A rolling cone bit includes a cone cutter having a gage row and an adjacent nestled gage row of cutter elements that are positioned on gage so as to divide or share the borehole corner cutting duty. The wear resistance, hardness, toughness and shape of the cutter elements in the adjacent rows are optimized depending upon the type of cutting the respective rows perform, the characteristics of the formation being drilled and the drilling techniques being employed. In most applications, the nestled gage cutter elements will have cutting surfaces that are more wear resistant or harder than the cutting surfaces of the gage cutter elements which experience more bottom hole duty. The nestled gage cutter elements engage the borehole wall with a negative rake angle for increased durability. Preferably, the nestled gage cutter elements have continuously contoured and non-shearing cutting surfaces.

An earth-boring drill bit is typically mounted on the lower end of a drill string and is rotated by rotating the drill string at the surface or by actuation of downhole motors or turbines, or by both methods. With weight applied to the drill string, the rotating drill bit engages the earthen formation and proceeds to form a borehole along a predetermined path toward a target zone. The borehole formed in the drilling process will have a diameter generally equal to the diameter or "gage" of the drill bit.
A typical earth-boring bit includes one or more rotatable cutters that perform their cutting function due to the rolling movement of the cutters acting against the formation material. The cutters roll and slide upon the bottom of the borehole as the bit is rotated, the cutters thereby engaging and disintegrating the formation material in its path. The rotatable cutters may be described as generally conical in shape and are therefore sometimes referred to as rolling cones. The borehole is formed as the gouging and scraping or crushing and chipping action of the rotary cones remove chips of formation material which are carried upward and out of the borehole by drilling fluid which is pumped downwardly through the drill pipe and out of the bit.
The earth disintegrating action of the rolling cone cutters is enhanced by providing the cutters with a plurality of cutter elements. Cutter elements are generally of two types: inserts formed of a very hard material, such as tungsten carbide, that are press fit into undersized apertures in the cone surface; or teeth that are milled, cast or otherwise integrally formed from the material of the rolling cone. Bits having tungsten carbide inserts are typically referred to as "TCI" bits, while those having teeth formed from the cone material are known as "steel tooth bits." The cutting surfaces of inserts are, in some instances, coated with a very hard and abrasion resistant coating such as polycrystaline diamond (PCD). Similarly, the teeth of steel tooth bits are many times coated with a hard metal layer generally referred to as "hardfacing." In each instance, the cutter elements on the rotating cutters break up the formation to form new borehole by a combination of gouging and scraping or chipping and crushing.
In oil and gas drilling, the cost of drilling a borehole is proportional to the length of time it takes to drill to the desired depth and location. The time required to drill the well, in turn, is greatly affected by the number of times the drill bit must be changed in order to reach the targeted formation. This is the case because each time the bit is changed, the entire string of drill pipe, which may be miles long, must be retrieved from the borehole, section by section. Once the drill string has been retrieved and the new bit installed, the bit must be lowered to the bottom of the borehole on the drill string, which again must be constructed section by section. As is thus obvious, this process, known as a "trip" of the drill string, requires considerable time, effort and expense. Accordingly, it is always desirable to employ drill bits which will drill faster and longer and which are usable over a wider range of formation hardness.
The length of time that a drill bit may be employed before it must be changed depends upon its rate of penetration ("ROP"), as well as its durability or ability to maintain an acceptable ROP. The form and positioning of the cutter elements (both steel teeth and tungsten carbide inserts) upon the cutters greatly impact bit durability and ROP and thus are critical to the success of a particular bit design.
Bit durability is, in part, measured by a bit's ability to "hold gage," meaning its ability to maintain a full gage borehole diameter over the entire length of the borehole. Gage holding ability is particularly vital in directional drilling applications which have become increasingly important. If gage is not maintained at a relatively constant dimension, it becomes more difficult, and thus more costly, to insert drilling apparatus into the borehole than if the borehole had a constant diameter. For example, when a new, unworn bit is inserted into an undergage borehole, the new bit will be required to ream the undergage hole as it progresses toward the bottom of the borehole. Thus, by the time it reaches the bottom, the bit may have experienced a substantial amount of wear that it would not have experienced had the prior bit been able to maintain full gage. This unnecessary wear will shorten the life of the newly-inserted bit, thus prematurely requiring the time consuming and expensive process of removing the drill string, replacing the worn bit, and reinstalling another new bit downhole.
To assist in maintaining the gage of a borehole, conventional rolling cone bits typically employ a heel row of hard metal inserts on the heel surface of the rolling cone cutters. The heel surface is a generally frustoconical surface and is configured and positioned so as to generally align with and ream the sidewall of the borehole as the bit rotates. The inserts in the heel surface contact the borehole wall with a sliding motion and thus generally may be described as scraping or reaming the borehole sidewall. The heel inserts function primarily to maintain a constant gage and secondarily to prevent the erosion and abrasion of the heel surface of the rolling cone. Excessive wear of the heel inserts leads to an undergage borehole, decreased ROP, increased loading on the other cutter elements on the bit, and may accelerate wear of the cutter bearing and ultimately lead to bit failure.
In addition to the heel row inserts, conventional bits typically include a gage row of cutter elements mounted adjacent to the heel surface but orientated and sized in such a manner so as to cut the corner of the borehole. In this orientation, the gage cutter elements generally are required to cut both the borehole bottom and sidewall. The lower surface of the gage row cutter elements engage the borehole bottom while the radially outermost surface scrapes the sidewall of the borehole. Conventional bits also include a number of additional rows of cutter elements that are located on the cones in rows disposed radially inward from the gage row. These cutter elements are sized and configured for cutting the bottom of the borehole and are typically described as inner row cutter elements.
Differing forces are applied to the cutter elements by the sidewall than the borehole bottom. Thus, requiring gage cutter elements to cut both portions of the borehole compromises the cutter element's design. In general, the cutting action operating on the borehole bottom is typically a crushing or gouging action, while the cutting action operating on the sidewall is a scraping or reaming action. Ideally, a crushing or gouging action requires a tough cutter element, one able to withstand high impacts and compressive loading, while the scraping or reaming action calls for a very hard and wear resistant cutter element. One grade of cemented tungsten carbide or hardfacing cannot optimally perform both of these cutting functions as it cannot be as hard as desired for cutting the sidewall and, at the same time, as tough as desired for cutting the borehole bottom. Similarly, PCD grades differ in hardness and toughness and, although PCD coatings are extremely resistant to wear, they are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by impact loading as typically encountered in bottom hole cutting duty. As a result, compromises have been made in conventional bits such that the gage row cutter elements are not as tough as the inner row of cutter elements because they must, at the same time, be harder, more wear resistant and less aggressively shaped so as to accommodate the scraping action on the sidewall of the borehole.
Attempts have been made in the past to design a bit having an increased ability to hold gage. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,885 discloses a rolling cone bit in which the heel inserts were moved from a traditional location centrally disposed along the heel surface to a position in which their cutting surface, in rotated profile, overlapped with the cutting profile of the gage row inserts. The heel inserts, due to their positioning, engaged the borehole sidewall at points much lower in the borehole and much sooner on the cutting cycle than in pervious heel row inserts. According to the '885 patent, the "lowering" of the heel inserts spared the gage inserts from having to do a large amount of scraping on the borehole sidewall. This was believed advantageous as it permitted the gage inserts to be made of the same tough grade of tungsten carbide as the inner rows of inserts.
That design, however, presented other compromises. For example, the heel surface of the cone was left unprotected by any hard metal inserts, leading to erosion of the cone and the shirttail of the bit leg after the heel inserts and gage inserts became worn. Erosion of the shirttail portion of the bit leg is especially detrimental as the shirttail performs an important role in protecting the cone seal and bearing from exposure to cuttings and other debris. Additionally, although the sidewall cutting duty was shared between heel inserts and gage inserts in the bit of the '885 patent, the gage inserts were still required to perform a substantial amount of sidewall cutting duty. When gage inserts were made of the same tough tungsten carbide as inner row cutter elements as taught by the '885 patent, they are not as resistant to wear caused by sidewall cutting, and are therefore more susceptible to gage rounding than previous gage row inserts which had been made of a harder more wear resistant material.
Another example of an attempt to increase the gage holding ability of a bit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,768. The '768 patent teaches including a scraper insert at the intersection of the heel and gage surfaces of a rolling cone. The scraper insert includes a gage surface and a heel surface which converge to define a relatively sharp cutting edge for engagement with the sidewall of the borehole, the insert also being mounted so as to have a positive rake angle with respect to the sidewall. The scraper insert also is positioned in the cone so that it does not initially engage the borehole sidewall, but only begins to engage formation material after the gage inserts (described therein as "heel" inserts) wear to an appreciable degree. The scraper inserts are thus described as a "secondary" rather than a "primary" cutting structure, and make only incidental contact with the formation material until wear has occurred to the gage inserts. Similarly, the '768 patent teaches that the heel row inserts (described therein as "gage" inserts) do not extend to full gage, so as to maintain a clearance between the heel inserts and the sidewall of the borehole. Again, only when the gage and scraper inserts become severely worn do the heel inserts actively cut sidewall.
Although this arrangement was intended to provide an aggressive cutting structure for increased ROP, the shape and the angle with which the scraper insert attacks the borehole wall make it inherently susceptible to premature wear and damage. With its sharp edge, the scraper inserts will have a high peak contact stress, leading to accelerated wear as compared to a more blunt or rounded cutting surface. Further, the sharp leading edges of the scraper insert are subjected to concentrated forces which may tend to cause premature chipping or breakage, especially when the insert is subjected to side impact loading as may be prevalent in particular formations and in directional drilling. Furthermore, the sharp chisel geometry of the scraper increases the frictional force imposed on the insert, and may lead to intensive localized heat generation at the sharp corners of the cutting surface. Such intense localized heating may lead to heat checking and subsequent cutter element failure.
Additionally, the '768 patent discloses forming one side of the scraper insert from a more wear resistant material than the other. In theory, the less wear resistant surface will wear faster than the other surface, such that the scraper insert will be self sharpening. The '768 patent discloses that the more wear resistant material could be PCD. However, due to the shape of the scraper insert, it is difficult to create a strong bond of PCD at the sharp corners, potentially leading to chipping of the PCD at those sharp corners or radii. Furthermore, the resistance force, a component of the force that is applied tangentially to the cutter element as it engages the formation (in the direction opposite of cutting movement) will attack the discontinuity that exists at the tip of the scraper insert at the intersection of the PCD layer with the tungsten carbide. This substantial force, applied at what amounts to an inherent crack can propagate, causing loss of PCD coating as the frictional force and the resistance force (both being components that together make up the tangential force component) attack the intersection of the tungsten carbide and diamond layer.
Significantly too, the scraper inserts engage the borehole sidewall at a positive rake angle. The shape of scraper insert and its orientation so as to form a positive rake angle creates the potential for, at least initially, a relatively high ROP. At the same time, however, the scraper insert may become quickly dulled or broken due to its aggressive rake angle. Also, because of the orientation of the chisel insert as it sweeps across and engages the borehole wall, the intersection between the PCD layer and carbide is particularly susceptible to attack from the tangential forces imposed on the cutter element. More specifically, the tangential forces are applied at the crest of the chisel insert and are applied in a direction such that the diamond coating is particularly susceptible to chipping and delamination because, at least in certain portions of its cutting cycle, there is not a substantial amount of tungsten carbide substrate to support the diamond coating from the tangential forces that are being applied by the hole wall.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a drill bit and cutting structure that is more durable than those conventionally known and that will yield greater ROP's and an increase in footage drilled while maintaining a full gage borehole. Preferably, the bit and cutting structure would not require the compromises in cutter element toughness, wear resistance and hardness which have plagued conventional bits and thereby limited durability and ROP.

Rolling cone bit having gage and nestled gage cutter elements having enhancements in materials and geometry to optimize borehole corner cutting duty


An expansion shell assembly for mine roof bolts includes an expansion member threaded onto an associated mine roof bolt. A support device is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt. An expansion shell is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt between the expansion member and the support device. The expansion shell has a base ring for engaging the support device and fingers for engaging a peripheral edge of the expansion member. The engagement between the base ring and the support device permits axial traverse movement of the support device relative to the expansion shell for tensioning the roof bolt.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved expansion shell assembly for mine roof bolts and, more specifically, to an improved expansion shell assembly, and elements thereof, having novel features particularly adapted for the improved support and release of an expansion shell during installation of a mine roof bolt.
2. Description of the Art
It is well known in the art of mine roof control to tension bolts anchored in bore holes drilled into the mine roof in order to reinforce the unsupported rock formation above the roof. Conventionally, a hole is drilled into the rock formation. The end of the bolt in the rock formation is anchored either by engagement of an expansion shell assembly on the end of the bolt with the rock formation, by bonding the bolt with resin to the rock formation surrounding the bore hole, or by use of both an expansion shell assembly and resin together to retain the bolt within the hole.
Mechanical expansion shell assemblies for roof bolts have been used for many years in the anchorage of bolts in rock formations. An expansion shell assembly includes an expansion member such as a camming plug or tapered plug threaded onto one end of a mine roof bolt and positioned within the upper end portion of an expansion shell. The expansion shell is held in place by a support device such as a PALNUT positioned adjacent to the lower end portion of the expansion shell.
During rotation of the bolt, the frictional engagement of the expansion shell with the rock formation surrounding the bore hole prevents rotation thereof. Also, by virtue of the frictional engagement between the upper end of the support device with the lower end of the expansion shell, the support device will not rotate but, upon rotation of the bolt, the support device, the expansion shell and the tapered plug move downwardly along the bolt until the support device reaches the unthreaded portion of the bolt.
Continued rotation of the bolt causes the tapered plug to advance downwardly on the bolt and urges the expansion shell fingers to expand or deflect radially outwardly to grip the rock formation surrounding the bore hole. With the expansion shell engaged with the rock formation, continued rotation of the bolt causes the bolt to advance upwardly, thereby pushing or stripping the support device off the threaded portion of the bolt. Concurrently, rotation of the bolt urges a bearing plate positioned on the bolt at an end opposite the expansion shell assembly against the rock formation, putting the rock formation in compression and the bolt in tension.
Current practice provides roof bolt systems using resin in conjunction with a mechanical anchor. These types of systems require a resin cartridge to be inserted in the bore hole. The bolt is then inserted in the bore hole and thrust upwardly to rupture the resin cartridge. The bolt is rotated, mixing the resin and setting the mechanical anchor. Two of the advantages of resin-using systems are a tensioned resin anchor and quick installation provided by the mechanical anchor.
Examples of arrangements utilizing both an expansion shell assembly and resin to anchor a mine roof bolt in a rock formation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,419,805; 4,413,930; 4,516,885 and 4,518,292, all expressly incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of both an expansion shell assembly and resin to anchor a mine roof bolt are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,188,815; 4,162,133; 4,655,645 and 4,664,561, all expressly incorporated herein by reference.
In general, any support device of an expansion shell assembly of the prior art performs three functions during installation of the roof bolt. First, the support device maintains the expansion shell in engagement with the camming plug during insertion in the bore hole. Second, with the support device positioned adjacent the lower end of the bolt threaded portion, the support device maintains the expansion shell in a fixed axial position on the bolt thereby allowing the tapered plug to advance downwardly on the bolt and urge the expansion fingers radially outwardly to grip the rock formation. Finally, with the expansion shell engaged with the rock formation, the support device strips off the threaded portion of the bolt thereby allowing the bolt to advance upwardly and be properly tensioned.
Some early combination resin/mechanical anchor systems used a PALNUT as the support device to maintain the expansion shell in engagement with the camming plug during insertion in the bore hole. However, because of the tight clearance between the expansion shell fingers and the bore hole wall, along with the high resistance to the flow of resin caused by the anchor, the PALNUT was prone to prematurely strip off the threaded portion of the bolt. When a premature failure occurred, the expansion shell was pushed downwardly and disengaged from the camming plug. The result was an expansion shell assembly unable to engage the rock formation, a condition known in the industry as a "spinner".
Manufacturers now use a hex or round jamnut of a various thickness as the support device. Although the heavier jamnut solved the premature stripping problem, it created a different problem. It has been determined that the heavier jamnut may not strip off the threaded portion. As a result, rotation of the bolt causes the expansion shell to be compressed between the camming plug and the support device. The expansion shell may become severely distorted, ripped, torn or twisted. In addition, when the jamnut fails to release, significant tension occurs in the bolt threaded portion between the camming plug and the jamnut. This tension translates into torque being measured by the roof bolt installation machine. It is common practice to install a roof bolt to a predetermined desired torque. Since significant torque is being created at the expansion shell assembly, significantly reduced torque/tension is being applied to the roof bolt. Thus, the actual tension in the bolt may be significantly less than the desired tension in the bolt.
While expansion shell assemblies for anchoring mine roof bolts in bore holes are well known, there is need to improve the operability of the support device, particularly when used with resin. The support device must have the capability to support the expansion shell during insertion in the bore hole and engagement with the bore hole wall. At the same time, the support device must have the capability to release its axially supporting engagement with the expansion shell once the expansion shell is set in the rock formation to allow for proper tensioning of the bolt while reducing or eliminating torsion and/or compression between the camming plug and the support device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A system and method for controllably separating a conduit into an upper portion and a lower portion. The system includes a first valve in the upper portion of the conduit above a point of separation, and a second valve in the lower portion of the conduit below the point of separation. When the conduit is separated, the valves are actuated to cease flow therethrough and prevent loss of fluids into the seawater. A hang-off tool in the lower portion of the conduit engages the well and supports the lower portion of the conduit.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlled disconnect of a surface vessel from a subsea well, and more particularly, to such a system and method that prevents release of fluids from the conduit into the sea when the conduit is disconnected.
2. Description of Related Art
In operations such as well testing, clean-up, perforating, or other similar operations, a vessel at the sea surface is connected to the wellhead by both a riser and a tubular working string. The position of the vessel is controlled so that the vessel resides over the wellhead to maintain the connection. If the vessel must move away or drive-off from the subsea well, the connection between the vessel and the subsea well must be severed to prevent damaging the vessel, the working string, and the riser. Additionally, the well must be shut-in to prevent a blowout of well fluids, which unfortunately, would be channeled up the riser towards the vessel.
A drive-off may result from several situations. For example, with a dynamically positioned vessel, one or more components of the dynamic positioning system can malfunction and cause the relative position of the vessel and well to suddenly change. A vessel that is held in place by tensioned cables may be propelled away from the well if one of the tensioned cables breaks. Also, the drive-off may be intentional, for example, to avoid a bad weather system.
In conventional systems, the wellhead provides a profile that receives a tubing hanger. The tubing hanger, in turn, supports the working string. The working string may incorporate a retainer valve above a subsea test tree that is actuable to allow or prevent flow through the working string. A blow-out preventer (BOP) stack is provided on the casing at the wellhead, and is actuable to seal the annulus between the working string and the casing.
In normal operations, fluid is communicated between the vessel and well through the working string. The annulus between the working string and the casing is sealed by a packer. In the event of a drive-off, the working string is separated at the wellhead, and the BOP stack seals the annulus. The working string above the wellhead or subsea test tree can then be pulled from the riser, and the working string below the wellhead or subsea test tree is supported in the well by the tubing hanger.
More recently, however, well systems have incorporated a continuous diameter casing and riser with the BOP stack positioned either near the vessel or intermediate the vessel and the sea floor. With such systems, a conventional working string configuration as described above cannot be used, because there is no profile for the tubing hanger to engage or BOP stack to isolate the annulus at the seabed. Thus, in operations, the entire working string is supported from the vessel. In the event of a drive-off, the working string would be pulled from the well as the vessel departs. If the working string were configured to separate, the lower portion of the string would drop unsupported into the well, because there is no tubing hanger to provide vertical support. Additionally, the BOP stack positioned near the vessel or intermediate the vessel and sea floor is above the usual point of separation at the seabed. Consequently, if the work string is parted, the entire volume of the riser above the seabed is exposed to pressurized well effluent which may be released to the environment if the riser is parted or ruptures, alternatively, released gas may evacuate the riser above the seabed and expose it to high collapse pressures which may cause failure.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for use in well operations that does not require the working string be supported by a tubing hanger in the event of a drive-off or other situation requiring separation of the working string. Further, the system should seal the annulus between the casing and the working string when the working string is separated.

System and method for fail-safe disconnect from a subsea well


A multi-fiber fiber-optic connector is provided containing a cartridge having a front radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic terminal is axially positioned, and having a rear radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic clamp body is axially positioned. The fiber-optic terminals are spring-biased forwardly toward the open end of the connector, and a preload plate holds them in a preloaded state. Each of the terminals is provided at its outer end with a surrounding, axially-extending resilient split sleeve, the outer end of which is empty to receive a fiber-optic terminal of a mating conductor similar to the above-described connector, but without the split sleeves. Each fiber extends between the front flange and the rear flange non-axially, the crimp-held end of each fiber instead being aligned with the fiber-optic terminal circumferentially next to the one which is aligned with the crimp body for that fiber.

It is common to connect together fiber optic cables each of which includes a plurality of optical fibers. To this end it is known, for example, to use a separate connector for each pair of the fibers to be connected; optical continuity is provided by either butting the smooth ends of the cables to each other in the connector, or by securing them in a closely-spaced confronting configuration. When they are to be butted against each other, it is known to spring-bias one or both of the fiber ends toward the other to maintain the desired fixed physical contact. To prevent relative motion of the fiber ends due to excessive tension on, or vibration of, the fibers, it is also known to fix the fibers physically to the connector at one position, and then leave a certain amount of slack in each fiber between the point of such physical connection and the ends of the fiber.
It is desirable in many cases to provide a multi-fiber, generally-circular, plug-and-receptacle type of fiber-optic systems, broadly analogous in a practical sense to a circular multi-wire electrical connector, to provide easy and reliable connection and disconnection of optical fiber cables. It is known to provide such a connector system using direct butt-end contact of the fiber pairs to each other, in some cases with spring biasing of one against the other, but such known fiber-optic connector systems generally exhibit certain drawbacks with regard to such factors as simplicity of construction, assembly and disassembly, reliability, low-cost, and overall convenience and efficiency.
One difficulty often encountered in such connectors, for example, lies in the fact that when the terminal ends of the fibers are spring-mounted so they can move axially, and the fibers are held fixed at another point near where they enter the connector to protect the spring-biased terminal end against motion induced by tension or vibration in the external fiber-optic cable, then it is necessary for the fibers inside the connector to flex from a straight-line configuration through rather sharp angles as the terminal ends of the fibers move back and forth axially during normal use. If the spring-mounted fiber terminals are very close to the point at which the fiber is fixedly secured to the connector, it will be difficult for such a fiber to absorb the motion of the fiber terminal; however, if this distance is increased substantially, then the connector becomes undesirably longer. One aspect of the present invention mitigates this difficulty. Other drawbacks encountered in circular multi-fiber relate to the exact way in which the components are constructed and arranged, and the difficulties in manufacture, assembly, disassembly and use which typically arise from such constructions.

Circular multi-fiber fiber-optic connector


A data stream is transmitted to groups of individuals making separate requests for the data stream. The groups may be arranged by placing a maximum number of requesters in a group or by grouping the requesters making requests within a discrete period of time. The individual requester may be shifted from group to group or from a data store to another data store location to change the location in the data stream from which the data is sent to an individual requester or the time of transmission of the data sent from the data store.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the transmission of data in a data stream over a telecommunications medium such as the Internet and, more particularly to the placement of recipients of that streaming data into identifiable groups by space or time, relative to the streaming data, to avoid congestion of users making demands for the streaming data substantially at the same time or at the same place in the data transmission.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Streaming data transmitted through the Internet, is a well-known technique for sending data expected to be received in a continuous form. Such data, for example, may be the current prices at the New York Stock Exchange, or video data such as a replay of a sport highlight or a fashion show. While the resources which may be allocated for transmitting the data may be adequate in many cases, at other times, the resources for sending the data may be inadequate for the task relative to the number of recipients demanding the data at substantially the same time or at the same place in the data base or data store. The consequence of any such inadequate resource allocation will be congestion and disappointed recipients who demand the data but are placed low or out of the queue because there are an insufficient number of servers, for example, to retrieve the data from the store and place it on the Internet for transmission to the recipients.
Other entities which receive demands, as described above, placing an overload on the resources used to transmit the streaming data might supply music or even static web pages. Any such demand, coming from the recipient end of the transmission medium, cannot be predicted until the demands for data are made. At the same time, the recipient expects the demand to be instantly satisfied by immediate connection to the data and to promptly begin enjoying the show or the web pages or the music or whatever may be represented or contained in the data stream.
Accordingly, there is a need for managing demands or requests made at substantially the same time or at the same location in the data stream, which may be beyond the system capability for supplying the information within the time expected and which reduces this peak load and shifts it over the space of the data transmission while preserving the impression of immediate satisfaction for each information recipient.

System and method for grouping recipients of streaming data

International Business Machines Corporation


A GaAs MMIC dual-band amplifier for wireless communications is disclosed for operation at either the 800 MHz or the 1900 MHz band and it provides desired gain and input and output impedance. Switching impedance networks are used at the input and output of the amplifier to provide matching input impedance and desired output impedance for operation in the two bands. Switching impedance networks are also used between any successive stages of the amplifier to provide proper interstage impedance. The dual band amplifier includes a bias control circuit which biases the amplifier to operate in A, B, AB or C mode. The amplifier can be used for the AMPS 800 or the GSM 900 operation or any other cellular operation such as the PCS 1900 and the it can be switched between the two operations by simply applying a proper control signal to the amplifier.

The present invention relates to the field of amplifiers and more particularly, power amplifiers for wireless telecommunications.
There are currently many different wireless communications systems promulgated by the telecommunications industries and used in the world. These systems are complex and they set forth specifications regarding all aspects of wireless communications, including physical characteristics of signal transmission, such as transmission frequency and operation mode.
One of the earliest wireless communications systems developed in North America is called the advanced mobile phone service (xe2x80x9cAMPSxe2x80x9d). Used for analog cellular communications, AMPS specifies a mobile station transmission frequency band between 824 MHz and 849 MHz. This band is often referred to as the 800 MHz band or the cellular band. Within the same frequency band also operates a later developed system called the digital mobile phone service (xe2x80x9cDMPSxe2x80x9d), which is used for both digital and analog communications. These systems are generally referred to in the industry as AMPS 800 and DMPS 800.
A European wireless communications system, the global system for mobile communications (xe2x80x9cGSMxe2x80x9d), specifies a mobile station transmission frequency band between 890 MHz to 915 MHz and it is used for digital communications. This system is often referred to as GSM 900. Although not widely adopted in North America, GSM 900 is highly popular in Europe and parts of Asia. Recently, a new system called personal communications system (xe2x80x9cPCSxe2x80x9d) 1900, which specifies a mobile station transmission frequency between 1850 MHz and 1910 MHz, is proposed for use in North America. The transmission frequency of PCS 1900 is substantially higher than that of AMPS 800 or GSM 800.
There are many other systems. For example, the nordic mobile telephone 450 system (xe2x80x9cNMT-450xe2x80x9d) specifies a transmission frequency between 463 MHz and 468 MHz and the signal modulation technique of FDMA. The nordic mobile telephone 900 system (xe2x80x9cNMY-900xe2x80x9d) specifies a transmission frequency between 935 MHz and 960 MHz and the same signal modulation technique.
As for digital cordless telephones, there are, for example, cordless telephone 2 (xe2x80x9cCT2xe2x80x9d) requiring a transmission frequency between 864 MHz and 868 MHz and modulation technique of TDMAIFDM, and digital European cordless telephone (xe2x80x9cDECTxe2x80x9d) specifying a transmission frequency between 1886 MHz and 1990 MHz with the same modulation technique.
Those different transmission frequency bands and operating modes present a unique challenge for wireless service providers and particularly for manufactures of wireless communications equipment. If a service provider wishes to replace its currently used wireless system with one operating in a higher frequency band (e.g., from AMPS 800 to PCS 1900), the existing base stations must be upgraded so that they operate in accordance with the new system. By using upconverters which convert a lower frequency signal to a higher frequency signal, the base stations can be upgraded to operate at a higher frequency. Of course the base stations must also be updated to comply with other aspects of the new wireless system.
In addition to upgrading the base stations, individual cellular telephones in the hands of customers must also be upgraded or replaced so that they be compatible with the new wireless system. In particular, since the power amplifier used in each cellular phone is optimized to operate within a particular frequency band and at a particular mode, it needs to be replaced with a new power amplifier suitable for operation under the new wireless standard.
For example, cellular phones used for AMPS 800 contain a power amplifier optimized to operate within the cellular band (i.e., the 800 MHz band). If, however, AMPS 800 is replaced with PCS 1900, the old AMPS phones cannot be used any more; they must be upgraded or replaced. Replacing cellular phones is expensive. A new cellular phone which can be easily upgraded is desired.
For cellular phone manufactures, different wireless systems requires different power amplifiers which increases cost. It is desired that a single amplifier be used for different systems. Different wireless systems present another problem: If a cellular phone user crosses from one area served by one wireless system into an area served by a different wireless system, he will not be able to use his phone. It is desired that the same cellular phone be used under different wireless systems and that the user can simply activate a switch to use it under a different wireless system. Preferably, when a user enters into an area served by a different wireless system, the user""s phone is automatically switched to operate under the new wireless system that covers the area. This can be achieved by a base stations sending a signal to the cellular phone to switch the cellular phone. In any event, it requires a power amplifier capable of operating under different wireless systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,294 assigned to Motorola Inc. describes a dual mode power amplifier operable in either linear or saturation mode. The mode selection is accomplished with the use of a processor by (1) altering the dc bias to a power transistor in the amplifier and/or (2) altering the ac load of the amplifier to change the load line. Although the amplifier may operate in either linear or saturation mode, it is not suitable for operation at different wireless frequencies. For example, the amplifier is not suitable to operate in both the cellular band (the 800 MHz band) and the new PCS band (the 1900 MHz band).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,684, also assigned to Motorola Inc., describes a dual-mode RF signal power amplifier comprising two amplifying branches connected in parallel, one for non-linear mode operation such as the FM mode and the other for linear mode operation such as the TDMA digital mode. A PIN diode is connected in series with one of the branch for decoupling it from the other branch. When operating, the selected branch is turned on whereas the non-selected branch is turned off. This dual-mode power amplifier is only suitable for operation at one frequency such as 800 MHz or 1900 MHz, but not at both frequencies.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-band amplifier that can operate under different wireless systems and provide required power and efficiency.
The present invention provides an amplifying apparatus to operate at different frequencies or different frequency bands (e.g., the cellular band and the PCS band) and in different modes (e.g., A, B, AB or C). The amplifier can be used in cellular phones to operate under different wireless systems.
In one embodiment, the amplifying apparatus comprises a plurality of amplifiers each suitable to operate at one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, and a control circuit. According to the frequency of input signal, the control circuit, responsive to a control signal, selectively enables the amplifier suitable for operating at the input signal frequency while it prevents the other amplifiers from operation. The control signal may be generated manually with the use of a switch or automatically by a detecting circuit which detects the frequency of the input signal; it may also be provided or triggered by a base station for wireless communications.
In this embodiment, each amplifier comprises at least one amplifying stage for amplifying the input signal. Each amplifier has input impedance means for providing predetermined input impedance and output impedance means for providing predetermined output impedance at the frequency the amplifier is suitable to operate. Preferably, the input impedance approximately matches source impedance of input signal.
In a preferred embodiment, each amplifier comprises a plurality of amplifying stages arranged as a cascade. Predetermined interstage impedance between any two successive amplifying stages is provided by interstage impedance means at the signal frequency the amplifier is suitable to operate. Preferably, each amplifier stage includes at least one amplifying transistor, and the amplifier is enabled or disabled by the control circuit by turning the amplifying transistor(s) in the amplifier on or off. The control circuit also operates to bias the selected amplifier to operate in a desired operating mode. More preferably, the amplifying apparatus comprising the amplifiers and the control circuit is a monolithic GaAs integrated circuit (xe2x80x9cGaAs MMICxe2x80x9d).
In accordance with another embodiment, an amplifying apparatus is provided with at least one amplifying stage, and input impedance means for providing, in accordance with the frequency of input signal, predetermined input impedance at the frequency of the input signal. Preferably, such input impedance matches source impedance. More preferably, the amplifying apparatus further includes output impedance means for providing predetermined output impedance at the signal frequency. Still more preferably, a bias control circuit is provided for selectively biasing the amplifying stage to operate in one of a plurality of predetermined operating modes.
In a preferred embodiment, the amplifying apparatus includes a plurality of amplifying stages arranged as a cascade. The apparatus is provided with input impedance switching means which selectively provides, in accordance with input signal frequency, one of a plurality of input impedance networks to input of a first amplifying stage. Operating with the first stage, the selected input impedance network provides predetermined input impedance which preferably approximately matches source impedance at the input signal frequency. Interstage impedance means are also provided for providing predetermined interstage impedance. More specifically, the interstage impedance means comprise means for controlling, in accordance with the input signal frequency, the impedance of an impedance network connected between a preceding stage and a dc power supply.
The preferred embodiment is further provided with output impedance switching means which selectively provides, in accordance with input signal frequency, one of a plurality of output impedance networks to output of a last amplifying stage. Operating with the last stage, the selected output impedance network provides predetermined output impedance.


A method of controlling torque ripple in a switched reluctance motor (SRM) includes splitting each phase winding of the SRM into an AC winding and a DC winding. The AC winding of each phase winding is excited with symmetrically displaced sinusoidal currents that may be projected into a reference frame that moves synchronously with the SRM rotor.

The subject matter of this disclosure relates generally to switched reluctance motors, and more particularly, to a control method for reducing torque ripple in switched reluctance motors.
The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is a simple and robust electric machine that can be attractive for a number of applications due to the absence of permanent magnets or windings on the rotor. A limiting factor in the application of SRMs is the torque ripple produced by the machine as torque production is passed from one phase to another. In the past, it was possible to reduce torque ripple produced by the SRM only over a limited speed range and with the use of sophisticated current regulators.
Control of the SRM is complicated by the spatial and magnetic nonlinearities inherent to the machine. The traditional approach to SRM excitation is to design the current waveform for each phase, and implement those current waveforms independently of one another. This requires an inverter structure that is different from the inverter structure that is used for other types of AC machines, such as permanent magnet synchronous and induction machines.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a method of reducing torque ripple in switched reluctance motors that facilitates the use of a standard inverter topology, combined with a simpler current regulation algorithm.

Control method for reducing torque ripple in switched reluctance motors


A method and apparatus exclusively control a device in a home network. A control point requests exclusive control authority from the device. In response to the request the control point receives an identifier (RID) used to successfully authenticate the exclusive control authority. The control point then acquires the exclusive control authority and controls the device. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent other control points from interfering with the device so as not to perform an operation which is not desirable for the control point that acquires the exclusive control authority over the device.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to home device control in a home network, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses and articles of manufacture for exclusively controlling a controlled device in a universal plug and play (UPnP) network.
2. Description of Related Art
A universal plug and play (UPnP) network includes a controlled device, that is, a home device which is connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) based home network and a control point which controls the controlled device.
FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a general UPnP network.
The example shown in FIG. 1 is a UPnP audio-visual (AV) system which is based on a UPnP device architecture. In the UPnP AV system, a control point (CP1) 101 and a control point (CP2) 102 perform discovery, description, control, and eventing operations according to the UPnP standard in order to control a media server 103 and a media renderer 104 which are controlled devices. Since the operations are described in the context of well-known UPnP standard, detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the UPnP AV system, the media server 103 and the media renderer 104 are controlled non-exclusively by both the control point (CP1) 101 and the control point (CP2) 102. Accordingly, as seen by either of the control points, the media server 103 or the media renderer 104 may change into an undesirable state.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for explaining a conventional system for exclusively controlling a controlled device. As an example of solving the aforementioned problem, the system shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication Application No. 10-2004-55455.
As shown in FIG. 2A, in the conventional system, a look-up server is installed in a home gateway, and the look-up server manages a look-up table shown in FIG. 2B. The look-up table stores a list of controlled devices residing in the current network, control status of the controlled devices, and names of control points controlling the controlled devices.
When the control point CP1 controls the controlled devices residing in the current network, the look-up table shown in FIG. 2B is constructed. At this time, if the control point CP2 participates in the current network to control the devices, the home gateway transmits information on the control status of the associative devices to the control point CP2 with reference to the look-up table. Therefore, the control point CP2 is notified of the control status of the associated devices before the control point CP2 starts controlling the associated devices.
However, in the conventional system, a look-up server managing the look-up table must be separately installed. Accordingly, the look-up server may be a burden in the system. Even though the look-up server is installed, if another control point tries to forcibly control the controlled device without complying with the procedure discussed above, it is difficult to prevent such a control point from interfering with the controlled device. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is substantially impossible to prevent a plurality of control points from controlling the controlled device in an interfering manner.

Method and apparatus for exclusively controlling a device in a home network


The present invention relates to a compound of the following formula:

The present invention relates to a class of spiroindolines that are modulators of chemokine receptors, particularly as CCR2 antagonists and their methods of use.
CCR2 is a chemokine receptor that is expressed on a cell surface of monocyctes and some other blood leukocytes. CCR2 binds to the monocyte chemotactic protein MCP-1, and other CC chemokines, which are produced at sites of inflammation and infection. Recruitment of monocytes to inflammatory sites by MCP-1/CCR2 interactions has been implicated in driving the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including multiple inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, kidney disease, alveolitis, nephritis, liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, viral meningitis, cerebral infarction, neuropathy, Kawasaki disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, acute nerve injury, HIV infection, AIDS, autoimmune diseases, cancer, sepsis, retinosis, inflammatory bowel disease, transplant arteriosclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, psoriasis, HIV-associated dementia, lupus, erthematosis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, endometriosis, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.
Accordingly, it would be an advance in the art to discover a class of compounds that bind to CCR2, thereby preventing or minimizing the formation of the undesirable MCP1-mediated recruitment of monocytes to inflammatory sites.

Spiroindolines as modulators of chemokine receptors

Abstract: where R1-R6, R10, Y, n, m, p, and q are as defined herein. Compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with the overexpression of CCR2.


A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum""s current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cleaning machines. More specifically, it relates to low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaners having a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, a scent cartridge, and other performance enhancing features for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces.
b. Background Art
Individuals often use cleaning machines, such as vacuum cleaners or carpet sweepers, to clean floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. The typical cleaning machine has a base or head, such as a power nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, that is moved over the surface to be cleaned. In some cleaning machines, suction is provided, which draws particles and debris from a section of the surface being cleaned into the cleaning machine, where the dirty air is passed through a bag in which the entrained particles are captured.
An agitator is often rotatably attached to the base or head to improve the effectiveness of the cleaning machine. The agitator typically has one or more projections that impinge on the surface being cleaned as the agitator rotates. A vacuum cleaner, for example, may have a roller brush with bristles that brush the surface as the base or head is moved across the surface to be cleaned. As the vacuum cleaner moves over the surface, the roller brush rapidly rotates and the bristles repeatedly impinge on the surface. This contact between the bristles and the surface agitates dirt and other particles from the surface and improves the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner. A carpet sweeper has a rotating blade that similarly impinges the surface being cleaned. An example of such a device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,380.
In the past there have been few attempts to control the flow of cooling air through a vacuum head. Thus, a large noise source during vacuum cleaner operation stems from the uncontrolled flow of working and cooling air through the vacuum head. Thus, there remains a need for controlled flow of both working and cooling air through the vacuum head to reduce the amount of noise generated by the vacuum during operation.
In powered vacuums, it is know to shape or contour the bottom cover to improve the efficiency of air movement from the edges of the vacuum to the intake aperture. An example of such contouring of the bottom cover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,902. There remains a need, however, for improvement in both the design and location of these channels to further enhance the air flow from the outer edges of the vacuum head housing to the intake aperture of the vacuum.
In the art of vacuum cleaner design, it is desirable to maximize the surface area cleaned with respect to the surface area covered by the footprint of the vacuum head. One such way to maximize the surface area cleaned is to includes side brushes on the vacuum to draw in debris laterally outside the surface area covered by the footprint of the vacuum head.
Prior art side brushes generally consist of tufts of bristles designed to sweep the debris toward the vacuum""s suction inlet. An example of such side brushes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,902. While these prior art bristle side brushes do generally increase the surface area cleaned with respect to the surface area covered by the footprint of the vacuum head, in addition to other drawbacks they often fail to maximize the desired cleaning effect. These bristle-type side brushes are generally straight or only angled in one direction. Such a design often acts like a snow-plow, merely piling or pushing debris along the surface of the floor, or xe2x80x9cflickingxe2x80x9d the debris ahead of the vacuum rather than desirably directing the debris into the suction inlet. In addition, prior art side brushes are often designed to work in only one direction (i.e., they only work to sweep the debris when the vacuum is moving in a forward motion).
Other drawbacks to prior art bristle side brushes include the fact that the prior art side brushes often wear rapidly and require frequent service. Such service is often complicated by the fact that the prior art bristle side brushes are often mounted from the inside of the vacuum head and cannot be serviced from the outside of the vacuum. Additionally, prior art side brush designs are often not interchangeable from one lateral side to the other lateral side of the vacuum (i.e., the right side brush cannot be used on the left side of the vacuum and vice versa). Finally, the prior art bristle side brushes often fail to offer any protection for the wall or wall molding when the vacuum inadvertently comes in contact with the wall or wall molding.
There is a need for a vacuum side brush that more effectively directs debris toward the vacuum""s suction inlet to help maximize the surface area cleaned with respect to the vacuum""s footprint. There is a need for a vacuum side brush that directs debris toward the suction inlet both when the vacuum is being moved forward and backward (i.e., being pushed and pulled). There is a need for a vacuum side brush that is easily serviceable from the outside of the vacuum head. There is a need for a vacuum side brush that is interchangeable from one lateral side of the vacuum head to the other (i.e., a single side brush that can be used on either lateral side of the vacuum head). Finally, there is a need for a vacuum side brush that can serve as a de facto bumper to help protect the wall or wall molding when the vacuum inadvertently comes in contact with the wall or wall molding.
In the art of vacuum cleaners, most vacuum cleaners include some form of roller brush surrounded by a suction inlet. When vacuuming, the roller brush comes in contact with the floor surface to help guide debris into the vacuum""s suction inlet. Most debris encountered by the roller brush and ultimately the suction inlet is of a particle size that is easily guided by the roller brush into the suction inlet. However, occasionally the operator of the vacuum will encounter larger sized debris, such as articles of clothing, paper items, children""s toys, and the power cord of the vacuum.
The introduction of larger sized items can cause the roller brush to become entangled with the items or cause the suction inlet of the vacuum to become plugged. Entanglement of the roller brush can lead to severe damage of the vacuum motor. In addition, a vacuum will fail to operate correctly with a plugged suction inlet and can also be damaged if either the plug is not promptly removed or the vacuum power terminated.
Prior art vacuums often rely on the operator of the vacuum to prevent larger sized debris from being introduced to either the roller brush or the suction inlet. Prior art vacuums often fail to provide safeguards to prevent roller brush entanglement or clogging of the suction inlet.
There is a need for an apparatus to be included in a vacuum cleaner assembly that will prevent the introduction of larger sized debris to both the vacuum roller brush and the suction inlet.
Because in most vacuum cleaners the roller brush and suction inlet are located towards the front portion of the vacuum head housing, the front portion of most vacuum head housings is apertured. As a result, the structural integrity of the front portion of most vacuum head housings is weakened.
There is a need for an apparatus to be included in a vacuum cleaner assembly that will increase the structural integrity of the front portion of the vacuum head housing.
The squeegee structure on a vacuum serves an important role in the efficacy of the vacuum""s performance. Past squeegee structures were permanently or semi-permanently attached to the bottom of the vacuum, and were not meant to be replaced or repaired. In addition, the channel that the squeegee was located within was often made of metal, which could become nicked or burred, which in turn increased the chances of scratching the floor when the vacuum was used. Further, the blade was attached to the bottom of the vacuum by a separate flexible material, such as tape, in only a few discrete locations. The discreet attachment points are prone to wear and tear, and did not provide a consistent flex across the length of the blade. There is a need in the art for a squeegee structure that is integral to the vacuum structure, and that is securely attached to the bottom of a vacuum, that does not wear to scratch the vacuumed surfaces, and that is easily replaceable.
Oftentimes vacuuming is performed in poorly lit areas such as under furniture, within closets, and the like. Lighting is necessary when vacuuming to allow the user to determine if the area being vacuumed is dirty, and if the area, after it has been vacuumed, has been cleaned successfully.
Prior art vacuum lighting systems generally include only a headlight situated near the front of the vacuum head cover. These prior art lighting systems have several drawbacks. First, prior art lighting systems generally project light well in front of the vacuum and not directly in front of the vacuum where debris is about to be vacuumed. Projecting light well in front of the vacuum detracts from the user""s ability to see what is directly in the path of the vacuum.
Second, the light from prior art systems is generally cast over a wide area because the light is projected well in front of the vacuum. This diminishes the effectiveness of the lighting system. One solution to this problem is providing a vacuum with brighter lights. Brighter lights, however, require more power, which in turn requires a more powerful and generally heavier motor than vacuums with less powerful lights. Adding weight to the vacuum is undesirable because it generally reduces the mobility of the vacuum, and it generally causes the user of the vacuum to fatigue quicker than using a lighter vacuum.
A third drawback is that prior art lighting systems do not have side lighting. Oftentimes, vacuums are fitted with side brushes that clean the area directly to the sides of the vacuum. Without side lighting the debris to the sides of the vacuum in dimly lit areas is difficult to see. Hence, the user will have a difficult time determining if the area to the side of the vacuum is dirty and if vacuuming the area cleaned the area successfully. Moreover, when vacuuming in areas such as under a desk where the user may not be able to see directly in front of the vacuum, a sidelight would illuminate the area to the side of the vacuum that the user can see and hence allow the user to determine visually if the area under the desk is dirty and if the area has been cleaned successfully.
Accordingly, there is a need for a vacuum with a lighting system that lights the area directly in front of the vacuum and the area to the side of the vacuum. Moreover, there is a need for a vacuum that optimizes the brightness of the lighting system without adding weight to the vacuum.
During the operation of prior art vacuums, it is known to direct the air flow through one or more different filters as the air is drawn into, through and out from the vacuum. It remains desirable, however, to take fuller advantage of the possibilities for improving the desirability of using a vacuum by maximizing the benefit obtained from the air flow already present in the vacuum head.
Although it is well-known in the prior art to put a plurality of wheels on the underside of the vacuum head to facilitate ease of use and reduce wear to the surface being vacuumed, there remains a need for further optimization in the placement of such wheels. For example, the placement of the wheels on the underside of the head can effect the maneuverability of the vacuum and how convenient it is to use the vacuum and to move the vacuum from one working location to another.
It is desirable to have a low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaners having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosed invention to provide such an improved vacuum cleaner.
In one embodiment of the present invention the head housing of the vacuum defines a tortuous air flow path. The path is made tortuous by placement of baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. The air flow arrangement includes air intake slots on the top cover. The arrangement further includes at least one baffle attached to an interior portion of the head housing and positioned in the path of the air flow entering the intake slots. Finally, the arrangement also includes cooling vanes attached to the drive shaft and positioned in the path of the air flow in said head housing, wherein the at least one baffle and the cooling vanes slow the air flow and direct the air flow towards said internal parts thereby cooling the parts.
In yet another form, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes side brushes that employ spring-action blades similar to windshield wiper blades instead of tufts of bristles to overcome the drawbacks of prior art side brushes and to maximize the surface area cleaned. The combination of rubberized blade-like materials and dual-angled blades helps minimize the xe2x80x9csnow-plowingxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cflickingxe2x80x9d problems often- encountered in prior art side brushes. The dual-angled blades serve to more effectively direct debris towards the vacuum""s suction inlet. In addition, the dual-angled blades perform effectively during both pulling and pushing strokes of the vacuum. All of the above features of the present invention vacuum side brush design combine to maximize the surface area cleaned by the vacuum with respect to the surface area covered by the footprint of the vacuum.
The present invention side brushes also solve the service difficulties often found in the prior art. The present invention side brushes are easily serviced or replaced from the outside of the vacuum head housing by removing one screw. In addition, to further ease serviceability, the present invention dual-blade design is also interchangeable with respect to the vacuum head housing (i.e., a right-side blade can be used on the left side of the vacuum head housing and vice-versa) thereby reducing necessary parts inventory. Finally, the rubberized construction of the present invention side brushes effectively acts as a de facto bumper when the vacuum inadvertently comes into contact with surfaces that are lower than the height of the actual vacuum bumper.
The vacuum cleaner side brush is comprised of a substantially flat connection surface having a length, a width, a top connection surface, a bottom connection surface, and at least one blade. The blade is joined to and extends down from the bottom connection surface and includes a bottom blade surface. The side brush also includes a connection means for connecting the side brush to the head housing of the vacuum cleaner. In a preferred embodiment, the connection means is an aperture and a screw for screwing the side brush to the head housing.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an anti-ingestion bar for the vacuum includes at least two side arms including anti-ingestion portions with a front bar portion extending between the side arms. The front portion includes at least one lateral support portion.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a squeegee is attached to the bottom of a vacuum head. The squeegee includes a main body attached having a front edge, a rear edge and a middle portion. The middle portion of the squeegee defines a wiper and a flexible hinge continuously attaching the wiper to the middle portion. The squeegee is attached to the bottom of a vacuum head.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light assembly for a vacuum. The light assembly includes a reflector assembly having at least one light source. The light assembly further includes a headlight optically coupled with the reflector assembly wherein the at least one light source provides light for the headlight. The light assembly further includes a sidelight optically coupled with the reflector assembly wherein the at least one light source provides light for the sidelight. The light assembly generally illuminates the area to the front and the area to the side of the vacuum. The reflector assembly further includes a headlight reflector optically coupled with the light source and a headlight lens. The headlight reflector defines a generally vertical reflective surface defining at least one plane of curvature, the generally vertical reflective surface defining a focal region wherein the light source is positioned generally within the focal region. Light from the light source is reflected from the generally vertical reflective surface toward the headlight lens.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum having a light assembly having a reflector assembly having a light source. The light assembly further includes a sidelight optically coupled to the reflector assembly, wherein the light source is adapted to provide light to the sidelight, and whereby the sidelight is adapted to illuminate the area downwardly and to the side of the vacuum. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lens for the light assembly includes a front face and a rear face defining a refraction contour, the refraction contour adapted to direct light incident on the refraction contour downwardly and forwardly of the vacuum.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum having a headlight. The vacuum including a vacuum head housing defining a headlight cavity with a rear wall and a front portion. The vacuum further includes a reflector assembly attached with the vacuum head housing within the headlight cavity and a headlight lens housing releasably attached with the vacuum head housing adjacent the front portion of the vacuum head housing. The vacuum further includes a headlight lens releasably attached with the headlight lens housing.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a scent cartridge assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a scent cartridge compartment disposed in the upper housing of the vacuum proximate the motor. A scent cartridge is positioned in the scent cartridge compartment. There is a scent cartridge cover removably attached to the upper housing to secure the scent cartridge housing into the scent cartridge compartment. The scent cartridge also includes a pair of exhaust vents disposed through said scent cartridge compartment.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner. The indicator light assembly includes a light pipe indicator unit and a circuit board. The light assembly further includes an elliptical recess in the top cover of the vacuum head for receiving the light pipe indicator unit. LEDs on the circuit board are operable to selectively illuminate upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. The light assembly further includes at least one light pipe disposed above and slightly displaced from the LEDs, wherein upon illumination of one of the LEDs light from the LED is transmitted to the upper surface for observation by the user.
In another embodiment of the present invention the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing. This provides enhanced maneuverability and a generally lower overall vertical profile of the vacuum head housing. The rear wheel assembly includes at least one rear wheel positioned adjacent to the front-to-back center line of said vacuum head, with the at least one rear wheel projecting slightly from the back end.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.

Low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having side brushes


A computer power supply mounting apparatus includes a plurality of screws (50) and a fixing plate (40) for attaching a power supply (80) to a rear panel (20) of a computer chassis (10). Each screw has a head (52) and a body (54). A diameter of the head is larger than a diameter of the body. The rear panel defines a plurality of apertures (22) for receiving the screws. Each aperture includes a large portion (221) and a small portion (223). A diameter of the large portion is larger than that of the head of the screw. A diameter of the small portion is smaller than that of the head of the screw, but larger than that of the body of the screw. The fixing plate is slidably attached to the rear panel and selectively positioned at a first position and a second position. The fixing plate has at least one lateral driving tab (63) for abuting against a corresponding screw.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer power supply, and particularly to a computer power supply mounting apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Smaller computer designs require more efficient use of space within the chassis of the designs. Components are placed closer to each other due to their compact arrangement, which makes some difficulty to reach components awaiting for repair. Many personal computers include power supplies for converting the alternating current (AC) to a predetermined direct current (DC), which is used to operate the components of the computers. Some power supplies for personal computers are mounted directly to the chassis using screws. The accompanying inconvenience of this type of mounting technique always discourages designers from effectively using interior space when they have to consider how to reach these components afterwards.
A better method of mounting a power supply within a PC chassis is to have the power supply rotating out of the chassis to provide access to adjacent components. U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,046 B1 discloses such an apparatus for mounting a power supply in a computer system. The computer system includes a chassis which is formed by assembling front, rear and bottom panels together. The apparatus for mounting the power supply includes a drive cage and a bracket. The drive cage bridges between the front and rear panels and forms a pair of hooks. The bracket has a hinge portion and a support portion adapted to support the power supply. The hinge portion of the bracket is slidably engaged with the hooks for fixing the power supply to the rear panel of the chassis. However, this makes the computer structure complicated. An additional bracket is required for supporting the power supply. Additionally, in some computers, having the power supply rotated out of the chassis is restricted.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved apparatus for mounting a power supply within a PC chassis requiring minimal space, and displacing the power supply quickly and easily.

Computer power supply mounting apparatus


A solar panel mounting apparatus for use in securing a frame with a solar panel stored therein to a roof of a building includes a non-hollow member with a lower cross-sectional profile and enhanced strength. The apparatus includes a rail coupled to the frame and the roof, the rail having a cross-sectional profile comprising an upper cavity, a first side cavity, a second side cavity and a third side cavity, a first set of fasteners coupled to the frame and the upper cavity, and a second set of fasteners coupled to the roof and the first side cavity or the second side cavity. The upper cavity has a substantially pentagonal cross-sectional shape, the first side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, the second side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the third side cavity has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

The embodiments herein relate generally to solar panel mounting devices used with buildings.
As environmental concerns increase and carbon emissions continue to become an issue, individuals are turning to green technologies and alternative power sources. Solar technologies used to generate power for buildings continue to increase in popularity and use. In these applications, solar panels are typically mounted on the roof of a building or alternative structure to capture sunlight. The sunlight is converted into electricity, which is used to charge a set of batteries. The batteries provide electrical power to users of the building or alternative structure.
Currently, a variety of mounting devices are used to secure solar panels to the building roof. These mounting devices generally include rails secured to the roof and the solar panel. Typically, each rail has a hollow inner chamber to increase the strength of the mounting device. However, these rails are limited because they include a relatively high cross-sectional profile, which elevates the solar panel above the roof, thereby making the solar panel assembly on the roof less aesthetically pleasing.
As such, there is a need in the industry for a solar panel mounting apparatus that comprises a lower cross-sectional profile and enhanced strength without the use of a hollow chamber member.

Solar panel mounting apparatus with enhanced strength


A new method of metallization using a dimple free tungsten plug is described. An insulating layer is deposited overlying semiconductor device structures. An opening is etched through the insulating layer to contact one of the semiconductor device structures. A layer of tungsten is deposited overlying the insulating layer and within the opening. A photoresist block is formed on the tungsten layer over the contact opening. The photoresist block is a reverse pattern of the photoresist layer used to define the opening in the insulating layer. The tungsten layer is partially etched forming a mound in the tungsten layer under the photoresist block and over the opening. The photoresist block is removed and the remaining tungsten layer is etched again resulting in the formation of a dimple free tungsten plug with a planar surface.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of metallization in the fabrication of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a method of tungsten metallization which avoids dimple formation during tungsten etch back resulting in improved step coverage in the manufacture of integrated circuits.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The conventional tungsten etching back process has an inevitable dimple formation at the center of the tungsten plug hole. The dimple feature will result in bad metal step coverage across the tungsten plug during metal deposition after tungsten etching back. This problem will become progressively worse at higher levels of metallization if the stacked via scheme is implemented.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conventional tungsten plug process of the prior art. There is shown semiconductor substrate 10 in which have been formed source/drain regions 14. Gate electrode 18 has been formed overlying the gate silicon oxide layer 16. A contact hole has been opened through the insulating layer 20 to the source and drain region 14. The glue layer 22 has been deposited over the surface of the substrate and within the contact hole. A layer of tungsten 24 has been deposited over the surface of the glue layer within the contact hole.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the tungsten is etched back using conventional SF.sub.6 /N.sub.2 plasmas, resulting in recess 25 and dimple 26. This dimple formation will degrade the metal deposition conformity across the tungsten plug. A metal void may occur at metal level 3 or 4 if stacked via and tungsten plug methods are implemented. The dimple may also increase the difficulty of intermetal dielectric planarization.
Workers in the art have tried to avoid the tungsten plug dimple problem by using thick chemical vapor deposited (CVD) tungsten on the order of 8000 Angstroms for to improve tungsten deposition conformity and to alleviate the dimple problem in etching back. However, the dimple problem still occurs because over etching is inevitable.
Others have striven to solve some of these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,168 (Morita et al) shows various methods of creating a raised portion of a plug. U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,736 (Huang et al) shows a method of forming a dimple free plug process. However, these methods can be further improved.

Dimple elimination in a tungsten etch back process by reverse image patterning

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.


A mobile terminal including a display having a menu display portion configured to display a menu group among a plurality of menu groups that are arranged in a same planar surface, a handler mechanism configured to traverse through the plurality of menu groups, and a controller configured to select one menu group among the plurality of menu groups to be displayed in the menu display portion based on a manipulation of the handler mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and corresponding method of displaying menus on the mobile terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile terminals now provide many additional services beside the basic call service. For example, user's can now access the Internet, play games, watch videos, listen to music, capture images and videos, record audio files, etc. Mobile terminals also now provide broadcasting programs such that user can watch television shows, sporting programs, videos etc.
Because mobile terminals now provide a variety of functions, the user interface includes a complicated menu structure that the user has to search through to access any one or more of the functions. The mobile terminals also have small display screens so it is difficult to provide various functions that can be easily accessed by the user. The complicated menu structure inconveniences the user.