A brake-pressure control device is provided for a road vehicle with electrohydraulic multi-circuit brake system. For each wheel brake, a hydraulic servo-cylinder is driven by an electric motor. The servo-cylinders enables certain functions to be implemented, namely spot braking mode, including electronic control of the VA/HA braking force distribution (EBKV); anti-lock braking control (ABS function); traction control (TCS function); and vehicle movement control as a result of automatically controlled increase in brake slip at one or more of the wheels of the vehicle. A desired-value setting unit with a single-circuit master cylinder is provided which, in normal electronically controlled braking mode, serves as a desired-value transmitter and, in the event of failure of the vehicle's electronic system, can be activated as an emergency braking unit for building up brake pressure in the front-wheel brakes.

The present invention relates to a brake-pressure control device for a road vehicle with electrohydraulic multi-circuit brake system.
A conventional brake-pressure control device is described in DE 43 35 769 C1. This known brake-pressure control device comprises hydraulic servo-cylinders which are individually assigned to the wheel brakes, can be driven by electric motor and permit, in a single stroke of their piston, the maximum brake pressure in the connected wheel brake for which the brake is designed to be increased and decreased. Under the control of the electronic output signals of an electronic control unit, the device enables at least the following functions to be implemented:
(a) Control of the spot braking mode in accordance with desired-value signals which can be generated by the driver by a desired-value setting unit which can be activated by the driver and are characteristic of the anticipated value of the deceleration of the vehicle, including control of the front-axle/rear-axle braking force distribution; PA1 (b) If appropriate, automatic triggering of full braking if the activation behavior of the driver, which can be detected from a chronological processing of sensor output signals of the desired-value setting unit, signals the driver's desire for high deceleration of the vehicle; PA1 (c) Anti-lock braking control by automatically controlled brake-pressure modulation; PA1 (d) Traction control by automatic activation of the wheel brake for each vehicle wheel which tends to spin; PA1 (e) Vehicle movement control by automatically controlled increase in brake slip at one or more of the wheels of the vehicle; and PA1 (f) If appropriate, a vehicle spacing control for backed-up traffic by automatic activation of the brake system as a function of output signals of a sensor system which detects the distance from a vehicle which is travelling in front.
The desired-value setting unit comprises a static single-circuit master cylinder which can be activated directly by a customary brake pedal, i.e. without intermediate connection of a brake booster, and to whose output pressure space the front-wheel brakes are connected via, in each case, one change-over valve which is constructed as a 2/2-way solenoid valve. The switched position of the valves which is assumed when their switching magnets are excited is a blocking position in which the front-wheel brakes are blocked off from the output pressure space of the single-circuit master cylinder and in the flow position, which is assumed as the normal position, brake fluid can be displaced directly into the front-wheel brakes by activating the master cylinder. Thereby, in the event of a failure of the vehicle electrical system, emergency braking is possible by activating the front-wheel brakes, to achieve a relatively high deceleration of the vehicle of up to 0.4 g (g=9.81 ms.sup.-2) which is higher than the legally required minimum deceleration.
So that, with the known brake-pressure control device, a pedal travel/braking force characteristic of the brake-pressure control device which is favorable, in terms of ergonomic criteria, for a good metering of the brake pressure generating procedure which is to be initiated by the driver in the case of spot braking can be achieved, the feeding of brake fluid into the wheel brake cylinders takes place during spot braking as a result of the combined effect of the master cylinder and of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders. For example, the feeding takes place by virtue of the actuation travel of the pistons of these servo-cylinders for whose monitoring position transmitters which are individually assigned to the servo-cylinders are provided is adjusted in accordance with the actuation travel of the piston of the master cylinder which can also be detected by a pedal-position sensor. A defined ratio of the quantity of brake fluid which is fed into the front-wheel brakes by the master cylinder to the quantity of brake fluid which can be fed into the front-wheel brakes by the servo-cylinders is thereby obtained. In the possible situations of automatic activation of the front-wheel brakes which takes place for the methods of adjustment and control mentioned above, the brakes are blocked off from the master brake cylinder by actuation of the change-over valves. Thereafter, the brake-pressure control takes place solely by actuation, which is appropriate for control, of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders both of the front-wheel brakes and of the rear-wheel brakes of the vehicle, at the rear-wheel brakes also in the case of spot braking.
This function of the known brake-pressure control device has the effect that, when the anti-lock braking control responds, the pedal reaction which is intended, as it were, to provide the driver with the acknowledgement of the functional state of the brake system, changes drastically, because the brake pedal becomes, so to speak, "hard" in that it can no longer be moved on, and the further metering of the brake pressure which is used for building up the brake pressure again is made difficult. This is disadvantageous in particular if the braking takes place on a section of roadway with a very low coefficient of adhesion between the roadway and the wheels of the vehicle. Under this condition, a particularly short pedal travel results, i.e. a sudden change in the pedal reaction which suggests to the driver, in none too seldom cases, the impression of a defect in the brake system. That is, a distraction arises from which incorrect driving behavior, and thus a potentially hazardous situation, can well result. Brake activation situations which are similarly capable of misinterpretation and, moreover, also adversely affect comfortable operation of the brake system can arise if the driver wishes to brake manually during a vehicle-movement or vehicle-spacing control phase and, when doing so, is initially confronted with a "hard" brake pedal because the change-over valves are still closed. The same applies correspondingly to the case in which the vehicle is equipped with a front-axle drive and the driver wishes to initiate braking in the course of a traction control phase during which the change-over valves of the front-wheel brakes are likewise closed.
In addition, the maximum capacity of the output pressure spaces of the servo-cylinders of the front-wheel brakes must be greater than the maximum capacity of the connected wheel brakes. In other words, starting from a normal position of the servo-cylinder pistons in which the volume of the servo-cylinder output pressure spaces corresponds to the maximum absorption volume of the connected wheel brakes, in the event of anti-lock braking control only starting at a very high brake pressure, complete elimination of the brake pressure is nonetheless possible which, in this respect, requires an increased overall length of the servo-cylinders of the front-wheel brakes.
A brake system with electric braking-force actuators is also described in DE 34 10 006 A1. Furthermore, this brake system also has a master brake cylinder which applies brake pressure to hydraulic wheel brake cylinders of the front axle. The hydraulic generation of brake pressure is configured as a fallback level. The electric braking-force actuators are regulated by a control device which, for this purpose, is fed a signal relating to the activation of the brake pedal and signals relating to the wheel speeds of the individual wheels. The function of an ABS system or of a traction control system can also be integrated into the control unit.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved brake-pressure control device such that, in an overwhelming number of braking situations which are controlled by the driver by activating the single-circuit master cylinder, the reaction force which can be felt at the brake pedal as a function of the pedal travel is a reliable measure of the anticipated value of the deceleration of the vehicle and a pedal travel/brake pressure characteristic is achieved which also helps to avoid distractions relating to the operational capability of the brake system.
This object has been achieved according to the present invention by providing a single-circuit master cylinder which is configured such that the volume of brake fluid displaceable from an output pressure space thereof as a result of displacement of a piston thereof by a maximum stroke s.sub.max is substantially greater than a capacity of the wheel brakes of the front-axle brake circuit which has to be displaced into the brakes to achieve a defined pressure necessary for minimum deceleration. The front-wheel brakes are configured to be also blocked off from the single-circuit master cylinder in the event of electrically controlled spot braking, and a maximum capacity of a output pressure spaces of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders of the front-wheel brakes is limited to a volume capable of being displaced into the respectively connected front-wheel brake to achieve a maximum brake pressure. A storage element into which brake fluid can be displaced from the single-circuit master cylinder counter to an increasing reaction force is connected to a pressure outlet of the single-circuit master cylinder of the desired-value setting unit, the maximum capacity of the storage element corresponding at maximum to an additional amount by which the volume of brake fluid which is displaceable from the master cylinder is greater than the volume of brake fluid which is displaceable into the front-wheel brakes in emergency operating mode to achieve the defined minimum deceleration.
Accordingly, the single-circuit master cylinder is dimensioned such that the total volume of brake fluid which can be displaced from the output pressure space of the master cylinder by displacing the piston of the master cylinder by the maximum stroke s.sub.max which can be prescribed by physical means is significantly, preferably by a defined fraction, greater than the volume of that quantity of brake fluid which has to be displaced into the front-wheel brakes in order to achieve in the brakes a defined brake pressure which is provided for emergency braking situations according to the configuration of the brakes. In combination therewith, also in the event of electrically controlled spot braking, the front-wheel brakes are blocked off from the single-circuit master cylinder by actuation of the change-over valves. That is, the brake pressure build-up takes place solely by activation of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders. It is thus possible, as further provided, for the maximum capacity of the output pressure spaces of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders to be limited to that volume which has to be capable of being displaced into the respectively connected wheel brake in order to achieve a maximum brake pressure in the wheel brake, and this corresponds to the lowest possible spatial requirement of the brake-pressure servo-cylinders.
Furthermore, a storage element is connected to the pressure outlet of the single-circuit master cylinder of the desired-value setting unit, into which storage element brake fluid can be displaced counter to an increasing reaction force by activating the single-circuit master cylinder. Thereby, a displacement of the master cylinder piston, and thus an ergonomically favorable travel/force characteristic curve of the brake-pressure control device can be attained even if the front-wheel brakes are blocked off from the single-circuit master cylinder.
Finally, in combination with the foregoing aspect of the present invention, the maximum capacity of the storage element can correspond to, at maximum, the additional amount by which the volume of brake fluid which can be displaced from the master cylinder is greater than the capacity of the front-wheel brakes which is necessary in emergency braking situations to achieve a defined minimum deceleration. As a result, it is ensured that a build-up in brake pressure which is necessary for a sufficient deceleration of the vehicle of, for example, 0.4 g remains possible solely by activating the single-circuit master cylinder, in an emergency braking mode of the brake-pressure control device which has to be possible even in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical system.
A favorable relation between pedal travel in the emergency braking mode and the capability of metering in the spot braking mode is obtained if the maximum capacity of the storage element is between 30 and 60%, preferably about 50%, of the total volume of brake fluid which can be displaced in total into the front-wheel brakes.
A storage element which is suitable for these relations can be easily realized as a piston-spring storage device. In particular, for the emergency braking mode of the brake-pressure control device, the storage element can advantageously be blocked off from the single-circuit master cylinder. Thereby, the entire volume of brake fluid displaceable therefrom is available for building up the brake pressure in the front-wheel brakes.
It is easily possible to block off the storage element from the master cylinder automatically, with any desired appropriate configuration of the storage element, in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical system. This can be effected by connecting a solenoid valve between the storage element and the master cylinder. The excited position of the solenoid valve is its flow position, and its normal position, which is spring-centered, is its blocking position.
Provided that the storage element is constructed as a piston-spring storage device in which the storage spring is arranged in a spring chamber which is filled with brake fluid and can be communicatingly connected to the brake-fluid reservoir vessel, a functionally corresponding solenoid valve can be connected between the reservoir vessel and the spring chamber.
As an alternative to a "passive" piston-spring storage device, a hydraulic cylinder which can be driven by an electric motor and has a piston whose position is monitored can constitute the storage element. The drive of the cylinder preferably is not self-locking but instead provided with a mechanical arresting brake which is automatically active in the de-energized case. With such a storage element, in principle any desired pedal travel/reaction force characteristic curves can be obtained by appropriate electrical actuation of the drive. It is also possible, in the event of anti-lock braking control, to initiate a reaction behavior of the master cylinder which intelligibly signals the activation of anti-lock braking control to the driver.
So that excessively large pedal activation travels do not have to be tolerated in emergency braking mode, it is particularly advantageous if, for emergency braking, the single-circuit master cylinder can be adjusted to a ratio of its displacement volume related to the piston stroke which is increased in comparison with the spot braking mode. It is particularly advantageous for safety reasons to adjust the master cylinder automatically, for example with path control, to the displacement volume/stroke ratio which is increased for the emergency braking mode.
Alternative configurations of the single-circuit master cylinder which are suitable for the foregoing purposes are disclosed below and enable activation, in each case after a minimum stroke of the master cylinder piston which can be activated by the brake pedal, of an additional piston face and as a result increasing the volume of brake fluid which can be displaced from the master cylinder per unit of the stroke.
Configuring the master cylinder such that a prestressed compression spring, whose prestress is smaller than that of the restoring spring of the single-circuit master cylinder, is arranged in the radially inner annular space of the piston arrangement is particularly advantageous in this context, in which configuration a steady transition of the force/travel relation, which is decisive for the spot braking mode, to the force/travel relation which is valid in the emergency braking mode can be achieved by appropriate matching of a spring, which acts between two piston elements, to the reaction force which is conditioned by the brake pressure.

Vehicle brake-pressure control device for electrohydraulic multi-circuit brake system


A flow of hydraulic oil induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve, which is a pressure control valve, to generate a damping force. The pilot valve is adjusted in its valve-opening pressure with the thrust of a solenoid and adjusts the pressure in a back pressure chamber to control the valve-opening pressure of the main valve. A baffle plate is provided in a reservoir to isolate the surface of hydraulic oil in the reservoir from an inlet port through which the hydraulic oil flows into the reservoir from a damping force generating mechanism, thereby suppressing the occurrence of aeration and cavitation. The baffle plate is secured by inserting a connecting port through a positioning opening and holding a separator tube with a pair of arm portions.

The present invention relates to shock absorbers that generate a damping force by controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in relation to the stroke of a piston rod.
Cylinder type hydraulic shock absorbers attached to suspension systems of vehicles, for example, automobiles, are generally arranged as follows. A piston connected with a piston rod is inserted in a cylinder having a hydraulic oil therein as a hydraulic fluid. A stroke of the piston rod causes sliding movement of the piston in the cylinder, which in turn induces a flow of hydraulic oil. The hydraulic oil flow is controlled by a damping force generating mechanism, which comprises an orifice, a disk valve, etc., to generate a damping force. In some shock absorbers of this type, a reservoir having the hydraulic oil and a gas sealed therein is connected to the cylinder to compensate for a cubic capacity change in the cylinder caused by the entry and exiting of the piston rod into and from the cylinder and a volumetric change of hydraulic oil due to a temperature change. That is, such a cubic capacity change and a volumetric change are compensated for by the compression and expansion of the gas in the reservoir.
In a shock absorber having a reservoir as stated above, if the gas in the reservoir gets mixed into the hydraulic oil as bubbles or dissolves in the hydraulic oil, aeration or cavitation may occur, causing the damping force to become unstable. Under these circumstances, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-264364 discloses a shock absorber having a baffle plate disposed above an opening of a flow path of hydraulic oil in the reservoir. With this structure, the baffle plate isolates the opening of the hydraulic oil flow path from the oil surface in the reservoir and allows the flow path area of hydraulic oil flowing into the reservoir to be enlarged gradually. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the gas in the reservoir from getting mixed into the hydraulic oil as bubbles or from dissolving in the hydraulic oil and hence possible to suppress the occurrence of cavitation and aeration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A photographic fixer compositions comprising a silver halide solvent, an aluminum salt hardening agent, a buffering agent and ammonium ions in amount of at least 0.20 mol/l, wherein said fixer composition also contains at least an aminopolycarboxylic acid sequestering agent of formula (I-a) or (I-b) or a water-soluble salt thereof and d) at least a polyphosphonic acid sequestering agent of formula (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d') or (II-d"): ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the specification. The present invention also provides a method of processing an exposed photographic silver halide element comprising the steps of developing by means of a developer comprising a silver halide developing agent and treating the developed element with a fixer composition, wherein the fixer composition is one described above.

In processing photographic films, especially X-ray films, it is highly advantageous to complete the processing in a very short period of time. To accomplish this objective, it is common practice to process such films using a roller transport processor and to carry out the processing without an intervening washing step between the steps of developing and fixing. This method of processing is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,971. To facilitate the use of a roller transport processor, both the developer and the fixer typically contain a hardening agent, with the hardening agent usually being an aldehyde in the developer and an aluminum salt in the fixer. Boric acid is often incorporated in the fixer used in the aforesaid process to prevent the formation of sludge resulting from precipitation of aluminum hydroxide when the fixer is contaminated by developer carry-in. Such use of boric acid is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,570. The hardening fixer composition described in this patent also contains a 1-hydroxy-alkylidene diphosphonic acid, in which the alkylidene group contains from 2 to 5 carbon atoms to retard formation of aluminum hydroxide. The 1-hydroxy-alkylidene diphosphonic acid partially or completely replace boric acid in the hardening fixer composition.
Another method to reduce the precipitation of aluminum hydroxide has been described in Research Disclosure 17549, wherein a combination of a diphosphonic acid, such as a hydroxyalkylidene diphosphonic acid, and an aminopolycarboxylic acid, such as a 1,3-diamino-2-propanol tetraacetic acid, has the tendency for aluminum hydroxyde precipitates, as a result of carrying of aluminum salt hardening agent contacting in the hardening baths. The diphosphonic acid and the aminopolycarboxylic acid are effective in the stabilizing bath in small concentrations such as amounts of each of about one gram per liter or less. The pH of said color stabilizing bath is in the range from about 6 to about 11.
Japanese Patent Application 05-323,525 describes a black-and-white fixer solution comprising aminopolycarboxylic acids and/or phosphonic acids as chelating agent, preventing the water fur and odour. The fixer composition is substantially free of ammonium ions and substantially free of aluminum hardener, the amount of the hardener being lower than 0.01 mol/l that is the minimum amount known in the art to give the fixer composition a hardening activity, as described in Research Disclosure 16768 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,570.
To further promote the objective of a very short total processing time, it is advantageous to employ ammonium thiosulfate as the fixing agent, because it acts more rapidly than alternative fixing agents such as sodium thiosulfate, as described in GB 1,290,026. Thus, a particularly desirable fixer is one which contains ammonium thiosulfate and is free of boric acid; however, it has been found that a very serious problem of crystal formation occurs. In particular, crystals are deposited from the fixer on the walls of the fixer tank and on the roller assemblies. In addition, the crystalline deposit displays a tendency to absorb additional fixer, thereby resulting in movement of "creep" along processor parts and tank walls. Research Disclosure 18728 discloses a number of agents incorporated in the hardening fixer and which suppress crystal formation. Useful agents are, for example, aminopolyphosphonic acids, such as diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid, and aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as 1,3-diamino-2-propanol tetraacetic acid.
EP 486,909 describes ammonium-free fixing bath containing a complex building agent, e.g., nitrilodiacetic monopropionic acid, useful for silver halide photographic materials. The baths exhibit good fixing speed and no deposition.
The pH of these fixer baths is normally around 4.00-4.30, because at higher pH, expecially more than 5.00, there is precipitation of Al(OH).sub.3. On the other hand, lower pH is correlated with high SO.sub.2 evolution, which is environmentally dangerous. It could be useful to have a photographic fixer composition showing a reduced tendency to form an aluminum hydroxyde precipitation at pH values higher than those of standard fixer compositions. In fact, a fixer composition working at said high pH value could be also advantageous from an environmental point of view, showing a reduced SO.sub.2 emission.

Photographic fixer compositions and method for processing a photographic element


A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, coupling members, and torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least eleven forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. A clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission is provided that includes an apply piston and a stationary fluid supply member. The apply piston is configured to rotate during at least one gear speed of the automatic transmission. The stationary fluid supply member has portions forming a channel in the stationary fluid supply member and defining an outlet end of the channel. The stationary fluid supply member is configured to supply fluid to the apply piston through the outlet end of the channel.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.
A typical multiple speed transmission uses a combination of friction clutches, planetary gear arrangements and fixed interconnections to achieve a plurality of gear ratios. The number and physical arrangement of the planetary gear sets, generally, are dictated by packaging, cost and desired speed ratios.
While current transmissions achieve their intended purpose, the need for new and improved transmission configurations which exhibit improved performance, especially from the standpoints of efficiency, responsiveness and smoothness, and improved packaging, primarily reduced size and weight, is essentially constant.
Traditionally, to transfer oil to rotating clutches within a transmission, oil is fed to the rotating clutches via a rotating central member of the transmission. Centrifugal forces cause the oil to flow from the center of the transmission outward to the rotating clutches. To balance the oil flowing from the center of the transmission, a balance supply of oil is also directed to the clutches from an opposite side of the clutch, which also originates from the transmission central axis. Rotating clutches have used balance dams and shaft seals for oil transfer thereto. Speed changes affect the oil supply because it comes from rotating elements, which rotate at different speeds. For certain clutches, however, a more precise and steady flow of oil may be desired.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved, cost-effective, compact multiple speed transmission, and in particular, a transmission that provides oil to a rotating clutch in a controlled manner.


An active coating system capable of collecting, analyzing, managing and adapting to data and/or its environment in real time. An exemplary embodiment of our inventive active coating system is corrosion resistant and includes a flexible sensor layer, a switch layer and a visual display layer. Operationally, the flexible sensor layer senses particular environmental conditions and the visual display layer provides visual indication of the condition(s) sensed.

For centuries, coatings of various types have been used for the protection and beautification of a variety of materials and surfaces. Contemporary paints and coatings comprise countless compounds uniquely formulated to fulfill the varied requirements of hundreds of thousands of applications. For example, "paint" ranges from the broad group of environmentally-friendly latex paints that many consumers use to decorate and protect their homes and the translucent coatings that line the interior of food containers, to the chemically-complex, multi-component finishes that automobile manufactures apply on an assembly line. Despite their near-limitless variety however, contemporary coatings are invariably a "passive" type of coating.
Most recently however, a new type of "active" coating has been reported. Such an active coating will monitor its environment and "adapt" as designed and/or appropriate. For example, an active coating may provide an active corrosion protection such as by cathodic-type protection or can detect and facilitate the repair of damage to the barrier integrity of the coating. Similarly, an active coating and system may change colors or pattern(s) on command, or automatically in response to changing environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, or presence of contaminants. (See, e.g.,
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc97/12—6—97/fob2.htm;
http://www.nsti.org/procs/Nanotech2005v3/7/W919.03;
http://www.njit.edu/publicinfo/publibrary/report2003/watts.php/;
http://www.highbeam.com/libary/doc0.asp?fr=1&full=yes&docid=1G1:98255207&refid=l s_pub&skeyword=&teaser=origurl=http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3.asp?docid=1G1:98255207&refid=Is_pub&skeyword=&teaser=;
http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=500;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2386731.stm;
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/07e6359b9fa84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.ht ml;)
Such coating system(s) offer the potential to revolutionize coatings, the industries they serve and the products which employ them. Such a coating system is the subject of the present invention.

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


Systems and methods relating to archiving a message in a message store and synchronizing the message store across multiple client devices of the same user are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a client device for archiving messages in a message store managed by a server comprises making a determination at the client device to archive a message that is stored in a first mailbox of the message store and, upon making the determination, sending an instruction to the server to set an Archived flag for the message. In this manner, the message is archived without copying or moving the message to a secondary mailbox, which in turn simplifies both the archiving process and subsequent synchronization across other client devices of the same user.

The Rich Communication Services (RCS) program is a Global System for Mobile Communications, originally Groupe Speciale Mobile, (GSM) Association (GSMA) program for the creation of inter-operator communication services based on Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). RCS is a platform that enables the delivery of communication experiences beyond voice and Short Message Service (SMS). In particular, RCS provides users with services, such as instant messaging or chat, live video, and filing sharing, across various devices on any network. Among other things, the RCS architecture includes an IMS core including a Common Message Store (CMS). RCS has endorsed Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Converged IP Messaging (CPM) and, as such, the CMS is sometimes referred to herein as an OMA CPM message store (or simply a CPM message store) or a CPM/RCS message store. The details of the RCS architecture and RCS in general are currently specified in "Rich Communication Suite 5.3 Advanced Communications Services and Client Specification" Version 6.0 (Feb. 28, 2015). The details of the OMA CPM message store are currently specified in "CPM Message Storage" Candidate Version 2.0 (Jan. 13, 2015).
For a particular user, the OMA CPM message store as endorsed by RCS includes a "Default" mailbox or folder as well as an "RCSMessageStore" mailbox or folder (see, for example, "Rich Communication Suite 5.3 Endorsement of OMA CPM 2.0 Message Storage" Version 5.0 (Feb. 28, 2015). These mailboxes are synchronized across multiple client devices of the user. Messages in the Default mailbox are normally expunged after expiry of a predefined amount of time. However, messages in the Default mailbox can be preserved from scheduled expiry by copying or moving them to the RCSMessageStore mailbox. This preservation of the messages is referred to herein as "archiving" the messages.
IMS supports the exchange of media and text between endpoints via various protocols. When Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is used to synchronize between multiple clients in near real time, a discrepancy of the views between clients for the same conversation may occur. Currently, synchronization between clients requires synchronizing to the RCSMessageStore mailbox when, for archival, a message is copied from the Default mailbox to the RCSMessageStore mailbox and deleted from the Default mailbox. Since information about the message that was moved from the Default mailbox to the RCSMessageStore mailbox for archival is missing, synchronization is still required at least once per day per client, in order for the client to be aware of these changes. The client keeps only one copy of the archived message, but the client has to find the archived message in the RCSMessageStore mailbox in near real time in order to be synchronized across client devices.
The current archiving process and subsequent synchronization of the message store for CPM/RCS across multiple client devices of the user is less than optimal. As such, there is a need for systems and methods for improved archiving of messages in a message store and subsequent synchronization across multiple client devices of the user.

Archiving messages without message copying


A failure indicator device for a surge arrester (2) employs a conventional explosive disconnector (10). Operation of the disconnector (10) due to earth fault current passing through the arrester (2) causes an arc to be formed. Movement of the disconnector (10) away from the arrester (2) is guided and limited by a support arrangement (18, 20) that subsequently provides a solid and permanent conductive path to earth (6) from the arrester terminal (12), thus extinguishing the arc.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to surge arresters, and in particular to assemblies comprising a surge arrester that are arranged to provide an indication in the event of their failure.
2. Introduction to the Invention
Surge arresters, sometimes referred to as surge diverters, are devices arranged to protect other electrical equipment, usually in the distribution and supply of electric power, from an excessively high, and thus usually damaging, electric voltage, caused, for example, by a lightning strike. The surge arrester is electrically connected between the equipment at high voltage, say 5 kV or higher, and earth potential, and is electrically insulating in the absence of the overvoltage, that is to say a voltage in excess of that which can be withstood by the associated equipment. On occurrence of an overvoltage, the surge arrester becomes conductive so as safely to divert the consequent current to earth. The arrester then reverts to its insulating condition.
In some instances, however, a lightning strike may occur so close to a surge arrester that the electrical power that flows through the arrester is so intense as to damage it, in extreme cases totally destroying it. In less extreme cases, the damage may result in the formation of a continuous current path to earth. A surge arrester can also be subject to other fault conditions. Faults can arise in power distribution networks in which a relatively low fault current, of say 10 amps, flows for a relatively short time between high voltage and earth through the surge arrester. This can occur in particular in networks employing isolated neutral conductors, neutral conductors with impedance grounding, and those with uni-grounded neutral conductors associated with very high grounding resistance at a remote location. In such cases, the surge arrester can fail internally but with no external evidence of damage, so that visual identification of the failed arrester by service personnel is difficult.
Disconnectors are sometimes employed to isolate a failed arrester from the voltage applied thereto or from earth. The disconnector is arranged, upon detection of a predetermined fault condition, usually a flow of a minimum current for a minimum time, physically to separate from the surge arrester, thus interrupting the path to earth. An arc is initially drawn, but is extinguished as the disconnector moves further away. However, unless visual inspection of every surge arrester in the network is to be made after each temporary phase-to-ground fault, the network will continue to operate in a condition with a failed and disconnected arrester, and thus at a reduced safety level. This can arise because earth faults on an overhead power line, for example, are fairly common. The earth fault, that is to say the operation of the disconnector, is detected at the system control room and a circuit breaker switches off the power supply and after a short time switches the power on again. If the fault were a temporary one, the system would then continue in its powered state. The earth fault may have arisen at any part of the system, not at all necessarily associated with a surge arrester. Thus the fact that the fault has cleared provides no motivation for a linesman to be sent to check on the condition of all the surge arresters.
WO-A-93/01641 (Joslyn Corporation) discloses a high voltage surge arrester with a failed surge arrester signalling device. In this arrangement, if the arrester fails, the disconnector disengages and provides a visible indication that the arrester has failed, and at the same time the connection to the surge arrester is re-established by a further conductor, thereby to maintain a conductive path between the surge arrester and earth potential. Upon explosive separation of the disconnector from the arrester, the disconnector remains attached to the arrangement only by a flexible conductor, and forms no part of the re-connection circuit. The further conductor, which establishes the re-connection to the surge arrester, is formed from a resilient member that is released from tension by the departing disconnector and which establishes re-connection back to the surge arrester by means of its resilience. In some circumstances, such as flow of high current, which can generate high repulsive mechanical forces, such resilient force may not be sufficient to maintain good electrical connection.

Surge arrester arranged to provide failure indication


The present invention provides universal well cement additives and methods. The universal well cement additives improve the properties of a well cement slurry and are basically comprised of iron chloride, an alkali or alkaline-earth metal halide, an organic acid and a hydratable polymer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to well cement additives, and more particularly, to universal composite additives for improving the properties of well cement slurries.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hydraulic cement slurries used for cementing subterranean formations or zones in oil and gas wells must have particular properties. For example, the slurries must have properties such that they are capable of being mixed and pumped without prematurely gelling, have sufficiently long pumping times to be placed in subterranean formations or zones, have sufficiently high compressive strengths after setting, and have good fluid loss control.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has set standards for different classes of oil well cements to insure that the cement slurries formed with them have required properties. The API cements are Portland cements and because of the strict requirements placed on them, they are more difficult to produce and more expensive than the many construction grade cements used for constructing bridges, roads, buildings and the like on the earth's surface.
Surface construction grade cements are commonly available from a variety of manufacturers throughout the world and are very inexpensive as compared to API Portland cements and other comparable cements used in cementing oil and gas wells. The construction grade cements typically contain high quantities of metal sulfates while the cements used in oil well cementing must have relatively low metal sulfate contents.
While cement slurries formed from inexpensive surface construction grade cements are suitable for a large number of surface applications, they do not have the properties required for subterranean oil and gas well cementing such as consistent viscosities, suitable thickening times, high compressive strengths after setting, good fluid loss control and the like. The chemical compositions, and particularly the metal sulfate concentrations, of surface construction grade cements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer making it impossible to predict the properties of cement slurries containing such cements. Thus, there is a need for a universal additive for improving the properties of inexpensive surface construction grade cement slurries whereby the slurries can be used in oil and gas well cementing applications.
A number of low quality oil and gas well cements which are available and used throughout the world also contain high metal sulfate concentrations and/or otherwise lack some of the properties required. For example, such low quality oil and gas well cements often have poor rheology, marginal strength development or poor response to conventional additives. Thus, there is also a need for a universal additive that can be utilized to improve the properties of presently used low quality oil and gas well cements.

Universal well cement additives and methods


An injectable slow-release partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist formulation is provided comprising a partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist in a poly(D,L-lactide) excipient with a small amount of residual ethyl acetate. Upon intramuscular injection of the composition, a partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist is released in a controlled manner over an extended period of time. The composition finds use in the treatment of heroin addicts and alcoholics to reduce consumption of the abused substances. Of particular interest are the drugs buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.

The disease of substance abuse remains a scourge on society. As it becomes more evident that there is a substantial genetic contribution to becoming addicted, helping addicted individuals to terminate their dependency or at least achieve a level of becoming a functional member of society, rather than treating substance abuse as a moral issue, has become increasingly accepted policy. Various programs have been put in place in the public and private sectors. In the private sectors, there are such organizations as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, which play an important role in psycho-social support. In addition there are many private clinics which serve to provide both psycho-social support and medicinal support, using the somewhat limited repertoire of drugs which are available. In the public arena, there are the extensive programs to bring to the attention of young people and parents the hazards of substance abuse and discourage the young people from embarking on drug use. Also, there are the methadone programs, which are primarily public supported.
The number of substance abusing subjects in the United States is quite staggering. There are estimated to be about 15 million people who abuse alcohol, about 1.3 million who abuse cocaine in its many manifestations, about 0.8 million who abuse amphetamines and about 0.5-0.8 million who abuse heroin, in addition to the use of other drugs, such as the psychedelic drugs. Efforts to reduce the numbers of scheduled substances and alcohol users have been continuous and relatively unavailing. Those subjects who have entered programs have had a dismal record of relapse, so that only a small proportion of the people who do enter programs and are retained in the programs remain clean long after the completion of the program.
One significant factor in lack of retention and relapse is compliance. A repetitive act, such as taking a pill daily, is not a simple matter, even where the subject has no qualms about taking the pill. With the substance abuser, who may have physiological and emotional needs for the abused substance, the sustaining of the therapeutic routine is substantially more difficult. Therapeutic techniques, which require perseverance on the part of the subject, decrease the likelihood of success of the treatment. It is therefore of great importance to be able to reduce the level of involvement of the subject where medicinal treatments are involved, particularly treatments which may involve frequent scheduling, monitoring of compliance, and sustaining a particular regimen.
In order to reduce the vicissitudes of compliance, there have been efforts to provide sustained-release methodologies. These have involved pumps, patches, depots and the like. Where the release implement is accessible to the subject, there is always the temptation to remove the implement during a craving episode. This opportunity, which may be an indication of will power, nevertheless, puts the subject at risk who succumbs to the temptation. By providing for a slow-release medicament which is introduced into the body, the temptation is avoided and the drug is released in accordance with a predetermined schedule over an arranged period of time. One can have implantable rods which are introduced surgically or microparticles which are injectable. Rods or microparticles can be devised to release the drug over an extended period of time in a controlled manner.
Microcapsules and microspheres are usually powders consisting of spherical particles 2 mm or less in diameter, usually 500 xcexcm or less in diameter. If the particles are less than 1 xcexcm, they are often referred to as nanocapsules or nanospheres. For the most part, the difference between microcapsules and nanocapsules or the difference between microspheres and nanospheres is their size.
A microcapsule or nanocapsule has its encapsulated material (hereinafter referred to as agent) centrally located within a unique membrane, usually a polymeric membrane. This membrane may be termed a wall-forming membrane, and is usually a polymeric material. Because of their internal structure, permeable microcapsules designed for controlled-release applications release their agent at a constant rate (zero-order rate of release). Also, impermeable microcapsules can be used for rupture-release applications. A microsphere has its agent dispersed throughout the particle; that is, the internal structure is a matrix of the agent and excipient, usually a polymeric excipient. Usually, controlled-release microspheres release their agent at a declining rate (first-order). But microspheres can be designed to release agents at a near zero-order rate. Microspheres tend to be more difficult to rupture as compared to microcapsules because their internal structure is stronger. Hereinafter, the term microparticles will include nanospheres, microspheres, microcapsules, nanocapsules, microbubbles (hollow particles), porous microbubbles, nanoparticles, microsponges (porous microspheres) and particles in general.
Various slow-release microparticles have been developed for a variety of drugs, but very few have been commercialized. There are many constraints on a satisfactory slow-release injectable formulation: the release of the drug must be over an extended period of time; during the time of treatment, the level of drug maintained in the subject must be an effective level, without reaching any hazardous level; the drug must be released slowly without a catastrophic dumping of the drug; the polymeric excipient used for the microparticles must be biodegradable and biocompatible; any residual chemicals must be below the maximum acceptable level; the microparticles must be small and capable of being administered by a syringe with a needle size which is acceptable to patients; the results must be reproducible, which requires that the process can be accurately controlled and is not unduly sensitive to minor changes in conditions; the injectable formulation must be sterile; and must have other characteristics which may be general or specific to the particular medicament. The properties of the microparticles are sensitive to many properties of the drug and excipient, as well as the selection of the process and the conditions under which the microparticles are prepared and subsequently processed.
Relevant Literature
Buprenorphine (N-cyclopropylmethyl-7-[1-(s)-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl]-6,14-endoethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydronororipavine) is reported as effective in the treatment of opiate addiction using sublingual administration (U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,428). Nasal administration of buprenorphine is reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,378. Long-acting drug antagonists are reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,716,631 and 5,858,388. The use of buprenorphine for the treatment of drug dependence has been reported in numerous publications. Kuhlman et al., Addiction 1998 93:549-59; Schottenfeld et al., Arch Gen. Psychiatry 1997, 54:713-20; Strain et al., J. Clin. Psychopharmacol 1996, 16:58-67; are illustrative of a few of the reports. The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone is reported in O""Connor et al., Ann. Intern Med. 1997, 127: 526-30.
Krantzler, et al., Alcoholism:Clin and Exp Res 1998, 22:1074-1079 report the treatment of alcoholics with a slow-release naltrexone particle injectable formulation. A number of studies were carried out by Reuning""s laboratory concerning naltrexone and its use in a slow-release form: Reuning, et al., NIDA Re: Monograph Series, January 1976, (4) p43-5; Reuning et al., J. Pharmacokinet Biopharm, August 1983, 11(4), p369-87; Reuning, et al., Drug Metab Dispos November-December 1989, 17(6) p583-9; MacGregor et al., J. Pharm Pharmacol, January 1983, 35(1) p38-42; Reuning et al., NIDA Res Monograph Series 1980, 28, p172-84. See also, Schwope et al., NIDA Res Monograph Series, 1975, (4), p13-8; Yolles et al., J. Pharm Sci February 1975, 64(2) p348-9; Thies, NIDA Res Monograph Series, 1975 (4), p19-20; Schwope et al., NIDA Res Monograph Series, January 1976, 4, p13-18; Chiang et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther November 1984 36(5) p704-8; Pitt et al., NIDA Res Monograph Series 1981, 28, p232-53; Chiang et al., Drug Alcohol Depend (SWITZERLAND), September 1985, 16(1) p1-8; Yoburn et al., J. Pharmacol Exp Ther, April 1986, 237 (1) p126-130; Cha and Pitt, J. Control Release, 1989, 8(3), p259-265; Yamaguchi and Anderson, J. Control Release, 1992, 19(1-3), p299-314.
The use of naltrexone in the treatment of alcoholism is described in O""Malley et al., Psychiatric Annals, Nov. 11, 1995, p681-688, as well as numerous other publications.
Patents of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,568,559; 4,623,588; 4,897,267; and 5,486,362. U.S. Pat. No.5,407,609 describes a process applicable to the process employed in the subject invention.
The use of polylactide in the preparation of drug-containing microparticles is described in Benita et al., J. Pharm Sci, December 1984, 73(12) p1271-4; Speniehauer et al., ibid, August 1986, 75(8), p 750-5; and Nihant et al., October 1994, 11(10), p1479-84.
Injectable, slow-release partial opiod agonist and opioid antagonist formulations are provided comprising a therapeutically effective amount of partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist (hereinafter referred to as drug or agent) released over an extended period of time and an excipient, for example, poly (D,L-lactide) polymer. The microparticles are under 125 xcexcm in diameter and can be readily injected intramuscularly and provide at least about 0.5 ng/ml of drug over the extended period. Different release profiles are obtained depending upon the molecular weight of the polymer, the drug and the weight percentage of the drug. The microparticles are prepared by solvent extraction of a dispersed or dissolved drug polymer solution. Mixtures of microparticles of an agonist drug and an antagonist can be used to diminish any illicit use of the partial opiod agonist microparticles.

Injectable opioid partial agonist or opioid antagonist microparticle compositions and their use in reducing consumption of abused substances


The invention is generally directed to a multi machine monitor for use in a television post production environment. An editor controller receives commands through a human interface for selecting the signals to be previewed. An individual signal or a pair of signals may be selectively previewed so that the level of the selected can be set. Depending upon whether the signal is being used in a mix, the setting of the signal level may or may not interfere with the mix. The signals may be selected from pre-fader signals, post-fader signals, with the left and/or right channels being individually selectable. The VCAs associated with the selected signals may be muted so that the previewing of the signal does not interfere with a mix that may be occurring. The signals to be previewed are transmitted through a solo bus without the need for manual switching or separate activate lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for previewing signals and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for previewing audio signals in a multi machine monitor for TV post production.
2. Description of Prior Art
The creation of an audio/visual program involves the mixing of audio signals in with video signals. Before performing a mix, it is advantageous to preview the audio signals. Previewing is the monitoring of the audio and/or video signals by the operator. Typically, the previewing occurs prior to any mixing in order to set the levels of the audio signals. Once the levels are set and the mixing process has begun, the previewing has been generally limited to just the resultant audio/visual mix.
In a conventional mixing apparatus, the capability of previewing had been very limited. In an audio/video editing system, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,870 to Babbel et al., a preview switcher provides the mixed video information to a video display so that the operator can monitor the resultant video mix.
In another conventional mixing apparatus, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,895 to Hill, Jr., the mixing apparatus is capable of individually monitoring either individual signals or the resultant mixed signal. The selection process, however, is rather burdensome. In order to select an individual signal, a level controller for the signal must be set to its lowest position so that the signal is coupled to a rotary select switch. The operator can then rotate the rotary select switch until the arm of the switch contacts the signal line. The selection of the signal, however, decouples the signal from the mixed signal, thereby interfering with any recording process that may be occurring. The selection process also requires the use of separate manual selectors for each signal or signal group to be monitored.
Thus, it is a problem in the prior art to preview a signal while performing a mix without interfering with the ongoing mixing session.
It is also a problem in the prior art to select the signal to be monitored since the selection process involves manually connecting the signal to the previewer.

Multi machine monitor for TV post production


A barrier for protecting a post, or similar vertical column secured to the floor. The barrier being formed to provide an interior enclosure and to be spaced away from the post when positioned around the post. The barrier having structure entirely interior thereto for securing the barrier to the floor and a prow-like front portion connected to side portions extending rearwardly of the surrounded post for front-to-back support strength and lateral deflective flexibility to absorb impact directed against the prow-like front of the barrier.

There appears to be a need to provide an industrial post protector that will protect posts, such as those which are common in a storage warehouse, from damage by industrial material handling reach or pallet stacking trucks. This is a particular problem in regard to those trucks having reach support prongs or tines extending forwardly from the truck to prevent the truck from tipping when loaded. Also, when these types of trucks are used in storage or similar facilities, particularly in narrow aisle or other cramped space situations, the reach supports of the material handling trucks frequently strike the posts of storage racks at floor level as the reach prongs, of the trucks, are manipulated in and about the posts of the racks, by the truck.
Also, existing post protectors are typically secured by flanges fastened to the floor exterior to a post protector. This exposes the flanges, and the fasteners thereof, to truck wheels and reach prongs which, in turn, tends to cause damage to wheels and reach prongs of material handling trucks.
Numerous attempts have been made in the past to provide structures for protecting posts from being damaged by material handling equipment moved in and around a post at floor level. Most attempts at post protection provide some singular limited sort of protection for a post and require that the structure be attached to, or become part of, the post. As part of the post, any damage to the post protector results in damage to the post as well. Further, none of the prior attempts appear to provide adequate post protection while providing protection for the material handling equipment from damage from exterior structures of such post protectors.
None of the prior art post protectors appear to provide significant multiple elements of protection for a post at floor level, as well as providing protection to material handling equipment from damage from the protector.
Further, some prior art post protectors merely provide a vertically elongated shield that will tend to absorb only nominal impact. More significant impact will cause the shield to give way, resulting in damage to the post. None of the prior art appears to provide a strong resiliently resistive post protective structure that would preclude more significant engagement impact from damaging a post.


An ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite for a printed circuit board or antenna base material, a base material including the composite and electronic modules including the base material. The base material includes at least one dielectric layer including an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite and at least one electroconductive layer including an electroconductive material, the dielectric and electroconductive layers being intimately bonded to one another.

The, present invention relates to a composite for use as a base material in printed circuit boards (PCBs), antennas and the like, to a base material including the composite and further to electronic modules, such as PCBs, antennas and the like, including the base material. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite for use as a dielectric in PCBs, antennas and the like. The UHMWPE composite of the present invention is characterized by low dielectric constant and dissipation factor and therefore enables transmitance of high frequency electromagnetic signals with short signal transmission delay times, and possesses desired mechanical properties, such as rigidity and/or flexibility.
A base material for the production of PCBs, antennas and the like, includes a single or a plurality of dielectric layers and electroconductive layers glued bonded or otherwise intimately attached to one another. The dielectric layer(s) provide the required mechanical and dielectric properties to support the functionality of the electroconductive layer(s) in the final product (PCB, antenna and the like).
If high frequency electromagnetic signals with short signal transmission delay times are to be transmitted via the electroconductive layer in the final product, the dielectric layer should be provided with a combination of low dielectric constant (.di-elect cons.) and low dissipation factor (tan .delta.).
Additional properties of the dielectric layer preferably include superior mechanical properties, excellent environmental resistance which is important because tan .delta. is very sensitive to water tracks that may present in the dielectric layer, and good adhesion performances to facilitate effective bonding between the dielectric and electroconductive layers.
Dielectric materials presently used to support high frequency electromagnetic signals in PCBs, antennas and the like are polytetrofluoren (PTFE) [.di-elect cons.=2.2; tan .delta.=0.0002], quartz fibers [.delta.=3.78, tan .delta.=0.0002] and ceramics with low dielectric constant and dissipation factor.
Some of these materials also exist as foam substrates showing even lower dielectric constants.
Different techniques of attaching these materials to an electroconductive layer are also known.
For further detail the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,772,507; 4,755,911; and 5,141,800, which describe the use of PTFE as a base material for PCBs.
The production, properties and present use of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) substrates (e.g., fibers matrix resin) are described in IL 115229; WO 97/11037 and in a review published in the proceedings of the International SAMPLE Symposium (Feb. 9-12, 1992) on pages 1406-1420. These references are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
UHMWPE has low dielectric constant and dissipation factor [.di-elect cons.=2.2; tan .delta.=0.0002], possesses good mechanical properties and may therefore support transmission of electromagnetic signals at high frequencies with short signal transmission delay times.
Although the use of conventional, low molecular weight foamed polyethylene [.di-elect cons.=1.3, tan .delta.=0.001] in microwave circuit modules was described (U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,585), the prior art fails to teach the use of UHMWPE composite as a base material for PCBs and antennas.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite for use in a base material for the production of printed circuit boards or antennas, a base material including the composite and electronic modules, such as PCBs, antennas and the like, including the base material, all enjoy the electrical and physical properties of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite as further detailed below.

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite for printed circuit board and antenna base material


Power consumption by a memory device is optimized by maintaining data input buffers in an off state until a command sequence containing a write command is received by the memory. A command sequence is provided to the memory device where the command sequence was constructed by generating a command sequence of n cycles and providing valid data in each cycle in which a write command is generated after a mth cycle of the command sequence, where m is less than n. The data input buffers are returned to an off state upon completion of a program or erase operation defined in the received command sequence.

Nonvolatile memories are used to store important information, such as the code that runs the machines in which these memories are used. Consequently, most non-volatile memory devices do not allow a simple write command to change the data in the memory device. As a safety precaution, to insure code and data integrity, a sequence of write operations with specific data and addresses are required to initiate the programming or erasing of data in a location of the memory device.
With today's devices becoming faster, using wider data widths (data words having an increased number of bits per word), and requiring the use of lower power devices, circuit design and system design are becoming a more complex task. Adding to the design complexity for a non-volatile memory, such as a synchronous Flash memory, is the need to satisfy the speed, density, and power requirements along with the requirement of completing a sequence of write operations prior to the actual programming or erasing of a non-volatile memory.
For example, a synchronous Flash memory operates at speeds exceeding 100 MHz. Operating at such speeds requires a read or write cycle timing of less than 10 ns. Additionally, the design criteria for this high speed device requires that the Flash memory must accommodate a 32 bit wide data bus. Further, with some forms of Flash memory also required to operate at 1.8 V, associated specifications lead to aggressive current consumption.
With the synchronous Flash memory operating at a high speed, where it may receive a command at any moment, all address and data buffers of the Flash memory are in a powered up state. Additionally, detection circuitry used to receive signals for command execution are also in an on state. Consequently, a significant portion of the circuits within the synchronous Flash memory are continually configured in an on state. As long as the system using the Flash memory is providing power, the Flash memory will be creating a current consumption issue.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Apparatus and methods having a command sequence


A superimposing control method using a numerical control device, capable of starting and terminating a superimposing control even during movement, without the need of waiting for the adjustment of timing and without rapid acceleration or deceleration. In response to a superimposition command, a motion value distributed to a Z axis of a superimposing axis in a reference system is subjected to acceleration/deceleration processing by an acceleration/deceleration processing section separately provided for superimposition, and the obtained movement value is added to a motion command value for a Z axis of a superimposed axis in a superimposing system. When a superimposition termination command is issued, the motion command value remained in the acceleration/deceleration processing section for superimposition is superimposed on the motion command value for the Z axis of the superimposing system. The superimposition can be smoothly started and terminated without the need to stop the two control systems.

The present invention relates to a superimposing control method for a machine tool, in which a plurality of control systems are controlled by a computerized numerical control (CNC) device.
There is already known a superimposing control method in which motion of an arbitrary axis in one control system is superimposed on motion of an axis in another control system, to thereby control the axis of the latter control system, in a machine tool controlled by a numerical control device having multiple control systems.
FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART) is a block diagram showing the principle of a conventional superimposing control for a lathe having two control systems. Two control systems are provided with each having feed shafts for X and Z axes and such that each are controlled independently of each other. Interpolation processing for a motion command is performed based on a machining program for each control system, and after the motion command values to be distributed to X and Z axes are respectively subjected to acceleration/deceleration processing, they are output to respective servomotors for the axes, so that the X and Z axes of each of the control systems are controlled independently of each another.
There is a case where the control is performed with one control system as a reference system and the other control system as a superimposing system, so that the motion of an axis of the one system is superimposed on the motion of an axis of the other system. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a workpiece W attached to a spindle 2 by a chuck 1 is moved in the Z-axis direction (right and left direction in FIG. 3) and the workpiece W is machined by a tool T1 moving in the X-axis direction (upward and downward in FIG. 3), as well as by a tool T2 movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.
In the above case, the motion of the tool T2 in the Z-axis direction needs to follow the motion of the workpiece W in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the control system for the tool T1 is set as the reference system and the control system for the tool T2 is set as the superimposing system, and the motion command for the Z axis of the reference system is added to and superimposed on the motion command for the Z axis of the superimposing system to control the Z axis of the superimposing system. Since the motion of the workpiece W in the Z-axis direction, i.e. the motion in the Z-axis direction of the reference system, is superimposed on the motion of the tool T2 in the Z-axis direction, the tool T2 moves with the workpiece W and at the same time moves relatively to the workpiece W by an amount of the Z-axis motion command for the superimposing system. As a result the workpiece W can be machined by the tool T2 as commanded by the superimposing system. As a method for such superimposition, a value of the motion command for the Z axis of the reference system (a value distributed to the Z axis), which has been subjected to the acceleration/deceleration processing, is added to a value of the motion command for the Z axis of the superimposing system, which has been subjected to the acceleration/deceleration processing, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the servomotor for the Z axis of the superimposing system is controlled to be driven based on the superimposed value. In this case, the superimposing control is started and terminated in a state where both the reference system and the superimposing system are stopped.
This is because, if the superimposing control is started during the movement of the reference system, the superimposition value for the superimposed axis is not subjected to acceleration/deceleration processing and the motion command value for the reference axis is directly added to cause rapid acceleration of the superimposed axis, so that shock or vibration occurs or an alarm is issued due to an excessive increase of a position deviation. To explain this with reference to the example of FIG. 3, if the motion of the workpiece W is added to the Z-axis movement of the tool T2 of the superimposing system during the movement of the workpiece W, no acceleration/deceleration processing is performed on the superimposing motion command for the tool T2 and the velocity of the workpiece W is simply superimposed to cause rapid acceleration, so that shock or vibration occurs. Therefore, in the case where machining is to be carried out by the two control systems with a sequence of non-superimposing control, superimposing control and non-superimposing control, machining programs for the reference and superimposing systems are first individually executed in a non-superimposing mode, then executed in a superimposing mode after waiting until both motions of the two control systems are completed, and executed again in a non-superimposing mode after the respective machining programs for the superimposing mode are terminated.
However, each time the superimposing control is started or terminated, one of the two control systems has to wait until a machining program of the other control system is completed, to rise a problem that a machining time and thus a machining cycle are prolonged.
To solve the problem, a method may be employed in which the motion command value before subjection to the acceleration/deceleration processing for the reference system, is added to the motion command value before subjection to the acceleration/deceleration processing for the superimposing system, and then the obtained value is subjected to the acceleration/deceleration processing. This method is, however, disadvantageous in that a path error of the superimposed axis occurs unless the values of time constants of the acceleration/deceleration processing for the reference axis and the superimposed axis are the same or so close to each other within a certain range.

Superposition control method using numerical controller


In a cellular communications system, the quality of a signal transmitted over a first two-way connection from a mobile station via a first base station is compared with a threshold to determine whether a handoff is to be performed to a second, adjacent base station. When the quality of the transmitted signal becomes lower than the threshold, a second two-way connection is established from the mobile station to the second base station, and a switching request signal and an information-bearing signal are sent from the mobile station over both connections to a switching exchange. In response to the request signal, one directional path of the first connection is cleared to prevent a version of the signal passing through the first connection from reaching the destination station, and a first switching complete signal is sent through the other path of the first connection to the mobile station to allow it to clear the first connection and return a second switching complete signal. The other path of the first connection is then cleared in response to the second switching complete signal, leaving the second connection between the mobile station and the second base station.

The present invention relates generally to digital cellular mobile or cordless telephone systems, and more specifically to a handoff technique for switching communication paths of cordless stations when crossing a cell boundary without interruptions.
A prior art cellular switching system for mobile stations includes a time-division switch to which line interface circuits are terminated. In addition to subscriber stations, base stations are coupled by land lines to the line interface circuits to establish radio links to mobile stations such as cordless telephones or portable data terminals. The base stations are located in respective cells to serve home mobile stations, which may roam across from one cell to another. To ensure uninterrupted channel switching between base stations of adjacent cells when a mobile station is crossing their boundaries, several three-way conference circuits are terminated to the time-division switch through associated line interface circuits. One of the three-way conference circuits is switched to the base stations, as well as to a destination station to which the mobile station is connected. The mobile station transmits its signal to both base stations through separate paths. In the conference circuit, different versions of the transmitted signal are received and combined together to produce an average value, which is then combined with a signal from the destination station. This arrangement allows the mobile station to switch its channel to the new cell site without interruption.
However, if the information being transmitted is a data signal, it is impossible for the three-way conference circuit to ensure transparency for data signals.

Digital cellular switching system with means for securing uninterrupted data transparency during handoffs


Apparatus 10 for a skateboard deck 14 connected to a skateboard carriage 22 by means of a rotative mechanism 24 positioned between the deck and carriage. The carriage 22 is comprised of a platform having the trucks and wheels 18 mounted thereunder with fasteners fixedly positioning a bearing insert 34 and carriage retaining ring 32 to the top side of the platform. The deck 14 has a friction ring 30 fixed to the underside with fasteners 28 passing through the deck and friction ring into the carriage retaining ring thereby enabling the deck to rotate relative to the carriage 22. Additionally fastened to the underside of the deck 14 are pivot brakes or segments 16 positioned on opposing ends of the deck 14 and within the perimeter of the carriage platform. Once the carriage platform 22 and deck 14 are relatively aligned, a user 12 shifts their weight causing the segments 16 to engage the carriage ending or preventing any further rotation of the deck relative to the carriage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheeled articles and, more specifically, to a skateboard deck connected to a carriage by means of a rotative mechanism positioned between the deck and carriage. The carriage is comprised of a platform having the trucks and wheels mounted thereunder with fasteners fixedly positioning a bearing and retaining ring to the top side of the platform.
The deck has a friction ring fixed to the underside with fasteners passing through the deck and friction ring into the carriage retaining ring thereby enabling the deck to rotate relative to the carriage. Additionally fastened to the underside of the deck are segments positioned on opposing ends of the deck and within the perimeter of the carriage platform. Once the carriage platform and deck are relatively aligned, a user shifts their weight causing the segments to engage the carriage ending or preventing any further rotation of the deck relative to the carriage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other mechanisms designed for rotation. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,182 issued to Hufford on Dec. 18, 1962.
Another patent was issued to Bueno on Nov. 13, 1973 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,811. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,554 was issued to Cooney on Jul. 10, 1979 and still yet another was issued on May 13, 1980 to Piazza, Jr. as U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,559.
Another patent was issued to Muhammad on Oct. 28, 1980 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,330. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,699 was issued to Darasko on May 1, 1984. Another was issued to Smith, et al. on Sep. 11, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,626 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 17, 1993 to Welsh as U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,208.
Another patent was issued to Yu on Oct. 17, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,351. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,614 was issued to Duggan on Jul. 10, 2001. Another was issued to Fontaine on Sep. 11, 1996 as French Patent No. FR2760382 and still yet another was issued on Apr. 8, 1999 to Bourdeau as U.S. Pat. No. DE19845457.


According to aspects of the present disclosure, a magnetic ranging system is described herein. The magnetic ranging system may comprise a downhole apparatus tool (350) that is sized to couple to a drill string (375). The downhole apparatus (350) may be included, for example, near-bit within the bottom assembly (BHA). A transmitter (302) and a receiver (304) may be coupled to the downhole apparatus (350). The system may also comprise a power management system (308) coupled to the downhole apparatus (350). In certain embodiments, the power management system (308) may selectively provide power to the transmitter (302) from a first power source (316) or a second power source (318) based, at least in part, on an estimated distance to a target well.

The present disclosure relates generally to well drilling operations and, more particularly, to a combination power source for a magnetic ranging system.
In certain drilling applications it is necessary to intersect an offset or target wellbore with a well that is currently being drilled. Identifying the location of the offset wellbore may require ranging measurements, which may include magnetic ranging. Current ranging systems use either an open-hole wireline sonde or a logging while drilling (LWD) or measuring which drilling (MWD) apparatus. The open-hole wireline sonde typically allows for ranging measurements over a longer distance due through its connection to a surface power source. In contrast, the LWD or MWD apparatus typically includes a downhole battery pack, which provides comparatively little power, and a smaller reach for the ranging measurements. Unfortunately, the use of the open-hole wireline sonde increases the drill time and cost by requiring the drill string be tripped. Moreover, the downhole battery pack typically does not provide sufficient power for longer ranging measurements.
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.

Combination power source for a magnetic ranging system


An apparatus for washing undesirable matter off of the exterior of tubular conduits forming a conduit string during trip out of the conduit string within a subterranean well. The tubular conduits may be drill or workover pipe, or the like. A cylindrical housing has first and second opposite ends. A removable elastomeric seal means is provided across each of the first and second ends. The seal means is selectively secured relative to the housing. Each seal means defines an open passageway therethrough and which is centrally positioned there across. The open passageway through each seal means is sized for introduction, of the tubular conduits into and out of the cylindrical housing and the seal means. A circumferentially extending lip area of each seal means faces toward the respective passageways for snug, wiping contact around the exterior of the tubular conduits during movements of the conduit string into and out of the cylindrical housing.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for washing undesirable matter off of tubular conduits as they are withdrawn during a trip out from within a subterranean well.
(2) Brief Description of the Prior Art
Subterranean wells are commonly drilled and worked over for the purpose of recovering water or hydrocarbon constituents, such as oil and gas. These wells may be found on land or upon platforms or drill ships on the oceans and seas through the world. For example, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a typical inland rotary drilling rig and its components. A subterranean well W is shown with set casing C secured in place by cement column C-1. A conduit string CS is shown inserted within the well W and interior of the casing C. The conduit string CS is formed by a number of tubular conduits TC which are threaded one to another at each end at respective collars or upset portions TCC. Drill collars DC are secured along the tubular conduits TC with a drill bit DB at the lowermost end of the conduit string CS. A conductor pipe CP extends within the uppermost portion of the well W to a casinghead CH in a cellar CHC at the top surface of the well W. A stack of ram blowout preventers RBOP is placed on the casinghead and an annular blowout preventer ABOP is secured to the top of the ram blowout preventers RBOP. The conduit string CS is inserted into and withdrawn from the well W through the blowout preventers RBOP and ABOP and through a kelly bushing KB and rotary table RT extending through an opening RTO in the rig floor RF. A Kelley K extending from a swivel S suspended from a traveling block TB enables the conduit string CS to be inserted and removed during tripping into or out of the well W. The conduit string CS is made up at the rig floor RF by roughnecks RN manipulating power tongs PT to secure or remove one tubular conduit TC to or from another tubular conduit TC during make up or disassembly of the conduit string CS.
As the conduit string CS is withdrawn from the well W during a trip out, the exterior of each tubular conduit TC will have considerable undesirable matter upon such exterior. This "undesirable matter" may include both liquids and solids, such as aqueous and oil based or emulsion drilling or workover fluids, barite, bentonite, polymers, well cuttings, acidic or basic corrosion inhibitors, flocculants, dispersants, shale, and other materials commonly found within the well as the result of the drilling or workover operation. Even though the roughnecks may wear special gloves and clothing, it is not at all unusual for these personnel to get a considerable amount of this undesirable matter upon their clothing, and even on their skin, in their eyes, and such, during the tripping operation. If the undesirable matter is acidic, it can cause a burning sensation upon contact with human skin. Moreover, especially on offshore wells, this undesirable matter constitutes an environmental hazard if it is not properly and immediately collected and carefully disposed of, to avoid dumping into the ocean or other environmentally sensitive area.
The present invention addresses the concerns as above described.

Apparatus and method for washing tubular conduits during trip out of a conduit string from within a subterranean well


The recording media cartridge includes a case body formed from an upper half and a lower half, a recording medium which is rotatably accommodated in the case body, an upper engagement portion arranged in the upper half, a lower engagement portion arranged in the lower half in correspondence with the upper engagement portion and a locking member which engages the upper engagement portion with the lower engagement portion. The lower engagement portion and the upper engagement portion are engaged with each other by the locking member whereby the upper half and the lower half are coupled with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording media cartridge such as a magnetic tape cartridge or cassette typified by a digital video cartridge (DVC), and more particularly to a recording media cartridge for reducing a burden on the environment.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a fastening structure by which a case body (cassette case) is fastened by coupling an upper half of the case body with a lower half in a recording media cartridge such as a magnetic tape cassette or cartridge. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fastening structure of a case body in a recording media cartridge which enables easy separation of an upper half from a lower half when various components constituting the recording media cartridge scraped after use are disassembled and sorted for every kind of material to be recycled as new material.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic tape cartridge or cassette (hereinafter typically referred to as a magnetic tape cartridge) of a so-called two-reel type in which a pair of takeup hubs (tape reels) around which a magnetic tape as a recording medium is wound is accommodated rotatably in a case body (cartridge body, case body or cassette case) formed by an upper half and a lower half, or a magnetic tape cartridge or cassette of a so-called one-reel type in which a single tape reel around which a magnetic tape is wound is accommodated rotatably in the case body mentioned above is conventionally known as a recording/reproducing tape cartridge or cassette used in a video tape recorder or a video camera for personal use or office use or a large capacity recording medium for data backup in an external storage apparatus such as a computer. A large capacity recording medium such as a magnetic or magneto-optical disc cartridge which uses a magnetic or magneto-optical disc for the recording medium is also well known.
Recording media cartridges such as a magnetic or magneto-optical disk cartridge, a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape cassette referred to above are used for data storage in a computer etc. to retain important information recorded therein, so that various protection mechanisms are added thereto for preventing a damage of a magnetic or magneto-optical disk, or a jamming of a magnetic tape or inadvertent draw-out thereof.
A magnetic tape cartridge of two-reel type will now be described in detail.
FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of the above-mentioned DVC (digital video cartridge) which is an exemplary magnetic tape cartridge. As shown in FIG. 24, the magnetic tape cartridge for use as the DVC (hereinafter simply referred to as cartridge) is adapted to perform recording and reproduction while a magnetic tape 426 wound around a pair of tape reels 424 is held movably in a case body 410. The case body 410 is constituted by assembling an upper half 420 and a lower half 422 each having a bottom plate and a peripheral wall in a capped manner and fastening with screws (five screws 412 in the illustrated case). A pair of tape reels 424 on the supply side and take-up side are accommodated rotatably in the case body 410 in the state in which the magnetic tape 426 is wound around the tape reels 424. A lid (front cover) 430 which can be opened or closed freely is also mounted on the upper half 420 to cover a front surface of the case body 410 and to protect the front portion from dust.
A plurality of regulating ribs are erected on the bottom plate 422a of the lower half 422 in such a way that they comply with the outer peripheries of the tape reels 424, 424 and by these ribs, the tape reels 424, 424 are prevented from being displaced in a direction parallel to their planes. An opening is made in the bottom plate of the upper half 420 such that the user can confirm the amount by which the magnetic tape 426 has been would onto the tape reels 424, 424 and a transparent window (inspection window) 420a is provided to cover the opening.
Provided on the inner surface (the underside in the drawing) are a pair of reel urging leaf springs (reel holding springs) 438, 438 which correspond to the respective tape reels 424, 424. The reel holding springs 438, 438 are each cantilevered to the inner surface of the upper half 420 by means of ultrasonic welding, thermal welding or the like so that the corresponding tape reels 424, 424 are urged toward the lower half 422.
Mounted at the front face of the upper half 420 (its left side in the drawing) is a lid (front cover) 430 that covers and protects the magnetic tape 426 when the cartridge is not in service. As will be described later, the lid 430 comprises of three members, an outer lid 432, an upper lid 433, and an inner lid 434, and each of which is mounted in such a way that an opening portion 428 in the magnetic tape cartridge can be opened or closed as required.
Two tape guides 446, 446 are provided on two extensions 440, 440 on opposite sides of the opening portion 428 made at the front end of the lower half 422 (closer to the viewer of the drawing). The magnetic tape 426 being delivered from one tape reel 424 and taken up by the other tape reel 424 is guided by each tape guide 446 so that it passes by a predetermined position in the opening portion 428.
The lower half 422 has a tape reel locking member (hereunder simply referred to as a reel locking member) 436 mounted at its rear end (farther away from the viewer of the drawing). The reel locking member 436 has a tape reel lock (engaging and fastening) arm 436a and a slider body 436b which is slidably pinched by a pair of guide ribs erected on the bottom plate 422a of the lower half 422. The reel locking member 436 is urged by a compressive coil spring 442 so that the tape reel lock arm 436a is engaged with each of engagement wheels 424a, 424a formed on the outer peripheries of the lower flanges of the tape reels 424, 424, thereby preventing accidental rotation of the tape reels 424, 424. As a result, troubles with the magnetic tape 426 such as failure to be wound up tightly enough can be prevented.
While the outer lid 432, the upper lid 433 and the inner lid 434 of the lid 430 are mounted on the upper half 420 as described above, the outer lid 432 has a flat plate portion and two side plates, with locking pins 448 projecting inside of the side plates. To sidewall portion 422c that are parts of the peripheral wall of the lower half 422, lid locking members 444, 444 are mounted pivotally such that they lock the locking pins 448 on the outer lid 432 when it is in a closed state. A lid locking spring 450 is similarly mounted on the lower half 422 to urge the lid locking members 444, 444 in the direction of locking the aforementioned locking pins 448.
An anti-erasure plug 452 is mounted on the lower half 422 to circumvent erroneous erasing of the data recorded on the magnetic tape 426. The anti-erasure plug 452 has a pawl projecting on one of its two lateral sides (farther away from the viewer of the drawing) so that when the plug is mounted in the lower half 422, the pawl will become exposed to the outside through the opening made in the peripheral wall of the upper half 420.
By manipulating the pawl from the outside, the user can move the anti-erasure plug 452 along the guide ribs erected on the bottom plate 422a of the lower half 422. The moving bottom of this anti-erasure plug 452 closes or opens the detection hole in the bottom plate of the lower half 422 and an apparatus such as a recorder reads the state of this detection hole to determine whether new data can be written to the magnetic tape 426.
The lower half 422 has a rectangular bottom plate 422a. A pair of tape reels 424, 424 around which the magnetic tape 426 is wound are rotatably supported on this bottom plate 422a. There are provided reel spindle insertion holes 422b for, when the cartridge is loaded in a recording/reproducing apparatus, inserting reel spindles (not shown) into the above-described tape reels 424, 424 from the recording/reproducing apparatus for rotating and driving the tape reels 424, 424.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned bottom plate 422a has two extensions 440, 440 extending frontward from the both ends thereof, and on which two cylindrical tape guides 446, 446 are erected at right angle with the bottom plate 422a for guiding the magnetic tape 426 tensioned between the aforementioned pair of tape reels 424, 424 and passing through a predetermined rout into the front surface of the cassette case. The space between the two extensions 440 where the bottom plate 422a of the lower half 422 is cut out, forming the opening portion 428 in the above-mentioned cassette case.
Parts including the mentioned upper and lower halves 420 and 422, the outer lid 432, the upper lid 433 and the inner lid 434 of the lid 430, and the upper and lower flanges of the tape reels 424, 424 are respectively formed by injection molding. And other parts that are formed by injection molding are employed to the cartridge as appropriate.
By the way, recently, as a concern to the environmental issue has been increased, the attention is paid increasingly to the adverse effect on the environment of the increase of various kinds of waste materials such as plastics or composite materials. It becomes important to reduce the burden on the environment, i.e., to reduce the waste materials, or to produce no factors causing air, water or soil pollution even if wasted so that the environmental conservation cannot be hindered. For this reason, industrial products must have a structure enabling incorporation in a recycling system, and a structure is desired which may be suited for the recycling system for the whole society. In view of this, it becomes also necessary to manufacture a recording media cartridge such as a magnetic tape cartridge taking into consideration the structure or material therefor.
However, in the magnetic tape cartridge as mentioned above, the upper half and the lower half constituting the case body are conventionally coupled with each other by metal screws, and a magnetic tape made of a different material than that of the case body is accommodated in the case body in a state in which the tape is wound around a reel also made of a different material than that of the case body.
As mentioned above, components of the conventional magnetic tape cartridge or other recording media cartridges are made of various kinds of materials such as synthetic resin, metal, composite material of metal and synthetic resin and other material. Accordingly, it is difficult to dismount (sort) the materials for every kind of material. Also, even if the used recording media cartridge may be dismounted, it is difficult to separate and sort the materials for every kind of the material and to recycle the material. This would be a cause of generating a large amount of waste resin material. The waste resin material causes the environmental burden.
For instance, in the magnetic tape cartridge shown in FIG. 24, the case body 410 is constituted by fastening the upper half 420 and the lower half 422 by five metal screws 412. Accordingly, upon disassembling, troublesome work such as removal of the screws is required. Labor and cost are needed therefor. This is one of causes to prevent the separation of the materials for every kind of material for sorting and collecting, and recycling.
In other words, in the prior art magnetic tape cartridge as mentioned above, the case body for accommodating a pair of tape reels around which a long magnetic tape is wound is usually tightly fastened with five self-tapping screws so as to prevent loosening, which makes it difficult to disassemble the cassette case. In particular, a rusty screw often cannot be removed because the driver grooves in the head of the screw are broken. Even if the screw can be removed, the thus removed screw is likely to be lost and there is a high possibility that the screw may be lost in various components sorted. Therefore, in order to recycle such plastic components for reuse, metal pieces must be sorted again.

Recording media cartridge having a locking member for body halves