In a brake-pressure producing device of the present invention, a power piston 10 of a hydraulic booster 2 comprises a stepped piston including a large-diameter portion 10a on which fluid pressure of a power chamber 30 is exerted and a small-diameter portion 10b having the same diameter as the master cylinder piston 53. Both the pistons 10, 53 are interlocked with each other through an aligning rod 62. The pressurized fluid of the power chamber 30 is introduced into an annular chamber 51 formed on the circumference of the small-diameter portion 10b and the fluid pressure of the pressurized fluid is exerted on a stepped portion 10c between the large-diameter portion 10a and the small-diameter portion 10b in the direction opposite to the direction of the fluid pressure of the power chamber 30. When the braking operation is performed, the fluid pressure in the power chamber 30 introduced into wheel cylinders 33, 34 relating to one of the circuits and the master cylinder pressure introduced into wheel cylinders 58, 59 relating to the other circuit balance to be equal to each other, thereby uniformly and properly distributing braking forces to the respective wheel cylinders.

The present invention relates to a brake-pressure producing device employing a hydraulic boosting device which boosts leg-power exerted on a brake pedal to a predetermined value by pressurized fluid, and more particularly to a brake-pressure producing device used in a semi-full power brake system having two circuits one of which is supplied with master cylinder pressure developed in a master cylinder and the other one is supplied with power chamber pressure introduced in a power chamber of a hydraulic boosting device.
A hydraulic boosting device used in a brake-pressure producing device of a vehicle can provide sufficient braking force with small leg-power on the brake pedal, thereby ensuring positive operation of the brakes and reducing the driver's labor.
In such a hydraulic brake system, it is desired to shorten the stroke of a brake pedal in view of its responsibility and operation. As one of conventional hydraulic boosting devices which can shorten the stroke of a brake pedal, proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-247155 is a hydraulic boosting device used in a semi-full power brake system having two circuits one of which is supplied with master cylinder pressure developed in a master cylinder and the other one is supplied with power chamber pressure introduced in a power chamber of a hydraulic boosting device.
FIG. 5 is a view showing the hydraulic boosting device disclosed in this publication. In this figure, mark "a" designates the hydraulic boosting device, "b" designates a hydraulic booster, "c" designates a power piston of the hydraulic booster b, "d" designates a power chamber of the hydraulic booster b, "e" designates a control valve of the hydraulic booster b, "f" designates a master cylinder, "g" designates a piston of the master cylinder f, "h" designates a fluid chamber of the master cylinder f, "i" designates a line for the one circuit which communicates with the fluid chamber h of the master cylinder f, "i.sub.1 " and "i.sub.2 "designate branch lines of the fluid line i for the one circuit, "j.sub.1 "and "j.sub.2 " designate wheel cylinders relating to the one circuit which are connected to the branch lines i.sub.i and i.sub.2, respectively, "k" designates a line for the other circuit which communicates with the power chamber d of the hydraulic booster b, "k.sub.1 " and "k.sub.2 " designate branch lines of the fluid line k for the other circuit, "m.sub.1 " and "m.sub.2 " designate wheel cylinders relating to the other circuit which are connected to the branch lines k.sub.1 and k.sub.2, respectively, "n" designates a reservoir, "p" designates a hydraulic pump, and "q" designates a brake pedal.
In the hydraulic boosting device a, in the inoperative state i.e. when the brake pedal q is not pedaled, the control valve e which is in the inoperative position shuts off the power chamber d from the hydraulic pump p and communicates the power chamber d with the reservoir n. Therefore, no fluid pressure is introduced from the hydraulic pump p to the power chamber d so that the hydraulic booster b does not operate and the master cylinder f also does not operate so as not to actuate brakes. As the brake pedal q is pedaled, the control valve e operates to shut off the power chamber d from the reservoir n and communicate the power chamber d with the hydraulic pump p. As a result of this, fluid pressure is introduced from the hydraulic pump p to the power chamber d so that the power piston c works and the hydraulic booster b outputs whereby the piston g of the master cylinder f moves so as to develop master cylinder pressure in the fluid chamber h.
The master cylinder pressure is introduced into the wheel cylinders j.sub.1 and j.sub.2 through the lines i, i.sub.1, and i.sub.2 so as to actuate the brakes relating to the one circuit. The fluid pressure introduced into the power chamber d from the hydraulic pump p is further introduced into the wheel cylinders m.sub.1 and m.sub.2 through the lines k, k.sub.1, and k.sub.2 so as to actuate the brakes relating to the other circuit.
By using such a hydraulic boosting device a, it is no longer necessary to use a tandem master cylinder for two circuits, thereby shortening the axial length of an assembly of the hydraulic booster b and the master cylinder f and thus shortening the stroke of the brake pedal q.
However, the conventional brake-pressure producing device a has a problem that there is difference between brake pressures relating to the one circuit and that relating to the other circuit because the diameter of the power piston c of the hydraulic booster b and the diameter of the piston g of the master cylinder f are set to be different from each other. Thus, because of the difference in the brake pressures, the braking forces for braking the vehicle are not properly distributed to the respective wheel cylinders so that optimal braking is not conducted. Particularly, when the wheel cylinder for the front-left wheel and the wheel cylinder for the rear-right wheel pertain to the one circuit and the wheel cylinder of the front-right wheel and the wheel cylinder of the rear-left wheel pertain to the other circuit, i.e. in a case of the so-called X-type piping, the braking forces even for both the front wheels are different so as not to provide balanced braking.


After wiring patterns are formed on an insulating film covering the surface of a substrate, an insulating film such as plasma CVD SiO.sub.2 is formed covering the wiring patterns. A hydrogen silsesquioxane resin film with a flat surface is formed by spin coating or the like on the insulating film. Thereafter, the resin film is changed into a pre-ceramic silicon oxide film by performing heat treatment in an inert gas atmosphere. On this pre-ceramic silicon oxide film, an insulating film such as plasma enhanced CVD SiO.sub.2 film is formed and another wiring layer is formed on the insulating film. This method of forming a multi-layer wiring structure allows an interlayer insulating film to be planarized, and improves a yield of wiring formation.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of forming a wiring structure suitable for the manufacture of LSIs or the like, and a resultant wiring structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of forming a wiring structure and a resultant wiring structure, in which an interlayer insulating film is formed by using a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin film.
b) Description of the Related Art
Forming an interlayer insulating film in a multi-layer wiring structure by a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin film is already known (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 6-181204).
With such an interlayer insulating film forming method, a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin film is coated over the surface of a high quality CVD oxide film on a semiconductor substrate by spin coating or the like, and thereafter the resin film is thermally processed in an inert gas atmosphere such as N.sub.2 to change the resin film into a pre-ceramic silicon oxide film. The pre-ceramic silicon oxide film is again thermally processed in an oxidizing atmosphere such as O.sub.2 to change the pre-ceramic silicon oxide film into a ceramic silicon oxide film. Pre-ceramic silicon oxide is a precursor of ceramic silicon oxide and has less bridging network than in ceramic silicon oxide and is insoluble to organic solvent.
This method can form a silicon oxide film of 1 .mu.m thick or more without any crack. Such a silicon oxide film becomes a useful interlayer insulating film.


A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head has a first contact surface, a rear wall, a top surface, and a sole. The first contact surface has a concave, partially-spherical face. In a version of the invention, the first contact surface has a first concave, cylindrical face instead of the partially-spherical face. Some versions have a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first contact surface and the second contact surface may have a partially-spherical face, a cylindrical face, or a combination of the two faces. In embodiments with two contact surfaces, the shaft is configured to be reversible such that either contact surface can be used.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to putting heads for use in the game of golf.
2. Background Art
One of the more difficult aspects of playing the game of golf is how to properly make putts, and one of the critical aspects of making a putt is proper contact between the golf putter and the golf ball. As such, there is a need for a golf putter to help ensure proper contact with the golf ball. One way of accomplishing this is by having a contact surface that has a radius, allowing the contact surface to cup the golf ball at the moment of contact and helping the struck golf ball to proceed away from the putter in the desired direction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Golf putter with concave cylindrical or spherical striking surface


A work transportation line includes a work handling apparatus which has an operation that is automatically changed in response to alteration of a work type, from one type to another, so as to be suitable for a work type to which a subject work is altered. An indication of a work type alteration is provided as a result of a comparison between specified attributes of a subject work, which are extracted from a two-valued image of the subject work, and predetermined reference attributes for various work types.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and a system for work transportation control and, more particularly, to a method of and a system for controlling a work handling apparatus to transport works onto a work transportation line.
2. Description of Related Art
It has been widely popular for a long time in so-called production lines, such as automobile production or assembly lines, to use work handling apparatuses or robots to automatically load a transportation conveyer with blanks or finished components, such as cylinder blocks, transmission cases and the like, for transportation to a work station. The work handling apparatus holds works placed on a stack of work pallets at a work store and loads the belt conveyer with one work after another. Such an automatic work handling system is known from, for instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 61-55016, 2-180573 or 3-95025.
A work transportation control system controls a work handling apparatus of this kind to handle works at timed intervals. Since the works are not always placed in the same positions on the pallets, it is necessary to automate and simplify, as far as possible, positioning of the work handling apparatus relative to these works. In order to provide for an optimum utilization of the work handling apparatus, the work transportation control system is provided with a means for detecting work positions.
One of the approaches to position detection is to use electronic image analysis to recognize the position of a work based on a distribution pattern of picture elements of a two-valued image to which a many-valued image of the work is electronically transformed. Specifically, an image is broken with a threshold level into dark and bright picture elements and these dark and bright picture elements are numerically valued at zero (0) and one (1), respectively. This teaching alludes to generalized techniques for assuring consistant position detection of works.
There have also been known work handling apparatuses having a pair of work handling units for handling shafts or spindles including holding means which are adjustable according to lengths or diameters of these shafts or spindles. Such a work handling apparatus is known from, for instance, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-26281.
While the work transportation control system may have advantages over the prior art, nevertheless, various constraints must be imposed upon the number of work types which are different in standards, dimensions, shapes and/or attributes. In so-called multi-kind small quantity production lines, where different types of productions such as, for instance, automobile cylinder blocks having different numbers of cylinders or different distances between adjacent cylinders are assembled, it is necessary to permit changing and/or readjusting of a work handling tool and altering of an operation of the work handling tool according to replacement of one type of works with another. This is known as "rearrangement" . Rearrangement is an irritating manual operation which follows an alteration of work type. In the course of increasing both automation of multi-kind small quantity production lines and production efficiency, it is necessary to automate and simplify rearrangement as far as possible.

Method of and system for work transportation control


This invention provides a method for treating a subject having a tumor and a method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, both comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition of matter comprising the extracellular domain of a Notch receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety. This invention also provides a composition of matter comprising the extracellular domain of Notch4 receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety. This invention further provides an article of manufacture. Finally, this invention provides a replicable vector which encodes a polypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of a Notch receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety, a host vector system which comprises such replicable vector and a method of producing such polypeptide.

Vascular development
During mammalian embryogenesis, formation of the vascular system is an early and essential process. In the embryo, vascular development initiates with the pluripotent hemangioblast derived from the paraxial and lateral plate mesoderm. The hemangioblast has the potential to differentiate into either a hematopoietic progenitor or an endothelial cell progenitor, known as the angioblast.
Vascular development begins with a process known as vasculogenesis whereby angioblasts differentiate into endothelial cells and migrate together to form the primitive vascular plexus. This initial vascular network consists of vessels that are homogenous in size and made up wholly of endothelial cells. The vascular plexus is then remodeled via angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis involves the sprouting of new vessels, the migration of these vessels into avascular regions, and the recruitment of accessory cells, pericytes and smooth muscle cells (Gale and Yancopoulos, 1999). The smooth muscle cells that differentiate and form the contractile vessel walls originate from multiple progenitors including neural crest cells, mesenchymal cells and even endothelial cells (Owens, 1995). In adults, angiogenesis is involved in follicular development, wound healing, and pathological processes such as tumor angiogenesis and heart disease.
The Notch Family and Notch Ligands
Studies of Drosophila, C. Elegans, zebrafish and mammals have demonstrated that the Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanism that functions to modulate numerous cell-fate decisions. Notch signaling is required for the proper patterning of cells originating from all three germ layers. Depending on the cellular context, Notch signaling may both inhibit and induce differentiation, induce proliferation, and promote cell survival (Artavanis-Tsakonas et al., 1995; Lewis, 1998; Weinmaster, 1997). In Drosophila, a single Notch protein is activated by two ligands, Serrate and Delta. In mammals these families have been expanded to four Notch genes (Notch1, Notch2, Notch3 and Notch4) and five ligands, 2 Serrate-like (Jagged1-2) and 3 Delta (Dl1, 3, 4) (Bettenhausen et al., 1995; Dunwoodie et al., 1997; Gallahan and Callahan, 1997; Lardelli et al., 1994; Lindsell et al., 1995; Shawber et al., 1996a; Shutter et al., 2000a; Uyttendaele et al., 1996; Weinmaster et al., 1992; Weinmaster et al., 1991). During embryogenesis, Notch receptors and ligands are expressed in dynamic spatial and temporal patterns. However, it is not known if all ligands activate all receptors.
Notch Signaling and Function
Notch signaling influences many different types of cell-fate decisions by providing inhibitory, inductive or proliferative signals depending on the environmental context (reviewed in Artavanis-Tsakonas et al., 1995; Greenwald, 1998; Robey, 1997; Vervoort et al., 1997). This pleiotropic function suggests that Notch modulates multiple signaling pathways in a spatio-temporal manner.
Consistent with Notch regulating cell-fate decisions, both the receptors and ligands are cell surface proteins with single transmembrane domains (FIG. 1). The regulatory extracellular domain of Notch proteins consists largely of tandemly arranged EGF-like repeats that are required for ligand binding (Artavanis-Tsakonas et al., 1995; Weinmaster, 1998). C-terminal to the EGF-like repeats are an additional three cysteine-rich repeats, designated the LIN12/Notch repeats (LNR) (Greenwald, 1994). Downstream of the LNR lies the proteolytic cleavage sequence (RXRR) that is recognized by a furin-like convertase. For Notch1, cleavage at this site yields a 180 kilodalton extracellular peptide and a 120 kilodalton intracellular peptide that are held together to generate a heterodimeric receptor at the cell surface (Blaumueller et al., 1997; Kopan et al., 1996; Logeat et al., 1998).
The intracellular domain of Notch (NotchICD, FIG. 1) rescues loss-of-function Notch phenotypes indicating that this form of Notch signals constitutively (Fortini and Artavanis-Tsakonas, 1993; Lyman and Young, 1993; Rebay et al., 1993; Struhl et al., 1993).
The cytoplasmic domain of Notch contains three identifiable domains: the RAM domain, the ankyrin repeat domain and the C-terminal PEST domain (FIG. 1). Upon ligand-activation Notch undergoes two additional proteolytic cleavages which results in the release of the cytoplasmic domain (Weinmaster, 1998). This Notch peptide translocates to the nucleus and interacts with transcriptional repressors known as CSL (CBF, Su (H), Lag-2) and converts it to transcriptional activator. The CSL/Notch interaction is dependent on the presence of the RAM domain of Notch; while, transcriptional activity also requires the presence of the ankyrin repeats (Hsieh et al., 1996; Hsieh et al., 1997; Roehl et al., 1996; Tamura et al., 1995; Wettstein et al., 1997). Both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that the HES and Hey genes are the direct targets of Notch/CSL-dependent signaling (Bailey and Posakony, 1995; Eastman et al., 1997; Henderson et al., 2001; Jarriault et al., 1995; Nakagawa et al., 2000; Wettstein et al., 1997). The HES and Hey genes are bHLH transcriptional repressor that bind DNA at N-boxes (Nakagawa et al., 2000; Sasai et al., 1992; Tietze et al., 1992). Notch has also been proposed to signal by a CSL-independent pathway. In fact, expression of just the ankyrin repeat domain is necessary and sufficient for some forms of Notch signaling (Lieber et al., 1993; Matsuno et al., 1997; Shawber et al., 1996b).
Finally, the PEST domain has been implicated in protein turnover by a SEL-10/ubiquitin-dependent pathway (Greenwald, 1994; Oberg et al., 2001; Rogers et al., 1986; Wu et al., 1998; Wu et al., 2001). Similar to the receptors, the extracellular domain of the Notch ligands also consist mostly of tandemly arranged EGF-like repeats (FIG. 1). Upstream of these repeats is a divergent EGF-like repeat known as the DSL (Delta, Serrate, Lag-2) that is required for ligand binding and activation of the receptors (Artavanis-Tsakonas et al., 1995).
Notch Signaling and Vascular Development
Although many of the genes that function to induce vasculogenesis and angiogenesis have been identified, little is known about how cell-fate decisions are specified during vascular development. A number of observations suggest that the Notch signaling pathway may play a role in cell fate determination and patterning of the vascular system.
Notch1, Notch4, Jagged1 and Dll4 are all expressed in the developing vasculature, while Notch3 is expressed in the accessory smooth muscle cells (Krebs et al., 2000; Shutter et al., 2000b; Uyttendaele et al., 1996; Villa et al., 2001; Xue et al., 1999). Mice lacking Jagged1 are embryonic lethal and have severe vascular defects (Xue et al., 1999). Mice nullizygous for Notch1 are embryonic lethal and die of severe neuronal defects, but also have defects in angiogenesis (Krebs et al., 2000; Swiatek et al., 1994). Mice lacking Notch4 are born and appear to be normal, but embryos that have lost both Notch1 and Notch4 die at E9.5 of severe hemorrhaging and vascular patterning defects indicating Notch1 and Notch4 may be functionally redundant during vascular development (Krebs et al., 2000). Exogenous expression of an activated form of Notch4 in endothelium also resulted in vascular defects similar to those seen for the double Notch1/Notch4 nullizygous mice, suggesting that appropriate levels of Notch signaling is critical for proper development of the embryonic vasculature (Uyttendaele et al., 2001).
Taken together, the data from mice mutant for Notch/Notch signaling components uncover several processes dependent on Notch including vascular remodeling, arterial venous specification, vascular smooth muscle cell recruitment and heart/heart outflow vessel development.
Recent experiments have implicated Notch signaling in arterial/venous endothelial cell specification. In situ analysis of E13.5 embryos found that Notch1, Notch3, Notch4, Dl4, Jagged1 and Jagged2 expression was restricted to the arteries and absent in the veins (Villa et al., 2001). Consistent with expression data, disruption of Notch signaling in Zebrafish was associated with loss of the arterial marker ephrinB2; while, ectopic expression of an activated form of Notch lead to a loss in the venous cell marker EphB4 within the dorsal aorta (Lawson et al., 2001). These data suggest that Notch signaling may help to specify arterial and venous cell fates during angiogenesis.
Taken together, the data from mice mutant for Notch/Notch signaling components uncover several processes dependent on Notch including vascular remodeling, arterial venous specification, vascular smooth muscle cell recruitment and heart/heart outflow vessel development.
Notch signaling has also been suggested to function in the adult vascular system. In humans, missense mutations in the extracellular domain of Notch3 correlate with the development of the degenerative vascular disease, CADASIL (Caronti et al., 1998; Desmond et al., 1998; Joutel et al., 2000; Joutel et al., 1996). In a wound healing model, an increase in Jagged1 expression was observed at the regenerating endothelial wound edge, suggesting Notch signaling may function during processes of adult angiogenesis (Lindner et al., 2001). Taken together these data support Notch signaling functions at a number of critical steps during vascular development: vasculogenesis, vascular patterning/angiogenesis, and arterial/venous specification. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which the Notch signaling pathways influence these different steps has yet to be elucidated.
Significance
Shimizu et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 274(46): 32961-32969 (1999)) describe the use of Notch1ECD/Fc, Notch2ECD/Fc and Notch3ECD/Fc in binding studies. However, Shimizu et al. do not mention the use of such proteins for inhibiting angiogenesis.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,925 issued Apr. 30, 2002 to Kitajewsky et al. describes murine Notch4. However, it does not describe Notch-based fusion proteins as set forth in the subject application.
This invention differs from the prior art because it is the first study using Notch-based fusion proteins comprising the extracellular domain of Notch operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety to inhibit angiogenesis. This invention therefore provides an advantage over the prior art in that it provides evidence that such Notch-based fusion proteins are capable of inhibiting angiogenesis.
Notch proteins play key roles in developmental decisions involving the vasculature, the hematopoietic system, and the nervous system. As such, an understanding of their function is key to understanding how cell-fate decisions and commitment are controlled during development and in adult tissues. To date, several reports on Notch or Notch ligand gene disruptions have described vascular phenotypes providing emphasis that this pathway is a fundamental part of the machinery that guides vascular development. Aberrant Notch activity has been linked to human pathologies; including both cancer and vascular disorders (CADASIL). The analysis of Notch in tumor angiogenesis has only recently begun; however, our discovery of potential downstream targets of Notch suggests a roles in pathological processes associated with angiogenesis. For instance, VEGFR-3 has been linked to both tumor angiogenesis and tumor lymphangiogenesis. The expression or function of several other potential Notch targets has also been linked to tumor angiogenesis; including ephrinB2, Id3, Angiopoietin 1, and PDGF-B. Insights on the role of these targets in Notch gene function will clearly facilitate future analysis of Notch in human pathologies.

Notch-based fusion proteins and uses thereof

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


Improvements are described in the injection of ammonia (NH.sub.3) into the exhaust gases of an engine to reduce nitrogen oxides. Instead of merely injecting ammonia into the exhaust gas conduit through a hole in its side, an ammonia injector (90) is provided that projects considerably into the exhaust conduit (16), with the injector having a plurality of holes (94). The ammonia is activated to decompose it into its reactive components, including NH.sub.2 and NH prior to injecting it into the exhaust conduit. Such activation prior to injection can be accomplished by heating the ammonia in the presence of a catalyst such as a metal of the platinum group, iron, nickel, or zinc. In an engine that has a fuel injection system wherein electrical pulses are delivered to fuel injectors to control the fuel flow rate, the durations of these electrical signals are used to control the opening of a valve (72) that controls the flow rate of ammonia into the exhaust gas conduit.

In our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,346, we describe experiments which show that the amount of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO.sub.2), or NOx in engine exhaust gases can be reduced by injecting ammonia (NH.sub.3), which reacts with nitrogen oxides to produce nitrogen and water. As described in that patent, it is desirable to control the amount of ammonia injected so it is generally proportional to the production of NOx. Ammonia injection generally is not required when a warmed-up engine is idling or the like, when the relatively small amount of NOx can be eliminated by the hot catalytic converter. At other times, the amount of NOx produced, and consequently the amount of ammonia to be injected, is indicated by the amplitude of many phenomena. These include the exhaust temperature, the air inlet manifold pressure, and the flow rate of fuel or air into the engine. Special sensors could be installed in an engine and connected to control circuitry that controls ammonia injection, but the installation of such sensors increases the cost for an ammonia injection system. A control for an ammonia injection system which avoided the need for installation of a special sensor, would greatly reduce the cost of an ammonia injection system.
In the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,346, applicant described the injection of ammonia through a small tube having an opening pointed downstream along the exhaust gas flow. Although such injector tube lay near the upper end of the exhaust gas conduit where exhaust gases are very hot, the exhaust gases cool quickly and the ammonia was not rapidly mixed with the exhaust gases. As a result, a large part of the ammonia did not effectively combine with nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases. An ammonia injection system which increased the amount of ammonia that reacted with nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases, would reduce the amount of ammonia required and decrease the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere.


Apparatuses, devices, and/or systems that may be configured for placement at one or more cortical and/or other neuroanatomical sites to provide electrical stimulation and/or monitor neuroelectric activity within a patient. In one embodiment, an implantable articulated electrode assembly may include an array of electrodes or electrical contacts carried by a support member configured to be implanted or positioned relative to a set of neuroanatomical sites. Various embodiments of the articulated electrode assemblies may comprise multiple portions, segments, paddles, and/or panels having spatially divergent placement capabilities in relation to one another. Such segments or panels may be positioned in a variety of manners relative to each other and/or one or more neuroanatomical sites or locations, which may facilitate establishment of an intended type of stimulation field distribution and/or monitoring configuration.

The following disclosure is related to systems and methods for applying neural stimulation to and/or receiving neural signals from a patient, for example, at a surface site on or proximate to the patient's cortex.
A wide variety of mental and physical processes are controlled or influenced by neural activity in particular regions of the brain. The neural functions in some areas of the brain (e.g., the sensory or motor cortices) are organized according to physical or cognitive functions. Several other areas of the brain also appear to have distinct functions in most individuals. In the majority of people, for example, the occipital lobes relate to vision, the left interior frontal lobes relate to language, and the cerebral cortex appears to be involved with conscious awareness, memory, and intellect.
Many problems or abnormalities can be caused by damage, disease, and/or disorders of the brain. Effectively treating such abnormalities may be very difficult. For example, a stroke is a common condition that damages the brain. Strokes are generally caused by emboli (i.e., obstruction of a blood vessel), hemorrhages (i.e., rupture of a blood vessel), or thrombi (i.e., clotting) in the vascular system of a specific region of the brain. Such events generally result in a loss or impairment of neural function (e.g., neural functions related to facial muscles, limbs, speech, etc.). Stroke patients are typically treated using physical therapy that attempts to rehabilitate the loss of function of a limb or another affected body part. Stroke patients may also be treated using physical therapy plus an adjunctive therapy such as amphetamine treatment.
As another example, Parkinson's Disease (PD) is related to the degeneration or death of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the basal ganglia in the brain. As the neurons in the substantia nigra deteriorate, the reduction in dopamine causes abnormal neural activity that results in a chronic, progressive deterioration of motor function control and possibly other symptoms.
Neural activity in the brain can be influenced by electrical energy supplied from an external source such as a waveform generator. Various neural functions can be promoted or disrupted by applying an electrical current to the cortex or other region of the brain. As a result, researchers have attempted to use electrical or magnetic stimulation signals to control or affect brain functions. Electrical stimulation signals may comprise a series of electrical pulses that can affect neurons within a target neural population. Stimulation signals may be defined or described in accordance with stimulation signal parameters that include pulse amplitude, pulse frequency, stimulation signal duration, and/or other parameters.
In certain applications, such as deep brain stimulation, electrical stimulation is provided by a pulse system coupled to a plurality of therapy electrodes or electrical contacts. The pulse system is typically implanted into a patient at a subclavicular location, and the therapy electrodes can be implanted into the patient at a target site for stimulating the desired neurons.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an implantable electrode assembly 10 configured in accordance with the prior art. The electrode assembly 10 can be a Resume II electrode assembly provided by Medtronic, Inc., of 710 Medtronic Parkway, Minneapolis, Minn. 55432-5604. The electrode assembly 10 includes a plurality of plate electrodes 14a–d carried by a flexible substrate 12. A polyester mesh 11 is molded into the substrate 12 to increase the tensile strength of the substrate 12. A cable 16 houses four individually insulated leads 18a–d that extend into the substrate 12. A connector 20 joins with the receptacle 22 to form a coupling between the electrode assembly 10 and a power source (not shown).
One problem of using an electrode assembly 10 of the type shown in FIG. 1 is acquiring an appropriate placement at or upon a stimulation site. Certain obstacles may hinder an appropriate placement of conventional electrodes. In the case of stimulation in or upon the brain, the brain's anatomical structure may naturally render electrode placement upon the brain's surface a complicated undertaking. The brain is replete with convolutions and crevices, which may impede electrode placement at specific locations.
Furthermore, in some instances, brain damage or degeneration may cause an infarct or tissue atrophy, which may alter neural topography in the damaged region or area. Physically damaged tissue in a given region may alter neural topography in surrounding regions, further causing impediments to electrode placement. Thus, the presence of brain damage or degeneration may complicate electrode placement relative to obtaining an intended therapeutic outcome.
Another problem associated with using a conventional electrode 10 is that in certain situations, the electrode's structure itself may limit manners in which neural stimulation can be applied or delivered to a target neural population. In particular, an electrode 10 having a structure of the type shown in FIG. 1A may be significantly limited with respect to an extent to which an electric field distribution can be configured relative to a given target neural population. This may result in decreased neural stimulation efficacy, and/or other problems such as insufficient surface-to-contact coupling, unpredictable impedance, current leakages, unregulated stimulation parameters, elevated power consumption and shorter battery life. Moreover, placement of the therapy electrodes on an appropriate anatomical location for effectuating desired therapeutic results may be difficult and time consuming. There is a significant need to improve procedures for appropriately placing electrode devices at a desired treatment site.


A bicycle control device basically includes a housing member, a hydraulic fluid pressure generator, a control lever member and a shift-operating mechanism. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part configured to be gripped by a rider in a riding position. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder provided inside the grip part of the housing member, and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The control lever member has a first operation lever pivotably coupled relative to the housing member for pivoting about a first axis to operate the piston. The shift-operating mechanism is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a control cable control. The shift-operating mechanism is mounted on the control lever member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle control device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle control device which can be mounted on the handlebar of a bicycle and which can control a braking device and a shifting device.
2. Background Information
Bicycle control devices are conventionally known, which can be mounted on a handlebar of a bicycle for controlling both a braking device and a shifting device (for example, see FIG. 10 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 3769237). A conventional bicycle control device comprises a support member capable of being attached to a handlebar in the form of a bar handle, a shift-operating mechanism coupled to the support member, and a control lever for operating braking and shifting, the control lever being pivotally attached to the support member. In a conventional bicycle control device, the shifting device is coupled by a shift control cable, and the control device is coupled by a hydraulic fluid pressure tube. In a bicycle control device having such a configuration, the braking operation of the braking device and the winding and winding release operations of the shifting device can be performed by the control lever. The braking operation and shifting operation can thereby be performed by one control lever.


This relates generally to an apparatus and method to provide a connection for distinct optical channels between at least two optical devices using multiple optical fibers where the connection may have a pre-selected and different channel order at either end of the connection.

This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method to provide a connection for distinct optical channels between at least two optical or electro-optical devices using multiple optical fibers where the connection may have a pre-selected and different channel order at either end of the connection.
In many optical and electro-optical systems (e.g., computer systems, programmable electronic systems, telecommunication switching systems, control systems, and so forth) it is highly desirable to achieve a reliable connection of multiple optical fibers between optical devices. However, achieving such a reliable connection is often difficult. Minimizing the number of optical fiber splices and connections provides advantages because these splices and connections greatly reduce the reliability of the connection between the devices. Hereafter, the term xe2x80x9coptical devicexe2x80x9d is intended to include devices used in the optical and electro-optical systems mentioned above.
Connecting optical devices may require connecting multiple channels between the devices. Each optical device may have a series of distinct optical channels each of which must be connected to a corresponding channel on another optical device. The optical fibers connecting two optical devices are usually incorporated into groups of optical fibers. These groups may be in the form of a ribbon. When connected to an optical device, each optical fiber in a ribbon corresponds to a particular optical channel on the device. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if the group 11 of optical fibers 10 was a ribbon connected to an optical device then each optical fiber 10 within the group 11 will correspond to a particular optical channel e.g., C1-C8 of the device. Also, it is inherent that the group 11 of optical fibers 10 has a respective optical channel order as illustrated by the order of C1-C8. As used throughout this application, the term xe2x80x9coptical channel orderxe2x80x9d defines the order and location/sequence of each distinct optical channel which corresponds to a particular optical fiber in the group. In other words, the optical channel order functionally provides a map both for determining the optical channel that is connected to a fiber in a group, and for determining where that fiber is located with reference to the remaining fibers.
For example, referring to FIG. 1, group 11 is shown with an optical channel order where each optical fiber 10 corresponds to one of channels C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and C8 in the order and position shown. In comparison, as shown in FIG. 2A, group 1 has an optical channel order 5 where each optical fiber 10 corresponds to one of channels C1, C2, C3, and C4. FIG. 2A also illustrates group 2 as having an optical channel order 6 where each optical fiber 10 corresponds to one of channels C5, C6, C7, and C8.
It is to be understood that the number of optical channels discussed herein is not limited to the number illustrated in the drawings. The number of optical channels may range from 1 to the number required by any particular optical device. For example, a device may have 8, 16, 40, 80, or more optical channels. Moreover, optical channels C1-C8 do not necessarily correspond to channels 1-8 of an optical device. Instead, the use of C1-C8 are simply intended to serve as identifiers for reference purposes.
The development of optical devices with an increasing number of optical channels presents challenges in addition to the need for a reliable optical connection as described above. For instance, it is difficult to physically accommodate an increasing number optical fibers while simultaneously minimizing the space occupied by the optical device. One way of addressing this problem is to reconfigure an optical fiber ribbon to fit more optical fibers within a smaller area. However, reconfiguring the optical fibers in a ribbon will re-arrange the channel order of the ribbon from the proximal end to the distal end of the ribbon. The re-arranged channel order results in an undesirable channel order at the distal end of the ribbon. The problem is significant since suppliers usually sell the optical device with a ribbon already attached. Therefore, in order for a customer to properly connect the ribbon to a second optical device, it is necessary to re-arrange the channel order on distal end of the ribbon. For example, if a first optical device requires a channel order as shown by FIG. 1 and a second optical device requires a channel order as shown by FIG. 2A, but the re-configured ribbon attached to the first device has a channel order as illustrated FIG. 2B, then additional reordering of the optical fibers is required.
Three common solutions for overcoming these problem are described as follows:
(1) Customers can design their systems or devices with a particular channel order at the input/output of the device and use multi-fiber connectors or direct ribbon splices to prevent a mismatch of the channel orders. However, at the time of the filing of this application, there is no discernable industry standard for a channel order for multiple-fiber connectors. The lack of an industry standard may force the customer to change the configuration of their system to accommodate a specific channel order. However, not all customers are able to change the configuration of their system not all customers can change the configuration of their existing systems to accommodate the multiple-fiber connectors. Moreover, it may be difficult to retrofit older systems may to accommodate devices having differing channel orders.
(2) A connector assembly can be spliced onto the input/output fiber ribbon. The connector assembly separates the individual fibers and attaches a connector to each fiber. One drawback to this solution is that splicing a connector assembly onto a fiber ribbon introduces additional splices or connections into the system. These additional splices or connections result in higher insertion loss (signal loss) and, therefore, reduced system performance.
(3) The individual fibers on a reconfigured ribbon of optical fibers may be separated from the ribbon. A connector is then attached to each fiber. However, attaching multiple connectors directly onto individual output/input fibers causes an excessive scrap rate of devices, increases manufacturing time resulting in excessive product lead times, and eventual results in excessive costs for manufacturing the product.
Another solution to the problem discussed above is to re-sequence the ribbon extending away from the first optical device to produce a channel order that is required by the customer. This is accomplished by separating the individual fibers from the ribbon(s) extending away from the first optical device. The individualized fibers are often referred to as xe2x80x9csingulatedxe2x80x9d fibers. Then, the individual fibers are re-sequenced to produce the customer-desired channel order. Next, the re-sequenced fibers are re-ribbonized at the customer-end. Therefore, the customer may splice the fibers to a separate connector assembly to connect the device to their system. Alternatively, the re-ribbonized fibers may be supplied with a connector. While the re-ribbonized fiber may be a desirable solution for some, it may not satisfy the needs of every customer. For example, given the limitations of re-ribbonizing numerous singulated fibers, the re-ribbonized portion may be of a different size than a ribbon that is typically used in the industry. The re-ribbonized fibers may also differ in other characteristics from a standard ribbon such as not being as robust, or not being as flexible. Accordingly, certain customers may require an optical device and ribbon where the channel order matches the customer""s required channel order and the ribbon is not re-ribbonized. Moreover, customers may prefer to directly splice the ribbon from the optical device to their system and may not prefer to use a device with re-ribbonized fibers at the customer-end. Therefore, to address these situations, customers may desire an optical device having an ordinary (or industry standard) ribbon of optical fibers extending away from the device where the ribbon has a customer-desired channel order at the distal end of the ribbon.
There is currently a need to overcome the problems described above. More specifically, while a need remains for maximizing the number of optical fibers and reducing the space occupied by the fibers, there also remains a need to provide an optic fiber ribbon with a customized channel configuration. Such an improved fiber ribbon should minimize the number of connectors and should eliminate the need for the customer to work with the re-ribbonized end of the ribbon.
The invention provides a method and device for selectively reorganizing multiple optical fibers in a ribbon configuration without breaking the optical fibers. The invention also provides an optical system having an optical device connected to a reorganized ribbon of optical fibers.
A first aspect of the invention is directed to an optical system comprising an optical device having a series of distinct optical channels, each of which is connected to a cable assembly.
The cable assembly may comprise a proximal cable portion having a proximal end, a distal cable portion having a distal end, and a transition region separating the proximal portion and distal portion. Each of the optical fibers of the present invention may comprise a core surrounded by a cladding and an outer coating surrounding the cladding along a portion of a length of the fiber. Each of the optical fibers within a cable assembly of the present invention may correspond to a distinct channel. The cable assembly may also comprise a proximal optical connecting region located at the proximal cable portion and adapted to connect the fiber cores to the first optical device. In the proximal optical coupling region the plurality of the optical fibers may be grouped into at least one sub-plurality of optical fibers, where each sub-plurality has a proximal optical channel order defined by the order and position of the optical channel corresponding to each of the optical fibers in the sub-plurality. The cable assembly may also comprise a distal optical connecting region located at the distal portion, wherein in at least a portion of the distal optical connecting region the plurality of optical fibers form at least one ribbon of optical fibers, and wherein each of the ribbons has a distal optical channel order defined by the order and position of the optical channel corresponding to each of the optical fiber in the ribbon.
The cable assembly may also has a transition region of where the plurality of optical fibers are re-ordered from the distal cable portion to the proximal cable portion so that each of the proximal and distal channel orders are different. The transition region may be placed within an enclosure of the optical system.
The invention also includes a method of connecting a first and second optical devices using a ribbon having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of optical fibers extending therethrough, the method comprising the acts of removing the plurality of optical fibers from the ribbon at the proximal end of the ribbon; re-ordering the plurality of optical fibers between the proximal and distal ends such that each fiber is in a different from its position in the ribbon; separating said plurality of optical fibers into at least two groups of optical fibers at said proximal end, and connecting each of said optical fibers to said first optical device; re-ribbonizing at least one portion of said proximal end of optical fibers; and connecting the distal end of the ribbon to the second optical device.
The re-ribbonizing step may comprise joining the fibers with a material selected from the group consisting of: tape, polymer, glass, epoxy and metal. The separating step may include interleaving the optical fibers.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Assembly and method for reorganizing planar lightwave circuit channels


An enclosure (10) includes a door (12) having a window panel (20) extending from a top edge to a bottom edge. The door (12) includes venting members (26) having vents formed therein extending substantially along either lateral edge of the window panel (20). A spaced apart inner portion (60) provides a vertical conduit for improved circulation. The window panel (20) attaches with adhesive (50) on engagement surfaces (32, 34 and 36) as well as a mechanical connection through threaded members (44).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a door for an enclosure, and in particular, to a door for an electrical enclosure having a window.
2. Prior Art
Doors for cabinets, and in particular, doors for electrical cabinets housing equipment which requires circulating air for temperature control, are well known. Electrical cabinets for servers generally include a height greater than width and may include a window or other viewing panel and may also include vents providing circulation through the door. Such cabinets and some doors may also provide shielding from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference. The doors preferably include venting which provides circulation around and through a substantial volume of the enclosure so that internal components are not positioned in a non-cooled location, subjecting the components to overheating and decreased performance or failure.
In addition, it can be appreciated that for inspection and aesthetic purposes, it is preferred that the window panel occupy substantially the entire vertical portion of the door. Many doors used for cabinets provide a window panel which extends vertically, but the doors include a wide border extending around the top, bottom and sides, decreasing the visibility to the inside of the cabinet. Such window panels typically connect the window panel using an adhesive only on two faces. Other doors use clamping through an edge of the panel. However, none of the prior art cabinet doors provide a window panel which is adhesively connected as well as being clamped in position. While clamping may retain the panel in place, it may not provide the desired connection and may lead to some rattling as the panel may not be held tightly in position. For doors which use an adhesive to connect, adhesive may ooze into a visible portion of the panel, as the doors typically do not have a covering edge flange on the front surface of the window. Assembly time and labor costs are increased as excess adhesive must be removed from the panel. If not removed, the aesthetic appeal of the door is decreased.
It can be seen that an improved panel is needed that provides an aesthetically pleasing door and provides for venting through the door and circulation throughout the interior of the cabinet. The cabinet should securely hold a window that extends substantially from the top to bottom edge of the door in a secure manner that provides an aesthetically pleasing border. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with cabinet doors.

Vented cabinet door with full length window


A communication system is supplied for filtering and attenuating a receive signal in between a bi-directional antenna system and a bi-directional base station system. In the communication system, a first circulator is configured to receive a receive signal from a first bi-directional link coupled to the bi-directional antenna system and circulate the receive signal to a first uni-directional link. A signal processing system is configured to receive the receive signal from the first uni-directional link, filter and attenuate the receive signal, and transfer the receive signal to a second uni-directional link. A second circulator is configured to receive the receive signal from the second uni-directional link, circulate the receive signal to a second bi-directional link coupled to the bi-directional base station system, receive a transmit signal from the second bi-directional link, and circulate the transmit signal to a third uni-directional link. Additionally, the first circulator is configured to receive the transmit signal from the third uni-directional link and circulate the transmit signal to the first bi-directional link coupled to the bi-directional antenna system.

A base station is connected to an antenna by a feedline. The feedline is bidirectional and can be comprised of a variety of different signal processing components. In operation, a base station's antenna receives and transmits wireless communication signals over the air. A communication signal is received by the antenna and the signal is transferred to the base station by way of the feedline. The antenna also receives interference/noise from various sources such as other base stations and other antennas as well as various other sources. During installation a test signal is inserted into the feedline to determine the loss of the feedline.

Communication system and method for filtering and attenuating a signal between an antenna system and a base station


The present invention is a connector shell assembly that retains both a conventional connector and a strain relief or radio jack which is attached to the extended rear end of the connector shell. The connector shell assembly also has unisex spring-load turn wheel mechanisms which do not need tools to be installed. The present invention further comprises a unisex connector system which can establish a male or female gender.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic connectors for use with cables. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic connector shell assembly with a strain relief or radio jack attached to the extended rear end of a connector shell for providing strain relief for a cable during use. The connector shell assembly also provides unisex spring-loaded turn wheel mechanisms. The present invention further relates to unisex connector assemblies and pins.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The concept of connector shell assembly and strain relief for relieving any strain that otherwise might be transmitted to the joint between the cable wires and the multiple wire connector is old in the art. In general, there are many types of connector shell assemblies, strain reliefs and radio jacks in today's electronic industry. Generally, these devices are sold separately by many different manufacturers. When installing a conventional connector into a connector shell, it is customary to provide strain relief to prevent the detachment of one or more of the wires from the connector during use. Of course, as the number of wires in the cable increase, more of the apertures in the connector and strain relief are used as the outer diameter size of the cable increases.
In the prior art, various types of connector shell assemblies have been provided with elaborate arrangements for receiving and retaining a multiple wire connector and have included cable strain relief provisions that have clamped the cable to or within the assembly in various manners. Such cable strain reliefs have taken various forms, including collars to be tightened about the cable by threaded fasteners, wedges that are forced into gripping engagement with the cable adjacent the entrance of the cable into the shell, and gripping blocks that slide along linear passages within the shell that extend generally transverse to the direction of the cable, with those blocks being slid into gripping engagement with the cable and held there by various forms of detents.
While many of these clamping devices have provided for certain strain relief, most have required the use of various tools to effect their engagement in a manner strong enough to retain the cables or different size strain reliefs are provided to match the outer diameter size of the cable. The disadvantage of using these types of devices is that the tools required have been as simple as screwdrivers or as complex as specially configured pliers. The requirement for such tools are inconvenient and imposes an extra burden on the cable assembly manufacturers.
Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is that the hardware used to fasten the plug and the mating side of the plug together requires a particular gender type, such as screw fasteners and nut fasteners. These types of hardware have been utilized in the electronic industry for a very long time. The requirement for gender type creates the problem of finding the appropriate gender types of screw or nut depending on the gender type of the devices to be mated together.
Another disadvantage is the tremendous financial burden on businesses to carry every different type of hardware and strain reliefs in their inventory.
Therefore, to correct these problems in the electronic industry, it is necessary to reduce the different types of hardware and strain reliefs used, and to reduce manufacturing costs.
The following prior art references are relevant to the field of the present invention.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,265 issued to Hollyday et al. on Sep. 9, 1975 for "Electrical Connector Shield Having An Internal Cable Clamp" (hereafter "the Hollyday Patent").
2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,330 issued to Chandler on Dec. 19, 1978 for "Electrical Connector Strain Relief And Cover Retention System" (hereafter "the Chandler Patent").
3. U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,380 issued to Brzostek on Jul. 1, 1980 for "Cable Connector Housing Having Strain Relief System" (hereafter "the Brzostek Patent").
4. U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,005 issued to Douty et al. on Jan. 4, 1983 for "Strain Relief Cover" (hereafter "the Douty Patent").
5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,276 issued to Genaro et al. on Dec. 16, 1986 for "Multidirection Connector Housing" (hereafter "the Genaro Patent").
6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,489 issued to Skinner on Dec. 30, 1986 for "Hood For Electronic Cable Connector" (hereafter "the Skinner Patent").
7. U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,369 issued to Wang on Jun. 7, 1988 for "Connector" (hereafter "the Wang Patent").
8. U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,848 issued to Ingalsbe on Nov. 7, 1989 for "110 Block Adapter" (hereafter "the Ingalsbe Patent").
9. U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,301 issued to Bentivolio on Jun. 2, 1992 for "Electrical Connector Device" (hereafter "the Bentivolio Patent").
The Hollyday Patent discloses an electrical connector shield having an internal cable clamp. It includes an insulating housing consisting of two hinged halves. One end retains an electrical connector and the other end contains an opening defined by arcuate portions and a curved inner wall against which electrical leads emanating from the connector are simultaneously clamped and deflected away from the shield at an angle.
The Chandler Patent discloses an electrical connector strain relief and cover retention system. The cover is for either the plug or receptacle. The cover further is provided with an integral cable support having parallel arms. A cable is received between the arms which are provided with multiple ratchet teeth on their inwardly facing sides. The cable clamping plug is manually inserted between the arms of the cable support.
The Brzostek Patent discloses a cable connector housing having a strain relief system. It includes a first portion with a base and a second portion mateable with the first portion. The first portion comprises a plurality of posts each having a slotted free end and projecting therefrom in a predetermined pattern. The pattern provides a plurality of cable paths which extend from the entrance end to the connector with a predetermined path for each cross-sectional size cable within a range of sizes which causes engagement of the cable with one or more of the posts to provide suitable strain relief for the cable during use. The second portion has a plurality of apertures therethrough which are adapted to receive the posts when the portions are mated together.
The Douty Patent discloses a strain relief cover. It includes a pair of hermaphroditic cover members of rigid insulation material. Each cover member has a forward mating edge with a plurality of parallel spaced tongues projecting therefrom for reception in the terminal passages of the connector.
The Genaro Patent discloses a multidirection connector housing. It includes a body portion, a strain relief portion and a locking mechanism for locking the body and the strain relief portions together in at least seven orientations with respect to a connector plug.
The Skinner Patent discloses a hood for receiving and partially enclosing an electronic cable connector and for grippingly engaging a portion of an electronic cable. The hood assembly includes two identical mirror-image housing portions and two gripper elements. The housing portions house the connector and the gripper elements provide a firm gripping engagement on the cable outside the hood to the relatively delicate connections between the cable wires and the connector.
The Wang Patent discloses an improved connector. It includes upper and lower case bodies, a sliding clip, and a plug. The upper and lower case bodies do not have an extended section for a strain relief.
The Ingalsbe Patent discloses a telecommunications interface adapter system for connecting a modular connector to a 110-type Block Terminal.
The Bentivolio Patent discloses an electrical connector device. It includes first and second male terminal sets associated with each connector face. Each terminal set comprises a multiplicity of at least two terminals adapted to couple to a matched female electrical connector.
None of the prior art patents are designed to accommodate a connector shell assembly that retains both a conventional connector and a strain relief or radio jack in which the strain relief or radio jack can be attached to the extended rear end of the connector shell assembly making a modular adapter. Also, none of the prior art patents utilize unisex spring-loaded turn wheel mechanisms which do not require tools to be installed and can be utilized with various types of connector sizes.
Accordingly, it is desirable to enclose the back side of such a connector, where such delicate cable wires are connected, within a connector shell assembly that supports both the connector and the strain relief or radio jack which holds a portion of the cable. It is also desirable to provide to the connector shell assembly a means for engaging the overall cable, and thereby relieve any strain that otherwise might be transmitted to the joint between the cable wires and the multiple wire connector. In addition, previous methods of strain relief such as ratchet, screws, etc., actually put strain on the cable while providing retention of the cable. A strain relief should be made of soft material in order to provide significant relief. It is further desirable to provide unisex hardware to the connector shell assemblies.
It is still further desirable to provide unisex connectors and pin assemblies such that inventory is significantly reduced.

Adapter/connector shell assembly with unisex features


A system, container, and methods are provided for containing and handling a toxic gas. The system preferably includes a first container having toxic gas stored therein and a second container including a base and a lid mounted to the base when in a closed position. The base has an inner chamber formed therein, and the first container is preferably mounted in the inner chamber so that an interstitial space is formed around at least portions of the first container. The system also preferably includes a toxic gas use remover connected to the first container and extending through the second container for removing toxic gas from the first container for use and a toxic gas detoxifying remover connected to the second container for removal of toxic gas when located within the interstitial space of the second container and for detoxifying the toxic gas thereafter.

In the past, the handling of toxic liquids and gases had not been a great concern as the population of the world was much less and the world was being explored and mapped. Over the years, however, it became more evident that the world was of a limited size and disposing of toxic liquids into rivers and oceans and toxic gases into the atmosphere became increasingly problematic. Recently, land use and sale of land has become more and more regulated by federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations which often pass liability for environmental problems to previous owners and users of land. Also, the public in general has become more and more concerned about environmental problems and is often in fear of potential environmental hazards such as the disposal and handling of toxic or dangerous elements. Often in industry this has even caused a backlash so that any time a potential environmental problem is even at issue companies and businesses tend to shy away from even addressing the problem due to the fear of liability if they become involved as the owner or user of land or a supplier of systems for handling such potentially toxic elements.
This requirement for storing and handling of some types of toxic gases, e.g., chlorine gas, are even more common. Chlorine gas, for example, is commonly used to disinfect or sterilize water. The use of chlorine can be an important factor in controlling diseases, e.g., cholera, typhoid, and is generally more economical and effective in a gas state. Conventionally, above ground storage tanks are used for containing such gases, but leaks can occur with such tanks. One potential solution is to attempt to confine the leak in or from an above-ground storage tank to a room or building so that leaked gas does not escape from the room. Such a system, however, can be expensive and cumbersome. Also, such a system potentially exposes an operator within or needing to enter the room to the leaked gas.
Another potential solution is to attempt to bury or story a container underground such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,006 by Howard titled "Apparatus For Storing Chlorine Gas." An underground storage system, however, can be cumbersome because of the confined location and is not readily mobile to various desired location sites. Also, such a system does not readily address detoxifying the gas or reusing the leaked gas for a desired application.

System for containing and handling toxic gas and methods for containing and handling same


Analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog input signal which is present at a signal input (2a, 2b) and has a specific frequency bandwidth, into an offset-free digital output signal, having a subtracting amplifier (5), which subtracts an analog actuating signal from the analog input signal in order to generate an analog difference signal and amplifies the analog difference signal generated, an analog-to-digital converter circuit (18) having a high clock rate for converting the amplified analog difference signal into the digital output signal, a digital clamping circuit (24) for digital low-pass filtering of the digital output signal, and having a digital-to-analog converter circuit (49) for converting the digital output signal filtered by the clamping circuit (24) into the analog actuating signal.

The invention relates to an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog input signal into an offset-free digital output signal.
Digital signal processing systems are in widespread use. Since digital signal processing systems have numerous technical and economical advantages over analog circuits, digital signal processing systems are replacing the conventional analog circuits to an increasing extent.
The transmission of signals is analog in many cases on account of an only limited bandwidth available in the transmission medium, with the result that an analog-to-digital converter is connected upstream of the digital signal processing systems.
It is advantageous for the further data processing of the converted digital signal if the converted digital signal is offset-free, i.e. has no DC component. A DC offset compensation on the one hand has the effect that the digital output data converted by the analog-to-digital converter have a zero mean value, and on the other hand increases the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,756 describes an analog-to-digital converter having feedback for offset reduction. The analog-to-digital converter described therein detects the presence of an analog input signal with a mean value. The analog input signal is converted into a digital output signal by an analog-to-digital converter, the less significant bits of the digital output signal being compared with a threshold value in order to generate an indicator signal which specifies whether or not an analog input signal is present. DC-component offsets in the digital output signal are compensated by the generation of a DC compensation signal based on the most significant bit of the digital signal with respect to a reference voltage. The DC compensation signal is added to the analog input signal prior to conversion into the digital output signal. The DC compensation signal or actuating signal is generated by means of analog filtering of the digital output signal.
However, analog filtering of the digital output signal for the purpose of generating an actuating signal for DC offset compensation of the analog-to-digital converter has a number of disadvantages.
A circuitry realization of analog filtering is relatively area-intensive in the integration of the analog-to-digital converter, i.e. a relatively large chip area is required for it.
Furthermore, external circuit components, such as coupling capacitors, for example, are necessary.
A further disadvantage is the relatively inflexible circuitry implementation of the analog filtering.
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an analog-to-digital converter with offset compensation which can be realized in a simple manner in terms of circuitry and can be implemented flexibly.
This object is achieved according to the invention by means of an analog-to-digital converter having the features specified in patent claim 1.


An improved cutting surface and detachable containment drip pan that is capable of simultaneously providing a cutting surface with drip holes and a detachable drip pan for containment of those juices comprising a single inventive concept. The carving system comprises a polymeric plastic cutting surface, with circular and elongated drip holes spaced at intervals along the cutting surface with legs located on the under side of the cutting surface for support and to secure the cutting surface to the containment drip pan while in use for the containment of juices seeping through the drip holes while carving. A pour spout is oriented in one of the corners of the containment drip pan to pour out the juices with ease with the carving surface is attached or not attached to the containment drip pan.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to a carving surface attached to a containment drip pan more specifically it relates to a carving system for containment of juices when carving meats, poultry, or fish. Current carving surfaces are not designed for retaining drippings while in the act of carving. There are various types of conditions in which these drippings are to be retained and utilized.
However, conventional carving surfaces are not useful for preserving these drippings and are wasted. Hence there is a need for a carving system that is designed to contain drippings from carvings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Carving devices have been in use for years. Typically, conventional carving systems are comprised of a single carving surface. The user carves meats, poultry or fish without being able to retain the drippings from the act of carving.
Conventional carving devices work fine for carving meats, poultry, or fish. However, when carving the drippings are unintentionally discarded.
While existing carving surfaces may be suitable for carving meats, poultry and fish the purpose in which they were designed are not suitable for retaining the drippings from these carvings without creating special conditions in which to save these drippings.
In these respects, the carving system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides and a single carving system primarily developed for the purpose of containment of those drippings.


A method and system manages ownership information about disks in a storage network without the need for an emulated, partner mode system. The method and system provides for ownership information, including a current owner and a home owner for resources, such as disks, to be stored on each disk in a storage system, as well as to be stored in memory on each storage system node in the network. A further aspect of the invention is a disk homeness application program interface (API), which provides commands that can be utilized by an administrator at a host computer to set, modify and disco play ownership information about each disk in the cluster. Upon a takeover, any node in the network can takeover one or more disks by reading the ownership information stored on the disks or in the tables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to networked storage systems and, more particularly, to procedures for maintaining disk location information within such systems.
2. Background Inform
A storage system is a computer that provides storage service relating to the organization of information on writeable persistent storage devices, such as memories, tapes or disks. The storage system is commonly deployed within a storage area network (SAN) or a network attached storage (NAS) environment. When used within a NAS environment, the storage system may be embodied as a file server including an operating system that implements a file system to logically organize the information as a hierarchical structure of data containers, such as directories and files on, e.g. the disks. Each "ondisk" file may be implemented as a set of data structures, e.g., disk blocks, configured to store information, such as the actual data for the file. A directory, on the other hand, may be implemented as a specially formatted file in which information about other files and directories are stored.
The file server, or filer, may be further configured to operate according to a client/server model of information delivery to thereby allow many client systems (clients) to access shared resources, such as files, stored on the filer. Sharing of files is a hallmark of a NAS system, which is enabled because of semantic level of access to files and file systems. Storage of information on a NAS system is typically deployed over a computer is network comprising a geographically distributed collection of interconnected communication links, such as Ethernet, that allow clients to remotely access the information (files) on the file server. The clients typically communicate with the filer by exchanging discrete frames or packets of data according to pre-defined protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
In the client/server model, the client may comprise an application executing on a computer that "connects" to the filer over a computer network, such as a point-to-point link, shared local area network, wide area network or virtual private network implemented over a public network, such as the Internet. NAS systems generally utilize file-based access protocols; therefore, each client may request the services of the filer by issuing file system protocol messages (in the form of packets) to the file system over the network. By supporting a plurality of file system protocols, such as the conventional Common Internet File System (CIFS), the Network File System (NFS) and the Direct Access File System (DAFS) protocols, the utility of the filer may be enhanced for networking clients.
A SAN is a high-speed network that enables establishment of direct connections between a storage system and its storage devices. The SAN may thus be viewed as an extension to a storage bus and, as such, an operating system of the storage system enables access to stored information using block-based access protocols over the "extended bus". In this context, the extended bus is typically embodied as Fibre Channel (FC) or Ethernet media adapted to operate with block access protocols, such as Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) protocol encapsulation over FC (FCP) or TCP/IP/Ethernet (iSCSI). A SAN arrangement or deployment allows decoupling of storage from the storage system, such as an application server, and some level of storage sharing at the application server level. There are, however, environments wherein a SAN is dedicated to a single server. When used within a SAN environment, the storage system may be embodied as a storage appliance that manages access to information in terms of block addressing on disks using, e.g., a logical unit number (LUN) in accordance with one or more block-based protocols, such as FCP.
One example of a SAN arrangement, including a multi-protocol storage appliance suitable for use in the SAN, is described in United States Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0030668 A1, filed on Feb. 14, 2004, entitled MULTI-PROTOCOL STORAGE APPLIANCE THAT PROVIDES INTEGRATED SUPPORT FOR FILE AND BLOCK ACCESS PROTOCOLS by Brian Pawlowski et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
It is advantageous for the services and data provided by a storage system, such as a storage node, to be available for access to the greatest degree possible. Accordingly, some storage systems provide a plurality of storage system nodes organized as a cluster, with a first storage system node coupled to and cooperating with a second storage system node. Each storage system node is configured to takeover serving data access requests for the other storage system node if the other node fails. The storage nodes in the cluster notify one another of continued operation using a heartbeat signal exchanged over a cluster interconnect and a cluster switching fabric. If one of the storage system nodes detects the absence of a heartbeat from the other storage node over both the cluster interconnect and the cluster switching fabric, a failure of the other node is assumed and a takeover procedure is initiated. The node failure is also usually confirmed by the surviving storage node using a mailbox mechanism of the other storage node to confirm that, in fact, a failure of the other storage node has occurred, rather than simply a failure of the cluster node coupling.
Specifically, the mailbox mechanism includes a set of procedures for determining the most up-to-date coordinating information through the use of one or more "master mailbox" disks. Such disks receive messages from the storage node with which they are associated in order to confirm that the node continues to be in communication with the disks and that the node continues to be capable of writing to other disks coupled to that node. Further details on the configuration and operation of the master mailbox disk are provided in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,489, of Larson et al., for a SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING CLUSTER STATE INFORMATION, issued on Jun. 12, 2007, which is presently incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Many such cluster configurations that have a plurality of storage system nodes, is operate using the concept of partnering (i.e., "partner mode"). Specifically, each storage system node in the cluster is partnered with a second storage system node in such a manner that the partner storage system node is available to take over and provide the services and the data otherwise provided by the second storage system node upon a failure of the second node. That is, upon such a failure, the partner assumes the tasks of processing and handling any data access requests normally processed by the second storage system node. One such example of a partnered storage system cluster configuration is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,737, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORT-LEVEL FAILOVER OF FCP DEVICES IN A CLUSTER, by Arthur F. Lent, et al., issued on Aug. 21, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. It is further noted that in such storage system node clusters, an administrator may desire to take one of the storage system nodes offline for a variety of reasons including, for example, to upgrade hardware, etc. In such situations, it may be advantageous to perform a "voluntary" user-initiated takeover operation, as opposed to a failover operation. After the takeover operation is complete, the storage system node's data is serviced by its partner until a giveback operation is performed.
In such cases employing a partner mode, additional infrastructure is often required. For example, requests are tracked to determine whether they are partner requests, and applicable data structures are duplicated. Separate data structures or tables describing the data, such as for example, a volume location database (VLDB) are maintained for the local disks and for the partner disks. In addition, registry files which store options and configuration parameters are also maintained separately in a local registry file and a partner registry file. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this results in additional code complexity in many systems. Moreover, if a partner mode is not used, it could be difficult for the takeover node, or for an administrator, to determine disks which have been assigned to a failed partner if the partner's ownership information is not available.
In some storage system architectures, each storage node in the cluster is generally organized as a network element (N-module) and a disk element (D-module). The N-module includes functionality that enables the node to connect to clients over a computer is network while each D-module connects to one or more storage devices, such as the disks. The disks are arranged as one or more aggregates containing one or more volumes. A file system architecture of this type is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,773 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO FILE SYSTEM REQUESTS, by M. Kazar et al., issued on Dec. 30, 2003 (the contents of which are zo incorporated herein by reference in entirety).
Extensions to such architectures include the assignment of certain functionality to the D-module that was previously performed by the N-module. For example, the N-module is generally responsible for network connectivity, while the D-module performs functions relating to data containers and data access requests to those containers. In some designs, the N and D-module pairs are partnered in such a manner that, during a failover, the surviving N-module and D-module take over network addresses and perform other administrative tasks for the failed N and D-modules. However, in a cluster that does not have a one-to-one pairing between N and D-modules, and may have multiple nodes in a cluster, there is not a readily available technique for identifying the resources, e.g., disks, that are to be taken over by one or more nodes, and subsequently returned to the previously failed node that has been brought back into service. Some ownership information is stored on-disk such as that described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,412 of Coatney et al., issued on Jan. 19, 2010, which is presently incorporated herein by reference. This on disk information, however, is not generally utilized for disk reassignment on takeovers, send homes and disk topology reconfigurations.
There remains a need, therefore, for a multi-node cluster system that is configured to provide ownership information about the disks served by the nodes in the cluster so that any of the D-modules in the cluster can locate resources served by the cluster, and further such that all or a portion of those resources can be assigned or reassigned to any other D-module in the cluster, or to more than one D-module in the cluster.

Method and system for maintaining disk location via homeness