A compressor comprises a plurality of compression chambers used for compressing gas. A gas chamber includes one of a suction chamber for supplying the gas to the compression chambers and a discharge chamber for receiving the compressed gas from the compression chambers. A plate member is located between the compression chambers and the gas chamber. The plate member has a plurality of ports respectively arranged in association with the compression chambers for connecting each compression chamber with the gas chamber. A plurality of valve flaps are respectively arranged in association with the ports. Each of the valve flaps faces the plate member to selectively open and close the associated port. Each valve flap has a proximal end supported on the plate member. The plate member has at least one groove formed thereon and facing the proximal end of each valve flap. Foreign matter enters between the proximal end of each valve flap and the plate member and is collected by the groove. The groove extends over at least two valve flaps.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the structure of valve incorporated in compressors that are used in vehicle air conditioners. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique for improving the sealing between a valve flap and the corresponding valve seat in compressors. The valve flaps are used to selectively open and close ports for permitting gas flow from a suction chamber to a compression chamber or from a compression chamber to a discharge chamber. The valve flap contacts the valve seat for closing the port.
2. Description of the Related Art
Piston type compressors typically have a valve plate located between compression chambers in the cylinder bores and suction and discharge chambers. A valve plate includes suction ports and discharge ports. The suction ports communicate the compression chambers with the suction chamber and the discharge ports communicate the compression chambers with the discharge chamber. A suction valve flap is arranged opposed to each suction port for selectively opening and closing the port. A discharge valve flap is arranged opposed to each discharge port for selectively opening and closing the port. A valve seat is formed about each port on the valve plate. Contact between a valve flap and the associated valve seat closes the port.
As each piston moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center in the associated cylinder bore, refrigerant gas in the suction chamber is drawn into the compression chamber through the associated suction port and the associated suction valve flap. As each piston moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center in the associated cylinder bore, refrigerant gas is compressed in the compression chamber and discharged to the discharge chamber through the associated discharge port and the associated discharge valve flap.
During operation, sliding parts in a compressor such as the pistons and cylinder bores often abrade one another and generate metal powder. If caught between the proximal end of a valve flap and the valve plate, foreign matter such as the metal powder prevents the valve from closing the port. In other words, the foreign matter deteriorates the seal between a valve flap and the associated valve seat. A sealing defect in a suction valve flap causes the refrigerant gas in the corresponding compression chamber to leak into the suction chamber during the compression stroke. A sealing defect in a discharge valve flap causes the refrigerant gas in the discharge chamber to flow back to the corresponding compression chamber during the suction stroke. Such leaking and backflow of refrigerant gas significantly deteriorates the compression efficiency of the compressor.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 3-37378 and No. 7-286581 disclose variable displacement compressors that control the discharge displacement of refrigerant gas by adjusting the inclination of a swash plate. In the compressors according to these publications, the above described sealing defects cause the following disadvantages.
Variable displacement compressors often have a drive shaft directly connected to an external drive source such as an engine without a clutch located in between. In such a clutchless system, the compressor is operated even if cooling is not necessary or when frost is being formed in an evaporator. In such a case, the circulation of refrigerant gas between the external refrigerant circuit and the compressor must be stopped. The compressors disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 3-37378 and No. 7-286581 stop the flow of refrigerant gas from the external refrigerant circuit into the suction chamber of the compressors, thereby stopping the circulation of the refrigerant gas.
In the compressors according to the above cited publications, the gas flow into the suction chamber from the external refrigerant circuit is stopped when the inclination of the swash plate is minimum. As the swash plate's inclination increases from the minimum, the refrigerant gas again starts flowing into the suction chamber from the external refrigerant circuit. When the swash plate's inclination increases from the minimum, that is, when the displacement of the compressor increases from the minimum displacement, an effective compression needs to be performed. Effective compression here refers to an operation in which refrigerant gas in the compression chamber is discharged to the discharge chamber without backflow of the gas from the discharge chamber to the compression chamber. The above described sealing defects between a discharge valve flap and its valve seat disturbs the effective compression. This affects the capability of the compressor to regain displacement.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


For the automated loading of a load by a crane system, a camera system of the crane system generates at least one image data stream. The at least one image data stream is analyzed by a computer unit with the assistance of an artificial neural network. On the basis of the analysis, a first marker and a second marker are recognized by the computer unit in respective single images of the at least one image data stream. Positions of the markers are determined, and the load is loaded automatically by a lifting device of the crane system dependent upon the positions of the markers.

The present invention relates to a method for loading a load with a crane system, to a crane system for loading of a load, and to a computer program.
The following discussion of related art is provided to assist the reader in understanding the advantages of the invention, and is not to be construed as an admission that this related art is prior art to this invention.
In container terminals, freight trains and trucks are loaded, in particular loaded and unloaded. Hereby, a crane operator manually controls a lifting device of a crane.
It would be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved loading and unloading process which obviates prior art shortcomings and which is efficient, economic and safe.


A curved conveyor assembly includes a frame that defines a curved conveyance path. A conveyor belt is positioned on the frame system for travel along the curved conveyance path. At least one hold down guide is mounted to the frame and manually movable between an operating position and an access position. In the operating position a retaining lip of the hold down guide extends into the curved conveyance path proximate an edge of the conveyor belt for limiting upward movement of the edge of the conveyor belt. In the access position the retaining lip is moved away from the edge of the conveyor belt.

Conveyor systems are commonly used in the process and packaging industry to move items from one location or process to another. For many applications, such as the food industry, cleanability of machines and systems, including conveyors, is important. At the same time, cleanability needs to be considered in the context of the skillset of the personnel that will be carrying out the cleaning process.
Conveyor systems commonly include both straight sections and curved sections. Providing desirable features in both sections adapted for cleaning is desirable. However, curved sections are particularly problematic due to the fact that in curved conveyor sections the belt has a greater tendency to lift at the outside part of the turn.
With existing technology, conveyor belts with integrated hold down tabs may be used in curved conveyor sections. However, such conveyor belts result in increased cost and the tabs tend to break off, increasing maintenance and service costs. Such belts are also unfavorable from the standpoint of ease of cleaning.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a conveyor assembly and associated method adapted to facilitate cleaning operations in straight conveyor sections and/or curved conveyor sections.


In a STED fluorescence light microscope pulses of excitation light (3) are applied to a sample, which excite fluorescent entities contained in the sample for fluorescence, and which are focused on at least one focal area. Further, de-excitation light (12) is applied to the sample, which de-excites the excited fluorescent entities and which comprises an intensity zero point in the at least one focal area, as a continuous wave. Fluorescence light emitted by the excited fluorescent entities in the sample is registered after each pulse of the excitation light (3) and overlapping with applying the de-excitation light (13) with high temporal resolution between consecutive pulses of the excitation light (3).

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence light microscopy allows for a spatial resolution in imaging a structure which is marked with fluorescent entities in a sample, or in delimiting the observation volume in FCS, which surpasses the diffraction barrier. This is achieved in that, after exciting the fluorescent entities for fluorescence by the excitation light, the spatial distribution of the excited fluorescent entities is altered by de-excitation or STED light stimulating the excited fluorescent entities for stimulated emission. Whereas the excitation light may only be focussed to a focal area with spatial dimensions above the diffraction barrier, a zero point of the intensity of the de-excitation light in which the excited fluorescent entities are not kept dark in that they are returned to their ground state by stimulated emission and are thus still able to emit fluorescence light, and around which the fluorescent entities are completely de-excited again, may be made much smaller. For example, the zero point of the intensity distribution of the de-excitation light may be defined by destructive interference of different components of the de-excitation light; and with increasing overall intensity of the de-excitation light the boundary of such a zero point beyond which the fluorescent entities are completely de-excited is closely drawn around a geometric point.
In STED fluorescence light microscopy, the excitation light is usually applied to the sample in pulses. Typically, the de-excitation light is also applied to the sample in pulses, and a detector for registering the fluorescence light emitted out of the zero point of the intensity distribution of the de-excitation light is only turned on directly after each pulse of the de-excitation light fades out.
As already indicated above, however, the de-excitation light needs to have a rather high intensity to yield a high spatial resolution. Pulsed lasers delivering high intensity pulses are expensive, particularly, if the pulses have to be very short, i.e. shorter than the lifetime of the excited state of the fluorescent entities, during which the excited state already decays by spontaneous emission of fluorescence light, as otherwise there would be no excited fluorescent entities left after each pulse of the de-excitation light, even in the zero point of its intensity distribution.
Besides applying both the excitation light and the de-excitation light in pulses as explained above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,588 also discloses to use a continuous wave laser as an excitation light source to save cost. Even then, the detector registering the fluorescence light spontaneously emitted out of the zero point of the intensity distribution of the de-excitation light is only turned on directly after each pulse of the de-excitation light has passed the sample.
US 2010/0176307 A1 discloses STED fluorescence light microscopy with two-photon excitation in which excitation light is applied to a sample in pulses at such a wavelength that fluorescent entities in the sample are excited for the emission of fluorescence light in a multi-photon process. The de-excitation or STED light is applied to the sample as a continuous wave, and the fluorescence light spontaneously emitted by the excited fluorescent entities in the sample is continuously recorded over several pulses of the excitation light. Due to the multi-photon process used for exciting the fluorescent entities in the sample, the spatial distribution of the excited fluorescent entities is assumed to not extend far beyond the zero point of the intensity distribution of the de-excitation light. Thus, it becomes possible to considerably save cost in that the de-excitation light is applied to the sample by a continuous wave laser, and in that the fluorescence light spontaneously emitted by the sample is continuously registered. In registering the spontaneously emitted fluorescence light, the excitation light, the de-excitation light and the stimulated emission from the fluorescent entities are blocked by a suitable edge filter or narrow-band bandpass filter and/or by means of a polarization filter, if the excitation light and the de-excitation light are suitably polarized.
The signal yield in any fluorescence light microscopic method using multi-photon excitation, however, is only small, and suitable pulsed light sources for exciting fluorescent entities in a multi-photon process, which have a suitable output intensity, are expensive.
A method of STED fluorescence light microscopy called CW-STED has been published which differs from that one disclosed in US 2010/0176307 A1 in that the excitation light applied to the sample in pulses excites the fluorescent entities for fluorescence in a simple one-photon process.
Both the two-photon excitation method disclosed in US 2010/0176307 A1 and CW-STED have been found to lack something of the expected spatial resolution. In fact, the images of a known structure marked with fluorescent entities look somewhat blurred as compared to images of the same structure obtained by pulsed excitation light and pulsed de-excitation light and by registering the spontaneously emitted fluorescence light only after each pulse of the de-excitation light.
Thus, a need remains for STED fluorescence light microscopy using a low-cost continuous wave laser but nevertheless exhibiting an uncompromised spatial resolution.

STED microscopy with pulsed excitation, continuous stimulation, and gated registration of spontaneously emitted fluorescence light

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.


A method of implementing an administration system for use with a computer aided design (CAD) system. The method includes generating multiple CAD objects using the CAD system, and generating multiple web objects. A set of object properties is defined for each of the CAD objects; and for each of the web objects. A plurality of links are created, with each link defining a conditional relationship between a parent object and a child object. Each parent object is one of the CAD objects or one of the web objects, and each child object is one of the CAD objects or one of the web objects. A set of link relationships is defined for each of the links.

The present invention relates to product design systems, and more specifically, but not exclusively, relates to a product design system that allows for product design over a network.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems are all used in a wide variety of areas such as engineering product design, and development. Although CAD and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems have reduced the amount of work required in product development and manufacturing, CAD/CAM systems, due to their complexity and cost, have created obstacles to rapid product development within companies. CAD/CAM systems in most companies are only used in isolated engineering/drafting departments. Even simple product designs require the assistance of the engineering/drafting department, because only the draftspersons and engineers within the department have the expertise to operate in complex CAD/CAM systems. The resources of an engineering/drafting department can be limited, and this in turn limits access to the CAD/CAM systems. This limited access can create a bottleneck in the product development cycle. Further adding complication to the design process is the increased popularity of the internet. The internet has increased the pressure on organizations to reduce product development time. Further, the internet has increased the demand for personalized product design.
Thus, needs remain for further contributions in this area of technology.


A linear motion actuator is disclosed in which an actuator shaft is held in a ready position by a latching ring. A spring is attached to the actuator shaft to exert a biasing force on the actuator shaft biasing it toward its actuated position. The latching ring receives one end of the actuator shaft and has locking elements that hold the actuator shaft in the ready position. A latching ring is rotated to selectively release the locking element. A shape memory alloy link extends partially around the latching ring and is secured to the latching ring. The link is shortened when current is applied to the link causing the link to rotate and release the locking element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for actuating a latch mechanism with a linear motion actuator.
2. Background Art
Latches are used to hold selectively movable members in a desired orientation. Latches are frequently manually actuated by a user grasping a handle and pushing or pulling on the handle to release the latch and allow relatively movable parts to move from a latched position to a released position. Latches may be used in vehicle seats to hold the seat to the floor, or to hold the seatback in a selected position relative to the seat base. Latches may also be used for interior compartment covers or in other applications.
There is a need for an economical, robust and easily operated latch actuator that may be electronically actuated. There is also a need for an electronically actuated latch that is responsive to electronic signals from switches that may be, for example, a push button switch on a vehicle door, a radio-frequency key fob switch, a microprocessor controlled switch, or the like.
The present invention is directed to providing a linear motion actuator or a system for actuating a latch mechanism that fulfills the above long-felt needs as summarized below.


Systems and methods for refining or otherwise processing tungsten alloys, including ferrotungsten powder and articles formed therefrom, and methods for detecting the presence of the same. The methods include at least one of magnetically-separating and particle-size-separating ferrotungsten or ferrotungsten-containing powder. In some embodiments, powder may be separated to remove fine particles, and optionally to separate the remaining particles into fractions containing selected particle size distributions. The powder additionally or alternatively may be separated into at least magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. In some embodiments, portions of two or more size and/or magnetism fractions are mixed to provide a ferrotungsten-containing feedstock. Selected fractions resulting from the size and magnetism separation steps may be utilized to provide a ferrotungsten-containing feedstock from which articles are produced and which may include additional components.

Many articles that previously have been formed from lead are now formed from other materials because of health concerns regarding the toxicity of lead. Examples of materials that have proven effective as lead substitutes are materials that are formed from tungsten and/or tungsten alloys. One significant factor why tungsten and its alloys are effective for use as lead substitutes is that tungsten is very dense. More specifically, tungsten has a density of 19.3 g/cc, which is significantly higher than that of lead, which has a density of 11.3 g/cc. Many tungsten alloys also have densities that are greater than, and often much greater than, the density of lead, with many tungsten alloys having a density greater than 15 g/cc. By having such a high density, tungsten and its alloys can be mixed with other metal, polymer, or other materials to form a composite material that still has a sufficient density to be used as a lead substitute, such as a density that equals that of lead, that is greater than that of lead, that is near the density of lead, etc.
In many applications, tungsten-containing materials are utilized in powder metallurgy applications. As such, these powder-form materials may be referred to as tungsten-containing powders. These powders may be utilized alone, although they are often mixed with other materials, such as one or more binders, lubricants and the like. During formation of these articles via powder metallurgy, factors to be considered are the strength and density of the article, as well as the flowability of the tungsten-containing powder used to form the article. For example, if a particular powder blend produces sufficiently dense and strong articles, it still may not be commercially viable if the powder used to form the articles does not readily flow and therefore cannot be effectively distributed in an automated or other mechanized (typically large scale) manufacturing process. Similarly, a tungsten-containing powder that flows sufficiently well to be used in mechanized (preferably larger scale) processes, but which does not yield sufficiently dense or strong articles also is not commercially viable.
Another consideration is the availability of the tungsten-containing material. For example, if a particular material performs well, such as in the criteria described above, but is very scarce and/or prohibitively expensive compared to other available materials, then this material may not be a commercially viable lead substitute simply because it cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities for larger scale manufacturing processes and/or obtained in sufficient quantities at a commercially acceptable price. Therefore, it is desirable for a tungsten-containing material that will be used as a lead substitute to be at least substantially formed from a material that is reliably commercially available in larger quantities at consistent quality levels and relatively stable prices. As an aspect of this factor, for some materials, the effectiveness of the material for powder metallurgical processes varies, sometimes dramatically, depending upon the particle size of the material being utilized. Therefore, the availability and economics of obtaining a desired tungsten-containing material in a desired form needs to be considered.
One type of tungsten alloy is ferrotungsten, which is an alloy of tungsten and iron. Ferrotungsten is commercially available as a commodity product, with the largest present application of ferrotungsten being a feedstock component for many steels such as steels used to make high-speed cutting tools. Conventionally, ferrotungsten is utilized by the steel industry with consideration essentially only being given to the weight percentage (wt %) of tungsten in the ferrotungsten. In other industries, such as the firearms industry, tungsten, ferrotungsten, and other tungsten alloys are being used to form non-toxic firearms projectiles, such as via powder metallurgy and melt and cast/quench techniques. Conventionally, consideration is given to the bulk density of ferrotungsten, namely, the theoretical and actual density of articles produced from ferrotungsten, with the theoretical density being calculated based on the overall weight percentage of ferrotungsten in the article being produced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for processing ferrotungsten and other tungsten alloys, articles formed therefrom and methods for detecting the same


A celestial navigation device. A full-featured embodiment is useful as a sundial and planisphere and for measuring, among other things, latitude, longitude, and for time to angle conversions. The device may have one or more rings and is based on a transparent circular tube having a gravity indicator, typically a ball or bubble, in the circular tube, which locates the lowest or highest point in the tube to indicate time or angle measurements against a corresponding scale. The device may have a 24-hour time scale, a calendar scale, and/or an angle scale. One embodiment includes a split analemma with separate north and south portions. Each analemma portion is used with a corresponding gnomon of a pair of gnomons, each on opposite sides of the tubular ring. A two-ring embodiment has an inner ring and outer ring rotatably slidable relative to one another. Two additional gnomons and star position marks may be provided for star sighting observations. The device has a hollow center and may be worn as a bracelet and may be constructed with precious metals and/or gems to enhance the value of the bracelet aspect.

School children are taught about how the earth is round and orbits around the sun and about the earth's declination on the orbit and how this results in the four seasons. Yet when one goes outside, the earth looks flat and the sun is somewhere in the sky, and it is difficult to fully grasp or appreciate the geometry involved. In addition, modern air travel has greatly shortened the time and effort required to travel great distances around the globe. One crosses multiple time zones, experiences jet lag and may experience different climates or reversal of the seasons upon travel to the opposite hemisphere. Yet the geometry behind this can remain somewhat obscure and theoretical.
Thus, there is a need for a portable device that can be easily carried on trips to enhance the appreciation of the concepts of latitude and longitude, and timekeeping and how these concepts relate to the daily and annual movements of the sun and the stars.


Provided is a method for preventing overheating of a traction motor in an electric vehicle. The method for preventing the overheating of the traction motor in the electric vehicle includes identifying magnitude of an output load of the motor, identifying a loading time of the motor on the basis of the identified magnitude of the output load, comparing the identified loading time to a preset critical time, and controlling output torque of the motor according to the comparison result.

The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to a method for preventing overheating of a traction motor in an electric vehicle, which determines driving conditions of the traction motor in consideration of a temperature, magnitude of a load, a time for which a load is applied, and a variation in temperature to prevent the traction motor from being overheated.
Eco-friendly vehicles include pure electric vehicles and fuel-electric vehicles.
Such a fuel-electric vehicle represents a vehicle driven by efficiently combining two kinds of power sources different from each other, i.e., a vehicle driven by an engine that obtains a rotation force by burning a fuel (a fossil fuel such as gasoline) and a traction motor that obtains a rotation force by using a battery power.
Such an eco-friendly vehicle adopts a traction motor as a power source. Also, the eco-friendly vehicle is designed as a future vehicle that promotes reduction of exhaust gases and improvement of fuel efficiency. Thus, studies for improving fuel efficiency and developing eco-friendly products are being actively progressed to promptly meet the needs of the times.
However, in the eco-friendly vehicle using the traction motor as described above, overheating of the motor of which a temperature increases above a predetermined level during the driving of the motor may occur.
A driving section of the motor may be divided into a maximum instantaneous rated section and a continuous rated section. Since cooling capacity is greater than a heat generation rate below the continuous rating, the motor may continuously operate without increasing in temperature. However, when the motor operates for a long time above the continuous rating, the motor may increase in temperature.
When the temperature of the motor is identified in real time to increase above a predetermined level so as to prevent the motor from being overheated, technologies for restricting an operation of the motor in the driving section to prevent a system from being damaged due to the overheating are being applied.
That is, when the temperature of the motor exceeds a critical point, maximum torque may gradually decrease to enter into a derating section in which a rated output decreases. Since the driving amount of motor is significantly reduced in the state of entering into the derating section, an additional temperature rise may be prevented.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are line graphs illustrating a torque limitation in a derating section in which maximum torque gradually decreases when exceeding a critical temperature according to a related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, output torque of a motor is controlled according to a normal maximum torque value in a normal operation section in which a temperature of the motor is below a critical point. However, the maximum torque of the motor is set to gradually decrease in a derating section in which the temperature of the motor exceeds the critical point, thereby restricting a driving amount of motor.
Also, when the maximum torque of the motor decreases, a usable driving section of the motor may change to significantly reduce power performance of the vehicle. As a result, this may cause dissatisfaction of a driver.
Thus, in recent years, a derating method in which a motor protection critical temperature is additionally set, a driving amount of motor is reduced within a range in which power performance of the vehicle is not reduced above the motor protection critical temperature and below a critical temperature to prevent the motor from being overheated is used as illustrated in FIG. 2.
However, a temperature sensor of the traction motor is attached to a specific position of the traction motor. Here, a predetermined time is taken for completely transferring heat of the traction motor to the temperature sensor.
Thus, it is difficult to identify the overheated state of the traction motor by using only the temperature of the traction motor.    (Patent Document 1) KR2008-0026609 A

Apparatus for controlling motor in electric vehicle and method for preventing overheating of traction motor


A vehicle seat having a backrest, which has a backrest middle part and backrest side parts, which extend forward laterally from the backrest middle part and are provided for lateral body support is described. The backrest side parts each have an internal section connected to the backrest middle part and an external section connected thereto, which overlaps a forward area of the backrest side part. The backrest side parts are adjustable in relation to the backrest middle part so that the backrest width is changeable by fixing the backrest side parts. The internal section and the external section are produced in one piece from a foam material. A stiffening element is foamed into the internal section and into the external section in a transition area between the internal section and the external section, which is primarily provided to give the external section a certain rigidity.

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a backrest middle and side parts which extend laterally from the middle part.
Modern vehicles are typically equipped with multiple airbags. In addition to airbags which are situated in the steering wheel or in the dashboard, there are seat airbags which are to protect the passenger in the event of a side impact. Seat airbags are increasingly replacing the door airbags situated behind door side panels in older vehicles.
It is expected of premium vehicles, in particular, that the vehicle seats are adaptable to the body as perfectly as possible, similarly to a tailored suit, to offer high seat comfort and good lateral hold or restraint to every passenger. Simultaneously, the vehicle seats are to meet the high safety requirements of modern vehicles.
A vehicle seat having a backrest middle part and backrest side parts, which may be adjusted in relation to the backrest middle part by an electromechanical adjustment apparatus, is known from German Patent Document DE 103 45 834.4 (not previously published), which is expressly incorporated herein its entirety, the backrest width being able to be changed by adjusting the backrest side parts. An airbag module is situated in one of the backrest side parts. A tear seam is provided in a forward external area of this backrest side part. When the airbag is triggered, the tear seam is torn open by the pressure of the airbag. The airbag may then unfold toward a forward seat area. To meet the safety standards placed on the seat airbag, the tear seam must be subjected to careful quality control in the manufacturing process, which is connected with significant costs.
According to the present invention, a vehicle seat which is adjustable in its backrest width, and which is producible at low manufacturing and quality control outlay is described.
Although the present invention is primarily described in the following in connection with a width-adjustable seat backrest, a shown in the drawings, it is expressly noted that the present invention is also suitable for a width-adjustable seat cushion.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention may include a vehicle seat having a backrest which has a backrest middle part and two backrest side parts, which extend forward laterally from the backrest middle part and are provided for lateral body support. The backrest side parts each have an internal section connected to the backrest middle part and an external section connected thereto, which overlaps a forward area of the particular backrest side part. The internal section may be convexly curved. However an "indented," i.e., concavely curved internal section may also be used. The backrest side parts are situated so they are adjustable in relation to the backrest middle part in such a way that the backrest width of the vehicle seat is changeable by adjusting the backrest side parts.
An important aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that the internal section and the external section of at least one of the two backrest side parts are produced in one piece from a foam material, a stiffening element being "foamed in" in the internal section and the external section at least in a transition area between the internal section and the external section. When reference is made in the following description to "foamed in," the term "foamed in" is to be understood broadly in the meaning that "foamed on" and "glued on" are also included, even without the latter terms expressly being used. The stiffening element is provided for the purpose of giving the transition area between the internal section and the external section as well as the external section per se a certain rigidity. In regard to the possibility of adjusting the backrest width, the external section of the backrest side part is to have a certain flexibility. On the other hand, however, it is to be ensured that the external area of the backrest side part maintains its shape, i.e., remains taut, over the entire service life of the motor vehicle.
According to a refinement of the present exemplary embodiment, an airbag module may be situated in a rear area of the seat-exterior backrest side part. The term "seat-exterior backrest part" is to be understood as the backrest part which faces toward the vehicle exterior side or the vehicle door in the vehicle and faces away from the vehicle center. In the event of airbag triggering, the exemplary airbag exits from the backrest side part and unfolds past the external section of the seat-exterior backrest part in the direction toward a forward seat area.
According to a refinement of the present exemplary embodiment, the backrest middle part and the backrest side parts may be covered by a decorative material, e.g., a textile material or leather. The decorative material is tensioned over the internal section and the external section of the seat-exterior backrest side part and wrapped around a rear end of the external section of the seat-exterior backrest part. The wrapped-around end of the exemplary decorative material is fixed on an interior side of the external section of the seat-exterior backrest part on the external section. The wrapped-around end may be hung, clipped, glued, or attached in another way to the interior side of the external section.
The vehicle seat in this example preferably has a backrest rear wall, which has a seat-interior side face and a seat-exterior side face. The side faces extend from the rear side of the vehicle seat laterally forward to the backrest side parts. The side faces at least partially overlap the rear areas of the side parts. The seat-exterior side face preferably extends at least far enough forward that it overlaps the airbag module from the outside. The seat-exterior side face has a certain bending elasticity and only extends far enough forward that upon the airbag triggering, the airbag may exit securely from the backrest side part and may unfold forward externally past the external section of the seat-exterior backrest side part.
The airbag module may be attached to a support structure or to a frame of the seat backrest. The support structure or the frame may be a welded or bent construction. The "support structure" may also be produced from sheet metal and pipes.
In the normal state according to this embodiment, i.e., when the seat airbag has not been triggered, the forward end of the seat-exterior side face of the backrest rear wall and the rear end of the external section of the seat-exterior backrest part may essentially abut one another and/or slightly overlap one another viewed from the outside.
As described above, the backrest side parts in an exemplary embodiment may be situated so they are adjustable in relation to the backrest middle part. For design reasons, it may be ensured that the airbag module, the support structure of the seat backrest, and other seat components situated in the backrest are not visible from the outside, even when the backrest side parts are extended entirely "forward to the inside," i.e., when the seat backrest is set to its minimal backrest width. For this purpose, a screen element may be provided. The screen element may be implemented in such a way that it has a first leg-like section and a second leg-like section. For example, it may have an L-shaped cross-section. A first leg of the screen element may be situated in such a way that it at least partially overlaps a front side of the airbag module. A second leg of the screen element may extend in an area between the interior side of the external section of the exterior backrest side part and the support structure. It is ensured by a screen element of this type that even when the backrest side parts are entirely extended, the airbag module and the support structure of the seat backrest are not visible from the outside.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Vehicle seat having backrest width adjustment and integrated seat airbag

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


There is provided an apparatus comprising a roof panel (20) and control system (14), the roof panel comprising one or more cover portions that are moveable between open and closed positions for opening and closing the roof panel. The control system comprises an actuator (40) for moving the cover portions between the open and closed positions, a mains power supply input, and an emergency power store. The control system is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of an emergency, to power the actuator from the mains power supply when the signals indicate there is no emergency, and to power the actuator from the emergency power store when the signals indicate there is an emergency.

Roof panels which can be opened and closed find uses in a wide variety of structures. For example, such roof panels may be used to form the roofs of prefabricated meeting rooms that are assembled inside of larger rooms of a building. Such meeting rooms are sometimes referred to as pods, and may be used to provide quiet areas for private discussions inside of open plan offices.
Roof panels for pod rooms are typically closed during meetings to provide sound proofing, however need to open when there is an emergency, to allow the sound of emergency alarms to be heard inside the pod and to allow water from sprinkler systems to enter the pod through the pod roof.
Various types of roof panels for pod roofs are known, which aim to allow opening of pod roofs under emergency conditions. Some systems rely on mechanical biasing of the roof towards an open position; however these can be prone to jamming or failure of springs as the roof panel ages. Other systems use mains power which is not reliable under emergency conditions, or battery power which is not reliable after many cycles when the battery becomes discharged and/or no longer recharges properly anymore.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a more reliable roof panel.

Apparatus comprising a roof panel and control system for opening and closing the roof panel


The invention includes methods and compositions relating to calcium phosphate cements, which self-harden substantially to hydroxyapatite at ambient temperature when in contact with an aqueous medium. More specifically the cements comprise a combination of one or more sparingly soluble calcium phosphates other than tetracalcium phosphate with an aqueous solution adjusted with a base to maintain a pH of about 12.5 or above and having sufficient dissolved phosphate salt to yield a solution mixture with phosphate concentration equal to or greater than about 0.2 mol/L.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to calcium phosphate compositions, including cements and pastes, and to methods for making and using them. In its preferred form, the invention relates to methods for making hydroxyapatite forming cements and pastes without the necessity for employing tetracalcium phosphate as a precursor.
2. Description of Related Art
In the area of dental cements, the prior art includes a number of compounds. Some such cements, however, irritate the pulp and are unsuitable for applications where the cement must come in contact with exposed pulp. Guide to Dental Materials and Devices, 7th Ed. (ADA 1974) p. 49. One solution to this problem is a cement made of materials similar in composition to tooth and bone mineral, since this would not irritate the living tissue. It has been known for some time that hydroxyapatite materials have the basic properties of human bones and teeth.
The use of .beta.-Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 was suggested for pulp capping in Driskell et al, "Development of Ceramic and Ceramic Composite Devices for Maxillofacial Application", J. Biomed. t. Re& 6: 345-361 (1972); and the use of Ca.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 O was suggested by Brown and Chow in IADR Abstract No. 120, J. Dent. Res. 54: 74 (1975), as a possible pulp capping agent. As described in the latter, Ca.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 O hydrolyzes to hydroxyapatite. Such single calcium phosphate cements are incapable of setting to a hard consistency, however, without an additional source of calcium.
Though U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,229 (Driskell et al.) discloses putty-like pastes containing .alpha.-Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, .beta.-Ca.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, CaHPO.sub.4 and mixtures thereof as pulp capping, root canal, and tooth replanting materials, it is believed that none of these pastes hardens into a cement.
Experience with calcium-based implants for the replacement of skeletal tissue has also existed for many years. Most of these implants have been in the form of prefabricated, sintered hydroxyapatite in either granule or block forms. These preparations have several drawbacks, including a limited ability to conform to skeletal defects, particularly in the case of blocks; inadequate structural integrity of granules (which do not bond together), and difficulty in modeling the implant to the shape of missing skeletal tissue with both blocks and granules. The block form of hydroxyapatitc provides structural support, but among other complications, must be held in place by mechanical means, which greatly limits its use and its cosmetic results; and it is very difficult to saw a shape such that it fits the patients individual defect. The granular form produces cosmetically better results, but has a very limited structural stability and is difficult to contain during and after a surgical procedure. In general, all of these products are ceramics, produced by high temperature sintering, and are not individually crystalline, but rather have their crystal boundaries fused together. These ceramic-type materials are in general functionally biologically non-absorbable (having an absorption rate generally not exceeding on the order of 1% per year).
A porous, non-resorbable material based on coral allows intergrowth with bone, but ultimately becomes only approximately 20% bone with the remaining 80% subsisting as scar tissue. HA RESORB made by Osteogen is a form of absorbable hydroxyapatite, but is not a cement. It is granular and not adhesive. HA RESORB is loosely rather than adhesively packed into place. For large uses it is replaced by bone too quickly. In the dental materials market, HAPSET is a composition of calcium phosphate granules and cementable plaster of Paris (calcium sulfate). This material is not truly a hydroxyapatite and contains too much calcium sulfate for most biological uses. The calcium sulfate component of such a composition is resorbable, but not the calcium phosphate granules.
In sum, the commercially available hydroxyapatite materials are in general not resorbable with accompanying replacement by bone, and are not self-setting (self-hardening) cements.
The patent literature, does, however, describe at least one class of calcium phosphate cement compositions which are precursors for the formation of hydroxyapatite and are biologically compatible, and have two unique properties that are not attainable in other calcium phosphate biomaterials: (1) self-hardening to form a mass with sufficient strength for many medical and dental applications, and (2) when implanted in bone, the cement resorbs slowly and is completely replaced by new bone formation with no loss in the volume or integrity of the tissue that receives the implant. See U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 33,221 and Re. 33,161 to Brown and Chow, which teach preparation of calcium phosphate remineralization compositions and of a finely crystalline, non-ceramic, gradually resorbable hydroxyapatite cement based on the same calcium phosphate composition.
A virtually identical calcium phosphate system which consists of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) or its monohydrate form (MCPM) was described by Constantz et aL (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,212 and 5,129,905). This cement system is believed to involye conversion of the MCP to dicalcium phosphate which reacts with TTCP and forms hydroxysapatite (HA), the major mineral component of teeth and bone, as the end product.
Constant: et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,880,610 and 5,047,031 describe another cement system that consists of a mixture of solid phosphoric acid crystals, calcium carbonate, and calcium hydroxide as the cement powder and a 7.4 mol/L NaOH solution (4.5 g NaOH in 15 mL of water) as the cement liquid. Data on the physical and chemical properties (compressive strength, hardening time, nature of end product, pH of the cement fluid, heat of mixing etc.) of this cement have not been located in the patent or scientific literature.
The major components of the calcium phosphate remineralizing slurries, pastes and cements taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 33,221 and Re. 33,161 are preferably tetracalcium phosphate (Ca.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.2 O), and at least one other sparingly soluble calcium phosphate, preferably dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (CaHPO.sub.4), or dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO.sub.4 .multidot.2H.sub.2 O). These react in an aqueous environment to form hydroxyapatite, the principal mineral in teeth and bones, as the final product. Because of the apatitic nature of the set cement, it is highly compatible with soft and hard tissues. This material, if applied intraoperatively as a paste, subsequently sets to a structurally stable implant composed of microporous hydroxyapatite.

Self-setting calcium phosphate cements and methods for preparing and using them

American Dental Association Health Foundation


A level of an input signal is detected according to a first following rate, and a first level signal indicating the detected level is generated. A level of the input signal is detected according to a second following rate lower than the first following rate, and a second level signal indicating the detected level is generated. One of the first and second level signals is selected based on a relation (e.g., ratio) between the first and second level signals so that a gain is determined based on the selected one of the first and second level signals. The level of the first input signal is adjusted according to the determined gain. For example, if the level variation is dominant, the gain adjustment suitable for the level variation can be performed, whereas, if the stable level is dominant, the gain adjustment suitable for the stable level can be performed.

The present invention relates to a level adjustment device and method capable of automatically adjusting a volume level of a sound signal such as a music sound signal to a proper volume level in such a case that a currently played music is changed to another one in background music, or the volume level is varied in a currently played music, for example.
In a case that a plurality of music pieces are played continuously via an audio system as background music or the like, because of a difference of volume levels between the music pieces played one after anther and/or a level variation in a currently-played music piece, it is desired to automatically adjust volume levels of musical sounds being played to proper volume levels for each music piece so that a listener can hear surely the musical sounds, and that the volume levels do not become louder. To automatically adjust the volume, there have been known a level adjustment device which controls an audio gain in response to a level of an input signal so as to suppress the level variation in the input signal and outputs the gain adjusted output signal. Such the level adjustment device comprises a level detection section to detect a level of an input signal. This level detection section is constructed to detect the level of the input signal following a level variation in the input signal, and a following rate therefor is decided according to a time constant which is variably set in the level detection section. If the following rate is set to a low rate by setting the time constant to a great value, the level detection cannot follow a level variation in a time period where the level of musical sounds varies at high rate, therefore the level of the musical sounds played in the time period will be too loud. On the other hand, if the following rate is set to a high rate by setting the time constant to a small value, because the level adjustment will follow rapidly the variation of the level of the musical sounds, a listener will perceive the variation of the gain level. Accordingly, there have been proposed a level adjustment device constructed to calculate a long-term gain corresponding to a low following rate and a short-term gain corresponding to a high following rate, and to adjust the level of signals based on the calculated long-term gain and short-term gain (see Japanese Patent No. 5236006 which corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/255712, for example).
From a standpoint of a listener, perceiving the gain variation during a playback of a music piece is undesirable because of disturbing music listening. That is, it is desirable to slow the following rate for the gain adjustment, basically. However, the conventional method which calculates both of the long-term gain and the short-term gain has a complicated construction of signal processing. Further, it is difficult to predict how the level of the signal varies after the gain adjustment.


A portable type information transmitting apparatus has a bionic information measuring section that outputs bionic information in accordance with a detected bionic signal. A standard radio wave receiving section receives a standard radio wave including current time information. A time counting section counts time. A time correcting section corrects the time counted by the time counting section based on the standard radio wave received by the standard radio wave section. A transmission data generating section generates transmission data including first time information corresponding to the time counted by the time counting section and the bionic information from the bionic information measuring section. A data transmission section transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generating section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information transmitting system for transmitting bionic information or time information, a portable type information transmitting apparatus, and a portable type information receiving apparatus suitable for constructing the information transmitting system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a background art, there has been developed as a type of a portable electronic apparatus a radio wave timepiece for receiving a standard radio wave including a time code indicating current time and automatically correcting time in correspondence with the time code. For example, a radio wave timepiece described in JP-A-2002-082187 (paragraphs [0011] through [0020], FIG. 1) is constituted such that a standard radio wave transmitted from a transmitting station is received by a receiving antenna and a receiving circuit included in a main body of a wristwatch type radio wave timepiece and a deviation of time of the radio wave timepiece is corrected. The wristwatch type radio wave timepiece is restricted to a portable size, and therefore, there is a problem that the receiving antenna included in the main body of the radio wave timepiece is restricted to be equal to or smaller than a constant size, which makes it difficult to increase a receiving sensitivity.
On the other hand, as other portable type electronic apparatus, as described in Domestic Re-publication WO96/29005 (page 5 through page 15, FIG. 1 through FIG. 7), there has been developed a portable type heartbeat meter for mounting a chest band including a heartbeat detecting circuit and a heartbeat number calculating circuit and a heartbeat interval data transmitting circuit at the chest portion of the human body, receiving a heartbeat interval data transmitted from the chest band by a receiving antenna and a receiving circuit included in a main body of a wristwatch, and displaying a heartbeat number at the wristwatch.
When a heartbeat measuring function is going to be added to a radio wave timepiece, it is necessary to provide both receiving antennas and receiving circuits. In this case, when the'radio wave timepiece is going to be downsized to a wristwatch size, the receiving antennas are obliged to be downsized, and therefore, there is a problem of the deterioration of the receiving sensitivities. Further, a circuit scale of hardware is increased, and therefore, when the receiving sensitivities are increased, large spaces are needed not only for the antennas but also for a peripheral circuit, making downsizing of the apparatus difficult to achieve.
It is an object of the invention to provide a portable type information transmitting system, a portable type information transmitting apparatus, and a portable type information receiving apparatus that can be downsized and that are capable of transmitting and receiving information with accuracy and efficiency.

Portable type information transmitting system, portable type information transmitting apparatus and portable type information receiving apparatus


A portable lighting device control module configured to intuitively adjust lighting operations of a portable lighting device by interpreting real-time user gestures and external conditions of the portable lighting device to modifying lighting operations in response thereto. The control module installed within a portable lighting device may be configured to permit automatic dimming of front-end LEDs, enable a low power standby mode in absence of motion being detected, automatic mode adjustments in response to low battery determination, adjustment to lantern mode when a bump gesture is detected, continuous alternation between modes within lantern mode by detecting subsequent bump gestures, exiting lantern mode by detecting orientation, locking the lighting operation to a specific mode by determining orienting as either upwards or downwards, switching between modes by performing twist and return gestures, switching between modes by performing whip gestures, instantaneously dimming the light intensity by twisting the portable lighting device.

A significant problem with portable lighting devices is that a user cannot easily transition from one mode of operation to another mode of operation without clicking a button on the user interface of the flashlight body to request for the mode change. Another significant problem with portable lighting devices is that the light intensity cannot be easily managed by the user, resulting in too little light or too much light at a specific instance of use. Another significant problem is that portable lighting devices are frequently accidentally left on, and the battery depleted as a result. Flashlights may be configured to turn off due to non-use after a specific duration, but their re-initiation results in the flashlight being returned into a pre-programmed power-up sequence mode, which sometimes isn't to the user's expectations. Another significant problem with flashlights is that they do not have a means to adjust power consumption based on remaining battery life automatically.
Also, dual flashlight/lantern lighting devices on the market today cannot transition from a flashlight device to a lantern device without pressing a button on the user interface of the lighting device body to request such adjustment. Finally, lighting devices cannot easily maintain light intensity without having to click a button to lock a certain setting desired by a user.


An electric power plant comprising a battery and a DC-three-phase AC inverter, for a vehicle, in particular an automobile. The powerplant comprises at least one three-phase disk-rotor motor (6) assigned to one vehicle wheel, the supply voltage for said motor being adjustable in amplitude and frequency.

Conventional vehicles for present street and road traffic are powered by internal combustion engines. Electrically powered vehicles also are known, some of which are supplied by batteries and others by solar power equipment. Battery-powered drives have long been used for railway station carts, fork lifts and the like.
The essential drawbacks of electrically powered vehicles are that battery recharging demands substantial time or necessitates expensive exchange of the batteries, battery capacity being significantly limited because of weight and also because the required controls entail additional losses. Also, the batteries, drive motors and controls are heavy, degrading the energy picture.
An electrical wheel-drive for motor vehicles, in particular for hybrid automobiles, is known from the nearest document of the state of the art, namely EP 46 997 A2, which describes a system in which one electronically rpm-controlled, polyphase, brushless electric motor is associated with each wheel. The wheel-hub motors are multi-gap axial field motors of which the rotors replace the wheel drums and brake disks and of which the stators replace the brake pads and splash-guard plates. The stator comprises inwardly projecting support elements carrying pancake annular coils mounted in the air gaps between the pole pieces.
The annular coils consist of scaled, laminated windings with use of ribbon conductors.
The rotor for this wheel drive is mechanically very complex and its weight is high. Accordingly, when the vehicle is decelerated or accelerated, substantial inertia is encountered. Moreover, the drive control circuit is very simple and accordingly it does not make optimal use of available energy.
A disk-rotor motor is known from the periodical etz-A, vol. 94 (1973, 10, pp 547), which may be used as vehicle drive. This disk-rotor motor however is not such in the rigorous sense, because its winding planes are radial to the motor axis, whereas conventional disk-rotor motors make use of plastic boards with copper-laminated conducting strips on one or both sides.
A three phase AC double-power locomotive is known from BBC News, 4, pp 135-140, which comprises a DC-DC converter compensating large voltage differences in the power line. The document discloses an adjustable pulse-width control of which the output voltage is applied to the three-phase AC coil of the motor.
Lastly, German Auslegeschrift 20 10 594 discloses a motor vehicle with three-phase AC drive, a three-phase AC motor being present at two mutually opposite edges of the vehicle and of which the control is affected by the steering of the driver. No provision is made for a three-phase AC disk-rotor motor.


Disclosed is a logic synthesis apparatus for automatically composing and designing LSI logic circuits by converting a functional specification based on conversion rules given in advance to the apparatus, which is composed of means for inputting an additional transformation rule, means for executing logic composition of LSI by applying the additional transformation rule to the functional specification preferentially to the conversion rules, and means for revising the conversion rules so as to avoid competition between the conversion rules and the additional transformation rule by analyzing the additional conversion rule, and incorporating the additional transformation rule in the conversion rules, thereby obtaining a learning function to the additional transformation rule.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a logic synthesis apparatus for composing a logic circuit to be designed based on a functional specification of the logic circuit, and particularly to a logic synthesis circuit having an automatic learning function for incorporating an additional transformation rule in a group of conversion rules given in advance to the apparatus without causing competition to the group of conversion rules.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the improvement of the integrating technology, LSI logic circuits become more large-scale and complicated. Therefore, the design work for the circuits becomes more complex and requires much more time. Accordingly, there is a proposition to provide a logic synthesis apparatus having a group of conversion rules as a knowledge base for producing a logic circuit with a function when a functional specification for representing the function is inputted, so as to enable automatically composing a logic circuit only by inputting the functional specification. By using this apparatus, it is attempted to easily design a logic circuit and reduce the design time.
In such a logic synthesis apparatus, the group of conversion rules as a knowledge base is composed of conversion rules required for producing a logic circuit in accordance with a functional specification. The group of conversion rules is obtained by expressing a method ordinarily used for designing logic circuits by producing a logic circuit from a functional specification as conversion rules, and gathering the conversion rules into a group. To make the logic synthesis apparatus applicable to the designers in common as widely as possible, the number of the conversion rules to be incorporated in the apparatus is minimized as far as the logic design is possible. Accordingly, by this apparatus, even when the designers are different, the same logic circuit can be obtained as far as the functional specification is the same. However, because of difference in design approaches by designers, even when the functional specification is the same, the logic circuits to be realized by them are occasionally different. Therefore, even though it is attempted to design the same logic circuit, the difference caused by respective designing approach of designers must be examined in detail. However, it is very difficult and troublesome to minutely discriminate the difference.
While, composing a logic circuit designed along each designing approach of designers, it is necessary to add a transformation rule original for the designer to the group of conversion rules as a knowledge base. However, in this case, it is necessary to consider the coordination or matching property between the additional transformation rule and the group of conversion rules given in advance. Namely, when the additional transformation rule is added to the knowledge base, the additional rule must be incorporated therein after the group of conversion rules is revised so as to avoid the competition between the additional rule and the group of conversion rules. Accordingly, the designer must examine the function of the group of conversion rules given in advance, and revise it along the above object, further add the additional transformation rule thereto. As the result, it becomes very troublesome for the designer, particularly for one who is not an expert of the knowledge base design, to do this work.
As mentioned above, when a logic circuit designed along each designing way of circuit designers is composed by the conventional logic synthesis apparatus, the designer must take extremely much trouble to carry out the addition or alteration to the knowledge base.

Logic synthesis apparatus for incorporating additional rules to the knowledge base without causing competition


A highly durable engine grass screen assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a grass screen for covering an air intake port of the engine, a grass screen stiffening mechanism for supporting the grass screen, a washer mechanism for compressing the screen such that the screen is pre-stressed during manufacture and such that the screen remains in compression during engine operation. The assembly can include one or more stud mechanisms which are securable to either an engine flywheel assembly or an engine fan assembly. The washer mechanism, the grass screen and the grass screen stiffening mechanism are engaged in a secured fashion to one or more stud mechanisms. A method of assembling and positioning a grass screen assembly in an engine is also disclosed.

Internal combustion engines used on agricultural equipment (e.g. mowers) are often exposed to air that contains large quantities of foreign matter. During the normal operation of such engines, a fan draws in air for combustion and/or cooling purposes through an opening in an engine housing, typically called a "blower housing". Engine grass screens are typically placed over the air intake opening to the engine fan to reduce the amount of foreign matter that passes through the engine fan in to the engine housing. The grass screens are typically designed to rotate along with the engine flywheel or cooling fan so that most of the debris can be shred and shed from the screen, thereby allowing air to flow freely through the engine fan.
Screens that rotate along with an engine flywheel or fan do so very rapidly at high rotational frequencies. Rotating screens are subject to substantial stresses caused by centrifugal forces and engine speed fluctuations during engine operation. In general, it is understood that the first resonant frequency of the screen should typically be more than about two and a half times (2.5×) the rotational frequency of the engine. Accordingly, and as one example, an engine having a running speed of 3600 rpm has a rotational frequency of 60 Hz. Thus, proper screen first resonant frequency of such an engine screen is preferably over 150 Hz (i.e., greater than 2.5 times 60 Hz).
An improved, more durable, engine grass screen assembly that both accommodates a compact engine size and maintains overall engine performance (e.g., power, efficiency, etc.) is desired.


A single-web loom for loop velvet fabric wherein weft yarns are inserted in a shed (F1) formed by warp yarns and wherein individually controlled electric actuators are used to move at least one warp yarn guide heddle into one of at least four positions (N1, N2, N3, N4) defining at least three warp yarn sheds (F1, F2, F3), and wherein warp yarn guide rods are simultaneously inserted into each of the sheds (F2, F3) other than the shed (F1) into which the weft yarns are inserted for forming loops or pile.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a single-web loom for weaving loop velvet fabric, and it also relates to a method of weaving such a velvet fabric. Such a velvet fabric may present, in a single row parallel to the weft direction, both loops and pile.
2. Brief description of the Related Art
So-called "loop velvet" looms are single-web looms in which the warp comprises both backing yarns and yarns for forming loops or pile. Such looms present superposed sheds. The bottom shed enables weft to be inserted by rapiers, while higher sheds enable respective rods to be inserted around which some of the warp yarns then form loops. The rods are driven by a device situated on one side of the fabric, which device acts during one pick to insert a rod that it withdrew from the fabric during an earlier pick. Different rods moved by a device situated on one side of the loom can carry respective blades at one end, such blades serving to cut the loops when the corresponding rod is withdrawn, thereby forming two threads of pile. By alternating rods both with and without blades, it is possible to produce a fabric that presents both loops and pile.
In the field of furnishing, there is a strong demand for fabric presenting simultaneously backing effects, loops, and pile. Loop velvet looms make it possible to combine loops and pile of different heights in a single row parallel to the weft direction.
A first method of achieving this objective is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2. It requires four picks A, B, C, and D. Two warp yarns 11 and 12 form the backing of the fabric in association with weft yarns 2. During pick A, another warp 13 forms a loop about a rod 31, prior to being incorporated in the backing of the fabric until the fourth pick D. A fourth warp yarn 14 forms a loop around the rod 31 and around a rod 32 that carries a blade, this second rod being inserted during the third pick C over the backing of the fabric. By using an appropriate backing weave, such as "4/4" or "2/2", and by inserting no weft yarns during the second and third picks B and C, the beat-up by the comb following the insertion of the second rod 32 during pick C places the second rod 32 above the first rod 31. After the first and second rods 31 and 32 have been withdrawn, a row is formed comprising pile P made using the yarn 14 and extending away from a midplane Π of the backing of the fabric over a height that is greater than the height of the loop BO. That method is not very productive since it requires four loom picks to produce one row of loops and pile.
Another method consists in inserting a "double iron" member comprising two superposed rods, one for forming a loop and the other, superposed above the first, for forming pile. It is then necessary to form three sheds in order to insert simultaneously backing weft and two rods, thus making it necessary to use shed-forming means capable of placing warp yarns in four different positions. It is then necessary to use four-position Jacquard mechanisms, as disclosed for example in EP-A-0 665 312, making use of a relatively complex and bulky tackle system. The cost price and the complexity of such mechanisms are such that they are little used in practice.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,435 makes provision for obtaining four positions from a three-position Jacquard machine combined with a moving support. If such equipment is used with rods, then during the rod extraction pick, the warp yarns can be placed beneath or above the weft, and also between the rods. During the rod insertion pick, the yarns can be placed beneath or above the pile rod, or above the weft. Such an approach does not make it possible to place a pile or loop yarn beneath the weft in order to create a backing effect.
In another approach, it is possible to combine two three-position Jacquard devices. The shed of the first device is adjusted so as to be capable of controlling the loop yarns, while the shed on the second device is adjusted so as to be capable of controlling the pile yarns. That solution reduces options for weaving since the warp yarns for the loops cannot be used to form pile, and vice versa.
Thus, weaving options with known devices on a loop velvet loom are limited both in terms of flexibility and in terms of the productivity that is obtained.

Loom and a method for weaving single-web loop velvet


A one-piece low drag septum is provided for preventing escape of fluid from an introducer needle during removal of such a needle from a catheter and introducer needle assembly. The septum generally includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity portion, and a longitudinal axis. The distal portion acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of blood from the catheter into the assembly and is generally positioned furthest away from the user of the apparatus and nearest the patient. The cavity portion reduces friction placed on the introducer needle. The proximal portion of the septum acts as a secondary seal to prevent escape of material from the cavity, seals the cavity, and wipes the needle as it is being withdrawn from the catheter assembly.

The present invention relates to catheter and introducer needle assemblies. In medicine, such catheter and introducer needle assemblies are used to place a catheter properly into the vascular system of a patient. Once in place, catheters such as intravenous (or "IV") catheters may be used to infuse fluids including normal saline, medicinal compounds, and/or nutritional compositions (including total parenteral nutrition, or "TPN") into a patient in need of such treatment. Catheters additionally enable the removal of fluids from the circulatory system and monitoring of conditions within the vascular system of the patient.
One type of commonly-used catheter is a peripheral intravenous catheter. These short, indwelling intravenous catheters are often used to provide an entry route for medications, fluid for hydration, and in some cases, for parenteral feeding, into a patient. Such catheters are generally short in length, ranging from about one-half to about three inches in length, and are generally made of flexible biocompatible materials. In some cases, these catheters additionally include a radiopaque compound such as barium sulfate to allow the location of the catheters to be tracked once inside the body.
Peripheral IV catheters are often provided as "over-the-needle" catheters mounted over an introducer needle with a sharp distal tip. This sharp tip often includes a bevel intended to be oriented away from the patient's skin during penetration of the skin. A portion of the catheter including at least the distal tip of the catheter securely grips the outside of the needle to prevent catheter peelback during insertion of the catheter into the circulatory system of the patient. Although several techniques for placing such catheters are practiced in the art, many generally include the step of inserting at least a portion of the needle into the target vessel and then sliding the catheter over the needle into place.
The medical worker then attempts to verify proper placement of the catheter within the blood vessel. Catheter and introducer needle assemblies have been provided that include means for verifying proper placement of the catheter in a blood vessel. One such means is a "flashback chamber" that is viewable to the clinician during installation. This chamber receives a small quantity of blood when a vessel is entered, thus allowing observation of blood in the chamber to be an indicator of successful entry into a vessel. Flashback notification may also be provided by providing a notch in the introducer needle a distance from the sharp distal tip of the needle in a region that is housed within the catheter. Blood flashback may then be observed at the notch and regions near it within the catheter when the catheter is at least somewhat transparent.
Once placement of the needle has been confirmed, the user may temporarily occlude flow in the blood vessel at the catheter tip, remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place, and attach a device to the catheter for fluid removal, input, or to seal the catheter. This process has been somewhat difficult in practice since many placement sites simply do not allow easy occlusion of the target vessel. Additionally, even when such occlusion is achieved, it may be imperfect, thus resulting in blood leaking from the catheter, endangering the medical personnel employing it.
Catheter and introducer needle assemblies have thus been provided in the art that provide a variety of seals or "septa" for preventing outflow of fluid during and following removal of the introducer needle. These structures are generally elastomeric plates designed to closely conform to the shape of a needle during storage and use to prevent leaking, then to seal upon removal of the needle. These septa need to be elongated in needles with flashback notches so as to encapsulate the notch and needle tip during needle removal in order to prevent the unwanted escape of blood. This elongation of the septa increases the amount of friction placed on the needle and the amount of effort needed to remove it. In order to overcome this, septa have been developed that include an internal cavity that has an internal diameter slightly larger than that of the needle used. This results in the needle contacting the septum only in regions outside of this cavity, reducing the surface area in contact with the septum.
These septa are currently provided as two-piece components to provide the needed function. They generally include at least two pieces that combine to form the septum with a distal portion, a proximate portion, and a composite cavity. Assembly of these septa has often proven difficult and labor-intensive, however. It would thus be an improvement in the art to provide septa that have fewer parts in order to simplify installation and provide enhanced functionality.


A pattern formation method includes a first step of forming a film having a flat surface on an uneven structure including a concave portion exhibiting liquid repellency and a convex portion exhibiting lyophilic properties so as to cover the concave portion and the convex portion; and a second step of forming a pattern by drying the film.

The present invention relates to a pattern formation method for forming a pattern by controlling liquid repellency and lyophilic properties, particularly to a pattern formation method for forming a pattern having a flat surface by preventing dewetting of a liquid film from occurring.
In recent years, techniques to form wiring of electronic circuits and micropatterns such as electric wiring patterns on substrates have been drawing attention. A liquid discharge head of an inkjet system (inkjet head) is used for the formation of such a micropattern, for example. In this case, droplets of liquid having metal particles or resin particles dispersed therein are jetted from the inkjet head to draw a pattern, and the liquid is cured by heating, thereby forming an electric wiring pattern.
Currently, in some cases, a liquid-repellent film is formed on a flexible substrate (support) such as PET or PEN, and wiring of an electronic circuit and a micropattern such as an electric wiring pattern as described above is formed on the liquid-repellent film. Such a micropattern is used to form a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor (hereinafter called "TFT").
JP2009-26901 A discloses a laminated structure composed of a substrate, a wettability changeable layer, a conductive layer and a semiconductor layer. The wettability changeable layer is a layer in which the critical surface tension (also called "surface free energy") varies due to imparted energy such as heat, ultraviolet light, an electron beam and plasma, and has formed thereon a high surface energy portion where the critical surface tension (surface free energy) is relatively high and a low surface energy portion where the critical surface tension (surface free energy) is relatively low. The conductive layer is formed at the high surface energy portion while the semiconductor layer is provided so as to be in contact with at least the low surface energy portion.
As a result of ultraviolet irradiation, the wettability changeable layer changes into the high surface energy portion due to the imparted energy and at the same time, the thickness of the wettability changeable layer is slightly reduced. This thickness reduction causes a level difference at the boundary line between the high surface energy portion and the low surface energy portion, and the level difference serves as a bank.
In JP2009-26901 A, lyophilic ink is discharged to the high surface energy portion that is a lyophilic surface by an inkjet method. At this time, the lyophilic ink hits the surface and wet-spreads thereon. However, in JP2009-26901 A, a three-dimensional level difference is formed at the boundary between the high surface energy portion and the low surface energy portion and therefore, the ink can be prevented from running off to the low surface energy portion area. As a result, a pattern (conductive layer) can have an excellent edge shape, and electron elements having the uniform characteristics can be fabricated.
As disclosed in JP2009-26901 A, in the case where a pattern (conductive layer) is formed using the hydrophilic/hydrophobic variable layer (wettability changeable layer) in which, upon receipt of energy such as ultraviolet light, the portion applied with the energy is caused to be lyophilic (high surface energy portion) and the film thickness of the portion is reduced, a pattern (conductive layer) can be formed as described below.
First, a lyophilic/lyophobic variable layer 122 that is originally liquid-repellent is formed on a support 120 as shown in FIG. 13A. Then, the lyophilic/lyophobic variable layer 122 is irradiated with, for instance, ultraviolet light to form a liquid-repellent portion 122a and a lyophilic portion 122b. Due to the ultraviolet irradiation, a level difference arises between the liquid-repellent portion 122a and the lyophilic portion 122b. When a liquid film 124, which is to be a pattern (conductive layer), is formed to have a uniform thickness under this condition, a level difference arises also at the surface of the liquid film 124 in accordance with the level difference of the underlayer. Hence, the liquid film 124 having an uneven surface is formed. The liquid film 124 having the uneven surface is formed because the surface reflects the level difference of the underlayer between the liquid-repellent portion 122a and the lyophilic portion 122b.
Thereafter, the liquid film 124 is repelled by the liquid-repellent portion 122a so that a pattern (conductive layer) 126 as shown in FIG. 13B is formed.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14A, a lyophilic/lyophobic variable layer 122 that is originally liquid-repellent is formed on a support 120. Then, the lyophilic/lyophobic variable layer 122 is irradiated with, for instance, ultraviolet light to form a liquid-repellent portion 122a and a lyophilic portion 122b. In this example, there is no level difference between the liquid-repellent portion 122a and the lyophilic portion 122b and the surface is flat. When a liquid film 124, which is to be a pattern (conductive layer), is formed to have a uniform thickness under this condition, the liquid film 124 having a flat surface is formed.
Thereafter, the liquid film 124 is repelled by the liquid-repellent portion 122a so that a pattern (conductive layer) 126 as shown in FIG. 14B is formed.


In one example embodiment, a panel assembly is provided that includes a first panel element having a first side edge to be attached to a communications rack, where the first panel element includes a first plurality of apertures proximate to the first side edge. The panel assembly also includes a second panel element having a second side edge to be attached to the communications rack, where the second panel element includes a second plurality of apertures proximate to the second side edge. The panel assembly also includes a third patch panel element provided between the first panel element and the second panel element.

Patch panels are used in the field of data communication systems to provide a plurality of network ports that can be incorporated into a single structural element. Such a structural element can connect incoming and outgoing lines of any suitable network (e.g., a local area network (LAN)), or connect other communication, electronic, and electrical systems. Patch panels are often mounted in hardware units that can include a plurality of port locations (e.g., twenty-four, forty-eight, etc.) and can function as a sort of static switchboard (e.g., using cables to interconnect computers associated with a LAN and/or to connect computers to an outside network). This could involve a connection to the Internet or to a wide area network (WAN).


A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.

This invention relates to olefin production and olefin production process improvements.
Olefins, primarily alpha olefins, have many uses. In addition to uses as specific chemicals, alpha-olefins, especially mono-1-olefins, are used in polymerization processes either as monomers or comonomers to prepare polyolefins, or polymers. These alpha-olefins usually are used in a liquid or gas state. Unfortunately, very few efficient processes to selectively produce a specifically desired alpha-olefin are known.


The present invention is a method of manufacturing a product from at least two individual components comprising the steps of providing data regarding at least a first and a second component to a customer; permitting the customer to request a product comprising the combination of at least the first and the second component; transmitting the request to a first location remote from the customer; receiving at least one of the first and second components at the first location; transporting the first and second components from the first location to a second location; assembling the first and second components into a desired product at the second location; and transporting the assembled product to the customer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to methods of manufacturing devices, and specifically to methods of manufacturing devices comprised of multiple component products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many manufacturers produce a comprehensive line of component products which are designed to interconnect and function together. It is often desirable for such manufacturers to sell their components separately because the varying needs of their customers would not be readily satisfied by any single combination of components, and it is frequently not economically feasible to assemble the components in accordance with the individual needs of every customer at the manufacturing site. In addition, in some industries, manufacturers make individual components which are capable of being used in combination with the components of other manufacturers in the industry.
As a consequence, the customer usually is faced with the inconvenient task of obtaining the desired component parts from one or more manufacturers and then combining them in the desired configuration. When a customer has a continuous need for such a combination of components, the burden of ordering the components and putting them together may become very time-consuming and expensive.
The problem is especially evident in the medical device industry. For example, medical practitioners often require a variety of components to create a desired intravenous (IV) set. The components of an IV set may include IV drip bags, medical tubing, needleless injection sites, Y-sites, luer connectors, etc. Many of these components are repeatedly used together in certain configurations for specific applications at a given hospital or other care center, but the components are generally sold separately by separate manufacturers.
Some medical device manufacturers have permitted their customers to order combinations of such components pre-assembled. However, as described below, the expense and delay heretofore associated with pre-assembled combinations has often been prohibitive, especially in view of the increasing cost constraints placed upon medical practitioners and medical device companies by insurance companies and the consuming public. Thus, despite the recurrent use of a certain combination at a facility, many medical practitioners have still been forced to order the components separately and then assemble them on site.
An example of a combination of IV set component parts that might be desired at a given hospital is shown in FIG. 1. In this example, a first end of a section of medical tubing 20 is inserted into a first inlet 22 of a Y-site 24. A female luer 26 and a CLAVE 28 fluid connector (manufactured by ICU Medical, Inc. of San Clemente, Calif.) are attached in series to the opposite end of the medical tubing 20. A PIGGY LOCK connector 30 (also available from ICU Medical, Inc.) is attached to a second inlet 32 of the Y-site 24, and a section of medical tubing 36 is coupled to the outlet port 38 of the Y-site 24. The PIGGY LOCK connector is attached to tubing 37 which is attached to a spike 35. The tubing 36 is connected to a luer lock 39 at its opposite end.
The typical prior art procedure for providing a pre-assembled combination of such an IV set is outlined below. A customer first contacts a manufacturing representative of a company which offers one or more of the components of the desired combination. The manufacturing representative then informs the manufacturer of the request and an employee of the manufacturer must then determine whether the requested combination can be provided in view of applicable governmental regulations.
Assuming the combination is permitted by such regulations, the manufacturing representative then arranges for another employee to put together a sample of the desired combination from the component parts. The sample is then sent to a facility for medical sterilization and packaging, returned from the sterilization facility, and then sent to the customer. In this process, if the manufacturer does not make all of the components of the desired combination, the manufacturer may need to obtain one or more of the components from another manufacturer.
It typically takes about ten days from the time the customer originally requests the sample to the time the customer receives the sample. The customer then evaluates the sample to determine whether it is satisfactory. If the customer approves of the sample, the customer must generally place a minimum bulk order of the combination with the manufacturing representative. In most cases, the customer does not have the option of ordering the desired combination in small quantities.
Bulk orders are usually required because the process of assembling and packaging a specific combination requires reconfiguration of the assembly process and special attention by the manufacturing and distribution personnel, entailing additional expenses which are only compensable by the profits resulting from an order of substantial size.
The assembly process usually takes an extended period of time. After assembly, the products must be sterilized and packaged. The process of sending the products to the sterilization facility, performing the sterilization and packaging, and then sending them back to the manufacturer takes more time. As a consequence of the various delays and inefficiencies, the complete process takes approximately four to six months from the time the customer first contacts the manufacturing representative to the time the customer receives the first bulk order.
Another problem associated with this procedure relates to the end cost of the product. As may be appreciated, the cost of labor is the primary cost associated with producing the product. In this process, a substantial number of man hours are spent in this process preparing the sample product. More man hours, and capital expenditure, are required to produce the minimum order of the product. Because of the substantial man-hours associated with the preparation of the product, the cost of the product is very high. This is especially true when viewed in relation to the number of products produced. This cost is passed on to the consumer, after application of a profit margin by the medical device supplier and hospital. In addition, they often produce several times the amount of the product ordered and keep the remaining product in inventory so that subsequent orders can be filled more quickly.
There is thus a need for an improved method of manufacturing pre-assembled combinations of component parts. It is an object of the invention to provide a method in which the customer is given more information at the beginning of the ordering process and the assembly process and wherein the assembly and transportation are efficiently controlled in a manner which provides the product more quickly and at a significant reduction in cost.

Method of manufacturing a multiple component device