A method, computer system, and program product for optimizing a useful objective function with respect to a dynamic parameter vector and a static parameter vector. The method, called the static/dynamic control (MDC) method, either minimizes or maximizes the useful objective function subject to a state equation, initial conditions, terminal conditions, constraints, and dynamic limitations. The SDC method includes an algorithm having two formulations: a period formulation and a fully continuous formulation. With the period formulation, the dynamic optimization variables associated with the dynamic limitations are permitted to be discontinuous, parametric functions of time. With the fully continuous formulation, the dynamic optimization variables are permitted to be continuous, non-parametric functions of time. The SDC method is computer implementable and employs an iterative process including an inner loop and an outer loop. The inner loop terminates when the objective function has changed by a satisfactory amount during a fixed outer-loop iteration. The outer loop terminates when the SDC procedure converges. The SDC method may be used to optimize a spacecraft trajectory objective and a spacecraft design objective simultaneously. Optimizing spacecraft objectives via SDC does not require approximating the physics or dynamics of space flight. Thus, any number of gravitating bodies, gravitational harmonics, radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, and general relativistic corrections can be accounted for when using the SDC method. The SDC method does not require prespecification of a planetary flyby sequence for space flight and is capable of identifying optimal flyby sequences.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method, computer system, and program product for optimizing a useful objective function with respect to a dynamic parameter vector and a static parameter vector, and more particularly, to optimizing a spacecraft objective such as a spacecraft trajectory objective and a spacecraft design objective.
2. Related Art
A goal of spacecraft trajectory optimization is to obtain the best trajectory. Spacecraft trajectory optimization is a dynamic problem. A dynamic problem involves a sequence of decisions made over time. For example, the thrust direction for a spacecraft engine must be selected on day one of a space flight. Then a new thrust direction must be selected for day two, and so on. Each previous decision affects all future decisions. A complete set of decisions for the total flight time is necessary to define a trajectory.
A goal of spacecraft design optimization is to obtain the best design. Spacecraft design optimization is a not a dynamic problem. Design decisions are not linked to a time sequence. For example, the decisions of how large a solar array to build, how much fuel to carry, and when to launch a spacecraft are static or non-dynamic decisions.
The overall performance of a spacecraft is a function of both the spacecraft trajectory and the spacecraft design. Further, the spacecraft design will impact the spacecraft trajectory and vice versa. Since spacecraft design and spacecraft trajectory are not independent, the most efficient spacecraft design and the most efficient spacecraft trajectory cannot be determined independently.
Current methods for optimization are constructed to solve either dynamic problems or static problems. Related art optimization methods cannot solve problems which have both a static part and a dynamic part without approximation. Related art methods for optimization can be divided into two categories. The first category is non-dynamic or static optimization methods known as xe2x80x9cparameter optimizationxe2x80x9d. The second category is dynamic optimization methods known as xe2x80x9coptimal control.xe2x80x9d
Parameter optimization was originally developed to solve static problems. Parameter optimization is directly applicable to static problems, such as spacecraft design. However, parameter optimization is not easily or accurately applicable to dynamic problems such as space flight trajectories. Parameter optimization can only be applied to dynamic problems when the true dynamic nature of the problem is approximated or removed entirely. Since parameter optimization cannot solve general dynamic problems without approximation, parameter optimization cannot solve the combined static and dynamic problem of spacecraft design and trajectory without approximation.
Optimal control was developed for exclusively dynamic problems. Optimal control is applicable to dynamic problems such as spacecraft trajectory optimization. However, optimal control is not suited to static problems such as spacecraft design.
The related art uses either parameter optimization or optimal control to design deep space missions. The related art cannot achieve the combined benefits of both parameter optimization and optimal control simultaneously. The following two subsections describe the parameter optimization and the optimal control methods presently in use.
The related art applies parameter optimization to the dynamic problem of spacecraft trajectory optimization by making several significant approximations. The physics of the trajectory problem is approximated by instantaneous impulses followed by ballistic coasts. The instantaneous impulses are intended to represent the effect of thrust on a spacecraft. A sequence of impulses and coasts can roughly approximate a continuously running engine. The ballistic coasts usually only account for the gravitational influence of a single central object (usually the sun.) All long range planetary gravitational effects are ignored. Since planetary gravitation is ignored, the ballistic coasts are perfect conic sections whose shape is always time independent. The time independence of the shape is a necessary assumption for the non-dynamic parameter optimization method.
Of particular interest is the ion propulsion engine. Ion propulsion engines are far more efficient than ordinary traditional chemical engines. Ion propulsion engines are expected to replace many applications of chemical engines in the near future. Ion propulsion engines have significantly different operating characteristics than chemical engines. In particular, ion engines typically operate continuously for days or even years at low thrust intensities. The impulse/ballistic coast approximation required by parameter optimization is a particularly poor approximation when applied to ion engines.
The parameter optimization method used in the related art requires prespecification of the sequence of planets that the spacecraft will pass by closely (xe2x80x9cplanetary flyby sequencexe2x80x9d). Thus, the planetary flyby sequence is not susceptible to parameter optimization. Individual planetary flybys are prespecified by fixed constraints. Prespecification of flybys greatly reduces the likelihood of discovering the most efficient flyby sequence.
Parameter optimization typically requires the physics of planetary flybys to be approximated as a collision at a single point in space. The spacecraft trajectory is propagated to the center of the flyby body without accounting for the gravity of the body. Flybys are then modeled as an instantaneous change in velocity without a change in the spacecraft position. With parameter optimization, the true extended spatial and dynamic nature of flybys is not correctly represented. This approximation significantly reduces the precision of parameter optimization solutions.
Related art parameter optimization methods do not optimize spacecraft thrust sequences directly. Instead, related art methods optimize instantaneous changes to spacecraft velocity. Optimizing velocity changes neglects or only approximates the effect of the dynamic nature of the spacecraft mass. The spacecraft mass is a decreasing function of time because fuel is burned. Neglecting this fact reduces the precision of parameter optimization solutions.
The related art uses an optimal control method to calculate or fine tune navigation paths or trajectories for spacecraft. The optimal control method is known as the calculus of variations (xe2x80x9cCOV.xe2x80x9d) The COV method is not capable of calculating optimal trajectories for spacecraft from scratch. An efficient trajectory and/or a prespecified flyby sequence must be supplied as input. The input trajectory, or trajectory associated with a prescribed flyby sequence, is not derived from a precise optimization procedure and is therefore not necessarily optimal. Similarly, the prespecified flyby sequence is not necessarily optimal.
Related art COV methods typically make several approximations similar to the approximations made by related art parameter optimization methods. For example, thrust is approximated as a sequence of impulses, spacecraft propagation only takes into account the Sun""s gravity, and planetary flybys are treated as an instantaneous change in spacecraft velocity. As a result, the COV method is limited in precision in the same way that the parameter optimization method is limited in precision.
The COV method also suffers from extreme sensitivity to flyby parameters. The extreme sensitivity of COV results in a substantial reduction in the improvement that COV can potentially achieve when flybys are involved. The sensitivity problem limits the COV method to consider trajectories with only a small number of flybys.
The main advantage of the COV method is that it is a dynamic method. The dynamic aspect of the COV method could, in theory, permit the correct representation of the dynamics of space flight. Unfortunately, the COV method is not robust enough to solve the trajectory problem without relying on significant approximations or requiring the prespecification of the flyby sequence.
Application of the preexisting general optimization methods, known as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and simulated annealing to static/dynamic problems, may produce inferior results that do not converge to optimal solutions. These optimization methods are heuristic or approximate methods involving various types of random searches to find good solutions. Heuristic methods often fail to find the best or optimal solutions.
An accurate method is needed to simultaneously optimize both dynamic and static variables collaboratively, such as by simultaneously taking into account the effect of navigation on spacecraft design, and vice-versa.
The present invention of static/dynamic control (xe2x80x9cSDCxe2x80x9d) provides a method for optimizing a useful objective, comprising the steps of:
providing a computer system having:
a memory device;
a code located on the memory device;
a processor for executing the code; and
a useful objective function J coupled to the code, wherein the code includes a static/dynamic control program for optimizing J with respect to a dynamic control vector v(t) and a static parameter vector w, and wherein t denotes time;
providing input data for the static/dynamic control program, wherein the input data is coupled to the code;
optimizing J with respect to v(t) and w, by executing the static/dynamic control program and using the input data; and
outputting a computed result from the optimizing step to an output device within the computer system.
The present invention provides a first computer system for optimizing a useful objective, comprising:
a memory device,
a computer code located on the memory device;
a computer processor for executing the computer code;
a useful objective function J coupled to the computer code, wherein the computer code includes a static/dynamic control program for performing an optimization of J with respect to a dynamic control vector v(t) and a static parameter vector w, and wherein t denotes time; input data for the static/dynamic control program; and an output device for receiving a result from the static/dynamic control program.
The present invention provides a second computer system for optimizing a useful objective, comprising:
a memory means for storing data on a memory device;
a computer code, located on the memory device, for optimizing a useful objective function J with respect to a dynamic control vector v(t) and a static parameter vector w, wherein t denotes time;
a processor means for executing the computer code;
an input means for transferring input data to the static/dynamic control program; and
an output means for receiving a result from the static/dynamic control program.
The present invention provides a computer program product, comprising:
a recordable medium; and
a computer code recorded on the recordable medium. wherein the computer code includes a static/dynamic control program.
By optimizing a useful objective, the present invention produces a useful, concrete, and tangible result. In particular, the useful objective may include a spacecraft objective, a groundwater decontamination objective, or a chemical reactor objective.
The present invention has the advantage of solving problems having both a static and a dynamic aspect. In the related art, optimization algorithms are designed for either static problems or dynamic problems, but not both.
The present invention has the advantage of solving a generalized state equation. The state equation include such equations as Newton""s equations of motion, general relativistic equations of motion, Darcy""s law of potential flow for groundwater movement, computational fluid dynamics equations for air flow over an aircraft, and transient equations for the transport of neutrons, radiation, heat, electric current, etc.
The present invention has the advantage of accommodating generalized physical constraints such as requiring: a minimum distance between a spacecraft and the sun so as to protect the spacecraft from overheating, a maximum feasible thrust magnitude for a spacecraft, or a maximum allowed temperature during operation of a chemical reactor in a chemical processing system.
The present invention has the advantage of allowing the initial or the terminal condition of the state of the system to be a variable. Related art optimal control methods require the initial state of the system to be given and fixed.
The present invention has the advantage of including an algorithm having two formulations: a period formulation and a fully continuous formulation. With the period formulation, the dynamic control is permitted to be a discontinuous, parametric function of time. The usefulness of the period formulation is illustrated by the capability of changing engine throttle once every fixed number of days, such as once per ten days. With the fully continuous formulation, the dynamic control is permitted to be non-parametric and continuous in time. Illustrative of the usefulness of the fully continuous formulation is the capability of satisfying a generally recognized need to optimize solar sail and light propulsion spacecraft, which are expected to be deployed in the next few years.
The present invention has the advantage of solving spacecraft optimization problems without approximation to the physics or dynamics involved. Among the effects susceptible of inclusion by SDC are general relativistic corrections, radiation pressure, continuous thrust, planetary harmonics, dynamic interaction between spacecraft and planetary flybys, gravitational influence of any number of solar system objects, and planetary drag on spacecraft traversing a planetary atmosphere. Related art methods require simplifying assumptions for compatibility with related art algorithms.
The present invention has the advantage of satisfying a generally recognized and existing need to optimize both ion propulsion spacecraft and combination chemical and ion propulsion spacecraft designs and trajectories. Related art methods perform particularly poorly for ion propulsion and general low thrust spacecraft.
The present invention has the advantage of enabling mathematical derivatives to be computed exactly. Exact derivatives result in a more robust process and faster convergence. The related art typically uses approximate derivatives.
The present invention has the advantage of employing a fully second order optimization algorithm which cannot converge to false minima or saddle points. Both the COV and parameter optimization methods currently in use can converge to false minima or saddle points.
The present invention has the advantage of converging only to optimal solutions which satisfy both the necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality. Existing heuristic optimization methods (neural networks, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing) often fail to converge to optimal solutions, since they are not designed to find optimal solutions.

Static/dynamic control for optimizing a useful objective


Disclosed are derivatized malto-oligosaccharides and methods for the preparation thereof. In accordance with the disclosed invention, a malto-oligosaccharide is hydrogenated to thereby obtain a hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide, and the resulting hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharide is derivatized, such as via oxidation, esterification, etherification, or enzymatic modification. The derivatization of such hydrogenated malto-oligosaccharides results in a surprisingly low level of a formation of by-products and products of degradation. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides is catalytically hydrogenated under reaction conditions suitable to substantially preserve the degree of polymerization (DP) profile of the mixture. The resulting malto-oligosaccharide mixture then is derivatized to form a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide mixture.

Oligosaccharides are commonly prepared by the controlled hydrolytic cleavage of starches. In the production of such oligosaccharides, the glycosidic linkages of the starch molecules are partially hydrolyzed to yield at least one oligosaccharide species, and more typically, a mixture of oligosaccharides species. Oligosaccharide mixtures so prepared typically include at least one malto-oligosaccharide species. Malto-oligosaccharides are characterized as having a saccharide backbone that comprises predominantly 1–4 glycoside linkages.
Malto-oligosaccharides comprise a commercially important class of carbohydrates that fall within the general class of reducing carbohydrates, which are carbohydrates that include an acetal group that is in equilibrium with its respective aldehyde or ketone. Such malto-oligosaccharides find numerous commercial applications. Derivatized malto-oligosaccharides also are known in the art. Such derivatized malto-oligosaccharides also have many commercial uses, including, for example, encapsulants, acidulants, flocculants, adhesives, antiredeposition agents, detergent builders, and so forth.
The prior art has provided numerous processes for the derivatization of malto-oligosaccharides. Known processes are conventional and typically comprise derivatizing the malto-oligosaccharide via a conventional derivatizing process to form a derivatized product. Such prior art processes suffer from a number of drawbacks, however. For example, when subjected to certain reaction conditions, such as alkaline conditions, malto-oligosaccharides can degrade and/or undergo numerous side reactions to form respectively undesired products of degradation or reaction by-products. Such by-products and products of degradation lead to poor reaction yields, undesired color formation, and difficulties in purifying the desired derivatized malto-oligosaccharides.
It is believed that the so-called "alkaline peeling reaction," in which the reducing end sugar of a malto-oligosaccharide degrades into smaller molecules, contributes substantially to degradation and by-product formation in the derivatization of malto-oligosaccharides. In recognition of this alkaline peeling reaction, the prior art has taught in other contexts to convert a base saccharide to a glycoside, to thereby incorporate a protecting group. For example, it is known to incorporate a methyl protecting group at the reducing end of glucose to thereby form the alkaline-stable methyl glycoside. Another approach used in the prior art is the use of non-reducing sugars such as sucrose and trehalose as protecting groups. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,620 (Mandai et al.) purports to disclose non-reducing oligosaccharides wherein one or several glucosyl groups are bound to both glucosyl groups in trehalose. While the use of protecting groups such as sucrose or trehalose in connection with the preparation of a glycoside may afford an alkaline-stable product, the process of preparing such stabilized malto-oligosaccharides can be laborious and not economically attractive.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a method for derivatizing a malto-oligosaccharide. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, by-product formation and formation of products of degradation are mitigated as compared with products formed by known malto-oligosaccharide derivatization reactions. It is also a general object of the invention to provide a derivatized malto-oligosaccharide product.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Disclosed are a composition for a radar penetration cover of a vehicle which may improve dielectric properties while maintaining excellent mechanical physical properties, and the radar penetration cover including the same.

Recently, a demand for radar technology for a vehicle which allows autonomous driving of a car is increased. A representative example to which the radar technology in a vehicle is applied includes a smart cruise system.
A smart cruise system refers to a system in which motion of a preceding vehicle is detected by a radar mounted on a front of a vehicle, and an engine and a brake are controlled as such, thereby avoiding the preceding vehicle to change a lane, or when there is no preceding vehicle, allowing acceleration to an initially set speed again and then driving at a fixed speed.
In order to implement the smart cruise system, a radar device is mounted on a vehicle, and information on the motion of a preceding vehicle and change of surrounding environment is collected by transmitting and receiving of a radar beam emitted from a radar.
In general, a radar device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radar beam, internal electronic components such as a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and a radome for protecting the components. In addition, a cover for covering the radar device is disposed on a front of the radome.
A penetration cover which covers a front of a radar module such as a radome and a cover requires to have sufficient stiffness for protection from external environment so that the internal components such as an antenna inside the radar work normally, and has a requirement to minimize a penetration loss at the time of penetration of a radar beam emitted from the antenna.
In addition, the penetration cover should be manufactured using a stabilized material which does not chemically react from chemical components such as an automotive engine oil, gasoline, and ethanol/alcohol.
Generally, as a conventional material for manufacturing a penetration cover which covers the front of the radar module such as radome and a cover, a glass fiber (GF) mixed as a reinforcing filler in a PBT-based main material is used. However, as the content of the glass fiber (GF) mixed as a reinforcing filler is increased, mechanical physical properties of a required material are increased, but dielectric properties which influence radar penetration performance are deteriorated, and thus, the glass fiber has a trade-off relationship.
In addition, in the case of a radome through which a radar beam emitted from an antenna primarily penetrates, when a radome dimension is distorted, a phase difference of the emitted radar beam occurs, thereby causing a beam distortion phenomenon in which a beam pattern is distorted.
Meanwhile, since the beam distortion phenomenon may not be supplemented only by a PBT-based main material with a glass fiber as a reinforcing filler, occurrence of the beam distortion phenomenon is prevented by further mixing an ASA material with the main material.
However, an acryl rubber for forming the ASA material is a component which deteriorates dielectric properties and has poor radar penetration performance, thereby shortening a beam detection distance.
The contents described as the related art have been provided only to assist in understanding the background of the present invention and should not be considered as corresponding to the related art known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Composition for radar penetration cover of vehicle

Abstract: The composition for a radar penetration cover includes: an amount of about 60 to 70 wt % of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), an amount of about 10 to 20 wt % of polycarbonate (PC), and an amount of about 11.5 to 27.8 wt % of an additive including polypropylene (PP) having maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted to an end group and a glass fiber (GF), wt % based on the total weight of the composition.


Enabling a user of a device, such as a wired or wireless device, that is associated with a telephone number to communicate text messages with another user of another device that is not associated with a telephone number (or the telephone number is unknown to the sender). Although the other user's telephone number is not known or does not exist, the other user is associated with a user identifier for a user community that is assigned a Common Short Code (CSC). The text message includes a source telephone number (sender/user's device telephone number) and a destination number (the CSC for the other user/recipient's user community). The content of the text message includes a user identifier, where the identifier indicates the particular other user within the user community. A server employs the CSC to determine the user community and the identifier to determine the particular user in the determined community that is the intended recipient of the text message.

The use of mobile technologies is steadily on the increase, for both business and personal uses. Mobile phones are a common site today and many people own personal information management (PIM) devices, palmtop computers, and so forth, to manage their schedules, contacts, and to stay connected with friends, family, and work. Employees on the move often appreciate the value of staying connected with their business through their mobile devices.
With such a variety of mobile devices, one can receive email messages, Instant Messaging (IM) messages, and Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, in addition to regular voice calls. With the growing proliferation of such mobile devices, it is becoming ever more important to ensure that employees, friends, and family are able to remain seamlessly connected to each other as they transition from a home or office based stationary computing device to a mobile situation. Therefore, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.
A common short code (CSC) is a five digit number that a wireless carrier can use to send an SMS message, instead of using a telephone number. A CSC is registered in a similar manner to which domain names are registered. The Common Short Code Administrator (CSCA) assigns a CSC to a particular applicant, which enables the applicant to subsequently use the CSC (instead of a telephone number) for SMS or text messaging across multiple wireless service providers.

Enabling text messaging between a member and non-member of a community based on a common short code


A planetary gear designed with helically cut teeth, in particular for motor vehicles, is provided with a sun wheel (1), which is non-rotatably connected with the drive shaft (2), a plurality of planet gears (4) mounted in a planet carrier (6) and a ring gear (7) which surrounds the planet gears (4) and is connected with a ring-gear carrier (8). In order to absorb axial forces, pairs of pressure surfaces (19, 20, 24) are provided on thrust rings (17, 18, 22) and the planet gears (4). Preferably, one pair of pressure surfaces (19) is provided between the sun wheel (1) or drive shaft (2), on the one hand, and the planet gears (4), on the other, and one pair of pressure surfaces (24) is provided between the planet gears (4) and the ring gear (7).

The use of planetary gears in the construction of motor vehicles is generally already known. Helically cut planetary gears clearly have a lower noise level compared to planetary gears with straight cut teeth, and this becomes more and more important in view of the increasingly stricter regulations for noise protection.
It is also an advantage of the simply helically cut design that external axial forces are not transmitted to the gearing as a result of heat expansion or clutch thrust. Therein resulting in a smaller total gear width and thus less expensive forging blanks.
The expensive production and assembly of helically cut planetary gears, as well as the prevalence of strong axial forces resulting from the helically cut teeth are problematic. Said axial forces severely strain adjacent parts such as the drive shaft and the output shaft. At the same time high tipping torques also act on the planetary gears considerably straining the radial bearings. Due to the free axial forces from the teeth it is not possible to vary the helical angles, since the forces upon the axial thrust bearings otherwise become too strong. In simple helically cut teeth, the helix angles usually fluctuate between from ten to fifteen degrees. No great overlap ratio takes place due to the small helix angles. Additionally, the required axial thrust bearings cause elevated storage losses and poorer efficiency.
German Patent 401,652 has disclosed a spur-gear drive having a simple helical cut in which a thrust ring which rotates at the same time is provided for absorbing the axial thrusts. Different arrangements of the thrust ring are provided. One of which is designed so as to absorb axial thrusts not only in one direction, but also able to absorb axial thrusts in both directions by situating on one ring pressure surfaces opposite to each other. Occurring impacts can be absorbed by elastic elements between thrust ring and gear, for example, by resilient design of the thrust rings or by elastic intermediate elements.
German Patent 28 15 847, for example, has disclosed the following as methods for mounting the thrust rings:
1. The thrust ring is screwed on the face end. This type of mounting is possible only in gears having relatively large pinions (small reduction ratio), since the inwardly reaching flange of the thrust ring requires additional space. PA0 2. The thrust ring is shrunk fit without additional security against displacement. For sufficient security against slippage, this type of mounting requires, together with strong shrinking compression, large widths of the shrinking ring. This is necessary in the case of high speeds due to the reductions of compression appearing here as consequence of the expansion of the ring. But large thrust ring widths produce disadvantageous enlargements of the widths of the wheel set and gear. PA0 3. The thrust ring is shrunk fit upon the shaft. But is additionally secured by a divided ring and guard ring. Said additional security act, against the insecurity of the slip joint and against unfavorable stress of the thrust ring caused in spur-gear transmissions by the eccentric application of force of the axial thrust. Security elements are usually nuts, guard rings, two-part spacers with added guard ring and radial pins, the same as screws. Experiences with screwed-on thrust rings have shown, together with the disadvantage of a constructionally expensive design, that it is necessary to carry out the fine processing (grinding) of the thrust faces of the thrust ring only after the shrink fitting operation, as otherwise an impact-free motion of the pressure faces is not ensured due to the misalignment of the thrust ring produced during the shrinking operation. This requirement is detrimental to production from industrial and economic points of view. PA0 4. The thrust ring rests upon the shaft with a transitional or light press fit and is joined to the shaft by electron-beam welding to form a one-piece homogeneous unit.
DE-OS 42 16 397 describes a planetary gear with helical cut design, particularly for motor vehicles, which is provided with a sun wheel non-rotatably connectable with a drive shaft, a plurality of planet gears mounted on a planet carrier and surrounding the planet gears a ring gear which is connected with a ring-gear carrier. For absorbing axial forces there are provided between the sun wheel and the planet gears and between the planet gears and the ring gear thrust rings which are placed on the face ends of the respective gears. The thrust rings are situated on both sides of the planet gears in order to absorb the axial forces both in push and pull directions. This means an expensive assembly due to the arrangement of four pairs of pressure surfaces and at the same time elevated cost, since the pressure surfaces must be carefully and expensively manufactured to obtain a secured lubricant wedge therebetween. The thrust rings are here welded on both sides on the sun wheel.


In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) device includes a first logic block having performance characteristics, a first critical path monitor (CPM) configured to monitor the performance characteristics of the first logic block, and a first CPM envelope circuit enveloping the first CPM. The first logic block is configured to operate in at least one of a first functional mode and a first scan mode. The first CPM is adapted to operate in at least one of a second functional mode and a second scan mode. The first and second functional modes use higher clock frequencies, respectively, than the first and second scan modes. The first CPM envelope circuit comprises a clock-gate circuit adapted to allow the IC device to operate in a mixed mode, wherein the first CPM operates in the second functional mode while the first logic block operates in the first scan mode.

1. Field
The current disclosure relates to integrated circuits, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to closed-loop adaptive voltage scaling systems and methods for integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
Minimizing power consumption by an integrated circuit (IC) is typically one of the goals of both the IC manufacturer and user. Minimizing power consumption is particularly important in mobile devices, which typically rely on batteries for their power and are not regularly tethered to an electrical power grid. In general, for a particular IC operating at a particular frequency and temperature, the lower the input voltage level for IC components, the lower the power consumption by the IC. Lowering the voltage provided to IC components, however, reduces the performance level of the IC, and lowering the voltage too much will cause operational faults on the IC, where operational faults prevent the IC from operating at the expected performance level specified in the IC's specifications provided by the manufacturer.

Closed-loop adaptive voltage scaling for integrated circuits

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.


There is disclosed a system and method for monitoring and updating an interactive voice response system through the use of a human agent who reviews the responses provided by a computer system and makes recommendations which are then used as data for updating the interactive voice response system. There is further disclosed a user interface for allowing the human agent to review the responses provided by the computer system, and to provide alternate responses which could be implemented by the computer system.

Commonly, interactive voice response systems (IVR) are created through a combined use of software and human input. One technique is for a business to set up a human operated system disguised as an automated system to handle interactions with callers. The business then observes how callers interact with the human operated system, and builds an actual automated system based on those observations. Such a technique is generally referred to as using a "Wizard of Oz" system, because a human input is hidden from callers behind a façade of automation.
Current Wizard of Oz systems have many drawbacks which decrease their overall efficiency. For example, a business is forced to build the human operated system from the ground up in order to begin the process. Additionally, current Wizard of Oz systems deploy the human and automated systems in sequence. Therefore, it is not possible to directly compare the decisions made by human systems with decisions made by the automated systems being designed. Further, it can often be difficult to effectively sort through the data created during caller interactions with the human system to know what interactions will be most problematic for the automated system and how those interactions should be dealt with. The teachings of this application can be used to help address one or more of those problems with present Wizard of Oz technology, as well as providing other benefits which are apparent in light of the disclosure contained herein.

Process for automated deployment of natural language


A battery module includes: a battery stack having a plurality of batteries; a plurality of first restraining members and a plurality of second restraining members; and connecting members. The first restraining members and the second restraining members define a housing space for the battery stack. Each of the first restraining members has a first housing part extending in a direction intersecting a planar direction in which the battery stack, the first restraining members, and the second restraining members are arranged, and each of the second restraining members has a second housing part extending in the planar direction. Each of the connecting members connects each of the first restraining members and each of the second restraining members to each other by being housed in the first housing part of each of the first restraining members and in the second housing part of each of the second restraining members.

As a power source for, for example, a vehicle and the like that require a high output voltage, there is known a battery stack configured with a plurality of series-connected batteries (for example, see PTL 1). In general, a battery stack has a module structure in which a predetermined number of batteries are stacked and are fastened with binding bars. Further, a plurality of the battery stacks are housed in a chassis (=housing) for a battery pack.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


When a process of rendering an image in a single frame is performed by allocating an object to be displayed as an image to any of a plurality of layers and superimposing the plurality of layers, an image processing device refers to an object database including a list of object rendering commands for each layer and dynamically changes the number of object rendering processes performed in each layer according to the number of rendering commands included in the list, at the time of rendering an image in a single frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing device and an image processing program which display an image by superimposing a plurality of layers.
2. Description of Related Art
There is known a method of constructing and displaying a single image by superimposing a plurality of layers when displaying an image on a display provided to a computer, a smartphone, a tablet or the like. That is, each layer is an image region like a transparent film where an image is fused such that a layer superimposed below each layer is seen through a transparent image region outside an image region corresponding to an opaque object provided in each layer. The layers can be superimposed on top of one another while changing the position of each layer relative to another layer, and an image of an object rendered in each layer can be arranged at a desired position by moving each layer in a sliding motion. Moreover, an image of an object rendered by changing the opacity of a layer can be made partially transparent.
In an electronic game, for example, a single image is constructed and displayed on the display by superimposing a layer in which a background image is rendered, a character layer in which an image of a character appearing in a game is rendered, an HUD layer in which an image indicating a condition or the like of a friend or enemy character is rendered, and the like.
In order to reduce the load on a CPU at the time of such image rendering, there is disclosed a technique where a first region to be an index for a timing to input an operation is subjected to rendering at a frame rate higher than that of a second region (Japanese Patent No. 4948217, for example).

Image processing device and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing image processing program


Methods and apparatus are provided for communicating a message to multiple radio groups (102, 104). An exemplary method (300) involves configuring, by an initiating radio device (120), a header portion of a message (308) for a multi-group communication session including the plurality of radio groups (102, 104) and transmitting the message (310). Each respective radio device (110) of each respective radio group (102, 104) is configured to provide output (408) corresponding to a content portion of the message in response to identifying its own radio group (406) in the header portion of the message (404).

Mobile radio systems are useful for providing reliable communications for many different types of applications, such as, military, public safety (e.g., police, fire, emergency medical technicians, and the like), or within other organizations or businesses with dispatch requirements (e.g., taxis, utilities, trucking, and the like). Often, individual radios (or subscriber units) are organized or otherwise assigned to a group for purposes of group calling, where a message from one radio in the group is broadcast and received by other radios in the group.
In some situations, a user may desire to have his or her message provided to users of radios assigned to multiple different groups. For example, in an emergency, a police officer may desire to communicate with other public safety personnel (e.g., firefighters and/or emergency medical technicians) in addition to the other members of the police department. To support a group call among multiple different radio groups, existing systems typically require either a centralized controller or a special messaging protocol to establish a temporary group by reprogramming the individual radios. Additionally, over-the-air interference or being outside of the broadcast range during the setup procedure may result in some radios being left out of the temporary group, and as a result, one or more users may miss hearing the message.

Multi-group communications and related devices


Electrical connectors comprising carbon nanotubes, at least one polymer, and a metallic electrical conductor are described. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the polymer to create an electrically-conducting polymer dispersion. The metallic electrical conductor contacts the electrically-conducting polymer dispersion to form the electrical connector. The electrical connectors include standard electrical connections for incorporation into standard electrical circuit applications. Methods to prepare the electrical connectors are described.

Modern power cables come in a variety of sizes, materials, and types, each cable being particularly adapted to its end use. Cables are constructed from three major design components: conductors, insulations, and protective layers. The construction details of individual cables vary according to their intended application. A variety of connections are available for power cables, such as male connections (plugs), female connections (sockets), twist-on connections, and alligator clips.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed to replace metal-based conductors in certain applications due to their high conductivity, strength, and light weight. Carbon nanotubes are known to display a range of electric properties. For example, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can be metallic conductors, semi-metallic conductors, semiconductors, or insulators depending on their chirality. Carbon nanotube/polymer composites offer significant mechanical strength, as well as electrical conductivity when conducting carbon nanotubes are blended in the polymer. Orientation of the carbon nanotubes in the polymer composite can influence both the mechanical and electrical properties of the composite material. Despite the potential benefits offered by carbon nanotubes, commercial success in electrical and mechanical applications utilizing these species has not yet been realized.
In view of the foregoing, electrical connectors and devices based on carbon nanotubes represent a significant unmet commercial need. Further, the electrical connectors and devices should be easily constructed and be simply integrated into existing electrical applications. For example, lightweight, highly-conducting electrical cables based on carbon nanotubes dispersed in a polymer and formed into a cable having conventional cable connections would be of particular commercial interest.

Carbon nanotube-based electrical connectors


Novel methods for expressing paths contained in queries are provided. The path expressions are composed from tokens selected from the group consisting of object identifiers, attribute identifiers, a relationship operator, and path qualifiers. Path expressions can be more easily created than by creating the path expressions directly in SQL. The path expressions can easily be incorporated into queries for querying data structured according to an object model. Examples of such queries include queries for implementing rules for checking data corresponding to IT infrastructures to see if the IT infrastructure is compliant with policies created for the IT infrastructure.

Advances in computer technology, such as microprocessor speed, memory and storage capacity, data transfer bandwidth, and software functionality, provide for an increasing amount of electronic data to be collected and stored. As the amount of this electronic data grows, it becomes increasingly important to store the data in a manner that provides for data searches and retrieval. A common approach is to store the electronic data in a structured manner in one or more databases. For example, database designers can structure the data according to a model using data modeling languages, such as the Entity Relationship Model and the Unified Data Model Language. Such models can represent the data in terms of entities and relationships. In particular examples, the model used to structure the data is referred to as an object model.
Typically, database designers create a database management system ("DBMS") to facilitate the searching and retrieval of data stored in the one or more structured databases. The DBMS provides a query language that provides a means for users to construct queries in order to access the data in the one or more databases. For example, Structured Query Language ("SQL") allows users to create SQL queries to search structured databases.
Conventional systems providing access to data in a database, such as systems that help a user perform analysis of the data in the database, commonly provide an application programming interface ("API") that enables a user to query the database. The API may provide the user with access to some or all of the functionality provided by an underlying DBMS. Accordingly, the user typically formulates queries for querying the database using a query language such as SQL.
One example of such a system is a compliance-analysis system. Compliance-analysis systems performing compliance analysis on data in a configuration-management database ("CMDB") enable a respective user to create a rule and perform certain functions such as compliancy checks. For example, conventional compliance-analysis systems can be used to ensure that a resource in an information technology ("IT") infrastructure, such as a client computer, is compliant with a data security regulatory rule. If the client computer is not compliant, the conventional compliance-analysis system can provide notification to an IT administrator regarding the violation.
Conventional compliance-analysis systems commonly provide an application programming interface ("API") that enables a user (e.g., an IT administrator) to query a configuration-management database ("CMDB") to help the user detect violations of compliance policies. Typically, the user queries the CMDB using a query language such as SQL.


A touch point sensing method and an optical touch system are provided. The optical touch system includes a first lens and a second lens. The touch point sensing method includes the following steps. Images including at least two touch objects in a touch detecting area captured by the first lens and the second lens are obtained and analyzed. Based on the obtained images, distance values between the first touch signal group at the first instant and the first and second touch signal groups at the second instant are calculated for determining whether the first and second touch signal groups at the second instant are overlapped. When the first and the second touch signal groups at the second instant are overlapped, locations of the touch signals in the first touch signal groups and in the second touch signal groups are exchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical touch technology, and particularly relates to a touch point sensing method and an optical touch system.
2. Description of Related Art
In the optical touch technology, the light reflective characteristic of the screen frame is utilized. Light is emitted onto the frame and reflected, and the optical sensors at the left and right sides are used to capture the images in an optical detecting region. If there is a touch object in the detecting region, light reflected from the frame is blocked. Therefore, there is a shadow in the image captured by the optical sensor, and the touch position is thus calculated based on the position of the shadow. More specifically, the touch position is determined by an original image waveform when there is no touch object detected in the detecting region and a current image waveform detected by the optical sensor. If the current image waveform and the original image waveform are the same, it is determined that there is no touch object. If there is a difference between the current image waveform and the original image waveform, it is determined that there is a touch object.
When there is only one touch object, each of the two sensors detects one shadow. Based on the position of the shadow, the position of the touch object can be correctly calculated. However, when there are two touch objects, since each of the sensors detects two shadows, and four points are derived based on the two shadows respectively detected by each of the two sensors. Two of the four points are correct touch points (i.e., real points), and the other two points are invalid touch points (i.e., ghost points), and the ghost points need to be eliminated. However, under some circumstances (e.g., the real points and ghost points are overlapped and an extending line of the real and ghost points passes through the optical sensor), the optical sensor may misjudge the ghost point as a real point and thus calculate the touch position incorrectly.

Touch point sensing method and optical touch system


Disclosed is a radio apparatus in which modulating signals (I and Q signals) from an arithmetic/control unit are converted to analog signals, which are then applied to an orthogonal modulator. A modulated wave for transmission, which has been produced by orthogonally modulating a reference carrier wave by the modulating signals, is demodulated by the orthogonal detector. The arithmetic/control unit compares the modulating signals and the demodulated signals and, based upon the comparison, updates distortion compensation coefficients and applies pre-distortion processing to the modulating signal using the distortion compensation coefficients. Leakage of carrier produced due offset of the orthogonal modulator is detected and the arithmetic/control unit adjusts the level of the modulating signals or shifts the phase of the reference carrier wave in such a manner that the leakage of carrier (offset) becomes zero.

This invention relates to a radio apparatus equipped with a distortion compensating function. More particularly, the invention relates to a radio apparatus with a distortion compensating function in which the amplification characteristic of a transmission power amplifier is linearized to suppress non-linear distortion and reduce power leakage between adjacent channels.
Frequency resources have become strained in recent years and greater reliance is being placed upon highly efficient digital transmission in radio communication. In a case where multivalued amplitude modulation is applied to radio communication, an important technique used on the transmitting side is to linearize the amplification characteristic of a power amplifier to thereby suppress non-linear distortion and reduce power leakage between adjacent channels. In a case where an amplifier having inferior linearity is used and an attempt is made to improve power efficiency, a technique which compensates for the distortion produced by this amplifier is essential.
FIG. 71 is a block diagram showing an example of a transmitter in a conventional radio apparatus. A group of digital data sent from an audio CODEC (coder/decoder) 1 is applied to a TDMA unit 2, where the data group is subjected to burst processing and to processing for A separating the digital data group into an I signal (in-phase) and a Q signal (quadratune phase). The I and Q signals are outputted to a DA converter 3 in an allocated time slot. The DA converter 3 converts the I and Q signals to analog baseband signals and enters or inputs the baseband signals into an orthogonal modulator 4. The latter multiplies the input I and Q signals (the transmission baseband signals) by a reference carrier wave and a signal phase-shifted from the reference carrier by 90.degree., respectively, adds the two products, thereby performing an orthogonal conversion, and outputs the result. A frequency converter 5 mixes the orthogonally modulated signal and a local oscillation signal to perform a frequency conversion, and a transmission power amplifier 6 amplifies the power of the carrier wave outputted by the frequency converter 5 and broadcasts the amplified signal into space from an antenna 7.
In such a communication apparatus, the input/output characteristic of the transmission power amplifier is a non-linear characteristic indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 72A. Non-linear distortion is produced as a result of the non-linear characteristic, and a frequency spectrum centered about a transmission frequency f.sub.0 possesses side lobes, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 72B. This results in leakage into adjacent channels and causes interference between the adjacent channels.
A wide variety of analog techniques which compensate for the occurrence of distortion have been proposed. These include linear amplification by combination of C-class amplification (LINC), a feed-forward method, an analog Cartesian method, a polar loop method and a pre-distortion method using non-linear elements.
However, these methods result in increased band noise and difficulties in phase adjustment when feedback gain is raised to provide further improvement upon distortion.
With this as a background, a method of compensating for distortion using a digital signal processing technique has been realized to cope with the greatly increased processing speed of digital signal processors (DSP) that has been made possible by recent advances in LSI techniques. Many technical papers dealing with digital methods of compensating for non-linear distortion have been published and the theory thereof is known. For example, see "Adaptive Linearization Using Pre-distortion" (Michael Fsulkner and Mats Johanson), delivered at Victoria College (Australia), and "Adaptive Linearization Using Pre-distortion Experimental Results", IEEE Transaction on Vehicular Technology, Vol. No. 2, May, 1994. If these digital techniques are put into practical use, the aforementioned drawbacks of the analog methods are solved.
FIG. 73 is a block diagram of a transmission apparatus having a function which compensates for non-linear distortion digitally using a DSP. A digital data group (modulating signal) sent from the audio CODEC 1 is subjected to burst processing in the TDMA 2 and is entered into an arithmetic/control unit 8, which is constituted by a DSP, in an allocated time slot. As shown in FIG. 74, the arithmetic/control unit 8 includes a number of functional blocks, namely a distortion compensation coefficient memory 8a which stores distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) (i=0.about.1023) conforming to levels 0.about.1023 of the modulating signal, a pre-distortion unit 8b which applies distortion compensation processing (pre-distortion) to the modulating signal using the distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) conforming to the modulated signal levels, and a distortion compensation coefficient arithmetic unit 8c for comparing the modulating signal with a demodulated signal, obtained by demodulation using an orthogonal detector, described later, and for calculating and updating the distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) in such a manner that the difference between the modulated and demodulated signals becomes zero.
The arithmetic/control unit 8 applies pre-distortion processing to the modulating signal using the distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) conforming to the levels of the modulating signal, effects a conversion to I and Q signals and enters these signals into the DA converter 3. The DA converter 3 converts the I and Q signals to analog baseband signals and enters the baseband signals into the orthogonal modulator 4. The latter multiplies the input I and Q signals by a reference carrier wave and a signal phase-shifted from the reference carrier by 90.degree., respectively, adds the two products, thereby performing an orthogonal conversion, and outputs the result. The frequency converter 5 mixes the orthogonally modulated signal and a local oscillation signal to perform a frequency conversion, and the transmission power amplifier 6 amplifies the power of the carrier wave outputted by the frequency converter 5 and broadcasts the amplified signal into space from the antenna 7. Part of the transmission signal enters a frequency converter 10 via a directional coupler 9. The converter 10 performs a frequency conversion and enters the results into an orthogonal detector 11. The orthogonal detector 11 multiplies the input signal by the reference carrier wave and by the signal phase-shifted from the reference carrier by 90.degree., thereby performing orthogonal detection and reproducing the baseband I, Q signals from the transmitting side, and enters these signals into an AD converter 12. The latter converts the input I, Q signals to digital signals and enters the digital signals into the arithmetic/control unit 8. The latter compares the modulating signal and the demodulated signal, which is obtained by the orthogonal detector 11, by an adaptive algorithm using the LIMS method (the method of least mean squares), and calculates/updates the distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) so as to null the difference between the compared signals. The modulated signal to be transmitted next is then subjected to pre-distortion processing using the updated distortion compensation coefficients h(Pi) and the processed signal is outputted. By thenceforth repeating this operation, non-linear distortion of the transmission power amplifier is suppressed t leakage of power to adjacent channels.
FIG. 75 is a diagram for describing distortion compensation processing based upon an adaptive algorithm. Shown in FIG. 75 is a multiplier 15a for multiplying a modulating signal (an input baseband signal) x(t) by a distortion compensation coefficient h(P), a transmission power amplifier 15b having a distortion function f(p), a feedback loop 15c for feeding back an output signal y(t) from the transmission power amplifier 15b, an arithmetic unit 15d for calculating power p =x(t).sup.2 ! of the modulating signal x(t), a distortion compensation coefficient memory 15e for storing distortion compensation coefficients conforming to each power of th e modulating signal x(t) and for outputting distortion compensation coefficients conforming to power of a currently prevailing modulating signal x(t), a conjugate complex signal output unit 15f, a subtractor 15g for outputting a difference e(t) between the modulating signal x(t) and the feedback demodulated signal y(t), multipliers 15g, 15h, and a multiplier 15i for multiplying by a step size parameter .heart..
The arrangement described performs the following operations: EQU h.sub.n (p)=h.sub.n-1 (p)+.heart.e(t)u*(t) EQU e(t)=x(t)-y(t) EQU y(t)=h.sub.n-1 (p)x(t)f(p) EQU u(t)=x(t)f(p)=h*.sub.n-1 (p)y(t) EQU P=.vertline.x(t).vertline..sup.2
where x, y, f, h, u and e represent complex numbers and * represents a conjugate complex number.
By performing the processing shown above, h(p) is updated so as to minimize the difference e(t) between the modulating signal x(t) and the feedback demodulated signal y(t), whereby the distortion compensation coefficients eventually converge to the optimum distortion compensation coefficient values to compensate for distortion of the transmission power amplifier.
Thus, the principle of digitally compensating for non-linear distortion entails feeding back and detecting a carrier wave obtained by orthogonal modulation using a modulating signal, digitally converting the amplitudes of the modulating signal (the transmission baseband signal) and the feedback signal (feedback baseband signal) and comparing the same, and updating the distortion compensation coefficients in real time based upon the results of comparison. As a consequence, if an amplitude error develops owing to offsets of the orthogonal modulator and orthogonal detector, an error occurs in the arithmetic operations and appropriate compensation of distortion can no longer be performed. At the present time, the analog orthogonal modulator and orthogonal detector generally in use are constituted by Gilbert-cell differential amplifiers, as is well known. As a result, an offset develops owing to a variance in element performance and a change in ambient temperature. Moreover, the offset value is influenced by the offset fluctuation of a DC amplifier used after the burst signal is subjected to the digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion.
FIG. 76 illustrates a QPSK-modulated wave expressed in a complex plane. If offset is present in a case where the original amplitude is a, as shown in FIG. 76, the offset is superposed on the original amplitude, as a result of which the arithmetic/control unit erroneously identifies the amplitude as being b. Since the method of digitally compensating for non-linear distortion uses this amplitude component in the comparison operation, the erroneous recognition of the amplitude leads to the occurrence of an error in distortion compensation so that proper compensation of distortion can no longer be carried out. In other words, executing the processing for updating the distortion compensation coefficients before compensating for the offset is not only meaningless but rather has an adverse influence upon operation. Thus, a technique to compensate for the offset is required in a radio apparatus having a distortion compensating function.
Further, the feedback baseband signals develop a phase shift with respect to the transmission baseband signals owing to the length of the transmission line or the devices in the transmission loop or feedback loop. When such a phase shift occurs, the original compensation for distortion can no longer be carried out accurately. A method of eliminating this phase shift is to compensate for the amount of the phase shift by changing the length of the transmission line along the way. However, this method is not practical because the phase shift varies depending upon the circuit mounting position or frequency. Accordingly, a technique which corrects for phase difference is required in a communication apparatus having a distortion compensating function.
Further, in the method of digitally compensating for non-linear distortion, the arithmetic/control unit constituted by the DSP executes distortion compensation processing digitally, as set forth above. The distortion compensation processing therefore is limited by the operating speed of the DSP. This means that if a data transmission is performed at high speed, the distortion compensation processing cannot keep pace. More specifically, in a case where the data transmission rate is on the order of 8 Kbps, there is enough time for the DSP to perform calculations in real time. When the transmission is performed at a high rate of 32 Kbps, however, the-DSP cannot keep pace. This drawback becomes a fatal flaw in high-speed transmission, where the band becomes broader and the necessity for compensation of distortion becomes greater the higher the transmission rate. In other words, the conventional radio apparatus. shown in FIG. 73 is not applicable to high-speed transmission.
In a radio apparatus of the TDMA type adapted to solve this problem, it has been contemplated to have the apparatus accumulate data (modulated signal data) transmitted in its own allocated time slot and perform the operations for distortion compensation even in time slots other than its own time slot. With this method, however, the distortion compensation coefficients are updated every burst. This means that the distortion compensation coefficient of each level is updated once in one TDMA frame period at best. Consequently, it takes time for the distortion compensation coefficients to converge. In the meantime, distortion compensation cannot be performed accurately, the band widens, interference between adjacent channels occurs and satisfactory data communication cannot take place. It should be noted that the radio apparatus of FIG. 73 cannot be applied to high-speed data transmission but does update the distortion compensation coefficients in real time. If data of identical levels enter n times in one time slot, the distortion compensation coefficients can be updated n times and the distortion compensation coefficients converge to the optimum value in a short time.
Thus, there is demand for a radio apparatus with a distortion compensating function, which apparatus is applicable to high-speed data transmission and causes the distortion compensation coefficients to converge to the optimum value in a short time.

Radio apparatus with distortion compensating function


A mooring system for a seagoing vessel, such as an oil tanker, employs a submerged buoy and a fluid swivel joint mounted in the vessel. The buoy is submerged to a depth sufficient enough to allow the moored vessel to drift over the buoy and other mooring elements without colliding with the same. A motor drive assembly is provided for a rotating shaft in the fluid swivel joint which maintains the shaft in the same position relative to the buoy, regardless of environmental induced changes in the heading of the moored vessel. This insures that one or more flexible hoses connected between the shaft and the mooring will not be twisted if the vessel begins to rotate about the vertical axis of the mooring. Positioning the fluid swivel joint within the vessel provides easy access to the joint for maintenance or repair and shields the joint from the seawater's detrimental effects.

The present invention relates in general to a single point mooring system for a sea going vessel, such as an oil tanker, which employs a submerged buoy in conjunction with a fluid swivel mounted on or within the vessel's hull to facilitate loading and unloading of the vessel's fluid contents.
Offshore mooring systems have long been employed to secure large seagoing vessels, such as oil tankers, to facilitate the loading and unloading thereof. These large vessels tend to have such deep drafts and generate such high mooring forces, that conventional harbors are frequently unable to accommodate them. Thus, systems for mooring these vessels at sea in relatively deep water have been developed wherein the fluid cargo can be transferred through underwater pipelines extending between the vessel and the shore facilities.
Numerous mooring systems have been developed to achieve this purpose, although most prior systems suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, a number of prior art systems employ mooring elements which extend above the surface of the water and can be easily damaged in rough seas. Further, some means must be provided to prevent the moored vessel from drifting into the exposed elements of the mooring system. To allow a moored vessel to freely pivot about the mooring system, other prior art systems have employed complicated submerged fluid swivel joints which are undesirably exposed to the sea and cannot be accessed easily for maintenance or repair. In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that a new vessel mooring system is desirable which eliminates these drawbacks.

Single point mooring system employing a submerged buoy and a vessel mounted fluid swivel

Nortrans Shipping and Trading Far East Pte Ltd.


A system and method is provided for predicting an imbalance condition in a rotating device. The rotational imbalance prediction system (100) includes an accelerometer assembly (104), including at least one accelerometer (304), and a processor (306). The at least one accelerometer (304) provides acceleration measurements to the processor (306), the measurements describing the current acceleration of an orbit of the rotational device (102). The processor (306) receives the acceleration measurements and calculates an average radius of the orbit (202) to determine if the average radius is increasing, predictive of an imbalance condition. The processor (306) generates a signal in response to the prediction of an imbalance condition and transmits the signal to a motor control (308) or a remote alarm module (302). The system and method provides for countermeasures to be taken in response to the prediction of an imbalance condition, thereby eliminating the imbalance condition.

Energy conservation is of great interest in the consumer electronics field, and in particular, in the field of home appliances. One of the best ways to conserve energy in home appliances is to reduce the ON-time of an appliance. One such appliance that is capable of a reduction in ON-time is a clothes dryer. The ON-time of a dryer can be directly correlated to the amount of water remaining in clothes being dried in the dryer. Washing machines, whether for home use or commercial use, include a spin cycle to extract water from the clothes being washed, prior to drying, thus reducing dryer ON-time, and increasing overall power conservation in home or commercial appliances
To reduce dryer ON-time, consumers are requesting increased rotational speeds in today's washing machines due to the desire for less dryer ON-time. Faster spin rates can be used to wring more water out of clothing, making the drying process more efficient. One of the biggest problems however, with increasing the spin speed in a washer to promote further water extraction is the need for better imbalance detection and improved vibration control. If clothes undergoing the spin cycle are not balanced within the tub of the washer, an imbalance will occur and result in loud noises such as knocking when the inner tub hits the outer walls, increased vibration of the tub and overall machine body, and other detrimental conditions. In most instances, the spin cycle is stopped due to the imbalance and full water extraction is not achieved, resulting in an in increase in dryer ON-time.
Currently, a load imbalance during a washer spin cycle is most commonly detected using a mechanical switch that detects when the washer drum is displaced beyond a threshold value. Displacement of the tub results in activation of the switch and the machine is typically turned off. Other types of imbalance detection devices rely on shock sensors or motor characteristics to denote when an imbalance exists, such as monitoring the torque of the motor or monitoring currents and voltages to sense changes in the power being used. A sudden increase in torque or use in power means that an imbalance has occurred during the spin cycle. These types of devices are adequate to detect imbalances at slower speeds, but not at today's higher appliance speeds. Many times, a load that is well balanced at a low speed or at the commencement of the spin cycle, can become imbalanced at increased speeds. In addition, known load imbalance detection devices are only capable of detecting an imbalance after it has occurred and provides no prediction of an upcoming imbalance situation or countermeasures.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for predicting rotational imbalance in a high speed device prior to the imbalance occurring. In addition, there is a need for a device that provides countermeasures to correct the imbalance after it is detected. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

System and method for predicting rotational imbalance


An implantable myocardial stimulation lead comprises a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrical connector carried by the proximal end of the lead body. An electrode header carried by the distal end of the lead body has an axis and includes a helical fixation element extending along the axis, the electrode header having a surface configured to receive a driver for rotating the electrode header to screw the helical fixation element into the tissue of the heart. The lead body carries along its length a strain relief member resisting excessive bending of the lead body.

When an implantable cardiac stimulation and/or sensing lead is placed on the outer surface of the heart in a process known as epi-myocardial lead implantation, the heart is made accessible by entering through the chest wall. The two most commonly used procedures have been the left lateral thoracotomy (exposing the left ventricle (LV)) and the subxiphoid (or subcostal) approach (allowing direct access to the apical area of the right ventricle (RV)).
The left lateral thoracotomy (or "mini thoracotomy") technique requires an incision usually in the left fourth or fifth intercostal space. The cut-down is made sufficiently large to allow adequate access to the left side or left ventricle (LV) of the heart. The incision can be long or short (physician's preference) and is made from a point near the left parasternal border to a point near the left anterior axillary line (between the sternum and the armpit). The LV is fairly well accessible with this approach. Either screw-in sutureless myocardial leads or suture-on epicardial leads have generally been used in this approach.
The subxiphoid or subcostal approach allows access to the heart without a formal or full thoracotomy. In this approach the incision is made just below the rib cage (subcostal approach) or just below the xiphoid (subxiphoid approach). With this latter approach especially, screw-in sutureless myocardial leads can easily be placed near the apex of the RV and in some cases, on a small, limited portion of the LV.
These epi-myocardial lead implant approaches, although having potential for some significant morbidities, have been suitable over the years for the relatively few patients requiring such leads (usually pediatrics and the few adults having mechanical valves which contra-indicate use of conventional transvenous leads). However, with the rapid growth of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, there is now a need to be able to reliably and quickly place a lead with a myocardial electrode on the LV. The reason for this is that in a certain percentage of CRT patients (ranging from about 5 to 15%) subjected to the current transvenous approach of implanting leads into the coronary veins (1) the coronary sinus os (the opening into the coronary sinus from the right atrium) cannot be cannulated to allow a lead to be inserted into the coronary sinus and coronary veins, or (2) the coronary venous anatomy is too tortuous for the lead to be able to be positioned into the appropriate LV coronary vein target site, or (3) the lead's electrode lands in a coronary venous site with poor, unacceptable parameters, for example, high pacing thresholds, phrenic nerve stimulation, and/or poor activation sequence/poor hemodynamics. Thus, there is a major need in the clinical realm to use myocardial leads via a transthoracic approach to place lead electrodes on the LV in such patients.
Conventional implant approaches using current epi-myocardial leads have disadvantages including the relatively large incisions needed to gain access into the thoracic cavity and to the heart's LV; the difficulty of quickly and easily attaching the lead; the higher rate of morbidity, trauma and pain to the patient; the occurrence of undetectable bleeding in the thoracic cavity due to the larger incisions; the tendency to require longer recovery time in the hospital; and cosmetic disagreeability to the patients.
Hand manipulated tools called lead introducers are used to implant screw-in or helix fixation electrodes in the cardiac tissue. Presently available lead introducers for implanting the helix electrodes of myocardial pacing leads tend to be large diameter, stiff structures designed to handle myocardial leads having lead bodies that extend radially outwardly from an electrode header. Examples of this kind of tool and lead body/header interconnection are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,847 issued Nov. 27, 1990, and titled "Pacing Lead and Introducer Therefor." While lead bodies that extend radially outward from the electrode header at the junction thereof tend to conform more closely to the outer surface of the heart after implantation, the lead body is often subjected to high stresses during implantation because of the sharp bend imposed upon the lead body when the electrode header is temporarily held inside the introducer. In addition, the distal portion of the lead body extending from the electrode header is usually captured in a longitudinal groove extending along the length of the introducer thereby causing the lead to wrap around the outside of the introducer as it is rotated to advance the helix electrode into the myocardium. Introducers of this kind also tend to be relatively complex, comprising multiple parts that must be unlocked to release the lead and its electrode header from the introducer following implantation.
Myocardial leads whose lead bodies extend axially from the electrode header are also available. Although these kinds of leads tend to be more easily implanted, the lead bodies are often subjected to tight bends following implantation in order for the lead body to lie against the outer surface of the heart and follow the contour thereof. Such orientations can result in high stresses and fatigue damage at or near the lead body/electrode header interface.


A measurement chamber which surrounds a target of interest intersected by a line defined by focal points associated with the measurement chamber and which separates and extracts scattered signals from the measurement chamber, includes a chamber having an interior defined by rotation of a nonlinear curve about the line, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the measurement chamber. According to one aspect of the invention, the measurement chamber further includes first and second absorbing material sections which absorb the scattered signals, and which are disposed proximate to the distal ends of the first and second focusing elements, respectively. Alternatively, a measurement chamber which surrounds a target of interest disposed on the centerline of the measurement chamber and which separates and extracts scattered signals from the measurement chamber, includes a chamber having an interior defined by rotation of first and second non-linear curves about the centerline, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the measurement chamber. Preferably, the first non-linear curve is a parabola having a focal point located on the centerline, while the second non-linear curve is a parabola having a focal point offset from the centerline by a predetermined offset distance. A corresponding measurement system is also described.

The present invention relates generally to radar cross-section (RCS) measurement and antenna pattern ranges. More specifically, the present invention relates to low RCS measurement ranges employing a geometrically shaped measurement chamber to remove all but direct path reflections from the target of interest. Moreover, the present invention pertains to high performance anechoic chambers for antenna pattern measurement.
A radar system tracks a target in response to an echo, i.e., a reflected portion of the incident radar signal, from the target of interest. Therefore, it is critical to the design and operation of radar systems to be able to quantify, or otherwise describe this echo, particularly in terms of target characteristics, e.g., size, shape and/or orientation. One such characteristic is radar cross-section (RCS), which is the projected area of a metal sphere returning the same echo signal as the target of interest, assuming the metal sphere is substituted for the target of interest. Unlike the echo signal from a sphere, which is orientation independent, the echo signal, and thus the RCS, varies as a function of orientation of the target of interest. This variation can be very rapid, especially when the target of interest is many wavelengths in size.
RCS values of simple bodies can be computed exactly by solution of a wave equation defined in a coordinate system for which a constant coordinate coincides with the surface of the body. However, there is no known tactical target of interest which fits these solutions. The practical engineer cannot rely on predictions and calculations; the engineer must eventually measure the echo characteristics of the target of interest. This measurement can be performed on a full scale target of interest on an outdoor test range or on scale models to the target of interest in a measurement chamber. Current state of the art ranges include "compact ranges" which use a collimating reflector system to achieve the desired electromagnetic field distribution in the measurement zone (target area), i.e., to simulate a wide separation between the radar source and the target of interest.
Typical RCS chambers are rectangular rooms covered with Radar Absorber Materials (RAM). For a given target support system and antenna/radar system, the chamber performance is limited by the chamber size and shape and by absorber material employed. Cost limitations usually drive both the chamber size and the quantity and quality of the RAM installed in the chamber. The measurement capability in RCS chambers is limited by several factors, including:
(a) the chamber size and shape; PA1 (b) the type and amount of RAM applied to the chamber walls; PA1 (c) the target support system; and PA1 (d) the antenna radar system.
The room, i.e., measurement chamber itself, is often the limiting factor in RCS measurement chambers. Radar reflections or echo signals are generated by scattering from the target of interest. Echo signals which are not direct path may be either out of phase with the direct path echo signal or arrive at the radar at a later time than the direct path echo signal; thus, in either case, the non-direct path signals contaminate the RCS measurement. The conventional method of "quieting" the radar reflections from the room itself is by treating the chamber walls with large pyramidal RAM up to six feet deep that attenuates the incident microwave energy. In addition, radar range (time) "gating" (either true short pulse or synthetic short pulse) may be used to remove most radar reflected signals that arrive at the radar at a time other than the desired return from the target. However, since RAM provides only limited attenuation and since gating cannot provide echo signal cancellation to completely eliminate unknown short bounce interaction, and since range (time) gating cannot completely eliminate unwanted echo signals, the RCS measurement is usually contaminated by spurious echo signals. In other words, some diffuse returns from the absorber as well as some chamber wall returns will arrive at the radar at approximately the same time as the desired target return and cannot be gated out. These returns establish the background levels of the chamber. Since the target should be at least 10 decibels (dB) above the background level, this background level also establishes the limit on the lowest RCS target which can be measured using a given range.
Attempts have been made over the years to reduce the spurious scattered signals which contaminate RCS measurement. In particular, various proposals to improve or optimize the measurement chamber itself have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,660 disclosed an anechoic chamber which utilizes an expanded central area resembling two flared horns with their rims joined together and the vertexes of the anechoic chamber forming source and receiver portions. The purpose of this arrangement is to reduce the number of direct reflections to the target through a (structure) "dual-flared horn" geometry. A modification of this arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,661, which describes a modified dual flared horn having an internal diffraction edge absorber. An alternative structure is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,943, wherein a cylindrical chamber with conical end sections is disclosed. Other chamber configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,308463, 3,100,870, 3,113,271 and 3,120,641.
Additionally, other chamber configurations are known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,798 discloses an elliptical anechoic chamber having RAM disposed at one to the two focal points of the ellipse. As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic anechoic chamber includes an ellipsoidal metal shielding wall 10, which has an inner surface 12 defining a closed space 13. The inner surface 12 has first and second focus points 14 and 16 on a major axis 18 in the closed space 13. During operation, an electromagnetic wave is emitted from the first focus point 14 as an emitted wave, which is then reflected at the inner surface 12 of the shielding wall 10 towards the second focus point 16 as a scattered wave. Since the scattered wave is focused on the second focus point 16, the scattered wave can be absorbed by RAM disposed at the second focus point 16.
More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic anechoic chamber is configured for use in measurement of properties of one of receiving and transmitting antennas 22 and 24 which are placed in the closed space 13. The transmitting antenna 24 is located at the first focus point 14 and emits an electromagnetic wave as an emitted wave. The receiving antenna 22 is located between the first and the second focus points 14 and 16. The electromagnetic anechoic chamber further comprises absorption assembly 26 which is placed in the closed space 13. The absorption assembly 26 comprises an absorption member 28 and a supporting member 32 which supports the absorption member 28 at the second focus point 16. The absorption member 28 is made of material for absorbing the electromagnetic wave. In operation, the emitted wave travels in the closed space 13 and reaches be the shielding wall 10, where it is reflected by the inner surface 12 of the wall 10 into the closed space 13 as the scattered wave. Theoretically, the scattered wave is directed to the absorption member 28 disposed at the second focus point 16. As a result, the scattered wave is assumed to be effectively absorbed by the absorption member 28 and, thus, is never again reflected by the inner surface. Therefore, the '798 patent assumes that no resonance of the emitted wave can be caused and the scattered wave never reaches the receiving antenna 22.
It will also be appreciated that the emitted wave has a direct wave component which directly reaches the receiving antenna 22 without being reflected at the inner surface 12 of the shielding wall 10. In other words, the receiving antenna 22 receives only the direct wave. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to exactly measure the reception or transmission properties of one of the receiving and the transmitting antennas 22 and 24.
From the discussion above, it will be appreciated that the majority of the anechoic chambers mentioned above rely on absorbing materials, e.g., RAM, to prevent scattered waves generated either by scattering from the target of interest or emitted waves interacting with structures in the anechoic chamber from reaching the receiver. It will also be noted that RAM is a relatively large component of the overall cost of the anechoic chamber. Moreover, an anechoic chamber employing RAM has an associated maintenance cost, since RAM is subject to degradation over long periods of time. Moreover, frequent access to the measurement chamber by personnel for target change out and the like increases the degradation rate of the RAM. It will also be noted that an increase in the degree of absorbency provided by any particular RAM will generally be indicative of a non-linear cost increase for that RAM.
What is needed is a RCS measurement facility which emulates a free space measurement in that the only energy which arrives at the radar receiver is the direct backscatter from the target under test. It would also be highly beneficial if the RCS measurement facility or chamber were substantially devoid of RAM, thereby permitting fabrication of a more robust measurement chamber. In addition, what is needed is a measurement chamber which can be fabricated at a substantial cost savings, both in terms of construction and life cycle costs.

Low radar cross-section (RCS) measurement chamber and associated measurement system


The invention relates to a disc brake having a brake carrier which is fastenable to a vehicle frame and provided with studs for guiding at least one brake lining axially with respect to a brake disc, wherein the brake lining includes U-shaped recesses for the studs into which the studs engage, and wherein during braking tensile forces and/or compressive forces are exerted upon inner surfaces of the recesses. The invention is characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the U-shaped recesses, which surface bears against a respective stud during a brake actuation, is angled with respect to a central plane of the brake lining such that a force that arises between the said surface and the respective stud during braking presses the brake lining into a stable position with respect to the studs. The invention also relates to a brake lining for use in such a disc brake.

The invention relates to a disc brake having a brake carrier that is fastenable to a vehicle, the brake carrier including studs for guiding a brake lining axially with respect to a brake disc, wherein during braking the brake lining exerts tensile forces and/or compressive forces upon the studs.
Brakes of this type are generally known. Usually the brake linings, comprising supporting plate and friction lining, are guided axially in relation to the brake disc by means of studs fastened to the brake carrier. "Axially" in the case of disc brakes generally means: in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake disc. "Radially" accordingly means a direction at right angles to an axial direction in the above sense.
The state of the art of such disc brakes is represented e.g. by the following patent documents: DE 1 238 284, DE 1 505 491, and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,468, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety, DE 1 575 920, DE 2 804 808, and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,106, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety, DE 2 845 404, DE 196 52 936, DE 41 15 064 and DE 4 416 815.
A constant technical problem in the design of disc brakes is a reduction of the manufacturing cost and the weight of the brake while simultaneously achieving a high operational reliability and a low maintenance cost. The two last-mentioned objectives in particular also entail the prevention of fault susceptibility of the brake due to rust. A particular problem affecting all brake constructions is the avoidance of screeching noises caused by vibrations.


A washing machine for automatically laundering articles of clothing by imparting mechanical actions upon the articles of clothing within a basket of the machine during a washing operation that includes a wash cycle and a preset number of rinse cycles incorporates a control system that functions to alter the mechanical actions imparted upon the articles of clothing during at least the wash cycle, and preferably both the wash cycle and at least one of the rinse cycles, and/or adds a supplemental rinse cycle to the overall washing operation in response to an indication of a high suds level condition in the machine. The control system receives signals indicative of an operating parameter of the washing machine, such as the input torque or operating speed of a motor of the machine, from a detection unit and utilizes these signals to determine the presence of high levels of suds and the need to transfer to a suds reduction mode of operation. In at least a preferred embodiment of the invention, provisions are made to recover from the suds reduction mode by returning to the normal washing operation and/or simply cancel the supplemental rinse cycle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of automatic washing machines and, more particularly, to a washing machine incorporating a control system for counteracting high suds level conditions detected while laundering articles of clothing in the washing machine.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The development of suds during operation of an automatic washing machine is a problem that has been recognized in the art. Actually, high levels of suds can form throughout various cycles of a washing operation. In more conventional vertical axis or top-loading washing machines, high levels of suds can be developed during a wash cycle when a water/detergent solution which has a rather high detergent content is placed in turbulence by the operation of an agitator. For front-loading washing machines, the potential of developing high levels of suds can be even greater during wash cycles given the tumbling action of the clothes through the water/detergent solution. In each of these types of known washing machines, high levels of suds can also develop during spin cycles due to the creation of turbulent air when a washing machine basket is rotated at high RPMs. More specifically, during spin cycles the water/detergent solution is directed into a drainage zone by the centrifugal force of the rotating washing machine basket and combines with the turbulent air in the drainage zone to generate suds that can flow back into the basket.
At the end of a wash cycle in either a top or front-loading washing machine, the water/detergent solution is subjected to a drainage operation, followed by a spin period for the washing machine basket. It is desired to remove as much of the water/detergent from the clothes as possible during these steps. Thereafter, the clothes are subjected to various rinse cycles, during which the clothes are agitated or tumbled within fresh water supplied within the basket. Each rinse cycle may also terminate in sequential draining and spinning operations. The development of high levels of suds can be problematic during both the wash and rinse cycles for various reasons. For instance, whenever the washing machine enters a spin mode, the presence of high levels of suds can produce a heavy and possibly excessive load on the motor used to drive the washing machine basket. In addition, the development of high levels of suds may result in a residual water/detergent solution remaining in the laundered clothes, even if several rinse cycles are incorporated in the overall washing operation.
The prior art has addressed this known problem in various fashions. In general, each of the proposed solutions focuses on the reduction of suds during a particular cycle or mode of operation of the washing machine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,329 is directed to correcting an over-suds condition that develops during a wash cycle. More specifically, when the over-suds condition is sensed, the wash cycle operation is suspended to enable the clothing and suds in the basket to be sprayed with cold water for a preset period of time and then the clothes are allowed to cool while the bubbles collapse before the washing operation is resumed. Although this arrangement is certainly considered to have some beneficial effects, it suffers from various drawbacks including a prolonged wash cycle. In addition, this patented arrangement only addresses the problem of high levels of suds being developed during a single stage in a wash cycle. Therefore, the possibility exists of high levels of suds carrying forward to subsequent rinse cycles, during which spin modes would be entered with the possible formation of additional suds. Another solution is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,889 which is solely directed towards the elimination of high levels of suds produced during spin cycles. In accordance with this patented arrangement, each spinning operation is carried out in multiple stages, with the washing machine basket being rotated at varying speeds during the individual stages. Unfortunately, this patented arrangement also only addresses one potential source of the problem, i.e., the development of suds during spin modes.
Based on the above, there exists a need in the art for a system which will effectively counteract the development of high levels of suds preferably during both wash and rinse cycles of a laundering operation in order to assure the removal of any water/detergent solution from the laundered clothes.

Automatic washing machine incorporating a suds detection and control system