This invention relates to a wireless vehicle recharging apparatus for an energy storage element of a vehicle. The apparatus has at least one drive unit arrangement coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement disposed for generating a magnetic field extending from the drive coil arrangement, and includes a corresponding vehicle-mounted pickup coil arrangement coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement for receiving the extending magnetic field. The drive unit arrangement is operable to excite the drive coil arrangement at a fundamental frequency and the drive coil arrangement is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field. Additional aspects of the invention relate to vehicle power coupling apparatus including pickup coil arrangements.

Electrical power coupling systems for roadways have been known for many years. Trolley busses have been in use since the early 1900's which utilize associated flexible booms having at their distal ends power pickoff arrangements for drawing power from overhead power cables supported from buildings or poles. Such trolley busses have many benefits in urban surroundings, for example low operating noise, low air pollution at the trolley busses, fast acceleration and relatively simple drive trains in the trolley busses themselves. However, considerable maintenance is required for the overhead power cables, for example on account of arcing which occurs when the power pickoff arrangements are moved relative to the overhead power cables when in operation. On account of such practical difficulties, inductive power coupling systems for roadways have been described earlier in published literature as being a possible solution for future transport infrastructure.
In a United Kingdom patent no. GS 1418128 published in December 1975 ("Improvements in or relating to electrified transportation", Otto), there is described an electrical supply arrangement for an electrically driven vehicle, vein the supply arrangement comprises one or more current carrying conductors which are external to and separate from the vehicle. The one or more conductors are operable to provide an induced inductive electrical supply in at least one electrical circuit located in or on the vehicle so as to drive the vehicle. The electrical circuit comprises one or more inductive and one or more capacitive elements in series, and are integrally formed as a sandwich arrangement of two or more electrically conducting members and one or more electrically insulating members. Optionally, the frequency of the electrical supply to the one or more current carrying conductors is at, or close to, the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit. Optionally, the electrical circuit is formed in an integral manner from one or more series-conned sandwich arrangements of highly-conducting metal strips and very low loss dielectric strips. More optionally, the or each integrally-formed circuit of capacitive and inductive elements has a resonant frequency at or close to the supply frequency of the current flowing through the one or more current carrying conductors. In an example described in the patent, a 6 kW power transfer is described at a resonant frequency of 7.5 kHz. Such power transfer is insufficient to meet contemporary power requirements for electric vehicles which often employ electric drive trains with electric motors of 10 kW or greater. Contemporary hybrid electric trucks often employ traction motors of up to 100 kW rating.
In a published European patent application no. EP 0 289 868A2 ("Roadway power and control system for inductively coupled transportation system", Induction Corporation, published November 1988), there is described an electrical modular roadway system which is operable to transmit power to and to control inductively coupled vehicles travelling thereon. The system comprises a plurality of elongate, electrically connected inductor modules arranged in an aligned end-to-end spaced apart for forming a continuous vehicle path. Each module has a magnetic core and power windings which generate a magnetic field extending above the road surface. Controllable relays are connected between the modules for allowing operating electric current to either activate or bypass selected modules. Moreover, sensing windings in the modules are activated by the presence of a vehicle on one module to provide control signals to relays for other modules. The patent application does not mention operating frequency, but it is implicit that this operating frequency is electrical power fine frequency of circa 50 Hz or 60 Hz in view of ferromagnetic tore materials needing to be employed. The system does not appear to have come into general widespread use, presumably in view of major road works being requited to install the modules.
In a granted German patent no. DE 4429656C1 ("Einrichtung zur berührungsfreien Übenragung elekrischer Energie auf einen Gegenstand", Professor Meins) published in April 1996, there is described a resonant inductive energy coupling system for road vehicles, wherein the system employs inductive coupling coils with series resonant capacitors.
Despite being proposed on many occasions in earlier patent applications and granted patents, wireless inductive power coupling for road vehicles has not been generally adopted within contemporary transport infrastructure. A reason for such lack of adoption may arise on account of high initial installation cost of road-embedded inductive coils and low petroleum prices. However, with an onset of "peak oil" and concerns regarding potential anthropogenic climate change associated with Carbon Dioxide emissions, interest has been recently reawakened in respect of such inductively-coupled roadways, especially when many new designs of road vehicles are now being based upon plug-in hybrid drive train configurations. However, there still arises a need for an optimal internationally standardized configuration of inductive power transfer system for roadways before major investments are likely to be implemented. The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned problems associated with known technical art to render possible practical inductive power transfer systems for roadways and electric vehicle which are compatible therewith.
Many demonstrations of supplying electrical grid power to moving vehicles have been made. Most demonstrators that have been implemented in practice involve guided vehicles, for example tams, light rail and trains, or vehicles with restricted movement such as trolley busses. Inductively powered roadway systems have been proposed for powering trams, and, to a lesser extent, busses; for example a system was proposed some years ago by Bombardier. Despite successful operation of these systems, they have not been adopted into road vehicle applications, primarily on account of major infrastructure changes required and corresponding installation of vehicle fitments.
Electrical roadway systems have been known for many years. Trolley busses have been in use since the early 1900's which utilize associated flexible booms having at their distal ends power pickoff arrangements for drawing power from overhead power cables supported from buildings or poles. Such trolley busses have many benefits in urban surroundings, for example low operating noise, low air pollution at the trolley busses, fast acceleration and relatively simple drive trains in the trolley busses themselves. However, considerate maintenance is required for the overhead power cables, for example on account of arcing which occurs when the power pickoff arrangements are moved relative to the overhead power cables when in operation.
In the foresaid electrical supply arrangement of GB 1418128, it is found in practice that mounting a resonant power coupling arrangement onto an underside of a vehicle reduces access to other vehicle parts from the underside of the vehicle. Such access is important when the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle which includes a combustion engine system for generating motive power from carbonaceous fuel oxidation, wherein combustion gases are directed in operation via an exhaust system having an exhaust pipe mounted underneath the vehicle. Removing the resonant power coupling arrangement for gaining access to the exhaust pipe is time consuming. Moreover, a resonant power coupling apparatus which covers the underside of the vehicle results in impaired coating to the exhaust pipe. Moreover, implementing the resonant power coupling apparatus to occupy less area reduces a performance of the apparatus to couple power for gaining access the exhaust pipe.
Electrical roadway systems have been known for many years. Trolley busses have been in use since the early 1900's which utilize associated flexible booms having at their distal ends power pickoff arrangements for drawing power from overhead power cables supported from buildings or poles. Such trolley busses have many benefits in urban surroundings, for example low operating noise, low air pollution at the trolley busses, fast acceleration and relatively simple drive trains in the trolley busses themselves. However, considerable maintenance is required for the overhead power cables, for example on account of arcing which occurs when the power pickoff arrangements are moved relative to the overhead power, cables when in operation.
In the foresaid electrical supply arrangement of GB 1418128, it is found in practice that a relatively small clearance has to be employed between an upper surface of a roadway in which excitation coils are housed and a pickup coil mounted to an underside of a vehicle which is operably compatible with the roadway. Such a relatively small clearance, for example in a range of 10 cm to 20 cm, potentially represents a safety hazard when vehicles are travelling a high speeds, for example 120 km/hour, upon the roadway, especially when there is a risk of loose objects, namely debris being present on the upper surface of the roadway. Such loose objects risk being wedged under the vehicles and damaging their respective pickup coil. A conventional manner to address this risk is to employ larger clearances and increase an area or number of turns included on the pickup coil, but potentially adds considerably to cost.
Despite the aforementioned wireless-powered electrical supply arrangement being described in December 1975, the arrangement has not been adopted into, general use, presumably on account of petroleum being plentiful and there being little impetus to employ alternative vehicle propulsion technologies.
Electric vehicles for use with electrical roadway systems have been known for many years. Trolley busses have been in use since the early 1900's which utilize associated flexible booms having at their distal ends power pickoff arrangements for drawing power from overhead power cables supported from buildings or poles. Such trolley busses have many benefits in urban surroundings, for example low operating noise, low air pollution at the trolley busses, fast acceleration end relatively simple drive trains in the trolley busses themselves. However, considerable, maintenance is required for the overhead power cables, for example on account of arcing which occurs when the power pickoff arrangements are moved relative to the overhead power cables when in operation.
A problem with the electrical supply arrangement described in aforesaid patent no. GB 1418128 is that a relatively close spacing is required to be maintained between the one or more current conductors which are external to and separate from the vehicles relative to the at least one electrical circuit located in or on the vehicle for driving the vehicle. In an event of road debris or occluding material, for example snow, being present upon a road surface above the one or more current conductors, there arises a risk of the road debris or occluding material damaging an underside of the vehicle, for example causing damage to the one or more conductors. When high vehicle speeds are employed, for example greater than 50 km/hour, the road debris or occluding material can potentially cause accidents. Conventionally, careful maintenance of roadways to remove the road debris or occluding material would be considered necessary, but such maintenance is not economically feasible to achieve in practice for all sections of road equipped with the one or more current conductors.
When the electrical supply arrangement is evolved to a form suitable for delivering 10 kW of more, fax example 50 kW, for propelling contemporary electrical vehicles, or electric-hybrid vehicles including chemical oxidation processes for providing a source of energy for motive power, the aforesaid electrical circuits are excited with considerable signal magnitudes and associated alternating currents such that safety issues then need to be taken seriously into account. Safely issues can relate to one or more of the following:    (a) exposure of personnel to high-power alternating electromagnetic fields which can potentially represent a biological hazard;    (a) electrical shock risk to personnel when circuit cable windings embedded into a roadway are faulty or damaged, resulting in a breakdown of cable insulation;    (b) corrosion causing damage to conductors of circuit cable windings embedded into the roadway, resulting in en increase in cable resistance and associated resistive power losses when excited in operation, namely losses which are potentially spatially concentrated and can result in fire risk by setting adjacent asphalt and/or cable insulation into combustion; and    (c) gross roadway surface damage which can potentially result in circuit cable windings being severed and exposed at a surface of the roadway, representing an electrical shock hazard, for example as a consequence of Earthquake, road subsidence or major road accident.
Although such safety issues can potentially be addressed, at least in part, by human inspection of roadways, it is desirable to employ more robust and less personnel-intensive approaches to ensure safety of electrical roadways employing inductive power transfer to vehicles.
In a published European patent application no. EP 0, 289, 868 ("Roadway power and control system for inductively coupled transportation system", Inductran Corporation, California, USA), there is described an electrical modular roadway adapted for transmitting power to and controlling inductively-coupled vehicles travelling thereon. The system comprises a plurality of elongate, electrically-connected inductor modules arranged in an aligned end-to-end spaced apart manner in order to form a continuous vehicle path. Each module has a magnetic core and power windings which generate a magnetic field extending above the road surface. Controllable relays are connected between modules for allowing operating electric current to either activate or bypass selected modules. Sensing windings included in the modules are activated by the presence of a vehicle on one module to provide control signals to relays for other modules. Although an operating frequency for creating the magnetic field is not described, the modules are constructed in a manner which would allow them to be energized at normal line frequency, for example 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
The aforesaid electrical supply arrangement (Otto) and the aforementioned roadway power and control system (Inductran Corp.) potential represent a major installation task when being retrofitted to existing roadways. For example, the aforementioned roadway power and control system requires a major trench to be prepared along vehicle-bearing lanes of a roadway for accommodating the modules, including their magnetic cores. Moreover, the aforesaid electrical supply arrangement requires a complex configuration of coil windings to be installed in a roadway which is costly and time consuming. Such cost and complication represent a technical problem which dissuades implementation of inductively-coupled vehicle roadways, thus favouring contemporary alternatives such as continuing to employ Carbon-fuel driven vehicles and/or to employ vehicles with large heavy rechargeable batteries, for example sealed Lead-acid accumulators which are environmentally damaging and Lithium batteries which represent a potential fire risk.
Concerns regarding "peak oil" and anthropogenic forcing of climate change require that road transport in future be evolved away from burning of fossil fuels. Moreover, resource limitations on battery materials, for example World supply of Lithium, prevents a majority of road vehicles in the World being implemented as electric rechargeable vehicles. Furthermore, heavy rechargeable batteries in road vehicles is undesirable from a safety viewpoint on account of kinetic energy KE in the road vehicles being given by ½ mV2, wherein m is a mass of the vehicle, and V is a velocity of the vehicle when in motion. For example, a contemporary Tesla Roadster vehicle is a very highly regarded and respected quality product and includes a Lithium rechargeable battery having a mass in an order of 500 kg; at a speed of 100 km/h, such a Roadster vehicle has a kinetic energy in an order of 500 kJ which is potentially instantaneously released in an event of a severe crash situation. Similar considerations pertain also to other types of contemporary electric and hybrid vehicles.
There thus arises a problem of implementing an inductively-coupled roadway for providing motive power to electric and hybrid vehicles in a manner which is commercially more attractive and more straightforward to implement in comparison to known arrangements and systems.
As World population increases from presently 7 billion people to around 10 billion people by year 2050, Earth's resources are being shared between increasingly more people, especially as living standards improve in Asia, in particular China and India Energy-per-capita based upon known oil and gas reserves falls rapidly from year 2020 onwards. On account of metals requiring considerable energy in their mining, processing and adaptation into products such as electrical cables, transformers and weatherproof housings for example, it is anticipated that metal thefts will become a major problem in the future. When such theft concerns infrastructure such as cables along sides of railway tracks, theft of such cables for their metal content can be highly disruptive to reliable operation of such infrastructure. Moreover, damage caused by hasty cable thefts can be very costly to repair, often much more costly than merely metal value of the cables themselves.
In an event that electrical roadways are developed to provide contactless inductive transfer of motive power to electrically-propelled vehicles, for example as described in aforesaid United Kingdom patent no. GB 1418128, a problem potentially arises when cables embedded into road surfaces for implementing such roadways are stolen on account of their scrap metal value. A conventional approach would be to employ an army of roadway policemen and roadway policewomen in situ to keep watch of roadways, namely to arrest promptly any thieves who attempt to steal roadway-embedded cables; such an approach would be extremely expensive, although it could assist to reduce contemporary unemployment in a post "peak-oil" society. Alternatively, another conventional approach would be to provide surveillance equipment along roadways, for example surveillance cameras, coupled to a centralized security facility with rapid-deployment policemen and policewomen to travel out and arrest thieves in an event of cable theft being detected. A yet alternative conventional approach would be to embed the cables is such a mechanically secure manner into roadways that theft would be difficult to undertake by unauthorized parties. However, such secure embedding of cables renders thorn difficult to access in an event that authorized parties are required to replace or to repair the cables. Moreover, operating surveillance equipment is costly in personnel time, wherein personnel remotely monitor surveillance camera images for traces of theft or potentially thieving activities.

Inductive power coupling systems for roadways


An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Nature has created a variety of biomass materials with various characteristics. However, all biomass materials are generally comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. In particular, the category of biomass generally known as "wood" is comprised of approximately ⅓ by weight cellulose, approximately ⅓ by weight hemicellulose and approximately ⅓ by weight lignin. Because of the relatively high cost of fossil fuels and a desire to use more renewable resources, there is great interest in using biomass as a fuel. In addition, the use of wood waste from construction and demolition activities (C&D materials) in the preparation of a fuel product reduces the amount of material that is deposited in landfills and can comprise a valuable use of an otherwise useless material.
"Green" or unprocessed biomass is low in sulfur but has a relatively high moisture content and a relatively low heating value per unit of weight, when compared to coal, for example. Consequently, in order to create an efficient biomass-to-energy conversion, it is known to dry biomass materials and/or to torrefy biomass materials for subsequent densification. Drying of biomass materials will generally reduce the moisture content from 30-50% by weight in the green state (15-25% for C&D materials) to about 5-12% by weight, and it will increase the heating value per unit of weight because of the loss of moisture weight. However, drying will not impart significant chemical changes to the biomass materials. Further heating under controlled conditions results in torrefaction, which may be generally described as a pyrolysis or thermal degradation process carried out on wood or other biomass materials at temperatures typically less than about 600° F. in a low-oxygen atmosphere. During torrefaction, the hemicellulose in the biomass is broken down into volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") such as methanol, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, and at least a portion of these volatile organic compounds are released by evaporation. The removal of hemicellulose increases the energy density or heating value per unit of weight of the biomass; however, full torrefaction without recovery of the evaporated volatile organic compounds results in the loss of the energy stored therein.
A pelletized form of dried or torrefied wood or biomass is highly desirable in that it would allow easy and relatively clean handling and more efficient shipment, especially ocean freight shipment, of a biomass-based fuel. It is known to make fuel pellets from dried wood, and many attempts have been made to form fuel pellets of torrefied wood and biomass. However, the inventors have found that blends of dried and torrefied biomass materials can be pelletized to produce stable pellets of high durability. Furthermore, the inventors have devised a process that employs parallel processing of dried and torrefied biomass in such a way as to increase the energy efficiency of the process.

Method and apparatus for pelletizing blends of biomass materials for use as fuel


A gene expression programming genetic algorithm for performing symbolic regression is provided. The algorithm avoids expression bloating and over fitting by employing a fitness function that depends inversely on the mathematical expression complexity. Members of a population that are evolved by the algorithm are represented as a set arrays (e.g., in the form of a matrix) of indexes that reference operands and operators, thus facilitating selection, mutation, and cross over operations conducted in the course of evolving the population. The algorithm comprises a syntax checking part that may be applied to population members without their having to be converted to executable programs first. An object-oriented programming language data structure is providing for encapsulating basic data for each codon (e.g., operand, operator) used by the algorithm.

Algorithms for fitting experimental data to linear equations or to other predetermined functions of one or more variables are widely used in applied science and engineering. In fitting data to a predetermined function, parameters (e.g., coefficients) of the predetermined function, which are a priori unknown, are determined. These parameters, which may represent theoretical constants (e.g., the mass of an electron), or merely empirical values that characterize a phenomenon, are determined in fitting data to the function. In such situations, the appropriate function to fit to the data is selected by a person based on technical knowledge or preexisting evidence. For example, certain types of data may be known by experts in the relevant field to be described by certain mathematical functions. The discovery of what mathematical functions describe what type of functions comes through the painstaking progress of science and engineering.
Similarly, in the field of statistics, statistical data may be fit to an appropriate distribution function such as the Gaussian Distribution, or the Binomial Distribution, in order to determine a mean and variance of measured data. The selection of an appropriate distribution function to fit to any given set of data is based on consideration of whether the type of random variation associated with each type of distribution corresponds to the random variations that characterize the collected data. In other words, selection is ordinarily the work of person skilled in statistics.
Certain statistical packages attempt to assist the statistician by automatically trying to fit a set of data to a predetermined set of distribution functions, and selecting the distribution function which best fits the data.
In the cases mentioned above the functions to which data are fit are predetermined, and it remains a task of the scientist or engineer to discover through conjecture or ab initio derivation entirely new functions that may apply to new types of data. In other words the work of discovering mathematical functions is left to human intellect.
The field of artificial intelligence includes the sub-field of genetic algorithms. In the field of genetic algorithms, an attempt is made to mimic the role of genetics in evolutionary biology, in computing the solution of engineering or other problems. In genetic algorithms a population of postulated solutions is 'evolved' in a way that mimics Darwinian theories of evolution.
The field of genetic algorithms includes an area of study known as genetic programming. In genetic programming the population being evolved includes individuals that are themselves programs. In genetic programming the fitness of each individual program is judged based on its ability to solve a certain problem when it is executed.
Genetic programming has been used to perform what is known as 'symbolic regression'. In symbolic regression, an effort is made to supplant human intellect by using genetic programming to discover a mathematical expression that best describes a data set. The individual programs that are evolved in genetic programming based symbolic regression represent mathematical equations that give the value of a dependent variable based on the input values of one or more independent variables.
Predominant prior art genetic programming algorithms were implemented in the LISP programming language which was judged by the implementers to be especially suited to the task. In such algorithms, the S-expression construct of the LISP programming language was used to represent mathematical expressions. These S-expressions, which played the role of members of a population being evolved, were directly manipulated in the course of performing the evolution. A drawback of such prior art approaches is that the size of the mathematical expressions in the population was not limited, which lead to so called 'expression bloating' in which the mathematical expressions in the population become unduly large. Another drawback of such prior art approaches is that such bloated expressions tend to over fit the data that the genetic programming algorithm is using to check the correctness of mathematical expressions. By over fit it is meant that the expression conforms very closely to the data including measurement errors in the data, and does not conform to additional data from the same source that is later used to test the correctness of the expression. A further drawback is that such S-expression constructs are not available in modern program languages such as Java, or C++ that are currently preferred for use in the scientific and engineering programming.
Another type of genetic algorithm used for symbolic regression Gene Expression Programming (GEP). In Gene expression programming expressions are represented by strings of symbols in which each symbol represents a token (e.g., operand, operator) of a mathematical expression. In using gene expression programming the value of constants that are to appear in an expression that the genetic programming algorithm is seeking may not be known ahead of time. Therefore the GEP algorithm may have to create a program that performs an inordinate number of operations on a limited set of constants that it has been given to work with (e.g., zero and one). The latter necessity increases the time required for the gene expression programming algorithm to converge and also unduly increase the size of solution programs that are found. Moreover, in as much as the expressions produced by gene expression programming algorithms are limited to a finite size, the operation required to obtain needed constants may consume a substantial portion of a maximum expression size and limit what is available for other needed operators and variables.
In gene expression programming a variety of actions that mimic the natural processes involved in the evolution of a population are performed. These include one-point and two-point crossover and mutation. These processes involve random selection of crossover points and random selection of new tokens to replace pre-existing tokens (operands or operators) in a representation of an expression (chromosome). Due to their random nature these operations, which are important in adaptation through evolution, may, unfortunately, in the case of gene expression programming, lead to syntactically incorrect expressions (programs). Such syntactically incorrect are unsuitable as solution candidates, and have the potential to generate a program execution error in the gene expression programming algorithm.


An optical modifier may include a color controller including quantum dots, a barrier layer encapsulating the color controller, and a low refractive layer spaced apart from the color controller with the barrier layer interposed between the color controller and the barrier layer. The barrier layer may have a layer density ranging from 1.50 g/cm3 to 3.0 g/cm3.

The present disclosure relates to a display device, and in particular, to a highly reliable optical modifier and a display device including the same.
In multimedia devices such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, navigation systems, gaming machines, and the like, various display devices are being developed as a means for providing image information. In particular, quantum dots are being introduced to improve a display quality of a display device including liquid crystal display elements or organic electroluminescence display elements.
To improve optical efficiency of such a quantum-dot display device, a material of low refractive index is used for an optical modifier. However, to increase reliability of a display device, it is necessary to develop an optical modifier with a low refractive index property and improved durability.

Optical modifier and display device including the same


An engine oil return device for an engine having a cylinder head and a cylinder block is disclosed. The oil return device comprises an oil pan and an oil return path. The oil return path includes at least one oil return main path and at least one oil return extension path. The oil return main path is disposed at a first side surface of the cylinder block. The oil return extension path includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end is connected to the oil return main path. The downstream end is positioned at a distance from the first side surface such that the oil return extension path extends in a direction of the second side surface of the cylinder block. At least a portion of the oil return extension path is defined by a portion of the oil pan.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an engine oil return device for returning oil that has lubricated portions of a cylinder head to an oil pan, through a cylinder block.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 09-049414 describes an engine lubricating system that uses a wet sump method in which oil in an oil pan is sucked up by an oil pump and is supplied to each part of the cylinder head by pressure. The oil that has lubricated each portion of the cylinder head is circulated as a result of returning the oil to the oil pan from a cylinder head.
For example, in a V-type engine, an oil return path for returning oil to an oil pan from a cylinder head is provided so as to be inclined along both sides of an engine. Therefore, when acceleration in a front-back direction or a lateral direction of a vehicle, which causes the oil to be inclined towards the oil return path, is increased, the oil may no longer be returned by gravitational force through the oil return path. Moreover, when an inclination angle of a bank from a vertical direction is large, a reverse flow is produced in the oil return path, thereby causing the circulation of the oil to be hindered.


A plasma display device which has improved performance of heat dissipation and noise/vibration insulation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the plasma display device includes a plasma display panel, a first base member coupled with the plasma display panel, a second base member connected to the first base member, and a thermally conductive cushion member interposed between the first base member and the second base member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display device which has improved performance of heat dissipation and noise/vibration insulation.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Generally, a plasma display panel (PDP) displays an image by exciting phosphorus with ultraviolet (UV) rays. The UV rays are generated by a gas discharge in a vacuum discharge cell. The PDP provides a wide screen in a slim and light-weight design. In addition, the PDP has high performance in display capacity, brightness, contrast, and viewing angle.
A plasma display device typically includes a plasma display panel for displaying an image, a chassis base supporting the PDP, a plurality of drive boards, and a housing. The drive boards are mounted on a surface of the chassis base opposite from a surface supporting the PDP. The housing is configured to enclose the PDP, the chassis base, and the drive boards. The housing typically has a front cover and a back cover which are detachable with each other.
A heat-dissipating sheet may be inserted between the PDP and the chassis base. The heat-dissipating sheet is configured to transfer heat emitting from the PDP to the chassis base. The chassis base in turn dissipates the heat outside the plasma display device through holes of the back cover.
During operation of the plasma display device, substantial noise and vibration are also generated due to an electrostatic force between electrodes in the PDP. A high current flowing through circuit elements on the drive boards also generates noise and vibration during the operation of the plasma display device.
A conventional plasma display device includes a chassis base and a PDP, the surfaces of which are attached to the heat-dissipating sheet. Accordingly, noise and vibration generated from the PDP are transferred to the drive boards through the chassis base. The noise and vibration from the PDP may be further amplified on the drive boards In addition, the heat-dissipating sheet may not efficiently dissipate heat emitting from the PDP.


An information processing apparatus includes: a point group data acquisition unit configured to acquire, based on information from a sensor configured to detect an object existing in surroundings of a vehicle, point group data related to a plurality of points representing the object; a movement amount estimation unit configured to estimate a movement amount of the vehicle; a storage unit configured to store, as a point group map recorded in association with position information including a latitude and a longitude, relative positions of the plurality of points relative to a first reference position that is a place on a travel path of the vehicle; and a position estimation unit configured to estimate a position of the vehicle based on the point group map, the point group data, and the movement amount.

Recently, automated driving technologies of sensing surroundings of an automobile through external sensors such as a camera and various radars and causing the vehicle to autonomously travel based on a result of the sensing without an operation by a driver have been developed. Automated parking is a form of such automated driving. In the automated parking, automated driving limited to a car park is performed to automatically park the vehicle at a desired parking partition.
To achieve the automated parking, the position of the vehicle in a car park needs to be accurately estimated. For this estimation, a technology of Patent Literature 1 below is known. Patent Literature 1 discloses a robot self-position estimation method that executes at least one of first processing of acquiring map data of a space in which a robot moves, calculating, by simulation, a self-position estimation easiness parameter indicating easiness of estimation of the self-position of the robot for each area in the map data, and presenting information related to the self-position estimation easiness parameter to a user before autonomous travel of the robot, and second processing of causing the robot to estimate the self-position based on the self-position estimation easiness parameter.


In a head suspension, a gimbal spring is constituted by a flexible sheet having an electrical circuit formed on its surface, and a through hole is formed through that portion of a load beam of metal overlapping the gimbal spring. The load beam is bonded integrally to the gimbal spring to form the head suspension. There is also disclosed a rotary disk storage unit incorporating such a head suspension.

This invention relates to a rotary disk storage (memory) unit and a head suspension used in the storage unit, and more particularly to a rotary disk storage unit of a small size capable of high-precision positioning, and also to a head suspension for such a storage unit.
In a rotary disk storage unit, a head suspension presses a pneumatic bearing slider against a rotary disk recording medium. More specifically, the head suspension comprises a load beam of a sufficiently high rigidity to press the pneumatic bearing slider (having a transducer mounted thereon) against the rotary disk recording medium under a predetermined load, and a gimbal spring of a sufficiently low rigidity to allow the pneumatic bearing slider to follow fluctuations of the rotary disk recording medium. When the rotary disk storage unit is in its inoperative or deactivated condition, the pneumatic bearing slider is held in contact with the rotary disk recording medium. When the rotary disk storage unit is operated or activated, the rotary disk recording medium is rotated, so that a flying force due to an air stream between the pneumatic bearing slider and the rotary disk recording medium is produced, and the pneumatic bearing slider flies stably at a position where the flying force is balanced with the pressing load. Electrical connection between electrodes of the transducer formed on the pneumatic bearing slider and a read/write circuit of the rotary disk storage unit is made through tubecovered conductors (wires), and these tube-covered conductors are arranged over the head suspension.
When the rotary disk storage unit becomes smaller in size, so that the spacing between the adjacent rotary disk recording media becomes smaller, the pneumatic bearing slider and the head suspension need to be reduced in size. In order to achieve a small-size design of the head suspension, a type of head suspension in which a load beam and a gimbal spring are formed integral with each other has been put into practical use. Also, the pneumatic bearing slider has because smaller in size year after year.
With the small-size design of the pneumatic bearing slider and the head suspension, the tube-covered conductors become large relative to the pneumatic bearing slider and the head suspension, and the rigidity of the tube-covered conductors may lower the ability of the pneumatic bearing sliders to follow fluctuation of the rotary disk recording medium, and also the tube-covered conductors may be cut upon contact with the surface of the rotary disk recording medium.
In the field of rotary disk storage units and particularly magnetic disk units, in order to obtain an increased storage capacity, a magneto-resistive transducer (hereinafter referred to as "MR head") suited for high-density recording has been developed. Since the MR head is a read-only head, an inductive head of a conventional type for writing purposes must be mounted, together with the MR head, on a pneumatic bearing slider, and as a result four tube-covered conductors in all are required for read/write purposes. Therefore, the rigidity of the tube-covered conductors is greater as compared with the case where two tube-covered conductors are used as in a read/write inductive head, and the load due to such increased rigidity tends to adversely affect the ability of motion of the pneumatic bearing slider.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 1-162212 discloses a method in which instead of using tube-covered conductors, there is used a flexible sheet containing a plurality of conductors. In this construction, a flexible sheet is bonded to a head suspension comprising a metal load beam and a gimbal spring, and electrodes of a transducer are electrically connected to a read/write circuit of a rotary disk storage unit by conductors contained in this flexible sheet. With this construction, although there is no fear of cutting of the conductors, it is difficult to achieve a small-size design of the head suspension. Also, there is a possibility that a load due to the rigidity of the flexible sheet adversely affects the ability of motion of the pneumatic bearing slider at that portion where the flexible sheet is connected to the electrodes of the transducer formed on the pneumatic bearing slider.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 3-71477 discloses a method in which a flexible sheet, having an electrical circuit formed thereon, is used instead of a head suspension, and a negative-pressure air bearing slider is connected to an actuator which drive the negative-pressure air bearing slider. In this construction, there is no fear of cutting the conductors, and the head suspension can be of a small size. However, the negative-pressure air bearing slider is supported by the flexible sheet in a cantilevered condition, and therefore when the negative-pressure air bearing slider is driven radially of a rotary disk recording medium by the actuator means, it is difficult to position the negative-pressure air bearing slider over the rotary disk recording medium precisely because of the low rigidity of the flexible sheet in the radial direction.

Rotary disk storage unit and head suspension therefor


A large-format substrate patterning system, for microelectronics manufacturing, utilizes a substrate docking fixture to enable relative motion between the substrate stage and the substrate. This enables exposure of a large-format substrate which has been partitioned into different modules where each module contains an entire pattern transferred from a mask. This projection system enables patterning of a large multi-module substrate using a stage whose range of travel is smaller than the size of the substrate and using a mask whose area is smaller than the size of the substrate. This is accomplished by repositioning the substrate to expose each module sequentially. In order to reposition the substrate, its location is maintained fixed in space by a substrate docking fixture while the movable stage of the lithography system is repositioned to position a different module of the substrate in the image field of the lithography tool. This allows the use of a mask whose size is determined by the size of each substrate module, and the use of a scanning stage whose required range of travel is determined by the size of the substrate module, and not by the size of the entire substrate. This eliminates the size limitation of the substrate from dependence on the range of travel of the stage, and permits the repetitive use of a small mask or series of small masks to produce a composite multi-module pattern on the substrate.

In the manufacturing of many electronic and opto-electronic products, it is necessary to fabricate millions of microscopic structures on a single large substrate. The structures can be in the form of active devices, such as the transistors in an electronic display or a semiconductor integrated circuit, or in the form of passive patterns, such as the metal interconnect network in a multichip packaging module or a printed circuit board. The large substrate can be a display panel, a silicon wafer, or a board. The pattern feature sizes in these diverse products, which we shall call electronic modules, range from sub-micron for semiconductor chips to multi-microns for displays and packaging products. The substrate size requirements vary from a few square inches for small modules to a few square feet for large displays.
FIG. 1 describes the prior art and schematically illustrates how one type of lithography system is used to transfer the pattern from a mask onto a substrate to expose a single module. The substrate 10 and the mask 14 are held rigidly in a substrate stage 12 and a mask stage 16, respectively. Both the substrate and the mask stages move in synchronism with fine precision. The illumination system 18 consists of a source system 20, a relay lens 22, and beam steering optics 24. The relay lens collects radiation emitted from the effective emission plane of the source into a certain numerical aperture, NA.sub.S, and directs it with a certain magnification and numerical aperture, NA.sub.C, on to the mask. A projection lens assembly 26, which may consist of several individual lens elements and prisms or mirrors, forms a precise image of the high-resolution pattern contained within the illuminated region on the mask on to the substrate. The projection lens has a numerical aperture NA determined by the resolution requirements of the patterning system and is designed for as large an image field as possible.
The substrate stage 12 scans the substrate across its exposure region so as to traverse the length of the substrate in the direction of the scan. Simultaneously, the mask stage 16 scans the mask across its illuminated region. After completion of a scan, both stages move in a direction orthogonal to the scan direction by an amount termed the `effective scan width.` Following such a lateral movement, a new scan is generated by precise movements of the substrate and mask stages in the same manner as before. The above exposure process is repeated until the entire substrate is exposed. A control system 30 is functionally coupled to the illumination system, the mask and substrate stages, and the projection lens assembly, and ensures that the mask and substrate stages are focused and aligned appropriately with respect to the projection lens assembly at all times, that the mask and substrate stages perform the scan and repeat movements with the desired synchronism, and that the illumination system maintains the desired illumination characteristics throughout the exposure of the entire substrate.
In large area lithography it is often necessary to expose the same pattern onto different areas, called modules, of a substrate. The first module is exposed by scanning the mask and the substrate as described above. After the exposure is complete, it is then necessary to align the second module area with the mask to reproduce the same pattern on the second module. This can be done by moving only the substrate--also referred to as indexing the substrate--so that the second area is in the patterning region of the projection lens of the lithography system. Indexing the substrate implies that the substrate stage must move the substrate by an amount equal to the size of the module width or length.
In the exposure process described above, the substrate stage must have a range of travel that is large enough to cover the module area in order to scan the substrate in unison with the mask stage during exposure. In addition, to index the substrate from one module area to the next, the substrate stage must also have a range of travel that is large enough to index to all of the module areas and scan or step with the appropriate precision to expose all of the areas of the substrate.
One of the inventors, K. Jain, has previously patented a variety of large-area patterning systems (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,924,257; 5,285,236 and 5,291,240). These previous patents disclosed projection imaging apparatus for producing very high-resolution patterns for integrated-circuit fabrication on a silicon-wafer-size (a few tens of sq. inches) substrate using reduction patterning with a mask that is larger than an individual integrated circuit, and apparatus for producing patterns on a large, display-panel-size (a few hundred sq. inches) substrate using 1:1 patterning with a mask that is of the same size as the substrate. Due to reasons of economies of scale, there are many other applications, such as multi-chip module fabrication, which would benefit by a high-throughput, 1:1 projection patterning system on a large substrate capable of accommodating multiple modules. However, 1:1 imaging systems require a mask that is of the same size as the substrate. The high cost of large masks is a disadvantage of 1:1 patterning systems.
Thus, it is highly desirable to develop apparatus and method to exploit the benefits of 1:1 large-area projection patterning, using a mask that is significantly smaller than the substrate, which is patterned in modules.
A previous patent application by the same inventor describes such an apparatus, which features an auxiliary stage, to provide repositioning capability for mask or substrate, for sequential 1:1 projection patterning of each substrate module by scanning the mask and substrate simultaneously by a unitary mask-substrate x-y stage. The function of the auxiliary stage is to keep the appropriate part of the mask and/or substrate in the object/image field of view of the projection lens.
These systems require an additional auxiliary stage for indexing the substrate from one exposure area to the next (K. Jain, U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,606, issued Feb. 24, 1998 (Ser. No. 08/524,706, filed Sep. 7, 1995) LARGE-AREA, HIGH-THROUGHPUT, SCAN-AND-REPEAT, PROJECTION PATTERNING SYSTEM EMPLOYING SUB-FULL MASK.). Since the indexing stage does not need to move during the exposure, it can be of lower precision and accuracy than the scanning stage; however, it does require that the scanning stage be capable of bearing the extra payload.
This invention describes hardware and a method that frees the size of the substrate panel to be exposed from limitations imposed by the travel range of the scanning stage or the size of the mask. This is accomplished without the use of additional stages or imposing additional requirements on the scanning stage.

Projection patterning of large substrates using limited-travel x-y stage


An antimicrobial, cut-resistant composite yarn has a core including at least one cut-resistant strand, and a cover including at least one strand wrapped around and enclosing the core. At least one strand in either the core or the cover is treated with and incorporates an antimicrobial compound. In addition, the yarn can include one or more channel fibers to facilitate movement of moisture within the composite yarn so that the moisture contacts the antimicrobial compound, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the antimicrobial compound. The yarn can be used to fabricate cut-resistant garments, such as gloves, worn by meat cutters and others who work with knives, saws and other sharp implements. The antimicrobial effect reduces bacteria, mold and fungi growth on the garments between washings.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/702,619, filed Oct. 31, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,330.
The invention relates to cut-resistant yarns, particularly composite cut resistant yarns which have been treated to retard the growth of microbes which can cause food contamination and illness in humans and to garments such as cut-resistant gloves knitted or woven from such yarns. In accordance with the invention, yarns treated to retard the growth of microbes, such as bacteria, molds and fungi are knitted or woven into gloves of the type worn by meat cutters and others whose job involves working with knives, saws and other sharp objects.
Certain types of medical gloves treated with antimicrobial agents are known, as are cut-resistant gloves which achieve a measure of antimicrobial protection through the plating of a treated acetate fiber to a cut-resistant yarn as a part of the knitting process. However, applicants are not aware of a cut-resistant composite yarn which itself contains an antimicrobial component.
Users needing protection against cuts and also requiring a high level of dexterity now have a variety of products available for use. Some such products, for example, gloves knitted from fibers such as those sold under the name KEVLAR and ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber such as those sold under the name SPECTRA, provide a moderate degree of safety and protection but are extremely costly. Commercial examples of these engineered fibers include sold by Honeywell, Inc. under the name SPECTRA 900 and SPECTRA 1000 and those sold by the Du Pont Company of Wilmington, Del. under the name KEVLAR.
Less expensive yarns have been developed from various combinations of wire, fiberglass, polyester, polypropylene and polyolefin fibers which are nevertheless more cut-resistant. Several embodiments are disclosed in the following patents:
U.S. Pat.No.ISSUE DATEINVENTORTITLE4,383,449May 23, 1983Byrne, Sr.PROTECTIVE GLOVESAND THE LIKE AND AYARN WITH FLEXIBLECORE WRAPPED WITHARAMID FIBER4,651,514Mar. 24, 1987CollettELECTRICALLYNONCONDUCTIVE,ABRASION AND CUTRESISTANT YARN4,777,789Oct. 18, 1988Kolmes et al.WIRE WRAPPED YARNFOR PROTECTIVEGARMENTS4,818,587Apr. 04, 1989Ejima et al.NONWOVEN FABRICSAND METHOD FORPRODUCING THEM4,838,017Jun. 13, 1989Kolmes et al.WIRE WRAPPED YARNFOR PROTECTIVEGARMENTS4,886,691Dec. 12, 1989WincklhoferCUT RESISTANT JACKETFOR ROPES, WEBBING,STRAPS, INFLATABLESAND THE LIKE4,936,085Jun. 26, 1990Kolmes et al.YARN AND GLOVE5,010,723Apr. 30, 1991WilenTWISTED YARN WHICHWILL MAINTAIN ITSTWIST AND PRODUCTSPRODUCED THEREFROM5,119,512Jun. 09, 1992Dunbar et al.CUT RESISTANT YARN,FABRIC AND GLOVES5,177,948Jan. 12, 1993Kolmes et al.YARN AND GLOVE
U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,449 shows protective gloves and the like and a yarn comprising a core of a flexible wire alongside an aramid fiber strand or strands and a covering of aramid fiber such as that manufactured and sold under the name KEVLAR by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Del. in which the aramid fiber is either spun or filament. Two aramid fiber strands, either spun or filament, are wrapped around the core with one strand wrapped in a clockwise direction and the other strand wrapped in a counter-clockwise direction with the opposite spiral wrapping of the strands serving to secure the strands in position on the core without any other securing means. The yarn having a flexible core with aramid fiber strands wrapped thereon is used to make protective gloves on conventional glove knitting or weaving machinery and is capable of movement in relation to needle eyes and the like without jamming in the same manner as various natural and synthetic fiber yarns. The yarn having a flexible core with aramid fiber strands wrapped thereon is also used in making various U.S. other products normally made of conventional fiber yarn.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,514 shows an electrically non-conductive, cut and abrasion resistant yarn for use in the manufacture of protective coverings including a core of monofilament nylon having a diameter in the range of about 0.004 to 0.020 inches, a first wrap on the core of at least one strand of aramid fiber having a cotton count size in the range of about 1/1 to 30/1 and a second wrap on the core of texturized nylon of two to eight ply construction. Each ply is made up of 24 to 44 nylon filaments with each filament being about 50–90 denier.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,789 shows an improved yarn, fabric and protective garment made from such yarn where the yarn, fabric and garment exhibit increased cut resistance. The yarn includes a cord made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core, the covering includes at least one strand of wire wrapped around the core.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,587 shows nonwoven fabrics contain at least 30% by weight of heat-adhesive composite fibers consisting of core portion and sheath portion, the core portion being of the side-by-side type composite structure comprising two core components of different polypropylene base polymers in a composite ratio of 1:2 to 2:1, one of the core components having a Q value, expressed in terms of the weight-average molecular weight/the number-average molecular weight, equal to or higher than 6 and the other having a Q value equal to or lower than 5, and the sheath portion meeting at least the requirement that it should comprise a sheath component of a polyethylene base polymer having a melting point lower by at least 20° C. than the lower one of the melting points of the two core components. The nonwoven fabrics are bulky and soft due to the crimps of the heat-adhesive composite fibers resultant form the core portion and are stabilized by the interfiber bonds of the sheath portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,017 shows an improved yarn, fabric and protective garment made from such yarn where the yarn, fabric and garment exhibit increased cut resistance. The yarn includes a core made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core, the covering includes at least one strand of wire wrapped around the core.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,691 shows a cut resistant article comprising a cut resistant jacket surrounding a less cut resistant member. The jacket comprises a fabric of yarn and the yarn consists essentially of a high strength, longitudinal strand having a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa. The strand is wrapped with another fiber or the same fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,085 shows an improved yarn, fabric and protective garment made from such yarn, where the yarn, fabric and garment exhibit increased cut resistance, flexibility, pliability and softness. The yarn is non-metallic and includes a core made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core. At least one of the strands is fiberglass, the non-fiberglass strands are preferably nylon or polyester.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,723 shows a yarn produced from two or more twisted cellulosic fibers, such as cotton or cotton rayon fibers, the plies being helically wound around a thermoplastic filament core which is subsequently melted to bind the inner portions of the yarn together so that it does not untwist or shed lint readily. The yarn is employed in a dU.S.t mop or floor mat for a shampoos bonnet for stain resistant treated carpet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,512 shows a cut resistant article 20 comprising a cut resistant jacket surrounding a less cut resistant member. The jacket comprises a fabric of yarn and the yarn consists essentially of a high strength, longitudinal strand having a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa. The strand is wrapped with another fiber or the same fiber. In another embodiment, the invention is a highly cut resistant yarn of at least two nonmetallic fibers. One fiber is inherently cut resistant like high strength polyethylene, polypropylene or aramids. The other fiber in the yarn has a high level of hardness.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,948 shows an improved non-metallic yarn, 30 fabric and protective garment made from such yarn, where the yarn, fabric and garment exhibit increased cut resistance, flexibility, pliability and softness. The yarn is non-metallic and includes a core made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core. At least one of the strands of the core is fiberglass, the non-fiberglass strands are preferably nylon, extended chain polyethylene, aramid or polyester.
Any of these structures can be treated in accordance with the invention of this application in order to provide antimicrobial effects to the yarn and the garment fabricated from the yarn. These yarns are generally sufficiently heat-resistant to permit periodic sterilization to kill bacteria and other microbes. Yarns treated as described in this application provide greatly retarded microbe development between sterilization treatments, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of contamination of food products.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Antimicrobial cut-resistant composite yarn and garments knitted or woven therefrom


A kink resistant fishing leader. The fishing leader is comprised of a super elastic metal alloy, such as nickel-titanium, which minimizes kinks in the fishing leader.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved fishing leader for use at the end of fishing line, to be connected to fishing lures or bait.
2. Description of Related Art
A fishing leader is a connector, which is secured to the end of a fish line. Typically, the leader has a swivel with a clasp of some type attached thereto. The clasp is secured to a fishing lure or live bait.
A leader used in fishing has many functions including transmission of energy, which is imparted by the fisherman through the fishing line to the lure at the end of the leader. The leader gives the fishing line added strength at the end of a fishing line which prevents a fish from breaking the line or freeing itself. Oftentimes, with teeth bearing fish, such as northern pike and muskies, during the process that the fisherman is reeling in the fish, the fish will attempt to chew on the portion of the line connected to the lure. Thus, it is advantageous to have a high strength leader, which cannot be chewed through. Fishing leaders also provide easy attachment of different lures on a line instead of having to tie a new knot from the line to the lure every time a fisherman changes a lure. Finally, leaders also may have swivels, which allow the lure or bait to rotate in the water, without the fishing line rotating.
Commercially available leaders have traditionally been composed of carbon steel, stainless steel, plastic or the like. A fishing leader is required to have many characteristics, including strength, flexibility and resilience against deformation. However, at present, these leaders kink quite easily, which results in a deformed leader. Kinking occurs in a variety of manners. Reeling in a fish may kink the leader, due to the tensile stress applied to the leader, attempting to free a leader from weeds or sunken debris may kink a leader, and also the leader may be kinked during storage in a tackle box or on the fishing pole.
The problems encountered with a kinked leader are twofold. First, the kink weakens the leader at the point of kinking. This weakening could result in the leader breaking, thus losing valuable lures as well as fish. Secondly, a kinked leader affects the action of lures. Lures are carefully designed to have a particular action in the water. This designed action is meant to attract fish. If the leader connected to the lure is kinked, the action of the lure is adversely affected, which lessens the thrill of fishing as well as resulting in less fish being caught. Thus, there is a need for a fishing leader which is kink resistant.


The invention relates to a compound of the formula

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to anti-inflammatory agents. More specifically, the invention relates to compounds of the general formula (1), methods for their preparation, medicaments comprising these compounds, and their use for the treatment of humans and animals.
2. Background
According to a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR 2007, 56, 423), arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, e.g., gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia, affect approximately 46 million adults in the United States, resulting in substantial disability and costs of $128 billion annually. The number of U.S. adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis has been projected to reach nearly 67 million adults by the year 2030, including 25 million adults who are expected to have arthritis-attributable activity limitations. Among 48 states, the median projected increase in doctor-diagnosed arthritis from 2005 to 2030 will be 16%; a total of 14 states are projected to have increases of 30% to 87%.
The report further states that greater use of existing evidence-based interventions and development of new interventions aimed at decreasing pain, improving function, and delaying disability associated with arthritis are needed to reduce the impact of these projected increases, particularly in those states that will be most heavily affected. These statistics, together with recent studies that suggest links between chronic inflammation and many other disorders underscore the importance of anti-inflammatory drugs. Chronic inflammation may be the mediator for many adverse conditions ranging from allergies to serious health impairments such as atherosclerosis, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and immune disorders such as myopathies, often in conjunction with others, for example systemic sclerosis, and include dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis.
There are now over a 100 medications being used in the treatment of arthritis and related conditions. Over-the-counter and prescription medications are the traditional treatment option for these diseases. With every response, inevitable drug side effects and adverse reactions to a specific medication are common and vary with the individual patient. In the attempt to minimize specific side effects, patients continually change their drug regimens and this need for change is reflected by such a large drug portfolio.
3. Overview of Pertinent Science and Biological Impact
The metabolites of arachidonic acid, such as prostaglandins, lipoxygenases, and thromboxanes are produced in many tissues and play an important role not only in many physiological events, but also in pathophysiological conditions, especially inflammation and cancer (Konturek P C, et al., J Physiol Pharmacol, 2005, 56 Suppl 5, 57-73). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible form of prostaglandine-H synthase and mediates prostaglandin synthesis during inflammation. It is also overexpressed in certain tumors and ascribed to carcinogenic events, especially colon carcinogenesis (Kawamori T, et al., Cancer Research 1998, 58, 419-412).
The embodiment relates to new compounds of formula (1) as potent inhibitors of COX-2 activity in cell based assays. Said compounds, however, show relatively weak inhibitions of isolated COX-1, COX-2, and LOX enzymes. This property indicates that compounds of formula (1) inhibit the observed prostaglandin E-2 (PGE2) production in the cell-based assays of COX-2 by a mechanism that is beyond simple inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. Although said compounds typically exhibited weaker activities than classic COX inhibitors in other COX-dependent models, they show very potent activities in the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats which indicates potential use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions and diseases where inflammation is the underlying cause. This experimental model of polyarthritis is used widely for preclinical testing of anti-arthritic agents who are either under preclinical or clinical investigation or currently used as therapeutics in this disease (Pearson C M, Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1956, 91, 95-100; Carlson R P, et al., Int J Immunopharmacol 1985, 7, 811; Benslay D N and Bendele A M, Agents Action 1991, 34, 254). Furthermore, the observed inhibition of COX-2-dependent PGE2 synthesis by compounds of formula (1) is particularly pronounced in human rheumatic synovial cells which is considered of relevance in human rheumatoid arthritis. These properties, together with a virtual absence of gastrointestinal liabilities, set the compounds of formula (1) apart from similar molecular entities which have been described previously. Compounds of the formula (1) are expected to afford a new category of anti-inflammatory drugs with utility as chemopreventive agents in oncology, asthma, neurodegenerative diseases and heart diseases.
4. Prior Art
The compounds that are subject to this embodiment are novel and the novelty of the compounds of formula (1) is underscored by the unprecedented biological properties outlined above. The most preferred compounds of this embodiment contain three significant structural features, namely a carboxamide, a pyrimidine ring, and either a 4-hydroxy-3,5-(ditert-butyl)phenyl or a 4,6-ditert-butyl-5-hydroxy-pyrimidin-2-yl moiety. These elements are independently present in known medications, including compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, but there is no precedent that combines all three in one molecule. Some of the more related drug candidates claim ion-channel modulatory properties, others claim Syk tyrosine kinase inhibition based on in vitro studies, still others claim anti-inflammatory activity, but those claims are merely based on cellular in vitro inhibition of certain transcription factors and chemokines. Unlike our embodiment, none of them actually demonstrate unmitigated anti-inflammatory activity by the reduction of swelling in a diseased joint of a warm-blooded animal and gastrointestinal drug tolerance. The following references are examples of drug candidates that contain the structural features mentioned above:
Kadin, S B, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,672; Ikuta, H, et al., J Med Chem 1987, 30, 1995-1998; Hammond, M L, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,421; Connor, D T, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,347; Unangst, P C, et al., J Med Chem 1994, 37, 322; Maehr, H, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,310; Belliotti, T R, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,898; Pepin, R, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,132; Suto, M J, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,428; Talley J J, et al., J Med Chem 2000, 43, 775-777; Bös, M, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,588; Hisamichi, H, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,963; Palanki, M S S, et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2002, 2573-2577; Altisen, R C, 2005, US Patent Appl. Publ. 018204 A1; Waelchli, R, et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006, 16, 108-112; Martinborough, E, US Patent 2006/0160817; Sondhi, S M et al., Bioorg Med Chem 2007, 15, 3334-3344; Amir, H, et al., Indian J Pharm Sci 2007, 69, 337-343; Ohno, S, US Patent 2008/0070903; Nofal Z M, et al., Acta Pol Pharm. 2011, 68, 507-517.

Abstract: wherein the substituents are as defined herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula (1). The compounds of formula (1) and their salts possess inflammation inhibiting properties and are therefore useful in the treatment and prevention of conditions related to inflammations such as inflammatory joint diseases. The compounds of formula (1) are also useful for the treatment of diseases where chronic inflammation is the underlying cause. This application relates to compounds of formula (1), methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and their use for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of humans and animals.


An apparatus and method (200) for providing a hybrid circuit assembly carrier bracket are included wherein the bracket is constructed and arranged to provide controlled placement of at least a first power transistor (124, 126) and to provide a highly efficient thermal transfer and dissipating arrangement. The bracket is constructed and arranged to provide for placement of at least a first substrate for a hybrid circuit assembly thereon, and includes at least a first power transistor aperture (120, 122) with at least two bracket projections (146, 148) for permitting placement of said transistor on plural electrical contacts (104, 106). The heat generated by components on the circuit board(s) is transferred and dissipated substantially by biasing at least one bracket projection member resiliently against a heat sink (108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118).

Certain problems are typically associated with design and assembly of brackets for hybrid circuits that use power transistors which are solder reflowed to common substrates. Many of these assemblies generate a considerable amount of power, and thus require brackets that have good heat sinking characteristics. Power transistors are typically placed in a depression on a bracket such that side transistor leads are located at a desired height for allowing solder reflow of said leads to selected hybrid circuits. Thus, correct placement of the power transistors generally requires that a height from a bottom of a transistor lead to a bottom of a transistor flange be within a very close degree of precision of a selected measurement in order to assure satisfactory electrical connection of the power transistor upon solder reflow to a substrate. Milling of a bottom of the transistor flange is costly and somewhat unreliable.
It is also desirable to reduce assembly fixtures required for electrical attachment of the power transistors, thus providing a more easily assembled and more maintenance free assembly.
There is a need for an efficient thermally dissipative carrier bracket for a hybrid circuit assembly that also minimizes power transistor assembly fixtures.

Method for providing novel hybrid circuit assembly carrier bracket


The invention provides compositions and methods for whitening of eyes. The provided compositions and methods utilize low concentrations of selective α-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. The compositions preferably include brimonidine.

Adrenergic receptors mediate physiological responses to the catecholamines, norepinephrine and epinephrine, and are members of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors having seven transmembrane domains.
These receptors, which are divided pharmacologically into α-1, α-2 and β-adrenergic receptor types, are involved in diverse physiological functions including functions of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The α-adrenergic receptors mediate excitatory and inhibitory functions: α-1 adrenergic receptors are typically excitatory post-synaptic receptors which generally mediate responses in an effector organ, while α-2 adrenergic receptors are located postsynaptically as well as presynaptically, where they inhibit release of neurotransmitters. The α-adrenergic receptors also mediate vascular constriction.
α-2 adrenergic receptors are presently classified into three subtypes based on their pharmacological and molecular characterization: α-2A/D (α-2A in human and α-2D in rat); α-2B; and α-2C (Bylund et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 46:121-136 (1994); and Hein and Kobilka, Neuropharmacol. 34:357-366 (1995)). The α-2A, α-2B, and α-2C subtypes appear to regulate arterial and/or venular contraction in some vascular beds, and the α-2A and α-2C subtypes also mediate feedback inhibition of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve endings.
A human eye has a lot of α-2 adrenergic receptors. Agonists of these receptors may have an effect on an eye's appearance by causing lumen size reduction of α-2 receptor populated arterioles and, particularly, terminal arterioles. This may result in vasoconstriction, and more particularly microvessel lumen size reduction, which in turn may increase the per unit surface area degree of microvessel constriction, and therefore, improve cosmetic appearance of eyes. Whiter eyes are traditionally a societal symbol of natural healthy eyes, and excellent overall hygiene and health.
While some compounds may be agonists of both α-1 and α-2 receptors, there are many compounds which have selective α-2 agonist activity, meaning that they preferentially bind to α-2 adrenergic receptors. They include brimonidine (which has been used for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension), guanfacine (which has been used to control high blood pressure), dexmedetomidine (which has been used as a sedative, analgesic, sympatholytic and anxiolytic), and methyl dopa (which has been used as a centrally acting adrenergic antihypertensive).
However, selective α-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, when used at conventional doses of 0.1% or higher, are associated with a number of undesirable side effects, such as rebound hyperemia. These effects may be associated with a "cross-over" stimulation of α-1 adrenergic receptors, as α-2 selectivity is a ratio of α-2/α-1 receptor activity.
Thus, there is a need for new compositions and methods that would improve cosmetic appearance of eyes by achieving eye whitening with reduced or eliminated side effects.

Compositions and methods for eye whitening


A method for making nanoparticles, nanoparticle inks and device layers therefrom is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, nanoparticles are isolated from a composite material that is formed by treating a metal oxide precursor to form the metal nanoparticles and a metal oxide matrix. The nanoparticles are then isolated from the composite material by etching at least a portion of the metal oxide matrix to release the metal nanoparticles. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the nanoparticles are treated with surfactants and wetting agents either while etching or after etching, are isolated from the etchant and dispersed in a solvent medium and/or are otherwise treated or modified for use in a nanoparticle inks. A layer of the metal nanoparticle ink can then be used to form doped, undoped, patterned and unpatterned device layers or structures in micro-devices.

Ultra-fine particles or nanoparticles (particles having an average diameter of 200 nanometers or less) are believed to be useful in the fabrication of micro-electronic devices. Alivisatos et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,357, describe a method for making semi-conductor nanoparticles from semi-conductor precursors. Alivisatos et al. describe using these semi-conductor nanoparticles to make continuous semi-conductor films. Because the semiconductor nanoparticles exhibit significantly lower melting temperature than bulk materials, a layer of the semi-conductor nanoparticles can be deposited on a substrate and annealed at relatively low temperatures, whereby the nanoparticles melt to form a continuous film.
One of the goals for nano-technology is to develop techniques and materials that will allow for the fabrication of micro devices on a variety of substrates using selective deposition, printing and/or imaging technologies. These selective deposition, printing and/or imaging technologies can utilize nanoparticles, or inks comprising nanoparticles, to fabricate device layers and structures in micro-devices.
There have been recent efforts to make metal-based solutions which can be used to make conductive device layers in the fabrication of micro-electronic devices. For example, Kydd in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,722 describes a method of forming conductive layers from a suspension of mixtures of a metal powder and an organo-metallic compound dispensed in an organic solvent. The suspension is deposited onto a substrate to form a layer. The layer of the suspension is then cured to remove solvents and surfactants and decomposed the mixture of the metal powder and the organo-metallic compound to form the conductive layer.
Nanoparticle technologies provide alternative methods to laborious and expensive lithographic techniques for the fabrication of micro-devices and/or methods. Therefore, there is a continued need to develop new methods for making nanoparticles and new methods for using the nanoparticles in the fabrication of micro-devices that can reduce the number of mask and etch steps required during the fabrication of the micro-devices.

Nanoparticles and method for making the same


A DC-to-DC converter incorporates a transformer having a primary winding connected to a pair of DC input terminals via an active switch, which turns on and off under the control of a feedback circuit, and a secondary winding connected to a pair of DC output terminals via a synchronous rectifier and a smoothing capacitor. The synchronous rectifier is a parallel connection of a synchronous rectifier switch and a diode. A synchronous rectifier control circuit is connected to the synchronous rectifier switch for causing conduction therethrough while the active switch is off. The synchronous rectifier control circuit comprises a capacitor for determination of the conducting periods of the synchronous rectifier switch, and a logic network for on/off control of the synchronous rectifier switch according to whether the active switch is on or off and whether the capacitor voltage is higher than a predefined threshold or not.

This invention relates to an electronic power supply unit known as the switching-mode power supply, incorporating a switching regulator whereby the load current is switched rapidly on and off for output voltage stabilization. More specifically, the invention pertains to such a power supply of the kind having a synchronous rectifier circuit.
A typical conventional switching-mode power supply with a flyback DC-to-DC converter includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled to the pair of DC input terminals via an active switch, and a secondary winding coupled to the pair of DC output terminals via a rectifying diode and smoothing capacitor. The DC input voltage is turned on and off as the active switch is driven by pulses that have been width-modulated by a feedback circuit monitoring the DC output voltage. Energy is stored on the transformer during the conducting periods of the active switch and released during its nonconducting periods. The smoothing capacitor is charged as the rectifying diode conducts during the nonconducting periods of the active switch.
A voltage drop of approximately 0.8 volt has been known to occur across the rectifying diode of the above switching-mode power supply. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-163736 teaches how to reduce this voltage drop, and consequent power loss, across the rectifying diode. Connected in parallel with the rectifying diode according to this prior art is a synchronous rectifier switch which is turned on during the conducting periods of the rectifying diode. The synchronous rectifier switch, particularly when in the form of a bipolar or field-effect transistor, introduces a voltage drop of as low as 0.2 volt or so, realizing an appreciable diminution of an overall voltage drop on the output side of the transformer.
This prior art technique has proved to possess its own shortcomings, however. One of them is the difficulty of turning on the synchronous rectifier switch in exact synchronism with the conducting periods of the rectifying diode. This difficulty becomes even more serious because the conducting periods of the rectifying diode are subject to change with the input voltage and with the voltage requirement of the load.
Another weakness has manifested itself in the event of an abrupt drop in the output voltage of the switching-mode power supply in response to the load. Thereupon the standard feedback circuit of the closed-loop switching regulator has responded by correspondingly extending the conduction time of the active switch. The possible result has been the overlapping of the conduction periods of the active switch and those of the synchronous rectifier switch. Such overlapping, if it occurred at all, led to noise production and, worse yet, to the destruction of the associated circuit parts.
The synchronous rectification technology and its yet-unremedied drawbacks discussed above are not peculiar to the flyback DC-to-DC converter. The same scheme is applicable, at the risk of the emergence of like difficulties, to many other varieties of switching-mode power supplies, some known examples being a boost converter, a forward converter, a chopper controller, and a combination of an inverter and a rectifier/filter circuit.

Switching-mode power supply having a synchronous rectifier


An electrically variable transmission includes an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis; an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis; first and second motor/generators; first and second torque transfer devices; and first and second planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. The transfer member is positioned between the first and second motor/generators.

Internal combustion engines, particularly those of the reciprocating piston type, currently propel most vehicles. Internal combustion engines are relatively efficient, compact, lightweight, and inexpensive mechanisms by which to convert fossil fuel into useful mechanical power, so they are very suitable for vehicle propulsion. A novel transmission system which can reduce emissions and fuel consumption when used with internal combustion engines may be of great benefit to the public.
The flexibility with which reciprocating piston internal combustion engines operate poses challenges. Typically, a vehicle is propelled by such an engine, which is started from a cold state by a small electric motor and relatively small electric storage batteries, then quickly placed under the load of effecting propulsion and operating accessory equipment. Such an engine is also operated through a wide range of speeds and a wide range of loads and typically at a fifth of its maximum power. These wide ranges of engine operation require that clean, efficient combustion be maintained through extremes in operating conditions—an elusive goal.
A vehicle transmission can deliver mechanical power from an engine to the remainder of a drive system, typically fixed gearing, axles, and wheels. A transmission allows some freedom in engine operation, usually through alternate selection of five or six different drive ratios, a neutral selection that allows the engine to operate accessories with the vehicle stationary, and clutches or torque converters that allow smooth transitions between driving ratios to start the vehicle from rest and accelerate to the desired highway speed with the engine turning. Transmission gear selection typically allows power from the engine to be delivered to the rest of the drive system with a ratio of torque multiplication and speed reduction, with a ratio of torque reduction and speed multiplication known as overdrive, or with a reverse ratio.
An electric generator can transform mechanical power from the engine into electrical power, and an electric motor can transform that electric power back into mechanical power at different torques and speeds for the remainder of the vehicle drive system. This arrangement allows a continuous variation in the ratio of torque and speed between engine and the remainder of the drive system, within the limits of the electric machinery. An electric storage battery used as a source of power for propulsion may be added to this arrangement, forming a series hybrid electric drive system.
The series hybrid system allows the engine to operate relatively independently of the torque, speed, and power to propel a vehicle, so as to be controlled for improved emissions and efficiency. This system also allows the electric machine attached to the engine to function as a motor to start the engine and allows the electric machine attached to the remainder of the drive train to act as a generator, recovering energy into the battery by regenerative braking. A series electric drive suffers from the weight of the electric machinery necessary to transform all engine power from mechanical to electrical and from electrical to mechanical, and from the useful power lost in this double conversion.
A power split transmission can use what is commonly understood to be a "differential gearing" to achieve a continuously variable torque and speed ratio between input and output without sending all power through the variable elements. An electrically variable transmission can use differential gearing to send a fraction of its transmitted power through a pair of electric motor/generators and the remainder of its power through another, parallel path that is all mechanical and direct, of fixed ratio, or alternatively selectable. One form of differential gearing, as is well known to those skilled in this art, may constitute a planetary gear set. In fact, planetary gearing is usually the preferred embodiment employed in differentially geared inventions, with the advantage of compactness and different torque and speed ratios among all members of the planetary gearing set. However, it is possible to construct this invention without planetary gears, as by using bevel differential gears or other differential gears.
For example, a set of bevel differential gears found in a typical automobile axle consists of three or four bevel pinions on a carrier and a meshing bevel gear for each axle. To replace the first set of planetary gearing in the first embodiment of the invention, the carrier of a first set of bevel differential gears would be connected to the input, one bevel gear that would normally be connected to an axle would instead be connected to the first motor, and the other such bevel gear would be connected to the central shaft. Bevel differential gears could likewise replace the second set of planetary gearing, and so the invention could be embodied without any planetary gears.
A hybrid electrically variable transmission system for a vehicle also includes an electric storage battery, which allows the mechanical output power to vary from the mechanical input power, engine starting with the transmission system and regenerative vehicle braking.
An electrically variable transmission in a vehicle can simply transmit mechanical power. To do so, the electric power produced by one motor/generator balances the electrical losses and the electric power consumed by the other motor/generator. A hybrid electrically variable transmission system in a vehicle includes an electrical storage battery, so the electric power generated by one motor/generator can be greater than or less than the electric power consumed by the other. Electric power from the battery can sometimes allow both motor/generators to act as motors, especially to assist the engine with vehicle acceleration. Both motors can sometimes act as generators to recharge the battery, especially in regenerative vehicle braking.
One of the most successful substitutes for the series hybrid transmission is the variable, two-mode, input-split, parallel, hybrid electric transmission. Such a transmission utilizes an input means to receive power from the vehicle engine and a power output means to deliver power to drive the vehicle. First and second motor/generators are connected to energy storage devices, such as batteries, so that the energy storage devices can accept power from, and supply power to, the first and second motor/generators. A control unit regulates power flow among the energy storage devices and the motor/generators as well as between the first and second motor/generators.
Operation in a first or second mode may be selectively achieved by using clutches in the nature of torque transfer devices. In one mode the output speed of the transmission is proportional to the speed of one motor/generator, and in the second mode the output speed of the transmission is generally proportional to the speed of the other motor/generator.
In some embodiments of the variable, two-mode, input-split, parallel, hybrid electric transmission a second planetary gear set is employed. In addition, some embodiments may utilize three torque transfer devices—two to select the operational mode desired of the transmission and the third selectively to disconnect the transmission from the engine. In other embodiments, all three torque transfers may be utilized to select the desired operational mode of the transmission.
As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a transmission system using a power split arrangement will receive power from two sources. Utilization of one or more planetary gear sets permits two or more gear trains, or modes, by which to deliver power from the input member of the transmission to the output member thereof.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a large horsepower transmission system which provides maximum power with little additional power provided by the electric storage device. It is also desirable to enhance overall efficiency at high output speeds. These objectives can be achieved by a two-mode, compound-split, electromechanical transmission that provides the desired high efficiency sought for continuous, constant-speed operation as well as high-average power applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,658, issued Mar. 4, 2003 to Holmes et al, and commonly assigned with the present application, discloses an electrically variable transmission utilizing two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators and two clutches to provide input split, compound split, neutral and reverse modes of operation. Both planetary gear sets may be simple, or one may be individually compounded. An electrical control member regulates power flow among an energy storage device and the two motor/generators. This transmission provides two ranges or modes of electrically variable transmission (EVT) operation, providing input power split or compound power split modes of operation, and one fixed ratio is available. A "fixed ratio" is an operating condition in which no power flows through the motor/generators to minimize losses.
U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/590,427, to Holmes et al, filed Jul. 22, 2004, entitled "Electrically Variable Transmission with Selective Fixed Ratio Operation", commonly owned with the present application and hereby incorporated by reference, discloses an electrically variable transmission having two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators, and three, four or fives torque transfer devices to provide input split, compound split, output split, neutral and electric reverse modes of operation.

Electrically variable transmission arrangement with transfer gear between motor/generators


Described are a method and a system for generating a short-term forecast of echo tops as defined by weather radar measurements. The method includes receiving echo tops images for different times. An echo tops growth rate and an echo tops maximum value are determined for pixels in one of the images and used to generate echo tops prediction values for an echo tops prediction image. For pixels in regions of the image determined to be subject to convective initiation but where convective weather does not exist, an echo tops initiation height and the echo tops maximum value are determined and used with a predicted precipitation value to generate an echo tops prediction value for each pixel.

Air traffic congestion worldwide has increased significantly in recent years. The congestion often leads to air traffic inefficiencies, especially when weather along flight routes impacts normal flight schedules. These inefficiencies frequently include longer flight times and increased fuel consumption. Air traffic management personnel often make critical real-time decisions regarding whether to alter flight routes and schedule times based on weather events. The ability to predict the occurrence and location of convective weather events has proven to be particularly challenging.
High resolution precipitation forecasts have been employed to assist in air traffic management. For example, rapidly updated precipitation forecasts (e.g., forecasts issued in 5 to 6 minute intervals) extending out to two hours have been used. However, precipitation forecasts are not always adequate for determining available en route airspace. Significant precipitation sometimes occurs in regions where the cloud tops associated with the storms are moderately low (e.g., less than 30 kft). In such instances, reliance on a precipitation forecast alone can result in significant changes to flight routes to avoid the precipitation regions even though the associated cloud tops are sufficiently low for aircraft to safely fly above the weather.

Weather radar echo tops forecast generation


An enclosure having a first and second housing. The housings are slidably engaged along a first axis to form the enclosure. In one example, a compressed resilient member urges the housings together.

Screws, tabs, or snaps are typically used to secure the housings of electronic devices such as notebook computers, tablets, cell phones, and many other devices. Screws are the most robust method, but undesirably often use many tiny pieces that get individually assembled into the device, and they visually mar the surface through which they are applied. Tabs and snaps are typically hidden from view, but they are undesirably less strong, and provide limited shear resistance to a twisting motion, giving a less-than-solid, lower-quality feel to the product.

Slidable engagement of enclosure housings

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.