A spindle drive for adjusting structural components of a motor vehicle seat relative to one another includes a casing having opposite end walls with openings therein, a spindle nut disposed in the casing and having a pair of opposite ends and an internally threaded bore extending therethrough between the opposite ends and generally aligned with the openings in the opposite end walls of the casing, an externally threaded spindle extending through the casing and openings of the end walls thereof and also threadably received through the internally threaded bore of the spindle nut so as to extend in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the spindle nut, the spindle having an end stop attached thereon such that one of the opposite ends of the spindle nut faces toward the end stop on the spindle, and at least one collar attached to and extending outwardly from the one end of the spindle nut and about the spindle and having an end surface facing toward the end stop on the spindle such that as the spindle is rotated in a predetermined direction relative to the casing and spindle nut the end stop advances into contact with the end surface of the end collar but not into contact with the one end wall of the casing such that the end stop limits rotational axial movement of the spindle relative to the spindle nut without contacting the casing whereby a wedging of the end stop with the one end wall of the casing is avoided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spindle drive for adjusting structural components of a motor vehicle seat which are movable relative to one another and, more particularly, to a spindle drive having an encased spindle nut with break-free moment reducing opposite end collars.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Spindle drives for movably adjusting structural components of a motor vehicle seat relative to one another, are known, for example, from prior art patent documents WO 98/26951 and JP 8156660-A, which include a threaded spindle, a casing and a spindle nut supported in the casing and threadably coupled and running on the threaded spindle. In such spindle drive having an encased spindle nut, a soft form-fitting bearing is provided between the casing and spindle nut and surrounds the circumference of the spindle nut so as to ensure smoothness of running of the spindle nut on the spindle and provide a tolerance compensation for accommodating oblique positions arising between the casing and spindle.
One problem of a spindle drive with an encased spindle nut is that the spindle drive operates against end stops where a strong wedging occurs between the face of the end stop and the parallel front face of the casing. For disengagement of the wedging between the respective faces the generation of a large break-free moment is required for which a suitable motor gearing unit must be provided to operate the spindle drive. This required break-free moment provided by the motor gearing unit is multiple times greater than the torque required for the normal adjustment operation of the spindle drive. Thus, in order for the motor gearing unit to be able to provide the required break-free moment it must be overdesigned and overdimensioned with respect to the normal operational torque of the spindle drive.
In the case of a spindle drive with a non-encased spindle nut, the aforementioned problem is solved by providing the end stops projecting radially from the spindle and by providing corresponding protrusions axially projecting on the front faces of the spindle nut. At the end of the adjustment path the end stops abut the protrusions without contacting the front faces of the spindle nut. Through this arrangement constraints between the threads of the threaded spindle and spindle nut are avoided. Such or similar solutions are known, for example, from prior art patent documents DE 32 38 944 A1, DE 40 19 482 C2 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,481.
A need exists for an innovation that will solve the aforementioned wedging problem that occurs in the case of spindle drives with encased spindle nuts. An innovation particularly desired is one that will exploit the presence of the elastic form-fitting bearing, provided in any event between the spindle nut and casing, so as to reduce or avoid entirely the break-free moment requirement.
The present invention avoids and thus solves the aforementioned wedging problem in the case of a spindle drive with an encased spindle nut by introducing at least one coaxial end collar on at least one of the respective opposite faces of the spindle nut, the coaxial collar radially and threadably extending about the threaded spindle and also radially spaced from and extending through an opening in a corresponding one of opposite end walls of the casing so as to provide radial play relative to the casing end wall and define a surface against which a corresponding one of the end stops at one end of the adjustment path can abut such that a wedging of the end stop with the casing end wall is avoided.
The present invention also introduces a plurality of elastic elements which are disposed between the exterior of the spindle nut and interior of the casing and form-fittingly elastically supports the spindle nut in the casing at a plurality of predetermined locations on the circumference of the spindle nut. By such arrangement, the spindle nut, in response to the effect of a torque produced by the rotation of the spindle, can twist slightly against a resiliency force of the elastic elements in the casing. Such a torque acts or is applied onto the spindle nut inter alia during run-up and abutting of the end surface of the coaxial collar onto and against the associated one of the end stops. A prestressing effect is thereby applied onto the elastic elements by the spindle nut which counteracts any jamming of the threads of the spindle nut with the threads of the spindle. Due to such prestressing effect, the spindle nut is rotated back into its normal position when the application of torque by the rotation of the spindle ceases and so the prestressing effect at least reduces, if not eliminates, the requirement for a break-free moment, as in the case of the prior art, since the prestressing effect acts in the same direction.
As a consequence, a motor gearing unit of the spindle drive can be provided or designed for the required operational torque and thus can be dimensioned smaller in comparison to the prior art unit. This constitutes a substantial advantage since weight and space savings play a significant role in motor vehicle construction. Apart from this advantage, the advantages known from the prior art of the elastic bearing supporting the spindle nut in the casing are retained since the spindle nut, due to the radial play between casing opening and the coaxial end collar, can still tilt axially as before.
More particularly, the casing and spindle nut are advantageously provided with rectangular configurations in cross section such that circumferentially spaced corners on the spindle nut have notches defined therein for form-fitting reception of the respective elastic elements which are confined in the notches by the inner edges of associated circumferentially spaced corners on the casing which are located diametrically opposite the notches on the corners of the spindle nut. Due to this arrangement, the spindle nut is retained on its circumference resiliently and form-fittingly by the elastic elements on all sides on the casing walls and the reset force of the elastic elements is even greater, even though the elastic elements do not completely envelop the spindle nut in contrast to the elastic bearing of the prior art.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Spindle drive having encased spindle nut with break-free moment reducing opposite end collars

Bertrand Faure Sitztechnik GmbH and Co. KG


A composite assembly of three stacked joining partners, and a corresponding method. The three stacked joining partners are materially bonded to one another by an upper solder layer and a lower solder layer. An upper joining partner and a lower joining partner are fixed in their height and have a specified distance from one another. The upper solder layer is fashioned from a first solder agent, having a first melt temperature, between the upper joining partner and a middle joining partner. The second solder layer is fashioned from a second solder agent, having a higher, second melt temperature, between the middle joining partner and the lower joining partner. The upper joining partner has an upwardly open solder compensating opening filled with the first solder agent, from which, to fill the gap between the upper joining partner and the middle joining partner, the first solder agent subsequently flows into the gap.

Components, or joining partners, in power electronics are usually thermally and electronically assembled to one another using a reflow solder process. In order to enable the production at low cost of complex structures having a plurality of components, or joining partners, and solder points, all connection points are soldered in one step. During this process, there is a volume shrinkage in the solder of approximately 50%. This causes sinking of the upper component, or joining partner, onto the lower component, or the lower joining partner. In a layer stack of three joining partners in which the upper and lower joining partners are fixed in their height, such a sinking is not possible due to the design. Due to the loss of volume during the solder process, this can result in a reduced solder bonding surface, and/or the formation of shrink holes. This can result in increased electrical and thermal resistance, and thereby reduced functionality, including reduced lifespan.
German Patent No. DE 102 52 577 B4 describes a method for producing a solder connection using capillary solder flow. The described method for bonding a first solder partner to a second solder partner includes the following steps: placement of the first solder partner, of the second solder partner, and of a solder depot in such a way that a surface of the first solder partner is situated opposite a surface of the second solder partner, and the solder depot is situated outside and adjacent to a bonding area of the opposed surfaces, such that the opposed surfaces of the solder partners in the bonding area are capable of being wetted by the solder of the solder depot, and heating of the solder partners and of the solder depot, so that the solder depot melts and is drawn into the bonding region by capillary forces in order to bond the solder partners by a bonding layer. Here, the first solder partner is a substrate and the second solder partner is a semiconductor component that is smaller than the substrate.

Composite assembly of three stacked joining partners


Apparatus and methods for perforating a subterranean well are provided. In general perforating apparatus, including a pre-weakend casing apparatus and a propellant assembly, is deployed within a formation of the well. Activation of the propellant assembly perforates the pre-weakened casing apparatus and the well formation. The invention can accomplish perforation and sand-control operations in a single trip.

A subterranean gas or oil well typically begins with a hole bored into the earth, which is then lined with joined lengths of relatively large diameter metal pipe. The casing thus formed is generally cemented to the face of the hole to give the well integrity and a path for producing fluids to the surface. Conventionally, the casing and cement are subsequently perforated with chemical or mechanical means in one or more locations of the surrounding formation from which it is desired to extract fluids. In general, the perforations extend a short distance into the formation. One of the problems inherent in the art is in maintaining a balance between perforation size and spacing and the required structural integrity of the casing.
Much effort has been devoted to developing apparatus and methods of perforation. Explosive charges are sometimes used to construct perforating guns, such as disclosed for example in, U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,964 to Walker et al. Problems exist with explosive perforation devices. The physical size and arrangement of the perforating gun are often constrained by the tubing size. For example, in the perforation of a five inch diameter casing, it may be necessary for the perforating gun to pass through one and eleven-sixteenth inch diameter tubing. The limited size of the perforating assembly creates problems in orienting the charges to achieve the desired perforation density and pattern.
Attempts have been made to increase the effectiveness of explosive perforation methods by combining them with propellant fracture devices. An example of such attempts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,426 to Snider et al, wherein a sheath of propellant material is positioned to substantially encircle at least one shaped charge. Under this method, the propellant generates high pressure gasses which clean the perforations left by the explosive charge. This method and apparatus suffers from limitations imposed by physical size restraints similar to those discussed above.
It has been observed that the use of explosive charges to perforate a well can cause additional problems resulting from the damage to the formation. Damage to the formation can restrict the flow of fluids into the well. Formation damage due to explosive charges also produces debris which can then be carried by fluids into the production stream. Additionally, explosive perforation can perforate control lines, requiring repairs before production can begin.
A production issue closely related to perforation is sand-control. The introduction of particles larger in cross section than a chosen size, whether sand, gravel, mineral, soil, organic matter, or a combination thereof into the production stream of the well commonly occurs, requiring methods of sand-control. The introduction of these materials into the well often causes problems, including plugged formations or well tubings, and erosion of tubing and equipment. There have therefore been numerous attempts to prevent the introduction of sand and gravel into the production stream.
A common method to prevent the introduction of sand and gravel into the production stream has been the use of a sand-control screen. In general, this involves placing a sand-control screen jacket assembly between the wellbore and a base pipe. The sand-control screen jacket assembly is designed to allow well fluids to flow into the base pipe while excluding other material. Many variations of sand-control screen jacket assemblies exist, including a radially expandable sand-control screenjacket assembly. The methods of using, a radially expandable screen jacket assembly includes causing the radial expansion of the base pipe and surrounding screen jacket assembly by drawing a mechanical expansion tool through the base pipe. Attempts to perforate a well containing a sand-control screen jacket assembly have the added problem of avoiding failure of the screen during the perforation operation.
Most perforating prior to sand control is conducted with tubing-conveyed perforating guns. This allows the perforation hole size and shot density to be maximized as well as allowing the well to be perforated in an under-balanced condition. Perforating in an under-balanced condition causes the formation fluids to surge into the wellbore yielding a cleaning effect. After perforating in an under-balanced condition the well must be xe2x80x9ckilledxe2x80x9d by circulating out the produced fluids and replacing them with heavier completion fluids. The perforating guns are then pulled from the hole and a completion packer and sand control equipment is run into the hole. During the pulling of perforating equipment and running of completion equipment it can be very difficult to control completion fluid loss into the formation. Oftentimes significant amounts of fluid are lost to the formation, which can be expensive and potentially damaging to productivity. Fluid loss pills are often required, which also can be expensive and damaging.
Some efforts have been made to combine well perforation and the use of screen assemblies in one operation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,712 to Griffith Jr. is an example of such apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve perforating and gravel packing a well section in one downhole operation, or trip. The inventions and disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,712 are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. These methods continue to have the above-mentioned problems associated with physical constraints imposed on explosive charges, and with the need to balance structural integrity of the well casing and screen assembly with useful perforation.
Due to the aforementioned problems associated with the perforation of a well casing and formation, and with the related problems of introducing sand and gravel into the production stream, a need exists for apparatus and methods providing improvements in perforation and associated sand-control.
The invention provides apparatus and methods for perforating a subterranean well. In general perforating apparatus, including a pre-weakened casing apparatus and a propellant assembly, is deployed within a formation of the well. Activation of the propellant assembly fails the pre-weakened casing apparatus perforates and the well formation.
According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-weakened casing apparatus has substantially orthogonal notches.
According to another aspect of the invention, the pre-weakened casing apparatus has notches in its inner surface.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the pre-weakened casing apparatus has substantially conical notches.
According to another aspect of the invention, a sand-control screen jacket assembly is deployed in the well with the perforating apparatus.
According to still another aspect of the invention, perforation and sand-control steps are accomplished in a single trip.

Apparatus and methods for perforating a subterranean formation


A cabinet which utilizes an air-to-air heat exchanger to remove heat generated from within the cabinet prevents water and dust from entering the air-to-air heat exchanger by forcing cooler external air up along a first side wall, through the air-to-air heat exchanger, and down along a second side wall.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cabinets and, more particularly, to a cabinet with an environmentally-sealed air-to-air heat exchanger.
2. Description of the Related Art
Telecommunication circuits, such as line cards, are commonly housed in electronics cabinets that sit outside in residential and commercial neighborhoods. The cabinets are water tight and air tight to prevent water and dust from entering the cabinets and reducing the useful life of the line cards inside the cabinets.
One trend in the telecommunications industry is to make line cards that provide more than basic plain old telephone service (POTS), such as line cards that provide both basic POTS and XDSL broadband data service. Line cards which provide more than basic POTS, however, tend to consume more power and generate more heat than basic POTS cards.
Thus, as the power consumption of the line cards increases, more and more heat must be removed from inside the cabinets, where the equipment is housed and operates. Since the cabinets are air tight and water tight, heat removal must take place through a boundary surface by using, for example, an air-to-air heat exchanger.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view that illustrates a prior-art electronics cabinet 100. As shown in FIG. 1, cabinet 100 includes a base plate 110, a top plate 112, and a number of side walls 114 that are connected to base plate 110 and top plate 112. In addition, cabinet 100 includes a rack 116 that holds telecommunication equipment, and a first door 118 that is connected to a side wall 114 via hinges or other rotational means to provide access to the interior of cabinet 100.
As further shown in FIG. 1, electronics cabinet 100 includes a second door 118A, and an air-to-air heat exchanger 120. Second door 118A, which has a large opening formed through door 118A, is also connected to a side wall 114 via hinges or other rotational means to further provide access to the interior of cabinet 100. Air-to-air heat exchanger 120, in turn, sits entirely within the opening of second door 118A.
However, one problem with a conventional door-mounted air-to-air heat exchanger, such as heat exchanger 120, is that water and dust can enter the external air flow path of the heat exchanger. As a result, when the heat exchanger or the installation of the heat exchanger is defective, such as when the sealant was improperly applied, the defect can allow water and dust to be introduced into the inside of the cabinet.
Thus, there is a need for an environmentally-sealed air-to-air heat exchanger that prevents the introduction of water and dust into the inside of the cabinet, even when the heat exchanger or the installation of the heat exchanger is defective.

Cabinet with an environmentally-sealed air-to-air heat exchanger


State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.

Considerable effort is currently being expended on the development of hydrogen and oxygen consuming fuel cells, and there is also interest in hydrogen burning engines. Such power systems require means for storage of hydrogen fuel which hold hydrogen in a safe form at ambient conditions and which are capable of quickly receiving and releasing hydrogen. In the case of automotive vehicles, fuel storage is required to be on-board the vehicle, and storage of hydrogen gas at high pressure is generally not preferred for such applications.
These requirements have led to the study and development of solid-state compounds for temporary storage of hydrogen, often as hydrides. For example, sodium alanate, NaAlH4, can be heated to release hydrogen gas, and a mixture of lithium amide, LiNH2, and lithium hydride, LiH, can be heated and reacted with the same effect. Despite such progress, however, no known solid-state system currently satisfies targets for on-board vehicular hydrogen storage.

XLI2MGHN hydrides as hydrogen storage compounds


Herein are described apparatus and processes for the preparation of cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and derivatives thereof. The apparatus and processes described can be used for the one-step, flow-mediated synthesis of cannabidiol and derivatives with improved overall yield, material throughput, and product purity relative to batch processes.

The two major phytocannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa are (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and (−)-cannabidiol (CBD). CBD can also be obtained from industrial hemp with contamination by low levels (0.03%) of residual THC. CBD is a promising and well-studied medicinal and therapeutic compound. Unlike THC which has relevant side effects and psychoactive activity, CBD is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid. CBD has been shown to have anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, anti-nausea, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and anti-neoplastic activity and is protective in animal models of epilepsy, anxiety, psychosis, and basal ganglia diseases [Ligresti A., De Petrocellis L., Di Marzo V., From Phytocannabinoids to Cannabinoid Receptors and Endocannabinoids: Pleiotropic Physiological and Pathological Roles Through Complex Pharmacology; Physiol Rev. 2016; 96(4):1593-659)]. CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the immune system and non-psychoactive sites in the brain. Along these lines, Epidiolex® [Sekar K., Pack A., Epidiolex as adjunct therapy for treatment of refractory epilepsy: a comprehensive review with a focus on adverse effects; F1000Res. 2019; 8. PMCID: PMC6396837], an isolated pure form of CBD developed by GW Pharmaceuticals is currently in clinical trials for treatment-resistant seizure disorders such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes and was approved by the FDA in November 2018. More recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) placed Epidiolex into Schedule V as a controlled substance relative to hemp-derived material containing residual THC which is listed under Schedule I. In addition to CBD, analogues such as the CBD homologue cannabidiphorol (CBDP) are also of current interest [Citti C., et al., A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphoro; Nature|Scientific Reports 2019 9:20335].
Regarding the chemical synthesis of CBD, a recent review summarizes major advances [Lago-Fernandez A., Redondo V., Hernandez-Folgado L., Figuerola-Asencio L., Jagerovic N. New Methods for the Synthesis of Cannabidiol Derivatives; Methods Enzymol. 2017; 593:237-57]. The stereospecific synthesis of (−)-CBD can be achieved by condensation of olivetol with (+)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol in presence of formamide acetal as a weak acid [Petrzilka T., Haefliger W., Sikemeier C., Synthese von Haschisch-Inhaltsstoffen 4. Mitteilung; Helv Chim Acta. 1969; 52(4):1102-34]. Also, use of boron trifluoride etherate instead of formamide acetal affords (−)-CBD in good yield [Razdan R. K., Dalzell H. C., Handrick G. R. Hashish. A simple one-step synthesis of (−)-delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol and olivetol; J Am Chem Soc. 1974; 96(18):5860-5]. One issue in the latter synthesis is the formation of the synthetic regioisomer, "abnormal CBD," as a byproduct. Modification of this last procedure with boron trifluoride etherate on alumina prevents the formation of this byproduct [Baek S.-H., Srebnik M., Mechoulam R., Boron trifluoride etherate on alumina—a modified Lewis acid reagent; An improved synthesis of cannabidiol. Tetrahedron Lett. 1985; 26(8):1083-6]. It has also been recognized that abnormal CBD (abn-CBD) or analogs are also of interest as therapeutics and provide benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative effects [von Widdern J. C., Hohmann T., Dehghani F. Abnormal Cannabidiol Affects Production of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Astrocyte Wound Closure in Primary Astrocytic-Microglial Cocultures; Molecules 2020, 25(3), 496: Tomko A., et al., Antitumor Activity of Abnormal Cannabidiol and Its Analog O-1602 in Taxol-Resistant Preclinical Models of Breast Cancer; Front. Pharmacol., 27 Sep. 2019].
Recent reports from the Keasling lab at UC Berkeley have reported biosynthetic engineering of milligram amounts of the cannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) (a precursor to CBD), cannabigerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid, and cannabidivarinic acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) from the simple sugar galactose [Luo X., Reiter M. A., d'Espaux L., Wong J., Denby C. M., Lechner A., Complete biosynthesis of cannabinoids and their unnatural analogues in yeast; Nature. 2019; 567 (7746):123-6.]. The investigators were also able to seed different fatty acids to engineered strains yielding cannabinoid analogues with modifications in the part of the molecule that is known to alter receptor binding affinity and potency.
U.S. Pat. 10,059,683 B2 (issued Aug. 28, 2018) describes a three step process for the preparation of a cannabidiol compound or derivative by an acid-catalyzed reaction of a dihalo-olivetol derivative with a suitably selected and substituted cyclic allylic alcohol such as mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol to produce a dihalo-cannabidiol compound or derivative which may then be converted by reduction to a cannabidiol or derivative. The reaction was conducted up to 7 g scale with purification of the final CBD material by silica gel column chromatography.
Koch et. al. in WO 2015032519 and WO2016135308A1 describe an overall three-step preparation of mixtures of cannabinoid derivatives useful for therapeutic treatment by the acid-catalyzed reaction of 6-alkyl-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid esters (e.g. olivetolic acid methyl or ethyl ester) with menthadienol followed by transesterification and decarboxylation.
Gu et. al. in WO 2004092101 A2 20041028, describe a regioselective process for the synthesis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol A using a cyclodextrin-olivetol complex which is followed by reaction of the complex with a cyclic allylic alcohol terpene such as menthadienol to produce a cannabinoid.
Leahy et. al. in US 20190023680 A1 describes synthetic processes and intermediates for preparing cannabinoids and analogues using up to ten step reaction sequences [Shultz Z. P., Lawrence G. A., Jacobson J. M., Cruz E. J., Leahy J. W., Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Cannabinoids-A Route for Analogue Development; Org Lett. 2018; 20:381-4]. Gong el al. describe synthetic routes for CBD and derivatives bearing various C4′-side chains wherein the five-step synthesis provides a 52% yield of CBD on a 10 g scale [Gong. X. et al., Synthesis of CBD and Its Derivatives Bearing Various C4′-Side Chains with a Late-Stage Diversification Method; J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 2704-2715]. Such lengthy, multistep syntheses can be useful to produce novel CBD, CBD analogues or THC analogues on small (milligram and gram) scales for biological studies but are deemed impractical for bulk, multi-kilogram preparation of these cannabinoids.
In terms of the overall market demand for cannabidiol (CBD), the Chicago-based Brightfield Group, which performs consumer market research, estimates a projected CBD market of $22B in 2022 [Gomez B., Hemp CBD Market to Reach $22 Billion by 2022: Outpacing the Rest of the Cannabis Market Combined 2018, Available at: www.brightfieldgroup.com/post/hemp-cbd-market-to-reach-22-billion-by-2022, accessed Mar. 24, 2019]. This projected figure corresponds to a demand of 1.8 million kilograms of CBD for market areas include pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, skincare, pets, shampoo, hair coloring, soft drinks, and beer/cider infusions. Such demand requires a method for the chemical synthesis and production of CBD which is amenable to scale-up to mega-kilogram quantities.
Therefore, there is an ever growing need for an efficient method for the synthesis of CBD and CBD analogues and cannabinoids in general. The method also should be scalable to the kilogram or larger scale. Methods with minimal amounts of toxic or difficult to remove byproducts so that the product meets active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) quality standards are also desirable.

One-step flow-mediated synthesis of cannabidiol (CBD) and derivatives


A photometry device has a normal light photometry sensor and a external light sensor. The normal light photometry sensor performs photometry with respect to an object. The external light sensor performs photometry with respect color components of the external light. An exposure amount of an object is determined based on an output of a normal light sensor. If a difference between the exposure values is greater than the predetermined value, a color judged in the colorimetry procedure is forcibly set to xe2x80x9ccolorlessxe2x80x9d and no substantial colorimetric compensation is performed. If the Bv difference is not greater than the predetermined value, the light source compensation data preliminary stored is used for the colorimetric compensation.

The present invention relates to a photometry device applicable to an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera, and more particularly to a photometry device with which exposure errors due to a difference of reflectivity of objects having different colors can be compensated.
Recently, reflection type photometry devices have been employed in most of cameras. The reflection type photometry device receives the light, which is reflected by an object and passed through an observing optical system of a camera, using a light receiving element, determines the brightness of the object based on the output of the measured value, and then calculates the exposure value of the camera based on the measured brightness. However, this type of the photometry device cannot detect the color of the object because of its structure. Accordingly, in such a device, the reflectivity of an object is generally assumed to be 18% and the exposure parameter is determined on this assumption. Therefore, regarding a whitish object whose reflectivity is greater than 18%, the determined brightness is greater than the actual brightness. If the camera controls an exposure operation based on the determined exposure value, the object is under exposed. A dark object whose reflectivity is less than 18% is measured to have a lower brightness. Therefore, such an object is over exposed. The difference of the reflectivity of the object may also occur depending on the color of the object. For example, when the color of an object is yellow, the reflectivity may be up to 70%. In such a case, if the standard reflectivity is assumed to be 18%, the exposure value is approximately 2 Ev lower than necessary. If the object color is blue, the reflectivity is approximately 9%. In this case, the object is over exposed by approximately 1 Ev greater than necessary.
Therefore, in the conventional photometry device, the photographer is required to guess the reflectivity of the object. Then, based on the reflectivity determined by the photographer, the exposure is controlled such that, if the object is a whitish or yellowish one having a relatively high reflectivity, it is to be overexposed, and if the object is a blackish or bluish one having a relatively low reflectivity, it is to be underexposed. With this operation, the above-described defects may be solved. However, accurately guessing the reflectivity of the object and controlling the exposure can only be done by experienced and skilled photographers. It is impossible to require all the photographers to do such an operation. Further, it is not preferable that a manual operation of the photographer is required for exposure. Further, if such a manual operation is required, cameras become unsuitable for automatic photographing which is the recent trend.
It may be possible to measure the color of the object, and perform exposure compensation based on the reflectivity corresponding to the measured color. If such a control is performed, an appropriate exposure value seems to be obtained automatically regardless of the color of the object. To perform such operation, a plurality of sensors for colorimetry may be provided inside the camera for selectively measuring different portions of the object. That is, light passed through a photographing lens of the camera is received by the plurality of sensors.
When such a structure is adopted, however, the spectral reflection characteristics of the object and the spectral radiant characteristic of an external light source are overlapped when the colorimetry is performed. Therefore, due to the spectral radiant characteristics of the external light source illuminating the object, it becomes difficult to measure the object color accurately. Then, the compensation amount of the exposure value includes errors, and the appropriate exposure may not be achieved.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved photometry device with which appropriate exposure values can be obtained regardless of a difference of reflectivity of the objects without being affected by the spectral radiant characteristics of a light source illuminating the object.
For the above object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a photometry device for a camera, which is provided with a normal light sensor that performs a photometry operation with respect to an object, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics different from each other, the plurality of colorimetric sensors performing a colorimetric operation with respect to an image of the object through a lens of the camera, an external light sensor that measures external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, a light source color compensation amount calculation system that calculates a light source color compensation amount based on light source data, a colorimetric compensation amount calculation system that determines a color of the object based on the metered values output by the colorimetric sensors and compensated using the light source color compensation amount, and that calculates a colorimetric compensation amount based on the judged color, and a colorimetric compensation system that compensates for the exposure amount based on the colorimetric compensation amount. In such a photometry device, a predetermined fixed value is used as the light source data, and, if a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than a predetermined reference value, the colorimetric compensation amount is forcibly set to zero.
Alternatively, if a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than the predetermined reference value, operations of the colorimetric compensation amount calculation system and the colorimetric compensation system are not performed.
Further alternatively, the colorimetric compensation amount is compensated based on a coefficient obtained from a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
In each case, the photometry device may further be provided with a storage device, and light source data corresponding to an output of the external light sensor may be stored in the storage device. In this case, the fixed value can be calculated from the light source data stored in the storage device.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a photometry device for a camera, which is provided with a normal light sensor that performs a photometry operation with respect to an object, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics different from each other, the plurality of colorimetric sensors performing a colorimetric operation with respect to an image of the object through a lens of the camera, an external light sensor that measures external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, a light source color compensation amount calculation system that calculates a light source color compensation amount based on light source data;
a colorimetric compensation amount calculation system that determines a color of the object based on the metered values output by the colorimetric sensors and compensated using the light source color compensation amount, and calculates a colorimetric compensation amount based on the judged color, and a colorimetric compensation system that compensates for the exposure amount based on the colorimetric compensation amount. In such a device, a metered value of the external light sensor is used as the light source data, and if a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than a predetermined reference value, the colorimetric compensation amount is forcibly set to zero.
Alternatively, a metered value of the external light sensor is used as the light source data, and if a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than a predetermined reference value, operations of the colorimetric compensation amount calculation system and the colorimetric compensation system are not performed.
Further alternatively, a metered value of the external light sensor may be used as the light source data, and the colorimetric compensation amount is compensated based on a coefficient obtained from a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a photometry device for a camera, which is provided with a normal light sensor that performs a photometry operation with respect to an object, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics different from each other, the plurality of colorimetric sensors performing a colorimetric operation with respect to an image of the object through a lens of the camera, an external light sensor that measures external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, a light source color compensation amount calculation system that calculates a light source color compensation amount based on light source data, a colorimetric compensation amount calculation system that determines a color of the object based on the metered values output by the colorimetric sensors and compensated using the light source color compensation amount, and calculates a colorimetric compensation amount based on the judged color, and a colorimetric compensation system that compensates for the exposure amount based on the colorimetric compensation amount.
In such a device, one of the metered value of the external light sensor and a predetermined fixed value is selected as the light source data in accordance with a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
Alternatively, a value within a range between the metered value of the external light sensor and a predetermined fixed value is determined as the light source data in accordance with a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
Optionally, the photometry device may be provided with a storage device, in which light source data corresponding to an output of the external light sensor is stored, and the fixed value is calculated from the light source data stored in the storage device.
In the above described photometry devices, each of the normal light photometry sensor and the plurality of colorimetric sensors may have a plurality of photometry areas. In such a case, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system determines a color for each of the plurality of photometry areas and further determines a colorimetric compensation amount for each of the plurality of photometry areas based on the determined color. Further, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system may determine a colorimetric compensation amount for the entire object based on the colorimetric compensation amounts for the plurality of photometry areas.
Still optionally, in the above described photometry devices, each of the normal light photometry sensor and the plurality of colorimetric sensors may include a plurality of photometry areas. In this case, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system may determine a color for each of the plurality of photometry areas and further determine a colorimetric compensation amount for each of the plurality of photometry areas based on the determined color. Further, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system may compensate for the photometry value for each of the plurality of photometry areas based on the colorimetric compensation amount, and determine an exposure amount for the entire object based on the colorimetric compensation amounts for the plurality of photometry areas.
Further optionally, in the photometry devices described above, the normal light photometry device and the plurality of colorimetric sensors meter light reflected by the object and passed through the photographing optical system of the camera, and the external light sensor meters light reflected by the object but not passed through the photographing optical system of the camera.
In this case, the normal light sensor may include a normal light photometry sensor, the spectral sensitivity characteristic of which has a peak sensitivity at a wavelength within a range from 500 nm through 600 nm, and the plurality of colorimetric sensors may include a blue light photometry sensor for metering blue light component, a green light photometry sensor for metering green light component, and a red light photometry sensor for metering red light component. Further, the external light sensor includes a photometry sensor having photometry areas for metering blue, green and red light components, respectively.
The plurality of colorimetric sensors and the normal light sensors may optionally include photometric elements having the same photometric characteristics.
Further, the normal light photometry sensor may function as the green light sensor, and wherein output of the green light sensor is used as the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a photometry device, which includes a normal light sensor that performs a photometry operation with respect to an object, an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light sensor, a plurality of colorimetric sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics different from each other, the plurality of colorimetric sensors performing a colorimetric operation with respect to an image of the object through a lens of the camera, an external light sensor that measures external light illuminating the object at spectral sensitivity characteristics corresponding to each of the plurality of colorimetric sensors, a light source color compensation amount calculation system that calculates a light source color compensation amount based on light source data; and a colorimetric compensation system that compensates for the exposure amount, procedures for compensating for the exposure amount being varied depending on a difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor.
Optionally, the colorimetric compensation system does not substantially compensate for the exposure value if the difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold value.
Still optionally, the colorimetric compensation system may determine a coefficient used for calculation of colorimetric compensation amount in accordance with the difference between the exposure value obtained from the output of the external light sensor and the exposure value obtained based on the output of the normal light photometry sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold value.
Further optionally, each of the normal light photometry sensor and the plurality of colorimetric sensors has a plurality of photometry areas, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system determining a color for each of the plurality of photometry areas and further determining a colorimetric compensation amount for each of the plurality of photometry areas based on the determined color, the colorimetric compensation amount calculating system further compensating for the photometry value for each of the plurality of photometry areas based on the colorimetric compensation amount, and determining an exposure amount for the entire object based on the colorimetric compensation amounts for the plurality of photometry areas.
Still optionally, the photometry device may further include a light source color compensation amount calculation system that calculates a light source color compensation amount based on light source data, and a colorimetric compensation amount calculation system that determines a color of the object based on the metered values output by the colorimetric sensors and compensated using the light source color compensation amount, and calculates a colorimetric compensation amount based on the judged color.


A method of operating a perimeter security system comprises monitoring a perimeter for a plurality of events, receiving an event signal for an event of the plurality of events wherein the event signal comprises an acceleration, processing the first event signal to determine if the event is a threat, transferring a confirmation request to confirm that the event is a threat in response to determining that the event is a threat, receiving a confirmation response in response to the confirmation request confirming that the event is a threat, and generating and transmitting a message identifying the event in response to confirming the threat.

Recently, many enterprises have become increasingly concerned with the issue of perimeter security. For example, military, municipal, and corporate enterprises desire to secure the perimeters of a wide variety of installations, such as airports, military bases, and corporate campuses.
Typically, perimeter security systems are arranged with multiple sensors arrayed along a boundary and in communication with a central control system. Often times, the sensors are mounted on a barrier, such a fence. In general, the sensors monitor the boundary for event signals, such as vibration and heat signals. Upon sensing an event signal, an alert signal is communicated from the sensors to a central control system.
In one example, the central control system alerts personnel to the occurrence of the event. The personnel are then tasked with investigating the event to evaluate whether or not the event is a security threat. One problem associated with this approach is that dispatching personnel to investigate non-threatening events wastes time and resources.
In a prior art solution to the problem of dispatching personnel to evaluate events, threat evaluation is performed at the central control system. In this manner, personnel will only be dispatched once an accurate threat evaluation has been performed by the central control system. However, threat evaluation processes often times lack accuracy. For example, a single faulty sensor could generate false data, thereby causing the central control system to generate a false alarm. In addition, many modern large scale perimeter security systems include thousands of sensors. In such an environment, the resources required to perform threat evaluation and confirmation are prohibitive.
Overview
Disclosed herein is a method of operating a perimeter security system, the method comprising monitoring a perimeter for a plurality of events, receiving an event signal for an event of the plurality of events wherein the event signal comprises an acceleration, processing the first event signal to determine if the event is a threat, transferring a confirmation request to confirm that the event is a threat in response to determining that the event is a threat, receiving a confirmation response in response to the confirmation request confirming that the event is a threat, and generating and transmitting a message identifying the event in response to confirming the threat.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Solid extrusion coating compositions for metal substrates, a method of extrusion coating a metal substrate, and a metal article are disclosed. The extrusion coating composition is a thermoplastic material and comprises: (a) a polyester having a weight average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 50,000, and optionally, (b) a modifying resin, such as an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight of about 500 to about 15,000. The extrusion coating composition is applied to a metal substrate in an extrusion process to provide a composition film having a thickness of about 1 to about 40 microns.

It is well known that an aqueous solution in contact with an untreated metal substrate can result in corrosion of the untreated metal substrate. Therefore, a metal article, such as a metal container for a water-based product, like a food or beverage, is rendered corrosion resistant in order to retard or eliminate interactions between the water-based product and the metal article. Generally, corrosion resistance is imparted to the metal article, or to a metal substrate in general, by passivating the metal substrate, or by coating the metal substrate with a corrosion-inhibiting coating.
Investigators continually have sought improved coating compositions that reduce or eliminate corrosion of a metal article and that do not adversely affect an aqueous product packaged in the metal article. For example, investigators have sought to improve the imperviousness of the coating in order to prevent corrosion-causing ions, oxygen molecules and water molecules from contacting and interacting with a metal substrate. Imperviousness can be improved by providing a thicker, more flexible and more adhesive coating, but often, improving one advantageous property is achieved at the expense of a second advantageous property.
In addition, practical considerations limit the thickness, adhesive properties and flexibility of a coating applied to a metal substrate. For example, thick coatings are expensive, require a longer cure time, can be esthetically unpleasing and can adversely affect the process of stamping and molding the coated metal substrate into a useful metal article. Similarly, the coating should be sufficiently flexible such that the continuity of the coating is not destroyed during stamping and molding of the metal substrate into the desired shape of the metal article.
Investigators also have sought coatings that possess chemical resistance in addition to corrosion inhibition. A useful coating for the interior of a metal container must be able to withstand the solvating properties of a product packaged in the metal container. If the coating does not possess sufficient chemical resistance, components of the coating can be extracted into the packaged product and adversely affect the product. Even small amounts of extracted coating components can adversely affect sensitive products, like beer, by imparting an off-taste to the product.
Conventionally, organic solvent-based coating compositions were used to provide cured coatings having excellent chemical resistance. Such solvent-based compositions include ingredients that are inherently water insoluble, and thereby effectively resist the solvating properties of water-based products packaged in the metal container. However, because of environmental and toxicological concerns, and in order to comply with increasingly strict governmental regulations, an increasing number of coating compositions are water based. The water-based coating compositions include ingredients that are water soluble or water dispersible, and, therefore, cured coatings resulting from water-based coating compositions often are more susceptible to the solvaing-properties of water.
In addition, water-based coating compositions do not completely overcome the environmental and toxicological problems associated with organic solvents because water-based compositions typically contain two or more pounds of organic solvent per gallon of coating composition. The organic solvent is a necessary ingredient to dissolve and disperse composition ingredients, and to improve the flow and viscosity of the composition. Therefore, in order to entirely avoid the environmental and toxicological problems associated with organic solvents, investigators have sought solid coating compositions that can be applied to a metal substrate. To date, investigators have had difficulty in providing a solid coating composition that matches a liquid coating composition with respect to film uniformity, film appearance, and film performance.
In prior attempts to find a useful solid coating composition, investigators have tested powder coatings, laminated film coatings, radiation cure coatings, and extrusion coatings. A great deal of research has been performed using free film laminates of polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE). In this method, a preformed polymer film, about 10 to about 25 microns thick, is applied to the metal substrate. The film laminate method is a rapid method of coating a metal substrate, but the method is expensive and the coated metal substrate does not possess all of the properties required, or desired, by can, can end, and closure manufacturers.
Solid powder coatings also have been used to coat a metal substrate with a coating composition. However, the application of a thin, uniform coating to a metal substrate; i.e., less than 40 microns, is difficult to impossible using the powder coating method. Often, if a thin coating is applied to a metal substrate using a powder coating method, the coating has imperfections which cause the film to fail. Such failures are impermissible in the food and beverage container industry, which further require thin coatings that can withstand shaping of a flat, coated metal substrate into a can, can end, or closure.
Solid coating compositions also have been extruded onto a metal substrate, for example, as disclosed in European Patent No. 0 067 060, PCT publication WO 94/01224, and Smith et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,702. The extrusion coating of a solid composition onto a metal substrate is complicated by the fact that the solid composition must be heated sufficiently to melt the composition for flow through the extrusion apparatus. The heating step can cause a premature cure of the coating composition, especially a thermoset composition, which makes extrusion onto the metal substrate difficult due to crosslinking in the extruder and can adversely affect the performance of the composition coated on the metal substrate.
In order to overcome the problem of premature curing, investigators have attempted to extrude thermoplastic coating compositions onto a metal substrate. These investigators also encountered serious problems, such as composition components having either too high of a molecular weight for easy, economical extrusion, or too low of a molecular weight thereby providing an extruded film that is too soft for many practical applications, such as on the interior or exterior of a food or beverage container. Therefore, many patents and publications in the field are directed to extrusion apparatus and extrusion methods which permit the application of such solid coating compositions to a metal substrate.
Investigators, therefore, have sought a solid, extrudable coating composition for use on the exterior and interior of food and beverage containers that exhibits the advantageous properties of adhesion, flexibility, chemical resistance, and corrosion inhibition, and that is economical and does not adversely affect the taste or other esthetic properties of sensitive foods and beverages packaged in the container. Investigators especially have sought useful extrusion coating compositions in order to reduce the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with organic solvents. In particular, investigators have sought a solid, extrusion coating composition for food and beverage containers (1) that meets increasingly strict environmental regulations, (2) has corrosion inhibition properties at least equal to existing organic solvent-based coating compositions, and (3) is easily extruded onto a metal substrate as a thin, uniform film. Such an extrusion coating composition would satisfy a long felt need in the art.
A present extrusion coating composition comprises: (a) a polyester, or blend of polyesters, and optionally, (b) a modifying resin. A present extrusion coating composition is a thermoplastic composition and is extrudable onto a metal substrate. Therefore, a crosslinking step, such as an additional heating step after extrusion of the composition onto the metal substrate or use of a crosslinking agent, is not required. A present extrusion coating composition is free of organic solvents, yet an extruded film demonstrates excellent coating properties, such as adhesion, hardness, and flexibility.
A solid, extrusion coating composition of the present invention contains no organic solvents, and, therefore, overcomes the environmental and toxicological problems associated with liquid coating compositions. The present thermoplastic extrusion coating compositions also provide a sufficiently flexible extruded coating such that the coated metal substrate can be deformed without destroying film continuity. In contrast, thermosetting compositions often provide a rigid cured film thereby making it difficult to impossible to coat the metal substrate prior to deforming, i.e., shaping, the metal substrate into a metal article, like a metal closure, can, or can end. Coating a metal substrate prior to shaping the metal substrate is the present standard industrial practice.
As an added advantage, it is envisioned that a present extrusion coating composition can be used on can ends, can bodies, and closures, thereby obviating the use of different coating compositions by container manufacturers. Furthermore, a present extrusion coating composition exhibits sufficient clarity, hardness, and mar resistance after application for use as a coating on the exterior of a metal container. Accordingly, an extrusion coating composition of the present invention has a more universal range of applications, such as for the interior coating of a metal container for food or beverage products, or for the exterior coating of a metal container or a material of construction, like aluminum siding; overcomes the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with a liquid coating composition; and overcomes disadvantages presented by other methods of applying a solid coating composition to a metal substrate.

Extrusion coating compositions and method


This invention provides methods of supplying information for fortunetelling wherein a user can receive useful information by accessing a fortunetelling site. A server delivers the fortune information to a client based on the presetting of the delivery at a fixed time everyday, the delivery at every hour, the delivery when the user's biorhythm is low, and the delivery when the fortune result is ill or good. When the delivery time is decided a computer calculates the fortune result out and the server delivers the result. When the delivery time is not decided the computer is preset to perform a fortunetelling and to calculate the fortune result where the computer judges good or ill result of the fortunetelling and thus the server delivers the fortune result in compliance with the judgment of the computer.

In the present stage where internet communication is quite popular among people, many internet services used have their sites for furnishing "Fortunetelling" contents, through which it is easy for internet users to access the fortunetelling site and obtain their own fortunes. A user who wants to check his fortune may access the site and input his own data such as his name, his date of birth and the like, according to a format indicated on a browser, and thus the computer site performs its fortunetelling in accordance with the obtained data, and then it displays the fortune result on the browser after proper calculation, wherein the user can obtain the relative result.
Nowadays, however, these fortunetelling sites are flooded, resulting in similar distributions of fortunetelling data without any significant difference. Therefore, for these sites, it is necessary to furnish extra and special data supplements to obtain many visitors on the site.
Recently, even a terminal of mobile communication machines such as PHS or a handy phone can enjoy the internet services, and there are many fortunetelling sites for these services. However, the contact to the site by the terminal needs the operation of a user's thumb only, which is very troublesome and difficult, and therefore on this site services, only limited information for the fortunetelling can be supplied.

Method for providing fortune information


Disclosed is a flexible impact protection member for mounting to a first member to protect either or both the first member and a second member that impacts thereon. The protection member has a several mobile portions, each being mounted end on end to each other. There is at least one tensile connection between adjacent mobile portions to lock each of the mobile portions to each other to form the flexible impact protection member. At least one portion of the flexible impact protection member can be se cured to the first member. The flexible impact protection member at least in part extends away from the first member when the first member is in a normal operation mode or orientation. The flexible impact protection member can deflect from its normal shape due to an impact event with the second member by the plurality of mobile portions moving relative to each other, such movement increasing tension in the tensile connection and therefore increasing stiffness of the flexible impact protection member.

There are a number of solutions for impact and crush protection. For example, those used in roll over protection for vehicles; these can be broken loosely into two categories, rigid and active.
However, most roll over protection bars are rigid (even those that are active) and therefore could injure a rider or passenger of the vehicle if the roll over bar struck them while the vehicle is rolling, for example midroll or when they are on the ground. This is even more likely if the user or passenger is pinned between the roll over protection bar and the ground. The impact energy, or at least some of it, is transferred into the user. Thus while the user may be protected from the weight of the vehicle landing on them, some or all of that weight or kinetic energy may still be transferred to the user if they are struck or pinned by the roll over protection bar.
Rigid roll over protection bars are perhaps the oldest and most well known. They typically are a bar or hoop that extends from the vehicle and in the event of a roll over will prevent the vehicle impacting onto the user. In some situations these may also prevent the vehicle from rolling further. These come in either vertical or horizontal configurations.
Examples of such bars are shown for example in the patent family of EP2073998, NZ 575562, & AU2007294463 for a roll over protection system. These documents disclose a narrow elongate steel or similar material bar that extends upwardly from the rear of the vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle.
The bar is rigid and is not designed to flex on impact. The geometry of such a narrow long shape bar ensures the vehicle cannot roll onto its back, or if it does, then it rolls onto its side again. However, the bar disclosed would injure a person if they were underneath it.
Also the bar disclosed would cause the vehicle to continue rolling onto its side and thus may injure the person.
A variation of rigid roll over bars is the deformable roll over protection bar. Examples of such a bar are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,738 for a rollover bar with deformable bearing. This document discloses a roll bar for a vehicle that is rigid and is mounted to a rigid part of the vehicle but has an elastically deformable part between it and the vehicle mount. This allows some movement of the roll bar (for example on impact of a user's head) to reduce injury before the roll bar is rigidly prevented from further movement. The bar disclosed would injure a person if they were underneath it.
Further examples are those shown in WO00/18678 and GB01341540 which are for a Industrial vehicle overhead guard and protective roof for a working vehicle respectively. These documents disclose an overhead protection roof for vehicles, such as a forklift, to guard the user from overhead falling debris. The roof is made of multiple elements, which are mounted off an overhead member. The elements are rigid to deflect debris falling from overhead but can move if the vehicle rolls over and the user is trapped between an object (for example the ground) and the roof elements.
Thus the user has a reduced chance of injury in a roll over situation where otherwise they would be pinned and injured by the roof.
Examples of active roll over protection systems are shown in US2009/0267335 for an ATV roll bar system. This document shows a rigid space frame that extends upward from a vehicle, such as an ATV. The space frame has a seatbelt or similar harness for the user, and has a mesh to provide a backrest for the user against the space frame.
The roll bar system may also have a tilt sensor that will set off an alert to the user of a near roll event and may also extend roll over stop bars.
However whilst active the roll bar is still rigid. The bar disclosed would injure a person if they were underneath it.
US2009/0278342 is for a vehicle roll bar apparatus with active material actuation. This document discloses a roll over bar that is stowed within the vehicle. When a roll over event is detected by sensors the roll over bar is deployed to at least protect the occupants from being crushed under the weight of the vehicle.
The user would be strapped into the vehicle and so is unlikely to be thrown clear under the roll bar. The roll bar is rigid. The bar disclosed would injure a person if they were underneath it.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved impact protection system or to overcome the above shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.


A screw pile substructure support system comprises a tubular pile with a fixed conical tip having a helical flight thereon which draws the pile into a soil bed when a torque is applied to the pile. The tip has a substantially conical shape, and the largest diameter of the tip is substantially the same as the diameter of the tubular pile to which it is attached. The helical flight is attached to the outside surface of the tip. The tip may also be provided a point tip and one or more cutting teeth attached its surface.

The installation of conventional foundation piles has previously been accomplished by driving a precast concrete pile or steel beam or vibrating an H pile into a soil bed. When driving a foundation pile, the soil surrounding the pile may be compacted in various ways as well as disrupted by the seismic shocks of the pile driver itself. When driving a pile into hard ground, earth displaced by the pile causes the ground surrounding the pile to heave. In contrast, when driving a pile into soft ground, settling of the surrounding soil may be caused. All of these conditions can cause problems for any standing structures in the area of the pile being driven.
The installation of conventional piles has also previously been accomplished by pre-drilling a hole in a soil bed using an auger and lowering a pre-molded pile into the hole. A hybrid system also exists between the driving and drilling methods whereby an open ended pile such as a pipe pile is driven into a soil bed, after which point the soil inside the pile is augered out and concrete is poured in the cavity formed therein. Cast and hole methods as well as casons may also be used, specifically where there are concerns for preserving nearby buildings against the problems discussed above. However, all these methods can prove either costly and/or slow to carry out in the field. Furthermore, where the ground in a job site is deemed to be contaminated, any soil removed from the ground, such as that produced by an auger, must be disposed of properly presenting an additional problem and associated cost.
A more complex system is known whereby a pile is attached to a drill head which is substantially larger than the diameter of the pile itself. The pile is turned together with the drill head by a drilling rig to create a passage in the soil bed through which the pile may pass. A conduit is provided through the center of the pile for water or grout to be pumped down and out the tip of the drill head to either float away debris or anchor the pile in its final resting place in the soil bed. Another system, known as an under-reamer system, features a double torque head which turns a drill in the center of a pipe, which pipe is itself turned in the opposite direction from the drill. Although they do have certain advantages over other known systems, both of these drilling systems are obviously substantially more complex, and therefore more costly than the first several prior art systems discussed.
Both driving and drilling systems used to place foundation piles rely in part on brute force to either force a pile into a soil bed, or to cut and remove material. What is needed is a more elegant approach to foundation pile placement providing such benefits as may include a faster pile placement speed, lower cost and greater ease of use as well as higher load capacity piles.


A buried type semiconductor laser 1 is made of a p-type InP substrate 2 and includes a ridge section 6 made up of a p type InP first clad layer 3, AlGaInAs distorted quantum well active layer 4 and n type InP second clad layer 5 laminated one atop another. On both sides of the ridge section 6, an buried current block layer 10 made up of a p-type InP first buried layer 7, n-type InP second buried layer 8 and semi-insulating Fe-doped InP third buried layer 9 laminated one atop another is formed. A top face of the third buried layer 9 is covered with an n-type InP semiconductor layer 11. The above structure can suppress the occurrence of a leakage current path on the top face of the third buried layer 9 and improve reliability of the buried type semiconductor laser.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a buried type semiconductor laser, and more particularly, to a buried type semiconductor laser having a mesa stripe structure with reduced leakage current.
2. Background Art
With the expansion of an optical fiber communication network, there is a growing demand for a semiconductor laser capable of high-speed, high-temperature operation in recent years. As such a semiconductor laser, a buried type semiconductor laser having such a structure that a mesa stripe-shaped light guide is formed on a semiconductor substrate and current block layers are buried on both sides thereof is being widely used (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-320083).
FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional structure of the above described conventional buried type semiconductor laser. This semiconductor laser 1 is made of an n-type InP substrate 2. On the InP substrate 2, an n-type InP clad layer 3b, an AlGaInAs distorted quantum well active layer 4b and a p-type InP clad layer 5b are formed like a mesa and a ridge section 6 is made up of these layers. A p-type InP buried layer 7, an n-type InP buried layer 8 and an buried layer 9 made of semi-insulating Fe-doped InP are buried on both sides of the ridge section 6, and an n-type InP buried layer 19 is further formed thereon. A current block layer 10 is made up of these layers.
A p-type InP layer 11 and a p-type InGaAs contact layer 12 are provided on the p-type InP clad layer 5b and n-type InP buried layer 19. An SiO2 film pattern 13 and a p-type electrode 14 are further formed thereon. An n-type electrode 15 is provided on the back of the InP substrate 2.
Next, the method of manufacturing the semiconductor laser shown in FIG. 17 will be explained. First, as shown in FIG. 18, crystals of an n-type InP layer 3c, an AlGaInAs distorted quantum well active layer 4c and a p-type InP layer 5c are made to grow one by one on the n-type InP substrate 2 using an metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD method).
Next, an SiO2 film (silicon oxide film) is formed on the p-type InP layer 5c shown in FIG. 18 and patterned. As a result, an SiO2 film pattern 16 is formed on the p-type InP layer 5c as shown in FIG. 19.
Next, the p-type InP layer 5c, AlGaInAs distorted quantum well active layer 4c, n-type InP layer 3c and n-type InP substrate 2 are wet etched using the SiO2 film pattern 16 shown in FIG. 19 as a mask. As a result, the ridge section 6 consisting of the n-type InP layer 3b, AlGaInAs distorted quantum well active layer 4b and p-type InP layer 5b is formed as shown in FIG. 20.
Next, the p-type InP buried layer 7, n-type InP buried layer 8, semi-insulating Fe-doped InP buried layer 9 and n-type InP buried layer 19 are formed one by one on both sides of the ridge section 6 shown in FIG. 20 using the MOCVD method. As a result, the buried current block layer 10 is formed as shown in FIG. 21.
Next, the SiO2 film pattern 16 shown in FIG. 21 is removed by etching. As a result, the structure shown in FIG. 22 is obtained. Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the p-type InP layer 11 and the p-type InP contact layer 12 are formed on then-type InP buried layer 19 and p-type InP layer 5b using the MOCVD method.
Next, the SiO2 film pattern 13 is formed on the p-type InP contact layer 12 shown in FIG. 23 and the p-type electrode 14 is formed thereon. Furthermore, the n-type electrode 15 is formed on the back of the InP substrate 2. As a result, the semiconductor laser shown in FIG. 17 can be obtained.
In the structure of the semiconductor laser shown in FIG. 17, the semi-insulating Fe-doped InP buried layer 9 blocks a current by trapping electrons. For this purpose, the top face and bottom face of the semi-insulating Fe-doped InP buried layer 9 need to be covered with the n-type InP layer.
However, in the process of forming the p-type InP buried layer 7, n-type InP buried layer 8, semi-insulating Fe-doped InP buried layer 9 and n-type InP buried layer 19 shown in FIG. 21, an MO (metal organic) gas hardly wraps around into the back side at both ends of the SiO2 film pattern 16.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, at the top ends (the parts surrounded by dotted lines 20) on both sides of the ridge section 6, the top face of the semi-insulating Fe-doped InP buried layer 9 contacts the p-type InP layer 11. Therefore, the above described contact parts become a path through which a leakage current flows. That is, the above described conventional buried type semiconductor laser has a problem that the current-light output characteristic of the laser deteriorates due to the above described leakage current.


A fuel injection device includes a rail having at least one outflow opening, at least one injector situated on the rail, a connecting piece situated on the injector, and a flange element for fastening the injector on the rail. The flange element includes a central opening through which the connecting piece is guided. A metal-metal sealing is provided between the connecting piece and the rail. The connecting piece is designed in one piece with an undercut, and the flange element engages with the undercut of the connecting piece. The connecting piece presses against the rail in a sealing manner.

Fuel injectors are known from the related art in various embodiments. In high-pressure injection systems, a metal-metal connection instead of an o-ring sealing is increasingly used between a rail (fuel storage device) and an injector in order to reduce HC emission. These metal-metal connections, however, require relatively strong forces, using which the surfaces must be pressed onto one another, to ensure a sufficient tightness. Oftentimes, the force necessary thereto is applied to the metal sealing surfaces with the aid of a cap nut which is fastened by screws. In the known approach, a plurality of individual components is, however, necessary, in particular multiple ring segments being used for force transmission. On the one hand, this results in high manufacturing costs due to the plurality of components and, on the other hand, in an increased mounting complexity. It would therefore be desirable to have a reliable connection which may be easily mounted between an injector and a rail even for high-pressure applications.

Fuel injector having an improved high-pressure connection


A message box is provided for a motor vehicle having a small rectangular side aperture located near the drivers seat. A side door is in the side aperture of the roof. The side door has a narrow slot to allow messages and mail to be deposited therethrough. A receptacle is mounted to the underside of the roof within the motor vehicle about the drivers seat and adjacent the side door, so as to receive the message and mail deposited through the narrow slot in the side door. A structure is in the receptacle for retrieving the messages and mail deposited therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to mail drops and more specifically it relates to a vehicle message box.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous mail drops have been provided in prior art that are private receptacles or slots used for the delivery of incoming mail. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A folding top for a convertible vehicle including a folding top frame movable between a closed, stretched position and an open, compacted position. The top frame includes two rod linkage systems, each including a first leg and a frame section having a guide rail connected to the first leg and a holding strut movable relative to the guide rail and the first leg during movement of the top frame between the open and closed positions. A flexible skin is retained by the holding strut such that the skin is movable relative to the first leg during movement of the first leg to thereby reduce stresses on the skin.

The invention relates to a folding top for a convertible vehicle.
In known convertibles of this type (such as described in German Patent Publication No. DE 44 41 668 C1), a folding top is provided having a flexible roof skin which is connected with rod linkage legs of the folding top frame. The roof skin is detachably fixed to the rear rod linkage leg in order to avoid overspreading during the opening and closing movements of the folding top and, in the closed position, the roof skin is fixed by a tensioning rope in the region of the rod linkage leg. During movement into the respective opening or closing position, it is cumbersome to control the tensioning rope and, in the event of a conceivable fatigue of the tensioning rope, a passage between the tensioning rope and the rod linkage leg into the passenger space is often formed.
The present invention is concerned with the problem of creating a folding top for a convertible vehicle having a roof skin which is held in the region of a rod linkage leg and can be shifted without fatigue with the folding top frame, this shifting taking place without overstressing the roof skin. The invention also makes it possible to provide optimum coverage of four-seated passenger spaces.
Generally, the folding top in accordance with the invention includes a rod linkage leg on each side of the folding top and a respective frame section. The frame section includes a first component which holds the material of the roof skin and a second component which is attached to a part of the rod linkage leg. The second component is movable relative to the first component so that the roof skin is movable relative to the rod linkage leg. In this manner, extreme stresses are not imparted to the roof skin during movement of the rod linkage legs.
More specifically, in the region of its roof skin connection to the folding frame, the folding top in accordance with the invention is provided with connecting units, which lie opposite one another in pairs at the folding top frame and are formed in each case by one of the rod linkage legs and a frame section, connected with the roof skin. The parts of the connecting unit are coupled over a restricted guidance in such a manner that relative movement between the region of the roof skin, held and connected to the frame section at the lateral edges, and the associated rod linkage leg is possible. The folding top, especially a flexible roof skin, permanently connected with the folding top frame or the respective frame section, can be moved during an opening or closing motion of the folding top frame in such a manner that movement and folding of the folding top which is gentle to the material and does not overstress it is achieved and, at the same time, even covers larger passenger spaces, such as a four-seater car, can be moved optimally.
Further details and advantageous effects of the invention arise out of the following description and the drawings, in which an example of the object of the invention is shown in greater detail.


Disclosed are methods of inhibiting autoreactive immune cell proliferation in a mammal, involving administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or an immune cell anti-proliferative fragment or analog thereof.

This invention relates to methods for treating autoimmune diseases.
Responses of the immune system initiate the destruction and elimination of invading organisms and toxic molecules produced by them. Because these immune reactions are destructive, it is essential that they be made in response only to molecules that are foreign to the host and not to those of the host itself. The ability to distinguish foreign molecules from self molecules is a fundamental feature of the immune system. Occasionally the immune system fails to make this distinction and reacts destructively against the host's own molecules; such autoimmune diseases can be fatal. Thus, tolerance to self antigens breaks down, causing the components of the immune system such as T or B cells (or both) to react against their own tissue antigens. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and systemic lupus erythematosus are a few examples of such autoimmune diseases.

Recombinant human alph-fetoprotein as an immunosuppressive agent


A toolbox device for actuating locking and/or unlocking of a power battery of a drive motor of a motor vehicle, the device including a supporting structure supporting a plurality of separate modules, each including at least one system for gripping a mechanism for locking/unlocking the battery and at least one actuator, a number of actuators being relative to a number of movements to be performed to implement the locking/unlocking the battery.

The present invention relates to an actuation device for the locking and/or unlocking of a battery-type energy container of an electric motor vehicle. Hereinafter, the term battery will be used for reasons of simplicity. The invention also relates to a system for replacing a battery or any energy container of a motor vehicle including such an actuation device, as well as to a battery replacement station using such a system.
Some motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, comprise a battery for powering an electric drive motor. It may prove advantageous to exchange this battery when its energy level is low compared to a new charged battery. This can be done in a station similar to a service station in which a petrol tank of a motor vehicle can be filled.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,606 discloses a station for exchanging electric power supply batteries of a drive motor of an electric vehicle and a method for performing such an exchange. In the exchanging station described, the driver approximately positions the vehicle in a rail, against an end stop that is longitudinal in relation to the station equipment. Then, in more or less automatic phases, mobile means for removing the electric battery and assembling the new battery in the vehicle are positioned in relation to the vehicle by virtue of sensors.
One difficulty in putting such a battery exchange concept in place lies in the fact that there are a multitude of motor vehicles that may comprise batteries of different types, fixed differently to the motor vehicle. Now, it is not economically feasible to envisage multiplying the automatic devices for removing and replacing these different types of batteries, or to put a manual solution in place because of its cost and the weight of the batteries.
Thus, to allow for an easy deployment of the battery exchange stations (requiring little technological competence), it is necessary to make the operation of such stations reliable, robust, flexible and universal.

Device for replacing a power battery of a drive motor or a motor vehicle