An anterior fixation device comprises an oval shaped intervertebral spacer and a retaining plate. The spacer has a side wall and superior and inferior walls. The superior and inferior walls are dome-shaped and porous to allow bone to grow through the device to achieve fusion of two adjacent vertebral bodies. Extending from the anterior side of the spacer are superior and inferior lips through which bone screws 16 extend. The bone screws are non-weight bearing and screw into the strongest areas of bone within the vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer is hollow inside to allow for bone grafts, bone morphogenic protein, or other bone stimulating substances to be inserted therein. The retaining plate is attachable to the anterior surface of the spacer to prevent the bone screws from backing out once the device is installed.

The spinal column of humans provides support to the body and protection to the delicate spinal cord and nerves. The spinal column comprises a series of vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Each vertebra has a relatively large vertebral body that is located in the anterior portion of the spine and provides the majority of the weight bearing support of the vertebral column. Each vertebral body has relatively strong bone comprising the outside surface of the body and weak bone comprising the center of the body. Situated between each vertebral body is an intervertebral disc that provides for cushioning and dampening of compressive forces to the sinal column. Located just posterior to the vertebral body and intervertebral disc is the vertebral canal containing the delicate sinal cord and nerves. Posterior to the spinal canal are the different articulating processes of the vertebra.
Various types of spinal column disorders are known and include scoliosis (abnormal lateral curvature of the spine), kyphosis (abnormal forward curvature of the spine, usually in the thoracic spine), excess lordosis (abnormal backward curvature of the spine, usually in the lumbar spine), spondylolisthesis (forward displacement of one vertebra over another, usually in the lumbar or cervical spine) and other disorders, such as ruptured or slipped discs, degenerative disc disease, fractured vertebra, and the like. Patients who suffer from such conditions usually experience extreme and debilitating pain and often neurologic deficit in nerve function.
A technique known as spinal fixation uses surgical implants which mechanically immobilize areas of the spine assisting in the eventual fusion of the treated adjacent vertebrae. Such techniques have been used effectively to treat the above described conditions and, in most cases, to relieve pain suffered by the patient. However, there are some disadvantages to the present fixation devices.
One technique for spinal fixation includes the immobilization of the spine by the use of spine rods that run generally parallel to the spine. In practicing this technique, the posterior surface of the spine is isolated and bone screws are first fastened to the pedicles of the appropriate vertebrae or to the sacrum and act as anchor points for the spine rods. The bone screws are generally placed two per vertebra, one at each pedicle on either side of the spinous process. Clamp assemblies join the spine rods to the screws. The spine rods are generally bent to achieve the desired curvature of the spinal column. These types of systems are very stable but require implanting screws into each vertebra over the area to be treated. Also, since the pedicles of vertebrae above the second lumbar vertebra (L2) are very small, only small bone screws can be used which sometimes do not give the needed support to stabilize the spine. To stabilize the implanted system sufficiently, one vertebra above and one vertebra below the area to be treated are often used for implanting pedicle screws. The rods and clamps are surgically fixed to the spine from a posterior approach.
Anterior fixation devices have also been used such as anterior plate systems. One type of anterior plate system involves a titanium plate with unicortical titanium bone screws that lock to the plate and are placed over the anterior surface of a vertebral body. Another type of anterior plate system used less frequently nowadays involves the use of bicortical screws that do not lock to the plate. The bone screws have to be long enough to bite into both sides of the vertebral body (cortex) to gain enough strength to obtain the needed stability. These devices are difficult to place due to the length of the screws and damage occurs when the screws are misplaced.
A third type of anterior fixation device comprises a hollow cylinder, usually a hollow cylindrical titanium cage, that is externally threaded. The externally threaded cage is screwed into place between to adjacent vertebrae. Bone grafts from cadavers or the pelvis are then packed into the hollow center of the device. Bone morphogenic protein (which is not yet commercially available) or other substances that promote bone growth can also be placed in the hollow center of the device. The cage is porous such that bone can grow through the device and fuse the two adjacent vertebrae. The are many disadvantages to this device. First, it is very difficult to align. Second, it requires drilling a large hole between two adjacent vertebral bodies and then threading the device into the hole. The large hole can compromise the integrity of the vertebral bodies, and if drilled too posteriorly, can injure the spinal cord. Third, the end plates of the vertebral bodies are usually destroyed during the drilling. The end plates comprise very hard bone and help to give the vertebral bodies needed strength. With the end plates destroyed, the cylindrical device is now harder than the bone of the vertebral bodies and the vertebral bodies tend to collapse, "telescope," together. The telescoping causes the length of the vertebral column to shorten and can cause damage to the spinal cord and nerves that pass between the two adjacent vertebrae.
It is desirable to have a fixation device which not only eliminates the need to implant pedicle screws into the vertebrae but also which connects to the strong anterior vertebral bodies. The device should be easy to place and should prevent potentially damaging telescoping of adjacent vertebrae.


The present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles having an average diameter of about 1-100 nm and the process for making the same. Additionally, the powder of unagglomerated metallic particles can be formed into a lyophilized form which upon reconstitution maintains the average diameter of between about 1-100 nm wherein the particles remain unagglomerated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles having an average diameter of about 1-100 nm and the process for making the same. Additionally, the powder of unagglomerated metallic particles can be formed into a lyophilized form which upon reconstitution maintains the average diameter of between about 1-100 nm wherein the particles remain unagglomerated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nanoscale (particle diameter of 1-100 nm) metallic particles are important components in the development of catalytic, sensor, aerosol, filter, biomedical, magnetic, dielectric, optical, electronic, structural, ceramic and metallurgical applications. Nanoscale metallic particles exhibit volume and surface effects which are absent in the same material with dimensions in the micron range (i.e. 0.1 micron<particle diameter <1 micron).
Metallic nano-particles using polymerized phospholipid membranes of phosphatidylcholines and mixtures of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylhydroxyalkanols have been reported. See Markowitz et al., Polymerized Phospholipid Membrane Mediated Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles, Langmuir, pp. 4095-4102, (November 1994), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. The use of polymerized vesicles as templates for the synthesis of unagglomerated particles presents several difficulties. For example, the use of polymerized vesicles (as templates for the synthesis of unagglomerated nanoparticles) involves the diffusion of reactants across the polymerized membrane. Thus, such polymerized vesicles limit the process of forming unagglomerated nanoparticles to only those reactants which can cross the polymerized vesicle membrane.
In addition, such unpolymerized vesicles are relatively unstable to the asymmetric addition of high concentrations of bivalent ions (e.g. metal ions). Thus, a process wherein unpolymerized vesicles are used for the formation of size controlled unagglomerated nanoparticles is desired. The advantages of using nonpolymerized vesicles (as templates for the formation of metallic nanoparticles of between about 1-100 nm) are several including:
(i) self-assembly of vesicles in the appropriate solvent; PA1 (ii) a simplified process for the production of metallic nanoparticles; PA1 (iii) a more cost effective process for the production of metallic nanoparticles; and PA1 (iv) metallic nanoparticles readily redisperse upon hydration after lyophilization. PA1 (1) forming a first dispersion of surfactant vesicles in the presence of catalytic first metal ions at a first concentration, said surfactant being lipid A or a mixture of lipid A and lipid B at a ratio of lipid A: lipid B, said lipid A having the structure (A): ##STR1## said lipid B having the structure (B): ##STR2## wherein R, R', R" and R'" are selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic, unsaturated aliphatic, haloaliphatic, aromatic, haloaromatic compounds and mixtures thereof, wherein R'" further comprises a positively charged group, said first concentration being not more than about a stoichiometrically sufficient concentration to bind to said lipid (A), said first dispersion having a pH; PA1 (2) forming a second dispersion by controlling said pH of said first dispersion to between about 5-7; PA1 (3) forming a third dispersion by mixing a metallization bath containing second metal ions with said second dispersion; and PA1 (4) forming a fourth dispersion by incubating said third dispersion at a temperature sufficient to reduce said second metal ions to metal particles having an average diameter between about 1-100 nm. Additionally, another step of PA1 (5) forming a fifth dispersion by separating said metal particles and said surfactant from said fourth dispersion may be carried out.

Synthesis of unagglomerated metal nano-particles at membrane interfaces

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


A method of providing power to a circuit module on a circuit board by connecting a bus leg to the circuit module via a conductor device wherein at least one V-shaped connector device is attached to the bus leg to connect the bus leg to the circuit module via the conductor device.

A computer system is actually comprised of numerous, individual electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and transistors. To combine these electronic components into the thousands of circuit configurations that eventually comprise the entire computer system, the components are either directly "wired" into sheets of resistive material that contain various patterns of conductive materials in them ("circuit boards"); or are contained in integrated chips manufactured from semi-conductive materials, which are generally known simply as "chips". These chips are then usually wired into the circuit boards.
Several circuit boards are connected together by various means to make up the overall computer system. A computer system may be comprised of hundreds of circuit boards, each containing thousands of electronic components and chips all connected together in various circuit configurations.
As computer systems continuously evolve, it is desirable to improve their features, function and capabilities in every respect. For instance, each new generation of computer system is designed with more memory capability, functions faster, performs more functions and is simpler to operate for users than the previous generation.
The method by which these continual computer enhancements are achieved is by adding ever more chips and electronic components and/or replacing old electronic components and chips with new and improved versions. For example, if more memory is needed in a particular computer system, then more memory chips are added; or, if it is desirable that a computer function faster, then the central processing unit (CPU) is replaced with a larger one or an improved one that is comprised of more electronic components and chips.
When a computer system is updated by adding new and larger components or chips to the system, the number of circuit boards that comprise the overall computer system must eventually be increased. The constant addition of electronic components and chips or the replacement of outdated chips with new, larger and improved ones has created configuration problems in present computer systems.
One problem is that there is simply not enough space in the computer system to accommodate all of the additional circuit boards required for the new chips and components. Indeed, space is at a premium in all modern computer systems. Thus, it is desirable to design new computer systems with as many "space savihg" features as possible.
One known method of conserving space in a computer system is to concentrate as many chips as possible in a small, enclosed device that is then wired into the circuit board. For example, I.B.M. Corporation manufactures a device that is called a "Thermal Controlled Module", which contains 110 chips ("TCM"). A TCM is comprised of a rectangular-shaped, ceramic substrate populated with approximately 110 chips. A TCM requires at least 2,500 connections to the circuit board accomplished with an array of pins on the bottom of the TCM. A more detailed description of the structure and function of TCM's is provided in IBM Journal of Research & Development 26(1): pp. 30-36, January, 1982, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The design of devices such as the TCM, in which a large concentration of chips is contained, has created other problems. One problem is that these devices require a tremendous amount of power to function. Indeed, supplying the huge amounts of power required by new and updated chips and electronic devices such as the TCM is a problem throughout modern computer systems in general.
Accordingly, large power buses must be used to carry the requisite amount of power from power supplies to the circuit boards in a modern computer system. These large power buses complicate and add to the space problem discussed above, because they consume even more space in the computer system.
Yet another problem with modern computer systems is that the improved components of the system, such as TCM's, require not only huge amounts of power, but power that is supplied at different voltage levels. Thus, even larger power buses are required to-supply the power at various levels, again adding to the space problem within the overall computer system.
The shear magnitude of power at different voltage levels required by the components that comprise modern computer systems has also created problems in the design of power buses and the means used to attach them to circuit boards. The usual method for attaching power buses to circuit boards is to solder perpendicular tabs extending from the output end of the bus to pads on the end of the circuit board, so that the bus and circuit board are attached perpendicular to one and other. This method creates several problems when used in a modern computer system.
One problem is inefficiency. Because the power bus is attached to the solder pads instead of directly to the main load contained on the circuit board (possibly a TCM or several TCM's), the power must be transmitted through conductors provided at different levels of the circuit board to the load. Accordingly, power is needlessly lost as it is transmitted through the board conductors to the load. In most instances, this power loss is significant because the power must travel across clearance hole areas manufactured into the conductors. A clearance hole area insulates an electrical connection, such as a signal or different power connection, from the power carried in a particular conductor. These clearance hole areas effectively act as resistors, and thus, power is lost as it travels across them.
Another problem associated with the known method of attaching power buses to circuit boards is that, because the power bus is attached to the board in the same perpendicular plane that the TCM's, input/output devices (I/O's) and other devices are attached to the board, it's mechanical bulk consumes potential component placement sites and restricts their usage.
Yet another problem is that this known method of delivering power to circuit boards often requires more than one power bus; usually four, are required to deliver power to the board. Each of these buses are attached to the front plane of a board assembly with the axis of each bus being perpendicular to the plane of the board to provide the maximum amount of room for components. This orientation, although it reduces the space consumed by the four power buses, still unnecessarily consumes potential component space.
Yet another problem with the known method of attaching power buses to circuit boards is that the bus cannot be easily removed from the circuit board because they are soldered together. Thus, the service and rework times for the board assembly is increased unnecessarily.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a computer system that has a power bus which decreases the space required to accommodate it in the computer system. Another object of this invention is to provide a computer system that has a power bus which provides different levels of voltage to a circuit board with a minimum use of space.
A further object of this invention is to provide a computer system that has a power bus that may be connected directly to a large load, for example a TCM, to minimize or eliminate the space required on a circuit board to connect the bus to the load.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a computer system that has a power bus that can be quickly attached to and detached from a circuit board to provide easy maintenance of either one.

Method of providing power to a circuit module on a circuit board

International Business Machines Corporation


An error detection and flow rate monitoring system of a liquid fertilizer distribution system of an agricultural implement that can provide feedback to identify compromised flow states in the system and corresponding locations of potential blockage or component failure. The system may include pressure sensors that may be evaluated in pairs or otherwise analyzed comparatively to determine flow rate or other characteristics through nozzle assemblies. The pressure sensors may be mounted in the wet boom between the rows. A control system compares the pressure values before and after each row to determine the pressure drop across its nozzle assembly and may further use the pressure drop values to determine flow or application rates and corresponding errors in the pressure drop, flow rate, and application rate compared to their acceptable values and may provide feedback to identify a specific location(s) of potential blockage or flow-control component failure.

Modern farming practices strive to increase yields of agricultural fields. Technological advances of planters allow for better agronomic characteristics at the time of planting, such as providing more accurate seed depth, improved uniformity of seed depth across the planter, improved accuracy of in-row seed spacing, and improvements in making nutrients readily available to seeds. Modern farming practices also strive to minimize operating expenses. Ways of reducing operating expenses include operating the farm equipment at relatively faster speeds to reduce the amount of operating time to complete certain tasks and performing multiple tasks simultaneously to save extra passes in the field. One example is incorporating fertilizer delivery systems onto planters. These systems allow simultaneous fertilizing and planting and can provide in-furrow fertilization as a way of precisely managing nutrients with a constant delivery spacing between the fertilizer and seed to promote early emergence. Some planters with liquid fertilizer delivery systems have variable flow rate product delivery pumps that are controlled to adjust application rate of the liquid fertilizer. Application rate adjustments can be made during an initial liquid calibration process, which can be time-consuming. The initial liquid calibration process typically includes entering a target application rate, activating and running the system while capturing liquid delivered from the fertilizer tubes with measuring containers, and adjusting the system components based on differences between the amount of liquid fertilizer captured in the containers and the target volume for the given amount of run time. Although overall application rate can be adjusted, detecting flow-compromising blockages at specific locations during use can be challenging because of the way(s) that system performance is typically monitored. Application rate is typically indirectly monitored by evaluating certain cumulative or machine level criteria, such as overall flow rate and pressure within a manifold assembly that is downstream of the product delivery pump, but still within an overall upstream segment of the liquid product delivery system. Although this approach may indicate overall acceptability of flow rate and pressure values within the manifold assembly, at times, such acceptable values may not be indicative of appropriate product delivery characteristics at a per-row or even per-section basis. Even if unacceptable flow and/or pressure values are identified in the manifold assembly, these systems are typically unable able to provide feedback or identify which rows are not receiving the correct amount of product that would help diagnose potential blockage or component failure locations within the system. Attempts have been made to monitor flow at individual rows by implementing turbine-style flow meters. However, turbine-style flow meters have moving parts that can wear over time and can accumulate fertilizer or debris, which compromises their performance.

Flow monitoring and error detection in a mobile liquid agricultural product applicator


One or more devices may receive information associated with multiple electronic communications intended for a user; identify attributes of the multiple electronic communications; determine, based on the attributes, display data for displaying representations of multiple electronic communications; and cause, based on the display data, the representations of the, multiple electronic communications to be displayed as a graphical display of icons arranged in a particular graphical structure in which the icons are connected via links. The icon may correspond to the representation of an electronic communication. The icon may be presented within the graphical display to visually indicate, to the user, an attribute of the electronic communication.

Electronic communications, such as e-mails, are sometimes presented in a client application running on a user device. Electronic communications are sometimes presented in a list or text format and can be organized based on a date received, a sender of the electronic communication, a subject of the electronic communication, or based on some other parameter. Electronic communications, presented in a list or text format, can be cumbersome to manage.

Graphically managing electronic communications


A method for polishing a thin film formed on a substrate includes planarizing a thin film formed on a reference substrate by a CMP process such that the thin film remains on the reference substrate. After the planarizing, the thin film is cleaned, and then values of Δ and Ψ with respect to the cleaned thin film are measured by ellipsometry. A physical property of the thin film is determined based on the Δ and Ψ which have been measured by ellipsometry, and a polishing condition for an other substrate having a thin film to be polished is set based on physical property data which are obtained by the determining of the physical property.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of polishing a thin film formed on a substrate, and more particularly to a polishing method which can properly polish a thin film by determining a physical property and a thickness of the thin film utilizing ellipsometry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ellipsometry is a method of determining the refractive index of a specimen by emitting polarized light to a flat surface of the specimen and measuring a change in the polarization state of reflected light. Ellipsometry is also used for determining a thickness of a thin film formed on a surface of a specimen.
Fabrication processes of an IC chip include a process of forming thin films of several kinds of materials on a substrate (e.g., Si substrate) and a process of removing the thin films using CMP (i.e., chemical mechanical planarization). In a case of a copper thin film, for example, an oxide film such as CuO or CuO2 is likely to be formed on a surface of the copper thin film. Therefore, while performing a CMP process, a pressing force should be properly adjusted when pressing the oxide film against a polishing pad and when pressing a highly pure copper after the oxide film is removed. Accordingly, when performing a CMP process, it is desirable to know the thickness of the oxide film in advance so as to set a proper polishing condition based on the thickness of the oxide film.
Ellipsometry is conducted by emitting linearly polarized light to a thin film, and measuring a phase angle Δ of elliptically polarized light reflected from the thin film and a tangent Ψ that is given by a magnitude ratio of amplitude of the elliptically polarized light. If an optical constant (i.e., a complex refractive index) of a material forming the thin film is known, the thickness of the thin film can be determined based on the relationship between the optical constant and Δ and Ψ as measured.
However, with respect to the copper thin film formed on the substrate in an IC chip fabrication process or other process, it has been found that it is not appropriate to determine the film thickness by such ellipsometry using the optical constant of copper which is published in handbooks, documents, and the like. FIG. 1 shows this fact. In FIG. 1, a mark ● shows Δ and Ψ measured by ellipsometry. In this case, the measurement of Δ and Ψ is performed after a copper thin film on a substrate has been planarized by CMP to remove an oxide film from the thin film and the thin film has then been cleaned. Marks ◯ show time-series data of Δ and Ψ measured by ellipsometry when oxidization proceeds after the planarization.
On the other hand, marks ♦, ▴, and ▪ show Δ and Ψ calculated using optical constants (i.e., complex refractive indexes) published in handbooks and documents. These optical constants are given with respect to copper having a clean surface with no oxide film thereon. As can be seen from FIG. 1, there is an obvious difference between the values of Δ and Ψ which are actually measured with respect to the copper film and the oxide film on the substrate and the values of Δ and Ψ calculated using the optical constants which are commonly known. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows that the thickness of the thin film cannot be accurately determined from the commonly known complex refractive index and the values of Δ and Ψ measured by ellipsometry. Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 07-193033 discloses a related art of this technical field.

Method of polishing thin film formed on substrate


The present invention relates to a single ended line testing method for qualifying an electrically conducting line. This method includes the steps of sending a plurality of excitation signals from a first end of the line towards a second end of the line and before the sending of this plurality of excitation signals, randomizing each excitation signal of the plurality of excitation signals. Subsequently, measurements are performed, at the first end of the line, of each reflection of the plurality of excitation signals sent towards the second end of the line. Then an inverse randomization on each of the measurements of reflections is performed which is succeeded by determining an average of all the measurements of reflections of the excitation signals. Finally, from the average a qualification of the electrically conducting line is determined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a device for single ended line testing for qualifying an electrically conducting line.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a subject is already known in the art, e.g. from "TDR tutorial—Introduction to Time Domain Reflectrometry". This document is published by the Granite Island Group in 2002 at the URL: http://www.tscm.com. There it is disclosed that a single ended line testing method, called Time Domain Reflectometry, is used for determining characteristics of a cable from measurements at one end of this cable. In this single ended line testing method, the Time Domain Reflectometry, further referred to as TDR, a pulse of energy is transmitted down the cable. When such a pulse reaches the end of the cable, or any discontinuity along the cable, part or all of the pulse energy is reflected back to the sending source. So at the same location where one injected the pulse, one can measure the reflected energy.
For Fault location based on this single ended line testing method such a single ended line testing system measures the time it takes for the signal to travel down the cable, see the problem, and reflect back. The single ended line testing system then converts this measured time to distance from this side of the cable and displays the information as a waveform and/or distance reading. Such a measurement is executed by using a plurality of excitation signals sent from the source towards the other end of the line.
Moreover from these reflected pulses, one can not only deduce the position of the discontinuity (based on the time delay of the reflected pulse), but furthermore other characteristics of the cable such as topology, cable losses and achievable bitrates with xDSL modems can be extracted taking into account all properties of the reflected pulse.
Since the reflected pulses are very small due to travelling twice the distance to the discontinuity (back and forth), these reflections are often obscured by (external) noise sources.
Averaging over different measurement results, using the same excitation signal, lowers the external random noise effects e.g. Xtalk, environmental noise. However, averaging will not reduce the non-linearities or other noise sources that are synchronous with the applied excitation signal. Since the non-linearities are a (complex) function of the applied excitation signal, these non-linearities will behave as deterministic noise. It is noise because these components are undesirable and it is deterministic because this noise component is related to the excitation signal. Hence, by averaging over different measurements one will not lower the undesirable effect of non-linearities.

Method for single ended line testing and single ended line testing device


A system and method for offering a delegated platform that includes configuring a partner key of a partner record on a service platform with a partner; creating an account scoped within the partner record; receiving a session authentication request that specifies a partner assertion of a partner authenticated session request of the account; authenticating the session authentication request with the partner key; and rendering an embeddable account portal with a session of the account.

Business to developer based companies have found ways to market developer-focused products. Developer platforms that provide services and resources through an application programming interface (API) are widely used by developers and companies building other products. Such developer API platforms require considerable resources and operational commitment to create and maintain. API platforms however can sometimes be limited in the audiences they can target. There are often partners willing to offer the same service, but building the infrastructure is often technically challenging, a long process, and costly. Further, users of a potential partner will often have an established relationship with the partner and introducing a new party may be potentially confusing or disruptive to the provided service. Thus, there is a need in the API platform field to create a new and useful system and method for offering a multi-partner delegated platform. This invention provides such a new and useful system and method.

System and method for offering a multi-partner delegated platform


A control device of a hybrid drive unit, wherein an assist prime mover is connected through a transmission to an output member, to which a torque outputted by a main prime mover is transmitted. The control device comprises a first torque correcting means for correcting the torque to be transmitted from the main prime mover to the output member during a gear shift by the transmission.

In a vehicular hybrid drive unit, an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a Diesel engine and an electric device such as a motor generator are generally used as prime movers. The modes of combination of those internal combustion engine and electric device are various, and the number of electric devices to be used is not limited to one but may be plural. In JP-A-2002-225578, for example, there is described the hybrid drive unit, in which an engine and a first motor generator are connected to each other through a synthesizing/distributing mechanism composed of a single pinion type planetary gear mechanism so that a torque is transmitted from the synthesizing/distributing mechanism to an output member, and in which a second motor generator is connected to the output member through a gear shift mechanism so that the output torque of the second motor generator is added as the so-called "assist torque" to the output member. Moreover, the gear shift mechanism is constructed of a planetary gear mechanism capable of being interchanged between two stages of high and low, i.e., a directly connected state and a decelerating state. In the directly connected state, the torque of the second motor generator is applied as it is to the output member. In the decelerating state, on the other hand, the torque of the second motor generator is raised and applied to the output member.
In the aforementioned hybrid drive unit, the second motor generator is controlled into a power mode or a regenerative mode so that a positive torque or a negative torque can be applied to the output member. Moreover, a deceleration state can be set by the transmission so that the second motor generator can be changed into a low torque type or a small size type.
Here, in JP-A-2000-295709, there is described a device, in which first and second motor generators are arranged on the upstream side (or the engine side) of a transmission capable of being switched to high and low modes, so that the gear shifting time may be made substantially constant by controlling the torques of the individual motor generators at the shifting time of the transmission.
When a gear shift of that device is executed by a claw clutch, an additional torque corresponding to a dragging torque is determined and is applied by the electric motor so that the speed of the clutch may quickly reach a synchronous speed.
In JP-A-6-319210, on the other hand, there is described a device, in which the output torque of an engine is transmitted to a predetermined input member of a transmission, and a motor generator is connected to the input member so that the motor generator is controlled to smoothen the output torque, i.e., to absorb an inertial torque at a shifting time.
In Japanese Patent No. 2926959, moreover, there is described a device, in which the output of a power generating source is changed into a drive state or a driven state, when the drive state or the driven state cannot be clearly decided, and a gear shift is then executed.
In JP-A-6-319210, moreover, there is described a device, in which a motor torque is lowered at an inertia phase or at its final stage to absorb an inertia torque so as to reduce the shocks at the shifting time of a transmission assembled in a hybrid drive unit.
In JP-A-9-32237, on the other hand, there is disclosed a hybrid drive unit having a transmission, in which the initial oil pressure of a frictional engagement device to participate in the gear shift of the transmission is learned on the basis of a torque correction amount of a motor for inputting a torque to the transmission.
According to the device described in JP-A-2002-225578, the torque outputted from the main prime mover composed of the engine and the first motor generator is transmitted to the output member, whereas the torque outputted from the second motor generator can be transmitted to the output member. Therefore, the engine constructing the main prime mover is run for the optimum fuel consumption so that the short or excessive torque for the drive force demanded in that state can be supplemented by the second motor generator. Moreover, the device is provided with the transmission so that the torque of the second motor generator can be raised and transmitted to the output member. As a result, the second motor generator can be made to have a small size or a low capacity.
The aforementioned device has such advantages, but shocks may occur in case the gear shifting operation is done by the transmission. Specifically, the rotating speed of any rotary member is changed by the gear shift so that an inertia torque is established by the change in the rotating speed and affects the output torque. This change in the output torque may appear as the shocks. In case the gear shift is executed by applying or releasing the frictional engagement device, moreover, the torque capacity of the frictional engagement device transiently lowers to restrict the torque which can be assisted by the second motor generator. As a result, the entire output torque of the hybrid drive unit or the drive torque of the vehicle may change during the gear shift thereby to cause the shocks.
On the other hand, the transmission in the hybrid drive unit, as described in JP-A-2002-225578, is constructed to shift the gears at two stages of low (or low gear stage) and high (or direct stage) stages by a brake and clutch. At the shifting time, therefore, one of the brake and the clutch is released whereas the other is applied so that both have to be coordinately controlled. This control has a tendency to elongate the time period necessary for the gear shift. During this gear shift, moreover, the transmission torque capacity by the transmission is reduced. Therefore, the fall in the output shaft torque may be deepened not only by that reduced torque capacity but also by the long shifting time period.
In the aforementioned device described in JP-A-2002-225578, in the gear shift of the case where the so-called "torque assist" is done by the second motor generator, for example, the torque capacity in the transmission, i.e., the torque capacity of the frictional engagement device to participate in the gear shift exerts influences on the output shaft torque. In case the torque to be transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the output shaft by controlling the first motor generator is controlled at the shifting time, moreover, it is necessary to control the torque of the first motor generator according to the torque capacity in the transmission.
However, the relation between the apply pressure and the torque capacity of the frictional engagement device such as the clutch or the brake is not constant due to the individual difference or the aging so that the torque to appear on the output shaft at the shifting time may become different from the expected one to deteriorate the shocks. In case the so-called "torque assist" at the shifting time is done by the electric motor such as the motor generator in the hybrid drive unit, on the other hand, the torque of the electric motor may become different from the needed one. As a result, the output shaft torque may become short or excessive to cause the shocks.
The aforementioned invention, as described in JP-A-9-32237, is constructed such that the advancing velocity of the gear shift is controlled by the motor torque so that the initial apply pressure is learned on the basis of the motor torque. Therefore, it is possible to learn the initial apply pressure for optimizing the change in the speed at the shifting time, but it is impossible to precisely determine the relation between the torque capacity and the apply pressure of the frictional engagement device to participate in the gear shift.


An adjustable mowing and trimming apparatus is presented which employs a unique wheel adjust mechanism and trimming assembly. The apparatus includes a frame to which at least two wheels are rotatably mounted at opposite sides of an adjustable linkage which is loosely coupled to the frame through a moveable pivot assembly. A mechanism is provided for manually adjusting the moveable pivot assembly to actuate the adjustable linkage and thereby reorient the wheels on either side of the frame. The trimming assembly is mounted at a front portion of the frame and includes a spindle head fixedly mounted to a spindle depending from the frame so as to rotate with the spindle. The spindle head substantially covers the spindle and is sized such that a distal end thereof rests proximate to ground when the trimming apparatus is operational. A trimmer head is adjustably clamped about the spindle head so as to rotate therewith. The trimmer head has a plane of cutting substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle and the cutting plane is infinitely adjustable within a range defined by a length of the spindle head.

A variety of different types of mowing and trimming devices have been devised for meeting the requirements of particular applications. Conventional lawn maintenance, however, has required a lawn mower to cut the lawn and a lawn trimmer to trim the edges of the lawn, including areas of vegetation that border fences, buildings, etc. Flexible line vegetation trimmers are commonly used today for such trimming operations. Although the equipment for this two-part procedure is readily available, the procedure inherently involves a substantial duplication of effort since an operator must guide both types of equipment over substantially the same area, e.g., adjacent to buildings and other structures.
In response, various devices that combine mowing and trimming features in one machine have been developed. For example, such an apparatus is disclosed by Watrous in U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,826, wherein a two-wheel lawn mower is presented having a forwardly mounted cutting head that is supported on a ground engaging shoe. In Watrous the axle and housing are pivotally connected, thereby permitting the entire cutting head to swing from side to side with respect to the rear wheels and handle. This approach, however, disadvantageously leaves the handle in a position close to the structure around which vegetation trimming is to occur.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,191 to Pittinger, a filament trimmer/mower is disclosed that includes a four wheel support frame. Each of the front and rear wheel-and-axle assemblies are pivotally mounted with respect to the frame. Pittinger, however, suffers from the disadvantage that the rotating head is held in a fixed position in the center of the frame between the wheels. Therefore, it is difficult to trim the vegetation growing alongside a building or other structure since the filament line would not normally extend outside the path of travel of the wheels.
Although there are numerous additional known devices in the art of combined mowing and trimming apparatus, there remains room in the art for further improvements to the known devices.

Adjustable mowing and trimming apparatus


An automated fluid control system for controlling fluid flow between a catheter, a saline supply, a contrast supply and an injector is disclosed. Pinch valves are provided in the saline input and output lines and contrast input and output lines. A controller is linked to the pinch valves to sequentially open and close the pinch valves during functions which include contrast injection and saline injection.

Various medical procedures involve the introduction of fluids into the body of a patient using a catheter. When a series of different fluids are to be administered, it is often necessary to flush one fluid from the catheter before the next fluid is administered. For example, during angioplasty, the catheter is often flushed with saline before and/or after the addition of contrast solution. Further, it is also necessary to purge any injection lines of air and to prevent the reintroduction of air into the lines.
Accordingly, it is often necessary to selectively connect a catheter to any one of a number of fluid sources such as a contrast solution source, saline source and a waste dump. Further, it is often necessary to connect the catheter to a pressure transducer to monitor the intravascular pressure during a procedure.
The most commonly used apparatus for these types of procedures involves the connection of a catheter to a manifold which consists of a plurality of stopcock valves connected in a series. While one of the stopcocks is connected to the catheter, the other stopcocks are connected to fluid supplies, a pressure transducer, an injection mechanism or other equipment. The physician is required to selectively open and close the stopcock valves during the procedure.
Because a physician is required to manipulate a number of stopcock valves during a procedure to achieve a desired flow path to or from the catheter, it takes a considerable degree of training to learn how to properly operate one of the prior art manifolds. Further, because it is not immediately evident from looking at the manifold which way the fluid is flowing, it is easy to make an improper connection resulting in a high-pressure fluid being applied to a pressure transducer, causing damage to or malfunction of the transducer.
Because a number of stopcock valves are involved in these manifolds, the handles must be small so as to not cause interference with one another. However, the small handles can be difficult to grasp and manipulate.
Another problem associated with currently available manifolds is the use of a single output conduit which is connected to the catheter. Because contrast, saline and, possibly, waste are all passed through the single conduit or line, flushing is required between numerous functions. As a result, contrast can often be wasted because there is no way to "save" the contrast once it has been injected into the manifold. Further, if waste material is drawn into the manifold, saline is wasted as the manifold is flushed. Further, it is time consuming to flush the manifold between functions.
Finally, because currently available manifolds are equipped with a pressure transducer, adjacent the injector, which may be a syringe or power injector, the pressure readings are compromised due to waveform dampening that occurs in the manifold. In other words, pressure waveforms must travel through the fluid line of the manifold and connecting lines between the manifold, catheter and injector. Typically, the total length of conduit between the injector and the catheter is about 48 inches. As a result of the waveforms having to travel through this extensive length of conduit, substantial dampening occurs, thereby compromising the pressure readings.
As a result, there is a need for an improved fluid control system which is easier for the physician to manipulate.


A shift lever device for an automotive automatic transmission is arranged so that a manual gear shift mode can be selected in addition to the a normal automatic gear shift mode. The shift lever device comprises a base bracket fixed on a vehicle body, a shift lever supported to the base bracket and a selector lever interconnected with an automatic transmission. The base bracket has an automatic mode shift slot, a manual mode shift slot parallel to the automatic mode shift slot and a switching slot connecting the automatic mode shift slot and the manual mode shift slot. The shift lever is extended over said base bracket so as to be moved through the automatic mode shift slot, the manual mode shift slot and the switching slot. The selector lever is integrally swung with the shift lever when the shift lever is put in the automatic mode shift slot. The selector lever is released from the shift lever when the shift lever is put in the manual mode shift slot to electrically execute a up-shift and down-shift through a fore-and-aft direction swing of the shift lever.

The present invention relates to a shift-position select lever device for an automatic transmission mounted on an automotive vehicle, and more particularly to a shift-position select lever device through which a driver can select an automatic shift mode (A/T mode) and a manual shift mode (M/T mode).
Such a shift lever device is normally arranged to be utilized upon the automatic power transmission to select a particular gear shift mode by laterally swinging the shift lever with respect to a vehicle running direction. Japanese Patent Application First Publication No. Heisei 7-32902, No. 7-32903, No. Heisei 7-32904 and No. Heisei 7-35224 disclose several technological arts of such switchable shift lever devices for the automatic transmissions in which a switching between the automatic transmission mode and the manual power transmission mode can be easily and appropriately be executed in order to make the vehicle driver feel as if he or she were operating a manual power transmission.
However, such shift lever devices are further required to be improved in structure and design in order to ensure a smaller-size and a more preferable utility.

Shift select lever device for automatic transmission


A relatively simple and inexpensive method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles within a short period of time using a household microwave or the like is provided. The energy needed to heat the synthesis reaction is minimized and the organic reducing reagents of the prior art are replaced with natural products such as purified carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, sucrose, fructose, galactose, ribose, lactose) or their readily available and inexpensive forms (e.g., high fructose corn syrup, sucrose syrup). The resulting nanoparticles are purified from the remaining silver ion which is then recaptured for the safe disposal of the waste reaction mixture.

Nanoscience, sometimes called "nanotechnology" or "nanotech," refers to a field focused on the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanoscience deals with structures 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size. The potential applications for nanotechnology are extremely diverse and include, for example, extensions of conventional device physics, new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, development of new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, prolongation of cell viability and biological labeling to study intracellular trafficking and organelle functions and other everyday applications such as photography, reaction catalysis, optoelectronics and information storage. The potential to create many new materials and devices with wide-ranging applications, such as in medicine, electronics, and energy production, renders nanoscience a popular field of study. However, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues that come with the introduction of any new technology including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials.
Ionic silver (such as silver nitrate) has long been known as an antimicrobial or antifungal agent with the power to kill bacteria and other germs. In fact, ancient Greeks and Romans frequently used silver as an antiseptic in the pre-antibiotic era and even kept their liquids free from contamination by placing the liquids in silver jars. However, ionic silver was abandoned for such uses due to its cytotoxicity and adverse effect on human and animal health and has been limited to non-health related uses such as photography. Recently, however, a number of studies have reported the efficacy of silver nanoparticles as an antimicrobial against bacteria such as E. coli and even against viruses such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and it has been shown that silver particles are 100 times more effective than silver salts as antiseptics. It would therefore be desirable to prepare silver nanoparticles or silver-alloy nanoparticles to maximize the antimicrobial properties of silver. Moreover, recent studies have shown that, in proper concentrations, silver nanoparticles are not dangerous to humans when used externally.
Various methods have been employed for the synthesis of nanoparticles of metallic origins including co-precipitation methods in aqueous solutions, electrochemical methods, aerosol, reverse microemulsion, chemical liquid deposition, photochemical reduction, chemical reduction in solution, and UV radiation. For example, conventional methods have included the reduction of Ag+ with sodium borohydride, aldehyde, hydrazine, or phenylhydrazine with alkylamine as reductants and have also included synthesis via a solvothermal process. However, solvothermal synthesis typically relies on multiple reagents and requires controlled conditions which can be tedious and troublesome.
Moreover, all of these methods have limitations in controlling the particle size and production of particles on an industrial scale. Capping reagents such as poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) are commonly used to regulate the size and morphology of the nanoparticles synthesized. However, the strong hydrophobicity of many capping reagents requires an organic solvent such as acetone, methanol, or toluene in order to counteract the hydrophobicity. Chelating agents have also been used for controlling the aggregation of nanoparticles, but many of these agents and the reagents described hereinabove are toxic and therefore harmful to humans and the environment. In order to eliminate the use of such hazardous organic chemicals, a hydrothermal process has been developed which involves Ag NP synthesis by reduction of Ag+ using β-D-glucose inside the nanoscopic template formed by a starch. However, this method requires at least twenty hours of incubation and uses a starch as stabilizing reagent. A costly microwave-digestion system-assisted synthesis using polyol has also been reported as accelerating the liquid-phase reaction in synthesizing nanoparticles.
Thus, most of the currently available methods require the use of hazardous organic solvents, stabilizers, capping reagents, the purging of reaction vessels with inert gases, and/or prolonged incubation, even with the use of expensive microwave synthesizers. In addition, the presence of stabilizers and capping reagents interferes with the purification of nanoparticles and reduces the yield thereby raising the risk of presence of silver ion (Ag+) as a contaminant. Moreover, the use of organic reagents, organic solvents, organic-aqueous mixtures, organic capping reagents, and the disposal of unreacted silver ion result in increased, costly, and hazardous waste. It is therefore desirable to provide a method of preparing silver nanoparticles that does not include the use or the production of hazardous materials and that is less costly to produce.

Household microwave-mediated carbohydrate-based production of silver nanomaterials


A system and method for distributing prepaid cash alternatives and resolving exceptions related to the sale of prepaid cash alternatives such as traveler's checks or prepaid cards. Reports of sales may be reviewed to identify exceptions, and information explaining the exceptions may be made available electronically. Sellers may be notified of exceptions by e-mail, which may include a link or address to information explaining the exceptions. The information may be provided in real time through a secure site on a network, such as the Internet. A company may contract with business partners to sell the prepaid cash alternatives to customers, and the business partners may report the sales to the company via reports. After being notified of exceptions, business partners may provide corrected information or new information to resolve the exceptions.

Traveler's cheques have been used for many years by travelers rather than cash because the traveler's cheques can be replaced without significant detriment if lost or stolen while traveling. In recent years, travelers are often replacing printed paper traveler's cheques with prepaid cards, which can be used similarly to a credit card, debit card, or the like, except that prepaid cards are paid for in advance. Similar to traveler's cheques, prepaid cards can be replaced if lost or stolen, and may be easier and quicker to replace than credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, or the like. Travelers typically use or spend the traveler's cheques or prepaid card balances at various businesses such as retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, and the like. These businesses then collect the monetary value of the charge from the issuer, for example, through a payment network.
In the past, AMERICAN EXPRESS has sold traveler's cheques and prepaid cards to customers through a large number of business partners located throughout the world. AMERICAN EXPRESS typically contracts with these business partners to sell AMERICAN EXPRESS traveler's cheques and prepaid cards to customers. AMERICAN EXPRESS typically requires that its business partners report sales to AMERICAN EXPRESS within a certain time period after each sale, and remit the appropriate amount collected for the sales to AMERICAN EXPRESS. AMERICAN EXPRESS typically reviews reports from business partners, and sometimes discovers discrepancies or exceptions in the reports. Such exceptions may include, for example, a discrepancy in the inventory of traveler's cheques, an error in cheque or card number, underpayment, overpayment, missing information, duplication, failure to report, or the like. In the past, AMERICAN EXPRESS has communicated with business partners regarding exceptions, for example, by mail, phone, e-mail, or the like, in order to attempt to resolve the exceptions. Other companies in the traveler's cheques or prepaid cards business have typically used a similar system to resolve exceptions.
In the prior art, resolution of exceptions typically required the attention of personnel to assemble the necessary information, contact business partners, and follow up if needed. In addition, a backlog of exceptions would usually accumulate, resulting in delay in addressing each exception. Further, some methods of communication, such as e-mail, were not secure and risks existed that confidential information would be compromised. Still further, in order to satisfy the business partners, exceptions were often corrected without the business partners being held accountable. As a result, business partners often did not learn or care to avoid repeating the same mistakes that caused the exceptions in the first place.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved system and method for notifying business partners of exceptions such that exceptions can be fully or partially corrected in an efficient, timely, and secure manner. A need also exists to facilitate business partners' learning from exceptions such that the exceptions are not often repeated.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Exception notification system and method

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.


A dual path implantable hearing assistance system transduces sound vibrations of the malleus in one or both ears into electrical signals, processes the electrical signals to provide one or more resulting output electrical signals, and transduces the output signals into mechanical vibrations provided to the stapes in one or both ears. Communication between an electronics device and at least one ear is either wireless or through subcutaneous lead wires. The system may have two input paths and two output paths, programmable to provide the function of two separate single path systems, but capable of combining the signals such as by weighted summing. The system may have also have two input paths and one output path; or, one input path and two output paths; or, one input path and one output path, each associated with a different ear.

This invention relates to an electromechanical hearing assistance device for use in an at least partially implantable middle ear hearing system.
In some types of partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid systems, sounds produce mechanical vibrations which are transduced by an electromechanical input transducer into electrical signals. These electrical signals are in turn provided to a device which amplifies the signal and provides it to an electromechanical output transducer. The electromechanical output transducer vibrates an ossicular bone in response to the applied amplified electrical signals, thus improving hearing.
A typical single path electronic hearing assistance system for amplifying signals received from an input transducer has a single input path for receiving the signal, circuitry to produce the desired output electrical signal, and a single output path for providing the output signal to an output transducer. Such devices are useful for assisting hearing in only one ear. If a person requires assistance in both ears, two devices must be used, one for each ear.
The invention provides an at least partially middle ear implantable dual path electronic hearing assist system and method of use in both of a person""s ears. The invention includes components for implantation within the middle ear regions of each ear, and provides: dual input paths; or, dual output paths; or, both dual input paths and dual output paths; or, a single input path corresponding to a first ear and a single output path corresponding to a second ear. The system is capable of use as a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) hearing aid system or a total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid system.
In one embodiment, the invention simulates two single path devices. Each middle ear has an implanted input transducer and an implanted output transducer. Each input transducer transduces mechanical sound vibrations into electrical signals that are separately provided to a dual path device. The device processes the received electrical signals and provides a resulting output electrical signals to drive each output transducer and produce mechanical output vibrations, such as to the stapes in each middle ear.
In another embodiment, each middle ear has an input transducer for transducing mechanical sound vibrations into electrical signals that are separately provided to the device. The device processes the received electrical signals and provides a single resulting electrical output signal to one output transducer in one middle ear. The output transducer transduces the electrical output signal into mechanical output vibrations in the middle ear in which the output transducer is disposed.
In another embodiment, each middle ear has an output transducer for receiving output electrical signals from the device that are transduced into mechanical output vibrations. Only a single input transducer is used, disposed within one of the middle ears for receiving mechanical sound vibrations that are transduced into an electrical signal provided to the device.
In another embodiment, a first middle ear has an input transducer for transducing received mechanical sound vibrations into an electrical input signal provided to the device. The device processes the received electrical input signal and provides an output electrical signal to an output transducer disposed within a second middle ear. The output transducer in the second middle ear transduces the received electrical signal into mechanical output vibrations in the second middle ear.
Thus, the invention uses only one electronic device for providing various types and combinations of hearing assistance in both ears of a hearing impaired person.

Dual path implantable hearing assistance device


An electrical connector including a first connection section adapted to connect to a first electrical conductor; and a second connection section adapted to connect to a second electrical conductor. The first and second connection sections include a first member, a second member and a compression member for compressing the second member towards the first member. The second member is pivotably connected to the first member at a rotating pivot which is spaced from the compression member and the second connection section.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to an electrical connector for connecting multiple conductors to a main conductor.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,003 discloses an electrical connector with a nut and bolt for compressing two jaws together. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,816 discloses a hinged electrical connector having a nut and bolt connecting two jaw members.


Methods and systems employing belt conveyors adapted to feed signatures to a collating conveyor and a control system that regulates the operation of the belt conveyors are provided. The control system is adapted to regulate the speed of the belt conveyors in response to the speed of the collating conveyor, for example, proportional to the speed of the collating conveyor, to minimize or eliminate signature misfeeds. The control system may implement a mathematical algorithm that defines a relationship between the collating conveyor speed and the belt conveyor speeds. The systems and methods may include ancillary feeding devices such as joggers and speeder wheels to optimize the transfer of signatures.

The binding and printing industries often rely on high-speed sheet material handling systems for printing, collating, binding, and otherwise handling sheet material, for example, sheets of paper. This sheet material, for example, individual sheets, newspapers, magazines, inserts and "onserts" (that is, sheet material used when collating newspapers), free-standing inserts (FSIs), books, brochures, and the like, is typically, fed to and accumulated in containers or "magazines" or "hoppers" and withdrawn from the magazines or hoppers and forwarded to a collating conveyor. One particular sheet material that is handled in the binding and printing industry is what is known in the art as a "signature." A signature typically comprises two or more sheets of paper that may be folded to form a spine, that is, a "spine fold." Signatures may contain four or more pages of text or graphics, for example, 30 or more pages of text or graphics.
In the manufacture of books or the assemblage of newsprint, it is common to assemble the book on a collecting or collating conveyor by sequentially withdrawing signatures from magazines, or hoppers, containing stacks of signatures. In producing a book, typically, a plurality of serially arranged hoppers, separating devices, and feeders are employed for gathering and collating the printed sheets of, for example, signatures. Typically, the separating devices separate and withdraw the sheet material from the hoppers and feed the sheet material to a rotating drum. The rotating drum then feeds the sheet material to a conveyor that collects and transfers the separated printed sheets for collation, binding, or other handling. The separation of the sheet material from the stacked sheet material is typically effected by a rotating disk separator. One typical disk-type separator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,229, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The disk separator separates and feeds the sheet material to a rotating drum that accepts and retains the sheet material and conveys it to the conveyor. The conveyor that receives the sheet material is typically a horizontal conveyor. This horizontal conveyor may also receive sheet material from other, typically serially positioned, feeding drums.
The hoppers from which the rotating drum conveyor withdraws signatures is typically fed by one or more conveyors, for example, one or more conveyors upon which signatures are mounted, for instance, manually or automatedly, which convey the signatures to the hoppers. The timing of feeding and transferring of signatures from conveyor to hopper, from hopper to feeder, and from feeder to collating conveyors is often critical to the proper operation of the feeder and the proper assembly of the signatures on the collating conveyor. Misfeeds and jamming may occur when the timing of feeding and conveying is not optimum, for example, signatures may back up on a conveyor that feeds too quickly or a hopper may be depleted when a conveyor is not operated fast enough.
Aspects of the present invention address the disadvantages of prior art signature feeding and conveying systems by relating the speed of conveyors to the speed of the collating conveyor whereby backups and jamming of signatures during convey are minimized or even eliminated.

Methods and systems for controlling the feeding of stacked sheet material


A docking arrangement for establishing a gap between a first component and a second component comprises an adjustable spacer moveably positioned on the first component. The spacer defines a transverse channel and a cross pin extends through the transverse channel. The cross pin including a plurality of opposing surfaces with each of the opposing surfaces separated by a different distance. The cross pin further includes indicia representative of the different distances between the opposing surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the docking arrangement is configured for use in a printing machine with the spacer determining a gap between a print head mount and an imaging drum mount based on a selected set of the plurality of opposing surfaces.

Many mechanisms include a first component that must be moved to a position near to a second component such that the two components are separated by a precise standoff distance or gap. One example of such a mechanism is a printing system where a print head must be moved within a precise distance of a target to allow the print head to deliver clear and accurate images to the target.
One arrangement that has been used to accurately separate two components by a standoff distance involves the use of a docking pin or other spacer member. In these arrangements, the docking pin is mounted to and extends from the first component and the second component is moved into engagement with the docking pin. When the second component is moved into engagement with the docking pin, further movement between the components is prohibited, and a precise gap distance is established between the first and second component.
In mechanisms with docking pins, some form of positioning adjustment is often required to correct for fabrication and material tolerances or to compensate for wear of the mating surfaces. For example, if two components must be moved to a distance of precisely 1.875 mm apart, a 1 mm cumulative fabrication error in the assembly can create an unacceptable spacing between the two components. Thus, some form of adjustment is generally desirable to correct for fabrication and material tolerances in systems that utilize docking pins.
There are several known arrangements and related methods for correcting fabrication and material tolerances in systems that utilize docking pins. In a first known arrangement, the docking pin includes a threaded body that is partially threaded into the mounting platform. Rotating the pin results in varying height based on the thread pitch. In conjunction with this, shims are sometimes used. The shims may be made from sheet metal of an appropriate thickness. Multiple shims may be used with a threaded pin to set the pin to the desired height. Yet another option for correcting fabrication and material tolerances is to simply substitute an existing docking pin for a new docking pin having a different height.
The conventional solutions for correcting fabrication and material tolerances have several shortcomings. For example, when attempting to correct for the tolerance, it is difficult to determine the extent of the correction. This is true for both line operators in manufacturing as well as service technicians in the field. Furthermore, some methods have the additional disadvantage of loose parts which must be added or removed from the arrangement.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a solution for correcting fabrication and material tolerances in a docking arrangement. It would be particularly useful if such solution could be utilized in a printing system where a print head is moved toward and away from a target. In addition, it is also advantageous if the docking arrangement included feedback indicia so that the correct setting can be easily confirmed by manufacturers as well as service technicians.


A centrifugal clutch for a vehicle for reducing the trouble occuring when the clutch capacity becomes insufficient due a modification to the vehicle, such that of increasing the engine output or the exhaust gas quantity. The clutch weight of the centrifugal clutch is assembled by stacking a set of five sheets of clutch weight component members, three of which have similar structures. Each clutch weight component member is composed of two formed portions, the portions formed by baking two kinds of sintered metallic powders differing in specific gravity. Portions away from a fulcrum of inclination are formed by baking the sintered metallic powder having a larger specific gravity. Portions near the fulcrum of inclination are formed by baking the sintered metallic powder having a smaller specific gravity. As a result, the center of gravity of the clutch weight is positioned near a tip portion of the weight.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a centrifugal clutch, more particularly to a starting clutch for a vehicle, and to an improvement of the clutch for eliminating the trouble arising from a deficiency in capacity of the clutch which is generated due to a modification to the vehicle, such an increase in engine output or an increase in exhaust gas quantity.
2. Description of Background Art
A centrifugal clutch for starting of a vehicle is connected directly to a crankshaft of an engine, and has a structure in which attendant on the rotation of the crankshaft, a plurality of clutch weights of the centrifugal clutch are inclined outwards against a spring force by the action of centrifugal forces, and a lining portion at an outer circumferential portion of the clutch weights is brought into contact with and engaged with an inner circumferential portion of a clutch outer, whereby the power of the crankshaft is transmitted from the clutch outer through a driving gear, a driven gear and a speed change clutch to a main shaft of a transmission mechanism. Such a centrifugal clutch is conventionally well known, as one example thereof is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 63-27586.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each clutch weight 02 of the centrifugal clutch 010 has a structure in which a plurality of sheets of weight component members 02X formed in a predetermined shape by baking an appropriate sintered metallic powder are united by stacking them and fixing them together by an appropriate means, and a lining member (portion) 02a is adhered to an outer circumferential portion of the united body. Alternatively, each clutch member 02 has a structure in which a plurality of sheets of weight component members 02X formed by stamping an appropriate steel sheet such as an SP material (e.g., a hard metal) in a predetermined shape are united by stacking them and fixing them together by an appropriate means such as welding, and a lining (portion) member 02a is adhered to an outer circumferential portion of the united body. In any case, the weight component member 02X is composed of a single member.
Meanwhile, when a modification for an increase in engine output or an increase in engine exhaust gas quantity in a vehicle is contrived, it is supposed that the centrifugal clutch for the starting that has been used hitherto is used as it is. In this case, attendant on the modification for an increase in the engine output or an increase in the exhaust gas quantity, the capacity of the centrifugal clutch becomes deficient, and the matching property thereof is lost, resulting in that a stagger is generated in the engaging timing (stall) of the clutch or the like due to the deficiency in the capacity.
For example, when the power of an engine with a higher output is transmitted by a centrifugal clutch with the same capacity, the centrifugal force generated in the weight is the same at a minimum engine rotation frequency at which the power has been perfectly transmitted where the centrifugal clutch has been used for an engine with a lower output, but, under the higher engine output, the centrifugal clutch is not perfectly engaged and a slip is generated therein. Therefore, for perfect engagement of the clutch, the engine rotational frequency must be increased, resulting in that it takes a longer time until the clutch connection is made, the efficiency of the process from starting to normal running is lowered, and fuel consumption becomes worse.
Since the stagger in the engaging timing of the clutch is attributable to the structure and function of the centrifugal clutch themselves, the above-mentioned problems cannot be dissolved without a structural modification such as an increase of the clutch capacity.
Accordingly, a structural modification for increase the capacity of the centrifugal clutch attendant on the modification for an increase in engine output or in engine exhaust gas quantity, i.e., a structural modification consisting in an increase of clutch capacity for matching the engaging timing of the centrifugal clutch attendant on the modification of engine performance, is indispensable.
As a structural modification for an increase in the capacity of the centrifugal clutch according to the background art, a structural modification consisting in a change in the outer shape of the clutch weight itself such as an increase of the width of a tip portion of the clutch weight or a change of the thickness thereof has been principally adopted.
The structural modification can be said to be a natural choice, in view of the fact that the base material of the conventional clutch weight is a single material such as an SP material or is formed by baking a single sintered metallic powder.
However, the structural modification consisting in a change of the outer shape of the clutch weight member for the modification of the capacity of the centrifugal clutch leads to an increase in the size of the centrifugal clutch, which is not an appropriate selection in view of the arrangement of the clutch in a limited space. Namely, adoption of the structural modification consisting in modifying the outer shape of the weight member is not an appropriate selection, since it leads to a change in the surrounding structure for securing a space necessary for coping with the increase in the clutch size and the change of the surrounding structure is expensive.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an appropriate measure of increasing the clutch capacity for solving the problems such as a stagger in the engaging timing of the centrifugal clutch generated attendant on an increase in engine output or in engine exhaust gas quantity, without increasing the size of the centrifugal clutch.


A method for starting a secure guest includes receiving, by a hypervisor that is executing on a host server, a request to dispatch a virtual machine (VM) on the host server. The VM is dispatched on the host server by the hypervisor. The VM includes a reboot instruction. The reboot instruction is triggered by the hypervisor to restart the VM in a secure mode.

The present invention relates generally to computer technology, and more specifically, to starting a secure guest using an initial program load (IPL) mechanism.
Cloud computing and storage provides users with capabilities to store and process their data in third-party data centers. Cloud computing facilitates the ability to provision a virtual machine (VM) for a customer quickly and easily, without requiring the customer to purchase hardware or provide floor space for a physical server. The customer may expand or contract the VM according to changing preferences or requirements of the customer. Typically, a cloud computing provider provisions the VM, which is physically resident on a server at the provider's data center. Customers are often concerned about the security of data in the VM, particularly since computing providers often store more than one customer's data on the same server. The customer may desire security between its code/data and the cloud computing provider, as well as between its code/data and that of other VMs running at the provider's site. In addition, the customer may desire security from the provider's administrators, as well as against potential security breaches in other code running on the machine.
To handle such sensitive situations, cloud service providers may implement security controls to ensure proper data isolation and logical storage segregation. The extensive use of virtualization in implementing cloud infrastructure results in unique security concerns for customers of cloud services as virtualization alters the relationship between an operating system (OS) and the underlying hardware, be it computing, storage, or even networking. This introduces virtualization as an additional layer that itself must be properly configured, managed and secured.

Starting a secure guest using an initial program load mechanism

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


The present invention is directed towards a two-layer outsole for use with a shoe. The outsole includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a longitudinally extending axis. The outer layer forms the bottom of the outsole and has a plurality of first holes at spaced locations therethrough. The inner layer includes a base adjacent one side of the outer layer and a plurality of projections that extend from the base through the first holes in the outer layer, and terminate in a pointed free end. The projections protrude from the bottom of the outsole, and provide traction when the outsole interacts with the ground. The free end also forms a ridge. The ridge of each projection is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, each projection has an outline with a tear-drop shape. It has been found that when projections with this configuration are used with non-metal cleats, excellent traction is obtained.

A golfer's performance depends substantially on the ability of the golfer's shoes to provide a solid base of support. To that end, golf shoes generally include a shoe upper joined to an outsole, where the bottom surface of the outsole includes numerous metal spikes for providing traction. These spikes are characterized as cone-shaped protrusions.
The traction provided by the metal spikes upon interaction between the outsole and the ground enables the golfer to perform the body movements necessary to culminate in an ideal contact between the club head and the ball (i. e., a golf swing). Golf shoes should also flex during walking to provide comfort and relief from strain to the golfer's feet.
Although metal spikes provide the necessary traction, one significant problem with them is their propensity to damage the turf of golf courses. This damage can be in the form of, for example large indentations, dislodged turf, or compacted turf. This damage can increase the frequency of golf course maintenance, and consequently increase the operating costs of golf courses, which is undesirable. Also golf balls that contact the damaged turf can travel erratically, which is undesirable. As a result, there is a trend today towards banning metal spikes.
In an effort to provide traction, while minimizing turf damage, non-metal spikes have been devised. U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,916 issued to Beneteau discloses an outsole without metal spikes, that has protrusions with blunt free ends. One problem with the solution taught in the Beneteau patent is that turf compaction is still likely due to the blunt free ends of the projections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,220 issued to Autry et al. discloses running shoes that include an outsole glued to a cleat layer. The cleat layer includes a plurality of flat topped non-metal cleats. One problem with this solution is the outsole and cleat layer could separate due to failure of the glue. Furthermore, the flat tops of the cleats may not afford the traction necessary for optimal performance during the golf swing, and may compact the turf.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,791 issued to Gross et al. discloses an athletic shoe for activities such as walking and playing tennis. This shoe includes a separate outsole, midsole, and insert, which are cemented together. The insert includes tips that terminate at a substantially horizontal lower face. The tips may not provide adequate traction during a golf swing, and they may compact the turf due to their flat lower face. Another problem with this solution is the possibility of the layers separating due to failure of the cement.
Thus, there remains a need for an improved outsole that provides adequate traction during a golf swing, and minimizes damage to the turf of golf courses. It is desired that the improved outsole include non-metal spikes; however, it is also desired that the outsole is adaptable so that metal spikes are usable if desired.


A hydraulic system for a torque converter is disclosed which has a converter chamber and a lock-up clutch dividing the converter chamber into a converter pressure section and a back-up pressure section. A lock-up control valve is provided, which has a first position wherein pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the converter chamber and a second position wherein fluid is discharged from the back-up pressure section. A drain passage with a bimetal orifice normally closes the drain passage and is operative to open the drain passage when a temperature of the fluid in the drain passage is higher than a predetermined temperature.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic system for a torque converter with a lock-up clutch, and more particularly to a hydraulic system for preventing an increase in temperature of hydraulic fluid in the torque converter.
Japanese Patent Application First Publication No. 2-125172 discloses a hydraulic system for a torque converter with a lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch is disposed in a converter chamber of the torque converter and movable to a lock-up position where it divides the converter chamber into a converter pressure section and a back-up pressure section. In the lock-up position, there is interrupted fluid flow between the converter pressure section and the back-up pressure section. Thus, the hydraulic fluid in the converter pressure section is subject to a temperature increase, inducing deterioration of a clutch facing of the lock-up clutch. This results in a reduced durability of the clutch facing.
An object of the present invention is to improve a hydraulic system for a torque converter with a lock-up clutch such that an excessive temperature increase in hydraulic fluid in a converter chamber is prevented with a simple arrangement.


A feed roller unit comprises: a feed roller that abuts against a topmost sheet of a stack of sheets, and rotates to convey the topmost sheet in a conveyance direction, the feed roller being provided to be displaceable in a direction reverse to the conveyance direction while rolling on the topmost sheet; a driving force transmission unit that transmits a driving force generated by a driving source to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller; and an urging unit that provides an urging force to the feed roller in a direction to suppress the displacement of the feed roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a feed roller unit having a feed roller which can abut against a topmost sheet of a stack of sheets, and rotate to separate the top sheet from the other sheets and convey the top sheet in a specific conveyance direction, and conveyance apparatus having the feed roller unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been heretofore considered a feed roller unit having a feed roller which can abut against a top sheet of a stack of sheets, and rotate to separate the top sheet from the other sheets and convey the top sheet in a specific conveyance direction, and a driving force transmission unit for transmitting a driving force generated by a driving source to the feed roller so as to rotate the feed roller. In such a feed roller unit, the driving force generated by the driving source is transmitted to the feed roller through the driving force transmission unit so as to rotate the feed roller. Thus, the sheets such as recording paper retained in a stacked state can be conveyed, for example, toward a printer engine or the like, sequentially from the top one of the sheets.
In addition, in such apparatus, it is necessary to prevent a so-called multi feed in which two or more sheets lying on top of each other are conveyed together. To this end, there have been proposed techniques in which the feed roller is made eccentric to change a pressing force applied to the sheets (for example, see JP-A-2000-302258), or two kinds of pressing forces can be switched in accordance with the thickness of the sheets (for example, see JP-A-2003-146454).

Feed roller unit and conveyance apparatus