The present invention concerns the cloning and sequencing of DNA corresponding to the GA1 locus of A. thaliana which encodes ent-kaurene synthetase, to vectors containing said DNA, to vectors capable of expressing said DNA, and to hosts transformed with said vectors. The invention further concerns the use of the GA1 gene, and regulatory regions thereof, in the generation of chimeric and transgenic plants.

A. Gibberellins
Gibberellins (GAs) are a family of diterpenoid plant growth hormones some of which are bioactive growth regulators. GAs are required for controlling such diverse processes as seed germination, cell elongation and division, leaf expansion, stem elongation, flowering, and fruit set. GAs have been the subject of many physiological, and biochemical studies, and a variety of plant mutants with altered patterns of GA biosynthesis or response have been studied (Graebe, J. E., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38:419-465 (1987)). However, none of the genes involved in GA synthesis have yet been cloned.
Extensive biochemical studies on endogenous GA intermediates in GA-responsive dwarf mutants have allowed the determination of the GA biosynthetic pathway and several genetic loci involved in GA biosynthesis (reviewed by Graebe, J. E., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38:419-465 (1987)). A number of the GA responsive dwarf mutants have been isolated from various plant species, such as maize, pea, and Arabidopsis (Phinney, B. O. et al., "Chemical Genetics and the Gibberellin Pathway" in Zea mays L. in Plant Growth Substance, ed., P. F. Waering, New York: Academic (1982) pp. 101-110; Ingram, T. J. et al., Planta 160:455-463 (1984); Koornneef, M., Arabidopsis Inf. Serv. 15:17-20. (1978)). The dwarf mutants of maize (dwarf-1, dwarf-2, dwarf-3, dwarf-5) have been used to characterize the maize GA biosynthesis pathway by determining specific steps leading to biologically important metabolites (Phinney, B. O. et al., "Chemical Genetics and the Gibberellin Pathway" in Zea mays L. in Plant Growth Substance, ed., P. F. Waering, New York: Academic (1982) pp. 101-110; Fujioka, S. et al., Plant Physiol. 88:1367-1372 (1988)). Similar studies have been done with the dwarf mutants from pea (Pisum sativum L.) (Ingram, T. J. et al., Planta 160:455-463 (1984)). GA deficient mutants have also been isolated from Arabidopsis (ga1, ga2, ga3, ga4, ga5) (Koornneef, M., et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 58:257-263 (1980)). One of the most extensive genetic studies of GA mutants has been carried out by Koornneef et al. (Theor. Appl. Genet. 58:257-263 (1980); Koornneef et al., Genet. Res. Camb. 41:57-68 (1983)) in the small crucifer, Arabidopsis thaliana. Using ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS) and fast neutron mutagenesis, Koornneef has isolated nine alleles mapping to the GA1 locus of A. thaliana (Koornneef et al. (Theor. Appl. Genet. 58:257-263 (1980); Koornneef et al., Genet. Res. Camb. 41:57-68 (1983)).
A. thaliana ga1 mutants are non-germinating, GA-responsive, male-sterile dwarfs, whose phenotype can be converted to wild-type by repeated application of GA (Koornneef and van der Veen, Theor. Appl. Genet. 58:257-263 (1980)). Koornneef et al. used three independent alleles generated by fast neutron bombardment (31.89, 29.9 and 6.59) and six independent alleles (NG4, NG5, d69, A428, d352 and Bo27) generated by ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis to construct a fine-structure genetic map of the A. thaliana GA1 locus (FIG. 2A). One of the fast-neutron-generated mutants, 31.89, failed to recombine with the six alleles indicated in FIG. 2A, and was classified as an intragenic deletion (Koornneef et al., Genet. Res. Camb. 41:57-68 (1983)).
The ga1 mutants contain reduced levels of GAs and the ent-kaurene synthetase activity in cell-free preparations from ga1 mutants is very low compared to wild type (Barendse et al., Physiol. Plant. 67: 315-319 (1986); Barendse and Koornneef, Arab. Inf. Serv. 19: 25-28 (1982)). Zeevaart, Plant Research '86, Annual Report of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, (East Lansing, Mich.), pp. 130-131 (1986), reported that application of ent-kaurene also restored growth of the ga1 mutants, and that .sup.14 C-ent-kaurene was metabolized to GAs when applied to the leaves of these mutants. These results suggest that GA biosynthesis in the ga1 mutants is blocked prior to the formation of ent-kaurene, but the rest of the pathway is unaffected by the mutation. Since the ga1 mutants produce chlorophylls and carotenoids, it is unlikely that the mutation affects the synthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). Therefore, the GA1 locus is probably involved in the conversion of GGPP to ent-kaurene, encoding one of the ent-kaurene synthetases or a regulator needed for formation of the active enzyme. The GA1 locus has been isolated by genomic subtraction (Sun et al., Plant Cell 4:119-128 (1992)).
The enzyme encoded by the GA1 gene is involved in the conversion of GGPP to ent-kaurene (Barendse and Koornneef, Arabidopsis Inf. Serv. 19:25-28 (1982); Barendse et al., Physiol. Plant. 67:315-319 (1986); Zeevaart, J. A. D., in Plant Research '86, Annual Report of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, 130-131 (East Lansing, Mich., 1986)), a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of GAs (Graebe, J. E., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38:419-465 (1987)). ##STR1## Ent-kaurene synthetase has only been partially purified from a variety of plants (Duncan, Plant Physiol. 68:1128-1134 (1981)).
The synthesis of GGPP from mevalonate is common to terpenes. GGPP is a branch point metabolite which is not only the precursor of GAs, but also a precursor of other diterpenes, such as the phytol chain of chlorophylls, and tetraterpenes, such as the carotenoids. The first committed step of the GA pathway is the conversion of GGPP to ent-kaurene in a two-step cyclization reaction. GGPP is partially cyclized to the intermediate, copalyl pyrophosphate (CPP), by ent-kaurene synthetases A and CPP is immediately converted to ent-kaurene by ent-kaurene synthetase B. Since ent-kaurene is a key intermediate in the GA pathway, its synthesis is likely to be a regulatory point for GA biosynthesis. Indeed, ent-kaurene production has been shown to be altered by changes in photoperiod, temperature, and growth potential of tissues in certain species (Chung and Coolbaugh, 1986; Moore and Moore, 1991; Zeevaart and Gage, 1993).
By examining the molecular lesions in several ga1 alleles, a direct correlation of the genetic and physical maps of the GA1 locus was established and a recombination rate of 10.sup.-5 cM per nucleotide was determined for this region of the A. thaliana genome. (Koornneef, Genet. Res. Comb. 41:57-68 (1983)).
The difficulty associated with cloning the GA1 gene and other genes involved in GA biosynthesis has most been likely caused by the unavailability of efficient transformation/selection systems as well as the lack of available protein sequences. Although ga1 mutants have been available for some time, the cloning of the GA1 gene has remained elusive. The claimed invention solves, inter alia, this problem.
B. Gene Cloning
The ability to identify and clone a particular, desired gene sequence from a virus, prokaryote or eukaryote is of tremendous significance to molecular biology. Such cloned gene sequences can be used to express a desired gene product and therefore can potentially be used for applications ranging from catalysis to gene replacement.
A variety of methods have been developed for isolating and cloning desired gene sequences. Early methods permitted only the identification and isolation of gene sequences that possessed a unique property such as proximity to a prophage integration site, capacity for self-replication, distinctive molecular weight, extreme abundance, etc. (The Bacteriophage Lambda, A. D. Hershey, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1971); Miller, J. H. Experiments in Molecular Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1972); Molecular Biology of the Gene, Watson, J. D. et al., (4th ed.) Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park, Calif. (1987); Darnell, J. et al. Molecular Biology, Scientific American Books, New York, N.Y. (1986)). Because these methods relied upon distinctive properties of a gene sequence, they were largely (or completely) unsuitable for identifying and cloning most gene sequences.
In order to identify desired gene sequences that lacked a distinctive property, well characterized genetic systems (such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, maize, mammalian cells, etc.) have been exploited. In accordance with this methodology, cells are mutagenized by chemicals, such as UV light, hydroxylamine, etc. (Miller, J. H. Experiments in Molecular Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1972)), or by genetic means, such as transposon tagging (Davis, R. W. et al. A Manual for Genetic Engineering, Advanced Bacterial Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1980)), to produce mutants having discernible genetic deficiencies. A desired gene sequence is then identified by its capacity to complement (i.e. remedy) the genetic deficiencies of such mutant cells. Such genetic identification permitted the genetic characterization of the gene sequences, and the construction of genetic maps which localized the gene sequence to a region of a particular chromosome (Taylor, Bacteriol. Rev. 34:155 (1970)). With the advent of recombinant DNA technologies, it became possible to clone (i.e. to physically isolate) such genetically characterized gene sequences. Random fragments of a genome could be introduced into self-replicating vectors to produce gene libraries, each of whose members contain a unique DNA fragment (Maniatis, T. et al., In: Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1982)). By screening the members of such libraries for those capable of complementing the deficiency of a mutant cell, it was possible to clone the desired gene sequence.
Although these methods permit the identification and cloning of many gene sequences, they may be employed only where a host cell exists that has a mutation conferring a discernible deficiency, and the gene sequence can be cloned into a gene sequence delivery system (such as a vector) capable of entering the host cell and being expressed.
The capacity to physically isolate certain gene sequences has led to the development of methods that are capable of isolating a desired gene sequence even in the absence of mutations or vectors.
In one such technique, known as "chromosome walking," a desired sequence can be obtained by isolating a gene sequence that is capable of hybridizing to a particular reference sequence. This isolated gene sequence is then employed as a reference sequence in a subsequent hybridization experiment in order to clone a gene sequence that is adjacent to, and that partially overlaps, the originally isolated sequence. This newly isolated sequence will be physically closer to the desired gene sequence than was the originally isolated sequence. This process is repeated until the desired gene sequence has been obtained. As will be appreciated, the ability to clone a gene sequence, in the absence of genetic mutants or vectors, requires some initial information concerning the nucleotide sequence or restriction endonuclease digestion profile of the desired sequence.
Alternatively, the chromosome of a virus or cell can be characterized to produce a physical map based on either nucleotide sequence or restriction endonuclease cleavage data (i.e. an RFLP map). Using such a map, restriction fragments of the chromosome can be cloned without any prior determination as to their genetic function.
More recently, gene cloning has been achieved by synthesizing oligonucleotide molecules using sequences deduced from the amino acid sequence of an isolated protein. cDNA copies of isolated RNA transcripts are made and differential colony or library subtractive hybridizations using either two different RNA sources, or cDNA and RNA is performed to identify the desired clone.
Although these methods may be employed even in the absence of mutants or a gene sequence delivery system, they permit a desired gene sequence to be identified and cloned only if sequences naturally linked to the desired sequence have been characterized and isolated, or if the sequence or restriction map of such sequences has been obtained. Since such data are often unavailable, these methods are often incapable of use in identifying and cloning a desired gene sequence.
Two general approaches have been described for cloning sequences that are present in one strain and absent in another. The first approach, differential screening, has been used to clone the esc gene from Drosophila. Using genomic DNA from strains with and without a deletion to probe replicas of a genomic library poses technical difficulties that become daunting for large genomes. In addition, the deletion must cover at least one entire insert in a genomic library that does not contain any repeated sequences.
The second approach, competitive hybridization, provides an alternative to differential screening. This technique was used by Lamar et al. (Cell 37:171-177 (1984)) to isolate clones specific for the human Y chromosome. In accordance with this method, an excess of sheared DNA from a human female is denatured and reannealed along with a small amount of DNA from a male (the male-derived DNA having been previously treated to have sticky ends). Most of the male DNA reassociated with the sheared DNA yielding unclonable fragments lacking sticky ends. Fragments unique to the Y chromosome, however, could only reassociate with the complementary restricted strand (derived from the Y chromosome). Such reassociation thus formed clonable fragments with sticky ends. This technique has also been used successfully to clone DNA corresponding to deletions in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus, and choroideremia.
Unfortunately, the competitive hybridization method does not provide a large enough degree of enrichment. For example, enrichments of about one hundred fold were obtained for the sequences of interest in the above experiments. With enrichments of such low magnitude, the technique is practical only when dealing with large deletions. Indeed, even if the deletion covered 0. 1% of the genome, many putative positive clones have to be tested individually by labeling and probing genomic Southern blots (Southern, J., J. Molec. Biol. 98:503-517 (1975)). The method as it stands, then, is not practical for deletions on the order of 1 kbp (kilobasepair) unless one is dealing with a small prokaryotic genome.
Thus, in summary, the ability to clone DNA corresponding to a locus defined only by a mutation is a relatively simply matter when working with E. coli, S. cerevisiae or other organisms in which transformation and complementation with genomic libraries is feasible. Chromosome walking techniques may be used in other organisms to clone genetically defined loci if the mutant was obtained by transposon tagging, if the locus can be linked to markers in an RFLP map, or if an ordered library for the genome exists. Unfortunately, there are numerous organisms in which mutants with interesting phenotypes have been isolated but for which such procedures have not been developed, such as the GA synthesis mutants of A. thaliana. Thus, many gene sequences cannot be isolated using the above methods.
C. Transgenic and Chimeric Plants
Recent advances in recombinant DNA and genetic technologies have made it possible to introduce and express a desired gene sequence in a recipient plant. Through the use of such methods, plants have been engineered to contain gene sequences that are not normally or naturally present in an unaltered plant. In addition, these techniques have been used to produce plants which exhibit altered expression of naturally present gene sequences.
The plants produced through the use of these methods are known as either "chimeric" or "transgenic" plants. In a "chimeric" plant, only some of the plant's cells contain and express the introduced gene sequence, whereas other cells remain unaltered. In contrast, all of the cells of a "transgenic" plant contain the introduced gene sequence.
Transgenic plants generally are generated from a transformed single plant cell. Many genera of plants have been regenerated from a single cell. (Friedt, W. et al. Prog. Botany 49:192-215 (1987); Brunold, C. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 208:469-473 (1987); Durand, J. et al., Plant Sci. 62:263-272 (1989) which references are incorporated herein by reference).
Several methods have been developed to deliver and express a foreign gene into a plant cell. These include engineered Ti plasmids from the soil bacterium A. tumefaciens (Czako, M. et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 6:101-109 (1986); Jones, J. D. G. et al., EMBO J. 4:2411-2418 (1985), engineered plant viruses such as the cauliflower mosaic virus (Shah, D. M. et al., Science 233:478-481 (1986)); Shewmaker, C. K. et al., Virol. 140:281-288 (1985)), microinjection of gene sequences into a plant cell (Crossway, A. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 202:179-185 (1986); Potrykus, I. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 199:169-177 (1985)), electroporation (Fromm, M. E. et al., Nature 319:791-793 (1986); Morikawa, H. et al., Gene 41:121-124 (1986)), and DNA coated particle acceleration (Bolik, M. et al. Protoplasma 162:61-68 (1991)).
The application of the technologies for the creation of transgenic and chimeric plants has the potential to produce plants that cannot be generated using classical genetics. For example, chimeric and transgenic plants have substantial use as probes of natural gene expression. When applied to food crops, the technologies have the potential of yielding improved food, fiber, etc.
Chimeric and transgenic plants having a specific temporal and spatial pattern of expression of the introduced gene sequence can be generated. The expression of an introduced gene sequence can be controlled through the selection of regulatory sequences to direct transcription and or translation in a temporal or spatial fashion.

Recombinant gibberellin DNA and uses thereof


A container for receiving a removable liner sack includes a rectangular bottom wall, four side walls extending generally upward from the edges of the bottom wall and laterally encompassing and defining a space above the bottom wall, each having a side wall upper rim which collectively define an open container top, a side wall extension protruding generally upward beyond the upper rims of two opposing side walls and over which the liner opening is folded, the extension having a top edge and having a gap extending from the top edge generally toward the bottom wall to a point below the side wall upper rim, for inserting an object to engage and lift away the cuff portion for ease in removing and changing the liner sacks. Two opposing side wall extensions are preferably provided. The extensions are each preferably laterally shorter than the widths of the side walls to which they are joined. The liner sack cuff portion preferably abuts these side wall upper rims on either side of each extension, for preventing the cuff portion from extending below the upper rim. A method of removing a liner sack from the container includes the steps of fitting the object through the gap below the cuff portion and engaging the cuff portion with the object, and lifting the object along and out of the gap, thereby lifting the liner sack out of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of vessels for containing waste and having finger gripping ports, and more specifically to a waste container for receiving a conventional plastic sack liner, the container having a rectangular bottom wall, four adjoining side walls extending generally upward from the bottom wall and laterally encompassing and defining a space above the bottom wall, the side walls each having an upper rim, these upper rims collectively defining an open container top, two opposing side walls each having an extension protruding generally upward beyond the upper rim and over which the liner opening edge is folded to form a cuff portion, the cuff portion abutting the upper rims of these two opposing side walls on either side of each extension, thereby preventing the cuff portion from extending below these upper rims, each of these extensions having a central gap of sufficient width to receive human finger and extending from the top edge of the extension downward to a point below these upper rims, for receiving a finger to grip and lift away the cuff portion for ease in removing and changing liners, the extensions optionally including finger holes on either side of each gap for gripping and lifting the container itself.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There have long been vessels for containing waste having openings for receiving fingers and thereby forming handle portions for securely gripping the vessel for lifting. These vessels have generally been plastic sacks. When these sacks are used as liners for stiff outer containers, however, the liner finger holes are typically obstructed by the container walls.
One such prior waste vessel is that of Dollheimer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,285, issued on May 3, 1966, which teaches a plastic bag including hand gripping holes. The bag is folded and heat sealed in any of several patterns at a closed bag end. Finger grip holes are punched through the folded portion so that multiple bag layers, together with the seal, help support the weight of the bag and its content when lifted. A problem with Finger if placed in a stiff outer vessel such as a waste basket or trash can is that the finger grip holes would be positioned at the closed bag end in the bottom of the container. Thus, these holes would be inaccessible for lifting the bag out of the container during bag replacement, which is when they would be most needed.
Suominen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,069, issued on Aug. 19, 1969, discloses a thermoplastic carrier bag having sleeves extending transversely, adjacent its mouth. An insert formed of a stiff material is fitted into each sleeve, which may serve two purposes. The insert may be imprinted with identifying marks identifying the bag contents or displaying a manufacturer's trademark. The insert may also include a finger hole for carrying the bag or for holding it open. A problem with Suominen if used within a stiff outer vessel is that the stiff inserts could make it difficult to cuff the edges of the bag opening over the rim of the vessel. Another problem is that, if the bag is cuffed over the vessel rim, the vessel wall would obstruct the finger holes.
Burrows, U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,087, issued on May 8, 1990, reveals a trash storage and disposal combination unit. The unit includes a stiff outer container having exterior hook elements on opposing sides and a plastic liner sack having cut out portions forming loops for fitting over the hook elements. In this way the sacks are held securely in the trash container, and can be gripped by their loops when sack removal is desired. A problem with Burrows is that only sacks specially designed for the combination unit would work as intended. No other plastic liner sacks on the market today would properly engage the hook elements. Another problem is that the protruding hook elements could injure and tear clothing of people brushing against the container.
Rasmussen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,910, issued on Jul. 19, 1983, teaches a flexible container for lifting, transport and storage, having four lifting loops. The lifting loops are extensions of the container's side walls. A problem with Rasmussen if used as a liner for a stiff vessel is that the vessel wall would obstructed the lifting loops and prevent easy gripping.
Grussen, U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,628, issued on Sep. 6, 1960, teaches a container for fluid or pulverulent material and a process for making the container. The container has an L-shaped weld line dividing a small portion of the container interior from the remainder of the interior. Two semi-rigid sheets cover portions of the container and a handle opening is cut in the sides through the small portion. A problem with Grussen is that the container is not shaped to function as a liner for an outer vessel and would be more expensive to manufacture than most such liners. On the other hand, Grussen does not appear sufficiently rigid to function itself as an outer vessel. Also, if Grussen were used as an outer vessel, a liner fit inside could not be easily grasped for removal.
Preston, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,340, issued on Apr. 5, 1988, discloses liner bag brackets for fitting over and engaging the rim of a trash receptacle. Loops of a plastic liner bag fit over and are hooked in position by projections on the brackets. The problems presented by Preston are essentially the same as those presented by Burrows.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a waste container which can receive a removable liner sack and which permits easy and secure gripping of such a liner sack for periodic removal and replacement.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a waste container which can accept ordinary generic trash bags as liner sacks.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such waste container which has no protruding parts which could cause injury or damage to clothing.
It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a waste container which is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.


An adapter for use with at least a pair of dispensers, to provide for convenient stacking of a plurality of dispensers one upon the other, one of such adapters being arranged intermediate each pair of vertically stacked decanters, during usage. The adapter includes a series of ribs and flanges, that provide convenient seating and stable support for a variety of the decanters when stacked one upon the other. The adapter includes an aperture approximately centered thereof, through which a beverage may be brewed, into the decanter arranged therebelow, and the adapter being applied to a beverage brewer during usage, as during a beverage brewing cycle. The cap provides for closure of the adapter aperture, to provide the adapter with the attributes of a lid, and to help retain the warmth of any beverage contained within its dispenser upon which the adapter is applied.

This invention relates generally to means for providing an adapter between stackable decanters, the type that are used to hold brewed beverages, in the category of coffee, tea, and related drinks.
Various types of decanters have long been available in the prior art. All of these are for use for holding beverages, particularly those that are freshly brewed, and which they further include other attributes such as providing for insulation, such as the thermos, for holding and sustaining a heated beverage, or a cooled beverage, for subsequent dispensing and consumption. In addition, some of these vessels or decanters are of a fairly large size, and include their own spigot, at the bottom, that allows for the dispensing of any beverage maintained therein, during usage. Some of these decanters, even though they may be of substantial size, perhaps in the two to four gallon capacity, may yet be used in conjunction with the beverage brewing apparatus, whether it be for the preparation of hot tea or coffee, or other beverages, directly under a brew basket or other brewing apparatus, the beverage as brewed being deposited directly into the decanter, of substantial volume, for eventual dispensing and consumption. Having a variety of these types of decanters, provided around a counter or shelf, as in a commercial establishment or restaurant, or even in an office, can take up a fair amount of counter space. Hence, usage of a type of adapter, that can be applied in conjunction with such dispensers, to provide for their vertical stacking, one upon the other, is an enhancement that is needed as a desirable contribution to the field of beverage brewing and serving, for the various types of facilities, as enumerated above.


An LED packaging device includes a frame including a bottom wall having a bottom surface and a surrounding wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, at least one LED chip, a plurality of spaced-apart reflectors and a packaging body. The bottom and surrounding walls cooperatively define a mounting space. The surrounding wall has an internal side surface facing the mounting space and a top surface facing away from the bottom surface. The LED chip is disposed on the bottom surface and is received in the mounting space. Each of the reflectors is disposed on a peripheral region of the bottom surface. The packaging body covers the LED chip and the reflectors, such that the LED chip is sealed inside the mounting space.

A light emitting diode (LED) is a solid semiconductor light emitting device with a low voltage, and includes a semiconductor chip serving as a light source. When a forward voltage is applied to the semiconductor chip, carriers in the semiconductor chip will recombine to emit photons for generating light. The LED has now become one of the most popular light sources.
So far, conventional packages for LED devices generally utilize injection molded frames made of a material, such as epoxy molding compound (EMC) or polyphthalamide (PPA). Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional LED packaging device 100 includes a frame 110 having a cup hole that is defined by a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, an LED chip 120 and an antistatic element 130 mounted in the bottom wall of the cup hole of the frame 110, and a packaging body 140 covering the LED chip 120 and the antistatic element 130 and sealing the cup hole of the frame 110. The continuous development of LED packaging technique has led to a rapid increase in the luminous efficacy of LED devices. For example, the luminous efficacy of some of the white LED devices can reach to 220 lm/W. In order to achieve higher luminous efficacy, a reflective material might be disposed around the sidewall of the cup hole of the frame.
However, the need to redesign such frame and the requirement to dispose the reflective material around the sidewall of the cup hole of the frame result in high cost and low production rate of the LED devices. Therefore, different size of the LED chips would require different frames, which might reduce application flexibility.

Quanzhou Sanan Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.


A support-equipped extracting bag for a drink, for example coffee, comprises                an extracting bag member 2 containing therein a drink material to be extracted and having a front face section 2a and back face section 2b each comprising a filtering sheet; and        a support member 3 attached to the bag member and covering an upper half portion of the bag member, to hygienically keep a top end of the bag member to be opened during storage and to enable the bag member to be stably and safely held in a cup, wherein the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member can be opened by removing the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member along cut lines 8 and 9 or vacant area 10 or 11 and a row of perforations 13 formed through the support and bag members, and by bending the right and left side upper portions of the support member inward along folds or dotted cuts 14 and 15 formed in the right and left side upper portions of the support member.

Currently, in extraction of a drink, for example coffee, by a drip extracting system, employment of a disposable extraction bag comprising an extracting bag member and a support member for the bag member is common.
For example, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 5-13,324 discloses a filtering device comprising paper strip pieces folded into two plies, a filtering bag inserted between the folded paper strip plies, and a push-opening section formed in a middle portion of the fold of the folded paper strips by cutting the fold middle portion so as to enable the push-opening section to be pushed inward. In this filtering device, when the push-opening section is pushed inward, the folded paper strip plies and the filtering bag inserted between the folded paper strip plies can be opened.
Also, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 60-7622 discloses a coffer-filtering device in which an extraction bag is attached to a rectangular thick paper piece having a hole formed in the center portion thereof, and holding hooks for holding the bag on an upper edge of a cup are formed, in right and left side portions of the rectangular thick paper piece, by cutting. When the rectangular thick paper piece is bent, the holding hooks can catch the upper edge of the cup.
Further, Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 57-10,270 discloses a coffer-filtering device in which a filtering bag is attached to the inside face of a frame member capable of being formed into a rectangular hollow pillar, and the rectangular hollow pillar can be placed on a cup so as to locate the filtering bag in the cup.
The above-mentioned conventional extracting bags with supports are disadvantageous in that when the bag is opened, the fingers of the user touch the bag; the opened support and bag are difficult to keep at a desired opened condition constantly, and the support placed on the cup is instable.

Drink-extracting bag equipped with holding element


This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.

Neurosurgery sometimes involves inserting an electrode (for recording brain signals or providing stimulating pulses) or other instrument (for example, a catheter for fluid aspiration or drug infusion) through a burr hole or other entry portal into a subject's brain toward a target region of the brain. In certain applications, there is a need to secure the electrode or other instrument in place after it has been introduced, potentially for an extended period of time. Moreover, in certain applications, other equipment (such as a trajectory guide and any associated equipment) is mounted to the patient's skull about the burr hole.
For these and other reasons, which will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, the present inventors have recognized an unmet need for low profile instrument immobilizer devices, tools, and methods that reduce or avoid patient discomfort and also better retain instruments.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A process for supervising an air conditioning system of a railway vehicle. The process comprising the following steps: a) after starting the air conditioning system, measuring physical properties relative to the refrigerant; b) from the physical properties measured during step a), calculating thermodynamic properties; c) from the thermodynamic properties calculated during step b), calculating the density, optionally averaged, of the refrigerant inside each component of the air conditioning system; d) using manufacturer data, which includes the dimensions of each component of the air conditioning system, calculating the passage volume of the refrigerant inside each component of the air conditioning system; e) using the values calculated in steps c) and d) to calculate the total mass of refrigerant contained inside the air conditioning system; and f) comparing the total mass of refrigerant calculated in step e) with the total mass of refrigerant originally contained inside the air conditioning system.

In a known manner, modern railway vehicles intended to carry passengers are generally equipped with air conditioning systems in order to improve traveler comfort. These air conditioning systems, also known under the name HVAC, which stands for "Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning", are typically based on a thermodynamic refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant.
US 2007/0163276 A1 discloses a process for evaluating the quantity of refrigerant circulating in an air conditioning system. The system traditionally includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and an expander. This process is of the semi-empirical type, i.e., one uses data adjusted based on experimental results in order to simplify the calculations. Typically, paragraph [0034] of US 2007/0163276 A1 explains that certain parameters, in particular parameter kch, are calculated from an experimental model. This experimental model is established by varying, over several cycles, the mass of the refrigerant from 60 to 140% relative to a nominal mass, the air flow of the evaporator, also from 60 to 140% relative to a nominal air flow, the air flow of the condenser, from 32% to 100% of its nominal value, etc. It is therefore understood that this experimental model must be established for each air conditioner line, which is particularly costly.
US 2011/0036104 A1 discloses a substantially equivalent process, in which certain constants are established, in advance, from experimental results (see in particular paragraph [0168]).

Process for monitoring an air conditioning system of a railway vehicle and railway vehicle comprising an air conditioning system implementing this process


A magnetoresistance element structure disposed parallel to an x-y plane defined by an x-axis and a y-axis orthogonal to the x-axis can include a first magnetoresistance element having a plurality of first shapes coupled in series to result in the first magnetoresistance element having a first serpentine shape parallel to the x-y plane; and a second magnetoresistance element having a plurality of second shapes coupled in series to result in the second magnetoresistance element having a second serpentine shape parallel to the x-y plane, wherein the plurality of first shapes and the plurality of second shapes are disposed in an interdigitated pattern. A magnetic field sensor can use the above magnetoresistance element structure. Nested magnetoresistance elements and magnetic field sensors are also described.

A magnetic field sensor can be used to sense a magnetic field generated by an electrical current flowing through a conductor. These magnetic field sensors can be referred to as current sensors.
Referring to FIG. 1, a typical magnetic field sensor 100 can form a movement detector, operable to detect a movement of a ferromagnetic target object 106. The ferromagnetic target object 106 can be disposed over the magnetic field sensor 100, i.e., displaced in a direction parallel to a z-axis.
The magnetic field sensor 100 can include eight magnetoresistance elements, here labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2, arranged in four pairs, all disposed over a common substrate 102, for example, a semiconductor substrate. A largest surface of the substrate 102 can be disposed in an x-y plane.
The ferromagnetic target 106 can include ferromagnetic features 106a-106d (e.g., alternating gear teeth and gear valleys of a gear).
In a so-called "back-biased" arrangement" a magnet 108 can be coupled to or coupled within the magnetic field sensor 100 and disposed under the magnetic field sensor 100. For the back-biased arrangements, the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 are responsive to a magnetic field generated by the magnet 108, and more particularly, to changes in amplitude and angle of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 108 as the ferromagnetic (e.g., steel) target object 106 moves.
The eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 can have respective maximum response axes parallel to the x-axis and can be responsive to a movement of the ferromagnetic target object 106 in one or two directions parallel to the x-axis as indicated by line 110.
With conventional yoke-shaped magnetoresistance elements, the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 can have magnetically sensitive regions limited to eight respective regions of boxes 100a-100h. Ends of the yokes beyond the boxes 100a-100h may not responsive to magnetic fields due to connections of the ends of the yokes beyond the boxes 100a-100h to metal layers below, as will be understood from figures below. The ends of the yokes beyond the boxes 100a-100h can instead provide improved linear region characteristics of the magnetoresistance elements, as will be understood. Yoke shaped magnetoresistance elements are conventionally used for linear magnetic field detection, as opposed to non-yoke-shaped magnetoresistance elements, that tend to be used for non-linear (e.g., two-state) application.
Referring now to FIG. 2, which also applies to figures thereafter, the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 can be coupled in two bridge circuits to generate two differential signals, related to so-called "speed signals," each having a respective cycle period indicative of a speed of motion of the target object 106, and each having a different phase, a sign of which is indicative of a direction of the motion. Magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, C1, C2 can be coupled into a first bridge arrangement and magnetoresistance elements B1, B2, D1, D2 can coupled in a second bridge arrangement.
This arrangement can suffer from errors induced by different static magnetic fields generated by the magnet 108 within the sensitive regions 100a-100h. Static magnetic fields are those fields that are generated by the magnet 108 at positions of the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 when the ferromagnetic target object 106 is not present at all. The static fields can still be different in the regions 100a-100h in directions parallel to the x-direction and also in directions parallel to the y-direction.
The above described different static magnetic fields experienced by the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 can result in different "offset" voltages generated by the first and second bridge arrangements when the ferromagnetic target object 106 is not present, which is undesirable.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a back-biased magnetic field sensor for which errors resulting from static fields are reduced, the different static fields experienced by the eight magnetoresistance elements A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and D2 when coupled in two bridge arrangements.

Magnetic field sensor and magnetoresistance element structure having at least two magnetoresistance elements disposed in a proximate arrangement


A stand supports a laptop computer spaced above a supporting surface so that air can circulate between the computer and the supporting surface to cool the computer.

The proliferation of portable personal computers, or laptop computers, is well documented. Laptop computers are used by business travelers to perform virtually all of the tasks enabled by desk top computers during previously unproductive hours traveling on airplanes, in hotels, and generally away from the office. Laptops also offer an alternative to bulkier, space consuming desk top models, with the opportunity to readily take the laptop to remote locations such as lectures, business meetings, or the like, and also to bring one's computer home in the evenings to continue working on projects. The reduction in the size and weight of today's laptops render them indispensable to travelers and business people around the world.
Laptop computers, like desk top computers, include a processing unit or chip that performs calculations used in the operation of the laptop. The processing unit generates a substantial amount of heat, and as processors grow more powerful and faster (in the multi-Gigahertz range) the amount of heat that the chips generate continues to increase. In most desktop computers, there are fans, heat sinks and adequate airspace to dissipate the heat generated by the processor. However, in a laptop computer there is very little room for large fans or open airspace, so heat is transferred through the underside of the computer where it comes in contact with the user's lap. The processors can produce up to 100 watts per square centimeter—the equivalent heat generated by a light bulb, and temperatures can easily reach 115° F. or more. The push for smaller and lighter laptop computers exacerbates the problem of heat dissipation. The heat problem is a byproduct of consumer demand for smaller, faster computers with reasonable battery life because large fans and extra airspace require larger units with reduced battery life. As a result, the underside of a laptop computer is notorious for being very warm or even hot to the touch when it has been running for a period of time.
Left unchecked, the heat build up of the laptop computer is transferred to the user at the point of contact where the laptop rests on the user's lap. As the laptop heats up, the build up of heat may become uncomfortable and can even result in pain. In this event, the user must endure the discomfort or discontinue operation of the laptop to allow the unit to cool down. Once cooled down, the laptop will once again begin to heat up to the point where discomfort requires another shutdown to allow further cooling. This discomfort can be eliminated by using the laptop tray, or by using it in its carrying case. However, using a laptop on any flat surface, tray, table, or in its carrying case restricts cooling. This can cause the laptop to overheat and fail.


A method and apparatus for removing a jammed paper from an ink jet printer is aimed at an efficient removal of the jammed paper. When an operator pulls jammed paper to remove it the feed roller rotates in response to such a motion, and a sensing unit senses a rotational movement of the feed roller and activates a line feed motor, whereby the jammed paper is ejected. The operator has only to pull the jammed paper just a little so as to remove it from the ink jet printer, thereby permitting an efficient removal of the jammed paper and decreasing the chance of tearing of the jammed paper by pulling it too hard which may be a more serious problem than the paper jam itself.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of removing a jammed paper from an ink-jet printer and to an apparatus for executing this method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus involving sensing and displacement of the jammed paper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Printing using an ink-jet printer is carried out on the basis of a carrier transmission and a line feed (LF) of a paper. Among exemplars of contemporary practice on this matter, Beaufortet al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,046, Selective Ejection of Sensed Paper Jams In Single Sheet Paper Processing Equipment, Dec. 3, 1996) discusses determining the type of malfunction, and attempting to self-clear the malfunction. This involves providing an appropriate response to different types of malfunctions. Machino et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,776, Recording Apparatus And Method With Sheet Feeding Control That Controls Loop, Mar. 18, 1997) discusses counting a loop feed time or the like variably set in accordance with a predetermined sheet feed condition such as the sheet type or particular suppling device. The drive of the sheet feed drive mechanism is controlled by terminating the feeding operation in accordance with a count termination state. A count time of a timer for detecting a feed jam is variably set in accordance with a sheet feed condition such as the sheet material. Komiya et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,751. Original Feed Control Unit, Dec. 27, 1983) discusses an original feed control unit for a copying machine having a programming means for variably setting a stop position of an original feed device. The position of a detector for detecting a jam of the original may be also varied in accordance with the desired size of the margin in order to properly detect a jam. Nottingham et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,478, Printing Media Status Sensing, Apr. 16, 1996) discusses a printing media position sensing device. The sheet pick is released upon a signal that the feed mechanism has taken control of the sheet. Bastow et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,799, Automatic Document Feeder And Registration System Therefor, Nov. 11, 1986) discusses having a long prefeed time to allow for advancing the first original to the preregistration nip to prevent the erroneous declaration of a fault while an initially loaded stack is becoming entrained in the stack feeding elements. Melby et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,112, Sheet Feeding Apparatus, Apr. 23, 1974) discusses an auxiliary feed roller provided along with a sheet detecting means. The machine can be automatically turned off when a sheet for any reason fails to reach a predetermined point along the path within a desired time interval. We have found that it is not easy to remove a jammed cut sheet of paper from an ink-jet printer by pulling the jammed paper in contemporary designs for printers.

Method and apparatus for removing a jammed paper from an ink-jet printer


Apparatus for folding a sheet-form material in a zigzag fashion. Lower and upper guide members are provided in opposed relation in a frame. Sheet-form material is placed under tension between the upper and lower guide members. Plural lower up-and-down movable members are arranged at regular intervals on the lower guide member. Plural upper up-and-down movable members are arranged on the upper guide member at regular intervals and at positions alternate with the lower up-and-down movable members. Fold imparting members are arranged respectively at upper ends of lower up-and-down movable members and at lower ends of upper up-and-down movable members. Upper and lower up-and-down movable members are driven to move toward each other, sequentially from one end side of the upper and lower guide members and toward the other end side, to give folds to the sheet-form material.

Recently, a small-size, inexpensive L C noise filter has been proposed which is not liable to produce ringing or the like and yet can positively eliminate penetrating noises.
This noise filter is of a folded type and comprises a first insulating sheet having a first conductor of a rectangular toothed edge-like configuration mounted on one side thereof, and a second insulating sheet having a second conductor of a rectangular toothed edge-like configuration mounted on one side thereof, the two insulating sheets being folded and laminated, with the two conductors staggered relative to each other. In the L C noise filter, constructed as above described, the first conductor functions as a coil having a predetermined number of turns, and the second conductor forms a capacitance relative to the first conductor.
For the purpose of fabricating such a noise filter, it may be conceivable to employ, as an apparatus for folding an insulating sheet in a zigzag fashion, one including a pair of patterns having wave-like alternate ridges and furrows formed on their surface which are adapted to enclose the insulating sheet therebetween.
However, when an insulating sheet is placed between a pair of patterns having alternate ridges and furrows formed thereon, portions at the folds of the sheet become fixed earlier than other portions in flat state. Therefore, if the patterns are moved toward each other when the sheet is in such condition, planar portions between adjacent folds become stretched.
In contrast, if the pair of patterns formed with alternate ridges and furrows is moved to hold therebetween the insulating sheet while the sheet remains unstrained, it is difficult to cause respective ridges and furrows of the patterns to be brought into complete contact because of dimensional tolerances of the pattern pair. Therefore, it is impracticable to give precise folds to the insulating sheet.

Apparatus and method for folding sheet-form material


A wiring component includes an array of multiple wires, at least one connector which engages the wires, and at least two layers of a hardened fiber and a filler compound that sandwiches the wires. The areas adjacent to the wires include a filler which immobilizes the wires relative to the layers. In one embodiment at least a portion of the connector is embedded in the filler.

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention relates to wiring and in particular but not exclusively to in-vehicle wiring. The kind of vehicle envisaged may be selected from a wide range of vehicles from military vehicles such as tanks, to sport motors, rail, ice, air, water, and snow going vehicles.
2. The Relevant Technology
One prior art known is a flat carbon fiber case or box housing multiple wires such as those currently used in Formula One racing. In order to manufacture these boxes, the box is initially formed by molding carbon fiber faces of the box and joining them together and thereafter loosely placing the wires in their required position dependent upon the manufacturing specification. A drop of silicon or other sealant is then used to secure the lid of the box in place once the wires are installed within the box.
The following drawbacks exist in this prior art structure:                the wires can displace within the box due to vibration, impact, explosions or other outside occurrence;        these boxes which are essentially rectangular parallelepipeds are neither able to snugly fit around nor able to be placed on objects other than objects which are themselves flat;        there are spaces between wires and between the faces of the box signifying that the strength of the box itself is reduced as each face if acted upon can separately bow;        it requires the use of silicon or other sealants to secure the components together; and        air fills any remaining space in the box which may cause corrosion within the box if corrosive components are contained in the box.
The following patent documents are acknowledged U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,650; DE10308759A1; EP1506553; US2006/000924; US2004/0069525; EP1376618A3; PCT/EP03/01531; WO03/098642; U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,289; DE29917502; EP1026019; U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,324; DE354516; EP0208138; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,617.


Apparatus for enhancing relative rotation between a substrate and a rotatable member. The substrate preferably comprises a pole of a leg support assembly in a stilt device, and the rotatable member preferably comprises a leg engagement assembly of the stilt device which engages a user's leg. The reinforcement member preferably operates as a spacer for the substrate, as well as to reduce wear between the substrate and an elongated member which couples the rotatable member to the substrate. A limit surface of the reinforcement member limits mechanical deflection of the elongated member and preferably comprises an annular sidewall of an aperture. A locking feature of the reinforcement member preferably comprises a tab which engages a channel in the substrate to maintain a desired axial orientation of the reinforcement member.

Leg extension mechanisms (stilt devices) advantageously allow a user to maneuver at an increased height above a base surface. Stilt devices are often used in the construction industry to allow users to perform building or repair operations several feet above the ground and which could not otherwise be reachable without use of a scaffold or other support structure.
A particularly useful stilt device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,199 issued to Emmert. While operable, there remains a continual need for advancements in the art to improve operational characteristics of such devices, and it is to these and other improvements that preferred embodiments of the present invention are generally directed.

Reinforcement member to enhance rotational motion such as for use in a stilt device


An up-sampled data stream, upsampled times a factor P, is generated by the input block providing signal samples having a frequency rate, while an intermediate data stream is generated by a Rate Adapting Stage providing signal samples adapted to an intermediate frequency rate. An output data stream is delivered by a final low pass filter, and includes M signal samples having a desired output sample frequency rate (fOUT=M/Ts). The method provides generation of a provisional stream in the Rate Adapting Stage, wherein this provisional stream is affected by aliases falling within the output Nyquist band [−fOUT/2, fOUT/2], although being adapted to the output frequency rate by a direct insertion of zero samples into the processed stream when L<M, or by a direct cancellation of samples when L>M. Then these aliases are suppressed in the Rate Adapting Stage by weighting the provisional stream via a set of weights.

Sample Rate Converters (SRC) are important VLSI (Very Large Scale of Integration) devices used in many segments of the consumer market, such as Car Audio, Home Video/Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, and need to adapt the sample rates used by some standards to the rates required by emerging standards. A well-known example is the 44.1 KHz:48 KHz SRC, converting the earlier audio data rate of the CD format to the more qualitative data rate of DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and DVD (Digital Video Broadcasting).
A L:M Fractional SRC (F-SRC) receives L samples in a predefined interval Ts, and outputs M samples in the same interval Ts, being L, M integers: therefore, if L<M, it somehow 'creates' and 'inserts' M−L samples each L input samples into the output stream, or deletes L−M each L if L>M. These operations require special care and cannot be executed by directly inserting/canceling the |M−L| samples, because of the generation of images and alias signals into the output stream.
Therefore classical and known implementations of F-SRCs require an interpolator, anti-imaging/anti-aliasing FIR (Finite Impulsive Response) filter, working at the oversampling rate of L*M/Ts samples/sec. Finally a L:1 decimation stage lowers the output rate down to M/Ts samples/sec. In the following it is assumed that L, M, are coprime integers.
For example, in FIG. 1 is illustrated a typical and known implementation of a sampling rate conversion based on a polyphase filter structure. This is a bank of M FIR filters with identical number of taps, the same gain, but different phase delays. Each of the FIR banks is called a phase of the polyphase filter. The data stream is filtered with the M banks in parallel, therefore M stream are generated in the same time interval Ts, and the data rate is increased by a factor M. In a Rate Adapting Stage, the output of the polyphase filter is decimated times a factor L with a selection logic that selects 1 data each L in a round-robin, thus the final output rate turns out to be multiplied times a factor M/L. If the bandwidth and the phase delays of the polyphase filter are suitably chosen this processing performs the sample rate conversion from L/Ts samples/sec to M/Ts samples/sec preserving the spectral quality of the input signal.
This known method, although being simple, has however some drawbacks. First of all it is really expensive if L, M, are large and high quality of signal is required. As an example the case of a 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz SRC can be considered, where L=147 and M=160. If a 64 tap FIR filter is selected for each phase (and in some cases this may not be enough to meet high quality requirements), a total of 64*160=10240 filtering coefficient are required. This will greatly increase both the hardware size in terms of gates and the power consumption of the device and it is not feasible in practical applications.

Method for implementing a fractional sample rate converter (F-SRC) and corresponding converter architecture


An amplitude limiting circuit for limiting the amplitude of a signal input to a power amplifier includes an amplitude converter, determination unit, peak detector, window filter, delay circuit, and multiplier. The amplitude converter calculates the amplitude value of an input signal. The determination unit detects an interval in which the amplitude value of the input signal exceeds a preset threshold. The peak detector detects the peak time and amplitude when the maximum amplitude appears. The window filter limits the amplitude value to not more than the threshold by using the peak value output from the peak detector. The delay circuit delays the input signal such that the peak time output from the peak detector coincides with the time when the output from the window filter exhibits the minimum value. The multiplier multiplies an output signal from the delay circuit by a window function. A CDMA communication apparatus is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an amplitude limiting circuit and, more particularly, to an amplitude limiting circuit which can be suitably used to limit an input to a transmission power amplifier incorporated in a CDMA communication apparatus.
Recent digital mobile communication systems often use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communication apparatuses to improve the interference resistance ability between communication channels.
In a CDMA communication apparatus, since the instantaneous power at the time of transmission is much higher than the average power, the linearity of a transmission power amplifier must be maintained up to a very high output level to suppress spreading of a transmission spectrum due to nonlinear distortion so as to reduce adjacent channel leakage power.
A power amplifier designed to have good linearity up to a very high amplitude has a large circuit size, and hence increases in cost and power consumption. For this reason, as a transmission power amplifier for a CDMA communication apparatus, a nonlinear compensation amplifier is used, which exhibits good linearity with respect to small amplitude components and nonlinearity with respect to large amplitude components. As shown in FIG. 5, the linearity of this nonlinear compensation amplifier has the input/output characteristics that linearity is maintained up to its maximum output, and when an input amplitude exceeds a value corresponding to the maximum output, the output level becomes constant.
In a transmission power amplifier having input/output characteristics like those shown in FIG. 5, when a signal corresponding to a level exceeding the maximum output is input, a transmission output is saturated to increase nonlinear distortion. As a consequence, the transmission spectrum spreads to increase adjacent channel leakage power, as indicated by the spectrum waveform without "CLIPPING" in FIG. 6.
It is therefore desirable to maximize the saturation power (maximum output) of the transmission power amplifier. In this case, however, as described above, the circuit size increases to increase power consumption and cost. For this reason, it is important in the CDMA communication apparatus that the instantaneous maximum power of an input signal is limited so as not to exceed the saturation power of the transmission power amplifier.
The simplest method of limiting the input amplitude of the transmission power amplifier is to clip an input signal with a predetermined value. If, however, an input signal is simply clipped, the nonlinear distortion of a signal waveform increases. As a result, the transmission spectrum further spreads, as indicated by the spectrum waveform obtained by "SIMPLE CLIPPING" in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, therefore, an amplitude limiting circuit is generally provided before a band limiting filter.
An amplitude limiting circuit 20 shown in FIG. 7 includes an amplitude converter 21 which calculates the amplitude value of an input signal constituted by an in-phase component I and quadrature component Q, a determination unit 22 which compares the amplitude value calculated by the amplitude converter 21 with a preset threshold to output a control value for limiting the amplitude of an input signal that exceeds the threshold, and a clipping circuit 23 which limits an output amplitude to a value equal to or less than the threshold in accordance with the control value output from the determination unit 22.
Of an output signal from the amplitude limiting circuit 20, only a predetermined baseband component is output from a filter 24. In this arrangement, since the frequency component of an output signal is limited by the filter 24 within a predetermined band, the transmission spectrum does not spread.
In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, however, since the amplitude limiting circuit and filter 24 differ in their sampling rates for signal processing, level variations occur at the time of sampling. As a result, the amplitude of the signal passing through the filter 24 may increase again.
In addition, when the amplitude limiting circuit shown in FIG. 7 is applied to a CDMA communication apparatus of a so-called multicarrier amplification scheme of combining a plurality of carrier signals, shown in FIG. 8, the amplitude of the signal is increased again by processing after amplitude limitation.
The CDMA communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8 includes a plurality of amplitude limiting circuits 311 to 31N (N is a positive integer) which limit the amplitudes of input signals and a plurality of filters 321 to 32N which pass only predetermined band components.
The CDMA communication apparatus also includes first frequency converters 331 to 33N which convert input signals as baseband signals into signals having different frequencies for the respective channels, and a carrier combining unit 34 which combines output signals from the first frequency converters 331 to 33N.
The CDMA communication apparatus further includes a D/A converter 35 which converts the signal obtained by carrier combining into an analog signal, a second frequency converter 36 which converts the output signal from the D/A converter 35 into an RF signal, and a transmission power amplifier 37 which amplifies the RF signal to power necessary for transmission.
The CDMA communication apparatus includes the amplitude limiting circuits 311 to 31N, filters 321 to 32N, and first frequency converters 331 to 33N for the respective channels.
In this arrangement, since signals corresponding to a plurality of channels are subjected to vector combining in the carrier combining unit 34 after amplitude limitation, the effect of the amplitude limitation is lost. As a consequence, the transmission spectrum spreads, as indicated by the spectrum waveform of "CONVENTIONAL SCHEME" in FIG. 9.

Amplitude limiting circuit and CDMA communication apparatus


An antenna glazing for automobiles, including an electrically conducting cladding extending surface-wise over the surface of the glazing up to a zone of the free edge of the cladding, serving as an antenna element, and a coupling electrode furnished with external connections, coupled in the capacitive regime to the electrically conducting cladding with interposition of an insulating layer. The coupling electrode is composed at least of one thin wire, which starts from the zone at the edge of the glazing, is conducted over the surface covered by the cladding, and is returned to the zone of the edge with at least one fold, so that the two ends of the wire are situated in the zone of the edge of the glazing.

Document DE 198 32 228 C2 discloses an antenna glazing for automobiles possessing these characteristics, in which an electrically conducting cladding is used as antenna element. To decouple antenna signals originating from the cladding placed inside the glazing made in the guise of composite glazing, a coupling electrode is coupled in the capacitive regime to said cladding. Said electrode is composed of a plurality of thin wires placed parallel to and some distance from one another, which are linked electrically at one end by means of a busbar or similar, and extend over the cladding starting from this connection. The dielectric intermediate layer of the capacitor thus formed is constituted by at least one adhesive layer of the composite.
This form of construction of a coupling electrode offers, by comparison with prior embodiments comprising a narrow contact band applied by screen-printing or a construction in the form of a sheet to one of the glazings of the composite, the big advantage that it is practically not seen in the fitted state. Almost inevitably, these coupling electrodes are in fact situated in the visual field of the glazing in question, which is installed, for example in the guise of windscreen, on an automobile with metal bodywork, since in such cases of use, it is necessary to part or cut the cladding, the whole way along the edge of the glazing, in order to avoid direct coupling of the antenna field with the bodywork (earthed). It is therefore not possible to provide said coupling electrode very near to the edge of said glazing where it might be optically hidden by the framework of the window.
If wires of, for example, 10 to 100 μm in diameter are placed inside a composite glazing or on its surface, they cannot be discerned as such under normal conditions, unless they are placed very short distances apart. If on the other hand their mutual separation is at least very nearly ten times their diameter, they may not be visible as such unless one looks at them from very near the glass glazing. With the known antenna glazing, it has been demonstrated that, compared with a plane coupling electrode, consisting for example of a band of metal sheet, the coupling capacity is, in the case of the embodiment in accordance with the invention, amply sufficient for the transmission of the signal of the antenna.
Practical applications of the thin wires coupling electrode show, however, that with the wires connected at one end only, the desired transmission power is not always obtained. For optimal optical inlay, the number of wires and hence the total width of the electrode are kept as small as possible. Within the framework of industrial manufacture, the establishment of electrical contact of the whole set of wires with the common connection electrode (at the base of the antenna) may not, however, be fully achieved. In the final analysis, there is no reliable test procedure making it possible to test the operating capacitance of the coupling electrode before and/or after the manufacture of the composite forming the glazing. If manufacture has terminated, and if defective coupling is found thereafter, the whole pane has to be scrapped.
One could contemplate lengthening the wires and allowing them to overhang on both sides, beyond the glazing, so that then a continuity check is possible. It would however still always be necessary to test each wire individually or its contact with the base of the antenna, so much so that a noticeable reduction in expenditure cannot be expected from this variant.
Document DE 42 37 818 A1 describes an antenna glazing for automobiles, on the surface of which is placed an antenna for radio signals in the form of a loop, made by screen-printing. Starting from a plane connection zone made in the zone of the edge of the glazing, a strand of the loop penetrates the visual field of the glazing as far as the inversion point, from which the other strand returns. The free end thereof forming the base of the antenna is surrounded, with a slot-shaped gap, by the plane starting zone of the first strand. This structure forms the antenna proper and is not provided for capacitive coupling with a plane antenna structure.


A technique is provided to selectively control flow along shunt tubes, such as those used in gravel pack operations. The technique utilizes a swellable material valve that comprises a swellable material deployed along the shunt tube flow path. When flow through a specific shunt tube is no longer desired, the swellable material valve can be exposed to a substance that induces swelling of the swellable material. The expanded or swollen material blocks further flow along the shunt tube.

Various subterranean formations contain hydrocarbons in fluid form which can be produced to a surface location for collection. Generally, a wellbore is drilled, and a production completion is moved downhole to facilitate production of desired fluids from the surrounding formation. Many of the formation fluids, however, contain particulates, e.g. sand, that can wear or otherwise detrimentally impact both downhole and surface components.
Gravel packing techniques, including frac packing procedures, are often used to control sand. In typical gravel packing operations, a slurry of gravel carried in a transport fluid is pumped into a well annulus between a sand screen and the surrounding casing or open wellbore. The deposited gravel is dehydrated, and the gravel facilitates blocking of sand or other particulates that would otherwise flow with formation fluids into the production equipment.
In some gravel packing operations, difficulty arises in obtaining uniform distribution of gravel throughout the desired gravel pack region. For example, a poor distribution of gravel can result from premature loss of transport fluid, which causes the creation of bridges that can prevent or reduce further distribution of gravel past the bridge. Also, certain manmade isolation devices, such as packers, can present barriers to distribution of the gravel slurry. Shunt tubes have been used to bypass bridges and/or manmade isolation devices to ensure complete gravel packing. However, upon completion of the gravel packing procedure, the shunt tubes can leave undesirable flow paths, e.g. an undesirable flow path past a packer. Mechanical valves have been used to close off shunt tubes, but such valves must be cycled and are limited to shunt tubes of small size.

System and method for isolating flow in a shunt tube


A drain clearing device and method comprising an elongated flexible member for positioning in a blocked drain line with the working end of the tool located beyond the blockage and having means for enlargement or deployment of the working end after the tool is positioned in the drain line so that the blockage in the line is removed by withdrawal of the tool. The method comprises the steps of positioning an enlargable or deployable tool in a drain line beyond the point of blockage, deploying the tool, and withdrawing the deployed tool from the drain line to remove the blockage.

The present invention relates to unplugging clogged toilets and the like and is designated by the proprietary name Toilet Tongue.
A common lavatory problem is the need to unclog plugged toilets. There are many tools and techniques available for this problem and such tools and techniques are generally speaking suitable for accomplishing the task. However, there are specific kinds of toilet plugs that are not cured using known tools and techniques.
For example, a cotton swab known by the trade designation "Q-Tip" comprising a plastic stick two to three inches long with a swab or ball of cotton secured to each end is often discarded in a toilet and can become lodged in the gooseneck portion of the toilet drain. The cotton swab remains lodged in the drain acting as a partial obstruction to normal flushing and eventually becoming a greater obstruction through the gradual buildup of flushed material such as toilet paper and the like. An unclogging tool such as a plumber's helper or a snake may actually unclog the drain by removal of the accumulated debris without disturbing the lodged cotton swab. Consequently, the toilet is returned to service, however, the basic problem remains and the toilet is likely to become plugged again in a relatively short period of time.
The present invention is directed to a device and method particularly suited for unplugging toilets as well as being useful for unplugging other kinds of drains.


An improved Hall position sensor comprises a Hall effect sensing device having its leads soldered directly to an exposed electro-conductive portion of a flexible multiconductor circuit. The Hall position sensor further comprises a Hall magnet disposed proximate to the soldered Hall effect sensing device/flexible circuit unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to position sensors and more particularly to a Hall position sensor of the type having a permanent Hall magnet and an analog/digital Hall effect sensing device disposed proximate to the Hall magnet, the Hall position sensor being powered by and sending feedback to an external controller.
2. Prior Art
Hall position sensors are usually deployed as an integral part of closed loop feedback control systems which are used in a variety of fields such as automotive vehicle component testing and manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, industrial automation and robotics and the like. A Hall position sensor of this type comprises a Hall magnet (or magnets) disposed in close proximity to an analog or digital Hall effect sensing device which has two input leads for receiving power from an external controller circuit board and one output lead for sending position feedback signal information to the controller. The Hall effect sensing device leads can be surface mounted (soldered) directly to the controller circuit board or when the Hall effect sensing device has to be positioned away from the controller due to packaging problems, the leads are traditionally soldered to wire connectors which connect on the other end to the controller via a special connector or are surface mounted to the board. Using traditional wire connectors is functional but inefficient from a manufacturing point of view as the connection set up involves providing two separate labor intensive physical connections between the Hall effect sensing device and the controller. Also, surface mounting a Hall effect sensing device to the controller circuit board is not always desirable due to possible electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the moving Hall magnet which may interfere with the normal functioning of the controller.
In most applications, the Hall sensing device is usually stationary while the Hall magnet(s) is/are in motion. However, there are certain applications in which it is desirable to have the Hall effect sensing device in motion while the proximate Hall magnet(s) is/are stationary during operation. A moving Hall effect sensing device requires reliable electrical connection to the controller especially in high frequency and/or high cycling applications which cannot be fully achieved with traditional methods which utilize spiral cords or cables with retainer means and the like which are subject to continuous wear and tear during operation. Unreliable electrical connection leads to increased maintenance and troubleshooting costs which is an obvious disadvantage for the cost-conscious manufacturer.
Therefore the need arises for an improved low cost Hall position sensor which is preferably made of inexpensive yet reliable components, is easy to assemble in a matter of seconds and which can provide reliable performance thereby presenting a viable cost-efficient solution for manufacturers. Such an improved Hall position sensor should eliminate the usual wear and tear associated with traditional connections between the Hall effect sensing device and the controller so as to significantly reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of the device in which the Hall position sensor is integrated.
The present invention is directed to an improved Hall position sensor for integrating into a support structure adapted for receiving the same, the Hall position sensor having at least one Hall magnet and communicating with a controller, the improvement comprising at least one Hall effect sensing device disposed proximate to the at least one Hall magnet; and at least one circuit for electrically coupling the at least one Hall effect sensing device to the controller, the at least one circuit having at least one flexible portion for reducing the cost of integrating the Hall position sensor in the support structure.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the at least one circuit is a substantially flexible circuit, the substantially flexible circuit comprising a plurality of flexible electrical conductors embedded between sheets of flexible insulating material. The substantially flexible circuit further comprises first end portion and second end portion, each of the first and second end portions having exposed electrical conductors.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the improved Hall position sensor further comprises means for electrically coupling the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the substantially flexible circuit to the controller. The coupling means includes a flexible circuit connector on the controller for mating with the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the substantially flexible circuit.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the improved Hall position sensor further comprises means for electrically coupling the second exposed electro-conductive end portion of the substantially flexible circuit to the at least one Hall effect sensing device. The coupling means includes a plurality of electro-conductive leads on the at least one Hall effect sensing device for soldering directly to the second exposed electro-conductive end portion of the substantially flexible circuit.
In accordance with a different aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing the cost of integrating a Hall position sensor into a support structure adapted for receiving the same is disclosed. The Hall position sensor has at least one Hall magnet with the method comprising the steps of providing at least one low cost surface mount Hall effect sensing device with a plurality of electro-conductive leads; disposing the at least one surface mount Hall effect sensing device proximate to the at least one Hall magnet; providing a low cost flexible multiconductor circuit having first end portion and second end portion, each of the first and second end portions having exposed electrical conductors; providing a controller with a flexible circuit connector for mating with the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit; plugging the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit in the flexible circuit connector of the controller; and soldering the electro-conductive leads of the at least one surface mount Hall effect sensing device directly to the second exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit.
In accordance with a still different aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing the cost of integrating a Hall position sensor into a support structure adapted for receiving the same is disclosed. The Hall position sensor has at least one Hall magnet with the method comprising the steps of providing at least one low cost through hole Hall effect sensing device with a plurality of electro-conductive leads; disposing the at least one through hole Hall effect sensing device proximate to the at least one Hall magnet; providing a low cost flexible multiconductor circuit having first end portion and second end portion, each of the first and second end portions having exposed electrical conductors; providing a controller with a flexible circuit connector for mating with the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit; plugging the first exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit in the flexible circuit connector of the controller; adjusting the length of the electro-conductive leads of the at least one through hole Hall effect sensing device to a length matching the width of the second exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit; and soldering the adjusted electro-conductive leads of the at least one through hole Hall effect sensing device directly to the second exposed electro-conductive end portion of the flexible circuit.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the invention.


A magnetic disc storage system includes a magnetic storage disc and a transducing head. During periods of inactivity the transducing head is dithered whereby the head is moved to tracks on the disc according to a number of criteria. The criteria includes wear reduction, power reduction, avoidance of textured zones, head cycling, increased fly height and clearing of debris carried on the head.

The present invention relates to magnetic disc storage systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for dithering heads in a magnetic disc storage system.
Magnetic disc storage systems are used to magnetically store information. Typically, a storage system includes a number of discs, each side of which carry magnetically coded information. The information on the disc is read and written using magnetic heads which are carried on the end of the actuator arms. Both thin film inductive heads and magnetoresistive (MR) heads are used in disc drives. Information is carried on the disc in the form of data residing on tracks which are divided into sectors. Tracks are also referred to as cylinders.
Information is written to or read from the disc by positioning a magnetic head over a desired cylinder of a desired disc. The disc spins at a high speed and the head therefore moves relative to the surface of the disc. Rotation of the disc relative to the head provides a lifting force on a slider body which carries the head. The head is an extremely delicate component and "flies" (due to the lifting force) very close to the disc surface. This causes a number of design problems, primarily wearing of the head due to occasional and accidental contact with the disc surface.
During periods of inactivity, some disc drives have attempted to control the radial position of the head to achieve desirous results. Specifically, it has been known to "dither" the head over the cylinders which yield the highest fly height thereby reducing wear of the head due to contact with the disc surface. Additionally, the dithering can be tuned to reduce power consumption by limiting movement to those cylinders which require less power to maintain flight of the head. Dithering is used because it is impractical and would result in excessive wear to spin down the disc during short periods of inactivity. At the same time, simply leaving the head flying at its most recent track could lead to wear and increased power consumption. However, the prior art has failed to recognize and fully utilize the benefits that can be achieved through dithering.

Head positioning in storage system during periods of inactivity


In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, ultrasound transmission/reception means transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a subject to obtain an echo signal and an ultrasonic image of a desired tomographic plane of the subject is produced on the basis of the echo signal. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises image collecting means for collecting ultrasonic images in the direction perpendicular to the tomographic plane, image synthesizing means for synthesizing a stereoscopic right-eye image and a stereoscopic left-eye image from the ultrasonic images, and display means for displaying the right-eye image and the left-eye image separately. Using a relatively small number of images, a simple ultrasonic three-dimensional image with a depth effect is displayed at high speed.

This invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which generates an ultrasonic image on the basis of phase information and amplitude information contained in the reception signal obtained by scanning a subject by ultrasound, and more particularly to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which generates a stereoscopic image from ultrasonic images at high speed and displays the image.
Ultrasound has been applied to various medical instruments. A typical application of ultrasound to medical instruments is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for creating a tomographic image of soft part tissue of an organism using ultrasonic pulse reflection techniques. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus displays a tomographic image of tissue without stress. As compared with the X-ray diagnostic apparatus, X-ray computed tomography apparatus (CT), a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), or a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has the advantages of enabling real-time display, being compact and inexpensive, being sufficiently safe without exposure to X rays, and enabling the imaging of bloodstream by the Doppler ultrasonography.
Because of those advantages, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has been widely used in diagnosing internal organs, such as a heart, the abdomen, the mammary gland, or the urinary organs, in internal medicine or in observing a fetus in obstetrics and gynecology.
Specifically, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, simply applying an ultrasonic probe to the surface of a body enables the pulsation of a heart or the movement of a fetus to be displayed in real time. Because the apparatus is very safe, examination can be carried out repeatedly. Moreover, it is easy to move the apparatus to the bedside and carry out examination.
Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is also capable of displaying the speed distribution of the bloodstream moving toward (or away from) the vibrators in the Doppler ultrasonography or the distribution of power values of the blood echo signal in the power Doppler method. The power Doppler method enables the perfusion of the vascular system to be sensed with higher sensitivity and is finding its way into the diagnosis of an abnormal bloodstream at the peripheral nerve level of a kidney or cancer of the liver.
Like in the fields of CT and MRI, in the field of ultrasonic diagnosis, there has been an increasing demand for three-dimensional images. For example, in the B mode imaging or color Doppler imaging, three-dimensional stereoscopic images have been displayed for the purpose of making a differential diagnosis or functional diagnosis of the shape of an internal organ or the passage of a blood vessel. Since a three-dimensional stereoscopic image has not only information on a two-dimensional image (or a tomographic image) but also information on the direction of its depth, it is expected that the shape of a tissue or the passage of a blood vessel will be known clearly.
Constructing an image having three-dimensional information requires an enormous amount of calculations, which leads to the problem of taking as long a time as several tens of seconds to several minutes to reconstruct and display a single image.
In the case of CT and MRI, because the nature of their diagnosis, spending a substantially long time in constructing a three-dimensional image may often be a negligible problem. In the case of ultrasonic diagnosis, since observation is made in real time, three-dimensional representation is hardly used in normal diagnosis. When a three-dimensional image is constructed in ultrasonic diagnosis, the image has to be reconstructed for observation after the data has been taken in (e.g., after examination), as with CT and MRI.
Although an image containing three-dimensional information enables an image viewed from any viewpoint to be reconstructed, observation from more than one viewpoint takes that much more time. It will be all right if a three-dimensional image (a still image) is observed from more than one viewpoint. In the case of images obtained one after another in real time as ultrasound diagnostic images, it is not always useful to reconstruct those images and see them from another viewpoint. Conversely, this action may make the procedure more complicated and troublesome.
Moreover, accurate three-dimensional information may not be necessary. For example, only an image with a depth effect may be needed to get more accurate information on the shape of a tissue or the passage of a blood vessel.


An approach for providing latency measurements for a communication path of a transmission network is described. Measurement of latency associated with one or more communication paths of a transmission network is initiated. An increase in the latency within the transmission network is detected based on the latency measurement. One or more secondary communication paths of the transmission network are determined to address the latency increase. One of the secondary communication paths is selected according to a latency threshold.

Service providers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by providing compelling network services and advancing the underlying technologies. For example, consumers are able access these services through data networks riding over transmission networks that are typically managed by service providers and separate from the data networks. In general, failure in a transmission network may be missed by the higher layer data networks since a failed communication path within the transmission network may be replaced with a backup path and data traffic associated with the services may continue to flow. Nonetheless, in some cases, consumers may notice significantly slower data traffic caused by a switch-over from an initial path to a backup path having much greater latency, which may lead to customer complaints and poor customer experience with the service providers.
Therefore, there is a need for an effective approach to identify and troubleshoot latency increases, for example, by providing automated latency measurements to detect latency increases and provide re-routing of communication network paths.

Method and system for providing latency detection based on automated latency measurements of communication network paths


A wheel hub drive for a running wheel (10) is described. The drive having a transmission (7), a motor (8) and a brake (11), such that the enveloping circle (9) of the wheel hub drive is determined by the running wheel and the transmission (7), motor (8) and brake are located within a circle whose radius is determined by the running wheel (10).

In the prior art, wheel hub drives are usually used in floor trolleys. Since compared with flat or conical gear transmissions, they have the advantage that the transmission, drive motor, brake and wheel take up the least space. In addition, the use of wheel hub drives, enables chassis without through-going axle shafts to be made.
An essential feature of a wheel hub drive is the enveloping circle, i.e., the circle produced around the steering axis when the drive is steered or turned. In wheel hub drives of the prior art, the enveloping circle is determined by the dimensions of the transmission in combination with the motor and brake. This means that the radius of the enveloping circle is relatively large compared with the radius of a circle determined during steering by the turning of the running wheel.
The purpose of the present invention is to indicate a wheel hub drive in which the running wheel is what determines the enveloping circle, so that the smallest possible enveloping circle results.