A histogram generating device is disclosed. An embodiment has a brightness signal generating module generating a brightness signal by use of RGB component data of an input frame, an image component data selecting module outputting a single component frame consisting of image component data, which is one of the RGB component data and the brightness signal, an interval histogram generating module generating a level value by calculating the number of image component data belonging to each level grouped by a histogram resolution as a detection interval of the plurality of successive single component frames is changed, and a memory storing a plurality of level values generated for each of the single component frames.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an image processing device, more specifically to a device generating a histogram.
2. Background Art
The method for obtaining a histogram through image data is quite simple in a general system, but requires a very large number of counters to realize the method in hardware. In the most general type, if the range of data values that are inputted to a device analyzing a histogram is between 0 and 255, 0-255 counters are required. Each addition adds the counter value by 1 in accordance with the input data value. Through this, a distribution map of pixel values for the image of a screen is created. This way, the most accurate and ideal histogram can be obtained.
However, high-resolution images are inputted into today's image processing devices, increasing the amount of data and requiring the size of the counter to be large enough to cover the high-resolution images. Therefore, it is inevitable that the size of hardware continuously grow, and sufficient storage space be provided, requiring substantial space of hardware in order to accommodate the series of processes in hardware.


In some embodiments of the sofa lover's sofa, a sofa or the like can have an end cushion comprising a lower stationary member approximating the height of an armrest of the sofa and a rotatable upper member that may be rotated to overlie an armrest of the sofa. Thus, a back support may be provided for sitting crosswise on the sofa. In other embodiments of the sofa lover's sofa, a sofa or the like can have a lower front panel that is rotatable to a position overlying a seat cushion so as to act as an armrest for a person sitting crosswise on the sofa.

People often lie across a sofa; that is, with their head resting on a standard armrest of the sofa and their bodies stretched lengthwise across the sofa, from armrest to armrest. Lying this way, at times, is for comfort and at other times, is for viewing TV or conversing with someone located generally seated near an opposite armrest of the sofa so that both people are seated likewise on the sofa facing each other.
Generally, when a person is seated in such a manner, he can use the back of the sofa as an armrest for one arm though it is not at a comfortable height for long term seating; and, there is no corresponding armrest for the other arm nor upper back support. The only option is to attempt to provide support for the otherwise unsupported arm using a firm cushion or other object that is unconnected to the couch such as a pillow, table or another article of furniture.


An electronic control for a compression ignition engine preferably includes engine sensors and vehicle sensors connected to the control. The control inputs signals produced by the sensor and responsively calculates a plurality of rating factors. The control weights the rating factors according to owner programmed weighting and also calculates a driver performance factor as the sum of the weighted rating factors. A modified vehicle speed limit is calculated in response to the driver performance score exceeding a minimum incentive value.

Electronic controls for compression ignition engines are known in the art. Some of those known electronic controls have provided more flexibility and greater control over engine performance and emissions than do mechanical controls. For example, when used in connection with an on-highway truck, some electronic controls provide the capability to program a maximum vehicle speed limit. Maximum vehicle speed typically could only be limited in mechanically controlled engines by matching the maximum engine speed with a specific transmission and differential ratio. Although this mechanical method prevented operators from running faster than the desired speed it did not always permit the engine to run most efficiently.
Electronic controls, however, permit an owner to program a maximum vehicle speed which is then used by the controller to limit power output when the vehicle is traveling faster than that speed. For example, if the maximum vehicle speed is programmed to be 55 MPH, then the electronic control will limit engine power when the vehicle speed exceeds the programmed 55 MPH limit. One such electronic control that incorporates this vehicle speed limiting strategy is the ADEM II controller, readily available on a variety of compression ignition engines from Caterpillar Inc., the assignee of the present patent.
Vehicle speed limiting generally provides improved fuel economy at the expense of reduced speeds and increased trip times. Although the feature is generally favored by fleet owners who want to increase their profits by slowing their drivers down and thereby decreasing the overall operating cost of the vehicle, the feature is sometimes considered an annoyance by drivers who are generally paid by the mile and, therefore, like to increase speed and thereby decrease trip time.
Variations of the vehicle speed limiting feature have been developed to appease both groups. One such variation Is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,827. In that patent a variable vehicle speed limit is described in which the vehicle speed limit may be increased by a fuel economy speed limit adder if the vehicle operator achieves a programmed filtered fuel economy. The philosophy of that device is to provide an incentive for the vehicle operator to maximize fuel economy.
Although the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,827, might promote fuel efficient driving in some circumstances, it does not work in all driving conditions and does not necessarily promote the most cost effective overall vehicle operation in all instances. For example, there is no way for that control to promote vehicle operation that reduces maintenance costs, another important cost component for fleet managers and owners, which are associated with "hard" driving (i.e., the practice of abruptly controlling the throttle and brake, among other things). Additionally, a driver who drives a city route may not be able to achieve the pre-programmed fuel economy level, not because he is driving inefficiently, but instead because there are many unforeseen signal lights and stop signs which prevent him from achieving the same fuel economy as a vehicle driven on the highway. In those instances a pre-programmed fuel economy level may not promote efficient driving. Also, the device of the '827 patent cannot determine how severely the operator runs the engine and thus cannot account for undue stress the operator may place on the engine, driveline or other engine or vehicle components.
It would be preferable to have a system that promotes efficient overall driving techniques to reduce the overall cost of operating the vehicle.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Electronic engine control and method of operating same


In a battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention, when coupling bosses of a second case are coupled to coupling holes of a first case, the first case and the second case can be easily coupled to each other by reducing the thicknesses of some portions of a rib having the coupling holes before the coupling bosses are coupled to the coupling holes. In addition, the first case and the second case can be smoothly coupled to each other at the initial step of coupling the coupling bosses and the coupling holes to each other by opening the outermost portion of the first case facing the top end of the rib having the coupling holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery pack.
2. Description of the Related Art
A secondary battery often has one unit battery (one bare cell) but may include a plurality of unit batteries in the form of a group battery to constitute a pack according to an external device to which it is applied.
In the latter case, a plurality of unit batteries are positioned in a case assembly, and the case assembly includes an upper case and a lower case.
Generally, the battery pack is formed by assembling the upper case and the lower case after positioning the unit batteries in the lower case.


A curable composition comprising: (A) a hydrocarbon compound having a plurality of carbon-carbon double bonds, and (B) a carbonaceous material. The hydrocarbon compound may preferably be 1,2-polybutadiene. The curable composition may be used for a fuel cell separator.

Heretofore, certain materials such as metals and carbon materials have been used in fields wherein high electroconductivity is required. Among these, carbon materials are free from corrosion unlike metals, and are excellent in electroconductivity, thermal resistance, lubricity, heat conductivity, durability, etc.
Therefore, carbon materials have played an important role in various fields such as electronics, electrochemistry, energy and transportation equipment, etc. Also, composite materials based on a combination of a carbon material and a polymer material have made remarkable progress and permit high performance and high function in various materials. Particularly, the degree of freedom of mold workability is expanded due to a combination of a carbon material and a polymer material, and this is one reason why carbon materials have been developed in fields where electroconductivity is required.
Examples of the usage or application for the carbon material in which the electroconductivity is required, may include: electronic materials such as circuit boards, resistors, laminates, and electrodes; and various members such as heaters, members constituting heat-generating devices, and dust-collecting filter elements. In these applications, high thermal resistance is required together with an electro conductivity.
On the other hand, in view of environmental problems and energy problems, fuel cells have attracted much attention as clean power-generating devices, because they generate electric power by a reverse reaction of electrolysis using hydrogen and oxygen, and they produce no exhaust material other than water. Also, in this field, carbon materials and polymer materials have important roles.
The fuel cells can be classified into several kinds, depending on the kind of the electrolyte to be used therefor. Among such fuel cells, solid polymer electrolyte-type fuel cells can work at a low temperature, and therefore they are most useful for automobile or public or civilian uses. This type of fuel cell is constructed by stacking unit cells, each of which comprises, e.g., a polymer electrolyte, a gas diffusion electrode, a catalyst and a separator, and the fuel cell can attain high-output power generation.
In the fuel cell having the above structure, the separator is always in contact with water which is produced by the reaction for electric power generation. It is said that the operating (or working) temperature of the above solid-type fuel cell is about 80° C. However, in applications of the fuel cell wherein a long operating time is expected, the separator is required to have a thermal resistance (particularly, hydrothermal resistance) which can bear the use thereof for a long period.
In addition, the separator to used for such a purpose to partition the unit cells usually has at least one flow channel (or groove) to which a fuel gas (hydrogen) and an oxidant gas (oxygen) are supplied, and from which the produced water content (steam) is discharged. Therefore, the separator is required to have a high gas impermeability capable of perfectly separating these gases, and is also required to have a high electroconductivity to reduce the internal resistance. Further, the separator is required to be excellent in heat conductivity, durability, strength, etc.
To satisfy these requirements, the separator has been heretofore studied in view of both aspects of metal and carbon materials. Metals have a problem in the corrosion resistance thereof and therefore, an attempt has been made to cover the surface thereof with a noble metal or carbon. However, in such a case, a sufficiently high durability cannot be obtained and moreover, the cost for covering the metal is problematic.
On the other hand, a large number of carbon materials have been studied as carbon materials for fuel cell separators, and examples thereof include a molded article obtained by press-molding an expanded graphite sheet, a molded article obtained by impregnating a carbon sintered body with a resin and curing (or hardening) the resin, a vitreous carbon obtained by baking a thermosetting resin, and a molded article obtained by mixing a carbon powder and a resin and molding the resultant mixture.
For example, JP-A-8-222241 (Patent Document 1; the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") discloses a complicated process such that a binder is added to a carbon powder and mixed under heating, the mixture is CIP (Cold Isostatic Pressing)-molded, baked and graphitized, and the thus obtained isotropic graphite material is impregnated with a thermosetting resin and subjected to a curing treatment, and grooves are engraved therein by cutting.
JP-A-60-161144 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technique of impregnating a paper containing carbon powder or carbon fiber with a thermosetting resin, stacking and press-bonding the resultant papers, and baking the stacked body. JP-A-2001-68128 (Patent Document 3) discloses a technique of injection-molding a phenol resin into a separator-shaped mold and baking the molded resin.
The materials which have been subjected to a baking treatment as in these examples can exhibit a high electroconductivity and a high thermal resistance, but the baking takes a long time and the productivity is low, and these materials also have a problem that they have a poor bending (or flexural) strength. Further, when cutting these materials is necessary, the mass productivity is low and the cost is high and, therefore, these materials can hardly become popular in the future.
A molding method is considered as means being expected to bring high mass productivity and low cost.
The material applicable thereto is generally a composite of a carbonaceous material and a resin. For example, JPA-58-53167 (Patent Document 4), JP-A-60-37670 (Patent Document 5), JP-A-60-246568 (Patent Document 6), JP-B-64340 (Patent Document 7; the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent application") and JP-B-6-22136 (Patent Document 8) disclose a separator comprising graphite, carbon and a thermosetting resin such as phenol resin. JP-B-57-42157 (Patent Document 9) discloses a bipolar separator comprising a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin, and an electroconductive substance such as graphite, and JP-A-1-311570 (Patent Document 10) discloses a separator obtained by blending an expanded graphite and a carbon black with a thermosetting resin such as phenol resin and furan resin. In addition, JP-A 11-154521 (Patent Document 11) disclose a separator capable of preventing the deterioration in the use thereof at a high temperature by using the brominated epoxy resin as a fire retardant.    [Patent Document 1] JP-A 08-222241    [Patent Document 2] JP-A 60-161144    [Patent Document 3] JP-A 2001-068128    [Patent Document 4] JP-A 58-053167    [Patent Document 5] JP-A 60-037670    [Patent Document 6] JP-A 60-246568    [Patent Document 7] JP-B 64-000340    [Patent Document 8] JP-B 06-022136    [Patent Document 9] JP-B 57-042157    [Patent Document 10] JP-A 01-311570    [Patent Document 11] JP-A 11-154521
The above-mentioned conventional various kinds of cured products comprising thermosetting resins and carbonaceous materials do not have sufficient performances, in view of a high thermal resistance which is required in many applications such as electrodes, heaters, heat-generating device members, and fuel cell separators.
In addition, and particularly in the case of a fuel cell separator, it is required to have a hydrothermal resistance, in addition to a thermal resistance. However, the above-mentioned conventional cured products comprising thermosetting resins and carbonaceous materials do not have sufficient performances, in view of a high hydrothermal resistance which is required for the use of fuel cell separators. In other words, the thermosetting resin having an ester bond or urethane bond in the structure thereof can be hydrolyzed in some cases by hot water produced from the fuel cell. Accordingly, when the conventional cured product comprising a thermosetting resin and a carbonaceous materials is used in the case of automobiles and household electric appliances which are expected to be used for a long time, it is impossible to obtain a product having a sufficient durability.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Curable composition, cured product thereof, molded product thereof and use as fuel cell separator


A method of expanding tubing such as a section of casing includes locating the casing in a bore and expanding a portion of the casing to engage the bore wall using an expansion tool having at least one radially movable expansion member. The expansion member may be in the form of a roller of a rotary expander. The method additionally includes subsequently expanding a further portion of the casing by advancing a cone expander through the casing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to expanding tubing, and in particular to expansion of tubing downhole. Embodiments of the invention relate to anchoring and expanding tubing downhole.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present applicant and others have made various proposals relating to anchoring tubing in a bore by diametrically expanding the tubing into engagement with surrounding tubing. For example, in applicant's GB-A-2 345 308 there is disclosed a method of creating a tubing hanger by expanding tubing into engagement with existing tubing using a radially expandable tool, and subsequently advancing the tool through anchored tubing to expand the tubing.
It is among the objectives of embodiments of the invention to provide alternative methods for anchoring and expanding tubing.

Methods and apparatus for expanding tubing with an expansion tool and a cone


The present invention relates to Ca2+ channel blockers and more particularly to the R-type Ca2+ channel blockers. More specifically, the invention relates to Ca2+ channel blockers activity of Mandevilla velutina and Mandevilla illustris. The present invention further concerns saponin-like compounds isolated from Mandevilla species. The present invention also relates to the treatment of several pathologies that involve the nifedipine-insensitive but isradipine sensitive steady-state R-type Ca2+ channel and the use of steady-state R-type Ca2+ channel blockers in the treatment of these pathologies.

Sustained increase of intracellular Ca2+ or sustained Ca2+ overload (cytosolic, nuclear and mitochondrial) is known to be associated with many abnormal cell function including hypertension, artherosclerosis, hyperinsulinemia, diabetes Melitus type II, abnormal cell proliferation, cell—cell interactions, necrosis, ischemia/reperfusion, arrythmias, platelet activation and aggregation as well as inflammation and asthma (Bkaily, 1994, Medical Intelligence Unit, CRC Press, Austin; Bkaily and Jacques, 1994, Kluwer Academic Publ., Boston; Bkaily et al., 1994, Kluwer Academic Publ., Boston; Bkaily et al., 1997, Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 75:652–666; Bkaily et al., 1997, Mol. Cell. Biochem. 172:171–194; Bkaily et al., 1997b, Drug Devel. Res. 42:211–222; Sowers et al., 1993, Am. J. Hypert. 6:302–307; 1994; Hurwitz et al., 1991, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Ann Arbor; Nagano et al., 1992, Kluwer Academic Publ., Boston; Anand et al., 1989, Kluwer Academic Publ. Boston; Dhalla et al., 1996, Kluwer Academic Publ. Boston; Karmazyn, 1996, Birkhauser Verlag. Basel, Boston; Curtis, 1993, Academic Press. London, San Diego; De Brum et al., 1996, Br. J. Pharmacol. 118:1597–1604; Foreman, 1993, Academic Press, London, San Diego; Furberg et al., 1993, Am. J. Hypert. 6:24S–29S; Holgate et al., 1993, Academic Press, London, Boston; Jacobs et al., 1993, Hypertension 21:308–314; Johnson et al., 1993, J. Clinic. Pharmacol. 35:484–492; Levy et al., 1994, Am. J. Med. 96:260–273; Raman et al., 1995, Am. J. Hypert. 8:197–200; Sperelakis et al., 1984, Martinus Nijhoff Publ. Boston; Standley et al., 1993; Wray et al., 1989, The New York Academy of Sciences, New York. Vol. 560). A wide variety of drugs has been tested against different types of Ca2+ channels (P, N, T and L) and the development of Ca2+ blockers has been concentrated on the L-type Ca2+ channel, which has never been shown to undergo any abnormal function in many diseases implicating sustained increase of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca]i) or Ca2+ overload. Also, these drugs with the exception of isradipine (PN200-110, Lomir/Dynacirc), failed to block or prevent the sustained increase of [Ca]i, Ca2+ overload and necrosis. Recently, the presence of a steady-state nifedipine (L-type blocker)-insensitive but isradipine sensitive (dual L and R-type blocker) R-type (resting-type) Ca2+ channel that is voltage and Ligand-G protein-dependent has been reported (Bkaily et al., 1991, Elsevier, New York; Bkaily et al., 1992a, Am. J. Physiol. 262:H463–471; 1993, Br. J. Pharmacol. 110:519–520; 1993a, J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 25:1305–1316; 1995, J. Cardiovascul. Pharmacol. 26:303–306; 1996, Mol. Cell. Biochem. 154:113–121; 1997, Drug Develop. Res. 42:211–222; 1997a, Mol. Cell. Biochem. 172:171–194; 1997b, Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 75:652–666; 1997d, Mol. Cell. Biochem. 170:1–8; 1997d, Mol. Cell. Biochem. 176:199–204; 1998, Mol. Cell. Biochem., 183:39–47; Bkaily, 1994a, In: Ionic channels in vascular smooth muscle. G. Bkaily edt. Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit, R.G. Lands Co. Austin.). This channel was responsible for maintaining the resting cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ levels and its overstimulation by sustained depolarization or by permanent presence of some hormones such as insulin, ET-1, PAF, TNFα, PDGF, Bradykinin, or IL-1 induced sustained increase of [Ca]c and [Ca]n. (Bkaily et al., 1991, Elsevier, New York; 1993, supra; 1995, supra; 1996, supra, 1997a, supra; 1997b, supra; 1997c, supra; 1997d, supra; 1998, supra; Bkaily, 1994a, supra; Bkaily, 1994b, In: Membrane physiopathology. G. Bkaily edt. Kluwer Acad. Publ. Boston; Taoudi et al., 1995, J. Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 26:300–302). The important features that distinguish this channel from other Ca2+ channels are the sustained activity (as long as a depolarization or the pharmacological and physiological agonist is present) and the large number of disparate agonists that indirectly (via receptor-G proteins coupling) stimulate the channel.
Several reviews described the presence of various types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in many cell types including heart, vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and vascular endothelial (VE) cells (Godfraind and Govoni, 1995; Bkaily, 1994b, supra; Orallo, 1996, Bkaily et al., 1997a, supra). Among these different types of Ca2+ channels, the resting membrane potential steady-state voltage-dependent R-type (for resting) Ca2+ channel was first reported by the group of Bkaily et al. (Bkaily et al., 1991, supra; 1992, supra; Bkaily, 1994, supra). Later, the group of Tsien (Zhang et al., 1993, Neuropharmacol 32:1075–1088; Randall et al., 1997, Neuropharmacol 36:879–893) described a dihydropyridine resistant type Ca2+ channel also named R-type (for resistant).
The steady-state R-type Ca2+ channel in human VSM and VE cells was reported to possess a nearly 24 pS single channel conductance (in 110 mM Ca2+) (Bkaily et al., 1997a, supra). This type of channel was shown to be responsible for determining, under normal conditions, the resting tension of VSM cells and secretions by VE cells (Bkaily et al., 1991, supra; Bkaily et al., 1992, supra; Bkaily et al., 1993, supra; Bkaily et al., 1995, supra; Bkaily et al., 1996; Bkaily et al., 1997a; Bkaily et al., 1997b; Claing et al., 1994, Br. J. Pharmacol. 1:1202–1208; Taoudi-Benchekroun et al., 1995, J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 26:300–302). This type of Ca2+ channel is known to be insensitive to nifedipine and inorganic L-type Ca2+ channel blockers such as cobalt, cadmium and Mn2+ and the T-type Ca2+ blocker, nickel (Bkaily, 1994, supra). However, it is blocked by PN200-110 (isradipine) which is also known to block the L-type Ca2+ channel (Bkaily et al., 1992, supra; Bkaily et al., 1997a, supra). Unlike T and L-type Ca2+ channels, the R-type Ca2+ channel was not regulated by second messengers such as cAMP, cGMP and protein kinase C and neither by ATP (Bkaily, 1994, supra). This type of channel was reported to be indirectly stimulated by insulin, PAF, ET-1 and bradykinin via stimulation of a PTX and CTX sensitive G-protein(s) (Bkaily, 1994a, supra; 1991, supra; 1992, supra; 1995; 1996, supra; 1997a, supra; 1997b, supra; 1997c, supra; 1998, supra) and to contribute to a sustained elevation of cytosolic ([Ca]c) and nuclear ([Ca]n) Ca2+. These indirect R-type Ca2+ channel stimulators such as PAF induced elevation of [Ca]c and [Ca]n by increasing the probability of opening of the channel, and thus allowing longer influx of Ca2+ through the sarcolemmal membrane (Bkaily et al., 1997a, supra).
Since PN200-110 was found to be the only available compound to depress the R-type Ca2+ channel and since this Ca2+ blocker is known to affect other types of Ca2+ channels, there remains a need to develop specific and potent steady-state R-type Ca2+ channel blockers.
The steady-state R-type Ca2+ channels are distributed in a non-homogenous fashion, similarly to some other receptors. This type of channel seems to have no inactivation gate and it is highly selective for Ca2+ ions. The R-type Ca2+ channel is highly voltage-dependent but could be stimulated by receptors whose activation is coupled to a specific PTX and CTX-sensitive G-protein(s) (Bkaily et al., 1998, supra). Thus, if the R-type Ca2+ channel is fully activated via a receptor dependent pathway, it may appear as a receptor operated Ca2+ channel. Moreover, if the R-type channel is fully activated by voltage, receptor stimulation does not further modulate its function and appears as a pure voltage-dependent channel (Bkaily, 1994, supra; 1997a, supra; 1997c, supra). Since T- and L-type Ca2+ channels are rapidly inactivated during sustained voltage or pharmacological stimulation, these types of channels can only contribute to the inset stimulation. However, the R-type Ca2+ channel will contribute to both inset and sustained elevation of cytosolic and nuclear free Ca2+, seen in normal and pathological conditions, depending on the function of the studied cell type. Hence, this type of channel, under normal physiological situations contributes to the resting Ca2+ influx responsible for determining the resting cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ that modulate resting tension, secretion, protein synthesis and mitosis. In working muscle cells, such as heart cells, the normal physiological function of this channel at the sarcolemmal membrane level, is to maintain normal resting cytosolic Ca2+ level. However, at the nuclear membrane levels, this channel seems to be implicated in maintaining normal resting nucleoplasmic Ca2+ levels (near 300 nM) (Bkaily et al., 1997a, supra; 1997b, supra).
During excitation-contraction coupling, the R-type Ca2+ channel is implicated in regulating Ca2+ wave propagation initiated, by Ca2+ influx through the opening of the T- and L-type Ca2+ channels and the subsequent large Ca2+ release from the SR by attenuating the cytosolic Ca2+ wave amplitude, by allowing Ca2+ influx through the nuclear membrane and thus permitting a smooth contraction and relaxation. The subsequent release of the uptaken Ca2+ permits the maintainance of Ca2+ waves and slow relaxation and propagation of the waves to neighboring cells, most likely through gap-junctions and in this manner, allowing synchronization of contraction of ventricular cells (Lopez et al., 1995, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 214:781–787; Bkaily et al., 1996, supra; 1997a, supra). The fact that cytosolic Ca2+ waves cannot be completely absorbed by the nucleus is due to the maximum Ca2+ buffering capacity of the nucleus which is shielded from variations in cytoplasmic Ca2+, perhaps by gating mechanisms in the perinuclear envelope once its maximum capacity is reached (Burnier et al., 1994, Am J Physiol 266:C1118–C1127; Bkaily, 1994, supra; 1996, supra; 1997a, supra, 1997b, supra).
Recent published results also showed that in secretory cells such as VE and VSM cells, tonic secretion or contraction is mainly, if not only due to the activation of sarcolemmal R-type Ca2+ channels. It was further shown that in VSM and excitable cells (VE cells do not possess T- or L-type Ca2+ channels) the T and/or the L-type Ca2+ channel activation, serves as a turbo Ca2+ influx mechanism in order to rapidly bring the Ca2+ level up to the threshold level for contractile elements and to pre-overload the nucleoplasm with Ca2+, enabling cytosolic accumulation of Ca2+ and maintain tension. Thus, overstimulation of the R-type Ca2+ channels may highly contribute to cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ accumulation that could be considered in many cases as the first and in all cases the final pathological consequence of several diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, abnormal conduction, arythmias, fibrillation, and of remodelling, proliferation and apoptosis. For these reasons, targeting the sarcolemmal nuclear membrane R-type Ca2+ channels with a selective depressor blocker, or targeting receptors that indirectly modulate this type of channel at the sarcolemmal, or mainly at the nuclear membrane level, would constitute without any doubt, a major therapeutical pathway for a new generation of Ca2+ channel and Ca2+ entry blockers.
For example, the sustained activation of the R-type channel by insulin may explain in part "syndrome X", the hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, vascular smooth muscle proliferation and end organ damage associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and obesity-induced hypertension. Also, the sustained increase in [Ca]c and mainly [Ca]n mediated by the stimulation of the R-type Ca2+ channel could contribute to the expression of oncogenes and to the proliferation of malignant cells as well as to stimulation of TNFα; PAF which would lead to septic shock. The finding that Lomir/Dynacirc (but none of the other L-type Ca2+ antagonists) is unique in depressing the overstimulation of the R-type Ca2+ channel permits the identification and characterization of this type of Ca2+ channel. Non published results in two human osteoblast cancer lines (MG63 and FAOS-2) clearly showed that Lomir/Dynacirc (10−8M) reduced spontaneous cell proliferation and blocked hypertension and ET-1 plasma elevation associated with cyclosporin A treatment in allograft transplant. In contrast, an L-type Ca2+ blocker, nifedipine (10−6M) had no effect. A role for the R-type Ca2+ channel and Lomir/Dynacirc in human cancer is suggested by the above findings and supported by the finding of reduced cancer rates in the Lomir/Dynacirc treated group of the MIDAS study. The identification of a potent and specific antagonists may hold the possibility of a new therapeutic target for novel medications. The novel R-type Ca2+ channel may also prove important in dissecting differential signalling pathways in immune cells. The evaluation of these mechanisms leads to R-type blockade as a therapeutic tool for specific intervention in graft rejection, autoimmune diseases, asthma and septic shock.
A recent report in patients with type I and type II Raynaud's phenomenon (pain and numbness in the fingers, which in some subjects can be complicated by skin ulcers) showed that Lomir/Dynacirc significantly reduced the elevated plasma concentration of ET-1 level, frequency, severity, and disabling nature of acute attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon (La Civita et al., 1996, Clinic. Drugs Invest 11:S126–31). The decrease of the elevated ET-1 circulating level by Lomir/Dynacirc is due to the blockade of the R-type Ca2+ channel which reverses the sustained increase of [Ca]c and [Ca]n, thus, reducing the autocrine and self perpetuating secretion of mitogenic factors such as ET-1, PAF and TNFα. A blockade of the elevated autocrine and self perpetuating secretion of mitogenic factors by cancer cells may in turn contribute to reduction and even blockade of expression of oncogenes and proliferation of these cells.
The use of Sandimmune is known to produce potentially serious side effects such as renal impairment and hypertension. These side effects will restrict Sandiummune's use in autoimmune indications such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The renal impairment and hypertension are attributable to altered renal hemodynamics induced by Sandimmune. The L-type Ca2+-channel blockers have been used successfully to treat hypertension and renal impairment. The benefits of the Ca2+-channel blockers have been attributed to their effects on renal hemodynamics specifically dilation of the afferent renal arteriole.
Data indicate that the dual R- and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker isradipine (but not a pure L-type blocker) may correct the vasoconstriction at both the afferent and efferent renal arterioles. The advantage of dilation of the afferent and efferent arterioles is a correction of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration without an increase in filtration fraction. Filtration fraction is an indicator of filtration pressure. An increase in filtration pressure could increase the likelihood of developing glomerulonephritis and eventual renal failure.
The potential benefit of blockade of the R-type Ca2+ channel by Lomir/Dynacirc on filtration pressure is supported by the existing literature. For example Grossman et al. (1991, Am. J. Cardiol. 68:65–70) in a 3-month study with Lomir/Dynacirc showed that filtration fraction remained constant. The filtration fraction remained constant despite the increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow. Vascular resistance was also reduced by the 3 month treatment with Lomir/Dynacirc.
A favourable effect on filtration fraction has been corroborated in transplant patients (Berg et al., 1991, Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation. 6:725–30). These investigators showed that filtration fraction was reduced by Lomir/Dynacirc while renal blood flow increased.
The R-type Ca2+ channel has also been identified and characterised in vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from human renal arteries (Bkaily et al., 1991, supra).
Mandevilla velutina is a native Brazilian plant used in folk medicine to treat snake bites and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Some non-peptidic compounds extracted from this plant block bradykinin and related kinins action. It shows potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (Calixto et al., 1987, supra).
Since 1985, Calixto's group has worked on extracts of Mandevilla velutina (MV) and claimed that some of the extracts (such as MV8608) had antagonistic properties against the effect of bradykinin (BK). The compound MV8608 has been characterized in 1987 (Calixto et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. 91:199–204). It has been found to be selective in its ability to inhibit the contraction of rat uterus induced by BK. The previous work made by Calixto's group as well as others on extracts of Mandevilla species have always focused on compounds which have a presumed action at the BK receptor site.
In a review article published after 1990, Calixto's group (Calixto and Yunes, 1991, Mem. Inst. Oswaldo 86:195–202, supl. 2) mentioned that the compounds MV8608 had a pregnane structure. It is further mentioned that MV8608 is an aglycone compound (without any sugar). No specific structure is shown in this review article concerning MV8612. This review is a compendium of data, characteristics, and properties of MV8608 and MV8612 in numerous systems responding to BK (therefore not limited to the effect of BK on rat uterus). Again, it may be deducted from this publication that the Calixto group of researchers have focused their study on the search of a ligand which is a BK receptor antagonist. MV8612 has been retained as a good candidate because it best corresponds to established receptor classification criteria (a fairly good pA2, competition curve whose slope does not differ from one and selectivity). Of note, Calixto publication (Calixto and Yunes, 1991, supra) does not teach or suggest that MV8612 may have an action which is aimed at the receptor directly. Although on certain systems the effect of MV8612 has been shown to be non-selective, no explanation on this lack of selectivity toward BK has been provided. Therefore, this publication does not teach or suggest any role of MV8608 and MV8612 as calcium channel blockers.
Other compounds isolated from Mandevilla Pentlandia, have also claimed an anti-BK activity, (patent application of Proctor and Gamble Co., EP 0/359310). Furthermore, other Mandevilla extracts, particularly from Mandevilla Illustris have been shown to have physiological antagonist activity against BK. Indeed, all the compounds obtained from Mandevilla species are described as compounds having anti-BK activity. Strikingly, all such descriptions fail to teach or mention the specific site of action of these compounds, and while they lack selectivity, they are deemed to be useful for treating pathologies and conditions involving bradykinin (inflammation, smooth muscle contraction, pain, hypotension, etc.).
The art teaches that a non-specific inhibitor of a calcium channel such as isradipine, which has an effect on calcium channel types L and R, reduces or abolishes the effect of hormones like insulin and PAF (platelet-activating factor), ET-1 and BK which effect is absent when using nifedipine (a L-channel blocker). Nevertheless, the art is indicative of the contribution of the R-type calcium channel in the effect of insulin, PAF, ET-1 and BK.
There thus remains a need to assess the specificity of MV8608 and MV8612 by identifying their direct or indirect effects on Ca2+ homeostasis. More broadly, there remains a need to verify whether MV8608 and MV8612 are as non-specific as isradipine. More particularly, there remains a need to assess the activity of these compounds on the R-type Ca2+ channel, as well as T, L Ca2+ channels and the fast Na+ and delayed outward K+ channels.
In spite of the recent discovery of the R-type Ca2+ channel, there is a definite need for a new generation of class of drugs to treat overstimulation of R-type Ca2+ channel-associated diseases for the following reasons:
1. There is no drug approved for the treatment of diseases or conditions in which a sustained elevation of [Ca]c, [Ca]n or R-type Ca2+ blocking is encountered; and
2. There remains a definite need for the identification of drugs which are more specific, show less side effects and have a wider therapeutic value, for the treatment of hypertension, artherosclerosis, inflammation, septic shock, arthritis, asthma, cancer, pain, diabetes type II and ischemia-reperfusion, hyperventilation and high circulating ET-1 level.
The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.


A method is provided for depositing a hard wear resistant surface onto a porous or non-porous base material of a medical implant. The wear resistant surface of the medical implant device may be formed by a Laser Based Metal Deposition (LBMD) method such as Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS). The wear resistant surface may include a blend of multiple different biocompatible materials. Further, functionally graded layers of biocompatible materials may be used to form the wear resistant surface. Usage of a porous material for the base may promote bone ingrowth to allow the implant to fuse strongly with the bone of a host patient. The hard wear resistant surface provides device longevity, particularly when applied to bearing surfaces such as artificial joint bearing surfaces or a dental implant bearing surfaces.

The advancement of enhanced materials for the use of medical implants, such as joint prostheses have immensely improved the quality of life for many people over the past century. Devices such as artificial hips, knees, shoulders and other devices have allowed people who would otherwise have suffered from chronic pain and physical limitation to live active, comfortable lives. The development of such devices has confronted scientists and engineers with many technical challenges, such as in the area of materials science engineering wherein to achieve optimal implant performance various biocompatible materials with different physical and mechanical properties are bonded to each other.
Materials used for such devices must not only be non-corrosive, but must also be sufficiently resilient (having high tensile and compressive strength), and hard (having sufficient wear resistance). Since a device such as an artificial joint must undergo a great number of cycles of wear during the lifetime of the host patient, such devices must also possess great fatigue properties.
Some medical implant devices such as artificial joints must bond in some way with the patient's natural bone. Early devices employed bonding polymers, commonly referred to as bone cement to bond the implant rigidly to the anatomic structure of bone. However, more recently such devices have been constructed of porous materials such as porous Titanium (Ti) and porous Tantalum (Ta). The bone of the host patient grows into the porous material creating a strong permanent mechanical bond without the use of bone cements. Consequently, such implants are more reliable and durable in the long term than those relying on bone cement for fixation.
Such implant devices are typically manufactured from a wrought alloy, forged alloy or a powder metal injection molded process. While this produces an implant device with bulk properties that are optimized for certain overall design criteria such as biocompatibility strength and modulus of elasticity, these properties may not be optimized for property requirements specific to certain portions of the implant, such as wear or bone ingrowth characteristics.
For instance, while the use of porous materials such as porous Ti provides crucial and beneficial bonding properties, such materials may not have optimal properties in other areas. For example, porous materials, may not be as hard as some other biocompatible materials and therefore may not have acceptable wear properties. However, because of the overriding importance of strong permanent bonding with the host patient bone, such porous materials have continued to be used in spite of less than optimal wear properties.
In order to enhance the wear properties of a device such as an artificial joint, prior art devices have been constructed in more than one piece. A first portion of the joint implant, that which will bond to the bone, has typically been constructed of a porous material such as porous titanium, and a second piece, such as the bearing surface of the joint, has been constructed of a much harder, more wear resistant material such as alloys of cobalt and chrome (Co—Cr). The first and second pieces are then bonded together in an attempt to obtain the benefits of both materials. One challenge to using such a technique is that of achieving a sufficiently strong, permanent bond between the first and second portions, without the use of adhesives that may be biologically incompatible or may fail under the stresses imposed by the body of the patient. Attempting to weld such materials together can cause the non-porous material to flow into the porous material, destroying the porosity of the porous material and degrading the ability of the device to bond with the patient's bone. In addition, such materials, being dissimilar metals, often experience galvanic corrosion when bonded together in such a manner.
Therefore, there remains need for a device (and method for making the same) such as an artificial joint which can take advantage of the properties of a first material, such as the porosity of porous Ta or Ti, and also take advantage of the properties of a second material, such as the hardness of a material like Co—Cr, for use in a bearing environment such as a ball or socket of a joint. Such a device would preferably not exhibit any delamination between the two materials and would not experience any galvanic corrosion. Such a device would also preferably not diminish the porosity of the porous material due to the flow of the other material thereinto.

Laser based metal deposition (LBMD) of implant structures


An occluding catheter for preventing stroke by occluding blood flow to right and left carotid arteries is provided. The occluding catheter includes a shaft that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a proximal occluding balloon carried by the shaft. The proximal occluding balloon is inflated to occlude blood flow through one of the right carotid artery and the left carotid artery. A distal occluding balloon is carried by the shaft and is inflated to occlude blood flow through one of the right carotid artery and the left carotid artery that is not occluded by the proximal occluding balloon. The shaft has a segment that is located between the proximal occluding balloon and the distal occluding balloon. Also provided are alternative arrangements with a single or dual inflation and/or guidewire channel, single occluding balloon, and an associated method of diverting emboli from cerebral circulation.

Intraoperative embolic stroke is one of the most dreadful complications of cardiac, aortic and vascular procedures, clinically diagnosed in 1-22% of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Even more frequently, in up to 84% of cases, patients undergoing heart, valve, coronary artery bypass and aortic surgery experience subclinical embolic events as recorded by transcranial Doppler and MRI. Recent data showed an astounding incidence of stroke as detected by MRI in practically all groups of cardiac patients: in TAVR and Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm surgery—84%, Aortic Valve Replacement—52%, emergent coronary intervention—49%, Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty—40%, Cardiac Ablation 38% and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery—20%. These embolic events lead to cognitive impairment and disability and have a significant impact on patients' recovery.
The main sources of cerebral emboli and stroke in this setting resides in the heart, heart valves, thoracic aorta, and great vessels when these structures are intervened thereon. Even simple cardiac catheterization with an endovascular catheter can induce trauma of the atherosclerotic thoracic aorta leading to formation of embolic particles with subsequent embolic brain injury ranging from latent ischemic foci to a massive or even fatal stroke.
Multiple devices are known that attempt to prevent embolization of the carotid arteries during endovascular and cardiac interventions. These anti-embolic devices, however, have not received wide acceptance in surgery of the heart, heart valves and thoracic aorta due to their complexity and invasive character with the risk of additional trauma to the inner vessel wall resulting in a high risk to benefit ratio. Known devices require insertion of additional hardware into the arterial system or aorta, a procedure that is known to be associated with all classical risks of endovascular intervention, including aortic dissection, bleeding, thrombosis, and carotid cerebral embolization and stroke. One known intra-aortic filter device that is inserted into the ascending portion of the thoracic aorta via an aortic cannula to capture potential embolic material released from the heart and aortic wall during heart surgery was found to be quite difficult to implement and was reported, to be associated with major trauma to aortic wall and acute aortic dissection.
Another such device for preventing emboli into the cerebral circulation includes a porous deflector/intra-aortic shield that captures or diverts potential emboli into the distal vascular. A yet additional device has also been proposed for use during aortic valve surgery and is an intra-aortic filter catheter that captures emboli during this procedure. It has been established that intravascular filters are not able to capture emboli smaller than the pore size of the available devices (currently 60-140 μm) resulting in cerebral microembolization. On the other hand, if the filter, pores are made smaller than 60-140 μm, then the flow of blood and blood elements become compromised leading to formation of microaggregates with clogging of filters and blocking the blood flow to the brain. Embolization may also occur due to poor apposition of the filter to the aortic or carotid arterial wall and or spillage of emboli during the filter closure and retrieval.
Furthermore, the placement of the filter by itself may produce cerebral emboli. For example, the mere passing of a guide wire into a carotid artery generates approximately 40,000 microemboli, with a significant percentage of small, less than 60 μm, particles that are not retained by standard filters. Therefore, in spite of multiple innovations in the field of anti-embolic devices, the problem of cerebral emboli and stroke during cardiovascular surgery is far from being resolved.
It is known to use balloon occlusion catheters for the prevention of embolic stroke. In this regard, the balloon occlusion catheter is placed inside of one of the carotid arteries when a procedure, for example carotid angioplasty and stenting, is conducted on the carotid artery in question. Although capable of preventing stroke when a single carotid artery is operated upon, this device cannot work to prevent stroke during procedures on the heart and aorta, endovascular or open, and cannot provide for bilateral occlusion. This device cannot simultaneously occlude the flow to both the left and right carotid arteries and/or subclavian arteries to prevent flow simultaneously through both of these arteries, and thus cannot prevent stroke should emboli flow into the non-blocked carotid artery.
Multiple cerebral protection devices used at the present time still have significant shortcomings, such as a significant size and large profile, precluding their safe insertion through the small peripheral artery, complex mechanism of actuation requiring an elaborate training and supervision, inability to actuate cerebral protection to multiple cerebral vessels simultaneously and difficulties with an access and catheterization of the left carotid artery, while using a radial artery approach. In case with the occluding catheters, such catheters tend to carry a large number of channels for inflation, perfusion and pressure measurement, thus contributing to the device complexity, larger size and higher profile, especially in the setting of a dual balloon configuration.
Additionally, the choice of occluding balloon material, shape, positioning and configuration have not been established to achieve the goal of a safe, effective, stable and technically feasible simultaneous occlusion of the innominate, carotid and/or subclavian arteries. Stable occlusion is defined as occlusion without the risk of balloon and/or catheter migration under the pressure of forward arterial flow. Blockade of flow to such arteries and/or vertebral arteries using a single shaft dual balloon catheter that achieves these various, goals may be desired. Therefore, there is room for variation and improvement within the art.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

Occluding catheter with an optional common inflation and guideware channel and method of use


Methods and apparatus for opportunistic improvement of Memory Mapped Input/Output (MMIO) request handling (e.g., based on target reporting of space requirements) are described. In one embodiment, logic in a processor may detect one or more bits in a message that is to be transmitted from an input/output (I/O) device. The one or more bits may indicate memory mapped I/O (MMIO) information corresponding to one or more attributes of the I/O device. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

MMIO generally refers to a mechanism for performing input/output operations, e.g., between a processor and peripheral devices in a computer. For example, designated or reserved areas of a memory device that are addressable by a processor (e.g., for read and write operations) may be mapped to select input/output ("I/O" or "IO") device(s). In this fashion, communication between processors and I/O devices may be performed through a memory device.
Some current processor and chipset handling of MMIO access by a processor (for example in memory marked "Uncached" (UC)) may be dictated by legacy compatibility concerns that may generally be much more conservative than is necessary for the majority of implementations. Some attempts have been made to work around this by defining new memory space types such as Write-Combining (WC), but such approaches may be configured by system software, and so may only be used when requiring the implementation of new system software and also when potentially new application software is acceptable. Very often this is not acceptable because of increased costs and time to market, and instead one may need to live with the performance consequences of behaviors that may be almost always needlessly conservative.

Opportunistic improvement of MMIO request handling based on target reporting of space requirements


A comminuting device for waste products and/or production waste is described that includes a driving device that drives at least one comminuting rotor presenting on the periphery thereof a number of comminuting tools that are fixed to the comminuting rotor, for forming at least one knife bank extending in the axial direction with one directional component The comminuting tools cooperates with at least one counterknife arrangement adapted in its form to the rotation surface of the comminuting rotor equipped with said tools, for disintegrating the material to be processed. Neighboring comminuting tools within a knife bank are arranged adjacent to each other at respectively associated lateral faces and offset to each other on the periphery of the rotor, such that equivalent cutting edges of neighboring comminuting tools have the same distance to the rotor axis and each lie in a plane that runs parallel to the rotor axis.

The invention relates to a comminuting device for material to be comminuted such as waste products and/or production waste, the device comprising a drive equipment that drives at least one comminuting rotor, which includes on its periphery a number of comminuting tools that are fixed to the comminuting rotor, for forming at least one knife bank that extends in the axial direction with one directional component, wherein said comminuting tools cooperate with at least one counterknife arrangement having a form which is adapted to the rotary surface of the comminuting rotor equipped with said tools, for disintegrating the material to be processed.
Such comminuting devices are used for example for disintegrating wood, paper, plastic material, rubber, textiles, production waste or waste material from industry and trade, but also bulky material, domestic waste, paper and DSD collections (DSD=German Green Dot System) such as hospital waste etc. The material to be comminuted is disintegrated by cutting, shearing, crushing, ripping and/or grinding under cooperation of comminuting tools fixed to the rotor with an associated counterknife arrangement. A device of this kind is described for example in the German patent application publication DE 10 2009 060 523 A1. Designing the knife bank in such a manner that the same extends somewhat slantingly to the axis, can facilitate especially the comminution of thin components within the material to be comminuted such as films or textiles, by providing for a scissors-like cutting operation.
It is an object of the invention to improve the throughput of the described conventional comminuting device and to simplify maintenance thereof.

Comminuting device comprising a comminuting rotor having a continuous knife


Isolated apoptosis inducing receptors, DNAs encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response. The receptors are also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof.

Efficient functioning of the immune system requires a fine balance between cell proliferation and differentiation and cell death, to ensure that the immune system is capable of reacting to foreign, but not self antigens. Central tolerance refers to the mechanisms which lead to positive and negative selection of T cells in the thymus where T cells are positively or negatively selected depending on their capacity to interact with self MHC antigens expressed in the thymus. In the periphery, mature T cells which interact with self antigens expressed uniquely in the periphery are deleted, as are T cells which have been activated by foreign antigen. This is known as peripheral tolerance.
Deletion of inappropriately activated T cells is believed to occur via programmed cell death known as apoptosis, which is distinct from cell death due to necrosis. Two members of the TNF family, Fas ligand (FasL) and TNF, have been reported to be involved in some of the effector mechanisms which control immune tolerance (reviewed in Cleveland and Ihle, Cell 81:479; 1995). FasL and TNF mediate their biological effects by binding their respective receptors, which are members of the TNFR superfamily (Smith et al., Cell 76:959; 1994).
Fas (the receptor for FasL) and TNF receptor type I (TNFRI) both contain a unique motif within their cytoplasmic regions, which has been termed the death domain (Tartaglia et al., Cell 74:845, 1993; Itoh and Nagata, J. Biol. Chem. 268:10932, 1993). Overexpression of the death domain in transient transfection systems has been shown to result in apoptosis. The biological effects of Fas/FasL and TNF/TNFRI interactions are thought to occur through both distinct and similar signaling pathways (Schultze-Osthoff et al., EMBO J. 13:4587, 1994; Wong and Goeddel, J. Immunol. 152:1751, 1994).
The lpr and gld mouse models have implicated the Fas/FasL system in peripheral tolerance; however, peripheral T cell deletion does occur in lpr mice. This Fas-independent apoptosis of mature T cells has been shown to be partly TNF mediated (Zheng et al., Nature 377:348, 1995) These data imply that multiple apoptotic mechanisms, including unrecognized ones, may be involved in peripheral tolerance. Moreover, the mechanisms mediating central tolerance remain unknown. Investigation into the existence and identity of other molecule(s) that play a role in apoptosis is desirable. Identifying such molecules would provide an additional means of regulating apoptosis, as well as providing further insight into the development of self-tolerance by the immune system and the etiology of autoimmune diseases.

Receptor that causes cell death and recombinant production thereof


A method and apparatus for inspecting defects and attachment position of an attached OVD without any influence of a change in the pattern of the OVD due to fluttering or undulation during conveyance of the printed product. Image input means and illumination means are arranged at positions where mirror reflected light and diffracted light from the OVD have values equal to or less than a threshold value upon a binarization process by image processing means. The image processing means executes the binarization process, compares the image data with the reference image data or the image data with the reference image data and the data indicating the reference position, and determines the acceptability of at least one of the form, area, and position of the OVD attached to the base material on the basis of a comparison result.

An OVD (Optical Variable Device) is a foil formed by depositing a metal on a relief diffraction grating and has a unique optical change function such as three-dimensional image formation or color shift. The OVD is called a hologram or metal foil. There are a sheet type OVD made by die-cutting a sheet, a patch type OVD formed into a predetermined shape, and a linear thread type OVD. The OVDs are attached to a partial or entire surface of a valuable printed product such as a bank note, securities, merchandise coupon, or credit card and used as one of anti-counterfeit technologies because of their advanced manufacturing methods.
A printed product with an OVD is manufactured by attaching a sheet- or patch-type hologram to a base material by transfer or press. A thread-type OVD is contained in a base material as a watermark or attached into or onto a sheet surface by transfer or press.
In manufacturing products with OVD, defects such as a pinhole or peeling may occur upon attaching a hologram sheet to a base material due to, e.g., a hologram sheet print error, a transfer error to a base material, or maladjustment of machines. OVD attachment state inspection is an important item of quality control. It is necessary to remove a product with a defect as a defective. However, the pattern observed on the diffraction grating of an OVD changes depending on a slight change in the incident angle of light because the diffraction grating has a dependence on the wavelength and incident angle of light. It is therefore impossible to inspect a stable OVD attachment state under visible light. An inspection method or apparatus places a printed product with an OVD, acquires its image by using a camera, and executes comparison testing by displaying the image on a monitor or printing the image.
An inspection apparatus is known, which reproduces, captures, and inspects a hologram image of a holographic printed product containing a holographic region and a print region (e.g., patent reference 1).
A hologram position inspection method and apparatus are also used as an inspection method and apparatus capable of easily detecting an edge of a hologram and easily inspecting whether the hologram is applied within a tolerance (e.g., patent reference 2).
There also exist a hologram sheet inspection method and apparatus capable of automatically accurately inspecting many different kinds of holograms in a large quantity at once and continuously for each of error items including chipping of a sheet, hologram image misregistration, and unprinted areas, repetitive printing, and misregistration of hologram sheets (e.g., patent reference 3).
Patent reference 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-187008
Patent reference 2: Japanese Patent No. 3095215
Patent reference 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-181718

OVD (optical variable device) inspection method and inspection apparatus

National Printing Bureau, Incorporated Administrative Agency


An assembly for determining speed of a supercavitating underwater vehicle during underwater travel includes a fin mounted on the vehicle aft of a cavitator portion of the vehicle and adapted to be extended outwardly beyond a hull of the vehicle and through a boundary of a gas-filled cavity around the vehicle to form a disturbance in the cavity boundary, which disturbance propagates along the boundary. An acoustic transmitter is mounted on the vehicle and directs acoustic energy toward the boundary and the disturbance. An acoustic receiver is mounted on the vehicle and receives acoustic energy reflected off the disturbance. An autopilot is mounted on the vehicle and clocks times of projection of the fin and acoustic transmission receptions of reflected acoustic energy to determine the speed of the vehicle through the water.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to high-speed underwater vehicles and is directed more particularly to supercavitating vehicles that move in a cushion of air underwater, and to an on-board assembly and method for measurement of the speed of the vehicle through a water environment.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Recent investigations into high speed underwater vehicles have focused attention on providing vehicles that ride in a cushion of air to achieve high speeds in water. For a nominal prior art streamlined, fully wetted underwater vehicle, 70% of the overall drag is skin friction drag, the remainder is pressure or blockage drag. Supercavitation allows for much higher speeds to be sustainable by eliminating, or at least substantially reducing, skin friction drag. The conditions for supercavitation require that enough energy be put into the water to vaporize a given volume of water through which the vehicle travels. This is done by accelerating fluid over a sharp edge, usually the nose of a vehicle, such as a torpedo, so that the pressure drops below the vapor pressure of water. If the speed of the object is not fast enough to travel through the vapor cavity before the cavity collapses, artificial ventilation into the cavity can keep the cavity "open" until the object moves past. When a cavity completely encapsulates an object, by vaporous and/or vented cavitation, it is referred to as "supercavitation". The vehicle nose, or "cavitator", and aft control surfaces, are the only parts of the vehicle in constant contact with the water through which the vehicle travels. The cavity closure typically is positioned just forward of the aft control surfaces.
A supercavitating vehicle achieves high speed by minimizing the wetted contact area. The entire vehicle, with the exception of the cavitator and the aft control surfaces, is not in contact with the water through which the vehicle moves. The optimal use of this small wetted contact area presents problems with respect to cavity formation means and vehicle control systems, all of which must be disposed in this limited space. Traditional homing systems require surface space in order to function. However, in supercavitating vehicles, the use of the cavitator surface as a velocity sensor is impractical. Further, the lack of wetted contact areas means traditional methods of using dynamic fluid pressure for determining speed are not practical. In as much as supercavitating vehicle technology is in its early stages of development, a complete understanding of vehicle propulsion and hydrodynamics is insufficient to determine vehicle velocity from on-board sensing of fuel consumption, ventilation gas flow rates, and the like.
Accordingly, there is a need for a sensor assembly and method for determining the speed of a supercavitating underwater vehicle, as the vehicle travels through water. There is further a need for such an assembly as can be carried on-board the vehicle.
There is similarly a need for a method for determining the speed of the vehicle through water, using on-board sensors.

Assembly and method for determining speed of a supercavitating underwater vehicle

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


There is illustrated and described herein a flag retaining mechanism including a telescopic pole and a pair of improved retainer clips for retaining the flag in a fixed location on the pole. Each clip includes a full circle ring for gripping a pole, first and second legs diverging from the ring, a bend formed on the end of the first leg, an extension extending laterally from the bend toward the second leg to provide a flag support segment, and interconnectable hooks formed on the distal ends of the extension and the second leg to prevent the segment and leg from separating while a flag is mounted thereon.

Feng U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,656 discloses a telescopic rod including a reel pole carrying a flag, and a hollow handle having a longitudinal slit formed in the handle. The assembly is adapted to accommodate the retraction of the reel pole into the handle and the flag around the pole within the handle.
A telescoping flagpole and a pair of pole grips are illustrated in Eder Flag Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1995 Supplemental Price Catalog. Each of the clips includes a ring portion for gripping a pole, and a flag holding portion with releasable interconnected ends.


A method of treating an earth formation that includes injecting at least one lipophilic monomer into the earthen formation; wherein the at least one lipophilic monomer is selected from epoxide-functionalized derivative of soybean oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, cashew nut shell oil; perilla oil, tung oil, oiticia oil, safflower oil, poppy oil, hemp oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, high-oleic triglycerides, triglycerides of euphorbia plants, peanut oil, olive oil, olive kernel oil, almond oil, kapok oil, hazelnut oil, apricot kernel oil, beechnut oil, lupine oil, maize oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, lallemantia oil, castor oil, herring oil, sardine oil, menhaden oil, whale oil, and tall oil, injecting at least one crosslinking agent into the earthen formation; wherein the at least one crosslinking agent comprises at least one primary amine; and allowing the lipophilic monomer and the crosslinking agent to react in the earth formation is disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to methods for improving wellbore strength, and more particularly, to methods to consolidate and stabilize the wellbore.
2. Background Art
Lost circulation is a recurring drilling problem, characterized by loss of drilling mud into downhole formations that are fractured, highly permeable, porous, cavernous, or vugular. These earth formations can include shale, sands, gravel, shell beds, reef deposits, limestone, dolomite, and chalk, among others. Other problems encountered while drilling and producing oil and gas include stuck pipe, hole collapse, loss of well control, and loss of or decreased production.
Induced mud losses may also occur when the mud weight, required for well control and to maintain a stable wellbore, exceeds the fracture resistance of the formations. A particularly challenging situation arises in depleted reservoirs, in which the drop in pore pressure weakens hydrocarbon-bearing rocks, but neighboring or inter-bedded low permeability rocks, such as shales, maintain their pore pressure. This can make the drilling of certain depleted zones impossible because the mud weight required to support the shale exceeds the fracture resistance of the sands and silts.
Other situations arise in which isolation of certain zones within a formation may be beneficial. For example, one method to increase the production of a well is to perforate the well in a number of different locations, either in the same hydrocarbon bearing zone or in different hydrocarbon bearing zones, and thereby increase the flow of hydrocarbons into the well. The problem associated with producing from a well in this manner relates to the control of the flow of fluids from the well and to the management of the reservoir. For example, in a well producing from a number of separate zones (or from laterals in a multilateral well) in which one zone has a higher pressure than another zone, the higher pressure zone may disembogue into the lower pressure zone rather than to the surface. Similarly, in a horizontal well that extends through a single zone, perforations near the "heel" of the well, i.e., nearer the surface, may begin to produce water before those perforations near the "toe" of the well. The production of water near the heel reduces the overall production from the well.
During the drilling process, muds are circulated downhole to remove rock as well as deliver agents to combat the variety of issues described above. Mud compositions may be water or oil-based (including mineral oil, diesel, or synthetic oils) and may comprise weighting agents, surfactants, proppants, and gels. In attempting to cure these and other problems, crosslinkable or absorbing polymers, loss control material (LCM) pills, and cement squeezes have been employed. Gels, in particular, have found utility in preventing mud loss, stabilizing and strengthening the wellbore, and zone isolation and water shutoff treatments.
In many wells, water-based and oil-based muds are both used. Water-based muds are generally used early in the drilling process. Later, oil-based muds are substituted as the well gets deeper and reaches the limit of water-based muds due to limitations such as lubricity and well bore stabilization. The majority of gels employ water compatible gelling and crosslinking agents, which are useful when using water-based muds. There is, however, a dearth of methods using non-aqueous gels which are compatible with oil-based muds.
Thus, there is a need for the development of non-aqueous gels for downhole applications that are relatively environmentally safe and compatible with oil-based muds.

Non-aqueous gels for consolidating and stabilizing wellbore formations


The present invention teaches novel articles of apparel and protective equipment including light-cure materials having a permanent memory capability. Accordingly, the present invention can be used to make shin-guards, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, rib guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, biceps pads, forearm pads, gloves, neck guards, face guards, chin straps, wrist guards, helmets and prosthetic devices.

The present invention relates to the field of apparel, and in particular, to shin-guards, pads, helmets, prosthetics, and other articles of protective equipment.
The use of shin-guards, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, rib guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, biceps pads, forearm pads, gloves, neck guards, face guards, chin straps and guards, wrist guards, braces, and helmets is prevalent in a large number of contact and non-contact sports including soccer, football, hockey, baseball, volleyball, and in-line skating. Protective knee pads and helmets also enjoy widespread use in the construction industry, military, and in the field of transportation including bicycle, motorcycle, and sports automobile operation. Prosthetic devices such as back supports and wrist guards. which include conforming shields or pads are also widely used.
Many articles of athletic and protective equipment include a hard outer shell made of leather, natural or synthetic rubber, glass or carbon fiber composites, thermoplastics, metal, and the like. Often, such articles will include a relatively soft inner liner of padding material which is made, e.g., of cotton, wool, natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic material, foam material, gas filled bladders, flowable solids or liquids, bladders including amoldable and curable material, or various textile materials. Most of these articles of protective equipment have relied upon the incorporation of generic norms or average shapes with regards to those surfaces contacting the anatomy in order to provide limited accommodation to the unique anatomical features and characteristics of an individual wearer. However, pre-formed structures of various kinds imperfectly accommodate a greater or lesser number of individuals depending upon the incorporation of characteristic norms in their design and fabrication. As every individual has different anatomical features and characteristics, a pre-formed structure will not accommodate every individual to the same degree.
Moreover, recent research has revealed that soccer players are at risk of chronic traumatic brain injury due to repeated heading of the soccer ball. The cumulative trauma has a degenerative effect similar to that which has been observed in boxers. It should be recognized that a soccer ball can travel at approximately 60 miles per hour and impact the head with a force of 175 pounds. The following studies have documented this phenomenon:
J. T. Maser et al., xe2x80x9cChronic Traumatic Brain Injury In Professional Soccer Players,xe2x80x9d Neurology, 1998, September; 51 (3): pages 791-796.
A. T. Tysvaer et al., xe2x80x9cHead and Neck Injuries Among Norwegian Soccer Players. A Neurological, Electroencephalographic, Radiologic and Neuropsychological Evaluation,xe2x80x9d Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, Apr. 10, 1992;112 (10): pages 1268-1271.
A. T. Tysvaer, xe2x80x9cHead and Neck Injuries In Soccer. Impact of Minor Trauma,xe2x80x9d Sporis Medicine, Sep. 14, 1992, 14(3): pages 200-213.
A. T. Tysvaer et al., xe2x80x9cSoccer Injuries to the Brain. A Neuropsychological Study of Former Soccer Players,xe2x80x9d American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1991, January-February; 19 (1): pages 56-60.
A. T. Tysvaer et al., xe2x80x9cSoccer Injuries to the Brain. A Neurologic and Electroencephalographic Study of Active Football Players.xe2x80x9d American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1989, July-August; 17 (4): pages 573-578.
O. Sortland, et al., xe2x80x9cBrain Damage in Former Association Football Players. An Evaluation by cerebral Computed Tomography,xe2x80x9d Neuroradiology, 1989; 31 (1): pages 44-48.
B. P. Boden, et al., xe2x80x9cConcussion Incidence in Elite College Soccer Players,xe2x80x9d American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1998, March-April; 26 (2): pages 238-241.
There is then a need for a novel protective helmet for use in soccer that will at least partially attenuate the impact which takes placed when a soccer ball is headed. Further, it can be readily understood that it would be advantageous that such a helmet closely conform to the anatomical features of the wearer""s head and permit control of the soccer ball while heading.
There have been attempts to made custom molded articles of protective equipment having a permanent memory capability, in particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,713, U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,780, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,663, granted to Jeffrey Duback et al. which are directed to the making of a shin-guard, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,263 granted to James Hanrahan, et al. directed to the making of protective padding. Further, there are numerous patents directed towards the making of casts or braces held by xe2x80x9c3M,xe2x80x9d that is, Minnesota Minning and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn., e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,661, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,877, U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,937, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,502, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,225, U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,726, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,047, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,464.
In addition, the present inventor""s U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,206, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,580, U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,793, and in particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,057, include teachings relating to the customization of footwear components, all of these patents hereby being incorporated by reference herein. The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of a Continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,057 which was granted on May 17, 1997. It was anticipated in the applicant""s U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,057, column 37, lines 33-46, that the teachings contained therein with respect to the use of light-cure materials could be applied to the general subject matter of the present application. U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,376, granted to Amcis Johnson et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein, teaches various custom prosthetic devices including light cure material having permanent memory. U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,340, granted to Carl Buck, hereby incorporated by herein, teaches the use of light cure materials in making casts.
The procedures and methods associated with: many previous attempts to make custom molded articles of protective equipment having a permanent memory capability have been relatively complex, time consuming, expensive, or otherwise not amenable to mass production and use by the general public. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fast, easy, effective and inexpensive method of making custom molded articles of protective equipment having a permanent memory capability.
The present invention teaches novel articles of protective equipment including light cure material. The present invention can provide a fast, easy, inexpensive method of making custom molded articles of protective equipment having a permanent memory capability. Accordingly, the present invention can be used to make protective athletic equipment such as shin-guards, pads, helmets, and prosthetic devices such as back supports and wrist guards.
The present invention teaches a preferred shin-guard including a light cure material. The light cure material can be contained in a bladder comprising a thermoplastic film such as polyurethane. A foam material having peaks and valleys can be included within the bladder. The bladder of a shin-guard can include a void containing a gas or mixture of gases. Alternately, the film comprising the outer layer of the bladder can be affixed to a foam material. Alternately, a shin-guard can include an inner bladder and an outer bladder configured in an overlapping relationship. Alternately, a shin-guard can include two bladder configured in a side-by-side relationship. Alternately, a shin-guard can include a textile material. The textile material can be stretchlastic. The textile material can be impregnated with a light cure material to comprise an impregnated textile material. The textile material can be contained in a bladder, or alternately, can comprise the outer surface of a shin-guard. A shin-guard can further include a posterior guard for protecting the achilles tendon, and one or more side guards for protecting the malleoli. A shin-guard can be inserted into the pocket of a sock and donned on a wearer.
The present invention teaches a preferred pad including a bladder containing light cure material, and can comprise knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, rib guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, biceps pads, forearm pads, gloves, neck guards, face guards, chin straps and guards, wrist guards, braces, and helmets. Alternately, a preferred pad can comprise an impregnated textile material.
The present invention teaches a preferred chin strap including a bladder containing light cure material. Alternately, a preferred chin strap can comprise an impregnated textile material.
The present invention teaches a preferred back support including a bladder containing light cure material. Alternately, a preferred back support can comprise an impregnated textile material.
The present invention teaches a preferred wrist guard including a bladder containing light cure material. Alternately, a preferred wrist guard can comprise an impregnated textile material.
The present invention teaches a preferred helmet liner comprising light cure material. The light cure material can be contained in a bladder comprising a thermoplastic film such as polyurethane. A foam material having peaks and valleys can be included within the bladder. The bladder can include a void containing a gas or mixture of gases. Alternately, the film comprising the outer layer of the bladder can be affixed to a foam material. Alternately, a helmet liner can include an inner bladder and an outer bladder configured in an overlapping relationship. Alternately, a helmet liner can include two bladders configured in a side-by-side relationship. Alternately, a helmet liner can include a textile material. The textile material can be stretchlastic. The textile material can be impregnated with a light cure material to comprise an impregnated textile material. The textile material can be contained in a bladder, or alternately, can comprise the inner surface or outer surface of a helmet liner. A helmet liner can include temporal and sphenoidal bladders for protecting the sides of the head proximate the temple and ear, an occipital bladder for protecting the back of the head, a parietal bladder for protecting the top of the head, and a frontal bladder for protecting the front of the head. Alternately, the parietal bladder and frontal bladder can both be made in two generally opposing bladders or chambers each protecting their respective medial or lateral aspect of the head. A helmet liner can be inserted and affixed to the outer shell of a helmet.
The present invention leaches a preferred helmet including light cure material. A helmet can comprise an outer shell and a helmet liner. A helmet can include a plurality of segments comprising at least a temporal and sphenoidal segment for protecting the sides of the head proximate the temple and ear, an occipital segment for protecting the back of the head, a parietal segment for protecting the top of the head, and a frontal segment for protecting the front of the head. The segments can include a light cure material therebetween. The helmet can comprise an outer surface which is textured, tactified, and includes raised grip elements, in partial or complete combination. A helmet can include a textile material. The textile material can be stretchlastic. The textile material can be impregnated with a light cure material to comprise an impregnated textile material. The impregnated textile material can be contained in a bladder, or alternately, can comprise the outer surface of a helmet. The helmet can include a thin layer of protective film.
A preferred method of making an article of protective equipment such as a shin-guard, pad, chin guard, back support, wrist guard, helmet liner, or helmet comprising a light cure material can include the following steps:
a) Opening a container which is substantially impenetrable to light and removing an article of protective equipment including a lightcure material;
b) Placing the article of protective equipment in position upon a wearer; and,
c) Exposing the article of protective equipment to light causing the light-cure material to cure.

Shin-guard, helmet, and articles of protective equipment including light cure material


An acoustic wave device includes: a multilayer structure that has plural surfaces which principal surfaces of plural layers provide; a chip including an acoustic wave filter and mounted on a first surface; a resin unit sealing the chip; a wiring pattern that is formed on a second surface and electrically connected to at least one of resonators; a ground pattern that is formed on the second surface along a part of the wiring pattern, and is away from the wiring pattern; and an external terminal that is formed on a third surface and electrically connected to the wiring pattern and the ground pattern, the third surface being disposed on an opposite side of the first surface with respect to the second surface; wherein a part of the wiring pattern that comes closest to the ground pattern is substantially formed in parallel with the ground pattern.

There is known an acoustic wave device which includes an acoustic wave filter using an acoustic wave such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) or a bulk acoustic wave (BAW), as a filter of wireless equipment or the like including a cell-phone. A chip including the acoustic wave filter is flip-chip mounted on a multilayer structure having plural layers by bumps, the peripheral portions of the chip are sealed with resin, and hence the chip is packed. Each terminal of the acoustic wave filter is electrically connected to an external terminal provided on a surface opposite to a surface on which the chip is mounted, by wiring patterns formed inside the multilayer structure. Heat generated in the acoustic wave device is emitted through a metal pattern for heat dissipation formed on the multilayer structure on which the chip is mounted, for example (See Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-196407).
In an acoustic wave device in which the chip including the acoustic wave filter is mounted on the multilayer structure and sealed by resin, it is desirable not to form a metal pattern on a contact portion between the multilayer structure and the resin from a viewpoint on the improvement of adhesion. Consequently, in a surface of the multilayer structure, a space which can form the metal pattern for heat dissipation is limited. On the other hand, the thinner and the longer the wiring pattern such as an inductor formed on the multilayer structure is, the larger a heat resistance becomes, whereby heat dissipation gets worse. Therefore, there is a case where the heat dissipation from the chip cannot be performed effectively, the acoustic wave device becomes a high temperature and electric power proofness gets worse.


An orbiting combustor nozzle (OCN) engine, having a rotating assembly comprising a co-rotating compressor and nozzle wheel enclosed within a non-rotating outer casing, defining a rotating combustion chamber, is disclosed. Combustion occurs in the combustion chamber in a vortex of gas that rotates at the same angular velocity as the rotating assembly. Also disclosed, is a method of cooling a blade of a rotating wheel, such as a turbine wheel or nozzle wheel, by projecting cool air at the base of the vane form a nozzle corotating with the blade. Such cooling is easily implemented in an OCN engine with use of an innovative annular combustor. Also disclosed is a method of countering axial backflow by use of a combustion chamber compressor.

The present invention relates to an engine and specifically to an engine having a rotating assembly comprising a co-rotating compressor and compressor-driving nozzle wheel enclosed within a non-rotating outer casing, thus defining a rotating combustion chamber.
In a conventional turbine engine 10, depicted in FIG. 1, one or more non-rotating combustion chambers 12 are found between a compressor 14 and a turbine 16. Compressor rotor 18 and turbine wheel 20 are attached to a common rotating shaft 22. During operation of engine 10, compressor 14 forces air into engine 10 towards combustion chambers 12. Non-rotating terminal stator vanes 24 in compressor 14 direct air at high pressure into combustion chambers 12 through what is generally called a diffuser or diffusion stage. In combustion chambers 12 fuel is mixed with the high pressure air. The fuel-air mixture burns and as a result of the released heat, the exhaust expands outwards through turbine 16. In succeeding stages of turbine 16, stationary nozzle guide vanes 30 of turbine 16 accelerate and redirect exhaust gases at rows of turbine blades 32 of turbine wheel 20. The high velocity exhaust gases impact on turbine blades 32 and produce torque on turbine wheel 20 that rotates shaft 22, driving compressor rotor 18.
One weakness of prior art turbine engines, such as 10 is in the turbine. High efficiency and high power output depends on fast rotation of turbine wheel 20, achieved by directing high-temperature high-velocity gas jets from between nozzle guide vanes 30 at turbine blades 32. The mechanical and thermal stresses on turbine blades 32 are so high that engine efficiency is limited by the material properties of turbine blades 32. Thus even though high velocity gas jets can be easily obtained, these cannot be efficiently utilized due to the shortened lifetime of the turbine blades. Long-life can be obtained by diluting exhaust to produce gas jets having only moderate temperature and velocity and limiting the rate of rotation of the turbine wheel. This results in low efficiency and a limited power output.
A number of turbineless engines been designed overcoming the limitations imposed by the use of a turbine, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,465,856, 2,499,863, 2,594,629, 3,200,588, and 6,295,802. All these turbineless engines have a plurality of combustion chambers, rigidly arrayed about a power shaft having nozzles directed substantially perpendicularly to the power shaft. Exhaust exiting from the combustion chambers through the nozzles drives the combustion chambers about the power shaft and creates torque in a manner analogous to Hero's Aeolipile. These turbineless engines have failed to gain popularity, amongst other reasons, due to an excessive moment of inertia and extreme hoop stress resulting from the positioning of the combustion chambers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,551 teaches a turbine engine where the velocity at which gas emerging from rotating nozzles strikes a turbine is reduced. To this end, a combustion chamber and nozzles are allowed to rotate as a result of gases escaping through the nozzles. Simultaneously, the gas escaping from the nozzles impacts the turbine blades, turning a turbine wheel in a direction opposite the direction which the combustion chamber and nozzles rotate. Torque is extracted from both rotations. The primary disadvantage of this design is similar to the disadvantage of the turbineless engines described above: the combustion chambers (termed combustor baskets) undergo severe hoop stress. An additional disadvantage of this design is that air is fed into the combustion chambers using a ram effect and consequently suffers severe aerodynamic entry losses.
A different design, called a rotojet, is taught in "Weight-flow and thrust limitations due to the use of rotating combustors in a turbojet engine" by Lezberg, E. A.; Blackshear, P. L.; and Rayle, W. D. Research Memorandum RM E55K16 of the National Advisory Commitee for Aeronautics (1956). In the rotojet, a compressor stage, a turbine and a plurality of ramjet-like combustion chambers having off-axis reaction nozzles rotate together. Similar to the turbineless engines described above, the individual combustion chambers ("ramjets") undergo severe hoop stress.
Another weakness of prior art turbine engines, such as 10 is in the thermodynamics of the engine. Due to the braking of gases exiting compressor 14 through the non-rotating stator vanes 24 before entering combustion chamber 12 and due to the expansion of gases when the gases expand through nozzle guide vanes 30 in order to drive turbine wheel 20, there are significant pressure drops and the actual thermodynamic cycle is far from being an ideal Brayton cycle (see Appendix). Thus, prior art turbine engines, such as 10, are inherently inefficient. None of the alternative turbine engines described above presents a solution to the inherent thermodynamic inefficiency of the turbine engine.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,272,844 and 6,460,343, one related to the other, are taught turbine engines without inlet turbine stators to reduce the inlet pressure drop. In these engines a vortex is created in part of the compressor outlet flow by adding a swirler stator at the compressor outlet. This solution is inefficient as the air from the compressor is first diffused at the rotor exit and is again expanded in the swirler, reducing the pressure even further. Moreover, the combustion chamber is stationary, creating further pressure drops and various stationary envelopes. Moreover, in both U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,272,844 and 6,460,343, the fact that the combustor is stationary creates pressure drops due to friction between the vortex and the various stationary envelopes.
There is a need for an engine that overcomes the above-listed shortcomings of prior art engines, especially prior art turbine, engines.