information measurement devices can be used in a medical facility or the like, the reality at present is that these devices cannot readily be used in the home.
Thus, a blood pressure information measurement device configured so as to measure PWV after cuffs have been fitted on different positions of the upper arm, and acquire an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the measured PWV is disclosed in JP 2004-113593A, so as to enable the device to be configured compactly.
The blood pressure information measurement device disclosed in JP 2004-113593A is configured such that cuffs are fitted to different positions on the upper arm, with an air bladder for occlusion contained in the cuff fitted on the distal side and an air bladder for pulse wave measurement contained in the cuff fitted on the proximal side, and a pulse wave is detected using the air bladder for pulse wave measurement in the state where the artery is occluded using the air bladder for occlusion, PWV is measured based on the time lag at which the peak value of an ejection wave component and the peak value of a reflective wave component included in the detected pulse wave appear and the artery length between the different positions of the upper arm on which the cuffs are fitted, and an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the measured PWV is acquired. Here, an ejection wave is the pulse wave transmitted from the proximal side to the portion of the artery on which the air bladder for pulse wave measurement is fitted, and a reflective wave is the pulse wave transmitted from the distal side to the portion of the artery on which the air bladder for pulse wave measurement is fitted as a result of the ejection wave being reflected at the portion on which the air bladder for occlusion is fitted.
However, because two cuffs still need to be fitted even with the blood pressure information measurement device disclosed in the abovementioned JP 2004-113593A, it cannot be said that sufficient miniaturization has been achieved, and further miniaturization is needed to use the device in the home.
In view of this, a blood pressure information measurement device configured so as to measure PWV after a single cuff has been fitted on the upper arm, and to acquire an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the measured PWV is disclosed in JP 2007-044362A, so as to enable the device to also be used in the home.
The blood pressure information measurement device disclosed in JP 2007-044362A is configured such that one large-volume air bladder for blood pressure value measurement and two small-volume air bladders for pulse wave measurement are contained in a cuff that is wrapped around the upper arm, and in the fitted state, one of the air bladders for pulse wave measurement is disposed on the proximal side of the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement and the other air bladder for pulse wave measurement is disposed on the distal side of the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement, blood pressure values are measured using the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement, and PWV is measured based on the appearance time lag of the pulse waves detected using the two air bladders for pulse wave measurement and the distance between these two air bladders for pulse wave measurement, and an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis is acquired based on the measured PWV.
However, with the blood pressure information measurement device disclosed in the abovementioned JP 2007-044362A, because the device is configured to detect the pulse wave using the two air bladders for pulse wave measurement without occluding the artery included at the fitting site of the cuff, the reflective wave from the artery positioned on the distal side of the fitting site will be superimposed on the pulse wave that is detected, making it difficult to appropriately separate the reflective wave, and resulting in a significant drop in PWV measurement accuracy. Thus, in the case where the blood pressure information measurement device is configured as disclosed in JP 2007-044362A, it is difficult to raise the accuracy of the index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis that is acquired.
Blood pressure information measurement devices that have achieved device miniaturization to an extent that enables use in the home, and can, moreover, measure PWV with high accuracy, enabling an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis to be acquired with high accuracy as a result, are disclosed in JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A, for example.
The blood pressure information measurement devices disclosed in JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A are configured such that a single cuff is fitted on the upper arm, with one large-volume air bladder for blood pressure value measurement and one small-volume air bladder for pulse wave measurement contained in the cuff, and in the fitted state, the air bladder for pulse wave measurement is disposed on the proximal side of a fitting site, while the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement is disposed on the distal side of a fitting site, blood pressure values are measured with the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement, and a pulse wave is detected using the air bladder for pulse wave measurement while maintaining a state in which the artery is occluded using the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement, and PWV is measured based on the time lag at which the peak value of an ejection wave component and the peak value of a reflective wave component included in the detected pulse wave appear and the artery length from the heart (more specifically, subclavian artery bifurcation) to the iliac artery bifurcation, and an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis is acquired based on the measured PWV. Here, an ejection wave is the pulse wave that is transmitted directly from the heart to the portion of the artery on which the air bladder for pulse wave measurement is fitted, and a reflective wave is the pulse wave transmitted to the portion of the artery on which the air bladder for pulse wave measurement is fitted as a result of the ejection wave being reflected at the iliac artery bifurcation.
With the blood pressure information measurement devices disclosed in JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A, because a configuration is employed in which a single cuff is fitted on the upper arm, and one air bladder for blood pressure value measurement and one air bladder for pulse wave measurement are contained in a single cuff, and because the device can be miniaturized as compared with conventional technology, and the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement can also be used as a cuff for occluding an artery, pulse wave measurement can be performed in a state in which the distal side is occluded, enabling PWV to be measured with high accuracy, without the possibility of the reflective wave from an artery positioned on the distal side of the fitting site being superimposed on the pulse wave that is detected. The blood pressure information measurement devices disclosed in JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A can also be configured to inflate the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement and the air bladder for pulse wave measurement simultaneously or selectively using a single inflation pump, in which case, further miniaturization of the device and simplification of the device configuration will also be achieved.
Accordingly, if a blood pressure information measurement device as disclosed in JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A is employed, miniaturization of the device and simplification of the device configuration to an extent that enables use in the home is achieved, and, moreover, PWV can be measured with high accuracy, enabling an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis to be acquired with high accuracy as a result.
Note that JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A also describe being able to acquire an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on the difference, ratio or the like of an amplitude of the ejection wave component and an amplitude of the reflective wave component included in the detected pulse wave, besides the abovementioned acquisition of an index indicating the degree of arteriosclerosis based on PWV.
Also, in addition to JP 2009-284965A and JP 2009-284966A, JP 2004-195071A and JP 2007-522857A describe applying a higher compression force than maximum blood pressure to an artery when detecting a pulse wave, and performing various types of pulse wave analysis based on the pulse wave detected in that state, given that differences arise in the shape of the pulse waves detected in the case where the compression force at the time of compressing an artery differs.    Patent Literature 1 JP 2000-316821A    Patent Literature 2 JP 2004-113593A    Patent Literature 3 JP 2007-044362A    Patent Literature 4 JP 2009-284965A    Patent Literature 5 JP 2009-284966A    Patent Literature 6 JP 2004-195071A    Patent Literature 7 JP 2007-522857A


A system, a controller, and a method for data storage are provided. The system includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a controller. The first storage unit comprises a single-layer structure for storing data, and the second storage unit comprises a multi-layer structure for storing data. The controller is coupled to the first storage unit, the second storage unit, and a host and controls the host to set the first storage unit as a master storage device and set the second storage unit as a slave storage device. As a result, the host can recognize the first storage unit and the second storage unit as two independent storage devices for storing data. Thereby, the data storage process can be simplified.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system and a method for data storage, in particular, to a system, a controller, and a method which can control a host to identify storage devices and store data accordingly.
2. Description of Related Art
Along with the development of semiconductor technology, the storage capacities of memories have been greatly increased while the prices thereof are relatively reduced. Flash memory is one of the most adaptable memories for portable products due to its characteristics such as non-volatility, low power consumption, small volume, and non-mechanical structure. Accordingly, a solid state disk (SSD) which uses a NAND flash memory as its data storage medium has been developed in recent years. In a SSD, the mechanical structure of a conventional storage device is replaced by the characteristics of a flash memory, and data is accessed through block writing and erasing. As a result, the access efficiency of SSD can be greatly improved, and compared to a conventional storage device, a SSD is highly resistant to vibration and low temperature and offers low power consumption and high stability.
NAND flash memories can be categorized into single level cell (SLC) NAND flash memory (referred as SLC thereinafter) and multi level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory (referred as MLC thereinafter). A SLC uses a group of high/low voltages for identifying two different electric charges (including 0 and 1), and a MLC uses a higher driving voltage and records two-bit information (including 00, 01, 11, and 10) with voltages of different levels. Accordingly, the density of data recorded in a MLC is two times of that in a SLC. Since a SLC has simple structure and low voltage variation while writing data, the lifespan thereof is relatively long. As to a MLC, in order to increase the recording capacity thereof, the voltage range thereof is smaller and more space for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is required. Besides, because the voltage changes frequently, a MLC can only be accessed about 10,000 times, which is far less than the 100,000 times of a SLC.
In overview, SLC has advantages in its lifespan and performance but offers low storage capacity and high cost, while MLC is disadvantageous in its speed and lifespan even though it offers high storage capacity. In order to reduce the cost without affecting the performance, conventionally, both a SLC and a MLC are disposed in the same host, wherein the faster SLC is used for recording important and frequently-accessed operating system (OS) information, and the low-cost MLC is used for recording general data files, so that the requirements to low cost and high performance can be both met.
In order to prolong the lifespan of a SSD, how to effectively manage the blocks for writing data so that the SLC and the MLC can have the optimized efficiency has become one of the most important subjects in the industry. However, in an existing product disposed with both a SLC and a MLC, a host can only treat the two storage devices as a single storage device but cannot recognize them as two different storage devices (for example, as drive C and drive D). Accordingly, the management of data writing is complicated.

System, controller, and method for data storage


A retainer plate configured to retain a center pin for an equalizer bar comprises a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a first support arm having a first reduced contact portion; a second support arm having a second reduced contact portion; and a neck portion between the first support arm and the second support arm. The retainer plate can be symmetrical about a center vertical axis in an end view thereof, and the first support arm, the second support arm, and the neck portion can define a central concave recess configured to receive the center pin via an opening into the central concave recess defined between the first support arm and the second support arm. The first support arm can have a first set of openings through a thickness of the retainer plate and configured to receive respective fasteners therethrough, and the second support arm can have a second set of openings through the thickness of the retainer plate and configured to receive respective fasteners therethrough.

A center pin in a joint of an equalizer bar may be retained using two distinct, separated retainer plates, each with two bolts that may attach to the rear surface of a main frame saddle casting. However, movement of the center pin can create bolt overloading, which may lead to bolt failure in terms of loosening and/or fracturing of one or more of the bolts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,196 ("the '196 patent") describes a pair of support pad structures each that includes a U-shaped heat treated spring metal member centrally positioned in the support pad structure for receiving one of the tubular projections between the legs thereof, and having the opposed legs thereof bonded to an elastomeric material. According to the '196 patent, the support pad structure further includes a pair of L-shaped retainer plates, which are also constructed of heat treated spring metal and which each have one leg bonded to the elastomeric material, and a horizontally leg which projects to one side of the support pad structure and has an aperture formed therein for receiving a retaining bolt. The '196 patent also describes that the support pad structure includes a pair of vertically extending columns at the laterally outer extremities of the support pad structure. However, the '196 patent does not describe that the support pad structure is a single unitary plate that has a face coupled to a saddle and that is configured to engage with a center pin in a joint of an equalizer bar to restrict movement of the center pin.

Retainer for equalizer bar pin and systems and assemblies thereof


An electrified framework system for bringing power and/or signal to electrically powered devices is provided. The system includes at least one longitudinally extending electrified bus bar. The bus bar has a housing which includes a pair of conductors positioned therein. Each conductor has a mating surface which provides a continuous conductive path for attachment of devices. The system also includes a means to bring electricity to the conductors without interfering with the mating surface of the conductors and thereby creating an unavailable point for electrical connection.

The present invention is directed to an electrically active framework and, more particularly, to an electrified bus bar and an electrical interconnection means which brings power and/or signal to conductive material housed internally in the bus bar.
Today's interior building environment is dominated by fixed lighting and a wide variety of electrical devices that are typically wired for a building's lifetime rather than occupants' changing needs. Building designers and owners increasingly have been seeking systems to make buildings more adaptable and to integrate infrastructure, equipment and furnishings that can improve a building's energy efficiency. Generally speaking, the increasing use of safe, low-voltage direct-current (DC) power and/or signal in interior control and peripheral devices, such as lighting, is a shift aimed at increasing adaptability and energy efficiency.
More specifically, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0272256, 2007/0103824 and 2008/0087464 are examples of recent attempts to provide unprecedented design and space flexibility along with reduced energy usage via an enabling infrastructure which uses and distributes low-voltage DC power and/or signal. In short, these systems change the manner in which low-voltage direct-current (DC) power and/or signal is distributed to interior controls and devices resulting in an increase in flexibility, efficiency and sustainability of the interior building environment. In these systems, low-voltage DC power and/or signal is distributed and accessible via the conductors disposed on the support grid members of a grid framework. A low-voltage power and/or signal source is then attached to the infrastructure, i.e. the support grid members, via one or more connectors, which, in turn, electrifies the conductors and creates an electrified bus bar.
What is needed is a means to bring electricity to the conductors without creating keep-out zones. A keep out zone is a term used herein to define any point along the continuous conductive path that is unavailable for electrical connection due to interference or other obstruction of the mating surface of the conductors. How to bring power and/or signal to an internal bus bar without creating a keep-out zone has heretofore been unknown.

Internal bus bar and an electrical interconnection means therefor


A company switch-type of electrical switchgear is disclosed having improved safety characteristics and having a reduced profile. The electrical connections are typically all enclosed in one area facing one direction such that access to the connections can be controlled and interlocked with one or more main breakers. By enclosing the connections in one area and directing the leads out of the enclosure in one direction, the size of the enclosure can be reduced while the safety of its use is increased.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of electrical power distribution switchgear. More particularly, this invention relates to temporary electrical power distribution switchgear.
2. Description of the Related Art
A particular type of electrical switchgear known as a "company switch" is commonly used in the entertainment industry to provide consistent temporary power facilities in the backstage areas of theatres, concert stages, and other entertainment venues. A Company Switch is typically a metal box containing a circuit breaker and five or six "single pole" power connections for bare wire as well as prefabricated connectors. Previously, company switches were made by putting together mismatched parts to provide an area and enclosure for distributing power supplied by a main line to various connections. These were often fabricated on the spot and served their purpose but were not particularly safe or well designed.
Recently, manufacturers have begun making such distribution switchgear in enclosures designed for their application. Additionally, these manufacturers have also added the feature of more than one connection type from each distribution line in the enclosure. One particular manufacturer utilizes a lug connection and a cam-type connector in parallel with each distribution lead from the main line. This allows one to make a connection with the box by either a bare lead, or by a pre-fabricated cam-type connector.
One company switch currently used for local distribution of power provides two different types of termination; however, they are not both enclosed in a protective enclosure. As is common with company switches, either one or both sets of the connections are surface mounted on the enclosure. Therefore, it is possible to touch an energized contact causing severe shock. Some company switches also utilize a lug connection cover panel for covering the bare wire lug connections. This cover panel is interlocked with the main breaker. The interlock acts to de-energize the connections when the cover panel is opened. But, because the cover panel only covers the lug connections, the cam-type set of connectors is always exposed and there is always a significant risk of electrical shock.
Furthermore, one or both sets of terminations face forward out of the enclosure and away from the mounting surface such that when a connection is made, the lead extends straight out from the connection and perpendicular from the mounting surface. The leads extending straight out from the front of the enclosure and perpendicular from the mounting surface results in a high profile from the wall or mounting surface. This results in the connections taking up valuable space and increases the likelihood of accidents caused by these leads extending out from the company switch in this manner.
Such distribution boxes have not been designed for optimal safety and size reduction. In many instances, the area in which the distribution box is used is of a relatively small size, or alternatively several distribution boxes may be needed in the same location. In such applications, a distribution switchgear box with a reduced enclosure size would be beneficial. Furthermore, currently manufactured company switches allow access to the connection terminals while the terminals are energized, thereby creating a risk of shock to those who may accidentally touch the exposed terminations while they are energized. Therefore, there exists in the field a need for a safer design that can significantly reduce the risk of shock from touching an exposed and energized termination or connector while reducing the overall size of the company switch and achieving other benefits.

Enclosed electrical switchgear and method of manufacture


A food product, preferably a food ingredient in the form of dye, pigment or similar colorant in a random pattern in refrigerated yogurt, is produced by supplying the food ingredient through a supply tube (82) extending through an injection tube (80) and into a fill pipe (78) and a fill tube (28). In the preferred form, an elongated tubular member is formed around the fill tube (28) from a strip (20) of flexible material, with top and bottom seals being formed by a forming station (36). In the preferred form, the injection tube (80) extends at an angle to the fill pipe (78) such that the supply tube (82) formed of stainless steel is generally linearly straight. The fill pipe (78) includes seal flanges (78a, 78b) allowing its removal from the food material supply tubing (68) and the fill tube (28) to allow conventional cleaning of the remaining components of the apparatus (10). The streaking effect is increased by introducing the second food ingredient through first and second ducts (85) on diametric opposite sides of and axially spaced along supply tube (82) and extending at an acute angle upstream of the supply tube (82).

The present invention generally relates to novel food products and apparatus and methods of their production, particularly to food products in the form of a food ingredient in an irregular and random pattern in a food material and their production, and specifically to food products in the form of a dye, pigment or colorant in a tie dye pattern in a refrigerated, thixotropic food material, preferably a cultured dairy product, and most preferably yogurt, and their production.
Food manufacturers are continually attempting to present food products in novel arrangements to enhance the marketing of the food products beyond the food material itself. As an example, such food products can be packaged in a manner that enhances its acceptability for consumption in new situations. Specifically, Yoplait USA, Inc. has marketed refrigerated yogurt filled in a tube package under the GOGURT and EXPRÈSSE trademarks. Such yogurt filled tube package articles can be conveniently consumed without the use of a spoon by simply cutting or tearing the end of the tube and manually squeezing the contents from the tube directly into the consumer's mouth. By virtue of not requiring a spoon for consumption, this food product is more acceptable to many consumers for consumption away from the home such as for carried lunches such as to schools. Additionally, such filled tubes often are easier to be included in lunch containers than conventional rigid cylindrical containers that also require eating utensils. Further, such filled tubes add a play value during the consumption of such food, which enhances the marketability to younger consumers.
Although marketing of yogurt in tubes has experienced considerable market success due to several factors including its uniqueness, ease of consumption without utensils, and the like, there is a continual need to present yogurt and similar food products in further novel arrangements to enhance the marketing of the food material. In this regard, filled tubes are often marketed in a package including multiple food products. It is then desirable that such packages not include multiples of identical products but rather include a variety of products. However, it should be appreciated that the cost of producing multiple types of many products such as yogurt is often prohibitive. Thus, there is a further need to present yogurt and similar food products in a variety of forms and in a manner that avoids the costs and other production problems of producing multiple products.
Furthermore, cleaning of food production equipment is always a concern, but is especially so for food products which require refrigeration such as yogurt. In particular, any food particles which are not removed from the production equipment are subject to spoiling and can result in contamination of the final product by being released in later production runs or by contaminating other food material which reduces its shelf life. Thus, a need exists to insure that food production equipment can be easily cleaned when necessary.

Method for making a patterned food product


There is provided a liquid crystal optical modulation device which performs light control drive for a liquid crystal panel, the device including a voltage limiting section that limits a power supply voltage, which is applied to the liquid crystal panel from a commercial AC source, and a control section that controls a voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel through the voltage limiting section in accordance with a phase of the power supply voltage of the commercial AC source.

In a known technology that has been proposed (e.g., Patent Literature 1), the ratio of a non-operating state to an operating state of polymer dispersed-type liquid crystal is reduced compared to a case in which an AC voltage from a commercial power source is applied directly to a transparent electrode, so that high transparency can be achieved.

Liquid crystal optical modulation device and liquid crystal optical modulation method


An ophthalmic endoprobe including a hand-piece and a cannula assembly having a longitudinal axis is provided. The cannula assembly including an inner tube concentric with an outer tube; wherein the hand-piece may further include a motor powered by a pneumatic energy source, the motor providing motion to a transmission shaft; and a transmission system to couple the shaft motion to the cannula assembly; wherein the transmission system provides a counter-rotating motion to the inner tube and the outer tube about the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A fluid console for use in endoscopic ophthalmic microsurgery including a pneumatics module to obtain a pneumatic force from an external source and provide an adjustable pneumatic force; a scanning module coupled to the pneumatics module; and an endoprobe coupled to the scanning module is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments described herein relate to the field of ophthalmic microsurgical endoprobes. More particularly, embodiments described herein are related to the field of endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and to the field of ophthalmic microsurgical techniques.
2. Description of Related Art
The field of ophthalmic microsurgical procedures is evolving rapidly. Typically, these procedures involve the use of endoprobes that are capable of reaching the tissue that is being operated or diagnosed. Such procedures make use of endoscopic surgical instruments having an endoprobe coupled to a control device in a remote console. Current state of the art provides endoprobes that are quite complex in operation, often times requiring moving parts that are operated using complex mechanical systems. In many cases, an electrical motor is included in the design of the endoprobe. Most of the prior art devices have a cost and that makes them difficult to discard after one or only a few surgical procedures. Furthermore, prior art devices generally use endoprobes having cross sections of several millimeters. These endoprobes are of little practical use for ophthalmic microsurgical techniques. In ophthalmic surgery, dimensions of one (1) millimeter or less are preferred, to cover areas typically involved without affecting unrelated tissue.
Scanning systems that allow time-dependent direction of light for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes have been used in endoscopic surgical instruments. These instruments typically use endoprobes that provide imaging, treatment, or both, over an extended area of tissue without requiring motion of the endoscope relative to its surroundings. However, efforts to develop scanning endoprobes compatible with ophthalmic surgery have been slowed by the difficulty of providing a light weight, compact drive system at a low cost. This is particularly true for forward-directed ophthalmic scanning endoprobes that may require counter rotating shafts with fixed or controlled relative speeds.
Therefore, there is a need for a simple, efficient system to provide ophthalmic microsurgical endoprobes for single-use designs. There is also a need for disposable endoprobes having light weight components that may be injection molded out of low cost materials such as plastic.

Pneumatically driven ophthalmic scanning endoprobe


A multiphase-liquid level sensing system for sensing a layer depth and thickness of a liquid of a first phase that floats on a liquid of a different second phase includes an elongated stem that defines an elongated cavity. A float, which exhibits a sensible property, is disposed coaxially around the elongated stem and has negative buoyancy relative to the liquid of the first phase and positive buoyancy relative to the liquid of the second phase. A level sensor senses the sensible property and indicates a second phase liquid distance from the float to the bottom of the stem. An overburden sensor extends downwardly from the stem senses total liquid thickness of the liquid above the overburden sensor. A computational circuit calculates a layer depth and thickness of the liquid of the first phase, based on input from the level sensor and the overburden sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sensor systems and, more specifically, to a sensor system that senses the thickness of layers of liquids of different phases.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is important to measure multiphase fluid levels in a variety of settings such as containers, drums, tanks, wells, rivers, oceans, and other surface and subsurface environments. Multiphase fluids are composed of liquids of different specific gravities such as light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), water, dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), and emulsions. LNAPL is characterized by having a specific gravity less than that of water and DNAPL is characterized by having a specific gravity greater than that of water.
Current systems for measuring multiphase fluid levels include systems that use pressure transducers, optical sensors, float switches, ultrasonic sensors, magneto-restrictive, magneto-elastic, radar (pulse burst, guided-wave, frequency modulated continuous wave, and other radar-based technologies ), radio frequency (RF), and related devices which are capable of measuring the level of a single phase liquid.
None of these devices are capable of measuring levels of several multiphase liquids simultaneously. Although two or more devices can be applied to measure the levels of multiphase liquids separately, none of the devices are capable of automatically computing and reporting the thicknesses of multiphase liquids or the elevations of multiphase liquids, simultaneously.
The space available to install multiple devices to measure multiphase liquids may be restricted by the narrow spaces of the container being measured. For example, a tank may not have a sufficient number of ports to accommodate more than one device, or a single available port might not be large enough to accommodate multiple devices. In measuring multiphase liquid levels in a well, the space within the well is generally too restricted to accommodate several different devices at the same time. Furthermore, it may not be possible to deploy other down-hole devices such as pumping systems or other recovery apparatus in small diameter wells.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that can sense the levels of different liquid phases simultaneously.