A control system for vehicles to operate at an ecological driving modus, for example in case they are used within a locality such as a city or town. A control system initiated by a clearly identifiable switch installed either at the dashboard or on the steering wheel, the switch being manually operated by the driver. The control system can be can also be initiated via radio- or light-waves' signals.

Nowadays control systems for vehicles are known, which consider ecological and economical standards without requiring separate actions from the driver of a vehicle. Such control systems mostly are initiated by the driver of a vehicle and then follow-up automatically. The control systems include accounting for various driving situations. One such control system, of the invention is recommended for driving situations, which are not yet taken into consideration. Nonetheless these driving situations are equally as important as other driving situations that are already considered.
An example of a driving situation that is typically not considered, and thus, less controlled by control systems, occurs within the boundary of a city. Traffic lights, less easy to survey passages for pedestrians, and delivery traffic and hindrances created by road work or building sites create a permanent stop and go situation that is a driving situation that is problematic.
For current vehicles, driving without the boundaries of a city is a problem as consumption of energy combined with emission of pollution-gases into the environment within the boundary of a city is a problem.
Nowadays support systems for vehicles are known, which inform whether the way of driving meets ecological standards, and shows, how high the consumption of gas is per kilometer of driving distance. In this way the driver of the vehicle is informed how to organize his way of driving in order to meet ecological and at the same time economical standards. This is called economical information. Equally a driver of an off-road vehicle is instructed how to drive such a vehicle off-road or on roads in an ecological and economical way in cities.
While such control systems are known, what does not yet exist is a simple operation device for driving a car inside the boundaries of cities that consider all unexpected events when running a car. Current systems involve that each individual driver of a car must rely on himself and only his experience to assist him to drive his car in a meaningful ecological and economical way in cities. It is thus desirable to improve upon the driving style of a motor vehicle within a city.
In order to meet such objectives the present invention recommends to place operation means at the dashboard or on the steering wheel of a vehicle, which support the driver of a car in cities in order to improve upon the driving style of a motor vehicle within a city. Such operation means may be manually manipulated switches or automatic control systems that are initiated by signals issued when entering into a town by radio- or light-waves signals issuing means.
All these aids are based on the combustion of carbon-hydride contained in primary-energy fuels as gasoline or diesel fuel or for electrical drives, whenever the electrical energy is produced by means that create environmental damaging components. In this context energy consumption should be the guideline, too. Particularly for electro-drive assemblies energy consumption should be the main guidance. Hereby functionality of a vehicle and hence, its driving distance are limited prior to the necessity to recharge its batteries. The functionality of a vehicle without demanding for a recharging of its batteries is essential for a general introduction into the markets of such a driving system. The presently known energy storage systems are accumulators, batteries and so on. They have only a limited storage capacity. This is the reason why only optimized energy consumption may reduce such a defect and hence, enable an acceptable driving distance.
It is already known to equip vehicles with switch-systems to have a vehicle run at a certain so desired speed and by that means to control fuel delivery to the engine in order to maintain a speed so desired. That may be the case when driving inside or outside a town. It is essential to maintain a certain speed by engine control systems and/or by controlling the gear. Engine controlling is geared by controlling fuel flow to the engine. It is also essential for such control systems that the goal of energy consumption is not due to ecology but to maintain a certain speed of a vehicle. May that be due to a speed limitation when driving on a road with a high rate of accidents or when driving inside a town for avoiding noise and similar inconveniences. Driving inside a town plays in such cases only a subordinated role. Other components for a vehicle control, besides controlling of the engine or gear, are not taken into consideration.
For hybrid driving systems it is also known to survey the charge situation of the batteries in order to prevent a surcharging or avoid a complete discharge of the batteries. Therefore, either energy is further supplied to batteries or it is stopped.
Control systems are also known to create an efficient driving modus following a pre-defined cycles, adapted to an individual characteristic of a certain combustion engine, which optimizes by an electronic control system individual set of groups that are important for the running of the engine (e, g. cooling of individual aggregates).
From this known state of the art this invention differs essentially. Not simple control systems for speed or generally usable driving modus are the goal of the present invention, but all kind of control and manipulating systems for the complete set of aggregates mounted on and to a vehicle that have an impact to an ecological driving inside of towns, particularly having an eye to the in town traffic situation. Moreover, the present invention is directed to, not only manipulating the operational requirements of an internal combustion engine, but also considering energy consumption of all type of vehicles including electrically driven and hybrid vehicles.
This is the point at which this invention starts. One object of the present invention is at least to reduce such defects related to the actuating systems of vehicles. Combined with such intentions is an improvement of economic and ecological conditions when operating such vehicles.
The invention recommends to provide the driver of a vehicle with possibilities, when driving in towns or at any similar traffic situations, to manipulate by simple means a control system that automatically initiates the operation of aggregates, imminently part of a vehicle, to a driving modus that leads to a minimum of energy consumption and hence to a minimum of environmental damage. This means that for example the engine runs at a minimum of gasoline consumption, that also its revolution, cooling or gear position are controlled at a minimum gasoline consumption with regard to the actual traffic situation. In addition, suspension and air pressure in tires are controlled in such a way that rolling-resistance of tires on the road is minimized and high-beam headlamps are switched to low-beam headlamps. All these measures serve only one purpose, i.e. namely controlling a vehicle that the goal of minimizing energy consumption, particularly when driving in towns. It is evident that number of aggregates, which can be controlled in such a way depend from the kit of a car and therefore may differ from one car to the other. For example if a vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, the revolution of the engine and that of the gear can be adapted that way that the goal of minimizing energy consumption can be approached. Having a manually shifted transmission a hint on the dash board may help to choose the correct gear-wheel combination for minimizing energy consumption.
When running a car in a town in towns, particular driving situations exist, that demand for a well-balanced driving modus, should one demand for minimized energy consumption and should one attempt to meet ecological requirements. Such a necessity is not always required outside of towns. When stopping a car in front of a traffic light, in town or outside of a town at a construction site or when a railway crossing has to be passed or other similar situations, a stopping of the engine-run may be recommendable from an ecological and economical point of view. Similar situations may occur when speed limitations, accelerations and traffic jams are present. Even controlling of the ignition point, stopping of the movement of some pistons contributes to the goal of this invention, since an accelerated or delayed ignition (early or delayed ignition relative to the stroke of a piston, respectively prior to reaching the top dead center of a piston within the operation-cycle of an internal combustion engine) influences significantly consumption of fuel. The rolling resistance of a tire is as well known a parameter of the air-pressure inside the tire. All these parameters may be centrally activated by a switch located on the dash-board or the steering wheel only dependent on how a car is equipped. By those means special experience or concentration by the driver is not anymore demanded. Therefore such a switch-element may be represented by a manually operable switch that activates a control device, which influences all control devices that operate individual maneuverable elements. Besides such a control device, it is possible to place at the entry to a town a device that emits radio or light signals, so that a receiver for such signals automatically initiates such control operations, whenever a car being so equipped. The control device emits an impulse to a control unit in a car that activates maneuverable elements placed on each individual operation unit so initiating operations and optimizing working of each individual operation unit, e. g. point of ignition, air pressure in tires, choosing kind of light, revolution of engine, gearbox position, and so on, in order to reach an optimal functional relationship for minimizing energy consumption.
When leaving a town the inventive control system may react in a similar way in the opposite direction and return to a normal operation modus. For this purpose, when leaving the town area the control system for driving in town may, similar to the operation of speed limiting devices, deactivate all operation units from in town working operation and making them return to normal way of driving.
In order to facilitate switching to in town way of driving that switch should be clearly marked, for example by a "C" for city.
Objects of the invention are achieved by providing a control system for a vehicle allowing the vehicle to run at a minimum energy input, the control system comprising: a manually or automatically operated switching unit, the switching unit being activated by an impulses emitting organ; and an operation unit attached to an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a gearbox a tire, or a lighting system, wherein the impulses emitting organ activates the operation unit, and wherein the operation unit manipulates the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, the gearbox the tire, or the lighting system to work at the minimum energy input.
In certain embodiments, control parameters are allocated to gear-wheels relationship, lighting and idling speed control.
In certain embodiments, control parameters for the control system include air pressure in tires, ignition point, stop of engine run when there is a stop sign, additional cooling of internal combustion engine and/or super charging air.
In certain embodiments, the switch on the dashboard or steering wheel is clearly and unmistakably marked by a big letter "C".
In certain embodiments, the control system is activated by a radio-wave signal.
Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a control system for a vehicle to be manually and automatically used for driving in town in an ecological manner that acts on internal combustion engines and its gearboxes, the control system comprising: a manually or automatically operated switching unit, the switching unit being activated by an impulses emitting organ; and an operation unit attached to an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a gearbox a tire, or a lighting system, and related operation units controlled by parameters that influence the environment, so that the vehicle to run at a minimum energy input, wherein the impulses emitting organ activates the operation unit, and wherein the operation unit manipulates the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, the gearbox the tire, or the lighting system to work at the peak of the minimum energy input.
In certain embodiments, the switch is attached to the dash board or steering wheel and is clearly and unambiguously marked.
In certain embodiments, the control system may be activated by a signal originated from a radio-wave or light-wave emitter.
In certain embodiments, the related operation units include air pressure in tires, lighting systems, cooling of surcharge air for the engine, air-conditioning systems, and ignition point.
Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Control of the driving style of a motor vehicle within localities (city driving cycle)


A pharmaceutical preparation, including a glass phase which is bioactive silica containing glass in the form of a paste, suspension or solution mixed in a physiologically suitable liquid or bound to a physiologically suitable vehicle, and which preparation reduces the pulpal irritation or a tooth and/or strengthens the structure of a tooth. Bioactive silica containing glass may be a material which contains only Si-oxide or Si-hydroxide and which allows the formation and movement of Si--OH-groups. Preferably, the preparation also contains calcium and phosphate sources.

Dentine forms the frame of a tooth. It surrounds the pulp and is covered by enamel on the crown and cementum on the root. The cementum does not always meet the edge of the enamel at the cementum-enamel junction. In such cases, dentine, which is not protected by another type of hard tissue, is exposed at the neck of a tooth. In the young, this area is usually covered by gingiva which covers this particular zone of dentine and prevents its exposure to irritation from the oral cavity.
Dentine consists of an extracellular matrix, which is formed by odontoblasts lining the pulp cavity. When dentine is formed and it becomes thicker, each odontoblast leaves behind a cell extension i.e. an odontoblast process. These processes remain inside the developing tissue and form dentinal tubules, which extend from the enamel-dentine/cementum-dentine border into the pulp. When exposed, open dentinal tubules form a link between the dentine surface and the pulp.
The structure of dentine is shown in detail in FIG. 1.
Once the tooth has stopped growing, odontoblasts continue their function and form secondary dentine on the pulp side of the tooth. They also form hard tissue i.e. intratubular dentine which gradually closes the tubules around the receding odontoblast processes (FIG. 2.). The level of mineralisation of intratubular dentine is significantly higher than that of intertubular dentine. The mineralisation of dentinal tubules is a very slow but natural process, associated with the ageing of a tooth. The slow pace and unpredictability of the process are manifested as problems in various clinical situations.
The hydrodynamic pain transmission mechanism of exposed dentine can be described as follows:
Dentinal tubules are 1-2 .mu.m in diameter. When a section is cut perpendicular to the dentine surface, there are around 30 000-40 000 dentinal tubules per mm.sup.2. A dentinal tubule is filled with an odontoblast process, surrounded by fluid from the pulp. A very strong capillary force prevails in open and exposed dentinal tubules. Consequently, fluid mechanically removed from the opening of the tubule is quickly replaced by fluid flowing out from the pulp. Similarly, substances with strong osmotic pressure (e.g. sweet solutions) cause an outward flow of fluids in the tubule, which in turn, leads to transformations of the odontoblasts lining the pulp chamber and tissues surrounding ondontoblasts, thus activating the nerve endings. On the other hand, irritation transmitted to the pulp may be caused by the inward flow of the fluid in the dentinal tubule. In practice, the hydrodynamic mechanism refers to the fluid flow in a dentinal tubule caused by a stimulus and the resulting hydraulic vibration in the pulp. According to current opinion and experience, the closing of the tubule and the resulting complete or partial prevention of fluid flow would lead to a reduction or even elimination of nerve activation, sensed as pain regardless of the primary stimulus (1). The pain transmission mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Clinical Problems
The exposure of dentine and dentinal tubules leading to the pulp may be the result of caries. The hard tissue (enamel/cementum) protecting the dentine is destroyed during the decay process. The situation leads to the known painful symptoms associated with cavity formation. The pain results from irritation which is transmitted to the pulp nerve endings through the dentinal tubules. During the decay process, partial mineralisation of tubule contents is usually observed. This is a consequence of the high calcium and phosphate ion concentration caused by demineralisation processes of the enamel and dentine in the close vicinity of intact dentine tissue. Strengthening of this phenomenon and its incorporation into the properties of filling materials would be desirable.
Exposure of dentine is also often associated with the periodontal diseases of a tooth, and also with the normal ageing process and dental hygiene habits. In certain cases, even in the young, the gingiva recesses or teeth erupt so that the necks of the teeth become exposed. This itself may lead to strong painful symptoms, in patients whose dentine was not covered by the protective and non-sensitive cementum in the first place. More often, however, exposure of dentine is associated with wrong toothbrushing habits, either using too heavy a hand, a coarse brush or the wrong technique. This results in worn and hypersensitive teeth, which affects the person's tolerance of hot/cold/bitter/sweet drinks and food, makes breathing more difficult in the hot and cold, and also interferes with proper oral hygiene.
Infections in the periodontal tissues and, especially, the treatment of periodontal infections, generally lead to gingival recession and exposure of dentine, often of fairly large areas. As successful therapy involves the removal of the root cementum protecting dentine, and polishing, which wears the teeth further, it is obvious that the general consequence of such treatment (25%) is the exposure of tooth necks and hypersensitivity. If the patient is fairly elderly and their dentinal tubules exhibit a substantial layer of highly mineralised intra-tubular dentine, the post-treatment pain is less severe. On the other hand, the pain resulting from the treatment may, in certain cases, be strong, it can continue for weeks and may require the use of analgetics. In the most extreme cases, irritation may lead to infection and, subsequently, to the death of a tooth and root canal treatment. In association with dental care, hypersensitive teeth is an irritating problem which occurs frequently, and should have a simple and inexpensive cure (2). FIG. 4 shows a tooth and the area with the exposed dentinal surface.
Known Methods of Treatment
Tooth ache, resulting from cavity formation refers, regardless of its similarities to hypersensitive dentine, to a different problem area. Sensitivity associated with caries, and pain caused by irritation is usually treated by fillings. At the bottom of the prepared cavity, a commercially available preparation is placed against the pulp, the biologically active component of such preparation is usually calcium hydroxide (CaOH.sub.2). At the cell level, the strongly alkaline calciumhydroxide first induces irritation, which leads to the necrotisation of the tissue. Over a longer time span, however, it promotes the healing process. The result of the treatment is the formation of reparative secondary dentine. The formed tissue layer separates the pulp from the damaged area or the filling, but its effect on the mineralisation of dentine tubules is minimal.
During filling, the dentinal tubules can also be closed by glass ionomer cement, or with different preparations based on polymer chemistry (binder plastics, resins, dentine adhesives). These substances close dentinal tubules mechanically and improve the retention of the filling being prepared. Fluoride which is released from the glass ionomer cement may, in theory, have a positive effect on the mineralisation process of dentinal tubules. However, there are no research results of the possible clinical role of this phenomenon. Plastic-based preparations have no biological effects which promote the healing process and/or the formation of hard tissue between the pulp and the damaged and restored area.
The epidemiological data describing the extent of the problem caused by hypersensitive dentine and the need for its treatment is limited. In practice, dentine hypersensitivity is a common and typically highly variable problem. Because the symptoms are linked closely to the behaviour of a person and, in the long run, disappear; and because there are commercially available toothpastes, which may lower the sensitivity, the actual extent of the problem is difficult to define solely on the basis of how often people seek for professional help at their dentist's for this particular problem. In association with the treatment of inflamed gingivae and supportive tissues of the teeth, the need to offer relief for hypersensitive teeth is often acute.
Nowadays, two different concepts of treatment for hypersensitive teeth are available. These treatments are based on either raising the pain threshold of a tooth, or on the formation of a protective mineralisation precipitate either on the surface of a tooth or, preferably, in the dentinal tubules. In addition, the treatment involves gentle (possibly chemical) plaque control, diet guidance and confirmation that the irritation threshold of the pulp is not lowered by masticational overload or a poor filling which maintains chronic infection in the pulp.
For a long time, some toothpastes have contained substances designed to give relief to hypersensitive teeth (3, 4, 5, 6). The goal has been either the denaturation (formaldehyde) of the contents of the dentinal tubule or the formation of mineral precipitates (strontium chloride, fluorides, abrasives).
Sodiumfluorophosphate may infact have some therapeutic effects. Potassiumnitrate and potassiumcitate reduce the irritability of the pulpal nerves without affecting the actual contents of the dentinal tubules (7). The problem with substances which merely raise the activation level of nerve endings (including corticosteroids) is that they do not strengthen the tooth and the pulp remains exposed to hydrodynamic irritation even after treatment. Consequently, the therapeutic effect of such treatment only lasts for a short time. Research results concentrating on the therapeutic effects of toothpastes are highly contradictory. On one hand, placebo effects, and on the other hand, pain relieving effects up to 80% have been reported. Generally, the problem with toothpastes is that they act very slowly, often only after several weeks of use. Thus, toothpastes may be suitable for home treatment of subacute problems. It is, however, necessary to find more powerful and quicker-acting methods for acute pain.
In clinical situations, today, the most common method for treating hypersensitive teeth is to use fluorides--either sodiumfluoride or tin fluoride in 2-10% mixtures (8, 9, 10). Fluoride can also be applied topically to the surface of a tooth in combination with varnish-based substances (Duraphat (11)). The varnish prolongs the effect of fluoride, and at the same time, the varnish itself may have some tubule blocking effect. At least over a short time-span, fluoride preparations have been shown to have positive therapeutic effects. Recently, some attention has been paid to the acidity of these preparations and irritation related to this acidity. It is thought, however, that problems caused by the acidity in the pulp can be relieved by alternating the use of calciumhydroxide and fluoride. This treatment has been empirical. In principle, results have been positive. Objective research data of the effects of the treatment or its permanence is not available. The presence of alkaline calciumhydroxide may, however, complicate the formation of the practically insoluble, and therefore, desired tinfluorophosphate; and instead, favour the formation of calciumfluoride which dissolves in neutral environment. In such conditions, the treatment may be effective, but temporary.
Solutions which assist the remineralisation of the tooth surface may also reduce sensitivity when used for long enough. Due to their watery nature and slow effect, this method--or those with the toothpastes--is not very good for the treatment of acute pain. For example, two mineralisation solutions--A and B--have been used. Solution A contains 6 MM PO.sub.4 and B mM Ca. In addition, both solutions contain 0.15 mM NaCl and 5 ppm F. 10 ml of solution A and 10 ml of solution B are mixed in a glass immediately before use. The mixture of mineralisation solution, diluted in water is rinsed in the mouth for 1-2 minutes, and spat out. It is recommended that this procedure is repeated twice a day preferably after tooth brushing.
Potassiumoxalate (K.sub.2 C.sub.2 O.sub.4 or KHC.sub.2 O.sub.4, 3-30%) has also been used in the treatment of hypersensitive teeth. The idea behind the use of these chemicals as a therapeutical agent, is based on the ability of oxalate to precipitate calcium residing on the surface of a tooth or in the dentinal fluid. In this reaction, crystals which obstruct the transmission of hydraulic stimulus from the tooth surface into the pulp, are formed. A major part of the precipitate thus obtained usually dissolves within a week, but the diameter of dentinal tubules remain smaller than before treatment. Long-term effects of the treatment are still to be confirmed (3, 12, 13). More permanent results have been obtained with ferro-oxalate (6%) than with other oxalate treatments (14). At least one research report, however, has found acidic table salt solutions more effective than oxalate against hypersensitive teeth.
Products based on plastic polymers (resins, dentine adhesives) and cyanoacrylate effectively block dentinal tubules (15). At least over a short time-span, they remove pain and protect the pulp from the immediate irritation. These substances, however, cannot be regarded as biological, since they do not lead to a natural healing process and to the mineralisation of dentinal tubules. Dentine adhesives have also been found to be highly allergenic. The dental care personnel, however, are the major target of their allergenic effect. Additionally, acrylate, meta-acrylate and cyanoacrylate compounds have been found to be irritants, and also genotoxic and carcinogenic both in animal experiments and cell culture studies. Plastic-based "coating" also forms a microbe retentive surface at the area of gingiva-tooth junction which easily leads to the recurrence of the recently treated disease. Thus, the use of dentine adhesives, especially in periodontal patients, cannot be regarded as meaningful. When considering filling materials, glass ionomer cement has also been proposed for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth (11). Advantages of glass ionomer cement are its properties to bind dentine and to release fluoride. In practice, glass ionomer cement is difficult to use, especially in the treatment of widely exposed dentine. However, it is suitable for the treatment of distinctly defined and relatively deep abrasion lesions which are found clearly above the gingiva margin.
Older literature suggests that dentinal tubules should be blocked by using silver nitrate. The results of using this substance have been highly variable. In addition, silver nitrate is a highly staining agent. The treatment of root surfaces first with zinc chloride and then with potassium ferrocyanide have also been proposed. The treatment yields a protective precipitate on the surface of a tooth. The results have been reported to be satisfactory. If swallowed by mistake, however, the agent is toxic.
The use of a NdYAG laser has been proposed as a potential new approach for closing the dentinal tubules. Preliminary results with this treatment are promising. The mechanism behind the treatment, the permanence of the treatment and its possible adverse effects on the pulp are still to be confirmed.
The heterogeneity of possible treatments presented above, gives a good picture of a dentist's real and realistic choices in the effective treatment of hypersensitive teeth. Even after several years of experiments, none of the offered alternatives has proved to be any better than the other, and thus a predominant method of treatment. Common to all the offered methods, is that they do not consciously aim at producing an apatite-based compound (Ca.sub.10 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 X.sub.2, in which X is either a hydroxyl or fluoride)--chosen by nature--to close the dentinal tubules. Generally, the goal has been to make any type of precipitate to block the dentinal tubules as quickly as possible (3, 16, 17). None of the tested methods of treatment has aimed at contributing to the crystallisation process itself, by simultaneously adding calcium and/or phosphate which essentially participates in the formation of precipitate/crystals. Therefore, at the background of the partly contradictory results reported may be the availability of these essential ions during the short period of treatment. On the other hand, some of these treatments have sought results through the cumulative effects of short-term application (e.g. toothpastes and remineralisation solutions). An exception to these treatment concepts is the use of fluoride containing preparations, although their effect is not based on increasing the availability of calcium or phosphate on the area to be treated.
The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned problems and present a new, effective preparation for reducing or inhibiting pulpal irritation i.e. hypersensitivity of a tooth. The preparation also provides a new method for effectively strengthening a tooth.

Use of bioactive silicious glass and new compositions containing bioactive silicious glass


A new variety of Fuchsia plant named ‘Skyrocket’ characterized by naturally upright columnar plant habit and bearing pendulous flowers which consist of bright red reflexed sepals above a skirt of white petals with prominent bright red veins, is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Fuchsia grown for use as an ornamental for containers and in the landscape. The new variety is known botanically as Fuchsia x hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the variety name 'Skyrocket'.
'Skyrocket' was selected by the inventor in 2012 as a hybrid which resulted from the controlled crossing of seedling parents which the inventor had raised in a Fuchsia breeding program commencing in 2006. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new varieties of Fuchsia which combine plant hardiness, upright plant habit, vigorous growth and long flowering periods. The breeding program was carried out at a nursery in Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom.
The immediate parents, both male and female, of 'Skyrocket' are two unnamed, unreleased, and unpatented seedlings which the inventor had raised from seed collected from complex hybrids which involved varieties and species of Fuchsia which the inventor had chosen with his breeding objectives in mind. As a result, the inventor identifies both parents of 'Skyrocket' as hybrids of (a) Fuchsia variety 'Bicentennial' x Fuchsia species regia subspecies serrae, crossed with (b) Fuchsia variety 'Dollar Princess' x Fuchsia variety 'Lady Boothby'. None of these varieties or the species is patented.
'Skyrocket' was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 2012 using softwood stem cuttings which were rooted and grown on at a nursery in Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom. Since that time, the inventor has determined that 'Skyrocket' is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation using softwood stem cuttings.


The present invention provides an electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar capable of readily and precisely adjusting an electric wave axis only by making the scanning range and a detection range identical to each other and changing a scanning range, and of adjusting the electric wave axis of an on-vehicle radar without wasting time in order to detect a reflector. In the electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar of the present invention, an on-vehicle radar includes: a radar portion for generating the electric wave; a scanning unit for changing a transmission/reception direction of the electric wave to form within a scanning range, along with having an antenna for transmitting/receiving the electric wave; a signal processing unit for calculating a direction of the reflector based on amplitude of the reflected electric wave; and a scanning range changing unit for changing the angle of the scanning range to an axis side of the vehicle based on the direction of the reflector calculated by the signal processing means to align an electric wave axis of the on-vehicle radar with the axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for a radar mounted on a vehicle for adjusting an electric wave axis of an on-vehicle radar having a structure in which an electric wave is transmitted and an electric wave reflected by an obstacle is received, to thereby detect a position or the like of the obstacle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, a radar mounted on a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "on-vehicle radar") has been utilized for an obstacle approach warning system, a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control system, a traffic congestion following system, and the like.
However, if an electric wave axis (a central axis of an electric wave or a directivity axis) and a vehicle traveling axis are not aligned with each other when the on-vehicle radar system is fixed to a vehicle, an error occurs in an angle of a detected obstacle. As a result, there is a possibility that a vehicle traveling along an adjacent traffic lane is judged to be a precedingly traveling vehicle by mistake, or a precedingly traveling vehicle is not judged to be as such by mistake.
Then, a detection range adjusting system of an obstacle detection apparatus for a vehicle is known, in which a detection range for detection of a standard reflector is set to a range narrower than a scanning range for aligning an electric wave axis and a vehicle traveling axis with each other and the detection range is changed within the scanning range so that a detection position of the standard reflector installed in a predetermined position relative to a vehicle agrees with a standard position information stored in advance (refer to JP 09-178856 A for example).
However, the detection range adjusting system having the above construction involves a problem that since the detection range is set to the range narrower than the scanning range, a wasteful range occurs in which only the scanning is carried out and no standard reflector is detected.
In addition, there is also encountered a problem that it takes time to scan the range in which the reflector as the standard reflector is not detected, and thus a delay occurs in time for detecting the reflector to be normally detected.

Electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for radar mounted on vehicle


A method and system for balancing the load and resource requirements in a digital video distribution system between a video server and its video clients by allowing the server and the clients to exchange resource capabilities with each other. Upon receipt of a request for a video stream from among available video content, the server determines whether it or the requesting client should scale the video stream based on which entity, client or server, is better equipped to scale the requested video stream to comply with the requesting client's resources and resolution capacity.

A Network Video Recorder ("NVR") is an Internet Protocol ("IP") based device that is coupled to a communication network. An NVR is a digital server that receives digital images and/or video streams over the network and records them in a digital format. Because they are IP based, NVRs may be managed remotely via, for example, a local area network ("LAN") or over the Internet. NVRs can simultaneously record and remotely access live video streams from IP cameras.
NVR servers typically send video data to client computers at a resolution that is not ideally matched to the display resolution of the client. This is inefficient for network bandwidth utilization and also client side CPU utilization. For example, if a client is attempting to display 16 images in a 4×4 matrix, the required resolution for each image may be quite modest. However, the server could unnecessarily be delivering 16 D1 or megapixel resolution streams to the client. This wastes network bandwidth and puts the client computer under a much heavier computing load than is necessary. This is particularly important with resource-intensive CODECs such as those using H.264 or MPEG-4 compression standards.
Typically, the above-described problem is alleviated by utilizing a video capture device that is capable of delivering more than one simultaneous stream, where one stream will be delivered for recording and another for live viewing at the client computer. However, multiple streaming from the video capture device is far from the ideal solution. For one, NVR servers are required to support multiple client connections. Therefore, it is not feasible to expect a capture device to deliver the multitude of resolutions that may be required to deliver video to perhaps ten or more separate clients, where each may require different resolutions. Second, this attempt provides no solution for the playback of stored video on the client computer.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for intelligently sharing the computer load and network bandwidth between a video server and client computers to allow the video distribution system to minimize network bandwidth while also efficiently distributing available computer resources across the network.

Method and system for load balancing between a video server and client


A method for extracting and grading or sizing sand, gravel or a mixture thereof, from a pit formed in untouched ground. Liquid is sprayed into the ground, resulting in a fluidized state in the ground, in which state sand or gravel with a relatively high relative density and/or relatively large dimensions moves downwards, and sand or gravel material with a relatively low relative density and/or relatively small dimensions moves upwards. Thus a pit is formed in the ground which contains fluidized sand or gravel, in such a manner that a layered state is obtained. The layer of sand or gravel with a specific relative density and/or size is sucked out, while the remaining fluidized material remains behind in order to stabilize the wall of the pit. The material which has been sucked out is fed to a grading device or sizing device.

The invention relates to extracting sand from an area of ground which is under water. In this process, a volume of water is injected so as to form a sand/water mixture which can than be conveyed via a conveyor line. The sand/water mixture is then fed to a grading device in which sand with the desired grain size is sorted out. In this way, a pool of water with a relatively great depth is formed. However, this depth may not be too great, since the slopes must not exceed a defined maximum gradient percentage. This is because excessive slope gradients are unstable and may cause the banks to collapse.
The surplus sand can be returned to the extraction location. In the long term, a layer of returned sand is formed at the extraction location and may completely cover the ground again. A consequence of such conditions is that layers of sand of the desired composition which lie at greater depths cannot be extracted.
A further problem which emerges in the extraction of sand relates to the grading device or sizing device for collecting sand with the desired grain dimensions. Such devices are highly sensitive to fluctuations in the flow rate and the composition of the mixture supplied.
These fluctuations exhibit considerable peaks and troughs. However, even briefly feeding an excessive volume of mixture leads to the action of the grading device being disrupted. For this reason, a grading device of this nature is operated at a relatively low capacity, well beneath its maximum capacity, so that even considerable peaks in the volume of mixture cannot cause blockages.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a method in which these problems do not occur, or occur to a lesser extent. This is achieved by means of a method for extracting and grading or sizing granular material, such as sand, gravel or a mixture thereof, from a volume of ground, comprising spraying a liquid into the ground, resulting in a fluidized state in the said ground, in which state granular material with a relatively high relative density and/or relatively large dimensions moves downwards, and granular material with a relatively low relative density and/or relatively small dimensions moves upwards, in such a manner that a layered state is obtained, sucking our the layer of material with a specific relative density and/or size, and feeding this material which has been sucked out to a grading device or sizing device.
Since, in the method according to the invention, the ground is locally fluidized and only a certain proportion of desired grain size of the fluidized ground material is sucked out, a fluidized liquid mixture with a relatively high relative density remains behind. A mixture of this nature has a stabilizing effect on the wails of the fluidized pit, with the result that there is no risk of the slope adjoining the pit collapsing.
It is also advantageous that the grading device or sizing device is fed with a more uniform flow rate and a material of more uniform composition, without there being excessive variations in the volume of mixture. A consequence of this is that the said device is less likely to become blocked and can be operated at a higher permissible capacity without the risk of blockage becoming excessively high.
Another beneficial effect is that any unusable fraction which is present can be comminuted during the grading operation and remains behind at the extraction location. This beneficial effect leads to the commercially extractable fraction per unit area of a concession increasing.
The method according to the invention is also suitable for extracting sand fractions which are situated beneath covering layers which are of no commercial interest.
Reference is made to the method which is known from NL-A-7402559 for washing sand, with silt constituents being removed. According to this known method, sand material is separated from silt in a fluidized pit. This method does not disclose how to carry out grading work in the sand material itself or how to feed the extracted material to a grading device or a sizing device so as to obtain an increase in capacity.


In various embodiments, an inductance of an inductor is tuned by adjusting a position of a conductor and/or a magnetic material with respect to a conducting wire of the inductor, thereby changing the electro-magnetic characteristics of the conducting wire. The conductor and/or magnetic material can be disposed in a microfluidic channel and can be moved within the microfluidic channel using a suitable actuator mechanism.

Electronic systems and components, particularly those that operate in radio-frequency (RF) ranges, are sensitive to the physical size of the constituent components and interconnects. Thus, changes in the geometry or layout of a transmission line, capacitor, antenna, tuning stub, filter, or other components will affect the performance and/or operating frequency of the RF system. These geometrical features are typically viewed as permanent characteristics of a system once the design, fabrication, and assembly is completed. In order to optimize the system after construction, engineers often tune components by physically removing metal from components (a typical approach for tuning planar antennas), adding bond wires, turning tuning screws, or changing lengths of other adjustable interconnections. These methods are not only time-intensive, but require manual implementation each time a change is desired. If the RF electronic system is installed in an environment that influences its performance, then additional tuning after installation is often required. Conventional methods for physically adjusting the topology or layout of a system are not dynamic and do not enable dynamic adjustments to the system.
In order to allow for dynamic tuning (as opposed to geometric reconfiguration), RF engineers often use tunable capacitors and/or electrical switches. Such devices allow engineers to adjust the system for environmental changes and also give a new capability to provide real-time steering, tuning, band-switching, and other changes to the RF system. However, these lumped-element individual components introduce performance drawbacks including electrical loss, and also require power to hold a given configuration.
In the specific case of RF antennas, due to the limitations of conventional technologies, today's personal and miniature communications systems generally over-specify the physical size, spectral bandwidth, and/or aerial coverage of the antenna. A great deal of effort in the microwave community is being dedicated to antenna miniaturization, but generally only towards minimizing the antenna footprint. Typically, the thickness of the antenna substrate remains unchanged, which is problematic for ultra-miniature applications. The research community has not in general taken on the challenge of reducing this dimension since doing so tends to reduce the antenna bandwidth.
In general, antenna bandwidth is over-specified so that even if the antenna is detuned, it will still capture the desired signal band. The signal bandwidth for the commercial CA-code GPS signal is only about 2 MHz wide but typical GPS patch antennas have a bandwidth of 20 MHz or more to accommodate temperature variations and proximity effects. The bandwidth of a patch antenna is roughly proportional to the substrate thickness, so that if the antenna can be kept on frequency with an active tuning system, the bandwidth and substrate thickness may be reduced by an order of magnitude. Standard approaches to antenna tuning (like those described above), however, generally degrade the antenna's performance. This is because antennas that are tuned via adjustable loading must typically be designed for operation confined to some portion of the tunable band, thereby degrading efficiency. The ability to tune the actual antenna geometry is not typically pursued.
Miniature antennas are, generally, also not adaptable to spatial variations in the external signal. The spatial signal profile and its polarization can vary dramatically due to "multipath" propagation and other environmental effects. Directionally specific, steerable antennas have long been used in complex systems where power and space are available for both the antenna and associated components to operate it. Both analog and digital approaches (e.g., beamforming) may be used, even in strapped-down cellular base stations. However, steerable antennas have generally not been leveraged into miniature communications systems due to the complexity of mechanical and electrical support.
As a result, communications systems generally transmit orders of magnitude more power and require more spectrum usage than they would if it were possible to stay within the signal bandwidth and transmit to the precise location needed.
A common method of adjusting narrow-bandwidth patch antennas is to add solid tuning "fingers" to the edges of the patch. The fingers are usually trimmed by hand with a knife. The size and number of fingers may be selected to allow for very fine control of the patch frequency and input impedance even with relatively coarse adjustments to the length of the fingers. Again, however, such tuning fingers are themselves not dynamically adjustable, and provision and/or manual trimming of such fingers a multitude of times is unwieldy and impractical.
The use of varactor diodes to tune a microstrip patch antenna has also been explored. Numerous researchers have expanded on this approach with multiple-diode configurations, and other antenna geometries. However, although well-suited to receive applications, varactor diodes are highly non-linear and can generate significant unwanted harmonics even at moderate transmit power levels. More recently, MEMS varactors have also been applied in antenna tuning applications. In order to achieve larger frequency shifts for band-switching applications, changes in polarization or antenna pattern, PIN diodes, FETs, and MEMS switches have been used. However, these and other techniques typically produce discrete steps in performance, not continuous, analog tuning, and typically require applied power to maintain a specific configuration.
In many RF and power systems, tunable circuit elements are valuable for optimizing system performance in a dynamic environment (such as matching in response to environmental pulling). Tunable circuit elements may also be beneficial to systems having dynamically changing requirements (such as systems having changing power levels) or to reconfigurable systems (such as those that allow communication channels to be changed). Tunable circuit elements may even facilitate optimizing performance after installation. Even though RF and power systems typically include both inductors and capacitors, at present tunable inductors are not generally available. As such, many existing systems rely almost entirely on tunable capacitors and/or switches, or tunable guided-wave structures such as tunable stubs implemented with switching elements. This generally limits the topologies available for tuning a system. In addition, by only being able to tune a capacitance and not an inductance, the ability to optimize a system for all performance parameters simultaneously (such as frequency of operation and impedance) is often limited.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Inductors having fluidic constructs that permit reconfiguration of the inductors

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A sander comprised of a high voltage direct current motor for providing rotational torque to the sander is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor housing generally encompasses the motor for enclosure of the motor. The motor housing being generally contoured to be received by a human hand and sized to a generally sized human hand. Further, a sanding assembly is operationally coupled to the motor housing for providing an abrasive surface to be used to sand a desired surface. The use of a voltage direct current motor allows the belt sander to be generally the size of a human hand.

Woodworkers often have to smooth the surface of a workpiece prior to the completion of a woodworking project. For example, most workpieces require at least a minimal amount of sanding in order to remove any excess glue or rough edges prior to completion of the project. Currently, a number of different types of sanders are available to improve the surface quality and appearance of a workpiece. Such sanders range from a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a scrap of wood to motorized sanders including orbital sanders and quarter pad finishing sanders.
The selection of a specific type of sander depends upon the condition and type of workpiece. For example, for finer finishing work a quarter pad finishing sander or an orbital sander may be utilized. Both a quarter pad finishing sander and orbital sander utilize a sandpaper pad connected onto a plate on the bottom of the sander. Further, the height and shape of the housing of a quarter pad finishing sander is substantially similar to that of an orbital sander (e.g. relatively tall and conical in shape). The pattern of movement is different, however, between such sanders whereby the quarter pad finishing sander moves the pad back and forth while an orbital sander moves such pad in a small circular motion. Due to the type of action implemented by these sanders, however, if a woodworker desires to remove material quickly a more aggressive sander might be employed.
Although the conventional motorized sanders, e.g. orbital sanders and quarter pad finishing sanders, have increased the ease in which sanding may be performed, such sanders are disadvantageous in certain circumstances. First, current orbital sanders and quarter pad sanders are often relatively tall which results in a greater distance between the operator's hand and the work piece and the chance that the sander may drift. Further, the shape of such sanders is often conical which is difficult to grasp and thus, difficult for the user to control. For example, a user is often required to grip the sander in such a manner that one's hand is perpendicular to the sanding assembly. In addition, such sanders are designed mostly for finer finishing work in which the sander is designed to remove material more slowly when compared to other configurations of sanders. The currently available more aggressive type of sanders are often undesirable for they are typically large, bulky, and cumbersome to operate.
Therefore, it would be desirable to design a sander with a contour and size which allowed the user to exert better control over such sander while in use.


An inflatable evacuation slide for an aircraft consists of first and second longitudinal support beams, upper and lower transverse support members and a flexible sliding support surface. The first and second longitudinal support members are spaced from each other and formed having proximal and distal ends thereof. The lower support member is transverse to the first and second longitudinal support beams and spaced from the distal ends thereof, so that each longitudinal support beam is formed having an extension portion extending between the lower support member and the distal ends thereof. The flexible sliding support surface is connected to and limited by at least the upper and lower support members.

Inflatable evacuation slides are commonly used on passenger-carrying aircraft to provide means for rapid evacuation of passengers in the event of an emergency. The descent of evacuees on an inflatable evacuation slide is in many respects governed by the sliding angle formed between the sliding surface or the floor of the inflatable and the ground. At the shallow sliding angle, in view of the slow rate of descent, the evacuation may not be accomplished fast enough. At the sliding angle above the optimal range, the sliding surface may be too precipitous and evacuees will be reluctant to utilize the slide. However, even if they proceed, injuries might result upon impact with the ground. The problem facing the modern aviation industry is that the same slide is designed and used for both normal sill height, with all landing gear in the extended position, and for the adverse sill height with one or more landing gear or other portions of an aircraft collapsed or damaged. In the latter condition, certain portions of the fuselage can be significantly raised or lowered and the slide should have extra length to accommodate such height variations. Since at the normal sill height, such slide extends further away from the aircraft, situations with a shallow sliding angle can be encountered. This poses two problems. One of such problems is that the speed of the egress of the evacuees can be very slow, so that the passengers cannot be evacuated fast enough within the required short time limits. The other problem associated with a shallow sliding angle is that instead of being transferred into the speed of the evacuees going down precipitously, in view of the lower speed of their movement, the load on the slide actually increases. In such condition, the structure of the slide requires the strength substantially greater than normal. For this purpose, the strength of the longitudinal support beams has to be increased by, for example, providing supplemental tubes underneath the slide. Such inflatable arrangements are expensive to manufacture and less reliable in operation.
Another important issue related to the design of the aircraft slides is that each slide is tailored not only to a particular model of aircraft, but also to a specific door of the same aircraft. This is because in case of emergency landing, each door is at a particular adverse sill height, depending on the condition of the aircraft. For instance, when an aircraft on the ground loses one landing gear or an engine, it might have a nose-up position in which the maximum sill height of front doors would substantially exceed the normal sill height thereof. Therefore, slides utilized at the forward doors of aircraft should require substantially greater length than those at the aft doors.
In view of emergency situations, it is quite difficult to predict the height of a door of aircraft and the value of the sliding angle. This is because one or more of the landing gear and engines of the aircraft can be damaged or collapsed such that the aircraft's fuselage itself may be canted. The height of the escape doors varies significantly depending upon the type of plane and the character of the accident. For example, in view of large size engines requiring longer landing gear, new aircraft are actually positioned higher off the ground than former models. This leads to more extremes in terms of the ranges between normal and adverse sill heights. One of the examples of such aircraft is Boeing 777 requiring a very long slide for the forward door. Such arrangement results in a shallow sliding angle for this door at the normal sill height.
Aircraft often carry hundreds of passengers and safety regulations require that all passengers must be removed from the aircraft in the shortest possible period of time. Thus, all doors, including those furthest from the ground, must be utilized with the result that each must be provided with an escape slide designed to operate efficiently at any height and at any angle.
One example of resolving problems associated with variable sill height of aircraft has been described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,980 which the present case incorporates by reference.
Thus, it has been long felt an unsolved need for a simple and reliable inflatable evacuation slide for an aircraft capable of accommodating not only the normal sill height, but also a maximum adverse sill height thereof, while providing safe and expeditious evacuation of passengers.


A locking mechanism of the key lock type or code lock type for installation in a door of a vault or safe, includes at least one locking bolt for movement between a locking position in which a door is locked and an unlocking position in which the door is released for opening, an electromechanical actuator connected to the locking bolt for moving the locking bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, a time delay circuit so interacting with the actuator as to delay operation of the actuator for a specified time period, with the time delay circuit being so positioned as to be inaccessible upon closed door and including an activation input for cooperation with a switch accessible from outside such that the time delay circuit is activated.

The present invention generally refers to a locking mechanism useful for the door of a safe or a vault, and in particular to a locking mechanism of a type having at least one key-type lock or combination-type lock which in unlocked position releases at least one locking bolt.
Common to all type of locking mechanisms, hereinafter called "lock" for short, of any type and construction, is the problem associated with loss or forgetting the key to open a locked door. Regardless as to whether a mechanical key or an electronic key or a type of lock that operates on the basis of a numerical combination or code are involved, assistance of a third party is normally needed for opening the lock, either with the help of a master key or with a spare key or, in a worst case scenario, by force that leads to damage or destruction of the structure. The use of force to open the lock becomes especially unavoidable in those situations in which for security reasons the production of a master key or spare key is not permitted, or in which for reasons of time constraint a master key or spare key can not be made available in due time.

Locking mechanism with emergency opening feature useful for a safe or vault


Aspects of trending and trend-influencing approaches usable in content feeds of business software frameworks are described. A trending topic can be created based on a plurality of feed content items generated by a plurality of feeds across at least a subset of a customer organization using a business software architecture. The creating can include identifying an activity relating to a business process or scenario of the customer organization that underlies the feed content items. In some options, a super-user can insert artificial trends.

A sales performance application (e.g. SAP Sales OnDemand™ available from SAG AG of Walldorf, Germany, Sales Cloud™ available from Salesforce.com, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., and the like) can provide a number of functions that support sales activities, collaboration, and the like among sales employees, consultants, managers, and the like (hereinafter referred to as business users) at a customer organization that implements the sales performance application. Some examples of sales performance applications can provide to business users the ability to track information on business objects, instances of business objects, words, other content items, people, and the like that relate to one or more of a specific topic, word, group, etc. Used most broadly, the term business object can refer to any entity represented by a data structure populated by one or more types of data in a database. As used herein, a business object can include a lead, an opportunity, a contact or other person, or other types of contextual or other information that are stored, processed by, or operable upon by users at a customer organization employing a business software architecture (e.g. a sales performance application, an enterprise resource planning architecture, a customer relationship manager solution, or other business software solutions). A business object or other data structure can be a foundation upon which a number of sales force automation or other business software architecture features are based.
A salesperson or other business user (hereinafter generally referred to as a business user) of a sales force automation solution or other business software architecture (hereinafter generally referred to as a business software architecture) can follow an object, for example a business object, and can thereby receive a feed, a news stream, or information delivered as a series of discrete content items via an automatic content delivery approach (hereinafter generally referred to as a feed) that includes updates or other changes to instances of that business object. This functionality can allow a sales person or other business user of the business software architecture to follow other people who are using the business software architecture, projects or opportunities managed by the business software architecture, or the like.
However, unless carefully managed, a feed feature such as is described above can become somewhat overwhelming to a business user, in particular if the business user has subscribed to a significant number of feeds. In such an example, the business user can receive too much information in the form of content items from the subscribed feeds such that the business user's personal feed content stream containing the content items provided by the many subscribed feeds can become confusingly cluttered due to the volume of content items. The term personal feed content stream is used generally herein to refer to a user interface feature in which feed content items from one or more subscribed feeds are presented dynamically as they are received, for example with a newest content item at the top of a stack of received content items.

Analysis and influence of trends in enterprise collaboration feeds


A delayed automatic gain control circuit using a simple delayed AGC voltage generation section and capable of fixing a start point of AGC in an RF amplification section at a predetermined received signal level without performing a special adjusting operation even if there are variations in the characteristics of circuit sections. The delayed automatic gain control circuit has a tuner including the RF amplification section, an AGC voltage generation section for generating an AGC voltage dependent on an output signal from the tuner, and an AGC voltage setting section for converting the AGC voltage into a delayed AGC voltage which is supplied to the RF amplification section of the tuner. The AGC voltage setting section is formed by a resistor voltage divider for dividing a power supply voltage and a diode connected to one voltage dividing point of the resistor voltage divider to selectively supply the AGC control voltage to the voltage dividing point according to the level of the AGC voltage. The delayed AGC voltage is output from another voltage dividing point of the resistor voltage divider.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to delayed automatic gain control circuits and, more particularly, to a delayed automatic gain control circuit in which a start point of delayed automatic gain control in a radio frequency amplification section of a tuner is set so as to be generally constant without being influenced by variations in the gain of the tuner, in the gain of an intermediate frequency amplification section and in a gain control characteristic of the intermediate frequency amplification section.
2. Description of the Related Art
In receivers having a tuner, automatic gain control (hereinafter referred to as AGC) is ordinarily performed by supplying an AGC voltage to a radio frequency amplification section and to an intermediate frequency amplification section to limit the change in the level of a detection output due to a large variation in the level of a received signal to a comparatively small value. There is a need to separately set AGC start points in the radio frequency amplification section and the intermediate frequency amplification section where AGC is executed in order to optimize the conditions of signal distortions and noise figures (NF). Accordingly, the receiver is arranged so as to independently set an AGC voltage-gain characteristic of the radio frequency amplification section and an AGC voltage-gain characteristic of the intermediate frequency amplification section. For example, as a circuit suitable for such characteristic setting, a delayed AGC circuit has been used which performs reverse AGC in the intermediate frequency amplification section such as to change the gain in immediate response to a change in an AGC voltage but which performs delayed reverse AGC in the radio frequency amplification section such as to change the gain only when an AGC voltage becomes higher than a predetermined level.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of such a known delayed AGC circuit, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the level of a received signal and AGC voltages in the known delayed AGC circuit shown in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, this known delayed AGC circuit is formed by a radio frequency (RF) amplification section 41, a mixing section 42, a local oscillator 43, an intermediate frequency (IF) amplification section 44, a video detection section 45, an AGC voltage generation section 46 and a delayed AGC voltage generation section 47. The RF amplification section 41, the mixing section 42 and the local oscillator 43 form a tuner 40.
The RF amplification section 41 has an input point connected to a receiving antenna 48 through a tuner input terminal 49 and has an output point connected to one of two input points of the mixing section 42. The mixing section 42 has the other input point connected to the local oscillator 43 and has an output point connected to an input point of the IF amplification section 44 through a tuner output terminal 50. The video detection section 45 has an input point connected to an output point of the IF amplification section 44 and has an output point connected to an input point of the AGC voltage generation section 46. The AGC voltage generation section 46 has an output point connected to a control point of the IF amplification section 44 and has another output point connected to an input point of the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47. The delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 has an output point connected to a control point of the RF amplification section 41.
The delayed AGC circuit having the above-described configuration operates as described below.
A signal received by the receiving antenna 48 is supplied to the RF amplification section 41 through the tuner input terminal 49 to be amplified in the RF amplification section 41. The amplified received signal is frequency-mixed in the mixing section 42 with an oscillated signal from the local oscillator 43 to form a frequency-mixed signal which is supplied to the IF amplification section 44 through the tuner output terminal 50. Only a signal in the frequency-mixed signal having a frequency coinciding with the intermediate frequency of the IF amplification section 44 is selectively amplified in the IF amplification section 44 and is thereafter supplied to the video detection section 45. The video detection section 45 performs video detection of the input IF signal and supplies a video detection output to the AGC voltage generation section 46. At this time, the AGC voltage generation section 46 generates a first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC indicated on a curve i in FIG. 5 and a second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC indicated on a curve ii in FIG. 5. Second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC is supplied to the IF amplification section 44. The gain of the IF amplification section 44 is controlled according to second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC. First AGC voltage V.sub.AGC is supplied to the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47. In response to the input first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC, the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 generates a delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC indicated on a curve iii in FIG. 5. Delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC is supplied to the RF amplification section 41. The gain of the RF amplification section 41 is controlled according to delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the received signal level is low, that is, in the first range below level L.sub.1, the level of the video detection output from the video detection section 45 is comparatively low and voltage output characteristics of the AGC voltage generation section 46 are such that, as the received signal level increases, first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC (curve i) decreases from its maximum value and second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC (curve ii) also decreases from its maximum value. Although the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 is supplied with first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC decreasing while the received signal level is increasing, it outputs a maximum constant voltage as delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC (curve iii) since first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC is in a comparatively high range. Consequently, when the received signal level is in the first range, AGC according to the received signal level is executed in the IF amplification section 44 but AGC is not executed in the RF amplification section 41 and the maximum gain of the RF amplification section 41 is maintained.
Next, when the received signal level increases in the second range between level L.sub.1 and level L.sub.2, the video detection output increases with the received signal level and AGC voltage characteristics are such that, as the received signal level increases, first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC (curve i) decreases continuously from its state corresponding to the first range of the received signal level but second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC (curve ii) is maintained generally constantly at the minimum level. With first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC decreasing into a comparatively low range, the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 outputs delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC (curve iii) decreasing with first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC, which is decreasing while the received signal level is increasing. Consequently, when the received signal level is in the second range, delayed AGC according to the received signal level is executed in the RF amplification section 41 but AGC in the IF amplification section 44 becomes irresponsive to the change in the received signal level to maintain the minimum gain of the IF amplification section 44.
When the received signal level increases further in the third range above level L.sub.2, the video detection output also increases with the received signal level and AGC voltage characteristics are such that, as the received signal level increases, first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC (curve i) decreases continuously from its state corresponding to the second range of the received signal level while second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC (curve ii) is maintained generally constantly at the minimum level. With first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC decreasing into the lowest range, the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 outputs delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC (curve iii) which is maintained generally constantly at a minimum level while the received signal level is increasing. Consequently, when the received signal level is in the third range, delayed AGC in the RF amplification section 41 becomes irresponsive to the change in the received signal level to maintain the minimum gain of the RF amplification section 41. Also, AGC in the IF amplification section 44 is irresponsive to the change in the received signal level and the minimum gain of the IF amplification section 44 is maintained.
As described above, the above-described known delayed AGC circuit selectively performs delayed AGC in the RF amplification section 41 according to the received signal level and selectively performs AGC in the IF amplification section 44 according to the received signal level, thereby obtaining a detection output which is not directly dependent on the received signal level.
Ordinarily, the above-described known delayed AGC circuit varies in the gain of the tuner 40, the gain of the IF amplification section 44, the AGC characteristic of the IF amplification section 44 (the gain attenuation curve corresponding to the change in AGC voltage V.sub.AGC) and so on. Correspondingly, first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC output from the AGC voltage generation section 46, second AGC voltage V.sub.IAGC output from the AGC voltage generation section 46 and/or delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC output from the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 varies. If delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC varies, the received signal level at which delayed AGC is started in the RF amplification section 41 varies, resulting in failure to obtain the desired AGC characteristic.
A delayed AGC circuit designed to eliminate such a drawback as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 140773/1988, for example, has been developed. This delayed AGC circuit has a variable resistor for compensation for a variation in first AGC voltage V.sub.AGC externally added to the delayed AGC voltage generation section. Delayed AGC voltage V.sub.DAGC is adjusted by using this variable resistor to such a value as to constantly maintain the received signal level at which AGC is started in the RF amplification section.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a delayed AGC circuit disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 140773/1988.
As shown in FIG. 6, this delayed AGC circuit is formed by a tuner 51 including an RF amplification stage (not shown), an IF amplification section 52, a video detection section 53, an AGC voltage generation section 54 and a delayed AGC voltage generation section 55. These component sections correspond to the tuner 40, the IF amplification section 44, the video detection section 45, the AGC voltage generation section 46 and the delayed AGC voltage generation section 47 of the known receiver shown in FIG. 4. The delayed AGC voltage generation section 55 has a differential amplification stage formed by transistors 56 and 57, an input stage formed by an emitter-follower transistor 58, an output stage formed by a common-emitter transistor 59, a collector resistor 60 and so on. A variable resistor 61 for adjusting the delayed AGC voltage, a resistor voltage divider 62 and other parts are externally added to the delayed AGC voltage generation section 55.
The operation of the delayed AGC circuit disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 140773/1988 is substantially the same as that of the known AGC circuit shown in FIG. 4 except for the internal operation of the delayed AGC voltage generation section 55. Therefore, only the operation of the delayed AGC voltage generation section 55 will be described below.
In the delayed AGC voltage generation section 55, AGC voltage V.sub.AGC output from the AGC voltage generation section 54 is applied to the base of the transistor 56 forming the differential amplification stage through the emitter-follower transistor 58, and bias voltage V.sub.B obtained in accordance with the setting of the delayed AGC voltage adjusting variable resistor 61 is applied to the base of the other transistor 57 forming the differential amplification stage. Bias voltage V.sub.B is set so that V.sub.B =V.sub.AGC -V.sub.be56 (V.sub.be56 : the base-emitter voltage of the transistor 56).
When the received signal level is comparatively low (at the time of weak field input), AGC voltage V.sub.AGC has such a large value that the transistor 56 is on, the transistor 57 is off and the output-stage transistor 59 is on, so that a maximum terminal voltage is generated across the collector resistor 60 by the current passing through the collector resistor 60. At this time, the maximum terminal voltage is supplied to the RF amplification stage of the tuner 51 through the resistor voltage divider 62, thereby maximizing the gain of the RF amplification stage.
When the received signal level becomes higher (at the time of medium field input), AGC voltage V.sub.AGC becomes lower, and the transistor 56 is changed from the completely-on state to an intermediate on state. Simultaneously, the output-stage transistor 59 is changed from the completely-on state to an intermediate on state to reduce the current passing through the collector resistor 60, so that the terminal voltage across the collector resistor 60 decreases. The decreasing terminal voltage is supplied to the RF amplification stage of the tuner 51 through the resistor voltage divider 62. The gain of the RF amplification stage is thereby reduced from the maximum value toward the minimum value.
When the received signal level becomes much higher (at the time of strong field input), AGC voltage V.sub.AGC has such a value that the transistor 56 is off, the transistor 57 is on and the output-stage transistor 59 is off, so that the current passing through the collector resistor 60 is zero. A minimum terminal voltage (zero voltage) is thereby generated across the collector resistor 60. At this time, the minimum terminal voltage is supplied to the RF amplification stage of the tuner 51 through the resistor voltage divider 62, thereby minimizing the gain of the RF amplification stage.
Thus, in the above-described delayed AGC circuit disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 140773/1988, if the delayed AGC voltage adjusting variable resistor 61 is adjusted to set the bias voltage V.sub.B to a predetermined value, the received signal level at which AGC is started in the RF amplification stage of the tuner 51 can be constantly maintained with respect to each of variations in the gain of the tuner, the gain of the IF amplification stage 52 and the AGC characteristic of the IF amplification stage 52.
Although the above-described delayed AGC circuit disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 140773/1988 can be adjusted so that the received signal level at which AGC is started in the RF amplification stage of the tuner 51 is constant with respect to each of variations in the gain of the tuner, the gain of the IF amplification stage 52 and the AGC characteristic of the IF amplification stage 52, it is necessary to operate the delayed AGC voltage adjusting variable resistor 61 for such individual adjustment. Also, the delayed AGC voltage generation section 55 having the delayed AGC voltage adjusting variable resistor 61 externally attached has a complicated circuit configuration.


A fluid-delivery apparatus for delivering a medicament to a patient is provided in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a passageway, a bellowed ampoule positioned to lie in the passageway of the housing, and a piston. The bellowed ampoule includes a body with first and second ends and is formed to define a cavity configured to contain the medicament. The piston presses the second end of the ampoule toward the first end to dispense the medicament from the cavity. In addition, the fluid-delivery apparatus includes a visible non-linear scale that represents the relationship between a volume of medicament delivered from the first end of the ampoule and a distance that the piston has traveled in the housing toward the first end.

This invention relates to a fluid delivery apparatus, and more particularly, to a fluid-delivery apparatus with a bellowed ampoule.
Syringes that utilize expandable encasements are known. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,288 to Chapman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,311 to Pickhard. Such traditional syringes, however, do not compensate for the effect of encroachment on the bulk fluid volume within the syringe due to movement of the encasement walls.
According to the present invention a fluid-delivery apparatus for delivering a medicament to a patient is provided, which accounts for the effect of encroachment that occurs as the fluid is-delivered therefrom. This apparatus comprises a housing defining a passageway, a bellowed ampoule positioned to lie in the passageway of the housing, the bellowed ampoule including a body having first and second ends and formed to define a cavity configured to contain the medicament, and a piston. The piston is positioned in the housing and formed to press the second end of the ampoule toward the first end. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a visible non-linear scale representing the relationship between a volume of medicament delivered from the first end of the ampoule and a distance that the piston has traveled in the housing toward the first end.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a fluid-delivery apparatus for delivering a uniform volume of medicament to a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a passageway, a bellowed ampoule positioned to lie in the passageway of the housing, a piston, and a piston-drive system. The bellowed ampoule includes first and second ends and defines a cavity configured to contain the medicament. The piston is formed for movement in the housing to press the second end of the ampoule toward the first end. Further, the piston-drive system adjusts the movement of the piston in the housing so that the medicament is delivered in uniform increments from the first end of the ampoule.
Still further in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the amount of fluid delivered from a bellowed ampoule positioned in a cylindrical housing having a radius of r0 that is substantially equal to an outermost radius of the ampoule is provided. The method comprises the steps of calculating the relative encroachment function Err of the bellowed ampoule from the equation
Err=xcexa8xc2x7(1xe2x88x92xcexa8/3), where xcexa8xe2x89xa1(c/r0){square root over (1xe2x88x92(z/c)2)},
z is the height of one half-fold of one bellow of the ampoule, and c is length of an upper panel of one bellow, depressing the ampoule a pre-determined distance in the housing changing the height z of one half-fold of one bellow, and determining the cumulative volume dispensed Vd from the bellowed ampoule. The cumulative volume dispensed is determined from the equation
Vd=V0xe2x88x92(xcfx80r02nz)xc2x7[1xe2x88x92Err],
where V0 is the initial volume of the filled reservoir and n is the number of half folds in the bellowed ampoule.
In addition, in accordance with the present invention a method for delivering a constant linear volume of fluid from a bellowed ampoule positioned in a cylindrical housing having a radius of r0 that is substantially equal to an outermost radius of the ampoule is provided. The method comprises the steps of calculating the relative encroachment function Err of the bellowed ampoule from the equation
Err=xcexa8xc2x7(1xe2x88x92xcexa8/3), where xcexa8xe2x89xa1(c/r0){square root over (1xe2x88x92(z/c)2)},
z is the height of one half-fold of one bellow of the ampoule, and c is length of an upper panel of one bellow, determining the cumulative volume dispensed Vd from the bellowed ampoule from the equation
Vd=V0xe2x88x92(xcfx80r02nz)xc2x7[1xe2x88x92Err],
where V0 is the initial volume of the filled reservoir and n is the number of half folds in the bellowed ampoule, and compressing the ampoule in the housing at a rate sufficient to achieve a constant linear flow of fluid from the ampoule in accordance with the equation             ⅆ      z        /          ⅆ              V        d              =                    (                              -            π                                          xe2x80x83                                          n            ·                          [                                                                    r                    0                    2                                    ·                                      [                                          1                      -                      Err                                        ]                                                  +                                                      (                                                                  1                        +                                                  2                                                                                xe2x80x83                                                                                ψ                            /                            3                                                                                ψ                                        )                                    ·                                      z                    2                                                              ]                                      )                    -        1              .
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.


A bolt coupling device which has a body with a chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The coupling device includes a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a threaded surface along a bolt receiving channel. The coupling device includes a spring member that urges the threaded surfaces toward a first axis, and a cam member between two coupling segments which is rotatable. The cam member separates the first and second coupling segments to increase the dimension of the bolt receiving channel to selectively engage and disengage a bolt. The cam member can be positioned along a second axis which is parallel to the first axis or perpendicular to the first axis.

Many rapidly engaging threaded fasteners exist in the industry that utilize two or more threaded segments biased inwards with a spring such that when a bolt is inserted in the correct direction into the fasteners, the fasteners ratchet over the bolt to secure the bolt. The term "bolt" refers to a male threaded element that can be hollow or solid.
Some threaded fasteners include a thread disengagement feature which can provide a lock or a ratchet type of rapid disengagement mechanism. These fasteners allow the bolt to be inserted in a relatively quick manner, but also allow the bolt to be disengaged. These fasteners involve an axial movement of a sleeve when the fastener is actuated, whereby the sleeve is connected to each individual thread segment. However, these existing fasteners are complex in design and include many individual components. Such a complex design increases the risks of failure due to the several inter-workings between components. In addition, such a complex design is expensive to manufacture as well as maintain in corrosive environments (e.g. underwater applications).
What is needed is a device having a threaded coupling mechanism utilizing a quick engagement and disengagement feature which includes a lesser number of parts and is simpler in design than the locking mechanisms described above.

Threaded coupling mechanism having quick engaging and disengaging feature


To meet a radiated power limit, a transmitting station determines a synthesized antenna pattern based on steering vectors used for spatial processing and estimates an array gain based on the synthesized antenna pattern. Different spatial processing modes (e.g., eigensteering and spatial spreading) result in different synthesized antenna patterns. The array gain may be estimated based on the spatial processing mode used for the data transmission and applicable parameters (e.g., eigenvalues) for that mode. An element gain for each antenna used for data transmission may also be estimated. The transmitting station then limits the transmit power for the data transmission based on the array gain, the element gain, and the radiated power limit, which may be an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) limit imposed by a regulatory agency.

I. Field
The present invention relates generally to communication, and more specifically to techniques for controlling radiated power for a multi-antenna transmission.
II. Background
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as data, voice, video, and so on. These networks include wireless wide area networks (WWANs) that provide communication coverage for large geographic areas (e.g., cities), wireless local area networks (WLANs) that provide communication coverage for medium-size geographic areas (e.g., buildings and campuses), and wireless personal area networks (WPANs) that provide communication coverage for small geographic areas (e.g., homes). A wireless network typically includes one or more access points (or base stations) that support communication for one or more user terminals (or wireless devices).
A wireless communication network typically operates in a designated frequency band. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a regulatory agency that restricts radiated power levels for various frequency bands to facilitate efficient use of these frequency bands and to avoid excessive RF interference. For example, an IEEE 802.11 WLAN typically operates in a U-NII band that covers 5.15 to 5.35 gigaHertz (GHz) and 5.725 to 5.825 GHz. Although the U-NII band is unlicensed, a wireless station (which may be an access point or a user terminal) needs to limit its radiated power in any spatial direction to within a level mandated by the FCC in order to qualify for operation in the U-NII band.
In general, it is desirable to use as much transmit power as possible in order to improve the signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio (SNR) for a data transmission and/or to extend the range of operation. A higher SNR can support a higher data rate and/or improve reliability for the data transmission. The radiated power in a given direction is determined by the amount of transmit power applied to the antenna(s) at a wireless station and an antenna pattern formed by the antenna(s). If the wireless station is equipped with multiple antennas, then these antennas may be used to synthesize an antenna pattern that increases the radiated power in a specific spatial direction, e.g., toward a receiving station. In general, the antenna pattern is often not easy to ascertain because it is dependent on various factors such as the physical attributes of each antenna, the layout and arrangement of the antennas, and so on. If the antenna pattern is not known, then the wireless station may assume a maximum possible gain for the antenna pattern and may set the transmit power level accordingly in order to meet regulatory limit. However, in many instances, the maximum gain is not achieved for any spatial direction, and setting the transmit power level based on this maximum gain results in a lower SNR and/or reduced range, both of which are undesirable.
There is therefore a need in the art for techniques to control radiated power for a multi-antenna transmission.

Radiated power control for a multi-antenna transmission